第109章 传道工作
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第109章 传道工作
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Chapter 111—Diary Entries
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《文稿》1891年第2号MS - 2 - 1891写于密歇根州巴特尔克里克Battle Creek, Mich.1891年1月9日Jan. 9, 1891.
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我已经持续工作两个月又二十天了，虽然我开始工作的时候非常虚弱，身患疾病，主却为祂的子民行了事。我们已经看见上帝的救恩。在这轮工作中，我讲了54次，其中一些聚会下了极其恳切的工夫，从两点半一直持续到五点到六点钟，却总是成功的。有一次我很困惑，茫然不知也不明白我的职责。我有痛苦的耳鸣，加上严寒，使我很难受。在纽约的萨拉曼卡，我病得很重，就想我必须回家。我去了我的房间，在上帝面前屈身，我甚至还没有祈求，主就垂听并亲自显现了；房间似乎充满了上帝的亮光与临格。我蒙提拔脱离了一切的沮丧，感到自由欢畅了。我不能入睡，而是用心用口赞美上帝。这福气正是我所需要的；我便再次充满活力地运用信心和盼望，欢然奔路了。{1888 854.1}
§5
I have been laboring two months and two-thirds of the third month, constantly, and although I commenced in much feebleness, and afflicted with infirmities, the Lord wrought in behalf of his people. We have seen the salvation of God. In this round of labor I spoke fifty-five times, and some of these meetings were occasions of most earnest labor, continuing from half past two till five and six o’clock, but always successful. On one occasion I was much perplexed to know and to understand my duty. I had painful gatherings in my ear that with severe colds made it hard for me. At Salamanca, N. Y. I was severely afflicted and thought I must return home. I went to my chamber and bowed before God, and before I had even asked, the Lord heard, and revealed himself; the room seemed to be full of the light and presence of God. I was lifted out of all my discouragements, and was made free and happy. I could not sleep, but I praised God with heart and voice. This blessing was just what I needed; courage, and faith, and hope were again in lively exercise, and I went on my way rejoicing. {1888 854.1}
§6
在纽约的布鲁克林，我再一次有了一种深切的愿望，求主与祂的子民同工。我在角力的祷告中向上帝倾心，希望祂在安息日彰显祂的能力，大大赐福祂的子民。祂这么做了，而且远远超过了我所祈求的。耶和华荣耀的浪潮似乎席卷了会众，许许多多的人被上帝丰盛的福气充满了，这次聚会成了他们永远不会忘记的场合。他们作见证说上帝的能力使他们感到全身震颤。有些人象死人一样苍白，但他们的面容却因上帝的荣耀发光。这个教会是新近兴起的，需要受到鼓励。我的心哪，要称颂耶和华，要称颂耶和华！要因上帝的大善良和怜悯称颂祂！一位在芝加哥布道区地位显赫的弟兄曾经极其沮丧，我们都担心他会离开圣工，但他出席了那次聚会并且大大蒙福了。他说自己来聚会的时候心情沉重，被黑云笼罩，但主耶稣在他屈膝祈祷的时候会见了他。我们曾叫他们上前来；但他没有来；不过主会见了他。“我似乎有主耶稣近在身旁，”他说。“多么可爱，多么宝贵啊，我仿佛能摸着祂。我知道耶稣就在我身旁。”于是他就脱口而出描绘他用信心的眼睛看到的基督。他是一个非常沉默寡言的人，很少说话，但他的舌头松开了。当基督向他显现时，他言辞流利地描绘了祂的品性。他说：“我轻如鸿毛，我因上帝而快乐，我想要回芝加哥并告诉他们主为我所行的事。”其他人也作了见证，证明圣灵的能力临到他们身上。{1888 854.2}
§7
Again at Brooklyn, N. Y., I had a deep, earnest desire for the Lord to work with his people. O, how my heart was drawn out in wrestling prayer to God that he would manifest his power on the 855Sabbath day and greatly bless his people. He did all this and far more than I had asked. It seemed that a tidal wave of the glory of the Lord swept over the congregation, and many, many souls were filled with a rich blessing of God, and this occasion to them was one never to be forgotten. They bore testimony that the power of God thrilled through and through them. Some persons were as pale as death, but their countenances were shining with the glory of God. This church had been newly raised up, and was in need of encouragement. O, Bless the Lord, bless the Lord; O, my soul! for the great goodness and mercy of God! One brother in a prominent position in the Chicago mission had been so weighted down with discouragement that we all feared that he would separate from the work, but he was present at the meeting and was greatly blessed. He