第163章 致 A. O. 泰特
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第163章 致 A. O. 泰特
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Chapter 166—To O. A. Olsen
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《信函》1895年76号T-76-1895前景大街，诺福克花园，1895年6月6日
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Norfolk Villa, Prospect St., June 6, ’95.
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A. O.泰特长老 美国密歇根州巴特尔克里克
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Eld. A. O. Tait,Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.A.
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亲爱的弟兄：Dear Brother:—
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回复你的信需要用到我一些非常直白的陈述。你所提到的事多年来一直呈现在我面前。在明尼阿波利斯会议以前很久，现在正在起作用的酵就在起作用了。不满的精神那时就在集结力量。自从那时以来，一些人承认了自己的错误，并在态度上有了明确的改变，没有表现同样的精神了。多年以前他们抵挡上帝之灵的恳求，并在他们的反叛中得到了众生之大敌的帮助。然而有一些身居要职的人仍在设法影响书报员们的心思，影响那些聚集参加大会之人的心思。他们行事与真理和公义相反，利用一切权宜之计推进他们自己的想法。许多人因为这些人身居负责岗位，因为他们平静理性的外表，就以为他们必是可靠的人。然而上帝不需要内心不忠诚的人。祂并没有把祂的子民交在任何一个人或一伙人手中，听命于他们的冲动欲望。我奉耶和华以色列上帝的名，反对这种工作。{1888 1369.1}
§9
To answer your letter will require of me some very plain statements. The matters you refer to have been presented before me for years. Long before the meeting at Minneapolis the leaven that is now working was at work. The spirit of disaffection was gathering strength up to that time. Since that time some have decidedly changed their attitude, and have not manifested the same spirit. For years previous they withstood the pleadings of the Spirit of God, and were aided in their rebellion by the great adversary of souls. But there are some who are still seeking to leaven the minds of canvassers, and to influence those who assemble in conference meetings. They work contrary to truth and righteousness, making use of any and every to carry forward their own ideas. Many think that because these men are in responsible positions, because they have an appearance of being calm and rational, they must be reliable men. But God has no use for men who are disloyal in heart. He has not given his people into the hands of any man or set of men to make use of as their impulses dictate. In the name of the Lord God of Israel, I protest against this work. {1888 1369.1}
§10
从起初看到末后的上帝很容易就能够也必定会为推进祂自己的工作做准备；但不会依照人们的精神和冲动做准备。我们不要受教育去依照属世的方针作工，也不要教育他人依照这种方针作工。我们每一步都要运用信心，多多祷告，感觉依赖上帝，并且显然献身于祂的工作。依照这种等次作工会带来大福气作为回报；然而依靠那些显然与上帝没有生命联络而是凭自己的感觉行事的人，结果就必使我们处在另一个领袖而不是耶稣基督的管理之下。他们所沉迷的推理并不符合真理与公平。{1888 1369.2}
§11
God who sees the end from the beginning can easily provide, 1370and certainly will provide for the carrying forward of his own work; but it will not be after the spirit and impulse of men. We are not to be educated to work after a worldly policy, neither are we to educate others after this line of working. At every step we are to exercise faith, to be much in prayer, to feel dependence upon God, and manifest devotion to his work. Working after this order will bring large blessings in return; but dependence upon men, who make manifest that they are not in vital connection with God, but are moved by their own feelings, will end in placing us under another leader than Jesus Christ. The reasoning in which they indulge is not according to truth and equity. {1888 1369.2}
§12
有些人既居于负责岗位，许多人便以为要是暗示这些人错了，就会背叛上帝的圣工。但主与这些随从本心倾向、一直被自己假冒为主热心的自私冲动所误导的人有一场辩论。当他们在上帝的大日不得不面对天上案卷的记录，站在那说“我知道你的行为”的主面前时，他们处理弗兰克.贝尔登事件的方式，不会给他们带来任何喜悦。时候要到，那时要调查活人死人的品格。{1888 1370.1}
§13
