p. 9 | The Great Cities by Addie S. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

The Great Cities

By Addie S. Bowen

ADDIE S. BOWEN

In our day many millions of people are in only a few cities, and thousands, many times over, are living in each of many smaller cities. In crowded “flats,” story above story, thousands climb up above the heads of others, or are carried up by elevators, to a few rooms which they call home. No yard of green grass where the little people can play, no beautiful trees by the doors and windows, no flower garden, no soil to cultivate,—just houses, block after block, walls shutting out nearly, if not all, of the sweet, fresh air of heaven, and shutting in more or less of desolation, misery, and sorrow. This is but a little of what might be mentioned of what is deplorable in miles and miles of streets in any large city in this country and in other lands.

In the beginning it was planned by our Creator that each family should have a most beautiful garden of Eden for a home, and he started the human race on that plan,—plenty of room, an ocean of fresh air, the best of food, beautiful trees, grass, flowers, beauty, and sweet fragrance all around, with delightful, refreshing labor. Every possible need was supplied, and the all-pervading love of God filled this perfect home. God said nothing about building cities. Had he seen it best for humanity to dwell in cities, he could have made perfect ones, given Adam and Eve a lovely mansion, and told them to multiply and fill these cities; but he gave them a pattern home, and told them to multiply and fill the earth,—evidently with garden-of-Eden homes. God built no city on this earth. He plainly showed that his purpose was to have families in all the earth, not to have crowded cities while great wastes of territory were left unoccupied.

One plain instance of the will of the Lord in this matter is recorded in the eleventh chapter of Genesis. Men said, “Let us build us a city,” and, “Let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” Self-exaltation and colonization looked very desirable to them. So do they now to many. The Lord scattered those people. The very means by which they purposed to keep together, he used to scatter them abroad over the face of the whole earth. Does not this show that God disapproves of the city schemes of men?

Yet cities are found everywhere, and the great masses of city people are waiting to receive the last warning message. Therefore God is calling his true and faithful children to go quickly, and do the work he gives them, in order that all in these great centers who love righteousness may receive and obey his message, and thus escape the destruction which will soon come upon the hardened sinners, the rebellious against God. Who will obey the call, and in the love which the Lord gives, go and give the message?

Our God has built one city. All the glory and beauty of heaven center in it. When he shall place that city on this earth, as the capital of the glorious, eternal home of saved men and women, every right aspiration that humanity has had in building cities will be abundantly realized, in God’s way and time, by those who now are willing to choose his way and time for honor and happiness.

Buffalo, N. Y.