第13章 家中的传道工作
§1
第13章 家中的传道工作
§2
Chap. 13 - Missionaries in the Home
§3
亲爱的姐妹：我蒙指示看到你有某些错误是你应该认识到要纠正的，以便享有上帝的祝福。你因讲话随便已经给自己带来了许多麻烦。你觉得讲话坦率是一种美德，且把你对人们及其行为的想法告诉他们。你称此为坦率；其实这是完全无礼，并且引起与你接触之人的好斗精神。如果别人也对你采取这种做法，你就会受不了。那些习惯于对别人坦白直言而且言辞激烈的人，并不喜欢受到同样的待遇。{4T 134.1}[1]
§4
Dear Sister: I have been shown that you have certain faults that you should feel the importance of correcting, in order to enjoy the blessing of God. Many of your trials you have brought upon yourself by your freedom of speech. You feel that it is a virtue to talk plainly, and tell people just what you think of them and their acts. You call this frankness; but it is downright discourtesy, and arouses the combativeness of those with whom you are brought in contact. If others should pursue the same course toward you, it would be more than you could bear. Those who are accustomed to speak plainly and severely to others, are not pleased to receive the same treatment in return. {4T 134.1}[1]
§5
你给自己招来了许多委屈，要是你具有一种温柔安静的精神，这些委屈原是可以避免的。你惹起争论；因为你的心意一受阻，你就起了斗争的精神。你想要管制人的精神对你来说是一个麻烦之源。你的性情已经变得猜忌人，不信任人。你是专横的，且因挑剔和轻率的谴责激起了纷争。你久已培养报复的精神，以致你不断需要上帝的恩典来软化折服你的本性。亲爱的救主说过：“咒诅你们的，要为他祝福！凌辱你们的，要为他祷告！”“为那逼迫你们的祷告”（路6:28；太5:44）{4T 134.2}[2]
§6
You have brought upon yourself many grievances that could have been avoided had you possessed a meek and quiet spirit. You provoke contention; for when your will is crossed, your spirit rises for conflict. Your disposition to rule is a constant source of trouble to yourself. Your nature has become jealous and distrustful. You are overbearing, and stir up strife by faultfinding and hasty condemnation. You have so long cultivated a spirit of retaliation that you continually need the grace of God to soften and subdue your nature. The dear Saviour has said: Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. {4T 134.2}[2]
§7
亲爱的姐妹，我蒙指示看到你因专注于别人的错误和缺点而给自己的心灵带来黑暗。你永远不会为他们的罪恶负责，但你有一项工作要为你自己的灵魂和你自己的家做成，是别人不能替你做的。你需要钉死自我，抑制夸大邻舍的错误和轻率地说出来的性情。有些题目是你可以谈论的，且有最佳的结果。谈论耶稣，谈论基督徒的盼望，谈论我们信仰的美好，总是安全的。要让你的舌头成圣归于上帝，好使你的言语总是有恩典调和。“弟兄们，我还有未尽的话：凡是真实的、可敬的、公义的、清洁的、可爱的、有美名的，若有什么德行，若有什么称赞，这些事你们都要思念”（腓4:8）。{4T 135.1}[3]
§8
Dear sister, I was shown that you bring darkness into your own soul by dwelling upon the mistakes and imperfections of others. You will never have their sins to answer for, but you have a work to do for your own soul and for your own family that no other can do for you. You need to crucify self and to check the disposition to magnify your neighbors faults and to talk thoughtlessly. There are subjects upon which you may converse with the very best results. It is always safe to speak of Jesus, of the Christians hope, and of the beauties of our faith. Let your tongue be sanctified to God, that your speech may be ever seasoned with grace. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {4T 135.1}[3]
§9
应该毫不含糊地遵行使徒的劝告。常有试探要人谈论讲者和听者都不受益，反而给双方带来祸害和荒芜的事。我们的宽容时期太短暂了，不可浪费在思想别人的缺点上。我们面前有一项工作，需要我们最紧张的殷勤和最严格的警醒，结合不住的祷告，否则我们就不能克服我们品格上的缺点，仿效那神圣的楷模。我们都应好好研究以便效法基督的生活。这样，我们才会对与我们交往的人有成圣的感化力。成为一个基督徒是一件奇妙的事，真的象基督，和平，纯洁，无玷污。亲爱的姐妹，上帝必须在我们一切的努力中与我们同在，否则我一切的努力都没有用处。我们的好行为会终结于自以为义。{4T 135.2}[4]
§10
