第43章 给一个孤儿的信
§1
第43章 给一个孤儿的信
§2
Chap. 43 - Letter to an Orphan Boy
§3
亲爱的朋友：在上次赐给我的异象中，我看到你有错误要改正。你在作出所需的努力，改正这些错误之前，必须先认识到这些错误。在你形成可蒙上帝悦纳的良好基督徒品格之前，你有许多东西要学习。你从幼年起就是一个任性的孩子，有偏行己路和随己意而行的倾向。你不喜欢将自己的心愿和意志屈从于那些照顾你的人。但这种经验是你必须获得的。【2T.307.1】[1]
§4
Dear Friend: In the last vision given me, I saw that you had faults to correct. It is necessary for you to see these before you will make the required effort to correct them. You have much to learn before you can form a good, Christian character which God can approve. From your childhood you have been a wayward boy, disposed to have your own way and to follow your own mind. You have not loved to yield your wishes and will to those who have had the care of you. This is the experience you must obtain. {2T 307.1}[1]
§5
随着你自立自信精神的增加——当然这必定与你缺乏经验有关——你的危险也在增加，你这个年龄段的年经人若没有自己亲爱父母的看护，拨动心灵中柔情的和弦，都容易呈现出这种精神。你觉得是时候该自己思想和行事了。“我是一个年轻人了，不再是孩子了。我能辨别是非对错。我有自己的权利，我要坚持自己的权利。我能够制定自己的行动计划。谁有权力干涉我呢？”这是你心中的一些想法，和你同龄的人也鼓励了这些想法。【2T.307.2】[2]
§6
Your danger is increased by the spirit of independence and self-confidence--connected, as of course it must be, with inexperience--which young men of your age are apt to assume when they have not their own dear parents to watch over them and stir the tender chords of affection in the soul. You feel that it is time for you to think and act for yourself. I am a young man, and no longer a child. I am capable of discriminating between right and wrong. I have rights, and I will stand for them. I am capable of forming my own plans of action. Who has authority to interfere with me? These have been some of your thoughts, and you are encouraged in them by youth who are about your age. {2T 307.2}[2]
§7
你觉得你可以维护自己的权利并且行事象成年人一样。这些思想感情导致错误的行动。你没有顺从的精神。青年人若感到自己有责任尊敬仰望父母，若无父母，则尊敬他的监护人或那些与他同住的人为顾问，为安慰者，在某些方面尊敬他们为他的管理者，且愿忍受家庭的约束，他就是明智且非常蒙福的。有一种自立的精神是值得赞扬的。愿意自己负担，不愿靠别人吃饭是对的。希望自食其力是一种高尚慷慨的志向。殷勤的习惯和节俭的美德都是必需的。【2T.308.1】[3]
§8
You feel that you may assert your liberty and act like a man. These feelings and thoughts lead to wrong action. You have not a submissive spirit. Wise is that young man and highly blest who feels it to be his duty, if he has parents, to look up to them, and if he has not, who regards his guardian, or those with whom he lives, as counselors, as comforters, and in some respects as his rulers, and who allows the restraints of his home to abide upon him. Independence of one kind is praiseworthy. To desire to bear your own weight, and not to eat the bread of dependence, is right. It is a noble, generous ambition that dictates the wish to be self-supporting. Industrious habits and frugality are necessary. {2T 308.1}[3]
§9
你一直被安置在不利于发展良好基督徒品格的环境中；但你现在被安置在可以建立或毁灭名誉的地方。我们虽不相信你会损害自己的名誉，但你并非免于试探。你在一个小时之内就有可能采取一种后来会让你流下痛悔之泪的做法。你可能因为屈从试探而使人心与你疏远，失去你已从周围之人获得的尊敬和重视，也玷污你的基督徒品格。你有顺从的功课要学。你认为履行家庭的职责——家务杂事和小差事有失身份。你确实不喜欢这些小小的要求；但你应该培养对这些你极不喜欢的事情的爱心。你若不这样做，就无论在哪里都不能提供令人满意的帮助。你在做这些必要的小事时，就在进行更实际的服务，过于从事大型业务和辛苦的工作。【2T.308.2】[4]
§10
You have been placed in unfavorable circumstances for the development of a good Christian character; but you are now placed where you may build up a reputation, or blast it. The latter we do not believe you will do. But you are not secure from temptation. In one single hour you may take a course which will afterward cost you bitter tears of repentance. By yielding to temptation, you may estrange hearts from you, lose the respect and esteem you have been acquiring from those around you, and also stain your Christian character. You have the lesson of submission to learn. You consider it beneath you to do duties about the house--chores and little errands. You have a positive dislike for these little requirements; but you should cultivate a love for these very things to which you are so averse. Until you do this, you will not be acceptable help anywhere. When engaged in these necessary small things, you are doing more real service than when engaged in large business and in laborious work. {2T 308.2}[4]
