第09章 上帝在大自然中
§1
第09章 上帝在大自然中
§2
Chap. 9 - God in Nature.
§3
应当将圣经置于儿童和青少年教育的首位，其次便是大自然的课本了。上帝创造的万物，证实祂的慈爱和权能。祂创造了世界和其中一切所有的。上帝是爱美的，在祂为我们所布置的世界中，祂不仅赐给我们一切所需之物，使我们安舒，而且使天地间充满了美丽。我们从秋天丰收的田园中，看见祂的慈爱和恩眷；从和煦的阳光中，看见祂的笑容。祂创造了坚固的磐石和巍峨的群山。参天的树木，按照祂的命令生长。祂在地上铺盖绿色的绒毯，而用灌木丛和百花点缀其间。为什么祂给大地和树木披上常绿的色彩，而不是幽黑深沉的褐色呢？岂不是为了葱翠悦目吗？当我们从祂创造的奇迹中，看到祂智慧和慈爱的明证时，我们心中怎不满溢感激之情？ {SpTEd 58.1}[1]
§4
While the Bible should hold the first place in the education of children and youth, the book of nature is next in importance. Gods created works testify to his love and power. He has called the world into being, with all that it contains. God is a lover of the beautiful; and in the world which he has fitted up for us, he has not only given us everything necessary for our comfort, but he has filled the heavens and the earth with beauty. We see his love and care in the rich fields of autumn, and his smile in the glad sunshine. His hand has made the castle-like rocks and the towering mountains. The lofty trees grow at his command; he has spread earths green velvet carpet, and dotted it with shrubs and flowers. Why has he clothed the earth and trees with living green, instead of a dark, somber brown? Is it not that they may be more pleasing to the eye? And shall not our hearts be filled with gratitude, as we read the evidences of his wisdom and love in the wonders of his creation? {SpTEd 58.1}[1]
§5
那创造世界的大能，如今仍在托住宇宙，维持自然界的秩序。上帝亲手引导行星在穹苍中，按着指定的轨道运行。地球年复一年地环绕着太阳运转，提供丰富的出产，并不是出于它自己的能力。上帝用祂的话管理节令。祂用云遮天，为地降雨，使河谷生产，“使草生长在山上”（诗147:8）。植物繁茂、树叶青葱、百花盛开：都是出于祂的大能。{SpTEd 58.2}[2]
§6
The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature. The hand of God guides the planets in their orderly march through the heavens. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth continues her motion round the sun, and produces her bounties. The word of God controls the elements. He covers the heavens with clouds, and prepares rain for the earth. He makes the valley fruitful, and grass to grow upon the mountains. It is through his power that vegetation flourishes; that the leaves appear, and the flowers bloom. {SpTEd 58.2}[2]
§7
整个自然界都是用来解释属灵事物的。当初亚当和夏娃在伊甸园中时，自然界对于他们，充满了认识上帝的知识和神圣的教训。在他们留意倾听的耳朵听来，大自然乃是智慧的声音。他们既听见智慧的声音，就存记在心；因为他们借着上帝创造的万物与祂交通。当这对圣洁的夫妇，干犯了至高者的律法之后，来自上帝面上的荣光，就从地面上撤去了。自然界如今已被罪所败坏。但上帝赋予自然万物的教训，并没有消失。即使是在今日，只要我们正确地加以研究和理解，大自然仍在讲说着她的创造主。{SpTEd 59.1}[3]
§8
The whole natural world is designed to be an interpreter of the things of God. To Adam and Eve in their Eden home, nature was full of the knowledge of God, teeming with divine instruction. It was vocal with the voice of wisdom to their attentive ears. Wisdom spoke to the eye, and was received into the heart; for they communed with God in his created works. As soon as the holy pair transgressed the law of the Most High, the brightness from the face of God departed from the face of nature. Nature is now marred and defiled by sin. But Gods object-lessons are not obliterated; even now, rightly studied and interpreted, she speaks of her Creator. {SpTEd 59.1}[3]
§9
神圣的真理怎样在圣经中显示出来，也照样在自然界的面貌上彰显出来，如同从镜子里反照一样；我们藉着受造之物认识造物主。所以大自然就成了一本伟大的教科书，聪明的教师们可以将它与圣经结合起来使用，引领迷路的羊归回祂的羊圈。当他们研究上帝的作为时，圣灵就会使他们的心有所感悟。这种感悟不是靠逻辑的推理。只要人的心还没有黑暗到无法认识上帝，眼睛还没有昏花到看不见祂，耳朵还没有聋到听不到祂的声音，他们就会明白更深的意义，将圣经伟大的属灵真理铭记在心。{SpTEd 59.2}[4]
§10
