第162章 在上帝圣工中自满的危险
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第162章 在上帝圣工中自满的危险
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Chapter 164—To F. E. Belden
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《文稿》1896年第18号Ms - 18 - 1896
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[寄给J.E.怀特，O.A.奥尔森，E.J.瓦格纳，C.H.琼斯，乌利亚?史密斯，1896年5月10日]
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[Sent to J. E. White, O. A. Olsen, E. J. Waggoner, C. H. Jones, Uriah Smith, May 10, 1896.]
§6
上帝不断地向照着祂的形像所造的人运用爱心。祂看我们如此宝贵，竟然舍了祂的爱子遭受屈辱之死，为救我们免于灭亡。地上的父母从未向自己的儿女表现象圣洁的上帝对违犯祂律法的人所表现的这样温柔、无私的爱。祂充满深情地研究了祂自己产业的幸福，祂喜悦祂的儿女中间和谐与仁爱的表现。{1888 1356.1}
§7
God is continually exercising his love toward the beings formed in his own image. He regarded us of such value that he gave his beloved son to a shameful death to save us from ruin. No earthly parent ever manifested for his children such tender, disinterested love as he, the holy God, has shown toward the transgressors of his law. He has affectionately studied the happiness of his own heritage, and he delights in the manifestation of harmony and love among his children. {1888 1356.1}
§8
我们作为上帝的儿女、王室的成员，应当天天向祂学习，以便遵行祂的旨意，表现祂的品格。上帝的爱接到心里，就会成为积极行善的力量。它会唤醒身心的机能，拓展我们情感和爱心的容量。凡爱上帝为至上的人必爱一切上帝的儿女。他会以恭敬的态度接近他们。不论他担任什么工作，他周到的礼貌都会为他赢得信任和尊敬。{1888 1356.2}
§9
As sons and daughters of God, and members of the royal family, we are to learn of him daily, that we may do his will and represent his character. The love of God received into the heart is an active power for good. It quickens the faculties of the mind and the powers of the soul; it enlarges the capacity for feeling, for loving. He who loves God supremely will love all the children of God. He will ever approach them with a respectful demeanor. And whatever his position of trust, his own considerate courtesy will win for him confidence and respect. {1888 1356.2}
§10
我们的机构如果弥漫这种精神，引导每一个人对他的同工表显没有虚饰的爱心，这些机构就会成为天国在地上的缩影，常常在世人面前见证真理给实行的人所带来的成圣影响。人人都希望蒙受这样的爱。上帝呼吁人对别人表现这样的精神。{1888 1356.3}
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If this spirit pervaded our institutions, leading everyone to manifest toward his fellow-workers a love that is without dissimilation, these institutions would be a representation of heaven on earth. They 1357would be a perpetual testimony to the world of what sanctifying truth can do when practiced by the receiver. Every man desires that this love may be exercised toward himself; and God calls upon him to reveal the same spirit toward others. {1888 1356.3}
§12
主决不会认可人运用专制的权力，也不会配合人对同胞丝毫自私或不诚实的行为。可是这些行为却一直出现在巴特尔克里克圣工的事务管理中。语言无法有力地表达多年来所显“顺我者昌，逆我者亡”的管理体制令人生厌的性质。这种管理体制一直藉着运用而加强。{1888 1357.1}
§13
The Lord will never sanction the exercise of arbitrary authority, nor will he serve with the least selfishness or dishonesty in the dealing of men with their fellow-men. Yet these things have been manifest in the management of affairs in connection with the work in Battle Creek. Words cannot express too strongly the offensive character of the disposition to rule or ruin which has for years been revealed, and which has been strengthening by exercise. {1888 1357.1}
§14
当圣灵将出版社存在的事态呈现在我面前时，我没有扣留上帝为身居负责岗位的人们而赐给我的信息。我再三受感动，责备你们所知道的已在圣工多方面所盛行的自私。完全不知道圣灵在他们自己心上运行的人竟极度高抬了自己，试图迫使他人接受他们的条款，受他们的控制。有些人竟认为没有什么人的判断比他们的判断更优越，甚至认为他们自己的判断无人能及。他们漠视有经验之人的建议，使工作变得狭隘，因为那些建议与他们自己的计划不符。同时这些人却不愿让别人运用其独立判断能力。开始实施的那些计划为要限制工人们的自由。通过这些压制性的计划，应该在上帝里面自由站立的人就被那些只是他们的同工之人的限制条件束缚住了。{1888 1357.2}
§15