§11
现在我心中想起一个人的情况，他在异象中被呈现在我面前，他忽视这些小事，不能使自己对小小的本分感兴趣，谋求减轻那些在户内之人的工作；觉得那些事太小了。他现在成了家，但他依然不愿履行这些微小却很重要的义务。结果，主要的操劳都落在了他妻子身上。她不得不作许多事情，否则就没人去作。因为丈夫不管而落在她身上的挂虑已经损害了她的健康。他现在比年轻时更难克服这种罪恶。他忽略较小的责任，没能使家中保持整洁美好，所以不能成为一个成功的农夫。“人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心；在最小的事上不义，在大事上也不义”（路16:10）。【2T.309.1】[5]
§12
I have a case now in mind of one who was presented before me in vision who neglected these little things and could not interest himself in small duties, seeking to lighten the work of those indoors; it was too small business. He now has a family, but he still possesses the same unwillingness to engage in these small yet important duties. The result is, great care rests upon his wife. She has to do many things, or they will be left undone; and the amount of care which comes upon her because of her husbands lack is breaking her constitution. He cannot now overcome this evil as easily as he could in his youth. He neglects the little duties and fails to keep everything up tidy and nice, therefore cannot make a successful farmer. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. {2T 309.1}[5]
§13
亚兰人乃缦前来求问上帝的先知以利沙，看是否能治好可憎的麻风病。先知吩咐他去约旦河中沐浴七次。乃缦为何不马上遵从上帝的先知以利沙的吩咐呢？他为何不肯照先知的吩咐去行呢？他转身向他的仆人发怨言。他因感到羞辱和失望而情绪激动，一怒之下拒绝听从上帝的先知规定的简单做法。乃缦说：“‘我想他必定出来见我，站着求告耶和华他上帝的名，在患处以上摇手，治好这大麻风。大马士革的河亚罢拿和法珥法，岂不比以色列的一切水更好吗？我在那里沐浴不得洁净吗？’于是气忿忿地转身去了。”他的仆人对他说：“我父啊，先知若吩咐你作一件大事，你岂不作吗？何况说你去沐浴而得洁净呢？”（王下5:11-13）。这个大人物认为到低级的约旦河去洗有损自己的尊严。他所提到的那两条河因周围的树木和小树林而非常美丽，且有偶像安置在那些小树林里。许多人蜂拥到这些河去敬拜他们的偶像神明；所以去那里不会使他觉得掉价。但若听从先知的明确指示，就会贬抑他自尊高傲的精神。然而甘心顺从会带来想要的结果。他去洗了，而且痊愈了。【2T.309.2】[6]
§14
Naaman the Syrian consulted the prophet of God as to how he could be cured of a loathsome disease, the leprosy. He was bidden to go and bathe in Jordan seven times. Why did he not immediately follow the directions of Elisha, the prophet of God? Why did he refuse to do as the prophet commanded? He went to his servants, murmuring. In his mortification and disappointment he became passionate, and in a rage refused to follow the humble course marked out by the prophet of God. I thought, said he, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. His servant said: My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash [merely], and be clean? Yes, this great man considered it beneath his dignity to go to the humble river Jordan, and wash. The rivers he mentioned and desired were beautified by surrounding trees and groves, and idols were placed in these groves. Many flocked to these rivers to worship their idol gods; therefore it would have cost him no humility. But it was following the specified directions of the prophet which would humble his proud and lofty spirit. Willing obedience would bring the desired result. He washed, and was made whole. {2T 309.2}[6]
§15
你的情形在一些方面与乃缦相似。你不认为必须屈尊去在小事上忠心才能完善基督徒的品格。虽然你蒙召去作的事在你眼中可能看为小事，但只要你活着，它们就是你不得不尽的责任。忽略这些小事会给你的品格造成极大的缺陷。我亲爱的孩子，你应该训练自己在小事上忠心。你若不这样作，就无法取悦上帝。你若不甘心情愿遵命而行，就无法获得别人的爱与感情。你若希望身边的人爱你，就必须对他们表现出仁爱和尊重来。【2T.310.1】[7]
§16
