前言
§1
前言Introduction【《证言》卷二的写作时代】
§2
《教会证言》卷一的勉言主要涉及新建之余民教会起步与发展的教训、经历和事业。《教会证言》卷二则几乎完全关系到教会信徒的个人敬虔。《教会证言》卷一是由十三年里所发表的十四辑《证言》小册子组成的。在此期间，出版工作已趋稳定，教会组织起来了，其财务系统也已建立，走上了健康发展的道路。在最后一篇文章写作的时候，位于密歇根州巴特尔克里克的《评论与通讯》出版社已源源不断输出各种文字材料。新建立的疗养院也开始全面运作。南北战争的黑暗时辰已经过去。教会迎来了发展的良机。她所面临的工作就是固守阵地和扩大疆域。而教会不断获得成功的关键，则在于信徒个人品格的纯全。【2T.5.1】[1]
§3
【THE TIMES OF VOLUME TWO】
§4
WHILE VOLUME I OF THE TESTIMONIES PRESENTS COUNSEL HAVING TO DO LARGELY WITH THE INCEPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEACHINGS, EXPERIENCES, AND ENTERPRISES OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED REMNANT CHURCH, VOLUME 2 IS DEVOTED ALMOST ENTIRELY TO THE PERSONAL PIETY OF ITS MEMBERS. DURING THE THIRTEEN YEARS PARALLELED BY THE FOURTEEN TESTIMONY PAMPHLETS NOW FORMING VOLUME I, THE PUBLISHING WORK WAS SOLIDIFIED, THE CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED, ITS SYSTEM OF FINANCE WAS ESTABLISHED, AND IT HAD LAUNCHED INTO A GREAT HEALTH PROGRAM. WHEN THE CLOSING ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN, LITERATURE WAS POURING IN A STEADY STREAM FROM ITS PRESSES AT THE REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING PLANT AT BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, AND, NEAR BY, THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED SANITARIUM WAS IN FULL OPERATION. THE DARK HOURS OF THE CIVIL WAR YEARS WERE IN THE PAST, AND FOR THE CHURCH IT WAS A DAY OF OPPORTUNITY. THE TASK BEFORE IT WAS TO HOLD THE GROUND GAINED AND TO ENLARGE ITS BORDERS. VITAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE CHURCH WAS THE INTEGRITY OF ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.{2T 5.1}[1]
§5
正如《教会证言》卷一末尾处的一篇文章所解释的，怀爱伦从1868年初开始为全体教会的益处而发表一些个人的证言。此前这些证言尚未广泛传播。关于这些个人的证言，她写道：“这些证言或多或少都含有责备和指示，适合其他成百上千相同处境的人。他们应该拥有上帝看为合适赐给他们、处理他们情况的亮光。”——《教会证言》卷一第631页。【2T.5.2】[2]
§6
EARLY IN 1868, AS EXPLAINED IN AN ARTICLE NOW FOUND NEAR THE CLOSE OF VOLUME I, ELLEN G. WHITE BEGAN TO PUBLISH, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE, CERTAIN PERSONAL TESTIMONIES WHICH UP TO THAT TIME HAD NOT BEEN DISTRIBUTED GENERALLY. OF THESE PERSONAL TESTIMONIES SHE STATED: THEY ALL CONTAIN MORE OR LESS REPROOF AND INSTRUCTION WHICH APPLY TO HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN SIMILAR CONDITION. THESE SHOULD HAVE THE LIGHT WHICH GOD HAS SEEN FIT TO GIVE WHICH MEETS THEIR CASES.--VOL. I, P. 631. {2T 5.2}[2]
§7
自1868年2月至1871年5月的三年期间，这种针对信徒个人的指示，构成了《证言》15至20辑几乎全部的内容，现编为《教会证言》卷二。其中的教训既犀利又切合实际，几乎涉及个人经验和宗教生活的每个方面，包括闲话、放纵食欲、婚姻关系，到盲目的热情、贪心和狂热。【2T.5.3】[3]
