第175章 致在美国的弟兄
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第175章 致在美国的弟兄
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Chapter 179—To O. A. Olsen
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《信函》1896年第8号B-8-18961896年2月6日于澳大利亚库兰邦
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“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, Feb. 6, 1896.
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致我在美国的弟兄们：
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To my brethren in America:—
§7
我们的救主清楚地说明了圣灵的伟大职责：“祂既来了，就要叫世人为罪责备自己”（约16:8）。基督知道这个声明乃是一个奇妙的托付。祂在地上的使命将近结束，正在面对着十字架。祂充分意识到那必须加在祂这位担罪者身上的罪担。可是祂最担心的还是祂的门徒。祂在设法为他们寻找安慰，祂告诉他们：“然而，我将真情告诉你们，我去是与你们有益的；我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来；我若去，就差祂来”（约16:7）。{1888 1493.1}
§8
The great office work of the Holy Spirit is thus distinctly specified by our Saviour, “And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin.” Christ knew that this announcement was a wonderful truth. He was nearing the close of His ministry upon this earth, and was standing in view of the cross, with a full realization of the load of guilt that must be placed upon Him as the sin-bearer. Yet His greatest anxiety was for His disciples. He was seeking to find solace for them, and He told them, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (John 16:7) {1888 1493.1}
§9
罪恶已累积了许多世纪，只有圣灵的大能才能抑制和抗拒。圣灵是上帝的第三个位格。祂要带着无限的活力、充足的神能来到。另有一个灵必须应付；因为罪恶的本质正在各方面运行。人类服在撒但束缚之下的情形真是惊人。{1888 1493.2}
§10
Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this Satanic captivity was amazing. {1888 1493.2}
§11
现今象在基督的日子一样，撒但统治着许多人的心。但愿人会识别和抵制他可怕的工作！自私曲解了原则，扰乱了感官，蒙蔽了判断力。虽然全部的亮光都已从上帝有福的话语中照耀出来，仍有人抱着如此奇怪的想法，如此违背真理的精神和实践。这似乎不可思议。希望得到高薪，决心剥夺他人天赐的权利，这是出于撒但的心。人既顺从撒但的意愿和道路，就置身于他的旗帜之下。绝不要依赖那些已经陷入这种网罗的人，除非他们彻底悔改重生了；因为他们已充斥了错误的原则，认识不到这些原则的有害结果。{1888 1493.3}
§12
Today, as in Christ’s day, Satan rules the minds of many. O that his terrible, fearful work could be discerned and resisted. Selfishness has perverted principles, selfishness has confused the senses and clouded the judgment. It seems so strange that notwithstanding all the light that is shining from God’s blessed word, there should be such strange ideas held, such a departure from the spirit and practice of the truth. The desire 1494to grasp large wages, with a determination to deprive others of their God-given rights, has its origin in Satan’s mind; and by their obedience to his will and way men place themselves under his banner. Little dependence can be placed in these that have been taken in this snare, unless they are thoroughly converted and renovated; for they have been leavened by wrong principles, which they could not perceive were deleterious in their effect. {1888 1493.3}
§13
如果在美国和世界各地方的人，都能按照圣经的准则工作，努力根除自私，那就会为教会成就一项多么伟大的工作啊！但是主经常指出，罪正伏在许多人的门前。主认为这些并不是小罪。只要人们愿意放弃抗拒圣灵的精神，——他们的宗教经验长期充斥了这种精神——上帝的灵就会亲自向他们的心讲话，使他们认罪。这是多么重要的工作啊！但人们侮辱了圣灵，拒绝了亮光。那些多年如此盲目的人还有可能重见光明吗？在最近的抗拒中，他们的眼目有可能蒙受恩膏吗？他们会区别上帝之灵的声音和仇敌欺骗的声音吗？ {1888 1494.1}
§14
