第14章 访问康涅狄格州
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第14章 访问康涅狄格州
§2
Chap. 14—Visit to Connecticut
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我们接到康涅狄格州张伯伦弟兄的来信，请我们去参赴在该州召开的会议。我们决定若能得到路费，就去赴会。我的丈夫和他的雇主结账之后，发现还可支取工资十块钱。我用了五块钱来购买几件我们所极需的衣服，然后把丈夫的大衣补好了，连补钉还是拼凑起来的，使得袖子上都看不到原来的布。我们还剩下五块钱，够到多尔切斯特之用。我们的一只箱子几乎就装尽了我们在地上所有的一切东西；但我们却享有心灵上的平安和一颗无愧的良心，这是我们所最宝贵的，远过于属世的安逸。我们访问了尼克尔斯弟兄。当我们离开的时候，尼克尔斯姐妹拿出五块钱给我的丈夫，这正好够付我们到康涅狄格州米德尔敦去的路费。我们在那里人地生疏，从来没有见过康涅狄格州的一个同道。那时我们手里只剩有五角钱了。我的丈夫不敢用它来雇车子，便将箱子扔在一堆木板上，我们徒步行走，去寻找同道弟兄。不久我们找到了张伯伦弟兄，他就把我们带到他家里去。{2SG 91.1}[1]
§4
We received a letter from Bro. Chamberlain of Connecticut, urging us to attend a conference in that State. We decided to go if we could obtain means. Husband settled with his employer, and found there was ten dollars due him. With five of this I purchased articles of clothing which we much needed, and then patched my husband’s overcoat, even piecing the patches, making it difficult to tell in the sleeves the original cloth. We had five dollars left to take us to Dorchester. Our trunk contained nearly everything we possessed on earth. We enjoyed peace of mind and a clear conscience, and this we prized above earthly comforts. We called at Bro. Nichols, and as we left, sister N. handed my husband five dollars, which paid our fare to Middletown, Ct. We were strangers in that city, and had never seen one of the brethren in the State, and had but fifty cents left. My husband did not dare to use that to hire a carriage, so he threw the trunk upon a pile of boards, and we walked on in search of some one of like faith. We soon found Bro. C. who took us to his house.?{2SG 91.1}[1]
§5
在张弟兄的陪同下，我们前往罗基希尔与那里的弟兄们会面。我们得知T.拉尔夫弟兄病了，并且应邀去看望他。肺结核病显然使他快要入土了，他也知道自己活不了了。他在上帝里是刚强的，他全部的兴趣都在真理上。我们离开了我们亲爱的受苦的弟兄，答应在我们回来时再去看望他。{2SG 91.2}[2]
§6
In company with Bro. C. we went to Rocky Hill to meet with the brethren there. We were informed of the sickness of Bro. T. Ralph,?and called to see him. Consumption had marked him for the grave, and he knew that he could not live. He was strong in God, and his whole interest was in the truth. We left our dear afflicted brother, promising on our return to call again.?{2SG 91.2}[2]
§7
我们晚上被叫去时，发现这个年轻人快要去世了。他的体格因疼痛而变形了。我们与他一同祷告，他沉重的呼吸和呻吟在我们祷告的时候停止了。上帝的福气临到那间病房，我们都感到天使们在四围翱翔。他虽然解脱了一点，但是知道自己快要死了。他设法让我们明白：希望照亮了前途，对他来说那并不是黑暗的无常。我们从他断续的话语中了解到他会在第一次复活有份，然后成为不朽坏的。“请告诉贝弟兄那时我要见到他。”他颤抖的声音常说到那个亲爱的名字，对这个垂死的基督徒来说是那么宝贵——耶稣——他永生的一切盼望都集中在祂身上。我们离开后几小时，他便在耶稣里睡了。我丈夫参加了葬礼。在场有许多人曾听过他忠心的劝告，并且在他活着时藐视了他的劝告，有些人不久以前还因他的信仰辱骂过他。他们看着死者的面容，看到了快乐的微笑，便转脸不再观看，嘴唇颤抖，眼角湿润。我们禁不住想：他虽然死了，还在讲话。所有在场的人都见证：他们从未见过死人脸上有如此愉快可爱的表情。我们跟着遗体去了坟墓，他安息了，直到死了的义人醒来成为不朽。{2SG 92.1}[3]
§8
