第118章 致S. N. 赫斯格
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第118章 致S. N. 赫斯格
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Chapter 120—To S. N. Haskell
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《信函》1891年第14号H-14-18911891年12月11日写于澳大利亚悉尼
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Sydney, Australia. December 11, 1891.
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赫斯格长老Elder Haskell,亲爱的弟兄：Dear Brother:—
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我们收到了你的来信，很感兴趣地读了，此时才有机会回信。阿拉米达12月20号离开悉尼去美国，邮件会在那时寄去。我们到了悉尼这里，漫长的远洋航行结束了。我们在檀香山逗留了19个小时，晚上我在基督教青年会的会堂里讲了道。尽管我们的聚会是宣布过的，但在开会之前一小段时间，会众已经很多了。讲完道之后，我被介绍给青年节制会的杰出人士，他们表示很喜欢我讲的道。他们说听得很感兴趣，许多新理念呈现在他们面前，关于上帝的救赎与爱，展现了广阔的思想园地。他们表示很遗憾不能有特权常常听我讲这些道，希望我能再留两周与他们在一起，经常在他们的会堂讲道。他们向我保证，会有很好的会众。我因给他们留下的好印象而感谢主。{1888 964.1}
§7
We have received your letters, and have read them with interest. This is the first chance we have had to respond. The Alameda leaves Sydney for America on December 20, and the mail will go at that time. Well, we are here in Sydney, and our long ocean journey is over. We tarried 19 hours in Honolulu, and I spoke in the evening in the Young Men’s Christian Association Hall. Though our meeting was announced but a short time before it was held, we had a good congregation. After speaking I was introduced to the prominent members of the Young Men’s Temperance Association, and they expressed much pleasure at the discourse which I gave. They said that they had listened with great interest, that many new ideas had been presented to them, opening broad fields of thought in regard to redemption and the love of God. They expressed regret that they could not have the privilege of hearing me speak frequently to them, and wished that I might remain with them for a couple of weeks, and often occupy their hall, assuring me that I should have a good congregation. I thank the Lord for the favorable impression made upon them. {1888 964.1}
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哈蒙德医生是檀香山的一位传道人，他正极力反对我们的信仰，并且特别攻击我。他当时在场，听了我的讲道。我已经更加充分地写出到目前为止旅行的细节，你会看到的。{1888 964.2}
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Dr. Hammond, a minister of Honolulu, is doing his utmost to oppose our faith, and he attacks me in particular. He was present and heard me speak. I have written out more fully the particulars of the journey thus far, which you will see. {1888 964.2}
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有两个晚上我得到很清晰的异梦，是关于伯克医生的。在这两个异梦中，主把伯克医生拒绝见我的原因清楚地摆在我面前，他对错误和罪恶感到内疚，却不肯来就光，免得他的行为受责备。我从乡间保健院听到消息后很是心焦，因为伯克医生就在我们离开之前提交了辞职书。我越来越确信，反叛几乎无可救药了。一个人若是叛变一次，就容易第二次作叛徒。有一件事是确定的，我们不能在任何情况下都信任伯克医生了，因为他在公然抨击我和我的工作上已经走了那么远。要是他没有在相当长的时间内一直行走在他自己所点的火把中，自行与公义的日头隔绝，他原不会这么做。{1888 965.1}
§11
For two nights I have had very plain dreams in regard to Dr. Burke. In these dreams it was plainly laid open before me that the reason Dr. Burke refused to see me was that he was guilty of wrong and sin, and refused to come to the light lest his deeds should be reproved. I am quite anxious to hear from the Rural Health Retreat, for Dr. Burke sent in his resignation just before we left. I am more and more convinced that rebellion is almost incurable. If a man proves a traitor once he is apt to become a traitor the second time. One thing is certain we cannot trust Dr Burke again under any circumstances, as he has gone as far as he has in denouncing me and my work. Never would he have done this if he had not for quite a length of time been walking in the sparks of his own kindling, separating himself from the Sun of righteousness. {1888 965.1}
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我得到的那两个异梦是非常惊人的。一次是我还在船上的时候，一次是我来到悉尼以后。关于我们要怎样把责任放在曾经辜负圣托的人身上，我们需要非常谨慎。不知何故我觉得要写这个。{1888 965.2}
