Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1912-1916

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Bound 201-page ledger containing original, handwritten minutes from December 6, 1912 to October 19, 1916 for the Mutual Improvement Association society located in Sandy Spring, Maryland. The Mutual Improvement Association has met continuously since May 1, 1857.

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{144 (Pen-y-Bryn, con.)}

Florence Wetherald serve as her substitute for the interim, which was approved.

The Sec’y had a few verses from a New England source, unknown, -

“At sixty-two life is begun At seventy-three begin once more Fly swiftly as you near the sun And brighter shine at eighty-four. At ninety-five, should you arrive Still wait on God, and work and thrive.”

Though absent, Mary E. Thomas had not forgotten to do her part, and we rec’d from her a novel contribution in the shape of a Md. biscuit, all the way from Columbia, Mo. Accompanying a well-written letter sent by the maker. She is a colored woman, Annie Fisher, to whom M. E. T. wrote a few weeks since telling her that she too, made Md. biscuits and filled orders from a distance, suggesting an exchange of methods as they were too far apart to hurt each other in business, a small sum being enclosed for sample.

An article upon the success of Annie Fisher recently appeared in The Sunday Star this too was read, and we learned she owned 14 houses, besides the large one in which she lived, and that she did a great deal of catering, especially for weddings. Her receipt, for what are known as “beaten biscuit” except in Md., is as follows

“1 Qt. Flour, 2/3 cup of Lard, finish filled with Butter, - salt, sugar, mix with cold water, beat 15 min. I use a machine.”

Her price is 12 ½ per doz. and they are sold in nearly every State.

Adjourned to Mt. Airy on 11-4-1915

Mary Bentley Thomas, Sec’y.

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{Mt. Airy 11-11-1915. 145}

Sarah T. Miller and daughter Rebecca received the Asso. as though it had been a cherished relative, too long absent. Guests of the day were Hannah B. Stabler, Isabel Fussell, Annie B. Kirk, Eliz. Willson, Kate D. Thomas, Martha Vickers, Miss White, Helen R. Shoemaker, Virginia M. Stabler, and Elza B. Thomas. The sentiment was from a little book entitled “The Bright side”, a collection of cheer-up paragraphs and verses, apparently, -

“Why in the world do you want to carry Things that annoy, and harass, and harry? Stop them and drop them, a new day is here Squeeze a laugh from it instead of a tear.”

We were told of the artistic butter roses for banquets made by a Mrs. Cooksley of Idaho who is paid well for these novel table decorations.

Eliz. C. Davis read of the woes of a Keeper in the N. Y. Zoo when some particularly untrained animals, known as spoiled children, invaded the well-kept premises under his care. They were the off-spring of a college Professor and the keeper threatens to throw up his job if they ever had another chance to infuriate and ill-treat his family of dumb brutes.

Eliz. T. Stabler reported that our loved former member Mary G. Colt, was slowly recovering from a severe injury and could now walk with crutches. She is comfortably living at the Catholic Old Ladies Home, 3042 P St. N. W. Wash. D. C.

The next contribution gave an interesting acct. of the duties and achievements of country school-teachers in the far West. To these earnest workers in the cause of humanity responsibility comes in large measure, but they accept it as an opportunity to accomplish great tasks. One young woman taught and played with the children, organized a flourishing Sunday School, showed her pupils how to make bird-boxes, catch gophers, save the forests, keep farm accts. and raise large crops. By having the soil

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analyzed she convinced the men of the section they should apply lime, for it was needed, and teacher-stock went up 50% at once, when a record-breaker was harvested the next year.

Elizabeth Willson gave astonishing statistics of “Arizona, the Prohibition State.” A few years ago gambling was prohibited, and now no liquor can be brought in to the state. There is a tremendous decrease in poverty and crime and the jails will soon have to be remodeled into lecture halls or free bath-houses possibly for in many counties there are no convicts.

Isabel Fussell gave some acct of the beautiful trip she and her husband had taken up the Shenandoah Valley, to the Natural Bridge, - the size and grandeur of the latter was a revelation.

