Sangamon County, Illinois - City of Springfield 563, 1881 (part 24 of 25)

The Third Church was re-organized March 30, 1873, under the pastoral of Rev. H. M. Paynter, with forty members. November 1, 1875, Rev. J. J. Gulick was called to the pastorate as a licentiate Previous to this time, however, the present church edifice, occupied by the society, wa< erected, being completed in October, 1875, and dedicated on November 1, 1875.

In 1877, Rev. A. K. Bates was called and installed pastor. In April, 1877, Rev. F. M. Baldwin was elected Stated Supply, and October 14, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. E. S. Mc- Michael to become pastor. The membership of the church is seventy-five, A Sunday school meets every Sunday at 2 p. m., under the superintendency of Edwin A. Wilson.

Central Baptist

On the 17th of July, 1830, a few members of the different Baptist Churches met in Springfield and adopted articles of faith in accordance with the sacred Scriptures and the belief of the Baptist denomination, and eight persons were publicly recognized, by a regular council, as the First Baptist Church, of Springfield. Rev. Aaron Vandeveer was called as the pastor, and on the 21st of August commenced his labors. He remained about five years, and there were added to the church ten by baptism, sixty by letter, ten by experience - total, eighty.

In June, 1S34, the church made an effort to build a place of worship, and purchased a lot for the same. In June, l§>i5. Elder Vandeveer resigned, and in 1836 Elder Mariam became the pastor of the church. During his ministry their first house of worship was erected, and seventy were added to the church by baptism and twenty by letter. The Lick Creek Church was also formed by the dismissal of twenty-six members from this church. He closed his labors with the church November 1838, and was succeeded in October, 1839 by Rev. O. C. Comstock, who labored one year, during which time four were added by baptism and eleven by letter.

On the 22d of November, 1840, Rev. H. W. Dodge became pastor of the church, and when he had preached about three years, he asked and obtained leave of absence for six months, but did not return to the pastorate. During his ministry Rev. Thomas Powell assisted him in a proti'acted meeting, which i-esulted in a large addition to the church. During his pastorate seventy-one were baptized, eighteen received by letter, and four by experience. Within the same period, eleven members were dismissed to constitute the Baptist Church in Decatur.

In October, 1846, Rev. G. S.Bailey commenced his labors as pastor of the church, and terminated them in October, 1849. The additions to the church were thirty-five by baptism, nineteen by letter, and one by experience. Measures were taken during this time to erect a new house of worship, in which Elder Bailey manifested a lively interest, traveling east to raise funds to secure this object. At the time he resigned his charge thfe house was nearly completed. The German Baptist Church, of Springfield, was also constituted during his pastorate, by the dismissal of members from this church.

On the 7th of April, 1850, their new house of worship was dedicated to the service of God, and Rev. T. C. Teasdale, D. D., who had previously been called to the charge of this church, preached the dedicatory sermon from Acts, 5:20. Elder Teasdale having accepted the call of the church, entered at once upon his duties as pastor, and a protracted meeting was held, resulting in the conversion of a number of persons. He remained a little over two years, and ninety were added by baptism, and twenty-two by letter, and two bv experience.

In July, 1853, Rev. William Sym took pastoral charge of the church and remained two years, during which time eleven were added by baptism, and eighteen by letter.

Rev. N. W. Miner assumed the duties pertaining to the pastorate in April, 1855, and remained fourteen years. Rev. Nehemiah Pierce became pastor November 1, 1870, and died March 25, 1873. Rev. H. M. Worrell succeeded, acting as pastor from November, 1874, to June, 1878. Rev. J. L. M. Young came next, and remained about seven months, until the union of the First Baptist and North Church.

The constituent members of the church numbered eight. The membership in 1838, was one hundred and four; in 1840, ninety-three; in 1845, eighty-eight; in 1850, one hundred and twenty-six; in 1855, one hundred and seventy-four; in 1860, four hundred; in 1865, three hundred and fortyfive; in 1870, three hundred and thirty-three; in 1875, three hundred and fifty; in 1878, three hundred and thirty-six.

The whole number received by baptism from 1830 to 1878, is one thousand and thirty nine; Received by letter, four hundred and eighty-one; Total additions, one thousand five hundred and twenty. Total number dismissed by letter, dropped, excluded and died, one thousand two hundred and six.

The North Baptist Church

The first preliminarv meeting was held April 17, 1860; Brethren W. W. Watson and Noah Divelbiss acting, respectively as Moderator and Clerk. After several meetings; and most thorough and earnest discussion, the organization was affected May 29. Articles of faith and covenant were adopted, and the following ofiicers elected: Deacons, W. W. Watson and J. O. Rames; Clerk, Noah Divelbiss; Treasurer; Henry Converse. There was also appointed a committee on pastorate, consisting of Brethren Watson, Foley and Divelbiss. The labors of this committee resulted in extending a unanimous and hearty call to Rev. Ichabod Clark, of Rockford, who accej^ted, and commenced his pastorate in July, 1860.

The new church was publicly recognized August 16, 1860, the First Church of Springfield and the churches of Jacksonville and Berlin joining in the recognition services. The sermon was by Rev. R. R. Coon, hand of fellowship by Rev. G. S. Goodnoo; prayer of recognition by Rev. F. W. Ingmii'e. For nearly two years services were held in the court house, on the site of the present First National Bank. A house of worship was then built on north Sixth street and dedicated August 31, 1862.

Dr. Ichabod Clark was the first pastor, and was succeeded, in order, by Revs. A. C. Hubbard, William Haigh, N. G. Collins, H. M. Carr, D. F. Carnahan, Perry Bennett, and C. W. Clark, the last serving when the union of the First and North Churches was effected. The membership in 1860 was eighty; in 1865, one hundred and seventeen; in 1870, one hundred and fifty-three; in 1875, one hundred and sixty-nine; in 1879, two hundred and nineteen. The whole number received by baptism was one hundred and eighty-two; by letter, one hundred and sixtynine. Total, three hundred and fifty-one.

The Consolidation

The first effort towards a union of the two churches was made by the First Church, in a series of resolutions adopted July 15, 1873, and presented to the North Church, July 25. The resolutions were received and referred to a committee, which after careful consideration, made an able report, in which they gave their reasons for deciding that the time had not yet come for such a movement. The correspondence between the churches was courteous and fraternal, and the First Church cheerfully acquiesced in the decision reached. April 30, 1879, in a full meeting of the First Church, the question of union was again advanced for consideration. Resolutions were presented and unanimously adopted, embodying this basis of consolidation, in briet: A new organization was proposed; both churches disbanding and dropping their distinctive names; the officers of both churches to resign, and a new election to be held by the united body; the property of both churches to be deeded to the new organization.

The resolutions were presented to the North Church May 7, 1879. They were very cordially received and referred to a select committee of nine, who were authorized to meet for consultation with a similar committee from the First

These committees reported to their respective churches, heartily endorsing and recommending the proposed union. The report was adopted in the First Church by unanimous vote; in the North Church by a vote of forty-three to nine - majority of more than four-tifths.

The meeting for consolidation and organization was held in the North Church June 13, 1879, Deacon L. R. Brown, (chairman of the joint committee) was Modertor, and Isaac E. Roll, Clerk. The new body was named "The Central Baptist Church of Springfield." Articles of Faith and Covenant were adopted, and the following officers were elected: Trustees, A. L. Converse, A. M. Gregory, J. O. Rames, L. Smith, S. S. Elder, David E. Roll; Deacons, L. R. Brown, Nelson Neher, D. W. Witmer, George Gough; Clerk, Isaac E. Roll; Treasurer, R. M. Huckey.

The first public services of the new church were held June 15, 18*70. During the summer the pulpit was supplied by various ministers, and Rev. F. D. Rickerson was cal'ed to the pastorate and entered upon his duties November 11, 1879.

German Baptist

In 1849, this church was organized by members withdrawing from the First Church. They have a small, unpretentious house of worship, on Capital Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and meet for worship every Sabbath. Rev. William Papenhausen is the pastor.

Colored Ijaptists

There are two churches of Colored Baptists in the city, one situated on the corner of Twelfth and Mason streets, and known as the " Union," Rev. Mr. Robertson, pastor; the other on the corner of Ninth and Carpenter streets. Rev. George Brent, pastor.

Christian Church

Previous to the year 1832 there was no Christian Church in Springfield. In the fall of that year. Rev. Joseph Hewitt, a widely-known and popular Evangelist of the Christian denomination, came to Springfield and opened a protracted meeting and revival. He was a very persistent and eloquent divine and soon made a large number of converts among the citizens of this place, and in 1833 they were organized into the Christian Church of Springfield. The first church edifice erected by them was built on Madison street opposite the City High School, and is now occupied and used by the Portuguese Church. After worshiping in that place for a few years the church bought a lot on the corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets and erected another house of worship upon it. This building the congregation have occupied ever since until the past year, when they purchased a lot on Fifth street opposite the Governor's Mansion, and upon it are erecting a new and tasty structure for the future use of the church. It is an elegant edifice and thoroughly modern in all its appointments, being octagonal in form, it presents a fine audience room which is to be seated with chairs in lieu of the old-fashioned benches. It is expected to be completed by Christmas and will cost about eighteen thousand dollars. The present pastor is Rev. J. B. Allen, to whose untiring efforts the congregation is indebted for the new house of worship. The present membership numbers about three hundred. The music is on the congregational order, led by an organ. The Sunday school connected with this church has an average attendance of about one hundred and fifty scholars and is under the guidance of S. II. Twyman, the Superintendent.

