给奥克伍德和巴特尔克里克教会的特别证言
新南威尔士州库兰邦“森尼赛德”
1897年3月14日
十分之一的正确使用
我收到从奥克兰和巴特尔克里克寄来的信，询问有关十分之一的分配。写信的人认为他们得到授权，当教会的费用很大时，可以用十分之一来解决这些开支。我蒙指示看到，不应当从库中支取十分之一。这笔资金的每一分钱都是主自己的神圣宝藏，要留作特别的用途。{PH157 1.1}
有一段时间，宣教工作做得很少，十分之一却在积累。在某些情况下，十分之一被用于现在提议的类似用途。当上帝的子民觉悟起来，要在国内和国外差会从事宣教工作时，那些处理神圣权益的人本应当有清晰成圣的辨识力，明白资金应当如何使用。当他们看到传道人在操劳却没有资金支持他们，库中空虚的时候，那个金库就应当得到严格保护。一分也不可少。传道人与《评论与通讯》出版社的工人和太平洋出版社的工人一样有权得到工资。付给一些工人微薄的工资乃是实行了一场大抢劫。如果他们把时间、思想和劳动奉献给主，他们就应该有足够的工资来供应家人衣食。{PH157 1.2}
对传道人的支持
传道人需要十分之一。他按自己的能力做好自己的一份工作，应该得到他应得的。传道人经常被安排在不得不带头捐款的地方，在他们工作的地方，除了为自己提供食物，还要支付帐篷的费用。许多传道人有家庭要供养。如果他们不是从一个地方旅行到另一个地方，就可以穿更便宜的衣服;为帐篷大会的帐篷和在捐款上额外付的钱，常使他们没有多余的钱，致使他们感到受了限制，不能参加他们愿意参加的各种事业。这是对他们的期望，为了满足这些期望，他们就作出承诺。这种承诺往往很长时间才能兑现;这是他们经常无法解除的债务。这些人这样与自己的家人分离乃是一种很大的舍己。他们被迫承担各种费用，吃各种各样的食物，特别是在初次举起真理旗帜的国家。{PH157 2.1}
主在这个问题上所赐给我的亮光乃是，府库中用于支持不同园地传道人的资金不可用作它途。若诚实地缴纳十分之一，并且进入府库的金钱得到谨慎的看管，那么传道人就会领到合理的工资。审计委员会通常由农民组成。这些人可以穿适合他们工作的粗布衣服。他们养家糊口，但他们并不知道一个传道人进入新园地为将亡的人操劳必然需要多少开销。前景往往是艰难和令人沮丧的。一些园地在最初开辟的时候是令人鼓舞的;但还有一些园地却不是这样。两种园地都必须接受真理。传道人必须作工和祈祷，必须探访不同的家庭。他经常发现人们穷到没什么吃的，也没有睡觉的地方。他常常不得不给非常贫困的人钱财以满足他们的饥饿和遮盖他们的赤身。那么，审计委员会的一群人笔尖一划就能让一位困苦的传道人失望，这是多么不公平的事啊，他需要他所期待的每一分钱。由一个委员会来决定我们的各机构所雇用的人是否应该得到规定的工资，还是应该削减他们的工资，其公平程度与让一个决不会受他们可能经历的困境影响的人来决定是一样的。{PH157 3.1}
挨家挨户的工作
作工的传道人应当得到供养。可是尽管如此，主持这项工作的人却看到库里没有钱可以支付给传道人。他们在抽取十分之一用作其他的开支——维持礼拜堂所需或者某项慈善事业。在任何此类的工作中，上帝并没有得到荣耀。我们必须扬声反对这种管理方式。但愿那些有舒适的家庭但没有蒙召离开自己家人的人来考虑这件事。人们应当缴纳礼物和奉献，因为他们得享特权有崇拜的地方，像我们在巴特尔克里克和奥克兰的两个最大的教会一样。应当作成挨家挨户的工作，把巴特尔克里克和奥克兰各家庭的责任摆在他们面前，在解决这些可以称作普通的或世俗的支出上发挥一份力量，决不可抢劫圣库。库里已经没有钱来供养传道人侍奉上帝了。{PH157 4.1}
服装的奢侈
那些很喜欢把大量的钱花在给自己的身体买衣服穿的人，应当考虑他们是在使用上帝的钱，这些钱可以用来将真理传给那些在罪中将要灭亡的人。他们需要有人将福音传给他们，他们需要受教知道他们必须穿上基督的义袍，否则他们就不能在光明中与圣徒同在。那些已有在大光，却在着装上继续追随世界时尚的人，是在用主的钱去满足自己的骄傲。他们是在抢夺上帝圣工的钱财，为了他们现在和永远的益处，将这些钱财投入到宣教工作中会好得多。当那些名字在教会名册上的人归正时，他们才会不再喜欢在上帝的殿里展示他们的衣服。这是主的圣洁守望者从天上看到的，祂从因果追溯整个历史。祂看到要是用这些钱财荣耀上帝，而不是满足他们的骄傲并使他们的灵魂与上帝分离，本来能做成什么。主必不服事这些男女自私的放纵。要是他们穿着朴素的衣服，正如圣灵所规定他们应该的那样，他们原会得到上帝的赐福。环绕着他们心灵的氛围对于其他初信的人就不会像属灵的瘴气。这种喜爱和炫耀服装、随从这堕落时代之时尚的榜样，这种骄傲和奢侈的酵，正在收聚，直到全团都发起来。应该将花在脚踏车上的钱投在上帝的圣工中。{PH157 4.2}
迫近的审判
没有活泼敬虔的教会就像那棵无花果树，基督饿了，到那棵树来找果子，却发现只有叶子。许多自称有信仰的人都是这样;我们既有大光、大机会、大特权，我们的立场就会给凡按名是活的，却不结果子的人带来曾临到那棵无花果树的咒诅。当基督说出：“从今以后，你永不结果子”这句话时，“那无花果树就立刻枯干了”(太21:19)。{PH157 5.1}
主必快来，可是，尽管自称祂百姓的人看到了时兆，——饥荒，千万人被地震和洪水、被火灾、被海洋和陆地的灾难、被瘟疫、被战争和流血所扫荡，——爱自己的心还是如此麻木了属灵的意识，以致耶和华的大日必像夜间的贼一样临到他们，祂宣布：“他们绝不能逃脱”(帖前5:3)。主必凭着祂的显现和祂的国度审判活人和死人(提后4:1)。当审判就位，案卷展开，每一个人都要按着自己的行为受审判时，这些人能本着他们的骄傲和自命不凡站在那个审判台前吗?{PH157 6.1}
基督宣布：“我知道你的行为”(启3:15)。主岂是似乎离我们太远，太模糊，不会对人的行为产生任何明显的影响吗?撒但地狱般的阴影岂不总是被活泼的信心穿透吗?基督是一位个人的、常在的救主，是为自己的荣耀命令万有的那一位。我们若是愿意本着痛悔的心来到祂面前，祂是随时都可以接近的。我要敦促所有在巴特尔克里克的人从你们死一般的属灵沉睡中醒来。你们若不这么做，就必进入永远死亡的长眠。{PH157 6.2}
十分之一要保持神圣
凡将十分之一用于维持上帝殿中平常所需的人，已经把钱拿走，而那些钱是应当用来维持传道人从事工作，为基督第二次显现预备道路的。你这么做无疑是误用资源，上帝已叫你把这资源存到祂的库房里，以便库银充足来为祂服务。凡参与其间的人应当以这种工作为耻。他们利用他们的影响力从上帝的库中支取那为神圣用途被奉献出来的资金。凡如此行的人，主的福惠要从他们身上挪走。{PH157 7.1}
十分之一必须保持神圣。有些传道人的工作得不到任何报酬，因为没有钱付给他们。我看到会这样;因为管理有误。教会的每一个肢体都应该在服装、餐桌、室内家具、地毯和虽然令人愉快但并非必要的许多东西上舍己。有灵魂要拯救。你们岂可被称作与基督同工的人，负祂的轭，可是却用你们的放纵切断上帝家中的供应吗?我蒙允许听到你们没有信心地哀叹“困难时期。”你们应该以多种方式舍己，并感谢你们所拥有的一切。{PH157 7.2}
不要再说你们的不信
如果处在负责岗位的弟兄们愿意向在出版社的所有工作人员谈论信心和勇气，如果你们愿意在教会中谈论舍己，如果你们愿意在自己家里实行舍己，如果你们愿意作你们还没有作过的干净利落的见证，如果你们都愿意作上帝的代言人，并向教会提出必需舍己，心灵谦卑，祈求主赦免你们的骄傲，你们愚昧的、毫无意义的虚荣，主就会经过并给你们留下福气。{PH157 7.3}
我呼吁编辑，我呼吁太平洋出版社的每一个负责人都信靠耶稣基督和现代真理。要让你们的行为表明你们确实相信你们过去所发的怨言是错的，现在是时候了，你们要把网撒在船的右边，就是信心的一边。你们余生的日子，趁着宽容时期还在，要表明一个舍己、自我牺牲、分别为圣的活教会能够做什么。{PH157 8.1}
要做的工作
在出版社和疗养院中有一项工作要做成。在加利福尼亚州的各教会中有一项工作要做成。必须从用来自祭坛的红炭粘过的口中发出不同的见证。当你们在基督里时，你们才能作活泼的见证。但是在所有的教会里都有自私和罪恶，不诚实，不信，批评和挑剔。现在是你们早该睡醒的时候。要全心相信基督为世界而死，为你而死，你必须有一位常住的基督，并且传扬圣灵所默示的信息。我们读到，在古代，圣徒们在被圣灵感动的时候说话。这就是我们所需要的;这就是我们必须拥有的。我们必须传扬的，不是一个分裂的心，一个单调的信息;而是给垂死之人的活信息。那么就不要谈论挪用应当派传道人去传道的十分之一的事了。要去作工，看看你是否不能说出会融化和征服人心的话。我非常担忧。我再说，要抛弃你们的不信。你们使人们自私不信，因为你们谈论自私和不信。你们现在应当在相反的方向作工，全心寻求主。{PH157 8.2}
