澳大利亚新南威尔士州库兰邦“森尼赛德”
1897年3月
致我在美国的弟兄们：
“所以要约束你们的心(原文作束上你们心中的腰)，谨慎自守，专心盼望耶稣基督显现的时候所带来给你们的恩。你们既作顺命的儿女，就不要效法从前蒙昧无知的时候那放纵私欲的样子。那召你们的既是圣洁，你们在一切所行的事上也要圣洁。因为经上记着说：‘你们要圣洁，因为我是圣洁的’”(彼前1:13-16)。{SpTA10 2.1}
我想要说，凯洛格医生正在做的工作不应被视为奇怪的工作;因为这是每一个相信现代真理的教会早就应该做的工作。但我们却只是模糊地意识到了我们作为神圣真理保管者的地位。世人面前若有上帝要信徒们树立的榜样，他们就会做基督的工作。我们若把在人世间被钉死的耶稣宣扬出来，以上帝之道的亮光瞻仰髑髅地的十字架，就会与基督合一，像祂与父原为一。我们的信心就会与现在所表现的信心完全不同。我们就会有对上帝对同胞生发出仁爱并且洁净心灵的信心。上帝的子民若是显出这种信心，就会有比现在多得多的人信靠基督。上帝仆人们慈善的行动会发挥一种神圣的影响，他们在世上就会如明灯发光。{SpTA10 2.2}
“我所拣选的禁食不是要松开凶恶的绳，解下轭上的索，使被欺压的得自由，折断一切的轭吗?不是要把你的饼分给饥饿的人，将飘流的穷人接到你家中，见赤身的给他衣服遮体，顾恤自己的骨肉而不掩藏吗?这样，你的光就必发现如早晨的光;你所得的医治要速速发明。你的公义必在你前面行;耶和华的荣光必作你的后盾。……那些出于你的人必修造久已荒废之处;你要建立拆毁累代的根基。你必称为补破口的，和重修路径与人居住的。你若在安息日掉转(或作：谨慎)你的脚步，在我圣日不以操作为喜乐，称安息日为可喜乐的，称耶和华的圣日为可尊重的;而且尊敬这日，不办自己的私事，不随自己的私意，不说自己的私话，你就以耶和华为乐。耶和华要使你乘驾地的高处，又以你祖雅各的产业养育你。这是耶和华亲口说的”(赛58:6-14)。{SpTA10 3.1}
这段话中所指定的工作是上帝要求祂的子民去做的。这是上帝亲自指定的工作。在这提倡上帝的诫命和补修祂律法之破口的工作上，我们必须结合对受痛苦人类的恻隐之心。我们要对上帝表示至上的爱;我们要高举已被不圣洁的脚践踏的祂的纪念日;而且在这工进行的同时，我们要表现出对堕落人类的慈悲、仁爱和最温柔的同情。“要爱邻舍如同自己”(路10:27)。我们作为一班子民必须把握这项工作。向受苦人类表示的爱使真理有意义和能力。{SpTA10 3.2}
当圣灵藉着人行事，运用其神圣的影响时，他们就不会设法回避自己对于周围将亡之人的义务。罪与不义就不会不受责备，无论那个冒险犯罪的人物有多重要。善行就会更加常见。它拯救灵魂的计划就会没有限制。{SpTA10 4.1}
当今世界的灵魂需要救主。主已使祂的教会有机会为祂工作;祂已邀请他们来参加福音的筵席，并且邀请别人和他们一起来。再三给了上帝子民机会出去到大路和篱笆那里，勉强人进来，坐满上帝的屋子。在上帝的天意安排中，凯洛格医生已开始一项工作，藉以将工人组织起来，推进将真理带到成千上万目前仍在恶习与罪孽中的人面前的工作，救赎他们脱离放荡罪恶的生活。上帝的子民都应对这项工作感兴趣。但是许多人却表现出了贪爱安逸和自私的放纵。我们遗憾地说，一些拥有所有特权知道圣经真理的人并没有把真理带进心灵的至圣所。上帝要对他们滥用的才干负责，这些才干被托付给他们是要他们予以善用的，但他们却没有以诚实忠信的服务来回报祂。{SpTA10 4.2}
所有这种人都被描绘为来参加婚筵却没有穿礼服，就是基督的义。他们虽在名义上接受了真理，但却没有实行真理。他们觉得有权来赴筵席，但却不肯穿上基督的义袍。他们自称受了割礼，实际上却在未受割礼的人当中，也必与未受割礼的人一同灭亡。他们贪婪地与未受割礼的人同行，耶和华必不怜恤他们，正如不怜恤那十足的罪人一样。{SpTA10 5.1}
