巴特尔克里克学院的债务
§1
巴特尔克里克学院的债务
§2
The Battle Creek College Debt
§3
1903年10月8日October 8, 1903.
§4
马根弟兄和萨瑟兰弟兄以及他们的同事们在巴特尔克里克和贝林斯普林斯的教育工作方面努力克服了许多困难。然而很少有人了解这些弟兄在将学校从巴特尔克里克搬到贝林斯普林斯时的财务负担有多么重，遇到的困惑有多么大。在转移过程中，在不断努力建立一个教育机构的过程中，涉及了很多事情，这个机构的工作将符合作为基督教教育基础的崇高原则。{SpM 325.2}
§5
Brethren Magan and Sutherland and their associates have wrestled with many difficulties in connection with the educational work at Battle Creek and Berrien Springs. But few have understood how heavy has been the financial burdens and how great have been the perplexities brought to these brethren by the removal of the school from Battle Creek to Berrien Springs. Much was involved in the transfer, and in the constant effort made to build up an educational institution the work of which would be in accordance with the exalted principles underlying Christian education.?{SpM 325.2}
§6
与主所赐的指示一致，我们的弟兄致力于重新开始的任务，只将那些他们认为会帮助学生形成匀称品格和成为圣工中的有用工人的书籍和教学方法引进他们的模范学校中。他们希望他们的学校因其卓越的工作和它所维持的崇高标准而得到上帝的认可。他们最初的努力主要是实验性的——试图回答这个问题：“我们的基督教工人培训学校将如何建立和进行？”{SpM 325.3}
§7
In harmony with the instructions given by the Lord, our brethren have devoted themselves to the task of beginning anew, and of introducing into their model school only those books and methods of teaching that they thought would help the students to form symmetrical characters and to become useful workers in the cause. They desired that their school should be approved by God for the excellence of its work and for the exalted standard that it maintained. Their effort was at first largely experimental—an attempt to answer the question, “How shall our training schools for Christian workers be established and carried on?”?{SpM 325.3}
§8
在这一开拓的努力中，我们的弟兄不是一寸一寸地前进，而是朝着正确的方向，大步前进。有些人试图劝阻他们，有些人批评和谴责了他们，但上帝却赐福了他们的努力。{SpM 325.4}
§9
In this pioneer effort our brethren advanced not inch by inch, but in sweeping strides, in the right direction. Some tried to discourage them; others criticized and condemned; but God blessed their efforts.?{SpM 325.4}
§10
这一开拓工作最令人沮丧的特点是财政问题。沉重的债务压在了老巴特利克学院的财产上。在学校搬到贝林斯普林斯的时候，那些负责该机构的人并不对这笔债务负有责任。学校的建筑物和场地的价值比债务高得多，如果能以其全部价值出售财产，在还清所有债务之后，原会留下可观的金额用于在贝林斯普林斯提供必要的设施。{SpM 325.5}
§11
Not the least discouraging feature of this pioneer work was the question of finances. A heavy debt rested on the old Battle Creek College property. Those in charge of the institution at the time the school work was removed to Berrien Springs, were not responsible for incurring this debt. The buildings and grounds were worth considerable more than the debts, and if the property could have been sold for its full value, there would have remained, after the payment of all debts, a good sum to be used in providing the necessary facilities at Berrien Springs.?{SpM 325.5}
§12
过去几年来主持学院事务的人，在某种程度上对学院的债务负有责任的人，此时应该站出来，高尚地说：“我们对这些债务负有责任；我们将亲自承担很大一部分完全落在那些在一个环境更有利于培养我们的年轻人的地方建立学校之人身上的负担。”藉着努力分担这些沉重的债务，那些曾对造成这些债务负有主要责任的人原会行事与前四条和后六条诫命一致。{SpM 326.1}
§13
Those who had conducted the affairs of the College in past years, and who were to some extent responsible for the debts on the institution, should at this time come forward, and nobly say: “We are responsible for these debts; and we will take upon ourselves a large part of the burden resting altogether upon those who are establishing the school in a place where the surroundings are more favorable for training our young people.” By an effort to share the burden of these heavy obligations, those who had been largely responsible in creating them would have been acting in harmony with the first four as well as the last six commandments.?{SpM 326.1}
§14
当奉献了《基督比喻实训》这本书用于救济学校时，凡在巴特尔克里克学院的人都很努力地执行了主的计划，减轻我们各教育机构的债务。他们希望能减轻自己学校的债务，以便能够自由地离开巴特尔克里克，在某个能彻底实现主关于基督徒教育的指示的地方重新开办学院。{SpM 326.2}
