给南部非洲的证言E

第05章 给南非韦塞尔斯家庭成员的五..
§1 第05章 给南非韦塞尔斯家庭成员的五..
§2 Chap. 5—Five Letters to Members of the Wessels Family in South Africa
§3 【第一封信】（1892年7月写于维多利亚州北菲茨罗伊）
§4 亲爱的弟兄：……我们在经验中常常发现，我们安插真理的旗帜不得不遭遇的困难既不小也不少时，上帝的旨意却在为扩大圣工预备道路。撒但似乎在前进的路上寸土必争，我们的努力在取得成功之前，必须对付和克服考验和障碍，并且忍受凌辱。多少次听到工人们说：“要是我知道这个事业会让我付出这么多，就原本绝不会开始从事它。”然而既然我们的救主是这事业的领袖，祂就看到为寻找拯救失丧的人而必须奔走的黑暗而令人灰心的全部路程。难道耶稣在这工作上犹豫过吗？{TSA 36.1}[1]
§5 【Letter A】North Fitzroy, Victoria July, 1892
§6 Dear Brother, In our experience we have often found that Providence was preparing the way for enlarging the work when the difficulties we were obliged to encounter in planting the standard of truth were neither small nor few. Satan seemed to contest every inch of the way of progress, and trials and obstacles had to be met and overcome, and reproach endured before success crowned our efforts. How many times the workers were heard to say, “If I had only known how much this undertaking would have cost me, I would never have entered upon it.” But if our Saviour was the Leader of the undertaking, He saw the whole length of the dark and discouraging path that would have to be travelled in order to seek and to save that which is lost. Did Jesus hesitate in this work??{TSA 36.1}[1]
§7 难道生命和荣耀之君没有受考验吗？不是的。祂是一个多受痛苦常经忧患的人。每一阵撕裂祂谦卑心肠的剧痛，每一样堆在祂头上的侮辱，每一种必须忍受的苦难，在祂脱下王冕和王袍，从宝座上下来，神性披上人性之前，无不一一向祂展开。{TSA 36.2}[2]
§8 Was the life of the Prince of life and glory without trial? No. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Not a pang that rent His lowly heart, not an insult that was heaped upon His head, not a privation that He was called to endure, but was all open before Him before He laid aside His royal crown, His royal robe, and stepped down from the throne to clothe His divinity with humanity.?{TSA 36.2}[2]
§9 从马槽到髑髅地的全部行程，都已显明在祂眼前。祂明知所要受的惨痛。虽然如此，祂还是说：“看那，我来了！我的事在经卷上已经记载了。我的上帝啊！我乐意照祢的旨意行，祢的律法在我心里”（诗40:7,8）。既然救主都不得不经历这一切，难道我们还期待撒但不会干涉我们，不打扰我们，任由我们从事将真理的旗帜安插在新园地的伟大工作吗？?{TSA 36.3}[3]
§10 The path from the manger to Calvary was all before His eyes and He knew what fearful anguish would come upon Him. He knew it all, and yet He said, “Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea,?thy law is within my heart.” Then since the Saviour had to pass through all this experience, shall we expect that Satan will let us alone, undisturbed, to do the grand work of planting the standard of truth in new fields??{TSA 36.3}[3]
§11 基督对吹毛求疵的犹太人说：“我是世界的光。跟从我的，就不在黑暗里走，必要得着生命的光”（约8:12）。耶稣很确定地讲真理的事实，就是犹太人不相信祂的理由。祂说：“我将真理告诉你们，你们就因此不信我”（约8:45）。{TSA 37.1}[4]
§12 Christ said to the cavilling Jews, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). The very fact that Jesus spoke the truth, and that with certainty, is the reason why the Jews did not believe Him. He said, “Because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not” (John 8:45).?{TSA 37.1}[4]
§13 触犯这些自称为义之人的，乃是真理。真理暴露了假道的虚谬，所以就不受欢迎。他们宁愿闭眼不顾真理，而不肯谦卑地承认自己曾犯了错误。他们不爱真理，因为真理谴责了他们的教训和行为。虽明知是真理，他们也不爱它。他们自己不敬虔的行为使他们对真理的事工吹毛求疵。他们将真理当作异端和虚言对待，自欺欺人。基督对法利赛人说：“光来到世间，世人因自己的行为是恶的，不爱光，倒爱黑暗，定他们的罪就是在此”（约3:19）。{TSA 37.2}[5]
§14 It was the truth that offended these self-righteous men. The truth exposed the fallacy of error, and it was unwelcome. They would rather close their eyes to truth, than humble themselves to say that they had been in error. They did not love the truth, because it condemned their teaching and practices. They did not love it even if it was truth. Their own ungodly course made them cavillers against a ministry of truth. They treated the truth as heresy and idle tales, and they deceived themselves and deceived others. Christ said to the Pharisees, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”?{TSA 37.2}[5]
§15 我们确实会在各方面发现这种盲目；然而我们在宣扬真理上从未变得灰心丧胆。我们也绝不要变得不耐烦，因为基督容忍了我们一切的刚愎任性，祂愿意教导我们如何努力介绍在耶稣里的真理。要以基督的灵和能力出发。与这种能力相结合的是对在黑暗中的人最温柔的同情。……{TSA 37.3}[6]
§16 We shall find exactly such blindness on every side; but we are never to become discouraged, or to fail in setting forth the truth. Never are we to become impatient, because Christ bore with us in all our perversity, and He will teach us how to labour to present the truth as it is in Jesus. Go forth in the power and Spirit of Christ. With this power is combined the tenderest compassion for those who are in darkness?{TSA 37.3}[6]
§17 让这些话像悦耳的铃声回响在我们耳中和心中吧。“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”（约3:16）。我的心灵多么迫切地恳求天上的禀赋啊！凭我自己我不能做什么。能力和荣耀全都是上帝的。“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”（约5:19）。“我在父里面，父在我里面，你不信吗？我对你们所说的话，不是凭着自己说的，乃是住在我里面的父做祂自己的事”（约14:10）。我看到上帝的工作如此神圣，以致若没有耶稣的临格在我身边，我就不敢动它。一切的力量，一切的权能、一切的荣耀都属于祂，祂爱我们，为我们舍己。{TSA 37.4}[7]
§18 Let these words ring like musical bells in our ears and heart. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” How urgently my soul pleads for the heavenly endowment. Of myself I can do nothing. The power and the glory is all of God. “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” I see the work of God is so sacred, that I dare not?touch it without the presence of Jesus by my side. All might, all power and all glory belong to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.?{TSA 37.4}[7]
§19 我们肯定在接近这世界历史的结束，上帝向我们推荐了祂的爱，赐给我们真理，使我们的心充满喜乐，以便我们向别人运用爱心。要注意为世人的罪舍命的髑髅地的伟人。为什么呢？因为注视这种对人类的爱，叫一切相信的，不至灭亡，我们就会向同胞表现同样的爱。对失丧灵魂的爱将基督带到了髑髅地的十字架。对灵魂的爱会导致我们舍己、自我牺牲，以便寻找拯救失丧的人。你们是与上帝同工的。自我必须死，我们的生命是与基督一同藏在上帝里面。爱基督替死之人意味着将自我钉死在十字架上。{TSA 38.1}[8]
§20 We are certainly nearing the close of this earth’s history, and God hath commended His love toward us in giving us the truth that has filled our hearts with such joy, that we may exercise love toward others. Look to the Man of Calvary giving His life for the sins of the world. Why? That in beholding such love for man, that all who believe shall not perish, we shall manifest the same love for our fellow-men. Love for lost souls brought Christ to Calvary’s cross. Love for souls will lead us to self-denial, self-sacrifice in order to seek and to save that which was lost. Ye are labourers together with God. Self must die and our life be hid with Christ in God. Love for souls for whom Christ died means crucifixion of self.?{TSA 38.1}[8]
§21 若不先对上帝有至高的爱，爱灵魂的心就不能存在。于是我们一切的愿望，我们一切的意愿才会在主的一边。骄傲和炫耀的欲望不能住在对将亡之人有爱的心里。我们需要成为殷勤的学生好在基督的门下学习。不舍己和背起十字架跟从耶稣的人，不能作祂的门徒。{TSA 38.2}[9]
