The Avondale School Farm
There are some things regarding the disposition and use of the
lands near our school and church which have been opened before me
and which I am instructed to present to you. Until recently I have
not felt at liberty to speak of them, and even now I do not feel free to
reveal all things because our people are not yet prepared to understand
all that in the providence of God will be developed at Avondale.
In the visions of the night some things were clearly presented
before me. Persons were selecting allotments of land near the school,
on which they proposed to build houses and establish homes. But One
stood in our midst who said: “You are making a great mistake which
you will have cause to regret. This land is not to be occupied with
buildings except to provide the facilities essential for the teachers and
students of the school. This land about the school is to be reserved as
the school farm. It is to become a living parable to the students. The
students are not to regard the school land as a common thing, but are to
look upon it as a lessonbook open before them which the Lord would
have them study. Its lessons will impart knowledge in the culture of
the soul.
“If you should allow the land near the school to be occupied with
private houses and then be driven to select for cultivation other land at
a distance from the school, it would be a great mistake and one always
to be regretted. All the land near the building is to be regarded as the
school farm, where the youth can be educated under well-qualified
superintendents. The youth who shall attend our schools need all the
land near by. They are to plant it with ornamental and fruit trees, and
to cultivate garden produce.
“The school farm is to be regarded as a lessonbook in nature from
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which the teachers may draw their object lessons. Our students are
to be taught that Christ, who created the world and all things that are
therein, is the life and light of every living thing. The life of every
child and youth who is willing to grasp the opportunities of receiving
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