第15章 论传道工作
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第15章 论传道工作
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Chapter 15—Remarks on Missionary Work
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《文稿》1888年第10号Manuscript 10, 1888怀爱伦论传道工作
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Chapter 14—Talk to Ministers
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（1888年10月23日于明尼苏达州明尼阿波利斯）
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Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 23, 1888
§7
我们的救主已经为每一个人分派了工作。任何人都不能向上帝提出他为什么没有完成祂所托付给他的工作的理由。上帝不会要求领了两千两银子的人发挥五千两的用途；但祂期望我们尽最大的努力善用所托付给我们的能力和才干。当我们努力善用祂所赐给我们的才干时，这些才干就会增加。{1888 146.1}
§8
Our Saviour has given to everyone his work, and no one of us can plead any excuse to God why he has not done the very work which God has given him to do. He does not require of the men to whom He has entrusted two talents the use of five talents; but He expects us to do our very best according to the capability and the powers which He has given us. And while we seek to put to use the talents He has given us, these talents will improve. {1888 146.1}
§9
我们认为我们的弟兄所建议的计划是妥当的。我们各自的教会如果照这个计划去办，我们就会发现实行这套工作方法的教会是有生命力的教会；因为做工的教会才会是有生命的教会。不过这里出现了困难。需要有能力进行适当的训练，教导不同的人如何从事他们份内的工作。每个被设为教会领袖的人，或负责教会的传道人，应当视此为他们分内之工。他们若是忽略此项工作，又怎么能完成保罗在圣经中的教导，“把各人在基督里完完全全的引到上帝面前”（西1:28）呢？这正是交给教师的工作。要言传身教，教育、教育、再教育。教会若是处于作工的状态，我们若是能教导他们如何从事这方面工作，就会发现这些工人产生了一种特别的兴趣。他们会说：“我参与了这项工作，尽了一份力量，我有兴趣做更多的工作。”他们正在根据上帝所分派给他们各人的才干聪明地作工，靠着基督作工。{1888 146.2}
§10
The plans which have been suggested by our brother we believe to be sound, and if we will practice something in this line in the several churches, we shall find that those churches which carry out a system of labor will be living churches; for a working church is a living church. But here comes in the difficulty. There needs to be ability to educate properly, to teach how the different members shall have their part in the work; and every one who is set as a leader in the church, or a minister who has charge in the churches should consider this a part of his work. Now how is it possible for them to neglect this part of the work, and yet to be able to fulfill the direction that is given in the Bible by Paul, to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”? This is the very work that is devolving on the teacher. It is to try to educate, educate, educate, by precept and example; and if we can get a church in working order, and if we can teach them how to work in this very line, you will find that these workers will have a special interest. “Why, yes,” they will say, “I have acted a part in that work; I have done something in that, and I have an interest to do more.” Just according to the several ability which God has committed to them can they work intelligently, and work in Christ. {1888 146.2}
§11
非常重要的一点是，要确认这些工人必须拥有耶稣基督的灵。他们如果心中充满每一位工人所应该充满的上帝之爱，寻求从上面来的智慧，就会在自己的工作中越来越聪明，越来越有效，以致成为有用的工人。我们首要的工作就是不使我们的心思、意念、方式和方法得罪他人。我们要成为传道事业的优秀代表，尽可能使工作达到高处。我们的弟兄正讲到要从阶梯的最底层开始。我认为这是最佳的方案。未受过训练的人最好不要想一步登天。他们如果愿意谦卑下来，就会开始获得从事圣工的经验和能力。{1888 147.1}
§12
Now here is the great essential point, to be sure that these workers have the spirit of Jesus Christ. If they are filled with the love of God, which should be in the heart of every worker, and if they seek wisdom from above, they will become more and more intelligent in regard to their work, and they will become more efficient in their work and will come up to be useful workers. Now, the very first thing is to have our hearts and minds and ways and manners so that they will not offend. We want to be such excellent representatives of the missionary cause that it shall stand as high as possible. Our brother was speaking in regard to commencing on the bottom round of the ladder. I believe this is the best way. It is not best for those uneducated to grasp at the top round of the ladder and think that they can do the work; but if they will be humble they will begin to gain an experience and have an aptitude for the work. {1888 147.1}
