第26章 在密歇根州工作
§1
第26章 在密歇根州工作
§2
Chap. 26—Labors in Michigan
§3
拿但业去世之后，我丈夫受了许多苦。心中的烦恼与焦虑使他衰竭。他发起了高烧，不能起床。我们同心合意为他祷告；他的痛苦虽然减轻了，却仍然十分虚弱。他曾约好要去纽约州的米尔格罗夫和密歇根州，却担心不能履约了。我们仍然决定冒险去米尔格罗夫，如果他没有好转，就回家。{2SG 179.1}[1]
§4
After Nathaniel’s death, my husband was much afflicted. Trouble and anxiety of mind had prostrated him. He had a high fever, and was confined to his bed. We united in prayer for him, and he was relieved, but still remained very weak. He had appointments out for Mill Grove, N. Y., and Michigan, and feared that?he could not fill them. We decided to venture as far as Mill Grove, and if he grew no better, to return home.?{2SG 179.1}[1]
§5
在米尔格罗夫的卡瑞尔长老家时，他极其虚弱，以为不能前进一步了。我们处在极大的困惑中。难道我们必须因身体的软弱而被赶离工作吗？难道撒但得到许可运用他的权力对付我们，只要我们还在世上，就争夺我们的效能和生命吗？我们知道上帝能限制撒但的能力。祂虽然会容许我们在炉中受考验，但祂必会使我们得以洁净，更适于从事祂的工作。{2SG 180.1}[2]
§6
While at Bro. Cottrell’s, at Mill Grove, he suffered such extreme weakness that he thought he could go no farther. We were in great perplexity. Must we be driven from the work by bodily infirmities? Would Satan be permitted to exercise his power upon us, and contend for our usefulness and life as long as we remain in the world? We knew that God could limit the power of Satan. He may suffer us to be tried in the furnace, but will bring us forth purified, and better fitted for his work.?{2SG 180.1}[2]
§7
我进了附近的一栋原木房子，在那里向上帝倾心祷告，求祂斥责热病，加给我丈夫力量忍受旅途的劳顿。情况很紧急，我的信心紧紧抓住了上帝的应许。我在那里得到了证据，要是我们继续旅行去密歇根州，上帝的天使就会与我们同去。当我向我丈夫述说我心动态时，他说他自己的心也是这么想的，于是我们决定前往，信靠主。我丈夫虚弱到扣不上他小提箱的带子，得叫卡瑞尔弟兄来帮他做。我们前行的每一英里他都感到得了力量。主扶持了他。而当他站着讲道时，我感到确信，上帝的天使在他身边扶持着他。{2SG 180.2}[3]
§8
I went into a log house near by, and there poured out my soul before God in prayer that he would rebuke the fever and strengthen my husband to endure the journey. The case was urgent, and my faith firmly grasped the promises of God. I there obtained the evidence that if we should proceed on our journey to Michigan the angel of God would go with us. When I related to my husband the exercise of my mind, he said that his mind had been exercised in a similar manner, and we decided to go trusting in the Lord. My husband was so weak that he could not buckle the straps to his valise, and called Bro. Cottrell to do it for him. Every mile we traveled he felt strengthened. The Lord sustained him. And while he was upon his feet preaching the word I felt assured?that angels of God were standing by his side to sustain him in his labors.?{2SG 180.2}[3]
§9
在密歇根州的杰克逊，我们发现教会处在极大的混乱中。我在他们中间时，主就他们的状况对我作出了指示，我便讲了清楚显在我面前的那部分异象，讲了在场的一个人的错误行径。C和R对这位姐妹很有偏见，并且大声喊叫说：“阿们！阿们！”显出一种向她夸胜的精神，还常常会说：“我曾以为是这样！就是这样！”。我感到很悲伤，没有讲完异象就坐下了。于是C和R站起来劝别人接受这个异象，表现出的精神令我丈夫责备了他们。聚会在混乱中结束。那天晚上在S弟兄家作家庭祷告时，我再次见了异象，曾在我面前经过的那部分异象又重演了一遍，我蒙指示看到R和C的傲慢行径，他们在教会中的影响促成分裂。他们具有一种自高的精神，没有柔和谦卑的基督的精神。我看到主为何向我隐藏了与他们有关的那部分异象，是为了给他们机会在众人面前表现他们所具有的精神。{2SG 181.1}[4]
§10
