History of Springfield, Illinois, its attractions as a home and advantages for business, manufacturing, etc. Pub. under the auspices of the Springfield board of trade, by J. C. Power.

62 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, AND
this they must have a home to start from God has been asked for a dollar, and yet
-a home that would be to them all that we have lacked nothing. Every want
their their own should have been —a good has been supplied and every anxiety remother to care for, instruct, nurse, and moved-all has been voluntarily given.
again bring them back to a love of virtue God has, through this humble Home,
and to God, and above all lead them to brought many weary souls from a life of
Jesus, who is able to save to the utter- shame into his own rest, and has said to
most all who come to God by him. In many here, "Go, and sin no more."
this way, only, could they be fitted to re- The total number received during our
turn to their homes, or make an honor- three years existence has been two hundable living elsewhere, become useful in red and thirty-five. Of these one hundlife and happy forever, instead of being red and eighty were women, the princia curse to themselves and the world. pal part of whom were under twenty
With the view of providing this indis- years of age. Fifty-five children have
pensable aid to these vicious and neglect- been inmates of the Home, twenty-five of
ed girls, whom the Saviour loves, six of whom were born there, and all except
His and their friends, without society or two illegitimate.
organization, bought this pleasant home The family has averaged thirty persons
and ample grounds, and on the 4th of from the beginning. A majority of those
May, 1868, had it comfortably furnished who have been members of our family
and opened, to receive all of this class are doing well, many of whom have been
who would come with proper motives. returned to their friends. Several have
This Home has also been a lying-in married, and others are making good
hospital for children born out of wed- livings, in different occupations, by their
lock, and by this means has almost inva- own efforts.
riably saved those young, often cruelly de- Our hospital department has been graceived mothers, from a life of open shame. tuitously attended by two of our city
Since.opening, our Home has been twice physicians, and medicines have been graenlarged and another building rented, tuitously furnished by one of our'city
and at times all have been full. Since druggists."
the purchase of the building no one but
PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
SPRINGFIELD LIBRARY ASSOCIATION until Sept. 1, 1870, when he resigned,
Was incorporated under the general and Miss. E. Gertrude Seaman was choslaws of the State, March 15, 1866. The en to occupy that position.
library was opened to subscribers Feb. The capital stock authorized by the
23, 1869, with a catalogue of 1,300 vol- articles of association is $20,000. Fifty
umes. The number of books now in the dollars paid at one time constitutes the
library is about 3,500. The amount of person paying the same a life member,
money expended in the purchase of and secures the use of the Library,
books and fitting up the library is some- and one vote during life. Shares of
-thing over $5,000. Dr. Samuel Willard stock are ten dollars. A stock holder
was librarian from the time it was opened can have the use of the Library and one