第23章 访问弟兄们
§1
第23章 访问弟兄们
§2
Chapter 23—Visiting the Brethren
§3
1850年初，我们在纽约州奥斯威戈的时候，应邀访问了东面约四十英里的卡姆登。在动身之前，我蒙指示得见那里的一小群信徒，在其中我见到一个自命非常虔诚的妇人，但实际上她却是一个伪善者，欺骗了上帝的百姓。{CET 132.1}[1]
§4
While in Oswego, New York, early in 1850, we were invited to visit Camden, a town about forty miles east. Previous to going, I was shown the little company of believers there, and among them I saw a woman who professed much piety, but who was a hypocrite, and was deceiving the people of God.?{CET 132.1}[1]
§5
【在卡姆登的聚会】
§6
安息日上午，有相当多的一群人聚集作礼拜，但那欺诈的妇人却不在场。我问一位姊妹他们全体同道是否都已到齐，她说是的已经到齐了。原来我在异象中所看到的妇人，她的家离聚会的地方有四英里之遥，所以那位姊妹当时没有想到她。但过一会儿见她进来了，我立刻认出她就是主向我指明其真相的那个妇人。{CET 132.2}[2]
§7
【The Camden Meeting】
§8
Sabbath morning quite a number gathered for worship, but the deceitful woman was not present. I inquired of a sister if this was all their company. She said it was. The woman whom I had seen in the vision lived four miles from the place, and the sister did not think of her. But soon she entered, and I immediately recognized her as the woman whose real character the Lord had shown me.?{CET 132.2}[2]
§9
在聚会中，她讲了许多话，说她有完全的爱，又享有心灵上的圣洁，并不会受任何考验或试探，却享有完全的平安并且顺服上帝的旨意。{CET 132.3}[3]
§10
In the course of the meeting, she talked quite lengthily, saying that she had perfect love, and enjoyed holiness of heart, that she did not have trials and temptations, but enjoyed perfect peace and submission to the will of God.?{CET 132.3}[3]
§11
我从会场回到普雷斯登弟兄的家里，心中非常悲伤。当夜我梦见一个秘密的贮藏室，其中装满了垃圾，敞露在我面前；有话吩咐我说，我的工作就是要把垃圾清除。我就靠一盏灯的光把垃圾扫除了，便告诉那些和我一起的人，这个房间可以贮藏更有价值的东西。{CET 132.4}[4]
§12
From the meeting I returned to the home of Brother Preston with feelings of great sadness. That night I dreamed that a secret closet filled with rubbish was opened to me, and I was told that it was my work to clear it out. By the light of a lamp I removed the rubbish, and told those with me that the room could be filled with more valuable things.?{CET 132.4}[4]
§13
星期日上午，我们又和弟兄们聚会，我丈夫就站起来讲十个童女的比喻。他讲道时感觉很不自由，便建议我们作祷告。于是我们都跪在主面前，作诚恳的祈祷。于是那笼罩我们的黑云消散了，我就见了异象，再度看到有关那个妇人的案子。我看见她正处于完全黑暗之中。耶稣向她和她的丈夫皱起眉头。祂的怒容令我颤抖不已。我看到那个妇人的假冒为善，竟敢在自己心里充满败坏时仍自夸圣洁。{CET 132.5}[5]
§14
On Sunday morning we met with the brethren, and my husband arose to preach on the parable of the ten virgins. He had no freedom in speaking, and proposed that we have a season of prayer. We bowed before the Lord, and engaged in earnest prayer. The dark cloud was lifted, and I was taken off in vision,?and again shown the case of this woman. She was represented to me as being in perfect darkness. Jesus frowned upon her and her husband. That withering frown caused me to tremble. I saw that she had acted the hypocrite, professing holiness while her heart was full of corruption.?{CET 132.5}[5]
§15
我从异象中出来之后，就战战兢兢地，然而却是实实在在地讲说我所看见的事。那妇人泰然自若地说：“我很高兴，因为主知道我的内心。祂知道我爱祂。如果我的内心能够敞开给你们看的话，你们就必看出它是纯洁干净的。”{CET 133.1}[6]
§16