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The dreams I have had are very striking. One I had while on the boat, and one since coming to Sydney. We need to be very guarded as to how we place responsibilities upon any man who has once betrayed sacred trusts. Somehow I felt like writing this. {1888 965.2}
§14
赫斯格弟兄，我想你是在加利福尼亚州，你会发现有许多工作要做。我希望你健康，可是要小心不能过度劳累。你知道自己的头脑无法承担过多的操劳，所以要避免这些，不要担当别人应负的职责。你的弟兄若不让你过度劳累，不要误解他们付出的努力。不要以为他们不信任你才让别人担当一些职责；若让你来担当，会把你累垮的。“不计算人的恶” （林前13:5）是耶稣基督的神圣品质之一。{1888 965.3}
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Now Brother Haskell, I suppose that you are in California, and that you will find much work to do, and I hope that health will be granted you, but be careful not to overwork. You know that your head will not bear much perplexity, therefore shun this, and do not load down with responsibilities that others should carry. If your brethren seek to save you from overwork, do not mistrust their efforts. Do not think that it is because they have not confidence in you that 966they put some of the responsibilities upon others; for this will make you wretched. “Thinketh no evil,” is one of the blessed attributes of Jesus Christ. {1888 965.3}
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你的情况曾摆在我的面前。我蒙指示得知，你以为弟兄们并不相信你，也不信赖你，只是包容你，所以你有太多的时间陷在伤心失望中。他们对你若象对巴特勒长老那样，就不对了。人们把他放在上帝应有的位置上，这样做不仅损毁了他们自己的属灵经验，也毁了巴特勒长老。教会变得衰弱无力和非基督化，因为他们把每一点当归给上帝的荣耀归给了人。{1888 966.1}
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Your case has been laid open before me, and I know from what has been presented, that you spend many hours of grief and despondency, because you think your brethren simply tolerate you, but do not put confidence in you, and trust you. It would not be right for them to act toward you as they have acted toward Elder Butler. Men have placed him where God should be placed, and by so doing, have ruined their own religious experience, and have also ruined Elder Butler, and the church was becoming strengthless, Christless, because they glorified men when every jot of glory should be given to God. {1888 966.1}
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在夜间时分，我在异象中被带进一次聚会，你们在会上似乎心情非常沮丧。主的灵进入会议，我的向导向在场不同的人讲了话。他说：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的。又因他们所做的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。你们也要彼此和睦”（帖前5:12,13）。而对你，赫斯格弟兄，他说了下述话语：“所以，你们不可丢弃勇敢的心；存这样的心必得大赏赐。你们必须忍耐，使你们行完了上帝的旨意，就可以得着所应许的。因为还有一点点时候，那要来的就来，并不迟延；只是义人必因信得生。他若退后，我心里就不喜欢他。我们却不是退后入沉沦的那等人，乃是有信心以致灵魂得救的人”（来10:35-39）。对你说了鼓励的话，也给了你警告。“不要没有信心，而要相信。”他告诫你要全然信赖上帝，你不应该多疑，不信任弟兄们；因为你的疑心常常没有真实的根据，你对弟兄们的信任很是动摇，以致无论他们做什么你都不会以正确的眼光来解释。你猜想有什么事对你隐瞒了，有某些不光明的行为不久以后会显明出来。你有过一些考验，但那些考验一点也不象你想象的那么大。并没有人象你猜想的那样定意向你行恶。许多人心中对你怀有最温柔的尊重与爱戴，但仇敌却看出他能使你心灵痛苦。他看出他能藉着将人们所说的话所做的事以恶化的眼光呈现在你面前，从而使你误解他们，而你却接受了撒但对事情的说法。你显明自己并不相信弟兄们真心待你。你对并不真实存在的事情惋惜悲叹。你回顾过去，说：“从前我们一起进行美好的磋商，并且一起到教堂去，然而现在作我朋友的人却用脚踢我。”你不断地把自己关在自我里，期待被出卖。要当心撒但的诡计。思虑假想的错误，以为自己未被赏识，再没有什么比这些更能削弱和混乱人的心志了。{1888 966.2}
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In the night season, I was brought into a meeting where you seemed to be in much depression of soul. The Spirit of the Lord came into the meeting, and my guide addressed words to different ones who were present. He said, “We beseech you brethren to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” And to you Elder Haskell, he addressed the following words, “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But 967we are not of them that draw back unto perdition; of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Words of encouragement were spoken to you, and cautions were given you. “Be not faithless, but believing.” He cautioned you to put your trust wholly in God, and that you should not be suspicious, and mistrust your brethren; for your