第17章 弊端是形式主义，而不是组织
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第17章 弊端是形式主义，而不是组织
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Chap. 17 - Formality, Not Organization, An Evil.
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弊端不是因组织造成的，而是因为把组织当成了一切；至关重要的敬虔却置于次要的地位。当形式和机械成了主导，继续开展本应存着单纯的心去做的工作成了艰苦的任务，就必导致弊端，虽付出努力，也成效甚微。组织的目标其实恰恰与此相反；要是我们使组织瓦解，就会象在拆毁我们所建造的。在安息日学和传道团体中都见到了恶果，因为做了太多机械的事，却忽视了至关重要的敬虔。在所采纳的许多自以为是的改进中，人的模式加在了工作之上。在安息日学中，被接纳为干事和教师的男男女女没有属灵的心志，对所交给他们去照管的工作也没有活泼的兴趣。只有藉着圣灵的帮助才能把事情整顿好。我们各教会中现有的弊端已经存在多年了。拘泥形式、骄傲和爱炫耀取代了真实的虔诚和谦卑的敬虔。若有一批人完全献身于上帝，专心致力于安息日学的工作，不断在知识上长进，并且训练自己能教导他人知道做工的最佳方法，我们就会看到一种不同的局面。但工人们不应想方设法炫耀自己，花时间在戏剧和音乐表演上，因为这不会使任何一个人受益。训练儿女为特殊的场合演讲并没有益处。应当争取他们归于基督，而不是花费时间和金钱、努力去炫耀。所做出的全部努力都应将禾捆收进来。?{CE 134.1}[1]
§4
Evil does not result because of organization, but because of making organization everything, and vital godliness of little moment. When form and machinery take the pre-eminence, and a laborious task is made of carrying on the work that should be done with simplicity, evil will result, and little will be accomplished in proportion to the effort put forth. The object of organization is just the reverse of this; and should we disorganize, it would be like tearing down that which we have built up. Evil results have been seen, both in the Sabbath-school work and in the missionary society, because of making much of machinery while vital experience was lost sight of. In many of the imagined improvements that have been brought in, the mould of man has been placed upon the work. In the Sabbath-school, men and women have been accepted as officers and teachers, who have not been spiritually minded, and had no live interest in the work committed to their care; but matters can be set in order only through the aid of the Holy Spirit. The same evil has existed for years as now exists in our churches. Formality, pride, and love of display have taken the place of true piety and humble godliness. We might see a different order of things should a number consecrate themselves wholly to God, and then devote their talents to the Sabbath-school work, ever advancing in knowledge, and educating themselves so that they would be able to instruct others as to the best methods to employ in the work; but it is not for the workers to seek for methods by which they can make a show, consuming time in theatrical performances and musical display, for this benefits no one. It does no good to train the children to make speeches for special occasions. They should be won to Christ, and instead of expending time, money, and effort to make a display, let the whole effort be made to gather sheaves for the harvest. {CE 134.1}[1]
§5
许多人似乎以为安息日学的工作所需要的就把班级组织起来，训练学生步调一致地履行一套仪式和形式；若是能找到人作老师，安息日学就可自行运作了。所找到的老师往往不能领人归向基督，因为他们不知道祂对他们心灵的宝贵。凡不重视生灵的价值、不按基督的要求作工的人，必是与基督分散的。“不同我收聚的（请注意这些话），就是分散的”（太12:30）。老师们若是没有意识到领人归向基督的责任，就必渐渐变得对真理漠不关心；他们会变得粗心疏忽，他们周围的气氛也会起到与基督分散的作用。既有这种分子在安息日学，就必定要不断与困难作斗争。因为从事这工作的老师若无兴趣，学生就会带有同样的精神。{CE 135.1}[2]
§6
Many have seemed to think that all that was essential in Sabbath-school work was to organize the school, and drill the scholars so that they would act in harmony with a set of ceremonies and forms; and that if persons could be secured as teachers, the Sabbath-school would run itself. Teachers are often secured who cannot lead souls to Christ because they know not what it is to find him precious to their own souls; but all those who do not value the soul so that they will work as Christ would have them, will scatter away from Christ. He that [mark these words] gathereth not with me, scattereth abroad. [Matthew 12:30.] If teachers have no burden to lead souls to Jesus, they will grow indifferent to the truth; they will become careless, and the atmosphere with which they surround their souls will work to scatter away from Christ. And with such elements in the Sabbath-school, there will be a perpetual conflict with difficulties; for when the teachers engage in the work and have no interest in it, the pupils will partake of the same spirit. {CE 135.1}[2]
