基督的外衣
§1
基督的外衣
§2
The Mantle of Christ
§3
1902年6月27日写于疗养院,榆园
§4
Elmshaven, Sanitarium,June 27, 1902.
§5
致G.I.巴特勒弟兄Elder G. I. Butler:我亲爱的弟兄:My dear Brother,
§6
今天我正在给帕默弟兄写信时,一幕场景在我面前经过,我设法尽量简要地将它描述出来。这幕场景在我面前经过时,我已写了好几页。当时就在正餐前。{SpM 230.6}
§7
Today I was writing a letter to Brother Palmer, when a scene passed before me, which I will try to describe as briefly as possible. I had written several pages of the letter when the scene passed before me. It was just before dinner.?{SpM 230.6}
§8
我似乎看到一群人在聚会,会上正在讨论斯通弟兄是否应该出任南方出版协会司库的问题。一些人似乎支持他接受这个职位,一些人则忧心忡忡。{SpM 230.7}
§9
I seemed to be looking upon a company assembled together, in which the question of whether Brother Stone should take the position of treasurer of the Southern Publishing Association was being discussed. Some seemed to be in favor of his taking this position, while others were troubled and distressed.?{SpM 230.7}
§10
有权威的一位走上前来,一只手搭在帕默弟兄的肩膀上,另一只手搭在爱德森·怀特的肩膀上,祂对弟兄们说,说得清晰果断:“你们对出版社的人员变动没有做好准备。要把这些人留在他们现在的地方。现在做出改变不会对他们公正,也不会改善局面。现在作出改变是不明智的。这不会减轻存在的困难。{SpM 231.1}
§11
One of authority came forward, and placing one hand on Brother Palmer’s shoulder, and the other on Edson White’s shoulder, he said to the brethren, speaking with clearness and decision: “You are not prepared for a change in the workers in the office. Leave these men where they are at present. To make a change now would not be just to them, nor would it improve the condition of things. It would not be wise to make a change now. This would not lessen the difficulties that exist.?{SpM 231.1}
§12
“在每一个时代,时间的呼唤都有人出来响应。主是恩慈的。祂了解现状。祂今日的旨意是,现在以利沙羊羔般的慈爱,要超过以利亚的严厉。{SpM 231.2}
§13
” In every age, the call of the hour is answered by the coming of the man. The Lord is gracious. He understands the situation. His will today is that for the present time the lamb-like kindness of Elisha shall exceed the severity of Elijah.?{SpM 231.2}
§14
“那个能够建立并创造出一种芬芳、感恩的氛围的人,还没有被上帝呈现出来。无论现在的工作是要拆散还是要建立,是要恢复旧的,还是要让位给新的,是要执行公平和公正的要求,还是要鼓励希望、勇气和信心,主都知道需要什么。祂在观望。祂是大工师,当那些与工作相关的人为改变做好了准备时,肯定会有适合这个地方的人准备好从事这项工作。{SpM 231.3}
§15
“The man that can build up, and create a fragrant, grateful atmosphere, is not yet presented by God. Whether the present work be to break down or to build up, to reinstate the old or to give place to the new, to enforce the demands of equity and judgment or to encourage hope and courage, and faith, the Lord knows what is needed. He is looking on. He, the great Master worker, is sure to have the very man for the place ready to do the work, when those connected with the work are ready for the change.?{SpM 231.3}
§16
“应当珍爱那生发仁爱并且洁净心灵的信心。仓促的行动无济于事,反而会带来许多不会荣耀上帝的困难。{SpM 231.4}
§17
“Let the faith that works by love and purifies the soul be cherished. Hasty moves will not help the situation, but will bring in a host of difficulties that will not be for the glory of God.?{SpM 231.4}
§18
“爱德森·怀特和帕默弟兄应当站稳脚根,不是靠他们自己的力量,而是靠耶和华以色列的上帝的力量,准备好与每一个将要出现的困难搏斗。爱德森·怀特应当与威廉·帕默站在一起,威廉·帕默也应当与爱德森·怀特站在一起。他们应当重新献身,把握工作,证明自己是准备好用上帝所赐全部才干满足时代要求的人。要鼓励信心。持之以恒。要存完全谦卑的心作工。未来掌握在上帝手中。{SpM 231.5}
§19
“Let Edson White and Brother Palmer stand on their feet, not in their own strength, but in the strength of the Lord God of Israel, prepared to breast every difficulty that shall arise. Edson White is to stand with William Palmer, and William Palmer is to stand with Edson White. Let them take hold of the work with renewed consecration and prove themselves men prepared to meet the demands of the hour with all the talents that God has given them. Encourage faith. Persevere. Work with all humility. The future is in the hands of God.?{SpM 231.5}
§20
“应当教导上帝的道。从事教导主的道之人的生活应当是他所提供给别人之原则的能力与公义的例证。那掌握了教育他人之艺术的人,会通过成功来证明自己是成功的。{SpM 231.6}
§21
