关于以马内利布道学院及其工作的证言
摘自与以马内利传道学院有关的证言
关于巴特尔克里克学院的搬迁——“所赐给我的亮光是，巴特尔克里克对我们学校的学生没有最好的影响。那里的情况总的来说太拥挤了。学校应该搬出巴特尔克里克，尽管这会意味着学生数量的减少。要获得一大片土地，并在那里开始从事我在我们的学校建在这里之前就曾恳求你们开始的工作，——离开城市，到一个学生们不会看到可以评论和批评的东西的地方;在那里他们不会看到这个人那个人的任性做法，而会安定下来勤奋学习。上帝希望把学校从巴特尔克里克带出去。有些人可能会因学校迁出巴特尔克里克而感到不安，但他们不必如此。”{PH158 2.1}
“这种搬迁符合上帝在建校前就为学校制定的计划，但人们却看不出怎么才能做到这种搬迁。有那么多人说学校必须在巴特尔克里克。现在我们说它必须在别处。所能做的最好的事就是尽快处理掉这里的学校建筑。立刻开始找一个可以按正确路线办校的地方。我很高兴地说M弟兄和S弟兄在改革上取得了进步。关于M弟兄参与D弟兄的工作，已经出现了问题。我问过M弟兄有没有感觉到上帝呼召他接受这个职位。他说，没有。他说他很满意上帝想让他留在学校，那里是他一直在工作的地方。我告诉他，这与上帝在这个问题上赐给我的亮光和证据相一致。我要对M弟兄和S弟兄说，你们不要以为自己在学校里失败了。环境具有会引起某种误解的性质。对于那些在学校居首的人已经放纵了许多偏见。我们的弟兄们应当在工作中勇往直前，让大家都看到上帝正在与他们同工，使他们作为祂的代表有不同的经验。那些目前在这里负责学校工作的人心相契合，目的一致，要完成上帝已指定应该去做的正确的事。他们开始从事这项工作，不顾已经上来的反对和口舌的争闹。这些人对这项工作有把握。他们一直在学习，并计划在城外建立工业学校，在那里可以获得大片的土地。他们想要成为英勇的改革者，采用可靠的、聪明的方法。他们的思想和计划已经成熟，而今他们已准备好采取果断行动。”{PH158 2.2}
“使M弟兄离开学校工作去从事别的工作是错误的。使S弟兄与学校工作分开是错误的，因为他对教育方面的工作有属灵的把握。在上帝的帮助下，他可以为学校的成功尽自己的一份力量。”{PH158 4.1}
“不要阻碍那些一直设法达到主想要他们达到的地步的人。不要将他们撕碎。让他们本着他们已经得到的力量站立，并让他们将战斗推进到城门吧。”{PH158 4.2}
应当完成的伟大工作
“现在应当完成的伟大工作是建立学校，预备青少年可以住在基督所预备的地方，基督正在为凡在今生尽力而为使自己在认识上帝的作为上得以完全的人预备地方。我们感到欣慰，人们正在对按正确的基础建立学校的工作表现出兴趣，多年前就应该建立这样的学校了。虽然一开始学生可能很少，但不要灰心。学校会获得胜利。要介绍医疗布道工作。我要对S弟兄和M弟兄说，奉以色列的主上帝的名前进吧，上帝的义必在你们的前面行，上帝的荣耀必作你们的后盾。上帝能使软弱的刚强。祂能使软弱的有能力。”{PH158 4.3}
“我很高兴地知道，即使我命不长久，上帝也必继续祂的工作。上帝必扶持我们的手。祂必与那些正在推进学校工作的人同工。祂必与教师和学生们同在。”(摘自怀爱伦夫人在1901年总会上的讲话){PH158 4.4}
从《基督比喻实训》获得的收入要用于以马内利传道学院
“关于学校的权益我有些东西要写出来。依照主的指示，《基督比喻实训》被捐献给我们的学校，特别用于解除他们的债务。而这给了《评论与通讯》出版社机会，为巴特尔克里克的学校做一件慷慨的事。如果还没有开始从事销售《基督比喻实训》的工作，巴特尔克里克学院欠《评论与通讯》的债务就几乎没有希望得到偿还了。根据主所赐给我的亮光，我知道若是《评论与通讯》出版社以任何方式苛求那些正在设法减轻学校债务的人，主就会不悦。那些在《评论与通讯》出版社的人既看到弟兄们在努力使学校摆脱债务，就应该与他们合作。那些负责这项工作的人负担沉重。”{PH158 5.1}
“《评论与通讯》出版社已经受益于为解除巴特尔克里克学校债务而做的工作。要让那些在《评论与通讯》的人记住，那么认真地为学校的利益操劳的弟兄们寻求在一个更有利的地方建立学校时，应该得到上帝设计的恩惠。那些在《评论与通讯》出版社的人不要以为他们能通过束缚学校的利益来侍奉上帝。上帝看到祂的仆人们在牺牲并设法筹集资金来使学校摆脱债务。”{PH158 5.2}
“主已设计了一个计划使巴特尔克里克学校可以摆脱债务并建在一个更有利的地点。我听说有人想把学校安置在密歇根州西南部的贝林斯普林斯。我很喜欢对这个地方的描述。112英亩未开垦的土地会在许多方面成为学校的大福气;那40英亩林地也是如此。拥有便宜的水利运输也是一大福气。而且所提供的楼房也很有价值。在这个机会中显出了主施恩的手;我希望也祈祷要是这个地方适合学校，那么谁也不要伸出手来阻止这事取得成功。在像贝林斯普林斯这样的地方，可以使学校成为一个实物教训，我希望没有人会介入，阻止这项工作的推进。”(关于贝林斯普林斯学校的未发表的证言){PH158 6.1}
以马内利传道学院要依照先知学校的模式
“往前走，M弟兄和S弟兄，说：我必不灰心，也不丧胆。要谈论信心、祈求信心并且前进吧。那些一直行在不信中的人必将他们过去的经验和知识像绊脚石一样扔在你们的道路上。然而在‘经上记着说’里，你们有你们应该拿着的杖。有许多事情要做。你们现在需要教育，教育，再教育。不要让人拿走你们所需要的设施。你们有没有印刷设备?若是没有的话，一定要添置;因为你们有许多东西要自己印刷，要发行书籍和你们工作中所需的其它印刷品。你们要有最好的老师教学生排版和印刷，给他们这类工作所需要的教育。”{PH158 7.1}
“你们应该努力训练最好的工人阶层，让他们成为教师和福音传道人去教育别人。现在所有与教育工作有联系的人都切不可遵循同样的旧方法。我们的学校应该更像先知学校。要在主里很有勇气。不要谈论不信。弟兄们，不要看黑暗面。主有一项工作要你们去做。你们需要更多的信心，更多的盼望。要将灵魂交给上帝，如同交给一位信实的造化之主。”{PH158 7.2}
“要让你的信心在上帝里面刚强。不要看这个时候的外观。弟兄们，上帝正在试验你们的信心，但你们不要让自己的信心失败。要紧握应许，对在应许后面的那一位充满信心。我的弟兄们，要对满心怜悯慈爱的永活的救主有信心。我有主为你们和S弟兄而赐给我的话：“你不要害怕，因为我与你同在;不要惊惶，因为我是你的上帝。我必坚固你，我必帮助你;我必用我公义的右手扶持你。凡向你发怒的必都抱愧蒙羞;与你相争的必如无有，并要灭亡。与你争竞的，你要找他们也找不着;与你争战的必如无有，成为虚无。因为我耶和华你的上帝必搀扶你的右手，对你说：不要害怕!我必帮助你。你这虫雅各和你们以色列人，不要害怕!耶和华说：我必帮助你。你的救赎主就是以色列的圣者”(赛41:10-14)。你们现在的任务只是倚赖主。”{PH158 7.3}
鼓励的话
“有些人一直以圣经为标准，怀着敬畏上帝之心工作，实行真教育的原则。他们虽不是年长的人，但上帝希望把他们放在优越地位。他们力求把会使学生们成为查经员的原则带进他们的教导中。他们存谦卑的心与上帝同行。他们在不同地区与困难角过力。在他们的工作中，他们经历过艰难的境地，逾越了许多障碍。他们经历过严峻的冲突和激烈的战斗。这些人应当有机会证明自己是完全值得信赖的人。”{PH158 8.1}
“然而他们在竭力推进工作时候，他们的努力却遭到了批评。有人问：难道不应该由年长的教师来承担这工作的责任?一些人认为年长的教师会做更完整的工作。但他们会吗?主鼓励这些弟兄，赐给他们胜利，教导他们有价值的教训，加强他们的信心。这些人一直在工作中获得一种经验，大教师希望这些人在祂的指导下继续推进工作。他们若是倚赖上帝，他们所具有的品格特性就能使他们成功地前进。他们的力量不可削弱;他们力量必须增加而不是减少。他们必须团结一致地站在一起，表明没有什么比成功更成功的了。”{PH158 9.1}
一场惊人的奋斗
“在最困难的时候，他们坚定地采取了立场，要与每一个困难搏斗，使巴特尔克里克学院摆脱债务;此外，倘若可能，就要把学校搬出巴特尔克里克。在总会期间，为学校搬出巴特尔克里克开了路，得到了我们的人的充分赞同。那些在贝林斯普林斯学校负责的人已经是基督门下的学生，祂一直在与他们同工，预备他们成为可蒙悦纳的教师。他们面对巨大的财务困境，前进一直是一场惊人的奋斗。他们在各方面作了计划、设计和发明，以舍己和自我牺牲使学校走出困境，摆脱了债务。现在他们开始看到所指出的路是主带领的路了。这就是主希望更多的人学习的功课。{PH158 9.2}
