第35章 我们的书刊
§1
第35章 我们的书刊
§2
Chap. 35 - Our Publications
§3
我们的出版社还没有对一些十分重要的事给予应有的重视。负责工作的人应当制定计划使我们的书发行出去，而不是躺在书架上，无法刊行。我们的信徒落在时代后面，无法随从上帝所启示的旨意。{4T 388.1}[1]
§4
Some things of grave importance have not been receiving due attention at our offices of publication. Men in responsible positions should have worked up plans whereby our books could be circulated and not lie on the shelves, falling dead from the press. Our people are behind the times and are not following the opening providence of God. {4T 388.1}[1]
§5
我们许多印刷品投放市场的价格太低，其利润不足以维持出版社和提供继续工作的资金。那些不担任巴特尔克里克和奥克兰各部门工作的人，不了解圣工的需要和维持营业所要的资金。他不知道亏损的可能性和这些机构每天的开销。他们好像觉得任何事情都是一帆风顺，分文不花的，所以一味要求最低书价，以致没有什么利润。书价虽已降到几乎等于书的成本，他们对推销要求低价出售的书，却没有表现出真正的关心。目的达到了，他们的担子减轻了。他们应当对书刊的销售表现出真正的兴趣和关心，如此播撒真理的种子，给出版社带来收入，以投资出版其它书籍。{4T 388.2}[2]
§6
Many of our publications have been thrown into the market at so low a figure that the profits are not sufficient to sustain the office and keep good a fund for continual use. And those of our people who have no special burden of the various branches of the work at Battle Creek and Oakland do not become informed in regard to the wants of the cause and the capital required to keep the business moving. They do not understand the liability to losses and the expense every day occurring to such institutions. They seem to think that everything moves off without much care or outlay of means, and therefore they will urge the necessity of the lowest figures on our publications, thus leaving scarcely any margin. And after the prices have been reduced to almost ruinous figures, they manifest but a feeble interest in increasing the sales of the very books on which they have asked such low prices. The object gained, their burden ceases, when they ought to have an earnest interest and a real care to press the sale of the publications, thereby sowing the seeds of truth and bringing means into the offices to invest in other publications. {4T 388.2}[2]
§7
传道人有一种很大的疏怱，就是没有让他们工作地区的教会关心这件事。书籍降价以后，就很难再提到能赢利的价格，因为心地狭窄的人会喊叫：你们在做投机买卖。他们并没有想到提价并没有使任何个人获利，而上帝的机构又不必因缺乏资金而瘫痪。本来应广泛销行的书籍，却因没有人对其发行给予足够的重视，而无可奈何地躺在我们的出版社里。{4T 388.3}[3]
§8
There has been a very great neglect of duty on the part of ministers in not interesting the churches in the localities where they labor, in regard to this matter. When once the prices of books are reduced, it is a very difficult matter to get them again upon a paying basis, as men of narrow minds will cry, Speculation, not discerning that no one man is benefited, and that Gods instrumentalities must not be crippled for want of capital. Books that ought to be widely circulated are lying useless in our offices of publication because there is not interest enough manifested to get them circulated. {4T 388.3}[3]
§9
印刷机是一种力量，可是它的产品却因缺乏人愿意执行计划广泛销行而束之高阁，其力量也就失去了。人们一方面有深谋远虑能看出需要投资添设备以增加书刊印刷，一方面又疏忽回收印刷其他材料所投资金的计划。他们手中有印刷机及其一切便利。他们可以很好地利用它，也可以半睡半醒，懒惰拖拉而失去他们可能得到的优势。他们可以通过聪明的发行推销书刊小册子而把真光传开，让现在坐在错误黑暗中的千家万户得到这些书藉。{4T 389.1}[4]
§10
The press is a power; but if its products fall dead for want of men who will execute plans to widely circulate them, its power is lost. While there has been a quick foresight to discern the necessity of laying out means in facilities to multiply books and tracts, plans to bring back the means invested so as to produce other publications, have been neglected. The power of the press, with all its advantages, is in their hands; and they can use it to the very best account, or they can be half asleep and through inaction lose the advantages which they might gain. By judicious calculation they can extend the light in the sale of books and pamphlets. They can send them into thousands of families that now sit in the darkness of error. {4T 389.1}[4]
