教会证言8(1904)E

第05章 国内外的工作
§1 第05章 国内外的工作
§2 Chap. 5—The Work at Home and Abroad
§3 (1902年8月7日写于加利福尼亚州圣赫勒纳)
§4 “你们岂不说:‘到收割的时候还有四个月吗?’我告诉你们:举目向田观看,庄稼已经熟了,可以收割了。收割的人得工价,积蓄五谷到永生,叫撒种的和收割的一同快乐。俗语说:‘那人撒种,这人收割。’这话可见是真的”(约4:35-37)。{8T 30.1}[1]
§5 St. Helena, California,August 7, 1902
§6 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathered fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.”?John 4:35-37.?{8T 30.1}[1]
§7 农夫在撒种以后,不得不等候几个月,让种子发芽生长,结出谷粒来,以待收割。但是在撒种的时候,他却因期望将来的结实而得到鼓励;他的劳苦也因寄希望于收成时的良好报酬而获减轻了。{8T 30.2}[2]
§8 After sowing the seed, the husbandman is compelled to wait for months for it to germinate and develop into grain ready to be harvested. But in sowing it he is encouraged by the expectation of fruit in the future. His labor is lightened with the hope of good returns in the time of reaping.?{8T 30.2}[2]
§9 但基督与撒玛利亚妇人在井旁谈话时所撒在她心田中的真理种子,情形却不是如此。祂撒种的收获,并非相距颇远,而是立刻见效。祂的话刚一出口,所撒的种子便长苗结实,启迪了她的悟性,使她明了这和她谈话的乃是主耶稣基督。她让神圣的亮光照入她的心中,甚至将打水的罐子也忘了,就连忙跑去,将这好消息传给她的撒玛利亚弟兄们说:“你们来看,有一个人将我素来所行的一切事都给我说出来了”(约4:29)。他们随即出城来看祂。于是祂就将这些撒玛利亚人的心灵比作田地,向祂的门徒说,“举目向田观看,庄稼已经熟了,可以收割了”(约4:35)。{8T 30.3}[3]
§10 Not so with the seeds of truth sown by Christ in the mind of the Samaritan woman during His conversation with her at the well. The harvest of His seed sowing was not remote, but immediate. Scarcely were His words spoken, before the seed thus sown sprang up and produced fruit, awakening her understanding, and enabling her to know that she had been conversing with the Lord Jesus Christ. She let the rays of divine light shine into her heart. Forgetting her water pitcher, she hastened away to communicate the good news to her Samaritan brethren. “Come,” she said, “see a man, which told me all the things that ever I did.”?Verse 29. And they came out at once to see Him. It was then that He likened the souls of these Samaritans to a field of grain. “Lift up your eyes,” He said to His disciples, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”?{8T 30.3}[3]
§11 “于是撒玛利亚人来见耶稣,求祂在他们那里住下,祂便在那里住了两天。”这该是多么忙碌的两天啊!但结果记录如何呢?“因耶稣的话,信的人就更多了。便对妇人说:现在我们信,不是因为祢的话,是我们亲自听见了,知道这真是救世主”(约4:40-42)。{8T 30.4}[4]
§12 “So when the Samaritans were come unto Him, they besought Him that He would tarry with them: and He abode?there two days.” And what busy days these were! What is the record of the result? “And many more believed because of His own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for?we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”?Verses 40-42.?{8T 30.4}[4]
§13 基督向撒玛利亚人的心田启发生命之道,撒下了许多真理的种子;并向人指明他们也当如何行,才能将真理的种子撒在别人的心田中。凡已明白真理的人,如都能为罪人劳力,为那些急需明了圣经真理,而其反应正如撒玛利亚人立即响应基督的话一般的人劳力,那么他们所能完成的善工该是何等的大啊!可惜我们在那原应作为我们与上帝之间最牢靠的联系──就是向那堕落,犯罪,受苦,以及死在过犯和罪恶之中的人所发的同情怜悯是何等的微少啊!人若与基督有一样的同情,就必为那许多感到缺乏而急需工人之地区的情形,常怀忧伤的心了。{8T 31.1}[5]
§14 Christ, in opening to the minds of the Samaritans the word of life, sowed many seeds of truth and showed the people how they, too, could sow seeds of truth in the minds of others. How much good might be accomplished if all who know the truth would labor for sinners, for those who need so much to know and understand Bible truth and who would respond to it as readily as the Samaritans responded to the words of Christ! How little do we enter into sympathy with God on the point that should be the strongest bond of union between us and Him-compassion for depraved, guilty, suffering souls, dead in trespasses and sins! If men shared the sympathies of Christ, they would have constant sorrow of heart over the condition of many needy fields, so destitute of workers.?{8T 31.1}[5]
