Evening star., 1914-02-09
The Country Church
IVA Model Institution.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

No other institution has so great an
influence in improving and developing
country life as the properly directed
country church. The church may aid in
securing better schools. good roads, i'm
proved health conditions and every sort
Of community betterment without in any
way detracting from the standard Of
spirituality which is its prime purpose
1t can organize the entire population to
work for the general good and by SO do
ing strengthen It's own influence for re-
ligious growth.
The model country church must be in
line with modern thought and progress
The building itself must be comfortable
and attractive. The old Puritan meet
ing house. in which the people gathered
to SILVER for hours while the pastor
thrashed out knotty problems of theologi-
cal dogma. is as obsolete as the Puritans
themselves. The present-day church
must bring live issues to the considera-
ton of its people. 1t must give to each
worshiper an element of personal infiu-
ence which will touch him first and then
extend through him to the world at large.
1t must make its members consider the
interests of all who are reached by their
products.
The farmer who refused to sell milk to
his neighbors because he was not sure
of its quality. but who did not hesitate
to send tainted milk into the city, where
it might carry infection to many con-
sumers needed to have his conscience ed
ucated by the church he attended His
consideration of his neighbors indicated
his natural kindliness, but his horizon
needed to be broadened to take In the
entire world. His church should teae h
him to cooperate with his fellow-rnen
for their mutual good.
Each year a greater number of people
are dependent upon the farmer for their
food, and the properly directed rural
church can aid in fulfilling their needs
The farmer must learn to i > uce mole
and to distribute his products better The
practical Interpretation OF Vie story of
the talents will show him iEtt he must
make the most of his farm. lie is doing
wrong in permitting single blade Of
grass to grow where Two might be pro
duced. or TO produce anything less than
the highest possible standards of quality
and quantity in every crop. In TINS con-
nection instruction in scientific farming
country church.
The church can aid in the distribution
Of farm products when it teaches the
q r
Church of Great Value ,itat, ~
in Teaching tie aZ7:l, tior. Win
his fellow-nen ne can eliminate much of
the waste now incurred il transporting
his crops to the city and arranging for
their sale Because OF = Eel. OF business
organization Il the handling Of farm
roducts iEuch waste occurs, and tae
people who need the food are compelled
to spend more than they can afford. and
the farmer is sometimes obliged TO take
less than It is worth.
Ona profound student has reached ire
conclusion that the church as an insiitu-
ton riust stand Tor the broad principles
CT Christian brotherhood anc =, tu.l be
lief in the universal fatherlGod of God,
but that sectarian dogma must he elir
mated from the public aiseourses of the
ministers y reLE.o. ~aich each week
asSaiiS TIA. convictions and Ef4.ets OF u
sister organization :Gses oLr Of is great
est holds upon the interests of tie com
munity at large. The different modes
OF baptism, ti.e Goc.r..eaa Z. pr@uast.na-
ton, sanctilcatioE regeneration, tie
bersh,p aItt Si:nia- oti1e. matters can
be left 10 the belief os lie individual, ..nd
need not be e.npi2ls 1t gatherings to
which :he community II larse is invited.
a eiesst S.4altse - -'--tr --t.o - -.
sonnel OF many rural communities witnin
the last few years. a generation ago the
call of the city was taking from the
country church the young men and wom-
en- who were best fitted to be leaders.
Those who remained often were lacking
In initiative. and even though possessing
sincere religious faith, they We're un-
able to keep the church from falling be-
hind The "back-to-th farm" movement
is bringing to the country many eople
who had carried away with them a sim
cere respect for their old country church.
But the church no longer merits this
respect II has lost its power. and the
contrast with the religious methods of the
city makes it seem less awake than il
really is.
The model rural church must meet the
problem Of those who come from the city.