第29章 致R. A. 安德伍德
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第29章 致R. A. 安德伍德
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Chapter 29—To R. A. Underwood
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《信函》1889年第23号U-23-18891889年2月8日于密歇根州巴特尔克里克
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Battle Creek, Mich. Feb. 8, 1889
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安德伍德弟兄：Brother Underwood,—
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我儿子已将你的一封来信放在我手中，信中问到赖斯弟兄的事。你既已将他安排在负责岗位上，为何又要我们说说对他的了解呢？我觉得不能随意写给弟兄们关于他的一件事情的细节，从而写出可能会被用来反对赖斯长老的事实。他已存着谦卑的心承认了自己所做的一切。{1888 263.1}
§7
My son has placed in my hands a letter from you, making inquiry in reference to Brother Rice. After you have placed him in positions of trust why do you ask us to state what we know of him? I do not feel free to write to my brethren the particulars of a matter concerning him, and thus commit myself upon paper by giving facts which may be used against Elder Rice. He has confessed all that he has done with humiliation of soul. {1888 263.1}
§8
在明尼阿波利斯会议期间，我因为我们传道弟兄们的态度而经历了痛苦。我知道那种态度不符合上帝的灵。从那时以来，我就不相信他们一直完全处在上帝之灵的控制之下。我也不得不承认，在环境的压力下（因为我不愿试图去解释的一些原因），一些传道弟兄可能会被另一个灵带领。我不敢放心地与他们交流其他弟兄的情况，因为一旦有利的环境出现，他们就会错用所赐的亮光，伤害他们或我。这样说明此事让我感到悲伤。{1888 263.2}
§9
During the meeting at Minneapolis, I passed through a painful experience, because of the attitude of our ministering brethren, which I knew was not in harmony with the Spirit of God. Since then I have not been confident that they have been entirely under the control of the Spirit of God, and I have had to admit that under a pressure of circumstances (for reasons that I will not attempt to explain), some of my brethren in the ministry may be led by another spirit. I dare not repose confidence in communication to them concerning other of my brethren, for if favoring circumstances should arise they would make a wrong use of the light given, and injure them or me. I feel sad to state this matter as I do. {1888 263.2}
§10
我希望每一个弟兄都兴旺；但我看到他们随从自己的智慧和自己的判断，彼此接受错误的印象时，就为他们的灵魂感到战兢，因为我知道那会把他们带入困境并使他们与上帝隔绝。{1888 263.3}
§11
I wish prosperity to my brethren, every one of them; but I tremble for their souls when I see them, following their own wisdom and their own judgment, and receiving impressions one from another that is wrong, which I know will lead them into difficulties and separate them from God. {1888 263.3}
§12
我儿子没有给你讲赖斯长老的一些事吗？{1888 263.4}
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Did not my son relate to you some things in regard to Elder Rice. {1888 263.4}
§14
关于在弗农山建立的健康家园，我不能给予你所希望的鼓励。俄亥俄州区会若有大量的金钱，让弟兄们能投资于这种企业而不致扣留重要的传道区所需要的财力援助，以致真理会被带到许多现在还处在谬论黑暗中的人面前，那么我对此事就不会感到那么悲伤了。但这个健康家园企业却是一个转移资金的渠道，使远为重要的圣工部门因缺乏资金而受创，因为资金已被投到这个机构并且需要维持这个机构的运营。{1888 263.5}
§15
In regard to the Health Home that has been erected at Mount Vernon, I cannot give you the encouragement you want. If there was an abundance of money in the Ohio Conference, so that the brethren could invest in such an enterprise, and not yet withhold their means from important missions that need aid, so that the truth shall be brought before many who are now 264in the darkness of error, then I would not feel so sadly in regard to this matter. But this Health Home enterprise is a channel to divert means from far more important branches of the cause that are crippled for the want of the very means that has been invested and will need to be invested to keep this institution running. {1888 263.5}
§16
你自己有一个忧虑和责任，正在占用你可以全部投入到关系此时最后大工重大利益上的思想和精力。你会有意叫各教会的弟兄们去关心这个企业，以最有利最有前途的眼光将之摆在他们面前，要叫他们投资，而他们希望它成功的指望却不会实现，他们若是确实投资了，就会受试探，他们若是拒绝投资，你就会受试探感到不友好，不象弟兄。我看这整个的投资是一个错误。我从起初就这样看它。我看这整个的计划是一个不出于主的计划。{1888 264.1}
§17
You have yourself a care and responsibility on you that is absorbing thought and energy that might be wholly devoted to the vital interests connected with the last great work for this time. You will be disposed to call the minds of your brethren in the churches to this enterprise, to set it before them in the most favorable and hopeful light, to solicit their means, and their expectations of its success will not be realized, and if they do invest means they will be tempted, and if they refuse to invest you will be tempted to feel unkindly, and in an unbrotherly manner. I look upon the whole investment as a mistake. I have looked upon it thus from the first. I look upon the whole scheme as one not devised of the Lord. {1888 264.1}
§18
你在克利夫兰需要这种会将工作放在合适的标准上，与我们所相信的伟大真理相称的建筑，而这是能够做成的，只要弟兄们现在能将耗在弗农山企业的金钱投资于这些非常需要的建筑。那个建筑还有重债的时候，就没有许多心力号召俄亥俄州的各教会去做要是这个在弗农山的企业不挡在路上就有能力去做的工作。{1888 264.2}
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You need in Cleveland just such building as will place the work upon a becoming standard, in keeping with the greatness of the truth which we believe, and this could be done if our brethren could now invest in these much needed buildings, the means which is swallowed up in the enterprise at Mount Vernon. While a heavy debt is on that building, there is not much heart to make a call upon the churches in Ohio to do the very work which it is in their power to do if this enterprise in Mount Vernon did not stand in the way. {1888 264.2}
