第02章 两条道路
§1
第02章 两条道路
§2
Chap. 2—The Two Ways
§3
1856年5月27日，在密歇根州的巴特尔克里克开议事会时，我在异象中见了一些与教会大体有关的事。上帝的荣光和威严在我的面前经过。天使说：“祂的威严是可怕的，但你们还不觉得；祂的怒气也是可怕的，但你们却天天得罪祂。‘你们要努力进窄门；’‘因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多；引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少’”（路13:24;太7:13-14）。这两条路是明显分开，方向相反的。一条路是引到永生，一条路是引到永死。我看出那两条路的分别，并看出路上旅行的人也不同。那两条路是相反的；一条是宽而平坦的，另一条是窄而崎岖的。所以在那两条路上走的人，在品性，生活，服饰，及言语上，也都是相反的。{4bSG13.3}[1]
§4
At the Conference at Battle Creek, May 27, 1856, I was shown in vision some things that concern the church generally. The glory and majesty of God were made to pass before me. Said the angel, “He is terrible in his majesty, yet ye realize it not; terrible in?his anger, yet ye offend him daily. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” These roads I saw were distinct, separate, in opposite directions. One leads to eternal life; the other to death, eternal death. I saw the distinction in these roads, also the distinction between the companies traveling these roads. The roads are opposite; one is broad and smooth, the other is narrow and rugged. So the parties that travel these roads are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and conversation.?{4bSG 13.3}[1]
§5
那些行走窄路的人正在谈论他们路程结束时的喜乐与幸福。他们的脸上虽然常现愁容，但也时常焕发出圣洁的喜乐。他们所穿的衣服，不象那些行走宽路的人。他们的言行也与那些人不同。上帝已经赐给他们一个模范。那位“多受痛苦，常经忧患”的主已经为他们开辟了道路，并亲自走过这条路。跟从祂的人看到祂的脚踪，就得着安慰与鼓舞。祂曾安全地行过这条道路。只要他们跟随祂的脚踪，也必能安全地走过。在宽路上，人人都专顾自己和自己的衣服，以及沿途的娱乐。他们寻欢作乐，纵情恣欲，毫不考虑到路程的结局和最后的必然灭亡。他们每天离毁灭越来越近；却仍疯狂地向前猛冲。这种情形在我看来是多么可怕啊！{4bSG14.1}[2]
§6
Those traveling in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, nor talk like them, nor act like them. A Pattern has been given them. A Man of sorrow and acquainted with grief opened that road for them, and traveled that road himself. His followers see his footsteps, and are comforted and cheered. He went through safely, so can they if they follow his footsteps. In the broad road all are occupied with their persons, their dress, and the pleasures in the way. Hilarity and glee they freely indulge in, and think not of their journey’s end, of the certain destruction at the end of the path. Every day they approach nearer their destruction, yet they madly rush on faster and faster. Oh, how dreadfully this looked to me!?{4bSG 14.1}[2]
§7
我看到许多行走宽路的人身上写着：“向世界是死了。万物的结局近了。你们也要预备。”他们看上去与周围虚浮的人完全一样，只是我注意到他们脸上略有悲愁的表情。他们所说的话，与周围放荡轻浮的人没有什么区别，但他们偶然还很自满地指着自己衣服上的字，劝别人也要把这些字写在衣服上。他们行走的是宽路，却自称是行走窄路的人。他们周围的人说：“你我之间并无区别。我们都是一样的；我们的衣着、言语和行为也是一样的。”{4bSG14.2}[3]
§8
I saw many traveling in this broad road who had written upon them, “Dead to the world, The end of all things is at hand, Be ye also ready.” They looked just like all the vain ones around them, except a shade of sadness which I noticed upon their countenances. Their conversation was just like the gay, thoughtless ones around them; but they would occasionally point to the letters on their garments with great satisfaction?calling for the others to have the same upon theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of that number who were traveling the narrow way. Those around them would say, “There is no distinction between us, We are all alike, We dress, and talk, and act alike.”?{4bSG 14.2}[3]
§9
然后我蒙指示回顾1843和1844年间的事。当时那种献身成圣的精神而今没有了。这些自称为上帝特别子民的人们，现今又是如何呢？我见到随从世俗，不甘为真理吃苦的情形。我看到极其缺乏顺从上帝旨意的心。我又蒙指示回想到以色列人出埃及后的光景。上帝用怜悯招呼他们出埃及，使他们可以敬拜祂而不受人的阻碍和制止。祂在路上为他们施行神迹，又引领他们到艰难之处，借此试验和磨炼他们。在上帝为他们行了许多的奇事，及多次拯救他们之后，他们在受主试验及磨炼之时，竟喃喃埋怨说：“巴不得我们早死在埃及地耶和华的手下”（出16:3）。{4bSG15.1}[4]
§10
Then I was pointed back to the years 1843 and 1844. There was a spirit of consecration then, that there is not now. What has come over the professed, peculiar people of God? I saw the conformity to the world, the unwillingness to suffer for the truth’s sake. I saw a great lack of submission to the will of God. I was pointed back to the children of Israel after they left Egypt. God in mercy called them out from the Egyptians, that they might worship him without hindrance or restraint. He wrought for them in the way by miracles, he proved them, he tried them by bringing them into straight places. After the wonderful dealings of God, and their deliverance so many times, when tried or proved by God, they murmured. Their language was, “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt.”?{4bSG 15.1}[4]
§11
