第16章 圣经是我们学校教育最重要的..
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第16章 圣经是我们学校教育最重要的..
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Chap. 16 - The Bible the Most Important Book for Education in Our Schools.
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圣经是上帝对我们世界的启示，告诉我们要达到上帝的乐园所必须拥有的品格。我们应视它为上帝向我们揭示永恒的事——我们要知道的最重要的事。世人把它撇在一边，好像已经把它熟读了，然而研究一千年也不会穷尽它所含有的隐藏的珍宝。惟有永恒才会显露这本书的智慧。其中所埋藏的珍宝是取之不尽的；因为它是出于无穷心智的智慧。{SpTEd 147.1}[1]
§4
The Bible is the revelation of God to our world, telling us of the character we must have in order to reach the paradise of God. We are to esteem it as Gods disclosure to us of eternal things,-- the things of most consequence for us to know. By the world it is thrown aside, as if the perusal of it were finished, but a thousand years of research would not exhaust the hidden treasure it contains. Eternity alone will disclose the wisdom of this book. The jewels buried in it are inexhaustible; for it is the wisdom of an infinite mind. {SpTEd 147.1}[1]
§5
人类从来没有学到能从上帝的道中学到的一切学问。可是仍有新的真理观点要被看到，仍有上帝的许多品格和属性要被理解——祂的仁爱，祂的怜悯，祂的恒久忍耐，祂完全顺从的榜样。“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满的有恩典有真理。我们也见过祂的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光”（约1:14）。这是最有价值的研究，值得人思考，并能增强人的智力。在殷勤查考这道之后，就会发现隐藏的珍宝，爱真理的人便会胜利地惊呼：“大哉，敬虔的奥秘！无人不以为然：就是上帝在肉身显现，在灵性称义，被天使看见，被传于外邦，被世人信服，被接在荣耀里。”“你们当以基督耶稣的心为心：祂本有上帝的形像，不以自己与上帝同等为强夺的；反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式”（提前3:16; 腓2:5-7）。?{SpTEd 147.2}[2]
§6
At no period of time has man learned all that can be learned of the word of God. There are yet new views of truth to be seen, and much to be understood of the character and attributes of God,-- his benevolence, his mercy, his long forbearance, his example of perfect obedience. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. This is a most valuable study, taxing the intellect, and giving strength to the mental ability. After diligently searching the word, hidden treasures are discovered, and the lover of truth breaks out in triumph. Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. {SpTEd 147.2}[2]
§7
圣经若作为上帝的声音得到充分的接受和研究，就会告诉人类家庭如何达到永远幸福的居所，获得天上的财宝。“圣经都是上帝所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，叫属上帝的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事”（提后3:16,17）。我们竟那么迟钝以致不能明白圣经吗？难道我们要培养对饱学作者之作品的深切渴望而漠视上帝的道吗？正是这种对从来不该渴求的东西的渴望，才使人们用那不能使他们有得救智慧的东西取代了知识。{SpTEd 148.1}[3]
§8
The Bible, fully received and studied as the voice of God, tells the human family how to reach the abodes of eternal happiness, and secure the treasures of heaven. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Are we then so dull that we cannot comprehend it? Shall we cultivate a deep hunger for the productions of learned authors, and disregard the word of God? It is this great longing for something they never ought to crave, that makes men substitute for knowledge, that which cannot make them wise unto salvation. {SpTEd 148.1}[3]
§9
“我们从前将我们主耶稣基督的大能和祂降临的事告诉你们，并不是随从乖巧捏造的虚言，乃是亲眼见过祂的威荣。祂从父上帝得尊贵荣耀的时候，从极大荣光之中有声音出来，向祂说：‘这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的。’我们同祂在圣山的时候，亲自听见这声音从天上出来。我们并有先知更确的预言，如同灯照在暗处。你们在这预言上留意，直等到天发亮，晨星在你们心里出现的时候，才是好的。第一要紧的，该知道经上所有的预言没有可随私意解说的；因为预言从来没有出于人意的，乃是人被圣灵感动，说出上帝的话来”（彼后1:16-21）。“这些事你要殷勤去做，并要在此专心，使众人看出你的长进来”（提前4:15）。“因为凡有血气的，尽都如草；他的美荣都象草上的花。草必枯干，花必凋谢；惟有主的道是永存的”（彼前1:24,25）。?{SpTEd 148.2}[4]
