Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

and as you teach them how to make a garden, how to prepare the soil for
seed, and the importance of keeping all the weeds pulled out, teach them also
how important it is to keep unsightly, injurious practices out of the life.
Teach them to keep down wrong habits as they keep down the weeds in their
gardens. It will take time to teach these lessons, but it will pay, greatly pay.
The earth has blessings hidden in her depths for those who have courage
and will and perseverance to gather her treasures. Many farmers have failed
to secure adequate returns from their land because they have undertaken the
work as though it was a degrading employment; they do not see that there is
a blessing in it for themselves and their families.
Parents are under obligation to God to make their surroundings such as
will correspond to the truth they profess. They can then give correct lessons
to their children, and the children will learn to associate the home below with
the home above. The family here must, as far as possible, be a model of the
one in heaven. Then temptations to indulge in what is low and groveling will
lose much of their force. Children should be taught that they are only
probationers here, and educated to become inhabitants of the mansions
which Christ is preparing for those who love Him and keep His
commandments. This is the highest duty which parents have to perform.
So far as possible, all buildings intended for human habitation should be
placed on high, well-drained ground. This will ensure a dry site. This matter
is often too lightly regarded. Continuous ill health, serious diseases, and
many deaths result from the dampness and malaria of low-lying, ill-drained
situations.
In the building of houses it is especially important to secure thorough
ventilation and plenty of sunlight. Let there be a current of air and an
abundance of light in every room in the house. Sleeping rooms should be so
arranged as to have a free circulation of air day and night. No room is fit to
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