新西兰和帐篷大会
§1
新西兰和帐篷大会
§2
The New Zealand Camp-Meeting
§3
(营地-1) 三月十六日星期四上午，我们在旺格罗瓦登上了“族人”号轮船，返回奥克兰，然后从那里前往纳皮尔，要在那里召开区会和帐篷大会。就像我们从奥克兰出发的旅行一样，天气几乎完美，海面也不波涛汹涌。船长和女乘务员告诉我们，他们一周前遇到了可怕的风暴，并表示很高兴我们当时没有按照我们的意图和他们在一起。我们也很感激我们的计划曾被打乱，天意阻止了我们在暴风雨来临时回家。{EA 122.1}
§4
(Camp-1) Thursday morning, March 16, we boarded the steamer “Clansman” at Whangaroa, to return to Auckland, and from thence to proceed to Napier, where the Conference and camp-meeting were to be held. As on our trip from Auckland, the weather was almost perfect, and the sea was not rough. The captain and stewardess told us of the fearful storm they had a week before, and expressed their pleasure that we were not with them then, according to our intention. We too were very thankful that our plans had been interfered with, and that providentially we had been prevented from going home at the time of the heavy storm.?{EA 122.1}
§5
一开始，当我们听到从奥克兰到纳皮尔的那条船的启航时间将推迟一周的消息时，我们感到非常失望；因为我们渴望在当地，尽我们所能帮助和鼓励我们的弟兄们为在南半球举行的第一次基督复临安息日会帐篷大会做准备。但现在我们可以看到这种变化对我们是双重有利的，因为它给了我们又一个星期的时间在凯奥工作，给我们的旅行带来了好天气。我的床又铺好了，在我自己的弹簧床上，在轮船甲板上，那里的空气清新而充足，我得以免受令人窒息的房间和硬床的折磨，那是沿着这片海岸的较小的船只上常见的事情。{EA 122.2}
§6
At first when the news came to us that the time of the sailing of the boat on which we had expected to go from Auckland to Napier, would delay us a week, we felt much disappointed; for we were anxious to be on the ground, and to do all that we could to help and encourage our brethren to prepare for the first Seventh-day Adventist camp-meeting ever held in the southern hemisphere. But now we could see that the change was of double advantage to us, as it had given us another week to work in Kaeo, and had brought us to a time of beautiful weather for our trip. Again my bed was made up on my own spring cot, on the steamer’s deck, where the air was pure and plentiful, and I was saved from the torture of stifling rooms and hard beds, which are the usual thing on the smaller ships along this coast.?{EA 122.2}
§7
(营地-2)我们星期五早上到达奥克兰，很快就被转移到了一艘大轮船上，这艘轮船将带我们去纳皮尔。在这里，来自奥克兰和附近地区要去参加大会的十个人加入了我们来自凯奥的一行八个人。船上挤满了乘客，很难为我找到一个通风良好的房间。这艘船上没有甲板舱，我害怕过夜；但是，由于乘务长的好意，我们在晚上10点以后被允许在女士会客厅铺好我的床，这是一间漂亮的通风间，在上层甲板上。于是，我又一次避免了住在一间令人窒息的小房间里所带来的痛苦。{EA 122.3}
§8
(Camp-2) We reached Auckland Friday morning, and were soon transferred to the large steamer which was to take us to Napier. Here our party of eight from Kaeo, was joined by ten from Auckland and vicinity, who were going to the conference. The ship was well filled with passengers, and it was going to be difficult to secure for me a well-ventilated room. There were no deck cabins on this ship, and I dreaded the night; but by the kindness of the chief steward, we were allowed after 10 p.m. to make up my bed in the ladies’ boudoir, a beautiful airy room on the upper deck. Thus I was again saved the suffering consequent on occupying a small stifling room.?{EA 122.3}
§9
安息日下午，我们的船在吉斯伯恩附近抛锚，等待小船来接乘客和货物。在吉斯伯恩，白白花费了数千英镑把码头建在深水里，以便大型船只能到达码头；但是码头一建成，海水就把沙子冲进来，结果什么也没有得到。不久，那艘小轮船就出来了，在巨浪中摇来揺去，斯塔尔弟兄、爱德华弟兄、卫斯理弟兄、撒母耳·黑尔弟兄和W.C.怀特上岸去拜访聚在一起聚会的小教会。在罗伯特·黑尔长老、A.G.丹尼尔斯和其他人的努力下，在这里兴起了一个小教会，购买了一个宽敞的礼拜堂。这个教会和这个区会的其它教会一样，在请求教牧支援。甚愿我们在只有一个工人的地方能有一百个工人。到处(营地-3)都有急需帮助的园地。当我们的弟兄们找到教会时，安息日学正在上课，他们有机会简要地介绍了许多证据中的一些证据，证明我们现在正处在一个应该仰望和欢欣的时刻，因为主来的日子近了。他们还努力鼓励凡能来的都来参加帐篷大会。{EA 122.4}
