第30章 幻想
§1
第30章 幻想 Chap. 30 – Daydreaming
§2
亲爱的E姐妹：我蒙指示看到你需要彻底悔改。你接受了真理，却没有领受真理所带来的福气，因为你没有经验真理改变人心的能力。你有危险丧失两个世界，除非你的心中有更彻底的恩典之工，除非你的意愿顺从基督的心意。{3T 329.3}[1]
§3
Dear Sister E: I have been shown that you need a thorough conversion. You have accepted the truth, but have not received the blessings that the truth brings, because you have not experienced its transforming power. You are in danger of losing both worlds unless you have a more thorough work of grace in your heart and unless your will is brought into conformity to the mind and will of Christ. {3T 329.3}[1]
§4
目前，你还没有走到正路上，不能获得真实的、谦卑的、背十字架的信徒必定要领受的平安与幸福。你有你父亲的品格特征。你有自私的性情，你虽没有意识到这一点，但确实如此。你首要的意念乃是为了自己，要取悦你自己，去做那些最符合你心意的事情，不管周围之人的快乐。你在寻求幸福的事上正在犯错误。你若找到幸福，就会发现它在履行义务和忘我的精神里。你的心思集中在自己身上时，是不会幸福的。{3T 329.4}[2]
§5
You are not now on the right track to obtain that peace and happiness which the true, humble, cross-bearing believer is sure to receive. You have the stamp of your fathers character. You have a selfish disposition; you do not realize this, but it is true. Your principal thoughts are for yourself, to please yourself, to do those things which will be most agreeable to yourself, without reference to the happiness of those around you. You are making a mistake in searching for happiness. If you find it, it will be in the performance of duty and the forgetfulness of self. While your thoughts are so much upon yourself, you cannot be happy. {3T 329.4}[2]
§6
你忽视了快乐地从事上帝留给你去做的工作。你忽视那些直接摆在你道路上的平凡、简单的义务，却幻想着从事某种更伟大的工作，以为那才会更合你的口味，弥补你人生的缺乏，供应你心灵的需要。在这一点上你一定会失望的。上帝留给你做的工作就是你周围那些平凡的日常义务，你要快乐地而不是机械地从事这些普通的家庭义务，把心放在你所做的事上，用心和双手去尽那摆在你面前的简单义务。{3T 330.1}[3]
§7
You neglect to cheerfully engage in the work which God has left you to do. You overlook the common, simple duties lying directly in your pathway, and your mind wanders off to some greater work, which you imagine will be more congenial to your taste, and which will supply the lack in your life, the barrenness in your soul. You will surely be disappointed here. The work which God has left you to do is to take up the common, everyday duties which are right around you and do the plain, homely duties of life cheerfully, not mechanically, but having your heart in what you do, performing with your heart, as well as with your hands, the simple duties which lie before you. {3T 330.1}[3]
§8
你没有学习如何使他人快乐；你的眼睛没有睁开，努力看明你能做什么小事，能向你的父母和家人在每日谦恭有礼的生活中表示什么小小的关注。你认为与家人隔绝是一件美事，你念念不忘那些不愉快的想法和经历，收集各样的荆棘，满足于用他们伤害你自己。你沉湎于梦想的习惯，这个习惯必须打破。你没有履行自己的义务。你忽视那应当去做以减轻他人劳苦的工作，为要享受放纵自己不快乐冥想的乐趣。你不认识自己！你应当履行自己的义务！振作起来，履行自己所忽视的义务吧。藉着日后的忠实来弥补自己的过去吧。挑起摆在你面前的工作，藉着忠心履行自己的义务，你就会忘记自己，也就没有时间冥想和变得阴郁了，你也不会感觉不愉快了。{3T 330.2}[4]
§9
You do not study to make others happy; your eyes are not open, trying to discern what little things you can do, what little attentions in the daily courtesies of life you can show to your parents and the members of the household. You have felt too much that it was a virtue to shut yourself away from the family, and brood over your unhappy thoughts and unhappy experience, gathering thorns, and taking satisfaction in wounding yourself with them. You indulge in a dreamy habit, which must be broken up. You leave duties undone. Work which you ought to do to relieve others you neglect for the pleasure of indulging your own unhappy musings. You do not know yourself. Up to duty! Arouse yourself and take up your neglected duty. Redeem the past by future faithfulness. Take hold of the work before you, and, in the faithful performance of duty, you will forget yourself and will not have time to muse and become gloomy, and feel disagreeable and unhappy. {3T 330.2}[4]
