Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1883-1889

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Walnut Hill

8th Mo 28th 1884

Eleven members and nine guests assembled here to-day several members being absent on account of the unexpected death of Annie J Kirk at Indian Springs.

The lengthy minutes being disposed of M. L. Roberts read two articles "Double eye glasses" and Angels in charge

S. H. Stone from Lay Sermons in all things give thanks, in the Least as in the greatest.

E. D. Bentley's piece referred to farming in France - The farms range from ten to thirty acres - and double crops of grain and vegetable are raised often growing under the Lombardy poplar trees - which are planted within a few feet of the top. She also gave a motive for prompt charity. It is well that a man should see the result of his own works.

J. Procter read a sentiment of the value of time. Leisure misused hours are the main temptations to evil.

S.E. Ellicott selected the Two brothers and Gods inheritance

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E.G. Thomas kindly recited the Old Maids Musings and A. E. Hartshorne read R. Proctor's "Beyond".

L. G. Thomas' article was a high tribute to Queen Victoria as wife & mother and Queen."

M. Farquhar selected from Harper's Magazine, a paper on the Reservoir system which contemplated the erection of five dams on the Mississippi River in its upper course.

The theory is, to retain in these dams the water during spring and fall and release it during the summer in sufficient quantity to secure a fair stage of water in the navigable channel of the river during every day through the dry season.

R. M. Thomas from Friends Intelligencer "They shall see eye to eye" and from Christian Observer "Between the lights" also a short piece on the uses of retrospect - one of the chief uses of which, is to enable us to take our learnings morally, intellectually and spiritually and to correct our course where it has been wrong. There is a gain and every loss, for those who share the

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patience to find it. Nothing is a more certain source of misery, than a standing quarrel with Providence.

A. H. Gilpin read from "Faith and Works" an article giving a description of domestic life in Japan. by S. L. Winters.

All present seemed to enjoy the meeting - Adjourned to meet at Avalon on the usual day in next month at 2: P.M.

"A cheerful acceptance and conscientious performance of the day's duty is a wonderfully effective means of grace".

"If we believed more fully, we should pray more earnestly; and then we should more frequently secure from God the blessing we ask."

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Avalon. 9th mon 25th 1884

Sixteen members were present to-day - one of the four absent ones being H. H. Moore - who has the Sincere sympathy of us all in her feeble state of health. A slight sprinkle of rain, gave the hope that the protracted drought is near the end.

The first article, read by E. G. Bentley was about the importance of rest and recreation from the cares of life. She also read a short piece on "Brevity" and touching lines "Fathers and Sons".

E.G. Thomas selected the lines "Teach me to live" and M.W. Kirk "Three stages of piety" and Moore's "Theres nothing true but Heaven" with variations by the late Phebe Farquhar.

S.E. Stabler recommended the use of turpentine as a preventive in contagious diseases - particularly in diphtheria", and selected several excellent sentiments to read "Character alone can prove in what regard we hold the

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Gospel. "Christianity is a religion for use. Doing nothing for others is the undoing of themselves - and we do ourselves the most good while doing for our neighbors".

J. T. Porter read a good selection from "Thoughts that breathe."

From Friends Intellig'r, M. L. Roberts read a well written article "The joy of delighting - which is really the joy of living."

M. S. Hallowell gave a sketch of the life of Mrs Dolly Madison the lovely hostess of the White House."

M. M. Miller read a very interesting letter written by her daughter Annie; from the region of the Yellowstone - giving a graphic description of her travels.

R.E. Gilpin asked how to clean hair taken from a mattress. "Wash in cold water and when dry, whip thoroughly."

M. Farquhar read an account from the York Daily, of the enthusiastic welcome given to Arthur Farquhar, by his employees on his return from Europe.