第44章 领导工作
§1
第44章 领导工作 Chap. 44 – Leadership
§2
A弟兄，你两年前担任领导工作的经历是于你有益的，且对你非常必要。关于个人的独立和个人判断的权利，你有自己非常鲜明果断的观点。但你在这些观点上走向了极端。你认为在涉及自己责任的事上，你必须亲自得到亮光和证据。{3T 492.1}[1]
§3
Brother A, your experience in reference to leadership two years ago was for your own benefit and was highly essential to you. You had very marked, decided views in regard to individual independence and right to private judgment. These views you carry to extremes. You reason that you must have light and evidence for yourself in reference to your duty. {3T 492.1}[1]
§4
我蒙指示，没有一个人的判断应当屈服于别人的判断。但当上帝在地上设立的最高权威——全球总会的决议通过之后，个人的独立和个人的判断就不可保持，而要放弃了。你的错误在于就你的责任坚持你个人的意见，反对主在地上的最高权威的意见。你按自己的意思花费了时间，圣工也因你的拖延而多受阻碍之后，才回应全球总会的再三而紧迫的邀请，来到巴特尔克里克。你坚持认为依照自己对本分的看法而行是正确的。你认为坚持自己关于独立的立场是一种美德。你并非似乎真的认识到了上帝在全球总会的意见上赐给祂教会的权力。你认为如果回应全球总会的呼吁，便是在服从一个人的判断和意见。于是你就表现出一种特立独行、顽固任性的精神，这是完全错误的。{3T 492.2}[2]
§5
I have been shown that no mans judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any one man. But when the judgment of the General Conference, which is the highest authority that God has upon the earth, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be maintained, but be surrendered. Your error was in persistently maintaining your private judgment of your duty against the voice of the highest authority the Lord has upon the earth. After you had taken your own time, and after the work had been much hindered by your delay, you came to Battle Creek in answer to the repeated and urgent calls of the General Conference. You firmly maintained that you had done right in following your own convictions of duty. You considered it a virtue in you to persistently maintain your position of independence. You did not seem to have a true sense of the power that God has given to His church in the voice of the General Conference. You thought that in responding to the call made to you by the General Conference you were submitting to the judgment and mind of one man. You accordingly manifested an independence, a set, willful spirit, which was all wrong. {3T 492.2}[2]
§6
上帝赐给你的宝贵经验当时对你来说颇有价值，使你作为基督的传道人取得了很大的成功。你那骄傲不屈的意志曾被制伏。你过去的悔改是真诚的。这导致了反省，也形成了你关于领导工作的立场。你关于领导工作的原则是正确的，但你却没有正确地运用这些原则。要是你让教会的权利，全球总会的意见和判断代替你对我丈夫的看法，你的立场就没有什么错误了。但是你把上帝在全球总会的判断和意见上赐给教会的权力和影响归给一个人的意见和判断，这就大错了。{3T 493.1}[3]
§7
God gave you a precious experience at that time which was of value to you, and which has greatly increased your success as a minister of Christ. Your proud, unyielding will was subdued. You had a genuine conversion. This led to reflection and to your position upon leadership. Your principles in regard to leadership are right, but you do not make the right application of them. If you should let the power in the church, the voice and judgment of the General Conference, stand in the place you have given my husband, there could then be no fault found with your position. But you greatly err in giving to one mans mind and judgment that authority and influence which God has invested in His church in the judgment and voice of the General Conference. {3T 493.1}[3]
§8
当上帝交给教会的这种权力落在一个人的手里，让他有判断别人思想的权威时，就改变了圣经的真正秩序。撒但会对这样的人施行最狡猾的有时甚至是无法抵抗的影响，因为他认为藉着这个人的思想能影响其他许多人。如果你把已经给了一个人的权力给教会最高的组织权威，你关于领导工作的立场就是正确的。上帝从来没有计划让圣工带上一个人的思想和见解的印记。{3T 493.2}[4]
§9
When this power which God has placed in the church is accredited to one man, and he is invested with the authority to be judgment for other minds, then the true Bible order is changed. Satans efforts upon such a mans mind will be most subtle and sometimes overpowering, because through this mind he thinks he can affect many others. Your position on leadership is correct, if you give to the highest organized authority in the church what you have given to one man. God never designed that His work should bear the stamp of one mans mind and one mans judgment. {3T 493.2}[4]
§10
B和C两位弟兄现在缺乏他们本应有的经验，主要原因在于他们一直没有自力更生。他们躲避责任，因为承担这些责任会使别人看到他们的不足。他们非常愿意让我丈夫担任领导并承担责任，让他为他们筹划判断。这些弟兄在他们本应坚强的地方却十分软弱。他们不敢随从自己的独立判断，以免犯错误受责备，同时却随时准备受引诱，只要认为能在我丈夫的方针中看到错误，就让他承担责任。他们没有分担他的重担，反而不断求问他，让他承担他们原应与他共同承担的责任，结果他们依旧软弱，没有具备应当的素质。他们在道德力上是软弱的，其实他们可以成为道德力上的巨人，有资格担当上帝圣工的柱石。{3T 493.3}[5]
§11
The great reason why Brethren B and C are at this time deficient in the experience they should now have is because they have not been self-reliant. They have shunned responsibilities because in assuming them their deficiencies would be brought to the light. They have been too willing to have my husband lead out and bear responsibilities, and have allowed him to be mind and judgment for them. These brethren are weak where they should be strong. They have not dared to follow their own independent judgment, lest they should make mistakes and be blamed for it, while they have stood ready to be tempted and to make my husband responsible if they thought they could see mistakes in his course. They have not lifted the burdens with him. They have referred continually to my husband, making him bear the responsibilities which they should have shared with him, until they are weak in those qualifications wherein they should be strong. They are weak in moral power when they might be giants, qualified to stand as pillars in the cause of God. {3T 493.3}[5]
§12
这些弟兄没有自力更生，不相信只要听从上帝所赐给他们的亮光，祂就确实会带领他们。上帝从来没有打算让才智出众、坚强独立的人依靠别人的支撑，像藤条攀附树木一样。上帝的仆人在积极作工过程中必要遇到的一切困境、挫折、艰难、失望，都只会帮助他们形成正确的品格。他们若能运用自己的脑力，所遇到的障碍就会成为他们真实的福气。他们就会获得精神和属灵的力量，用在最重要的场合，得到最佳的结果。他们就会学会自力更生，在亲身经验上获得信心，相信上帝确实在带领和指导着他们。他们遇到危险和实在感到精神上的痛苦时，不得不沉思默想，感觉到自己在聪明行事和作工以推进上帝圣工的努力中必须祷告；发现工作中遇到的冲突和困惑要求他们操练信心和倚靠上帝，需要发展能力的坚定性。他们不断需要新的方式方法来应对紧急情况。人的机能若不在上帝工作中的这些紧迫需要上加以运用，就会潜伏沉睡，于是便有了各种各样的经验，以致一门心思和只发展了一半的人不会有什么用处。{3T 494.1}[6]
§13
