Transcription
The Adventist HomeEllen G. White1952Copyright 2013Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.
Information about this BookOverviewThis eBook is provided by the Ellen G. White Estate. It is includedin the larger free Online Books collection on the Ellen G. WhiteEstate Web site.About the AuthorEllen G. White (1827-1915) is considered the most widely translatedAmerican author, her works having been published in more than 160languages. She wrote more than 100,000 pages on a wide variety ofspiritual and practical topics. Guided by the Holy Spirit, she exaltedJesus and pointed to the Scriptures as the basis of one’s faith.Further LinksA Brief Biography of Ellen G. WhiteAbout the Ellen G. White EstateEnd User License AgreementThe viewing, printing or downloading of this book grants you onlya limited, nonexclusive and nontransferable license for use solelyby you for your own personal use. This license does not permitrepublication, distribution, assignment, sublicense, sale, preparationof derivative works, or other use. Any unauthorized use of this bookterminates the license granted hereby.Further InformationFor more information about the author, publishers, or how youcan support this service, please contact the Ellen G. White Estateat mail@whiteestate.org. We are thankful for your interest andfeedback and wish you God’s blessing as you read.i
ForewordThe Adventist home is a home where Seventh-day Adventiststandards and practices are lived and taught, a place to which Seventh-day Adventist fathers and mothers are commissioned by Christto go and make Christians of the members of their own households.And in order to perform that task well, Seventh-day Adventist parents are looking for all the help they can possibly find.Ellen G. White has written much and very valuable counselfor parents. She has touched upon every phase of the home, andoffers specific instruction on many of the problems which give somuch concern to thoughtful and often anxious parents today. Someyears before her death, she indicated her desire to get out “a bookfor Christian parents” that would define “the mother’s duty andinfluence over her children.” In the present work an endeavor hasbeen made to fulfill this expectation.This book, The Adventist Home, is at once a sort of handbook ormanual for busy parents, and a pattern or ideal of what the home canand should become. Here are the answers to your many questions,the words of wisdom from the heavenly Father.In compiling this work, excerpts have been drawn from the EllenG. White writings penned through seven decades, but especiallyfrom the thousands of E. G. White articles which were preparedfor the journals of the denomination. The current published works,special testimonies issued in pamphlet form, and the E. G. Whitemanuscript files have also enriched the Volume. Appropriate sourcecredits are given in connection with each chapter. As the excerpts[6] drawn from different sources written at different times are linkedtogether in their logical sequence, there may be occasionally a slightunavoidable break in thought or manner of address, for the compilersare limited in their work to selecting and arranging the subject matterand supplying the headings.This document has been prepared in the office of the Ellen G.White Publications. The work has been done in harmony with Mrs.ii
White’s instruction to her trustees in providing “for the printingof compilations” from her manuscripts, for they contain, she said,“instruction that the Lord has given me for his people.”Never in the history of the world has a book like this been neededmore urgently than it is right now. Never have parents and childrenbeen more anxious for the right answer to the things which troublethem. Never have homes been in such jeopardy as they are today.Every one of us knows that conditions in society are but a reflection of conditions in the homes of the nation. We likewise knowthat a change in the home will be mirrored in a changed society.To this end this Volume—The Adventist Home—has been preparedand, as a part of the Christian home library, is now sent forth on itsimportant mission by the publishers andThe Trustees of theEllen G. White PublicationsWashington, D.C.,May 8, 1952.[7]
ContentsInformation about this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iForeword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iiSection 1—The Home Beautiful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Chapter 1—Atmosphere of the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Chapter 2—Fundamentals of True Homemaking . . . . . . . . . . 13Chapter 3—The Eden Home a Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Section 2—A Light in the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Chapter 4—Far-Reaching Influence of the Home . . . . . . . . . . 20Chapter 5—A Powerful Christian Witness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Section 3—Choosing the Life Partner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Chapter 6—The Great Decision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Chapter 7—True Love or Infatuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Chapter 8—Common Courtship Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Chapter 9—Forbidden Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Chapter 10—When Counsel is Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Section 4—Factors that Make for Success or Failure . . . . . . . . . 55Chapter 11—Hasty, Immature Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Chapter 12—Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Chapter 13—Domestic Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Chapter 14—True Conversion a Requisite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Section 5—From the Marriage Altar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Chapter 15—Solemn Promises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Chapter 16—A Happy, Successful Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Chapter 17—Mutual Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84Chapter 18—Marital Duties and Privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90Section 6—The New Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97Chapter 19—Where Shall the Home Be? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98Chapter 20—The Family and the City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101Chapter 21—Advantages of the Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106Chapter 22—Building and Furnishing the Home . . . . . . . . . 111Section 7—Heritage of the Lord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119Chapter 23—Children a Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120Chapter 24—Size of the Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122Chapter 25—Caring for Needy Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126iv
