第108章 致J. S. 沃什伯恩夫妇
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第108章 致J. S. 沃什伯恩夫妇
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Chapter 111—Diary Entries
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《信函》1891年第32号W-32-1891写于密歇根州巴特尔克里克
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Battle Creek, Michigan
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1891年1月8日星期二
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[Thursday,] Jan. [8], 1891
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亲爱的（J.S.）沃什伯恩弟兄和姐妹：
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Dear Brother and Sister [J.S.] Washburn:
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我前天收到了沃什伯恩弟兄的来信，从那时起我们一直有很多工作。我们从华盛顿到这个地方的旅程很蒙恩待。我虽然觉得很热，心脏也有点麻烦，但比我预期的轻多了。我们在到达托莱多之前下了卧铺车，在那里等了约有四十分钟。那时我们喝一杯热开水，吃了一点咸饼干，觉得好多了。我们约在三点钟达到巴特尔克里克（12月30日星期二），见到人们都很好，他们很高兴见到我们。{1888 850.1}
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I received Brother Washburn’s letter day before yesterday, and since then we have been having very much work. We had a favorable journey from Washington to this place. I suffered considerably with heat and somewhat with heart disturbance, but much less that I anticipated. We left the sleeper before we arrived at Toledo, at which place we waited about forty minutes. In that time we obtained a cup of hot drink and some crackers which made us feel very much better. We arrived at Battle Creek about three o’clock, [Tuesday Dec. 30] and found the folks all well and glad to see us. {1888 850.1}
§11
我们得知安息日（12月27日）曾有一次极好的聚会，与我们在布鲁克林、丹弗斯和华盛顿举行的聚会相似。几乎全体会众都起身祷告，其中有普雷斯科特弟兄和史密斯弟兄。宣读了《评论与通讯》的增刊（1890年12月23日），大家的见证都是上帝的能力伴随着那篇文章的宣读。他们说这造成了深刻的印象。奥尔森弟兄作了一些评论，问大家为什么写这篇文章的人并不在场的时候，上帝的能力还是伴随着文中给各教会的证言在他们面前的宣读。他请他们仔细思考这个问题。这难道不是上帝的灵在以明白无误的声音对他们讲话，为证言和祂已放在怀姐妹身上的工作辩护吗？普雷斯科特教授追溯到明尼阿波利斯的日子，认了罪，这造成了深刻的印象。他痛哭了。史密斯长老说证言对他很有意义；说他感到那是对他说的，但他就此止步，没有进深。但他们二人都置身于悔改的地步，寻求主。他们说在巴特尔克里克从未有过这样的聚会，可是工作必须继续，因为还只刚刚开始。奥尔森长老有一些预约必须出席，拉夫伯勒长老也有一个约定必须践行。普雷斯科特教授前往俄勒冈去帮助那里的学校选址。另一位工人，韦伯弟兄，得去帮助别的某个教会。我完全相信是主差我来这里的，原本严重威胁我的心脏的症状，在我们到达巴特尔克里克之后一点也没有麻烦我了。{1888 850.2}
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We learned that Sabbath [Dec. 27] there had been a wonderful meeting similar to those we had in Brooklyn, Danvers, and in Washington. Nearly the whole congregation presented themselves for prayers, and among them, Brethren Prescott and Smith. The EXTRA in the Review and Herald [December 23, 1890] was read, and the testimony of all was that the power of God attended the reading of the article. They said that this made a deep impression. Brother Olsen made some remarks inquiring why the power of God attended the presenting before them the testimony to the churches in that article when the person who wrote it was not present. He asked them to carefully consider that matter. Was it not the Spirit of God speaking to them in unmistakable voice in vindication of the testimonies, and the work He had laid upon Sister White? Professor Prescott made a confession dating back to Minneapolis, and this made a deep impression. He wept much. Elder Smith said that testimony meant him; said that he felt that it was addressed to him, but he stopped there and went no further. But both placed themselves as there repentant, seeking the Lord. 851Well, they said they had never had such a meeting in Battle Creek, and yet the work must be carried on, for it was just begun. Elder Olsen had appointments which he must attend, and Elder Loughborough had an appointment which he must fill. Professor Prescott went to Oregon to help locate their school. Brother Webber, another worker, had gone to help some other church. The Lord sent me here, I fully believe, and that threatened difficulty of the heart did not trouble me at all after we reached Battle Creek. {1888 850.2}
