第1364号 对挑剔的精神和在服装上..
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第1364号 对挑剔的精神和在服装上..
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MR No. 1364 - Severe Reproof for Faultfinding Spirit and Carelessness in Dress
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（写于1861年3月，致“H夫人”）
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我觉得有责任给你写信，然而缺乏机会。H弟兄寄给我丈夫的含有你的一封信的那封信已收到，令我对你的情况非常灰心。{19MR 30.1}[1]
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(Written in March, 1861, to Mrs. H.)
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I have felt it my duty to write you but have lacked opportunity. The letter Brother H sent to my husband containing one from you was received, which greatly discouraged me in regard to your case. {19MR 30.1}[1]
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你说：“我相信异象。”怎能有这事呢？你在异象中岂不是特别受到了责备吗？因为你挑剔和注意别人的服装并且批评抱怨他们，因为他们的服装样式没有完全符合你的想法。我看到你谈论任何人的服装都是完全不合适的，因为你对这个问题没有正确的见解；在这个问题上你必须改革，因为你总的来说太忽视自己的外表，衣着邋遢，不注意干净整洁地给你的儿女着装，你的家也杂乱无章。混乱统治着你的居所。{19MR 30.2}[2]
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You say, I believe the visions. How can this be? Were you not especially reproved in the vision because of your faultfinding and watching others dress and finding fault with them because their manner of dress did not just suit your idea? I saw that you were entirely out of your place in talking with anyone upon dress, for you have not the right views of this matter; that in this very matter you must reform, for you were altogether too neglectful of your [own] appearance, were untidy in your dress, were not careful to dress your children neatly and orderly, and your house was left in disorder. Confusion reigned in your dwelling. {19MR 30.2}[2]
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你面前有一番大工夫要下，以便你成为一个言行一致的基督徒，我恳求你在服装上保持沉默。你的外表和你的做法大大损害了上帝的圣工。你在服装上说什么都不会达到目的，反而只会令人反感。你不具有基督徒的资格。你必须归正并改革，否则你必沦丧。你若相信异象，为什么不遵之而行呢？为什么不控制你那不圣洁的舌头呢？关于你的缺乏秩序、整洁和清洁，为什么不听从所赐给你的责备呢？为什么不勒住你的舌头呢？你没有把真理始终带在身边。你讲话那么多。你手边没有材料时你就备料并大大夸张。要停止谈论那么多，要多多反思。{19MR 30.3}[3]
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While you have such a great work before you in order to become a consistent Christian, I beg of you to hold your peace upon dress. You greatly injure the cause of God by your appearance and by your course. You can effect nothing by all that you may say upon dress, but only disgust persons. You do not possess the qualifications of a Christian. You must be converted and reform or you are lost. If you believe the visions, why not act upon them? Why not control that unconsecrated tongue? Why not heed the reproof given you in regard to your lack of order, neatness, and cleanliness? Why not bridle your tongue? You have not kept truth upon your side. You talk so much. You prepare material when it is not right at hand and you exaggerate greatly. Cease talking so much and reflect more. {19MR 30.3}[3]
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你说你读了（《证言》）第6辑（即《证言》卷一第52章）并且提到了最后两段，说人们问你怀姐妹怎么着装时，你不得不告诉他们，你很失望地发现我的衣服与我就服装所写的内容不一致。如果我写一套做的是另一套，我就是一个伪善的人。我希望没有人会从我的著作中推断我认为在着装上散漫邋遢是美德。我希望没有人会效法你的榜样，因为我一直蒙指示看到你因忽视着装问题而使真理的事业蒙羞并使别人反感。{19MR 31.1}[4]
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You say that you have read [Testimony] No. 6 and you refer to the last two paragraphs, that when people have asked you how Sister White was dressed you had to tell them you were disappointed to find that my dress was not in accordance with what I had written in regard to dress. I would say, I consider my dress to be in strict accordance with what I have written in regard to dress. If I write one thing and act another, I am a hypocrite. I hope none will conclude from my writings that I consider it a virtue to be loose and untidy in dress. I hope no soul will follow your example, for I have been shown that you dishonor the cause of truth and disgust others by your neglect in the matter of dress. {19MR 31.1}[4]
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你说我在诺克斯维尔穿得很华丽。我戴了一顶旧的天鹅绒便帽，是我在第二个季节常戴的。我洗净了珠串并重新将它们放在帽子上。我穿了一件已经穿了三年的美利奴呢绒裙（美利奴是用源自西班牙的一种耐寒羊的毛做成的柔软织物），除了我的外衣，我在旅程中穿的仅有的一另一件连衣裙在新的时候值三先令每码。我曾经把它穿破了，然而我在离开家去那次旅行之前，把它剪成了片，翻过来，又缝在一起好在那次旅行时穿。我这么麻烦把它翻过来是因为这样可以省去再买一件裙子的麻烦，而仍能看起来得体有序。我的外衣是由一件旧的迪贝芝裙做成的。我把那件裙子的前面加宽了，使它适合在那次旅行时穿。{19MR 31.2}[5]
