第15章 纽约州西部
§1
第15章 纽约州西部
§2
Chap. 15—Western New York
§3
我丈夫挣得四十块钱，我们用了一部分钱来买几件必需的衣服，剩下的尚够支付往返纽约州西部的路费。{2SG 96.1}[1]
§4
My husband earned forty dollars, with a part of which we purchased some clothing, and had means left to take us to Western New York and back.?{2SG 96.1}[1]
§5
我的肺部一直很痛，并且咳得厉害，但我相信主会赐给我力量忍受长途旅行。我们把只有十个月的小亨利留给在米德尔敦的班斐姐妹照顾。这对我来说真是一个严峻的考验。以前我从来没有与孩子分开过一夜。我的健康欠佳，所以我不能一面旅行而同时又照顾孩子。我们不敢让爱孩子的心使我们偏离了本分。耶稣已经舍命来拯救我们。我们所付出的任何牺牲若和祂的相比，该是多么微小啊！ {2SG 96.2}[2]
§6
I had been troubled with a pain in my lungs and a severe cough, but I believed the Lord would give me strength to endure the long journey. We left our little Henry, then ten months old, in sister Bonfoey’s care, at Middletown. This was a severe trial to me. I had not been separated from him before for one night. My health was poor. It was impossible for me to travel and have the care of our child. And we dared not let our affection for the child keep us from the path of duty. Jesus laid down his life to save us. How small is any sacrifice we can make, compared with his.?{2SG 96.2}[2]
§7
我们乘轮船去纽约市。张伯伦弟兄陪着我们。在轮船的甲板上我几乎不停地咳嗽。人们的评论如下：“那种咳嗽会使她下到墓地的。”“她活不了多久了，”等等。有人说我不会活着看见纽约了。但我知道我所信的是谁。祂既然吩咐我去，就会在最能荣耀祂的时候解救我。祂只要说一句话就能医治我疼痛发炎的咽喉和肺脏。{2SG 96.3}[3]
§8
We took the steamboat for New York City. Bro. Chamberlain accompanied us. On board of the boat I coughed almost incessantly. Remarks were made as follows: “That cough will carry her to the grave-yard.” “She cannot live long,” &c. Some said that I would not live to see New York. But I knew in whom I believed. He that had bid me go, would give me relief when it would best glorify him.?One word from him would heal my irritated throat and lungs.{2SG 96.3}[3]
§9
次日早上我们到达纽约市，前往当时还在世的穆迪弟兄家。我们在那里会见了贝弟兄和格尼弟兄。我的咳嗽加剧了。我知道我必须得到解救，否则就会倒在疾病之下。我已有数周没睡过一次好觉了。我遵循了《雅各书》第五章中的指示，请弟兄们为我祷告。他们恳切地为我向上帝献上了祷告。但是每当我试图祷告时，就被剧烈的咳嗽打断了。我倚靠上帝的应许——“你们求，就必得着”（约16:24）。我努力要告诉在场的人我相信，但剧烈的咳嗽使我不能讲话。我倚靠主退去休息。我还照常开始咳嗽，不过很快就睡着了，直到午夜才醒来。我便醒着心里感谢上帝，口中也赞美祂。我感到天国的福气临到我身上。我的咳嗽消失了。早上我的朋友们注意到我脸上起了小疙瘩，并且增多扩散了，这些小疙瘩几年都没有离开我。然而在那次旅行中我再也没有咳嗽了。{2SG 97.1}[4]
§10
The next morning we reached New York City, and called upon Bro. Moody who was then living. We there met Brn. Bates and Gurney. My cough increased. I knew I must have relief, or sink beneath disease. I had not had a good night’s rest for weeks. I followed the direction given in?James 5, and asked the brethren to pray for me. They prayed earnestly to God for me. But as often as I attempted to pray, was broken off by severe coughing. I relied upon the promise of God—“Ask and ye shall receive.” I tried to tell those present that I believed, but severe coughing prevented my speaking. I retired to rest trusting in the Lord. I commenced coughing as usual, but soon fell asleep, and did not awake till daylight. I then awoke with gratitude in my heart, and the praise of God on my lips. I felt the blessing of heaven resting upon me. My cough was gone. In the morning my friends noticed a pimple on my face, which increased and spread, and did not leave me for several years. I was not troubled again with a cough on that journey.?{2SG 97.1}[4]
§11
我们头一次的大会是在沃尔尼阿诺德弟兄的谷仓里举行的。赴会的人约有三十五位，这要算是该州西部所能召集的全部同道了。但在这些人中，几乎没有两个人的看法是完全一致的。各人都坚持己见，声称自己的看法是合乎圣经的。人人都渴望有机会提出自己的观点，并向我们讲道。我们便告诉他们，我们这么远赶来不是要听他们讲道，而是来教导他们真理的。阿诺德弟兄认为《启示录》第二十章的千禧年是在过去，还说《启示录》第七章和十四章中提到的144000人是在基督复活时复活的那些人。当我们举行象征主受死的圣餐礼，打算纪念祂的受难时，这位弟兄站起来说他对我们要做的事没有信心；因为圣餐礼是逾越节的继续，一年只应举行一次。{2SG 97.2}[5]
§12