§8
SUCH INSTRUCTION ADDRESSED PERSONALLY TO INDIVIDUAL CHURCH MEMBERS THROUGH THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF FEBRUARY, 1868, TO MAY, 1871, COMPRISES ALMOST THE ENTIRE CONTENT OF TESTIMONIES NOS. 15-20, NOW EMBODIED IN THIS VOLUME 2. THE INSTRUCTION IS POINTED AND PRACTICAL, DEALING WITH ALMOST EVERY PHASE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND RELIGIOUS INTERESTS, FROM GOSSIP, THE INDULGENCE OF APPETITE, AND THE MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP TO MISDIRECTED ZEAL, AVARICIOUSNESS, AND FANATICISM. {2T 5.3}[3]
§9
在《教会证言》卷二所涉时期之初，由于怀雅各长老健康欠佳，他们夫妇到密歇根州格林维尔半工半休。但他们很快就恢复了积极的旅行，在密歇根临近各州与信徒们举办各种聚会。1868年11月，他们回到巴特尔克里克定居。【2T.6.1】[4]
§10
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD OF TIME COVERED BY VOLUME 2 ELDER AND MRS. WHITE WERE IN PARTIAL RETIREMENT IN GREENVILLE, MICHIGAN, DUE TO THE CONDITION OF ELDER WHITES HEALTH. THEY SOON RESUMED THEIR ACTIVITY IN TRAVELING AND HOLDING MEETINGS WITH THE BELIEVERS IN STATES ADJACENT TO MICHIGAN. IN NOVEMBER, 1868, THEY RETURNED TO BATTLE CREEK TO MAKE THEIR HOME THERE. {2T 6.1}[4]
§11
两个月以前，即1868年9月，在密歇根州的赖特举办了一次帐篷大会。这是第一次帐篷大会，给与会者带来很大的福气。在随后的年间，帐篷大会就成了各州区会固定的宗教活动之一。怀氏夫妇应邀出席。此后每年夏天他们都参加这样的年度聚会。在《教会证言》卷二后半部分，可以看到有关这些聚会的勉言。【2T.6.2】[5]
§12
TWO MONTHS EARLIER, IN SEPTEMBER OF 1868, A CAMP MEETING WAS HELD IN WRIGHT, MICHIGAN. THIS GATHERING, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, PROVED SUCH A GREAT BLESSING TO THOSE WHO ATTENDED THAT THE FOLLOWING YEARS WITNESSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMP MEETINGS AS A REGULAR PART OF THE PROGRAM FOR THE STATE CONFERENCES. ELDER AND MRS. WHITES PRESENCE WAS CALLED FOR, AND SO IT CAME THAT THE SUMMER MONTHS IN SUCCEEDING YEARS WERE LARGELY SPENT BY THEM IN THESE ANNUAL GATHERINGS. IN THE LATTER PART OF VOLUME 2 MAY BE FOUND COUNSEL REGARDING SUCH CONVOCATIONS. {2T 6.2}[5]
§13
《教会证言》卷二涵盖的三年时间里，现代真理的事业取得了鼓舞人心的进展。巴特尔克里克的保健院在经历了一阵令人失望的低迷之后，进入了繁荣发展的时期。1868年下半年，J.N.拉夫伯勒和D.T.布尔多长老在太平洋沿岸点燃了安息日复临信仰的火炬。同年，欧洲一个守安息日的五十人团体与巴特尔克里克总会的弟兄取得了联系，并于次年派遣一名代表越洋接洽，请求总会派传道士到他们那里去。【2T.6.3】[6]
§14
DURING THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD COVERED BY VOLUME 2 THERE WAS ENCOURAGING ADVANCE IN THE CAUSE OF PRESENT TRUTH. THE HEALTH INSTITUTE AT BATTLE CREEK, HAVING PASSED THROUGH A DISCOURAGING DEPRESSION, NOW EMERGED INTO A PERIOD OF PROSPERITY. IN THE LATTER PART OF 1868 ELDERS J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH AND D. T. BOURDEAU LIGHTED THE TORCH OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM ON THE PACIFIC COAST. THE SAME YEAR A COMPANY OF FIFTY SABBATHKEEPING ADVENTISTS IN EUROPE ENTERED INTO CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GENERAL CONFERENCE BRETHREN IN BATTLE CREEK, AND THE NEXT YEAR SENT A REPRESENTATIVE ACROSS THE OCEAN TO PLEAD FOR MISSIONARIES TO BE SENT TO THEM. {2T 6.3}[6]
