1.关于巴特尔克里克各种事务的特别证言
在夜间时分，我在显明巴特尔克里克一些事的一个异梦或异象中。我的向导说：“跟我来。”我就直接到了巴特尔克里克;街道上因为我们的人在骑自行车而很热闹。有一位从天上来的见证者看着我们的人放纵自己自私满足的欲望，使用应该投入到外国布道区、好在各城和大路小路上展开真理的旗帜的钱。在这个问题上有一种迷醉，一种狂热。当饥饿逼近千家万户时，那些投钱在这东西上的人们的做法并不对真理作有效的见证，证明万物的结局近了。这些事反对上帝已赐给祂的使者要传扬以便唤醒世人觉悟就要发生之大事的信息。{PH084 1.1}
那位天上来的见证者说：“我必因你讨人喜欢的照片和你自私的行为而转脸不顾你，这些事正在误表耶稣基督的宗教，因在行为上否认祂而在预备一班人被这些末后日子的欺骗所诱捕。”撒但能发明出来要使我们的人不忠于我们救恩的元帅耶稣基督的每一个计谋，都将准备妥当。我们的报刊上发布的通知，既吹捧自行车，就最好删掉，而代之以描绘贫困的外国园地。主说：“我的百姓行非做错并与他们的力量之源隔绝。他们在行为上否认我，我必转脸不顾他们，除非他们悔改，行起初所行的。”{PH084 1.2}
美国，尤其是巴特尔克里克，虽是天上来的最大亮光一直照耀在人们身上的地方，却可能成为最危险最黑暗的地方，因为人们没有继续实行真理且行在光中。去年冬天[1893-94]放弃珠宝和饰品的运动是什么意思呢?是为了给我们的人一个教训吗?他们是被圣灵促动去做这些事，并将利益用于推进上帝在外国的工作吗?撒但一直在对抗圣灵在人们心中的运行，以致反作用将被允许发生，而另一种邪恶要存在吗?当前的表现与那种剥去装饰品、放弃自私的放纵的行为惊人地不一致，这种放纵消耗了钱财、思想和感情，把它们引到错误的渠道中去。{PH084 2.1}
上帝赐给我的亮光是，内心有一番工夫要下，不允许意念和钱财被这样滥用，偏离那应该使每一个人都全神贯注的大主题——上帝的国和祂的义。要预备，为上帝的大日作好准备。巴特尔克里克的人怎么能解释这两种如此难以协调一致的运动呢?愿主帮助祂的代表们将他们的影响力转到祂能嘉许的渠道。{PH084 2.2}
圣灵的工作是担任责备者。我奉命对你们说，这就是在我们国家的每一个教会里一直在进行、将来也必须继续进行的工作。我们越接近这世界历史结束的场景，撒但的作为也越明显;各种欺骗会带头使人心因撒但的诡计而转离上帝。人心的想像力会被强烈地唤醒，为了方便而在建筑物上消耗金钱，或因撒但的某个借口或发明而不必要地花费钱财;以致会有更少的钱来支持园地里的工人，更少有钱用于开辟新园地，金钱将被不明智地挪用去做一些确实好的事，但却因做那些事而使更大更重要的工作受到限制，且使许多事情根本无法开始进行，无法以适当的尊严在新园地高举真理的旗帜，那种尊严是传扬应该传给我们世界的警告时应有的特征。如果在工作的大中心，脉搏跳动剧烈而不稳定，属灵生活的危险就会影响到整个身体。{PH084 2.3}
在巴特尔克里克的弟兄姐妹们，我请问你们，谁迷惑了你们，使你们不顺从真理，不仅在口头上不顺从，而且在行为上不顺从呢?要不要将偶像从心中驱逐出去，并让耶稣在那里作王呢?祂正站在每一个人心门外叩门;你们听见祂的声音说：“给我开门，我有天上的财宝，有价值不朽的货财;要向我买火炼的金子叫你富足;买白衣和眼药”了吗?这些是你需要的货财，你若拥有了它们，上帝之城的珍珠门就会向你敞开。祂一直在呼召，在祂赐给你们的丰盛的福音筵席上，你们可以吃生命的粮，基督仍在你们的心门外叩门。{PH084 3.1}
