第48章 巴特尔克里克的圣工
§1
第48章 巴特尔克里克的圣工
§2
Chap. 48 - The Cause at Battle Creek
§3
许多来到巴特尔克里克的人并不是为了承担重任。他们并不是因为特别挂念这里圣工的兴旺而来的，而是为了自己的利益，因为他们想要利己。他们希望得到位于这里的各机构的益处，而自己不必负什么责任。{4T 511.3}[1]
§4
Many who have come to Battle Creek have not come for the purpose of bearing burdens. They have not come because they feel any special anxiety for the prosperity of the cause here, but for their own interest, because they wish to advantage themselves. They hope to secure the benefits to be derived from the institutions located here, without bearing any responsibilities themselves. {4T 511.3}[1]
§5
有些定居巴特尔克里克以便有更好的机会使自己受益的人，乃是犯了自私自利的罪，甚至在跟我们来自国外的弟兄们打交道时犯了欺诈的罪。我们的机构若要得到什么益处，就应该接受国外的弟兄，而不是那些一点儿不造就自己，反而一味自私地关心自己的人。许多来到巴特尔克里克的人并不能虔诚地增进圣工。他们在内心里就象可拉，大坍，亚比兰一样；若有好机会出现，他们就会随从这些恶人的榜样。确实，他们欺诈的交易可能瞒过了一般弟兄们的眼目；但上帝却记下了他们的行为，最终会按着他们的行为报应他们。{4T 512.1}[2]
§6
Some who have located in Battle Creek in order to have a more favorable opportunity to benefit themselves, are guilty of selfishness and even fraud in dealing with our brethren who have come from abroad. If there are any advantages to be gained, our institutions should receive them, and not those individuals who have done nothing toward building them up and who have only a selfish interest in them. Many who come to Battle Creek are no strength, religiously, to the cause. At heart they are like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and if a favorable opportunity were presented, they would follow the example of these wicked men. True, their fraudulent transactions may be concealed from the eyes of their brethren generally; but God marks their course and will finally reward them according to their works. {4T 512.1}[2]
§7
有些久已在巴特尔克里克的人，本应成为负责可靠的人，却只是在名义上身居要职。他们虽然成了我们各机构的监护人；但他们的行径却表明他们并不特别关心这些机构，对这些机构没有多少负担。他们的想法集中在自己身上。我们若按他们的行为判断他们，就会判定他们认为自己的精力太宝贵了，不能用于上帝的这些机构，除非他们能为自己得到现世的利益。这些人疏于看守堡垒，不是因为他们做不了，而是因为他们专顾自己，并且满意于在属肉体的安全感中悠然入睡。{4T 512.2}[3]
§8
Some who have been long in Battle Creek, and who ought to be responsible men, are occupying positions of trust in name only. They have been made guardians of our institutions; but their course of action shows that they have no special interest in them nor burden for them. Their thoughts center upon themselves. If we were to judge them by their works we should decide that they consider their own energies too precious to be exercised for these instrumentalities of God, unless they can secure temporal advantages to themselves. These are neglecting to keep the fort, not because they cannot do it, but because they are self-caring, and are content to rock themselves to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. {4T 512.2}[3]
§9
那些以取悦自己和利己为人生目标的人，不应该留在这个重要的岗位。他们没有权利在这里；因为他们直接挡在上帝圣工的道路上。那些忽视主的穷人，对寡妇孤儿感觉不到任何负担，不使这些人的事成为自己事和努力实现人与人之间的公义公平的人，是犯了在基督的圣徒身上忽视基督的罪，因为他们没有查明他们素不认识之人的案件（伯29:16）。他们没有什么负担，也不努力维护正义。在工作的大中心若不表现出极其恳切的警惕以保护圣工的权益，教会就会变得象其它宗派的各教会一样腐败了。{4T 512.3}[4]
§10
