第41章 怀雅各长老的去世
§1
第41章 怀雅各长老的去世
§2
Chapter 41—The Death of Elder James White
§3
我丈夫的一生虽然充满了劳苦、操心和责任，他在六十岁时仍是身心活跃精力旺盛的。他曾三次中风瘫痪；但是靠着上帝的赐福，生来强壮的体格，以及严格注意健康律，他一直能重新得力。他再次旅行、传道、用他惯常的热心和精力写作。我们并肩在基督的圣工中操劳三十五年；我们曾盼望可以站在一起目睹胜利的结局。但这并不是上帝的旨意。我年轻时上帝所选的保护者，我人生的伴侣，我辛劳与痛苦的分担者，从我身边被取去了，留下我完成我的工作并独自作战。{LS 247.1}[1]
§4
Notwithstanding the labors, cares, and responsibilities with which my husband’s life had been crowded, his sixtieth year found him active and vigorous in mind and body. Three times had he fallen under a stroke of paralysis; yet by the blessing of God, a naturally strong constitution, and strict attention to the laws of health, he had been enabled to rally. Again he traveled, preached, and wrote with his wonted zeal and energy. Side by side we had labored in the cause of Christ for thirty-five years; and we hoped that we might stand together to witness the triumphant close. But such was not the will of God. The chosen protector of my youth, the companion of my life, the sharer of my labors and afflictions, was taken from my side, and I was left to finish my work and to fight the battle alone.?{LS 247.1}[1]
§5
我们一起在巴特尔克里克的家中度过了1881年的春天和夏初。我丈夫希望安排他的业务，以便我们可以去太平洋东岸专心写作。他觉得我们犯了一个错误，就是在本应写作时却容许圣工的明显需要和弟兄们的恳劝而使我们忙于积极作工传道。我丈夫渴望更充分地阐述救赎的光荣主题，我也久已计划预备重要的书籍。我们都感到应该趁着我们的智力还未受损的时候完成这些著作——因为这是我们欠自己也欠上帝圣工的一个本分，要停止剧烈的战斗，把上帝展现在我们心中的宝贵真光传给我们的人。{LS 247.2}[2]
§6
The spring and early summer of 1881 we spent together at our home in Battle Creek. My husband hoped to arrange his business so that we could go to the Pacific coast and devote ourselves to writing. He felt that we had made a mistake in allowing the apparent wants of the cause and the entreaties of our brethren to urge us into active labor in preaching when we should have been writing. My husband desired to present more fully the glorious subject of redemption, and I had long contemplated the preparation of important books. We both felt that while our mental powers were unimpaired we should complete these works,—that it was a duty which we owed to ourselves and to the cause of God to rest from the?heat of battle, and give to our people the precious light of truth which God had opened to our minds.?{LS 247.2}[2]
§7
在我丈夫去世之前数周，我敦促他找一块工作园地，好摆脱在巴特尔克里克必然临到我们的种种负担。他在回答时说到了许多事，都是我们在能够离开之前必须注意的——必须有人尽责。然后他深有感触地问道：“做这工作的人在哪儿呢？会无私地关心我们各机构，愿意支持正义，不受他们可能要接触的任何势力所影响的人在哪儿呢？”{LS 248.1}[3]
§8
Some weeks before the death of my husband, I urged upon him the importance of seeking a field of labor where we would be released from the burdens necessarily coming upon us at Battle Creek. In reply he spoke of various matters which required attention before we could leave,—duties which some one must do. Then with deep feeling he inquired: “Where are the men to do this work? Where are those who will have an unselfish interest in our institutions, and who will stand for the right, unaffected by any influence with which they may come in contact?”?{LS 248.1}[3]
§9
