节制的工作
(1908年5月24日)
节制守望者
上帝吩咐祂的子民团结一致地侍奉祂，以便他们按照基督的路线作工。这最后警告的信息必须传给世界，不断需要有人愿意前去把信息带到正在求助的传道园地。有些人虽然不能亲自到这些园地去，但他们可以用自己的钱财帮助支持这项工作。{PH093 2.1}
许多人可以参加销售我们期刊的工作。这样他们就能在家乡园地的小路和篱笆那里撒播真理种子的同时挣钱帮助外国园地的工作。这种工作必蒙上帝赐福，也必不会做得徒然。{PH093 2.2}
无论你到哪里，都要让你的光照出来。要把我们的报刊和小册子递给你所交往的人;当你乘车，访问，与邻舍交谈时，要善用每一个机会说合宜的话。圣灵会使那种子在一些人心中多产。{PH093 2.3}
我们这班子民在与人接触时应培育仁慈和有礼的态度。我们应当避免一切粗鲁之举，始终以一种从容的态度表现真理。这真理对于接受的人丰生命，永远的生命。所以要研究如何从容有礼地把暂时的话题转到属灵永恒的话题。救主工作时是最有礼貌的。要设法以最温柔的方式介绍你的使命。当你走在路上，或坐在路旁时，可以在人心中撒下真理的种子。{PH093 2.4}
关于南方出版社即将出版的《守望者》节制特刊，我要说几句鼓励的话。我会很高兴看到我们的各区会藉着大量推广这期特刊来帮助这项工作。不要禁止这种努力，而要让大家协助发行这期节制特刊。{PH093 3.1}
现在是推广这场运动的最好时机，因为节制问题正在引起广泛的兴趣。我们各地的人要坚定地负起责任来，宣扬我们在节制问题上的立场。要千方百计发出强烈而激动人心的呼吁，要求关闭酒馆。要让这份刊物成为强大的向善力量。我们的节制工作要更有精神，更加坚决。{PH093 3.2}
在你们散发到各城各镇的书报中，必发出宝贵的亮光。你们谦卑的祈祷，你们无私的活动，必蒙上帝赐福，在耶稣里的真理也必临到那些需要它的人。基督在世上时曾对人们说过的话，祂要藉着谦卑忠心的信徒再次讲说。祂要藉着他们赐给人们生命的粮和救恩的水。弟兄们哪，要存谦卑的心开始从事这项工作。真敬虔的纯朴会使你们受到尊重，也会引领男男女女寻求你们的力量之源。相信，就必得着你们所求的东西。{PH093 3.3}
基督教妇女节制协会是一个倡导节制原则的组织;我们可以与他们衷心合作。主已赐我亮光，我们不应离他们远远站着，而要在不牺牲原则的前提下，尽量在节制改良的工作上与他们联合。我丈夫和我在我们的工作中与这些节制工作者们联合，也曾快乐地看到一些与我们联合作工的人遵守了真正的安息日。在他们中间对我们有一种强烈的偏见，但我们不要藉着站得远远的来消除这种偏见。上帝正试验我们。我们要在有条件的时候与他们合作;在彻底关闭酒馆的问题上，我们确实可以与他们合作。{PH093 4.1}
当人的意志服从上帝的旨意时，圣灵就会感动他所服务之人的心。我蒙指示，我们不要回避基督教妇女节制协会的工作人员。我们在戒酒的事上与他们合作，并不改变我们遵守第七日的立场。我们可以表明我们赞同他们关于节制问题的立场。我们可以敞开门户，邀请他们在节制问题上与我们联合，从而使我们在节制战线上获得他们的帮助。藉着与我们联合，他们也会听到圣灵正等着要印在他们心上的新真理。{PH093 4.2}
我的弟兄们，要与基督同工。无论得时不得时，都要竭尽所能努力传播现代真理的亮光。主已教导我们知道那把我们系在永活磐石上的缆索是多么安全。这里有一个机会为那些只在某些要点上拥有真理、但在其它要点上却不牢靠的人作工。你们只要可能，就要和人们保持联络。“你们的光也当这样照在人前，叫他们看见你们的好行为，便将荣耀归给你们在天上的父”(太5:16)。{PH093 5.1}
