第287号 华盛顿的工作
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第287号 华盛顿的工作
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MR No. 287 - The Work in Washington
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在华盛顿市有很多需要做的工作。我感谢上帝让我有幸看到这里用来开展我们机构工作所购买的土地。获得这片土地符合上帝的旨意。我为我们的弟兄有信心迈出这一步而赞美上帝。{5MR116.1}[1]
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In the city of Washington there is much to be done. I am thankful to God for the privilege of seeing the land that has been purchased for our institutional work in this place. The securing of this land was in the Lords providence, and I praise God that our brethren had the faith to take this forward step. {5MR 116.1}[1]
§5
我观察这座城市的时候，认识到要做大量的工作。所有自称是基督徒的人要认识到克己的必要性。每一个人都要防止只为满足虚荣心而浪费上帝钱财的倾向，特别是此刻我们的信徒正尽全力在国家的首都建造纪念的标志，以维护现代真理。我们要谨慎用好每一分钱。一些人可能养成了挥霍的习惯。要让每一个这样的人现在选择另一种方式——顺从和克己的方式。{5MR116.2}[2]
§6
As I look over this city, I realize the magnitude of the work to be accomplished. Let every professing Christian feel the necessity of self-denial. Let every one guard against the tendency to expend for the gratification of mere vanity, money that belongs to God--especially in this time when our people are making every effort possible to build in the capital of the nation memorials that will stand in vindication of present truth. Let us study the use of every penny. Some may have formed habits of extravagance; let every such a one now choose another way--the way of obedience and self-denial. {5MR 116.2}[2]
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上帝现在呼吁这个中心的每一位信徒尽自己的责任，帮助增进必须完成的工作。你如果忠实地履行自己的职责，就会发现没时间去理会临到你的小小试炼、烦恼和困惑。由于作出了认真的努力提供设施帮助拯救不信的人，训练我们自己的许多人从事救灵的服务，你就会发现你的心灵充满了天国最丰盛的福气。{5MR116.3}[3]
§8
God now calls upon every believer in this center to act his individual part in helping to build up the work that must be done. If you do your duty faithfully, you will find no time for dwelling upon the little trials and annoyances and perplexities that come to you. As the result of laboring earnestly to provide facilities for the salvation of unbelievers, and for the training of many of our own people for soul-saving service, you will find that your souls are refreshed with heavens richest blessings. {5MR 116.3}[3]
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华盛顿局面的某些方面让我想起我们在澳大利亚库兰邦的开拓经历。我们曾在森林的腹地购置了一千五百英亩土地，开始建造学校的工作。工人们甘心起早摸黑地工作。由于我们在澳大利亚许多亲爱的弟兄姊妹所作出巨大的个人牺牲，学校的建筑一座一座兴建起来了。{5MR116.4}[4]
§10
In some respects the situation in Washington reminds me of our pioneer experiences in Cooranbong, Australia. There we secured fifteen hundred acres in the heart of the woods, and began the work of establishing a school. With willing hands the workmen toiled early and late. One by one, at great personal sacrifice to many of our dear brethren and sisters in Australia, the school buildings were erected. {5MR 116.4}[4]
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这项工作完成以前，出现了在库兰邦建造礼拜堂的问题。这个问题令人困扰。我们尽了一切努力以后，似乎还不能筹集充足的资金建造一座合适的礼拜堂。最后在议事会上关注了这个问题。我提议先通过我们的决议，设法获得劳力和建筑材料的捐赠。我在秘书的陪同下，拜访了住在附近几英里的工人，恳求他们的帮助。就在这时，几位一直从事学校建筑工作的木匠暂时有空，没有上班。他们作出了慷慨的回应，提出以低廉的工资修建计划中的礼拜堂——低于通常工钱的一半。有几位还在一部分时间里免费劳动。{5MR117.1}[5]
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Before this work was finished, the problem of providing a meetinghouse at Cooranbong arose. This problem proved to be a perplexing one. It seemed that we had done about all we could, and that it would be impossible to raise means sufficient for erecting a suitable house of worship. Finally, during a council meeting in which the matter was receiving consideration, I offered to go through our settlement, and try to secure gifts of labor and material. Accompanied by my secretary, I visited the workmen living for miles around, and solicited help. Just at this time it happened that several of the carpenters who had been laboring on the school buildings, were temporarily out of employment; and these men generously responded, offering to work on the proposed meetinghouse at a very low wage--less than one-half the usual rate. Several worked for nothing a portion of the time. {5MR 117.1}[5]
