第39章 母亲的感化力
§1
第39章 母亲的感化力
§2
Chap. 39 - Influence of the Mother
§3
母亲的感化力永垂不朽——母亲的活动范围也许是低微的；但她的感化力与父亲的配合起来，就必与永恒同垂不朽。母亲所有导人为善的力量，乃是世上仅次于上帝而最强有力的。[1]
§4
Mothers Influence Reaches Into Eternity.--The sphere of the mother may be humble; but her influence, united with the fathers, is as abiding as eternity. Next to God, the mothers power for good is the strongest known on earth. {AH 240.1}[1]
§5
母亲的感化力是一股永不间断的力量；倘若它经常处于正义这方面，那么她儿女的品格就必显证她道德上的真挚与价值。她的微笑，她的鼓励，都可能成为一种振奋鼓舞之力。借着一句慈爱的话语，一个嘉许的微笑，便足以将温暖的阳光导入儿女的心中。[2]
§6
The mothers influence is an unceasing influence; and if it is always on the side of right, her childrens characters will testify to her moral earnestness and worth. Her smile, her encouragement, may be an inspiring force. She may bring sunshine to the heart of her child by a word of love, a smile of approval. . . . {AH 240.2}[2]
§7
当她的感化力乃是为真理，为德行而发时，当她受神圣的智慧所导引时，她的人生就必为基督发出一股何等大的力量啊！她的感化力将自今世绵延至永恒。这是一个何等大的思想——母亲的神态、言语，和行为都要在永恒的岁月中结出果子来，而许多人的得救或灭亡，都将是她影响的结果！[3]
§8
When her influence is for truth, for virtue, when she is guided by divine wisdom, what a power for Christ will be her life! Her influence will reach on through time into eternity. What a thought is this--that the mothers looks and words and actions bear fruit in eternity, and the salvation or ruin of many will be the result of her influence! {AH 240.3}[3]
§9
作母亲的很少体会到在贤明地教养她儿女的事上，她的影响竟有这么大的力量，不但涉及今世的顺逆，而且更延达未来永远的生命。要按照天上伟大的楷模来塑造品格，必需付出许多忠实、诚恳、恒毅的努力；然而还是值得的，因为上帝乃是报赏一切为救灵工作所付出之完善努力的主。[4]
§10
Little does the mother realize that her influence in the judicious training of her children reaches with such power through the vicissitudes of this life, stretching forward into the future, immortal life. To fashion a character after the heavenly Model requires much faithful, earnest, persevering labor; but it will pay, for God is a rewarder of all well-directed labor in securing the salvation of souls. {AH 240.4}[4]
§11
母亲如何，子女也必如何——世上最亲密的关系无过于母子。故此孩子从母亲的生活与榜样之中，比从父亲那里更易于感受影响，因为有一种更坚韧更亲密的关系将母子系结在一起。[5]
§12
Like Mother--Like Children.--The tenderest earthly tie is that between the mother and her child. The child is more readily impressed by the life and example of the mother than by that of the father, for a stronger and more tender bond of union unites them. {AH 240.5}[5]
§13
母亲的思想和情绪，对于她传与自己孩子的一切有极大的影响。假若她容许自己的心意专注于本身的情感，假若她放纵自私的心意，假若她是苛求易怒的人，那么孩子的性情就必证明这一事实。因此，许多孩子生来所继承的特性，几乎都是那种难以制胜的犯罪作恶的倾向。众生之敌对这事的了解，比许多作父母的更清楚。他要将他的一切试探都施于母亲身上，因为他知道母亲若不抵抗他，他便可以借着她影响她的孩子。母亲唯一的希望乃在乎上帝。她可以投奔他，以获取能力与恩典，而且她的寻求必不归于徒然。[6]
§14
The thoughts and feelings of the mother will have a powerful influence upon the legacy she gives her child. If she allows her mind to dwell upon her own feelings, if she indulges in selfishness, if she is peevish and exacting, the disposition of her child will testify to the fact. Thus many have received as a birthright almost unconquerable tendencies to evil. The enemy of souls understands this matter much better than do many parents. He will bring his temptations to bear upon the mother, knowing that if she does not resist him, he can through her affect her child. The mothers only hope is in God. She may flee to Him for strength and grace; and she will not seek in vain. {AH 241.1}[6]
§15
基督化的母亲必随时警醒，以辨察那环绕她儿女的诸般危险。她保持自己的心灵常在一种纯净圣洁的氛围之中；她也必借着上帝的圣言来控制自己的性情而持守原则，忠心地克尽自己的本分，度一种超乎那时常侵袭她的琐细试探的生活。[7]
§16
A Christian mother will ever be wide awake to discern the dangers that surround her children. She will keep her own soul in a pure, holy atmosphere; she will regulate her temper and principles by the word of God and will faithfully do her duty, living above the petty temptations which will always assail her. {AH 241.2}[7]
§17
有耐心的母亲具有佳美的感化力——整天都可听到“妈妈，妈妈”的叫唤，先是这个孩子困扰地叫，后是那个孩子烦恼地喊。为应付这些呼喊，母亲必须到处去照顾他们。某一个遇到了困难，需要母亲用敏慧的头脑去解决。另一个却那样地满足于自己的发明，必须母亲去看，一心认为母亲一定会和他同样的高兴。一句嘉许的话语，就会使孩子的心快乐许多时候。在她那群可爱的小宝贝之间，母亲可以到处放射出珍贵的快乐的光芒。她可以亲密地把这些小宝贝与自己的心系结起来，使他们觉得母亲的跟前乃是世上最光明的所在。[8]
§18