许多人前往巴特尔克里克，希望发现一种与天国相似的影响，但他们不久就发现那里的做法根本不符合他们的真理观和他们关于代表曾赐给世人的最纯洁神圣原则的与世人分别的特选子民的观念。许多人因与那些不献身、不舍己跟从耶稣基督之人联络而被误导，走入了歧途。这些假信徒充当了诱饵，使人偏离真理和公义的原则。{PH084 3.2}
在巴特尔克里克守住要塞的忠心哨兵在哪里呢?那些一刻也不放松警惕地守卫着，守望着，祈祷着，本着柔和谦卑行事为人，效法那位曾访问过我们世界的、为我们模范的最伟大布道士的义勇兵在哪里呢?{PH084 4.1}
我的灵魂不断受到重压，好像车压在禾捆之下。为什么人们在属灵上变得如此盲目呢?可怜的举止轻浮的人们更喜欢他们的偶像，而不是耶稣基督，让那些偶像进入内心，而耶稣却被遗弃在外面。难道你们要强迫上帝作工，把你们的偶像一个又一个地摔在地上，使那自称是基督徒的人，从能朽坏的被赶到永生吗?{PH084 4.2}
你们成了神圣庄严信息的保管者，向一个不知悔改的拜偶像的世界发出警告，耶和华不喜悦你们的行为;你们这样误表真理，用你们自己的做法否认这信息，祂不能让你们兴旺。我们的人愿意醒来吗?难道他们要继续竭尽全力去购买那些他们并不真正需要的东西吗?那些东西使他们在世人面前成为笑柄。主有金钱在祂的管家们手中，他们却将之盗用在某种形式的偶像上。{PH084 4.3}
我们已将我们在这个外国园地中的需要摆在你们面前，但你们却没有可听的耳，受感的心，你们非但不考虑我们在远方这个新园地的处境，不舍己以便使我们拥有设施，反而把上帝的东西捆绑在祂所称为偶像的东西上。现在是时候在巴特尔克里克有一种不同的事态了，否则上帝的审判必定临到百姓身上。祂的福气已大量降在你们身上，这使你们成为与祂同工的人了吗?我们在巴特尔克里克的人岂不是在向不信的人证明他们并不相信自己所提倡的真理吗?上帝一直在呼吁他们离开每一种自我放纵和各种奢侈浪费。教会有大光的时候，若不在光明中行走，穿上美丽的衣服，兴起发光，那就是她的危险时期了;黑暗就会蒙蔽眼力，以致光明被视为黑暗，黑暗被视为光明。当巴特尔克里克的信徒不只是偶尔痛悔，而是本着谦卑行事为人，作行道的人时，世界才会认出他们是跟过耶稣的。唉，圣灵怎样说话，才能打动人心，使他们听从祂的声音呢?{PH084 4.4}
怀爱伦
新南威尔士州格兰维尔，普罗斯佩克特街，诺福克公馆
1894年7月
*****
第二封信
我想提醒弟兄们所赐给我的关于不断投资在巴特尔克里克为要使房间更多更为舒适便利的劝告和警告。新的园地要进入;真理要被传讲，对万国作见证。工作受了阻碍，以至无法照所应当的那样在这些新的园地举起真理的旗帜。当我们在美国的弟兄们觉得有自由把钱财投在不妨没有甚至更好是没有的建筑物上时，上帝要求用在“你们以外的地方”(林后10:16)的成千上万的美元就这样被占用了。我已照主的话提出了警告和劝告;但我既看到虽有这一切，钱财还是被耗尽来满足这些假想的需要，心里就很悲伤;既已楼上加楼地建造，钱财就不能用在没有这些便利的地方，那些地方没有公开敬拜上帝的场所，不能给圣工增光添色，也无处可以举起真理的旗帜。我已将这些事摆在你们面前;可是你们仍一如既往，占用钱财，占用上帝的钱财在一个地点，尽管主已说了有太多钱财投资在一个地方，就意味着没有钱财可投在别的地方了，那些地方应该有楼房和设施，好开展工作。你们蒙了什么呼召去把成千上万的美元投资在另建校舍上呢?你们以为需要这笔开支，但岂没有恳求临到你们，劝你们不要这样投资吗? {PH084 5.1}
