一.关于教会学校的特别证言
(1897年12月15日写于新南威尔士州库兰邦，“森尼赛德”)
亲爱的弟兄：
在你的信中，你问了我一些严肃的问题，并提出了明智而正确的主张。凡有教会或信徒团体的地方，都应设立学校。应聘请教师教育守安息日者的子女。这会关闭大门，免得大量的人漂进巴特尔克里克，那是主已警告他们不要去的地方。在所赐给我的亮光中，我蒙指点看到分散在不同地方的教会，我蒙指示看到，这些教会的力量取决于他们在用途和效率上的长进。{PH081 3.1}
巴特尔克里克的建筑——在巴特尔克里克堆积如山的大量责任，不符合主在我们面前所定的原则。在巴特尔克里克应该有更少的建筑，不应召集人们拥挤在那里。所有这些大建筑物都不应该像现在这样挤在一起。它们本应该被安置在不同的地方，而不是在一个城市的中间。不同的城市应该在他们中间有真理的代表。我不能违背上帝的旨意，说，在巴特尔克里克建造更多的建筑;但我要说，建在其它地方吧。应该有更少的权益集中在巴特尔克里克，应该更多分布在没有东西给上帝的工作增光添色的其它地方。{PH081 3.2}
宣教的教师——我们所有的教会都应办学校。而学校的教师，应该是传教士。要训练教师不仅在科学方面，而且在圣经方面，能够很好地胜任教育守安息日者儿童的重要工作。这些设立在各地，由敬畏上帝的人所办的学校，依照情况需要，应该按着先知学校的原则建立。{PH081 4.1}
应该为青少年的教育培养专门的人才。要训练儿童成为传道士;然而很少有人清楚地明白他们应当怎样行才可以得救(徒16:30)。可惜只有很少的人受过必需的宗教教育。如果教师自己有宗教经验，他们就能把所领受的上帝之爱的知识传达给他们的学生。只有那些真正归主的人，才能传授这种知识，这是人所能担负最高尚的传道工作。{PH081 4.2}
重要学科——儿童在很小的时候，就应教导他们读、写和算术，记自己的账。他们能够在这种知识上日益长进。但最重要的还要教导他们：敬畏上帝是智慧的开端。要“令上加令，律上加律;这里一点，那里一点”地教导他们。教师始终不渝的目的，应当是教育儿童认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督。{PH081 4.3}
顺从——要告诉青年，任何形式的罪，都是属于圣经说的“违背律法”(约壹3:4)。罪源于第一个大叛徒。他是一个不顺服的臣民。他策动天家叛乱。他和他的所有同伙都被赶出了上帝的乐园。要用简单的语言，教导儿童必须顺从父母、把他们的心献给上帝。耶稣基督正等着要接纳并赐福他们，只要他们愿意到祂面前，求祂赦免他们的一切过犯，除去他们的一切罪恶。当他们求主赦免他们一切过犯的时候，就当相信祂必赦免。{PH081 5.1}
儿童作传道士——上帝希望每一个幼童成为祂的孩子，被接进祂的家中。他们虽然年幼，也能成为有信心之家庭的成员，获得宝贵的经验。他们可以有柔顺的心，准备接受恒久的感化。可以吸引他们的心信靠并热爱耶稣，为救主而生活。基督会使他们成为小传道士。他们整个的思想倾向，都可发生变化，以致不再视罪恶为可爱，而是可憎可恶并且回避了。{PH081 5.2}
儿童和少年，都必借着这种教训而获得好处。当教师如此简化救恩计划的时候，就能和他们所教导的人一同大大蒙福。上帝的圣灵将把这些训诲印在儿童易感的心中，使他们掌握简明的圣经真理的理念。上帝要赐给这些儿童传道的经验。祂将给他们启发一些甚至教师也未曾有的思想。{PH081 5.3}
受过正确教育的儿童，能为真理作见证。神经紧张和易怒的教师，不宜教育青少年。他们必须爱孩子，因为他们是上帝家里年幼的成员。主必像问父母们那样问他们：“你们对我的羊群，就是我佳美的羊群，做了什么呢?”{PH081 6.1}
家庭应是一个教会——令人惊讶的是，许多父母在拯救他们的儿女方面竟做得那么少。过着家庭生活的每一个家庭，都应当是一个教会，是上帝天上教会的美妙代表。父母如果明白自己对儿女的责任，就不会在任何环境下指责和谩骂他们了。这不是任何儿童所应接受的教育。许多孩子学会了吹毛求疵、暴躁易怒、斥责咒骂、情欲冲动，是因为父母允许他们在家里为所欲为。父母们应当想到自己在家里是代表上帝的，要鼓励每一正确的原则，抑止每一错误的思想。{PH081 6.2}
家庭训练——如果纵容儿童在家里不恭敬、不顺从、不感恩和暴躁易怒，他们的罪孽就伏在父母门前。父母特殊的工作就是慈爱亲切地教导儿女。他们要表明自己身为父母负有管教指导的责任，而不是听命于儿女。他们应把顺从的要求教导儿女，从而教育他们服从上帝的权威。{PH081 6.3}
教师的资格——在教育儿童和青少年的时候，教师不可让一句粗暴的话或态度，破坏他们的工作。因为这样做，会使学生感染他们所表现的精神。上帝希望我们的初级和高级学校，具有那种性质，以致上帝的天使能走过房间，并从学校的管理秩序和行政原则中，看见天国的管理秩序和施政原则。许多人认为这是不可能的;但每一学校必须从此出发，并以最大努力在校风、交际和训诲上，保持基督的精神。教师应置身于真光之中，使上帝能用他们为工具，将祂圣德的形像反映在学生身上。他们可以知道，敬畏上帝的教师时刻有天使来帮助，将所得的宝贵教训，铭刻在学生心上。{PH081 7.1}
有缺点的教师——主与每一个献身的教师同工。教师若认识到这一点，就必大大获益。那些受上帝训练的教师，自己并不制造任何东西。他们借着圣灵接受恩典、真理和亮光，好传达给孩子们。他们乃是在人类有史以来最伟大的教师手下工作。如果他们表现不仁慈的精神，刻薄的话语，充满了愤怒，那是多么不相宜啊!若是这样，他们日后就必在孩子们身上看到自己的缺点。{PH081 7.2}
圣经为教科书——只要我们肯向耶稣学习，我们对自己所能成就的事，就会有清楚的认识。天上平安和喜乐的泉源，一旦借着灵感之言进入教师的心，就会成为有力的感化之流，给一切与他接触的人，带来福惠。不要以为圣经对于儿童是一本枯燥的书。在一个智慧的教师指导之下，圣经必越来越有吸引力。它将成为永不陈旧的生命之粮。在圣经中有吸引和鼓舞儿童和青少年的新鲜和荣美。它如日光普照大地，不断带来光明和温暖，却永远不会耗尽。借着圣经的历史和要道，儿童和青少年能认识到其它一切的书远为逊色。他们能够在这里找到恩惠和慈爱的泉源。{PH081 8.1}
上帝的灵为教育者——上帝圣洁和教育人的灵，在祂的话中。从圣经的每一页中，放射出崭新的宝贵光芒。真理在其中显示出来，字字句句按时显明，作为上帝向人说话的声音。{PH081 8.2}
我们需要认识到圣灵是我们的启蒙导师。圣灵乐意教导儿童，向他们显明圣经的财宝和荣美。大教师所发的应许，将以神圣的属灵能力，俘获儿童的感官，使他们心灵充满活力。儿童善于领会知识的心灵，将越来越熟悉有关上帝的事。这种知识，乃是抵挡仇敌试探的屏障。{PH081 8.3}
基督化教育的结果——教师的工作是重要的。他们应当默想上帝的话。上帝就会借着祂的灵，与他们的心灵交通。当你研究的时候，要祷告说：“求祢开我的眼睛，使我看出祢律法中的奇妙”(诗119:18)。当教师在祈祷中依靠上帝的时候，基督的灵就会临到他，上帝就藉着圣灵通过他做学生的思想工作。圣灵将美好的希望、勇气和圣经中的美景，充满教师的心思意念，使教师把这一切传达给学生。真理的话，将显得越来越重要，其中包含着你永远梦想不到的丰富广泛的意义。上帝荣美宝贵的圣言，赋有改变心灵和品格的感化力。天国的仁爱的火花落在儿童心中，必成为鼓舞的力量。我们若愿意为他们作工，就能引领千百个儿童归向基督。{PH081 9.1}
扩大教育工作——但愿凡看到这些话的人都被融化和征服，让我们在我们的教育工作中开始做比我们已经为儿童和青少年做的多得多的事吧，就会有一整队传道士起来为上帝工作。我再说一遍，要在有教会的地方为孩子们建立学校，教会就是聚集起来敬拜上帝的人。哪里有教会，那里就应有学校。要工作，就像在为你的生命而工作，以避免孩子们被今生污染的、腐化的影响所淹没。{PH081 9.2}
新学校——太过分地集中在巴特尔克里克了。我不必建议在巴特尔克里克新建的楼房里听到斧子和锤子的声音。有些地方原本多年前就应该开办我们的学校。现在要在明智主管们的领导之下开办这些学校。年轻人应该在自己的教会里接受教育。在美国，你们可以建造三所学校的房子，比我们在这个国家建造一所学校的房子还便宜。当天意的安排已如此丰富地为我们提供了工作设施的时候，我们如此忽视为改善儿童和青少年的教育作好准备，乃是严重得罪上帝的。{PH081 9.3}
孩子们在学校的结交——难怪儿童和青少年不知不觉陷入诱惑，因与其他被忽视的孩子结交而受了错误的教育。这些孩子并没有明智地受教育要用他们活跃的头脑和肢体来做有益的工作。我们的学校应该教孩子们各种简单的劳动。他们既然一直被忽视，以致将他们的精力投入到了对他们无益的娱乐上，就难怪他们的宗教愿望被冷却，他们的属灵生活变得黑暗了。成千上万的人在自己家里几乎没有受过教育。母亲说：“太麻烦了，我情愿自己动手作这些事。真是太麻烦了;你真烦。”{PH081 10.1}
