第29章 得克萨斯州的圣工
§1
第29章 得克萨斯州的圣工
§2
Chap. 29 - The Cause in Texas
§3
上帝指示我看到撒但在得克萨斯州的许多作为，和一些从密歇根州搬到那里之人的非基督化行为。我蒙指示看到B家的弟兄们心里没有接受给他们的证言。他们更信任自己而不信任预言之灵。他们觉得所赐的亮光不是来自天上，而是来自别人就他们的事向我作的汇报。这是不正确的。然而我要问：报告岂没有根据吗？他们自己的生活史岂不定他们的做法有罪吗？{4T 330.1}[1]
§4
Not one of this family has had a religious experience that would qualify him to take any leading position in teaching the truth to others. Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord, were the words spoken by the angel of God. Ye are not chosen vessels of God to do any part of His most sacred work. Ye mar and corrode, but do not purify and bless. You have, Brethren B, ever held a low standard of Christianity. For a time, where you are not fully known, you have influence. This once gained, you become less guarded and act out the natural propensities of the heart, until the lovers of the truth feel that you are a great hindrance to the advancement of the work of God. This is no evil surmising, but the actual facts in the case. {4T 330.3}[1]
§5
这家人中没有一个人有那种宗教经验，可使他们有资格接受任何教导他人真理的领导地位。上帝的天使对他们说的话是：“你们扛抬耶和华器皿的人哪，务要自洁（赛52:11）。你们不是上帝所拣选的器皿，可以做祂至圣工作的任何一部分工作。你们带来损坏和侵蚀，而不是洁净和福气。”B家的弟兄们哪，你们总是保持基督教中的低标准。你们在没有被人们完全认识的地方，会暂时具有影响力。而你们一旦获得了影响力，就会不谨慎，行出你们内心自然的倾向，直到爱真理的人感到你们对上帝圣工的进展是一个大障碍。这并非恶意的猜测，而是真确的事实。{4T 330.3}[2]
§6
If you would always manifest kindness, respect, noble love and generosity, toward even wicked men, you might render effectual service to Christ. If the spirit of Christ dwelt in you, you would represent Him in your words, in your actions, and even in the expression of your countenance. Your conversation would be expressive of meekness, not proud and boastful. You would not seek to exalt and glorify self. Humility is a Christian grace with which you are unacquainted. You have aspired for the supremacy and have tried to cause your power and superiority to be felt in ruling and dictating to others. Especially has this been the case with A B. He and his wife cannot advance the moral and spiritual standing of the cause of God by their influence. The more limited their sphere in connection with the cause of God the better will it be for the cause. Their words and acts in matters of deal are not reliable. This is the case with A B and his brothers generally. The world and the church have a right to say that their religion is vain. They are worldly and scheming, and watch their opportunity to make a close bargain. They are harsh and severe with those who are connected with them. They are envious, jealous, puffed up. {4T 331.1}[2]
§7
你们若总是表现出仁慈、尊敬、高贵的爱心和慷慨，甚至对恶人也是如此，就会向基督献上有效的服务。基督的灵若住在你们里面，你们就会在言语、行为甚至面部表情上把祂表现出来。你们的谈吐就会温柔，而不是骄傲和自夸。你们就不会寻求高抬自己和荣耀自我。你们不熟悉基督徒的谦卑美德。你们渴望最高的权利，总想在管制和指挥别人时使人感受到你们的能力和优越。AB尤其是这样。他和他的妻子无法用他们的感化力提高上帝圣工的道德和属灵状况。他们与上帝圣工接触的范围越有限，对圣工就会越好。他们在交易的事上言行都不可靠。AB和他的弟兄们一般都是这样。世人和教会都有资格说他们的信仰是虚空无益的。他们老于世故，诡计多端，伺机达成吝啬的交易。他们对那些与他们联络的人是苛刻严厉的。他们嫉妒，猜疑，张狂。{4T 331.1}[3]
§8
Those who thus represent the truth rear a mighty barrier to the salvation of others. Unless they become transformed, it would be better had they never embraced the truth. Their minds are controlled more by Satan than by the Spirit of God. Brother A Bs wife naturally possesses a kind heart, but she has been molded by her husband. She is a careless talker. Her tongue is frequently set on fire of hell; it is untamable. In the multitude of words, says Solomon, there wanteth not sin. This is certainly true in her case. She exaggerates and bears false witness and is thus constantly transgressing the commandment of God, while she professes to be a commandment keeper. She does not mean to do wrong, but her heart is not sanctified by the truth. {4T 331.2}[3]