The apostles exhortation should be explicitly followed. There is often a great temptation to talk of things which do not profit the speaker or the hearer, but which bring evil and barrenness to both. Our probationary time is too brief to be spent in dwelling upon the shortcomings of others. We have a work before us which requires the closest diligence and the strictest watchfulness, united with unceasing prayer, or we shall be unable to overcome the defects in our characters and to copy the divine Pattern. We should all study to imitate the life of Christ. Then we shall have a sanctifying influence upon those with whom we associate. It is a wonderful thing to be a Christian, truly Christlike, peaceable, pure, and undefiled. Dear sister, God must be with us in all our efforts, or they will avail nothing. Our good works will end in self-righteousness. {4T 135.2}[4]
§11
在你自己家中有许多要纠正的事。你没有给儿女所需要的关心和鼓励。你没有用慈爱的绳索，把他们的心与你的系在一起。你的事务占据了你大部分的时间和精力，使你忽略了家庭的责任。但你却对这个重担习以为常，以致认为卸下它才是重大的损失；然而你若能放下，就会对你属灵的利益和你儿女的福乐与道德，都大有益处。你最好能放下这些烦恼的挂虑，到乡间找一处僻静之所，那里对于青年人的道德，不会有很强烈的败坏影响。{4T 135.3}[5]
§12
In your own family there is much to correct. You have failed to give your children the attention and encouragement they need. You have not bound them to your heart by the tenderest cords of love. Your business is a great tax upon your time and energies, and causes you to neglect home duties. Yet you have become so accustomed to this burden that it would seem a great sacrifice to lay it down; still, if you could do this, it would be for your spiritual interest and for the happiness and morals of your children. It would be well for you to lay by your perplexing cares and find a retreat in the country, where there is not so strong an influence to corrupt the morals of the young. {4T 135.3}[5]
§13
不错，你在乡间也不可能完全脱离烦恼与困惑；但你在那里就能避免许多罪恶，并堵塞住势将制胜你儿女心志的试探之洪流。他们需有可作之工和多样的变化。家中千篇一律的单调情形，足以使他们局促不安、浮躁不宁，因而日趋堕落，染上当地行为不端的年轻人的恶习，如此便领受了街头的教育。{4T 136.1}[6]
§14
True, you would not be entirely free from annoyances and perplexing cares in the country; but you would there avoid many evils, and close the door against a flood of temptations which threaten to overpower the minds of your children. They need employment and variety. The sameness of their home makes them uneasy and restless, and they have fallen into the habit of mingling with the vicious lads of the town, thus obtaining a street education. {4T 136.1}[6]
§15
你投入了那么多时间去做与我们的信仰无关的传道工作，且为挂虑和责任所迫，没有与上帝现代的工作保持同步，也没空使你的家对儿女有吸引力。你没有研究他们的需要，也不理解他们活泼发展的心智；所以你不给他们满足一下原本无害的简单放纵。你若多关心一下自己的儿女，原本轻而易举，对他们来说却有极大的价值。{4T 136.2}[7]
§16
You have devoted so much time to missionary work which has no connection with our faith, and been so pressed with cares and responsibilities, that you have not kept pace with the work of God for this time, and have had little leisure to make the narrow precincts of home attractive to your children. You have not studied their needs, nor understood their active, developing minds; therefore you have withheld from them simple indulgences that would have gratified them without injury. It would have been a trifling tax upon you to give your children greater attention, and it would have been of the greatest value to them. {4T 136.2}[7]
§17
乡居对他们大有好处；积极的户外生活，极有利于发展身心的健康。他们最好有个可垦植的园子，在那里，他们既可找到乐趣，又可从事有用的劳作。栽种花木有助于培养审美观和鉴别力，对于上帝的有益而又美丽的创造物的认识，足能在心意中挥发文雅而高贵的影响力，指引它归向那位创造与统治万物之主。{4T 136.3}[8]
§18