我蒙指示，得悉我们这个世界现有的可怖情形。施恩的天使正在敛翼准备离去。主抑制的能力正在从地上收回，撒但正努力鼓动宗教界各种分子，带领人们置身于那大骗子的训练之下，他在悖逆之子身上行各样出于不义的诡诈。地上的居民已集结在黑暗之君的领导之下，而这只不过是末时的开始。上帝的律法已经被取消。我们所见所闻的，无非是混乱与惶惑，缺乏与饥荒，地震与洪水;人们必行可怕的强暴;是情欲，而非理智掌权。上帝的忿怒已降在快要与所多玛、蛾摩拉居民同样腐化的现在世界上的居民身上。烈火与洪水现今正在毁灭千万的生灵，以及那由压迫穷人而自私自利积攒的财物。主将要提早结束祂的工作，并终止罪恶。甚愿这因末日流行的罪恶而出现在我眼前的情境，能在自称为上帝子民的心脑上留下合适的印象。{PH084 6.1}
挪亚的日子怎样，人子显现的日子也要怎样。主正在从地上撤除祂的约束，不久就必有死亡和毁灭，与日俱增的罪行，以及对那曾经高抬自己压迫穷人的富户，施以强暴残恶的行为发生。凡没有上帝保护的人，在任何处所，任何地位，都必找不到安全的保障。有人正在受着训练，并在运用其发明的能力，操纵那最强有力的机械来从事伤人害命的事。我们不该在巴特尔克里克或其它已建有我们机构的地方扩大或增加建筑，而应限制这些需要。应分散财力和工人，去“你们以外的地区”表扬真理并发出警告的信息。{PH084 7.1}
当以色列人行经旷野时，主保护他们免受毒蛇的危害;但及至时候来到，由于以色列人犯罪，顽梗，硬着颈项，主就撤去了祂抑制这些毒蛇的能力，许多人就被蛇咬伤致死了。当时那铜蛇被举了起来，凡悔改并本着信心仰望它的，就可以存活。在我们前面的混乱和艰难时期中，就是从有国以来没有过的大艰难时期中，被举起的救主将被传给全地的人，凡本着信心仰望祂的，都必得活。{PH084 7.2}
鉴于那在我们面前的可怕危机，那些自称相信真理的人在做什么呢?我的“向导”说“跟从我来，”我蒙祂所召，并蒙指示看到我们的人中间发生的事与他们的信仰不一致。似乎有一种自行车狂热。人们为满足这方面的热心所花的钱财若花在建造极需的礼拜堂上就会更好，好得多了。在巴特尔克里克有一些非常奇怪的事呈现在我面前。一种使人着迷的影响似乎在像波浪一样漫过我们在那里的人，我看到会有其它试探随此而来。撒但以刚强的心志作工，要劝诱我们的人把他们的光阴和金钱都用在满足假想的需要上。这是一种偶像崇拜。人们会效法这个榜样，而千百人正急需食粮，饥荒和瘟疫也为人所见所感，因为上帝按祂自己名的荣耀，不能保护那些正在行事与祂的旨意相反的人，我们自称敬爱并侍奉上帝的人因而就可像挪亚日子的人一样，随从他们心中的想象而行吗?{PH084 7.3}
