关于销售《基督比喻实训》的特别证言
在上帝的天意安排中，有一些特殊的时期，需要我们起来响应上帝的呼召，利用我们自己的财力、时间、智力、全人、包括灵与魂与身子,尽我们最大的能力来完成祂的要求。现在正是这样的时候。上帝圣工的利益处于危机中。主的机构在危险中，在骇人的债务下挣扎，因此工作四面受阻。在我们的极大需要中，上帝已开了一条道路来突破困境，并邀请我们与祂合作来成就祂的旨意。祂的计划是让《基督比喻实训》这本书，来接济我们的学校，而且祂号召凡喜爱真理的人都尽本分把这本书推销给世人。祂借此考验祂的百姓和祂的机构，看他们是否愿意一起作工，并在克己和自我牺牲上有同一个心志。{PH153 1.1}
我们必须成为善用上帝所赐机会的男男女女，因为重大的责任和发展潜力都在凡已应征在基督旗下终身服务之人力所能及的范围之内。上帝的计划是，我们都应该把每一能力都当作祂的来使用，把祂的服务看作我们存在的主要目的，从而来荣耀祂。祂希望我们尽我们最大的知识和力量去实现祂赐给我们生命的目的。现在要做成一项明确的工作以完成上帝的计划。在推销《基督比喻实训》的工作中，要让每一个举动都为主作见证。上帝希望祂的子民前所未有地活跃起来从事工作，为了他们的益处也为了增进祂的事业。祂必使祂呼召他们去做的工作成为他们的福气。他们心会更加温柔，他们的思想会更加属灵，他们的服务会更像基督;因为服役的天使会在他们周围。那些不感到有必要迅速地、彻底地、认真地做这项工作，反而表示不信和批评的人，必丧失来自执行上帝旨意的平安和喜乐。{PH153 1.2}
所有人都应冷静地思考;因为活着是一件庄严的事。我们的生命不是我们自己的;我们是蒙上帝的能力保守的，耶稣想要在我们里面过祂的生活，使我们品格完全。现在是上帝的子民不能失去的机会。上帝号召我们行动起来，使我们的教育机构摆脱债务。应当让上帝的计划依照祂自己的命令制定出来。应当充分利用主所提供的这个机会。我们各教会的传道人和我们各区会的会长们应当觉醒。每一个教会都应当起来竭尽所能地行事。每一个家庭和每一个人都应当把自己献给上帝，将邪恶的酵从他们心中、从他们家中、从教会中除掉。孩子们也要参与一份。大家都应一起作工，不要失去机会。我们在这时候应当尽力而为，向上帝奉献我们的供物，实行祂指定的旨意，从而以此为在一个黑暗的世界为祂和祂的真理作见证的机会。人人都应以此为一个置身于自己的祷告肯定会得到应允之处的机会;因为基督说：“你们若常在我里面，我的话也常在你们里面，凡你们所愿意的，祈求，就给你们成就”(约15:7)。{PH153 2.1}
从事这项工作的人需要下苦功，必须给予指教，使工人们常感这项工作的重要性，使所有的人每一步都珍视舍己和自我牺牲的精神。基督的牺牲是任何跟从祂的人都无法付出的，因为他们从未身居祂所居的岗位。祂在天庭原是最受尊崇的;但祂却撇下了自己所有的荣耀，来到这个尘世为罪人受难。{PH153 3.1}
在这项工作要求我们付出的所有舍己和自我牺牲中，在发生的一切不愉快的事情中，我们始终都应考虑我们是在与基督同负轭，与祂仁慈忍耐、舍己和自我牺牲的精神有分。这种精神会在我们前面开路，并使我们在工作中取得成功，因为基督是我们给人们的荐信。我们若是在工作是中遭遇艰难困苦，就应仰望为我们信心创始成终的主。于是我们就不灰心，也不丧胆;我们就会忍受艰苦，作耶稣基督的精兵。{PH153 3.2}
当工人们不断地倚靠上帝，不断地实行舍己时，他们就不会轻易被拒绝;因为他们会记住，在每一个地方，都有主所需要的人，也有魔鬼正在寻找的人，他要把他们捆绑在他罪恶的奴役里，漠视上帝的律法。主耶稣站在文字布道士旁边，祂才是主要的工人;圣灵与他们同工，在需要他们的地方感动人心。{PH153 3.3}
在圣经中我们读到：“殷勤不可懒惰。要心里火热，常常服事主”(罗12:11)。上帝工作的每一分支都值得殷勤去做，但在这个时候，没有什么比这项工作更值得殷勤去做的了。谁也不应带着在今生得赏赐的期望去作工，而应坚定地注视赛程结束时的赏赐。现在需要忠于职责犹如磁针指向磁极的男男女女，——需要愿意作工而不等自己的道路平顺，不等每一障碍都消除的男男女女。我们若是寻求主并且归正;我们若是自己选择在上帝里得自由和喜乐;我们若是心里欣然同意响应祂恩慈的呼召，负基督的轭，就是顺从和服务的轭，我们的困难就会消除，我们的怨言就会止息，可能出现的许多问题就会以得到解答。{PH153 4.1}
我很高兴，因为在努力实现上帝的这个旨意和充分利用祂的天意时已经表现出了这么多的和谐行动。然而我们行善不要丧志，若不灰心，到了时候就要收成(加6:9)。弟兄们，我们应当对上帝有信心，我们藉着圣化的精力和多多的祈祷在这项工作中为我们的学校做了所能做的一切之后，就必看见上帝的荣耀。当考验充分完成时，就会有一个蒙福的结果。{PH153 4.2}
在做这项工作时，会实现四重福气，——造福我们的各学校、造福世界、造福教会、造福我们自己。在收集资金救济学校的同时，我们会在许多愿意接受并因之得救的人心中撒下真理的种子。我们各教会的肢体们付出的自我牺牲的努力会成为使他们团结起来的一个手段，使他们的灵与魂与身子都得以成圣，作尊贵的器皿，准备好接受上帝所赐的圣灵。那些愿意寻求遵行上帝的旨意，充分发挥每一才能的人，会在为上帝的国度工作上变得聪明。他们会学到对他们来说最重要的教训，会感到理性头脑最高的幸福。平安、恩惠和理智的能力也会赐给他们。{PH153 4.3}
我们若是实现上帝的旨意，这些结果就肯定会来到。那就让我们都忠心从事这项工作吧。让我们尽力而为，把这本书放在众人面前吧。让我们奉主的名毫不畏惧地推进这项工作吧。让祂的计划得到维护吧，及至这项工作完成时，上帝就必指示我们下一步做什么。怀爱伦夫人。{PH153 5.1}
PH153 - Special Testimony on Canvassing for Christ’s Object Lessons
There are in the divine providence, particular periods when we must rise in response to the call of God and make use of our means, our time, our intellect, our whole being, body, soul, and spirit, in fulfilling his requirements to the utmost of our ability. The present is such a time as this. The cause of God is at stake. His institutions are in peril, and because of the terrible burden of debt under which they are struggling, the work is hindered on every side. Just now, in our great necessity, God has made a way through difficulty, and invites us to co-operate with him in accomplishing this purpose. It is his plan that the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” be given for the relief of our schools, and he calls upon all who love the truth, to do their part in placing this book before the world. In this he is testing his people and his institutions, to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice.?{PH153 1.1}[1]
