《评论与通讯》
THE REVIEW AND HERALD
1863年1月6日
给教会的证言
1856年5月27日，在密歇根州的巴特尔克里克开议事会时，我在异象中见了一些与教会大体有关的事。上帝的荣光和威严在我的面前经过。天使说：“祂的威严是可怕的，但你们还不觉得;祂的怒气也是可怕的，但你们却天天得罪祂。‘你们要努力进窄门;’‘因为引到灭亡，那门是宽的，路是大的，进去的人也多;引到永生，那门是窄的，路是小的，找着的人也少’”(路13:24; 太7:13-14)。这两条路是明显分开，方向相反的。一条路是引到永生，一条路是引到永死。我看出那两条路的分别，并看出路上旅行的人也不同。那两条路是相反的;一条是宽而平坦的，另一条是窄而崎岖的。所以在那两条路上走的人，在品性、生活、服饰及言语上，也都是相反的。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 1}
那些行走窄路的人正在谈论他们路程结束时的喜乐与幸福。他们的脸上虽然常现愁容，但也时常焕发出圣洁的喜乐。他们所穿的衣服，不像那些行走宽路的人。他们的言行也与那些人不同。上帝已经赐给他们一个模范。那位“多受痛苦，常经忧患”的主已经为他们开辟了道路，并亲自走过这条路。跟从祂的人看到祂的脚踪，就得着安慰与鼓舞。祂曾安全地行过这条道路。只要他们跟随祂的脚踪，也必能安全地走过。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 2}
在宽路上，人人都专顾自己和自己的衣服，以及沿途的娱乐。他们寻欢作乐，纵情恣欲，毫不考虑到路程的结局和最后的必然灭亡。他们每天离毁灭越来越近;却仍疯狂地向前猛冲。这种情形在我看来是多么可怕啊!{RH January 6, 1863, par. 3}
我看到许多行走宽路的人身上写着：“向世界是死了。万物的结局近了。你们也要预备。”他们看上去与周围虚浮的人完全一样，只是我注意到他们脸上略有悲愁的表情。他们所说的话，与周围放荡轻浮的人没有什么区别，但他们偶然还很自满地指着自己衣服上的字，劝别人也要把这些字写在衣服上。他们行走的是宽路，却自称是行走窄路的人。他们周围的人会说：“你我之间并无区别。我们都是一样的;我们的衣着、言语和行为也是一样的。”{RH January 6, 1863, par. 4}
然后我蒙指示回顾1843和1844年间的事。当时那种献身成圣的精神而今没有了。这些自称为上帝特别子民的人们，现今又是如何呢?我见到随从世俗，不甘愿为真理吃苦的情形。我看到极其缺乏顺从上帝旨意的心。我又蒙指示回想到以色列人出埃及后的光景。上帝用怜悯招呼他们出埃及，使他们可以敬拜祂而不受人的阻碍或制止。祂在路上为他们施行神迹，又引领他们到艰难之处，借此试验和磨炼他们。在上帝为他们行了许多的奇事，及多次拯救他们之后，他们在受主试验及磨炼之时，竟喃喃埋怨说：“巴不得我们早死在埃及地耶和华的手下”(出16:3)。他们贪恋那里的韭菜和葱。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 5}
我看见许多自命相信末日真理的人，想起了从前以色列人走在路上的时候发怨言，便觉得希奇。在上帝为他们行了这许多的奇事之后，他们竟这样忘恩负义地把主为他们所作的都忘记了。天使说：“你们所作的比他们更坏。”我见上帝已把真理赐给祂的仆人们，极其清楚，极其明白，以致无可拒绝。他们不论何往，都必胜利。他们的仇敌对这确实可信的真理无法取胜。真理的光既然这样明亮照耀，上帝的仆人们便随处都能立足，使那清楚而有联系的真理获得胜利。这种伟大的福气，还未被人领会和珍视。若有任何试炼临到，有些人就开始回头后顾，以为遭遇了困苦艰难。有些自命为上帝仆人的，还不晓得那使人洁净的试炼是什么。有时他们竟自造试炼，想象有试炼，极易灰心丧胆，极易感觉痛心，且极快伤及自尊心，以致害己，害人，并且害了教会。撒但扩大他们的试炼，又把种种念头放在他们心里，他们若随从这等意念，他们的感化力及贡献就遭受破坏了。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 6}
我看到有些人曾觉得被引诱离开圣工，去作自己的事。我看到上帝的手若是离开他们，让疾病和死亡自由临到他们的身上，那时他们就要晓得患难是什么了。埋怨上帝，真是一件可怕的事!他们不记得自己所走的路是崎岖的、克己的、钉死自我的。他们不应该期望事事平康顺利，似乎是在那宽路上旅行一样。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 7}