suspicions are often without true foundation, and your confidence is so shaken in your brethren that nothing they can do will be interpreted by you in a correct light. You imagine that something is concealed from you, that there is some underhanded work that by and by will be revealed. You have had some trials, but they are not half as great as you imagine. Evil is not determined against you as you suppose. Many hearts beat in tenderest respect and love for you, but the enemy sees that he can afflict your soul. He sees that he can misinterpret words spoken and actions performed by presenting them in an aggravated light, and you accept his version of the matter. You make it evident that you do not believe that your brethren are true to you. You bemoan over things that do not really exist. You look back at the past, and say, “Once we took sweet counsel together, and went to the house of God in company, but now he that is my friend hath lifted up his heel against me.” You are continually shutting yourself within yourself, expecting to be betrayed. Beware of Satan’s devices. Nothing can weaken and unbalance the human mind like brooding over supposed wrongs, thinking that you are not appreciated. {1888 966.2}
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由于视野狭隘，弟兄们不能总是考虑周全，有时确实有失公正，你就觉得自己在朋友家里受了伤害。你对弟兄们的许多言行加以错误的解释。你的感情受了伤害，你认为你的动机受到指责，你最公义的行为遭到了误解和谴责。虽然在某种程度上是这样，但还没有到你认为的程度，你极想从那些最认识你的人投身退步。你这样就打错了算盘。弟兄们和你一样有东西要学习。你的品格还没有完美无缺。你的计算和打算并非毫无错误。难道你想不起自己的做法已经成为别人的痛苦和忧伤之源了吗？你并没有将你原应该给予的那种同情、那种体谅、安慰和勇气给予上帝所呼召并拣选的一个人。他的生命将近结束，他心灵忧伤难过，因缺乏弟兄们的同情而心碎了。想想这此事吧，因为他不应该在你们手中受到这种对待。当你觉得自己受到虐待，背叛和失信动摇了你对弟兄们的信任时，想想上帝的儿子吧。耶稣岂不是被祂曾对之表明无限关心的那些人背叛了吗？不要让撒但以扭曲的眼光把事情摆在你面前。{1888 967.1}
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Through narrow views, your brethren have not always been thoughtful 968considerate, and really just, and you feel that you have been wounded in the house of your friends. You place a wrong construction upon many things that your brethren do and say. Your feelings are injured, and you think that your motives are impugned, your most righteous actions misapprehended and condemned. This has been the case in a degree, but not to the extent to which you have thought it was so, and you long to withdraw from those who know you best. Here you make wrong calculations. Your brethren have had something to learn as well as yourself. Your character has not been faultless. Your plans and calculations have not been without mistakes. Can you not remember that your own course of action has been a source of pain and grief to others? You did not give that sympathy, that consideration and comfort and courage to one whom God had called and chosen that you should have given. His life was near its close, and his spirit was grieved and sad, his heart broken because of the lack of sympathy on the part of his brethren. Think of these things, for he deserved no such treatment at your hands. Think of the Son of God when you feel that you are abused, that treachery and faithlessness has shaken your confidence in your brethren. Was not Jesus betrayed by those to whom he had shown infinite regard? Let not Satan set things before you in a perverted light. {1888 967.1}
§22
不要把你宝贵的力气浪费在过劳上。要坦诚地、合理地思考这些事，上帝就必赐给你祂的福气。要把一切——灵与魂与身子——都献给主，以便喜乐而不是忧伤地行完你的路程。跟随基督的人必须行在祂光辉榜样的光中。你完全有理由怀有感激和感恩之情，因为耶稣活着为我们代求。惟有祂的血才能洁净我们，惟有祂的血才能清除我们的罪，洗净我们脱离过犯。惟有祂的义才会为天父所看得起并为我们而接受；因为有祂的义我们才会成为义的，正如祂是义的一样。我们不要有我们自己的义，那是无价值的。着手建立我们自己的义是无济于事的，因为我们没有什么可建立的。{1888 968.1}
§23