我看见许多自命相信末日真理的人，想起了从前以色列人走在路上的时候发怨言，便觉得希奇。在上帝为他们行了这许多的奇事之后，他们竟这样忘恩负义地把主为他们所作的都忘记了。天使说：“你们所作的比他们更坏。”我见上帝已把真理赐给祂的仆人们，极其清楚，极其明白，以致无可拒绝。他们不论何往，都必胜利。他们的仇敌对这确实可信的真理无法取胜。真理的光既然这样明亮照耀，上帝的仆人们便随处都能立足，使那清楚而有联系的真理获得胜利。这种伟大的福气，还未被人领会和珍视。若有任何试炼临到，有些人就开始回头后顾，以为遭遇了困苦艰难。有些自命为上帝仆人的，还不晓得那使人洁净的试炼是什么。有时他们竟自造试炼，想象有试炼，极易灰心丧胆，极易感觉痛心，且极快伤及自尊心，以致害己，害人，并且害了教会。撒但扩大他们的试炼，又把种种念头放在他们心里，他们若随从这等意念，他们的感化力及贡献就遭受破坏了。{4bSG15.2}[5]
§12
I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days, think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed, and after the wonderful dealings of God to them, should be so ungrateful, and forget what God had done for them. Said the angel, “Ye have done worse than they.” I saw that God had given his servants the truth so clear, so plain, that it cannot be resisted. Every where they go they have certain victory. The enemies cannot get round the convincing truth. Light has been shed so clear, that the servants of God can stand up any where and let truth, clear and connected, bear away the victory. This great blessing has not been realized and prized. If any trial arises, some begin to look back, and think they have a hard time. Some of the professed servants of God do not know what purifying trials are. They make trials sometimes for themselves, imagine trials, and are so?easily discouraged, so easily hurt, self dignity is so quick to feel, that they injure themselves, injure others, and the cause. Satan magnifies and puts things into the mind that, if given way to, will destroy the usefulness and influence of such.?{4bSG 15.2}[5]
§13
我看到有些人曾觉得被引诱离开圣工，去作自己的事。我看到上帝的手若是离开他们，让疾病和死亡自由临到他们的身上，那时他们就要晓得患难是什么了。埋怨上帝，真是一件可怕的事！他们不记得自己所走的路是崎岖的，克己的，钉死自我的。他们不应该期望事事平康顺利，似乎是在那宽路上旅行一样。{4bSG16.1}[6]
§14
I saw that some had felt tempted to take themselves from the work, to labor with their hands. I saw that if the hand of God should be taken from them, and they left subject to disease and death, then such would know what trouble is. It is a fearful thing to murmur against God. They do not bear in mind that the way they are traveling is a rugged, self-denying, self-crucifying way, and they must not expect every thing to move on as smoothly as though they were traveling in the broad road.?{4bSG 16.1}[6]
§15
我看见有些传道人很容易灰心，自我很快受伤，竟想象自己是被人轻看及被人伤害，而其实却不是那样。他们以为自己的命分是困难的。这等人还未明白，如果上帝把祂扶持的手收回，让他们经过心灵的痛苦，然后他们将会有何感觉。那时他们就要晓得自己的命分，是比先前为上帝作工虽有试炼困苦却有主之嘉许的时候，要更加艰难十倍呢！有些为上帝圣工效力的人，正是过着安逸的日子而不自知。他们所遭遇的苦难很少，对于困乏，辛劳，及救灵之重任，都罕有所知，以致处在安逸的时候，在蒙上帝恩眷而几乎全无精神痛苦之时，他们竟不明白这种情形，反而以为自己所受的试炼很大。我看出这等人若没有自我牺牲的精神，甘心乐意作工，不顾自己，那么上帝就要让他们放下工作了。祂必不承认他们是祂克己牺牲的仆人，而要兴起那些愿意作工，热切而不怠惰，并在自己处境顺利之时知恩感德的人。上帝的仆人必须觉得救人工作的重担，要在廊子与祭坛之间哭泣说：“耶和华啊，求祢顾惜祢的百姓”（珥2:17）。{4bSG16.2}[7]
§16
I saw that some of the messengers are so easily discouraged, self is so quickly hurt, they imagine themselves slighted and injured when it is not so. They think their lot hard. Such realize not how they would feel should the sustaining hand of God be withdrawn, and they pass through anguish of soul. Their lot, they then would see, would be ten-fold harder than it was before, while they were employed in the labor of God, suffering trials and privations, yet withal having the approbation of God. Some that are laboring in the cause of God know not when they do have an easy time. They have had so few privations, have hardly known any thing of want or wearing labor, or burden of soul, that when they have an easy time, their lives almost entirely free from anguish of spirit, are favored of God, they know it not, and think their trials great. I saw that unless such have a spirit of self-sacrifice, and are ready to labor cheerfully, not sparing themselves, God will release them. He will not acknowledge them as his self-sacrificing servants; but will raise up those who will labor, not slothfully but in earnest, and will know when they have an easy time. God’s servants must feel the burden of souls, and weep between the porch and the altar, and cry, “Spare thy people, Lord.”?{4bSG 16.2}[7]
§17
有些上帝的仆人，已献上自己的一生为上帝的圣工效劳，直到为此而鞠躬尽瘁。劳心的工作，不断的挂虑，操劳，及患难，已将他们消磨殆尽。但还有些别的人，则不曾负过这等责任，也不愿意担负；然而这等人竟以为自己有了艰难，这是因为他们从来就没有经验过患难的缘故。他们从来没有受过这苦难的洗礼，并且只要他们还是显出这样多的软弱，这样少的毅力，和这样贪图安逸，他们也决不会受那种的洗礼。但愿这些仆人都能感到自己若不传福音就必有祸，那就够了，可惜大家现在还不觉得这一层。{4bSG17.1}[8]
§18
