第45章 堪萨斯州奥塔瓦帐篷大会
§1
第45章 堪萨斯州奥塔瓦帐篷大会
§2
Chapter 45—Camp-Meeting at Ottawa, Kansas
§3
《评论与通讯》1889年7月23日
§4
Review and Herald, July 23, 1889
§5
我们于1889年5月6日离开了巴特尔克里克，去参加在堪萨斯州渥太华举办的帐篷大会。我们愉快而富有成效地探访了芝加哥传道区的朋友们，又在堪萨斯州的劳伦斯短暂停留了五小时之后，于星期二晚上八点钟抵达了渥太华的森林公园。工人会议已经进行了数日。卢梭夫妇仁慈地把他们装备很好的帐篷给我们住宿，所以我们整个聚会期间住得都很好。{1888 386.1}
§6
We left Battle Creek, Mich., May 6, 1889, to attend the camp-meeting at Ottawa, Kan. After a pleasant and profitable visit with our friends at the Chicago mission, and a lay-over of five hours at Lawrence, Kan., we arrived at Forest Park, Ottawa, at eight o’clock, Tuesday evening. The workers’ meeting had been in progress several days. Through the kindness of Bro. and sister Rousseau, who gave up their nicely furnished tent for our accommodation, we were pleasantly situated throughout the meeting. {1888 386.1}
§7
空气很压抑，我的心脏处在很软弱的状态，使我难以对人们讲话。我不断地向上帝祷告：“请赐给我体力、清晰的脑力和灵力，使我能靠着祢的恩典成为众人的福气。”“地极的人都当仰望我，就必得救”（赛45:22），这句话对我来说非常宝贵。我感到自己需要得救，我的身体需要得到医治，脑力需要加强，灵力需要鼓舞，好使我能帮助那些来聚会敬拜上帝的人。{1888 386.2}
§8
The atmosphere was oppressive, and my heart was in so weak a condition that it was difficult for me to speak to the people. My continual prayer to God was, “Give me physical strength, mental clearness, and spiritual power, that through thy grace I may be a blessing to the people.” The words, “Look unto me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth,” were very precious to me. I felt that I needed to be saved, to be healed physically, to be strengthened mentally, to be invigorated spiritually, that I might help those who were assembled to worship God. {1888 386.2}
§9
有些人在把警告、督责或鼓励的信息传给上帝子民，好坚固那剩下将要死的，一些有势力的人却不断在作工反对他们。撒但不断设法挫败上帝的旨意。他有代理人，他们看不见自己恶行的结果，撒但藉着他们的恶行来成就自己的计划。{1888 386.3}
§10
There are powerful agencies continually at work to oppose those who are sent with messages of warning, reproof, or encouragement to the people of God, to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die. Satan is continually seeking to defeat the purpose of God, and he has his agents, who are blinded to the results of their evil course, by which he works to accomplish his designs. {1888 386.3}
§11
我们的弟兄姐妹有危险变得粗心大意，看不见自己属灵的需要，以致在这些全体大会上没有戒备；所以当他们应该因接受亮光而变得刚强时，他们却会因拒绝亮光而变得软弱，因为他们疏于警醒祷告。上帝的子民无论在哪里聚集，撒但和他的使者都在那里，要藉着人力运用他们的能力。那恶者若是能找到一个人接受他的暗示，就推进他的优势。当尘世的倾向控制人的意念时，属灵的本性就麻木了，人们就“看也看不见，听也听不见，也不明白”（太13:13）。人心自然的思路并不属灵，而那些向怀疑、恶意的猜测、嫉妒和不信敞开心门的人，是难以接受真理，或对上帝的信息留下深刻印象的。{1888 386.4}
§12
There is danger that our brethren and sisters will become careless, and will be blinded to their spiritual needs, so that they will not be on their guard at these general meetings; and when they should grow strong by accepting light, they will become weak by refusing it, because they neglect to watch and pray. Wherever the people of God are assembled, Satan and his angels are found to exercise their power through human agencies. If the evil one can find one soul open to his suggestions, he presses his advantage. When earthly tendencies control the mind, the spiritual nature is benumbed, and men, “seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” The natural current of the thought is not spiritual, and it is difficult for those whose minds are open to suspicion, evil surmisings, envy, and unbelief, to receive the truth, or to be impressed with the message of God. {1888 386.4}
§13