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For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophesy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of men: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever. {SpTEd 148.2}[4]
§11
通过细读圣经，人的心智才得到加强、精炼和提高。即使在广大世界中再没有其它的书，上帝的道若藉着基督的恩典在生活上实践出来，也会使人在今世得以完全，具有配享受将来不朽生命的品格。凡研究圣经，凭着信心承认圣道为真理，并将它接纳于自己品格中的人，就必在那位包括一切又住在各人之内的主里面得以完全。感谢上帝！有如此的前景摆在人类面前。但研究许多不同作家的作品却会使人思想混乱疲惫，且对宗教生活有不利的影响。在圣经中清楚地详细说明了人对上帝和同胞的义务；然而若不研究这道，又怎能达到这些要求呢？我们必须认识上帝；因为基督说：“认识祢独一的真神，并且认识祢所差来的耶稣基督，这就是永生”（约17:3）。{SpTEd 149.1}[5]
§12
It is by the perusal of the Bible that the mind is strengthened, refined, and elevated. If there were not another book in the wide world, the word of God, lived out through the grace of Christ, would make man perfect in this world, with a character fitted for the future, immortal life. Those who study the word, taking it in faith as the truth, and receiving it into the character, will be complete in Him who is all and in all. Thank God for the possibilities set before humanity. But a study of the many different authors confuses and wearies the mind, and has a detrimental influence upon the religious life. In the Bible are specified distinctly mans duties to God and to his fellow men; but without a study of the word, how can these requirements be met? We must have a knowledge of God; for this is life eternal, said Christ, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. {SpTEd 149.1}[5]
§13
当人的主张与上帝的道相反时，不要把它们认作真理。主上帝，天地的创造主，一切智慧之源，才是最好的。但那些被认作伟大作家，使我们的学校学习他们的课本的人，却被接受得荣耀，尽管他们与上帝没有至关重要的联络。因为学习他们的作品，人们已经被引诱离开上帝，踏上禁路；人心力交瘁，是因为下了不必要的工夫，试图获得对他们来说就象亚当夏娃违背上帝时要获得的那种知识。亚当夏娃若是从未摸过分别善恶树，他们原会处在主能传授给他们来自祂圣道知识的地步，那种知识不必与今世的事一同被撇在背后，而是他们可以将之带到上帝乐园的。然而今日的青年男女却花许多年的光阴去获得一种不过是草木禾秸、要在最后的大火中烧灭的教育。许多人花费人生的岁月在书本的学习上，获得一种必与他们一同死亡的教育。上帝视这种教育毫无价值。这种从研究不同作家的作品获得的自以为的智慧，已经排斥和减弱了上帝之道的光彩和价值。许多学生离校时对上帝之道的敬重还不如入学的时候，他们的信心在不同学科的争胜努力中没落了。圣经在他们的教育中没有成为标准，掺杂有背信不忠的观点和宣传不纯正理论的书籍却一直摆在他们面前。{SpTEd 149.2}[6]
§14
Let not mans assertions be considered as truth when they are contrary to the word of God. The Lord God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the source of all wisdom, is second to none. But those supposed great authors, who give to our schools their text-books for study, are received and glorified, even though they have no vital connection with God. By such study man has been led away from God into forbidden paths; minds have been wearied to death through unnecessary work in trying to obtain that which is to them as the knowledge which Adam and Eve disobeyed God in obtaining. If Adam and Eve had never touched the tree of knowledge, they would have been where the Lord could impart to them knowledge from his word, knowledge which would not have had to be left behind with the things of this world, but which they could carry with them to the paradise of God. But today young men and women spend years and years in acquiring an education which is but wood and stubble, to be consumed in the last great conflagration. Many spend years of their life in the study of books, obtaining an education that will die with them. Upon such an education God places no value. This supposed wisdom gained from the study of different authors, has excluded and lessened the brightness and value of the word of God. Many students have left school unable to receive the word of God with the reverence and respect that they gave it before they entered, their faith eclipsed in the effort to excel in the various studies. The Bible has not been made a standard matter in their education, but books mixed with infidelity and propagating unsound theories have been placed before them. {SpTEd 149.2}[6]