§9
这样表现真理的人给别人的得救树立了强大的障碍。他们若不改变，倒不如从未信奉真理。他们的心智更多受撒但控制而不是受上帝的灵支配。AB弟兄的妻子天生有仁慈的心肠，但她已被她丈夫影响了。她是一个讲话随便的人。她的舌头常常点着地狱的火；是难驯服的。所罗门说：“多言多语难免有过”（箴10:19）。这确实是她的情况。她言过其实，且作假见证，从而不断违背上帝的诫命，同时却自称是守诫命的人。她并非想要作恶，但她的心没有因真理成圣。{4T 331.2}[4]
§10
While you, Brethren B, have been forward to engage in controversy with others upon points of our faith, without an exception you have been asleep in reference to those things which pertain to Christianity. You are not even dreaming of the perilous position you occupy. This apathy extends over the church and over everyone who, professing Christ as you have done, denies Him by his works. You are leading others in the same path of recklessness in which you are treading. Gods word declares that without holiness no man shall see God. Jesus died to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. {4T 332.1}[4]
§11
而B家的弟兄们，你们虽热心参与就我们的信仰要点跟别人论战，却毫无例外地对那些属于基督教的事漠不关心。你们甚至做梦也没想到自己的危险处境。这种冷漠弥漫了教会和每一个象你们一样虽自称信奉基督，却用自己的行为否认祂的人。你们正带领别人走在你们所走的粗心大意的路上。上帝的话宣布，非圣洁没有人能见上帝（来12:14）。耶稣为我们舍了自己，要赎我们脱离一切罪恶，又洁净我们，特作自己的子民，热心为善（多2:14）。{4T 332.1}[5]
§12
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Christ says: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. What do your prayers amount to while you regard iniquity in your hearts? Unless you make a thorough change, you will, not far hence, become weary of reproof, as did the children of Israel; and, like them, you will apostatize from God. Some of you in words acknowledge reproof, but you do not in heart accept it. You go on the same as before, only being less susceptible to the influence of the Spirit of God, becoming more and more blinded, having less wisdom, less self-control, less moral power, and less zeal and relish for religious exercises; and, unless converted, you will finally yield your hold upon God entirely. You have not made decided changes in your life when reproof has come, because you have not seen and realized your defects of character and the great contrast between your life and the life of Christ. It has been your policy to place yourselves in a position where you would not entirely lose the confidence of your brethren. {4T 332.2}[5]
§13
“因为上帝救众人的恩典已经显明出来，教训我们除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情欲，在今世自守、公义、敬虔度日”（多2:11,12）。基督说：“所以，你们要完全，象你们的天父完全一样”（太5:48）。你们心中注重罪孽之时，祈祷有何效力呢？除非你们彻底改正，不久就要对责备感到厌倦，象古时以色列人所行的一样；你们也要象他们那样叛离上帝了。你们有些人口头承认责备，却没有从心中领受。你们仍旧照以前那样去行，对上帝圣灵的感化力只有更少的感觉，越变越盲目，更少智慧，更少自制，更少道德力量，对宗教的活动也更少热忱及兴趣；这样，你们若不悔改，就终必完全放弃信上帝的心了。因为你们没有看清自己品格的瑕疵，也不明白自己的生活与基督的生活之间的大差别，所以虽有责备临到，你们在生活上却未作显著的改变。你们采取的策略是置身于一个不会完全丧失弟兄们信任的立场。{4T 332.2}[6]
§14
I was shown that the condition of the ----- church is deplorable. Your influence, Brother A B, and that of your wife, has resulted, as you and all may see, in discord and strife, and will prove utter ruin to the church unless you either change your location or become converted. You rust and corrode those connected with you. You have sympathizers, because all do not see you as God sees. Their perception is perverted by your multiplicity of words and fair speeches. This is a sad, discouraging state of things. {4T 332.3}[6]
§15
我蒙指示看到某地教会的状况是可叹的。AB弟兄啊，你和你妻子影响已经导致了不和与纷争，就如你们所看到的，你们要么搬家，要么悔改归正，否则必定完全灭亡。你们锈蚀了与你们联络的人。你们有同情者，因为并非人人都象上帝那样看你们。他们的洞察力被你们大量的话和花言巧语败坏了。这是一种可悲的、令人灰心的局面。{4T 332.3}[7]
§16
