98
The Adventist Home
Turmoil and Confusion—It is not God’s will that His people shall
settle in the cities, where there is constant turmoil and confusion. Their
children should be spared this, for the whole system is demoralized by
the hurry and rush and noise
Labor Troubles—Through the working of trusts and the results of
labor unions and strikes, the conditions of life in the city are constantly
becoming more and more difficult. Serious troubles are before us, and
for many families removal from the cities will become a necessity
Impending Destruction—The time is near when large cities will
be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments
Oh, that God’s people had a sense of the impending destruction of
thousands of cities now almost given to idolatry
For Worldly Interests and Love of Gain—It is often the case that
parents are not careful to surround their children with right influences.
In choosing a home, they think more of their worldly interests than of
the moral and social atmosphere, and the children form associations
that are unfavorable to the development of piety and the formation of
right characters....
[137]
Parents who denounce the Canaanites for offering their children to
Moloch, what are you doing? You are making a most costly offering to
your mammon god, and then, when your children grow up unloved and
unlovely in character, when they show decided impiety and a tendency
to infidelity, you blame the faith you profess because it was unable to
save them. You are reaping that which you have sown—the result of
your selfish love of the world and neglect of the means of grace. You
moved your families into places of temptation; and the ark of God,
your glory and defense, you did not consider essential; and the Lord
has not worked a miracle to deliver your children from temptation
Cities Offer No Real Benefit—There is not one family in a hun-
dred who will be improved physically, mentally, or spiritually by
residing in the city. Faith, hope, love, happiness, can far better be
gained in retired places, where there are fields and hills and trees. Take
your children away from the sights and sounds of the city, away from
5
Ibid., 29
.
6
The Ministry of Healing, 364
.
7
Evangelism, 29
.
8
The Review and Herald, September 10, 1903
.
9
Testimonies For The Church 5, 320
.