ContentsChapter 26—Parents’ Legacy to Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 8—The Successful Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 27—A Sacred Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 28—The Child’s First School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 29—A Work That Cannot Be Transferred . . . . . . . .Chapter 30—Family Companionship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 31—Security Through Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 32—Preoccupy the Garden of the Heart . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 33—Promises of Divine Guidance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 9—Father—The House-Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 34—Father’s Position and Responsibilities . . . . . . .Chapter 35—Sharing the Burdens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 36—A Companion With His Children . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 37—The Kind of Husband Not To Be . . . . . . . . . . .Section 10—Mother—Queen of the Household . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 38—Mother’s Position and Responsibilities . . . . . .Chapter 39—Influence of the Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 40—Misconception of the Mother’s Work . . . . . . . .Chapter 41—Imperfect Patterns of Motherhood . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 42—Mother’s Health and Personal Appearance . . .Chapter 43—Prenatal Influences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 44—Care Of Little Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 45—Mother’s First Duty Is To Train Children . . . .Chapter 46—The Stepmother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 47—Christ’s Encouragement to Mothers . . . . . . . . .Section 11—Children—The Junior Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 48—Heaven’s Estimate of Children . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 49—Mother’s Helpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 50—The Honor Due Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 51—Counsel to Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 12—Standards of Family Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 52—Home Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 53—A United Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 54—Religion in the Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 55—Moral Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 56—Divorce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 57—Attitude Toward an Unbelieving Companion .Chapter 58—The Minister’s Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4248255266273277
viThe Adventist HomeChapter 59—The Aged Parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 13—The Use of Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 60—Stewards of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 61—Principles of Family Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 62—Economy to be Practiced . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 63—Instructing Children How to Earn and UseMoney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 64—Business Integrity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 65—Provision for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 14—Guarding the Avenues of the Soul . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 66—The Portals We Must Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 67—Enticing Sights and Sounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 68—Reading and its Influence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 15—Graces that Brighten Family Life . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 69—Courtesy and Kindness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 70—Cheerfulness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 71—Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 72—Hospitality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 16—The Home and its Social Relationships . . . . . . . .Chapter 73—Our Social Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 74—Safe And Unsafe Associations . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 75—Parental Guidance In Social Affairs . . . . . . . . .Chapter 76—Holidays And Anniversaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 77—Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 78—The Family a Missionary Center . . . . . . . . . . .Section 17—Relaxation and Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 79—Recreation is Essential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 80—What Shall We Play? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 81—Recreation that Yields Enduring SatisfactionsChapter 82—How the Christian Chooses His Recreation . . .Chapter 83—The Lure of Pleasure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 84—Directing Juvenile Thinking RegardingRecreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Section 18—Thou Shalt be Recompensed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 85—The Reward Here and Hereafter . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 86—Life In the Eden Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chapter 87—Pen Pictures of the New Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . 423429
