Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1926

Next meeting place--"Marden.

Sentiment of the Hostess: "Seek out the good in every man and speak of all the best you can. Then will all men speak well of thee And say how kind of heart ye be."

Mrs. Merrill spoke of this being her first Club visit and read some beautiful selections about "Home". "A home is God's best gift etc." She also asked that suggestions for work for the coming year be sent to her. Sarah Stabler assured us that we shall find it a great pleasure to work under our new County President.

Marianna Miller read from the old minute book of the meetings at Prospect Hill, Bloomfield, and The Cedars in 1865.

Mary Reading Nichols read a clipping from the Star deploring the fact that the North Pole has lost its lure--prooving that familiarity breeds contempt--the Pole now being one of the world's greatest has beens.

Rebecca Miller had received a letter of thanks for the loan of Mary Bentley Thomas's article about the Association, and read Charles Dudley Warner's "Lettuce and Talk".--was advised to feed her cat raw meat.

Cousin Ellen had meant to read us a letter from Floyd Nesbitt--but found she had left it at home.

Rose Gilpin wanted to know how and when to plant dahlias, and how to take care of them in winter.--Was advised to treat them as though they were potatoes--one eye to a hill--plant six inches deep etc.

As Bessie Stabler had a very bad cold she asked Rebecca Miller to read her selection "The Student Movement for World Peace."--A hopeful sign when the young people take up this subject.

Mary Tilton asked that members who contribute to Social Service do so through her--the Treasurer--Association pledged itself to raise $40.00 including memberships.

Mary Hutton read the first prize story on "What I think of the younger generation"--also a few jokes.

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MARDEN. June 26th, 1926 832d Meeting.

The 832 meeting of the Mutual Improvement Association was held at Marden on 6th Mo. 26th.

Elizabeth Stabler, past hostess who acted as chairman, called the meeting to order about three o'clock.

The minutes of the last meeting at this place were read, and those of the last meeting at The Cottage, read and approved.

The Treasurer, Mary Tilton, reported as follows: June 1st, Balance on hand $3.90 Dues 1.25 $5.15 Stickers 2.50 Balance on hand $2.65 23 have paid dues, and $36.00 collected for the Social Service League. The report was accepted.

Committee Reports.

Education. No report.

Social Service League. Mary Tilton gave a report of the Annual Meeting of the Social Service League on June 8th at the Manor Club. Committee reports all good, and a most interesting address by Stuart Janney also one from Mr. Cavin.--The death of Dr. Kirkpatrick will be a great loss to the League.

Resolutions. Martha Farquhar, No report.

Special Committee to prepare a memorial for India J. Downey, Marharet Bancroft Chairman, brought in a beautiful tribute which was ordered spread on the minutes and a copy sent to the family.

An Appreciation of Mrs. Frank J. Downey. (The original attached on opposite page)

An appreciation of Mrs. Frank J. Downey

"On parents knees a little new born child weeping thou sobst, while all around thee smiled. So live that sinking to thy life's last sleep. Calm thou mayest smile while all around thee weep" So fine and beautiful was Mrs. Downey's life as she went her way amongst us that when the news of her passing came truly all around her wept.

Hers was a life of service in the very highest meaning of that word, the sacrifice of self for others. She held out the hand of friendship, symphathy and helpfulness to old and young to rich and poor, to those who rejoiced, to those who mourned.

Whatever the demand after her she met it with ready cheerfulness.

Thirty five years ago she came to this neighbourhood a stranger. She left it the beloved, respected friend of everyone whose life touched hers.

"Calmly she smiles whilst all around her weep."

Margaret C. Bancroft.

Unfinished Business. Marianna Miller brought several copies of the minutes of the first meeting of the Association.

County Federation. Anna Nesbitt gave a very comprehensive report of a very interesting meeting--noting A County Library,--the Scholarship Fund--the New County Chairmen--a game preserve near Middlebrook and the need of more Clubs in the Federation.

State Federation. Margaret Jones asked if any members could get "ads" for the Year Book.

New Business. Secretary was asked to communicate with Ethel McKay relative to membership in the Association.

Next place of meeting--Plainfield--8th mo. 5th.

Sentiment of the Hostess, Alice Tyson. "No man lives his life in vain." also a poem "Building the Bridge".

"An old man, going a lone highway, Came, at the evening, old and gray, To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide, Through which was flowing a sullen tide, The old man crossed in the twilight dim; The sullen stream had no fears for him; But he turned, when safe on the other side, And built a bridge to span the tide.

" 'Old man, ' said a fellow pilgrim near, 'You are wasting strength with building here: Your journey will end with the ending day; You never again must pass this way; You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide-- Why build you the bridge at the eventide?'

"The builder lifted his old gray head: 'Good friend, in the path I have come,' he said 'There followeth after me to day A youth, whose feet must pass this way. This chasm, that has been naught to me, To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.' "

Older people should build worth-while things for the benefit of those who will follow after.

Marianna Miller read from the old minute book of the meetings at Alban Gilpin's, White Hall and Plainfield in 1865.