第56章 自制的重要
§1
第56章 自制的重要
§2
Chap. 56 - Importance of Self-Government
§3
亲爱的P弟兄：我曾数次打算写信给你，但因各种原因又都作罢。我不会再拖延了。过去这几天里，我对你感到特别担心。去年六月，我蒙指示看到一些关于你的事情。我被带到过去，蒙指示看到你那漂泊不定的生活。你那时没有上帝。你过得是一种艰苦、草率的生活。然而，我看到，好多次照人的智慧和能力看来你根本无法活命的情况下，上帝依然怜悯你，存留你的性命。你现在活着，就是上帝恩典的神迹。当你的性命朝不保夕、即将灭亡时，你的中保基督为你代求：“父啊，再多存留他的性命一刻！他是一棵不结果子的树，白占着地土，但是先不要把他砍下。我要再忍耐等候一段时间，看看他是否仍旧不结果子。我要把真理印刻在他的心里，我要让他认识到自己的罪恶。”【2T.421.1】[1]
§4
Dear Brother P: I have several times attempted to write to you, but have as often been hindered. I will delay no longer. I have felt for a few days past especially anxious in regard to you. Last June some things were shown me in regard to you. I was carried back in the past and shown your unsettled, roving life. You were without God. Yours has been a hard, reckless life. Yet I saw that God had in mercy spared your life many times when it seemed that no human power or wisdom could preserve it. You now stand a miracle of mercy. When your life has been in imminent peril, Christ, your Advocate, has pleaded in your behalf: Father, spare his life a little longer. He has been an unfruitful tree, which has cumbered the ground; yet cut it not down. I will patiently wait a little longer, and see if it will not bear fruit. I will impress his heart with the truth. I will convict him of sin. {2T 421.1}[1]
§5
我蒙指示看到，主已经为你开辟了道路，使你可以顺从和侍奉祂。你蒙引导前往西部。你在那里有更良好的环境可以在恩典上长进，并且可以更加容易养成适合天国的品格。你来到我们家中，我们也把你接到了我们心里。这全是出于主的安排。你既缺乏过蒙上帝所赞许的生活所必须的经验，主就安排你在这个地方，使你能在数月之内获得关于现代真理的亮光和正确知识，比你仍旧留在东部数年之内获得的还多。【2T.421.2】[2]
§6
I was shown that the Lord opened the way for you to obey and serve Him. Your steps were directed West, where your surroundings would be more favorable to a growth in grace, and where it would be less difficult for you to form a character for heaven. You came into our family and were received into our hearts. This was all ordered of the Lord. You had not the experience which was necessary in order to live a life that God would approve. You were situated where in a few short months you could obtain more light and a more correct knowledge of present truth than you could have obtained in years if you had remained East. {2T 421.2}[2]
§7
我们慈悲怜悯的大祭司熟悉你的软弱和你所犯的错误，祂没有把你在缺乏经验时撇在不利的环境中，任你去和大敌作战。你若继续留在某地，就不会持守真理。你所遭到的反对会激起你的好斗心理，你会因急躁的精神而使真理蒙羞；而后，当你在基督徒的道路上遇到阻碍时，就会变得沮丧并放弃真理。你有许多事需要向上帝献上感谢。你的心应当充满对你亲爱救主的感激，因为虽然你长久滥用了祂的慈爱，但祂仍然以怜悯待你。【2T.421.3】[3]
§8
Our compassionate High Priest was acquainted with your weakness and your errors and did not leave you in your inexperience to battle with the great foe amid unfavorable surroundings. Had you remained in ----- you would not have retained the truth. The opposition you would have received would have raised your combativeness, and you would have dishonored the truth by a hasty spirit; and then, as obstacles arose in your Christian journey, you would have become discouraged and yielded the truth. You have much to be thankful for. Your heart should be filled with gratitude to your loving Saviour for His mercy to you, to you who have so long abused His love. {2T 421.3}[3]
§9