§15 对于国外各布道区的工作,固应热诚明智地加以推进;但本国的工作,也决不可忽略。惟愿这些就在我们家门口的地方,例如本国的各大城市,不致被轻易略过而不加以注意。因为这些地区是完全和国外各地一样重要的。{8T 31.2}[6]
§16 The work in foreign fields is to be carried forward earnestly and intelligently. And the work in the home field is in no wise to be neglected. Let not the fields lying in the shadow of our doors, such as the great cities in our land, be lightly passed over and neglected. These fields are fully as important as any foreign field.?{8T 31.2}[6]
§17 上帝鼓舞人心的恩典信息,应在美国各大城市中传开;住在这些大城市的男女,现在迅速地愈来愈被其业务关系所缠累了。他们疯狂地建筑一些高耸入云的大厦。他们的心念满了各种野心图谋的计划。上帝吩咐祂传道的众仆人说:“你要大声喊叫,不可止息;扬起声来,好像吹角。向我百姓说明他们的过犯,向雅各家说明他们的罪恶”(赛58:1)。{8T 31.3}[7]
§18 God’s encouraging message of mercy should be proclaimed in the cities of America. Men and women living in these cities are rapidly becoming more and still more entangled in their business relations. They are acting wildly in the erection of buildings whose towers reach high into the heavens. Their minds are filled with schemes and ambitious devisings. God is bidding every one of His ministering servants: Cry aloud,?spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”?Isaiah 58:1.?{8T 31.3}[7]
§19 我们当感谢上帝,在被忽略的城市当中,仍有少数工人尽其所能为上帝创立一些纪念物。我们要记得;给予这班工人以鼓励,乃是我们当尽的本分。上帝不喜悦祂的子民在本国不赞助维持那在国内各大城市中忠心的同工。国内布道工作实在是当前的一个重要问题。现今正是去耕种这些田地的最好机会。再过不多时候,情形就必更加困难了。{8T 32.1}[8]
§20 Let us thank the Lord that there are a few laborers doing everything possible to raise up some memorials for God in our neglected cities. Let us remember that it is our duty to give these workers encouragement. God is displeased with the lack of appreciation and support shown our faithful workers in our large cities by His people in our own land. The work in the home field is a?vital problem?just now. The present time is the most favorable opportunity that we shall have to work these fields. In a little while the situation will be much more difficult.?{8T 32.1}[8]
§21 耶稣曾因祂选民的顽梗和罪辜,而为耶路撒冷城哀哭。祂也为那些自命与祂同工,而实际上却无所事事之人的硬心而哀哭。难道那班应重视生灵价值的人,不为地上的城市含着泪,与基督共负这常经忧患的重担么?这些几乎完全沉湎于拜偶像之城市的毁灭,已近在眉睫了;试问到那最后交账的大日,能为忽略进入这些城市作何推诿呢?{8T 32.2}[9]
§22 Jesus wept over Jerusalem because of the guilt and obstinacy of His chosen people. He weeps also over the hardheartedness of those who, professing to be co-workers with Him, are content to do nothing. Are those who should appreciate the value of souls carrying, with Christ, a burden of heaviness and constant sorrow, mingled with tears, for the cities of the earth? The destruction of these cities, almost wholly given up to idolatry, is impending. In the great day of final reckoning what answer can be given for neglecting to enter these cities now??{8T 32.2}[9]
§23 但愿上帝帮助我们在推进美国圣工之时,也顾及其它各国的工作,使这些地区的同工不至被掣肘而无法在许多地方为上帝留下纪念物。但愿我们勿使过分的利益集中在本国一地;但愿勿继续忽略我们对那住在其他各地无数的人所当尽的本分。但愿我们能更清楚地了解现况,补救既往。{8T 32.3}[10]
§24 While carrying forward the work in America, may the Lord help us to give to other countries the attention that they ought to have, so that the workers in these fields will not be bound about, unable to leave memorials for God in many places. Let us not allow too many advantages to be absorbed in this country. Let us not continue to neglect our duty toward the millions living in other lands. Let us gain a better understanding of the situation and redeem the past.?{8T 32.3}[10]