“你们亲近上帝，上帝就必亲近你们”(雅4:8)。“听从我，日日在我门口仰望，在我门框旁边等候的，那人便为有福”(箴8:34)。“疲乏的，祂赐能力。软弱的，祂加力量。就是少年人也要疲乏困倦，强壮的也必全然跌倒。但那等候耶和华的，必从新得力，他们必如鹰展翅上腾，他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏”(赛40:29-31)。“我呼求的日子，祢就应允我，鼓励我，使我心里有能力”(诗138:3)。{PH093 5.2}
我恳劝每一个人都寻求真正回转的心，然后参与拯救宝贵生灵的工作。
怀爱伦{PH093 5.3}
怀爱伦著作摘录
“我们需要在我们的信徒中重新提出节制问题。在我们的帐篷大会上，邀请基督教妇女节制协会的人员来参加我们的活动是一件好事。这会帮助他们了解我们信仰的缘由，同时也为我们打开在节制工作中与他们合作的门路。{PH093 6.1}
“我曾有机会看到与基督教妇女节制协会工作人员联络的极大好处;我很惊讶看到我们的许多领袖对这个组织的冷漠。我呼吁我的弟兄们清醒起来。我们在不牺牲原则的前提下与基督教妇女节制协会的工作人员合作，能作成最好的工作。{PH093 6.2}
“远离基督教妇女节制协会的工人，已使我们的人失去太多;基督教妇女节制协会的成员也蒙受损失。……在有些事情上，他们比我们从事重要节制工作的领袖们远为先进。”(未发表证言1907年9月2日){PH093 6.3}
“让我们努力接触他们的心——不是通过传道人的学术辩论，而是通过有影响有智慧之妇女聪明的努力;她们在这项事工中投入了光阴和精力。”(特别证言1900年4月18日){PH093 6.4}
“愿全国人民要求他们的立法者制止这种伤风败俗的交易。”(小册子《醉酒与犯罪》，1907年11月){PH093 6.5}
“在我们的工作上，我们应当多注意些关于节制的改革。在这种改革上的每一义务中，含有悔改，信心，及顺从。这意思就是要救拔人到一种新的高尚的生活中。这样看来，各种真实的改革，都在第三天使信息的工作中有它的地位。节制改革尤其是我们所当注意并尽力支持的。在我们的帐棚大会上，我们应该唤起人们注意这项工作，并且使之成为一个人们积极讨论的问题。我们应该把真节制的各项原则呈现在人们面前，并且要求他们签署节制保证书。应当小心注意那些向来被恶习所奴役的人们。我们必须领导他们来到基督的十字架前。……在应付这种恶习上，将来必须有胜于已往更大的胆量才行。传道人及医师们应当把不节制之害，痛陈于人前。……{PH093 7.1}
“在其他教会中，有基督徒起来捍卫节制的原则。我们应当和这些人接近，设法使他们与我们来并肩作战。……如果我们推进节制的工作，像三十年前开始时的那样努力;如果在帐棚聚会中，我们向会众们提到饮食的不节制，尤其是饮酒的害处;如果我们把这些事与基督快来的凭据连在一起传讲，就会在民众之间发生极大的反应。”(《评论与通讯》1907年8月29日){PH093 7.2}
基督徒应投票支持禁酒和完全戒酒
下文引自1906年10月11日《评论与通讯》，对于我们思考节制问题来说非常重要，因为有些人反对投票，甚至反对禁止酒类交易。{PH093 8.1}
社会道德的瘫痪有一个原因。我们的法律支持一种正在侵蚀其基础的祸害。许多人悲叹他们所知道的错误，但认为自己在这个问题上没一点儿责任。这是不可能的。每个人都在社会中发挥一种影响。在这个上帝所眷爱的国家里，每一个投票的人都有发言权，决定管理国家的法律。投票者的影响和所投的票难道不该放在节制和美德一边吗?”{PH093 8.2}
在同期290页上，我们还有对同一论点的小小补充：{PH093 8.3}
“提倡节制的人若没有藉着言传身教，藉着发言、写作和投票，发挥他们的影响力，支持禁酒及完全节制，就没有尽到他们全部的责任。我们不必指望上帝会施行奇迹促成这场改良，而无须我们自己作出努力。我们必须努力对付这个大敌，我们的座右铭是：‘不妥协，’也不停止我们的努力，直到获得胜利。”{PH093 8.4}
PH093 - The Temperance Work
(May 24, 1908.)
