RELIGION OF THE VILLAGE 125 



Nonconformist doctrine finds an answering 

 chord in the rustic mind. The plainly built 

 little chapels which everywhere meet the eye 

 in our country parishes are outward and visible 

 tokens of the splendid spirit of independence 

 and self -sacrifice which animates the " Free 

 Churches." Many of these buildings are paid 

 for out of the depths of rural poverty. I have 

 myself frequently spoken in a village chapel, 

 the cost of which, 600, was gradually 

 gathered together by the unceasing effort and 

 amazing generosity of people whose average 

 income did not exceed l per week. The 

 congregations know that the weekly ministra- 

 tions have to be provided at their own cost, 

 and would lapse if their efforts were relaxed. 

 The same spirit animates the detached com- 

 munities of Roman Catholics, who, like their 

 Nonconformist brethren, without ancient en- 

 dowments or rich congregations, succeed 

 in maintaining their services and their clergy 

 in a manner which puts to shame the wealthier 

 laity of the Established Church. 



Nevertheless, signs of failure are only too- 

 evident in the work of all organized religion, 

 in our country districts. There is, it is true, 

 very little of the anti-religious spirit which 

 characterizes so large a proportion of the Con- 

 tinental peasantry. There is little, if any,. 



