第02章 归主
§1
第02章 归主
§2
Chapter 2—Conversion
§3
1840年3月，威廉·米勒耳访问了缅因州的波特兰，主持了好几天的演讲会，论到基督第二次的降临。这些演讲极为动人，所以在他演讲的卡斯科街的基督教堂里，不分昼夜地都挤满了人。在这些聚会中，并没有什么狂热的激动，但听众心中却弥漫着一种极严肃的意念。不但城里的人极表兴趣，就连许多乡下的人也都每天带了干粮潮涌而来，从早晨起，直留到晚上散会为止。{CET 16.1}[1]
§4
In March, 1840, William Miller visited Portland, Maine, and gave a course of lectures on the second coming of Christ. These lectures produced a great sensation, and the Christian church on Casco Street, where the discourses were given, was crowded day and night. No wild excitement attended the meetings, but a deep solemnity pervaded the minds of those who heard. Not only was a great interest manifested in the city, but the country people flocked in day after day, bringing their lunch baskets, and remaining from morning until the close of the evening meeting.?{CET 16.1}[1]
§5
那时我和我的几个朋友也去参赴这些聚会。米勒耳先生精确地阐释诸预言，打动了听众的心使他们信服。他详细讲论预言中的各段时期，并引用了许多证据来支持他的立场。然后他向那些未作准备的人发出严正而有力地请求和劝勉，使众人似乎均为之心夺神移。{CET 16.2}[2]
§6
In company with my friends, I attended these meetings. Mr. Miller traced down the prophecies with an exactness that struck conviction to the hearts of his hearers. He dwelt upon the prophetic periods, and brought many proofs to strengthen his position. Then his solemn and powerful appeals and admonitions to those who were unprepared, held the crowds as if spellbound.?{CET 16.2}[2]
§7
【属灵的复兴】
§8
于是安排了一些特别的聚会，好使罪人有机会寻求救主，并为那即将发生的可怕大事早作准备。恐惧与知罪的心情蔓延全城。各处举行祷告会，各宗派的教会都呈现着一番奋兴的气象；因为他们都或多或少地受了基督即将复临之教导的影响。{CET 16.3}[3]
§9
【A Spiritual Revival】
§10
Special meetings were appointed where sinners might have an opportunity to seek their Saviour and prepare for the fearful events soon to take place. Terror and conviction spread through the entire city. Prayer meetings were established, and there was a general awakening among the various denominations; for they all felt more or less the influence that proceeded from the teaching of the near coming of Christ.?{CET 16.3}[3]
§11
当罪人被邀往讲台前面认罪悔改时，随即有成百的人应声前去；我也夹在人群中间，挤到前面去与那些寻求救主的人在一起。但是我心里却感觉我永远也不能配称为上帝的孩子。过去我时常寻求那在基督里的平安，但我好像总不能得着我所盼望的自由。有一种可怕的忧伤压在我的心头，我想不出自己做过什么事使我感到如此忧闷；但在我看来，我是不配进天国的，并以为这事简直是过于我所能企望的。{CET 16.4}[4]
§12
When sinners were invited forward to the anxious seat, hundreds responded to the call; and I, among the rest, pressed through the crowd and took my place with the seekers. But there was in my heart a feeling that I could never become worthy to be called a child?of God. I had often sought for the peace there is in Christ, but I could not seem to find the freedom I desired. A terrible sadness rested on my heart. I could not think of anything I had done to cause me to feel sad; but it seemed to me that I was not good enough to enter heaven, that such a thing would be altogether too much for me to expect.?{CET 16.4}[4]
§13
我既缺乏自信的心，又感觉自己无法使别人了解我的心情，因此我就没有去向信主的朋友们寻求指导和帮助。这样我便在黑暗与绝望的迷途中徘徊，这原是不必要的，但他们因为看不透我的隐衷，所以一点也不晓得我的实情。{CET 17.1}[5]
§14
