第06章 安息日学的影响
§1
第六章 安息日学的影响
§2
Chapter 6—Sabbath-School Influences
§3
安息日学应该成为救灵归向基督最伟大、最有效的救人手段之一。我们安息日学的工人特别需要被基督的灵充满。如果他们没有凭着信心让基督住在他们的心里，就不能成为与祂同工的。。……关于儿童们宗教方面的教养需要更加坚决的努力。安息日学的领导人和教师应当致力于获得完全的和谐。父母、儿童和教师之间应当互助合作。每一位工人都应当致力于获得智慧与机敏，按照上帝的要求朝着正确的方向努力。我们要培养机智和敏锐的辨别力，要敏于看出行善的机会，并要抓住这些机会，尽量加以利用。各班的教师应该把每一个孩子都放在自己心上，并且特别照应他们。{TSS 20.1}
§4
The Sabbath-school should be one of the greatest instrumentalities, and the most effectual, in bringing souls to Christ. Our Sabbath-school workers need to be especially imbued with the Spirit of Christ. They can not be co-workers with Christ unless they have Him abiding in their hearts by faith.... The children need a more decided effort in regard to religious culture. The leading workers and the teachers should labor for perfect harmony. There should be cooperation on the part of parent, children, and teachers. Let every worker labor for wisdom and tact, that he may put forth that well-directed effort which God requires. We are to cultivate tact and sharp discernment, to be quick to see opportunities to do good, and to seize these opportunities and make the most of them. Teachers of the different classes should bring every child into their heart, and under their special watchcare. {TSS 20.1}
§5
教师与上帝若没有密切的联络，就不可能为今生和永恒做这项工作。耶稣说过：“应当查考圣经，因为你们以为内中有永生，给我作见证的就是这经”（约5:39）。不要鼓励人以一种肤浅的方式研究真理。要使孩子们清楚明确地了解真理的每一个要点。不要一次将累积的问题塞进他们脑中。上帝宝贵的话语要作他们脚前的灯，路上的光。要使他们心中铭记，他们有特权行在光中。这是一条平安、纯正、圣洁的道路，是为主的赎民行在其间而修筑的。基督在这条路上带路，祂是真牧人，他们跟随祂，就可避免旁门左道和危险的陷阱。{TSS 20.2}
§6
It is impossible to do this work for time and eternity unless the teacher has a close connection with God. Jesus has said, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me.” Do not encourage a superficial manner of investigating the truth. Make every point of truth clear and distinct to the minds of the children. Do not crowd upon their minds an accumulated amount of matter at one time. The precious Word of God is to be a lamp to their path, and a light to their feet. Impress upon their minds that it is their privilege to walk in the light. It is the path of peace, of purity, of holiness, cast up for the ransomed of the Lord to walk in. Christ has led the way in this path; He is the true Shepherd; in following Him, they avoid the by-paths and dangerous pitfalls. {TSS 20.2}
§7
他们要在上帝的话中得知，凡进入天国的人必须有完美的品格；因为那时他们要安然见主。许多儿童和青少年的品格都印在他们的面容上。他们的面部特征镌刻着他们的生活史。真正的工人应该使孩子们心中谨记优美、纯洁、基督化的品格，这会美化人的面容。基督若是内心常住的原则，你就会在他们的脸上看到纯洁、文雅、平安和仁爱。在其他人的面容上，则有不良品格的印记，自私、狡猾、欺骗、虚伪、仇恨和嫉妒在那里表露出来。将真理印在这种人的内心和面容上是多么困难啊！ {TSS 21.1}
§8
In the Word of God they are to learn that all who enter heaven must have a perfect character; for then they will meet their Lord in peace. Many children and youth have their characters imprinted on their countenances. Their life’s history they carry in the features of the face. The true workers should impress upon the minds of the children a beautiful, pure, Christ-like character, which will transfigure the countenance. If Christ is the abiding principle in the heart, you may read purity, refinement, peace, and love in the features. In other countenances, an evil character hangs out the sign; selfishness, cunning, deceit, falsehood, enmity, and jealousy are expressed there. How difficult it is for truth to impress the hearts and countenances of such characters! {TSS 21.1}