Do not waste your precious strength in over labor. Think candidly, think reasonably of these things, and God will surely grant you his blessing. Consecrate all, soul, body and spirit to the Lord, that 969your course may be finished with joy, and not with grief. The followers of Christ must walk in the light of his glorious example. You have every reason to cherish gratitude and thanksgiving; because Jesus lives to make intercession for us. His blood alone can purify us, his blood alone can cleanse our sin, and wash us white from transgression. His righteousness alone will the Father look upon and accept in our behalf; for with his righteousness we shall be righteous as he is righteous. We shall not have our own righteousness, it is worthless. It is of no use to go about to establish our own righteousness, for we have none to establish. {1888 968.1}
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我们不要因集中思想在自己身上而贬低这工作。要尽量少想到自己。不要思想任何人的恶。跟从基督的人必须行在祂光辉榜样的光中，并要不惜任何代价、辛劳或苦难，务必靠着基督的恩典保持心灵的纯正，完全效忠于基督福音之改革的要道，不掺杂一点自我到工作中。要保持自我的降服，始终高举耶稣，推进基督十字架的胜利。趁着生命还在，要以拓展祂的国度为你的工作，无论他人怎么看你。必须把别人会怎么看你这件事交在上帝手中。祂熟悉每一个人的内在性质，每一个行为的机动，每一个品格的基础。我们的工作是本着不变的仁慈和最慈爱的精神推进所交给我们的改革。在任何时候都不要突显自我；不要追求最高地位。上帝知道这几乎毁了教会的纯正和成功，妨碍了我们原可取得的胜利。改革者们要只在耶稣里作工。自我不要出现。“祂必兴旺，我必衰微”（约3:30）。我们要保持基督化的纯朴，显出纯净、清洁、坦率、诚实的作为。我们会看到男男女女显出苦毒的精神，多话，显出撒但的品格成分；因为爱争论，决不和平相处也决不罢休，却总是惹起讨厌的事。要让这些自称是基督徒却不实践基督的人看到我们圣工中最年长的工人们不是毁灭者而是改革者，要让他们看到我们的工作不是毁灭，而是拯救，加强，包扎伤口，医治创伤。{1888 969.1}
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We are not to cheapen the work by centering our thoughts upon ourselves. Think just as little upon yourself as possible. Think evils of no man. Christ’s followers must walk in the light of his glorious example, and at whatever cost or labor or suffering, must maintain the purity of the soul and spirit through the grace of Christ, yielding complete allegiance to the reformatory doctrines of the gospel of Christ, without mingling self with the work. Keep self subdued, and keep Jesus ever lifted up, and push the triumphs of the cross of Christ. Let it be your work while life shall last to extend the borders of his kingdom, and wage a daily war against all sin and ungodliness, whatever others may think of you. The matter of what others think of you must be left in the hands of God. He is acquainted with the inwardness of every life, the motives of every action, the foundation of every character. Our work is to push the reform committed to us 970in the spirit of unvarying kindness and tenderest love. Self is not to be made prominent at any time; there is to be no seeking after supremacy. God knows this has nearly ruined the purity and success of the church, and hindered the triumph we might have had. Reformers are to work only in Jesus. Self is not to appear. “He must increase I must decrease.” We are to maintain a Christlike simplicity, manifesting pure, clear straightforward, honest works. We will see men and women who manifest bitterness of spirit, who are talkative, and who reveal Satanic elements of character; for they are contentious, never at peace never at rest, but ever stirring up that which is disagreeable. Let these professing, but not practicing Christians see that the oldest workers of our cause are not destroyers but reformers, let them see that our work is not to ruin, but to save, to strengthen, to bind up wounds, to heal bruises. {1888 969.1}
§26
凡从事改革事业的人必须决不作伪君子，以致让人难以看出他们是哪一边的，不可有阴险欺诈的作为，不可有暗谋，因为这是撒但行事的方式；但跟从基督的人必须坚定，不退缩。另一方面，他们必须提防因错用坚定而变得顽梗不化。改革者们始终需要在基督的门下学习内心的柔和谦卑。他们应该总是隐藏自我，温柔可亲，象孩子一样有甜美的精神，然而他们的工作显不出什么缺点，而是坚定持久的，因为是在基督里做成的。{1888 970.1}
§27
Those engaged in the cause of reform must in no wise be dissemblers, so that it will be difficult to discern upon which side they are, there must be no underhand working, no secret devising, for this is the way in which Satan works; but those who follow Christ must be resolute and unflinching. On the other hand they must guard against the tendency of becoming obstinate through a degenerate exercise of firmness. There will ever be need of the reformers learning in the school of Christ meekness and lowliness of heart. They should ever hide self, be gentle and amiable as a child of sweet spirit, although their work shows no weakness, but is firm and abiding, because it is wrought in Christ. {1888 970.1}
