第25章 照顾贫童
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第25章 照顾贫童
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Chap. 25 - Caring for Needy Children
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孤儿——许多怀着信心，仰赖上帝永恒的应许而去世的父亲，撇下了他们所爱的人，全心相信主必照顾他们。但是主如何去照顾这些失怙之人呢？他既不行神迹使吗哪自天而降，他也不差遣乌鸦叼食物给他们，他却在人心里施行神迹，将自私的意念从心灵中驱除，开启了慈善的泉源。他将这些遭受丧亲之痛的人，交托那些自称跟从他的信徒施予仁慈的照顾，借以试验他们的爱心。[1]
§4
Orphaned Children.--Many a father who has died in the faith, resting upon the eternal promise of God, has left his loved ones in full trust that the Lord would care for them. And how does the Lord provide for these bereaved ones? He does not work a miracle in sending manna from heaven; He does not send ravens to bring them food; but He works a miracle upon human hearts, expelling selfishness from the soul and unsealing the fountains of benevolence. He tests the love of His professed followers by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones. {AH 167.1}[1]
§5
但愿凡怀有上帝之爱的人，都敞开他们的心和他们的家，收纳这些儿童。[2]
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Let those who have the love of God open their hearts and homes to take in these children. . . . {AH 167.2}[2]
§7
凡愿意为主工作，而去照顾这些失去父母细心的指导，以及基督化家庭使人驯服之感化力的儿童和青年人的面前，都展现着一片辽阔而大的果效的园地。在他们当中，有许多人品格上已承受了先天的劣点；若任其蒙昧无知地成长，势必会结交一班引诱他们犯罪作恶的人。如此看来，这等无望的孩子必须安置在一个有利于培养优良品格的地方，使他们也能成为上帝的儿女。[3]
§8
There is a wide field of usefulness before all who will work for the Master in caring for these children and youth who have been deprived of the watchful guidance of parents and the subduing influence of a Christian home. Many of them have inherited evil traits of character; and if left to grow up in ignorance, they will drift into associations that lead to vice and crime. These unpromising children need to be placed in a position favorable for the formation of a right character, that they may become children of God. {AH 167.3}[3]
§9
教会的责任——无父无母的儿童当受教会的抚养，而基督对凡跟从他的人说：要接受这些贫苦的儿童，为我教养他们，你们必得到报酬。在这一类的事上，我曾见过许多自私的表现。除非有显著的凭据，表明收养无家可归的孩子对他们自己有利，有的人就会推却说：不。他们好像不知道也不关心这些孩子的生死存亡。他们和该隐异口同声地说：“我岂是看守我兄弟的吗？”他们不愿为这些孤儿受任何搅扰，作任何牺牲，而全然无动于中地把这些弱小的孩子推向世俗人士那里去，其实，有时世俗人士比那些自命为基督徒的人更乐于收纳他们。当上帝的大日来到，必要质问他们：上天曾给予机会去加以拯救的一些人在哪里。然而他们仍想借词推诿，除非有利可图他们决不肯参与这善工。凡拒绝这行善机会的人，必听到耶稣的话说：“这些事你们既不作在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是不作在我身上了。”（请再参阅以赛亚书五十八章五至十一节）[4]
§10
Responsibility of the Church.--Fatherless and motherless children are thrown into the arms of the church, and Christ says to His followers: Take these destitute children, bring them up for Me, and ye shall receive your wages. I have seen much selfishness exhibited in these things. Unless there is some special evidence that they themselves are to be benefited by adopting into their family those who need homes, some turn away and answer: No. They do not seem to know or care whether such are saved or lost. That, they think, is not their business. With Cain they say: Am I my brothers keeper? They are not willing to be put to inconvenience or to make any sacrifice for the orphans, and they indifferently thrust such ones into the arms of the world, who are sometimes more willing to receive them than are these professed Christians. In the day of God inquiry will be made for those whom Heaven gave them the opportunity of saving. But they wished to be excused, and would not engage in the good work unless they could make it a matter of profit to them. I have been shown that those who refuse these opportunities for doing good will hear from Jesus: As ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me. Please read Isaiah 58: [verses 5-11]. {AH 167.4}[4]
§11
劝告没有儿女的夫妇们——有些没有儿女的人，应该训练自己去疼爱，去照顾别人的儿女。他们也许不会蒙召到国外去服务，但他们可能被选在自己所住之地工作。最好不要太注意所爱的动物，不要在不能言语的禽兽身上浪费了爱情，但愿他们在那有一个天国可获得，有一个地狱须远避的人类身上运用他们的才干。但愿他们多注意那些可以按照神圣的楷模塑造并陶冶其品格的小孩子们。要将你们的爱心用在周围那些无家可归的弱小者身上。对于人类这个大家庭中的分子切莫置之不顾，乃要看看你究竟能收容多少个无家可归的孩子，照着主的教训和警戒养育他们。凡是愿意作工的人，总有许多可作之工。借着参与此种基督化的服务，教会中教友的数目可以增加，灵性也必因而丰盛。拯救无家可归之孤儿的工作，乃是每一个人的天职。[5]
§12
