Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

"Receipt for Lowliness of Spirits"

Take one ounce of the seeds of resolution properly mixed with the oils of good conscience, infuse into it a large spoonful of the salts of patience -- distil very carefully a composing plant called "otherswoes," which you find in every part of the garden of life, growing under the broad leaves of disguise - add a small quantity, and it will greatly assist the salts of patience in their operation - gather a handful of the blossoms of Hope, then sweeten them properly with a syrup made of the balm of Providence - and if you can get any of the seeds of true friendship you will have the most valuable medicine.

that can be administered; but you must be very careful to get the true seeds, as there is a weed that very much resembles it - called selfishness which will spoil the whole composition. Make this ingredient up into small pills, which may be called pills of comfort- Take one night and morning, and in a short time the cure will be effectually completed."

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"Sunset" 11th month 19th 1868

The first meeting of the Association at this place (the 8th received by our present hostess) was well attended, every member, except M. M. Miller, being present, and numerous guests beside. Among the guests were Margaret E. Hallowell, and Mary Lippincott.

In the short time before dinner some of us were employed in sewing for the colored orphans in Baltimore, some for the Soldier's Home, and all in pleasant conversation.

Soon after dinner we came to order, and the minutes of last year and last meeting were read, after which 1. M. Farquhar showed a little book describing "Earth Closets" and their advantages; and read part of an article on "Other Habitable Worlds."

2. R. E. Gilpin offered a recipe for a "Cheap Fumigator", made with vinegar, chalk, and sulphuric acid.

3. J. Porter read the 16th chapter of Proverbs.

4. E. G. Thomas, extract from a "letter to Farmers' Daughters", about the importance of little things."

5. H. J. Moore, some poetry containing "good advice for everybody", & "A blessing" a gem in prose.

6. C. B. Scott, a short notice of the "Countess Segur", by her husband.

7. E. D. Bentley, a letter from Dr Holland, in Switzerland.

8. R. Turner (a guest) brought a letter from Richmond, Ind. describing a Quaker meeting.

9. M. S. Hallowell "Sickness", a poem in which sickness is described as a means of improvement, and preparation for Heaven.

10. M. W. Kirk read an "Old Hebrew Dirge" and John Quincy Adams' beautiful lines "On the death of Children."

11. B. I. Lea "How maps are made."

12. M. L. Roberts, How to prevent literary waste - keep a book for good extracts and valuable scraps.

13. A. Marshall (a guest) "How pins are made."

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14. S. H. Stone, "The Shadows we cast" - meaning the pain we may cause to a loving hearts by unkind looks, or manners, or words, which might be avoided were we less selfish.

Adjourned to Sherwood in January.

1869.

Sherwood, 1st month 21st.

The Association met here the 10th time. All were present except H. G. Moore, and C. B. Scott -- and several guests were with us.

Soon after dinner the meeting was called to order, and the minutes were read, after which M. Farquhar read an extract from the chapter in Lyell's Principles of Geology, on Progressive Development, in which we are exhorted to "seek earnestly and patiently for what is true, not what we wish to be true."

2. M. L. Roberts, Whittier's poem about Thaler, the Preacher.

3. S. H. Stone had left her selection at home.

4. E. G. Thomas, "Country Neighbors" - their kindness & unselfishness.

5. R. E. Gilpin, an Essay on the "Fallacies of Memory."

6. G. Porter, "An Old Man's Musings" - a pretty piece of poetry.

7. B. I. Lea, An interesting article on the treatment of the Insane in France.

8. L. G. Thomas presented a gavel, which she had had made for the use of our Society; and read "Hints on Deportment at Home" containing good suggestions for all.

9. E. D. Bentley, "Woman as an Inventor" from "The Revolutionist," a Woman's Rights paper.

10. M. M. Miller, a letter from Miss Bremer, containing an extract from Swedenborg's writings about the Spirit-World.

11. M. S. Hallowell, "Labor lightened by Love, " a pretty little poem.

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12. M. W. Kirk, Mrs. Brownings poem, "Only a Curl."

M. B. Thomas read a piece of blank verse entitled "How soon we lose our children" - by their growing up. The same subject we have several times had, but differently expressed.

C. H. Miller read for Ann Marshall, "A Thanksgiving", quite a fine poem, by a factory girl of Lowell, Mass.

There was some lively discussion of the propriety of women's ever lecturing to public audiences, or stepping in any direction beyond the bounds of home-duties, and different opinions expressed.

Also, some inquiry about the new soap "Washing-Made-Easy", lately introduced in the neighborhood. All who had used it more than once spoke favorably of it.

Adjourned to Prospect Hill next month conditionally.

Prospect Hill, 2nd month 25th 1869

The Association met at two o'cock, the 7th time here. All present except 2, B. I. Lea, and L. G. Thomas. Two guests were with us.

About 3 the minutes were read, & the various contributions followed: 1st M. Farquhar read a graphic description of a visit to the Crater of Vesuvious, giving us quite a new idea of its appearance.

2nd E. D. Bentley, A letter from the Tho's Garrett, containing an interesting account of Harriet Tubman, & her adventures in liberating a number of her race from slavery.

3rd M. S. Hallowell, obituary and verses on the death of C. H. Reese's children.

4th M. W. Kirk "Two ways of telling a story" a pretty little moral tale, by Jean Ingelow.

5th M. M Miller (for J. Porter) "The musings of the Butterfly and Bumblebee" - a satire on the unworthy vanity of New York ladies.