THE RURAL COMMUNITY

My immediate consideration is, "What machinery may be discovered or invented for the conveyance of the ideals of this organization (The R. E. A.) to the people of smaller groups?There seems to be no dearth of concepts, nor a disagreement as to the principles of greatest worth in religious and ethical teaching.Its importance to the people of our time seems to be accepted.But the practical question now before us is, "How may these ideals be delivered to the people"?Why should this organization, if it believes what it asserts, not undertake a definite and well-planned campaign to enlighten public sentiment in the more isolated communities of the country?If our ideas are true we are bound to propagate them.If they are true we must do more than read scholarly papers concerning them.Our theories are not good if they do not work, at least no one cares for them if we do not attempt to work them out in practical life.Remembering results in this respect, effected by similar organizations, such as the American Association of Charities, the Anti-Saloon League, the Child Labor Conference, and numerous others, I shall assume that it is both possible and practical to transmit our theories to the remotest community in this Republic.The question of method is, therefore, in order.The question with respect to local communities may be worded as follows:(1) How to reinstate religious training in the home;(2) How to improve religious teaching in the Sunday school;(3) How to guarantee Bible reading and Bible teaching in the day-school;(4) How to reinstate religious life and renew ethical ideals in rural communities.In general the various groups mentioned may be reached through the local press.Groups 2 and 3 may be reached through summer schools in the various States.Ministers may serve as carriers of our beliefs, and they may be trained and inspired for such activity through the theological seminaries, through various clerical gatherings both 131