那些在上帝的工作中同心合意的人会穿上基督所提供的礼服。然后他们才会准备好以基督的路线作工。他们才不会选留领受上帝的恩典。他们会以谦卑、虔诚的敬重，在左在右操劳，深思熟虑地使他们的全部服务和能力都服从于上帝。他们歌唱、赞美、感谢，与上帝和天使一同快乐，因为他们看见患罪病的灵魂得到扶持和帮助，看见被迷惑的人和疯癫的人穿着衣服，心里明白过来，坐在耶稣脚前，学习祂的样式。{SpTA10 5.2}
凯洛格医生一直在做的工作，是每一个安息日复临信徒都应该衷心同情和支持并认真掌握的工作。主必悦纳凡本着基督的路线作工、将祂的怜悯传遍天下之人的服务。{SpTA10 5.3}
当那么多人反对上帝所赐关于因信称义和大量归给凡饥渴慕义之人的基督之义的亮光的时候，花在预备传道人从事工作上的钱是必要的。然而主已将另一项工作摆在你们面前，——藉着在各城建立兴趣中心并差派工人到大路和篱笆那里来扩展真理的工作。但这项工作尚未完成。资金被其它部门占用了。在那些知道真理的人当中，做了太多的工作。宗教，圣经的宗教，才是上帝的传道人所需要的。{SpTA10 5.4}
撒但会提供大量的投机项目，这些计划并不是按照上帝的命令，而是出于人雄心勃勃的发明。成千上万的美元会花在旅行上。资金就这样被消耗了，但收效甚微。惟一正确的做法是停止设计那些占用资金且造成上帝并没有默示的各种发明的奇妙计划，将主的资金和上帝所赐给你们的才能投入到开展一项会接触被忽视的人、受压迫的人和那些无法自立之人的工作上。{SpTA10 6.1}
凯洛格医生正在从事一项工作，各教会要是归正了，就能在有限的程度上从事这各种工作。它使许多人有机会服侍上帝。在你们自己家门口就有一些家庭，你们还没有表现出足够的兴趣引导他们认为你们关心的灵魂。我劝你们阅读《撒迦利亚书》第三章和第四章。这两章若是得到理解和接受，就会为那些饥渴慕义的人做成一项工作，一项超前的工作，一项意味着前进和上进的工作。{SpTA10 6.2}
“万军之耶和华如此说：你若遵行我的道，谨守我的命令，你就可以管理我的家，看守我的院宇;我也要使你在这些站立的人中间来往”(亚3:7)。在这个世界上有两党人。天国的天使与每一个无私的工人合作;撒但的使者却会利用一些因素来混乱人的判断，那些因素将绊脚石放在上帝愿意使之了解真理之人的路上。{SpTA10 7.1}
如果上帝的工人愿意受圣灵控制，如果他们愿意始终将必需为现时和永恒做的准备摆在面前，主就必使他们能够从事一项会推进祂的真理的工作。{SpTA10 7.2}
每一个相信真理的人都应该倒空自己的自私、自负和野心勃勃的计划。天上的使者应当虚已，将金色油倒进金管里，以便它流到金碗里。每一个教会都需要这金色油;因为他们的灯要熄灭了，其时他们应当清晰明亮，照耀世界，穿透像葬礼棺罩一样笼罩着世界的首先黑暗。若是曾有需要站在普天下主旁边的那两位受膏者的时候，就是现在了。{SpTA10 7.3}
主给了巴特尔克里克的教会为祂工作的机会。有些家庭在那里没有提供任何帮助。他们应当在别的教会定居，将上帝已经赐给他们的真理知识传达给他人。然而要让那些迈出这一步的人先寻求上帝。来自基督的属灵生命的血液并没有在他们经验的血管里流通，因为他们没有从事祂的服务。成长是不可能的。他们必须重生，不是由于能坏的种子，乃是由于不能坏的种子，是藉着上帝活泼常存的道。背道者不知道未腐败的经验的美德。他们的忠告如此将凡火与圣火混杂，以致他们的决定毫无价值。他们是在伤害和误导别人。……{SpTA10 7.4}
