第01章 给赴非洲布道士的勉言
§1
第01章 给赴非洲布道士的勉言
§2
Chap. 1—Counsel to Missionaries en Route to Africa
§3
（1887年6月18日写于挪威，莫斯）
§4
前往遥远工作园地的亲爱的弟兄们：我想和你们交谈，但又不敢，因为我觉得没有力量在私人谈话中公平对待任何问题。在人们面前时，总是主支持我。{TSA 7.1}[1]
§5
Moss, Norway June 18, 1887
§6
Dear Brethren on Your Way to a Distant Field of Labour, I have desired to talk with you, but dared not, because I have not felt that I had strength to do justice to any subject in private conversation. When before the people I am always sustained by the Lord.?{TSA 7.1}[1]
§7
你们工作的正确开端关系重大。我蒙指示，在某地区的工作如果有正确开端的话，就不会一直受限，没有作出本应有的明确进展了。TSA 7.2}[2]
§8
There is great importance attached to the starting in right at the beginning of your work. I have been shown that the work in _____ has been bound about without making that decided advancement that it might have made if the work had commenced right.?{TSA 7.2}[2]
§9
如果采用不同的管理模式，可能就会成就更多，实际上也会更少支用库中的钱财。在所交给我们的提拔人的真理中，我们有一项伟大而神圣的托付。我们感到欣慰，因为有人愿意进入我们的传道园地，甘心以很少的报酬作工，因为对基督和同胞的爱而向那些处在错谬黑暗中的遥远国家的人展开真理。在权衡金钱与良心和责任的要求时，金钱对他们来说无足轻重。{TSA 7.3}[3]
§10
Far more might have been done with different modes of management, and there would have been less means actually taken from the treasury. We have a great and sacred trust in the elevated truths committed to us. We are glad that there are men who will enter into our mission fields who are willing to work with small remuneration to open the truth to those who are in the darkness of error in far-off countries for the love of Christ and their fellow men. Money does not weigh with them in the scale against the claims of conscience and duty.?{TSA 7.3}[3]
§11
愿意献身于教导真理之伟大工作的人，不是会被财富收买或被贫困吓倒的人。但上帝希望祂所委派的仆人们不断改进。为了使工作进展得有效率，主就差祂的门徒两个两个地出去。上帝有一个教会，而且这些教会是在使徒和先知的根基上组织起来的，有耶稣基督自己为房角石。{TSA 7.4}[4]
§12
The men who will give themselves to the great work of teaching the truth are not the men who will be bribed with wealth or frightened by poverty. But God would have His delegated servants constantly improving. In order for the work to be carried forward with efficiency, the Lord sent forth His disciples two and two. God has a church, and these churches are organized on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.?{TSA 7.4}[4]
§13
不要让一个人的想法、一个人的计划控制工作的进展。一个人不要远离别人，使自己的计划和想法成为所有工人的准则。应该将单个肢体一起派出去，有一个董事会一起商量。一个人不要站得和别人远远的，坚持自己的方法和计划，因为他或许在某一方面受了教育，具有某些品格特性，若是允许他成为控制性力量，他所受的那种教育和那些品格特性就会损害圣工的利益。{TSA 8.1}[5]
§14
No one man’s ideas, one man’s plans, are to have a controlling power in carrying forward the work. One is not to stand apart from the others and make his plans and ideas the criterion for all the workers. There is to be with the individual members sent forth together, a board for counsel together. One is not to stand apart from the others and argue his own ways and plans, for he may have an education in a certain direction and possess certain traits of character which will be detrimental to the interests of the work if allowed to become a controlling power.?{TSA 8.1}[5]
§15
工人们不要彼此敬而远之，而要在凡关系上帝圣工的事上协力同工。而应予以考虑的最重要的一件事就是自我修养。工人们太少注意这件事了。应当培养一切的能力去为上帝做高尚可敬的工作。可以得到更大量的智慧，远过于许多已在上帝的圣工中工作多年之人所料想的，是还没有人得到的。有些人心思狭隘，计划狭隘，工作也陷于一种狭隘的常规。{TSA 8.2}[6]
§16
The workers are not to stand apart from one another, but work together in everything that interests the cause of God. And one of the most important things to be considered is self-culture. There is too little attention given to this matter. There should be a cultivation of all the powers to do high and honourable work for God. Wisdom may be gained in a much larger measure than many suppose who have been labouring for years in the cause of God, which no man has yet attained. There are men who have narrow ideas, narrow plans, and work in a narrow groove.?{TSA 8.2}[6]
§17
进入新园地会出现的一种危险就是用最廉价的方式规划和调动各方力量推进工作。虽然库中的状况要求经常节约，却有节约导致得不偿失的危险。在未经开垦的园地中，我们一般会因第七日的安息日而发展缓慢。每一个接受真理之人的道路上都有一个难堪的十字架。?{TSA 8.3}[7]
§18