§10
Sabbath afternoon, our ship cast anchor near Gisborne, and waited for the small boat to come for the passengers and freight. In Gisborne thousands of pounds have been spent in vain, to build piers out into the deep water, so that large ships can come to the docks; but as fast as the pier is built, the sea washes in the sand, so that nothing has been gained. Soon the little steamer came out, rolling and tossing in the heavy waves, and Brn. Starr, Edward, Wesley, and Samuel Hare, and W.C. White went ashore to visit the little church assembled for meeting. As a result of the labors of Elder Robert Hare, A.G. Daniells and others, a small church had been raised up here, and a commodious meeting-house purchased. This church, like others in this conference, was pleading for ministerial help. O, that we had a hundred laborers where there is one. Everywhere (Camp-3) there are fields suffering for help. When our brethren found the church, the Sabbath-school was in session, and they had opportunity briefly to present some of the many evidences that we are in a time when we should look up and rejoice, because the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. They also labored to encourage all who could, to come to the camp-meeting.?{EA 122.4}
§11
大约八点钟，小汽船回来了。她被海浪摇荡，仿佛海浪会越过大多数乘客坐着的甲板；但她安全地来到了船边，乘客们被安全地带上船，没有使用甲板上的大篮子，那是当风浪太大而不能使用木板时，可以随时使用的。当海浪太大，不能使用木板时，乘客们就一次两个被放在这个大篮子里，由用来装卸船上货物的机器吊起来。{EA 122.5}
§12
About eight o’clock the little steamer came back. She was tossed about by the waves, and if often looked as if the waves would go over the deck where most of the passengers were seated; but she came safely alongside, and the passengers were brought safely on board, without using the huge basket which was on the deck, ready for use when it is too rough to use the plank. When the sea is so rough that the plank cannot be used, the passengers are placed, two at a time, in this large basket, and?hoisted up by the machinery that is used to load and unload the freight of the ship.?{EA 122.5}
§13
从吉斯伯恩到纳皮尔只有一小段路程。海面并不波涛汹涌，周日早上，我们醒来时，停泊在纳皮尔附近。在这里，也正在建造一道宽阔的防波堤，但在一段时间内，大型船只必须停泊在海湾，所有的乘客和货物必须由一艘较小的轮船转运。在着陆时，我们遇到了伊斯雷尔长老、麦卡拉长老、威尔逊长老和卡罗医生夫人，他们立刻带我们去了她(营地-4)热情好客的家，在那里，我们遇到了卡罗医生，他对我们表示热烈的欢迎，在他和他妻子的诚恳邀请下，我们在纳皮尔逗留期间一直受到他们的盛情款待。在这里，我有一间宽敞通风的房间，有一个壁炉。每到阳光明媚的日子，我都被鼓励乘一辆轻便马车出行，马车是体贴的朋友们借给我们的。我们发现纳皮尔是一个美丽的地方，城镇的居民住宅区建在一系列的高山上，俯瞰大海。{EA 123.1}
§14
From Gisborne, it is a short run to Napier. The sea was not rough, and we woke, Sunday morning, anchored close to Napier. Here, also, an extensive breakwater is being constructed, but for some time yet large ships must anchor in the bay, and all passengers and freight must be transferred by a smaller steamer. At the landing we were met by Elders Israel, McCullagh, and Wilson and Mrs. Dr. Caro, who took us at once to her (Camp-4) hospitable home, there we met Dr. Caro, who gave us a hearty welcome, and at the earnest invitation of him and his wife, we shared their kind hospitality all through our stay at Napier. Here I had a large, airy room, with a fireplace, and every sunny day I was encouraged to ride out with a horse and buggy, lent to us by thoughtful friends. We found Napier to be a beautiful place, the resident portion of the town being built on a series of high hills, overlooking the sea.?{EA 123.1}