As the state of things existing in the office of publication has been presented before me by the Holy Spirit, I have not withheld the message that God has given me for the men in responsible positions. Again and again I have been moved upon to reprove the selfishness that, as you know, has prevailed in many lines of the work. Men who know little of the working of the Spirit of God upon their own hearts have exalted themselves beyond measure in undertaking to force others to accept their terms and come under their control. There are those who regard no man’s judgment as superior, or even equal to their own. They are narrowing the work by disregarding the suggestions of men of experience, because these ideas do not coincide with their own plans. At the same time these very ones are not willing for others to exercise their independent judgment. Plans are set on foot for restricting the 1358liberty of the workers. Through these oppressive plans, men who should stand free in God are trammelled by restrictions from those who are only their fellow-laborers. {1888 1357.2}
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在巴特尔克里克出版社的人行事好像他们对他人的理智和良心有管辖权，能操纵它们以遂他们自己的目的。他们有一个机会显明他们自己有多少把上帝的圣工放在心上。要是圣工能因他们强迫他人为之牺牲的计划得到推进，他们就高兴见到圣工兴旺。他们在为自己抓住一切可能的利益同时，还在版税问题和其它方面觉得自己有特权把上帝用来散布亮光的人们挤下去。他们使这些人的工作显得微乎其微，却多多夸大他们自己的工作。他们的工作带有不圣洁之人的印记。要是这些人从未插入圣工，今天的圣工原会好得多。他们设法把自己的想法强加给那些比这么想发号施令的一些人更关心圣工的人。{1888 1358.1}
§17
Men in the office at Battle Creek have acted as if they had jurisdiction of other men’s intellect and conscience, and could manipulate them to serve any purpose which they might choose. They have had an opportunity to reveal how much they themselves really have the cause of God at heart. If it can be advanced through their plans for compelling others to sacrifice for it, they are glad to see its prosperity. While grasping all the benefit possible for themselves, they have, both in the matter of royalties and other lines felt it their prerogative to crowd down the very ones whom God was using to diffuse light. Of the work of these persons they have made very little, while they made much of their own, that bore the stamp of the unsanctified human agent. It would have been better for the cause today if these men had never put their hand to the work. They have tried to force their ideas upon those who have the cause much nearer their hearts than some of these who are so forward to dictate. {1888 1358.1}
§18
高抬自我和抓取专治权力的精神与基督的榜样和精神怎么相比呢？我们这班谈论宗教自由的上帝子民，关于何为基督里的真自由是有功课要学的。主已记下人们所实施的压迫。祂对不按圣经原则作工的人宣布说，祂必不接受以这种方式得到的钱财。{1888 1358.2}
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How does the spirit of self-exaltation and grasping for arbitrary authority compare with the spirit and example of Christ? Our people, who talk of religious liberty, have lessons to learn as to what liberty in Christ really is. The Lord has marked the oppression that has been practiced. To the men that are working in lines that are not in accordance with Bible principles he declares that he will not 1359accept the means gained in this way. {1888 1358.2}
§20
奥尔森弟兄的眼睛一直没有看清楚；他自己已被误导，因支持没有行在亮光中的人而支持了错误的行动。他的做法素来令上帝不悦，竟然支持许多自从明尼阿波利斯会议以来所实施的提议。自从那次大会以来，他并没有始终为正义作直率无畏的见证。那些设法使事情符合自己意愿的人，便根据他妥协的立场，以为他支持他们的计划。{1888 1359.1}
§21
Bro. Olsen’s eyes have not always been clear to discern; he himself has been misled, and has sanctioned wrong by sustaining men that were not walking in the light. His course has not been pleasing to God, in favoring many of the propositions that have been acted upon since the Minneapolis meeting. Since that meeting, he has not, at all times, borne a straightforward, unflinching testimony for the right. From his compromising position, the men who were trying to carry things according to their own will, have thought that he sustained their plans. {1888 1359.1}