§25 我在美国的弟兄姐妹们啊,你们若举目遥望那庄稼已经熟了的田地,你们自己的心将要从上帝那里得来丰盛的恩典。你们过去因为不信,以致变成了灵性贫穷的,将要藉着个人之工,而成为在善事上富足的。你们也再不至处身于丰足之中而反使灵性饥饿,乃是要享受上帝为你们所储存的美物。当你们一开始看出那在国外作工的人是如何地缺少经济推进圣工,你们就必尽自己所能地去帮助他们,同时你们的心灵就必开始复苏,属灵的食欲就必健旺,而思想也必因上帝的道,就是那医治万民之生命树的叶子,而焕燃畅快了。{8T 32.4}[11]
§26 My brethren and sisters in America, it may be that in lifting?up your eyes to see afar off the fields white unto the harvest, you will receive into your own hearts the abundant grace of God. You who through unbelief have been spiritually poor will, through personal labor, become rich in good works. You will no longer starve your souls in the midst of plenty, but will appropriate the good things God has in store for you. When you begin to realize how destitute of means the laborers are to carry forward the work in foreign fields, you will do what you can to help, and your souls will begin to revive, your spiritual appetite will become healthy, and your mind will be refreshed with the word of God, which is a leaf from the tree of life for the healing of the nations.?{8T 32.4}[11]
§27 以赛亚对于主所问“我可以差遣谁呢?”回答说:“我在这里,请差遣我”(赛6:8)。我的弟兄,我的姐妹,你虽或不能亲自到主的葡萄园去作工,但仍可供给经济,以便差派别的人去。这样就等于将钱放给兑换银钱的人,等到主人回来的时候,可以连本带利地交还祂。你的钱可用来差派并且维持上帝的传信人,使他们得以利用声音和感化力传出信息说:“预备主的道,修直祂的路”(太3:3)。扩展圣工的计划正在拟具;现今就是你作工的时候。{8T 33.1}[12]
§28 In answer to the Lord’s inquiry, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah responded, “Here am I; send me.”?Isaiah 6:8. You, my brother, my sister, may not be able to go into the Lord’s vineyard yourself, but you may furnish the means to send others. Thus you will be putting your money out to the exchangers; and when the Master comes, you will be able to return to Him His own with usury. Your means can be used to send forth and sustain the messengers of God, who by voice and by influence will give the message: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.”?Matthew 3:3. Plans are being made for the advancement of the cause, and now is your time to work.?{8T 33.1}[12]
§29 如果你肯克己工作,尽你所能地推进新辟之区的圣工,主就必帮助,坚固,并赐福与你。当信靠祂与你同在的保证,也就是那支持你的光明与生命的保证。要为爱耶稣和祂舍命来拯救之人的宝贵生命,而竭尽一切所能。要本着纯正神圣而坚定的宗旨作工,荣耀上帝。主鉴察并了解;不论你有何弱点,只要你肯将你的才干当作礼物奉献与祂,甘心为祂服务,祂就必使用你;因为在活跃而不自私的服务之中,软弱要变为刚强,并且要博得祂宝贵的称赞。主的快乐也是得力量的要素之一。如果你是忠心的,就必有出人意外的平安,作为你今生的报偿,并且到了来生,你就必进来享受你主人的快乐了。{8T 33.2}[13]
§30 If you work with self-denial, doing what you can to further the advancement of the cause in new fields, the Lord will help and strengthen and bless you. Trust in the assurance of His presence, which sustains you, and which is light and life. Do all for love of Jesus and the precious souls for whom He has died. Work with a pure, divinely inwrought purpose to glorify God. The Lord sees and understands, and He will use you, despite your weakness, if you offer your talent as a?consecrated gift to His service; for in active, disinterested service the weak become strong and enjoy His precious commendation. The joy of the Lord is an element of strength. If you are faithful, the peace that passeth all understanding will be your reward in this life, and in the future life you will enter into the joy of your Lord.?{8T 33.2}[13]
§31 【1903年1月23日】
§32 关于美国一直被掠过被忽视,还没有传过真理的各城的情形,我必须写点什么。这信息必须被传给成千上万住在本国这些城市中的外国人。{8T 34.1}[14]
§33 January 23, 1903.
