St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1914-10-09
ISOLATION AND DRUDC.
cry THE TWIN ENEMIES
OF AGRICULTURE.
The Rural Church the Guiding
Star OF Progress.
THE NEW RURAL CIVILIZATION
BY Peter Radford.
Lecturer National Farmers Union

BY Peter Rsdford.
Lecturer National Farmers Union-
We are confronting new rural
civilization 10 is 80 radically diner-
ent from the life of the past that II
may we'll be called new, not merely
because OF its characteristics, but be-
cause OF It's triumph In rural coopera'
tlon and leadership. The utilization
OF modern agencies and the use OF
farm machinery have greatly inoreas'
ed the efficiency of the farmers,
broadened their vision ano made life
more satisfying
The most serious enemies 10 coun.
try life are isolation and drudgery, and
perhaps the worse OF the two Ia iso-
lation. II is the curse OF tho coun.
try. The hunger OF young people for
companionship has been disregarded
and In various ways the social In
stincts have had their revenge. The
fruits OF modern inventive skill and
enterprise have enriched country life
and Afforded the facilities OF Danish.
Ing forever the extreme isolation
which used TO vex the farm house
hold OF the p"st. The telephone Is a
great social asset In the rural home:
the rural free delivery brings tho
worlds daily message TO the door; the
parcel post delivers ten million pack.
ages per annum at half million
homes. and the automobile annihilatos
distance. making isolation myth.
The building OF public highways has
brought communities and farm homes
closer together
The Slave Of Drudasry.
II is a dramatic moment on the
farm when machinery emancipates
the slave OF drudgory The evolution
OF farm machinery IL a continued
story OF human ingenuity one man
now, by the aid OF modern mechanical
devices. can do as much m ave or
work In less burdensomo and more
fascinating The miracle OF conquest
will llft tho curse of drudgery that
has crushed the courage out OF farm
boys and caused them TO retreat TO tho
cities. There arc many nborsaying
devices for tho homes that can relieve
the wife Of back breaking tasks La.
bor'saying machinery has wrought
educational problems that have On.
gagged the attention OF the boys. re-
lleyed the housewife and added new
economies aud values TO farming and
has taken away self pity and givon
them genuine pride In their calling,
We need TO take full advantage OF
these facilities,
Cooperation the Keynote.
One test OF modern civilization is
the capacity for cooperation Tho
selfish days OF the independent farm.
or are rapidly passing and wa are bs.
ginning 10 catch the vision aud share
the profits of organized efforts. There
are many farm machines adapted 10
serving community. but organiza.
tion OF farmers n required 10 pur-
chase and operate them ON a cooper. |
ative basis. and now laws are needed |
To permit these transactions.
New Tasks for the Rural Church.
The rural church has been slow TO
adjust Itself 90 the new order Of
things The churches are discover,
Ing new opportunities for service,
broader community usefulness aud a
greater social mission. The church
must gird itself for new tasks sea
under new yirilo type OF leadership
real community building
With the modern church nm the center
Of activity aud source OF inspiration
aud guidance. The triumph over iso,
Iation and the gradual emancipation
rom drudgery, the development OF
good roads, telephones. rural mail ser
vice and the wonderful evolution of
'arm machinery make for religious
Advancement The Increase IN intel.
igence. new social c0nsciousnsss,
growing spirit OF cooperation. added
'nieieney OF rural institutions. char
'eter home building aud better rural
morals AFFORD opportunities for com.
church 10 demonstrate
ts power. The rural church 10 nul.
III its mission must swing around it
he influences for progress.
Take good rOadg fnr Vnur t..t ..A |