第29章 我们教会中的活动
§1
第29章 我们教会中的活动
§2
Chapter 29—Activity in Our Churches
§3
[《给传道人和工人的特别证言》（系列一，第3号，1895年，第35-39页。]
§4
（1895年2月2日）
§5
我们各教会所流行单调的礼拜仪式需要改变。要引进活跃的酵，使我们的信徒可以沿着新的路线作工，并发明新的方法。当这种死气沉沉的单调局面打破以后，圣灵的能力就会在人心中运行。许多人就会开始热心作工。他们以前除了袖手旁观之外，从未想过别的事情。一个在地上做工的教会是与天上作工的教会相联系的。上帝在作工，众天使在作工，人也该为同胞的悔改而作工。要趁着白日努力工作。上帝必显明祂的恩典，使人得救归向基督。到处都有人快要在罪中灭亡。上帝正对每一个相信的人说，赶紧带着我要赐给你的信息去帮助他们。{TM 204.1}[1]
§6
[Special Testimonies, Series A 3:35-39 (1895).]
§7
(February 2, 1895.)
§8
The prevailing monotony of the religious round of service in our churches needs to be disturbed. The leaven of activity needs to be introduced that our church members may work along new lines, and devise new methods. The Holy Spirit’s power will move upon hearts when this dead, lifeless monotony is broken up, and many will begin to work in earnest who never before thought of being anything but idle spectators. A working church on earth is connected with the working church above. God works, angels work, and men should work for the conversion of souls. Efforts should be made to do something while the day lasts, and the grace of God will be revealed that souls may be saved to Christ. Everywhere souls are perishing in their sins, and God is saying to every believing soul, Hasten to their help with the message that I shall give you.?{TM 204.1}[1]
§9
【在家中的节约】
§10
主已让人们作祂的代表。他们心中要充满耶稣的爱，与祂合作，使人转离错误归向真理。上帝将阳光雨露惠赐大地。祂使大地生产出丰富的财宝供人使用。主任命人分发祂天上的礼物，引人归向真理。我在美国的弟兄们愿意询问如何将这宝贵救人的真理传给黑暗中的人吗？男男女女都要把他们的十分之一和供物献给上帝。当钱财充满了府库时，就有人奉派出去推进圣工。{TM 204.2}[2]
§11
【Economy in the Home】
§12
The Lord has made men His agents, and with heart filled with the love of Jesus, they are to cooperate with Him in turning men from error to truth. God blesses the earth with sunshine and showers. He causes the earth to bring forth its plenteous treasures for the use of man. The Lord has made man His almoner to dispense His heavenly gifts by bringing souls to the truth. Will my brethren in America inquire how the precious, saving truth reached them when they were in darkness? Men and women brought their tithes and offerings unto God, and as means filled the treasury, men were sent out to advance the work.?{TM 204.2}[2]
§13
要在今天接触黑暗中的人，就必须重申这个方法。但是我看到许多人扣留了十分之一，还有人扣留了部分奉献。可是伟大的布道工作却一年一年增长。我们应当学会节约家庭的开支，避免不必要的开销；因为各种缺乏，可怜，贫穷，不幸的现象都引起我们关注。我们蒙召去帮助那些贫困哀伤的人。我们必须注意让需要衣食的人得到供给，使心灵贫穷的人明白救恩的好处。{TM 204.3}[3]
§14
This same process must be repeated if souls in darkness are reached in this day. But I have seen that there are many who are withholding their tithes altogether, and others are withholding a part, and yet the great missionary work increases year by year. We should learn to economize in our household expenditures. No needless expenses should be incurred; because want and wretchedness, poverty and misery of every description press upon our notice, and we are called upon to help those who are needy and distressed. We must see that those who need food and clothing are supplied, that those who are in soul poverty may understand the goodness of salvation.?{TM 205.3}[3]
§15
【热心的工作】
§16
当我们按各自的才能热心工作时，上帝就必向我们显现自己，并使我们恩上加恩。一个为救灵而受生产之苦的工作的教会必是一个祈祷的教会，一个有信心的教会，一个领受恩典的教会。教会的信徒若跪在上帝面前，恳求祂的怜悯，天天寻求祂，那就是一个吃生命之粮，喝生命之水的教会。“你们奉我的名，无论向父求什么，祂就赐给你们”（约15:16），这个应许已经实现在他们身上。{TM 205.1}[4]
§17
【Earnest Work】
§18
