Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1916-1921

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Alice Tyson informed us that Millet's picture of 'The Angelus", had been sold for fifty thousand dollars. The scene of it, near Fontainebleau, France, has just been converted into an aviation field.

Annie B. Kirk read a most amusing editorial from 'The Yokohama Gazette," of Japan, upon the dangers of the Woman Suffrage to the men of America. A war between the sexes is promised, & as the men are stronger & can use their fists - more properly the "female of the species" will probably become extinct, according to this sad-hearted philosopher of the "Flowery kingdom."

Annie B. Chandler recommended "uncoated rice" which can be purchased at 15 cts a lb. of Gillies a New York grocer. It is not only a very excellent article of diet, but swells up when worked, like the rice of long ago.

Maria Bishop, our pleasant English visitor to Sandy Spring, read from "The English Friend," an appreciation of John Muhuran. Then in answer to a few questions, she gave a delightful talk upon her life as a Missionary in Syria where she spent some years among the neglected children of that country.

Rebecca T. Miller had an article upon the extraordinary body of salt water in California known as 'The Salton Sea," which has changed its boundaries 50 times we are told, & is in the heart of a grape-producing valley.

Callie J. Bentley read Lucy Larcom's free poem "To him who plants a tree," & Albina O. Stabler's offering was a protest against the hurry & scurry of the present age. Where is the old leisure, the jog - trot, the ancient habit of "go as you please." "Speed has became a national disease; is it possible that our nerves are forever on edge & that we have to hurry in order not to break down?"

Elise Hutton had astonishing statistics about the great state of Texas over which the flags of Spain, France, Mexico & the United States have waved in turn. It is twice the extent of the whole British Isles, a string across its greatest length if swung around the

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map, will reach from its boundary line on the east to the Atlantic Ocean, on the west to the Pacific & north east to Chicago.

We were informed that rice fed to hens will increase their laying capacity immensley as well as a mixed feed prepareed by Richard Lansdale.

Eliz C. Davis introduced us to some Chinese poems of delicate - beauty. One entitled, "The Little Rain" is a fair sample of their quality.

"Oh, she is good, the little rain, And well she knows our need Who cometh in the Spring to aid The sun drawn seed. She wanders with a friendly wind Through silent nights - unsure The furrows feel her happy tears And lo! The land is green. Last night cloud shadows gloomed the paths that lead to my abode, & the torches of the river-boats like angry meteors glowed, Today fresh colors break the sod And butterflies take wing Down broidered lanes, All bright with pearls. In the garden of the King."

The Sec'y had an old newspaper clipping describing the first refrigeration, "which was made by Thomas Moore of Brookeville, a son-in-law of Roger Brooke Sr. Thomas Moore patented his discovery in 1803 & butter was taken on horseback to Washington for some years in the primitive device, which did not come into general use for many years. owing in the scarcity of ice houses.

Adjourned to Avalon the home of Mary E. Gilpin on Dec 12 - 1920 Mary Bentley Thomas Sec'y

Avalon 12 - 2 - 1920

773rd The Association met with Mary E. Gilpin & Emilie T. session Massey on 12-12-1920, Rebecca T. Miller presiding. Guests were our valued friend Mary C. Brooke, Ellen Stabler, Emilie T. Coulter, Anna L. Nesbitt & Sylvia Luck.

Mary E. Gilpins sentiment was on "Criticism". How good it would be if we could learn to be rigorous in self-judgement, &

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gentle in judging our neighbors, kindness works best in remedying defects of others, but sternness with ourselves. “If thy hand offend thee cut it off” is a word for our sins, but for the sins of others – “Father forgive them.” Emilie T. Massey had an extract from Henry Ward Beecher, on “Character”: it is not what a man gets but what he is that determines his value to himself & the world. Emilie had a second clipping on the value of internals declared to be a guide in estimating a new acquaintance. Clothes do not make the man, but a man chooses his attire & it is unsafe to justify carelessness in appearance by the thought that “God looketh to the heart.”

Mary C. Brooke gave a most interesting retrospect of the three great reforms inaugurated in her youth that she had lived to see carried to a triumphant finish, Anti-Slavery, Prohibition & Woman Suffrage. As a young girl she read to her father an account of the Suffrage convention in 1848, called by Eliz. Cady Stanton, & Lucretia Mott, the latter being a relative of Friend Coffin.

