In spite of two months of rainy weather, in spite of the fact that the threshing is still one half done, and the silos, not filled in the wheat not in, and no prospect of getting the work done on account of the water logged ground – in spite of all these adverse circumstances, Sunrise, on the last day of September, held at second annual harvest home.
It is a genuine all community affair, for the church, the boosters and the Farm Bureau cooperated to make it so. The 9 one room schools of the Township contributed exhibits, and all schools were dismissed for the day. The girls 4H club also exhibited summer's work and held their achievement day in connection with the program.
The crowd was not as large as it would've been in good weather, but no one was downhearted, and it was a cheerful day for all. Rain spoiled most of the sports in the morning except the horseshoe tournament between men of the three teams – church, boosters, and Farm Bureau. The respective colors of the teams were white, blue and red. Many of the rooters were obliged to wear small flags, being loyal to all three. The big picnic dinner was followed by some rollicking community singing, led by the preacher. Then the girls club gave us their program, and then, having word that the speaker of the day was having trouble with the roads, we filled in an interval with more singing until he arrived. His talk was a good, solid, one on the proposed revenue amendment to the Illinois state Constitution. Our people were already well informed on the matter, and they listened with great interest to Mr. Cowell's discussion. Farmers as a class, take their citizenship more seriously than some folks, perhaps, because they feel government more keenly than others. Taxes, especially, are a very real intangible thing with a farmer!
Came Back in the Evening
After the speaking, and the open forum, following, the crowd disbursed for a little while. All who could be spared from chores, stayed at the community hall to visit and have Summer; the rest dashed home for the evening work, and came back for the evening. Music, a local talent program, and moving pictures were the order of the day. During the evening it was decided to make the harvest home in a new annual affair, with the pastor of Hopewell church, the president of the community boosters and the Director of the local Farm Bureau permanent committee in charge.
An element of sadness entered into the closing minutes of the meeting. It was the farewell appearance of our pastor, who is going to a new charge this year. We closed the day by singing. "blessed be the tie that binds" and when we stepped out into the open air, it seemed an auspicious omen that the stars were shining.
Those stars were actually shown that night in the next. We had a day or two of good weather. But rain has descended on us again, and we are once more in gloom.
We are Not Discouraged
During the dinner, someone chanced to remark, in connection, with a discussion of the Miami hurricane sufferers, "those crazy people! Why do they go right back and rebuild on the same spot, when they know that every so often another flood will com!" "Yes," someone else remarked; "they do it every time. An earthquake knocks the ground from under the Japanese, and they go back and build over the cracks. Fire and earthquake destroy San Francisco, and they rebuild as fast as they can, and even deny that they had an earthquake. Mount Vesuvius has an eruption and buries cities, but as soon as the lava cools, back, come the survivors in camp at the foot again " "Well, take Shawnee town." Someone else pointed out. "That's a little Illinois village on the banks of the river; has been there since Indian days, practically walled in our all sides for protection from water. Every so often the walls break, the town is flooded, folks run for their lives; and when the water subsides, they go right back to the same spot, fix up the walls and go on living."
"They haven't, any of them, got a thing on the farmer, though." Someone else contributed, " He takes hard knocks of one sort, or another every season, and comes back from more. Doesn't have sense enough to quit. Never knows when he's left. But, someway," he added in the general laugh that followed "I think more of him than if he quit!"
That's just it! It isn't lack of it sense, and it isn't just obstinacy, that makes human beings go back, and try again, and again until they conquer nature. It is some of the finest and strongest traits within them that call on them to go back until they win; loyalty, stability, patience encourage
Another Home-Coming
While we are talking of harvest homes in homecomings, it will be interesting to mention a case in our neighboring township. Saint Andrews church over there is to celebrate its 75th anniversary during the month of October. This is a real "open country" church, the only one of its kind in the Episcopal diocese of Chicago.
It marks the place of a vanished settlement in early educational center. Today at occupies a commanding position on the highest point in the Illinois valley and in the midst of a farming community. 75 years would not seem long in the east, where the Puritan and Quaker settlement state back 150 to 200 years or more, but in the cornbelt, 75 years of continuous organization is worthy of note. The stones in Saint Andrews cemetery date back 100 years, the church parish has only been organized 75. In the early 40s the people, who, mostly immigrated from the east, came into contact with Bishop Case and received the occasional ministration of the "church on horseback." In 1850, 10 acres of land was given by a loyal settler for the building of a church. In 1851 the parish was organized in a year later, was admitted into union with the convention.
The original frame building (seating capacity, 100) was replaced in 1908 by a larger, attractive brick one. The old rectory has been repaired and remodeled, and now serves as a community center.
Served 45 Years
Originally the parish had a resident minister, and it is interesting to know that out of the 75 years history, 45 consecutive years were under the ministry of one man, Reverend HT Heister. Since his death, in 1906, the parish has been served from ministers of large towns nearby.
Early pioneer life and many hardships. In the church has passed through many visits. American rural life has sometimes drifted away from the church, but in recent years, there has been an awakening. The people of Saint Andrews are to be congratulated on their years of service in the community. It is a record to be proud of. – Hope.