第30章 西部
§1
第30章 西部Chap. 30—The West
§2
1885年，我蒙指示看到那些从东部迁到西部的弟兄有变得心思属世的危险，并且为他们有警告赐给我。我看到一些在东部的弟兄搬到西部是对的；在崎岖不平的新英格兰各州的弟兄们比西部的弟兄们更有经验，更习惯于忍受考验和困苦艰难；上帝的命令是让一些人搬到西部去。然而却有些人心里想着要为了赚钱而搬到西部去。这不应该成为他们的目标。他们的目标应该是荣耀上帝，推进祂的圣工。要实现这个目标，他们必须活出他们的信仰，表明他们重视现代真理超过其他一切的事。我看到上帝的命令是要东部的弟兄们与西部的弟兄们联合起来，他们若是听从上帝的劝勉，就会因他们的榜样和经验而使西部的弟兄们大大受益。{2SG 212.2}[1]
§3
In 1855 I was shown the danger of those brethren who moved from the East to the West of becoming worldly minded, and warnings were given me for them. I saw that it was right that some of the brethren East should move West; that the brethren in those?rugged, New England States have more experience, and are more accustomed to endure trials and hardships than the brethren West; and that it is in the order of God that some move West. But there are those who have it in their minds to move West for the sake of gain. This should not be their object. Their object should be to glorify God, and advance his cause. And to accomplish this, they must live out their faith, and show that they regard the present truth above everything else. I saw that it would be in the order of God for brethren in the East to associate with those West, and if they were standing in the counsel of God, they could be of great benefit to the brethren West by their example and experience.?{2SG 212.2}[1]
§4
我看到那些搬到西部的人应该象等候主的人。天使说：“要在那些西部地区的人中作一个活榜样。要让你们的工作表明你们是上帝特选的子民，而且你们有一项特殊的工作，要把最后怜悯的信息传给世界。要让你们的工作向你们周围的人表明这世界不是你们的家乡。”我看到那些已使自己被缠累的人应该挣脱仇敌的网罗，获得自由。不要积攒财宝在地上，而要藉着你们的生活表明你们正在积攒财宝在天上。上帝若召你去西部，祂就有一项工作，一项高尚的工作要你去做。要让你的信心和经验帮助那些还没有一种活泼经验的人。不要被这个贫穷黑暗的尘世所吸引，而要向上被上帝、荣耀和天国所吸引。不要让这地上农场操心为难的事占满你的心，而要思考亚伯拉罕的农场。我们是那不朽基业的继承人。断绝你们对世间事物的情意，而专注于天上的事吧。{2SG 213.1}[2]
§5
I saw that those who move West should be like men waiting for their Lord. “Be a living example,” said the angel, “to those in the West. Let your works show that you are God’s peculiar people, and that you have a peculiar work, the last message of mercy to the world. Let your works show to those around you that this world is not your home.” I saw that those who have entangled themselves should go free, break the snare of the Enemy. Lay not up treasure upon earth, but show by your lives that you are laying up treasure in heaven. If God has called thee West, he has a work for thee to do, an exalted work.?Let your faith and experience help those who have not a living experience. Let not the attraction be to this poor, dark world, but let it be upward to God, glory and heaven. Let not the care and perplexity of farms here engross the mind, but contemplate Abraham’s farm. We are heirs to that immortal inheritance. Wean your affections from earth, and dwell upon heavenly things.?{2SG 213.1}[2]
§6
那些从东部搬到西部的人要是重视了这些警告，并且遵行上帝的忠告，祂原会藉着他们行事，使许多人得救。然而许多搬到西部的人却树立了爱世界和贪财的榜样，他们的行为表明他们定居在西部的目标是要挣钱，而不是要救灵。上帝特别的不悦临到那些采取这种行径的人，尤其是一些已蒙主呼召进入福音园地的人。{2SG 214.1}[3]
§7
