第01章 文字布道工作的重要性
§1
第01章 文字布道工作的重要性
§2
Chap. 1—Importance of the Work
§3
推销书报的工作，若能行之得当，便是最高等次的传道工作，是一种非常优良而有效的方法，可以用来把现代重大真理摆在人们面前。传道人工作的重要性是明确无误的；这是上帝开导世人的一个方。但祂还有别的方法。祂利用印刷机发表含有真理信息的书报。这些书报对于传扬福音来说是不可少的。许多渴慕生命之粮的人没有特权从上帝所委派的传道人那里得闻圣道，因此把我们的印刷品广为散发，实属必要之举。印出来的单张要作成小册，装订成书，发到世界各地。这样信息可传到传道人所不能去的地方，也可使许多人注意到这世界历史最后几幕的种种大事。{MC5.1}[1]
§4
The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; this is one of God’s means for enlightening the world. But He has other means also. He uses the power of the press in printing papers and books containing the messages of truth. These are essential in the carrying forward of the gospel. Many who are hungry for the bread of life have not the privilege of hearing the word from God’s delegated preachers. For this reason it is essential that our publications be widely circulated. The sheets that come from the groaning press to be prepared as tracts and bound up as books are to go forth to all parts of the earth. Thus the message will go where the living preacher can not go, and the attention of many will be called to the important events connected with the closing scenes of this world’s history.?{MC 5.1}[1]
§5
上帝已命定文字布道的工作是将我们的书报所含的亮光照耀于人前的一种方法。文字布道士应该感觉到，尽速向世人介绍为其属灵的教育和启迪所必需的书籍，这种工作乃是非常重要之举。这正是主愿意祂的子民在现今要做的工作。凡献身给上帝做文字布道士的人，正是协助把最后警告的信息传给世人。这种工作，我们虽作最高评价亦不为过；因为若是没有文字布道士的努力，许多人就永不会听到警告。{MC5.2}[2]
§6
God has ordained the canvassing work as a means of presenting before the people the light contained in our books; and canvassers should be impressed with the importance of bringing before the world as fast as possible the books?necessary for their spiritual education and enlightenment. This is the very work the Lord desires His people to do at this time. All who consecrate themselves to God to work as canvassers are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world. We can not too highly estimate this work; for were it not for the efforts of the canvasser, many would never hear the warning.?{MC 5.2}[2]
§7
确实，有些人买了我们的书刊，将之放在书架上，或是摆在客厅的桌上，难得去阅读。但上帝仍会照料自己的真理，到了时候，必定有人找出这些书报来读的。或许有一天这家中发生了疾病或不幸的事，上帝就会劫着这些书报中的真理，赐给忧苦的心灵以平安，希望，与安息。祂的爱要向他们显明，他们也要明白自己的罪得赦之宝贵。这样，主就与祂克己献身的工人合作了。{MC6.1}[3]
§8
It is true that some who buy the books will lay them on the shelf or place them on the parlor table, and seldom look at them. Still God has a care for His truth, and the time will come when these books will be sought for and read. Sickness or misfortune may enter the home, and through the truth contained in these books God sends to troubled hearts peace and hope and rest. His love is revealed to them, and they understand the preciousness of the forgiveness of their sins. Thus the Lord cooperates with His self-denying workers.?{MC 6.1}[3]
§9
现今有许多人因为心存成见，除非我们把真理送到他们的家中，他们就永远无法知道真理。文字布道士可以找到这些人，而为他们服务。在挨家探访之时，文字布道士能作一番工作，比别人所作的更有成效。他可以与人们结识，明白他们的真正需要；他也可以与他们一同祈祷，向他们指出那除掉世人罪孽的上帝的羔羊。在这种情形之下，现代的特别信息就会打开一道通达人心的门径。{MC6.2}[4]
§10
There are many, who, because of prejudice, will never know the truth unless it is brought to their homes. The canvasser may find these souls and minister to them. There is a line of work in house-to-house labor which he can accomplish more successfully than others. He can become acquainted with the people and understand their true necessities; he can pray with them, and can point them to the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Thus the way will be opened for the special message for this time to find access to their hearts.?{MC 6.2}[4]
§11
文字布道士所负的责任是非常重大。他出发工作之时，应当准备给人讲解圣经。当他旅行各处之时，若果全心信靠主，上帝的天使就必在他周围，赐他当说的话，使许多人生出光明，希望，及勇气来。{MC7.1}[5]
§12
Much responsibility rests upon the canvasser. He should go to his work prepared to explain the Scriptures. If he puts his trust in the Lord as he travels from place to place, angels of God will be round about Him, giving him words to speak that will bring light and hope and courage to many souls.?{MC 7.1}[5]
§13
文字布道士应当记得自己有“在各水边撒种”的机会。应当记着，他销售那使人明白真理的书籍，正是作上帝的工作，故必用尽一切才能来荣耀祂的名。任何人若求明白真理，上帝必定与他同在，使他可以清清楚楚地把真理显在别人面前。上帝在《启示录》二十二章十七节中已明白清楚地说：“圣灵和新妇都说，来。听见的人也该说，来。”我们不可迟延，须立刻去指导那些需要指导的人，使他们得以认识那在耶稣里的真理。{MC7.2}[6]
§14
