第78章 家庭乃布道中心
§1
第78章 家庭乃布道中心
§2
Chap. 78 - The Family a Missionary Center
§3
父母应指导儿女趋往正确方向——我们作父母并作基督徒的人，都有责任应指导儿女趋往正确的方向。我们须谨慎地、贤明地、慈柔地导引他们走上基督化的服务之途。我们都处在上帝的圣约之下，须教养自己的儿女为他服务。我们的当务之急，乃要以一种能感化他们选择服务为终身职责的气氛围绕他们，并施予必需的训练。[1]
§4
Parents Should Give Children Right Direction.-- With us as parents and as Christians it rests to give our children right direction. They are to be carefully, wisely, tenderly guided into paths of Christlike ministry. We are under sacred covenant with God to rear our children for His service. To surround them with such influences as shall lead them to choose a life of service, and to give them the training needed, is our first duty. {AH 484.1}[1]
§5
儿童可能成为今日的但以理与以斯帖——上帝为那在我们家庭中长大的儿童们所定的旨意，较比我们有限的眼光所能了解的更阔、更高、更深。他在过去曾从最低微的人中，呼召了那些他看为忠心的人，到世界最高贵的场所去为他作见证。今日也有许多儿童，如同但以理在犹太家庭中长大一般，研究上帝的圣言和他的作为，并学习忠心服务的教训，也将有机会站在立法院、法庭，或王宫中为万王之王作见证。许多人将要蒙召作更广大的服务。全世界传福音的门路都开放着。从我们这个世界的各方各处，都有心灵被罪压伤的人要求认识爱人之上帝的呼声传来。我们自己既已获得这一知识，我们的儿女既可分享这一知识，我们和我们的儿女便当负责去应付他们的呼求。在这危急的关头，向每一个家庭和每一所学校，向每一个曾受福音光照的父母、教师和儿童，都发出了那在以色列人历史最紧急的关头中向王后以斯帖所发的问题：“焉知你得了王后的位分，不是为现今的机会么？”[2]
§6
Children May Be Daniels and Esthers Today.-- Gods purpose for the children growing up beside our hearths is wider, deeper, higher, than our restricted vision has comprehended. From the humblest lot those whom He has been faithful have in time past been called to witness for Him in the worlds highest places. And many a lad of today, growing up as did Daniel in his Judean home, studying Gods word and His works, and learning the lessons of faithful service, will yet stand in legislative assemblies, in halls of justice, or in royal courts as a witness for the King of kings. Multitudes will be called to a wider ministry. The whole world is opening to the gospel. . . . From every quarter of this world of ours comes the cry of sin-stricken hearts for a knowledge of the God of love. . . . It rests with us who have received the knowledge, with our children to whom we may impart it, to answer their cry. To every household and every school, to every parent, teacher, and child upon whom has shone the light of the gospel, comes at this crisis the question put to Esther the queen at that momentous crisis in Israels history, Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? {AH 484.2}[2]
§7
为基督作见证的有效方法——并非人人都能到国外去做布道工作，但人人都能在自己的家中和邻里间做家庭布道的工作。一般的教友可以利用很多种方法将信息传给在他们周围的人。其中最有效的方法之一，就是度一种帮助他人而无私的基督化生活。在极度不利的条件下为生活而挣扎的人，可能因不费分文的小小照顾而得到鼓舞，能力也得以加强。亲切的话语由衷地讲说，小小的关注由衷地给予，便能扫除那笼罩心灵之试探与疑惑的云雾。那真正发自心底的基督化同情的表现，足以启开那些需要基督之灵轻柔安抚的心门。[3]
§8
Successful Ways of Witnessing for Christ.--Not all can go as missionaries to foreign lands, but all can be home missionaries in their families and neighborhoods. There are many ways in which church members may give the message to those around them. One of the most successful is by living helpful, unselfish Christian lives. Those who are fighting the battle of life at great odds may be refreshed and strengthened by little attentions which cost nothing. Kindly words simply spoken, little attentions simply bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptation and doubt that gather over the soul. The true heart expression of Christlike sympathy, given in simplicity, has power to open the door of hearts that need the simple, delicate touch of the spirit of Christ. {AH 485.1}[3]
§9
妇女和男子一样有着广泛的服务范围。凡擅长烹饪和精于缝纫的妇女及护士——她们的帮助都是不可或缺的。但愿贫苦的人家都有人去教以怎样烹调，怎样缝制修补自己的衣服，怎样看护病人，以及怎样合适地处理家务。甚至连儿童也应教以怎样为那些比他们不幸的人做些仁慈体贴的小事。[4]
§10
There is a wide field of service for women as well as for men. The efficient cook, the seamstress, the nurse-- the help of all is needed. Let the members of poor households be taught how to cook, how to make and mend their own clothing, how to nurse the sick, how to care properly for the home. Even the children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy for those less fortunate than themselves. {AH 485.2}[4]
