Life sketches of ellen g. white

habitation. p. 357, Para. 3, [LS15].
Many parents wishing to send their children to the school,
thought it ought to be located near one of the large cities
where many Seventh-day Adventists were living. They
believed that thirty or forty acres of land not far from
Sydney or Melbourne would be much better than a large tract
of wild land near Newcastle. Others were opposed to the
place because they thought the land was so poor that little
would be gained in its cultivation. Mrs. White had a more
encouraging view of the value of the land; and when the
liberal gift of $5,000 by the friends from Africa made it
possible to pay for the tract, she wrote: "I felt my heart
bound with gratitude, when I knew that in the providence of
God the land was in our possession; and I longed to shout
the high praises of God for so favorable a situation." p.
358, Para. 1, [LS15].
In July, 1895, Mrs. White determined to manifest her
interest in the school enterprise and her confidence in the
Avondale estate, by purchasing a piece of the land, and
making Cooranbong her home. She selected sixty-six acres,
and in a few weeks had a portion of her family living in
tents on the tract, which she named "Sunnyside." The
erection of an eight-roomed cottage was begun; and as soon
as a clearing could be made, land was plowed, and fruit
trees were planted. Of this experience she wrote: p. 358,
Para. 2, [LS15].
"When the foundation of the house was laid, preparations
were made for the raising of fruit and vegetables. The Lord
had shown me that the poverty which existed about
Cooranbong need not be; for with industry the soil could be
cultivated, and made to yield its treasure for the service
of man." p. 358, Para. 3, [LS15].
Mrs. White's unbounded enthusiasm regarding the
improvement of the Avondale estate, did much to cheer and
encourage others. She was particularly insistent that no
time be lost by the schoolmen in the planting of an
orchard; and she greatly rejoiced when in October one
thousand choice fruit trees were planted on a favorable
piece of land occupied a year before by a thick forest of
eucalyptus trees. p. 359, Para. 1, [LS15].
After the close of the industrial school in November,
several months passed without material progress being made.