The country in its great need and desolation is waiting for the help which
the village churches can give to them. I believe the home missionary
societies and boards are ready to cooperate in some such plan for the
uplifting and the evangelization of the country districts. The village
churches themselves are waiting for the wider work to quicken their waning
life, and to kindle their dying enthusiasm. The world is waiting to see
them move forward in a determined and consecrated effort to reduce the
vision to reality. God is waiting to pour out his Spirit in abundant
blessing upon the churches that have enough faith and courage to undertake
the work.
I believe that the fulfilment of all this is not far in the future, and if
this story of the Larger Parish shall contribute even in a small degree to
this result, the teller will be amply repaid for his attempt to picture
the new path along which God has led him.
"Move to the fore.
God himself waits, and must wait, till thou come,
Men are God's prophets though ages lie dumb.
Halts the Christ-Kingdom, with conquest so near?
Thou art the cause, then, thou man at the rear.
Move to the fore."