§15
没有什么能比研究有关我们永生的大题目那样提高人格、振奋人心了。要让学生寻求明白上帝所赐的这些真理；让他们努力权衡这些宝贵的事，他们的心智就必在运用中得到发展和加强。人心若是塞满大量永远用不到的东西，就会发育不全，软弱无力，因为只被用来处理平凡的事，没有用来考虑上帝所启示的高尚的事。{SpTEd 150.1}[7]
§16
There is nothing so ennobling and invigorating as a study of the great themes which concern our eternal life. Let students seek to grasp these God-given truths; let them seek to measure these precious things, and their minds will expand and grow strong in the effort. But a mind crowded with a mass of matter it will never be able to use, is a mind dwarfed and enfeebled, because only put to the task of dealing with commonplace material. It has not been put to the task of considering the high, elevated disclosures coming from God. {SpTEd 150.1}[7]
§17
“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”（约3:16）。当人的心受激励去思考这些伟大的题目时，就会在领会这些永远重要的题目的过程中升得高而又高，而把那些无关紧要的功课撇弃如死沉的累赘。{SpTEd 151.1}[8]
§18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. As the mind is summoned to the consideration of these great themes, it will rise higher and higher in the comprehension of these subjects of eternal importance, leaving the cheaper and insignificant matters to drop as a dead weight. {SpTEd 151.1}[8]
§19
一切无关紧要的东西都需从功课中删除。放在学生面前的，只应是对他真有价值的功课。他只需要熟悉这些功课，以便获得那可用上帝的生命来衡量的永生。他既学了这些功课，他的心智就会得加强和扩展，象基督和施洗约翰的心智一样。使约翰伟大的是什么呢？是他将自己的心门向犹太教师们所教导的大量遗传关闭，向“从上头来的智慧”敞开。约翰出生之前，圣灵就为他作了见证：“他在主面前将要为大，淡酒浓酒都不喝，从母腹里就被圣灵充满了。他要使许多以色列人回转，归于主他们的上帝。他必有以利亚的心志能力，行在主的前面，叫为父的心转向儿女，叫悖逆的人转从义人的智慧，又为主预备合用的百姓”（路1:15-17）。撒迦利亚在他的预言中论到约翰，说：“孩子啊！你要称为至高者的先知；因为你要行在主的前面，预备祂的道路，叫祂的百姓因罪得赦，就知道救恩。因我们上帝怜悯的心肠，叫清晨的日光从高天临到我们，要照亮坐在黑暗中死荫里的人，把我们的脚引到平安的路上。那孩子渐渐长大，心灵强健，住在旷野，直到他显明在以色列人面前的日子”（路1:76-80）。?{SpTEd 151.2}[9]
§20
All unnecessary matters need to be weeded from the course of study, and only such studies placed before the student as will be of real value to him. With these alone he needs to become familiarized, that he may secure for himself that life which measures with the life of God. And as he learns of these, his mind will strengthen and expand as did the mind of Christ and of John the Baptist. What was it that made John great? --He closed his mind to the mass of tradition taught by the teachers of the Jewish nation, opening it to the wisdom which cometh down from above. Before his birth, the Holy Spirit testified of John: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mothers womb. And many of the children of Israel shall be turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. And in his prophecy, Zacharias said of John, And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. {SpTEd 151.2}[9]
§21
西面论到基督，说：“主啊！如今可以照祢的话，释放仆人安然去世；因为我的眼睛已经看见祢的救恩，就是祢在万民面前所预备的：是照亮外邦人的光，又是祢民以色列的荣耀”（路2:29-32）。“耶稣的智慧和身量，并上帝和人喜爱祂的心，都一齐增长”（路2:52）。耶稣和约翰被当时的教师们描绘为无知的人，因为没有在他们手下学习过。但天上的上帝乃是他们的教师，凡听到的人都惊讶于他们的圣经知识，因为他们没有学过。他们确实没有在那些人手下学过，但他们却从上帝学了最高等的智慧。SpTEd 152.1}[10]
§22