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然而虽有这些困难存在，岂要取消组织吗？我确信主在已经完善的组织中行事，而工作中令人灰心的特征不应认为是解体的充分理由。关于教会组织，已有许多亮光赐给我们。我们在完善组织方面打了一场艰难的仗，但最终取得了胜利。而今教会却要因冷漠、形式化和骄傲而解体吗？难道我们要因教会中未献身的成员给工作加上了人的模式，谋求塑造教会去迎合通俗的标准而回到没有秩序的状态吗？ {CE 135.2}[3]
§8
But although these difficulties exist, will it abolish them to put an end to organization? I am sure that the Lord has wrought in the organization that has been perfected, and the fact that there are discouraging features in the work should not be thought a sufficient reason for disorganization. Much light was given to us in reference to the organization of churches, and yet we had a hard battle to fight in perfecting organization; but the victory was gained at last, and now shall the church be disorganized because of indifference, formality, and pride? Shall we go back to disorder because unconsecrated members of the church have placed upon the work the mould of man, and sought to fashion the church to meet a popular standard? {CE 135.2}[3]
§9
确实，教会已在很大程度上丧失了真敬虔的纯朴。许多自称跟从基督的人已变得那么盲目，竟然以为得利就是敬虔，将自己的能力投在暂时的事物上。他们没有认识到自己一切的智力才能已被基督买下，他们应当把自己最佳的思想结果奉献给祂，以便推进祂的圣工。但他们不但没有奉献自己敏锐清晰的思想来推进圣工，加强和造福教会，反而将他们的全部能力用来增进自己的利益。他们不同基督收聚，却藉自己的言行引人离开祂。他们用一种对灵性有害的气氛环绕自己的心灵。他们自称跟从基督，却没有在经验上认识祂。他们并不实践宗教。他们并不象愿意学一门手艺那样谋求作基督徒。他们自称相信现代真理，但他们显然将真理留在外院，因为没有让真理对他们的生活和品格有圣化之能。他们没有认识到这有多么危险，因为他们自己的灵魂和他人的灵魂都受了危害。他们没有认识到：为了成为活的香气叫人活，他们必须处在属灵的训练和管教之下，在基督的门下学习。如果没有这种属灵的训练，他们就会变得无效、无知、不发展，看不到必须有属灵的训练和知识才能使他们有资格担任有为的要职。他们若不完全献身于上帝，作祂门下的学生，就会随便作工，给教会带来伤害。{CE 136.1}[4]
§10
It is true that the simplicity of true godliness has to a large degree been lost from the church, and many of those who profess to be followers of Christ have become so blinded that they think that gain is godliness, and they devote their powers to the things of time. They do not realize that all their intellectual ability has been purchased by Christ, and that they should devote to him the best results of their thought, that his cause may be advanced. But instead of giving their sharp, clear ideas to advance the cause, to strengthen and bless the church, they devote all their powers to the advancement of their own interests. They do not gather with Christ, but lead away from him by their words and acts. They surround their souls with an atmosphere that is deleterious to spirituality. They profess to be followers of Christ, but they do not know him by an experimental knowledge. They do not practice religion. They do not seek to be Christians in the same way in which they would learn a trade. They profess to believe advanced truth; but it is evident that they keep it in the outer court; for it has no sanctifying power on life and character. They do not realize how much is at stake; for the salvation of their own souls and that of others is imperiled. They do not realize that in order to be a savor of life into life they must be under spiritual discipline and training, learning in the school of Christ. Without this spiritual discipline, they become inefficient, ignorant, and undeveloped, and see no necessity for the spiritual training and knowledge which would qualify them to hold positions of influence and usefulness. If they do not consecrate themselves wholly to God, becoming learners in his school, they will do hap-hazard work that will result in injury to the church. {CE 136.1}[4]