§15
虽然教会取得了这些进展和成就，仇敌却在不断工作，降低教会信徒的属灵水准，使他们贪爱世界及其利诱，在教会中散布批评的精神，让慈善的泉源干涸，尤其是将青年人拉到他的行列。怀爱伦作为上帝的使者，用她的口和笔，忠诚恳切地传达她的信息，呼吁教会的信徒达到上帝纯全和公义的标准。【2T.6.4】[7]
§16
BUT, WITH ALL THESE GAINS AND ADVANCE MOVES, THE ADVERSARY CONTINUED TO WORK EARNESTLY TO LOWER THE SPIRITUALITY OF CHURCH MEMBERS, TO CAUSE THEM TO LOVE THE WORLD AND ITS ATTRACTIONS, TO LEAVEN THE CHURCH WITH THE SPIRIT OF CRITICISM, TO DRY UP THE SPRINGS OF BENEVOLENCE, AND ESPECIALLY TO BRING THE YOUTH INTO HIS RANKS. AGAINST THESE DANGEROUS TRENDS MRS. WHITE, AS GODS MESSENGER, WAS FAITHFULLY AND EARNESTLY DELIVERING HER MESSAGES BY VOICE AND PEN, CALLING THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH TO GODS STANDARD OF INTEGRITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. {2T 6.4}[7]
§17
有时怀爱伦所得到的启示是针对某一教会若干成员之经验的。她在聚会时传达了这些个人的见证之后，就写出来发给相关的教会。《教会证言》卷二中有许多这样的通信。【2T.7.1】[8]
§18
ON SOME OCCASIONS MRS. WHITE WAS GIVEN REVELATIONS PERTAINING TO THE EXPERIENCE OF A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN ONE CHURCH. HAVING DELIVERED THESE INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONIES IN MEETING, SHE AFTERWARD WROTE OUT THE INSTRUCTION AND SENT IT TO THE CHURCH CONCERNED. A NUMBER OF SUCH COMMUNICATIONS ARE FOUND IN VOLUME 2. {2T 7.1}[8]
§19
我们认真阅读这卷711页的《证言》，不仅会感受到其题材的广泛性，也会叹服她在短短的时间里竟写出这么多个人的证言。我们还必须指出，发表的只是怀爱伦在此期间所写文字的一部分。【2T.7.2】[9]
§20
THE THOUGHTFUL READER OF THIS 711-PAGE VOLUME MUST BE IMPRESSED NOT ONLY WITH THE GREAT DIVERSITY OF SUBJECTS COVERED, BUT ALSO WITH THE VAST AMOUNT OF WRITING DEVOTED TO SUCH PERSONAL TESTIMONIES WRITTEN DURING THIS BRIEF TIME. YET IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHAT WAS PUBLISHED REPRESENTED ONLY A PORTION OF WHAT MRS. WHITE WROTE DURING THIS PERIOD. {2T 7.2}[9]
§21
《证言》第15辑发表的前几周，怀雅各长老致信《评论与通讯》出版社，要求那些获得怀爱伦口头证言的人，耐心等待，直至收到文稿。关于怀爱伦写作的勤奋和坚韧，怀雅各说：【2T.7.3】[10]
§22
A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE APPEARANCE OF NO. 15 ELDER WHITE HAD PENNED A NOTE FOR THE REVIEW AND HERALD, ASKING THAT THOSE TO WHOM ORAL TESTIMONY HAD BEEN GIVEN BY MRS. WHITE SHOULD PATIENTLY WAIT UNTIL THEY MIGHT RECEIVE WRITTEN COPIES. OF MRS. WHITES DILIGENCE AND PERSISTENCE IN THIS WORK, HE SAID: {2T 7.3}[10]
§23