§9
我们现在需要特别注意品格的培养。你们要以基督耶稣的心为心，好使我们安息日学中最高和最低的工人都成为高尚的人，这样，耶稣就不会耻于承认他们为祂的同工了。基督已为祂的子民预备了属灵的修养所需要的一切。耶稣若是住在心灵中，内心便充满祂圣灵的圣洁美德，这会在容貌的改变上表现出来。你若愿拥有优美可爱的品格，就必须有神圣的律法写在心上，并且在生活中实行出来。{TSS 21.2}
§10
We need now to give special attention to the cultivation of character. Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, that it may elevate and ennoble the highest as also the lowest worker in our Sabbath-schools, so that Jesus will not be ashamed to acknowledge them as His colaborers. All spiritual culture Christ has provided for His children. If Jesus is abiding in the soul, the heart is filled with the holy graces of His Spirit, which makes itself manifest in the transforming of the features. If you would have beauty and loveliness of character, the divine law must be written upon the heart and carried out in the life. {TSS 21.2}
§11
在我们学校里所教的圣经课，其重要性远比许多人现在所看出的大得多。这些孩子在不久的将来就要遇到充斥于基督教界的种种异端和虚言。要简明而十分彻底地指教青少年。我们的工作必须经受住审判的考验。这个时代的青少年必须靠着基督的恩典，得到资格去应付和克服已经引入社会的种种罪恶。他们要有机会应用所获得的一切知识和感化力，也要有来自上头的智慧，好抵制他们周围的邪恶潮流。支持谬论及不合经训之道理的人很多。世人大多在诱导他们忘记上帝，藐视祂的要求。上帝的律法被践踏在不圣洁的脚下。每一个青少年都因上帝所赐的机会和从圣经中发出来照在他身上的宝贵亮光而对上帝负有责任。{TSS 22.1}
§12
The Bible lessons which are taught in our schools are of far greater consequence than many now discern. These children will have to meet in the near future the heresies and fables that abound in the Christian world. Instruct the youth with simplicity but great thoroughness. Our work must stand the test of the judgment. The youth in this age must be fitted by the grace of Christ to meet and overcome evils which have been introduced into society. They will have opportunities to use all the knowledge and influence that they have acquired, and will need wisdom from above to stem the current of evil which surrounds them. The supporters of error and of unscriptural doctrines are numerous. The world at large is leading them to forget God and to despise His claims. The law of God is trampled beneath unholy feet. Every youth is responsible to God for His opportunities, and for the precious light shining upon him from the Scriptures. {TSS 22.1}
§13
教师的选择
§14
Selection of Teachers
§15
给予青少年和儿童的教导不应该有表面文章的性质。教师应该竭尽全力，作捍卫真理的人，高举旗帜。在我们的安息日学中，最糟糕的事莫过于把宗教经验上显出大缺陷的青年男女安置在工作岗位上了。……不要在你们的安息日学中降低标准。你们的儿童必须有那些其榜样和影响会成为福气而非咒诅的人作他们的教师。他们必须不断将标志着基督徒生活特征的高度善良、纯正和圣洁的意识摆在面前。他们对于这一点的观念不可变得糊涂起来；谁也不要在这些事上行事愚昧或无知。要用笔墨和声音鼓励没有道德价值的男女，他们以往的生活表明他们缺乏良心和诚信。他们虽然可能是精明、诙谐、聪明的人，但内心若不充满上帝的灵，他们的影响就指向地，而非指向天，而且无论他们在哪里，也无论他们从事什么工作，他们的影响总是有害的。{TSS 22.2}
§16
The instruction given youth and children should not be of a superficial character. The teachers should do all in their power, as those standing in defense of the truth, to raise the standard high. There can not be a worse thing done for your Sabbath-school than to place as workers young men and young women who have shown great defects in their religious experience.... Do not lower the standard in your Sabbath-schools. Your children must have as their teachers those whose example and influence will be a blessing rather than a curse. They must have constantly before them a high sense of the virtue, purity, and holiness which characterize the Christian life. Their ideas upon this point must not become confused; let none move unwisely or ignorantly in these matters. Give not, by voice or pen, encouragement to men or women who have not moral worth, whose past life shows a want of conscience and integrity. They may be sharp, witty, and intelligent; but if the heart is not imbued with the Spirit of God, and if they have not integrity of character, their influence points earthward, not heavenward, and will be detrimental, wherever they are, and in whatever they may engage. {TSS 22.2}