When we called at night we found the young man very near his end. His mortal frame was racked with pain. We prayed with him, and his heavy breathing and groaning ceased while we were praying. The blessing of God rested down in that sick room, and we felt that angels were hovering around. He was relieved a little, yet knew that he was dying. He tried to have us understand that hope lightened up the future, and that to him it was not a dark uncertainty. We understood from broken sentences that he should have part in the first resurrection, and then be made immortal. Said he, “Tell Bro. Bates that I will meet him then.” His faltering tongue often spoke that dear name, so precious to the dying Christian—Jesus—in whom all his hope of eternal life centered. He fell asleep in Jesus a few hours after we left. My husband attended the funeral. There were many present who had listened to his faithful exhortations, and despised them while he was living, and some who had abused him on account of his faith, a short time before. They looked upon the countenance of the dead, which bore a pleasant smile,?and turned from the sight with quivering lip and moistened eye. We could but think, though dead, he speaketh. It was the testimony of all present that they had never seen so pleasant and lovely an expression upon the face of the dead. We followed the body to the grave, to rest until the righteous dead awake to immortality.?{2SG 92.1}[3]
§9
康涅狄格州罗基希尔会议是在贝尔登弟兄家里尚未造好的一间大客厅里举行的。我丈夫写信给豪兰弟兄论到那次会议，我在这里摘录一段：{2SG 93.1}[4]
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The conference was held at Rocky Hill, Ct., in the large, unfinished chamber of Bro. Belden’s house. I will here give an extract of a letter from my husband to Bro. Howland respecting that meeting.?{2SG 93.1}[4]
§11
“四月二十日，贝尔登弟兄派人驾着他的马车到米德尔敦来，接我们和散居在该城的几位弟兄。我们约在下午四点钟到达会场，过了几分钟，贝约瑟和格尼弟兄也来到了。当天晚上，我们约有十五人开了一次会；星期五上午，还有其他弟兄也陆续来了，直到我们有五十人之多。这些人不都是完全接受了真理的。当天的聚会是很有兴趣的。贝约瑟弟兄清楚地讲解了十条诫命，藉有力的见证强调了十诫的重要性。所传的道坚固了那些已经接受真理的人，并唤醒了那些还没有完全下决心的人。” {2SG 93.2}[5]
§12
“April 20th, Bro. Belden sent his two-horse wagon to Middletown for us and the scattered children in that city. We arrived at this place about four P. M. In a few minutes in came Brn. Bates and Gurney. We had a meeting that evening of about fifteen in all. Friday morning the brethren came in until we numbered about fifty. They were not all fully in the truth. Our meeting that day was very interesting. Bro. Bates presented the commandments in a clear light, and their importance was urged home by powerful testimonies. The word had effect to establish those already in the truth, and to awaken those who were not fully decided.”?{2SG 93.2}[5]
§13
在两年前我已蒙启示，将来要访问纽约州西部。我们受邀在1848年八月参赴沃尔尼的聚会。埃德森弟兄写信给我们，说那里的弟兄多半是贫穷的，所以他不敢答应帮助解决我们的费用，但他愿意尽他所能的。那时我们还没有路费。我丈夫的患有消化不良。他吃得很少。但他得到机会可以在田里割草，就决定去了。那时我们似乎必须凭信心过日子。我们早上起来时，就跪在床边，求上帝赐我们力量承担一天的工作。我们每次必须确知上帝垂听了我们的祈祷，才能满意。于是我的丈夫便出去工作，不是靠他自己的力量，而是靠着主的力量挥动镰刀去割草。在他晚上回家时，我们再恳求上帝赐我们能力，可以赚一点钱来传播祂的真理。我们常常大大蒙福。他在1848年7月2日写信给豪兰弟兄，论到这种经验，我要摘录一段：{2SG 93.3}[6]
§14
