第376号 讲道神学
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第376号 讲道神学
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MR No. 376 - The Theology of Preaching
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我这个时候写信给你是因为我刚有机会能这么做。我们对你在某地的工作深感关心，确信上帝必使工作成功，只要你奉祂的名前进并且听从和遵守祂过去多年来不时赐给你的警告。{6MR178.1}[1]
§4
I write you at this time because it is the first opportunity I have been able to secure to do this. We feel deeply interested in your work in _____, and we are sure that God will give success to the work if you go forward in His name and heed and observe the cautions He has given you from time to time for years in the past. {6MR 178.1}[1]
§5
不要将自己置身于要不断劳倦的位置；因为上帝并不把你安置在那里。我蒙指示看到你的情况与我们其他弟兄的情况一样，你在工作方式上犯了错误；我之所以感到受了敦促要把这事摆在你面前，是因为你自己看不到这些错误。你开始一项努力的时候，就把许多对当前工作来说不必要而只起阻碍作用的担子揽到自己身上。你觉得是主把这些担子加在你身上的，是祂呼召你并在许多事上指导你的心思，其时祂并没有这么做；这是出于一种紧张不安、热情活动的性情，这在很大程度上挫败了你很想实现的目的和你很想去的工作。{6MR178.2}[2]
§6
Do not place yourself in a position to be constantly weary; for God does not place you there. I have been shown in your case as in that of others of our brethren that you make mistakes in your manner of labor; and the reason why I feel urged upon to keep this matter before you is you are blind to these mistakes yourself. When you begin an effort you load yourself down with many burdens that are not essential to the present work, but only hinder it. You feel that the Lord lays these upon you and that He calls and directs your mind in many things, when He does not do this; it is the working out of a nervous, intensely active temperament, which in a great degree defeats the very purpose and work which you so much desire to do. {6MR 178.2}[2]
§7
为了在这项工作中取得成功，你必须一次只做一件事，将你的力量集中在一项工作上。你在这方面判断失误。当你开始一系列讲道时，要以讲道为你的主要工作。不要着手写信函和期刊的文章；因为你这样做就分散了精力。B长老和C长老曾在这个问题上得到过纠正。主指示我看到，宣讲真理的重要工作曾在他们手中遭到损害；他们投入到工作中的力量还不到一半，因为他们将大量时间用在写信上了。探访是工作的重要部分；但是这些弟兄们的时间几乎全用在没完没了的写作上了，这使他们疲倦不堪，并占用他们的时间，不但没有帮助目前的工作，反而阻碍了它。人们听不到清楚而有说服力的圣经讲解。圣工的灵修部分被忽略了。{6MR178.3}[3]
§8
In order to make a success in this work you must do one thing at a time, concentrate your powers upon that one work. Your judgment in this direction is at fault. When you begin to give a series of discourses, make these discourses the main business. Do not begin to write letters and articles for the papers; for you divide your strength in doing this. Elder B and Elder C were corrected in this matter. The Lord showed me that the important work of presenting the truth was being marred in their hands; not one-half the strength was brought into their work, because of their devoting so much time to letter writing. The visiting is the important part of the labor; but the time of these brethren was occupied in almost constant writing which wearied them, occupied their time and did not help the present work but hindered it. The people were robbed of the clear, convincing exposition of scripture, and the devotional part of the work was neglected. {6MR 178.3}[3]
§9
传讲真理的方式远非完美。他们在讲道中瞎扯太多，引进太大量的东西。他们对自己的工作很满意，看不出自己的错误，看不见他们的工作远非他们的能力可以做到也本该做到的样子。现在说说原因：在讲台之外，他们把大量的时间花在写作上，为自己不去探访开脱，说他们太忙太累了。结果当他们来到讲台时，头脑很疲倦，没有准备好去做上帝会盖印的工作。他们什么都没有讲清楚。可是他们如果让自己达到了一定的兴奋，就以为自己的讲道是有能力的。{6MR179.1}[4]
§10
Their manner of presenting the truth was far from being perfect. They rambled too much in their discourses bringing in too large an amount of matter. They were well satisfied with their work themselves, they did not discern their mistakes, and see that their work was far from being what it might and should have been with their capabilities. Now the reason: out of the desk they employed much of their time in writing excusing themselves from visiting because they were so busy and so tired. As the result they were brain weary when they came into the desk; they were not prepared to do a work that God could set His seal upon. They made nothing clear. Yet if they worked themselves up to a high pitch of excitement they thought their discourses were powerful. {6MR 179.1}[4]