主怎样确实活着并统治者，祂曾对尼哥底母说过的话也确实是对一直在履行神圣职责的人说的。上帝对他们说：“你们必须重生。”一种以新生为代表的转变必须发生。然后那些按照他们所谓的智慧办事的人才会变得像小孩子，像以色列人在五旬节那天一样寻求主，承认他们的罪，洁净自己脱离一切道德污秽。当他们带着自己的软弱感来到主面前时，主就会垂听他们，并且会回答说：“我在这里。”圣灵会他们摆脱自以为义，法利赛主义和内心的刚硬，且会赐给他们一颗因圣灵的内住而柔软温柔的肉心。自我会死，基督的生命会彰显在的生活中。他们现在活着，是因信上帝的儿子而活，祂爱他们，为他们舍己。{SpTA10 8.1}
我奉主的名告诉你们：那些拥有大光的人现今正处在基督给老底嘉教会的信息所描述的状况中。他们自以为富足，已经发了财，一样也不缺。基督却对你们说：如果你们还关心自己灵魂的话，就要听那伟大策士的话，并且实行：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足;又买白衣穿上，叫你赤身的羞耻不露出来;又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”(启3:18)。{SpTA10 8.2}
必须把实际的真理带到生活中去。上帝的话如同两刃的利剑，必能除去我们品格中自我的残余。“上帝的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵，骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辨明”(来4:12)。{SpTA10 9.1}
耶和华将警告祂百姓的信息赐给了我，我以极大的心灵负担和痛苦，将这些信息传达给你们。我午夜被唤醒，并在凌晨时分将你们瞎眼不能看见的事写给你们。“如今我将真理告诉你们，就成了你们的仇敌吗”(加4:16)?上帝所赐的信息积极地影响了一些人，但是并没有很好地影响所有的人。你们没有看出也没有认识到必需恳切、热切、恒切地寻求主，直到基督在你们里面成为荣耀的盼望。{SpTA10 9.2}
当你们知道上帝的旨意时，你们就会在所有的事情上跟随基督，祂就必把你们藏在磐石穴里，用祂的手遮盖你们，使你们看不见自己，而是看见祂的荣耀。摩西对主说：“求祢显出祢的荣耀给我看”(出33:18)。“耶和华在他面前宣告说：耶和华，耶和华，是有怜悯有恩典的上帝，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实，为千万人存留慈爱，赦免罪孽、过犯和罪恶，万不以有罪的为无罪，必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三、四代”(出34:6,7)。这是上帝经过的表现。这是对祂在祂所走道路上所有行为的事后影响的真实描述。{SpTA10 9.3}
那些变得粗心鲁莽自我放纵的人，并不停下来想想自己行为的后果。亚伦的儿子拿答和亚比户就是这样。上帝的话已明确指示，只有圣火才能用在上帝的服务中。但 拿答和亚比户的理智却被酒蒙蔽，他们便在上帝面前献上了凡火。他们把自己置于不能区分圣与俗的境地。他们使用了凡火，那是上帝曾吩咐他们不可使用的，他们便死在耶和华面前。在他们被击杀之后，摩西对亚伦说：“这就是耶和华所说：‘我在亲近我的人中要显为圣’”(利10:3)。{SpTA10 10.1}
这两个人的行为多么经常得到重复啊!上帝的圣工被人漫不经心地与凡俗的观念混在一起了。这就贬低了真理。人的意见被带到了前面，完全由自我产生的不圣洁的主张也被付诸行动了。要是那些做了些事的人能看到他们行为的结果，要是他们能知道把事情颠倒过来意味着什么，他们就会以在上帝面前战兢。{SpTA10 10.2}