“当年轻人出去从事这工作，不顾许多困难，取得了成功时，不要建议让他们开始从事别的工作，不要让他们把已经开始的工作交给比他们年长并更有经验的人。这不是鼓励我们教会年轻人的方式。我的同工们，要在你们已经着手的工作上孜孜不倦，坚持不懈，直到你们胜了又胜，记住惟有藉着成功，才能证明你们成功的真实性。(摘自未发表的证言1902年7月10日){PH158 10.1}
需要保持单纯
“我在贝林斯普林斯的弟兄姐妹们，你们是在从事一项善工。主正在带领你们。你们只要跟从基督，就必得到指导。要保持你们的单纯和你们对生灵的爱心，主就必带领你们走在安全的道路上。你们将获得的丰富经验对你们来说就会比金银宝石更有价值。”(摘自未发表的证言1902年7月17日){PH158 10.2}
“主必为凡愿意存谦卑的心与祂同行的人行事。祂已将你安置有受信任的岗位上。要谨慎地行在祂面前。祂正在引导你。上帝的手在掌舵。祂必引导航船经过暗礁，进入港湾。祂要拣选世上软弱的，让那强壮的羞愧。你们没有义务服从任何人，而是在上帝的指导之下。要保持和祂亲近。不要接受世俗的观点作你们的标准。要在你们的工作上刚强壮胆。”{PH158 11.1}
致年轻的工人
“多年来，我一直使我们的人看到在教育青少年上，需要平等运用体力和脑力。以色列的主上帝渴望得到果子。我们正在接近这尘世历史的结束。我们前面有一项伟大的工作，——传最后的警告信息给一个有罪世界的结尾工作。这世界脱了节。基督看见世上一切愁苦和绝望的事，这些事若给我们中间一些大有才干的传道人见了也必大大丧胆，甚至使他们不知道怎样开始引领男男女女上那得救梯子的头一步。他们所以为严谨的方法，也没有什么用处。他们只会站在梯子的较低层，向下面的人说，‘上到我们这里来。’但那些可怜的人还不知道应当把脚放在何处。{PH158 11.2}
“基督的心因见到那些在各方面都贫乏的人而欢喜，因看见被人恶待还是温柔的人而欢喜，因看见饥渴慕义似乎从不满足的人而欢喜，因看见许多无能力开始作工的人而欢喜。那些会使许多传道人丧胆的事态，基督对之却好像是欢迎一般。{PH158 12.1}
“主耶稣纠正我们错误的敬虔，把在世上艰难地方为贫苦缺乏之人作工的担子，委托给那些能体恤愚昧和迷途者的男男女女。主教导他们如何应付这些情况。这些工人见到可以进去作医疗布道工作地区的门户开了，就会受到鼓励。他们既少有自恃的心，就将一切的荣耀归于上帝，一点儿也不归于自己。他们的手也许是粗笨不熟练的，但他们的心却敏于同情;并且觉醒起来要作些解除诸般患难的事;救主与他们同在，帮助他们开始工作。祂藉着那些在愁苦中看出慈爱，在丧失万物中看出利益的人作工。当‘世界的光’经过的时候，在一切艰难之中便显出殊荣，在纷扰之中便显出秩序，在看来像是失败之中，就显出上帝的成功和智慧。”{PH158 12.2}
“我的弟兄们哪，你们作传道工作的时候，要与群众接近，提拔那些堕落丧志的人。教导本会信息的基本原则。要看待灾难为变相的福气，看诸般祸患为恩慈。应当用一种使绝望中生出希望的方法来作工。我们必须有工人。我们必须唤醒百姓。平民百姓要作工人。他们既担当同胞的忧患，像救主担当人类的忧患一样，就必凭信心看见祂与他们同工。”{PH158 12.3}
如何对付批评
我亲爱的弟兄们，愿主在你们的工作中大大赐福你们。我希望你们当心一点。不要轻易被别人说的话打扰。要知道你们是对的，然后勇往直前。上帝必定引导凡愿意被引导的人。大麻烦是，我们不乐于与上帝同工。要保持基督的纯朴。要祈求上帝使你们离开与一切会使你们离开祂的东西，然后存完全谦卑的心行在祂面前。要让热心、真诚和信心成为你们祷告的特点。主乐意为我们“充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的”(弗3:20)。要谈论之，祈求之。不要谈论不信。我们担不起让撒但看他有能力使我们的脸色阴沉并使我们的心灵忧伤。要本着信心祈祷。不要让你的信心软弱，因为所领受的福气与你所运用的信心是成比例的。要祷告、相信、欢喜快乐!要歌颂上帝，因为祂应允了你的祷告。要照祂的话接受祂。没有一个真诚的祈求会落空。我有时很渴望和你们在一起，但我不敢离开我的工作。我把你们交给一位守约的上帝。愿祂赐给你们平安、恩典和健康。不要停止要求祂丰盛的应许。不要被那些为了说话而说话之人的意见所困扰。我们应当祈祷，好叫他们的舌头变得在赞美上帝方面能言善辩。”(摘自未发表的证言1902年7月31日){PH158 13.1}
给传道人和其他支持贝林斯普林斯学校之人的呼吁
有时事情看上去并不像我们所希望的那样光明和愉快，因为困难阻碍了我们的快速发展;但我的弟兄姐妹们，我们希望你们都会得到鼓励对于在贝林斯普林斯建立学校十分感兴趣，并且藉着销售《基督比喻实训》也藉着其它方式帮助这所学校。要在我们的各大城市和较小的定居点兴致勃勃地销售《基督比喻实训》。弟兄们，要醒来。主的仁慈之手已经帮助我们的百姓为这所学校选择一个好地方。这个地方符合主赐给我关于学校应当位于何处的景象。它远离城市，有充裕的土地作为农业用途，而且有充裕的空间，以便房子不必建得一个挨着一个。有许多土地，在那里学生们可以在土壤栽培上受到教育。“你们是上帝所耕种的田地，所建造的房屋”(林前3:9)。{PH158 14.1}
我们希望大家都明白，在推销《基督比喻实训》时，他们是在做一项对现在应该继续开办的学校来说至关重要的工作。主必帮助每一个愿意祷告和作工，作工和祷告的人。我设法呈现在我们的人面前的亮光是，我们自己必须从沉睡中醒来，对应当在贝林斯普林斯建立起来的学校感兴趣。不要对建造合适的建筑物这事渐渐失去兴趣。正是为了这个目的，才应当大力推进《基督比喻实训》的销售。让我们的迅速行动使感兴趣的人们能够成功地将我们的学校搬出巴特尔克里克吧。{PH158 15.1}
已经得到了地皮，现在要毫不迟延地开始预备合适建筑物的工作。要制定好所有的计划，现在就选择合适的地方。那些一直忠心的工人应当正确把握并且尽力而为。不要让这项工作失败。要让学生们认真地正确把握这事。管理人员、教师或帮助者们不应摆回到他们旧有的习惯方式，让他们的影响否定主所提出的计划，这些计划对我们青少年的体育、智育和德育来说是最好的计划。{PH158 15.2}
上帝要求迈出前进的步伐。因为教师们可能从未接受过体力劳动的训练，他们就不容易被说服，采用使青少年获得全面教育的最佳方法，哪怕是最不愿意在这件事上取得一致的人，要是在他们年轻的时候受过体育、智育和德育相结合的教育，本来也能避免几次疾病的发作，他们的大脑、骨骼和肌肉此时也会处于更加健康的状态，因为主的机器都得到了均衡的使用。应该在属灵方面、在农业就业方面，也在木匠行业和印刷业务上从最好的指导教师得到宝贵的教训。主希望引进这些机械工业，由有能力的人来教导。{PH158 15.3}
无论谁开始从事销售《基督比喻实训》的工作，都应当得到弟兄们的帮助和鼓励。{PH158 16.1}
以下是来自另一份证言的一两句宝贵的话：“你知道我对贝林斯普林斯的学校深感兴趣。这是主的学校，我会把祂的想法寄给你考虑。愿祂帮助、加强和赐福你。要仰望而得活。祂必在你面前预备道路，只要有信心。我相信主打算通过这所学校完成一项伟大的工作。这是教育改革的开始。”
(签名)怀爱伦。{PH158 16.2}
PH158 - Testimonies Relating to Emmanuel Missionary College and Its Work
【Extracts from Testimonies Relative to Emmanuel Missionary College】
