I dedicate this book, the proceeds of which are pledged to further the work of the promotion of social purity, to the women, who, in a Christ-like spirit, shall devote their energies to the emancipation of their sex, bearing aloft their banner inscribed, One Law of Purity for Man and Woman.

LOVINA B. BENEDICT.

THE

INTRODUCTION.

'HE following pages are written in part with a view to answering the many questions that have come from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from Canada to the Gulf, in regard to "how" the present law of Iowa in reference to prostitution had been obtained; and to our success in general, in our work for the promotion of social purity. Yes, and from London (England), has come this inquiry, "I shall feel deeply thankful if you will tell us how you went to work, and why such a splendid law was passed in Iowa and not in the other States? I had never heard of such a law and I have been a general servant of humanity for twenty years. Such a law and its beneficent working ought to be widely known. That 'What Is, can spread' thank God, stands for good as well as evil. My heartfelt sympathy is with you."

Yours cordially,

MISS ELIZABETH ANN TOURNIER,

Honorary Resident Superintendent Home for Friendless Girls. From the same hand came the following clipping from the Sentinel of November, 1888:

MODEL IOWA.

THE WORK OF A DAUNTLESS WOMAN.

The state of Iowa is ahead of the rest of the world in the just comprehensiveness of its law for the suppression of vice. It strikes at the right mark. It hits the visitor of a house of ill-fame. The man sinner is punished. By the statute the keeper, the inmate, or the visitor of a house of ill-fame may be sent to the penitentiary for five years. For many years, the penalty for inveigling or enticing a pure female into a house of illfame has been from three to ter years in penitentiary; and the legislature, several years ago, affixed the same penalty for enticing back to a

life of shame a reformed prostitute. This last clause was found necessary because of the evil efforts of Satan's emissaries to recapture the rescued

ones.

Our excellent American contemporary, The Philanthropist, says that most of this wholesome law, and also a state refuge for the erring, have been obtained through the persevering labors of one little woman, whose first work was to enlist the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and then the legislature in interest of her mission.

"We cannot take the responsibility of opening and sustaining the refuge you desire," said the W. C. T. U. on her first application for their patronage. "You never can obtain the laws you desire, especially that which would send a man to penitentiary for visiting a house of ill-fame,” was the voice of the church and the world. Yet, nothing daunted, the little woman moved on, in full assurance of faith that He, who had called her to work, was able to carry it forward, by her, to its completion; and such was her success in raising funds to perfect her plans, that, within six months, the W. C. T. U. espoused the work, and for six years have owned what is known as the Benedict Home. Here, those who need thorough reformation, are gathered in; and for those whose morals are good, save the one mis-step that has brought them into prospective motherhood, she has opened the Benedict Retreat in her own house in Decorah, Iowa; not deeming it good to associate this class with those who have gone so very far down.

The little woman found that through the legislature money could be obtained as well as law. Three times have appropriations been made from the state treasury, to help the W. C. T. U. in their rescue work, and the law that was thought, at the first, so impossible to obtain, was so gloriously given, that, while in the House there were two voices against it, there were eighty for it; and wherever it has been applied, it has produced the anticipated result, namely, the entire removal of the house of infamy. Is not this encouragement sufficient to arouse the women of England? Will not some brave, faithful handmaid of God emulate in courage, earnestness, faith, and purpose, the dauntless "little woman" of Iowa?-Moral Reform Union, 2 Leicester Place, Bayswater.