We must become men and women of God’s opportunity, for great responsibilities and possibilities are within the reach of all who have enlisted under Christ’s banner for life service. It is the design of God that we should all glorify him by using every capability as his, regarding his service as the chief end of our existence. He desires us to work to the utmost of our knowledge and power to carry out the purpose for which he has?given us life. A decided work is to be done just now to accomplish God’s plan. Just now every stroke should tell for the Master in the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons.” God desires his people to be vitalized for work as they have never been before, both for their own good and for the upbuilding of his cause. The work that he calls them to do he will make a blessing to them. Their hearts will be more tender, their thoughts more spiritual, their service more Christlike; for ministering angels will be round about them. Those who do not feel the necessity of doing this work promptly, thoroughly, and earnestly, but who express unbelief and criticism, will lose the peace and joy that come from carrying out the purposes of God.?{PH153 1.2}[2]
Let all think soberly; for it is a solemn thing to live. Our lives are not our own; we are kept by the power of God, and Jesus desires to live his life in us, perfecting our characters. The present is an opportunity which God’s people can not afford to lose. God calls us to action, that our educational institutions may be freed from debt. Let God’s plan be worked out after his own order. Let the very most be made of this, the Lord’s opportunity. Let the ministers of our churches, and the presidents of our conferences awaken. Let every church arouse and do to the very utmost of its power. Let every family and every individual consecrate themselves to God, putting the leaven of evil out of their hearts, out of their homes, and out of the church. Let the children act a part. Let all work together; let not the opportunity be lost. Let us do our best at this time to render to God our offering, to carry out his specified will, and thus make this an occasion for witnessing for?him and his truth, in a world of darkness. Let all make this an opportunity to place themselves where they will be sure to receive the answer to their prayers; for Christ says, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”?{PH153 2.1}[3]
Much painstaking effort will be required of those who have the burden of this work; instruction must be given, that a sense of the importance of the work may be kept before the workers, and that all may cherish the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice at every step, sacrifices that none of his followers can ever make, because they have never occupied the position that he occupied. He was the most exalted being in the heavenly courts; but he laid aside all his glory, and came to this earth to suffer for sinners.?{PH153 3.1}[4]
In all the self-denial and self-sacrifice required of us in this work, amid all the unpleasant things that occur we are ever to consider that we are yoked up with Christ, partakers with him if his spirit of kindness forbearance, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. This spirit will open the way before us, and give us success in the work, because Christ is our recommendation to the people. If we meet with hardships in our work, let us look to him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Then we shall not fail nor be discouraged; we shall endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.?{PH153 3.2}[5]
