Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 89, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1913 — THE COUNTRY CHURCH. [ARTICLE]

THE COUNTRY CHURCH.

The country church I consider in most respects the most important Institution in these United States. And 1 say this aithongh 1 realize that the same indifference toward church life and cbnrchgoing which has swept through our cities has also affected our country churches. The point Is, however, that we cannot afford to have a prosperous* agricultural life that is purely materialistic. The church is the one great Institution concerned with the higher human instincts. The church has been weakened by several causes. For oue thing there are too many churches, and as a result denominational jealousies are strong, the churches are poor, and the ministers are poorly paid! This is not true in all parts of the country, however, and there are splendid exceptions strong, fine country churches with activepastora, A# a matter of fact, I suppose we could have better agriculture without the country chureh—that is, the church Is not educational, and if it coffins to pure agriculture we could teach the farmers how to take care of their farms without bothering with the church part .at all. But I believe that,the church Is absolutely necessary for bringing the country community to its highest level of individual and community life. No other agent can take its place, because the religious instinct is fundamental. Sooner or later any civilization that survives must be dominated by religious influences. Kenyon L. Butterfield.