To live in the country would be very beneficial to them; an active, out-of-door life would develop health of both mind and body. They should have a garden to cultivate, where they might find both amusement and useful employment. The training of plants and flowers tends to the improvement of taste and judgment, while an acquaintance with Gods useful and beautiful creations has a refining and ennobling influence upon the mind, referring it to the Maker and Master of all. {4T 136.3}[8]
§19
孩子们的父亲待他们苛刻、残忍、无情、冷酷而严厉，管教严格，要求不合理。他是一个具有特殊性情的人，专注于自己，只想着自己的快乐，想方设法满足自己和获得别人的尊重。他的懒惰和放荡的习惯，连同他对你和儿女缺乏同情和爱护，早就断绝了你对他的情意。你的人生充满了艰难和特殊的考验，可他对你的挂虑和重担却全然漠不关心。{4T 136.4}[9]
§20
The father of your children was harsh, relentless, and unfeeling, cold and stern in his associations with them, severe in his discipline, and unreasonable in his demands. He was a man of peculiar temperament, wrapped up in himself, thinking only of his own pleasure, and reaching out for means to gratify himself and secure the esteem of others. His indolence and his dissipated habits, together with his lack of sympathy and love for you and his children, weaned your affections from him at an early day. Your life was filled with hard and peculiar trials, while he was utterly indifferent to your cares and burdens. {4T 136.4}[9]
§21
这些事已经在你和你的儿女身上留下了印记，特别容易扭曲你的品格。你几乎不知不觉地发展了一种独立的精神。你既然发现自己不能依靠丈夫，就采取了自己认为最好的做法，而不信任他。当你最佳的努力没有得到赏识时，你就在精神上鼓励自己按照你最佳的判断前进，不管受到指责还是赞成。你既意识到自己被丈夫错待和误断了，就对他有一种怀恨的情绪，及至受到指责，你就报复那些质疑你做法的人。{4T 137.1}[10]
§22
These things have left their impress upon you and your children. Especially have they tended to warp your character. You have almost unconsciously developed an independent spirit. Finding that you could not depend upon your husband, you have taken that course which you thought best, without taking him into your confidence. As your best endeavors were not appreciated, you mentally braced yourself to move forward according to your best judgment, regardless of censure or approval. Conscious of being wronged and misjudged by your husband, you have cherished a feeling of bitterness against him, and when censured you have retaliated upon those who questioned your course. {4T 137.1}[10]
§23
但是你在充分意识到你丈夫的过错时，却没能注意自己的错误。你在对别人讲论他的失败上犯了错误，从而养成了细思详述不愉快话题的爱好，始终把你的失望和考验摆在面前。这样，你就陷入了充分利用自己的忧愁和烦恼的习惯，其中有许多都是你因夸大其辞和讲给别人而引起的。{4T 137.2}[11]
§24
But while you have fully realized your husbands faults, you have failed to mark your own. You have erred in talking of his failings to others, thus cultivating a love for dwelling upon disagreeable topics, and keeping your disappointments and trials constantly before you. You have thus fallen into the habit of making the most of your sorrows and difficulties, many of which you create by exaggeration and by talking to others. {4T 137.2}[11]
§25
你若将自己的注意力转离外面的烦恼，集中在你的家庭上，就会更快乐，且会成为行善的手段。你的孩子们缺少父亲的好榜样和适当指导的事实，使你更有责任成为一位温柔虔诚的母亲。你的本分更多是在你的家里及与你的家人在一起。这里才是要做的真正的传教工作。这个责任是无法转移给另一个人的；这是上帝指定给你的毕生的工作。{4T 137.3}[12]
§26
If you should turn your attention away from outside annoyances and center them upon your family you would be happier and would become the means of doing good. The very fact that your children have missed the proper counsel and example of a father renders it more obligatory upon you to be a tender and devoted mother. Your duty is more in your home and with your family. Here is real missionary labor to perform. This responsibility cannot be shifted upon another; it is the lifework God has appointed for you. {4T 137.3}[12]