§11
儿童和青年当参与服务他人的工作——有些人尽力原谅自己，借口说：“我的家务，我的儿女，占去了我的时间和金钱。”作父母的人啊，你们的儿女应该成为你们的助手，加增你们的能力和才干，去为主作工。儿女乃是主家庭中的幼年分子，应当引导他们将自己奉献给上帝。因为由于创造及救赎的缘故，他们乃是属于他的。应当教导他们知道：他们身、心、灵的一切能力都是属于他的。应当训练他们，俾在各种不自私的服务上有所贡献。切不可让你们的儿女变成障碍物。应当使他们与你们分负灵性及身体上的重担。这样，他们就可借着帮助别人而增进自己的幸福与成功了。[5]
§12
Children and Youth to Join in Service for Others.-- In an effort to excuse themselves some say: My home duties, my children, claim my time and my means. Parents, your children should be your helping hand, increasing your power and ability to work for the Master. Children are the younger members of the Lords family. They should be led to consecrate themselves to God, whose they are by creation and by redemption. They should be taught that all their powers of body, mind, and soul are His. They should be trained to help in various lines of unselfish service. Do not allow your children to be hindrances. With you the children should share spiritual as well as physical burdens. By helping others they increase their own happiness and usefulness. {AH 485.3}[5]
§13
各教会的青年男女若都将自己郑重地献给上帝，他们若在家中实践克己的人生，并帮助他们疲惫多虑的母亲，则我们各教会中就必发生何等的改变啊！母亲就有空暇去拜访邻里。儿童遇有时机也可以帮忙做些出于体贴和爱心的小事以造福他人，就是在他们最年幼的时候也可以如此行。这样，不属于真实《圣经》信仰的千万贫困的家庭就得以进入了。关于健康与节制的书籍就可以放在许多的家庭中。普遍销行这样的书籍乃是一项异常重要的工作；因为它们含有关于治疗疾病的珍贵的知识——这样的知识，对于那些无力延请医生的人乃是一种极大的福惠。[6]
§14
If in every church the young men and the young women would solemnly consecrate themselves to God, if they would practice self-denial in the home life, relieving their tired, careworn mothers, what a change would take place in our churches! The mother could find time to make neighborly visits. When opportunity offered, the children could give assistance by doing, when quite young, little errands of mercy and love to bless others. Thus thousands of the homes of the poor and needy not of our faith could be entered. Books relating to health and temperance could be placed in many homes. The circulation of these books is an important work; for they contain precious knowledge in regard to the treatment of disease--knowledge that would be a great blessing to those who cannot afford to pay for the physicians visits. {AH 486.1}[6]
§15
上帝希望儿童都作小传道人——上帝甚愿每一个年幼的儿童都归于他的名下，收养为他家中的一分子。他们的年龄虽小，但也能成为信徒一家的人，享有极宝贵的经验。[7]
§16
God Wants Children as Little Missionaries.--God wants every child of tender age to be His child, to be adopted into His family. Young though they may be, the youth may be members of the household of faith and have a most precious experience. {AH 486.2}[7]
§17
儿童在幼年时也可以在上帝的圣工上有所贡献。他必将他的恩惠和他的圣灵赐给他们，使他们制胜不耐、急躁和一切罪恶。耶稣喜爱所有的儿童。他要将福分赐给他们，并且他喜欢见到他们孝顺父母。他希望他们都作他的小传道人，克服自我享乐的倾向与意愿，去为他服务；而上帝必悦纳这样的服务，犹如他悦纳成人的服务一样。[8]
§18
In their early years children may be useful in Gods work. . . . He will give them His grace and His Holy Spirit, that they may overcome impatience, fretfulness, and all sin. Jesus loves the children. He has blessings for them, and He loves to see them obedient to their parents. He desires them to be His little missionaries, denying their own inclinations and desires for selfish pleasure to do service for Him; and this service is just as acceptable to God as is the service of grown-up children. {AH 486.3}[8]
§19
作父母的要借着教训和榜样，教导自己的儿女去为未悔改的生灵工作。应该教育儿女同情年老和受苦的人，并尽力减轻贫穷和不幸之人的痛苦。要教导他们勤于从事传道的工作；并勉励他们自最幼时起就实行克己牺牲，以造福他人并推进基督的圣工，使他们成为与上帝同工的。[9]
§20
By precept and example parents are to teach their children to labor for the unconverted. The children should be so educated that they will sympathize with the aged and afflicted and will seek to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and distressed. They should be taught to be diligent in missionary work; and from their earliest years self-denial and sacrifice for the good of others and the advancement of Christs cause should be inculcated, that they may be laborers together with God. {AH 487.1}[9]