“在她工作的这个方面，大约两个月时间里，她一直从事写作。在东部旅行的时候，她利用所有空余的时间写这些证言，其中有许多甚至是在别人讲道发言的时候写的。回来之后，她因太过约束自己紧张地从事这项工作，健康和体力受到了极大损害。她通常一天写20到40页。”——《评论与通讯》1868年3月3日【2T.7.4】[11]
§24
IN THIS BRANCH OF HER LABOR SHE HAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS WORK ON HAND. ON HER EASTERN TOUR SHE IMPROVED ALL HER SPARE TIME IN WRITING SUCH TESTIMONIES. SHE EVEN WROTE MANY OF THEM IN MEETING WHILE OTHERS WERE PREACHING AND SPEAKING. SINCE HER RETURN SHE HAS INJURED HER HEALTH AND STRENGTH IN CONFINING HERSELF TOO CLOSELY TO THIS WORK. SHE USUALLY WRITES FROM TWENTY TO FORTY PAGES EACH DAY.--REVIEW AND HERALD, MARCH 3, 1868. {2T 7.4}[11]
§25
我们本以为在《证言》第15辑发表以后，怀爱伦会松一口气，得到她非常需要的休息。但仅过了十天，她就又投身到传达上帝所给她许多信息的工作之中。据怀雅记载，6月12日星期五晚上，怀爱伦在巴特尔克里克“针对一般青年人”作了演讲，又“亲自和几个人交谈”，直到将近十点。【2T.7.5】[12]
§26
WE MAY WELL IMAGINE MRS. WHITES RELIEF ON THE ISSUANCE OF TESTIMONY NO. 15 AND HER ANTICIPATION OF A MUCH-NEEDED REST, BUT TEN DAYS LATER SHE WAS AGAIN PLUNGED INTO THE TASK OF DELIVERING THE MANY MESSAGES ENTRUSTED TO HER. ON FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 12, SHE WAS AT BATTLE CREEK SPEAKING TO THE YOUNG GENERALLY, AND HAD ADDRESSED SEVERAL PERSONALLY, UNTIL NEARLY TEN OCLOCK, WHEN, AS REPORTED BY ELDER WHITE: {2T 7.5}[12]
§27
“当她站在讲台前，以极其严肃感人的语气讲道时，上帝的能力降到她身上。她立时进入异象，仆倒在地毯上。许多人第一次见到这种现象，非常吃惊，但他们完全确信这是上帝的作为。异象持续了二十分钟。”——《评论与通讯》1868年6月16日【2T.8.1】[13]
§28
WHILE SPEAKING FROM THE PLATFORM IN FRONT OF THE PULPIT, IN THE MOST SOLEMN AND IMPRESSIVE MANNER, THE POWER OF GOD CAME UPON HER, AND IN AN INSTANT SHE FELL UPON THE CARPET IN VISION. MANY WITNESSED THIS MANIFESTATION FOR THE FIRST TIME, WITH ASTONISHMENT, AND WITH PERFECT SATISFACTION THAT IT WAS THE WORK OF GOD. THE VISION LASTED TWENTY MINUTES.--REVIEW AND HERALD, JUNE 16, 1868. {2T 8.1}[13]
§29
《教会证言》中卷二足足有120页记载了1868年6月12日这次异象中对教会和个人的勉言。还有更多的文字记载了当年10月2日在爱荷华州的皮洛特格罗姆，10月25日在纽约州的亚当斯中心所见的异象。【2T.8.2】[14]
§30
BY ACTUAL COUNT 120 PAGES OF TESTIMONIES VOLUME 2 ARE DEFINITELY STATED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN SETTING FORTH COUNSEL GIVEN IN THIS VISION OF JUNE 12, 1868, FOR THE CHURCH OR FOR INDIVIDUALS. MANY MORE PAGES WERE WRITTEN SETTING FORTH VIEWS GIVEN THAT SAME YEAR AT PILOT GROVE, IOWA, OCTOBER 2, AND AT ADAMS CENTER, NEW YORK, OCTOBER 25. {2T 8.2}[14]
§31
这么多的异象使怀爱伦几乎无法搁笔。怀雅各长老谈到他们1870年在密西西比河上乘船旅行时说：【2T.8.3】[15]
§32
THESE MANY VISIONS LED MRS WHITE TO WRITE ALMOST INCESSANTLY. IN GIVING A REPORT OF THEIR TRAVELING BY BOAT UP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN 1870, ELDER WHITE COMMENTS: {2T 8.3}[15]
§33
