Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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over the garden, we noticed some new roses, just planted out - twelve or eighteen inches apart. The intention is to mass them, and when they come into fall bloom the effect will be very fine. After tea and pleasant conversation we adjourned to Walnut Hill next month.

Walnut Hill 6th mo 24th 1875

An uncomfortably warm day, thermometer at 96° and another small meeting of our society - only eight members being present, and several guests. After some time spent in conversation, we came to order and the minutes were read as usual -

then 1st A. F. Gilpin asked some information about a shoulder brace corset, highly recommended, by Daisy Eyebright - "No one had used them - 2d Anne Porter read pretty lines called, Beautiful gates of the temple,"

3 Lydia G. Thomas, gave a recipe to keep moths away from carpets. "Pulverized alum," and read an article on "Manliness" - the truly noble should not fear ridicule, if they are in the right. 4 M. L. Roberts, read "Lines on a skull, (author unknown,) and recommended a cement of dissolved glass - Mary Elizabeth Moore, read an article on

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Household miscues" showing how great evils may raise, from neglecting little things. 5 Hadassa J. Moore selected a piece with the heading "So Tired". We all tire of the trouble and sorrow, which life brings to us, and our only rest comes when the Father leads us to his refuge, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest."

6 Rachel E. Gilpin, read the "Creed of the bells."

7 Margaret L. Hallowell, wished to know how to get rid of roaches. "Camphine, phosphorus and persian powder all recommended.

8 Beulah Lea gave an account of an immense elephant, who would at times become sulky and lie down; and then refusing to get up, would be hoisted with a derrick, she also read a short piece on the importance of gospel teaching, and lines entitled "only a servant girl.

Louisa Painter, lines "Be there no room in the angel land?" We adjourned to Leawood next month, and hope to see a larger gathering of our members.

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Leawood, 7 mo 29th 1875

This (the second meeting at this place) was unusually small, only five members being present, and three guests.

After waiting some time, we walked in the garden, and were pleased to see many beautiful flowers, then returned to the house and began the exercise of the day.

After the minutes were read, 1st E. D. Bentley gave us an account of several places of note in Cincinnati - "Fountain" where an abundance of ice water is free to all - "Spring grove cemetery" etc. places which she visited during a recent trip west.

M. Farquhar read a short article on "Physiology" and an interesting letter from her son, Henry in Cologne. 2 H. J. Moore, "Old Friends." Old friends are best - love the new, but do not forget the old." also asked, "should the tops of jelly glasses be put on, while the jelly is hot". No, wait until it becomes perfectly cold." Mrs Borgman, gave as a description of the famous Strausburg dock." "A. F. Gilpin read an article recommending the use of Kerosene stoves during the warm weather after which we adjourned to Leawood Mills next month

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Plainfield 9th mo 23d 1875

On account of sickness in the family, Beulah Lea could not receive us, and the meeting was omitted. We were invited to meet at this place one week earlier than usual. All the members present excepting M. L. Hallowell & M. M. Miller. Several guests contributed to our entertainment and we had a pleasant time. After the minutes were read, H. J. Moore proposed that we should omit the meeting in the Seventh month, and meet in the Twelfth month instead (one week before Christmas). The motion was carried, and the secretary directed to record the minutes. 1 M. W. Kirk read the "Ills of daily life"

Mrs Christian (a guest) gave a recipe for icing, different from the old, by being boiled. 2 M. L. Roberts gave us "Recollections of Pisa, description of the leaning tower

3 E. D. Bentley, read an essay on "Pies" an amusing article, but containing an earnest appeal to women, against the constant use of this article of food.

4 R. M. Thomas selected beautiful lines by Mrs Bradley on the death of her daughter, also a short article on "Woman's influence at home".

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5 R. E. Gilpin read very pretty lines "The white raiment". Also an extract on the "Temperance movement in Brooklyn" showing the amount of good, which can be accomplished by quiet perseverance.

6 M. Farquhar, two recipes, "one to make liquid glue, and one to keep meat fresh a long time."

7 E. G. Thomas read "A Mother's prayers" and an incident proving the lasting influence of a Mother's love. Also a little piece "Alone" at eighty.

8 B. I. Lea read Love and Labour"

9 S. H. Stone an article on "Autumn" contrasting the beauties of autumn & Spring.

10 H. J. Moore read a little incident "After the Storm". Five of our number had no literary contribution to offer. After tea and a most abundant supper of delicious grapes, we adjourned to Leawood Mills on the twenty first of next month, one week earlier in the month on account of Yearly meeting.