第56章 在1909年的总会会议上
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第56章 在1909年的总会会议上
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Chapter 56—At the 1909 General Conference
§3
1909年9月9日星期四傍晚，怀夫人回到她在加利福尼亚州圣赫勒那的家，此前她曾离家五个月零四天，旅行了八千多英里，在27个地方向大群小群的听众演讲72次，从加利福尼亚州到缅因州，又从阿拉巴马州到威斯康星州。{LS 416.1}[1]
§4
Thursday evening, September 9, 1909, Mrs. White returned to her home near St. Helena, California, after an absence of five months and four days, during which time she had traveled more than eight thousand miles, and spoken to audiences, large and small, seventy-two times, in twenty-seven places, from California to Maine, and from Alabama to Wisconsin.?{LS 416.1}[1]
§5
这次旅行的主要目的是去参加四年一次的总会会议。会议将于1909年春天在首都华盛顿召开。她访问其它地方是回应迫切的邀请，而之所以成行，是因为主满有怜悯地在她从一个地方到一个地方时赐给了她力量和勇气。{LS 416.2}[2]
§6
The chief purpose of this journey was to attend the quadrennial session of the General Conference, which convened at Washington, D. C., in the spring of 1909. Her visits to other places were in response to urgent invitations, and were made possible by the merciful bestowal of strength and courage, as she proceeded from place to place.?{LS 416.2}[2]
§7
她在启程前几天，曾说她已经八十一岁了，并且处在虚弱的健康状态，采取最直接的路线去华盛顿无疑会最好；但她不能漠视访问加利福尼亚州南部的洛杉矶、洛马林达和天堂谷的邀请，也不能不顾顺便访问内布拉斯加州的柯立芝维尤并在联合学院向五百学生演讲的邀请。她说：“我还必须去田纳西州的纳什维尔看看我儿子埃德森，如果主赐给我力量，我就会高兴去访问麦迪逊学校的萨瑟兰弟兄和马根弟兄。”她还表示想在北卡罗来纳州的阿什维尔中途停留一天，S.布朗斯伯杰教授往在那里，伦宝姐妹在那里建造了并奉献给区会一座宽敞的礼拜堂和牧师住宅。{LS 416.3}[3]
§8
A few days before starting on her journey, she remarked that as she was eighty-one years of age and in feeble health, it would doubtless be best for her to take the most direct route to Washington; but that she could not disregard the calls to visit Los Angeles, Loma Linda, and Paradise Valley, in southern California, nor the invitation to stop in College View, Neb., and speak to the five hundred students in Union College. She said: “I must also visit my son Edson, in Nashville, Tenn., and if the Lord gives me strength, I should be pleased to visit Brethren Sutherland and Magan at the Madison school.” She also expressed a desire to stop off a day at Asheville, N. C., where Prof. S. Brownsberger lived, and where Sister Rumbough had built and given to the conference a commodious meetinghouse and parsonage.?{LS 416.3}[3]
§9
怀夫人在旅行去华盛顿的四周时间中，能在柯立芝维尤演讲四次，在洛马林达两次，在天堂谷、麦迪逊、亨茨维尔和希尔托普附近的奥尔登传道学校各一次。她一到达华盛顿，就立刻去了塔科马帕克，她在那里在G.A.欧文长老家受到了接待。{LS 416.4}[4]
§10
During the four weeks occupied with the journey to Washington, Mrs. White was able to speak four?times at College View; twice each at Loma Linda, Nashville, and Asheville; and once each at Paradise Valley, Madison, Hillcrest, Huntsville, and the Alden mission school near Hilltop. Upon her arrival at Washington, she went at once to Takoma Park, where she was entertained at the home of Elder G. A. Irwin.?{LS 416.4}[4]
§11
【代表会议】
§12
来自许多国家的代表参加了1909年的总会会议。来自海外的代表出奇的多，几乎占满了分配给海外区会和差会的全部配额。来自国内园地的代表也很多。{LS 417.1}[5]
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【A Representative Gathering】
§14
The General Conference of 1909 was attended by representatives from many lands. The delegations from abroad were unusually large, nearly if not quite a full quota being present from the conferences and missions across the seas. The attendance from the home field also was large.?{LS 417.1}[5]
§15
从会议开幕那一天，怀夫人就对露营的各等信徒的属灵利益很有负担。她在几次公开讲演中敦促弟兄姐妹们持定上帝，极其恳切地寻求祂的引导和赐福。出席会议的人要积聚勇气和灵感，好在全世界推进一项大工。他们一切的计划都要始终考虑将亡之人的需要，和占领上帝正为现代真理的进入奇妙开路之地的重要性。{LS 417.2}[6]