§28
你有对一些已经发生的事感受过于强烈，并有一种阴郁挑剔精神的危险。这会使你苦不堪言。你为自己要下一番工夫，是没有人能为你做的，因为你要住在基督里，就像枝子在葡萄树上。你作为一个与上帝同工的人，必须学习实践基督所赐宽容与仁爱的教训。{1888 971.1}
§29
There is danger that you will feel too strongly over some things that have taken place, and have a gloomy, censorious spirit. This will make you miserable. You have a work to do for yourself that no one can do for you, for you are to abide in Christ as the branch abides in the vine. You must learn as a laborer together with God to practice the lessons of forbearance and love that Christ has given. {1888 971.1}
§30
你既猜想弟兄们对你没有坦诚相待，也不赏识你，你就一直对爱关闭着心门。你既没有总是得到你应得的一切体贴，尽管你在这方面的经验有限，你还是认为自己大致上是不受赏识的。你不信任——我要说出来吗？——任何一个人。你的计划若是没有都得到采纳，你的想法若是没有都被人接受，你就认为这是因为弟兄们个人对你有不满，你就把乌云聚集在你心灵周围。现在赫斯格弟兄，我劝你要用信心保守自己的心灵在上帝的爱里。你只有一小段时间可以跟随耶稣的脚踪行了。时间要求我们在改革的工作中前进。照在我们身上的亮光会被一些人接受，被许多人拒绝。上帝的试验会显明人们的品格，那些一直有野心要在先的人，会成为在后的，因为那促使他们想要这样突显自我的不圣洁的野心使他们在大斗争中置身撒但一边。凡愿意与上帝同工的人，都必须钉死自我。{1888 971.2}
§31
Because you have imagined that you were not treated with candor and were not appreciated, your heart has been closing to love. Because you have not always had all the consideration that was your due, though your experience in this line has been limited, you think that generally you are not appreciated. You do not have confidence—shall I speak it?—in any one. If all your plans are not adopted, and all your ideas are not received, you think it is because your brethren have some personal grievance against you, and you gather clouds of darkness about your soul. Now Elder Haskell, I entreat you to keep your soul in the love of God by faith. You have only a little period in which to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. The time calls for advanced movement in the work of reform. The light shining upon us will be received by some, and rejected by many. Characters will be developed by the testing of God, and those who have been ambitious to be first will be found to be last, because the unholy ambition that prompts this desire for the prominence of self, places men on Satan’s side of the controversy. Self must be crucified in all who would be laborers together with God. {1888 971.2}
§32
你可以预料会被一些人误解，因为不可能人人都以正确的眼光看问题，我们不必指望人人都会理解我们。那些我们以为是朋友的人会变得与我们离心离德。你的动机会被歪曲，你的损失、考验、舍己、苦难和努力会不受赏识，你的工作会被诋毁。但这难道不是基督已经忍受过的吗？我们跟从基督的人难道还指望有比耶稣更好的命运吗？我们要与基督的苦难有分，以便能与祂的荣耀有分。要全心全意侍奉上帝，不要被你帮不了的事惹恼。{1888 971.3}
§33
You may expect to be misapprehended by some, for it is not possible 972to appear before all in just the correct light, and we need not expect that all will understand us. Those whom we suppose to be our friends will become alienated from us. Your motives will be misrepresented, your losses, trials, self-denial, sufferings, and labors will not be appreciated, and your work will be disparaged. But was not this what Christ has to endure? Do we who are Christ’s followers expect a better portion than had Jesus? We are to be partakers of the sufferings of Christ, that we may be partakers with him of his glory. Serve God with full purpose of heart, and let not your spirit be chafed over that which you cannot help. {1888 971.3}
§34
撒但若是看到他能使你仔细考虑你所假想的弟兄们的疏忽，从而使你软弱丧志，他就会在你的想像面前夸大弟兄们无意令你忧伤的言行，从而使一个原子成为一个世界。要持定你的信心，直到末了。{1888 972.1}
§35
If Satan sees that he can make you weak and despondent, by causing you to ponder upon the supposed neglect of your brethren, he will make a world of an atom, by magnifying before your imagination things which are said and done with no intention of grieving you. Hold fast your confidence firm unto the end. {1888 972.1}