母亲担任教师——母亲难道忘记自己不是得一点一滴地学习，才会帮忙做家务的吗?你如果拒绝一点一点地教导儿童，就是亏待了他们。要把孩子留在身边。让他们提问，并耐心地回答。要给孩子们事情做，使他们获得以为是在帮助你的快乐。孩子要做好事时，决不要拒绝。他们如果做错了，或发生意外把东西弄坏了，也不要责备他们。他们一生的前途，有赖于你在他们幼年时所给的教育。要教导他们：他们身心的一切功能都要予以运用，都是属于主的，承诺为主服务。有些孩子，主很早就暗示了祂的旨意。父母和教师们：要开始教育儿童培养上帝所赐的才干。{PH081 10.2}
教会应对他们的孩子负责——我的弟兄，我对将这么多重要权益安置在巴特尔克里克的错误深有感触。有一个世界要接受真理之光。要是将这权益安置在了还没有开工的城市，警告的信息原会传到别的城市。你问过我关于在我们各教会开办的学校的事。我已设法回答你。集中在巴特尔克里克的亮光本应该一直在其它地方照耀。本应该在非常需要的地方开办学校。这会为正在漂进巴特尔克里克的儿童和青少年做好必要的安排。教会应为当地羊群中的小羊负起责任，看有多少人可以得到教育和训练来为上帝服务。{PH081 11.1}
怀爱伦夫人
PH081 - Special Testimonies on Church Schools
(“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N.S.W.,December 15, 1897.)
Dear Brother,In your letter you ask me serious questions, and lay out propositions which are sensible and right. There should be schools established wherever there is a church or company of believers. Teachers should be employed to educate the children of Sabbath-keepers. This would close the door to a large number who are drifting into Battle Creek,—the very place where the Lord has warned them not to go. In the light that has been given me, I have been pointed to the churches that are scattered in different localities, and have been shown that the strength of these churches depends upon their growth in usefulness and efficiency.?{PH081 3.1}[1]
Building in Battle Creek—A large amount of the responsibility piled up in Battle Creek is not in accordance with the principles that the Lord has set before us. There should be fewer buildings erected in Battle Creek to call the crowds of people there. All those large buildings should not be crowded together as they are. They should have been placed in different localities, and not in the very midst of one city. The various cities should have representatives of the truth in their midst. I cannot go contrary to the will of God, and say, Erect more buildings in Battle Creek; but I would say, Build in other?localities. There should be fewer interests centered at Battle Creek, and far more in other places where there is nothing to give character to the work of God.?{PH081 3.2}[2]
Missionary Teachers—In all our churches there should be schools, and teachers in those schools who are missionaries. It is essential that teachers be educated to act their important part in educating the children of Sabbath-keepers, not only in the sciences, but in the Scriptures. These schools, established in different localities, and conducted by God-fearing men and women, as the case demands, should be built upon the same principles as were the schools of the prophets.?{PH081 4.1}[3]
Special talent should be given to the education of the youth. The children are to be trained to become missionaries, and but few understand distinctly what they must do to be saved. Few have the instruction in religious lines that is essential. If the instructors have a religious experience themselves, they will be able to communicate to their students the knowledge of the love of God they have received. These lessons can only be given from those who are themselves truly converted; and this is the noblest missionary work that any man or woman can undertake.?{PH081 4.2}[4]
Essential Studies—Children should be educated to read, to write, to understand figures, to keep their own accounts, when very young. They may go forward, advancing step by step in this knowledge. But before everything else they should be taught that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. They may be educated line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; but the one aim ever before?the teacher should be to educate the children to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.?{PH081 4.3}[5]