Our first conference was at Volney in Bro. Arnold’s barn. There were about thirty-five present, all that could be collected in that part of the State. There were hardly two agreed. Each was strenuous for his views, declaring?that they were according to the Bible. All were anxious for an opportunity to advance their sentiments, or to preach to us. They were told that we had not come so great a distance to hear them, but had come to teach them the truth. Bro. Arnold held that the 1000 years of?Revelation 20?were in the past; and that the 144,000 were those raised at Christ’s resurrection. And as we had the emblem of our dying Lord before us, and was about to commemorate his sufferings, Bro. A. arose and said he had no faith in what we were about to do; that the Sacrament was a continuation of the Passover, to be observed but once a year.?{2SG 97.2}[5]
§13
这些相去甚远的奇怪观点，如一块石头沉重地压在我的心头。特别是阿诺德弟兄说起千禧年已经过去。我知道他是错的，巨大的忧伤使我在思想上很受压抑。我觉得上帝受到羞辱！在重压下我昏过去了。贝约瑟、张伯伦、格尼、埃德森弟兄和我的丈夫为我祷告。有些人恐怕我将要死了。但主垂听了祂仆人们的祈祷，我便醒了过来。属天的亮光照在我身上，我很快对于尘世的事一无所知。陪伴我的天使向我指出了与会者的一些错误，以及与这些错误相对立的真理。虽然这些人都说自己是有圣经的依据，但这些不一致的观点，实出于他们对圣经的看法。他们必须放弃这些错误观点，在第三位天使信息上团结起来。我们的会议胜利地结束了，真理获得了胜利！{2SG 98.1}[6]
§14
These strange differences of opinion rolled a heavy weight upon me, especially as Bro. A. spoke of the 1000 years being in the past. I knew that he was in error, and great grief pressed my spirits; for it seemed to me that God was dishonored. I fainted under the burden. Brethren Bates, Chamberlain, Gurney, Edson, and my husband, prayed for me. Some feared I was dying. But the Lord heard the prayers of his servants, and I revived. The light of Heaven rested upon me. I was soon lost to earthly things. My accompanying angel presented before me some of the errors of those present, and also the truth in contrast with their errors. That these discordant views, which they claimed to be according to the Bible, were only according to their opinion of the?Bible, and that their errors must be yielded, and they unite upon the third angel’s message. Our meeting ended victoriously. Truth gained the victory.{2SG 98.1}[6]
§15
我们从沃尔尼前往吉布森港。聚会在埃德森弟兄的谷仓里举行。与会的人有热爱真理的，但也有听从并怀有错误并且反对真理的。然而，这次聚会结束前，主以能力为我们行了事。我再次在异象中蒙指示，见到纽约州西部的弟兄们放弃歧见，并在圣经真理上团结起来的重要性。星期三我们离开埃德森弟兄家，打算在纽约城过下一个安息日。我们太晚了没有赶上班轮，所以我们上了航线船，打算在一下班轮经过的时候换乘。我们看见班轮接近时，便开始准备上船。贝弟兄要付船费。但班轮没有停下来，我们不得不在船开着时跳上去。贝弟兄手里拿着我们的船费，对航线船上的人说：“给你船费。”他看到船要开走，便跳起来要上船，但他的脚碰到了船的边缘，他就掉进了水里。于是他就开始游向船，一只手拿着他的皮夹，另一只手拿着一美元钞票。他的帽子掉了，他救帽子时丢了钞票，但他把皮夹抓得紧紧的。班轮停下来等他上船。我们既靠近森特波特，就决定访问哈里斯弟兄家，好让贝弟兄整整衣服。我们对这个家庭的访问很有益处。哈里斯姐妹多年患粘膜炎。她曾用鼻烟缓解这种痛苦，还说她离了鼻烟就活不了。她的头常常很痛。我们劝她转向主，主是大医师，会治好她的病痛。她决定这么做，我们便为她作了祷告。她完全不用鼻烟了。她的症状大大减轻了，从那时起她的健康状况比多年以来都要好。{2SG 99.1}[7]
§16
From Volney we went to Port Gibson. The meeting there was held in Bro Edson’s barn. There were those present who loved the truth, and those who were listening to and cherishing error, and were opposed to the truth. But the Lord wrought for us in power before the close of that meeting. I was again shown in vision the importance of brethren in Western New York laying their differences aside, and uniting upon Bible truth. Wednesday we left Bro. Edson’s, intending to spend the next Sabbath in New York City. We were too late for the packet, so we took a line boat, designing to change when the next packet came along. As we saw the packet approaching, we commenced making preparations to step aboard. Bro. Bates was to pay our fare. The packet did not stop, and we had to spring aboard while the boat was in motion. Bro. Bates was holding the money in his hand, saying to the men on the line boat, “Here, take your pay.” As he saw the boat moving off he sprang to get aboard, but his