It is when we are engaged in earnest work, working according to our several abilities, that God manifests Himself to us, and gives us grace for grace. A working church in travail for souls will be a praying church, a believing church, and a receiving church. A church whose members are found upon their knees before God, supplicating His mercy, seeking Him daily, is a church that is feeding upon the bread of life, and drinking of the waters of life. The promise, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you,” will be verified to them.?{TM 205.1}[4]
§19
以坚忍的热心所从事的基督化活动必带来大回报；在爱心上必获得更大的经验。人在坚守自己的岗位时，必对上帝要藉着他们做的事情有更高的认识。教会必兴起发光，认识到主的荣耀已经照耀她，而且黑暗正在消退。{TM 205.2}[5]
§20
Christlike activity pursued with persevering zeal will bring large returns. There will be an enlarged experience in love, and the human agents will have elevated views as to what God would do through them as they stand at their post of duty. Then will the church arise and shine, realizing that the glory of the Lord has risen upon her, and that darkness is receding.?{TM 205.2}[5]
§21
传道工作的成功是与完全彻底奉献的努力成比例的。每一次偏离真正的传道工作，每一次未怀有传道的精神，都会对教会起反作用，导致属灵的衰落。但在各条传道战线上付出的一切努力都给教会带来属灵的健康，不仅信徒的人数增加了，圣洁的热心和快乐也增加了。{TM 205.3}[6]
§22
Missionary success will be proportionate to wholehearted, thoroughly consecrated effort. Every departure from true missionary effort, every failure to cherish?the missionary spirit, has reacted upon the church, and there has been a decline of spirituality. But every earnest effort that has been made in missionary lines has brought spiritual health to the church, and has not only increased the membership of the church, but has increased its holy zeal and gladness.?{TM 205.3}[6]
§23
上帝守诫命的子民不久要经受最严峻的考验；但所有行在光中，散布亮光的人，必认识到上帝为了他们而实施干预。在山穷水尽之际，主就会向祂忠心的信徒显示祂的能力。上帝曾以神奇的方式为这个国家作工，并以祂全能的盾牌保护她。但当这个国家放弃改正教的原则，藉着立法赞同并且支持罗马教的原则，限制宗教自由时，上帝就必以祂自己的能力为祂的真子民作工。罗马必要行使暴政，但基督是我们的避难所。{TM 206.1}[7]
§24
The commandment-keeping people of God erelong will be placed in a most trying position; but all those who have walked in the light, and diffused the light, will realize that God interposes in their behalf. When everything looks most forbidding, then the Lord will reveal His power to His faithful ones. When the nation for which God has worked in such a marvelous manner, and over which He has spread the shield of Omnipotence, abandons Protestant principles, and through its legislature gives countenance and support to Romanism in limiting religious liberty, then God will work in His own power for His people that are true. The tyranny of Rome will be exercised, but Christ is our refuge.?{TM 206.1}[7]
§25
【舍己牺牲】
§26
许多人太久处在困乏欲睡的状况之中。一些人专心工作，表现出经久不哀的活力，另一些人却袖手旁观，随时准备对别人工作的方法和结果进行批评。他们喜欢这样做，但他们从来没有把心思花在制订计划上，使宝贵的灵魂得救归向基督。他们站在那里准备挑剔做事情的人。当这些懒惰的人醒悟，表现出良心发现的迹象时，如果别人没有马上在圣工中为他们找到愉快的位置，他们就会失望。他们很吃惊地发现，若不付出辛苦、舍己、把自我钉死在十字架上，就无法完成圣工。他们指望成功，以为他们必定拥有使徒在五旬节那样的成功。他们若拥有使徒那样谦卑和舍己牺牲的经验，就会取得这种成功。当他们象使徒们那样，呈上发自破碎、痛悔、相信之心的热切恳求时，同样的成功就会伴随着他们的辛劳。“因为那至高至上、住在永远、名为圣者的如此说：我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒”（赛57:15）。“我所看顾的，就是贫穷痛悔、因我话而战兢的人”（赛66:2）。{TM 206.2}[8]
§27
【Self-denying Sacrifice】
§28