Men who make it their aim and object in life to please and benefit themselves ought not to remain at this important post. They have no right to be here; for they stand directly in the way of the work of God. Those who neglect the Lords poor, and who feel no burden for the widow and the fatherless, not making these cases their own and laboring to see justice and equity between man and man, are guilty of neglecting Christ in the person of His saints, because the cause that they know not they do not search out. They have no burdens, and make no effort to sustain the right. If most earnest vigilance is not manifested at the great heart of the work to protect the interests of the cause, the church will become as corrupt as the churches of other denominations. {4T 512.3}[4]
§11
凡住在巴特尔克里克的人，若是容忍一位弟兄身上的罪，就都有可怕的账要向上帝交待。一个惊人的事实是，处在负责地位的人竟表现出了不在乎、瞌睡和冷漠的特征，且有不断增长的骄傲和令人担忧地漠视上帝之灵的警告。上帝之道设置在祂子民周围的屏障正在被拆毁。熟悉上帝过去带领祂子民道路的人，不但不访问古道，捍卫我们作为特殊子民的立场，反而与世人携手。这事最令人担忧的特征，乃是人们没有在规谏、恳劝和警告中听到警告的声音。上帝子民的眼目似乎被蒙蔽了，而教会正在迅速地与世界同流合污。{4T 513.1}[5]
§12
All who live in Battle Creek will have a fearful account to render to God if they suffer sin upon a brother. It is an alarming fact that indifference, sleepiness, and apathy have characterized men in responsible positions, and that there is a steady increase of pride and an alarming disregard of the warnings of the Spirit of God. The barriers which Gods word places about His people are being broken down. Men who are acquainted with the way in which God has led His people in the past, instead of inquiring for the old paths and defending our position as a peculiar people, have linked hands with the world. The most alarming feature in the case is that warning voices have not been heard in remonstrance, entreaties, and warnings. The eyes of Gods people seem to be blinded, while the church is fast drifting into the channel of worldliness. {4T 513.1}[5]
§13
上帝不希望让麻木的人保护祂机构和教会的权益，而是希望有活跃作工的人，有能力和敏捷悟性的人，有眼睛而且睁眼能看的人，有心能受祂圣灵感化的人。祂让人在保护巴特尔克里克圣工的利益上负有严格的责任。{4T 513.2}[6]
§14
God does not desire wooden men to guard the interests of His institutions and the church, but He wants living, working men,--men who have ability and quick perception,--men who have eyes, and open them that they may see, and hearts that are susceptible to the influences of His Spirit. He holds men to a strict accountability in guarding the interests of His cause at Battle Creek. {4T 513.2}[6]
§15
在巴特尔克里克有些人从未完全顺从督责。他们偏行己路，或多或少总在发挥一种影响力，反对那些站起来捍卫正义责备错误的人。这些人对到这里来的人和作为寄宿者与他们接触的人所发挥的影响是很坏的。他们使新来的人心中对上帝之灵的证言充满问题和疑惑。他们对证言加以错误的解释；不是引导人们献身于上帝，并听从教会的声音，反而教导他们闹独立，不顾别人的意见和判断。这等人的影响一直在背地里作工。有些人没有发觉他们正在造成的损害；但他们自己既是未献身、骄傲而反叛的，就把别人也引到错路上。人们从这些未献身之人吸入了有毒害的空气。在这种人的衣服上沾有生灵的血，当最后清算的日子，基督要对他们说：“你们这一切作恶的人，离开我去吧”（路13:27）。他们会感到惊讶，但他们虚有其表的基督徒生活乃是一种欺诈和骗局。{4T 513.3}[7]
§16
There are some in Battle Creek who have never fully submitted to reproof. They have taken a course of their own choosing. They have ever, to a greater or less degree, exerted an influence against those who have stood up to defend the right and reprove the wrong. The influence of these persons upon individuals who come here, and who are brought in contact with them as roomers or boarders, is very bad. They fill the minds of these newcomers with questionings and doubts in regard to the testimonies of the Spirit of God. They put false constructions upon the Testimonies; and instead of leading persons to become consecrated to God and to listen to the voice of the church, they teach them to be independent and not to mind the opinions and judgment of others. The influence of this class has been secretly at work. Some are unconscious of the harm they are doing; but, unconsecrated, proud, and rebellious themselves, they lead others in the wrong track. A poisonous atmosphere is inhaled from these unconsecrated ones. The blood of souls is in the garments of such, and Christ will say to them in the day of final settlement: Depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity. Astonished they will be; but their professedly Christian lives were a deception, a fraud. {4T 513.3}[7]
