Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1918-07-31
DR.. WILSON DISCUSSES
RURAL PROBLEM
Points out Responsibility to
Teachers and Ministers

"A itCoIu-DIedhlHS CIOWu dS-
sembled at Twilight Service on
Sunday evening to hear DR.. War
rem H. Wilson, head of the depart
ment of Rural Education at Colum-
bia University. DR.. George S.
Counts presided at the meeting and
Dean Harry Hayward led the sing
ing. In honor of the occasion spe-
cial music had been provided, in
Guiding a solo by Mrs. J. Pearce
Cam and duet by Mrs. Cam and
Mr.. r. P. koehler.
DR.. Wilson, in introducing his
subject, THE Transformation of
Rural Life" read from Deuteron-
omy, Chapter VIII, a chapter of
definite promises which recent
history has fulfilled. Taking his
text from the 18th verse, But thou
shalt remember the Lord, thy God,
for it is He that giveth thee power
to get wealth that he may establish
his covenant which he sware unto
thy fathers" he explained that
the covenant was promise of land
and that it is only within the past
year that this passage has assumed
special significance for America.
For the past three years, he
said, America as a wealth pro-
ducer, has saved the world. The
American farmer has won his case,
he has offered his resources to the
world unstintingly."
The speaker told of a prize essay
contest held in France just after
the French Revolution on the SUBJ
ject, "Is it Worth While for Eu-
rope to have Discovered American"
The only justification that could
be found by the learned essayists
of the day were that America pro-
duced quinine, tobacco and the
potato. To-day" he said, America
is returning the gifts of Lafayette
by pouring into France the choic
est products of the country. He
said that even in this country men
of cabinet rank lacked foresight
when they questioned the advisa-
bility Of acquiring western lands
with their abundant resources.
Now what cause for thankfulness
we have in our ability to contribute
so abundantly to the various war
activities"
He pointed out in a very inter-
esting manner the relation of the
farmer to the production of wealth,
to religion and to education and
the relation that the agricultural
college bears to the farmer and the
community. The mission of the
preacher and the teacher in dis
seminating information that will
aid the farmer to see the import
ance of increased production and
. the great change that must come
in the next ten or fifteen years was
clearly and forcibly shown. Three
reasons for this great revolution
were advanced: first, the mind of
the soldier will dominate and he
: must be hearkened to; second, a
great debt will be upon us which
will require the strictest economy
to pay; third, the sorrow and sad
ness that must inevitably come
will chasten and mold character
f. giving a new conception of re.
: ligion.
The responsibility of the agricul.
tural college in increasing produc.
! tion and the splendid response al
ready made was aptly illustrated
4 by reference to improved condi
D tions in the South and West where
': diversity of crops has done away
I with the disastrous one crop ides
;, and lessened the drain on the
North and East. In Georgia alone
+ the value of agricultural product:
n exceeded the total out put of prec
ious metals under the American
Flag.
He proved conclusively by Scrip
J. tural references that the acquisi
. tion of personal wealth is not in
consistent with Christianity but il
: perfect accord with it's principles
!, when due credit is given for it
q source.