102 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



strong chorus choir, a male quartet, a ladies' quartet, an orches- 

 tra, and some good soloists. Besides, it improved the singing in 

 the church and Sunday school a hundred per cent. 



We began at once to observe all the special days — a dozen 

 or more. This kept our musicians busy. And the first thing 

 we knew the young people and many of the "outsiders," as they 

 were called, were taking part in these special services. They 

 just couldn't keep out. And, of course, the fathers and mothers 

 had to come to hear their children sing and play and speak, and 

 likewise the doting grandparents, and the uncles and aunts 

 and cousins, and sweethearts all had to come. 



Next we started what we called a gospel chorus. We got 

 some live new song books and went singing around from home to 

 home. At first some of the people were a little shy of the gospel 

 chorus, but soon they were vying with each other to see who 

 would secure these singers. The chorus went to the homes of 

 the aged who were too feeble to come to the meeting house. It 

 sang for the sick. It sang in the homes of those who never heard 

 any other music. 



An athletic association already existed. We encouraged 

 the boys in their field-day sports. Two or three baseball teams 

 were organized. We played successfully many of the surround- 

 ing towns, including Chicago. We never challenged the Cubs, 

 but we did challenge a team from the Fullerton Avenue Presby- 

 terian Church, Chicago, and beat them on our grounds one 

 Fourth of July 20 to 0. The pastor of the church had come 

 along with his boys, and he kept insisting that we must have 

 some professional players from outside, but they were just the 

 husky farmer lads. 



The church building was not suited for social gatherings, so 

 a series of sociables was planned at the different homes. These 

 were not the money-making kind; they were sociables indeed. 

 The older people often attended and engaged in the play with 

 the young folks. Refreshments were served free. At these 

 gatherings special attention was given to strangers and to the 

 backward boys and girls, and a few of us always had upon our 

 hearts those who were not of the fold of Christ. They grew to 

 be a sociable lot of folks, I tell you! They became well ac- 

 quainted. And such fellowship! Such friendships! Such com- 

 panionships! And all centering around the church, 



I shall not have time to describe the various activities that 

 have been carried on in connection with the church, but shall 