圣工的需要
我们在这里需要钱来推进工作。但我们不像你们在奥克兰和巴特尔克里克那样有资源可以利用。我们无法维持园地里的传道人，因为库里没有钱。根据上帝所赐给我的亮光，我知道在加利福尼亚应当有许多工人。密歇根应当有工人，然而，人们对十分之一没有照着主的规定使用而是挪作他用表示质疑。在加利福尼亚，在美国的我们所有的城市，在大路和小路上，男男女女应当出去作献身的工人，他们要传扬警告的信息。在密歇根州，特别是在巴特尔克里克，人们一直认为，凯洛格医生在医疗布道方面为贫穷可怜的人做了不成比例的工作。那么，为什么总会不去工作呢?为什么允许应当为维持传道事工而保留的金库被动用，转用于普通事物呢?为什么要允许传道人们得到一半的报酬，同时又如此不情愿地谈论他们所得到的东西呢?当这种工作在我们的各教会停止时，才会在圣灵的运作下，从人的口中发出活见证。{PH157 9.1}
需要改变
你们已经担起的担子，已经开始的项目，已经花在一些事情上的时间，是上帝从未打算让你们任何一个人去研究或承担的。现在，为基督的缘故，要改变事态。不要把传道人从他们的工作园地拉出来去学习更多的知识，而要鼓励他们传达他们所确实知道的。你们已使一个在罪中将亡的世界丧失了它本应该得到的操劳。要是这些人愿意作工，要是他们愿意学习并把自己献给上帝，要是他们愿意以认真、热心、信心和祈祷作工，我们就会看到有所成就。撒但已经抢先一步。上帝希望我们穿上公义的全副军装。祂说：“我还有末了的话：你们要靠着主，倚赖祂的大能大力，作刚强的人。要穿戴上帝所赐的全副军装，就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计”(弗6:10,11)。要仔细阅读灵感的使徒在这里所赐的命令，并且“你们要行道”(雅1:22)。{PH157 10.1}
为教会基金预备的盒子
在特殊的情况下，有的地方极度穷乏，以致为了有一个最简陋的敬拜场所，可能需要挪用十分之一。但那个地方不是巴特尔克里克或者奥克兰。那些聚集敬拜上帝的人应思考耶稣基督的克己和自我牺牲。凡自称为上帝之子的弟兄们要研究他们怎样能够克己，怎样能够放弃他们的一些偶像，并在各方面都仔细地节省。每一个家里都应有一个为教会基金预备的盒子，用于教会的需要。当像巴特尔克里克和奥克兰这样的教会比他们迄今所做的更加舍己时，就会有资金流入库中，用来公平对待那些劳苦传道教导人的人。{PH157 10.2}
圣库应当得到保护
我蒙指示看到一个又一个的情况，人们正在从事传道工作，应当像那些在出版社工作的人一样得到工资，却被撇下没有足够的钱财养家。他们若完全为主工作，就得倚靠慈善。上帝的谴责和不悦临到允许这些事存在的教会。那些被委以责任的人不可容许上帝已指定要维持园地中传道人的圣库被抢夺，用于支付为保持上帝的殿井然有序及舒适而产生的开销。十分之一中有成千上万块钱被拿走用在这些用途上了。{PH157 11.1}
我们应该做什么
这是不应该的。应当把付出克己的代价而得的礼物和奉献带来。每个有教会的地方都应设立用于这些开支的专项基金，每个教会信徒都应按着自己的能力来分担这项费用。要把零零散散的钱节省下来，这些钱对慈善目的来说可能看起来太少了，但若被交库房里，就会为上帝所接受和赐福，而上帝所赐福的，就真有福了。可以在许多不必要的东西上实行舍己。{PH157 11.2}
在巴特尔克里克教会，姐妹们要向上帝交一笔账，因为她们把主的钱用在外表的炫耀上了，这比浪费了还糟糕，这表明她们在精神上与世俗的人是一样的。她们的主要愿望是满足虚荣和骄傲。{PH157 12.1}
每一才干都应当作为主所托付的恩赐来使用。任何用于支付教堂费用或宗教工作的开支都不是罪。但这种开销不应出自十分之一。上帝的库不可被抢夺;那里的资金必须用来开工资，充分支持那些献身于传道工作的人。{PH157 12.2}
在有些情况下，人的判断可能会决定，某一个人在推进工作方面做得不多，没有他，上帝的事业也会一样好。但是谁会胆敢冒险从事清除被认为没有什么价值之人的工作呢?这种事必须由主来审断。这种衡量不是交给有限的人去做的。他们所质疑的人可能在属灵方面和永恒的利益上比那些想要把他们撇在一边的人产生更直接的果效。我知道在很多情况下都是这样。犹大在这方面很爱管闲事。基督却说他有魔鬼，因为他的意念是向魔鬼的作为开放的。{PH157 12.3}
上天以为耻
在工作的大中心巴特尔克里克，当人们鱼贯而入上帝的家时，如果人人都能看见自己，并且知道主的守望者带到天上的关于浪费在他们自己身上的钱财的记录，如果他们看到针对他们的名字写下的一排数字，他们对自己在天上宇宙面前的表现就不会感到很满意或真快乐了。针对他们的名字写着：“你被称在天平里，显出你的亏欠。”这些人只能被列在那些有华丽的衣服或那些占据最高席位的人当中。导致他们那样着装的原则使上天以他们为耻，会显出他们爱打扮，爱外表的炫耀，以牺牲灵魂为代价。{PH157 13.1}
这些人可能不断有机会侍奉上帝，但他们与上帝没有至关重要的联系。只要他们愿意遵行基督的话语和行为，他们就会体验到一种在侍奉自我时决不能享有的福气。有一个赏赐提供给正确使用我们的才干，想方设法为上帝作最高的服务，不顾而且忘记可怜、虚荣的自我。服装和爱世界的心可能在他们的思想中占第一位，但耶稣却给他们指定最低的位置。他们为自己收聚，就饮于虚荣。他们活着为取悦自己;自我是他们思想的中心，他们从来都不是完全有用的。虽然他们可能参与上帝的圣工，但他们却向地生长，而不向天生长。人必须将上帝所赐的心智、体力与思想的才能用在主的服务上。但这些才能往往被误用，被可怜、软弱、没有价值的自我所占据。{PH157 13.2}
不圣洁的自我决不会看见上帝的国。它必须死，基督必须活在思想里，并在心中作王。他们必须始终着眼于祂的荣耀，否则他们就会居于最低的位子，——不从事祂的服务，因为他们必与上帝的工作无分。上帝不会悦纳自私、分心的人。祂说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我”(太16:24)。爱炫耀、爱装饰，是获得内在装饰的有效障碍。上帝告诫祂的子民：“你们不要以外面的辫头发，戴金饰，穿美衣为妆饰，只要以里面存着长久温柔，安静的心为妆饰;这在上帝面前是极宝贵的”(彼前3:4,5)。那么难道我们不要寻求获得主所宣布为极宝贵的东西吗?{PH157 14.1}
服装改革
当教会归正时，就会在服装上有一番很大的改革。圣灵既与教会肢体们相争，他们就会感到在使用进入他们手中的钱财方面负有严肃的责任。我的姐妹们，难道你们忘了自己必须为每一才干向上帝交账吗?无论那才干是用来取悦和满足你们对外表的虚荣欲望，还是基督的圣工和救灵工作始终激励着你们，因为这会激励每一个以基督为个人救主的人。你们许多自称信奉基督之名的人，无论老少，都已离开耶稣，陷入外表和炫耀中了，结果就是极大的属灵软弱。你们没有健全、健康的属灵脉搏，对你们周围将亡的人没有热诚或热心。基督的爱对你们的心来说是一种陌生的感情。你们早已忘了你们不是自己的人，而是重价买来的。{PH157 14.2}
要交一份严格的账
你的心智、你的灵魂、你的力量都是主的。这些才能在不久就要进行的清算中一个也不会被主漏掉。我们在算账时可能会把这些才能漏掉，但主会精确地衡量每一可能的事奉。祂有权期望我们获得其它才能。未使用的能力与我们所善用的能力一样被算入账中。我们的才能只有藉着忠心地善用才会得到增加。那些忠心地使用自己的才能来拿主的货财作买卖的人，会通过他们的影响力将许多灵魂带给耶稣基督。{PH157 15.1}
在基督要来的大日，必须交一份严格的账。日复一日，时复一时，我们在成就自己的记录。我们所领受的金额和我们所归还的金额都要被主仔细检查。我们一生的工作都与主复临时要发生的那个庄严的大清算场面息息相关。{PH157 16.1}
房地产投机
