Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1883-1889

10

is good, when indirectly used how much more powerful it would be if brought directly in contact with the object - in other words - if a woman can influence her men friends to vote rightly - she ought to have the privilege of casting a vote for herself - the second "A soft answer" was excellent.

Much regret was expressed that our dear friend H. J. Moore was kept away by indisposition. The burning of the old home Plainfield a deep trial - and a cold taken at that time and increased afterwards has prevented her going out for several weeks. We trust she may soon be again among us.

Adjourned to meet at Bloomfield, to dinner on the 29th of next month.

Every good act is charity. Giving water to the thirsty is charity. Putting a wanderer in the right path is charity. Smiling in a brother's face is charity. Our true wealth hereafter is the good we do in the world.

11

When one dies, men ask what property he left behind him, but angels ask what good deeds he sent before him.

Catch the sunbeam, don't be grieving: O'er what darkness below there: Life's a sea of stormy billows; We must meet them everywhere.

Pass right home, do not tarry, Overcome the learning tide; There's a sparkling gleam of sunshine Waiting on the other side.

Plainfield burned the day Fannie G. Lea was buried, hence reference to affliction in foregoing minutes.

12

Bloomfield. 2nd mo 28th 1884

A large company assembled here today, 17 members being present and a number of guests.

After the usual reading of minutes, the first article read by R. M. Thomas was on Health. After good advice to young people, in reference to this, one of the greatest blessings of existence, the writer says - "You are placed here with many duties and responsibilities and a great life awaiting your energies; which you do not wish to see sink into insignificance through physical incapacity or other causes; nor your souls only glimmering as a rush light, when they ought to be shedding forth an illumination like a beacon from a mountains height." R. M. Thomas also read a piece of poetry on Temperance which was good - called "Nothing or Something" by Frances E. Harper.

S. T. Miller also read suggestions on the Temperance question, by S. C. Schaefer - and second was about high license, by Mary B. Willard.

13

M. E. Moore's article was the acceptance of God's will. "The best state to be in, is that in which God's hand holds you; do not look beyond it, and think only of accepting everything from moment to moment, in the spirit of self denial and self renunciation. But this acquiescence should be full of trust in God, who loves you more, the less He spares you.

"What was his need" were pretty lines read by Mary Hall and M. M. Miller furnished an extract from an Album, written by James Stabler, in 1837, A railroad to Heaven, and how to make it through the straight and safe way.

M. S. Hallowell mentioned thirty things - all necessary to make up the sum of a happy life.

S. E. Stabler read an incident in the early life of Whittier and S. E. Ellicott "The two bills" a lesson which teaches us not to despise the day of small things. Adelaide Proctor's beautiful lines: "One by one thy duties wait thee." was selected by A. E. H -

Saide Lea read a good story for fault finders " Mr. Conway's first wife"

14

M. Farquhar read an interesting article from Chamber's Journal about the Cliff Houses and Canyon's of Arizona and New Mexico.

M. B. Thomas furnished an extract from a letter written in Montevideo and H. J. Moore lines on the close of the years. The latter also read an extract from a letter, written in 1858, claiming a high stand for the religious belief of Friends; which belief is too lofty and hard to become popular.

L. G. Thomas' article referred to the regard which should be paid to Old Age, and E. G. Thomas read a portion of a lecture by De Witt Talmage "The world is better, and just what we make it".

Eliza Bentley read an original essay compiled from various old letters, written sixty years ago by Sarah Bentley. This article in a pleasing manner showed the contrast between the past and present of Sandy Spring neighborhood - and was especially interesting to many present, on account of a near relationship to the author of her old letters, which were written when she was a fair young girl.