§17
我们极需能明察罪恶而且恨恶罪孽的男男女女；他们有属灵的眼光，能看出上帝圣工的需要，且以无私献身的兴趣作工，常将自我隐藏在耶稣里。我们需要上帝能嘉许的年轻人，他们有实际的敬虔，他们有良心，能迅速感知危险。他们不会高抬自我，也不会设法用敬虔的外衣隐藏心灵的缺陷。他们感觉到自己的软弱和品格的不完全，愿意将自己无助的心灵寄托在耶稣基督身上。那些很自信，认为自己的作风无可指责的人，工作一定会显出缺陷。使徒说过：“我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了”（林后12:10）。他意识到自己软弱的时候，就凭信心持住耶稣和祂的恩典。……{TSS 23.1}
§18
We are in great need of men and women who sense sin and hate iniquity; who have spiritual eyesight to discern the wants of the cause of God, and to work with a devoted, unselfish interest, keeping self ever hid in Jesus. We want young men of whom God can approve, who have practical godliness, who have consciences quick to feel and sense danger; men and women who will not exalt themselves, and will not seek to hide the deformity of the soul under a cloak of godliness; those who feel their weakness and imperfections of character, and who will hang their helpless souls upon Jesus Christ. Those who are self-confident, and think their way is above criticism, will show very imperfect work. Said the apostle, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” While sensing his weakness, he by faith laid hold of Jesus Christ and His grace. {TSS 23.1}
§19
凡参与上帝圣工的人，如果不愿被人类的仇敌所欺骗，就应当谦虚谨慎地行事。如果你个人没有上帝的启迪，你一定会犯大错误；你必称善为恶，称恶为善。我蒙指示：你应该少有形式方面的负担，多关注安息日学心灵深处的工作。安息日学的每一位教师都应该认为自己是上帝的传道士。他必须善用自己的光阴和才能去获得圣经的知识，以便将之传授给他的学生。教师若不学习，就会变得没有资格施教。他们在自己的工作中需要新鲜的想法、新颖明智的计划、生命、机智和精神。他们必须善于教导。{TSS 24.1}
§20
It becomes every one who has any connection with the work of God to move modestly and cautiously, if he would not be deceived by the enemy of souls. If you do not individually have divine enlightenment, you will certainly make great mistakes; you will call good evil, and evil good. I have been shown that you should have less burden of form, and a greater burden to see deep heart work in the Sabbath-school. Every teacher in the school should feel that he is a missionary for God. He must improve his moments and his ability to obtain a knowledge of the Word of God, that he may impart the same to his scholars. Teachers will become disqualified for their position if they are not learners. They need freshness of ideas, fresh, wise plans, life, tact, and spirit in their work. They must be apt to teach. {TSS 24.1}
§21
教师在授课时不应只限于重复念诵学课中固有的字句，而要完全熟悉学课的字句和思想。每一位教师在站在班级前面之先，都应该胸有成竹，知道自己为那天在那个场合要做什么。在学员面前亲自诵读学课并不是教学；你需要简明的言辞和清晰阐明的思想。要确保学员了解你的意思。他们若不能领会你的想法，你的努力就白废了。不要蜻蜓点水，而要深入作工。圣经是人生的准则和向导。必须使纯正的道理与学员的心与脑有实际的接触；然后才会有出产，因为你工作的结果必能见诸于合理的实践。{TSS 24.2}
§22