§27
你既完全投入在事务的细节上，就丧失了默想和祈祷的时间，也使你的孩子失去了耐心的关怀和照顾，这本是他们有权从自己的母亲得到的。你发现自己可以匆匆完成许多任务，比你耐心地教导自己的孩子为你去做要容易得多，也快得多；可是如果把一些责任放在他们身上，并且教导他们成为有用的人，会好得多。这会鼓励他们，使他们有事做，也会减轻你的负担。{4T 137.4}[13]
§28
In devoting yourself so entirely to the details of business, you are robbing yourself of time for meditation and prayer, and are robbing your children of the patient care and attention that they have a right to claim from their mother. You find that you can hurry through with many tasks yourself, easier and quicker than you can patiently teach your children to do them for you; yet it would be much better to put certain responsibilities upon them and instruct them to be useful. This would encourage and occupy them, as well as relieve you in part. {4T 137.4}[13]
§29
你花了相当多的时间在那些对你没有特别要求的人身上，这样就忽略了一位母亲的神圣义务。你承担的许多担子并不是上帝加给你的。你探访和帮助的那些人需要你花费的光阴和付出的关心不及你自己的儿女需要的一半，你的儿女如今正在形成要么适合于天国要么应该灭亡的品格。上帝不会支持你去照顾许多确实因他们放荡邪恶的生活而在上帝的咒诅之下受苦的人。{4T 138.1}[14]
§30
You give considerable time to those who have no special claims upon you, and in so doing you neglect the sacred duties of a mother. God has not laid upon you many of the burdens which you have assumed. You have visited and helped those who did not need your time and care half so much as your own children, who are now forming characters for heaven or perdition. God will not sustain you in ministering to many who are really suffering under the curse of God for their dissolute and wicked lives. {4T 138.1}[14]
§31
你人生的第一要务就是成为家中的布道士。你要披戴谦卑和忍耐，自制和仁爱，去做上帝已命定你应该做的工作，是别人不能替你做的。在报应的日子你要为这工作负责。上帝无法祝福一个管理不善的家。仁慈和耐心必须在家中作王，才能使之幸福快乐。{4T 138.2}[15]
§32
The first great business of your life is to be a missionary at home. Clothe yourself with humility and patience, forbearance and love, and go about the work that God has ordained you should do, which no other one can do for you. It is a work for which you will be held responsible in the day of retribution. Gods blessing cannot rest upon an ill-disciplined household. Kindness and patience must rule in the home to make it happy. {4T 138.2}[15]
§33
就属世的观点而论，金钱就是力量；但就基督徒的立场而言，爱才是力量。才智与灵性的能力都包含在这原则之中。纯洁的爱有特殊的为善的功效，而且所行的尽都是善。它能防止不睦与痛苦，导致最真实的幸福。财富往往带有一种败坏和毁灭的影响；权势也充满严重的伤害之力；惟有真理和良善才是纯爱的本质。{4T 138.3}[16]
§34
From a worldly point of view, money is power; but from the Christian standpoint, love is power. Intellectual and spiritual strength are involved in this principle. Pure love has special efficacy to do good, and can do nothing but good. It prevents discord and misery, and brings the truest happiness. Wealth is often an influence to corrupt and destroy; force is strong to do hurt; but truth and goodness are the properties of pure love. {4T 138.3}[16]
§35
我的姐妹啊，你若能看自己像上帝看你一样，就会明白，若无一番彻底的改变，你就决不能进入上帝的国。你若愿意谨记，你用什么量器量给人，也必用什么量器量给你，你就会更加谨慎自己的言语，你的性情也会更加温和宽宏。基督来到世上要征服一切抵抗和权威，但祂没有藉着辩论之力或命令之声要人顺从；祂周流四方行善事，教导跟从祂的人关系他们平安的事。祂不激起任何纷争，祂不怨恨任何人身伤害，而是温柔顺服地面对那些恨祂、定祂死罪之人的侮辱，诬告和残忍的鞭打。基督是我们的榜样。祂的生活是祂神圣教训的一个实际说明。祂的品格活生生地展现了行善和胜恶之路。{4T 138.4}[17]
§36