§22 Love for souls cannot exist without first having supreme love to God. Then all our desires, all our will is on the Lord’s side of the question. Pride and desire for display cannot live in the heart where there is love for perishing souls. We want to be diligent students to learn in the school of Christ. Those who do not deny self, and lift the cross and follow Jesus, cannot be His disciples.?{TSA 38.2}[9]
§23 耶稣论到祂的门徒，说：“我已将祢的名指示他们，还要指示他们，使祢所爱我的爱在他们里面，我也在他们里面”（约17:26）。无穷上帝爱了祂儿子的那种爱要传达给信靠耶稣基督的堕落人类。祂藉着那些相信的人传递这种爱。我们生命必须的血液怎样，那爱流通的生命力也照样散布我们本性的每一部分，以便它住在我们里面，像住在祂里面一样。多么奇妙的表述！上帝爱我们像祂爱基督一样是可能的。祂爱相信的人因为那人是基督的一部分，与上帝的性情有分。{TSA 38.3}[10]
§24 Jesus said of His disciples, “And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” That love wherewith the infinite God loved His Son is to be conveyed to fallen man who believes in Jesus Christ. He transfuses this love through those who believe. As our life-blood, so is the circulating vitality of that love diffused through every part of our nature, that it may dwell in us as it does in Him. Wonderful statement! That it is possible for God to love us as He loves Christ. He loves the believing soul because he is a part of Christ, a partaker of the divine nature.?{TSA 38.3}[10]
§25 那么任何像疏远、不和与纷争的事就多么令上帝的灵担忧啊！充满基督之爱的心会向所有为之而死的人运用爱心。信靠耶稣的富人会像世上财物很少的人一样实行舍己，因为他根据无私的原则行事。“你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典：祂本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，叫你们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足”（林后8:9）。?{TSA 38.4}[11]
§26 Then how grievous to the Spirit of God is anything like alienation, discord and strife. The heart that is filled with the love of Christ will be exercised in love toward all for whom Christ has died. There will be the same self-denial practised by the wealthy man who believes in Jesus, as by men who have little of this world’s goods, because he acts from unselfish principles. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich,?yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.”?{TSA 38.4}[11]
§27 主耶稣已在祂自己的生活中赐给人一个榜样。为了自私的罪心，祂赐下新的爱心。祂给人换心，并在人的心灵中产生一种完全的变革。祂使光明出离黑暗，爱心出离敌意，圣洁出离不洁，叫那些信靠基督的人可以向世人表现基督的生活和品格。使徒说：“我们是与上帝同工的；你们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋”（林前3:9）。（《信函》1892年28号）?{TSA 39.1}[12]
§28 The Lord Jesus has given man an example in His own life. For the selfish heart of sin, He gives the new heart of love. He changes the heart, and produces an entire revolution in the soul. He brings light out of darkness, love out of enmity, and holiness out of impurity, that those who believe in Christ may represent Christ’s life and character to the world. Says the Apostle, “We are labourers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”—Letter 28, 1892.?{TSA 39.1}[12]
§29 【第二封信】（写于1892年8月1日）
§30 亲爱的某弟兄和姐妹：我会很高兴今天早上见到你们并与你们交谈许多事；但这是不可能的。所以只好用笔墨来回答。我对非洲的传道区和世界上每一个传道园地都感到很关心。我们现在多么需要耶稣作我们的策士啊！我们应该多么充满感激之心啊！因为主赐福和高举了我们，使我们可以和祂自己亲密交往。{TSA 39.2}[13]
§31 【Letter B】August 1, 1892
§32 Dear Brother and Sister _____, I would be glad to see you this morning, and converse with you about many things; but this is not possible. Pen and ink will have to answer. I feel an interest for the mission in Africa, and every mission field in the world. How much we now need Jesus as our counsellor, and how grateful should we be that the Lord has blessed and exalted us, so that we may have communion with Himself.?{TSA 39.2}[13]
§33 我们多么需要圣灵使人复苏的感化力啊；因为我们是生活在危险的时代。所赐给我们的圣灵将上帝的爱丰厚地浇灌在我们心里，这爱必导致正确的行动。我们既与上帝的性情有分，就要像基督一样作工，我确信我们有一切要为之感恩的事。我们有特权享受我们可以完全拥有的丰盛的应许。主随时准备为凡相信的人做大事。耶稣渴望用健康的属灵生活鼓舞我们的心。耶稣住在心灵里，净化和提高我们所有的才能，指导我们进入一切的真理，使我们成为世上的明灯。那么就不要让这灯光黯淡。我们每一刻都需要仰望耶稣而得活，祂是我们信心的创始成终者。……?{TSA 39.3}[14]
§34 Oh how much we need the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit; for we are living in a time of peril. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us, will lead to right actions. Partaking of the divine nature, we shall work as Christ worked, I am assured that we have everything for which to be thankful. It is our privilege to enjoy the richness of the promises that may be made fully ours. The Lord is ready to do large things for all those who believe. Jesus longs to quicken our?hearts with healthful spiritual life. Jesus dwelling in the soul, purifying and ennobling all our faculties, guiding us into all truth, makes us a bright and shining light unto the world. Then let not this light burn dim. Moment by moment we need to live looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith?{TSA 39.3}[14]
§35 我们并不觉得制定建造昂贵建筑的计划符合上帝之灵的心意，即使我们有大量的资金可以投入，因为新的园地在不断开放，我们应该采取每一预防措施，不让一块钱花在炫耀上，或骄傲的放纵上。每一块钱都需要用在新传道区开始工作并将真理的旗帜插在黑暗地区上。……{TSA 40.1}[15]
§36 We do not feel that it would be in accordance with the mind of the Spirit of God to lay plans for building an expensive structure, even if we had plenty of means to invest, for the reason that new fields are constantly opening, and we should take every precaution that not a dollar shall be laid out for the sake of display, or for the indulgence of pride. Every dollar of means will be needed to start the work in new mission fields, and plant the banner of truth where they are in darkness?{TSA 40.1}[15]
§37 仇敌会引诱那些有钱财的人建造上好的大楼以满足骄傲和野心。然而用来满足野心的钱应该用来帮助别的园地作出开端。一栋宽敞、整洁、有吸引力的大楼，建得一点儿也不奢侈，会与耶稣的生活和使命相符，与我们自称相信的神圣严肃的真理相符——就是万物的结局近了。我们的能力不在于要求大笔开支的宏伟建筑。我们的力量乃在于信徒们的献身和虔诚，因为他们若是表现耶稣，就会成为世上的明灯。我们做的每一件事都在世上留下要么有利于要么不利于基督和真理的印象。我们若是愿意见到耶稣，就必须将一切的物欲和人性的骄傲都撇弃在尘埃。……?{TSA 40.2}[16]
§38 The enemy will tempt those who have means to gratify pride and ambition in the erection of fine buildings. But the very means employed for the gratification of ambition ought to be employed in assisting others to make a beginning. The influence of a commodious, neat, attractive building, constructed without any extravagance, would be in harmony with the life and mission of Jesus, in harmony with the sacred, solemn truth we profess to believe—that the end of all things is at hand. Our power is not to be found in grand buildings calling for a large outlay of means. Our strength will be found in the devotion and piety of the believers, for if they represent Jesus, they will be a bright, shining light unto the world. Everything we do makes its impression on the world as favourable or unfavourable to Christ and the truth. If we would see Jesus, all worldliness and human pride must lie in the dust....?{TSA 40.2}[16]