When there is constant reliance upon God, a continual practice of self-denial, workers will not be easily repulsed; for they will remember that in every place there are souls for whom the Lord has need, and for whom the devil is seeking, that he may bind them up in?his slavery of sin, of disregard for the law of God. The Lord Jesus standing by the side of the canvassers is the chief worker; the Holy Spirit, working with them, makes impressions just where they are needed.?{PH153 3.3}[6]
In the Scriptures we read, “Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Every branch of God’s work is worthy of diligence, but nothing could be more deserving than this work at this time. None should labor with the expectation of receiving his reward in this life, but with his eyes fixed steadfastly upon the prize at the end of the race. Men and women are wanted now who are as true to duty as the needle to the pole,—men and women who will work without having their way smoothed, and every obstacle removed. If we seek the Lord and become converted; if of our own choice we become free and joyous in God; if with gladsome consent of the heart we respond to his gracious call, wearing the yoke of Christ, which is one of obedience and service, our difficulties will be removed, our murmurings will be stilled, and many of the questions that may arise will be answered.?{PH153 4.1}[7]
I am very glad that so much harmonious action has been shown in striving to carry out this purpose of God, and to make the most of his providence. But let none become weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. My brethren let us have faith in God, and after we have, by sanctified energy and much prayer, done all that we can in this work for our schools, we shall see the glory of God. When the trial has been fully made, there will be a blessed result.?{PH153 4.2}[8]
In doing this work a fourfold blessing will be realized,—a blessing to our schools, to the world, to the?church, and to ourselves. While means will be gathered for the relief of the schools, we shall sow the seeds of truth in many souls who will receive it, and be saved by it. The self-sacrificing efforts put forth by the members of our churches, will prove a means of uniting them, that they may be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, as vessels unto honor, prepared to receive the Holy Spirit which God will impart. Those who will seek to do God’s will, laying out every talent to the best advantage, will become wise in working for the kingdom of God. They will learn lessons of the greatest consequence to them, and they will feel the highest happiness of a rational mind. Peace, grace, and power of intellect will be given unto them.{PH153 4.3}[9]
These are the results that will surely come if we fulfill the purpose of God. Then let us all be faithful in this work. Let us do our best in placing this book before the people. Let us carry forward this work without flinching, in the name of the Lord. Let his plan be vindicated, and when this work has been accomplished, God will indicate to us what to do next.?{PH153 5.1}[10]
---Mrs. E. G. White[11]
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