My sister, if you could see yourself as God sees you, it would be plain to your mind that without a thorough conversion you can never enter the kingdom of God. If you would bear in mind that whatever measure you mete to others it shall be meted to you again, you would be more cautious in your speech, milder and more forgiving in your disposition. Christ came into the world to bring all resistance and authority into subjection to Himself, but He did not claim obedience through the strength of argument or the voice of command; He went about doing good and teaching His followers the things which belonged to their peace. He stirred up no strife, He resented no personal injuries, but met with meek submission the insults, the false accusations, and the cruel scourging of those who hated Him and condemned Him to death. Christ is our example. His life is a practical illustration of His divine teachings. His character is a living exhibition of the way to do good and overcome evil. {4T 138.4}[17]
§37
你对你丈夫和其他错待你的人怀存怨恨，却没能认识到自己错在哪里，且因你自己的错误做法使事情更糟糕了。你对那些待你不公的人怀有苦毒的精神，你的情绪也在指摘和责难中发泄出来。这会暂时减轻你心上的重担，却在你的心灵上留下了永久的伤疤。舌头虽小，你却用之不当，以致使它成了烈火。{4T 139.1}[18]
§38
You have nursed your resentment against your husband and others who have wronged you, but have failed to perceive wherein you have erred and made matters worse by your own wrong course. Your spirit has been bitter against those who have done you injustice, and your feelings have found vent in reproaches and censure. This would give momentary relief to your burdened heart, but it has left a lasting scar upon your soul. The tongue is a little member, but you have cultivated its improper use until it has become a consuming fire. {4T 139.1}[18]
§39
这一切的事都会阻碍你灵程的进步。但上帝看到对你来说多么难以做到忍耐和饶恕，祂也知道怎样同情你帮助你。祂要你改革自己的生活，纠正自己的缺点。祂希望你坚定不屈的精神被祂的恩典折服。你应该寻求上帝的帮助，因为你需要和平与安静，而非风暴和争论。基督的宗教吩咐你少凭冲动而行，多凭成圣的理智和冷静的判断而行。{4T 139.2}[19]
§40
All these things have tended to check your spiritual advancement. But God sees how hard it is for you to be patient and forgiving, and He knows how to pity and to help. He requires you to reform your life, to correct your defects. He desires that your firm, unyielding spirit should be subdued by His grace. You should seek the help of God, for you need peace and quiet instead of storm and contention. The religion of Christ enjoins upon you to move less from impulse, and more from sanctified reason and calm judgment. {4T 139.2}[19]
§41
你让环境影响你太多了。要让每天的警醒和祈祷成为你的安全保障。这样，上帝的天使就会在你周围，将清晰宝贵的亮光照在你的意念上，用他们属天的力量支持你。你对儿女的感化力和你对他们的做法应该能吸引这些圣洁的访客到你的居所，好使他们帮助你努力使你的家和家人成为上帝希望的样子。你若独自奋勇，执意偏行己路，天使们就受到抵制，忧伤地从你面前退却，撇下你独自去奋斗了。{4T 139.3}[20]
§42
You allow your surroundings to affect you too much. Let daily watchfulness and prayer be your safeguard. Then the angels of God will be around you to shed clear and precious light upon your mind and to uphold you with their heavenly strength. Your influence over your children, and your course toward them, should be such as to attract these holy visitors to your dwelling, that they may assist you in your efforts to make your family and your home what God would have them. When you essay to independently fight your own way through, the heavenly angels are repelled, and retire from your presence in grief, leaving you to struggle on alone. {4T 139.3}[20]
§43
你的孩子们带有父母留给他们的品格印记。因而，你应该多么小心地对待他们，多么温柔地责备和纠正他们的过错啊。你太严厉太苛求了，常常在兴奋和忿怒的时候对付他们。这几乎侵蚀掉了使他们与你心连心的爱的金绳。你应该总是让儿女感到你爱他们的事实，你正在为他们的利益操劳，他们的幸福对你来说很宝贵，你定意只做对他们有益的事。{4T 140.1}[21]
§44