§10
你几乎要学习基督徒经验中的每一件事情。如果你要获得永远的生命，那么你可以也必须改善的速度远远不够。如今正是你建立品格的时期，要么为天国建立品格，要么培养一种阻止你进入天国的品格。你一门心思专注于自己，并没有意识到要想做温柔谦卑之耶稣的真门徒，你必须做什么。你忽视了自己在家庭中的责任。你在家庭中已经成了一片阴霾和阴影，而你的特权乃是要成为照耀他们的光，造福你周围的亲人。你总是易怒、烦躁、不快乐，而事实上并没有什么事使你这样。你一直没有意识到要看看自己可以做什么以减轻你母亲的重担，并尽可能地使你父母蒙福。你总是指望你的父母和姐妹们能帮助你，使你快乐并服侍你，为你做事，而你内心的思想全是以自我为中心的。你内心中没有上帝的恩典，而你却自我欺骗，以为你在认识上帝的旨意上实在是进步的。{3T 331.1}[5]
§11
You have almost everything to learn in the Christian experience. You are not improving as fast as you might, and as you must, if you ever obtain eternal life. You are now forming a character for heaven or one which will debar you from heaven. You have had your mind and thoughts so engrossed in yourself that you have not realized what you must do in order to become a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. You have neglected your home duties. You have been a cloud and a shadow in the family, when it was your privilege to shed light and be a blessing to the dear ones around you. You have been pettish, fretful, and unhappy, when there was, in reality, nothing to make you so. You have not been awake to see what you might do to lift the burdens from your mother and to bless your parents in every way possible. You have looked to your parents and sisters to help you to be happy and to minister to you, to do for you, while your thoughts have been centered upon yourself. You have not had the grace of God in your heart, while you have deceived yourself in thinking that you were really advanced in the knowledge of the divine will. {3T 331.1}[5]
§12
你总是乐于与那些和我们有不同信仰的人谈论，其实你不可能在他们面前提出我们信仰的明智理由。在这件事上，你没有正确地代表真理，反而对真理的事业害多益少。倘若你少为我们的信仰辩护，多学习圣经，且使你的行为举止具有那种性质，可以证明真理对你内心和生活的影响是美好的，这样你就会远比仅仅口头谈论却在许多事上缺乏忠心更有益。{3T 331.2}[6]
§13
You have been ready to engage in conversation with those not of our faith, when it was impossible for you to present an intelligent reason of our faith before them. In this you do not rightly represent the truth and do much more injury to the cause of truth than you do good. If you should talk less in vindication of our faith and study your Bible more and let your deportment be of that character which would testify that the influence of the truth was good upon your heart and life, you would do far more good than by mere talk, while you lack faithfulness in so many things. {3T 331.2}[6]
§14
如果你认真效学我们救赎主克己牺牲的榜样——祂总是设法行善事，造福他人，而不是为自己寻欢作乐——你就可以用自己的感化力造福他人。我们置身于社会之中，家庭之内，以及在任何生活环境里，不论其范围大小，都可在许多方面承认我们的主，也可在许多方面否认祂。我们也许在言语上否认祂，例如，说别人的坏处，说愚昧的话，笑话，无聊的话，不仁的话，模棱两可的话，及与真理相反的话等。我们也许的言语上承认基督没有居住在我们的心内。我们或许在自己的品格上否认祂，例如，贪爱安乐，畏避生活上必须有人担负的责任与本分，及贪爱罪中之乐等。我们也或许因虚荣的服装，迎合世俗，及无礼貌的行为而否认祂。我们或许因偏爱自己的意见，设法维持自己和自以为义而否认祂。此外，我们也或许因放纵心思流于相思，沉于情感，念念不忘假想的苦命和磨难，而否认我们的主。{3T 331.3}[7]
§15
If you are careful to follow the example of our self-denying, self-sacrificing Redeemer, who was ever seeking to do good and to bless others, but not to find ease and pleasure and enjoyment for Himself, you will then bless others with your influence. In our mingling in society, in families or in whatever relations of life we are placed, either limited or extended, there are many ways wherein we may acknowledge our Lord and many ways wherein we may deny Him. We may deny Him in our words, by speaking evil of others, by foolish talking, jesting and joking, by idle or unkind words, or by