我看见有些上帝的仆人，甚至是传道人，很容易灰心，自我很快受伤，竟想象自己是被人轻看及被人伤害，而其实却不是那样。他们以为自己的命分是困难的。这等人还未明白，如果上帝把祂扶持的手收回，让他们经过心灵的痛苦，然后他们将会有何感觉。那时他们就要晓得自己的命分，是比先前为上帝作工虽有试炼困苦却有主之嘉许的时候，要更加艰难十倍呢!有些为上帝圣工效力的人，正是过着安逸的日子而不自知。他们所遭遇的苦难很少，对于困乏、辛劳，及救灵之重任，都罕有所知，以致处在安逸的时候，在蒙上帝恩眷而几乎全无精神痛苦之时，他们竟不明白这种情形，反而以为自己所受的试炼很大。我看出这等人若没有自我牺牲的精神，甘心乐意作工，不顾自己，那么上帝就要让他们放下工作了。祂必不承认他们是祂克己牺牲的仆人，而要兴起那些愿意作工，热切而不怠惰，并在自己处境顺利之时知恩感德的人。上帝的仆人必须觉得救人工作的重担，要在廊子与祭坛之间哭泣说：“耶和华啊，求祢顾惜祢的百姓”(珥2:17)。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 8}
有些上帝的仆人，已献上自己的一生为上帝的圣工效劳，直到为此而鞠躬尽瘁。劳心的工作、不断的挂虑、操劳及患难，已将他们消磨殆尽。但还有些别的人，则不曾负过这等责任，也不愿意担负;然而这等人竟以为自己有了艰难，这是因为他们从来就没有经验过患难的缘故。他们从来没有受过这苦难的洗礼，并且只要他们还是显出这样多的软弱，这样少的毅力，和这样贪图安逸，他们也决不会受那种的洗礼。按着上帝所指示我的看来，在传道人中需要一场鞭挞，将那些怠惰的、迟缓的、只顾自己的人，鞭挞出去，只留下洁净、忠诚、舍己的一班人。他们必不求自己的安舒，乃是忠心传道教导人，甘心为基督的缘故忍受一切苦难，并去拯救那些主已为其代死的人。但愿这些仆人都能感到自己若不传福音就必有祸，那就够了，可惜大家现在还不觉得这一层。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 9}
我蒙指示看见一些自称遵守安息日的人与世俗同流。我看到这是对他们的信仰和上帝圣工的羞辱。他们为自己的信仰作了伪证。他们以为自己不像世人，可是他们的衣着、言语和行为与世人没有区别。我看到他们在打扮自己可怜的必朽之躯。这个身体随时都可能被上帝的手指所触，而卧在痛苦的床上。那时他们的人生已走到了尽头，肉体的痛苦折磨着他们，摆在他们面前的重要问题是：“我有没有为死亡作好准备呢?我有没有准备好在站在上帝的审判台前，接受严肃的审查呢?”此时询问他们对打扮自己的身体有何感想，对预备站在上帝面前有何认识，他们就会告诉你，如果让他们重新活一回，他们必改正自己的生活，避开世俗的愚妄、虚荣和骄傲，穿戴朴素的衣服，为周围的人树立榜样。他们必在生活上荣耀上帝。为什么度克己谦卑的生活这么困难呢?这是因为自称为基督徒的人没有向世界死。我们若是死了，过这样的生活就容易了。但是他们喜欢在服饰和言行上尽量效法世界，可是又向天国走去。这等人是要从别处爬进去，不从窄门和小路进去。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 10}
这样的人将来必定无可推诿。我看到许多人效法世人的衣着，是想发挥一种影响。但在这一点上，他们犯了可悲而且致命的错误。他们如果要发挥真实而救人的影响，就当活出自己的信仰，用他们的义行来表达自己的信心，显明基督徒与世人之间的巨大区别。我看到他们言语、行为和服装应当为上帝作见证，这样就会在众人身上发挥圣洁的影响，使大家看出他们是跟过耶稣的。不信的人要看出我们所信从的真理具有圣洁的感化力，基督复临的信仰足以影响人的品格。任何一个人如果想让自己的感化力为真理作见证，就应当活出真理，如此来效法那位谦卑的榜样。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 11}
我看到上帝是憎恶骄傲的。一切骄傲的人和作恶的人必如禾秸，在那日都会被烧尽。我看到第三位天使的信息要像面酵一样，在许多自称相信它的人心中发挥作用，除去他们骄傲、自私、贪婪和爱世俗的心。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 12}
耶稣快要来了。祂所看到的，是一班与世俗同流的子民吗?祂会承认这些人为祂的子民吗?绝对不会的!惟有纯洁圣善的人，祂才承认是属于祂的人。那些经过苦难而得到洁净变为雪白，并且保守自己分别出来，不沾染世俗的人，祂必承认为自己的子民。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 13}
我看到上帝的子民与世俗同流，许多自称为柔和谦卑之耶稣的门徒，与不信的人之间，除了在名义上之外，没有任何区别，这个可怕的事实，使我非常痛心。我看到他们让耶稣受伤，明明地羞辱祂。天使既看到自称为上帝子民的人贪爱世俗，感染世俗的精神，效法世俗的时尚，就伤心地说：“斩断与世俗的联系吧!赶快斩断!免得上帝指定你们的份是与城外伪善的人及不信的人在一起。你们的信仰表白只能加深你们的痛苦，使你们受更重的刑罚，因为你们知道祂的旨意，却不遵行。”{RH January 6, 1863, par. 14}