These brethren have not self-reliance, or confidence that God will indeed lead them if they follow the light He has given them. God never intended that strong, independent men of superior intellect should cling to others for support as the ivy clings to the oak. All the difficulties, the backsets, the hardships, and the disappointments which Gods servants will meet in active labor will only strengthen them in the formation of correct characters. By putting their own energies of mind to use, the obstacles they meet will prove to them positive blessings. They will gain mental and spiritual muscle to be used upon important occasions with the very best results. They will learn self-reliance and will gain confidence in their own experience that God is really leading and guiding them. And as they meet peril and have real anguish of spirit they are obliged to meditate and are made to feel the necessity of prayer in their effort to move understandingly and work to advantage in the cause of God; they find that conflict and perplexity call for the exercise of faith and trust in God, and for that firmness which develops power. Necessities are constantly arising for new ways and means to meet emergencies. Faculties are called into use that would lie dormant were it not for these pressing necessities in the work of God. This gives a varied experience so that there will be no use for men of one idea and those who are only half developed. {3T 494.1}[6]
§14
在这项事业中有能有力，上帝可以用来增进祂荣耀的人，是那些自己的计划一直遭到反对、阻碍和挫折的人。B和C两位弟兄本可将自己的失败转为重大的胜利；但他们不但没有这样，反而规避容易出错的责任。这些宝贵的弟兄没能获得从经验中强加的教育，这种教育是阅读、研究和其它任何有利条件都无法给予的。{3T 494.2}[7]
§15
Men of might and power in this cause, whom God will use to His glory, are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted in their plans. Brethren B and C might have turned their own failures into important victories; but, instead of this, they have shunned the responsibilities which would make liability to mistakes possible. These precious brethren have failed to gain that education which is strengthened by experience and which reading and study and all the advantages otherwise gained will never give them. {3T 494.2}[7]
§16
A弟兄：你有力量担负一些责任。上帝已接纳你的积极工作，祝福你的努力。你曾犯过一些错误，但不要因为一些失败，你就错误地估计自己的才能，不相信你可以在上帝身上所获得的力量。你还没有甘心情愿地负起责任。你自然而然地倾向于规避这些责任而挑选轻省的位置，在不特别重要的地方写作用脑。你错在依赖我丈夫告诉你做什么。这不是上帝交给我丈夫的工作。你要探索自己当作的事，亲自负起你所不愿意负的担子。这样做上帝必赐福给你。你要按照自己最好的判断，负起圣工的责任。但你要小心，不要让自己的见解受别人的意见所左右。如果你很明显地犯了错误，你有权利藉着防止将来再犯而转败为胜。靠别人告诉你做什么，你就永远得不到任何重要位置所需要的经验。{3T 495.1}[8]
§17
You, Brother A, have had strength to bear some responsibilities. God has accepted your energetic labors and blessed your efforts. You have made some mistakes, but because of some failures you should in nowise misjudge your capabilities nor distrust the strength that you may find in God. You have not been willing and ready to assume responsibilities. You are naturally inclined to shun them and to choose an easier position, to write and exercise the mind where no special, vital interests are involved. You make a mistake in relying upon my husband to tell you what to do. This is not the work God has given my husband. You should search out what is to be done and lift the disagreeable burdens yourself. God will bless you in so doing. You must bear burdens in connection with the work of God according to your best judgment. But you must be guarded, lest your judgment shall be influenced by the opinions of others. If it is apparent that you have made mistakes, it is your privilege to turn these failures into victories by avoiding the same in the future. By being told what to do you will never gain the experience necessary for any important position. {3T 495.1}[8]
§18
这同样适用于每一个在巴特尔克里克各个机构处于不同负责岗位上的人。他们不能事事都被人哄着宠着帮助着，因为这不会使他们胜任重要的岗位。阻碍使人坚强。使人有道德筋骨的，不是帮助，而是困难、冲突和挫折。过多的安逸和逃避责任，只会使那些本当具有道德力和属灵力量的人，成为懦夫和侏儒。{3T 495.2}[9]
§19
The same is applicable to all who are standing in the different positions of trust in the various offices at Battle Creek. They are not to be coaxed and petted and helped at every turn, for this will not make men competent for important positions. It is obstacles that make men strong. It is not helps, but difficulties, conflicts, rebuffs, that make men of moral sinew. Too much ease and avoiding responsibility have made weaklings and dwarfs of those who ought to be responsible men of moral power and strong spiritual muscle. {3T 495.2}[9]
§20
本应在每一紧急时刻都保持忠诚，像磁针指向磁极一样的人，却因为害怕失败而逃避责任，努力保护自己不受责难，以致变得低效无能。才智卓越的人，在纪律方面却像婴孩，因为他们不敢承担应负的责任。他们疏于成为能干的人。在上帝的圣工上，他们太久倚靠一个人为他们筹谋判断，其实这些事都是他们足能胜任的。我们经常能够看到心智上有缺陷的人。那些满足于让他人为自己筹划思考的人，是没有充分发展的人。若是让他们去为自己计划，就会发现他们是明智的、严于算计的人。而当做上帝的工作时，对他们来说就完全是另一回事了；他们几乎完全丧失了这种才能。他们满足于保持无能和低效，好像别人必须为他们计划，多多替他们思考。有些人似乎完全不能亲自开辟道路。难道他们必须总是仰赖别人为他们计划研究，思考判断吗？上帝耻于有这样的士兵。祂不能因他们得到尊荣，因为他们虽参加祂的工作，却不过象机器一样。{3T 495.3}[10]
§21
Men who ought to be as true in every emergency as the needle to the pole, have become inefficient by their efforts to shield themselves from censure and by evading responsibilities for fear of failure. Men of giant intellect are babes in discipline because they are cowardly in regard to taking and bearing the burdens they should. They are neglecting to become efficient. They have too long trusted one man to plan for them and to do the thinking which they are highly capable of doing themselves in the interest of the cause of God. Mental deficiencies meet us at every point. Men who are content to let others plan and do their thinking for them are not fully developed. If they were left to plan for themselves they would be found judicious, close-calculating men. But when brought into connection with Gods cause, it is entirely another thing to them; they lose this faculty almost altogether. They are content to remain as incompetent and inefficient as though others must do the planning and much of the thinking for them. Some men appear to be utterly unable to hew out a path for themselves. Must they ever rely upon others to do their planning and their studying, and to be mind and judgment for them? God is ashamed of such soldiers. He is not honored by their having any part to act in His work while they are mere machines. {3T 495.3}[10]
§22
现在需要的是独立自主、认真努力的人，而不是象油灰一样易受影响的人。那些希望自己的工作都是现成的，定量定薪，刚好胜任，不必费力去适应或受训练的人，不是上帝呼召从事祂圣工的人。一个不能使自己的才干适应几乎任何需要之处的人，不是现今所需要的人。上帝愿意使之参加祂工作的人，不是软弱无骨，没有品格的筋肉或道德魄力的人。人只有通过持续不断、坚忍不拔的努力，才能受训在上帝的圣工上担当一份责任。当条件和环境极其不利时，这些人不应感到灰心失望。他们不应放弃自己的宗旨，视其为彻底的失败，直到他们确信无疑，知道自己再也无法为上帝的荣耀和生灵的益处做什么了。{3T 496.1}[11]
§23
