第24章 青年的危险和责任
§1
第24章 青年的危险和责任
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Chap. 24 - Dangers and Duties of Youth
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（写给二位青年）
§4
去年十二月，我蒙指示看到青年们的危险和试探。O弟兄的两个儿子需要改变。他们需要每天向自我死去。忠心的使徒保罗每天都有新鲜的经验。他说：“我是天天死”。这正是这些青年人所需要的经验。他们有危险忽视当前的职责，无视实际生活所必需的教育。他们视书本的教育为成功人生的首要之事。{3T 221.2}[1]
§5
【 Addressed to Two Young Men 】
§6
Last December I was shown the dangers and temptations of youth. The two younger sons of Father O need to be converted. They need to die daily to self. Paul, the faithful apostle, had a fresh experience daily. He says: I die daily. This is exactly the experience that these young men need. They are in danger of overlooking present duty and of neglecting the education that is essential for practical life. They regard education in books as the all-important matter to be attended to in order to make life a success. {3T 221.2}[1]
§7
这些青年人忽略了在家中的本分。他们还没有学会履行职责，担负起家中的职责，就是他们所应尽的义务。他们有一位忠诚劳碌的母亲，担负了孩子们所不应该让她负担的许多担子。他们这样作，就是不孝敬母亲。他们也没有以分担父亲的担子为己任，疏忽了对父亲所应有的尊敬。他们宁肯随从自己的爱好也不肯履行本分。他们在生活中自私自利，规避重担和辛劳，没有获得人生成功所必不可少的经验。他们没有认识到在小事上忠心的重要性，也没有认识到对父母所应尽的本分，就是忠心诚实地去实行当前卑微的生活职责。他们忽略了实际生活中所必需的普通知识。{3T 221.3}[2]
§8
These young men have duties at home which they overlook. They have not learned to take up the duties and bear the home responsibilities which it is their duty to bear. They have a faithful, practical mother, who has borne many burdens which her children should not have suffered her to bear. In this they have failed to honor their mother. They have not shared the burdens of their father as was their duty, and have neglected to honor him as they should. They follow inclination rather than duty. They have pursued a selfish course in their lives, in shunning burdens and toil, and have failed to obtain a valuable experience which they cannot afford to be deprived of if they would make life a success. They have not felt the importance of being faithful in little things, nor have they felt under obligation to their parents to be true, thorough, and faithful in the humble, lowly duties of life which lie directly in their pathway. They look above the common branches of knowledge, so very necessary for practical life. {3T 221.3}[2]
§9
这些青年人若是要造福社会，就当先造福自己的家庭。如果他们屈从嗜好，不慎思明辨，以圣灵所启迪的良心作指引，就不能造福社会和自己的父家，并要危及自己今世与来生的前途。许多青年人认为在自己这样的年龄是不必挂虑操心的，就把光阴消耗在闲懒的娱乐，嬉闹，玩笑和其他愚昧的放纵上。一些人沉湎于愚妄和纵欲，只顾及一时的快乐。他们对于娱乐，社交，闲谈和戏笑的爱好因放纵而加深了。他们对生活的严肃现实失去了一切兴趣，对家庭的义务似乎毫不关心。他们觉得家中的一切太平淡，满足不了他们，于是他们就变得不安，暴躁和易怒。这些青年人应当认识到，使家庭幸福快乐乃是他们的本分。他们应当把阳光带入住所，而不是因无谓的抱怨和悲伤不满给家人带来阴影。{3T 222.1}[3]
§10
If these young men would be a blessing anywhere, it should be at home. If they yield to inclination, instead of being guided by the cautious decision of sober reason, sound judgment, and enlightened conscience, they cannot be a blessing to society or to their fathers family, and their prospects in this world and in the better world may be endangered. Many youth receive the impression that their early life is not designed for caretaking, but to be frittered away in idle sport, in jesting, in joking, and in foolish indulgences. While engaged in folly and indulgence of the senses, some think of nothing but the momentary