对青年人的呼吁
亲爱的青年人：
在一段时间里，我的心一直牵挂着你们，念念不忘。主一再地给我一些证言警告你们。只要你们向祂存至诚之心，至圣之念，祂就给你们勇气。这些警告清楚地重现在我面前，使我感觉到你们的危险，我知道你们还没有感觉到。这个坐落在巴特尔克里克的学校，聚有许多青年，天赋不同，才智各异。这些青年若不献身上帝，顺从祂的旨意，谦卑地行在祂诫命的道上，则这个学校所在的巴特尔克里克，将会给教会带来很大的失望。{PH013 1.1}
这所学校，若不造福，就要惹祸。我劝你们这班信奉基督圣名的青年人，要远离一切罪恶，培养上帝所嘉许的品格。{PH013 1.2}
我要问，你们是否相信这些责备你们的证言是出于上帝的呢?如果你们真正相信这是上帝对你们说话的声音，指明你们的危险，你们肯否听从这劝导呢?你们是否存虔诚的心，常常诵读这些警告的证言，铭记不忘呢?{PH013 2.1}
青年及儿童们哪，上帝一再地向你们说话，你们却迟迟不听这些警告。你们即便没有硬着心对抗上帝所赐关于你们品格和危险的意见，追随为你们所标出的道路，你们也是没有注意对于你们的要求，使你们可以获得属灵的力量，成为学校、教会和你们所交往之人的福气。{PH013 2.2}
男女青年们，你们要对上帝赐给你们的亮光负责。你们若忽略这些亮光与警告，它们在审判的日子必要起来指控你们。上帝已经清楚地把危险告诉你们，并多方忠告和保守你们，用警告来呵护你们。你们在上帝的家里已经听到了上帝的仆人在圣灵的明证之下所传最严肃最扎心的真理。这些严肃的呼吁在你们心中产生什么效果，给你们的品格带来什么影响呢?你们要为每一道呼吁和警告负责。在审判的日子，它们必要起来，定你们追求过虚浮骄傲生活的罪。{PH013 2.3}
亲爱的青年朋友，你们种的是什么，收的也是什么。如今正是你们播种的时候。将来会收割什么呢?你们正在播什么种子呢?你们的一言一行都是一颗种子，要结出或善或恶的果子，给你们带来快乐或悲伤。人种的是什么，收的也是什么。上帝已经赐给你们大光和许多特权。{PH013 3.1}
你们既已得到亮光，明白了眼前的危险，责任就落在了你们身上。你们对待上帝所赐亮光的态度，将决定你们将来的祸福。你们的手里，正掌握着自己的命运。你们大家对于别人的思想和品格，都有一种或善或恶的影响。你们所发挥的影响，都要记在天上的记录册中。你们各有一位天使随侍着，记录你们的言语行动。你每天早晨起身时，有没有感到自己无助，需要来自上帝的能力?你有没有谦虚而诚恳地把自己的需要告诉天父?如果这样，天使就会记下你的祷告。只要你的祈祷言而由衷，当你在无意中做错，发出引人犯错的影响时，保护你的天使就会在你身边指示你更好的道，为你选择当说的话，并影响你的行动。{PH013 3.2}
你如果觉得自己没有危险，没有求主赐给你抗拒试探的帮助和力量，就必定会步入歧途。在天庭上帝的册子里，将记下你忽略本分的罪，使你在考验的日子里显出自己的亏欠。{PH013 4.1}
在巴特尔克里克有各种品格的人。有些人曾受过宗教的训导，但也有些曾被姑息纵容，阿谀奉承，实际上是骄生惯养的，不能应付实际的生活。我现在所说的，是我所知道的那些人。他们的品格，受溺爱，谄谀，怠惰等重重包围，以致在今生毫无用处。这等人今生既无用到如此地步，还能有何希望得那全然纯善圣洁，品格均衡的来生呢?我曾为这些人祷告，也曾向他们亲自说过话。我能看出他们在别人的思想上所发挥的影响，会引人趋向虚荣，爱穿衣打扮，并对永生的福利冷淡不顾。这等人的唯一指望，乃是在于留意自己所行之道，在上帝面前虚心，降卑自己的骄傲，承认自己的罪并且归正。{PH013 4.2}
在服装上虚荣和爱宴乐，乃是青年人的大试探。上帝对于我们大家有神圣的要求。祂要我们的全心全意和全部感情。有时我们听到这样的回答，说：“啊，我并没有自称是一个基督徒呀!”你若没有这样，那么你是什么呢?难道上帝在你身上没有这同样的要求，像祂在那自称为祂儿女者的身上所要求的一样么?难道因为你大胆妄为，不顾圣洁之事，你疏忽和反叛的罪，就可以逃过主的面前么?{PH013 5.1}
你每天忽视上帝的要求，及每次轻看恩典的机会，这些都要记在你的账上，在万民受审之日，这连篇累牍的罪状，都要与你为难的。青年男女，不论是否自称为基督徒者，我现在要对你们发言：上帝要你们的情意，要你们甘心顺从，虔诚奉事他。你们现今所有的宽容时期很是短少，你们当善用这机会，向上帝作无条件的降服。{PH013 6.1}
使徒在圣灵的感动下，说明我们作上帝的儿女，王室的成员，其条件就是顺服上帝的要求。每一个儿童与青年，每一个男人与女人，都是耶稣用祂自己的血，从撒但驱赶他们进入的堕落与毁灭的深渊救出来的。罪人因为不肯接受这白白赐给他们的救恩，难道就可以逃避自己的义务么?他们宁愿留在罪中，大胆犯罪作恶，这并不减轻他们的罪辜。耶稣已经为他们付了赎价，他们乃是属于祂的，是祂的产业。他们若不顺服那为他们舍命的主，却献上光阴、精力及才干，为撒但服务，就会得到自己的工价，就是死亡。我们救赎主向凡顺从祂的人所发的报赏，就是不朽的荣耀和永恒的生命。祂使他们靠着祂的名，完善基督徒的品格，并为自己得胜，像祂为他们得了胜一样。祂曾在自己的生活上给他们留下了榜样，显示他们如何可以得胜。“罪的工价乃是死;惟有上帝的恩赐，在我们的主基督耶稣里，乃是永生”(罗6:23)。{PH013 6.2}
上帝的要求，对于全人类都有相等的约束。人若情愿忽略这白白赐给他们的伟大救恩，选择服事自己，继续与上帝作对，与那克己牺牲的救赎主为敌，就是在赚得自己的工价。他们顺着情欲撒种，也必从情欲收败坏。{PH013 7.1}
凡藉着浸礼披戴基督，以此表明自己与世界分离，立约过新生活的人，心中不应存有偶像。凡曾获得过赦罪的喜乐，尝过救主之爱滋味的人，后来却执意与基督的仇敌联合，拒绝耶稣所赐他们的完全之义，情愿行在主所谴责的邪道之中，他们就要比那些未得过亮光，从不认识上帝及其律法的异教徒，受更严厉的审判。凡拒绝顺从上帝所赐的亮光，宁取世上的宴乐，虚荣，及愚蠢之事，行为不符合上帝律法正义神圣要求的人，在上帝看来，乃是罪大恶极的。他们的罪孽与工价，是与他们所得的亮光和特权成正比例的。{PH013 7.2}
我们看见世人正专心致志于自己的享乐。大多数的人，尤其是女人，以炫耀为第一，为至上。爱慕服装和享乐，正在破坏千万人的幸福。有些自称爱慕和遵守上帝诫命的人，正是尽量仿效这等人，而同时又想保持着基督徒之名。有些青年急于炫耀，甚至只要能随心所欲，趋向虚荣装饰，及爱慕宴乐，便情愿放弃基督徒的名号。在服装上克己，是我们基督徒的本分之一。服装朴素，禁用各种珠宝装饰，符合我们的信仰。我们是否列于那些能看出醉心世俗，奢华装扮，贪爱宴乐之愚妄的人中呢?若是如此，我们就当作那等远避一切容许此种精神之事的人，因为这种精神是要占住那些只为今世生活而不顾念来生者之心思及意念的。巴特尔克里克的青年基督徒啊，我曾见你们之中有些人爱服装爱炫耀，这事使我很难过。在有些曾受过良好的教育，从幼享受宗教的薰陶，并藉着领受浸礼而披上基督，宣布向世界是死了的人之中，我看见了虚荣的服装，轻浮的行动，致使亲爱的救主伤心，并使上帝的圣工受辱。你们的信仰冷淡，倾向华美装饰，使我感到很痛苦。有些人甚至不幸到要佩戴金链或金针，或是两样都有，显出一种爱出风头的恶癖性，炫扬自己，引人注意。这些人只能使人联想到虚荣的孔雀，爱铺张自己的华美羽翼来博人赞美。这种可怜的鸟，仅能以此动人，因其声音及形态，均不动人。{PH013 8.1}
青年人可以在追求以温柔安静的心为装饰，也就是一种可与天庭美德同戴的无价珠宝上，有出色的表现。这种装饰不但可博得世上许多人的注意，为天使所珍视，最重要的，是蒙我们天父的看重，使有此装饰的人成为天庭受欢迎的佳宾。{PH013 10.1}
青年人有了才能，若加以适当的培养，就能配受任何重托要职。如果他们受教育的目的，是尽力操练发展上帝所赐的才能，以便成为有用的人才，造福人群，他们的心思就不至于局限于低级的标准，发育不全了。他们要表现出深刻的思想，坚定的原则，并发挥感化力，引人生敬。他们在别人身上会有一种高尚的影响，使人看明并承认这是聪明基督徒生活的力量。至于那些注意自身装饰爱出风头，胜过注意培养自己的思想，操练自己的才能，以作出最大的贡献，归荣耀与上帝的人，他们是还不明白自己对上帝所负的责任。他们势必只在一切所求的学问上皮毛肤浅，他们的贡献很是狭小，他们的智慧发育不全。{PH013 10.2}
我为这些青年人的父母深感痛心，正如为这些儿女痛心一样。他们在教养儿女方面遗有缺憾，重责旁落。父母若对儿女骄生惯养，姑息溺爱，不按原则合理管教，妥予约束，就会看到儿女所养成的品格。因为怎样训练他们，他们的品格倾向就会怎样。{PH013 11.1}
我回想起了忠心的亚伯拉罕。他顺从上帝在别示巴夜间异象里给他的神圣命令，把以撒带在身边，登上旅程。他看见前面的高山，就是上帝所指示要他去献祭的地方。他就从仆人的肩上把柴搬到将要被献的以撒的肩上。他怀着坚定、严肃而又痛苦的心情，准备执行上帝所要他作的事。他心碎手颤地拿着火，以撒问道：“父亲哪，火与柴都有了，但燔祭的羊羔在哪里呢?”亚伯拉罕当时还不能告诉他!父子二人筑起祭坛来。可怕的时刻来到了。亚伯拉罕得将自己一路上所难过的心事告诉以撒，说以撒就是那牺牲。以撒这时不是一个小孩;他已长大成青年人了。他尽可不顺从父亲的计划，如果他要那样的话。但他并不骂他父亲发神经病，甚至不设法去改变他的心意。他顺服了。他相信他父亲的爱，知道要不是上帝吩咐，父亲绝不能作出牺牲独生子这样可怕的事情的。因为上帝已经这样说了，这位可怜的父亲只好用他慈爱颤抖的手把以撒缚好。儿子愿意牺牲，因为他相信父亲的正直。及至一切都准备好，父亲的信心和儿子的顺服都已得到充分证明之时，上帝的使者阻止了亚伯拉罕举起来要杀他儿子的手，告诉他够了。“现在我知道你是敬畏上帝的了，因为你没有将你的儿子，就是你独生的儿子，留下不给我”(创22:12)。{PH013 11.2}
亚伯拉罕出于信心的行为，是为我们的益处而记录的。这件事教导我们信任上帝要求的伟大教训，不论这要求是多么严厉直率;也教训儿女们当完全顺服父母及上帝。亚伯拉罕的顺从教训我们，没有什么东西是太宝贵，是我们不能献给上帝的。{PH013 13.1}
以撒预表上帝的圣子，祂要为世人的罪而被献为祭的。上帝要使亚伯拉罕铭记人类得救的福音。为要达到此目的，并使他明白真理的实际，及试验他的信心起见，祂命令他去杀自己的爱子以撒。在这黑暗恐惧的试炼中，亚伯拉罕所经受的一切忧伤痛苦，为的就是要加深他的印象，使他深明救赎堕落人类的计划。上帝使他用自己的经验来体会无穷上帝的无可形容的克己，献出自己的儿子来救人类脱离全然的灭亡。亚伯拉罕在顺从上帝命令奉献自己的儿子上，所受的精神痛苦真是无可伦比的。{PH013 13.2}
上帝让祂儿子过卑微，克己，贫困，劳苦，屈辱的生活，以至痛苦地死在十字架上，却没有什么天使来发出喜讯说：“够了，我十分喜爱的儿子，祢不必死了。”那时万军天使都在伤心地等待着，希望着能像以撒的情形一样，上帝在最后的一霎那会使祂免受羞辱的死亡。然而天使却未获准去向祂的爱子发出这种的信息。{PH013 14.1}
在公堂里，在去髑髅地的路上，这些羞辱，有增无已。祂被嘲笑，戏弄，唾骂。祂忍受那些恨祂之人的嘲骂侮辱和诽谤，直到在十字架上低头断气为止。{PH013 14.2}
除了让祂圣子经受这种痛苦的场景之外，上帝还能给我们什么更大的凭据来证明祂的爱呢?上帝给人类的礼物乃是白白赐下的，祂的爱是无穷的，因此祂所要求于我们的信任，顺从，全心全意与全部感情，也相应是无穷的。祂要人也献上一切他们所能给的。我们的顺从应与上帝的恩赐相称，必须是完全的，毫无缺欠的，我们都是欠了上帝的债。祂所要求于我们的，我们若不全心奉献及甘心牺牲，就不能清偿我们的债。祂要求甘心踊跃的顺从，非此就不蒙祂接纳。我们现在还有机会去求得上帝的爱及恩眷。在各位读者中，也许这一年(1874年)就是有些人在世为人的末后一年了。在读此文的青年人中，是否有人要重看世俗的宴乐，过于基督向那切心寻求祂旨意而乐意奉行之人所赐的平安呢?{PH013 14.3}
上帝正在圣所的天平上衡量我们的品格，我们的行为，以及我们的动机。救赎主曾死在十字架上，为要吸引我们的心归向他。人若被祂宣布在爱心及顺从上有缺欠，那真是一件可怕的事。上帝已赐我们又大又宝贵的恩赐。祂已给我们亮光，及明白祂旨意的知识，以致我们不必作错或行在黑暗之中。在那最后审判报赏之日，人若被秤在天平上，显出缺欠来，将是一件可怕的事，因为那要成为千古遗恨而无法改正了。青年朋友们哪，在上帝的册簿里会否枉然寻找你们的名字呢?{PH013 15.1}
上帝已派定你为祂作一种工作，使你成为祂的同工。在你周围都有人需要拯救。你的切心努力，可以鼓励及造福于那些人。你可以引人离罪归义。你若明白自己对上帝应负责任，就必觉得自己需要忠心祈祷，忠心儆醒，严防撒但的试探。如果你真是基督徒，就必为世俗的道德黑暗更觉得伤心，而不至于沉迷虚荣和服装的骄傲。你要被列于那些因地上所行可憎之事叹息哀哭的人中。你也要拒绝撒但的试探，不醉心于虚荣，及以奢侈衣饰为炫耀。人若以这些虚浮的事物为满足，而把高尚的责任玩忽，就必心思狭窄，心智发育不全。在巴特尔克里克的青年只要愿意，就可以与基督同工。在工作中，他们的信心要增强，对上帝旨意的认识要加深。每一真实的宗旨，每一正直的行为，都要记在生命册上。我巴不得能唤醒青年人，使他们看明及觉得那满足自己的欲望，及因贪慕下贱虚荣之物，致使心思狭窄的生活，乃是罪恶。他们若能提高自己的思想与言语，不受今生虚浮之事的吸引，以荣耀上帝为目标，祂那出人意外的平安，就会属于他们。{PH013 15.2}
为了拯救我们，我们的楷模基督岂不是行走了一条艰难、舍己、自我牺牲、谦卑的道路吗?在拯救我们的工作中，祂遭遇了各种各样的艰难，经历了失望，忍受了耻辱与痛苦。难道我们要拒绝跟随荣耀之君带领我们行走的道路吗?我们追忆救赎主在旷野受试探、在客西马尼园和在髑髅地所遭遇的痛苦时，还能再抱怨工作的艰难困苦吗?祂经受这一切是要向我们显明那条道路，带给我们必需的神圣帮助，否则我们就必灭亡。青年人若愿意争取永生，就不必希望可以随从自己的爱好。这个永恒的奖赏值得他们付上一切。他们现在就可以拥有耶稣或世界。有多少亲爱的青年为了侍奉自我和达到今生的某个目标而不惜忍受贫困、疲惫、辛劳与焦虑啊!为了满足自己的意愿，他们不去考虑也不抱怨自己所遇到的种种艰难困苦。为什么为了获得永恒的生命，他们却要退避斗争、舍己或任何牺牲呢?{PH013 17.1}
基督舍弃了天庭的荣耀，来到这个被罪恶所污染的地球上，祂虚己取了人性。祂承受了我们的软弱，在凡事上受了试探与我们一样。基督在地上完善了公义的品格，不是为祂自己的利益，而是为了堕落的人类，因为祂的品格本是纯洁无瑕的。祂将自己的品格提供给凡愿意接受的人。罪人藉着悔改己罪、信靠耶稣基督、顺从上帝完美的律法，就可以拥有基督所归给他的义;基督的义就成了他的义，他的名字就被记在了羔羊的生命册上。他也成了上帝的儿女，王室的成员。{PH013 17.2}
