致我们的文字布道士
(1913年1月23日写于加州疗养院)
亲爱的弟兄们：
欢迎你们来到榆园。这是我从澳大利亚回来后发现的为我所预备的安身之所。我们可以在这个安静舒服的家里预备供出版的文章和书籍。{PH122 1.1}
希望你们访问愉快，也希望你们再来。我非常关心你们的兴旺和福利。{PH122 1.2}
沉睡的世界
我们的文字布道士成就大工的时候已经来到。世界在沉睡。他们作为守望者要发出警告的声音，唤醒沉睡的人，让他们意识到自己的危险。众教会不知道眷顾他们的时候。他们怎么才能最好地学习真理呢?——就是通过文字布道士的努力。凡献身给上帝作文字布道士的人，正是协助把最后警告的信息传给世人。他们是主的使者，把救恩的喜讯带给千百万处在黑暗和错谬之中的人。{PH122 1.3}
即使在人们能听到传道士宣讲真理的地方，文字布道士也应该履行自己的职责。印刷品是重要的，不仅能唤醒人心认识到现代真理的重要性，还能使人心扎根在真理之中，抵制黑暗和欺骗性的谬道。含有真理信息的书刊是主将真理不断呈现于人前的工具。这些出版物将成就比单单讲道远为重大的工作。{PH122 1.4}
藉着我们的文字布道士，真理会接触到那些别无他法可以接触的人，——那些住在远离任何较大社区的人。我称这些人是小路上的听众。我们的文字布道士要向这种人作上帝的福音传道士，挨家挨户向所遇见的人打开圣经。他们必发现许多人正乐于和急于知道何为真理。忠心的文字布道士带着含有现代真理亮光的书籍从一个地方走到另一个地方，已经成就了许多善工。通过他们的努力，已争取许多家庭全家归向真理。{PH122 2.1}
更广阔的视野
1874年，当我在加利福尼亚州的时候，我得到一个印象极深的异梦，看到了印刷所在向世人传扬第三位天使信息的工作上所有的贡献。下面几段引自当时所写的一封信。{PH122 2.2}
“我梦见几个加利福尼亚弟兄们在商讨，考虑即将到来的季节怎样最好地开展工作的计划。有人认为，最好避开大城市，在小地方开展工作。我丈夫诚恳地劝告他们采用更自由的计划，并且更努力地工作。这样，就更符合我们的信息特征。{PH122 2.3}
“后来，一个我梦境中常见到的年轻人加入进来商讨。他饶有兴致地听了所讲的，他经过深思熟虑，很有信心地说：{PH122 3.1}
“‘城市与乡村都是主葡萄园的一部分，它们务须得听这警告的信息。真理的仇敌正在拼命地努力，要使民众转离上帝的真理偏向虚谎。……你们要在各水边撒种。{PH122 3.2}
“‘你们或许不能立时看到自己工作的效果，但你们不可因此灰心。要以基督为你们的榜样。祂曾有很多的听众，但跟从祂的人却不多。挪亚在洪水之前曾向众人传道一百二十年;但从当时地上的群众中却只有八人得救。’”{PH122 3.3}
“那使者继续说：‘你们对现在的工作的眼界太有限。你们试图计划工作，好抓在自己手中。你们必须放宽眼界。你们不可将灯放在斗底下或床底下，却要放在灯台上，以便照亮一家的人。你们的一家就是全世界。……{PH122 3.4}
“‘必须将第四诫确切真实的约束性要求，清楚地摆在世人面前。“你们是我的见证。”这个信息必要有力地传到世界各地，传到俄勒冈州、欧洲、澳大利亚，各海岛，以及各国、各方、各民。务要保持真理的尊严。它必发展成为雄伟的规模。很多国家都在等待主赐予他们的更清晰的亮光;可惜你们的信心太有限，太微小了。你们的工作观念需要大大扩展。奥克兰，旧金山，萨克拉曼多，武德兰，和美国的各大都市都必须听到这真理的信息。要往前走。如果你们能存心谦卑地行在上帝面前，祂就必以大能行事。常谈论到不可能的事，这不是信心。在上帝没有不可能的事。上帝律法的约束性要求的亮光要试炼并考验全世界。…….{PH122 3.5}
