第49章 区会职员
§1
第49章 区会职员
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Chapter 49—Conference Officers
§3
[《给传道人和工人的特别证言》系列一，第8号，1897年，第27-32页。]
§4
（澳大利亚库兰邦，1896年8月）
§5
区会会长和顾问们：上帝赐给摩西有关管理自己工作的特别指示。祂要摩西请人作他的顾问，以减轻他的担子。藉着叶忒罗所传达的信息是：“现在你要听我的话。我为你出个主意，愿上帝与你同在。你要替百姓到上帝面前，将案件奏告上帝；又要将律例和法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道，当做的事；并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人，就是敬畏上帝、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人，派他们作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长，管理百姓，叫他们随时审判百姓，大事都要呈到你这里，小事他们自己可以审判。这样，你就轻省些，他们也可以同当此任。你若这样行，上帝也这样吩咐你，你就能受得住，这百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处”（出18:19-28）。{TM 340.1}[1]
§6
[Special Testimonies, Series A 8:27-32 (1897).]
§7
(Cooranbong, Australia,August, 1896)
§8
Conference Presidents and Counselors,God gave to Moses special direction for the management of his work. He directed Moses to associate men with him as counselors, that his burdens might be lightened. Through Jethro the message was given: “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto?God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.”?{TM 340.1}[1]
§9
这个主意也适合于我们，应引起我们负责人的重视。我们的总会会长已经揽过了许多上帝并没有放在他身上的担子。他设法去做的事也没能做得又好又聪明。……{TM 341.1}[2]
§10
This counsel is for us. It should be heeded by our responsible men. The president of our General Conference has been left to gather to himself burdens which God has not laid upon him, and the things that he has tried to do could not be done wisely and well....?{TM 341.1}[2]
§11
摩西说：“他们有事的时候就到我这里来，我便在两造之间施行审判；我又叫他们知道上帝的律例和法度”（出18:16）。这项工作仍是要做的。如果负责人不做，就要交给别人去做。主的工作必须推进，没有诡诈，没有假冒，也没有贪心。{TM 341.2}[3]
§12
Moses said, “When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.” This work is still to be done, and if the men who bear responsibilities will not do it, then it must be committed to others. The Lord’s work must be carried forward without guile, hypocrisy, or covetousness.?{TM 341.2}[3]
§13
【顾问的品格】
§14
主在给摩西的指示中，非常清楚地指出了担任顾问重要职务之人的品格。他们应是“有才能的人，就是敬畏上帝、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人”（出18:21）。很奇怪，主的忠告竟遭到忽视。担任圣职的人在受到责备时，竟不理不睬。一些多年担任顾问的人居然大胆地声称自己不愿意接受所赐的证言[注一]。他们得意地宣称，我们许多负有最重要责任的人已对怀姐妹的信息失去了信心。拒绝亮光的人就这样增强了不信之心，觉得自己有一个强大的联盟。曾拥有亮光的人逆光而行了。下面这句话说得很现实：“诚实在街上仆倒，正直也不得进入”（赛59:14）。不信的疾病已在远近各等人中散布致命的毒气。这一切都已经明说，多年以来的情况一直没有改进。在这种境况下，还能指望主的悦纳吗？……{TM 341.3}[4]
§15
【Character of Counselors】
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In His instruction to Moses the Lord very plainly set forth the character of those who were to fill important positions as counselors. They are to be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” The Lord’s counsel has been strangely neglected. There are men in places of holy trust who, when?reproved, have cared nought for it. Some who for years have stood as counselors have boldly stated that they would not receive the testimonies given. [See?Appendix.] In triumph they have declared that many of our most responsible men have lost faith in the message coming from Sister White. Thus the rejecters of light have been strengthened in their unbelief, feeling that they had quite a strong confederacy. Men who have had the light have walked contrary to the light. These words are appropriate: “Truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” The malaria of unbelief has been diffusing its deathly atmosphere throughout the ranks, nigh and afar off. All this has been stated plainly, yet for years matters have been left unchanged. Can the Lord’s favor be expected under such circumstances? ...{TM 341.3}[4]
