Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1876-1883

10. A. E. Hartshorne from "The Living Age," "Be what you are" a good lesson & a little poem called "Changes."

11. R. M. Thomas, a short but good article on "Special Providences". Three of our guests also favored us - Patty Thomas with a recitation of a part of "Little Heartsease", from drifted snowflakes.

E. N. Bentley with an interesting description of a "beef eating plant" shown to her by a friend and also by her mention of the Art Clubs in Phila.

And Eliza J Brooke read an account of a manufacting of toughened glass in Brooklyn, describing the process by which lamp-chimneys are made so tough & unbreakable that a nail can be driven in hard wood with one.

Adjourned to Oak Grove, on the 29th instant, at 2 P.M.

Sunset, April 5, 1877

Circumstances rendering it inconvenient for the Association to meet at Oak Grove last week as arranged, Jane Porter anticipated her turn, and invited us here to-day. The morning was unpromising, but the afternoon became pleasant and ten members beside our hostess convened near the hour appointed, and there were several guests.

The secretary again being absent, M. Farquhar was called on to take her place -- which she tried to do. After the minutes her own selection was the first read; the natural history of the mosquito.

2. R. M. Thomas read an interesting extract from the Life of George Ticknor, and showed us a lovely photograph.

3. S. Ellicott, two short selections, both good, "The Power of Conscience" and "Accidents".

4. R. E. Gilpin, an account of the "Sorosis" in New York & some of its objects & doings.

5. E. G. Thomas "A Woman's True Life" - so good that the wish was expressed that it might be read again at some future meeting.

M. E. Moore (a guest) read "Character is Power" and another little selection also very good.

6. E. D. Bentley - a review of the autobiography of Harriet Martineau, so interesting as to make us wish for the book.

7. L. G. Thomas - brought nothing to read.

8. H. J. Moore read "The First of March" a poem by Horace Smith.

9. M. L. Roberts had two selections "The Fire Patrol of Chicago" and the effect of oil on the waves of a stormy sea.

10. S. H. Stone, some interesting statistics on the preparation of false hair. B. H. Thomas (a guest) read in a pleasant manner Mrs. Browning's "Only a Curl."

In conclusion M. Farquhar distributed some garden seeds from the Department of Agriculture - and adjourned (conditionally) to Oak Grove on the 26th.

Oak Grove, April 26, 1877

The Association met here this afternoon pursuant to adjournment - a pleasant company though from various causes, six of our members are missing.

We are pleased to find the venerable aunt of our hostess, Sarah L. Brooke pretty well and able to sit with us and hear the selections read.

Our secretary being one of the absent, M. Farquhar was again asked to act in her place; and after the reading of the minutes, her own contribution being called for, she read a part of Sir John Lubbock's article "On the habits of Ants" in the Popular Science Monthly.

2. L. G. Thomas read a very good selection called "Rest for Mother."

3. C. B. Scott, "It never pays" a poem enumerating several things it does not pay to do.

4. M. S. Hallowell had nothing to read.

5. S. Ellicot gave an account of death of three children in one family with Scarlet fever, and some verses on the occasion.

6. E. G. Thomas read "My Work" a good little poem.

7. H. J. Moore, an obituary sketch of John Price.

8. S. H. Stone per 9. E. D. Bentley, an interesting anecdote of William West and Miss Grambril, showing her good influence over him.

10. J. Porter an exhortation to allow to others the same freedom of thought and action one wishes for himself.

Mary E. Moore read the report of the Lombard St. Sewing Society - and a little poem, both of which were acceptable, then having expressed a wish to see inside the barn, a number of us accompanied her on an exploring expedition through the populous chicken-yard, to the walk appointed barn, the carriage house, meat house & garden - with feelings of admiration for the industry & good management they showed.

Then supper - and adjourned (conditionally) to Sherwood next month.

Sherwood, 6th mo, 7th, 1877

Near the appointed time, the members met (13 being present) and proceeded to business. After the usual reading of the minutes; Saide Lea recited song pretty lines "Be careful what you say" containing good advice in regard to the control of the tongue.

Helen Bentley read an extract from a letter written by Wm Jackson, now in Texco, Mexico, containing interesting incidents, descriptions of ruins etc

C. B. Scott an affecting allegory "Trust and her guide .

M. Farquhar, (from Littells living age) read an article on the moral treatment of insanity, contrasting the former with the present mode of managing this unfortunate class of beings - and proposing that harsh treatment is not necessary - firm kindness being more successful.

R. M. Thomas gave a proverb "Most of the shadows that cross our pathway in life, are caused by standing in your own light."

J. Porter read a little gem. Temptations and Trials, and pleasures and ease are the things that form the character of man.

M. J. Moore favored us with a few remarks about the history of our society, alluding to the organization twenty years since and having not lost a member by death - to the pleasant and profitable meetings in that time and hoping we may continue to be cemented together in sisterly love for many years to come. L. G. Thomas....

M. S. Hallowell has been successful in raising poultry told their way of feeding. S. H. Stone read an incident of the plague - a case of restored animation which was remarkable.

R. E. Gilpin read beautiful lines - "A little while" ; and asked how to make new matting lie smooth. Several ways suggested but she had tried the most of them. E. D. Bentley stated that the Hyacinth might be propagated from leaves, and read several excerpts containing valuable information.

M. L. Roberts showed a pretty way to make a mat.

B. I. Lea sent her resignation which was accepted with regret and Sarah Stabler was nominated as her successor.

After a very pleasant gathering we separated to meet at Prospect Hill on the last fifth day in the month at three o'clock.

The meeting today was deferred a week on account of the sickness of our hostess and today we regretted to see her husband so unwell.