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我在考虑俄亥俄州的弟兄们行事不明智的时候，就不能以任何方式让我的影响力去推动他们进一步经营这个企业而没有证据表明主赞成我的努力，并与我在此事上同工。我知道在管理这样一个机构上会不断有严重的困难出现；因为我认为若没有舍己和精神和凡有兴趣在其中工作的人，包括医生和助手极大的经济投入，就不可能把这种机构办成应有的样子。{1888 264.3}
§21
While I consider that our brethren in Ohio have moved unadvisedly, I could not lend my influence in any way to push them farther into this enterprise without evidence that I had the Lord to approve my effort, and work with me in the matter. I know that there will constantly be grave difficulties arising in managing such an institution; for I do not think it possible to bring any such institution up where it should be, unless there is a spirit of self-denial and great economy exercised by all who 265are interestedly connected with it, including physicians and helpers. {1888 264.3}
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有些人已在错误中开始，决不会取得成功，直到他们彻底悔改了。而且使这些情况更加困难的是，他们在自己十分缺乏的事上并不觉得需要改进。我在天天寻求主，好知道祂的旨意，以便遵行。我们随从自己的道路或自己的判断是不安全的。主托付给我们的每一块钱都要明智地投资，在上帝的工作和事业中显明最高的利益。{1888 265.1}
§23
Some have started in wrong and will never make a success until they are thoroughly converted. And that which makes the situation of these more difficult is they do not feel the need of improvement in the very things where they are so deficient. I am seeking the Lord daily to know His will, that I may do it. It is not safe to follow our own ways or our own judgment. Every dollar which the Lord has sent us in trust is to be wisely invested, to tell to the very highest interest in the work and cause of God. {1888 265.1}
§24
我蒙指示看到上帝的仇敌在不断作工，要想方设法占用资金，从而使急需资金的工作受到阻碍和创伤。这些比其他企业更少为善效力的企业，会要求可以用在远为成功的其它方面的额外资金和才能，从而导致经常的困惑混乱。主希望我们诚实地面对问题，考虑我们所从事的每一项新工作或企业的美好、需求和债务。我们要用很平衡的心智仔细思考成功的条件。如今我们在这个十分严肃重要的时期从事的每一件事都必须在上帝智慧的指导之下进行。工作必须以团结合作开始，这是它所需要的。若是从一开始就犯了错误，继续同样的错误行径就会使我们离安全和成功的道路越来越远。继续走在可疑的道路上只会阻碍我们在认真救灵的工作上应该取得的进步。仇敌若能把人力财力用在次要的问题上，排斥更大更重要的权益，他的工作就算成功了。{1888 265.2}
§25
I have been shown that the enemy of God and man is constantly at work to invent plans and enterprises to absorb means so the work which is greatly in need of it may be hindered and crippled. These enterprises which will be less efficient for good than others will result in constant perplexity by calling for additional means and ability which might be employed in other directions with far greater success. The Lord would have us look matters squarely in the face and consider the beauties, the demands, and liabilities of every new work or enterprise in which we engage. We are to contemplate with well balanced minds the conditions of success. Everything we undertake now in this period so fraught with solemn importance must be undertaken under the guidance of divine wisdom. It is essential that the work be begun with the union and co-operation which it demands. If there has been a mistake made at the outset, a following on in the same course of error will lead more and more from the path of safety and success. To follow on in a doubtful path will only retard the advanced movements that should be made in the earnest work of saving souls. If the enemy can engage means and ability in a matter of less importance to crowd out larger and more vital interests he counts his work a success. {1888 265.2}
§26
在俄亥俄的不同教会中要建礼拜堂。有一些传道区要预备，要是那些必须从事这些重要事业的人被其它的利益拖累了，因上帝并没有放在他们身上的事业而困惑、担心、压抑，他们就只能三心二意地从事更重要的事了。{1888 265.3}
§27
There are buildings to be erected for the worship of God in the different churches of Ohio. There are missions to be prepared, and if those who must lift in these essential enterprises are cumbered with other 266interests, perplexed and worried and oppressed with enterprises that God has not laid upon them they can only engage in more important things with divided hearts and minds. {1888 265.3}
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你们建立那个机构时最初的安排和计划就显出了自私的原则。各方面都有急切的需要，必须予以满足才能拯救将亡的人。有些人能与上帝同工，能无私地参与积极进取的工作，继续反对谬论和罪恶。应该全心全意从事得人归主的工作。必须聪明地本着信心做成这工作。 {1888 266.1}
§29
The principles of selfishness were manifested in the very first arrangements and plans concerning the establishment of your institution. There are pressing wants on every hand that need to be met in order that perishing souls may be saved. There are those who can be laborers together with God, who can act a disinterested unselfish part in the aggressive work to be carried on against error and sin. The whole heart and soul should be engaged in the work of winning souls to the Master. The work must be done intelligently and in faith. {1888 266.1}
§30
藉着耶稣基督所能获得的一切机智、虔诚和献身，都应该用来对付大胆反抗上帝权威的事。撒但很明白自己会被揭露，他的计划和目的会遭到反对，而他能发明出来去占用财力和人力的麻烦事越多，他就越能抽调应该用在更大更必要工作部门的力量。但我要在此止笔了。 {1888 266.2}
§31
All the tact, piety, and devotion that is possible to attain through Jesus Christ should be exercised in meeting the daring revolt against the authority of God. Satan well knows that he will be exposed, that his designs and purposes will be opposed, and the more perplexities he can invent to engross the means and the ability of workers, the more he can take from the force that should be given to larger and more necessary branches of the work. But I will close here. {1888 266.2}