The Newtown bee., 1895-02-01
A PLEA FOR THE COUNTRY TOWN
[REv WILLIAM F. WHITE, TRUMBULL.

As the great cities are fed by water from springs, whose sparkling waters are stored in reservoirs, so also are these same cities fed by the almost constant in flow of country people. The reser- voirs of this inflow are the country home, the country school, and the coun- try church; and whatever may be said for or against these, it cannot be denied that they were established and main tained by the patience, energy, and thrift of country people. It is to this same patience, energy, and thrift that the cities to-day owe many of their in- dustries, and much that is strongest and best of their character. This is a fact well known, and to-day these cities are expecting from the country towns they have robbed of their pride, that which they have received in former years. They must have it or grow weak and ef- feminate. But they cannot have it un- der existing circumstances. Tall pines and great Oaks do not grow up in day on newly cleared land, neither do strong characters develop at once in hone made desolate by city attractions. The fact is that the fountains of city supply have become polluted and they must be purified and protected at once. They have been neglected too long. But how is this to be done? In carriage drive across the country, last summer, numer- ous reservoirs were passed where had been expended millions of dollars that water from natures purest fountains might be stored for future uae. That the health of these cities demanded and ius- tified this expenditure cannot be question ed. There is that which is as vital to city as the health of hergcitizens. If there is flowing into our cities population un- worthy the clear sky and mountain air of native homes, it is time for these cities to ascertain the canse and to en- deavor to find remedy, it may be time for them to assist in reconstructing and enlarging the country home, the coun- try schoolhouse, and the country church.
 AAAShN oAO Aaohy "aJS III WhANA bILc reconstruction and enlarging may be done. Through the press and by the study of social questions they can direct thought to the relations of city to coun- try. They can find fruitful occupation during vacations spent among rural people in the study of local history and the family; in encouraging the country school teacher and her healthy pupils; in chatting with the village pastor and his devoted flock. They can assist in legislating in behalf of schools, the fur. nishing of libraries, the improvement of highways, and the extension of mail service. They can for their own good build their residences farther into the country, thereby bringing about better with the city. Through their churches they can give freely to the maintenance of Sunday schools and preaching services in remote county dis tricts. Those who are wealthy, while endowing colleges and other institutions, would do equally as well to leave some thing to schools, libraries, reading rooms, and churches in by-places. Many, indeed, of these persons arc man. UT horn and owe debt of gratitude to their old home. Thus, if city people would but interest themselves in these lines of wholesome effort, country peo. pie would not flock to the cities so nn- timely and In so great numbers. They would stay back and develop a purity of native character that the world would call forth and use for great purposes, as she has in the past.
 But there seems to be a stain on the fair name of country It is not popu- lar. It suggests narrow-mindedness 'sbehind the timas." Thus utterly un- fitted thousands leave the country an- nually who ought never to do SC. But after all who can blame them when