§11
其他的出版社有正规的制度把没有多大价值的书投放市场。“因为今世之子，在世事之上，较比光明之子更加聪明”（路16:8）。美好的机会几乎天天都有，无声的真理使者本来可以进入家庭传给个人，可是这些机会却没有被懒惰粗心的人所利用。积极肯干的传道人真是寥若晨星。本来只有一个人的地方应当兴起一百个人。许多人因为没有运用他们的才能来拯救同胞而铸成大错。应有成百的人起来把真光传到各个城镇乡村。要唤醒众人的心。上帝说要把光照到园地各个部分。祂要人成为传光的通道，将光明传给黑暗中的人。{4T 389.2}[5]
§12
Other publishers have regular systems of introducing into the market books of no vital interest. The children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. Golden opportunities occur almost daily where the silent messengers of truth might be introduced into families and to individuals; but no advantage is taken of these opportunities by the indolent, thoughtless ones. Living preachers are few. There is only one where there should be a hundred. Many are making a great mistake in not putting their talents to use in seeking to save the souls of their fellow men. Hundreds of men should be engaged in carrying the light all through our cities, villages, and towns. The public mind must be agitated. God says: Let light be sent out into all parts of the field. He designs that men shall be channels of light, bearing it to those who are in darkness. {4T 389.2}[5]
§13
到处都需要传道士。在传道园地的各个地方都要挑选书报员。不要招募社会上那些闲散人员，不中用的人和一事无成的人，而要招收那些有良好风度，机智，能干，有远见卓识的人。要培养成功的书报员，就需要这样的人。适合于这项工作的人当负起这个担子。可是有一些不明智的传道人却奉承他们，说他们的才能应用在办公室里，而不是去当书报员，这样就小看了这项工作。他们受到影响去争取传道证书。那些本来可以培养成为家庭布道士，访问家庭，与人谈话的人，却被吸收充当平庸的传道人。而这么需要工人，有这么多善工需要做的园地却被忽略了。有效的书报员和传道人一样，如果忠心尽职，应该获得充分的报酬。{4T 389.3}[6]
§14
Missionaries are wanted everywhere. In all parts of the field canvassers should be selected, not from the floating element in society, not from among men and women who are good for nothing else and have made a success of nothing, but from among those who have good address, tact, keen foresight, and ability. Such are needed to make a success as colporteurs, canvassers, and agents. Men suited to this work undertake it, but some injudicious minister will flatter them that their gift should be employed in the desk instead of simply in the work of the colporteur. Thus this work is belittled. They are influenced to get a license to preach; and the very ones who might have been trained to make good missionaries to visit families at their homes and talk and pray with them are caught up to make poor ministers; and the field where so much labor is needed, and where so much good might be accomplished for the cause, is neglected. The efficient colporteur, as well as the minister, should have a sufficient remuneration for his services if his work is faithfully done. {4T 389.3}[6]
§15
如果有什么工作比其他工作更重要的话，那就是把书刊介绍给公众，引导他们研究圣经的工作，把书刊送进家家户户，与他们谈话，为他们祷告的传道工作乃是一件善工，会培养人从事牧者的工作。{4T 390.1}[7]
§16
If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures. Missionary work--introducing our publications into families, conversing, and praying with and for them--is a good work and one which will educate men and women to do pastoral labor. {4T 390.1}[7]
§17
不是每一个人都适合于这项工作的。要挑选最有才能的人。他们会有步骤有系统地做这项工作，以不懈的努力将它推进。要有精心制订的计划，并要忠心地执行。各地的教会应十分关心文字布道工作。{4T 390.2}[8]
§18
Everyone is not fitted for this work. Those of the best talent and ability, who will take hold of the work understandingly and systematically, and carry it forward with persevering energy, are the ones who should be selected. There should be a most thoroughly organized plan; and this should be faithfully carried out. Churches in every place should feel the deepest interest in the tract and missionary work. {4T 390.2}[8]
