194 RUEAL LIFE IN CANADA 



school was a finely-wooded knoll of five acres. As this 

 could not be secured separately he purchased the farm 

 of which it formed a part. In the grove he had built a 

 hall for community purposes, with large lecture room, 

 library, museum, and all facilities for a social centre. 

 The hall with its five acres of grounds he presented to 

 the school district; the remainder of the farm to the 

 Provincial Department of Agriculture for a demonstra- 

 tion farm for fruit-growing. The highway passing the 

 school he had rebuilt on the finest lines for some two 

 miles, having it boulevarded and provided with bridges 

 of artistic beauty. An impetus has been given to the 

 whole neighborhood. Land in the vicinity has trebled 

 in value. The adjoining school sections have been 

 stimulated to similar activities. Mr. Rittenhouse's 

 action is an example which should call to the front many 

 philanthropists. 



The church should avail herself in the country of an 

 interdenominational agency which has been found of 

 great service in the city — the Young Men's Christian 

 Association. Had it not been for this institution social 

 need in the city — so far as the church's ministry thereto 

 is concerned — would have been as scantily supplied 

 as in the country. The average city church does noth- 

 ing more for those beyond its membership, and scarcely 

 more for those within, than does the country congre- 

 gation, in all that pertains to the physical and recrea- 

 tional, and the social life. The Association, however, 

 has done a magnificent work for young manhood 

 through its gymnasiums, its athletic clubs, its recrea- 

 tion-rooms, its social parlors, and its classrooms. It 

 has not only rendered direct service but has stimulated 