耶稣付上了无限的代价，为要救赎世人。人类被交在祂的手中，成了祂的财产。祂牺牲了自己的尊荣、富足和祂在天庭中荣耀的家，成了约瑟和马利亚的儿子。约瑟是一个最卑微的工人。耶稣也劳动。祂度一种困苦辛劳的生活。祂在受洗之后，开始服务时，忍受了将近六周痛苦难堪的禁食。不仅仅是饥饿的痛苦折磨使耶稣的痛苦达到不可言喻的程度,而且这个世界上的罪恶重重地压在祂的身上。这位毫无罪恶的主却为了我们成为了罪。由于我们的罪，这些可怕的罪担重重地压在祂身上，祂在食欲、爱世界爱尊荣和导致人自以为是的骄傲炫耀方面，抵挡了可怕的试探。基督经受了这三种最重要的大试探并且为人类而得了胜，为人确立了义的品格，因为祂知道人无法为自己做成这事。祂也晓得撒但要在这三个方面攻击人类。撒但曾战胜亚当，他计划推进自己的工作，直到完全毁灭人类。基督为人上阵，战胜撒但，因为祂看到人靠自己的力量无法得胜。基督用自己痛苦、克己和自我牺牲的一生，用自己遭受的耻辱和最后的死亡，为人类预备了得赎的道路。祂带给人帮助，使人可以藉着效学基督的榜样，也能够自己得胜，像基督为他得了胜一样。{PH013 18.1}
“岂不知你们的身子就是圣灵的殿吗?这圣灵是从上帝而来，住在你们里头的;并且你们不是自己的人;因为你们是重价买来的。所以要在你们的身子上荣耀上帝”(林前6:19-20)。“岂不知你们是上帝的殿，上帝的灵住在你们里头吗?若有人毁坏上帝的殿，上帝必要毁坏那人;因为上帝的殿是圣的，这殿就是你们”(林前3:16,17)。“你们和不信的原不相配，不要同负一轭。义和不义有什么相交呢?光明和黑暗有什么相通呢?基督和彼列有什么相和呢?信主的和不信主的有什么相干呢?上帝的殿和偶像有什么相同呢?因为我们是永生上帝的殿，就如上帝曾说：我要在他们中间居住，在他们中间来往;我要作他们的上帝;他们要作我的子民。又说：你们务要从他们中间出来，与他们分别;不要沾不洁净的物，我就收纳你们。我要作你们的父;你们要作我的儿女。这是全能的主说的”(林后6:14-18)。{PH013 19.1}
我们天父对祂的子民是何等地恩慈啊!祂保护他们免去了成千看不见的危险，又监护他们不坠入撒但的奸计中，免遭毁灭。由于我们模糊的眼光看不见上帝藉着祂天使的保护照顾，因此我们对这仁慈的创造主，在祂手造之工中时刻关怀照应我们，竟不努力默想，知恩感戴，对于祂日常所赐的鸿恩厚惠，也不感激。{PH013 20.1}
青年人不知道自己每日所冒的许多危险。他们决不会完全知道这一切的，但他们若是儆醒，常常祷告，上帝就要保守他们的良心灵敏，感觉清明，以便能看透仇敌的作为，并严于防范他的攻击。可是许多青年因为久已随从自己的癖性行事，责任在他们已无任何意义了。他们不知道自己应造福他人和荣耀上帝的高尚而神圣的责任;完全忽略去尽这些本分。{PH013 21.1}
如果青年人能深刻觉悟自己需要上帝的力量，以抗拒撒但的试探，他们就要得到宝贵的胜利，并要在基督徒的战争上，获得有价值的经验。思想使徒彼得灵感劝告的青年人，真是何其少啊!他说：“务要谨守，儆醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人;你们要用坚固的信心抵挡他”(彼前5:8,9)。使徒约翰在异象中，见到撒但制胜人的能力，就喊着说：“地与海有祸了，因为魔鬼知道自己的时候不多，就气忿忿的下到你们那里去了”(启12:12)。{PH013 21.2}
青年人唯一的保障，就是不住地儆醒与谦卑地祷告。他们不必自欺，以为不需要这些还是可以作基督徒。撒但在旷野试探基督之时，曾用光明来掩藏他的试探及诡计，并且化装为天上的使者。这位众生之敌，也要装作天上的嘉宾来接近我们;因此使徒劝告我们，谨守儆醒才是唯一安全之策。青年人若任性粗心轻浮，不顾基督徒的本分，就要继续堕落在仇敌的试探之下，而不能像基督那样得胜了。{PH013 21.3}
完全献身的人，决不会以为基督服务为苦役。顺从救主，并不减除我们今生的真幸福与快乐，反而是有精炼及提高我们品格的能力。每日研究圣经中的宝贵生命之道，会增强智力，使人更认识上帝在自然界中伟大光荣的作为。我们研究圣经，就可得到一种正确的知识，晓得如何生活，享受最多纯洁的幸福。研究圣经的人，也可得到许多圣经中的证据，以应付不信之人的疑惑，并用真理清明的亮光，扫除他们的疑惑。凡查考圣经的人，必可严防撒但的试探，得到完全的供应，预备行各样的善事，并准备回答每一个询问他们心中盼望之缘由的人。{PH013 22.1}
人往往认为宗教是有辱人格的;罪人接受圣经的标准为自己人生的准则乃是屈尊。他们认为圣经的要求是粗俗的，接受它就得放弃自己所有美好的兴趣和享乐，代之以耻辱和降格。这是撒但强加于人的最大欺骗。耶稣的纯正信仰，要求信徒具有纯朴的自然美，自然的优雅和高尚的纯正，而非矫揉造作和虚伪欺诈。{PH013 23.1}
纯洁的宗教被视为苛刻的要求，且与这个世界华而不实的虚假荣华形成不利的对照，在青年人看尤其如此，于是圣经的要求就被视为耻辱、舍己的考验，夺去他们今生所有的享乐。然而，圣经的宗教总是会提拔人，使人文雅高尚的。要是自称跟从耶稣基督的人在生活中实行纯洁宗教的原则，那些比较高雅的人就会接受耶稣基督的宗教。圣经的信仰与最优美的感觉毫无不和谐之处。它的一切教训与要求，都像上帝的品格一样纯洁，也像祂的宝座一样崇高。{PH013 23.2}
世界的救赎主警告我们，要反对今生的骄傲，但不要反对人生的优雅和自然美。祂指着野地全然鲜活美丽的花儿，湖中洁白无瑕的百合说：“你想：野地里的百合花怎样长起来;它也不劳苦也不纺线;然而我告诉你们，就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的，还不如这花一朵呢”(太6:28,29)!这里，耶稣向我们说明尽管人有很多愁烦的事情，或许拖着疲惫的身躯辛苦劳作，以便使别人羡慕他们外在的装饰，他们一切人为的、自视为极其宝贵的装饰，却无法与野地小花的自然可爱相媲美。上帝所装饰的这些小小的花儿都能胜过所罗门华丽的服装。“就是所罗门极荣华的时候，他所穿戴的，还不如这花一朵呢!”{PH013 24.1}
这里有一个对每一个基督徒都颇为重要的教训。世界的救赎主在向青年讲话。你愿意听从祂属天的指教吗?祂为你提供了思考的主题，会使你更加高尚，提拔你、精炼你、使你更加纯洁，这些主题绝不会降低或削弱你的智力。祂正在对你说：“你们是世上的光。城造在山上，是不能隐藏的。”“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)。倘若上帝的光在你里面，这光便会照耀他人，决不能隐藏。{PH013 24.2}
亲爱的青年，你们这种追求时尚，讲究穿戴，炫耀自己的做派，是无法让人接受你们自称信奉的宗教和真理的。有见识的人看到你们追求外表的美，便认为你的心地软弱而骄傲。我劝青年姊妹们穿简单朴素的服装。要使你的光照耀别人，最好的办法就是藉着你们朴素的服装和举止。你们可向众人表明，在永恒的事物面前，你们已经正确地估量今生的事物。{PH013 25.1}
现在正是你为天国塑造纯洁圣善品格的大好时机。你担不起把宝贵的光阴耗费在修饰外表而忽略内心的修饰。“你们不要以外面的辫头发，戴金饰，穿美衣为妆饰，只要以里面存着长久温柔、安静的心为妆饰;这在上帝面前是极宝贵的”(彼前3:3,4)。{PH013 25.2}
上帝喜爱美丽，祂创造了眼所能见的美丽可爱的事物。祂教你如何评价真正的美丽。在祂看来，温柔安静的心灵，乃是极宝贵的装饰。我们岂不应当认真寻求上帝看为比贵价的衣服或珠宝黄金更加宝贵的东西吗?内心的装饰、温柔的优美、与天使和谐一致的精神，丝毫无损于品格的真正高贵，或使我们在今世显得不那么可爱。{PH013 26.1}
纯洁无疵的信仰，使信奉者变得崇高。在真正的基督徒身上，总是能够找到一种明显的欢乐，一种对上帝神圣愉快的信赖，一种藉着顺从祂的天意而得以振奋的精神。在基督徒所领受的每一项恩惠上，都可以看到上帝的爱和仁慈。美不胜收的自然，是深思默祷的主题。通过研究周围自然的美，我们的思想便藉着自然界引向了那创造一切可爱之物的创造主。上帝所造的一切，都在向我们的感官述说祂伟大的权能和高超的智慧。每一受造物，都有可爱之处，吸引上帝儿女的注意，塑造其品味，使他重视上帝之爱的这些宝贵证据，过于人类的巧工。{PH013 26.2}
先知用热情洋溢的话赞美上帝的创造之工：“我观看祢指头所造的天，并祢所陈设的月亮星宿，便说，人算什么，祢竟顾念他?世人算什么，祢竟眷顾他?”“耶和华我们的主啊，祢的名在全地何其美! 我要一心称谢耶和华，我要传扬祢一切奇妙的作为”(诗8:3,4,9; 9:1)。{PH013 27.1}
正是因为缺乏宗教，才使得很多自称相信宗教之人的道路变得暗淡。有一些人被看作基督徒，但事实上他们不配拥有这个名字。他们没有基督徒的品格。当他们的基督教受到考验时，他们的虚假就会显露出来了。真宗教是在每日的举止中所表现出来的。基督徒生活的特征乃是认真无私地为了他人的利益和上帝的荣耀而作工。他的道路绝非黑暗阴郁的。{PH013 27.2}
一位受圣灵感动的作者说过：“但义人的路好像黎明的光，越照越明，直到日午。恶人的道好像幽暗，自己不知因什么跌倒”(箴4:18,19)。{PH013 27.3}
青年人岂可度一种追求时尚与轻浮的虚妄无谓的生活，因追求穿戴而削弱自己的智力，为追求世俗的享乐而浪费自己的光阴呢?当他们都没有准备好的时候，上帝会对他们说：“今夜必要你的灵魂”(路12:20)。上帝可能会允许致命的疾病临到那些没有结出任何果子荣耀祂的人。面对永恒的现实之时，他们或许会意识到时间的宝贵和自己所浪费的生命。那时他们或许会对灵魂的价值有所感悟。他们看出自己的生活并没有荣耀上帝，照亮他人通往天国的道路。他们的生活乃是为了荣耀自己。而当他们遭受疼痛，心灵痛苦之时，他们无法对永恒的事具有清晰的概念。他们可能会回顾自己过去的生活，并且悔恨地大声喊着说：“我没有为耶稣做任何事情，而祂却为我舍了一切。我的生活是一大败笔。”{PH013 28.1}
亲爱的青年人哪，当你们祈祷，以免陷入试探之时，须记得，你们的工作不单是作了祷告就完事了。你们应当尽自己一切所能的，坚拒试探，实现自己的祷告，然后再把自己所不能作到的，交给耶稣去替你们作。你们应当在言语及行为上，竭力谨守，免招仇敌的试探;在这种工作上，你们无论如何尽力，亦不为过。我们许多青年人对于那发给他们的警告和责备粗心不顾，以致为撒但大开方便之门。{PH013 28.2}
我们既有圣经为南针，又有耶稣为我们的天庭教师，就不必茫然不知上帝的要求，或不察撒但的诡计而被其试探所胜。我们若顺从圣灵，完全听其指引，就不至于以顺从上帝的旨意为苦役了。{PH013 29.1}
如今就是作工的时机。倘若我们是上帝的儿女，只要我们生活在这个世界上，祂就要给我们分派工作。只要还有工作尚未完成，决不能说我们无所事事。{PH013 29.2}
我希望所有的青年都能像我一样看出自己所能做的工作，而且看出上帝要让他们为疏忽负责。耶稣是一个多受痛苦常经忧患的人，而祂却完成了世界上最伟大的工作。一个轻浮的人永远也不会成就善工。{PH013 29.3}
在今日这个时代，很多青年男女属灵的软弱真是可悲可叹，因为他们若献身于上帝，本可成为大有能力行善的人。我为青年人缺乏正直而万分痛心。我们都应为此痛心。他们似乎缺乏行义的力量，缺乏认真努力听从义务的呼召而不是爱好的呼声。有些人似乎没有什么力量抵挡试探。他们在属灵的事上之所以成了侏儒，是因为他们没有训练自己在属灵上健壮。他们在应该前进时，却站着不动。信心与本分生活中的每一步都是迈向天国的一步。我很想在巴特尔克里克听到青年们在他们迄今为止从未意识到的许多方面进行一番改革。我非常担心巴特尔克里克一所歌唱学校的影响与一般的歌唱学校一样。我认为这对年轻人来说是一个危险而庄严的时代。撒但所能发明的每一个诱惑，无非是要使人对永恒的事漠不关心和粗心大意。我建议青年做出特别的努力，彼此帮助，度一种忠于受洗誓约的生活，并在上帝面前庄严起誓，收回爱穿着和炫耀的心。{PH013 29.4}
我想提醒那些打扮自己并在帽子上饰有羽毛的青年，正是因为他们的罪，我们的救主头上才戴上了可耻的荆棘冠。当你花费宝贵的光阴装饰点缀自己的衣服时，你应当想到荣耀之君穿着朴素无缝的衣服。你们这些因为打扮自己而感到疲惫的人请牢记，耶稣常因不断的辛劳、舍己和自我牺牲以祝福受苦的人和贫穷的人而疲惫。祂花整夜的时间在僻静的山上祈祷，并不是因为祂的软弱和需要，而是因为祂看出并感受到你本性中的软弱，要在你现在被战胜的各点上抵抗仇敌的试探。祂晓得你会对自己的危险毫不在意，也不觉得自己需要祈祷。正是为了我们的缘故，祂才向天父大声哀哭，流泪祈求。正是为了救我们脱离我们现在所放纵的、把爱耶稣的心挤出去的骄傲和爱慕虚荣宴乐的心，祂才流泪祈求，我们救主的面貌因忧伤痛苦而比世人憔悴。{PH013 30.1}
年轻朋友们啊，你们愿意兴起，摆脱这使你们效法世界的可怕的漠不关心与麻木不仁吗?你们愿意听从那警告你们的声音说：凡在这危急时刻却安逸自在之人，灭亡正等着他们吗?上帝的忍耐不会一直等待你们这些可怜而轻浮的人。这位掌管我们命运的上帝不会一直被我们玩弄。耶稣向我们宣称，有一种罪比使所多玛和蛾摩拉毁灭的罪更严重，就是今日那些拥有伟大的真理亮光却不悔改之人的罪，就是拒绝对这个世界所发最严肃之怜悯信息的罪，就是那些看到耶稣在旷野经受试探，看到耶稣因为世人的罪而极其痛苦地躬身祈祷，却无动于衷，不彻底悔改的罪。耶稣禁食将近六周，要为人类的益处战胜食欲的放纵和虚荣、以及对炫耀和属世尊荣的渴望。耶稣向他们显明了，他们如何可以为自己的利益得胜，像祂得胜一样;然而，他们的本性却不愿意为了亲爱之主的缘故忍受斗争和责备，嘲笑和羞耻。舍己和总是谋求他人的益处并不合乎人意，像基督一样得胜也不令人愉快，于是他们转离了明白赐给他们要他们效法的楷模，拒绝效法救主离开天庭来到世上为祂们所树立的榜样。{PH013 31.1}
在审判的日子，所多玛和蛾摩拉所受的，要比现今那些有特权和大光却忽视顺从这光和全心奉献上帝的人更容易受了。{PH013 32.1}
怀爱伦
1874年2月2日写于加州圣罗莎
PH013 - Appeal to the Young