I was shown that so far as talk is concerned, A B is qualified to lead the meetings; but when moral fitness is weighed, he is found wanting. His heart is not right with God. When others are placed in a leading position, they have the opposing spirit of himself and his wife to meet. This unsanctified spirit is not manifested openly, but works secretly to hinder, perplex, and discourage those who are trying to do the very best they can. God sees this, and it will in due time receive its just reward. Rule or ruin is the policy of this brother, and his wife is now in no better condition herself. Her senses are perverted. She is not right with God. {4T 333.1}[7]
§17
我蒙指示看到，就谈吐来说，AB有资格带领聚会；但衡量他在道德上是否适当时，他就显出亏欠了。他的心在上帝面前不正。当他人被安置在领导位置时，就会遇到他和他妻子反对的精神。这种不圣洁的精神虽没有公开表现出来，却在背地里作工，阻碍那些力求竭尽所能去行的人，使他们困惑灰心。上帝看到了这一切，必在适当的时候予以报应。这位弟兄的政策是“顺我者昌，逆我者亡”，她妻子现在的状况也好不了多少。她跟上帝的关系不正确。{4T 333.1}[8]
§18
Brother A B, a record of the sad history you are making is kept in heaven. In heart you are at war with the testimonies of reproof. The E family have been, and are still, deceived in you. Others are more or less perplexed because you can talk well on present truth. Harmony and unity do not exist in the church at -----. You have not received and acted upon the light given you. Had you heeded the words of Solomon you would not today be found standing in such a slippery path. He says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Entire submission to the will and ways of God, united with deep distrust of your own wisdom, would have led you in a safer path. {4T 333.2}[8]
§19
AB弟兄啊，你正在天上留下一份可悲的历史记录。你内心在与责备的证言争战。E家的人已经而且仍在被你欺骗。其他人或多或少也有困惑，因为你很能谈论现代真理。某地的教会没有和谐和团结。你没有领受和遵行所赐给你的亮光。要是你听从了所罗门的话，你今天就不会站在这种容易滑跌的道路上了。他说：“你要专心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明”（箴3:5）。完全顺服上帝的旨意和道路，并且深切不信任你自己的智慧，原会把你引到更安全的路上。{4T 333.2}[9]
§20
Your self-confidence has been very great. No sooner has a brother been suggested to lead the meetings, or to take a position of trust in preference to yourself, than you have resolved that he should not succeed if you could help it, and with the might of your perverse will you have set your spirit to oppose. {4T 333.3}[9]
§21
你一直非常自信。一旦有人建议让另一位弟兄带领聚会，或优先于你接受一个负责的岗位，你就下决心尽力不让他成功，表现出固执的态度予以反对。{4T 333.3}[10]
§22
Your course toward Brother D was abusive. His heart was stirred with the deepest sympathy for you. He had been your friend, but the fact that he disconnected from you was sufficient to create in you a spirit of jealousy which was as cruel as the grave. And this spirit was exercised against a blind man, one who should have had the kindest care and the deepest sympathy from all. It was your perverse and deceptive spirit which led others to sympathize with you rather than with him. When he saw that the clear light of the case could not be brought before the brethren, and was fully convinced that wrong was triumphing over right, his spirit was so wounded that he became desperate. It was then that he let go his hold upon God. A partial shock of paralysis came upon him. He was nearly ruined, mentally and physically. In the church meetings, matters of no special account were talked over, dwelt upon, and made the most of; and wrong, cruelly wrong impressions were made upon the minds of those present. {4T 333.4}[10]
§23
你对D弟兄的做法是非常错误的。他的心曾激起对你最深切的同情。他曾是你的朋友，但他和你断绝关系足以在你心中引起一种嫉妒的精神，如阴间般残忍。这种精神竟用来对付一个盲人，一个原应得到众人最仁慈的关怀和最深切同情的人。你刚愎欺人的精神使他人同情你而不是同情他。当他看到不能清楚地把这事向弟兄们说明，并确信错误正在胜过正义时，他的精神就很受伤害以致绝望了。那时他才放松了对上帝的把握。部分瘫痪的打击临到了他身上。他几乎身心俱毁。在教会的会议中，不怎么重要的事情却反复商议，讨论和详尽地研究、在与会者心中留下了非常错误的印象。{4T 333.4}[11]
§24