§13
我想知道，作为自称相信上帝给予世人最严肃真理的基督徒，为何不使我们的行为与信心相称呢？基督说过：“你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父”（太5:16）。这是我们应该做的工作，上帝会帮助我们让祂的光藉着我们照在人前。在任何地方我们都应成为最良善最聪明的工人。{1888 147.2}
§14
I want to know why, as Christians who profess to believe the most solemn truths that God ever gave to mortals, we should not have works to correspond to our faith. Christ has said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” That is the work we are to do, and God will help us by letting His light shine through us. We want to be the very best and most intelligent workers that there are anywhere. {1888 147.2}
§15
我们可以看到我们的许多姐妹懂得如何为自己家里编制好看的东西。但她们若是花时间恳切向上帝祈祷，研究圣经，上帝就会帮助他们，使她们拥有属天的智慧，知道怎样去拯救周围的生灵。那种工作在我看来就像草木禾桔，很容易被火烧尽。她们可以做清扫自己的家园，帮助她们邻居的工作。这将成就一番持久的善果。她们如果对这项工作有兴趣，就可以撒播真理的种子。我们必须在各水边撒种，因为不知道哪里会兴旺，是这里还是那里。但首要的工作是个人对上帝的献身。{1888 147.3}
§16
We can see many of our sisters who know how to crochet fine articles for their houses. Now, what if they would spend their time in earnest prayer to God and the study of His Word that He would help them to have heavenly wisdom to know how to save the souls of those around them? It looks to me as though this kind of work is hay, wood, and stubble, of substances that are consumable and perishable; but the work that they might do in cleansing their own household and working for their neighbors would present lasting results of good. And if they were interested in this work they might be sowing seeds of truth. We must sow beside all waters, and we do not know which shall prosper, this or that. But the first work is a personal consecration to God. {1888 147.3}
§17
我在英国曾看见几位女士怀里抱着小狗，用小毛毯盖着。所建的房屋既漂亮又奢华。问这房屋是给谁住的，回答说，“是给狗住的。”但你可以看到街上有一些小孩，妇女，可怜贫穷的人缺衣少食。你对此作何感想？你想到这样做的影响广大深远直到永恒吗？我们不想虐待上帝所造的动物，但我们首先要关心那些基督为之替死的生灵，不要将金钱花在如此愚蠢的用途上，也不要将金钱用于自私的嗜好上，而要用在帮助我们在传道工作上获得经验的事情上；如此行就是将财宝积存在天上。上帝亲自将每一自我牺牲的行为与教育训练我们作工的努力联系起来，将祂的印盖在其上。这在我们看来或许非常微不足道。我们可能绝没有想到我们作工的后果。但上帝知道一切，我们要在各水边撒种，因为不知道哪里会兴旺，是这里还是那里。{1888 147.4}
§18
I have seen ladies in England who would be riding in their carriages with their little dogs in their arms and the little blanket to put over them, and the houses that were built, beautiful and expensive. You ask what these houses are for, and the answer is, “For the hounds and dogs.” But you can see the little children and women, miserable and poor, in the streets, destitute of clothing. Now, what sense is there in that? Do you think that work will be as far reaching as eternity? We do not want to misuse any of God’s creatures, but we want to give our first attention to those souls for whom Christ died, and we do not want to devote our means in such foolish channels. We do not want our means to flow out for our own selfish interests; but we want to use it in gaining that experience that will help us to advance the missionary work; and in doing 148this we are laying up a treasure in heaven. God Himself will connect with every self-sacrificing work and effort that shall be made to educate and train ourselves for labor, and will put His seal and mold on it. It may look to us very feeble, and we may never understand the results of our labor, but God knows all about it, and we sow beside all waters, not knowing which will prosper, this or that. {1888 147.4}
§19
