第42章 建堂
§1
第42章 建堂
§2
Chapter 42—Church Building
§3
如果会众在一个不受欢迎的地方聚会，真理的感化力将会失去大半——我们感到非常需要一间教堂。如果我们凭着信心行动，在此之前开始建造一座教堂，那么对工作的成功将会更好，好得多。这样的行动将赋予我们工作的意义和性质。从公路到丛林要走这么远才到达聚会的地方，然后还要爬楼梯到工厂——经常忽冷忽热，周围有各种设备和用具，这样不荣耀上帝也不能激发会众属灵的思想。由于环境的缘故，真理在人心里的感化力将会失去大半。我已看到这一点并因此而惋惜。但是资金的缺乏使我们陷于困境。--13MR407.{PaM 241.1}[1]
§4
Truth loses much of its influence if the church meets in an undesirable place—We feel the need of a church very much. Had we moved out in faith, and started to build a church before now, it would have better, far better, for the success of the work. Such a movement would have given importance and character to our work. Having to come so great a distance from the road into the bush to get to the place of meeting, and then climb the stairs to the mill—often exposed to cold, and again to heat—and with surroundings of every conceivable kind of furniture and utensils, did not honor God or inspire the people with sacred ideas. The force of truth loses much of its influence on the mind because of the surroundings. I have seen this and deplored it, but the dearth of means has left us in perplexity.—Manuscript Releases 13:407.?{PaM 241.1}[1]
§5
教堂建立起来，我们在新区的工作才能被视为稳定下来——我们现在必须要有一个聚会的场所。人都说，“这些人不久就会离开，你们没有教堂，到时就得分散。”我们希望在去美国之前看到一座大楼。我已经把梅特兰教会的事情放到了我的心上。--7MR90.{PaM 241.2}[2]
§6
Our work in a new place is not perceived as permanent until a church is built—Now we must have a meeting house. The people are saying, “These people will soon go away and you have no church building, and then you will be scattered.” We want to see a building before we leave for America. I have carried the church in Maitland in my soul.—Manuscript Releases 7:90.?{PaM 241.2}[2]
§7
租一间教会是可以的，但只是暂时的权宜之计——当大帐篷拆掉时，我们的人得以使用第十八街和市场街拐角处公理教会的教堂进行安息日崇拜。几个月前，我们在奥克兰的教堂卖掉了，我们的弟兄姐妹目前在这个租来的教会聚会，直到有更长远的安排。--RH1906.11.29{PaM 241.3}[3]
§8
Renting a church is an acceptable, but temporary, arrangement—As the large tent had been taken down, our people secured the use of the Congregational church, corner Eighteenth and Market Streets, for our Sabbath services. A few months ago our own church building in Oakland was sold, and our brethren and sisters are meeting in this rented church until some more permanent arrangement can be made.—The Review and Herald, November 29, 1906.?{PaM 241.3}[3]
§9
要选择地理位置好的地皮——波特兰市应当有一个宽敞的敬拜场所。我们那里的弟兄做得很好，在市里的商业区和叫做“迪尔林橡树”的大公园之间得了一块地理位置优越的地皮。--RH1911.5.18{PaM 241.4}[4]
§10
【Location】
§11
Secure land that is favorably situated—It is right that there should be a commodious house of worship in the city of Portland. Our brethren there have done well in securing a piece of land favorably situated between the business part of the city and the great park called “The Deerings’ Oaks.”—The Review and Herald, May 18, 1911.?{PaM 241.4}[4]
§12
选择建筑地点时应当考虑交通因素——关于你们提议的教堂建筑，我必须写信给你。我对你们选择的位置感到很满意。它靠近市内的电车道，这样可方便远道而来的人。--21MR93.{PaM 242.1}[5]
§13
Transportation should be considered when choosing a building site—I must write to you regarding your proposed church building. I am pleased with the site you have selected. It is near to the street-railway, and thus very convenient for those who come from a distance.—Manuscript Releases 21:93.?{PaM 242.1}[5]
§14
建堂的地皮不要太小——星期天我们又向会众讲了话。会议持续了三个多小时，我们充分讨论了建新教堂的计划和设计。我们去看了所选的那块地，要在上面建一座教堂。地买得太小了，这使买它旁边土地的人紧挨着教堂的围墙建造，挡住了光线和围墙非常需要的阳光。我们建议把旁边的地也买下来，这可使教堂的围墙位于拐角处，旁边不能再建别的房子。--RH1887.9.27{PaM 242.2}[6]