Two years before this I was shown that we should visit Western New York at some future time. We were invited to a conference at Volney,?in August, 1848. Bro. Edson wrote that they were generally poor, and he could not promise that they would do much towards defraying our expenses, but he would do what he could. We had no means to travel with. My husband was suffering with dyspepsy. His diet was very spare. But the way opened for him to go into the field to mow grass. It seemed then that we must live by faith. When we arose in the morning we bowed beside our bed, and asked God to give strength to labor through the day. We would not be satisfied unless we had the assurance that the Lord heard us pray. He then went forth to his labor, not in his own strength, but in the strength of the Lord, to swing the scythe. At night when he came home, we would again plead with God for strength to earn means to spread his truth. We were often greatly blessed. I will give an extract from a letter written to Bro. Howland by my husband, July 2d, 1848.?{2SG 93.3}[6]
§15
“今天下雨，所以我没有割草，否则我也不会写信了。我五天为非信徒割草，星期日为信徒割草，在第七日休息，因此我没有很多时间来写信。……上帝赐我力量整天劳碌。……赞美主！我希望能在这里得到几块钱来用在圣工上。{2SG 94.1}[7]
§16
“It is rainy today so that I do not mow, or I should not write. I mow five days for unbelievers, and Sunday for believers, and rest on the seventh day, therefore I have but very little time to write. God gives me strength to labor hard all day. Praise the Lord! I hope to get a few dollars to use in his cause.”?{2SG 94.1}[7]
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他在7月23日又写信给豪兰弟兄说：“我们已经忍受了劳苦，疲乏，疼痛，饥饿，寒冷，炎热，同时尽力向我们的弟兄姐妹行善，如果上帝需要，我们就准备受更多的苦。我今天欢喜快乐，因为今生的安逸，乐趣和舒适是我信心和盼望之祭坛上的牺牲。阿们。{2SG 94.2}[8]
§18
Again he wrote to Bro. H. July 23d: “We have suffered with labor, fatigue, pain, hunger, cold, and heat, while endeavoring to do?our brethren and sisters good; and we hold ourselves ready to suffer more if God requires. I rejoice today that ease, pleasure and comfort in this life, are a sacrifice on the altar of my faith and hope, amen.?{2SG 94.2}[8]
§19
“如果我们的幸福在于使别人幸福，我们确实是幸福的。真门徒不会过满足爱自己的生活，而是为基督，为祂儿女们的利益生活。{2SG 95.1}[9]
§20
“If our happiness consists in making others happy, we are happy indeed. The true disciple will not live to gratify beloved self; but to Christ, and for the good of his little ones.?{2SG 95.1}[9]
§21
“这里的弟兄们正在受福音矫直器的考验。这里有些不得不努力工作才能谋生的人一直在抱怨自己的命运，而当请他们帮助基督的圣工时，他们却认为这很奇怪。我们觉得受罪时为何要发怨言呢，我们有希望摆脱它呀。主的应许是：我们若与基督一同受苦，也必与祂一同作王。人类的苦难在咒诅之下时，不会提升他们与耶稣在祂的宝座上一同作王。这是必死之人在今生的命运。因而，上帝的后嗣就要受更多的苦。是的，他整个身子都要作为活祭献给上帝。他要为基督的圣工牺牲自己的安逸，自己的乐趣，自己的舒适，自己的便利，自己的意愿，和自己自私的愿望，否则决不能与祂在祂的宝座上一同作王。”{2SG 95.2}[10]
§22
“The brethren here are being tried by the gospel straightener. Some here who had to work hard to get a living have been complaining of their lot, and when asked to help in the cause of Christ, have thought very strange. O why should we murmur when we feel the curse, we who have a hope of being freed from it. The promise is, if we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him. The sufferings of the human race while under the curse, will not raise them to fellow-heirship with Jesus on his throne. This is the lot of mortals in this world. The heir of God, then, is required to suffer still more. Yes, his whole body is to be a living sacrifice unto God. He is to sacrifice his ease, his pleasure, his comfort, his convenience, his will, and his own selfish wishes, for Christ’s cause, or never reign with him on his throne.”?{2SG 95.2}[10]