Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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The Cedars, February 27th 1868

The Association met here the 9th time, all present except B. I. Lea, H. J. Moore, S. H. Stone, and C. B. Scott; of whom two were absent from the neighborhood, and one sick. There were also a good many guests. The members were very punctual, all coming nearly at the same time, and we became settled before 3 o'clock.

After the minutes were read M. Farquhar produced a selection from the Living Age, called "Cats and Civilization", containing some curious facts in the natural history of cats.

2. E. D. Bentley "A Ballad of Lake Erie", some verses celebrating the heroism of John Maynard, who sacrificed his own life to save those of the passengers on a burning vessel; - and an account of a French artist without arms.

3. M. L. Roberts, an article about Charles Dickens, condemning him and his writings, - to which we could not all subscribe.

4. R. E. Gilpin, A good article on the evils of Procrastination.

5. L. G. Thomas "Which?" Some verses describing the hesitation and final unwillingness of a father and mother to choose "which" of all their children to give up to a rich relative.

Phebe Farquhar, being requested, recited for us some "Stanzas" about the Soul & Body - to the effect that the sun & stars would roll on unchanged when our bodies turn to dust, but our souls will still exist when sun & stars become extinct.

6. E. G. Thomas, "One hour with Thee" - devotional poetry, by her cousin G. Gassaway.

S. B. Farquhar read by request some poetry by Ann Preston on Swarthmore.

7. J. Porter asked if any of us had tried putting lime-water in light bread? None us had, though several had heard it was sometimes an improvement.

8. M. M. Miller, told her method of making yeast, which, as it had proved very successful, may be repeated here: namely, boil some

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potatoes, if the size of an egg, 5 or 6, with a handful of hops in 3 pints of water. As soon as the potatoes are soft, peel & mash them fine, put a little flour with them, & strain in the boiling hop-water.

She also read an interesting account of Washington Irving of a visit to Sir Walter Scott at Abbotsford.

9. M. S. Hallowell, "A Baby's Lesson", an instructive account of a scene in a Rail-Road car.

10. M. W. Kirk, "A Contented Man", a moral story, of a man happy and contented in resigning himself to the loss of great riches, and made miserable by their restoration.

She also recited "The Better Land" by Mrs. Hemans.

Here the reading ended, and a half hour's span was left for conversation 'till 5 o'clock, when we had supper, and adjourned to A. Gilpin's next month, at 2 P.M.

A. Gilpin's or Avalon

3rd month 26th 1868.

The Association held its 9th meeting at this place this afternoon. 4 members - M. W. Kirk, B. I. Lea, H. J. Moore, and M. M. Miller, were absent; but their places were filled by as many guests.

About 3 o'clock the meeting came to order, and the minutes were read, after which M. Farquhar read two pieces of poetry, "The True Solitary", and The Two Villages.

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2. J. Porter, a good little selection about "The Good we Lose" the happiness, or the advanatages we fail to profit by.

3. E. G. Thomas, "The Household Hearth" its lasting influences for good or harm: and "Comfort in Affliction."

4. M. S. H. Nothing. S. E. Stabler gave us a recipe for drop jumbles, and read a European criticism on the loud talking, and screeching laughter of Americans, which are pronounced offensive to refined taste, & hurtful to the vocal organs.

5. R. E. Gilpin, " A Plea for the Afternoon" - meaning the afternoon of life; exhorting persons who are past their meridian not to sink into indolence of mind or body because it is no longer necessary to work for a living, but continue active and useful, and alive as long as possible.

6. M. L. Roberts, "In memory of Mrs. Mary Mason, - a short memoir of an excellent old lady of New York.

7. L. G. Thomas, "Hedges", - the religious & moral restraints which keep people from straying out of proper bounds.

8. C. B. Scott, "Heart Music" - the unwritten music found in Nature & her works.

9. E. D. Bentley "How soon we lose our children" - by their growing up, and remaining children no longer. But, as Leigh Hunt says "They who have lost a child by death, always have a child." They have never seen him grow up.

Adjourned to Fair Hill next month.

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Fair Hill, April 30th 1868

Our second meeting here was attended by 12 members, two being absent and by several guests.

At the usual time the minutes were read and afterward:

1. M. Farquhar was the first to read a selection describing how Chromo-Lithographic pictures are made.

2. M. L. Roberts read a letter from Belle Tyson about the shelter for colored orphans - also an extract from one of Bayard Taylor's about the protection of plants during the winter.

3. R. E. Gilpin - an account of what has been done for a relief of the Friends in North Carolina.

4. B. I. Lea, -"Obstacles", a very good article, tho' rather diffuse, about being overcome by difficulties, instead of conquering them.

5. J. Porter, - Moore's beautiful lines ,"Thou art of God the Light and Life," etc.

6. L. G. Thomas - an article on Gratitude and Worship, by S. Hunt.

7. E. D. Bentley - sundry scraps of interesting and useful information - and a very good little story, called "Much from a little."

8. H. J. Moore --- 9. M. S. Hallowell - an extract from Henry Ward Beecher on mourning costume, expressing Friends' opinions about it pretty nearly.

10. C. Scott, - "Growing Old Gracefully" - a story, with a moral.

11. M. M. Miller, - "No Seat in Heaven", - the second time it had been read to us, but very acceptable still.

12. M. W. Kirk - "The Exile's Prayer," good poetry - and well read.

Adjourned to Ashland next month.

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Ashland 5th month 28th 1868

The Association held its 9th meeting at this place this afternoon - 10 members, and several guests present. The absentees were H. J. Moore, M. M. Miller, M. L. Roberts, & C. B. Scott.

The meeting came to order and the mintues were read about the usual time, after which M. Farquhar read a review of the History of Maryland.

2nd S. H. Stone "The Pot of Geranium", a little story to show how the innate love of beauty and order may be awakened in the most slovenly by suitable means.

3rd M. S. Hallowell told her experience in churning the same cream twice, getting butter each time; and also that lettuce will grow again and put out sideshoots, if the top only be taken off and the roots left standing.

4th B. I. Lea read about "The Rat Catcher", a wonderful picture by an artist without the use of his limbs, with an interesting account of his manner of working.

5th R. E. Gilpin spoke of the yeast made with raw potatoes grated as good; and showed some recipes for pudding & cake.

6th E. G. Thomas, "Now and Then".

7th J. Porter, "Honor your Business".

8th L. G. Thomas, "Home-life".

(Your secretary must beg indulgence and forgiveness for the meagerness of these minutes. The distractions of Quarterly Meeting, and various social engagements, intervening between our last meeting and any written record of it, have made it impossible to remember details.)

9th E. D. Bentley, "Table-talk", an essay by Emerson, inculcating a higher tone of conversation in common Society - and more sincerity.

10th M. W. Kirk, read what she called "A dry piece", about the useful and the beautiful, but we found it interesting: and also a touching little poem called "Charlie's House".

Adjourned to Lea's Mill next month.