To thus seek to injure a man who is in full possession of all his faculties is a great sin; but such a course toward a man who is blind, and who should be treated in such a manner as to cause him to feel his loss of sight as little as possible, is a sin of far greater magnitude. Had you been a man of fine feelings, or a Christian, as you profess to be, you could not have abused him as you did. But Brother D has a Friend in heaven who has pleaded his cause for him and strengthened him to grasp Gods promises anew. When Brother D was crazed with his great grief and the treatment he had received, he acted like an insane man. This was used against him as evidence that he had a wrong spirit. But the all-seeing Judge weighs motives, and He will reward as the works have been. {4T 334.1}[11]
§25
谋求这样伤害一个身心健全的人乃是大罪；但这样对待一个盲人就是更大的罪了，应该尽量不要让他感觉到自己的失明。你若是一个有美好感情的人，或是一个基督徒，就如你所自称的，你就不能那样亏待他。但是D弟兄有一位朋友在天上为他辩护，并且勉励他重新握紧上帝的应许。D弟兄因极其忧伤和所受的待遇而失态时，表现得象一个疯狂的人。这也用来作为证据反对他，证明他有一种错误的精神。但那洞察一切的最高审判者衡量人的动机，祂必按各人所行的报应各人。{4T 334.1}[12]
§26
You, Brother A B, have been puffed up with vain conceit and have felt yourself competent for any task. You have renounced the Testimonies of the Spirit of God; and if you had your own way, would cast everything in a new mold. How hard it is for you to see things in a just light when duty leads in one direction and inclination in another. Your ideas of the character of Christ, and of the necessary preparation for the life to come, are narrow and perverted. {4T 334.2}[12]
§27
AB弟兄，你一直很张狂，虚荣自负，觉得自己什么都能做。你拒绝了上帝之灵的证言；你若能为所欲为，就会在一个新模子里塑造每件事。你多么难以用正确的眼光看问题啊，因为责任要你往东，而爱好要你往西。对于基督的品格和要为来生作的必要准备，你的观念是狭隘而错误的。{4T 334.2}[13]
§28
I was shown that the brothers B and their families are descending lower and lower. Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit; and if they continue in the course they have been pursuing, they will finally be twice dead, plucked up by the roots. In leaning to their own understanding, they have gone down to the point where they have no practical godliness, no heaven, no God as theirs. {4T 335.1}[13]
§29
我蒙指示看到B家的弟兄们和他们的家人在越降越低。“他们是没有雨的云彩，被风飘荡；是秋天没有果子的树”；他们若依然故我，最终就会“死而又死，连根被拔出来”（犹12）。他们既倚靠自己的聪明，就下降到没有实际敬虔的地步，没有天国，也没有上帝。{4T 335.1}[14]
§30
If Gods people were all connected with Him, they would discern the limited capacities of these men, their prejudices, envy, jealousy, and self-confidence. The objections which their wicked hearts may raise against the Testimonies of the Spirit of God, will not, in the providence of God, be removed. They may stumble and fall upon questions of their own originating. But Gods people should see that their proud hearts have never been humbled, and their high looks have never been brought low. The Bible is clear upon all points which relate to Christian duty. All who do the will of God shall know of the doctrine. But these persons are seeking light from their own tapers and not from the Sun of Righteousness. {4T 335.2}[14]
§31
上帝的子民若是都与祂有联络，就会看出这些人才能有限，并洞悉他们的偏见，猜忌，嫉妒和自信。本着上帝的天意，他们邪恶的心对上帝之灵证言的异议不会消除。他们会绊跌在自己发出的问题上。但上帝的子民会看出他们骄傲的心从未降卑，他们傲慢的表情也从未谦虚下来。圣经关于基督徒义务的各点都说得很清楚。凡遵行上帝旨意的人都会明白道理。但这些人在追求自己微弱的烛光，而不是公义日头的光线。{4T 335.2}[15]
§32
No man who does not utter the real sentiment of his heart can be called a truthful man. Falsehood virtually consists in an intention to deceive; and this may be shown by a look or a word. Even facts may be so arranged and stated as to constitute falsehoods. Some are adepts at this business, and they will seek to justify themselves for departing from strict veracity. There are some who, in order to tear down or injure the reputation of another, will, from sheer malice, fabricate falsehoods concerning them. Lies of self-interest are uttered in buying and selling goods, cattle, or any kind of merchandise. Lies of vanity are uttered by men who love to appear what they are not. A story cannot pass through their hands without embellishment. Oh, how much is done in the world which the doers will one day wish to undo! But the record of words and deeds in the books of heaven will tell the sad story of falsehoods spoken and acted. {4T 335.3}[15]