§11
他们这里讲一点，那里讲一点，把他们认为有说服力且势不可当的证据一古脑儿全传给人，但实际上他们却把真理埋没在倾倒给听众的大量内容之下，以致使人永远发现不了要点。他们提出的每一件事都是乱糟糟的。在一堂讲道中提出了那么多的主题，没有一点能让不熟悉真理的人明白。在他们讲了一大堆头脑能处理的东西时，那对他们来说很清楚的东西，他们以为别人也一定很清楚。比起一大堆你称之为证据并支持你论点的内容来说，只讲一个主题，把几个要点讲清楚，对听众来说会更有价值。然而这却是人们不理解的，也就不能使他们受益。{6MR179.2}[5]
§12
They touched here and there bringing a large mass of matter which they regarded as convincing and overwhelming evidence, but in fact they buried the truth under a mass of matter poured out upon the hearers so that the points never could be found. Everything they presented was muddled. So many subjects were brought into one discourse that no point stood proved and clear in the minds of those unacquainted with the truth. That which was perfectly clear to them they thought must be clear to others when they had presented a mass of matter which the mind could handle. One subject, a few points made plain and clear, would be of more value to the hearer than this mass of matter which you may call evidence, and think your point substantiated. But it is this which the people do not comprehend, and it cannot benefit them. {6MR 179.2}[5]
§13
你的错误是这样的：你一着手工作，就开始大量写作。如果你的责任是写作，如果上帝像对约翰那样对你说：“你要……写出来”（启1:19），那你就专门从事写作，不要做别的事了。如果你要讲道，你的头脑虽然积极活动，却没有足够的活力来支撑演讲、探访和写作的压力。你在从事将惊人的新真理传给人时，应该在很大程度上让自己的头脑得到休息；接受这些真理需要背十字架。你需要认真选择你的题目，缩短你的讲道，把重要的道理说得很清楚。讲道时一次只采用一个要点。要讲得有力，清晰，易懂，应当根据上帝的圣言说明缘由，好叫人人都可明白。你的讲道要简短。当你讲道的时间很长时，听众的心连你所讲的四分之一都领悟不了。{6MR180.1}[6]
§14
Your mistake has been this: Just as soon as you enter upon an effort, you begin to do much writing. Now if your part of the work is to write, if God has said to you as He did to John, Write these things, then give yourself to that, and do not attempt more. If you are to give discourses, your mind is not vigorous enough, although intensely active, to sustain the strain of speaking and visiting and writing. You should not let your mind rest in a great degree when you engage in an effort to present new and startling truths to the people, the reception of which involves a cross. You need to carefully select your subject, make your discourses short, and important points of doctrine very plain. Take up one point at a time in a discourse, make it strong and clear and plain, with reasons drawn from the Word of God that all may understand. Your discourses should be short. When you preach at great length the mind of the hearer cannot grasp one quarter of what you say. {6MR 180.1}[6]
§15
你对真理表现出坚强的信心并且表达出来。你表达了对上帝的坚强信心，也说出了祂会为祂的子民做什么。然而在一点上你却不能倚靠主；就是，只尽你的本分而让主去尽祂的本分。你把工作从上帝手中夺出来去自己做。你似乎认为主没有能力赐福一场简短的讲道使听众受益。你虽然可以给出上帝全部的劝勉，却不要在一堂道中全部给出，而要在持久的布道努力中分堂给出。{6MR180.2}[7]
§16
You manifest strong faith in the truth and express it. You express strong faith in God and what He will do for His people. But on one point you cannot trust the Lord; that is, to do your part only and leave the Lord to do His part. You take the work out of the hands of God to do yourself. You seem to think that the Lord has not power to bless a short discourse to the good of the hearer. While you may give the whole counsel of God, it is not all to be given in one discourse, but to extend over a period of labor when you engage in a protracted effort. {6MR 180.2}[7]
§17