Independent men of earnest endeavor are needed, not men as impressible as putty. Those who want their work made ready to their hand, who desire a fixed amount to do and a fixed salary, and who wish to prove an exact fit without the trouble of adaptation or training, are not the men whom God calls to work in His cause. A man who cannot adapt his abilities to almost any place if necessity requires is not the man for this time. Men whom God will connect with His work are not limp and fiberless, without muscle or moral force of character. It is only by continued and persevering labor that men can be disciplined to bear a part in the work of God. These men should not become discouraged if circumstances and surroundings are the most unfavorable. They should not give up their purpose as a complete failure until they are convinced beyond a doubt that they cannot do much for the honor of God and the good of souls. {3T 496.1}[11]
§24
有人自以为只要改变环境，他们就能成就一番伟大的善工。但与此同时，他们却没有在上帝凭其天意安置他们的岗位上使用自己的才能。人可以创造环境，却不应被环境所改变。人应当利用环境作为工具，协助自己的工作。他应当控制环境，而决不应让环境控制自己。现在需要的品质是个人的独立和个人的能力。个人的性格无需牺牲，而应予以陶冶、净化，提高。{3T 496.2}[12]
§25
There are men who flatter themselves that they might do something great and good if they were only circumstanced differently, while they make no use of the faculties they already have by working in the positions where Providence has placed them. Man can make his circumstances, but circumstances should never make the man. Man should seize circumstances as his instruments with which to work. He should master circumstances, but should never allow circumstances to master him. Individual independence and individual power are the qualities now needed. Individual character need not be sacrificed, but it should be modulated, refined, elevated. {3T 496.2}[12]
§26
我蒙指示看到，我丈夫的责任就是放下别人因为可使自己免去许多麻烦而乐意让他担负的责任。我丈夫有敏捷的判断力和清晰的辨识力，是他通过训练和运用而获得的，使他挑起了许多本应别人挑起的担子。{3T 497.1}[13]
§27
I have been shown that it is my husbands duty to lay off the responsibilities which others would be glad to have him bear because it excuses them from many difficulties. My husbands ready judgment and clear discernment, which have been gained through training and exercise, have led him to take on many burdens which others should have borne. {3T 497.1}[13]
§28
A弟兄，你的动作太慢了。你应当培养与之相反的品质。上帝的圣工需要能抓住时机迅速有效地采取行动的人。如果你慢吞吞地权衡所面临的每一个困难，你的成效就会甚少。你将处处遇到困难和障碍。你必须以坚定的宗旨坚决克服这些困难，否则你就会被困难所战胜。{3T 497.2}[14]
§29
Brother A, you are too slow. You should cultivate opposite qualities. The cause of God demands men who can see quickly and act instantaneously at the right time and with power. If you wait to measure every difficulty and balance every perplexity you meet you will do but little. You will have obstacles and difficulties to encounter at every turn, and you must with firm purpose decide to conquer them, or they will conquer you. {3T 497.2}[14]
§30
有时，在我们心中有各种各样办理上帝圣工的方法、途径和宗旨在考虑权衡。在这个时侯需要最好的判断力。若要为了达到目的而要做什么事，就要在最佳时刻去做。要看明天平上一点点的差异，并立即作出决定。长期的耽搁连天使都感到厌倦了。有时做出一个错误的决定，要比左顾右盼，犹疑不决，优柔寡断更可原谅一些。这种犹疑会比有时的匆匆行动产生更大的困难和灾难。{3T 497.3}[15]
§31
Sometimes various ways and purposes, different modes of operation in connection with the work of God, are about evenly balanced in the mind; but it is at this very point that the nicest discrimination is necessary. And if anything is accomplished to the purpose it must be done at the golden moment. The slightest inclination of the weight in the balance should be seen and should determine the matter at once. Long delays tire the angels. It is even more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a wavering position, to be hesitating, sometimes inclined in one direction, then in another. More perplexity and wretchedness result from thus hesitating and doubting than from sometimes moving too hastily. {3T 497.3}[15]
§32
我蒙指示看到，最显著的胜利和最惨重的失败都是在短时间内决定的。上帝要求迅速行动。优柔寡断，犹疑不决常使仇敌占尽先机。我的弟兄啊，你需要改变。适时办事对真理是很有利的。耽延往往坐失胜利。在圣工中会有危机，审时度势，果断行动就会取得光荣的胜利，而耽搁和疏忽会造成惨败，给上帝带来羞辱。在危急时刻冲上前去，常会使敌人解除武装，丧胆败北，因为他失去了制订计划，耍弄手段的时间。{3T 497.4}[16]
§33
I have been shown that the most signal victories and the most fearful defeats have been on the turn of minutes. God requires promptness of action. Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the enemy every advantage. My brother, you need to reform. The timing of things may tell much in favor of truth. Victories are frequently lost through delays. There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and positive dishonor to God. Rapid movements at the critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and vanquished, for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice. {3T 497.4}[16]
§34
上帝希望在巴特尔克里克从事祂圣工的人有果断的判断力，在必要时思想要象闪电那样敏捷。在危险的时刻神速是绝对需要的。为了取得一定的效果，必须精心制定每一个计划，可是短短的耽搁可能造成一个完全不同的局面。本来可以达到的伟大目标，却因缺乏神速的远见和敏捷的行动而没有实现。在培养心智克服懒惰方面，有许多事可以做。有时，小心谨慎是必要的；急躁是不智之举。但即使在这方面，也因太犹疑而造成很大的损失。从一定程度上讲，谨慎是需要的，但在特殊情况下犹疑权衡要比因急躁冒进造成的失败导致更大的灾难。{3T 498.1}[17]
§35
God wants men connected with His work in Battle Creek whose judgment is at hand, whose minds, when it is necessary, will act like the lightnings. The greatest promptness is positively necessary in the hour of peril and danger. Every plan may be well laid to accomplish certain results, and yet a delay of a very short time may leave things to assume an entirely different shape, and the great objects which might have been gained are lost through lack of quick foresight and prompt dispatch. Much may be done in training the mind to overcome indolence. There are times when caution and great deliberation are necessary; rashness would be folly. But even here, much has been lost by too great hesitancy. Caution, up to a certain point, is required; but hesitancy and policy on particular occasions have been more disastrous than would have been a failure through rashness. {3T 498.1}[17]
§36
我的弟兄啊，你需要培养敏捷态度，去掉拖拖拉拉的作风。你办事慢吞，没有抓住工作来完成它。你必须摆脱这种目光短浅的工作方式，因为它是错误的。当不信占据你的心灵，你的工作就变得拖沓、犹豫、摇摆不定，使你自己一无成，也阻碍别人做事。你足有兴趣看到困难并开始疑惑，却没有什么兴趣或勇气去战胜困难和驱散疑惑。在这种时候你需要降服于上帝。你需要品格的魄力，少一些顽梗和任性。这种行动上的缓慢和怠惰是你品格中最大的缺陷之一，阻碍你成为有用之人。{3T 498.2}[18]
§37