On the Moving of the Battle Creek College—“The light that has been given me is that Battle Creek has not the best influence over the students in our school. There is altogether too congested a state of things. The school, although it will mean a fewer number of students, ought to be moved out of Battle Creek. Get an extensive tract of land, and there begin the work which I entreated should be commenced before our school was established here,—to get out of the city to a place where the students would not see things to remark upon and criticise; where they would not see the wayward course of this one and that one, but would settle down to diligent study. God wants the school to be taken out of Battle Creek. Some may be stirred about the transfer of the school from Battle Creek, but they need not be.”?{PH158 2.1}[1]
“This move is in accord with God’s design for the school before the institution was established, but man could not see how this could be done. There were so many said that the school must be in Battle Creek. Now we say that it must be somewhere else. The best thing that can be done is to dispose of the school’s buildings here as soon as possible. Begin at once to look for a place where the school can be conducted?on right lines. I am glad to say that Brother ----- and Brother ----- have made advancement in reform. The question has arisen in regard to Brother ----- connecting with Brother ----- in his work. I asked Brother ----- if he felt called by God to take this position, and he said, No. He said he was satisfied that God wanted him to remain in the school where he had been working. I told him that this was in accordance with the light and evidence given me on the subject. I would say to Brother ----- and Brother -----, you are not to think that you have made a failure in the school. Circumstances have been of a character to cause some misunderstanding. There has been much prejudice indulged in regard to those who stand at the head of the school. Our brethren are to go right along in the work, and let all see that God is working with them, giving them, as his agencies, varied experiences. Those now in charge of the school work here have their hearts blended in unity of purpose, to accomplish the thing which God has designated as the right thing to do. They have undertaken this work irrespective of the opposition that has come up, and the strife of tongues. These men have a grip on the work.?They have been learning, and have planned to establish industrial schools out of the city, where a large space of ground can be secured. They mean to be heroic reformers, to adopt?solid, intellectual methods. Their thoughts and plans have been maturing, and now?they are prepared for decided action.”?{PH158 2.2}[2]
“It would be a mistake to take Brother ----- from the school work to engage in another line. It would be a mistake to separate Brother ----- from the school, because he has a spiritual hold upon educational lines of work. With the help of God he can act his part in making the school a success.”?{PH158 4.1}[3]
“Do not hinder those who have been trying to reach the place where the Lord desires them to stand. Do not tear them to pieces. Let them stand in the strength they have obtained, and let them press the battle to the gates.”?{PH158 4.2}[4]
【The Great Work to be Accomplished】
“The great work to be accomplished now is to establish schools that will prepare the youth for the mansions Christ is preparing for all who do their best in this life to perfect themselves in the knowledge of the work of God. We are thankful that an interest is being shown in the work of establishing schools of a right foundation, as they should have been established years ago. Although there may be few students at first, do not be discouraged. The school will win its way. Introduce the medical missionary work. I would say to Brother ----- and Brother -----, go forward in the name of the Lord God of Israel, and the righteousness of God will go before you, and the glory of God will be your reward. God can make the feeble strong. He can give power to the weak.”?{PH158 4.3}[5]