gratification connected with it. Their desire for amusement, their love for society and for chatting and laughing, increases by indulgence, and they lose all relish for the sober realities of life, and home duties seem uninteresting. There is not enough change to meet their minds, and they become restless, peevish, and irritable. These young men should feel it a duty to make home happy and cheerful. They should bring sunshine into the dwelling, rather than a shadow by needless repining and unhappy discontent. {3T 222.1}[3]
§11
这些青年应当记得，他们对自己所享有的一切特权是要负责的，他们要对善用自己的光阴负责，也必须对善用自己的才干做具体的交代。他们或许会问：难道我们就不能有休闲娱乐的时间吗？难道我们就应当一成不变地工作，工作，再工作吗？他们可以从事的任何娱乐，凭着信心祈求上帝的祝福，便不是危险的。然而，任何使他们不能私祷、专诚祈祷或参加祷告会的娱乐都不安全，而是十分危险的。在工作疲劳时放松一下是很有必要的，以便重新开始工作，取得更大的成效。但是一味休息是不必要的，对于体力的恢复也未必有最大的帮助。当他们工作疲劳的时候，不必浪费自己宝贵的时间。他们可以试着找一些并不那么费力，但又能帮助他们母亲与姊妹的活来做。他们承担起姊妹们所干的粗活，以减轻她们的劳累，就能发现来自原则的快乐，享受到真正的幸福，而他们的时间也不会浪费在无聊或自私的放纵之中了。他们的时间就会总是用在有益的事上，他们也各样活动的变换而常觉新鲜，同时也节省了时间，这样他们时时刻刻都会有益于人。{3T 222.2}[4]
§12
These young men should remember that they are responsible for all the privileges they have enjoyed, that they are accountable for the improvement of their time and must render an exact account for the improvement of their abilities. They may inquire: Shall we have no amusement or recreation? Shall we work, work, work, without variation? Any amusement in which they can engage asking the blessing of God upon it in faith will not be dangerous. But any amusement which disqualifies them for secret prayer, for devotion at the altar of prayer, or for taking part in the prayer meeting is not safe, but dangerous. A change from physical labor that has taxed the strength severely may be very necessary for a time, that they may again engage in labor, putting forth exertion with greater success. But entire rest may not be necessary, or even be attended with the best results so far as their physical strength is concerned. They need not, even when weary with one kind of labor, trifle away their precious moments. They may then seek to do something not so exhausting, but which will be a blessing to their mother and sisters. In lightening their cares by taking upon themselves the roughest burdens they have to bear, they can find that amusement which springs from principle and which will yield them true happiness, and their time will not be spent in trifling or in selfish indulgence. Their time may be ever employed to advantage, and they be constantly refreshed with variation, and yet be redeeming the time, so that every moment will tell with good account to some one. {3T 222.2}[4]
§13
你们一直认为最重要的是获得各科教育。无知不是美德，知识未必会妨碍基督徒的成长；但你们若本着原则寻求知识，树立正确的目标，感到自己对上帝的义务，要利用自己的才干造福他人并促进上帝的荣耀，那么知识便能帮助你们达成这个目标；它会帮助你们运用上帝赐给你们的能力，为祂服务。{3T 223.1}[5]
§14
You have thought that it was of the highest importance to obtain an education in the sciences. There is no virtue in ignorance, and knowledge will not necessarily dwarf Christian growth; but if you seek for it from principle, having the right object before you and feeling your obligation to God to use your faculties to do good to others and promote His glory, knowledge will aid you to accomplish this end; it will help you to bring into exercise the powers which God has given you, and to employ them in His service. {3T 223.1}[5]
