第15章 1848年在纽约州西部工作
§1
第15章 1848年在纽约州西部工作
§2
Chapter 15—Labors in Western New York in 1848
§3
结果我丈夫在割草的工作上得到四十块钱，我们用了一部分钱来买几件必需的衣服，剩下的尚够支付来往纽约州西部的路费。{LS 110.1}[1]
§4
As a result of his work in the hayfield, my husband earned forty dollars. With a part of this we purchased some necessary clothing, and had sufficient means left to take us to western New York and return.?{LS 110.1}[1]
§5
当时我的健康欠佳，所以我不能一面旅行而同时又照顾孩子。故此我们把十个月大的小亨利留在米德尔敦的班斐·克拉丽莎姊妹的家里。要我离开我的孩子真是一次严重的考验，但我们不敢让爱孩子的心使我们偏离了本分。耶稣已经舍命来拯救我们。我们所付出的任何牺牲若和祂的相比，该是多么微小啊！{LS 110.2}[2]
§6
My health was poor, and it was impossible for me to travel and have the care of our child. So we left our little Henry, ten months old, at Middletown with Sister Clarissa Bonfoey. It was a severe trial for me to be separated from my child, but we dared not let our affection for him keep us from the path of duty. Jesus laid down His life to save us. How small is any sacrifice we can make compared with His!?{LS 110.2}[2]
§7
8月13日早上，我们到达纽约市，前往穆迪弟兄家。第二天，贝弟兄和格尼弟兄加入了我们。{LS 110.3}[3]
§8
On the morning of August 13 we reached New York City, and went to the home of Brother D. Moody. On the following day Brethren Bates and Gurney joined us.?{LS 110.3}[3]
§9
【沃尔尼会议】
§10
我们在纽约州头一次的大会是于8月18日在沃尔尼大卫·阿诺德弟兄的谷仓里举行的。赴会的人约有三十五位，——这要算是该州西部所能召集的全部同道了。但在这些人中，几乎没有两个人的看法是完全一致的。有一些人还坚持严重的谬见，而各人都坚持己见，声称自己的看法是合乎圣经的。{LS 110.4}[4]
§11
【Conference at Volney】
§12
Our first general meeting in western New York, beginning August 18, was held at Volney, in Brother David Arnold’s barn. About thirty-five were present,—all the friends that could be collected in that part of the State. But of this number there were hardly two agreed. Some were holding serious errors, and each strenuously urged his own views, declaring that they were according to the Scriptures.?{LS 110.4}[4]
§13
一位弟兄认为《启示录》第二十章的千禧年是在过去，还说《启示录》第七章和十四章中提到的144000人是在基督复活时复活的那些人。{LS 110.5}[5]
§14
One brother held that the one thousand years of the twentieth chapter of Revelation were in the past, and that the one hundred and forty-four thousand mentioned in the seventh and fourteenth chapters?of Revelation, were those raised at Christ’s resurrection.?{LS 110.5}[5]
§15
当我们举行象征主受死的圣餐礼，打算纪念祂的受难时，这位弟兄站起来说他对我们要做的事没有信心；因为圣餐礼是逾越节的继续，一年只应举行一次。{LS 111.1}[6]
§16
As we had before us the emblems of our dying Lord, and were about to commemorate His sufferings, this brother arose and said that he had no faith in what we were about to do; that the Lord’s supper was a continuation of the Passover, and should be partaken of but once a year.?{LS 111.1}[6]
§17
这种意见分歧的奇怪现象重重地压在我心上。我发觉有许多人拿谬论当作真理传讲。在我看来，这种情形是羞辱上帝的。我的心灵深为忧伤，终于在这种压力之下晕倒了。有些人恐怕我将要死了。贝约瑟，张伯伦，格尼，埃德森等弟兄和我的丈夫都为我祷告，主垂听了祂仆人们的祈祷，我便醒了过来。{LS 111.2}[7]
§18
These strange differences of opinion rolled a heavy weight upon me. I saw that many errors were being presented as truth. It seemed to me that God was dishonored. Great grief pressed upon my spirits, and I fainted under the burden. Some feared that I was dying. Brethren Bates, Chamberlain, Gurney, Edson, and my husband prayed for me. The Lord heard the prayers of His servants, and I revived.?{LS 111.2}[7]
§19
有天国的光辉照在我的身上，不久我就对地上的事物失去了知觉。同我一起的天使向我指出了与会者的一些错误，也指出了与他们的错误相对的真理。他们所认为符合圣经的这些不一致的观点，只是出于他们自己对圣经的理解，我蒙指示要告诉他们放弃自己的错误，在第三位天使信息的真理上联合起来。{LS 111.3}[8]
§20