§34 I must write something in regard to the way in which our cities in America have been passed by and neglected, cities in which the truth has not been proclaimed. The message must be given to the thousands of foreigners living in these cities in the home field.?{8T 34.1}[14]
§35 我无法明白我们的人为何对负起主多年来一直摆在我面前的工作没什么负担,就是在南方各州传扬现代真理的工作。很少人感到自己有责任负起这项工作。我们的人没能进入新区并在南方各城作工。主已再三将这些园地的需要显在我面前,却没有什么特殊的效果。我有时觉得好像不能再担负这项工作的担子了。我想,要是人们继续忽视这项工作,我就要让这事随流漂去,并祈求主怜悯那些无知的人和偏离正路的人。{8T 34.2}[15]
§36 I cannot understand why our people have so little burden to take up the work that the Lord has for years been keeping before me, the work of giving the message of present truth in the Southern States. Few have felt that upon them rested the responsibility of taking hold of this work. Our people have failed to enter new territory and to work the cities in the South. Over and over again the Lord has presented the needs of this field, without any special results. I have sometimes felt as if I could no longer bear the burden of this work. I thought that, if men should continue to neglect this work, I would let matters drift and pray that the Lord would have mercy upon the ignorant and those who are out of the way.?{8T 34.2}[15]
§37 但是主跟我们的传道人和百姓有一场辩论,而我必须发言,把南方工作和我国各城圣工的担子放在他们肩上。谁感到极重的负担要看到这信息在纽约市区和郊区及其他许多尚未作工的城市中被传扬呢?在本国有这种天意安排的机会将真理传给数百万从未听过真理的人时,不要把所收集的所有钱财都从美国送到远方的国家去。在这数百万代表许多国家的人中,有许多人是预备好接受这信息的。在我们的屋檐之下──在加利福尼亚、纽约、以及其它许多州的各城中,依然有许多工作要做成。{8T 34.3}[16]
§38 But the Lord has a controversy with our ministers and people, and I must speak, placing upon them the burden of the Southern work and of the cities of our land. Who feels heavily burdened to see the message proclaimed in Greater New York and in the many other cities as yet unworked? Not all the means that can be gathered up is to be sent from America to?distant lands, while in the home field there exist such providential opportunities to present the truth to millions who have never heard it. Among these millions are the representatives of many nations, many of whom are prepared to receive the message. Much remains to be done within the shadow of our doors—in the cities of California, New York, and many other states.?{8T 34.3}[16]
§39 上帝对祂的子民说:“兴起,发光!因为你的光已经来到!耶和华的荣耀发现照耀你”(赛60:1)。那么,为什么他们不怎么感觉有负担把真理的旗帜插在新的地区呢?为什么他们不听从那命令:“你们要变卖所有的周济人,为自己预备永不坏的钱囊,用不尽的财宝在天上”呢(路12:33)?为什么他们不把主自己的东西还给祂,投资在天国的货物上呢?为什么没有更恳切的呼吁义工们进入已经成熟可以收割的园地呢?如果不为美国各城做比过去更多的工作,传道人和信徒们就会有一笔重账,在那分派各人工作的主面前结算。{8T 35.1}[17]
§40 God says to His people: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”?Isaiah 60:1. Why, then, do they feel so little burden to plant the standard of truth in new places? Why do they not obey the word: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not”??Luke 12:33. Why do they not return to the Lord His own, to be invested in heavenly merchandise? Why is there not a more earnest call for volunteers to enter the whitening harvest field? Unless more is done than has been done for the cities of America, ministers and people will have a heavy account to settle with the One who has appointed to every man his work.?{8T 35.1}[17]
§41 我们常祈祷说:“愿祢的国降临。愿祢的旨意行在地上,如同行在天上”(太6:10)。我们在尽自己的本分回应这个祈祷吗?我们自称相信基督给祂门徒的使命也是给我们的。我们在履行它吗?愿上帝饶恕我们可怕的疏忽,没有做我们至今几乎连指尖都没有碰一下的工作。这项工作几时才会做成呢?看到上帝的子民如此盲目,使我的心伤痛不已。{8T 35.2}[18]
§42 We repeat the prayer: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”?Matthew 6:10. Are we doing our part to answer this prayer? We profess to believe that the commission which Christ gave to His disciples is given also to us. Are we fulfilling it? May God forgive our terrible neglect in not doing the work that as yet we have scarcely touched with the tips of our fingers. When will this work be done? It makes my heart sick and sore to see such blindness on the part of the people of God.?{8T 35.2}[18]
§43 在美国有成千上万的人在无知和罪恶中灭亡。那些知道真理的人却远远站着,遥望某个远方的园地,忽视了附近园地的需要。基督说:“你今天到葡萄园里去做工。”“你们岂不说‘到收割的时候还有四个月’吗?我告诉你们,举目向田观看,庄稼已经发白,可以收割了”(太21:28;约4:35)。{8T 35.3}[19]