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建造礼拜堂的工作很快得到推进。在上帝的安排下，正当我们准备购买木材时，非洲的韦赛尔斯家给我寄来了两百英镑，这笔钱带来了巨大的缓解，使我们的工作不致耽搁。很多较少的捐赠随之而来。在很短的时间内，建筑就完工了。{5MR117.2}[6]
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The erection of the meetinghouse was pushed forward rapidly. In the providence of God, two hundred pounds came to me from the Wessels family in Africa, just as we were ready to secure lumber; this money brought great relief, as it enabled us to proceed without delay. Many smaller gifts came in. Within a remarkably short time, the building was completed. {5MR 117.2}[6]
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看来我们在华盛顿似乎有望与在澳大利亚有相似的经历，获得与我们在那里所领受同样的福气。愿上帝帮助我们做在这里能做的一切。愿祂赐予我们乐意作出牺牲的心。我是多么的感激啊，感激是因为我在将近二十年时间里一直盼望在国家的首都开展工作，现在终于开始了！当我们计划和工作的时候，让我们的祷告多于谈论。如果我们紧紧依靠大能的上帝，按加法的计划生活，天国的恩典将加倍赐予我们，我们将看到上帝的救恩。{5MR117.3}[7]
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It looks as if we may hope to have here in Washington some experiences similar to those we had in Australia, and to receive the same blessings that we received there. May God help us to do what we can in this place. May He give us hearts willing to make sacrifices. Oh, I am thankful, so thankful that the work which for nearly twenty years I have hoped would be done at the nations capital, has now been begun! As we plan and labor, let us do a great deal more praying than talking. If we lean heavily upon the Mighty One, and live on the plan of addition, the heavenly graces will be multiplied unto us, and we shall see of the salvation of God. {5MR 117.3}[7]
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有时候我几乎不知道如何表达我对上帝的感激，因为这里的工作确确实实已经展开。我们应记住我们不单要看到阿拉法，也要渴望看到俄梅戛。既然已经开始，我们应当不停地努力直到工作完成。基督宣布：“我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛，我是首先的，我是末后的”（启22:13）。祂一开始就与我们同在，如果我们凭信心继续行祂带领的路，祂将帮助我们完成所做的一切工作。{5MR118.1}[8]
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Sometimes I hardly know how to express my gratitude to God because the work in this place has actually begun. We are to remember that we can now see simply the alpha; we desire to see the omega. Having begun, let us not cease our efforts before completing the work. Christ declares, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. He has been with us at the beginning; and He will round out all the work we shall do, if by faith we continue to walk in the way in which He leads. {5MR 118.1}[8]
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我们要谈论信心，不要谈论疑惑；我们要赞美上帝，继续前进。耶和华本为善，当受大赞美。我们要步步赞美祂，一切福分都是从祂身上涌出的。（《文稿》1904年106号，7-10页，证道:《勉励的话》，1904年4月30日）{5MR118.2}[9]
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Let us talk faith, and not unbelief; let us praise God, and go forward. The Lord is good, and greatly to be praised. At every step let us praise Him from whom all blessings flow.--Ms 106, 1904, pp. 7-10. (Sermon, Words of Encouragement, Sabbath, April 30, 1904.) {5MR 118.2}[9]
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多年以来除了一座小教堂，在华盛顿市里没有任何表达我们信仰的场所。在过去的两年间，购置了另一座礼拜堂。我们来到华盛顿之后，这座礼拜堂已重新献堂。这座教堂耸立在这个重要的城市，代表这个世界之外的另一个世界——天国，代表这个世界尊重和服从的法律之外的上帝律法，代表比世人所拥有更高等次的快乐和力量，代表以基督为阿拉法和俄梅戛的信仰。{5MR118.3}[10]