“主耶稣同祂有能力的天使从天上在火焰中显现，要报应那不认识上帝和那不听从我主耶稣福音的人。他们要受刑罚，就是永远沉沦，离开主的面和祂权能的荣光。这正是主降临、要在祂圣徒的身上得荣耀，又在一切信的人身上显为希奇的那日子”(帖后1:7-10)。自私的性格不能彰显上帝的荣耀，不能被那些真正与基督联合的人所实行。凡事都要有直截了当的行动。当上帝的子民开始与祂分离时，他们的行为便证明，他们不是在吃上帝儿子的肉，喝祂的血，他们在精神上与基督不是合一的。“一点面酵能使全团都发起来”(加5:9)。在我们中间，有一种漠视属灵圣洁行为的酵。{SpTA10 10.3}
“恨不得那搅乱你们的人把自己割绝了。弟兄们，你们蒙召是要得自由，只是不可将你们的自由当作放纵情欲的机会，总要用爱心互相服事。因为全律法都包在‘爱人如己’这一句话之内了。你们要谨慎，若相咬相吞，只怕要彼此消灭了。我说，你们当顺着圣灵而行，就不放纵肉体的情欲了。因为情欲和圣灵相争，圣灵和情欲相争，这两个是彼此相敌，使你们不能做所愿意做的”(加5:12-17)。这是实际的敬虔。但它却被丢弃了，反而使用了主所谴责的凡火。{SpTA10 11.1}
主必洁净并提升祂的机构到高尚圣洁的标准。“圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制。这样的事，没有律法禁止。凡属基督耶稣的人，是已经把肉体连肉体的邪情私欲同钉在十字架上了。我们若是靠圣灵得生，就当靠圣灵行事。不要贪图虚名，彼此惹气，互相嫉妒”(加5:22-26)。{SpTA10 11.2}
“在各水边撒种”
“所以，你们既是上帝的选民，圣洁蒙爱的人，就要存(原文作穿;下同)怜悯、恩慈、谦虚、温柔、忍耐的心。倘若这人与那人有嫌隙，总要彼此包容，彼此饶恕;主怎样饶恕了你们，你们也要怎样饶恕人。在这一切之外，要存着爱心，爱心就是联络全德的。又要叫基督的平安在你们心里作主;你们也为此蒙召，归为一体;且要存感谢的心。当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此教导，互相劝戒，心被恩感，歌颂上帝。无论做什么，或说话或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名，藉着祂感谢父上帝”(西3:12-17)。{SpTA10 12.1}
要力争使自己在实践上帝的道上出类拔萃。这是唯一合法的斗争。要实践上帝的道;吃上帝儿子的肉，喝祂的血。{SpTA10 12.2}
“你们既然接受了主基督耶稣，就当遵祂而行，在祂里面生根建造，信心坚固，正如你们所领的教训，感谢的心也更增长了。你们要谨慎，恐怕有人用他的理学和虚空的妄言，不照着基督，乃照人间的遗传和世上的小学就把你们掳去。因为上帝本性一切的丰盛都有形有体的居住在基督里面，你们在祂里面也得了丰盛。祂是各样执政掌权者的元首”(西2:6-10)。{SpTA10 12.3}
上帝应当在我们身上得荣耀。请阅读《哥林多后书》第八章。“少种的少收，多种的多收”(林后9:6)。这是主的工作。当上帝的子民在这一点上听从祂的指示时，耶和华的荣耀就必作他们的后盾。谁将按照圣经的原则行事，以上帝的话语为他们的顾问呢?{SpTA10 13.1}
有一项大工需要完成。世人的回转不是藉着口才或行奇事，而是藉着传讲被钉十字架的基督。要让圣灵作工。上帝已经把各种工具放在我们手中。我们必须使用每一种工具遵行祂的旨意和道。我们作为信徒，有权参与推进现代的真理。我们要尽量利用上帝所赐的钱财和能力，把真理介绍到新的地区。要建造教堂，以容纳上帝的子民，使它们作为亮光的中心，在世界的黑暗中发光。{SpTA10 13.2}
