第82章 基督徒选择康乐活动的方法
§1
第82章 基督徒选择康乐活动的方法
§2
Chap. 82 - How the Christian Chooses His Recreation
§3
基督化康乐活动与世俗化娱乐消遣有别——康乐活动与娱乐消遣有别；名副其实的康乐活动乃是增进健康快乐的。康乐活动使我们暂时放下平素的思想与职务，得以振奋身心，使我们因而得着新的活力，返回从事生活上的实际工作。[1]
§4
Christian Recreation Versus Worldly Amusement.-- There is a distinction between recreation and amusement. Recreation, when true to its name, re-creation, tends to strengthen and build up. Calling us aside from our ordinary cares and occupations, it affords refreshment for mind and body and thus enables us to return with new vigor to the earnest work of life. {AH 512.1}[1]
§5
反之，娱乐消遣却是寻欢取乐，而且往往行之过度，以至消耗许多有用的精力，因此妨碍了人生的真成功。[2]
§6
Amusement, on the other hand, is sought for the sake of pleasure and is often carried to excess; it absorbs the energies that are required for useful work and thus proves a hindrance to lifes true success. {AH 512.2}[2]
§7
凡信奉基督之人集合而举行的康乐活动，必须与世俗之辈围聚而从事的娱乐消遣有显著的区别。从世人的口中决听不到祷告，或提述基督和神圣的事物，只充满了无聊的笑谑与轻浮的交谈。他们的目的乃是尽情欢乐一番。他们的娱乐之开端是愚昧，结局是虚空。[3]
§8
Between the associations of the followers of Christ for Christian recreation and worldly gatherings for pleasure and amusement will exist a marked contrast. Instead of prayer and the mentioning of Christ and sacred things will be heard from the lips of worldlings the silly laugh and the trifling conversation. Their idea is to have a general high time. Their amusements commence in folly and end in vanity. {AH 512.3}[3]
§9
在娱乐的事上，正如在其他的活动上一样，也需极度注意节制。而且应当审慎周详地考虑所要享受之娱乐的性质。每一个青年都该自问：这种娱乐对于身、心，和道德的健康有何影响？我的心意是否会沉迷其中以至忘却上帝呢？我是否会停止将他的荣耀摆在我的眼前呢？[4]
§10
There is great need of temperance in amusements, as in every other pursuit. And the character of these amusements should be carefully and thoroughly considered. Every youth should ask himself, What influence will these amusements have on physical, mental, and moral health? Will my mind become so infatuated as to forget God? Shall I cease to have His glory before me? {AH 512.4}[4]
§11
辨别合法娱乐的原则——但愿我们不要忘记耶稣乃是福乐的泉源。他不喜悦世人遭受痛苦，乃愿见到他们喜溢眉宇。[5]
§12
A Rule by Which Lawful Pleasures May Be Recognized. --Let us never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is a wellspring of joy. He does not delight in the misery of human beings, but loves to see them happy. {AH 513.1}[5]
§13
基督徒拥有无数幸福的来源，并且他们也能毫无错误地分辨哪些是合法而正当的娱乐。他们尽可享受一切不致败坏思想或降低灵性的康乐活动，就是那些不会使人失望，或留下伤害自尊心的可悲影响，或拦阻人作有益之事的娱乐。他们若能随时与耶稣为伴，怀着祈祷的心情，就必安全无虞。[6]
§14
Christians have many sources of happiness at their command, and they may tell with unerring accuracy what pleasures are lawful and right. They may enjoy such recreations as will not dissipate the mind or debase the soul, such as will not disappoint and leave a sad after-influence to destroy self-respect or bar the way to usefulness. If they can take Jesus with them and maintain a prayerful spirit, they are perfectly safe. {AH 513.2}[6]
§15
不论何种娱乐，若你在参加时仍能凭着信心祈求上帝赐福，那就没有什么危险了。但任何娱乐若使你不配作暗中的祷告，不能在祷告的坛前奉献自己，或无法参赴祷告的聚会，那就是不安全而有危险的了。[7]
§16
Any amusement in which you can engage asking the blessing of God upon it in faith will not be dangerous. But any amusement which disqualifies you for secret prayer, for devotion at the altar of prayer, or for taking part in the prayer meeting is not safe, but dangerous. {AH 513.3}[7]
§17
使人不配履行日常义务的娱乐——我们这班人相信：我们有权利借着每日的生活在地上荣耀上帝，而且我们生存于世并非只求自己的享乐或取悦自我。我们在世的任务乃要加惠同胞并造福社会；而我们若任凭自己的心意与那般专求虚荣与愚妄之人同趋下流，则我们怎能造福自己的同胞及当代的人呢？我们怎能成为社会上的福惠呢？我们若沉湎于任何使自己不配忠诚地履行日常义务的娱乐中，就决不能算为无罪的。[8]
§18
