第30章 马萨诸塞州南兰开斯特的会议
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第30章 马萨诸塞州南兰开斯特的会议
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Chapter 30—Meetings at South Lancaster, Mass
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《评论与通讯》1889年3月5日
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Review and Herald, March 5, 1889
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1月11日，星期五，在南兰开斯特召开了特别聚会。我们高兴地发现教堂里挤满了要来从这些聚会受益的人。在场有许多人我们以前从未见过，他们的出席证实了上帝的能力使人心悔改并调转脚步走进遵守祂诫命之路。与会代表来自缅因州、康涅狄格州、马萨诸塞州和其它各州。我们认识到有一项工作要完成，要整顿局面，若无上帝帮助，这是人的最佳努力也无法完成的。我们便倾心恳求上帝为我们行事。我们有现代真理的一个信息要传给人；他们若是置身亮光的通道中，就会预备好去为他人做一项工作，与应该为他们做成的工作相似。{1888 267.1}
§6
Special meetings began at South Lancaster on Friday, Jan. 11. We were glad to find the church well filled with those who had come to receive benefit from the meetings. There were many persons present whom we had never met before, and their presence testified to the power of God to convert souls, and to turn men’s feet into the path of his commandments. Delegates were present from Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other States. We realized that there was a work to be done in setting things in order, which man’s best efforts could not accomplish without the aid of God. Our hearts were drawn out in earnest supplication to God that he would work in our behalf. We had a message of present truth for the people; and if they would place themselves in the channel of light, they would be prepared to do a work for others similar to the work that should be done for them. {1888 267.1}
§7
安息日上午我畅快地向人们讲了遵守上帝律法的必要性。只说我们相信是不够的。我们必须有那种生发仁爱并洁净心灵的真信心。上帝已在祂的律法中赐给我们一个完美的公义标准。“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的上帝；又要爱邻舍如同自己”（路10:27）。这包含着人对上帝和对邻舍的全部义务。我们的生命和一切使生命令人满意的东西都归功于上帝，而当我们拒绝顺从祂的时候，我们就在丧失和欺骗自己的灵命。没有人能选择自己的道路而不对上帝深为忘恩负义；这么做就是与上帝为敌而不是爱祂。{1888 267.2}
§8
On Sabbath afternoon I had freedom in presenting to the people the necessity of obeying the law of God. It is not enough to say that we believe. We must have that genuine faith which works by love, and purifies the soul. God has given us a perfect standard of righteousness in his law. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” This comprehends the whole duty of man to his God and to his neighbor. We owe to God our life, and all that makes life desirable, and when we refuse to render obedience to him, we rob and defraud our own souls. No man can choose his own way without deep ingratitude to God; in so doing he renders to God enmity for love. {1888 267.2}
§9
我们感到对那些一直在把真理的信息传给别人的人有负担，唯恐他们向上帝赐给他们的某些宝贵天光关闭心门。跟从耶稣的人若接受祂真理的信息，祂就欢喜快乐。有一次祂举目望天，说：“父啊，天地的主，我感谢祢！因为祢将这些事向聪明通达人就藏起来，向婴孩就显出来”（路10:21）。宝贵的救主，祂显明了生命和不朽，因救赎计划能为那些心里谦卑的人所理解而欢乐，尽管骄傲自负的人无法理解它的奥秘。精于世故的人看不出那个真理的美妙，基督不断将那个真理向凡象孩子般甘愿忠于上帝之人的悟性展开。对谦卑的人来说，真理乃是上帝的大能，使人得救。{1888 267.3}
§10
We felt burdened for those who had been bearing the message of truth to others, lest they should close their hearts to some of the precious rays of heaven’s light that God has sent them. Jesus rejoiced when his followers received his messages of truth. At one time he raised his eyes to heaven, and said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” The precious Saviour, who brought life and immortality to light, rejoiced that the plan of salvation could be understood by those who were humble in spirit, although the proud and self-sufficient could not comprehend its mystery. The worldly-wise cannot see the beauty of that truth which Christ constantly opens to the understanding of those who have a willing, childlike desire to be loyal to God. To the humble the truth is the power of God unto salvation. {1888 267.3}
§11
安息日下午，许多人的心受到了感动，许多人吃到了从天上降下来的粮。讲道之后，我们享受了宝贵的见证聚会。主离我们很近，使人们心中感到极需祂的恩典和慈爱。我们感到必须把基督介绍为并非远在天边，而是近在眼前的救主。当上帝的灵在人们的心中运行时，便看到了认罪和补过的果子。在聚会期间，当人们寻求更加亲近上帝时，便结出了果子与悔改的心相称，彼此承认曾因言语或行为互相亏待。狂热的大喊大叫和手舞足蹈并不是上帝的灵在运行的证据。主向以利亚显现是在微小的声音中。基督说：“看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席”（启3:20）。是罪人自己给门上闩的。他愿意除掉障碍，拔去门闩吗？门锁在他那边，而不是在救主这边。{1888 267.4}
§12
