第1537号 教会总部需要灵性和财务..
§1
第1537号 教会总部需要灵性和财务..
§2
MR No. 1537 - Spirituality and Financial Integrity Needed at Church Headquarters
§3
（1897年3月15日写于新南威尔士州，库兰邦，“森尼赛德，”致W.C.怀特。本文稿部分内容发表在《怀爱伦传记》第四卷中。）
§4
我儿啊，我寄给你一份我寄到巴特尔克里克的所有信函的副本，我信任你会正确利用这份材料。我希望会长们会得到我寄去的材料。你会看到现在需要极其谨慎。除了真诚的同情不要有任何感受，并要表明在这个时候你的头脑冷静，因为你凭着信心行事并且倚赖上帝，祂是你的帮助者，你的策士。{21MR 183.1}[1]
§5
(Written March 15, 1897, from Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N.S.W., to W.C. White. Portions of this manuscript appear in the E.G. White Biography, vol. 4.)
§6
I send you, my son, a copy of all that I send to Battle Creek, and I trust you make a right use of this matter. I want that the presidents of conferences shall have the matter I send. You will see that there is need now of the greatest care being exercised. Do not feel anything but sincere pity, and show at this time that you are levelheaded because you move by faith and put your trust in God, and that He is your Helper, your Counsellor. {21MR 183.1}[1]
§7
我对奥尔登长老的事感到非常苦恼，他面对那么大的亮光，还是我行我素。我不清楚他怎么能得到原谅。他行事像一个盲人，像一个头昏的人。一个完全倚赖上帝的人和一个行事为人与上帝相反的人是不会有任何属灵联合的。他们的心、他们的同情和感觉无法在一切主题中最重要的主题——圣灵的表现——上有共鸣。“你们求，就必得着”（约16:24）。“你们虽然不好，尚且知道拿好东西给儿女；何况天父，岂不更将圣灵给求祂的人吗”（路11:13）？主本着祂对人的关怀爱护，很想为祂的子民做更多的、比他们能想到的多得多的事，祂没有前例的爱与他们对祂的良善持有的有限观念截然相反。{21MR 183.2}[2]
§8
I feel so distressed over the matter of Elder Olsen going on and on in the face of so great light. How he can be excusable I cannot define. He has acted like a blind man, like a man dazed. There can be no spiritual union between a man who puts his entire trust in God and a man who is walking contrary to God. Their hearts, their sympathies and feelings cannot sympathize upon the most momentous of all topics, the Holy Spirits manifestation. Ask and ye shall receive. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? The Lord was anxious to do more, much more, for His people than they could conceive of, in His benevolence toward man, His unexampled love as opposed to their limited conceptions of His goodness. {21MR 183.2}[2]
§9
我为非洲写了许多内容。夜复一夜我过了11:00，12:00或1:00还不能入睡。然后有好几个夜晚我到了十点半才能上床休息。今天早上我两点钟就起来了。不能直接给你写很多；我要写几句。{21MR 183.3}[3]
§10
I have written very much for Africa. Night after night I have been unable to sleep past 11:00, 12:00, or 1:00 oclock. Then I have not been able for several nights to get to rest before half past ten oclock. This morning I am up at 2:00 oclock a.m. Cannot write much directly to you; I will write a few words. {21MR 183.3}[3]
§11
你会看到这一切的内容都是我在上帝之灵的激励影响下写的。我的健康状况大大改善了，但我没有冒险放纵自己乘车出去，因为我想要将这批邮件付邮，而且这还不是我必须寄出的一切。下一批邮件会寄更多，都写好了。{21MR 183.4}[4]
§12
You will see all this matter I have written under the constraining influence of the Spirit of God. My health is greatly improved but I have not ventured to indulge myself to ride out, because I wanted this to go and it is not all that I must send. Next mail will carry more matter, all written. {21MR 183.4}[4]
§13
我心中深感忧伤，几乎痛苦到受不了巴特尔克里克教会存在的局面。根据我不时得到的亮光，总的来说将太重的责任放在一个人身上了。无论谁被选为会长，都应该有另一个人分担所有的责任，他们应当联合一致地工作。他们应当是献身的人，比如在我们所有的队伍中有那些会感到必需与上帝谈心并且倚靠“耶和华如此说”而不是倚靠人的人，人在灵性上是软弱有缺陷的，他们能说却很少祈祷。他们如焚的欲望是要引进人的某种奇妙发明，会造成一种外观，羞辱了上帝，并使祂的工作呈现出羞辱上帝的局面。甚愿以往的记录可以从天上的案卷中被涂抹！{21MR 183.5}[5]
§14