§36
你不能象以往的年月那样操劳，你见到其他在工作中还没有被累坏的人负起担子，必须平静、安宁、满足。你必须满足于少做些事，显出愉快、盼望和信心，表明你一点也不怀疑弟兄们在秘密行事与你作对，因为那不是真的，我了解，所以我说话。那么就往前走吧。不要培养嫉妒心，不信任那些爱你的人。要在恳切的请求中伸出手，倾心于上帝，丢弃仇敌的每一个试探，你就能仰脸面对公义日头的明亮光线，说：靠着所赐给我的恩典，我保持了我的纯正。虽然疲惫并为软弱所困，但我对上帝有信心。我在比日午还清晰的光中看到祂慈悲的爱，便在祂的爱中安息，稳稳地安息于平安稳妥中。于是你的光就会清晰稳定地照耀出来，就是反射那公义日头的明亮光线。{1888 972.2}
§37
You cannot labor as you have in years past, and you must be at peace, restful and contented, seeing others bearing the burdens who have not become worn in the work. You must be satisfied to do less, manifesting cheerfulness and hope and faith, showing that you do not in the least suspect that your brethren are working in secret against you, for it is not true, and I know whereof I speak. Then go forward. Do not cultivate jealous distrust of those who love you. Stretch out your hands and heart unto God in earnest supplication, putting away every temptation of the enemy, and you will be able to lift up your 973face to the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness, saying, through the grace given unto me, I have preserved my integrity. Although worn and compassed with infirmity, my faith is in God. I see him in his compassionate love clearer than the noon day, and I rest in his love, securely rest in peace and safety. Then your light will shine in clear and steady rays. It is the reflection of the bright beams of the Sun of righteousness. {1888 972.2}
§38
现在我的弟兄，我已写出所呈现在我面前之问题的主旨，我劝你抛弃你对弟兄们的不信任和疑虑。你必须培养对他们的信任，不要怀疑他们所采取与你有关的每一行动，因为你若养成这种习惯，这种恶习就会在你身上逐渐加强。{1888 973.1}
§39
Now my brother, I have written you the substance of the matter as it has been presented to me, and I entreat of you to put away your mistrust and your misgivings concerning your brethren. You must cultivate confidence in them, and not regard every movement they make in connection with you with suspicion, for if you cultivate this habit, it will grow upon you. {1888 973.1}
§40
时代的大呼声是要求能力。你在各方面都听到这种呼声。基督徒有权使用无限量的神能，而这神能正在等候基督徒的吩咐，用在上天的服务中。但尽管他有权使用神能，却甘愿作众人中最后的。谦卑痛悔之心的呼求，总是蒙主垂听，地上或阴间没有什么障碍能介入这样的人与上帝之间。甚愿我们能看见和明白这一点。心理资质很弱，社会地位很低的人，靠着基督的恩典，已经惊人成功地得人归于基督。他们成功的秘诀在于藉着信心和对上帝的信任感动了人。他们天天向祂学习，祂的谋略奇妙，祂行事有大能。他们靠着祂恩典的力量，成了与上帝同工的人。这些不依赖人而依赖上帝之人的生活和经验象一棵树栽在溪水旁，叶子不会枯干，而是常青的，且会结出果子来。{1888 973.2}
§41
The great cry of the age is for power. You hear this cry on all sides. The Christian has access to divine power that is measureless, and it only waits his command to be used in the service of heaven. But though he has access to divine power, he is willing to be last of all. The cry of the lowly, contrite heart, is always heard by the Lord, and no obstacles in earth or hell can interpose between such a soul and God. O that we might see and understand this. Men feeble in mental qualifications, lowly in social position, through the grace of Christ have been wonderfully successful in winning souls to Christ. The secret of their success was that they reached men through their faith and confidence in God. They learned daily of him who is 974wonderful in counsel, and mighty in working. In the power of his grace they were laborers together with God. The life and experience of these men who relied not on men but on God, was like a tree planted by the river side, whose leaf will not wither, but be always green and his fruit will appear. {1888 973.2}
§42
我的弟兄啊，我希望你始终明白我是诚心诚意的。我希望你在一生操劳的结尾取得完全的胜利。不要与你自己商量。不要试图做什么大事，而要存心谦卑与上帝同行，尽管你所做的可能在你看来很微小，但却会在天上的册子中被记录为成功。我们必须不断作战才能打美好的信心之仗。只有当我们披戴基督时，我们才能保守我们的心灵在耐心的信靠中。一般的信心是不够的。我们必须披上基督的义袍，并且公开穿着它，勇敢地、果断地展现基督，对有限的人不要指望太多，而要始终仰望耶稣，陶醉于祂品格的完全。然后我们才会个别地表现耶稣的品格，并且显明我们是受真理鼓舞的；因为它圣化人心，并将所有的思想都掳来，使之顺服基督。{1888 974.1}
§43