The Wholesome Influence of a Patient Mother.-- Many times in the day is the cry of, Mother, mother, heard, first from one little troubled voice and then another. In answer to the cry, mother must turn here and there to attend to their demands. One is in trouble and needs the wise head of the mother to free him from his perplexity. Another is so pleased with some of his devices he must have his mother see them, thinking she will be as pleased as he is. A word of approval will bring sunshine to the heart for hours. Many precious beams of light and gladness can the mother shed here and there among her precious little ones. How closely can she bind these dear ones to her heart, that her presence will be to them the sunniest place in the world. {AH 241.3}[8]
§19
但是母亲的耐心往往耗费在那些似是微不足道的麻烦上。顽皮的手和不停的脚给母亲招来了许多的劳碌与困扰。她必须牢牢地握持自制的缰绳，否则急躁的话难免会说出来。即或她几乎控制不住，但只要向满怀慈悲的救赎主献上无声的祷告，便能使她的情绪安宁下来，而以镇静的尊严抑制自己的脾气。她说话的声调很温和，但这是她付上了相当的代价才遏止自己不说苛刻的话，才克服了恼怒的情绪，而她若随意发泄自己的脾气，必然会丧失她的感化力，必须要用相当的工夫才能挽回。[9]
§20
But frequently the patience of the mother is taxed with these numerous little trials that seem scarcely worth attention. Mischievous hands and restless feet create a great amount of labor and perplexity for the mother. She has to hold fast the reins of self-control, or impatient words will slip from her tongue. She almost forgets herself time and again, but a silent prayer to her pitying Redeemer calms her nerves, and she is enabled to hold the reins of self-control with quiet dignity. She speaks with calm voice, but it has cost her an effort to restrain harsh words and subdue angry feelings which, if expressed, would have destroyed her influence, which it would have taken time to regain. {AH 242.1}[9]
§21
儿童的感觉极其灵敏，他们能辨别含有忍耐和慈爱的声调，与那使滋润儿童心灵的爱与亲情涸竭的急躁愠怒的命令。真正基督化的母亲断不会以易怒而缺乏同情之爱的心，将她的儿女驱离自己的面前。[10]
§22
The perception of children is quick, and they discern patient, loving tones from the impatient, passionate command, which dries up the moisture of love and affection in the hearts of children. The true Christian mother will not drive her children from her presence by her fretfulness and lack of sympathizing love. {AH 242.2}[10]
§23
塑造心志，陶冶品格——母亲身上负有特殊的责任。她借着自己的精血，养育并构成儿女的体格，同时也赋予形成心志与品格的各样精神与灵性方面的影响。那希伯来族中大有信心，甚至“不怕王命”的母亲约基别，生了拯救以色列的摩西。那习于祈祷勇于舍己，且富于灵感的妇女哈拿生了撒母耳，就是那蒙上天教育的孩子，不受贿赂的法官，以色列神圣学校的创办人。拿撒勒马利亚的亲属，就是和她有同一心志的以利沙伯，乃是救主之先锋的母亲。[11]
§24
To Shape Minds and Mold Characters.--Especially does responsibility rest upon the mother. She, by whose lifeblood the child is nourished and its physical frame built up, imparts to it also mental and spiritual influences that tend to the shaping of mind and character. It was Jochebed, the Hebrew mother, who, strong in faith, was not afraid of the kings commandment, of whom was born Moses, the deliverer of Israel. It was Hannah, the woman of prayer and self-sacrifice and heavenly inspiration, who gave birth to Samuel, the heaven-instructed child, the incorruptible judge, the founder of Israels sacred schools. It was Elizabeth, the kinswoman and kindred spirit of Mary of Nazareth, who was the mother of the Saviours herald. {AH 242.3}[11]
§25
世界对母亲所欠的债——上帝的大日必显明世界欠了敬虔之母亲们何等大的债，因为她们生养了无畏地维护真理并从事改革运动的人——就是那些有勇气、有胆识，敢作敢为，而在磨练与试探之中屹立不移的人；那些宁愿选择高贵而圣洁的真理事工与上帝的荣耀，而舍弃属世的尊荣，甚至舍弃生命也在所不惜的人。[12]
§26
The Worlds Debt to Mothers.--The day of God will reveal how much the world owes to godly mothers for men who have been unflinching advocates of truth and reform--men who have been bold to do and dare, who have stood unshaken amid trials and temptations; men who chose the high and holy interests of truth and the glory of God before worldly honor or life itself. {AH 243.1}[12]
§27
母亲们哪，你们当领悟这一事实，就是自己的影响与榜样正在左右儿女的品格和命运。而你们既赋有这样的责任，就当发展均衡的思想与纯洁的品格，俾反映一切真实、善良，和佳美的事物。[13]
§28
Mothers, awake to the fact that your influence and example are affecting the character and destiny of your children; and in view of your responsibility, develop a well-balanced mind and a pure character, reflecting only the true, the good, and the beautiful. {AH 243.2}[13]