I feel deep sorrow of soul that is almost too painful to bear at the state of things that exists in the church at Battle Creek. From the light given me from time to time, altogether too heavy responsibilities are laid upon one man. Whoever is chosen as president, there should be another man who should share all the responsibilities, and they should work unitedly. They should be consecrated men, such as there are in all our ranks, men who shall feel the necessity of communing with God and relying upon a Thus saith the Lord rather than putting their trust in men who are deficient and weak in spirituality, who can talk but who seldom pray. The burning desire to bring in something wonderful of mens devising that will make an appearance has dishonored God and put a complexion upon His work that is a dishonor to God. Oh, that the past record might be blotted out of the books of heaven! {21MR 183.5}[5]
§15
我希望你去看看亨利弟兄，并且做出一切可能的努力用希望鼓舞他投诚于上帝。我确信要是奥尔森弟兄没有使亨利弟兄以为他支持他，他原能得到帮助。要是奥尔森弟兄没有扮演亚伦和以利的角色，而是坚定地倚靠上帝的膀臂而不是人的膀臂，上帝原会为他行事并成为他的力量、他的前卫和后盾。{21MR 184.1}[6]
§16
I want you to see Brother Henry and make every effort possible to inspire him with hope, to surrender to God. I am sure he could have been helped if Brother Olsen had not led him to suppose he sustained him. Had Brother Olsen not acted the Aaron and the Eli, but stood leaning upon the arm of God in the place of the arm of man, God would have worked for him and been his strength, his front guard, his rereward. {21MR 184.1}[6]
§17
然而，唉，结果与此很不相同！在巴特尔克里克任职的那些人的眼目多多少少已经瞎了，他们全部的经验已经变得如此混乱以致分不清光明与黑暗，真理与谬论。他们没有照着他们所应当的知道许多事，可是却教育我们的人一直指望从巴特尔克里克得指导，其实那些在学校和出版社的人一直很缺乏真正的亮光，以致许多人自以为富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺，却不知道他们是困苦、可怜、瞎眼、赤身的。这全都是因为他们不听从那真实见证者的劝勉。{21MR 184.2}[7]
§18
But, oh, it has been so different than this! The eyes of men who have officiated in Battle Creek have been more or less blinded and their whole experience has become so confused they cannot discern light from darkness, truth from error. They do not know many things as they ought to know them, and yet the education of our people has been to look to Battle Creek for guidance, when those in the school and in the publishing house have been so destitute of the true light that many consider themselves rich and increased in goods and having need of nothing, and know not that they are wretched and blind and miserable and naked. And all because they did not heed the counsel of the True Witness. {21MR 184.2}[7]
§19
我看到许多人已经采取的做法，就很惊讶，极不喜悦。然后他们竟然伸手到上帝已指定要供养正努力向他人传扬生命之道的传道人的库中，使用维持传道工作的十分之一，乃是没有忠心监管资金的另一个证据。{21MR 184.3}[8]
§20
I am surprised and sore displeased as I see the course that many have taken. And then to put their hands into the treasury that God has appointed to sustain the ministers in laboring in service to God, to hold forth the Word of life to others, is another evidence of unfaithful guardianship of the means to be used to sustain the missionary work by the tithe money. {21MR 184.3}[8]
§21
然而，唉，缺乏资金推进上帝在外国圣工，同时在奥克兰、旧金山和巴特尔克里克的大教会却在从库中提取上帝指定用于传道工作的资金，用来支付教堂维护费用和燃料费、照明费！{21MR 184.4}[9]
§22