Section 1—The Home Beautiful
Chapter 1—Atmosphere of the HomeHome Is the Heart of All Activity—Society is composed offamilies, and is what the heads of families make it. Out of the heartare “the issues of life”; and the heart of the community, of the church,and of the nation is the household. The well-being of society, thesuccess of the church, the prosperity of the nation, depend uponhome influences.1The elevation or deterioration of the future of society will be determined by the manners and morals of the youth growing up aroundus. As the youth are educated, and as their characters are molded intheir childhood to virtuous habits, self-control, and temperance, sowill their influence be upon society. If they are left unenlightenedand uncontrolled, and as the result become self-willed, intemperatein appetite and passion, so will be their future influence in moldingsociety. The company which the young now keep, the habits theynow form, and the principles they now adopt are the index to thestate of society for years to come.2The Sweetest Type of Heaven—Home should be made all thatthe word implies. It should be a little heaven upon earth, a placewhere the affections are cultivated instead of being studiously repressed. Our happiness depends upon this cultivation of love, sympathy, and true courtesy to one another.3The sweetest type of heaven is a home where the Spirit of theLord presides. If the will of God is fulfilled, the husband and wife[16] will respect each other and cultivate love and confidence.4Importance of the Home Atmosphere—The atmosphere surrounding the souls of fathers and mothers fills the whole house, andis felt in every department of the home.5To a large extent parents create the atmosphere of the homecircle, and when there is disagreement between father and mother,the children partake of the same spirit. Make your home atmospherefragrant with tender thoughtfulness. If you have become estrangedand have failed to be Bible Christians, be converted; for the character8
Atmosphere of the Home9you bear in probationary time will be the character you will have atthe coming of Christ. If you would be a saint in heaven, you mustfirst be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in lifewill not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will comeup from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in yourhome and in society. Jesus does not change the character at Hiscoming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our dailylives are determining our destiny.6Creating a Pure Atmosphere—Every Christian home shouldhave rules; and parents should, in their words and deportment towardeach other, give to the children a precious, living example of whatthey desire them to be. Purity in speech and true Christian courtesyshould be constantly practiced. Teach the children and youth torespect themselves, to be true to God, true to principle; teach them torespect and obey the law of God. These principles will control theirlives and will be carried out in their associations with others. Theywill create a pure atmosphere—one that will have an influence thatwill encourage weak souls in the upward path that leads to holinessand heaven. Let every lesson be of an elevating and ennobling [17]character, and the records made in the books of heaven will be suchas you will not be ashamed to meet in the judgment.Children who receive this kind of instruction will . be preparedto fill places of responsibility and, by precept and example, will beconstantly aiding others to do right. Those whose moral sensibilitieshave not been blunted will appreciate right principles; they will puta just estimate upon their natural endowments and will make thebest use of their physical, mental, and moral powers. Such souls arestrongly fortified against temptation; they are surrounded by a wallnot easily broken down.7God would have our families symbols of the family in heaven.Let parents and children bear this in mind every day, relating themselves to one another as members of the family of God. Then theirlives will be of such a character as to give to the world an objectlesson of what families who love God and keep His commandmentsmay be. Christ will be glorified; His peace and grace and love willpervade the family circle like a precious perfume.8Much depends on the father and mother. They are to be firmand kind in their discipline, and they are to work most earnestly to
10The Adventist Homehave an orderly, correct household, that the heavenly angels may beattracted to it to impart peace and a fragrant influence.9Make Home Bright and Happy—Never forget that you are tomake the home bright and happy for yourselves and your childrenby cherishing the Saviour’s attributes. If you bring Christ into thehome, you will know good from evil. You will be able to help your[18] children to be trees of righteousness, bearing the fruit of the Spirit.10Troubles may invade, but these are the lot of humanity. Letpatience, gratitude, and love keep sunshine in the heart though theday may be ever so cloudy.11The home may be plain, but it can always be a place wherecheerful words are spoken and kindly deeds are done, where courtesyand love are abiding guests.12Administer the rules of the home in wisdom and love, not witha rod of iron. Children will respond with willing obedience to therule of love. Commend your children whenever you can. Make theirlives as happy as possible. Keep the soil of the heart mellow bythe manifestation of love and affection, thus preparing it for the seedof truth. Remember that the Lord gives the earth not only cloudsand rain, but the beautiful, smiling sunshine, causing the seed to germinate and the blossom to appear. Remember that children need notonly reproof and correction, but encouragement and commendation,the pleasant sunshine of kind words.13You must not have strife in your household. “But the wisdomthat is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy tobe intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, andwithout hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceof them that make peace.” It is gentleness and peace that we want inour homes.14Tender Ties That Bind—The family tie is the closest, the mosttender and sacred, of any on earth. It was designed to be a blessing tomankind. And it is a blessing wherever the marriage covenant is entered into intelligently, in the fear of God, and with due considerationfor its responsibilities.15Every home should be a place of love, a place where the angels[19] of God abide, working with softening, subduing influence upon thehearts of parents and children.16