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You have reported that I was dressed very richly at Knoxville. I had on an old velvet bonnet that I was wearing the second season. I washed the strings and placed them again on the bonnet. I had on a merino [MERINO IS A SOFT FABRIC MADE FROM THE WOOL OF A HARDY BREED OF SHEEP ORIGINALLY FROM SPAIN.] dress that was three years old, and the only other dress I wore on the journey beside my overdress was a dress [which cost] three shillings per yard when new. I had worn it out once, but before I left home for that journey [I] took it to pieces, turned it, and put it together again to finish on that journey. Why I took this trouble to turn it was that I might save the trouble of buying another dress, and yet look decent and orderly. My overdress was made out of an old debeige dress. By putting in front a breadth of another kind, I made it answer on that journey. {19MR 31.2}[5]
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我的围裙是用安娜·怀特的一件旧丝裙做成的，我已经穿了两年。我有一件值每码60美分的美利奴呢绒披肩，边缘有一点天鹅绒。这是我衣服上的惟一不必要的物件。一位姐妹做了那个披肩并且加上了天鹅绒以防止衬里下垂。这就构成了我在诺克斯维尔的“华丽服装。”我一般购买优质面料然后好好照看它，能穿得久一些。{19MR 31.3}[6]
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My apron was made out of an old silk dress which once belonged to Anna White, and I had worn it two years. I had on a merino cape which cost 60 cents per yard, with a bit of velvet around the edge. This is the only unnecessary article about my dress. A sister made the cape and put on the velvet to keep the lining from sagging. This constituted my rich dress at Knoxville. I generally purchase good clothing and then take good care of it, and it lasts me some time. {19MR 31.3}[6]
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我不会支持这种挑剔的精神。我无论在哪里发现它都会将它赶出去。你会将基督教的标准降低到尘埃。要将我寄给你的异象再读一遍。你一定已经忘了其中的内容。你为了过得与异象中所赐的亮光一致，就必须改革，否则就会被称在天平上，显出你的亏欠。只有忠心的得胜者才能赢得永生。在你结出果子与悔改的心相称以前，我无法承认你是一个基督徒。“凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来”（太7:20）。{19MR 32.1}[7]
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I will not countenance this faultfinding spirit. I will drive it [out] wherever I find it. You would lower the standard of Christianity into the very dust. Read again the vision I sent you. You must have forgotten the contents. In order for you to live according to the light given in vision, you must reform or be weighed in the balance and found wanting. It is only the faithful overcomer who wins eternal life. I cannot acknowledge you as a Christian until you bring forth fruit meet for repentance. By their fruits ye shall know them [Matthew 7:20]. {19MR 32.1}[7]
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你自己很不快乐，也使别人不快乐。我担心——是的，有理由担心——你的做法会毁了你丈夫的影响力并使他从圣工上下来。他决不应该不耐烦地回答你，而应真诚地同情你，因为人一旦染上了烦躁的恶习就难以胜过它了。然而必须胜过它。此外，上帝对他不悦，因为他让你那些嫉妒弟兄们的情绪在他心中有分量，以致变得对弟兄们有怨恨了。要小心你所发挥的影响，因为你必须再次面对它。{19MR 32.2}[8]
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You are very unhappy yourself and make others unhappy. I fear--yes, have reason to fear--that your course will ruin the influence of your husband and get him down from the work. He should never answer you impatiently but should sincerely pity you, for when one has contracted a habit of fretting it is hard to overcome it. Nevertheless, it must be overcome. And, again, God frowns upon him when he lets your envious feelings against the brethren weigh on his mind and he becomes embittered toward his brethren. Be careful of the influence you exert, for you must meet it again. {19MR 32.2}[8]
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教会应当被引到上帝面前，“毫无玷污、皱纹等类的病”（弗5:27）。一项大工必须为你完成，之后你才能被带到这个地步。当你对你的丈夫或孩子或你家中的任何一个成员表现出不耐烦和焦躁的时候，你的基督徒品格上就有一个污点。当你变得嫉恨你的丈夫时，就又有一个污点，因为“嫉恨如阴间之残忍”（歌8:6）。当你说弟兄姐妹的坏话，影响其他并不认识他们的人时，当你述说关于他们的并不正确的事情时，你就有了一个污点。{19MR 32.3}[9]
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A church is to be presented to God without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing [Ephesians 5:27]. A great work must be accomplished for you before you can be brought into this position. When you manifest impatience and fretfulness to your husband or children or any member of your family, there is a spot in your Christian character. When you become jealous of your husband, there is another spot, for jealousy is cruel as the grave [Song of Sol. 8:6]. When you talk against your brethren and sisters and influence others who do not know them, when you report things in regard to them which are incorrect, there is a spot. {19MR 32.3}[9]
