第04章 与世俗之徒亲密相交
§1
第04章 与世俗之徒亲密相交
§2
Chap. 4 - Intimate Friendship With Worldlings
§3
E弟兄，1871年12月10日，我蒙指示看到你和你的姐妹们处在十分危险的境况之中；使你的处境更加危险的是，你并没有认识到自己的真实状况。我看到你处在黑暗之中。这黑暗并不是瞬间笼罩在你身上的。你渐渐进入了黑暗之中，几乎察觉不到，直到你认为这黑暗就是亮光，可是那笼罩着你的乌云却日益浓厚了。我看到不时会有一线光明拨开你心中的黑暗；然后这黑暗又合拢了，而且比先前更加浓密，更加牢固。 {3T 39.2}[1]
§4
December 10, 1871, I was shown, Brother E, that you and your sisters were in a very dangerous condition; and that which makes your position the more dangerous is that you do not realize your true state. I saw you enveloped in darkness. This darkness has not settled upon you suddenly. You commenced to enter the mist of darkness gradually, and almost imperceptibly, until the darkness is as light to you, yet the cloud is becoming more dense every day. Now and then I saw a gleaming of light separating the darkness from you; then again it would close about you, firmer and more dense than before. {3T 39.2}[1]
§5
你所在的音乐学校对你一直是一个陷阱。你和你的姐妹们都不具备深刻的经验，使你们与音乐学校接触而不受其影响。要想进入这样的社会，而且不受其影响，你们需要更加坚定的心志，需要具备你们三个都不具备的坚毅的品格。要听基督的话说：“你们是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隐藏的。人点灯，不放在斗底下，是放在灯台上，就照亮一家的人。你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父”（太5:14-16）。你们的榜样和影响具备这样积极的特质，能感化并使你们的同伴知罪吗？我认为不能，你们已经受伤了。黑暗笼罩着你们，使你们的光暗淡了，因此你们的光无法驱散他人的黑暗。你们离上帝越来越远了。{3T 39.3}[2]
§6
Your singing schools have ever been a snare to you. Neither you nor your sisters have a depth of experience that will enable you to be brought in contact with the influences you meet in your singing schools, without being affected. It would take stronger minds, with greater decision of character than you three possess, to be brought into the society you are and not be affected. Listen to the words of Christ: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Have your example and influence been of that positive character that has impressed and convicted your associates? I think not. You have been injured. Darkness has settled upon you and dimmed your light so that it has not burned with that luster to dispel the darkness about others. You have been separating further and further from God. {3T 39.3}[2]
§7
我的弟兄，你对于自己所做的事情没有敏锐的感觉。你一直挡在你妹妹们的灵程上。她们已陷入招魂术邪恶迷人的欺骗中，尤其是F，她若要摆脱撒但这些邪恶的、歪曲她对于永恒事物之感受的羁绊，就必须付出极大的努力，犹如九死一生。你一直盲目，自欺自迷。你没自知之明。你们都十分软弱，其实你们可以在宝贵的救人真理上刚强，坚固在磐石基督耶稣上。我的感触很深。我为你们感到战栗。我看到四面八方环绕着你们的试探，而你们却无意用力抵挡它们。{3T 40.1}[3]
§8
You, my brother, have but a faint sense of what you have been doing. You have been standing directly in the way of your sisters advancement in the divine life. They, more especially F, have been entangled with the bewitching, satanic wiles of spiritualism, and if she rids herself of this unholy slime of Satan, which has perverted her sense of eternal things, she will have to make a mighty effort. It will be but a hairbreadth escape. You have been blinded, deceived, and enchanted yourself. You do not see yourself. You are all very weak, when you might be strong in the precious, saving truth, strengthened, established, and settled upon the Rock Christ Jesus. I feel deeply. I tremble for you. I see temptations on every hand, and you with so little power to resist them. {3T 40.1}[3]
§9