§16
From the opening day of the session, Mrs. White bore a heavy burden in behalf of the spiritual interests of the various classes of believers encamped on the grounds. In several of her public talks she urged the brethren and sisters to lay hold on God, and to seek Him most earnestly for guidance and blessing. Those in attendance were to gather courage and inspiration for the carrying forward of a mighty work throughout the world. In all their planning, they were to keep constantly before their minds the needs of the perishing, and the importance of occupying places where God is marvelously opening the way for the entrance of present truth.?{LS 417.2}[6]
§17
【城市的工作】
§18
她特别指出各国大城市的情况就是这样。她敦促说：“且看这些城市，和他们对于福音的需要！二十多年以来，各城中的群众对于热心工人的需要，常在我面前，有谁为我们的大城市有负担呢？有些人会说，我们需要我们所能得到的一切金钱去继续开展其它地方的工作。你们知道吗？你们若不将真理带到各城，财力就会枯竭。当你们把这信息传给城市中渴望真理的人，他们也接受了亮光时，他们就会恳切地作工好使别人也得到那亮光。有钱财的人就会使别人也进入真理，且会奉献他们的钱财来推进上帝的圣工。”[《总会公报》1909年，第136页。]{LS 417.3}[7]
§19
【The Work in the Cities】
§20
Particularly was this pointed out to be the case with the great cities of the nations. “Behold our cities,” she urged, “and their need of the gospel. The need for earnest labor among the multitudes in the cities has been kept before me for more than twenty years. Who is carrying a burden for our large cities? Some?will say, We need all the money we can get to carry on the work in other places. Do you not know that unless you carry the truth to the cities, there will be a drying up of means? When you carry this message to those in cities who are hungry for truth, and they accept the light, they will go earnestly to work to bring that light to others. Souls who have means will bring others into the truth, and will give of their means to advance the cause of God.”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 24, 1909.?{LS 417.3}[7]
§21
计划以一种非凡的方式在人口密集的中心传讲第三位天使的信息，构成了怀夫人在总会讲道期间的一个主要负担。{LS 418.1}[8]
§22
The necessity of planning in an extraordinary way for the preaching of the third angel’s message in the crowded centers of population, constituted one of the chief burdens of Mrs. White’s discourses throughout the Conference.?{LS 418.1}[8]
§23
她宣布：“在我们的世界上正在做的工作很少，巴不得善工可以广传并且感动每一个心灵贫穷的人！巴不得现代真理得以在每一座城市传讲！这个大需要日夜在我面前。……{LS 418.2}[9]
§24
“A little is being done in our world,” she declared; “but, O that the good work might spread abroad and reach every needy soul! O that the present truth might be proclaimed in every city! This great need is kept before me night and day....?{LS 418.2}[9]
§25
“男男女女正在越来越多地前去传送福音信息。我们为此感谢上帝，但我们需要更大的觉醒。……我们有特权看到上帝的工作在各城推进。基督在等待，等待可以进入的地方。谁在为此项工作做准备呢？我们不要说我们缺乏工人。我们很高兴我们有一些人；但在我们的各城市中有大得多的工作要做。”[同上，第98页。]{LS 418.3}[10]
§26
“Men and women are going forth more and more to carry the gospel message. We thank God for this, but we need a greater awakening.... It is our privilege to see the work of God advancing in the cities. Christ is waiting, waiting for places to be entered. Who are preparing for this work? We will not say that we are destitute of laborers. We are glad that there are some; but there is a greater, a far greater work to be done in our cities.”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 17, 1909]?{LS 418.3}[10]
§27
【在新英格兰的特别事工】
§28
她在总会期间的另一次讲道中说：“我们要作的工是极为重大的。我们有一个世界要去拯救。”关于这一点她特别提到了通过一次有力的、团结一致的努力，在新英格兰的各城传讲信息会给上帝的圣工带来的福气，第一和第二位天使的信息曾在新英格兰以大能传扬过。她说：“我们必须把第三位天使信息的荣耀带给这些城市。我们中间谁正在那里设法把亮光传开呢？那里的人在信息的早期曾很顺从地接受真理。”[《总会公报》1909年第225,226页。]{LS 418.4}[11]