他含泪表达了对我们在巴特尔克里克的各机构的忧虑。他说：“我的生命已献给了这些机构的建立。离开它们似乎与死无异。它们就象是我的孩子，我不能使我的利益与他们分开。这些机构是主的工具，要做一项特别的工作。撒但试图阻碍并击败主藉以做救人工作的每一工具。若是那大仇敌能按照世界的标准塑造这些机构，他就达到自己的目标了。我最大的渴望就是有合适的人在合适的位置。如果那些身居要职的人在道德力上软弱，在原则上优柔寡断，倾向于把人带向世界，就有足够多的人会被他们带走。邪恶的势力不可盛行。我宁愿死也不愿活着见到这些机构管理不当，或转离建立这些机构的初衷。{LS 248.2}[4]
§10
With tears he expressed his anxiety for our institutions at Battle Creek. Said he: “My life has been given to the upbuilding of these institutions. It seems like death to leave them. They are as my children, and I cannot separate my interest from them. These institutions are the Lord’s instrumentalities to do a specific work. Satan seeks to hinder and defeat every means by which the Lord is working for the salvation of men. If the great adversary can mould these institutions according to the world’s standard, his object is gained. It is my greatest anxiety to have the right man in the right place. If those who stand in responsible positions are weak in moral power and vacillating in principle, inclined to lead toward the world, there are enough who will be led. Evil influences must not prevail. I would rather die than live to see these institutions mismanaged, or turned aside from the purpose for which they were brought into existence.?{LS 248.2}[4]
§11
“在我与圣工的各种关系中，我从事最久关系最密切的就是出版工作。在我献身这方面圣工期间，我已倒下三次，受瘫痪的打击。既然上帝已使我有了新的体力和智力，我就觉得能前所未能的服务祂的圣工。我必须见到出版工作的兴旺。它与我的生命交织在一起。我若忘记这工作的权益，就让我的右手忘记技巧吧。”{LS 248.3}[5]
§12
“In my relations to this cause I have been longest and most closely connected with the publishing work. Three times have I fallen, stricken with paralysis,?through my devotion to this branch of the cause. Now that God has given me renewed physical and mental strength, I feel that I can serve His cause as I have never been able to serve it before. I must see the publishing work prosper. It is interwoven with my very existence. If I forget the interests of this work, let my right hand forget her cunning.”?{LS 248.3}[5]
§13
我们曾有一个约会，要参加7月23和24日安息日和星期日在夏洛特举办的帐篷大会。我们决定乘私人马车出行。在路上，我丈夫似乎很愉快，但也有一种严肃感停留在他身上。他再三地赞美主的怜悯和赐福，并且敞怀表达了他对于过去和将来的感想：“主是良善的，应该大受赞美。祂是需要时随时的帮助。将来似乎是阴沉无常的，但主不会让我们因这些事哀伤。当烦恼来到时，祂会赐给我们恩典忍受得住。对我们来说主已成为的和祂所已经为我们做的，应该使我们非常感恩，以致我们决不会发牢骚或抱怨。{LS 249.1}[6]
§14
We had an appointment to attend a tent meeting at Charlotte, Sabbath and Sunday, July 23 and 24. We decided to travel by private conveyance. On the way, my husband seemed cheerful, yet a feeling of solemnity rested upon him. He repeatedly praised the Lord for mercies and blessings received, and freely expressed his own feelings concerning the past and future: “The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. He is a present help in time of need. The future seems cloudy and uncertain, but the Lord would not have us distressed over these things. When trouble comes, He will give us grace to endure it. What the Lord has been to us, and what He has done for us, should make us so grateful that we would never murmur or complain.?{LS 249.1}[6]
§15
“我的动机被人误解，而且我要帮助、鼓励并坚固我弟兄们的最大努力被一而再，再而三地转过来反对我，这对我来说似乎是难以忍受的。但我原应记住耶稣和祂的种种失望。祂的心灵忧伤，因为祂不被那些祂来要祝福的人所赏识。我原应该细想上帝的怜悯和慈爱，更多地赞美祂，更少地抱怨我弟兄们的忘恩负义。要是我总是把我一切的困惑为难都留给主，少想别人所说所行反对我的事，我原会有更多的平安和喜乐。我现在要先求当心我自己，不在言行上得罪人，然后再帮助弟兄们为他们的脚修直道路。我不会停下来为任何一件错待我的行为哀伤。我对人的期望已经过了我所应该期望的。我爱上帝和祂的工作，我也爱我的弟兄们。”{LS 249.2}[7]
