第92章 致 O. A. 奥尔森
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第92章 致 O. A. 奥尔森
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Chapter 93—To Brethren in Responsible Positions
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《信函》1890年第20号O-20-18901890年10月7日写于密歇根州巴特尔克里克
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Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 7, 1890.
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亲爱的奥尔森弟兄：
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Dear Brother Olsen,—
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我一直因密歇根和其他区会的事而心神不宁。密歇根是工作的大中心；这里的工作力量对我们各区会各方面的工作都有明显的影响。主再三将巴特尔克里克出版社的属灵状况显在我面前。我看到的是一幅非常可悲的画面。{1888 714.1}
§8
My mind has been troubled over the things in Michigan and other conferences. But Michigan is the great heart of the work; here are the working powers that have a decided influence upon the work in all its movements throughout all our conferences. As matters have been presented to me again and again in reference to the spiritual condition of the publishing house in Battle Creek, I see a very sad picture. {1888 714.1}
§9
在工作的兴起和进展中并没有活泼经验的人竟身负重责。阿马登弟兄和史密斯长老已经有这种经验，但史密斯长老却陷入了仇敌的网罗，他在目前的状况无法将号角吹出确定的声音。巴特勒长老的状况也是一样。他们都不能在需要帮助的地方提供帮助。他们已用自己的行径与很多别人一起使主近四十五年来一直在赐给祂子民的信息无效。上帝的不悦正迫近他们二人，可是在众所周知史密斯长老并没有站在光中，并没有按照上帝的命令作工的时候，他却被安置在教师的位置，要影响和塑造学生们的心智。他在撒播不信的种子，那些种子必在一些人心中发芽生长结出果实。{1888 714.2}
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Responsibilities are borne by men who have had no living experience in the rise and progress of the work. Brother Amadon and Elder Smith have had this experience, but Elder Smith is ensnared by the enemy and cannot in his present state give the trumpet a certain sound. Elder Butler is in the same condition. They are both unable to help just where the help is needed. They have by their course made of none effect, with a large number of others, the messages of communication which the Lord has been giving his people the last forty-five years. The displeasure of God is upon them both, yet Elder Smith is placed in positions as teacher to mold and fashion the minds of students when it is a well known fact that he is not standing in the light; he is not working in God’s order. He is sowing seeds of unbelief that spring up and bear fruit for some souls to harvest. {1888 714.2}
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我知道从信息兴起的时候就有长期经验人中，没有一个用自己的声音或感化力影响上帝此时的圣工。除了伦特弟兄之外，几乎所有的人都在坟墓里安睡。那些还活着的人，对主一直乐于赐给我的工作有一定经验的人是史密斯长老、阿马登弟兄和拉夫伯勒长老。史密斯长老不愿领受上帝所赐为要纠正他的亮光；他没有通过承认以往采取的错误行径来改正的精神，这样就在他身后立起了通向危险路径的栅栏。{1888 714.3}
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I know of not one man who has length of experience from the rise of the message to make his voice heard or influence to tell on the cause of God at this time. With the exception of Brother Lunt nearly all are sleeping in their graves. Those who are living, who have had an experience in the work which the Lord has been pleased to give me are Elder Smith, Brother Amadon, 715and Elder Loughborough. Elder Smith will not receive the light God has given to correct him; he has not a spirit to correct by confession any wrong course he has pursued in the past and thus put up the bars behind him which leads into dangerous paths. {1888 714.3}
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我去每一个地方都听到人引用史密斯长老和巴特勒长老反对证言。他们不相信证言；他们不接受怀姐妹对他们做法的责备。这些人难道不是好人吗？难道他们没有在上帝的事工中身居高位吗？于是就在那些自己受了责备的人心中撒下了怀疑不信的种子。这些人多年来一直在抵制主原希望做成的、为要使教会耳聪目明并脱离错误的工作。{1888 715.1}