Obedience—Teach the youth that sin in any line is defined in the Scriptures as “transgression of the law.” Sin originated with the first great apostate. He was a disobedient subject. He led the family of heaven into disobedience, and he and all who were united with him were cast out of the paradise of God. Teach the children in simple language that they must be obedient to their parents, and give their hearts to God. Jesus Christ is waiting to accept and bless them, if they will only come to him and ask him to pardon all their transgressions, and take away their sins. And when they ask him to pardon all their transgressions, they must believe that he will do it.?{PH081 5.1}[6]
Children as Missionaries—God wants every child of tender age to be his child, to be adopted into his family. Young though they may be, the youth may be members of the household of faith, and have a most precious experience. They may have hearts that are tender, and ready to receive impressions that will be lasting. They may have their hearts drawn out in confidence and love for Jesus, and live for the Saviour. Christ will make them little missionaries. The whole current of their thoughts may be changed, so that sin will not appear a thing to be enjoyed, but to be hated and shunned.?{PH081 5.2}[7]
Small as well as older children will be benefited by this instruction; and in thus simplifying the plan of salvation, the teachers will receive as great blessings as those who are taught. The Holy Spirit of God will impress the lessons upon the receptive minds of the children, that they?may grasp the ideas of Bible truth in their simplicity. And the Lord will give an experience to these children in missionary lines; he will suggest to them lines of thought which the teachers themselves did not have.?{PH081 5.3}[8]
The children who are properly instructed will be witnesses for the truth. Teachers who are nervous and easily irritated should not be placed over the youth. They must love the children because they are the younger members of the Lord’s family. The Lord will inquire of them as of the parents, “What have you done with my flock, my beautiful flock?”?{PH081 6.1}[9]
Home Should Be a Church—It is surprising to see how little is done by many parents to save their own children. Every family in the home life should be a church, a beautiful symbol of the church of God in heaven. If parents realize their responsibilities to their children, they would not under any circumstances scold and fret at them. This is not the kind of education any child should have. Many, many children have learned to be faultfinding, fretful, scolding, passionate children, because they were allowed to be passionate at home. Parents are to consider that they are in the place of God to their children, to encourage every right principle and repress every wrong thought.?{PH081 6.2}[10]
Home Training—If in their own homes children are allowed to be disrespectful, disobedient, unthankful, and peevish, their sins lie at the door of the parents. It is the special work of fathers and mothers to teach their children with kindness and affection. They are to show that as parents they are the ones to hold the lines, to govern, and not to be governed by their children.?They are to teach that obedience is required of them, and thus they educate them to submit to the authority of God.?{PH081 6.3}[11]