§39 我现在不得不结束这封信了。我希望我所见过的你们的弟兄和亲戚们会记得我。愿主的福气大量停留在你们身上。“凡敬畏耶和华、遵行祂道的人便为有福！你要吃劳碌得来的；你要享福，事情顺利”（诗128:1,2）。（《信函》1892年29号）{TSA 40.3}[17]
§40 I will now have to close this letter. I wish to be remembered to your brothers and relatives whom I have met. May the blessing of the Lord rest upon you in large measure. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”—Letter 29, 1892.?{TSA 40.3}[17]
§41 【第三封信】（1892年11月7日写于南澳大利亚州阿德莱德，维多利亚公园，汉诺威路）
§42 亲爱的某弟兄和姐妹：星期日我访问了某某弟兄家。他的妻子曾经加入教会，但她读了坎莱特长老写的关于我的事，就变得不满，离开了教会。若有一位忠心的牧人警醒地关照她，上帝的圣工原不会失去她。我与这位弟兄和姐妹一起度过了两小时，与他们交谈并与他们一起祷告。她在我讲话时一直流泪。我为这只可怜的迷羊感到多么难过啊！她从羊圈走迷，任其沦丧，因为没有牧人的温柔同情和关爱将她带回羊圈！我们只有希望主本着祂的智慧清除这位姐妹心中的怀疑和迷惑。{TSA 41.1}[18]
§43 【Letter C】Hanover Road Victoria Park Adelaide, S.A.Nov. 7, 1892
§44 Dear Brother and Sister, Sunday I visited Brother’s family. His wife once belonged to the church but she read what Elder Canright wrote about me and became disaffected and left the church. If she had received the watchful care of a faithful shepherd she would have been saved to the cause of God. I spent two hours with this brother and sister and talked to them and prayed with them. She was bathed in tears all the time I was talking. Oh how sorry I felt for this poor sheep who strayed from the fold and was left to perish because no shepherd’s tender sympathy and loving care was exercised to bring her back to the fold! Our only hope is that the Lord will in His wisdom clear the doubts and fog from the mind of this sister.?{TSA 41.1}[18]
§45 一个灵魂是多么宝贵啊！我们应该多么小心地对待上帝独生子的血所买来的人啊！主为宝贵的灵魂付上的代价太多，不可粗鲁地对待。他们需要款款柔情、体贴的宽容和非常温柔明智的对待。我不愿罢休，直到我去找到那只迷失的羊，尽管我没有接到邀请。我多么高兴啊，因为我们有耶稣，祂知道每一个人的心！我们所有的教会都需要得到许多照顾。{TSA 41.2}[19]
§46 One soul—how precious it is, and how carefully should we deal with the purchase of the blood of God’s only begotten Son! Precious souls cost too much to be handled roughly. They need tenderness, kindly forbearance and very gentle and wise treatment. I could not rest until I went to find the lost sheep, although I had no invitation. Oh how glad I am that we have Jesus, who knows every heart! All our churches need much ministering done in them.?{TSA 41.2}[19]
§47 我们很高兴汇报说我们的学校迄今为止是成功的。我们祈求主以显著的方式为学校行事，使男男女女有资格出去作传道士，能从事各方面的工作。?{TSA 41.3}[20]
§48 We are glad to report that our school has thus far proved a success. We pray the Lord to work in a manifest manner for the school that men and women may be qualified to go forth as missionaries, and be enabled to work in the various lines.?{TSA 41.3}[20]
§49 我们感到安息日复临信徒过去的历史在许多方面损失很大，因为他们没有听从上帝近三十年来赐给他们的证言。这些证言清楚地指出了儿童应该如何受教育；他们是上帝的产业，应该明智地使用上帝委托给他们的能力和才干。这应该成为他们思想和谈论的主题——处在黑暗中的异教国家和已经接受福音的各国。每一次传道聚会都应该充满兴致，每一个爱耶稣的人都应该将一种因基督的灵而热心的精神带到聚会。赤子之心应该挂念还没有真理之人的需要，我们将他们呈给上帝，说：“我在这里，请差遣我”（赛6:8）！然而在需要现代真理的文明国家有些园地已经成熟，可以收割了。我们切不可闭眼不看也不在意世界的需要。外邦人的大使徒保罗看到全城的人都拜偶像，就激起了热心。耶稣为耶路撒冷哭泣怎么样呢？那是在祂走近并注视该城的时候。{TSA 41.4}[21]
§50 We feel that much has been lost in many ways in the past history of Seventh-day Adventists because they have not heeded the testimonies given them of God for the last thirty years. These testimonies have plainly pointed how the children should be educated; that they are God’s property, and should wisely improve the ability and talents that God has entrusted them. This?should be their subject of thought and conversation—the heathen nations who are in darkness and the nations who have received the gospel. Every missionary meeting should be alive with interest, every one who loves Jesus carrying to the meeting a spirit of zeal enthused with the Spirit of Christ. The necessities of those who have not the truth should be upon the naked soul and we present them to God and say, “Here am I, send me.” But there are fields already ripe for the harvest in civilized countries who need the truth for this time. We must not close the eye and the mind to the necessities of the world. The spirit of Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, was stirred, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. How was it that Jesus wept over Jerusalem? It was when He drew near and beheld the city.?{TSA 41.4}[21]
§51 有工作给每一个在基督名下的人去做。他愿意做吗？我们若是愿意对灵魂的价值有正确的认识，就必须常常注意髑髅地，看到无穷上帝垂死的儿子为失丧的世界舍弃自己的生命。我们必须注意并默想祂是怎么评估人的。我们必须充满祂的精神。我们的眼睛所见的，我们的头脑所想的，必定会影响心灵，并且开始做出实际的努力去拯救将亡的人。这样传道工作就会被安置在其适当的基础上。{TSA 42.1}[22]
§52 There is work for every one to do who has named the name of Christ. Will he do it? If we would be duly impressed with the value of souls we must oft look to Calvary and see the dying Son of the infinite God giving up His life for a lost world. We must look, and contemplate how He estimated man. We must be imbued with His spirit. The sight of our eyes, the contemplation of the mind will certainly affect the soul, and set in operation practical effort to save the perishing. Thus the missionary work will be placed upon its proper basis.?{TSA 42.1}[22]
§53 在每一个家庭里，特别是有孩子的家庭，缺乏更深的虔诚，没有将基督使人成圣的恩典带进家中。传道努力应当更多在于传授而非领受。问题是，家庭责任——家庭传道工作——岂不是被忽视了吗？我回答，是被忽视了。要是对上帝的热爱和敬畏在每一个家庭中流通，儿童和青少年受到了应有的指教，谈话具有教育的性质，以致他们感到有责任使用他们的理智用心去做上帝指定给他们的工作，那么孩子们就会与父母合作，奉献自己的光阴和才干去事奉上帝。在这种教育和工作中，不会入不敷出。基督徒的活动和个人虔诚的增长就会匀称均衡。?{TSA 42.2}[23]
§54 In every family, especially where there are children, there is a want of deeper piety, of the sanctifying grace of Christ brought into the home. Missionary endeavour should consist more in imparting than in receiving. The question is, Are not home duties—home missionary work—neglected? I answer, Yes, Were the love and fear of God circulating through every household, the children and youth instructed as they should be, the conversation of an educational character, that they should feel their accountability to use their intellect and hearts to do the work assigned them of God, the children would co-operate with their parents in the dedication of their time and talents to the service of God. In this kind of education and labour the expenditure would not exceed the receipts. Christian activity and growth of personal piety will be symmetrical and proportionate.?{TSA 42.2}[23]
§55 那些忠心耿耿积极参与救灵归向耶稣基督之工的人，在属灵和献身方面也会得到最好的发展。他们的积极工作成为他们属灵成长的途径。在宗教上，存在一种因广度而忽略深度的危险。如果聪明地教育那些初信的人，以代替长篇的证道，就不会出现种情况了。要教导他们做一些属灵方面的工作，好使他们起初的爱心不致冷淡，反而增强。要让他们认识到，他们不应成为教会的负担，依赖着教会，而要自己生根。他们可以按照自己的才干，在各方面帮助教会更加亲近上帝，千方百计把教外的各种力量，转化为对教会有利的手段。教会的智慧和兴旺对教会自身有明显的积极影响。诗人为教会的兴旺祈祷说：“愿上帝怜悯我们，赐福与我们，用脸光照我们。……好叫世界得知祢的道路，万国得知祢的救恩”（诗67:1,2）。?{TSA 42.3}[24]