said that he came to that meeting, heavy in heart and under a dark cloud, but the Lord Jesus met him while bowed in prayer. We had called them forward; but he did not come; but the Lord met him. “I seemed to have the Lord Jesus close beside me,” he said. “How lovely, how precious, I thought I could touch him. I knew Jesus was by my side.” And then he broke out in a description of Christ as seen by the eye of faith. He was a man very reticent, but of few words, but his tongue was loosed, his language was eloquent, as he expressed the attributes of Christ as he was revealed to him. Said he, “I am as light as a feather, I am happy in God, and I want to get back to Chicago and tell them what the Lord has wrought for me.” Others bore testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit that came upon them. {1888 854.2}
§8
从这时起我的健康状况有了明显的改善。我从安息日开始到下一个安息日结束在首都华盛顿讲了八次。我星期日去了巴尔的摩，在一个坐满了人的小会堂里很畅快地讲了道。后来患了严重的头痛，不得不赶紧回家。我一到家，疼痛就消失了，我就发现这里需要我。我星期五和安息日在这里非常自由地讲了道。主在安息日之前一直在这里作工，这里的工作需要我的见证。史密斯长老已经跌在磐石上并且跌碎了。为此而赞美主！他已作出谦卑的承认，主也必向史密斯长老彰显祂自己。我很高兴，因为撒但的能力在巴特尔克里克这里被打破了。我告诉你这里对我的证言一直有抵制。藉着一些有影响的人，如史密斯长老，一直对上帝为祂的子民而赐给我的信息有抵消的作用。主在作工，我祈求主不要停止作工直到秉公义完成这工。我告诉你主并没有睡着；祂知道祂子民的争斗。祂看到人们在与恶天使与恶人的联合势力作斗争。现代真理是赋有能力的，会在人心留下印象，因为圣灵伴随着它并使它有效果。{1888 856.1}
§9
From this time my health improved decidedly. I spoke in Washington, D. C., eight times commencing with Sabbath and closing the next Sabbath. I went to Baltimore on Sunday and spoke in a small hall full of people with great freedom. Then I had a severe attack with my head and was obliged to hasten home. As soon as I reached home, the pain left me, and I found that I was needed here. I spoke here Friday and Sabbath with great freedom. The Lord had been working here the Sabbath before, and the work here needed my testimony. Eld. Smith has fallen on the Rock and is broken. Praise the Lord for this! He has made humble acknowledgements, and the Lord will surely manifest himself to Eld. Smith. O, I am so glad that Satan’s power is broken here in Battle Creek. I tell you there has been a resistance of my testimony. By some men of influence, such as Eld. Smith, there has been a counteracting of the messages that God has given to me for his people. The Lord is at work, and I pray that it may not cease till it shall be perfected in righteousness. I tell you the Lord is not asleep; he knows the conflicts of his people. He sees the multitudes struggling against the powers of evil angels combined with evil men. The truth for this time is invested with a power which will make itself felt upon human minds, for the Spirit accompanies and gives it effect. {1888 856.1}
§10
上帝有工作给每一个人，也有工作给众人。接受祂恩典的人受了真理之灵的感动，就会将他们圣化了的人的影响力投入工作中。基督的十字架必须占据中心位置，基督必须前所未有地被高举起来。人们的注意力必须固定在世界的救赎主身上。我们对伴随着真理的荣耀知之甚少。我们的信心太小了！耶稣来了是要作被恢复之世界的中心。基督说：“我要将圣灵植入每一个愿意向我敞开的心里；我要在每一个影响的要素里作一种活泼的、持久的能力，并且使用宇宙中每一圣洁的力量。一切邪恶的影响都已联合起来要进行败坏和毁坏。凡信靠我的人，都要在我的旗帜下结合起来反对他们；我要指导这场战争，我必使全军有效率。”{1888 856.2}
