Wow, what a transition and an experience it has been for me and my family since making this move to the country. It was quite a long time of prayer, watching, counsel with “men of experience” and for 2 years the Lord allowed me to find out a lot about living in the country. Now we reside in a ½ acre property in a semi-residential area about 5 miles outside the city limits. This I believed was far enough for us to experience living with a well and septic system and re-learning the skill of agriculture on a small scale. This year I extended the garden. Having this experience which God used as a training ground I believe we are now ready to tackle larger property with need for more skill.
Along with the sabbath, the sanctuary, the three angels messages I believe Seventh-Day Adventists are unique with a message to move to the country. So many questions arise when we consider this counsel :
But why move to the country?
How far from the city is the country?
How large a plot of land to acquire?
What about employment?
Should I simply pack up and run by faith?
What is the benefit for the family members?
I would recommend the “STUDY” of the booklets (1 Country Living – E.G. White and (2 From City to Country Living – Arthur White and E.A. Sutherland. In setting up your home surroundings make your “spiritual prosperity” your first consideration.
I will share from my personal experience and then share from the booklets mentioned. I hope that others will share from their experiences also.
“Parents flock with their families to the cities, because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation. …. Better sacrifice any and every worldly consideration than to imperil the precious souls committed to your care.” Testimonies vol 5 pgs 232, 233
“At such a time as this, the people who are seeking to keep the commandments of God should look for retired places away from the cities. Some must remain in the cities to give the last note of warning, but this will become more and more dangerous to do.” Manuscript 85, 1908