Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1876-1883

Mount Pleasant 4th mo 27th 1876

A very pleasant afternoon, near the time proposed, we came to order and after the minutes. 1. S. H. Gilpin began the regular excercises by reading a short extract on "Brightness of Spirit" which helps wonderfully through the trials of life.

2. J. Porter .... 3 H. J. Moore read some beautiful lines "God's ways". 4 R. M. Thomas gave an article, recommending "benevolence and charity," also read "The starless crown."

5. E. D. Bentley quoted a sentiment "True honor consists in discharging well the duties of the position in which we may be placed, for we may rest assured that is the very situation best suited for our virtue and happiness."

6. E. G. Thomas read a chapter from "Summer drift wood for winter fires."

7. S. H. Stone (by Pattie Thomas) "Order is Heaven's first law," an article on the management of the household.

8. C. B. Scott "The Sunshine of life is made up of the little acts of kindness, little words of love."

9. M. W. Kirk read the "Peaceful waiting and Miss Proctor's "Evening Hymn".

10. R. E. Gilpin selected a Sketch of the home of William C. Bryant.

11. B. I. Lea gave us an amusing illustration of the power of a bank bill.

12. A. E. Hartshorne read "Beautiful Child," by Major Sigourney author of Beautiful Snow read at our last meeting. Sarah E. Stabler had a talk about bread advising that wheat be crushed and the whole substance be eaten -- showing it to be more healthy that fine white flour.

13. M. Farquhar read a composition by Henry Farquhar, on the introduction of printing in England.

M. W. Kirk sent in her resignation as a member of this society, which was very reluctantly accepted.

Thirteen members and several guests After a pleasant time we adjourned to Ashland at the usual time next month.

Ashland, May 25th 1876

A pleasant company met here this pleasant afternoon, but only about half the members were members of our Association. Seven of our members were absent, one of whom was our secretary, who was reported indisposed, and M. Farquhar was requested to take her place for the time.

The meeting came to order near the usual time and the minutes were read, after which L. G. T. was called first and read "My Neighbor's Baby" a touching poem.

2. E. G. Thomas read "A plea for Farmer's wives" from the Tribune.

3. S. H. Stone had nothing to offer.

4. R. E. Gilpin read for Nancy Stabler two little poems "Going west to die" in Will Carleton's style and "Lost babies" - babies who have grown up and gone into this world as men and women.

5. M. M. Miller had brought the wrong book so had nothing to read.

6. M. S. Hallowell read an article on French cookery and management, contrasted with American waste and mismanagement.

7. R. M. Thomas, interested us with some anecdotes of the Phila. Yearly Meeting.

8. J. Porter had one of her good little selections called "The Religion of the Heart."

9. M. Farquhar read a selection from the Living Age, called "Getting over it", showing how one does get over in time things that seem at first unsupportable.

Adjourned to Alloway next month.

Alloway 6th month 29th 1876

The very warm weather - harvest time, and other causes prevented a full meeting of the Association this afternoon, and only half our members convened - with some guests. Our secretary was one of the absent and M. Farquhar was requested to act in her place.

The minutes were read in due time & E. D. Bentley being the first called, read two selections: 1st a fine extract from Shiloh (?) & 2nd about bleeding at the nose, giving the cause & means of prevention.

2. R. M Thomas "Suspicion," a good article from "the Public Ledger."

Friend M. Needles (a guest) gave us an ancedote of 30 years ago about the knitting-work of the Friends. A lady travelling in company with one, asked her if the placidity of the Friends was not due to their employing themselves so much in that way - and if they did not knit so much in order to produce that effect!

3. E. G. Thomas "The Water Mill" a pretty little poem, and "Not fit to be kissed" a little girl's description of a tobacco chewer.

4. J. Porter, Another poem "Unspoken words."

5. R. E. Gilpin part of a letter describing "Santa Barbara" in California.

6. M. L. Roberts read a wonderful account of 40 shipwrecked sailors who lived seven months on a bare, rocky island.

7. M. Farquhar read about "Coco" a description of the plant and more especially of the valuable property ascribed to it preventing fatigue during great or prolonged exertion, by chewing its leaves.

A short space of time before supper was given to social talk, and to looking with interest, at the pale placid face of "Uncle Sam", as he sat in his invalid chair, nearly opposite the bay window on the lawn & received his supper at the hands of his little great grandniece. Some of us took a look at the garden, after supper & admired the flowers.

Adjourned to Cherry Grove next month.

Cherry Grove 8th mo 31st 1876

A warm day and in addition to the Association, our hostess had threshers to provide for, but everything seemed to go on quietly and in order. Eleven members were present and several guests.

About the usual time we came to order and the minutes were read.

L. G. Thomas was the first called on but had no contribution, R. M. Thomas read a sentiment of George Eliot's and some comments on the exercise at Alloway, which were very acceptable. R. E. Gilpin ... M. Farquhar gave us a short account of the first appearances and habits of the Gypsies.

E. D. Bentley from Friends Intelligencer read an article on Swedish education containing many hints which might be followed to advantage in this country.

M. L. Roberts from the same paper read a short piece on "Hope" and gave a recipe for "Tomato soup."

S. H. Stone selected an article animadverting the practice of taking young children to church - stating several good reasons for keeping them away.