第85章 致 W. C. 怀特
§1
第85章 致 W. C. 怀特
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Chapter 86—To W. C. White
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《信函》1890年第97号W-97-1890写于密歇根州佩托斯基Petoskey, Mich.1890年7月27日July 27, 1890.亲爱的儿子威利：Dear Son Willie:
§4
我告诉过你下一次聚会人数会加倍，果然加倍了。我们拥有浸信会的小教堂，约有足足七十人在场；六个是外人，其余的是守安息日的人。相当多的人来自巴特尔克里克。柯利斯长老宣布开会，我便从《彼得前书》第一章2-9节讲起。主给了我力量和自由，对这些渴求生命之粮的人讲道很容易。柯利斯长老讲了几分钟，讲得很中肯。雷医生也讲了几分钟，讲得很好，然后作了三十七个很棒的见证，人人都表达了对聚会的感激之情。下个安息日人会更多，因为他们现在知道我将在每一个安息日讲道。我们的聚会很好。{1888 683.1}
§5
I told you our next meeting would be doubled, and it was. We had the small Baptist church, which was about full-seventy in all present; six were outsiders, the rest Sabbathkeepers. Quite a number were from Battle Creek. Elder Corliss opened the meeting and I spoke from the first chapter of 1 Peter 2-9. The Lord gave me strength and freedom and it was easy talking to these souls that are hungering for the bread of life. Elder Corliss occupied a few minutes speaking to the point. Dr. Lay spoke well a few minutes, then thirty-seven excellent testimonies were borne and all expressed their gratitude for the meeting. The next Sabbath there will be more for they now know I will speak every Sabbath. We had a good meeting. {1888 683.1}
§6
我不明白为什么这个地方没有得到更多的关注。在密歇根要是有一个地方夏冬都应该有一个布道区，那就是在佩托斯基了。在这个地区的附近有一些度假胜地，接待了许多客人。要是几年前在这里开展了圣工，现在就会有一个兴旺的教会和布道区。住在这里的一些人很友善，真的确信安息日，可是自从去年秋天以来，在佩托斯基一直没有聚会。然而自从我们来了以后，在分散的守安息日的人中有了一种觉醒，因为他们想到自己并没有被撇下被忽略。雷医生和道斯医生及我自己正在一起谈论并作计划。你很清楚，雷医生在他的妻子或孩子身上得不到任何帮助。{1888 683.2}
§7
I cannot see why this place has received no more attention. If there is a place in Michigan where there should be a mission both summer and winter, it is in Petoskey. There are places of resort within easy reach of this place and many guests are entertained. If something had been started years ago, at this time there would have been a flourishing church and mission. There are those who reside here who are friendly and who are really convinced of the Sabbath but there have been no meetings in Petoskey since last fall. But since we came there is an awakening among all the scattered Sabbathkeepers at the thought that they are not to be left and neglected. Dr. Lay and Dr. Douse and myself are talking together and planning. Dr. Lay has no help, as you well known, in his wife or in his children. {1888 683.2}
§8
道斯医生告诉了我在莉齐.雷自己和一些不认识我的守安息日的人之间的对话。她说他们的家人现在并不怎么信任怀姐妹的证言。她说史密斯长老、巴特勒长老、坎莱特长老，还提到其他一些长老的名字，说他们不再象以前那样看重证言，而是认为怀姐妹的工作和影响已成往事。我们已经过了需要证言的阶段了。她声称自己的言论很有权威。她说曾给他们家庭的一个责备不是真的。雷医生听到他妻女所说的话，就告诉道斯医生不要受她们的话语影响。他说他感到尴尬，要声明他的妻子和孩子没有处在清白的属灵状态，他希望她明白，他相信证言的每一句话，那些关于他们家的证言他知道是真的，句句正确。{1888 683.3}
§9
Dr. Douse told me the conversation that went on between Lizzie Lay herself and some of the Sabbathkeepers who do not know me. She stated that their family did not place any particular faith now in Sister White’s testimony. She said Elder Smith, Elder Butler, Elder Canright, and mentioned other names of the elders, did not any longer regard the testimonies as they once did but they considered Sister White’s work and influence was a thing of the past. We had got beyond the need of the testimonies. She claimed to know that she had good authority for her statements. She said a reproof was given to their family which was not true. Dr. Lay heard what his wife and girls said and he told Sister Douse not to let their words have any influence upon them. He said he was embarrassed to make the statement that his wife and children were not in a clear spiritual state, and he wished her to understand that he believed every word of the testimonies and those referring to their family he knew to be true, every word of them. {1888 683.3}
