The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1914-08-14
TO BROADEN RURAL LIFE.
Country ministers Get Helpful
Hints At Conference.

y
The Country Life Conference of Rural
Ministers at the Maryland Agricultural
College concluded its sessions on Thurs.
day last, with stirring address by the
Rev. Ward Plat. of New York, who
spoke on the great field open to the
country minister as factor in the up
building of world Christianity.
He declared that the country miriister
cannot build live church on a decay.
ing agriculture. He must bend his en-
ergies toward encouraging more progress
sive methods Of farming and education
for country life. with the church as the
Guiding and inspiring force, If he is to be
Of genuine service to bis people.
Dr.. r P. Claxton, United States Com
missioner of Education, on the subject Of
Education for Country Life contended
that every child born into the country
community should be given the fullest
possible opportunity for development,
both for its own sake and that of the
community. No State could afford to let
its children go nneducated, no matter
what their future work may be. Because
man turns the clods for bis living was
no reason for his being clod himself or
being denied the training and pleasures
which went TO sweeten the lives of those
more advantakeously placed. Neither,
in DR.. Claxton's opinion, has any State
which has established compulsory ednca
ton the right to neglect giving its chill
dren teachers properly trained in normal
schools adequately supported. Country
children, particularly. should be given
every opportunity for education In coun-
try work and life.
The Rev. c. o. Bemis of Pennsylvania,
spoke on the rural yisioned minister ani
the need of such men 10 the work Of the
country church. The country minister,
he contended, should join In every prac-
teal movement in his community, no
matter what it might be, so that it tend
ed toward its development.
The committee of the conference ap-
pointed to present working program for
the rural minister made its report, which
recommended 10 the members of the con-
ference their activity in the following d.
rections: Laying stress upon the church
as the centre for the uplift of the commu-
nifty, the hearty co operation of churches
in the community Ia order to unite the
people In social service, thorough and
comprehensive survey in each commu-
nifty with view of ascertaining its moral
and religious conditions, such open and
digniied methods in raising and expend.
ing church funds as will tend. toward
creating keen sense of obligation to
support adequately the local and general
interests of the church. adaptation Of
rural schools TO the education and train
Ing OF young men aud women for con-
tented living In the country. leadership
In social recreation SO as to promote the
moral development of the community.
improvement in living conditions. espec.
tally in securing Saturday half holiday
for agricultural laborers, with view to
conserving the higher interests of the
community; the introduction of modern
conveniences into the home in order TO
reduce as far as possible the tiresome
drudeefy incident TO housekeeping aud a
fair division Of the family income among
all whose efforts produce It. special min
istry to children, wage-earners and tenant
farmers. and the preaching of the Gospel
all the time and in every community.
The conference adjourned to meet
again during the summer of 1915 at the
Agricultural College. when ii is also
planned to hold short cours. in agri.
culture for country ministers.