“可怜的爱伦仍在写作！她本应休息，享受美景和愉快的社交，却笔耕不辍，对不同的人作见证。这似乎太过分了。可是上帝赐福和支持她。我们必须顺从。”——《评论与通讯》1870年7月5日 【2T.8.4】[16]
§34
MRS. WHITE IS WRITING. POOR WOMAN! THIS ALMOST ETERNAL WRITING FOR THIS ONE AND THAT ONE, WHEN SHE SHOULD REST AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND THE PLEASANT SOCIETY, SEEMS TOO BAD, BUT GOD BLESSES AND SUSTAINS, AND WE MUST BE RECONCILED.--REVIEW AND HERALD, JULY 5, 1870. {2T 8.4}[16]
§35
这么多原先写给个人的证言能让整个教会分享，这是何等大的福气啊！教会的信徒在阅读这些诚恳的劝勉和警告时，会发现早期安息日复临信徒的问题，试探和特权，也正是他们的问题，试探和特权。怀爱伦在《教会证言》卷二的开篇中说：“这也许是传达上帝对我指示的最直接有力的方法”。因此我们格外珍惜这些信息。【2T.8.5】[17]
§36
WHAT A BLESSING THESE MANY TESTIMONIES ADDRESSED AT FIRST PERSONALLY TO INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN TO THE CHURCH. WHAT CHURCH MEMBER, AS HE HAS READ THESE EARNEST COUNSELS AND WARNINGS, HAS NOT DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEMS, THE TEMPTATIONS, AND THE PRIVILEGES OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS OF EARLIER YEARS ARE HIS PROBLEMS, TEMPTATIONS, AND PRIVILEGES TODAY. WE TREASURE THESE MESSAGES ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ELLEN G. WHITE HERSELF STATES IN HER INTRODUCTION WHICH OPENS VOLUME 2: THERE IS NO MORE DIRECT AND FORCIBLE WAY OF PRESENTING WHAT THE LORD HAS SHOWN ME. {2T 8.5}[17]
§37
--怀爱伦著作托管委员会 【前言】
§38
弟兄姐妹不大会料到本辑证言这么快就问世。但我手头有许多给个人的证言，其中有一些发表在下面。要表达我对于一般危险和错误的看法，和爱上帝并守祂诫命之人的责任，最好的办法就是发表这些证言。这也许是传达上帝对我指示的最直接有力的方法。【2T.9.1】[18]
§39
THE TRUSTEES OF THE ELLEN G. WHITE PUBLICATIONS.
§40
【Introduction】
§41
My brethren and sisters will hardly expect this number of my Testimonies so soon. But I had many personal testimonies on hand, some of which are given in the following pages. And I know of no better way to present my views of general dangers and errors, and the duty of all who love God and keep His commandments, than by giving these testimonies. Perhaps there is no more direct and forcible way of presenting what the Lord has shown me. {2T 9.1}[18]
§42
第十四辑证言似乎很需要在总会召开之前数天送到你手中。因此我还没来得及为它补充重要的材料，它就赶紧付印了，所以无法把这些材料安插到第十四辑证言中去。现在我手头既然已经有了充足的材料可编为第十五辑证言，就把它交给你。求上帝的福气伴随着它，使祂所爱的子民从中获益。【2T.9.2】[19]
§43
It seemed important that No. 14 should reach you several days before the General Conference. Therefore that number was hastened through the press before I could find time to prepare important matter designed for it. In fact, there was not room for this matter in No. 14. Therefore, having on hand matter sufficient for No. 15, I present it to you with the prayer that the blessing of God will attend it for the good of His dear people. {2T 9.2}[19]