§10
这就是我在各处都遇到的关于史密斯弟兄、巴特勒长老、威廉.盖奇和其他几个我不记得名字之人的言论。我感到悲伤，竟有这种印象产生。那些受过责备的人坚持我们的领袖们所持有的这种怀疑不信的立场，觉得有权说赐给他们的证言不真实。道斯医生原是一位第七日浸信会信徒，刚接受我们的信仰不久。她告诉他们，正是怀姐妹的证言使她改变信仰接受了现代真理，她若放弃证言，就应该放弃其他一切，因为证言在第三位天使的信息中有其地位。{1888 684.1}
§11
This statement is what I meet everywhere in regard to Brother Smith, Elder Butler, Wm. Gage, and several others whose names I cannot remember. I felt sad to have such impressions going out. Those who have been reproved fasten upon this doubting, unbelieving position of our leading men and feel at liberty to say the testimonies given for them were not true. Dr. Douse was a Seventh-day Baptist and but a short time in the faith. She told them that it was the testimonies of Sister White that were the means of her conversion to present truth, and when she gave up the testimonies she should give up all the rest, for the testimonies have their place in the third angel’s message. {1888 684.1}
§12
人们在安息日聚会。有些人乘船从湖对面过来，有些人乘车从六到十英里以外的乡间过来。住在约一英里开外的一位富有的农场主和他的妻子进来了。他曾守过安息日。他在聚会中讲得很好。本周的第一日我们要去看望他。雷医生已经去看望过他许多次了。雷医生说，还有几个守安息日的人不能很好的通知到，不过会在下个安息日之前传话给他们。{1888 684.2}
§13
The people assembled Sabbath. Some came by boat from across the lake, others by cars from six and ten miles out in the country. A wealthy farmer and his wife living about one mile out came in. Once he kept the Sabbath. He spoke in our meeting well. We are going to see him the first of this week. 685Dr. Lay has been to see him a number of times. Dr. Lay says that there are several more keeping the Sabbath whom they could not well notify, but will get word to them before next Sabbath. {1888 684.2}
§14
你可能会问，人们看上去怎么样？他们是长得好看，穿得漂亮，显得很聪明的一群人。我们现在正设法看看能在获得礼拜堂方面做些什么。卫理公会的人正在建新堂。他们旧堂正在出售，但他们的新堂建得离旧堂很近，他们可能会反对守安息日的人在离他们这么近的堂里敬拜。卫理公会的教堂比浸信会的小教堂大得多。但浸信会的教堂位置很好，有两块地皮，有足够的空间建造牧师住宅并增盖楼房。要是把它买下来，就得立刻扩建，因为浸信会的教堂里坐不下一百以上的人。我希望主会开路，好在这个地方有所作为。应该帮助这个地方，我不能理解为什么我们的人不抓住象佩托斯基这种地方的机会。{1888 685.1}
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Well, you may inquire, How did the people look? They were nice looking, well dressed, an intelligent appearing company. We are now trying to see what can be done in securing meetinghouses. The Methodists are building them a new house. Their old one is for sale, but they have built the new very close to the old and they may object to Sabbathkeepers worshipping in this house so close to them. The Methodist house is much larger than the little Baptist church. But the Baptist location is good, two lots, room enough to build a parsonage and to add to the building. It will have to be enlarged, if purchased, at once, for there could not be seated more than one hundred or a few more in the Baptist church. I am hoping that the Lord will open the way for something to be done in this place. Help should be given to this place and why our people do not take in the openings of such places as Petoskey is beyond my comprehension. {1888 685.1}
§16
我们应该在贝维尤有一个据点。当人们在夏天的几个月聚集在这里时，我们可以发挥一种影响。然后接触另一班人。花粉热患者到这里来的人数与夏天聚集到湾景的人数几乎一样多。应该关心这班人。应该有人愿意探访他们并给他们查经。我现在比以前健壮多了。{1888 685.2}
§17
We should hold a position at Bayview. Here we can be exerting an influence when the assembly meet here for a couple of months in the summer. Then another class meet. The hay fever afflicted ones come in about as many in number as the assembly that was conveyed at Bayview. This class should have attention. There should be those who will visit them and give Bible readings to them. Well, I am much stronger than I was. {1888 685.2}