§33
凡不说出自己心中真实观点的人，不能被称为诚实的人。谎言实际存在于欺骗的意图中；而这可以藉着表情或言语显露出来。甚至事实也可被如此编排和陈述以致构成谎言。有些人擅长做这种事，他们会谋求为自己偏离严格的诚实辩护。有些人为了诋毁或伤害另一个人的名誉，会纯粹出于恶意捏造关于他们的谎言。利己主义的谎言是在买卖货物、牲畜或任何一种商品时说出来的。虚荣的谎言是由喜爱隐藏本相的人说出来的。一件事经过他们的手就必被修饰。唉，世上有多少事是做事的人终有一天会希望撤消的啊！但在天上的册子中记录的言行会证明所说所行谎言的可悲故事。{4T 335.3}[16]
§34
Falsehood and deception of every cast is sin against the God of truth and verity. The word of God is plain upon these points. Ye shall not deal falsely, neither lie one to another. All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. God is a God of sincerity and truth. The word of God is a book of truth. Jesus is a faithful and true witness. The church is the witness and ground of the truth. All the precepts of the Most High are true and righteous altogether. How, then, must prevarication and any exaggeration or deception appear in His sight? For the falsehood he uttered because he coveted the gifts which the prophet refused, the servant of Elisha was struck with leprosy, which ended only with death. {4T 336.1}[16]
§35
各种谎言和欺骗都是得罪真理和真实的上帝。圣经明白说明了这些要点。“不可欺骗，也不可彼此说谎”（利19:11）。“一切说谎话的，他们的分就在烧着硫磺的火湖里；这是第二次的死”（启21:8）。上帝是真诚和真理的上帝。圣经是真理的书。耶稣是一位诚信真实见证者。教会是真理的见证和根基。至高者一切的训词尽都诚实公义。因而，支吾搪塞和任何夸大之词或欺骗在祂看来必是如何呢？以利沙的仆人因贪得先知所拒绝的礼物而说了谎言，因而被击打得了大麻风，直到死日。{4T 336.1}[17]
§36
Even life itself should not be purchased with the price of falsehood. By a word or a nod the martyrs might have denied the truth and saved their lives. By consenting to cast a single grain of incense upon the idol altar they might have been saved from the rack, the scaffold, or the cross. But they refused to be false in word or deed, though life was the boon they would receive by so doing. Imprisonment, torture, and death, with a clear conscience, were welcomed by them, rather than deliverance on condition of deception, falsehood, and apostasy. By fidelity and faith in Christ they earned spotless robes and jeweled crowns. Their lives were ennobled and elevated in the sight of God because they stood firmly for the truth under the most aggravated circumstances. {4T 336.2}[17]
§37
即使为了保住性命，也不当以虚谎为代价。那些殉道者尽可用一句话，或点一下头来否认真理，保全自己的性命。他们若同意在偶像的坛前烧一柱香，就可救自己免受拷问台，绞刑架或十字架的酷刑。然而他们却拒绝在言行上略示虚伪，即使这么做可以保命。他们既有清白的良心，便欣然迎受牢狱，苦刑和死亡，而不肯以欺诈，虚谎和背道为条件，苟且得释放。因为忠贞和坚信基督，他们博得了无玷污的衣袍和宝石的冠冕。在上帝的眼中，他们的生命是高尚尊贵的，因为他们在困难重重的环境之下，仍能为真理坚立不渝。{4T 336.2}[18]
§38
Men are mortals. They may be sincerely pious and yet have many errors of understanding and many defects of character, but they cannot be Christs followers and yet be in league with him who loveth and maketh a lie. Such a life is a fraud, a perpetual falsehood, a fatal deception. It is a close test upon the courage of men and women to be brought to face their own sins and to frankly acknowledge them. To say, That mistake must be charged to my account, requires a strength of inward principle that the world possesses in but a limited degree. But he who has the courage to say this in sincerity gains a decided victory over self and effectually closes the door against the enemy. {4T 336.3}[18]
§39
人是必死的。他们可能真诚笃信，却有许多理解上的错误和品格缺陷。然而他们无法作跟从基督的人而仍与“喜好说谎言、编造虚谎的”（启22:15）人联合。这样的人生是一种欺诈，一种永久的谎言，一种致命的欺骗。使男男女女面对自己的罪和坦白认罪，对他们的勇气来说是一种严格的考验。说“那个错误必须归到我的账上”需要一种内在原则的力量，世人很少具有这种原则。但是那有勇气真诚地这样说的人，就明确地胜过了自我，有效地关闭了仇敌进来的门户。{4T 336.3}[19]
§40
