The Ordway new era., 1914-10-30
The Rural Church
Ey Peter Radferd.
Lecturer National FArrners' Union

Lsctursr National Farmers Union
The church, the press and the school
form . triple alliance Of progress that
guides the destiny Of every commun-
ity, state and nation. Without them
civilization would wither and die and
through them life may attain its great
est blessing, power and knowledge.
The farmers of this nation are greatly
indebted to this sociai triumvirate for
their uplifting influence. and ON behalf
Of the American plowmen want to
thank. those engaged In these high
callings for their able and efficient
service, and shall offer to the press
q series Of srticles ON cooperation
between these important influences
and the farmers In the hope Of In
creasing the efficiency Of all by mu-
tual understanding and organized ef-
fort. We will take up nrst the rural
church.
The Farmers Ar Crest Church Build
The American farmer II the greatest
church builder the world has ever
known. He is the custodian Of tho
nations morality: upon his shoulders
rests the lark Of the covenant" and
he 10 more responsive to religious in
fuences than any other class Of cit
ixenship.
The farmers Of this nation have
built 10000 churches at cost OF
$3.50, 900 900. and the annual contribu.
tion of the nation toward all church
institutions approximates s2o0.o00.0o0
per annum. The farmers Of the Unit
cd States build - churches per day.
There arc 100000 rural church COM
municants ON the farm. and 81 per
cent Of the total membership Of all
churches reside in the country.
The farm il the power-house Of all
progress and the birthplace Of all that
Is noble. The Garden Of Eden was
In the country and the man who would
get close to God must nrst get close
to nature.
The Functions Of 4 Rural Church.
II the rural churches today are 60
ing to render = service which this age
demands. there must be cooperation
between the religious, social and eco
nomic life Of the community
The church to attain its fullest mea-
sure of success must enrich the lives
of the people IN the community It
serves; It must build character: devel-
op thought and increase the efficiency
Iof humaA life. It must serve the So
cial. business and intellectual. ~ well
ss the spiritual and moral side Of life.
II religion does not make man more
capable, more useful and more Just.
what good IL It? We want q practical
religion, one We can live by and farm
by. a. well ~ die by.
Fewer and Better Churches.
Blessed 10 that rural community
which has but one place Of worship.
While competition 10 the life Of trade.
It ID death to the rural church and
moral starvation to the community.
Petty sectarianism 10 . scoufge that
blights the life. and church preju-
dice saps the vitality Of many COM
munities. An over-churched commun-
ity II . crime against religion. . seri.
Gus handicap to society and . useless
tax upon agriculture.
While denominations are essential
and church pride commendable. the
high teaching Of universal christianity
must prevail II the rural church IL to
fulfill its mission to agriculture.
We frequently have three or four
churches in q community which is not
able to adequately support one. Small
congregations attend services once
month and all fan to perform the re-
iigious functions Of the community.
The division of religious forces and
the breaking into fragments Of moral
effort is ofttimes little less than q
calamity and defeats the very purpose
they seek to promote.
The evils Of too many churches can