There are men holding responsible positions, and many think that they would prove traitors to the cause and work of God, should they intimate that these men were in the wrong. But the Lord has a controversy with these men who have followed the natural tendency of their own minds, and have been led by their own selfish impulses The way in which they have dealt with Frank Belden’s case, will not afford them any pleasure when they have to face the record on the books of heaven in the great day of God, and stand before him who says, “I know thy works.” The time is coming when there will be an investigation of the characters of the living and the dead. {1888 1370.1}
§14
在我的丈夫去世之前，我写了近一百页的文字，论到在《评论与通讯》出版社将会发生的事。我若能找到这份材料，就会寄给你。人们正在行经多年前就已呈现在我面前的地步。主已向我显明人们会拒绝亮光，藐视警告，出版社中会培养自私的精神，人们会根据属世的原则行事，背离上帝的律法。他们会留心仇敌的提示，会使人放弃自己的权利。他们会努力控制宗教自由和业务自由。他们会努力使基督复临安息日会的每一个机构都从属于在巴特尔克里克的机构，并且操纵事物，以便将工作的每一个分枝都集中并控制在《评论与通讯》出版社负责的人手里。这就是人们正在做的，行事好像工作的每一个分枝，无论是高处的还是远处的，都必须来到在巴特尔克里克的那些人的管辖之下，每一个人都必须绕着他们的轨道而行。然而主已赐下亮光，大意是我们的不同机构必须各自站立。这些人是在从事自己的决策，行事好像上帝亲自藉着他们发言一样。他们对基督的血所买来的产业举止高傲。他们表现得好像每一个人都必须承认他们的统治，照他们的指示使用自己的能力和才干。要是有人不愿来到他们的控制之下，他们就把他挤出去，要不就给他冷遇。他们认为不服从就是可憎的，那些不服从他们管辖的人就不受同情，不予帮助或支持。他们用自己的精神和行为说：“他若死，就死吧。”{1888 1370.2}
§15
I wrote nearly a hundred pages long before my husband died of what would be transacted in the Review & Herald Office. If I can find this matter, I will send it to you. Men are travelling over the very ground that was presented to me years ago. It was made clear to me 1371that light would be rejected, that warnings would be despised, that a spirit of selfishness would be cultivated in the Office, and that men would act from worldly principles, and depart from the law of God. They would give heed to the promptings of the enemy, and would turn human agents away from their right. Religious and business liberty they would labor to control. They would work to have every Seventh Day Adventist institution in subordination to the institution in Battle Creek, and manipulate things so that every branch of the work would be centered and controlled by responsible men in the Review & Herald Office. This is what men are doing, and acting as if every branch of the work, both high and afar off, must come under the jurisdiction of men in Battle Creek, and that every one must circle around their orbit. But the Lord has given light to the effect that our different institutions must stand by themselves. These men are carrying on their counsels, and acting as though God in person had spoken by them. They bear themselves loftily toward the purchase of Christ’s blood. They act as though every individual must acknowledge their sway, and use his ability and talent as they may direct. If he will not come under their control they crush him out or treat him with indifference. They consider it is an abomination to be unsubmissive, and those who do not submit to their jurisdiction are left without sympathy, without help or support. They say by their spirit and action, “If he dies, let him die.” {1888 1370.2}
§16
在工作中心的人们有许多必须学习的，也有许多必须忘却的。他们自己要认识到，他们是在上帝的领域里。他们骄傲、未破碎的心必须知道，有一位统治者，祂必叫他们交账。时候要到，那时基督使者们的责任将是以简明的语言宣布上帝的旨意，让人们知道他们是上帝的工人，要受上帝带领和教导，他们必须照祂的指示完成他们高尚的使命。宗教自由对我们这班人所有的含义过于许多人所理解的。多年来我们已经传扬的信息是，人们不能根据属世智者的计划对待无穷上帝儿子的血所买来的产业。他们无法用自己的干预治好人心的坏脾气，也无法用自己的严酷使患罪病的心灵恢复健康。藉着表明向上帝悔改，藉着运用对那位大能医治者的信心，他们才能使耶稣为大，并且扬声宣告：“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”（约1:29）。{1888 1371.1}
§17