§15
Do not build on too small a lot—Sunday we addressed the people again. Our meeting lasted over three hours, because the plans and designs for building the new chapel were fully discussed. We went to see the land chosen upon which to erect the church building. A small lot had been purchased, but this gave those who should purchase the adjoining lot the privilege to build close against the walls of the chapel, and thus shut out the very light and sunshine which they so much needed. We advised that the adjoining lot, also, be purchased, which situates them on a corner lot, and where no building can be erected anywhere near them.—The Review and Herald, September 27, 1887.?{PaM 242.2}[6]
§16
教堂应当简朴经济，胜于时尚昂贵——我们在奥克兰需要一座教堂。不久就应当有一座简朴又经济的敬拜场所拔地而起了。奥克兰这里的弟兄姐妹应当藉着拒绝建造时尚昂贵的教堂而表明他们是敬畏主的。我们生活在危险的世代，惩罚必接踵而至。我们要在我们的行为上显明我们相信上帝施行审判的时候近了，我们正临近有关这个世界上的任何事情都没有把握的时候。我们藉着我们的行为和见证，告诉人万物的结局近了。--6MR320,321.{PaM 242.3}[7]
§17
【Design】
§18
The church building should be simple and inexpensive, rather than stylish and costly—In Oakland we need a church building. Soon a simple and inexpensive place of worship should be erected. In this the brethren and sisters in Oakland are to show that they fear the Lord by refusing to build a stylish and costly church. We are living in perilous times; judgment is to follow judgment. Let us now reveal in our works that we believe that the time of God’s judgments is come, that we are approaching the day when there will be no certainty regarding anything in this world. By our works as well as our testimony we are to tell that the end of all things is at hand.—Manuscript Releases 6:320, 321.?{PaM 242.3}[7]
§19
建堂应当借鉴的三点：美观，有安息日学的设施，有扩大的潜力——有人带我们匆匆看了一下那座教堂。它的外观很好看，正面镶着石头。里面是一间舒适的礼堂，供会众聚会。窗户和前门饰有彩色玻璃，看起来很漂亮。讲台上摆着四把椅子，是教会里用的那种，十分匀称。讲坛和高靠背椅很和谐。座椅和扶手都包着普遍使用的红色天鹅绒。我没有花更多时间欣赏这座教堂的所有优点。但是我赞美主，每一分债务都还清了。除了建筑的费用之外，已经投入许多钱财使它达到理想境地——保养良好。现在全部完工了。有好几个房间。一间朝向礼堂，摆上了为安息日学预备的椅子。如果房子需要扩大，可以把隔墙打掉，空间很容易就扩展了。在华盛顿市内离国会大厦不远的地方，我们获得了一次胜利。它是按着上帝的吩咐临到我们的，祂看出所必须供应的需要。我要为这座漂亮的教堂赞美上帝，一切都已预备好要重新献给主，祂的子民要在里面侍奉祂。--5MR119.{PaM 242.4}[8]
§20
Three things to be commended in a church building: beauty, Sabbath school facilities, and potential for enlargement—We were taken to have a hasty look at the church. Its appearance is good, with frontage of stone. Within is a pleasant auditorium for the people to assemble. The windows and front doors are ornamented with stained glass, beautiful in appearance. Four chairs, such as are used in churches, are on the platform, which was well proportioned. The pulpit and highbacked chairs harmonized. Seats and arms are covered with red velvet of the material generally used. I did not spend much time taking in all the advantages of that church building, but I praise the Lord that every debt is paid. Much means have been invested besides the sum of the building as it stood, to make it what it should be—complete in repairs. It is now all finished. There are several rooms. One opens from the auditorium and is seated with chairs for Sabbath school. If the house should need enlarging, the partitions could be removed and thus the extension easily made. Washington within a short distance of the Capitol is a victory gained, and it comes to us in the order of the Lord, who has looked upon the necessities that must be supplied. I wanted?to praise God aloud for this nice building, all ready now to be rededicated to the Lord, in which His people shall serve Him.—Manuscript Releases 5:119.?{PaM 242.4}[8]
