第1193号 呼吁作钱财和其它才干的..
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第1193号 呼吁作钱财和其它才干的..
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MR No. 1193 - An Appeal To Be Faithful Stewards of Money and Other Talents; Also to Follow Christ in Humility and Self-Denial; A New Believer Faces a Crisis over Sabbathkeeping
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（1897年11月22日写自新南威尔士州悉尼斯坦摩尔，致加利福尼亚州亲爱的弟兄们。）{16MR 45.1}[1]
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(Written November 22, 1897, from Stanmore, Sydney, NSW, to Dear Brethren in California.) {16MR 45.1}[1]
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我有信心，你们会在这个时候帮助我们。我们在悉尼美丽的郊区斯坦摩尔唤起了特别的兴趣。我得知约有二十个人已经采取立场遵守主的安息日，还有更多的人也确信了。人们对真理深感兴趣，现代真理的要点对他们来说就像新启示。兴趣持续增长。接受真理的人去向他们的朋友作工，邀请他们来听。不仅如此，他们还邀请他们的邻居和朋友到家中，然后找到一位我们的传道人来查经。这些聚会办得很有意思。{16MR 45.2}[2]
§6
I have confidence that you will help us at this time. We have had a special interest aroused in Stanmore, a beautiful suburb of Sydney. About twenty, I learn, have taken their stand to observe the Sabbath of the Lord, and many more are convicted. The people are deeply interested in the truth, and the important points of present truth are to them as a new revelation. The interest continues to grow, and those who embrace the truth go right to work for their friends, inviting them to come out to hear. More than this, they invite their neighbors and friends to come to their house. They then secure one of our ministers to give a Bible reading. These meetings are made very interesting. {16MR 45.2}[2]
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我们给布道所找了一栋好房子。工人们在这里有了一个家。教导他们为圣工作准备。赫斯格长老夫妇、斯塔尔工老夫妇、贝克弟兄、威尔逊弟兄和姐妹在这里。还有好几位女工人，她们在销售期刊、福音单张和小书。有些日子销量很好；有些日子则不怎么好。但她们平均来说很成功。{16MR 45.3}[3]
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We have secured a good house for the mission. Here the workers have a home. Instruction is given them to prepare them for the work. Elder Haskell and wife, Elder Starr and wife, Brother Baker, and Brother and Sister Wilson are here. Then there are several women workers, who are selling papers, tracts, and small books. Some days they do very well; then on other days not so well. But they have good average success. {16MR 45.3}[3]
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所有初信的人都对建一栋礼拜堂的想法很热心。两位刚采取立场守安息日的人表示想要有一栋教会建筑。丈夫对妻子说：“你会奉献什么呢？”她转向他，说：“丈夫啊，你会奉献什么呢？”他说：“我们都将打算捐献的数目写在一张纸条上吧，然后交换纸条。”他们这么做了，各人捐助5英镑。他们告诉斯塔尔弟兄他们肯定会捐得比这些要多，自从那时以来他们已加倍捐献，各捐了10英镑。各人捐10英镑可不是小数目。并没有要求任何一个人做什么，这在我们的经验中是一个意外的篇章。{16MR 45.4}[4]
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All those newly come to the faith are enthusiastic over the idea of erecting a meetinghouse. Two who have just taken their stand on the Sabbath were expressing their desire for a church building. The husband said to the wife, What will you give? She turned to him and said, Husband, what will you give? He said, Let us each write on a slip of paper the sum we propose to give, and then exchange papers. They did this, and each had subscribed 5 pounds. They told Brother Starr that no doubt they would make it more than this, and since then they have doubled their subscription, each giving 10 pounds. Ten pounds from each is quite a donation. No one has been asked to do anything, and this is a surprising chapter in our experience. {16MR 45.4}[4]
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昨天下午我从《路加福音》12章向人们讲起。这章对亚当所有儿女都是一个十分重要的教训。我在讲道结束的时候告诉他们，我们想要建一座教堂，会接受白白给予的一切帮助。我们得凭信心开始行动。我们并不打算建一栋大教堂，而要建一栋可以称之为帐幕的朴素礼拜堂；一栋与我们的信仰相符的教堂。我们不能本着良心将主的任何一部分钱花在不必要的装饰上。我们会建一栋整洁的房子。能工巧匠们会使它很有品味很适当。我告诉他们，在库兰邦建的房子是一栋值得推荐的礼拜堂——整洁、建得很完善且与我们的信仰相符，毫无债务地奉献给了上帝。任何一栋礼拜堂留下的债务利息都是一个大损失。我们打算让这栋房子对我们来说要像一个帐幕。我们都是客旅和寄居的；我们的公民身份是在天上。{16MR 46.1}[5]