§56 Those who are most actively employed in doing with interested fidelity their work to win souls to Jesus Christ are the best developed in spirituality and devotion. Their very active working?formed the means of their spirituality. There is danger of religion losing in depth that which it gains in breadth. This need not be, if, in the place of long sermons, there is wise education given to those newly come to the faith. Teach them by giving them something to do, in some line of spiritual work, that their first love will not die but increase in fervour. Let them feel that they are not to be carried and to lean for support on the church; but they are to have root in themselves. They can be in many lines, according to their several abilities, useful in helping the church to come nearer to God, and working in various ways to act upon the elements outside the church which will be a means of acting beneficially upon the church. The wisdom and prosperity of the church casts a telling influence upon her favour. The psalmist prayed for the prosperity of the church. “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon usThat Thy way may be known upon the earth, Thy saving health among all nations.”?{TSA 42.3}[24]
§57 我们的救赎主整夜向祂的父祷告；基督教会和传道活动的根基就是在祷告的氛围中奠定的。门徒们同心合意聚集在一个地方，呼求主沛降祂的圣灵在他们身上。当圣灵藉着不同的渠道丰富地赐下时，我们越追求，传播得就越广泛。我们这样认真地从事救灵的工作，就会不断需要重新使用一切能力之源；这无疑会在心灵和上帝之间建立一种习惯性的交流。生命水的泉源凭信不断得到汲取，而且永远取之不尽。{TSA 43.1}[25]
§58 Our Redeemer spent whole nights in prayer to His Father; and the foundation of the Christian church and missionary activity was laid in the very element of prayer. The disciples were of one accord in one place, calling upon the Lord that the outpouring of His Holy Spirit might come upon them. While the Holy Spirit is given richly through various channels, the more we seek it the wider will be the diffusion. Thus earnest work being done to save souls, there will be constantly furnished us a necessity for renewed application to the Source of all power; and thus there will be established an habitual communication between the soul and God. The fountain of the water of life is constantly drawn upon by faith, and is never exhausted.?{TSA 43.1}[25]
§59 工作是在作用与反作用之中进步的。对上帝的爱与奉献会使人积极行善，而行善会增加信心和灵性。我们多么需要天上的智慧啊！我们岂不是有应许吗？“你们中间若有缺少智慧的，应当求那厚赐与众人、也不斥责人的上帝，主就必赐给他。只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑；因为那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被风吹动翻腾。这样的人不要想从主那里得什么”（雅1:5-7）。这是何等美好的保证啊！多么充分而广博啊！让我们就照着所读的接受这个应许吧。主希望我们以完全确信的心来到祂面前，相信祂的话，祂就必照祂所说的行事。{TSA 43.2}[26]
§60 The work is progressive—action and reaction. Love and devotion to God will give activity to benevolence, and benevolence will increase faith and spirituality. Oh how much we need heavenly wisdom! Well, is it not promised us? “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Oh what an assurance is this! How full and broad! Let us take the promise just as it reads. The Lord wants us to come unto Him with full?assurance of faith, believing His word, that He will do just as He said He would.?{TSA 43.2}[26]
§61 但愿我们能感觉到教育教会的每一个肢体都要有所作为的重要性。我们每一个人都要意识到基督徒的严肃责任，要积极使用上帝委托给我们的资源和能力，竭尽所能地从事主期待我们去做的工作。“兴起，发光！因为你的光已经来到！耶和华的荣耀发现照耀你”（赛60:1）。{TSA 44.1}[27]
§62 Would that we might feel the importance of educating every individual member of the church to do something. We should individually sense the solemn obligation of the Christian to bring into activity all his divinely entrusted resources and capabilities, to do to the utmost of his power the work the Lord expects him to do. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”?{TSA 44.1}[27]
§63 我们的感官若是灵敏，就会看出上帝的计划。“我已让你们拥有海洋，让世界拥有我的福音，使布道船能派到各海岛去。”我们需要更多信心，更多成圣的能力。摆在我们前面的，是伟大而崇高的宗旨。我们没有时间和话语可以花费在争论上。需要将致力于辩论的时间花在向上帝献上出于信心的祈祷上，祈求圣灵下降，折服和打碎石心，使之变成肉心。需要有成圣的活力。天上的众军在行动，可是与上帝合作的人在哪里呢？{TSA 44.2}[28]
§64 Were our sensibilities alive we would discern the designs of God. “I have put you in possession of the seas, put the world in possession of my gospel that missionary ships might be sent out to the islands of the sea.” We need more faith, more sanctified ability. High and ennobling motives are before us. We have no time, no words to spend in controversy. That time devoted to debating is needed in sending up the prayer of faith to God for the descent of the Holy spirit to subdue and break the heart of stone, that it shall become a heart of flesh. There is need of sanctified energy. The armies of heaven are on the move and where is the human agent to co-operate with God??{TSA 44.2}[28]
§65 我们现在需要熟练的将领把信主的儿女组织成军队。既然耶和华军队的元帅在计划工作、组织战役和带领我们前进，“威武如展开旌旗的军队，”我们就不可视什么事为太大而从事不了的。每一次活动都要成为一场胜利。我们需要耶稣作我们不变的领袖。{TSA 44.3}[29]
§66 We now need skilful generals to organize into working companies the Lord’s believing children. Nothing must be looked upon as too great for us to undertake, if the Captain of the Lord’s host plans the work and arranges the battle and leads us forth, “terrible as an army with banners.” Every movement will be a victory. We need Jesus as our constant Leader.?{TSA 44.3}[29]
§67 这个园地需要人力和财力。我想到可怜的墨尔本，为贫穷所困，需要一座教堂。随着工作的增大，必须想方设法保持慕道的兴趣，使之不致消亡。主在某处有资金给我们。必须呼吁上帝的管家提供帮助。我们需要来自上头的智慧，好明智地计算，经济地作出适当的改善。必须在各处实行舍己。现在浇灌和充实着上帝花园的许多涓涓细流是通过许多努力才引到那里的。个人必须多而又多地节约自己的资源以便为上帝做更多的事。我对这个国家的资源受限深有感触。我们必须得着帮助以推进工作。我们所能做的一切就是祈求主感动人们的心去从事移交给他们的工作。自我放纵、自私在很大程度上存在着。愿上帝使人归正的能力改变人们的内心和品格。（《信函》1892年44号）{TSA 44.4}[30]
§68 Men and means are needed in this field. I think of poor Melbourne, bound about with poverty and in need of a church. As the work increases there must be plans devised to keep alive the interest, that it shall not die. The Lord has means for us somewhere. Appeals must be made to the stewards of God for help. We need wisdom from above to calculate wisely and to proportionate the improvements that must be made with economy. Self-denial must be practised everywhere. Many of the scanty rills of beneficence which now water and enrich the garden of the Lord are brought there by much effort. More, very much more must be done by individuals in economizing their resources that they may do more for God. I feel deeply over the restricted resources in this country. There must be help for us to carry forward the work. All we can do is to pray the Lord to move upon the hearts of men to?do the work that devolves upon them. Self-indulgence, selfishness exists to a large degree. May the converting power of God change the hearts and characters.—Letter 44, 1892.?{TSA 44.4}[30]
