第186章 致W. W. 普雷斯科特夫妇
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第186章 致W. W. 普雷斯科特夫妇
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Chapter 191—Gods Messengers
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《信函》1896年第88号P-88-18961896年9月1日写于库兰邦森尼赛德
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“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, Sept. 1, ’96.
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亲爱的普雷斯科特夫妇：
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Dear brother and sister Prescott—
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今天我从报上得知到非洲的船明天就要起航了。我想寄给你几封信，但很遗憾我没有早一点知道船明天就开。{1888 1616.1}
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Today I was informed that the paper states that the steamer for Africa leaves tomorrow. I shall send you some enclosures, but I am sorry that I did not learn sooner that the boat was to leave tomorrow. {1888 1616.1}
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我们已经收到你的两封信和赫斯格长老的两封信。在收到这些信之前，我已经开始给你写一封信，说我很惊讶没有收到你的信。我原想你要是太忙了写不了信，普雷斯科特姐妹可以与我们通信。{1888 1616.2}
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We have received two letters from you, and two from Elder Haskell. Before receiving these, I had begun a letter to you, expressing my surprise that we did not hear from you. I thought that if you were so busy that you could not write, sister Prescott might communicate with us. {1888 1616.2}
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昨天我们才往美国发了一个大邮包，我本来没想今天写信，而要给你寄几封信的副本，好回答你的问题，那几封信是我所写的，论到你所提到的问题——向巴特尔克里克请教，让他们来决定关系世上遥远地区的问题，这种做法的矛盾性问题。{1888 1616.3}
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Yesterday we sent off a large American mail. I did not think it prudent to write today, and will respond to your questions by sending you copies of letters which I have written upon the subject which you mention,—the question of the inconsistency of sending to Battle Creek for counsel, leaving them to decide questions which concern far off parts of the world. {1888 1616.3}
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把所有权力都集中在巴特尔克里克一个团体的问题已经变得严重了。根据主所赐给我的亮光，我看到这种管理方式包揽得太多了，试图担负的担子和权益是他们缺乏天上来的能力和智慧去承担或成功管理的。主随时乐意将智慧和能力赐给远方园地的人，正如祂将智慧和能力赐给巴特尔克里克的人一样。{1888 1616.4}
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The matter in regard to centralizing all the power in one body in Battle Creek, has become serious. From the light given me, I see that this administration is embracing altogether too much, and is trying to carry burdens and interests which it has not strength or wisdom from heaven to bear, or to conduct successfully. The Lord is just as willing to impart wisdom and ability to men in distant fields as he is 1617to impart wisdom and ability to the men in Battle Creek. {1888 1616.4}
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有些一般事项需要请教巴特尔克里克的商人，但是不应该依靠那里的少数人来决定他们并不了解之国家的地方事务。他们并不在场，不了解当地的局势。主乐意带领远方国家的教牧人员。祂乐意引导他们管理自己的工作。{1888 1617.1}
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There are general matters about which it will be necessary to consult the business men in Battle Creek, but a few men in that place should not be depended upon to pass resolutions with reference to local affairs They are not on the ground, and they cannot take in the situation. The Lord is willing to lead the ministers and missionaries in distant countries. He is willing to guide them in the superintendence on their work. {1888 1617.1}
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倘若人经过试验没有成功，那就让他们离职，选用其他人代替他们，不限于传道人，凡能提供指导，制定计划和方案推进上帝圣工的人都可以。不要强迫远方的区会依赖巴特尔克里克的人来管理他们。在各个国家都应指派人协助各区会的会长。传扬信息的工作应当委托给愿意从事圣工，敬畏上帝的人。当这些人按照自己的能力，怀着深爱基督所代死之人的心努力工作时，上帝就会帮助他们。{1888 1617.2}
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If, after being tried, men prove to be failures, let them be relieved, and others chosen in their place, not ministers only, but men who can give counsel, and devise plans and methods which will be for the advancement of the work of God. Distant conferences should not be compelled to depend upon Battle Creek to manage for them. In every country men should be appointed to assist the presidents of the different conferences. The carrying forward of the message should be entrusted to willing men, men, who, in the fear of God, will minister in his service. As these men do their best, according to their ability, working with a deep, earnest love for the souls for whom Christ has died, God will help them. {1888 1617.2}
