第27章 青年人中的骄傲
§1
第27章 青年人中的骄傲
§2
Chap. 27 - Pride in the Young
§3
亲爱的O姐妹：我在离开某地之前本想和你谈谈，但被许多事情所阻。就你的宗教经验而言，我在给你写这封信时，对你的行为方式能有任何特别的改变，并不抱太大希望。【2T.173.2】[1]
§4
Dear Sister O: It was my intention to have some conversation with you before leaving -----, but I was prevented by many things. I do not write with very hopeful feelings that this letter will make any special change in your course of conduct so far as your religious experience is concerned. {2T 173.2}[1]
§5
我为你感到很难过。在某地的聚会上，我细细思量一些普遍的原则，想通过作见证触动一些人的心灵，并希望给你的宗教生活带来一些改变。正如在第十二辑证言中所提到的，我设法将有关青年人所面临的危险写给你们。那个异象是主在罗彻斯特赐给我的。我在那里蒙指示看到你从小到大所受的教育中存在一种错误。你的父母心里所想，口里所说，你耳中听到的话是，你天生就是基督徒。你的姐妹们对你的爱并不能使你成圣，反倒带有偶像崇拜的气味。你的父母对儿女的爱也未经洁净，这种溺爱使他们看不出儿女的错误和瑕疵来。有时当你的父母有所警觉时，情况也会有所不同。但你一直受到宠爱及称赞，直到你的永恒利益受到了危害。【2T.173.3】[2]
§6
I have felt very sad in regard to you. In the meetings held in -----, I dwelt upon general principles, and sought to reach hearts by bearing a testimony which I hoped would effect a change in your religious life. I have tried to write, as given in Testimony No. 12, in regard to the dangers of the young. That view was given in Rochester. There I was shown that a mistake had been made in your instruction from your childhood up. Your parents had thought, and had talked it in your hearing, that you were a natural Christian. Your sisters had a love for you which savored of idolatry more than of sanctification. Your parents have had an unsanctified love for their children, which has blinded their eyes to their defects. At times, when they have been somewhat aroused, this has been different. But you have been petted and praised until your eternal interest is endangered. {2T 173.3}[2]
§7
我蒙指示看到你没有自知之明。你有一种自以为义的心，这使你对自己的属灵造诣大受欺骗。你有时会感到上帝圣灵的某些影响。但就心意更新而变化来说，你还是完全陌生的。“不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为上帝的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意”（罗12:2）。你没有这种经验，因此一点儿也不牢靠。你不是一个基督徒，可是你一生却一直被人说成天生就是基督徒。你理所当然地认为自己很好，其实你远远未蒙上帝悦纳。这种欺骗随着你年龄的增长而增长，随着你力量的加强而加强，预示着你的灭亡。你的父母非常袒护自己的孩子，若是孩子们把自以为受到的轻视告诉他们，他们便立刻有了成见，大起反应，向自己的孩子表同情，直接挡在他们属灵利益的路上。【2T.174.1】[3]
§8
I saw that you do not know yourself. You have a self-righteousness which fastens you in deception in regard to your spiritual attainments. At times you have felt something of the influences of the Spirit of God. But to the transformation by the renewing of the mind you are a stranger. Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. You have not had this experience, therefore have no anchor. You are not a Christian, and yet it has been talked to you all your life that you were a natural Christian. You have taken it for granted that you were all right, when you were very far from being accepted of God. This deception has grown with your growth, and strengthened with your strength, and threatens to prove your ruin. Your parents have felt jealous for their children, and if reports of supposed slights have been brought to them by their children, they have felt interested and aroused at once, and have sympathized with them, and stood directly in the way of their spiritual good. {2T 174.1}[3]
§9
你和你的姐妹P极其骄傲，这在上帝的日子会象禾秸一样（林前3:12）。爱自己和自我的骄傲、服装和外表的骄傲在你们心中得势。自私已经使你们远离良善。你们两人都必须彻底悔改，彻底地心意更新，彻底地转变，否则你们必在上帝的国中无份。你们的外表，你们的美貌，你们的服装，不会使你们得上帝的喜爱。道德价值才是那伟大的自有永有者所注意的。基督之外再无人格或品格的真实美丽可言，若无谦卑、怜悯和真圣洁精神之使人成圣的恩典，就没有真实完美的礼貌或言行。【2T.174.2】[4]
§10