我蒙指示看到你是一块从采石场挖出来的顽石。你需要多受切磋琢磨，才能在天上的建筑中充任一席之地。这项工作有一部分已经为你完成；但是，还有更的工作要做成！你有一种很不快乐的精神。你总是看到生活中艰难的一面。你没有多少快乐的事；但你是自绝于亮光，自闭于良善的。你自幼便鼓励了一种不满的精神，你不愿受管制；宁愿偏行己路，不顾别人的判断或忠告。你不愿受继父约束，因为你想走自己的路。他不懂得管教你的最好方法，你也决定不尊重他的权威。他只要一对你说话，你就会处于自卫的架势。你很好斗，你会跟与你的计划相左的任何人任何事作斗争。即使当提出的建议是要更好地从事你的计划和工作时，你也会立即反对。你以为自己受了责难，受了指摘，对那些是你真朋友的人感到忧伤。你的想象力是病态的。你以为每一个人都与你作对，以为自己的命运极其艰苦。你的命运确实艰苦，然而是你使它成了这样的。【2T.422.1】[4]
§10
I was shown that you were a rough stone from the quarry, which needed much hewing, squaring, and polishing before it could fill a place in the heavenly building. Some of this work has been done for you; but, oh, there is a much greater work yet to be done! You have had a very unhappy spirit. You have seen the rough side of life. You have not had much happiness; but you were the one who stood in your own light, debarring yourself from good. In your youth you encouraged a spirit of discontent; you would not be ruled; you chose to walk in your own way, irrespective of others judgment or counsel. You would not submit to be controlled by your stepfather, because you wanted to follow your own way. He did not understand the best way to manage you, and you were determined not to respect his authority. As soon as he would speak to you, you would place yourself upon the defensive. Your combativeness was large, and you would battle everything and everybody that crossed your plans. Even when suggestions were made of a better course to pursue in your plans and labors, you would fly in an instant. You thought you were censured, thought you were blamed, and felt grieved with those who were your true friends. Your imagination was diseased. You thought that everybody was against you and that your lot was exceedingly hard. It has been hard, but you have made it so. {2T 422.1}[4]
§11
你对待你继父的做法是不合适的。他不该受你那样对待。他有缺点，也犯过错误，但当你以一种夸大的眼光去看待他的错误和缺点时，你便看不到自己的错误了。在上帝的天意安排中，你的妻子因疾病而衰弱。她是一个内心骄傲的女子。但她已经悔改了自己的罪，上帝也悦纳了她的悔改。【2T.422.2】[5]
§12
Your course toward your stepfather was unbecoming. He did not deserve to be treated by you as he was. He had faults and had committed errors, but while you were awake to see these in an aggravated light you did not see your own errors. In the providence of God your wife was prostrated by disease. She was a proud-spirited woman; but she repented of her sins, and her repentance was accepted of God. {2T 422.2}[5]
§13
你的道路左右都被阻隔，为要阻止你走向灭亡的进程。上帝已使你桀骜不驯的精神顺服于祂。祂恩威并施，使你悔改。你象约拿一样，躲避当前的责任，逃向海边。上帝用祂的天灾阻挡了你的道路。你不能兴盛或幸福，是因为你不能把自己撇在脑后。你带着自我和罪恶。你怀着一种不满、不安的精神，不愿尽你人生道路上的本分。你想要改变，希望从事某种更大的工作。你的性情变得飘忽不定。【2T.423.1】[6]
§14
Your way has been hedged up, on the right hand and on the left, to hinder your progress to perdition. The Lord has brought your unruly, untamable spirit to submit to Him. By a mixture of judgment and mercy you have been brought to repentance. Like Jonah, you fled from present duty to sea. God hedged up your way by the visitations of His providence. You could not prosper or be happy, because you could not leave yourself behind. You took self and sin with you. You cherished a discontented, restless spirit and would not do the duties in your path. You wanted a change, some larger work. You became roving in disposition. {2T 423.1}[6]
§15
亲爱救主的圣目一直垂顾着你，否则你早就被撇弃在自己无定的状态和你的罪中，品格堕落，情形凄惨。当你客居异乡、身患疾病时，你感到了自己孤苦无依的状况。你心中不安，身体痛苦地度过了漫漫长夜和疲倦的白天，远离母亲和姐妹，只有陌生人给你一些仁慈的帮助，你心中并无基督徒的希望给你以支持。【2T.423.2】[7]
§16