A lack of confidence in myself, and a conviction that it would be impossible to make anyone understand my feelings, prevented me from seeking advice and aid from my Christian friends. Thus I wandered needlessly in darkness and despair, while they, not penetrating my reserve, were entirely ignorant of my true state.?{CET 17.1}[5]
§15
【因信得义】
§16
就在那一年的夏天，我的父母往缅因州巴克斯顿去赴卫理公会的帐幕年会，他们也带了我同去。我满心决定要在那里恳切寻求主，并极盼可能藉此叫我的罪得蒙赦免。我心里渴望能得着基督徒因信所能得的平安和盼望。{CET 17.2}[6]
§17
【Righteousness By Faith】
§18
The following summer my parents went to the Methodist camp meeting at Buxton, Maine, taking me with them. I was fully resolved to seek the Lord in earnest there, and obtain, if possible, the pardon of my sins. There was a great longing in my heart for the Christian’s hope and the peace that comes of believing.?{CET 17.2}[6]
§19
当我听到某一次讲道时，得着了很大的鼓励。那次讲论的经题是：“我违例进去见王，我若死就死吧”(斯4:16)。主讲人提到那些在盼望和惧怕中徘徊犹疑不定的人们，说他们虽然盼望得救脱离罪恶，得着基督慈爱的赦免，但他们仍然因胆怯和惟恐失败而陷于疑惑与束缚之中。他劝勉这等人完全献身与上帝，不要迟延，只管大胆来求主的慈怜。他们必能见到慈爱的救主乐意向他们伸出恩惠的金杖，正如从前亚哈随鲁向以斯帖表示恩宠一样。凡是在主面前战兢恐惧的罪人，只要伸出信心的手去摸祂那恩惠的金杖，那样地摸触就可保证必得赦免和平安。{CET 17.3}[7]
§20
I was much encouraged while listening to a discourse from the words, “So will I go in unto the king, ... and if I perish, I perish.”?Esther 4:16. In his remarks the speaker referred to those who were wavering between hope and fear, longing to be saved from their sins and receive the pardoning love of Christ, yet held in doubt and bondage by timidity and fear of failure. He counseled such ones to surrender themselves to God, and venture upon His mercy without delay. They would find a gracious Saviour ready to present to them the scepter of mercy, even as Ahasuerus offered to Esther the signal of his favor. All that was required of the sinner, trembling in the presence of his Lord, was to put forth the hand of?faith and touch the scepter of His grace. That touch insured pardon and peace.?{CET 17.3}[7]
§21
那些在等待，要使自己更配蒙神圣的恩宠，然后才敢领受上帝的应许的人，乃是在犯致命的错误。惟有耶稣能洁净人的罪恶；惟有祂可以饶赦我们的过犯。祂保证必亲自垂听一切本着信心来到祂面前之人的请求，并允准他们的祷告。许多人有一种模糊的观念，以为自己必须先作一番非常的努力，才能赢得上帝的恩宠。但是信靠自己乃是虚妄的。惟有藉着信心与耶稣联合，罪人才能成为有指望有信心的上帝的儿女。{CET 18.1}[8]
§22
Those who were waiting to make themselves more worthy of divine favor before they ventured to claim the promises of God, were making a fatal mistake. Jesus alone cleanses from sin; He only can forgive our transgressions. He has pledged Himself to listen to the petition and grant the prayer of those who come to Him in faith. Many have a vague idea that they must make some wonderful effort in order to gain the favor of God. But all self-dependence is vain. It is only by connecting with Jesus through faith that the sinner becomes a hopeful, believing child of God.?{CET 18.1}[8]
§23
这些话很抚慰我的心，并给了我新的观念，使我知道应当怎样行才可以得救。{CET 18.2}[9]
§24
These words comforted me, and gave me a view of what I must do to be saved.?{CET 18.2}[9]
§25