§21
但愿作父母的都将那在耶稣里的真理教导自己的孩子们。儿童必天真地将自己所学到的复述给他们的友伴听。[10]
§22
Let parents teach their little ones the truth as it is in Jesus. The children in their simplicity will repeat to their associates that which they have learned. {AH 487.2}[10]
§23
有些教会工作须青年去做——教会的领袖们应当想出一些计划来训练青年男女，去使用所托付他们的才干。但愿教会中年长的教友们竭力为青年与儿童作恳切而仁慈的工作。但愿传道人也尽其所能地计划领导教会中的青年分子，与他们协力去做传道的工作。但是千万不要以为只须在布道团聚会时作一次长篇大论的演讲，就能引起他们的兴趣。应当策划各种方法，借以激起积极的兴趣。要安排每一个人都有工作的机会。要训练青年从事所指派给他们的工作，而鼓励他们每周在布道团的聚会时报告他们的工作，述说他们的经验，以及靠赖基督的恩典所获得的成效。假若那些献身的工作者都提供这样的报告，则布道团的聚会就不至于冗长乏味；却必充满兴趣，并且也不愁没有人赴会了。[11]
§24
The Church Has Work for the Youth.--Let the overseers of the church devise plans whereby young men and women may be trained to put to use their entrusted talents. Let the older members of the church seek to do earnest, compassionate work for the children and youth. Let ministers put to use all their ingenuity in devising plans whereby the younger members of the church may be led to co-operate with them in missionary work. But do not imagine that you can arouse their interest merely by preaching a long sermon at the missionary meeting. Plan ways whereby a live interest may be kindled. Let all have a part to act. Train the young to do what is appointed them, and from week to week let them bring their reports to the missionary meeting, telling what they have experienced and through the grace of Christ what success has been theirs. If such reports were brought in by consecrated workers, the missionary meetings would not be dull and tedious. They would be full of interest, and there would be no lack in attendance. {AH 487.3}[11]
§25
在邻里间寻找服务机会——时机乃在于各人的掌握之中。要肩负起那应当为自己的邻里而克尽的服务工作，因为将来你须为此而交帐。不要等他人来催促你向前迈进。你当立刻有所行动，并记住你对那位为你舍命的主负有个别的责任。要像听见基督亲自呼唤你从睡梦中醒起一般地进行工作，竭尽上帝所赐给你的一切天赋而为他服务。不必等待着观望有什么人预备领受永生上帝之圣言中的灵感。你若已将自己全然献上，他必以你为工具而引领别人进入真理，并且他更要利用他们为导管而将真光分送给许多处在黑暗中的生灵。[12]
§26
Seek Opportunities in the Neighborhood.-- Opportunities are within the reach of everyone. Take up the work that should be done in your neighborhood, for which you are held responsible. [NOTE: FOR DETAILED COUNSEL ON THE METHODS AND EFFECTIVENESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY OF KINDNESS, SEE WELFARE MINISTRY.--COMPILERS.] Wait not for others to urge you to take advance steps. Move without delay, bearing in mind your individual responsibility to Him who gave His life for you. Move as if you heard Christ calling upon you personally to awake out of sleep and to exert every God-given faculty in doing the utmost in His service. Look not to see who else is ready to catch inspiration from the word of the living God. If you are thoroughly consecrated, through your instrumentality He will bring into the truth others whom He can use as channels to convey light to many souls in darkness. {AH 488.1}[12]
§27
基督化家庭应进入黑暗的地区——上帝呼召基督徒们举家到那仍处在黑暗和错谬中的地区去，在那里敏慧而坚忍地为主作工。要应承这样的呼召须有牺牲的精神。许多人正在迟疑不决，等待着先挪开各种障碍的时候，殊不知这世上有无数人就在没有上帝，没有指望之中死亡了。许许多多的人为了属世的利益，或者为了要求得科学的知识，情愿冒险到瘴疠之地去忍受艰难困苦。但是那为了要把救主传述与别人而甘心这样行的人在哪里呢？有谁情愿迁居到那需要福音的地区去，以便向那些处在黑暗中的人指明救赎主呢？[13]
§28
Let Christian Families Enter Dark Counties.--God calls for Christian families to go into communities that are in darkness and error, and work wisely and perseveringly for the Master. To answer this call requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying without hope and without God in the world. Many, very many, for the sake of worldly advantage, for the sake of acquiring scientific knowledge, will venture into pestilential regions and endure hardship and privation. Where are those who are willing to do this for the sake of telling others of the Saviour? Where are the men and women who will move into regions that are in need of the gospel, that they may point those in darkness to the Redeemer? {AH 488.2}[13]