Your case is similar in some respects to Naamans. You do not consider that in order to perfect a Christian character you must condescend to be faithful in the littles. Although the things you are called to do may be of small account in your eyes, yet they are duties which you will have to do just as long as you live. A neglect of these things will make a great deficiency in your character. You, my dear boy, should educate yourself to faithfulness in small things. You cannot please God unless you do this. You cannot gain love and affection unless you do just as you are bidden, with willingness and pleasure. If you wish those with whom you live to love you, you must show love and respect for them. {2T 310.1}[7]
§17
你有义务竭力减轻与你同住之姐妹的操劳。你看她，面色苍白，身体虚弱，为一大家人烹饪饮食。每一项额外的工作她都得去做，这消磨了她的精力，减损了她的活力。她年纪已经不轻了，不能手脚麻利地办这些小事。他们敞开家门接纳你的时候清楚地告诉了你和我们，你要做这些事。现在你若是忽略做他们认为会对他们很有帮助的这些事，选择偏行己路，一意孤行，就必失去你的地位，他们就要找一个愿意的人来做你认为太小不值得去做的事。你现在从事的工作大过也重过你的力量所能承受的。你喜欢从事成年人的工作。你有一种固执的意愿必须放弃。你必须向自我死，将自我钉在十字架上，战胜自我。你若不毅然决然地下这番工夫，就不能成为真正跟从基督的人。【2T.310.2】[8]
§18
It is your duty to do all in your power to lighten the cares of the sister with whom you live. You see her, pale and feeble, cooking for a large family. Every extra job she has to perform wears upon her and lessens her vitality. She has no young hands and feet to perform little errands. They received you into their family, as they told you and us at the time, expressly to do these things. Now if you neglect to do the very things they think will help them most, and choose to follow your will in an independent course of your own choosing, you must lose your place, and they must have one that will do the very things you consider too small for you to do. You are now doing larger and heavier work than your strength will admit. You love to do the work of a man. You have a set will of your own which must be given up. You must die to self, crucify self, gain the victory over self. You cannot be a true follower of Christ unless you take hold of this work resolutely. {2T 310.2}[8]
§19
我看到，你并非生来就尊重比你年长的人。你应该在小差事和要尽的本分上忠心，不要牢骚抱怨，好像这些要求是毒药一般。你看不出你使自己多么不快乐不可爱。你这样不能使自己快乐，也不能使你周围的人快乐。你应当记住，作为上帝的仆人，上帝要你忠心、忍耐、仁慈、友爱、顺从、恭敬。你若不完全控制自己的精神，就不能达到基督徒的完全。你允许自己的心中出现有罪的情绪，这对你是极大的伤害，会鼓励一种刚愎自负、目中无人的精神，不象基督的精神，而你受命要效法祂的生活。【2T.311.1】[9]
§20
I saw that you do not naturally possess reverence and respect for those older than yourself. You should be faithful in the little errands and duties you are required to perform, and not go murmuringly about them as though they were a drug. You cannot see how unpleasant and unlovely you make yourself. You cannot thus be happy yourself, nor make those around you happy. You should bear in mind that God requires of you, as His servant, to be faithful, patient, kind, affectionate, obedient, and respectful. You cannot attain to Christian perfection unless you possess perfect control of your own spirit. You allow feelings to arise in your heart which are sinful, which are a great injury to you, and which tend to encourage a hard, defiant spirit, unlike the spirit of Christ, whose life you are commanded to imitate. {2T 311.1}[9]
§21
我亲爱的孩子，要重新开始，决心靠上帝的帮助去追求真实的、可爱的、有美名的事。你要敬畏上帝，也要爱你周围的人，让这两者在你一切的行动中表现出来。你要忠心而且彻底；除掉自身一切看似懒散的作风。使各样事物都各就各位。要乐于助人，仁慈，愉快也令人愉快。然后你就能得着门路进入与你交往之人的心。有一件事总要谨记：凡不尊重女子和寻求减轻她们操劳的年轻男子，都不会具有正确的精神。一名青年最恶劣的标志莫过于认为减轻妇女的操劳有损自己的身份。这样的男人是有标志的。没有女人愿将自己的终身交给这样的男人保守；因为他决不会成为一个温柔，细心，体贴的丈夫。【2T.311.2】[10]
§22
My dear boy, commence anew, determined by Gods help to follow the things which are true, lovely, and of good report. Let the fear of God, united with love and affection for all around you, be seen in all your actions. Be faithful and thorough; rid yourself of everything like slackness. Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place. Be accommodating, kind, cheerful, and agreeable. Then you can win your way into the hearts of those with whom you associate. One thing ever bear in mind: No young man can be possessed of a right spirit who does not respect women and seek to lighten their cares. It is the worst sign that can be found in a young man to consider it beneath him to lighten the labor of women. Such a man is marked. No woman would commit the keeping of her life to such a man; for he will never make a tender, careful, considerate husband. {2T 311.2}[10]