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星期二晚上（1890年12月30日）我整夜心中痛苦以致不能入睡。史密斯长老的情况使我心情沉重。我在与他一起努力，恳求上帝，我不能停止向上帝呼求。{1888 851.1}
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Tuesday night [Dec. 30, 1890] I was in an agony of soul all night so that I could not sleep. Elder Smith’s case was weighing heavily upon me. I was working with him, pleading with God, and I could not cease my crying unto God. {1888 851.1}
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星期五晚上（1月2日）我受邀讲话；堂里满了人，我讲了上帝的灵在我所参加过的聚会上与我同工的一些事。我尽量讲了这些聚会的成就。我讲完之后，我们举行了一次大家深感兴趣的特别聚会，作了许多极好的见证，特别是那些正在恳切寻求主之人的见证。那是一次很好的聚会。{1888 851.2}
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Friday night [January 2] I was asked to speak; the house was full, and I gave some account of the workings of the Spirit of God with me in the meetings which I had attended. I related as well as I could the success of these meetings. We had a special meeting of deep interest after I had spoken, and many excellent testimonies were borne, especially from those who were earnestly seeking the Lord. It was a good meeting. {1888 851.2}
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安息日（1月3日）我从《马太福音》11:16-27讲起。我明确地将这段经文的教训应用在那些虽有大光、宝贵的机会和奇妙的特权，其属灵的成长和进步却与上帝所赐知识与亮光之福不相符的人身上。这给会众留下了严肃的印象，足足有两千人在场。我讲得十分顺畅。下午分组聚会，我听说各组的聚会极好。星期一（1月5日）史密斯长老来找我，我们进行了恳切诚挚的交谈，我能看出他有了与数月以前很不相同的精神。他不是刚硬不易受感动的；他感受到了我对他说的话，我把他曾采取的做法和他因这种立场而造成的伤害如实地摆在他面前。他说他想要与上帝之灵的证言取得和谐。我给他写了十三页的信（1890年12月31日）并且寄给了他——写得十分明白。星期二（1月6日）他再次来访问我，问我是否愿意与所选的几个人会面，他有话要说。我告诉他我愿意。昨天，星期三（1月7日），在办公室我的房间里举行了会议，史密斯长老宣读了我寄给他的信，向他们大家读了，并说他接受那封信是来自主的。他回顾了明尼阿波利斯会议，承认他所持有的精神给我加上了极重的负担。鲁伯特弟兄也认了罪，我们便有了一次非常有益的、极好的聚会。{1888 851.3}
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On Sabbath [Jan. 3] I spoke from Matthew 11:16-27. I made a decided application of this lesson to those who had great light, precious opportunities, and wonderful privileges, and yet their spiritual growth and advancement was not in accordance with the blessings of the light and knowledge given of God. There was a solemn impression made upon the congregation, and fully two thousand persons were present. I had great freedom in speaking. In the afternoon the meetings were divided, and I hear there were excellent meetings in these divisions. Monday [Jan. 5] Elder Smith came to me and we had an earnest, faithful talk, I could see that he had a very different spirit from that he had months ago. He was not hard and unimpressible; he felt the words I spoke to him, laying before 852him faithfully the course he had taken, and the harm he had done through this position. He said he wanted to come into harmony with the testimonies of the Spirit of God. I had written to him thirteen pages [Dec. 31, 1890] and sent them to him—very plain words. Tuesday [Jan. 6] he called again to see me and asked if I would meet with a select few, that he had something to say. I told him I would. Yesterday, Wednesday [Jan. 7], the meeting was held in my room in the office, and Elder Smith read the letter I had sent him, read it to them all, and said he accepted it as from the Lord. He went back to the Minneapolis meeting and made a confession of the spirit he had occupied, casting on me very heavy burdens. Brother Rupert confessed also, and we had a very profitable, excellent meeting. {1888 851.3}
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史密斯弟兄已经跌在磐石上并且跌碎了，主耶稣现在会与他同工。他在离开房间的时候握住我的手，说：“如果主愿意饶恕我给你带来的忧伤和重担，我就告诉你这将是最后一次。我要扶持你的手。上帝的证言将在我的经验中保持这个地位。”史密斯长老难得掉泪，但他确实哭了，他的声音因流泪而哽咽。{1888 852.1}
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Brother Smith has fallen on the Rock, and is broken, and the Lord Jesus will now work with him. He took my hand as he left the room, and said, “If the Lord will forgive me for the sorrow and burdens I have brought upon you, I tell you this will be the last. I will stay up your hands. The testimonies of God shall hold this place in my experience.” It is seldom that Elder Smith sheds a tear, but he did weep, and his voice was choked with the tears in it. {1888 852.1}