你们既挪用钱财——上帝的钱财——来满足你们的爱好，就必须为此交账，传道工作已受了阻碍和约束，因为缺乏钱财和工人将真理的旗帜插在人们从未听过警告信息之处。上帝岂会对那些自私地取悦自己的想象力并满足自己的欲望的人说：“好，你这又良善又忠心的仆人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把许多事派你管理;可以进来享受你主人的快乐”(太25:23)吗?你们在巴特尔克里克的人在向一个不信的世界为真理作怎样的见证呢?我蒙指示，主并没有面带喜悦地看着你们的行为，因为你们的行为与你们所自称的信仰是矛盾的。你们并不是遵行基督话语的人。{PH084 8.1}
我的“向导”告诉我说：“你看，看我百姓的偶像崇拜，我一早起来就一直在向他们讲话，提出他们的危险。我指望他们结出果子来。”有些人在力争掌权，每个人都设法在自行车比赛上胜过别人。在他们中间有一种纷争和竞争的精神，以致争论谁该是最伟大的。这种精神与大学校园的棒球比赛中彰显的精神相似。我的“向导”说：“这些事是得罪上帝的。远近的人都在因缺乏生命的粮和救恩的水而沦亡。”何时撒但在一条战线上被击败了，他就必施以别的看来既迷人又必要的阴谋诡计，占用人们的钱财和思想，并助长自私自利，以便他可以胜过那些很容易被带入错误和自私放纵中的人。{PH084 8.2}
要问的问题是：这些人为推进上帝的圣工有什么负担呢?他们在哪一点认识到现代工作的重要性呢?基督对祂的门徒说过：“你们是世上的光。……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5:14,16)。这种花钱的方法和这种在巴特尔克里克街道上的飞车比赛，证明你们相信那要传给站在永恒世界边缘之人的最后的严肃警告吗? {PH084 9.1}
我在美国的弟兄姐妹们，我呼吁你们。“上帝是轻慢不得的。人种的是什么，收的也是什么”(加6:7)。许多人的生活太优美，太讲究了。他们对于作耶稣基督的精兵要忍受的艰苦毫无所知。他们乃是救灵工作的障碍。他们有许多欲望;每件事物都要便利舒适、好看，适合他们的品味。他们自己什么都不愿做，那些愿意有所作为的人，也因他们假想和想象的需要以及他们对偶像的喜爱而受了阻碍。他们自认为是基督徒，但他们却全不晓得实际基督化人生意味着什么。作基督徒意味着什么呢?意味着要像基督一样。耶稣说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，天天背起他的十字架来跟从我”(路9:23)。何时主看到祂的百姓约束自己想象中的需要，实行克己，不是像罗得的妻子离开所多玛时带着的忧伤惋惜的精神，而是为基督的缘故欢喜快乐，且是因为这样做是对的才去做，那时圣工就会带着能力向前推进。无论何事何物，无论多么亲爱，多么喜爱，多么吸引你的心意和情意，都不可让它使你转离对圣经的研究和极其恳切的祈祷。要警醒祷告，要活出你自己的请求，藉着与上帝和谐同工来与祂合作，一切以偶像的形式出现的事，都当自心殿中予以驱逐。现在是上帝的时候，而祂的时候也就是你的时候。要打那美好的信心之仗，拒绝思想或谈论不信的事。有一个世界要听见慈怜的最后警告。{PH084 9.2}
怀爱伦
1894年7月20日写于澳大利亚新南威尔士州格兰维尔普罗斯佩克特街诺福克公馆
PH084 - Special Testimonies - Relating to Various Matters in Battle Creek
(Hitherto unpublished.)