Church Of The Immaculate Conception

The first Catholic services held in Springfield are unknown, though it was at a very early day, ante-dating the old settlers' time mark, the deep snow, by several years. It was made a station some time between 1830 and 1840, and remained such until 1844, when Rev. George A. Hamilton organized a congregation, and built a church on East Adams street. To this church was given the name of St. John the Baptist.

In 1856, Rev. H. Quigley, D. D., organized the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and in the years 1857-8, a house of worship was erected on the corner of Monroe and Seventh streets. This is one of the largest church edifices in the city, and the congregation that now worships there numbers five hundred families.

In 1869, Rev. Patrick Brady was appointed to the charge, and at once assumed the pastorate. Under his ministration, the church has prospered until it has a larger membership than any other in the city.

Becoming too large for the pastoral care of one man. Rev. Patrick Bourke was assigned to the position of Assistant Pastor in 1873, and the two reverend gentlemen have labored harmoniously together ever since.

The German Catholic congregation of Springfield, Illinois, was established in the year 1858, by Rev. J. Janssen, afterwards secretary of Rt. Rev. Bishop H.D. Junkers, of Alton. The first church was a frame building on Adams, between Ninth and Tenth streets. In 1861, a mission given by Rev. F. A. Weninger, S. J., raised a universal desire among the members of the congregation to build a more spacious edifice, and immediately exertions were made to raise funds for this purpose. At about the same time a parochial school was opened with about fifty pupils enrolled.

In 1863, Rev, William Burch successor to Rev. J. Janssen, bought of the Ursuline Sisters, on the corner of Sixth and Reynolds streets, the ground for a new church edifice, for which the cornerstone was laid September 27, 1865. In the autumn of that year the church was completed so far that the first service could be held on the 30th of September.

The zealous pastor, after four years of hard labor and great sufferings, died of consumption July 13, 1867, which death was a great loss to the young congregation. He was succeeded by Rev. G. Luecken, who commenced his labors September 8, 1867, and who completed and ornamented the church building.

In 1872, the adjacent lot with dwelling house was purchased for $2,500, which was destined to be the Sisters' dwelling place. At this time the school was attended by about one hundred and sixty pupils.

In 1869, a new bell was purchased, weighing one theusand and eighty-eight pounds, F sharp, and was placed in the steeple, at a cost of $455.

After Rev. Father Luecken left the diocese of Alton, Rev. F. G. Leve, the present pastor, by order of the Bishop of Alton, took charge of the congregation in 1875. Tfnder his manage-, ment the heavy debt, amounting to about $11,- 000, has been reduced to a nominal sum, and would have been entirely wiped out had it not been necessary to make some needed repairs and improvements in both church and school buildings. He has purchased two new altars at a cost of $800; two chandaliers for $200; and different fine vestments, at a cost of $1,000.

Father Weinninger, who held the fiist mission with this church, held another in the spring of 1881, just before Easter, in which he infused new life into the congregation, and filled them with zeal for future work. By the advice of the missionary, it was determined by the congregation to purchase the quarter of a block adjoining the old property, and to build a school house, and erect a steeple on the building, and make other needed improvements. ST. Joseph's church,

In 1875, Rev. M. Kane was commissioned by the Rt. Rev. P. J. Baltis, D. D., Bishop of Alton, to come to this city and form a new congregation, to include all the Catholics north of Carpenter street and those of the surrounding country.

By unwearied exertions and fine business capacity, Rev. Mr. Kane succeeded in building St. Joseph's Church and school house, both of brick. The church is about one hundred by forty feet, stone finished facade, with a steeple, one hundred and fifty feet from the ground to the cross. The interior is beautifully frescoed; it is lighted by gas; has thiee very fine altars, Gothic windows, a very good bell, two vestry rooms, a large basement, and is heated by hot air. The school-house is two stories high, and contains four large well ventilated class rooms. The whole situated in the midst of a grove, some two acres in extent, making it one of the prettiest and most attractive spots in the city or its surroundings. The congregation, numbering some three hundred families, is largely composed of farmers and men employed at tJae rolling mill and coal mines.

English Lutheran

The first English Lutheran Church of Springfield, Illinois, was organized in September, 1841, by Rev. Francis Springer. The number of persons entering the original organization was eight, including the pastor and his wife. The names of the others were James Zwisler, Thomas Lorshbaugh, John B. Weber and his wife, Frederick Myers and John Hammer. Messrs. Weber, Zwisler, Lorshbaugh and Myers were the first elders and deacons.

A church edifice was erected by the congregation on the corner of Sixth and Madison streets, in 1856, during Rev. Francis Springer's second pastoral charge of the church. It is a neat frame edifice and cost about $8,000. It will seat about four hundred persons.

The congregation was organized under the pastoral charge of the pastors of the English Lutheran Church of this city. Rev. F. Springer and Rev. S. W. Harkey, members of the Lutheran General Synod, in 1851. In was re-organized in 1855 under the pastoral charge of a German minister of the Lutheran Church - Rev. F. W. Eggerking - with fifty members. In 1860, a new church building was erected, and consecrated November 11 of that year, under the name of German Lutheran Trinity Church; Rev. Th. Huschmann, pastor. The congregation has been in connection with the German Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other States, since 1863, under the pastoral charge of the following named members of that Synod: Rev. W. Bartling, 1863 to 1870; Rev. H. Burckhardt, 1870 to 1874; Rev. Th. Benson, 1874 to 1876; Rev. F. Lochner, pastor, and Rev. A. Craemer, Professor of the German Lutheran Theological Concordia College, assistant of the Rev. Lochner, since February, 1876. Members, ninety-five.

During the administration of the Rev. H. Burckhardt, a number of the members separated themselves from the Trinity Church in consequence of the resolution of the congregation, that no member of any seci'et society can be a member of the congregation as a part of the true Lutheran Church. Those separated members organized themselves as St. John's Lutheran Congregation, in connection with the Lutheran General Synod.

According to the principles of the Lutheran Church, the congregation established in 1855, by their own means, a German-English Parochial School. A new brick building, of two stories, was erected last year, and opened for teaching in September, 1880. One hundred or more children will attend the school. Principal, Mr. Benjamin Gotsch; Assistant, Miss Johanna Gotsch.

church on the corner of Third and Washington streets, at a cost of |8,000. The church edifice is eighty by forty feet, and built of brick. The present membership of the congregation is sixty. The names of the pastors since organization are as follows: Revs. Kassmann, Prachs, Stark, Bond, Richter, Heinegar, and L. W. Graepp.

First Portuguese Presbyterian

Tike congregation was organized in Madeira in 1844, and its members emigrated in a body, as stated elsewhere in this work, arriving here in the fall of 1849. Services have been held continuously since that time. The present church building is a brick structure, situated on Madison street, between Fourth and Fifth. Rev. Mr. McGee was the last pastor the church had. The membership of the church is about one hundred.

Second Portuguese Presbyterian

This society was organized about 1857. Its present house of worship,'an unpretentious brick structure, situated at the corner of Eighth and Miller streets, was erected in 1861. Rev. E. N. Piers is pastor of the congregation, and also has charge of a congregation at Jacksonville, and therefore only spends half his time here. Services, however, are held every Sunday, conducted by the elders. The membership is about one hundred and twenty.

German Methodist

The German Methodist of the city have a church edifice on the corner of Seventh and Mason streets, and meet for worship every Sabbath. J. P. Miller is the present pastor.

Colored Methodists

There is a society of colored Methodists which meets on the east side of Fourth street, near Reynolds, with Rev. J. Dawson as the present pastor.

Plymouth Brethren

The Plymouth Brethren meet for worship Thursday evening at 509 Monroe street, up stairs. E. R. Ulrich is the leader. They have> no regular pastor at present.

This church was organized about 1837 by Rev. Samuel Chase. They own a fine church edifice on the corner of Third and Adams street, together with a residence for the pastor adjoining on the east. Rev. E. A. Larrabee is the present rector. The church controls two missions in the suburbs of the city.

Congregational Church

On the evening of December 11, 186G, a meeting was held of those favorable to the organization of a Congregational Church in Springfield, in the office of JJr. Charles S. Shelton. Those present were unanimously of the opinion the time had come to organize. Two meetings were then held December iTth and 18th, at which Rev. J. E. Roy was present and encouraged the enterprise. Among those favoring the establishment of the church and who were active in the work were Dr. Shelton, J. D. B. Salter, Lucius Kingsbury, Herbert Post, Dr. Samuel Willard, R. M. Tunnell, Frank W. Tracy, H. S. Dickerman, C. D. Harvey, C. R. Post, J. M. Morse, J. W. Lane, J. B. Fosselman, Franklin Barrows, Simon Barrows, C. F. Lawrence, C. V. Hoagland, N. C, Withington, H. C, Walker, L. W. Coe, Mrs. Julia E. Post, Mrs. H. M. Shelton, Mrs. J. J. Fosselman and Rev. E. Jemey.

Committees were appointed to procure pledges of money tor the support of the proposed church, to secure a minister, to obtain a suitable room for worship, and to prepare a formula for the organization of the church. Rev. F. T. Waterman, of Monroe, Connecticut, accepted an invitation to act as temporary minister to the society. The first meeting for worship was held in Br3"ant, Stratton & Bell's Commercial College Hall. The Constitution, Articles of Faith, Covenant and Rules of the new church, as reported by the committee of revision, were adopted at a meeting held January 28, 1867. Two weeks previous to this, C. S. Shelton, Lucius Kingsbury and Frank W. Tracy were appointed a committee to address letters missive to certain churches for the purpose of forming a council, to assist in completing the organization of the church.

The Council convened February 6, and was attended by a number of ministers from other places, and advised the completion of the organization.

