Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1915-01-02
THE RURAL.
CHURCH
Cooperation of Church sChU6t
and Press Essansta1 to
Community Building,
BY Peter Ra6YGrB.
Lecturer NssionRl F&rmsfa C1fon

i tN NANlSI&y @AV RlCSS Guo SAC
school form a triple alliance oi
progress that guides the destiny
of every community, state and
nation. Without them civilizs>
ton would wither and die sHd
through them life may attain its
greatest blessing, power and
knowledge. The farmers Uf Chs
nation are greatly fndeFred %
this social triumvrSte For Rs
uplifting influence and vn ees
half of the American plewmen
want 10 thank those engaged
in these high eaIlings for taeir
able and efficient servieA ana I
shall offer to the press q sgffes 81
articles on ro~opsrataea 6eewgest
these important Influences md
the farmers IN the hope 5f irrs
creasing the efficiency Of all "
mutual understanding and pT33
ganized effort. We VIII fzEe GP3
first, the rural church
The Farmers Are Greaf Church
Builders.
The American farmer is TIE
greatest church tuffdes the world
has ever known. He D tie kefSs
todian OF the nations MORA y;
upon bis shoulders resp tfe ark
Of the covenant" and f7g y more
responsive 10 religions ifHpsnEes
than any uGhgr class cf citizen
chip.
The farmers 81 this raffoa
have built lO, 600 churches al j
cost Of $3.50 UeU GOO, and the an
uual contribution Of the nation
toward all church institutions
approximates $zCu,U u,UW, 600 pr
annum. The farmers Of the Unit
ed States build q churches per
day. There are D,O01O00 rufsI
church communicates On tng
farm, and 81 per cent 81 the total
membership Of all churches 70
side In the rouHfrys
The farm ls the pUwerl lhUnse
Of all progress and the bfrthPfaEe
of all that rs noble. The Garden
Of Eden was IN the country and
the man who would get close 20
God must first get rf0se t5 YEsA
ture.
The Functions Of q Rura
Church
II the rural churches to-day are
going TO render q service winch
this age demands, there must be
ao-operation between the rsh-
gious, social and economic HE
Of the community.
The church TO sttSfn II fullest
measure of success must enrich
the Ewes Of the people IN Gre
community It serves; h must
build character; develop tlfCught
and increase the efficiency Of
human life. It must serve 0le
social. business and inreIlectual,
as well as the spiritual and mcTai
side of life. If religion dOss MT
make a man more capable, ndcre
useful and more 1ust. Whit gUCd
b it, We want : practca re-
IfRion, one we can Eve by asSG
tsrm by, as wen ss de pS
FKer. and Bsttvr ChmsslsA
Blessed 10 that rurai community
which has but one plRse of wUr-
ship. Whifs competition Is the
life Of trade, Il Is deasA 70 the
rural church and rrTCral starvaSs0n
to the community. Perry sgetss
rianism is scUurgs a1af sffghSs
the life, and church yretuGfgU
saps the vitality Of urEny sUfm~
mnnities. An Cvsrssst1Slsgd
community ID o er1r7s aRaalfss
religion, 4 serious hsssd;cap %
society and q usslgss ~ apgn
ASLAG04AaA@s
While denominations aEs -
sentiai and church prize sez-
mendable, the high 1ssrhng q
universal christianaty uruss PreA
vail if the rural church b % Rssg-
Gil rs mission g agriCufeure
We frequently have taRve "
four churches n q cenrnsniey
which h not able 10 adequaeelv
support one. Small eunRreRa-
lions attend services 0mce q
month and all fail 20 pesfCrn
the religious functions Sf Ae
community. The division q ~
ligious forces and the healrins
into fragments Is morA sEoft
Is 0fttimes little lsss aa ! -
Iamity and defsats TIE Yugy ps-
Cose they ssek =