我们要在各水边撒种，保守自己的心灵在上帝的爱中，趁着白日做工，用主赐给我们的钱财去尽我们所面临的本分。凡发现我们的手可以去做的事，我们都要高兴地去做。凡我们蒙召要作出的牺牲，我们都要愉快地作出。当我们在各水边撒种时，就会体验“多种的多收”(林后9:6)。{SpTA10 13.3}
“各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为捐得乐意的人是上帝所喜爱的。上帝能将各样的恩惠多多的加给你们，使你们凡事常常充足，能多行各样善事”(林后9:7,8)。一旦圣灵在你们心中唤起了一种责任感，就不要退后。要按那意见而行，因为它是主所激发的。“他若退后，我心里就不喜欢他”(来10:38)。{SpTA10 14.1}
在各水边撒种的意义很多;它意味着不断地分赠礼物和供物。上帝会提供各种便利，使蒙祂托付管理钱财的人在凡事上都充足，能多行各样的善事。{SpTA10 14.2}
感谢主，行善的主题已经非常清楚明白。“如经上所记：他施舍钱财，周济贫穷;他的仁义存到永远。那赐种给撒种的，赐粮给人吃的，必多多加给你们种地的种子，又增添你们仁义的果子”(林后9:9-10)。用丰富慷慨的手撒播的种子是由主掌管着的。那赐种给撒种的，必赐给祂的工人那能使他藉着撒种与赐种子的主合作的东西。{SpTA10 14.3}
人是主的同工。播下的种子——慷慨的行为——首先是由主给予的;而人在撒种时，在供应那些需要帮助之人的需要时，人就将主自己的东西归还给主。主对这项工作有充足的供应，使祂的仆人能继续照顾那些贫穷的人{SpTA10 14.4}
这种撒种不仅仅是给予现世的福气。它包含着真理的宝贵种子，应当将这种子给予那些需要属灵启迪的人。应当用灵粮，就是生命的粮喂养他们。必须对他们说安慰的话;必须邀请他们参加福音的筵席。{SpTA10 15.1}
现世的和属灵的慷慨包括在这个撒种的教训中。当上帝使用的人藉着将上帝所赐给他们的现世的福气分给别人来撒播好种时，便在接受者的心中唤醒了感激和感恩。他们得到了救济;他们现世的需要得到了供应，别人的爱和同情的证据在他们的心中唤醒了对上帝的感恩之情，为真理的种子播下开辟了道路。赐种给撒种者的上帝必使所撒的种子发芽生长以至永生。{SpTA10 15.2}
上帝赐下祂的独生子担当世人的罪孽，叫凡信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生。这是一个保证，已经提供了一切，为要使我们能够成为得胜者。我们可以“叫你们凡事富足，可以多多施舍，就藉着我们使感谢归于上帝。因为办这供给的事，不但补圣徒的缺乏，而且叫许多人越发感谢上帝。他们从这供给的事上得了凭据，知道你们承认基督顺服祂的福音，多多的捐钱给他们和众人，便将荣耀归与上帝”(林后9:11-13)。{SpTA10 15.3}
这项工作是上帝要我们做。那些自称基督儿女的人必须效法基督的榜样。要救济你同胞物质的需要，他们的感激就会打破障碍，使你们能够触及他们的心。要认真考虑这件事。作为教会，你们有过机会去作工，作与上帝同工的人。要是你们顺从了上帝的道，要是你们曾开始从事这项工作，你们原会得到赐福和鼓励，原会获得丰富的经验。你们原会发现自己作为上帝在人间的代表，认真倡导拯救、恢复、救恩的计划。这个计划不是固定的，而是渐进的，勇往直前，恩上加恩，力上加力。{SpTA10 16.1}
怀爱伦夫人
【Lines of Mission Work】
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N. S. W.,March, 1897.