§16
“It has seemed hard to me that my motives should be misjudged, and that my best efforts to help, encourage, and strengthen my brethren should again and again be turned against me. But I should have remembered Jesus and His disappointments. His soul was grieved that He was not appreciated by those He came to bless. I should have dwelt upon the mercy and loving-kindness of God, praising Him more, and complaining less of the ingratitude of my brethren. Had I ever left all my perplexities with the Lord, thinking less of what others said and did against me, I should have had more peace and joy. I will now seek first to guard myself, that I?offend not in word or deed, and then to help my brethren make straight paths for their feet. I will not stop to mourn over any wrong done to me. I have expected more of men than I ought. I love God and His work, and I love my brethren also.”?{LS 249.2}[7]
§17
当我们继续旅行时，我完全没有想到这是我们最后一次一起旅行了。天气突然从闷热变得冷飕飕的了。我丈夫着了凉，但以为他的健康那么好，不会受到永久的伤害。他在夏洛特的聚会上操劳，极其清楚而大有能力地传讲真理。在向一班对他最宝贵的题目表现了深切兴趣的人演讲时，他说到自己感到很愉快。他说：“当我把生命的粮掰给别人时，主确实更新了我的心灵。全密歇根的人都在急呼帮助。我多么渴望用切合现代的宝贵真理去安慰、鼓励并加强他们呀！”{LS 250.1}[8]
§18
Little did I think, as we traveled on, that this was the last journey we should ever make together. The weather changed suddenly from oppressive heat to chilling cold. My husband took cold, but thought his health so good that he would receive no permanent injury. He labored in the meetings at Charlotte, presenting the truth with great clearness and power. He spoke of the pleasure he felt in addressing a people who manifested so deep an interest in the subjects most dear to him. “The Lord has indeed refreshed my soul,” he said, “while I have been breaking to others the bread of life. All over Michigan the people are calling eagerly for help. How I long to comfort, encourage, and strengthen them with the precious truths applicable to this time!”?{LS 250.1}[8]
§19
在我们回家的时候，我丈夫说略感不适，可是他仍照常从事他的工作。每天早上我们都到我家附近的小树林去一同祈祷。我们渴望知道我们的责任。不断有书信从各地寄来，敦促我们参加帐篷大会。虽然我们决心专心写作，但很难拒绝在这些重要的集会中与我们的弟兄相见。我们恳切地求智慧，好知道正确的方针。{LS 250.2}[9]
§20
On our return home, my husband complained of slight indisposition, yet he engaged in his work as usual. Every morning we visited the grove near our home, and united in prayer. We were anxious to know our duty. Letters were continually coming in from different places, urging us to attend the camp meetings. Notwithstanding our determination to devote ourselves to writing, it was hard to refuse to meet with our brethren in these important gatherings. We earnestly pleaded for wisdom to know the right course.?{LS 250.2}[9]
§21
安息日早上，我们照常一起去了小树林，我丈夫极其恳切地祈祷了三次。他似乎不愿停止求上帝给予特别的指导和赐福。他的祈求蒙垂听了，平安和亮光来到了我们心里。他赞美主，说：“现在我把一切都交给耶稣。我感到一种甜美、属天的平安，一种确信，主必向我们显明我们的责任；因为我们渴望遵行祂的旨意。”他陪伴我去了帐幕礼拜堂，并以唱诗和祈祷开始了礼拜。这是他最后一次与我肩并肩站在讲台上。{LS 250.3}[10]
§22