§15
When the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons”, was given for the relief of the school, all who were connected with Battle Creek College worked very hard to carry out the Lord’s plan for reducing the indebtedness of our educational institutions. They hoped that they might be able to lessen the debt on their own school, that they could feel free to leave Battle Creek, and to reopen the College in some place where they could follow out the Lord’s instruction in regard to Christian education.?{SpM 326.2}
§16
约在1901年总会开会的时候，为销售巴特尔克里克学校的财产开了路；达成的谅解是，学校的楼房和场地将用于美国医疗布道学院。我们的弟兄离开了巴特尔克里克，在贝林斯普林斯建立了以马内利传道学院。他们在乡间买到了一块美丽的土地，并从小规模开始办学。他们不知疲倦地操劳，为要建立一个会尊荣上帝和祂圣工的教育机构。他们努力把事情弄得井井有条，以便能够接待和适当地照顾来上课的学生。他们忠实地努力训练青少年成为与上帝同工的人，倚靠祂得智慧和指导。通过他们的努力，许多青年男女已经充满了对生灵的爱心，预备好向世界传达应当在基督复临前宣扬的警告信息。{SpM 326.3}
§17
About the time of the General Conference in 1901, the way opened for the sale of the Battle Creek College property; and the understanding was that the buildings and grounds would be used for the American Medical Missionary College. Our brethren left Battle Creek, and established Emmanuel Missionary College at Berrien Springs. They secured a beautiful tract of land in the country, and began small. There they have labored untiringly for the upbuilding of an educational institution that would be an honor to God and his cause. They have striven to get things in order, so that they could receive and properly care for the students who came. Faithfully have they endeavored to train the youth to be laborers together with God, and to depend upon Him for wisdom and guidance. Through their efforts, many young men and young women have been imbued with a love for souls, and have been prepared to give to the world the message of warning that is to be proclaimed before Christ’s second advent.?{SpM 326.3}
§18
根据主所赐给我的亮光，我知道在贝林斯普林斯学校的教师是完全倚靠上帝的应许，凭着信心走出去的。他们犯了错误，这是事实，但他们不允许这些错误阻止他们的工作；反而从错误中学习智慧，避免再犯那些错误，把错误转化成了胜利。主帮助了他们，赐给了他们勇气，增加了他们的信心。{SpM 326.4}
§19
From the light given me by the Lord, I know that the teachers connected with the Berrien Springs school walked out by faith, depending wholly on God’s promises. They have made mistakes, it is true, but they have not allowed these mistakes to stop their work; instead, they have turned their mistakes into victories, by learning wisdom from their errors, and by avoiding them there after. The Lord helped them, gave them courage, and increased their faith.?{SpM 326.4}
§20
这一切都是在严峻的考验下完成的。巴特尔克里克学院校产的沉重债务成了马根弟兄和萨瑟兰弟兄的负担，他们非常辛苦地操劳以减轻这个负担。他们二人的力量都已严重耗费了。有一次马根弟兄因所背的重担而疲惫不堪，患了严重的伤寒，一度几乎丧命。他没有给自己休息的时间。这不符合主的命令；祂的仆人的生命和健康在祂看来是宝贵的。{SpM 326.5}
§21
All this was not done without severe trials. The heavy debt on the Battle Creek College property has been a burden to Brethren Magan and Sutherland, and they have labored very hard to reduce this. The strength of both men has been severely taxed. At one time Brother Magan, worn by the burden he was carrying, suffered a severe attack of typhoid fever, and for a time his life was despaired of. He had given himself no periods of rest. This was not after the Lord’s order; the life and health of his servants is precious in his sight.?{SpM 326.5}
§22
我在参加在奥克兰召开的总会时，主指示我，应当使萨瑟兰弟兄和马根弟兄摆脱他们所担负的财务重担。他们已经花了许多光阴和力量努力减轻，如有可能，就完全消除巴特尔克里克学院的沉重债务，——由别人造成的、别人应该负责的债务。那些更有直接责任的人应该努力减轻他们在贝林斯普林斯的弟兄们的这个重担。他们应当置身于这些开拓者的位置，后者在持续的压力下偿付并不是他们招致的债务，——这些开拓者凭着信心离开了巴特尔克里克，现在正在建设上帝能嘉许的一所学校。这个重担落在我们在贝林斯普林斯的弟兄身上太久了。他们一直怀有高尚的意图，致力于清除原来学院的债务。我们的人若是都分担起来，解除原巴特尔克里克学院的债务，上帝就会多么满意呀！{SpM 327.1}
§23