You and your sister P have had a great amount of pride, which will be as stubble in the day of God. Self-love and self-pride, pride of dress and appearance, have prevailed. Selfishness has kept you from good. You both must have a thorough conversion, a thorough renewing of the mind, a thorough transformation, or you will have no part in the kingdom of God. Your appearance, your good looks, your dress, will not bring you into favor with God. It is moral worth that the great I AM notices. There is no real beauty of person or of character out of Christ, no real perfection of manners or deportment without the sanctifying graces of the spirit of humility, sympathy, and true holiness. {2T 174.2}[4]
§11
我蒙指示看到许多生灵都要因你的影响和榜样而沦亡。你拥有亮光和特权，且要为此交账。你并非生来就是虔诚的或献身的，而是必须作出特别的努力才能保持你的心思想宗教的事。自我在你身上是很突出的。你的自负自尊之心很强。但请记得，上天看的是人的道德价值，按照人内在的装饰评估人的品格是宝贵而有价值的，就是以温柔安静的心为装饰，这在上帝面前是极宝贵的。奢侈的打扮，外表的修饰，个人的魅力，与温柔安静的心这种宝贵的造诣相比，就不值一提了。你喜爱自己的快乐和满足，缺乏奉献和忠诚，已对许多人产生了有害的影响。你不能使那些退后的人受益，因为你的生活和一般的俗人相似。【2T.175.1】[5]
§12
I have been shown that souls will be lost through your influence and example. You have had light and privileges, and for them you will have to render an account. You are not naturally religious or devotional, but have to make special effort to keep your minds upon religious things. Self is prominent with you. Your self-esteem is very large; but remember that Heaven looks at moral worth, and estimates the character as precious and valuable by the inward adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Costly array, outward adorning, personal attractions, all sink into insignificance in comparison with this valuable attainment, a meek and quiet spirit. Your love for your own enjoyment and gratification, your lack of consecration and of devotion, have been detrimental to many. Those who were backslidden you could not benefit, for your lives were like the worldlings in general. {2T 175.1}[5]
§13
那些访问某地之人带走了你和其他年轻人造成的印象，这些青年并不享有经验上的宗教，他们的宗教毫无真实可言。他们心中的骄傲变得更强了；爱炫耀、爱轻浮和享乐的心既持续增加，就看不出神圣的事了。来访之人得到的印象是，自己一直以来太谨慎、太特别了。因为既然生活在伟大工作中心的人，都这么少受经常提出的严肃真理的影响，自己何必这么特别呢？既然享乐似乎是某地那些拥有更久经验之人的目标，自己何必害怕享受呢？【2T.175.2】[6]
§14
Those who visit ----- carry away the impression made by you and other of the youth who do not enjoy experimental religion, that there is no reality in religion. Pride is strengthened in them; love of show, love of lightness and of pleasure are increased, and sacred things are not discerned. They receive the impression that they have been too conscientious, too particular. For if those who live right at the center of the great work are influenced so little by the solemn truths so often presented, why should they be so particular? Why should they be afraid of enjoying themselves, when this seemed to be the aim of those who were of longer experience in -----? {2T 175.2}[6]
§15
某地青年的影响延及凡知道他们的人，他们不圣洁的生活已成话柄；而且再没有谁比你的影响更为恶劣的了。你侮辱了你所表白的信仰，卑劣地表现了真理。那为诚信真实见证的说：“我知道你的行为，你也不冷也不热，我巴不得你或冷或热。你既如温水，也不冷也不热，所以我必从我口中把你吐出去”（启3:15-16）。你如果冷淡，那你还有回转的希望；但何处有人自以为义，而不是以基督的义束腰，何处的欺骗就很难揭穿，自以为义的心也很难去除，这种情况是最难处理的。一个未悔改、不信上帝的罪人，其处境都比自以为义的人更有利。【2T.175.3】[7]
§16
The influence of the youth in ----- extends as far as they are known, and their unconsecrated lives are proverbial; and none have had more influence in the wrong direction than you. You have dishonored your profession and been miserable representatives of the truth. Says the True Witness: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth. Were you cold, there would be some hope that you would be converted; but where self-righteousness girds one about, instead of the righteousness of Christ, the deception is so difficult to be seen, and the self-righteousness so hard to be put away, that the case is the most difficult to reach. An unconverted, godless sinner stands in a more favorable condition than such. {2T 175.3}[7]