撒但发现充足的机会在完全预备好接受稗子的心田里撒播稗子。他若能给他的爪牙捕获那些知道真理的人，就能藉着他们来到其他聚集敬拜上帝的人面前，一个人心中怀有的不信的种子，就会进入许多人心里。但是虽然撒但可以殷勤作工，我们也不必丧胆；因为耶和华军队的元帅说过：“天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了；”“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（太28:18,20）。“你们可以放心，我已经胜了世界”（约16:33）。{1888 386.5}
§14
Satan finds ample opportunity to sow tares in the soil that is all prepared for the seed. If he can secure for his agents those who know the truth, through them he can come to others who have assembled to worship God, and the seeds of unbelief cherished in one mind, will find an entrance into the minds of many others. But although Satan may work diligently, we need not be discouraged; for the Captain of the Lord’s host has said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth;” “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world;” “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” {1888 386.5}
§15
当主赐给我们一项工作去做的时候，我们若是本着敬畏祂的心去做，我们的工作就会完全蒙上帝悦纳。对于那些忠心尽责的人，那些靠从上帝口中所出的一切话而活的人，祂的应许一点一画都不会落空。我们是要相信和顺从上帝的诫命的。我不得不与黑暗的权势打许多仗，才不致于向软弱屈服，不再为真理的事业积极作战。我赞美上帝，因为我一直都能仰望耶稣，当我的感觉反对我的努力的时候，我的工作还能前进；我作见证荣耀上帝，因为祂的应许对我的双脚来说并不象流沙，而是象坚石和稳固的根基。祂的话一句都不会落空。{1888 386.6}
§16
When the Lord gives us a work to do, if we do it in his fear, it will be wholly acceptable to God. Not one jot or tittle of his promises will fail to those who act their part with fidelity, who live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We are to believe and obey the commandments of God. I have to fight many battles with the powers of darkness, that I may not yield to infirmities, and give up aggressive warfare for the cause of truth. I praise God that I have been enabled to look to Jesus, and go forward in my work when my feelings were opposed to the effort; and I bear testimony to the glory of God that his promises have not been like sliding sand to my feet, but as solid rock and a sure foundation. None of his words have failed. {1888 386.6}
§17
我确信主加给了我力量，莫过于在堪萨斯聚会上了。A.T.琼斯和D. T.琼弟兄以及其他人坚持不懈地作工，为要使人们对真理有深刻的印象，但是人们似乎难以认识到运用活泼信心的必要性。在夜间的异象中，我的工作摆开在我面前，我虽然虚弱、头晕而且颤抖，还是想要遵循所得的指示。除了我自己没有人能知道当我的心脏处于那么虚弱的状态时，我从事工作是多么的困难。但安慰的保证临到了我：“不要惧怕，我与你同在。我有一道信息必须传给这班人。”于是我每一次努力都有力量赐给我。有时我的精神非常沮丧，我在离开帐篷时会与软弱作斗争；然而当我站在人们面前时，从上帝而来的力量、自由和能力就停留在我身上，我就能以确信说：“我知道我所信的是谁”（提后1:12）。我知道惟有上帝能完成必须在这次聚会上完成的工作。基督说过：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）。人的智慧和帮助是多么枉然！{1888 386.7}
§18
I was never more certain that the Lord strengthened me, than at the Kansas meeting. Bro. A.T. and D. T. Jones, and others, had wrought perseveringly to impress the people with the truth, but it seemed difficult for the people to realize the necessity of exercising living faith. In a vision of the night, my work was laid open before me, and though weak and faint and trembling, I attempted to follow the directions given. No one but myself can know how difficult it was for me to engage in the work when my heart was in so feeble a condition. But the comforting assurance came to me, “Fear not, I am with thee. I have a message which must come to this people.” And strength was given me at every effort. At times I was greatly depressed in spirit, and on leaving my tent I would struggle with weakness; but as I stood before the people, strength, freedom, and power from God rested upon me, and I could say with assurance, “I know whom I have believed.” I knew that God alone could accomplish the work that was necessary to be done at this meeting. Christ has said, “Without me, ye can do nothing.” How vain are the wisdom and help of man! {1888 386.7}
§19