§15
周日晚上，我就我最喜欢的主题“上帝的爱”在皇家剧院里对全神贯注的观众发表了演讲。星期二晚上，麦卡拉长老在营地的大帐篷里做了第一次演讲。星期一，星期二和星期三，我们的弟兄们忙着布置营地。几个星期前曾寄信给各教会，要求所有来参加会议的人都来报告情况，但收到的答复太少，似乎没有必要弄很多帐篷，或搭一个大帐篷。我们已经讨论过有一个餐厅帐篷的必要性，我们对它是否会有人光顾很怀疑，也很肯定只能亏本经营，所以决定让那些不会自己做饭的人到附近镇上的餐馆去吃饭。{EA 123.2}
§16
Sunday evening I spoke on my favorite theme, “The Love of God” to an attentive audience in the Theater Royal. Tuesday evening Elder McCullagh gave the first discourse in the large tent on the campground. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday our brethren were very busy fitting up the camp. Weeks before letters had been sent to the churches, asking all who would come to the meeting, to report, and the responses were so few that it did not seem necessary to get many tents, or to lay out a large camp. The necessity of having a dining tent had been discussed, and we were so doubtful about its patronage, and so certain that it could only be conducted at a loss, that it was decided to have those who could not cook for themselves patronize a restaurant in the town nearby.?{EA 123.2}
§17
当船只和火车从不同的教会带来了代表团时，人数大约是预期的两倍，显然必须扩大计划。拟建一个(营地-5)接待帐篷，而且非常需要一个餐厅帐篷。让我们大量的人不得不进城吃饭，会破坏我们的计划，浪费宝贵的时间，并带来一种应该避免的随意状态。给委员会的提议是，虽然营地上的餐馆不会收费，也应该建立，因为它有教育的影响。我们认为，如果我们的人没有在营地上得到按照卫生原则准备的有益的食物，就会失去关于行动的统一、规律性和举行帐篷大会的最佳方法的最高价值的教训。{EA 123.3}
§18
As the boats and trains brought in the delegations from the different churches, there were about twice as many as had been expected, and it was evident that the plans must be enlarged. A reception tent was (Camp-5) proposed, and a dining tent was much needed. To have a large number of our people obliged to go up town for their meals, would break into our programme, waste precious time, and bring in a haphazard state of things that should be avoided. It was presented to the committee although a restaurant on the campground would not pay expenses, it ought to be established, for its educating influence. We felt that there were lessons of the highest value as to unity of action, regularity, and the best methods of conducting camp-meetings, that would be lost if our people were not supplied upon the ground with wholesome food, prepared upon hygienic principles.?{EA 123.3}
§19
我们认为，这第一次的帐篷大会必须尽可能成为将来应该举行的每一次帐篷大会的一个样本。我一遍又一遍地对人们说：“你要谨慎，作各样的物件，都要照着在山上指示你的样式”（来8:5）。我们这班人因疏忽秩序和方法已经损失了很多。虽然这需要时间和细心、周到的操劳，而且似乎常常使我们的工作成本更高，但最终我们可以看到，以最完美的方式做每件事都是划算的。耶稣对门徒说：“所以你们要完全，像你们的天父完全一样”（太5:48）。在给以色列人的指示中发现的原则，应该被传授给凡在这些末后的日子里(营地-6) 从事宗教服务的人。我们虽然不能复制的所有规格和细节安排；但是我们可以理解秩序、特别是隐藏在云柱中的基督所指定的完美的安排，是完美和秩序的模式，应当被带进我们所有宗教服务的计划和安排中。在这些末后的日子里，我们给予的与我们的崇拜有关的教训不应使人们以为天上的上帝喜欢杂乱无章的安排、粗心草率的工作和不整洁的环境。上帝现在和祂向旷野中扎营的近一百万人发出指示时一样，仍喜欢清洁、秩序和活力。凡跟从耶稣的人会在凡事上给出正确的榜样。{EA 123.4}
§20