§29
【Special Efforts in New England】
§30
“The work we have to do is a wonderfully great work,” she said in another of her discourses during the Conference. “There is a world to be saved.”?In this connection she referred especially to the blessing that would come to the cause of God through a strong and united effort to proclaim the message in the cities of New England, where the first and second angels’ messages had been given with mighty power. “We must bring to these same cities the glory of the third angel’s message,” she said. “Who among us is trying to scatter the rays of light where the truth was so favorably received in the early days of the message?”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 31, 1909.?{LS 418.4}[11]
§31
她在就应该在新英格兰和大西洋沿岸的各城中做成的工作发出呼吁时说：{LS 419.1}[12]
§32
In one of her appeals regarding the work to be done in the cities of New England and the Atlantic States, she said:?{LS 419.1}[12]
§33
“在复临信息最早传扬的东部各城，现在正在做什么工作呢？西部的各城已具有优势，但是在东部有谁有负责前往最早传扬基督快来之真理的地方呢？我得到的亮光是，真理应当再次传到我们最初开始工作，获得最初经验的东部各州。我们必须千方百计把真理的知识传给凡愿意听的人。有许多人会愿意听。在我们的各大城市中，上帝有许多诚实的人对真理感兴趣。在东部各州有一番认真的工作要完成。我屡次蒙指示，要一再重复这个信息。主说：‘要告诉我的百姓，在最初传播信息的地方重复传讲这信息。那里曾有一个接一个的教会站到真理一边，上帝的能力以一种显著的方式见证这信息。’”[同上，第136页.]{LS 419.2}[13]
§34
“What is being done in the Eastern cities where the advent message was first proclaimed? The cities of the West have had advantages, but who in the East have been burdened to take up the work of going over the ground that in the early days of the message was baptized with the truth of the Lord’s soon coming? The light has been given that the truth should go again to the Eastern States, where we first began our work, and where we had our first experiences. We must make every effort to spread a knowledge of the truth to all who will hear, and there are many who will listen. All through our large cities God has honest souls who are interested in what is truth. There is earnest work to be done in the Eastern States. ‘Repeat the message, repeat the message,’ were the words spoken to me over and over again. ‘Tell My people to repeat the message in the places where it was first preached, and where church after church took their position for the truth, the power of God witnessing to the message in a remarkable manner.’”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 24, 1909.?{LS 419.2}[13]
§35
【国外的代表】
§36
出席1909年总会会议的代表有一百多人来自海外，使怀夫人有机会见到从前曾经同工的老朋友们。会议期间常有一群群来自某个外国区会或差会园地的弟兄们拜访她，向她传达他们的问候，报告了第三位天使的信息在他们所代表的园地的进展。这样，来自海外的几乎所有的人，包括老朋友和她之前从未熟悉的人，都有机会告诉她他们在上帝里的勇气和他们要在收尾工作中尽自己本分的决心。{LS 420.1}[14]
§37
【Delegations from Abroad】
§38
The presence at the 1909 General Conference of over a hundred delegates from abroad, gave Mrs. White opportunity to meet old friends with whom in former years she had been associated in labor. Often during the Conference she was visited by groups of brethren present from some foreign conference or mission field, who conveyed to her personally their greetings, and reported the progress of the third angel’s message in the fields they represented. Thus opportunity was afforded nearly all from abroad, both old friends and those who had never before made her acquaintance, to assure her of their courage in God and of their determination to do their part in the finishing of the work.?{LS 420.1}[14]
§39
怀夫人有一次在享受了这些场合的快乐之后说：“当来自外国园地的弟兄们告诉我一点儿他们的经验和主在使人接受真理时所做的事时，我很受感动。”[《总会公报》1909年第105页。]又有一次，她在总会面前讲话时特别对他们说：{LS 420.2}[15]