Men at the heart of the work have much to learn and much to 1372unlearn. They themselves are to realize that they are in God’s domain. Their proud, unbroken hearts must know that there is a Ruler who will call them to account. The time will come when it will be the duty of Christ’s ambassadors to declare God’s will in plain terms, to let men know that they are God’s workmen to be led and taught of God, and that they must carry out their elevated mission as he shall dictate. Religious liberty means more to us as a people than many take it to mean. For years we have proclaimed the message that men cannot deal with the purchase of the blood of the Son of the infinite God on the plan of worldly wise men. They cannot heal the distemper of souls by their interference, or restore the sin-sick soul to health by their harshness. By manifesting repentance toward God, by exercising faith in the Mighty Healer, they can magnify Jesus, and lift their voice in proclaiming, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” {1888 1371.1}
§18
我的丈夫去世之前，我蒙警告不可信任一个朋友或倚赖一位弟兄。我将不得不与之打交道的人由于其业务训练会没有能力抗拒行骗或占便宜的诱惑。他们以为上帝完全就是他们那样的，还以为他们尖猾的共谋与交易是依照上帝的命令。他们尽一切可能的努力要占能占的便宜，因为他们没有天天向上帝悔改的经验。他们研究计划，按照他们以为会成功的方法行事，但他们远非公平、公正或公义。他们顾惜自己，却多么无情地压迫他人啊。他们行事为要摧毁同胞的势力。他们并不考虑真理或上帝的尊荣。{1888 1372.1}
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Before my husband died, I was warned that I must not put confidence in a friend or trust in a brother. Men with whom I would have to deal because of their business education would not have power to resist the temptation to over-reach and to take advantage. They make God altogether such an one as themselves, and think that their sharp conniving and dealing is after God’s order. They make every effort possible to take advantage where they can; for they do not daily experience conversion to God. They enter into plans, and go according to methods, that they suppose will succeed, but they are far from fair, or 1373just, or righteous. They spare themselves, but how hard they press others. They work to destroy the power of their fellow-men. They do not consider the truth or the honor of God. {1888 1372.1}
§20
我在巴特尔克里克里时在这些事上有过经验。我并不是惟一一个在他们手中受过苦的人。然而我并不为所经历的事感到遗憾，因为上帝给了我忠告，就是我必须谨慎接受人们的提议，他们提议我应该做某些事，还断言我若那么做，就会帮助上帝的圣工。然而要是我签署了他们计划要我签的合同，我就会被束缚住，不能独立于一些人或委员会去做要推进上帝的事工就必须做成的事。要是我照着他们的意愿做了，我就会不能发言，不能在他们向别人施加邪恶原则时予以纠正。{1888 1373.1}
§21
I had an experience in these matters when at Battle Creek. I was not the only sufferer at their hands. I am not sorry though for the experience I passed through; because God gave me counsel that I must be guarded about accepting the propositions of men, who proposed that I should do certain things, alleging that in so doing, I would be helping the cause of God. But should I make the contract that they designed to have me, I would be bound, and could not move independent of men or councils to do things that were necessary to be done to advance the cause and work of God. If I should do as they desired me to, then I would be unable to speak, to correct evil principles when they should be brought to bear against others. {1888 1373.1}
§22
需要有人出言反对错误的事，因为上帝愿意洁净出版社脱离不公正的欺骗性交易，就如救主洁净圣殿脱离其道德污秽一样。我蒙指示看见有人会制定计划以致剥夺人们的权利；但这种计划不是依照基督的命令，而是依照撒但的命令。我的导向说：“我已警告你。要勇敢地说我的话，无论人们听或不听。”{1888 1373.2}
§23
It was needful that there should be those who would speak out against that which was wrong, cleanse the publishing house from plans of injustice and fraudulent dealings, even as the Saviour cleansed the temple from its moral pollution. I was shown that schemes would be made to deprive men of their rights; but such plans were not after Christ’s order, but after the order of Satan. My guide said, “I have warned you. Speak my word fearlessly, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear.” {1888 1373.2}
§24