在各处都有教会即将死亡。他们如果愿意对自我和罪恶死，对贪心和爱好享乐死，就不会如此败坏；他们就会被引导将所有的能力付诸行动来做主的工作，于是这就会成为一种好的死。但是属灵的死亡却充斥我们的教会。没有人认识到教导信徒和努力为上帝的圣工招募工人的重要性，教导他们看明善用上帝所赐每样才干和能力的重要性。{1888 148.1}
§20
There are churches in different places which we may find that are ready to die. If they were ready to die to self and sin, if covetousness and the love of pleasure would die, they would not be so bad; they would be led to bring all their powers into exercise for doing the work of the Master, and then it would be a good death. But it is a spiritual death that pervades our churches. There are not those who feel the importance of teaching the members of the church and trying to get workers for the cause of God, to educate them that they may see the importance of putting to the stretch every power and talent that God has given them. {1888 148.1}
§21
我们的姐妹可以为主做一番善工。她们可以在家里为姊妹们作工。我们的弟兄可以接触男士。那些不化时间吸烟或寻欢作乐的人不仅可以省钱，还可以节省时间，用来为主成就一番善工。{1888 148.2}
§22
Our sisters can do a good work for the Master. They can work for the sisters in their homes. Our brethren can reach the men. Those who have a little time, in the place of smoking the cigar and enjoying themselves at the saloon, can not only save their money, but their time, and can do a good work for the Master. {1888 148.2}
§23
我记得上帝改变人心的能力在我儿童时期临到我时。我希望别的每一个人都得到我所得到的福气。我若不告诉他们就不能罢休。我开始和我年轻的同伴们叙谈，去他们家里，与他们交谈，告诉他们我的经验，救主对我来说是多么宝贵，我多么想侍奉祂，多么希望他们也侍奉祂。所以我会说到基督的宝贵，还会说：“你不愿意跪下和我一起祷告吗？”有些人会跪下，有些人会坐在自己的椅子上，但在我们放弃之前，每一个人都跪下，我们就会一起祷告几个小时，直到最后一个人都会说：“我相信耶稣已经赦免了我的罪。”有时在我放弃努力之前，太阳就会开始在诸天显现。{1888 148.3}
§24
I remember that when the converting power of God came upon me in my childhood I wanted everyone else to get the blessing that I had, and I could not rest till I had told them of it. I began to visit with my young companions and went to their houses to talk with them and tell them my experience, how precious the Saviour was to me, and how I wanted to serve Him, and how I wanted them to serve Him also. So I would talk of the preciousness of Christ, and I would say, Won’t you kneel down and pray with me? Some would kneel and some would sit in their chairs, but before we gave up, every one would be on their knees and we would pray together for hours, till the last one would say, “I believe that Jesus has forgiven my sins.” Sometimes the sun would begin to make its appearance in the heavens before I would give up the struggle. {1888 148.3}
§25
在耶稣里有伟大的能力。我们进入人家时，不应开始谈论琐碎的事，而要开门见山，说：我希望你爱耶稣，因为祂先爱了你。正如斯塔尔弟兄所说，要带书刊去请他们读。他们看明你是真诚的，就不会轻视你的努力。就是心肠最刚硬的人，也总有方法与他取得联络。本着纯朴、真诚和谦卑的态度，能帮助我们接近那些基督为之替死的人。我们不要忽略这项工作。{1888 148.4}
§26
There is a great power in Jesus. Now when we go into the house we should not begin to talk of frivolous things, but come right to the point and say, I want you to love Jesus for He has first loved you. And as Brother Starr has said, take along the publications and ask them to read. When they see that you are sincere they will not despise any of your efforts. There is a way to reach the hardest hearts. Approach in the simplicity, sincerity, and humility that will help us to reach the souls of those for whom Christ died. We do not want to be negligent in this work. {1888 148.4}
§27
我相信正在考虑的计划是会蒙上帝悦纳的计划。即将死亡的教会需要有人去为他们设计和计划，使他们能运作起来。但谁愿意去做呢？许多人想成为基督徒。我们若让酵开始起作用，它就会控制一个又一个的人，正如上帝的灵会与我们同工那样，我们就会看到我们能感动人，不是靠我们自己的聪明，而是靠上帝的灵。但是我们需要将上帝赐给我们的才干和能力付诸使用。我们不想永远是新手；我们应该知道如何行为端正；我们需要基督徒的礼貌。我们应该在我们一切的工作中都带有这种礼貌。我们不应该突显我们品格上任何一个尖锐的棱角，而应该存谦卑的心做工，这样我们就会忘记那些棱角，更好的品性就会进来。我们需要在工作中有愉快的精神。我们对待所拜访之人的方式关系重大。你可以通过握手的方式立刻获得对方的信任。若是你以一种冰冷，冷漠的态度，好像一座不会融化的冰山一样，你会发现别人对你也不热情。{1888 148.5}
§28
