Based on the writings of Ellen White, preparation for country living involves understanding its benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, as well as its role in missionary work. ### The Benefits of a Country Environment Country living is presented as highly beneficial for health, offering a refuge from the negative influences of city life, especially for children. * **For Health and Well-being**: "To live in the country would be very beneficial to them; an active, 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." (4T 136.3) * **A Refuge for the Sick**: "In the country the sick find many things to call their attention away from themselves and their sufferings. Everywhere they can look upon and enjoy the beautiful things of nature—the flowers, the fields, the fruit trees laden with their rich treasure, the forest trees casting their grateful shade, and the hills and valleys with their varied verdure and many forms of life." (7T 76.3) * **Influence on the Home**: "Nearly all dwellers in the country, however poor, could have about their homes a bit of grassy lawn, a few shade trees, flowering shrubbery, or fragrant blossoms. And far more than any artificial adorning will they minister to the happiness of the household. They will bring into the home life a softening, refining influence, strengthening the love of nature, and drawing the members of the household nearer to one another and nearer to God." (MH 370.3) ### A Safeguard for Children A primary reason for moving to the country is to protect children from the temptations and corrupting influences prevalent in cities. * "True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils, and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education." (4T 136.1) ### A Call for Missionary Work Leaving the cities is also framed as a strategic move to spread the gospel in less-populated areas. * "Serious times are before us, and there is great need for families to get out of the cities into the country, that the truth may be carried into the byways as well as the highways of the earth. Much depends upon laying our plans according to the word of the Lord and with persevering energy carrying them out." (6T 178.3) * "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." (MH 193.2) ### The Heavenly Country The concept of a "country" is also used metaphorically to describe the eternal home of the saved. * "In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country. [Hebrews 11:14-16.] There the great Shepherd leads his flock to fountains of living waters... On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God's people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home." (4SP 490.1)