《信函》1902年128号，1928年7月16日由V.E.R.重新抄写
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《信函》1902年128号，1928年7月16日由V.E.R.重新抄写
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Re-copied July 16, 1928 B—128—02 V. E. R.
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加利福尼亚州疗养院，“榆园”，1902年7月6日
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“Elmshaven”, Sanitarium, Cal.,1902-7-6
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致总会委员会和医疗布道董事会?
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To the General Conference Committee?
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亲爱的弟兄们：
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And the Medical Missionary Board:?
§9
我已再三蒙指示，必须竭尽所能使人们离开巴特尔克里克。我蒙指示看到疗养院在恶化，因为缺乏献身和有能力的人以纯洁向上的路线依照圣经原则推进它。非常清楚地呈现在我面前的是，将巴特尔克里克疗养院的工作分开，并在许多其它地方，在需要疗养院的各城建立工作站才会符合上帝的命令。那时才会做成更加真实的医疗布道工作；真理的亮光才会带着拯救的能力从许多地方照耀出去。{BCL 48.1}
§10
Dear Brethren,---Over and over again instruction has been given me that all must be done that can be done to draw people away from Battle Creek. I was shown that the Sanitarium there was deteriorating for the want of men of capability and consecration to carry it forward in pure, upward lines, in accordance with the Bible principles. Very clearly it has been presented to me that it would be in God’s order for the work of the Battle Creek Sanitarium to be divided, and plants made in many other places, in the cities that are in need of Sanitariums. More true medical missionary work would then be done; and from many places the light of truth would shine forth with saving power.?{BCL 48.1}
§11
我蒙指示要说，不可向我们的人提取资金在巴特尔克里克建立一座巨大的疗养院；用于建立那一个巨大疗养院的钱应该用来在许多地方建立工作站。我们不可从我们的人提取一切在一个地方建立一个大疗养院，却忽视其它地方，那些地方因缺乏资金而未开工。主的旨意不是让祂的子民在巴特尔克里克或在其它任何一个地方建立一座巨大的疗养院。在美国的许多地方都应该建立疗养院。这些疗养院不应当是大型机构，而应该有足够的规模，能成功地推进工作。{BCL 48.2}
§12
I am instructed to say that our people must not be drawn upon for means to erect an immense sanitarium in Battle Creek; the money that would be used in the erection of that one mammoth building should be used in making plants in many places. We must not draw all we can from our people for the establishment of a great sanitarium in one place, to the neglect of other places, which are unworked for the want of means. It is not the Lord’s will for His people to erect a mammoth sanitarium in Battle Creek or in any other place. In many places in America, sanitariums are to be established. These sanitariums are not to be large institutions, but are to be of sufficient size to enable the work to be carried forward successfully.?{BCL 48.2}
§13
关于我们前面的工作，我已得到警告。我们不应该鼓励大量学生在巴特尔克里克接受教育。巴特尔克里克不是我们寻求教育护士和其他医疗布道人员的唯一地方。在每一所建立起来的疗养院中，都要准备好把青年男女培养成医疗布道士。及至他们出发去为主作工的时候，祂就要在他们面前开路。{BCL 48.3}
§14
Cautions have been given me in reference to the work before us. We are not to encourage students in large numbers to receive their education at Battle Creek. Battle Creek is not the only place to which we are to look for the education of nurses and other medical missionary workers. In every sanitarium established, preparation must be made to train young men and young women to be medical missionaries. The Lord will open the way before them as they go forth to work for Him.?{BCL 48.3}
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先知预言的应验已在我们眼前留下许多凭据，证明万物的结局近了。在巴特尔克里克之外，犹有许多重要工作要做成。在美国其他地方和南方的许多城市，都需要疗养院。{BCL 48.4}
