第19章 应在何处安家
§1
第19章 应在何处安家
§2
Chap. 19 - Where Shall the Home Be?
§3
选择安家之处的原则——当我们选择在何处居住的时候，上帝要我们先考虑到那环绕我们和我们家庭的道德及信仰方面的影响。[1]
§4
Guiding Principles in Choosing the Location.--In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families. {AH 131.1}[1]
§5
我们应该选择最有利于我们灵性长进的社交环境，并且充分利用我们所能得到的各种帮助。因为撒但将要布下许多障碍，使我们在奔走天国的进程中困难重重。我们或要陷入难堪的处境，因为许多人的处境都不能如愿以偿；但我们不应自甘置身不利于建造基督化品格的影响之下。若因职责所迫，而不得不如此，就当加倍地警醒祷告，以便靠赖基督的恩典不致腐化而屹立不移。[2]
§6
We should choose the society most favorable to our spiritual advancement, and avail ourselves of every help within our reach; for Satan will oppose many hindrances to make our progress toward heaven as difficult as possible. We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; but we should not voluntarily expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character. When duty calls us to do this, we should be doubly watchful and prayerful, that, through the grace of Christ, we may stand uncorrupted. {AH 131.2}[2]
§7
福音……教训我们，凡事都当按照它真实的价值而予以权衡，并当尽最大的努力以争取最有价值的事物——就是那能存到永恒的事物。这番教训，对于负有选立家庭之重责的人是极端需要的。他们不应容许任何事物使他们转离那最高尚的目标。[3]
§8
The gospel . . . teaches us to estimate things at their true value, and to give the most effort to the things of greatest worth--the things that will endure. This lesson is needed by those upon whom rests the responsibility of selecting a home. They should not allow themselves to be diverted from the highest aim. . . . {AH 131.3}[3]
§9
在寻找安家之处时，要让这原则指导你的选择。勿被财利的欲望，时尚的例则，或社会的习俗所控制。务要考虑那些事物最能增进简朴、纯洁、健康，并具有真正的价值。[4]
§10
As the location for a home is sought, let this purpose direct the choice. Be not controlled by the desire for wealth, the dictates of fashion, or the customs of society. Consider what will tend most to simplicity, purity, health, and real worth. . . . {AH 131.4}[4]
§11
最好不要住在那到处只看见人造之物的地方，那里的一切声色足以诱发恶念，那里的喧嚣与混乱也足以导致困乏和忧惧，应当到那能瞻望上帝作为的地方去。要在大自然的幽美、宁静、与和平之中，寻得心灵上的安息。要游目于绿色的田野、丛林和山岗之间。要仰视那未受都市的尘垢和烟雾所污蔽的碧空，并呼吸那增益活力的属天的空气。[5]
§12
Instead of dwelling where only the works of men can be seen, where the sights and sounds frequently suggest thoughts of evil, where turmoil and confusion bring weariness and disquietude, go where you can look upon the works of God. Find rest of spirit in the beauty and quietude and peace of nature. Let the eye rest on the green fields, the groves, and the hills. Look up to the blue sky, unobscured by the citys dust and smoke, and breathe the invigorating air of heaven. {AH 131.5}[5]
§13
第一个家庭乃是模范——我们始祖的家庭，是要作子子孙孙在全地上所建立之家庭的模范。上帝亲手所装饰的第一个家，并不是一所豪华的宫殿，世人凭着骄傲的心志喜爱华贵的大厦，因自己的建筑而夸耀得意；但是上帝把亚当安置在园中，这园子就是他的家。蔚蓝的天空就是屋顶；地和地上美丽的鲜花以及碧绿的青草便是地板，大树上繁茂的枝条便是华盖。四围则悬挂着最壮丽的装饰品——天上大艺术家的杰作。这一对圣洁夫妇的环境所给予世世代代的教训，就是：真正的幸福不是骄奢淫佚的生活，乃是在乎借着上帝创造之工与他交往。只要世人少注意矫揉造作，而多追求淳朴率真，他们就更能合乎上帝造他们的旨意。骄傲和野心是永不能满足的，唯独那些有真智慧的人，才能得到实在和高尚的快乐；上帝已经安排一切，使人人都可以得到这快乐。[6]
§14
The First Home a Model.--The home of our first parents was to be a pattern for other homes as their children should go forth to occupy the earth. That home, beautified by the hand of God Himself, was not a gorgeous palace. Men, in their pride, delight in magnificent and costly edifices, and glory in the works of their own hands: but God placed Adam in a garden. This was his dwelling. The blue heavens were its dome; the earth, with its delicate flowers and carpet of living green, was its floor; and the leafy branches of the goodly trees were its canopy. Its walls were hung with the most magnificent adornings--the handiwork of the great Master Artist. In the surroundings of the holy pair was a lesson for all time--that true happiness is found, not in the indulgence of pride and luxury, but in communion with God through His created works. If men would give less attention to the artificial and would cultivate greater simplicity, they would come far nearer to answering the purpose of God in their creation. Pride and ambition are never satisfied, but those who are truly wise will find substantial and elevating pleasure in the sources of enjoyment that God has placed within the reach of all. {AH 132.1}[6]
§15