If those moving from the East to the West had regarded these warnings, and had stood in the counsel of God, he would have wrought through them to the salvation of many souls. But many who moved West have set an example of love for this world and covetousness, and their works have shown that their object in settling West was for gain, and not to save souls. The special frown of God has rested upon those who have taken this course, especially upon some the Lord had called into the gospel field.?{2SG 214.1}[3]
§8
我们接受了“给老底嘉教会的证言适用于当代”这种观点之后不久，便访问了伊利诺斯州的朗得格罗夫。我要在这里摘录1856年11月23日写给豪兰弟兄家的一封信。{2SG 214.2}[4]
§9
Soon after we embraced the view that the testimony to the Laodicean church applied to this time, we visited Round Grove, Ills. I will here give an extract from a letter written to Bro. Howland’s family, Nov. 23, 1856.?{2SG 214.2}[4]
§10
“我们现在在E弟兄家里。我们相隔千里之遥。我们来到这个地方之后，享受了一些有趣的时光。有相当多来自佛蒙特州、纽约州和密歇根州的守安息日的人定居在这里。他们一直处在低落的状况。上帝已使E弟兄受苦，让他失去了妻子。她曾三次受异象责备，第三次我蒙指示看到她若继续挡住她丈夫的道路，使他不能自由地把真理教导给将亡的人，上帝就会把她从路上除掉。挡在上帝工作的路上、选择我们自己自私的路线是危险的。我们的上帝是满有怜悯的，可是祂不会永远忍耐。祂温柔的灵容易忧伤。若有我意欲行事谨慎的时候，就是现在了。我们必须温柔地行在主面前。我感到渴望有耶稣与我同在。祂若行在我们前面，我们就能对别人有些用处，且能行善。我们存着战兢的心来到这个地方，但主已为我们行事。我们在祷告的时候获得了胜利，也在聚会的时候获得了胜利。上帝融化人心的能力临到听众。给老底嘉的证言在这里生效了。{2SG 214.3}[5]
§11
“We are now at Bro. E.’s. Many hundred miles separate us. We have had some interesting seasons since we came to this place. There is quite a settlement of Sabbath-keepers here, from Vermont, New York and Michigan.?They have been in a low state. God has afflicted Bro. E., and removed his wife. Three times she was reproved by vision, and the third time I was shown if she did not stand out of her husband’s way, that he might be free to teach perishing souls the truth, God would move her out of the way. It is even so; she sickened and died. Her passage to the tomb was dark. O, it is dangerous to stand in the way of the work of God, and choose our own selfish course. Our God is merciful, yet he will not bear always. His tender Spirit is easily grieved. If ever I felt like moving carefully it is now. We must walk softly before the Lord. I feel anxious to have Jesus with me. If he goes before us, we can be of some use to others, and do good. We came to this place with trembling, but the Lord has wrought for us. We have had victory in our seasons of prayer, and victory in meeting. The melting power of God rests upon the hearers. The testimony to the Laodiceans has had an effect here.?{2SG 214.3}[5]
§12
“上个安息日大家都想寻求至关重要的敬虔。聚会结束后，S弟兄夫妇来与我们共度一晚。他们最大的两个女儿陪着他们。主的灵引导我们恳切地为她们祈求。主感动了她们的心，她们哭泣并且承认了自己的罪，在主面前祈求，且在起身之前决定放弃世界、世界的骄傲和愚妄，全心转向主。那是一个令父母欣喜的场景。他们无法表达对上帝的深深感激之情。天国似乎很近。那是坦诚认罪的动人时光。大家似乎都渴望在上帝面前自卑，表明悔改己罪的热心，好使救主进入他们心中，祂与他们、他们与祂一同坐席。{2SG 215.1}[6]
§13