《评论与通讯》出版社的人需要内心的改变，然后他们整个的态度才会改变。那些有基督在心里作王的人必会表现基督化的原则。他们会显明圣灵已经给了他们新生命，他们正滋养和珍爱那生命。它的开端见于与主耶稣基督在精神上的联合，而当他们在认识上帝的知识上继续长进时，他们就会显明在恩典上长进，且会向他人表示基督化的爱。居于负责岗位的人要保护他人的权益，象保护自己的权益一样热心。他们应当这样爱人如己。基督徒要作属天智慧和恩典暖流的通道。他们要使自己与黎巴嫩清凉的雪水相连，而不要连于谷中的低流。不依照在山上指示他们的样式的形式和礼节将证明毫价值。上帝的恩典显明在运用爱心上，这爱心住在基督的胸怀里，给失丧的人带来救恩。上帝的国来到不是眼所能见的（路17:20）。无私之爱要藉着所制定的每一个计划作工，而无私之爱的果子乃是圣灵里的公义、和平、喜乐。那些不属灵的人往往看上去有一种远远超过上帝真儿女的热心。这是因为他们定意要使自己的方法和自己的计划取得成功。他们对自己说：我要全力以赴，投入这个计划，我要不断作工，直到看到它成功。我要坚持不懈直到获胜。然而一个人所拥有的全部宗教往往见于其所以为是象基督的这种野心勃勃的热心。拿走了这个，就什么都没有了。他们就像法利赛人，将薄荷、茴香、芹菜献上十分之一，却忽略了律法上更重的事，就是公义、怜悯和上帝的爱。真理才是最重要的。在基督为堕落人类的牺牲中，慈爱与诚实彼此相遇，公义与平安彼此相亲。当你们使这些特性与最奇妙而且显然最成功的工作分离时，那工作就没什么了。那些与基督同工的人将自己的业务服务与属灵献身结合起来。哪里有这种结合存在，那里就没有高傲的压迫，没有强迫的态度。上帝已赐给祂的子民各自的工作。他们若是本着自己的精神作工，表显自己的方法，就必发展那恶者的险恶特性。{1888 1373.3}
§25
What men need in the Review & Herald Office is a change of heart, and then their whole attitude will be changed. Those who have 1374Christ enthroned within will manifest Christlike principles. They will make it evident that the Holy Spirit has imparted a new life to them, and that they are nourishing and cherishing that life. Its beginning is found in spiritual union with the Lord Jesus Christ, and as they go on increasing in the knowledge of God, they will manifest growth in grace, and will show Christlike love to others. Men in responsible positions are to guard the interests of others as jealously as they would guard their own interests. Thus they are to love their neighbors as themselves. Christians are to be channels for currents of heavenly wisdom and grace. They are to connect themselves, not with the low streams of the valley, but with the living snow-waters of Lebanon. All outward forms and ceremonies that are not after the pattern shown them in the Mount will prove valueless. The grace of God is made manifest in the exercise of the love which dwelt in the bosom of Jesus, and which bringeth salvation to the lost. The kingdom of God cometh not by observation. Unselfish love is to work through every plan that is made, and the fruit of unselfish love is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Those who are not spiritual often appear to have a zeal that far exceeds the zeal of the true children of God. This is because they are determined that their ways and their plans shall succeed. They say to themselves, I will put the whole force of my being into this plan, and I will work continually until I see it succeed. I will persist until I prevail. But all the religion that a man has is found in this ambitious zeal he thinks is after the Christlike 1375order. Take away this, and nothing is left. They are like the Pharisees who tithed mint, and arise, and cummin, but neglected the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and the love of God. The truth is of the deepest importance. In the sacrifice of Christ for fallen men, mercy and truth met together, righteousness and peace kissed each other. When you separate these attributes from the most wonderful, and apparently the most successful work, there is nothing to it. Those who work with Christ unite their business services with spiritual consecration. Where this combination exists, there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of manner. God has given to his children their work individually. If they work in their own spirit, manifest their ways, they will develop the forbidding attributes of the evil one. {1888 1373.3}
§26
上帝并没有挑选少数人，而撇下其他人不予照顾。祂爱祂的血所买来的产业，祂必不忽视一个孩子而高举另一个孩子。祂不会提拔一个，却丢下、压迫和践踏另一个。每一个人都有个人权利，而为了其同胞的利益要尊重那些权利。任何辖制上帝产业的行为都要归罪于胆敢显示这种专横精神的人。那些真正悔改的人，依照那神圣的模范塑造其品格的人，会本着爱心持守真理。人们若是严于律己，而不是严厉地对待上帝所买来的产业，就会远为受益。生活在这些末后日子的人需要对许多事有正确认识。我们应当谨慎对待我们的同胞，因为我们会在基督的圣徒身上对待祂。但愿谁也不要忽视他人的权利。{1888 1375.1}