O if those in the various fields, in America and all over the world, were working according to the Bible rule, and were striving to uproot selfishness, what a work would be accomplished for the church. But sins which have from time to time been pointed out, are lying at the door of many, sins which the Lord regards as of no light character. If men would only give up their spirit of resistance to the Holy Spirit, the spirit which has long been leavening their religious experience, God’s Spirit would address itself to their hearts. It would convince of sin. What a work! But the Holy Spirit has been insulted and light has been rejected. Is it possible for those who for years have been so blind to see? Is it possible that in this late stage of their resistance their eyes will be anointed? Will the voice of the Spirit of God be distinguished from the deceiving voice of the enemy? {1888 1494.1}
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有些人不久将证明自己是站在哪个旗帜之下的，是在生命之君的旗下，还是黑暗之君的旗下。他们如果能像我那样，看到这些问题的实质，就他们的生命而言，他们就会认识到自己是站在悬崖边上，马上就要滑到下面的深渊。如果他们关心自己的得救问题，我认为他们就不会再战兢地站在边缘上。 {1888 1494.2}
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There are men who will soon evidence which banner they are standing under, the banner of the Prince of life, or the banner of the prince of darkness. If they could only see these matters as they are presented to me, if they could only see that, as far as their souls are concerned, they are as men standing on the brink of a precipice, ready to slide over to the depths below, 1495I do not think they would stand trembling on the brink another instant, if they had any regard for their salvation. {1888 1494.2}
§17
上帝的旨意不是要任何人灭亡，而是要人人都得永生。巴不得我能确定在即将召开的会议中，我的弟兄们会认识到，纯洁的原则对他们和他们所交往的人有重大的意义。这样，我的心就会欢喜跳跃！如果那些远离了上帝和真正公义的人愿意表现出圣灵正在争取他们，表明自己认识到背离上帝之道的罪，在做瞎子领瞎子的事，我就会有希望。当这些人确实察觉到自己的瘫痪，他们就会深刻认识到自己浪费了主的宝贵恩赐——光阴，浪费了感激上帝对堕落人类无限怜悯的机会。{1888 1495.1}
§18
It is not the will of God that any shall perish, but that all shall have everlasting life. O could I be assured that in the coming Conference my brethren would feel a sense of what pure principles mean to them and to all with whom they are associated, my heart would leap with joy. If those that have wandered so far from God and true righteousness would show that the Holy Spirit was striving with them, that they were conscious of their guiltiness in departing from the word of God, and acting as blind leaders of the blind, I should have hope. When these do awake from their paralysis, they will be overwhelmed with a sense of lost time, lost opportunities, which were given to them that they might show their appreciation of the infinite compassion of God for fallen man. {1888 1495.1}
§19
每一个接受耶稣为个人救主的人都渴望有侍奉上帝的特权，并不失时机地藉着奉献自己的才干为上帝服务来表明他的感激。他会渴望表达他对耶稣和祂所买来之产业的爱。他会乐意辛劳、艰难、牺牲，并以舍己、背十字架和跟随基督的脚踪行为特权，从而表明他的忠诚和爱。他圣洁和慈善的行为会证明他的改变，也会向世界证明他不是一个假基督徒，而是一个献身的真基督徒。{1888 1495.2}
§20
Every soul that will accept Jesus as his personal Saviour will pant for the privilege of serving God, and will eagerly seize the opportunity to signalize his gratitude by devoting his abilities to God’s service. He will long to show his love for Jesus and for his purchased possession. He will covet toil, hardship, sacrifice. He will think it a privilege to deny self, lift the cross, and follow in Christ’s footsteps, thus showing his loyalty and love. His holy and beneficent works will testify to his conversion, and will give to the world the evidence that he is not a spurious but a true, devoted Christian. {1888 1495.2}
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人们现在正在热心地运用各种技术和手段，来满足他们获得更多财富的愿望。他们如果愿意把这种机智，热心和深思熟虑用来为主的宝库谋利，那就会取得多大的成就啊！过去完全自私的人一旦接受了基督，就会表明自己有了一颗新心；他们不会抓住一切机会为自己谋利，不会为主只作出小小的牺牲，而会高高兴兴地尽力推进祂的工作。过去膨胀的贪婪精神消失了。他们会听从基督的话：“你们要变卖所有的周济人”（路12:33）。他们会热心，努力，认真地工作，建设上帝的国，就像他们过去为自己争取财富一样。{1888 1495.3}
§22