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God has a work for each, and a work for all. The recipients of his grace moved by the spirit of truth, will throw their sanctified human influences into the work. The cross of Christ must occupy the central place, Christ be lifted up as never before, 857and the attention of the people be riveted upon the world’s Redeemer. We know comparatively little of the glory that attends the truth. O, we have so little faith! Jesus came to be the center of the recovered world. Says Christ, “I will implant the holy Spirit in every heart that will open to me; I will be a living, abiding power in every element of influence, and engage every holy agency in the universe. All evil influences have confederated to corrupt and destroy. All who believe on me, shall under my banner combine to oppose them; I will conduct the warfare; I will give efficiency to the whole.” {1888 856.2}
§12
我们必须拥有十分积极的传道精神。基督在给门徒的教训中，不断地教导他们必须将人力与神力结合起来。他们要热心行善，作世上的光，感染发自祂宝座的光辉并将之传给世界，就是撒但已用他邪恶的阴影象棺罩一样笼罩着的世界。亮光不仅要照进家庭圈子里，而且要以清晰的光线照到教会；此外，不仅照到教会，还要照到整个世界。请看在《约翰福音》第17章基督的祷告中含有多么丰富的内容。祂常常把自己与信靠祂的人视为一体，结合在一起。信靠祂的人也与祂紧紧联系在一起，从事拯救沦丧世界的工作。基督在祂的传道工作中向他们显明了罪恶的联盟要列阵反对他们，还向他们显明了他们是在与那些执政的、掌权的和空中属灵的恶魔争战。然而天使们团结一致组成联军，融入信徒的队列中。耶和华军队的元帅正与祂的天军一起前去作工。耶稣似乎离完成祂为世人作出的伟大牺牲只有一步之遥。“你们往普天下去，传福音给凡受造的听”（可16:15）。祂以不同的形式再三重述这命令，好叫他们在祂受死并复活升天后可以理解祂话语的意义。耶稣复活之后，“开他们的心窍，使他们能明白圣经，又对他们说：照经上所写的，基督必受害，第三日从死里复活，并且人要奉祂的名传悔改、赦罪的道，从耶路撒冷起直传到万邦”（路24:45-47）。“但圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必得着能力，并要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地，和撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我的见证”（徒1:8）。祂知道会有特殊的磨难袭击他们，就宣布说：“所有的权柄都是我的。”祂向他们保证，他们必在全能之盾的保护下出去。“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”（太28:20）。“要去”（太28:19）乃是祂给门徒的最后一个命令，这也是祂在地上时最后一次说明祂的旨意。祂在天上的第一个举动是与祂在地上表明的旨意一致的。祂丰富地把圣灵赐给了他们。天恩沛降。我们知道使徒们便在耶路撒冷开始工作；一天之内就有三千人悔改。我祈愿主唤醒祂的子民起来行动。需要教会的每一个肢体起来为耶稣工作。每一个地方都有呼声传来：“请过来帮助我们。”“圣灵和新妇都说‘来！’听见的人也该说：‘来！’口渴的人也当来；愿意的，都可以白白取生命的水喝”（启22:17）。这节经文以包罗万象的方式规定了我们传播真理的工作。耶稣在世人中间开放了生命之泉，每一个认识圣父与圣子的人都要与上帝同工，充分有力地重述这话：“来！”大家都要停止互相烦扰，大家都要把自己活泼的、成圣的影响力结合起来，众口一辞地说：“来，一起传达这命令。”大家全线上阵，一连串活泼的声音结合坚定的努力，环呼全球，整个教会都要从死亡一样的昏睡中醒来，说：“来！”并且要在品格上实践他们所发的邀请：“来！”{1888 857.1}
§13
We must possess the missionary spirit in a large degree. In his lessons to his disciples, Christ was constantly teaching them that they must unite the human agency with the divine worker. They are to be active in doing good; they are to be the light of the world, catching the radiance of light from his throne and to transmit it to the world which Satan has enshrouded with his Hellish shadow like a funeral pall. Not only are the rays of light to shine in the home circle but to the church in bright and distant rays; and again, not to the church only, but the whole world. See how much is contained in the prayer of Christ in the 17th Chapter of John, constantly identifying himself and combining himself with his believing people, and his believing people binding up with himself for the work of the salvation of a lost world. In his ministry he shows them the confederacy of evil arrayed against them, and reveals to them that they are in war-fare with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. 858But angels unite to compose that army; they are mingling in their ranks. The Captain of the Lord’s host is advancing with his army of heavenly angels to the work. Jesus is standing but a step, as it were, from the completion of his great sacrifice for the world. “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creatures. He repeats his injunction over and over again in different forms, that they might after his death and resurrection to heaven, take in the significance of his words. After his resurrection, “then opened he their understanding