他们的呼声达于上帝
一个帮助贫穷圣工的机会
多年来我一直对南方黑人中间的福音工作深感兴趣。我有幸访问过这个园地几次，亲自熟悉了它的需要。我在澳大利亚度过的九年间，与在美国的黑人中间的工作保持了同步。我知道南方工人的奋斗与将就，舍己与自我牺牲，我也尽我所能地提供了帮助。{PH126 5.1}
今年夏天早些时候，我去了南方，在那里待了几个星期。我在各地旅行的时候，重新看到了这个园地的贫困状况，生动地想起了常常在夜间的异象中看到的景象。{PH126 5.2}
在阿拉巴马州亨茨维尔为培训基督的工人而建立的技工学校的状况强烈地吸引了我的同情。总会所购买的作为这个机构住址的那个三百六十英亩的大农场，若是得到聪明地耕种，就会应付学校相当大的一部分运营费用。但是那些建筑已不足以完成该做的工作。教师和学生只有很少的教室用具。在学生宿舍和农场上，只有很少合适的设施。必须建成一些新的楼房。非常需要良好的浴室。学生在这所学校里应当为医疗布道工作接受培训。{PH126 5.3}
F.R.罗杰斯弟兄被选为亨茨维尔学校的业务经理和校长。多年以来他在南方传道协会的指导下，致力于密西西比州有色人种学校的工作。配合他的是一个称职的教工团队，能使各方面教育工作发扬光大，包括学科教育和实业培训。今年学校的运行效率将大大地提高。我们希望做一番强有力的工作，使南方的有色人种做好准备，完成必须为他们自己的种族所做的工作。在最有前途的青年中，有那些必须接受训练好作为书报员、宣教护士、卫生厨师、教师、查经员和传道人去作工的人。{PH126 6.1}
在密西西比州和其它州建立的教会学校正在做一项很好的工作;这些学校应该得到我们持续的支持。必须建立成百上千这样的学校。这方面的努力已特别地被呈现在我面前，作为将真理传给黑人的一个最有效最经济的方法。然而这工作却因缺乏资金来提供设施和支付老师们的工资而几乎处于停顿状态。{PH126 7.1}
在纳什维尔我发现了一个小型疗养院，装备很差，但有更好的一等黑人光顾。这是我们在南方为黑人设立的惟一一所疗养院，它非常需要帮助(这是全世界惟一的这类机构)。向这个企业慷慨地奉献礼物会令主喜悦。永久建立这一机构只是南方各城市必须完成的一项重大工作的开始。我们在建立疗养院和治疗室方面已经耽搁得够久了，有色人种的男女可以在那里服务同胞身体和精神上的需要。{PH126 7.2}
我的心灵渴望看到在南方开展久已需要我们援助的工作。城市内外对学校、疗养院和治疗室以及福音传道工作的大需要，要求我们竭尽所能。这个贫瘠的园地正向上天发出它可怜的求救之声。我们从哪能找到另一个有更大需要的园地呢? {PH126 8.1}
我既熟悉了南方园地的贫困，就切愿能想方设法维持为黑人做的工作。一天夜里，我正在为这个贫穷的园地祈祷的时候，一个场景呈现在我面前，我将对此加以描述。{PH126 8.2}
我看到一群人在作工，有人问他们在做什么?其中一个回答说：“我们正在制作小箱子，放在每一个愿意实践舍己的家庭中，以便他们能够提供帮助在南方有色人种中间工作的资金。这种箱子会不断提醒人这个穷困种族的需要;而且奉献藉着节俭和舍己省下来的钱，对所有家庭成员都会成为一种极好的教育。”{PH126 9.1}
我立即写信给我们在南方的弟兄们，让他们制作一些舍己的小箱子，并广为流传，作为无声的使者在我们的人家中，——提醒父母和孩子他们对一个被忽视的种族的责任。田纳西州埃奇菲尔德交叉口的南方传教会立即着手处理这件事，现在准备把这些箱子寄给所有希望以这种方式提供帮助的人。{PH126 9.2}
父母们哪，要教导你们的儿女舍己的教训，鼓励他们与你们联合起来省掉我们实在不需要的东西，将这样省下来的钱奉献给黑人圣工。要将可怜的黑人和他们的需要告诉你们的孩子。在每一颗柔嫩的心中根植一种舍己以便帮助他人的愿望。引导孩子们尽早意识到金钱和使命之间的密切关系。{PH126 9.3}
园地中的庄稼已经发白，可以收割了。岂可让工人们没有资金将宝贵的庄稼收进来吗?难道那些知道真理的人不愿看到他们现在就能提供帮助吗?难道每一个人都不愿中断一切不必要的开支吗?要看看你们能在舍己方面做什么。要放弃一切不是绝对需要的东西。要达到上帝所赐给你们的责任的量度。要向有色人种尽你们的本分。{PH126 10.1}
有人可能会说：“不断向我们提取捐款，这些呼吁没完没了吗?”只要在我们的世界上还有人因缺乏生命的粮而在灭亡，我们就希望这些呼吁不要结束。在你们已经竭尽所能拯救失丧的人以前，我们请你们不要对我们再三的呼吁感到厌倦。许多人还没有做他们能做的事，就是他们若是愿意将自己毫无保留地献给上帝，祂就会使他们能够去做的事。{PH126 10.2}
主的仆人们应当对伟大的收割园地中进行的每一方面的工作感到一种高尚的、慷慨的同情。我们应当对关系人类兄弟情谊的每一件事都感兴趣。藉着我们受洗时立的誓，我们与上帝有了立约的关系，要做出恒切、舍己、自我牺牲的努力，好在园地中最艰苦的部分促进救灵的工作。上帝已将帮助搭救最贫穷、最无助、最受压迫之人的责任放在每一个信徒身上。基督徒应当启发不如他们幸运的弟兄们的无知。他们应当折断一切的轭，让受压制的得自由，摆脱恶习的力量和罪恶的行为。藉着传授来自天上的知识，他们要扩大那些最需要帮助之人的能力，增加他们的效用。{PH126 11.1}
南方在黑人中间的工作
致我在美国的弟兄姐妹们：
我们很欣慰现代真理之光一直在南方各州照耀，在这个园地的一些工人一直在全心全意地作工，向黑人传达真理。那些还没有负责在黑人中间开拓工作的人对那些已经在这项工作中成为先驱之人的考验、祈祷和角力知道的相对较少。{PH126 12.1}
面对最受考验的环境，已经在这个贫困的园地做出了良好的开端。主现在号召我们上来帮助祂。祂已再三将在黑人中间作工的需要放在我们的人面前，然而有许多人却没有做什么帮助。一些人心中对那些一直在远过于他们力量地操劳着为要推进这项工作的人存有偏见。那些给不信和批评留地步的人因他们所说每一句使工人们灰心的话和对他们产生的偏见而在上帝的责备之下。他们自己既什么都不做，就阻碍了车轮，以致别人不能前进。{PH126 13.1}
主已将祂嘉许的印记印在南方黑人中间做成的工作上。虽然犯过错误，但是在其它每一个布道园地岂没有犯过错误呢?你们注意错误并且伸出手要在上帝所嘉许之处予以阻止的时候，就是在行事和发言反对主。上帝很不喜悦每一个在为黑人作工前进的道路放置任何障碍的人。{PH126 13.2}
有些人或许以为在南方各州的工作已经在从总会得到关注，过于它份所当得的，人员和资金都超过了它应有的比例。然而要是南方过去不是一个受忽视的贫穷园地，要是那里没有在许多不同方面做成更多工作的迫切需要，为什么主那么多年来不断地将这个问题摆在祂的子民面前呢?我们必须挽回光阴。必须毫不迟延地开垦这个久被忽视的园地。{PH126 14.1}
很少人认识到必须在黑人中间完成的工作量。在南方有数百万人从未听过第三位天使的信息。必须传扬现代真理之光。为了完成这项工作，主已提供了许多媒介。应当训练福音医疗布道士并派到全地。应该在靠近拥挤的中心地带建立小型疗养院和设备齐全的治疗室。应该教育黑人福音布道士，并派他们出去向他们自己种族的人传扬简明的真理。书报员要带着印好的书报进入人们家中。为了使这些文字作品产生好的效果，人们应该受教导去阅读。他们自己若不先学会阅读圣经，又怎么能成为聪明的基督徒呢?应该建立和维持学校;应当建造教堂。在南方各地都应该建立对上帝和祂的真理的纪念场所。{PH126 14.2}
这一切将需要我们在美国的弟兄姐妹们做出自我牺牲的努力。那些在南方生活的人不能独自担重担。我们必须给他们经济援助。{PH126 15.1}
我亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，我将在黑人中间的工作呈现在你们面前，作为你们慷慨奉献的对象。在亨茨维尔的传道学校、培训学校，在纳什维尔的黑人疗养院，奉献光阴拯救黑人的传道人和查经员——这一切和许多其它机构都非常需要资金。工作必须前进。可以节省下来的每一分钱都应该投入到主的圣工上。让我们看看十一月份的募捐能不能导致成千上万美元流进库中吧。{PH126 15.2}
“捐得乐意的人是上帝所喜爱的”(林后9:7)，我们若是以感恩的心将我们的礼物和供物带给祂，“不要作难，不要勉强，”祂的福气就必伴随着我们，因为祂已应许：“我必为你们敞开天上的窗户，倾福与你们”(玛3:10)。祂不仅会悦纳礼物，而且会悦纳奉献的人。尽管这可能需要我们舍己，但良心的嘉许和上天的福气必以福乐充满我们的心。{PH126 16.1}
PH126 - And Their Cry Came Up Unto God
【An Opportunity to Help a Needy Cause】
(By Mrs. E. G. White)