My brother, you need to cultivate promptness. Away with your hesitating manner. You are slow and neglect to seize the work and accomplish it. You must get out of this narrow manner of labor, for it is of the wrong order. When unbelief takes hold of your soul, your labor is of such a hesitating, halting, balancing kind that you accomplish nothing yourself and hinder others from doing. You have just enough interest to see difficulties and start doubts, but have not the interest or courage to overcome the difficulties or dispel the doubts. At such times you need to surrender to God. You need force of character and less stubbornness and set willfulness. This slowness, this sluggishness of action, is one of the greatest defects in your character and stands in the way of your usefulness. {3T 498.2}[18]
§38
你在与上帝的事工有关的决定上拖拉缓慢，有时实在令人痛心。这完全是不必要的。敏捷和果断的行动可以大有果效。能够取得巨大的成功。你一般是想工作的时候才愿意工作，清楚看明要做什么的时候才准备去做；但你没能使圣工受益于若是你在危急时刻当机立断，愿意克服犹豫耽延的习惯就能做到的，这种习惯已显明了你的品格，大大妨碍了上帝的工作。这些缺点若不克服，就必在重大的危急关头，给上帝的圣工带来灾难性的后果，也必对你的心灵带来致命的影响。你必须学会准时和在正确的时间采取果断的行动，因为你缺乏这些素质。交战各国若能运筹帷幄，采取迅速有效的行动，其所获得的成果，比他们在战场上和敌人冒死拼杀、冲锋陷阵，所能获得的更多。{3T 499.1}[19]
§39
Your slowness of decision in connection with the cause and work of God is sometimes painful. It is not at all necessary. Prompt and decisive action may accomplish great results. You are generally willing to work when you feel just like it, ready to do when you can see clearly what is to be done; but you fail to be that benefit to the cause that you might be if you were prompt and decisive at the critical moment, and would overcome the habit of hesitation and delay which has marked your character and which has greatly retarded the work of God. This defect, unless overcome, will prove, in instances of great crises, disastrous to the cause and fatal to your own soul. Punctuality and decisive action at the right time must be acquired, for you have not these qualities. In the warfare and battles of nations there is often more gained by good management in prompt action than in earnest, dead encounter with the enemy. {3T 499.1}[19]
§40
做事敏捷迅速而且彻底的能力，是一个大造诣。我的弟兄，你确实认为自己谨慎小心犹豫不决的做法是值得表扬的，是美德而非错误。但从主所指示我的看来，你这些慢吞吞的行动已大大阻碍了上帝的工作，使许多本应迅速做成的事没有做成。对你来说，现在会难以做出上帝要你做的品格上的改变，因为你年轻的时候就难以做到准时和立即行动。当品格已经成形，习惯已然固定，精神和道德机能都已变得固定，想要改变这些错误的习惯，变得行动敏捷迅速，就极其困难了。你应当意识到时间的宝贵。你一面把虽不讨人喜欢却极端重要的工作放置一边，希望完全摆脱它，或者以为它们以后会变得不那么讨厌，一面却把时间花在轻松得意的事上，是难辞其咎的。你应当先去做必须做的、涉及圣工重大利益的事，在最重要的工作做完之后，再去做那些次要的事。在上帝的事工上，准时和果断是非常重要的。耽延实际上是失败。一寸光阴一寸金，每分每秒都应予以妥善使用。属地的关系和个人的利益永远应当排在次席。我们决不能因为世上的朋友或最亲的亲属，而让上帝的圣工遭受哪怕一丁点的损失。{3T 499.2}[20]
§41
The ability to do business with dispatch, and yet do it thoroughly, is a great acquisition. My brother, you have really felt that your cautious, hesitating course was commendable, rather a virtue than a wrong. But from what the Lord has shown me in this matter, these sluggish movements on your part have greatly hindered the work of God and caused many things to be left undone which in justice ought to have been done with promptness. It will be difficult now for you to make the changes in your character which God requires you to make, because it was difficult for you to be punctual and prompt of action in youth. When the character is formed, the habits fixed, and the mental and moral faculties have become firm, it is most difficult to unlearn wrong habits, to be prompt in action. You should realize the value of time. You are not excusable for leaving the most important, though unpleasant work, hoping to get rid of doing it altogether, or thinking that it will become less unpleasant, while you occupy your time upon pleasant matters not really taxing. You should first do the work which must be done and which involves the vital interests of the cause, and only take up the less important matters after the more essential are accomplished. Punctuality and decision in the work and cause of God are highly essential. Delays are virtually defeats. Minutes are golden and should be improved to the very best account. Earthly relations and personal interests should ever be secondary. Never should the cause of God be left to suffer, in a single particular, because of our earthly friends or dearest relatives. {3T 499.2}[20]
§42
“又对一个人说：跟从我来！那人说：主，容我先回去埋葬我的父亲。耶稣说：任凭死人埋葬他们的死人，你只管去传扬上帝国的道。又有一人说：主，我要跟从祢，但容我先去辞别我家里的人。耶稣说：手扶着犁向后看的，不配进上帝的国”（路9:59-62）。{3T 500.1}[21]
§43
And He said to another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. {3T 500.1}[21]
§44
不要让地上的关系，属世的考虑在天平上显得重于对上帝圣工的责任。耶稣曾舍弃一切来拯救丧亡的世界。祂要求我们完全的献身，要为上帝圣工的利益作出牺牲。感情的牺牲是所求于我们的最严重的牺牲。然而这只不过是小小的牺牲。你有许多的朋友，如果感情是圣洁的，你就不需要感到自己在作出什么重大的牺牲。你不用把妻子留在异邦人中。你并没有奉命踏上酷热的非洲荒漠，或面临监狱，步步遭遇试炼。要注意你是怎样迎合自己的同情心，把人的感情和个人的考虑掺杂在为上帝的圣工所作的努力之中。祂要求的是无私而甘心的服务。你是可以作出这种服务，而同时又能尽你对家庭的一切本分的。不过要把对家庭的本分看作是第二位的。{3T 500.2}[22]
§45
No earthly ties, no earthly considerations, should weigh one moment in the scale against duty to the cause and work of God. Jesus severed His connection from everything to save a lost world, and He requires of us a full and entire consecration. There are sacrifices to be made for the interests of Gods cause. The sacrifice of feeling is the most keen that is required of us; yet after all it is a small sacrifice. You have plenty of friends, and if the feelings are only sanctified, you need not feel that you are making a very great sacrifice. You do not leave your wife among heathen. You are not called to tread the burning African desert or to face prisons and encounter trial at every step. Be careful how you appeal to your sympathies and let human feelings and personal considerations mingle with your efforts and labors for the cause of God. He demands unselfish and willing service. You can render this and yet do all your duties to your family; but hold this as a secondary matter. {3T 500.2}[22]
§46
我的丈夫和我同意负起别人该负的责任，这是不对的。工作开始之时，需要一个人筹划建议，果断执行，带头战胜错误，克服障碍。我丈夫担负了最重的担子，遇到了最坚决的反对。但当我们组织机构渐趋完善，也有多人当选走上了负责岗位时，就是适当的时候，我丈夫应该不再作那一个负责任担重担的人。这工作是交给多人的。弟兄们和我丈夫在这里犯了错误，他们不应该力劝他，而他也不应同意继续担负他已担负多年的责任和担子。他本应在数年前就放下这些担子，选出其他愿意代表人们行事的人来分担。撒但喜欢让一个人的判断控制那些相信现代真理之人的思想和判断。{3T 500.3}[23]
§47
