第04章 离开卫理公会
§1
第04章 离开卫理公会
§2
Chap.4 - Leaving the Methodist Church
§3
我父亲的全家还时常往卫理公会的教堂去聚会，同时也参加各人家中的查经见证聚会。有一天晚上，我同哥哥罗伯特一起去赴一次查经见证的聚会。教会的首席长老那天也在场。当作见证的机会轮到我哥哥的时候，他便以极谦逊的态度和清晰的话语，说到我们当怎样地完全预备妥当，以便迎接救主有能力有大荣耀驾着天上的云降临。当我的哥哥在讲话的时候，他那素常苍白的脸上焕发着一种属于天国的光辉。他的神情似乎是远远超脱了当前的景物，如同是站在耶稣面前发言一样。及至我被邀作见证时，我也精神活泼地站了起来，怀着满腔的热爱与平安，叙述自己先前怎样在自觉有罪的情况中极感痛苦，后来又怎样终于得到了所渴望已久的福气——完全顺从上帝的旨意，并表示我对于救赎主快要来接祂子民回家的信息所有的快乐。{1T 35.1}[1]
§4
My fathers family still occasionally attended the Methodist church, and also the class meetings held in private houses. One evening my brother Robert and myself went to class meeting. The presiding elder was present. When it came my brothers turn, he spoke with great humility, yet with clearness, of the necessity for a complete fitness to meet our Saviour, when He should come in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. While my brother was speaking, a heavenly light glowed upon his usually pale countenance. He seemed to be carried in spirit above present surroundings, and spoke as if in the presence of Jesus. When I was called upon to speak, I arose, free in spirit, with a heart full of love and peace. I told the story of my great suffering under the conviction of sin, how I had at length received the blessing so long sought, an entire conformity to the will of God, and expressed my joy in the tidings of the soon coming of my Redeemer to take His children home.{1T 35.1}[1]
§5
我单纯地期待我卫理公会的弟兄们会理解我的感受并与我一同欢喜快乐。但我失望了；有几位姐妹咕哝着并且吵闹地挪动她们的椅子，向我转背。我想不出说了什么得罪她们的话，既感觉到她们抵触的冷漠，就讲得很简短。我讲完之后，B长老便问我，我们在世上活一个较长而有益于人的日子，作些好事来帮助别人，岂不比盼望耶稣迅速降临毁灭可怜的罪人更为快乐么？我回答说，我还是渴望耶稣再来。那时罪恶便要止息，我们也可以永远在圣洁中喜乐，再没有魔鬼来试探我们，引诱我们走入迷途了。{1T 35.2}[2]
§6
In my simplicity I expected that my Methodist brethren and sisters would understand my feelings and rejoice with me. But I was disappointed; several sisters groaned and moved their chairs noisily, turning their backs upon me. I could not think what had been said to offend them, and spoke very briefly, feeling the chilling influence of their disapprobation. When I had ceased speaking, Elder B. asked me if it would not be more pleasant to live a long life of usefulness, doing others good, than to have Jesus come speedily and destroy poor sinners. I replied that I longed for the coming of Jesus. Then sin would have an end, and we would enjoy sanctification forever, with no devil to tempt and lead us astray.{1T 35.2}[2]
§7
然后他问我是愿意安然去世呢，还是愿意活着经历从必死变为不朽的痛苦。我回答说我渴望耶稣来接祂的儿女；我愿意遵上帝的旨意或生或死，也愿意忍受那在片刻眨眼之间的痛苦；我渴望时间的轮子快速旋转，带来那受欢迎的一天，那时这卑贱的身体要被改变，与基督极荣耀的身体相似。我还说当我的生活最接近主时，我就最恳切地渴望祂的显现。说到这里时有些人似乎显出极大的不悦。{1T 36.1}[3]
§8
He then inquired if I would not rather die peacefully upon my bed than to pass through the pain of being changed, while living, from mortality to immortality. My answer was that I wished for Jesus to come and take His children; that I was willing to live or die as God willed, and could easily endure all the pain that could be borne in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; that I desired the wheels of time to roll swiftly round, and bring the welcome day when these vile bodies should be changed, and fashioned like unto Christs most glorious body. I also stated that when I lived nearest to the Lord, then I most earnestly longed for His appearing. Here some present seemed to be greatly displeased.{1T 36.1}[3]
