Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-01-08
THE COUNTRY CHURCH.

@AH Es&
Although the reports of the recent
gatherings Of the leading religious de-
nominations Of North Carolina reflect
general growth and progress, consider
able atte1tion is wisely being given
to the inactivity and decadence-of soma
of the country churches, the great i'm
portance of which has been recogniy-
Ell by the more alert Christian bodies.
While both the city and country
church have important functions the
later enjoys an influence not exerted
b ythe city church by reason of the
two-fold scope of its activities both
social and religious.
The regular meetings on Saturday
and Sunday at the country churches
are delights in many ways aside from
the religious influence that the SER
mon and services exert. There far
mer, merchant and lumberman meet
There neighbor meets neighbor, ex-
changes views and purposes and per-
fects plans for the general improve.
lnent of the neighborhood. They tell
about the crops and the markets for
their products, the roads, detective
bridges, more modern methods of cul-
tivation and the Affections as well as
the good fortunes Of each other. At
ter a social intercourse of some length
they assemble for prayer, song and ser
mon. They linger long in converse
ton after the religious service is
over before departing for their homes
They are not restrained by city form
Hero are found the mothers
with their children despite infantile
wailings and in their infancy they are
filled with the desire for church at
tendance and impressed with the
great responsibilities of church work.
Conditions are constantly chang
ing. The scope of church work must
be considerably extended or the COM
munity will outgrow the usefulness
of it's most sacred Institution.
Without fear of violence from some
of our faithful country ministers We
do not hesitate to venture the opin-
ion that the benefit derived from the
social side of the country churches
compare favorably with those result
ing from the regular pulpit expostu-
of the pastor and his fervant
exhortations against tht tortures of
hell, therefore the social side of the
church must necessarily come in for
consideration than in the past
# this Christian body is to perform
It's greatest possible good. BY this
do not mean that the house Of
worship should be used simply for So
,!al gatherings, but the church should
be the center of charitable undertak-
Ings. and ought to be the central in
iuence in all the wholesome under
.akings of the community. 1t should
De a mutual aid society for the good
If its members. 1t ought to develop
he friendly neighborhOod feeling
growing far out beyond
be UNCONVENTIONAL limitations of the
church itself. 1t should be instru-
mental in getting all of the young peo-
lie together for beneficial purposes.
The leaders of the church should
'ightfully be the leaders OF the COM
nunity and keep their eyes open to the
Jest interests of the young people and
10 all in their power to have the n
surrounded by good influences when
hey leave the country to take UP resi-
lence in the city, and thus broaden
community spirit and make coun-
ry life more interesting, helpful and
.tractive for the young folks who are
gradually leaving for the cities by rea-
;on of the sameness and u~nattractive-
less of rural life in some communi-
les. Hence the methods for h I'M
of conditions must be call
d into Immediate service and with
hese come more frequent church SER
yices, better equipped and higher sal
preachers who are we'll inform
"a as to the practical side of country
and who can tactfully and efec-
lively mix with the members of their
locks and thereby let their lights SO
hine that others seeing their good
yorks will glorify their Father and
help a earth full of heaven
nd make every bush afarae with the
.lory of God.
EUGENIC MARRIAGES..