上帝为他儿子所选择的地上的家庭——耶稣到这世界上来，乃要成就人间所成就的最伟大的工作。他以上帝使者的身份而来，要向我们显示，如何生活才能获得人生最佳的成果。无穷之父为他儿子所选择的家境是怎样的呢？一个僻处加利利山地与世隔绝的家庭；一个借着忠诚自重的劳作来维持的家庭；一种简朴的生活；每日与艰难困苦搏斗、克己、节俭，与坚忍而愉快的服务；在他母亲身旁研究那展开的经卷的时刻；在翠绿的山谷中宁静的黎明和黄昏；大自然神圣的服役，创造之工与神旨的研究，以及心灵与上帝的交往——这一切便是耶稣早年生活的境况与机遇。[7]
§16
Gods Choice of an Earthly Home for His Son.-- Jesus came to this earth to accomplish the greatest work ever accomplished among men. He came as Gods ambassador, to show us how to live so as to secure lifes best results. What were the conditions chosen by the Infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mothers side, with the open scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the souls communion with God--these were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus. {AH 132.2}[7]
§17
在应许之地的乡居生活——进入应许之地后，那从旷野中就已开始了的训练，便在有利于养成正当习惯的环境下，得以继续进行。人们并没有拥塞在大城市里，每一个家庭都各有自己的土地，确实享受一种自然而毫不腐败的生活所有的一切康宁之福。[8]
§18
Rural Homes in the Promised Land.--In the Promised Land the discipline begun in the wilderness was continued under circumstances favorable to the formation of right habits. The people were not crowded together in cities, but each family had its own landed possession, ensuring to all the health-giving blessings of a natural, unperverted life. {AH 133.1}[8]
§19
环境所加予约翰品格上的影响——作基督先锋的施洗约翰，从他的父母那里接受了早期的训练。他一生的大部分时间都是在旷野中度过的。约翰选择了弃绝城市生活的享乐与奢华，宁愿接受旷野中严格的训练。在此，他的环境有利于养成朴实和克己的习惯。他可以不被世俗的喧嚣所阻扰，而研究自然、启示、与神旨所含的教训。从童年开始，他的使命便常常摆在他面前，而他也接受了那神圣的委托。对他而言，隐居旷野乃是他所欢迎的一种逃避，可以远离那几乎已充斥整个社会的猜疑、不信、与不洁。他不信任自己抗拒试探的能力，因而退避一隅，不愿常常触及罪恶，唯恐自己失去对于罪之极度可憎性的自觉。[9]
§20
Effect of Environment on the Character of John.-- John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, received his early training from his parents. The greater portion of his life was spent in the wilderness. . . . It was Johns choice to forego the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence. . . . From his childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he accepted the holy trust. To him the solitude of the desert was a welcome escape from the society in which suspicion, unbelief, and impurity had become well-nigh all-pervading. He distrusted his own power to withstand temptation and shrank from constant contact with sin lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness. {AH 133.2}[9]
§21
其他生长于乡间的先贤——历代以来，大多数圣善而高贵的人物，也都是如此。试研究亚伯拉罕、雅各、约瑟、摩西、大卫、及以利沙等先贤的历史。试研究近代那班身负重责巨任，而最忠于职守之人的生平。[10]
§22
Other Worthies Reared in Country Homes.--So with the great majority of the best and noblest men of all ages. Read the history of Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph; of Moses, David, and Elisha. Study the lives of men of later times who have most worthily filled positions of trust and responsibility. {AH 134.1}[10]
§23
这些人大多数都是在乡间的家庭中长大的。他们几乎不知道什么是奢华。他们并未将青年时期消耗于游乐中。有许多还必须与贫困和艰难搏斗。他们早已习于操劳，而且他们在户外的忙碌生活，已赋予他们一切机能以丰沛的活力，可以运用自如。他们既逼不得已须靠赖自己的机智，就学会了如何应付艰难，克服阻碍，由是而获得了勇气与坚忍。他们学习了自立与自制的教训。他们既蒙庇护而很少与不良的同伴交往，就以自然之乐并与益友过从而心满意足。他们的爱好很单纯，习惯也有节制。他们既受原则所管理，等到长大成人，就有纯洁、强健与诚实的品质。一旦蒙召担负他们的终身使命时，他们就有充分的体力和智力，活泼的精神、策划和实践的能力，以及抗拒邪恶的毅力，而使他们在世上成为一股积极为善的力量。[11]
§24
How many of these were reared in country homes. They knew little of luxury. They did not spend their youth in amusement. Many were forced to struggle with poverty and hardship. They early learned to work, and their active life in the open air gave vigor and elasticity to all their faculties. Forced to depend upon their own resources, they learned to combat difficulties and to surmount obstacles, and they gained courage and perseverance. They learned the lessons of self-reliance and self-control. Sheltered in a great degree from evil associations, they were satisfied with natural pleasures and wholesome companionships. They were simple in their tastes and temperate in their habits. They were governed by principle, and they grew up pure and strong and true. When called to their lifework, they brought to it physical and mental power, buoyancy of spirit, ability to plan and execute, and steadfastness in resisting evil that made them a positive power for good in the world. {AH 134.2}[11]