An adherence to the strictest principles of truth will frequently cause present inconvenience and may even involve temporal loss, but it will increase the reward in the future life. Religion does not consist merely in a system of dry doctrines, but in practical faith, which sanctifies the life and corrects the conduct in the family circle and in the church. Many may tithe mint and rue, but neglect the weightier matters, mercy and the love of God. To walk humbly with God is essential to the perfection of Christian character. God requires undeviating principle in the minutest details of the transactions of life. Said Christ: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. {4T 337.1}[19]
§41
坚持最严格的真理原则常会引起当前的不便，甚至会有暂时的损失，却会增加将来生活中的奖赏。宗教并非仅由一套枯燥的教条构成，而是在于实际的信心，这种信心使人的生活成圣，纠正人在家庭圈子和教会中的操行。许多人可能把薄荷芸香献上十分之一，却忽视了更重的事，就是上帝的怜悯和仁爱。存谦卑的心与上帝同行，对完善基督徒品格来说是必不可少的。上帝要求在人生交易的细枝末节上坚持不离正道的原则。基督说过：“人在最小的事上忠心，在大事上也忠心”（路16:10）。{4T 337.1}[20]
§42
It is neither the magnitude nor the seeming insignificance of a business transaction that makes it fair or unfair, honest or dishonest. By the least departure from rectitude we place ourselves on the enemys ground, and may go on, step by step, to any length of injustice. A large proportion of the Christian world divorce religion from their business. Thousands of little tricks and petty dishonesties are practiced in dealing with their fellow men, which reveal the true state of the heart, showing its corruption. {4T 337.2}[20]
§43
一项业务交易数量巨大或看似无足轻重并不决定它是否公平，是否诚实。我们稍微偏离公正都会置身于仇敌的境地，而且可能继续下去，步步不公，直至无以复加。基督教界大部分的人使信仰与自己的业务分离。他们在和同胞打交道时耍成千上万个小把戏和不诚实的行为，显明他们真实的心态是败坏的。{4T 337.2}[21]
§44
You, Brother A B, do not honor the cause of truth. The fountain needs to be cleansed, that the streams may be pure. Your wife is engaged too much in seeking spot and stain upon the characters of her brethren and sisters. While seeking to weed the gardens of her neighbors, she has neglected her own. She must make most diligent efforts in order to build up a spotless character. There is the most fearful danger that she will fail here. If she loses heaven, she loses everything. Both of you should cleanse the soul-temple, which has become terribly polluted. Your minds have become sadly perverted. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Be very jealous and distrustful of self, but never let your tongues be used to express the jealousy of your hearts in regard to another. A great work remains for both of you to do, to so humble yourselves before God that He will accept your repentance. Hitherto you have been hearers but not persevering doers of the word. You have admitted again and again that you were wrong, but the carnal mind has remained unchanged. You have made a little change under the influence of feeling, but there has not been a reformation of principle. I saw that the time has now fully come when action must be taken in your cases unless a thorough change is wrought in your lives. The church of God must not compromise with your coarse ways and low standard of Christianity. {4T 337.3}[21]
§45
AB弟兄，你没有尊荣真理的事业。泉源必须洁净，溪流才能洁净。你妻子太多在弟兄姐妹们身上寻找品格的污点和瑕疵了。她在谋求拔除邻舍园中的野草时，却忽视了自己的园子。她必须做出最殷勤的努力，好建造无瑕疵的品格。她有在这方面失败的最可怕的危险。她若丧失了天国，就丧失了一切。你们二人都应该清洁心灵的殿，因为已经十分污秽了。你们的心智已经可悲的堕落了。“敬畏耶和华是智慧的开端”（箴9:10）。要非常热心，不信任自我，决不用你的舌头说出你心中对另一个人的嫉妒。一项大工仍等着你们二人去做，要在上帝面前自卑，以便祂悦纳你们的悔改。迄今你们是听道的人，却不是恒切行道的人。你们虽再三承认自己错了，但你们属肉体的心仍未改变。你们在情绪的影响下作了一点点改变，但没有原则上的改革。我看到现在时候已经满足，你们的生活若无彻底的改变，就必须对你们的情况采取行动。上帝的教会不可与你们粗鄙的作风妥协，降低基督教的标准。{4T 337.3}[22]
§46