§19
那几卷《预言之灵》和证言，应当被介绍到每个遵守安息日之人的家庭中，弟兄们应当知道它们的价值，并接受劝勉去阅读它们。这些书定价很低，及在教会中只置一套，这不是最聪明的方法。应当将它们置于每个家庭的图书室中，读了再读。应将它们放在很多人可以阅读之处，让它们被所有邻居阅读甚至到翻旧了为止。{4T 390.3}[9]
§20
The volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, and also the Testimonies, should be introduced into every Sabbathkeeping family, and the brethren should know their value and be urged to read them. It was not the wisest plan to place these books at a low figure and have only one set in a church. They should be in the library of every family and read again and again. Let them be kept where they can be read by many, and let them be worn out in being read by all the neighbors. {4T 390.3}[9]
§21
应当有晚间读书的习惯。在冬天的火炉旁，可由一个人大声向周围的人朗读。可是人们只表现出一点点兴趣来充分利用上帝所赐的亮光。这些亮光大都与家庭的责任有关。所赐的指示几乎针对每一种情况和环境。人们花钱购买茶叶，咖啡，丝带，裙边，装饰品，把许多光阴和精力放在讲求外表上，却疏忽了内心的工作。上帝已让宝贵的亮光通过书刊照耀出来。每个家庭都应该购买阅读。父母们：你们的儿女正处在违背天赐之亮光的危险中。你们应当购买和阅读这些书，因为这些书会给你们和你们的家人带来福气。你应当把《预言之灵》借给邻居，并劝他们购买。上帝的传道士们，你们应当成为勤劳积极的工人。{4T 390.4}[10]
§22
There should be evening readings, in which one should read aloud to those assembled at the winter fireside. There is but little interest manifested to make the most of the light given of God. Much of it is concerning family duties, and instruction is given to meet almost every case and circumstance. Money will be expended for tea, coffee, ribbons, ruffles, and trimmings, and much time and labor spent in preparing the apparel, while the inward work of the heart is neglected. God has caused precious light to be brought out in publications, and these should be owned and read by every family. Parents, your children are in danger of going contrary to the light given of heaven, and you should both purchase and read the books, for they will be a blessing to you and yours. You should lend Spirit of Prophecy to your neighbors and prevail upon them to buy copies for themselves. Missionaries for God, you should be earnest, active, vigorous workers. {4T 390.4}[10]
§23
许多人正直接违背上帝赐给祂子民的亮光，因为他们没有阅读含有劝戒，责备和警告的亮光和知识的书籍。世上的挂虑，贪爱时髦，缺乏信仰已把人的注意力转离上帝惠然所赐的亮光。而含有错误的书籍和期刊却遍地泛滥。怀疑和不信到处滋长。来自上帝宝座的这么宝贵的亮光却藏在斗底下。上帝要祂的子民为这种疏忽负责。祂要按照在我们道路上的每一线亮光而要我们交账，这光要么被我们利用来在属上帝的事上进步，要么因我们顺从本性的倾向更舒服些而遭拒绝。{4T 391.1}[11]
§24
Many are going directly contrary to the light which God has given to His people, because they do not read the books which contain the light and knowledge in cautions, reproofs, and warnings. The cares of the world, the love of fashion, and the lack of religion have turned the attention from the light God has so graciously given, while books and periodicals containing error are traveling all over the country. Skepticism and infidelity are increasing everywhere. Light so precious, coming from the throne of God, is hid under a bushel. God will make His people responsible for this neglect. An account must be rendered to Him for every ray of light He has let shine upon our pathway, whether it has been improved to our advancement in divine things or rejected because it was more agreeable to follow inclination. {4T 391.1}[11]
§25
我们现在有传播真理的很大便利。可是我们的人没有利用赐给他们的特权。他们没有在每一个教会里看见并认识到应当用他们的才能来救灵。他们没有看明为我们的期刊，包括我们的卫生杂志争取订户，介绍我们的书籍和小册子的责任。凡愿意受教学习如何接近个人和家庭的人应当进行工作。他们的衣着应当整洁，但不要讲究虚华。他们的举止不应令人讨厌。在我们这班人中间，十分需要真正的礼貌。所有从事传道工作的人也当培育这种品质。{4T 391.2}[12]
§26
