The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-08
Fifty Acres Near Town Donated
by a Friendly Farmer.
THE FIELD Is in CORN
Everybody Turned Out Planting
Day to Aid In Work.
Gathering in October Will Be
Made a Harvest Festival.

Moran. kan, Aug s.-The necessities
OF the prairie church are always very
important in the plains country ana
those who have been associated win
religious organizations in small towns
of the state fully realize how difficult
IS the struggle to keep up with the mn
ancial end of the problem. So many
churches arc III existence and so many
pastors must be supported that the ap-
peal Of the solicitor is always present
The Presbyterian church of Moran
has endeavored to solve this problem
in a novel manner. This church mas no
particular prominence in the llst OF re-
ligious societies, but is merely a sIldiA
town institution and has the usual JrOu-
BILE 10 raise money for the necessary
expenses. 1t is very fortunate, now
ever, IN having as friend prominent
farmer j. g. Strong whose LANDS lie
near this town. He made proposition
some months ago to the members Oh
the church that he would give 10 the
organization 80 acres of land Tor use
during the coming summer, the pro
ceeds thereof to be devoted to the
church. This was promptly accepted
and he ladies' of the Aid society en-
listed the assistance Of the members OF
the church until the whole organization
was thoroughly enthused with the idea
of farming for the benefit of religion
On May Is the church turned out TO
put in the crop for the season II was
decided to plant the land to corn IWen-
ty teams, consisting of two or TOUR
horses each, as was needed, were on
hand at o'clock in the morning. HN-
erybOdy turned out to help or look on
and see the church folks farm In
sense 1t was a frolic. but in actual prac-
tice it was a very businesslike proceed
ing. A. NJ. Wright, himself practica!
farmer, was elected superin tendent Tor
the day, and he kept everybody busy
for eleven strenuous hours. FIRST came
the plOWs. that turned over the furrOWs
rapidly and left a smooth brown sur
face behind; then were the harroWs;
then later the corn planters ana check
Towers. Team after team made It's
circle of the field, and rapidly the Work
was done until by o'clock in the even
ing the last turn was made.
In the meanwhile the women of the
church had not been idle. They
brought hoes and rakes and along the
edges of the field where the machinery
could not do its work they planted in
the extra hills of corn, determined that
no foot of land should be wasted. More
than that. they served as messengers
Half a dozen of the brightest girls in
The Sunday school mounted on horse
back. raced up and down the fields as
eager to do their part as any The Aid
society erected a tent in a convenient
part of the farm and in it served lunch
to the perspiring workers who were
putting in the crop of corn gen
erous MONDAY meal was served and
after O'Clock all joined in a hearty
Tepast. which was thoroughly enjoyed
because it was we'll earned.
The field is being watched eagerly
by the members of the congregation
and by the people of the community.
Plenty of promises have been secured
for assistance in harvesting when au-
tumn comes. A number of grain deal
ers have requested permission to bid
for the corn when it is gathered and
the proba bilities are that the highest
possible market price will be received
for the product. I'VE are counting on
a glorious harvest home some time in
October" said one of the mem bers of
the church, "and certainly will have
a most delightful day of it. The gath
ering of the grain will be accompanied
by suitable exercises and the celebra-
ton Will be well worth while