In the night season I was in a dream or vision, which revealed some things in Battle Creek. My guide said, “Follow me.” I was directly in Battle Creek; the streets were alive with bicycles ridden by our own people. There was a witness from heaven beholding our people indulging their desire for selfish gratification, and using the money in this way that should be invested in foreign missions, to unfurl the banner of truth in the cities, and in the by-ways of the land. There was an infatuation, a craze upon the subject. The course of those who invest money in these things when starvation is at the very door of thousands, does not bear as telling testimony to the truth that the end of all things is at hand. These things are counterworking against the messages that God has given his messengers to proclaim in order to arouse the world to the great event which is just before us.?{PH084 1.1}[1]
The Witness from heaven said, “I will turn my face from you for your pleasant picture and your selfish practices which are misrepresenting the religion of Jesus Christ, and preparing a people, through denying him in practice, to be ensnared by the deceptions of these last days.” Every device that Satan can invent to make our people disloyal to Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation, will be ready at hand. The notices given in our papers extolling bicycles might better be cut out and in their place the destitute foreign fields be represented.?“My people,” saith the Lord, “do err and separate from the Source of their strength. In their works they deny me, and I will turn my face from them, unless they repent and do their first works.”?{PH084 1.2}[2]
America, and especially Battle Creek, where the greatest light from heaven has been shining upon the people, can become the place of greatest peril and darkness because the people do not continue to practice the truth and walk in the light. What was the meaning of the movement last winter [1893-94] in giving up jewelry and ornaments? Was it to teach our people a lesson? Were they prompted by the Holy Spirit to do those things, and to use the avail in the advancement of the work of God in foreign countries? And has Satan been counteracting the movement of the Holy Spirit upon human hearts, that reaction shall be allowed to take place, and another evil exist? The present manifestation is strikingly inconsistent with that movement of stripping off the ornaments and giving up selfish indulgences which absorb the means, the mind, and the affections, diverting them into false channels.?{PH084 2.1}[3]
The light given me of God is that there is a work to be wrought in the heart which will not permit the mind and means to be thus perverted from the great subject that should absorb every mind,—the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Prepare, prepare for the great day of God. How can the people of Battle Creek interpret such movements, so difficult to harmonize one with the other? May the Lord help his representative men to turn their influence into channels which he can approve.?{PH084 2.2}[4]
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to act as a reprover. This I am bidden to say to you, is the work that has been and must continue to be carried on in every church in our land. The more nearly we approach the closing scenes of this earth’s history, the more pronounced will be the work of Satan; every species of?deception will take the lead to divert the mind from God through Satan’s devices. The imagination will be intensely awakened in human minds to absorb money in buildings for convenience or to expend it unnecessarily through some excuse or invention of Satan; so that there will be less money to support laborers in the field, and less money for the opening of new fields, and money will be unwisely appropriated to do things that are really good works, but by doing which the larger and more essential work is cramped, and many things cannot be undertaken at all, in the lifting of the banner of truth in new fields, with the proper dignity that should characterize the proclamation of warning that should be given to our world. If at the great heart of the work the pulse beats are violent and erratic, the peril to spiritual life affects the whole body.?{PH084 2.3}[5]
Brethren and sisters in Battle Creek, I inquire, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, not only by profession, but by practice? Shall the idols be expelled from the heart, and Jesus be enthroned there? He is standing knocking at the door of every heart; do you hear his voice saying, Open unto me, I have heavenly treasures, goods of imperishable value; buy of me gold tried in the fire that you may be rich; buy white raiment and eye-salve? These are the goods you need, which, if you possess, will open to you the pearly gates of the city of God. He has been calling, calling, in the rich gospel feast he has presented to you, that you may be fed with the Bread of Life, and Christ is still knocking at the door of your hearts.?{PH084 3.1}[6]
Many go to Battle Creek expecting to find an influence similar to that of heaven, but they soon find practices not at all in accordance with their ideas of truth, and the separate, peculiar people who are to represent the most pure, holy principles of religion that were ever given to the world. Many have been led to walk in false paths through being brought in connection with those?who are not consecrated, self-denying followers of Jesus Christ. These false professors have served as decoys to divert souls from the principles of truth and righteousness.?{PH084 3.2}[7]
Where are the faithful sentinels in Battle Creek to keep the fort? Where are the minute men to be on guard and not relax their vigilance for one moment,—men who watch, men who pray, men who walk humbly in meekness and lowliness, after the example of the greatest Missionary that ever visited our world, who is our Pattern??{PH084 4.1}[8]
