第24章 东部之行
§1
第24章 东部之行
§2
Chap. 24—Eastern Tour
§3
我们曾约好外出两个月，从纽约州的罗彻斯特一直到缅因州的班戈。这次旅行我们打算利用蓬车和良马查理。{2SG 166.1}[1]
§4
We had appointments out for two months, reaching from Rochester, N. Y., to Bangor, Me., and this journey we were to perform with Charley and covered carriage.?{2SG 166.1}[1]
§5
但我们不敢在小孩子这么危险的时候出发，最后决定，只要他的情形不再恶化，我们仍要动身。我们必须在两天之内起程，以便达到第一个约定地点。我们把这事求问主，决定如果孩子能吃一点东西，我们就要出发。头一天并没有好转。他一点东西也不吃。第二天中午他要喝一点鸡汤，结果得到了滋润。当天下午我们启程了。约在四点钟我用枕头抱着我的病孩子，行了二十英里路。那天夜里，他似乎非常神经紧张。他不能入睡，所以我几乎通夜把他抱在怀里。我的丈夫会常常醒着，他听到我的摇椅有声音，就会叹息，因为他想到我们前面还有冗长乏味的旅程。我们一夜无眠。{2SG 166.2}[2]
§6
We dared not leave the child in so critical a state, and decided to go unless there was a decided change for the worse. In two days we must commence our journey in order to reach the first appointment. We presented the case before the Lord, taking it as an evidence that if the child had appetite to eat we would venture. The first day there was no change for the better. He could not bear the least food The next day about noon he called for chicken broth, and it nourished him. We commenced our journey that night. About four o’clock I took my sick child upon a pillow, and we rode twenty miles. He seemed very nervous that night. He could not sleep, and I held him in my arms nearly the whole night. My husband?would frequently awake, and as he heard the sound of my rocking-chair, would groan, for he thought of the tedious journey before us. We obtained no sleep through the night.?{2SG 166.2}[2]
§7
次日早晨我们商议或是回到罗彻斯特，或是仍向前行。那招待我们的人家说：如果我们仍向前行，这孩子一定会死在中途；而且从表面上看来，这是很可能的。但我不敢回到罗彻斯特去。我们相信孩子的病是出于撒但的作为，要拦阻我们的旅行；所以我们不敢向他屈服。我对丈夫说：“如果我们回去，我想孩子一定会死的。如果我们前进，他也不过是一死。让我们信赖主，继续我们的行程吧。”我们前面还有100英里的路程，要在两天内完成，但我们相信主会在这艰难时期为我们行事。{2SG 167.1}[3]
§8
The next morning we consulted together whether to return to Rochester, or go on. The family who had entertained us said we should bury the child on the road. And to all appearance it would be so. But I dared not go back to Rochester. We believed the affliction of the child was the work of Satan to hinder us from traveling, and we dared not yield to him. I said to my husband, “If we go back I shall expect the child to die. He can but die if we go forward. Let us proceed on our journey trusting in the Lord.” We had a journey of about one hundred miles before us to perform in two days, yet we believed that the Lord would work for us in this time of extremity.?{2SG 167.1}[3]
§9
那时我已经疲惫不堪，深恐自己抱着孩子的时候会瞌睡，以致让孩子跌落下去；所以我把他放在膝上，又把他绑在腰上，这样，我们二人那天一路上大半是在睡觉。孩子在行程中渐渐恢复了力气，等到我们带他回家的时候，已是相当健壮了。{2SG 167.2}[4]
§10
I was much exhausted, and feared I should fall asleep and let the child fall from my arms, so I laid him upon my lap, and tied him to my waist, and we both slept that day over much of the distance. The child revived and continued to gain strength the whole journey, and we brought him home quite rugged.?{2SG 167.2}[4]
§11
主在我们去佛蒙特州的路上大大赐福与我们。我的丈夫十分操劳。在各地聚会中，多半是他讲道。他又卖书，努力推销报刊。一次聚会结束以后，我们就立即赶赴下一次聚会。中午我们常常在路旁喂马，一边吃饭。饭后，我丈夫把他的稿纸放在饭盒上或帽子上，为《评论与通讯》和《青年导报》写文章。{2SG 167.3}[5]
§12