“在前一次的异象中，我蒙指示看到我们必须在加利福尼亚州进行推广并巩固我们所已经着手的工作。我蒙指示看到那必须在加利福尼亚州、澳大利亚、俄勒冈州和其它地区推进的布道工作，远比我们过去所想象、所预期与计划的更为广泛。我蒙指示看到我们现在并没有跟着上帝敞开的天意所引领的速度向前推进。我蒙指示看到如果相信这信息的人不因不信和自私而向仇敌让步，却集中全力于一个目标——建立现代真理的事业，这现代真理就必在加利福尼亚州成为一种伟大的力量了。{PH122 4.1}
“我看到在太平洋东岸将要出版一种报刊。也要在那里设立一个健康机构，并创办一个出版社。时间已经很短促了;所以凡相信这信息的人应该感觉有严肃的义务，要作毫无私图的工人，将自己的影响用在正当的一方面，而绝不让自己的一言一行抵消那些尽力推进上帝圣工之人的努力。我们弟兄们的看法都太狭窄了。他们所期望的不大，他们的信心也太小了。{PH122 4.2}
“一种在太平洋沿岸出版的报刊必能加强这信息的力量与影响。上帝所赐给我们的亮光若不摆在世人面前让他们看见，就没有多少价值。我向你们宣明，我们必须放宽眼界。我们只顾到眼前，却并没有展望远处。”{PH122 5.1}
一个异梦
1875年，我出席纽约州罗姆的帐篷大会。星期日的礼拜有许多人参加。有好几位传道人向留心倾听的大批听众讲道。那天夜里我梦见一位气宇非凡的青年在我讲道以后立即来到我的房间说：{PH122 5.2}
“你们已经使众人注意到一些重要的题目;这在许多人听来，是新奇的，一些人对此深感兴趣。讲道的人已经尽力将真理传开了。但如果不作进一步的努力加深这些人心中的印象，你们的工作效果可能就会丧失殆尽。撒但有许多迷人的东西来转移人的思想。今生的思虑和钱财的迷惑会一起把播在心中的真理种子挤住。{PH122 5.3}
“你们现在所作的每一努力若配合推销合适的读物，就会产生更好的效果。有关现代真理要道的小册子应当免费分发给凡愿意接受的人。你们务要在各水边撒种。{PH122 5.4}
“印刷品是一种有力的工具，能打动人的心思意念。世人利用了印刷品，千方百计把有毒的读物提供给人阅读。受世俗和撒但精神感染的人，尚且如此热心地推销败坏人的书刊读物，你们岂不更应当热心将那些能提高人拯救人的读物提供给人吗?……{PH122 6.1}
“上帝已经让祂的子民可以利用印刷品，结合其他的工具来成功地推广真理的知识。要根据形势需要，把小册子、报刊和书籍散发在所有城市乡村。这是人人都可以参加的布道工作。{PH122 6.2}
“应当训练人从事这一方面的工作，一面传道，一面推销书刊。他们应有良好的风度，不讨人厌，也不嫌弃别人。在必要时，人们可以将全部光阴和精力用在这个工作上。……上帝已经将大光交托祂的子民。这不是单给他们私自享受的，而应让它照耀其他处在错谬黑暗中的人。{PH122 6.3}
“你们这班人在传播真理知识的事上还没有尽到应尽努力的二十分之一。一个积极的传道人若能配合推销刊物和小册子，就能取得比单单讲道而不用印刷品更大的效果。印刷品乃是一种有力的工具。上帝命定它与传道人的积极工作配合，把真理传给各国各族各方各民。”{PH122 6.4}
我要对我们的文字布道士说：你们求吧，求一种更深切的经验。你们要存着因研究上帝已赐给我们的现代的宝贵真理而软化驯服的心前去工作。应当深饮救恩之水，以致这水可以在你们心里成为活泉，流出去振作那垂死的生灵。于是，上帝就必赐你们智慧，使你们能正确地分赐给别人。祂也要使你们成为祂施恩赐福的导管，并在你们将祂所赐的智慧与聪明分赐给别人之时，帮助你们彰显祂的属性。{PH122 7.1}
但愿主打开你们的心门，好领会这个题目的长度和宽度。也愿你们觉悟自己的责任，用忍耐、勇敢及坚毅忠贞来表显基督的品格。你们若是持守着这些原则去作文字布道的工作，就必受人尊敬;许多人也必信服你们所传的真理，因为你们的日常生活像明灯放在灯台上，照亮全家的人。甚至你们的仇敌，虽然竭力攻击你们的道理，却也尊重你们;及至达到了这种地步，你们简单的话语便带有一种能力可以感服人心了。怀爱伦{PH122 7.2}
PH122 - To Our Bookmen
(Sanitarium, Cal.,January 23, 1913.)