我非常担心十分必要为聚集的会众做成的工作不会完成。黑暗之君想尽办法运用自己的能力，要一直麻痹我们的人的道德感，以便控制他们去支持他的事业。他窥伺每一个机会，要影响人的意念，好使他们服务于他的利益。他设法使人处在灵性盲目的状态，叫他们认不出真牧人的声音。{1888 386.8}
§20
I greatly feared that the work so essential to be done for the people assembled, would not be accomplished. The prince of darkness exerts his power in every conceivable manner to keep the moral sensibilities of our people paralyzed, that he may hold them under his control to support his cause. He watches every opportunity to work upon human minds, that he may influence them to serve his interest. He seeks to hold men in spiritual blindness, that they may not discern the voice of the True Shepherd. {1888 386.8}
§21
在堪萨斯的会议上，我祈求上帝摧毁仇敌的势力，让处在黑暗中的人打开心门接受上帝将要传给他们的信息，看见那许多人尚不认识的真理。这是古老的真理以新的形式表达出来。上帝子民的悟性模糊了，因为撒但歪曲了上帝的品格。我们良善恩惠的主竟被披上撒但品性的色彩，呈现在人们眼前。长期以来，许多寻求真理的人以错误的眼光看待上帝，以致很难从他们的视野中驱散掩盖祂荣耀的乌云。许多人一直生活在怀疑的气氛中，似乎不可能抓住眼前基督福音的希望。{1888 386.9}
§22
At the Kansas meeting my prayer to God was, that the power of the enemy might be broken, and that the people who had been in darkness might open their hearts and minds to the message that God should send them, that they might see the truth, new to many minds, as old truth in new frame-work. The understanding of the people of God has been blinded; for Satan has misrepresented the character of God. Our good and gracious Lord has been presented before the people clothed in the attributes of Satan, and men and women who have been seeking for truth, have so long regarded God in a false light that it is difficult to dispel the cloud that obscures his glory from their view. Many have been living in an atmosphere of doubt, and it seems almost impossible for them to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel of Christ. {1888 386.9}
§23
星期五傍晚一场大雷雨和强烈的闪电扫过营地。我们期望大气中的这场暴动会净化空气；而当我听着隆隆雷声时，心中切愿上帝的能力在民中彰显，也使道德的空气得到净化。安息日所讲述的真理对大多数会众来说都是新的。从圣经的宝库中有新旧的东西拿出来。人们过去所不大理解和运用的真理显明了。从有关上帝律法与福音的话语中有光照耀出来。基督是我们的义，这在那些渴慕真理的人看来，似乎是太宝贵的亮光，简直难以接受。安息日的工作没有白费。星期日早晨，有明确的证据证明，上帝的灵使会众的道德和属灵状况发生了巨大的变化。他们的心思意念向上帝降服了。那些长久处在黑暗中的人作了宝贵的见证。有一位弟兄谈到了在他接受基督为我们的义这个好消息之前所经历的斗争。斗争非常剧烈，但是主与他同工。他的心意改变了，有了新的力量。主把真理清晰地呈现在他面前，启示他惟有基督才是一切希望和救恩的源泉。“生命在祂里头，这生命就是人的光。”“道成了肉身，住在我们中间，充充满满地有恩典，有真理。我们也见过祂的荣光，正是父独生子的荣光”（约1:4, 14）。{1888 386.10}
§24
On Friday evening a heavy thunder-storm, with sharp lightnings, swept over the camp. We expected that this commotion in the atmosphere would purify the air; and as I listened to the roll of the thunder, my soul earnestly desired that the power of God might be displayed among the people, that the moral atmosphere also might be purified. On Sabbath, truths were presented that were new to the majority of the congregation. Things new and old were brought forth 387from the treasure-house of God’s word. Truths were revealed which the people were scarcely able to comprehend and appropriate. Light flashed from the oracles of God in relation to the law and the gospel, in relation to the fact that Christ is our righteousness, which seemed to souls who were hungry for truth, as light too precious to be received. But the labors of the Sabbath were not in vain. On Sunday morning there was decided evidence that the Spirit of God was working great changes in the moral and spiritual condition of those assembled. There was a surrendering of the mind and heart to God, and precious testimonies were borne by those who had long been in darkness. One brother spoke of the struggle that he had experienced before he could receive the good news that Christ is our righteousness. The conflict was severe, but the Lord was at work with him, and his mind was changed, and his strength renewed. The Lord presented the truth before him in clear lines, revealing the fact that Christ alone is the source of all hope and salvation. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” {1888 386.10}
