第30章 最好的教育及其宗旨
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第30章 最好的教育及其宗旨
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Chap. 30 - The Best Education and Its Purpose
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能给儿童和青年的最佳教育，乃是与不朽的来生有最密切关系的教育。这种教育应该由敬虔的父母、献身的教师和教会提供，目的是最终使青年转而成为热心的传道士，或在国内，或在国外的园地。应该认真地在圣经真理方面教导他们，使他们成为教会的柱石，真理的战士，在真道上有根有基。他们要知道自己信仰的缘由，也要在上帝的事上有经验，决不成为辜负圣托的人。{FE 231.1}[1]
§4
The best education that can be given to children and youth is that which bears the closest relation to the future, immortal life. This kind of education should be given by godly parents, by devoted teachers, and by the church, to the end that the youth in turn may become zealous missionaries for either home or foreign fields. They are to be earnestly instructed in the truths of the Bible, that they may become pillars in the church, champions for truth, rooted and grounded in the faith. They are to know whereof they believe, and to have such an experience in divine things that they will never become betrayers of sacred trusts. {FE 231.1}[1]
§5
应该藉着言传身教教育青年：他们要作上帝的代表、仁慈的使者，准备好说出仁慈的话，作出仁慈的举动，成为将亡之人的福气。我们很需要有教养的才能。所交托给我们青年的才干应该分别为圣以侍奉上帝，用在圣工上。应该有能够胜任的男男女女在各教会中作工，训练我们的青年做专门的工作，好使生灵能看见耶稣。我们所建立的各学校应该着眼于这个目标，而不要追随其他教派所建学校的等次，或属世神学院和大学的等次。我们的学校要有总的来说更高的等次，不发起也不支持任何背信的状态。要教育学生实际的基督教，必须视圣经为最高级、最重要的课本。{FE 231.2}[2]
§6
The youth should be educated by precept and example that they are to be agents for God, messengers of mercy, ready for every good word and work, that they are to be blessings to those who are ready to perish. We are in great need of educated ability, and the talents intrusted to our youth should be consecrated to the service of God, and employed in His work. There should be men and women who are qualified to work in the churches and to train our young people for special lines of work, that souls may be brought to see Jesus. The schools established by us should have in view this object, and not be after the order of the denominational schools established by other churches, or after the order of worldly seminaries and colleges. They are to be of an altogether higher order, where no phase of infidelity shall be originated, or countenanced. The students are to be educated in practical Christianity, and the Bible must be regarded as the highest, the most important textbook. {FE 231.2}[2]
§7
世界各地都非常需要基督徒教师和医疗布道士。在国内外的各园地中，都有门户敞开欢迎能使人身心受益、传讲宝贵真理亮光的人。过去在这方面的疏忽不可持续下去。照在我们道路上的大光在有些方面比别的方面多一些，可是我们在这些方面的进步却远远落后于我们所拥有的亮光。我们许多很有希望的青年男女已在偶像的神龛前奉献了自己最好的才能，把自己作为牺牲献给了邪恶之君。巴不得我们学校中的青年人都接受上帝之灵的宝贵争取，知道祂天意的指示，等候上帝，以便明白和遵行祂的旨意！这样，他们就会向耶稣敞开心门。{FE 231.3}[3]
§8
There is a great demand in all parts of the world for Christian teachers and for medical missionaries. In all parts of the field both at home and abroad, are open doors for those who can do good to body and soul, presenting the precious light of truth. The past neglect in this direction must not be perpetuated. Great light has shone upon our pathway in some directions more than others, and yet our advance along these very lines has been far behind the light we have had. Many of our most promising young men and women have offered their best ability at the shrine of idols, and have given themselves as a sacrifice to the prince of evil. O that the youth in our schools, one and all, might yield to the precious strivings of the Spirit of the Lord, that they might know the indications of His providence, and wait upon God, that they might know and do His will! In this way they would open the door of the heart to Jesus. {FE 231.3}[3]
§9
我们投诚于上帝，才会获大益。我们既然都有品格的弱点，就要与那位有力量能拯救的主联合。我们的无知就会与无限的智慧联合，我们的脆弱与持久的力量联合，象雅各一样，我们每一个人都可以成为上帝的一个王子。我们与耶和华以色列的上帝联络，就会有来自上头的能力使我们成为得胜者；而我们藉着把神圣的爱分给人，便得以接近人心。我们以颤抖的手抓住无穷者的宝座说：“祢若不给我祝福，我就不容祢去”（创32:26）。主已经应许说祂必赐福给我们，也会使我们造福他人；这就是我们的光荣，我们的快乐，我们的胜利。当青年明白何为心中有上帝的眷爱时，才会开始认识到那以血买来的特权何等可贵，就会进而将自己的能力献给上帝，也会努力增加上帝赐给他们的才干，为主服务。{FE 232.1}[4]
§10