【The Temperance Watchman】
God bids his people blend harmoniously in their service for him, that they may work in Christ’s lines. This last message of warning must be brought to the world; and there are continual calls for those who will go forth and carry the message to the missionary fields that are calling for help. There are some who cannot themselves go to these fields, but they can help with their means in the support of the work.?{PH093 2.1}[1]
Many can engage in the work of selling our periodicals. Thus they can earn means for the work in foreign fields while sowing seeds of truth in the byways and hedges in the home field. Such labor will be blessed of God, and it will not be done in vain.?{PH093 2.2}[2]
Wherever you go, let your light shine forth. Hand our papers and pamphlets to those with whom you associate, when you are riding on the cars, visiting, conversing with your neighbors; and improve every opportunity to speak a word in season. The Holy Spirit will make the seed productive in some hearts.?{PH093 2.3}[3]
As a people we should cultivate kindliness and courtesy in our association with those whom we meet. Let us avoid any abruptness of manner, and strive always to present the truth in an easy way. This truth means life, eternal life to the receiver. Study therefore?to pass easily and courteously from subjects of a temporal nature to the spiritual and eternal. A most courteous manner characterized the work of the Saviour. Seek in the most gentle way to introduce your mission. While walking by the way, or seated by the wayside, you may drop into some heart the seed of truth.?{PH093 2.4}[4]
I have words of encouragement to speak in regard to the special number of the Watchman, which the Southern Publishing House is soon to bring out. I shall rejoice to see our conferences help in this work by taking a large number of this issue for circulation. Let there be no forbiddings placed upon the effort, but let all take hold to give this temperance number a wide circulation.?{PH093 3.1}[5]
There could not be a better time than now for a movement of this kind, when the temperance question is creating such widespread interest. Let our people everywhere take hold decidedly to let it be seen where we stand on the temperance question. Let everything possible be done to circulate strong, stirring appeals for the closing of the saloon. Let this paper be made a power for good. Our work for temperance is to be more spirited, more decided.?{PH093 3.2}[6]
Precious light will be given in the publications you scatter through the towns and cities. Your humble prayers, your unselfish activity, will be blessed by God, and the truth as it is in Jesus will come to those who need it. The words that Christ spoke to men while he was in the world, he will speak again?through his humble, faithful followers. Through them he will give to men the bread of life and the waters of salvation. Brethren, take up this work in humility of heart. The simplicity of true godliness will cause you to be respected, and will lead men and women to seek the source of your power. Believe, and you will receive the things you ask for.?{PH093 3.3}[7]
The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union is an organization with whose efforts for the spread of temperance principles we can heartily unite. The light has been given me that we are not to stand aloof from them, but, while there is to be no sacrifice of principle on our part, as far as possible we are to unite with them in laboring for temperance reforms. My husband and I in our labors united with these temperance workers, and we had the joy of seeing several unite with us in the observance of the true Sabbath. Among them there is a strong prejudice against us, but we will not remove this prejudice by standing aloof. God is testing us. We are to work with them when we can; and we can assuredly do this on the question of utterly closing the saloon.?{PH093 4.1}[8]
As the human agent submits his will to the will of God, the Holy Spirit will make the impression upon the hearts of those to whom he ministers. I have been shown that we are not to shun the W. C. T. U. workers. By uniting with them in behalf of total abstinence, we do not change our position regarding the observance of the seventh day, and we can show our appreciation of their position regarding the subject of temperance. By opening?the door and inviting them to unite with us on the temperance question, we secure their help along temperance lines; and they, by uniting with us, will hear new truths which the Holy Spirit is waiting to impress upon hearts.?{PH093 4.2}[9]
My brethren, be workers together with Christ. Make every possible effort in season and out of season to spread the light of present truth. The Lord has taught us how safe is the cable that anchors us to the living Rock. Here is an opportunity to labor for those who have truth on some points, but who on other points are not safely anchored. Keep in touch with the people wherever you can. “Let you light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”?{PH093 5.1}[10]