“I am glad to know that even though I?may not live long, God will carry on his work. God will hold up our hands. He will work with those who are carrying forward the school work. He will be with the teachers and students.”—Extracts from talks of Mrs. E. G. White at General Conference, 1901.?{PH158 4.4}[6]
【The Proceeds from “Christ’s Object Lessons” to be Used for Emmanuel Missionary College】
“I have something to write in regard to the school interest. ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ in accordance with the Lord’s instructions, was donated to our schools for the special purpose of releasing them from debt. And this gave the Review & Herald Publishing Co. opportunity to do a generous work in behalf of the Battle Creek school. If the work of selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ had not been taken up, there would scarcely have been a hope that the debt of the Battle Creek College to the Review office would ever have been paid. From the light given me by the Lord, I know that he will be displeased if the Review & Herald Publishing Co. is in any way exacting with those trying to release our schools from debt. As those in the Review & Herald Publishing Co., see our brethren struggling to free the schools from debt, they are to co-operate with them. Those who have charge of this work have carried a heavy burden.”?{PH158 5.1}[7]
“The Review & Herald Pub. Co., have profited by the work which has been done?to raise the debt on the Battle Creek school. Let those in the Review & Herald remember that their brethren, who have labored so earnestly in behalf of the school, deserve the favors God designs them to have as they seek to establish the school in a more favorable locality. Let not those in the Review & Herald office think that they will do God service by binding about the school interests. God saw that his servants were sacrificing and trying to raise money to free the school from debt.”?{PH158 5.2}[8]
“The Lord has devised a plan whereby the Battle Creek school may be released from debt, and established in a more favorable location. I hear that there is some thought of locating the school at Berrien Springs, in the southwest of Michigan. I am much pleased with the description of this place. The one hundred and twelve acres of unimproved land will be a great blessing to the school in many ways; also the forty acres of woodland. It will be a great blessing to have cheap water transportation. And the offer of buildings is of great value. The good hand of the Lord appears to be in this opening, and I hope and pray that if this is the place for the school, no hand will be stretched out to prevent the matter from reaching a successful issue. In such a place as Berrien Springs the school can be made an object lesson, and I hope that no one will interpose to prevent the carrying forward of this work.”—Unpublished Testimonies relative to the school at Berrien Springs.?{PH158 6.1}[9]
【Emmanuel Missionary College to Pattern after the Schools of the Prophets】