Many have been altogether too long in a sleepy condition. While some have worked intently, and have manifested unfailing energy, others have stood as spectators, and have been ready to make remarks of a critical character as to methods and results. This they are ready to do, though they have never exercised their minds in originating any plans whereby precious souls might be saved for Christ. They stand ready to find fault with those who do something. When these indolent souls awake and show some signs of returning consciousness, they are disappointed if others do not at once find them pleasant places in the work. It is a great shock to them to find out that work cannot?be done without painstaking, self-denying, self-crucifying efforts. They expect success, and think that they must have the same order of success as did the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. This success they will have when they go through the experience of humble, self-denying sacrifice as did the apostles. When they present as earnest supplications from broken, contrite, believing hearts as did the apostles, then the same proportion of success will attend their labors. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.”?{TM 206.2}[8]
§29
【家庭传道工作】
§30
家庭布道精神在我们中间很少为人所知。在圣工的每一条战线上，都极需表现这种精神。部分教会已经开始沿着传道的路线开展一些活动。但如果我们不更加普遍而充分地觉醒，不认识现代真理的人就会跑到我们前面，挡住我们的去路。{TM 207.1}[9]
§31
【Home Missionary Work】
§32
The home missionary spirit is little known among us, and its manifestation is greatly needed in every line of work. A portion of the church has begun to exhibit some activity along missionary lines. But if we do not awake more generally and fully, then those who know not the truth for this time will advance before us and block up our way.?{TM 207.1}[9]
§33
需要多久才能唤醒多年在巴特尔克里克闲荡的懒人呢？他们何时才能成为上帝忠心的见证人呢？还要多久他们才能与基督一同负轭呢？每一天有多少间安排出来敬拜上帝呢？多少人有默想和热切祷告的时间呢？多少人已经养成了节俭的习惯，以致有礼物和供物可以献给主的殿呢？多少人已经藉着行善而心中火热呢？多少人已经付出恳切的努力鼓舞别人为主作工呢？要成功地在本地作工，就需要不灰心也不丧胆的精神、信心和恒心。在天国里没有怠惰的人。凡没能表现出爱基督的心，没有为拯救别人而努力的人，都不能进入有福的天家。{TM 207.2}[10]
§34
How long will it require to wake up the idlers who have for years loitered in Battle Creek? When will they become faithful witnesses for God? How long will it be before they yoke up with Christ? How much time each day is set apart for the worship of God? How many have seasons for contemplation and for fervent prayer? How many have educated themselves in economical habits, so that they may have gifts and offerings for the Lord’s house? How many have had their hearts warmed by the practical exercise?of benevolence? How many have made earnest efforts to inspire others to work for the Master? To work at home successfully will need a spirit, faith, and perseverance that will not fail nor be discouraged. There is not one inactive in heaven, and no one will enter the mansions of bliss who has failed to show love for Christ, who has put forth no efforts for the salvation of others.?{TM 207.2}[10]
§35
如果那些曾经推广真理的人不离开这些软弱的教会，而挤进巴特尔克里克，我们的各教会将会成就何等的大工啊！如果我们的信徒都作基督忠心、勤勉而敬畏上帝的仆人，付出种种努力尽可能深远地在他们所在的本地发挥他们的影响力，多少人原可得救啊！在一处点着的小蜡烛原可点亮许多别的蜡烛，结果就会听到赞美和感恩的声音，许多人就会说：“上帝已经行了何等的大事！祂所做的，远远超过我们所求所想的。”{TM 208.1}[11]
§36
Who can tell the work that might have been done in our churches, if those who had advocated the truth had not left these feeble churches, to crowd into Battle Creek? If all our people had been faithful, diligent, God-fearing servants of Christ, and had put forth efforts to make their influence as far-reaching as possible at home, where they were, how many souls might have been saved! One taper kindled in one place might have been the means of kindling many others, and the result would have been that the voice of praise and thanksgiving would have been heard, and many would have said: “What hath God wrought! He hath done exceedingly abundantly above all that we asked or thought.”?{TM 208.1}[11]