For years I have been deeply interested in gospel work among the colored people in the South. It has been my privilege to visit this field a few times, and to become personally acquainted with its needs. During the nine years I spent in Australia, I kept pace with the advance of the work among the colored people in America. I knew of the struggles and makeshifts, the self-denial and self-sacrifice of the laborers in the South, and I helped as much as I could.?{PH126 5.1}[1]
Early this past summer I visited the South, and spent several weeks there. As I traveled from place to place, I saw anew the poverty-stricken condition of the field, and was reminded vividly of scenes that have often been presented to me in the night season.?{PH126 5.2}[2]
The condition of the industrial school?established for the training of Christian workers, at Huntsville, Alabama, appealed strongly to my sympathies. The large farm of three hundred and sixty acres, purchased by the General Conference as a home for this institution, will, with intelligent cultivation, meet a considerable portion of the running expenses of the school. But the buildings have been inadequate for the work that should be done. The teachers and students have very few schoolroom appliances. In the students’ home, and on the farm, there have been very few suitable facilities. Some new buildings must be erected and furnished. Good bath-rooms are greatly needed. In connection with this school, students are to be trained for the medical missionary work.?{PH126 5.3}[3]
Brother F. R. Rogers has been chosen to act as business manager and principal of the Huntsville School. For years he has labored in school work for the colored people in Mississippi, under the direction of the Southern Missionary Society. Associated with him will be a faculty competent to carry forward all branches of instruction, both in school?lines and industrial training. The efficiency of the school will be much improved this year. We desire to do a strong work in preparing the colored people of the South to accomplish that which must be done for their own race. Among the most promising youth are those who must be trained to labor as canvassers, missionary nurses, hygienic cooks, teachers, Bible workers, and ministers.?{PH126 6.1}[4]
The mission schools that have been established in Mississippi and in other States, are doing a good work; and these should receive our continued support. Hundreds of these schools must be established. This line of effort has been especially presented before me as one of the most effectual and economical methods of giving the truth to the colored people. But the work is almost at a standstill for the lack of money to provide facilities and pay the wages of the teachers.?{PH126 7.1}[5]
In Nashville I found a little sanitarium, poorly equipped, but patronized by the better class of colored people. This is the only sanitarium we have for the colored people in the South, and?it is sadly in need of assistance. [This is the only institution of the kind in the whole world.] Liberal gifts to this enterprise would be pleasing to the Lord. The establishment of this institution on a permanent basis will be but the beginning of a great work that must be done in the cities of the South. We have delayed long enough in the establishment of sanitariums and treatment-rooms in which colored men and women can minister to the physical as well as the spiritual necessities of their fellow-men.?{PH126 7.2}[6]
My soul longs to see carried on in the South the work that has so long been in need of our assistance. The great necessity for schools in the cities and out of the cities, for sanitariums and treatment-rooms, and for evangelical work demand that we do everything we possibly can.?This barren field is sending up to heaven its pitiful appeal for help. Where can we find another field in which the need is greater??{PH126 8.1}[7]
As I have been made acquainted with the poverty of the Southern field, I have earnestly desired that some method might be devised by which the work for the?colored people could be sustained. One night, as I was praying for this needy field, a scene was presented to me, which I will describe.{PH126 8.2}[8]