The light of heaven then rested upon me, and I was soon lost to earthly things. My accompanying angel presented before me some of the errors of those present, and also the truth in contrast with their errors. These discordant views, which they claimed were in harmony with the Scriptures, were only according to their opinion of Bible teaching; and I was bidden to tell them that they should yield their errors, and unite upon the truths of the third angel’s message.?{LS 111.3}[8]
§21
我们的会议胜利地结束，真理取得了胜利。我们的弟兄放弃了他们的错误，在第三位天使的信息上联合起来。上帝大大赐福与他们，加给他们许多人数。{LS 111.4}[9]
§22
Our meeting closed triumphantly. Truth gained the victory. Our brethren renounced their errors and united upon the third angel’s message, and God greatly blessed them and added many to their numbers.?{LS 111.4}[9]
§23
【访问汉尼拔的斯诺弟兄家】
§24
我们从沃尔尼到相距六十英里的吉布森港，去参赴八月二十七日和二十八日的又一次聚会。八月二十六日，我的丈夫写信给黑斯廷斯弟兄说：“我们在汉尼拔，寄宿在斯诺弟兄家里。那里有十个八个宝贵的生灵。贝弟兄，埃德森夫妇，和西蒙斯弟兄同他们过了一夜。次日早晨爱伦见了一次异象，当她见异象的时候，弟兄们都进来了。其中有一位还没有接受安息日的真理，但他是心地谦卑而善良的。爱伦在异象中站了起来，拿起了一本大圣经，在主面前把它举了起来，从其中发挥了一番讲论，然后把圣经交给那位谦卑的弟兄，放在他的手里。他泪如泉涌地把它接了过来。随后爱伦就在我旁边坐下。她在异象中共有一个半小时，在此期间，她没有一点呼吸。那真是一个动人的时辰。我们都流了许多快乐的热泪。我们让贝弟兄留在那里，自己则和埃德森弟兄来到此地。”{LS 111.5}[10]
§25
【Visit to Brother Snow’s—Hannibal】
§26
From Volney we journeyed toward Port Gibson, sixty miles distant, to meet another appointment?August 27 and 28. “On our way”, wrote my husband in a letter to Brother Hastings dated August 26, “we stopped at Brother Snow’s in Hannibal. In that place are eight or ten precious souls. Brother Bates, Brother and Sister Edson, and Brother Simmons stopped all night with them. In the morning Ellen was taken off in vision, and while she was in vision, all the brethren came in. One of the number was not with us on the Sabbath [truth], but was humble and good. Ellen rose up in vision, took the large Bible, held it up before the Lord, talked from it, then carried it to this humble brother, and put it in his arms. He took it while tears were rolling down his bosom. Then Ellen came and sat down by me. She was in vision one and a half hours, in which time she did not breathe at all. It was an affecting time. All wept much for joy. We left Brother Bates with them, and came to this place with Brother Edson.”?{LS 111.5}[10]
§27
【吉布森港会议】
§28
吉布森港会议是在海勒姆·埃德森弟兄的谷仓里举行的。与会的人有热爱真理的，但也有听从并怀有错误的。然而，这次聚会结束前，主以能力为我们行了事。我再次在异象中蒙指示，见到纽约州西部的弟兄们放弃歧见，并在圣经真理上团结起来的重要性。{LS 112.1}[11]
§29
【Meeting at Port Gibson】
§30
The meeting at Port Gibson was held in Brother Hiram Edson’s barn. There were those present who loved the truth, but were listening to and cherishing error. Before the close of this meeting, however, the Lord wrought for us with power. I was again shown in vision the importance of the brethren laying aside their differences, and uniting upon Bible truth.?{LS 112.1}[11]
§31
【访问森特波特的哈里斯家】
§32
我们离开埃德森弟兄家，打算在纽约城过下一个安息日。我们太晚了没有赶上班轮，所以我们上了航线船，打算在一下班轮经过的时候换乘。我们看见班轮接近时，便开始准备上船；但班轮没有停下来，我们不得不在船开着时跳上去。{LS 112.2}[12]
§33
【Visit to Brother Harris’s—Centerport】
§34
We left Brother Edson’s intending to spend the following Sabbath in New York City. We were too late for the packet, so we took a line boat, designing to change when the next packet came along. As we saw the packet approaching, we began making preparations to step aboard; but the packet did not stop,?and we had to spring on board while the boat was in motion.?{LS 112.2}[12]