prevaricating, speaking contrary to truth. In our words we may confess that Christ is not in us. In our character we may deny Him by loving our ease, by shunning the duties and burdens of life which someone must bear if we do not, and by loving sinful pleasure. We may also deny Christ by pride of dress and conformity to the world, or by uncourteous behavior. We may deny Him by loving our own opinions and by seeking to maintain and justify self. We may also deny Him in allowing the mind to run in the channel of lovesick sentimentalism and to brood over our supposed hard lot and trials. {3T 331.3}[7]
§16
人若非在心中存有基督的心思及精神，就不能在世人之前实在承认基督。我们不可能把自己所没有的传达给别人。言谈举止应当是内心真理和恩典的真实可见的表现。若是心已成圣，顺服，谦卑，其果效就必在外表上表现出来，并要成为承认基督的最有效方法，单是言语及口头上的承认是不够的。我的姊妹啊，除此之外，你还应当有些别的。你是在欺骗自己。你的精神，你的品格，和你的行动，都没有表现出谦卑，舍己，及仁爱的精神。言语及口头承认也许可以表明许多的谦卑及仁爱，但若是行为上没有天天受上帝恩典的管理，你仍是与天上的恩赐无分，你还没有为基督舍弃一切，也没有降服自己的意志及嗜好，去作祂的门徒。{3T 332.1}[8]
§17
No one can truly confess Christ before the world unless the mind and spirit of Christ live in him. It is impossible to communicate that which we have not. The conversation and the deportment should be a real and visible expression of grace and truth within. If the heart is sanctified, submissive, and humble, the fruits will be seen outwardly and will be a most effectual confession of Christ. Words and profession are not enough. You, my sister, must have something more than this. You are deceiving yourself. Your spirit, your character, and your actions do not show a spirit of meekness, self-denial, and charity. Words and profession may express much humility and love; but if the conduct is not regulated daily by the grace of God, you are not a partaker of the heavenly gift, you have not forsaken all for Christ, you have not surrendered your own will and pleasure to become His disciple. {3T 332.1}[8]
§18
你思想那些凄惨的事，给自己搜集磨难，平添不干己的麻烦，你这样行，就是犯罪，否认你的救主。你把明天的麻烦加在今天之上，使自己的心愁苦，制造苦难，将你四围的人置于重担及阴霾之下。上帝给你宝贵的宽容时期，要你行善，并在善事上富足，但你却很不聪明地去思想那些不快乐的事，及建起空中楼阁来。你纵容自己的想象力，去想那不能使你快乐安息的事。你的白日梦直接阻拦了你的路，使你在上帝的事上得不到健全灵巧的经验，不能为更好的生活作道德上的配备。{3T 332.2}[9]
§19
You commit sin and deny your Saviour by dwelling on gloomy things, by gathering trials to yourself, and by borrowing troubles. You bring the troubles of tomorrow into today, and embitter your own heart, and bring burdens and a cloud upon those around you, by manufacturing trials. The precious probationary time that God has given you in which to do good and become rich in good works you are very unwise to employ in thinking unhappy thoughts and in airy castle-building. You suffer your imagination to run upon subjects that will bring you no relief or happiness. Your daydreaming stands directly in the way of your obtaining a sound, healthy, intelligent experience in the things of God and a moral fitness for the better life. {3T 332.2}[9]
§20
上帝的真理被接到心里，就能使你有得救的智慧。你若信而从之，就可得到恩典，足够应付当天的责任与磨练。明天的恩典，你在今天是不需要的。你应觉得，所该作的只是今天的事而己。为今天过得胜的生活，为今天而克己，为今天而儆醒祈求，为今天而在上帝里得胜。我们的景况与环境，和每天在我们周围发生的变化，以及圣经看透与证明万事的记载，──这些都足以教我们明白自己的责任，和我们一天天应作的是什么。你不应让心思流入那些无益的思潮，乃当每日查考圣经，及尽到在日常生活中那些于目前或使你厌烦，但总得有人去尽的责任。{3T 333.1}[10]
§21