Some of the servants of God have given up their lives, to spend and be spent, for the cause of God, while their constitutions are gone, and they are almost worn out with mental labor, incessant care, toil, and privations, while others have not had, and would not take, the burden upon them. Yet just such ones think they have a hard time, because they never have experienced hardships. They never have been baptized into the suffering part, and never will be as long as they manifest so much weakness, and so little fortitude, and love their ease so well. Let these servants feel the woe upon them if they preach not the gospel, and it will be enough; but all do not feel this.?{4bSG 17.1}[8]
§19
我蒙指示看见一些自称遵守安息日的人与世俗同流。我看到这是对他们的信仰和上帝圣工的羞辱。他们为自己的信仰作了伪证。他们以为自己不象世人，可是他们的衣着、言语和行为与世人没有区别。我看到他们在打扮自己可怜的必朽之躯。这个身体随时都可能被上帝的手指所触，而卧在痛苦的床上。那时他们的人生已走到了尽头，肉体的痛苦折磨着他们，摆在他们面前的重要问题是：“我有没有为死亡作好准备呢？我有没有准备好在站在上帝的审判台前，接受严肃的审查呢？”此时询问他们对打扮自己的身体有何感想，对预备站在上帝面前有何认识，他们就会告诉你，如果让他们重新活一回，他们必改正自己的生活，避开世俗的愚妄、虚荣和骄傲，穿戴朴素的衣服，为周围的人树立榜样。他们必在生活上荣耀上帝。为什么度克己谦卑的生活这么困难呢？这是因为自称为基督徒的人没有向世界死。我们若是死了，过这样的生活就容易了。但是他们喜欢在服饰和言行上尽量效法世界，可是又向天国走去。这等人是要从别处爬进去，不从窄门和小路进去。{4bSG17.2}[9]
§20
I was shown the conformity of some professed Sabbath-keepers to the world. Oh, I saw it was a disgrace to their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God! They give the lie to their profession. They think they are not like the world, but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation, and actions, that there is no distinction. I saw them decorating their poor mortal bodies, which are liable any moment to be touched by the finger of God, and laid upon a bed of anguish. Oh, then, as they approach their last change, mortal anguish racks their frames, and the great inquiry then is, “Am I prepared to die; prepared to appear before God in judgment and stand the grand review?” Ask them then how they feel about decorating their bodies, and if they have any sense of what it is to be prepared to appear before God, they will tell you that if they could take back and live over the past, they would correct their lives, shun the follies of the world, its vanity, its pride, and would adorn the body with modest apparel, and set an example to others around them. They would live to the glory of God. Why is it so hard to lead a self-denying, humble life? Because professed Christians are not dead to the world. It is easy living after we are dead; but they have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as possible, and yet go to Heaven. Such seek to climb?up some other way. They do not enter through the narrow way and straight gate.?{4bSG 17.2}[9]
§21
我蒙指示看到会上的那群人。天使说：“有些人是虫子的食物，[在这个异象赐下后仅三天，克拉丽莎·M·班斐姐妹就在耶稣里睡了，她的健康状况没有呈现异常，而且她深感自己会是一个要进入坟墓的人，并且向别人述说了她的确信]。有些人要承受最后的七灾。有些人会活着并且留在地上，在耶稣降临的时候得以变化。”{4bSG18.1}[10]
§22
I was shown the company present at the Conference. Said the angel, “Some food for worms, [Sister Clarissa M. Bonfoey, who fell asleep in Jesus only three days after this vision was given, was present, in usual health, and was deeply impressed that she was one that would go into the grave, and stated her convictions to others.] some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth, to be translated at the coming of Jesus.”?{4bSG 18.1}[10]
§23
这些是天使所说的严肃话语。我问天使为什么那么少的人关心自己永恒的福利，那么少人为自己最后的变化作准备。天使说：“世界吸引着他们，世上的财宝对他们来说似乎是有价值的。”他们发现足够多的东西占用脑筋，没有时间为天国作准备。撒但时刻准备使他们在困难中陷得深而又深；一个困惑烦恼刚从心中消除，他就使他们内心产生另一个不圣洁的渴望，要更多属地的东西；这样他们的光阴就流逝了，当他们看明自己没有得到什么真实的东西时，已为时太晚了。他们捕风捉影过了一生，而丧失了永生。{4bSG18.2}[11]
§24
Solemn words were these, spoken by the angel. I asked why so few were interested in their eternal interest, so few preparing for their last change. Said the angel, “Earth attracts them, its treasures seem of worth to them.” They find enough to engross the mind, and have no time to prepare for Heaven. Satan is ever ready to plunge them deeper and deeper into difficulty, and as one perplexity and trouble is off the mind he begets within them an unholy desire for more of the things of earth, and thus their time is gone, and when it is too late they see they have nothing substantial. They have grasped at shadows and lost eternal life.?{4bSG 18.2}[11]
§25
这样的人将来必定无可推诿。我看到许多人效法世人的衣着，是想发挥一种影响。但在这一点上，他们犯了可悲的错误。他们如果要发挥真实而救人的影响，就当活出自己的信仰，用他们的义行来表达自己的信心，显明基督徒与世人之间的巨大区别。我看到他们言语、行为和服装应当为上帝作见证，这样就会在众人身上发挥圣洁的影响，使大家看出他们是跟过耶稣的。不信的人要看出我们所信从的真理具有圣洁的感化力，基督复临的信仰足以影响人的品格。任何一个人如果想让自己的感化力为真理作见证，就应当活出真理，如此来效法那位谦卑的榜样。{4bSG18.3}[12]
§26