我们正在用主的货财做买卖。法利赛主义会大量出现。然而一个正规的教会要交的账在上帝眼中比那些虽有如此大的亮光、如此多的机会，可是却被发现在犯法的人当中的人要少得多。贸易中的罪恶和不诚实在巴特尔克里克盛行，并被带到了其它城市。他们在土地上的投机行为，他们试图通过大肆渲染来获取资金，几乎每一种情况都证明是欺诈行为。他们的经济人业务是一个做作的谎言。教会承担着其成员所做的所有这些业务的罪恶和耻辱。{PH157 16.2}
那些愚蠢到把钱投资于这些投机计划的人，以为从事这一行的人是诚实的，他们是在一种错觉中，这会给他们自己带来灾难。许多人的名字虽然在教会名册上，却会继续从事不诚实的投机，直到他们在这个世界上永远破产。这些事给真理丢脸。而教会肢体们之所以允许这些事在他们中间存在，是因为他们的眼睛没有膏抹属天的眼药以便看出撒但代表们的狡猾作为是要在他们的投机活动中抢夺寡妇孤儿。{PH157 16.3}
从事房地产中介业务的人处境危险。他们是在从事一种会给自己的灵魂带来可怕结果的工作。撒但正在发明一切可能的计划，将应该投入到上帝事业的资金转移到他自己的渠道中。{PH157 17.1}
一个可悲的画面
我无心写出许多可以作为那些经常受责备之人的榜样和实践的事。那些在工作中心的人已经表现出贪婪的精神;可以说，他们披着公义的外衣行欺诈、纵容、搞两面派，就是上帝在祂的工作中所谴责的原则。他们已如此败坏了自己的想像，竟以为得利就是敬虔。在亚干的罪中，偷窃、行诡诈和贪婪被上帝认为性质如此严重以致上帝说：“你们若不把当灭的物从你们中间除掉，我就不再与你们同在了”(书7:12)。祂会如何看待祂自称的子民中间所犯的罪呢?{PH157 17.2}
在祷告周期间，要是因为在工作中心的教会中存在着腐败的原则，上帝原会以一种你们还没有意识到的方式行事，人们一直被教导以为那里的忠告来自上帝。但因疏忽本应采取的措施，没有清除我们各机构和教会的道德污秽，已经给上帝的子民招致了上帝的忿怒。教会的肢体中间不应有任何一个人作掮客。这种影响在许多方面造成了对原则的误解和混淆，给各区会的实际工作留下了可怕的诅咒。{PH157 17.3}
工作受阻
上帝会在祂自己的好时候赐信息给那些你最不指望从人的策略转到上帝的策略的人。这些人会发现，他们本应该以纯正、诚实、率直的工作为更多的东西争辩，这比他们批评的话语更有价值一百倍，免得偏离伟大的基本教义。因信称义和因信得义的道理遭到反对，一个正规的教会因反对和谴责这个道理而做出了高超的努力，其态度具有一种性质，要阻止正直、诚实和善行。结果就像基督在世的日子一样。那些被仇敌弄瞎了心眼的人，会从他们的立场将真理的活泼原则宣判为异端邪说，如果他们胆敢，就会让报刊用警告和咒诅来发表他们的观点，因为他们自己先入为主的意见没有被认为是至高无上没有瑕疵的。{PH157 18.1}
上帝给予了祂的话语力量，但付出了多大的代价啊!经受了何等大的辛劳痛苦和心灵的极度痛苦啊!付出了多少时间和金钱啊!就在这信息应当以大呼声传扬出去，地上的庄稼也成熟了的时候，上帝的多少才干却因上帝的工作遭到误解和对抗而被浪费掉了呀!身居高位的人到各地去作为代理人，在仇敌一边作工。同时上帝的工人，奉差传扬特别信息的，作为必须交账的人做了他们的工作，却没有得到赏识。他们的道路被堵住了，他们的操劳被尽可能地抵消了。{PH157 18.2}
提供给巴特尔克里克教会的工作没有得到接受。但主增加了一些人的信心，并且激励凯洛格医生藉着医疗布道工作为人们的身体和灵魂作工，为明显较低的阶层服务，努力藉着正确的原则成就一番改革。有福的结果已有目共睹。在那些得到搭救的人中间，有一些人，而不是所有的人，会接受真理。对福音最响亮的宣示就是在人们所在的地方接触人，并为时代和永恒成就一番重大的工作。{PH157 19.1}
在巴特尔克里克的学校、出版社和疗养院的工作人员如果没有观望着要批评人谴责人，而是在上帝面前谦卑己心，让圣灵支使他们，软化他们刚硬冰冷的心，要是他们根据圣经的原则作工而不是研究新的方法和奇妙的发明与计划，原会看出应当做成的工作并将他们全部的能力都投入到工作中。原会有更少的传道学习班，每一个传道人原会投入自己的光阴和才干，努力作工拯救灵魂，将来自天上的亮光传达给他们。这原会对教会有一种净化的效果，上帝在祂的道中所显明的责任，原会得到履行。但是许多人在属灵上太盲目了，看不到这些责任，这些责任就被撇下没有履行，为要开始从事主并没有指示他们去作的工作。{PH157 19.2}
什么才是需要的
有些方面的工作已经变得几乎完全绝迹了。上天的能力一直想要在人们阅读圣经的真理时赐给人新的理解。但心眼的盲目和心地的刚硬却使人们谴责了所提出来的上帝的真理，因为他们反抗所接受的基本教义。他们一点也没有觉悟基本教义的真正含义。他们自己若是明白，就不会具有他们所显出的那种精神和态度了。他们就会知道真理的精神，这种精神包含在提倡公义与真理的原则中。我们惟有藉着遵行上帝的旨意才能明白教义。{PH157 20.1}
所缺少的是经验上的、个人的虔诚和完全符合圣经原则的正直。在基督里得着活的信心是必要的。罪的赦免、痛悔的心、通过心灵的成圣和相信真理来接受有福的赎罪，必须通过个人来个别地实现。这是不能通过一个替代者来获得或实现的。每一个人都必须用遵行上帝旨意的崇高目的来武装自己。当他充分做到这一点时，他关于基本教义和原则的决定才会被认为是值得注意的。{PH157 20.2}
需要忠心的迦勒
(引自《证言》第32辑)
当存心疑惑的人在讲论种种的不可能，当他们因高大的城墙和强有力的巨人而战栗不已之际，且让那“另有一个心志”的忠心的迦勒们进到前面来吧。假若传道人员和自称为信徒的人不堵塞道路，像那些不忠实的探子所作的一样，则那带来救恩的上帝的真理就必传给众人了。{PH157 21.1}
所有的人都应该感到自己并非所有者，而是管家，而且时候就要到了，他们必须为使用主的钱财交账。在上帝的圣工中会需要钱财。他们应该与大卫一起说：“万物都从祢而来，我们把从祢而得的献给祢”(代上29:14)。要在不同的地区建立学校，出版社也要增多，要在大城市中建造教堂，工人们也要被被派出去，不止进入各城，而且进入大路和篱笆那里。我相信真理的弟兄们，而今乃是你们的机会。我们宛如站在来世的边界了。我们正期待我们主的光荣显现;黑夜已深;白昼将近。当我们认识到救赎计划的伟大时，我们就会远比现在有勇气、自我牺牲和献身了。{PH157 21.2}
在我们的努力获得成功之前，我们有一项大工要做。在我们的家庭和教会中必须有决定性的改革。父母们必须为自己儿女的得救作工。当我们尽力做祂所吩咐我们、并使我们有资格去做的事时，上帝必配合我们的努力;但是因为我们的不信，爱世界和懒惰，在我们的家庭附近就有宝血所买来的灵魂在罪中行将沦亡，而未受警告。难道撒但总要这样夸胜吗?哦，不!从髑髅地所反射的亮光表明，一项我们眼未见过的更大的工作要做成。{PH157 22.1}
第三位天使飞在空中，宣扬上帝的诫命和耶稣的见证，这乃是代表我们的工作。天使的向前飞进，并不使信息失其力量，因为约翰见到它的力量一直增加，直到全地因它的荣耀发光。上帝守诫子民的行程是前进，永远前进的。我们所传的真理信息，必须传至各国各方各民。这信息不久必用大声传出，全地要因它的荣耀发光。我们是否在预备接受上帝之灵的沛然大降呢?{PH157 22.2}
在这工作上要使用人类为工具。要加强热情和力量;那因无所事事而逐渐荒废的才干务须投入服务。那说，“等等吧，不可容人将重担加在你身上”的声音，乃是胆小懦怯之探子的声音。我们现在所极需的，乃是勇往直前的迦勒们──在以色列中以勇敢的话语作有力的报告、赞成立即采取行动的首长们。在一般存心自私，贪爱安逸，恐惧惊惶的人因畏惧高大的巨人和无法攀越的城墙而喧闹要求退却时，惟愿这些迦勒都扬起声来，纵然那班怯懦之辈起来手拿石头，因他们所作的忠实见证准备打死他们，也该如此。{PH157 22.3}
实际的敬虔
(引自《证言》第33辑给奥克兰教会的证言)
亲爱的奥克兰的弟兄姐妹们：我倾心吐意地写信给你们。我觉得自己一再地在梦中和你们交谈，并且每次你们都是在困难中。但不论有何事临到，切不可削弱你们的道德勇气，而使你们的宗教退化成一种漠然的仪式。可爱的耶稣随时准备赐丰富的福气;但我们却需要在信心，在恳切祈祷，以及在上帝之爱的喜乐中获得经验。我们之中是否有人要被称在天平里显出亏欠来呢?我们必须留心自己，留心自己天性中之分毫污秽的邪念，免得对上帝所托作祂人间代表的重责，有背信不忠之虞。{PH157 23.1}
我们必须研究祂历代以来给其子民的警告及矫正。我们并不缺少亮光。我们明白自己应当避免何种行为，以及祂要我们遵守何种条件;因此，我们若不设法明白及实行合理的善事，那就是因为错谬的行为较之正当的举动更适于肉欲之心的缘故。{PH157 23.2}