§22
现在显在我面前的是，财务问题变得棘手了。我们一些负责的人既使用属世的计划和方法，就使自己的脚被撒但的网罗缠住了，并且布下网罗把主的工作缠住了，而且会难以使其脱身。现在奥尔森弟兄不敢采取果断的做法，因为他害怕结果。{1888 1359.2}
§23
Now it is represented to me that financial matters have become embarrassed. The employment of worldly plans and methods by some of our responsible men has entangled their feet in the snares of Satan, and has laid a net in which the Lord’s work is becoming, entangled, and from which there will be difficulty in extricating it. Now Bro. Olsen shrinks from taking a decided course, for he fears the results. {1888 1359.2}
§24
要是主没有律上加律，例上加例地发来命令，情况就会完全不同。然而亮光已经赐下，可是许多人却宁要黑暗不要光明。我告诉你我所知道的：藉着抢夺脑力劳动者的权利而使金钱流入出版社，这种做法已大大羞辱了上帝。奥尔森弟兄需要有不同的人作同工，好代表上帝的圣工，就是需要被一种完全不同的气氛环绕着的人作同工。{1888 1359.3}
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If the Lord had not sent line upon line, and precept upon precept, the case would be entirely different. But light has been given, and yet many have chosen darkness rather than light. I tell you that which I know: God has been greatly dishonored by the conniving to bringing money into the office by robbing brain workers of their rights. Bro. Olsen needs to have as co-laborers, different men to represent the cause of God,—men who are surrounded by an entirely different atmosphere. {1888 1359.3}
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对于那些在工作的中心，对待同胞好像他们有铁石心肠的人，我证明在天上的案卷中，他们被记载为不遵行基督话语的人。你们机灵精明的谋划和你们彼此支持的同盟，不会使你们在上帝面前有更令祂喜悦的表现。必须使你们看见你们管理的基本原则是什么。自私、压迫和抢夺必须停止，之后上帝才能喜悦地看待你们的工作。{1888 1359.4}
§27
For those at the heart of the work, who have treated their 1360fellow-men as if they had hearts of steel, I testify that upon the record of the books of heaven they stand enrolled as those that are not doers of the words of Christ. Your ingenious devising and your confederating to sustain one another, will not avail to give you a more favorable showing before God. You must be brought to see what has been the foundation principles of your management. The selfishness, the oppression and robbery must cease, before God can look with favor upon your work. {1888 1359.4}
§28
奥尔森弟兄啊，你在上帝面前是不清白的。你象一直以来那样容许自己受影响受塑造的时候，实际上是在对上帝所责备的那些人说：你这样挺好。多年来主一直在将他们的罪摆在他们面前，可是他们却没有听从责备和警告。这意味着什么呢？我为你非常不安，因为你不重视所赐的亮光。你若不在你的方针上做出明确的改变，不再允许自己受不智顾问的话语指导，你里面的光就会变成黑暗，你在天上的案卷中就不会有清白的记录。{1888 1360.1}
§29
And you, my brother Olsen, are not clear before your God. While you allow yourself to be influenced and moulded as you have been, you are virtually saying to those whom God reproves, It is well with you. For years the Lord has been setting their sins before them, yet the reproofs and warnings are unheeded. What does it mean? I am sore troubled in your behalf, because you do not regard the light given. Unless you shall make a decided change in your policy, and no longer permit yourself to be guided by the words of unwise counsellors, the light in you will become darkness, and you will not have a clean record in the books of heaven. {1888 1360.1}
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圣经学院Bible school
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在我们自己的人中间开办那么多的圣经学院是不明智的。目的本身是好的，但更要紧的工作是把真理的亮光传进还没有传入的地区。让工人们去为已经对真理有认识的人工作，就使他们远离了还不知道真理的人。属灵上盲目、因这些误表真理的人而有了偏见的人，一直被撇下而得不到帮助。当那日，每一个人都要按照本身所行的受审判时，个人、组织和教会都会因这种疏忽而受到指控。那时就会发现，没能把工作扩展到以外的地区责任是多么大。{1888 1361.1}
§32
