The Elbert County tribune., 1914-09-25
ISOLATION AND DRUDG-
cry THE TWIN ENEMIES
OF AGRICULTURE.
The Rural Church the Guiding
Star Of Progress.
THE NEW RURAL CIVILIZATION
BY re.er Rsdtord
Iecturer National farmers tnior

Lecturer Rational Farmers Union
We are confronting new rural
civilization 1t 1, so radically differ
ent from the life of the past that it
may well he called new. not merely
because of its characteristics, but be.
csuse OF its triumph in rural co-opera.i
lion and leadership. The utilization
cf modern agencies. and the use Of
farm machinery have greatly increas-
cd the efficiency Of the farmers, broad.
cned their vision and made life more
satiafyinE
The most serious enemies to coun-
try life are isolation and drudgery. and
perhaps the worst of the two is iso.
lation. 1t is the curse of the coun-
try. The hunger Of young people for
companionship has been disreearded
and in various ways the social in
sfincts have had their revenge. The
fruits of modern inventive skill and
enterprise have enriched country life
and afforded the facilities of banish-
ing forever the extreme isolation
which used to vey the farm house
hold OF the past. THE telephone is a
great social asset in the rural home;
the rural free delivery brings the
worlds daily message to the door; the
parcels post delivers ten million pack
ages per annum at a half million
homes, and the automobile annihilates
distance, making isolation a myth
rhe building OF public highways has
brought communities and farm homes
closer together.
The Slave Of Drudgery.
1t is a dramatic moment on the
farm when machinery emancipates
the slave of drudgery. The evolution
Of farm machinery is a continued
story Of human Ingenuity One man
now. by the aid OF modern mechanical
devices. can do as much as flve or
ten men used to perform and the
work is less burdensome and more
fascinating. The miracle of conquest
will lift the curse OF drudgery that
has crushed the courage out OF farm
boys and caused them to retreat to the
cities. There are many Iabor-saving
devices for the homes that can relieve
the wife of back-brealxing tasks. La
Ihor-saving machinery has wrought
educational problems that have en-
gagged the attention OF the boys, re.
lieved the housewife and added new
economies and values to farming and
has taken away self pity and given
them a genuine pride in their calling.
we need to take full advantage OF
these facilities.
Co-OperatIon the key-Note.
One test of modern civilization is
the capacity for cooperation. The
selfish days of the Independent farm
er are rapidly passing and we are be-
ginning to catch the vision and share
the profits of organized efforts. There
are many farm machines adapted to
serving community, but crganiza-
ton of farmers is required to pur-
chase and operate them on a cooper
ative basis. and new laws are needed
to permit these transactions
New Tasks for the Rural Church.
The rural church has been slow to
adjust itself to the new order OF
things. The churches are discover
ing new opportunities for service.
broader community usefulness and a
greater social mission. The church
must grid itself for new tasks and
under new virile type of Leadership
undertake real community building
with the modern church as the center
Of activity and source Of inspiration
and guidance. The triumph over iso-
lation and the gradual emancipation
from drudgery, the development Of
good roads, telephones, rural mail SER
vice and the wonderful evolution OF
farm machinery make for religious
Advancement The increase in intel
ljsence, new social consciousness.
growing spirit of cooperation. added
efficiency of rural Institutions. char
scter, home building and better rural
morals afford opportunities for a com.
munity-serving church to demonstrate
its power The rural church to full
All its mission must swing around 1t
the influences for progress.