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I hear everywhere I go objections to the testimonies, quoting Elders Smith and Butler. They do not believe the testimonies; they do not accept that which Sister White has had in reproof of their course. Are not these good men? Have they not stood high in the work and cause of God? Then the seed of doubt and unbelief is sown in minds by those who have been themselves reproved. These men are and have been for years counteracting the work the Lord would have done to keep clear eyesight in the church and purge them from wrongs. {1888 715.1}
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在我们的理事会中，在与工作的大中心有关的权益中，有些责任竟放在了未献身的、缺乏经验的人肩上，他们的决定并不都是合理的、健康的，一致的。一班有影响的人对我从信息之初就开始从事的工作一无所知。要是史密斯长老站在上帝希望他站在的地方，要是他从几年前就站在明光之中，他的影响就会成为一股为善的力量。但他却盲目而不自知。我蒙指示看见，照他现在的立场，撒但已预备好试探要包围他的心灵，以致他要是得不到救援，就不会再高举真理的旗帜了。别人会推进圣工直到结束。巴特勒长老也会被撇在同样的位置。在过去的几年中，这事曾清晰地显给我看。他们是不忠心的；他们没有与我们救恩的元帅同工，也没有与上帝的天意保持同步。{1888 715.2}
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There are great responsibilities placed on unconsecrated, inexperienced men, in our councils, in interest connected with the great heart of the work, their decisions are not all sound, healthy, and consistent. A class have the molding and fashioning that know nothing of my work from the rise of the message. If Elder Smith stood where God would have him, if he had stood in the clear light from years back, his influence would be a power for good. But blindness is upon him and he senses it not. I have been shown that as he now stands Satan has prepared his temptations to close about his soul, that if he is not rescued the banner of truth will not be held aloft by him. Other hands will carry forward the sacred work to its close. Elder Butler will be left in the same position. This was shown me clearly in years past. They are unfaithful; they do not work with the Captain of our salvation and keep step with the providence of God. {1888 715.2}
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工作在前进；真理必得胜；但这些人若是不接受上帝对他们的责备，并且在有这么大的亮光之后坚定地站在正确的一边，他们就会被撇弃在黑暗里，那黑暗与上帝原希望他们接受并行在其中的亮光相称，他们拒绝接受那亮光，只是因为它不迎合他们的想法。人的感情，人的偏见，错误的想法，一直在败坏品格的精金，成色最好的金子已经失色。他们没有在上帝的事工中尽到本分直到工作结束，因为他们不愿被上帝照在他们道路上的亮光摆正。他们已经使在信仰上瘸腿的人迷离绊跌在不信的黑暗大山上，而他们自己那么盲目，以致主的使者论到他们，说：“却不知道”（启3:17）。{1888 715.3}
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The work is onward; truth will triumph; but if these men do not receive the reproofs given them of God, and take their stand firmly on the 716right side after having so great light, they will be left in darkness corresponding with the light that God would have them receive and walk in, which they refused to accept because it did not meet their ideas. Human feelings, human prejudices, false ideas, have been corrupting the gold of character; the most fine gold has become dim. The part that they might act in the work and cause of God to its very close, they do not act, because they will not be set right by the light God has flashed upon their pathway. They have caused the lame in faith to wander and to stumble on the dark mountains of unbelief, and they themselves are so blinded that the angel of the Lord says of them, “and knowest not.” {1888 715.3}
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有些在大工中任职的人并没有行在光中；有些人的经验受了这些人的影响和塑造，这些人本应该指导他们，并且作忠心的守望者，将号角吹出确定的声音，但他们非但没有这么做，反而混乱人心，扑灭了上帝的子民对祂所赐责备和警告他们之信息的信心。祂圣灵的证言原是要纠正犯错之人的，却受到他们如此的对待，以致许多人的心思笼罩在不确定之中，不确定这些证言的真正来源，上帝的声音受到了漠视，正如撒但所愿。{1888 716.1}
