Homes in the Country by J. W. Watt

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1907

Homes in the Country

By J. W. Watt

J. W. WATT

“It was not God's purpose that people should be crowded into cities, huddled together in terraces and tenements. In the beginning he placed our first parents amid the beautiful sights and sounds he desires us to rejoice in to-day. The more nearly we come into harmony with God's original plan, the more favorable will be our position to secure health of body, and mind, and soul.”—“Ministry of Healing,” page 365.

Those who are preparing to meet the soon-coming Saviour certainly desire to be in harmony with the mind of God in all things. From the above statement from the servant of God, and in view of the fact that serious troubles will soon be seen in the large cities from various causes, is it not time that we as a people should begin to plan and work to the end that many of our people who are not actually needed in the cities as workers may find homes in the country.

Already some of the large cities have been destroyed by earthquakes. Trouble between labor and capital is liable at any time to cause a very undesirable experience. During these or any other of the unpleasant experiences that will come to so many before the Lord comes, the quiet country home will be far preferable to the home in the city.

“Within the vast boundaries of nature there is still room for the suffering and needy to find a home. Within her bosom there are resources sufficient to provide them with food. The tilling of the soil, the employment God appointed to man in Eden, opens a field in which there is opportunity for multitudes to gain a subsistence. . . . Thousands and tens of thousands might be working upon the soil who are crowded into the cities, watching for a chance to earn a trifle.”—Id., pages 188, 189.

I suppose the above is intended as much for the Seventh-day Adventist people of the cities as for others. Why is our attention called to this matter by the spirit of prophecy if there is not something to be done by us as a people? “Christian farmers can do real missionary work in helping the poor to find homes on the land, and in teaching them how to till the soil and make it productive. Teach them how to use the implements of agriculture, how to cultivate various crops, how to plant and care for orchards.”—Id., pages 192, 193.

“Let farmers, financiers, builders, and those who are skilled in various arts and crafts go to neglected fields, to improve the land, to establish industries, to prepare humble homes for themselves, and to help their neighbors. “The rough places of nature, the wild places, God has made attractive by placing beautiful things among the unsightly. This is the work we are called to do.”—Id., page 194.

This being the work we are to do it is certainly time that we were giving heed to what the Lord has said upon this point. To some it will seem like an utter impossibility to carry out this instruction; but it has been the experience of this people from the rise of the message that it is always best to step out by faith and do what God says should be done, not by a rash or fanatical movement, but by quietly and firmly walking in the light given.

In the little pamphlet entitled “Christian Schools,” pages 77, 78, we read:—

“Serious times are before us, and there is great need for the families to get out of the cities into the country.” “Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens.”

Place alongside this instruction, to get out of the cities into the country, the instruction given to establish schools in rural districts, and we have a work of importance before us.

The writer's view of the matter is this: that the time has come when a few families of our people might consistently locate near together in the country and establish a school, thus meeting the mind of God in getting away from the evil influences of the cities, and at the same time taking our children from the public schools and educating them for God and his cause, but where a movement of this kind is made, we should locate, if possible, where the truth is unknown, and thus the light may be carried to many who at present are in darkness.

Note carefully some of the statements in the Testimonies quoted, above: “There is great need for the families to get out of the cities.” When the Lord says there is great need for us to do a certain thing, shall we go on from year to year without making an effort to do that thing? There is danger that we may not feel the importance of this as we should, and that many will remain in the cities until they are overtaken by the serious disasters that are to fall upon them.

Note another statement. After speaking of the duty of Christian farmers to assist others in getting homes in the country, and gaining a living there, these words are spoken: “This is the work we are called to do.” If this is the work we are called to do at this time, as servants of the Lord, let us take hold and do it.

When a Testimony comes, it always proves to be a sad mistake not to heed the light given.

If any who read this article have not read the book “Ministry of Healing,” they should obtain the book and study it very carefully, not only upon this point of leaving the cities, but upon many other points of interest to us as a people.

Indiana, Pa.