The eye of the dear Saviour has been upon you, or you would have been left in your unsettled state, and in your sins, to become abandoned in character and miserable in circumstances. While in the land of strangers and in the hour of sickness, you have sadly felt your forlorn, desolate condition. You have passed long nights and weary days of restlessness and pain, away from your mother and sisters, with none but stranger hands to do a kindly office for you, and no Christian hope to sustain you. {2T 423.2}[7]
§17
你虽苦心寻找幸福，但却求而不得。你无视你母亲的忠告，不听她要你不要违背上帝命令的恳求。有时这种忽视使你精神痛苦。然而我无法说出全部细节，因为我并不强壮。我只详述蒙指示看到的最主要的事。【2T.423.3】[8]
§18
You were seeking after happiness, but did not obtain it. You had neglected the advice of your mother and her entreaties not to violate the commands of God. At times this neglect has caused you bitterness of spirit. But I cannot enter into every particular, for I am not strong. I will dwell upon the most essential things shown me. {2T 423.3}[8]
§19
我看到在你面前有一项工作是你没有领会的，就是要向自我死，钉死自我。你有一种急躁冲动的脾气必须制服。你有一些高尚的品格特性，如果你急躁易怒的精神不伤人，那些高尚的品性就会使你得到朋友。你很依恋那些对你显出关心的人。你若正确地理解了事情，就会谨慎尽责；但你常凭冲动行事，而不停下来好好想想。【2T.423.4】[9]
§20
I saw that a work is before you which you do not comprehend. It is to die to self, to crucify self. You have a quick, impetuous temper, which you must subdue. You possess noble traits of character, which will secure you friends if your hasty spirit does not wound. You have a strong attachment for those who manifest an interest for you. When you comprehend things aright you are conscientious; but you often move from impulse, without stopping to reflect. {2T 423.4}[9]
§21
你对他人评头品足，喜欢谈论他们的做事方法和态度，其实你并不了解他们的处境或工作。你从自己的立场出发看事情，然后就准备置疑或谴责他们所采取的做法，而不公正地进行全面的考虑。你对别人的责任一无所知，不应感到要为他们的行为负责，而应尽你的本分，把别人留给主。你要在忍耐中保全你的灵（参路21:19），保持平安镇静的心，充满感激。【2T.424.1】[10]
§22
You pass your judgment upon individuals, and comment upon their ways and manners, when you do not understand their position or their work. You view things from your standpoint and then are ready to question or condemn the course they pursue, without candidly viewing matters on all sides. You have no knowledge of the duties of others and should not feel responsible for their acts, but do your duty, leaving others with the Lord. Possess your spirit in patience, preserve peace and calmness of mind, and be thankful. {2T 424.1}[10]
§23
我看到上帝已赐给你亮光和经验，使你可以看出自己的急躁精神是有罪的，并能控制自己情感。你若做不到这一点，就必得不到永生。你必须克胜自己胡思乱想的毛病。你非常敏感，别人若说出一句不利于你所采取之行为的话，你就受了伤害。你觉得自己受了责备，必须自卫，救你的生命；而你在努力救自己的生命时，反丧掉生命（太16:25）。你有一番工夫要下，就是要向自我死，并且培养一种自制和忍耐的精神。克服你没有得到合理使用的想法，别再以为自己受了亏待，以为有人想要排挤你或伤害你。你看问题的眼光是错误的。撒但诱导你以扭曲的观点看事情。【2T.424.2】[11]
§24
I saw that the Lord had given you light and experience, that you might see the sinfulness of a hasty spirit and control your passions. So surely as you fail to do this, just so surely you will fail of everlasting life. You must overcome this disease of the imagination. You are extremely sensitive, and if a word is spoken favoring an opposite course from that which you have been pursuing, you are hurt. You feel that you are blamed, and that you must defend yourself, save your life; and in your earnest effort to save your life, you lose it. You have a work to do to die to self and to cultivate a spirit of forbearance and patience. Get over the idea that you are not used right, that you are wronged, that somebody wants to crowd or harm you. You see through false eyes. Satan leads you to take these distorted views of things. {2T 424.2}[11]
