The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-11-14
A Challenge to Protestant

responsible for managing and super
intending the little village societies.
The writer visited one of these
priests, who showed him the elabor-
ate system OF bookkeeping which he
himself undertook in connection
with all kinds Of agricultural socie-
ties IN the village. If a cow was to
be insured, the priest must value it,
If fresh ideas and fresh initiative
were requested, he must supply
them. There can be little doubt that
one powerful motive for such self
sacrificing work is the desire of the
priest to bind the peasants more
closely to the Roman Catholic
Church, and unless we recognize
their wonderful enthusiasm, we
shall fail to understand the extraor-
dinarily rapid development of these
societies in Belgium
1t should also be remembered
that the Roman Catholic Churches
are multiplying their energies in
these respects simply because they
do realize that it helps them to
gain influence for their church. At
Congress Of Roman Catholic insti-
tutionS some time ago, one Of the
leaders having charge of agricu1-
tural work exclaimed: What
magnificent wealth Of enterprise, as
varied as they are numerous!
There are our social activities,
whose benefits the rural districts are
only just beginning to appreciate;
and our economic activities, which
should win us fresh allies, and give
US strength not only to make pros
elytes in the good cause, but to
fight the vast proselytism for
evil*** We have seen the great
extent and power Of Roman Catholic
enterprises. They have retained
whole provinces for US; they have
just conquered another; and we
hope that ere long they will con-
quer more. Let us initiate these
noble examples, and multiply unions,
schools, friendly societies, and CO.
operative associations
In the South today the golden OPP
portunity is offered not to the
Roman Catholic Church, but to the
Protestant Church, the dominant re-
igion of our section. And if Ameri-
can Professionalism would prosper, let
it give heed to the lesson of Euro
our rural churches is the call i'm
perative. In the cities there are
other organizations for social serv-
ice, but in the country the work of
social betterment must be usually
done by the church or not at all. [
wish every church member in the
Southern States could read Mr..
Greaves' recent articles in The Pro
gressive Farmer and that all would
now join a movement to have the
country churches aid in the enrich
ment of rural life. In a recent news
paper article, [ found Bishop Cand-
Ter, of Georgia, pOOh-poohing the
idea that country preacher would
be helped in his work by having
knowledge of scientific agriculture.
Bishop Gambler is man I have
great respect for; but my conviction
is that through nineteen centuries
the words of Jesus Christ have been
more potent and compelling because
He knew thoroughly the process Of
farming used by the simple folk of
Judea, because He was interested
in the life around Him, and because
no opportunity for relieving poverty,
disease, or misery was lost upon
Him.
If Christ's heart went out to the
heavy-laden and poverty-cursed in
His day, should not His followers
now, as citizens and as church mem
bers, interest themselves in move