第21章 乡居之益
§1
第21章 乡居之益
§2
Chap. 21 - Advantages of the Country
§3
一片土地和一个舒适的家——无论何时，只要可能的话，作父母的有责任要为他们的儿女在乡间安置住家。[1]
§4
With a Piece of Land and a Comfortable Home.-- Whenever possible, it is the duty of parents to make homes in the country for their children. {AH 141.1}[1]
§5
那拥有一片土地和一个舒适之家的父亲和母亲，就是君王和王后。[2]
§6
Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens. {AH 141.2}[2]
§7
当你们蒙召离开城市迁居乡间时，不要视为一件难事。那里有诸般丰盛的福惠，正等待一切愿意去握持它们的人。[3]
§8
Do not consider it a privation when you are called to leave the cities and move out into the country places. Here there await rich blessings for those who will grasp them. {AH 141.3}[3]
§9
有利于经济的安全——主再三地指示：我们的同道应当将他们的家庭迁离城市，移居乡间，在那里，他们可以种植自己的粮食；因为将来买卖的困难，乃是非常严重的问题之一。我们现在就当开始注意这一再传与我们的教训：离开城市，到乡间去；那里的房屋不太稠密，在那里，你们可以免受仇敌的干扰。[4]
§10
Contributes to Economic Security.--Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions; for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one. We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again: Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies. (For further detailed counsel on this topic see Country Living.) {AH 141.4}[4]
§11
劝告一位住在市区的人——你最好放下一切使你困扰的操心之事，到乡间去寻觅一个幽静的隐居之所，那里没有如此强烈的败坏青年道德的影响力。不错，你在乡间也不可能完全脱离烦恼与困惑，但你在那里就能避免许多罪恶，并堵塞住势将制胜你儿女心志的试探之洪流。他们需有可作之工和多样的变化。家中千篇一律的单调情形，足以使他们局促不安、浮躁不宁，因而日趋堕落，染上当地行为不端的年轻人的恶习，如此便领受了街头的教育。……[5]
§12
Advice to a City Dweller.--It would be well for you to lay by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young. True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education. . . . {AH 141.5}[5]
§13
乡居对他们大有裨益：勤奋的户外生活，极有利于发展身心的健康。他们最好有个可垦殖的园子，在那里，他们既可找到乐趣，又可从事有用的劳作。栽种花木有助于培养审美观和鉴别力，对于上帝的有益而又美丽的创造物之认识，足能在心意中挥发文雅而高贵的影响力，指引它归向那位万物之创造主与统治主。[6]
§14
To live in the country would be very beneficial to them; an active, out-of-door life would develop health of both mind and body. They should have a garden to cultivate, where they might find both amusement and useful employment. The training of plants and flowers tends to the improvement of taste and judgment, while an acquaintance with Gods useful and beautiful creations has a refining and ennobling influence upon the mind, referring it to the Maker and Master of all. {AH 142.1}[6]
§15
乡居者确能获得丰盛的福惠——大地的深处蕴藏着诸般的福惠，要给予那些有勇气，志愿，与恒心去聚敛其珍宝的人。许多农人之所以未能从地里获得相当的酬报，乃是因为他们视这种工作为低贱之役；殊不知其中却蕴藏着要给予他们自己和家属的无上福惠呢！[7]
§16
Rich Blessings Assured Country Dwellers.--The earth has blessings hidden in her depths for those who have courage and will and perseverance to gather her treasures. . . . Many farmers have failed to secure adequate returns from their land because they have undertaken the work as though it was a degrading employment; they do not see that there is a blessing in it for themselves and their families. {AH 142.2}[7]
§17
劳作足以刺激心智，锻炼品格——在开垦土地的时候，细心的工人就必看出有许多从未梦想过的宝贝在他面前出现。人若不注意有关的规律，就决不能在农事或园艺上获致成功。每一种植物的特别需要，必须加以研究。不同的植物需要不同的土壤与栽培，而获致成功的条件就是遵从与每一植物有关的规律。移种之时必须注意，连一条须根也务使不受挤轧或被误置；稚嫩植物的照护；修剪与浇灌；使植物夜间不受霜打，白昼不被日晒；防免野草，疾病，和害虫；以及栽培修理等工作，不仅予人以发展品格的教训，而且这种工作的本身也就是一种发展的方法。在培养谨慎，忍耐，注意细节，顺从规律上，这种工作也予人以最重要的训练。得与生命的奥秘和自然的美丽时常接触，以及由照顾上帝所造这一切美丽之物所唤起的仁爱，均足以刺激人的心智，锻炼并提高人的品格。[8]
§18
