第216章 致J. E..怀特
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第216章 致J. E..怀特
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Index to document location
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《信函》1896年第124号W-124-1896新南威尔士州，库兰邦，“森尼赛德”
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“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N.S.W.,August 9, ’96.
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1896年8月9日J.E. White,J. E.怀特，亲爱的儿子爱德森：Dear Son Edson,—
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我们收到了爱尔德里奇船长的一封来信。他说你欠他一百美元。{1888 1816.1}
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We have received a letter from Captain Eldridge. He claims that you owe him one hundred dollars. {1888 1816.1}
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关于爱尔德里奇船长与出版社工作的关系，当有亮光赐给我的时候，我看到高估了他的能力和才干。他并没有作出与他所领受的高薪等价的贡献，甚至从商业的角度看也是这样。关于宗教信仰方面，他是不可靠的。他并没有本着良心坚持原则。他的工作方式得不到上帝认可。{1888 1816.2}
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When light was given me in reference to Captain Eldridge’s relation to the work in the Office, I saw that his ability and talents were overrated. He did not give an equivalent for the high wages he received, even from a business standpoint. In regard to the religious side of the question, he was not to be depended on. He did not conscientiously maintain principle. He worked in a way that could not receive God’s endorsement. {1888 1816.2}
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关于书报业务，他和某某很清楚他们能随意左右事情：因为他们处于有利地位。但他们并不比尊重其它文学作品更加尊重证言，还把证言远远撇后边，不闻不问。他们用《圣经读物》取代《大斗争》（即《善恶之争》）。我受到了他们有轻蔑风味的冷淡。他们有职位给他们的权柄，而不是主给的，所分配给他们的工资也是违反原则的，就是主已显明应该始终全力以赴坚持的那些原则。{1888 1816.3}
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In regard to the canvassing business, He and ----- knew very well that they could swing things as they pleased: for they had the inside track. But they had no more respect for the testimonies than for any other literary production, and left them far behind, unnoticed and neglected. They put Bible Readings in the place of Great Controversy. I was treated by them with an indifference savoring of contempt. They had the power which position, but not the Lord, gave them, and the wages allotted them were contrary to the principles which the Lord had revealed as those that should ever be strenuously maintained. {1888 1816.3}
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这使我愿意离开我在巴特尔克里克的家。好像我是被所形成的事态赶走的。主愿意事情这样；但我没有一线亮光说明祂让我到这个国家来。我来是服从了我总是坚持为权威的总会的意见。我回顾过去八年的经历时，感到一种圣洁的义怒在心灵中争战。一个又一个证言从上帝传给了在我们出版社的人和工作的管理者们，他们是为首的；但他们却转身离开了上帝所赐的亮光，去听从人的意见。{1888 1817.1}
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It was this that made me willing to leave my home in Battle Creek. It was as though I was drawn away by the shape matters assumed. The Lord was willing for it to be so; but I had not one ray of light that he would have me come to this country. I came in submission to the voice of the General Conference, which I have ever maintained to be authority. I have no wish to return to America. I feel a holy indignation striving within my soul as I review the past eight years. Testimony after testimony has been sent from God to those in our publishing houses and to the managers of the work, who stand at the very head; but they have turned away from the God-given light, to listen to the voice of men. {1888 1817.1}
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爱尔德里奇船长在公海引导船只时无论多么高明，他却不能管理工作中心的责任。要是他已悔改成圣并在圣灵的引导之下，他的资历原会呈现远为不同的表现。但他却和不与上帝联络的人联络。工人们无论职位高低，心中都没有那种原能使他们强健有效、成为一个完全整体的和睦与仁爱。那些在这些末后的日子从事曾交给人的最圣洁工作的人，——预备一班人本着道德的纯正站立，作基督的品格和工作的代表的工作，——藉着将自私掺杂在工作中，羞辱了上帝。引进了上帝的道已明确拒绝承认的人为的方法和做法。有限之人的智慧与上帝的智慧作对。{1888 1817.2}
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However skillful Captain Eldridge may have been in guiding vessels upon the high seas, he was incapable of managing the responsibilities at the heart of the work. Had he been converted and sanctified, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, his qualifications would have presented a far different showing. But he was connected with men who were not connected with God. There was not that harmony and love in the hearts of the workers, high or low, which could have made them strong and efficient, a complete whole. Those who were connected to the most sacred work ever given to men in these last days,—the work of preparing a people to stand in moral integrity as representatives of the character and work of Christ,—dishonored God by mingling selfishness with the work. Man-made methods and practices 1818that the word of God has positively refused to acknowledge, were brought in. The wisdom of finite men was placed in opposition to the wisdom of God. {1888 1817.2}