foot struck the edge of the boat, and he fell back into the water. Bro. Bates commenced swimming to the boat. His pocket-book was in one hand, and a dollar bill in the other. His hat came off, and in saving it lost the bill, but?held fast his pocket-book. The packet halted for him to get aboard. We were near Centerport, and called at Bro. Harris’ and put Bro. Bates’ clothes in order. Our visit proved a benefit to that family. Sister Harris had been a sufferer for years with catarrh, and used snuff for this affliction, and said she could not live without it. She suffered much pain in her head. We recommended her to go to the Lord, the great Physician, who could heal her affliction. She decided to do so, and we had a sweet season of prayer for her. She left the use of snuff entirely. Her difficulties were greatly relieved, and her health better than it had been for years.?{2SG 99.1}[7]
§17
我还在哈里斯弟兄家的时候会见了一位戴着金饰却自称期待基督降临的姐妹。我们说到圣经明确宣布反对戴金饰。但她却提到所罗门受命美化圣殿的经文，还说上帝之城的街道是精金的。她说我们若能藉着戴金饰改善我们的外观以致对世人发挥影响，这么做就是对的。我回答说我们是可怜堕落必死的人，不但不应因所罗门的殿得到了光耀的装饰而装饰我们的身体，反而应该记得我们堕落的状况，以及为救赎我们使上帝的儿子付上了受难与死亡的代价。这种思想应该使我们自卑。耶稣是我们的模范。要是祂撇弃祂的屈辱与苦难，大声说：“若有人要跟从我，就让他取悦自己，享受世界，他就要做我的门徒，”那么大批的人就会相信祂跟从祂。但耶稣只会以那种柔和、被钉者的品格临到我们。我们若愿在天上与祂同在，就必须在地上象祂。世界必要求属它自己的；无论谁要得胜，都必须撇弃属世界的。{2SG 100.1}[8]
§18
While at Bro. Harris’ I had an interview with a sister who professed to be looking for Christ’s coming, who wore gold. We spoke of the express declaration of scripture against it. But she referred to where Solomon was commanded to beautify the temple, and that the streets of the city of God were pure gold. And said if we could improve our appearance by wearing gold, so as to have influence in the world, it was right. I replied that we were poor fallen mortals; and instead of decorating these bodies because Solomon’s temple was gloriously adorned, we should remember our fallen condition, and that it cost the sufferings and death of the Son of God to redeem us. This should cause in us self-abasement. Jesus is our?pattern. If he would lay aside his humiliation and sufferings, and cry, “If any man will come after me, let him please himself, and enjoy the world, and he shall be my disciple,” the multitude would believe, and follow him. But Jesus will come to us in no other character than the meek, crucified One. If we would be with him in heaven, we must be like him on earth. The world will claim its own, and whoever will overcome, must leave what belongs to it.?{2SG 100.1}[8]
§19
我们乘班轮继续我们的旅程直到麦迪逊县。然后我们下了班轮，雇了一辆马车，去了二十五英里外的阿比弟兄家。我们到达他家时，有人提议应该派一个人到门口去问一下，以便要是我们得不到所指望的欢迎，可以与驾车人一起返回，找个旅馆过安息日。阿比姐妹来到门口，我丈夫自我介绍是一个守安息日的人。她说：“很高兴见到您，请进来吧。”他回答说：“马车里还有三个人是和我一起的。我想要是我们一起来可能会吓到你。”得到的回答是：“我从来不怕基督徒。”我们受到了阿比姐妹热忱的欢迎，她表示见到我们很喜乐。当介绍贝弟兄时，她说：“这位就是写了那本遵守安息日的书的贝弟兄吗？竟来看我们了？我不配你们来到我舍下。但主却把你们差到我们这里来；因为我们正急需真理。”{2SG 101.1}[9]
§20
We took the packet on our way to Madison County, which left us within twenty-five miles of Bro. Abbey’s, where we hired a carriage to complete the journey. When we arrived at the house, it was proposed that one go to the door and make inquiries, that if we should be disappointed we could return with the driver, and would keep the Sabbath at a public house. Sr. Abbey came to the door, and my husband introduced himself as one who kept the Sabbath. Said she, “I am glad to see you. Come in.” He replied. “There are three more in the carriage with me. I thought if we all came in together, we might frighten you. “I am never frightened at Christians,” was the reply. Heartily were we welcomed by sister A. She expressed much joy at seeing us, and when Bro. Bates was introduced she said, “Can this be Bro. Bates, who wrote that hewing book on the Sabbath? And come to see us? I am unworthy to have you come under my roof. But?the Lord has sent you to us, for we are all starving for truth.”?{2SG 101.1}[9]
