Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1905-1909

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Sarah H. Stone entertained the Association at her shady home "Rosedale" on 5/25, 1905. When we recall the bare field out of which she has achieved comfort and abundance, we are tempted to wonder how many men, unaided, could have accomplished as much on that same foundation in the same length of time. Guests were Ellen and Elizabeth Stabler, Fanny Snowden, and Mrs. H. C. Smith of Ashton. The sentiment of our hostess was a bit of philosophy from an unknown source;

"Labor for men whom the world forgets, make yourselves intelligible to the humble, so shall you accomplish a work of emancipation and peace, so shall you reopen the springs from whence those masters drew whose works have helped the ages, because they knew how to clothe genius in simplicity." Sarah E. Stabler gave some touching child verses entitled "Good night I'm tired." Sarah T. Miller said she had been taught to believe Joseph Jefferson a dangerous individual to be spurned by people of good repute but she had entirely changed her mind since seeing him play "Rip Van Winkle", and reading of his beautiful life and character. His nature was simplicity itself, and he had been called "the best loved man in America" "The Outlook's" sketch of the great actor, and charming man, was delightful and several of us who had not seen the article felt indebted to S.T.M. for reading it after her few remarks. Jefferson advised a friend of 70 years to begin gardening, because that was all expectation and mankind is too prone to cease to expect much at that age. She also gave "too much fussing about health" which did not meet with a

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dissenting voice, apparently, for have we not all met the person who would tell us of her cold when we wished to talk of our lumbago? Ellen Farquhar read a fine poem beginning with "I sing the conquered who fall in the battle of life", and Mary E. Moore had a comical scrap about a new little brother whom the older boy thought was not needed at all; he, himself would have much preferred a dog! Va. Steer's contribution was "Nagging Women" by Lady Henry Somerset, who said "nagging was the result of disposition and not of sex, men too developing the unpleasant trait when exposed to adverse physical conditions which women often endure. Fresh air and active philanthropy were the remedies suggested. Ellen Stabler gave a story of the futility of sweeping against the wind, and a few verses upon the smile of a mother. Louisa T. Brooke read an excellent essay on "Independence". Men who would scoff at the word "dependent" applied to themselves are slaves to tobacco or drink; often they wear clothes which do not fit them and do many things solely from custom and the dictates of fashion. A most interesting letter from Mary C. Brooke, who is now in Japan was highly appreciated. Harriet I. Lea read "The Things which we Cannot Do." To abstain from doing or attempting to do them is often true heroism; one woman said she was far more weary of the things she did not do than of those she accomplished. The obvious moral of the brief sermon was "do what you can and do not worry over the unattainable." Our new member, Sarah Wilson,

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the most "multitudinous mother" in Sandy Spring," gave us information in regard to her method of raising incubator chickens in which ^ ^occupation she is very successful, having 400 at the present time. She feeds Cypher's food at 2 1/2 cts a lb. Fanny Snowden read Helen Hunts bill of fare for a Xmas dinner, appropriate for any season as the principal courses were "gladness, love hospitality and mirth." Mrs Smith's selection was on "Happiness" which Sydney Smith said consisted in "loving, and being loved." Mary J. Bond entertained us by a few paragraphs about "old and new furniture." It was declared absolutely dangerous to introduce one good piece of mahogany into a parlor containing other styles as it would foster a desire for mahogany as hard to shake off as the opium habit. Mary G. Colt's selection was "The Blessing of the Grass," the beauty of which is often overlooked by us all. She also told us that the placing of a ticking watch in a nest would demoralize the staunchest ^ ^{Plymouth Rock} sitter. A third scrap was on "The Passing of the Parlor," once a necessity, now almost a thing 'of bygone days since made over into a living-room. E.G. Thomas gave "In the Silence of the Meeting," and the subject of joining the County Federation of Clubs was discussed, action being deferred until Autumn. Adjourned to the home of Virginia Steer.

Mary Bentley Thomas, sec

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6/29 1905 the Association convened at the home of Louis and Virginia Steer at Pleasant View, guests of the day were Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Hill, Lucille Levich, H.C. Smith and daughters, Mrs. Florence and Emma Bond, Lizzie Willson, Madge G.T Moore, Fanny Snowden, Pattie F. and Mary W Farquhar, Mary A. Gilpin, Hannah Elizabeth and Lillie Stabler and Emilie T. Massey. The sentiment of our hostess was short and good as follows

"How much more might we make of our family life and of our friendships if every secret thought of love blossomed with a deed." Ellen Farquhar gave several clippings of a comical nature, and lastly a fine poem too long to quote entire, but the closing lines must find space here - "Be not afraid to cast aside half truths and grasp the whole."

Mary T. Bonds selection informed us that there are 65000 blind children in the U.S. Formerly very little was accomplished in educating or instructing them in trades, but now it is possible for them to not only receive the highest culture, but to become self supporting in almost any direction, or special talent ^^{by which} they may be led. The room for the blind at the Congressional Library was thought to accomplish a great work and many ^^blind students of music are constantly seen there taking advantage of the unusual facilities afforded them by the gov. $25,000 having been thus appropriated a few yrs since. Sarah H. Stone contributed an admirable paragraph from "Amiel" on "Order" which was said to mean light and peace, inward liberty, comfort, strength and economy of time and substance," man's greatest need, &

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his truest well-being." Sarah F. Willson told us of the numerous descendants of the Charter Oak which has been re-incarnated in many different places. She also gave a curious cake-recipe from Biblical references.

Mrs H.C Smith's article on "Sympathy" opined there was a lack of this feeling in the world, which we hope and believe is not entirely the case. Mary E. Gilpin culled from "Success" some thoughts upon independence and patriotism, these fine traits were not always shone in the war spirit, and in war times, but in the more admirable method of living up to the eternal principles of justice and charity. Martha Holland gave a brief sermon on "Spring" whose author found beauty in every changing phase of nature.

Louisa T. Brooke kindly shared with us a most interesting letter from Mary C. Brooke, who is now domesticated among "the queer little people of Japan," she said summer had come almost at a bound in Tokio and the vegetation was correspondingly rapid, she had just taken a short trip among the rice fields where women were hoeing ankle deep in water and mud. She also described a fine illumination with lanterns in honor of the recent victory over the Russian fleet. Eleanor Smith gave some account of the manufacture of toys in Germany, some of the boxes have the following inscription upon them,

"The children of Germany take pleasure in making What the children of England take pleasure in breaking."

Elizabeth T. Stabler had an entertaining sketch of the Key family of Maryland, the original Philip's wife, a Miss Barton left the first legacy to a church in the colony and her will is preserved "as the best ever written