After I came out of vision, I related with trembling, yet with faithfulness, what I had seen. The woman calmly said: “I am glad the Lord knows my heart. He knows that I love Him. If my heart could only be opened that you might see it, you would see that it is pure and clean.”?{CET 133.1}[6]
§17
当时有些人的心思颇不安定。他们不知道自己究竟是应该相信主所指示我的事呢，还是让表面的现象否定我所作的见证。{CET 133.2}[7]
§18
The minds of some were unsettled. They did not know whether to believe what the Lord had shown me, or to let appearance weigh against the testimony I had borne.?{CET 133.2}[7]
§19
此后不久，恐惧的心理慑住了那个妇人。她感觉非常恐怖，就开始认罪了。她甚至向她四围不信主的邻舍挨家认罪，供认说那个她与之多年同居的男人并不是她的丈夫，她曾逃离英国，撇下一个很和善的丈夫和一个小孩子。她又承认了许多其他邪恶的行为。她的悔改似乎是真实的，在某几件事上，她也偿还了她用不正当手段所窃取的财物。{CET 133.3}[8]
§20
Not long after this, terrible fear seized the woman. A horror rested upon her, and she began to confess. She even went from house to house among her unbelieving neighbors, and confessed that the man she had been living with for years was not her husband, that she ran away from England, and left a kind husband and one child. Many other wicked acts she confessed. Her repentance seemed to be genuine, and in some cases she restored what she had taken wrongfully.?{CET 133.3}[8]
§21
由于这段经验，卡姆登的弟兄妹妹，和他们的邻居，都确信我所讲的话乃是上帝所启示给我的，而且这一道信息是出于上帝的怜悯和慈爱，为要救他们脱离欺骗和危险的谬论。{CET 133.4}[9]
§22
As a result of this experience, our brethren and sisters in Camden, and their neighbors, were fully established in the belief that God had revealed to me the things which I had spoken, and that the message was given them in mercy and love, to save them from deception and dangerous error.?{CET 133.4}[9]
§23
【在佛蒙特州】
§24
1850年春季，我们决意访问佛蒙特和缅因两州。我把我九个月的小爱德森交托班斐姊妹保养，我们则出去执行上帝的旨意。我们辛勤地劳碌，遭受许多的困难，而结果只有少许的成绩。我们发现弟兄姊妹们都处于散漫和混乱的状态中。几乎每一个人都受了某种异端的影响，而且人人似乎都很热心坚持自己的主张。我们常在聚会时受到精神上极度的痛苦，因为只有很少的人愿意聆听圣经的真理，却很热切地接受异端和狂热的蛊惑。我们后来必须坐马车旅行四十英里，到约好的萨顿去应邀讲道。{CET 133.5}[10]
§25
【In Vermont】
§26
In the spring of 1850 we decided to visit Vermont and Maine. I left my little Edson, then nine months?old, in the care of Sister Bonfoey, while we went on our way to do the will of God. We labored very hard, suffering many privations to accomplish but little. We found the brethren and sisters in a scattered and confused state. Almost everyone was affected by some error, and all seemed zealous for their own opinions. We often suffered intense anguish of mind in meeting with so few who were ready to listen to Bible truth, while they eagerly cherished error and fanaticism. We were obliged to make a tedious route of forty miles by stage to get to Sutton, the place of our appointment.?{CET 133.5}[10]
§27
【超越沮丧】
§28
我们到达聚会的地方头一夜，有沮丧的情绪压着我。我想胜过它，但似乎无法控制自己的思想。我的两个小孩常浮现在我的心头。一个已经两岁零八个月了，留在缅因州，另一个九个月的婴孩，放在纽约州。我们方才在艰苦中作了一次长途跋涉，我就羡慕那些在安定的家庭中与儿女共处的人们。我回顾我们过去的生活，想起一位姊妹前几天所讲的话，说我能一无挂虑地到处游历，必是很愉快的。这是她所最羡慕的生活。正在那时，我的内心却渴念自己的孩子，特别是我那留在纽约州的婴儿；那时我刚从卧房里出来，我曾在那里与自己的情绪争斗，流泪祈求主赐我力量抑制我埋怨的心理，使我可以高兴地为耶稣的缘故克己牺牲。在这种情形之下我睡着了，梦见一位身材高大的天使站在我身边，问我为什么忧伤。我把那搅扰我的思想告诉他，并说：“我所能成就的善工太少了，为什么我们不能和自己的小孩子在一起享受天伦之乐呢？”天使说：“你已经献给主两朵美丽的鲜花，花的芬芳在祂面前犹如馨香之气，在祂看来远比金银更为宝贵，因为它是甘心奉献的。它比任何其他的牺牲更足以试验人的心情。你不可只看外表，却要专心尽到本分，专求荣耀上帝，遵循祂为你所打开的路，这样你的前途就必愈显光明。每一次的克己，每一次的牺牲，都是准确地记录下来的，也必得到赏赐。”{CET 134.1}[11]