我看到自称相信第三位天使信息的人，常因虚浮、嬉笑和轻薄而损害了上帝的圣工。我蒙指示，这种罪恶已在我们的教会中泛滥。我看到我们必须在主面前自卑。上帝的以色列民应当撕裂心肠，而不是撕裂衣服。如今很少看到孩子般的纯朴。人们更多地考虑人的称赞，而没有想到恐怕上帝不悦。天使说：“要摆正自己的心思意念，免得祂在审判时追讨你们，割断你们脆弱的生命线，让你们在没有把握，没有为审判作好准备的情况下睡到坟墓里去。你们如果暂时居留于世，就得赶快与上帝和好，脱离世俗，否则你们的心就会越发刚硬，结果就倚靠虚伪的支持，假想的准备，及至发觉自己的错误，而再想坚立一个有良好基础的指望时，已经为时太晚了。”{RH January 6, 1863, par. 15}
我见到有些自称守安息日的人所花的时间比浪费掉还坏。他们研究这种或那种时尚来装饰这卑贱必死的身体。当你在使自己看上去与世人一样，并竭力使自己美丽动人时，要记得你这身体不久就会成为虫子的食物。当你照自己的品味装饰它，要悦你的眼目时，你的灵性却正在死亡。上帝憎恨你虚荣、邪恶的骄傲。祂看你就像一个粉饰的坟墓，里面充满了败坏和污秽。母亲为儿女树立了骄傲的榜样，并藉此撒下了会生长结果的种子，也必定获得丰收。他们种的是什么，收的也是什么。必有收成。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 16}
父母们哪，我看到你们教儿女骄傲比教他们谦卑容易多了。撒但和他的使者就站在你们旁边，要使你们的言行鼓励儿女以着装和不圣洁的社交为荣。父母们哪，你们正在自己怀里种荆棘，这会使你们常感痛苦。当你们想抵消所教儿女的可悲教训时，就会发现颇为困难了。你们不可能这样做了。你们可以拒绝他们得到会满足他们骄傲的东西，但那骄傲依然活在他们心里，渴望得到满足;除了上帝之灵活泼的大能，什么都不能消灭这种骄傲。当上帝的灵寻得方法博得人心时，就会发挥像面酵一样的影响，将骄傲根除掉。{RH January 6, 1863, par. 17}
怀爱伦
1863年1月13日
给教会的证言
我看到老老少少都忽视圣经。他们本应以圣经作为自己学习的课本和人生的准则，却没有这样做。年轻人尤其在这方面疏忽。他们大都愿意花大量时间去阅读几乎其它任何的书，却不细读和天天研究那部指明永生的书。他们几乎根本不学习那部在末日要审判他们的宝贵重要的书。无聊的故事书受人青睐，圣经却遭了冷遇。日子将到;那是密云和黑暗的日子。那时所有的人都希望充分装备上帝之道的简明真理，好温柔而坚决地告诉人他们盼望的缘由。我看到他们必须明白自己盼望的缘由，以便坚固自己的心，应付剧烈的冲突。否则他们便有亏欠，没有决心，也不坚定。{RH January 13, 1863, par. 1}
父母们最好一看到家中有无聊的故事书和小说就烧掉。这对孩子们来说是一种善举。若鼓励他们阅读这种故事书，就会像行巫术一样，会迷惑毒害他们的心智。我看到父母们若不使自己的孩子觉悟永恒的利益，他们就必因父母的疏忽而沦丧。而且这些不忠心的父母自己得救的可能性也很小。我看到父母应该作榜样。他们应该在自己家里发挥圣洁的影响力。他们的服装应该端庄简朴，与周围的世人不同。你们既重视儿女的永恒利益，就当斥责他们心里的骄傲。要忠心地斥责这种骄傲，并且不在言行上鼓励它。我看到必须使我们的家人摆脱这种骄傲。我蒙指示看到自称上帝子民的人何等地骄傲啊!这骄傲年年在增长，直到现在不可能把自称为守安息日的复临信徒和他们周围的人区分出来了。我看到许多钱花在了帽子、衣领的丝带和花边[常有人问我是不是认为穿朴素的亚麻衣领是错的。我的回答总是我不这样认为。有些人已对我所写的关于衣领的话采取了极端的意义，主张穿戴任何一件我所描述的东西都是错的。我蒙指示看到的是花很多钱制作的衣领和昂贵而不必要的丝带与花边，就是有些守安息日的人所穿戴的，并且是为了炫耀和赶时髦穿戴的。在提到衣领时，我的意思原不是要人理解为不该穿衣领类的东西，在提到丝带时，也不是说所有人都不该佩戴丝带。]及别的不必要的物件上，为要装饰身体，而舍命以救赎我们的荣耀的王耶稣却戴着荆棘的冠冕。那就是我们夫子神圣的头所戴的装饰。祂是“多受痛苦，常经忧患”的人。“祂为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因祂受的刑罚，我们得平安;因祂受的鞭伤，我们得医治”(赛53:3,5)。可是自称要被耶稣为他们所流的血洗净的人，却打扮装饰自己卑贱必死的身体，还胆敢自称是那圣洁、舍己、谦卑之模范的跟从者。但愿所有的人都能像上帝并像我蒙指示所看到的一样，看明这件事!当我看到这事时，心中所感到的痛苦似乎是我无法忍受的。天使说：“上帝的子民是特殊的;祂正在洁净他们归祂自己。”我看到外表乃是内心的一个表征。当外表悬挂有丝带、衣领和不必要的东西时，就表明心中喜爱这一切的东西;这种人若不洁除心中的败坏，就决不能见上帝，因为唯有清心的人才会见到祂。{RH January 13, 1863, par. 2}