Men are now earnestly plying every art and trade in order to satisfy their desire for more gain. If they would use this tact and zeal and careful thoughtfulness in an effort to gain 1496something for the Lord’s treasury, how much would be accomplished. When men who are thoroughly selfish accept Christ, they will show that they have a new heart, and instead of grasping all that they can possibly obtain to benefit themselves, instead of making bitter, stunted sacrifices for the Lord, they will cheerfully do all that they can to advance His work. The spirit of grasping, which has been so largely developed, will die, and they will heed the words of Christ, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” They will work as laboriously, with zeal and energy and earnestness, to build up the kingdom of God, as they have worked to obtain riches for themselves. {1888 1495.3}
§23
我将真情告诉你们。在对本分的认识方面，我们远远落后于我们神圣的信仰。如果那些拥有如此重大严肃真理的人愿意兴起，摆脱那麻木他们感官、使他们不真心侍奉上帝的魔力，他们精心组织的努力难道不能取得任何救灵的成就吗？贯彻原则会导致多大的改变啊！世界、肉体、魔鬼都不会使人看不到何为纯洁、神圣、忠诚的原则。{1888 1496.1}
§24
I tell you the truth. We are far behind our holy religion in our conception of duty. Oh if those who have been blessed with such grand and solemn truth would arise and shake off the spell that has benumbed their senses and caused them to withhold from their God their true service, what would not their well-organized efforts accomplish for the salvation of souls. What a change would be seen in the principles carried out. The world, the flesh, and the devil, would not blind men and women as to what constitute pure, sacred, loyal principles. {1888 1496.1}
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接受上帝的话乃是为永生作准备。但是人对上帝话语的解释竟使它显得毫无意义。心地和良心变得刚硬败坏了。弟兄们，我奉耶稣的名问你们，你们相信上帝的话吗？你们是上帝的儿女吗？如果是的话，那是因为你们已经悔改，接受基督进入你们心灵的殿，你们的心被带到了新的律法之下，就是那使人自由的至尊律法。如果我得到好消息说，在巴特尔克里克担任领袖之人的思想意识摆脱了撒但的教育和奴役，我甘愿再次横渡辽阔的太平洋去见你们的面。他们被撒但俘虏已经很久了。但在你们意志薄弱，思想混乱的情况下，我不急于去见你们，因为你们选择了黑暗而不是光明。{1888 1496.2}
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The word of God appropriated is the preparation for eternal life. But men have placed such an interpretation upon this word that it has been made meaningless. Heart and conscience have been hardened and corrupted. Brethren, in the name of Jesus I ask, Do you believe the word of God? Are you sons and daughters of God? If you are, it is because you have been converted, and have received Christ into your soul-temple, and your minds have been brought under a new law, even the royal 1497law of liberty. O if I could have the joyful news that the will and mind of those in Battle Creek who have stood professedly as leaders, were emancipated from the teachings and slavery of Satan, whose captives they have been for so long, I would be willing to cross the broad Pacific to see your faces once more. But I am not anxious to see you with enfeebled perceptions and clouded minds because you have chosen darkness rather than light. {1888 1496.2}
§27
圣灵在人心显示祂的作为。当圣灵在人心中运行时，人就会明白基督所说的话：“祂要将受于我的告诉你们”（约16:14）。服从上帝的话，意味着一个人自我的恢复。让基督藉着祂的圣灵作工吧，把你们好像从死人中唤醒，使你们跟祂心连心。让祂使用你们的才能吧。祂创造了你们的每一种能力，好使你们更好地尊敬荣耀祂的名。把你们自己献给祂吧，凡与你们交往的人都会看见，你们的能力是上帝所激发的，你们最高贵的能力要用来侍奉上帝。过去曾用来侍奉自我、推进无价值原则，用作不义肢体的各种才能，都要归服耶稣基督，与上帝的旨意和谐一致。{1888 1497.1}
§28
