第55章 奴隶制与战争
§1
第55章 奴隶制与战争
§2
Chap.55 - Slavery and the War
§3
上帝正因奴隶制这一大罪惩罚这个国家。这个国家的命运掌握在祂手中。祂要因奴隶制的罪刑罚南方。北方也要因长久容忍奴隶制的蔓延和横行而受到惩罚。{1T 264.1}[1]
§4
God is punishing this nation for the high crime of slavery. He has the destiny of the nation in His hands. He will punish the South for the sin of slavery, and the North for so long suffering its overreaching and overbearing influence.{1T 264.1}[1]
§5
1861年8月3日，在纽约州罗斯福城的会议上，弟兄姐妹们聚在一起，把这日定为谦卑、禁食和祈祷的日子。主的灵停留在我们身上，我被带进了异象中，蒙指示看到了奴隶制的罪恶。它是本国长期以来的咒诅。逃奴法足以消灭人类对受苦受压的奴隶每一分高尚慷慨的感情。这种法律是直接反对基督教导的。上帝的惩罚现已临到北方，因为他们长期容忍了奴隶制的滋长。北方支持奴隶制度之人的罪是大的。他们因纵容奴隶制的扩张而加强了南方的力量；他们在使国家陷入当前的不幸状况的事上起了重要作用。{1T 264.2}[2]
§6
At the Conference at Roosevelt, New York, August 3, 1861, when the brethren and sisters were assembled on the day set apart for humiliation, fasting, and prayer, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us, and I was taken off in vision and shown the sin of slavery, which has so long been a curse to this nation. The fugitive slave law was calculated to crush out of man every noble, generous feeling of sympathy that should arise in his heart for the oppressed and suffering slave. It was in direct opposition to the teaching of Christ. Gods scourge is now upon the North, because they have so long submitted to the advances of the slave power. The sin of Northern proslavery men is great. They have strengthened the South in their sin by sanctioning the extension of slavery; they have acted a prominent part in bringing the nation into its present distressed condition.{1T 264.2}[2]
§7
我蒙指示，见到许多人没有认识到已临到我们身上的不幸有多大。他们盲目乐观，以为国家的困难很快就能克服，混乱与战争很快就会结束，但所有的人将会看到，现实比他们所预想的严酷得多。许多人渴望北方给予打击并结束战争。{1T 264.3}[3]
§8
I was shown that many do not realize the extent of the evil which has come upon us. They have flattered themselves that the national difficulties would soon be settled and confusion and war end, but all will be convinced that there is more reality in the matter than was anticipated. Many have looked for the North to strike a blow and end the controversy.{1T 264.3}[3]
§9
我蒙指示回顾古以色列在埃及为奴的时候。主藉摩西和亚伦对他们施行了拯救。种种神迹奇事行在法老面前，要使他确信这些人是上帝特别差遣的，吩咐他给以色人放行。但法老硬着心反对上帝的使者，并用理论解释他们所行的奇事。于是就使埃及人受到了上帝的刑罚，品尝了灾难的报应。在遭受那些灾难的时候，法老同意让以色列人走。但灾难一停止，他的心就又刚硬了。他的谋士和将士们也硬着心反对上帝，尽力将灾难解释为自然的因素。来自上帝的惩罚一次比一次严厉，可是他们仍不愿放以色人走，直到主的使者杀了埃及人的长子。从坐宝座的君王到最卑微的人，无不悲哀哭号。于是法老发令让以色列人离开；但埃及人在埋葬了他们的死人之后，法老又后悔让以色列人走了。他的谋士和将士们设法对他们亲人的死亡作出解释。他们不愿承认这天谴或惩罚是来自上帝的，所以就去追赶以色列人。{1T 264.4}[4]
§10
I was pointed back to ancient Israel, held in bondage by the Egyptians. The Lord wrought by Moses and Aaron to deliver them. Miracles were performed before Pharaoh to convince him that these men were especially sent of God to bid him let Israel go. But Pharaohs heart was hardened against the messengers of God, and he reasoned away the miracles performed by them. Then the Egyptians were made to feel Gods judgments. They were visited with plagues, and while suffering under the effect of them, Pharaoh consented to let Israel go. But as soon as the cause of their suffering was removed, his heart was hardened. His counselors and mighty men strengthened themselves against God and endeavored to explain the plagues as the result of natural causes. Each visitation from God was more severe than the preceding one, yet they would not release the children of Israel until the angel of the Lord slew the first-born of the Egyptians. From the king upon the throne down to the most humble and lowly, there was wailing and mourning. Then Pharaoh commanded to let Israel go; but after the Egyptians had buried their dead, he repented that he had let Israel go. His counselors and mighty men tried to account for their bereavement. They would not admit that the visitation or judgment was from God, and therefore they pursued after the children of Israel.{1T 264.4}[4]
§11
当以色列人看到埃及的追兵时，有些人在马上，有些人在车上，都顶盔贯甲为要争战，他们的心就消化了。前有红海，后有埃及的追兵。他们看不到逃生之路。埃及人既看到以色列人完全在他们的权下，就爆发出了胜利的呐喊。以色列人大大战兢。但主命令摩西吩咐他们前进，并扬起杖伸向红海，将海分开。摩西照做了，看哪，红海分开了，以色列人过了红海连鞋都没有湿。法老久已抵挡上帝，硬着心反对祂的大能奇妙的作为，以致他盲目地冲进了上帝奇妙地为祂的子民预备的道路。摩西再次受命向红海伸手，“海水仍旧复原”（出14:27），淹没了埃及军兵，他们都被淹死了。{1T 265.1}[5]