“Last Sabbath all felt like seeking for vital godliness. After the meeting closed, Bro. and Sr. S. came to spend the evening with us. Their two eldest daughters accompanied them. The Spirit of the Lord led us out in earnest supplication for them. The Lord touched their hearts, and they wept and confessed their sins and prayed before the Lord, and before?rising they decided to give up the world, its pride and folly, and turn to the Lord with all their hearts. It was a scene of rejoicing for the parents. They were unable to express their deep gratitude to God. Heaven seemed very near. It was a confessing, melting season. All seemed anxious to humble themselves before God, and manifest a zeal in repenting of their sins, that the Saviour might come in to their hearts and sup with them and they with him.?{2SG 215.1}[6]
§14
“耶稣今天活着，我们可以在一位完全的救主里欢喜快乐。死在髑髅地十字架上的，是一位完全的救主；为我们做出的是完全的牺牲；我们有权接受和享受白白的全备救恩。我们不要将自己与别人比较。一位又真又活的模范已赐给我们，祂是完全的。但愿我们谁也不看，只效法那个模范。‘不同我收聚的，就是分散的’（太12:30）。但愿我们同耶稣收聚，并且效法祂可爱的榜样和品格。上帝要求全心全意。祂已买了我们的心。那是祂的财产。不要扣留属于基督的东西不给祂。我们用情不专吗？以后不要再这样了。要让我们的言语和行为都为上帝作证。我们是在寻求荣耀、尊贵、不朽、永生。我们有多么光荣的盼望啊！救恩是我们必须拥有的。生命，永生，要为之祈求，为之较力。我们有特权享受永生。我们不能用死的信心荣耀上帝。我已使我的目标高及天国和永生。”{2SG 216.1}[7]
§15
“Jesus lives today, and we can rejoice in a whole Saviour. It was a whole Saviour that died on Calvary’s cross; a whole sacrifice that was made for us; and it is our privilege to accept and enjoy a whole and free salvation. Do not let us compare ourselves with others. A true and living Pattern is given us, which is perfect. Let us look away from all others, and imitate that Pattern. “He that gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad.” O let us gather with Christ, and imitate his lovely example and character. God requires the whole heart. He has purchased it. It is his property. Withhold not from Christ that which belongs to him. Are our affections divided? Let them be so no more. Let our words and actions tell for God. We are seeking for glory, honor, immortality, eternal life. What a glorious hope is ours! Salvation is what we must have. Life, spiritual life, pray for it,?wrestle for it. It is our privilege to enjoy it. We cannot glorify God with a dead faith. I have made my mark high for heaven and eternal life.”?{2SG 216.1}[7]
§16
我们在朗得格罗夫工作了数周，主也赐福了我们的努力。在那里所赐给我的一个异象中，我蒙指示看到那些搬到衣阿华州沃坎的弟兄的状况。他们几乎全都在黑暗中，反对上帝的工作。他们不再同情《评论与通讯》出版社，一般也不再同情上帝的教会。撒但已种下不满不平的种子，果实正在成熟。他们有一个更体面的名称：“信使党。”{2SG 217.1}[8]
§17
We labored some weeks in Round Grove, and the Lord blessed our efforts. In a vision given me there, I was shown the state of those brethren who had moved to Wawkon, [Waukon,] Iowa. Nearly all of them were in darkness, opposed to the work of God. Their sympathy was withdrawn from the?Review?Office, and from the church of God generally. Satan had planted the seeds of dissatisfaction, and the fruit was ripening. It was what might be called a more respectable “Messenger party.”?{2SG 217.1}[8]
§18
