The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-02-02
RESOLUTIONS ALSO DECLARE
FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF
COUNTY SHORT COURSES.

Pierre. S. D.-The resolutions com
mittee of the conservation congress
will this afternoon recommend the
parcels post; that counties which own
farms of their own should use a part
of them for experiment and demon
~stration purposes; for county shor,
courses and schools of agriculture;
that the various state institution
should raise only pure bred stock and
seed. The committee endorses the
national movement for conservation
of timber, coal and water powers and
endorses the state administration for
its work in conservation.
The morning session was given over
to set talks by Prof. Taylor on main
tanning soil fertility. w. D. Mckee on
live stock on the farm and John Rob-
ertson on his efforts and success in
fruit growing in the Black Hills.
Rev. MIR. MAR a Speaker.
Rev. VIM. MAR of Mitchell spoke
as follows on 'The Country Church:"
This is the first time such a topic
had been considered at a congress of
this kind, and the very fact that it is
given a place on this program signi-
fies it's magnitude. 1t is a topic on
which there is little or no literature,
consequently what 1 say will be TAX
len altogether from personal observa-
ton and conviction on what the mis-
sion of the country church should be.
All over the state of South Dakota
are country churches supported by
large and wealthy communities. They
represent a vast amount of money.
Each has a pastor of more or less
training in college and theological
seminary. but outside the Sunday
service the church is not open and
the preacher is silent. Surely our
institutions representing so great an
expenditure of money, and men so
we'll trained Intellectually should
give a better account of their oppor-
tunity to serve mankind and advance
the Kingdom of God on Earth. What
then should be the mission of the
country church?
I'm the first place its mission is q
religious one. The primary purpose
of the church is to teach religion.
Its very existence is the outgrowth of
religion. 1t is a monument to relig-
lion, and an expression of religious
life. This we know. But it should
do something more for the commun-
ity than to teach the catechism and
the ten commandments. The scope
of its activities and vision should be
enlarged if the country church is to
meet the demands and needs of this
generation. 1t should be an educa-
tiOnal center as well as religious.
Why not include lectures, and occas-
ional concerts within the legitimate
work of the country church? The
city has the best talent in oratory
and music, while the country is des-
titute of all these means of education
and entertainment. A wealthy rural
parish should be able to support a
course of lectures and concerts, as
we'll as the small town and city. The
means of education and entertain
ment in the country are sadly lack
ing. The country school is the only
educational institution in the rural
districts now, and the church should
furnish the education not possible
to the district school. Lectures on
history, literature, science. good
farming and kindred subjects could
be given in the church and would
prove of inestimable value to the in
habitants of the community. A good
library should be found in every
church. But further, the country
church should be a social center. The
lack of social life in the average
community is something appalling.
There is no social life in the country
except at funerals and occasional
summer picnics. The country dance
furnishes some means of grace along
social lines for the young people. The
old fashioned corn husking bees,
quilting parties and log rollings be-
long to the past. These were means
Of furnishing the people of the coun-
try districts abundant opportunity
for social intercourse, But those
means of social grace are forever
gone. and nothing has come to take
I their place. The country minister
with a little breadth of vision should
be able to organize debating clubs,
spelling matches, manual training
departments. cooking and sewing
classes for girls, thus making the
i church an educational and social cen.
ter. At present it is almost useless
to the community except on wedding
and funeral occasions and an institu.
tion to remind men that there is a