§69 【第四封信】（1893年3月17日写自新西兰奥克兰）
§70 亲爱的弟兄：在这个世界上，我们如果时常注视那些烦扰我们的事物，就可能困惑到绝望，正如魔鬼所希望的那样；因为时常思念这一切，谈论这一切，会陷我们于沮丧之中。当我们批评别人没有爱心的表现时，就扼杀了自己心中爱的宝贵嫩苗。我们每一个人是否欣赏和感受基督的一生所表现爱的温暖呢？若有的话，我们就有责任向世界彰显这爱。但愿我们不敢去思念、观察或谈论别人因不向弟兄姐妹表显爱心而犯下的大错。要尽量少花时间在这个问题上；而要一定给予从沾过祭坛上红炭的口中传给我们的宝贵真理以足够的重视。赞美上帝，因为“散布亮光是为义人；预备喜乐是为正直人”（诗97:11）。要谈论你所领受的教导，那对你的心灵来说如同盛宴。要确保用坚实的真理木材建造你的品格。要让你所听到的尊贵真理在忠心履行上帝的训词上表现出来。{TSA 45.1}[31]
§71 【Letter D】Auckland, New Zealand March 17, 1893
§72 Dear Brother, In this world we might become hopelessly perplexed, as the devil wants us to be, if we keep looking upon those things that are perplexing; for by dwelling upon them, and talking of them we become discouraged. In criticizing others because they fail to manifest love, we shall kill the precious plant of love in our own hearts. Have we individually appreciated and felt the warmth of love which Christ represented in His life? Then it is our duty to manifest this love to the world. Let us fear to dwell upon, to behold and talk of the great mistakes that others are making by not manifesting love to their brethren and sisters. Spend as little time over this question as possible; but be sure to give due attention to the precious truths which come to us from lips that have been touched with a live coal from off the altar. Praise God that light has been sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Talk of the instruction that you have received that was to your soul as a feast of fat things. See to it that you bring into your character-building the solid timbers of truth. Let the exalted truths you have heard be manifested in the faithful performance of God’s precepts.?{TSA 45.1}[31]
§73 你可能会在自己的心中创造一个虚幻的世界，描绘一个理想的教会，在那里撒但的试探不再鼓动人行恶，但十全十美只存在于你的想象里。世界是一个堕落的世界，教会乃是一个地方，被描绘为一块长着稗子和麦子的田地。稗子要和麦子一起长，直到收割的时候。我们的职责并不是按照人的智慧根除稗子，免得在撒但的暗示下把麦子当作稗子拔出来。从上头来的智慧必临到心里柔和谦卑的人，而那种智慧不会使人去摧毁而是使人去建造上帝的子民。……?{TSA 45.2}[32]
§74 You may create an unreal world in your own mind and picture an ideal church where the temptations of Satan no longer prompt?to evil; but perfection exists only in your imagination. The world is a fallen world, and the church is a place represented by a field in which grow tares and wheat. They are to grow together until the harvest. It is not our place to uproot the tares, according to human wisdom, lest under the suggestions of Satan the wheat may be rooted up under the supposition that it is tares. The wisdom that is from above will come to him who is meek and lowly in heart, and that wisdom will not lead him to destroy, but to build up the people of God?{TSA 45.2}[32]
§75 要鼓励你的心灵仰望耶稣。告诉每一个人，因着注意别人有病的心灵，谈论自称基督名下之人的品格缺陷而忽视自己灵魂的永恒健康有多么危险。因着注意邪恶，心灵没有变得越来越像基督——反而像它所注意的邪恶了。同样的专爱自己，同样的自我放纵，同样的轻率精神，同样的易怒脾气，同样的敏感和意见的骄傲，同样的不愿接受劝勉，同样不圣洁的独立判断，会在那些批评的人身上表现出来，像他们所批评的人一样。他们会行事好像没有基督作他们的模范和榜样。我们多么需要提防撒但的诡计啊！……?{TSA 46.1}[33]
§76 Oh, encourage your soul to look to Jesus. Tell every one how dangerous it is to neglect his own soul’s eternal healthfulness by looking upon the diseased souls of others, by talking upon the uncomeliness of character found in those who profess the name of Christ. The soul does not become more and more like Christ by beholding evil, but like the evil which it beholds. The same love of self, the same indulgence of self, the same hastiness of spirit, the same petulance of temper, the same sensitiveness and pride of opinion, the same unwillingness to receive counsel, the same unsanctified, independent judgment, will be manifest in those who criticize as in those who are criticized. They will act as if they had not Christ as their pattern and example. Oh, how much we need to guard against Satan’s devices....?{TSA 46.1}[33]
§77 我亲爱的弟兄，你已认识到何为人性，知道即使在自称基督徒的人中间，人性若与上帝没有密切的联络，也是什么样子的。然而这对你来说有什么意义呢？是要你能学会说：“我是软弱的，在这些犯错的可怜人中我是最软弱的。”你可以说你知道需要从基督得到恩典和力量，以便顺从地领受主藉着祂的仆人从祂的话发出的督责、警告和劝勉。真谦卑是在训练之下由圣灵教给基督徒的，要是自信没有在我们里面死去，它就会奋勇向前，显出其难看的发展动态。……{TSA 46.2}[34]
§78 My dear brother, you have learned what humanity is, when it is not closely connected with God, even among professed Christians. But of what significance is this to you? It is that you may learn to say, “I am weak as the weakest of these poor souls who are erring.” You may say that you know that it requires grace and strength from Christ to submissively receive reproof, admonition, and counsel from the word of the Lord through His servants. True humility is taught to the Christian by the Holy Spirit, and under discipline, if self-confidence is not dead in us, it will press itself to the front, and show its unsightly developments....?{TSA 46.2}[34]
§79 不愿从上帝的人间代表接受建议和忠告的人，有拒绝上天忠告的危险，他的精神若不改变，就会犯致命的错误。他会怀疑地看待别人，以为他们错了，既有这种态度，就没有机会纠正他了；因为他会推理说没必要纠正他。基督徒是驯良可教的，应当有自制，应当仔细考虑呈现在他们面前的东西，如果在弟兄们身上看到那么多缺陷，导致他们去控告和谴责，就唯恐自己的道路不完全。……{TSA 46.3}[35]
§80 He who will not accept advice and counsel from God’s human agents is in danger of not receiving the counsel of heaven, and will be fatally mistaken unless his spirit is changed. He will look upon others with suspicion, thinking they are in the wrong, and in this attitude there will be no chance to set him right; for he will reason that there is no necessity for it. Christians should be teachable, they should have self-control, they should ponder upon that?which is presented to them, and fear that their own course may not be perfect, when they see so many defects in their brethren that leads them to accuse and condemn....?{TSA 46.3}[35]
§81 那种导致疏远、分歧、纷争和斗争的智慧，“不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。在何处有嫉妒、纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果”（雅3:15-18）。……{TSA 47.1}[36]
§82 The wisdom that leads to alienation, difference, strife, and contention, “descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”...?{TSA 47.1}[36]
§83 为什么人这么容易屈服于试探呢？在意志上这么优柔寡断，在实行上帝的话上这么软弱呢？为什么他们在行动上那么无力呢？为什么那么朦胧地看到耶稣的荣耀呢？为什么那么少意识到祂的义，那么不完全地体验到祂的爱呢？但愿你这样祈祷吧：“主啊，显出祢的荣耀给我看。”（《信函》1893年63号）?{TSA 47.2}[37]