从此我更能看明自己所走的路，黑暗也开始消散了。我恳求我的罪得蒙赦免，并竭力完全献身归主。然而我的心意时常感到困恼，因为我还没有体验到我所认为是蒙上帝悦纳之凭据的那种属灵感奋，所以在我没有得到这种感奋之前，我总不敢相信自己是已经重生了。可见我是何等地急需受到有关单纯信心的指导啊！{CET 18.3}[10]
§26
I now began to see my way more clearly, and the darkness began to pass away. I earnestly sought the pardon of my sins, and strove to give myself entirely to the Lord. But my mind was often in great distress, because I did not experience the spiritual ecstasy that I considered would be the evidence of my acceptance with God, and I dared not believe myself converted without it. How much I needed instruction concerning the simplicity of faith!?{CET 18.3}[10]
§27
【重担离去】
§28
当我同其他寻求主的人一起俯伏在圣坛前的时候，我心里只是祷告说：“耶稣啊！求祢扶助我，拯救我，不然，我必沉沦！我必不住地恳求，直到我的祷告得蒙垂听，我的罪孽得蒙赦免。”当时我所感到自己极其贫穷、软弱无能的情形，乃是以前从来所没有过的。{CET 18.4}[11]
§29
【The Burden Lifted】
§30
While bowed at the altar with others who were seeking the Lord, all the language of my heart was: “Help, Jesus; save me, or I perish! I will never cease to entreat till my prayer is heard and my sins are forgiven.” I felt my needy, helpless condition as never before.?{CET 18.4}[11]
§31
正当我跪着祈求的时候，我的重担忽然离我而去，我心里轻松了。起先我非常惊恐，我就想重新负起原来的苦担。在我看来，我无权感受快乐与幸福。但耶稣又似乎离我很近；我觉得我尽可以将一切的忧伤、困苦，与考验带到祂面前来，正如祂在世时那些需要帮助的人到祂面前来求助一般。我心里确信祂是明白我的特殊考验并同情我的。我永不能忘记耶稣是如何向我这一个极不值得祂注意的人表示慈怜的宝贵确证。当我跪在祈祷的人群中间时，在那短短的时间里对于基督圣德所有的认识，竟远超过我以往所有的。{CET 18.5}[12]
§32
As I knelt and prayed, suddenly my burden left me, and my heart was light. At first a feeling of alarm came over me, and I tried to resume my load?of distress. It seemed to me that I had no right to feel joyous and happy. But Jesus seemed very near to me; I felt able to come to Him with all my griefs, misfortunes, and trials, even as the needy ones came to Him for relief when He was upon earth. There was a surety in my heart that He understood my peculiar trials, and sympathized with me. I can never forget this precious assurance of the pitying tenderness of Jesus toward one so unworthy of His notice. I learned more of the divine character of Christ in that short period, when bowed among the praying ones, than ever before.?{CET 18.5}[12]
§33
一位“以色列的慈母”走来对我说：“亲爱的孩子，你找到了耶稣没有？”我正要回答“是”的时候，她便惊叹说：“你实在已经找到了，你已享有祂的平安，我在你的脸上看出来了！”{CET 19.1}[13]
§34
One of the mothers in Israel came to me and said, “Dear child, have you found Jesus?” I was about to answer, “Yes,” when she exclaimed, “Indeed you have; His peace is with you, I see it in your face!”?{CET 19.1}[13]
§35
我屡次反复对自己说：“这就是信仰么？我会不会错了呢？”在我看来，这是远非我所能领受的，是太崇高的特权。虽然我太胆小而不敢公开地承认，但我觉得救主已经赐福给我并饶赦了我的罪。{CET 19.2}[14]
§36
Again and again I said to myself: “Can this be religion? Am I not mistaken?” It seemed too much for me to claim, too exalted a privilege. Though too timid to confess it openly, I felt that the Saviour had blessed me and pardoned my sins.?{CET 19.2}[14]
§37
【“新生的样式”】
§38
在这次帐幕大会结束不久，我们便起程回家。我心里充满了这次所听见的讲论、劝告与祈祷。自然界的万物似乎都起了变化。在开会的时间，天气多半是阴雨，而我的心境也恰好和天气一样。但现在和煦明亮的阳光普照大地，以致地上充满了光明和温暖。树木花草显得更为鲜绿，天空显得更为蔚蓝。全地似乎都在上帝所赐的平安之下欣欣微笑。照样，那“公义的日头”的光线已经穿透了我心内的乌云，驱散了其中的幽暗。{CET 19.3}[15]
