Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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6th R. E. Gilpin --- L. G. Thomas, an essay taking some lines of Childe Harold for a text - "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, etc"

7th M. L. Roberts, a short but good article on "Sympathy."

8th H. J. Moore, "My knitting work", a poem in praise of knitting by Caroline Gilman.

9th C. B. Scott, "Companionship", a short prose article.

10th P. Farquhar (a guest) A sketch of the character of Gibbon, the historian.

11th S. H. Stone --

There still being time to spare before supper, E. D. Bentley read for M. L. Roberts, an account of the movement among the women of England, in demand of their "rights".

Adjourned to Mount Pleasant next month.

Mount Pleasant, 3rd month 25th 1869

The Association met here to day at 2 o'clock. 3 members absent, namely R. E. Gilpin, M. W. Kirk, and B. I. Lea.

Soon after 3 commenced with reading the minutes and then

1. M. Farquhar read an account of the Candle-fish of the Columbia River, so called because it is so fat it will burn like a candle: also endeavored to recall and retail some items of information gleaned from the conversation of Professor Schaeffer during his late visit. Such as, the effect of Alkalies to destroy the flavor of fruits, when heated together - not the acid only, but the especial flavor of the fruit. And the action of yeast, which is due to a fungus that under favorable conditions, multiplies itself rapidly.

2nd M. S. Hallowell, 2 recipes - 1 for a good cake, and 1 for a good and economical omelet.

3rd M. M. Miller described a new forcing process for making strawberries ripen early, which she had learned in a late visit to Philadelphia.

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and also interested us much with various anecdotes and of her story there.

4th E. D. Bentley, "Be Kind - especially to thy Mother" a short extract and also a tribute to Lucretia Mott from Henry Ward Beecher.

5th E. G. Thomas, an eloquent and well expressed extract from a speech on female suffrage - by a colored woman.

6th S. H. Stone, "Cure for snake bites". Ammonia applied externally and internally.

7th C. B. S. ---

8th H. J. Moore, "A plea for knitting" not as a business, but a pleasant and useful amusement for the odd moments in every woman's life.

9th M. L Roberts, an account of the great success of the application of dried and pulverized earth to wounds and old sores.

10th J. Porter "An Ocean Crown" , and "the Answer" - poetry.

11th L. G. Thomas, a description of Harriet Tubman.

Then a visit of admiration to the flourishing and beautiful greenhouse -- supper -- and adjourned to meet at Ashland next month.

Ashland, 4th month 29th, 1869

The 10th meeting of the Association at this place was held this afternoon - 10 members present and a number of guests. The absentees were R. E. Gilpin, M. S. Hallowell, B. I. Lea and C. B. Scott.

Soon after 3 o'clock the minutes were read and the first one called was M. L. Roberts who read "directions for raising onions" and offered some seed for distributon.

2. S. H. Stone, "Spring" a piece of poetry.

3. E. G. Thomas an article on "Poultry raising" from the Tribune.

Anna Wilson (a guest) gave a recipe for custard pie, very rich & good.

4. H. G. Moore, a poem by Myra Townsend on the universal presence & love of God.

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5. E. D. Bentley, A sketch of two women doctors of New York - and of the Women's Club House in the same city.

A Marshall (a guest) "The Old Fashioned Mother."

6. M. W. Kirk, two old poems, On Revisiting the Scenes of Childhood; and "The Spirit's Land."

7. L. G. Thomas "Nothing to do" - good advice and suggestions to those who think they have nothing to do.

8. M. Farquhar, A short statement of the works of benevolence of the Hebrews, - and another describing the charitable and educational institutions of the Chinese.

M. M Miller and J. Porter had no contributions.

Adjourned to Cherry Grove next month.

Cherry Grove 5th month 27th 1869

The Association met here the 8th time, a large and very pleasant company, all the members being present, except M. W. Kirk, and S. H. Stone, and there were many guests. Some came later, and our reading was a little delayed to await their arrival.

After the minutes were disposed of, M. Farquhar read from the Tribune, by way of continuation of the Poultry subject, various modes of treatment recommended for the prevention and care of gapes.

2. E. G. Thomas, read an interesting description of Greenwood Cemetery, and several little histories connected with some of the tombs there.

3. J. Porter (by S. L. Miller) A little account of the famous Yosemite Valley from Brace's "New West."

4. P. Legget (a guest) offered an extract from a newspaper, headed "The Friendly Agents", being a disquisition on the character of Friends as a society, and augering well from their being chosen as Indian agents.

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5. E. D. Bentley, "Great good in small deeds", a good essay.

6. L. G. Thomas "Gardening among the Ancients", telling of the attention paid to the art, and the progress made in very early times in the culture of the purely ornamental, as well as the useful products of the garden.

7. M. M. Miller, "Keep near your children", sympathize with them, feel and show an interest in their interests, however small, and don't fear to lose dignity by entering even in their plays.

8. M. L. Roberts "Up and be doing", a very good piece of poetry reminding us of Eliza Book's verses on "Labor".

9. B. I. Lea, "A short Sermon", being an instructive incident in a Rail Road station.

10. M. S. Hallowell asked how to remove limestone from matting - had tried vinegar without success - was recommended to wash with soda dissolved in water, not strong. And she read some recipes for cleaning and preserving furniture.

11. H. J. Moore, an original communication on the subject of our Association, speaking pleasantly of the satisfaction she had had in our meeting in the last 10 years, and her conviction that they had been productive of certain good and not any harm.

12. R. E. Gilpin, and article on the subject of servant girls, containing some good suggestions.

Mary B. Thomas read two pieces -- one in verse, "The three words" Hope, Faith & Love; the other an Allegory, "The Unseen Land."

And Sarah T. Miller read some amusing satirical remarks on the conduct of a Woman's Rights Convention lately held in New York City.

Adjourned to Bloomfield next month.

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Bloomfield, June 24th, 1869

The 10th meeting here of the Association was held to-day, and the numerous invited guests added to the eleven regular members present made a large company.

The minutes of the last meeting here and of last month were read, & M. Farquhar read a description of Miss Kate Field, and a sketch of the appearance & character of Durant, the builder of the Pacific Rail Road.

2. M. L. Roberts "Man the Crown of Creation." There are many wonders in creation, but Man is the greatest wonder of all.

3. M. W. Kirk, a fine poem, "The Meeting place".

4. L. G. Thomas had intended to bring a letter, or letters from her sister out among the Indians, but had lent them, and had not received them back. She told us however some things that were in the letters which were very interesting.

5. J. Porter (per M. B. Thomas) "Rearing boys" a story in 4 chapters, showing "how not to do it."

6. M. M. Miller, The Philadelphia Five Points (between 5th and 8th Sts.) - an incident of the "Midnight Mission."

P. Farquhar read a poem without a name, which might be called "the two ways through life" by S. B. S.

R. M. Thomas a very good article by John F. Ware called "Home", pointing out what is necessary to constitute a true and complete home.

7. H. G. Moore an Anecdote of the Ex-queen of Spain: her visit to the Convent.

8. E. G. Thomas, "A word to Mother" - very good advice.

9. S. H. Stone, Tennyson's poem called "Sea - Dreams."

10. E. D. Bentley, "The Lesson of the hour:" thoughts caused by the examination of an bumble-bee's nest, with its careful provision for the wants of the expected young ones.

Some pleasant conversation, a walk in the garden & supper followed, and we adjourned to the Cedars next month.