My husband and myself have made mistakes in consenting to take responsibilities that others should carry. In the commencement of this work a man was needed to propose, to execute with determination, and to lead out battling with error and surmounting obstacles. My husband bore the heaviest burden and met the most determined opposition. But when we became a fully organized body, and several men were chosen to act in responsible positions, then it was the proper time for my husband to cease to act longer as one man to stand under the responsibilities and carry the heavy burdens. This labor devolved on more than one. Here is where the mistake has been made by his brethren in urging him, and by himself in consenting, to stand under the burdens and responsibilities that he had borne alone for years. He should have laid down these burdens years ago, and they should have been divided with other men chosen to act in behalf of the people Satan would be pleased to have one mans mind and one mans judgment control the minds and judgment of those who believe the present truth. {3T 500.3}[23]
§48
我丈夫常常被撇下，几乎独自一人去注意和感受上帝圣工的需要和迅速地行动。教会的其他领袖并不缺乏才智，但他们缺乏乐意的心去站在我丈夫所站的位置。他们不合理地让一个瘫痪病人去承担这工作的负担和责任，而这是他们虽身强体壮，精力充足也无法独自承担的。我丈夫有时措辞非常激烈，以致说话得罪人。他看到别人本可分担他的重担却逃避责任时，就心中伤痛，说了冲动的话。主并没有把他安置在这个不合理的位置，是弟兄们推他上去的。他生活一直比奴隶好不了多少。他的弟兄们都不喜欢这些接踵而来的试炼、困扰人心的挂虑、以及耗尽心血的脑力劳动。他过着一种没有乐趣的生活，又因抱怨他的传道弟兄们忽略自己分内之责而增加了忧愁。他自然的生命力再三受到严重地损害。他的弟兄们却因他做这么多而挑他的错，他们没有上来负起自己的责任，反而极愿让他凡事负责。当别人不愿承担责任时，你高尚地前来负责。如果他在传道事工中的弟兄们培养了愿意负起应付责任的精神，我丈夫就不会看到和做那么多需要去做和他认为不可忽略的工作了。{3T 501.1}[24]
§49
My husband has frequently been left almost alone to see and feel the wants of the cause of God and to act promptly. His leading brethren were not deficient in intellect, but they lacked a willing mind to stand in the position which my husband has occupied. They have inconsistently allowed a paralytic to bear the burdens and responsibilities of this work, which no one of them alone could endure with their strong nerves and firm muscles. He has sometimes used apparent severity and has spoken so as to give offense. When he has seen others who might have shared his burdens avoiding responsibilities, it has grieved him to the heart, and he has spoken impulsively. He has not been placed in this unreasonable position by the Lord, but by his brethren. His life has been but little better than a species of slavery. The constant trial, the harassing care, the exhausting brainwork, have not been valued by his brethren. He has led an unenjoyable life, and he has increased his unhappiness by complaining of his brother ministers who neglected to do what they might have done. Nature has been outraged time and again. While his brethren have found fault with him for doing so much, they have not come up to take their share of the responsibility, but have been too willing to make him responsible for everything. You came nobly up to bear responsibilities when there were no others who would lift them. If his brethren in the ministry had cultivated a willingness to lift the burdens they should have borne, my husband would not have seen and done so much work which needed to be done and which he thought must not be neglected. {3T 501.1}[24]
§50
上帝没有让我丈夫的生命不体面地耗尽。祂维系了他的性命。但一个人干两个人的活，一年的做两年的工作，是在两头点着他的生命之烛。还有一项工作要我丈夫去做，是他本应多年前就做完的。他现在应当过少一些纷争、困惑和责任的生活，应该为他最后的改变而得以成熟、稳定、提高。他现在应当保存自己的力量。他不应当让圣工的责任那么重地落在他身上，而应自由地站在他弟兄们的偏见和猜疑不会扰乱他平安的地方。{3T 502.1}[25]
§51
God has not suffered the life of my husband to end ingloriously. He has sustained him. But the man who performs double labor, who crowds the work of two years into one, is burning his candle at both ends. There is yet a work for my husband to do which he should have done years ago. He should now have less of the strife, perplexity, and responsibility of life, and be ripening, softening, and elevating for his last change. He should now husband his strength. He should not allow the responsibilities of the cause to rest upon him so heavily, but should stand free, where the prejudices and suspicions of his brethren will not disturb his peace. {3T 502.1}[25]
§52
上帝已准许宝贵的真理亮光照射在祂的圣言上，照亮了我丈夫的心。他可以藉着自己的讲道和著作，将耶稣同在的光线返照在别人身上。但当他管理饭食，做有关圣工的业务时，便在很大程度上剥夺了自己用笔用口向人们讲道的时间。{3T 502.2}[26]
§53
God has permitted the precious light of truth to shine upon His word and illuminate the mind of my husband. He may reflect the rays of light from the presence of Jesus upon others by his preaching and writing. But while serving tables, doing business in connection with the cause, he has been deprived, to a great degree, of the privilege of using his pen and of preaching to the people. {3T 502.2}[26]
§54
我丈夫感到自己蒙上帝呼召为真理辩护，且要责备，有时是严厉谴责那些没有适当对待工作的。工作的压力和疾病的痛苦常常使他灰心失望，有时他看待事情过于严重。他的弟兄们受益于他的话语和他雷厉风行的作风；这与他们拖拉的作风和狭隘的业务计划形成了鲜明的对比。他们将一些不属我丈夫的动机和情绪归到他身上。他们之间的差异大似鸿沟；但若是这些聪明的弟兄专心全心投入建立和推进上帝宝贵圣工的工作，这道鸿沟原可轻易跨越。{3T 502.3}[27]
§55
He has felt that he was called of God to stand in defense of the truth, and to reprove, sometimes severely, those who were not doing justice to the work. The pressure of care and the affliction of disease have often thrown him into discouragement, and he has sometimes viewed matters in an exaggerated light. His brethren have taken advantage of his words, and of his prompt manners, which have been in marked contrast with their tardy labor and narrow plans of operation. They have accredited to my husband motives and feelings which were not his due. The wide contrast between themselves and him seemed like a gulf; but this might easily have been bridged, had these men of intellect put their undivided interests and whole hearts into the work of building up and advancing the precious cause of God. {3T 502.3}[27]
§56
我们可以在这个工作的核心地区发挥持续的影响，促进各个机构的兴旺发展。但是他人逃避责任，屈从试探，若与他们相左，便谴责我们为兴旺上帝圣工所做最恳切的努力，使我们不得不另寻庇所，以便更好地工作，少有被重担压垮的危险。上帝使我们对祂在巴特尔克里克的百姓有极大的自由和权柄。去年夏天我们来到这里，认真地开始工作，一直坚持到现在。困惑和难题接踵而至，需要我们付出繁重的努力去解决。{3T 503.1}[28]
§57
We might exert a constant influence in this place, at the head of the work, which would advance the prosperity of our institutions. But the course of others who do not do what they might, who are subject to temptation, and who, if their track is crossed, would reflect upon our most earnest efforts for the prosperity of Gods cause, compels us to seek an asylum elsewhere where we may work to better advantage with less danger of being crushed under burdens. God has given us great freedom and power with His people at Battle Creek. When we came to this place last summer, our work commenced in earnest, and it has continued ever since. One perplexity and difficulty has followed closely upon another, calling forth taxing labor to set things right. {3T 503.1}[28]
§58