I saw a company of men working, and asked what they were doing. One of them replied: “We are making little boxes to be placed in the home of every family that is willing to practise self-denial in order that they may send of their means to help the work among the colored people of the South. Such boxes will be a constant reminder of the needs of this destitute race; and the giving of money that is saved by economy and self-denial will be an excellent education to all the members of the family.”?{PH126 9.1}[9]
Without delay I wrote to our brethren in the South to make little Self-Denial Boxes, and circulate them extensively, to be used as silent messengers in the homes of our people,—to remind parents and children of their duty toward a neglected race. The Southern Missionary Society, of Edgefield, Tennessee, took up this matter at once, and are now prepared to send the Boxes to all who desire to help in this way.?{PH126 9.2}[10]
Fathers, mothers, teach your children?lessons of self-denial, by encouraging them to unite with you in dispensing with the things we really do not need, and in giving to the colored work the money thus saved. Tell your children of the poor colored people and their necessities. Implant in each tender heart a desire to deny self in order to help others. Lead the children early to realize the close relationship existing between money and missions.?{PH126 9.3}[11]
The fields are white for the harvest. Shall not the laborers have means for gathering in the precious grain? Will not those who know the truth see what they can do to help, just now? Will not every one cut off all needless expenditures? See what you can do in self-denial. Dispense with all that is not positively necessary. Come up to the measure of your God-given responsibility. Fulfil your duty toward the colored race.?{PH126 10.1}[12]
Some may say: “We are being drawn upon continually for means. Will there be no end to these calls?” We hope not, so long as there are in our world souls perishing for the bread of life. Until all has been done that you can do to save the lost, we ask you not to become weary of?our repeated calls. Many have not yet done that which they might do, that which God will enable them to do if they will consecrate themselves unreservedly to Him.?{PH126 10.2}[13]
The Lord’s servants are to feel a noble, generous sympathy for every line of work carried on in the great harvest field. We, are to be interested in everything that concerns the human brotherhood. By our baptismal vows we are bound in covenant relation with God to make persevering, self-denying, self-sacrificing efforts to promote, in the hardest parts of the field, the work of soul saving. God has placed upon every believer the responsibility of helping to rescue the most needy, the most helpless, the most oppressed. Christians are to enlighten the ignorance of their less favored brothers. They are to break every yoke, and let the oppressed go free from the power of vicious habits and sinful practices. By imparting the knowledge sent from heaven, they are to enlarge the capabilities and increase the usefulness of those most in need of a helping hand.?{PH126 11.1}[14]
【The Southern Work Among the Colored People】
(By Mrs. E. G. White)
To My Brethren and Sisters in America,We are thankful that the light of Present Truth has been shining in the Southern States, and that a few laborers in this field have been working wholeheartedly to communicate the truth to the colored people. Those who have not borne the burden of opening up the work among the colored people, can know comparatively?little of the trials, the prayers, and the wrestling of those who have been pioneers in this work.?{PH126 12.1}[15]