§17
若是在巴特尔克里克的人都忠于上帝赐给他们的亮光，忠于教会的利益，认识到基督为之而死的生灵的价值，就会发挥一种不寻常的感化力。但我们却看到这里的人在很大程度上重蹈了以色列人的复辙。以色列人站在西奈山前，听到了上帝的声音，对祂的神圣临格有那么强烈的印象，以致恐惧退后，对摩西呼喊说：“求你和我们说话，我们必听；不要上帝和我们说话，恐怕我们死亡”（出20:19）。他们在山前严肃立誓要效忠上帝；但在雷声角声和上帝的声音几乎还没有停止的时候，他们就屈膝跪拜一个偶像了。他们的领袖已蒙召离开他们眼前，且被包围在厚云中，与上帝交谈。{4T 514.1}[8]
§18
If all in Battle Creek stood true to the light God has given them, true to the interests of the church, feeling the worth of souls for whom Christ died, a different influence would be exerted. But here we see acted over to a great extent the experience of the children of Israel. As the people stood before Mount Sinai, listening to the voice of God, they were so forcibly impressed with His sacred presence that they retreated in terror and cried out to Moses: Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. There before the mount they made solemn vows of allegiance to God; but scarcely had the thunders and the trumpet and the voice of the Lord ceased, when they were bowed upon their knees before an idol. Their leader had been called away from their sight and was enveloped in a thick cloud, in converse with God. {4T 514.1}[8]
§19
摩西不在时，他的同工承担起照顾百姓的重责。这时他听见他们抱怨摩西已抛弃他们，并且口口声声说要回到埃及去；可是他却因害怕得罪百姓而缄默不言。他没有为上帝勇敢地坚立；反而为要讨百姓喜悦，制造了一只金牛犊。他似乎在这恶行开始时懵然不觉。及至背叛的话说出口时，亚伦原可以加以抑制；但他既然如此害怕得罪百姓，就在表面上与他们联合，最后竟被说服而制造了金牛犊给他们敬拜。{4T 514.2}[9]
§20
The fellow laborer of Moses, who was left with the solemn charge of the people in his absence, heard them uttering complaints that Moses had left them, and expressing a desire to return to Egypt; yet, through fear of offending the people, he was silent. He did not stand up boldly for God, but to please the people he made a golden calf. He seemed to be asleep to the beginning of the evil. When the first rebellious word was spoken, Aaron might have checked it; but so fearful was he of offending the people that he apparently united with them and was finally persuaded to make a golden calf for them to worship. {4T 514.2}[9]
§21
传道人应该是忠心的守望者，看到罪恶和警告百姓。必须不断将他们的危险摆在他们面前，并使他们深刻理解。对提摩太的告诫乃是：“用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人、警戒人、劝勉人”（提后4:2）。{4T 515.1}[10]
§22
Ministers should be faithful watchmen, seeing the evil and warning the people. Their dangers must be set before them continually and pressed home upon them. The exhortation given to Timothy was: Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. {4T 515.1}[10]
§23
一些在巴特尔克里克缔结的婚姻与上帝没有任何关系。有些婚姻是不相配的，有些是不成熟的。基督警告过我们，在祂第二次显现之前，会有这种事态存在。这是末日时兆之一。洪水之前也存在类似的的局面。人们的心思在婚姻的问题上受了蛊惑。既有如此多的不确定性，这么大的危险，我们就没有什么理由在婚事上大事铺张炫耀，即使双方完全相配；也要经受考验。{4T 515.2}[11]
§24