We felt that this first camp-meeting must be as far as possible a sample of what every other camp-meeting held in the future ought to be. Over and over again I said to the people, “See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed thee in the mount.” As a people we have lost much neglecting order and method. Although it takes time and careful, thoughtful labor, and often seems to make our work cost more, in the end we can see that it was a paying business to do everything in the most perfect manner. Jesus said to his disciples, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” The principles found in the instruction given to the children of Israel are to be given to all who are connected with religious services (Camp-6) in these last days. All the specifications and arrangements of detail we cannot copy; but we can understand that the order, the perfection of arrangement, particularly specified by Christ, who was enshrouded in the cloudy pillar, are patterns of the perfection and order that are to be carried into all our plans and arrangements for religious service. In these last days we are to give no lessons in connection with our worship that will lead minds to think that the God of?heaven is pleased with disorderly arrangements, careless work, and untidy surroundings. God is as well pleased with cleanliness, order, and energy now as when he gave directions to nearly a million of people encamped in the wilderness. Those who follow Jesus will give a right example in all things.?{EA 123.4}
§21
营地扩大了，又买了更多的帐篷，支起了接待帐篷，不是豪华的，而是朴素雅致的，由斯塔尔姐妹主持。就餐厅帐篷来说，最严重的困难是找个人来管理，让人来做这项工作。但我们得知，威尔逊姐妹曾在美国两次帐篷大会上管理过餐厅帐篷，她欣然同意照管这个帐篷。另外有三四个姐妹来帮忙，很快家具和用品就被买来了，餐厅帐篷准备好了。预计会有十几个人光顾，但很快就有大约三十个人了。(营地-7)提供的食物简单、丰富、充足，是根据卫生原则制作的。很少有人在桌子上看到肉，只有几个人要肉，尽管我们不怀疑在场的人中有一半并非多年没有吃过肉。{EA 124.1}
§22
Well, the camp was enlarged, more tents were procured, a reception tent was fitted up, not extravagantly, but plainly and tastefully, and was presided over by Sister Starr. The most serious difficulty about having a dining tent, was the matter of getting someone to manage it, and persons to do the work. But we learned that Sister Wilson had superintended the dining tent in two camp-meetings in America, and she readily consented to take the oversight of this one. Three or four other sisters were engaged to assist in the work, and soon furniture and supplies were procured, and the dining tent ready for service. About a dozen were expected to patronize it, but soon there were about thirty boarders. The (Camp-7) food provided was plain, substantial, and plentiful. It was prepared on hygienic principles. Meat was scarcely seen on the tables, and was asked for only by a few, although we doubt not that more than half of those present had not for years been for half so long a time without eating of flesh.?{EA 124.1}
§23
在营地准备期间，以及在聚会的头几天，天气都很好。第一个安息日开始下雨，持续了一个星期。雨没有一直下，而是下着阵雨，偶尔下一场倾盆大雨。尽管如此，纳皮尔教会的人还是积极出来聚会，在场的人保持了很好的心境和勇气，很少抱怨潮湿的环境。纳皮尔教会的许多成员都有工作，这使他们无法参加白天的聚会，但他们经常参加晚上和上午的聚会。大多数时候，我能够出席清晨的聚会，当我不能出席的时候，我觉得被剥夺了特权。所有的人似乎都很喜欢这些清早的见证聚会。有一家人总是出席，从他们山上的住所走一英里半来聚会，母亲和女儿们有时会跑一段路，而不愿迟到。许多人作证说这是他们曾参加的最好的聚会。我们每一天都得着鼓励，因为看到当人们接受了圣经的亮光时，(营地-8)希望、勇气和信心便在他们心中增长。{EA 124.2}
§24