§21
教堂应当朴素，简洁，宽敞，大小适中——不仅在墨尔本，还有我们在其他地方的教会，都极其需要礼拜堂的影响力。一座朴素，简洁，宽敞，大小适中的教堂会让他们的心充满了感恩，给那些不了解我们信仰的人机会来参加我们的聚会，聆听生命的道。不需要昂贵的管风琴，和任何单单为要炫耀的东西。所需要的乃是一处可以献给上帝的房子，人们把这里看成自己的家，这里会有即兴的讲道和祈祷，所有的会众都可加入唱诗，其环境与我们所宣称的信仰完全和谐。--GCDB1893.1.28{PaM 243.1}[9]
§22
Church buildings should be plain, neat, commodious, and of proper dimensions—The influence of a house of worship is greatly needed, not only in Melbourne, but in our other churches. A plain, neat, commodious building, of proper dimensions, would fill their hearts with gratitude, and would give those not of our faith an opportunity to come into our assemblies, and hear the words of life. There need be no costly organ, nothing for mere display; what is wanted is a house that can be dedicated to God, to which the people can come as their home, where there would be extempore preaching and prayer, and singing in which all the congregation would join, and where the surroundings would be entirely in harmony with the faith we profess.—General Conference Daily Bulletin, January 28, 1893.?{PaM 243.1}[9]
§23
建堂时，钱不要用在不必要的开销上，但也不要做二流的工作——虽然建造这座教堂时，不必要的开销，一分钱也不要花，但也不应做二流的工作。教堂的地下室是计划用来做教会学校的。这是对的，这样的设施可以使我们的儿童得蒙保守脱离那盛行于公立学校的邪恶。这个计划如果得以施行，地下室的工程就必须做工精良。没有钱这个计划就无法实施。--RH1911.3.18{PaM 243.2}[10]
§24
【Construction】
§25
In building a church, money should not be spent unnecessarily, but neither should second-class work be done—While not one penny should be expended unnecessarily in the erection of this church building, no second-class work should be done. It is planned to use the basement of the church for church-school purposes. This is right, that provision may be made by which our children can be guarded from the evils that prevail in the public schools. If this plan is carried out, the basement will have to be well finished; and this cannot be done without means.—The Review and Herald, May 18, 1911.?{PaM 243.2}[10]
§26
有时候可以成功地请到社区居民捐献材料和劳力来建造礼拜堂——这项工作完成之前，在库兰邦需要有一个聚会场所的问题出现了。这个问题证明是令人头疼的问题。似乎所有能做的，我们都做了，还是不可能筹措到足够的资金建一处合适的礼拜堂。最后，在一次议事会上,这件事得到了考虑，我提议检查一下我们的结算，并尽量争取在劳力和材料上得到捐献。我由秘书陪同，拜访了住在周围数英里内的工人并且请求帮助。碰巧这时候有几个一直在建校舍的木匠暂时没有活干，这些人慷慨地回应，表示愿意以非常低的工资——比正常价格的一半还少的工钱来建这座计划建造的礼拜堂。有几个人还付出一部分时间工作不要报酬。--RH1904.5.26{PaM 243.3}[11]
§27
Sometimes community members can be successfully solicited to donate materials and labor to erect a house of worship—Before this work was finished, the problem of providing a meeting-house at Cooranbong arose. This problem proved to be a perplexing one. It seemed that we had done about all we could, and that it would be impossible to raise means sufficient for erecting a suitable house of worship. Finally, during a council meeting in which the matter was receiving consideration, I offered to go through our settlement, and try to secure gifts of labor and material. Accompanied by my secretary, I visited the workmen living for miles around, and solicited help. Just at this time it happened that several of the carpenters who had been laboring on the school buildings, were temporarily out of employment; and these men generously responded, offering to work on the proposed meeting-house at a very low wage,—less than one half the usual rate. Several worked for nothing a portion of the time.—The Review and Herald, May 26, 1904.?{PaM 243.3}[11]
