SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY ffijif^-i-'' New York State College of Agriculture At Cornell University Ithaca, N. Y. The Professor Dtvight Sanderson. Rural Sociology Library Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014484764 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA Susquehanna County Survey BY THE INTERCHURCH WORLD MOVEMENT OF NORTH AMERICA FIELD WORK DONE BY F. E. CHOLERTON INTERCHURCH PRESS NEW YORK CITY — 7w s -h^ pssz Copyright 1920 by the Interchurch World Movement OP North America Introduction CERTAIN unusual features marked the Interchurch survey held in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. In the first place, the survey was requested by local leaders, who also suggested the leadership under which it was put through; in the second place, local church members assisted in financing the survey; thirdly, and possibly as a result of the preceding conditions, the preparation for carrying out the pro- gram which was the sequence of the survey has been worked out with exceptional care, unequalled in any other county. After the conference had been called to order in the audito- rium of the library, Mr. Cope, Jr., temporary chairman of the committee, welcomed the conference and introduced Rev. Robert R. Ruff, field secretary of the Rural Church Branch of the Interchurch World Movement. Mr. Ruff led in. a devo- tional service and the meeting was then addressed briefly by Dr. Edmund deS. Brunner, director of the Town and Country Division, Interchurch World Movement, on the organization, purpose and program of the Movement. Reports followed from Rev. I: E. Deer, state rural survey supervisor for Pennsyl- vania, who told of the status of the survey in Pennsylvania, and by Rev. F. E. Cholerton, surveyor of the county. The first step towards the survey was taken in January of 1919 when Francis R. Cope, Jr., approached the Home Mis- sions Council to solicit its good offices in securing a survey of Susquehanna County. Representatives of three of the boards concerned in this county were brought together by the Rural Fields Committee of the Home Missions Council, and through them arrangements were made for taking the survey. The direction and financing of the enterprise were assured by the cooperating boards and later by the strong cooperation of the Interchurch World Movement, ten prehminary meetings were held in different parts of the county, and on November 14 and 6 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 15 a follow-up conference met at the county seat, with an attendance and registration of more than one hundred. In compliance with a vote that the chairman appoint a com- mittee to consider the report and to present suggested recom- mendations to the conference, the chairman appointed the following: Francis R. Cope, Jr Dimock S. B. McCain Rush E. T. CoRFiELD Montrose Miss Fanny Bunnell . . . . Montrose Senator E. E. Jones Harford Rev. T. C. Harwood Birchardville Rev. F. a. Allen Montrose Rev. F. E. Cholerton Montrose After prayer and an adjournment for a midday session, in the Bridgewater Baptist Church, the conference met again and a devotional service was led by Rev. A. M. Brown, rural secretary of the Lackawanna Presbytery, Wilkes-Barre. Dr. Brunner, in the absence of Rev. Dr. Harlan, delivered an address on "Steps on Rural Church Advance." The committee report was then presented and after being discussed freely in detail, was accepted as amended, as follows: SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY Suggested Program THE representatives of eleven denominations in the county having agreed that the church situation in Susquehanna County needs read- justment, recommend that this conference formulate the following principles to be embodied as a program which they can recommend to their local constituencies: 1. That special educational training be offered to the leaders and laymen of all denominations, said training to include a program of evangelism and the relating of reUgion to every day life, with particular reference to the needs of the rural field. 2. That, to this end, at each of the religious assemblies held within the county during the course of a year, one hour a day be given to lectures on rural leadership training. 3. That the Interchurch World Movement nominate the leaders for such conferences. 4. That, in order to develop the Christian character of our boys and girls, thus strengthening our future citizenship and the church itself, special help be given by the churches to increase the effectiveness of religious instruction through the Sunday schools and all organizations which endeavor to meet the educational, social and recreational needs of our young people. 5. That, in the words of the Home Missions Council of Montana, we rec- ognize the pastor, under God, as the ultimate solution of the home mis- sionary problem, in his character, training, ability and eagerness to win men, women and children to Jesus Christ and in his ambition to advance the kingdom of God in his community and in the world. He should be more than a preacher depending mainly upon public assembUes for his opportunities and results. He should carry his mes- sage of salvation into the homes of the people and face the careless and scornful and neglected and even hostile with the claims and the blessings of the gospel, and thus extend his ministry persistently and consistently into all the homes of his parish and into unchurched settlements and communities that may be contiguous thereto. He should be more than a "settled pastor." He should be a swift messenger of the gospel to those who on their own initiative would never attend a religious meet- ing. He should be an expert personal worker, while never losing sight of his opportunities as a preacher of the gospel and as a minister to the social needs of the community. That the home missions boards of the interested denominations render all possible aid in selecting and supporting resident pastors of special training and fitness for the rural fields in certain strategic centers of the county, as may be recommended by the permanent council. 6. That this conference appoint a permanent county council. 7. That the County Council be composed of two ministers and five laymen from each of the two Methodist districts, and a like number from each of the two other leading denominations, the Baptist's representation to be divided as they see fit. The other churches having more than two congregations to have one minister and two laymen, and those denom- 8 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY inations with but one or two churches shall have one representative. The council shall have power to add five additional members from the county at large. It is understood that this representation does not in- clude any one official representative, who by virtue of his office within his denomination has been designated as an official representative of that denomination on any Interchurch World Movement committee within this county. 8. That the County Council appoint, on the recommendation of the Inter- church World Movement, a permanent executive secretary whose duty it shall be under the direction of the council to aid in carrying into effect the programs and recommendations of this conference, and also to aid the various organizations working in the interest of the Sunday schools and young people's societies throughout the county. 9. That the salary and expenses of the executive secretary be referred to the County Council, with instruction to approach the churches of the county on the basis of the favorable action of this meeting, asking them to assume a portion of the budget, with the understanding that the Interchurch World Movement will assume a due share of the entire bud- get for one year for the sake of an experimentation on a county demon- stration. 10. That there be as far as denominational problems permit a simultaneous financial appeal based upon a comprehensive budget of each church, and within this budget be included not only adequate support of all community and church endeavors, but also a minimum annual salary for all ministers of not less than $1,200 with parsonages, to the end that our pastors may be free from worldly cares and avocations. It was voted that nothing shall be included in the constitution and by-laws of the Interchurch World Movement Committee for Susquehanna County contrary to the denominational standards and convictions of any church. At the evening session of the conference, which was held in the First Presbyterian Church, an address was made by Dr. H. Paul Douglas of the Industrial Relations Department of the Interchurch World Movement on "The Surveys of Seasonal Labor," and one on "Christian Community Spirit" by Dr. Rolvix Harlan, secretary of social service and rural community work under the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and the evening program was concluded by an illustrated lecture on the rural church. There was an attendance of 225. The Saturday morning session of the conference opened with devotional services led by Rev. W. J. Houston, and the following persons were nomi- nated and elected members of the County Council: Rev. W. B. Wilcox New Milford Rev. W. E. Elwood Great Bend Rev. F. L. Paige Franklin Forks -r^,. Rev. M. Fletcher Jackson tvi ^i. ?P^ C. F. Whitney Jackson Methodists S. B. McCain • Rush tt,- •□ i. F. H. Tayloe Montrose l^ve Pastors E. T. COEFIELD Montrose ^®" Laymen Miss Clara Winans Montrose W. J. Cronk Dimock SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY Rev. p. a. Alden Rev. Robert Graham P. J. Gere J. 0. Harrington George Pickett Prof. H. L. Hess Rev. T. C. Harwood Rev. W. J. Houston A. E. PiNN Hugh Jones Benjamin Morris Mrs. E. W. Lott Rev (To be appointed) Hon. E. E. Jones Ollie Jones Rev. Wallace Martin Charles W. Ainey Mrs. Lawrence Thompson Rev. R. S. Kellerman Wade H. Barnes Miss Elma Goodrich Montrose Hallstead New Milford Montrose Rushville Montrose Birchardville Dimock Clifiord Montrose New Milford Springville Harford Harford CliSord Montrose New Milford Montrose Hopbottom Brooklyn Kingsley Montrose B. H. Engle (Farm Bureau) Pour vacancies to be fiUed by Council. Six Presbyterians Two Pastors Pour Laymen Six Baptists Two Pastors Pour Laymen Three Congregationalists One Pastor Two Laymen Three Episcopalians One Pastor Two Laymen Universalis ts One Pastor Two Laymen Five Members At Large The townships of Brooklyn, South Montrose and Harford were dis- cussed, and suggestions were given as to how conditions could be improved in the churches. It was voted that the matter of South Montrose, with statement presented by delegate of South Montrose, be referred to the County Council to take such steps as are necessary to bring about some solution of the problem. It was voted that we refer the Brooklyn matter and other propositions which may necessarily be involved, to the County Council, advising that they try to work out a plan to present to the church authorities who will ultimately have to do with the settlement. It was voted that the County Council itself be allowed to fill vacancies in the County Council. There were 109 registered at the conference as follows: Denominational State Officials Denominational National Officials Interchurch National Headquarters . Interchurch State Headquarters . . State Officials: Agricultural College Sunday School Rural Superintendent . Representatives of the County 6 2 7 5 1 1 87 10 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY Of the 109 registrations, 44 represented accredited delegates, their denominational affiliations being as follows: Presbyterians 11 Congregationalists 2 Methodists 14 Episcopalians 10 Baptists 6 Univ. Lutherans 1 The morning session of the conference" closed at 12.15 and the members again assembled in the afternoon, Mr. Cope acting as temporary chairman. It was voted that Mr. Cope be made temporary Governor of the County Council, with power to call an early meeting and under the leadership of Dr. Warren H. Wilson the conference devoted the remainder of its session to consideration of what territories in the county should be set aside as strategic centers to be promoted by various denominations. Auburn town- ship section was selected as a field for work by the Methodist church. Dimock and the western parts of Clifford townships , as fields fitted for the efforts of the Baptist Church and Harford township for the Presbyterian Church. _^^^ A full understanding was attained that without the consent of the different church congregations in the territories named no recommendation should be made by the council to the various denominational administrative boards for financial a:nd other aid in such denominational fields, and the conference adjourned at 4 P.M. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 11 COMFORT LAKe CHAPTER I Topography SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY lies in the northern tier of counties in Penn- sylvania, well toward the east. It is bounded on the north by Broome County (New York State) on the east by Wayne County, on the south by Luzerne and Wyoming counties, and on the west by Bradford County. Susquehanna County is about B3H miles long and 24 J^ miles wide, contain- ing approximately 824 square miles. The north branch of the Susquehanna river, from which the county derives its name, enters the state from New York and after meandering some twelve miles westward, makes a great bend by passing from Great Bend Township back into the State of New York. This northern branch of the river drains the waters of the whole county. The Starrucca, Canawacta and Drinkers Creek empties into the river near the northeast corner of the county; the Salt Lick and Snake creeks in the north, and the Choconut and Apolaeon, in the northwest, also join the Susquehanna, Wyalusing Creek and its branches drain most of the western part, the Tuscarora and Meshoppen, with their branches, drain the southwest; Hortons, Hopbottom and Martin's creeks flow south into the Tunkhannock, which drains much of the southeastern part of the county. The extreme east is drained by the Lackawanna river. Montrose, the county seat, is the watershed and is 2,000 feet above the sea. It touches a radius of eight miles and is perhaps the town of largest influence. The people ascend the valleys to transact their legal affairs 12 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY and attend to the political duties of the county. The topography prevents any one town within the county from becoming a large shopping center so that towns, villages and small neighborhoods have each become a center by themselves. The northwestern and eastern parts of the county are alienated from the general interest by their geographical arrangement. Some of the larger of the numerous beautiful lakes and ponds of the county have summer colonies clustered around their shores. Crystal, Silver and Quaker lakes are the most prominent and people come there from Bing- hamton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and even New York and Philadelphia during the summer months. The climate is healthful but extreme, the altitude of from 800 to 2,800 feet, giving a dry, pure air. The thermometer ranges from 108 degrees F. in summer to 40 degrees below zero in winter. There is an average amount of rainfall and the snows are frequently heavy, delaying trains for hours, and making roads impassable. The summers are short, barely allowing the maturing of corn. The mountains and hills of the district make the surface of the county generally uneven, but in spite of the scarcity of level ground there is very little waste land. Most of the hills, and even their summits, can be cul- tivated for grain or grass. The land as a whole is considered adapted best to the raising of grains, grazing, and especially dairying. The system of silos, splendid grass and abundant water has made possible some really excellent dairy centers. The mountains, conspicuous for their elevation, in the county are the North Peak and the South Peak of the Elk Mountains, and the views from their summits are truly magnificent. A panorama lies spread out — wooded hills, cultivated fields, peaceful meadows with their feeding cattle, and clus- tered here and there the white farmhouses with a church spire in their midst. Population The Congregational and Universalist churches are the survivals of the period of the New England migration into Susquehanna County about 1787-1820. One little village bears the name of Friendsville and on its out- skirts still stands, though idle, the Quaker church as a silent reminder of the quiet s^^rong men and women who laid the foundations for the progress of the county. The Irish settlers came in 1840, as workers in the tanning and lumber industries and laborers on the new railroads constructed during that period. This migration was from southern Ireland and gave the county its Roman Catholic population, which now practically covers four townships and has a good representation in the towns. As the industries failed, these men grad- ually bought up farms and many of them today are among Susquehanna's most prosperous farmers and business men. There are two small Welsh settlements, but they are thoroughly Americanized and well supplied with good churches. These groups comprise the population of the county, and the scattered foreign element is too small to form any problem. The two cities of Susque- hanna and Forest City are not included within the scope of the survey, but have their distinct foreign population and should be made the subject of in- tensive study by the churches of these communities. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 13 WILMAKTH DAIRY FARM AT HARFORD. ONE OF THE BEST The population of the county in 1900 was 40,043 and in 1910 it had de- creased to 37,746. The villages and towns show an increase of six per cent, while the rural population shows a decrease of 15 per cent and again from 1910 to 1919 the rural population decreased seven per cent. Nine townships in the northwest corner are almost wholly responsible for this loss. The 1910 census gives an average of 45^4o persons to the square mile, including the towns and cities, while the rural population averages 24 people to the square mile. The total male population is 19,448 and the female is 18,298. Natural Resources At one time lumbering was the great industry of the county but the few remaining forests are now in the hands of the "spoilers." In the town- ships removed from the railroads there is much second growth timber which is sold in the stump for mine props. Many times the buyer, after taking off the lumber, sells the land as farm land for its initial cost. In other instances, after the lumber is removed, the land is of no value. Hundreds of acres of such ground can be bought for a song. A coal deposit is in the southeastern corner and about this industry has grown up Forest City, with a population of 5,749. Building stone was once quarried but cement is superseding the flagstone so this industry is about killed. In the Apolacon hills the farmers, at one time, dug and pre- pared considerable lime for their fields. There is some talk of forming a company for digging the lime, but nothing has been done at present. 14 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY cow STALLS AT THE WILMARTH DAIRY FARM This is one of the best all around dairy counties in the state. As a rule the farms are of fair size, the average being about one hundred and fifty acres. In 1910 the sizes of the farms were as follows: Size in Acres Under 3 Acres 10- 19 20- 49 50- 99 100-174 175-259 260-499 500-999 1000-Over Number of Farms S 224 422 1235 1477 519 177 14 2 The farms, judging by the number reported, are increasing in size. Observation leads one to believe that where people move to the city, their farm is soon bought by the neighbors. The figures are as follows: Year 1900 1910 1918 Number of Farms 4675 4239 3648 The county has 3,648 farms, eighty-three per cent, of which are cul- tivated by their owners. The average value of good farm land is $35 per SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 15 GRANGE HALL. SOUTH MONTROSE acre. The total value of farm land in the county is $12,494,177, based on the returned valuation. The soils are a red shale and clayish loam in the hills, and fertile deposits in the creek bottom. The hills are quite stony and in many sections have been sold off. It is a difficult task to bring them back to their former value. It will take all the knowledge of the most up-to-date farming methods to redeem them. Much of- the farming is not on a business basis. The state and national governments are doing much to promote intelligent farming. The ministers could materially aid the county by cooperating with these agencies to spread modern farming ideas. This is not a "beef cattle" county, although some of the poorer cows are sold to nearby markets as beef cattle. Hogs are raised in small quantities but are used on the farms. Poultry and eggs are shipped in great numbers to Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Splendid apples can be grown, but almost without exception the orchards are allowed to run down. Most of the apples are sold for cider, the price ranging be- tween twenty-five and sixty cents per bushel. Honey and maple syrup are sold, but not in commercial quantities. Social Life and Organization Except in the more isolated and backward regions, there is no lack of social opportunities. The grange and the lodge bring their members to- gether at stated periods; the church members chat with their more distant neighbors after the morning service. There are neighborhood affairs, the circus, the movies, the regular visiting of friends on Sunday— all of which con- 16 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY tribute to the social side of life. It is not the lack of social activities that calls for attention; it is a constructive, helpful and recreational direction of these activities that is needed. Glance again at the above list of social affairs; the grange — its members are the farmers and their wives; the lodge— its candidates must be seventeen, usually twenty-one years of age; the church — its so-called "young people s societies" are really conducted by and for people of middle age. These af- fairs offer social time for the older people, but what about the younger ones, the young people who love games, music, song, laughter and action. The young people, the future farm owners, are they going to stay in a place where no thought is given to their amusement, to natural recreational in- stincts? Here is the sad failure on the part of the community leadership to provide suitable enjoyments for the boys and girls. All over the United States young folks have migrated to the city to such an extent that the new slogan "back to the farm" has become necessary. The first desire to leave the farm comes because the boy or girl thinks the country is "slow." This failure of the community to provide for the young people is shown by the following instance. A certain village built a grange hall for the sole purpose of holding grange meetings. The building was wholly unfitted to the needs of the community at large. A splendid set of young men and women needed a place for indoor games and sports during the five long winter months. No plans for such a need were considered in building the grange and a great opportunity was lost. Here this hall stands closed and useless, opened only for an average of one night in two weeks and per- haps for an occasional ice cream social. Thus a great selfishness is displayed by the fathers and mothers in this respect. For themselves they have established the grange, lodges of many kinds: Masons, Odd Fellows, Red Men, the Rebeccas — some ninety-five in all. Even the 120 churches are run on a basis for the mature man. Ex- cluding the efforts of a bare half dozen Sunday schools and three Boy Scout organizations nothing is done for the social welfare of the boys and girls under twenty-one years of age. These churches have nearly half a million dollars invested in property; the lodges have about $150,000 in their build- ings and equipment. Yet — were a County Y. M. C. A. in the interest of young people proposed to these organizations they would sit passively by fold their hands and say, "It can't be done," "We don't believe in it." No one doubts that a county agent does a splendid work in developing farms and farm crops. Is it not an equally necessary work to develop Susquehanna County farm boys and girls? The lodge organizations mentioned are as numerous and have as great a membership as the churches, yet they are in no way more prosperous. The bulk of their membership includes either members of the church or sympathizers with it, so that there is no competition or friction, except in isolated instances. 