On Sabbath afternoon, many hearts were touched, and many souls were fed on the bread that cometh down from heaven. After the discourse we enjoyed a precious social meeting. The Lord came very near, and convicted souls of their great need of his grace and love. We felt the necessity of presenting Christ as a Saviour who was not afar off, but nigh at hand. When the Spirit of God begins to work upon the hearts of men, the fruit is seen in confession of sin, and restitution for wrongs. All through the meetings, as the people sought to draw nearer to God, they brought forth works meet for repentance by confessing one to another where they had wronged each other by word or act. Wild, clamorous cries and exercises are no evidence that the Spirit of God is at work. The Lord manifested himself to Elijah in the still small voice. Says Christ, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” It is the sinner himself who has barred the door. Will he take down the barriers? Will he unbolt the door? The locks are all on his side of the door, not on the Saviour’s side. {1888 267.4}
§13
有许多人，甚至在传道人中，都在他们前所未有的亮光中看到了那在耶稣里的真理。他们看到救主是一位赦罪的救主，真理是使人心灵成圣的真理。“我们若认自己的罪，上帝是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义”（约壹1:9）。我们若是愿意与基督的荣耀有分，就必须乐于分担他的耻辱。“祂虽然为儿子，还是因所受的苦难学了顺从”（来5:8）。这必须成为上帝每一个真儿女的经验。“基督既在肉身受苦，你们也当将这样的心志作为兵器，因为在肉身受过苦的，就已经与罪断绝了”（彼前4:1）。{1888 267.5}
§14
There were many, even among the ministers, who saw the truth as it is in Jesus in a light in which they had never before viewed it. They saw the Saviour as a sin-pardoning Saviour, and the truth as the sanctifier of the soul. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we would be partakers with Christ of his glory, we must also be willing to share with him in his humiliation. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” This must be the experience of every true child of God. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” {1888 267.5}
§15
我们若是蒙召去分担信仰中苦难的部分，就不应该抱怨。有许多人虽然没有觉得讨厌受苦，但他们并不运用单纯活泼的信心。他们说自己并不知道照上帝的话接受上帝是什么意思。他们有一套外表形式和仪式和宗教。看到不信存在于许多自称跟随上帝之人的心里，真是令人痛苦。我们有赐给世人的最宝贵的真理。那些已经领受这些真理之人的信心应该与这些真理的伟大和价值相称。许多人似乎认为自己在能来就基督得祂的救恩之前，自己先有一番大工要做。他们似乎认为耶稣会在他们做出最后的努力时来到，帮助他们完成毕生的工作。他们似乎难以明白基督是一位完全的救主，凡靠着祂进到上帝面前的人，祂都能拯救到底（来7:25）。他们忘记了基督自己乃是“道路、真理、生命”的事实。何时我们个别地依靠基督，存着全备的信心，单单倚靠祂宝血的功效洁净一切罪恶，我们就必有平安，相信上帝能实现祂所应许的。基督怎样表现了天父，我们也要照样向世人表现基督。我们不能把自己的义务转让给他人。上帝想要让你们明白祂荣耀的丰盛是什么，好叫你们向周围的人传讲得救的奥秘——基督在你们心里成了荣耀的盼望。{1888 267.6}
§16
We should not murmur if we are called upon to share the suffering part of religion. There are many who do not feel averse to suffering, but they do not exercise simple, living faith. They say they do not know what it means to take God at his word. They have a religion of outward forms and observances. It is painful to see the unbelief that exists in the hearts of many of God’s professed followers. We have the most precious truths ever committed to mortals, and the faith of those who have received these truths should correspond to their greatness and value. There are many who seem to feel that they have a great work to do themselves before they can come to Christ for his salvation. They seem to think that Jesus will come in at the very last of their struggle, and give them help by putting the finishing touch to their life-work. It seems difficult for them to understand that Christ is a complete Saviour, and able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. They lose sight of the fact that Christ himself is “the way, the truth, and the life.” When we individually rest upon Christ, with full assurance of faith, trusting alone to the efficacy of his blood to cleanse from all sin, we shall have peace in believing that what God has promised he is able to perform. As Christ represented the Father, so we are to represent Christ to the world. We cannot transfer our obligation to others. God desires to make known to you what is the richness of his glory, that you may preach the mystery of salvation to those around you,—Christ in you the hope of glory. {1888 267.6}
§17