我看到他们需要帮助；必须打破撒但的网罗，解救这些宝贵的生灵。我以前没有看到我们有责任到他们那里去，然而当我蒙指示看到他们的状况时，便感到急于要去。距离很远，又在冬季。旅行极其困难，还有危险，可是我感觉受到催促，要去沃坎。我不能心安，直到我们决定靠主前往。那是乘雪橇的好时候。我们准备用两匹马驾一个雪橇去，然而下了二十四个小时的雨，雪在迅速融化。我的丈夫以为必须放弃旅行。我却不能心安，是因沃坎而激动不安的。H弟兄对我说：“怀姐妹呀，沃坎怎样？”我说：“我们要去。”他说：“是的，只要主行一件奇事。”那天晚上我有许多次在窗前看天气，约在黎明的时候有了改变，开始下雪了。第二天晚上约五点钟的时候，我们已在去沃坎的途中了，有E弟兄和H弟兄，我的丈夫和我。我们在伊利诺斯州的格林维尔与弟兄们一起举行了聚会。因一场猛烈的暴风雪而阻在那里近一周的时间。星期四我们冒险继续旅行。我们又累又冷又饿，停在距密西西比河几英里远的一个旅馆那里。第二天早上，约四点钟的时候，开始下雨了。我们感到受了催促，便在雨中急行，马匹几乎步步都把雪踩破。我们问了许多人能不能过河，却没有一个人鼓励我们过去。冰主要是由雪构成的，上面有一英尺的水。我们到达河边时，H弟兄在雪橇上起来说：“是去衣阿华州，还是回伊利诺斯州呢？我们来到了红海，要过去吗？”我们回答说：“往前走，倚靠以色列的上帝。”我们冒险在冰上走，边走边祷告。我们安全地过去了，及至上了衣阿华州的河岸，我们便同心合意地赞美主。我们过去之后，一帮人告诉我们，给多少钱都不能引诱他们过河，还说有一帮人曾掉到河里，救不了他们的牲口，仅仅自己逃命了。我们那天下午从迪比克行了六英里。安息日临近了，我们在一个旅馆过安息日。傍晚我们一起唱了我们一些最好的赞美诗。寄宿的人们聚集来听，E弟兄便把图表挂上，作了短讲。他们邀请我们回来时还访问他们，说他们会保证给我们住的地方和一批好会众。{2SG 217.2}[9]
§19
I saw that they needed help, that Satan’s snare must be broken, and precious souls rescued. I did not see that it was our duty to go to them, but as I had been shown their condition, I felt anxious to go. It was a great distance, and in the winter. It was exceedingly difficult, and somewhat dangerous a journey, yet I felt urged on, to go to Wawkon [Waukon]. My mind could not be at ease until we decided to go trusting in the Lord. It was then good sleighing. Preparations were made to go with two horses and a sleigh, but it rained for twenty-four hours, and the snow was fast disappearing. My husband thought the journey must be given up. My mind could not rest. It was agitated concerning Wawkon [Waukon]. Bro. H. said to?me, “Sr. White, what about Wawkon [Waukon]?” Said I, “We shall go.” “Yes,” said he, “if the Lord works a miracle.” Many times that night I was at the window watching the weather, and about day-break there was a change, and it commenced snowing. The next night about five o’clock, we were on our way to Wawkon [Waukon], brethren E. and H., husband and self. We held meetings with the brethren at Green Vale, Ills., and were there blocked in nearly a week with a severe snow-storm. Thursday we ventured to pursue our journey. Weary, cold and hungry, we called at a hotel a few miles from the Mississippi river. The next morning, about four o’clock, it commenced raining. We felt urged on, and rode through the rain, while the horses broke through the snow at almost every step. We made many inquiries about crossing the river, but none gave us encouragement that we could cross. The ice was mostly composed of snow, and there lay upon the top of it one foot of water. When we reached the river Bro. H. arose in the sleigh and said, “Is it Iowa, or back to Illinois? We have come to the Red sea, shall we cross?” We answered, “Go forward, trusting in Israel’s God.” We ventured upon the ice, praying as we went. We were carried safely across, and as we ascended the Iowa bank of the river, we united in praising the Lord. A number told us after we crossed, that no amount of money?would have tempted them to cross, and that a number had broken in. They could not save their teams, and barely escaped with their lives. We rode that afternoon six miles from Dubuque. The Sabbath was drawing on, and we put up at a hotel to rest over the Sabbath. In the evening we united in singing some of our best hymns. The boarders collected to listen, and Bro. E. hung up the chart and gave a short lecture. They invited us to call on our return, saying they would warrant us a house, and a good congregation.?{2SG 217.2}[9]