My soul is weighed down continually as a cart beneath sheaves. O why do men become so spiritually blind? Poor triflers prefer their idols to Jesus Christ, admitting them into the heart, while Jesus is left standing without. Will you compel God to work, and dash one after another of your idols to the ground, that those who claim to be Christians may be driven from the perishable to the eternal??{PH084 4.2}[9]
You have been made the depositaries of sacred, solemn messages of warning to an idolatrous and impenitent world, and the Lord is not pleased with your ways; he cannot prosper you in thus misrepresenting the truth, denying the message by your own course of action. Will our people awake? Will they continue to strain every nerve to purchase things they do not positively need, which are making them a by-word before the world? The Lord has money in the hands of his stewards, which they are misappropriating, binding it up in idols of some description.?{PH084 4.3}[10]
We have set before you our wants in this foreign field, but you have not had ears to hear and hearts to feel, and instead of considering our position in this new region beyond, instead of denying yourselves that we may have facilities, you bind up the things of God in the things which he names idols. It is time that there was a different order of things in Battle Creek, else the?judgments of God will surely fall upon the people. His blessing has rested upon you in large measure; has it made you laborers together with him? Are not our people in Battle Creek demonstrating to unbelievers that they do not believe the truth which they claim to advocate? God has been calling them away from every species of self-indulgence, and all manner of extravagance. When the church has had great light, then is her peril if she does not walk in the light, and put on her beautiful garments, and arise and shine; darkness will becloud the vision, so that light will be regarded as darkness, and darkness as light. When the believers in Battle Creek shall not only be penitent occasionally, but shall walk in humility, doers of the word, the world will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. O how can the Spirit speak to impress hearts so that they will obey his voice.?{PH084 4.4}[11]
---Ellen G. White?Norfolk Villa, Prospect St., Granville, N. S. W.,July, 1894.[12]
【Second Letter】
I wish to remind my brethren of the cautions and warnings that have been given me in reference to constantly investing means in Battle Creek in order to make a little more room, or to make things more convenient. New fields are to be entered, the truth is to be proclaimed as a witness to all nations. The work is hindered, so that the banner of truth cannot be uplifted, as it should be, in these new fields. While our brethren in America feel at liberty to invest means in buildings which time will reveal that they would do just as well and even better without, thousands of dollars are thus absorbed that the Lord called for, to be used in “regions beyond.” I have presented the warnings and the caution, as the word of the Lord; but my?heart has been made sad to see that, notwithstanding all these, means has been swallowed up to satisfy these supposed wants, building has been added to building, so that the money could not be used in places where they have no conveniences, no building for the public worship of God or to give character to the work, no place where the banner of truth could be uplifted. These things I have set before you, and yet you have gone on just the same, absorbing means, God’s means, in one locality, when the Lord has spoken that too much was already invested in one place, which meant that there was nothing in other places where there should be buildings and facilities to make even a beginning. What call had you to invest thousands of dollars in additional school buildings? You supposed you needed all this outlay, but did not entreaties come for you not to do this??{PH084 5.1}[13]
I was shown that a terrible condition of things is seen to exist in our world. The angel of mercy is folding her wings, ready to depart. Already the Lord’s restraining power is being withdrawn from the earth, and the power of Satan is working in the world to stir up the religious elements, under the training of the great deceiver, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in the children of disobedience. Already the inhabitants of the earth are marshalling under the leadings of the prince of darkness, and this is only the beginning of the end. The law of God is made void. We see and hear of confusion, perplexities, want and famine, earthquakes and floods; terrible outrages will be committed by men; passion not reason bears sway. The wrath of God is upon the inhabitants of a world that is fast becoming as corrupt as were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. Already fires and floods are destroying thousands of human beings and the property that has been selfishly boarded by the oppression of the poor. The Lord is soon to cut short his work, and put?an end to sin. O that the scenes which have come before me, of the iniquities practiced in these last days, might make a suitable impression on the minds of God’s professed people.?{PH084 6.1}[14]
As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of man shall be revealed. The Lord is removing his restrictions from the earth, and there will be death and destruction, and increasing crime, and evil, cruel workings against the rich who have exalted themselves above the poor. Those who have not God’s protection will find no safety in any place or position. Human agents are being trained, and are using their inventive power to put in operation all the most powerful machinery to wound and kill. Instead of our enlarging and erecting additional buildings in Battle Creek or other places where our institutions are already established, there should be a limiting of the wants. Let the means and workers be scattered to represent the truth and give the warning message in “regions beyond.”?{PH084 7.1}[15]