Your children have the stamp of character that their parents have given them. How careful, then, should be your treatment of them; how tenderly should you rebuke and correct their faults. You are too stern and exacting, and have frequently dealt with them when you were excited and angry. This has almost fretted away the golden cord of love that binds their hearts to yours. You should ever impress upon your children the fact that you love them; that you are laboring for their interest; that their happiness is dear to you; and that you design to do only that which is for their good. {4T 140.1}[21]
§45
只要你能做得合理，就应满足他们小小的需要。你现在住的地方比较单调，没有什么可供他们年轻好动的心思消遣的，而且这种困难每年都在增加。本着对上帝的敬畏，你首先应当为自己的儿女考虑。作为一名基督徒母亲，你对他们的义务既不轻也不小；为了使他们适当充实，你应当放下别的一些重担，而将你的光阴和精力投入到这项工作上。你儿女的家对他们来说应该是世界上最合意最快乐的地方，母亲的同在应该对他们有最大的吸引力。{4T 140.2}[22]
§46
You should gratify their little wants whenever you can reasonably do so. Your present location affords but little variety or amusement to their young and restless minds, and every year the difficulty increases. In the fear of God, your first consideration should be for your children. As a Christian mother, your obligations to them are neither light nor small; and in order to fill them properly, you should lay down some of your other burdens, and devote your time and energies to this work. The home of your children should be the most desirable and happy place in the world to them, and the mothers presence should be the greatest attraction. {4T 140.2}[22]
§47
撒但在这时代青少年身上的魔力是可怕的。若不用宗教原则来坚稳他们的心智，他们的道德就会被所接触的坏孩子败坏。你以为自己明白这些事，但你没能充分了解罪恶对年轻心思的诱惑力。他们最大的危险来自缺乏适当的管教和训练。姑息纵容的父母没有教导自己的儿女舍己。那摆在他们面前的食物，会刺激敏感的胃膜。这种刺激藉着神经传到大脑，结果激起了兽性情欲，控制了道德能力。这样，就使理智成了心智的低级本性的奴隶。吃到胃里并且被转化成血液的任何东西都变成身体的一部分。不应让孩子们吃粗糙而油腻的食物，例如猪肉、香肠、香料、丰腻的糕饼和点心等；因为吃这些东西会使他们的血液发热，神经系统受到不适当的刺激，有影响道德的危险。任何一个人在饮食上若不节制，就不可能在很大程度上保持忍耐。我们的天父赐下饮食改良的亮光，为要预防因下贱食欲导致的罪恶，使那些喜爱纯正圣洁的人可以慎重地使用祂为他们准备的美物，藉着在他们日常的生活上实行节制，得以因真理成圣。{4T 140.3}[23]
§48
The power of Satan over the youth of this age is fearful. Unless their minds are firmly balanced by religious principle, their morals will become corrupted by the vicious children with whom they come in contact. You think you understand these things, but you fail to fully comprehend the seducing power of evil upon youthful minds. Their greatest danger is from a lack of proper training and discipline. Indulgent parents do not teach their children self-denial. The very food they place before their children is such as to irritate the tender coats of the stomach. This excitement is communicated to the brain through the nerves, and the result is that the animal passions are roused and control the moral powers. Reason is thus made a servant to the lower qualities of the mind. Anything which is taken into the stomach and converted into blood becomes a part of the being. Children should not be allowed to eat gross articles of food, such as pork, sausage, spices, rich cakes and pastry; for by so doing their blood becomes fevered, the nervous system unduly excited, and the morals are in danger of being affected. It is impossible for anyone to live intemperately in regard to diet and yet retain a large degree of patience. Our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils resulting from a debased appetite, that those who love purity and holiness may use with discretion the good things He has provided for them, and by exercising temperance in their daily lives, may be sanctified through the truth. {4T 140.3}[23]