§20
星期日我们继续旅行。我从未见过这么冷的天气。弟兄们会彼此照顾看看他们是否被冻住了。我们常常会听到：“弟兄，你的脸冻住了，你最好尽快把霜擦掉！”“你的耳朵冻住了！”“你的鼻子冻住了！”我发现我的浣熊皮袍子真有用。{2SG 219.1}[10]
§21
Sunday, we continued our journey. I never witnessed so cold weather. The brethren would watch each other to see if they were freezing. And we would often hear, “Brother, your face is freezing, you had better rub the frost out as soon as possible!” “Your ear is freezing!” “You nose is freezing!” I found my coon-skin robe of real service.?{2SG 219.1}[10]
§22
我们在星期三晚上到达沃坎时，发现几乎所有守安息日的人对我们的到来都感到难过。他们对我们有很多偏见，因为有人说过许多损害我们影响力的话。我们知道主差遣了我们，也知道祂会在那里把工作接管到祂自己手中。撒但已插手在沃坎的那群人中间，要塑造他们的心思适合他自己。{2SG 219.2}[11]
§23
We reached Wawkon [Waukon] Wednesday night, and found nearly all of the Sabbath-keepers sorry that we had come. Much prejudice existed against us, for much had been said concerning us calculated to injure our influence. We know that the Lord had sent us, and that he would there take the work into his own hands. Satan had put his hand in among the company at Wawkon [Waukon], to mould their minds to suit himself.?{2SG 219.2}[11]
§24
我们恳切的祷告升达上帝，求祂行事并显示祂的能力，我们感到要耐心等候祂的救恩。在晚上聚会时，我被带入异象中，上帝的能力临到会众身上。每一个人都不得不承认这是出于上帝的。我讲了主为那里的子民而赐给我的信息，就是：“你们要转向我，我就转向你们，并且医治你们一切背道的病。要清除你们心灵门口的垃圾，并且敞开心门，我就会进来并与你们一同坐席。” {2SG 219.3}[12]
§25
Our earnest prayers went up to God for him?to work and reveal his power, and we felt like patiently waiting his salvation. At an evening meeting I was taken off in vision. The power of God fell upon the company. Every one was constrained to acknowledge that it was of God. I related what the Lord gave me for that people, which was, “Return unto me, and I will return unto thee, and heal all thy backslidings. Tear down the rubbish from the door of thy heart, and open the door, and I will come in and sup with thee, and thou with me.”?{2SG 219.3}[12]
§26
我看到要是他们愿意清除道路，承认自己的错误，耶稣就会带着能力行在我们中间。L姐妹开始以一种清楚明确的方式认罪，并说她原以为他们已经逃到我们找不到他们的地方；但她很高兴我们来了。她认罪时，上天的闸门似乎突然开了，我便因上帝的能力仆倒了。H. N. S.姐妹无力地从她的椅子上倒下来。那似乎是一个可畏而荣耀的地方。我有两小时没有力气，却似乎被上帝的荣耀所包围。聚会持续到午夜以后，成就了一项大工。{2SG 220.1}[13]
§27
I saw that if they would clear the way, and confess their wrongs, Jesus would walk through our midst in power. Sr. L. began to confess in a clear, decided manner, and said she thought they had got away where we could not find them; but she was glad that we had come. As she confessed, the flood-gates of heaven seemed suddenly opened, I was prostrated by the power of God. Sr. H. N. S. fell from her chair helpless. It seemed to be an awful, yet glorious place. I had no strength for two hours, but seemed to be wrapped in the glory of God. A great work was accomplished that night. The meeting held past midnight.?{2SG 220.1}[13]
§28
第二天接续昨晚的聚会。那些在前一次聚会中蒙福的人留住了福气。他们没怎么睡，因为上帝的灵终夜停留在他们身上，他们与祂一同来聚会。有些人承认了与我们离心离德和退后的状况，有些人那天被上帝的能力压倒了。聚会继续，没有间断，从上午十点直到傍晚五点。J. N. A.弟兄因上帝的能力而仆倒了，无力地躺了一段时间。他说，他很感恩我们来了，还说他相信是主差我们来的。{2SG 220.2}[14]