我见到斧子必须放在树根上。教会中不该容忍这种骄傲。正是这些事使上帝与祂的子民隔绝，使他们远离约柜。以色列一直在骄傲、时尚和效法世界中熟睡。他们在骄傲、贪心、自私和爱世界中月月都有长进。何时他们的心受了真理的影响，就会使他们向世界死，他们就会丢掉丝带、花边和衣领;他们若向世界死了，不信之人的嘲笑、讥讽和轻蔑就不会触动他们。他们就会感到切愿与世界分离，像他们的夫子一样。他们不会效法世界的骄傲、时尚或习惯。他们的眼前总是会有高尚的目标，就是要荣耀上帝并且获得不朽的基业。这个前景会吞灭一切及属地的本性。上帝将拥有一班分别而与世人截然不同的子民。一旦有人想要效法世界的时尚，而没有立刻予以克制，上帝就会立刻停止承认他们为祂的儿女。他们是世界之子，黑暗之子。他们渴望埃及的韭菜和洋葱，想尽可能地与世人一样;藉着这样做，那些自称披戴基督的人实际上是脱下了祂，并且表明他们对恩典和温柔谦卑的耶稣来说是外人。他们若使自己与祂熟识，行事为人就会配得上祂了。{RH January 13, 1863, par. 3}
我看到，现今属于上帝的以色列家应当兴起，同上帝重新立约及守约，以便恢复他们在上帝里面的力量。在遵守安息日的人之中遍行着贪心、私心、爱财利及爱世界的心。这些罪恶正在上帝的子民中破坏牺牲的精神。那些在心中有这种贪欲的人，自己还不觉悟。他们是在不知不觉中养成了这种罪恶，若不根除这件罪，他们必要遭遇灭亡像亚干一样。许多人从上帝祭坛上取去了祭物，他们贪爱世界，求财图利，他们若不完全改变，就必与世界同灭亡。他们的钱财原是上帝借给他们的，不是他们自己的，乃是上帝立他们为祂的管家。但他们竟因此而说这些钱财是他们自己的，并且存积起来。然而多么快啊，何时上帝施恩赐福的手一离开他们，那一切就于顷刻之间全归乌有了!我们应当为上帝牺牲，为真理克己。世人是何其软弱无用!人的膀臂是何其无能!我见到不久之后，骄傲的必屈膝;狂妄的必降卑。不论富贵贫贱，都要一律屈膝，而且上帝使人衰残的灾祸要降在他们身上。{RH January 13, 1863, par. 4}
怀爱伦
1863年1月20日
父母与儿女
我蒙指示看到，敬畏上帝的父母在管教儿女之前，应当研究他们的脾气和性情，并设法应付他们的需要。有些父母只注意到儿女们今生物质上的需要，在他们有病之时，慈爱而真诚地照护他们，然后以为已尽了自己的责任。其实他们是错了。他们的工作不过才开始呢。他们该当照应儿女们精神上的需要。要运用合适的救药，去治疗受伤的脑筋，这是需要技巧的。儿女们所受的试炼是很艰难的，在性质上也是很惨重的，正如年长的人所受的一样。父母们自己的感觉并不是始终如一的。他们的脑筋往往烦乱不定。他们在错误的观感之下劳力伤神。撒但打击他们，他们就屈从他的试探。他们说话急躁，在态度上也是激起儿女的怒气，不时苛责及暴躁。那可怜的儿女也赋有这同样的精神，父母们没有预备好帮助他们，因为麻烦的根源，就是父母自己。有时似乎是事事不对，到处生气，大家都过着很苦恼很不快乐的日子。父母们归罪于可怜的儿女，以为他们是很不听话及不受教，是世界上最坏的儿女，其实那些纷乱的根源，却是在父母自己的身上。有些父母因为缺乏自制，往往引起风波。他们没有和气地叫儿女们作这作那，只是粗声厉色地下命令，同时口中却吹毛求疵，乱加无理指责。父母们哪，你们这种作风，是会破坏儿女的快活及志气的。他们行你们所吩咐的，不是出于爱心，而是因为不敢不行。他们的心没有放在事情上。他们作事勉强，毫无快乐，这种情形往往使他们忘了照你们全部的吩咐而行，结果又增加了你们的躁怒，对于儿女尤其不利。这样一再地吹毛求疵，把他们的错行新鲜陈列在他们面前，终于使他们变成灰心丧志，对于凡事无所喜恶，养成了一种“不在乎”的精神。他们离开家庭，离开父母，到外面去寻欢作乐，因为在家中没有快乐，就去与街头游伴相混，不久就堕落成了极坏的儿童。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 1}
这件大罪该由谁来负责呢?如果家庭是引人喜爱的，如果父母表现自己对儿女的爱情，以仁慈使用他们帮忙作事，用爱心教导他们如何顺从父母的心意，这样，就是触动了他们心中响应的心弦，使他们的心、手、足都乐意顺从父母行事了。父母应当约束自己，说话和蔼，在儿女们要行良好之事时，称赞他们，这样就可鼓励他们努力,使他们很快乐，并使全家满堂春风，吹散一切阴影，普照喜乐阳光。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 2}
有时父母原谅自己的过错，说是当时的心情不好。他们的神经紧张，以为自己无法忍耐、镇静、快乐地说话。他们这样，乃是自欺，并使撒但开心，撒但因他们没有认清上帝的恩典足够他们克服其本性的弱点而欢跃。他们是能够和应当时时自制的。这是上帝要他们行的。他们应当明白，在自己急躁暴怒之时，也是使别人受苦的。他们周围的人,都要受他们所表现的精神影响，如果别人也实行这同样的精神，就必增加恶毒，而使事事不良了。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 3}