Simeon said of Christ, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. Jesus and John were represented by the educators of that day as ignorant, because they had not learned under them. But the God of heaven was their teacher, and all who heard were astonished at their knowledge of the Scripture, having never learned. Of them, they had not, truly; but from God they had learned the highest kind of wisdom. {SpTEd 152.1}[10]
§23
人的见解，甚至是教师们的见解，都可能与真教育的内容相去甚远。基督时代的教师们并没有教育青少年正确的圣经知识，圣经知识是所有真正教育的根基。基督对法利赛人说：“你们错了；因为不明白圣经，也不晓得上帝的大能”（太22:29），“将人的吩咐当作道理教导人”（太15:9）。祂为自己的门徒祈祷说：“求祢用真理使他们成圣；祢的道就是真理。祢怎样差我到世上，我也照样差他们到世上。我为他们的缘故，自己分别为圣，叫他们也因真理成圣”（约17:17-19）。?{SpTEd 152.2}[11]
§24
The judgment of men, even of teachers, may be very wide of the mark as to what constitutes true education. The teachers in the days of Christ did not educate the youth in the correct knowledge of the Scriptures, which lie at the foundation of all education worthy of the name. Christ declared to the Pharisees, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he prayed for his disciples, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. {SpTEd 152.2}[11]
§25
“耶和华晓谕摩西说：‘你要吩咐以色列人说：‘你们务要守我的安息日；因为这是你我之间世世代代的证据，使你们知道我耶和华是叫你们成为圣的’”（出31:12,13）。“六日要做工，但第七日是安息圣日，是向耶和华守为圣的。凡在安息日做工的，必要把他治死”（出31:15）。撒但已成功地把神圣性从如此超乎其它一切日子之上的那日消除了吗？他虽成功地提出另一日来代替安息日，但他决不能夺走主赐给安息日的福气。“故此，以色列人要世世代代守安息日为永远的约”（出31:16）。有什么话比这些话更清楚明确呢？难道上帝改变了吗？祂直到永恒都是一样的，但人却“寻出许多巧计”（传7:29）。{SpTEd 153.1}[12]
§26
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Has Satan succeeded in removing the sanctity from the day thus distinguished above all others? He has succeeded in putting another day in its stead, but never can he take from it the blessing of the Lord. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. What can be more positive and clear than these words? And has God changed? He will remain the same through all eternity, but man has sought out many inventions. {SpTEd 153.1}[12]
§27
圣经充满了知识，凡带着要明白的心来学习它的人，心智都会扩大，才能都会加强，以致领会这些宝贵深远的真理。圣灵会使人的心与脑铭记这些真理。但那些教导青年的人，需要先成为愚拙，才可以变得聪明。他们若忽视清楚明白的“耶和华如此说，”去摘上帝所禁止他们拥有的分别善恶树的果子，就是悖逆的知识，他们的过犯就会使他们被定罪。我们岂要赞美这些人伟大的学识吗？我们岂要坐在那些忽视使心灵成圣的真理之人脚下吗？“主耶和华说：我指着我的永生起誓，我总要作王，用大能的手和伸出来的膀臂，并倾出来的忿怒，治理你们”（结20:33）。今日的教师们为何不留意这些警告呢？他们为何绊跌，却不知道为什么绊跌呢？因为撒但弄瞎了他们的眼睛，他们藉着言传身教将他们罪孽的绊脚石摆在他人面前，从而弄瞎他人的眼睛。那些应该行在光中的人，却行在黑暗中；因为他们不坚定地仰望世上的光耶稣。?{SpTEd 153.2}[13]
§28
The Bible is full of knowledge, and all who come to its study with a heart to understand, will find the mind enlarged and the faculties strengthened to comprehend these precious, far-reaching truths. The Holy Spirit will impress them upon the mind and soul. But those who give instruction to the young, need first to become fools that they may be wise. If they ignore a plain Thus saith the Lord, and pluck from the tree of knowledge that which God has forbidden them to have, which is a knowledge of disobedience, their transgression brings them into condemnation and sin. Shall we extol such men for their great knowledge? Shall we sit at the feet of those who ignore the truths which sanctify the soul? As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule you. Why do not the educators of today heed these warnings? Why are they stumbling, not knowing at what they stumble? It is because Satan has blinded their eyes, and the stumbling-block of their iniquity is presented before others by their precept and example. Thus other eyes are blinded, and those who ought to walk in the light, are walking in darkness; for they do not steadfastly behold Jesus, the Light of the world. {SpTEd 153.2}[13]