当我们的弟兄姐妹们敞开心门接受亮光时，就更加明白了何为信心。主是非常宝贵的；祂随时准备加给祂的子民力量。聚会持续了一周，超过了最初的约定。学校也下课了，人人都恳切地寻求主。琼斯长老从波士顿来到，极其恳切地为人们作工，一天讲两次有时三次。上帝的羊群得到了有滋养的灵粮的喂养。在讲道中介绍了主给当代子民的信息。从清晨直到夜晚都在举行聚会，结果非常令人满意。{1888 267.7}
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As our brethren and sisters opened their hearts to the light, they obtained a better knowledge of what constitutes faith. The Lord was very precious; he was ready to strengthen his people. The meetings continued a week beyond their first appointment. The school was dismissed, and all made earnest work of seeking the Lord. Eld. Jones came from Boston, and labored most earnestly for the people, speaking twice and sometimes three times a day. The flock of God were fed with soul-nourishing food. The very message the Lord has sent to the people of this time was presented in the discourses. Meetings were in progress from early morning till night, and the results were highly satisfactory. {1888 267.7}
§19
在清晨的聚会上，我设法讲明上帝对祂儿女的父爱和关怀。上帝之爱的知识乃是我们要获得的最有效的知识，以便使我们的品格高贵、文雅、高尚。耶稣要成为我们的模范。主有最重要的功课要我们学习。从我们亲爱救赎主简朴卑下的生活上，祂带领我们这作儿女的看到祂的善良、怜悯和仁爱。基督总是向门徒的心指出上帝是一位慈爱的父亲。祂教育门徒以信任和爱心仰望上帝。当我们因上帝的伟大和公正而大感敬畏时，我们便被指向耶稣，指向祂无瑕疵的品格和祂无限的爱。在那里我们看到父在子身上显现，因为上帝就是爱。{1888 267.8}
§20
In the early morning meetings I tried to present the paternal love and care of God for his children. The knowledge of God’s love is the most effectual knowledge to obtain, that the character may be ennobled, refined, and elevated. Jesus is to be our pattern. The Lord has lessons of 268the greatest importance for us to learn. He leads us as children to take views of his goodness, mercy, and love, from the simple, lowly life of our dear Redeemer. Christ ever directed the minds of his disciples to God as to a loving Father. He educated his followers to look upon God with confidence and love. When we are overawed with the greatness and justice of God, we are pointed to Jesus, to his spotless character and his infinite love. There we see the Father revealed in the Son, for God is love. {1888 267.8}
§21
学生和教师都大得上帝赐福。几乎每一个人内心都感受到了上帝之灵的深刻运行。与会之人普遍见证自己获得了前所未有的经验。他们证实了基督赦免他们罪恶的喜乐。他们的心充满了对上帝的感谢和赞美。甜美的平安在他们的心灵中。他们爱每一个人，感到自己能在上帝的爱里安息。{1888 268.1}
§22
Both students and teachers have shared largely in the blessing of God. The deep movings of the Spirit of God have been felt upon almost every heart. The general testimony was borne by those who attended the meeting that they had obtained an experience beyond anything they had known before. They testified their joy that Christ had forgiven their sins. Their hearts were filled with thanksgiving and praise to God. Sweet peace was in their souls. They loved every one, and felt that they could rest in the love of God. {1888 268.1}
§23
我从未见过复兴的工作如此完全地进展，却不带有一点儿不适当的兴奋。没有催促或邀请。人们没有被邀请到前面来，却有一种严肃的领悟，意识到基督来不是要召义人，而是要召罪人悔改。心里诚实的人准备好承认自己的罪，并且力所能及地藉着悔改和恢复向上帝结出果子来。我们似乎吸入了天国的空气。天使确实在四周翱翔。星期五晚上的见证聚会五点开始，直到九点还没结束。没有光阴被浪费；因为每一个人都有活泼的见证要作。要是允许聚会自然结束，就还得持续几个小时；但我们认为最好在那时结束聚会。我那天晚上睡不着，直到天要亮了。主眷顾了祂的子民。在天上天使中间有喜乐，因为悔改的罪人回到天父身边了。宇宙看到的是一幅多么美好的景象啊，堕落的男男女女看见了基督，他们既将祂的形像铭记在心，就被改变了。{1888 268.2}
§24
I have never seen a revival work go forward with such thoroughness, and yet remain so free from all undue excitement. There was no urging or inviting. The people were not called forward, but there was a solemn realization that Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. The honest in heart were ready to confess their sins, and to bring forth fruit to God by repentance and restoration, as far as it lay in their power. We seemed to breathe in the very atmosphere of heaven. Angels were indeed hovering around. Friday evening the social service began at five, and it was not closed until nine. No time was lost; for every one had a living testimony to bear. The meeting would have continued hours longer, if it had been allowed to run its full course; but it was thought best to close it at that time. I was not able to sleep that night until nearly day. The Lord had visited his people. And there was joy in heaven among the angels over the repentant sinners that had come back to the Father. What a beautiful sight it was to the universe to see that as fallen men and women beheld Christ, they were changed, taking the impression of his image upon their souls. {1888 268.2}
