Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1889-1896

Vol 5

Vol. 5th From 1/31/1889 to 2/27 1896 74 73 [crossed out] meetings recorded 434 [crossed out] [meetings recorded] previously

Association

1

1-31-1889 The Cottage.

On the last day of the 1st Mo 1889 - 18 members and a goodly No. of guests, including Friend Comstock and daughter, Harriet Long and our esteemed friend Sallie A. Gilpin, whose bright face we are always glad to welcome amongst us, met at the Cottage.

After a good dinner well served by the efficient daughters of our hostess, the meeting was called to order about 2' clock, with the reading of the minutes of the last meeting held at this place and of the previous meeting at Charlie Forest which were accepted.

Sarah E. Stabler sentiment "The past is ours, for from all the vast accumulated knowledge, we may learn to avoid errors, to practice virtue, to live for others and thus add to the store of knowledge from which the boys and girls, the men and women of the future, may learn to do their work far better than we can do."

Anna F. Gilpin, From the U. Signal an interesting circular letter from the little Granddaughter of Hannah L. Smith, who is now in England, And an article proving "Mind Cure".

E. D. Bentley, a graphic description of the home life

of Benjamin Harrison, who is to be so soon inaugurated Pres. of the U.S. for the next four yrs. His religious character was emphasized largely, for which, we have cause for great thankfulness. hoping he will be able to yield a wonderful influence for the good of this Nation, also a short account of Vice Pres. Morton.

M. L. Hallowell Friends Home for children an excellent insitution, non-Sectarian in its work, though largely under the care of Friends of West-Phila. Providing homes, and securing employment and instruction for orphans neglected and destitute children.

Rebecca M Thomas, an Essay on Music, by Thomas E. Hogue and approved by the Rep. Com. of Ill. G.M. Which defines music as the harmony of sound, communicated to the mind by one of the five senses, but does not enter into the Spriritual building. The effects are emotional and evanescent.

Therefore has no convicting power, establish no principle, convincer of no truth, only becomes a source of entertainment or amusement. The great work of progress in righteousness depends on the application of a correct principle of human life; a wrong must be given up, and the beautiful principle of love and mercy take its place;

3

thus we grow in the simplicity of the Christ life. Christianity is a principle. It seeks not to entertain and amuse, but to instruct in all the duties of life. All great reformations have been wrought by Truth. As men and women have been true to their convictions and proclaimed these to the world. Music performs little or on part in them but says the writer "Music in itself is innocent but liable to abuse, and fears more credit is given it than it deserves as a potent power for good, thereby detracting from the real worth of that which gives efficiency to the real work of life."

L.G. Thomas gave a sentiment and R. E. Gilpin a poem. A.D. "In the year of our Lord."

M W. Kirk, An excellent extract from Blair's sermmons. And recited a poem by Margaret W. Davidson.

E. Holland

S. H. Stone called upon Marianne Stabler to read a sweet little story of one saved by a baby's stocking.

S. E. Stabler, A sketch of the remarkable life of Rebecca Russell, who was the daughter of Hugh & Margaret Russell of Chester Co. Pa. Born on the 24th of 10th Mo. 1786, she was within three days of the age of 102 yrs. She made her home with