Advantages of the Country
103
To live in the country would be very beneficial to them; an ac-
tive, out-of-door life would develop health of both mind and body.
They should have a garden to cultivate, where they might find both
amusement and useful employment. The training of plants and flowers
tends to the improvement of taste and judgment, while an acquaintance
with God’s useful and beautiful creations has a refining and ennobling
influence upon the mind, referring it to the Maker and Master of all
Rich Blessings Assured Country Dwellers—The earth has bless-
ings hidden in her depths for those who have courage and will and
perseverance to gather her treasures.... Many farmers have failed to
secure adequate returns from their land because they have undertaken
the work as though it was a degrading employment; they do not see
that there is a blessing in it for themselves and their families
Labor That Will Quicken the Mind, Refine the Character—In
the cultivation of the soil the thoughtful worker will find that treasures
little dreamed of are opening up before him. No one can succeed in
agriculture or gardening without attention to the laws involved. The
special needs of every variety of plant must be studied. Different
varieties require different soil and cultivation, and compliance with
the laws governing each is the condition of success. The attention
required in transplanting, that not even a root fiber shall be crowded
or misplaced, the care of the young plants, the pruning and watering,
[143]
the shielding from frost at night and sun by day, keeping out weeds,
disease, and insect pests, the training and arranging, not only teach
important lessons concerning the development of character, but the
work itself is a means of development. In cultivating carefulness, pa-
tience, attention to detail, obedience to law, it imparts a most essential
training. The constant contact with the mystery of life and the loveli-
ness of nature, as well as the tenderness called forth in ministering to
these beautiful objects of God’s creation, tends to quicken the mind
and refine and elevate the character
God Will Instruct and Teach—He who taught Adam and Eve
in Eden how to tend the garden would instruct men today. There is
wisdom for him who holds the plow and plants and sows the seed. The
earth has its concealed treasures, and the Lord would have thousands
5
Testimonies For The Church 4, 136
.
6
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 326, 327
.
7
Education, 111, 112
.