§17
【研究上帝的方法】
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作为一班子民，我们应该研究上帝实行祂工作的方法。祂无论在哪里赐下什么指示，我们都当仔细考虑如何重视祂所表达的旨意。要特别关注这件工作。单选择一个人担任总会会长是不明智的。总会的工作已经扩大了。有些事情已不必要地复杂化了。需要有洞察的能力。应该有工作职责的划分，或制订其他计划来改变现状。……{TM 342.1}[5]
§19
【Study God’s Methods】
§20
As a people we should study God’s plans for conducting His work. Wherever He has given directions in regard to any point, we should carefully consider how to regard His expressed will. This work should have special attention. It is not wise to choose one man as president of the General Conference. The work of the General Conference has extended, and some things have been made unnecessarily complicated. A want of discernment has been shown. There should be a division of the field, or some other plan should be devised to change the present order of things....?{TM 342.1}[5]
§21
总会会长[注二]应有权决定谁担任顾问作他的助手。那些愿意持守主道，藉着培养家庭宗教保持清晰敏锐洞察力的人，乃是可靠的顾问。论到这样的人，鉴察人心的主说：“我眷顾他，为要叫他吩咐他的众子和他的眷属遵守我的道，秉公行义”（创18:19）。上帝为摩西所选那种品格的顾问乃是总会会长所需要的。他至少有权表示自己喜欢由谁作他的顾问。他有权辨别谁是侍奉上帝的，谁不是侍奉上帝的。但他竟出奇地盲目。在人的心中一直有一种发酵般的影响。这是极其痛苦的。多年以来，上帝遭到了羞辱。……{TM 342.2}[6]
§22
The president of the General Conference [See?Appendix.] should have the privilege of deciding who shall stand by his side as counselors. Those who will keep the way of the Lord, who will preserve clear, sharp discernment by cultivating home religion, are safe counselors. Of such a one?the Searcher of hearts saith, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Counselors of the character that God chose for Moses are needed by the president of the General Conference. It was his privilege at least to express his preference as to the men who should be his counselors. It was his privilege to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. But a strange blindness was upon him. There has been a leavening influence upon human minds, and it has been most painful. For years God has been dishonored....?{TM 342.2}[6]
§23
我要对区会会长们说。他们应当负起所交给他们的责任。在你们的工作中，不要设法迎合人的标准，而要达到上帝工作的标准。你们如果不这么做，不极其恳切地寻求主，不担起重担，而选择把全部担子都放在总会会长身上，那么，周复一周，月复一月，你们正在丧失作工的资格。你们应该离开这项工作，从事普通的商业交易。那些事情不这么明显地涉及永恒的责任。{TM 343.1}[7]
§24
I have the word of the Lord for presidents of conferences. They should shoulder the responsibilities involved in the trusts reposed in them. In your work, do not try to meet a human standard, but the standard of God’s work. If you will not do this, if you will not seek the Lord most earnestly, if you will not be burden bearers, but choose to lay your whole weight of responsibilities upon the president of the General Conference, then, week by week, month by month, you are disqualifying yourselves for the work. You should leave it, and engage in common business transactions, which do not so decidedly involve eternal responsibilities.?{TM 343.1}[7]
§25
区会会长们，我奉主耶稣的名呼吁你们：“当趁耶和华可寻找的时候寻找祂，相近的时候求告祂。恶人当离弃自己的道路；不义的人当除掉自己的意念。归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他；当归向我们的上帝，因为上帝必广行赦免”（赛55:6,7）。你们要成为舍己的传道士，成为有思想的人，成为愿意祈求神圣启迪的人，成为愿意忠心尽职的人。要坐在耶稣脚前，得知祂的旨意。你们要进行热心的活动。不要教导人你们自己的想法，自己的计划，自己的观念，和自己的格言，而要教导主的道。{TM 343.2}[8]
§26
Presidents of conferences, I appeal to you in the name of the Lord Jesus: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” You are to be self-denying missionaries, men of thought, men who will pray for divine enlightenment, and who will be faithful and?true to responsibilities. Sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn His will. There must be zealous activity on your part. Teach not your ideas, your plans, your notions, your maxims, but teach the word of the Lord.?{TM 343.2}[8]