“Go forward, Brother ----- and Brother -----, saying, I will not fail nor be discouraged. Talk faith, pray in faith, and go forward. Those who have ever been walking in unbelief will throw their past experiences and knowledge as stumbling-blocks in your way. But in the work, it is written, you have the staff that you should take. There is much to be done. You now need to educate, educate, educate. Let no one take away your needed facilities. Have you a printing outfit? This you must have, if you do not have it; for you will want to do much of your own printing, issuing the books and other publications which you need in your work. You need the very best educator to teach type-setting and presswork to the students, giving them the education essential for this class of work.”?{PH158 7.1}[10]
“You should endeavor to train the very best class of workers, who as teachers and ministers of the gospel will be able to educate others. All who are now connected with the work of education must not follow the same, same old methods. Our schools should be more after the order of the schools of the prophets. Be of good courage in the Lord. Do not talk unbelief. Brethren, look not on the dark side. The Lord has a work for you to do. You need more faith, more hope. Commit the soul to God, as unto a faithful creator.”?{PH158 7.2}[11]
“Let your faith be strong in God. Look not upon appearances at this time. Brethren,?God is testing your faith, but let not your faith fail. Cling to promises, with full faith in the One back of the promise. My brethren, have faith in a living all pitiful, and loving Saviour. I have words given me for you and Brother -----, ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will keep thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded, as a thing of naught. For I, the Lord will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee. Fear not thou worm Jacob, ye men of Israel, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.’ Your business now is simply to trust in the Lord.”{PH158 7.3}[12]
【Words of Encouragement】
“There are those who, with the Bible as their standard, have been working in the fear of God to carry out the principles of true education. They are not old men, but they are, nevertheless, men whom the Lord desires to place on vantage ground. They have thought to bring into their teachings the principles that would lead the students to become Bible workers. They have walked humbly with God. They have wrestled with difficulties in different places. In their work there have been hard places to pass through, and many obstacles to surmount. There have been stern conflicts?and fierce battles. These men are to have opportunity to prove themselves thoroughly trustworthy men.”?{PH158 8.1}[13]
“But as they have tried to carry forward the work their efforts have been criticised, and the question has been raised, Should not older teachers be brought in to take the burden of this work? It is thought by some that older teachers would do more complete work. But would they? The Lord encouraged these brethren, giving them victories that taught them valuable lessons and strengthened their confidence. The great Teacher wants these men who have been gaining an experience in their work, to continue to carry it forward under his guidance. They possess traits of character that will enable them, if they trust in God, to go forward with success. Their forces must not be weakened; their strength must be added to rather than diminished. They must stand together in unity, showing that nothing is so successful as success.”?{PH158 9.1}[14]
【A Tremendous Struggle】
