Chapter 7—Country Living
The Divine Ideal
Although everything God had made was in the perfection of beauty,
and there seemed nothing wanting upon the earth which God had
created to make Adam and Eve happy, yet He manifested His great
love to them by planting a garden especially for them. A portion of
their time was to be occupied in the happy employment of dressing the
garden, and a portion in receiving the visits of angels, listening to their
instruction, and in happy meditation. Their labor was not wearisome,
but pleasant and invigorating. This beautiful garden was to be their
home, their special residence.—
Spiritual Gifts 3:34
(1864).
What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son?
A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest,
self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty
and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service;
the hour of study at His mother’s side, with the open scroll of Scripture;
the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of
nature; the study of creation and providence; and the soul’s communion
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with God—these were the conditions and opportunities of the early
life of Jesus.—
The Ministry of Healing, 365, 366
(1905).
Away From the Cities
Get out of the cities as soon as possible and purchase a little piece
of land where you can have a garden, where your children can watch
the flowers growing and learn from them lessons of simplicity and
purity.—
Selected Messages 2:356
(1903).
Out of the cities, is my message at this time. Be assured that the
call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities. One
look at San Francisco as it is today would speak to your intelligent
minds, showing you the necessity of getting out of the cities....
The Lord calls for His people to locate away from the cities, for
in such an hour as ye think not, fire and brimstone will be rained
from heaven upon these cities. Proportionate to their sins will be their
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