The new church had seventy-five members at the start, fifty-five coming from the Second Presbytei'ian Church. The first officers elected were: Deacons, C. S. Shelton, Lucius Kingsburv and C. R. Post; Standing Committee, William M. Baker, L. W. Coe, C. H. Flower, C. F. Lawrence and H. S. Dickerman; Trustees, J. D. B. Salter, J. B. Fosselman, H. C. Walker, F. W. Tracy and S. C. Willard; Clerk and Treasurer, R. M. Tunnell; Superintendent of Sunday School, Herbert Post; Secretary, Alex. Bunker.

the pulpit until October, 1867, when Rev. John Knox McLean was called and entered upon the duties of the pastorate, December 4, 1867. On Thursday evening, December 10, 1868, the house of worship, erected and furnished at a cost of 124,000, was dedicated to the services of Almighty God. Rev. Mr. McLean served about five years, when Rev. John H. Barrows was called to the work. Mr. Barrows has been succeeded in turn by Revs. H. D. Moore, H. B. Dean, R. Nourse and R. O. Post, the latter now serving the church. The present church membership is one hundred and sixty-five, and that of the Sunday School, two hundred.

Hebrew Temple

An organization of Israelites was effected in this city in 1865, for the purpose of public worship according to the law given to Moses. Rev. B. Deutch was the first to minister to the congregation, and served the membership for nine years. He was succeeded by Rev. L. S. Ensel, who, in turn, was succeeded by Rev. D. Burgheim. In 1875, the congregation erected a handsome Temple on North Fifth street, near the Arsenal, at a cost of over $7,000. Before the completion of the Temple the congregation met for worship in Hart's Hall, on South Fifth street. Services are held each Friday evening, and often on Saturday morning, and are held in the Hebrew, English and German languages. The following are the names of the officers in 1881: S. Benjamin, President; L. Rosenwald, Vice President ; B. A. Lange, Treasurer ; L. A. Hammerslough, Secretary. Each of the foregoing are also Trustees, in addition to D. Seligman, D. Phillips and Z. Levy.

£y Isaac H. JDiller. " The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in Springfield shortly after the ' Great Revival,' in 1866, and commenced active work immediately, opening reading rooms, and in other ways seeking to reach and benefit young men. The first report showed a debt had been incurred which increased each year, and caused many to leave the Association, increasing the burden on the few faithful workers, until in 1872, they were obliged to give uj) their rooms and abandon active work. The sign still hung on the front of the building and put the thought into the hearts of several young men, not yet out of their teens (who had formerly met in the rooms of the Association in the capacity of a boys' prayer meeting, under the name of the 'Young Men's Christian Association, Junior,) if y could not benefit their companions by orlizing a 'Young Men's Christian Association.' Upon consultation they found several of their friends had thought the same, so after issuing a call and holding several preliminary meetings, they effected an organization March 24, 1874. They found their predecessors, after abandoning the active work, had still kept up an organization, but gladly turned their books over to their charge, and wished them God speed in their work. On account of their youth and inexperience the general prediction was, that a few months would witness their dissolution, but they had ' put their hand to the plow' and dare not look back, but through the difficulties and discouragements that encompassed them looked up to 'Him who was able to help.' One of their principles was, 'avoid debt,' and another 'work.' They immediately started a young men's prayer meeting in their rooms (having secured a place for meeting in Cook's building, on Monroe street) and a prayer meeting on Monday night at the Home for the Friendless, both of which are still maintained. During the summer, Professor Stephen Bogardus, proprietor of the Commercial College, offered the Association the use of his hall free of charge, which offer was gladly accepted, thus enabling them to save the rent for several months, which was no small item to the Association. During this time the Association was first represented in a gathering away from home, the occasion being a district convention in Mason City. The Springfield delegate gave expression to the feeling of his fellow workers, when he^tated their determination to prosecute their work 'if we have to hold our meetings under the gas lamps.' In the fall the rooms on Monroe street were re-rented and furnished, and were the home of the Association for over two years, when they accepted the kind offer of C. W. Freeman to lease them rooms in his building on Washington street, near the square, for two years. At the expiration of the time the rooms were moved on Sixth street, opposite the post office, where they are still located. The rooms are by far the most pleasant yet occupied, and it is the hope of the Association that the next move they make will be into a building of their own for a permanent home. An effort was made last spring to secure a lot, but was dropped when they learned one of the cit)'^ churches was also desirous of obtaining it, but the success achieved as far as the committee Avent was flattering. The Association have a State charter, and can own and hold property to the extent of $75,000, free from State or city taxes.

"The growth of the Association has been steady and permanent, starting with about forty members they now have over two hundred. In 1875, they commenced publishing a monthly gospel paper the "Y. M. C. A. Herald," which was published regularly till the thii'd year, and since then has been pub lished occasionally for gratuitous circulation. Ever since its publication it has been circulated at our county and State Fairs, as many as six thousand being circulated at one. The Association has a tent on the grounds and the General Secretary spends the week distributing the " Herald" Tracts, Testaments, etc<, and in personal work. Much good has resulted from this work, July 1, 1877, the Association secured the services of William F. Bischoff as General Secretary, and for over four years he has performed the duties of the office in a most faithful and conscientious manner, and the work of the Association has been greatly developed through his self-denying labors. The need of such an officer was felt from the first, but|it seemed almost too good to hope they would ever be able to secure one, but the way was opened and the proper person brought to the field.

"The work of the Association opened up gradually, commencing with two meetings. Two more were opened the first winter, one of these being the praise meeting, which has since grown to such proportions as to sometimes fill our large churches. Then cottage prayer meetings, open air meetings, jail services, daily prayer meetings, Bible study, boys' meetings, and other fields of Christian usefulness being occupied, over one hundred and fifty devotional meetings of various kinds being held in a single month, reaching many thousand people of all classes with the Gospel invitation. Different branches of work have been added from time to time till we have now branch work for boys, railroad men, Germans, Swedes, Sunday Schools, and commercial travelers; under the direction of earnest workers among these classes. Besides the devotional work, one branch of which is given to the eleven members of the board of directors, and the branch work, we have the following committees: Finance, Publication, Rooms and Library, Socials and Lectures, Music, Tract and Invitation, Visitation of the Sick, and Membership.

"The reading rooms have on file about one hundred papers and magazines, and the library contains over four hundred volumes of instructive and valuable books. The object of this Association, as stated in the Constitution, shall be the development of Christian char- acter and activity in its members ; the promotion of Evangelical religion ; the cultivation of Christian sympathy, and the improvement of the spiritua', intellectual and social condition of young men.

" The Association, though still in its infancy, and has already accomplished much in this direction, but having an object that all who love the Master can not fail not only to approve, but heartily co-operate in, when once understood. We hope, with increased means of usefulness, with a building arranged and devoted especially to this purpose, and with ripened experience to rightly direct the efforts put forth, to become a blessing and help to every young man and boy in our midst, and direct them to so live that they may be useful and happy lives in this world, and spend an eternity in bliss at the Father's right hand."

Ik Honor Of The Dead

In France, the memory of those who have died in the military service, with which is ever associated national honor and love of country, is fondly cherished by the people, and their love and gratitude find a most fitting expression in the custom observed each spring, when the grass is greenest and the fiowers most beautiful, in the deckino of graves where the loved remains lie, or of the tablets erected in memory of those lost on the fields of battle.

In 1868, General Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued an address, recommending the 30th day of May be set apart in which the brave soldiers who volunteered to defend the Union and to preserve the government of our fathers, were to have similar remembrances. The sacred spot where their remains lie were to be strewn with flowers by their surviving comrades.

"How sleep tlie brave who sink to rest. By all a country's wishes blest, When spring, with dewy fingers cold Returns to deck their hallowed mould. She there shall dress a greener sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod! By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung. There honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the surf, that wraps their clay; And Freedom shall awhile repair, To dwell a weeping hermit, there."

The first public decoration of soldiers' graves in this county was on Saturday, May 30, 1868, according to the recommendation of the Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. The Senate chamber of the old State House was the place where the ladies met for the arrangement of the flowers and evergreens into wreaths and boquets. Tables loaded with flowers, and baskets of evergreens, were scattered about the room, and around them were gathered a large number of ladies, all absorbed in the delicate and artistic work of arranging and weaving the rare and beautiful flowers into forms indicating that the fair artists possessed highly cultivated and exquisite taste in such matters. The hearts of all were in the work, and they felt it a duty thus to honor the noble dead.

At one o'clock, p.m., the committee, consisting of ladies and gentlemen, appointed to decorate the graves of those buried at Camp Butler Cemetery, met at the State House and marched to the Wabash depot where a train was in readiness to carry them to the ground. On the arrival of the train at the site of old Camp Butler, the company formed in procession, and marched to the spot where rests the remains of many Union soldiers, who died in the hospital at this camp. The cemetery is situated on rising ground only a short distance from the old camp ground, and is surrounded with a good picket fence, everything about it being in excellent order.

The graves, numbering several hundred, are furnished with white headstones, upon which are inscribed, with few exceptions, the name, age and number of regiment to which the deceased belonged. On arriving at the entrance of the cemetery, every visitor was provided with flowers, and proceeded to the shade of a tree, where the services of the occasion commenced by the whole assembly joining in singing the patriotic and soul-stirring hymn of "America." -

After singing. Rev. Mr. Carr offered a solemn and impressive prayer. At the conclusion of the prayer. Dr. George T. Allen made a few remarks. He commenced by referring to the scenes he had witnessed, in which our soldiers had shown their love of country and the cause of liberty, many of whom had sealed their devotion with their lives. The graves around us, he said, contained the remains of those who had fallen in defense of the country, and we should remember their virtues and patriotism, as we placed the flowers upon their last earthly resting place. The number buried here were but few compared with the number that perished during the war, where death held high carnival. He then spoke of the great number that had died in hospitals as being equal to those who had perished upon the battle-fields, and in this connection spoke in appropriate terms of the death of the noble Lincoln, who perished by the assassin's hand, and the gloom that overshadowed the Nation as the dreadful news spread over the land. In closing his brief address, he again referred to the noble dead which they had come to honor, and trusted that the beautiful custom of decorating the soldiers' graves with flowers might be continued in after years, thereby calling xip memories of the past which would result in good to all.