'The lodge programs are filled with business of their body and very rarely touch on outside matters. The grange programs are often profitable affairs combining social times with valuable discussions of general interest to the farm and home. Some school socials are given to raise money for a needed equipment of the school, but this phase of social activity is very insignificant. Again, the church "falls down" on a great opportunity, for 90 per cent, of church SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 17 "^^ COMMUNITY BUILDING, ERECTED A. D. 1843. MONTROSE social affairs are held for money making purposes. If the rural church would only see its opportunity for service in this respect! A few annual events enliven the inhabitants. Perhaps six of the towns hold Memorial Day exercises to which people come from miles around. The Torrey Bible Conference at Montrose and the Dimock Camp Meeting last ten days. There are three fairs held in the county each year, numerous sales when whole neighborhoods turn out; and the traveling circus, chautau- quas, and lyceum courses add to the social life and knowledge of the villagers and farmer folk. As is always the case in any new uplifting movement, the initiative is taken by the more public spirited people. Hence in these few community affairs it is the forward looking ministers, physicians, teachers, farmers and business men who start things going. This progressive element, however, is so largely outnumbered by the conservatives that it is a struggle to maintain enthusiasm. Occasionally some one has broken through the general inertia and become a real benefit to the community. The people are looking for leadership which will reorganize society and lift them from the rut into which they have fallen. Where could the church find a more ideal opportunity for service? Some Incidental Items About Susquehanna Farm Activities There are 3,648 farms in the county, 2,800 of which are free from debt. While the number of farms show a decrease of about 20 per cent, the farm products have increased 100 per cent, in valuation and about 40 per cent. 18 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY GATHERING VEAL FOR MARKET in quantity. There are 32,290 cows producing twelve million gallons of milk, and the milk products are valued at more than three million dollars. There are 14,000 head of cattle sold each year, with total receipts of $675,- 000. The average increased production of cattle in fifteen years amounts to at least 2,000 pounds. The average value of grade cattle in 1910 was $50 per head, in 1918 $100 per head; 20,000 calves sold at $7.50 per head in 1910 and in 1918 35,000 sold at $15 per head. Susquehanna County ranks third in the state in dairy products, and highest in cattle production. In 1918 the production of swine was 15,500 and the production of sheep amounted to 15,568. In 1900, 25,000 sheep were sold at the rate of $4 per head and in 1918 6,000 were sold at $20 per head. The following table shows that the prices of all products have more than doubled. Prices 1911 Eggs 17 cents Fowls 14 " Butter 27 " Veal Calves 7^" Hay $12-16 1919 46 cents 30 " 50 " 17 " $16-32 Though the cost of production has also increased, the increased prices have meant prosperity to the intelligent farmer, who has enlarged his out- put by using skilful and up-to-date methods. The farmers in the north- SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 19 PIGS AND CHICKENS GOING TO MARKET western and northeastern part of the county, however, barely make a living from their farms. Some twelve townships in this section are greatly depopulated, the farms have been drained of their fertility and the timber once so common has all been sold by the past generations. This poverty of land, together with the lack of social life, is largely responsible for the drift of the people to the cities. Farms of 150 acres can be bought for as little as $600, while the same farm nearer the railroad, with skilful handling, would bring many times that much. In the central, southern and eastern parts, where the road and rail- road facilities are better, all farming is on the up-grade. In these districts there are several certified milk plants with the most up-to-date equipment — well-planned buildings, concrete floors and walks, running water, electric lights, etc.-^and the buildings of the individual farmers maintain the same standard. The marketing facilities for all crops are good. There are twenty-nine creameries and milk stations scattered throughout the county. The milk receiving stations are on the railroads, while the creameries are in the back townships, so located because of the long haul to the railroad markets. These cooperative creameries are about thirteen in number and have an average capitalization of $3,000. Stock is either issued on a cattle basis or the farmers buy shares. A manager is employed to run the plant and a secretary, elected annually by the stockholders, keeps all the accounts of the company. At the regular monthly meeting each man is paid his share of the profits according to the amount of milk delivered to the plant. As a rule the milk 20 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY COUNTRY LIVERY STABLE — SATURDAY AFTERNOON receiving plants are not run on this cooperative basis, but are leased to milk companies who operate them as individual corporations. The live stock market is not so well organized, as there are a number of competitive buyers, picking up wornout dairy cows and young stock for the Jewish and foreign markets at Seranton and Wilkes-Barre. Other buyers purchase milch cows. These men represent certified dairy men from North Jersey or those nearby districts who do not raise their own stock. The demand for good cows is very keen and prices are governed by supply and demand. The store keepers take the egg and poultry products in trade, having regular markets for them and allowing their customers the same price as the New York markets. The county has a production of 210,000 hens and about 1,275,000 eggs, the value of the product being $446,000. A strike which lasted several weeks ended by giving the farmers, through the Dairymen's League, the right to adjust the price of their milk in con- ference with the milk dealers. This was a great victory for the farmers and began a period of prosperity. Another of the farmer's dreams which bids fair to be realized is the Susquehanna County Cooperative Exchange. This is an organization for the purpose of purchasing and distributing farm sup- plies (especially feed) ; and engaging in any activities that may aid the farm- ers in a cooperative way. It is capitalized at $25,000 and divided into 1,000 shares at $25 a share. No member can hold more than four shares. The pompany is directed by a board of seven men, one elected from each of the SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 21 seven districts of the county at the annual meeting. The stock has already been mostly subscribed and the exchange is doing business. A little buying has' been done through the grange but has proved unsat- isfactory, due to the lack of an experienced buyer and paid manager. There is a good deal of group buying of lime, fertilizer, feed, coal, etc., in carloads, to the satisfaction and profit of the farmers. The present lack of help has made greater strides toward cooperative spirit than any amount of suggestions could ever do. Lacking help, the farmers cooperate with their haying, silo filling, threshing, etc. From this has grown the clubbing together for transporting milk to the depots. The price of farm labor has also been so greatly increased because of prices paid in the factories that $2.50 to $4 a day, with meals, is now the prevalent figure. The Susquehanna County National Farm Loan Association of Montrose, organized under the Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916, has made forty loans up to the present time, aggregating some $80,000, and about thirty-five are pending. The purpose of this association is to provide a system of obtain- ing money upon first mortgages for the farmers at a low rate of interest (5} 2 per cent.) for a long term of years, with easy terms of payment. The Farm Bureau was organized in 1916. It was made possible by federal appropriation through the State College and appropriation by the County Commissioners, combined with the encouragement and assistance of progressive farmers. The bureau has been a large factor in the better handling of farm lands, increasing crops and milk production, with an em- phasis on grade and thoroughbred cattle. The church leadership can do much in encouraging its people to take part in the activities of the bureau which endeavors to react on all the neighborhood. The following list is an outUne of a year's work of the bureau, but does not do justice to its manifold duties and activities: Cow Testing Associations Bull Associations 1. Great Bend — New Milford 1. Dimock — Brooklyn 2. South Gibson 2. South Gibson 3. Brooklyn 3. Brooklyn— Thompson 4. Montrose— Franklin Forks 4. Meshoppen— New Milford 5. Auburn 5. Welch Hill 6. Springville The above includes 21 bulls, average value $1,000. Corn Variety Tests Lime Fertilizer Demonstrations 1. Retta Church 1. Montrose 2. Montrose 2. Harford 3. Glen wood 4. Harford Pig Club. Jackson 30Y Bean Variety Te.st Calf Club. Harford J. Glenwood 22 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY INACTIVE MEMBERS AUTOMOBILING ON SUNDAY CHAPTER II Churches STRICTLY rural, Susquehanna County places before us the typical church and country life problems. The area surveyed is 824 square miles, excluding Susquehanna and Forest City, which are mainly of the industrial type. One hundred and twenty church organizations — includ- ing nine Roman Catholic — are found. Thus the average area of a church parish is seven square miles — one church to every 252 people, men, women and children. The location of the churches in relation to their parishioners is best explained by the following table: 61% of the membership live within one mile of the church. 29 % of the membership live more than one and less than two miles from the church. 10% of the membership live more than two miles from the church. A clearer view of the situation might be gained by a grouping into com- munities: 16 communities have two churches. 4 communities have 3 churches. 1 community has 5 churches. 1 community has 7 churches. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 23 RURAL CHtmCH, SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CONGREGATION The remaining sixty-four churches are scattered promiscuously, being anywhere from one and one-half to six miles apart. This leaves wide mar- gins of territory where the people lack proper religious oversight and guid- ance. Contrast this with a section congested to the extent of "religious stagnation." A notable instance of this stagnation is at Dundaff, where a population of 150 has three churches. Seldom does the membership include any one beyond the actual limits of this village. There the three churches exist from year to year, each eyeing the other; each hoping the other will die; each longing for the day when it will be the sole survivor. Strange to relate, the population was the same when the three churches were built, although the area covered could not keep more than one in a prosperous, healthy con- dition. The pulpits are supplied by non-resident ministers, who openly deplore the situation. Yet they continue to merely preach and return home, making no attempt to better the situation. Authorities claim that with fair road conditions in a prosperous com- munity, one church can minister adequately to a rural parish of 500 people. With this in mind, glance at the table of township divisions: 5 townships with less than 150 population to the church. 