§23
今天的少年，便是明天的成人。我恳劝你要彻底悔改。凡需要去做的事都要当作小小的本分去做，虽然这些事可能是你不喜欢的。这样你才会得到周围之人的赞同，而且还有更高的奖赏，就是你会得到上帝的嘉许。你若不在最小的事上作忠心的仆人，就不能成为一名基督徒。你若祈求并且力争尽全力履行每日的责任，上帝就会祝福你帮助你。当耶稣来接祂忠心的子民归祂自己时，你希望听见祂对你说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人”吗？你愿意除去自己品格中的一切瑕疵以便你在上帝宝座前毫无过失吗？如果你愿意，你就有一番工夫要下，是任何别人都不能替你做的。你在上帝面前有个人的责任。你可以行在光中，每日从上帝领受力量去克服每一个不完全之处，最终在上帝的国中列在忠心、真实、圣洁的人中间。不要屈从于试探。撒但会搅扰你，并力图控制你的心思，好使你陷入罪中。“务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了。你们亲近上帝，上帝就必亲近你们”（雅4:7-8）。【2T.312.1】[11]
§24
The boy is the type of the man. I entreat of you to face rightabout. Do everything that needs to be done in the shape of small duties, disagreeable though they may be. Then you will have the approval of those around you, and, what is to be more highly prized, you will have the approval of God. You cannot be a Christian unless you are a faithful servant in that which is least. If you pray, and strive to do your best to perform every duty, God will bless and help you. When Jesus comes to take His faithful ones to Himself, do you wish to have Him say to you: Well done, thou good and faithful servant? Do you desire to have all imperfections removed from your character, that you may be found without fault before the throne of God? If so, you have a work to do for yourself which no one else can do for you. You have an individual responsibility before God. You can walk in the light, and daily receive strength from God to overcome every imperfection, and finally be among the faithful, true, and holy in the kingdom of God. Yield not to temptation. Satan will annoy you and seek to control your mind, that he may lead you into sin. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. {2T 312.1}[11]
§25
要记得，上帝的眼睛一直在看着你。当你无礼地应答别人时，上帝看着也听着呢。时候将到，各人都要按着本身所行的受审判。你也会在审判中扮演一个角色。耶稣要么会接纳你，要么会拒绝你。你要逃到祂面前，去寻求力量和恩典。祂渴望帮助你，引导你青年时期的道路，加给你力量，好使你能用自己的影响力去造福他人。上帝爱你，如果你愿意照祂指定的道路前来，祂必拯救你；但你若叛逆，选择偏行己路，就会遭受永远的损失。你要多多祷告，因为祈祷是我们最基本的义务之一，舍此你就不能保持基督徒的操行。祷告能提拔人，巩固人，使人高尚；祷告乃是心灵与上帝交谈。【2T.312.2】[12]
§26
Remember that the eye of God is ever upon you. When you answer disrespectfully, God sees and hears you. The time is coming when all shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body. You will have a part to act in the judgment. Jesus will either receive or reject you. Flee to Him for strength and grace. He desires to help you, to be the guide of your youth, and to so strengthen you that you can bless others with your influence. God loves you and will save you if you come in His appointed way; but if you rebel and choose your own course, it will be to your eternal loss. Pray much, for prayer is one of the most essential duties. Without it you cannot maintain a Christian walk. It elevates, strengthens, and ennobles; it is the soul talking with God. {2T 312.2}[12]
§27
不要认为你可以片刻停止努力或警醒，你不能这样。要殷勤研读上帝的圣言，好使你明了撒但的诡计，并对上帝的救赎计划有更完全的认识。你的意愿必须顺从上帝的旨意。你不要寻求自己的享乐，而要努力使周围的人幸福；这样你就不能不快乐。你要带着自己所有的需要和缺乏来到耶稣面前，以单纯的信心恳求祂的祝福。你要信赖上帝，努力依照原则行事，只有在上帝里面才能得到使你坚强高尚的决心和毅力。【2T.313.1】[13]
§28
Do not think you can cease your efforts or vigilance for a moment; you cannot. Study Gods word diligently, that you may not be ignorant of Satans devices, and that you may learn the way of salvation more perfectly. Your will must be submerged in Gods will. Seek not your own pleasure, but that of those around you; and in so doing you cannot but be happy. Come to Jesus with all your needs and wants, and in simple confidence crave His blessing. Trust in God, and seek to move from principle, strengthened and ennobled by high resolves and a determination of purpose found only in God. {2T 313.1}[13]