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要设立各管理委员会。这些委员会要对正在开办疗养院和学校，兴建重要机构之处的工作进行监管。被选入这些委员会的成员必须能积极参与各机构的工作，推进上帝的圣工和事业。应该允许他们去工作。指望别人成为自己的头脑和判断，而将自己行动的特权搁置一边，去依赖巴特尔克里克议会的决定，这不符合上帝的旨意。假如主将祂的圣所设在巴特尔克里克，而不在别的地方，那么将所有的问题都带到那里是合理而明智的。但我们知道主在监管着祂道德葡萄园的每一个部分。祂根据各人的能力分派他们工作。这些工作需要完成。{1888 1617.3}
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Separate councils of administration should be appointed. These councils should exercise supervision over the work where Sanitariums and schools are being established and wherever important interests are located. Those who are accepted as members of these councils as being men capable of taking an active interest in the instrumentalities 1618for the advancement of the work and cause of God, should be allowed to work. It is not in the order of God that man, supposed to be men of mind and judgment, should lay aside their privilege of acting for themselves, to depend on the decisions of the councils at Battle Creek. If the Lord has located his sanctuary at Battle Creek, and in no other place, it is right and sensible to refer all questions to that place. But we know that he presides over every portion of his moral vineyard. To every man, according to his ability, he has given work, and this work is to be done. {1888 1617.3}
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为了完成主的圣工，重要的事情必须由各地教会的委员会自行决定，不必等待巴特尔克里克议会的决定。巴特尔克里克的人并不比上帝托付当地工作的人有更多的灵感，来给出无误的意见。{1888 1618.1}
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In order that the Lord’s work be done, councils in different localities must decide important matters, without waiting for the decisions of the councils at Battle Creek. The men at Battle Creek are no more inspired to give unerring advice than are the men in other places, to whom the Lord has entrusted the work in their locality. {1888 1618.1}
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人应当向主求智慧。要请教祂，依靠祂。不要依靠有限的人来决定远方园地的工作哪些该做哪些不该做。人人都当记住，若是主在任何一个地方有一项特别的工作，全天庭都会关注那项工作。{1888 1618.2}
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Let men seek the Lord for wisdom. Let him be inquired of and depended on. Finite men must not be depended on to decide what shall be done and what shall not be done in far distant fields. All should remember that if the Lord has a special work in any vicinity, all heaven is interested in that work. {1888 1618.2}
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那些被赋予与上帝同工之特权的人必须接受基督的邀请：“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息，我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”（太11:28-30）。我们为什么要将重担带到我们的同胞面前，请他们代我们背负呢？主既将我们放在负责的地位上，我们为什么不向祂求智慧，却求助于我们的同胞呢？我们与基督一同负轭，就是将自己与那位能指导我们，并永不犯错的主联合在一起。{1888 1618.3}
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Those to whom is entrusted the privilege of being laborers together with God must accept the invitation of Christ, “Come unto ME, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden 1619is light.” Why then do we carry our burdens to our fellow-men, asking them to bear them for us? If the Lord has placed us in positions of responsibility, why do we, instead of asking him for wisdom, go to our fellow-men? In yoking up with Christ, we link ourselves with one who is mighty in counsel, one who never makes a mistake. {1888 1618.3}
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人在行使管辖他人的权柄时，必须证明自己的能力和智慧是来自一切能力和智慧的源泉。倘若他们滥用自己的权柄，与非基督化的人联合，信任他们就是危险的了。基督说，“我心里柔和谦卑，你们当学我的样式。”{1888 1619.1}
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When power is exercised by men they must give evidence that their power and their wisdom comes from the source of all power and wisdom. If men use their power to do strange deeds, and link themselves with men whose influence is not Christlike, it is dangerous to put confidence in them. “Learn of me,” said Christ, “for I am meek and lowly in heart.” {1888 1619.1}
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这种自满、专横、企图管辖他人的精神，是人从下面的势力所领受的。“凭着他们的果子，就可认出他们来”（太7:20）。{1888 1619.2}