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The evidence before us of the fulfilment of the prophecy declares that the end of all things is at hand. There is much important work to be done out of and away from Battle Creek. There will be need of sanitariums in many of the cities of the South, as well as in other parts of America.?{BCL 48.4}
§17
现在是我们冷静思考的时候。要全盘考虑，我们应当在上帝的动作中读懂祂天意的安排。难道巴特尔克里克疗养院被火消灭为的是可以扩大，建立更大的建筑，做更多的炫耀吗？我认为要是有更多的祈祷，更恳切地研究上帝的作为和目的以便推进祂的工作，我们就应该看到弟兄们采取一种与一些人现在正采取的完全不同的做法。{BCL 48.5}
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It is time for us to think soberly. Taking all things into consideration, we should read the providence of God in His movements.?Was the Battle Creek Sanitarium consumed by fire in order that the plans might be enlarged, greater building erected, and more display made? I think if there were more praying, more earnest study of God’s ways and purposes for the advancement of His work, we should see our brethren taking a course altogether different from the course that some are now taking.?{BCL 48.5}
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当我们引一股水来灌溉花园的时候，难道我们使水专注在一处，而留下其他部分干旱荒芜，喊着说：“给我们水吧”？在巴特尔克里克就是以这种方式推进工作的，以致忽略了其它地方。难道我们要让那些荒芜的地方仍然荒芜吗？不！我们应当让水将快乐及生产力流沛各地。{BCL 49.1}
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When we bring into a garden a stream of water, to irrigate it, do we provide for the watering of one spot only, leaving the other parts, dry and barren, to cry, “Give us water?” This is a representation of the way in which the work has been carried forward in Battle Creek, to the neglect of other places. Shall the desolate places remain desolate? No! Let the stream flow through every place, carrying with it fertility and gladness.?{BCL 49.1}
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我们决不可信赖世人的认可及品评。在建立机构时，我们决不可设法在规模或华丽方面与世俗的机构竞争。我们与敌人斗争取得胜利不在于兴建宏大的建筑群，而是靠怀有像基督一样柔和谦卑的精神。背负十架，忍受失望而终获永生，要远胜与王候同居而丧失天国。{BCL 49.2}
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Never are we to rely upon worldly recognition and rank. Never are we, in the establishment of institutions, to try to compete with worldly institutions in size or splendor. We shall gain the victory, not by erecting massive buildings, in rivalry with our enemies, but by cherishing a Christ like spirit of meekness and lowliness. Better far the cross and disappointed hopes, than to live with princes and forfeit heaven.?{BCL 49.2}
§23
人类的救主曾来到这个因罪而被咒诅的邪恶世界，降生在贫寒之家，在加利利的小镇拿撒勒城默默无闻地长大。祂在穷困之中开始工作，没有什么属世的门弟。上帝就是这样将福音传给世人，祂所用的方法，与我们许多人在1902年传扬这同一福音时所用自以为聪明的方法，是完全不同的。在最初传布福音的时候，祂教导自己的教会不要信赖世俗的地位和煊赫光彩，而要依靠信心和顺从的能力。上帝的悦纳比金银更宝贵。圣灵的能力具有不可估量的价值。{BCL 49.3}
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The Saviour of mankind was born of humble parentage, in a sin-cursed, wicked world, He was brought up in obscurity at Nazareth, a small town of Galilee. He began His work in poverty and without worldly rank. Thus God introduced the gospel in a way altogether different from the way in which many deem it wise to proclaim the same gospel in 1902. At the very beginning of the gospel dispensation He taught His church to rely, not on worldly rank and splendor but on the power of faith and obedience. The favor of God is above the riches of gold and silver. The power of His spirit is of inestimable value.?{BCL 49.3}
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主这样说：“建造的人只有按照我关于建立这些机构的指示办事，才给我的圣工增光添色。如果那些管理和维持圣工的人，过去一直受纯洁无私的原则所支配，原本决不会把我的大批资金只用在一两个地方，不顾同样贫穷的其它地区的需要。原会在许多地方设立了机构。真理的种子原会播撒在更多的地方，发芽结果使我得荣耀了。{BCL 49.4}