General Tyndale, of Philadelphia, then made a few remarks, after which the ladies and gentlemen proceeded to decorate the graves, placing at the head of each a beautiful boquet or wreath of flowers, and in some cases strewing the grave with flowers. Some of the most beautiful flowers and wreaths were placed upon the graves of the "unknown" dead, a touching testimonial that though their names were unknown, their patriotisni was remembered by grateful hearts.

The ceremony concluded, the people returned to the shade, when Colonel George H. Harlow requested the assembly to raise their right hands, and as they did so, he read in a distinct and impressive manner, the following:

'' Before Almighty God, and within the precincts of the last resting place of our heroic dead, we renew our devotion to the Union and the cause for which they gave their lives, and we here again renew our vows to defend and perpetuate Freedom and the Union; to all of which we pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor; so help us God."

At three o'clock p. m., the committee appointed to visit Oak Ridge Cemetery, accompanied by several hundred citizens, proceeded to the cemetery, and on arriving there, assembled around the tomb of Abraham Lincoln, which had previously been decorated with flowers by a company of ladies. On arriving at the tomb, E. L. Gross made some brief and eloquent remarks appropriate to the occasion, when the committee proceeded to decorate the graves of the Union so diers with flowers. The Catholic cemetery was then visited, and the graves of the Union soldiers there interred were decorated in like manner with the others. Hutchinson cemetery was also visited and flowers laid upon the graves of Union soldiers sleeping there.

never more faithfully observed than May 30, 1881, The streets, even early in the forenoon, began to evince signs of a crowded city, and before twelve o'clock arriving excursion trains from all directions had swelled the number of strangers to several thousands. Most of the visitors arrived by way of the Ohio & Mississippi Road, one train, due at nine-thirty, from the east carrying two thousand one hundred people. Other trains were also crowded.

At 8:30 the members of the Stephenson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, a number of exsoldiers and many citizens assembled in front of the Grand Army Hall, on the east side of the square, and at nine o'clock they boarded the street cars and proceeded to Oak Ridge Cemetery under the command of Major Chapin.

At Oak Ridge

On arriving at the street car terminus the crowd assembled in line and with muflled drums playing a funeral dirge marched through the cemetery decorating in turn the grave of each fallen comrade. The ceremony of the Grand Army was, in short, carried out in full with great impressiveness and solemnity.

After the decoration of the soldiers' graves the procession moved to the National Lincoln Monument. On arriving at the entrance of the tomb the many assembled comrades, with uncovered heads and hearts full of emotion, marched in the tomb and around the beautifully decorated sarcophagus containing the saci'ed ashes of the illustrious dead, depositing cluster after cluster of beautiful blossoms, until the martyred President slept beneath a wilderness of flowers.

It seemed that the hearts of each and all present instinctively turned back to the review of the life of that great man who had arisen from the lower walks of life by the force of his own genius and the Godliness of a gentle mind, step by step, in spite of adversity, to the Chief Magistracy of a great Republic; and every mind seemed sad as they contemplated the sad and tragic end of that great man, whose life motto had been: " Charity for all, malice toward none." Over the arched entran.ce of the tomb the name Lincoln had been previousl}^ entwined in an artistic manner, with evergreens and flowers.

After the passage of the procession through the tomb, they congregated in front of the entrance, when the choir, with Miss Minnie Goodwin as organist, sang several hymns appropriate to the occasion.

etery, many of them going over and through the monument, under the genial guardianship of J. C. Power, Secretary of the "Lincoln Guard of Honor," and Custodian of the monument.

The Afternoon Exercises

At 1 2 m., a train was prepared to leave the Wabash depot for Camp Butler, but, in consequence of the threatening appearance of the weather, portending rain, it did not depart until some minutes later. It was completely crowded, containing the different classes of people who yearly visit the old camp ground, many bent upon having a good time, some to escape the confinement of the stores and shops for a short time, while not a few more wore upon their faces the expression indicative of the sad and solemn duty they were going to perform. Arriving at the station, a half-mile walk soon brought the visitors to the entrance of the National Cemetery, wherein the ensign waved at half-mast.

At Camp Butler

At 3:15 the storm was over, the train from the city had arrived, and tha escort, composed of the Watch Factory band and the Governor's Guard, filed into the cemetery, followed by the members of Stephenson Post and veterans in line. The band played a dirge until arriving at the stand, where the following memorial services were conducted by Post Commander Chapin and Comrades of the Post.

" In memory of the honored and heroic dead, whose remains here find rest and repose, we will deposit these flowers. May the lessons of purity which they symbolize rest in our hearts, and incite in us the emotions of patriotism which they exemplified in life and death.

"In honor of our comrades slain in Freedom's battle, or dying from wounds received in defense of all we hold most dear, we will j^lace these flowers upon the graves. The green turf above them will fade, these beautiful flowers wither and die, but the lesson will remain, and our children and their children will be taught the duty of honoring those who die for their country.

" Death comes to us all ; none shall escape his relentless mandate. The highest potentate and the humblest toiler must at last take their places in the bosom of the earth ; and it becomes us all to be ready for the messenger we must obey. Our comrades, upon whose graves we scatter flowers, and whose memories we thus revive and celebrate, died in the performance of the noblest of duties, and met the Destroyer where every patriot would desire to meet him - beneath the folds of our starry banner, and in defense of that cause in which it is sweet and pleasant to die - the cause of our country.

"As the grass will spring anew from the storms and dearth of winter - as other flowers will come to take the place of these, so soon to fade - so be it ours for ourselves and our generation, to keep bright the memory of our fallen comrades."

The graves were then decorated by comrades detailed by the Commander, after which the choir sang Memorial Hymn and the Chaplain offered prayer as follows:

"God of Battles, Father of all, amid these monuments of the dead, we seek Thee, with whom there is no death. Open every eye to behold Him who changed the night of death into morning. In the depths of our hearts we would hear the celestial word, 'I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.' As comrade after comrade departs, and we march on with ranks broken, help us to be faithful unto Thee and to each other. We beseech Thee, look in mercy on the widows and children of deceased comrades,and with Thine own tenderness, console and comfort those bereaved by the events which call us here. Bless and save our country with the peace of freedom and righteousness; and through Thy great mercy may we all meet at last with joy, before Thy throne in Heaven; and to Thy great name shall be praise for ever and ever." [All comrades] "Amen."

Commander - 'To-day is the festival of our dead. We unite to honor the memory of our brave and beloved, to enrich and ennoble our lives by recalling a public heroism and a private worth that are immortal; to encourage by one solemn service a more zealous and stalwart patriotism. Festival of the dead! Yes, though many eyes are clouded with tears, though many hearts are heavy with regret, though many lives ai'e desolate because of the father and brother, the husband and lover who did not come back; though every grave which a tender reverence or love adorns with flowers is the shrine of a sorrow whose influence is still potent, though its first keen poignancy has been dulled - despite of

"And now, as in this silent camping ground of our dead, with soldierly tenderness and love, we garland these passionless mounds, let \is recall those who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes. Let us recall their toil, their sufferings, their heroism, their supreme fidelity in camp, in prison pen, on the battle-field and in hospital, that the flag under which they fought and from the shadows of whose folds they were promoted, may never be dishonored, that the country for whose union and supremacy they surrendered life, may have the fervent and enthusiatic devotion of every citizen, that as we stand by every grave as before an altar we may pledge our manhood that, so help us God, the memory of our dead shall encourage and strengthen in us all a more loyal patriotism."

Chaplain - '"What man is thatliveth and shall not see death? Shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? If a man die, shall he live again? '"

Comrades - " Jesus Christ said : 'I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And he that liveth and believeth in me shall never die.' "

Chaplain - '"Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God ; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions ; I go to prepare the way for 5"0u.' "

When these exercises were concluded the choir sang with good effect " The Brave, Noble and True." The Post Commander then introduced to the audience in a few appropriate words the orator of the occasion, Rev. T. A.