The plan now under consideration I believe to be one that God will be pleased with. Churches that are now ready to die want someone 149to devise and plan for them who has the power to set things in operation. But who will do it? There are enough who want to be Christians, and if we will let the leaven begin to work, it will take one and then another, just as the Spirit of God will work with us, and we will see that we can reach the people, not by our own smartness, but by the Spirit of God. Yet we want the ability and power that God has given us to be brought into use. We do not want to be novices forever; we want to know how to conduct ourselves properly; we want Christian politeness. And we want to carry it with us in all our work. We do not want any of the sharp corners which may be in our character to be made prominent, but we want to work in humility, so we will forget them, and better characteristics will come in. We want cheerfulness in our work. A great deal depends on the way you meet those whom you go to visit. You can take hold of the hand in such a way as at once to gain the confidence. If you take hold of it with a cold, unimpressive manner, as though you were an iceberg and did not want to be melted, you will find no warmth in return. {1888 148.5}
§29
在我们去欧洲的船上，我遇见一位医生对我说：“我想给你一点建议。你会遇到一些冷漠倔强的人，你的态度若是同他们是一样倔强，就绝不会给他们带来任何好处。不论他们看来是多么难相处，只要你愿意到他们面前与他们说话，他们也会以同样的方式对待你。要跟他们谈话就像你与我谈话一样。他们就会看到你是有心人，并乐于与你交谈。我喜欢和你谈起这些事；在英国也这样做吧！”{1888 149.1}
§30
When we were on the boat on our way to Europe I met a physician who said, “I want to give you a little advice. You will find a cold, stiff-necked people, and if you will be as stiff you will never do them any good; but if you will go right to them and talk with them no matter how diffident they seem to be, they will meet you all right; talk to them just as you did to me. They will see that you have a heart and will love to talk with you. I love to talk with you about these things; do the same way in England.” {1888 149.1}
§31
你们不要认为自己去与穷人接触好像屈尊似的，而要说得好像他们与你们是一样的人。他们很少有足够的亮光和喜乐，为何不携带额外的喜乐和亮光，好照在他们身上，充满他们的心呢？我们所需要的是耶稣基督温柔的同情，然后我们才能软化他们，进入他们心中。我们不应穿戴华丽的服装，而应穿简朴的服装，以便他们觉得我们与他们平等，我们认为他们值得拯救，这样我们就能软化他们，进入他们的心中。{1888 149.2}
§32
You don’t want to hold yourselves as though it were a condescension to come in contact with poor families. Talk as though they were as good a piece of humanity as you are. They have little enough light and joy, and why not carry additional joy and light to shine in upon them and fill their hearts? What we want is the tender sympathy of Jesus Christ, and then we can melt our way right into their hearts. We want to clothe ourselves, not with pomposity, but with plain, simple dress, so that they will feel that we are an equal with them, and as though we considered that they were worth saving, and we can melt our way into their hearts. {1888 149.2}
§33
现在，弟兄姐妹们，我们需要除掉铁石心肠，我们也需要在工作态度上除掉刚硬的成分。我们可以在每一个教会中训练工人。传道人不要觉得自己必须包办一切的讲道和工作，有时也要请别人来领聚会。这样做，他们就受到了教育。要让他们轮流主持查经会，使上帝赐给他们的才干得到运用。{1888 149.3}
§34
Now, brethren and sisters, we want the iron taken out of our souls, and we want it taken out of our manner of work. We can educate workers in every church. Don’t let the ministers feel that they must do all the talking, and all the laboring; but call on others to lead the meetings occasionally. In doing this they are being educated. Let them take turns in giving Bible readings. This is calling into use the talent which God has given them. {1888 149.3}
§35
我读过关于一个人给他的工人安置一个监工的故事。监工要负责监管十二个人挖沟。一天，那人过来看他们工作。监工正在沟底下挖掘，有汗珠从他的额上流下来，但是那十二个人都在上面，袖手旁观看着他干活。他把监工叫了上来，问他在那做什么。他说：“我吩咐你监督那十二个人作工，你为什么不这样做呢？拿着你的工资走吧。”{1888 149.4}
§36