当主指示D弟兄可堪大任时，如果他保持谦卑且倚靠主的力量，就不会犯大错，选错人了。D弟兄一度对上帝的圣工怀有真实的兴趣，且是保健院的元老。但他变得自高自满，采取了错误的做法。他屈从了试探。主管们为怠职找的藉口都是错误的。他们将责任转移到怀弟兄和怀姐妹身上，显明了他们的错误。他们完全忽视了自己的责任，因为那责任不合他们的心意。{3T 503.2}[29]
§59
When the Lord showed that Brother D might be the man for the place, if he remained humble and relied upon His strength, He did not make a blunder and select the wrong man. For a time Brother D had a true interest and acted as a father at the Health Institute. But he became self-exalted, self-sufficient. He pursued a wrong course. He yielded to temptation. The excuses which the directors have made for their neglect of duty are all wrong. Their shifting responsibilities upon Brother and Sister White is marked against them. They simply neglected their duty because it was unpleasant. {3T 503.2}[29]
§60
我看到美国太平洋沿岸需要帮助。但上帝不会让我们去承担那些本应属于别人的责任和重担。我们可以作他们的参谋，用我们的影响力和判断力帮助他们。我们若不替别人背负原属他们的重担，就可以成就更多的善工，而其他的弟兄也可获得必要的经验了。我们必须将一些非常重要的东西写出来，都是百姓极其需要的。我们在圣经真理上有宝贵的亮光，我们应当讲给百姓。{3T 503.3}[30]
§61
I saw that help was needed upon the Pacific Coast. But God would not have us take the responsibilities or bear the perplexities which belong to others. We may stand as counselors and help them with our influence and our judgment. We may do much if we will not be induced to get under the load and bear the weight which others should bear, and which it is important for them to bear in order to gain a necessary experience. We have important matter to write out which the people greatly need. We have precious light on Bible truth which we should speak to the people. {3T 503.3}[30]
§62
我蒙指示，我丈夫这五个月以来背负重担并不是上帝的旨意。与上帝圣工有关的重担都落在他身上。这使他心思困惑，身体疲惫，精神衰弱，由此导致了失望和沮丧。从这项工作一开始，他的弟兄们就缺乏和谐一致的行动。这些传道事工中的弟兄喜欢自由自在。他们没有负起能负的责任，也没有获得原可获得的经验，使他们配担任涉及上帝当代圣工重大利益的最重要的职位。他们为自己逃避责任找的借口是怕后来受人指责。{3T 503.4}[31]
§63
I was shown that God did not design that my husband should bear the burdens he has borne for the last five months. The working part in connection with the cause has been left to fall upon him. This has brought perplexity, weariness, and nervous debility, which have resulted in discouragement and depression. From the commencement of the cause there has been a lack of harmonious action on the part of his brethren. His brethren in the ministry have loved freedom. They have not borne the responsibilities which they might, and have failed to gain the experience which they might have had to enable them to stand in the most responsible positions relative to the vital interests of the cause of God at the present time. They have excused their neglect to bear responsibilities on the ground that they feared being reflected upon afterward. {3T 503.4}[31]
§64
我们所表白的信仰会受到我们自然倾向和性情的影响。因此最重要的是要通过锻炼加强我们品格中软弱的地方，并通过相反方向的努力和加强相反的素质来削弱品格中的缺点。但有些弟兄没有做他们力所能及、分所应当的事。他们若做了，便可使我丈夫获得足够的鼓励和帮助，使他能够在工作的中心继续担负某些责任。他同工们没有独立自主地行动，没有为亮光和责任亲自寻求上帝。他们并没有跟随上帝所显示的天意，一起商议业务计划，在工作计划和方法上同心。{3T 504.1}[32]
§65
The religion we profess is colored by our natural dispositions and temperaments; therefore it is of the highest importance that the weak points in our character be strengthened by exercise and that the strong, unfavorable points be weakened by working in an opposite direction and by strengthening opposite qualities. But some brethren have not done what they might and should have done, and which would have given my husband sufficient encouragement and help to continue to bear some responsibilities at the head of the work. His fellow laborers did not move independently, looking to God for light and for duty for themselves; they did not follow in His opening providence and consult together upon plans of operation and unite in their plans and manner of labor. {3T 504.1}[32]
§66
自从去年夏天来到密歇根州以后，主特别祝福了我丈夫的工作。上帝以一种极其显著的方式支持他去做非常需要完成的工作。在去年的密歇根帐篷大会上，如果那些与我丈夫联合的人能够清醒地看明上帝圣工的需要，许多应做而未做的事便可完成了。当时没能满足那个场合的需要。如果A弟兄能够怀着喜乐的心站立在上帝面前，行在光中，随时准备看明什么是要做的，并且迅速地开展工作，我们现在的工作就会提前数月完成了，而太平洋沿岸的出版工作也早就建立起来了。我们落到异常的忧郁之中，留在愁云之下，这不能使上帝得荣耀。那光确实在照耀，虽然我们可能没有认识到它的福气。但我们若殷勤地追求亮光，继续前进就象亮光确实在照耀那样，不久就会穿过黑暗而置身于光明中了。{3T 504.2}[33]
§67
Since coming to Michigan last summer, the Lord has especially blessed the labors of my husband. He has been sustained in a most remarkable manner to do work that so much needed to be done. Had those associated with him been awake to see and understand the wants of the cause of God at our last Michigan camp meeting, the many things not done might have been accomplished. There was a failure to meet the wants of the occasion. Had Brother A stood cheerful in God, walking in the light, ready to see what was to be done, and executing the work with dispatch, we should now be months advanced in our work, and we might long ago have been working to establish the press upon the Pacific Coast. God cannot be glorified by our falling into singular gloom and then remaining under the cloud. The light does shine, although we may not realize its blessing; but if we make all diligence to press to the light, and if we move ahead just as though the light did shine, we shall soon pass out of the darkness and find light all around us. {3T 504.2}[33]
§68
在我们最近的帐篷大会上，上帝的使者以特别的方式来到，用他们的能力光照、医治和祝福了我丈夫和瓦格纳弟兄。我们在这次大会上获得了宝贵的胜利，其影响绝不会失去。我蒙指示，上帝以一种十分显著的方式给了我丈夫祂的关心、爱护和祂扶持之恩的记号。祂重视了我丈夫对祂事工的热心和献身。这应永远使我丈夫心存谦卑和感激。{3T 505.1}[34]
§69
At our last camp meeting the angels of God in a special manner came with their power to lighten, to heal, and to bless both my husband and Brother Waggoner. A precious victory was there gained which should never lose its influence. I have been shown that God had in a most marked manner given my husband tokens of His love and care, and also of His sustaining grace. He has regarded his zeal and devotion to His cause and work. This should ever lead to humility and gratitude on the part of my husband. {3T 505.1}[34]
§70
上帝需要招之即来的战士。祂希望有人在作重要决定的时刻，能象磁针指向磁极一样地忠诚，个人的特别兴趣被吞没在救灵的伟大宗旨之中，就象我们的救主。撒但见缝插针，在人的思想上施展他的魔力。他随时随地都在寻找机会，最大限度地扩充自己的势力，损害上帝的圣工。我们若疏忽，不做所能做的和上帝要我们在祂圣工中去做的，就是一种罪恶，不能以环境或条件为藉口来减轻分毫，因为耶稣已经为所有的人在一切紧急情况中作了充足的预备。{3T 505.2}[35]
§71