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There are those who are officiating in the great work who are not walking in the light; some are fashioned and molded in their experience by these men who ought to guide them and stand as faithful watchmen to give the trumpet a certain sound, but have been, in place of doing this, confusing minds and quenching the faith of God’s people in the messages He has sent to them in reproof and warnings. The testimonies of His Spirit that would correct the erring are treated by them in such a manner as to leave many minds shrouded in uncertainty in regard to their true origin, and the voice of God is disregarded just as Satan wanted it should be. {1888 716.1}
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现在我说到要点。拉夫伯勒长老坚定地支持了证言，他既敢于忠诚，岂不该受到特别关怀吗？岂不该将他安置在他能发挥最大益处的地方吗？为何要求他在内布拉斯加任职呢？为何叫他去那个辛苦难堪的园地呢？我看不到这么做有亮光，我希望你考虑这事。{1888 716.2}
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Now I come to the point. Elder Loughborough has stood firmly for the testimonies, and should not he who dares to be true be especially cared for? Should not he be placed in a position where he can do the most good? Why should he be required to occupy a position in Nebraska? Why should he be called to that hard and trying field? I see no light in it, and I wish to have you reconsider this matter. {1888 716.2}
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拉夫伯勒长老的影响对我们的各教会是有价值的。当许多人一直在对上帝的这种工作改变态度的时候，正需要这样的人，他毫不动摇地坚持了上帝已赐给祂子民的亮光。我说，要让拉夫伯勒长老做一番在各教会急需做成的工作。主希望人们听到他的声音，就像听到约翰的声音一样，讲述他所看见、所听见、他在第三位天使信息的兴起和进展中亲身经历的事。{1888 716.3}
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The influence of Elder Loughborough is valuable in our churches. Just such a man is needed, one who has stood unwaveringly for the light that 717God has given to His people, while many have been changing their attitude toward this work of God. I say let Elder Loughborough do a work that is suffering to be done in the churches. The Lord would have his voice heard as was John’s, telling the things he has seen, and that which he has heard, which he himself has experienced in the rise and progress of the third angel’s message. {1888 716.3}
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我认为巴特勒长老，法恩斯沃思长老，史密斯长老，以及其他许多人的立场和工作会因他们不应该说而说了的事，和应该说却没有说的事而动摇上帝子民的信心。而这种局面——不信，偏见和法利赛主义——正在影响着教会。上帝发了言，他们却不听祂的声音。在伴随着所赐信息的圣灵果子的显现中，他们有能赐给他们的一切证据，但他们却闭眼不看，惟恐看见，并且硬着心肠，惟恐感受到。上帝的灵已经担忧，他们的悟性却那么迟钝，以致对此一无所知。{1888 717.1}
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I consider the position and work of Elders Butler, Farnsworth, Smith, and numerous others, is to unsettle the faith of the people of God by things which they say but which they ought not to say, and things left unsaid which they ought to say. And this state of things—unbelief, prejudice, and Pharisaism—is leavening the church. God has spoken, but they hear not His voice. They have had all the evidence that will ever be given them in the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit of God attending the messages given, but they have closed their eyes lest they shall see, and hardened their hearts lest they shall feel. The Spirit of God has been grieved, and they are so dull of comprehension that they know it not. {1888 717.1}
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现在，奥尔森弟兄，要另找一个人去内布拉斯加，而让拉夫伯勒长老适得其所，如同一位迦勒，来到前线，面对不信、疑惑和怀疑论作一个明确的见证。我们足能上去并占据那美地。上帝论到他，说：“惟独我的仆人迦勒，因他……专一跟从我，我就把他领进他所去过的那地”（民14:24）。今日的各教会中非常需要迦勒。{1888 717.2}
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Now, Brother Olsen, find some one else for Nebraska and let Elder Loughborough stand in his right place, as a Caleb, coming to the front and bearing a decided testimony in the face of unbelief and doubts and skepticism. We are well able to go up and possess the goodly land. God said of him, “My servant Caleb...hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land.” [Numbers 14:24.] Calebs are most needed in the churches today. {1888 717.2}
