The state herald., 1914-10-30
THE RURAL PASTOR
Intelligent and conaecratsd Leader
snip tho Ncoc CT the Rour
BY Peter RsdfcrJ

"h'NA'S lAslh 5llf h'iitF iaCt'1i ~ w
Gational HE. Tho rural civilization
81 tne Twentieth Century has opened
up now world OF activities for him.
There lie before him unexplcred con-
tinents of usefulness, unemployed
forces OF civilization and tremendous
responsibilities such as have never
before confronted the pastorate
The need OF the rural communities
today is intelligent and consecrated
leadership. There must be a marshal
ling of forces that build life. strength
en- character and broaden vision. The
pastor should deal with living prob
lens. In addition to the service he
now renders he should help us lift
ing hand to the farmer and develop
he potential energies OF the commun-
ty he seeks to serve,
A More uscftl Ministry.
The farmer needs the personal
touch of the pastor. lie seldom
comes in direct contact with his hal
lowing Influence. except when he is
baptized. married and buried. We
fuence in the homes, as well as to
spread the gospel In China; TO In
struct our children in the art of liv-
Ing, as well MS TO courert the barbar-
ian and the Hottentot, and we should
devote our energy and talent to the
solution Of problems OF our own 10.
eality, rather than consume our en-
aTcics in fighting vice and ignorance
beyond our borders I; is as import
ant that We discuss from the pulpit,
the building OF r,rcadan hiebways
from the church TO our homes, ns
that We preach of ,hc golden streets
's the New Jerusalem 1t is as mich
! part CT the d.ty of the pastor TO
ayhort us TO own home while on
sarth rs to inspire us to build . man
sion III the skies and thrt we shou'd
construct Christian character in onr
OWN community. rather than that we
fight foreign sins IN other lands. We
want 4 religion VIC can farm by as
weli rs die by.
Christian Influence Needed.
There is an emptiness In the l.t"
of rural communities and We want
preachers who can weave into the
social fibre, educational pastimes,
profitable pleasures and instructive
Amusemonis Too often We find the
-ames OF our young people a search
Tor suggestion in immortality and
l stcpplng-stoue 10 sin. Tho pastor
should supervlsc the growing lives Of
young people. approve their amuse.
ments. create expressions OF Joy and
Pleasure that make Of Christian
character aud bless their lives WITH
Christian n desty.
Tho farm is the nursery Of civili-
,atlon. and tho PARSONAGE OF all re.
llgiou- denominaiions. Too long has
the farm furnished the cities with
lhcir great preachera, until today the
rural church is the gansway to city
pulrlts, The current should be re
yersed. The power OF the pulpit is
most needed IN the country whore
the fundamental forces OF human life
originate. The farm Ia tho power.
house OF all progress and the birth
place of all that IS noble. Tho Gar,
den OF Eden was In the country and
the man WHO woald get close 10 God
must fret get close to nature, Many
communities arc chnrch-rldden. wo
frequently have three or fsur churches
In a community with n circul, rider
once month rreacS,ng TO small con-
Rrc gatlenH ard all .all 10 perform the
religious functions OF tho community.
In many Instances more harmonious
effort might result IN more efficient
scryice. Ths division nf religious
forces and breaking into fragments Of
moral effort IS oiitlmts lit;lc lesn thar
! calamity nnd defeats the purposes
they seek 10 promote.
A pastor in ncighhorhood, study
ing the economic social, m0al and
educational problems Of tha commun.
nv. presenting fresh visions ~ potcH-
tlal possibilities aud pntlyc rowoi
with bcnaty and new meaning. Inter.
prrtiug the thnughi-lifr Of the cont
munity and administering 10 their
daily needs, win contribute more 70.
ward tho advancement Of locality
'han a dozen preachers who occupy
ihe nulplts o. irregular intervals
preachlng on subjce'n foreign 10 the
tlfa of tho community,
Church prejudice Is vice thrt
ppi much or the spiritual llfc Of n
community. and wastefHl seotaran.
Ism II rallrious orisc asalnst 70.
eloiy, DcnomlnGtional reciprocity
should take ita place. Non.snpport
Of church Institutions and rellsloue
lctharay can often bn traced To cauHe,
nnharcnt with the church. There
should be cooperation between
churches aud coordination Of moral
effort aiong economic lines. and there
nuft bo n tho rural churches Of this
10 .aRHa, ., .a.sfta.