ence on this point is supplied by more than fifty years of
experience in Europe, and by somewhat less in the United States. Within
the past five years an attempt to promote cooperative agricultural
business organization has been made by the National Government. It failed,
in general, because the Government cannot successfully undertake such
work, and in particular because special interests which were making large
profits by the exploitation of farmers had laws passed which effectually
defeated the attempt. Within the past three years agricultural agents of
the Government in Ohio who attempted to promote a cooperative movement
among farmers were forced by similar interests to abandon the work or
leave the county where they were employed. It is well known that the
faculties of certain State Agricultural colleges, though fully aware of
the need for sound cooperative agricultural business, do not attempt to
give instructions in its principles because of the effective opposition
they anticipate from persons and corporations whose business makes their
interests hostile to those of the farmer.

If the Government cannot meet the whole need, no more can the churches.
Business cooperation, which they should encourage but cannot supply, is
indispensable. For more than fifty years churches and clergymen in Europe
have been rendering most effective service in the promotion of cooperative
agricultural organization in business. In America likewise they can and
should be of essential help in the same good work, for the principles of
successful agricultural business are in close harmony with Christian
ethics. Moreover, the social and moral effects of cooperative business on
communities and individuals are of a most favorable character. In the year
1913 Mr. Gill was present at a meeting of representatives of government
agricultural departments of fifteen nations, where it was asserted that
agricultural cooperation was the application of Christianity to the
business of the farm.

Rural business, however, should not be organically allied with the church
any more than it should be with the State. While the ministers and
churches may do much to educate the farmers in regard to cooperation, to
interpret it, to increase the good results of it, and in many ways give
valuable assistance to it, the movement for cooperation can only be made
successful when promoted by voluntary secular organizations entirely
independent both of church and state.