§17
你成了罪人的绊脚石。你明显缺乏奉献的心。你是从基督分散的，而不是同祂收聚的。上帝既愿帮助我扯掉你自以为义的外衣，我就希望你能补救既往，过一种可资他人效法的生活。你也常常醒悟，但也常常重新陷入从前那种无所事事、自以为义的状态中，按名你是活的，其实你是死的。你的骄傲预示着你的灭亡。上帝已经向你言明了这一点。你若不改革，痛苦就会临到你，你的欢乐要变作愁闷，直到你在上帝手下谦卑己心。上帝不接纳你的祷告，因为它们来自一颗充满骄傲和自私的心。我亲爱的姐妹，你是一个很空虚的人；你过着一种漫无目标的生活，其实要是你谦卑下来，过造福他人的生活，你原会成为你自己和你周围之人的福气。愿上帝赦免你的父母和姐妹，因他们在你成为今日这样的人上有份——你无法蒙上帝悦纳，你若依然故我，当上帝的大日，你就会作为禾秸被火消灭。【2T.176.1】[8]
§18
You are a stumbling block to sinners. Your lack of consecration is marked. You are scattering from Christ instead of gathering with Him. If God will help me to tear off your self-righteous garments, I will have hope that you may yet redeem the time and lead exemplary lives. You have been frequently aroused, but as often have sunk back into your former do-nothing, self-righteous condition, having a name to live while you are dead. Your pride threatens to be your ruin. God has spoken to you upon this point. If you make no reformation, affliction will come upon you, and your joy be turned to heaviness, until you humble your hearts under the hand of God. Your prayers God does not accept. They come from hearts filled with pride and selfishness. You, my dear sister, are vain; you have lived an aimless life, when, had you been humble and lived to bless others, you would have been a blessing to yourself and to all around you. May God forgive your parents and sisters for the part they have acted in making you what you are--just that which God cannot accept, just that which, if you remain the same, will be stubble for the fire to consume in the day of God. {2T 176.1}[8]
§19
我蒙指示看到教会机构的工作人员存有自私的精神，有些人工作只是为了工资，好像与从事普通业务并无二致，而你也列身在这些人当中。你自私自利，只顾自己。你的心思只在取悦自己并获得更高的工资。这种精神已在相当大的程度上使教会机构受到咒诅，上天对此不悦。许多人一直急于赚钱。这都是错的。一种世俗的精神已经进来，基督反被关在门外了。愿上帝怜悯祂的百姓，我希望你能够回转。【2T.176.2】[9]
§20
When I was shown in regard to the spirit of selfishness existing in those who were working in the office, that there were some who were merely working for wages, as though engaged in any common enterprise, you were both among the number. You were both selfish and self-caring. Your anxiety was to please yourselves and to obtain higher wages. This spirit has, to quite an extent, cursed the office, and Heaven frowns upon it. Many have been too eager to grasp means. All this is wrong. A worldly spirit has come in, and Christ has been shut out. May God pity His people. And I hope you will be converted. {2T 176.2}[9]
§21
你已具有一种轻率的精神，言谈空虚无聊。你极少提到耶稣！祂的救赎之爱没有唤起你的感激和赞美，你也没有尊祂的名和祂不朽的自我牺牲的爱为大。你言谈的主题一直是什么呢？你的思想一直最喜欢停留在什么事上呢？实在可以说，你很少思想耶稣和祂牺牲的生活，祂付出那么昂贵的代价为你挣得的极宝贵的恩典和救赎；反而总是想些虚浮无益的事。取悦自我，达到使自己高兴的人生目的，这就是你思想的重心。我只能希望你没有自称与基督一同复活，因为你没有遵照这个要求：“所以你们若真与基督一同复活，就当求在上面的事，那里有基督坐在上帝的右边。你们要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。因为你们已经死了，你们的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面”（西3:1-3）。你要扪心自问：我遵守受灵感启示的使徒在这里所定下的要求了吗？我能用自己的生活证明，我向世界已经死了，现在我的生命是与基督一同藏在上帝里面吗？我淹没在基督里面了吗？基督应许要作我随时的帮助，我从祂那里汲取支持和力量了吗？你的信仰徒具形式，没有特别意识到自己的软弱、败坏和本性的邪恶。【2T.177.1】[10]
§22
