第23章 儿女乃是福惠
§1
第23章 儿女乃是福惠
§2
Chap. 23 - Children a Blessing
§3
上帝为家庭所定的计划——那将夏娃赐予亚当作为配偶的主，已命定男女当在神圣的婚姻制度中结合，教养那以尊荣为冠冕，被视为天家一分子的儿女。儿女乃是耶和华的产业，我们是必须为了处理他的产业而向他有所交代的。……作父母的也要本着爱心、信心，和祈祷为自己的家属作工，直到他们能欢然地来到上帝面前说：“看哪，我与耶和华所给我的儿女。”[1]
§4
God Planned for Families.--He who gave Eve to Adam as a helpmeet . . . ordained that men and women should be united in holy wedlock, to rear families whose members, crowned with honor, should be recognized as members of the family above. {AH 159.1}[1]
§5
没有儿女的家庭是一个荒凉的所在。居住其中的人，他们的心有变为自私的危险，只贪图一己的安逸，听从自身的欲望和便利。他们只为自己争取同情，却很少同情别人。[2]
§6
Children are the heritage of the Lord, and we are answerable to Him for our management of His property. . . . In love, faith, and prayer let parents work for their households, until with joy they can come to God saying, Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me. {AH 159.2}[2]
§7
劝告没有儿女的夫妻——根据各人不同的气质以及在诸般环境中所表现的种种自私，都须予以消除。你们若有了儿女，就须将心意从自身移向儿女，去照顾他们，教导他们，给他们作榜样，这样对于你们是大有裨益的。凡是像你们那样只有两个人，没有儿女需要切实运用忍耐，宽容，和真实爱心的家庭，就必须时刻谨慎，免得自私占了上风，以至你们自己变成了中心，要求别人注意你们，照顾你们，关怀你们，而你们却不觉得自己也有如此对待别人的义务。[3]
§8
A childless house is a desolate place. The hearts of the inmates are in danger of becoming selfish, of cherishing a love for their own ease, and consulting their own desires and conveniences. They gather sympathy to themselves, but have little to bestow upon others. {AH 159.3}[3]
§9
许多人之所以患染身体，心理，或道德方面的疾病，推根究源，几乎都是因为他们过于专顾自己。借着年轻人健旺的活力，变化的心志，以及儿童们毫无休止的精力，也许便能挽救他们脱离萎颓不振的状况。[4]
§10
Counsel to a Childless Couple.--Selfishness, which manifests itself in a variety of ways according to circumstances and the peculiar organization of individuals, must die. If you had children, and your mind were compelled to be called away from yourself to care for them, to instruct them, and be an example to them, it would be an advantage to you. . . . When two compose a family, as in your case, and there are no children to call into exercise patience, forbearance, and true love, there is need of constant watchfulness lest selfishness obtain the supremacy, lest you yourselves become the center, and you require attention, care, and interest, which you feel under no obligation to bestow upon others. {AH 159.4}[4]
§11
照顾儿童有助于发展高尚的品质——我对于所有的儿童都寄以非常亲切的关怀，因为我在幼年时自己曾受过苦。我曾照顾过许多孩子，而我时常觉得能与天真的儿童接触，对我乃是一大福惠。[5]
§12
Many are diseased physically, mentally, and morally because their attention is turned almost exclusively to themselves. They might be saved from stagnation by the healthy vitality of younger and varying minds and the restless energy of children. {AH 160.1}[5]
§13
在对待儿女的事上所需的同情、宽恕和爱心，对于任何家庭都是一种福惠。这些德行能软化并克制那些需要更加快乐，更加安静之人已形成的品性。家里有一个孩子，便会充满甜蜜与优美的感觉。一个孩子在敬畏主的家风中教养成长，实在是一种福惠。[6]
§14
Noble Traits Are Developed in Caring for Children.-- I have a very tender interest in all children, for I became a sufferer at a very early age. I have taken many children to care for, and I have always felt that association with the simplicity of childhood was a great blessing to me. . . . {AH 160.2}[6]
§15
照顾并疼爱那依赖我们的儿女，能除去我们本性上的粗暴之点，使我们变为温柔而体贴，并且具有一种足以发展我们品格上之高尚质素的影响力。[7]
§16
The sympathy, forbearance, and love required in dealing with children would be a blessing in any household. They would soften and subdue set traits of character in those who need to be more cheerful and restful. The presence of a child in a home sweetens and refines. A child brought up in the fear of the Lord is a blessing. {AH 160.3}[7]
§17
一个孩子对以诺所有的感化力——及至以诺生了第一个孩子之后，他的经验便达到了更高的境地；他与上帝的关系也更加亲密了。他充分地明白自己作上帝儿子的本分和责任。他看到儿子对父亲的爱，以及儿子对他单纯的信靠；同时感觉自己心中对这头生的儿子极其疼爱，就得了一个宝贵的教训，明白了上帝赐下他儿子给世人的大爱，以及上帝的儿子对天父所应有的信赖。[8]
§18
Care and affection for dependent children removes the roughness from our natures, makes us tender and sympathetic, and has an influence to develop the nobler elements of our character. {AH 160.4}[8]
§19
珍贵的委托——儿女被当作一种珍贵的委托而交与他们的父母，必有一天，上帝要他们为这委托交帐。我们当以更多的时间，更多的关切，与更多的祈祷来训练他们。他们需要更多正当的教训。[9]
§20
A Childs Influence on Enoch.--After the birth of his first son, Enoch reached a higher experience; he was drawn into a closer relationship with God. He realized more fully his own obligations and responsibility as a son of God. And as he saw the childs love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep, yearning tenderness of his own heart for that first-born son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to men in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. {AH 160.5}[9]
§21
要记得：你们的儿女乃是上帝家中的幼辈。他已将他们交托你们照顾、训练、并教育他们预备进入天国。将来你们必须为如何处理这种神圣的委托而向他交帐。[10]
§22
A Precious Trust.--Children are committed to their parents as a precious trust, which God will one day require at their hands. We should give to their training more time, more care, and more prayer. They need more of the right kind of instruction. . . . {AH 161.1}[10]