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自私、贪婪的人所用的诡辩，带来自我侍奉，从最开始就是错的。他们的智慧是世俗的，主宣布祂会打击以这种方式所获得的一切。他们所有的能力和才干都是上帝借给他们的；并不是他们创造的。要是他们一直在吃上帝儿子的肉，喝祂的血，他们的经验原会怎样呢？“吃我肉、喝我血的人常在我里面，我也常在他里面”（约6:56）。“永活的父怎样差我来，我又因父活着；照样，吃我肉的人也要因我活着”（约6:57）。{1888 1818.1}
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The sophistries used by selfish, avaricious men, to bring in self-serving, were wrong from the very first. Their wisdom was earthborn, and the Lord declared he would blow upon all that was acquired in this way. All their ability, all their talents, were lent them by God; they did not create them. Had they been eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, what would have been their experience? “He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, even so he shall live by me.” {1888 1818.1}
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这些如此精明地努力高抬自我的人，那些对自己的智慧和管理才能如此赏识的人，没有一个宁愿让圣灵管理的。这些人没能记住那不会说谎的口所说的话：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”（约15:5）（不能做所应有的正确的事）。{1888 1818.2}
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Not one of these men who so were so very masterly in their efforts to uplift self, not one of those who put so high an appreciation upon their wisdom and their ability to manage, was first managed by the Holy Spirit. These men failed to remember the words spoken by lips that will not lie, “Without me ye can do nothing” (aright, as it should be done). {1888 1818.2}
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人们若不研究上帝的道，严格实行祂的教训，并乐意顺从祂，就没有道德的智慧看出基督话语的属灵影响，象那些生气离开祂的门徒一样。主的信息可能会传给他们，可是他们不理解，就像我们的救主对祂的门徒讲话时那样。他们象门徒们一样，看一些观点是得罪他们的。他们会认为某些基本要道受到了威胁。{1888 1818.3}
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Unless men study God’s word and practice his teachings, to the letter, rendering willing obedience to him, they will have no more moral wisdom to discern the spiritual impact of the words of Christ than had the disciples who were offended, and left him. Messages may be brought to them from the Lord, but these messages will be just as incomprehensible as the words spoken by our Saviour to his disciples. Like the disciples, they will see some ideas that offend them. 1819They will think that some fundamental doctrines are in peril. {1888 1818.3}
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可怜、软弱、愚昧、有限的人们啊！他们自以为明白自己在说什么，然而他们行事却象盲人一般。他们的一些言论表明，他们没有处在上帝的光照之下，就像那些因基督的话跌倒、不再与祂同行的门徒一样。这些门徒跟从了谁呢？另一位领袖。{1888 1819.1}
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Poor, weak, foolish, finite men! They think they understand what they are talking about, yet they are acting like blind men. In some of their sayings they are no more under the divine enlightenment than were the disciples who were offended at the words of Christ, and walked no more with him. Whom did these disciples follow? Another leader. {1888 1819.1}
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在工作中心的人们一直在这样行事。但他们要为自己的理智和才能向祂负责。“我又因父活着；照样，吃我肉的人也要因我活着。”从事圣工的人若不将基督的话带进自己每日的实践中，就会看到叫他们跌倒的东西，象门徒们一样，且会转身离开基督。“叫人活着的乃是灵，肉体是无益的。我对你们所说的话就是灵，就是生命”（约6:57,63）。{1888 1819.2}
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In this way men at the heart of the work have been acting. But to whom are they responsible for their reason and ability. “As I live by the Father, so he that eateth me shall live by me.” Unless those who are connected with the work of God bring the words of Christ into their every day practice, they will see something at which to be offended, as did the disciples, and will turn away from Christ. “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” {1888 1819.2}
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“从此，祂门徒中多有退去的，不再和祂同行”（约6:66）。他们因祂的话跌倒，永不再起来了。“耶稣就对那十二个门徒说：‘你们也要去吗？’西门彼得回答说：‘主啊，祢有永生之道，我们还归从谁呢？我们已经信了，又知道祢是上帝的圣者”（约6:67-69）。{1888 1819.3}