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Yesterday afternoon I talked to the people from Luke 12. This chapter is a lesson of great importance for all the sons and daughters of God. I told them at the close of my talk that we desired to build a church, and that we would accept all the help that was freely given. We should have to move out by faith. We did not design to erect a cathedral, but a plain building that we would call a tabernacle; one that would be in harmony with our faith. We could not conscientiously spend any of the Lords money in needless adornment. We would have a neat structure. Skillful hands could make it very tasteful and appropriate. I told them that the building at Cooranbong was a commendable house of worship--neat, thoroughly well built and, in harmony with our faith, dedicated to God free from debt. The interest paid on a debt left on any house of worship is a great loss. We propose that this house shall be as a tabernacle for us. We are all pilgrims and strangers; our citizenship is above. {16MR 46.1}[5]
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我们会奉献这个帐幕，不仅用来教育和训练年长的教会成员，也培训儿童和青少年。他们应当受教不要为取悦自己而活，不要追求赞美，而要用不断的警惕和热心保卫他们的心，免得他们与上帝疏远。要教导他们饥渴慕义是什么意思。必须给予这些教训，否则他们就会渴望人的赏识和尊荣，这种东西只会给接受的人带来伤害。{16MR 46.2}[6]
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We would devote this tabernacle to educating and training not the elder members of the church alone, but the children and youth. They are to be taught not to live to please themselves, not to court praise, but to guard their hearts with perpetual vigilance and jealousy, lest they be estranged from God. Teach them what it means to hunger and thirst after righteousness. These lessons must be given, else there will be a thirst for human appreciation and honor, which would be only injury to them should they receive it. {16MR 46.2}[6]
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主了解我们为祂所作的每一牺牲，捐助祂圣工的需要，没有卖弄或炫耀。要将自我隐藏在耶稣里面。我们的大教师已经清楚界定了我们应该行走的道路。对耶稣里的真理的内在属灵的领悟绝不会使人高估自己。上帝的灵引导人心认识到，使人成圣的圣灵带来自卑和谦逊。{16MR 47.1}[7]
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The Lord understands every sacrifice we make for Him to contribute to the necessities of His cause, without ostentation or display. Hide self in Jesus. Our great Teacher has plainly defined the way we should walk. The inward spiritual perception of the truth as it is in Jesus will never exalt the human agent in his own estimate of self. The Spirit of God leads the human heart to realize that sanctification of the Spirit brings self-abasement and lowliness. {16MR 47.1}[7]
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12月16日。我两点钟就起来写作。是什么使人心处于适度水平呢？是髑髅地的十字架。藉着仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣，一切荣耀自我的欲望都被撇弃在尘埃。当我们以正确的眼光看问题时，便有一种促使心意卑微谦逊的自卑的精神来到。我们默想十字架的时候，就能看到已经带给每一位信徒的奇妙供应。若是正确地看到上帝在基督里而且基督和上帝一样，就会消除人的趾高气扬和骄傲。就不会有自高，而会有真正的谦卑。{16MR 47.2}[8]
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Dec. 16. I rise to write at two oclock. What gives the proper level to the human mind? It is the cross of Calvary. By looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of our faith, all the desire for self-glorification is laid in the dust. There comes, as we see aright, a spirit of self-abasement that promotes lowliness and humbleness of mind. As we contemplate the cross, we are enabled to see the wonderful provision it has brought to every believer. God in Christ and Christ as God, if seen aright, will level human exaltation and pride. There will be no self-exaltation, but there will be true humility. {16MR 47.2}[8]