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For many years there was nothing in the city of Washington to represent our faith but a small meetinghouse. During the past two years another meetinghouse has been bought and paid for. This building has been rededicated since we came to Washington. It stands in this important city as a representation of another world than this--the kingdom of heaven; of other laws than the world honors and obeys; of enjoyment and power of a higher order than men possess; of a faith of which Christ is the Alpha and Omega. {5MR 118.3}[10]
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我为我们在华盛顿拥有这所宽敞的礼拜堂而感谢上帝。这是上帝真理的纪念碑，是祂拥有一班遵守祂律法、承认祂是至高统治者之子民的标志。（《信函》1904年247号第2页，致W.R.杨，1904年7月19日）{5MR119.1}[11]
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I thank God that we have this commodious meetinghouse in Washington. It is a memorial of Gods truth, a sign that He has a people who keep His law, acknowledging Him as the supreme Ruler.--Letter 247, 1904, p. 2. (To W. R. Young, July 19, 1904.) {5MR 119.1}[11]
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上个安息日（1904年5月7日）我在我们的新礼拜堂讲道（华盛顿特区第十二纪念街，纪念街教堂）。这所礼拜堂重新献堂。我应邀作了献堂讲道。主帮助了我，赐给我当讲的话，人们告诉我非常满意。{5MR119.2}[12]
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Last Sabbath [May 7, 1904] I spoke in our new church. [The Memorial or M Street Church, 12th and M Streets, Washington, D.C.] The building was rededicated, and I was asked to preach the dedicatory sermon. The Lord helped me, giving me words to speak which I am told were wholly satisfactory. {5MR 119.2}[12]
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我希望你们都大大蒙主赐福。在我们家庭礼拜时，我要为你们所有的人祈求上帝。要在主里面刚强。要藉着感谢赞美来荣耀祂。（《信函》1904年157号第3页，致M.J.纳尔逊夫人，1904年4月28日和5月10日）{5MR119.3}[13]
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I hope that you will all be greatly blessed by the Lord. In our seasons of family worship my petitions ascend for you all. Be of good courage in the Lord. Glorify Him by praise and thanksgiving.--Letter 157, 1904, p. 3. (To Mrs. M. J. Nelson, April 28 and May 10, 1904.) {5MR 119.3}[13]
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有人带我们匆匆看了一下那座教堂。它的外观很好看，正面镶着石头。里面是一间舒适的礼堂，供会众聚会。窗户和前门饰有彩色玻璃，看起来很漂亮。讲台上摆着四把椅子，是教会里用的那种，十分相称。讲坛和高靠背椅很和谐。座椅和扶手都包着普遍使用的红色天鹅绒。我没有花很多时间欣赏这座教堂的所有优点。但是我赞美主，每一分债务都还清了。除了建筑的费用之外，已经投入许多钱使它达到理想境地——保养良好。现在全部完工了。有好几个房间。一间朝向礼堂，摆上了为安息日学预备的椅子。如果房子需要扩大，可以把隔墙打掉，空间很容易就扩展了。在华盛顿市内离国会大厦不远的地方，我们获得了一次胜利。它是按着上帝的吩咐临到我们的，祂看出所必须供应的需要。我要为这座漂亮的教堂赞美上帝，一切都已预备好要重新献给主，祂的子民要在里面侍奉祂。（《文稿》1904年141号第4页，日记，1904年4月24日，1904年4月1-30日）1972年1月20日发布。{5MR119.4}[14]
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We were taken to have a hasty look at the church. Its appearance is good, with frontage of stone. Within is a pleasant auditorium for the people to assemble. The windows and front doors are ornamented with stained glass, beautiful in appearance. Four chairs, such as are used in churches, are on the platform, which was well proportioned. The pulpit and highbacked chairs harmonized. Seats and arms are covered with red velvet of the material generally used. I did not spend much time taking in all the advantages of that church building, but I praise the Lord that every debt is paid. Much means have been invested besides the sum of the building as it stood, to make it what it should be--complete in repairs. It is now all finished. There are several rooms. One opens from the auditorium and is seated with chairs for Sabbath school. If the house should need enlarging, the partitions could be removed and thus the extension easily made. Washington within a short distance of the Capitol is a victory gained, and it comes to us in the order of the Lord, who has looked upon the necessities that must be supplied. I wanted to praise God aloud for this nice building, all ready now to be rededicated to the Lord, in which His people shall serve Him.--Ms 141, 1904, p. 4. (Diary entry for April 24, 1904, from diary, April 1-30, 1904.) Released January 20, 1972. {5MR 119.4}[14]