世上常有不信之徒，要靠别人的信心来提携前进。他们对真理既没有经验上的认识，结果就没有在自己的心灵上感到真理的圣化之能。教会的每个成员应当安静而殷勤地作省察己心的工作，查看自己的生活及品格是否与上帝伟大的公义标准相符合。{PH157 24.1}
给我们的更大福气
主已在加利福尼亚州，尤其是在奥克兰，为你们行了许多大事;但是你们若肯使自己的行为与信心相称，那祂所乐意行的事也必更多得多了。上帝从不将丰富的福气赐给不信的人。回顾上帝已行的事，然后就知道那不过是祂所愿行之事的开端罢了。{PH157 24.2}
我们必须提高圣经的价值，过于我们现在所估计的，因为其中乃上帝向人类显明的旨意。单是同意圣经是真实的，这还不够，我们务必研究圣经，学习明白其内容。我们是否接受圣经作为“上帝的圣言”呢?它实在是神圣的信息，正如清晰可闻的话语一样。只因我们不顺从其教训，所以总不赏识其宝贵。{PH157 24.3}
过去的经历
我们今日所怀持的真理在初次被人看作圣经真理之时，是显得何等的奇怪，并且在初次把它传给人之时，我们也要应付何等强烈的反对;然而顺从真理及爱护真理的工人们，却是何等的恳切与诚心啊!那时我们确实是一班奇特的子民。我们的人数不多，既没有财富，又没有属世的智慧及属世的尊贵;但我们仍然信仰上帝，刚强而顺利，并使作恶的人生畏。我们彼此相爱的心是坚稳的;不易被摇动。于是上帝的能力在我们中间显现，病弱的人痊愈了，以致洋溢着恬静，甜蜜，圣洁之乐。然而亮光虽继续增加，但会众却没有相称地前进。精金逐渐暗淡无光，无生气与仪文虚套便传入会中，使会众的精力衰残。他们许多的特权及机会并没有使上帝的子民前进上进，达到纯洁神圣的地步。他们若忠心善用上帝所交托的才干，就必增加许多的才干。多给谁就向谁多要。只有那些忠心接受并珍视上帝所赐我们亮光的人，以及在克己牺牲上采取高贵立场的人，才可以成为向世界传光的媒介。那些没有前进的人，即使是在天上迦南的边境，也必退步。我蒙启示知道，我们的信心与行为，实无法与所赐的真理之光相应。我们决不可存一种无诚意的信心，只当存那完全的生发仁爱并洁净心灵的信心。上帝呼召你们住在加利福尼亚州的人，要与祂作亲密的联络。{PH157 24.4}
我们的大需要
我们应当知道自己当怎样行才可以得救。我的弟兄姐妹啊，我们不可随着世俗的潮流而飘浮。我们现今的工作是要从世人中出来，与他们分别。只有这一条路能使我们像以诺一样与上帝同行。神圣的感化力常常与他的努力配合。我们也是像他一样，必须有一种刚强，活泼，实践的信心，惟有如此，我们才能与上帝同工。我们必须符合圣经所定下的条件，否则必定死在自己的罪中。我们必须明白应当藉基督的恩典，在我们的品格上作何种必要的道德改革，才配承受天上的住处。我本着敬畏上帝之心向你们说：我们有像犹太人那样生活的危险──当真理灿烂的光辉照耀我们四周之时，竟缺乏上帝之爱，也不明白祂的大能。{PH157 26.1}
撒但现今在人心，在教会，以及在各国的活动情形，是每个研究预言者应当震惊的。末日近了。但愿我们的各教会兴起，并愿上帝使人归正的能力体验在每位信徒的心上，然后我们就要看出上帝之灵的深刻运行。罪的得蒙赦免并非耶稣代死的唯一效果。祂无穷的牺牲，不但可以除去罪孽，也可以从灭亡中恢复人性，再予美化，重加建造，以便配站在上帝面前。{PH157 26.2}
我们应当用行为来表现我们的信心。应当显出更大的渴望，为要更丰盛地得着基督之灵;因为教会的力量即在乎此。撒但竭力要离间上帝的子民。唉，我们是多么缺少爱上帝及彼此相爱的心啊!圣言及真理之灵若住在我们的心中，就必使我们与世界分开。真理及爱的不变原理要使人心心相联，这种团结的力量也必按所享有之恩典及真理的程度而定。最好我们各人能拿起镜子，亦即上帝至尊的律法，从其中看祂自己品格的反映。我们应当小心，不要忽略圣经上所发的警告及危险的信号。除非听从这些警告，克服品格上的瑕疵，那些有瑕疵的人就要被其瑕疵所克服，以致陷入错误，背道，及公开的罪恶之中。人的心思若非提高到最高的标准上，久而久之就要失去能力，不能保持以前所有的。“所以，自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒”(林前10:12)。“亲爱的弟兄啊，你们既然预先知道这事，就当防备，恐怕被恶人的错谬诱惑，就从自己坚固的地步上坠落。你们却要在我们主救主耶稣基督的恩典和知识上有长进”(彼后3:17,18)。{PH157 26.3}
堕落的危险
在这末后的日子中，上帝已选召了一班子民，作祂律法的保管人，这班人必常有许多令人厌烦的工作要作。“我知道你的行为，劳碌，忍耐，也知道你不能容忍恶人，你也曾试验那自称为使徒却不是使徒的，看出他们是假的来。你也能忍耐，曾为我的名劳苦，并不乏倦”(启2:2,3)。要保守我们的教会不让邪恶侵入，是需要愈加殷勤及不断奋斗的。必须维持严格而公平的纪律;因为有些人徒具宗教的虚表，设法败坏别人的信仰，并在暗中行事抬高自己。{PH157 27.1}
主耶稣在橄榄山上明白地提到“只因不法的事增多，许多人的爱心才渐渐冷淡了”(太24:12)。祂说到有一班人已从很高的属灵地步坠落。但愿这些话能在我们的心上发出严肃、省察的能力。那与我们口称相信之伟大真理相配的热心及虔诚在哪里呢?那爱世俗的心，及爱恋难舍的罪，已将爱祈祷及爱默想之念断送了。一套仪式上的崇祀固然是奉行了;但爱耶稣的心在哪里呢?灵性垂危。难道这种麻木可悲的退化情形，将如此继续下去么?是否真理之灯要因没有补充恩典之油，以致摇闪而熄灭呢? {PH157 28.1}
那些自以为站稳了的人，将有可怕的绊跌，因为他们有真理，但他们所有的不是在耶稣里面的真理。顷刻的粗心也许会将一个生灵投入不能挽回的灭亡中。第一个罪引人到第二个罪，第二个罪又为第三个罪开路，并要长此演进下去。我们作上帝忠实使者的人，必须时常祈求祂施展大能来保守我们。我们若偏离本分一寸，就有随从那引入灭亡的罪恶之路的危险。我们每个人都有希望，但也只有一个方法，那就是把我们自己与基督连在一起，并运用每一分的力量去取得祂完全的品格。{PH157 28.2}
严肃的警告
那使人看罪为轻微的事，想念上帝爱罪人而不问其行为的宗教，只能鼓动罪人相信当他在继续犯其明知之罪时，上帝也会接纳他。这就是有些自称信仰现代真理的人所行的。真理已与生活脱节，因此之故，真理就无力使人觉悟及归正了。{PH157 29.1}
上帝已指示我，有些住在加利福尼亚州的人，始终没有把在耶稣里面的真理引入他们的生活中。他们并没有圣经的信仰。他们从来没有归正过;除非他们的心被所接受的真理所圣化，他们必被捆在稗子之中;因为他们没有结出累累的宝贵果子，表明他们是活葡萄树的枝条。{PH157 29.2}
“当趁耶和华可寻找的时候寻找祂，相近的时候求告祂。恶人当离弃自己的道路，不义的人当除掉自己的意念，归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他;当归向我们的上帝，因为上帝必广行赦免”(赛55:6,7)。可惜许多人的生活显明他们与上帝没有活泼的联络。他们飘流到属世的沟渠中。他们实际上与基督无关无份。他们爱好娱乐，并且充满自私的观念，计划，希望，及野心。他们在假装事奉上帝之下事奉仇敌。他们受督工的约束，而这种约束是他们自取的，使自己作撒但的顺命奴仆。{PH157 29.3}
许多人存着错误的观念，以为管束儿女是有害的事，这种情形正在败坏成千成万的人。如果你们不留心管教自己的儿女，撒但就一定会把他们夺去。切不可鼓励他们与不信上帝的人来往。应当把他们引开。你们自己也应当从那等人中出来，并向他们表明你们是站在主这一边。{PH157 30.1}
凡自称为至高者之子民的人，是否愿意高举标准，不单在聚会之时如此，乃在有生之日一直如此呢?你们愿否站在主这一边，诚心诚意地事奉祂呢?你们若效法以色列民所行的，拒绝上帝明显的要求，你们就一定会受祂的报应;但你们若除掉罪恶，运用活泼的信心，则天庭最丰富的福惠必属于你们了。 怀爱伦夫人。{PH157 30.2}
PH157 - Special Testimony to the Oakland and Battle Creek Churches
(Sunnyside, Cooranbong, N. S. W.,March 14, 1897.)