There have been marriage relations formed in Battle Creek with which God has had nothing to do. Marriages have been ill-assorted in some cases, immature in others. Christ has warned us that this state of things would exist prior to His second appearing. It constitutes one of the signs of the last days. A similar state of things existed before the Flood. The minds of the people were bewitched upon the subject of marriage. When there is so much uncertainty, so great danger, there is no reason why we should make great parade or display, even if the parties were perfectly suited to each other; but that remains to be tested. {4T 515.2}[11]
§25
那些自称要做改革者的人，那些过着卑微生活的人，若盲目模仿属世富人的风俗和时尚，对我们的信仰就是一种羞辱。上帝给了一些人警告的话；但那使他们止步了吗？没有；他们不敬畏上帝，因为撒但迷人的势力在他们身上。而在巴特尔克里克的一些人竟影响这些可怜的昏头昏脑的人随从他们自己的判断，这样他们就削弱了自己的效用，招致了上帝的不悦。{4T 515.3}[12]
§26
When those who profess to be reformers, those in humble life, ape the customs and fashions of the worldly wealthy, it is a reproach to our faith. There are some to whom God gave the word of warning; but did that stop them? No; they did not fear God, for the bewitching power of Satan was upon them. And some in Battle Creek have influenced these poor infatuated ones to follow their own judgment, and by doing this they have crippled their usefulness and incurred the displeasure of God. {4T 515.3}[12]
§27
上帝要人培养品格的力量。那些只是随波逐流的人们，将来决不会得到丰厚的赏赐。祂要凡参加圣工的人，有精明的感觉和敏捷的悟性。他们应当在饮食方面有节制，在他们的餐桌上不应有丰腻奢侈的食物。在常用脑力而少用体力活动之时，他们应当吃得很少，即使是简单的食物也应如此。但以理之所以思维清晰，志向坚定，且有智力来获得学问，大半是饮食清淡和祷告的生活所致。{4T 515.4}[13]
§28
God wants men to cultivate force of character. Those who are merely timeservers are not the ones who will receive a rich reward by and by. He wants those who labor in His cause to be men of keen feeling and quick perception. They should be temperate in eating; rich and luxurious food should find no place upon their tables; and when the brain is constantly taxed and there is a lack of physical exercise, they should eat sparingly, even of plain food. Daniels clearness of mind and firmness of purpose, his strength of intellect in acquiring knowledge, were due in a great degree to the plainness of his diet in connection with his life of prayer. {4T 515.4}[13]
§29
以利原是一个好人，品德纯洁；然而他却过分宽容。因他没有使自己品格上的弱点转弱为强，就招致了上帝的不悦。他不想伤害任何一个人的情感，也缺乏道德勇气指斥和谴责罪恶。他的两个儿子是恶人；可是他却没有使他们离开负责的岗位。这两个儿子亵渎了上帝的家。他虽知道这事，也为这事的后果感到悲哀，因为他喜爱纯洁和公义；但他却没有足够的道德力量压制邪恶。他贪爱平安和睦，以致对于秽行与罪行越来越没有感觉了。但伟大的上帝亲自把这事揽到了自己手中。当上帝的责备藉着一个小孩子临到以利头上时，他接受了，认为这是自己应受的。他没有向上帝的使者撒母耳显出任何的怨恨；他一如既往地爱撒母耳，却谴责了自己。{4T 516.1}[14]
§30
Eli was a good man, pure in morals; but he was too indulgent. He incurred the displeasure of God because he did not strengthen the weak points in his character. He did not want to hurt the feelings of anyone and had not the moral courage to rebuke and reprove sin. His sons were vile men; yet he did not remove them from their position of trust. These sons profaned the house of God. He knew this, and felt sad in consequence of it, for he loved purity and righteousness; but he had not sufficient moral force to suppress the evil. He loved peace and harmony, and became more and more insensible to impurity and crime. But the great God takes the matter in hand Himself. When the rebuke falls upon him, through the instrumentality of a child, he accepts it, feeling that it is what he deserves. He does not show any resentment toward Samuel, the messenger of God; he loves him as he has done, but condemns himself. {4T 516.1}[14]
§31
以利的两个有罪的儿子在战场上被杀了。他能忍受儿子被杀的消息，却忍受不了上帝的约柜被掳的消息。他知道自己没能支持正义和抑制邪恶的疏忽之罪终于使以色列丧失了她的力量和荣耀。死亡的苍白显在他的脸上，他就向后跌倒，断气了。{4T 516.2}[15]
§32