To my brethren in America:“Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am Holy.”{SpTA10 2.1}[1]
I wish to say that the work that is being done by Dr. Kellogg is not to be regarded as a strange work; for it is the very work that every church that believes the truth for this time, should long since have been doing. But our position as depositaries of sacred truth has been but dimly realized. If the world had before them the example that God demands those who believe in him to set, they would work the works of Christ. If Jesus were set forth, crucified among us, if we viewed the cross of Calvary in the light of God’s word, we would be one with Christ as he was one with the Father. Our faith would be altogether different from the faith now shown. It would be a faith that works by love to God and to our fellow men, and purifies the soul. If this faith were shown by God’s people, many more would believe on Christ. A hallowed influence would be exerted by the benevolent actions of God’s servants, and they would shine as lights in the world.{SpTA10 2.2}[2]
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.... And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”{SpTA10 3.1}[3]
The work specified in these words is the work God requires his people to do. It is a work of God’s own appointment. With the work of advocating the commandments of God, and repairing the breach that has been made in the law of God, we are to mingle compassion for suffering humanity. We are to show supreme love to God; we are to exalt his memorial, which has been trodden down by unholy feet; and with this, we are to manifest mercy, benevolence, and the tenderest pity for the fallen race. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” As a people we must take hold of this work. Love revealed for suffering humanity gives significance and power to the truth.{SpTA10 3.2}[4]
When the Holy Spirit works through the human agents, exercising its consecrating influence, they will not seek to evade his obligations in regard to the souls perishing around them. Sin and iniquity will not go unrebuked, however important the personage may be who ventures to sin. Benevolence will be more common. There will be no limit to its plans for the salvation of souls.{SpTA10 4.1}[5]
Souls in our world today are in need of a Saviour. The Lord has given his church the opportunity to work for him; he has invited them to come to the gospel feast, and to invite others to come with them. Again and again opportunities have been given for God’s people to go out into the highways and hedges, and compel those there to come in, that God’s house may be full. In the providence of God, Dr. Kellogg has entered upon a work whereby he can organize workers to carry forward the work of bringing the truth before thousands that are now in vice and iniquity, that they may be redeemed from a life of dissipation and sin. All the people of God should be interested in this work. But a love of ease and selfish indulgence has been shown by many. We are sorry to say that some who have had every privilege of knowing Bible truth have not brought it into the inner sanctuary of the soul. God holds all these accountable for their misused talents, which were entrusted to them to be improved, but which they have not returned to him in honest, faithful service.{SpTA10 4.2}[6]
All such are represented as coming to the wedding supper without having on the wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ. They have nominally accepted the truth, but they do not practise it. They feel at liberty to come to the supper, but refuse to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Professedly circumcised, they are among the uncircumcised in practise, and will be destroyed with the uncircumcised. They have walked with the uncircumcised in their covetousness, and the Lord will not spare them any more than he will the veriest sinner.{SpTA10 5.1}[7]
Those who are united heart and soul in the work of God will put on the wedding garment that Christ has provided. Then they will be prepared to work in Christ’s lines. They will not receive the grace of God in vain. With humble, devoted reverence, they will labor on the right hand and on the left, thoughtfully conforming their entire service and all their capabilities to God. With singing and praise and thanksgiving, they rejoice with God and the heavenly angels as they see sin-sick souls uplifted and helped, as they see the deluded and the insane sitting clothed and in their right mind at the feet of Jesus, learning of him.{SpTA10 5.2}[8]
The work that Dr. Kellogg has been doing is a work that every Sabbath-keeping Adventist should heartily sympathize with and endorse, and take hold of earnestly. The Lord will accept the services of any one who will work in Christ’s lines and scatter his invitation of mercy broadcast throughout the world.{SpTA10 5.3}[9]
The money expended to prepare ministers for work was essential at the time when there was so much opposition to the light that God was giving in regard to justification by faith and the righteousness of Christ, which is abundantly imputed to all who hunger and thirst for it. But the Lord has set before you another work,—the work of extending the truth by establishing centers of interest in cities, and sending workers into the highways and hedges. But this work has not been done. Money has been absorbed in other lines. Altogether too much work has been done among those who know the truth. It is religion, Bible religion, that God’s ministers need.{SpTA10 5.4}[10]
Satan will furnish an abundance of speculative projects, that are not after God’s order, but are inspired by man’s ambitious devising. Thousands of dollars may be spent in traveling. In this way money is consumed, but it accomplishes little. The only right way is to stop devising wonderful plans that absorb means and create inventions that God does not inspire, and devote the Lord’s means, and your God-given faculties, to setting in operation a work that will reach the neglected ones, the oppressed, those that cannot rise of themselves.{SpTA10 6.1}[11]