" Two grand commemorations will be held during the year 1881. The people of this Nation, who love it in their inmost hearts, and feel pride in its history, will be twice gathered to honor the memory of the heroic dead. The first of these two memorial occasions we are here to celebrate - to decorate the graves of our Union soldiers; to recall their services, from the hour when the call of Abraham Lincoln summoned them to arms, onward to that sublime day when the last armed foe went down under the walls of Richmond - sixteen years ago - and the flags of the Union rose, like stars, over a hundred victorious battle fields. As the childhood of the Nation passes by these graves, its eager lips will ask: ' What does it all mean? Why did the soldiers die? What story do these fragrant flowers repeat? ' The answer will be given, to-day, throughout this wide Nation, in ever-varying fragments of history - from the day in 1861, when the wratU of the patriot millions rose like the sea, and rolled onward in billows of carnage and flame, and broke at last into rest when the Master said, 'Peace; be still! '

"The second memorial ceremony will be held at Yorktown in October next; and when the grand pagentry is over, the passing generations will agafti ask, 'What does it mean? Why was this granite column erected? What story of the Nation's life do its dumb stones repeat.' The answer is nearly similar to that of to-day. From the pine forests of Maine to the uttermost hamlet of California, the story will be told to the listening ear and graven in the hearts of the American childhood. When the story of both events shall be heard they will seem almost the same. For as we gaze back through the shadowy past of a hundred years ago to Yorktown, and then to the vivid past of sixteen years ago to Richmond, they are strangely alike! At Yorktown the Colonial Government arose to its feet and stood one among the free peoples of the earth. At Richmond the United States arose once more to its feet and stood vindicated and majestic among the Nations of the earth. At Yorktown the starry flag rose to its place in the sky as the proud flag of England went down. At Richmond, once again, the same starry flag rose to its place in the sky as the proud ensign of the Southern Confederacy went down to the dust. At Yorktown the last battle of any moment was fought, and the last foe of free government on this continent surrendered. At Richmond the last great battle was won, and the last foe of the Union submitted. Yonder is the elm tree that shaded Washington and Cornwallis, when the sword of the latter was given into the hands of the General-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies; here stands the apple tree that shaded Grant and Lee^ when the sword of the latter was offered to the hand of the former, the General-in Chief of the armies of the United States, and with it passed away forever the last lingering hope of secession. The living soldiers on the ramparts of Yorktown salute their comrades on the ramparts of Richmond, and the blood of their brave comrades flowing from the trenches of both places mingles in the waters of the bright river that murmurs eternally at their feet. But from both events, the most prominent figures that shall be summoned to receive honor, will be the soldier of the Revolution and the soldier of the Union. They shall march together along the fields of the Nation's history, while all the good shall hail and crown their honored shades.

"Therefore we assemble to-day with a sense of increased significance in the ceremony. We have no granite columns to uncover, newly dedicated to the duty of perpetuating the memory of the services and sacrifices of the soldier-dead; but we do have a memorial newly grown - for everywhere is their monument! It rises in annual resurrection at our feet. Its colors are painted by a divine hand, and its mingled fragrance breathes a celestial breath. 'Take us,' they seem to say, 'and weave chaplets for the brave. Take us and dedicate us to the memory of the heroic dead; we endure while stone and brass shall perish. The generations as they come and go in endless procession shall greet us, and greeting shall bear us to the graves of the brave. Year by year we shall call to the people, in the great march onward, to halt; come for awhile and over the shrines o»f the soldier-dead recall their heroic virtues and their great sacrifice.' We take up our part of that duty, and in recalling their virtues I can do it in no manner more effective than to bring to your notice

The Character Of The Union Soldier

"First, then, we recall the element of patriotism which decorated the character of- the soldiers sleej)ing here. Patriotism has, indeed, many definitions, and takes many forms of action. Some times it is Industry - the hundred-handed giant - wielding the mighty forces of agriculture, of commerce and manufactures, with a profound confidence in the stability of the government. Sometimes it is statesmanship, wisely planning and safely guiding toward the future of the Nation. Sometimes it is eloquence, voicing in prophecy the thoughts that lie dumb in the popular heart. Sometimes it is song translating the love of the people for their native land. Sometimes it is prayer, rising sublime to God. Sometimes it is woman's poetical and tender ministry at the cot of the soldier, wounded, sick or dying. Sometimes it is justice, speaking the conscience of the people against the vices that corrupt the body politic and the wrongs that hinder the free movement of this Nation onward to its destiny.

"All these forms of patriotism exist among us. They have nothing heroic about them. But it is a different thing when patriotism springs to arms in defense of the nation's life. It is this form we a^e to honor - for these soldiers were patriots, and gave to their country and for their country's sake the richest gift they had - their life.

" Had I the power to recall one of the many from his rest in fame's eternal camping ground, how gladly would I do it. Even now 1 see him, as he stood under the gaze of his countrymen. Yesterday he was but one of the undistinguished millions. To-day he stands distinguished as the volunteer soldier of the Union. How manly the form! How athletic the strength! How firm the poise of the body! The pride of Illinois - the dewy freshness of her prairies beams in his eyes, the hope of her glorious future glows in his soul, and her blood throbs in the brave hearts of her young soldier as he lifts his hand toward Heaven and swears by Him, who notes the sparrow's fall, to be true to the Constitution and laws, and, if necessary, to die, that the government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the earth!

" Do you see him to-day, O, comrades, as he stepped out under the flying flag, when the shrill fife sounded and the drum beat, and marched by your side, on and on over bills, through forests; on and on, through vales and brakes; on and on over mountain and river; on and on, through swamp and over bayous; on and on, as the fiery front of conquest advanced; by skirmish, by conflicts and siege? Do you see him in the circle of the camp-fire; hear the story and the song? By your side in the rugged winter and in the pleasant days of summer. Do you see him when the bugle sounds 'to arms!' and the long lines of battle are formed? Do you see him when the tide sweeps on and leaves him broken to pieces on the field, to breathe his last sigh up to the pitying stars - then to be

" It is this form of patriotism we are here to commemorate, accounting it the purest and noblest which can animate the citizens of this Republic who loves it and its freedom, so much more than home or family or ambition or self, and to dare to die for its defense and perpetuity. "A second element of the character which we desire to commemorate by this beautiful floral display is the self-devotion they exhibited. I do not mean to trace this quality in the incidents of twenty years ago - the muster, the drill camps, th-e weary marches and the tough campaigns. It is the office of the historian to recount these. Mine is the more pleasant duty of tracing the manifestations of this noble trait of the soldier's character where it saines in star-like radiance, and takes its place in constellation of heroic virtues. Their self-devotion included many features. It meant the leaving the farm, the Avork-shop, the store, the office, the school-room, the church, the quiet ways of life, at the voice of duty. It meant the march away to an uncertain fate. It meant the separation for an indetinite time from friends, from parents, from wife and children, and not only the separation, but on the part of thousands the firm resistance of tears, of pleading voices and hearts breaking with their propheciei of woe. It was a path of painful sacrifice for many, and the altar they used was dripping with sweat of an agony which could not be controlled. One incident comes to me vividly. A cei'tain regiment is marching through the streets of a town where some of the soldiers lived. The morning had been a parting festival. The new flag - the gift of the town - rode proudly over the moving column. The sidewalks were thronged with crowds of the patriotic cheering and weeping as the soldiers go by. On the way is a neat, white frame house, over which creep the honey-suckle and clematis vine. The window curtain was partly drawn back, just enough to disclose a woman's face, with eyes straining through a mist of tears, and pale with pain of the heart. As they passed, company by company, a little girl sprang from the pavement, shouting, * There's papa!' On swung the company. The father looked at his child, her blue eyes wide open with surprise, and her bright hair blown about in the wind, but he said no word. With a bound the little one flew after him, now crying bitterly, and in broken words saying, 'Take me papa ! take me!' The manly soldier kept steadily on, but a quiver of grief shook his frame and tsars fell upon his bosom. The captain of the company took up the little one, and carried her sobbing and inconsolable into the cottage by the wayside, where the young mother was. To thousands these words were re-echoed through the years of bitter and bloody strife. And it was no inconsiderable feature of their self-devotion that they gave themselves to the maintainance of a doubtful experimeut. Through the confusion of counsel in Congress, and the contradictory theories of authority in high places, they could but dimly see how the interests of continued self-government were in the issues; but there was a principle of more immediate application, by whose aid they were made capable of self-devotion which makes the heroism of Thermoplae doubtful, and the glory of '76 as a star in the splendor of a meridian sun I

"thk supremacy of the union, that was the simple bright principle which made possible the devotion of these soldiers to the extent of its utmost requirements. Like a mother stricken by the hand of a younger son, the mother-land cried out, 'save me, my children, I have nursed you at my bosom; I have dowered you with a home of peace and plenty; from sea to sea your heritage lies, and your children are my treasues; I am stricken, save me;' - and the cry of mother-land was as the voice of God. With the impulse of filial devotion they rose and went, to her succor, not reasoning nor asking why; forgetting all else - ill other differences of State pride and all battle-cries of parties. In the aggregate it was sublime unselfishness; in particu- Tars it was matchless in the annals of the world. Have you read how the Hebrew mothers in the vales of Palestine consecrated their sons to the battles of the Lord. There are thousands of stories of American mothers who, with similar lofty piety, dedicated their sons to God and the Republic. Have you read how Greek matrons buckled the swords of their sons, gave them their shields, saying: 'Come back with them or on them.' There were thousands of American matrons who imitated their high heroism. Have you read how the Swiss have come from their cantons to breast the serried tides of despotism? So can we match their willing devotion. Have you read how the freemen of Scotland, when the watch-fires blazed from peak to peak, swept in solid array to defend their mountain home? So swept the mighty host of our freemen from mountain to lake. Have you read how the patriots of Ireland went to death gaily as a groom to his bride, happy in the faith that the bannered green of their sires would one day float over their tombs? So went thousands of our patriot soldiers to death, satisfied that the same starry banner which waved over their cradles would also wave over their graves. Worthy of all admiration was the self-devotion they exhibited. It decorates with beauty like that of these May flowers, the sacrifice they gave to their country in the hour of the country's need. It shines resplendent, as time dims the record of march and siege, and battles lost and won.