§25
有许多人作证说，当鉴察人心的真理被提出来时，他们便根据律法看出自己是犯罪的人。他们一直在倚靠自己的义。如今他们看出自己的义与基督的义相比就像污秽的衣服，唯有基督的义才能蒙上帝悦纳。他们虽不是公然犯罪的人，却看出自己内心的邪恶和堕落。他们曾以别神取代他们在天上的父。他们曾努力克制自己不犯罪，但他们是倚靠自己的力量。我们应该以现状来到耶稣面前，承认我们的罪，将我们无助的心灵投在我们满有慈怜的救赎主身上。这便制服内心的骄傲，这也是将自我钉死。在比喻中，父亲看见了回头的浪子。他看到儿子的悔改和心灵的痛悔，就动了慈心，跑去抱着他的颈项，连连与他亲嘴。儿子说出了自己的忏悔，说：“父亲！我得罪了天，又得罪了你；从今以后，我不配称为你的儿子。父亲却吩咐仆人说：把那上好的袍子快拿出来给他穿；把戒指戴在他指头上；把鞋穿在他脚上；把那肥牛犊牵来宰了，我们可以吃喝快乐；因为我这个儿子是死而复活，失而又得的”（路15:21-24）。浪子充分承认了自己的罪。他没有为自己的恶行找借口，便得到原谅，重新在父亲家里得到了安置。{1888 268.3}
§26
There were many who testified that as the searching truths had been presented, they had been convicted in the light of the law as transgressors. They had been trusting in their own righteousness. Now they saw it as filthy rags, in comparison with the righteousness of Christ, which is alone acceptable to God. While they had not been open transgressors, they saw themselves depraved and degraded in heart. They had substituted other gods in the place of their Heavenly Father. They had struggled to refrain from sin, but had trusted in their own strength. We should go to Jesus just as we are, confess our sins, and cast our helpless souls upon our compassionate Redeemer. This subdues the pride of the heart, and is a crucifixion of self. In the parable, the father saw the returning prodigal son. He saw his repentance and contrition of soul, and he had compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his neck and kissed him. The son spoke his penitence, saying, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” The prodigal made a full confession of his sin. He made no excuse for his wrong-doing, and he was forgiven, and re-established in his father’s house. {1888 268.3}
§27
我们感谢主，我们欢喜快乐，因为流浪者回头、谦卑认罪，接受父家的欢迎，——穿上基督的义还不太晚。我因此每一天都全心感谢上帝。祂在以如此精彩的方式为人们行事时，我们若是漠不关心，就会成为祂所造的生物中最忘恩负义的。当好处来到时，我们若不赞美上帝，就会象沙漠中的荒野。我知道天上一直有欢乐，因为在南兰开斯特做成了善工；而既然天使们都欢乐，我们这些也已经目睹了流浪者回来，从黑暗进入上帝之爱的奇妙光明的人，为何不应该快乐呢？{1888 268.4}
§28
We thank the Lord, we rejoice, that it is not too late for wanderers to return, with humble confession, and receive a welcome in the Father’s house,—to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. I thank God for this with a full heart every day. We should be the most ungrateful of his creatures, were we indifferent when he works for the children of men in such a marvelous way. We should be like the heath in the desert, if we did not praise God when good cometh. I know that there has been rejoicing in heaven because of the good work done in South Lancaster; and if the angels rejoice, why should not we who have also witnessed the return of wanderers from darkness into the marvelous light of God’s love? {1888 268.4}
§29
认识上帝乃是人们所能拥有的最奇妙的知识。属世的人有许多的智慧，但他们虽有一切的智慧，却看不到诸世界之创造主的荣美与威严，公正与智慧，善良与圣洁。主按着祂天意的安排在人间行走，但人们却听不到祂威武的脚步，看不出祂的临格，认不出祂的手段。基督门徒的工作是要如灯发光，向世人显明上帝的品格。他们要抓住来自上帝之道的渐增的光线，并且将之反照给被笼罩在误解上帝的黑暗中的人。基督的仆人们必须正确地向人们表现上帝和基督的品格。使徒说：“惟有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属上帝的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗入奇妙光明者的美德”（彼前2:9）。{1888 268.5}
§30
To know God is the most wonderful knowledge that men can have. There is much wisdom with worldly men; but with all their wisdom, they behold not the beauty and majesty, the justice and wisdom, the goodness and holiness, of the Creator of all worlds. The Lord walks among men by his providences; but his stately steppings are not heard, his presence is not discerned, his hand is not recognized. The work of Christ’s disciples is to shine as lights, making manifest to the world the character of God. They are to catch the increasing rays of light from the word of God, and reflect them to men enshrouded in the darkness of misapprehension of God. The servants of Christ must rightly represent the character of God and Christ to men. Says the apostle, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” {1888 268.5}