【Proper Use of the Tithe】
Letters have come to me from Oakland and Battle Creek making inquiries as to the disposition made of the tithe. The writers supposed that they were authorized to use the tithe money in meeting the expenses of the church, as these expenses were quite heavy. From that which has been shown me, the tithe is not to be withdrawn from the treasury. Every penny of this money is the Lord’s own sacred treasure, to be appropriated for a special use.?{PH157 1.1}[1]
There was a time when there was very little missionary work done, and the tithe was accumulating. In some instances the tithe was used for similar purposes as is now proposed. When the Lord’s people felt aroused to do missionary work in home and foreign missions, and sending missionaries to all parts of the world, those handling sacred?interests should have had clear, sanctified discernment to understand how the means should be appropriated. When they see ministers laboring without money to support them, and the treasury is empty, then that treasury is to be strictly guarded. Not one penny is to be removed from it. Ministers have just as much right to their wages as have the workers employed in the Review and Herald Office, and the laborers in the Pacific Publishing House. A great robbery has been practised in the meager wages paid to some of the workers. If they give their time, and thought, and labor to the service of the Master, they should have wages enough to supply their family with food and clothing.?{PH157 1.2}[2]
【Support of the Ministers】
The tithe is required of the minister. He does his share according to his ability, and should receive his due. The ministers are often placed where they have to lead out in donations in the places where they labor, and in defraying the expenses of tents, besides providing food for themselves. Many have families at home to support. If they were not traveling from place to place, less expensive clothing could be worn; the extra money paid for tents at camp-meetings and in donations, so frequently leave them no surplus that they feel restrained from acting a part in various enterprises which they would be pleased to participate in. This is expected of them, and in order to do this they pledge. This pledge they are often a long time in paying; it hangs upon them as a debt which they are frequently unable to lift. It is a great self-denial on the part of these men to thus?separate from their families. They are forced to take up with all kinds of fare, and to eat all kinds of food, especially in countries where the standard of truth is first lifted.?{PH157 2.1}[3]
The light which the Lord has given me on this subject is that the means in the treasury for the support of the ministers in the different fields is not to be used for any other purpose. If an honest tithe were paid, and the money coming into the treasury were carefully guarded, the ministers would receive a just wage. The auditing committee has often been composed of men who were farmers. These could dress in coarse clothing appropriate for the work they were doing. They raised all they needed as a family to subsist upon, and they knew not what the outlay of a minister must necessarily be when he goes into a new field to labor for perishing souls. The outlook is often hard and discouraging. Some fields when the work is first opened up, are encouraging; but there are other fields that are not so. Both must receive the truth. The minister must labor and pray. He must visit the different families. Frequently he finds the people so poor that they have little to eat and no room in which to sleep. Often means have to be given to the very needy to supply their hunger and cover their nakedness. Then what injustice to have a company of men as auditing committee who by their decisions or a dash of the pen will disappoint a distressed minister who is in need of every cent that he has been led to expect. There would be just as much fairness in having a committee decide whether the men employed in our institutions should have their stipulated wages, or?should have them curtailed, as the human agent, who will himself be in nowise affected by the strait places they may pass through, shall decide.?{PH157 3.1}[4]
【House-to-House Labor】
The minister who labors should be sustained. But, notwithstanding this, those who are officiating in this work see that there is not money in the treasury to pay the minister. They are withdrawing the tithe for other expenses,—to keep up the meeting-house necessities or some charity. God is not glorified in any such work. We have to raise our voice against this kind of management. Let those who have comfortable homes and are not called upon to leave their families consider this matter. Gifts and offerings should be brought in by the people as they are privileged in having houses of worship, as in Battle Creek and Oakland, two of our largest churches. Let house-to-house labor be done in setting before the families in Battle Creek and Oakland their duty in acting a part in meeting these expenses, which may be called common or secular, and let not the treasury be robbed. There has not been money in the treasury to supply ministers for the service of God.?{PH157 4.1}[5]
【Extravagance in Dress】
Let those who take such delight in devoting so largely of their means to clothing their bodies, consider that they are using God’s money, that might be invested in bearing the truth to those that are perishing in their sins. They need the gospel presented to them; they need to be taught that they must be clothed with the garments of the righteousness of Christ, else they can not have a?place with the saints in light. Those who have had great light, and yet continue to follow the fashions of the world in dress, are using the Lord’s money to gratify their pride. They are robbing the cause of God of the means which might far better, for their present and eternal good, be invested in missionary work. When those whose names are on the church books shall be converted, they will no longer delight in their display of dress in the house of God. This is looked upon by the Lord’s holy Watcher from heaven, who traces the whole history from cause to effect. He sees what might have been done with the means, had it been used to glorify God, rather than to minister to their pride, and separate their souls from God. The Lord will not serve with the selfish indulgence of these men and women. Had they clothed themselves with modest apparel, as the Holy Spirit has specified they should do, they would have the blessing of God. The atmosphere surrounding their souls would not be as spiritual malaria to others who newly come into the faith. Such examples of show and of the love of dress, of following the fashions of this degenerate age, this leaven of pride and extravagance, is gathering to itself, until the whole lump will be leavened. Let the money expended in bicycles be invested in the cause of God.?{PH157 4.2}[6]
【Impending Judgments】
The church without living godliness is like the fig tree to which Christ, hungering for food, came and searched for fruit, and found nothing but leaves. This is as it is with many who profess?religion; and our position, having as we have great light, great opportunities, great privileges, will bring the curse that came upon the fig tree upon all who have a name to live and are fruitless. When Christ uttered the words, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth forever,” presently the fig tree withered away.{PH157 5.1}[7]
The Lord is coming speedily, yet, notwithstanding his professed people read the signs of the times,—of famines, of thousands being swept away by earthquakes and floods, by fire, by calamities by sea and land, by plague, by war and bloodshed,—the love of self so deadens the spiritual sense that the day of the Lord will come upon them as a thief in the night, and he declares, “They shall not escape.” The Lord is to judge both quick and dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Will these stand in their pride and self-glorification before that tribunal, when the judgment will sit, and the books will be opened, and every man shall be judged according as his works have been??{PH157 6.1}[8]
Christ declares, “I know thy works.” Does the Lord seem to be too far away, too indistinct, to produce any appreciable effect on the conduct of the human agent? Shall the hellish shadow of Satan ever be penetrated by living faith? Christ is a personal, present Saviour, one who is ordering all things for his own glory. He is accessible at all times if we will come to him in contrition of soul. I would urge upon all in Battle Creek to wake from your spiritual death-like slumber. Unless you do, it will pass into the slumber of eternal death.?{PH157 6.2}[9]
【The Tithe to be Kept Sacred】
Those who have used the tithe money to supply the common necessities of the house of God, have taken the money that should go to sustain ministers in doing his work, in preparing the way for Christ’s second appearing. Just as surely as you do this work, you misapply the resources which God has told you to retain in his treasure-house, that it may be full, to be used in his service. This work is something of which all who have taken a part in should be ashamed. They have used their influence to withdraw from God’s treasury a fund that is consecrated to a sacred purpose. From those who do this, the blessing of the Lord will be removed.?{PH157 7.1}[10]
The tithe money must be kept sacred. There are ministers who receive nothing for their labor; for there is no money to pay them. This I saw would be; for the management is wrong. Let every member of the church deny himself in dress, at the table, in house furniture, in carpets, in many things that are enjoyable, but not a necessity. There are souls to be saved. Can you be called workers together with Christ, can you be wearing his yoke, and yet your indulgence be cutting off the supplies of God’s house? I was permitted to hear your faithless bemoaning of “the hard times.” You should deny yourselves in many ways, and be thankful for that which you have.?{PH157 7.2}[11]
【Talk No More Your Unbelief】
If the brethren in responsible positions would talk faith and courage to all the workers in the office, if you would talk self-denial in the church,?if you would practise it in your own families, if you would bear a clean-cut testimony, which you have not yet borne, if you would all be mouthpieces for God, and present to the church the necessity for self-denial, the humiliation of the soul, praying for the Lord to forgive your pride, your foolish, senseless vanity, the Lord may pass by and leave you a blessing.?{PH157 7.3}[12]
I call upon editors, I call upon every responsible man in the office of the Pacific Press, to believe in Jesus Christ and the truth for this time. Let your works show that you do believe your words of murmuring in the past to be wrong, that it is time now for you to cast your net on the right side of the ship, the side of faith. For the rest of your days, while probation lasts, show what can be done by a self-denying, self-sacrificing, consecrated, living church.?{PH157 8.1}[13]
【A Work To Be Done】