Dear Youth,My mind has been burdened on your account for a few days. I find that I cannot get you off from my mind. The Lord has given me, from time to time, testimonies of warning for you. He has also given you encouragement if you would yield your hearts’ best and holiest affections to God. As these warnings revive distinctly before me, I feel a sense of your danger that I know you do not feel. The school located in Battle Creek brings many young people together of different mental organizations. If these youth are not consecrated to God, and humbly walking in the way of his commandments, obedient to his will, the location of a school in Battle Creek will prove a means of great discouragement to the church.?{PH013 1.1}[1]
This school may be made a blessing or a curse. I entreat of you who have ever named the name of Christ to depart from all iniquity and develop characters that God can approve.?{PH013 1.2}[2]
I inquire, Do you believe the testimonies of reproof which have been given you are of God? If you really believe that the voice of God has spoken to you, pointing out your dangers, do you heed the counsels given? Do you keep fresh in your minds these testimonies of warning by often reading them with a prayerful heart??{PH013 2.1}[3]
The Lord has spoken to you, children and youth, again and again. And you have been slow to heed the warnings given you. If you have not rebelliously braced your hearts against the views God has given of your characters, your dangers, and the course marked out for you to pursue, you have been careless and inattentive in regard to the things required of you, that you might gain spiritual strength and be a blessing in the school, in the church, and to all with whom you associate.?{PH013 2.2}[4]
Young men and women, you are accountable to God for the light he has given you. This light and these warnings, if not heeded, will rise up in judgment against you. You have your dangers plainly stated. You are cautioned and guarded on every side, and hedged in, as it were, with warnings. And in Battle Creek you have?listened to the most solemn, heart-searching truths presented by the servants of God in demonstration of the Spirit. What weight have these solemn appeals upon your hearts, and what influence do they have upon your characters? You will be held responsible for every one of these appeals and warnings. They will rise up in judgment to condemn your life of vanity, levity, and pride.?{PH013 2.3}[5]
Dear young friends, that which you sow, you will also reap. Now for you is the sowing time. What will the harvest be? What are you sowing? Every word you utter and every act of your life is a seed which will bear good or evil fruit, which will result in joy or sorrow to the sower of the seed. As is the seed sown, so will be the crop. God has given you great light and many privileges.?{PH013 3.1}[6]
After this light has been given, after your dangers have been specified and plainly presented before you, the responsibility becomes yours. The manner in which you treat the light God gives you will turn the scale for happiness or woe. You are shaping your destinies for yourselves. You all have an influence for good or for evil on the?minds and characters of others. And just the influence which you exert is written in the book of records in Heaven. An angel is attending you, and taking record of your words and actions. When you arise in the morning, do you feel your helplessness and your need of strength from God? and do you humbly, with your heart, make known your wants to your Heavenly Father? If you do, angels mark your prayers, and if these prayers have not gone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of unconsciously doing wrong, and exerting an influence which will lead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by your side, prompting you to a better course, choosing your words for you, and influencing your actions.?{PH013 3.2}[7]
If you feel in no danger, if you offer no prayer to God for help and strength to resist temptations, you will be sure to go astray. And your neglect of duty is marked in the book of God in Heaven. You will be found wanting in the trying day.?{PH013 4.1}[8]
There are diversities of characters in Battle Creek. There are those who have been religiously instructed, and some have?been indulged, petted, flattered, and praised, until they have been literally spoiled for practical life. I am speaking in regard to persons I know. Their characters are warped by indulgence, flattery, and indolence, so that for this life they are useless. And if useless so far as this life is concerned, what may we hope for that life where all is purity and holiness, and where all have harmonious characters. I have prayed for these persons. I have personally addressed them because I could see the influence they would exert over other minds, in leading them to vanity, love of dress, and carelessness in regard to their eternal interests. The only hope for this class is for them to take heed to their ways, and humble their proud, vain hearts before God, make confession of their sins, and be converted.?{PH013 4.2}[9]
Vanity in dress is a great temptation for the youth, as well as love of amusement. The sacred claims that God has upon us all are, the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole affections. The answer some make to this statement is, Oh! I do not profess to be a Christian. What if you do not? Has not God the same claims upon you that?he has upon the one who professes to be his child? Because you are open and bold in your careless disregard of sacred things, is your sin of neglect and rebellion passed over by the Lord??{PH013 5.1}[10]
Every day that you disregard the claims of God, every opportunity of offered mercy you slight, is charged to your account, and will swell the list of sins against you in the day when the accounts of every soul will be investigated. I address you, young men and women, professor or unprofessor. God calls for your affections, your devotion, your willing, cheerful obedience to him. You have now a short time of probation, and you may now improve this opportunity to make an unconditional surrender to God.?{PH013 6.1}[11]
