第152章 致C. H. 琼斯
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第152章 致C. H. 琼斯
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Chapter 155—Untitled
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《信函》1894年第41号J-41-1894
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新南威尔士州格兰维尔，威廉街，佩尔阿杜瓦 1894年5月6日
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Per Ardua, Williams St., Granville, N.S.W.May 6, 1894.
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C. H. 琼斯, 加利福尼亚州，奥克兰，太平洋出版社
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C. H. Jones,Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
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亲爱的弟兄：Dear Brother,—
§9
几个月前我给赫斯格弟兄写了信，论到澳大利亚圣工的急需，要在各城建造礼拜堂，我们好有地方聚集那些信奉真理的人。我还敦促开新工，并将真理的旗帜高举在还未曾布道的地方。赫斯格长老把这封信向我们在加利福尼亚州的一些弟兄宣读了，主便感动两个人的心保证各自奉献五千美元支持澳大利亚的圣工。赫斯格弟兄在上一封邮件中写信告诉了我这些许诺，说倘若可能，会有一千美元随着邮件寄来，否则就会在下一次寄来。我向一个议事会的弟兄们宣读了这个好消息，我们都很受鼓舞；因为在各城和其他地区，工作的园地一直开放着，却还从未进入。{1888 1233.1}
§10
Some months ago I wrote to Elder Haskell in regard to the wants of the cause in Australia, the need of building meeting houses in our cities, that we might have a place in which to gather those who embrace the truth; I urged also the necessity of entering new fields and lifting the standard of truth where as yet no effort has been made. This letter Elder Haskell read to some of our brethren in California, and the Lord moved upon the hearts of two men to pledge $5000.00 each for the work in Australia. By the last mail but one, Brother Haskell wrote to me of these pledges, stating that one thousand dollars would be sent by the same mail if possible, or if not, it would come by the next. I read the glad news to a council of our brethren, and we were much encouraged; for fields for labor have been opening in cities and other localities that have never been entered. {1888 1233.1}
§11
在昆士兰州，单单藉着阅读，就兴起了三十个守安息日的人，他们还从未见过活的传道士。他们在呼求帮助，但我们的各区会如此缺乏财力，以致我们几乎不知道该怎么回答这个呼求。斯塔尔弟兄正计划快点到这个园地去，只要能得到必需的资金。我们都因缺乏资金而受着限制，我们不得不借钱，圣工急需金钱。现在的计划是让斯塔尔弟兄独自去那个新的地方。我已请求不要这么做；这是与主的命令相反的。基督差祂的门徒两个两个地出去，这才是应该遵循的计划。起先的计划是希科克斯弟兄和斯塔尔弟兄一起去那个园地，但是不行，因为缺乏财力支付两个人的开支，也因为希科克斯弟兄正处在增长的兴趣中间，在我们搬到这里以前，慕道的兴趣一直都是他独自维持着的。斯塔尔长老同意独自去昆士兰调查那块园地；日后希科克斯弟兄会跟去。{1888 1233.2}
§12
In Queensland, through reading alone, thirty Sabbath-keepers have been raised up, who have never seen the living preacher. They are calling for help, but there is such a dearth of means throughout our Conferences that we hardly know how to answer the call. Bro. Starr is planning to go to this field soon, if the necessary means can be obtained. We have all been crippled for want of funds, we have had 1234to borrow, and the work is in pressing need of money. The plan now is for Bro. Starr to go alone to that new country. I have pleaded that this should not be done; it is contrary to the Lord’s order. Christ sent out his disciples two and two, and this is the plan that should be followed. At first it was planned for Brother Hickox and Brother Starr to go together to this field, but this cannot be, both for want of money to pay the expenses of the two, and because Bro. Hickox is in the midst of a growing interest, which until we moved here, he had carried alone. Elder Starr consents to go to Queensland alone to investigate the field; and at a later date Bro. Hickox will follow. {1888 1233.2}
§13
这个国家的人动作很慢，然而在塞文希尔，就是希科克斯弟兄一直工作的地方，有十二个人已经根据圣经的真理采取了自己的立场，兴趣未减。我连着三个星期日在那里的大帐篷里很自由地讲了道，出席的人数很多。连着三个安息日有一个新的家庭要支持真理，明天，就是星期日，我要在塞文希尔再讲真理。{1888 1234.1}
§14