§9
当首席长老在会上向别人演讲时，他表示对期望世上的千禧年有极大的喜乐，那时地上要充满了认识耶和华的知识，象水充满洋海一般。他渴望见到迎来这个光荣的时期。散会之后，我感到那些先前对我亲热而友善的人们，现在变得冷淡无情了。我和哥哥一起回家的时候，我们心里实在难过，因为弟兄们竟这样误会我们，而且想不到这耶稣快来的题目竟会在他们心里引起如此剧烈的反对。但我们感恩的是我们能看出这宝贵的亮光并在盼望主降临中欢喜快乐。{1T 36.2}[4]
§10
When the presiding elder addressed others in the class, he expressed great joy in anticipating the temporal millennium, when the earth should be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. He longed to see this glorious period ushered in. After the meeting closed, I was conscious of being treated with marked coldness by those who had formerly been kind and friendly to me. My brother and I returned home feeling sad that we should be so misunderstood by our brethren, and that the subject of the near coming of Jesus should awaken such bitter opposition in their breasts. Yet we were thankful that we could discern the precious light and rejoice in looking for the coming of the Lord.{1T 36.2}[4]
§11
这事之后不久，我们又去赴了一次查经见证会。我们想要藉此得到一个机会述说那激励我们心灵的上帝宝贵的慈爱。我特别想要讲述上帝对于我的仁慈与怜悯。我的内心已经起了一种极大的改变，因此我觉得应当利用每一次为救主的慈爱作见证的机会。{1T 36.3}[5]
§12
Not long after this we again attended the class meeting. We wanted an opportunity to speak of the precious love of God that animated our souls. I particularly wished to tell of the Lords goodness and mercy to me. So great a change had been wrought in me that it seemed my duty to improve every opportunity of testifying to the love of my Saviour.{1T 36.3}[5]
§13
及至轮到我起来说话时，我便列举了享受耶稣的爱所有的凭据，并说明我满心快乐地仰望能早日迎见我的救赎主。基督复临已近的信仰激动了我的心，使我更迫切地追求上帝的灵来使我成圣。说到这里，那领会的主席打断了我的话，说：“姊妹，你是因卫理公会的教义而成圣的，是因卫理公会的教义，而不是因什么异端邪说。”我觉得我必须为真理辩白，因为我心里所得到的新的福乐并不是因卫理公会的教义，而是因耶稣亲自显现的动人真理。我因这真理，才得到平安，快乐，和完全的爱。我的见证就是这样结束了，这也是我在查经见证会中向卫理公会的弟兄们所作的最后一次见证。{1T 37.1}[6]
§14
When my turn came to speak, I stated the evidences I enjoyed of Jesus love, and that I looked forward with the glad expectation of meeting my Redeemer soon. The belief that Christs coming was near had stirred my soul to seek more earnestly for the sanctification of the Spirit of God. Here the class leader interrupted me, saying: You received sanctification through Methodism, through Methodism, sister, not through an erroneous theory. I felt compelled to confess the truth, that it was not through Methodism that my heart had received its new blessing, but by the stirring truths concerning the personal appearing of Jesus. Through them I had found peace, joy, and perfect love. Thus my testimony closed, the last that I was to bear in class with my Methodist brethren.{1T 37.1}[6]
§15
接着罗伯特也以他那种谦和的态度讲话了，但他的口齿清楚而表情动人，以致有些人因而落泪，大为感动；但也有些人故意咳嗽表示反对，似乎十分不安。我们离开会场之后，便又谈起我们的信仰，并感到十分奇怪，为什么我们教内的弟兄姊妹们在我们一提起救主再来的事时，就那样地忍受不住。我们认为如果他们对耶稣怀着应有的爱，就不会在听到祂复临的信息时那么大觉烦恼了，而是正相反，会欢迎这个信息。{1T 37.2}[7]
§16
Robert then spoke in his meek way, yet in so clear and touching a manner that some wept and were much moved; but others coughed dissentingly and seemed quite uneasy. After leaving the class room, we again talked over our faith, and marveled that our Christian brethren and sisters could so ill endure to have a word spoken in reference to our Saviours coming. We thought if they loved Jesus as they should, it would not be so great an annoyance to hear of His second advent, but, on the contrary, they would hail the news with joy.{1T 37.2}[7]