Atmosphere of the Home11Our homes must be made a Bethel, our hearts a shrine. Whereverthe love of God is cherished in the soul, there will be peace, there willbe light and joy. Spread out the word of God before your families inlove, and ask, “What hath God spoken?”17Christ’s Presence Makes a Home Christian—The home thatis beautified by love, sympathy, and tenderness is a place that angelslove to visit, and where God is glorified. The influence of a carefullyguarded Christian home in the years of childhood and youth isthe surest safeguard against the corruptions of the world. In theatmosphere of such a home the children will learn to love both theirearthly parents and their heavenly Father.18From their infancy the youth need to have a firm barrier built upbetween them and the world, that its corrupting influence may notaffect them.19Every Christian family should illustrate to the world the powerand excellence of Christian influence. Parents should realize theiraccountability to keep their homes free from every taint of moralevil.20Holiness to God is to pervade the home. Parents and childrenare to educate themselves to co-operate with God. They are to bringtheir habits and practices into harmony with God’s plans.21The family relationship should be sanctifying in its influence.Christian homes, established and conducted in accordance withGod’s plan, are a wonderful help in forming Christian character.Parents and children should unite in offering loving service to Him[20]who alone can keep human love pure and noble.22The first work to be done in a Christian home is to see that theSpirit of Christ abides there, that every member of the householdmay be able to take his cross and follow where Jesus leads the way.23 [21]1 TheMinistry of Healing, 349.Health Journal, June, 1890.3 Testimonies for the Church, Volume 3:539.4 The Signs of the Times, June 20, 1911.5 Manuscript 49, 1896.6 Letter 18b, 1891.7 Special Selections from the Testimonies for Students and Workers of our Sanitariums(1911) 4, 5.8 The Review and Herald, November 17, 1896.2 Pacific
12The Adventist Home9 Manuscript14, 1905.29, 1902.11 The Ministry of Healing, 393.12 The Review and Herald, July 9, 1901.13 Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 114.14 Manuscript 9, 1903.15 The Ministry of Healing, 356, 357.16 Letter 25, 1904.17 Letter 24a, 1896.18 Manuscript 126, 1903.19 Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, 119.20 The Review and Herald, October 9, 1900.21 Letter 9, 1904.22 Manuscript 16, 1899.23 Manuscript 17, 1891.10 Letter
Chapter 2—Fundamentals of True HomemakingThe Most Attractive Place in the World—While there areweighty responsibilities devolving upon the parents to guard carefully the future happiness and interests of their children, it is alsotheir duty to make home as attractive as possible. This is of fargreater consequence than to acquire estates and money. Home mustnot lack sunshine. The home feeling should be kept alive in thehearts of the children, that they may look back upon the home oftheir childhood as a place of peace and happiness next to heaven.Then as they come to maturity, they should in their turn try to be acomfort and blessing to their parents.1The home should be to the children the most attractive place inthe world, and the mother’s presence should be its greatest attraction.Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased, andeasily made unhappy. By gentle discipline, in loving words and acts,mothers may bind their children to their hearts.2Clean, Neat, Orderly—Cleanliness, neatness, and order areindispensable to the proper management of the household. But whenthe mother makes these the all-important duties of her life, anddevotes herself to them, to the neglect of the physical developmentand the mental and moral training of her children, she makes a sadmistake.3Believers should be taught that even though they may be poor,they need not be unclean or untidy in their persons or in their homes. [22]Help must be given in this line to those who seem to have no senseof the meaning and importance of cleanliness. They are to be taughtthat those who are to represent the high and holy God must keeptheir souls pure and clean, and that this purity must extend to theirdress and to everything in the home, so that the ministering angelswill have evidence that the truth has wrought a change in the life,purifying the soul and refining the tastes. Those who, after receiving the truth, make no change in word or deportment, in dress or13