§27
你们每周的祷告时辰结束以后，如果就觉得万事大吉了，朝着那道德的大镜子观望之后就走了，忘记了自己的相貌如何，那你们中就没有一个人可以胜任自己重大庄严的职责。单单侍奉一天不足以满足人心灵的需要。你们必须不间断地来到宝库，吃上帝儿子的肉、喝祂的血。在1896或1897年里，不要贬低宗教。{TM 344.1}[9]
§28
Your weekly seasons of prayer will not qualify any one of you for your great and solemn responsibilities, if, after these seasons, you feel that your work is done, and, having looked into the great moral looking glass, you go away and forget what manner of man you were. It is not merely one day of service that will suffice for the soul’s need. You must be constantly coming to the storehouse to feed on the flesh and blood of the Son of God. Religion is not to be cheapened in 1896 or 1897.?{TM 344.1}[9]
§29
【摆脱世俗的影响】
§30
凡与上帝的性情有份的人要摆脱世俗的影响，离开虚妄的欢宴，与基督一同坐下，跟他们的救赎主谈心。要结束你不信的忧虑。当焦急的门徒看着海边饥饿的大批群众时，心中就感到无奈。他们问道：我们要到附近的村庄买食物给他们吃吗？在几个区会中，许多人现在也正在问道，我们要打发人到巴特尔克里克去请人来，与我们一同举行聚会，复兴我们，喂养我们吗？基督怎么说的呢？祂说：不！祂吩咐群众五十人一排或一百人一排在草地上坐下。他们顺从了命令，一排排坐在草地上。耶稣从那孩子手中取了五个饼两条鱼，仰望祂的父，求祂祝福这不多的食物。然后祂把食物放在门徒们手里分发。那不多的食物在基督的手里增多了。祂不断有新的供应给祂的仆人们去分给饥饿的群众，直到所有人都得到了足够的食物。于是祂吩咐说：“把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的”（约6:12）。剩余的食物被收集起来了。{TM 344.2}[10]
§31
【Come Out from Worldly Influences】
§32
Those who are partakers of the divine nature are to come out from worldly influences, from empty festivities, and sit down with Christ, in heart communion with their Redeemer. Cease your unbelieving worry. When the anxious disciples saw the hungry multitudes beside the sea, impossibilities arose in their minds, and they questioned, Shall we go to the villages and buy, to give them to eat? Just so in the several conferences many now ask, Shall we send to Battle Creek for someone to come and hold meetings with us and revive us and feed us? What said Christ? No. He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass in companies of fifty and one hundred. They obeyed orders, seating themselves in long lines on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fishes out of the hands of the lad, and, looking up to His Father, He asked His blessing upon the meager supply. Then He put into the hands of His disciples the food to be distributed. The scanty provision grew under the hand of Christ, and He had constantly?a fresh supply for His servants to distribute to the hungry multitude, until all had a sufficiency. Then the word came, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” There was a surplus of food gathered up.?{TM 344.2}[10]
§33
这对所有的人在属灵的经验上都是一个教训。人如果愿意单单信靠上帝，就会省去多少的忧虑啊！生命的粮要分给需要的人。但这方面的工作往往如何开展呢？要开冗长的会议来制订计划，发明新的方法。不断设法安排娱乐活动，吸引人到教会或安息日学去。工人们象门徒一样发问道：我们要到村庄去购买吗？要做什么工作呢？要来到耶稣面前！谦卑的信心和祈祷要比你们冗长的会议成就多更多。要听从救主的邀请，肩负祂的轭，接受祂的担子，领受祂的恩赐。祂说：“我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”（太11:30）。{TM 345.1}[11]
§34
This is a lesson to all in their spiritual experience. What an amount of worry would be saved if men would only trust in God. The bread of life is to be given to needy souls. And what a work is often made of the matter. There are long councils for devising plans, inventing new methods. There is a constant effort to get up entertainments to draw people to the church or the Sabbath school. Like the disciples, the workers raise the question, Shall we go to the villages and buy? What is the work to be done? Come unto Jesus. Humble faith and prayer will accomplish very much more than your long councils. Listen to the Saviour’s invitation. Put your neck under His yoke. Accept His burdens. Receive that which He bestows. He says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”?{TM 345.1}[11]
§35