Obedience and submission to God’s requirements are the conditions given us by the inspired apostle, by which we become children of God, members of the royal family. Every child and youth, and every man and woman, has Jesus rescued by his own blood from the abyss of ruin to which Satan was compelling them to go. Because sinners will not accept of the salvation freely offered to them, are they released from their obligations? Their choosing to?remain in sin and bold transgression does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid a price for them, and they belong to him. They are his property, and if they will not yield obedience to Him who has given his life for them, and if they will devote their time and strength and talents to the service of Satan, they are earning their wages, which is death. Immortal glory and eternal life our Redeemer offers as a reward to those who will be obedient to him. He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through his name, and overcome on their own account as he has overcome in their behalf. He has given them an example in his own life, showing them how they may overcome. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”?{PH013 6.2}[12]
The claims of God are equally upon all. Those who choose to neglect the great salvation offered to them freely, and choose to serve themselves and remain enemies to God, enemies to the self-sacrificing Redeemer, are earning their wages. They are sowing to the flesh, and will of the flesh reap corruption.?{PH013 7.1}[13]
Those who have put on Christ by baptism,?and have by this act shown their separation from the world, and have covenanted to walk in newness of life, should not set up idols in their hearts. Those who have once rejoiced in the evidence of sins forgiven, who have tasted of a Saviour’s love, and then persist in uniting with the foes of Christ, and reject the perfect righteousness Jesus offers them, and choose the ways that he has condemned, will be more severely judged than heathen who have never had the light and never known God or his laws. Those who refuse to follow the light God has given them, and choose the amusements, vanities, and follies, of the world, and refuse to conform their conduct to the just and holy requirements of God’s law, the sin on their part is most aggravating in the sight of God. Their guilt and their wages will be proportionate to the light and the privileges they have had.?{PH013 7.2}[14]
We see the world absorbed in their own amusements. The first and highest thoughts of the larger portion, especially of females, are for display. Love of dress and pleasures is wrecking the happiness of thousands. And some of those who profess to love and keep the commandments of God are coming?as near to aping this class as possible, and retain the name of Christians. And some of the young are so eager for display that they are willing to give up even the name of Christian, if they can only follow out their inclination for vanity of dress and love of pleasure. Self denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith. Are we of that number who see the folly of the world in their indulging in extravagance in dress, as well as in their love of amusement? If so, we shall be of that class who will shun everything that gives sanction to this spirit which takes possession of the minds and hearts of those who live only for this world, and who have no thought or care for the next. Christian youth of Battle Creek, I have seen in some of you a love for dress and display which has pained me. In some who have been well instructed, and have had religious privileges from their babyhood, who have put on Christ by baptism, thus professing to be dead to the world, I have seen a vanity in dress and a levity in conduct that has grieved the dear Saviour, and has been a?reproach to the cause of God. I have marked with pain your religious declension and your disposition to ornament and trim your apparel. Some have been so unfortunate as to come into possession of a gold chain or pin, or both, and have shown bad taste in exhibiting these things by fastening them upon their cloaks to attract attention. I can but associate these characters with the vain peacock who will display his gorgeous feathers for admiration. It is all this poor bird has to attract attention. His voice and form are anything but attractive.?{PH013 8.1}[15]
The young may endeavor to excel in seeking for the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is a jewel of inestimable value that may be worn with heavenly grace. This adorning will possess attraction for many in this world, and will be esteemed of great price by the heavenly angels, and above all by our Heavenly Father, and will fit them to be welcome guests in the heavenly courts.?{PH013 10.1}[16]
The youth have faculties that, with proper cultivation, would qualify them for almost any position of trust. If they had made it their object in obtaining an education?to bring into exercise and develop the powers God has given them for usefulness, that they might prove a blessing to others, their minds would not be cast in an inferior mold. They would show depth of thought and firm principle, and would command influence and respect. They might have an elevating influence upon others which would lead souls to see and acknowledge the power of an intelligent Christian life. Those who have greater care to ornament their person for display than to form the mind for the purpose of exercising their powers for the greatest usefulness, that they may glorify God, do not realize their accountability to God. They will be inclined to be superficial in all they undertake. They will narrow their usefulness, and dwarf their intellect.?{PH013 10.2}[17]
But I feel deeply pained at heart for the fathers and mothers of these youth, as well as for their children. There has been a lack in the training of these children which leaves a heavy responsibility somewhere. Parents who have petted and indulged their children in the place of judiciously, from principle, restraining them, can see the character they have formed. As the training has been, so the character inclines.?{PH013 11.1}[18]
