PREFACE 



This volume is the outcome of a request from the 

 Hoard of Social Service of the Presbyterian Church in 

 Canada to the writer to prepare a short course of lec- 

 tures dealing with the ])roblem of the Country Church, 

 for the Summer School at Geneva Park, on Lake Cou- 

 chiching. 



I nder the direction of the Board the lectures wore 

 again delivered in the Presbyterian College, Halifax, 

 and in Knox College, Toronto. The seventh chapter 

 represents an additional lecture to the students of these 

 colleges. 



In compliance with the desire of the Board the lec- 

 tures, in somewhat enlarged form, are now brought be- 

 fore the public. The manner of its production accounts 

 for the use of the direct address and other features in 

 the form of the volume. 



Although the incidental illustrations have been drawn 

 from a local field, and the situation in Ontario is most 

 in evidence, and although one particular branch of the 

 ("hnrch is occasionally rclcrrcd to, the viewpoint of the 

 book is national. 



The writer begs that the volume will be regarded by 

 no one as a treatise on its subject. It is put forth as 

 but a 8<*ries of individual impressions upon an inijior- 

 tant j>robIfni in national welfare. 



SpENrEUvii.i.K, Ontahio^ 

 28th February, 1913. 