Hallie J. Bentley had a short poem from “Day to Day” describing a little journey which proved the writer had “neighbors all over the earth. A second offering was along the same lines of thought. “Who is my neighbor? He who needs my care. Where is my neighbor? I found him everywhere.”

Sarah T. Adams furnished her example of the intricacies of the English language as exemplified in the fact that the word “sleeper” has several different meanings.

Mary B. Hutton had a graphic picture of San Diego, & the scenes among which “Ramona” was supposed to have lived. The writer said – “California does great things quickly & all the time.”

Margaret C. Bancroft brought a criticism of the conventionality of moving pictures. The hero must be dark & stern, she a blond with a perpetual smile, & there is small variation in the types no matter what the nationality may be. Emilie T. Coulter read a poem from “Life’s Mirror” given her by her aunt Mary P. T. Jackson.

“There are loyal hearts & spirits brave There are souls which are pure & true, Then give the world the best you have, And the best will come back to you.”

Reference was made to the recent celebration of the Golden Wedding of James P. & Alice Brooke Stabler at “The Hallowell” boarding house in Baltimore where they are spending the winter.

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Elma P. Chandlee had a sketch of Archdeacon Hudson who has for years, been quietly doing a wonderful work in Alaska. He resigned a comfortable position in Texas & volunteered to go to the far North West & devote himself to the Indians & Esquimaux who were in so much need of Christian influence. For years he has performed this hard duty & when he has twice been urged to accept a desirable charge in a Southern state he replied he had promised his Heavenly Father to dedicate his life & service to Alaska & must remain there. He has made trips upon dog-sledges of thousands of miles, & the story of his travels is said to be most interesting.

Eliz. C. Davis gave from “The Churchman” a rather original estimate of the Puritan Fathers, declaring that posterity has endowed them with habits & traits they did not possess. Those were heroic times, in Church a prayer might last an hour, following a sermon as lengthy. All persons were expected to pass before the Minister & make some contribution to the ever open box.

India Downey assured us there is no such thing as a coal famine in the United States as we are exporting more than any other country this year.

Fanny B. Snowden had a hopeful view of the Peace question, which is said to depend more on individuals & families for its solution than on any nation. Every home may be a school where the principles of love and unity are taught & practiced daily.

Elise Hutton told us of a wonderful dog whose strength is utilized to bring sticks of wood in until he fills the box.

Madge Jones gave from “The Independent”, an essay on “Fallen Idols”, “Not only crowned heads of Europe have been deprived of the burdens of majesty, but in France, Italy, Greece & America men supposed to lead public opinion have been discredited.

Ellen Stabler gave first two very amusing clippings & then John Wesley’s “Rules for Doing Good.”

“Do all the good you can, In all the ways you can, To all the people you can. In every place you can,

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1-6-1921 At all the times you can, As long as ever you can.”

Lastly verses entitled “Good Life”

He liveth best who liveth well, All else is life but thrown away. He liveth longest who can tell, Of lovely things timely done each day.

Sow love and taste its fruitage pure, Sow peace and reap the harvest bright, Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor, And find a harvest home of light.”

The Sec’y gave part of an article from “The Literary Digest”, proposing a “Better English Week” which should start a crusade against all slang & meaningless phrases in the schools. Rockville & Sherwood took up the subject with interest. “Nope” for “No” “Yep” “hum-hum” for “yes” were especially ridiculed & perhaps it may accomplish more than reasoning has done to abate a nuisance. Parents & teachers all over the land seem aroused to the importance of a clean language, becoming the habit of children.

Estelle T. Moore’s report from the Meeting of the County Federation was most satisfactory. We are urged not to become weary of well-doing while so much in the way of improvement remains undone. A more active interest in the County Schools is especially advised. Parents should not only visit them, but make it a duty to become acquainted with the teachers. Many of them are strangers in a strange land where they come to Sandy Spring to teach & to improve the rising generation.

Adjourned to Clermont on 1-6-1921

Mary Bentley Thomas, Sec’y.

774th Session January 6th 1921 found us all agog for the home of Mary B. Hutton, the weather-man giving us the best day in the week for the trek, there being much evidence that the road was in a transition state & would probably be improved shortly.

Guests were Mrs. Janney, Sallie H. Adams & daughter, Ethel Janney, Ethel Thomas & daughter, & Katherine Adams. As this is the Sec’y’s swan-song she will break a rule & mention the delicious