5 townships with less than 200 population to the church. 5 townships with less than 250 population to the church. 4 townships with less than 300 population to the church. 3 townships with less than 350 population to the church. 24 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY UNION CHURCH. SOUTH MONTROSE 3 townships with less than 400 population to the church. 1 township with less than 450 population to the church. 1 township with less than 500 population to the church. One township in 27 that approaches the 500 population! These rural communities now have better roads; the automobile is fast replacing the slower means of transportation; former distances are reduced to a minimum; and yet the church reaches out no farther than in the old days of slow travel and uncertain roads. Behold the great opportunity for readjustment, combination and elimination. The apportionment of pastors is just as uneven and prodigal. One town of 1,900 population has six ministers (including Catholic and colored), and another of 200 population has two ministers. In contrast to these there is one entire community of 300 without a single pastor. There are: 7 communities with 2 ministers each. 1 community with 3 ministers each. 1 community with 5 ministers each. 11 communities with 1 minister each. While an immediate remedy cannot be offered in all cases, there are at least three instances where ministers could be transferred. A general read- justing would naturally give better satisfaction and tend toward greater progress. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 25 Excepting Susquehanna and Forest City, which have been mentioned before and are not included in this survey, the foreign population is small and represents no special problem at this time. The few scattered throughout the county are cared for by the nine Catholic churches. These came into exis- tence because of the influx of great numbers of Irish laborers who built the several railroads and worked in the timber camps, saw mills and acid fac- tories of forty years ago. They predominate in the western and north western sections, where there are four townships with only one struggling Protestant church. The only negro church is at the county seat. It serves a colored popula- tion of ninety persons and needs the encouragement and support of its white neighbors. From the threefold standpoint of geography, population and pastoral service, it is evident that Susquehanna County needs a thorough overhaul- ing. Not until this is done can its churches and ministers become a real, vital, effective force in the lives of its people. Physical Equipment All but six of the 111 Protestant churches in the county are frame build- ings. The majority of these were built when Sunday services were the prin- cipal features of the week and when the country-side as a whole went to church. The buildings are large, the average seating capacity being 250. Note the average attendance hereafter mentioned (57) and it can readily be seen that no Susquehanna County church member ever needs to stay at home because of "standing room only." Records show that 70 per cent, of the churches were built over thirty years ago, the majority even dating back over fifty years. As the Sunday schools and young people's societies grow in importance, some of the churches are endeavoring to keep pace by building either an annex or a basement suit- able to the increasing social activities. Where this has not been done, grange halls, lodge rooms, and school buildings are being used by the churches for suppers and other social gatherings. Of the churches reporting, there are: 66 — 1-room churches — auditorium. 15 — 2-room churches — auditorium and Sunday school. 10 — 3-room churches — auditorium, Sunday school and kitchen. 6 — 4-room churches — auditorium, Sunday school, kitchen and dining room and parlor. 4_5.room churches— auditorium, Sunday school, kitchen and dining room and parlor. 2 — 6-room churches — auditorium and Sunday school. The general conditions of church buildings and parsonages is quite credit- able, the majority being well painted and cared for. The yards and horse sheds show lack of oversight. Seventy-five per cent, of the churches have horse sheds but the sheds are allowed to tumble down and become unsightly. These are much needed even since the advent of the automobile and should be maintained. 26 SUSQUEHANNA. COUNTY SURVEY The valuation records follow: No. OF MeMBERSIIU' Value ok Parsonages Denomination i Churches igop 1919 Churches No. Value Methodist Episcopal 65 2675 2800 $163,600 22 $37,750 M. E. (Colored) 1 ■ No figures given 800 Meth. Protestant 2 58 5 5,000 Free Methodist 2 28 38 1,800 Baptist 19 1,180 1,279 82,000 10 16,700 Free Baptist 1 60 71 2,500 1 2,000 Presbyterian 10 860 781 74,000 7 14,300 Episcopal 5 233 219 38,000 3 7,000 Congregational 4 345 378 38,000 3 8,000 Universalist 4 138 100 17,500 2 3,400 Union 2 53 52 1,500 Christian Alliance (new) 1 23 2,500 No church buildings 4 Meetings in school house 1 Total 111 5,630 *5,741 422,200 48 $89,150 *Note — Membership figures are for comparison only. Several churches failed to give figures for both 1909 and 1919, and figures have been used only where comparisons could be made. The Methodist Episcopal churches at Craig Hill and East Lynn, Union church at Burnwood and Free Methodist at Uniondale have no buildings of their own. The Baptist congregation at Melrose meets in the school- house. Conversely, the Presbyterian church at Ararat has disorganized and leaves vacant a building valued at $1,000; the Universalist church at Gibson, having a building valued at $2,000 is "dead." Also, the Metho- dist Episcopal churches at Brookdale and Lanesville, possessing buildings valued at $1,200 and $5,000 respectively, are reported "dead." The parsonages are usually in good condition and average up well with the other homes in the community. Usually the pastor has a fair-sized garden plot which adds materially to his gross income. In only one instance has the church attempted to solve the county prob- lem with adequate equipment. This church lacks proper Sunday school facilities, although it has a parsonage with all modern conveniences, a farm and seven acres of land. It boasts of a community building, containing rooms for lectures, religious services and social activities of all kinds, with a three-acre athletic field for out-door exercise and athletic events. It is self-evident that a church with such facilities has the opportunity of leading its community to a better physical, spiritual and moral condition. Membership The total enrolment in churches of the county (93 churches reporting) is 8,937. The net active membership in Protestant churches is 3,786; in Catholic 2,135. Since the population of the district surveyed is 28,190 it means that only about 20 per cent, of the countryside are in working agree- ment with the Protestant churches. In other words, 80 per cent, of the people take no interest in the church, even including the Sunday school SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 27 COMMUNITY HOUSE CLUB ROOM enrolment referred to in succeeding pages. It means that 37 per cent, of the people manifest no interest in religious aflfairs. A further classification of membership reveals: 31% of members are males over 21 years of age. 8% of members are males under 21 years of age. 52% of members are females over 21 years of age. 9% of melnbers are females under 21 years of age. Of the male members, 56 per cent, are farm owners and business men and the remainder (44 per cent.) are tenants, laborers, etc. Generally speaking, the tenant is a son or a relative who will eventually inherit the farm, or an ambitious young man who plans to own it in the future. These tenants are, therefore, interested in the progress of the community and the church has no problem in reaching them. There are a few large farms where the hired help is completely out of touch with any form of church life. The Evangelistic Return of the Year's Work in 86 Churches of Susquehanna County Total Gain Total Loss Net Gain Letter Confession 100 155 203 52 This means that the loss of membership surpasses by 48 the number brought into the church by confession; or the loss exceeds the confessional gain by 23 per cent. At this rate, religion can never be a live proposition. 28 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY Status op Churches in Ten Ye.4rs' Time Churches with Membership of 1 to 25 26 to 50 51 to 100 100 up In summing up the gaining — 49% losing- NUMBER Gaining 5 or 17% 10or34J^% 16 or 66% 6 or 43% Number Losing 22 or 76% 12 or 40% 6 or 25% 7 or 50% Number Stationary 2 or 7% 7or25J^% 2 or 9% 1 or 7% churches as a whole, the situation stands 38H% -12J^% stationary. Membership op Churches Members NxmBER Percentage Less than 25 29 30 Less than 50 29 30 Less than 100 24 25 More than 100 14 15 The above statistics shows that 60 per cent, of the churches have a membership less than 50 and that of the churches of that type, only 19 per cent, are gaining, 64 per cent, are losing and 17 per cent, are stationary. In many instances churches are small because of denominational division; also because of over-churching by the same denomination. Financial Accuracy and system in church records are almost unknown. Many churches keep no records at all; others have lost the previous records; and some others are in the hands of pastors who no longer serve that con- gregation. In some instances financial transactions are handled by many different persons, dividing responsibility so that no one can really give the data desired. Furthermore, the records available present such a confused and tangled problem that a trained accountant is needed to straighten out and balance them properly. The methods of raising money are just as unsystematized. Only 27 per cent, of the churches use the budget system and envelopes for financial support. The rest depend upon collections, subscription papers, socials, etc., for their necessary current expenses. Only 17 per cent, use the envel- ope system for missionary offerings. Of the 92 churches reporting, the total expenses for the past year were $58,970.71. This amount was used as follows: Salaries paid — ^raised locally by budget — $39,227.00. Paid out for foreign, home and other missions — $6,920.03. Other contingent expenses — $12,823.68. In other words, $52,050.68 was spent for actual parish needs, while only $6,920,03 was given to missions, both home and abroad. Thus 87 per cent, was spent locally, and only 13 per cent, for missions. Expressed in terms of the individual: The average member contributed for church expenses — $7.65. The average member contributed for missions — $1.02. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 29 FREE METHODIST CHAPEL (AFTER THE SERVICE). MELROSE Again the need of system and organization! A glance at the illustra- tion given below shows clearly the tangible results to be obtained through the use of a system. Twelve of the ninety-two churches reporting have a well defined program for raising money with the following results: Church Expenses Missions per Member Total Well organized churches Churches with no budget system $1.52 $8.29 7.333^ $9.81 8.10 A little application of system means greater efficiency, more willing work- ers, more missionaries, and extra money for the social times so sadly needed in the rural communities. A feeling of self respect is produced by a work well done, in addition to the things actually accompHshed. The churches give about $9,000 to missions each year. The mission boards of the respective denominations put $2,710 into mission aid churches. Eleven of the twenty-two thus aided compete with other churches. Money is spent uselessly in helping struggling congregations, when, by a little combination and cooperation, flourishing churches could exist with no outside aid. In eight years' time there has been expended upon these churches $26,600 and many are worse off now than at the beginning of the period. 