§40
“I felt very deeply,” Mrs. White said publicly, after enjoying one of these occasions, “when our brethren who had come from foreign fields told me a little of their experiences and of what the Lord is doing in bringing souls to the truth.”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 21, 1909. And at another time, addressing them especially while speaking before the Conference, she said:?{LS 420.2}[15]
§41
“这里是来自外国的工人们。他们来了要看见要明白。他们决心利用每一个特权，以便带着上帝之灵更新的恩典和能力回到他们的工作园地去。他们作为工作中的教师和领袖，要收集宝贵的真理，他们若是忠心，就会把这些真理传给他们的同工，他们的同工正在许多地方以各种方式使人认识真理。我的弟兄们哪，在你们的工作园地中，你们可能会被种种不利的环境所包围；但主知道这一切，祂必用祂自己的圣灵供应你们的缺乏。我们需要对上帝有更多信心。”[《总会公报》1909年第57页。]{LS 420.3}[16]
§42
“Here are workers who have come from foreign countries. They have come to see and to understand. They are determined to improve every privilege, that they may go back to their fields of labor with a renewal of grace and the power of the Spirit of God. As teachers and leaders in the work, they are to gather precious truths which they will, if faithful, present to their fellow laborers who are working in many places and in various ways to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth. My brethren, in your fields of labor, you may be surrounded by unfavorable?circumstances; but the Lord knows all about this, and He will supply your lack by His own Holy Spirit. We need to have much more faith in God.”?The General Conference Bulletin, May 21, 1909.?{LS 420.3}[16]
§43
【国与国相争】
§44
怀夫人严肃地告诫代表欧洲、亚洲、非洲、南美洲、大洋洲和各海岛的现代真理圣工来参加会议的弟兄们，要为不久就会在地上各国之间见到的、他们想象不到的纷争与压迫的可怕场面作好心理准备。她宣布：“很快，外国会暴发纷争和压迫，其强烈是你们现在无法预料的。你们需要认识到在祷告中与上帝熟悉起来的重要性。何时你们有了祂必听你们的确信，你们就会在患难中喜乐，你们就会超越失望，因为你们心中体验了上帝权能苏醒人心的感化力。我们所需要的是真理。什么都不能取代这个——神圣庄严的真理，能使我们经受住磨难的试验，正如基督所经受的。”[《总会公报》1909年第57页。]{LS 421.1}[17]
§45
【Strife among the Nations】
§46
Mrs. White solemnly charged the brethren who had come to the meeting as representatives of the cause of present truth from every part of Europe, from Asia, Africa, South America, Australasia, and the islands of the sea, to prepare their hearts for terrible scenes of strife and oppression beyond anything they had conceived of, soon to be witnessed among the nations of earth. “Very soon,” she declared, “the strife and oppression of foreign nations will break forth with an intensity that you do not now anticipate. You need to realize the importance of becoming acquainted with God in prayer. When you have the assurance that He hears you, you will be cheerful in tribulation; you will rise above despondency, because you experience the quickening influence of the power of God in your hearts. What we need is the?truth. Nothing can take the place of this,—the sacred, solemn truth that is to enable us to stand the test of trial, even as Christ endured.?The General Conference Bulletin, May 21, 1909.?{LS 421.1}[17]
§47
在标志总会结束所做的告别礼拜上，她再一次呼吁来自世界各地的代表们要恒心忍耐，如同看见那看不见的主（来11:27）。她劝诫每一位工人要靠着以色列大能者的力量向前去。她说她虽然可能不会再有特权象这次大会一样在另一次大会上与弟兄们见面了，但是她会为他们祈祷，并且预备在荣耀之国中见到大家。{LS 421.2}[18]
§48
And in the farewell service marking the close of the Conference, she once more appealed to the delegates assembled from all parts of the world, to endure as beholding the Invisible. She exhorted every worker to go forth in the strength of the Mighty One of Israel. She declared that while she might never have the privilege of meeting her brethren in another Conference like this one, yet she would pray for them, and prepare to meet them all in the kingdom of glory.?{LS 421.2}[18]