The divine Spirit reveals its working on the human heart. When the Holy Spirit operates upon the mind, the human agent will understand the statement made by Christ, “He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. “Subjection to the word of God means restoration of one’s self. Let Christ work by His Holy Spirit, and awaken you as from the dead, and carry your mind along with His. Let Him employ your faculties. He has created your every capability, that you may better honor and glorify His name. Consecrate yourself to Him, and all associated with you will see that your energies are inspired of God, that your noblest powers are called into exercise to do God’s service. The faculties once used to serve self and advance unworthy principles, once serving as members of unrighteous purposes, will be brought into captivity to Jesus Christ, and become one with the will of God. {1888 1497.1}
§29
在各教会中有一项工作要做成。要教育和训练青年男女，然后在圣工中为他们找到岗位。你们感到闷闷不乐不知所措，因为凯洛格医生在医疗布道工作中有了很大的收获，他的工作远远超过了总会各教会所做的。怎么回事呢？显然有人没有遵循上帝所赐的亮光。人们用自己的计划取代了上帝的计划。医疗布道工作的兴旺是符合上帝旨意的。这项工作必须做成；真理必须传到大路和篱笆那里。{1888 1497.2}
§30
There is a work to be done in the churches. Young men and women must be trained and educated, and then places will be found for them in the work. You are worried and perplexed because Dr. Kellogg is gathering in disproportionately in the medical missionary work, because his work far exceeds the work being done in the churches by the General Conference. What is the matter? It is plain that the light given by God has not been acted upon. 1498Men have supplanted God’s plans by their own plans. The prosperity of the medical missionary work is in God’s order. This work must be done, the truth must be carried to the highways and the hedges. {1888 1497.2}
§31
但是工作的大中心因人的管理不善而变得衰弱。他们没有与领袖基督保持步调一致。撒但使他们把钱财和能力用到了错误的地方。他们宝贵的时间已永远过去了。他们现在正热心从事的工作，从事雄心勃勃的战斗，很久以前原可以同样有力地用在顺从上帝的亮光上。因为管理不善和计算错误，整个身体都出了毛病。上帝把永恒的事业，把具有永远果效的真理，把应当照亮全世界的亮光托付了一班人，他们却迷失了方向。是上帝犯了错误吗？那些在工作中心的人是蒙拣选领受那金色油的器皿吗？两棵橄榄树所象征的天上的使者，把金色油倒在金管里要注满灯。那些在巴特尔克里克的人，蒙上帝拣选从事人间最严肃的工作。他们有没有在耶稣基督的圣工中与祂合作呢？祂吩咐人将点着的灯光照耀其他的人，使黑暗的地区有机会听到救恩的信息，他们有没有忠心尽责呢？ {1888 1498.1}
§32
But the heart of the work, the great center, has been enfeebled by the mismanagement of men who have not kept pace with their leader. Satan has diverted their money and their capabilities into wrong channels. Their precious time has been passing into eternity. The earnest work, that is now being done, the aggressive warfare that is being carried on might long ago have been just as vigorously carried forward in obedience to the light of God. The whole body is sick because of mismanagement and miscalculation. The people to whom God has entrusted eternal interests, the depositaries of truth pregnant with eternal results, the keepers of light that is to illuminate the whole world, have lost their bearings. Has God made a mistake? Are those at the heart of the work chosen vessels that can receive the golden oil, which the heavenly messengers, represented as two olive trees, empty into the golden tubes to replenish the lamps? Are those in Battle Creek, the men and women that God has appointed to do the most solemn work ever given to mortals, in partnership with Jesus Christ in His great firm? Are those whom He has bidden to communicate light from the burning lamps to others, that the regions of darkness may hear the saving message, doing their duty? {1888 1498.1}
§33
我们在做什么呢？你们认为这是我们要为罪人的得救前所未有地努力的时期吗？你们要是一直从事这等工作，而不是开始从事主从未让你们去做的工作，原会好得多。我请问，在你们的议事会中，在你们的外国传道董事会中，谁在心里灵里是基督徒呢？但愿你们每一个人都能在外国侍奉一段时间。然后你们就会知道，你们本应该做得比现在好得多，也明白舍己和自我牺牲是什么意思。你们若是得蒙允许回来，就会更加殷勤、聪明地工作。你们的是和你们的不是就会说得慎重得多，并且意识到所涉及的责任。但你们至今连边境都没去过。对就这些事所做的决定漠不关心，是得罪上帝的。{1888 1498.2}