This will be the danger in entering a new field,—to plan and bring all the powers to bear to get along in the most inexpensive manner. Now, while the state of the treasury demands that there should be constant economy, there is danger of an economy which results in loss rather than gain. Our growth has been, in untried fields, generally slow because of the seventh-day Sabbath. There stands a sharp cross directly in the way of every soul who accepts the truth.?{TSA 8.3}[7]
§19
还有其它真理，例如灵魂并非不灭，和基督很快驾天云亲临我们的地球。但这些真理不像安息日那样有异议。一些人会凭良心因真理自身的缘故而接受真理，因为它是圣经真理，而且他们喜爱顺从之路，顺从上帝的一切诫命。我们信仰的这些不受欢迎的特色会挡住许多人，他们不愿成为特选的子民、与世人迥然有别。因此，在如何将真理带到人们面前的事上，需要运用大智慧。每一次布道会的介绍都要达到某些明确的目的。如果采用的计划和方法具有一种不同的性质，即使有必要涉及更多开支，原本也会有好得多的结果。{TSA 8.4}[8]
§20
There are other truths, such as the non-immortality of the soul, and the personal coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven to our earth in a short time. But these are not as objectionable as the Sabbath. Some will conscientiously accept the truth for its own sake, because it is Bible truth, and they love the path of obedience to all the commandments of God. These objectionable features of our faith will bar the way to many souls who do not wish to be a peculiar people, distinct and separate from the world. Therefore, great wisdom is required to be exercised in the matter of how the truth is brought before the people. There are certain clearly defined ends to gain at the very introduction of missionary effort. If the plans and methods had been of a different character, even if?they necessarily involved more outlay of means, there would have been far better results.?{TSA 8.4}[8]
§21
在一些地方应该慢慢开始。这就是他们能做的一切。然而在许多地方，从一开始就能以比较充分明确的方式从事工作。然而在任何一个地方都不可有随便的、散漫的、小气的工作方式。要是我们的弟兄们没有设法以那么小气的方式行事，在老英格兰的工作原会比现在进步得多。要是他们租用了优良的会堂，并且推进工作，好像他们有能获得胜利的伟大真理，好像上帝会让他们以能造成最好的第一印象的方式开始工作，在他们前往的地方，工作原会有更大的进步。{TSA 9.1}[9]
§22
At some places there should be a slow beginning. This is all they can do. But in many places the work can be entered into in a more thorough and decided manner from the very first. But there must be no haphazard, loose, cheap manner of work done in any place. The work in Old England might have been much farther advanced now than it is if our brethren had not tried to move in so cheap a way. If they had hired good halls, and carried forward the work as though they had great truths which would be victorious and as though God would have them start in to make the very first impression the very best that could be made, as far as they go, the work would have advanced more than it has.?{TSA 9.1}[9]
§23
要维持传道工作的高尚性质。但愿每一个参与传道工作的男女都扪心自问：我是干什么的？我应该成为怎样的人，应该做什么？每一个工人都要考虑自己无法给别人自己所没有的。所以他不应专心于自己固定的作风和习惯，不作任何更好的改变。保罗说：“这不是说我已经得着了，……我乃是竭力追求，……向着标竿直跑”（腓3:12,14）。个人要不断地前进、改进和改革，才能完善匀称平衡的品格。?{TSA 9.2}[10]
§24
Keep up the elevated character of the missionary work. Let the inquiry of both men and women associated in the missionary work be, What am I? and what ought I to be and do? Let each worker consider that he cannot give to others that which he does not possess himself. Therefore, he should not settle down into his own set ways and habits, and make no change for the better. Paul says, “Not as though I had already attained,but I follow after.... I press toward the mark.”?Philippians 3:12, 14. It is constant advancement and improvement, and reformation that is to be made with individuals to perfect a symmetrical, well-balanced character.?{TSA 9.2}[10]
§25
请记住我现在告诫你们的话。你们都需要比现在更完美匀称的品格。没有一个人的方法和习惯不需要改善，你们大家如果没有各自做出这种改善，你们若是没有在各方面不断地追求更高的造诣，就会大大阻碍彼此的工作。必须有一种不断的进步，总是带有不同的改变。新的责任会出现，新的工作园地展现在你们面前，组织周到的努力会带来成功。{TSA 9.3}[11]
§26