“In the most trying times they took their stand firmly determined to breast every difficulty, and to free Battle Creek College from debt; also, if it were possible to move the school from Battle Creek. During the General Conference, the way opened for the school to be moved from Battle Creek, with the full approval of our people. Those who have charge of the school at Berrien Springs have been learners in the school of?Christ, and he has been working with them preparing them to be acceptable teachers. It has been a tremendous struggle for them to advance in the face of great financial embarrassment. They have planned, contrived, and devised in every way, with self-denial and self-sacrifice, to bring the school through, and to free it from its burden of debt. Now they begin to see that the way pointed out was the way of the Lord’s leading. This is the lesson that the Lord desires many more to learn.?{PH158 9.2}[15]
“As young men go out into this work and, in spite of many difficulties, make a success, let not propositions be made that they take up another work, and that the work they have started be given into the charge of men who are older and more experienced. This is not the way to encourage young men. My fellow-workers, persevere in the work which you have begun. Keep at it until you gain victory after victory, remembering that only by succeeding can you demonstrate the genuineness of your success.—Extracts from Unpublished Testimony July 10, 1902.?{PH158 10.1}[16]
【Need of Maintaining Simplicity】
“My brethren and sisters at Berrien Springs, you are doing a good work. The Lord is leading you. Just so long as you follow Christ, you will be guided. Maintain your simplicity, and your love for souls, and the Lord will lead you in safe paths. The rich experience you will gain will be of more value to you than gold and silver and?precious stones.”—Extracts from Unpublished Testimony July 17, 1902.?{PH158 10.2}[17]
“The Lord will work in behalf of all who will walk humbly with him. He has placed you in a position of trust. Walk carefully before him. He is leading you. God’s hand is on the wheel. He will guide the ship through the rocks into the haven. He will take the weak things of this world to confound the things which are mighty. You are not amenable to any man, but are under God’s direction. Keep close to him. Do not take worldly ideas as your criterion. Be of good courage in your work.”?{PH158 11.1}[18]
【To The Younger Workers】
“For many years I have kept before our people the need, in the education of the youth, of an equal taxation of the physical and mental powers. The Lord God of Israel is hungry for fruit. We are nearing the close of this earth’s history. We have before us a great work,—the closing work of giving the last warning message to a sinful world. The world is out of joint. Christ sees all the misery and despair of the world,—the sight of which would bow down some of our ministers of large capabilities, with a weight of discouragement so great that they would not know how to begin the work of leading men and women to the first round of the ladder. Their precise methods are of little value. They would stand above the lower round of the ladder saying, ‘Come up where we are.’ But the?poor souls do not know where to put their feet.?{PH158 11.2}[19]
“Christ’s heart is cheered by the sight of those who are poor in every sense of the term; cheered by his view of the ill-used ones who are meek; cheered by the seemingly unsatisfied hungering after righteousness; by the inability of many to begin. Christ welcomes, as it were, the very condition of things that would discourage many ministers.?{PH158 12.1}[20]
