Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1883-1889

40

and poisonous herbs of India, growing side by side like the elements of good and evil, - the old story of the "wheat and chaff", - The bean of the Castor plant said to stop the savages of moles and its leaf to remove inflamation.

Sarah Stone had nothing to contribute.

Annie E. Hartshorn read in her usually attractive style "a Brook Song" - a beautiful fancyalike, yet differing from Tennysons poem of the same title. She also called attention to the Cooking School, now in operation in Baltimore. calling up varied criticisms. The fact of its taking four days to make yeast, seemed rather a "poser" to some minds, others thought many of the ideas advanced were good, and some of Miss Corsons recipe had been successfully tried.

At the request of A. F. Gilpin a vote was taken, and Mary E. Moore unanimously received as a member, She then read "A Plea for working women," an editorial from the Baltimore Sun, in which the injustice practised toward working women representatives of the weaker sex, by their natural protectors", was strikingly pointed out.

Mary M. Miller had nothing to read.

Corrie M. Brooke told an interesting goose story. The three geese, which they now raise from, having been bought for old geese twenty years before. Following which, were some suggestions how to make hens lay - the facts being that they lay when they get ready -

41

By request of Mary L. Roberts, Elenor Hough read extracts from the "life of Emily Willard". showing that the elevation of the female sex is inseparable from the progress of the human race.

L.G. Thomas read an article entitled "Count the mercies". Most excellent advice.

R.M. Thomas read two very touching selections of poetry, one "Brother we shall meet again." by Dr. Boner - The other "Nobody cares", disclosing the utter wretchedness of the lives of those who have "no one to love, none to caress," - Shall not we be more careful to count our mercies, and with grateful hearts, grow more loving and true to those who care for us, as well as thoughtful and considerate of those for whom "nobody cares"

Adjourned to meet at Plainfield the 26th of next month.

Sentiment M.M.M.

He is truly great, who is little in himself and makes no account of heights of honor.

42

Plainfield 2nd Mo 26th 85

Under the shadow of a great bereavement, we endeavor to fill our place as Sec. of the Association, which today meets for the first time, in the new home, that like a mushroom in a night, sprang from the ashes of dear old Plainfield. Arriving too late to sit at dinner with our fellow members we were yet thankful to join with waiters and the overflow from the first table, and partake "pot luck" which meant in this instance a great deal that was good to eat. And while engaged in the always agreeable occupation of satisfying appetite, I could but congratulate our hostess upon the beauty and attractiveness of the new sitting room, affording ample space for two long tables. Entering the double parlor, made one for the occasion, the loveliness of the scene was impressing. There the young, meet the old, partaking the same social pleasures, there is always an added charm, and today, half a dozen young ladies, with several other visitors increased the interest of this meeting, which was unusually well attended 16 members being present. We regret the protracted illness of Margaret S. Hallowell, which still retains her upon the absent list. We have also to note the non attendance of Sally Bond and Mary M. Miller.

Following the usual order of business the minutes were read, after which we gather from H. J. Moore's selection these sentiments - "All that pleases is but for a moment,

43

all that troubles is but for a moment - that only is important which is eternal".

"Words of Strength" read by R.M. Thomas, show that when the lessons of Hope, Faith, and Love, are graven to the soul, we shall have both strength and light.

Margaret Farquhar's article told how secret influences affect society. Throw plenty of mud at a man's character, and some will sure to it stick, condemn one, and somebody will believe it. Such poison let fall at random, does inestimable mischief.

The "Sketch of John Vanderlyn" read by Elenor Hough, illustrated how each little incident in a child's experience, is liable to affect his whole career. The pictures drawn by this street boy, attracting the attention of Aaron Burr, hence assisted in developing an inate genius which made him famous. But honor and renown failed to avert, for him, the magic in life, as his ill fated love, and unwept grave, assert.

Sarah Stone, told how, the judicious use of quick lime, put in a muslin bag, will prevent articles of iron and steel from rusting, and also gave some rules of living.

Rachel Gilpin gave us Gladstones conception of Washington, He is described as the purest character in history, and is placed upon a pedestal, higher than all the rest.

A.E. Hartshorne's was a well chosen article because her husband did it. And the sentiment, "Cast thyself upon God, and count him thine all"

44

we recommend to the daily practice of every one.

From Annie F. Gilpin's piece we glean this thought. Humanity longs for happiness, but refuses it today, and it cannot be happy tomorrow. Help someone else to happiness, and in so doing, we secure it for ourselves.

On motion of E.G. Thomas, Elizabeth Holland was elected a Member, and many tributes to her worth were spoken. E. Thomas also read "A beautiful Faith" - God is not confined within the narrow walls of creed - but to the "Pure in heart" the world over, "doth he show his face".

L. G. Thomas gave an extract from the Annual Address, of Frances E. Willard, delivered at Saint Louis "It is not good for man to be alone" "Woman came into the College and humanized it, into literature and hallowed it, into the business world & ennobled it. She will come into government, and purify it, into politics and cleanse that Stygian pool, as the waters of Marah were cleansed; for woman will make homelike every place she enters and she will enter every place on this sound earth."

Jane T. Porter. "Somehow or Other" Life has a burden for every mans shoulder, and sorrow comes to all, but somehow or other the pathway grows brighter and the burden lighter - till we reach the end.

Mary L. Roberts, a Fragment by Holland.

S.E. Stabler, read a poem "Who are left to fill the vacant places?" and the answer comes back to us, "He alone can fill the places, of the laborers called aside, "Let us then not mourn too badly, but strive to make our lives a blessing and like them *