There is a work to be done in the office and in the Sanitarium. There is a work to be done in the churches of California. A different testimony must go forth from lips touched with the live coal from off the altar. When you are in Christ, you can bear a living testimony. But throughout the churches there is selfishness and sin, dishonesty, unbelief, criticism, and faultfinding. It is high time now for you have to awake out of sleep. Believe with all your heart that Christ died for the world, that he died for you, and that you must have an abiding Christ, and carry a message inspired by the Holy Ghost. We read that in olden times holy men spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. This is what we need. This is what we must have.?It is not a divided heart, a monotonous message that we have to bear; it is a living message to dying men. Then talk not of appropriating the tithe, that is to send forth ministers to preach the Word. Go to work, and see if you can not speak words that will melt and subdue hearts. I am terribly alarmed. I say again, put away your unbelief. You make the people selfish and unbelieving, because you talk and act selfishness and unbelief. You are to work now in an opposite direction, after seeking the Lord with all your heart.?{PH157 8.2}[14]
【The Needs of the Cause】
We need money here to carry forward the work. But we have no such resources to draw upon as you have in Oakland and Battle Creek. We can not sustain ministers in the field; for there is no money in the treasury. I know from the light given me of God that there should be many workers in California. There should be workers in Michigan, and yet men are questioning in regard to using the tithe for other purposes than that which the Lord has specified. In California, in all our cities in America, in the highways and byways, men and women should go forth as consecrated workers, who will proclaim the message of warning. In Michigan, and Battle Creek especially, it has been thought that Dr. Kellogg was working disproportionately for the poor and wretched ones in medical missionary lines. Then why does not the General Conference go to work? Why does it allow the treasury which should be kept for the purpose of sustaining the ministry, to be drawn upon, and diverted to common things? Why?should it permit its ministers to be half paid, and at the same time talk so begrudgingly of that which they do receive? When this work shall cease in our churches, a living testimony will go forth from human lips, under the operation of the Holy Ghost.?{PH157 9.1}[15]
【A Change Demanded】
Burdens have been borne, projects have been entered into, and time has been given to matters that God never intended any of you to study upon, or to undertake. Now, for Christ’s sake, change the order of things. In the place of having ministers drawn from their fields of labor to learn more, encourage them to communicate what they do know. You have robbed a world that is perishing in its sins, of labor it should have had. If those men will work, if they will study, and consecrate themselves to God, if they will do the work with earnestness, with zeal, with faith and prayer, we shall see something done. Satan has stolen a march on us. God desires that we shall put on the whole armor of righteousness. He says: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Read carefully the injunctions here given by the inspired apostle, and “be ye doers of the Word.”?{PH157 10.1}[16]
【Boxes for the Church Fund】
There are exceptional cases, where poverty is so deep that, in order to secure the humblest place of worship, it may be necessary to appropriate the tithes. But that place is not Battle Creek or?Oakland. Let those who assemble to worship God consider the self-denial and self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let those brethren who profess to be children of God study how they can deny themselves, how they can part with some of their idols, and carefully economize in every line. In each house there should be a box for the church fund, to be used for the needs of the church. When such churches as those in Battle Creek and Oakland shall practise greater self-denial than they have hitherto done, there will be an overflow of money in the treasury to deal with equity with the men who labor in word and doctrine.?{PH157 10.2}[17]
【The Treasury to be Guarded】
I have been shown case after case where men are working in the ministry, who are just as deserving of their wages as those who are employed in the publishing houses, are left without sufficient means to support their families. If they work at all for the Master, they have to depend on charity. The censure and frown of God is upon the church that will permit these things to exist. Let not those to whom are intrusted responsibilities, allow the treasury that God has appointed to sustain the ministers in the field, to be robbed to supply the expenses incurred in keeping in order and making comfortable the house of God. Thousands upon thousands of dollars have been taken from the tithes and used for these purposes.?{PH157 11.1}[18]
【What We Should Do】
This is not as it should be. The gifts and offerings that have cost some self-denial are to be brought in. A separate fund for the purpose of?defraying the expenses, which every church member should share according to his ability, should be instituted in every place where there is a church. Let the pennies, the sixpences, and the shillings be saved that may be looked upon as altogether too meager for charitable purposes. But these, if brought into the treasure-house, will be received and blessed of God, and what God blesses, is blessed indeed. Self can be denied of many needless things.?{PH157 11.2}[19]
In the Battle Creek church the sisters will have an account to render to God for the Lord’s money which they have worse than wasted in order to make an appearance, which appearance hangs out the sign that they are one in spirit with the worldling. Their chief desire is to gratify vanity and pride.?{PH157 12.1}[20]
Every talent is to be used as the Lord’s intrusted gift. No outlay of means is a sin that is employed to defray the church expenses, or for any religious work. But that expense is not to come out of the tithe. The treasury of God must not be robbed; that means must be used to supply the wages and fully to sustain those who give themselves to the work of the ministry.?{PH157 12.2}[21]
There may be cases where human judgment may decide that a certain one does not accomplish much in advancing the work, and that the cause of God would be just as well without him. But who will dare to venture on the work of weeding out the ones supposed to be of little value? The Lord must judge in this matter. This measurement is not left to finite, human agencies. The one whom they question may produce results?more directly in spiritual lines and interests for eternity than the persons who would set them aside. I know this has been the case in many instances. Judas was officious in this direction. And Christ said of him that he had a devil, because his mind was open to the devil’s work.?{PH157 12.3}[22]
【Heaven Ashamed】
If all could see themselves as they file into the house of God in Battle Creek, the great heart of the work, and know the record which the Lord’s watcher bears to heaven of the means squandered on themselves, if they could see the array of figures standing against their names, they would not feel very much satisfaction or real enjoyment in the exhibition of themselves before the heavenly universe. It is written off against their names, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” These can not but be the ones included in the number who had the gay apparel, or those who occupied the highest seats. The very principle that leads them to dress as they do, that makes Heaven ashamed of them, will reveal in them a love of dress, a love of outside appearance, at the expense of the soul.?{PH157 13.1}[23]
These persons may have constant opportunities for serving God, but they are not in vital connection with him. If they only would do the words and works of Christ, they would realize a blessing which they could never enjoy in the service of self. There is a reward offered for the right use of our talents in devising methods for doing highest service for God, irrespective and forgetful of poor, vain self. Dress and love of the world may take?the first place in their thoughts, but Jesus appoints them the lowest place. They gather to themselves, they drink in vanity. They live to please self; self is the center of their thoughts, and they are never fully useful. Although they may have a connection with the work of God, they grow earthward, not heavenward. The human agent must use his God-given talents of mind, of strength, of thought, in the service of the Master. But they are often misapplied, and occupied with poor, weak, unworthy self.?{PH157 13.2}[24]
Unsanctified self will never see the kingdom of God. It must die, and Christ must live in the thoughts, and be enshrined in the heart. His glory is to be kept ever in view, else they will occupy the lowest seat,—not in his service, for they will have no part in God’s work. God will not accept the selfish, divided soul. “He that will come after me,” he says, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” The love of display, the love of adornment, is an effectual barrier to the obtaining of the inward adorning. God exhorts his people, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Then shall we not seek to secure to ourselves that which the Lord pronounces a great price??{PH157 14.1}[25]
【A Reformation in Dress】
When the church is converted, there will be a?very great reformation in dress. Church members, under the Holy Spirit’s striving, will feel a solemn responsibility resting upon them in the use of the means that comes into their hands. Will you, my sisters, forget the account you must give to God for every talent, whether it is spent to please and gratify your vain desires for appearance, or whether the cause of Christ and the salvation of souls is ever a constraining power upon you, as it will be upon every one who makes Christ his personal Saviour. Many of you who profess the name of Christ, both old and young, have walked away from Jesus into much appearance and display. And the result of this is great spiritual feebleness. There is no soundness, no healthfulness in your spiritual pulse, no fervor or zeal for the perishing souls around you. The love of Christ is a sentiment strange to your hearts. You have long since forgotten that you are not your own, that you are bought with a price.?{PH157 14.2}[26]
【A Strict Account to be Rendered】
Your mind, your soul, your strength are all the Lord’s. None of these talents will be left out by the Master in the reckoning that is soon to be made. We may leave them out of our reckoning, but the Lord measures with exactitude every possibility for service. He has a right to expect us to acquire other talents. The unused capabilities are just as much brought into account as those which we improve. Our talents can only increase by faithful improvement of them. And those who faithfully employ their capabilities in trading upon the Lord’s goods will, through their influence, bring many souls to Jesus Christ.?{PH157 15.1}[27]
