第157章 致将要出席总会会议的弟兄们
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第157章 致将要出席总会会议的弟兄们
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Chapter 160—To O. A. Olsen
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《信函》1894年第2号B-2-1894
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(1894年10月21日写于新南威尔士州阿什菲尔德，《致将要出席总会会议的弟兄们》，1895年2月15日至3月4日)
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(Written October 21, 1894, from Ashfield, NSW, “To the Brethren Who Shall Assemble in General Conference” [Feb. 15 to March 4, 1895].)
§6
我心头有放不下的重担。国内园地的议事会需要明智的人。基督说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）。我们完全可以停掉那些没有蒙赐予上帝智慧之人的工作，而且这事越快做成，就会对总会会长和总会的成员越好，他们必须明确地开展工作，为其它区会的方法和计划留下清晰周密的记录，制订有条理的规章。总会需要好好考虑安置在其董事会作顾问和策划者的人，因为他们所拣选的人会对工作的方式有很大的影响。年复一年，与那位全智而且无误的策士毫无联络的人被安置在领导的位置上。这些人受托神圣的权益太久了。他们没有随着真理的前进和发展成长起来，没有在灵里渐渐变得刚强，充满上帝的智慧和恩典。他们自私而固执己见，开始视他们在上帝圣工中的尽职为从事普通业务的交易。他们忘记了工作的神圣性。{1888 1286.1}
§7
I have a burden upon my mind which I cannot lay off. The home field needs wise men in its councils. “Without Me,” said Christ, “ye can do nothing.” We can well spare the work of men who are without the imparted wisdom of God, and the sooner this is done the better it will be for the president of the General Conference and for the other members of the Conference, who must carry the work in straight lines, making clean, thorough records and straight laws for the methods and plans of the other conferences. The General Conference needs to consider well whom it places upon its boards as counsellors and planners, for the voice and influence of those whom they select will have much to do in the shaping of the work. Year after year men who are not in touch with the all-wise and unerring Counsellor are placed in leading positions. Too long these men have been entrusted with sacred interests. They have not grown with the advance and development of the truth; they have not waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God. They are selfish and opinionated, and have come to look upon their positions in the cause of God as they would upon common business transactions. They have lost a sense of the sacredness of the work. {1888 1286.1}
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总会的安排使其与世界各地的工作相联络，它的议事会里不应听到任何人意的观点或自私的想法。厚此薄彼和意气行事不应有立足之地；但这东西却已经发展到很严重的程度了。{1888 1287.1}
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The General Conference is so arranged as to connect itself with the work in all parts of the world, and in its councils there should not be heard any human opinions or selfish thought. Favoritism and moving from impulse should find no place; but they have [been] to a large degree. {1888 1287.1}
§10
我对你们的会长奥尔森长老怀有最温柔的同情。我知道他因各种重担而心情沉重；那些与他联络的人若没有圣灵的指导，就必犯性质严重的错误。将人为因素与神圣问题混在一起的计划会被启动。人的想法会被接受为亮光，其实却是有害于上帝圣工的进展与成功的。{1888 1287.2}
§11
I have the tenderest sympathy for your president, Elder Olsen. I know his soul is weighed down with burdens; and unless those connected with him have the Holy Spirit’s guidance, mistakes of a serious character will be made. Plans mingling the human element with sacred matters will be inaugurated, and men’s ideas will be accepted as light when they are detrimental to the progress and success of the cause of God. {1888 1287.2}
§12
这些事一直压在我心头，直到它们似乎要把我的勇气和生命力侵蚀掉了。现在我不能再忍了。我已发言。要是我知道一个人愿意站在奥尔森长老旁边，给他智慧的忠告，帮助他那么多的需要，我就早已把这封寄出去了；然而在写完这封信之后，我却收回来，没有寄出去。我一直弄不明白：奥尔森长老怎么会接受和认可两个有相似宗教品格的人，因为他毫无证据证明他们是献身于上帝的。他们已表明自己与上帝完全没有至关重要的联络，可是他却与他们联合在一起，还派他们到远方重要的差会，去做重要的工作。这种工作需要清白成圣的人去做，他们能仰望上天说：“耶和华啊，请说，仆人敬听”（撒上3:9）。奥尔森长老提议让A. R.亨利来这个国家。我不能赞成。我不得不说，我们不想要他。上帝已将他的情况显在我面前。自从明尼阿波利斯会议以来，他从未采取立场完全接受上帝如此恩慈地赐给这些末后日子的亮光。他没有尊重他在出版社所居的职位，因为他实足地保持了A. R.亨利的精神。在他里面一点没有减少自我。上帝已向我显明，这些心在上帝面前不正，与上帝不和谐的人所发挥的影响，最终会证明是咒诅而不是祝福。这些人若是继续他们的做法，信徒们就不能信任他们。{1888 1287.3}
§13