At Jackson we found the church in great confusion. In their midst the Lord showed me their condition, and I related that portion of it which was clear before me, which related to the wrong course of one present. C. and R. were greatly prejudiced against this sister, and cried out, “Amen! amen!” and manifested a spirit of triumph over her, and would frequently say, “I thought so! It is just so!” I felt very much distressed, and sat down before finishing the relation of the vision. Then C. and R. arose and exhorted others to receive the vision, and manifested such a spirit that my husband reproved them. The meeting closed in confusion. While at family prayer that night at Bro. S.’s I was again taken off in vision, and that portion of the vision that had passed from me was repeated, and I was shown the overbearing course of R. and C., that their influence in the church was to cause division. They possessed an exalted spirit, and not the meek spirit of Christ. I saw why the Lord had hid from me the part of the vision that related to them. It was that they might have opportunity to manifest before all what spirit they were of.?{2SG 181.1}[4]
§11
第二天便召集了聚会，我讲了主在前一个晚上所指示我看到的事。C和R热心拥护了两天前的异象，当被显明是错了时，便感到不满意，不接受所传的信息。他们在我来到这个地方之前就说过，要是我对事情的看法与他们一致，他们就会知道异象是出于上帝；要是我看到他们采取了错误的做法，而他们所认为错了的那些人没有错，他们就会知道异象不正确。然而我却蒙指示看到双方都错了，尤其是C和R以及其他一些人。他们现在开始对抗我的见证，所谓的“信使”党就是从这里开始的。{2SG 181.2}[5]
§12
The next day a meeting was called, and I related the things which the Lord had shown me the evening before. C. and R., who zealously advocated the visions two days before,?were dissatisfied when shown to be wrong, and did not receive the message. They had stated before I came to the place that if I saw things as they looked upon them, they should know that the visions were of God; but if I saw that they had taken a wrong course, and that the ones whom they regarded wrong were not faulty, they should know the visions were incorrect. But both parties were shown me to be wrong, especially C. and R. and some others. They now began to fight against my testimony, and here commenced what is called the “Messenger” party.?{2SG 181.2}[5]
§13
我要在这里摘录我于1853年6月23日写给缅因州戈勒姆我父母的一封信：{2SG 182.1}[6]
§14
I will here give an extract from a letter written to my parents in Gorham, Me., June 23, 1853:?{2SG 182.1}[6]
§15
“我们在密歇根州的时候访问了蒂龙、杰克逊、西尔万、贝德福德和弗金斯。我丈夫靠着上帝的力量经受了旅途的劳顿，做了很好的工作。只有一次他完全没有了力气。他没能在贝德福德讲道。他去了聚会的地方，在讲台上站起来要讲道，却昏倒了，不得不坐下来。他请拉夫伯勒弟兄讲了他所讲的题目，完成讲道。然后他走出房间到露天去，躺在绿草地上直到有所恢复，凯尔西弟兄让他骑他的马，他便独自骑了一英里半去了布鲁克斯弟兄家。”{2SG 182.2}[7]
§16
“While in Michigan we visited Tyrone, Jackson, Sylvan, Bedford and Vergennes. My husband in the strength of God endured the journey and his labor well. His strength did not entirely fail him but once. He was unable to preach at Bedford. He went to the place of meeting, and stood up in the desk to preach, but became faint and was obliged to sit down. He asked Bro. Loughborough to take the subject where he had left it, and finish his discourse. He went out of the house into the open air, and lay upon the green grass until he had somewhat recovered, then Bro. Kelsey let him take his horse, and he rode alone one mile and a half to Bro. Brooks’.?{2SG 182.2}[7]
§17
“拉夫伯勒弟兄很自由地讲完了那个题目。大家都听得津津有味。主的灵临到我身上，我便十分自由地作了我的见证。上帝的能力在会场里，在场的人几乎个个都受感流泪。有些人决定支持真理。”{2SG 183.1}[8]
§18
“Bro. Loughborough went through with the subject with much freedom. All were interested in the meeting. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me and I had perfect freedom in bearing my testimony. The power of God was in the house, and nearly every one present was affected to tears. Some took a decided stand for the truth.?{2SG 183.1}[8]
§19
