Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1876-1883

Walnut Hill 12th mo 21st 1876

The Association met here today, the fourth time; eleven members present and as many guests. E.D Bentley being first called upon, read a very interesting letter by Mrs. Johnson on the subject of Temperance, giving an account of several meetings in this cause.

S.H. Stone gave an article on the wedding customs of a century since also one on Christmas - a message of "peace on earth and good will to men. L.G. Thomas read "Rough places" many of which are caused by our own negligence or ignorance. E.G. Thomas gave a recipe & asked for information about saltrising bread and read a good article about dressing little girls in the country.

M. S. Hallowell's piece gave good hints on cooking - also about "Orderliness" which is easy to teach (in theory). A.E. Hartsborne read a poem of the Shetland Tale "Magnus & [?]

H. J. Moore selected lines "the two mysteries" of which "nothing is known, But I believe that God is overhead: As life is to the living so death is to the dead.

R.E. Gilpin read a description of a fire proof dress which is said to stand any amount of heat

M. Farquhar's article related to the law of health which must be obeyed to ensure physical comfort and freedom from disease.

Sarah Lea read in a pleasant manner "Betsy and I are out"

M. L. Roberts read a good story told in simple style. The moral being "When we have become active working Christians, we must not be vain glrious, but remembering the humiliation through which we have passed, we will acknowledge that the Saviour can give and can also take away. After quite a pleasant meeting we adjourned to meet at Leawood next month.

Leawood 1st mo 18th 1877

The Association had a pleasant meeting here today. The sleighing good and the day rather pleasant.

Eleven members present and and several guests. The exercises began by A.L. Gilpin reading an article on the rearing of kids for gloves.

M.L. Roberts gave an interesting description of a remarkaable ruin, the tomb of Agamemnon. A.E. Hartsborne read beautiful lines "the night cometh". M. L. Hallowell made some suggestions about putting away sausage after which we had an animated discussion on literature whether an immoral woman can write a pure book, one that will have a good influence on all who read it. C.B. Scott ... J. Porter read a good little thing on "saving up for old age" Save health, knowledge, friends, and love. Lay up treasures, that which moth cannot rust, nor thieves break in and steal.

E.D. Bentley read advice on the care of poultry, recommending a mixture of food (particularly bran &

meat scraps instead of all corn, also an article about the difference between men and women as boarders.

L. G. Thomas... E. G. Thomas selected those touching lines "The [?] that faileth not." M. Farquhar read a letter from W. Newman, containing an epitaph on the death of his wife and recommended a new coloring matter for butter "The golden extract". She has tried and found it satisfactory.

H. J. Moore read the lesson which a crooked pin can teach, also an account of a dinner in Liberia. Everything frozen and had to be patiently thawed before being touched (by the mouth)

Sallie Ellicott was elected a member of the Association, and the secretary was continued in office until another member will accept the position. After a pleasant social talk we dispensed to meet at Plainfield on the 22d of next month for dinner.

Plainfield March 1st 1877

Our Association met here to-day, just one week later than the appointed; having been deferred on account of sickness & distress in the family of our hostess. We were glad to find her much improved and improving in health. Six of our members were absent for various reasons, but a number of guests beside the eleven who were present, made a large and very pleasant company. The secretary being one of the absent, M. Farquhar was requested to take her place for the day & complied. As soon as all were assembled after dinner, the minutes were read & a paper accompanying them received attention This was a letter from Grace Anna Lewis to H. G. Hallowell on the subject of some Ornithological lectures proposed to be delivered at Sandy Spring Lyceum & our opinion was asked. We thought it very desirable to have the lectures, but doubtful if enough money would be raised just now to pay the 50 or 60 dollars required. Contributions came next.

1. M. Farquhar read a part of a biographical sketch of the Scottish naturalist Thos Edwards.

2. L. G. Thomas selection was called "Making Haste", which was shown to be a mistake, whether in acquiring a fortune, or an education.

3. E. D. Bentley was excused.

4. H. J. Moore read two good scraps, one and perhaps both from Longfellow's pen.

5. S. Ellicott a very good little anecdote illustrating the reciprocal value of "Faith and Works."

6. M. L. Roberts, "Our Ladies Educational Class" describing an association of young ladies in Chicago for mutual education.

7. J. Porter "Length of Life" as measured by works done.

8. M. S. Hallowell, "Good Morning" inculcating home-politeness. Meet the different members of your familyin the morning with a cheerful salutation, & all will feel the better for it

9. E. G. Thomas "Bread on the waters" or bearing one another's burdens - a good & pretty little story.