You have possessed a spirit of levity, and have been vain and trifling in your conversation. Oh, how seldom has Jesus been mentioned! His redeeming love has not called forth gratitude and praise, and expressions calculated to magnify His name and His undying, self-sacrificing love. What has been the theme for your conversation? What thoughts have been dwelt upon with the greatest pleasure? In truth it can be said that Jesus and His life of sacrifice, His exceeding precious grace and the redemption He has so dearly earned for you, are scarcely in all your thoughts; but trifling things occupy the mind. To please yourselves, to accomplish objects in life which suit your pleasure, this is the burden of the mind. I can but wish you had not professed to be risen with Christ, for you have not complied with the requirement. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Ask yourselves the questions: Have I complied with the requirements here laid down by the inspired apostle? Have I evidenced by my life, my death to the world, that my life is hid with Christ in God? Am I submerged in Christ? Do I draw sustenance and support from Him who has promised to be to me a present help in every time of need? You have a formal religion, but have not a special sense of your weakness, your corruption, and your vileness by nature. {2T 177.1}[10]
§23
“天生的基督徒！”这种欺人的观念已经被许多人用作自以为义的外衣，导致多人有假想的盼望，自以为在基督里，却对祂毫无经验上的认识，没有体验祂的经验、祂的试炼、祂舍己和自我牺牲的生活。他们很是仰赖的自己的义，无非是一件污秽的衣服而已。蒙爱的夫子基督说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架，来跟从我”（太16:24）。是的，无论经历恶名美名，我们都要跟从基督。跟从祂去作困苦缺乏、孤独无依之人的朋友。跟从祂忘掉自己，在克己牺牲去向他人行善上富足；不以辱骂还辱骂；向堕落的人类表显仁爱和同情。祂不以自己的性命为宝贵，而是为我们众人舍了。我们要跟从祂从卑贱的马槽到十字架！祂是我们的榜样。祂告诉你，你若要作祂的门徒，就必须背起那被人藐视的十字架来跟从祂。你能喝那杯吗？你能受那洗吗？【2T.177.2】[11]
§24
A natural Christian! This deceptive idea has served many as a garment of self-righteousness, and has led many to a supposed hope in Christ, who had no experimental knowledge of Him, of His experience, His trials, His life of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Their righteousness which they count upon so much is only as filthy rags. Says Christ, the beloved Teacher: Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Yes, follow Him through evil as well as through good report. Follow Him in befriending the most needy and friendless. Follow Him in being forgetful of self, abundant in acts of self-denial and self-sacrifice to do others good; when reviled, reviling not again; manifesting love and compassion for the fallen race. He counted not His life dear, but gave it up for us all. Follow Him from the lowly manger to the cross. He was our example. He tells you that if you would be His disciple you must take the cross, the despised cross, and follow Him. Can ye drink of the cup? Can ye be baptized with the baptism? {2T 177.2}[11]
§25
你们的行为证实你们是不认识基督的：“泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗？我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗？葡萄树能结无花果吗？咸水里也不能发出甜水来。你们中间谁是有智慧、有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。这样的智慧不是从上头来的，乃是属地的、属情欲的、属鬼魔的。在何处有嫉妒纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果”（雅3:11-18）。【2T.178.1】[12]
§26
Your actions testify that you are strangers to Christ. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. {2T 178.1}[12]
§27
这里所列举的果子是一些显著的凭据，证明一个一直行在生命活力中的人已经受过改变，这种改变是如此显著，竟可用死来代表。从生动活跃的生命到死！这是何等惊人的比喻！谁也无需在此受骗。你若没有经验这种改变，就不要安歇。你要全心寻求主。将这事作为你人生的头等大事。【2T.178.2】[13]
§28
Here are enumerated the fruits which are marked evidences that one who has been walking in the vigor of life has met with a change--a change so marked as to be represented by death. From living, active life, to death! What a striking figure! None need be deceived here. If this transformation has not been experienced by you, rest not. Seek the Lord with all your hearts. Make this the all-important business of your lives. {2T 178.2}[13]
§29