我知道你要求不要受干扰，你必须披上自己的甲胄作工，你必须独立，随从你自己头脑的带领。但你这么做远非一个又可靠又成功的工人。你的头脑并非总是处在你可以安全随从它带领的状态。常有东西进入你的头脑中，你以为那是上帝之灵的特别教导，直接来自主的印象；然而并非如此。你不可以依赖这些印象。D长老这么做过，结果在很大程度上毁了自己的身体，也损害了心灵。主的方法是藉着证言通过警告和劝勉来指导他。这亮光原是要纠正他那些印象的力量；可是他却偏爱和依赖这些印象。上帝所赐的亮光遭到了拒绝，因为它与这些印象不符，不支持他在许多点上的强烈感情。{6MR180.3}[8]
§18
I know that you plead not to be interfered with, that you must work in your own harness, you must be independent and follow the leadings of your own mind. But you are far from being a safe and successful worker in doing this. Your mind is not always in such a condition that you can safely follow its leadings. Frequently things come into your mind which you regard as the special teachings of the Spirit of God, impressions direct from the Lord; but they are not. You cannot rely upon these impressions. Elder D did this, and it was to a great degree ruin of body as well as to the detriment of his soul. It was the Lords way to instruct him by warnings and counsels through the Testimonies. This light was to correct the force of his impressions; and yet these impressions were preferred and relied upon. The light given of God was rejected because it did not coincide with these impressions and sustain the intense feelings he had upon many points. {6MR 180.3}[8]
§19
这也正是你自己的作风。上帝已赐给你亮光，不是因为祂想要围困你把你撕碎，而是要纠正你的错误，好造就、加强、安定、稳固你；使你不至于一时在山巅，一时又在深渊。我们一直强调这些要点的原因，是它们在你头脑中不如你自己的印象有力量。上帝所赐给你的亮光被拒绝，A已随从已意偏行己路，无论发生什么。{6MR181.1}[9]
§20
This is the very way with yourself. God has given you light, not because He wants to embarrass you and tear you in pieces, but to correct your mistakes that He may build you up, strengthen, stablish, settle you; that you may not be at one time on the mountain top and at another in the lowest depths. The reason why we have to keep pressing these points is that they do not have the force on your mind that your own impressions have. The light God has given you is set aside, and A has his own will and his own way, whatever betides. {6MR 181.1}[9]
§21
现在你要从事一项重要的工作，并让主进入你的劝勉中。讲道要简短，要控制你的声音，尽量使自己的声音悦耳动人，避免因冗长的讲道而造成可怕的声嘶力竭。记住不要把上帝全部的劝勉在一次讲道中都讲出来。要让人们得到天粮的数量是他们能保留、携带和消化吸收的；好使他们的头脑能领悟真理，他们的心灵也能留下真理深刻的印象。应当以最令人愉快的方式讲出来，叫他们想要再听。要撒播福音的种子，让它生根结果。真理是宝贵的，比金子更有价值；所以要精雕细琢传达真理的方式，好使所介绍的信息被听到的人视为上帝的声音。{6MR181.2}[10]
§22
Now you are to engage in an important work and let the Lord come into your counsels. Preach short, govern your voice, put all the pathos and melody into it you can, and this terrible exhaustion that is liable to come through long protracted preaching will be avoided. Remember that the whole counsel of God is not to be brought out in one discourse. Let the people have the heavenly food in such measure that they can retain it and carry it away with them and digest it; so that their minds can comprehend the truth, and their souls be impressed with it. It should be uttered in the most pleasant manner that they may want to hear again. The gospel seed is to be sown and take root and bear fruit. The truth is precious, of more value than gold; therefore its delivery should be carefully considered that the message may be presented in such a manner that it will be to the hearer as the voice of God. {6MR 181.2}[10]
§23
讲道的影响力多因讲道的方式而丧失了。讲道的人常常忘记自己是上帝的使者，基督和天使在他的听众中。他的声音不应升到高音调，象喇叭那样喊出真理；因为这是出于神经的力量，而不是圣灵安静的精神和能力。人间最伟大的教师耶稣，讲道时乃是平静、恳切和感人至深的。祂在凡事上作我们的榜样。{6MR182.1}[11]
§24
Much of the effect of discourses is lost because if the manner in which they are delivered. The speaker frequently forgets that he is Gods messenger, and that Christ and angels are in his audience as listeners. His voice should not be raised to a high key, shouting out the truth as through a trumpet; for this is more nervous power than the calm spirit and power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus, the greatest teacher the world ever knew was calm, earnest, and impressive in His discourses. He is our example in all things. {6MR 182.1}[11]
