Norwich bulletin., 1910-10-29
LETTERS FROM TOWNS IN TWO STATES
LEBANON
Conference and Study of the Rural
Church Prof. A. r. Merriam of
Hartford in Charqe.

In accordance with custom and
curriculum, the middle class of Hart
1ord Theological seminary on Oct. %
gathered in the Lebanon Congregation-
al church, Rev e. B. Smith. pastor,
for day of conference and study of
the Rural church. The expedition was
under the direction of Prof. A. r. Mer-
| r1am of the seminary, who had pre-
pared careful programme. Meeting
with the students as leaders of the
days discussion We're Sherrod Soule,
secretary of the Connecticut Home
Missionary society; e. T. Root, sec
rotary of the Massachusetts and Rhode
Island federation: President r. De-
Witt Mallary of the Springfield Inter
national Training school; Revs. H. A.
Beadle of Franklin, w f. White of
Ledyard and w. F. English of East
Windsor.
A Wonderful Old Town.
The days conference yielded large
results. For such gathering few
places could have been found better
than this old town with it's noble his
tory. In his opening address Secre-
ors. six Z. S. senator's fifty-t three
ciergymen, one hundred twenty one
college graduates, several foreign mis-
slonar1es, and others of merit whom
this old town has sent forth. The
old War Office was visited by the
Assembled company.
Past and Present contrasted.
With this as a background. the diff
ference between the past and the pres
ent not only of Lebanon but of rural
New England was earnestly studied
Secretary Soule spoke with strong OBJ
timism of the coming glory of rural
New England and of the men yet to be
sent forth.
Potential Forces.
Secretary Root contributed a careful
analysis of the rural situation and of
the forces to be employed in regen-
Grating our country life These he de-
voloped along the lines of education.
industry and religion. To these he
added as a fourth line the political
forces of the town; for in the town
meeting are determined matters re-
lating to the roads, schools, and other
vital public necessities. The grange
was lauded as a splendid combination
of many of the features most needed
in rural life. It's chief danger lay in
its tendency to become a source mere
~ of entertainment rather than OF
ministry to the problems of its COM
munity. The rural church was de-
clared to be the greatest source both
of inspiration and of initiative for
community betterment. Most rural
problems. said Mr.. Root, are ultimate
ly moral. They are due to greed, in
difference and apathy toward town
improvement.
Proverbial Hospitality.
A luncheon served by the ladies was
well cared for, the seminary men de-
claring that though in population Leb-
anon may not now be what it once
was, in hospitality her young ladies of
today are in nowise inferior TO those
who entertained due Ge Lauzun's
Zouaves during the winter of 1880.
Problem of Degeneracy.
President Mallary opened the after
noon session with a discussion of the
problems of morality in rural districts
The entire problem of degeneracy as
there found was handled in a mastery
way.
Solace of Country Pastor.
Following DR.. MalIary, Rev. H. S.
Beadle of Franklin spoke on the joys
and Rewards of the Rural Pastor. He
dWelt on the variety of service
brought within his reach. and of the
intimacy which he may have with his
people, closer than that of the city
pastor.
Ideal Community.
Rev. W. F. White of Ledyard read
strong paper on the Conservation
Regeneration and determination of
our rural life. He brought into ac-
ton chart of an "ideaF' community
in New York state. showing the loca-
ton of schools and church. the loca-
ton and moral quality of each home
and the noted men and women sent
forth. He urged the men to live and
die as country ministers.
Native Population Vastly Out
numbered.
Rev. VIM. T. English of East
Windsor closed the conference With
statistical study. He found that dur
ing the past fifty years Connecticut
has increased in native population SO
per cent, in foreign population 469 per
cent. Five New England states are
today as follows:
Rural For Inc so
eign Years
2. cent. p. cent. p. cent.