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Thus saith the Lord: “Buildings will give character to My work only when those who erect them follow My instruction in regard to the establishment of institutions. Had those who have managed and sustained the work in the past always been controlled by pure, unselfish principles, the selfish gathering of a large share of My means to one or two places, regardless of the requirements of other places equally needy, would never have been. Institutions would have been established in many places. Seeds of truth sown in many more fields, would have sprung up and borne fruit to My glory.?{BCL 49.4}
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“在巴特尔克里克的机构已经不适当地增加了，其实本应该在许多其它城市建立影响中心。本应该更加均等地分布设施。在一个地方的机构不应当包揽全地，耗尽其它地方所需要的资金。许多从未得到少数地方拥有的有利条件的地方，现在应当予以注意。我的子民要做一种伶俐快捷的工作。凡动机纯正而全然献上身、心、灵给我的人，将要按着我的方法及奉我的名行事。每个人要站在自己的岗位上，仰望我作他的向导和顾问。{BCL 49.5}
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“The plants in Battle Creek have been unduly increased, when centers of influence should have been made in many other cities. There should have been more of an equalizing of facilities. The institutions in one place are not to embrace the whole land, swallowing up the means required for other places. The places that have never had the advantages that a few places have had are now to receive attention. My people are to do a sharp quick work.?Those who with purity of purpose fully consecrate themselves to Me, body, mind, and spirit, shall work in My way and in My name. Every one shall stand in his lot, looking to me, his Guide and Counselor.?{BCL 49.5}
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“我的名已大受羞辱。不要让任何一个人在巴特尔克里克建立大型昂贵的建筑；因为在那里管理工作的人过去因这么做已经受了责备。上帝并不制定这种计划，祂也不能认可这种计划。祂已责备和制止了许多人，因为他们犯了错误。许多错误已经纠正，但仍要做成一番彻底的工作。{BCL 50.1}
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“My name has been greatly dishonored. Let no one erect large, costly building even in Battle Creek; for the managers of the work there have been reproved for doing this in the past. God does not make such plans, and He can not endorse them. He has reproved and rebuked many for errors that they have made. Many wrongs have been corrected, but an earnest, thorough work is still to be done.?{BCL 50.1}
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“我要教训无知的人，并用天上的眼药擦在许多现处于灵性黑暗中之人的眼目上。我要兴起代行者实践我的旨意，预备一班人在末后的日子站在我面前。在许多久应设立疗养院及学校的地方，我要设立我的机构，这些机构要成为训练工人的教育中心。”{BCL 50.2}
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“I will instruct the ignorant, and anoint with heavenly eyesalve the eyes of many who are now in spiritual blindness. I will raise up agents who will carry out My will to prepare a people to stand before Me in the time of the end. In many places that ought to have been provided before with sanitariums and schools, I will establish My institutions, and these institutions will become education centers for the training of workers.”?{BCL 50.2}
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在一些出人意外的地方，主必在人的心中行事。有些人看来似乎是真理的仇敌，在上帝的安排之中，投资发展产业及建筑房屋。但到了时候，这些产业却要以低价出让，其价之廉，远在原有价值之下。本会的人将要看明这种出让，乃由上帝的手所支配，并要购得这有价值的产业，以供机构工作之用。他们将要本着谦卑，克己，及自我牺牲的心，来计划安排。这样，那些有钱的人就在不知不觉之中予以补助，使主的子民可以迅速推进祂的工作。{BCL 50.3}
§34