不必预测可怕的困难。我们必须吃基督的肉、喝基督的血，那就是领受生命的道。要教导明白真理的人从自己的牧人那里领受真理，为真理祈求，并实行真理。这样，人就会在信心和知识上长进，领受生命的粮并且消化。“你的言语一解开，就发出亮光，使愚人通达”（诗119:130）。真理必须进入人的心中。多多的祈祷，少一些冗长的讲道，有利于身心的健康。{TM 345.2}[12]
§36
This anticipation of terrible difficulties need not be. We must eat and drink the word of life, which is represented as eating and drinking of the flesh and blood of Christ. Those who know the truth must be educated to receive it from their own shepherds, and pray over it, and practice it. Then souls will grow in faith and in intelligent knowledge. They would receive the bread of life and digest it. The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” The truth needs to enter into heart and mind. More, much more praying, and less long sermonizing will be for the health of the body and soul.?{TM 345.2}[12]
§37
有人化钱前往耶路撒冷去参观耶稣走过和讲过道的地方。其实我们宝贵的救主就在我们身旁。祂与我们同在。我们在自己家里和教会里就可以拥有一个耶路撒冷。我们可以看到祂新的脚步。我们可以享受祂的话语，并拥有永生。我们需要更多地学习，更认真地默想和与基督亲密交谈。我们需要倾听那微小的声音，并因信安息在基督的爱里。我们应该有一种更为健康的经验，变成更加强健活泼的基督徒。{TM 345.3}[13]
§38
Money has been expended in sending men to Jerusalem, to see the place where Jesus traveled and taught, when we have the precious Saviour nigh us, His presence?with us, and we may have a Jerusalem in our own houses and in the churches. We can discern His fresh footsteps, we can eat His words and have eternal life. We need more study, more earnest meditation and communion with Christ. We need to listen for the still small voice, and to rest by faith in the love of Christ. We should have a much more healthful experience, and become much more vigorous Christians.?{TM 345.3}[13]
§39
我们的讲道过多。但我们需要学习领受圣道。来自国外的一切帮助都不能弥补这种不足。国内的布道工作必须由国内布道士参加。上帝不喜悦自私的计划，给那些认识真理的人那么多有利的条件。他们有机会明白的真理，远比他们所实行的要多。成千上万的人还处在无知之中，将离开基督而灭亡。可是财力，时间和人力却投在那班总是在学习的人身上。他们虽然常常学习，却没有从经验上认识真理，因为他们不愿实行真理。{TM 346.1}[14]
§40
We have a superabundance of sermons, but we need to learn to receive the word. All the help from abroad cannot supply this deficiency. The home missionary work must be entered into by home missionaries. God is not pleased with the selfish devisings to give so many advantages to those who know the truth, who had opportunities to understand far more of the truth than they practice. Thousands upon thousands are in ignorance, perishing out of Christ. Yet money and time and labor are devoted to the class who are ever learning, yet never able to come to the experimental knowledge of the truth because they will not practice the truth.?{TM 346.1}[14]
§41
那些乐意从事服务的人，乃是最以基督为食的人。阅读和研究祂的话，就饮于祂的灵感，领受祂的恩典，不是要贮藏起来，而是要分给别人。为了教导别人，教师们必须先成为基督的学生。在每个教会中都有马大。他们在宗教活动中热情地忙碌着。他们做了大量的善事；但我们也需要品格中马利亚的一面的。最热心的工人需要在耶稣的脚前学习。{TM 346.2}[15]
§42
Those who are ready to do service are those who feed most on Christ. Read and study His word, drink in the inspiration of His Spirit, and receive of His grace, not to hoard, but to give to others. In order to instruct others, the teachers must first be learners of Christ. There are Marthas in every church. They are intensely busy in religious activities, and they do much good; but we need also Mary’s side of character. The most zealous workers need to learn at the feet of Jesus.?{TM 346.2}[15]
§43
[注一]第342页。对证言的态度：一些担任顾问的人宣称“他们不接受所赐的证言”，这句话反映了《历史背景说明》所描述1890年代中期的情形。但在1901年的总会会议上，更多坚信预言之灵的人进入领导岗位。{TM 529.3}[16]
§44
【Appendix Notes】
§45
Page 342.?Attitude toward the Testimonies: The statement that some who stood as counselors had declared “that they would not receive the testimonies given” highlights the situation which existed in the mid-1890’s as described in the historical foreword. However, at the General Conference session of 1901, more men who were firm in their confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy were drawn into positions of leadership.?{TM 529.3}[16]
