9.--Describe the Indiana law on this subject and give your opinions about it. 10.--Show the superior advantages of the purely rural type of centralized school. 11.--Describe the consolidated rural school in Illinois, known as the "John Swaney School," and tell what you like about it. 12.--How do you think a high school course of study in the country ought to differ from that in the city? 13.--Why should agriculture, domestic science, animal husbandry, et cetera, be taught in rural schools? How early would you begin? 14.--Compare the history of specific education for rural life in Europe and in America. 15.--What can you say about school gardens as a feature in rural education? 16.--How can "School Improvement Leagues" become powerful allies of the country school forces? 17.--What are some of the educational possibilities of rural libraries? 18.--In your experience what educational service can Farmers' Institutes render the farming community? 19.--Show something of the broad field of the agricultural colleges and their extension work, and the part they take in rural education. 20.--Write out concisely the best statement you can make of the immediate needs in rural education and the constructive policy you would propose to meet these needs. CHAPTER VII RURAL CHRISTIAN FORCES CHAPTER VII RURAL CHRISTIAN FORCES _The Community-Serving Church and Its Allies_ I. _Opportunity and Function of the Country Church_ Its necessity to rural progress. Stages in its evolution, and its changing ideals. The test of its efficiency. The church's broad function: community service. Its high responsibility: spiritual leadership. II. _Some Elements of Serious Weakness_ A depleted constituency. Economic weakness. Lack of social cooperation. Wasteful competition. Poor business management. Moral ineffectiveness. Narrow vision of service. Inadequate leadership. III. _Some Factors Which Determine Its Efficiency_ A worthy constituency. Local prosperity and progressive farming. Community socialization. A community serving spirit. A broad vision of service and program of usefulness. United Christian forces in the community. A broad Christian gospel; not sectarian preaching. A loyal country ministry adequately trained and paid. A liberal financial policy. Adequate equipment. Masculine lay leadership developed and trained. A community survey to discover resources and needs. IV. _Some Worthy Allies of the Country Church_ The country Sunday-school. The Rural Young Men's Christian Association. The County Work of the Young Women's Christian Association. V. _Types of Rural Church Success_ Some real community builders. The church in the open country. Oberlin, the prince of country ministers. CHAPTER VII RURAL CHRISTIAN FORCES