The Lord will work upon human minds in unexpected quarters. Some who apparently are enemies of the truth will in God’s providence invest their means to develop properties and erect buildings. In time, these properties will be offered for sale at a price far below their cost. Our people will recognize the hand of Providence in these offers and will secure valuable properties for use in institutional work. They will plan and manage with humility, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Thus men of means are unconsciously preparing auxiliaries that will enable the Lord’s people to advance His work rapidly.?{BCL 50.3}
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在各处地方，都要购置产业来做为疗养院之用。我们的人应当寻找机会去买那些在城市之外的产业，其上有已经建好的房屋及已经结实的果园。地乃是宝贵的产业。我们疗养院应当有地，并将一小部分作为服务人员及在受医疗布道训练的人们居家之用。{BCL 50.4}
§36
In various places, properties are to be purchased to be used for sanitarium purposes. When opportunity offers, our people should purchase properties away from the cities, on which are buildings already erected and fruit orchards already in bearing. Land is a valuable possession. Connected with our sanitariums there should be lands, small portions of which can be used for the homes of the helpers and others who are receiving a training in medical missionary work.?{BCL 50.4}
§37
在传扬信息时，上帝的仆人们必须与种种困惑搏斗。障碍必须消除。有时工作会在开头变得艰难，就像我们在密歇根州巴特尔克里克和加利福尼亚州奥克兰建立机构时一样。在澳大利亚库兰邦，我们以一种非常简陋的方式开始，在树林里支搭我们的帐篷，伐树，清理土地，预备盖楼。我们经历了怎样的斗争啊！我们获得了怎样的胜利啊！不献身的工人和假朋友有时参与我们在那个国家的机构的工作；但主已整顿事情。靠着祂圣灵的能力，已经带来一番改革。人人都能看到以色列的主上帝的庄严脚步。{BCL 50.5}
§38
In proclaiming the message, God’s servants must wrestle with perplexities. Obstacles must be removed. Sometimes the work will go hard at the beginning, as it did when we were establishing institutions in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Oakland, California. In Cooranbong, Australia, we began in a very crude way, pitching our tents in the woods, felling trees, and clearing the land, preparatory to the erection of buildings. What conflicts we had! What victories we gained! Unconsecrated workers and false friends have at times been connected with our institutions in that country; but the Lord has set things in order. By the power of His spirit a reformation has been brought about. All can see the stately steppings of the Lord God of Israel.?{BCL 50.5}
§39
葡萄园各部分的工作都要做成。在传播信息的初期虽有好的开端，但工作并没有照上帝所希望的发展。我们太过集中在巴特尔克里克、奥克兰和其它几处地方了。我们的弟兄们决不应该主要在一个地方建造，像他们在巴特尔克里克所做的那样。在许多园地一直都没有做什么来为上帝设立纪念。这是不对的。多年前我们的许多工人和信徒都有舍己和自我牺牲的精神。他们的努力取得了成功。主已表示祂的工作应当以与起初一样的精神推展。世界要受到警告。一个又一个的园地仍未开工。我们作为一班子民，难道要用我们的行为、我们的业务安排、我们对一个未得救世界的态度，作与我们二十或三十年前所作截然不同的见证吗？难道我们要拿出属灵疾病和缺乏明智计划的证据吗？关于这世界历史末后日子的大光已经照在我们身上。看到生灵正在罪中灭亡，这应该使我们行动起来，将现代真理的亮光传给如今那些处在黑暗里的人。上帝的使者们必须以能力为衣穿上。他们必须对真理有一种他们现在还不具有的崇敬。主有严肃神圣的警告信息不仅要在我们的各教会传扬，而且要在最困难的园地和罪恶最多的各城传扬——在第三位天使信息的亮光尚未传到的每个地区传扬。每一个人都要听到参赴羔羊婚筵的最后邀请。{BCL 51.1}
§40
Work is to be done in all parts of the vineyard. In early days of the message a right beginning was made, but the work has not developed as God desired it to develop. Too much has been centered in Battle Creek, and Oakland, and few other places. Our brethren should never have built so largely in one place as they have in Battle Creek. In many fields very little has been done to establish memorials for God. This is wrong. Years ago very many of our workers and people had the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Success attended their efforts. The Lord has signified that His work should be carried forward in the same spirit in which it was begun. The world is to be warned. Field after field is still unworked. Shall we as a people, by our actions, our business arrangements, our attitude toward a world unsaved, bear a testimony altogether different from the