§25
亲爱的P弟兄，在亚当斯中心，我蒙指示再次看到了你的情况。我看到你没能实行真正的自制。你曾付出过努力；但是这些努力只触及外表，没有达到你行动的根源。你急躁易怒的脾气常常使你真诚地痛悔和深深自责。这种激烈的精神若不予制服，就会增强为一种暴躁爱挑剔的精神；你实在已经有了一些这种精神了。你会很容易对每件事都感到愤恨。即便是人行道上拥挤一点，你也会为觉得受了冒犯，脱口说出抱怨的话。当你驱车在街上时，要是别人没有把你这一侧的路都让给你，你立刻就会觉得受了刺激。如果要你放下自己的做法去适应别人，你就会焦躁气恼，觉得自己的尊严受到了伤害。你就会显出所有缠累你的罪。你的面容会显出一种不耐烦的精神，你的嘴似乎会随时准备发出暴怒的言语。这种习惯就像吸烟一样，完全戒除才是唯一可靠的良方。你里面必须发生完全的改变。你常常觉得自己必须多加谨慎。你毅然决然地说：“我会更加镇静，更加忍耐，”但你这样做只是触及了你罪恶习惯的皮毛，却答应留下狮子并看守它。你必须就此进深。唯独原则的力量才能驱逐这个灭人的仇敌，给你带来平安和幸福。【2T.424.3】[12]
§26
Dear Brother P, at Adams Center your case was again shown me. I saw that you had ever failed to exercise true self-government. You have made efforts; but these efforts have only reached the external, they have not touched the spring of action. Your hasty temper often causes you sincere and painful regret and self-condemnation. This passionate spirit, unless subdued, will increase to a peevish, faultfinding spirit; indeed, this is already upon you in a degree. You will be ready to resent everything. If jostled upon the sidewalk, you will be offended, and a word of complaint will spring to your lips. When driving in the street, if full half the road is not given you, you will feel stirred in a moment. If asked to put yourself out of your course to accommodate others, you will chafe and fret, and feel that your dignity is imposed upon. You will show to all your besetting sin. Your very countenance will indicate an impatient spirit, and your mouth will seem always ready to utter an angry word. In this habit, as in tobacco using, total abstinence is the only sure remedy. An entire change must take place in you. You frequently feel that you must be more guarded. You resolutely say, I will be more calm and patient; but in doing this you only touch the evil on the outside; you consent to retain the lion and watch him. You must go further than this. Strength of principle alone can dislodge this destroying foe and bring peace and happiness. {2T 424.3}[12]
§27
你已多次说过：“我控制不了我的脾气。”“我必须说出来。”你缺乏一种温柔、谦卑的精神。自我完全活着，你不断地站岗守卫它，不让它受羞辱或攻击。使徒说：“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3:3）。那些向自我死去的人，不会这么敏感，也不会准备好抵抗凡可能刺激到他的事。死人是无法感觉的。你没有死。你若死了，你的生命原会藏在基督里，你现在注意到的、折磨你的一千件事，就都会逝去，不值得注意了，于是你就会把握住永恒，愿意超越今生的小考验了。【2T.425.1】[13]
§28
You have repeatedly said: I cant keep my temper. I have to speak. You lack a meek, humble spirit. Self is all alive, and you stand guard continually to preserve it from mortification or insult. Says the apostle: For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Those who are dead to self will not feel so readily and will not be prepared to resist everything which may irritate. Dead men cannot feel. You are not dead. If you were, and your life were hid in Christ, a thousand things which you now notice, and which afflict you, would be passed by as unworthy of notice; you would then be grasping the eternal and would be above the petty trials of this life. {2T 425.1}[13]
§29
“舌头就是火，在我们百体中，舌头是个罪恶的世界”（雅3:6）。“人有见识，就不轻易发怒，宽恕人的过失，便是自己的荣耀”（箴19:11）。“不轻易发怒的，大有聪明；性情暴躁的，大显愚妄”（箴14:29）。“不轻易发怒的，胜过勇士；治服己心的，强如取城”（箴16:32）。“我亲爱的弟兄们，这是你们所知道的。但你们各人要快快地听，慢慢地说，慢慢地动怒，因为人的怒气并不成就上帝的义”（雅1:19-20）。“寡少言语的有知识；性情温良的有聪明”（箴17:27）。【2T.426.1】[14]