Labor That Will Quicken the Mind, Refine the Character.--In the cultivation of the soil the thoughtful worker will find that treasures little dreamed of are opening up before him. No one can succeed in agriculture or gardening without attention to the laws involved. The special needs of every variety of plant must be studied. Different varieties require different soil and cultivation, and compliance with the laws governing each is the condition of success. The attention required in transplanting, that not even a root fiber shall be crowded or misplaced, the care of the young plants, the pruning and watering, the shielding from frost at night and sun by day, keeping out weeds, disease, and insect pests, the training and arranging, not only teach important lessons concerning the development of character, but the work itself is a means of development. In cultivating carefulness, patience, attention to detail, obedience to law, it imparts a most essential training. The constant contact with the mystery of life and the loveliness of nature, as well as the tenderness called forth in ministering to these beautiful objects of Gods creation, tends to quicken the mind and refine and elevate the character. {AH 142.3}[8]
§19
上帝必予教导——在伊甸指教亚当和夏娃如何修理园子的主，今日也乐于教导世人。那扶着犁头耕耘撒种的人，必得到智慧。大地有其隐藏的珍宝，主甚愿千千万万拥挤在大都市里等候机会博取蝇头微利的人，都来从事垦殖的工作。凡愿携眷入乡的人，就是把他们安置在试探最少的地方。儿女们如此与敬畏上帝的父母同住，在各方面皆有更好的环境向那位大教师学习，他乃是智慧的根基和源头。他们有最佳的机会可以获得进入天国的资格。[9]
§20
God Will Instruct and Teach.--He who taught Adam and Eve in Eden how to tend the garden would instruct men today. There is wisdom for him who holds the plow and plants and sows the seed. The earth has its concealed treasures, and the Lord would have thousands and tens of thousands working upon the soil who are crowded into the cities to watch for a chance to earn a trifle. . . . Those who will take their families into the country place them where they have fewer temptations. The children who are with parents that love and fear God are in every way much better situated to learn of the Great Teacher, who is the source and fountain of wisdom. They have a much more favorable opportunity to gain a fitness for the kingdom of heaven. {AH 143.1}[9]
§21
上帝为以色列全地所定的计划——由于不顺服上帝，亚当和夏娃丧失了伊甸，全地也因罪而遭受了咒诅。但是如果上帝的百姓肯遵从他的指示，他们的土地就必恢复原来的肥沃与美丽。上帝曾亲自指示他们如何耕种土地，并要他们在恢复的事工上与他合作。这样，全地在上帝的管理之下，将要成为一项属灵真理的实际教训。土地怎样遵照他的自然律产出宝物，照样，人心也要遵循他的道德律来反映他品德的特质。[10]
§22
Gods Plan for Israels Land.--Through disobedience to God Adam and Eve had lost Eden, and because of sin the whole earth was cursed. But if Gods people followed His instruction, their land would be restored to fertility and beauty. God Himself gave them directions in regard to the culture of the soil, and they were to co-operate with Him in its restoration. Thus the whole land, under Gods control, would become an object lesson of spiritual truth. As in obedience to His natural laws the earth should produce its treasures, so in obedience to His moral law the hearts of the people were to reflect the attributes of His character. {AH 143.2}[10]
§23
从日常生活中寻得属灵的教训——上帝已经在我们周围展示大自然的美丽景色，以吸引人的注意，而启迪其兴致。按他的旨意，乃要我们将大自然的荣美和他的圣德相提并论。如果我们能忠心地研究大自然的课本，我们就必发现它具有丰富的资料，供我们去思考上帝无穷的慈爱与能力。[11]
§24
Find Spiritual Lessons in Daily Living.--God has surrounded us with natures beautiful scenery to attract and interest the mind. It is His design that we should associate the glories of nature with His character. If we faithfully study the book of nature, we shall find it a fruitful source for contemplating the infinite love and power of God. {AH 144.1}[11]
§25