Albina O. Stabler brought a delightful sketch of Robert Louis Stevenson, “a maker of tales” as he was termed in the article. Born in Scotland he was in a large sense, “the reporter of Edinburg” for two generations. He sat at his writing-desk, facing death for 20 yrs. Always with a smile on his face. In search of health he went to Italy, to the Adirondacks to California and Samoa. From the latter place he wrote to a friend in Europe, “Come to see us, - all you have to do is to travel to San Francisco and then take the second turn to the left.” He boarded for some time with an old couple in Saranac and a tablet to his memory was recently unveiled by these devoted friends.

Virginia Stabler told us of the artist Jos. Pennell, whom she had met in Philadelphia we understand. He seemed to be a genius of peculiar disposition, as well as talent.

Sallie R. Janney had a description of some very ingenious fog bells just installed on Lake Michigan. By means of a hair attachment that lengthens with dampness, a piece of metal drops, and rings a bell.

Fanny Snowden gave an experience of her artist daughter Elsie at Gloucester, Mass.

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where she had spent some weeks sketching. She met and became acquainted with a spick and span New England house-keeper who was the mother of 12 children and 17 grand-children, did all her own work and looked young and happy.

The whole family used choice English, which is not to be wondered at when the excellence of the N. E. school system is considered.

Martha Holland’s selection was a warm tribute to “Comfort”, said to be a beautiful word when we remember all it implies, neither care worry nor pain, but to have what you want when you want it and where, - in fact, body, mind and spirit in harmony.”

Emilie T. Massey had a quaint poem on “Halloween” by Margaret E. Sangster, -

“On Halloween, or All Saint’s Day The spirit walked, so people say. And so to guard themselves, folks made A fire (they were so much afraid), Before the doorway of each home To keep outside the things that roam. If you will guard your fire well Not evil deeds will near you dwell; And wanderers who travel far Will see your light like some great star, And some of them shall cease to roam And with a prayer will hurry home.”

Rebecca T. Miller gave extracts from folders of the Travellers Aid Asso. of Chicago. 200,000 people have been thus helped within a year. How many friendless and ignorant girls were saved from a life of shame can only be conjectured.

R. T. M. assured us that Alcohol as a “remover” has no equal, - it will remove grass-stains and grease from a man’s clothes if applied externally. Taken internally it will soon remove most of his apparel, and later his home and whole property. Another contribution was a single line worth saving, “Responsibility gravitates to the shoulders of some one who can bear it.”

Elza Thomas told us that the children of Light house Keepers, in some states, had instruction

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from school teachers, who spent 3 weeks at a time in each airy dwelling place, returning in 2 months.

Mary P. T. Jackson called attention to the importance of medical inspection in our county schools. A letter from Austin Stone of Washington announced the Thanksgiving meeting of the Friends’ Club in the parlor adjoining the I St. Mtg. house. There was an attractive program which included dancing.

Mary E. Gilpin brought an essay upon “The Secret of Youth”, - Growing old is described as “being done with expectation. The opposite of this, the refusal to give up expectation, must contain then the secret of eternal youth.” To be “young-old” we must “cultivate enthusiasm, imagination and interests.” M. E. G. also asked for contributions to the Benevolent Aid Society, and Estelle T. Moore served as Treas. pro tem to make a collection from those present.

Annie B. Kirk told how much she had enjoyed her recent visit to Fallston Q. M.

Pattie T. Farquhar gave a sketch of the old Haverford Mtg. house in Pa. whose 225 anniversary had been celebrated. Wm. Penn preached there and the place is historical and full of interest to Friends generally. The first structure in 1689 was of logs, only 6 yrs. later it was replaced by a stone bldg. heated by ovens along the side walls, fed from without.

The congregation was principally Welsh and many of them could not understand Friend Penn at all. Ellen Farquhar’s selection was the new official state song of Colorado, “Where the Columbine Grows” – Chorus

“Tis the land where the Columbines grow; Overlooking the plains far below; While the cool summer breeze In the evergreen trees Softly sings where the Columbines grow.”

Virginia Steer assured us rainy days were not necessarily dreary days by any means, - they have a beauty and a sense of rest all their own.

Information was given that the W. C. T. U.

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