God wants minutemen. He will have men who, when important decisions are to be made, are as true as the needle to the pole; men whose special and personal interests are swallowed up, as were our Saviours, in the one great general interest for the salvation of souls. Satan plays upon the human mind wherever a chance has been left for him to do so; and he seizes upon the very time and place where he can do the most service to himself and the greatest injury to the cause of God. A neglect to do what we might do, and what God requires us to do in His cause, is a sin which cannot be palliated with excuses of circumstances or conditions, for Jesus has made provision for all in every emergency. {3T 505.2}[35]
§72
我的弟兄啊，在做圣工的时候，你会被放在各种需要沉着和自制的境遇之中，但这种处境会使你适应环境和各种特殊情况。到那时你就能行动自如。你不应低估自己参加实际生活各种事业的能力。你若认识到自己的缺欠，就当马上努力去弥补这些缺欠。不要依靠别人来弥补你的不足，自己却行若无事，好像你理应如此，你特殊的秉性应当总是这样保留似的。你要认真克服这些缺欠，使你在基督耶稣里完全，一无所缺。{3T 505.3}[36]
§73
My brother, in doing the work of God you will be placed in a variety of circumstances which will require self-possession and self-control, but which will qualify you to adapt yourself to circumstances and the peculiarities of the situation. Then you can act yourself unembarrassed. You should not place too low an estimate upon your ability to act your part in the various callings of practical life. Where you are aware of deficiencies, go to work at once to remedy those defects. Do not trust to others to supply your deficiencies, while you go on indifferently, as though it were a matter of course that your peculiar organization must ever remain so. Apply yourself earnestly to cure these defects, that you may be perfect in Christ Jesus, wanting in nothing. {3T 505.3}[36]
§74
如果你高估自己，你对自己工作的评价就会超过其实际的效果，以致要求濒于骄傲自大的个人独立。你若走到另一个极端，自视过低，就会觉得低人一等，且会产生一种自卑感，而大大限制了你向善的影响力。你应避免这两种极端。情感不应控制你；环境不应影响你。你可以对自己有正确的评价，这样就会避免两种极端。你可以有尊严而无虚荣的自信；你可以谦逊柔顺而不牺牲自尊或个人的独立，你的人生可以对高低阶层的人产生极大的影响。{3T 506.1}[37]
§75
If you form too high an opinion of yourself, you will think that your labors are of more real consequence than they are, and you will plead individual independence which borders on arrogance. If you go to the other extreme and form too low an opinion of yourself, you will feel inferior and will leave an impression of inferiority which will greatly limit the influence that you might have for good. You should avoid either extreme. Feeling should not control you; circumstances should not affect you. You may form a correct estimate of yourself, one which will prove a safeguard from both extremes. You may be dignified without vain self-confidence; you may be condescending and yielding without sacrificing self-respect or individual independence, and your life may be of great influence with those in the higher as well as the lower walks of life. {3T 506.1}[37]
§76
A弟兄，你现在的危险是受传闻的影响。你的工作无疑是实际，严谨，尖锐的。你对人进行非常严格的要求和试验。这在有时是必要的；但你在这方面做得过分了，若不结合更多上帝之灵软化人鼓舞人的恩典，就必失去效力。你容让你亲戚和挚友的话影响你的提议和决定。你太轻信他们，将他们的观点融入自己的想法中；你常常被带入歧途。你需要谨慎。某地的一些家庭关系十分密切，具有一种影响力。你的判断、情绪和观点影响着他们，但反过来，他们也影响着你；你若不全然谦卑并且彻底献身上帝，就会形成一股强大的水流冲向错误的方向。这些家庭关系的一切成分自然都是独立并出于良心的，若无上帝圣灵的特别支配与调节，就会倾向于极端。{3T 506.2}[38]
§77
Brother A, your danger now is of being affected by reports. Your labors are decidedly practical, close, and cutting. You rein up the people to very close tests and requirements. This is necessary at times; but your labors are getting to be too much of this character, and will lose their force unless mingled with more of the softening, encouraging grace of the Spirit of God. You allow the words of your relatives and special friends to influence your propositions and affect your decisions. You credit them too readily and incorporate their views into your own ideas and are too often led astray. You need to be guarded. The families in ----- which are so closely related have had an influence. Your judgment, your feelings, your views, influence them, and, in turn, they influence you; and a strong current will be set flowing in a wrong direction unless you are all humble and thoroughly consecrated to God. All the elements of these family connections are naturally independent and conscientious, and, unless especially balanced and controlled by the Spirit of God, are inclined to extremes. {3T 506.2}[38]
§78
决不要受传闻的影响。决不要让你的行为受亲朋密友的左右。时候己到，我们需要在上帝的事工上运用最大的智慧。我们需要判断力，知道何时当开口说话，何时当保持沉默。对同情的渴望，往往会使一个性格沉稳的人轻率地对别人倾心吐意。你经常表现出渴望同情的样子，其实这些同情对你来说并没有好处。所有的人都有一个重要的本分，就是一天一天地熟悉自己行动的倾向和行为的动机。他们需要熟悉促使特别行为的特别动机。他们生活的每一个行动都是按它的动机，而不是按外在的表现来判断的。{3T 506.3}[39]
§79
Never, never be influenced by reports. Never let your conduct be influenced by your dearest relatives. The time has come when the greatest wisdom needs to be exercised in reference to the cause and work of God. Judgment is needed to know when to speak and when to keep silent. Hunger for sympathy frequently leads to imprudence of a grave character in opening the feelings to others. Your appearance frequently claims sympathy when it would be better for you if you did not receive it. It is an important duty for all to become familiar with the tenor of their conduct from day to day and the motives which prompt their actions. They need to become acquainted with the particular motives which prompt particular actions. Every action of their lives is judged, not by the external appearance, but from the motive which dictated the action. {3T 506.3}[39]
§80
人人都应防护自己的感官，免得被撒但所胜；因为这些感官乃是心灵的通道。我们尽可以严格地惩戒自己，但我们必须极其谨慎，不要把别人推向绝望。有人觉得怀弟兄以坚决的态度对人说话时，在责备他认为他们犯的错误时，过于严厉了。他或许有在责备人的态度上不是很小心以致没有给人机会反省的危险；但一些抱怨他责备人态度严厉的人，却在对会众讲话时，使用极其尖刻、责难、定罪的话语，这些话太不分青红皂白，不能讲给会众听，他们却觉得释放了自己的心灵，做了一件好事。但上帝的天使却不一定赞成这种努力。如果怀弟兄让一个人感到他做得不对，如果他对那个人过于严厉，态度需要改正，精神需要柔和，他那些传道弟兄就多么需要感到他们使大批会众遭受尖刻的责备和强烈的谴责，使实在无辜的人必遭有罪之苦，是多么矛盾的事啊。{3T 507.1}[40]
§81
All should guard the senses, lest Satan gain victory over them; for these are the avenues to the soul. We may be as severe as we like in disciplining ourselves, but we must be very cautious not to push souls to desperation. Some feel that Brother White is altogether too severe in speaking in a decided manner to individuals, in reproving what he thinks is wrong in them. He may be in danger of not being so careful in his manner of reproving as to give no occasion for reflection; but some of those who complain of his manner of reproving use the most cutting, reproving, condemnatory language, too indiscriminating to be spoken to a congregation, and they feel that they have relieved their souls and done a good work. But the angels of God do not always approve such labor. If Brother White makes one individual feel that he is not doing right, if he is too severe toward that one and needs to be taught to modify his manners, to soften his spirit, how much more necessary for his ministering brethren to feel the inconsistency of making a large congregation suffer from cutting reproofs and strong denunciations, when the really innocent must suffer with the guilty. {3T 507.1}[40]