§11
但是由于这些不圣洁的影响，我们就要后退，拆毁我们已经付上那么多代价所建造的系统，宣布组织完全是一个错误吗？我们不敢这么做。有许多事需要调整，因为太注重一些不怎么重要的事，却忽视了一些很重要的事，将之视为不必要的了。人们的心智既需要受文学的训练也要受属灵的训练，以便得到和谐的发展，因为若无文学上的训练，人们就不能令人满意地充任各种要职。?{CE 136.2}[5]
§12
But because of these unconsecrated influences, shall we take backward steps, and tear down those methods which it has cost us much to build, and declare that organization is all a mistake? We dare not do this. There are many things that need adjusting; for some things of little importance are made much of, while other things of vast importance are neglected, and looked upon as unessential. The minds of men need literary as well as spiritual training that they may be harmoniously developed; for without literary training, men cannot fill acceptably various positions of trust. {CE 136.2}[5]
§13
圣经是伟大的课本，可是人们却很少阅读或实行它。巴不得人人都竭力造就自己，充分利用自己的机会，定意使用上帝所赐的每一项能力，不只是为了推进自己现世的事务，而是为了增进自己属灵的利益。巴不得大家都殷勤查考圣经，以便知道何为真理，认真学习以便能有正确的语言和文雅的声音，好说明真理使人高尚高贵的美。谁也不要想象自己会轻易漂进某个有为的职位。人们若是愿意被用来为上帝作工，就要施展自己的能力，认真使用脑力。撒但愿意让人处在无知无能之中，使他们片面发展，永远不得纠正。他愿意让人们运用一组才能而闲置另一组才能，这样会使心智丧失其活力，及至真有需要，就不能起来应付紧急情况了。上帝希望人们尽力而为，而当撒但把人的心智拉向一个方向时，耶稣却在把它拉向另一个方向。{CE 137.1}[6]
§14
The great educating book is the Bible, and yet it is little read or practiced. O that every individual would seek to make of himself all that he could, improving his opportunities to the very best of his ability, purposing to use every power which God has given him, not simply to advance his temporal affairs, but to advance his spiritual interests. O that all might search diligently to know what is truth, to study earnestly that they might have correct language and cultivated voices, that they might present the truth in all its elevated and ennobling beauty. Let no one imagine that he will drift into some position of usefulness. If men would be used to work for God, let them put to the stretch their powers, and concentrate their minds in earnest application. It is Satan that would keep men in ignorance and inefficiency, that they may be developed in a one-sided way which they may never be able to correct. He would have men exercise one set of faculties to the exclusion of the exercise of another set, so that the mind will lose its vigor, and when there is a real necessity, be unable to rise to the emergency. God wants men to do their best, and while Satan is pulling the mind in one direction, Jesus is drawing it in another. {CE 137.1}[6]
§15
何时真理被接到心中，它就开始在接受的人心中做精练和圣化的工作。凡珍爱真理的人，必不会认为自己无需更多启迪了，而会认识到自己在实际的生活中实行真理时，需要不断的亮光来增加知识。他既把真理带入自己的生活中，就会感到自己实在无知，认识到必须受到更彻底的教育，以便明白如何最充分地利用自己的能力。?{CE 137.2}[7]
§16
When the truth is received into the heart, it begins the work of refining and sanctifying the receiver. He who cherishes the truth, will not feel that he has no more need of enlightenment, but will realize as he carries out the truth in his practical life, that he is in need of continual light that he may increase in knowledge. As he brings the truth into his life, he will feel his real ignorance, and realize the necessity of having a more thorough education, that he may understand how to use his ability to the best account. {CE 137.2}[7]
§17
我们中间缺乏有教养的才能，我们没有人受过充分的训练、好正确地做我们安息日学和教会的管理工作。许多知道真理的人，却不明白传讲真理能给他们自己以支持。他们没有准备好将真理神圣庄严的性质清楚地介绍给人。他们不是需要更少的训练，而是需要更彻底的培训。谁也不可能预见自己可能蒙召做什么。他可能会被安置在种种境遇中，需要他有敏锐的辨识力和很平衡的意见，所以我们中间若有更多受过良好教育的工人会使基督受尊荣。他们会更有能力清晰聪明地传达真理，传讲真理的方式应当尽可能地没有缺点。{CE 138.1}[8]