“The Word of God is to be taught. The life of a man upon whom is laid the work of teaching the Word of the Lord is to be an illustration of the power and righteousness of the principles that he offers to others. He who masters the art of educating others will himself prove a success by succeeding.?{SpM 231.6}
§22
“那穿着基督的外衣而不是以利亚的外衣的人,会证明自己始终注目于救主。他既充满基督的灵,就适合施教。他不断处在上帝造成的高尚圣洁印象的影响之下。{SpM 231.7}
§23
“He who wears the mantle, not of Elijah, but of Christ, will give evidence that he keeps his eye fixed on the Saviour. Imbued with Christ’s Spirit, he is fitted to teach. He is constantly under the influences of the high and holy impressions made by God.?{SpM 231.7}
§24
“以利沙得到了双倍于以利亚的灵。在他身上,以利亚的心志能力与基督精神的恩慈、怜悯和温柔的同情联合起来了。{SpM 231.8}
§25
“Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that had rested on Elijah. In him the power of Elijah’s spirit was united with the gentleness, mercy, and tender compassion of the spirit of Christ.?{SpM 231.8}
§26
爱德森·怀特和帕默弟兄要团结起来,成为上帝手中接触更高阶层的工具,同时也要扶起受欺压的人,救济穷乏人,帮助穷苦人自救。如果他们在慷慨和希望中犯了错误,那就让宽恕的精神占上风吧。{SpM 232.1}
§27
Edson White and Brother Palmer are to unite, and are to be instruments in God’s hands of reaching the higher classes, and at the same time of lifting up the oppressed, relieving the needy, and helping the poor to help themselves. If, in their generosity and hopefulness they have made mistakes, let the spirit of forgiveness prevail.?{SpM 232.1}
§28
我的弟兄们,你们怎么认真、专心于主的旨意都不会过分。要不断地祈祷说:“我的脚踏定了祢的路径;我的两脚未曾滑跌”(诗17:5)。主看到你们的危险。内心每一个生来的和养成的倾向,都奋起反抗真正的自我羞辱。{SpM 232.2}
§29
My brethren, you can not be too earnest, too devoted to the will of the Lord. Pray constantly, “Hold up my goings in thy path; let not my feet slip.” The Lord sees your dangers. Every natural and cultivated inclination of the heart rises up against true humiliation of self.?{SpM 232.2}
§30
W.O.帕默弟兄或J.E.爱德森在处理我们的人为南方工作所捐献或借用的资金时,必然会感到不安。即使他们尽力而为了,所犯的任何错误也会受到最严厉的批评。弟兄们,你们俩在资金的支出上都太自由了。为了应付环境的压力,你们已经招致了债务,指望资金会进来,有时却失望了。你们惟一的安全是在上帝里面。你们若是完全倚靠祂,你们的管理就会更安全。但你们的品格上还有许多东西得除掉,之后你们才能完全安全地担任如此重要的职位。{SpM 232.3}
§31
It can not be otherwise than that uneasiness will exist in regard to Brother W. O. Palmer or J. E. White handling the means given and loaned by our people for the work in the South. Should they do their very best, any mistake made would be most severely criticized. Brethren, you have both been too free in the expenditures of means. To meet the pressure of circumstances you have incurred obligations, hoping that means would come in, and sometimes you have been disappointed. Your only safety is in God. If you place your dependence wholly upon Him, there will be more safety in your management. But there is much that will have to be out away from your characters before there can be perfect safety in either of you occupying a position on which so much depends.?{SpM 232.3}
§32
从今天赐给我的关于此事的描述来看,我确信斯通长老不是上帝所拣选从事南方出版协会的司库和财务工作的人。在某些事情上,他可能做得很好,但在另一些方面,他有犯大错误的危险。我们在与信徒或非信徒打交道时,显得过于亲密是永远不行的。{SpM 232.4}
§33
From the presentation today given me regarding this matter, I am certain that Elder Stone is not the one whom God has selected for the work of treasurer and financier of the Southern Publishing Association. In some things he might do well, but in other lines there is danger of great mistakes. It will never answer to figure too closely in our dealing with believers or unbelievers.?{SpM 232.4}
§34
主既把我在这封信中写出来的指示赐给了我,我就对纳什维尔的现状感到如释重负。让我们恳求主以祂自己的方式引导祂的百姓吧。让祂有机会实现祂的旨意吧。于是祂的名才会得到尊重和荣耀。{SpM 232.5}
§35
Since the Lord has given me the instruction I have written out in this letter, I feel very much relieved in regard to the situation at Nashville. Let us plead with the Lord to guide his people in His own way. Let him have opportunity to carry out his will. Then his name will be honored and glorified.?{SpM 232.5}
§36
怀爱伦Ellen G. White.