I have carried these matters upon my soul until they seem to be eating away my courage and life. Now I can refrain no longer. I have spoken. Had I known of one who would have stood by Elder Olsen and given him that wisdom in counsel and that help he so much needs, I would have sent this letter long ago; but after writing it, I have drawn back from sending it. It has been a mystery to me how Elder Olsen could receive and sanction two men of similar religious character, when he has no evidence that they are consecrated to God. They have manifested little of a vital connection with God, and yet he has linked them together and sent them upon distant and important missions, to do important work demanding clear and sanctified agents who could look to 1288heaven and say, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” Elder Olsen’s proposition to have A. R. Henry come to this country I could not sanction. I was compelled to say that we did not want him. God had presented his case before me. Since the Minneapolis meeting he has never taken his position in full reception of the light God has so graciously given for these last days. He has not honored the position he has occupied in the Office, because he has carried the spirit of A. R. Henry in full size. In him there has been no diminution of self. God has revealed to me that the influence given to these men whose hearts are not right with God, who are not in harmony with God, will prove in the end a curse instead of a blessing. The confidence of the people cannot sustain these men if they pursue their course of action. {1888 1287.3}
§14
主温柔地注视着那些内心已经折服痛悔的人。“因为那至高至上、住在永远、名为圣者的如此说：我住在至高至圣的所在，也与心灵痛悔谦卑的人同居；要使谦卑人的灵苏醒，也使痛悔人的心苏醒”（赛57:15）。感谢主！我赞美祂的名，因为祂行审判并非不公义。“祂怜悯敬畏祂的人，直到世世代代。祂用膀臂施展大能；那狂傲的人正心里妄想就被祂赶散了。祂叫有权柄的失位，叫卑贱的升高；叫饥饿的得饱美食，叫富足的空手回去”（路1:50-53）。另请阅读《诗篇》第62篇和第34篇每一节的内容，因为其中含有重要的教训。{1888 1288.1}
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Those who have subdued, contrite hearts are tenderly regarded by the Lord. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” [Isaiah 57:15]. Thank the Lord! I praise His name that He does not judge unrighteously. “His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away” [Luke 1:50-53]. Read also every verse of the 62nd and 34th Psalms, for they both contain important lessons. {1888 1288.1}
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“岂有一国换了他的神吗？其实这不是神！但我的百姓将他们的荣耀换了那无益的神。诸天哪，要因此惊奇，极其恐慌，甚为凄凉！这是耶和华说的。因为我的百姓做了两件恶事，就是离弃我这活水的泉源，为自己凿出池子，是破裂不能存水的池子”（耶2:11-13）。“万军之耶和华以色列的上帝如此说：你们改正行动作为，我就使你们在这地方仍然居住。你们不要倚靠虚谎的话，说：‘这些是耶和华的殿，是耶和华的殿，是耶和华的殿！’你们若实在改正行动作为，在人和邻舍中间诚然施行公平，不欺压寄居的和孤儿寡妇；在这地方不流无辜人的血，也不随从别神陷害自己；我就使你们在这地方仍然居住，就是我古时所赐给你们列祖的地，直到永远。看哪，你们倚靠虚谎无益的话。你们偷盗，杀害，奸淫，起假誓，向巴力烧香，并随从素不认识的别神，且来到这称为我名下的殿，在我面前敬拜；又说：‘我们可以自由了。’你们这样的举动是要行那些可憎的事吗？这称为我名下的殿在你们眼中岂可看为贼窝吗？我都看见了。这是耶和华说的”（耶7:3-11）。“耶和华如此说：倚靠人血肉的膀臂，心中离弃耶和华的，那人有祸了！因他必象沙漠的杜松，不见福乐来到，却要住旷野干旱之处，无人居住的碱地。倚靠耶和华、以耶和华为可靠的，那人有福了！他必象树栽于水旁，在河边扎根，炎热来到，并不惧怕，叶子仍必青翠，在干旱之年毫无挂虑，而且结果不止。人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处，谁能识透呢？我耶和华是鉴察人心、试验人肺腑的，要照各人所行的和他做事的结果报应他”（耶17:5-10）。“现在你要对犹大人和耶路撒冷的居民说：‘耶和华如此说：我造出灾祸攻击你们，定意刑罚你们。你们各人当回头离开所行的恶道，改正你们的行动作为。’他们却说：‘这是枉然。我们要照自己的计谋去行。’各人随自己顽梗的恶心做事。所以，耶和华如此说：你们且往各国访问，有谁听见这样的事？以色列民（原文作处女）行了一件极可憎恶的事。黎巴嫩的雪从田野的磐石上岂能断绝呢？从远处流下的凉水岂能干涸呢？我的百姓竟忘记我，向假神烧香，使他们在所行的路上，在古道上绊跌，使他们行没有修筑的斜路”（耶18:11-15）。{1888 1289.1}
§17