§82
在会众之前指责每一个人，比到犯错的人那里当面责备他们坏处更大。这种在会众之前严厉，专横，斥责的话语，在上帝看来，其冒犯的程度比对个人当面斥责更为严重，因为听的人更多，受责难的范围更大。因为有许多人在场，就当着会众发泄情绪，这比亲自去见犯错的人，当面开诚布公地指出他们的错误，要容易得多了。在上帝的家中感情用事，攻击个人，使全体无辜的人与犯错的人一同受罪，这种工作方式上帝并不认可，是害多益少的。常常见到传道人在会众面前讲批评和谴责的道。这并不能鼓励弟兄相爱的精神，也不会使他们有属灵的心，引他们到圣洁和天国，而会在人心中引起一种苦毒的精神。这种措辞强烈，令人心惊胆颤的讲道有时确实是需要的，为了唤醒人，警告人，使人知罪。但这些讲道若不带有受上帝圣灵指导的特别印记，就会害多益少。{3T 507.2}[41]
§83
It is worse, far worse, to give expression to the feelings in a large gathering, firing at anyone and everyone, than to go to the individuals who may have done wrong and personally reprove them. The offensiveness of this severe, overbearing, denunciatory talk in a large gathering is of as much more grave a character in the sight of God than giving personal, individual reproof as the numbers are greater and the censure more general. It is ever easier to give expression to the feelings before a congregation, because there are many present, than to go to the erring and, face to face with them, openly, frankly, plainly state their wrong course. But bringing into the house of God strong feelings against individuals, and making all the innocent as well as the guilty suffer, is a manner of labor which God does not sanction and which does harm rather than good. It has too often been the case that criticizing and denunciatory discourses have been given before a congregation. These do not encourage a spirit of love in the brethren. They do not tend to make them spiritually minded and lead them to holiness and heaven, but a spirit of bitterness is aroused in hearts. These very strong sermons that cut a man all to pieces are sometimes positively necessary to arouse, alarm, and convict. But unless they bear the especial marks of being dictated by the Spirit of God they do far more injury than they can do good. {3T 507.2}[41]
§84
我蒙指示看到我丈夫的行为并不完全。他有时犯了抱怨和责人太严的错误。但从主给我的指示看，他在这方面的错误，并不像许多人想象的、或像我有时担心的那样严重。约伯的朋友们不理解他。他将他们的责备全都回应给他们。约伯表明，如果他的朋友表白自己的信仰和自己对罪的觉悟，以此来为上帝辩护，他就比他们对此有更深刻更全面的认识。约伯回应他朋友的批评和指责说：“你们安慰人，反叫人愁烦。”“我也能说你们那样的话。你们若处在我的境遇，我也会联络言语攻击你们，又能向你们摇头。”但他声明他不会那样做，他说：“但我必用口坚固你们，用嘴消解你们的忧愁”（伯16:2,4,5）。{3T 508.1}[42]
§85
I was shown that my husbands course has not been perfect. He has erred sometimes in murmuring and in giving too severe reproof. But from what I have seen, he has not been so greatly at fault in this respect as many have supposed and as I have sometimes feared. Job was not understood by his friends. He flings back upon them their reproaches. He shows them that if they are defending God by avowing their faith in Him and their consciousness of sin, he has a more deep and thorough knowledge of it than they ever had. Miserable comforters are ye all, is the answer he makes to their criticisms and censures. I also, says Job, could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my souls stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But he declares that he would not do this. I, he says, would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief. {3T 508.1}[42]
§86
弟兄姐妹们可能试图帮助他们实际并不知道的事，他们的心意是好的，但观念狭隘，只看到表面。他们有限的经验无法测透一个一直受上帝之灵驱策之人的情感，他为上帝的圣工和同胞的得救感到的深切和无法形容的爱与关心是他们从未体验过的，他在上帝的圣工中担负的重担是他们从未担过的。{3T 509.1}[43]
§87
Brethren and sisters who are well meaning, but who have narrow conceptions and look only at externals, may attempt to help matters of which they have no real knowledge. Their limited experience cannot fathom the feelings of a soul who has been urged out by the Spirit of God, who has felt to the depths that earnest and inexpressible love and interest for the cause of God and for souls that they have never experienced, and who has borne burdens in the cause of God that they have never lifted. {3T 509.1}[43]
§88
有些目光短浅、经验浅薄的朋友，无法用他们狭隘的视野赏识一个在拯救他人的事上一直与基督的心密切和谐之人的感情。他的动机被那些愿意作他朋友的人误解，他的行动也被他们曲解，直到他象约伯一样，发出恳切的祷告：救我脱离我的密友。上帝亲自处理约伯的事情。约伯的耐心受到了极大的考验；但当上帝一开口，约伯所有忿忿不平的情绪全都改变了。他先前为抵挡朋友的指责而作的自我辩白，对上帝是不必要作的。上帝决不会误判；祂决不会出错。耶和华对约伯说：“你要如勇士束腰。”约伯一听到上帝的声音，心便俯伏，感到自己有罪，他在上帝面前说：“我厌恶自己，在尘土和炉灰中懊悔”（伯38:3;42:6）。{3T 509.2}[44]
§89
Some shortsighted, short-experienced friends cannot, with their narrow vision, appreciate the feelings of one who has been in close harmony with the soul of Christ in connection with the salvation of others. His motives are misunderstood and his actions misconstrued by those who would be his friends, until, like Job, he sends forth the earnest prayer: Save me from my friends. God takes the case of Job in hand Himself. His patience has been severely taxed; but when God speaks, all his pettish feelings are changed. The self-justification which he felt was necessary to withstand the condemnation of his friends is not necessary toward God. He never misjudges; He never errs. Says the Lord to Job, Gird up now thy loins like a man; and Job no sooner hears the divine voice than his soul is bowed down with a sense of his sinfulness, and he says before God, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. {3T 509.2}[44]
§90
上帝一开口，我丈夫便听了祂的声音；但要忍受他朋友不辨黑白的定罪和谴责，却是一个很大的考验。当他的弟兄处在他的境遇，负起他所负的责任，象他那样少有鼓励和帮助时，他们或许能明白如何扶持、如何安慰、如何祝福他，而不是用他决不该受的谴责和责难去折磨他的感情了。{3T 509.3}[45]
§91
When God has spoken, my husband has hearkened to His voice; but to bear the condemnation and reflection of his friends who do not seem to discriminate has been a great trial. When his brethren shall have stood under the same circumstances, and borne the responsibilities that he has borne with as little encouragement and help as he has had, then they may be able to understand how to sustain, how to comfort, how to bless, without torturing his feelings by reflections and censures which he in no way deserves. {3T 509.3}[45]