" Another trait in the character of these soldiers we honor, was their courage. As a mass they shrank from no duty, although a hundred difficulties guarded that duty and thousands of bayonets opposed them. It is a quality of character which decorates the name of every heroic leader iu the majestic march of the race onward. That was a brave heart that beat under St. Panl's serf-mantle when he faced the lions in the arena of Ephesus ; it was a dauntless soul that animated Arnold Winkelreid, when he gathered a hundred Austrian spears in his bosom, and so made way for liberty ; that was a fearless spirit in John Hampden when he defied his king in the n«me of English law and English rights ; that was a gallant heart that throbbed in Robert Emmet's bosom when he plead for Ireland's independence ; that was a resolute spirit in Washington when he led the forlorn hope of America's freedom through all perils to victory. In fine, to illustrate this quality I must enumerate the long catalogue which Heaven and earth have made us to exemplify true courage in the fields of Evangelism, of reform, of civil and religious freedom. A soldier without courage would be as a Christian without faith - the very life within would die. At some time in the future historians will write of the courage of these soldiers in that nameless conflict with unseen foes - The subtle foes that crouch in the parses of mountains and lurk in the gloomy recesses of dark forests and venomous swamps, of the courage it required to brave the storms of winter on the lonely scout pacing the picket lines ; raiding the Indian wilderness, or struggling hand to hand with the ocean's wind and waves. Courage has a two-fold force - visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. The one is born of blood, the other of the conscience. The one mounts like a proud rider at the first cry of danger and with bounding pulse, set teeth, he t breath and steely nerves, transforms the timid into heroes. It is that species which is most admired in song and storied in romance. It is the gift of God, and by its instrumentality He has moved man to conquest

"One scene, out of many during the war, will illustrate this virtue. Two armies are sleeping fi-ont to front, waiting for the dawn of the day to grapple in deadly battle. A division of each is matched, as if a challenge had been made and accepted. With the light of the day, the two divisions rose to meet the conflict. The solid gray lines came sweeping down the slopes to overwhelm the embattled division silently awaiting the deluge on the brink of the intervening valley. The hills shout back the deep and deadly thunder of artillery; the valley counts the roll of musketry; on, and still on, come the unwavering columns. Not a step falters; not a hand trembles. Faster and faster roll the echoes of their guns; hotter flashes the red artillery. Now a single sound rings over the dread clangor; then there is a sudden leap forward; a swelling shout that shakes the flying flags; a rush as of a loosened river, and up! up! up! to the moveless column of blue they sweep - then fall back from the hedge of bayonets, broken and dispersed, to the sheltering nooks of the hills. It is one out of many, and make the dome of the American temple of fame as brilliant as the sky at midnight.

"Do not forget that this floral sacrament looks also to that other phase of their courage which met and fought with its invisible foes of pain, wounds and death. Is there need to enumerate these, or to insist that this species of courage has the finer quality and nerve? Who can measure the infinite variety of suffering through which they often passed on the way to these graves? Some writhing on the bloody field of battle; some tortured on the surgeon's table; some fierce in the frenzy of delirium; some wasted by fever; others worn by incurable disease; some starving in prison pens; some with an arm or limb left in the trenches; some mangled with shot or shell; some wearing away hour by hour in hospital and tent, vainly begging for the sight of the dear ones at home; others calm in the patience of duty well done; dying with the renewed ideal of their country bending over them - dear as the sun - regretting nothing of the costly sacrifice they made, passing away under the soothing of womanly nurses, and sleeping at last under the hemlocks and pines of the South.

" 'How sleep the brave who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blesi; When spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallow'd mould,

She thea shall dress a sweeter sod Than fancy's feet have ever trod, By fairy hands their knell is rung, By forms unseen their dirge is sung. There honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And Freedom shall awhile repair. To dwell a weeping hermit there!' "

" Lest I weary you, I shall give but a brief eulogy of the last characteristic of these sleeping soldiers. It is the quality of generosity. ' I have stood by the homely cot of many a dying soldier - young, middle-aged, officer and private, but have never yet heard one syllable of bitterness for the foe whose bullets and steel sent them to untimely graves. Generous souls! Many of them went from the cot to Heaven with an all-embracing charity which blessed the friends they loved, and forgave the foes who smote them.' It makes them the more heroic, because they fell battling with brave foes - for history will write the names and deeds of many Southern soldiers, who illustrated their lost cause and conquered banners with a lofty courage and devotion. Out of the graves of the Blue grows a stately flower named Victory; out of the graves of the Gray grows another named Submission; they unite, and out of the mingled vitality blossoms the beautiful flower of Peace, shedding its perfumes on Northern gales and Southern zephyrs.

"But, while we strive to emulate this generous spirit, so nobly characteristic of the soldier dead, we do not invite the childhood of the country here every year to decorate these graves, and not to learn the cause for which they died was the cause of right, as against wrong; the cause of Freedom, as against slavery; the cause of Union, as against its deadly foe. Secession. No false logic of events, no cunning arts of politician, no craven demands of self-interest, shall ever dim the keen sight of the passing generations to the wide distinction between loyalty and treason; between the honor due and paid to the patriot soldier, living and dead, and the charity of forgiveness ofl;ered to their foes, sleeping side by side in death, or in life laboring for the peace and perpetuity of the Nation. We lament, with a sorrow never healed, the loss of the gallant host of the Union, who died that we might live, but pity the misguided and wasted host who sought to destroy it, and died in the vain attempt. And the blossoms that to-day fail upon their graves are given in the same spirit as the soldiers used to give their crackers and canteens, though face to face in deadly array. But, above all floral offerings to the soldier dead; above all tributes of eloquence to their noble deeds; above all gift of monumental marble by a patriotic people, is the solemn duty of here renewing our allegiance to the Union, 'that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain,' and as reverently as the priest before his altar, so before these sacred shrines devote ourselves to the task of building upon this continent one Republic, great and indivisible - so strong that every government, no matter how powerful it may be, shall fear and reverence it, and so beneficent that every inhabitant on earth, no matter how desolate he may be, shall find it a refuge and a defense.

" To this great purpose these soldiers were dedicated; to defend it they went to battle; they won at last, after years of unutterable sacrifice, and were borne back in silent legions to rest in the green tents whose curtains are never blown by the winds. Sleep on, O brave men, under the sentinel stars! Sleep on, O, soldiers of the Union under the changeful skies! No sound of war disturbs your dreamless sleep! Softly as fall the May blossoms on your graves, so softly treads over you the march of Time, and the feet of passing generations! O, had I the power, I would make a festoon of flowers gathered from the gardens of the North, from the Savannas of the South, from the vales of the East, and from the prairies of the West. I would fold it around the bleached forms of the sailors of the Union navy resting in the sepulchres of the sea, or covered in the tawny sands of the gulf, or swept by the mighty current of the Mississippi, or washed by the silver waves of the Rio Grande. I would wreathe it around the form of every soldier of the Union sleeping in American soil - some in the cemeteries of the Nation ; some in the long trenches of battle-fields; some in secret places; some in the forests; some by the river banks; some in lonely graves, unknown, under the shadow of cypress and magnolia trees - and, binding without the States of the Union, would summon the genius of the Nation to say with priestly authority: 'What God has joined together, let no man put assunder." '

Mr. Parker received the undivided attention of the immense audience, and his splendid oration was highly commended by all who had the privilege of hearing it. Upon its conclusion the exercises of the Grand Army were concluded as follows:

After the close of these exercises "America"' was sung by the throng, and the exercises closed with the benediction, when all boarded the train and returned to the city.

Masonic

The Masonic order was represented in Springfield as early as 1822, a petition being presented to the Grand officers of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, bearing date April 4, of that year, praying for a dispensation to establish a lodge in this place. This petition was signed by James Latham, Stephen Phelps, Stephen Stillman, Gershom Jayne, Thomas Constant, Charles Wright, Oramel Clark and John More. Stephen Stillman was recommended as first Master; Gershom Jayne, Senior Warden, and John More, Junior Warden. The dispensation was granted April 5, 1822. The lodge was instituted and the following additional officers elected and appointed: Moses Broad well. Treasurer; James C. Stephenson, Secretary; Oramel Clark, S. D.; Thomas Constant, J. D.

The lodge did not seem to flourish for a time in consequence of their being no safe and convenient place of meeting, Springfield at that time not being provided with many public buildings. Stephen Stillman, the Master of the Lodge, undertook during the summer of 1822 to erect a building in which to meet, but was prevented from various causes. Still the Lodge felt justified in asking for a charter from the Grand Lodge at its next regular session, which was granted, and Sangamon Lodge, No. 9, was duly organized on the 23d day of June, 1823.

For some cause the charter of the lodge was arrested by the Grand Lodge of Missouri in 1826, the probable cause being the failure of the Lodge to ask dismissal from the Grand Lodge of Missouri in order to join that of Illinois, and failure to pay its dues. No tffort was made, so far as is known, to obtain a renewal of the charter, money matters at that time being considerably depressed, and the Morgan excitement following shortly after.

Springfield Lodge, No. 4. - On the 27th of January, 1839, the following named signed a petition addressed to the Grand Lodge of Missouri asking a dispensation to open and hold a lodge at Springfield: J. Adams, James R. Gray, Alexander Lindsay, Henry Colestock, Philo Beers, L. S. Cornwell, Martin Doyle, J. R. Braucher, Bela Webster, and James Maxcy. A dispensation bearing date February 25, 1839, was issued, naming James Adams, Master; James R. Gray, Senior Warden; Alexander Lindsay, Junior Warden. The first meeting of the Lodge was held at the American House, April 20, 1839, when the following officers were elected and appointed: Love S. Cornwell, Secretary; Maurice Doyle, Treasurer; James Maxcy, Tyler; Philo Brown, S. D ; William Cudmore, J. D.; M. Helm, First M. C; M. A. Kelley, Second M. C. The Lodge was numbered twenty-six.

A Grand Lodge having been oganized in Illinois, Springfield Lodge, No. 26, withdrew from the jurisdiction of Missouri, and united with the Illinois body, receiving from the latter a new charter designating the Lodge as Springfield Lodge No. 4. This charter was received May, 1840. The lodge during this year was quite pi'osperous, initiating quite a number, among whom was Stephen A. Douglas, who afterwards attained a National reputation as a politician.