“Hath a nation changed their gods which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord are these. For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor if ye oppress not the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt; then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave your fathers, for ever and ever. Behold ye trust in lying words that cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; and come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord.” “Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. For he shall be 1290like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, and to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” “Now therefore, go to, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I frame evil against you, and device a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good. And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon, which cometh from the rock of the field or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place, be forsaken? Because my people hath forsaken me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up.” {1888 1289.1}
§18
主的这些话读给我听了。我希望也读给需要它们的人听，特别是读给那些一直没有行在光中的人听。我不愿敦促奥尔森长老亲自把这个担子担在肩上。那些应该扶住他的手的人正在使他的手软弱，我直接向他们发出呼吁。愿上帝使一些事成就；因为我知道当所奉行的这种原则仍是行为准则的时候，主就无法使祂的教会兴盛。当传给他们的信息被带到这些人面前的时候，他们一言不答，不受影响，要不然就太骄傲，不肯承认自的错误行径，奋起抵制每一个呼吁，他们的精神就与拿答和亚比户的精神相似。他们决心行在自己所选择的道路上，主便任由他们去随从其不正当的想象。主与他们有一场辩论，可是奥尔森长老却待他们如代表人的，把他们当作有辨识力的人派到这里或那里，承认他们是值得信赖和可靠的人，人们要听他们并向他们表示尊重，如同总会中上帝的声音。然而当他们给出明显的证据表明自己没有受教于上帝或受上帝引导时，就不可让他们随意行事了；因为他们不会以基督的方针作工。上帝的这个大园地中的各项事业需要许多来自上帝的深思和智慧；然而人们的想法既混杂着自私，就会足以淹没上帝的声音，在众人的喧嚣中就听不到上帝的声音了。部分园地就这样被忽视了，管理不善。不要作什么安排去适合园地。我们必须照现状接受他们，即使是困难而且前途无望的。从事圣工的人必须认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督。他们必须是内心在上帝的训练和塑造之下的人，拿出证据表明他们敬爱上帝并且对祂负责；必须是谦卑的人，本着良心照上帝所希望的忠实作工；必须是不专断也不高抬自我，不急于实行自己想法的人，反而觉得能够而且愿意倚靠那位伟大策士。{1888 1291.1}
§19
These words of the Lord were read in my hearing, and I want that they should be read before the people who need them, especially before the men who have not been walking in the light. I would not urge Elder Olsen personally to take the load upon his shoulders. The men who should stay up his hands are weakening them, and I appeal directly to them. God grant that something shall be done; for I know that the Lord cannot prosper His [church] while such principles as have been practiced are still the rule of action. When the messages sent them are brought before these men, and they make no response, are unaffected, or else [are] too proud to admit their wrong course of action, bracing themselves to resist every appeal, their spirit is similar to that of Nadab and Abihu. They are determined to walk in the way they have chosen, and the Lord gives them up to their own perverted imaginations. The Lord has a controversy with them, and yet Elder Olsen treats them as representative men, sending them hither and thither as men of discernment, endorsing them as trustworthy and reliable men, to whom the people shall listen and show respect as the voice of God in the Conference. But when they give unmistakable evidence that they are not taught or led of God, they are not to carry matters as they choose; for they will not work in Christ’s lines, Enterprises in this large field of God need much consideration and wisdom from God; but men’s ideas, mingled with selfishness, will be enough to drown the voice of God, which will not be heard in the uproar of voices. Thus portions of the field are neglected and mismanaged. No arrangements are to be made to fit the field. We must take them as they are, even 1292though hard and unpromising. The men who are engaged in the work must have a knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. They must be men whose hearts are under the discipline and molding of God, giving evidence that they love and fear God and are responsible to Him; men who are humble, conscientiously and faithfully performing the work as God would have it done; men who are not arbitrary and self-exalted, anxious to carry out their own ideas, but who feel that they can and will lean upon the great Counsellor. {1888 1291.1}
§20