§34
What are we doing? Do you believe that this is the period in which we are to labor as never before for the salvation 1499of sinners? How much better you would have been employed in doing this class of work than in taking up lines of work which the Lord never set you to do. Who, I ask, in your councils, in your Foreign Missionary Board, are Christians, in heart and soul? O that every one of you could serve for a time in foreign countries. Then you would know, much better than you now do, what self-denial and self-sacrifice mean. And if you were permitted to return, you would work much more diligently, intelligently. Your nay and your yea would be spoken with a much graver burden, and with a sense of the responsibility involved. But as yet, you have not touched even the border. The indifference with which decisions are made in regard to these things, is an offense to God. {1888 1498.2}
§35
你们在自己所在的地方有各样工作的设施，你们一点不知道在新园地、在几乎对传道工作一无所知的人中间开始作工的艰难。工人们被指定为传道士，去这些外国的园地，然后他们就被撇下竭尽所能艰难度日，而那些在工作中心的人却认为去做什么最好留下不做的事很重要。唉，只要你们能有一次意识到过去数年主是怎样看待你们的做法的，你们就会羞愧掩面。你们就会努力作工，就会舍己，以便把你们所能收集到的一切都寄到外国的园地去。只要你们知道你们应该知道的，对传道士的呼召就会激动你们全身的每一根神经。你们就会多么紧张地操劳；你们就会多么舍己，以便能把各种设备寄给必须拥有它们的人。传道士们必须有设备，否则他们的职责就是离开园地；因为他们会消耗自己天赐的力气却没有什么成效。{1888 1499.1}
§36
Where you are, you have every facility for work, and you know nothing about the hardship of starting the work in new fields, among a people that have scarcely any knowledge of missionary work. Workers are appointed as missionaries to these foreign fields, and then they are left to get along as best they can, while those at the heart of the work think it is very important to do something that had better be left undone. O if you could only once have a sense of how the Lord looks upon your course for several years past, you would hide your heads for shame. You would labor, you would deny self, that you might send all you could possibly gather, to foreign fields. If you only knew what you should know, the calls of missionaries would stir every fibre of your being. How intensely you would labor; how self-denying you would be, that you might send facilities to those who must have them. Missionaries must have facilities, or else it is their duty to leave the field; for they consume their God-given strength 1500in doing very little. {1888 1499.1}
§37
如果自称认识真理的人具有基督的精神，他们就会舍己，背起十字架跟从耶稣。耶稣是自我牺牲的救赎主。祂曾放弃自己的财富，荣耀和崇高地位，为救人而尽了上帝所能尽的一切努力。在审判的大日，你们贪爱世间财宝的人怎么向上帝交账呢？为把真理传到远方，你们只是软绵绵地化了一点力气。你们必要为化在自行车、服装和其他不必要之物上的金钱交账。作为上帝的子民，你们应该表现耶稣；但基督是以自我放纵的人为耻的。我心里难受，几乎不能抑制自己的感情，因为我想到我们的信徒多么容易被带入歧途，不实行基督教的原则，而去取悦自我。你们中许多人只是部分地相信真理。主耶稣说：“你们不能又侍奉上帝，又侍奉玛门”（太6:24）。我们是要靠从祂口中所出的一切话活着。有多少人相信祂的话呢？ {1888 1500.1}
§38
O if those who profess to know the truth had the Spirit of Christ, the self-sacrificing Redeemer, who gave up his riches, His splendor, His high command, and did all that a God could do to save souls, they would deny self, lift the cross, and follow Jesus. How will you who love worldly treasure answer to God in the great day of judgment for your feeble and sleepy efforts to send the truth to regions beyond? The money expended in bicycles and other needless things must be accounted for. As God’s people you should represent Jesus; but Christ is ashamed of you. My heart is pained, I can scarcely restrain my feelings when I think how easily our people are led away from practical Christian principles to self-pleasing. As yet many of you only partially believe the truth. The Lord Jesus says, “Ye can not serve God and mammon,” and we are to live by every word that proceedeth out of His mouth. How many believe His word? {1888 1500.1}