A strict account must be rendered at that great day when Christ shall come. Day by day and hour by hour we are making our own record. The amount we received and the amount we return will all be closely scrutinized by the Lord. Our whole life work is bound up with the great reckoning of that solemn scene when the second advent shall take place.?{PH157 16.1}[28]
【Real-Estate Speculation】
We are trading with our Lord’s goods. Phariseeism will appear in abundance. But a formal church will have far less to account for in the sight of God than those who have had so great light, so many opportunities, and yet are found among transgressors. Vice and dishonesty in trade have prevailed in Battle Creek and have been carried to other cities. Their speculation in lands, their attempts to secure money by making glowing representations, have in nearly every case proved a fraud. Their broker’s business is an acted lie. The church bears the sin and disgrace of all such business done by its members.?{PH157 16.2}[29]
Those who are foolish enough to invest their money in these speculative schemes, supposing the ones engaged in this business to be honest, are under a delusion which will work disaster to themselves. Many will keep up their dishonest speculation, although their names are on the church books, until they are bankrupt in this world and for eternity. These things are a disgrace to the truth. And church-members have permitted these things to exist in their midst because they have not had their eyes anointed?with the heavenly eye-salve, that they may discern the wily workings of Satanic agencies, to rob the widows and the fatherless in their speculation.{PH157 16.3}[30]
The men who engage in the real-estate agency business are on perilous ground. They are engaged in a work that will bring dire results to their own souls. Satan is inventing every scheme possible to divert the means which should be invested in the cause of God, into his own channels.?{PH157 17.1}[31]
【A Sad Picture】
I have no heart to write out many things that might be given for the example and practise of those who have been often reproved. Those at the center of the work have manifested an avaricious spirit; they have, as it were, clothed fraud and double-dealing, conniving,—principles which God condemns in his work,—with a garment of righteousness. They have so perverted their imagination that they have supposed gain to be godliness. In the sin of Achan, theft, and dissembling, and covetousness, were considered by God to be of such a grievous character that God said, “Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” How will he regard the sins that are practised among his professed people??{PH157 17.2}[32]
During the week of prayer God would have wrought in a manner you have not yet realized were it not for the corrupting principles existing in the church at the very heart of the work, where it was supposed and where it has been taught that the counsel coming therefrom was of God. But the neglect of the measures that should have been?taken to cleanse from our institutions and from our church their moral defilement, has brought the wrath of God upon his people. There should not be any who act as brokers among the members of the church. This influence in many ways has caused misapprehension and confusion of principles that has left a terrible curse upon the practical workings of the cause in the various conferences.?{PH157 17.3}[33]
【The Work Hindered】
God in his own good time will give the message to men whom you least expect to come from men’s policy to the policy of God. These will find there is something more they should have contended for in purity and honesty and straightforward working which is of an hundred-fold more value than their criticisms of words lest the great fundamental doctrines be departed from. The doctrine of justification by faith and the righteousness by faith was opposed, and masterly efforts made through opposition and denunciation by a formal church, whose attitude was of a character to discourage integrity and faithfulness and good works. And the result is just as it was in Christ’s day. Those who were blinded by the enemy would, from their standpoint, pronounce judgment against the living principles of truth as heresy, and if they dared would make the press voice their sentiments with warnings and anathemas because their own preconceived opinions were not considered supreme and without a flaw.?{PH157 18.1}[34]
God has given his Word power, but at what a cost! What labor and pain, and anguish of soul have?been endured! What time and money have been bestowed! And how much of God’s talents has been wasted under misconception in counterworking the work of God, at the very time the message was to go with a loud voice and ripen off the harvest of the earth! Men in high places of trust have gone from place to place as agents, working on the enemy’s side. While the workers of God, sent forth with a special message, have prosecuted their work as men who must give an account, they have not been appreciated. Their way has been hedged up, and their labor counterworked as far as possible.?{PH157 18.2}[35]
The work offered to the church at Battle Creek was not accepted. But the Lord increased the faith of some, and stirred Dr. Kellogg up to work for the souls and bodies of men through the medical missionary work, in ministering to the apparently lower orders, in striving to work a reformation through correct principles. And blessed results have been seen. Among those who have been rescued, there are some, not all, who shall embrace the truth. It is the loudest proclamation of the gospel that reaches men where they are, and accomplishes a grand work for time and for eternity.?{PH157 19.1}[36]
If the schools in Battle Creek, if the publishing office, if the Sanitarium workers, in the place of looking on to criticise and denounce, had humbled their souls before God, and had allowed the Holy Spirit to work them, to soften their hard, icy hearts, had they worked on Bible principles in the place of studying up new methods and wonderful inventions and schemes, they would have?discerned the work to be done and brought all their powers into the work. There would have been less ministerial institutes, and every minister would have devoted his time and talents, and worked to save souls by communicating to them the light from heaven. This would have had a purifying effect upon the church, and the duties God has plainly revealed in his Word would have been performed. But many are too blind spiritually to discern these duties, and they are left undone, in order to take up a work which the Lord has not so much as intimated to them to do.?{PH157 19.2}[37]
【What is Needed】
There are lines of work that have become almost entirely extinct. The power of Heaven has been wanting to give new perceptions in reading the truth out of the Word. But blind minds and hardened hearts have condemned the truth of God as presented because they rebel against the?fundamental?doctrines received. They are not half enlightened as to what the fundamental doctrines really are. If they had known for themselves they would not have possessed the spirit and attributes they have revealed. They would have known that spirit of truth which is comprised in advocating the principles of righteousness and truth. It is only by doing God’s will that we can know of the doctrine.?{PH157 20.1}[38]
What is wanted is experimental, individual piety and integrity on thoroughly Bible principles. The attainment of a living faith in Christ is essential. The pardon of sins, the contrite heart, the reception of the blessed atonement through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth, must be wrought through personal, individual agencies. This can not be obtained or wrought out by a substitute. Each individual must arm himself with the high purpose of doing the will of God. When he does this to the full, his decision of fundamental doctrines and principles will be considered worthy of attention.?{PH157 21.2}[39]
【Faithful Calebs Needed】
[Extracts from Testimony No. 32.]
While the doubting ones talk of impossibilities, while they tremble at the thought of high walls and strong giants, let the faithful Calebs, who have “another spirit,” come to the front. The truth of God, which bringeth salvation, will go forth to the people, if ministers and professed believers will not hedge up its way, as did the unfaithful spies.?{PH157 21.1}[40]
All should feel that they are not proprietors, but stewards, and that the time is coming when they must give an account for the use they have made of their Lord’s money. Means will be needed in the cause of God. With David they should say, “All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” Schools are to be established in various places, publications are to be multiplied, churches are to be built in the large cities, and laborers are to be sent forth, not only into the cities, but into the highways and hedges. And now, my brethren who believe the truth, is your opportunity. We are standing, as it were, on the borders of the eternal world. We are looking for the glorious appearing of our Lord; the night is far spent; the day is at hand. When we realize the?greatness of the plan of redemption, we shall be far more courageous, self-sacrificing, and devotional than we now are.?{PH157 21.2}[41]
There is a great work for us to do before success will crown our efforts. There must be decided reforms in our homes and in our churches. Parents must labor for the salvation of their children. God will work with our efforts, when we do on our part all that he has enjoined upon us and qualified us to do; but because of our unbelief, worldliness, and indolence, blood-bought souls in the very shadow of our homes are dying in their sins, and dying unwarned. Is Satan always thus to triumph? Oh, no! The light reflected from the cross of Calvary indicates that a greater work is to be done than our eyes have yet witnessed.?{PH157 22.1}[42]
The third angel, flying in the midst of heaven, and heralding the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, represents our work. The message loses none of its force in the angel’s onward flight; for John sees it increasing in strength and power until the whole earth is lightened with its glory. The course of God’s commandment-keeping people is onward, ever onward. The message of truth that we bear must go to nations, tongues, and peoples. Soon it will go with a loud voice, and the earth will be lightened with its glory. Are we preparing for this great outpouring of the Spirit of God??{PH157 22.2}[43]
Human agencies are to be employed in this work. Zeal and energy must be intensified; talents that are rusting from inaction must be pressed into service. The voice that would say, “Wait; do not allow yourself to have burdens imposed?upon you,” is the voice of the cowardly spies. We want Calebs now, who will press to the front,—chieftains in Israel who with courageous words will make a strong report in favor of immediate action. When the selfish, ease-loving, panic-stricken people, fearing tall giants and inaccessible walls, clamor for retreat, let the voice of the Calebs be heard, even though the cowardly ones stand with stones in their hands, ready to beat them down for their faithful testimony.?{PH157 22.3}[44]
【Practical Godliness】
[Selections from a testimony to the oakland church, found in Testimony No. 33.]
