Norwich bulletin., 1910-07-28
LARGE ATTENDANCE
 AT FELLOWSHIP MEETING
Interesting Papers Read on The Rural
 Problems.

The fellowship meeting of the churches of Bozrahville, Exeter. Franklin, Goshen. Lebanon and Nor wich Town. which took place on Wed nesday with the Lebanon church, was attended by a large number of people rom Lebanon and by many from the several towns between Norwich and
 Willimantic. The attendance at the early morning session was not quite as large IS it was in the afternoon;
 but all had pleasant time and came away from the meeting feeling well repaid for their effort to attend At the noon hour the ladies of the church had ready a splendid dinner which was served in the vestry of the church After the midday repast. a number of the visiting friends from out of town took the opportunity to visit number of places of historical interest about the place, including the old Jonathan Trumbun place, the War office, and the cemetery. where repose the ashes of several noted Americans
 The theme for the day was Prob lems of Our Rural Life and Rural Churches. Rev Eugene B. Smith, pastor of the Lebanon First Congre- gational church. presided over the meeting introducing the several speakers in his happy manner and leading in the after discussion which proved of such interest and profit to everyone. The morning session open ed at 10-30 o'clock promptly. Rev. Marcus Burr of Goshen led the de- votional exercises. reading two pas sages of Scripture with comments, and concluding with brief prayer
 Deacon William A. Wetmore of Leb- anon extended a hearty welcome to all in behalf of his church.
 Physical Problem.
 Following the singing of hymn by the entire congregation and a brief outline of the days programme and the papers of the meeting by Rev. Mir. Smith. the first address of the day was delivered by Rev A. J. Park of Exeter. on Some Physical Problems of Our Rural Life. In an interesting manner, the speaker called attention to the large number of ruins of old farmhouses that could be seen every where about the vicinity. which went to show how the decadence of rural life was creeping in. Lebanon for merly boasted of a population of five thousand, but now this number has dwindled down to about fifteen hum dred. This was evidence that the na- lives were dwindling out In some cases. however, these places were be- ing taken by foreigners, but these new corners can never fill them as we would like to see them
 Among the perp1exing problems we have to consider are. first, the long dis tance between the different farmhouses and also from the towns. This, the speaker maintained, hindered the so- cial life. Second. the bad roads we have serve to obstruct country growth. It would be far better for both old and young to have good roads to Norwich and Lebanon, and in the long run it would be saving for those concerned. Third the poor public spirit that the ma jority evidence is bad and has a most depressing effect. Referring back to the large families in the olden time and to how the boys remained on the farm, MT. Park asked the question: Why is it that the energetic, progress sive boy has been forsaking the old farm? The fault is due to the fathers of these youths, to their greed. their closeness, the late hours they required at all times. and to the fact that the boy was begrudged even the fifty cents he asked for to attend the circus. The spirit of the young men revolted against such a thing and just as soon as he was able he went to a place where he could have money of his own. The western fever of forty years ago was a further cause for the boys for sa king the farm, and this was followed by the fever for the city of about twenty-five years ago.
 In concluding his splendid talk MT. Park suggested ways and means for the calling back of the boy to the farm. He thought that the R. F. D. 1 mail system was a good thing, as this |