Sabbath morning, as usual, we went to the grove together, and my husband prayed most fervently three times. He seemed reluctant to cease pleading with God for special guidance and blessing. His?prayers were heard, and peace and light came to our hearts. He praised the Lord, and said: “Now I give it all up to Jesus. I feel a sweet, heavenly peace, an assurance that the Lord will show us our duty; for we desire to do His will.” He accompanied me to the Tabernacle, and opened the services with singing and prayer. It was the last time he was ever to stand by my side in the pulpit.?{LS 250.3}[10]
§23
在接下来的星期一他得了严重的寒战，第二天我的寒战也发作了。我们一起被带到疗养院去治疗。星期五我的症状好转了。于是医生通知我我丈夫嗜睡，而那被认为是危险的。我立即被带到了他的房间，我一见到他的脸色就知道他快不行了。我试着唤醒他。他明白对他说的一切话，也能用“是”或“不是”回答所有问题，但是似乎不能多说。当我告诉他我认为他快死了时，他没有表现出任何惊奇。我问对他来说耶稣是不是很宝贵。他说“是的，哦，是的。”“你没有活下去的愿望了吗？”我询问。他回答说：“没有了。”我们于是跪在他的床边，我为他做了祷告。一种平安的表情停留在他的面容上。我对他说。“耶稣爱你。永远的膀臂在你以下。”他回答说：“是的，是的。”{LS 251.1}[11]
§24
On the following Monday he had a severe chill, and the next day I too was attacked. Together we were taken to the Sanitarium for treatment. On Friday my symptoms became more favorable. The doctor then informed me that my husband was inclined to sleep, and that danger was apprehended. I was immediately taken to his room, and as soon as I looked upon his countenance I knew that he was dying. I tried to arouse him. He understood all that was said to him, and responded to all questions that could be answered by yes or no, but seemed unable to say more. When I told him I thought he was dying, he manifested no surprise. I asked if Jesus was precious to him. He said, “Yes, oh, yes.” “Have you no desire to live?” I inquired. He answered, “No.” We then knelt by his bedside, and I prayed for him. A peaceful expression rested upon his countenance. I said to him: “Jesus loves you. The everlasting arms are beneath you.” He responded, “Yes, yes.”?{LS 251.1}[11]
§25
史密斯弟兄和其他弟兄那时在他床边周围作了祷告，然后就退去几乎整晚祷告。我丈夫说他感到一点儿也不痛苦；但他显然在迅速衰退。凯洛格医生和他的助手们尽了他们一切所能的要阻止他死去。他慢慢地复兴了，但仍很虚弱。{LS 251.2}[12]
§26
Brother Smith and other brethren then prayed around his bedside, and retired to spend much of the night in prayer. My husband said he felt no pain; but he was evidently failing fast. Dr. Kellogg and his helpers did all that was in their power to hold him back from death. He slowly revived, but continued very weak.?{LS 251.2}[12]
§27
第二天早上他似乎略有起色，但约在中午时他打了冷颤，那使他不省人事了。在1881年8月6日安息日下午5点，他安静地停止了呼吸，没有一丝挣扎或一声呻吟。{LS 252.1}[13]
§28
The next morning he seemed slightly to revive, but about noon he had a chill, which left him unconscious. At 5 P.M., Sabbath, August 6, 1881, he quietly breathed his life away, without a struggle or a groan.?{LS 252.1}[13]
§29
我丈夫之死的打击——那么突然，那么意外——以千钧重负临到我身上。在我虚弱的状况中，我曾振作力量留在他床边直到最后，但是当我见到他在死时闭上双眼时，耗尽的生命力就垮掉了，我完全衰竭了。有一段时间我似乎在生与死之间悬悬不定。生命的火焰是那么低，以致一口气就会熄灭它。晚上我的脉搏会很微弱，我的呼吸也越来越弱，似乎即将停止。只因上帝的赐福和医生与护理们不懈的警醒照顾，我的生命才得以保存。{LS 252.2}[14]
§30
The shock of my husband’s death—so sudden, so unexpected—fell upon me with crushing weight. In my feeble condition I had summoned strength to remain at his bedside to the last; but when I saw his eyes closed in death, exhausted nature gave way, and I was completely prostrated. For some time I seemed balancing between life and death. The vital flame burned so low that a breath might extinguish it. At night my pulse would grow feeble, and my breathing fainter and fainter till it seemed about to cease. Only by the blessing of God and the unremitting care and watchfulness of physician and attendants was my life preserved.?{LS 252.2}[14]