But oh, the dearth of means to carry forward the work of God in foreign countries, while the large churches in Oakland and San Francisco and Battle Creek are taking from the treasury the means God has appointed [for the ministry, and using it] to defray the expenses of keeping the church building in order and in paying the expenses of fuel and lights! {21MR 184.4}[9]
§23
哪里在做正直的工作呢？哪里有舍己和自我牺牲的榜样呢？传道人没有得到足够的工资。布尔多长老说他作了工却没有从库中得到工资。其他人也抱怨说不能养家。上帝指定的人在哪里呢？{21MR 184.5}[10]
§24
Where is the straight work being done? Where is the example in self-denial and self-sacrifice? Ministers are not all sufficiently paid. Elder Bourdeau says he has labored and received no wages from the treasury. Others complain of being unable to sustain their families. Where are the men of Gods appointment? {21MR 184.5}[10]
§25
当主的分，就是祂所保留为祂自己的十分之一和供物被用于普通的用途，同时教会却在炫耀一种自我放纵和自私满足的爱的时候，主就不会也不能赐福各教会，而会从凡侍奉自己而羞辱上帝的人收回祂的灵。{21MR 185.1}[11]
§26
When the Lords portion, which He has reserved as His own in tithes and offerings, is used for common purposes while the church is displaying a love of self-indulgence and selfish gratification, the Lord will not, cannot bless churches and will withdraw His Spirit from all who serve themselves and dishonor God. {21MR 185.1}[11]
§27
非常需要整顿局势。传道人在变得灰心，然而他们的虔诚已不具有正确的品质。一项大工需要完成，却在两个出版中心都被撇下没有完成。锡安城墙上的守望者们、我们期刊的编辑们不要谈论艰难时期、缺乏资金和开支很大，而要在“我的圣山”上敲响警钟。要让他们舍己，背起十字架跟从耶稣。{21MR 185.2}[12]
§28
There is a great need of setting things in order. Ministers are becoming discouraged, but their piety has not been of the right quality. A great work needs to be done that has been left undone in both the publishing centers. In the place of talking about hard times, dearth of means, and large expenses, let the watchmen on the walls of Zion, the editors of our periodicals, sound an alarm in all My holy mountain. Let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus. {21MR 185.2}[12]
§29
当家庭和个人在服装上、在吃喝上、在获得一切想要享受的事上放纵自己的时候，不要再抱怨艰难时期。要让舍己进来。如果时候是艰难的，就使生活费符合现状吧，不要以为他们藉着供养更少的传道人和使用主已为特别的用途分别出来的资金支付不意味着救灵的普通花费能使时候更好些。{21MR 185.3}[13]
§30
Let there be no more complaints of hard times when families and individuals indulge themselves in dress, in eating, in drinking, in obtaining all the enjoyable things that they desire. Let self-denial come in. If times are hard, bring the living expenses to the situation, and do not think they can make the times better by having fewer ministers to support, and using the means the Lord has consecrated for a special purpose to defray common expenses which do not mean souls. {21MR 185.3}[13]
§31
十分之一的钱是上帝的。一种抢夺的制度已经实施多年，人们在属灵上是盲目的，看不出他们在使资源枯竭，不能维持园地中的传道人。年轻人除了与医疗布道工人们联合，还能做什么呢？{21MR 185.4}[14]
§32
The tithe money is Gods. A system of robbery has been going on for years, and men are spiritually blind and do not discern that they are drying up the resources to keep ministers in the field. And what else can the young men do but unite with the medical missionary workers? {21MR 185.4}[14]
§33
传道人只得到一点点鼓励被接受并作为工人被派出去，因为库中没有钱给他们鼓励。结果就是非常缺乏工人。人们必须要么进入文字布道园地，要么与医疗布道工人联合，然后那些没有给他们适当鼓励的人就会责备凯洛格医生将他们不接受也不安排工作的人收集起来了。{21MR 185.5}[15]
§34
There has been but little encouragement for ministers to be accepted and sent out as laborers, because there is no money in the treasury to give them encouragement. The result is that there is a great dearth of laborers. Men must either enter the canvassing field or unite with the medical missionary workers, and then those who have given them no suitable encouragement will blame Dr. Kellogg for gathering up those whom they do not accept and set at work. {21MR 185.5}[15]