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“基督差遣我，原不是为施洗，乃是为传福音，并不用智慧的言语，免得基督的十字架落了空。因为十字架的道理，在那灭亡的人为愚拙；在我们得救的人却为上帝的大能。就如经上所记：我要灭绝智慧人的智慧，废弃聪明人的聪明。智慧人在哪里？文士在哪里？这世上的辩士在哪里？上帝岂不是叫这世上的智慧变成愚拙吗？世人凭自己的智慧，既不认识上帝，上帝就乐意用人所当作愚拙的道理，拯救那些信的人；这就是上帝的智慧了。犹太人是要神迹，希腊人是求智慧，我们却是传钉十字架的基督，在犹太人为绊脚石，在外邦人为愚拙；但在那蒙召的，无论是犹太人、希腊人，基督总为上帝的能力，上帝的智慧。因上帝的愚拙总比人智慧，上帝的软弱总比人强壮。弟兄们哪，可见你们蒙召的，按着肉体有智慧的不多，有能力的不多，有尊贵的也不多。上帝却拣选了世上愚拙的，叫有智慧的羞愧；又拣选了世上软弱的，叫那强壮的羞愧。上帝也拣选了世上卑贱的，被人厌恶的，以及那无有的，为要废掉那有的。使一切有血气的，在上帝面前一个也不能自夸。但你们得在基督耶稣里，是本乎上帝，上帝又使祂成为我们的智慧、公义、圣洁、救赎。如经上所记：‘夸口的，当指着主夸口。’”“但我断不以别的夸口，只夸我们主耶稣基督的十字架；因这十字架，就我而论，世界已经钉在十字架上；就世界而论，我已经钉在十字架上”（林前1:17-31；加6:14）。诸世界的创造主降卑自己取了人性，并在人性中取了温顺卑微的地位。任何一个人因自负自满而怀有自高和自信时，都是羞辱造他的主。他怎样确实这么做，就必照样确实会被降卑。主富有天上的财宝，但祂却为我们的缘故成为贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。在祂屈辱的日子里，祂以人性披覆了祂的神性。祂虽然是天上的至尊，却降卑了自己。{16MR 47.3}[9]
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[1 Corinthians 1:17-31; Galatians 6:14, quoted.] The Creator of all worlds humbled Himself to human nature, and in human nature He took the place of meekness and lowliness. Any human being that cherishes highmindedness and self-trust because of self-sufficiency and self-complacency, dishonors his Maker. Just as surely as he does this, he will be humbled. The Lord was rich in heavens treasure, yet He for our sake became poor, that we through His poverty should be made rich. In the days of His humiliation, He clothed His divinity with humanity. Although He was the Majesty of heaven, He humbled Himself. {16MR 47.3}[9]
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基督献上自己为要拯救人类，人绝不应该使自己的心自高自大偏向虚妄。你们拥有世间财宝的人应当随从你们救赎主的榜样，变得贫穷，奉献你们的资产用于推进上帝的圣工，而不是用来自我放纵。那些为了贮藏财富而获得财富的人，将财富的祸根留给自己的儿女。父母们这么做乃是一宗罪，一宗可怕的、危害灵魂的罪，而且这种罪延及他们的后代。儿女们往往将他们的钱花在愚蠢的奢侈浪费和狂欢放荡的生活上，以致成了乞丐。他们不知道他们所挥霍的遗产的价值。要是他们的父母给他们树立了正确的榜样，不是囤积而是分赠他们的财富，他们原会为自己积攒财宝在天上，并且得到回报，就是在今生得到平安幸福，在来生得到永恒的财富。{16MR 48.1}[10]
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Christ devoted Himself to the salvation of the human race, and man should never, never, lift up his heart unto vanity. You who are possessed of worldly treasure are to become poor by following your Redeemers example, devoting your substance to the advancement of the cause of God, and not to self-indulgence. Those who acquire wealth for the purpose of hoarding it, leave the curse of wealth to their children. It is a sin, an awful, soul-periling sin, for fathers and mothers to do this, and this sin extends to their posterity. Often the children spend their means in foolish extravagance, in riotous living, so that they become beggars. They know not the value of the inheritance they have squandered. Had their fathers and mothers set them a proper example, not in hoarding but in imparting their wealth, they would have laid up for themselves treasure in heaven, and received a return, even in this world, of peace and happiness, and in the future life eternal riches. {16MR 48.1}[10]
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教会的许多信徒出卖了自己，出卖了灵与魂与身子——卖给享乐吗？不；谁也不会知道什么是享乐，直到他们将自己所积攒的财宝放在耶稣脚前——他们是卖给了贪婪和偶像崇拜。教会肢体们应当成为主真实忠心的仆人。他们应当用所委托给他们的资金造福教会中贫穷的人。应当建立教堂，使上帝的子民可以在那里敬拜祂。长凳和座椅不应该是租来的。富人不应该受尊重超过穷人。不应该作出区分。“你们都是弟兄”（太23:8）。{16MR 48.2}[11]
§24
