Missouri Country Life Conference. 211 



way to the solution of the rural church problem. We have 

 many laymen, with splendid ability, consecration and fine sense, 

 who are ready to do this kind of work. I know several who 

 never fail to render such a service when asked. 



Last October we held a rural life conference which lasted 

 six days, at which many of the usual subjects were discussed. 

 This conference was a success in every way and resulted in much 

 good to the community. They now have a petition fded with 

 the county school superintendent containing the required 

 names, calling for an election to vote a consolidated rural high 

 school. The school will doubtless be a fact in the near future. 

 At the last meeting the people voted unanimously to have 

 another conference next year. 



The success of the conference at Locust Grove encouraged 

 me to make an effort to hold a similar one at Laddonia, a town 

 of 650 people. We have seven churches, five of which have pas- 

 tors. As I am president of the Ministers' Alliance I called a 

 meeting and submitted the matter to the members; they at 

 once became enthusiastic for the meetings. I then talked with 

 a number of business and professional men relative to the 

 matter. This resulted in an evening meeting of about fifteen 

 men at one of the banks a few days later. I stated in detail the 

 purpose of such a conference, and after some discussion it was 

 voted by all present to hold such a conference and to support 

 it in every way. The necessary committees were appointed and 

 did their work well. The meetings were held in the opera house 

 from December 8th to 12th. The house was filled every night 

 and the meetings grew in interest and efficiency to the end. The 

 last evening steps were taken to form a permanent organization. 

 At a subsequent date the Laddonia Rural Life and School 

 Association was organized. Its purpose is well set forth in its 

 constitution, the preamble of which is as follows: "In order to 

 promote and advance the mutual interests of the city of Lad- 

 donia and the rural community adjacent thereto, and to effect 

 the best co-operation among the people of the entire community 

 along all lines of endeavor calculated to better their financial, 

 educational, social, moral and spiritual condition, we, the 

 citizens of said community, do hereby form the Laddonia Rural 

 Life and School Association." The constitution provides for 

 the usual officers charged with the usual duties. The president 

 is a well educated and prosperous young farmer. The vice- 

 president and secretary are merchants, the treasurer is an active 