§44 There are thousands in America perishing in ignorance and sin. And looking afar off to some distant field, those who?know the truth are indifferently passing by the needy fields close to them. Christ says: “Go work today in My vineyard.” “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”?Matthew 21:28;?4:35.?{8T 35.3}[19]
§45 醒起吧,醒起吧,我的弟兄姐妹们哪,进入美国那些从未工作过的地区去吧!在你们奉献多少金钱给国外布道之用后,别以为你们已经尽了本分。在国外布道地区有工作要作,但在美国也有一项同样重要的工作要作。在美国的许多城市中,都有差不多说各种语言的人。这些人都需要上帝已赐给祂教会的亮光。{8T 36.1}[20]
§46 Wake up, wake up, my brethren and sisters, and enter the fields in America that have never been worked. After you have given something for foreign fields, do not think your duty done. There is a work to be done in foreign fields, but there is a work to be done in America that is just as important. In the cities of America there are people of almost every language. These need the light that God has given to His church.?{8T 36.1}[20]
§47 主活着并统治万有。不久祂将威严地站起,可怖地震动大地。现在有一项特殊的信息要传扬。这项信息将穿透属灵的黑暗,具有感服和改变人心的能力。要向住在罪中的人发出“你们赶快逃命吧”的呼吁。我们现在必须极其恳切,十分真诚。不可花一刻时间在批评指责中。过去曾这样做的人,应当屈膝祈祷,谨防以自己的话语和计划代替上帝的话语和计划。{8T 36.2}[21]
§48 The Lord lives and reigns. Soon He will arise in majesty to shake terribly the earth. A special message is now to be borne, a message that will pierce the spiritual darkness and convict and convert souls. “Haste thee, flee for thy life,” is the call to be given to those dwelling in sin. We must now be terribly in earnest. We have not a moment to spend in criticism and accusation. Let those who have done this in the past fall on their knees in prayer, and let them beware how they put their words and their plans in the place of God’s words and God’s plans.?{8T 36.2}[21]
§49 我们实在不能再把光阴耽误在一些无关重要的事上了。我们的光阴当用来将最后救恩的信息,传给罪恶的世界。所需要的,就是在上帝圣灵的灵感启示之下而工作的人。我们有些传道人所传讲的道理,必须加以强化,否则许多冷淡退步的人所得到的,只是贫乏无力,言不中肯,而催人入睡的信息。每一次的讲道,都应该想到那即将临到世人的大而可畏的审判。真理的信息,是要用那从圣坛上取下来的红炭所沾过的嘴唇去传扬。{8T 36.3}[22]
§50 We have no time for dwelling on matters that are of no importance. Our time should be given to proclaiming the last message of mercy to a guilty world. Men are needed who move under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. The sermons preached by some of our ministers will have to be much more powerful than they are now, or many backsliders will carry a tame, pointless message, which lulls people to sleep. Every discourse should be given under a sense of the awful judgments soon to fall on the world. The message of truth is to be proclaimed by lips touched with a live coal from the divine altar.?{8T 36.3}[22]
§51 我一想到我们有些传道人在他们有一种生死攸关的信息要传扬时,而他们所传的,却只是平淡无奇的信息,便不免满心伤痛。传道人睡着了;平信徒也睡着了;以致世界在罪恶中日趋灭亡。但愿上帝帮助祂的百姓警醒起来,行事为人,好像走近永世边境的男女一般。再过不久,有一番惊人可怕的事,要临到住在世上的人。基督要突然带着能力和大荣耀降临;那时,可再没有时间为迎接祂而作准备了。现在正是我们发出警告信息的时候。{8T 37.1}[23]
§52 My heart is filled with anguish when I think of the tame messages borne by some of our ministers, when they have a message of life and death to bear. The ministers are asleep; the lay members are asleep; and a world is perishing in sin. May God help His people to arouse and walk and work as men and women on the borders of the eternal world. Soon an awful surprise is coming upon the inhabitants of the world. Suddenly, with power and great glory, Christ will come. Then there will be no time to prepare to meet Him. Now is the time for us to give the warning message.?{8T 37.1}[23]
§53 我们都是管家,受我们已离开之主的委托,照管祂降临此世所要服侍的家庭和祂所关心的事物。祂已经返回天上,将一切交托我们管理,祂也指望我们要警醒等待并预备祂的显现。惟愿我们要忠于所托,以免祂忽然临到,发现我们都睡着了。{8T 37.2}[24]
§54 We are stewards, entrusted by our absent Lord with the care of His household and His interests, which He came to this world to serve. He has returned to heaven, leaving us in charge, and He expects us to watch and wait for His appearing. Let us be faithful to our trust, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping.?{8T 37.2}[24]
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