The holding of so many biblical institutes among our own people is not wise. The object is good in itself, but there is a more urgent work to be done in carrying the light of truth into regions where it has not penetrated. The laborers held to work for those who already have a knowledge of the truth are kept away from the people who know it not. Souls in spiritual blindness, prejudiced by these who misrepresent the truth, have been left unhelped. O the neglect that will be charged against individuals, organizations, and churches in that day when every man shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body. Then it will be found how great was the measure of responsibility for failing to extend the work to the regions beyond. {1888 1361.1}
§33
主已吩咐我们要指望从耶稣得属灵的知识，并不是说我们可以把灯藏在斗底下，而是要让它照亮全家的人。上帝已赐下祂的儿子“作外邦人的光，开瞎子的眼，领被囚的出牢狱，领坐黑暗的出监牢”（赛42:6,7）。另请阅读赛43:9-13; 44:3-8。{1888 1361.2}
§34
The Lord has bidden us look to Jesus for spiritual knowledge, not that we may hide the light under a bushel, but that it may give light to all who are in the house. God has given his Son “for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” (Please read also Isaiah 43:9-13; 44:3-8.) {1888 1361.2}
§35
在开办圣经学院或召开类似的聚会时，要在巴特尔克里克以外的地区举办。但愿它们给工作增光添色，将真理的知识传播到还不知道真理的地区。这可能很不方便，但是，我请问，基督离开宫廷方便吗？祂撇下自己的尊贵、荣耀和祂至高统帅的地位，降卑自己成为我们中的一员，方便吗？我们的救主来到这个了这个完全被咒诅损毁了的世界。祂并没有去未堕落的诸世界，而是来到了最需要祂的人这里。我们已蒙祂托付工作的人，应当效法祂的榜样。祂呼召我们喂养饥饿的大羊小羊。基督到达了人类祸患的最深处，以便救拔我们，然而祂的工作方法与许多自称相信祂之人的工作方法岂有可比之处呢？{1888 1361.3}
§36
When institutes and similar meetings are held, let them be held at some other place than Battle Creek. Let them give character to the work, and spread the knowledge of the truth in localities where it 1362is not known. This may not be convenient, but, I ask, was it convenient for Christ to leave the royal courts? Was it convenient for him to leave his honor, his glory, and his high command, and humble himself to become one with us? Our Saviour came to this world that was all seared and marred with the curse. He did not go to worlds unfallen, but to those who needed him most. His example we, to whom he has entrusted his work, are to copy. He calls us to feed the hungry sheep and lambs. Christ reached to the very depths of human woe that he might rescue us, but how do his methods of labor compare with those of many who profess to believe on him. {1888 1361.3}
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巴特尔克里克的建筑
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Chapter 166—To O. A. Olsen
§39
你询问为我们的工作在巴特尔克里克建更多的楼房合适不合适。关于这个问题岂不是已经赐下亮光了吗？许多人无疑会极力主张：“有更多的楼房会更加便利的。”假使这样将会怎么样呢？难道主的钱要用来楼上加楼，同时却有那么多地方一栋楼房都没有吗？我的弟兄啊，难道你读了这方面的证言，然后就像别人一样放在一边，绝不再看了吗？巴特尔克里克处于怎样的状况，你竟设法使更多的人进来受那里盛行的不良影响呢？上帝忿怒的乌云已经集结在大光一直照耀却没有受到赏识的城市上方，在这些城市中，那些自称信奉真理的人已经在自己的品格、精神和围绕其心灵的氛围上误表了真理。{1888 1362.1}
§40
You ask in regard to the propriety of erecting more buildings for our work in Battle Creek. Has not the light been given in regard to this matter? No doubt many urge, “It will be more convenient to have additional buildings.” What if it is? Shall the Lord’s money be used in adding building to building, when there are so many places where there are none? Have you, my brother, read the testimonies on this point, and then put them aside as others have done, and never looked at them again? In what kind of condition is Battle Creek, that you should seek to bring in more people to be leavened with the influences that prevail there? The cloud of God’s wrath is already gathering over the cities where great light has been shining, and has 1363not been appreciated, and where those who profess the truth have misrepresented it in their characters, in their spirit, and in the atmosphere that surrounds their souls. {1888 1362.1}
§41
从我不过在几周前寄到巴特尔克里克的最后一封信中，我读到这段证言：“花在扩建巴特尔克里克各机构上的钱，若是用来将真理栽培在它还没生根的地方，会好得多。”金钱已被托付给人去投资，交给兑换银钱的人，因使用而增多。已经再三将更加平等地耕种主葡萄园的必要性摆在负责的人面前。就在巴特尔克里克荫下的一些地区竟被忽略了。园地就是世界。它的每一部分都是主的，应该得到应得的关注。任何一个地区都不要耗尽一切能获得的资源以增加自己的设施，同时却让园地中更大的地区穷困缺乏。这种方针不是上帝启发的。恩慈怜悯的邀请要发给世界各地。{1888 1363.1}