Qualification of Teachers—In educating the children and youth, teachers should never allow one passionate word or gesture to mar their work, for in so doing, they imbue the students with the same spirit which they themselves possess. The Lord would have our primary schools as well as those for older persons, of that character that angels of God can walk through the room, and behold in the order and principles of government, the order and government of heaven. This is thought by many to be impossible; but every school should begin with this, and should work most earnestly to preserve the spirit of Christ in temper, in communications, in instruction, the teachers placing themselves in the channel of light where the Lord can use them as his agents, to reflect his own likeness of character upon the students. They may know that as God-fearing instructors they have helpers every hour to impress upon the hearts of the children the valuable lessons given.?{PH081 7.1}[12]
Defective Teachers—The Lord works with every consecrated teacher; and it is for his own interest to realize this. Instructors who are under the discipline of God do not manufacture anything themselves. They receive grace and truth and light through the Holy Spirit to communicate to the children. They are under the greatest Teacher the world has ever known, and how unbecoming it would be for them to have an unkind spirit, a sharp, harsh voice, full of irritation. In this they would perpetuate their own defects in the children.?{PH081 7.2}[13]
Bible as a Text-Book—O for a clear perception of what we might accomplish if we would learn of Jesus! The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of the teacher by the magic words of inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence, to bless all who connect with him. Do not think that the Bible will become a tiresome book to the children. Under a wise instructor the word will become more and more desirable. It will be to them as the bread of life, and will never grow old. There is in it a freshness and beauty that attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, giving its brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. By lessons from the Bible history and doctrine, the children and youth can learn that all other books are inferior to this. They can find here a fountain of mercy and of love.?{PH081 8.1}[14]
Spirit of God as an Educator—God’s holy, educating Spirit is in his word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth upon every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion as the voice of God speaking to them.?{PH081 8.2}[15]
We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the word of God. The promises spoken by the Great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful [mind] a familiarity with divine things which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.?{PH081 8.3}[16]
Results of Christian Education—The work of teachers is an important one. They should make the word of God their meditation. God will communicate by his own Spirit to the soul. Pray as you study, “Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” When the teacher will rely upon God in prayer, the spirit of Christ will come upon him, and God will work through him by the Holy Spirit upon the minds of the students. The Holy Spirit fills the mind and heart with sweet hope, and courage, and Bible imagery, and this will be communicated to the students, the words of truth will grow in importance, and assume a breadth and fulness of meaning of which you have never dreamed. The beauty and riches of the word of God have a transforming influence upon mind and character; the sparks of heavenly love will fall upon the hearts of the children as an inspiration. We may bring hundreds and thousands of children to Christ if we will work for them.?{PH081 9.1}[17]