§29
【Rising Above Despondency】
§30
The first night after reaching the place of meeting, despondency pressed upon me. I tried to overcome it, but it seemed impossible to control my thoughts. My little ones burdened my mind. We had left one in the State of Maine two years and eight months old, and another babe in New York nine months old. We had just performed a tedious journey in great suffering, and I thought of those who were enjoying the society of their children in their own quiet homes. I reviewed our past life, calling to mind expressions which had been made by a sister only a few days before, who thought it must be very pleasant to be riding through the country without anything to trouble me. It was just such a life as she could delight in. At that very time my heart was yearning for my children, especially my babe in New York, and I had just come from my sleeping room, where I had been battling with my feelings, and with many tears had besought the Lord for strength to subdue all murmuring, and that I might cheerfully deny myself for Jesus’ sake. In this state of mind I fell asleep, and dreamed that a?tall angel stood by my side and asked me why I was sad. I related to him the thoughts that had troubled me, and said, “I can do so little good, why may we not be with our children, and enjoy their society?” Said he: “You have given to the Lord two beautiful flowers, the fragrance of which is as sweet incense before Him, and is more precious in His sight than gold or silver, for it is a heart gift. It draws upon every fiber of the heart as no other sacrifice can. You should not look upon present appearances, but keep?the eye single to your duty, single to God’s glory, and follow in His opening providence, and the path shall brighten before you. Every self-denial, every sacrifice, is faithfully recorded, and will bring its reward.”?{CET 134.1}[11]
§31
【在加拿大操劳】
§32
主很赐福给我们在萨顿所开的会，会后我便到加拿大东部去了。当时我的喉咙有病，使我不能大声讲话，就是低声说话也感到痛苦。所以我们一路旅行，一路祈祷，求主赐我们力量，让我们经得起奔波之苦。{CET 136.1}[12]
§33
【Labors In Canada】
§34
The blessing of the Lord attended our conference at Sutton, and after the meeting closed we went on our way to Canada East. My throat troubled me much, and I could not speak aloud, or even whisper, without suffering. We rode praying as we went, for strength to endure the journey.?{CET 136.1}[12]
§35
我们就这样做，直到我们到达墨尔本。在那里我们本想会遇到反对。许多自称相信救主复临已近的人抗拒了上帝的律法。我们感觉需要那从上帝而来的能力。我们求主将自己显现给我们。我诚恳祈求主让我喉部的疾病消除，并恢复我的声音。我当时得到凭据，主的手摸了我一下；喉咙的病立时消退了，我的嗓子也嘹亮了。在聚会期间，主的灯光常照耀着我们，我们就大享自由。那里的上帝的儿女都大得坚固和勉励。{CET 136.2}[13]
§36