§84 Oh, why are the human agents so ready to yield to temptation? So irresolute in purpose, so weak to practise the word of God? Why are they so feeble in action? Why is the glory of Jesus so dimly seen? Why is His preciousness so little realized, His love so imperfectly experienced? Let this be your prayer, “Lord, show me thy glory.”—Letter 63, 1893.?{TSA 47.2}[37]
§85 【第五封信】（1897年3月8日写于新南威尔士州，库兰邦，“森尼赛德”）
§86 惟愿我们能认识到基督被钉十字架乃是我们信仰的伟大目标。要是基督没有死，祂就不能成为我们的救赎主。我们的信心必须把握住祂的舍命牺牲作为世人的赎价。祂圣洁的生活，温柔的怜悯，祂向全人类的祸患表现的同情，要是就此止步，就不会救我们。直到祂在十字架上垂死，极度痛苦地大声喊叫说：“成了！”工作才完成。直到祂下降到屈辱的最深处，直到祂不能更进一步，撒但的暴政才被打破。基督的死满足了神圣的正义。这是救赎我们的代价。现在什么也不缺了，只是人的意志要屈服，自我要钉死，基督要住在心里。心灵的殿必须奉献给祂。?{TSA 47.3}[38]
§87 【Letter E】“Sunnyside” Cooranbong, N.S.W. March 8, 1897
§88 If we could only realize that Christ crucified is the great object of our faith. Had Christ lived, He could not have been our Redeemer. Our faith must lay hold of the sacrificial offering of His life as a ransom for the world. His holiness of life, the tender compassion, the sympathy He manifested for all human woe, would not have saved us had it stopped there. It was not until,?when dying upon the cross, He cried in agony, “It is finished,” that the work was accomplished. Not until He had descended to the lowest depths of humiliation, until He could go no farther, was the tyranny of Satan broken. It was the death of Christ that satisfied divine justice. This was the price our ransom cost. Nothing is wanting now but for the will of man to bow, self to be crucified, and Christ to live in the heart. The soul temple must be dedicated to Him.?{TSA 47.3}[38]
§89 人的每一部分都是主的产业。我们的光阴，我们的才干，我们的感化力，必须奉献给祂。我们的金钱只是以信任为基础借给我们的，要用来侍奉上帝。我们蒙赐予钱财不是为了让我们可以增强我们自己的尊荣，而是作为忠心的管家，我们必须始终考虑上帝的尊贵和荣耀。上帝要求全心全意，感情专一。我们不要从祂扣留什么，因为全都是祂买来的产业。?{TSA 48.1}[39]
§90 Every part of man is the Lord’s property. Our time, our talents, our influence, must be devoted to Him. Our money is only lent us on trust, to be used in the service of God. It has not been given us in order that we might enhance our own honour, but as faithful stewards we must keep ever in view the honour and glory of God. The Lord requires the whole heart, the undivided affections. We are not to withhold anything from Him, for all are His purchased possession.?{TSA 48.1}[39]
§91 背离圣经的标准就不能无罪。一个不以上帝的旨意为至上的人，还没有认识到圣洁的基本原则。……?{TSA 48.2}[40]
§92 There can be no sinless swerving from the standard of God’s Word. The first principles of holiness have yet to be learned by the one to whom God’s will is not paramount?{TSA 48.2}[40]
§93 违背上帝的律法是毫无安全、安息或称义可言的。祂要求绝对顺服于祂。……{TSA 48.3}[41]
§94 There is no place of safety or repose or justification in the transgression of the law of God. He demands nothing short of absolute surrender to Him?{TSA 48.3}[41]
§95 我倾心挂念那些生活在这世界历史最后的场景中，却对正发生在他们面前的事没有知觉的人。要是将来的幔子能够掀起，人人都能看见并明白上帝的态度在对待人类的刚愎任性上很快就要有一番改变，就会在世上造成一番巨大的改革。?{TSA 48.4}[42]
§96 My heart goes out in yearning of soul for those who are living in the very last scenes of this earth’s history, and yet are insensible to what is just before them. A vast reformation would be wrought upon the world if the veil of the future could be lifted, and all could see and understand that very soon there is to be a change in the attitude of God in His dealings with the perversity of man.?{TSA 48.4}[42]
§97 如果上帝在天上的议会中决定对违犯祂明确命令的人立即执行死刑，原会致使人们更加谨慎，抑制想要去做得罪上帝之事的倾向。似乎对上帝本着怜悯发出的恳劝和警告没有感觉的人，不愿停止罪恶行径的人，就会谨慎以求自救己命，即使他们并不爱上帝。{TSA 48.5}[43]
§98 If God had decided in His councils in heaven to visit the transgressor of His positive commands with instant death, there would have resulted a much greater carefulness and restriction of the inclination to do those things that are an offence to God. The very men who seem to be dead to entreaties and warnings sent in mercy by God, those who will not be deterred from their evil course of action, would be prudent to save their lives, even if they have no love for God.?{TSA 48.5}[43]
§99 然而主在与祂的独生子商量后作出的安排，却是让人作为自由的道德主体享有一定的宽容时期。祂的眼目会看透他们一切的行为，但祂不会强迫任何人的服务。如果祂在恒久忍耐和耐心中显出的爱不会使他们悔改并完全顺从祂国度的律法，就必须任由他们去选择他们所愿意侍奉的。他们的生活必定证实他们的选择。他们在受到充分的测试和考验之后，若是喜爱犯罪，选择漠视祂的律法，他们的案件就永远决定了。上帝在天上的家中不能有这样的成员。他们的刑罚必定照着他们藐视和反叛上帝的恼人性质。上帝的恒久忍耐会给人每一个机会悔改并转向基督，作为他惟一的指望。{TSA 48.6}[44]
§100 But the Lord’s arrangement, made in council with His only begotten Son, was to leave man a free moral agent to a certain length of probation. His eye would discern all their works, but He would compel no man’s service. If the love displayed in His?long-suffering and patience would not bring them to repentance and perfect surrender to the laws of His kingdom, then they must be left to choose whom they would serve. Their life must testify of their choice. If they love transgression and choose to disregard His laws after sufficient test and trial, their case is forever decided. God cannot have such as members of His family in heaven. Their punishment will come in accordance with the aggravating character of their defiance and rebellion against God. God’s long-suffering will give every opportunity for man to repent and turn to Christ as his only hope.?{TSA 48.6}[44]
§101 由于上帝的善良和恒久忍耐，许多人已蒙引导考虑和赏识上帝的怜悯和慈爱，而这导致他们悔改，然而另一方面，一些人却变得更加粗心大意，滥用了祂的怜悯。他们随从撒但的心意和意愿，不顾因他们的悖逆和犯罪而必定要临到他们身上的将来的报应，导致了他们永远的损失和羞耻。他们还将认识到上帝热心于祂的尊荣和荣耀。祂不会让祂的律法被玩弄；祂不会让人们漠不关心地对待和反抗祂的律法而不相应地受惩罚。?{TSA 49.1}[45]
§102 Because of the goodness and long-suffering of God, many have been led to consider and appreciate the mercy and lovingkindness of God, and this has led them to repentance, while on the other hand, others have become more careless, and have abused His mercy. To their everlasting loss and shame they have followed the mind and will of Satan irrespective of the future retribution that will surely come upon them for their disobedience and transgression. They will yet learn that God is jealous of His honour and His glory. He will not have His laws trifled with; He will not allow men to treat them with indifference and defiance without punishing them accordingly.?{TSA 49.1}[45]
§103 “因为断定罪名不立刻施刑，所以世人满心作恶”（传8:11）。上帝本着祂恩慈怜悯的规定所使用的软化和折服祂所爱对象的方法，却因撒但的作为而助长了卑鄙刚硬心肠的刚愎任性，反抗和犯罪，甚至早在大卫的时代就使他感叹：“这是耶和华降罚的时候，因人废了祢的律法。所以，我爱祢的命令胜于金子，更胜于精金”（诗119:126,127）。{TSA 49.2}[46]
§104 “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” The means which the Lord has employed, in the gracious provision of His mercy, to soften and subdue the objects of His love, has, through the workings of Satan, encouraged the depraved and hardened hearts in perversity, resistance and transgression, that even as far back as the days of David led him to exclaim, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.”?{TSA 49.2}[46]