§18
7月28日。今天早上三点钟以后我就睡不着了，便起来写作。昨天道斯医生驾着她的马车来带我去兜风。我们出去了几个小时，去了该城的西边。索尔兹伯里村在该城的东边。我们观赏了几个很美的地方，适合作夏天的住所。{1888 685.3}
§19
July 28. I have not been able to sleep after three this morning and I arise to write. Yesterday Dr. Douse came with her horse and carriage to take me for a ride. We were out several hours. We went up the west side of the town. The Salisbury cottage is on the east side of town. We saw some very beautiful places for summer residences. {1888 685.3}
§20
我们回来的时候，停在一家门前，询问关于枫树林主人的事。一个皮肤黝黑但面容极其慈善的人出来了，他的妻子——一位慈母般的、看起来很聪慧的女人——跟着他来到马车前。我问他们在这地方住多久了，他回答说，只在炎热的季节住在这里。他来自佛蒙特维尔，名叫赫南。他在今年的这个季节来到佩托斯基减轻哮喘的痛苦。{1888 686.1}
§21
As we were returning we stopped at a house to make inquiry in regard to the owner of a maple grove. A man with dark complexion but a most benevolent countenance came out, and his wife—a motherly, intelligent looking woman—followed him to the carriage. I asked how long they had lived in the place they occupied and he answered, only in the hot seasons. He was from Vermontville. His name was Henan. He came to Petoskey at this season of the year to find relief from the asthma. {1888 686.1}
§22
道斯医生介绍我是怀夫人。他们很是惊叹！说：“哎呀！我们知道怀夫人。我们因她的著作早就是老熟人了。我们有她的书。”“而且，”那个女人说：“我本人很相信那条道路。”我的心多么渴望见到这些人信奉真理啊！{1888 686.2}
§23
Dr. Douse introduced me as Mrs. White. Then what an exclamation! “Why, we know Mrs. White. We are old acquaintances through her writings. We have her books.” “And,” said the woman, “I believe that way very much myself.” How my heart longed to see these people embracing the truth! {1888 686.2}
§24
我必须拥有一辆马车，但是要付二十美元才能使用一辆马车四个星期，一次最多用半天，相当不合理，可是我开始认为我没有更好的办法了。我要再试一次，如果不能成功，就得接受最初的报价，因为我必须乘车。要是我的马运到这里来就好了。如果我不参加任何帐篷大会的话，我就会这么做。但我想我将参加俄亥俄州和伊利诺斯州的帐篷大会。{1888 686.3}
§25
I must have a horse and carriage, but to pay out twenty dollars for the use of a horse and carriage for four weeks, one half a day at most, is rather steep, and yet I am beginning to think I cannot do better. One more trial is to be made and if I cannot succeed then I must accept the first chance for I must ride. I wish I had shipped my horse here, and if I do not attend any camp meetings I will do it. But I shall, I think, attend the Ohio meeting and the Illinois meeting. {1888 686.3}
§26
我发现这里有大量的事要做，但我们的人却没有在这个地方做他们应该做成的事。撒播真理的种子是一个重要的机会，我们不可丧失这个机会。有来自落基山脉东部各个地方的人。应该有很懂得说话技巧的人被任命为文字布道士。我很高兴我来到了这里，因为我看到也感觉到了所需要的。我很遗憾在这样的地方我没有什么钱可以支配，好带头说我要投资这么多，并且设法甚至让这里的穷人都有所作为；但他们做不了很多。我要得到一辆马车好去探访一位富裕的农场主。上个安息日他来聚会了。他住在该城商业区外面约一英里的地方。这地方在扩大，一直有楼房在建起来，有夏天的凉房也有冬夏住的上好的房屋。我很喜欢这里的气候，这里会成为一个相当重要的地方。{1888 686.4}
§27
I find that there is plenty to do here, but our people have not done what they ought to have done in this place. It is a capital chance to sow the seeds of truth and we must not lose the opportunity. There are people from all parts east of the Rocky Mountains. There ought to be men and women of good address appointed as canvassers. I am glad I came here, for I see and sense what is needed. I am so sorry I have not, in such places, any means at my command to lead out and to say, I will invest so much, and try to get even the poor here to do something; but they cannot do much. I shall get a 687horse and carriage to go visit a well-to-do farmer. He was at the meeting last Sabbath. He lives about one mile out of the business part of the town. The place is growing, buildings are going up all the time, summer residences and also fine buildings for summer and winter. I am much pleased with the climate and this will become a place of considerable importance. {1888 686.4}