Enlargement of Educational Work—Let all to whom these words may come be melted and subdued. Let us in our educational work embrace far more than we have done of the children and youth, and there will be a whole army of missionaries raised up to work for God. I say again, Establish schools for the children where there are churches,—those who assemble to worship God. Where there are churches, let there be schools. Work as if you were working for your life to save children from being drowned in the polluting, corrupting influences of this life.?{PH081 9.2}[18]
New Schools—Too much is centered in Battle Creek. I need not advise that the sound of?the ax and hammer be heard in Battle Creek in erecting new buildings. There are places where our schools should have been in operation years ago. Let these now be started under wise directors. The youth should be educated in their own churches. In America you can build three schoolhouses cheaper than we can build one in this country. It is a grievous offense to God that there has been so great neglect to make provision for the improvement of the children and youth when Providence has so abundantly supplied us with facilities with which to work.?{PH081 9.3}[19]
Associations of Children at School—Can we wonder that children and youth drift into temptation, and become educated in wrong lines by their association with other neglected children? These children are not wisely educated to use their active minds and limbs to do helpful work. Our schools should teach the children all kinds of simple labor. Can we wonder, neglected as they have been, that their energies become devoted to amusements that do them no good, that their religious aspirations are chilled, and their spiritual life darkened? Thousands in their own homes are left almost uneducated. “It is so much trouble,” says the mother. “I would rather do these things myself; it is such a trouble; you bother me.”?{PH081 10.1}[20]
The Mother a Teacher—Does not mother remember that she herself had to learn in jots and tittles before she could be helpful? It is a wrong to children to refuse to teach them little by little. Keep these children with you. Let them ask questions, and in patience answer them. Give your little children something to do; and let them have the happiness?of supposing they help you. There must be no repulsing of your children when trying to do proper things. If they make mistakes, if accidents happen, and things break, do not blame. Their whole future life depends upon the education you give them in their childhood years. Teach them that all their faculties of body and mind were given them to use, and that all are the Lord’s, pledged to his service. To some of these children the Lord gives an early intimation of his will. Parents and teachers, begin to teach the children to cultivate their God-given qualities.?{PH081 10.2}[21]
Churches Should Have Responsibility for Their Children—My brother, I feel deeply over the mistake of locating so many important interests at Battle Creek. There is a world to receive the light of truth. Had interests been located in cities where nothing is being done, the warning message would be given to other cities. You have asked me in regard to the schools being opened in our churches. I have tried to answer you. That light which has centered in Battle Creek should have been shining in other localities. Schools should have been opened in places where they are so much needed. This will provide for the children and youth who are drifting into Battle Creek. Let the church carry a burden for the lambs of the flock in its locality, and see how many can be educated and trained to do service for God.?---Mrs. E. G. White{PH081 11.1}[22]
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