在你们的议事会中没有圣灵运行。议事会的成员不觉得自己“要休息，要知道我是上帝”（诗46:10）。工作一直在扩展，各教会需要上帝丰盛的恩典，上帝之灵使人成圣的能力，以便教会的肢体们藉着适当的分工，可以在行善方面发展自己的能力。一个比此更重要的问题不能在总会的成员们审议时占据他们的心思。同样的人不要年复一年担任你们的董事会成员。多年前就应该作出改变了。上帝希望教会摆脱她的耻辱，然而只要那些觉得足能胜任工作而不接受上帝忠告的人年复一年在位，这事就无法成就。这种局面正在工作的每一个分支发酵，因为人们不觉得自己需要圣灵的指导。当人们觉得足能论断和谴责圣灵时，他们就是在为自己做一种将会难以抵消的工作。变得满头疼痛了（赛1:5），辨识力已经那么差，以致容易作出不公正的判断了。圣灵仍在呼叫，但他们既不听从也不留心上帝的呼声。{1888 1292.1}
§21
There is little of the Holy Spirit in your councils. The men composing them do not feel that they must “be still, and know that I am God.” The work has been extended, and the churches need the riches of the grace of God, the sanctification of the Spirit of God, that the members, by a proper division of labor, may develop their capabilities in doing good. A more important matter than this cannot occupy the minds of the members of the General Conference in their deliberations. The same men are not to compose your boards year after year. Changes should have been made long ago. God would have the church roll away her reproach, but as long as men who have felt fully competent to work without accepting counsel of God are kept in office year after year, this cannot be done. This state of things is leavening every branch of the work, because men do not feel their need of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When men feel competent to pronounce judgment and condemn the Holy Spirit, they do a work for themselves 1293which will be difficult to counteract. The whole head becomes sick and the discernment so weak that it is apt to judge unrighteously. The Spirit still calls, but they do not hear nor heed the call of God. {1888 1292.1}
§22
“人若说自己在光明中，却恨他的弟兄，他到如今还是在黑暗里。爱弟兄的，就是住在光明中，在他并没有绊跌的缘由”（约壹2:9,10）。“不要爱世界和世界上的事。人若爱世界，爱父的心就不在他里面了。因为凡世界上的事，就像肉体的情欲，眼目的情欲，并今生的骄傲，都不是从父来的，乃是从世界来的”（约壹2:15,16）。上帝在呼召，要听从祂的呼召。“你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要死的；因我见你的行为，在我上帝面前，没有一样是完全的。所以要回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的、又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道。然而在撒狄，你还有几名是未曾污秽自己衣服的，他们要穿白衣与我同行，因为他们是配得过的。凡得胜的，必这样穿白衣，我也必不从生命册上涂抹他的名；且要在我父面前，和我父众使者面前，认他的名”（启3:2-5）。“我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热；我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去。你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”（启3:15-18）。{1888 1293.1}
§23
“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” God calls; listen to his call. “Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased 1294with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and poor, and miserable, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou mayest see.” {1888 1293.1}
§24
那些已经抗拒了亮光和证据的人处在一种非常可悲的状况，因为他们像盲人一样行走，不知道因何绊跌。他们为自己的脚修弯曲的道路，使瘸子差路。圣灵已经再三提供给巴特尔克里克教会。圣灵已吹气在那里基督为之而死的人身上。那时原是尊荣上帝的时候，要赞美祂，藉着培养喜爱属天事物的心，藉着仰望耶稣来响应祂的恩典，以便祂的样子在他们因祂表现的爱与恩典而快乐感恩的赞美中反映出来。从地到天只有一步。为什么属天的膏抹离开了？为什么伤害进来了？因为心灵没有受训去操练同情；因为信心几乎没有存在过；因为处理神圣事物的人们是尖猾、好批评、爱挑剔的。{1888 1294.1}
§25
Those who have resisted light and evidence are in a very sad condition, for they walk as blind men, and not knowing at what they stumble. They make crooked paths for their feet, and the lame are turned out of the way. The Holy Spirit has been proffered again and again to the church in Battle Creek. The Holy Spirit has breathed upon the souls there for whom Christ has died. Then was the time to honor God, to praise Him, to respond to His grace by cultivating a love for heavenly things, by beholding Jesus, that His likeness might be reflected in their cheerful, grateful praise for the manifestation of His love and grace. There is but a step from earth to heaven. Why did the heavenly anointing depart? Why did mischief come in? Because the soul was not trained to the exercise of pity; because faith scarcely had an existence; because the men handling sacred things were sharp, critical, and censorious. {1888 1294.1}