that they might under stand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise again the third day,” and that remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. “Ye shall receive power from on high after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” He knew that peculiar trials would assail them and he declares, “All power is mine.” He assured them that they must go out under the shield of omnipotence. “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.” “Go” was his last word spoken to his disciples and this was the last indication of his will while he was upon the earth. His first act in heaven corresponded with his expressed will on the earth. His holy spirit was sent to them in rich abundance. The heavenly endowment was given. We know the apostles commenced their work in Jerusalem; three thousand were converted in a day. May the Lord arouse his people to action is my 859prayer. There is need for every individual member of the church to arouse to work for Jesus. The calls are coming in from every clime, “Come over and help us.” “The Spirit and the Bride say Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him come and take of the waters of life freely.” There is our work laid out in a comprehensive manner for the diffusion of the truth. Jesus opened the fountain of life in the midst of the world and every soul who knoweth the Father and the Son are to be laborers together with God and to repeat the words in fullness and power, “Come.” All are to stop their fretting with one another, all are to combine their living, sanctified influence, and with one voice, say “Come, send the word along.” Come all along the lines, a chain of living voices united with determined effort ring around the globe, and the whole church is to awake from the death like slumber and say, “Come”, and to act in character the invitation they make, “Come.” {1888 857.1}
§14
任何男人或女人若在这一重大严肃的工作中悠闲或懒惰，都是不可原谅的。我们根本不能在任何事上效法世界。不可无谓地花费上帝所委托的资本。必须约束我们自以为存在的需要。生命是宝贵的，充满严肃神圣的责任，不可用来取悦自己。要让男男女女都献身作工。他们必须忠于耶稣基督，让他们的光以清晰的光线照亮世界，藉以显明他们对人的爱。现在每一个人都必须超越自我放纵和自私的各个阶段，住在基督里，向上帝而活。每一个凭经验认识基督的人都要效法祂的榜样。他们要不断地尽力升得高而又高，不寻求世人的友谊，而是具有高尚圣洁的抱负，要效法基督的榜样，完善基督化的品格，并且成为与上帝同工的人。他们不是要赞美人，或寻求人的称赞，因为一切的赞美和荣耀都属于上帝。{1888 859.1}
§15
No man or woman is excused in ease or indolence in this great or solemn work. We cannot copy the example of the world at all in anything. There must be no needless expenditure of God’s intrusted capital. There must be a binding about of our supposed wants. Life is valuable, too full of solemn sacred responsibility to be used in pleasing self. Let men and women consecrate themselves to the work. They must be loyal to Jesus Christ and reveal their love to men, by letting their light shine forth in clear bright rays to the world. Every one must now rise superior to every phase of self indulgence, and selfishness, and 860live their lives to God, abiding in Christ. Every one who knows Christ by experimental knowledge will copy his example. They will constantly endeavor to rise higher and still higher, not seeking the friendship of the world, but possessing a high and sanctified ambition to copy the example of Christ, in perfection of Christian character and be co-laborers together with God. They are not to praise men, or to seek the praise of men, for all praise and all glory belongs to God. {1888 859.1}