§25
我们听了多少上帝的道、读了多少圣经或写了多少真理，都无关紧要，除非使这信息成为我们自己的，将之带入我们的生活实践中。我们自己要因真理成圣。救恩的信息、我们所传的消息，关乎我们的个人生活、品格和实践。我们要阅读圣经，当作是明明为我们写的，并且为我们自己个人的得救实践基督的教训。于是我们才会靠大能者的力量刚强。{6MR182.2}[12]
§26
It is of little consequence how much we either hear or read from the Word of God, or how much we write upon the truth, unless we make the message our own, bring it into our life practice. We ourselves are to be sanctified through the truth. The message of salvation, the tidings we proclaim, concern our individual life and character and practice. We are to read the Word as written expressly for us, and practice the teachings of Christ for our own individual salvation. Then we shall be strong in the strength of the Mighty One. {6MR 182.2}[12]
§27
人们需要受教育。要是讲道人的全部力量都用于证道或脑力劳动和写作，就不可能教育人了；因为这样不合适在正确的时间做真正的工作，真正的工作就不得不因缺乏力量而忽略了。身体和精神上的活力一直被不必要地耗费，却没有有效地作工，把各人在基督耶稣里完完全全地引到上帝面前。单单每一个安息日听道，一遍一遍地阅读圣经，一节一节地讲解圣经，若不把这些宝贵的真理带到我们的个人经验中，对于我们和听我们讲的人就不会有益处。简言之，我的弟兄，你必须花时间成为一名基督徒，不要耗费脑力和神经到这种程度以致你不能在困难的条件下像基督。惟有藉着过一种与我们救主的生活和谐一致的生活，我们才符合上帝的要求，不作单单听道的人，而作行道的人。{6MR182.3}[13]
§28
The people need to be educated. This cannot be done if all the preachers powers are given to sermonizing or to brain work and writing; for this unfits for the real work at the right time, and it has to be neglected for want of strength. The vitality, both physical and mental, has been expended needlessly, and the work has not been done with efficiency to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. The mere hearing of sermons Sabbath after Sabbath or the reading of the Bible through and through, or the explanation of it verse by verse will not benefit us or those who hear us unless we bring these precious truths into our own individual experience. In short, my brother, you must take time to be a Christian, not tax brain and nerve to such an extent that you cannot be Christlike under difficulties. It is only by living a life in harmony with that of the Saviour that we meet the requirement of God to be not only hearers but doers of the Word. {6MR 182.3}[13]
§29
劝勉是出于上帝，祂的道不是按高压的计划在几天内赐下的。花了漫长的时间才写成圣经的历史。在上帝之灵的启示下，写下了一章，创作了一首诗篇，写了一篇箴言，记下了来自上帝的一个异象，上帝的旨意和目的就这样历经千古写了出来。从摩西开始写《创世记》直到蒙爱的约翰完成《启示录》，用了大约一千五百年。上帝不愿让我们如此容易兴奋，如此匆忙；然而有些人需要受教殷勤作事。{6MR183.1}[14]
§30
The counsels are of God and His Word was not given in a few days, on a high-pressure plan. It took a long space of time to bring out the Bible history. Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, a chapter was written, a psalm was composed, a proverb penned, a vision from God recorded, and so down through the ages the will and purposes of God were brought out. About fifteen hundred years were occupied from the time Moses began to write the book of Genesis down to the completion of the Revelation by the Beloved John. God would not have us so excitable, in such a hurry; and yet there are some who need to be taught diligence. {6MR 183.1}[14]
§31
愿上帝帮助圣经教师们充分关照他们的讲道。我知道你并没有这么做。我知道你写太多信，使你的头脑很疲惫，并且对神圣系统有一种兴奋的影响。你需要少一些A的方式和多一些，再多些恩典的油，这会使机器运行而不产生那么大的热量与摩擦。{6MR183.2}[15]
§32
God help the teachers of His Word that they may give due attention to their discourses. I know that you do not do this. I know that you write too many letters that tire the mind and have an exciting influence upon the nervous system. You need less of the ways and impulses of A and more, far more, of the oil of grace which will make the machinery run without so great heat and friction. {6MR 183.2}[15]