§18
There is a dearth of educated ability among us, and we have not men who are sufficiently trained to do justice to the work of managing our Sabbath-schools and churches. Many who know the truth, still do not understand it in such a way that they could hold their own in its presentation. They are not prepared to present it in such a way that its sacred, majestic character will be clear to the people. Instead of less discipline, they need more thorough training. It is impossible for any one to foresee to what he may be called. He may be placed in situations where he will need quick discernment and well-balanced arguments, and therefore it is for the honor of Christ that well educated workers should be multiplied among us; they will be better able to communicate the truth in a clear, intelligent way, and the truth should be presented in a way that will be as free as possible from defects. {CE 138.1}[8]
§19
当心智处在圣灵的支配性影响之下时，真教育是极其重要的。每一个人都应学习正确地赏识上帝所赐的能力；通过实践所得的知识，可以藉着自己品格的感化力，使他人铭记为侍奉基督而受培训的价值，引导他们效法祂的榜样。在世上有许多事要做，让新手去做那些最重要的事并没有益处。在教育方面表现出的冷漠、懒惰、疏忽是惊人的，很令撒但满意。上帝希望我们从漠不关心中醒悟过来，不再让智力浪费掉，退化为低能。人们应当赏识所交托给他们的才干，利用他们力所能及的机会。要为圣工约束心智的能力，藉着积极有力地运用心智来使之得到扩大和发展。{CE 138.2}[9]
§20
True education, when the mind is under the controlling influence of the Holy Spirit, is of great importance, and each individual should learn to rightly appreciate the capabilities that God has given; and by the practice of the knowledge he gains, he may, by the influence of his own character, impress upon others the value of obtaining a training for the service of Christ, and lead them to follow his example. There is much to be done in the world, and it is not profitable to set novices to work upon those matters that are of the highest importance. The apathy, the indolence, the inattention that has been manifested in regard to education is marvelous; but it is well pleasing to Satan. God would have us arouse from our indifference, and no longer allow the intellectual powers to run to waste, and degenerate into imbecility. Men are to appreciate the talents entrusted to them, and take advantage of the opportunities placed within their reach. Let the mental powers be girded for work, and by vigorous exertion let the mind be enlarged and developed. {CE 138.2}[9]
§21
现在空前需要我们的青年男女聪明地胜任工作。我们的安息日学不仅需要知识分子，而且需要属灵的工人，而心智是藉着彻底的训练得到其品质和效能的。心智因肤浅的学习而逐渐丧失其品质，退化为低能，不能进行任何繁重的努力。但教育却预备人们知道并且去做这个时代必须做成的工作。在一位明智教师的手下接受彻底的训练，比天资聪颖却无训练更有价值。{CE 139.1}[10]
§22
There is more need now than ever before that our young men and women shall be intellectually qualified for the work. Our Sabbath-schools not only need intellectual, but spiritual workers, and the mind receives its tone and efficiency by thorough discipline. By superficial study, the mind gradually loses its tone, and degenerates into imbecility, and is not capable of any taxing effort. But education prepares men to know and to do the very line of work that must at this time be done. Thorough discipline, under a wise teacher, is of more value than the natural aptitude and endowment, where there is no discipline. {CE 139.1}[10]
§23
主已表明祂重视人类，因为祂赐下祂的独生子来救赎他们。撒但也表示他重视训练有素、经过圣化的才能，用狡猾的方法使人的心思意念转离对上帝的侍奉，以便让人加入背道的行列。他象一个光明的天使带着他的奉承而来，吸引人们去侍奉他；因为他知道，一个受过教育的男人或女人，若不在上帝之灵的约束之下，就会大大有利于他。他会用似是而非的试探追击学生，设法引诱他以自己的造诣为傲，想象自己是个伟大的人物，好让他倚靠自己，行在他自己所点的火把中。这样他就被诱导使自己的心灵与一切亮光和知识之源的上帝分离，好抬高自己，与一切罪恶的创始者撒但联合。?{CE 139.2}[11]
§24
