The Raymer enterprise., 1915-03-18
THE RU RkL PASTOR
Intelligent and consserat.t Leader.
ship the Need Of the Hour.
cy Peter Ra5for5

Ieegurr National fariner,' rnion
The rural pastor has greater posi-
silities than any other fscter In our
national life. The rural civilization
d the Twentieth Century has opened
up new world Of activities for him.
There lie before him nnexplorei con-
.inents Of usefulness. unemployed
'orces OF civilization and tremendous
responsibilities such as have never
before confronted the pastorste.
The need OF the rural communities
oday is intelligent and consecrated
-eadershlp, There mus, be marshal.
I.nG OF forces that build life. strength
en- character and broaden vision. The
pastor should deal with living prob
lena. In addition to The service he
row renders he shonld help US lit
the market basket. hold out help.
,ng hand to the farmer and develop
lie potential energies OF the commua-
ity he sngss TO serve.
A siore Useful Ministry.
The farmer needs the personal
touch of the pastor. He seldom
slmes In direct et.atact with his hal
loving influence. except when he Is
baptized. married and buried. We
need to further extend Christian in
hnsnce In the homes. as well RS to
spread the gospel In China. to In
struci our children In The art OF llv.
ing. as we'll as to convert the barbar-
len and the Hotteniot. ana we shoul.'
ieTote our energy and talent to the
solution Of problems OF our own 10.
,aliiy, rather than consume or en-.
r-r!es In fighting vice and ignorance
beyond our borders. /; Ia as import
mi that we discuss from the pulpit.
,he building OF macadam highways
rem The church TO our homes. az
hat we preach of INC golden streets
Il she New Jerusalem. II is as much
part sf the duty OF the restor 10
short US 10 own home while on
sarth as 10 Inspire us 10 build 4 man.
sion In the skies and th7t We should
construct Christian character In our
own community. Father than t.iat VIZ
fight foreign sins IN Other lands. We
want a religion we can farm by as
veil aa die b..
chrlstlan infiae zee Eeeded.
There Is m emptiness In the lIfa
of rural communities and We want
preachers who can weave into the
secial fibre. educational pastlmes,
profitable pleasures and instructive
lmusemen's. Too often We fad the
rameS Of orr young people a search
Tor suggestion In immo-alitv end
stepping stone to SIN. The pnsto-
'hould supervise the growing lives OF
young peonle. approve their nmrse.
ments. create expressions e JOY and
pleasure that make OF Christian
character and bless their lives with
Christian m5desty.
Tho farm Is the nursery OF evil
t~t.ol, and the parseaaee OF al re.
ilgloua denominations. Too long hes
he farm furnished the cities with
heir great preachers. rntil to-day the
rural church Is tiss e1rgway to city
pulrl;s. The current should ba re-
snrsed. Tha power Of tha pulpit "a
most needed In the country where
he fundamental forces of human lifc
originate. The farm IL tho power.
8ouse os all progress and the birth
rlace of all that ~ noble. The Ga
ien of Eden YVES In the co1rtry ard
.ie man WHO would .e, close 10 God
rust f-tt ret c!ose to nature. '!anv
communities are church. ridden. We
frequently have three or fsur churches
ma community Wits circuit r;ds,
,ncs month preaching to small con.
tregatiors and nj fail 10 perform the
=eligiors functions Of the community.
in many instances. more harmonious
fort sl7si -esnlt in a mo-a efficient