§33
有些证道满有天上的甘露与肥甘，以致人们绝不会听得疲倦。但是哪里最缺乏这个，那里就尽力用长度来弥补，因为缺乏上帝的灵。然而何时人们被打动，因为他们听到的信息先已深入到讲者心灵中，他已证明了真理的宝贵，他被上帝的爱拓宽了的心正设法得到别人的心，叫他们也能象他一样蒙福，他们也能得享同样的安慰，领受同样的喜乐，那时人们的心灵才会受到激励。他们才会赞同讲道的人。{6MR184.1}[16]
§34
There are sermons that are so filled with heavenly dew and fatness that the people never get weary of listening. But where this is the most lacking there is an endeavor to make up in length for want of the Spirit of God. But when the people are impressed that the message they hear has first been brought home to the soul of the speaker, that he has proved the preciousness of the truth, that his heart enlarged by the love of God is reaching out for others, that they may be blessed as he has been, that they may be partakers of the same consolation and receive the same joy, then souls will be stirred. They will come into sympathy with the speaker. {6MR 184.1}[16]
§35
一位忠实诚恳的传道人说：“我不喜欢超过半小时的讲道。”他确实从不给他的听众讲未曾预备的道理。“我知道有些人的属灵消化力是很差。我的听众如果再花半个小时来忘记我在前半个小时所讲的内容，巴不得我在给了他们能领受的道理之后就停止，我会感到很难过。”{6MR184.2}[17]
§36
I do not like to go much beyond the half hour, said a faithful and earnest preacher, who certainly never gave to his hearers that which cost him nothing in the preparation. I know that the spiritual digestion of some is but weak, and I should be sorry for my hearers to spend the second half hour in forgetting what I had said in the first, or in wishing that I would cease when I had given them as much as they could carry away. {6MR 184.2}[17]
§37
传扬现代真理的讲道是很重要的；如果这些讲道在宣讲之前经过认真的思考，言简意赅，不过于庞杂，如果以主的精神来讲述的话，就没有人会留在黑暗中，没有人会抱怨说吃不饱了。讲章的预备，对于传道人和听众来说，都与结果有重大的关系。{6MR184.3}[18]
§38
The discourses given upon present truth are full of important matter and if these discourses are carefully considered before being presented to the people, if they are condensed, and do not cover too much ground, if the Spirit of the Master goes with the utterances, no one will be left in darkness, no one will have cause to complain of being unfed. The preparation both in preacher and hearer, has very much to do with the result. {6MR 184.3}[18]
§39
现在我要引用刚才我注意到的几句话：“我总是能根据坎农证道的长度，了解他本周在家中下了多少功夫，”他羊群中的一位说。“如果经过认真的研究，他的讲章就长度适中，他的听众几乎就忘不了讲章的教训。如果没有时间准备，他的讲章就会过于冗长，很难从中找到使人念念不忘的道理。”{6MR184.4}[19]
§40
I will here quote a few words that have come under my notice just now: I always know by the length of Cannons sermon whether he has been much from home during the week, said one of his flock. When carefully studied, his discourses are of a moderate length, but it is almost impossible for his hearers to forget the teachings conveyed in them. When he has had no time for preparation, his sermons are unreasonably long, and it is equally impossible to get anything out of them which will stick to the memory. {6MR 184.4}[19]
§41
另一位很有才华的传道人在被问到他惯于讲多长时间的道时说：“我若预备得很充分，讲半个小时就够了；若预备了一半，就要讲一个小时；但若事先没有准备就上台，你要我讲多久就讲多久，事实上我不知道什么时候停止。”{6MR185.1}[20]
§42
Another able minister was asked how long he was accustomed to preach. When I prepare thoroughly, half an hour. When only partially an hour. But when I enter the pulpit without previous preparation, I go on for any length of time you like; in fact I never know when to stop. {6MR 185.1}[20]
§43
这里还有一段很有力的论述。一位作家说：“一个好牧人在他的口袋里总是应当有充足的面包。他的狗则受他的管理。这只狗就是他的热心，是需要他引导、指挥和制约的。他满口袋的面包，指他脑子里装满的有用知识，要随时准备供养他的羊群。”{6MR185.2}[21]
§44
Here is another forcible statement: A good shepherd, says a writer, should have always abundance of bread in his scrip, and his dog under command. The dog is his zeal, which he must lead, order, and moderate. His scrip full of bread is his mind full of useful knowledge and he should ever be in readiness to give nourishment to his flock. {6MR 185.2}[21]