Amusements That Unfit for Ordinary Duties.--We are of that class who believe that it is our privilege every day of our lives to glorify God upon the earth, that we are not to live in this world merely for our own amusement, merely to please ourselves. We are here to benefit humanity and to be a blessing to society; and if we let our minds run in that low channel that many who are seeking only vanity and folly permit their minds to run in, how can we be a benefit to our race and generation? How can we be a blessing to society around us? We cannot innocently indulge in any amusement which will unfit us for the more faithful discharge of ordinary duties. {AH 513.4}[8]
§19
我们不该因餍足自私的欲求而危害灵性的福祉，并且我们更当远避那些蛊惑人心，而使人生日常义务显为枯燥乏味的娱乐。由于耽溺于这类娱乐之中，心志便根深蒂固地趋往错误的方向，而且撒但更在淆乱思想，使之习非成是。于是约束自己和顺服父母，就如基督对他父母所行的一切，都显得是不堪忍受的了。[9]
§20
The welfare of the soul should not be endangered by the gratification of any selfish desire, and we should shun any amusement which so fascinates the mind that the ordinary duties of life seem tame and uninteresting. By indulgence in such pleasure the mind becomes confirmed in a wrong direction, and Satan so perverts the thoughts that wrong is made to appear as right. Then restraint and submission to parents, such as Christ rendered to His parents, seem unbearable. {AH 513.5}[9]
§21
某些可憎的社交集会——有许多事物，就其本身而言原是正当的，但已被撒但所败坏，而成为不谨慎之人的网罗了。[10]
§22
Objectionable Social Gatherings Depicted.--There are many things which are right in themselves, but which, perverted by Satan, prove a snare to the unwary. {AH 514.1}[10]
§23
通常举行的联谊会，也足以阻碍人在心智或品格上的真发展。滥交冶游，奢侈浪费，寻欢取乐，以及放纵等习惯一经养成，便足以贻害终身。在这种消遣娱乐的场合中，父母与师长当竭力设法供应有益健康而又具有生趣的活动。[11]
§24
As ordinarily conducted, parties of pleasure . . . are a hindrance to real growth, either of mind or of character. Frivolous associations, habits of extravagance, of pleasure seeking, and too often of dissipation are formed that shape the whole life for evil. In place of such amusements parents and teachers can do much to supply diversions wholesome and life giving. {AH 514.2}[11]
§25
某地已举行了一些社交集会，而这些联欢会已使我们的机构与教会蒙受了耻辱。他们助长了炫耀衣饰，矜夸外表，餍足自我，狂欢作乐，以及举止轻浮的风气。撒但被款待为座上的贵宾，而一切与会之人都成了他的掠物。[12]
§26
There has been a class of social gatherings in -----, . . . parties of pleasure that have been a disgrace to our institutions and to the church. They encourage pride of dress, pride of appearance, self-gratification, hilarity, and trifling. Satan is entertained as an honored guest, and he takes possession of those who patronize these gatherings. {AH 514.3}[12]
§27
我曾在异象中见到一次这样的集会，参加的人都自称是相信真理的。有一位坐在乐器旁边，而所唱的歌曲足以使旁观的天使为之饮泣。其中充满了欢闹，粗犷的嬉笑，狂热，以及一种激昂的气氛；但这一类的喜乐只有撒但才能制造出来。此中的热情与迷恋徒然令一切爱上帝的人感觉羞愧。这种集会足以使参与之人产生不圣洁的思想与行为。我相信某些身历其境的人心中必后悔其可耻的行径。[13]
§28
A view of one such company was presented to me, where were assembled those who profess to believe the truth. One was seated at the instrument of music, and such songs were poured forth as made the watching angels weep. There was mirth, there was coarse laughter, there was abundance of enthusiasm and a kind of inspiration; but the joy was such as Satan only is able to create. This is an enthusiasm and infatuation of which all who love God will be ashamed. It prepares the participants for unholy thought and action. I have reason to think that some who were engaged in that scene heartily repented of the shameful performance. {AH 514.4}[13]
§29
我曾见到许多这一类的集会，我也见到其中的宴乐，服装的炫耀，以及各人所佩带的装饰品。人人都盼望他人视自己超群出众，并且纵情作乐，戏谑谈笑，讲说粗鄙下流的阿谀之词，时而喧哗地狂笑。眼目闪光，脸颊发赤，良心却沉睡着。他们借着吃喝宴乐，尽可能地将上帝置诸脑后。娱乐的场所成了他们的极乐世界。而上天正垂注着，见到并听到他们所作的一切。[14]