Such will have no excuse. Many, I saw, dressed like the world to have influence; but here they make a sad mistake. If they would have a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction great between the Christian and the world. I saw that the words, the dress, and actions, should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus; and unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy influence, and that faith in Christ’s coming affects the character of the man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of truth, let them live it out, and imitate the humble Pattern.?{4bSG 18.3}[12]
§27
我看到上帝是憎恶骄傲的。一切骄傲的人和作恶的人必如禾秸，在那日都会被烧尽。我看到第三位天使的信息要象面酵一样，在许多自称相信它的人心中发挥作用，除去他们骄傲、自私、贪婪和爱世俗的心。{4bSG19.1}[13]
§28
I saw that God hates pride, and that all the proud, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up. I saw that the third angel’s message must yet work like leaven upon many hearts that profess to believe it, and purge away their pride, selfishness, covetousness, and love of the world.?{4bSG 19.1}[13]
§29
耶稣快要来了。祂所看到的，是一班与世俗同流的子民吗？祂会承认这些人为祂的子民吗？绝对不会的！惟有纯洁圣善的人，祂才承认是属于祂的人。那些经过苦难而得到洁净变为雪白，并且保守自己分别出来，不沾染世俗的人，祂必承认为自己的子民。{4bSG19.2}[14]
§30
Jesus is coming, and will he find a people conformed to the world? And will he acknowledge them as his people? Oh, no. None but the pure and holy will he acknowledge as his. Those that have been purified and made bright through suffering, and have kept themselves separate, unspotted from the world, he will own as his.?{4bSG 19.2}[14]
§31
我看到上帝的子民与世俗同流，许多自称为柔和谦卑之耶稣的门徒，与不信的人之间，除了在名义上之外，没有任何区别，这个可怕的事实，使我非常痛心。我看到他们让耶稣受伤，明明地羞辱祂。天使既看到自称为上帝子民的人贪爱世俗，感染世俗的精神，效法世俗的时尚，就伤心地说：“斩断与世俗的联系吧！赶快斩断！免得上帝指定你们的份是与城外伪善和不信的人在一起。你们的信仰表白只能加深你们的痛苦，使你们受更重的刑罚，因为你们知道祂的旨意，却不遵行。”我看到自称相信第三位天使信息的人，常因虚浮，嬉笑和轻薄而损害了上帝的圣工。我蒙指示，这种罪恶已在我们的教会中泛滥。我看到我们必须在主面前自卑。上帝的以色列民应当撕裂心肠，而不是撕裂衣服。如今很少看到孩子般的纯朴。人们更多地考虑人的称赞，而没有想到恐怕上帝不悦。天使说：“要摆正自己的心思意念，免得祂在审判时追讨你们，割断你们脆弱的生命线，让你们在没有把握，没有为审判作好准备的情况下睡到坟墓里去。你们如果暂时居留于世，就得赶快与上帝和好，脱离世俗，否则你们的心就会越发刚硬，结果就倚靠虚伪的支持，假想的准备，及至发觉自己的错误，而再想坚立一个有良好基础的指望时，已经为时太晚了。”{4bSG19.3}[15]
§32
As I saw the dreadful fact that God’s people were conformed to the world, with no distinction, only in name, between many of the professed disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus, and unbelievers, my soul felt deep anguish. I saw that Jesus was wounded and put to an open shame. Said the angel, as with sorrow he saw the professed people of God loving the world, partaking of the spirit of the world, and following its fashions, “Cut loose! cut loose!lest he appoint thee thy portion with hypocrites and unbelievers outside of the City. Thy profession will only cause thee greater anguish, and thy punishment will be greater, because ye knew his will, but did it not.” I saw that those who profess to believe the third angel’s message often wound the cause of God by lightness, joking, and trifling. This evil I was shown was all through our ranks. I saw that there should be an humbling before God, and that the Israel of God should rend the heart and not the garments. Childlike simplicity is rarely seen; the approbation of man is more thought of than to fear to displease God. Said the angel, “Set thine heart in order, lest he visit thee in judgment, and the brittle thread of life be cut, and ye lie down in the grave unsheltered, unprepared for the judgment. Or if ye do not make your bed in the grave, unless ye soon make your peace with God, tear yourselves from the world, your hearts will?grow harder, and ye will lean upon a false prop, a supposed preparation, and find out your mistake too late to secure a well-grounded hope.”?{4bSG 19.3}[15]
§33
我见到有些自称守安息日的人所花的时间比浪费掉还坏。他们研究这种或那种时尚来装饰这卑贱必死的身体。当你在使自己看上去与世人一样，并竭力使自己美丽动人时，要记得你这身体不久就会成为虫子的食物。当你照自己的品味装饰它，要悦你的眼目时，你的灵性却正在死亡。上帝憎恨你虚荣、邪恶的骄傲。祂看你就象一个粉饰的坟墓，里面充满了败坏和污秽。{4bSG20.1}[16]
§34
I saw that some professed Sabbath-keepers spent hours that were worse than thrown away studying this or that fashion to decorate the poor, mortal body. While you make yourselves appear like the world, and as beautiful as you can, remember that the same body may in a few days be food for worms. And while you fix it up to your taste to please the eye, you are dying spiritually. God hates your vain, wicked pride, and he looks upon you as a whited sepulcher; but within full of corruption and uncleanness.?{4bSG 20.1}[16]