Dear Brethren,I welcome you all to “Elmshaven,” the refuge that I found prepared for me on my return from Australia. In this quiet and comfortable home we have been able to prepare articles and books for publication.?{PH122 1.1}[1]
I hope you will enjoy your visit, and that you may come again. In your prosperity and welfare I am deeply interested.?{PH122 1.2}[2]
【The World Asleep】
The time has come when a large work should be done by our canvassers. The world is asleep, and as watchmen they are to give the warning note, to awake the sleepers to a sense of their danger. The churches know not the time of their visitation. How can they best learn the truth?—Through the efforts of the canvasser. All who consecrate themselves to God to work as canvassers, are assisting to give the last message of warning to the world. They are the Lord’s messengers, giving to multitudes in darkness and error the glad tidings of salvation.?{PH122 1.3}[3]
Even where people hear the truth from the living preacher, the canvasser should carry on his work. The printed page is essential, not only in the work of awakening minds to the importance of the truth for this time, but that hearts may be rooted and grounded in the truth, and established against?darkness and deceptive error. Papers and books containing the messages of truth are the Lord’s means of keeping truth continually before the minds of the people. These publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the word alone.?{PH122 1.4}[4]
Through our canvassers the truth will reach those who can not be reached in any other way,—those living far from any large settlement. I call these the byway hearers. To such ones our canvassers are to be God’s evangelists, going from house to house, and opening the Scriptures to those whom they meet. They will find many who are willing and anxious to know what is truth. Much has been accomplished by the faithful canvassers who have gone from place to place, bearing with them books containing the light of present truth. Through their efforts entire families have been won to the truth.?{PH122 2.1}[5]
【Broader Views】
While in California in the year 1874, I was given an impressive dream, in which was represented the instrumentality of the press in the work of giving the third angel’s message to the world. The following paragraphs are taken from a letter written at this time:?{PH122 2.2}[6]
“I dreamed that several of the brethren in California were in council, considering the best plans for labor during the coming season. Some thought it wise to shun the large cities, and work in small places. My husband was earnestly urging that broader plans be laid, and more extended efforts made, which would better compare with the character of our message.?{PH122 2.3}[7]
“Then a young man whom I had frequently seen in my dreams came into our council. He listened with deep interest to the words that were spoken, and then, speaking with deliberation and authoritative confidence, said:?{PH122 3.1}[8]
“‘The cities and villages constitute a part of the Lord’s vineyard. They must hear the messages of warning. The enemy of truth is making desperate efforts to turn the people from the truth of God to falsehood.... You are to sow beside all waters.?{PH122 3.2}[9]
“‘It may be that you will not at once see the result of your labor, but this should not discourage you. Take Christ as your example. He had many hearers, but few followers. Noah preached for one hundred and twenty years to the people before the flood; yet out of the multitudes on the earth at that time only eight were saved.’?{PH122 3.3}[10]
“The messenger continued: ‘You are entertaining too limited ideas of the work for this time. You are trying to plan the work so that you can embrace it in your arms. You must take broader views. Your light must not be put under a bushel or under a bed, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. Your house is the world....?{PH122 3.4}[11]
“‘The verity and truth of the binding claims of the fourth commandment must be presented in clear lines before the people. “Ye are My witnesses.” The message will go in power to all parts of the world, to Oregon, to Europe, to Australia, to the islands of the sea, to all nations, tongues, and peoples. Preserve the dignity of the truth. It will grow to large proportions. Many countries are waiting for the advanced light the Lord has?for them; and your faith is limited, it is very small. Your conception of the work needs to be greatly enlarged. Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento, Woodland, and the large cities in the United States must hear the message of truth. Go forward. God will work with great power if you will walk in all humility of mind before Him. It is not faith to talk of impossibilities. Nothing is impossible with God. The light of the binding claims of the law of God is to test and prove the world....{PH122 3.5}[12]
“In my last vision I was shown that we should have a part to act in California in extending and confirming the work already commenced. I was shown that missionary labor must be put forth in California, Australia, Oregon, and other territories far more extensively than our people have imagined, or ever contemplated and planned. I was shown that we do not at the present time move as fast as the opening providence of God leads the way. I was shown that the present truth might be a power in California if the believers in the message would give no place to the enemy in unbelief and selfishness, but would concentrate their efforts to one object—the upbuilding of the cause of present truth.?{PH122 4.1}[13]