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必须把什么东西带进我们的各教会以克服这种不信的不稳定状态，才能使他们有活力并且取得成功。我们需要全心跟从基督。我请求你虔诚地考虑现状。不要把拉夫伯勒长老扣留在角落里；不要把他限定在任何一个特别的区会里。他若有力量为内布拉斯加工作，就同样有能力为加利福尼亚工作。我们现在所需要的就是珍惜拉夫伯勒长老，尽量让他的经验在更广阔的范围内服务上帝的圣工。{1888 717.3}
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Something must be brought into our churches to overcome this unsettled state of unbelief in order to make them vigorous and successful. We need to follow Christ with the whole heart. I ask you to prayerfully consider the situation. Do not fasten Elder Loughborough in a corner anywhere; 718do not bind him down to any one special conference. If he has strength for Nebraska, he has the same capability for California. What we need now is to cherish Elder Loughborough to make as far as possible his experience serve the cause of God in a wider sphere. {1888 717.3}
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到处都做了松垮的工作，过去的几年一直有人努力要蒙蔽人的眼睛，使以色列看不出自己的缺点，上帝也不赐给他们圣灵，黑暗就笼罩了他们，就像曾笼罩了犹太民族一样。我们所最需要的，并不是学问、口才和精通辩术，而是内心的力量，本着信心祈求上帝使人归正的能力，彻底的虔诚。改正一半的人常见，专爱耶稣的心罕见。现在人们需要的不是脑力或财力，而是心力。{1888 718.1}
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There is much loose work done everywhere, and the efforts that have been made for the few years past tend to put out the eyes that Israel shall not discern their defections, and God withholds His Spirit from them and darkness envelopes them as it did the Jewish nation. What we want most is not learning and eloquence and the mastery in debating, but heart power, prayer to God in faith for His converting power, thoroughgoing piety. Half-way converts abound; singleness in love for Jesus is rare. It is not brain power or purse power, but heart power that the people need now. {1888 718.1}
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我说，要给拉夫伯勒长老人手与他同工，并让他在密歇根一个教会一个教会地努力工作。让他的经验连同上帝要赐给他的帮助，安定人们摇摆不定的信心，他们因守望者们没有将号角吹出确定的声音而迷失了自己的方位。要为密歇根的各教会做成能做的每件事，以便坚固那些剩下将要死的。为何不鼓励拉夫伯勒长老和伦特弟兄来密歇根并在这个州工作呢？他们二人能做相似的工作；他们能作见证，证明他们所见过、听过、亲手摸过的事。他们做这种工作会比参加整个季度的帐篷大会成就更多的益处，因为人们所需要的乃是个人之工，需要有言语和感化力去安定那些如今不稳定之人的信心。{1888 718.2}
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I say, give Elder Loughborough men to work with him and let his efforts be put forth in Michigan from church to church. Let his experience, with the help that God shall give him, settle the wavering faith of the people who are losing their bearings because of the watchmen giving the trumpet an uncertain sound. Let everything be done that can be done for the churches in Michigan to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die. Why not encourage Elder Loughborough and Brother Lunt to come to Michigan and work in this state? Both can do a similar work; they can bear a testimony of the things they have seen and heard, felt and handled. They will do more good in this kind of labor than the whole season of camp meetings, for what the people need is personal effort, and words and influence to settle the faith of those who are now in uncertainty. {1888 718.2}
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愿主在这件事上赐给你智慧；但我认为你叫拉夫伯勒长老去内布拉斯加州并不是聪明的举动。必须在明确的见证方面有所作为，好在我们的各教会维护上帝之灵的证言。人们会听到这些见证吗？请考虑这些事。愿主帮助你作出决定，乃是我的祈祷。
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May the Lord give you wisdom in this matter; but I cannot feel that you are moving wisely in calling Brother Loughborough to Nebraska. Something in line of decided testimony must be heard in vindication of the 719testimonies of the Spirit of God in our churches. Shall the people have it? Think of these things. May the Lord help you in your decisions, is my prayer. {1888 718.3}
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怀爱伦（签名）{1888 718.3}Ellen G. White