§35
母亲为儿女树立了骄傲的榜样，并藉此撒下了会生长结果的种子，也必定获得丰收。他们种的是什么，收的也是什么。必有收成。父母们哪，我看到你们教儿女骄傲比教他们谦卑容易多了。撒但和他的使者就站在你们旁边，要使你们的言行鼓励儿女以着装和不圣洁的社交为荣。父母们哪，你们正在自己怀里种荆棘，这会使你们常感痛苦。当你们想抵消所教儿女的可悲教训时，就会发现颇为困难了。你们不可能这样做了。你们可以拒绝他们得到会满足他们骄傲的东西，但那骄傲依然活在他们心里，渴望得到满足；除了上帝之灵活泼的大能，什么都不能消灭这种骄傲。当上帝的灵寻得方法博得人心时，就会发挥象面酵一样的影响，将骄傲根除掉。{4bSG20.2}[17]
§36
Mothers set the example of pride to their children, and while so doing, sow seed that will spring up and bear fruit. The harvest will be plenteous and sure. That which they sow they shall reap. There will be no failure in the crop. I saw, parents, that it is easier for you to learn your children a lesson of pride, than a lesson of humility. And that Satan and his angels stand right by your side to make the act of yours, or the word that you may speak to them, effectual, to encourage them to dress, and in their pride to mingle with society that is not holy. O parents, you plant a thorn in your own bosoms that you will often feel in anguish. And when you would counteract the sad lesson you have learned your children, you will find it a hard thing. It is impossible for you to do it. You may deny them things that will gratify their pride, yet that pride lives in the heart, longing to be satisfied, and nothing can kill this pride but to have the quick and powerful Spirit of God find the way to the heart, and work like leaven there, and remove it.?{4bSG 20.2}[17]
§37
我看到老老少少都忽视圣经。他们本应以圣经作为自己学习的课本和人生的准则，却没有这样做。年轻人尤其在这方面疏忽。他们大都愿意化大量时间去阅读其他所有的书。但那部指明永生的书，却不细读和天天研究。那部在末日要审判他们的宝贵重要的书，他们几乎根本不学习。无聊的故事书受人青睐，圣经却遭了冷遇。日子将到；那是密云和黑暗的日子。那时所有的人都希望充分装备上帝之道的简明真理，好温柔而坚决地告诉人他们盼望的缘由。我看到他们必须明白自己盼望的缘由，以便坚固自己的心，应付剧烈的冲突。否则他们便有亏欠，没有决心，也不坚定。{4bSG20.3}[18]
§38
I saw that young and old neglect their Bibles. They do not make that book their study and the rule of life, as they should, especially the young. Most of them are ready, and find plenty of time, to read almost any other book. But the Word that points to life, eternal life, is not perused and daily studied. That precious, important book that is to judge them in the last day,?is scarcely studied at all. Idle stories have been attentively read, while the Bible has been passed by, neglected. A day is coming, of clouds and thick darkness, when all will wish to be thoroughly furnished by the plain, simple truths of the word of God, that they may meekly, yet decidedly, give a reason of their hope. This reason of their hope, I saw, they must have to strengthen their own souls for the fierce conflict. Without this they are wanting, and cannot have firmness and decision.?{4bSG 20.3}[18]
§39
父母们最好一看到家中有无聊的故事书和小说就烧掉。这对孩子们来说是一种善举。若鼓励他们阅读这种故事书，就会象行巫术一样，会迷惑毒害他们的心智。我看到父母们若不使自己的孩子觉悟永恒的利益，他们就必因父母的疏忽而沦丧。而且这些不忠心的父母自己得救的可能性也很小。我看到父母应该作榜样。他们应该在自己家里发挥圣洁的影响力。他们的服装应该端庄简朴，与周围的世人不同。你们既重视儿女的永恒利益，就当斥责他们心里的骄傲。要忠心地斥责这种骄傲，并且不在言行上鼓励它。我看到必须使我们的家人摆脱这种骄傲。我蒙指示看到自称上帝子民的人何等地骄傲啊！这骄傲年年在增长，直到现在不可能把自称为守安息日的复临信徒和他们周围的人区分出来了。我看到许多钱花在了帽子、衣领的丝带和花边及别的不必要的物件上，[常有人问我是不是认为穿朴素的亚麻衣领是错的。我的回答总是我不这样认为。有些人已对我所写的关于衣领的话采取了极端的意义，主张穿戴任何一件我所描述的东西都是错的。我蒙指示看到的是花很多钱制作的衣领和昂贵而不必要的丝带与花边，就是有些守安息日的人所穿戴的，并且是为了炫耀和赶时髦穿戴的。在提到衣领时，我的意思原不是要人理解为不该穿衣领类的东西，在提到丝带时，也不是说所有人都不该佩戴丝带。]为要装饰身体，而舍命以救赎我们的荣耀的王耶稣却戴着荆棘的冠冕。那就是我们夫子神圣的头所戴的装饰。祂是“多受痛苦，常经忧患”的人。“祂为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因祂受的刑罚，我们得平安；因祂受的鞭伤，我们得医治”（赛53:3,5）。可是自称要被耶稣为他们所流的血洗净的人，却打扮装饰自己卑贱必死的身体，还胆敢自称是那圣洁、舍己、谦卑之模范的跟从者。但愿所有的人都能象上帝并象我蒙指示所看到的一样，看明这件事！当我看到这事时，心中所感到的痛苦似乎是我无法忍受的。天使说：“上帝的子民是特殊的；祂正在洁净他们归祂自己。”我看到外表乃是内心的一个表征。当外表悬挂有丝带、衣领和不必要的东西时，就表明心中喜爱这一切的东西；这种人若不洁除心中的败坏，就决不能见上帝，因为唯有清心的人才会见到祂。{4bSG21.1}[19]
§40
Parents had much better burn the idle tales of the day, and the novels, as they come into their houses. It would be a mercy to their children. Encourage the reading of these story-books, and it is like enchantment. It bewilders and poisons the mind. I saw that unless parents awake to the eternal interest of their children, they will surely be lost through their neglect. And the possibility of these unfaithful parents’ being saved themselves is very small. Parents, I saw, should be exemplary. They should exert a holy influence in their families. They should let their dress be modest, different from the world around them. You should rebuke pride in your children, if you value their eternal interest. Faithfully rebuke this pride, and encourage it not in deed or word. I saw that this pride must be