§27
God has not singled out a few men, and left others uncared for. He loves the purchase of his blood, and he will not neglect one child and exalt another. He will not lift up one, and cast down and oppress and trample upon another. Every man has individual rights, and it is for the interest of his fellow-men to respect those rights. Any lording it over God’s heritage will be charged to the man who ventures to exhibit this presumptuous spirit. Those who are truly converted, those whose characters are shaped after the divine model, will hold the truth in love. It will be far more profitable for men to deal rigorously with themselves, rather than to deal rigorously with God’s purchased possession. Those living in these last days need to have a right understanding of many things. We should be careful to treat our fellow-men as we would treat Christ in the person of his saints. Let no one ignore the rights of another. {1888 1375.1}
§28
我现在简要回答你的问题，但不久会更加全面地回答。{1888 1376.1}
§29
{1888 1376.1}
§30
我从来没有感到向众人传讲在任何条件下都必须禁用肉类是我的职责,因为当人们一直受教要在很大程度上以肉食为生时，这样做会把问题带进极端。我也从来没有感到做出笼统的主张是我的责任。虽然，我所说的一切话都受制于我的责任感，但是我却在我的声明上一直谨慎，因为我不想给任何机会让一个人成为另一个人的良心。{1888 1376.2}
§31
I have never felt that it was my duty to say that no one should taste of meat under any circumstances. To say this when the people have been educated to live on flesh to so great an extent, would be carrying matters to extremes. I have never felt that it was my duty to make sweeping assertions. What I have said I have said under a sense of duty, but I have been guarded in my statements, because I did not want to give occasion for anyone to be a conscience for another. {1888 1376.2}
§32
戴维斯姐妹刚才叫我注意1894年5月31日发表在《青年导报》上的一篇文章。所问的问题是：是我计划让这句话这样发表在《青年导报》上的吗？我一看到这句话就很惊讶：“肉类不是最健康的食物，但是我认为每一个人都不应该放弃肉食。”我无法解释为什么这句话会如此发表。自从布赖顿的帐篷大会以来，我已经完全从餐桌上去掉了肉食。已经达成默契，无论我在国内还是国外，我家中都不要用这种食物，或不要到我的餐桌上。在夜间的异象中，我就这个问题所看到的景象使我觉得我从我的餐桌上去掉肉食是做对了。我希望修改这句话，把“不”的位置改变一下——“但是我不认为每一个人都应当放弃肉食。”比如，那些患肺痨将死的人。{1888 1376.3}
§33
Sister Davis has just called my attention to an article printed in the Youth’s Instructor of May 31, 1894. The question asked is, Did I design to have this sentence just as it appeared in the Instructor? I am surprised to see it just as it appears—“A meat diet is not the most wholesome of diets, and yet I would take the position that meat should not be discarded by everyone.” I cannot explain why this appears just as it does. Since the camp meeting at Brighton I have absolutely banished meat from my table. It is an understood thing that whether I am at home or abroad, nothing of this kind is to be used in my family, or come upon my table. I have had such representations before my mind in the night season on this subject that I feel that I have done right in banishing meat from my table. I would desire that the sentence should be modified by changing the not—“yet I would not take the position that meat be wholly discarded by everyone,” for instance, by those dying of consumption. {1888 1376.3}
§34
我在这个国家有过一个经历，与我在美国新园地的经历相似。我见过一些家庭，环境不允许他们的餐桌摆出健康的食品。不信的邻居把新近宰杀的禽畜之肉送一部分给他们。他们煮好了肉汤，让自己一大家儿女每餐吃面包和肉汤。我没有责任，也认为任何人都没有责任对他们宣传肉食的害处。我真心同情这些新信的家庭。他们的经济十分困难，上顿不知道下顿从何而来。我没有责任对他们作健康饮食的演讲。说话有时，静默也有时。这种情形下的机会，乃是说鼓励和祝福的话，而不是申斥和指责的话。那些终身以肉食为生的人，是看不出继续这种习惯的害处的。我们应当温柔地对待他们。{1888 1376.4}
§35