§25
有一位参加传道工作的青年弟兄说，他在这次会议期间所享受的上帝福气和慈爱，超过了他以往所有时候的总和。还有一位说，他心中所忍受的试炼、困惑与挣扎，曾使他有了放弃一切的念头。他觉得如果自己不能得到基督更多的恩典，他就会绝望了。然而这次会议的影响，使他经历了内心的改变。藉着信靠基督，他对救恩有了更深的认识。他认识到因信称义是他的特权。他与上帝和好了，声泪俱下地说出了他心灵所得到的解脱与福气。每一次见证会都有许多人见证他们从所接受的亮光中所得到的平安、慰藉和喜乐。{1888 387.1}
§26
One of our young ministering brethren said that he had enjoyed more of the blessing and love of God during that meeting than in all his life before. Another stated that the trials, perplexities, and conflicts which he had endured in his mind had been of such a character that he had been tempted to give up everything. He had felt that there was no hope for him, unless he could obtain more of the grace of Christ; but through the influence of the meetings he had experienced a change of heart, and had a better knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ. He saw that it was his privilege to be justified by faith; he had peace with God, and with tears confessed what relief and blessing had come to his soul. At every social meeting, many testimonies were borne as to the peace, comfort, and joy the people had found in receiving light. {1888 387.1}
§27
我们衷心感谢主，因为我们有宝贵的亮光呈现在人们面前。我们享受着现代真理的信息。基督是我们的义这个信息给许许多多的人带来了解脱。上帝对祂的子民说：“往前走。”给老底嘉教会的信息适合于我们的状况。它所清楚描绘的那些人，自以为拥有全部的真理，为自己的圣经知识而自豪，却没有在生活中体验上帝圣言使人成圣的能力。他们心中没有上帝之爱的热忱。但正是这种爱的热忱使上帝的子民成为世上的光。那为诚信真实的见证者论到冷淡、无生命、非基督化的教会说：“我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热，我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去”（启3:15, 16）。请注意以下话：“你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的”（启3:17）。这里描绘了一班子民因所拥有的属灵知识和特权而自豪。但他们对于上帝所赐的他们不配得的福气没有什么反应。他们一贯悖逆，忘恩负义，将上帝置之脑后。但祂待他们仍如一位慈爱宽容的父亲对待任性忘恩的儿子一样。他们拒绝了祂的恩典，滥用了祂的特权，轻忽了祂所赐的机会，骄傲自满，忘恩负义，讲求形式，假冒为善。他们怀着法利赛式的傲慢，自吹自擂，直至圣经论到他们说：“你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺。” {1888 387.2}
§28
We thank the Lord with all the heart that we have precious light to present before the people, and we rejoice that we have a message for this time which is present truth. The tidings that Christ is our righteousness has brought relief to many, many souls, and God says to his people, “Go forward.” The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to our condition. How plainly is pictured the position of those who think they have all the truth, who take pride in their knowledge of the word of God, while its sanctifying power has not been felt in their lives. The fervor of the love of God is wanting in their hearts, but it is this very fervor of love that makes God’s people the light of the world. The True Witness says of a cold, lifeless, Christless church, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Mark the following words: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Here is represented a people who pride themselves in their possession of spiritual knowledge and advantages. But they have not responded to the unmerited blessings that God has bestowed upon them. They have been full of rebellion, ingratitude, and forgetfulness of God; and still he has dealt with them as a loving, forgiving father deals with an ungrateful, wayward son. They have resisted his grace, abused his privileges, slighted his opportunities, and have been satisfied to sink down in contentment, in lamentable ingratitude, hollow formalism, and hypocritical insincerity. With Pharisaic pride they have vaunted themselves till it has been said of them, “Thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” {1888 387.2}