The Lord greatly blessed us on our journey to Vermont. My husband had much care and labor. At the different conferences he did most of the preaching, sold books, and took pay for the papers. And when one conference was?over, we would hasten to the next. At noon we would feed the horse by the roadside, and eat our lunch. Then my husband, with paper and pencil upon the cover of our dinner-box, or the top of his hat, would write communications for the?Review?and?Instructor.?{2SG 167.3}[5]
§13
我们在沃尔科特的聚会特别有兴致。连着房子支起了帐篷容纳来聚会的人。主惠赐我们自由，真理感动了人心。我在会众中见了异象，并且完全自由地将之讲了出来。我在那里和我们亲爱的皮尔斯姐妹熟悉起来。我倾心于对她的爱与同情，因为我曾处于类似的心态中。我们亲爱的本森弟兄在这次聚会上信服了真理。他相信所见证的异象是出于上帝的能力，并且因这异象而感动。他完全接受了真理。其他的人在那次聚会上也决定顺从上帝全部的诫命。自从那次聚会以后，我们在佛蒙特州参加的每一次聚会上都见到了本森弟兄愉快的面容。但我们不会在这种必死的状态见到他了。他在盼望里去世了，且要安息在寂静的坟墓中，直到义人复活的时候。{2SG 168.1}[6]
§14
Our meeting at Wolcott was of special interest. A canvas was attached to the house to accommodate the people. The Lord blessed us with freedom, and the truth affected hearts. I had a vision in the congregation, and had perfect liberty in relating it. I there became acquainted with our dear Sr. Pierce. My heart was drawn out in sympathy and love for her, for I had been in a similar state of mind. At this meeting our dear Bro. Benson was convicted of the truth. He believed the vision he witnessed to be the power of God, and was affected by it. He fully embraced the truth. Others decided at that meeting to obey all God’s commandments and live. Since that meeting we have met Bro. B.’ s cheerful countenance in every conference we have attended in Vermont. But we shall meet him in this mortal state no more. He died in hope, and will rest in the silent grave until the resurrection of the just.?{2SG 168.1}[6]
§15
还是在佛蒙特州的潘顿，主与祂的子民相会。皮尔斯夫妇在场。主的灵感动了参加那次聚会之人的心。E.丘吉尔弟兄的灵很是忧伤，他决定完全站在上帝余民的立场上。主在这次聚会的时候向我显现，并把我带入异象中。祂为了皮尔斯姐妹赐给我一个安慰的信息。下文是他们的陈述：{2SG 168.2}[7]
§16
Again at Panton, Vt., the Lord met with his people. Bro. and Sr. Pierce were present. The Spirit of the Lord affected hearts in that meeting. Bro. E. Churchill was much broken?in spirit, and decided fully to take his stand with the remnant people of God. At this meeting the Lord revealed himself to me, and I was taken off in vision. A comforting message was given me for Sr. Pierce. The following is their statement:?{2SG 168.2}[7]
§17
“我的妻子许多年以来一直偶尔处于极其绝望的状态，有时会长时间处于这种不可救药的状态。她还很年轻的时候就这样了，不时使她受苦，直到我们接受了最后的现代真理信息之后。{2SG 169.1}[8]
§18
“My wife has for many years been subject to occasional, and sometimes protracted, seasons of the most hopeless despair. They began with her when quite young, and have from time to time afflicted her till since we embraced the present, the last message of truth.?{2SG 169.1}[8]
§19
“我们在接受了安息日和其它一些与现代信息有关的真理一段时间之后，她烦劳的心思陷入了黑暗的高潮。最鼓舞人心的谈话、引自圣经的最令人振奋的应许似乎对她的心思都毫无效果。她虽天生具有爱交际的性情，她的气质也很有利于友好的交往，可是她的精神压力是那么大，她的脑海中又那么生动地活现出她所想象可怜、凄惨、绝望的状态，以致她不想再参加她通常认为有趣的社交谈话，宁愿不见她的熟人，甚至连她最亲密的一些朋友也不见。此外，她还一点不想参加任何宗教聚会，也几乎不能激励自己去从事平常所爱好的事。{2SG 169.2}[9]
§20
