Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-12-16
RELIGION AND LIFE
(By Rev. A. 4. Rapking)

Work IN ONO, attended the Country
Life Conference at Adamsvilie. His
purpose was to study our methods
with view to introducing similar
work into Ohio. Last November he
arranged with F. G. Han, former
county agent of Harrison county, to
have me come to Clinton county, t.
hold Country Life Conference 1T
kingnan.
The holding of a Conference in a
different state proved to be very in
teresting experience. The folks in
the kingman Community and those in
charge of the project pronounced the
Conference complete success. How
ever, the real test of Conference is
what happens during the year follow
ing Conference. This year Mr.. Al
len arranged for me to help hold an
other Conference at Kingman and one
at Lees Creek, also in Clinton county
The one at Lees Creek was held on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and thS
second Conference at KingInan Oh
Sunday afternoon and evening ana
Monday and Tuesday.
The first Conference at Lees Greek
kTas a success, and the people al King
man were very enthusiastic about
the success of the Conference this
year. The following are some of the
things accomplished which raised the
score from 656 to CO., Rebuilt the
furnace in the church, changed the
registers which resulted in a much
more adequate heating system, raised
S275 to pay for religious instruction
at the public schools during the rcgu-
lar school hours, paid S110 more on
the pastors salary, and secured one
half of his time instead of one-fourth
as formerly. The church attendance
has greatly increased. They have in
trcduced graded instruction in two
classes, organized an Epworth League
which is doing excellent work, have
worked on community history there
by creating much interest in the his
tory of the community, have worked
out and followed community calei.-
dar which proved very helpful in cui-
tivating the spirit OF cooperation a.
mong the various organizations in the
community. Too, they lave organiz.l
flower club and have taken Up ma
ture studies in Grange and other com
munity meetings. The Community
Council conducted a cleanup cam
paign. Members of the community
bought $500 worth of shru ,beIy
which was planted around the homes,
school, and church At least eighty
percent split their tickets at recent
elections. The pastor has made his
library available to the members OF
the community.
The score was raised because of the
hearty cooperation on the part 81 the
Ga ange, the Farm Bureau, the Parent
Teachers Association, the Community
Council, the Epworth League, TIE Sun
day School, and the Church
In the school the teachers are super
vising the play of the children. Many
from the community attend chautau-
quas, summer camps. Epworth Leag1e
Institutes, and several families made
trips to California and other parts Of
the United States.
New books we're placed in the school
library, the books in the library cata-
logued properly, several good pictures
purchased, and shrubbery and trees
planted in the yard
Twenty kitchens were scored, the
cream rose selected as a communit,
flower, shrubbery planted around
quite number of homes following
the instructions of the state landscape
specialist. New light, water, and laun
dry facilities were installed. Several
wells were curbed during the year.
The score was raised because more
attention was given to spraying and
pruning orchards and to the produc-
ton of green vegetables for use and
canning, also, mere meat is being can
ned. The roads were graded oftener
and kept in better condition. A much
larger volume of livestock was hand
led through the Clinton County Ser
vice Company. The use of standard !
mash and feeding practices were
adopted on the part Of number Of
poultrymen. egg records we've kept, !
three new Ohio type poultry houses
and three brooder houses built. The |
score was raised on dairying because
the farmers are giving more attention !
to balanced ration and the mixture |
of their own feed.
These were some OF the things ac-
complished in the hingman Cenmuni- /
ty during the past year. Some of the I
outs anding factors in the years ac- |
complishment were the planning and !
carrying out of the community calen-
dar, the splendid cooperation between /
the church and other organizations in
the community, the efforts put forth /
to beautify the community, and the
adoption of Wednesday night as home
night, when everybody is supposed to
stay at home.
1t was a great Inspiration 20 help
with this Country Life Conference,
and | am grateful for the assurance
have that the Conference ideals
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