“聚会结束后，我们乘车经过树林去了一个美丽的湖，在那里有六个人受洗与基督一同埋葬。然后我们返回布鲁克林弟兄家，发现我丈夫已经舒服多了。那天他在独处的时候，下工夫想了招魂术的问题，他在那里决定写一本名为《时兆》的书。”{2SG 183.2}[9]
§20
“After the meeting closed, we rode through the woods to a beautiful lake, where six were buried with Christ in baptism. We then returned to Bro. B.’s and found my husband more comfortable. While alone that day his mind had been exercised upon the subject of Spiritualism, and he there decided to write the book entitled, Signs of the Times.?{2SG 183.2}[9]
§21
“第二天我们旅行去了弗金斯，经过了粗木地和泥沼地。我走的许多路都处于几乎令人发昏的状况；但我们的心在祷告中被提升到上帝面前祈求力量，便发现祂是随时的帮助，使我们能完成旅行，并在那里作了我们的见证。”{2SG 183.3}[10]
§22
“Next day we journeyed to Vergennes, traveling over rough log-ways and sloughs. Much of the way I rode in nearly a fainting condition, but our hearts were lifted to God in prayer for strength, and we found him a present help, and we were able to accomplish the journey, and bear our testimony there.”?{2SG 183.3}[10]
§23
我们回到纽约州罗彻斯特之后不久，我丈夫便开始写《时兆》一书。那时他的健康状况很差，头痛脚凉，时常失眠，但有主扶持着他。每当他的思想紊乱，感到痛苦时，我们便跪在上帝面前，在苦难中向祂呼吁。祂垂听了我们恳切的祈祷，并时常赐恩给我的丈夫，使他能重振精神，继续工作。我们每日数次这样到主面前诚恳祈祷。那一本书决不是凭他自已的能力写出来的。{2SG 183.4}[11]
§24
Soon after our return my husband engaged in writing the Signs of the Times. His health was poor. He was troubled with aching head and cold feet. He could sleep but little. But the Lord was his support. When his mind was in a confused, suffering state, we would bow before the Lord, and in our distress cry unto him. He heard our earnest?prayers, and often blessed my husband, so that with refreshed spirits he went on with the work. Many times in the day did we thus go before the Lord in earnest prayer. That book was not written in his own strength.?{2SG 183.4}[11]
§25
1853年秋季，我们参加了纽约州巴克桥；佛蒙特州斯托；马萨诸塞州波士顿、达特默斯和斯普林菲尔德；新罕布什尔州华盛顿和佛蒙特州纽黑文的会议。这是一次艰苦而且相当令人气馁的旅行。许多已经信奉真理的人内心和生活却没有成圣；各种纷争和反叛的分子在活动，有必要发生一场运动好洁净教会。“信使”党不久便撤退，圣工得到了解救。{2SG 184.1}[12]
§26
In the fall of 1853 we attended Conferences at Buck’s Bridge, N. Y., Stowe, Vt., Boston, Dartmouth and Springfield, Mass., Washington, N. H., and New Haven, Vt. This was a laborious and rather discouraging journey. Many had embraced the truth, who were unsanctified in heart and life, and the elements of strife and rebellion were at work, and it was necessary that a movement should take place to purify the church. The “Messenger” party soon drew off, and the cause was relieved.?{2SG 184.1}[12]
§27
在冬天和春天我因心脏病而多受痛苦。我躺着的时候很难呼吸，若不采取接近坐着的姿势就不能入睡。我的呼吸常常停止，还经常晕厥。但我的麻烦还不止于此。我的左眼睑肿胀得好像一个肿瘤。一年多以来它一直渐长，直到变得相当疼痛，影响了我的视力。在阅读或写作时我不得不把病眼用绷带绑起来。我还不断因这个想法而痛苦，就是我的视力可能会被癌瘤毁了。我回顾使我的眼睛过度疲劳的用来阅读校样的日日夜夜，心想要是我丧失了视力和我的生命，必是为圣工殉道的。{2SG 184.2}[13]
§28
In the winter and spring I suffered much with heart disease. It was difficult for me to breathe lying down, and I could not sleep unless raised in nearly a sitting posture. My breath often stopped, and fainting fits were frequent. But this was not all my trouble. I had upon my left eye-lid a swelling which appeared to be a cancer. It had been more than a year increasing gradually, until it was quite painful and affected my sight. In reading or writing I was forced to bandage the afflicted eye. And I was constantly afflicted with the thought that my eye might be destroyed with a cancer. I looked back to the days and nights spent in reading proof-sheets, which had strained my?eyes, and thought if I lose my eye, and my life, it will be a martyr to the cause.?{2SG 184.2}[13]