基督不仅将他的教训与安息日连接起来，也与其余工作的六天连接起来。他教训我们在犁田撒种上，在耕作和收获上，看出他的恩典在人心中工作的例证。照样，在各种有益的劳作上，以及在人生的每一细节中，他都渴望我们能发现神圣的真理。这样我们日常的操作就不致摄夺我们的注意，使我们忘记上帝；反而要不断地提醒我们想念到我们的创造主和救赎主。上帝的意念就必像一条金线，贯串在我们一切家常的事务和业务之中了。为了我们，他圣颜的光辉就必重新投射在自然界的外观上。我们将经常学习有关天国真理的新教训，并渐渐长成他纯洁的形象。[12]
§26
Christ has linked His teaching, not only with the day of rest, but with the week of toil. . . . In the plowing and sowing, the tilling and reaping, He teaches us to see an illustration of His work of grace in the heart. So in every line of useful labor and every association of life, He desires us to find a lesson of divine truth. Then our daily toil will no longer absorb our attention and lead us to forget God; it will continually remind us of our Creator and Redeemer. The thought of God will run like a thread of gold through all our homely cares and occupations. For us the glory of His face will again rest upon the face of nature. We shall ever be learning new lessons of heavenly truth and growing into the image of His purity. {AH 144.2}[12]
§27
管辖大自然与人类的乃属同一规律——大教师导使他的听众与自然接触，以便他们谛听那借一切受造之物而发言的声音，及至他们的心地柔化，思想能以容受了，他就帮助他们解释所见事物的属灵教训。在他的教训中，有些事物是人人都感到兴趣，且是诉诸每一个人心的。这样，就使日常的职务不致仅成为一番苦役，而丧失其高深的意义，反倒因不时使人想起那属灵和未见之事而成为愉快高尚的了。[13]
§28
Identical Laws Govern Nature and Mankind.--The Great Teacher brought His hearers in contact with nature, that they might listen to the voice which speaks in all created things; and as their hearts became tender and their minds receptive, He helped them to interpret the spiritual teaching of the scenes upon which their eyes rested. . . . In His lessons there was something to interest every mind, to appeal to every heart. Thus the daily task, instead of being a mere round of toil, bereft of higher thoughts, was brightened and uplifted by constant reminders of the spiritual and the unseen. {AH 144.3}[13]
§29
我们也当如此教导。使儿童学习从自然界中看出上帝仁爱与智慧的流露，使他们看到禽鸟、花卉和树木的时候，便联想到上帝；使一切能见的事物，对于他们都成为未见之事的解答，并使人生的一切境遇，都作为神圣教育的工具。[14]
§30
So we should teach. Let the children learn to see in nature an expression of the love and the wisdom of God; let the thought of Him be linked with bird and flower and tree; let all things seen become to them the interpreters of the unseen, and all the events of life be a means of divine teaching. {AH 145.1}[14]
§31
当他们学习如此研究一切受造之物和一切生活经验的教训时，就必看出那统治自然事物与人生境遇的规律，也就是支配我们的规律；这些规律是为我们的利益而制定的，唯有服从这些规律，我们才能获得真正的幸福与成功。[15]
§32
As they learn thus to study the lessons in all created things and in all lifes experiences, show that the same laws which govern the things of nature and the events of life are to control us, that they are given for our good, and that only in obedience to them can we find true happiness and success. {AH 145.2}[15]
§33
农作所含的实际教训——在生长的各项步骤所含的无数教训中，有些最可贵的已在救主撒种的比喻中发挥了。这比喻对于老幼都有教训。[16]
§34
Give Practical Lessons in Agriculture.--Of the almost innumerable lessons taught in the varied processes of growth, some of the most precious are conveyed in the Saviours parable of the growing seed. It has lessons for old and young. . . . {AH 145.3}[16]
§35
种子的发芽代表灵命的肇始，植物的发育，乃是品格发展的象征。父母及教师在讲授这些教训的时候，当采用实际的方法。当使儿童自行培土撒种。当他们在工作时，父母或教师可以向其说明心中的园地和撒在其中的好种或坏种，并解释园地必须预备妥当方可下种；人心也是如此，必须预备妥当，才能撒下真理的种子。无人将立即收获庄稼的期望，寄诸未经开垦的荒土上。必须先在预备土壤，撒播种子，和栽培禾稼的事上，殷勤不倦地努力方可。属灵的方面的撒种也须如此。[17]
§36
