第09章 安息日学需要真正的宗教
§1
第九章 安息日学需要真正的宗教
§2
Chapter 9—Need of Genuine Religion in Our Sabbath-Schools
§3
我们的安息日学并不是主所希望的样子，因为总的来说太过依赖形式和机构，却没有体现出上帝赐生命的能力，使基督为之而死的人悔改。这种事态必须改变，才能符合我们的安息日学存在的目的。我们必须有献身的教师，他们爱上帝为至上，并且爱邻舍如同自己。主已做了充分的准备，可以让教师的才能每个安息日都得到增加，使他们在教学时能有一定的目的，为眼前也为永恒作工。我们的安息日学中需要青年男女，他们要有至关重要的敬虔，不是低劣肤浅的经验，而是深刻的内在虔诚，是天天在基督门下学习的结果，使他们能将基督所教导他们的宝贵教训传授他人。{TSS 41.1}
§4
Our Sabbath-schools are not what the Lord would have them to be, for there is altogether too much dependence placed upon form and machinery, while the life-giving power of God is not manifested for the conversion of souls, for whom Christ died. This order of things must be changed if our Sabbath-schools meet the purpose for which they exist. We must have consecrated teachers, who love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. The Lord has made ample provision that teachers may have increased ability from Sabbath to Sabbath, that they may teach to some purpose, working as for time and eternity. We need in our schools young men and women who have vital godliness, not a cheap, superficial experience, but a deep inward piety that results from learning daily in the school of Christ, that they may impart to others the precious lessons which Christ has taught them. {TSS 41.1}
§5
那些满足于枯燥的方法，刻板教学的人，必达不到目的，不能完成安息日学教员所应做的工作。然而参加上帝圣工这一重要部门的人如果是名符其实的基督徒，以敬畏上帝的态度从事祂所交托他们的工作，深爱基督所为之舍命的人，他们就能成为上帝的同工。何时主理和教师毫无保留地献身给上帝，他们才会不仅立志，而且将自己的志向付诸实施。安息日学和走读学校的工人一旦充分意识到自己对上帝的依赖，开始从事他们正当的工作，基督的恩典就必供应，与人的努力联合同工。重要的是每一位工人都应当明白，在人力与神能合作之后，人心才会知罪悔改。我们安息日学的教师和主理必须象讲台上的传道人一样保持完全献身，因为他们同是从事着使人归向基督的工作。各人在自己的岗位上，都要象基督那样本着爱心为犯错而不知悔改的人作工。这就是基督希望在安息日学中看到的工作。{TSS 41.2}
§6
Those who are satisfied with following a certain dry order, of going through a round, will miss the mark, and fail of the work that should be done by a Sabbath-school teacher; but if those who engage in this important branch of God’s cause are Christians in the full sense of the word, doing the work given them of God in His fear, working with love for souls, for whom Christ died, they will be laborers together with God. When superintendents and teachers give themselves without reserve to God, they will not only resolve, but put their resolutions into effect. As soon as the workers in Sabbath and day schools enter upon their proper work, with a full realization of their dependence upon God, the grace of Christ will be supplied to unite with their human effort. It is important that every worker should understand that conviction and conversion of souls follow the co-operation of the human effort with the divine power. Entire consecration of soul must be maintained as much by the teachers and superintendents of our Sabbath-schools as by the ministers in our pulpits, for all alike are engaged in the work of bringing souls to Christ. Each in his place is to work, as did Christ, in the spirit of love, for the erring and impenitent. This is what Christ would see in the Sabbath-school work. {TSS 41.2}
§7
教师要以身作则
§8
Teachers Should Be Exemplary
§9
教师应该在精神、仪态和服装上在青少年面前树立一个正确的榜样。他们的衣着应该简单朴素；他们的精神应该象孩子一样谦卑，可是却纯洁而高尚，因为他们是站在上帝面前，向学生们表现基督品格的。他们应该以献身的精神，存温柔的心看待自己的使命，记住耶稣说过：“你们要小心，不可轻看这小子里的一个，我告诉你们，他们的使者在天上，常见我天父的面”（太18:10）。在天上瞻仰圣父之面的上帝的天使，正在察看儿童和青少年，你们作为上帝的代理人，正在教导他们得救之道。主管和教师们，要思想这事；你们是在天使们面前工作，你们所做之工的性质会证明你们是否忠于基督。{TSS 42.1}
§10
The teachers should set a right example before the youth, in spirit, in deportment, and in dress. They should be attired in plain, simple garments; and their spirit should be as humble as a child’s, yet pure and elevated, for they stand in the presence of God, to represent the character of Christ to their scholars. In the spirit of devotion, with tenderness of heart, they should look upon their charges, remembering that Jesus said, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.” The angels of God that behold the face of the Father in heaven are looking upon the children and youth, whom you, as living agents for God, are teaching the way of salvation: Think of this, superintendents and teachers; you are in the presence of heavenly angels, doing work the character of which will testify to your fidelity or unfaithfulness to Christ. {TSS 42.1}