Please remember the words of caution that I now give you. You all need a more perfect and symmetrical character than you now have. No one has ways and habits that do not need improvement, and if this improvement is not made with you all individually, if you are not constantly seeking for higher attainments in every way, you will greatly hinder the work of each other. There must be a continual advancement with ever-varying changes. New duties will arise, new fields of labour open before you, and thoroughly organized effort will bring success.?{TSA 9.3}[11]
§27
你们任何一个人能够独自做的事都很少。如果会有那种谦卑以致你们各人会看别人比自己强，两个人或更多的人就比一个人好。你们任何一个人若是认为自己的计划和工作方式是完全的，就是大大地自欺。要多多祈祷并存谦卑的心一起商议，乐于接受劝告和建议。这会把你带到上帝能作你的策士的地步。你们所从事的工作，若无得到充分理解的计划所带来的力量，便无法完成。你们若是以狭隘小气的计划从事工作，像他们在英国传道区所做的那样，在非洲就会和在英国任何地方一样缺乏成效，这种计划在任何大城市都是不明智的。{TSA 9.4}[12]
§28
There is little that any of you can do alone. Two or more are better than one, if there will be that humility that you will esteem each other better than yourselves. If any of you consider your plans and modes of labour perfect, you greatly deceive yourselves. Counsel together with much prayer and humbleness of mind, willing to be entreated and advised. This will bring you where God will be your Counsellor. The work you are engaged in cannot?be done except by forces which are the result of well-understood plans. If you undertake the work in a narrow, cheap plan, as they have done in [the British] mission, it will be no more in place in Africa than in any British territory and will not be wisdom in any large city.?{TSA 9.4}[12]
§29
那些在战场上的人，必须有所冒险。他们切不可在每一行动中都觉得必须接到总部的命令。他们必须在各种环境下尽其所能，大家一起商议，多多祈求上帝的智慧。他们也必须同心协力。要为许多事作计划。因此，你们自己中间必需完全团结。我们这班人必须在我们自己的旗帜下行军。{TSA 10.1}[13]
§30
There must be something ventured, and some risks run by those on the field of battle. They must not in every movement feel that they must receive orders from headquarters. They must do the best they can under all circumstances, all counselling together with much earnest prayer to God for His wisdom. There must be union of effort. There is much that will have to be planned for. Therefore, the necessity for perfect unity among yourselves. As a people we must march under our own standard.?{TSA 10.1}[13]
§31
我们无论在哪里从事改革，都可以在我们所去的国家与别人联系，这么做是明智的，但有些事你们必须在你们自己内部做，穿着上帝所赐给你们的军装作工——不要穿任何个人的军装，而要本着基督教的博爱和基督徒的爱心一起作工。不要让你们任何一个人贬低你们使命的重要性，用一种小气卑劣的计划方式将真理摆在人前，从而贬低圣工。{TSA 10.2}[14]
§32
Wherever, in reforms, we can connect with others in the countries to which we go, it will be advisable to do so, but there are some things you must do within yourselves, working in the armour which God has given you—not the armour of any one individual, but working together in Christian charity and love. Let not any one of you belittle the importance of your mission, and lower the work by a cheap, inferior way of planning to get the truth before the people.?{TSA 10.2}[14]
§33
要聪明地、明智地、团结一致地工作。不要做什么特别的努力使人显为大，而要尊主为大，让祂成为你们所敬畏所惧怕的和你们的效能。要考虑到你们工作的重要性。在你们的工作方法里，不要有狭隘的计划和局限的观念。在这方面我们必须改进。要投入更多的财力，使圣工达到它应有的崇高地位。会有一些富裕的人虽然对圣工的性质已有所了解，但他们还没有勇气背负十架并忍受伴随着不受欢迎之真理的指责。如果可能的话，可先接触上层人士，但也不要忽略下层人士。{TSA 10.3}[15]
§34
Work intelligently, wisely, unitedly. Let no special effort be made to magnify the men, but magnify the Lord, and let Him be your fear, your dread, and your sufficiency. Bring your minds up to the greatness of the work. Your narrow plans, your limited ideas, are not to come into your methods of working. There must be reform on this point, and there will be more means brought in to enable the work to be brought up to the high and exalted position it should ever occupy. There will be men who have means who will discern something of the character of the work, although they have not the courage to lift the cross, and to bear the reproach that attends unpopular truth. First reach the high classes if possible, but there should be no neglect of the lower classes.?{TSA 10.3}[15]
§35
但是许多地方在制定计划和开展工作的时候，往往只接触下层人士。我们要想方设法接触上层人士，因为他们也需要真理的亮光，像下层人士一样。这些人看见了真理，但他们宛如受制于贫困的奴役，在接受真理之前就会饿死似的。要计划接触最好的阶层，这样，你们也不会接触不到下层人士。总的来说太多将灯放在床底下或斗底下，而没有将它放在灯台上，以便照亮全家的人。愿主赐给工人们真智慧并多多赐下祂的圣灵，使他们用上帝的规则作工，尽量站在高处，有利于上帝也有利于人。{TSA 10.4}[16]