E弟兄, 我蒙指示看到你被冲昏了头脑；你的动机和内心真实的意图都受了欺骗。我看到你与G弟兄的女儿交往。她从未将自己的心降服于基督。我蒙指示看到她受了影响并且知罪了。但你的行为没能使她更深地悔悟，感到这些事特别重要。你看救灵和现代真理是神圣的，她却根本不尊重安息日。她爱慕世俗的虚荣浮华，喜爱今生的骄傲与宴乐。你已经渐渐远离上帝和真光，以致看不出真理必将爱上帝的人与那些爱宴乐超过爱上帝的人分开。我看到你喜爱与她交往。这么一个不明白真理，对于天上的事也毫无所知的孩子就迷住了你，以致宗教的聚会与神圣的职责都被你视为次要。你忽视了每一个基督门徒道路上必有的克己与十字架。 {3T 40.2}[4]
§10
Brother E, I was shown that you are infatuated; you are deceived as to your motives and the real purposes of your heart. I saw you in the society of Brother Gs daughter. She has never yielded her heart to Christ. I was shown her affected and convicted. But your course was not of that character to deepen conviction, or to give her the impression that there was special importance attached to these matters. You profess to hold sacred the salvation of the soul, and the present truth. She does not respect the Sabbath from principle. She loves the vanity of the world and enjoys the pride and amusements of life. But you have been departing so gradually from God, and from the light, that you do not see the separation which the truth necessarily brings between those who love God and those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. I saw that you were attracted to her society. Religious meetings and sacred duties were of minor importance, while the presence of a mere child, who has no knowledge of the truth or of heavenly things, fascinated you. You have overlooked self-denial and the cross, which lie directly in the pathway of every disciple of Christ. {3T 40.2}[4]
§11
我蒙指示，如果你一直行在光中，原能果断地站稳立场坚持真理。你的榜样原会表明你所信奉的真理那么重要，以致你的情意和你的心只能趋于基督的形像可辨识之处。如今基督对你说：你要选择谁呢，是我还是这个世界？你此时此刻就要做出决定。你要随从不圣洁之心的鼓动，不为基督的缘故克己，跨过十字架而不是背起它呢？还是尽管十字架可能很沉重，也要背起它，并为真理的缘故做出牺牲呢？愿上帝帮助你看出自己的处境，好使你对于永恒的事物作出正确的判断。你现在几乎没有属灵的眼光，以致将圣洁神圣的事物与普通事物置于同等的水平。你有很多责任。你的影响在很大程度上感染了你的妹妹们。你唯一的安全在于与世界分别。{3T 41.1}[5]
§12
I was shown that if you had been walking in the light you would have taken your position decidedly for the truth. Your example would have shown that you considered the truth you profess of that importance that your affections and heart could go only where the image of Christ was discernible. Christ now says to you: Which will you have, Me or the world? Your decision is to be made here. Will you follow the promptings of an unsanctified heart, turn away from self-denial for Christs sake, and step over the cross without lifting it? Or will you lift that cross, heavy though it may be, and make some sacrifice for the truths sake? May God help you to see where you are, that you may place a true estimate upon eternal things. You now have so little spiritual eyesight that the holy and sacred are placed upon a level with the common. You have responsibilities. Your influence affects your sisters to a great extent. Your only safety is in separation from the world. {3T 41.1}[5]
§13
我的弟兄啊，我蒙指示看到你在应该参加宗教活动时却带领青年一同娱乐，还在音乐学校中与俗人混在一起，他们是完全黑暗的，周围都是恶天使。你那微弱的、暗淡的光线在这样的黑暗与试探之中起什么作用呢？在这些场合，上帝的天使不与你同在。你被撇下靠自己的力量行事。撒但看到你的处境便很喜悦，因为你自称是基督徒，遵守上帝全部诫命，这样他便可以使你更加有效地为他服务。那为诚信真实见证的对老底嘉教会说:“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。你说：我是富足，已经发了财，一样都不缺；却不知道你是那困苦、可怜、贫穷、瞎眼、赤身的。我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足；又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来；又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见。凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他；所以你要发热心，也要悔改”（启3:15-19）。 {3T 41.2}[6]