My mind goes back to faithful Abraham pursuing his journey with Isaac by his side in obedience to the divine command given?him in the night vision at Beersheba. He sees before him the mountain God had told him he would signalize as the one upon which he was to sacrifice. He removes the wood from the shoulder of his servant and lays it upon Isaac, the one to be offered. He girds up his soul with firmness and agonizing sternness, ready for the work which God required him to do. With a breaking heart and unnerved hand, he takes the fire, while Isaac inquires, Father, here is the fire and the wood; but where is the offering? Oh! Abraham cannot tell him now. Father and son build the altar, and the terrible moment comes for Abraham to make known to Isaac that which has agonized his soul all that long journey, that Isaac himself is the victim. Isaac is not a lad; he is a full-grown young man. He could have refused to submit to his father’s design, if he chose. He does not accuse his father of insanity. He does not seek to change his purpose even. He submits. He believes in the love of his father, and that he would not make this terrible sacrifice of his only son, if God had not bidden him to do so. Isaac was bound by the trembling, loving hands of his pitying father, because God had said it. The son submitted to the sacrifice, because he believed in the integrity of his father. And when everything was ready, when the faith of the father and the submission?of the son were fully tested, the angel of God stays the uplifted hand of Abraham that was about to slay his son. He tells him it is enough. “Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.”?{PH013 11.2}[19]
This act of faith in Abraham is recorded for our benefit. It teaches us the great lesson of confidence in the requirements of God, however close and cutting. It teaches children perfect submission to their parents and to God. We are taught in Abraham’s obedience that nothing is too precious for us to give to God.?{PH013 13.1}[20]
Isaac was the figure of the Son of God who was offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world. God would impress upon Abraham the gospel of salvation to man. In order to do this, and make the truth to him a reality, as well as to test his faith, he required of him to slay his darling Isaac. All the sorrows and agony Abraham endured through this dark and fearful trial were for the purpose of deeply impressing upon his understanding the plan of redemption for fallen man. He was made to understand in his own experience how unutterable was the self-denial of the infinite God in giving his own Son to die to rescue man from utter ruin. No mental torture to Abraham could be equal to that he endured?in obeying the divine command to sacrifice his son.?{PH013 13.2}[21]
God gave his Son to a life of humiliation, self-denial, poverty, toil, reproach, and the agonizing death of the crucifixion. But there was no angel to bear the joyful commission, It is enough, you need not die, my well-beloved Son. Legions of angels were sorrowfully waiting, hoping that, as in the case of Isaac, God would at the last moment prevent his shameful death. But angels were not permitted to bear any such message to God’s dear Son.?{PH013 14.1}[22]
The humiliation in the judgment hall, on the way to Calvary went on. He was mocked, derided, and spit upon. He endured the jeers, taunts, and revilings, of those who hated him, until upon the cross he bowed his head and died.?{PH013 14.2}[23]
Could God give to us any greater proof of his love than this that he gave his Son to pass through this scene of suffering? And as the gift of God to man was a free gift, his love is infinite. The claims of God upon our confidence, our obedience, our whole heart, and the wealth of our affections, correspond with the infinite gift. He requires all that is possible for man to give. The submission on our part must be proportionate to the gift of God. It must be complete, and wanting in nothing. We are all debtors to God. He has?claims upon us that we cannot meet without giving ourselves a full and willing sacrifice. Prompt and willing obedience God claims, and nothing short of this will he accept. We have opportunity now to secure the love and favor of God. This year of 1874 may be the last year of some who may read this. Is there any among the youth who shall read this appeal who would choose the pleasure of the world before that peace which Christ gives the earnest seeker and the cheerful doer of his will??{PH013 14.3}[24]
God is weighing our characters, our conduct, and our motives, in the balances of the sanctuary. It will be a fearful thing to be pronounced wanting in love and obedience by our Redeemer, who died upon the cross to draw our hearts unto him. God has bestowed upon us great and precious gifts. He has given us light and a knowledge of his will that we need not err or walk in darkness. To be weighed in the balance and found wanting in the day of final settlement and rewards will be a fearful thing, a terrible mistake which can never be corrected. Shall the book of God be searched in vain for your names, young friends??{PH013 15.1}[25]
God has appointed you a work to do for him which will make you a co-laborer with him. There are souls to save around you. There will be those whom you can encourage?and bless by your earnest efforts. You may turn souls from sin to righteousness. When you have a sense of your accountability to God, you will feel your need of faithfulness in prayer, and faithfulness in watching against the temptations of Satan. You will, if you are indeed Christians, feel more like mourning over the moral darkness in the world than indulging in levity and pride of dress. You will be among those who are sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. You will resist the temptations of Satan to indulge in vanity and in trimmings and ornaments for display. The mind is narrowed and the intellect dwarfed that can be gratified with these frivolous things to the neglect of high responsibilities. The youth in Battle Creek may be workers with Christ if they will, and in working, their faith will strengthen and their knowledge of the divine will will increase. Every true purpose and every act of right doing will be recorded in the book of life. I wish I could arouse the youth to see and feel the sinfulness of living for their own gratification and dwarfing their intellect to the cheap, vain things of this life. If they would elevate their thoughts and words above the frivolous attractions of this world, and make it their aim to glorify God, his?peace which passeth all understanding would be theirs.?{PH013 15.2}[26]