父母们哪，在你们觉得心中烦躁之时，切莫把这危险的急怒毒气传给全家的人，以致陷入大罪。在此之时，应当加倍警醒自守，下定决心不以口犯罪，以便只说快乐鼓励的话。应当对自己说：“我决不说一句躁怒的话，损害我儿女的快乐。”你们若能这样自制，就必更强壮起来，你们的神经系统，也不至于那样敏感了。正义的原理要使你们刚强。你们觉得自己是忠实尽了本分，就可坚固你们。上帝的众天使见到你们的努力，便面有笑容，并帮助你们。在你们急躁之时，往往以为错在儿女身上，责备他们，其实他们是不应受这责备的;也许他们在别的时候，行这同样的事，却要受你们的嘉奖，和认为是对的。儿女们是知道的，他们会注意并会觉到这些反复无常，及朝是夕非之事的。有时他们已有几分预备，可以应付这种变化的情绪，但另一些时候，他们却是神经不安，性情急躁，忍受不住人的责难，便燃起了反抗的精神。父母们只知道要一切来体谅自己的心情，却不知道自己也必须照样体谅那可怜的儿女们的心情。在有些事情上，他们宽恕自己，但对于那在多年的经验和训练上都不及自己的儿女，若行了同样的事，他们便大加苛责。有些父母性情急乱，在操劳疲倦，心事重重之时，不能保持一种镇静的心境，因此对那应为他们在世所最亲爱的人，发作怒气，缺乏忍耐，以致使上帝不悦，使家庭阴惨。儿女们在有困难之时，应当存慈爱同情的心去抚慰他们。彼此仁慈忍耐，就会使家庭变成乐园，并会吸引圣天使进入家庭范围内了。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 4}
在心情沮丧的时候，母亲能够，而且也是应当多多约束自己的神经及心思，甚至于在患病之时，只要她肯训练自己，她也是能够喜乐愉快，并能更多忍受吵闹，过于她以前所想象的限度。母亲即使受了软弱和精神沮丧的影响，也不应当使儿女们感受她的软弱，不应当用忧郁的精神，把暗云罩住他们幼年敏感的心思，使他们觉得家中好像一座坟墓，母亲的卧室是世上最愁闷的地方。人的心思及神经，是靠着运用意志，才得健全刚强。在许多事情上，这种意志之力，会显出是一剂安抚神经的特效药。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 5}
不可使儿女看到你们的愁眉苦脸。如果他们受试探失败，后来知罪悔过，就应当白白饶恕他们，像你们希望天父白白饶恕你们一样。要和气地教导他们，与他们心心相结，因为这乃是儿童的关键时期。他们要受到许多势力的包围，想要离绝你们，你们必须出动反攻，教导他们信任你们，让他们在你们耳边轻诉他们的苦与乐。藉着这种鼓励，就可使他们离开了撒但为他们无经验的脚步所设下的许多罗网。切不可对待儿女一味严肃寡情，忘了你们自己的儿童时代，并忘了他们此时也不过是儿童而已。不可期望他们是完全的人，或是要他们立时行事像成年的男女。若是那样行，就要把你们若用别法或可达到他们的心门关闭了，并迫他们向那些有害的势力打开心门，在你们觉悟他们的危险之前，他们幼年的脑筋已受人毒害了。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 6}
撒但及其军兵正在用最大的力量，要左右孩子们的心思，因此应当用坦率，基督徒的温柔，以及爱心去待他们。这样，你们在他们的身上就会有坚强的感化力，使他们觉得可以向你们怀无限的信任心。要用天伦之乐及亲子之情，笼络住你们的儿女。这样，他们就不会太想望去和别的青年人交游。撒但利用那些青年人，使他们彼此影响及败坏各人的心思。这乃是他所能行的一种最有效的方法。青年人彼此有很强的影响力。他们的谈话并非总是高尚可嘉的。他们耳边听到了邪恶的风闻，若不予以坚拒，就必在心中占下了地位，扎根，生长，结实，并败坏善良的风度。现今世上邪恶猖狂，对于儿女必须善加约束，因此作父母的人便应当加倍留意，与他们心心相结，让他们知道自己是尽力为他们谋福乐的。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 7}
父母们不应忘记自己在幼年时代，怎样渴望人的同情和慈爱，和受人责骂时多么不快乐。他们在感情上应当返老还童，以便能设身处地，体谅儿女们的需要。但你们也当柔中有刚，恩威并用，必须要儿女们顺服。你们的话是应当得到绝对顺从的。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 8}
上帝的众使者正在看守儿童，极深关切，注意他们品格的发展。如果基督照我们彼此相待及我们待儿女的态度来待我们，我们就要全然灰心，失望跌倒了。我看到，耶稣知道我们的软弱，祂曾亲受我们所受的一切经验，只是祂没有犯罪;因此祂也为我们预备了一条合乎我们能力及才干的路程，像雅各量着孩子们的力量慢慢前行一样，使我们可得有祂作伴的安慰，并得祂作长途的向导。祂对于这群小孩，不看轻，不忽略，不撇在背后。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 9}