The truth of God received into the heart is able to make you wise unto salvation. In believing and obeying it you will receive grace sufficient for the duties and trials of today. Grace for tomorrow you do not need. You should feel that you have only to do with today. Overcome for today; deny self for today; watch and pray for today; obtain victories in God for today. Our circumstances and surroundings, the changes daily transpiring around us, and the written word of God which discerns and proves all things--these are sufficient to teach us our duty and just what we ought to do, day by day. Instead of suffering your mind to run in a channel of thought from which you will derive no benefit, you should be searching the Scriptures daily and doing those duties in daily life which may now be irksome to you, but which must be done by someone. {3T 333.1}[10]
§22
自然界之美景，有如莲花妙舌，向我们的感官娓娓不停地倾谈。开明清朗的心胸，在见到上帝手造之大工时，就可受到上帝的爱及荣耀所感动。细心倾听的耳官，也可从自然化工中，听见及明白上帝之话语。在一线阳光之中，及在上帝赐我们看见的自然界万物之内，都含有一种教训的。草原，高树，香花，行云，落雨，清流，光日，明月，以及诸天之间的繁星，都在招请我们的注意及默想，并要我们认识那创造万物的上帝。从自然界万物之中所学习的教训是这些：万物都是顺从其创造主的旨意；它们从不否认上帝，也从不拒行祂旨意的任一暗示。只有犯罪堕落的人，才拒绝全然顺从其创造主。他们的言行与上帝相左，反对祂政权的原则。{3T 333.2}[11]
§23
The beauties of nature have a tongue that speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart can be impressed with the love and glory of God as seen in the works of His hand. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the works of nature. There is a lesson in the sunbeam and in the various objects in nature that God has presented to our view. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the sun, moon, and stars in the heavens, all invite our attention and meditation, and bid us become acquainted with God, who made them all. The lessons to be learned from the various objects of the natural world are these: They are obedient to the will of their Creator; they never deny God, never refuse obedience to any intimation of His will. Fallen beings alone refuse to yield full obedience to their Maker. Their words and works are at variance with God and opposed to the principles of His government. {3T 333.2}[11]
§24
你的思想不高尚。在自然界中有足够的事情引导你的心爱慕你的创造主。你有可去思想的事物，不用自闭起来，用失望和扭曲的想象来填补自己的思想。不要乐此不疲地与非信徒谈论并与那些反对真理的人争论，因为你不具备足够的圣经知识来做这件事。你已忽视对圣经的研究。你可以用自己柔和的生活以及忠心履行自己日常的义务来最好地传扬真理。如果你本本分分地尽自己当尽的义务，忠实而认真地观察你可以为你所服务的人做些什么，那么你便会更好的代表真理。你能介绍真理的最好方法不是藉着争论，也不是藉着言谈，而是藉着在日常生活中实践真理，像基督的门徒一样度一种始终如一、端庄谦卑的生活。{3T 334.1}[12]
§25
Your thoughts are not elevated. There is enough in the natural world to lead you to love and adore your Creator. There is food for thought without shutting yourself away to feed on disappointed hopes and perverted imaginings. Do not be ready to talk with unbelievers and to enter into argument with those who oppose the truth, for you are not furnished with Scripture knowledge to do this. You have neglected to study your Bible. You can best recommend the truth by the meekness of your life and the faithful discharge of your daily duties. If you are conscientiously strict to do your part, and are faithful and earnest to see what you can and should do for those for whom you labor, you will then better represent the truth. The best way in which you can recommend the truth is, not by argument, not by talk, but by living it daily, by leading a consistent, modest, humble life as a disciple of Christ. {3T 334.1}[12]
§26
对于我们周围的事物或将我们置于履行谦卑琐碎义务的环境不满，是一件可悲的事。你讨厌卑下的个人义务；你焦躁不安，不满意不高兴。这一切都来自自私。你认为自己很了不起，而别人却不这么认为。你爱自己超过爱父母、姐妹、弟兄、甚至超过了爱上帝。你渴望更加符合你心意的工作，你认为这会更加适合你。你不愿意在上帝所安置你的卑微的活动领域里做工并等待，直到祂试验你，磨练你，证明你有能力，适合从事更高的职位。“温柔的人有福了！因为他们必承受地土”（太5:5）。温柔的精神不是不满的精神，而是与此截然相反的。{3T 334.2}[13]
§27