As divine truth is revealed in Holy Writ, so it is reflected, as from a mirror, in the face of nature; and through his creation we become acquainted with the Creator. And so the book of nature becomes a great lesson book, which instructors who are wise can use, in connection with the Scriptures, to guide lost sheep back to the fold of God. As the works of God are studied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind. It is not the conviction which logical reasoning produces; but unless the mind has become too dark to know God, the eye too dim to see him, the ear too dull to hear his voice, a deeper meaning is grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word are impressed on the heart. {SpTEd 59.2}[4]
§11
教导未认识上帝的外邦人最有效的方法，就是藉着上帝的作为。这种方法能比其他方法更快地使他们认识到他们所造的偶像，和天地的创造主真神上帝有何等的区别。同样的原则也适用于美国曾存在奴隶制的那部分地区的无知的、受忽视的黑人。人类家庭的这些卑下成员何时藉着上帝的作为认识了上帝，就会为圣经的属灵真理打下基础，这会提升和净化他们的品格。{SpTEd 59.3}[5]
§12
The most effective way to teach the heathen who know not God, is through his works. In this way, far more readily than by any other method, they can be made to realize the difference between their idols, the works of their own hands, and the true God, the Maker of heaven and earth. The same principle applies to the ignorant, neglected colored race in that part of America where slavery once existed. When these lowly members of the human family have learned to know God through his works, a foundation will be laid for the spiritual truths of the written word, which will elevate and purify their characters. {SpTEd 59.3}[5]
§13
这些直接来自自然界的教训，赋有纯朴的特质，对于已经相信的人，也有极高的价值。儿童和青少年，各年级的学生，都需要来自这个泉源的教训。自然本身的美，就会引导人心脱离罪恶世界的吸引，倾向清洁、平安与上帝。因此，耕耘是儿童和青少年一项有益的工作，会使他们直接接触自然界和自然界的上帝。我们的学校，应尽可能地开辟大规模的花园和农场，使学生能获得这方面的好处。{SpTEd 60.1}[6]
§14
There is a simplicity and purity in these lessons directly from nature that make them of the highest value to others besides the heathen. The children and youth, all classes of students, need the lessons to be derived from this source. In itself the beauty of nature leads the soul away from sin and worldly attractions, and toward purity, peace, and God, For this reason the cultivation of the soil is good work for children and youth. It brings them into direct contact with nature and natures God. And that they may have this advantage in connection with our schools there should be, as far as possible, large flower gardens and extensive lands for cultivation. {SpTEd 60.1}[6]
§15
在这样的环境中实行教育，是符合上帝有关教育青年的指示的。但这与多数学校所实行的方式大不相同。家长和教师们漠视了主的忠告。他们非但没有随从祂所赐的亮光，反而行在自己所点的火把中（赛50:11）。青少年的头脑中，已经装满了科学和哲学的书。这些书中半遮半掩着一些怀疑主义的荆棘。他们的心还装满了虚构荒谬的小说，以及那些名为讲论圣经的书，事实上这些书的作者，却凭着自己的想象加以解释。这类书的教训，像种子一样撒在心中，必生长结果，收获许多不信上帝的果实。其后果从人类家庭的堕落状况中可略见一斑。{SpTEd 60.2}[7]
§16
An education amid such surroundings is in accordance with the directions which God has given for the instruction of youth; but it is in direct contrast with the methods employed in the majority of schools. Parents and teachers have disregarded the counsel of the Lord. Instead of following the light he has given, they have walked in the sparks of their own kindling. The minds of the young have been occupied with books of science and philosophy, where the thorns of skepticism have been only partially concealed; with vague, fanciful fairy stories; or with the works of authors, who, although they may write on Scripture subjects, weave in their own fanciful interpretations. The teaching of such books is as seed sown in the heart. It grows and bears fruit, and a plentiful harvest of infidelity is reaped; and the result is seen in the depravity of the human family. {SpTEd 60.2}[7]