祂没有吩咐我们迈步向前而把他们撇下。祂没有那样急促前进，把我们和我们的孩子撇下。祂没有那样行;祂只是量着人生的路程，量着孩子们的能力，慢慢前行。祂要父母们奉祂的名，领他们走进窄路。上帝已经指定我们一条路，是合乎孩子们的能力才干而行的。{RH January 20, 1863, par. 10}
怀爱伦
January 6, 1863
Testimony for the Church
At the Conference at Battle Creek, May 27th, 1856, I was shown in vision some things that concern the church generally. The glory and majesty of God was made to pass before me. Said the angel, “He is terrible in his majesty, yet ye realize it not; terrible in his anger, yet ye offend him daily. Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” These roads I saw were distinct, separate, in opposite directions. One leads to eternal life, the other to death, eternal death. I saw the distinction in these roads, also the distinction between the companies traveling these roads. The roads are opposite; one is broad and smooth; the other narrow and rugged. So the parties that travel these roads are opposite in character, in life, in dress, and conversation.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 1}
Those traveling in the narrow way are talking of the joy and happiness they will have at the end of the journey. Their countenances are often sad, yet often beam with holy, sacred joy. They do not dress like the company in the broad road, or talk like them, or act like them. A Pattern has been given them. A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief opened that road for them, and traveled that road himself. His followers see his footsteps and are comforted and cheered. He went through safely, so can they, if they follow his footsteps.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 2}
In the broad road all are occupied with their persons, their dress, and the pleasures in the way. Hilarity and glee they fully indulge in, and think not of their journey’s end, of the certain destruction at the end of the path. Every day they approach nearer their destruction, yet they madly rush on faster and faster. Oh! how dreadful this looked to me.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 3}