§17
我们都觉得此后不应再去赴查经见证会了。基督荣耀显现的指望充满了我们的心灵，所以总要在我们站起来说话时有所表露。这似乎激起了那些在场的人对这两个卑微孩子的忿怒，他们面对反对，竟胆敢以平安和快乐讲述充满他们内心的信仰。很显然地我们在查经见证会中是不可能自由说话的了；因为我们的见证，只能使我们听到那素常爱戴的弟兄姊妹们，在散会后向我们表示讥诮与嘲骂。{1T 37.3}[8]
§18
We were convinced that we ought no longer to attend the class meeting. The hope of the glorious appearing of Christ filled our souls and would find expression when we rose to speak. This seemed to kindle the ire of those present against the two humble children who dared, in the face of opposition, to speak of the faith that had filled their hearts with peace and happiness. It was evident that we could have no freedom in the class meeting; for our testimony provoked sneers and taunts that reached our ears at the close of the meeting, from brethren and sisters whom we had respected and loved.{1T 37.3}[8]
§19
那时，复临信徒们在贝多芬大礼堂里聚会。我的父亲和全家的人都经常赴会。那时大家以为基督复临是在一八四三年。人们可以得救的时间似乎极其短促，因此我决心要尽我所能的，去引领罪人来就真理之光。但是对于一个如此年幼，健康又差的人来说，似乎不可能在这项大工中有很多作为。{1T 38.1}[9]
§20
The Adventists held meetings at this time in Beethoven Hall. My father, with his family, attended them quite regularly. The period of the second advent was thought to be in the year 1843. The time seemed so short in which souls could be saved that I resolved to do all that was in my power to lead sinners into the light of truth. But it seemed impossible for one so young, and in feeble health, to do much in the great work.{1T 38.1}[9]
§21
在家里我有两个姊妹，一个是比我大几岁的撒拉，还有一个是我孪生的姊姊伊丽莎白。我们彼此谈论这个问题，然后决定要尽我们所能的去赚一点钱，以便购买书籍和单张免费分赠给人。这是我们所能尽的最大努力；而且我们欣然去做了。我一天只能赚二十五美分，但我的服装简朴；也不花钱买什么不必要的妆饰，因为我总认有虚华的妆饰是罪恶的。因此我常有一点薄息存在手边，可以随时购买合适的书报交给有经验的人，请他们代送至海外各地。{1T 38.2}[10]
§22
I had two sisters at home, Sarah, who was several years older, and my twin sister, Elizabeth. We talked the matter over among ourselves, and decided to earn what money we could, and spend it in buying books and tracts to be distributed gratuitously. This was the best we could do, and we did this little gladly. I could earn only twenty-five cents a day; but my dress was plain, nothing was spent for needless ornaments, for vain display appeared sinful in my eyes; so I had ever a little fund in store with which to purchase suitable books. These were placed in the hands of experienced persons to send abroad.{1T 38.2}[10]
§23
这种印刷品的每一页，我都视如珍宝；因为它对于世人犹如光明的使者，嘱咐他们为那迫近眼前的大事作准备。日复一日，我靠着枕头坐在床上，用颤抖的手指做分配给我的工作。我是多么小心地积蓄所挣来的每一点宝贵的银钱啊，要用它们购买读物光照并唤醒那些在黑暗中的人。我没有受试探把挣来的钱花在自己个人的满足上；我心头上的负担就是救灵的工作，我也常为那一班自幸自慰的人而痛心，因为正当这警告传遍全世界的时候，他们竟说自己是安全无虞的。{1T 38.3}[11]
§24
Every leaf of this printed matter seemed precious in my eyes, for it was as a messenger of light to the world, bidding them prepare for the great event near at hand. Day after day I sat in bed propped up with pillows, performing my allotted task with trembling fingers. How carefully would I lay aside the precious bits of silver taken in return, which were to be expended for reading matter to enlighten and arouse those who were in darkness. I had no temptation to spend my earnings for my own personal gratification; the salvation of souls was the burden of my mind, and my heart ached for those who flattered themselves that they were living in security, while the message of warning was being given to the world.{1T 38.3}[11]