In the face of the most trying circumstances, a good beginning has been made in this needy field. The Lord now calls upon us to come up to His help. Again and again He has placed before our people the needs of the work among the colored race, but there are many who have done very little to help. Prejudice has existed in the minds of some against those who have been laboring far beyond their strength to carry forward this work. Those who have given place to unbelief and criticism are under the rebuke of God for every word they have spoken to discourage the workers, and to create prejudice against them. Doing nothing themselves, they have blocked the wheels, so that others could not advance.?{PH126 13.1}[16]
The Lord has put the seal of His approval on the work done among the colored people in the South. Mistakes have been made; but have not mistakes been made in every other missionary field? When you watch for mistakes, and put out your hand to discourage?where God approves, you are working and talking against the Master. God is very much displeased with every one who has placed any hindrance in the way of the advancement of the work for the colored people.?{PH126 13.2}[17]
Some may think that the work in the Southern States is already receiving from the General Conference more than its share of attention, more than its proportion of men and means. But if the South were not a neglected, needy field, if there were not a pressing necessity for more work to be done there in many different lines, why should the Lord keep the question constantly before His people as He has done for so many years? We must redeem the time. Without delay this long-neglected field must be worked.?{PH126 14.1}[18]
Few realize the magnitude of the work that must be done among the colored people. In the South there are millions who have never heard the Third Angel’s Message. These must be given the light of Present Truth. For the accomplishment of this, the Lord has provided many agencies. Gospel medical missionaries are to be trained and?sent throughout the land. Small sanitariums and well equipped treatment-rooms are to be established near the crowded centers. Colored evangelists are to be educated and sent forth to proclaim the truth in its simplicity to their own race. Canvassers are to carry the printed page into the homes of the people. And in order that this literature may result in good, the people are to be taught to read. How can they become intelligent Christians, unless first they learn to read the Bible? Schools are to be established and maintained; churches are to be built. Throughout the South there are to be erected memorials for God and His truth.?{PH126 14.2}[19]
All this will require self-sacrificing effort on the part of our brethren and sisters in America. Those who live in the South can not bear the burden alone. We must lend them financial assistance.?{PH126 15.1}[20]
I present before you, my dear brethren and sisters, the work among the colored people as the object of your liberality. The mission-schools, the training-school at Huntsville, the Nashville Colored Sanitarium, the ministers and Bible workers devoting their time to the salvation?of the colored people,—all these and many other agencies are in great need of funds. The work must go forward. Every penny that can be spared should be invested in the Lord’s cause. Let us see if the November collection can not result in thousands of dollars flowing into the treasury.?{PH126 15.2}[21]
“God loveth a cheerful giver;” and if we with grateful hearts bring our gifts and offerings to Him, “not grudgingly or of necessity,” His blessing will attend us; for He has promised, “I will open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing.” He will accept not only the gift, but the giver. And although it may have cost self-denial on our part, the approval of conscience and the blessing of heaven will fill our hearts with happiness.?{PH126 16.1}[22]
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