MICHIGAN ACADEMY OI' SCIENCE. 141 



impulse ol' every leaveninn- ))roftss that radiates from his church out into 

 the world. 



The equipment and program of the future country church will neces- 

 sarily be somewhat different from those of the city church. There is a 

 splendid impetus being given to the establishment of community houses 

 in connection with country churches. Tii the absence of the means for 

 providing an additional building, the church structure may be remodeled, 

 especially its basement, in such a way as to adapt it to a more varied 

 program. But the aim of every progressive organization should be the 

 erection of a community house. Such a structure would ])referably be 

 furnace lieated, and should have constant janitor service. Its construc- 

 tion would provide for a large upper room, to bs used as an auditorium, 

 and a lower room for parties, entertainments, and club meetings. There 

 should be rooms sufficient in number to accommodate gymnasium classes, 

 indoor games, and other features of the church program. A library, or 

 reading room, is an essential which must under no circumstances be 

 neglected. It is doubtful whether the rural church can offer, especially 

 during the winter months, a greater attraction. 



In general, the equipment of the church will depend upon the pro- 

 gram to be followed. This should include, in addition to the usual 

 devotional exercises, a variety of attractions, intended to appeal to all 

 classes. The young people would be drawn particularly by the gym- 

 nasium, the games of basket-ball, indoor baseball, checkers, etc., the 

 reading room, social gatherings, not to speak of numerous possible 

 young people's clubs and associations. The women are usually more 

 interested in sewing circles, reading groups, or classes in domestic 

 science. For the men the best possible provisions would be night school, 

 with classes for the study of branches of rural economy. Of especial 

 benefit would be informal gatherings for the discussion of scientific farm 

 operation and management. The auditorium would naturally be used 

 for addresses, moving pictures, entertainments, and jiublic meetings. In 

 this connection a systematic effort would be made to secure speakers, 

 lecturers, or demonstrators, to present topics of interest to rural society. 

 The library embodies, as noted above, one of the great potentialities of 

 the country church. There should be a working agreement among the 

 churches to exchange books periodically, after the manner of public 

 school traveling libraries. Otherwise the literature will be quickly 

 perused and interest will begin to wane. One wonders why it is that thus 

 far practically nothing has been done in this direction. 



The object of the above described equipment and program would be 

 to make the church a neighborhood center. Around it would be woven 

 the life of the community. It should reach out, draw tlie interest of the 