torn out of our families. Oh, the pride that was shown me of God’s professed people. It has increased every year, until it is now impossible to designate professed Advent Sabbath-keepers from all the world around them. Much, I saw, was expended for ribbons and laces for the bonnets, collars, [The question has often been asked me if I believed it wrong to wear plain linen collars. My answer has always been, No. Some have taken the extreme meaning of what I have written about collars, and have maintained that it was wrong to wear one of any description. I was shown expensively wrought collars, and expensive and unnecessary ribbons and laces, which some Sabbath-keepers have worn, and still wear, for the sake of show and fashion. I did not design to be understood, by naming collars, that nothing like a collar should be worn, or by naming ribbons, that no ribbons at all should be worn.] and other?needless articles to decorate the body, while Jesus, the King of glory, who gave his life to redeem them, wore a crown of thorns. This was the way their Master’s sacred head was decorated. He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” And the very ones that profess to be washed by the blood of Jesus, can dress up, and decorate their poor, mortal bodies, yet dare to profess to be the followers of the holy, self-denying, humble Pattern. Oh, I wish that all could see this in the light that God sees it, and showed it to me. It seemed too much for me to bear, to feel the anguish of soul that I felt as I beheld it. “God’s people,” said the angel, “are peculiar; such he is purifying unto himself.” I saw that the outside appearance was an index to the heart. When hung with ribbons, collars, and needless things, it plainly shows that all this is in the heart, and unless that such persons are cleansed from their sins, they can never see God, for the pure in heart?alone?will see him.?{4bSG 21.1}[19]
§41
我见到斧子必须放在树根上。教会中不该容忍这种骄傲。正是这些事使上帝与祂的子民隔绝，使他们远离约柜。以色列一直在骄傲、时尚和效法世界中熟睡。他们在骄傲、贪心、自私和爱世界中月月都有长进。何时他们的心受了真理的影响，就会使他们向世界死，他们就会丢掉丝带、花边和衣领；他们若向世界死了，不信之人的嘲笑、讥讽和轻蔑就不会触动他们。他们就会感到切愿与世界分离，象他们的夫子一样。他们不会效法世界的骄傲、时尚或习惯。他们的眼前总是会有高尚的目标，就是要荣耀上帝并且获得不朽的基业。这个前景会吞灭一切及属地的本性。上帝将拥有一班分别而与世人截然不同的子民。一旦有人想要效法世界的时尚，而没有立刻予以克制，上帝就会立刻停止承认他们为祂的儿女。他们是世界之子，黑暗之子。他们想尽可能地与世人一样；藉着这样做，那些自称披戴基督的人实际上是脱下了祂，并且表明他们对恩典和温柔谦卑的耶稣来说是外人。他们若使自己与祂熟识，行事为人就会配得上祂了。{4bSG22.1}[20]
§42
I saw that the axe must be laid at the root of the tree. Such pride should not be suffered in the church. It is these things that separate God from his people, that shuts the ark away from them. Israel has been asleep to the pride, and fashions, and conformity to the world, in their very midst. They advance every month in pride, covetousness, selfishness, and love of the world. When the truth affects the heart, it will cause a death to the world, and the ribbons, laces, and collars will be laid aside, and if dead, the laugh, the jeer, and scorn of unbelievers, will not move them. They will feel an anxious desire to be separate from the world, like their Master. They will not imitate its pride, fashions, or customs. The noble object will be ever before them, to glorify God, and gain the immortal inheritance. This prospect will swallow up all besides of an earthly nature. God will have a separate and distinct people from the world. And if any have?a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as his children. They are the children of the world, and darkness. They want to be as much like the world as possible, and those that profess to have put on Christ, by thus doing put him off, and show that they are strangers to grace, strangers to the meek and lowly Jesus. If they had acquainted themselves with him, they would walk worthy of him.?{4bSG 22.1}[20]
§43
我见到许多传道人的妻子。有些对于她们的丈夫是毫无益处，但她们还自称是信仰第三位天使的信息。她们思念自己的欲望及欢乐，过于思念上帝的旨意，也不晓得怎样用诚心祷告及细心行动，来扶持她们丈夫的手臂。我见到她们中间有些人的行为是极其任性而自私，以致成了撒但的工具，被他利用来破坏她们丈夫的感化力及功效。她们只要经过任何苦境，就随意大发怨言。她们忘记了古代基督徒为真理所受的苦难，而以为自己的欲望及方法非实现不可，一切都要按着她们自己的心意而行。她们忘记了自己的主耶稣所受的苦难，忘记了那位多受痛苦，常经忧患，连枕头的地方也没有的人子。她们毫不想念那被荆棘冠冕所扎伤的神圣额头，忘记了那背负十字架前往髑髅地而在其负担下晕倒的主。祂不单被沉重的木架所压倒，同时全人类的罪恶也都压在祂的身上。她们忘记了那残酷的铁钉，钉透祂柔嫩的手足，以及祂断气时的痛苦叫喊：“我的上帝，我的上帝，为什么离弃我”（太27:46；可15:34）？这一切的苦难都是为她们而受的，而今她们竟然有强硬的心意，不情愿为基督吃苦。{4bSG23.1}[21]
§44