§42
From the very last letter I sent to Battle Creek, but a few weeks ago, I read the testimony, “The money spent in enlarging the institutions in Battle Creek might far better be devoted to planting the truth in places where it had not yet taken hold.” Money has been entrusted to human agents to be invested, to be put out to the exchanger and increased by use. Again and again the men in positions of trust have had laid before them the necessity that the Lord’s vineyard be more equally worked. Places in the very shadow of Battle Creek are overlooked. The field is the world. Every part of it is the Lord’s, and should receive due attention. No one locality is to swallow up every resource that can be obtained to multiply its facilities while the larger parts of the field are left destitute. This policy is not inspired of God. The gracious calls of mercy are to be given to all parts of the world. {1888 1363.1}
§43
要阅读圣道；阅读并且思考；不要那么活跃以致无法停下来听上帝的忠告。我们的人必须有证言，许多证言只传到了巴特尔克里克，在那里被辩解掉。主已警告的那些人，认为警告是别的意思；他们竟把警告解释成与主所说的完全相反的意思。{1888 1363.2}
§44
Read the word; read and consider; do not be so active that you cannot stop to hear the counsel of God. Our people must have the testimonies, many of which have reached only to Battle Creek, to be there argued away. Those whom the Lord has warned, feel that the warning means something else; they explain it to signify exactly the opposite of that which the Lord has said. {1888 1363.2}
§45
既有基督的榜样在你面前，你还能以便利为藉口在巴特尔克里克建更多的楼房，将更多的权益集中在那里吗？我们的人在经历基督的话语上有深切的教训要学习：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我”（路9:23）。你不要选择最方便的道路，也不要因为已经随从了自私的做法，就继续同样的做法。要注意基督，学习祂是如何与人类打交道的。祂爱人过于爱自己。祂舍己以便成为我们完美的榜样。我们既真实无伪地信赖我们救赎主的公义与功效，就要考虑我们作为上帝的儿女，不再是自己的人。我们接受基督就向世界死了。我们崇高的恩召——任何一个人在今生能拥有的最高天职——乃是：我们蒙召作上帝的儿女。整个将来的生活都要分别为圣侍奉上帝。神圣的义务落在每一个人身上。身心的一切能力都是上帝的财产；花在自私的满足和高举自我上的每一小时都必带来没有人愿意收获的结果。{1888 1364.1}
§46
With the example of Christ before you, can you plead convenience for the erection of more buildings and the centering of more interests in Battle Creek? Our people have deep, earnest lessons to learn in the experience presented in the words of Christ: “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” You are not to choose the most convenient path and, because selfish practices have been followed, continue the same course. Look to Christ, and learn how he dealt with humanity. He loved his neighbor better than he loved himself. He denied himself that he might be a perfect example for us. With unfeigned reliance upon the righteousness and efficiency of our Redeemer, we are to consider that as sons and daughters of God we are no longer our own. In receiving Christ we become dead unto the world. Our high vocation—the very highest that any human being can have in this life—is this, that we are called to be children of God. The whole future life is to be consecrated to the service of God. Sacred obligations rest upon every soul. All the faculties of mind and body are God’s property; and every hour spent in selfish gratification or self-uplifting will bring its returns in a harvest which none will care to garner. {1888 1364.1}
§47
个人的呼吁
§48
Chapter 166—To O. A. Olsen
§49
上帝要求你们在祂的各机构工作的人按照祂的计划而不是你们自己的计划做祂的工作。祂要求你们将自己完全奉献给祂。你们若是听从这个要求，这就必作你们今生的福气和永生的产业。现在有一段宝贵的时期，虽然短暂，却是分配给你们，用来悔改和改善的。{1888 1365.1}
§50
God calls upon you who are connected with his instrumentalities to do his work according to his plans, not your own. He calls for an entire consecration of yourselves to him. If you heed the requirement, it will be a blessing to you in this life and the inheritance of life eternal. There is now a precious period, though short, allotted to you for repentance and improvement. {1888 1365.1}