The teacher should not confine himself to the repetition of the set words of the lesson, yet he wants to be perfectly familiar with the words as well as the ideas. Every teacher, before he stands at the head of his class, should have his plans distinctly laid out in his mind as to what he wants to do for that day and on that occasion. Reciting a lesson yourself before the class is not teaching it; you want simple words and plainly, clearly-stated ideas. Make sure that your scholars understand you. If they can not comprehend your ideas, then your labor is lost. Do not skim the surface; work deep. The Bible is the rule and guide of the life. Sound doctrine must be brought into actual contact with the minds and hearts of your scholars; then it will produce fruit, for sound practise will be seen as the result of your labors. {TSS 24.2}
§23
真理的效果Effect of the Truth
§24
若是“律上加律，例上加例”地将真理的原则铭记在心，就会产生正确的行为。圣经含有许多发人深省的金句，是上帝所赐的，为要指导男女老少经历今生的斗争到达天国。基督的祈祷是：“求祢用真理使他们成圣，祢的道就是真理”（约17:17）。青少年通过研究圣经不论得了怎样的启迪，他们的本性都是这样的：若不将他们所已经知道的真理实行在日常的生活中，每一个想要提拔他们、使他们高贵的努力都会白废。父母们负有严肃的责任，要与安息日学的教师合作。{TSS 25.1}
§25
The principles of truth impressed upon the heart, line upon line and precept upon precept, will produce right action. The Bible contains the searching maxims which God has given to guide men and women, youth and children, through the conflicts of this life to heaven. The prayer of Christ was, “Sanctify them through Thy truth, Thy Word is truth.” However enlightened the youth may be through Bible studies, their nature is such that unless the truth of which they have knowledge is practised in the daily life, every attempt to elevate and ennoble will be unavailing. The parents have a serious responsibility resting upon them to cooperate with the teachers in the Sabbath-school. {TSS 25.1}
§26
有的人内心已经受了主圣灵的感动。恩典一开始在人心中作工，人心就谦卑顺服了；没有争夺高位的事，骄傲也消失了；人因意识到基督为罪人舍命的爱而不再想要高抬自我了。悔改的人看到自己的救赎主过了谦卑的一生，就想跟随祂的脚踪行。这种布道的精神在他心中觉醒，他就一面照着自己的信心谦卑谨慎而行，一面从事努力救人归向基督的工作，否则就不得安宁。他希望每一个人都知道救主之爱的宝贵。他在信心和忠诚劳碌的工作中，必遭遇强烈的诱惑和试炼，因为上帝在考验祂的子民。他心中若有这事的根，就必在真理上越发坚固。教师若因信而有基督住在心中，罪恶就显得可憎了。他以爱心、仁慈和温柔的态度对待他所教导的学生，同时意识到作为忠心的仆人，他必须维护纪律，保持班级的秩序。他如果把真理存在心里，就会在言行中表现出救主的爱。上帝的话在他并不是死的字句。他的侍奉不仅在口头上，而且在内心。{TSS 25.2}
§27
There are hearts that the Lord has touched with His Holy Spirit. No sooner does grace begin its work in the soul, than the heart is humbled and subdued; there is no wrestling for the supremacy; pride is gone; there is such a sense of the love of Christ in giving His life for sinful beings that there is no desire to become self-exalted. The converted one sees that his Redeemer lived a life of humility, and he desires to walk in His footsteps. The missionary spirit is awakened in his heart; and, while walking humbly and circumspectly, in accordance with his faith, he can not rest until he is engaged in the work of trying to win souls to Christ. He wants every one to know the preciousness of a Saviour’s love. In his work of faith and devoted labor, he will meet with strong temptations and trials, for the Lord tests all His children. If he has the root of the matter in him, he will become more and more firmly established in the truth. If Christ is abiding in his heart by faith, sin appears revolting. While he will have love, kindness, and tenderness for the scholars under his charge, he will feel that as a faithful servant he must discipline and preserve order in his class. If truth is cherished, the love of the Saviour is revealed in his words and deportment. The Word of God with him is not a dead letter; he will give not only lip service, but heart service. {TSS 25.2}