Many, many church members have sold themselves, soul, body, and spirit --to enjoyment? no; none can know what enjoyment is till they lay their accumulated treasure at the feet of Jesus--to covetousness and idolatry. Church members are to be true and faithful servants of the Lord. They are to use their entrusted capital to bless the needy in their churches. Churches are to be established where the people of God may worship Him. The pews and seats are not to be rented. The wealthy are not to be honored above the poor. No distinction is to be made. All ye are brethren. {16MR 48.2}[11]
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你们的财产是上帝借给你们的，要试验你们，看看你们是否愿意接受基督的品格并成为上帝的国民。这样你们才能继承永恒财富的产业。你们若是跟从基督，你们的基督教信仰表白才是真的；你们如果不跟从祂，你们的信仰表白就没有价值。自我放纵不会使任何一个人成为更美家乡，就是天家的公民。那些不愿像他们的夫子一样为善和行善的人，那些贪婪地将自己的一切都花在自己身上的人，会丧失永恒的财富。他们不会在基督已去为爱祂的人预备的地方为他们自私的灵魂找到立足之地。{16MR 49.1}[12]
§26
Your property is a talent lent you by God to test you, to see if you will accept the character of Christ and be a subject of the kingdom of God. Thus you may come into possession of eternal riches. Your profession of Christianity is true if you follow Christ; worthless if you do not follow Him. Self-indulgence will not secure for any soul a citizenship in the better, even the heavenly, country. Those who will not be good and do good, as did their Master, those who covetously spend their all upon themselves, will lose the eternal riches. They will find no place for their selfish souls in the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him. {16MR 49.1}[12]
§27
时候将到，那时每一项委托的才干都必须交账。主将才干交给我们保管，以便我们藉着明智的投资予以善用。我们应当增加和维持用于敬拜上帝的设施，不是藉着联谊会、展览会、抽彩兑奖、比赛、彩票或任何这种手段。当以这种方式获得金钱维持教会时，是因为教会肢体们是自我放纵的，藉着喝葡萄酒、啤酒、烈酒和吸烟来满足骄傲和食欲。成千上万美元花在了不必要的东西上，同时穷人却在因缺衣少食而受苦，上帝的圣工也被撇下，将就着获得资金以维持其许多的需要。{16MR 49.2}[13]
§28
The time is coming when every entrusted talent must be accounted for. The Lord has put into our keeping talents that we are to improve by wise investment. We are to increase and sustain the facilities for Gods worship, not by sociables, fairs, raffles, games, lotteries, or any such means. When money is obtained in this way to sustain the church, it is because the church members are self-indulgent, gratifying pride and appetite by using wine, beer, liquor, and tobacco. Thousands of dollars are expended in needless things, while the poor are suffering for food and clothing, and the cause of God is left to makeshift to secure means to supply its numerous necessities. {16MR 49.2}[13]
§29
上帝注意看祂的管家们如何履行他们神圣的委托，当寡妇孤儿的呼声因饥饿和过劳、疾病和痛苦而进入祂耳中时，在天上的案卷中就写下主的管家们盗用祂的货财去满足他们的私欲，贫穷的人却被撇下，因心硬之人的行为而呼求上帝，心肠刚硬的人爱宴乐不爱上帝。这个世界上的每一个人都在使用上帝的钱。如果基督没有为人类舍命，他们原会被撇下以致灭亡。祂是他们的替身，他们的担保。祂已赐给他们一个宽容时期，使他们可以在期间藉着遵守上帝一切的诫命来实现完全的品格。这样他们就表明自己赏识所做的伟大奉献，可以藉着圣灵归正，并藉着将自己的财宝积攒在天上而不是地上来获得永恒的财富。{16MR 49.3}[14]
§30
God watches to see how His stewards fulfill their sacred trust, and when the cries of the widow and the fatherless come into His ears because of hunger and overwork, sickness and distress, it is written in the books of heaven that the Lords stewards have embezzled His goods to gratify their selfish passions, and the needy have been left to cry unto God because of the conduct of hardhearted men, who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Every man in this world is using Gods money. Men would have been left to perish if Christ had not given His life for them. He is their Substitute, their Surety. He has given them a probation in which they may work out a perfect character by obedience to all Gods commandments. Thus they show that they appreciate the great offering made, that through the Holy Spirit they might be converted and secure eternal riches by laying up their treasure in heaven, and not on earth. {16MR 49.3}[14]
§31