§49
你在对待自己的儿女上没有始终如一。你有时纵容他们到使他们受到伤害，有时又不肯让他们得到会使他们很快乐的无害的满足。你不耐烦地离开他们，蔑视他们天真的要求，忘了他们能从在你看来愚蠢而幼稚的事上享受快乐。你没有在自己的年龄和身份上屈尊俯就去理解和照顾儿女们的需要。在这一点上你没能效法基督。祂和卑微，贫穷，受苦的人打成一片。祂将小孩子们抱在怀中，降低到青年人的水平。祂那伟大的爱心能理解他们的考验和需要，且与他们同乐。祂的精神因拥挤城市的匆忙与混乱而疲倦，因与狡诈伪善的人交往而厌烦，却在天真无邪的小孩子们的陪伴中寻得了安息与平安。祂的临格从不排斥他们。天上的至尊者谦逊地回答他们的一切问题，并简化祂的重要教训，以适应他们幼稚的理解力。祂在他们幼嫩而正在扩展的心智中，种下了当他们成长之后必发芽结出丰满果实来的真理种子。{4T 141.1}[24]
§50
You are not uniform in your treatment of your children. At times you indulge them to their injury, while at other times you refuse them some innocent gratification that would make them very happy. You turn from them with impatience and scorn their simple requests, forgetting that they can enjoy pleasures that to you seem foolish and childish. You do not stoop from the dignity of your age and station to understand and minister to the wants of your children. In this you fail to imitate Christ. He identified Himself with the lowly, the needy, and the afflicted. He took little children in His arms, and descended to the level of the young. His large heart of love could comprehend their trials and necessities, and He enjoyed their happiness. His spirit, wearied with the bustle and confusion of the crowded city, tired of association with crafty and hypocritical men, found rest and peace in the society of innocent children. His presence never repulsed them. The Majesty of heaven condescended to answer their questions and simplified His important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their young, expanding minds the seeds of truth that would spring up and produce a plentiful harvest in their riper years. {4T 141.1}[24]
§51
在这些被带到祂面前要祂祝福的孩子们身上，祂看到了将来要承受祂恩典作祂国民的男男女女，其中有些人会为祂名的缘故殉道。某些没有同情心的门徒吩咐把孩子们带走，免得烦扰夫子；但是当他们悲哀地转身要离开时，基督却斥责了祂的门徒，说：“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们；因为在上帝国的，正是这样的人”（可10:14）。{4T 142.1}[25]
§52
In these children who were brought to Him that He might bless them He saw the future men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His names sake. Certain unsympathizing disciples commanded that the children be taken away, lest they should trouble the Master; but as they were turning away in sadness, Christ rebuked His followers, saying: Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. {4T 142.1}[25]
§53
祂知道这些孩子愿意听从祂的教训，接受祂为他们的救赎主，而那班心地刚硬的俗世聪明人却很少愿意来跟从祂，在上帝的国里得到一席之地。这些小孩子们由于来到基督面前，并领受了祂的指导与祝福，便有祂的形像和祂的恩言铭刻在他们易受感化的心智上，永不磨灭了。从基督所行的这件事上，我们应该学到一项教训，就是青年人的心最易接受基督教的教义，最易受感化而倾向敬虔与德行，并且最易保持所领受的印象。然而应当以仁慈接近，以爱心和耐心教导这些易受感动的年轻人。{4T 142.2}[26]
§54
He knew that these children would listen to His counsel and accept Him as their Redeemer, while those who were worldly-wise and hardhearted would be less likely to follow Him and find a place in the kingdom of God. These little ones, by coming to Christ and receiving His advice and benediction, had His image and His gracious words stamped upon their plastic minds, never to be effaced. We should learn a lesson from this act of Christ, that the hearts of the young are most susceptible to the teachings of Christianity, easy to influence toward piety and virtue, and strong to retain the impressions received. But these tender, youthful ones should be approached with kindness and taught with love and patience. {4T 142.2}[26]