I saw the companions of the messengers. Some of them are no help to their husbands, yet they profess the third angel’s message. They think more of studying their own wishes and pleasure than the will of God, or how they can hold up the hands of their husbands by their faithful prayers and careful walk. I saw that some of them take such a willful, selfish course, that Satan makes them his instruments, and works through them to destroy the usefulness and influence of their husbands. They feel at liberty to complain and murmur if they are brought through any straight places. They forget the sufferings of the ancient Christians for the truth’s sake, and think they must have their wishes and their way, and follow their own will. They forget the sufferings of Jesus their Master. They forget the man of sorrows, that was acquainted with grief, he who had not where to lay his head. They do not care to remember that holy brow, pierced with a crown of thorns. They forget him who, bearing his own cross to Calvary, fainted beneath its burden, not merely the burden of the wooden cross, but the heavy burden of the sins of the world were upon him. They forget the cruel nails driven through his tender hands and feet, and his expiring, agonizing cries, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And after all this suffering endured for them, they feel a strong unwillingness to suffer for Christ’s sake.?{4bSG 23.1}[21]
§45
我看到这些人乃是自欺，她们在圣工上是无分的。她们虽然把握着真理，但真理却没有把握住她们。何时这真理，就是那庄严而重大的真理，果真把握住她们，她们的自我就会死去，她们的口也不会说：“我一定要去那里，我一定不要留在这里”的话了，乃是要诚恳地询问说：“上帝要我去哪里呢？我在何处最能荣耀上帝呢？我们在何处能同心合意作出最好的工呢？”她们的意志也应被上帝的旨意所吞没。有些传道人的妻子，显出任性及缺乏献身的精神，挡住了罪人的道路，这些人灭亡的血，要染在她们的衣裳上。有些传道人虽作了强有力的见证，提到教会的本分及许多错误，但却毫无预期的效果，这是因为他们自己的配偶正需要这一切忠直的见证，而且那些责备人的话，都要重重地反击在他们自己的身上。他们受了自己配偶的影响，把他们拖倒，使他们脑筋有成见，这样，他们的功效及感化力就丧失了。他们觉得忧伤失望，却又不知这场损害的真实原因何在。原来就在自己的家中。{4bSG23.2}[22]
§46
These individuals, I saw, were deceiving themselves. They have no part nor lot in the matter. They have got hold of the truth, but the truth has not got hold of them. When the truth, the solemn, important truth,?gets hold of them, self will die, and the language will not be, “I shall go here, and shall not stay there;” but the earnest inquiry will be, “Where does God want me to be? Where can I best glorify him, and where can our united labors do the most good?” Their will should be swallowed up in the will of God. The lack of consecration, and the willfulness that some of the messengers’ companions possess, will stand in the way of sinners; and the blood of souls will be upon their garments. Some of the messengers have borne a strong testimony in regard to the duty, and the wrongs of the church. It has not had its designed effect; for their own companions needed all the straight testimony that had been borne. And the reproof came back upon themselves with great weight. They let their companions affect them, and drag them down, and prejudice their minds, and their usefulness and influence is lost, and they feel desponding and disheartened, and realize not the true source of the injury. It is close at home.?{4bSG 23.2}[22]
§47
我看到若上帝已经呼召她们的丈夫去传扬现代的真理，这些姊妹们也就与上帝的圣工有了密切的关系。这些仆人若是真蒙上帝呼召，就必觉得真理的重要。他们是站在活人与死人之间，必须为人的灵魂警醒，好像将来交账的人。他们的职务是庄严重大的，他们的配偶对于他们，可以成为一椿大福惠，也可以成为一椿大祸害。当他们绝望之时，她们可以鼓励他们；当他们颓丧之时，她们可以安慰他们；当他们信心退落之时，她们可以激励他们全心仰望信赖上帝。反之，她们也可以采取相反的行动，只看到阴暗的一面，只想起自己的处境艰苦；她们没有运用对上帝的信心，老是向自己的配偶谈论患难试炼及疑惑不信的话，放任一种怨天尤人的精神，以至成为一种死沉沉的重负，甚而成为他们的祸害。{4bSG24.1}[23]
§48
I saw that these sisters are closely connected with the work of God if he has called their husbands to preach the present truth. These servants, if truly called of God, will feel the importance of the truth. They are standing between the living and the dead, and must watch for souls as they that must give account. Solemn is their calling. And their companions can be a great blessing to them, or a great curse. They can cheer them when desponding, comfort them when cast down, and encourage them to look up and trust fully in God when their faith fails. And they can take an opposite course, look upon the dark side, and think they have a hard time, have no faith in God, and talk their trials and unbelief to their companions, have a complaining, murmuring spirit, and be a dead weight, and even a curse, to them.?{4bSG 24.1}[23]
§49