§14
I was shown you, my brother, taking the young with you to scenes of amusement at the time of a religious interest, and also engaging in singing schools with worldlings who are all darkness and who have evil angels all around them. How does your feeble, dim light appear amid this darkness and temptation? Angels of God do not attend you upon these occasions. You are left to go in your own strength. Satan is well pleased with your position; for he can make you more efficient in his service than if you did not profess to be a Christian keeping all the commandments of God. The True Witness addresses the Laodicean church: 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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. {3T 41.2}[6]
§15
你盲目而糊涂，自觉刚强其实软弱。你只有靠着那大能者才能刚强。你若乐于为基督的缘故受苦，便可成为义的器具。你和你的妹妹若愿意，仍可挽回你们的时光，但这需下一番工夫。你的妹妹在与一位不值得她喜爱的人交往。这个男子的品格有严重的缺点。他丝毫不尊重庄严圣洁的事物；他的心没有被上帝的灵所改变。他是自私，自负，爱宴乐不爱尽本分的人。他没有克己和谦卑的经历。 {3T 42.1}[7]
§16
You are blinded and infatuated. You have felt strong when you were weakness itself. You can be strong in the Mighty One. You can be an instrument of righteousness if you are willing to suffer for Christs sake. You and your sisters may redeem the time if you will, but it will cost an effort. Your younger sister is linked to one who is not worthy of her affections. There are serious defects in his character. He does not have reverence for sacred and holy things; his heart has not been changed by the Spirit of God. He is selfish, boastful, and loves pleasure more than duty. He has no experience in self-denial and humiliation. {3T 42.1}[7]
§17
交友之时要格外慎重，免得与其榜样不可安全效法之人产生亲密的行为；因为此种亲密行为会使人远离上帝，不再献身，失去爱真理的心。你们与没有宗教经验的朋友们亲密来往必然是危险的。倘若你们两个中的任何一个，或者你们三个人，顺从上帝圣灵的引导，重视自己灵魂的得救，便不会选择那些不尊重宗教事务，也没有生活在其实际影响之下的人做特殊而亲密的朋友了。你应当首先考虑永恒的事物。再没有比与虚荣随便、言谈属世虚夸之人交往更能对心思产生微妙而确实危险的影响，更能有效地消除上帝之灵给你们的严肃感想与信念了。这些人在其他方面越是动人，他们作为友伴所产生的影响就越危险，因为他们在不敬虔的生活中丢下许多诱人之事。{3T 42.2}[8]
§18
In forming friendship, great caution should be exercised lest an intimacy be contracted with one whose example it would not be safe to imitate; for the effect of such an intimacy is to lead away from God, from devotion, and the love of the truth. It is positively dangerous for you to be intimate with friends who have not a religious experience. If either of you, or all three of you, follow the leadings of Gods Spirit, or value your souls salvation, you will not choose as your particular and intimate friends those who do not maintain a serious regard for religious things, and who do not live under its practical influence. Eternal considerations should come first with you. Nothing can have a more subtle and positively dangerous influence upon the mind, and serve more effectually to banish serious impressions and the convictions of the Spirit of God, than to associate with those who are vain and careless, and whose conversation is upon the world and vanity. The more engaging these persons may be in other respects, the more dangerous is their influence as companions, because they throw around an irreligious life so many pleasing attractions. {3T 42.2}[8]
§19