The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a figure of the development of character. . . . As parents and teachers try to teach these lessons, the work should be made practical. Let the children themselves prepare the soil and sow the seed. As they work, the parent or teacher can explain the garden of the heart, with the good or bad seed sown there, and that as the garden must be prepared for the natural seed, so the heart must be prepared for the seed of truth. . . . No one settles upon a raw piece of land with the expectation that it will at once yield a harvest. Diligent, persevering labor must be put forth in the preparation of the soil, the sowing of the seed, and the culture of the crop. So it must be in the spiritual sowing. {AH 145.4}[17]
§37
不良的习惯犹如野草——倘属可能的话，家庭应当安设在市区以外，使儿女有可耕之地。最好让他们各有一片田地；而当你教导他们怎样修理园囿，如何预备土地以待撒种，并经常薅除野草之重要性时，也当教导他们明白革除生活中丑恶的、有害的癖习之重要性。当教他们怎样克制不良的习惯，犹如克制园中蔓生的野草一般。教授这种功课是要用些时间的，但是必能得到报偿，大大的报偿。[18]
§38
Wrong Habits Seen as Weeds.--If possible, the home should be out of the city, where the children can have ground to cultivate. Let them each have a piece of ground of their own; and as you teach them how to make a garden, how to prepare the soil for seed, and the importance of keeping all the weeds pulled out, teach them also how important it is to keep unsightly, injurious practices out of the life. Teach them to keep down wrong habits as they keep down the weeds in their gardens. It will take time to teach these lessons, but it will pay, greatly pay. {AH 146.1}[18]
§39
以家庭环境证实我们的信仰——作父母的对于上帝都负有责任，要使他们的环境符合自己所声称相信的真理。这样他们便能给予儿女以正确的教训，而孩子们就必学习将地上的家庭与天上的家庭联结起来。此世的家庭，必须尽其所能地使之成为天家的雏形。于是诸般放纵卑劣低贱行为的试探，就会丧失它们大部分的势力了。要教导儿女们明白：他们在今世不过是练习生，乃要领受教育，俾配居住在基督为一切爱他并守他诫命之人现今正在预备的住宅中。这就是父母所应尽的最崇高的义务。[19]
§40
Home Surroundings to Exemplify Our Beliefs.-- Parents are under obligation to God to make their surroundings such as will correspond to the truth they profess. They can then give correct lessons to their children, and the children will learn to associate the home below with the home above. The family here must, as far as possible, be a model of the one in heaven. Then temptations to indulge in what is low and groveling will lose much of their force. Children should be taught that they are only probationers here, and educated to become inhabitants of the mansions which Christ is preparing for those who love Him and keep His commandments. This is the highest duty which parents have to perform. {AH 146.2}[19]
§41
父母们：迁往乡间去吧——只要上帝赐力量给我，使我能向我们的同道说话，我就要继续劝告作父母的，务须迁离市区，到乡间去寻觅住处，在那里可以耕种田地，并从大自然的课本中学习清洁与纯朴的教训。自然界的万物，都是上帝无声的传道者，它们之所以赐与我们，乃是要将属灵的真理教训我们。它们向我们述说上帝的爱，并宣扬那位伟大的艺术家的智慧。[20]
§42
Parents: Get Homes in the Country.--So long as God gives me power to speak to our people, I shall continue to call upon parents to leave the cities and get homes in the country, where they can cultivate the soil and learn from the book of nature the lessons of purity and simplicity. The things of nature are the Lords silent ministers, given to us to teach us spiritual truths. They speak to us of the love of God and declare the wisdom of the great Master Artist. {AH 146.3}[20]
§43
我喜爱美丽的花朵，它们是伊甸的纪念物，指明我们若忠信不渝，不久便能进入的福地。主正在引导我的思想，注意花草树木之有益于健康的特质。[21]
§44
I love the beautiful flowers. They are memories of Eden, pointing to the blessed country into which, if faithful, we shall soon enter. The Lord is leading my mind to the health-giving properties of the flowers and trees. {AH 147.1}[21]