The weather was beautiful while the camp was in preparation, and during the first days of the meeting. On the first Sabbath it began to rain, and continued for a week. It did not rain all the time, but was showery, with occasionally a heavy downpour. Notwithstanding, the people of the Napier church came out well to the meetings, and those on the ground kept up good heart and courage, and made but little complaint about their damp surroundings. Many members of the Napier church came out well to the meetings, and those on the ground kept up good heart and courage, and made but little complaint about their damp surroundings. Many members of the Napier Church had employment which deprived them of the day meetings, but they were very regular in attending the evening and morning meetings. Most of the time I was able to attend the early morning meetings, and I felt that I was deprived of the privilege when unable to be present. All seemed to enjoy these early social meetings. One family, who were always present, came a mile and half from their mountain residence, the mother and daughters sometimes running part of the way, rather than be late to the meeting. Many testified that this was the best meeting that they ever attended. Every day we were encouraged to see hope, courage, and faith growing in the hearts (Camp-8) of the people, as they received light from the Scriptures.?{EA 124.2}
§25
聚会进行了两三天之后，一个曾是教会成员但却在两年前因反对证言而离开了教会的人站了起来，说他想再次站在教会一边。正是怀姐妹的书面证言曾使他离开了教会，而今正是她的证言、她在这次聚会上的讲道，使他回到了教会。他希望重新受洗，希望被从前的弟兄姐妹们接受为弟兄。许多人因这位弟兄重新回到教会而心中大大欢喜。一些人说，单是这一点就值得这次聚会所付出的一切代价。{EA 124.3}
§26
After the meetings had been two or three days in progress, one who had been a member of the church, but who had left it about two years before, because of his opposition to the testimonies, arose and said that he desired to take his stand again with the church. It was the written testimonies of Sister White which had led him to leave the church, and now it was her testimony, her preaching at this meeting that brought him back to the church. He wished to be baptized again, and to be received as a brother by his former brethren and sisters. Many hearts rejoiced greatly that this brother was restored to the church. Some said that this alone was worth all that the meeting had cost.?{EA 124.3}
§27
在第一个安息日下午，我讲了大约三十分钟，然后邀请那些从来没有把心献给基督的人上前来祷告。还邀请了那些自称跟从基督却没有蒙祂悦纳的证据的人，和那些自称相信真理却没有在自己的生活中实行真理原则的人。这些人正是最需要寻求主的人，以便发现耶稣是随时的帮助，总是准备供应祂的恩典，以便他们制胜每一个品格缺陷。{EA 124.4}
§28
On the first Sabbath afternoon, I spoke about thirty minutes, and then invited those to come forward for prayers who had never given their hearts to Christ. The invitation was also extended to those who professed to be followers of Christ, who had not the evidence of his acceptance, and those who professed to believe the truth, but had not carried out its holy principles in their lives. These were the very ones who most needed to seek the Lord, that they might find Jesus a present help, ever ready to supply his grace, that they may overcome every defect in character.?{EA 124.4}
§29
我们高兴地看到对这一呼吁所作的反应。(营地-9)许多座位必须清空，而且很快就被那些上前来的人补满了。帐篷不是举行这种聚会的理想场所。雨下得很大，帐篷多处漏水。但这似乎没什么大不了的。对永恒事物的兴趣太深，不受周围环境的影响。一种可怕后果的感觉影响了环境。一种可怕后果的感觉影响了会众。上帝的灵在感动人们意识到《以赛亚书》第一章提到的时候已经到来：“你们要洗濯、自洁，从我眼前除掉你们的恶行，要止住作恶，学习行善”（16，17节）。许多人心中感到我们正在催促审判，那时每一个案件都要永远决定了。{EA 125.1}
§30
