The Biggest Crop of All 217 



settled upon a quarter section of good land. While 

 he was reconstructing his own home and its sur- 

 roundings into a place of attractiveness, he was 

 continually engaged in awakening the entire neigh- 

 borhood in behalf of better things. He had led out 

 in establishing a well-attended Sunday school in the 

 district, had been instrumental in instituting regu- 

 lar preaching service there twice each month, had 

 led the entire neighborhood out on more than one 

 occasion for a day's work in improving and beauti- 

 fying the school grounds, had been the organizer and 

 director of the country literary society, and of more 

 than one club of farmers and their wives. During 

 all this time he was correspondent for one or two 

 county papers and used every occasion for advertis- 

 ing the home community. All together, it was a 

 most commendable and far-reaching service which 

 this one man performed for his own neighborhood. 

 So, it may be said that wherever there is one inspired 

 leader in a country community, there is life. 



Finally, it may be urged that the biggest thing in 

 the rural community is not the big crop of corn or 

 wheat or the excellent breeds of live stock. Impor- 

 tant as these things are, the great concern of the 

 community should be the development of sterling 

 character in the lives of the growing boys and girls 

 and the cleanness and integrity of the personalities 

 of every one within the neighborhood limits. To 

 that end let this social center ideal be actualized, 