testimony borne by us twenty or thirty years ago? Shall we give evidence of spiritual disease and lack of wise planning? Upon us has shone great light in regard to the last days of this earth’s history. The sight of souls perishing in sin should arouse us to give the light of present truth to those now in darkness. God’s messengers must be clothed with power. They must have a reverence for the truth that they do not now possess. The Lord’s solemn, sacred message of warning must be proclaimed not merely in our churches, but in the most difficult fields and in the most sinful cities,—in every place where the light of the third angel’s message has not yet dawned. Every one is to hear the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb.?{BCL 51.1}
§41
我的弟兄们，要重新考虑你们的建筑计划。要使你们的建筑在你们的财力范围之内。主看到必须做成的工作。祂看到未开工而且缺乏设施的园地。祂要求凡侍奉祂的人都有平等公正的判断。在世界各地都有原本很久以前就应该做成的工作要做成。不应将大量钱财投在一个地方。每建一栋楼房都要考虑别的地区也需要相似的楼房。上帝要求在祂的工作中身居要职的人不要挡住前进的道路，自私地把他们所能得到的财力都用在一个地方或一个方面的工作。{BCL 51.2}
§42
My brethren, let your building plans be reconsidered. Bring your building within your means. The Lord sees the work that must be done. He sees the fields that are unworked and destitute of facilities. From all in His service He requires equity, just judgment. In all parts of the world there is work to be done that ought to have been done long ago. A large amount of means is not to be absorbed in one place. Every building erected is to be erected with reference to the other places that will need similar buildings. God calls upon men in positions of trust in His work not to block the way of advance by selfishly using in one place or in one line of work all the means that can be secured.?{BCL 51.2}
§43
特选的子民A Peculiar People
§44
有人说巴特尔克里克疗养院是不属教派的。然而若曾有一个机构被建立是应当属于教派的，就这个词的全部意义来说，就是这座疗养院了。如果疗养院的建立不是为了成为福音的右手，叫男男女女注意我们正生活在这些末后日子中间的真理，那么为什么要建立疗养院呢？可是，在某种意义上，巴特尔克里克疗养院确实是没有教派的，因为它接收各阶层各教派的病人。{BCL 51.3}
§45
It has been stated that the Battle Creek Sanitarium is not denominational. But if ever an institution was established to be denominational, in every sense of the word, this Sanitarium was. Why are sanitariums established if it is not that they may be the right hand of the gospel in calling the attention of men and women to the truth that we are living amid the perils of the last days? And yet, in one sense, it is true that the Battle Creek Sanitarium is undenominational, in that it receives as patients people of all classes and all denominations.?{BCL 51.3}
§46
下述经文岂不是指出了一个教派的人吗？——{BCL 52.1}
§47
Do not the following words point out a denominational people:---?{BCL 52.1}
§48
“耶和华晓谕摩西说：你要吩咐以色列人说：你们务要守我的安息日；因为这是你我之间世世代代的证据，使你们知道我耶和华是叫你们成为圣的。所以你们要守安息日，以为圣日。凡干犯这日的，必要把他治死；凡在这日做工的，必从民中剪除。六日要做工，但第七日是安息圣日，是向耶和华守为圣的。凡在安息日做工的，必要把他治死。故此，以色列人要世世代代守安息日为永远的约。这是我和以色列人永远的证据；因为六日之内耶和华造天地，第七日便安息舒畅”（出31:12-17）。{BCL 52.2}
§49
“The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you; every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord; whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.”?{BCL 52.2}
§50
“现在耶和华你上帝向你所要的是什么呢？只要你敬畏耶和华你的上帝，遵行祂的道，爱祂，尽心尽性事奉祂，遵守祂的诫命、律例，就是我今日所吩咐你的，为要叫你得福”（申10:12,13）。{BCL 52.3}
§51
“What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes which I command thee this day for thy good.”?{BCL 52.3}
§52
自今以后，我们都要坚持作特选之民的立场，不参与一切属世的方策，不要与那班缺少智慧，不能辨识出上帝设在祂律法中一切明白之要求的人相联合，免受困窘。我们不要煞费苦心地宣称巴特尔克里克疗养院不是基督复临安息日会的机构；因为它肯定是。它是作为基督复临安息日会的一个机构被建立的，要介绍福音传道工作的各种特征，从而为主的降临预备道路。{BCL 52.4}
§53
