第13章 青年担任传道士
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第13章 青年担任传道士
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Chap.13 Young Men as Missionaries
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凡希望进入工作园地担任传道士、书报员或宣传员的青年,应当首先为他们的恩召接受适当的智力训练,和进行属灵方面的特殊准备。凡没有受过教育训练和培养的人,还不够资格进入那有知识和教育界的强大影响来敌挡真理的园地去工作。他们也不能有效地应付那由各种宗教和哲学谬论联合起来的荒诞邪说。因为要揭露这些谬论,必须掌握圣经的真理和科学的知识。{GW 81.1}[1]
§4
Young men who desire to enter the field as ministers, colporteurs, or canvassers, should first receive a suitable degree of mental training, as well as a special preparation for their calling. Those who are uneducated, untrained, and unrefined, are not prepared to enter a field in which the powerful influences of talent and education combat the truths of Gods word. Neither can they successfully meet the strange forms of error, religious and philosophical combined, to expose which requires a knowledge of scientific as well as Scriptural truth. {GW 81.1}[1]
§5
那些希望作传道士的人,更应感到按照圣经的方法接受传道训练的重要性。他们应当积极地投入圣工。当他们在学校学习的时候,要向大教师基督学习柔和与谦卑。守约的上帝已经应许要垂听祈祷,将祂的灵浇灌这些在基督学校里学习的人,使他们成为仁义的差役。{GW 81.2}[2]
§6
Those especially who have the ministry in view, should feel the importance of the Scriptural method of ministerial training. They should enter heartily into the work, and while they study in the schools, they should learn of the great Teacher the meekness and humility of Christ. A covenant-keeping God has promised that in answer to prayer His Spirit shall be poured out upon these learners in the school of Christ, that they may become ministers of righteousness. {GW 81.2}[2]
§7
要将错误和假道驱出脑海,使圣经的真理和信仰进入人心,这确是一件艰巨的工作。在我们中间所建立的大学,乃是上帝所指定的方法,为要教育男女青年担任各部门的布道工作。上帝的旨意是要这些学校不是培养少数的工人,而是要培养许多的工人。然而撒但决意要破坏这个计划。他常常将上帝所要预备在圣工上有作为的人夺走了。有许多人若受到勉励,就必愿意为主服务,并借此拯救自己的灵魂。教会应当感觉到自己的重大责任。当他们有经济有能力可以造就有才能的人进入福音园地的时候,他们不可将上帝的恩典限制在自己狭小的范围内,闭塞了真理的光。{GW 81.3}[3]
§8
There is hard work to be done in dislodging error and false doctrine from the head, that Bible truth and Bible religion may find a place in the heart. It was as a means ordained of God to educate young men and women for the various departments of missionary labor, that colleges were established among us. It is Gods will that they send forth not merely a few, but many laborers. But Satan, determined to overthrow this purpose, has often secured the very ones whom God would qualify for places of usefulness in His work. There are many who would work if urged into service, and who would save their souls by thus working. The church should feel her great responsibility in shutting up the light of truth, and restraining the grace of God within her own narrow limits, when money and influence should be freely employed in bringing competent persons into the missionary field. {GW 81.3}[3]
§9
我们应当预备成百的青年在各水边散播真理的种子。我们所需要的乃是愿意推广十字架之胜利的人,是在艰难与反对之中仍然坚立不移的人,是具备那在福音园地中所必须的热诚,果断和信心的人。……{GW 82.1}[4]
§10
Hundreds of young men should have been preparing to act a part in the work of scattering the seeds of truth beside all waters. We want men who will push the triumphs of the cross; men who will persevere under discouragements and privations; who will have the zeal and resolution and faith that are indispensable in the missionary field. . . . {GW 82.1}[4]
§11
我们中间有一些人,不必花时间和精力学习外语,就能成功地到外国宣讲真理。使徒时代教会的许多传道人,在蒙召去传扬基督那测不透的丰富的时候,曾神奇地讲说别国的方言。上帝既然从前如此乐意帮助祂的仆人,那么现今我们若训练那些本来是说外语的人,予以适当的鼓励,使他们将真理传给本国的人,难道我们还能怀疑祂不赐福给这样的事吗?如果那些进入国外福音园地的人善于物色各方面的人材,那么,我们在那里的工人就会比现有的更多了。……{GW 82.2}[5]
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【Foreign Languages】