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, and waiting at the posts of my doors.” “He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” “In the day that I called he answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.”?{PH093 5.2}[11]
I entreat every soul to seek for true conversion of heart, and then labor for the salvation of precious souls.?---Ellen G. White{PH093 5.3}[12]
【Extracts from the Writings of Mrs. E. G. White】
“We need to have the temperance question revived among our own people. It would be a good thing if at our camp-meetings we would invite the members of the W. C. T. U. to take part in our exercises. This will help them to become acquainted with the reasons of our faith, and will open the way for us to unite with them in temperance work.?{PH093 6.1}[13]
“I have had some opportunity to see the great advantage to be gained by connecting with the W. C. T. U. workers, and I have been much surprised as I have seen the indifference of many of our leaders to this organization. I call on my brethren to awake. We cannot do better work than to unite, so far as we can do so without compromise, with W. C. T. U. workers.?{PH093 6.2}[14]
“By holding ourselves aloof from the workers in the W. C. T. U., our people have lost much; and the members of the W. C. T. U. also have been on losing ground.... In some matters they are far in advance of our leaders on the important question of temperance.”—Unpublished Testimony, dated September 2, 1907.?{PH093 6.3}[15]
“Let us strive to reach their hearts-not through the learned arguments of ministers, but through the wise efforts of women of influence and tact who can devote time and thought to this line of work.”—Special Testimony, dated April 18, 1900.?{PH093 6.4}[16]
“Let the voices of the nation demand of its lawmakers that a stop be put to this?infamous traffic.”—Tract on Drunkenness and Crime,?issued November, 1907.?{PH093 6.5}[17]
“In our work more attention should be given to the temperance reform. Every duty that calls for reform, involves repentance, faith, and obedience. It means the uplifting of the soul to a new and nobler life. Thus every true reform has its place in the third angel’s message. Especially does the Temperance Reform Demand Our Attention and Support. At our camp-meetings we should call attention to this work, and make it a living issue. We should present to the people the principles of true temperance, and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Careful attention should be given to those who are enslaved by evil habits. We must lead them to the cross of Christ.... This evil must be more boldly met in the future than it has been in the past. Ministers and doctors should set forth the evils of intemperance....?{PH093 7.1}[18]
“In other churches there are Christians who are standing in defense of the principles of temperance. We should seek to come near to these workers, and make a way for them to stand shoulder to shoulder with us.... If the work of temperance were carried forward by us as it was begun thirty years ago; if at our camp-meetings we presented before the people the evils of intemperance in eating and drinking, and especially the evil of liquor drinking; if these things were presented in connection with the evidences of Christ’s soon coming, there would be a shaking among the people.”—The Review and Herald, August 29, 1907.?{PH093 7.2}[19]
【Christians Should Vote for Prohibition and Total Abstinence】
The following appeared in?The Review and Herald, October 11, 1906?and is of importance in our consideration of the temperance question, because some have refrained from voting, even for prohibition of the liquor traffic.?{PH093 8.1}[20]
There is a cause for the moral paralysis upon society. Our laws sustain an evil which is sapping their very foundations. Many deplore the wrongs which they know exist, but consider themselves free from all responsibility in the matter. This cannot be. Every individual exerts an influence in society. In our favored land every voter has some voice in determining what laws shall control the nation. Should not that influence and vote be on the side of temperance and virtue?”?{PH093 8.2}[21]
Again, on page 290, same paper, we have a little more on the same point, as follows:-?{PH093 8.3}[22]
“The advocates of temperance fail to do their whole duty unless they exert their influence, by precept and example, by voice and pen and vote, in behalf of prohibition and total abstinence. We need not expect that God will work a miracle to bring about this reform, and thus remove the necessity for our exertion. We ourselves must grapple this giant foe, our motto, ‘No compromise,’ and no cessation of our efforts till victory is gained.”?{PH093 8.4}[23]
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