§21
一个孩子被打发到田里去告诉阿比弟兄来了四位守安息日的人。然而他并不急着来认识我们；因为以前曾有一些常来访问他们的人给他施加了影响。这些人虽自称是上帝的仆人，却在这小群设法坚守真理的人中间散布谬论。阿比夫妇曾与他们长期斗争，以致他们不敢再来联络了。阿比弟兄担心我们也是那等人。他进入家门时，冷淡地接待了我们，然后开始问几个简明直接的问题，要知道我们是否守安息日，是否相信过去的信息是出于上帝的。当他感到满意，因我们是带着真理而来时，他就高兴地欢迎了我们。这个宝贵的家庭刚从苦难的熔炉里出来。他们曾遭受过天花的可怕打击，刚刚复原。{2SG 102.1}[10]
§22
A child was sent to the field to inform Bro. Abbey that four Sabbath-keepers had come. He was in no hurry to make our acquaintance; for he had been imposed upon. Some professing to be God’s servants had often visited them, whose work was to scatter error among the little few who were trying to hold fast the truth. Bro. and Sr. A. had warred against them so long that they dreaded to come in contact with them. Bro. A concluded we were of the same class. When he came into the house he received us coldly, and then commenced asking a few plain, direct questions, whether we kept the Sabbath, and believed the past messages to be of God. When he had become satisfied that we had come with truth, he joyfully welcomed us. This dear family were just coming out from the furnace of affliction. They had been visited with that dreadful scourge, small-pox, and were just recovering.?{2SG 102.1}[10]
§23
我们还在那里时，见到了他们所经受的一些考验，那些来拜访他们的人虽然自命不凡，却是撒但的爪牙，要来撕裂吞吃。一个灵意派的人进来，讲话的方式很是狂热亵渎，听起来让人觉得痛苦。他最终宣布自己就是耶稣基督；耶稣不会亲自实际显现等等。我的灵在我里面激愤，不能再闭口不言了。我告诉他我的救主并没有象他所表现的这种令人厌恶的外表。然后我描述了耶稣可爱的本体，祂第二次来到地上时在天云中的荣耀显现；祂以何等的威严和权能驾着云辇，由众天军护送，且有祂父的荣耀伴随。那人生起气来，举起他的伞好像要打我。他性情暴躁，非常恼怒地离开了屋子，走的时候大大谴责了我们一顿。但有一种甜美的精神临到我们身上。{2SG 102.2}[11]
§24
While we were there, we had an exhibition of some of the trials they had passed through, from those visiting them who made great pretensions, but were Satan’s agents to worry and devour. A spiritualizer came in, and talked in such a fanatical and blasphemous manner, that it was painful to hear him. He at last declared himself to be Jesus Christ; that there would be no literal, personal appearing?of Jesus, &c. My spirit was stirred within me. I could hold my peace no longer. I told him that my Saviour did not bear such a disgusting appearance as he manifested. Then I described the lovely person of Jesus, his glorious appearance in the clouds of heaven, as he comes to earth the second time; with what majesty and power he rides forth upon the cloudy chariot, escorted by all the angelic host, and with the glory of the Father. He grew angry, and raised his umbrella as if to strike me. He was vehement. In great rage he left the house, showering denunciations upon us as he went. But a sweet spirit rested upon us.?{2SG 102.2}[11]
§25
我们在这个地方的聚会令少数喜爱真理的人欢欣鼓舞。我们很高兴，因为主本着祂的天意指引了我们那条路。我们一起享受了上帝同在的乐趣，并且感到安慰，因为发现少数人在分散的时期始终坚定站立，在灵意化和狂热主义的迷雾中坚守着真理的信息。这个宝贵的家庭以一种敬虔的作风在路上帮助了我们。我们继续旅行去了布鲁克林，并在穆迪弟兄家里举行了聚会。{2SG 103.1}[12]
§26
Our meetings in that place were cheering to the few who loved the truth. We felt to rejoice that the Lord in his providence had directed us that way. We had enjoyed the presence of God together, and were comforted to find a few who had stood firm all through the scattering, and had held fast the messages through the mist and fog of spiritualism and fanaticism. This dear family helped us on our way after a godly sort. We continued our journey to Brooklyn, and held meetings in Bro. Moody’s house.?{2SG 103.1}[12]