We rejoiced to see the response that was made to this call. (Camp-9) Many seats had to be cleared, and were quickly refilled by those coming forward. The tent was not a perfect place for such a meeting. The rain was falling heavily, and the tent leaked in many places. But this seemed of little consequence. The interest in eternal matters was too deep to be affected by the surroundings. A sense of fearful consequences affected the surroundings. A sense of fearful consequences affected the congregation. The Spirit of God was moving the people to a consciousness that the time had come spoken of in the first of Isaiah; “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well.” Many hearts were impressed that we are hastening to the judgment, when every case will be decided for eternity.?{EA 125.1}
§31
斯塔尔长老给出了宝贵的指导和劝诫，敦促每一个人都将情感和心灵献给耶稣。然后我们献上了祷告，上帝的福气丰富地停留在会众身上。祷告之后，有人提议那些上到前面来的人到另一个帐篷里去，在那里他们会有时间说话，并寻求每个人所需要的帮助和指导；但是雨下得太大了，没有人愿意离开帐篷，聚会一直持续到日落。许多人承认了自己疏忽职责、不耐烦、疏于父母的家政。许多人承认了自己的世俗心和爱打扮；一些人(营地-10)作见证说他们是第一次将自己的心献给基督。{EA 125.2}
§32
Elder Starr gave precious instruction and exhortation, urging that each one should bring heart and mind to Jesus. Then we had a season of prayer, and the blessing of God rested in rich measure on the congregation. After the prayers, it was proposed that those who had come forward should go to another tent, where time would be given for them to speak, and to seek such help and instruction as each should need; but again the rain came down so heavily that no one wished to leave the tent, and the meeting was continued till sundown. Many confessions were made of neglected duties, of impatience, and neglect of parental government. Many confessed their worldliness and love of dress; and some bore (Camp-10) testimony who were giving their hearts to Christ for the first time.?{EA 125.2}
§33
星期天是营地忙碌而快乐的一天。早上，斯塔尔长老继续研究圣经，下午，我对满满一个帐篷的听众讲话。晚上六个人受了洗。周一，业务会议占据了大部分时间。麦卡拉长老晚上讲道，在他讲道的过程中，讲到了研究和依赖颅相学技术的恶果。他指出，它的倾向是引导人们低估上帝的能力和恩典，并对自己的判断作出过高的估计。有些人把大量时间花在研究颅相象学上，并对它寄予很大的依赖，这些人被冒犯了，直言不讳地反对所讲的话。{EA 125.3}
§34
Sunday was a busy and joyful day at the camp. In the morning Elder Starr continued the Bible studies, and in the afternoon I spoke to a tent full of attentive listeners. In the evening six were baptized. On Monday the business meetings occupied most of the time. Elder McCullagh preached in the evening, and in the course of his sermon, spoke of the evil effects of the study of, and placing dependence in, the science of phrenology. He showed that its tendency is to lead men to undervalue the power and the grace of God, and to place too high an estimate upon their own judgment. Some who had devoted much time to the study of phrenology, and placed much dependence upon it, were offended, and spoke freely against what had been said.?{EA 125.3}
§35
在周二清早的聚会上，有人提到了这件事，一些从招魂术陷阱中获救的人讲述了他们的经历。我们感到惊讶，那么多人竟然几乎没有摆脱招魂术的狡猾欺骗。相当多的人谈到了他们对颅相学的兴趣，以及他们想知道研究颅相学哪里有危险。早餐后，上午的常规程序暂停，我照着来这个国家之前蒙指示所看到的，向人们介绍了他们的一些危险。我指出了研究“错误的所谓科学”的一些恶果，讲述了美国一些传道人为了影响或利得 (营地-11) 而随从了这种做法的可悲经验。在聚会结束前，一些曾最热衷于研究颅相学的人站起来说，他们会接受所提出的关于它的事为事实，并采取相应的行动。{EA 125.4}
§36
