THE PRACTICAL IDEALIST 159 



path. The problem was not one for theorizing the 

 active energies of many leaders would be needed to 

 bring the Jew into the country where he might find 

 himself. 



He did not limit his propaganda to his intimate circle 

 of friends he tried to exemplify his program within 

 himself. For years before coming to America he had 

 devoted himself to preparation for his life's work. He 

 came to the New World a full fledged trained agricul- 

 turist, ready and eager for the task he had set for himself. 



The idea of settling the newcomers on the soil was 

 in vogue in those days. The Baron de Hirsch Fund 

 had undertaken to finance various activities with this 

 end in view. And for the leader in this gigantic task they 

 selected this dreamer, who came to the barren stretches 

 of Woodbine and claimed it for his promised land. 



Thus it was that Professor Sabsovich entered upon 

 his life work. The location for the experiment had, 

 unfortunately, been selected before his appointment. But, 

 in the face of numerous and tantalizing difficulties, he 

 plunged into his task. 



First it was merely a question of placing a limited num- 

 ber of independent farmers in that region, thus forming 

 the nucleus of a Jewish agricultural colony. But as the 

 work grew new problems presented themselves, each lead- 

 ing up to another and forcing a constant expansion in the 

 activities. How could the products be marketed? How 

 could the lure of the city be counteracted? Questions 

 such as these never ceased to present new opportunities 

 for service. 



The man in charge soon became the soul of the entire 

 movement. He saw the problem as something more than 

 a farm-letting venture. He lived in the village. He 

 fought stubborn opposition. He stimulated the people 