§25
有一天，我听见我母亲在同一位姊妹谈话，提到最近所听见的一篇讲章，说人的灵魂并不是不能死的。她们也提出了那位牧师所用来作证明的章节。其中给我印象最深的就是以下几个章节：“犯罪的，他必死亡”(结18:4)。“活着的人知道必死；死了的人毫无所知”(传9:5)。“到了日期，那可称颂、独有权能的万王之王、万主之主，就是那独一不死的”(提前6:15,16)。“凡恒心行善，寻求荣耀、尊贵和不能朽坏之福的，就以永生报应他们”(罗2:7)。母亲在引证以上最后一段经文之后，便问道：“他们何必去寻求已经拥有的东西呢？”{1T 39.1}[12]
§26
One day I listened to a conversation between my mother and a sister, in reference to a discourse which they had recently heard, to the effect that the soul had not natural immortality. Some of the ministers proof texts were repeated. Among them I remember these impressed me very forcibly: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything. Which in His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Why, said my mother, after quoting the foregoing passage, should they seek for what they already have?{1T 39.1}[12]
§27
我以热切地兴趣和伤痛的心情旁听了这些新的说法。当我与母亲单独在一起的时候，我就问她是否真正相信人的灵魂不是不能死的。她的回答是：她只怕我们过去对于这个问题，和在其他的一些题目上都有了错误。{1T 39.2}[13]
§28
I listened to these new ideas with an intense and painful interest. When alone with my mother, I inquired if she really believed that the soul was not immortal. Her reply was that she feared we had been in error on that subject as well as upon some others.{1T 39.2}[13]
§29
我说：“可是，妈妈，你真相信死人是在坟墓里睡觉直到复活之日么？你以为基督徒死后不是立刻升天，罪人死后不是立刻下地狱么？”{1T 39.3}[14]
§30
But, mother, said I, do you really believe that the soul sleeps in the grave until the resurrection? Do you think that the Christian, when he dies, does not go immediately to heaven, nor the sinner to hell?{1T 39.3}[14]
§31
她回答道：“圣经上没有证据说明有一个永远焚烧的地狱。如果真有这么一个地方，圣书上应有明文记载的。”{1T 39.4}[15]
§32
She answered: The Bible gives us no proof that there is an eternally burning hell. If there is such a place, it should be mentioned in the Sacred Book.{1T 39.4}[15]
§33
“妈呀，你怎么啦！”我在惊奇之中不禁喊叫起来，“你这种说法真是奇怪！如果你真相信这种奇怪的道理，可不要让别人知道；因为我真怕罪人因这种信仰而姑息自己，再不想寻求主了。” {1T 39.5}[16]
§34
Why, mother! cried I, in astonishment, this is strange talk for you! If you believe this strange theory, do not let any one know of it; for I fear that sinners would gather security from this belief, and never desire to seek the Lord.{1T 39.5}[16]
§35
她回答说：“如果这是圣经纯正的真理，它非但不会拦阻罪人得救，反而会引领他们来就基督。如果上帝的爱不足以感化叛逆之人来归顺祂，那么一个永远焚烧着的恐怖地狱也不会叫他们悔改的。何况用恐怖的方式，就是引动人卑劣的惧怕心理，叫人归向耶稣，这并不是正当的方法，只有耶稣的爱能吸引人，祂的爱足以驯服最刚硬的心肠。”{1T 39.6}[17]
§36
If this is sound Bible truth, she replied, instead of preventing the salvation of sinners, it will be the means of winning them to Christ. If the love of God will not induce the rebel to yield, the terrors of an eternal hell will not drive him to repentance. Besides, it does not seem a proper way to win souls to Jesus, by appealing to one of the lowest attributes of the mind, abject fear. The love of Jesus attracts; it will subdue the hardest heart.{1T 39.6}[17]
§37