“I saw that there would be a paper published upon the Pacific Coast. There would be a health institute established there, and a publishing house created. Time is short; and all who believe this message, should feel a solemn obligation resting upon them to be disinterested workers, exerting their influence on the right side, and never by word or action be found arrayed against those who are seeking to advance the interests of God’s cause.?The ideas of our brethren are altogether too narrow. They expect but little. Their faith is too small.?{PH122 4.2}[14]
“A paper published on the Pacific Coast would give strength and influence to the message. The light God has given us isn’t worth much to the world unless it can be seen by being presented before them. I declare to you our vision must be extended. We see things nigh, but not afar off.”?{PH122 5.1}[15]
【A Remarkable Dream】
In the year 1875 I was in attendance at a camp-meeting held at Rome, N.Y. The Sunday services had been well attended, and several speakers had addressed the large and attentive congregations. The following night I dreamed that a young man of noble appearance came into the room where I was, immediately after I had been speaking. He said:?{PH122 5.2}[16]
“You have called the attention of the people to important subjects, which to a large number are strange and new. To some they are intensely interesting. The laborers in word and doctrine have done what they could in presenting the truth. But unless there is a more thorough effort made to fasten these impressions upon minds, your efforts will prove nearly fruitless. Satan has many attractions ready to divert the mind, and the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches all combine to choke the seed of truth sown in the heart.?{PH122 5.3}[17]
“In every effort such as you are now making, much more good would result from your labors if you had appropriate reading matter ready for circulation. Tracts upon the important points of truth for the present time should be handed out?freely to all who will accept them.... You are to sow beside all waters.?{PH122 5.4}[18]
“The press is a wonderful means to move the minds and hearts of the people. The men of the world seize the press and make the most of every opportunity to get poisonous literature before the people. If men, under the influence of the spirit of the world and of Satan, are earnest to circulate books, tracts, and papers of a corrupting nature, you should be more earnest to get reading matter of an elevating and saving character before the people....?{PH122 6.1}[19]
“God has placed at the command of His people advantages in the press, which, combined with other agencies, will be successful in extending the knowledge of the truth. Tracts, papers, and books, as the case demands, should be circulated in all the cities and villages in the land. Here is missionary work for all to engage in.?{PH122 6.2}[20]
“There should be men trained for this branch of the work who will be missionaries and will circulate publications. They should be men of good address, who will not repulse others, or be repulsed. This is a work which would warrant men to give their whole time and energies as the occasion demands.... God has committed to His people great light. This is not for them to selfishly enjoy alone, but to let its rays shine forth to others who are in the darkness of error.?{PH122 6.3}[21]
“You are not as a people doing one twentieth part of what might be done in spreading the knowledge of the truth. Very much more can be accomplished by the living preacher with the circulation of papers and tracts than by the preaching of the word alone without the publications. The press?is a powerful instrumentality, which God has ordained to be combined with the energies of the living preacher to bring the truth before all nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples.”?{PH122 6.4}[22]
To our canvassers I would say, Pray, O, pray for a deeper experience. Go forth with your hearts softened and subdued by a study of the precious truths which God has given us for this time. Drink freely of the water of salvation, that it may be in your hearts as a living spring, flowing forth to refresh souls ready to perish. God will then give wisdom to enable you to impart aright. He will make you channels for communicating His blessings. He will help you to reveal His attributes by imparting to others the wisdom and understanding that He has imparted to you.?{PH122 7.1}[23]
May the Lord open your minds to comprehend this subject in its length and breadth, and may you realize your duty to represent the character of Christ by patience, courage, and steadfast integrity. If you take these principles with you into the canvassing field, you will be respected, and many will believe the truth you advocate, because your daily life is a bright light, which gives light to all that are in the house. Even your enemies, as much as they war against your doctrines, will respect you; and when you have gained this much, your simple words will have power and will carry conviction to hearts.?{PH122 7.2}[24]
---Ellen G. White[25]
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