30 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY TWO CHURCHES. POPULATION, 300 One good feature of the financial side of the churches is that for several years the salary of the pastor has gradually been Increased until now the average salary is $815 and parsonage, which is a fair living wage for this locality. In summing up the county financial system, it seems apparent that the haphazard methods of raising money, and the inaccurate records of the mon- eys collected, prove the greatest drawbacks to extending the influence of the church in the community. CHukcH Meetings Church meetings and attendance are the outward visible signs of suc- cess and influence. Therefore at least one service every Sunday is essential. The regular program of the churches surveyed consists of doxology, invoca- tion, hymn, reading, prayer, hymn, collection, services, hymns and bene- diction. A few of the churches of the county have meetings more or less irregularly but the majority (ninety-two) report as follows: 16 churches have 2 services on Sunday. 43 churches have 1 service on Sunday. 33 churches have services once every two weeks. Totaling the attendance at these services, 5,238 people are in church at least once on the Sabbath. This gives an average attendance per session SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 31 S^ Divided according to sessions, morning attendance is 56, afternoon 24, and evening 37. Thirty-two churches conflict in their services. This IS natural and unharmful in towns of fair size, but much could be ac- cornphshed m the smaller communities by merely rearranging the time SCll6ClLli6S> Only twelve of the churches make any attempt to introduce special features. Those used are stereopticon, illustrated or children's sermons, special sermon topics, evangelistic or missionary programs and chalk talks. National holidays — Thanksgiving and Christmas in particular — bring the competing churches together. Occasionally they unite during Commence- ment week or hold union young people's, temperance and evangelistic meetings. Twenty-six churches report evangelistic services, varying in duration from one week to thirty-one days. Converts are reported in many instances, but very few, however, are added to the church rolls. A total result of eighty-six converts is little over half of all the members added through con- fession. Prayer meetings are weak. Judging from attendance they are unsuc- cessful institutions, as an average gathering of fifteen does not show either interest or enthusiasm. Only about one-third of the churches even attempt to have such meetings. Generally speaking the churches with resident pas- tors hold mid-week services. The minister is the rock to which they all cling and the success of the meetings depends on his ability. Where able leaders are present, satisfactory meetings could be held without a resident pastor. Leadership, interest and cooperation are the essential factors. With these prevalent the mid-week evening of prayer will become a stim- ulating religious service. Church Program The county churches need inspiration for social activities. Not one per cent, of the total number hold free socials. One dramatic club and choral club and three Boy Scout groups, are not a sufficient showing for a county of 111 churches. The necessity of "young blood" in young people's societies and Sunday schools has been discussed in preceding paragraphs. Lack of organization is most deplorable. When the various war campaigns were placed before the country, patriotic spirit and willingness to give made success possible; but it was concentrated, systematized effort that carried them " over the top." The churches of Susquehanna County have mission- ary spirit as is evidenced by societies and collections, but only three of them support a definite work or worker. When the East Indian missionary awaits returns from the American churches, he might well say, "what is every one's business is nobody's business." There are no regular organized charitable committees. Prominent Christian men and women help in time of sickness and need, but the church program includes no definite place for their services. Individual efforts cannot be made to equal a concentrated organization. Churches are public institutions. Yet Susquehanna County churches take no interest in civic development and improvement. In the county seat with its six ministers, a group of people — mostly church members — 32 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. BROOKLYN attempted the erection of a community building. Through six months of endeavor not a single church as a body endorsed the movement. Instead of either stating their objection to the project or being one of the factors to lead it to success, they simply maintained an attitude of passive indifference. Sunday Schools It is impossible to overstress the importance of making the Sunday school a vital factor of church life; and in Susquehanna County this vitality is sadly lacking. The total enrolment of Sunday school pupils for the county is 4,616. A comparison with public school statistics shows the relative importance of religious and public school education; 5,625 pupils are enrolled in the public schools of the county and 2,226 of school age in the Sunday schools. The average attendance in the public schools is 86 per cent. For five days of the week 4,838 attend the pubhc school six hours daily. The average attendance of 'the Sunday school is 53 per cent., or 1,180 scholars attend the Sunday school one hour one day out of each week. In one of the communities out of 195 children, 59 are enrolled in the Sun- day school, with an average attendance of 39. Only 39 out of the 195 receive Christian education at the rate of thirty minutes each week. 150 never attend a Sunday school. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 33 There are in all, 79 Sunday schools connected with the 111 churches of the county. 16 having from 20 to 30 pupils 11 having from 30 to 40 pupils 8 having from 40 to 50 pupils 9 having from 50 to 60 pupils 11 having from 60 to 70 pupils 5 having from 70 to 80 pupils 4 having from 80 to 90 pupils 6 having from 90 to 100 pupils 9 having from 100 up The rate of attendance reaches 75 per cent, in the smaller schools but falls to 50 per cent, in the schools having over 100 pupils enrolled. The distressing lapse in attendance — and therefore interest — is due especially to the "ribbon contests" for membership and then the failure to hold the scholars gained. The equipment is totally inadequate in general. Most of the schools are conducted in a haphazard fashion. Fifty-one schools meet in buildings of one room, 20 in two rooms, 4 in three rooms and 4 in four rooms. In the few schools which can boast "special equipment" there are tables and chairs for the younger pupils, colored charts, maps and — in a very few — blocks, etc., for object lessons. Of the 79 schools, 69 give Sunday school papers and 34 are the possessor of libraries. The libraries, however, are not as advantageous as they may sound, as most of all the 5,139 volumes are obsolete and therefore largely unused. Thirty-seven schools hold annual picnics and fourteen have social times for the school as a whole. A total of 41 classes in 19 schools hold class socials. Sixty of the schools have missionary instruction and take offerings for this cause. In the matter of organization — 28 Sunday schools have 61 various de- partments organized; 17 home departments with 263 enrolled; 26 cradle rolls with a membership of 348; and 8 teachers' training classes, with an en- rolment of only 27. The important influence of the Sunday school is proved by the fact that the best rural church can claim its title to "best" because of its live Sunday school. Several years ago, finding a real necessity for Sunday school development, the Baraca class of the North Jackson Methodist Episcopal congregation built an addition to the church, the other departments supply- ing the equipment. The picture shows the attractive appearance the build- ing now presents. The new part on the left retains the style of the old part and a wide concrete platform extends across the front with two lamps which illuminate the grounds completely at night. The well kept horse sheds provide plenty of shelter for the horses, and the lawns are mowed and graded. The Sunday school itself is thoroughly organized. It has a cradle roll, home depart- ment, teachers' training class and other classes, using graded lessons for all. "The four rooms provided for classes are equipped with curtains, tables and chairs for the primary department, also charts and maps. Picnics and socials of the school as a whole produce a community feeling, and the smaller affairs 34 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. NORTH JACKSON of the different classes in the parents' homes create the more personal touch. This particular church is in the center of a rural parish, with the nearest home a quarter of a mile away. It has no resident pastor, yet it is filled each Sunday; and the Sunday school, with its enthusiasm and organization, is at the heart of its success. The State Sunday School Association is thoroughly organized in this county. It is largely under its inspiration that progress has been made in organized classes and departmental organizations. Practically all the Sunday schools are enrolled. The association has its grade roll, home, temperance, missionary and rural departments as well as teachers' training classes. Under the supervision of this body, the county is divided into six districts of about five townships each. The districts are in turn organized under groups of officers, who hold quarterly meetings in the interest of their Sunday schools. The organization is inter-denominational, having access to every church in the county, except Catholic. Many of the officers and committee members are volunteer workers and some of the best men in the county are interested in furthering the success of the movement. The organ- ization is hampered by lack of funds. A splendid service lies in persuading the churches to underwrite a budget for the year for this association. Thus a county worker could be secured. The school system includes a county superintendent of schools whose duty it is to improve school conditions. Why not a county superintendent of Sunday schools? He could do excellent work in furthering interest and enthusiasm, in increasing membership, and in retaining the loyalty of the present members. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 35 RURAL CIRCUIT RIDER MAKING A SIDEWALK CALL Other Organizations There are numerous other organizations in the church besides the Sun- day school. The Ladies' Aid is most popular in the county, claiming sixty societies. The function of this group is primarily to give aid to the church in the matter of financing repairs, ministers' salary and incidental extras. The necessary money is raised by church suppers and socials. An unfor- tunate result of this is that few entertainments are given without an admission being charged. Many people feel that a church would gain in self-respect if the financial budget were placed before the congregation in a business- like way. The social needs could then be supplied in another definite pro- gram. The Ladies' Aid is about the only organization that creates the social atmosphere so important in the development of the church. In the 104 churches reporting, there are some 15 Epworth Leagues, 11 Christian Endeavor Societies, 3 Boy Scout organizations and a miscella- neous group consisting of Queen Esther, Thimble Clubs, Willing Workers and King's Daughters. Few of these organizations are alive or constructive in their work. Y. P. S. C. E. means a society of Christian endeavor for young people. In a specific instance, one Christian Endeavor meeting of the county was led by a person of fifty years and not one in the meeting was younger than forty. This is reported to be a typical case. The average young person feels completely isolated and out of place in such a gathering. The church seems indifferent to the normal social instincts, which are so vital to the 36 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY younger people. They reciprocate by a corresponding lack of interest in church activities. Thus the organizations designated for young people cannot serve their original purpose. Ministers To any one who understands the difficulties of the situation in Susque- hanna County, the ministers who overcome these difficulties are beyond a doubt a devoted, heroic body of men. They are often underpaid — never over-paid. They have to cover large circuits and endure isolation, dirt roads, snow in winter, mud in spring and heat in summer. Besides the per- sonal hardships there are the many — and often unexpressed — mental suffer- ings that come from working with impoverished communities, with de- clining population and haphazard farming conditions. Most disheartening of all is an indifference to the church and its message. , Of the 51 county ministers, 4 are college trained; 10 have attended seminaries and 10 have had both college and seminary training; 21 have had some public school education; while no report was made of the remaining six; The only appreciable advantage of the college man over the non-college man is that he is more able to preach to educated audiences who demand a better quality of sermon. In the rural communities, the non-college pastor can often be of greater service than his more cultured brother. Two of the big drawbacks of the situation are the excessive number of churches whifch many of the pastors must serve, and the short duration of the pastorates. The average pastorate is about two and a half years and several of the churches have as many as six and eight ministers in ten years. The number of churches served in relation to the number of ministers is as follows: 13 pastors serve 1 church each 21 pastors serve 2 churches each 10 pastors serve 3 churches each 5 pastors serve 4 churches eacli 2 pastors serve 5 churches each Two are cared for regularly by students and three are supplied. Five of the ministers are engaged in side lines to augment their salaries — such as farming, school teaching, clerking and painting — and one superan- nuated preacher was brought back into the ministry to serve in a pastorless field. It is obvious, of course, to even a casual observer that when a min- ister's time is so divided amongst different groups and diverse interests, some of thern must suffer. One prime need in the church field is a readjust- ment that will enable the minister to do justice to his people, his calling and himself. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 37 CHAPTER III Roads and Religion IN THE minds of many the relation between roads and religion does not seem a very close one, and yet, when the churches answered the question "What conditions, if any, affect the regularity of attendance at service, " 85 per cent, of them stated that bad roads proved the greatest interference in their program of service. This has reference to the difficulty of traveling to church, but any one familiar with country life realizes the deadening influence that poor roads have upon every agency working for the advance- ment of a rural community. The church, the school, the agricultural agen- cies and the rural mail all suffer. Realizing the dangers of bad roads, many agencies are at work and the national government departments at Washington, and the good roads asso- ciations are lending their energies. Not so much, however, can be said for the church. In Europe, and in a few instances in this country, the church is a powerful factor in establishiijg public opinion on the vital phases of commu- nity life, but in Susquehanna County this is not the case. It is a most unfor- tunate situation, as the countryside is looking for leadership to direct it to the proper agencies for progress and the church should be at the head of the movement. The roads are especially bad in spring or in any prolonged rainfall and become practically impassable because of the mud. About 33 per cent. of the township roads are worked (crowned and ditched with a large road worker) in the spring and gone over in the summer, while many are not touched at all. Drains are sadly neglected, the smaller road drag should be used more frequently, more sluices placed, stones removed from the roads, and, in many cases, new grades made for the much traveled roads. Where there are no good roads or railroad connections, the country is poorly devel- oped. In eight of the townships lacking satisfactory means of communica- tion the population has decreased from 18 per cent, to 57 per cent., 34 per cent, of the farms being rented. The housing and living conditions are far below normal. Other conditions may be factors in this backwardness, but poor roads take the leading part. Wherever there is an attempt at better road conditions, every phase of life shows improvement, religious, economical, educational. An illustration of this is in the situation of Brooklyn and Lathrop townships, where a six mile stretch of macadam road was built on the "50-50" basis. Six years after the completion of this road there was a raise of from 25 per cent, to 50 per cent, in the real estate value, due to the greater accessibility to the mar- kets and the possibility of hauling heavier loads to and from the railroads. This road facilitates the consolidation of schools practised in Brooklyn and all gatherings of religious or social nature are more easily attended. These ad- vantages cost only the initial outlay as the maintenance is fully provided by the state. In Ararat township the attempt is made to utilize a simple crushed stone without a binder as a surfacer, on the original dirt bed. A stone crusher has been purchased and each year a little work is done on the worst stretches of road. It is claimed that, with fair drainage, spring finds these roads in traveling condition. The initial cost of this surfacing is $1,200 and the up- 38 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY keep varies as the percentage of grade so that no accurate figures are avail- able. _ The cost and the upkeep of this system seems too great to make it practical for the average township of the county, without outside help. Though the road situation is decidedly bad, it has been even worse in the past; it is only in the last ten years that any improvements have been shown. These have been partly due to the reorganization of the state highway department by the act of May 31, 1911, which also authorized a system of state highways to be constructed and maintained at the sole expense of the commonwealth. In Susquehanna County these highways have taken the form of improved dirt roads, well kept with good ditches, well crowned and frequently worked but, like all dirt roads, much deteriorated in spring and summer. The state is planning a two million dollar macadam road from Scranton to Binghamton on the old road bed of the D. L. and W. Railroad. The aforementioned act also provides for a system of "state aid" high- ways, one-half the construction to be paid for by the state, a fourth by the county and a fourth by the township. The state will maintain all such roads and collect from the township or borough in which the road is located 50 per cent, of the cost of upkeep. Of this type of macadam road there are fif- teen miles in operation, divided into stretches of one, six, three and five mil,es located in various parts of the county. The state highway department has a plan whereby each county shall receive its proportional amount of benefit when it is ready to meet the state on a "50-50" basis. The proposition of bonding the county for $500,000, the state to duplicate the amount, will be voted on in the next election. A sum thus secured would be used for a com- prehensive plan of good roads. The state, with its system of aid, has the general supervision of construc- tion and maintenance of all public highways, yet under law, the primary and original power of building and maintenance is vested in the borough of township supervisors. To aid these lesser divisions, the legislature in 1917 passed an act that provided that county commissions should aid such town- ships or boroughs, located within the county, in the construction of main trav- eled or trunk roads, when funds were not sufficient. This, however, has not been used by any county unit and the only thing approaching it is the erection of bridges by the county, when they were too costly for the township to construct. The same legislature passed an act creating a bureau of township high- ways. The supervisors report to this body, and, when approved, receive from the state 20 per cent, of all the money expended on the roads. This year $18,000 came into Susquehanna County for the improvement of town- ship roads. Beginning with June, 1920, this township road bill will be changed so that the state's money will be paid as a reward for permanent work done by the township. In the future, with increased appropriation, the townships anticipate building some really good stone or gravel roads. There are now 1,748 miles of township road, upon which $115,193 were ex- pended during 1918, averaging $66 to a mile. This, of course, shows some improvement in existing conditions, but a deplorable amount is still to be done. The supervisor cannot be held wholly responsible for conditions, as the insufficient funds and inadequate pay for this type of work are at the heart of the matter. The bulk of the burden falls on the township unit which raises $86,225 by direct taxation, while the state contributes the bonus of $18,000 (20 per cent, of the amount spent). The county maintains bridges to the extent SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 39 of $11,708, this being drawn from the general three mill tax assessed as a county tax. $40,000 is spent annually on the 194 miles of improved state highway for upkeep. The actual advance of taxation has not Icept pace with the advanced cost of labor and material and this constitutes one of the county's most serious financial problems. The definite drawbacks of this situation can be met by definite construc- tive remedies. An educational campaign should be carried on to convince the people of the value of good roads and to overcome the niggardly attitude toward the raising of funds for road improvement. A comprehensive scheme should be evolved, bringing the highway departments of state, county and township more closely together and making it possible for one department to use the expert workers of another. General direction and supervision should be centralized on a larger unit basis, thus avoiding the squandering of money by people who are too often untrained for their work. Township supervisors should have the power to delegate certain portions of road to farmers of the vicinity, who would drain their portion of road after heavy rains. They could be paid for this and work under a township supervisor. Membership should be solicited for the Susquehanna County Good Roads Association, which is a newly formed organization and is accomplishing a good deal in showing the importance of good roads. In furthering these aims the church should arouse itself to be a vital factor and should fulfill the leading role, which is its by right, in every social or economical movement. Other Means of Communication For difficult roads Susquehanna County cannot be surpassed. These have just been discussed and plans for their improvement advanced. The railroad situation is as follows: Touching the five eastern townships is the Erie Railroad, leased by the Delaware and Hudson, in the southeastern townships run the Ontario and Western, connecting with the outside markets, all of New Jersey and New York, Scranton, and Binghamton. The D. L. and W. Railroad runs to Buffalo through the center of the county. A short branch line extends from Alford to Montrose, the county seat, a dis- tance of ten miles. The Lehigh Valley runs from New York to Buffalo and has a branch line from Tunkhannock to Montrose. The Binghamton and Scranton trolley follows the D. L. and W. Railroad to Hopbottom, thence to Brooklyn and Montrose, the terminus. Thus the eastern part of the county is very well provided with lines of transportation, while the north- western section suffers from a lack of railroad facilities and is consequently the least advanced. Telephones are found in 85 per cent, of the farmhouses. In an estimate based on the maps issued by the Post-office department, 90 per cent, of the people are efficiently served by a few post-offices and rural routes. 