第11章 对作家的勉言
§1
第11章 对作家的勉言
§2
Chapter 11—Counsels to Writers
§3
《用浅显的方式表现真理》——当今的时代，悦耳的寓言故事之类，飘浮在表面上，吸引人的心思。若能用一种浅显易明的方式表现真理，衬托以几个强有力的证据，那就比长篇大论引经据典好得多了,因为在许多人的心思中，那真理论点反不如你未引用许多议论及反证之前那样明显。对于多数的人，确定的说理是比长篇的辩论更有深入之效；因为他们认为许多的事都是理所当然的，理论凭据对于这等人的心思，无所补益。——《教会证言》卷三，36页，1872年{CW 83.1}[1]
§4
《Present Truth in an Easy Style》—In this age, when pleasing fables are drifting upon the surface and attracting the mind, truth presented in an easy style, backed up with a few strong proofs, is better than to search and bring forth an overwhelming array of evidence; for the point then does not stand so distinct in many minds as before the objections and evidences were brought before them. With many, assertions will go farther than long arguments. They take many things for granted. Proof does not help the case in the minds of such.—Testimonies for the Church 3:36 (1872).?{CW 83.1}[1]
§5
有些人也当在著作上不住地留神，以免把读者不感活泼兴趣的许多论据堆盖上去，而使那些浅白的道理变成糊涂。他们若在某些点上罗嗦冗长，将心所思及的每一枝节提出，他们的辛苦就差不多白废了。读者的兴趣必不够深长，达不到题目的结论就完了。真理的最主要论点，也许会因为人注意每一琐细之点，以致模糊不显了。所涉及的范围虽广，但在提起一般人的兴趣以得最大之益上，却费了很大的精力尚未计及了。——《教会证言》卷三，35，36页，1872年{CW 83.2}[2]
§6
In their writings, some need to be constantly guarded, that they do not make points blind that are plain, by covering them up with many arguments which will not be of lively interest to the reader. If they linger tediously upon points, giving every particular which suggests itself to the mind, their labor is nearly lost. The interest of the reader will not be deep enough to pursue the subject to its close. The most essential points of truth may be made indistinct by giving attention to every minute point. Much ground is covered; but the work upon which so much labor is expended is not calculated to do the greatest?amount of good, by awakening a general interest.—Testimonies for the Church 3:35, 36 (1872).?{CW 83.2}[2]
§7
《不要只靠一个人》——D弟兄的写作需要培养简明易懂的风格。他要避免在次要的问题上长篇大论。那些最重要最明显的真理，本身就已经很清楚了，长篇大论反而会把问题弄得模糊不清。{CW 84.1}[3]
§8
《More Than One Mind》—It would be greatly for the interest of Brother D to cultivate simplicity and ease in his writings. He needs to avoid dwelling at length upon any point that is not of vital importance; and even the most essential, manifest truths, those which are of themselves clear and plain, may be so covered up with words as to be made cloudy and indistinct.?{CW 84.1}[3]
§9
D弟兄可能擅长于从整体上论述现代的真理，但不适于阐述真理的各个方面，以告诉法国人民我们信仰的理由。他可以协助进行这项工作，但材料不能由一两个人来准备，为了不带上任何个人特征。传达给人的真理，应该由几个人探讨和准备，在上帝的时代，藉着虔诚的研究者，从一根链条上一环一环解读出来的。它将适应许多人的需要。为了引起读者的兴趣，应当研究简洁的风格。长篇大论有损于作家想要表达的真理。——《教会证言》卷二671页，1871年{CW 84.2}[4]
§10
Brother D may be sound upon all points of present truth, and yet not be qualified in every respect to give the reasons of our hope to the French people in writing. He can aid in this work. But the matter should be prepared by more than one or two minds, that it may not bear the stamp of any one’s peculiarities. The truth which was reached and prepared by several minds, and which in God’s time was brought out link after link in a connected chain by the earnest searchers after truth, should be given to the people, and it will be adapted to meet the wants of many. Brevity should be studied, in order to interest the reader. Long, wordy articles are an injury to the truth which the writer aims to present.—Testimonies for the Church 2:671 (1871).?{CW 84.2}[4]
§11
《一位作者的冗长文章》——我希望你拿定主意，经常向《守望者》供稿。某长老的文章太长了。如果他不改变，将会严重影响《守望者》的发行。《守望者》应该刊登短小精湛的属灵文章。我要再写信给某长老。我不同意让一个人写这么多长篇的文章。弟兄啊，这种状况需要改变，怎么改呢？我们能做什么呢？我会写信给某长老，看看有没有用处。我会尽力的。愿上帝赐给我们智慧和正确的判断。如果要继续保持《守望者》的吸引力，就要刊登属灵意义更为深刻的文章。——《怀爱伦信函》1906年78号--（《守望者》原名《南方守望者》，现更名为《当代》）。{CW 84.3}[5]