§29
假若有些家庭愿意迁往世上的黑暗地区，就是其中的百姓被灵性黑暗所笼罩的地区，并让基督人生的光辉从他们身上照射出来的话，就可能成就一番伟业。但愿他们以安静从容的方式开始他们的工作，等到许多人对真理发生了兴趣，而必需传道人帮助之时，才开始依赖区会经济方面的支持。[14]
§30
If families would locate in the dark places of the earth, places where the people are enshrouded in spiritual gloom, and let the light of Christs life shine out through them, a great work might be accomplished. Let them begin their work in a quiet, unobtrusive way, not drawing on the funds of the conference until the interest becomes so extensive that they cannot manage it without ministerial help. {AH 489.1}[14]
§31
儿童能作他人所无法从事的工作——当天庭诸智者见到成人被禁止而不能宣扬真理之时，上帝的灵必降在一般儿童的身上，使他们在宣扬真理的事工上作一番年长的工作者所无法从事的工作，因为那时这等工作者的门路必要被阻塞了。[15]
§32
Children Will Work When Others Cannot.--When heavenly intelligences see that men are no longer permitted to present the truth, the Spirit of God will come upon the children, and they will do a work in the proclamation of the truth which the older workers cannot do because their way will be hedged up. {AH 489.2}[15]
§33
在世界历史最后的几幕出现之时，许多儿童与青年为真理所作阐明而充满圣灵与能力的见证，必使许多人惊讶不已。他们已受教要敬畏主，而且他们的心已因借着祷告并殷勤地研究《圣经》而软化了。在不久的将来，许多的儿童必被上帝的灵所充满，去作那时教会中年龄较长者所不易成就的向世人宣扬真理的工作。[16]
§34
In the closing scenes of this earths history many of these children and youth will astonish people by their witness to the truth, which will be borne in simplicity, yet with spirit and power. They have been taught the fear of the Lord, and their hearts have been softened by a careful and prayerful study of the Bible. In the near future many children will be endued with the Spirit of God and will do a work in proclaiming the truth to the world that at that time cannot well be done by the older members of the church. {AH 489.3}[16]
§35
我们的教会小学是上帝所命定的，为要预备儿童们应付这种伟大的工作。儿童们应当在此接受现代特别真理及实际布道工作的训练。应当征集他们来参加工作队，帮助有病及受苦之人。儿童们可以参加医药布道工作，而他们的些微力量也有助于工作的推进。上帝的信息可借着他们而显明，他的救恩与卫生改革的真理也可使万国得知。故此我们应当使教会负起喂养群羊中小羊的责任。但愿儿童都受到教导与训练而为上帝服务。[17]
§36
Our church schools are ordained by God to prepare the children for this great work. Here children are to be instructed in the special truths for this time and in practical missionary work. They are to enlist in the army of workers to help the sick and the suffering. Children can take part in the medical missionary work and by their jots and tittles can help to carry it forward. . . . By them Gods message will be made known and His saving health to all nations. Then let the church carry a burden for the lambs of the flock. Let the children be educated and trained to do service for God. {AH 489.4}[17]
§37
借工作而学习工作——对于基督的爱与忠诚，乃是一切真服务的根源。凡受基督之爱所感召的心，就必产生为他工作的心愿。这种心愿是应当加以鼓励并予以合宜指导的。不论是在家庭、邻居，或学校中，遇有贫穷、痛苦、愚拙，或不幸的人在场，都不宜认为是不幸的事，却当看作是最佳的服务机会。[18]
§38
Learn to Do by Doing.--Love and loyalty to Christ are the spring of all true service. In the heart touched by His love there is begotten a desire to work for Him. Let this desire be encouraged and rightly guided. Whether in the home, the neighborhood, or the school, the presence of the poor, the afflicted, the ignorant, or the unfortunate should be regarded, not as a misfortune, but as affording precious opportunity for service. {AH 490.1}[18]
§39
在这一项工作上，也如同在其他的工作上一般，可从工作本身上获得技能。效率原是由生活中普通职务的训练与为穷乏困苦之人服务而得的。若不如此，则宅心至善的努力，也往往是无益而甚或是有害的了。人学游泳，不是在陆地，乃是在水中学的。[19]
§40
In this work, as in every other, skill is gained in the work itself. It is by training in the common duties of life and in ministry to the needy and suffering that efficiency is assured. Without this the best-meant efforts are often useless and even harmful. It is in the water, not on the land, that men learn to swim. {AH 490.2}[19]