many ministers a snare and delusion, filled with a mixture of small and seeming success, loss of some fundamental elements of manhood, trimming and disappointment. The lure of the country looms up larger and gives him free and full scope for all there is in a man, developed and latent. "Back to the country" should be the slogan of the church, for on its fulfillment depends the foundation of city and church vitality, of national prosperity, and of candidates for the ministry. Let no one imagine that the country will be overrun with ministers in such a movement, for only those choice spirits with a vision, enterprise, determination, and a heart desiring to be of unselfish usefulness in a great and crying cause will respond to the call. The open country neds and beckons to men, spelled large. The rewards are gradual, sure and as broad and full as life itself, both in this world and eternity." (Bulletin of the Western Theological Seminary, April, 1912, page 11.)

When rural population fails to make its full contribution to national character and the spiritual forces of the church, we shall lose one of the most effective sources of supply for religious propagation.

The great problem of home missions is the task of re-invigorating village and country churches in the East, and stimulating their organization and equipment in the West.

About three-fifths of our population still live in districts of less than 2,500 inhabitants. A very great percentage of ministerial supply, and a very large proportion of religious leaders in cities, are from the village and rural surroundings.

For this reason the rural problem is one of the most vital in the whole catalogue of Christian endeavour. The rural church indicates a centre of interest in the onward movements along the lines of progressive work in advancing the Kingdom of God, and the upbuilding of national righteousness.

F

CHAPTER IX

RECREATION HOURS

OR scenery and enjoyment, for health and recreation, for all that delights the lover of

the outdoors, where can one go for that which is more satisfying and inspiring than up and down the canyons and flower covered slopes of the Rockies? There is an unspeakable charm to an outdoor life amidst the great variety of panoramic beauty, a trip in the mountains affords to those who have taste and appreciation of nature's wildness, unadorned by the touch of human hand.

Since engaged exclusively in missionary field work, the writer has had little time for pleasure trips. When a pastor I always had my summer vacations. While they are not denied me now, yet for the last five years, work has been so pressing, that I have not left it for even two or three weeks' outing. I have been limited to two or three days' time when my work happened to call so near a mountain stream, that its irresistible and tempting invitation was too strong for my power of resistance. There is something indescribably charming

in a mountain stream. When riding through the canyons on the cars, I always have a longing to change my plush covered seat for one on the rock, around which whirls and swirls foaming waters. The eye never gets weary in watching the curls and eddies and waves as they dance over their rocky bottoms. There is that kind of fascination that soothes the mind, while kept in activity, like the activity of the running water; it stirs to action, but is tireless in motion. It produces that kind of indolence defined by Dr. Henry Van Dyke, as a virtue. "It comes from two Latin words, which mean freedom from anxiety or grief. And that is a wholesome state of mind. There are times and seasons when it is even a blessed state of mind. Not to be in a hurry; not to be ambitious or jealous or resentful; not to feel envious of anybody; not to fret about to-day nor worry about to-morrow, that is the way we all ought to feel at some time of our lives; and that is the kind of indolence in which our brooks faithfully encourage us."

These words describe that state of mind often felt in the cheerful companionship of mountain streams, which have the power to separate from the artificial life in the throngs of commerce and trade. Here is the land of forgetfulness and delightful pleasures, pure as the water flowing from under the rock, or the melting snow from yonder mountain top.

For those who seek the purest air and water, scenery unsurpassed, and all that goes to recreate tired bodies, overstrained nerves, and weary minds, let me recommend Montana, which according to Joaquin Miller, has the only classic name among the constellation of states. This poetic and most appropriate name was familiar to the school boy so far back as the time when western Europe was still the vague and dim ultima thule. "Nearly all the states have Indian names. The few exceptions are those named in honour of foreign rulers, and the Father of our country, and two or three that are of Spanish origin. But here is one that stands apart and alone, distinct even in name as in many historic incidents, characteristics, soil, products and physical features." Such a country is mentally inspiring as well as physically invigorating. Quoting again from the same author, “The mountains have ever been the bulwark of freedom. Valour is born there, virtue is cherished there, and these are the seeds of song and story. No land ever yet had a literature to endure, that had not these for its theme, these offsprings of the pure, sweet atmosphere, and sublime splendour of the mountains; and the more glorious the mountains, the more glorious the song and story. Here great men in the glorious pursuits of peace laid the foundation stones without the cement of blood, and reared a great state of material, fresh from the hand of God. There is