§12
When the Israelites beheld the Egyptian host in pursuit, some upon horses and some in chariots, and equipped for war, their hearts failed them. The Red Sea was before, the Egyptian host behind. They could see no way of escape. A shout of triumph burst from the Egyptians to find Israel completely in their power. The Israelites were greatly terrified. But the Lord commanded Moses to bid them go forward, and to lift up the rod and stretch out his hand over the sea and divide it. He did so, and lo, the sea parted, and the children of Israel passed over dry shod. Pharaoh had so long withstood God, and hardened his heart against His mighty, wondrous works, that he in blindness rushed into the path which God had miraculously prepared for His people. Again Moses was commanded to stretch forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength, and the waters covered the Egyptian host, and they were drowned.{1T 265.1}[5]
§13
这个场面呈现在我眼前，为要说明奴隶制的自私性，说明南方为坚持这个制度而要采取孤注一掷的措施，以及他们在屈服之前所要走到的可怕地步。奴隶制已把人类降格到了畜类的水平。大多数奴隶主看奴隶就象畜类一样。这些奴隶主的良心已被烙惯了，刚硬的象法老一样；若是被迫释放了奴隶，他们的原则还是没有改变。倘若可能，他们还会欺压奴隶。在我看来，现在似乎不可能消除奴隶制。惟有上帝才能把奴隶从铤而走险，残酷无情的压迫者手中救出来。向奴隶所施的一切暴虐和残忍行为，都要公正地记在支持奴隶制度之人的账上，无论是在南方还是在北方。{1T 266.1}[6]
§14
This scene was presented before me to illustrate the selfish love of slavery, and the desperate measures which the South would adopt to cherish the institution, and the dreadful lengths to which they would go before they would yield. The system of slavery has reduced and degraded human beings to the level of the brutes, and the majority of slave masters regard them as such. The consciences of these masters have become seared and hardened, as was Pharaohs; and if compelled to release their slaves, their principles remain unchanged, and they would make the slave feel their oppressive power if possible. It looked to me like an impossibility now for slavery to be done away. God alone can wrench the slave from the hand of his desperate, relentless oppressor. All the abuse and cruelty exercised toward the slave is justly chargeable to the upholders of the slave system, whether they be Southern or Northern men.{1T 266.1}[6]
§15
北方和南方的的情况我都看到了。北方被南方蒙骗了。南方的人已经准备好要打仗，但他们却说不要打仗。他们大部分男人都会使用武器。有些人打过仗，其他人有喜爱运动的习惯。他们在这方面胜过北方人。但一般来说，南方的人没有北方人的勇猛和吃苦耐劳。{1T 266.2}[7]
§16
The North and the South were presented before me. The North have been deceived in regard to the South. They are better prepared for war than has been represented. Most of their men are well skilled in the use of arms, some of them from experience in battle, others from habitual sporting. They have the advantage of the North in this respect, but have not, as a general thing, the valor and the power of endurance that Northern men have.{1T 266.2}[7]
§17
我看到弗吉尼亚州马纳萨斯镇的惨烈战斗。那是一个令人胆战心寒，痛苦难当的场面。南方的军队在各方面都占优势，预备进行殊死的搏斗。北方的军队乘胜前进，毫不怀疑自己会得胜。许多人莽撞傲慢地前行，好像已经得胜了似的。当他们接近战场时，许多人因疲倦和缺少休息而几乎要晕倒了。他们没有料到会有如此猛烈的一场遭遇战。他们冲入战场，勇敢而拼命地作战。双方都有死伤。北方和南方都吃了不少苦头。南方人尝到了这场战斗的滋味，本来很快就会被迫进一步后退。北方的人仍在猛冲，尽管他们的伤亡极重。就在那时，一位天使下来，向后挥手。军队中立即起了混乱。北方人似乎觉得他们的军队在撤退，实际上并非如此。随即一场突如其来的撤退开始了。我感到很惊奇。{1T 266.3}[8]
§18
I had a view of the disastrous battle at Manassas, Virginia. It was a most exciting, distressing scene. The Southern army had everything in their favor and were prepared for a dreadful contest. The Northern army was moving on with triumph, not doubting but that they would be victorious. Many were reckless and marched forward boastingly, as though victory were already theirs. As they neared the battlefield, many were almost fainting through weariness and want of refreshment. They did not expect so fierce an encounter. They rushed into battle and fought bravely, desperately. The dead and dying were on every side. Both the North and the South suffered severely. The Southern men felt the battle, and in a little while would have been driven back still further. The Northern men were rushing on, although their destruction was very great. Just then an angel descended and waved his hand backward. Instantly there was confusion in the ranks. It appeared to the Northern men that their troops were retreating, when it was not so in reality, and a precipitate retreat commenced. This seemed wonderful to me.{1T 266.3}[8]