40 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY HIGH SCHOOL AND BAPTIST CHURCH. DIMOCK CHAPTER IV Schools IN THE high school building at Dimock there is a simple tablet with these words: THIS BUILDING IS DEDICATED TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF DIMOCK TOWNSHIP FOR THEIR EDUCATION FOR SERVICE BY THE TRAINING OF MIND AND HAND AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER Thus rightly did the author of this inscription ascribe the true function of the school, for the school next to the church is the greatest institution in the land. The school trains boys and girls in the use of mind and hand and the function of the church is to touch this skill with Christian forces and compel these young people to use their lives and talents in service to their God and world. It is for this reason that the school situation of the county is touched upon in, this survey. The Susquehanna schools present the same old rural school problem. 1-37 little one-roomed rectangular buildings are tucked away anywhere; bleak, barren buildings on fields too rocky for farming purposes. Dilapi- SUSQUEHANNA. COUNTY SURVEY 41 TYPICALLY RUN-DOWN RURAL SCHOOL HOUSE dated and unpainted, without walks of any kind, without an attractive playground or any play apparatus, forty per cent, of the schools thus smother the young child's natural fondness for learning. The interiors of the buildings are in accord with the dull exteriors, drab walls, poor black- boards, cut and marred desks, rough floors, poor equipment — you can finish the picture. Ninety-two per cent, of the windows are located on the two opposite sides of the building, and a few have windows on the three sides. The seat- ing facilities are, as a rule, ample, but are composed of the double desk variety, being 85 per cent, of this kind. Of these buildings 66 per cent, are heated by unjacketed stoves and 31 per cent, by jacketed stoves, while the remaining 3 per cent, are heated by furnaces. Occasionally an alert young teacher will interest the school board, par- ents and friends to transform the school building into an attractive home of learning. One of the former medical examiners of schools did excellent work in encouraging this side of school life. He gave away paint, paper and framed pictures whenever his offer would be met with proper encouragement. So that you may find here and there in the countryside, surrounding Mon- trose, in neat schoolrooms, framed pictures of good subjects— evidences of the visits of this inspector. Forty-six per cent, of the schools reported hav- ing framed pictures of well-known subjects. Of ninety-six schools only fourteen per cent, report school libraries; these are of very mediocre type selected under no expert supervision. 42 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY A QUEER COMBINATION — TOWN HALL, JAIL AND SCHOOL The water supply comes from the wells of nearby farmhouses and springs. This pure water is carried to the school-house in buckets and placed in water coolers, required by law, but there is practically no means of wash- ing the hands or face. As to toilet facilities, there is a closet each for boys and girls and prac- tically all are well placed. Seventy per cent, report outside closets, quite sani- tary, while nineteen per cent, report them unsanitary. The remaining eleven per cent, are of the chemical type and are very satisfactory. These have been installed within the last few years, are situated in little additions built especially for them and are found to be a very neat equipment. The wood- sheds are an eyesore to the grounds, no effort having been made to keep them in order. With the exception of seventeen per cent, the outside closets are well placed and in fair order. Only in three instances were there any attempts to have play apparatus, and but five schools had good walks and ground arrangements. The won- derful opportunity to gain interest in school through school gardens was abso- lutely lost. It might be well to add here that the length of term, one hun- dred and forty-four days, or seven months, really makes impossible any school gardens, flower beds, ground improvement, etc. School begins the first of September, cold weather comes quickly and the first of April, before Spring comes, school is dismissed. For five months the children run free. The older ones help on the farm, the younger ones are without any school influence in this impressive period of their life. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 43 ABANDONED FARM HOUSE A PRODUCT OF A GOOD COMMUNITY— HIGH SCHOOL. HARFORD 44 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY HIGH SCHOOL, HERRICK CENTER The pet of an Irish saloon keeper to whom much of the credit of a High School is due Most of the schools are taught by high school graduates with provisional certificates and little experience. The average pay is $44.87 per month for women and $74.65 for men. The following comparison will show the advance made toward a better equipped teaching forcie: 1911 1918 College 11 13 State Normal 64 97 Permanent 46 32 Professional 46 54 Provisional 118 87 Records for four years show that an average of seventeen per cent, of the teachers have never taught before. Forty schools enrolled less than ten pupils each last year and although many of them had only four, five or six pupils, still a teacher must conduct from twenty-five to thirty-five classes per day. The average school term is 7.52 months. Lack of interest in the educational life of the Susquehanna County children is most apparent. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 45 SCHOOL BtriLT IN 1913. SOUTH MONTROSE The High Schools op the County The consolidated' rural high school is pronounced a success. There are seven township consolidated high schools and eleven borough high schools. About eight per cent, of the school population is enrolled in these institu- tions. Although the initial cost and upkeep are both greater, results are greater; better grounds, buildings and equipment and better teachers inspire the children and keep them in school several years longer. The following figures show the effect on attendance in Dimock High School. Year Attendance 1915-16 1916-17 81% 92% Records of other consolidated schools show as great a percentage. Be- cause of the increased opportunities for social life, parents and directors take more interest in the school. The Dimock school mentioned above was the gift of two prominent citizens of the township, while a third citizen gave the land upon which it stands. It is a beautiful four-room building of hollow tile construction, having a large semi-basement with cloak rooms, toilets, furnace room and two other larger rooms, one of which is used for domestic science, the other to be used later for manual training. The main floor has splendid rooms, with cloak rooms and teachers' rooms. It is equipped with the most up-to-date furnishings and has a corps of excellent teachers, the principal being a Syra- cuse College graduate. 46 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY DOMESTIC SCIENCE CLASS, HIGH SCHOOL. DIMOCK Good has already been done here in the starting of a really splendid work. Emphasis is given also to organized play. The activities of the school are much helped by the community building and athletic field which is just across the road. This consolidated plan has proved quite successful and a large proportion . of the one-room schools of the county seem destined to be supplanted by an educational system under which groups of primitive institutions will be merged into a larger high school unit. The children are transported to and from their homes in school wagons provided by the localities. The only vocational rural high school is located at Harford. It is a pleasing concrete building with splendid equipment and graded grounds and walks. The course is four years; vocational, manual training, agricul- tural and domestic science courses being compulsory the first two years, and optional the last two. The boys in their agricultural work have prac- tical farm experiences in the growing of grain, etc. They are taught to judge cattle and all farm animals, and in the stock judging contest at State College for the state championship a team of four boys from this school carried off first honors. These same boys hope to win the national cham- pionship at the Chicago contest. The girls conduct practical experiments in sewing, cooking and household management. This school is a source of real satisfaction to the people concerned. It is an example of the right kind of life preparation for the farm boy and girl. Three other consolidated rural high schools jointly employ a domestic SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 47 CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL. DIMOCK science teacher, each school paying a proportionate share of her salary. In three other schools a teacher is employed to conduct music lessons. The expense of this is borne by a private individual who is greatly interested in the public school work of the county. Since the above mentioned domes- tic science scheme was started in the same manner, it may mean that a music teacher will soon be provided by the boards. The teaching force in the high school itself is of a good type and has a decided tendency to demand the best in the grades. Of thirty-eight teachers in the high schools, forty- five per cent, are college graduates and fOrty-seven per cent, are normal school graduates. Unless the schools abandon the old ideas of teaching nothing but "the three Rs," presented in an uninteresting manner, the farm boys and girls will continue to say, "We can't learn books, what good are they?" It is the crying need and duty of the rural schools to present to the children real, vital problems of farm life within their own experiences. Until farm inter- ests are included in the school curriculum, country boys and girls will con- tinue to "quit school" or be turned away unfitted for their life work. School Health Report Last, but not least, is the report of the health examiner of Susquehanna County. This inspector is appointed by the state board of health. His duties are to examine carefully each pupil for any physical defects, especially sight or hearing. After the child has been examined, the inspector gives the 48 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY results of the examination to the teacher who sends it home to the child's parents. In addition to telling the nature of the children's defects, the slip sent home suggests the proper procedure to correct these defects. The in- spector also reports on the sanitation of the school as a whole. Any unsani- tary condition is reported to the school board and a written report of his findings is sent to the health board. These inspectors are paid just ten cents a pupil. This does not make a living wage and does not allow for an efficient work to be done by this department. For Susquehanna County the report comes in of 4,573 children