In surrendering ourselves to God, we reap great advantages; for if we have weaknesses of character, as we all have, we unite ourselves to One who is mighty to save. Our ignorance will be united to infinite wisdom, our frailty to enduring might, and, like Jacob, we may each become a prince with God. Connected with the Lord God of Israel, we shall have power from above which will enable us to be overcomers; and by the impartation of divine love, we shall find access to the hearts of men. We shall have fastened our trembling grasp upon the throne of the Infinite, and shall say, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. The assurance is given that He will bless us and make us a blessing; and this is our light, our joy, our triumph. When the youth understand what it is to have the favor and love of God in the heart, they will begin to realize the value of their blood-bought privileges, and will consecrate their ability to God, and strive with all their God-given powers to increase their talents to use in the Masters service. {FE 232.1}[4]
§11
在这个罪恶的时代，青年唯一的保障就是与上帝有活的联系。他们必须学习如何寻求上帝，好为圣灵充满，行事好像认识到全体天军都在关怀注意他们，准备在危险和需要时为他们效力。我们应当以警告来护卫青年，指导他们抗拒试探。教他们知道在上帝的话中所能得到的鼓励，让他们看出踏上罪恶路途是何等危险。他们应当学会尊重上帝圣言中的劝勉。要教导他们决心抵抗罪恶，决不踏上没有耶稣同行、不得祂赐福的路。他们应当受教知道实际的、日常的宗教，这种信仰会使他们在人生的各种关系上、在家中、在业务上、在教会和社会上成为圣洁。他们必须受教认识到：将自己的特权视同儿戏是一件危险的事，上帝期待他们天天虔诚认真地寻求祂的赐福。上帝的福气是一个宝贵的礼物，要认为值得为它付上任何代价。上帝所赐的福使人富足，并不加上忧虑。{FE 232.2}[5]
§12
The only safety for our youth in this age of sin and crime is to have a living connection with God. They must learn how to seek God, that they may be filled with His Holy Spirit, and act as though they realized that the whole host of heaven was looking upon them with interested solicitude, ready to minister unto them in danger and in time of need. The youth should be barricaded by warning and instruction against temptation. They should be taught what are the encouragements held out to them in the word of God. They should have delineated before them the peril of taking a step into the by-paths of evil. They should be educated to revere the counsels of God in His sacred oracles. They should be so instructed that they will set their resolution against evil, and determine that they will not enter into any path where they could not expect Jesus to accompany them, and His blessing to abide upon them. They should be taught practical, daily religion that will sanctify them in every relation of life, in their homes, in business, in the church, in society. They must be so educated that they will realize that it is a perilous thing to trifle with their privileges, but that God expects them reverently and earnestly to seek daily for His blessing. The blessing of God is a precious gift, and it is to be counted of such worth that it will not be surrendered at any cost. The blessing of God maketh rich, and it addeth no sorrow. {FE 232.2}[5]
§13
我得知人们滥用高贵的能力去侍奉撒但，内心便深为难受。在政府部门，在位高权重的地方，在公务上，人们受那恶者的试探；结果便是腐败和罪行、贪污、抢夺和敲诈勒索。有可怕的腐败沉沦，向我们的世界倾倒有毒的影响，败坏社会。撒但到处设下圈套， 以便诱捕受过教育的人，有良好天赋的人，以及能与上帝同工、与天使作伴、住在天国的人，好把他们绑在他的车上，作他的奴隶。可是耶稣已经赎回他们脱离仇敌的奴役，而他们若拒绝得自由，就不会成为上帝的儿子，上帝的后嗣，与耶稣基督同作后嗣，承受不朽的产业。他们活得好像尘世、金钱、职位、房子和地产才是他们受造的主要目标。他们的生命虽因上帝的慈怜而得以延长，然而看到具有高尚才能的人过着如此低俗的生活，岂不是一幅可怜的景象吗？{FE 233.1}[6]
§14
My heart is stirred to its depths as I read of the prostitution of noble powers to the service of Satan. In governmental departments, in positions of high responsibility, in official trusts, men are tempted by the evil one; and corruption and crime, embezzlements, robberies, and extortions are the result. There are terrible sinks of corruption, pouring out upon our world poisonous influences that corrupt the community. In every place Satan has set his traps that he may catch men of education, of good natural endowments, men who are capable of becoming laborers together with God, companions of angels, inhabitants of heaven, that he may bind them to his car as his slaves. And yet Jesus has ransomed them from the bondage of the enemy, and they refuse to be at liberty, and will not become the sons of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to an immortal inheritance. They live as though the earth, money, position, houses, and lands were the main objects of their creation. Through the tender mercy of God their life is prolonged; but is it not a pitiable sight to see men of high ability living on so low a plane? {FE 233.1}[6]