§19
然后有解释说，这个国家在上帝手中，祂不容许得胜快过祂所命定的，也不允许北方人的伤亡过于祂的智慧认为他们的罪所该受的刑罚。要是北方的军队在他们精疲力竭地状况下仍旧推进战斗，就会有更大的搏斗和伤亡等待着他们，原会使南方大大获胜。上帝不愿允许这事发生，就差一位天使来干预。北方军队的突然退却对所有人来说都是一个奥秘。他们不知道上帝的手在掌管这件事。{1T 267.1}[9]
§20
Then it was explained that God had this nation in His own hand, and would not suffer victories to be gained faster than He ordained, and would permit no more losses to the Northern men than in His wisdom He saw fit, to punish them for their sins. And had the Northern army at this time pushed the battle still further in their fainting, exhausted condition, the far greater struggle and destruction which awaited them would have caused great triumph in the South. God would not permit this, and sent an angel to interfere. The sudden falling back of the Northern troops is a mystery to all. They know not that Gods hand was in the matter.{1T 267.1}[9]
§21
南方军队的伤亡极重，以致他们无心自夸。既看到已死、垂死和受伤的军兵，就使他们没有什么勇气夸胜。他们占尽了有利条件，而北方处于极大的劣势，在这种情况下出现如此的伤亡使他们非常困惑。他们知道，若是北方与他们有同等的机会，胜利就必属于北方。他们唯一的希望在于占据难以接近的阵地，然后才能作出强有力的安排，在各方面打击北方。{1T 267.2}[10]
§22
The destruction of the Southern army was so great that they had no heart to boast. The sight of the dead, the dying, and the wounded gave them but little courage to triumph. This destruction, occurring when they had every advantage, and the North great disadvantage, caused them much perplexity. They know that if the North have an equal chance with them, victory is certain for the North. Their only hope is to occupy positions difficult of approach, and then have formidable arrangements to hurl destruction on every hand.{1T 267.2}[10]
§23
南方从开始叛乱以来，已大大加强了实力。北方若在当时采取了积极的措施，原会迅速平息这次叛乱。但那起初微小的已增加了实力和人数，直到成了极大的势力。其它国家正在密切关注该国，出于何种目的我未蒙指示，它们正在为某件大事大作准备。我们的国人中间现在有极大的困惑和焦虑。他们中间有支持奴隶制度的人和背叛者。这些人虽自称支持联邦，影响着联邦的决定，但他们中有些人是支持南方的。{1T 267.3}[11]
§24
The South have strengthened themselves greatly since their rebellion first commenced. If active measures had then been taken by the North, this rebellion would have been speedily crushed out. But that which was small at first has increased in strength and numbers until it has become most powerful. Other nations are intently watching this nation, for what purpose I was not informed, and are making great preparations for some event. The greatest perplexity and anxiety now exists among our national men. Proslavery men and traitors are in the very midst of them; and while these are professedly in favor of the Union, they have an influence in making decisions, some of which even favor the South.{1T 267.3}[11]
§25
我蒙指示，看到地上的居民处于极大的混乱中。战争、流血、穷困、缺乏、饥荒和瘟疫广布全地。这一切的事都包围着上帝的子民，他们开始团结在一起，消除他们小小的歧见。自尊不再控制他们；深刻的谦卑掌权了。苦难、困窘和缺乏使理智恢复了王权，急躁易怒而且不讲道理的人变得神智健全了，行事慎重而有智慧。{1T 268.1}[12]
§26
I was shown the inhabitants of the earth in the utmost confusion. War, bloodshed, privation, want, famine, and pestilence were abroad in the land. As these things surrounded Gods people, they began to press together, and to cast aside their little difficulties. Self-dignity no longer controlled them; deep humility took its place. Suffering, perplexity, and privation caused reason to resume its throne, and the passionate and unreasonable man became sane, and acted with discretion and wisdom.{1T 268.1}[12]
§27
然后我的注意力从这个场面被召回。似乎有了少许和平时期。之后地上的居民再次被呈现在我面前；万事重又陷于极大的混乱中了。冲突、战争和流血，连同饥荒和瘟疫，肆虐各处。其它国家也参加了这场战争和混乱。战争引起了饥荒。缺乏和流血引起了瘟疫。于是“人想起那将要临到世界的事，就都吓得魂不附体”（路21:26）。{1T 268.2}[13]
§28
My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere. Other nations were engaged in this war and confusion. War caused famine. Want and bloodshed caused pestilence. And then mens hearts failed them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. {1T 268.2}[13]