One of you brothers is enough in a place. You are continually at strife and war among yourselves, hateful, and hating one another. But although you are a byword to those of the world with whom you associate, yet you are so far distant from God that you cannot see but that you are about right. You each need a nearer view of the character of Christ, that you may discern more clearly what it is to be like Him. Unless you all change your deportment, and entirely overcome your pompous, dictatorial, uncourteous course of conduct, you will dishonor the cause wherever you are; and it would have been better had you never been born. The time has come for you to turn to the right or to the left. If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. The deformed character developed in you is a disgrace to the Christian name. No church will prosper under your rule or guidance, for you are not connected with God. You are boastful, proud, and self-important, and would mold others after the same pattern as yourselves. {4T 338.1}[22]
§47
在一个地方有你们的一个弟兄就够了。你们中间不断起纷争，是可恨的，也彼此相恨。然而尽管你们已成了与你们交往之世人的笑柄，你们却离上帝那么远，以致什么都看不到，只认为自己是对的。你们各人都需要更近地看到基督的品格，以便更清楚地看出什么是要象祂一样。你们若不都改变你们的行为举止，完全克服你们的虚夸自负，独裁无礼的作风，就会羞辱圣工，无论你们在哪里；你们就会不生在世上倒好。时候到了，你们要或向左或向右。“若耶和华是上帝，就当顺从耶和华；若巴力是上帝，就当顺从巴力”（王上18:21）。你们所显露的丑陋品格对基督徒的名号是一个羞辱。在你们的管辖或领导下，没有一个教会会兴旺，因为你们与上帝没有联络。你们自夸、骄傲、妄自尊大，希望按照你们自己的样式塑造别人。{4T 338.1}[23]
§48
The church of God has long been burdened with your unchristian acts and deportment. God help you to see and feel that your eternal interests demand an entire transformation. By your example others are led astray from the pure, elevated path of holiness. Truly great men are invariably modest. Humility is a grace which sits naturally upon them as a garment. Those who have stored their minds with useful knowledge, and who possess genuine attainments and refinement, are the ones who will be most willing to admit the weakness of their own understanding. They are not self-confident nor boastful; but in view of the higher attainments to which they might rise in intellectual greatness, they seem to themselves to have but just begun the ascent. It is the superficial thinker, the one who has but a beginning or smattering of knowledge, who deems himself wise and who takes on disgusting airs of importance. {4T 338.2}[23]
§49
上帝的教会因你们非基督徒的行为举止长久负着重担。愿上帝帮助你们看到和感觉到你们永恒的利益要求你们作出完全的改变。你们的榜样把别人带入歧途，偏离纯洁高尚的圣洁之路。真正的伟人总是谦虚的。谦卑这种恩典就象衣服一样自然地披在他们身上。那些心中存有有用的知识，具有真正的造诣和文雅的人，乃是最乐于承认自己悟性弱点的人。他们既不自信也不自夸；但考虑到他们在智力的伟大上可以达到的更高的造诣，他们看自己就不过象刚刚起步而已。倒是那肤浅的思想家，刚刚开始或稍微有点知识的人，才认为自己很聪明，显出傲慢的可厌姿态。{4T 338.2}[24]
§50
You might today be men of honor and of trust, but you have all been so well satisfied with yourselves that you have not improved the light and privileges which have been graciously granted you. Your minds have not been expanded by the Christian graces, neither have your affections been sanctified by communion with the Life-giver. There is a littleness, an earthliness, which stamps the outer character and reveals the fact beyond doubt that you have been walking in the way of your own heart and in the sight of your own eyes and that you are filled with your own devices. {4T 339.1}[24]
§51
你们今日原可成为可敬可靠的人，但你们都很自满，以致没有善用所惠赐给你们的亮光和特权。你们的心智没有因基督徒的恩典而扩大，你们的情感也没有因与赐生命的主交通而成圣。你们外面的品格印有偏狭卑鄙和世俗的特征，显明的事实是，你们无疑一直在随从自己的心意和眼见而行，充满了你们自设的计谋。{4T 339.1}[25]
§52
When connected with God and sincerely seeking His approval, man becomes elevated, ennobled, and sanctified. The work of elevation is one that man must perform for himself through Jesus Christ. Heaven may give him every advantage so far as temporal and spiritual things are concerned, but it is all in vain unless he is willing to appropriate these blessings and to help himself. His own powers must be put to use, or he will finally be weighed in the balances and pronounced wanting; he will be a failure so far as this life is concerned, and will lose the future life. {4T 339.2}[25]