In 1841, several members asked leave to withdraw that they might form a new lodge. Leave was granted and their lodge dues for the current quarter remitted them.

Since its organization, the following named, among others, have served in the office of W. M.: James Adams, Meredith Helm, Love S. Cornwell, James Shepherd, Francis A. McNeill, James Zwisler, William Lovely, William B. Warren, J. W. Keyes, James H. Matheny. T. S. Mather is the present W. M., and J. B. Hammond, Secretary.

Elwood Commandery No. 6, K. T., was organized under dispensation, granted by R E., Sir Knight James V. G. Blaney, Grand Commander, May 16, 1859, as Illinois Commadery U. D., at Masonic Hall, Springfield, Illinois, June 28, 1859, Sir Nelson D. Elwood, of Joliet Commandery, presiding. The dispensation was granted t > Sirs William C. Hobbs, William H. Turner, Mason Brayman, F. K. Nichols, D. C. M irtin, James Newman, George Thorp, A. R. Robinson and Harmon G. Reynolds. Of these. Sirs Nichols, Brayman, Robinson and Reynolds becime charter members. The charter was granted November 3, 1859. At a subsequent meeting of the Commandery, it was resolved that the name of the Commandery should be changed to Elwood. Since its organi'zation, the Commandery have made pilgrimages to St. Louis, September, 1868; Baltimore, September, 1871; New Orleans, September, 1874; Cleveland, August, 1877; Chicago, August, 1880, participating in the Grand Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America. The following named have held the position of Eminent Commanders of this Commandery: Harmon G. Reynolds, 1860; Charles Fisher, 1861; Phares A. Dorwin, 1862; Newton Bateman, 1863; William Lavely, 1865; Andrew J. Dunning, 1866; Benjamin C. McQuestan, 1867; Phares A. Dorwin, 1868; Rheuna D. Lawrence, 1869; William Lavely, 1870; Robert L. Mc- Guire, 18 < 1-2; Rheuna D. Lawrence, 1873; Dwight Brown, 1874; William D. Richardson, 1875; John Cook, 1876-7; Samufl J. Willett, 1878; Jacob B. Hammond, 1879; James H. Matheny, 1880; Henry Wohlgemuth, 1881. The ranks of the Commandery have been thinned by death, as follows: Nelson D. Elwood, Phares A. Dorwin, Walter Whitney, William L. Dougherty, S. C. Toler, John Brotherton, James W. Sponsler, Nicholas Strott, Lewis B. Smith, William A. Turney, Jesse K. Dubois, W. Jarvis London, P. C. Latham, James I. Davidson, F. J. Martin, J. L. Crane, O. H. Miner, Alfred Sower, C. W. Matheny. The Commandery now numbers one hundred and twenty-eight members, with the following named officers: Henry Wohlgemuth, Eminent Commander; Joseph D. Myers, Generalissimo; Edward R. Roberts, Captain General; Samuel J. Willett, Prelate, Edward T. Smith, Senior Warden; Robert H. Moor, Junior Warden; John S.Fisher, Treasurer; Charles P. Kane, Recorder; H. Fayart, Sword

Odd Fellowship

The institution originated in Manchester, England, in 1812; some scattering lodges, it appears, existed before this date. The object of the Manchester organization, it was declared, was to render assistance to every member who may apply, through sickness, distress or otherwise, if he be well attached to the Queen and government and faithful to the Order; and this is still the basis of the Order in that country. There are about four thousand lodges in England, and the membership is about half a million.

The Order in the United States is known as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and greatly differs from the English organization, and is entirely separate from what is known as the Manchester Unity, althoui'h a kind feeling exists between the societies, and efforts are being made to effect an arrangement by which interchanging visitations may be made by the respective membership.

The father of Odd Fellowship in America, was Thomas Wildey, who had been connected with similar associations in England, and who organized Washington Lodge No. 1, at the house of William Lupton, Sign of the Seven Stars, in Baltimore, on the 26th day of April, 1819. This lodge was composed of five members; the organization now has a membership of nearly half a million.

The organization has a Sovereign Grand Lodge, composed of representatives from every State and Territory in the United States, from the Dominion of Canada and numerous foreign jurisdictions. The Grand Lodge is held annually.

The Grand Lodge of Illinois was organized at Alton in 1838, but was re-organized in 1842, since which time it has grown, until it now has a membership of thirty thousand. The first lodge in Springfield was organized in 1840, it being Springfield Lodge No. 6, of which many of the old settlers of Sangamon county were members, N. W. Matheny, L. B. Adams, James H. Matheny, Stephen Carman, and Thomas Lushbaugh being among its earliest members.

Sangamon Lodge JVo. 6. - W. A. Young, N. G.; Antonio Frank, V. G.; T. A. Withey, R. S.;H Engelskirchen, P. S.; H. O. Bolles, Treasurer. This lodge has its meetings every Wednesday evening, over the State National Bank.

Schiller Encampment, No. 121. - Rudolph Hell weg, C. P.; Fred Walther, H. P.; Fred Weisz, S. W.; G. Ritter, Scribe and Treasurer. Encampment meets every first and third Friday in each month, over the State National Bank.

Hebrew Societies

Ernes Lodge, No. 67, L. 0. Benai Berith, (Sons of the Covenant). - This is a benevolent society composed exclusively of Israelites, and was organized in Springfield, in 1863, with twenty members. It has now increased to thirtyseven' The I. O. of Benai Berith was first organized in Philadelphia, about the year 1856, and has since extended all over the country, with a present membership of twenty-five thousand in the United States. It is an organization somewhat similar to the United Workmen, giving the widow or heirs of a deceased member $1,000. Some lodges give sick benefits, of which No. 67 is one, allowing 85 per week in case of sickness of a member. The present officers of the lodge are: Charles Seaman, President; S. Bernheim, Vice President; A. Friedman, Secretary; S. Hess, Treasurer; C. Stern, Mentor; L. S. Ensel, Warden.

Ladies'* Benevolent Society. - A society, composed of Israelite women, was organized in this city in 1870, its object being to minister to the sick and needy and to help one another in a systematic manner, similar to the various benevolent orders of the day. In case of sickness of a member, sick benefits are paid by the society. A good work has already been accomplished. Its officers in 1881, were: Mrs. S. Haramerslough, President; Mrs. C. Stern, Vice President; Mrs. Charles Seaman, Secretary; Mrs. S. Benjamin, Treasurer. Meetings are held quarterly.

Knights Of Honor United Workmen

The Ancient Order of United Workmen originated in Pennsylvania some ten years ago, from a desire to assist each other in case of sickness or death - and soon partook of the present form of the society - that is, a contribution of $2,000 to the legatees of a deceased member. The first lodge instituted in Illinois was Noble No. 1, of Rock Island, November 18, 1874, with twenty-six members, followed by Harmony, No. 2, Moline, December 3, 1874, with twenty-three; Union, No. 3, Sterling, February 13, 1875, with twenty-three ; Island City, No. 4, Rock Island, April 23, 1875, with thirty-seven ; Industrial, No. 6, Rock Falls, June 11, 1875, with thirtytwo members, and these five lodges, with a total

Prior to June 1, 1877, all death claims were paid through the Supreme Ledge, but upon that date, Illinois having increased her membership to upwards of two thousand, was set apart as a State JVJortuaiy District, and entitled to collect and disburse her own bentficiary funds. Since that time the order in Illinois has grown rapidly, and numbers a little over ten thousand, with about one hundred and ninety lodges. During this time there has been one hundred and seventy-seven deaths, necessitating fifty-six assessments of one dollar each, and as the legatees of each deceased member have received |2,0CU, the grand total thus collected and disburted has been $354,C00.

The order is represented in Springfield by four lodges - Springfield, No. 37, instituted May 31, 18';7 ; Capital City, No. 38, February 8, 1877 ; Good Will, No. 39, February 10, 1877; Mozart, 106, in February, 1S78. The total membership in the city is over three hundred.

Royal Akcanlm American Legion Of Honor

Amity Council 409, American Legion of Honor, was organized January 28, 1881, by Deputy Supreme Commander J. L. Phillips, with twenty-six charter mtmbers. There hasonly been one election and the original officers are still serving, viz: John L. Phillips, Commander; Chas. G. Averill, Vice Commander; C. L. Conkling, Past Commander; E. L. Merritt, Orator; J. F. McNeill, Secretary; Franz Bode, Collector;

Independent Order of Mutual Aid have a lodge, in which many of the leading citizens of the city are interested. The lodge is styled Abe Lincoln Lodge No. 5, and meets second and fouith Tuesdays in each month. William Keene is the present Recording Secretary.

Springfield Council No. 40, Royal Templars of Temperance meets first and third Tuesdays in each month, at Knights of Pythias Hall, corner F'ifth and Monroe streets. J. B. Bennett, S. C; R. S. Hill,R. S.

Esperanza Commandery, Knights of Universal Brotherhood meets every second and fourth Tuesday evening, in Opera House Block, George McCutcheon, Commander; William L. Gardner, Chief of Reds.

Stevenson Post No. 30, Grand Aimy of the Republic, was instituted in Springfield, in the early history of the order, and has had regular meetings since that time. The post take charge of all services on Decoration Day, in Springfield. H. Chapin is the present Commander, with A. Wilson, Adjutant, and E. D. Vredenburg, Quartermaster.

Other Societies

Springfield Typographical Union was organized in 18 - . Its present officers are: John E. Allen, President; A. M. Barker, Vice-President; H. T. Schlick, Financial Secretary; Howard Williams, Recording Secretary; Timothy Collins, Treasurer; Harry Collins, Sergeant-at- Aims; John Antrom, P. J. Doyle, Charles Bradley, Thomas Thorpe, Arthur S. Hoag, Executive Committee.

