The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-27
c. A. RICHARDSON.
April as. 1919
Country Preacher. Through Neglect, Is Evad-
ing His RESPONSIBILITY 20 Cod"

Country Preacher. Through Neglect, Is Evad-
ing His Responsibility 10 God"
Editor Of The Vrginian:
Str-Ths is the heading to an article in
your paper of April 10th. in which are given
ence recently held in Richmond to discuss the
social problems of the country church. etc.
In this article not only is the country preacher
severely criticised and condemned for certain
conditions in the social and intellectual life of
the country people, but the country folk them
selves are generously criticised One would sup
puose from that article Of he didn't know bet
teri that the countrr- preachers as whole are
lazy, indolent, ignorant class of men. utterly
devoid OF any Of their responsibility or
duty before God. and ought to be kicked.
As a minister who has spent thirty-two years
preaching to country people and in many ways
trying to help them improve their schools as
well their social and church life. ] register
my protest against such utterances as are quoted
in your paper against country preachers and
There are difflculties that confront us In rural
life that our city people know nothing of. We
admit that many of our schoolhouses are made
quate to needs. They poorly heated and
lack proper ventilation. Some of our country
churches well some Of our country homes
are in the same condition. But who is to blame
for this of affairs? Is 1t the fault of the
country preacher? We think not Is it the
Indifference and ignorance of our country peO~
ple7 We think not Rather it is largely
condition that Is caused by the lack of AIDE
quate means. Our country people appreciate
sanitation and good homes and good school
houses but not able to have them.
We have to live in small and poorly ventilated
q reasonable amount of intelligence. and If
our city cousins viii stop setting bad
amples and selling bad whiskey will be
still better We need in the country better
homes better schoolhouses, better churches But
have a large class Of refined intelligent
people in every county in the State.
| biieve today that If you wanted to find real
refinement and intelligence you should go to
the country. DO you want TO enjoy old Nir-
gnia hospitality and sociability? Come TO the
country. Do you want to find real smart boys
and girls? Do you want to the boy that
will day be president Of these United States?
Then to these same ''ramshackle" school
houses. Do you want to hear a real gospel
sermon? Come and hear a country preacher.
The country preacher in Virginia today is doing
more to educate and lift up the people of this
Commonwealth and is trying harder TO help the
people Of the State than any other class of men
in it. I do not believe he deserves the harsh
things said about him in your paper of the 9th.
When you have another conference in Rich
mond to discuss the problems Of the country
church" etc, let the city people extend TO
the country folk tn ecountry peoples hospitality,
and we country people will come and tell the
city folk something about the social problems
Of country life that will be worth publishing.
Respectfully.
w. w. SAWYER.
Disputanta- Va, April "a. 1919.