§15
赎价已付，人人都可能进到上帝面前，藉着过顺从的生活来获致永生。人放弃不朽的基业，满足骄傲，自私和炫耀的心理，屈从撒但的权势，而丧失他今生和来生原可享有的福气，这是一件多么不幸的事情啊！他们原可进入天上的王宫，自由平等地与基督和天使，以及上帝的众子交往；可是，似乎难以置信，他们竟转离了天庭的吸引。创造诸世界的主，愿意爱那些相信祂独生子为个人救主的人，正如祂爱祂自己的儿子。就在此时此地祂也要将祂仁慈的恩典出人意料，丰丰满满地赐给我们。祂已将天上的光明和尊荣赐给人类。祂还把天上的一切财富与祂一同赐给我们。祂除了赐给我们来生的应许之外，还在今生赐给我们宝贵的恩赐。我们既蒙受祂的恩典，祂就希望我们享有能提高和发展我们品格的一切恩赐。祂的计划是要我们适合进入天庭。{FE 234.1}[7]
§16
The ransom has been paid, and it is possible for all to come to God, and through a life of obedience to attain unto everlasting life. Then how sad it is that men turn from the immortal inheritance, and live for the gratification of pride, for selfishness and display, and through submission to the rule of Satan, lose the blessing which they might have both in this life and in the life to come. They might enter into the palaces of heaven, and associate on terms of freedom and equality with Christ and heavenly angels, and with the princes of God; and yet, incredible as it may seem, they turn from heavenly attractions. The Creator of all worlds proposes to love those who believe in His only-begotten Son as their personal Saviour, even as He loves His Son. Even here and now His gracious favor is bestowed upon us to this marvelous extent. He has given to men the gift of the Light and Majesty of heaven, and with Him He has bestowed all the treasures of heaven. Much as He has promised us for the life to come, He also bestows princely gifts upon us in this life, and as subjects of His grace, He would have us enjoy everything that will ennoble, expand, and elevate our characters. It is His design to fit us for the heavenly courts above. {FE 234.1}[7]
§17
撒但正在争夺人的灵魂，将他邪恶的阴影投在他们的道路上，为要让他们不看亮光。他不愿意让他们看到天国居民将来所要享受的尊贵和永远荣耀，预尝天国的福乐。但我们既有属天迷人的事物摆在面前，引起希望、唤起愿望、激起努力，怎么还能转离前途，选择罪和罪的工价，就是死呢？{FE 234.2}[8]
§18
But Satan is contending for the souls of men, and casts his hellish shadow athwart their path, in order that they shall not behold the light. He would not have them catch a glimpse of the future honor, the eternal glories, laid up for those who shall be inhabitants of heaven, or have a taste of the experience that gives a foretaste of the happiness of heaven. But with the heavenly attractions set before the mind to inspire hope, to awaken desire, to spur to effort, how can we turn from the prospect, and choose sin and its wages, which is death? {FE 234.2}[8]
§19
凡接受基督为他们救主的人，拥有今生和来生的应许。人的任何一部分能力都不应用来侍奉撒但；而应全然效忠无限永生的上帝。基督最卑微的门徒，也能成为天上的居民，承受上帝永不败坏永不衰残的基业。唯愿人人都选择这天国的恩赐，成为上帝的后嗣。他们的产业是毁灭者所无法侵犯的永恒世界。切莫选择这个世界，而要选择那更美的产业！要勇往直前，向着标杆直跑，要得在基督耶稣里召你们来得的奖赏。为了基督的缘故，你们受教育的目的要受那更美的世界所激励所影响。——《评论与通讯》1893年11月21日。{FE 234.3}[9]
§20
Those who accept Christ as their Saviour have the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. The human agent owes no part of his ability to the service of Satan; but his entire allegiance is due to the infinite and eternal God. The lowliest disciple of Christ may become an inhabitant of heaven, an heir of God to an inheritance incorruptible, and that fadeth not away. O that every one might make choice of the heavenly gift, become an heir of God to that inheritance whose title is secure from any destroyer, world without end! O, choose not the world, but choose the better inheritance! Press, urge your way toward the mark for the prize of your high calling in Christ Jesus. For Christs sake, let the aim of your education be shaped by the inducements of the better world.-- Review and Herald, Nov. 21, 1893. {FE 234.3}[9]