build a country church, and that without determining 

 as to the denominational affiliation. A committee 

 of leaders was appointed to raise funds and to draw 

 plans for the building. In a short time, arrangements 

 were perfected for constructing the building at a 

 cost of four thousand dollars. It was later voted 

 to place this new church temporarily under the direc- 

 tion of the Congregational church in Manhattan, 

 fifteen miles away. 



In one or two instances the religious leaders in 

 a country community have succeeded admirably in 

 establishing a "commission" form of church ad- 

 ministration. The method pursued has been that 

 of having a committee of three, each a member of a 

 different church, to call by turn from the towns 

 near by the ministers of the various denominations. 

 Further details of the plans provide for the committee 

 to raise funds so that the minister may be paid a 

 definite amount for the service conducted. 



One of the first essential steps in the establishment 

 of a rural church is a careful survey or study of the 

 situation. While it may be accounted a sin against 

 God and humanity to add another church where there 

 are already more than the people can support, often 

 it will be found that very large, well populated 

 country districts are wholly without access to any 

 religious service whatever. Verily, the field is 

 white unto the harvest and the laborers as yet are 

 few. 



