Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1916-06-22
HAMMER AND NAILS FOR
community BUILDING
Maryland Ministers VIII Hold Their
Third Annual Country Life ceHool
And Conference, July "a To
August 5.

mo, don't attend conventions any
more" said a Maryland minister re-
Gently. "They just pump you full OF
inspiration until you feel that you are
as big as Goliath and as cunning as
David-man enough to tackle any
thing. But you 60 home and shrink
and shrink as you meet the same old
difficulties, until you feel too small and
weak to carry out your conventions
born plans for the saving of the uni
verse. It's like rhapscdising on the
beauties of the house you want the
apprentice carpenter to build and fail
ing to give him carpenters tools OF
definite instructions"
A Common Defect Avoided,
The program committee Of the third
annual Country Life Conference OF
maryland Ministers which Will be held
at the State College Of Agriculture,
August "a, and will be preceded by
Country Life School on Rural Com
munity Problems, beginning July "a,
has realized the truth of the above
criticism and has sought by choice OF
speakers and arrangement of the ad
dresses and discussion to make its SEES
ion give definite and practical mes
sage that can be used by the average
minister in the average community.
That the previous school and confer
ences have provided both hammer and
nails for community building has been
proven by the good work since accom-
plished by the ministers who attended
Community centers, community I'M
provement associations, oranges, and
county ministerial associations that
have been organized during the past
year are directly traceable to the 1914
and 1915 efforts.
A National Movement
The ministers in many states are
getting together for the good OF the
cause. In at least ten states the coun-
try life opportunity chord is being
struck, and everywhere 1t makes for
harmony and happiness in country life.
Country Life School.
The aim of the Country Life School
is to give the minister deeper insight
into the social and economic phases
of country life and also to give him
practical training in agriculture and
domestic science. Soils and Drainage,
Rural Sanitation, Fertilizers, Use OF
Lime, Concrete on the Farm, Orchard
Fruits, Small Fruits, Hog Cholera Con
troll and Poultry are some Of the top
les that will be presented by the
specialists OF the College ard the EN-
pertinent Station. The purpose is to
better equip the preacher to lead his
community not to make him special.
list but to give him deeper funGa-
mental conception of the needs OF his
community for better agriculture as
we'll as for better spiritual life.
Professor r. B, Bomberger, who is
well qualified for this work by both
experience and training and dean OF
the Economics Department of the
State College, will give series of lee
lures upon Rural Economics, tracing
the development of agriculture and
emphasizing the factors that make for
progress.
Ralph A. Felton, of the Presbyterian
Board of Home Missions, will lecture
daily upon Rural Sociology. 1t is he
who is largely responsible for the
epoch making country life surveys for
which his board is famous His grasp
is that of one thoroughly grounded in
all the library can afford but depend
ing upon intimate knowledge gained in
his field work for his conclusions as
to the measures necessary for the de-
veopment of a satisfying social life
for the country.
The Conference August "a.
Again in the conference the tools of
community building will be presented
and their use explained. While in
spiration and enthusiasm will be much
in evidence they will be accompanied
by concrete suggestions.
Ralph FELTON, will lecture daily on
sociological questions, Rev. Silas L.
Persons, of Cazenovia, n. Y, whose
work in a country passionate has been
heralded from coast to coast, will
speak daily on mastering the every
day problems of the country pastorate.
f. B. Freeman Of the International
Y. M. c. A., will deliver three adj
dresses upon leadership of the Coun-
try Community. He has had years Of
successful experience in enlisting and
training boys and girls In community
work Dr. w. H. Burk, of the Protest
ant Episcopal Domestic Mission So
ciety, will speak daily upon "The Rural
Sunday School," He is national
authority upon the country Sunday
School, with great faith in the Won
derful opportunities it offers for build
ing up the church.
Among the other speakers will be
DR.. p p Claxton, commissioner of
education; Clifford Pinchot, of the U. S.
Conservation Association; DR.. e. L.
Watson, former district superinJend-
ent of the M. f, Church. and DR.. H. j.
Patterson, president of the State Col
lege of Agriculture.
Several excellent pieces of work
done in the State during the past year
will also be reported by the ministers
to whom credit Is due. Half the time
is left free for general discussion, thus
making the conference clearing
house for all worth while and work.
able ideas.
Announcement bulletins may be OBJ
tanned by writing to Prof f. B. Bonn
berger, who has charge Of the school,
or to B. H. Darrow, secretary of the
Country Life Conference, both at Coz