I have been passing through an experience in this country that is similar to the experience I had in new fields in America. I have seen families whose circumstances would not permit them to furnish 1377their table with healthful food. Unbelieving neighbors have sent them in portions of meat from animals recently killed. They have made soup of the meat, and supplied their large families of children with meals of bread and soup. It was not my duty, nor did I think it was the duty of anyone else, to lecture them upon the evils of meat eating. I feel sincere pity for families who have newly come to the faith, and who are so pressed with poverty that they know not from whence their next meal is coming. It is not my duty to discourse to them on healthful eating. There is a time to speak, and a time to keep silent. The opportunity furnished by circumstances of this order is an opportunity to speak words that will encourage and bless, rather than condemn and reprove. Those who have lived upon a meat diet all their life do not see the evil of continuing the practice, and they must be treated tenderly. {1888 1376.4}
§36
然而就在这篇文章发表的那个月分，我的一个家人就问我，我们有大量家禽，要不要杀一些，做好放在餐桌上。我断然说：“不要。”我已向我的天父签署了保证书，且已弃绝了肉食。我自己不愿吃肉，也不愿把肉食摆在我任何一个家人面前。我吩咐要把家禽卖掉，并把得来的钱花在购买水果作食物上。{1888 1377.1}
§37
But in the very month in which this article was published, one of my family asked me whether we should not kill some of the fowls of which we had a large number, and prepare them for our table. I said decidedly, “No.” I have signed the pledge to my heavenly Father, and have discarded meat as an article of diet. I will not eat flesh myself, nor set it before any of my household. I gave orders that the fowls should be sold, and that the money which they brought in should be expended in buying fruit for the table. {1888 1377.1}
§38
自从来到这个国家，我已询问过被宰杀到市场售卖的牲畜的状况，得知被宰杀的全部牲畜中没有疾病的还不到二十分之一。肺病、癌症和肿留在牲畜中惊人地常见。检察员确实拒绝了许多这样生病的牲畜，但是许多本应该拒绝的也进入了市场。我得知，检察员和牧民在这事上已经结党。有些检察员说：“这群牛或这群羊会通过。给我留下这只或那只羊，这只或那只牛。”不健康的肉就这样进了市场供人消费。在许多地方，甚至鱼也是不健康的，不应该食用。在鱼与大城市的下水道接触的地方尤其如此。我们餐桌上很少有什么鱼。吃了下水道污水的鱼可能会进入远离污水的水域，被清水地的人捕捉，然而由于它们一直吃不健康的污水，食用它们就不安全了。{1888 1377.2}
§39
Since coming to this country, I have made inquiries concerning the condition of animals that are killed for the market, and I have 1378learned that whole herds are slaughtered when not more than one in twenty were without disease. Pulmonary diseases, cancers, and tumors, are startlingly common among animals. It is true that the inspectors rejected many of the cattle that were thus diseased, but many were passed on to the market that ought to have been refused. Inspectors and herdsmen, have entered into confederacy in this matter. Some inspectors say, “This herd or this flock Leave me this or that sheep, or this or that steer.” Thus unwholesome flesh has gone on to the markets for human consumption. In many localities even fish is unwholesome, and ought not to be used. This is especially so where fish come in contact with the sewerage of large cities. We seldom have any fish upon our table. The fish that partake of the filthy sewerage of the drains may pass into waters far distant from the sewerage, and be caught in localities where the water is pure and fresh, but because of the unwholesome drainage in which they have been feeding, they are not safe to eat. {1888 1377.2}
§40
我们有一个大家庭，此外还有许多客人。但我们的餐桌上都没有肉类和黄油。我们从自己所养母牛的奶中提取奶油。我们烹饪用的黄油，是向有良好牧地和健康母牛的牛奶场购买的。{1888 1378.1}
§41
We have a large family, and besides have many guests, but neither meat nor butter is placed upon our table. We use the cream from the milk of the cows which we feed ourselves. We purchase butter for cooking purposes from dairies where the cows are in healthful condition and have good pasture. {1888 1378.1}