While attending the General Conference at Oakland, the Lord instructed me that Brethren Sutherland and Magan should be relieved from some of the financial burdens they were carrying. They have used much of their time and strength in the effort to decrease and, if possible, wipe out the heavy indebtedness on the Battle Creek College,—a debt for the creating of which others were responsible. Those who were more directly responsible should labor to relieve their brethren at Berrien Springs of this burden. They should place themselves in the position of these pioneers who were under constant pressure to pay obligations they had not incurred,—pioneers who had by faith left Battle Creek, and who now are building up a school that God can approve. Too long the burden has rested on our brethren at Berrien Springs. They have kept their gracious intentions in view, devoting themselves to the task of clearing the old College property from debt. How pleasing to God it would be for all our people to share in lifting the obligations of the old Battle Creek College!?{SpM 327.1}
§24
我们的弟兄们在议事会上，安排用宣教用地基金的收入来偿还巴特尔克里克学院的债务。据认为我们在美国各地有地产的人，可以为主留出一小部分地产，将收益汇到总库，用来偿还学院的任务，清算财产，供美国医疗布道学院使用。有人建议，那些没有土地可使用的人可以奉献他们的收入。养鸡的人可以从这个来源得到的利润中捐出一部分。我们的弟兄们确信，如果我们各地的人愿意慷慨地献出他们辛勤劳动的果实，就可以筹集一大笔钱，并清偿债务。{SpM 327.2}
§25
In the councils of our brethren, it was arranged that the Battle Creek College debt be paid from the proceeds of the Missionary Acre Fund. It was thought that our people throughout America who had land, could set apart a small portion of it for the Lord, and send the proceeds to the general treasure, to be applied in the payment of the College debts, and the clearing of the property for the use of the American Medical Missionary College. It was suggested that those who had no land to use might give of their earnings. Those who kept chickens could contribute from the profits received from this source. Our brethren felt sure that if our people everywhere would give liberally of the fruit of their toil, a large sum could be raised, and the debt be cancelled.?{SpM 327.2}
§26
最近有人质疑投资于宣教用地基金、结果几乎没有收到钱来偿还学院的债务是否合理。事情不应该是这样的。我们所有的弟兄姐妹都要明白，购买巴特尔克里克学院的地产，用于医疗布道学院，乃是上帝所悦纳的。为此项购买而筹集资金的宣教用地基金计划是一项善工。帮助这项工作的人将会蒙福。{SpM 327.3}
§27
Recently some have questioned the propriety of sending means for the Missionary Acre Fund, and consequently scarcely anything is now being received for the payment of the College debt. This is not as it should be. Let all our brethren and sisters understand that the purchase of the Battle Creek College property, for the use of the Medical Missionary College, was approved of God, and that the Missionary Acre Fund plan of raising means for this purchase is a good enterprise. Those who will help in this way will be blessed.?{SpM 327.3}
§28
有人以为销售《基督比喻实训》应该满足需求；但这不会满足为医疗学院购买这块地产的需求。马根弟兄和萨瑟兰弟兄认真努力实行主的计划，好取消我们学校的债务。我在奥克兰大会上设法指出这个事实：这些弟兄不知疲倦地工作了，以往的事切不可重演。马根弟兄在努力使学校摆脱债务时几乎丧命。主的工作需要他们的才干。应该在贝林斯普林斯为他们提供适当的设施。由于缺乏资金，他们一直不得不非常缓慢地前进。{SpM 327.4}
§29
Some have thought that the sale of “Object Lessons” should meet the demands; but it will not, in the purchase of this property for the medical college. Brethren Magan and Sutherland have worked with earnestness to carry out the Lord’s plan to cancel the debts of our schools. At the Oakland Conference I tried to point out the fact that these brethren worked untiringly, and that the past must not be repeated. Brother Magan nearly lost his life in the struggle to free the schools from debt. Their talents are needed in the Lord’s work. They should be provided with proper facilities at Berrien Springs. On account of the scarcity of funds, they have been obliged to move very slowly.?{SpM 327.4}
§30
怀爱伦Ellen G. White.