Thus we continued until we arrived at Melbourne. We expected to meet opposition there. Many who professed to believe in the near coming of our Saviour fought against the law of God. We felt the need of strength from God. We prayed that the Lord would manifest Himself unto us. My earnest prayer was that the disease might leave my throat, and that my voice might be restored. I had the evidence that the hand of the Lord there touched me. The difficulty was instantly removed, and my voice was clear. The candle of the Lord shone about us during that meeting, and we enjoyed great freedom. The children of God were greatly strengthened and encouraged.?{CET 136.2}[13]
§37
【在约翰逊的聚会】
§38
过了不久，我们回到佛蒙特，在约翰逊开了一次很特殊的会。我们途中曾在E.P.巴特勒弟兄家里住了几天。我们发现他和佛蒙特北部的其他弟兄，曾因谬道和狂热派的主张而大为困恼，多受折磨；那班人自夸完全成圣，并披着非常圣洁的外衣，而实际上却过着一种羞辱基督徒名号的生活。{CET 136.3}[14]
§39
【Meeting At Johnson】
§40
Soon we returned to Vermont, and held a remarkable meeting at Johnson. On our way we stopped several days at the home of Brother E. P. Butler. We found that he and others of our brethren in northern Vermont had been sorely perplexed and tried by the false teachings and wild fanaticism of a group of people who were claiming entire sanctification, and, under the garb of great holiness, were?following a course of life that was a disgrace to the Christian name.?{CET 136.3}[14]
§41
狂热派两个领导人在生活和人格方面，很像我们四年前在新罕布什尔州克莱尔蒙特所遇到的那班人。他们倡导完全成圣的谬论，说自己不可能犯罪，并且已经准备好被接升天。他们施行催眠术，并说自己在一种恍惚状态中可获得神的启导。{CET 138.1}[15]
§42
The two men who were leaders in the fanaticism were in life and character much like those we met four years before in Claremont, New Hampshire. They taught the doctrine of extreme sanctification, claiming that they could not sin, and were ready for translation. They practiced mesmerism, and claimed to receive divine enlightenment while in a sort of trance.?{CET 138.1}[15]
§43
他们不从事正当的劳动，却常带着两个不是他们妻子的女人游行各地，到处勉强人招待他们。由于他们的阴险和催眠术的影响，他们已经在我们弟兄们的一些成年的子女中博得相当的同情。{CET 138.2}[16]
§44
They did not engage in regular work, but in company with two women, not their wives, they traveled about from place to place, forcing themselves upon the hospitality of the people. Through their subtle, mesmeric influence, they had secured a large degree of sympathy from some of the grown-up children of our brethren.?{CET 138.2}[16]
§45
巴特勒弟兄是一个严正端方的人。他对狂热派荒谬理论的影响已经彻底警觉了，并且积极地反对他们的妄论和狂傲的主张。他更向我们声明，他对任何异象都是绝对不相信的。{CET 138.3}[17]
§46
Brother Butler was a man of stern integrity. He was thoroughly aroused to the evil influence of the fanatical theories, and was active in his opposition to their false teachings and arrogant pretensions. Moreover, he made it plain to us that he had no faith in visions of any sort.?{CET 138.3}[17]
§47
巴特勒弟兄颇为冷淡地同意了参加在约翰逊的洛夫乔伊弟兄家里召开的聚会。那领导狂热派并严重地迷惑并压迫上帝儿女的两个人也来赴会了，还带来那两个女人；她们穿着白色细麻衣，她们黑色的长发则散披在肩头上。那细麻衣是代表圣徒所行的义。{CET 138.4}[18]
§48
Rather reluctantly Brother Butler consented to attend the meeting at the home of Brother Lovejoy at Johnson. The two men who were the leaders in the fanaticism, and who had greatly deceived and oppressed God’s children, came into the meeting, accompanied by the two women dressed in white linen, with their long black hair hanging loose about their shoulders. The white linen dresses were to represent the righteousness of the saints.?{CET 138.4}[18]