§30
The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Margin, a cool spirit. {2T 426.1}[14]
§31
我们伟大的榜样原本尊贵到与上帝同等。祂本是天上统帅。圣天使都乐意在祂面前俯伏跪拜。“再者，上帝使长子到世上来的时候，就说：‘上帝的使者都要拜祂’”（来1:6）。耶稣取了我们的本性，放下祂的荣耀、威严和财富，为要完成祂的使命，拯救失丧的人。祂来不是要受人的服侍，而是要服侍人。耶稣在遭受辱骂、虐待和侮辱时，没有予以报复。“祂被骂不还口。”当世人的暴行使祂遭受痛苦的鞭打和创伤时，祂口中没有说威吓的话；而是将自己交托那按公义审判人的主。使徒保罗劝告他腓立比的弟兄们说：“你们当以基督耶稣的心为心。祂本有上帝的形像，不以自己与上帝同等为强夺的，反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式”（腓2:5-7）。仆人岂能大过他的主人呢？基督已将祂的生平留给我们作为模范，而我们却每受轻视就心存忌恨，并对每一次的伤害──不论是假想的还是真实的，都即刻生出怨恨，这便是羞辱祂了。我们准备自卫，力图保持自己的尊严，这并不证明我们心意高尚。我们最好宁可百次含冤受屈，也胜似用报复的精神或发怒泄愤而使心灵遭受伤害。你可以从上帝那里获得力量，祂能帮助你。祂能赐你恩典和属天的智慧。如果你凭着信心求，就必得着。但你必须警醒祷告。警醒，祷告，做工，应当成为你的座右铭。【2T.426.2】[15]
§32
Our great Exemplar was exalted to be equal with God. He was high commander in heaven. All the holy angels delighted to bow before Him. And again, when He bringeth in the First-begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. Jesus took upon Himself our nature, laid aside His glory, majesty, and riches to perform his mission, to save that which was lost. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister unto others. Jesus, when reviled, abused, and insulted, did not retaliate. Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again. When the cruelty of man caused Him to suffer painful stripes and wounds, He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him who judgeth righteously. The apostle Paul exhorted his Philippian brethren: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Is the servant greater than his master? Christ has given us His life as a pattern, and we dishonor Him when we become jealous of every slight, and are ready to resent every injury, supposed or real. It is not an evidence of a noble mind to be prepared to defend self, to preserve our own dignity. We would better suffer wrongfully a hundred times than wound the soul by a spirit of retaliation, or by giving vent to wrath. There is strength to be obtained of God. He can help. He can give grace and heavenly wisdom. If you ask in faith, you will receive; but you must watch unto prayer. Watch, pray, work, should be your watchword. {2T 426.2}[15]
§33
你的妻子若担负起自己份内的责任，则她必能加惠于人。但是她逃避自己人生中的一切责任，现在有危险受你影响，而不是影响你。她非但没有对你发挥一种软化、提拔的影响力，反倒有危险想你所想，行你所行，而不深自反省，使自己的一切行为受原则指导。你们彼此同情，但不幸的是，你们是在帮助对方错误地看待问题。她能发挥一种为善的感化力，但是她的精神却带有属灵上的懒惰和懈怠。只要不合她的意，不讨她的喜欢，她就不愿从事任何善行。米罗斯人的罪是什么呢？乃是无所事事。他们被定罪并非因为犯了什么大奸巨恶，而是因为他们没有来帮助耶和华。【2T.427.1】[16]
§34
Your wife might be a blessing if she would only take upon her the responsibility that it is her duty to take. But she has shunned responsibility all her life, and now is in danger of being influenced, instead of influencing you. Instead of having a softening, elevating influence upon you, there is danger of her thinking as you think, and acting as you act, without reaching down deep to be guided by principle in all her actions. You sympathize with each other, and, unfortunately, help each other to view matters incorrectly. She can exert an influence for good, but she possesses a spirit which savors of spiritual indolence and sloth. She is reluctant to engage in any good work if it is not pleasant and agreeable. What was the sin of Meroz? Doing nothing. It was not because of great crimes that they were condemned, but because they did not come up to the help of the Lord. {2T 427.1}[16]