examined, 3,295 (or 72 per cent.) of whom were defective. A further analysis of state reports would indicate that some 22 per cent, were defective in eyesight; 3 per cent, in hearing; 4 per cent, in breathing, 44 per cent, had defective teeth; 24 per cent, defective tonsils, tuberculosis and nervoiis disease; 1 per cent, skin affection and 2 per cent, malnutrition. "The progress of a child in school is most directly affected by defects of sight and hearing." Letters were sent to parents, calling attention to defects and urging them to consult a physician or dentist. Only in 19 per cent, of the cases were the children cared for. It is a source of regret that some of the parents do not value this advice and secure treatment for their children. The school system has undergone radical changes in the last ten years. In 1911 the Legislature created a state board of education. This board studies plans for the state of Pennsylvania and submits them to the Legisla- ture, which makes the school code. These suggested improvements are passed from the superintendent of the state board of education to the county superintendent, who in turn presents them to the various local school boards. Although the state officers are largely advisory in capacity they can withhold the state appropriation if the local boards do not comply with the state laws. The township organization means that all schools are under a township board of five members elected by voters of the entire township. The schools are supported by the school funds levied on the entire townships and expended by the board according to the individual needs of the schools. The board must establish, equip, furnish and maintain a sufficient number of elementary schools. State officers advise and suggest local boards look after local needs, but the responsibility for the election of these men remains in the hands of the voters. The welfare of the schools lies with the mothers and fathers. If they show sufficient interest in improvement, improvement will come. The function of the school is to train hands and minds for service and is second only to the church which furnishes the impelling force. SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 49 CHAPTER V A Suggested County Church Program IT IS suggested that representatives of denominations shall agree that the Susquehanna County situation needs readjusting and that they shall formulate certain principles embodied as a program which these repre- sentatives can recommend to their local constituencies. No better basis for a county-wide religious program and also for the individual chiu-ch, could be found than the report of the Committee on Function, Policy and Program of the County Church of the Federal Council of Churches, Church and Country Life Commission, in a book edited by Dr. Paul Vogt on "The Church and Country Life," from which the following general outline is taken. 1. Knowledge "Country church leaders, both preachers and laymen, should have a clear view of the fundamental aspects of the rural problem, and should broadly define the relationship of the church to that problem." The knowledge, in the specific County of Susquehanna, can be given to the preachers and laymen. (1) Through the Dimock camp meeting to which a program should be suggested for two hours of each day, to be devoted to the country church and rural life. A qualified teacher should be supplied for this and people of all denominations invited. (2) Through the Montrose Bible Conference, to which a similar course should be suggested, the speaker to be supplied through one of the home mission boards. (3) Through a follow-up conference, which could be held six months later, when the ministers could report and discuss their various results and problems. In these activities the County Council should aid, by securing publicity for the program, seeing that country-life literature is in the churches, and if necessary, promote a house to house canvass in peculiar localities. It is suggested that this conference appoint a County Council, composed of one minister from each denomination and one or more lay members from each denomination, in proportion to its membership. That this County Council appoint a permanent executive secretary on the recommendation of the Interchurch World Movement whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the council, to aid in carrying into effect the program and recommendations of this conference. That the salary and expenses of this executive secretary be included, either as a part of the annual budget of the various county churches, or underwritten by the Interchurch World Movement or through its good offices. 50 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY II. Preaching and Worship The country should foster private and public worship of God and its preaching should bring a ringing spiritual message to the whole community. To this end, a strong minister's conference, meeting at some central place once a month with a vital spiritual message from some of the ministers of nearby cities, would bring the isolated ministers in closer communication and furnish inspiration and new courage to all. III. Religious Education The country church should develop definite means of religious educa- tion, interpreting personal and social duty in terms of rural life, and applyr ing what is learned in actual social service. The expenses of the Sunday School Association should be underwritten either by the local church or by the home missions boards of the denomina- tions, in proportion to their constituency, and this budget should allow a full time county worker with adequate financial support. The executive secretary, appointed by the County Council, will inspire and work in cooperation with all Sunday school organizations. Thus his ministrations will react on the activities of the young people's work through- out the country. IV. The Church Ministering to all the People "While the country should minister to the efficient and successful, to the end that it may hold the community through competent leadership, it should minister with special zeal to the inefficient, the poor and the degen- erate, since they belong to Christ." The rapidly increasing instability of the rural population lays upon the church the special duty of religious and social helpfulness to the tenant farmer and hired man. The pastors and churches should know that there are every- where large margins of territory with unchurched people, which increase with the distance from the church. In one house to house survey it was dis- covered that people within a mile of the church were often visited as much as twelve or fifteen times during the year, while homes from one or one and a half to three miles received one, or at times no visits per year. It is suggested that communities and church parishes be determined by survey and mapped, and then that intensive work be started with the margin. V. The Church the Servant op the Community The country church should regard itself as the servant of the entire com- munity and should be actively concerned with all legitimate agencies in the community. It should give them support and promotion as there may be opportunity or need. It should suggest and inspire rather than instigate and supervise, but it may undertake any new service for which there is no other provision. The church should recognize a division of functions in the community, and should cooperate with other institutions and organiza- tions. Such adjustments are made individually for the most part, but by public advocacy and by its educational methods, the church may exert SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY 51 its collective influence for all ends that may help to upbuild the community. It is suggested that this embrace a thorough cooperation with the following: Farm Bureau Dairymen's League Good Roads Association Grange School Boards Alliance Library Association Farmer's Cooperative Exchange Cooperative Farmer's Association Sunday School Association It is recommended that the churches in regular session, give their sup- port to these various organizations working for the welfare and progress of the country-side, both by a definite public voice on the subjects, in so far as they can, and by individual action. The result of this would be, a church alive to the movements of progress, educated as to their significance and desirability, and related in a direct responsibility for their success. VI. Administration and Finance A sound business organization and an adequate financial policy are essen- tial in conducting the country church. It is suggested that there be adopted by this conference, a recommenda- tion of a minimum salary (of not less than $1,200 and parsonage) for all preachers working within the county, and that wherever there is a distinct mission field or a field with possibilities, that the home boards be asked to cooperate in the maintenance and development. We suggest that the finances of each church be budgeted in terms of men and money each year, and that a simultaneous county-wide financial drive be made. Each church maintaining its own treasuries and organizations, and soliciting its usual constituency, but reaping the result of a county- wide enthusiasm and publicity. A Few General Observations Every minister and Christian layman should link himself up with .the organization working for the welfare of the county. 1. Good roads are essential to progress in religious, economic, social, and educational life, therefore, all people should work strongly for the pro- motion of good roads, especially in those sections the worst off for transpor- tation means. 2. The economic life is largely a basis for all life. "Prosperity begets prosperity," is a good saying, and the church should work for the economic advancement of her people through every agency. 3. Education in many ways through the school is making tremendous strides under the efficient leadership of the county superintendent, but the church should awaken the parents from lethargy and indifference toward this great educational institution. 52 SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY SURVEY The church has been preaching religion but has failed to relate religion with efficient Christian life, with efficient institutions, and with finance. "Order is heavenfs first law," " Christianity is a way of life."^both sayings are food for thought. If Christian life is the way of the Hves of most churches and of many Christians, it is decidedly the reason why the Chris- tianity of the churches, as a way of life, does not appeaj to the great bulk off mankind. Cooperatipn, not competition, is the need of the Christians. Competition is fatal to the Christianity of Christ. Therefore, let all the churches search for some, common background, some common tasks, upon which to unite for service. Democracy forced back the hordes of autocracy ^nd dempcracy won, because it was a united democracy. It is now high time that the church of- Jesus Christ should stand against a common enemy With united forces, Qooperatipg in, service for their respective communities, in every religious, social, educational, and economic effort. There should be the greatest harmony and cooperation among Christian people. Christianity should unite — not divide. We should work together in all matters of welfare effort, then suspicions and prejudices will pass away. We are living in the days of great movements, in days of suspense, of anxiety, of uncertainty. Distrust and suspicion are in the air. Trusts, cor- porations, unions, cliques, capital and labor are all dividing. Will Chris- tianity lead into unity or will she add to the sum total division by divid- ing herself into hostile camps? God forbid. These are times for heart searchings, for humble introspection, for prayerful, watchful minds for the leading of the Great Spirit into all truths. And will not truth lead us into knowledge and understanding, in,to trust and into loving fellowship, and f ipi^lly into the great peace, which is the, kin|;dom, of God?