§29
你不应被轻易激怒。不要让你的心变得自私，而要让它因爱而宽广辽阔。你有一番工作是决不能忽略的。你要像一名精兵一样忍受艰苦。耶稣熟悉你每一次的斗争，每一个考验，每一阵剧痛。祂必帮助你；因为祂也与我们一样，在凡事上受了试探，可是祂没有犯罪。亲爱的孩子，带着你的重担，到耶稣这里来吧！除了我们，不要将你的困难告诉任何人，除了我们，也不要信赖任何人。让耶稣替你背负重担，努力在虔诚的事上寻求更彻底的经验。愿上帝帮助你，赐福给你，乃是我真诚的祈祷。【2T.313.2】[14]
§30
You should not be easily provoked. Let not your heart become selfish, but let it expand with love. You have a work to do which you must not neglect. Endure hardship as a good soldier. Jesus is acquainted with every conflict, every trial, and every pang of anguish. He will help you; for He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He sinned not. Go to Him, dear boy, with your burdens. Take no one into your confidence, and tell no one your difficulties, but us. Make Jesus your Burden Bearer, and seek a more thorough experience in religious things. God help and bless you, is my sincere prayer. {2T 313.2}[14]
§31
我对孤儿有最温柔的同情。你确实没有家。你的父母过早去世，而你幼时所住的房屋现在由别人住着。你无法象回忆母亲那样清晰地回忆起你那敬虔的父亲。你记得有时令母亲伤心。你没有学会顺从；你只是部分地学到了这个功课。但你父母的祈祷却存寄在天，希望你能列身于那些热爱并敬畏上帝的人中。【2T.313.3】[15]
§32
My tenderest sympathies are aroused for orphans. You indeed have no home. The grave has taken your father and your mother, and the home of your childhood others inhabit. You cannot have as distinct recollections of your godly father as of your mother. You remember that you sometimes grieved her. You had not learned submission; you have yet but partially learned the lesson. But the prayers of your parents, that you may be among those who love and fear God, have found a lodgment in heaven. {2T 313.3}[15]
§33
这是一个冷酷自私的世界。你的亲戚即使不为了你的缘故也应为了你父母的缘故爱你并作你的朋友，但他们却自私地只顾自己，对你没有特别的关心。但上帝会比你地上的任何亲属都与你更亲更近。祂愿意作你的朋友而且决不会撇弃你。祂是孤儿的父。祂的友谊会给你带来甜蜜的平安，帮助你以极大的毅力忍受人生的苦难。要追求以上帝为你的父，你就会有一位永远的朋友。你会遭遇试探；然而要坚定，努力为你的信仰增光添彩。你需要恩典才能站立得住，但上帝慈怜的眼睛一直垂顾着你。你要多多诚恳地祷告，相信上帝一定会帮助你。你要谨防自己焦躁易怒的脾气，非常着急的精神。你需要培养忍耐自制的美德。要寻求内心的敬虔。要作一个表里如一的基督徒。要拥有纯洁的爱和谦卑的单纯，并让这些美德交织在你的生活中。【2T.314.1】[16]
§34
Oh, this is a cold and selfish world! Your relatives, who should have loved and befriended you for your parents sake if not for your own, have shut themselves up in their selfishness, and have no special interest for you. But God will be nearer and dearer to you than any of your earthly relatives can be. He will be your friend and will never leave you. He is a father to the fatherless. His friendship will prove sweet peace to you and will help you to bear your great loss with fortitude. Seek to make God your father, and you will never want a friend. You will be exposed to trials; yet be steadfast, and strive to adorn your profession. You will need grace to stand, but Gods pitying eye is upon you. Pray much and earnestly, believing that God will help you. Guard against irritability and petulance, and a spirit of tantalizing. Forbearance is a virtue which you need to encourage. Seek for piety of heart. Be a consistent Christian. Possess a love of purity and humble simplicity, and let these be interwoven with your life. {2T 314.1}[16]
§35
你要训练自己敬畏上帝，也要爱自己身边的人，你的人生可以成为有为快乐的人生，你的榜样也可以引导他人选择这条谦卑圣洁的道路。你要始终具有道德上的勇气，行事公义，尊荣你的救赎主。亲爱的孩子，我恳劝你寻求真实的圣洁。【2T.314.2】[17]
§36
By educating yourself to fear God, and to love all around you, yours can be a useful, happy life, and your example can be such as to lead others to choose the humble path of holiness. Have moral courage at all times to do right and to honor your Redeemer. I implore you, dear boy, to seek true holiness. {2T 314.2}[17]