Testimony Treasures, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor
and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." Isaiah 66:1, 2. During the
closing days of 1898 we had many experiences to teach us what these words
mean. My heart was greatly burdened, and matters were then opened before
me in regard to the evils that would arise from disposing of the land near the
school to be occupied with dwelling houses. We seemed to be in a meeting
for counsel, and there stood among us One who was expected to help us out
of our difficulties. The words He spoke were plain and decided:
"This land, by the appointment of God, is for the benefit of the school.
You have had evidences of the working of human nature and what it will
reveal under temptation. The greater the number of families that settle
around the school buildings, the more difficulties there will be in the way of
teachers and students. The natural selfishness of the children of men is ready
to spring into life if everything is not convenient for them. This land about
the school is to be the school farm, and this farm is to occupy much more
space than you have thought it would. Work in connection with study is to be
done here according to the counsels given. Avondale is to be a philanthropic
center. God's people in Australasia are to be moved upon by the Spirit of the
Lord to give sympathy and means for the support and encouragement of
many charitable and benevolent enterprises, which shall be the means of
teaching the poor, the helpless, and the ignorant how to help themselves."
A Panorama
On several occasions the light has come to me that the land around our
school is to be used as the Lord's farm. In a special sense portions of this
farm should be highly cultivated. Spread out before me I saw land planted
with every kind of fruit tree that will bear fruit in this locality; there were
also vegetable gardens, where seeds were sown and cultivated.
If the managers of this farm and the teachers in the school will receive
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