上帝对你们三个都有要求，你们不能轻易将其丢在一旁。耶稣用自己宝血的代价赎买了你们。“并且你们不是自己的人；因为你们是重价买来的：所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”（林前6:19,20）。你们不为上帝做出牺牲吗？在你们每日的生活中都有重大的责任。你们每日的记录都在传递到上帝面前。你们的道路上隐藏着很多大危险。要是我能做到，我就会把你们抱在怀中，带你们安然越过这些危险；但我未蒙允许这样做。你们如今正处于人生的最关键期。如果你们激起心灵中的活力，并用这些活力来获取永恒之事，且使每件事物都服从这个目的，便会成功地完善的基督徒品格。你们都可参加属灵的战斗，反对缠累你们的罪，并可藉着基督得胜。然而这并儿戏。这将是一场剧烈的战斗，需要克己和背十字架。危险是你们没有完全意识到自己的退步和危险的情形。你们只有如此看待自己的生活，抛弃那些华而不实的幻想，脚踏实地，获得谨慎自守的经验教训，才会在为时太晚之前清醒过来。那时你就会意识到自己所犯下的可怕错误。{3T 43.1}[9]
§20
God has claims upon all three of you which you cannot lightly throw aside. Jesus has bought you with the price of His own blood. Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods. Have you no sacrifice to make for God? Great responsibilities stand before you each in everyday life. Your record is daily passing up to God. Great dangers lie hidden in your pathway. If I could, I would take you in my arms and bear you safely over them; but this I am not permitted to do. You are in the most critical period of your life history. If you arouse the energies of the soul and direct them to securing things of eternal interest, and if you make everything subordinate to this, you will make a success of perfecting Christian character. You may all engage in the spiritual warfare against besetting sins, and you may, through Christ, come off victors. But it will be no childs play. It will be a stern warfare, involving self-denial and cross bearing. The danger is that you will not fully realize your backslidings and your perilous condition. Unless you view life as it is, cast aside the brilliant fancies of imagination, and come down to the sober lessons of experience, you will awake when it is too late. You will then realize the terrible mistake you have made. {3T 43.1}[9]
§21
你所受的教育并未使你形成可靠坚固的品格，所以你必须现在获得本该在几年前获得的教育。你的母亲太溺爱你了。母亲爱自己的孩子不会太过分，但她的爱或许会不理智，而且允许情感蒙蔽眼睛，以致看不清什么才是对子女最好的。你有一个宽容慈爱的母亲。她太过包庇自己的子女。她的生活几乎被儿女本该承担的重担压垮了，他们原本可以比她更好地担起那些担子。{3T 43.2}[10]
§22
Your education has not been of that kind to form solid, substantial characters, therefore you have to obtain now the education which you should have had years ago. Your mother was too fond of you. A mother cannot love her children too well, but she may love unwisely and allow her affection to blind her to their best interests. You have had an indulgent, tender mother. She has shielded her children too much. Her life has been nearly crushed out by the burdens which her children should have taken, and which they could have borne better than she. {3T 43.2}[10]
§23
你的品格中缺乏坚强与克己，会严重地妨碍你获得真正的、不象流沙的宗教经验。你应当培养自己有坚定而正直的宗旨。这对于成功的基督徒生活来说是必不可少的。你如果心地正直，就不会偏离正义，也没有什么动机足以使你偏离自己的本分。你必忠于上帝。恋爱与交友，不会使你离开真理和责任。你就不会因爱好而牺牲自己的义务。{3T 44.1}[11]
§24
The lack of firmness and self-denial in your characters is a serious drawback in obtaining a genuine religious experience that will not be sliding sand. Firmness and integrity of purpose should be cultivated. These qualities are positively necessary to a successful Christian life. If you have integrity of soul you will not be swayed from the right. No motive will be sufficient to move you from the straight line of duty; you will be loyal and true to God. The pleadings of affection and love, the yearnings of friendship, will not move you to turn aside from truth and duty; you will not sacrifice duty to inclination. {3T 44.1}[11]
§25