It is a sad thing to be discontented with our surroundings or with the circumstances which have placed us where our duties seem humble and unimportant. Private and humble duties are distasteful to you; you are restless, uneasy, and dissatisfied. All this springs from selfishness. You think more of yourself than others think of you. You love yourself better than you love your parents, sisters, and brother, and better than you love God. You desire more congenial labor, for which you think you will be better fitted. You are not willing to work and wait in the humble sphere of action where God has placed you, until He proves and tests you, and you demonstrate your ability and fitness for a higher position. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. The spirit of meekness is not a spirit of discontent, but it is directly the opposite. {3T 334.2}[13]
§28
有些自命为基督徒的人，常常哀鸣抱怨，似乎以为快乐和笑容是罪恶，这等人并没有真正的宗教信仰。有些人把自然美景看作一幅死画，他们宁可看枯叶，而不愿看美丽的鲜花，以自然界向他们所发的天籁为枯躁单调的悲鸣，他们看不见绿草如茵的幽谷和青翠葱茏之高山的美丽，他们听不见自然界中向他们发出的欢乐悦耳的妙音，──这等人不是在基督之内的。他们本可有那公义日头的光明幸福在心中出现，其光线有医治之能；但他们却不行在光中，反去自寻黑暗和苦闷。{3T 334.3}[14]
§29
Those professed Christians who are constantly whining and complaining, and who seem to think happiness and a cheerful countenance a sin, have not the genuine article of religion. Those who look upon natures beautiful scenery as they would upon a dead picture, who choose to look upon dead leaves rather than to gather the beautiful living flowers, who take a mournful pleasure in all that is melancholy in the language spoken to them by the natural world, who see no beauty in valleys clothed with living green and grand mountain heights clothed with verdure, who close their senses to the joyful voice which speaks to them in nature and which is sweet and musical to the listening ear--these are not in Christ. They are not walking in the light, but are gathering to themselves darkness and gloom, when they could just as well have brightness and the blessing of the Sun of Righteousness arising in their hearts with healing in His beams. {3T 334.3}[14]
§30
我的青年姐妹啊，你在想象之中生活。你无法在任何事情中发现或意识到福惠。你想象了一些根本不存在的烦恼和苦难，你将小小的烦恼扩大为令人痛苦不堪的磨难。这并不是基督所祝福的温柔。这是未成圣、反叛、悖逆的不满情绪。温柔是一种宝贵的恩赐，甘心默然受难，乐意忍受考验。温柔乃是忍耐，在任何环境之下竭力快乐。温柔是常存感谢之念，谱出它自己的幸福之歌，心中称颂上帝。温柔是忍受失望与苦待，而不报复。温柔并非沉闷，乖戾。与温柔相反的乃是郁闷的性情；这种乖僻的性情只是令人伤痛，它本身没有一点快乐。{3T 335.1}[15]
§31
My young sister, you are living an imaginary life. You can not detect or realize a blessing in anything. You imagine troubles and trials which do not exist; you exaggerate little annoyances into grievous trials. This is not the meekness which Christ blessed. It is an unsanctified, rebellious, unfilial discontent. Meekness is a precious grace, willing to suffer silently, willing to endure trials. Meekness is patient and labors to be happy under all circumstances. Meekness is always thankful and makes its own songs of happiness, making melody in the heart to God. Meekness will suffer disappointment and wrong, and will not retaliate. Meekness is not to be silent and sulky. A morose temper is the opposite of meekness; for this only wounds and gives pain to others, and takes no pleasure to itself. {3T 335.1}[15]
§32
你刚刚进入基督的学校，几乎样样都要学习。你现在虽然在穿着上没有奢侈炫耀，但你依然有外表的骄傲。你愿意穿不怎么简朴的服装。你对于穿着的考虑多过所应该的。基督邀请你说：“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式；这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”(太11:28-30）。要让你的颈项服从基督加给你的轭，你就会在这种顺从中寻得真正的快乐，而这样的快乐是你按照自己的方式偏行己路无从获得的。{3T 335.2}[16]
§33