§45
我们有重要的严肃真理要传给人。感谢上帝，我亲爱的弟兄，你能担任基督的同工了；然而我求你不要在基督从未放在你颈项上的轭下叹息。不要被祂并没有让你负责去担的担子压弯。在一次重要的努力中大大减弱了你讲道效果的，是你努力保持几乎不停地写作，以致你没有充分考虑重要的因素和扼要的论据。你手边没有后备力量。你讲了太多堂道，时间太长，声调太高。当你若不常常咳嗽就讲不了话的时候，不要试着讲话；因为你这样就使得听众们很同情你，以致得不到你所讲话语的真正意义。这些要点是值得考虑的。你危害了自己的健康，也使听众痛苦，极其痛苦，以致你对他们讲任何事都不会对他们的心或原则很有效果。{6MR185.3}[22]
§46
We have important, solemn truth to give to the people. Thank God, my dear brother, that you can act as a co-laborer with Christ; but do not, I beg you, groan under a yoke that Christ has never placed upon your neck. Do not bend under a burden which He has not made it your duty to lift. That which has greatly lessened the effect of your discourses in an important effort is that with that effort you keep up almost incessant writing, so that the vital elements and the condensed arguments are not matters of thoughtful consideration with you. You keep on hand no reserve force. You preach too many discourses, and too long, on a high key. When you cannot speak without being obliged to cough quite frequently do not try to speak; for you so enlist the sympathies of the hearers that they take no true sense of what you are saying. These points are worthy of consideration. You imperil your own health, and make it painful, exceedingly painful, for the hearers, so that anything you may present to them will not have much effect on their hearts or principles. {6MR 185.3}[22]
§47
我写这些是因为我希望你保存你的性命和你的感化力，我希望上帝的圣工有我们每一个人能奉献的最好的那种服务。我们在情感上切不可像风向标一样间歇易变。过度操劳造成神经衰弱。现在上帝在祂的圣工中关于你的弟兄们给了你一个本分去尽。在这些重要的努力中，最好有尽可能强大的一支队伍参加工作。你们不要限制任何一个人的自由，不要忽视任何一个人，不要让任何一个人占统治地位；而要一起商讨，一起祷告，认识到若是交给你们任何一个人的力量或智慧去安排，你们就必定失败。{6MR186.1}[23]
§48
I write this because I want you to preserve your life and your influence, and I want the cause of God to have the very best kind of service we can any of us give it. We must not be fitful, changeable as the weathervane in our feelings. Nervous prostration comes from overtaxation. Now God gives you a part to act in His cause in connection with your brethren. In these important efforts it is best that as strong a force as possible should be connected with the work. No ones freedom is to be limited, no one is to be ignored, no one is to bear universal sway; but you are to counsel together and pray together and realize that if left to the strength and wisdom of any one of you, you will surely fail. {6MR 186.1}[23]
§49
你切不可倚靠自己的经验、智慧或知识。上帝必须成为你的靠山，你的倚赖。你若指望祂，倚赖祂，信靠祂，并且感觉到自己完全无助，你就会在最需要的时候得到那种正确的帮助。愿上帝帮助工人们！我们对真理的估价超过我们对自己的估价吗？我们按照真理的价值赏识它吗？我们若是相信自己在从事一项预备人在上帝的大日站立得住的工作，就要相应地操劳。{6MR186.2}[24]
§50
You must not trust your own experience or wisdom or knowledge. God must be your dependence, and your trust. If you look to Him, trust in Him, believe in Him, and feel your own utter helplessness, then you will have help of the right kind just when it is most needed. God help the workers! Do we estimate the truth above the estimate we have of ourselves? Do we appreciate it according to its value? If we believe that we are engaged in a work of preparing people to stand in the great day of God, then we shall labor accordingly. {6MR 186.2}[24]
§51
使工作成功的，并不是我们在工作中进入忙碌活动的状态，而是作出有良好指导的努力，不倚赖我们自己，而是藉着基督的恩典接受上帝的道，存谦卑的心与上帝的灵同工，将自我保持在严格的控制之下，保持神经和大脑不致过劳，好使宗教成为我们生活中的控制性要素，使天国的气氛可以扩散到家庭圈子、教会中和每个地方。{6MR186.3}[25]
§52