§31
虽然在我丈夫死后我还没能从病床上起来，但我还是在下一个安息日被带到了帐幕礼拜堂参加他的葬礼。在证道结束时，我感到有责任在这个丧失亲人的伤痛时刻见证基督徒盼望的价值。我一站起来，就有力量赐给了我，我讲了约有十分钟，在拥挤的会众面前赞扬了上帝的怜悯与仁爱。在葬礼仪式结束时，我随从我丈夫去了橡山公墓，他在那里安息直到复活之晨。{LS 252.3}[15]
§32
Though I had not risen from my sick-bed after my husband’s death, I was borne to the Tabernacle on the following Sabbath to attend his funeral. At the close of the sermon I felt it a duty to testify to the value of the Christian’s hope in the hour of sorrow and bereavement. As I arose, strength was given me, and I spoke about ten minutes, exalting the mercy and love of God in the presence of that crowded assembly. At the close of the services I followed my husband to Oak Hill Cemetery, where he was laid to rest until the morning of the resurrection.?{LS 252.3}[15]
§33
我的体力因这场打击而衰竭，可是上帝恩典的能力在我巨大的丧亲之痛里支持了我。当我见到我丈夫呼出最后一口气时，我感到那时耶稣对我来说比祂在我生命中任何别的宝贵时刻都更为宝贵。当我站在我的头生子旁边，在他死时合上他的眼睛时，我能说：“赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的”（伯1:21）。那时我感到我在耶稣里有一位安慰者。当我最后出生的孩子从我的怀抱被夺走时，我不能再见到他小小的头枕着枕头在我旁边时，那时我能说：“赏赐的是耶和华，收取的也是耶和华。耶和华的名是应当称颂的”（伯1:21）。而当我所倚靠的广博深厚的爱人，与我同工三十五年的丈夫被取走时，我能把我的手放在他的眼睛上，说：我把我的珍宝交给祢，直到复活之晨。{LS 252.4}[16]
§34
My physical strength had been prostrated by the blow, yet the power of divine grace sustained me in my great bereavement. When I saw my husband breathe his last, I felt that Jesus was more precious to me than He ever had been in any previous hour of my life. When I stood by my first-born, and closed his eyes in death, I could say, “The Lord gave, and the?Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” And I felt then that I had a comforter in Jesus. And when my latest born was torn from my arms, and I could no longer see its little head upon the pillow by my side, then I could say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” And when he upon whose large affections I had leaned, with whom I had labored for thirty-five years, was taken away, I could lay my hands upon his eyes, and say, “I commit my treasure to Thee until the morning of the resurrection.”?{LS 252.4}[16]
§35
当我看到他去世，且看到许多朋友同情我时，我想：这与耶稣被挂在十字架上时的死是何等的对照啊！何等的对照啊！在祂痛苦的时辰，辱骂的人在嘲笑愚弄祂。但祂死了，祂经过了坟墓，要使它变亮，使它发光，好使我们甚至在死的事上都可以有喜乐有盼望；好使我们可以说，我们怎样在耶稣里安葬我们的朋友，“我们还要再次与他们相见”。{LS 253.1}[17]
§36
When I saw him passing away, and saw the many friends sympathizing with me, I thought: What a contrast to the death of Jesus as He hung upon the cross! What a contrast! In the hour of His agony, the revilers were mocking and deriding Him. But He died, and He passed through the tomb to brighten it, and to lighten it, that we might have joy and hope even in the event of death; that we might say, as we lay our friends away to rest in Jesus, “We shall meet them again.”?{LS 253.1}[17]
§37