The Lord has made manifest his appreciation of man, in that he gave his only begotten Son to redeem him. Satan has also manifested his appreciation of well trained and sanctified ability, by the ingenious methods by which he seeks to divert the mind and heart of such an one from the service of God, that he may lead him to join in the ranks of apostasy. Like an angel of light, he comes with his insinuations to draw men into his service; for he knows that an educated man or woman, when not under the control of the Spirit of God, can be of great advantage to him. He will pursue the student with specious temptations, seeking to induce him to take pride in his attainments, and to imagine that he is some great one, that he may trust in himself, and walk in the sparks of his own kindling. Thus he is led to separate his soul from God, the source of all light and knowledge, and, in order that he may exalt himself, unite with Satan, the originator of all sin. {CE 139.2}[11]
§25
敬畏耶和华是一切智慧的开端；而当人们不依赖上帝时，教育的结果就只能是推崇不敬虔的品质。教会软弱无能的原因，乃是自称相信末后真理的人缺乏基督的恩典。主既一直藉着我说话，我就要指出许多自称是上帝的儿女怀有几乎各种性质的罪；他们若不与撒但分离，并且紧紧依靠耶稣我们的义，上帝的祸患就会临到那些拥有大光却选择行在黑暗中的人。“耶稣在诸城中行了许多异能，那些城的人终不悔改，就在那时候责备他们，说：‘哥拉汛哪，你有祸了！伯赛大啊，你有祸了！因为在你们中间所行的异能，若行在推罗、西顿，他们早已披麻蒙灰悔改了。但我告诉你们，当审判的日子，推罗、西顿所受的，比你们还容易受呢！迦百农啊，你已经升到天上，将来必坠落阴间；因为在你那里所行的异能，若行在所多玛，他还可以存到今日。但我告诉你们，当审判的日子，所多玛所受的，比你还容易受呢’”（太11:20-24）！ {CE 140.1}[12]
§26
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom; and when God is not depended upon, the result of education is only to elevate ungodliness. The reason that the church is weak and inefficient is that there is a want of the grace of Christ among those who profess the truth for these last days. If the Lord has ever spoken by me, there is sin of almost every character cherished by many who claim to be children of God; and unless they separate themselves from Satan and cling to Jesus our righteousness, the woe of God will be upon those who have had great light, and yet have chosen to walk in darkness. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin; Woe unto thee, Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee. [Matthew 11:20-25.] {CE 140.1}[12]
§27
拥有大光和福气、拥有许多机会和特权，却不用来救人，这是一件可怕的事。那些不利用自己的机会来救人的人，必被上帝所赐给他们的特权所定罪；但那些行在光中的人却会得到更多的亮光。那些拥有真理的亮光却没有行在光中的人，象哥拉汛和伯赛大那样被定罪。我们岂不要听从这些警告吗？这些警告对我们来说岂没有分量吗？在不远的将来，就会看到谁一直在谦卑地与上帝同行，谁一直在顺从祂的命令。那些一直行在自己所点的火把中的人，必躺在悲惨之中（赛50:11），看到他们犯了一个可怕的错误。但愿我们觉醒！亮光如今正在照耀；要打开心思意念的窗户，欢迎天上照来的光线。耶稣将要对自称顺从真理，却没能行在光中的人说：“在他们身上，正应了以赛亚的预言，说：你们听是要听见，却不明白；看是要看见，却不晓得；因为这百姓油蒙了心，耳朵发沉，眼睛闭着，恐怕眼睛看见，耳朵听见，心里明白，回转过来，我就医治他们”（太13:14,15）。—《文稿》{CE 140.2}[13]
§28
It is a fearful thing to have great light and blessing, to have many opportunities and privileges, and yet make no saving use of them. Those who do not make a saving use of their opportunities, will be condemned by the privileges God has granted to them; but those who walk in the light will have increased light. Those who have had the light of truth, and yet have failed to walk in the light, are under the same sentence of condemnation as were Chorazin and Bethsaida. Shall not these warnings be heeded? Shall not these admonitions have weight with us? In the near future it will be seen just who have been walking humbly with God, and who have been obeying his orders. Those who have been walking in the sparks of their own kindling will lie down in sorrow. It will be seen that they have made a terrible mistake. O let us awake! light is now shining; let the windows of the mind and heart be open to welcome the heaven-sent rays. Shall Jesus say of those who profess to obey the truth, and yet who fail to walk in its light, In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this peoples heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them? [Matthew 13:14, 15.] --MS. - {CE 140.2}[13]