§51
A. R.亨利弟兄和哈门?林赛弟兄啊，上帝对你们是认真的。你们的本分是清楚明白而且势在必行的。你们的心智需要培养，好叫你们能看出属天的事，选择属天的事，超越凡俗尘世。不要放过现在的机会而不予利用。你们若不听从上帝本着怜悯发给你们的警告，不用很久你们的信仰就会破灭。你们一路撒播了不信的种子。你们已那么久拒绝圣灵运行的证据，以致你们是否还会再一次认出来自天上的亮光，已经很成问题了。在你们看来，亮光甚至可能像黑暗，直至时候要到，那时众膝都要下跪，众口都要承认上帝。你们非但不认为自己的紧要责任是培养个人的敬虔，存有一种与你们所自称信奉圣洁信仰的宝贵性及你们的岗位责任相称的热心，反而让自己随波逐流，让不圣洁的想象和偏见控制了你们的冲动，直到你们的做法得罪上帝了。难怪你们会把别人带入同样的思路。难怪有些人既跟随了你们，就转身离开永恒真理的磐石根基，去像你们一样在沙土上建造了。你们变得像今日这样盲目乃是严重地抢夺上帝，因为你们拒绝了天上的亮光，轻视了上帝对你们的呼吁，竟然竭尽全力去证明它们是前后矛盾的，并且宣布它们不真实。你们的断言没有使它们不真实，但你们既抗拒上帝，你们的心就变得刚硬顽梗了。{1888 1365.2}
§52
Brethren A. R. Henry and Harmon Lindsay, God is in earnest with you. Your duty is plain and imperative. Your minds need cultivation, that you may discern heavenly things, and choose them above the common and the earthly. Let not the present opportunity pass unimproved. Unless the warnings that God in his mercy is sending to you are heeded, before a long time shall elapse you will make shipwreck of faith. You have sown the seeds of unbelief all along the line. And you have so long refused the evidence of the operation of the Holy Spirit that it is questionable whether you will ever again recognize the light from heaven. It may even appear as darkness to you, until the time shall come when every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God. Instead of regarding it as your imperative duty to cultivate personal piety, with a zeal proportionate to the preciousness of the holy faith you profess and the responsibility of your position, you have suffered yourselves to drift along, your impulses controlled by unholy imaginations and prejudices, until your course is an offense to God. What 1366wonder that you lead the minds of others into the same channels? What wonder that some, following you, turn away from the rock foundation of eternal truth, to build, as you are building, upon the sand. It is a grievous robbery of God to become so blinded as you are today because you have refused heaven’s light, slighted the appeals that God has sent you, and have done your best to prove them inconsistent, and have declared them untrue. Your assertions have not made them untrue, but by your resistance against God your hearts have become hard and stubborn. {1888 1365.2}
§53
我再次呼吁你们：你们现在愿意发热心并且悔改吗？你们已经在强硬的言辞和压迫弟兄们的措施上显出了热心。现在我劝你们在为时永远太晚之前拿出认真悔改的证据来。{1888 1366.1}
§54
Again I appeal to you: will you now be zealous and repent? You have shown your zeal in strong words and oppressive measures toward your brethren. Now I beseech you to give evidence of earnest repentance before it shall be forever too late. {1888 1366.1}
§55
那些尽管有所赐的亮光，还是与你们同负轭，把你们当作被上帝的灵充满、被舍己关怀祂圣工的精神激励之人的人，就使自己要为你们已发挥的和将发挥的反对真理的影响负责。你们既与上帝没有活泼的联络，那些安排你们负越来越多责任的人就有罪了。{1888 1366.2}
§56
Those who, notwithstanding the light given, have yoked up with you as men imbued with the Spirit of God, and actuated by a self-denying interest in his cause, make themselves responsible for the influence you have exerted and will exert contrary to the truth. Guilt will rest upon those who have placed increasing responsibilities upon you, when you have no living connection with God. {1888 1366.2}
§57
已经导致了一种事态，以致上帝若不本着怜悯介入，就会给祂的圣工造成灾难。没有经验的人想到前景就不安。出于你们能给出的原因，上帝没有感动祂子民的心供应府库。何时你们藉着全心全意归向主来领受圣灵的恩膏，你们才会以全新的眼光看见自己。你们是有限的、错误的、不圣洁的人，竟以为上帝的子民是处在你们的管辖之下，要你们为他们作计划，并要他们满足你们的条件。你们那么努力要在你们的工作关系中建立的方针是得罪上帝的。祂从未证明任何这种安排是正当的：通过组织、纪律或规章，竟使那些已有证据表明自己不容易受圣灵感动的人，藉以用自己的权柄使别人也像他们那样漠视圣灵的工作。但这种安排却已盛行。你们已使你们不特别的喜欢的人辛苦难过，同时却使侍奉自我的人受恩待受尊崇。偏袒和伪善已经把上帝的灵从许多人心中驱逐出去了，使他们缺乏祂的恩典，像基利波山缺乏雨露一般。但愿你们不要再认为自己有特权控制上帝的产业了。{1888 1366.3}