我的弟兄阿，如果你受引诱与一位年轻幼稚，缺乏人生日常责任实际经验的女子结为终生伴侣，那就铸成大错了。更有甚者，她还不明白自己对于上帝的责任。她并非缺乏亮光，因她本享有宗教的特权，但她却没有感觉到自己离开基督的可怜罪况。你在恋爱的时候，如果一再缺席上帝与祂百姓相聚的祷告会，而与那不爱上帝，对宗教生活不感兴趣的人约会，你又怎能指望上帝成全这种结合呢？不要操之过急。早婚是不宜提倡的。不论是男青年或是女青年，如果他们不尊重上帝的要求，不注意宗教信仰对他们的要求，就必有危险不会适当重视丈夫或妻子的要求。你习惯放弃宗教的特权和祷告的良辰，去与你的对象约会，这是很危险的。你正在蒙受不可弥补的损失。谈情说爱至深夜的习惯不蒙上帝所悦纳，即使你们俩都是基督徒。这种不合时宜的做法有损于健康，使你不能胜任次日的工作，容貌憔悴。我的弟兄，我希望你要自尊，避免这样的恋爱方式。你若专心仰望上帝的荣耀，就能谨慎行事，不会意乱情迷到看不清上帝对你这个基督徒的崇高要求。{3T 44.2}[12]
§26
If you, my brother, are allured to unite your life interest with a young, inexperienced girl, who is really deficient in education in the common, practical, daily duties of life, you make a mistake; but this deficiency is small compared with her ignorance in regard to her duty to God. She has not been destitute of light; she has had religious privileges, and yet she has not felt her wretched sinfulness without Christ. If, in your infatuation, you can repeatedly turn from the prayer meeting, where God meets with His people, in order to enjoy the society of one who has no love for God and who sees no attractions in the religious life, how can you expect God to prosper such a union? Be not in haste. Early marriages should not be encouraged. If either young women or young men have no respect for the claims of God, if they fail to heed the claims which bind them to religion, there will be danger that they will not properly regard the claims of the husband or of the wife. The habit of frequently being in the society of the one of your choice, and that, too, at the sacrifice of religious privileges and of your hours of prayer, is dangerous; you sustain a loss that you cannot afford. The habit of sitting up late at night is customary; but it is not pleasing to God, even if you are both Christians. These untimely hours injure health, unfit the mind for the next days duties, and have an appearance of evil. My brother, I hope you will have self-respect enough to shun this form of courtship. If you have an eye single to the glory of God you will move with deliberate caution. You will not suffer lovesick sentimentalism to so blind your vision that you cannot discern the high claims that God has upon you as a Christian. {3T 44.2}[12]
§27
亲爱的青年们，我对你们三个说。愿荣耀上帝和获得与祂相像的品格能成为你们的目标。邀请上帝的圣灵来塑造你们的品格。如今是借着羔羊的宝血洗净你们品格之衣袍，使其洁白的绝佳时机。我视此为你们每一位命运的转折点。基督问道，你们要选取哪一样呢？要我呢，还是要世界？上帝要你的心与情都向祂作无条件的降服。基督说：如果你们爱朋友，弟兄，姊妹，父母，房屋，田地，过于爱我，就不配作我的门徒。宗教信仰使人对其主张要尽最大的义务，并要本其原则而行。神秘的磁针怎样指向北极，照样，宗教的要求也是指向上帝的荣耀。你们受浸之时所立的约，定下了你们的义务，必须尊荣你们的创造主，立志克己，钉死情欲，使自己的心思意念顺从基督的心意。{3T 45.1}[13]
§28
Dear youth, I address myself to you three. Let it be your aim to glorify God and attain His moral likeness. Invite the Spirit of God to mold your characters. Now is your golden opportunity to wash your robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. I regard this as the turning point in the destiny of each of you. Which will you choose, says Christ, Me or the world? God calls for an unconditional surrender of the heart and affections to Him. If you love friends, brothers or sisters, father or mother, houses or lands, more than Me, says Christ, you are not worthy of Me. Religion lays the soul under the greatest obligation to her claims, to walk by her principles. As the mysterious magnet points to the north, so do the claims of religion point to the glory of God. You are bound by your baptismal vows to honor your Creator and to resolutely deny self and crucify your affections and lusts, and bring even your thoughts into obedience to the will of Christ. {3T 45.1}[13]