有时我觉得不能让我丈夫死去。但这些话似乎要深印在我心上：“你们要休息，要知道我是上帝”（诗46:10）。我深刻地感受到了我的损失，但不敢使自己屈服于无用的悲伤。这不会把死人带回来的。而且我也不能那么自私，照我所愿的把他从平安的睡眠中带回来再次从事人生的战斗。他象一位疲倦的战士，已经躺下睡去了。我要愉快地看着他安息之处。我和我的孩子能对已倒下的他做的尊贵纪念，就是接受他所留下的工作，并靠着耶稣的力量推进它完成它。我们要因所赐给他的那些有效用的年月而充满感恩；并且为了他的缘故，也为了基督的缘故，我们要从他的去世学会一个我们永远不要忘记的教训。我们要让这场丧亲之痛使我们对活着的人更仁慈温柔，更宽容忍耐，细心体贴。{LS 253.2}[18]
§38
At times I felt that I could not have my husband die. But these words seemed to be impressed on my mind: “Be still, and know that I am God.”?Psalm 46:10. I keenly feel my loss, but dare not give myself up to useless grief. This would not bring back the dead. And I am not so selfish as to wish, if I could, to bring him from his peaceful slumber to engage again in the battles of life. Like a tired warrior, he has lain down to sleep. I will look with pleasure upon his resting place. The best way in which I and my children can honor the memory of him who has fallen, is to take the work where he left it, and in the strength of Jesus carry it forward to completion. We will be thankful for the years of usefulness that were?granted to him; and for his sake, and for Christ’s sake, we will learn from his death a lesson which we shall never forget. We will let this bereavement make us more kind and gentle, more forbearing, patient, and thoughtful toward the living.?{LS 253.2}[18]
§39
我独自开始从事我毕生的事业，满心相信我的救赎主必与我同在。我们只有短短的时日从事争战，然后基督就要来临，这冲突的一幕就要结束。我们的最后努力，便是与基督同工，及推进祂的国度，有些人已在战场的前线坚立，拼命抵抗邪恶势力的进攻而在岗位上倒下；其他的人伤心地注视一下那倒地的英雄们，但却没有时间停下工作。他们必须补充上去，从那被死亡僵硬的手中接过旌旗，再接再励地维护真理和基督的尊荣。{LS 254.1}[19]
§40
I take up my life work alone, in full confidence that my Redeemer will be with me. We have only a little while to wage the warfare; then Christ will come, and this scene of conflict will close. Then our last efforts will have been made to work with Christ, and advance His kingdom. Some who have stood in the forefront of the battle, zealously resisting incoming evil, fall at the post of duty; the living gaze sorrowfully at the fallen heroes, but there is no time to cease work. They must close up the ranks, seize the banner from the hand palsied by death, and with renewed energy vindicate the truth and the honor of Christ.?{LS 254.1}[19]
§41
现今必须以空前的努力来抗拒罪恶，抗拒黑暗的权势。时日的短促，要求凡信奉现代真理的人要用积极有力而坚决的行动来尽其本分。当我们觉得为我们救赎主的来临似乎已等待得太久，当我们因痛苦折磨而感到不堪，因劳苦而疲惫，又因不能光荣免战而不耐烦时——要记住这个以阻止所有的怨言——要切记上帝容让我们在地上遭遇狂风暴雨和战斗，是要使我们的基督徒品格得以完全，使我们更认识上帝我们的父，和基督我们的长兄，去为主作工，赢得多人归于基督。“智慧人必发光如同天上的光；那使多人归义的，必发光如星，直到永永远远”（但12:3）。{LS 254.2}[20]
§42
As never before, resistance must be made against sin—against the powers of darkness. The time demands energetic and determined activity on the part of those who believe present truth. If the time seems long to wait for our Deliverer to come; if, bowed by affliction and worn with toil, we feel impatient to receive an honorable release from the warfare, let us remember—and let the remembrance check every murmur—that we are left on earth to encounter storms and conflicts, to perfect Christian character, to become better acquainted with God our Father, and Christ our elder Brother, and to do work for the Master in winning many souls to Christ. “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”?Daniel 12:3.?{LS 254.2}[20]