“The Lord Jesus corrects our erring piety, giving the burden of this work for the poor and needy in the rough places of the earth, to men and women who have hearts that can feel for the ignorant, and for those who are out of the way. The Lord teaches them how to meet these cases. These workers will be encouraged as they see doors opened for them to enter places where they can do medical missionary work. Having little self-confidence, they give God all the glory, taking none of it to themselves. The Saviour is present to help make a beginning through those whose hands are rough and unskilled, but whose hearts are susceptible to pity, and awakened to do something to relieve the woe so abundant. He works through those who can discern mercy in misery, gain in the loss of all things. When the Light of the world passes by, privileges appear in all hardships, right order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that which seems to be failure.”?{PH158 12.2}[21]
“My brethren, in your ministry come close to the people. Uplift those who are cast?down. Teach the first principles of the message. Treat calamities as disguised blessings. Treat woes as mercies. Work in a way that will cause hope to spring up in place of despair. We must have workers. We must arouse the people. The common people are to take their places as workers. Sharing the sorrows of their fellow-men as the Saviour shared the sorrows of humanity, they will by faith see him working with them.”?{PH158 12.3}[22]
【How to Deal with Criticism】
May the Lord greatly bless you in your work, my dear brethren. I want you to guard one point. Do not be easily disturbed by what others may say. Know that you are right, and then go ahead. God will certainly lead all who will be led. The great trouble is, that we are unwilling to walk with God. Maintain the simplicity of Christ. Ask God to separate from you everything that would separate you from him, and then walk before him in all humility. Let earnestness, and sincerity, and faith characterize your prayers. The Lord is willing to do for us exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Talk it, pray it. Do not talk unbelief. We cannot afford to let Satan see that he has power to darken our countenances and sadden our souls. Pray in faith. Let not your faith weaken; for the blessings received are proportionate to the faith exercised. Pray, believe, rejoice! Sing praises to God because he has answered your prayers. Take him?at his word. Not one sincere supplication is lost. I long at times to be with you, but I dare not leave my work. I commit you to a covenant-keeping God. May he give you peace, and grace, and health. Do not cease to claim the fullness of his promise. Do not be troubled by the opinions of those who talk for the sake of talking. Let us pray that their tongues may become active and eloquent in the praise of God.”—Extract from Unpublished Testimony, July 31, 1902.?{PH158 13.1}[23]
【An Appeal to the Ministers and Other Friends of the Berrien Springs School】
