RURAL AMERICA 



done being supplementary to that of the Presbyterian Church 

 and the Ohio Rural Life Survey in 1912 and 1913. On the 

 completion of the Ohio survey, the committee will meet to 

 determine the best plan of action. The data thus far gathered 

 indicate that one-fourth of Ohio's townships (9,000 square 

 miles) have no resident pastors and most of the churches in 

 this area are declining in membership. In each township 

 there are on the average four churches, one church to every 

 286 persons. Surveys made in other states reveal similar 

 conditions. The only hope for improvement lies in inter- 

 denominational cooperation. 



During the year 1916 there will be made in Ohio a special 

 study of successful country churches, and bulletins of the 

 work will be printed for the rural pastors of the state and 

 students of theological seminaries, the purpose being to create 

 higher ideals and standards. It is also proposed to hold an 

 increased number of church institutes in the various counties. 

 Interdenominational organization for country church better- 

 ment has given an esprit de corps to the country ministry, 

 has filled rural pastors with faith and courage for the future 

 and has increased confidence and respect for country church 

 work. Moreover, many good men, hitherto of the cities, have 

 been drawn to country parishes and scores of young men are 

 entering the ministry with the idea of devoting their lives to 

 the rural field. 



Many excellent addresses were delivered at the conference 

 and reports of very great interest were made on the following 

 subj ects : 



(1) Function, Platform and Policy of the Country 



Church. 



(2) Financing the Country Church. 



(3) The Training of Country Pastors and Other 



Leaders. 



(4) Church Cooperation and Federation. 



(5) The Allies of the Country Church. 



(6) The Country Church as a Community Center. 



(7) The Church and Rural Economy. 



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