The guilty sons of Eli were slain in battle. He could endure to hear that his sons were slain, but he could not bear the news that the ark of God was taken. He knew that his sin of neglect in failing to stand for the right and restrain wrong had at last deprived Israel of her strength and glory. The pallor of death came upon his face, and he fell backward and died. {4T 516.2}[15]
§33
在这里我们有多么适合青少年的父母和监护人以及侍奉上帝的传道人的教训啊。当人们因为太少勇气责备错误，或因太少兴趣或太懒惰以致不愿费力付出恳切的努力去净化家庭或上帝的教会，以致现有的邪恶没有得到对付和受到抑制时，他们就要对怠职的结果所导致的罪恶负责。对于我们本来可以藉着责备，警告，藉着运用父母或牧者的权威所能抑制的别人的罪行，我们是要负责任的，就象我们自己犯下这些罪行一样。{4T 516.3}[16]
§34
What a lesson have we here for parents and guardians of youth, and for those who minister in the service of God. When existing evils are not met and checked, because men have too little courage to reprove wrong, or because they have too little interest or are too indolent to tax their own powers in putting forth earnest efforts to purify the family or the church of God, they are accountable for the evil which may result in consequence of neglect to do their duty. We are just as accountable for evils that we might have checked in others, by reproof, by warning, by exercise of parental or pastoral authority, as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves. {4T 516.3}[16]
§35
以利原应该先藉着适度的措施努力抑制罪恶；若是这样做无效，他就应该用极严厉的措施抑制错行。必须庄严地保持上帝的尊荣，即使这会使我们与最近的亲属分离。一个在其它方面有才干之人的一个缺陷，就可能摧毁他在今生的效用，且使他在上帝的日子听到不受欢迎的话：“你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧”（太7:23）！{4T 517.1}[17]
§36
Eli should have first attempted to restrain evil by mild measures; but if that would not avail, he should have subdued the wrong by the sternest measures. Gods honor must be sacredly preserved, even if it separates us from the nearest relative. One defect in a man otherwise talented may destroy his usefulness in this life and cause him to hear in the day of God the unwelcome words: Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity. {4T 517.1}[17]
§37
以利为人温柔、仁慈、和蔼，而且真正关怀对上帝的服务和祂圣工的兴旺。他在祷告方面也大有能力。他从未起而反抗上帝的圣言。可是他仍有缺欠；他缺少品格上的坚毅来谴责罪恶，并向犯罪的人秉公执法，藉此使上帝可以倚赖他保守以色列民纯洁。他没有在信心上加上勇敢和毅力，得以在适当的时间和适当的场合说出一个“不”字。罪是罪；义是义。必须吹响警告的号声。我们正生活在一个非常邪恶的时代。若非在每一个岗位上都有十分清醒的人，对上帝的敬拜就会变得败坏。现在不是任何一个人埋头于自私的安逸的时候。不可容上帝所说的任何一句话落空。{4T 517.2}[18]
§38
Eli was gentle, loving, and kind, and had a true interest in the service of God and the prosperity of His cause. He was a man who had power in prayer. He never rose up in rebellion against the words of God. But he was wanting; he did not have firmness of character to reprove sin and execute justice against the sinner so that God could depend upon him to keep Israel pure. He did not add to his faith the courage and power to say No at the right time and in the right place. Sin is sin; righteousness is righteousness. The trumpet note of warning must be sounded. We are living in a fearfully wicked age. The worship of God will become corrupted unless there are wide-awake men at every post of duty. It is no time now for any to be absorbed in selfish ease. Not one of the words which God has spoken must be allowed to fall to the ground. {4T 517.2}[18]
§39
在巴特尔克里克有些人虽然自称相信证言，实际上却一直将之践踏在脚下。只有很少的人带着兴趣阅读了证言；只有很少的人注意了证言。自我放纵、骄傲、时尚和炫耀混合在对上帝的敬拜中。祂需要勇于行动的人，这样的人不会看到偶像的设立和可憎之物的进入而不扬起声来好像吹角，向百姓说明他们的过犯，向雅各家说明他们的罪恶。{4T 517.3}[19]
§40