Dr. Kellogg is doing a work which, if the churches shall be converted, they can undertake in a limited degree. It gives opportunity for many to minister for God. There are families within the shadow of your own doors in whom you have not shown sufficient interest to lead them to think that you cared for their souls. I entreat of you to read the third and fourth chapters of Zechariah. If these chapters are understood, if they are received, a work will be done for those that are hungering and thirsting for righteousness, a work that will be an advance work, a work that means, Go forward and upward.{SpTA10 6.2}[12]
“Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” There are two parties in this world. The angels of heaven co-operate with every unselfish worker; but the angels of Satan will confuse judgment by using elements that put stumbling-blocks in the way of those whom God would bring to an understanding of the truth.{SpTA10 7.1}[13]
If God’s workers will be controlled by the Holy Spirit, if they will keep the preparation necessary for time and for eternity ever before them, the Lord will enable them to do a work that will advance his truth.{SpTA10 7.2}[14]
Let every one who believes the truth empty himself of his selfishness and self-sufficiency, and his ambitious devising. Let the heavenly messengers empty themselves of the golden oil into the golden tubes, that it may flow into the golden bowls. Every church needs this golden oil; for their lamps are going out, when they should be bright and clear, sending forth to the world a shining light, that will penetrate the moral darkness which has covered the world like a funeral pall. If ever the anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth were needed, they are needed now.{SpTA10 7.3}[15]
The Lord has presented to the church in Battle Creek opportunities to work for him. There are families there that are no help where they are. They should locate in other churches, and communicate to others the knowledge of the truth which God has given them. But let those who make this move first seek God. The spiritual?life-blood from Christ is not circulating through their veins of experience because they do not do his service. Growth is impossible. They must be born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Backsliders know not the virtue of an incorrupted experience. Their counsels are so mingled, the common fire with the sacred, that their decisions are worthless. They are doing harm and misleading others....{SpTA10 7.4}[16]
As surely as the Lord lives and reigns, the words spoken to Nicodemus are spoken to the men who have been handling sacred responsibilities. God says to them, “Ye must be born again.” A conversion, represented by a new birth, must take place. Then the men who have worked according to their supposed wisdom, will become as little children, seeking the Lord as did the children of Israel on the day of atonement, confessing their sins, and purifying themselves from every moral defilement. When they come to the Lord with a sense of their own weakness, the Lord will hear them, and will answer, “Here am I.” The Holy Spirit will strip them of their self-righteousness, pharisaism, and hardness of heart, and will give them a heart of flesh, made soft and tender by its indwelling presence. Self will die, and the life of Christ will be revealed in their lives. The life they now live, they will live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved them and gave himself for them.{SpTA10 8.1}[17]
I tell you in the name of the Lord, that those who have had great light, are today in the state described by Christ in his message to the Laodicean church. They think that they are rich, and increased in goods, and feel that they have need of nothing. Christ speaks to you. Hear,O hear, if you have any regard for your souls, the words of the great Counselor, and act upon them: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.”{SpTA10 8.2}[18]
Practical truth must be brought into the life, and the word, like a sharp two-edged sword must cut away the surplus of self that there is in our characters. “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”{SpTA10 9.1}[19]
The Lord has given me messages of warning for his people, which I have, with much burden and pain of soul, communicated to you. I have been awakened at midnight, and in the small hours of the morning, to write you things which your blind eyes could not discern. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” The message God has given has affected some zealously, but not all well. You do not see, you do not realize, the necessity of seeking the Lord earnestly, and fervently, and perseveringly, until you know that Christ is formed within you, the hope of glory.{SpTA10 9.2}[20]
When you have a knowledge of God’s will, you will follow Christ in all things, and he will hide you in a cleft of the rock, and cover you with his hand, that you may lose sight of self, and behold his glory. Moses said to the Lord, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering,and abundant is goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” This is a representation of the passing by of God. It is a true description of the after- influence of all his working in the path where he goes.{SpTA10 9.3}[21]
Those who become careless and reckless and self-indulgent, do not stop to think of the consequences of their actions. Thus it was with Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron. The word of God had given specific direction that sacred fire only was to be used in the service of God. But the senses of Nadab and Abihu were beclouded with wine, and they offered strange fire before God. They placed themselves in a position where they could not distinguish between the sacred and the common. They used common fire, which God had commanded them not to use, and they died before the Lord. After they were slain, Moses said to Aaron. “This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me.”{SpTA10 10.1}[22]
How often the actions of these men have been repeated! In a careless manner, the sacred work of God has been mingled with common ideas. This has cheapened the truth. Human opinions have been brought to the front, and unsanctified propositions, born wholly of self, have been acted upon. If those who have done this could see the result of their work, if they could know what it means to turn things upside down, they would tremble before God.{SpTA10 10.2}[23]