§105 巴不得人人都能在为时永远太晚之前考虑到上帝的怜悯和宽容是有限度的！有些人因在已经照在他们身上的光束之下仍不知悔改而非常接近上帝的宽容耗尽的界限。他们的心思意念都在说：“我的主人必来得迟，”他们便与酒醉的人一起吃喝。但上帝宣布，对于这种人，“灾祸忽然临到他们，”“他们绝不能逃脱”（帖前5:3）。{TSA 49.3}[47]
§106 Oh that all might consider before it is everlastingly too late that there are limits to the mercy and forbearance of God! There are those who by their impenitence under the beams of light that have shone upon them, are very near the line where the forbearance of God is exhausted. In mind and heart they are saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and they eat and drink with the drunken. But God declares of such that “sudden destruction cometh upon them,” “and they shall not escape.”?{TSA 49.3}[47]
§107 现在从上帝的圣言中有大光照耀出来，使一切暗中的奥秘昭若正午。对于愿意领受福分，敞开心门接受公义日头光辉照耀的人，现在正是怜悯、盼望、喜乐和有保证的日子。然而有一等人与此相反：那些人不愿来就光，他们藐视真理，因为它揭露了谬误、罪过和罪孽，结果，堕落邪恶和胆大包天的犯罪行为就普遍传播了。{TSA 50.1}[48]
§108 At this time, when great light is shining forth from the Word of God, making dark mysteries plain as day, is the day of mercy, of hope, of joy and assurance to all who will be benefited thereby, to all who will open their minds and hearts to the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness. But there is an opposite class to this: those who will not come to the Light, who despise the truth because it exposes error and transgression and sin, and as a result, depravity and boldness in transgression is becoming all-pervading.?{TSA 50.1}[48]
§109 世界各地都有殷勤研究圣经预言的人。他们查考圣经，获得越来越多的亮光。各国、各方、各民都有这样的情形。他们从最错谬的异端中出来，代替那些本有更好机会和权利却没有重视的人。这些人恐惧战兢地做成自己得救的工夫，惟恐自己在遵行上帝的道路和旨意上变得不足，然而那些有大光的人却因他们自己本心的刚愎任性而转身离开了基督，因为不喜悦祂的要求。但上帝不会没有见证人。一小时的工人会在第十一个小时（酉初）被带来，奉献他们的才能和一切受托的钱财以推进工作。这些人会因他们的忠心而得奖赏，因为他们忠于原则，不回避自己的责任，宣布上帝全部的勉言。当那些已有丰富亮光的人摆脱圣经所加的约束，并使上帝的律法无效时，其他人就会进来充任他们的地位，接受他们的冠冕。{TSA 50.2}[49]
§110 There are diligent students of the word of prophecy in all parts of the world, who are obtaining light and still greater light from searching the Scriptures. This is true of all nations, of all tribes, and all peoples. These will come from the grossest error, and will take the place of those who have had opportunities and privileges and have not prized them. These have worked out their own salvation with fear and trembling lest they shall become deficient in doing the ways and will of God, while those who have had great light, have, through the perversity of their own natural hearts, turned away from Christ because displeased with His requirements. But God will not be left without witness. The one-hour labourers will be brought in at the eleventh hour, and will consecrate their ability and all their entrusted means to advance the work. These will receive the reward for their faithfulness, because they are true to principle and shun not their duty to declare the whole counsel of God. When those who have had abundance of light throw off the restraint which the Word of God imposes, and make void His law, others will come in to fill their place, and take their crown.?{TSA 50.2}[49]
§111 虽然许多人已使主的道、真理、耶和华圣洁的律法沦为死的字句，并用他们的榜样证明耶和华的律法是难担的、严酷的重担，虽然他们说：我们要摆脱这个轭；我们要自由；我们将不再与上帝保持立约的关系；我们要照我们所喜悦的去做，但是却会有一些人，他们虽然没有什么机会，虽然因不知道别的路或更好的路而行走在错误的道路上，却将有光束临到他们。基督的话怎样临到撒该，说：“我必住在你家里”（路19:5），这话也必照样临到他们。被认为是最刚硬的罪人就会被发现有一颗孩子般的温柔之心，因为基督已屈尊注意到他。{TSA 50.3}[50]
§112 While many have reduced the Word, the Truth, the holy law of Jehovah to a dead letter, and by their example testify that the law of Jehovah is a hard, rigorous burden, while they say, We will lay off this yoke; we will be free; we will no longer remain in covenant relation with God; we will do as we please, there will be men who have had very meagre opportunities, who have walked in ways of error because they knew not any other or better way, to whom beams of light will come. As the word from Christ came to Zacchaeus, “I must abide at thy house,” so the word will come to them. And the one supposed to be a hardened sinner will be found to have a heart as tender as a child, because Christ has deigned to notice him.?{TSA 50.3}[50]
§113 主的工作是伟大的。人们正在选择自己的立场。连那些被视为外邦人的人也要选择站在基督一边。而那些像从前的门徒那样生气的人，却要离开，不再和祂同行。别人会进来，占据他们留下的空缺。时候很近了，那时人要达到所规定的极限。人现在几乎超过了上帝恒久忍耐的界限，祂恩典的限度，祂怜悯的限度。他们在天上案卷中的行为记录是：“被称在天平上，显出亏欠。”主必介入以维护祂自己的尊荣，抑制不义的膨胀和胆大包天的犯罪行为。{TSA 51.1}[51]
§114 Great is the work of the Lord. Men are choosing sides. Even those supposed to be heathen will choose the side of Christ, while those who become offended, as did the disciples, will go away and walk no more with Him. And others will come in and occupy the place they have left vacant. The time is very near when man shall have reached the prescribed limits. He has now almost exceeded the bounds of the long-suffering of God, the limits of His grace, the limits of His mercy. The record of their works in the books of heaven is, “Weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” The Lord will interfere to vindicate His own honour, to repress the swellings of unrighteousness and bold transgression.?{TSA 51.1}[51]
§115 人废除上帝诫命的企图，对义人会有什么影响呢？他们是否因人们普遍蔑视上帝的圣律法而畏缩不前呢？那些诚心相信“耶和华如此说”的人，会因全世界的人似乎都藐视祂公义的律法而动摇羞愧吗？他们会被罪恶的洪流冲去吗？不会！在那些献身与主侍奉祂的人眼中，当顺从和不顺从的人形成鲜明对比的时候，上帝的律法就更显宝贵了。那些藐视和违犯上帝律法的人，表显出撒但的特性；而忠实遵守圣洁训词的人将变得更加珍贵而有价值。他要说：“人废了祢的律法，所以我爱祢的命令，胜于金子，更胜于精金”（诗119:126,127）。那些忠心保管上帝恩典的人，在遭到周围之人的藐视时，会更爱上帝的诫命。?{TSA 51.2}[52]
§116 What effect will the attempt of men to make void the law of God have upon the righteous? Will they be intimidated because of the universal scorn that is put upon the holy law of God? Will the true believers in the “Thus saith the Lord” become wavering and ashamed because the whole world seems to despise His righteous law? Will they be carried away by the prevalence of evil? No; to those who have consecrated themselves to God to serve Him, the law of God becomes more precious when the contrast is shown between the obedient and the transgressor. In proportion as the attributes of Satan are developed in the despisers and transgressors of the law of God, to the faithful adherent the holy precept will become more dear and valuable. He will declare, “They have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” It is the ones who have been faithful stewards of the grace of God whose love of God’s commandments grows with the contempt which all around them would put upon them.?{TSA 51.2}[52]