§30
Many such gatherings have been presented to me. I have seen the gaiety, the display in dress, the personal adornment. All want to be thought brilliant, and give themselves up to hilarity, foolish jesting, cheap, coarse flattery, and uproarious laughter. The eyes sparkle, the cheek is flushed, conscience sleeps. With eating and drinking and merrymaking, they do their best to forget God. The scene of pleasure is their paradise. And Heaven is looking on, seeing and hearing all. {AH 515.1}[14]
§31
这种纯为寻欢取乐的聚集，扰乱了信仰，并使宗旨混杂不定。主不接纳心持两意的奉献。他所要求的乃是整个的人。[15]
§32
Gatherings for amusement confuse faith and make the motive mixed and uncertain. The Lord accepts no divided heart. He wants the whole man. {AH 515.2}[15]
§33
流行的娱乐很少是安全的——今日世上所流行的许多娱乐，与古代外邦人中所有的娱乐，结果都是一样；就是自命为基督徒者所爱好的娱乐也是如此。这些娱乐之中没有多少是撒但不能用来败坏人心的。历代以来，他曾利用戏剧来刺激情欲并夸耀恶行。许多歌剧的动人表演，迷人的音乐，以及一般的大宴会、跳舞、玩牌等，都已被撒但利用来打破正义的藩篱，并打开放纵情欲的门路。每一个追求宴乐，助长骄傲，或放纵食欲的场合，都是使人忘记上帝，忘记永生利益的所在；都是撒但进行活动，牢笼人心的地方。[16]
§34
Few Popular Amusements Are Safe.--Many of the amusements popular in the world today, even with those who claim to be Christians, tend to the same end as did those of the heathen. There are indeed few among them that Satan does not turn to account in destroying souls. Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence. In every gathering for pleasure where pride is fostered or appetite indulged, where one is led to forget God and lose sight of eternal interests, there Satan is binding his chains about the soul. {AH 515.3}[16]
§35
一个真基督徒决不想踏进任何娱乐场所，或参与任何不能祈求上帝赐福的游戏。在戏院，弹子房，或滚球场中绝对见不到他的影踪。他不与那班酷嗜跳舞之徒厮混，也不耽溺于任何足以将基督摒诸心门之外的迷人娱乐中。[17]
§36
The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall, or the bowling saloon. He will not unite with the gay waltzers or indulge in any other bewitching pleasure that will banish Christ from the mind. {AH 515.4}[17]
§37
我们对于凡为此等娱乐辩护之人的答复乃是：我们决不能奉拿撒勒耶稣的名而涉足其间。绝对无法祈求上帝赐福与那虚耗于戏院或舞厅之中的时间。没有一个基督徒愿意在这样的场所内遇难受死。也没有人愿意在基督再来时仍流连于那些地方。[18]
§38
To those who plead for these diversions we answer, We cannot indulge in them in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The blessing of God would not be invoked upon the hour spent at the theater or in the dance. No Christian would wish to meet death in such a place. No one would wish to be found there when Christ shall come. {AH 516.1}[18]
§39
戏院是不道德之事的温床——戏院乃是最危险的娱乐场所之一。它不但不是一般人所声称的培养道德与贞操的学校，却正好是培养不道德之事的温床。不良的习尚与犯罪的倾向，都因这些消遣而日渐顽强，变得根深蒂固。下流的歌曲，猥亵的姿势、表情，与态度，足以使思想败坏，道德贬质。凡惯于涉足此等场所的青年，在节操方面必然腐化。在我们这个大地之上，再没有任何事物能比戏院中的娱乐更有力的毒化思想，破坏宗教印象，并削弱那欣赏宁静之乐与严肃的人生现实之心意了。大凡对于这等场合的嗜爱必因每一次耽溺而增强，犹如喜饮烈酒的习惯必随每一次饮用而加深一样。唯一安全之途就是远避戏院，马戏团，以及其他任何有问题的娱乐场所。[19]
§40
The Theater the Hotbed of Immorality.--Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school for morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement. {AH 516.2}[19]
§41
跳舞——败德的学校——在许多信仰宗教的家庭中，都以跳舞和玩牌作为款待宾客的消遣。有人强调说：这些乃是文静的家庭娱乐，只要父母在场就可安然享受。但这样做便养成了嗜爱富有刺激性之娱乐的心意，而且在家庭中认为无害的事物，渐渐地在外面也不会视作危险的了。至今为止，还无法证明参加这样的娱乐可获任何益处。它们并不给予身体的活力或思想的宁静，也不会使心灵中生发任何良善或圣洁的观念。反之，它们更破坏了喜爱深思熟虑或宗教聚会的心意。固然在那参加较高尚的宴会之人士与低级舞厅中杂乱的败德之徒间确有极大的区别。但这一切也都是踏上放荡之途的阶梯。[20]
§42