§29
一位免费提供咨询的著名医生访问了罗切斯特，我决定让他检查一下我的左眼。他认为那个肿胀物是一个癌瘤。但在把脉之后，他说：“你的病很多，在那个肿瘤爆发之前就会死于中风。你也因心脏病处于危险的状况中。”这并没有使我震惊，因为我已知道若无迅速的解救我必下到坟墓去。其它两位来咨询的妇人也患有同样的疾病。那位医生说我的状况比她们两个的都危险，过不了三个星期我就会瘫痪，然后是中风。我问他是否认为他的药能治好我。他没有给我多少鼓励。我买了一些他的药。洗眼水使我感到很痛，却没有使我得到什么益处。我也用不了医生给开的药。{2SG 185.1}[14]
§30
A celebrated physician visited Rochester who gave counsel free. I decided to have him examine my eye. He thought the swelling would prove to be a cancer. He felt my pulse, and said, “You are much diseased, and will die of apoplexy before that swelling will break out. You are in a dangerous condition with disease of the heart.” This did not startle me, for I had been aware that unless I received speedy relief I must lie in the grave. Two other females had come for counsel who were suffering with the same disease. The physician said that I was in a more dangerous condition than either of them, and it could not be more than three weeks before I would be afflicted with paralysis, and next would follow apoplexy. I inquired if he thought his medicine would cure me. He did not give me much encouragement. I purchased some of his medicine. The eyewash was very painful, and I received no benefit from it. I was unable to use the remedies the physician prescribed.?{2SG 185.1}[14]
§31
约在三周之后，我晕倒在地，几乎不省人事，约有三十六个小时。人们担心我不能活了，但主回应了祷告，我又苏醒了。一周后，我在与妹妹安娜谈话时，左侧身子受了打击。我的头奇怪地感到又冷又麻，鬓角剧痛。我的舌头似乎沉重麻木；不能清楚地说话。我的左臂和左侧身子无力。我以为我要死了，而我非常渴望在我的痛苦中有证据表明主爱我。{2SG 185.2}[15]
§32
In about three weeks I fainted and fell to the floor, and remained unconscious about thirty-six hours. It was feared that I could not live; but in answer to prayer again I revived. One week later, while conversing with sister Anna, I received a shock upon my left side. My head was numb, I had a strange sensation?of coldness and numbness in my head, with pressure, and severe pain through my temples. My tongue seemed heavy and numb. I could not speak plainly. My left arm and side were helpless. I thought I was dying, and my great anxiety was to have the evidence amid my suffering that the Lord loved me.?{2SG 185.2}[15]
§33
有数月之久我的心脏持续疼痛，以致我没有一点快乐的感觉，我的心情经常沮丧。我曾设法凭原则而不是凭感觉侍奉上帝，但如今我渴求上帝的救恩，体验祂的福气，尽管我的心脏很痛。弟兄姐妹们来到一起要为我的情况作特别的祷告。我的愿望蒙了准许，我领受了上帝的福气，并且拥有了祂爱我的保证。但疼痛在继续，而且我每个钟头都在变得更虚弱。弟兄姐妹们又聚在一起把我的情况呈在主面前。我非常虚弱以致不能出声祈祷。我的外貌似乎要削弱那些在我周围之人的信心。于是上帝的应许被一一排列在我面前，就象我之前从未见过它们一样。对我来说，似乎撒但正在力争把我从我丈夫和孩子们撕开，把我放在坟墓里，并有这些问题对我的心提出来：你能相信上帝明白的应许吗？你能凭信心行事，不管外表怎样吗？信心复苏了。我低声对我丈夫说：“我相信我会康复的。”他回答说：“我希望我能相信。”我那晚的痛苦没减轻不能入眠，但我用坚定的信心依赖上帝的应许。我不能入睡，但不断地向上帝默祷。就在天亮之前我睡着了。我醒来时已经能从我的窗户看到太阳在东方升起了。我完全脱离了疼痛。我心上的压力消失了，我非常快乐。我充满了感恩。赞美上帝的话在我口中。哦，这是何等的改变啊！对我来说似乎是在我睡着时上帝的一位天使触摸了我。我唤醒了我的丈夫，向他讲述主对我行的奇事。他起先几乎不能理解；但是当我起来穿衣并在房间里行走时，他就能和我一起赞美上帝了。我患病的左眼也不疼了。几天后我朝镜子看，癌瘤也消失了，我的视力也完全恢复了。主行事完全。{2SG 186.1}[16]
§34