While some in Battle Creek have professedly believed the Testimonies, they have been trampling them under their feet. But few have read them with interest; but few have heeded them. The indulgence of self, pride, fashion, and display are mingled with the worship of God. He wants brave men for action, who will not regard the setting up of idols and the coming in of abominations without lifting up the voice like a trumpet, showing the people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. {4T 517.3}[19]
§41
撒母耳一开始治理以色列，就召集百姓禁食祷告，在上帝面前深自谦卑，虽然他那时还很年轻。他从上帝的口作了自己严肃的见证。于是人们开始认识到自己的能力在哪里。他们恳求撒母耳不要停止为他们向上帝呼求。他们的敌人起来要和他们相见于战场，但上帝听了为他们献上的祈祷。祂为他们行了事，于是以色列就转而得胜了。{4T 517.4}[20]
§42
As soon as Samuel began to judge Israel, even in his youth, he called an assembly of the people for fasting and prayer, and deep humiliation before God. He bore his solemn testimony from the mouth of God. The people then began to learn where their strength was. They entreated Samuel to cease not to cry unto God for them. Their enemies were aroused to meet them in battle, but God heard prayer in their behalf. He wrought for them, and victory turned on the side of Israel. {4T 517.4}[20]
§43
在巴特尔克里克有一项大工要做成。责任已被忽视，重要的委托已被辜负。一些人来到这里，没有给圣工加添任何力量，反而不断行事将他人拥有的一点钱财搜刮到自己手中，从而抢夺了上帝府库。只要有损人利己的好机会出现，他们内心的自私就表现出来。他们素来如此，直到迎合了世俗的标准，他们的行为方式几乎与世人无异了。{4T 518.1}[21]
§44
There is a great work to be done in Battle Creek. Duties have been neglected, important trusts have been betrayed. Men have come here who have added nothing to the strength of the cause, but who are constantly at work to gather the little means possessed by others into their own hands, and thus rob Gods treasury. The natural selfishness of their hearts is exhibited wherever a favorable opportunity presents itself to advantage themselves at the disadvantage of others. They have done so until the standard of the worldling is met, and there is but little difference between their manner of dealing and that of the world. {4T 518.1}[21]
§45
我们在巴特尔克里克的人比在任何其它地方的人都有更大的责任要负。凡决定住在这里的人都应该这么做，不仅仅是为了他们自己的方便和益处，而是要专注于上帝的荣耀。他们应该充分预备好挑起随时随地需要挑起的担子；且用自我牺牲的献身维持上帝已安置在他们中间的各机构。那些不愿如此行的人，应该去没有这么重的责任要负的地方。在这个重要的岗位，这个非常依赖个人之工的地方，人人都必须毫不畏缩地尽自己的本分；他们必须十分清醒，以便他们夫子的事业不致损失一个人。许多人没能达到福音的标准；他们自私地看顾自己的利益，疏于看到自己可以做什么好成为同胞的福气。基督在祂的葡萄园中不需要懒惰的人。祂要求每一个人都为今生和永生而工作。{4T 518.2}[22]
§46
Our people in Battle Creek have greater responsibilities to bear than those in any other place. All who choose to locate here should do so, not merely for their own convenience and benefit, but with an eye single to the glory of God. They should be fully prepared to lift the burdens where and when they need to be lifted; and with self-sacrificing devotion sustain the institutions which God has placed among them. Those who are unwilling to follow this course should go where there are not so heavy burdens to be borne. At this important post, where so much depends upon personal effort, all must act their part unflinchingly; they must be wide awake, that the cause of their Master may not suffer the loss of one soul. Many fail to come up to the gospel standard; they have a selfish regard for their own interest and neglect to see what they can do to be a blessing to their fellow men. Christ wants no idlers in His vineyard. He requires that everyone shall work for time and for eternity. {4T 518.2}[22]