§35
我蒙指示看到你的妻子没有自知之明。她自幼便躲避操心的事，现在也不愿意操心费力。她喜欢依赖别人，而不是自力更生。她没有鼓励一种高尚的自立精神。她原应在过去多年训练自己负起责任。她的身体并不健康。她的肝脏先天机能不良，她也不喜欢运动。她没有本领自己开始工作，除非看到必须去做。她吃下去的东西几乎是她应吃饭量的两倍。她吃进胃里的东西，凡超过身体系统能将之转化成良好血液的量，都成了废物，成了身体的自然机能要处理的重担。她的身体被大量妨碍她工作的东西所阻塞，阻塞了生理机能，削弱了生命力。【2T.427.2】[17]
§36
I was shown that your wife does not understand herself. She shunned caretaking in her youth and is not disposed to engage in it even now. She is inclined to lean upon others, rather than upon her own powers. She has not encouraged a noble independence. She should, for years back, have been educating herself to bear burdens. She is not in health. She is predisposed to torpidity of the liver and is not inclined to exercise. She has not the faculty of setting herself to work unless she sees that she must. She eats nearly double the amount which she ought to eat. All that she takes into her stomach, above that which her system can convert into good blood, becomes waste matter, to burden nature in the disposal of it. Her system is clogged with a mass of matter which hinders her in her work, clogs the machinery, and weakens the life forces. {2T 427.2}[17]
§37
人饮食过量，超过身体所能转化为良好血液的部分，便会导致血液质量下降，比劳动或体育锻炼更能消耗生命力。饮食过量导致人精神萎靡、迟钝麻木。脑神经既被召去帮助消化器官，就因而持续负担过重，于是便被削弱，以至麻痹不灵了。这使你的妻子头部常感麻木，早晚会受到中风的打击。她所需要的并非受到鼓励不再运动。对她来说，再没有什么比停止运用体力积极锻炼更为危险的事了。身体的运动是非常重要的。这能使她身体健壮，头脑活泼。当她觉悟了自己当负的责任，看出树立人生目标会带来的益处，她就不会倾向于陷于懒惰和回避艰难困苦了。她现在做事心不在焉；因此她走来走去很象一部机器，感到劳动是一种重累。她有此感觉时，便意识不到自己有权拥有新的生活和活力。她缺乏精神和活力，她太容易陷于麻木和沉闷当中。她只有节制饮食，完全控制自己的食欲和一切情欲，并且通过调动意志力去帮助她做健身运动，才能克服这种沉闷麻木的感觉。她需要意志力，来使自己的神经系统充满活力，好使她有能力抵制懒惰。【2T.428.1】[18]
§38
Taking more food into the system than it can convert into good blood causes a depraved quality of blood and taxes the vitality to a much greater degree than labor or physical exercise. This overeating causes a dull stupor. The brain nerves are called upon to aid the digestive organs, and are thus constantly overtaxed, weakened, and benumbed. This leaves a sense of dullness in the head, and makes your wife liable to a shock of paralysis any day. What she requires is not encouragement to cease exercise. There would be nothing so dangerous for her as to remain where her physical powers would not be called into active exercise. Physical exercise is very essential. This will strengthen her body and mind. When she awakes to the responsibility of her position, and sees the benefit which will result from her seeking to have an aim in life, she will not be so disposed to sink down in indolence and to shun hardships. She does not put her heart into what she does; therefore she moves about too much like a machine, feeling that labor is a burden. She cannot, while she feels thus, realize that new life and vigor which it is her privilege to have. She lacks spirit and energy. She is too much inclined to be lost in dullness and leaden insensibility. The heavy torpor she feels can only be overcome by a spare diet, perfect control over her appetite and all her passions, and by calling her will to aid her in taking exercise. She wants the will to electrify the nerve power so that she may resist indolence. {2T 428.1}[18]