In the early meeting of Tuesday, this matter was referred to, and some who had been rescued from the snares of Spiritualism, related their experiences. We were surprised that so many had barely escaped the subtle delusions of Spiritualism. Quite a number spoke of their interest in phrenology, and their desire to know wherein its study was dangerous. After breakfast, the regular program for the forenoon was suspended, and I presented to the people some of their dangers, as they had been shown to me before coming to this country. I pointed out some of the evils resulting from the study of “science, falsely so-called” and related the sad experience of some American ministers who had followed (Camp-11) it, for influence or for gain. Before the meeting closed, some who had been most ardent students of phrenology, arose and said they would accept what had been presented regarding it, as the truth, and act accordingly.?{EA 125.4}
§37
一两天后，一位书报员给斯塔尔长老带来了一本小册子，其中含有一位有影响力的卫斯理公会牧师最近在但尼丁发表的一篇证道，捍卫“高级评经”，轻视圣经是一本圣书，其所有内容都是上帝默示的观念。这导致了更多关于这一主题的教训，以及纳皮尔人广泛参与的关于“高级评经”的一堂证道。我们惊讶地看到我们自己的人在多大的程度上受了这种背信不忠行为的影响，我们感到满意的是，仅仅这一点就足以说明最近书报工作没有取得成功的原因。我们越来越清楚地看到，在我们一切的操劳中都必须高举圣经，我们的人必须开始认识圣经中的智慧和能力。直到聚会结束，而且在我们后来所有的工作中，都强调了这个主题。{EA 125.5}
§38
A day or two later one of the canvassers brought to Elder Starr a pamphlet containing the sermon of an influential Wesleyan minister, delivered at a recent conference held in Dunedin, in which he defended the “higher criticism” of the Bible, and made light of the opinion that it was a divine book, and that all portions of it were inspired. This led to more lessons on the subject, and a sermon on “Higher Criticism” that was well attended by the people of Napier. We were surprised to see the extent to which our own people were affected by this infidelity, and were satisfied that in this alone there was abundant explanation for the lack of success that has of late attended the canvassing work. We see more and more clearly, that in all our labors the Bible must be exalted, and that our people must come to know the wisdom and the power that are in the word of God. To the close of the meeting, and in all our labors since, this subject has been made prominent.?{EA 126.5}
§39
在聚会的最后一个星期天，我被安排在下午讲道，斯塔尔长老晚上在黑斯廷斯讲，这是一个纳皮尔西部约十二英里的繁荣城镇。最近在这个地方举行了一次帐篷大会(营地-12)，有少数人服从了信息，还有一些人正在作决定。我们的聚会是在一个大厅里举行的，虽然听众不多，但在场的人似乎很感兴趣。我们有一辆最舒适的交通工具，旅途很愉快。在黑斯廷斯附近，我们经过一个毛利村，那里正在筹备成立一个全国委员会。在一个围场里，有一座教堂和几座大房子，他们在那里招待许多客人，还有长帐篷，数百人可在帐篷中享用食物；在附近的其它田地里，有长排的小帐篷，供那些从国外来的人住。毛利人似乎是一个聪明的民族，他们的一些部落非常需要真正的传道工作。愿意献身在这些人中间作工的年轻人在哪里呢？{EA 126.1}
§40
On the last Sunday of the meeting, it was arranged that I should speak in the afternoon, and Elder Starr in the evening at Hastings, a prosperous town about twelve miles west of Napier. A tent meeting had (Camp-12) recently been held in this place, and there are a few who obey the message, and others who are on the point of decision. Our meeting was in a large hall, and although the audience was not large, those present seemed much interested. We had a most comfortable conveyance, and the ride was enjoyable. Near Hastings, we passed a Maori village, where preparations were being made for a national council. In one enclosure there was a church and several wharreys—large houses in which they entertain a large number of guests,—also long tents in which hundreds were to be served with food; in other fields near by were long rows of little tents, for the occupancy of those coming from abroad. The Maoris seem to be an intelligent people, and true missionary work is much needed among some of their tribes. Where are the young men who will devote their lives to work among this people??{EA 126.1}