Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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3. C. B. Scott, "A Century Plant" being a woman 112 years old, and still in possession of her faculties.

4. L. G. Thomas, "These little ones", an exhortation to treat children with more respect than we do generally.

5. S. E. Stabler, a good article "On the Value of Human life".

6. E. D. Bentley, "Accuracy " - a very desirable quality - indispensable to strict truth.

7. H. J. Moore, "How to be happy" -- "A Lay Sermon" and more beautiful verses, beginning "Two hands upon the breast."

8. E. G. Thomas, a poem by F. D. Gage, and "Eternal Dish-washing", a humorous article by Rev. Thomas Beecher.

9. J. Scofield, a medical and moral essay upon 'The Dangers of boxing chidlren's ears."

10. M. M. Miller "An Airy Talk" - being about ventilation containing very good advice & earnestly given.

Adjourned to Plainfield, the 27th of next month.

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Plainfield, 1st month 27th, 1870

The ninth meeting of the Association at this place was attended by all the members, except B. I. Lea, and C. B. Scott and by several guests. The weather was springlike, and everyone dressed to enjoy it.

Soon after dinner the meeting came to order, the minutes were read and M. Farquhar commenced with a short article about onions, containing a statement that they were probably one of the best absorbents of blood poisons known. A discussion followed of their virtues, and various facts relating to them, as for instance, a piece of raw onion rubbed on a sting will relieve the pain. A piece of bread or a darning needle held in the mouth while cutting raw onions will prevent the pain in the eyes, etc.

2. E. G. Thomas read some verses on the heroism of Albert G. Drecker, the drawbridge-keeper who saw his child perish while he secured the safety of the passengers in a train over the bridge.

3. R. E. Gilpin, "Over and Over again" a good little poem and an account of the journey and difficulties of some of the Indian agents.

4. M. L. Roberts, "Reflections" - an encouraging article.

5. A. E. Hartshorne, who was with us as a guest, brought a book (The World before the Flood) which she highly recommended to our perusal -- and showed us "the Eugenie" or "Ladies Companions" with a description of its application and uses.

6. M .W. Kirk recited a short poem by Tucker, called "Days of my Youth."

7. E. D. Bentley, two good pieces "She always made Home happy" (poetry) and "Waiting for Opportunities."

8. M. S. Hallowell, a letter of Emily Painter's from Omaha, describing "Christmas

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day on the Prairies."

9. W. J. Moore, verses by a cousin on the death of a friend with the text "Blessed are the poor in heart, for they shall see God."

10. M. M. Miller...

11. L. G. Thomas "What women talk about" containg some deserved censure, and some good advice.

In conclusion, M. Farquhar read "A perilous voyage," being a thrilling account of the first known passage through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.

Adjourned to Alloway next month at 2 P. M

Alloway.

2nd month, 24th 1870

The bad state of the roads, and cold weather prevented a full attendance at the 6th meeting of the Assocation at this place, held to-day only half the numbers were present, and two or three guests.

After an hour spent in waiting for others to come, and in pleasant conversation, the minutes were read and

1. M. Farquhar read some extracts from an account of "The new Herculaneum" -- being very ancient buried town, lately discovered in some of the Islands of the Grecian Archipelago.

2. E. G. Thomas, "What is Life?" -- a rather gloomy picture - true, but not the whole truth.

3. M. L. Roberts, a letter from Mary Lightfoot about the Indians, followed by interesting conversation on the same subject.

4. L. G. Thomas, an interesting letter from our friend Ruth Dugdale on the duty of a word of admonition, in season an d in love to the erring ones.

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5. E. D. Bentley, part of a sermon by G. B. Cheever, called "Half Truths Dangerous". M. M. Miller and Jane Porter were excused.

Adjourned to Sunset next month at 2 P.M.

Sunset, March 31st, 1870

The Association was received the 9th time by Jane Porter this afternoon. Only eight members were present, and some guests. Some of the absent ones were prevented from attending by sickness, some by the state of the weather.

About the usual time the minutes were read and afterward

1. M. Farquhar read 2 articles - the first one an extract from "A. Bachelor's notions about Domestic Bliss" - the second concerning "Ladies' Restaurants."

2. E. D. Bentley, part of a good sermon by J. F W Ware. Subject, "What woman must be".

3. H. J. Moore brought some medical receipes and showed another french invention - a box containg mustard plasters already spread and fit for immediate use.

4. S. E. Stabler, "The Bright Side" an inspiring little article, meant to encourage hope -and charity.

5. M. W. Kirk an interesting description by Moncure Conway of a visit to Tennyson, at his home.

6. L. G. Thomas, "Thoughts on a night of Sorrow" a poem.

7. E. G. Thomas, "Sunshine for the Consumptive" showing the importance of the direct rays of the sun, a remedial agent, especially in consumption.

Eliza Kirk also spoke of her belief of the benefit of sunlight in sickness generally, from what she had observed.

8. M. L. Roberts read a description of the Rose of Sharon, giving a new idea of this Eastern flower.

Adjourned to Sherwood next month, 28th.

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Sherwood, 4th month 28th, 1870

The 11th meeting of the Association at this place, was attended by every member except R. E. Gilpin, (kept at home by visitors) and by some guests. All arrived early, and the reading commenced soon after three. After the reading of the minutes,

1. M. Farquhar read "A new way of getting up stairs", being a description of the "elevators" used in the high hotels and other buildings in New York.

2. E. D. Bentley, Ann Preston's excellent address to the graduating class in the Woman's Medical College, at their last commencement.

3. M. W. Kirk, 2 poems on the same subject, one "Old Age", the other "Growing Old", both good - and well read.

Rachel G. Gilpin showed us a quilt square, made in a new way, very pretty and simple.

4. E. G. Thomas, one of the Chapters on "Home Interest", and "matrimonial infelicities" and other subjects.

5. L. G. Thomas, an extract called "The winter of Life."

6. Phebe Farquhar read some extracts from Tennyson about Woman & her sphere.

7. S. H. Stone, "The Grandfather", a lively & in some respects truthful description of one's feelings toward grandchildren compared with one's own.

8. M. M. Miller, a part of a very good article called "The Coming Woman."

9. B. I. Lea, "How to read" - some good remarks on the art of reading.

10. H. J. Moore, "But one pair of stockings to mend tonight" a pretty and affecting poem, worth reading the second time.

11. M. S. Hallowell, "After words to parents " and "how to make butter in the winter." The method may be briefly stated as follows: heat the milk in the pans, after it has stood 24 hours, let it stand another 24 and skim. When the cream has to be kept long before churning, stir in a little salt petre.

12. Jane Porter told us something of the profit of hens when well managed.

Adjourned to Prospect Hill next month.