240 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



So far as the writer is aware, the first meeting 

 based on the definite idea of co-operation be- 

 tween school, church, and Grange was held at 

 Morris, Connecticut, in the summer of 1901 and 

 was organized by Rev. F. A. Holden, then 

 pastor at Morris. This meeting was a very 

 successful local affair, held in connection with 

 "Old Home Week" celebration. 



Probably the first attempt to hold a similar 

 meeting op a large scale was the conference at 

 the Agricultural College, Michigan, in February, 

 1902. It was a joint meeting of the Michigan 

 Political Science Association and the Agri- 

 cultural College and farmers' institutes. The 

 practical initiative was taken by the Political 

 Science Association under the leadership of its 

 secretary, Professor Henry C. Adams, who had 

 the cordial co-operation of President Snyder of 

 the Agricultural College and Professor C. D. 

 Smith, then superintendent of farmers' institutes. 

 It was a notable gathering, and its promoters 

 were rejoiced to see the splendid attendance of 

 farmers particularly; teachers and clergymen 

 did not attend as freely as might have been 

 expected. The programme was a strong one 

 and included men of national reputation and 

 topics covering a wide range of interests. 