在上帝的大日，当每一个人都得到分配给自己的奖赏时，没有多少伟人、富人、现在受颂扬的聪明人会发现有住宅在等着他们。基督对他们说：“你们一生拥有你们为自己的快乐而选择的那些东西。然而当你们的财富和名声消亡时，却发现你们还没有将自己的财宝放在上帝宝座旁边。你们没有将自己的财宝积攒在天上，反而追求用来满足自己。你们的保险不是在天国的银行里。王室的贫穷成员一直被撇在贫穷中，没有得到上帝交在你们手中要用来行善的资金的帮助。你努力工作为要满足自己，但主交给你去做的要爱祂和侍奉祂的工作，你却拒绝去做。你就穷人和受苦的人、无家可归的寡妇和孤儿说了许多毁谤轻视的话，好像他们是用和你不同的材料做成的。你看不起我的穷人，就是那些爱主的人，祂为他们的缘故也为你成为贫穷，叫他们和你可以拥有永恒的财富。‘人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢’”（太16:26）？{16MR 50.1}[15]
§32
When in the great day of God each one is apportioned his own reward, not many great, not many wealthy, not many of the now-extolled wise, will find mansions awaiting them. Christ says to them, You in your lifetime had those things which you chose for your happiness. But when your riches and fame perished, it was found that you had not put your treasure beside the throne of God. You did not lay up your treasure in heaven, but you sought to employ it for your own gratification. Your insurance was not in the banks of heaven. The poor members of the royal family have been left in poverty, unaided by the means of God left in your hands with which to do good. You worked hard to glorify yourself, but the work which the Lord gave you to do, to love and serve Him, you refused to do. You had many disparaging remarks to make in regard to the poor and suffering, the homeless widows and the fatherless children, as though they were made of different material from you. You despised My poor, those who loved Him who for their sake and yours became poor that they and you might come into possession of eternal riches. What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? {16MR 50.1}[15]
§33
我警告你们所有可能收到这封信的人，你们若不跟从基督所带领的道路，就必陷入撒但的网罗而丧失天国。你们的房子、地产与上帝所委托给你们的任何东西一样，都是你们要向上帝负责的银子。你们可能像那个懒惰的仆人一样将你们的银子埋在地里，但你们的本分是要询问上帝并且伺机用主所委托的钱财行善。祂的圣工应该得到推进。生灵应该得救，问题不应该是：这种努力会付上多少代价？这值得冒险吗？即使一个灵魂得救也会值得。那个灵魂在上帝看来比一个世界更有价值。{16MR 51.1}[16]
§34
I warn all to whom this letter may come that unless you follow where Christ leads the way, you will fall into Satans snares and lose heaven. Your houses, your lands, are talents for which you are just as responsible to God as for any He has entrusted to you. You may bury your talent as did the slothful servant, but your business is to inquire of God and to watch for opportunities for doing good with your Lords entrusted money. His cause is to be advanced. Souls are to be saved, and the question should not be, How much will this effort cost? Will it pay to venture? It will pay if one soul is rescued. That soul is estimated as of more value with God than a world. {16MR 51.1}[16]
§35
人人都按照各自的能力蒙主托付了才干，主期待人将这些才干用来荣耀祂的名。警告必须传给世界，无论人们愿不愿意听。通过你的努力，或许会有二十个人得以认识耶稣基督，并且每一个人都成了拯救他人的工人。谁也不应该认为自己的努力是失败的，即使藉着他的努力只有一个人的名字被登记在生命册上。来生会显明许多与所做的努力有关的奇妙事迹，那些努力现在似乎没有果效。{16MR 51.2}[17]
§36
All have talents entrusted to them according to their several ability, and the Lord expects these to be used to His names glory. The warning must go to the world, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. It may be that by your efforts a score of souls will be brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and each become a worker for the salvation of others. No man should reckon his labor a failure if through his efforts one soul has his name registered in the book of life. Eternity will reveal many wonderful histories in connection with the efforts made, which at the time seemed to be fruitless. {16MR 51.2}[17]
§37
主并没有赐给人不需要的才干。所赐的每一种才干都有可以使用之处。一个才干也是需要的。上帝给它有用武之地。到处都有善行可以藉以涌流的渠道。需要在不断出现；传道区因缺乏资金而受限。上帝的子民若不觉悟自己的真情实况，这些传道区就必须被抛弃。不要直等到死亡成为你的遗嘱，而要趁着你活着就处置你的钱财。大需要会出现，会需要资金供应那些需要。无论在哪里有重要的工作园地是你看到应该开工的，你自己就在那里开始作工。{16MR 51.3}[18]