§12
《Long Articles—One Writer》—I wish to ask you to be sure and keep your articles in the?Watchman?[The Watchman, known formerly as?The Southern Watchman, is now issued under the name?These Times.] constantly. Elder -----’s articles are long, and unless he changes, he will kill the circulation of?the?Watchman. There should be short, spiritual articles in the?Watchman. I shall write again to Elder -----. I cannot give my consent to have one man’s signature to so many long articles. Brother -----, this order of things must change. But how shall we bring about a change? What can we do? I will write to Elder ----- and see if it will do any good. I will do my best. May the Lord give wisdom and sound judgment. There is need of deeper spirituality in the articles published in the?Watchman, if the interest in the paper is to be kept up.—Letter 78, 1906.?{CW 84.3}[5]
§13
《邀请传道人写作》——那些在圣工中积极服务，在信徒中享有威望的传道人，他们的影响应该得到充分的利用。{CW 85.1}[6]
§14
《Our Ministers to Write》—Ministers who are engaged in active labor in the cause of God, and who have earned a reputation among our people, should use their influence to the very best advantage.?{CW 85.1}[6]
§15
他们的职责不只是在讲台上。那些有写作能力的人，特别是从事各部门圣工的人，应当发挥他们这方面的才能。他们应该感觉到自己有责任为《评论与通讯》的专栏撰写属灵的文章，来表达他们对这项工作的关心。这份发行只有数百份的刊物并没有达到应有的水准。现在有机会向数以千计的人讲道；凡通过《评论与通讯》说话的人都应该有发言的负担。{CW 85.2}[7]
§16
Their responsibilities do not cease with their pulpit labors. It is the duty of all who can write, especially those who minister in holy things, to exercise their talents in this direction. They should feel that it is one branch of their work to give tangible proofs of their interest in the?Review and Herald, by the pointed, spiritual articles from their pens for its columns. This paper, which is the only preaching that hundreds have, is not what it might be, or what it should be. Here is an opportunity to speak to thousands, and all who do speak through the?Review?should have a burden of something to say.?{CW 85.2}[7]
§17
《平庸的文章》——经历少，影响力小的人只能写出平庸的讲章。一些人读了，另一些人没有兴趣读。文章中没有什么内容能感动人心。有些人有足够的兴趣来阅读每一篇讲章，不管文章是如何缺乏新意和趣味。当他们熟悉了文章前面的名字以后，就发现这些人缺乏经验，实际状况与他们所说的不一致。他们对期刊就失去了信心。当他们阅他们不熟悉的人所写的讲章时，就持怀疑态度，因为他们以前上过当。尽管讲章里有好的材料，他们仍不肯接受，从而失去了许多好的教训。……{CW 85.3}[8]
§18
《Mediocre Articles》—Men of but small experience who have but little influence, can get up commonplace sermons. Some of the people read them, while others feel no interest to read them. There is?nothing in the words, or arrangement of ideas, that melts and burns its way into the heart. Some have interest enough to read every sermon, however deficient in new ideas and interest. When individuals in process of time become acquainted with the men whose names appear at the head of their sermons, they see that these men are not all what they profess to be—that they are deficient in experience. They lose confidence in the paper, and when they read sermons from the pens of men whose names they are not acquainted with, they feel a distrust, because they have been deceived before, and although good matter may be contained in the sermons, they do not acknowledge it as food; therefore they lose much good instruction....?{CW 85.3}[8]
§19
基督徒不会轻视教会中最小的礼物。但是《评论与通讯》里有些文章的作者不是在从事一两项工作，而是在作五项没有交托他们的工作。他们没有把工作做好。上帝知道他们的能力，让他们做力所能及的工作，使他们的交账的时候已充分发挥他们的才能。祂不要求他们作超过他们能力的事情。任何人都不必因未能用上帝所没有交托他们的才能来荣耀上帝而伤心。那些只有一种才能的人，只要用得好，上帝就会按照他们的能力予以接纳。……{CW 86.1}[9]