§11
教师们应该始终记得，使人心瞥见天上事物的是圣灵，当他们靠着基督的灵作工时，这位天上的特工正将神圣的真理印在人的脑海中。他们若是常常意识到天使就在他们周围，他们是站在圣地之上，就会在我们的安息日学中成就许多更有效的工作。教师们就不会缺乏属灵的恩典和能力，因为他们会体验到上帝的同在。他们会明白，他们只不过是人间的媒介，基督藉着他们分赐祂天上的亮光。他们的工作就会充满诚挚和能力，他们也会知道圣灵帮助他们的软弱。{TSS 43.1}
§12
If teachers would ever bear in mind that it is the Holy Spirit that must reveal to the soul glimpses of heavenly things, and that as they work in the Spirit of Christ, this heavenly agent is impressing the mind with divine truth; if they would ever realize that angels are about them, that they are standing upon holy ground, much more efficient work would be done in our Sabbath-schools. The teachers would not be devoid of spiritual grace and power, for they would have a realization of the divine presence; they would understand that they were but the human agents through whom Christ was imparting His heavenly light. Their labors would be instinct with earnestness and power, and they would know that the Spirit helpeth their infirmities. {TSS 43.1}
§13
我们安息日学中的主理和教师必须悔改，摆脱习惯性的冷漠麻木。不可用一种乏味、无生气的方式教导宝贵的真理教训；而要藉着天天与主交通，藉着接受那公义日头的明亮光辉，必须将赐生命的能力加添到他们得人归于基督的努力中。他们必须不断将心意集中在基督身上，好使自己的思想和动机都具有属灵的性质，且使他们教学的方式方法都受圣灵管理。圣灵向人显现的最高境界就是使人能付出他们的最佳精力，因为上帝正在他们里面运行，使他们立志行事为要成就祂的美意。{TSS 43.2}
§14
The superintendents and teachers in our Sabbath-schools must be converted, rescued from their habitual insensibility. The precious lessons of truth must not be taught in a tame, lifeless way; but, by daily communion with the Lord, by a reception of the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness, life-giving power must be added to their efforts to win souls to Christ. They must continually keep the mind stayed upon Christ, that the thoughts and impulses may be of a spiritual character, and that their manner and method of teaching may be subject to the dictation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit in its highest manifestation to men is to enable them to put forth their best energies, as God is working in them to will and to do of His own good pleasure. {TSS 43.2}
§15
基督说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）。主没有撇下工人，让他独自作工。上帝的灵被赐给他，使他能立志行事，成就上帝的美意，而不是为肉体安排，去放纵私欲。那么，教师啊，要顺从圣灵的引导。当上帝的灵吸引儿童和青少年的心时，你要以温柔慈爱吸引和邀请他们，请求他们把自己的心献给上帝。“{TSS 43.3}
§16
“Without Me,” Christ says, “ye can do nothing.” The worker is not to be left alone. The Spirit of God is given unto him, that he may will and do of God’s good pleasure, that he may make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Then, teacher, follow the leadings of the Spirit. As the Spirit of God draws the hearts of the children and youth, you draw with tenderness and love, inviting them, and pleading with them to give their hearts to God. {TSS 43.3}
§17
儿童和青少年是基督赎买回来的产业，是祂用无穷的代价买来的。耶稣喜爱小孩子。祂慈怜地注视着年轻人，因为祂知道，撒但必设法吸引他们走宽路，使那条路引诱他们的眼目；耶稣却吩咐天使特别照管这些没有经验的人，无论他们是在家中，在学校里，还是在安息日学中。圣灵不断与他们相争，设法吸引他们归向上帝；与上帝同工的人要感到自己的责任，也要认真作工，得人归于基督。TSS 44.1}
§18
The children and youth are Christ’s purchased possession; He has bought them with an infinite price. Jesus loves the little ones. He looks with pity upon the young, for He knows how Satan will seek to attract them into the broad way, making it look enticing to their eyes; and Jesus bids the angels to take special charge of these inexperienced souls, in their homes, in their school life, and in the Sabbath-school. The Spirit is continually striving with them, seeking to draw them to God; and the laborer together with God will feel his responsibility, and will earnestly work to win souls to Christ. {TSS 44.1}
§19
需祈祷和忍耐
§20
Prayer and Patience Needed
§21
你班级的学员可能倔强、顽梗、易于犯错，使你难以忍受。但你可以将天上的种子撒在他们的心田中，日后必有良好的收成。如果教员没有圣灵住在心中，就会灰心，失去自制，因着不耐烦的话语和严厉的责难，抹杀自己的一切感化力，使工作归于失败。{TSS 44.2}
§22
The scholars in your class may be perverse and stubborn, inclined to evil, they may severely test your patience, and yet their hearts are soil into which you may sow heavenly seed that will bear a harvest for good. If the teacher is not imbued with the Spirit of God, he will become discouraged, lose his self-control, and, by an impatient word, by a severe reprimand, may cut off all his influence, and make a failure of his work. {TSS 44.2}
