310 Missouri AgricuUnral Report. 



present time along this line? I am glad to state that a few earnest, 

 capable teachers in the rural schools in Missouri are making a beginning. 

 Their extreme modesty and caution in the undertaking forbids my 

 making their names known at the present time. The work is largely 

 experimental, but they are deeply interested, and are anxious to do 

 something worth while. I can say, however, that some fundamental in- 

 formation is being imparted along the liUQS of sanitation, decorating 

 the home, selecting suitable wall paper, carpets, furniture, pictures and 

 the arrangement of the same. These teachers are working in the closest 

 co-operation with the homes. The mothers are requested to assist, each 

 one to contribute something, each one to take an interest. Just here 

 permit me to say that one of the greatest difficulties in making this sub- 

 ject most useful and most helpful is the fact that many homes that 

 need this assistance most will not get it. The mothers and fathers in 

 these homes can scarcely be interested in this line of work. No co- 

 operation can be expected from them. However, this should not dis- 

 courage us, but rather, should inspire us to persevere until something 

 definite has been accomplished. It may be necessary to educate this 

 generation under very great difficulties in order to reach the next one 

 as we should. 



A few years ago a gentleman was elbowing his way along a crowded 

 thoroughfare in New York Cit}^ He noticed, standing at one of the 

 large windows of an art store, a little, dirty-faced, ragged street Arab. 

 To the man's surprise he M^as gazing intently at one of the large pictures 

 displayed in the window. It was Rueben's Descent from the Cross. 

 The gentleman asked. "AVhat is that?" The street waif replied, 

 "That's Christ, Sir. Them men are Roman soldiers. They killed him. 

 Sir, they killed him by nailing him to the cross, and now they are taking 

 him down." The man walked on. Presently he heard the boy's voice 

 calling to him. "Say, Mister, say, they killed him, but he arose again 

 the third day. Yes, sir ; he arose again the third day. ' ' The gentleman 

 asked who told all these things about the Christ and His resurrection, 

 the lad replied "The little lady who teaches our Sunday school class in 

 the mission school at the public market.!' The gentleman wondered as 

 he walked on who was this ministering angel, unknown and unhonored, 

 who had made such a deep and lasting impression upon the heart of 

 this wandering waif on the streets of the great city. 



It is this interest that must inspire our teachers to take hold of the 

 girls and boys coming from neglected and indifferent homes, and to 

 lead them to know how to appreciate and to lo\'e higher and better 

 things. 