§29
要避免进入试探。当试探围绕你，你又不能控制自己所临到的环境时，便可要求上帝的应许，并用信心和意识力大声说：“我靠着那加给我力量的凡事都能做”（腓4:13）。你的力量完全在乎上帝。但你若感觉不到自己的软弱和有罪，就决不会感到需要那唯一能救你的力量。你宝贵的救主耶稣此时此刻正在向你呼吁，祂要你坚定立场在永恒真理的基础上。你若与祂同受苦难，祂就必在永恒的国度中赐给你荣耀的冠冕。你若愿意为祂牺牲一切，祂便要做你的救主。然而，你若选择自己的道路，就必行在黑暗里，直到你再也没有机会获得永恒的赏赐。{3T 45.2}[14]
§30
Avoid running into temptation. When temptations surround you, and you cannot control the circumstances which expose you to them, then you may claim the promise of God, and with confidence and conscious power exclaim: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. There is strength for you all in God. But you will never feel your need of that strength which alone is able to save you, unless you feel your weakness and sinfulness. Jesus, your precious Saviour, now calls you to take your position firmly upon the platform of eternal truth. If you suffer with Him, He will crown you with glory in His everlasting kingdom. If you are willing to sacrifice all for Him, then He will be your Saviour. But if you choose your own way you will follow on in darkness until it is too late to secure the eternal reward. {3T 45.2}[14]
§31
你愿意为真理的缘故舍弃什么呢？你只有短短的一段时间可以培养品格中高尚的特质。你们都多少有些不满不快。你们有很多的牢骚抱怨。你们谈论疑惑责备他人。这些毛病在F和H身上尤为明显。你们的心里充满了骄傲，有时甚至充满了苦毒怨恨。你们忽视了自己的内室，不喜爱履行宗教职责。如果你们一直坚持努力，长成你们永活的元首基督的身量，现在就必十分坚强，能够用自己的影响力造福他人。如果你们培养了坚定、始终如一、不能动摇的活力，现在便足以抵挡试探了。然而，只有藉着使心灵降服于宗教的要求才能获得这些宝贵的品质。这样你们的动机便会高尚，理智和情感也会因高尚的原则而保持均衡。倘若我们只从事健康的活动，上帝就会与我们同工。我们应当感到人的努力和热心行动必需与神能联合。我们可以在上帝里站出来，刚强以得胜。E弟兄啊，你远远没能立志行事存心忍耐。{3T 46.1}[15]
§32
What have you been willing to suffer for the truths sake? You have a very short period in which to cultivate the noble traits of your characters. You have all been, to some extent, dissatisfied and unhappy. You have had many complaints to make. You have talked unbelief and have censured others. Especially is this true of F and H. Your hearts have been filled with pride, and even with bitterness at times. Your closets have been neglected, and you have not loved the exercises of religious duties. If you had been persevering in your efforts to grow up into Christ, your living Head, you would now be strong, and competent to bless others with your influence. If you had cultivated a steady, uniform, unwavering energy you would now be strong to resist temptation. But these precious qualities can only be gained through a surrender of the soul to the claims of religion. Then the motives will be high, and the intellect and affections will be balanced by noble principles. God will work with us if we will only engage in healthy action. We must feel the necessity of uniting our human efforts and zealous action with divine power. We can stand forth in God, strong to conquer. You, Brother E, have greatly failed in energy of purpose to do and to endure. {3T 46.1}[15]
§33
在教育孩童及青年上，在对他们姑息、容纵，溺爱上，人们犯了何等大的错误啊！这使他们变成自私、无能、及在人生小事上不能胜任。他们未受训练执行日常的，也许是微小的本分，以获得品格的力量。你忽视了甘心乐意履行那直接摆在你面前的职责，而这些职责必须有人来做。我们都很想望找到更大更尊贵的工作。 {3T 46.2}[16]
§34