你要为你今生原可做成的善事交账，要是你一直处在上帝要你处在的位置，就是祂已做了充足的预备使你可以处于的位置，你原可做成那些善事。但你没能在地上荣耀上帝，拯救你周围之人的灵魂，因为你没有利用基督已为你预备的恩典和力量、智慧和知识。你知道上帝的旨意，却没有遵行。你和你的姐妹必须作最明显的改革，否则你们绝不会听见耶稣说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人”（太25:21）。【2T.179.1】[14]
§30
You have an account to render for the good you might have done during your life, had you been in the position in which God required you to be, and which He has made ample provision that you might occupy. But you have failed to glorify God upon the earth, and to save souls around you, because you did not avail yourselves of that grace and strength, wisdom and knowledge, which Christ has provided for you. You knew His will, but did it not. There will have to be a most manifest reformation in you both, or you will never hear from Jesus: Well done, thou good and faithful servant. {2T 179.1}[14]
§31
6月12日晚上，在向教会宣读了上述证言之后，我蒙指示看到在你对生灵的得救漠不关心、无所事事、骄傲自私时，死亡却在进行它的工作。一个又一个人在接连离开你，进入坟墓。你对参加你的社交集会的那些人有什么影响呢？你说了什么或做了什么引人归向基督呢？你无论得时不得时都在履行自己的全部职责吗？你准备好和那些参加你社交集会的人，尤其是那班曾处在你的影响之下却在基督之外死了的人在上帝的台前会面了吗？你准备好说你的衣服上并未溅有他们的血了吗？我给你举一个具体例子，就是Q姐妹。她的灭亡岂不要怪罪在你头上吗？你从小在良好的家庭影响下长大，你有一切有利的机会可以发展良好的基督徒品格，但你的心灵却没有感到救灵的负担。你却培养了骄傲、虚荣和爱享乐的心，你的行为侮辱了你所表白的信仰，并使Q姐妹这个被撒但试探冲击的可怜生灵怀疑真理的现实性和基督教信仰的真实性。【2T.179.2】[15]
§32
In the evening of June 12, after reading the foregoing to the church, I was shown that while you are careless, proud, selfish, and indifferent to the salvation of souls, death is doing its work. One after another is leaving you, and passing to the grave. What has been your influence over those who assembled in your social gatherings? What has been said or done to lead souls to Christ? Have you been instant in season, out of season, to do your whole duty? Are you ready to meet at the bar of God those with whom you have mingled in your social gatherings, especially that class who have been thrown under your influence and who have died out of Christ? Are you prepared to say that your skirts are clear of their blood? I will mention one case, that of Q. Will no reproach fall upon you from her, upon you who were surrounded with good home influences, you who had every favorable opportunity to develop good Christian characters, but who have felt no burden for souls? Pride, vanity, and love of pleasure were fostered by you, and you acted your part in disgracing your profession and leading this poor soul, who had been tossed about and buffeted by Satan, to doubt the reality of the truth and the genuineness of the Christian religion. {2T 179.2}[15]
§33
你和其他一些年轻人轻佻无聊的言谈令人厌恶。你们的思想中毫无任何尊贵高尚的事物可言，尽都是些闲谈碎语，蜚短流长，愚蠢无聊，虚浮巧笑，滑稽打趣。天使已记下你们已再三上演的场景。尽管你一直听到最严肃的呼吁，你一直受到谴责、责备和警告，你还是比别的青年更该受责备。你的经验更长，真理的知识更多。你是住在某地最久的。你是第一批承认相信真理并作基督门徒的人，而你骄傲虚荣的言行比其他任何一个人对形成那个地方青年人的经验都更有影响。那些已经归向真理的人，可以说是被你拉着手与世界联合了。【2T.180.1】[16]
§34
Your frivolous conversation, in common with that of other of the young people, was disgusting. There was nothing noble and elevated in the turn your minds took. It was common chitchat and gossip, the silly, vain laugh, the jesting, and the joking. Angels have written the scenes you have acted over and over again. Notwithstanding the most solemn appeals have been made to you, and you have been reproved, rebuked, and warned, you are more censurable than other youth. You have had longer experience and greater knowledge of the truth. You have lived the longest at -----. You were among the first to profess to believe the truth and to be Christs followers, and your course of vanity and pride has done more toward shaping the experience of the youth in that place than has that of any of the others. Those who have been converted to the truth you have taken by the hand, as it were, and united to the world. {2T 180.1}[16]
