Preface 



farmers themselves. It is indispensable that 

 farmers shall work together for their common 

 interests and for the national welfare. If they 

 do not do this no governmental activity, no 

 legislation, not even better schools, will greatly 

 avail. Much has been done. There is a multi- 

 tude of clubs and associations for social, educa- 

 tional, and business purposes ; and great national 

 organisations are effective. But the farmers are, 

 nevertheless, relatively unorganised. We have 

 only begun to develop business co-operation in 

 America. Farmers do not influence legislation 

 as they should. They need a more fully 

 organised social and recreative life. 



Spiritual Forces. — The forces and institu- 

 tions that make for morality and spiritual ideals 

 among rural people must be energised. We 

 miss the heart of the problem if we neglect to 

 foster personal character and neighbourhood 

 righteousness. The best way to preserve ideals 

 for private conduct and public life is to build 

 up the institutions of religion. The church has 

 great power of leadership. The whole people 

 should understand that it is vitally important to 

 stand behind the rural church and to help it to 

 become a great power in developing concrete 

 country life ideals. It is especially important 

 that the country church recognise that it has a 

 social responsibility to the entire community as 

 well as a religious responsibility to its own group 

 of people." 



XV 