Let the canvasser remember that he has an opportunity to sow beside all waters. Let him remember, as he sells the books which give a knowledge of the truth, that he is doing the work of God, and that every talent is to be used to the glory of His name. God will be with every one who seeks to understand the truth that he may set it before others in clear lines. God has spoken plainly and clearly: “The Spirit and the bride say, Come; and let him that heareth say, Come.”?Revelation 22:17. We are to make no delay in giving instruction to those who need it, that they may be brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.?{MC 7.2}[6]
§15
上帝圈中的羊四散遍地，那应该为他们作的工已被人疏忽了。照着上帝所赐给我的亮光，使我知道现在只有一位文字布道士的地方，应该有一百位才是。应当鼓励文字布道士们持住这项工作，不是推销故事小说，乃是将那含有现代必要之真理的书刊介绍给世人。{MC7.3}[7]
§16
The lost sheep of God’s fold are scattered in every place, and the work that should be done for them is being neglected. From the light given me, I know that where there is one canvasser in the field, there should be one hundred. Canvassers should be encouraged to take hold of this work, not to canvass for story-books, but to bring before the world the books containing truth essential for this time.?{MC 7.3}[7]
§17
文字布道士应当与主的道一同前去，不要忘记那些遵守诫命又教训别人遵守的，必得赏赐，见人悔改归正；并且一个真正悔改归正的人，必会再引别人归向基督。这样，福音的工作就必向新的地区推进。{MC7.4}[8]
§18
Let canvassers go forth with the word of the Lord, remembering that those who obey the commandments, and teach others to obey them, will?be rewarded by seeing souls converted; and one soul truly converted will bring others to Christ. Thus the work will advance into new territory.?{MC 7.4}[8]
§19
时候已到，文字布道士当成就一种伟大的工作了。世界在睡梦之中，文字布道士作为守望者，应当猛击警钟，使一般昏睡的人醒过来，觉悟自己的危险。众教会不知道自己蒙眷顾的时候，但是他们往往可以藉着文字布道士的努力得知真理。那些奉主名出去的，就是主的报信人，要向在黑暗和谬误之中摸索的群众，传述藉着基督服从上帝的律法而得救的佳音。{MC8.1}[9]
§20
The time has come when a large work should be done by the canvassers. The world is asleep, and as watchmen they are to ring the warning bell to awake the sleepers to their danger. The churches know not the time of their visitation. Often they can best learn the truth through the efforts of the canvasser. Those who go forth in the name of the Lord are His messengers to give to the multitude who are in darkness and error the glad tidings of salvation through Christ in obeying the law of God.?{MC 8.1}[9]
§21
我蒙指示知道，纵使是在人们能够听到传道人讲解这信息之处，文字布道士也当进行其工作，与传道人合作；因为传道人虽忠心宣扬信息，而听众却未必能完全保持所听到的。因此，印刷品便不可少了，不但能把现代真理的重要性提醒人，也使人在真理上根深蒂固，建立他们抵抗欺人的错谬。书刊乃是主的工具，使人们时时见到现代真理的信息。在开导人心并使人在真理上坚定方面，印刷品的功用实在比单独传道工作所成就的更大。借着文字布道士的工作，把无声的使者介绍到人们的家中，就必在各方面加强福音的事工，因为在人们读这些书报之时，圣灵要感动他们的心，正如祂在人听道之时感动他们的心一样。服役的天使，也必照顾那含有真理的书报，正如他们照顾传道人的工作一样。{MC8.2}[10]
§22
I have been instructed that even where the people hear the message from the living preacher, the canvasser should carry on his work in cooperation with the minister; for, though the minister may faithfully present the message, the people are not able to retain it all. The printed page is therefore essential, not only in awakening them to the importance of the truth for this time, but in rooting and grounding them in the truth, and establishing them against deceptive error. Papers and books are the Lord’s means of keeping the message for this time continually before the people. In enlightening and confirming souls in the truth, the publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the word alone. The silent messengers that are placed in the homes of the people through the efforts of the canvasser, will strengthen the gospel ministry in every way; for?the Holy Spirit will impress minds as they read the books, just as He impresses the minds of those who listen to the preaching of the word. The same ministry of angels attends the books that contain the truth as attends the work of the minister.{MC 8.2}[10]
§23
上帝本来可以把传福音和爱的服务工作交给天使。祂可以采取其他方法实现自己的旨意。但祂凭着无穷的慈爱，拣选我们作祂自己以及基督和众天使的同工，使我们从这种无私的服务中得到福气，快乐和属灵上的提高。{MC9.1}[11]
§24
God might have committed the message of the gospel, and all the work of loving ministry, to the heavenly angels. He might have employed other means for accomplishing His purpose. But in His infinite love He chose to make us co-workers with Himself, with Christ and the angels, that we might share the blessing, the joy, the spiritual uplifting, which results from unselfish ministry.?{MC 9.1}[11]
§25
只要我们愿意站在上帝希望我们站的位置上，我们每一个人都可以做一些工作。弟兄们，你们的一举一动都会启发别人。并使你们自己与天上的上帝更加和谐。{MC9.2}[12]
§26
Every one of us can do something, if we will only take the position that God would have us take. My brethren, every move that you make to enlighten others, brings you nearer into harmony with the God of heaven.?{MC 9.2}[12]