§35
你和你那奉承了你的骄傲和愚昧的父母身上都有大罪。当你受到责备时，他们对你表同情，还让你明白，他们认为你受责备是没有理由的。O姐妹啊，你认为自己很漂亮。你的父母也这样谄媚你。你去寻求不信之人的交谊。抛开你的信仰不谈，单就你的行为而言，你也一直算不上一个谨慎、端庄的女孩。但考虑到你自称是那温柔谦卑之耶稣的门徒，你的行为便是侮辱你的信仰了。我的姐妹啊，你以为那些职员看不透你欺人的外表吗？你以为他们被你漂亮的容颜迷住，以致看不透表面，不了解你品格浅薄的本相吗？当你戴着从R姐妹店里借来的头饰现身，仿佛在那些职员面前展出时，你以为他们看不出来吗？你难道忘了上帝的使者在场，他们纯洁的眼目正在鉴查你心中的思想、目的和意图，并准确记下你的每一言行，描绘出你真实而又虚荣浅薄的品格吗？当你全神贯注地跟那个因为奉承你的虚荣而使你着迷的职员闲聊时，要是你能站在镜子前，就会看到那些正观察你之人的姿势和耳语，听到他们因你在作这种愚昧的表演而发出嘲笑声。你在给真理的事业染上污点。要是你在走出R姐妹的店后能再进去而不被人察觉，听到你在庄重尽失前离开之后人们的谈论，你就会得知一些你以前从未想到的事情。你就会受到伤害，谦卑地认识到那些轻佻浅薄的职员是怎样看你的。连那当面承奉你的人也一同加入他同伴对你虚荣行为的嘲笑议论当中。【2T.180.2】[17]
§36
Great guilt rests upon you and also upon your parents, who have flattered your pride and folly. They have sympathized with you when reproved, and have given you to understand that they thought it uncalled for. You, Sister O, have thought yourself handsome. Your parents have flattered you. You have sought acquaintance with unbelievers. Aside from your profession, your actions have been unbecoming a prudent, modest girl. But when it is taken into the account that you profess to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, you have disgraced your profession. O my sister, did you think those clerks could not see through the gloss you threw about you? Did you think they were so captivated with your pretty face that they could not see beneath the surface and read your true, superficial character? When you placed upon your head the adorning borrowed from Sister Rs store, and then displayed yourself as if on exhibition before those clerks, did you think this was not discerned? Did you forget that angels of God were in attendance, and that their pure eyes were reading your thoughts, the intents and purposes of the heart, and taking cognizance of every act, and delineating your true, frivolous character? While you were engrossed with your small talk to the clerk with whom you were fascinated, because he flattered your vanity, could you have stood before the looking glass you would have seen the gestures, the whisperings, among those who were observing you, and laughing because you were making such a foolish show. You were bringing a stain upon the cause of truth. Could you have entered that store unobserved a short time after you stepped out, and have heard the conversation after you had lingered as long as decency would permit, you would have learned some things you never thought of before. You would have been wounded and humbled to learn how you were viewed by even frivolous clerks. The very one who flattered you to your face joined in the laugh and sport of his companions upon your vain course. {2T 180.2}[17]
§37
你本可在某地发挥为善的感化力并尊荣你的救赎主。但你竟使自己成了那些谄媚人的职员和小青年的笑谈。许多人都注意到你这种不当的举止，那些注意到你表里不一的人，即便他们不信上帝并且口头上表示尊重你，心里也非常轻视你。你正在步S姐妹的后尘，你的父母若不醒悟过来，看出你的愚蠢，就必在你的罪上有份。罪在他们身上也在你的姐妹身上，因为他们的行为助长你的骄傲，奉承你的虚荣。如果你和你的姐妹处于得救的状态，就会全然意识到未得救之人的危险状况。日子将到，你里面若无重大改变，那时就必听到许多人说：“我和这些基督徒交往，可是他们从未将我的危险告诉我。他们从未警告过我。我想，如果我处于失丧的危险中，他们就不会日夜安息而不唤醒我看到我沦丧的状况。现在我沦丧了。要是我当初处在他们的境地，看到一个人处在相似的状况，我就不会安息直到我使他们认识到自己的状况，并把他们指向那唯一能拯救他们的主。”你虽自称是基督的仆人，但你一直是令撒但满意的好仆人。【2T.181.1】[18]
§38
