The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-12-08
RURAL GRURCHESAS
TYGENTERS
Nation Wide Movement to
Improve Country Con-
ditionss Started.

8 COLUMBUS; 4 o., Dec. s.-organiza.
ton OF nationwide movement to
improve the condition OF rural church.
jes. largely by encouraging those
churches to BIO community centersg in.
stead OF sectarian institutions; is the
principal business to- be discussed at
the national convention Of the Federal
Council Of Churches, which opened
here today. The convent ton will con.
.tinue through DE cemberf 10. President
Wilson has been asked to make an Sad.
dress at the concluding session.
The rural church discussion will be
under the direction of the Commission
on Church and Rural Life, a. branch
of the federal council, OF which Il.
ord sPinchot, of the National Conseryas
ton ssociataion, is chairman. Most
other branches OF the council have
arranged only for business meetings
without public programs. n
The report Of two committees, q one
that has been studying THE Church
as a Community Center under the
Craftsmanship OF Prof. Edwin u. carp
of Drew Theological Seminary, Mad.
ison, N j., and the other on 1.-THE
Allies Of the Country Church, under
the Craftsmanship Of A. E. Roberts,
head OF the rural work of the Inter.
national Young Mems Christian Asso.
citation, will also DO read and discuss.
ed. a. m
Speakers for this evening are w.
Q. Thompson, president OF the Ohio
State University Rev. Robert c. Her.
ring. of Boston, secretary Of the Nat.
ional Home Missionary. Society Of the
Congregational Church, and Rev. II RIA.
Hutchinson, who has been active in
civic movements in Pittsburgh.
The need Of vigorous and sound.
country and the important role played
By! the rural church in producing such
a condition, were emphasized lin the
address which Clifford iPinchot Of Mil.
ford, Pa, delivered as chairman Of the
conference. = ~. = !
The country is one Of the great
roots from which spring national lin.
tegrity. vitality and Intelligence. Its
life and power are of nat ion:wide con.
Germ said Mr.. Pinchot, and continued: i
I've are here also to call attention
ofithes Christian people of the United
States to the existence Of the country
church problem, and to ask them to
consider with us the needs OF the
country church, to find out how! best
toimeet these needs, how to strength.
en- and :vitalize. and above all, how to
ft%thes country church for the actual
modern task with which 1t lis face to
face a 'l n. ~ m 3'Sl-s
The problems which confront us
can no. more be solved by the jindiyid.
ual country church, or yithe country
churches of any one \ denomination,
than: the problems of rural life Gamble
solved by teh owner of. any one farm,
orsthe sfafmersEof one state. In this as
In all other 5und ertakfngs among men.
unto mis- strength. We work to best
advantage when we work together.
III cooperation among country
churches for the general / welfare Of
the work IN tsolnd and wise, and III
cooperation among farmers will lead
to iaIstronger aud richer spiritual, men.
tai and physical life ION the farm then
the country church sas a whole Is lin.
terested IN cooperation among farmers.
]. do mot contend that the church
should take the functions OF the
Grange lor5of the "A Agricultural School,
but III do believe that the frequent
failure of the country churches
through their ministers Ito Z ret into
productive touch with the work and
the needs Of the country people is
one OF the fundame entail reasons for
the present weakness ofStheS country
ri Vsfavx
THE movement we are met. to fur.
ther Is sound and practical I'M its tpur.
pose and deeply nee ded. The work
which lies before the country church
may well i be secand Ito mo other IN
the power of Its thrust toward a Sd.
cial order founded on the ethics ! Of
Jesus Christ. p ~ 3.,sy99 -sT5ila' ~