Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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7. C. Scott; Some interesting extracts from the journal of Lavater, the Physiognomist, - giving a sweet picture of his wife.

8. E. G. Thomas -- assisted by 9. M. M. Miller, read part of an account of an excursion to Swarthmore, and other interesting places near Philadelphia, with descriptions of the buildings on them, and their uses.

Adjourned - conditionally to W. Scott's next month.

Cherry Grove, 10th month 24th, 1867

Caroline Scott being away from home, the Association met here to-day, and by especial invitation, to dinner. It was the 7th meeting at this place.

Exactly as the clock struck 12 we were summoned to dinner, and soon after commenced our regular routine. When the minutes were disposed of, M. Farquhar read a story called "Loose Ben," said to be true, portraying in an affecting manner, the influence for good of a lovely little girl on a half savage servant boy, by her persistent and gentle teaching.

2. H. J. Moore from "The Independent," "The Death of Children," the same subject in the abstract, of which the story was an illustration.

3. E. G. Thomas, "The Blue Sky Somewhere", another story of a child's teaching - teaching Hope and Trust. And also an interesting extract from the Queen's Book - the life of Prince Albert, describing the manner of their engagement, and feelings toward each other.

4. E. D. Bentley "Are the Children at Home?" - poetry - and for M. L. Roberts, "A day with Rosa Bonheur."

5. J. Porter _____ 6. S. H. Stone _________

7. L. G. Thomas "Mourning for death of the First - born". There seem'd

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to be an unconscious accord among us in our choice of subjects for reading this afternoon. This was similar in its tone to some which were read before it.

8. M. M. Miller, "Let us have Plump Women" inculcating more out door excercise, & less close application to study for young girls.

M. W. Kirk. Mrs. Brownings " Di Profundis", and "Resting in God".

Some anecdotes followed, and some lively and amusing conversation,' till the time came to separate, when we adjourned again conditionally - to Wilson Scott's.

Mount Pleasant, 12th mo. 26th 1867. 2nd meeting.

Caroline B. Scott not being at home last month the Association met here this month, it not being our usual time, several persons did not hear of the meeting, and there were only 7 members present with two guests. After some very pleasant conversation, and dinner, the Secretary being absent , M. L. Roberts was requested to take her place for the day.

After the minutes were read, Margaret S. Hallowell was proposed as a member, which being unanimously approved she is to be informed of her acceptance.

M. L. Roberts read, Antedeluvian Ivory from Alaska.

Stating that evidence exists in abundance to prove that at some time, the poles of the earth were

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located where now are the torrid regions, and that creatures of monsterous size sported amid great forests, subsisting on luxurious herbage, where now there is only eternal silence, and the frost king remains undisturbed. Immense numbers of tusk of ivory are found; one measuring 12 feet, some of it so well preserved that a portion was fit for use.

M. W. Kirk read Fears, by C. Fry speaking of the unreasonable indulgence of fear, as not being consistent with the calm and humble trust we profess to repose in a superintending providence. Recommending as the best cure for it, an abiding sense of the ever present Providence of God. That by cultivating this consciousness of the Divine protection it will recur to our minds on the first movement of alarm.

E.D. Bentley read Jewish and Christian Charity and interesting account of the Jewish manner of administering relief in London; worthy of immitation. They have selected the wisest and best of their people, as volunteer guardians of their poor, who see that those employed to dispense their bounty, do it faithfully . The poor are urged to apply for relief before they become paupers! The whole aim seems to be to consider their well being and hightest interests.

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Sarah Stone, Close of the Week. To many a day of rejoicing as they feel they have thrown by the implements of toil and anxieties of labor for at least one day.

C. B. Scott - The Cheerful and the Gloomy. While one attracts the other repels, by cultivating the Cheerful the Gloom is dispelled and all within its influence made happy.

H. J. Moore Niagra from the Spanish Poetry - grand and beautiful

R. E. Gilpin had nothing to offer

Cyanide of Potasium was recommended to remove undelible ink spots.

Adjourned to Ashland next month.

9th meeting. 13

Bloomfield, 1st month 30th 1868

There still being reasons for deferring longer the meeting at Ashland, the Association met here today -- all present except two members, L. G. Thomas, E. G. Thomas and there were several guests.

Soon after dinner the reading commenced after the minutes.

1. M. Farquhar read "Paying One's Shot," an essay on social intercourse, and what is due, or expected from guests in social visiting.

2. M. L. Roberts, an account of the origin & final success of the discovery of the way to make Concrete Stone.

3. H. J. Moore, a receipe for a Plum pudding, and a recommendation to keep a list of all household articles, to prevent loss.

4. R. E. Gilpin - "A New Year's Retrospect" a pretty piece of poetry.

5. B. I. Lea per M. M. Miller "Antiquities of Gwisebroch - a description of the ruins of an ancient castle, or abbey, in Scotland.

C. Scott and S. H. Stone - nothing.

6. M. S. Hallowell . An extract from "The Queen's book," describing Albert's journey to England, just before his marriage, & reception there.

7. M. W. Kirk having nothing to read, drew upon her memory, and recited, with satisfaction to the company, Longfellow's "Footsteps of Angels", with the continuation by. S. B. Stabler.

8 Jane Porter. An anecdote of an Emperor of China "destroying his enemies" by kindness.

9. E. D. Bentley, "The Poor Shall have a share of it". An interesting account of a vow made by a good woman, who rose from poverty to affluence, in the beginning of her prosperity to "share with the poor" - and its fruitful fullfilment by herself and her son.

Adjourned to The Cedars next month.