§17
如能回到简朴的教学方法，必为儿童和青少年所欢迎。在花园和田地里从事劳作，对于那些疲乏于抽象课程的人，乃是一个可喜的改变。年幼的心智绝不应局限于抽象的课程。尤其对于那些因绞尽脑汁记忆课本内容而用脑过度的孩子，这种变化非常可贵。研究大自然，可以使他获得快乐和健康。其中的教训，必使他铭记不忘，因为这些教训，已与他经常看见的事物联系在一起。{SpTEd 61.1}[8]
§18
A return to simpler methods will be appreciated by the children and youth. Work in the garden and field will be an agreeable change from the wearisome routine of abstract lessons, to which their young minds should never be confined. To the nervous child, who finds lessons from books exhausting and hard to remember, it will be especially valuable. There is health and happiness for him in the study of nature; and the impressions made will not fade out of his mind, for they will be associated with objects that are continually before his eyes. {SpTEd 61.1}[8]
§19
在大自然中，上帝已经把开启祂圣言宝库的钥匙，放在人手中。祂用看得见的事物，来说明看不见的事物。上帝的智慧，永恒的真理，无穷的恩惠，都借着祂所创造的万物显明了。所以儿童和青少年应当熟悉自然和自然的规律。他们的心智应得到尽量的发展。为了胜任人生的实际职责，他们的体力，也当得到锻炼。但我们也要教导他们，上帝创造这个美好的世界，是因为祂喜欢我们快乐。祂还在那不再有罪恶的世界，为我们预备一个更美的家乡。经上说：“上帝为爱祂的人所预备的；是眼睛未曾看见、耳朵未曾听见、人心也未曾想到的”（林前2:9）。?{SpTEd 61.2}[9]
§20
God has, in the natural world, placed in the hands of the children of men the key to unlock the treasure-house of his word. The unseen is illustrated by the seen; divine wisdom, eternal truth, infinite grace, are understood by the things that God has made. Then let the children and youth become acquainted with nature and natures laws. Let the mind be developed to the utmost capacity, and the physical powers trained for the practical duties of life; but teach them also that God has made this world fair because he delights in our happiness; and that a more beautiful home is preparing for us in that world where there will be no more sin. The word of God declares, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {SpTEd 61.2}[9]
§21
小孩子尤应接触自然界。不要给他们戴上时尚的枷锁，而要让他们像羊羔那样，在温暖晴朗的日光下自由玩耍。要把灌丛、百花、草坪、雅丽的小草和高耸的树木，指给他们看，使他们熟悉这些事物美丽、奇妙和优雅的样式。要教导他们从上帝的创作中，看出祂的智慧和慈爱。当他们的心充满喜乐和感恩之爱的时候，就让他们与小鸟同声歌颂赞美。{SpTEd 62.1}[10]
§22
The little children should come especially close to nature. Instead of putting fashions shackles upon them, let them be free like the lambs, to play in the sweet, fresh sunlight. Point them to shrubs and flowers, the lowly grass and the lofty trees, and let them become familiar with their beautiful, varied, and delicate forms. Teach them to see the wisdom and love of God in his created works; and as their hearts swell with joy and grateful love, let them join the birds in their songs of praise. {SpTEd 62.1}[10]
§23
要教育儿童和青少年思考那伟大艺术家的作品，以大自然动人的优雅为借鉴，来塑造自己的品格。当他们的心为上帝的爱所胜时，就必把圣洁的美，带进他们的生活中。如此，他们就能用他们的才能，造福别人并尊荣上帝了。{SpTEd 62.2}--1896年5月20日[11]
§24
Educate the children and youth to consider the works of the great Master Artist, and to imitate the attractive graces of nature in their character building. As the love of God wins their hearts, let them weave into their lives the beauty of holiness. So shall they use their capabilities to bless others and honor God. May 20, 1896. - {SpTEd 62.2}[11]