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This self-sufficient, over-bearing spirit, which desires to rule others, is an element which men have received from beneath. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” {1888 1619.2}
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基督教会的效能必须依靠一切能力的源头。基督充满万有，又贯乎万有之中。一直在进入安息日复临信徒行列中的大罪就是高抬人，将他放在上帝应有的位置上。这在明尼阿波利斯就曾经暴露出来。没有什么人会乐意面对那次会议的记录。要经过多么艰难多么持久的战斗，才能使人们看清自己不过是有限而容易犯错的人、上帝因人们倚靠血肉的膀臂而受了羞辱啊！{1888 1619.3}
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The church of Christ must depend on the source of all power for its efficiency. Christ is all and in all. The great sin which has been entering the ranks of Seventh-day Adventists is the sin of exalting man, and placing him where God should be. This was demonstrated at Minneapolis. There are few who will be pleased to meet the record of the transactions of that conference. How long and hard the battle was, before men could be led to see that they were only men, finite, erring men, and that God was dishonored by men making flesh their arm. {1888 1619.3}
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当撒但发现工作中心的人拒绝承认现代真理时，他就对这些人作工，引导他们提出一些原理，方法和计划，携带黑暗和变化无常的活动力。被违背了的良心成了一个暴君，压制其他人的良心。{1888 1619.4}
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When Satan has found that men at the very heart of the work 1620refuse to admit the truth for this time, he has worked upon these men, leading them to bring in principles and methods and plans which have clothed acting power with robes of darkness and uncertainty. Conscience violated becomes a tyrant over other consciences. {1888 1619.4}
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要人指望巴特尔克里克来决定一切事务是不对的。各地都有特殊的事务需要根据当地的环境来处理。有时必须立即采取行动。但是如果教导人认为本地的议事会不能决定任何事情，除非将事情呈到巴特尔克里克，区会就会变得软弱，有依赖性和片面的了。{1888 1620.1}
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It is not right that minds should be directed to look to Battle Creek for advice upon everything. In every place there are special interests which must be managed according to the circumstances which present themselves. At times there is necessity that action be taken at once. But if the people are educated to think that nothing can be done by local councils, unless the matter is referred to Battle Creek, the conferences are made weak, dependent, and one-sided. {1888 1620.1}
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上帝是祂子民的统治者，祂必教导那些将心智奉献给祂的人如何使用他们的头脑。他们在使用自己的管理才干时，会增加效率。主的产业是由大大小小的器皿构成的，然而每一个人都有其个人的工作。不可依赖一个人的意见或两三个人的意见为大家可以安全听从的意见。而要让人人都指望上帝，倚靠祂，完全相信祂的能力。要与基督同负轭，而不要与人们一同负起轭来，因为人没有能力保守你不跌倒。{1888 1620.2}
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God is the ruler of his people; and he will teach those who give their minds to him, how to use their brains. As they employ their executive ability, they will grow in efficiency. The Lord’s heritage is made up of vessels large and small, but each one has his individual work. The mind of one man, or the minds of two or three men, are not to be depended on as certain to be safe for all to follow. Let all look to God, trust in him, and believe fully in his power. Yoke up with Christ, and not with men; for men have no power to keep you from falling. {1888 1620.2}
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我想就这里的工作说几句。不断有人接受真理。上个安息日有好几个曾参加过各处查经的人前来赴会。有两位叫西门的弟兄已站在真理一边。另一些人很感兴趣。我得搁笔了，快七点了，玛吉今晚必须将这封信打出来，明天付邮。
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I want to say something in regard to the work here. Souls are coming into the truth. Last Sabbath several were present at the meeting who have been attending Bible readings Two young men by the name of Simons, have taken their position for the truth. Others are interested. But I must write no more now. It is about seven o’clock, and Maggie must copy this tonight, ready for tomorrow morning’s mail. {1888 1620.3}
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致爱于你的家人和侄儿
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Love to your family and to your niece,
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怀爱伦 (M. H.1896年9月1日) {1888 1620.3}
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Ellen G. White.(M. H. Sept. 1, 1896.)