Did not our Exemplar tread a hard, self-denying, self-sacrificing, humble path, on our account, in order to save us? He encountered difficulties. He experienced disappointment and suffered reproach and affliction in his work of saving us. And shall we refuse to follow where the King of glory has led the way? Shall we complain of hardship and trial in the work of overcoming on our account, when we remember the suffering of our Redeemer in the wilderness of temptation, and in the garden of Gethsemane, and on Calvary? All these were endured to show us the way, and bring us the divine help we must have or perish. If the youth would win eternal life, they need not expect that they can follow their own inclinations. The prize will cost them something, yes, everything. They can now have Jesus or the world. How many dear youth will suffer privation, weariness, toil, and anxiety, in order to serve themselves, and gain an object in this life? They do not think of complaining of the hardships and difficulties they encounter in order to serve their own interest. Why then should the youth shrink from conflict, self-denial, or from any sacrifice, for eternal life??{PH013 17.1}[27]
Christ came from the courts of glory to?this sin-polluted world and humbled himself to humanity. He identified himself with our weaknesses. He was tempted in all points like as we are. Christ perfected a righteous character here upon the earth, not on his own account; for his character was pure and spotless, but for fallen man. His character he offers to man if he will accept it. The sinner, through repentance of his sins and faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the perfect law of God, has the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, and it becomes his righteousness, and his name is recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. He becomes a child of God, a member of the royal family.?{PH013 17.2}[28]
Jesus paid an infinite price to redeem the world, and the race was given into the hands of Jesus. They became his property. He sacrificed his honor, his riches, and his glorious home in the royal courts, and became the son of Joseph and Mary. Joseph was one of the humblest day laborers, and Jesus worked, and lived a life of hardship and toil. When his ministry commenced, after his baptism, he endured nearly six weeks of agonizing fast. It was not merely the gnawing pangs of hunger which made his sufferings inexpressibly severe, but it was the guilt of the sins of the world which pressed so heavily upon him. He who knew no sin was made sin?for us. With this terrible weight of guilt upon him because of our sins he withstood the fearful test upon appetite, love of the world, love of honor, and pride of display which leads to presumption. These three great leading temptations, Christ endured, and overcame in behalf of man, working out for him a righteous character because he knew man could not do this of himself. He knew that upon these three points Satan was to assail the race. He had overcome Adam, and designed to carry forward his work to completion in the ruin of man. Christ entered the field in man’s behalf to conquer Satan for him because he saw man could not overcome on his own account. Christ prepared the way for the ransom of man by his own life of suffering, self-denial, self-sacrifice, his humiliation, and, finally, his death. He has brought help to man that he may, in following his example, overcome on his own account, as Christ has overcome for him.?{PH013 18.1}[29]
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God him?shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”?{PH013 19.1}[30]
How graciously and tenderly our Heavenly Father deals with his children. He preserves them from a thousand dangers to them unseen. He guards them from the subtle arts of Satan, lest they should be destroyed. Because the protecting care of God through his angels is not seen by our dull vision, we do not try to contemplate and appreciate the ever-watchful interest our kind and benevolent Creator has over the work of his hands; and we are not grateful for the multitude of mercies he daily bestows upon us.?{PH013 20.1}[31]
The young are ignorant of the many dangers to which they are daily exposed. They can never fully know them all; but if they are watchful and prayerful, God will keep their consciences sensitive and their perceptions clear, that they may discern the workings of the enemy, and be fortified against his attacks. But many of the youth have so long followed their own inclination that duty is a meaningless word to them. High and holy duties which they may have to do for the benefit of others and to glorify God, they do not sense, and they utterly neglect to perform them.?{PH013 21.1}[32]
If the youth could only be awake, and deeply feel their need of strength from God to resist the temptations of Satan, precious victories would be theirs, and they would obtain a valuable experience in the Christian warfare. How few of the young think of the inspired apostle’s exhortation, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith.” In the vision given to John, he saw the power of Satan over men, and exclaimed, “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”?{PH013 21.2}[33]
The only safety for the young is in unceasing?watchfulness and humble prayer. They need not flatter themselves that they can be Christians without these. Satan conceals his temptations and his devices under a cover of light, as when he approached Christ in the wilderness, he was in appearance as one of the heavenly angels. The adversary of our souls will approach us as a heavenly guest; and sobriety and vigilance the apostle recommends as our only safety. The young who indulge in carelessness, in levity, and neglect of Christian duties, are continually falling under the temptations of the enemy, instead of overcoming as Christ overcame.?{PH013 21.3}[34]
The service of Christ is not drudgery to the fully consecrated soul. Obedience to our Saviour does not detract from our happiness and true pleasure in this life, but has a refining, elevating power upon our characters. The daily study of the precious words of life found in our Bibles strengthens the intellect, and furnishes knowledge of the grand and glorious works of God in nature. Through study of the Scriptures, a correct knowledge is obtained in regard to the way to live in order to enjoy the greatest amount of unalloyed happiness. The Bible student is also furnished with Scripture arguments to meet the doubts of unbelievers and remove them by the clear light of truth. Those who have searched the?Scriptures may ever be fortified against the temptations of Satan, and may be thoroughly furnished to every good work, and prepared to give to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is within them.?{PH013 22.1}[35]