§20
Christians will not make light of the smallest gift in the church. But some of the writers of the sermons which have appeared in the?Review?have not been at work upon their one or two talents, but have been handling the five not committed to them at all. They make bad work. The Master knew their ability, and gave them no more than they could make the very best use of that at the reckoning time, He need not require more of them than they had ability to perform. None should needlessly mourn that they cannot glorify God by talents He has never committed to them. Those who are restricted to only one talent, if they use it well, God will accept according to their ability....?{CW 86.1}[9]
§21
《邀请领袖供稿》——那些关心上帝圣工的传道人要做出特别的努力，为《评论与通讯》的栏目提供最有教益的属灵文章。凡愿意的人，都会找到时间来做这项工作。有些人懒惰而贪图安逸。他们化时间聊那些与圣工的推展没有多大关系的事情。时间就这样浪费了。他们是没有效益的仆人。如果把这种浪费的时间用来学习上帝的话语，用其中宝贵的教训来武装自己，使自己成为有效的传道人，他们的工作就会更加有效。他们是有东西可以写的。他们能提供教育和鼓励上帝子民的文章。这只是他们的职责。他们要按时分粮给上帝的羊群。……{CW 86.2}[10]
§22
《Leading Workers to Contribute Articles》—Especial efforts should be made by ministers who have the cause of God at heart, to contribute to the?columns of the?Review?the most interesting, spiritual articles. All can find time to do this if they have a will and heart to engage in the work. Some are too indolent and ease loving. They will spend hours in chatting upon subjects not especially connected with the advancement of the cause and work of God. The time thus spent is lost, and they are unprofitable servants. If the time had been occupied in the study of the word of God, thoroughly furnishing themselves from its precious pages, fitting themselves to be able ministers, their employment would be more profitable. They would have something to write. They could furnish articles which would instruct and encourage the people of God. Such would be only doing their duty, and would be giving to the flock of God their portion of meat in due season....?{CW 86.2}[10]
§23
《诚挚的信息》——当我们领受上帝的话语，从中采集宝贵的亮光时，就要把它传递给别人，让他们与你分享。你与他们的交流要坦率真诚。要到他们所在之处去寻找他们，而不要寻求深奥的话语，似乎要高达第三层天。那些人不在那里，而就在悲伤，罪恶和败坏的世界中，正与严酷的生活现实作斗争。{CW 87.1}[11]
§24
《A Heartfelt Message》—When feasting upon God’s word, because of the precious light you gather therefrom, present it to others that they may feast with you. But let your communications be free and heartfelt. You can best meet the people where they are, rather than in seeking for lofty words which reach to the third heavens. The people are not there, but right here in this sorrowing, sinful, corrupt world, battling with the stern realities of life.?{CW 87.1}[11]
§25
基督来不是要受人的服侍，而是要服侍人。祂是我们的榜样。上帝已经分配我们各人的工作，好藉着祂所赐给我们的能力，为他人的需要服务。当我们充分利用这种才能的时候，才能就会加增。凡尽力利用上帝所托付的才能，将所有的重担都卸在祂面前的人，祂就会他们求力量的时候加给他们力量。这样，我们就给上帝为我作工的空间，以便祂教导和感动我们，使我们成为祂藉以光照众多黑暗中人的通道。——《评论与通讯》1869年1月5日{CW 87.2}[12]
§26
Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. He was our example, and God has apportioned to us our work, to minister to the necessities of others, according to the ability He has given us. As we use this ability to the best account, it will increase. Those who do all they can on their part with what God has entrusted to them, and bear their?whole weight upon Him, He will strengthen them just when strength is required. In thus doing, we give God room to work for us; to teach and lead and impress us, and make us channels through which His light can be communicated to many who are in darkness.—The Review and Herald, January 5, 1869.?{CW 87.2}[12]