You have but just entered the school of Christ. You have almost everything yet to learn. You do not now dress extravagantly, but you have pride of appearance. You desire to dress with less simplicity. You think considerably more of dress than you should. Christ invites you: Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Submit your neck to the yoke which Christ imposes and you will find in this submission the very happiness that you have tried to gain to yourself in your own way by following your own course. {3T 335.2}[16]
§34
你若愿意连自己的思想都顺服于基督的心意，就会快乐。你不应当迟延，而要切切省察己心，天天向自我死。你可能会问：我如何才能掌管自己的行动，控制我内心的情感呢？很多自称不爱上帝的人也的确能在相当大的程度上控制自己的精神，不用上帝特别恩典的帮助。他们培养了自制。这确实是对那些晓得可以从上帝获得力量和恩典，却不表现圣灵美德之人的谴责。基督是我们的楷模。祂是柔和谦卑的。我们应当学习祂并效法祂的榜样。上帝的儿子是毫无瑕疵的。我们如果想坐在祂的右边，就必须以这样的完全作为我们的目标，像祂那样得胜。{3T 336.1}[17]
§35
You may be cheerful if you will bring even your thoughts into subjection to the will of Christ. You should make no delay, but closely search your own heart and die to self daily. You may inquire: How can I master my own actions and control my inward emotions? Many who profess not the love of God do control their spirit to a considerable extent without the aid of the special grace of God. They cultivate self-control. This is indeed a rebuke to those who know that from God they may obtain strength and grace, and yet do not exhibit the graces of the Spirit. Christ is our model. He was meek and lowly. Learn of Him, and imitate His example. The Son of God was faultless. We must aim at this perfection and over come as He overcame, if we would have a seat at His right hand. {3T 336.1}[17]
§36
在你能够安全地缔订婚姻关系以前，你有若干品格上的特性必须严加锻炼并毅然控制。因此，你应该将婚事暂置一旁，直到你克服了品格上的缺点，否则你决不能作一个快乐的妻子。你忽略了训练自己去从事系统的家务劳动，你也没有认清培养勤俭的习惯的必要性。欣然从事有益的劳作，这样的习惯一旦养成，就永远不会消失了。如此你便预备妥当，可以应付生活上的各种境况，足能承当家庭主妇的职务了。你也须学习爱好活动。你若乐于从事有益的劳作，那么你在专心操作之际，就没有闲暇耽溺于迷离恍惚的梦想之中了。 {3T 336.2}[18]
§37
You have peculiarities of character which need to be sternly disciplined and resolutely controlled before you can with any safety enter the marriage relation. Therefore marriage should be put from your mind until you overcome the defects in your character, for you would not make a happy wife. You have neglected to educate yourself for systematic household labor. You have not seen the necessity of acquiring habits of industry. The habit of enjoying useful labor, once formed, will never be lost. You are then prepared to be placed in any circumstance in life, and you will be fitted for the position. You will learn to love activity. If you enjoy useful labor, your mind will be occupied with your employment, and you will not find time to indulge in dreamy fancies. {3T 336.2}[18]
§38
有益劳动的知识，会使你浮躁不安而不知满足的心意变得有力量，有效能，也会使你具有一种相当令人尊敬的合宜朴质的高贵感。你几乎不认识自己；你也不了解自己内心的欺骗。人心比万物都诡诈，坏到极处。要认真省察自己的内心，花时间默想和祈祷。你若不看出自己品格中的缺点并真诚地改正你的错误，就不能成为基督的门徒。{3T 336.3}[19]
§39
Knowledge of useful labor will impart to your restless and dissatisfied mind energy, efficiency, and a becoming, modest dignity, which will command respect. You know but very little of yourself; you know not the deceptions of your own heart. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Search your heart carefully, and take time for meditation and prayer. Unless you see the defects in your character and with genuine sincerity correct your errors, you cannot be a disciple of Christ. {3T 336.3}[19]
§40
你喜爱思想和谈论青年男子。你把他们的礼貌当成对你特别的青睐。你自以为受到高度尊重，其实不然。你的谈话应当集中于那些可以使人受益、使人文雅高尚的主题。我亲爱的孩子，你没有培养坦率与真诚的习惯。你的心不正。你对青年人没有发挥好影响，因为你没有基督的心；然而你却自以为在基督徒的生活中有了大的进步。{3T 337.1}[20]
§41
