4. Centralization of effort on a few places instead of dissipation of
funds in providing inefficient service in many places.

5. Gradual but certain withdrawal of support from national or State
boards in order to avoid pauperizing communities by relieving them of
their local financial responsibilities.

As one of the most serious problems connected with rural missionary
service is that of interdenominational complications, an effort has
been made to work out certain principles that may be observed by all
religious organizations carrying out a rural program. At the annual
meeting of the Home Missions Council in 1914 a statement of principles
was adopted. In 1919 the rural fields committee of the Home Missions
Council undertook the revision of these principles in the light of
later experience and adopted the revision as a committee report.
Because this document represents the best judgment of those in the
various denominations concerned with rural work it is presented
herewith as a desirable basis on which grants of funds may be safely
made. The statement is presented in full:

Persuaded of the urgent need of some comprehensive and united
plan for the evangelization of our country and for closer
cooperation to make such plans effective, the Home Missions
Council proposes for the consideration of its constituent
societies the following principles of comity. It is to be
distinctly understood, however, that no ecclesiastical
authority of any kind is implied except as ecclesiastical
bodies shall adopt these policies as their own. They have only
the moral force of the consent of the parties desiring to see
them become effective.

FIRST. As to the occupancy of new fields. The frequently
suggested plan for the entering of new territory is to divide
it among the various denominations, holding each body
responsible for the proper working of its field.

a. In the judgment of this Council this course of procedure
would seem to be impracticable. But a sensitive regard not only
for the rights but for the sentiments of sister bodies of
Christian people is demanded by every consideration of
righteousness as well as fraternity.

b. In districts or in places already occupied by any
denomination new work should be undertaken by any other body
only after fraternal conference between the offic