§38
Talents that are not needed are not bestowed. But every talent given has a place where it can be used. The single talent is needed. God has a place for it. There are channels everywhere through which benevolence may flow. Needs are constantly arising; missions are handicapped for want of means. These must be abandoned unless Gods people awake to the true state of things. Wait not until your death to make your will, but dispose of your means while you live. Great necessities will arise and means will be needed to supply them. Wherever there is an important field of labor which you see should be worked, there begin, your individual self, to work. {16MR 51.3}[18]
§39
主的葡萄园有一些地区因为一直没有资金供应而没有开垦。有些礼拜堂负债累累，要是做出了适当的努力，本来绝不应该负债。获得资金建一座完全没有负债的礼拜堂乃是能得到实现的最大的善行之一。每年都为旧债付利息，竟然没有一个人感到耻辱，然而最艰难的部分是要挽回最初所犯的大错，摆脱旧债，停止如此难以筹集的利息。主需要祂所借给人们的钱用来行善。{16MR 52.1}[19]
§40
There are portions of the Lords vineyard untilled because no means have been supplied. There are meetinghouses burdened with debt which should never have had a debt upon them if proper efforts had been made. To find means to put up a house of worship entirely free from debt is one of the greatest acts of benevolence that can be performed. The interest goes out yearly for an old debt, and no one feels the disgrace, but the hardest part is to redeem the blunder made at the first, to clear off the old debt, and stop the interest that is so difficult to raise. The Lord has need of the money He has lent to men to use in doing good. {16MR 52.1}[19]
§41
12月17日。我两点一刻就起来了。我不能完成好几天前开始的东西。主正在为祂在斯坦摩尔的子民行事。夏普弟兄失去了在一个兴盛公司里的职位，他在那里工作十四年了。期间从未发现他有什么过错。当夏普弟兄告诉一个伙伴他决定遵守安息日时，他说他们能很好地解决这事，有意让他守安息日。公司的惯例是星期六只工作三小时，但夏普弟兄承诺延长工作时间，充分弥补那三小时。{16MR 52.2}[20]
§42
Dec. 17. I rise at a quarter after two oclock. I could not complete that which I commenced several days ago. The Lord is working for His people in Stanmore. Brother Sharp lost a situation in a prosperous firm, where he has worked for fourteen years. During all that time no fault was found with him. When Brother Sharp told one of the partners of his decision to keep the Sabbath, he said they could work it all right, and was disposed to give him the day. It is the custom to work only three hours on Saturday, but Brother Sharp promised to make up that time fully by working over hours. {16MR 52.2}[20]
§43
然而当此事被带到其他的合作伙伴面前时，他们却决定要是他守安息日，就不能留他了。他们给了他一个月的时间去决定这事。当他在月末坚定要守安息日时，他们就要求他辞职，因为他们不想解雇他。{16MR 52.3}[21]
§44
But when the matter was brought before the associate partners, it was decided that they could not keep him if he kept Sabbath. They gave him one month to decide the matter. As he was firm at the end of the month, he was asked to resign his situation, because they did not like to turn him off. {16MR 52.3}[21]
§45
他说：“难道你们不喜悦不满意我的工作吗？”{16MR 53.1}[22]
§46
He said, Have you not been pleased and satisfied with my work? {16MR 53.1}[22]
§47
“完全满意，”他们说。{16MR 53.2}[23]
§48
Perfectly, they said. {16MR 53.2}[23]
§49
“那么，为什么要我行事虚假呢？我很难过，不愿离开你们，我希望留下来；但我必须遵守安息日，我可以安排守安息日并通过多花时间来做同样多小时的工作。我肯定不能辞职。”于是他们解雇了他。{16MR 53.3}[24]
§50
Well, then, why should I act an untruth? I am very sorry to break connection with you, and I want to remain; but I must keep the Sabbath, and I could arrange to keep the Sabbath and do just as many hours work by giving more time. I certainly cannot resign. Then they discharged him. {16MR 53.3}[24]
§51
当他冷不丁告诉他妻子失业时，她很失望。每件事都在她心中呈现出最糟糕的景况。她看到孩子们因而会缺衣少食。她完全被压垮了。她抽搐起来，有段时间不确定还能不能活。但上帝使她熬过来了。{16MR 53.4}[25]
§52