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There are among us those who, without the toil and delay of learning a foreign language, might qualify themselves to proclaim the truth to other nations. In the primitive church, missionaries were miraculously endowed with a knowledge of the languages in which they were called to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. And if God was willing thus to help His servants then, can we doubt that His blessing will rest upon our efforts to qualify those who naturally possess a knowledge of foreign tongues, and who, with proper encouragement, would bear to their own countrymen the message of truth? We might have had more laborers in foreign missionary fields, had those who entered these fields availed themselves of every talent within their reach. . . . {GW 82.2}[5]
§14
在某些情况下,青年人学习外语是必要的。他们最有效的学习方法就是与当地的人民交流,同时每天用一部分时间学习外语。但这样做也不过是一个必要的步骤,为要准备教导当地的人,适当地训练他们成为工人。最要紧的就是勉励那些能运用本国方言的人参加圣工。{GW 82.3}[6]
§15
It may in some cases be necessary that young men learn foreign languages. This they can do with most success by associating with the people, and at the same time devoting a portion of each day to studying the language. This should be done, however, only as a necessary step preparatory to educating such as are found in the missionary fields themselves, and who, with proper training, can become workers. It is essential that those be urged into the service who can speak in their mother tongue to the people of different nations. {GW 82.3}[6]
§16
中年人学习外语是一件极不容易的事,他纵然尽心努力,仍不能流畅地讲外语,作一个有效的工人。我们不值得把国内的中年和老年传道人的精力转到远方,差他们去参加那他们不够资格参加的,而且即或经过很多训练也难以适应的工作。这些人被派出后所留下的空缺,又是没有经验的人所不能补充的。{GW 83.1}[7]
§17
It is a great undertaking for a man of middle age to learn a foreign language; and with all his efforts, it will be next to impossible for him to speak it so readily and correctly as to render him an efficient laborer. We cannot afford to deprive our home missions of the influence of middle-aged and aged ministers, to send them into distant fields to engage in a work for which they are not qualified, and to which no amount of training will enable them to adapt themselves. The men thus sent out leave vacancies which inexperienced laborers cannot supply. {GW 83.1}[7]
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【艰苦的地方需要青年】
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教会可能要问:在国外设立和管理教会的重任,能不能交给青年呢?我要回答说,上帝计划要他们在我们的学校里并在与有经验的人同工时受训,预备他们在圣工中担负有用的职务。{GW 83.2}[8]
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【Young Men Wanted for Hard Places】
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The church may inquire whether young men can be entrusted with the grave responsibilities involved in the establishing and superintending of a foreign mission. I answer, God designed that they should be so trained in our colleges and by association in labor with men of experience, that they would be prepared for places of usefulness in this cause. {GW 83.2}[8]
§22
我们必须信任我们的青年,他们必须在一切需要付出劳苦和牺牲的工作中作先锋,而那些已经负担过责任的基督仆人要留作顾问,让他们勉励并祝福那些为上帝在最前线战斗的人。上帝曾经使这些老成练达的长辈,在早年体力和智力还没有充分发育的时候,就担负起艰巨而负责任的职务。这些重大的委托曾唤起他们的才能,积极的工作曾促进了他们体力和智力的发展。{GW 83.3}[9]
§23
We must manifest confidence in our young men. They should be pioneers in every enterprise involving toil and sacrifice, while the overtaxed servants of Christ should be cherished as counselors, to encourage and bless those who strike the heaviest blows for God. Providence thrust these experienced fathers into trying, responsible positions at an early age, when neither physical nor intellectual powers were fully developed. The magnitude of the trust committed to them aroused their energies, and their active labor in the work aided both physical and mental development. {GW 83.3}[9]
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我们需要青年。上帝呼召他们进入传道的园地。他们的负担和牵挂既然较轻,就比那些需要维持大家庭生计和教育的人更适于这项工作。况且青年更容易适应新的气候和环境,更容易忍受艰难困苦。他们能机智耐心地接近当地的人民。{GW 84.1}[10]
§25