My brother, I want you ever to know that I am true and faithful. I am desirous that you shall be wholly victorious to the very close of your labors. Do not take counsel of yourself. Do not attempt to do any large thing, but walk humbly with God, and though that which you do, may appear very small in your eyes, it will be written in the books of record as a success. We must battle constantly in order to fight the good fight of faith. We can keep our souls in patient trust only as we put on Christ. A general faith is not enough. We must put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness and wear it openly, bravely, decidedly, exhibiting Christ, and not expect too much of finite man, but keep looking unto Jesus, and become ravished with the perfections of his character. Then we shall individually make manifest the character of Jesus, and make it evident that we are invigorated by the truth; because it sanctifies the soul and brings into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. {1888 974.1}
§44
我切望你有信靠之心，不要依靠过去对上帝的信心，而要现今拥有鲜活的信仰，让你的信心坚定不移。要藉着福音的真理，心灵天天得到温暖和鼓舞。你也从每日的生活和新经验中重新得力。我希望你在圣灵中得到安慰、盼望和喜乐。切莫因上帝兴起年轻人肩负更重之职并宣讲真理的信息而有一点焦虑不安。巴特勒长老在这一点上已经失败了，他受了欺骗，一直在犯更大的错误，比他与我们在一起时认为我丈夫犯的错误要大得多。我希望决不要丝毫鼓励我们的人去将这种奇妙的信任寄予有限的、犯错的人，象寄予巴特勒长老一样，因为传道人不象上帝，过去对巴特勒长老寄予太多信赖了。因着巴特勒长老的言论与想法的影响，甚至使信息和证言都无效了。我们有些人还没有悔改这种罪，他们若不停止倚赖人，并且全然倚赖永生的上帝，就会不得不再三重蹈复辙。因着巴特勒长老的影响而加给工作的模子已经导致了多年辛劳的工作，以便予以消除。正是因为人们一直受到鼓励要指望一个人为他们思考，作他们的良心，他们现在才那么没有效率，不能在他们的岗位上为上帝作忠心的哨兵，不让任何人介入凡属他们与上帝之关系的事。要让人们不要向人，而要向上帝求智慧。我们这班人不是我们应该成为的样子，因为我们依靠了凡人的智慧，没有以上帝为我们所依赖和倚靠的。何时上帝的子民才会学会爱上帝为至上并且爱人如己呢？{1888 974.2}
§45
I greatly desire that you shall have a trustful mind, that you shall not depend upon your past confidence in God, but have a present, fresh faith, and maintain your confidence without wavering. Your soul must daily be warmed and invigorated by the truth of the gospel, and 975you refreshed by a daily living and new experience. I want you to have comfort and hope and joy in the Holy Ghost. Never, never feel the slightest disturbance because the Lord is raising up youth to lift and carry the heavier burdens, and proclaim the message of truth. It has been at this point that Elder Butler has failed, and he is a deceived man, and has been making far greater mistakes than those he supposed my husband was making when he was with us. I hope there will never be the slightest encouragement given to our people to put such wonderful confidence in finite, erring man as has been placed in Elder Butler, for ministers are not as God, and too much reliance has been placed upon Elder Butler in the past. Even the messages and testimonies were made of none effect through the influence of the words and ideas of Elder Butler. This sin has not been repented of by some of our people, and they will have to go over the ground again and again unless they cease from man, and put their whole trust in the living God. The mould which has been given to the work through the influence of Elder Butler has caused the labor of many toilsome years that it might be effaced. It is because men have been encouraged to look to one man to think for them, to be conscience for them, that they are now so inefficient, and unable to stand at their post of duty as faithful sentinels for God, allowing no one to interfere in matters pertaining to their relation to God. Let men seek not to men, but to God for wisdom. As a people we are not what we should be because we have depended upon the wisdom of mortals, and have not 976made God our dependence and trust. O when will the people of God learn to love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves? {1888 974.2}
§46
好了，这封信原是要写短点的，可是看哪，我已经写了这么长。
§47
Well, this letter was to have been short, and lo, I have made it long. {1888 976.1}
§48
你在信与爱里的 {1888 976.1}
§49
Yours in faith and love