people of their own kind and class. This necessi- 

 tates a social and religious center for every rural 

 community. The church can and should be made 

 such social center. For economic and social rea- 

 sons, however, denominationalism can well be dis- 

 pensed with, as such, and just plain Christianity 

 substituted for sectarianism. A social center thus 

 maintained will stimulate neighborly intercourse 

 and satisfy the demands of both young and old 

 for religious culture, for recreation and pastime. 

 Where schools are consolidated the school house 

 and grounds will answer for all gatherings 

 whether for worship, for the discussion of civic or 

 neighborhood problems or for recreation and 

 amusement. For without such neighborhood in- 

 tercourse, life deteriorates into a dull routine, 

 and the moral and religious tone of a community, 

 degenerates. Moreover, under such conditions, 

 young people become disgusted with its monotony 

 and aimlessness, and seek city employment. 



But before the country church can be made an 

 efficient community force, pastors must be found 

 or created that meet the conditions of country life. 

 A most excellent city pastor might prove to be a 

 regrettable misfit in a rural community. More- 

 over, the modern clergy seem quite as prone to 

 herd in the towns and cities as the rest of man- 

 kind, which fact has a bad influence on the youth 

 of the country. 



Quoting from Eural Life and Education : t ' The 

 rural minister needs economic and agricultural 

 knowledge more than theological, that he may use 

 the economic and agricultural experiences of his 

 people as a basis for the building-up of their 

 ethical life; he needs educational knowledge, that 

 he may direct his efforts with the young along 

 good pedagogical lines; and the church as an in- 



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