For months I had suffered such constant pain in my heart that I did not have one joyful feeling, but my spirits were constantly depressed. I had tried to serve God from principle, without feeling, but I now thirsted for the salvation of God, to realize his blessing, notwithstanding the pain in my heart. The brethren and sisters came together to make my case a special subject of prayer. My desire was granted. Prayer was heard, and I received the blessing of God, and had the assurance that he loved me. But the pain continued, and I grew more feeble every hour. The brethren and sisters again came together to present my case to the Lord. I was then so weak that I could not pray vocally. My appearance seemed to weaken the faith of those around me. Then the promises of God were arrayed before me as I had never viewed them before. It seemed to me that Satan was striving to tear me from my husband and children, and lay me in the grave, and these questions were suggested to my mind, Can you believe the naked promises of God? Can ye walk out by faith, let?the appearances be what they may? Faith revived. I whispered to my husband, I believe that I shall recover. He answered, “I wish I could believe it.” I retired that night without relief, yet relying with firm confidence upon the promises of God. I could not sleep, but continued my silent prayer to God. Just before day I slept. As I awoke, the sun was seen from my window, arising in the east. I was perfectly free from pain. The pressure and weight upon my heart was gone, and I was very happy. I was filled with gratitude. The praise of God was upon my lips. O what a change! It seemed to me that an angel of God had touched me while I was sleeping. I awoke my husband and related to him the wonderful work that the Lord had wrought for me. He could scarcely comprehend it at first. But when I arose and dressed, and walked around the house, and he witnessed the change in my countenance, he could praise God with me. My afflicted eye was free from pain. In a few days I looked in the glass, the cancer was gone, and my eyesight was fully restored. The work was complete.?{2SG 186.1}[16]
§35
我又看了那位医生，他一把我的脉，就说：“夫人，你好多了。你的身体已发生了一场完全的改变；但你上次来这里时遇见的那两位咨询我的妇人已经死了。”我告诉他并不是他的药治好了我，因为我用不了。而当我要讲述主对我的奇妙作为时，一个可怜的工人冲进房间，几乎发狂地说：“医生，他们说我一定会死！说我得了肺结核！”他的额头上大汗淋漓。医生在检查他的肺部时设法安抚他受了刺激的心思。他紧张焦急地等着检查结果。医生摇了摇头，告诉他说他不能骗他；他得了急性肺结核，很快就会死。他情绪激动，泪如雨下。他没有在上帝里的指望，将来对他来说可怕而没有把握。我不得不离开。如今在坟墓里安睡的P姐妹当时陪着我，并在我离开后对医生讲了主听了为我献上的祷告，使我恢复了健康。他说：“她的病例是一个奥秘。我不明白。”{2SG 187.1}[17]
§36
Again I visited the physician, and as soon as he felt my pulse he said, “Madam, you are better. An entire change has taken place in your system; but the two women who visited me for counsel when you were last here are dead.” I told him it was not his medicine that?had cured me, for I could use none of it. And as I was about to relate the wonderful dealings of the Lord with me, a poor laborer rushed into the room, almost beside himself, saying, “Doctor, they say I must die! that I am in consumption!” Large drops of sweat stood upon his brow. The physician tried to calm his excited mind while he examined his lungs. He waited his examination with intense anxiety. The physician shook his head, and told him he could not deceive him; that he had the quick consumption, and must soon die. His feelings overcame him, and he burst into tears. He had no hope in God, and the future to him was a fearful uncertainty. I was obliged to leave. Sister P., who now rests in the grave, had accompanied me, and related to the physician after I left, that the Lord had heard prayer for me, and restored me to health. Said he, “Her case is a mystery. I do not understand it.”?{2SG 187.1}[17]