I read of a man who had a corps of workmen over whom he placed an overseer. He had charge of twelve men and they were to dig a 150trench, and the man came along one day where they were at work, and there was the overseer down in the trench, and the sweat was rolling off from his brow, but the twelve men were looking down into the trench watching him in his labor. The overseer was called up and asked what he was doing down there. “I ordered you to keep twelve men at work. Why have you not done it? Here are your wages.” {1888 149.4}
§37
现在上帝已立我们作群羊的教师，让我们训练他们从事各部门的工作，使所有的才干都得到发挥。我们的传道人在操劳，却没有训练他人在工作中负起责任来。传道人的工作应该是教师的工作。一个人干活比让二十个人都干起来花的时间要多得多。让他们去闯一闯，容许他们犯错误，然后和蔼地告诉他们如何做得更好，要教导，教导，再教导，直到男男女女在属上帝的事上获得一种经验，能够担负起责任，我们却在这方面一直受着损害。我们需要能担负责任的人，而他们获得必要经验的最佳途径便是从事这项工作。{1888 150.1}
§38
Now, God has made us teachers of the flock, and He wants us to educate them in every branch of the work, that we may bring in all the talents. Our ministers do the labor instead of educating others to take the responsibility of the cause. The minister’s work should be the work of a teacher. One laborer might set twenty to work in less time than it would take him to do the work himself. Let them blunder and make mistakes, and then kindly show them how they can do it better, and then you can be educating, educating, educating, until you have men and women who have experience in the things of God and can carry responsibility, and that is what we have been suffering for. We need men who can bear responsibility, and the best way to gain the experience they need is to engage in this work. {1888 150.1}
§39
若是我们是为他人作工的，那么当我们聚集在一起时就不会缺少话题。我们就不会议论我们的弟兄或是想到如何自我满足，因为我们会摆脱这些事情，逐渐成为耶稣基督的工人。若是这项工作在每一区会或教会运作起来，我相信在明年会看到教会的气氛改变了，更高尚更健全了。就不会有那么多闲谈者和长舌妇了。也不会有多余的时间说一些无聊的故事了，我们就会看到许多生灵悔改归向基督。基督既已给了我们如此大爱的凭证，我们对周围的人为何漠不关心呢？弟兄们，上帝不会撇下我们。祂会将祂改变人心的大能临到我们身上。这就如将一颗小石子投在水里，激起层层涟漪，开始很小，渐渐扩大直到岸边。{1888 150.2}
§40
Then if we work for others we will not lack for something to talk about when we assemble together. We will not have to talk about our brethren and think of our self-sufficiency, for we will be working out of those things and getting to be workers for Jesus Christ. If this branch of the work could be taken up in every conference and church, I believe we should see in the year to come an elevation, a healthfulness, a different atmosphere in the church. There would not be so many tattlers and gossipers. There would not be so much time for idle tales, and we would see many souls converted to Christ. Why should we not feel an interest for those around us when Christ has given us such an evidence of His love? Why, brethren, God will not leave us. He will let His converting power be upon us. These things will enlarge as the waves from a pebble thrown in the water; the first are small, but they grow larger and larger till they reach the bank. {1888 150.2}
§41
弟兄们，我们要有所作为，使圣工开始运作起来。我们要为救灵而有所作为，最终使我们得享主的喜乐，好赞美我们的主，因为我们已经靠着祂成了救人的媒介。有些人会说，正是藉着你，使我靠着耶稣基督得救了。这就是我们将要得享主喜乐的方式。这也是我们工作的方法。我们或许不能知道我们在这里作工的果效如何，但我们将在永恒看到我们为主所成就的。我们将会彻底贯彻实施这计划吗？若是这样，主的祝福就会伴随我们的努力。——《文稿》1888年第10号{1888 150.3}
§42
Brethren, we want to do something to set things in operation for God. We want to do something that will save souls, that at last we may enter into the joy of our Lord, that we may give praises to our Lord that we have been the means of saving some through Him. That some may say, It is through your instrumentality, it is you who saved me through Jesus Christ. That is the way we shall enter into the joy of our Lord. This is the way we want to work. We cannot know here what the effect of our work has been, but we shall see in eternity what we have done for the Master. Shall we plan and devise to carry out these plans to the letter? then the blessings of the Lord will attend all our labors.—Manuscript 10, 1888. {1888 150.3}