§49
我当时有一道责备的信息要传给他们，当我讲话的时候，那两个人中领头的一个就像其他施用催眠术的人过去所做的一样，瞪眼注视着我。但我毫不惧怕他那催眠术的势力。有天上的能力赐给我，使我能胜过他们的魔力。那些曾经被捆绑的上帝的儿女，开始自由地喘气，并在主里面欢乐了。{CET 138.5}[19]
§50
I had a message of reproof for them, and while I was speaking, the foremost of the two men kept his eyes fastened upon me, as mesmerists had done before. But I had no fear of his mesmeric influence. Strength was given me from heaven to rise above their satanic?power. The children of God who had been held in bondage began to breathe free and rejoice in the Lord.?{CET 138.5}[19]
§51
在聚会的过程中，这些狂热之徒一直想站起来发言，但他们总找不到机会。有人明明告诉他们，他们的出席是不受欢迎的，但他们仍留在那里。于是撒母耳·罗兹弟兄抓住一个女人所坐的椅背，连人带椅一同拖到房子外面的草地上去。他又回到会场里来，以同样方式把第二个女人也拖出去了。那两个男人出去了一会儿，后来又想进来。{CET 139.1}[20]
§52
As our meeting progressed, these fanatics sought to rise and speak, but they could not find opportunity. It was made plain to them that their presence was not wanted, but they chose to remain. Then Brother Samuel Rhodes seized the back of the chair in which one of the women was sitting, and drew her out of the room and across the porch onto the lawn. Returning to the meeting-room, he drew out the other woman in the same manner. The two men left the meeting-room, but sought to return.?{CET 139.1}[20]
§53
在散会祈祷的时候，二人当中的第二位来到门前，开始讲话。有人把门关了。他把门推开，再开口讲话。于是上帝的能力降在我丈夫身上。他面色苍白，站了起来，举手向那人大声说：“主不要你在这里作见证；主不要你在这里搅扰并迫害祂的百姓。”{CET 139.2}[21]
§54
As prayer was being offered at the close of the meeting, the second of the two men came to the door and began to speak. The door was closed against him. He opened the door and again began to speak. Then the power of God fell upon my husband. The color left his face as he arose from his knees. He lifted his hands before the man, exclaiming: “The Lord does not want your testimony here. The Lord does not want you here to distract and crush His people.”?{CET 139.2}[21]
§55
上帝的能力充满了屋子。那人非常恐怖，跌跌撞撞地向后倒退到另一个房间去。他步履蹒跚地一直后退，撞在墙上，后又站了起来，逃出门外。主的临格对于狂热的罪徒是极其痛苦的，却使会中的群众得到非常严肃的印象。在那几个黑暗之子离去之后，一种从主那里来的恬静的平安落在我们那一群人身上。此后，那几个自命完全圣洁的虚伪狡猾的骗子，再不能在我们弟兄身上恢复他们的权势了。{CET 139.3}[22]
§56
The power of God filled the room. The man looked terrified, and stumbled backward through the hall into another room. He staggered across this room and fell against the wall, then recovered his balance and found the door out of the house. The presence of the Lord, which was so painful to the fanatical sinners, impressed with awful solemnity the company assembled. But after the children of darkness had gone, a sweet peace from the Lord rested upon our company. After this meeting the false and wily professors of perfect holiness were never able to re-establish their power over our brethren.?{CET 139.3}[22]
§57
这次聚会的经验，使我们赢得了巴特勒弟兄的信任和友谊。{CET 139.4}[23]
§58
The experiences of this meeting won us the confidence and fellowship of Brother Butler?{CET 139.4}[23]