When he rather abruptly told his wife, she was disappointed. Everything presented itself to her mind in the worst light. She saw her children suffering for want of food and without clothing. She was completely overcome. She was taken with a spasm, and for some time it was uncertain that she would live. But the Lord brought her through. {16MR 53.4}[25]
§53
我与这位弟兄长谈了一次。他原是公司的会计和法务官，将一切都保持得秩序井然。他还是一位音乐家。我立刻看到必须给他制造一个机会。他的雇主在注意着他，还有好几个人也在注意着。这是一个试验性问题，我们考虑他可以为健康家园作会计和法务官。他们没有钱。他原来的薪水是每周3英镑10先令，有好几个孩子要养活。{16MR 53.5}[26]
§54
I had a long talk with this brother. He was a bookkeeper and solicitor for the firm, and has kept everything in order. He is also a musician. I at once saw that an opening must be made for him. His employer was watching him, as were also several others. It was a test question, and we thought he might engage as bookkeeper and solicitor for the health home. They had no money. He had received 3 pounds 10 shillings, per week, and had several children to keep. {16MR 53.5}[26]
§55
12月14日我收到一封信说夏普弟兄已被请去一个重要公司与业主谈话。此人说他已让他的会计去度假了，会计不在时他亲自照料账本，发现他每个月比会计在的时候多入账15英镑。他看出会计做事不诚实。他告诉夏普，他已听说他丢了职位并不是因为他有什么过错，而是因为他想遵守安息日，又说：“我说：‘那就是我想要的人。我能信赖那个人。他有良心，又敬畏上帝。’”“好了，”他说：“你可以守安息日；”我想他收到了与另一家公司一样多的薪水。{16MR 53.6}[27]
§56
December 14 I received a letter saying that Brother Sharp had been sent for to come to an important firm and talk with the proprietor. This man said that he had let his bookkeeper go for a holiday, and in his absence had attended to the books himself. While doing so he found that he credited himself with 15 pounds more per month than had his bookkeeper. He saw that he had been dealt with dishonestly. He told Sharp that he had heard that he had lost his place not because of any failure on his part but because he wanted to keep the Sabbath, and added, I said, That is the man I want. I can trust that man. He has a conscience, and fears God, Well, he said, you may have the Sabbath; and I think he has the same pay that he received from the other firm. {16MR 53.6}[27]
§57
所以你看，主的手在掌管此事。他从前的雇主曾对一个赞同安息日的人说：“让那人离开我感觉很不好；他是一个忠心的工人。我不知道能让谁填补他的空缺，但我不希望我雇用的一个人总是让安息日使我们如鲠在喉。”可怜的人哪！有一天他会希望安息日不仅被放进他喉咙里，而且他已接受它产并当作上帝的话将它吃了。夏普弟兄最值得推荐的地方就是他不愿因违背安息日而羞辱上帝。{16MR 54.1}[28]
§58
So you see the hand of the Lord is in this. His former employer said to one who was favorable to the Sabbath, I felt bad at having that man leave; he was a faithful workman. I do not know who I can get to fill his place, but I did not want one in my employ who would always be poking the Sabbath down our throats. Poor man! One day he will wish the Sabbath had not only been brought to his throat but that he had taken it in and eaten it as the word of God. The best recommendation that Brother Sharp could have was that he would not dishonor God by breaking the Sabbath. {16MR 54.1}[28]
§59
在斯坦摩尔的慕道兴趣一直很好地持续着。威尔逊弟兄写信说他们每周都发现有人开始遵守守安息日。工作在进展，而今必须找到一块地好建一座礼拜堂。在这个地方购买一块100x100英尺的土地代价不菲，但是没有别的办法，只能建堂。我们必须在八到十周内有一个礼拜堂。我的弟兄们，我希望你们尽你们所能地帮助我，购入我在希尔兹堡学校的股份，从而使我获得资金。我想要投入在这项传道工作上。我们必须支付工人工资，我们必须为教会买一块地。{16MR 54.2}[29]
§60
The interest in Stanmore continues to be good. Brother Wilson writes that they are finding new Sabbathkeepers every week. The work is advancing, and now a lot must be secured on which to build a meetinghouse. It will cost a good deal in this locality to get a piece of land 100 by 100 feet, but there is no other way but to build. We must have a house of worship in eight or ten weeks. I want you, my brethren, to help me all you can, by taking my shares in the Healdsburg school, and thus release me. I want to invest in this missionary work. We must pay the workers, and we must pay for a lot for the church. {16MR 54.2}[29]