§29
曾有大光赐给改革者们，但他们中许多人却因曲解圣经而接受了错误的诡辩。这些谬论历代相传，然而尽管它们年代久远，背后也没有“耶和华如此说”来支持。因为主已说过：我必不“改变我口中所出的”（诗89:34）。主本着祂的大怜悯，已让更大的亮光照在这些末后的日子。祂给我们传来了祂的信息，显明祂的律法且向我们说明何为真理。{SpTEd 154.1}[14]
§30
Great light was given to the Reformers, but many of them received the sophistry of error through misinterpretation of the Scriptures. These errors have come down through the centuries, but although they be hoary with age, yet they have not behind them a Thus saith the Lord. For the Lord has said, I will not alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. In his great mercy the Lord has permitted still greater light to shine in these last days. To us he has sent his message, revealing his law and showing us what is truth. {SpTEd 154.1}[14]
§31
一切知识的泉源是在基督。我们永生的盼望集中在祂身上。祂是世上有史以来最伟大的教师，我们若是想要扩大儿童和青少年的心智并且若能争取他们喜爱圣经，就应使他们集中心力在简明的真理上，挖掘出那一直被埋藏在遗传垃圾之下的东西，让宝石发出光来。要鼓励他们查考这些题目，所付出的努力会成为一种无价的训练。耶稣基督所代表的上帝的启示，提供了重大的默想题目，若是予以研究，就会使心智敏锐，提高才能。人在基督的门下学习这些功课，努力变得象基督那样内心柔和谦卑时，就会学到一切教训中最有用的教训——理智只有在因与上帝活泼联络而成圣时，才是最高的。?{SpTEd 154.2}[15]
§32
In Christ is the fountain of all knowledge. In him our hopes of eternal life are centered. He is the greatest teacher the world has ever known, and if we desire to enlarge the minds of the children and youth, and win them, if possible, to a love of the Bible, we should fasten their minds upon the plain and simple truth, digging out that which has been buried beneath the rubbish of tradition, and letting the jewels shine forth. Encourage them to search into these subjects, and the effort put forth will be an invaluable discipline. The unfolding of God, as represented in Jesus Christ, furnishes a theme that is grand to contemplate, and that will, if studied, sharpen the mind, and elevate and ennoble the faculties. As the human agent learns these lessons in the school of Christ, trying to become as Christ was, meek and lowly of heart, he will learn the most useful of all lessons,--that intellect is supreme only as it is sanctified by a living connection with God. {SpTEd 154.2}[15]
§33
圣经中关于假牧人的警告和指示，应当引起我们学校师生的重视。必须忠告学生不要接受这种假牧人为最高权威。学生们有什么必要中断自己的教育，去安娜堡接受深造呢？这种深造对于许多人来说，是灵性和对真理的信心的结束。这是不必要的训练，敞开心门去在麦子中间撒稗子；如此赞扬那些充耳不闻或无心领会清楚明白的“耶和华如此说”的教师令我们的大教师不悦。我们如此尊荣那些其教导直接使人远离真理的人，便不蒙上帝嘉许。要重视主藉着先知以赛亚向世人所说的话：“因为那至高至上、住在永远、名为圣者的如此说：我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒”（赛57:15）。“耶和华靠近伤心的人，拯救灵性痛悔的人”（诗34:18）。主说：“我所看顾的，就是贫穷痛悔、因我话而战兢的人”（赛66:2）。寻求耶和华的谦卑人有得永生的智慧。?{SpTEd 155.1}[16]
§34
The warning and instruction given in the word of God with regard to false shepherds, should have some weight with the teachers and students in our schools. Advice should be given to the students not to take such shepherds as their highest authority. What need is there for students to bind off their education by attending at Ann Arbor to receive the finishing touch? It has proved to be the finishing touch to very many as far as spirituality and belief in the truth are concerned. It is an unnecessary discipline, opening the mind to the sowing of tares among the wheat; and it is not pleasing to our Great Teacher thus to glorify teachers who have not ears to hear or minds to comprehend a plain Thus saith the Lord. In thus honoring those who are educating directly away from the truth, we do not meet the approval of God. Let the words of the Lord, spoken to the world through the prophet Isaiah, have weight with us. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. To this man will I look, saith the Lord, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. The humble, who seek the Lord, have wisdom unto eternal life. {SpTEd 155.1}[16]