The people in this country move slowly, but at Seven Hills, where Bro. H. has been laboring, twelve have taken their position upon Bible truth, and the interest has not abated. I have spoken there in the large tent three Sundays in succession with much freedom: We have had excellent attendance. For three successive Sabbaths there has been a new family to take their stand for the truth I speak at Seven Hills again tomorrow, Sunday. {1888 1234.1}
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当我收到赫斯格弟兄的来信，说你扣留了我们非常需要的钱，我想要问问你，我的弟兄，你有什么权利这么做呢？你知道我们多么需要那笔钱吗？你知道你把它扣留在太平洋出版社的举动会给这个国家的上帝圣工带来多么大的压力吗？你在美国有资金，不向在这个国家的我们开放。《回声》出版社甚至不能把我存在那里的钱借给我而不削弱那里的工作。我们的弟兄们正在墨尔本周围的几个地区传讲真理。丹尼尔斯弟兄极力主张最好不要在那个大城市工作；但我知道那个城市必须有机会现在就听到信息，上帝有人力也有财力。帐篷大会在消除偏见方面成就极好，而今正是我们作工的时候。这需要工人，也需要钱财来维持工作，可是我们可以提取的每一资源似乎都要被切断了。库中空虚，现在不能提供帮助了，因为最近有这种大笔的开支。要是我们对一块地皮的出价得到接受，校址不久就会确定，我们在等待回复。如果卖方接受，我们立刻就需要数千美元。可是却有一千美元不被允许兑现它的承诺，而要留在太平洋出版社。在这个举动中谁作了你的谋士呢？那些奉献这些钱的个人难道不是要向上帝负责吗？一个人受到上帝的灵感动时，难道没有自由把自己的钱财投到自己看为合适的地方吗？我们难道没有一位上帝说银子是祂的，金子也是祂的，千山上的牲畜都是祂的吗？难道祂不能照祂自己所喜悦的行事吗？难道人要把手放在上帝计划应该汇到这些贫困的园地以推进祂所命定要做成之工的钱财上吗？{1888 1234.2}
§16
When I received Brother Haskell’s letter explaining that you had detained the money we so much need, I wanted to ask you, my brother, What right had you to do this? Could you know how much that money was needed, and how much pressure will be brought upon the work of God in this country by your action in detaining it at the Pacific Press? There are resources for you in America which are not open to us in this country. The Echo Office could not even let me have 1235the money I had deposited with it, without crippling the work there. Our brethren are presenting the truth in several localities about Melbourne. Bro. Daniells is urging that it is not best to work in that large city; but I know that that city must have an opportunity of hearing the message now, and God has men and means. The camp-meeting has done wonders in removing prejudice, and now is our time to work. This takes workers, and money to sustain the work, and every source from which we could draw has seemed to be cut off. The treasuries were empty, not able to afford help now, because such large drafts had been made upon them of late. The location of the school will soon be settled if the offer we have made for a tract of land is accepted; we await the response. If it is favorable, several thousand dollars will be called for at once. And that one thousand was not permitted to come to the object for which it was pledged, but must be stopped at the Pacific Press. Who has been your counsellor in this movement? Are not the individuals who pledged the money responsible to God? Is not a man to be left free, when moved upon by the Spirit of God, to place his means where he sees fit? Have we not a God who says that the silver and the gold are his, and the cattle upon a thousand hills? Can he not do what he pleases with his own? Shall man put his hand upon the money that God designs should come to these destitute fields to carry forward the work he has ordered to be done? {1888 1234.2}
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我片刻也不能以为是奥尔森长老建议你这么做的；因为他一直在场并且知道我们的需要吗？我不想不信任他的智慧，我不相信他会把一块钱转出这个园地。上帝没有给任何一个人下命令把钱转出它应该去的渠道。谁拥有这些人，总会吗？太平洋出版社吗？谁听见上帝指示说这笔钱应该转到其它渠道呢？如果这就是我们处于领导地位的弟兄们要采取的做法，人们在向上帝的圣工捐款的事上还怎么能有信心贯彻执行他们的信念呢？但愿来自上帝管家们的钱财被当作一种神圣的奉献得到接受和对待，且被用在原计划要用在的地方，这会鼓舞信心，鼓励已成为上帝管家的人们慷慨奉献。然而人们若是以自己有限的判断照自己看为合适的随意挪用这些礼物，就会使一片诚心受感动要把自己的货财奉献于上帝某方面圣工的人感到困惑。当我们的弟兄们开始按照自己的想法作工时，就会对人心造成很大的损害，会引起怀疑和质问。为什么人们想要提出自己的方法和想法来挫败上帝的意图呢？{1888 1235.1}
