The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-07-31
MUST STOP DRAWING
RURAL BOYS TO CITY
One OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WILL
BE DISCUSSED AT COUNTRY
LIFE CONFERENCE.

Although the Country Life Confer
ence Of Maryland Ministers to be
held at the Maryland Agricultural
College on August 4, and 6 will be
in the nature OF an innovation in this
State, it promises to be a splendid
success, and much advance interest
ID being shown in 1t.
The Conference, besides being the
occasion for many instructive ad-
dresses by prominent clergymen and
authorities on country life, will fur
nish the ministers a means for the
interoommunication Of ideas con
corning rural pastorates, ETC., that, it
is considered, will be of great prac-
tical value.
The speakers will include DR..
Thomas NJ Carver Of Harvard Uni
versity, president Of the New Eng
land Country Church Association; !;
Henry Israel, editor of Rural Man
hood; Rev. DR.. C. o. Bemis of Nc
Clellandtown, Pa; Prof. w. NJ. Hays,
former Assistant Secretary Of Agri-
clture; Rev DR. War Platt OF the
Methodist Board OF Home Missions
and others of equal prominence. The
conference will be held under the
auspices of the Agriculture College
and the ministers will be entertained
at it, expense
b. III. DarroW, general secretary OF
the College Y. NJ. c. A., is enthusias-
tic over the outlook for the Confer
ence.
The promoters Of the Conference N
he said, have no dream that IL will
bring about immediate and pro
nounced change in the church life of
Maryland. They realize that only
thoughtful and vigorous effort over a
period of years will materially change
rural community
Nevertheless, much should be ac-
complished by this meeting of men in
tent on knowing more about the prob
lem that they may be better able to
cope with it. Every minister in the
State has been invited. and scores
are gladly embracing the oppor-
tunity.
Farmers, too, are manifesting their
interest and not only the men but
the women. The farmers wife can
tell of hard work, worry and disap-
pointment with but little opportunity
for indulging the finer sensibilities Of
her nature. She is too often bound
down by the tedious routine of daily
duties, and her naturally social ma
ture is like spring walled up at its
source
The farmer boy-jolly, care-free
country boy-wish | were back there
again say thousand cliff-dwellers
of our crowded cities.
Yes, but what does the country
boy say Gosh! This place il 20 dead
that it'll dry up and blow away some
of these times And his opinion, not
yours or mine, determines what he
will do.
The country can spare quite a bit
Of its energy and pluck and good red
blood. But the city has already draft
ed SO many country stars into its
league with tempting contracts and
bonuses that the Agricultural League
makes a poor showing in many a
hamlet and town. This drafting must
stop-Peter must not be robbed to
pay Paul, especially when Peter owes
naught to Paul.
The only way to stop it is to COM
plete bodily with the city. 1t must
make the country neighborhood a
pleasant, an interesting place in
which to live. This does not mean
that city life should be aped, but that
there should be more amusements,
more play life, more games, more
social affairs
The farm will not lose financially
by it, but the boy and girl will feel
the challenge of the country. The
drafting will cease then and the coun-
try come into its own.
is not this one OF the ministers
problems? IL II but one OF several
phases OF the question that will be
taken up by the assembled minis
ters."