We now have great facilities for spreading the truth; but our people are not coming up to the privileges given them. They do not in every church see and feel the necessity of using their abilities in saving souls. They do not realize their duty to obtain subscribers for our periodicals, including our health journal, and to introduce our books and pamphlets. Men should be at work who are willing to be taught as to the best way of approaching individuals and families. Their dress should be neat, but not foppish, and their manners such as not to disgust the people. There is a great want of true politeness among us as a people. This should be cultivated by all who take hold of the missionary work. {4T 391.2}[12]
§27
我们的出版社应表现出明显的兴旺气氛。我们的人若能表现深切的关心，把我们书刊投放市场，他们就能给出版社以支持。但是如果他们今后象过去一样不表示关心，出版社就只有一点利润可供使用。我们的刊物销量越广，对于阐明圣经真理之书籍的需求就会越大。许多人对各教会的自相矛盾，异端邪说，节期，交易会，抽奖以及无数敛财的方法深感厌恶。有许多人在黑暗中寻求亮光。如果我们的报刊，小册子，书籍以清楚的圣经语言表达真理，就能得到广泛的销行，许多人会发现这些书刊正是他们所需要的。可是我们的许多弟兄好像觉得人们会自动来找他们，或向出版社要书刊似的。而同时成千的人都根本不知道这些书刊的存在。{4T 392.1}[13]
§28
Our publishing houses should show marked prosperity. Our people can sustain them if they will show a decided interest to work our publications into the market. But should as little interest be manifested in the year to come as has been shown in the year past, there will be but a small margin to work upon. The wider the circulation of our publications, the greater will be the demand for books that make plain the Scriptures of truth. Many are becoming disgusted with the inconsistencies, the errors, and the apostasy of the churches, and with the festivals, fairs, lotteries, and numerous inventions to extort money for church purposes. There are many who are seeking for light in the darkness. If our papers, tracts, and books, expressing the truth in plain Bible language, could be widely circulated, many would find that they are just what they want. But many of our brethren act as though the people were to come to them or send to our offices to obtain publications, when thousands do not know that they exist. {4T 392.1}[13]
§29
上帝呼召祂的子民积极行动起来，不要懒惰和漠不关心。我们必须把刊物送到人手边，劝他们接受，告诉他们这些书刊的价值远远超过其定价。要宣扬你所提供之书的价值，这些书怎么估价都不会过高。{4T 392.2}[14]
§30
God calls upon His people to act like living men and not to be indolent, sluggish, and indifferent. We must carry the publications to the people and urge them to accept, showing them that they will receive much more than their moneys worth. Exalt the value of the books you offer. You cannot regard them too highly. {4T 392.2}[14]
§31
当我看见我们这些具有如此崇高信仰的人却表现出漠不关心的态度时，我心里就十分痛苦。我蒙指示：看见许多贪图安逸的人，不负责救灵责任的人，衣服上溅着周围缺乏亮光和知识而不断灭亡之人的血。他们虽与这些人接触，却从来没有警告他们，与他们一起祷告或为他们祷告，也没有作出认真的努力把真理传给他们。我蒙指示，在这方面人们十分疏忽。传道士们没有做他们能做的一半，来教导他们服务的人各方面的真理和责任。结果，教友们萎糜不振，有气无力。现在没有火刑柱和断头台来考验上帝的子民，所以许多人的爱心渐渐冷淡了。当试炼兴起时，有恩典赐下应付紧急情况，我们必须个人在上帝说祂要会见我们的地方献身给祂。{4T 392.3}[15]
§32
My soul was agonized as I saw the indifference of our people who make so high a profession. I was shown that the blood of souls will be on the garments of very many who now feel at ease and irresponsible for souls that are perishing around them for want of light and knowledge. They have come in contact with them, but have never warned them, never prayed with or for them, and never made earnest efforts to present the truth to them. I was shown that there has been a wonderful negligence on this point. Ministers are not doing one half what they might do to educate the people for whom they labor upon all points of truth and duty, and, as a consequence, the people are spiritless and inactive. The stake and scaffold are not appointed for this time to test the people of God, and for this very reason the love of many has waxed cold. When trials arise, grace is proportioned for the emergency. We must individually consecrate ourselves on the very spot where God has said He would meet us. {4T 392.3}[15]