In another part of this work is a chapter on the newspapers of the county. Among the papers not mentioned was the Odd Fellows Herald, a five column quarto, published and edited by A. D. Sanders. The Herald was started in 1877, and has had a prosperous existence almost from the beginning. As its name implies, it is devoted to the interest of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is well and ably edited. Its circulation is larger than any paper published for the benefit of any class in this region of country.

Edwin A. Wilson also publishes two Sunday School papers, one being "Labor of Love," the other, "Food for the Lambs." The papers are undenominational in character, and are furnished to Sunday schools regardless of sect. The Labor of Love has been issued since 1871, and the Food for the Lambs, since 1875. The average circulation of the former is twenty thousand per month, and the latter fifteen thousand. A large amount of money is annually expended on the two sheets.

The Capital Railway

The Capital Railway was organized under the general laws of the State of Illinois, August 10, 1865, and permission was at once given by the City Council of Springfield, to locate the road on all the streets the company desired to occupy. They commenced operations with a capital of #18,000, which was afterwai'ds increased to $28,- 000. The first Board of Directors were: J. K. Dubois, John Williams, D. L. Phillips, Alexander Starne and J. S. Bradford.

The oflicers chosen were: D. L. Phillips, President; John Williams, Treasurer; A. W. French, Secretary; Alexander Starne, Superintendent. John Williams afterwards resigned as Treasurer, and Jesse K. Dubois was chosen to fill the vacancy.

A portion of the road was built in the autumn of 1865, commencing at the old depot of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway, on the corner of Tenth and Monroe streets, and running west on Monroe street to Lincoln Avenue, one-third of a mile west of the city limits. It was opened for business January 1, 1866; the total cost to that time, being about $27,000.

The track was afterwards extended about onethird of a mile further west, and subsequently about the same distance was taken up at the east end of the road - from Tenth to Seventh streets.

By an Act of the General Assembly of Illinois, approved February 25, 1867, the former transactions of the Capital Railway Company of Springfield, were legalized and its future rights and privileges defined. Its capital stock was fixed at $50,000, with authority to increase it indefinitely.

The Springfield City Railway Company

promote the construction of Horse Railways in the city of Springfield." Jacob Biinn, John T. Stuart, Stephen T. Logan, Benjamin S. Edwards, Christopher C. Brown, Thomas S. Mather, and George Carpenter, were named as the first Board of Directors.

They were authorized to organize a company under the name that heads this article, with a cai)ital stock of $50,000, and permission to increase it indefinitely. The company was invested with authority to build and operate street railroads on any street in the present or future limits of the city, and to extend them to any point in the county of Sangamon. They were to go on any public highway, but were forbidden to put any obstruction in the way of travel.

March 3, 1866, the Springfield City Railway Company was organized by the election of Hon. John T. Stuart, President; Asa Eastman, Vice President; George N. Black, Treasurer; and George Carpenter, Secretary. They commenced building the road at once, and opened it for business on the fourth of July.

The original road commenced at Monroe street and ran north, on Fifth street, to Oak Ridge Cemetery. The road, cars, and all the equipments cost $42,000. In the spring of 1867 it was extended on Fifth street to South Grand Avenue, at a cost of $13,000, making the total cost $55,000. The southern extension was opened for business just one year from the first opening, namely, July 4, 1867.

This company owns a fine park of twelve acres adjoining Oak Ridge Cemetery on the east. This paik is finely shaded with native trees. It has a bountiful supply of pure well M'ater, and a pagoda for refreshments. There is a stand on the ground fitted up for public speaking, with rustic bridges and appropriate places, and seats under most every tree. These attractions, with a green turf over all the ground, make it a great resort for picnics.

This park and the fine walks and drives, among the sylvan groves of Oak Ridge Cemetery, forms a delightful retreat from the scorching heat and dusty streets of the city, in the summer months; and at all seasons with the memories that cluster around the Lincoln Monument, it is one of the most attractive spots in the West, both to citizens and strangers.

The Citizens' Street Railway Company was organized March 5, 1879, by John Henry Schuck, Henson Robinson, Oscar F. Stebbins, J. N. Reece, Frank Reisch, J. E. K. Herrick, and A. H. Saunders. The right of way was granted to the company by the City Council in April of the same year, and on the 20th of July, they began grading and track laying on North Grand Avenue, south on Ninth to Washington street, and west on Washington to the square. They then went north from North Grand Avenue to the Rolling Mills, thence to the fair grounds. Beginning on the square, they next went south to Capital Avenue, ihence west to the State House. From the corner of Sixth and Washington, the next move was west to Second street, thence north to Carpenter, west to Rutledge, thence north to Lincoln Park, Lincoln Monument, and Oak Ridge Cemetery. Again, starting from Ninth street, they ran east to Eleventh, and south to Kansas street. In October, 1880, they completed the road south from the State House to Allen street.

The company have a capital stock of $75,000. They now have about eight miles of track in complete running order; have eighteen cars and seventy-six head of mules and horses. They have two stables, one near the Rolling Mill, and the other and main one, on the corner of Washington and Ninth streets. They employ twentysix men.

The first Board of Directors were J. H. Schuck, Henson Robinson, Frank Reisch, A. H. Saunders, W. O. Converse, and F. W. Tracy. Mr. Tracy subsequently resigned, and George Reisch was elected in his place. The present Board are the same as the first, substituting Mr. Reisch for Mr. Tracy. J. H. Schuck was the first and is the present President.

Springfield Library Association

The S})ringtield Library Association was incorporated under the general laws of the State, March 15, 1866. Dr. Samuel Willard was the first Librarian, and served until September 1, 1870, when Miss E. Gertrude Seaman was chosen to occupy that position. Mrs. H. L. Kimball, the present Librarian, was appointed in 1877.

The capital stock authorized by the articles of association is $20,000. Fifty dollars paid at one time constitutes the person paying the same a life member, and secures the use of the Library, and one vote during life. Shares of stock are ten dollars. A stockholder can have the use of the Library and one vote, by paying three dollars annually. Pei'sons who are neither stockholders or life members can have the use of it by paying five dollars annually. The selection of books includes the very choicest works of reference, history, geography and travels, biography, theology, ethics, ecclesiastical history, philosophy, political science and education, science and art, poetry and drama, novels, juvenile works and general literature.

The Library now consists of about seven thousand volumes, and new and rare works are being constantly added. During the year 1880, about thirteen thousand volumes were loaned. The Library is visited daily by a large number of j^ersons, who avail themselves of the privilege of reading and examining the books, papers and magazines.

The following named constitute the ofiicers of the Association in 18sl: C. C. Brown, President; John W. Bunn, Vice-President; Ernst Helmle, Recording Secretary; James T'. Jones, Corresponding Secretary ; B.H. Ferguson, Treasurer; E. F. Leonard, A. N. J. Crook, Henry Remann, Charles Ridgely, Henson Robinson, George N. Black, Directors; Mrs. H. L. Kimball, Librarian.

Illinois State Library

This library is designed for the use of the ofiicers of State, Members of the Legislature, etc., they being the only parties allowed to take books away from the library. Any citizen, however, can visit the library and consult any work there.

It contains four thousand volumes of miscellaneous works, and about ten thousand volumes of the publications of the United States and of the several States, including copies of all the pullications of Illinois. This makes the library proper about fourteen thousand volumes. These, with surplus copies of Illinois jjtiblications and incomplete sets of duplicate miscellaneous works, swell the number to about fifty thousand volumes in the care of the Librarian.

The catalogue of miscellaneous books comprise some choice selections of works of reference, history, biography, philosophy, science and art, and a small number of volumes in the German language.

The State department contains the colonial laws of many of the oid thirteen States; laws of the Territory and State of Illinois; laws of the Congress of the United States, with Senate and House reports; reports of the United States census;

Congressional Globe, etc., etc. This library is at present in a room on the first floor of the old State House, at the west side, and is in the custody of the Hon. Henry D. Dement, Secretary of State, who is ex officio State Librarian, assisted by Edith Walbrid^^e, Assistant Librarian, who has been in the ofiice since June, 1881.

The Law Library is the property of the State also. It contains about seven thousand volumes, composed of the reports of the United States Courts, and of the Supreme Courts of the several States ; text books, digests and statutes, and English, Irish and Scotch reports.

There is also a great number of Congressional Documents, American Archives, Secret Journals of Congress, and a small number of miscellaneous books, among which are Appelton's Cyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Brittanica. This library is also in the care of the Secretary of State.

The first bank in Springfield was the State Bank, established about 1830, and which failed in 1842. Since then several banks have been organized, and there is now in the place four safe and reliable institutions.

The Ridgely National Bank. - In connection witli the Messrs Clark, in 1851, N. H. Ridgely organized Clark's Exchange Bank, of which N. H. Ridgely was President, and James Campbell Cashier. In the course of four or five years Mr. Ridgely purchased the interest of his partners and continued the institution in his own individual name. Shortly after, Charles Ridgely was admitted as a partner, and the business was then conducted under the firm name of N. H. & Charles Ridgely. Subsequently, William Ridgely became a member of the firm, and the title was changed to N. H. Ridgely & Co. In October, 1866, the Ridgely National Bank was organized as successors to N. H. Ridgely & Co., with N. H. Ridgely, President ; Charles Ridgely, Vice President; William Ridgely, Cashier. October 1, 1875, J. Taylor Smith was elected Second Vice President. No further change has been made in its ofiicers since organization. When organized the capital stock was placecd at |100,- 000. A surplus has since accumulated of $100,000.