It is not the busy activity that we bring into the work that makes it a success but it is the well directed effort that we make, not trusting in ourselves, but through the grace of Christ taking God at His Word, working humbly with the Spirit of God, keeping self under strict control, preserving nerve and brain from overtaxation, that religion may be the controlling element in our life, that the atmosphere of heaven may be diffused in the home circle, in the church, everywhere. {6MR 186.3}[25]
§53
要表明你信靠上帝。自我意志得到放纵会陷入背信。自我被制服则会导致顺服基督的思想、言语和行为。上帝的道，而不是冲动，不是印象，必须作你的向导。向将亡的人传讲适合这些末后日子的真理，这是一项严肃神圣的工作。要接受上帝已在警告、督责、纠正和鼓励中启示的事。然而我们若是有眼不看，有耳不听，有心也不感受，那么来自上帝的宣告就徒然临到我们了。{6MR187.1}[26]
§54
Show that you believe in God. Self-will indulged will drive to infidelity. Self subdued will lead to the submission of thought, word, and action to Christ. The Word of God, not impulses, not impressions must be your guide. A solemn, sacred work is this, to preach the truth for these last times to perishing souls. Take the things God has revealed in warnings, reproofs, corrections, encouragements. But if we have eyes that see not, ears that hear not, and hearts that feel not, then it is in vain that the declaration from God has ever come to us. {6MR 187.1}[26]
§55
上帝已经很亲近我们；祂已尊荣了我们，使我们成为祂真理的保管者，而这使我们负有最严肃的义务，要作亮光的保管者和散布者，这亮光必须照亮那些坐在黑暗里的人。难道上帝在我们身上犯了错误？我们是祂所拣选的器皿吗？我们是祂所拣选要实行和向世界宣扬最后怜悯信息的代表吗？只要我们有耶稣在我们的工作中，只要祂的灵控制我们的行动，只要这是我们生活的准则和法则，我们就会在世上成为何等大的为善能力啊。{6MR187.2}[27]
§56
God has come very nigh to us; He has honored us by making us the depositaries of His truth, and this places us under the most sacred obligations to be keepers and diffusers of the light that must illuminate those who are in darkness. Has God made a mistake in us? Are we His chosen vessels? Are we the agents whom He has selected to carry out and send forth the last message of mercy to the world? Oh if we only had Jesus in our works, if His Spirit controlled our actions, if it was the rule and law of our life what a power for good we should be in the world. {6MR 187.2}[27]
§57
我们必须记住，别人已对人们发出恳求，讲过道；比我们更有学识有才干的人已徒然发出恳求。然而谦卑献身的工人既感到自己的软弱和唯独对上帝的依赖，就会体验到大能帮助者的力量与效能。{6MR187.3}[28]
§58
We must remember that others have pleaded and preached for souls; persons more learned and talented than we have pleaded in vain. But the humble devoted worker feeling his own weakness and depending only upon God will realize the strength and sufficiency of the Mighty Helper. {6MR 187.3}[28]
§59
我们必须更多祈祷，有更多信心。我们只是部分地相信上帝的道。我们将显明我们所拥有的全部信心。我们既相信上帝口中所出的每一句话，就应该理解这工作的伟大。我们必须用行为表明我们的信心。{6MR187.4}[29]
§60
We must pray more, have more faith. We only partially believe Gods Word. We shall reveal all the faith we have. We want to take in the greatness of the work, believing every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. We must show our faith by our works. {6MR 187.4}[29]
§61
但愿你们谁也不要追求最高地位。但愿每一个人都看自己的弟兄是为上帝作工的人。要将所有的计划都摆在理事会面前，谁也不要努力成为最大的。哀哉，我们对自己的缺陷视而不见。我们不容易记住自己的弱点，记住必需尽量看出自己的错误，不是要阻止我们的努力，而是要促使我们改革和彻底改革。传道人若是愿意将各人在基督耶稣里完完全全地引到上帝面前，在恩典上没有一样不及人的，就必须在基督里完全站立，一无所缺。（《信函》1886年47号，致布尔多弟兄,1886年6月5日）1974年8月13日发布。{6MR188.1}[30]
§62
Let not one of you seek for the supremacy. Let each regard his brother laborer as a worker for God. Let all plans be opened before the council, and not one labor to be the greatest. Alas, we are blind to our own deficiencies. We are not easily impressed with our weakness and the necessity of seeing as far as possible our errors, not to discourage our efforts, but to bring us to reform and thorough reformation. The minister must stand perfect in Christ, wanting in nothing if he would present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, coming behind in no grace.--Letter 47, 1886. (To Brother Bourdeau, June 5, 1886.) Released August 13, 1974. {6MR 188.1}[30]