The Detroit times., 1915-11-27
S tartlin G Conditions
Shown in Ohio
Survey
ONE OF EVERY
NINE ABANDONED
Two Thirds Are Either
Dying Or Hanging
in Balance

COLUMBUS, o., Nov 27.-One
out OF every nine country churches
have teen abandoned in recent
years. Only one.third are increasing
in membership and two-thlrds have
either ceased growing or are dying.
Eightythree per cent have less
than 100 members; p per cent have
less than 25: q per cent have be-
tween 25 and so. and "a per cent
have between 80 and 100 Only six
per cent have individual preachers,
while 20 per cent snare ministers
with another church. 20 per cent
have one-third the time of a minis
ter; 81 per cent have one.fourth. IA
per cent have one-ffth time; FIVE
percent have one-sixth time. A large
proportion OF preachers receive
about the same pay as a day labor
er. Less than 40 Per cent OF the
rural population are church mem
bers.
These facts, shown in an extensive
rural survey Of Ohio, whose results
were announced today, are appli-
cable TO most states, according TO
officers OF the commission on church
and country lie
The Ohio survey il considered the
most thorough ever undertaken but
the campaign not only for surveys,
but also for speedy reforms 10 make
churches community centers as we'll
as houses OF religious worship, Is TO
be carried into every part OF the
country within the next year.
Here are the causes which the
country church OF the near future
must promote in order to save itself
according TO much-discussed re-
port by President Kenyon l.. Butter
field. of Massachusetts, Agricultural
college ready for presentation to the
commission: Good roads, better
farming. encouragement OF agricul-
tural college extension courses. com
munity Identification, public health
and recreation. temperance. better
schools. Saturday half holiday for
agricultural laborers. community
athletics, observance Of religious and
patriotic holidays and home coming
weeks, community planning and con-
tentment with farm life.
The church must become the social
center for the community, with its
minister leading in a variety of in
terest. and religion thereby will be-
come a stronger appeal. says the But
terheld report Naturally this pro-
gram Is expected eventually TO dim
UNCONVENTIONAL lines.
Concrete means of promoting the
community church movement are
disclosed in another report which
the commission IL expected 10 adopt
as working plans President Wilson
who wi make an address at the
convention. Dec 10. is reported par
ticulsrly interested In these plans.
They are summarized thus: First
rural ministers and church leaders
during the next year will receive
puDlthllOUs lSeucu ny Aic tOHlIIllh-
sion on church and country life de-
voted 10 the problems of rural church
declarations and combinations. This
viii prepare the way for discussion
Of the church cooperation. Then In
each township or natural community.
churches will be urged 10 form a fed
Grafton. with delegates and ministers
from each church forming a super.
visory committee 10 coordinate COM
munity activities. Ultimately this
federation might employ a common
minister and pay him a salary sde-
quate to allow him 10 undertake
wider social work In many cases
these churches could merge. De
nominational connection with a Ger.
tain church organization could be
maintained. but within the commun-
ity sectsrian differences would be
largely ignored
II is a big program. but officers OF
the commission believe they can
make greet Roadway within the year.
The movement, will BE- directed nv
Clifford Pinchot. chairman. and Rev.
Charles o. Gill, secretary OF the
commission