About book

Country Living

Foreword

Chapter 1—A Call to Leave the Cities

The Perils of the Cities

City Living Not God's Plan

A Loitering Spirit

Cities to Be Visited by God's Judgments

Results of Unheeded Warnings

Imminence of God's Judgments

A View of Great Destruction

God's Efforts to Arouse the People

Peril to Those Who Remain Unnecessarily

Chapter 2—Avoiding Labor Conflicts

Withdraw to the Freedom of Rural Areas

Avoid Party Strifes

Labor Trouble Ahead

Conflicts Between Trade Confederacies and Labor Unions

Preparing for the Issue

To Preserve Our Individuality

In Disregard of the Decalogue

Unions That Are Formed or Shall Be Formed

Chapter 3—An Appeal to Parents

Keep the Children From Hotbeds of Iniquity

Before the Scourge Shall Overflow

Souls of Children Versus Ease and Comfort

Christian Qualities Better Gained in Retired Locations

The Refuge of Country Places

To Secure Life's Best Results

Manifold Benefits of Active Out-of-Door Life

Expect No Miracle to Undo Results of Wrong Course

Chapter 4—Occupations in Rural Locations

The Land to Supply Our Necessities

With a Piece of Land and a Comfortable Home

Fruit, Vegetables, and Poultry Suggested for One Region

Country Living—A Blessing to the Poor

Industries for Families From Cities

The Health-Food Work

Chapter 5—Preparing for the Sunday Law Crisis

Troublous Times Before Us

Make Haste to Get Ready

Chapter 6—Colonizing at Institutional Centers

We Are Not to Colonize

Scatter to Unwarned Places

Let Not Institutional Attractions Lure You

Establish No Jerusalem Centers

Remain in Small Churches—Start New Schools

How Must the Angels Feel

Enlarge and Expand—But Not at a Center

Chapter 7—Guided by God's Providences

As God Opens the Way

God Will Help His People

To Help Open the Way

Counsel and Caution to Those Who Anticipate Leaving the Cities

Chapter 8—Our Institutional Centers to Be Away From Congested Areas

Suitable Locations for Institutions

To Avoid Temptation and Corruption

Stormy Times Are Before Us

Where the Youth May Be Taught Most Effectively

Working the Cities From Outposts

In Easy Access to the Cities

Lessons From Enoch and Lot

Churches, but Not Institutions in the Cities

The Message Given by the Lord

Chapter 9—Emergency Flight in Closing Conflict

The Signal for Fleeing

The advantages of country living have been repeatedly stressed through the Spirit of prophecy counsels. Through the years thousands of Seventh-day Adventists have been guided in the choice of home environments and in their relationships to organizations of the world by the widely published testimony counsels on these vital points. As the omens of the impending crisis indicate the subtlety of the perils and the fury of the conflict before us, this counsel is republished to engage the attention of every church member. Presented with these statements are the more detailed instruction printed from time to time in publications or letters of counsel.

Country Living was first published in 1946. Its counsels and warnings have challenged many Seventh-day Adventists to examine carefully the effects of urban living on their lives and to reevaluate where they choose to live. It has highlighted the dangers of involvement with labor unions and other sources of party strife in the cities. At the same time, it has helped those with a burden for city evangelism to consider how best to be in the world but not of the world.

With the end of time approaching, this instruction is more relevant than ever. A new generation of believers will find these counsels opening horizons to them that they had not envisioned.

The writings of Ellen G. White repeatedly urge the advantages of country living. As conditions in our world build toward the final events, Seventh-day Adventists recall the Lord&apos;s instruction about leaving the cities, with their congestion, corruption, and conflicts. The cities do not provide a wholesome environment for Christian families.

Yet the counsels in this booklet also warn against acting rashly. Each person or family should study the instruction, think and pray about it, identify and evaluate the options, and ask God to make His leading clear.

God&apos;s people &ldquo;Desire a better country, that is, an heavenly&rdquo; (Hebrews 11:16). No place on earth can equal that home that God is preparing for us. Yet we may bring something of the heavenly country&apos;s atmosphere into our homes here, especially in rural settings. Thus, we believe that the inspired counsels set forth in this small volume will be appreciated by every Seventh-day Adventist.

The Trustees of the

Ellen G. White Publications

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Foreword