The impression is too frequently left upon minds that religion is degrading, and that it is a condescension for the sinner to accept of the Bible standard as his rule of life. They think its requirements are unrefined, and they must relinquish all their tastes and happy enjoyments of all that is beautiful, and accept of humiliation and degradation. Satan never fastens a greater deception upon minds than this. The pure religion of Jesus requires of its followers the simplicity of natural beauty in its natural refinement and elevated purity rather than the artificial and false.?{PH013 23.1}[36]
While pure religion is looked upon as exacting in its demands, and, with the young especially, is unfavorably contrasted with the false glitter and tinsel of the world, they regard the Bible requirements as a humiliating, self-denying test, which takes from them all the enjoyment of life. But the religion of the Bible ever has a tendency to elevate and refine. And had the professed followers of Jesus Christ carried out the principles of pure religion in their lives, the religion of Jesus Christ would be acceptable to more refined minds. The?religion of the Bible has nothing in it which would jar upon the finest feelings. It is, in all its precepts and requirements, pure as the character of God, and as elevated as his throne.?{PH013 23.2}[37]
The Redeemer of the world warns us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty. He pointed to the glowing beauty of the flowers of the field, and to the lily reposing in its spotless purity upon the bosom of the lake, and said, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Here he shows that notwithstanding men and women may have so great care, and toil with weariness to make themselves objects of admiration by outward decorations, all their artificial adornments, which they value, will not bear comparison with the simple flowers of the field for natural loveliness. Even these simple flowers, with God’s adornment, would outvie in loveliness the gorgeous apparel of Solomon. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.?{PH013 24.1}[38]
Here is an important lesson for every follower of Christ. The Redeemer of the world speaks to the youth. Will you listen to his words of heavenly instruction? He presents before you themes for thought that?will ennoble, elevate, refine, and purify, but never degrade or dwarf the intellect. His voice is speaking to you. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” If the light of God be in you, it will shine forth to others. It can never be concealed.?{PH013 24.2}[39]
Dear youth, a disposition in you to follow fashion in your dress, and to wear lace, and gold, and artificials, for display, will not recommend your religion and the truth you profess to others. People of discernment will look upon your attempts to beautify the external, as proof of weak minds and proud hearts. Simple, plain, unpretending dress will be a recommendation to my youthful sisters. In no better way can you let your light shine to others than in your simplicity of dress and deportment. You may show to all that you place a proper estimate upon the things of this life in comparison with eternal considerations.?{PH013 25.1}[40]
Now is your golden opportunity to form pure and holy characters for Heaven. You cannot afford to devote these precious moments to trimming and ruffling, to beautify the external to the neglect of the inward adorning. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting?the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”?{PH013 25.2}[41]
God, who created everything lovely and beautiful that the eye rests upon, is a lover of the beautiful. He shows you how he estimates true beauty. The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in his sight of?great price. That which God estimates as valuable above costly dress, or pearls, or gold, shall we not seek earnestly to gain? The inward adorning, the grace of meekness, a spirit in harmony with the heavenly angels, will not lessen true dignity of characters, or make us less lovely here in this world.?{PH013 26.1}[42]
Religion, pure and undefiled, ennobles its possessor. You will even find with the true Christian a marked cheerfulness, a holy, happy confidence in God, a submission to his providences that is refreshing to the soul. To the Christian, God’s love and benevolence can be seen in every bounty he receives. The beauties in nature are a theme for contemplation. In studying the natural loveliness surrounding us, the mind is carried up through nature to the Author of all that is lovely. All the works of God are speaking to our senses, magnifying his power, exalting his wisdom. Every created?thing has in it charms which interest the child of God, and mold his taste to these precious evidences of God’s love above the work of human skill.?{PH013 26.2}[43]
The prophet, in words of glowing fervor, magnifies God in his created works: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?” “O Lord God, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works.”?{PH013 27.1}[44]
It is absence of religion that makes the path of so many professors of religion shadowy. There are those who may pass for Christians, but they are unworthy the name. They have not Christian character. When their Christianity is put to the test, its falsity is too evident. True religion is seen in the daily deportment. The life of the Christian is characterized by earnest, unselfish working to do others good and to glorify God. Their path is not dark and gloomy.?{PH013 27.2}[45]
An inspired writer has said, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness; they know not at what they stumble.”?{PH013 27.3}[46]