“Some time after having embraced the Sabbath, and some other truths pertaining to the present message, the climax of darkness settled down upon her laboring mind, insomuch that the most encouraging conversation, elicited from the most cheering promises of the Bible, appeared to have no good effect upon her mind whatever. And although naturally possessed of a social disposition, and a cast of mind very favorable to friendly associations, yet so great was the weight of her mental oppression, and so vividly, in her estimation, was portrayed before the mind her forlorn, abject and wretched condition, that she was disinclined to participate in what by her had usually been deemed interesting social interviews, and rather inclined to absent herself from the presence of those who belonged to the circle of her acquaintance generally, and even some of her most endeared?friends. Further, she had no disposition to attend any religious meetings, nor could she scarcely stimulate herself to go about the business of her usual avocation.?{2SG 169.2}[9]
§21
“我认为这种心态开始于1852年5月，并且持续加重，直到9月1日——沃尔科特聚会开始的时候，我和她一些特别的朋友激励她去参加了。那时她心中那种痛苦的重担也没有在本质上消除。尽管她认识到那次聚会很重要，主的灵也在那里；尽管预言的恩赐藉着怀姐妹得到了特别的彰显，在某种意义上使她满意地相信那些异象是出于上帝的，然而她当时并不指望自己在眼前所经历的重要事件中有份。她就处在这种状态，直到四周以后在潘顿聚会的时候。正是在这次聚会上，主赐给怀姐妹一个异象，其中部分内容很清晰地说明了她的情况，很完美地指示了她要做什么，从那时以来，她的情况已在很大程度上有了极其快乐的改变。{2SG 170.1}[10]
§22
“This state of mind commenced, I believe, in the month of May, 1852, and continued with increased severity until the first of September following—the time of the Wolcott meeting, which myself and some other of her especial friends constrained her to attend. Nor was the weight of that mental anguish essentially abated then. Though she realized that it was an interesting meeting, that the Spirit of the Lord was there; and though the gift of prophecy was especially developed through Sr. White, in a manner that satisfactorily convinced her that the visions were of God, yet at that time she had no hope that she had any part or lot in the matter of interest which then passed before her. Thus she remained till the time of the Panton meeting, four weeks afterwards. It was at this meeting the Lord gave Sr. White a vision, a part of which so clearly showed up her case, and so perfectly instructed her what to do, from that time forward the scene with her was in a great measure the most happily changed.?{2SG 170.1}[10]
§23
“从前那些绝望的时辰是逐渐消磨掉的；但这次似乎是话一出口，事就成就了。因为就连我们散会回家的时候，她的面容都不是阴郁恐惧的，而是容光焕发，有鼓舞人心的盼望。{2SG 170.2}[11]
§24
“Previously those seasons of despair had worn off more gradually; but in this case it seemed that the word was spoken, and the work was done. For even on our return from the?meeting, instead of gloom and horror being depicted on her countenance it was lighted up with cheering hope.?{2SG 170.2}[11]
§25
“因心思遭受似乎无法忍受的可怕预感而造成的那些失眠的时辰和心神不宁的夜晚，此后几乎没有再现，不再打扰我们惯常的休息了。她非但不再退避似乎只会使她的祸患加重的宗教聚会，反而热心参加必要的工作，以便定期地在我们自己的家里建立聚会。{2SG 171.1}[12]
§26
“Those sleepless hours and restless nights which before had been the effect of a mind tortured with forebodings more dreadful than it seemed able to endure, have scarcely since recurred to disturb our accustomed repose. Instead of a manifest shrinking from the attendance of religious meetings, which only seemed to aggravate her woes, she then engaged zealously in the work necessary in order to establish meetings periodically at our own house.?{2SG 171.1}[12]
§27