§36
But it has been the case that the plans and the efforts have been so shaped in many fields that the lower classes only are the ones who can be reached. But methods may be devised to reach the higher classes who need the light of truth as well as the lower classes. These see the truth, but they are, as it were, in the slavery of poverty, and see starvation before them should they accept the?truth. Plan to reach the best classes, and you will not fail to reach the lower classes. There is altogether too much of putting the light under the bed or under the bushel, and not on a candle-stick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. May the Lord give the workers true wisdom, and much of His Holy Spirit, that they may work in God’s order, and may stand as high as possible in favour with God and with the people.?{TSA 10.4}[16]
§37
上帝曾就以色列人的安营给出特别的指示，好叫一切都秩序井然。各人都有指定的工作。没有一个人应包揽所有的工作，而是各人都有规定的工作要照料，好忠诚地严格地工作，以便工作的秩序、和谐和尊贵的性质会给周围的列国留下明确的印象，向这些国家显明以色列有一位统治者，就是耶和华自己。这样，上帝的工作和品格就不会低人一等或在侍奉别神的列国眼中被轻视。{TSA 11.1}[17]
§38
The Lord gave special directions in the arrangement of the encampment of the Israelites in regard to how the camp should be arranged. All was to be done with perfect order. Each man had his appointed work. No one man was to do it all, but each man had a specified work and was to attend to that work faithfully and critically, that the order and harmony and exalted character of the work should make decided impressions on the nations around them, showing to these nations that Israel had a Governor who was the Lord Himself. Thus the work and character of God would not stand inferior or belittled in the eyes of the nations who served other gods.?{TSA 11.1}[17]
§39
在你们心上应当谨记住一个目标，自己是改良者，而非固执之徒。在应付不信的人时，不可表现卑劣的吝啬精神，因为你若停下来争论小数的钱款，至终必会失去更大的钱款。他们会说，“那个人很奸巧，他若可能的话，就会欺诈你，因此在你与他作任何交易时，应当小心防备。”但若是在你作小交易时，让人得些利益，则别人也会在同样慷慨的算盘上与你来往。小气生小气，吝啬生吝啬。那些采取这种行径的人，看不出这在别人看来多么可鄙；尤其是那些与我们的信仰不同的人，且给真理的宝贵事业带上了这种瑕疵的印记。{TSA 11.2}[18]
§40
The one object to be kept before the mind is that you are reformers, and not bigots. In dealing with unbelievers, do not show a contemptible spirit of littleness, for if you stop to haggle over a small sum, you will, in the end, lose a much larger sum. They will say, “That man is a sharper; he would cheat you out of your rights if he possibly could, so be on your guard when you have any dealing with him.” But if in a deal a trifle in your favour is placed to the favour of another, that other will work with you on the same generous plan. Littleness begets littleness, penuriousness begets penuriousness. Those who pursue this course do not see how contemptible it appears to others, especially those not of our faith; and the precious cause of truth bears the stamp of this defect.?{TSA 11.2}[18]
§41
我们不要采用世人的行为方式。我们要给世界一个更高尚的榜样，表明我们的信仰有高贵的性质。要照你愿意别人应该待你的方式去对待别人。要让每一行动都显出真理的高贵。要忠于你的信心，你就会忠于上帝。要来到圣经面前，你就会知道它对你的要求确实是什么。当上帝发言时，你的本分就是听从。要记住，世上的一切都是按外表判断的；因此，要仔细研究上帝的道，注意使曾赐给古以色列人的指示影响你们的安排和计划。你们不可效法世界，而要记住我们的信仰带有独特的印记，且使我们成为特选的子民。因此，应当避免会使人对工作的伟大性质产生错误印象的所有奇怪观念和个人特性与狭隘计划。工人们谁也不要制造十字架和责任；因为圣经已经给出了准则、十字架和道路。?{TSA 11.3}[19]
§42
We are not to make the world’s manner of dealing ours. We are to give to the world a nobler example, showing that our faith is of a high and elevated character. Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you. Let every action reveal the nobility of truth. Be true to your faith, and you will be true to God. Come close to the Word, that you may learn what its claims really are. When God speaks, it is your duty to listen and obey. Remember that everything in the world is judged by appearances;?therefore, study carefully the Word of God, and see that the words of instruction given to ancient Israel affect your arrangements and plans. While you shall not conform to the world, remember that our faith bears the stamp of singularity, and makes us a peculiar people. Therefore, all odd notions and individual peculiarities and narrow plans that would give false impressions of the greatness of the work, should be avoided. None of the workers should manufacture crosses and duties; for the Bible has given the rule, the cross, the way.?{TSA 11.3}[19]