Now and ever we are to stand as a distinct and peculiar people, free from all worldly policy, unembarrassed by confederating with those who have not wisdom to discern the claims of God, so plainly set forth in His law. We are not to take pains to declare that the Battle Creek Sanitarium is not a Seventh-day Adventist institution; for this it certainly is. As a Seventh-day Adventist institution it was established, to represent the various features of gospel missionary work, thus to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.?{BCL 52.4}
§54
我们已经来到上帝已经大受羞辱的时期。那些久已知道我们信仰和我们所教导之事的人，因巴特尔克里克疗养院是没有教派的这种声明而感到惊讶。没有一个人有权利作出这种声明。这并不是上帝希望祂的子民在世人和天使面前作的见证。我们应当奉主的名确定自己是安息日复临信徒。我们中间若有任何一个人以我们的旗帜为耻，想要站在另一个旗帜之下，就让他作为私人个人这么做，不要作为基督复临安息日会医疗布道工作的一个代表。{BCL 52.5}
§55
We have come to a time when God has been greatly dishonored. Those who have long known our belief, and what we teach, have been surprised by the statement that the Battle Creek Sanitarium is not denominational. No one has the right to make this statement. It does not bear the witness that God wishes His people to bear before men and angels. In the name of the Lord we are to identify ourselves as Seventh-day Adventists. If any one among us is ashamed of our colors, and wishes to stand under another banner, let him do so as a private individual, not as a representative of Seventh-day Adventist medical missionary work.?{BCL 52.5}
§56
让我们采取我们作为安息日复临信徒的立场吧。这个名称是我们信仰的真实表达。我蒙指示要号召上帝的子民使他们的行动与他们的名称和谐一致，他们无需以这个名称为耻。基督复临安息日会的信仰无论何时被带进品格的建造中都会造福。{BCL 52.6}
§57
Let us take our position as Seventh-day Adventists. The name is a true expression of our faith. I am instructed to call upon God’s people to bring their actions into harmony with their name, of which they have no need to be ashamed. The Seventh-day Adventist faith will bless whenever it is brought into the character-building.?{BCL 52.6}
§58
关于巴特尔克里克的疗养院事业，最近做出的举动使我们有必要在世人面前明确地采取我们的立场，作为一班并没有改变信仰的人。我们要显明自己是力求与上天合作的，借此预备主的道路。我们要向各国，各族，各方证明：我们乃是一班敬爱上帝，并遵守第七日安息日为圣的人，这日是作上帝与祂顺命之儿女间的证据，表明祂是使他们成圣的。我们要毫无隐讳地显明我们对于主即将驾天云降临的信念。{BCL 53.1}
§59
Recent movements, made in connection with the Sanitarium enterprises at Battle Creek, made it necessary for us to take our position decidedly before the world as a people who have not changed their faith. We are to show that we are seeking to work in harmony with heaven in preparing the way of the Lord. We are to bear witness to all nations, kindreds, and tongues that we are a people who love and fear God, a people who keep holy the seventh-day Sabbath,—the sign between God and His obedient children that He sanctifies them. And we are to show plainly that we have full faith that the Lord is soon to come in the clouds of heaven.?{BCL 53.1}
§60
在我们的弟兄中有少数身负重责的人，他们的行动竟背离了那原来的路标，以致整个团体都蒙了极大的羞辱。有人因要实行个人的计划，竟在言词上否认了自己的信仰。这事显明人的智慧和人的见解是何等地不足靠。现今我们较诸以往更需要看出那因疏忽而被引诱违背上帝吩咐的危险；也需要认识清楚：上帝已给我们一种警告世人的确定信息，正如祂古时给挪亚警告洪水前之人的信息一般。我们的信徒应当谨慎，切莫为了与不信之人联合而轻视安息日的重要性。他们也当小心，谨防离开了本会信仰的原则，使人认为随从世俗并无错误。更要提防，不受任何人的怂恿，不论其地位如何，只要他所行的是与上帝保守祂子民与世俗隔离的原则不符，都不可听从。{BCL 53.2}
§61