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现在你就明白我有理由高兴快乐赞美主了。贝尔教授当时在场。史密斯长老向他承认1882年在学校的那场磨难中错待了他。我看到听到和知道这些曾阻止上帝的灵进入我们聚会中的事被消除了，心里多么高兴啊。{1888 852.2}
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Now you see I have reason to be glad and rejoice and praise the Lord. Professor Bell was present. Elder Smith confessed to him the wrong that he had done him in the school trial in 1882. Oh, how glad I was to see and hear and know that these things that had barred the Spirit of God from coming into our meetings were removed. {1888 852.2}
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现在说说你提到的马克斯姐妹的问题。不要急着同意她把自己除名的要求，晚点再说。这不会对教会有什么特别的损害。与此同时，我比以往任何时候都更加确信，如今在巴特尔克里克正在进展的这项工作要是一年前就完成了，马克斯姐妹原会得救参加上帝的圣工，若有适当的指导，且会成为一位很好的基督徒工人。这是她当得的。但是许多人所持的立场使我不能做什么，除非我断然反对巴特尔克里克教会。要是那些与她一同聚会的人心思很平衡的话，他们原能帮助马克斯姐妹，而不是被她塑造。我相信她有真正的经验，原可做许多善事。她是初信的，需要仁慈同情地逐步带领，然而当时因为我的证言被视为不可信的，流行的风尚是厌恶一切意在恢复和唤醒教会的东西，我又能做什么呢？要是我采取了什么不明智的行动，行事不谨慎的人就会走极端，要我负责，我的工作就会永远被丢弃了。尽你所能的为马克斯夫人行事吧，因为我告诉你，我担心她灵魂的血会粘在那些已经被仇敌弄瞎了心眼并做了那些已令主的灵忧伤之事的人身上。{1888 852.3}
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Now in reference to your question in regard to Sister Marks. Do not be in a hurry to accede to her request in dropping her name. Hold a little in the matter. It cannot do the church any particular damage. Meanwhile I am more than ever convinced that if this work now going forward in Battle Creek had been done one year ago, Sister Marks would have been saved to the cause of God, and would, with proper instruction, have been a good Christian worker. This 853is due to her. But the position that many held me in was such that I could do nothing unless I took my stand decidedly against the Battle Creek church. Had those with whom she held meetings been well balanced in mind, they could have helped her instead of being moulded by Sister Marks. I believe she had a genuine experience and might have done much good. She had newly come into the faith, and needed to be led along step by step, kindly, compassionately, but as it was the fashion to turn from everything that was calculated to restore and to awaken the church as my testimony was [regarded] at that time below par, what could I do? Any move I should make would, if unwise, indiscreet ones should go to extremes, be charged to me, and my work forever discarded. Do all you can for Mrs. Marks, for I tell you, the blood of her soul, I fear, will rest upon those who have been blinded by the enemy and done those things that have grieved the Spirit of the Lord. {1888 852.3}
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愿主继续赐福在华盛顿的教会，乃是我的祈祷。我知道当我和你在一起的时候，主赐福了我，也赐福了祂的子民。向凡在你家里的人多多致以爱意，也向那些在我们宝贵的聚会中与我们一同进行美好商议的人致以多多的爱意。主活着并且统治着，赞美祂的圣名。 {1888 853.1}
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May the Lord continue to bless the church in Washington is my prayer. I know the Lord blessed me when I was with you, and He blessed His people. Much love to all in your household, and much love to those with whom we took sweet counsel together in our precious meetings. The Lord lives and reigns, praise His holy name. {1888 853.1}
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(签名)怀爱伦Ellen G. White
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现在请不要以为你在所提到的事上犯了严重的错误。我确实倾向于相信每件事都是主命定的，我需要那种踩踏的操练，好使我的头脑清晰。但我自愿原谅你认为的一切错误。所以不要再因此烦恼了。 {1888 853.2}
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Now do not imagine that you have done a grievous wrong in the matter you mentioned. I am really inclined to believe that everything was ordered of the Lord and I needed that tramping exercise to clear my head. But I freely pardon all you think amiss. So do not trouble any more about it. {1888 853.2}
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(签名)怀爱伦E. G. White