团结，而不是合并
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团结，而不是合并
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Unity, Not Consolidation
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1908年9月12日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院
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Sanitarium, Cal.,Sept. 12, 1908.
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亲爱的舍尔曼弟兄：
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Dear Brother Shireman,
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在夜间的异象中，我在和你交谈，说着鼓励的话。主我们的上帝是满有怜悯的。当祂的仆人犯了错误时，祂就责备他们。当那些犯了错误的人接受督责的信息并且在生活中作出改变时，弟兄们就应当承认所做的改革，且应鼓励并设法将那些尽力行义的人安置在有利的境地。我很高兴你们觉得应该这样对待约翰斯顿弟兄。{SpM 376.3}
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In the night season I was conversing with you, and speaking words of encouragement. The Lord our God is merciful. When his servants make mistakes, he sends them reproof. When the messages of reproof are received and accepted by those who have made mistakes, and changes are made in the life, the brethren should recognize the reformation, and they should encourage and seek to place on vantage ground those struggling to do right. I rejoice this is the way you feel towards Brother Johnson.?{SpM 376.3}
§9
现在主应当受到那些进行祂工作之人的尊重。应该公正地认识到约翰斯顿弟兄的改变。忽视这么做，拒绝鼓励和建立那个一直寻求纠正自己的做法的人，就是拒绝执行基督在祂的话语中明确规定的原则。{SpM 376.4}
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The Lord is now to be honored by the men who carry his work. Let there be a just recognition of the change in Brother Johnston. To neglect to do this, and to refuse to encourage and to build up the one who has been seeking to correct his course of action, is to refuse to carry out principles that Christ has clearly laid down in his word.?{SpM 376.4}
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我蒙指示要对你说，这个问题的双方都犯了错误。舍尔曼弟兄和姐妹没有以正确的眼光看待每一件事。虽然约翰斯顿弟兄并没有采取正确的做法，但是与他有关的其他人也确实没有看出他们自己的精神和言语也是错误的。{SpM 376.5}
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I am instructed to say to you that mistakes were made on both sides of this question. Brother and Sister Shireman did not view everything in a correct light. While brother Johnston did not take a right course, it is also true that others connected with him did not discern that their own spirit and words were also wrong.?{SpM 376.5}
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约翰斯顿兄弟现在应该得到鼓励。当他那种性情的人看到并承认自己的错误，改变了自己的做法时，弟兄姐妹们就不仅应该原谅他，而且应该尽一切可能地恢复对他的信任，加强他的手。决不应该在人的头脑中留下这样的印象：做了错事的人，尽管看到并改正了他的错误，但仍然应该阻止他和他的弟兄们一起站在有利的地位上。当对任何一个犯错的弟兄采取这种做法时，救主就被误表了。那些看出改变的人应当表示饶恕，并且以信任和特别的仁慈对待犯了错的弟兄。{SpM 376.6}
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Brother Johnston should now have encouragement. When a man of his temperament sees and acknowledges his wrong, and changes?his course of action, there should be a disposition on the part of his brethren and sisters not only to forgive, but to do everything possible to restore confidence, and to strengthen his hands. The impression should never be left on a human mind, that the man who has done wrong, though he sees and corrects his wrong, should still be prevented from standing on vantage ground with his brethren. When such a course is pursued toward any erring soul, the Saviour is misrepresented. Those who recognize the reformation should show forgiveness, and treat the brother who has erred with confidence and special kindness.?{SpM 376.6}
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这个指示是在夜间赐给我的，现在，凌晨一点钟，我正在将我所领受的信息写给你。我们需要鼓励犯错的人承认他们的错误；我们既认识到上帝在祂的道中所赐的指示，就应该白白地赦免他们。{SpM 377.1}
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This instruction has been given me during the night, and now, at one O’clock in the morning, I am writing to you the message I have received. We need to encourage the erring to confess their wrongs; we should forgive them freely, recognizing the instruction God has given in His Word.?{SpM 377.1}
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我们必须非常小心，不要以错误的眼光看待与上帝的工作有关的事情。我们需要提防丝毫的不公正。那些肩负着为基督得人的工作负担的人应该受到鼓励和帮助。{SpM 377.2}
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We need to be very careful that we do not view in a wrong light matters connected with the work of God. We need to guard against the least injustice. Those who bear the burden of the work of winning souls to Christ are to be encouraged and helped.?{SpM 377.2}
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上帝要求每一个教会都要团结一致，但却必须提防合并的政策。我们机构的工作人员应当保持他们的个性；各人在主耶稣的神圣领导下工作时，都应当意识到自己所肩负的责任。工人们要一起商量，寻求引入与真理的教导相一致的思想，但是，只要时间还在，就永远不要有专权的人进来取代上帝的位置和权威。{SpM 377.3}
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The Lord requires that unity exist in every church, but the policy of consolidation must be guarded against. The workers in our institutions are to preserve their individuality; each is to sense the responsibility resting upon him, while he works under the divine leadership of the Lord Jesus. The workers are to counsel together, and to seek to bring in ideas that are in harmony with the teachings of truth, but never, as long as time shall last, is an arbitrary man-ruling power to come in to take the place and authority of God.?{SpM 377.3}
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主一直在指示我们要前进。我们是向前走，还是站着不动呢？难道我们不要寻求增加信心，使我们可以在确信和信任中工作和等待吗？上帝的道在任何情况下都应当是我们的向导。……{SpM 377.4}
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The Lord has been instructing us to move forward. Shall we go forward, or shall we stand still? Shall we not seek to increase in faith, that we may work and wait in assurance and confidence? The word of God is to be our guide under all circumstances...?{SpM 377.4}
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怀爱伦（签名）Ellen G. White.