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I cannot for a moment suppose that Elder Olsen was your adviser in this matter; for he has been on the ground, and knows our 1236necessities? I do not wish to distrust his wisdom, I do not believe he would divert one dollar from this field. The Lord has not given orders to any man to divert money from the channel in which it should go. Who owns the men, the General Conference, the Pacific Press? Who has heard the voice of God directing that this means should be diverted into other channels? If this is the course our leading brethren are to pursue, what confidence can men have to follow out their convictions in making donations to the cause of God? Let the money that comes from those whom God has made his stewards be received and treated as a sacred offering, and be applied where it was designed this will tend to inspire confidence and encourage liberality in those whom God has made his stewards. But if men, with their finite judgment feel free to appropriate these gifts as they see fit, they will confuse that mind that in all sincerity was moved to bestow his goods on some branch of God’s work. When our brethren undertake to work according to their own ideas, they will do great harm to souls, they will create doubt and questioning. Why should men want to interpose their own ways and ideas to defeat the purposes of God? {1888 1235.1}
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这种安排使我心里非常难过。我必须相信你只要了解情况就不会这么做。我现在能更完全地明白我的丈夫在密歇根州格林维尔非常虚弱时主所赐给我的亮光了。那是上帝关于钱财所赐指示的起点。我蒙指示看见主希望我的丈夫和我在财务问题上独立于我们一切的机构。我们的弟兄们会制定许多计划要控制来自我们的书籍和其它出版物的利润，但我们必须保留钱财好照主所指示我们的予以使用。我们比别人更能了解圣工的需要。上帝会教导我们如何处置钱财。祂会用我们的财产荣耀祂自己的名。后来某日，主再一次告诫了我，因为我丈夫的去世，有人提议我们的书籍和出版物的利润应该在一个机构的控制之下。但我蒙警告不要把我管家的责任转移给任何机构或组织；何时我若看到圣工各部门的需要，就必须采取行动，即使我的弟兄们并没有象我那样看出必要性。我若要求居于负责岗位的弟兄们，即使是为上帝所委托给我的钱财，他们自己若不处于明白圣工需要的状态，象所呈现在我面前的和催促我的那样，这些弟兄就会出谋划策把那些钱财转入其它渠道。这就是我没有随意接受提议把我的版税转让出去的原因。我在良心上不能这么做。在明尼阿波利斯会议之后，当园地中书报员们的管理工作竟使我的书几乎从出版社绝迹时，当我努力从在巴特尔克里克的出版社提款并得到通知说我已经透支，不能再提款时，就使我敏锐地感受到让弟兄们负我的责任是多么不安全。上帝知道关于此事的一切。我有足够的经验教我知道能依靠我的弟兄们做什么。{1888 1236.1}
§20
I have been made sick at heart at this management. I must believe that you would not have done this if you had only known the situation. I am now able to understand more perfectly the light given me when my husband was so feeble in Greenville, Michigan. That was the beginning of divine directions concerning means. I was shown that the Lord would have my husband and myself independent of all our institutions, in financial matters. Our brethren would make many plans 1237to gain control of the profits from our books and other publications, but we must keep the means to use as the Lord directed us. We could understand the wants of the cause better than others; God would teach us how to dispose of the means. He would bring into our possession to be used to his own name’s glory. Again, at a later date, cautions were repeated, that since my husband’s death propositions would be made in regard to our books and publications, that the profits should be under the control of one organization. But I was warned not to shift the responsibility of my stewardship upon any institution or organization; when I should see the needs of the cause in its various branches, then I must act, even though my brethren did not discern the necessity as I saw it. If I called upon men in responsible positions, even for the means which God has intrusted to me, unless they themselves were in a condition to understand the wants of the cause as they were presented before me and urged upon me, these brethren would give counsel to divert that means into other channels. This is why I did not feel free to accept the proposition that I should assign the royalty on my books. I could not conscientiously do so. When after the Minneapolis meeting, the canvassing agents in the field so managed the work that my books fell nearly dead from the press, and when I endeavored to draw means from the publishing house at Battle Creek, and was informed that I had over-drawn my account, and could have no more money, I was made to feel keenly how little safety there would be in leaving my brethren to bear my responsibility. God knows all about this matter. I have had sufficient experience to teach me 1238what I can depend on from my brethren. {1888 1236.1}