Dancing--a School of Depravity.--In many religious families dancing and card playing are made a parlor pastime. It is urged that these are quiet home amusements, which may be safely enjoyed under the parental eye. But a love for these exciting pleasures is thus cultivated, and that which was considered harmless at home will not long be regarded dangerous abroad. It is yet to be ascertained that there is any good to be obtained from these amusements. They do not give vigor to the body nor rest to the mind. They do not implant in the soul one virtuous or holy sentiment. On the contrary, they destroy all relish for serious thought and for religious services. It is true that there is a wide contrast between the better class of select parties and the promiscuous and degraded assemblies of the low dance house. Yet all are steps in the path of dissipation. {AH 516.3}[20]
§43
不可以大卫的跳舞作为先例——大卫以极恭敬喜乐的心情在耶和华面前跳舞，却被一般爱好宴乐的人引用作现代舞会的口实；但这种诡辩是没有根据的。今日的舞会是与愚妄的事和夜半的狂饮纵欲分不开的。在这种场合中，人常因追求享乐而把健康和道德都牺牲了。时常往舞厅去的人，绝不会以上帝作他思想和尊敬的对象；而且祷告和赞美的诗歌在他们聚集的场所总是不相宜的。这一个试验就足以决定这个问题了。凡能减弱人爱好属灵事物之心和为上帝服务之乐的娱乐，都是基督徒不应当追求的。古代运送约柜时赞美上帝的音乐和舞蹈，与现代的跳舞没有一点相似的地方。前者足以令人纪念上帝，并高举他的圣名。后者乃是撒但的诡计，足以使人忘记上帝，并侮辱上帝。[21]
§44
Davids Dancing Not a Precedent.--Davids dancing in reverent joy before God has been cited by pleasure lovers in justification of the fashionable modern dance, but there is no ground for such an argument. In our day dancing is associated with folly and midnight reveling. Health and morals are sacrificed to pleasure. By the frequenters of the ballroom God is not an object of thought and reverence; prayer or the song of praise would be felt to be out of place in their assemblies. This test should be decisive. Amusements that have a tendency to weaken the love for sacred things and lessen our joy in the service of God are not to be sought by Christians. The music and dancing in joyful praise to God at the removal of the ark had not the faintest resemblance to the dissipation of modern dancing. The one tended to the remembrance of God and exalted His holy name. The other is a device of Satan to cause men to forget God and to dishonor Him. {AH 517.1}[21]
§45
玩牌——犯罪的前奏——应该严禁玩牌。所交接的人以及所有的趋势都是充满了危险的。在赌场或任何玩牌的地方，那管辖幽暗世界的魔王便在其中作王。恶天使乃是这些场所中的熟客。此等娱乐对于身心毫无裨益。也丝毫不能加强智力，或使之储存珍贵的理想，以备来日之用。所有的言谈都集中于无足轻重并且令人堕落的题旨之上。精于玩牌的人不久必生出一种欲望，想借此种知识与技巧来博取个人的利益。开始时的赌注也许很小，以后逐次增加，最后便染上了嗜赌的恶习，因而导致必然的败落。这种有毒的娱乐引诱了多少人习染上各种恶行，以至穷困潦倒，或下在监狱，甚或因谋杀而走上了绞刑台啊！然而很多作父母的仍未发现那张着大口行将吞灭我们青年的可怖深渊呢！[22]
§46
Card Playing--a Prelude to Crime.--Card playing should be prohibited. The associations and tendencies are dangerous. The prince of the powers of darkness presides in the gaming room and wherever there is card playing. Evil angels are familiar guests in these places. There is nothing in such amusements beneficial to soul or body. There is nothing to strengthen the intellect, nothing to store it with valuable ideas for future use. The conversation is upon trivial and degrading subjects. . . . Expertness in handling cards will soon lead to a desire to put this knowledge and tact to some use for personal benefit. A small sum is staked, and then a larger, until a thirst for gaming is acquired, which leads to certain ruin. How many has this pernicious amusement led to every sinful practice, to poverty, to prison, to murder, and to the gallows! And yet many parents do not see the terrible gulf of ruin that is yawning for our youth. {AH 517.2}[22]
§47
担心被目为奇特人物——试探者经常利用那些自命为基督徒而在品格与宗教经验方面都很肤浅的人作他的诱饵。这等人随时都准备参加宴乐或游艺的集会，而且他们的影响力也吸引别人来参加。那些试图作合乎《圣经》标准的基督徒之青年男女，受劝诱而去参加宴会，于是就堕入了圈套之内。他们并不虔敬地求教于神圣的标准，俾便知道基督如何论及基督徒树上该结怎样的果子。他们分辨不出这些娱乐实际上乃是撒但所摆设的筵席，用以拦阻生灵接受参赴羔羊婚筵的恩召，并使他们不配领受品格上的洁白礼服，就是基督的义。他们对于基督徒应当如何行事为人便感到困惑。他们不愿被人目为奇特人物，自然就有效法他人之榜样的趋向。如此，他们便落在那班心灵或思想方面从未接受神圣感化之人的影响之下了。力避踏入放纵之途的第一步——你在开始踏上轻浮与寻欢取乐之途时，也许看不出有什么危险，并且以为在你想改变作风之时，就能幡然行善，有如未曾作恶之前一样的容易。但是这一个错误。许多人由于结交损友的缘故，就被诱而逐步远离德行之途，陷入悖逆与放荡的深渊，而他们本来却以为自己决不可能如此堕落的呢！[23]