§28
每一个已经靠着基督改变人心的恩典出死入生的安息日学工作者，都会显明自己的内心有上帝之灵的深刻感动。那些想要指导别人，伪称引导别人走圣洁之路，自己的生活却以爱宴乐、骄傲和喜爱炫耀为特征的人，是不忠心的仆人。他们的生活与他们的信仰表白不符；他们的影响是得罪上帝的。他们需要彻底悔改。他们的心充满了垃圾，以致没有地方容纳使人高尚高贵的真理。心灵的圣殿需要得到提纯、净化和洁净；因为是撒但而不是上帝正住在心中。{TSS 26.1}
§29
Every Sabbath-school worker who has passed from death unto life through the transforming grace of Christ, will reveal the deep moving of the Spirit of God upon his own heart. Those who attempt to direct others, who make a pretension of guiding souls to the path of holiness, while their own life is marked with pleasure-loving, with pride, and with love of display, are unfaithful servants. Their life is not in accordance with their profession; their influence is an offense to God. They need a thorough conversion. Their hearts are so filled up with rubbish that there is no room for ennobling, elevated truth. The soul temple needs to be refined, purified, cleansed; for Satan rather than Christ is abiding in the heart. {TSS 26.1}
§30
让男男女女担当重任时必需谨慎。你们应该对他们以往的生活和他们所培养的品格有所了解。你们使敬畏上帝的工人所教班级里的人数加倍，要比增加其影响与我们所信仰之真理的圣洁性质不符的教师要好，因为他们的影响会败坏道德。要鼓励每一个真实、诚心的工人继续工作，始终记住这个事实：每一个人都要照着自己所行的受奖赏。工作时要专注上帝的荣耀。不要因为意识到你的软弱无能而拒绝负责任。上帝能赐给你力量和智慧，只要你献身给祂并且保持谦卑。谁也不要因为懒惰而不肯工作；也不要有人急躁冒进，在不需要的时候勉强从事。 {TSS 26.2}
§31
It is essential that care should be taken when placing men and women in positions of trust. You should know something in regard to their past life, and the character that has been developed. You would better double your classes under God-fearing workers than to multiply teachers whose influence is not in accordance with the holy character of truth which we profess, for their influence will be demoralizing. Let every true, honest-hearted worker be encouraged to work on, keeping in view the fact that every one will be rewarded as his works have been. Work with an eye single to the glory of God. Do not refuse to bear responsibilities because you have a sense of your weakness and inefficiency. God can give you strength and wisdom if you are consecrated to Him and keep humble. Let none through slothfulness refuse to work; and let none rush ahead, urging his service when it is not wanted. {TSS 26.2}
§32
为他人效劳的责任
§33
Duty to Labor for Others
§34
每一个真正的工人都要感激上帝，因为自己竟有幸主为作工。要伺机行善，利用上帝所赐给你们的才干，天天寻求主恩，以便在行善的事上取得成功。过去所丧失的行善机会应该使你们自卑到尘埃，并且使你们小心警醒，免得再度错过造福他人的机会。多少次工作的良机来到了，工人却不在岗位上！本来可以说出鼓励的话，帮助在试探之下挣扎的软弱的人，却没有说出来。本来可以付出有良好指导的个人的努力，可以救一个灵魂不死，并且遮盖许多的罪，却没有人去付出这种努力。这些疏忽的人在上帝的大日必要面对自己的疏忽。基督的血是最宝贵的，洗净我们一切的罪。我们既意识到基督救赎的爱，就应该利用每一个机会行善。这些时刻若是用来荣耀上帝，就是极其宝贵的。那些追求地上财富的人尚且不断警醒，以犀利的眼光注意利用机会达到自己想要的目标，为基督作工的人更应该热切地救灵归向祂。他们若是效法基督的榜样，向凡来到他们影响范围之内的人行善，就可以与基督同工。为了基督的缘故，你们安息日学中的教师和主要工人要作敬爱上帝的人；意识到自己的岗位责任，为灵魂警醒，好像将来交账的人，因为你们要为自己在所照管的人身上发挥的影响负责。{TSS 27.1}
§35
Let every true worker be grateful to God that he is honored in having an opportunity of working for the Master. Watch for opportunities to do good, and improve the talents God has given you, seeking grace daily that you may succeed in doing good. The lost opportunities for doing good in the past may well humble you to the dust, and lead you to watch carefully lest you should let slip opportunities of being a blessing to others. How many times the hour has come with its work, but the worker was not at his post of duty! Words might have been said to help and strengthen weak souls