§35
当那些在巴特尔克里克任职的人作出清晰的见证时，当从祭坛取下的红炭沾了他们的口的时候，天上的守望者才会说：“看哪，这炭沾了你的嘴，你的罪孽便除掉，你的罪恶就赦免了”（赛6:7）。需要有一种深切的谦卑，要比已经表现的远为深切。{21MR 185.6}[16]
§36
When there is a clear-cut testimony borne by men who officiate in Battle Creek, when the live coal from off the altar has touched their lips, the heavenly Watcher will say, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sins purged. There needs to be a deep humiliation, far deeper than has yet been manifest. {21MR 185.6}[16]
§37
当人进入与上帝的亲密关系时，当他们的属灵眼力能看清呈现在以赛亚面前的事物时，才会有一种活的传道工作，会显出激动人心之归正的结果，然后才会有一番觉醒，如同人们从沉睡中醒来一样。一直在讲并且已经哄骗人们有一种属肉体的安全感的乏味平庸的讲道就终止。痛悔的人，祷告的人就会作警告、督责、斥责自私骄傲和贪心的活见证，上帝就会回到祂的子民中间。{21MR 185.7}[17]
§38
When men shall come into close relationship with God, when their spiritual vision can discern the things presented to Isaiah, there will be a living ministry that will show results in stirring the hearts of the people that they shall be converted, and then there will be an awakening as men awaken out of deep sleep. The tame, commonplace discourses that have been preached and have lulled the people to a carnal security, will be broken up. Penitent men, praying men, will bear a living testimony of warning, of reproof, of rebuke of selfishness and pride and covetousness, and God will return to His people. {21MR 185.7}[17]
§39
资金缺乏的警告表明罪在百姓身上，自私自利和自我放纵在侵蚀上帝子民的命脉。上帝子民的信心在哪里呢？他们在做什么呢？要宣讲“你们要变卖所有的周济人”（路12:33），而当主看到男男女女悔改，内心痛悔，愿意从他们的罪回转时，上帝就会与他们同工。要阅读以赛亚57:13-20。“因他贪婪的罪孽，我就发怒击打他；我向他掩面发怒，他却仍然随心背道”（17节）。人们的罪已经激起了上帝对他们的忿怒，当他们愿意藉着悔改和向上帝认罪并离弃罪恶来谦卑己心时，主就必实现祂的话。{21MR 186.1}[18]
§40
The warning over the dearth of means shows that sin is upon the people, that selfishness and self-indulgence are eating out the vitals of the people of God. Where is the faith of the people of God? What are they doing? Sell that ye have and give alms will be proclaimed, and when the Lord sees that men and women are repentant and contrite of heart, that they are willing to be converted from their sins, God will work with them. Read Isaiah 57:13-20. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid Me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart [verse 17]. When the people will humble their hearts by repentance and confession to God and the forsaking of sins which have stirred the wrath of God against them, then the Lord will fulfill His word. {21MR 186.1}[18]
§41
“我看见他所行的道，也要医治他；又要引导他”（18节）。这就是在巴特尔克里克、奥克兰和我们所有的教会中需要的事。{21MR 186.2}[19]
§42
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also [verse 18]. This is the very thing that is needed in Battle Creek and in Oakland and in all our churches. {21MR 186.2}[19]
§43
“我要引导他。”人们一直被人引导，倚靠人，转脸不看上帝而去听从人的忠告。当我们都悔改这种大大羞辱了上帝的做法的时候，我们的眼光才会超越人的智慧。要让每一个人都亲自寻求上帝。传道人和百姓都离上帝很远。必须复兴活的见证，主的信息要从真实无伪的口中发出去，全心悔改，不再自高自大，而是谦卑、温柔、谦逊的。{21MR 186.3}[20]
§44