14The Adventist Homesurroundings, are living to themselves, not to Christ. They have notbeen created anew in Christ Jesus, unto purification and holiness.While we are to guard against needless adornment and display,we are in no case to be careless and indifferent in regard to outwardappearance. All about our persons and our homes is to be neat andattractive. The youth are to be taught the importance of presentingan appearance above criticism, an appearance that honors God andthe truth.4A neglect of cleanliness will induce disease. Sickness does notcome without a cause. Violent epidemics of fevers have occurred invillages and cities that were considered perfectly healthful, and thesehave resulted in death or broken constitutions. In many instancesthe premises of the very ones who fell victims to these epidemicscontained the agents of destruction which sent forth deadly poisoninto the atmosphere, to be inhaled by the family and the neighborhood. It is astonishing to witness the prevailing ignorance relative tothe effects which slackness and recklessness produce upon health.5Order Necessary for a Happy Home—God is displeased with[23] disorder, slackness, and a lack of thoroughness in anyone. Thesedeficiencies are serious evils, and tend to wean the affections ofthe husband from the wife when the husband loves order, welldisciplined children, and a well-regulated house. A wife and mothercannot make home agreeable and happy unless she possesses alove for order, preserves her dignity, and has good government;therefore all who fail on these points should begin at once to educatethemselves in this direction, and cultivate the very things wherein istheir greatest lack.6Vigilance and Diligence to Be Blended—When we give ourselves unreservedly to the Lord, the simple, commonplace duties ofhome life will be seen in their true importance, and we shall performthem in accordance with the will of God. We are to be vigilant,watching for the coming of the Son of man; and we must also bediligent; working as well as waiting is required; there must be aunion of the two. This will balance the Christian character, makingit well developed, symmetrical. We should not feel that we are toneglect everything else, and give ourselves up to meditation, study,or prayer; neither are we to be full of bustle and hurry and work, tothe neglect of personal piety. Waiting and watching and working are
Fundamentals of True Homemaking15to be blended. “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; servingthe Lord.”7Provide Laborsaving Facilities—In many a home the wife andmother has no time to read, to keep herself well informed, no timeto be a companion to her husband, no time to keep in touch withthe developing minds of her children. There is no time or place forthe precious Saviour to be a close, dear companion. Little by littleshe sinks into a mere household drudge, her strength and time andinterest absorbed in the things that perish with the using. Too lateshe awakes to find herself almost a stranger in her own home. The [24]precious opportunities once hers to influence her dear ones for thehigher life, unimproved, have passed away forever.Let the homemakers resolve to live on a wiser plan. Let it beyour first aim to make a pleasant home. Be sure to provide thefacilities that will lighten labor and promote health.8Even the Humblest Tasks Are the Work of God—All thework we do that is necessary to be done, be it washing dishes,setting tables, waiting upon the sick, cooking, or washing, is ofmoral importance. The humble tasks before us are to be taken upby someone; and those who do them should feel that they are doinga necessary and honorable work, and that in their mission, humblethough it may be, they are doing the work of God just as surely aswas Gabriel when sent to the prophets. All are working in their orderin their respective spheres. Woman in her home, doing the simpleduties of life that must be done, can and should exhibit faithfulness,obedience, and love, as sincere as angels in their sphere. Conformity[25]to the will of God makes any work honorable that must be done.91 TheReview and Herald, February 2, 1886.Ministry of Healing, 388.3 The Signs of the Times, August 5, 1875.4 The Review and Herald, June 10, 1902.5 Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 105, 106.6 Testimonies For The Church 2:298, 299.7 The Review and Herald, September 15, 1891.8 The Ministry of Healing, 368, 369.9 Testimonies For The Church 3:79, 80.2 The
Chapter 3—The Eden Home a PatternGod Prepared Man’s First Home—The Eden home of ourfirst parents was prepared for them by God Himself. When He hadfurnished it with everything that man could desire, He said: “Let Usmake man in Our image, after Our likeness.” .The Lord was pleased with this last and noblest of all His creatures, and designed that he should be the perfect inhabitant of aperfect world. But it was not His purpose that man should live insolitude. He said: “It is not good that the man should be alone; Iwill make him an help meet for him.”1God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an helpmeet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fittedto be his companion, and who could be one with him in love andsympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam,signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to betrampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as anequal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of hisbone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing theclose union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in thisrelation. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishethand cherisheth it.” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and hismother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one.”2First Marriage Performed by God—God celebrated the first[26] marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator ofthe universe. “Marriage is honourable”; it was one of the first giftsof God to man, and it is one of the two institutions that, after thefall, Adam brought with him beyond the gates of Paradise. Whenthe divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation,marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of therace, it provides for man’s social needs, it elevates the physical, theintellectual, and the moral nature.3He who gave Eve to Adam as a helpmeet performed His firstmiracle at a marriag
This eBook is provided by theEllen G. White Estate. It is included in the larger freeOnline Bookscollection on the Ellen G. White Estate Web site. About the Author Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is considered the most widely translated American author, he