§55
我的姐妹，要用慈爱把你的儿女系在心上。要在凡事上适当地照料和关心他们。给他们合适的衣服穿，使他们不致因外表受辱，因为这会伤害他们的自尊。你已眼见世界埋头于时尚和服装，忽视了心智和道德，去装饰自己的身体；但你在避免这种罪恶时，却走到了相反的极端，对你自己和你儿女的服装不够注意。着装整洁和得体且与你的年龄和身分相称总是好的。{4T 142.3}[27]
§56
My sister, bind your children to your heart by affection. Give them proper care and attention in all things. Furnish them with becoming garments, that they may not be mortified by their appearance, for this would be injurious to their self-respect. You have seen that the world is devoted to fashion and dress, neglecting the mind and morals to decorate the person; but in avoiding this evil you verge upon the opposite extreme, and do not pay sufficient attention to your own dress and that of your children. It is always right to be neat and to be clad appropriately in a manner becoming to your age and station in life. {4T 142.3}[27]
§57
秩序和清洁是天国的律法；为要与上帝的安排和谐一致，我们有责任保持整洁有品味。你在这个问题上的想法是不正当的。你在谴责世人的奢侈和虚荣时，陷入了节俭过头以致吝啬的错误中。你舍了自己本应拥有的适当的东西，且是上帝已经给了你钱财去获得的东西。你没有给自己和儿女适当的衣服穿。我们的外表不应羞辱我们自称跟随的主，而应给祂的圣工增光。{4T 142.4}[28]
§58
Order and cleanliness is the law of heaven; and in order to come into harmony with the divine arrangement, it is our duty to be neat and tasty. Your ideas upon this subject are perverted. While condemning the extravagance and vanity of the world, you fall into the error of stretching economy into penuriousness. You deny yourself that which it is right and proper that you should have, and which God has furnished you means to procure. You do not suitably clothe yourself or your children. Our outward appearance should not dishonor the One we profess to follow, but should reflect credit upon His cause. {4T 142.4}[28]
§59
使徒说：“你要嘱咐那些今世富足的人，不要自高，也不要倚靠无定的钱财；只要倚靠那厚赐百物给我们享受的上帝。又要嘱咐他们行善，在好事上富足，甘心施舍，乐意供给人”（提前6:17,18）。主赐给你钱财是要你用在有需要之处的，而不是要积攒起来等候大火灾的毁灭。你受命享受上帝的美好恩赐，应当将它们用于你的安舒，慈善的目的和好行为，以推进祂的圣工，从而为自己积攒财宝在天上。{4T 143.1}[29]
§60
The apostle says: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Your means are given you to use where needed, not to hoard up for destruction in the great conflagration. You are bidden to enjoy the good gifts of the Lord, and should use them for your own comfort, for charitable purposes, and in good works to advance His cause, thereby laying up for yourself treasures in heaven. {4T 143.1}[29]
§61
临到你们的许多患难，是上帝本着祂的智慧要使你们更加靠近施恩的宝座。祂用忧患和试炼软化折服祂的儿女。这个世界是上帝的工厂，祂在这里为天庭塑造我们。祂在我们颤栗的心上使用刨刀，直到将一切粗糙不平与不匀称之处全都除去，使我们在那属天的建筑物中各适其位。基督徒由于患难与痛苦而得以洁净，加强能力，发展一种仿效基督所赐模范的品格。一种真实敬虔生活的影响是无法测量的。它越过家庭和朋友的圈子，发出亮光争取人归于耶稣。{4T 143.2}[30]
§62
Many of your afflictions have been visited upon you, in the wisdom of God, to bring you closer to the throne of grace. He softens and subdues His children by sorrows and trials. This world is Gods workshop, where He fashions us for the courts of heaven. He uses the planing knife upon our quivering hearts until the roughness and irregularities are removed and we are fitted for our proper places in the heavenly building. Through tribulation and distress the Christian becomes purified and strengthened, and develops a character after the model that Christ has given. The influence of a true, godly life cannot be measured. It reaches beyond the immediate circle of home and friends, shedding a light that wins souls to Jesus. {4T 143.2}[30]