§29
难道主耶稣对这些自满的人没有一再发出责备、警告和恳劝的信息吗？祂的忠告难道没有遭人藐视和拒绝吗？祂所差遣的使者难道没有被人轻视，他们的话语不是被人当作闲谈吗！基督看到了人所看不到的。祂知道人如果不悔罪，必耗尽上帝长久的忍耐。基督不能接纳那些自我满足的人。祂不能为那些不需要祂帮助、自以为什么都知道和一样都不缺的人恳求。 {1888 387.3}
§30
Has not the Lord Jesus sent message after message of rebuke, of warning, of entreaty to these self-satisfied ones! Have not his counsels been despised and rejected? Have not his delegated messengers been treated with scorn, and their words been received as idle tales! Christ sees that which man does not see. He sees the sins which, if not repented of, will exhaust the patience of a long-suffering God. Christ cannot take up the names of those who are satisfied in their own self-sufficiency. He cannot importune in behalf of a people who feel no need of his help, who claim to know and possess everything. {1888 387.3}
§31
伟大的救赎主把自己说成天国的商人，满载财宝，挨家挨户推销祂无价的商品，说：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他，所以你要发热心，也要悔改。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3:18-20）。{1888 387.4}
§32
The great Redeemer represents himself as a heavenly merchantman, laden with riches, calling from house to house, presenting his priceless goods and saying, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. 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.” {1888 387.4}
§33
我们应当考虑自己在上帝面前的状况，听从那真实见证者的劝告。不要像犹太人那样充满偏见，不让真光照入我们的心。愿耶稣对他们所说的话不要实现在我们身上：“然而你们不肯到我这里来得生命”（约5:40）。{1888 387.5}
§34
Let us consider our condition before God; let us heed the counsel of the True Witness. Let none of us be filled with prejudice, as were the Jews, that light may not come into our hearts. Let it not be necessary for Christ to say of us as he did of them, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” {1888 387.5}
§35
自从总会大会以来，每一次聚会都有人渴望接受基督之义的宝贵信息。我们感谢上帝，因为有人认识到需要得到自己所不具备的东西，就是金子般的信心和爱心，基督之义的白袍，以及代表属灵见识的眼药。如果你拥有这些宝贵的礼物，心灵的殿宇就不会像污秽的神龛。弟兄姐妹们：我奉拿撒勒人耶稣基督的名呼吁你们，行上帝所行的，现今正是利用宝贵机会和特权的时候。谁也不要象犹太人那样辜负圣洁神圣的委托。不要拒绝恩典，不要滥用特权，不要以你人性的骄傲消灭上帝之灵的感动。不要藐视警告，不要象悖逆的埃及王法老那样在心肠刚硬中、在惯常的顽梗中安定下来。但愿人人都聆听真牧人的声音，不仅听而且顺从，你的心灵就会安泰。{1888 387.6}
§36
In every meeting since the General Conference, souls have eagerly accepted the precious message of the righteousness of Christ. We thank God that there are souls who realize that they are in need of something which they do not possess,—gold of faith and love, white raiment of Christ’s righteousness, eye-salve of spiritual discernment. If you possess these precious gifts, the temple of the human soul will not be like a desecrated shrine. Brethren and sisters, I call upon you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to work where God works. Now is the day of gracious opportunity and privilege. Let not one be a traitor to holy, sacred trusts, as were the Jews. Resist not grace, abuse not privileges, smother not in your human pride the convictions of the Spirit of God. Despise not warnings, settle not down in hardness of heart, in confirmed impenitence, as did Pharaoh, the rebellious king of Egypt. Let every one listen to the voice of the True Shepherd, and not only hear but obey, and it will be well with your soul. {1888 387.6}