And shall the young live vain and thoughtless lives of fashion and frivolity, dwarfing their intellect to the matter of dress, and consume their time in sensual pleasure? When they are all unready, God may say to them, This night thy folly shall end. He may permit mortal sickness to come upon those who have borne no fruit to his glory. While facing the realities of eternity, they may begin to realize the value of time and the life they have lost. They may then have some sense of the worth of the soul. They see that their lives have not glorified God in lighting the path of others to Heaven. They have lived to glorify self. And when racked with pain and with anguish of soul, they cannot have clear conceptions of eternal things. They may review their past lives, and in their remorse cry out, I have done nothing for Jesus who has done everything for me. My life has been a terrible failure.?{PH013 28.1}[47]
While you pray, dear youth, that you may not be led into temptation, remember that your work does not end with the prayer. You want then to answer your own prayer, as far as possible, by resisting temptation, and leave that which you cannot do for Jesus to do for you. You cannot be too guarded in your words and in your deportment lest you invite the enemy to tempt you. Many of our youth open the door wide for Satan to come in by their careless disregard of the warnings and reproofs given them.?{PH013 28.2}[48]
With God’s word for our guide, and Jesus as our heavenly teacher, we need not be ignorant of his requirements or of Satan’s devices, and be overcome by his temptations. It will be no unpleasant task to be obedient to the will of God, when we yield ourselves fully to be directed by his Spirit.?{PH013 29.1}[49]
Now is the time to work. If we are children of God, as long as we live in the world God will give us our work. We can never say we have nothing to do so long as there remains a work undone.?{PH013 29.2}[50]
I wish all youth could see as I have seen the work that they can do, and which God will hold them responsible for, because they do not do it. The greatest work that was ever accomplished in the world, was by Him who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. A frivolous-minded person will never accomplish good.?{PH013 29.3}[51]
The spiritual weakness of many young men and women in this age is deplorable because they could be powerful agents for good if they were consecrated to God. I mourn greatly the lack of integrity with the young. This we should all deplore. There seems to be a lack of power to do right, a lack of earnest effort to obey the calls of duty rather than of inclination. There?seems to be with some but little strength to resist temptation. The reason of their being dwarfs in spiritual things is because they do not by exercise grow spiritually strong. They stand still when they should be going forward. Every step in the life of faith and duty is a step toward Heaven. I want greatly to hear of a reformation in Battle Creek such as the young have never heretofore realized. I greatly fear the influence of a singing-school in Battle Creek, as such schools are generally conducted. I regard it as a dangerous and solemn time for the youth. Every inducement that Satan can invent is pressed upon them to make them indifferent and careless in regard to eternal things. I suggest that there be special efforts made by the youth to help each other to live faithful to their baptismal vows, and pledge themselves solemnly before God to withdraw their affections from the love of dress and display.?{PH013 29.4}[52]
I would remind youth who wear feathers upon their hats and ornament their persons that because of their sins our Saviour’s head wore the shameful crown of thorns. When you devote precious time to trimming your apparel, remember the King of glory wore a plain, seamless coat. You who weary yourselves in decorating your persons, please bear in mind that Jesus was often weary from incessant toil and self-denial and?self-sacrifice to bless the suffering and needy. He spent whole nights in prayer upon the lonely mountains. Not because of his weakness and his necessities, but he saw, he felt, the weakness of your natures to resist the temptations of the enemy upon the very points where you are now overcome. He knew that you would be indifferent in regard to your dangers and would not feel your need of prayer. It was on our account, he poured out his prayers to his Father with strong cries and tears. It was to save us from the very pride and love of vanity and pleasure that we now indulge which crowds out the love of Jesus, that caused these tears, and marred our Saviour’s visage with sorrow and anguish more than any of the sons of men.?{PH013 30.1}[53]
Will you, young friends, arise and shake off this dreadful indifference and stupor which has conformed you to the world? Will you heed the voice of warning which tells you destruction lies in the path of those who are at ease in this hour of danger? God’s patience will not always wait for you, poor trifling souls. God, who holds our destinies in his hands, will not always be trifled with. Jesus declares to us that there is a greater sin than that which caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is the sin of those who have the great light of the truth in these days and who are not?moved to repentance. It is the sin of rejecting the light of the most solemn message of mercy to the world. It is the sin of those who see Jesus in the wilderness of temptation bowed down as with mortal agony because of the sins of the world. He fasted nearly six weeks to overcome, in behalf of men, their indulgence of appetite, their vanity, display, and worldly honor. He has shown them how they may overcome on their own account as he overcame, but it is not pleasant to their natures to endure conflict and reproach, derision and shame, for his dear sake. It is not agreeable to deny self and to ever be seeking to do good to others. It is not pleasant to overcome as Christ overcame, so they turn from the pattern which is plainly given them to copy, and refuse to imitate the example that the Saviour came from the heavenly courts to leave them.?{PH013 31.1}[54]
It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for those who have had the privileges and the great light which shines in our day, and who neglect to follow the light, and give their hearts fully to God.?{PH013 32.1}[55]
Ellen G. White---Santa Rosa, Cal.,February 2, 1874.[56]
搜索