§46
在那次会议的开始，经怀爱伦呼吁重新组织教会工作之后，曾在澳大利亚工作多年，并将在这次会议上成为教会领袖的A.G.丹尼尔斯，表达了自己的立场。他说：“我们都认为，我们唯一的保障在于顺从、跟随我们伟大的领袖。……如果我们今日尽力行在已有的亮光中，上帝就必赐给我们更多的亮光。祂必带领我们摆脱奴役，进入光荣的自由。”——《全球总会公报》1901年4月3日，第27页。{TM 529.4}[17]
§47
In the opening session of that conference, after Ellen White had called for a reorganization of the work of the church, A. G. Daniells, who had been in Australia for many years, and who at this conference was to become the leading officer of the church, made his position clear when he stated, “We all feel that our only safety lies in obedience, following our great Leader.... If we walk in the light we have, go just as far as we can today, God will give us further light; He will bring us out of bondage into glorious liberty.”—General Conference Bulletin, April 3, 1901, 27.?{TM 529.4}[17]
§48
圣工的某些领导人未能响应恳求、警告和劝勉的信息，也没有作出所要求的改变。{TM 530.1}[18]
§49
Certain leaders in the institutional work failed to respond to the messages of entreaty, warning, and counsel, and the changes which were called for were not made.?{TM 530.1}[18]
§50
[注二]第342页。总会会长：在1896年，怀爱伦在给区会会长和顾问的信函中写道：“单选择一个人担任总会会长是不明智的。”总会的职员应包括（1）会长，（2）干事，（3）秘书兼司库。在这一年中，国外传道秘书和教育秘书也列为总会职员。但是在1901年，我们发现所列的职员只有会长、干事和司库。怀爱伦1896年这段话的上下文表明，她并不想教导说不该设立总会会长，而是如本书第343页所说：“上帝为摩西所选那种品格的顾问乃是总会会长所需要的。”无论是在1901年以前还是以后，在怀爱伦的著作中，从未提出在本会的组织计划中，不该由代表们选定一位会长。在她已出版和未出版的著作中，多处提到总会会长，他的职责，和他应表现的态度。{TM 530.2}[19]
§51
Page 342.?The president of the General Conference: In 1896, the year of the writing of the message addressed to conference presidents and counselors in which Ellen White stated, “It is not wise to choose one man as president of the General Conference,” the officers of the General Conference consisted of (1) a president, (2) a corresponding secretary, and (3) a recording secretary and treasurer. In this particular year, the foreign mission secretary and the educational secretary were also listed as officers of the General Conference, but in 1901, we find the officers listed only as president, secretary, and treasurer. The context of the statement made by Ellen White in 1896 makes it clear that she does not intend to teach that there should not be a president of the General Conference, but rather, as is stated on?page 343, “counselors of the character that God chose for Moses are needed by the president of the General Conference.” At no time in the writings of Ellen White, either prior to the year 1901, or subsequently, did she indicate that in the denominational plan of organization there should not be a president chosen by the delegates. In her writings, published and unpublished, there are many references to the president of the General Conference, to his responsibilities, and to the attitudes which he should manifest.?{TM 530.2}[19]
§52
在1901年的会议上，总会委员会受权自行组织并选择自己的职员。1902年，它设立了总会副会长的职位，并挑选一人担任。从那时起，领导担子就不止由一人承担了。总会委员会现设立了几名副会长，和十三个分会副会长职务。{TM 530.3}[20]
§53
In the year 1902, the General Conference Committee, which at the session of 1901 had been empowered to organize itself and choose its own officers, created the office of vice-president of the General Conference, and selected a man to fill that office. From that time onward the burdens of leadership were shouldered by more than one man. The General Conference constitution provides for several general vice-presidents, and for a vice-president of each world division, of which there are thirteen.?{TM 530.3}[20]