§28
【筹措资金】
§29
建造教堂最好不要负债——在举行帐篷大会的汉密尔顿，我们打算建造一所会堂。要买地，但不能负债。因此，我们等待主为我们开路。祂必成全。祂的应许和行动一样美好。已经筹到了一部分资金。我奉献了五十英镑给布里斯班教会，另外五十英镑给汉密尔顿教会。我们收到钱后，就要开始着手建一座简单的聚会场所。--17MR126.{PaM 243.4}[12]
§30
【Financing】
§31
It is best to build a church building without debt—In Hamilton, where the camp meeting was held, we contemplate building a meetinghouse. The?ground is purchased but there must be no debt on the place. Therefore we wait for the Lord to open the way. He will do this. His promise is as good as a deed. A portion of the money is already raised. I gave fifty pounds to the Brisbane church and another fifty to the church in Hamilton. When we receive money we will commence to build a humble house of worship.—Manuscript Releases 17:126.?{PaM 243.4}[12]
§32
信徒们应当乐意亲手作工，建造教堂--只要有可能，我们就应把会堂奉献给上帝而无债务之累。当一个教会兴起时，就要让教友们起来建造礼拜堂。传道人须征求其他同工的建议，新近悔改的人当在他的指导之下亲手作工，说：“我们需要一所礼拜堂，我们必需建造它。”上帝要祂的子民在圣工上，甘心愉快地合作努力。总要把这事作成，不久即可听到感谢的声音，说：“看哪，主行了何等的大事。”--GW432.{PaM 244.1}[13]
§33
Members should be willing to work with their own hands to provide a church building—Whenever it is possible, let our church buildings be dedicated to God free of debt. When a church is raised up, let the members arise and build. Under the direction of a minister who is guided by the advice of his fellow-ministers, let the newly converted ones work with their own hands, saying, “We need a meeting-house, and we must have it.” God calls upon His people to make cheerful, united efforts in His cause. Let this be done, and soon will be heard the voice of thanksgiving, “See what the Lord hath wrought!”—Gospel Workers, 432.?{PaM 244.1}[13]
§34
有时借贷可能比不建造要好--然而有时一些初立的教会或许不能立刻负起建设礼拜堂的全部责任。在这种情形之下，别处教会的弟兄就该来帮助他们。在有些地方即使借款来建筑，也比不建筑为佳。如果一个有钱的人，在尽己力为这事捐输之后，若还可借一笔款项给教会，不论无利息还是取利甚微，教会都可以运用此款，直到债务得到清偿。但是我要重说：如果可能的话，教会建筑物在奉献之时，应无债务之累。--6T101.{PaM 244.2}[14]
§35
In some cases it may be better to borrow than not to build—There are some cases, however, in which a young church may not be able at once to bear the whole burden of erecting a house of worship. In these cases let the brethren in other churches help them. In some cases it may be better to hire some money than not to build. If a man has money, and, after giving what he can, will make a loan, either without interest or at a low rate, it would be right to use the money until the indebtedness can be lifted. But I repeat: If possible, church buildings should be dedicated free of debt.—Testimonies for the Church 6:101.?{PaM 244.2}[14]
§36
敬拜的场所要小心照管好，但不用十分之一.--主为以色列人吩咐摩西说：“你要吩咐以色列人，把那为点灯捣成的清橄榄油拿来给你，使灯常常点着”(出27:20)。这油是要百姓随时捐助的，使上帝殿中应用的必需品不致缺乏。现今上帝的百姓须记住：礼拜堂是上帝的产业，必须一丝不苟地照管好。但是礼拜堂的费用，不可从十分之一中支取。--9T248.{PaM 244.3}[15]
§37
【Maintenance】
§38
The house of worship should be scrupulously cared for—but not from tithe—The Lord instructed Moses, for Israel: “Thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.” This was to be a continual offering, that the house of God might be properly supplied with that which was necessary for His service. His people today are to remember that the house of worship is the Lord’s property and that it is to be scrupulously cared for. But the funds for this work are not to come from the tithe.—Testimonies for the Church 9:248.?{PaM 244.3}[15]