I will lead him. Men have been led by men and depended on men and turned their faces from God to listen to the counsel of men. When we all repent of doing this and greatly dishonoring God, [we shall] look higher than human wisdom. Let every one seek God for his individual self. Ministers and people are far from God. The living testimony must be revived, and the message of the Lord will go forth from unfeigned lips, the whole heart contrite and no more lifted up, but humble and meek and lowly. {21MR 186.3}[20]
§45
耶和华对每一个人如此说：“你们当守公平，行公义；因我的救恩临近，我的公义将要显现。谨守安息日而不干犯，禁止己手而不作恶；如此行、如此持守的人便为有福”（赛56:1,2）。{21MR 186.4}[21]
§46
Thus saith the Lord to every person, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil [Isaiah 56:1, 2]. {21MR 186.4}[21]
§47
教会肢体们因从事房地产中介业务而大大羞辱了上帝。这是不适当的或言行不一致的。在每一种情况下都有不公和欺诈，而这竟得到允许，大大损害了上帝的圣工。有一种业务更像经纪人业务，许多人受了欺骗、迷惑，陷入缺乏状态。寡妇孤儿不得不受苦。有欺诈、不诚实和腐败行为，这些事在进行而没有坚决的措施净化教会脱离这些玷污心灵和抢夺寡妇孤儿与穷人的事。{21MR 186.5}[22]
§48
There has been great dishonor to God by church members engaging in the real estate agents business. It is not proper or consistent. In every case there is injustice and fraud, and this has been allowed to do great harm to the cause of God. There is a business that is more nearly like the brokers business, and many have been deceived, deluded, and brought into want. Widows and orphans have had to suffer. There is fraud and dishonesty and corruption, and these things are carried on without decided measures to purify the church from these things that defile the soul and rob the widow and the fatherless and poor. {21MR 186.5}[22]
§49
主宣布：“我就不再与你们同在了。”“以色列人犯了罪，违背了我所吩咐他们的约，取了当灭的物；又偷窃，又行诡诈，又把那当灭的放在他们的家具里”（书7:12,11）。这一切都在玷污我们界内所有的教会——伪装、偷窃和抢夺。唉，怎样任由事情漂进上帝所禁止的不正当的渠道了呀！必须有一场觉醒来挽回局面。{21MR 187.1}[23]
§50
The Lord declares, Neither will I be with you any more. Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also [Joshua 7:12, 11]. All this is defiling the churches throughout our borders--dissembling and theft and robbery. Oh, how things have been left to drift into perverted channels forbidden of God! There must be an awakening to save the situation. {21MR 187.1}[23]
§51
我现在不会再写了。天刚亮。我必须给爱德森写几句。一定要看望爱德森。不要忽视此事。请将这封信读给爱德森听，请注意让他读到我寄给你的所有材料。赫伯特[莱西]在健康之家。莉莲和我在一起。他瘦到皮包骨了。情况很危急，但我相信主会使他起来的。我们在为他祷告。已经为他做了可能做的一切。撒拉在安息日过后晚上回来作了我现在写给你的报告。她也做不了什么。赛门斯弟兄将他的全部时间都给了病人，他们还有迪克医生，他在以极大的兴趣注意着卫生疗法的情况。他说他正在对这次疾病发作尽力而为。（《信函》1897年181号）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1990年12月13日全文发表于马里兰州银泉市。{21MR 187.2}[24]
§52
I will write no more now. It is just daylight. I must write a few words to Edson. Be sure and see Edson. Do not neglect this. Please read this to Edson and please see that he has all the matter I send you to read. Herbert [Lacey] is at the health home. Lillian is with me. He is reduced to skin and bones. The case is critical, but I believe the Lord will raise him up. We are praying for him. He is having everything done for him possible. Sara returned evening after the Sabbath and bears the report I now give you. She could not do anything. Brother Semmens gives his whole time to the sick man, and they are having Dr. Deek, who is watching the case of the hygienic methods of treatment with great interest. He says he is doing just as well as he could possibly do under this attack.--Letter 181, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Silver Spring, Maryland December 13, 1990. Entire Letter. {21MR 187.2}[24]