§43
你们谁也不要觉得自己不易受到试探，觉得自己有良好的原则，对自己或自己要做的工作没什么好担心的。要小心提防你们自己。你们需要不断地在上帝面前谦卑己心，以便人性的堕落不至于使你们的工作无效。不要培养奇特的习惯，而要在你们活着的每一天获得基督的模式。要学习那楷模。?{TSA 12.1}[20]
§44
Let none of you feel that you are above temptation, that you have good principles, and need fear nothing from yourselves or the work which you have to do. Be jealous of yourselves. You need to humble your hearts constantly before God, that human depravity shall not neutralize your work. Do not cultivate habits of singularity, but obtain Christ’s mould every day you live. Study the Pattern.?{TSA 12.1}[20]
§45
你们每一个从事这项传道工作的人，就是参与其中的弟兄和姐妹，都具有坚强的意志。要是各人都实行的同样的舍己，情况就会是这样。然而这门功课还没有照着所应该的得到彻底的学习。你们若是乐于在基督的门下学习心里柔和谦卑，祂就必赐给你们安息和平安。放弃你们自己的意愿和你们自己的道路是一场非常艰难的斗争。但你们若是学了这门功课，就必得享安息和平安。必须克服骄傲、自私和野心；你们的意愿必须淹没在基督的旨意中。整个人生都可以成为不断喜爱牺牲的一生，每一个行动每一句话都是爱的表现。葡萄树的生命怎样藉着枝干流通，下到根须，上到叶尖，基督的爱和恩典也必照样燃烧和充满在心灵中，将它的美德发送到生命的每一部分，弥漫在身心的每一活动中。{TSA 12.2}[21]
§46
Every one of you united in this missionary work, both our brethren and sisters who act a part in it, are men and women of strong wills. This is as it should be, if each has practised equal self-control. But this lesson has not been learned as thoroughly as it should be. If you are willing to learn meekness and lowliness of heart in Christ’s school, He will surely give you rest and peace. It is a terribly hard struggle to give up your own will and your own way. But this lesson learned, you will find rest and peace. Pride, selfishness, and ambition must be overcome; your will must be swallowed up in the will of Christ. The whole life may become one constant love sacrifice, every action a manifestation, and every word an utterance of love. As the life of the vine circulates through stem and cluster, descends into the lower fibres, and reaches to the topmost leaf, so will the grace and love of Christ burn and abound in the soul, sending its virtues to every part of the being, and pervading every exercise of body and mind.?{TSA 12.2}[21]
§47
我还要劝勉你们，从最初建立你们的工作的时候，就要以一种有尊严的、像上帝的方式开始，好使你们所明知是源出于天的真理的影响有特色。但要记得在真理的表述方面要十分小心。要逐步带领人心向前。要细述实际的敬虔，将之交织在教义性讲道中。基督的教训与慈爱会软化并开垦人的心田，以便撒播真理的好种，而你也会获得人们的信任，藉着作工与他们熟识起来。但要保持这工作的高尚性质。让书刊，报纸和小册子在人们中间发挥作用，使阅读的人准备好传播真理。要不遗余力地从事这方面的工作。这项工作既已聪明地开办经营。就一定会取得成功。但你若要教训别人，引导他们行在真理和公义的路上，自己就应谦卑受教。（ 《信函》1887年14号）?{TSA 12.3}[22]
§48
Again I would urge upon [you] the necessity from the very first establishment of your work, to commence in a dignified, Godlike manner, that you may give character to the influence of the truth which you know to be of heavenly birth. But remember that great care is to be exercised in regard to the presentation of truth. Carry the minds along guardedly. Dwell upon practical godliness, weaving the same into doctrinal discourses. The teachings and love?of Christ will soften and subdue the soil of the heart for the good seed of truth. You will obtain the confidence of the people by working to obtain acquaintance with them. But keep up the elevated character of the work. Let the publications, the papers, the pamphlets, be working among the people, and preparing the minds of the reading class for the preaching of the truth. Let no stinted efforts be made in this line, and the work, if commenced wisely, and prosecuted wisely, will result in success. But do be humble and teachable, if you will teach others, and lead others in the way of truth and righteousness.—Letter 14, 1887.?{TSA 12.3}[22]