Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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Leas Mill 10th mo 21st 1875

The Association met here the 12th time.

The Secretary being absent M. L. Roberts, was named to take her place. On account of the funeral of Roger Farquhar's child, and other causes, there were only five members present and several guests.

After an hour of pleasant conversation the meeting was called to order.

The minutes of the last meeting and those of the ones made of the exercises at this place in 9th mo 1873 were read, and some comments made thereon.

M. L. Roberts read Drawing Conclusions. "There is a self discipline to which every one may subject herself, that will go far towards correcting hasty and ill drawn conclusions. The love of truth must triumph over other affections, the desire to possess it, must overpower all other inclinations, if we would form true conclusions.

R. E. Gilpin, the Clear Vision by Whittier which all may be profited by reading.

A. E. Hartshorne, Only a Woman. Poetry: a touching picture of "Only a woman forsaken and poor Asking an alms at the bronze church door.

B. I. Lea Never too late to Mend. An interesting account of a Penitentiary of Berlin. Also "Grandfather" Poetry. "When the trees are yellow, and green, and gold,

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They seem to say to the old man's heart "See: we grow lovely as we grow old!"

Laidie B. Lea a guest recited "Be careful what you say" A lesson on the importance to all, of only saying of others what we would be willing to have said of us.

After tea adjourned. The place to be decided by the one to whom it may suit.

Sherwood, 11th mo 25th 1875

A bright, pleasant day. We met here by invitation, to celebrate the "Thanksgiving" by sewing for Indian children. Excepting the minutes, and a Psalm (10th) the usual reading was dispensed with and with the aid of three sewing machines we finished about thirty garments. Thirteen members and as many guests were present. After spending a pleasant day, we adjourned to meet at Sunset on the 23rd of next mo.

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Sunset 12th mo 23d 1875

A lovely spring-like day - 13 members in attendance & several guests. In good time the minutes were read. Then

A. F. Gilpin began the regular exercise by reading two poetical effusions "In School days by J. G. Whittier and lines on "Doubting" or want of trust in our Heavenly Father. 2 M. Farquhar selected the autobiography of Lady Anna Halkett. 3 H. J. Moore read part of a memorial concerning Sarah Alice Hutton whose remarkable close at the early age of eighteen was a beautiful lesson to all, old and young.

4 C. Scott.... 5 E. D. Bentley, gave us "The wayside inn by Adelaide Proctor. 6 R. E. Gilpin read an interesting sermon, by Dr Peck, "The Indian Summer of human life" - teaching us that we should revere the aged and how to grow old gracefully.

7 L. G. Thomas "A Mother's lament for her Son" set of touching lines. 8 M. L. Hallowell "A letter from Benjamin Franklin to his daughter 95 years ago, also a recipe for lip salve & for a [?]

9 S. H. Stone "Thoughts on the closing year and a review of the past - profitable and appropriate"

10 S. Porter... 11 E. G. Thomas read no 5 "Chat with the old" from Country Gentleman. S. Miller (for S. Porter) read a "Summer reverie, by Laura Smith.

12 R. M. Thomas "Preface to Aunt Jane's Hero" 13 M. L. Roberts "Thomas Carlyle at Home." It was unmarked at the close of this meeting that it had been one of

the most profitable and agreeable meeting we had ever held -

Adjourned to Prospect Hill the last fifth day in next month

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