“There are times when things do not look as bright and cheerful as we could wish, because difficulties stand in the way of rapid advancement; but we hope, my brethren and sisters, that you all will be encouraged to take a thorough interest in the establishment of the school at Berrien Springs, and aid it by the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,’ and in other ways. Let the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ be taken hold of interestedly in our large cities, and in the smaller settlements. Brethren, wake up. The good hand of the Lord has been with our people in the selection of a good place to locate the school. This place corresponds to the representations given me as to where the school should be located. It is away from the cities, and there is an abundance of land for agricultural purposes, and room so that houses will not need to build one close to another. There is plenty of ground?where students shall be educated to educate the land. ‘Ye are God’s husbandry; ye are God’s building.’”?{PH158 14.1}[24]
“We would have all to understand when canvassing for ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ that they are doing a work that is essential to be done for the school which should now be going up. The Lord will help each one who will pray and work, and work and pray. The light which I have tried to present before our people is that we must arouse ourselves from sleep, and feel an interest in the school that is to be built up at Berrien Springs. Do not let this matter of erecting suitable buildings fade away from your interest. It is for this purpose that the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ should now be vigorously carried forward. Let our prompt action enable the interested ones to make successful the work of moving our school out of Battle Creek.”?{PH158 15.1}[25]
“The land has been secured, and now the work of preparing suitable buildings is to be entered into without delay. Let all plans be laid, and the fitting place be now selected. Let those who have been faithful workers take right hold and do their best. Let not this work fail. Let the students take right hold of this matter in earnest. Let not managers, teachers, or helpers swing back in their old customary ways of letting their influence negative the very plans the Lord has presented as the best plan for the physical, mental, and moral education of our youth.”?{PH158 15.2}[26]
“The Lord calls for steps in advance. Because the teachers may never have been?trained to physical, manual labor they are not easily persuaded in regard to the very methods to secure for the youth an all-round education, and even the very ones who have been most reluctant to come into line in this matter, had they been given in their youth the physical, mental and moral education combined, might have saved themselves several attacks of illness, and their brain, bone and muscle would at this time be in a more healthful condition because of all the Lord’s machinery being proportionately taxed. Precious lessons from the best instructors should be secured in spiritual lines, in agricultural employments, and also in carpentry, and in the printing business. The Lord would have these mechanical industries brought in and taught by competent men.”?{PH158 15.3}[27]
“Whoever shall take up the work of selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ should have the help and encouragement of their brethren.”?{PH158 16.1}[28]
Here is a precious sentence or two from another testimony: “You know that I have a deep interest in the school at Berrien Springs. It is the Lord’s school, and I will send you his ideas to consider. May he help, and strengthen and bless you. Look and live. He will prepare the way before you, only have faith. I believe that the Lord intends to accomplish through this school a great work. It is the beginning of educational reform.”?{PH158 16.2}[29]
---(Signed) Ellen G. White[30]
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