§39
P姐妹，你若没有足够坚强的意志使你能克服这种不愿操劳负重的心理，就决不能在世上成为一个有用的人。你若每天操练你里面的能力，工作任务就会变得越来越容易，直到履行人生责任和谨慎殷勤变成你的第二天性。当你给自己的胃减少负担时，你就能使自己习惯于思考了。胃里的负担会使大脑负担过重。【2T.428.2】[19]
§40
Sister P, you never can be of use in the world unless your purposes are strong enough to enable you to overcome this unwillingness to take care and bear burdens. As you daily exercise the forces within you, the task will grow less difficult, until it will become second nature for you to do duty, to be careful and diligent. You can accustom yourself to think, when you lay less burden upon your stomach. This burden taxes the brain. {2T 428.2}[19]
§41
你的生活也应当有目标、有宗旨。没有宗旨，便倾向于懒惰，然而若有一个足够重要的目标在望，心智的一切能力就会自发地积极活动起来。为使人生获得成功，思想必须稳定地专注于人生的目标，而不可任其胡思乱想，被不重要的事情占据，或满足于无用的冥想，结果躲避责任。白日梦使人心智堕落。【2T.429.1】[20]
§42
You should also have an aim, a purpose, in life. Where there is no purpose, there is a disposition to indolence, but where there is a sufficiently important object in view, all the powers of the mind will come into spontaneous activity. In order to make life a success, the thoughts must be steadily fixed upon the object of life, and not left to wander off and be occupied with unimportant things, or to be satisfied with idle musing, which is the fruit of shunning responsibility. Castle-building depraves the mind. {2T 429.1}[20]
§43
你当肩负起当前的责任来，你要努力全心全意地去做。你应当决心去做某件既需脑力也需体力的事。你的心应在当前的工作上。你眼前的职责就是上天希望你去做的工作。好高鹜远，梦想做一番大事，这于你毫无益处，只会使你不适合做当前的工作。当前的工作虽小，但却是上天安置在你面前的。你不应琢磨着去做什么大事，反倒应以喜乐的心情做好今天眼前的事情。你受托照管的才干应当在你手中翻倍。上天赐你的才干，或善用，或滥用，你都要负责。你不要总是渴望着做一番大事，而要做自己日常的小事。尽管自己的才干微小，你总要善加使用，而且要感到善用这些才干乃是你对上帝责任。【2T.429.2】[21]
§44
Take up present duty. Do it with a will, with all the heart. You should resolve to do something which will require an effort of the mental as well as the physical powers. Your heart should be in your present labor. The duty now before you is the very work which Heaven wishes you to do. To dream of a work far off, and imagine and plan in regard to the future, will prove unprofitable, and will unfit you for the work, small though it may be, which Heaven now places before you. It should not be your study to do some great work, but to do cheerfully and well the work which you see to do today. Talents are entrusted to your care, to be doubled. You are responsible for their proper use or their abuse. You are not to aspire after great things in order to do great service, but to do your little work. Improve your talents, even though they are few, and let a sense of your responsibility to God for their right use rest upon you. {2T 429.2}[21]
§45
在人生的辛劳和考验中，你无需指望避免痛苦和疲惫。上帝的儿子取了人的体格。祂的身心常常疲惫。祂说：“趁着白日，我们必须作那差我来者的工；黑夜将到，就没有人能作工了”（约9:4）。你应当停止遥不可及的梦想，而将心思放在当前的责任上，并且愉快地履行之。【2T.429.3】[22]
§46
You need not expect to avoid pain and weariness in the toils and trials of life. The Son of God was partaker of the human frame. He was frequently wearied in body and spirit. Said He: I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. You should cease your far-off dreaming, and bring your mind to present duties, and cheerfully perform them. {2T 429.3}[22]
§47
这个世界并非基督徒的天堂。这里只是一个装备的场所，是我们人生的战场，我们的各种斗争和忧伤的现场；重要的是我们人人都要紧紧握住那更美好的世界，当战事结束时，在那里会得享永远的平安、喜乐和福佑。我看到你们二人若是联合一致，就更有危险使信仰破灭，因为你们会以错误的眼光看问题。你们二人各自都有一番工夫要下，但你们有危险闭眼不看对方的错误。【2T.430.1】[23]