You might have an influence for good in ----- and honor your Redeemer. But instead of this you have made yourself the speech of flattering clerks and beardless youth. This unbecoming course has been remarked by very many, and those who have noticed these inconsistencies, even though they may be unbelievers and profess respect for you, despise you in their hearts. You are following in the footsteps of S, and unless your parents awake and open their eyes to your folly, they will share in your guilt. Sin is upon them and upon your sisters for the course they have taken in fostering your pride and flattering your vanity. If you and your sisters were in a saved state, you would all feel the perilous condition of the unsaved. The day will come, unless a great change is wrought in you, when you will hear from many lips. I associated with these Christians, yet they never told me of my danger. They never warned me. I thought that if I was in danger of being lost, they would not rest day or night without arousing me to see my lost condition. Now I am lost. If I had been in their place and had seen one in a similar condition, I would not have rested until I had made them sensible of their state and pointed them to the only One who can save them. You have been good and pleasing servants of Satan while you have professed to be servants of Christ. {2T 181.1}[18]
§39
O姐妹啊，你因自尊而自高，以致你没有正确地意识到观察你的人对你浅薄品格的评价。他们把你算为卖弄风情的女子，而你也实在是配得这个称呼。要是你听从了使徒的劝勉，原会对你大有益处：“你们不要以外面的……为妆饰，只要以里面存着长久温柔、安静的心为妆饰，这在上帝面前是极宝贵的”（彼前3:3-4）。【2T.182.1】[19]
§40
Sister O, you have been so exalted by the esteem you have had of yourself that you have had no just sense of the estimate observers have placed upon your shallowness of character. They count you a coquette, and you have justly earned this reputation. It would have been much more profitable for you to have heeded the exhortation of the apostle: Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning; . . . but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. {2T 182.1}[19]
§41
你的父母在儿女的教育上大大失败了。他们不让自己的儿女背负对他们来说非常重要应该背的担子。因为儿女选择取悦自我，父便母允许他们早晨赖床，将清晨最可爱、最美好的时辰瞌睡过去。而与此同时，纵容儿女的父母却早早起床，为生活的重担不停地劳碌。这些孩子没有学会克制自己的性向爱好，与自己的欲望较力争胜。他们没有学习忍受艰难。父母一直原谅他们逃避大多数家庭责任，而这对于他们是一种伤害。他们从未学习克己或牺牲的行为。他们从不委屈自己去承担任何一种不合自己口味的任务。他们所受的教育有很大缺欠。而骄傲——虚荣而又夸耀的骄傲——充满了他们的内心。O姐妹认为她比她的同伴优秀，她认为他们不配从她那里获得更多的注意和礼貌。此外，她还有一种顽梗的意志，要随着自己的高兴任意行事，不顾别人的心愿、方便和需要。她的性情并不快乐，若不完全克服，就会造成许多阴影遮暗她的道路，并使她最好朋友的生活充满苦涩。【2T.182.2】[20]
§42
Your parents have greatly failed in the education of their children. They have suffered them to be released from burdens which it was highly important for them to bear. Because they chose to please themselves, they were permitted to remain in bed, dozing away the sweetest and loveliest hours of the morning, while their indulgent parents were up, toiling with lifes burdens. These children have not learned to resist their inclinations, to wrestle against their own desires; they have not learned to endure hardness. They have been excused in a great measure from home burdens, and this has been an injury to them. They have never learned the act of self-denial or self-sacrifice. They would not submit to apply themselves to a task which did not meet their taste. Their education is greatly deficient. Yet pride--vain, vaunting pride--fills their hearts. Sister O has thought herself superior to her associates, that they were not worthy of much attention and courtesy from her. With this she has a stubborn will to do about as she pleases regardless of the wishes, conveniences, and necessities of others. Her disposition is an unhappy one, which, unless entirely overcome, will cause many a shadow to darken her pathway and embitter the lives of her best friends. {2T 182.2}[20]