You love to think and talk about young men. You interpret their civilities as a special regard for yourself. You flatter yourself that you are more highly esteemed than you really are. Your conversation should be upon subjects that will profit, that will refine and elevate. You are not, my dear child, cultivating habits of frankness and sincerity. Your heart is not right. Your influence is not good upon the young, for you have not the mind of Christ; yet you flatter yourself that you have made great advancement in the Christian life. {3T 337.1}[20]
§42
你父亲的家中必须要进行一番改革。你带有你父亲的品格特征。你应当努力避免他的错误和极端。倘若你真是基督的门徒，就会看出自己的家中有一番重要的工作要做。每一个家庭都可以成为一所永恒的学校。姐姐们能对年幼的弟弟妹妹们发挥一种强大的感化力。年轻的目睹年长的榜样，必因模仿的原理而收诱导之效，远胜于反复的训诫。年长的女儿必须常常自觉身负一种基督徒的本分，要帮助母亲分担她那许多劳苦的重荷。很多时间都浪费在了床上、睡觉、以及忧郁的沉思之中，却让家庭的某些成员担负辛劳的重担。{3T 337.2}[21]
§43
A reformation must commence in your fathers family. You bear the stamp of your fathers character. You should endeavor to shun his errors and his extremes. If you are truly a disciple of Christ you will see important work to do at your home. Every family may be a perpetual school. The elder sisters can exert a strong influence upon the younger members of the family. The younger, witnessing the example of the older, will be led more by the principle of imitation than by oft-repeated precepts. The eldest daughter should ever feel it a Christian duty devolving upon her to aid the mother in bearing her many toilsome burdens. Hours are worse than lost that are spent in bed, in sleep, or in gloomy musings, while the shoulders of some in the family are bowed to carry the heavy, toilsome load. {3T 337.2}[21]
§44
年长的女儿们可以协助教育家中比她们年幼的成员。这就是你绝好的机会，可以亲切、殷勤、常存敬畏上帝的心，教导那些比你年幼的家庭成员。你会获得你试图帮助之人的爱戴。你可以因此拥有运用基督恩典的最好学校。你并不爱孩子们。事实上，任何需要你付上稳固、恳切恒切努力的事情，你都不喜欢。你不喜欢不变的工作。你喜欢变化以及多样性，喜欢持续不断寻求能取悦你，带给你快乐的事情。你需要自我教育，你如今比日后任何时期都能更好地获得此类教育。你生活中的每一件事情几乎都需要改变，愿上帝帮助你毫不迟延地把握住这样的工作。基督来得国时，只有那些纯洁、良善、圣洁的人才能与祂同住。{3T 337.3}[22]
§45
The elder daughters may assist in the education of the younger members of the family. Here is an excellent opportunity for you, kindly, diligently, and having the fear of the Lord before you, to teach those less advanced than yourself. You may gain the affections of those you try to help. You may here have one of the best of schools in which to exercise the Christian graces. You do not love children. In fact, you do not love anything which requires steady, earnest, persevering effort. You do not love steady application. You love change and variety, and are constantly seeking to find something that will please yourself and give you happiness. You need self-education, and you can obtain this better now than at any future time. You have almost every change to make in your life, and may God help you to take hold of the work without delay. Only the pure, the good, and the holy will dwell with Christ when He cometh into His kingdom. {3T 337.3}[22]
§46
你若不付出恳切恒切的努力，就无法获得天国。正如天上的亮光所显明的一样，迄今为止，你的生活一直都没有目标，近乎无用。如今你有机会挽回过去的时光并在羔羊的血中洗净自己品格的衣袍。你若感到自己需要上帝的帮助，祂便会帮助你。在上帝眼里，你的义毫无价值。只有藉着基督的功劳，你才能最终得胜。而你若能列身于那些永远得救的人中间，天国就是足够便宜了。{3T 338.1}[23]
§47
You cannot obtain heaven without earnest, persevering effort. As viewed in the light of heaven, your life hitherto has been aimless and nearly useless. You now have opportunity to redeem the time and to wash your robe of character in the blood of the Lamb. God will help you if you feel your need of His help. Your righteousness is of no value with God. It is only through the merits of Christ that you will be victor at last. And if you can be among those who shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, heaven will be cheap enough. {3T 338.1}[23]