We have been greatly humiliated as a people by the course that some of our brethren in responsible positions have taken in departing from the old landmarks. There are those who in order to carry out their plans have by their words denied their faith. This shows how little dependence can be placed on human wisdom and human judgment. Now, as never before, we need to see the danger of being led unguardedly away from loyalty to God’s commands. We need to realize that God has given us a decided message of warning for the antediluvians. Let our people beware of belittling the importance of the Sabbath, in order to link up with unbelievers. Let them beware of departing from the principles of our faith making it appear that it is not wrong to conform to the world. Let them be afraid of heeding any man’s counsel, whatever his position may be, who works counter to that which God has wrought in order to keep His people from the world.?{BCL 53.2}
§62
上帝正在测试和考验祂的子民，要察看研究谁是忠于祂真理之原则的。我们的任务是向世人宣传第一，第二，和第三位天使的信息。在履行任务时，我们既不要畏敌，也不要轻敌。用合同将我们自己和那些与我们信仰不同的人捆绑在一起，是与上帝的旨意不合的。固然我们应当对那般拒绝效忠上帝的人友好仁慈谦恭有礼，但却绝对不能与他们联合商议上帝圣工的重大利害关系；因为这不是主的道路。我们要完全信托上帝，毅然决然地向前迈进，大公无私地办理祂的事，谦谦卑卑地倚靠祂，将我们自己以及有关个人现在未来的种种，都付托于祂明智的安排，将我们起初确实的信心坚持到底；时常记得我们得蒙上天的福佑，并非因为自己是配得的，而是由于基督的配得，并且藉着相信祂，我们才得以接受上帝丰盛的恩典。{BCL 53.3}
§63
The Lord is testing and trying His people, to see who will be loyal to the principles of His truth. Our work is to proclaim to the world the first, second, and third angel’s messages. In the discharge of our duties, we are neither to despise nor fear our enemies. To bind ourselves up by contracts with those not of our faith is not in the order of God. We are to treat with kindness and courtesy those who refuse to be loyal to God, but we are never, never to unite with them in counsel regarding the vital interests of His work; for this is not the way of the Lord. Putting our trust in God, we are to move steadily forward, doing His work with unselfishness, in humble dependence upon Him, committing ourselves and all that concerns our present and future to His wise providence, holding the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end, remembering that it is not because of our worthiness that we receive the blessings of heaven, but because of the worthiness of Christ, and our acceptance, through faith in Him, of God’s abounding grace.?{BCL 53.3}
§64
祈愿我的弟兄们要认清楚：第三位天使的信息对于我们关系至大；同时，遵守真安息日，要作为辨别侍奉上帝和不侍奉上帝之人的标记。凡打盹睡觉和漠不关心的人，都当警醒起来。因为我们原是蒙召成圣的，故此当谨防给人留下一种印象，认为保持我们信仰的特色与否是无足轻重的。我们身负严肃的职责，要为真理和正义采取较诸以往更为坚定的立场。那守上帝诫命和不守上帝诫命之人的界线，应该毫无疑误地显明出来。我们要本着良心尊荣上帝，勤谨地利用各种方法，以求保守与祂立约的关系，这样，我们就可承受祂所赐的福分，就是那要受严重试炼之人所不可或缺的福分。至于给人留下印象，以为我们的信仰，我们的宗教并非支配我们生活的能力，这实在是大大地侮慢了上帝。我们如此转离作为我们生命的诫命，便否认祂是我们的上帝，我们是祂的子民了。{BCL 53.4}
§65
I pray that my brethren may realize that the third angel’s message means much to us, and that the observance of the true Sabbath is to be the sign that distinguishes those who serve God from those who serve Him not. Let those who have become sleepy and indifferent awake. We are called to be holy, and we should carefully avoid giving the impression that it is of little consequence whether or not we retain the peculiar features of our?faith. Upon us rests the solemn obligation of taking a more decided stand for truth and righteousness than we have taken in the past. The line of demarcation between those who keep the commandments of God and those who do not, is to be revealed with unmistakable clearness. We are conscientiously to honor God, diligently using every means of keeping in covenant relation with Him, that we may receive His blessings,—the blessings so essential for the people who are to be severely tried. To give the impression that our faith, our religion is not a dominating power in our lives, is greatly to dishonor God. Thus we turn from His commandments, which are our life, denying that He is our God and we His people.?{BCL 53.4}