§49
【重要的劝勉】
§50
在1909年总会期间，怀夫人宣读了一份要求忠于健康原则的文稿；[这份文稿后来发表在《教会证言》卷九第153-166页。]她还向与会代表们讲了同样的题目。[见《总会公报》1909年，第213-215页。]所宣读的另一份文稿是《对医疗布道士的一个请求》，还有一份是《洛马林达传道学院》[关于这些文稿，见《教会证言》卷九，第167-178页。]{LS 422.1}[19]
§51
【Important Counsels】
§52
It was during the 1909 General Conference that Mrs. White read a manuscript calling for loyalty to the principles of health reform; [This manuscript was afterward published in?Testimonies for the Church 9:153-166.] and she also spoke to the delegates on the same subject. [See?The General Conference Bulletin, May 30, 1909.] Another manuscript read was “A plea for Medical Missionary Evangelists;” and still another “The Loma Linda College of Evangelists.” [For these, see?Testimonies for the Church 9:167-178.]?{LS 422.1}[19]
§53
在总会会议之后，怀夫人两次与总会委员会会面，然后才去了费城和东部的其它城市，在她回加利福尼亚家的途中从那里去参加中部各州和中西部的帐棚大会，访问了教会机构。{LS 422.2}[20]
§54
Following the Conference session, Mrs. White met twice with the members of the General Conference Committee, before going on to Philadelphia and other cities of the East, and thence to camp meetings and institutions in the Central States and the Middle West, en route to her California home.?{LS 422.2}[20]
§55
怀夫人在会见总会委员会时，宣读了论及弟兄们所困惑的一些问题的文稿。要在国内国外各城中做成比迄今所尝试的更大的工作的呼召，只有在得到人力财力用来推进这种工作时才能得到响应。为了迅速而有效地开辟一场宽广而且深远的运动，怀夫人提出了在机构中心担负重担的一些工人解脱出来作福音传道工作的可取性。她说：{LS 422.3}[21]
§56
In her interviews with the General Conference Committee, Mrs. White read manuscripts dealing with some of the problems that were perplexing the brethren. The call to do a much larger work in the cities at home and abroad, than had hitherto been attempted, could be responded to only as men and means could be found to use in the carrying forward of such work. In order that a broad and far-reaching campaign might be inaugurated quickly and effectively, Mrs. White suggested the advisability of releasing for evangelistic service some of the workers bearing heavy burdens in institutional centers. She said:?{LS 422.3}[21]
§57
“我们必须尽可能地为我们各工作中心的事务管理找到在业务方面受过训练的献身的人。我们在将上帝圣道的各项真理呈现在不信者面前时，总要避免把那些能在公众布道上作更重要工作的人束缚在这些中心机构。……{LS 422.4}[22]
§58
“For the conduct of affairs at the various centers of our work, we must endeavor, as far as possible, to find consecrated men who have been trained in business lines. We must guard against tying up at these centers of influence men who could do a more?important work on the public platform, in presenting before unbelievers the truths of God’s word....?{LS 422.4}[22]
§59
“在我们作上帝仆人者的身上，负有传扬这第三位天使信息的责任，这乃是最后的信息，就是要预备一班百姓迎接君王莅临。时间短促，主极愿凡与祂圣工有关的事，都一一按着次序行。祂极愿祂的使者将祂的警告和邀请的严肃信息，尽可能地传得越广越好。进入库中的钱，要聪明地用来赡养工人们。凡是有碍于这信息进行的事，一样也不容侵入我们计划之中。……{LS 423.1}[23]
§60
“To us, as God’s servants, has been entrusted the third angel’s message, the binding-off message, that is to prepare a people for the coming of our King. Time is short. The Lord desires that everything connected with His cause shall be brought into order. He desires that the solemn message of warning and of invitation shall be proclaimed as widely as His messengers can carry it. The means that shall come into the treasury, is to be used wisely in supporting the workers. Nothing that would hinder the advance of the message, is to be allowed to come into our planning....?{LS 423.1}[23]
§61
“历年来我们工作的先锋们与贫穷及诸般的艰难奋斗，为的是要使现代真理的事业占有优势。当时设备虽然简朴，但他们却仍孜孜不倦地劳力从事，主也赐福与他们谦逊的努力。这信息很有力地在东部传开，又向西部扩展，直至许多地方都设立了具有感化力的中心点。现今的工人或者可以不必忍受往日的一切困难。可是无论如何，决不可因为时势的改变，竟在工作上怠慢起来。现在主既然吩咐我们再度用力在东部宣扬信息，祂既要我们向东西南北四方的城市进发，我们岂不应当同心一致地去遵行祂的吩咐吗？岂不应计划差派我们的使者往各处去，并且慷慨供应他们的需用吗？……{LS 423.2}[24]