§35
贝弟兄手里拿着我们的船费，对船长说：“给你船费。”他看到船要开走，便跳起来要上船，但他的脚碰到了船的边缘，他就掉进了水里。于是他就开始游向船，一只手拿着他的皮夹，另一只手拿着一美元钞票。他的帽子掉了，他救帽子时丢了钞票，但他把皮夹抓得紧紧的。班轮停下来等他上船。他的衣服全被运河的脏水弄湿了，我们既靠近森特波特，决定访问哈里斯弟兄家，好让贝弟兄整整衣服。{LS 113.1}[13]
§36
Brother Bates was holding the money for our fare in his hand, saying to the captain of the boat, “Here, take your pay.” As he saw the boat moving off, he sprang to get aboard, but his foot struck the edge of the boat, and he fell back into the water. He then began swimming to the boat, with his pocketbook in one hand, and a dollar bill in the other. His hat fell off, and in saving it he lost the bill, but held fast to his pocketbook. The packet halted for him to get aboard. His clothes were wet with the dirty water of the canal, and as we were near Centerport, we decided to call at the home of Brother Harris, that Brother Bates might put his clothes in order.?{LS 113.1}[13]
§37
我们对这个家庭的访问很有益处。哈里斯姐妹多年患粘膜炎。她曾用鼻烟缓解这种痛苦，还说她离了鼻烟就活不了。她的头常常很痛。我们劝她转向主，主是大医师，会治好她的病痛。她决定这么做，我们便为她作了祷告。她完全不用鼻烟了。她的症状大大减轻了，从那时起她的健康状况比多年以来都要好。{LS 113.2}[14]
§38
Our visit proved a benefit to this family. For years Sister Harris had suffered from catarrh. She had used snuff for the relief of this affliction, and said that she could not live without it. She suffered much pain in her head. We recommended her to go to the Lord, the great Physician, who would heal her affliction. She decided to do so, and we had a season of prayer for her. She discontinued the use of snuff entirely. Her difficulties were greatly relieved, and from that time her health was better than it had been for years.?{LS 113.2}[14]
§39
我还在哈里斯弟兄家的时候会见了一位戴着金饰却自称期待基督降临的姐妹。我们说到圣经明确宣布反对戴金饰。但她却提到所罗门受命美化圣殿的经文，还说上帝之城的街道是精金的。她说我们若能藉着戴金饰改善我们的外观以致对世人发挥影响，这么做就是对的。我回答说我们是可怜堕落必死的人，不但不应因所罗门的殿得到了光耀的装饰而装饰我们的身体，反而应该记得我们堕落的状况，以及为救赎我们使上帝的儿子付上了受难与死亡的代价。这种思想应该使我们自卑。耶稣是我们的模范。要是祂撇弃祂的屈辱与苦难，大声说：“若有人要跟从我，就让他取悦自己，享受世界，他就要做我的门徒，”那么大批的人就会相信祂跟从祂。但耶稣只会以那种柔和、被钉者的品格临到我们。我们若愿在天上与祂同在，就必须在地上象祂。世界必要求属它自己的；无论谁要得胜，都必须撇弃属世界的。{LS 113.3}[15]
§40
While at Brother Harris’s I had an interview with a sister who wore gold, and yet professed to be looking for Christ’s coming. We spoke of the express declarations of Scripture against the wearing of gold. But she referred to where Solomon was commanded to beautify the temple, and to the statement that the streets of the city of God were pure gold. She said that if we could improve our appearance by wearing gold, so as to have influence in the world, it was?right. I replied that we were poor fallen mortals, and instead of decorating these bodies because Solomon’s temple was gloriously adorned, we should remember our fallen condition, and that it cost the suffering and death of the Son of God to redeem us. This thought should cause in us self-abasement. Jesus is our pattern. If He would lay aside His humiliation and sufferings, and cry, “If any man will come after Me, let him please himself, and enjoy the world, and he shall be My disciple,” the multitude would believe and follow Him. But Jesus will come to us in no other character than that of the meek, crucified One. If we would be with Him in Heaven, we must be like Him on earth. The world will claim its own; and whoever will overcome, must leave what belongs to it.?{LS 113.3}[15]