这次谈话以后约数月之久，我再没有听到什么有关这个道理的话；但我却在这段时期中，时常思想这个问题。及至听到人传讲这个道理时，我就确信这乃是真理。自从这个有关死人没有知觉的道理向我开启以来，那曾经笼罩在复活的问题上的神秘阴影便全然消除了，这伟大的事似乎含着一种新颖卓越的重要意义。过去我总不能解决死人立即得赏或受罚和将来死人必定复活受审判之间的矛盾，因此我的思想时常感到苦恼。因为如果人死后立时进入永远的福乐或永久的痛苦，那么又何必再要这个腐朽了的身体复活呢? {1T 40.1}[18]
§38
It was some months after this conversation before I heard anything further concerning this doctrine; but during this time my mind had been much exercised upon the subject. When I heard it preached, I believed it to be the truth. From the time that light in regard to the sleep of the dead dawned upon my mind, the mystery that had enshrouded the resurrection vanished, and the great event itself assumed a new and sublime importance. My mind had often been disturbed by its efforts to reconcile the immediate reward or punishment of the dead with the undoubted fact of a future resurrection and judgment. If at death the soul entered upon eternal happiness or misery, where was the need of a resurrection of the poor moldering body?{1T 40.1}[18]
§39
可是现在这个美妙的新信仰，已经导使我明白为什么古时受圣灵默示的著作家要特别说明身体的复活；原来整个的人都在坟墓里沉睡。从此我就更明白地看出，我们原来对于这个问题所持的立场是谬论。在死人的灵魂已受了一次审判定了命运之后，关于一次最终审判的困惑和无用，现在对我来说是十分清楚了。我看明丧亲之人的盼望在于期望那光荣的日子，那时赐生命的主要打破坟墓的束缚，死了的义人要复活，离开他们的牢房，披上光荣不朽的生命。{1T 40.2}[19]
§40
But this new and beautiful faith taught me the reason why inspired writers had dwelt so much upon the resurrection of the body; it was because the entire being was slumbering in the grave. I could now clearly perceive the fallacy of our former position on this question. The confusion and uselessness of a final judgment, after the souls of the departed had already been judged once and appointed to their lot, was very plain to me now. I saw that the hope of the bereaved is in looking forward to the glorious day when the Life-giver shall break the fetters of the tomb, and the righteous dead shall arise and leave their prison house to be clothed with glorious immortal life.{1T 40.2}[19]
§41
我们全家对于救主快要复临的道理，都感到深切的兴趣。我父亲久已被认为是他所住之地的卫理公会的栋梁之一，我们全家都是积极的信徒；但我们没有隐瞒我们的新信仰，虽然我们没有在不适当的场合力劝别人接受之，也没有向我们的教会表现不友好。但这时有一位卫理公会的牧师特来拜访我们，并在这次访问中向我们说明卫理公会的信仰与我们的信仰不同，他没有问起我们信仰这道理的缘由，也没有引用圣经来指明我们的错误；他只说我们领受了一种新奇的信仰，是卫理公会所不能接受的。{1T 40.3}[20]
§42
Our family were all interested in the doctrine of the Lords soon coming. My father had long been considered one of the pillars of the Methodist church where he lived, and the whole family had been active members; but we made no secret of our new belief, although we did not urge it upon others on inappropriate occasions, or manifest any unfriendliness toward our church. However, the Methodist minister made us a special visit and took the occasion to inform us that our faith and Methodism could not agree. He did not inquire our reasons for believing as we did, nor make any reference to the Bible in order to convince us of our error; but he stated that we had adopted a new and strange belief that the Methodist Church could not accept.{1T 40.3}[20]
§43
我的父亲回答说：牧师称这个道理为新奇的，他必是看错了；因为基督自己在教训门徒的时候，也曾传讲祂复临的道理。祂曾说：“在我父的家里有许多住处；若是没有，我就早已告诉你们了。我去原是为你们预备地方去。我若去为你们预备了地方，就必再来接你们到我那里去，我在哪里，叫你们也在那里”(约14:2,3)。而且在祂被接升天，祂忠心的门徒站着定睛望天的时候，“忽然有两个人，身穿白衣，站在旁边，说：‘加利利人哪，你们为什么站着望天呢？这离开你们被接升天的耶稣，你们见祂怎样往天上去，祂还要怎样来”(徒1:10,11)。{1T 41.1}[21]
§44
