Constructive Work of the Church 93 



apartments for Sunday school classes, and for meet- 

 ings of social groups, such as the grange, the farmers' 

 institute, the sewing society, and the literary and 

 debating clubs. Then there should be apparatus 

 for the preparation of meals, with a room in which a 

 long table might be spread as occasion demands. 

 Outside of this building there should be a children's 

 playground with some simple apparatus for play. 



Not less frequently than one afternoon of the 

 month and twice would be better the people 

 of the community should drop everything and come 

 together for a good social time and a general ex- 

 change of ideas. On an occasion of this kind the 

 town minister could be present or someone from 

 the outside who would bring with him at least one 

 helpful and practical idea about building up country 

 life. Let this building be regarded as the property of 

 every man, woman, and child in the community and 

 strive to bring it to pass that the legitimate and worthy 

 interest of all shall be actually served there. 



CONSTRUCTIVE WORK OF THE CHURCH 



This country church here thought of need be no 

 less a religious affair, but it must become distinc- 

 tively a socializing agency. It must not merely save 

 souls, but it must save and conserve and develop 

 for this present life the bodily, the moral, and the 

 intellectual powers of the young. One cannot ade- 

 quately develop those splendid latent powers in young 