Dear Brethren and Sisters at Oakland: My mind is drawn out to write to you. Again and again I find myself talking to you in my dreams, and in every case you are in trouble. But whatever comes, let it not enfeeble your moral courage, and cause your religion to degenerate into a heartless form. The loving Jesus is ready to bless abundantly; but we need to obtain an experience in faith, in earnest prayer, and in rejoicing in the love of God. Shall any of us be weighed in the balances and be found wanting? We must watch ourselves, watch the least unholy promptings of our nature, lest we become traitors to the high responsibilities God has bestowed upon us as his human agencies.?{PH157 23.1}[45]
We must study the warnings and corrections he has given his people in past ages. We do not lack light. We know what works we should avoid, and what requirements he has given us to observe; so if we do not seek to know and do that which is?right, it is because wrong-doing suits the carnal heart better than right-doing.?{PH157 23.2}[46]
There will always be faithless ones, who wait to be carried forward by the faith of others. They have not an experimental knowledge of the truth, and consequently have not felt its sanctifying power on their own souls. It should be the work of every member of the church, quietly and diligently to search his own heart, and see if his life and character are in harmony with God’s great standard of righteousness.?{PH157 24.1}[47]
【Greater Blessings for Us】
The Lord has done great things for you in California, particularly in Oakland; but there is much more that he would be well pleased to do if you would make your works correspond with your faith. God never honors unbelief with rich blessings. Review what God has done, and then know that it is only the beginning of what he is willing to do.?{PH157 24.2}[48]
We must place a higher value than we have upon the Scriptures, for therein is the revealed will of God to men. It is not enough merely to assent to the truthfulness of God’s Word, but we must search the Scriptures, to learn what they contain. Do we receive the Bible as the “oracle of God”? It is as really a divine communication as though its words came to us in an audible voice. We do not know its preciousness, because we do not obey its instructions.?{PH157 24.3}[49]
【Past Experiences】
When the truth we now cherish was first seen to be Bible truth, how very strange it appeared,?and how strong was the opposition we had to meet in presenting it to the people for the first time; but how earnest and sincere were the obedient, truth-loving laborers! We were indeed a peculiar people. We were few in numbers, without wealth, without worldly wisdom or worldly honors; and yet we believed God, and were strong and successful, a terror to evil-doers. Our love for one another was steadfast; it was not easily shaken. Then the power of God was manifested among us, the sick were healed, and there was much calm, sweet, holy joy. But while the light has continued to increase, the church has not advanced proportionately. The fine gold has gradually become dim, and deadness and formality have come in to cripple the energies of the church. Their abundant privileges and opportunities have not led God’s people onward and upward to purity and holiness. A faithful improvement of the talents God has intrusted to them would greatly increase those talents. Where much is given, much will be required. Those only who faithfully accept and appreciate the light God has given us, and who take a high, noble stand in self-denial and self-sacrifice, will be channels of light to the world. Those who do not advance will retrograde, even on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan. It has been revealed to me that our faith and our works in no way correspond to the light of truth bestowed. We must not have a half-hearted faith, but that perfect faith which works by love and purifies the soul. God calls upon you in California to come into close relationship with him.?{PH157 24.4}[50]
【Our Great Need】
We should know what we must do to be saved. We should not, my brethren and sisters, float along with the popular current. Our present work is to come out from the world and be separate. This is the only way we can walk with God, as did Enoch. Divine influences were constantly working with his human efforts. Like him, we are called upon to have a strong, living, working faith, and this is the only way we can be laborers together with God. We must meet the conditions laid down in the Word of God, or die in our sins. We must know what moral changes are essential to be made in our characters, through the grace of Christ, in order to be fitted for the mansions above. I tell you in the fear of God, we are in danger of living like the Jews,—destitute of the love of God, and ignorant of his power, while the blazing light of truth is shining all around us.?{PH157 26.1}[51]
The present activity of Satan in working upon hearts, and upon churches and nations, should startle every student of prophecy. The end is near. Let our churches arise. Let the converting power of God be experienced in the hearts of the individual members, and then we shall see the deep movings of the Spirit of God. The forgiveness of sins is not the sole result of the death of Jesus. He made the infinite sacrifice, not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.?{PH157 26.2}[52]
We should show our faith by our works. A greater anxiety should be manifested to have a large measure of the Spirit of Christ; for in this?will be the strength of the church. It is Satan who is striving to have God’s children draw apart. Love, O, how little love we have—love for God and for one another! The Word and Spirit of truth, dwelling in our hearts, will separate us from the world. The immutable principles of truth and love will bind heart to heart, and the strength of the union will be according to the measure of grace and truth enjoyed. Well would it be for us each to hold up the mirror, God’s royal law, and see in it the reflection of his own character. Let us be careful not to neglect the danger signals, and the warnings given in his Word. Unless heed is given to these warnings, and defects of character are overcome, these defects will overcome those who possess them, and they will fall into error, apostasy, and open sin. The mind that is not elevated to the highest standard, will in time lose its power to retain that which it had once gained. “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”?{PH157 26.3}[53]
【Danger of Falling】
God has selected a people in these last days, whom he has made the depositaries of his law; and this people will ever have disagreeable tasks to perform. “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast?found them liars; and hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.” It will require much diligence and a continual struggle to keep evil out of our churches. There must be rigid, impartial discipline exercised; for some who have a semblance of religion, will seek to undermine the faith of others, and will privily work to exalt themselves.?{PH157 27.1}[54]
The Lord Jesus, on the Mount of Olives, plainly stated that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” He speaks of a class who have fallen from a high state of spirituality. Let such utterances as these come home with solemn, searching power to our hearts. Where is the fervor, the devotion to God, that corresponds to the greatness of the truth which we claim to believe? The love of the world, the love of some darling sin, has weaned the heart from the love of prayer, and of meditation on sacred things. A formal round of religious services is kept up; but where is the love of Jesus? Spirituality is dying. Is this torpor, this mournful deterioration, to be perpetuated? Is the lamp of truth to flicker and go out in darkness, because it is not replenished by the oil of grace??{PH157 28.1}[55]
There will be some terrible falls by those who think they stand firm, because they have the truth; but they have it not as it is in Jesus. A moment’s carelessness may plunge a soul into irretrievable ruin. One sin leads to the second, and the second prepares the way for the third, and so on. We must, as faithful messengers of God, plead with him constantly to be kept by his power. If we swerve a single inch from duty, we are in danger?of following on in a course of sin that will end in perdition. There is hope for every one of us, but only in one way, and that is by binding ourselves to Christ, and exerting every energy to attain to the perfection of his character.{PH157 28.2}[56]
【Solemn Warnings】
That religion which makes of sin a light matter, dwelling upon the love of God to the sinner regardless of his actions, only encourages the sinner to believe that God will receive him while he continues in that which he knows to be sin. This is what some are doing who profess to believe present truth. The truth is kept apart from the life, and that is the reason it has no power to convict and convert the soul.?{PH157 29.1}[57]
God has shown me that the truth as it is in Jesus has never been brought into the lives of some in California. They do not have the religion of the Bible. They have never been converted; and unless their hearts are sanctified through the truth which they have accepted, they will be bound up with the tares; for they bear no clusters of precious fruit to show that they are branches of the Living Vine.?{PH157 29.2}[58]
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” The lives of many show that they have no living connection with God. They are drifting into the channel of the world. They have, in reality, no part or lot with?Christ. They love amusement, and are filled with selfish ideas, plans, hopes, and ambitions. They serve the enemy under the pretense of serving God. They are in bondage to a task-master, and this bondage they choose, making themselves willing slaves of Satan.?{PH157 29.3}[59]
The false idea entertained by many, that the restraining of children is an injury, is ruining thousands upon thousands. Satan will surely take possession of the children if you are not on your guard. Do not encourage their association with the ungodly. Draw them away. Come out from among such yourselves, and show them that you are on the Lord’s side.?{PH157 30.1}[60]
Will those who claim to be the children of the Most High, elevate the standard,—not simply while assembled in your meeting, but as long as time shall last? Will you not be on the Lord’s side, and serve him with full purpose of heart? If you do as did the children of Israel in forsaking God’s express requirements, you will surely receive of his judgments; but if you put away sin, and exercise living faith, the richest of heaven’s blessings will be yours.?{PH157 30.2}[61]
---Mrs. E. G. White[62]
搜索