§58
A condition of things has been brought about, that, unless God in mercy shall interpose, will work disaster to his cause. Inexperienced minds are being troubled at the outlook. For reasons that you can give, God is not moving upon the hearts of his people to supply the treasury. When you shall receive the Holy Spirit’s unction by returning 1367unto the Lord with full purpose of heart, you will see yourselves in a new light altogether. You who are finite, erring, and unsanctified, have supposed that God’s children were put under your jurisdiction, for you to plan for them, and bring them to your terms. The policy you have labored so hard to establish in your connection with the work is an offense to God. He has never justified any arrangement, through organization, discipline, or laws, whereby men who have evidenced that they are not susceptible to the Holy Spirit’s moving shall use their power to sustain others in a like disregard of the Spirit’s work. But such has been the arrangement that has prevailed. You have made it hard for those whom you do not especially like, while others who are self-serving have been favored and exalted. Partiality and hypocrisy have excluded the Spirit of God from many hearts, and left them as destitute of his grace as the hills of Gilboa were destitute of dew or rain. Let it no longer be regarded as your privilege to control God’s heritage. {1888 1366.3}
§59
主必亲自翻转倾覆，整顿事态。祂对自己的工作有责任，祂并没有把管理祂子民的工作交在不圣洁的人手里。{1888 1367.1}
§60
The Lord himself will turn and overturn, and set things in order. He has the responsibility of his own work, and he has not entrusted the management of his people to unsanctified human hands. {1888 1367.1}
§61
人们难以认识到自己实在是软弱、无知、无效率的。野心勃勃的人很难以毫无疑问的信心和顺从接受上帝的理念和计划。有些人非常高估自己个性的重要性，他们刚愎自用的做法实际在说：我们不要上帝的道路，而要走我们自己的路。{1888 1367.2}
§62
It is hard for men to learn their real weakness and ignorance and inefficiency. It is hard for the ambitious heart to receive God’s ideas and plans, with unquestioning faith and obedience. Some have very high ideas of the importance of their own individuality, and by their headstrong course are saying, We want not God’s way, but our own way. {1888 1367.2}
§63
时候已近，上帝凭祂的旨意将要显明那些管理祂工作的人怀有的是怎样的原则。这些人若不悔改，就要让他们离开圣工。可是，给他们的呼吁和警告对他们的心没有什么影响，就像基督的的信息对法利赛人没有什么影响一样，我为他们大大担心，惟恐他们继续走在与掌权的法利赛人一样的道路上，表现同样苛求和偏狭的精神：我担心同样的审判会临到他们头上，因为他们拒绝了主的责备，且已将他们罪孽的绊脚石放在他们眼前。{1888 1368.1}
§64
The time is near when God by his providence will make manifest what principles have been cherished by the men connected with the management of his work. Unless these men are converted, they will be separated from the work. But, the appeals and warnings given have had no more affect upon their hearts than the messages of Christ had upon the Pharisees, and I greatly fear in their behalf, lest they shall continue to walk in the same path, manifesting the same exacting and intolerant spirit, as did the ruling Pharisees: I fear that the same judgments will fall upon them because they have rejected the Lord’s reproof, and have set the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their eyes. {1888 1368.1}
§65
我的弟兄们，我奉主的名劝你们藉着悔改和认罪寻求祂。要让你们疏忽的罪和所犯的罪先到审判台前，好在你们的名下写下赦免，以致当祂显现的时候，你们可以被算为配站在祂面前。
§66
My brethren, in the name of the Lord I counsel you to seek him by repentance and confession. Let your sins of omission and commission may go beforehand to judgment, that pardon may be written against your names, that you may be accounted worthy to stand before him when he shall appear. {1888 1368.2}
§67
(写于1895年5月30日；抄录于1896年5月6日) {1888 1368.2}
§68
(Written May 30, 95; copied May 6, ’96.)