§117 当恶人与教会在仇恨上帝的律法上勾结起来时，危机就临到了。那时我们就见到在《玛拉基书》3:13-15中所详细说明了的那等人：“耶和华说：你们用话顶撞我，你们还说：‘我们用什么话顶撞了祢呢？’你们说：‘事奉上帝是徒然的，遵守上帝所吩咐的，在万军之耶和华面前苦苦斋戒，有什么益处呢？如今我们称狂傲的人为有福，并且行恶的人得建立；他们虽然试探上帝，却得脱离灾难。’”这里有一群愤愤不平的自称基督徒的人，他们主要的工作是牢骚抱怨，并因控告上帝的儿女而控告上帝。他们看不到自身的缺陷，却对别人身上的缺陷很不悦。?{TSA 51.3}[53]
§118 Wicked men and the church harmonize in this hatred of the law of God, and then the crisis comes. Then we see the class specified in?Malachi 3:13-15: “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” Here are a company of disaffected professed Christians, whose chief business is to murmur and complain and accuse God by accusing the children of God.?They see nothing defective in themselves, but very much to displease in others.?{TSA 51.3}[53]
§119 然而就在他们埋怨、牢骚、诬告，以极大的热情做撒但的工作之际，另有一班人进入我们的视线：“那时敬畏耶和华的彼此谈论，耶和华侧耳而听，且有纪念册在祂面前，记录那敬畏耶和华、思念祂名的人。万军之耶和华说：‘在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我。我必怜恤他们，如同人怜恤服事自己的儿子。那时你们必归回，将善人和恶人，事奉上帝的和不事奉上帝的，分别出来’”（玛3:16-18）。?{TSA 52.1}[54]
§120 But while they are murmuring and complaining and falsely accusing, and doing Satan’s work most zealously, another class is brought to our notice: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”?{TSA 52.1}[54]
§121 这个题目有力地浮现在我心中。我希望你们思考它，因为这是一个极其重要的问题。我们要与这两等人中的哪等人利益与共呢？我们正在作出选择，不久就可以辨别谁侍奉上帝，谁是不侍奉上帝的人。要阅读《玛拉基书》第四章，并且严肃地思考它。上帝的日子正在临近我们。世界已使教会皈依它了。二者很和睦，正在按照一种目光短浅的方针行事。新教徒会影响国家的统治者们制定法律以恢复那大罪人失去的统治权，他坐在上帝的殿里，自称是上帝（帖后2:4）。罗马天主教的原则会受到国家的关照和保护。这种全国性的背道会迅速导致全国性的败亡。圣经真理的抗议将不再得到已经不以上帝律法为自己的行为准则之人的容忍。那时就会听到来自殉道者坟墓的声音，他们代表约翰所看见为上帝的道、并为耶稣基督作见证而被杀之人的灵魂（启6:9）；那时上帝的每一个真儿女就会献上这个祷告：“这是耶和华降罚的时候，因人废了祢的律法”（诗119:126）。{TSA 52.2}[55]
§122 This subject is urging itself upon my mind. I want you to consider it, for it is a matter of vast importance. With which of these two classes shall we identify our interest? We are now making our choice, and we shall soon discern between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not. Read the fourth chapter of Malachi, and think about it seriously. The day of God is right upon us. The world has converted the church. Both are in harmony, and are acting on a short-sighted policy. Protestants will work upon the rulers of the land to make laws to restore the lost ascendancy of the man of sin, who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. The Roman Catholic principles will be taken under the care and protection of the state. This national apostasy will speedily be followed by national ruin. The protest of Bible truth will be no longer tolerated by those who have not made the law of God their rule of action. Then will the voice be heard from the graves of martyrs, represented by the souls which John saw slain for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ which they held; then the prayer will ascend from every true child of God, “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law.”?{TSA 52.2}[55]
§123 当我们的始祖因犯罪而从他们崇高的地位堕落时，人就废了上帝的律法。于是基督便开始祂作为救赎主的工作，并将宽容时期赐给了世上的居民。在挪亚的日子，人们漠视上帝的律法，直到关于祂的所有记念几乎都从地上消失了。他们的邪恶达到如此的高度，暴力、罪行和各种罪恶变得如此活跃，以致主使洪水临到世界，将邪恶的居民一扫而空。然而刑罚中结合着怜悯。挪亚和他的家人得救了。在毁灭所多玛和蛾摩拉时，我们看到主会干预；火从天降，毁灭了这些邪恶的城市。?{TSA 52.3}[56]
§124 When our first parents fell from their high estate through transgression, God’s law was made void. Then Christ entered upon His work as a Redeemer, and probation was granted to the inhabitants of the world. In Noah’s day men disregarded the law of God until almost all remembrance of Him had passed away from the earth. Their wickedness reached so great a height, violence, crime and every kind of sin became so intensely active,?that the Lord brought a flood of water upon the world and swept away the wicked inhabitants thereof. But mercy was mingled with judgment. Noah and his family were saved. In the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see that the Lord will interfere; fire came down from heaven and destroyed these wicked cities.?{TSA 52.3}[56]
§125 上帝不断地展现祂工作的方法。祂留意地上所发生的一切。每当危机来临之时，祂就显示自己，介入进来，阻止撒但计划的实现。祂经常允许国家、家庭或个人处在危机之中，为使祂的干预更加显著。这样祂就证明以色列中有一位上帝会支持和维护祂的子民。{TSA 53.1}[57]
§126 From time to time the Lord has made known the manner of His working. He is mindful of what is passing upon the earth. And when a crisis has come, He has revealed Himself, and has interposed to hinder the working out of Satan’s plans. He has often permitted matters with nations, with families, and with individuals to come to a crisis, that His interference might become marked. Then He has let the fact be known that there is a God in Israel who would sustain and vindicate His people.?{TSA 53.1}[57]
§127 当全世界几乎都蔑视耶和华的律法，祂的子民遭到同胞的残酷迫害时，上帝要进行干预。祂子民的恳切祈祷必蒙听允，因为祂喜欢祂的子民全心全意地寻求祂，依靠祂为他们的拯救者。当求告祂为祂子民作这些事，祂就必起来作祂子民的保护者和报仇者。祂的应许是：“上帝的选民昼夜呼吁祂，……要快快地给他们伸冤了”（路18:7,8）。?{TSA 53.2}[58]
§128 When the defiance of the law of Jehovah shall be almost universal, when His people shall be pressed in affliction by their fellow-men, God will interpose. The fervent prayers of His people will be answered, for He loves to have His people seek Him with all their heart, and depend upon Him as their Deliverer. He will be sought unto to do these things for His people, and He will arise as the protector and avenger of His people. The promise is, The Lord will avenge His own elect, which cry unto him day and night.?{TSA 53.2}[58]
§129 新教的政权会达到一种奇怪的状态。他们会皈依世界。他们与上帝隔绝，编造谎言，使国家的法律背离上帝。那些虽有真理之光却允许嫉妒和恶意的猜测进来，削弱了彼此的爱心和团结的人，应当联合起来向上天祷告，求主起来终止世上的暴力和恶习。更多的祷告和更少的谈论才是上帝想要的，而这会使祂的子民成为中流砥柱。（《信函》1897年123号）{TSA 53.3}[59]
§130 The Protestant government will reach a strange pass. They will be converted to the world. They will also, in their separation from God, work to make falsehood and apostasy from God the law of the nation. In the place of those who have the light of truth allowing jealousy and evil surmisings to come in and weaken their love and union one with another, their united prayers should ascend to heaven for the Lord to arise and put an end to the violence and abuse which are practised in our world. More prayer and less talk is what God desires, and this would make His people a tower of strength.—Letter 123, 1897.?{TSA 53.3}[59]
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