§48
The Fear of Being Singular.--Professed Christians who are superficial in character and religious experience are used by the tempter as his decoys. This class are always ready for the gatherings for pleasure or sport, and their influence attracts others. Young men and women who have tried to be Bible Christians are persuaded to join the party, and they are drawn into the ring. They do not prayerfully consult the divine standard to learn what Christ has said in regard to the fruit to be borne on the Christian tree. They do not discern that these entertainments are really Satans banquet, prepared to keep souls from accepting the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb and preventing them from receiving the white robe of character, which is the righteousness of Christ. They become confused as to what it is right for them as Christians to do. They do not want to be thought singular, and naturally incline to follow the example of others. Thus they come under the influence of those who have never had the divine touch on heart or mind. {AH 518.1}[23]
§49
清楚地申明基督化原则——你若真的属于基督，就必有为他作见证的机会。你也许会被邀参赴娱乐场所，这时你就有机会为你所侍奉的主作见证了。你若忠于基督，这时你就不会编造什么不能参加的托辞，却必坦白而谦逊地声明你是上帝的儿女，而你所持守的原则连一次也不准你置身于无法邀请主同去的场所中。[24]
§50
Avoid the First Step Toward Indulgence.--You may see no real danger in taking the first step in frivolity and pleasure seeking and think that when you desire to change your course, you will be able to do right as easily as before you yielded yourselves to do wrong. But this is a mistake. By the choice of evil companions many have been led step by step from the path of virtue into depths of disobedience and dissipation to which at one time they would have thought it impossible for them to sink. {AH 519.1}[24]
§51
上帝的旨意乃要借着他的子民表彰他国度中的原则。为要使他们在生活与品格上显明这些原则。他甚愿将他们与属世的风俗、习尚、及惯例分开。[25]
§52
A Clear Declaration of Christian Principles.--If you truly belong to Christ, you will have opportunities for witnessing for Him. You will be invited to attend places of amusement, and then it will be that you will have an opportunity to testify to your Lord. If you are true to Christ then, you will not try to form excuses for your nonattendance, but will plainly and modestly declare that you are a child of God, and your principles would not allow you to be in a place, even for one occasion, where you could not invite the presence of your Lord. {AH 519.2}[25]
§53
奇妙的景象正在我们眼前出现；就在此时此地，凡自称为上帝子民之人都当以自己的人生作活的见证，使世人看出在此恶贯满盈的时代中，仍然有一班人愿意放弃自己的意愿，力求遵行上帝的旨意——就是一班在心版和生活上都写有上帝律法的人。[26]
§54
It is Gods purpose to manifest through His people the principles of His kingdom. That in life and character they may reveal these principles, He desires to separate them from the customs, habits, and practices of the world. . . . {AH 519.3}[26]
§55
上帝期望一切负有基督圣名的人都能代表他。他们的思想要纯洁，言语要高尚而具有提拔性。基督的宗教要交织于他们的言行之中。上帝深愿他的子民借着自己的人生显明基督教远胜于俗世利益，并显明他们正基于崇高神圣的立场而工作着。[27]
§56
Wonderful scenes are opening before us; and at this time a living testimony is to be borne in the lives of Gods professed people so that the world may see that in this age, when evil reigns on every side, there is yet a people who are laying aside their will and are seeking to do Gods will--a people in whose hearts and lives Gods law is written. {AH 519.4}[27]