An Appeal to Childless Couples.--Some who have not children of their own should educate themselves to love and care for the children of others. They may not be called to go to a foreign field of labor, but they may be called to work in the very locality in which they live. In place of giving so much attention to pets, lavishing affection upon dumb animals, let them exercise their talent upon human beings who have a heaven to win and a hell to shun. Let them give their attention to little children whose characters they may mold and fashion after the divine similitude. Place your love upon the homeless little ones that are around you. Instead of closing your heart to the members of the human family, see how many of these little homeless ones you can bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There is an abundance of work for everyone who wants work to do. By engaging in this line of Christian endeavor, the church may be increased in members and enriched in spirit. The work of saving the homeless and the fatherless is everyones business. {AH 168.1}[5]
§13
那班自己没有儿女却蒙上帝托以财富的人，若肯敞开心门去照顾那些需要爱护、照顾、同情，及属世财物之帮助的孩子们，则他们就会比现在快乐得多了。既然有些青年没有父亲慈怜的眷顾，也没有母亲温柔的疼爱，备受末世败坏的影响所毒害，就应当有人为他们勉尽父母的义务。要学习如何向他们表现爱心、亲切与同情，凡自称有一位天上的父，希望蒙他的眷顾，最后接他们到他为他们所预备的家乡去的人，应该觉得自己负有严肃的责任，须作那些无友之人的朋友，孤儿的父亲，并济助寡妇，在世上对人类的福利作切实的贡献。[6]
§14
If those who have no children and whom God has made stewards of means would expand their hearts to care for children who need love, care, and affection, and assistance with this worlds goods, they would be far happier than they are today. So long as youth who have not a fathers pitying care nor a mothers tender love are exposed to the corrupting influences of these last days, it is somebodys duty to supply the place of father and mother to some of them. Learn to give them love, affection, and sympathy. All who profess to have a Father in heaven, who they hope will care for them and finally take them to the home He has prepared for them, ought to feel a solemn obligation resting upon them to be friends to the friendless and fathers to the orphans, to aid the widows, and be of some practical use in this world by benefiting humanity. {AH 169.1}[6]
§15
传道人的妻子应否收养子女——或问：传道人的妻子应否收养没有父母的婴儿？我的答复是：倘若她的志趣不在于传道，或者不能胜任此种家庭范围以外的工作，而自觉有收养孤儿的义务，她自可从事此一善举。但是应当先从那守安息日的父母们所遗下的孤儿中选择。凡甘愿接受无家可归的孩子到自己家里来的男女们，必蒙上帝赐福。然而传道人的妻子若能担任训练别人的工作之部分责任，那么她就当将自己的力量献给上帝，作基督的工人。她应当作她丈夫真实的助手，襄理他的工作，并增强自己的智力，协力传扬真理的信息。道路已为谦卑献身的妇女们敞开了，因基督的恩典而有高贵仪表的人，应当去探访那些需要帮助的人，将光照入那些沮丧的心灵中。借着和他们一同祈祷，指点他们归向基督，她们便能使跌倒的人振作起来。像这样的妇女，不应将她们全部的时间与精力给予一个无助而必须时时加以注意照顾的婴儿。她们不该这样作茧自缚。[7]
§16
Should Ministers Wives Adopt Children?--The question has been asked whether a ministers wife should adopt infant children. I answer: if she has no inclination or fitness to engage in missionary work outside her home, and feels it her duty to take orphan children and care for them, she may do a good work. But let the choice of children be first made from among those who have been left orphans by Sabbathkeeping parents. God will bless men and women as they with willing hearts share their homes with these homeless ones. But if the ministers wife can herself act a part in the work of educating others, she should consecrate her powers to God as a Christian worker. She should be a true helper to her husband, assisting him in his work, improving her intellect, and helping to give the message. The way is open for humble, consecrated women, dignified by the grace of Christ, to visit those in need of help and shed light into discouraged souls. They can lift up the bowed down by praying with them and pointing them to Christ. Such should not devote their time and strength to one helpless little mortal that requires constant care and attention. They should not thus voluntarily tie their hands. {AH 169.2}[7]
§17
为孤儿和无友之人敞开家门——当尽你力之所及，为无家可归的人预备一个家。愿人人都准备好为推行这种工作而尽一份助力。主曾吩咐彼得说：“喂养我的小羊。”这个命令也是赐给我们的，而借着收养孤儿在我们家里，便能帮助达成这个命令。不要让耶稣对你感觉失望。[8]
§18
Open Homes to Orphans and Friendless.--As far as lies in your power, make a home for the homeless. Let everyone stand ready to act a part in helping forward this work. The Lord said to Peter: Feed My lambs. This command is to us, and by opening our homes for the orphans we aid in its fulfillment. Let not Jesus be disappointed in you. {AH 170.1}[8]
§19
要收容这些孩子，并将他们献给上帝，作为一种馨香的活祭。要祈求他赐福与他们，而后照着基督的样式陶冶他们。我们的同道愿意接受这个神圣的委托么？上帝子民的一个考验——上帝的子民在为无家可归之人预备住处的事上必受考验，必有许多人因为相信真理而失去他们的家。反对与逼迫剥夺了信徒们的家，所以有家的人就有义务将家门大大敞开，欢迎没有家的人进来。上帝在这件事上必特别考验自称为他子民的人。基督为了我们的缘故成为贫穷，使我们因他的贫穷可以成为富足。他已作了最大的牺牲，就是因为可以为那班在世作客旅和寄居的，正在寻找更美的家乡——就是天家的人，预备一个家。[9]
§20
Take these children and present them to God as a fragrant offering. Ask His blessing upon them and then mold and fashion them according to Christs order. Will our people accept this holy trust.? [NOTE: FOR FURTHER DETAILED COUNSEL ON THIS TOPIC SEE WELFARE MINISTRY.] {AH 170.2}[9]