When the children of Israel were on their journey through the wilderness, the Lord protected them from the venomous serpents; but there came a time when, because of Israel’s stubbornness and impenitence and transgression, the Lord removed his restraining power from these reptiles whose sting was deadly, and many were bitten and died. Then it was that the brazen serpent was uplifted, that all who repented and looked to it in faith might live. In the time of confusion and trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, the uplifted Saviour will be presented to the people in all lands and in all places, that all who look may live.?{PH084 7.2}[16]
But in view of the terrible crisis before us, what are those doing who claim to believe the truth? I was called by my Guide, who said, “Follow me,” and I was shown things among our people that were not in accordance with their faith. There seemed to be a bicycle?craze; money was spent to gratify an enthusiasm in this direction that might better, far better, have been invested in building houses of worship where they are greatly needed. There were presented before me some very strange things in Battle Creek. There seemed to be a bewitching influence which was passing as a wave over our people there, and which will be followed by other temptations. Anything that can absorb means in meeting supposed wants in any direction, Satan will use with intensity of purpose to induce our people to invest their time and money. It is all a species of idolatry. The example will be followed, and while hundreds are starving for bread, while famine and pestilence are being seen and felt, because God cannot, according to his own name’s glory, protect those who are determinedly working contrary to his will, shall our people who profess to love and serve God, be acting as did the people in the days of Noah, following the imagination of their own hearts??{PH084 7.3}[17]
While you have been gratifying your inclination in the appropriation of money—God’s money—for which you must give an account, missionary work has been hindered, and bound about for want of money and workers to lift the banner of truth in localities where they have never even heard the message of warning. Will God say to those who are selfishly pleasing their own imagination and gratifying their own desires, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord? Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.” What kind of witness for the truth are you in Battle Creek bearing to the unbelieving world? I have been shown that the Lord does not look upon your course with favor, for your practice contradicts your profession of faith. You are not doers of the words of Christ.?{PH084 8.1}[18]
I was told by my Guide, “Look ye, and behold the?idolatry of my people, to whom I have been speaking, rising up early, and presenting to them their dangers. I looked that they should bring forth fruit.” There were some who were striving for the mastery, each striving to excel others in the swift running of their bicycles. There was a spirit of strife and contention among them as to which should be the greatest. The spirit was similar to that manifested in the base ball games on the College ground. Said my guide, “These things are an offense to God. Both near and afar off, souls are perishing for the bread of life and the waters of salvation. When Satan is defeated in one line, he will be all ready with other schemes and plans which will appear attractive and needful and which will absorb money and thought and encourage selfishness, so that he can overcome those who are so easily led into a false and selfish indulgence.?{PH084 8.2}[19]
The question will arise, What burden do these persons carry for the advancement of the work of God? Wherein do they realize the importance of the work for this time? Christ said to his disciples, “Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men that they by seeing your good works may glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Is this investment of money, and this spinning of bicycles through the streets of Battle Creek, giving evidence of the genuineness of your faith in the proclamation of the last most solemn warning to be given to human beings on the very verge of the eternal world??{PH084 9.1}[20]
Brethren and sisters in America, I make my appeal to you. God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The lives of many are too delicate and dainty; they know nothing of bearing hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. They themselves are obstructions in the way of soul-saving. They have many wants, everything must be convenient, and easy, and nice, to suit their taste; they themselves will?not move, and those who would move they hinder by their suppositions and imaginary wants and their love of idols. They think themselves Christians, but do not know what the practical Christian life signifies. What is the definition of Christian? It is to be Christ-like. “He who will come after me,” said Jesus, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” When the Lord sees his people binding about their imaginary wants, practicing self-denial, not in a mournful, regretful spirit, as Lot’s wife left Sodom, but joyfully, for Christ’s sake, and because it is the right thing to do, then the work will go forward with power. Let nothing, however dear, however loved, absorb your mind and affections, diverting you from the searching of the Scriptures, or from most earnest prayer. Watch unto prayer, live your own requests, co-operate with God by working in harmony with him, expel everything from the soul temple which assumes the form of an idol. Now is God’s time, and his time is your time. Fight the good fight of faith, refuse to think unbelief or to talk unbelief. There is a world to hear the last warning of mercy.?{PH084 9.2}[21]
---Ellen G. White?Norfolk Villa, Prospect St., Granville, N. S. W.,July 20, 1894.[22]
搜索