Young men are wanted. God calls them to missionary fields. Being comparatively free from care and responsibilities, they are more favorably situated to engage in the work than are those who must provide for the training and support of a large family. Furthermore, young men can more readily adapt themselves to new climates and new society, and can better endure inconveniences and hardships. By tact and perseverance, they can reach the people where they are. {GW 84.1}[10]
§26
力量来自运用。凡运用上帝所赐之才干的人必增加才干为祂服务。凡在上帝的圣工上无所事事的人,必不能在恩典和真理的知识上长进。一个人若四肢不勤,他不久就会失去运用四肢的能力。同样,基督徒若不运用上帝所赐的能力,它就不但不可能在基督里成长,而且会失去他原有的能力,成为一个属灵的瘫子。{GW 84.2}[11]
§27
Strength comes by exercise. All who put to use the ability which God has given them, will have increased ability to devote to His service. Those who do nothing in the cause of God, will fail to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. A man who would lie down and refuse to exercise his limbs, would soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his God-given powers, not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the strength which he already had; he becomes a spiritual paralytic. {GW 84.2}[11]
§28
凡本着爱上帝爱同胞的心努力帮助别人的人,必能在真理上得以稳固站立。真正的基督徒为上帝作工,不是出于一时冲动,而是按着原则,不是一日或一月,而是劳苦终生。……{GW 84.3}[12]
§29
It is those who, with love for God and their fellowmen, are striving to help others, that become established, strengthened, settled, in the truth. The true Christian works for God, not from impulse, but from principle; not for a day or a month, but during the entire life. . . . {GW 84.3}[12]
§30
主正在呼召人参加福音工作,有谁愿意响应呢?参军的人不能个个都作将军,校官,士官,甚至上等兵。不是每个人都担负领袖的责任。此外还有别的艰苦工作要做。有的必须掘壕筑垒,有的必须站岗放哨,有的必须传递信息。军中的官长虽然只有几位,却需要许多士兵,才能组成队伍,然而全军的胜利,则有赖于每个士兵的忠心。一个人的胆怯或不忠,往往能造成全军的不幸。……{GW 84.4}[13]
§31
The Master calls for gospel workers. Who will respond? Not all who enter the army are to be generals, captains, sergeants, or even corporals. Not all have the care and responsibility of leaders. There is hard work of other kinds to be done. Some must dig trenches and build fortifications; some are to stand as sentinels, some to carry messages. While there are but few officers, it requires many soldiers to form the rank and file of the army; yet its success depends upon the fidelity of every soldier. One mans cowardice or treachery may bring disaster upon the entire army. . . . {GW 84.4}[13]
§32
上帝已按着各人的才干,“分派各人当作的工”(可13:34)。祂决不会叫忠心尽职的人得不着奖赏。每一件忠诚和信实的行为,必得到上帝特别的恩赐和嘉许。祂应许每一个工人说:“那带种流泪出去的,必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来”(诗126:6)。-——《教会证言》卷五第390-395页{GW 85.1}[14]
§33
He who has appointed to every man his work, [Mark 13:34.] according to his ability, will never let the faithful performance of duty go unrewarded. Every act of loyalty and faith will be crowned with special tokens of Gods favor and approbation. To every worker is given the promise, He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. [Psalm 126:6.]--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. V, pages 390-395. {GW 85.1}[14]
§34
今日有许多少年,如同但以理在犹太家庭中那样成长,研究上帝话语和作为,学习忠心服务的功课。他们将站在立法院,审判厅或在宫庭中为万王之王作见证。许多人将蒙召从事更广泛的服务。全世界正在对福音开放。埃塞俄比亚人正在向上帝伸手。从中国,日本和印度,从美洲依然黑暗的地方,从世界的各个角落,都有被罪恶压伤的心,呼求认识慈爱的上帝。——《教育论》第262页{GW 85.2}[15]
§35
Many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, studying Gods word and His works, and learning the lessons of faithful service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts, as a witness for the King of kings. Multitudes will be called to a wider ministry. The whole world is opening to the gospel. Ethiopia is stretching out her hands unto God. From Japan and China and India, from the still darkened lands of our own continent, from every quarter of this world of ours, comes the cry of sin-stricken hearts for a knowledge of the God of love.--Education, page 262. {GW 85.2}[15]