§39
【帮助他人建造】
§40
要做出牺牲，在全世界都要建立教会——我们这班人必须实行克己和节俭。每一个人都应当藉着牺牲与上帝立约。我们不应当将钱花在购买特别昂贵的服装和华丽的家具上。我们是客旅，是寄居的，正在寻求一个更美的家乡，天上的家乡。时间短促，每一元不必用来满足确实需要的钱，都应当拿来作感恩祭献给上帝。它是属于主的，主已指示我，应当在这个国家和海岛上建立礼拜堂和校舍。我们作领导的人不要为了炫耀，或者满足野心和骄傲而建造。主如果恩眷他们过于其他国家的弟兄，他们就要真正慷慨地帮助那些极需帮助的人找到立足之地，使工作有起色。--TSA63.{PaM 244.4}[16]
§41
【Help Others Build】
§42
Sacrifices should be made to erect buildings worldwide—As a people we must practise self-denial and economy. Every soul should make a covenant with God by sacrifice. We should not expend money in extra expensive clothing, and rich furniture. We are pilgrims and strangers seeking a better country, even an heavenly. Time is short, and every dollar not necessary to be used in supplying positive wants, should be brought in as a thank offering?to God. It is the Lord’s, and the Lord has presented to me that houses of worship, and schoolhouses should be erected through this country, and in the islands of the sea; that our leading men should not build for display, or to gratify ambition and pride. If the Lord has favoured them above their brethren in other countries, let them in true liberality assist those who greatly need to be helped to find a standing place, and give character to the work.—Testimonies to Southern Africa, 63.?{PaM 244.4}[16]
§43
在贫困地区没有教堂时，不要过度投资在兴旺地区--我想提醒弟兄们所赐给我的关于不断投资在巴特尔克里克为要使房间更多更为舒适便利的劝告和警告。新的园地要进入；真理要被传讲，对万国作见证。工作受了阻碍，以至无法照所应当的那样在这些新的园地举起真理的旗帜。当我们在美国的弟兄们觉得有自由把钱财投在不妨没有甚至更好是没有的建筑物上时，上帝要求用在“你们以外的地方”（林后10:16）的成千上万的美元就这样被占用了。我已照主的话提出了警告和劝告；但我既看到虽有这一切，钱财还是被耗尽来满足这些假想的需要，心里就很悲伤；既已楼上加楼地建造，钱财就不能用在没有这些便利的地方，那些地方没有公开敬拜上帝的场所，不能给圣工增光添色，也无处可以举起真理的旗帜。我已将这些事摆在你们面前；可是你们仍一如既往，占用钱财，占用上帝的钱财在一个地点，尽管主已说了有太多钱财投资在一个地方，就意味着没有钱财可投在别的地方了，那些地方应该有楼房和设施，好开展工作。--8T48,49.{PaM 245.1}[17]
§44
Prosperous areas should not over-invest in buildings while poorer parts of the world have none—I wish to remind my brethren of the cautions and warnings that have been given me in reference to constantly investing means in Battle Creek in order to make a little more room, or to make things more convenient. New fields are to be entered; the truth is to be proclaimed as a witness to all nations. The work is hindered, so that the banner of truth cannot be uplifted, as it should be, in these new fields. While our brethren in America feel at liberty to invest means in buildings which time will reveal that they would do just as well and even better without, thousands of dollars are thus absorbed that the Lord called for, to be used in “regions beyond.” I have presented the warnings and the caution, as the Word of the Lord; but my heart has been made sad to see that, notwithstanding all these, means has been swallowed up to satisfy these supposed wants; building has been added to building, so the money could not be used in places where they have no conveniences, no building for the public worship of God or to give character to the work, no place where the banner of truth could be uplifted. These things I have set before you; and yet you have gone on just the same, absorbing means, God’s means, in one locality, when the Lord has spoken that too much was already invested in one place, which meant that there was nothing in other places, where there should be buildings and facilities, to make even a beginning.—Testimonies for the Church 8:48, 49.?{PaM 245.1}[17]