Page 99

297th Meeting
Plainfield Feb. 1st 1898
95

The 297th meeting of the Home Interest was held at
Plainsfield on the 7th of February 1898 and althought many
members were absent there were many guests and both the
social and business parts of the meeting were conducted with a
good deal of life and spirit. Asa M. Stabler was appointed
Chairman for the evening. After the usual routine of
minutes, chip box and supper, the questions started amid a
talk on the subject of getting a portrait of Benjamin
Hallwell to be placed in the Friends Meeting in [illegible].
It seemed a most desirable object to accomplished and it
was suggested that the best way to test the feelings of those
present upon the subject was by the practiced way of
handing round a hat, and we trust the result was satisfactory
as a chinking sound followed immediately.
The treasurer of this committee at once left the house but
as we have heard no report of a hasty trip to Canada, we
judge we will hear later than more money has been donated
and a portrait of Benjamin Hallwell placed among the
many others of distinguished Friends.
The next question was to find the feeling of each person
ujpon the subject of the bequest to the Sheppart Asylum by
Enoch Pratt of two millions of dollars upon condition that
they asylum shall be called "The Sheppard and Enock Pratt
Hospital." Should it be accepted or not ypon such terms?
While all objected to the spirit he showed in making
such a request nearly every one thought the Asylum could
not afford to let such a sum of money go elsewhere, on
account of a name. In fact most of us would feel