§41
【访问布鲁克费尔德的阿比家】
§42
第二天我们乘班轮继续我们的旅程，直到纽约的麦迪逊公司。然后我们下了班轮，雇了一辆马车，去了二十五英里外的布鲁克费尔德，艾拉·阿比弟兄家在那里。因为我们到达他家的时候是星期五下午，所以提议应该有一个人到门口去问一下，以便要是我们得不到所指望的欢迎，可以与驾车人一起返回，找个旅馆过安息日。{LS 114.1}[16]
§43
【Visit to Brother Abbey’s—Brookfield】
§44
The next day we resumed our journey by packet, and went as far as Madison Co., N.Y. We then left the packet, hired a carriage, and rode twenty-five miles to Brookfield, where was the home of Brother Ira Abbey. As it was Friday afternoon when we arrived at the house, it was proposed that one should go to the door and make inquiries, so that should we be disappointed in our hope of a welcome, we might return with the driver, and put up at a hotel over the Sabbath.?{LS 114.1}[16]
§45
阿比姐妹来到门口，我丈夫自我介绍是一个守安息日的人。她说：“很高兴见到您，请进来吧。”他回答说：“马车里还有三个人是和我一起的。我想要是我们一起来可能会吓到你。”得到的回答是：“我从来不怕基督徒。”阿比姐妹表示见到我们很喜乐，我们受到了她和她家人热忱的欢迎。当介绍贝弟兄时，她说：“这位就是写了那本遵守安息日的书的贝弟兄吗？竟来看我们了？我不配你们来到我舍下。但主却把你们差到我们这里来；因为我们正急需真理。”{LS 114.2}[17]
§46
Sister Abbey came to the door, and my husband introduced himself as one who kept the Sabbath. She said: “I am glad to see you. Come in.” He replied: “There are three more in the carriage with me. I thought if we all came in together we might frighten you.” “I am never frightened at Christians,” was the reply. Sister Abbey expressed much?joy at seeing us, and we were heartily welcomed by her and her family. When Brother Bates was introduced, she said: “Can this be Brother Bates, who wrote that hewing book on the Sabbath? And come to see us? I am unworthy to have you come under my roof. But the Lord has sent you to us; for we are starving for the truth.”?{LS 114.2}[17]
§47
一个孩子被打发到田里去告诉阿比弟兄来了四位守安息日的人。然而他并不急着来认识我们；因为以前曾有一些常来访问他们的人给他施加了影响。这些人虽自称是上帝的仆人，却在这小群设法坚守真理的人中间散布谬论。阿比夫妇曾与他们长期斗争，以致他们不敢再来联络了。阿比弟兄担心我们也是那等人。他进入家门时，冷淡地接待了我们，然后开始问几个简明直接的问题，要知道我们是否守安息日，是否相信过去的信息是出于上帝的。当他感到满意，因我们是带着真理而来时，他就高兴地欢迎了我们。{LS 115.1}[18]
§48
A child was sent to the field to tell Brother Abbey that four Sabbath keepers had come. He was in no hurry, however, to make our acquaintance; for he had previously been imposed upon by some who had often visited them. These, professing to be God’s servants, had scattered error among the little flock who were trying to hold fast the truth. Brother and Sister Abbey had warred against them for so long that they dreaded to come into contact with them. Brother Abbey feared that we were of the same class. When he came into the house, he received us coldly, and then began asking a few plain, direct questions, as to whether we kept the Sabbath and believed the past messages to be of God. When he was satisfied that we had come with truth, he joyfully welcomed us.?{LS 115.1}[18]
§49
我们在这个地方的聚会令少数喜爱真理的人欢欣鼓舞。我们很高兴，因为主本着祂的天意指引了我们那条路。我们一起享受了上帝同在的乐趣，并且感到安慰，因为发现少数人在分散的时期始终坚定站立，在灵意化和狂热主义的迷雾中坚守着真理的信息。这个宝贵的家庭以一种敬虔的作风在路上帮助了我们。{LS 115.2}[19]
§50
Our meetings in this place were cheering to the few who loved the truth. We rejoiced that the Lord in His providence had directed us that way. We enjoyed the presence of God together, and were comforted to find a few who had stood firm all through the scattering time, holding fast the messages of truth through the mist and fog of spiritualizing and fanaticism. This dear family helped us on our way after a godly sort.?{LS 115.2}[19]