§62
“For years the pioneers of our work struggled against poverty and manifold hardships, in order to place the cause of present truth on vantage ground. With meager facilities, they labored untiringly; and the Lord blessed their humble efforts. The message went with power in the East, and extended westward, until centers of influence had been established in many places. The laborers of today may not have to endure all the hardships of those early days. The changed conditions, however, should not lead to any slackening of effort. Now, when the Lord bids us proclaim the message once more with power in the East, when He bids us enter the cities of the East, and of the South, and of the West, and of the North, shall we not respond as one man and do His bidding? Shall we not plan to send our messengers all through these fields, and support them liberally? ...?{LS 423.2}[24]
§63
“试问如果不是为了推进这种工作，我们为什么要设置区会呢？在现今这样的时候，每一个人都要动手作工。主要来了，末日临近了，临近而且甚快！再过不多的时候，我们就不能象现在这样自由地作工了。可怕的景象已在我们面前，凡我们所做的必须快快地做。我们现在必须在每一可能的地方开展工作。为完成此项大工起见，我们急需有经验的传道人在这一领域提供帮助。他们能抓住广大会众的注意力。……{LS 423.3}[25]
§64
“What are our conferences for, if not for the carrying forward of this very work? At such a time as this, every hand is to be employed. The Lord is coming. The end is near; yea, it hasteth greatly!?In a little while from this we shall be unable to work with the freedom that we now enjoy. Terrible scenes are before us, and what we do, we must do quickly. We must now build up the work in every place possible. And for the accomplishment of this work we greatly need in the field the help that can be given by our ministers of experience who are able to hold the attention of large congregations....?{LS 423.3}[25]
§65
“在离家之前我曾答应主，要是祂愿意保留我的性命，且使我能来参加这次大会，我就会传达祂曾多次为各城赐给我的信息，城中有千千万万的人还没有认识真理就要灭亡。我已把这个信息传给百姓，上帝的福气也厚赐在我身上。而今，我的弟兄们，我奉主的名呼吁你们竭尽全力，并要作出计划，按上帝指定的方式推进圣工。……{LS 424.1}[26]
§66
“Before leaving home I promised the Lord that if He would spare my life, and enable me to come to this Conference, I would deliver the message He had repeatedly given me in behalf of the cities, in which thousands upon thousands are perishing without a knowledge of the truth. As I have borne this message to the people, the blessing of God has rested on me richly. And now, my brethren, I appeal to you in the name of the Lord to do your best, and to plan for the advancement of the work in God’s appointed way....?{LS 424.1}[26]
§67
“我们在做这种工作的时候，将会发现必有经济流入我们的库房，我们必有金钱可用于推进更广大更深远的工作。我们难道不应该凭着信心前进，就如我们有数千美元那样吗？足够的信心，我们拥有的还不到一半。我们应尽自己的本分，警告这些城市。警告的信息必须传给那快要灭亡，未蒙警告，未曾得救的人。我们怎能迟延呢？当我们前进之时，经济是会来的。但我们必须凭着信心前进，信靠以色列的主上帝。”[摘自一份文稿，部分内容已发表在《教会证言》卷九，第98,99页。]{LS 424.2}[27]
§68
“As we do this work, we shall find that means will flow into our treasuries, and we shall have means with which to carry on a still broader and more far-reaching work. Shall we not advance in faith, just as if we had thousands of dollars? We do not have half faith enough. Let us do our part in warning these cities. The warning message must come to the people who are ready to perish, unwarned, unsaved. How can we delay? As we advance, the means will come. But we must advance by faith, trusting in the Lord God of Israel.” [From a manuscript, portions of which have been published in?Testimonies for the Church 9:98, 99.]?{LS 424.2}[27]