§29
The next day the meeting commenced where it left off the night before. All who had been blessed retained the blessing. They had not slept much, for the Spirit of God rested upon?them through the night, and they came with it to the meeting. Confessions were made of their disunion of feelings with us, their wrong feelings, and their backslidden state. Others were slain by the power of God that day. Our meeting continued without intermission from ten o’clock a. m. until five o’clock p. m. Bro. J. N. A. was prostrated by the power of God, and lay helpless some time. He felt thankful, he said, that we had come, and believed that the Lord had sent us.?{2SG 220.2}[14]
§30
那天傍晚重担离开了我们，落到了沃坎的弟兄姐妹们身上，他们便以上帝的能力热心地为彼此作工。我们来到那里时看起来悲伤的面容如今因上天的恩膏而发光。天使们似乎在房间中从一个人到另一个人完成所开始的善工。J. N. L.弟兄曾离开上帝召他去做的工作，开始干起他的本行，他大声说他已把自己的锤子收起来，他已钉了最后一个钉子。不久我们就能辞别我们在沃坎的弟兄们，启程回家了。J. N. L.弟兄又自由地在福音园地中工作了。{2SG 221.1}[15]
§31
In the evening the labor left us who had come to the place, and the brethren and sisters in Wawkon [Waukon] had the burden rolled upon them, and they labored for each other with zeal and with the power of God upon them. Countenances that looked sad when we came to the place, now shone with the heavenly anointing. It seemed that angels from heaven were passing from one to the other in the room, to finish the good work which had commenced. Bro. J. N. L., who had left the work to which God had called him, and had begun to work at his trade, cried out, that he had laid up his hammer, that he had driven the last nail. We soon bid our brethren in Wawkon [Waukon] farewell, and started on our homeward journey. Bro. J. N. L. was again at liberty to labor in the gospel field.?{2SG 221.1}[15]
§32
此后我蒙指示看到撒但所做要颠覆在沃坎的那些人、然后藉着他们影响别人的那个网罗。一群有不满精神的人曾在沃坎定居，诚实正直的人既不知道他们的心态，便信任了他们，感到有他们作伴会是一个大福气，然而他们却可悲的失望了。没有得到自由，反而受了束缚。有些人自私地想要获利，有一种小气吝啬的精神，他们采取的做法对圣工有害，且使真理受羞辱。J. N. L.弟兄因灰心而离开圣工去干他的本行。我们访问那个地方的时候，他正要买地，在那里安家。撒但准备了合他自己心意的事。但主差我们及时到那个地方去打破撒但的网罗，使被掳的得释放。{2SG 221.2}[16]
§33
I have since been shown the snare Satan had contrived to overthrow those at Wawkon [Waukon], and?then through their influence, affect others. A disaffected party had settled in W., and honest souls, ignorant of their state of feelings, and reposing confidence in them, felt that it would be a great blessing to enjoy their society, but they were sadly disappointed. Instead of finding freedom, it was bondage. With some, there was a selfish desire for gain, a close, penurious spirit, and they took a course to injure the cause of God, and bring reproach upon the truth. Bro. J. N. L. in discouragement had gone to work at his trade. He was just about to purchase land, and make it his home there, when we visited the place. Satan had prepared things to his own mind. But the Lord sent us to the place in season to break Satan’s snare, that the captives might be released.?{2SG 221.2}[16]