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven?with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power: when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.” Selfish characteristics do not reveal the glory of God, and cannot be practised by those who are truly united to Christ. There is to be straightforward action in all things. When the people of God begin to walk apart from him, their actions testify that they are not eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, that they are not one in spirit with Christ. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.” There is among us a leaven of disregard for spiritual and holy practices.{SpTA10 10.3}[24]
“I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” This is practical godliness. But it has been discarded, and strange fire, which the Lord has condemned, has been used.{SpTA10 11.1}[25]
The Lord would have his institutions cleansed and uplifted to a high, holy standard. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”{SpTA10 11.2}[26]
【Sowing Beside All Waters】
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”{SpTA10 12.1}[27]
Strive to excel in the practise of the word of God. This is the only lawful strife. Practise God’s word; eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God.{SpTA10 12.2}[28]
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”{SpTA10 12.3}[29]
God is to be glorified in us. Please read the eight chapter of second Corinthians. “This I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” This is the work of the Lord. When God’s people follow his directions on this point, the glory of the Lord shall be their rereward. Who will act on Bible principles, taking the word of God as their counselor?{SpTA10 13.1}[30]
There is a great work to be done. The world will not be converted by the gift of tongues, or by the working of miracles, but by preaching Christ crucified. The Holy Spirit must be allowed to work. God has placed instrumentalities in our hands, and we must use every one of them to do his will and way. As believers we are privileged to act a part in forwarding the truth for this time. As far as possible we are to employ the means and agencies that God has given us to introduce the truth into new localities. Churches must be built to accommodate the people of God, that they may stand as centers of light, shining amid the darkness of the world.{SpTA10 13.2}[31]
We must sow beside all waters, keeping our souls in the love of God, working while it is day’ and using the means the Lord has given us to do whatever duty comes next. Whatever our hands find to do so, we are to do it with cheerfulness; whatever sacrifice we are called upon to make,we are to make it cheerfully. As we sow beside all waters, we shall realize that “he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.”{SpTA10 13.3}[32]
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” Do not draw back after once the Holy Spirit has awakened in your mind a sense of duty. Act on the suggestion, for it was prompted by the Lord. “If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”{SpTA10 14.1}[33]
It means much to sow beside all waters; it means a continual imparting of gifts and offerings. God will furnish facilities, so that that faithful steward of his entrusted means shall be supplied with a sufficiency in all things, and be enabled to abound to every good work.{SpTA10 14.2}[34]
Thank the Lord, the subject of beneficence has been made very clear and plain. “As it is written. He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” The seed sown with full, liberal hand is taken charge of by the Lord. He who ministers seed to the sower, gives his worker that which enables him to co-operate with the Giver of the seed by sowing the seed.{SpTA10 14.3}[35]
Man is the Lord’s co-laborer. The seed sown—acts of liberality—is first given by the Lord; and in sowing, in supplying the necessities of those who are in need, man returns to the Lord his own. The Lord supplies a sufficiency for this?work, that his servants may continue ministering to those that are needy.{SpTA10 14.4}[36]
This seed-sowing is not merely bestowing temporal blessings. It embraces the precious seed of truth, which is to be given to those that are in need of spiritual enlightenment. They are to be fed with spiritual food, even the bread of life. Words of comfort must be spoken to them: they must be given the invitation to the gospel feast.{SpTA10 15.1}[37]
Both temporal and spiritual liberality is included in this lesson of seed-sowing. When God’s instrumentalities sow the good seed by distributing to others the temporal blessings God has given them, gratitude and thanksgiving to God are awakened in the hearts of the receivers. They are relieved; their temporal wants are supplied, and the evidence of the love and sympathy of others awakens in their hearts a feeling of thanksgiving to God, and opens the way whereby the seeds of truth may be sown. And God, who ministers seed to the sower, will cause the seed sown to germinate, and spring up unto life eternal.{SpTA10 15.2}[38]
God gave his only begotten Son to bear the guilt of the world, that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is an assurance that everything is provided to enable us to be overcomers. We may be “enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.”{SpTA10 15.3}[39]
This work God would have us do. Christ’s example must be followed by those who claim to be his children. Relieve the physical necessities of your fellow men, and their gratitude will break down the barriers, and enable you to reach their hearts. Consider this matter earnestly. As churches you have had an opportunity to work, as laborers together with God. Had you obeyed the word of God, had you entered upon this work you would have been blessed and encouraged, and would have obtained a rich experience. You would have found yourselves, as the human agencies of God, earnestly advocating a scheme of saving, of restoration, of salvation. This scheme would not be fixed, but progressive, moving on from grace to grace, and from strength to strength.---Mrs. E. G. White---{SpTA10 16.1}[40]
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