§15
但是年轻人哪，假如你们获得了非常多的知识，却未能将这些知识实际应用出来，便没有达到目标。你们若为了获得一种教育而非常专注自己的学业，以致忽视了祈祷和宗教的特权，对于自己属灵的福利粗心大意漠不关心，你们若停止在基督门下学习，就是在为一碗红豆汤出卖自己长子的名分。你们不应片刻忘记自己获得教育的目的乃是要发展和指导自己的才干，好使你们更有效用，尽力造福他人。你们若因获得知识而更爱自己，更喜欢找藉口脱卸责任，还是不受教育为好。如果你们热爱并醉心于书本，让它们阻碍你们尽本分，以致你们觉得不愿意放下自己的学习和读物去从事必须有人做的基本劳作，就当克制自己学习的愿望，去培养一种爱好，做你们目前不感兴趣的那些事。凡在最小的事上忠心的人，在更大的事上也会忠心。{3T 223.2}[6]
§16
But, young men, if you gain ever so much knowledge and yet fail to put that knowledge to a practical use you fail of your object. If, in obtaining an education, you become so absorbed in your studies that you neglect prayer and religious privileges, and become careless and indifferent to the welfare of your souls, if you cease to learn in the school of Christ, you are selling your birthright for a mess of pottage. The object for which you are obtaining an education should not be lost sight of for a moment. It should be to so develop and direct your faculties that you may be more useful and bless others to the extent of your ability. If by obtaining knowledge you increase your love of yourselves, and your inclination to excuse yourselves from bearing responsibilities, you are better without an education. If you love and idolize books, and allow them to get between you and your duties, so that you feel a reluctance to leave your studies and your reading to do essential labor that someone must do, you should restrain your desire to study and cultivate a love for doing those things in which you now take no interest. He that is faithful in that which is least will also be faithful in greater things. {3T 223.2}[6]
§17
你们需要培养对自己的父母和弟兄姐妹们的爱心。爱弟兄，要彼此亲热；恭敬人，要彼此推让。殷勤不可懒惰。要心里火热，常常服事主。在指望中要喜乐，在患难中要忍耐，祷告要恒切。圣徒缺乏要帮补；客要一味的款待（罗12:10-13）。年轻人哪，你们不可为了自己的学业而牺牲永恒的利益，这是不划算的。你们的教师或许会用称赞激励你，你们或许会被撒但的诡辩欺骗。你们可能会一步一步被引诱追求胜过他人，获得教师们的称赞，然而，你们在神圣生活和实际宗教上的知识却越来越少长进了。在圣洁尊贵的天使面前，在宇宙的创造主和天上的大君基督面前，你们的名字会很不光亮。在你们的名下将是罪恶、错误、失败、疏忽和在属灵的知识上无知的记录，这种无知会使天父和祂的圣子我们的中保耶稣及服役的众天使耻于认你们为上帝的儿女。{3T 224.1}[7]
§18
You need to cultivate love and affection for your parents and for your brothers and sisters. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Young men, you cannot afford to sacrifice your eternal interests for your school studies. Your teachers may stimulate you by applause, and you may be deceived by the sophistry of Satan. You may be led on step by step to seek to excel and to obtain the approbation of your teachers, but your knowledge in the divine life, in experimental religion, will grow less and less. Your names will stand registered before the holy, exalted angels and before the Creator of the universe and Christ, the Majesty of heaven, in a very poor light. Opposite them will be a record of sins, of mistakes, failures, neglects, and such ignorance in spiritual knowledge that the Father and His Son, Jesus our Advocate, and ministering angels will be ashamed to own you as children of God. {3T 224.1}[7]
§19
在学校中你们面临着种种的试探，而在你们父亲的家中，在敬畏上帝之父母的看护之下是不会遭受这些试探的。你们在家里若每天祷告两次或者三次，祈求上帝的恩典使你们脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，你们在学校里就需要更加恳切不断地祷告了，因为你们在学校里要遭受各样的试探和这个堕落时代的腐败影响，因为你们所处的环境更不利于形成基督徒的品格。{3T 224.2}[8]