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“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” They never recovered from the offence they had received because of his words. “Then said Jesus to the twelve, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” {1888 1819.3}
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一切神圣的智慧都来自上帝，所以人无论程度高低，都要为每一能力和推理的能力向上帝负责。若是任由他们自己，他们不久就会显明他们的秉性；不圣洁的自私就会表现出来；人的智慧就会占据内心的宝座。被人认为明智、眼光敏锐的人，会随从自己的领悟，不是源出于天的领悟。他们会在自己的服务中使用凡火，但主必不悦纳他们。当这些人看到自己的无效无能，又看出他们一切人为的算计多么卑鄙的时候，就会意识到若与上帝没有活泼的联络，他们的影响力就会误导人。他们就会看出上帝工作的进展和健康成长并不依赖不圣洁的人。{1888 1819.4}
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As all divine wisdom comes from God, to whom are men, whether of high or low degree, responsible for every capability and reasoning power, but to God. If left to themselves, they will soon reveal 1820their natural temperaments; unsanctified selfishness will be exhibited; human wisdom will occupy the throne of the heart. Men supposed to be sensible men, having discerning minds, will follow their own light, light which heaven has not originated. They will use strange fire in their service, but the Lord will not accept them. When these men see their own inefficiency, and discern how small all their human calculations are, they will realize that without a living connection with God, their influence will be misleading. They, will see that the advancement and healthy growth of God’s work is not dependent upon unsanctified men. {1888 1819.4}
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上帝拣选心灵谦卑痛悔的人，祂能藉着他们作工，把祂的智慧赐给他们。他们在自己眼中看为小，不会把成功解释成他们自己聪明灵巧的结果，而会荣耀上帝。“万军之耶和华说：不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事”（亚4:6）。人们若蒙托付重大责任，这并不保证他们适合自己的岗位。保证随着考验和试验而来。他们若是证明意识到了自己的软弱，他们若是倚靠上帝，主就必供应他们祂的智慧。他们若是本着信心求，就必增加知识和能力。他们若是一天天依靠上帝，发展的阶段就必显明是匀称地向天成长的。他们若是日复一日谦卑痛悔全心全意而行，以最严格的纯正公平对待自己的同胞，藉着顺从和忠于上帝来向祂表示崇敬和尊重，持守活泼的公义原则，上帝就必重看他们。{1888 1820.1}
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God chooses men of a humble and contrite spirit through whom he can work, and imparts to them his wisdom. They are little in their own eyes, and will not interpret success as the result of their own smartness, but will glorify God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” If men are entrusted with great responsibilities, this is no assurance of their fitness for their position. The assurance comes after test and trial. If they evidence that they sense their own weakness, if they make God their trust, the Lord will supply them with his wisdom. If they ask in faith, they will increase in knowledge and ability. If they depend upon God day by day, the stages of development will show a symmetrical growth heavenward. If they walk day by day in humility and contrition and wholeheartedness, in the strictest integrity doing justice to their fellow-men, showing reverence and honor to God by being obedient and true to him, 1821keeping the living principles of righteousness, God will honor them. {1888 1820.1}
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真诚正直的道路并非全无障碍。已蒙上帝托付责任的人不要变得灰心丧胆，而要看每一个困难为一个祈祷的呼召。他们不要与有限的人商量，人是自夸且显出一种精明的独立精神，而要与大教师商量，祂已在祂的葡萄园中给了每一个人各自的工作。他们要作忠心的工人，始终与大工师合作。于是他们就不会把松松垮垮做成的工作称为忠心完全的服务。他们就会坚定站立，反对错误，辨别是非善恶。他们就会赏识上帝的评价。上帝是不偏爱人也不偏待人的，在我们的家庭、教会或机构中，不可引进或维持任何伪善。
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The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from all obstruction. In the place of becoming faint-hearted and discouraged, those to whom God has entrusted responsibilities, are to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. They are to consult, not finite men, who are boastful and show a masterly independence, but the great Teacher who has given to every man his work in his vineyard. They are to be faithful workers, always in co-partnership with the great worker. Then they will not call slackly done work faithful and thorough service. They will stand fast against wrong, discerning the right from the wrong, the evil from the good. They will appreciate that which God estimates. There is no favoritism with God, and no partiality, no hypocrisy should be introduced or maintained in our households, churches, or institutions. {1888 1821.1}
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怀爱伦E. G. White