“我相信她的状况在那时发生的这种有利的改变完全是所赐异象的结果。那些曾处于类似状况的人从前曾付出过不倦的努力，在谈话中引用许多又大又宝贵的应许，设法鼓舞消沉的心，但都于事无补。我实在相信应该为教会中有这种恩赐而感恩。[13]
§28
“I believe this favorable change in her condition at that time to be exclusively the effect of the visions then given. Untiring efforts had previously been put forth, by those who had been in a similar condition, in conversation eliciting many of the great and precious promises, to try to buoy up the sinking mind, but it all produced no beneficial effect. Truly I have since believed there was occasion for gratitude that this gift is in the church. “Stephen Pierce.?{2SG 171.2}[13]
§29
“司提反.皮尔斯。{2SG 171.2}[14]
§30
“According to my best recollection, the above account of my mental trials, and the effect of Sr. White’s visions, written by my husband, is essentially correct. “Almira Pierce.”?{2SG 171.3}[14]
§31
“根据我最好的回忆，我的丈夫所写上述我的心理磨难和怀姐妹异象的影响，实质上是正确的。[15]
§32
While we were absent from Rochester the foreman of the Office was attacked with cholera.?He was an unconverted young man. The lady of the house where he boarded died with the cholera, also her daughter. He was then brought down, and no one ventured to take care of him, fearing the disease. The Office hands watched over him until the disease seemed checked, then took him to our house. He had a relapse, and a physician attended him, and exerted himself to the utmost to save him, but at length told him that his case was hopeless, that he could not survive through the night. Those interested for him could not bear to see the young man die without hope. They prayed around his bedside, while he was suffering great agony. He also prayed that the Lord would have mercy upon him, and forgive his sins. Yet he obtained no relief. He continued to cramp and toss in restless agony. The brethren continued in prayer all night, that he might be spared to repent of his sins, and keep the commandments of God.?{2SG 171.4}[15]
§33
“阿尔迈拉.皮尔斯。{2SG 171.3}[16]
§34
He at length seemed to consecrate himself to God, and promised the Lord he would keep the Sabbath and serve him. He soon felt relief. The next morning the physician came, and as he entered, said, “I told my wife about one o’clock this morning that in all probability the young man was out of his trouble.” He was told that he was alive. The physician was surprised, and immediately ascended the stairs to his room, and as he examined his pulse, said,?“Young man, you are better, the crisis is past, but it is not my skill that saved you, but a higher power. With good nursing you may get about again.” He gained rapidly, and soon took his place in the Office a converted man.{2SG 172.1}[16]
§35
我们去东部旅行不在罗彻斯特的时候，印刷所的领班得了霍乱。他是一个未悔改的年轻人。他所寄宿那家的主妇死于同样的疾病，她女儿也是一样。他那时病倒了，没有人敢去照顾他，担心感染疾病。印刷所的雇员监护着他，直到疾病似乎受到控制了，才把他带到我家。他的病复发了，一位医生照顾他，竭尽全力要救他，但最终告诉他说他的情况没有希望了，他活不过当天晚上了。那些关心这个青年的人不忍见他没有指望就死了。他们便在他极其痛苦的时候围在他床边祷告。他也祈求主怜悯他，赦免他的罪。可是他没有得到解救。他在不息的痛苦中继续抽搐翻滚。弟兄们继续祷告，终夜祈求主存留他的性命好让他悔改自己的罪，遵守上帝的诫命。{2SG 171.4}[17]
§36
他最终似乎把自己献给了上帝，答应主他会守安息日并且侍奉祂。他便立刻感到解脱了。第二天早上医生来了，他进来便说：“我告诉我妻子约在今天凌晨一点钟这个年轻人很可能就一命呜呼了。”他却被告知年轻人还活着。医生很惊讶，立刻上楼去他的房间。他把脉的时候说：“年轻人，你好多了，危机过去了；但不是我的医术救了你，而是一种更高的能力。有好的看护你就会康复。”他康复得很快，不久就在印刷所上岗了，成了一个悔改归正的人。{2SG 172.1}[18]