The Paducah evening sun., 1910-04-13

Our opimions relative 10 this question
of an exodus from country 10 city
NAV difrer hut we certainly agree
that the position occupied by The
country church Is n strategic one.
What is the condition OF the aver
age rural church. First let us no
tjce the building--its appearance ana
constrnction. We know OF a few
handsome country churches; quite a
p,,r,l,pr. present an inviting appear
an.ce hut were Il possible to strike an
AVERAGE we have onr doubts about
tho cheerful aspect of the mean.
From personal observation In many
states of the union, and from an eX-
animation of photographs OF rural
bouses of worship In several denomi-
uations we conclude that the appear
ance OF this average building would
not be especially inviting IL would
mfTer in a comparison with the neat
and attractive public school. And as
10 its construction, every one is
aware of the uniltness OF the build
ing for efficient work. As yet the
rural mind has not conceived OF the
church building as a useful work
shop. In this structure OF one large
room we fnd no separate class rooms;
sections are not even curtained on;
pandemonium reigns while the les
son is being taught.
But what of rural spiritual life?
Are most OF the inhabitants church
members. and do they attend regu-
llarly? We hear much OF the fideli-
~ of the rural oommnnicant We say
that the ringing of the church bell
lalways summons a crowd. But an
Examination OF facts tends o upset
| cult matter to obtain accurate statls-
tics we must conclude chat the com
tim membership is small and Interest
on the wane. The Evangelical All
lance In the summer or 1890 inyesti-
gated this matter In New England,
land unearthed facts which caused oo
little surprise and dismay. They
found from on fourth TO one tenth
of the population in the small towns
and country districts at church on a
lpleasant Sunday. Less than 30 per
leent said they were church members
lor attendants. In fifteen villages OF
labout 1000 population. only % per
cent we're church members. They
found the services uninteresting and
lenthuslasm on the wane. II Is din
In the minutes OF the General Assem-
tiles from the various religious bodies
relative to our theme. and We must
be content with general statements.
Ichurches are dying; while We are
lblv OF the Presbyterian church In the
lUoited States for 1909 We find eX-
lpressions which may safely be said To
Indicate the true condition in the var
lious denominations. We read that
about a year ago the attention OF
the committee was called 10 the posi-
Utilities OF Simultaneous revival IN
lreural communities. Emphasis was
liaid upon the fact that most churches
lin rural districts have lost heavily In
the past two years" And Il 81 nit
ling that the Disciples should take
their condition more seriously. W.
lare often too optimistic about oui
marvellous growth. One OF our lead
ing educators recently said. "Righ
now We are probably losing at tn
rear OF the procession as fast as W
are gaining at the front. Whne VI
are Planting new chunches. oil
churches are dying: while We ar
strengthening our stronger churches
our smaller churches are growing
weaker" And again. IN the repOr
OF our Centennial secretary we IN,
these statements: MANY of ou
loountry churches I'm all states are &C
tually losing In membership and Il
many instances are ceaslng TO exist
lIt Is evident then that the condition
of rural spiritual life. II measured D,
the strength OF the church, b far from
satisfactory.
Bitter Spirit Of Secretarianism.
Blu there mrst be causes for thess
effects. and what are they? In th'
lfrst place there IS the bitter spiri
OF secretarianism so prevalent in ru
lral oomunities. Federation Is un'
known. and any effort which tend.
toward the union of forces Is chilled
lby the frost OF Indifference Ono
writer displays the true condition OF
AFFAIRS when he tersely says: THE
lchurohes have chosen 10 die in inde-
pendence, rather thar yield to a pru-
dent consolation. But the church
Is OF Massachusetts, are making an
attempt TO eliminate this cause. They
have chosen an inter-denominal COM
mittee. and urged them TO rectify
lsuch an apparent evil. This commit
tee has divided the rural churches in
70 three groups. There Is the strong
lchurch, which IS a help to the com
immunity. This Is allowed TO develop
Iunhindered. There Is the weak
lchurch, which IS given material aid.
There Is the superhuous church.
which is eradicated. or course at
tempts are by no means entirely sue
lcessful. for they are not heartily re-
ceiyed by all. Yet they are lndlca-
tions that the churches In that state
MI 81