The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-08
CREEDS IN THE DISCARD.
Kansas Town Trying An Experiment
In Religion.
Manhattan Kan. Dispatch, Kansas
Ci.Y Star.l

"A commission Form of Govern
ment in Rural Church Life" was an
! interesting feature Of the address by
|, Rev. A. Il. Holt, Congregationalist,
of Manhattan, in the Conference Of
Village and Rural Church and Coun-
try Life in the old chapel at the Ag-
ricultural College today.
Dr. Holt had no theory to expound.
His address was not founded upon
something he believed, but upon a
situation created, tried out and found
successful at Deep Creek, Riley coun-
ty, about 10 miles from Manhattan.
The story is best told, perhaps, in DR..
Holts own words:
Deep Creek has the usual 81 va
rieties of religion types" he said, "but
not enough Of any one to constitute
voting or working majority. Like
good many cities. Deep Creek had
no lack Of party enthusiasm, but very
little actual efficiency. People were
voting on religious Issues that were
alive 200 years ago but had very
little bearing on local questions. Af-
ter trying several experiments, the
following plan was adopted:
THE people OF the community met
and appointed commission that has
charge of the religious affairs of the
community. 1t provides for the Sun
day school, gets speakers for the SER
vices, funds for the payment Of the
speakers and other expenses Of the
organization. The people Of the COM
munity hold their membership in soma
OF the Manhattan churches, thus sup
plying the denominational afiliation.
The speakers generally are from the
Manhattan churches and are we'll paid
for their services. So far as the To-
cal efficiency is concerned, the peo-
pie are unified. asked for a vote Of
those present as to how many would
prefer local union church with 4
pastor and not a hand went up. l
asked how many would prefer a To-
cal denominational church connect
ed with some great denomination, and
none preferred it. They had tried it.
l asked how many preferred the pres
ent plan to any they had ever tried,
and every hand in the audience went
up.
1T Is no new experiment. It has
worked eight years and Deep Creek
Is satisfied. I see no reason why this
should not be carried out in many
similar communities. 1t is practically
the plan carried out by the Young
Mems Christian Association in all its
meetings. 1 see no reason why the
local communities should not en-
ploy secretary to do for them what
a Young Mems Christian Association
secretary does for his organization. AS
an immediate expedient to deal with
local conditions that are in every
community the plan has much to
commend it. 1t leaves the people with
denominational affiliations and it
promotes local efficiency"
DR.. Holt had another plan for ru-
raj communicate have one strong
church connected with a large de-
nomination, with the other denomina-
tions pledged to keep out So long as
this denomination could do the work.
II am in favor of this" he said.
because 1t will bring the local church
in touch with the great national work
Of the church and give it a share in
this work. 1t will give the local
church the supervisory help OF a
great organization. The visit Of a
presiding elder or district superintend-
ent, If he does not make too big a
demand on the exchequer, will be of
real inspiration to the local commu-
nifty. 1t places at the disposal of
every community the resources of q
great and powerful organization"
Seminaries. ID. Holt said, should
train specialists for rural churches. 'I
see no reason" he said ''w'hy semi
naics should not cooperate with the
agricultural colleges in this matter.
y few months spent at an agricul-
tural college would give any man a
new insight into the practical life
Of the people with whom he has to
deal, And l believe it would be
worth while for every denomination
to establish, N connection with the
agricultural college of the country.
stong denomnatiOnal churches. |
mean that the denOminational lead
crs should see that the church of their
denomination in the town with the
agricultural college is little short Of