struggling under temptation, but they were never spoken. Well-directed personal efforts might have been put forth, and have saved a soul from death, and hid a multitude of sins, but there was no one to make the effort. The negligent ones will have to meet their neglect in the day of God. Most precious is the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin. A sense of the redeeming love of Christ should lead us to embrace every opportunity of doing good. These moments are exceedingly precious if improved to the glory of God. Those who are in pursuit of earthly riches are watching constantly and sharply their opportunities of gaining their desired object; and workers for Christ should be no less earnest in winning souls to Him. They may be colaborers with Christ if they, by imitating Christ’s example, do good to all brought within the sphere of their influence. For Christ’s sake let the teachers and the leading workers in your Sabbath-school be men and women who love and fear God; men and women who realize the responsibility of their position, as those who are watching for souls and must render an account to God for the influence they exert over those under their charge. {TSS 27.1}
§36
我们的信心必须增加，否则就不会被更新成上帝的形像，喜爱和顺从上帝的要求。要从没有诡诈的口中发出这样的祈祷：“主啊，请增加我的信心；赐给我神圣的光照；因为若没有从祢而来的帮助，我就不能做什么。”要谦卑地来到上帝面前下拜；在主面前打开你们的圣经，其中含有神圣的应许；要根据圣经采取你们的立场；要与上帝立约，使你们愿意响应祂的要求；告诉祂你们愿意相信，除了直率的应许无需其他任何证据。这不是僭越自是，但你们若不以热心作工，若不恳切而且坚决，撒但就会得利，你们就会被撇在不信和黑暗里。上帝的话和应许是我们信仰的惟一根基。要接受上帝的道为真理、为向你活泼发言的声音，并且要忠心地遵行每一个要求。上帝是信实的，祂已经应许。祂必与主管和教师的努力同工。我们的福气因我们的信心软弱而受到了限制。上帝并非不愿意赐福；祂是能力的宝库。我们必须怀有温柔谦卑的心。我们天天舍己努力向他人行善，就会拥有上帝慈爱与怜悯的丰富证据。我恳劝我们安息日学的工人们穿上上帝的全副军装，作耶稣基督忠心的精兵，显出他们的忠诚。上帝必嘉奖为荣耀祂而做的每一项工作。（《安息日学工作者》1886年4月1日）{TSS 28.1}
§37
We must have an increase of faith, else we can not be renewed in the divine image, and love and obey the requirements of God. Let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips, “Lord, increase my faith; give me divine enlightenment; for without help from thee I can do nothing.” Come in humility and bow before God; open before the Lord your Bibles, containing the divine promises; take your position upon them; make a covenant with God that you will answer His requirements; tell Him you will believe, without any other evidence except the naked promise. This is not presumption; but unless you work with zeal, unless you are earnest and determined, Satan will obtain the advantage, and you will be left in unbelief and darkness. The words and promises of God are the only foundation of our faith. Take the Word of God as truth, as a living, speaking voice to you, and obey faithfully every requirement. God is faithful, who hath promised. He will work with the efforts of superintendents and teachers. Our blessings are limited by the weakness of our faith. God is not unwilling to bestow; He is a reservoir of power. We must cherish meekness and lowliness of heart.We may have rich evidences of His love and mercy daily in our self-denying efforts to do others good. I entreat the workers in our Sabbath-schools to put on the whole armor of God, and, as faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, show their fidelity. God will reward every word that is done to His glory.—Sabbath-School Worker, April 1, 1886. {TSS 28.1}