My father replied that he must be mistaken in calling this a new and strange doctrine, that Christ Himself, in His teachings to His disciples, had preached His second advent. He had said: In My Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. When He was taken up to heaven before their eyes and a cloud received Him out of their sight, as His faithful followers stood gazing after their vanishing Lord, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.{1T 41.1}[21]
§45
我的父亲对于这个道理越讲越兴奋，便说：“那受灵感的保罗曾经写过一封鼓励他在帖撒罗尼迦弟兄们的信说：‘也必使你们这受患难的人与我们同得平安。那时，主耶稣同祂有能力的天使从天上在火焰中显现，要报应那不认识上帝和那不听从我主耶稣福音的人。他们要受刑罚，就是永远沉沦，离开主的面和祂权能的荣光。这正是主降临，要在祂圣徒的身上得荣耀，又在一切信的人身上显为希奇的那日子’(帖后1:7-10)。‘因为主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有上帝的号吹响，那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇这样，我们就要和主永远同在。所以，你们当用这些话彼此劝慰’”(帖前4:16-18)。{1T 41.2}[22]
§46
And, said my father, warming with his subject, the inspired Paul wrote a letter to encourage his brethren in Thessalonica, saying: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe . . . in that day. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.{1T 41.2}[22]
§47
“这就是我们信仰的最高权威。耶稣同使徒们常以欢欣凯旋的心情，来讲论复临的重大事件；而且圣天使也宣称这个升上天去的基督将要再来。这就是我们的得罪人的地方——相信耶稣与使徒们的话。这是一个古老的道理，而且是毫未受异端玷污的。”{1T 42.1}[23]
§48
This is high authority for our faith. Jesus and His apostles dwell upon the event of the second advent with joy and triumph; and the holy angels proclaim that Christ, who ascended to heaven, shall come again. This is our offense, believing the word of Jesus and His disciples. This is a very old doctrine, and bears no taint of heresy.{1T 42.1}[23]
§49
牧师没有试图引证一段经文来指明我们的错误，只是以时间匆促为借辞。他劝我们安静无事地脱离教会，以免受公开的审问。我们已经知道，一些其他弟兄们正因这相同的缘故受到这种待遇，同时我们也不愿有人误会我们以承认自己的信仰为耻，或是不能用圣经来证明这种信仰，因此，我的父母坚持要明白牧师这种要求到底有什么根据。{1T 42.2}[24]
§50
The minister did not attempt to refer to a single text that would prove us in error, but excused himself on the plea of a want of time. He advised us to quietly withdraw from the church and avoid the publicity of a trial. We were aware that others of our brethren were meeting with similar treatment for a like cause, and we did not wish it understood that we were ashamed to acknowledge our faith, or were unable to sustain it by Scripture; so my parents insisted that they should be acquainted with the reasons for this request.{1T 42.2}[24]
§51
他唯一的回答是闪烁其词地说我们违犯了教会的规则，还说自动脱离教会，避免公开的盘问，乃是上策。我们回答说：我们情愿经过一番正式的盘问，务要知道他们告我们的究竟是什么罪，因为我们自觉仰望并爱慕救主的显现，是并没有什么错误的。{1T 42.3}[25]
§52
The only answer to this was an evasive declaration that we had walked contrary to the rules of the church, and the best course would be to voluntarily withdraw from it to save a trial. We answered that we preferred a regular trial, and demanded to know what sin was charged to us, as we were conscious of no wrong in looking for and loving the appearing of the Saviour.{1T 42.3}[25]
§53
不久以后，我们就接到通知出席在教会的小礼拜室召开的会议。这次会议只有很少的人参加，由于我父亲和我们家庭的影响很大，我们的反对者并不希望让会众中的很多人知道我们的事。对我们唯一的指控是，我们与他们的规矩相左。当我们问违背了什么规矩时，他们略经迟延后回答说我们参加了别的聚会，疏忽了教会的常规聚会。我们说我家有些人过去一段时间在乡下，留在城中的没有一个人缺席查经见证聚会超过几个星期，而他们在精神上的距离感是因为他们的见证遇到了这么明显的反对。我们还提醒他们，某些没有参加查经见证聚会已经一年的人仍保持良好的地位。{1T 42.4}[26]
§54