§35
最伟大最重要的智慧乃是认识上帝。在默想上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督时，自我就沉沦到微不足道了。必须以圣经为一切学习的基础。我们必须个人学习上帝赐给我们的这个课本，这是我们灵魂得救的条件；因为只有这本书告诉我们必须做什么才能得救。不仅如此，理智还能由它得力量。被人认为教育应该接受的许多书都是误导人的，是欺骗和迷惑。“糠秕怎能与麦子比较呢”（耶23:28）？撒但如今正在鼓动人心向世人提供低劣肤浅的文学作品，使人神魂颠倒，紧紧套在撒但所发明的网络里。人读了这些书之后，便生活在虚幻的世界里，人生就效用来说，就象不结果子的树了。头脑迷醉了，不可能深入思想对今生和来生都很重要的永恒的现实。心智既受教以无聊的作品为食，就看不到上帝之道中的荣美。对耶稣的爱和喜爱公义的心丧失了；因为心智是由它所吃的东西建造的。人既用刺激的故事小说喂养自己的心智，就是把“草木禾秸”作根基。他对圣经这本神圣的指南完全丧失了兴趣，无心研究要与赎民在基督已去预备的居所同住就必须培养的品格。?{SpTEd 156.1}[17]
§36
The greatest wisdom, and most essential, is the knowledge of God. Self sinks into insignificance as it contemplates God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. The Bible must be made the foundation for all study. Individually we must learn from this lesson-book which God has given us, the condition of the salvation of our soul; for it is the only book that tells us what we must do in order to be saved. Not only this, but from it strength may be received for the intellect. The many books which education is thought to embrace, are misleading, a deception and a delusion. What is the chaff to the wheat? Satan is now stirring up the minds of men to furnish to the world literature which is of a cheap, superficial order, but which fascinates the mind, and fastens it in a network of Satans contrivance. After reading these books, the mind lives in an unreal world, and the life, so far as usefulness is concerned, is as barren as a fruitless tree. The brain is intoxicated, making it impossible for the eternal realities, which are essential for the present and the future, to be pressed home. A mind educated to feed upon trash is unable to see in the word of God the beauty that is there. Love for Jesus and inclination to righteousness are lost; for the mind is built up from that upon which it feeds. By feeding the mind upon exciting stories of fiction, man is bringing to the foundation wood, hay, stubble. He loses all taste for the divine Guide Book, and cares not to study the character he must form in order to dwell with the redeemed host, and inhabit the mansions which Christ has gone to prepare. {SpTEd 156.1}[17]
§37
上帝已极其恩慈地赐给我们一个宽容时期，叫我们在其中为必要临到的考验作好准备。藉着基督的中保工作，已赐给我们一切便利。人若研究圣道，就会发现各种便利已提供给那些谋求成为得胜者的人。圣灵要惠临赐给人得胜的力量，基督已应许：“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（太28:20）。{SpTEd 157.1}[18]
§38
God has most graciously granted us a probation in which to prepare for the test which will be brought upon us. Every advantage is given us through the mediation of Christ. If the human agent will study the word, he will see that every facility has been freely provided for those who are seeking to be overcomers. The Holy Spirit is present to give strength for victory, and Christ has promised, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. - {SpTEd 157.1}[18]