§53
人在与上帝联络和真诚地寻求祂的嘉许时，才变得高尚、尊贵和圣洁。高尚的工作是人必须藉着耶稣基督为自己做成的。就现世的事和属灵的事来说，上天或许会赐给他一切的有利条件，但他若不愿善用这些福气并且自助，这一切都会枉然。他自己的能力必须付诸使用，否则他最终会被称在天平上，显出亏欠；就今生来说，他会失败，也会丧失来生。{4T 339.2}[26]
§54
All who will with determined effort seek help from above, and subdue and crucify self, may be successful in this world, and may gain the future, immortal life. This world is the field of mans labor. His preparation for the future world depends upon the way he discharges his duties in this world. He is designed of God to be a blessing to society; and he cannot, if he would, live and die to himself. God has bound us together as members of one family, and this relationship everyone is bound to cherish. There are services due to others which we cannot ignore and yet keep the commandments of God. To live, think, and act for self only is to become useless as servants of God. High-sounding titles and great talents are not essential in order to be good citizens or exemplary Christians. {4T 339.3}[26]
§55
凡以坚决的努力寻求来自上面的帮助，并且征服和钉死自我的人，都可在今世成功，也可获得不朽的来生。今世是人工作的园地。他为来生作的准备取决于他在今世履行职责的方式。上帝的计划原是要他造福社会；他即使愿意，也不能既向自己活又向自己死。上帝已使我们成为一个家庭的成员，这种关系每一个人都要珍惜。有些服务是别人应得的，我们若是忽略了，就不可能遵守上帝的诫命。为自己生活、思想和行事，只能使我们成为上帝无用的仆人。要成为好公民或模范基督徒，不一定需要显赫的头衔和伟大的才干。{4T 339.3}[27]
§56
We have in our ranks too many who are restless, talkative, self-commending, and who take the liberty to put themselves forward, having no reverence for age, experience, or office. The church is suffering today for help of an opposite character --modest, quiet, God-fearing men, who will bear disagreeable burdens when laid upon them, not for the name, but to render service to their Master, who died for them. Persons of this character do not think it detracts from their dignity to rise up before the ancient and to treat gray hairs with respect. Our churches need weeding out. Too much self-exaltation and self-sufficiency exists among the members. {4T 340.1}[27]
§57
我们的队伍中有太多好动、多嘴、自我表扬的人，随意举荐自己，一点不尊敬别人的年龄、经验或职责。教会现在急需具有相反品格之人的帮助——谦虚、安静、敬畏上帝的人，愿意承担放在他们身上的不合意的责任，不是为出名，而是为了向为他们而死的夫子献上服务。具有这种品格的人，不会认为在年长的人和白发的人面前尊敬地站起来有损自己的尊严。我们的各教会需要清除杂草。信徒们中间存在太多高抬自我和自足自负的事了。{4T 340.1}[28]
§58
Those who fear and reverence God, He will delight to honor. Man may be so elevated as to form the connecting link between heaven and earth. He came from the hand of his Creator with a symmetrical character, endowed with such capacities for improvement that, combining divine influence with human effort, he might elevate himself almost to an angels sphere. Yet, when thus elevated, he will be unconscious of his goodness and greatness. {4T 340.2}[28]
§59
上帝喜欢尊重那些敬畏祂崇敬祂的人。人可以得到提升以致形成连结天与地之间的链环。人从创造主手中出来的时候有匀称的品格，赋有可以用来进步的才能，以便在上帝的影响和人的努力之下，可以提高自己，几乎达到天使的境界。然而，他在得到这样的提高时，却不会意识到自己的良善和伟大。{4T 340.2}[29]
§60
God has given man intellectual faculties capable of the highest cultivation. Had the Brethren B seen the natural coarseness and roughness of their characters, and with assiduous care cultivated and trained the mind, strengthening their weak points of character and overcoming their glaring defects, some of them would have been accepted as Christs messengers. But as they now are, God cannot accept any one of them as His representative. They have not sufficiently realized the need of improvement to cause them to seek for it. Their minds have not been trained by study, observation, reflection, and a constant effort to thoroughly discipline themselves for the duties of life. The means of improvement are within the reach of all. None are so poor or so busy but that with Jesus to help them they can make improvements in their life and character. {4T 340.3}[29]