Not long after, we were notified to be present at a meeting to be held in the vestry of the church. There were but few present. The influence of my father and his family was such that our opposers had no desire to present our case before a larger number of the congregation. The single charge preferred was that we had walked contrary to their rules. Upon our asking what rules we had violated, it was stated, after a little hesitation, that we had attended other meetings, and had neglected to meet regularly with our class. We stated that a portion of the family had been in the country for some time past, that none who remained in the city had been absent from class meeting more than a few weeks, and they were morally compelled to remain away because the testimonies they bore met with such marked disapprobation. We also reminded them that certain persons who had not attended class meeting for a year were yet held in good standing.{1T 42.4}[26]
§55
他们问我们是否愿意承认自己偏离了他们的规条，是否同意在将来遵守那些规条。我们回答说，我们不敢放弃我们的信仰或否认上帝的神圣真理；我们不能放弃我们的救赎主快要降临的盼望；我们必须继续按照他们所称为异端的方式敬拜主。我父亲的辩护得到了上帝的赐福，我们都带着自由的精神离开了那个小礼拜室，因问心无愧和蒙耶稣笑纳而快乐。{1T 43.1}[27]
§56
It was asked if we would confess that we had departed from their rules, and if we would also agree to conform to them in the future. We answered that we dared not yield our faith or deny the sacred truth of God; that we could not forego the hope of the soon coming of our Redeemer; that after the manner which they called heresy we must continue to worship the Lord. My father in his defense received the blessing of God, and we all left the vestry with free spirits, happy in the consciousness of right and the approving smile of Jesus.{1T 43.1}[27]
§57
接下来的那个星期天，在开始圣餐时，首席长老宣读了我们七人的名字，把我们从教会除名了。他说开除我们不是因为任何错误或不道德的行为。我们有无瑕疵的品格和可羡慕的名声，只是因为我们违背了卫理公会的规条。他还宣布一扇门现在已经打开了，凡犯有违背规条之罪的，都要照此方式处理。{1T 43.2}[28]
§58
The next Sunday, at the commencement of the love feast, the presiding elder read off our names, seven in number, as discontinued from the church. He stated that we were not expelled on account of any wrong or immoral conduct, that we were of unblemished character and enviable reputation, but we had been guilty of walking contrary to the rules of the Methodist Church. He also declared that a door was now open, and all who were guilty of a similar breach of the rules would be dealt with in like manner.{1T 43.2}[28]
§59
教会中有许多等候救主显现的人，作出这个警告是要威胁他们屈服。在有的情况下，这种做法达到了预期的目的。人们以放弃上帝的悦纳，来换取教会中的地位。许多人相信了，但不敢承认自己的信仰，免得被赶出会堂。但有一些人不久之后就离开了教会，加入了那一群等候救主的人中。{1T 43.3}[29]
§60
There were many in the church who waited for the appearing of the Saviour, and this threat was made for the purpose of frightening them into subjection. In some cases this policy brought about the desired result, and the favor of God was sold for a place in the church. Many believed, but dared not confess their faith, lest they should be turned out of the synagogue. But some left soon afterward and joined the company of those who were looking for the Saviour.{1T 43.3}[29]
§61
当时先知的话极其宝贵：“你们的弟兄，就是恨恶你们，因我名赶出你们的，曾说：愿耶和华得荣耀，使我们得见你们的喜乐；但蒙羞的究竟是他们”（赛66:5）。{1T 43.4}[30]
§62
At this time the words of the prophet were exceedingly precious: Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My names sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. {1T 43.4}[30]