§39
主厌恶你们自私的做法，可是祂的手仍然伸出来。我督促你们为自己灵魂的缘故听我现在的恳劝。由于你们的做法，外国传道士们的手被捆住了。撒但一直用他全部的欺骗之能行事，要造成一种局面，使道路因库中缺乏钱财而堵住。{1888 1500.2}
§40
The Lord abhors your selfish practices, and yet his hand is stretched out still. I urge you for your soul’s sake to hear my plea for those who are missionaries in foreign countries, whose hands are tied by your Nays. Satan has been working with all his powers of deception to bring matters to that pass where the way will be hedged up for the want of means in the treasury. {1888 1500.2}
§41
你们意识到每年都有成千上万的人走向灭亡，在他们的罪中奄奄待毙吗？上帝的灾祸和审判已开始降下。人们因为没有真理的亮光照在他们的道路上而行将灭亡。我们完全相信自己要把上帝的道传到全世界吗？谁相信这一点呢？“然而，人未曾信祂，怎能求祂呢？未曾听见祂，怎能信祂呢？没有传道的，怎能听见呢”（罗10:14）？谁有使他们能实行这道的信心呢？谁相信上帝所赐下的亮光呢？{1888 1500.3}
§42
Do you realize that every year thousands and thousands and ten times ten thousand souls are perishing, dying in their sins? The plagues and judgments of God are already doing their work, and souls are going to ruin because the light of truth has not been flashed upon their pathway. Do we fully believe that we are to carry the word of God to all the world? Who believes this? 1501“How then can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Who has faith, faith that will enable them to practice this word? Who believes it in the light which God has given? {1888 1500.3}
§43
主呼唤我们团结行动。要做出有良好组织的努力来招募工人。主会把贫穷、诚实、谦卑的人放在你们的位置，他们从未享有你所享有的机会，也不能享有，因为你们不是受圣灵的感动去工作。我们可以确信，当圣灵沛降时，那些没有接受和赏识早雨的人，也不会看明或懂得晚雨的价值。当我们真正献身给上帝时，祂的爱就会因信住在我们心里，于是我们就高高兴兴地按照上帝的旨意尽自己的本分。{1888 1501.1}
§44
The Lord calls for united action. Well-organized efforts must be made to secure laborers. There are poor, honest, humble souls whom the Lord will put in your places, who have never had the opportunities you have had, and could not, because you were not worked by the Holy Spirit. We may be sure that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, those who did not receive and appreciate the early rain will not see or understand the value of the latter rain. When we are truly consecrated to God, His love will abide in our hearts by faith, and we will cheerfully do our duty, in accordance with the will of God. {1888 1501.1}
§45
但我们的各教会对上帝的工作表现的兴趣那么少，令我感到惊恐。我要请凡拥有钱财的人记得，上帝把这些钱财托付给他们，是要用来推进基督到我们世上要做的工作。主告诉每一个人，在上帝看来，他并不是他财产的主人。他只是保管人而已。主说：这不是你的，而是我的。上帝要你作为管家交账。无论你有一两银子，二两银子，还是五两银子，一点儿也不可浪费在自私的放纵上。你对天国的责任应该使你恐惧战兢。末日的判决取决于我们实际的善行。基督承认每一件善行都是做在祂自己身上的。{1888 1501.2}
§46
But the little interest that has been manifested in the work of God by our churches alarms me. I would ask all who have means to remember that God has entrusted this means to them to be used in the advancement of the work which Christ came to our world to do. The Lord tells every man that in the sight of God he is not the owner of what he possesses, but only a trustee. Not thine, but Mine, saith the Lord. God will call you to account for your stewardship. Whether you have one talent, or two, or five, not a farthing is to be squandered on your own selfish indulgence. Your accountability to heaven should cause you to fear and tremble. The decisions of the last day turn upon our practical benevolence. Christ acknowledges every act of beneficence as done to Himself. {1888 1501.2}