§39
【“In Newness Of Life”】
§40
Soon after this the camp meeting closed, and we started for home. My mind was full of the sermons, exhortations, and prayers we had heard. Everything in nature seemed changed. During the meeting, clouds and rain had prevailed a greater part of the time, and my feelings had been in harmony with the weather. Now the sun shone bright and clear, and flooded the earth with light and warmth. The trees and grass were a fresher green, the sky a deeper blue. The earth seemed to smile under the peace of God. So the rays of the Sun of Righteousness had penetrated the clouds and darkness of my mind, and dispelled its gloom.?{CET 19.3}[15]
§41
在我看来，人人似乎都已与上帝和好，并受着祂圣灵的鼓舞。我眼所见的万物似乎都已经过了一番改变。树木比先前更加美丽了，雀鸟的歌声也是前所未有的甜蜜；它们似乎是在歌颂赞美创造天地的主宰。我甚至不愿开口说话，惟恐这样的快乐就要过去，而我也将要失去耶稣爱我的宝贵证据。{CET 20.1}[16]
§42
It seemed to me that everyone must be at peace with God, and animated by His Spirit. Everything that my eyes rested upon seemed to have undergone a change. The trees were more beautiful, and the birds sang more sweetly than ever before; they seemed to be praising the Creator in their songs. I did not care to talk, for fear this happiness might pass away, and I should lose the precious evidence of Jesus’ love for me.?{CET 20.1}[16]
§43
从此我对于人生有了不同的看法。那使我童年黯淡忧郁的苦难，我也看为是出于恩慈，是为了我的好处，叫我的心转离世俗及其不能令人满足的享乐，而倾向天国永恒的优美。{CET 20.2}[17]
§44
My life appeared to me in a different light. The affliction that had darkened my childhood seemed to have been dealt me in mercy, for my good, to turn my heart away from the world and its unsatisfying pleasures, and incline it toward the enduring attractions of heaven.?{CET 20.2}[17]
§45
我们从帐幕大会回家之后不久，我同别的几个人就一齐被接纳获准加入教会。对于受洗的事，我曾多番考虑。因我虽然年轻，却能看出只有一种洗礼方式是圣经所认可的，那就是全身入水的浸礼。有几位卫理公会的姊妹劝我相信圣经所说的洗礼就是洒水礼，但总属徒然。{CET 20.3}[18]
§46
Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others, was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much exercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immersion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that sprinkling was Bible baptism.?{CET 20.3}[18]
§47
最后，那指定我们领受这严肃礼节的日子到了。那一天有风，我们十二个人都下到海里去受浸。海里的波浪很大，直冲到岸上来，但当我背起这个沉重的十字架时，我心里的平安却如同河水一般。及至我从水里起来，我的体力几乎完全没有了，因为主的能力降在我的身上。我觉得从此以后不再属于这个世界，而是已经从水的坟墓里复活，具有“新生的样式”了。{CET 20.4}[19]
§48
Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordinance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore, but as I took up this heavy cross, my peace was like a river. When I arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of the Lord rested upon me. I felt that henceforth I was not of this world, but had risen from the watery grave into a newness of life.?{CET 20.4}[19]
§49
在同一天的下午，我就加入教会作为正式的成员了。{CET 20.5}[20]
§50
The same day in the afternoon I was received into the church in full membership.?{CET 20.5}[20]