What a great mistake is made in the education of children and youth, in favoring, indulging, and petting them. They become selfish and inefficient, and lack energy in the little things of life. They are not trained to acquire strength of character by the performance of everyday duties, lowly though they may be. You neglect to do willingly and cheerfully that which lies directly before you to do, and which someone must do. There is a great desire with all of us to find a larger, more exalted work. {3T 46.2}[16]
§35
人在执行微小的本分上若不忠心，就不配担负重大的工作。品格是逐渐形成的，人在受训练时所付出的精力与功夫，是与其所要成就之事业的大小成正比例的。如果我们是环境的傀儡，就一定无法塑造完美的基督徒品格。你必须控制环境，而不是让环境控制你。你可以在基督的十字架获得力量。如今你可以渐渐的成长，克服种种的困难，战胜习惯的力量。你需要耶稣赐生命的力量激励你。你应当被基督所吸引并披戴祂神圣的优美与美德。G弟兄的女儿需要获得教育，她若作妻子，并不比一个十岁的女孩更能胜任生活中的义务和种种困难。 {3T 46.3}[17]
§36
No one is qualified for great and important work unless he has been faithful in the performance of little duties. It is by degrees that the character is formed and that the soul is trained to put forth effort and energy proportionate to the task which is to be accomplished. If we are creatures of circumstance, we shall surely fail of perfecting Christian characters. You must master circumstances, and not allow circumstances to master you. You can find energy at the cross of Christ. You can now grow by degrees, and conquer difficulties, and overcome force of habit. You need to be stimulated by the life-giving force of Jesus. You should be attracted to Christ and clothed with His divine beauty and excellence. Brother Gs daughter has an education to gain; she is no more competent for the duties and difficulties of life as a wife than a schoolgirl ten years old. {3T 46.3}[17]
§37
在你一切的追求中，宗教应当最作为你的指导，且应完全掌控你的情感。倘若你毫无保留地将自己降服在基督的手中，让祂的大能成为你的力量，那么，你道德的眼光将会十分清晰，可以辨别品格的本质，以致你不会被外表的事物所迷惑而在交友上犯大的错误。你的道德能力必须敏锐，以便承受严峻的考验而不致受到玷污。你心灵的正直应当十分坚定，以致虚荣、炫耀、或者谄媚都不能使你动摇。 {3T 47.1}[18]
§38
Religion should dictate and guide you in all your pursuits, and should hold absolute control over your affections. If you yield yourselves unreservedly into the hands of Christ, making His power your strength, then will your moral vision be clear to discern quality of character that you may not be deceived by appearances and make great mistakes in your friendship. Your moral power must be keen and sensitive, that it may bear severe tests and not be marred. Your integrity of soul should be so firm that vanity, display, or flattery will not move you. {3T 47.1}[18]
§39
与上帝和好是多么重要的事情啊，心灵要与其创造主和谐一致，这样，即使在披着欺人外衣、引人偏离职守的邪恶榜样的歪风中，上帝也会派天使来搭救你！但你要记住，倘若你自招试探，便不会得到从天而来的帮助以保你不败了。那三位希伯来青年经历了火窑的考验，因为耶稣在烈焰中与他们同行。倘若他们靠着自己进入火窑，就早已被火烧灭了。你也一样。你若不是故意进入试探，当试探临到时，上帝就必帮助你。 {3T 47.2}[19]
§40
Oh, it is a great thing to be right with God, the soul in harmony with its Maker, so that, amid the contagion of evil example, which by its deceitful appearance would lure the soul from duty, angels may be sent to your rescue! But bear in mind, if you invite temptation, you will not have divine aid to keep you from being overcome. The three worthies endured the fiery furnace, for Jesus walked with them in the fiery flame. If they had, of themselves, walked into the fire, they would have been consumed. Thus will it be with you. If you do not walk deliberately into temptation, God will sustain you when the temptation comes. {3T 47.2}[19]