§20
In attending school you are exposed to a variety of temptations to which you would not be exposed at home in your fathers house, under the watchcare of God-fearing parents. If while at home you prayed by yourselves twice or three times a day for grace to escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust, you need to pray as much more earnestly and constantly when at school, exposed to temptations and the contaminating influences which prevail in schools in this degenerate age, as your surroundings are more unfavorable to the formation of Christian character. {3T 224.2}[8]
§21
这些青年没有足够的基督徒品格的力量，尤其是A O。他没有在真理上根基稳固。他没有持住上帝，所以没有得到从上面来的力量和亮光，反而一直为自己的心灵收集黑暗。他听到的不信言论太多，且对真理几乎没有实际的兴趣，所以没有准备好说明自己盼望的缘由。他就像风中摇摆不定的芦苇。他的心地虽然和善，却喜爱嬉笑、懒惰和年轻朋友们的陪伴。他放纵这样的癖好以致牺牲了自己灵魂的利益。我的弟兄啊，你应当避免过多与这些漠视宗教信仰的青年来往，这一点很重要。你的思想和内心的修养，连同人生的实际义务，需要你花大量的时间与那些其言谈和信心会使你对真理更有信心和爱心的人交往。{3T 225.1}[9]
§22
These young men have not sufficient strength of Christian character; especially is this the case with A O. He is not settled, rooted, and grounded in the truth. His hold of God has been so slight that he has not been receiving strength and light from above, but has been gathering darkness to his own soul. He has heard unbelief talked so much and has taken so little practical interest in the truth that he is not prepared to give a reason of his hope. He is unstable like a reed trembling in the wind. He is kind at heart, yet loves fun, idleness, and the company of his young friends. He has indulged this inclination to the sacrifice of his souls interest. It is important, my brother, that you avoid mingling too much in the society of irreligious youth. The culture of your mind and heart, in connection with the practical duties of life, requires that a large share of your time be spent in the society of those whose conversation and faith will increase your faith and love for the truth. {3T 225.1}[9]
§23
你一直试图摆脱信仰真理加于你的束缚，但又不敢很大胆地表示不信。你常常选择世界的轻浮，并与那些不自省无信仰的人交往，你实际上一直重视那等使真理受到藐视的人。在这样的交往中，你的信心和意志都不够坚定。为了消磨时间，你放纵了一种轻浮的精神，这确实伤害了你，使你的良心迟钝。你喜爱人的称赞。你若是通过正当的方法获得称赞，就不那么有罪了；但你有危险自欺欺人；在这一点上你需要谨慎，确保你所受的称赞都是应得的。倘若别人赞成你是因为你有健全的原则和道德价值，这便是你的成就。但倘若人们宠着你，奉承你，向你献殷勤是因为你可以做欢快的演讲和灵巧的评论，因为你愉快、活泼、诙谐，而不是因为你具有才智和道德上的价值，那些明智敬虔的男女就会视你为可怜的人，而不是可羡慕的人了。你应当提防奉承。凡愚蠢到奉承你的人都不能作你真正的朋友。真正能做你朋友的人乃是会警戒你、恳劝你、提醒你、并谴责你错误的人。{3T 225.2}[10]
§24
You have tried to throw off the restraint that the belief of the truth imposes, but you have not dared to be very bold in your unbelief. Too often the levities of the world, and the society of those from whom self-communion and religion are excluded, have been your choice, and you have been, to all intents and purposes, reckoned with that class who bring the truth into contempt. You are not strong enough in faith or purpose to be in such society. In order to kill time you have indulged in a spirit of trifling which has done positive injury to you by blunting your conscience. You love approbation. If you gain this in an honorable way, it is not so sinful; but you are in danger of deceiving yourself and others; you need to be guarded on this point and see that you earn all the approval you receive. If you are approved because of your