§23
安息日学的教师应该在上帝面前谨慎自己的脚步，具有祈祷的态度。他们当以要向上帝交账的态度去工作。他们蒙主赐给拯救生灵归向基督的机会，青年人在冥顽的状态之中愈久，就会愈坚决地抗拒上帝的灵。渐渐地，他们对于神圣事物所有的敏感，和对于宗教感化力的感受性就会逐渐减少了。撒但每天都努力地要束缚他们于不顺从的习惯、不受约束的精神之中，以减少他们成为基督徒的可能性。那些漠不关心的教师最后要怎样向上帝交账呢？道德上缺乏自信何以蒙蔽了教师的心眼，使他不愿作应有的努力以使可贵的青年与儿童悔改呢？为什么不让圣灵在心灵周围造成一种气氛以驱走道德的黑暗而使别人得到天上的亮光呢？ {TSS 44.3}
§24
The Sabbath-school teachers have need of walking carefully and prayerfully before God. They must labor as those who must give an account. They are given an opportunity to win souls for Christ, and the longer the youth remain in impenitence, the more confirmed they become in their resistance of the Spirit of God. With increase of years it is probable that there will be a decrease of sensibility to divine things, a diminished susceptibility to the influences of religion. Every day Satan works to fasten them in their habits of disobedience, their spirit of impenitence, and there is less probability that they will become Christians. And what shall be the account finally to be rendered by indifferent teachers? Why does moral diffidence bind the soul of the teacher, and make him reluctant to put forth proper efforts for the conversion of precious souls of youth and children? Why not let the Holy Spirit create an atmosphere about the soul that will drive away moral darkness and bring heavenly light to others? {TSS 44.3}
§25
安息日学中真正悔改的工人不会受世界的风俗习惯所感染，而会坚持道德的独立性。他会树立言行一致的榜样，远离世俗，与世界的精神和时尚保持距离。他丝毫不偏离与基督合一的宗旨，也不改变对上帝的忠诚。他不骄傲，不放纵自私的娱乐，不会因满足自己的嗜好或因爱好炫耀而浪费金钱，却要在精神、仪表和衣着上树立榜样。{TSS 45.1}
§26
The truly converted laborer in the Sabbath-school will not be moulded after the customs and practises of the world, but will stand in moral independence. He will set an example that will be consistent with his profession, coming out from the world, and maintaining a separation from its spirit and fashions. He will not be turned in the least from his steadfast purpose to be one with Christ, nor yield an iota from his stand of fidelity to God, in opposition to pride, to indulgence in selfish amusement, to expenditure of means for the gratification of inclination or love of display, but will be an example in spirit, deportment, and dress. {TSS 45.1}
§27
安息日学工作者哪，你要达到哪个标准，基督的标准还是世界的标准呢？你愿意说：“我要背起十字架跟从耶稣吗？”你不愿意在说服人的时候培养祂的温柔，在劝勉人的时候培养祂的恳切，并且以身作则地表明真理的高尚原则，在生活和品格中显明基督的宗教为你成就了什么吗？我们岂不要都听从使徒的劝勉吗？——“总要披戴主耶稣基督，不要为肉体安排，去放纵私欲”（罗13:14）。{TSS 45.2}
§28
Sabbath-school worker, which will you meet, the standard of Christ or that of the world? Oh, will you say, “I will lift the cross and follow Jesus?” Will you not cultivate His tenderness in persuasion, His earnestness in exhortation, and exemplify the exalted principles of the truth, manifesting in life and character what the religion of Christ has done for you? Shall we not all heed the exhortation of the apostle, “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof”? {TSS 45.2}
§29
我们需要向青年人表现真正的宗敬。这种宗教具有极大的能力和超越一切的感化力。内心的虔诚会带来快乐、活力和不断的成长。若要吸引青年人归向基督，就要让他们看见这样的宗教。这种宗教会在人的心灵中留下神圣的印象，使他们靠着上帝振作人心的恩典，身心得到更新。{TSS 46.1}
§30
There is need of representing genuine religion before the youth. Such religion will prove a vital power, an all-pervading influence. From heartfelt devotion, joyousness, freshness, and continual growth, will spring, and this is the religion that the youth must behold if they are to be drawn to Christ. This kind of religion will leave its divine impression upon souls, and its possessor will be renewed both mentally and physically by the refreshing grace of God. {TSS 46.1}
§31
你们这些安息日学或教会学校的教师要化一年时间试验，看看能不能说：“主为我们行了奇妙的事，因为有许多生灵被带到主的面前，作为天仓宝贵的禾捆。”（《安息日学工作者》1891年12月1日）{TSS 46.2}、
§32
Try it for one year, you who are educators and teachers in our Sabbath and day schools, and see if you will not be able to say, “The Lord hath wrought wondrously for us, for many souls have been brought to the Master, as precious sheaves for the heavenly garner.”—Sabbath-School Worker, December 1, 1891, par. 13. {TSS 46.2}