§48
This world is not the Christians heaven. It is merely the fitting-up place. It is the scene of our life battles, our conflicts and sorrows; and it is important that we all have a firm grasp of the better world, where will be found, when the warfare is ended, peace, joy, and bliss, to be enjoyed forever. I saw that you would both be in greater danger of making shipwreck of faith were you united, because you would look upon matters in a false light. You both have a great work to do for yourselves, but you are in danger of blinding your eyes to each others faults. {2T 430.1}[23]
§49
P姐妹应当谨慎，不要藉着向自己的丈夫叙述自以为受到的委屈来博取同情，从而激起他的急躁脾气。他看待问题的态度偏激，会对不值得注意的小事大起反应。她将不得不认识到这一点并且明白沉默乃是智慧。她需要耐力。把一件事投到心中容易，一旦入了心，再请它出去就困难得多了。细想默想自以为受到的错待容易，平息或控制曾被激起的情绪就困难了。【2T.430.2】[24]
§50
Sister P should be guarded so as not to stir up the hasty spirit of her husband by relating her supposed grievances to him to obtain sympathy. He views things in a strong light and feels deeply over matters which are not worthy of notice. She will have to learn this and understand that it is wisdom to be silent. She needs the power of endurance. It is much easier to throw a thing into the mind than to get it out when once it is there. It is easier to dwell upon a supposed wrong than to pacify or control the feelings when once aroused. {2T 430.2}[24]
§51
P弟兄具有良好的素质，若经纯洁宗教的高尚影响所精炼，必能出类拔萃。他可以成为一个有用之人。只有真实的敬虔能够使他很好地履行今生的责任，并使他适合进入天国。我的弟兄，属天的品格必须在今生获得，否则你决不会拥有它。因此，你当立即投身你现在应从事的工作。你应认真预备自己，好在将来进入天国。你要为天国而生活，要凭着信心而生活。【2T.430.3】[25]
§52
Brother P has qualities which would be excellent if they were refined by the elevating influences of pure religion. He can be useful. Sincere piety alone can qualify him to perform his duties well in this world and give him a fitness for heaven. A heavenly character must be acquired upon earth, my brother, or you will never possess it; therefore you should engage at once in the work which you have to do. You should labor earnestly to obtain a fitness for heaven. Live for heaven. Live by faith. {2T 430.3}[25]
§53
P弟兄，你是一块顽石，但那精巧匠人的手却要雕琢你。你愿意让祂斧正雕琢，好适应将来的建筑吗？不要忘记，那殿建造之时，不再听到斧凿之声。宽容时期结束，便不再有敲击打磨的工作了。现在，趁着宽容时期还未结束，你要胜过自己冲动卤莽的脾气，否则你最终将与基督分离。【2T.430.4】[26]
§54
Brother P, you are a rough stone; but the hand of a skillful workman is upon you. Will you let Him hew and square you, and polish you for that building which is coming together without the sound of ax or hammer? Not a blow is to be struck after probation closes. You must now, in the hours of probation, overcome your impetuous temper, or be separated from God at last. {2T 430.4}[26]
§55
耶稣爱你们两人，只要你们愿按祂亲自指定的方式得蒙拯救，祂就必拯救你们。如果你们真的渴望得救，就会拥有实际的宗教经验。你们要怀着信心和谦卑来到上帝面前求，就必得着。但要记得，学生不能高过先生，仆人也不能大过主人。你们要珍惜那住在基督里面的谦卑精神。 1869年2月9日写于密歇根州巴特尔克里克。【2T.431.1】[27]
§56
Jesus loves you both and will save you if you will be saved in His own appointed way. You may have experimental religion if you really hunger and thirst for it. Go to God in faith and humility, and ask, and you will receive; but remember that the disciple is not above his Master nor the servant greater than his Lord. You need to cherish that humility and humbleness of mind which dwelt in Christ.[27]