sound principles and moral worth, this is your gain. But if you are petted and courted and flattered because you can make bright speeches and apt remarks, and because you are cheerful, lively, and witty, and not because of intellectual and moral worth, you will be looked upon by sensible, godly men and women as an object of pity rather than envy. You should be guarded against flattery. Whoever is foolish enough to flatter you cannot be your true friend. Your true friends will caution, entreat, and warn you, and reprove your faults. {3T 225.2}[10]
§25
你已经向黑暗的不信敞开了心门。应当本着敬畏上帝的心关闭这扇门。要探索我们信仰的证据和柱石并紧紧握住它们。你需要对现代真理有这种信心，因为这会成为你的锚碇，使你的品格有活力、效能和高贵的尊严，博得人的敬仰。要鼓励勤奋的习惯。这是你严重缺乏的。你和你兄弟都有成功的美好想法，但要记住你们唯一的希望是在上帝身上。你们的前景有时或许令人乐观，但这些期望使你们瞧不起简朴卑下的家庭义务和宗教义务，必将以失败告终。我亲爱的青年朋友啊，你们需要在上帝面前谦卑己心，并藉着不断认识主，藉着每日度纯洁无瑕、高尚正直、彻底履行基督徒职责和人生实际责任的生活来造福他人，获得一种丰富且宝贵的基督徒经验。你们在家中有应尽的义务，你们还有很多应当承担却没有承担的责任。{3T 226.1}[11]
§26
You have opened your mind to dark unbelief. Close it in the fear of God. Seek for the evidences, the pillars, of our faith and lay hold upon them with firm grasp. You need this confidence in present truth, for it will prove an anchor to you. It will impart to your character an energy, efficiency, and noble dignity that will command respect. Encourage habits of industry. You are seriously lacking here. Both you and your brother have brilliant ideas of success, but remember that in God is your only hope. Your prospects may at times look flattering to you, but anticipations which exalt you above simple, humble home duties, and above religious duties, will prove a failure. You, my dear young friends, need to humble your hearts before God and be obtaining a rich and valuable experience in the Christian life by following on to know the Lord and blessing others by daily lives of spotless purity, of noble integrity, of thoroughness in the performance of Christian duty and the duties of practical life. You have duties to do at home; you have responsibilities to bear which you have not yet lifted. {3T 226.1}[11]
§27
你们种的是什么，收的也是什么。这些青年如今正在播撒种子。他们生活中的每一举动，所说的每一句话都是或善或恶的种子。他们种的是什么，收的也是什么。倘若他们放纵轻率、贪欲、不正当的情感，或沉湎于食欲的满足和未成圣之心的倾向，倘若他们培养骄傲及错误的原则并怀抱着不忠或放荡的习惯，就要收获大量的懊悔、羞耻与绝望。{3T 226.2}[12]
§28
That which ye sow ye shall also reap. These young men are now sowing the seed. Every act of their lives, every word spoken, is a seed for good or evil. As is the seed, so will be the crop. If they indulge hasty, lustful, perverted passions or give up to the gratification of appetite or the inclination of their unsanctified hearts; if they foster pride or wrong principles and cherish habits of unfaithfulness or dissipation, they will reap a plentiful harvest of remorse, shame, and despair. {3T 226.2}[12]
§29
上帝的圣天使正在设法引导这些青年人诚挚地呼求主：“愿你做我青年时期的向导。”众天使正在邀请并力图牵拉他们脱离撒但的陷阱。他们若愿意追求获得天国，就可得到天国。他们若愿意为天国舍弃一切，就会得到那不朽的荣耀冠冕。{3T 227.1}[13]
§30
Angels of God are seeking to lead these young men to cry unto the Lord in sincerity: Be Thou the guide of my youth. Angels are inviting and seeking to draw them from the snares of Satan. Heaven may be theirs if they will seek to obtain it. A crown of immortal glory will be theirs if they will give all for heaven. - {3T 227.1}[13]