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“舌头在百体里也是最小的，却能说大话。看哪，最小的火能点着最大的树林。舌头就是火，在我们百体中，舌头是个罪恶的世界，能污秽全身，也能把生命的轮子点起来，并且是从地狱里点着的。……惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是不止息的恶物，满了害死人的毒气”（雅3:5,6,8）。“耶和华啊，谁能寄居祢的帐幕？谁能住在祢的圣山？就是行为正直、做事公义、心里说实话的人。他不以舌头谗谤人，不恶待朋友，也不随伙毁谤邻里”（诗15:1-3）。{19MR 33.1}[10]
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The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! . . . The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. . . . The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:5, 6, 8). Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor [Psalms 15:1-3]. {19MR 33.1}[10]
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在你写给我丈夫的一封信中，你表示惊讶，他竟然那样评价你，然而你的果子已经把你证明出来了。你可能觉得没有朋友，但你若确实如此，你就因此谢谢自己吧。“你们若因犯罪受责打，能忍耐，有什么可夸的呢？但你们若因行善受苦，能忍耐，这在上帝看是可喜爱的”（彼前2:20）。{19MR 33.2}[11]
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In a letter to my husband you express surprise that he judges of you as he has, but your fruits have testified of you. You may feel friendless, but if you do you may thank yourself for it. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God (1 Peter 2:20). {19MR 33.2}[11]
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你若期望受到弟兄姐妹的爱戴，就必须改革。你并没有采取会得到他们喜爱的做法。你以为自己在真理里已经有一段时间了，就鄙视受初信之人指教的想法。然而在此处不要欺骗你自己。你还没有认识到我们信仰的基本原则和它对基督徒品格的要求。{19MR 33.3}[12]
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You must reform if you expect to be beloved of the brethren and sisters. You do not take a course to gain their affections. You think that you have been in the truth some time and disdain the idea of being instructed by persons who have recently embraced the truth. But dont deceive yourself here. You have not yet learned the first principles of our faith and what it requires to constitute a Christian character. {19MR 33.3}[12]
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我承认你已抓住真理，但无法承认真理已经抓住了你。我要是承认这样，就羞辱了真理的事业。我相信也知道真理里面有能力，及至它抓住一个人时，它就开始净化、精炼他的品味，圣化他的判断。它会使接受者柔和谦卑，即使受到不该受的责难也能忍耐。它会使他宽容、愉快、满足、幸福，然而他的生活会以冷静自守为标志。真理在生活中造成一种完全的革新，使接受者有秩序、整洁，并使他敬畏上帝，得以成圣（林后7:1）。{19MR 34.1}[13]
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I allow that you have taken hold of the truth, but cannot admit that the truth has yet taken hold of you. If I should admit this, I dishonor the cause of truth. I believe and know that there is power in the truth, and when it takes hold of an individual it commences to purify, to refine the taste, sanctify the judgment. It will make the receiver meek, patient under censure even if it is undeserved. It will make him forbearing, cheerful, contented, and happy, yet his life will be marked with sobriety. The truth works an entire reformation in [the] life, makes the receiver orderly, neat, and causes him to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. {19MR 34.1}[13]
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你若不将所信奉的真理实行在自己的生活中，你信奉真理的所有表白就都只会降低我对你的评价。我宁愿接受在真理上还是婴孩的人——他们不仅抓住了真理，而且真理也抓住了他们——而不愿接受有高尚的信仰表白却没能实行真理原则的人，因为在有良心的年轻门徒身上有某种可以在其上建造的东西。我们若是真的归顺上帝了，真理和圣洁的原则就会在我们里面。{19MR 34.2}[14]
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All the profession of truth which you might make would only lower you in my estimation unless you carried it out in your life. I would rather receive the veriest babes in the truth, who had not only taken hold of the truth but the truth taken hold of them, than individuals who make an exalted profession yet fail to carry out the principles of truth, for in the conscientious young disciple there is something to build on. If we are truly converted to God, the principles of truth and holiness will be in us. {19MR 34.2}[14]
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你没能明白什么构成一个基督徒、一个真正跟从耶稣的人。你似乎以为你若不在乎你的着装并且对你的仪表怎样表现得毫无品味，你就表现出一种特别的恩赐。你的主要负担是注意一个人的着装从而决定他的品格。（《信函》1861年4号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1988年4月14日全文发表于美国首都华盛顿。{19MR 34.3}[15]
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You fail to understand what constitutes a Christian, a true follower of Jesus. You seem to think that if you are careless of your dress and manifest no taste whatsoever in regard to your apparel, that you manifest a special grace. The principal burden you have is to notice a persons dress and thus decide in regard to his character. --Letter 4, 1861. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. April 14, 1988. Entire Letter. {19MR 34.3}[15]