§61
你们愿意做什么来帮助我呢？要是将股份卖给那些能购买的人，从而分配在各教会之间，各人负担一部分，就可以很容易地减轻负荷，我就会有资金投在这里。必须做成这事。礼拜堂将会为好几个郊区服务，我会竭尽所能使它可以献堂而没有一分债务。{16MR 54.3}[30]
§62
What will you do to help me? If the shares are sold to those who can buy them, and thus divided among the churches, each bearing a part, the load can be easily lifted, and I shall have means to invest here. It must be done. The house of worship will serve for several suburbs, and I will do my best that it may be dedicated without a pennys debt upon it. {16MR 54.3}[30]
§63
在墨尔本和悉尼的慕道兴趣呈现出与1842年宣扬信息时同样的特征。兴趣正在广泛传播。那些最近接受真理的人愿意做他们所能做的，因为他们有一种带有圣灵印记的热心。我的弟兄们，你们愿意帮助我，购买我在希尔兹堡学校的股份吗？你们愿意在莱宁格弟兄的事上帮助我吗？你们很熟悉这事，你们若是愿意，就能帮助我。我现在负有一千的债务，5.5%的利息，此外还为学校的建筑借了200英镑。然而尽管我得负责这些，我还是为斯坦摩尔的教堂捐献了25英镑。我行事为人一直在凭着信心，我还要继续投资。{16MR 55.1}[31]
§64
The interest in the camp meetings in Melbourne and Sydney has taken in the same features as did the proclamation of the Message in 1842. The interest is spreading far and wide. Those recently come to the truth will do what they can, for they have an enthusiasm that bears the signature of the Holy Spirit. My brethren, will you help me by taking the shares in the Healdsburg school? Will you also help me in the case of Brother Leininger? You are well acquainted with this matter, and can help me if you will. I am now carrying a debt of 1,000 pounds at five-and-a-half percent interest, besides 200 pounds hired for the school building. But notwithstanding I am responsible for this, I make my donation of 25 pounds toward the church in Stanmore. I have been walking by faith, and I shall continue to invest. {16MR 55.1}[31]
§65
我来到这个国家后不久，就向一位弟兄借了一千美元开办在墨尔本的学校；然后又借了五百美元。这还不算我已经提到过的金额。我们得不到资金，我凭着信心走出来。这1500美元应该还给这位弟兄，他若得着它，就会用在别的地方。{16MR 55.2}[32]
§66
Soon after I came to this country, I hired $1,000 from a brother to commence the school in Melbourne; then $500 more. This is aside from the sums I have already mentioned. We could not get means, and I walked out by faith. This $1500 ought to be returned to this brother, who would, if he had it, use it in other places. {16MR 55.2}[32]
§67
我希望你们告诉我们的人关于斯科特的情况，和莱宁格弟兄的情况，看看能为他做什么。我必须得到解脱，以便有钱去开辟新园地。纽卡斯尔和梅特兰是距库兰邦二十英里的两座城市，需要开工。我们必须有资金开始工作。已经在这些地方做了许多文字布道工作，但我们一直等待着，直到时候来到，我们能把握工作，并且坚持下去，直到这些地方得到充分的开垦。{16MR 55.3}[33]
§68
I want you to tell our people about the Scott case, and the case of Brother Leininger, and see what can be done for him. I must be released, that I may have means to open up new fields. The cities of Newcastle and Maitland, twenty miles from Cooranbong, are calling for labor. We must have means to start the work. Much canvassing has been done in these places, but we have been waiting until the time should come when we could take hold of the work, and keep at it until these places are fully worked. {16MR 55.3}[33]
§69
还有昆士兰州的各大城市需要帮助和工人。但是我们在库中没有资金一直给工人付薪水。这些地区到处都有需要进入的城市。然而资金的缺乏阻止我们进入。我将此事交给你们。现在已有四十个人开始在斯坦摩尔遵守安息日，慕道兴趣仍在广泛散播。我认为我们将有一个一百人的教会。（《信函》1897年20号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1986年5月1日全文发表于美国首都华盛顿。{16MR 56.1}[34]
§70
Then there are large cities in Queensland calling for help and workers. But we have not had the means in the treasury to keep the workers paid. All round in these countries are cities that need to be entered. But the lack of means prevents it. I submit this matter to you. Forty have now commenced keeping the Sabbath in Stanmore, and still the interest is widespread. I believe we shall have a church of one hundred souls.--Letter 20, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. May 1, 1986. Entire Letter. {16MR 56.1}[34]