§21
我从欧洲回国之后，向芝加哥差会和其他事业捐献了1600美元。自从来到这个国家，我一直在几乎不断地捐献。区会付给我的工作补助就是我所乐于接受的一切，但那不够支付我每年的开支，因为我得旅行，带着我必须得有的帮助，而且几乎在每一个聚会的地方都应邀捐献。我已承诺为学校买地奉献一千美元。威利在捐献方面处于与我相似的状况；他在我们所去的几乎每一个地方都签名捐献了。我们不断遇到必须帮助的人，我若单单依靠从区会领到的补助，就会陷入非常难堪的境地。然而感谢上帝赐给我的亮光；我愿意留心听从，且愿尽力作一个忠心的管家。{1888 1238.1}
§22
When I returned home from Europe, I donated $1600.00 to the Chicago Mission and other enterprises. Since coming to this country, I have been giving almost constantly. The amount paid me for my labor by the Conference is all I would be willing to take, but it cannot cover my yearly expenses, travelling as I do, taking with me the help I must have, and making the donations I am called upon to make in nearly every place where meetings are held. I have pledged one thousand dollars towards the purchase of land for the school. Willie is in a situation similar to my own as regards giving; he has to put his name to subscriptions nearly every where we go. We are constantly meeting persons who must be helped, and if I depended alone upon that which I receive from the Conference, I should be brought into most trying places. But thank God for the light he has given me; I will take heed to it, and will endeavor to be a faithful steward. {1888 1238.1}
§23
当在我们的大机构工作的弟兄们就楼上加楼征求我的意见时，我曾设法阻止他们。我告诉了他们在这些新的国家已开放园地中圣工的需要，以及远方国家的新园地对钱财的需求。我全力以赴写了信，发出恳求，叫弟兄们能从远处看到，不要觉得自己有特别的责任要限制这些新园地的工作。已有书籍捐献给澳大利亚的工作，确实如此，而且在银根这么紧的萧条时期销量竟比能期望的要好。然而书不够多；我们不可被撇下去依赖由销书得到的钱。我放弃了这些书籍的版税，从而帮助了这些书籍的捐献。但我开始怀疑弟兄们要求我这么做是不是有智慧，因为我已将自己和我所拥有及我所是的一切都奉献给了上帝的工作。我希望弟兄们不要采取一种做法，会摧毁我们对他们的智慧和判断应有的信任。他们若是不能信赖我们就这个国家圣工的需要作出的判断，那么我们就要把这个责任交给更聪明的头脑。{1888 1238.2}
§24
When my brethren connected with our large institutions have sought counsel of me in regard to adding building to building, I have tried to dissuade them. I have told them of the needs of the cause in fields already opened in these new countries, and of the demand for means in new fields in regions beyond. I have written, I have pleaded with all my capability, that my brethren should look afar off, and not feel it their special duty to restrict the work in these new fields. Books have been donated to the work in Australia, it is true, and they sell better than could be expected in these hard times when money matters are so close. But books are not enough; we must not 1239be left to rely on the means obtained by book sales. I helped in making these donations of books, by giving up my royalty on them; but I begin to doubt the wisdom of my brethren in asking me to do this, when I have given myself and all that I have and am to the work of God. I hope that my brethren will not take a course that will destroy the confidence we ought to have in their wisdom and judgment. If they cannot trust to our judgment in regard to the wants of the cause in this country, then we will give up this responsibility to wiser heads. {1888 1238.2}
§25
我已说了我感到有责任要说的话，好叫你明白我是怎么看问题的。关于这些事我还没有听到威利说一句话。我写这封信没有与任何一个人商量，我是出于责任感才写的，好叫你知道我真正的立场。{1888 1239.1}
§26
I have now said that which I felt it my duty to say, that you may understand how I view matters. I have not heard a word from Willie in regard to these things. I consult with no one in writing this letter. I have written it from a sense of duty, that you may know my true position. {1888 1239.1}