Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1896-1900

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Mary E. Moore interested us in the "Hundredth Year Club" of New York whose members are pledged to make every effort to round out a century; they make a study of longevity, and claim that it was intended for man to live from 120 to 180 years and with knowledge will come the ability to prolong life to this limit.

Mary Magruder from Mc. Clure amused us exceedingly by a series of letters from a lonely little girl to her supposed husband.

Mary Jackson had several good clippings, the last a poem on "Wishing" the first verse of which was-

"Do you wish the world were happy? Then remember day by day. Just to scatter seeds of kindness, as you pass along the way. For the pleasures of the many, May be ofttimes traced to one, As the hand that plants an acorn, Shelters armies from the sun".

Virginia Steer's selection had some new points of view in it, a discontented person who thought there was no such thing as perfection, was asked to suggest an improvement to a rainbow, a crystal of snow, the song of a thrush, or a blue eyed girl baby.

Sarah T. Miller read from "Daily Strength for Daily Needs" - Attain the grace of silence,

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deem all fault finding that does no good a sin and practice the grace of praise".

Sarah E. Stabler favored us with a most entertaining letter from Frank T. Lea the stout hearted young missionary in the wilds of Africa who seems to believe himself just in the line of his duty, despite the accompaniments of leopards , sunstroke, locusts, lions and native cannibals.

Marianna Brown, a visitor from Virginia, recited a verse entitled "Love".

Elizabeth Stabler read a very funny wedding invitation wherein a young colored man and his sister invited their friends to the marriage of their mother, Lydia.

Louisa T. Brooke rather apologised for having again brought "The Uses of Life" with her but she gave us some capital thoughts on education.

Frances R. Kirk favored us with a recitation which was so much appreciated we copy it in full.

"When to the flowers so beautiful our Father gave a name Back came a little blue eyed one, all timidly it came. And standing at its Fathers feet and looking in his face It said in low and trembling tones - Dear Lord the name Thou gavest me, alas, I have forgot Kindly the Father looked it down And said "Forget me not".

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The secretary read "The Fools Prayer" from a defunct paper "The Housekeepers Weekly" which she thought had not deserved to die so soon after its birth. Adjourned to Belmont in December at a date to be fixed to suit the convenience of the secretaryMary Bentley Thomas

On Saturday January 20th 1900 the Association met at Belmont the residence of Mary Bentley Thomas. A long interval had elapsed since the previous meeting, for when the appointed time in December came, the meeting was deferred on account of the serious illness of Beulah L. Thomas; and when the end came to that illness and the suffering was over, the sense of personal loss to most of the members, and the sincere sympathy for her family felt by all, made it the wish of the society, to pay to her memory, the only mark of respect we could, as a body, and omit the December meeting.

January 20th was most unpleasant as to weather, dark, rainy and unseasonably warm, but a large gathering assembled at Belmont and after an interval of pleasant greeting and talk, proceeded to dinner, to which all present did ample justice and during which we had the pleasure of the

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society of Edward P. and R. Bentley Thomas who later left us to go to Baltimore and attend a Bryan's banquet held there that evening.

In due time the meeting was called to order by Mary Bentley Thomas who being hostess for the day asked to be relieved from the duties as secretary upon which Elizabeth C. Davis was appointed to take her place.

The two sentiments given seemed to be fully approved and were pronounced good, first-rate and irresistible.

A letter of resignation from Sallie A. Bond was received with much regret by all and there was considerable demur about accepting it, but at last it was decided that as she had given the matter its due consideration, we should allow her to judge for herself, but as an honorary member, we hope often to have her with us.

The first selection by Mary Bentley Thomas was a most interesting description of the work that had changed the notable old "Five Points" in New York, from slums of the lowest order into an attractive spot while a organized corps of workers endeavor by association and teaching, to interest the children more particularly, in healthy games and emulation.

An Article read by Mrs. Massey, a guest, was a plea to mothers to remember the two natures in a child and to develope its

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spiritual nature, and not be content with making it a happy, well-cared for little animal.

Mrs. Granville Farquhar had not come otherwise prepared but did her part by reciting "The Builders" by Longellow. After which the strength that lies in "Patient Endurance" was beautifully illustrated in a story read by Louisa Brooke.

In a large assemblage, the singing of rough untrained voice made horrible discord at first but the influence of one voice, singing steadily and truly, gradually brought all others into unison and harmony. The verse that followed, urging us to be brave and strong, just fitted in.

Susannah L. Thomas, a guest, brought a humorous article by Lillian Nordica called "A Musical Fable" which we found very amusing and which needs to be read to be appreciated.

Mrs. Jas. P. Stabler's selection, "Women and Electricity" was an interesting treatise upon the suitability of medical electricity as a profession for women. Columbia University opened a special course for both sexes but no woman has as yet applied.

Mary E. Moore fairly stunned us with an account of a mathematical prodigy who can multiply four figures by three figures, without jotting down any during the process of work and knows the multiplication table up to 130 times.