我看出传道人的妻子应当帮助自己的丈夫作工，并要严格留心自己所发的影响，因为许多人都在观察她们，并且对她们有所厚望，过于别人。她们的服装要作人的榜样。她们的生活及言行也要作人的榜样，成为叫人活的香气，而不是令人死的毒气。我看出她们应当采取一种谦卑，温和，而又不失其高贵的态度，在她们的言语上，绝不提及那些不能引导人的思想趋向天国的事。她们所发的重大问题应当是：“我怎样能救自己的灵性，并成为救人的工具呢？”我见到在这事上三心二意的工作，是不能蒙上帝悦纳的。祂所要的乃是全心全意的工作，否则完全不要。她们的影响所及，都要坚决而准确地令人爱护真理或是反对真理。她们若不是与耶稣收聚的，就是分散的。一个不成圣的妻子对于传道人，乃是万害之首。上帝的仆人若是已有及续有不愉快的情景，在家中的感化力枯萎不振，就应当加倍用功祈祷及儆醒，采取坚强决定的立场，切莫让黑暗乌云把他们压倒。他们应当更接近上帝，刚强而坚决，好好管理自己的家庭，要过一种能蒙上帝嘉许及天使照顾的生活。他们若是向自己不献身的配偶屈服，顺从她们的欲望，上帝就要不喜悦这个家庭。他们既然袒护恶行，上帝的约柜就不能留在这家庭中。我们的上帝是忌邪的上帝。轻慢上帝乃是可怕的事。古时亚干因为贪心，私藏了一条金子及一件示拿衣服，以色列人全体便因而受害，在敌人的面前败逃。及至约书亚求问这事时，耶和华说：“你起来，叫百姓自洁，对他们说，你们要自洁预备明天；因为耶和华以色列的上帝这样说，以色列啊，你们中间有当灭的物；你们若不除掉，在仇敌的面前，必站立不住”（书7:13）。亚干因为犯了罪，上帝就除灭他和他的全家以及他一切所有的，清除了以色列人的祸害。{4bSG24.2}[24]
§50
I saw that the companions of the messengers should help their husbands in their labors, and be exact and careful what influence they exert; for they are watched, and more is expected of them than others. Their?dress should be an example. Their lives and conversation should be an example, and savor of life, rather than death. I saw that they should take an humble, meek, yet exalted, stand, and not have their talk upon things that do not tend to direct their minds heavenward. The great inquiry should be, “How can I save my own soul, and be the means of saving others?” I saw that there was no half-hearted work in this matter, accepted of God. He wants the whole heart and interest, or he will have none. Their influence tells, decidedly, unmistakably, in favor of the truth, or against it. They gather with Jesus, or scatter abroad. An unsanctified companion is the greatest curse a messenger can have. Those servants of God that have been, and are still so unhappily situated as to have this withering influence at home, should double their prayers, their watchfulness, and take a decided, firm stand, and let not this darkness press them down. They should cleave closer to God, be firm and decided, rule well their own house, and live so that they can have the approbation of God, and the watch-care of the angels. But if they yield to the wishes of their unconsecrated companions, the frown of God is brought upon the dwelling. The ark of God cannot abide in the house, because they countenance and uphold them in their wrongs. Our God is a jealous God. It is fearful to trifle with him. Anciently, Achan coveted a golden wedge, and a Babylonish garment, and secreted them, and all Israel suffered. They were driven before their enemies. And when Joshua inquired the cause, the Lord said, “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against the morrow; for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Achan had sinned, and God destroyed him, and all his household, with all they possessed, and wiped the curse from Israel.?{4bSG 24.2}[24]
§51
我看到，现今属于上帝的以色列家应当兴起，同上帝重新立约及守约，以便恢复他们在上帝里面的力量。在遵守安息日的人之中遍行着贪心，私心，爱财利及爱世界的心。这些罪恶正在上帝的子民中破坏牺牲的精神。那些在心中有这种贪欲的人，自己还不觉悟。他们是在不知不觉中养成了这种罪恶，若不根除这件罪，他们必要遭遇灭亡象亚干一样。许多人从上帝祭坛上取去了祭物，他们贪爱世界，求财图利，他们若不完全改变，就必与世界同灭亡。他们的钱财原是上帝借给他们的，不是他们自己的，乃是上帝立他们为祂的管家。但他们竟因此而说这些钱财是他们自己的，并且存积起来。然而多么快啊，何时上帝施恩赐福的手一离开他们，那一切就于顷刻之间全归乌有了！我们应当为上帝牺牲，为真理克己。世人是何其软弱无用！人的膀臂是何其无能！我见到不久之后，人的骄慢要降低，高傲的人要抑卑。不论富贵贫贱，都要一律屈膝，而且上帝使人衰残的灾祸要降在他们身上。{4bSG25.1}[25]
§52
I saw that the Israel of God must arise, renew their strength in God by renewing and keeping their?covenant with him. Covetousness, selfishness, love of money, and love of the world, are all through the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. These evils are drying up the sacrifice of God’s people. Those that have this covetousness in their hearts are not aware of it. It has gained upon them imperceptibly. And unless it is rooted out, their destruction will be as sure as Achan’s was. Many have taken the sacrifice from God’s altar, and they love the world, love its gain and increase, and unless there is an entire change they will perish with the world. God has lent them means. It is not their own; but God has made them his stewards. And because of this, they call it their own, and hoard it up. But oh, how quick, when the prospering hand of God is removed from them, is it all snatched away in a moment. There must be a sacrificing for God, a denying self for the truth’s sake. Oh, how weak and frail is man. How puny his arm. I saw that soon the loftiness of man is to be brought down, and the pride of man humbled. Kings and nobles, rich and poor, alike shall bow, and the withering plagues from God shall fall upon them.?{4bSG 25.1}[25]