I saw many traveling in this broad road who had written upon them, “Dead to the world, The end of all things is at hand, Be ye also ready.” They looked just like all the vain ones around them, except a shade of sadness which I noticed upon their countenances. Their conversation was just like the gay, thoughtless ones around them; but they would occasionally point to the letters on their garments with great satisfaction, calling for the others to have the same upon theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of that number who were traveling the narrow way. Those around them would say, “There is no distinction between us; we are all alike; we dress and talk and act alike.”?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 4}
Then I was pointed back to the years 1843 and 1844. There was a spirit of consecration then, that there is not now. What has come over the professed peculiar people of God? I saw the conformity to the world, the unwillingness to suffer for the truth’s sake. I saw a great lack of submission to the will of God. I was pointed back to the children of Israel after they left Egypt. God in mercy called them out from the Egyptians that they might worship him without hindrance or restraint. He wrought for them in the way by miracles, he proved them, he tried them by bringing them into straight places. After the wonderful dealings of God, and their deliverance so many times, when tried or proved by God, they murmured. Their language was, “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt.” They lusted for the leeks and onions there.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 5}
I saw many who profess to believe the truth for these last days, think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed, and after the wonderful dealings of God to them, should be so ungrateful, and forget what God had done for them. Said the angel,“Ye have done worse than they.” I saw that God has given his servants the truth so clear, so plain, that it cannot be resisted. Every where they go they have certain victory. The enemies cannot get round the convincing truth. Light has been shed so clear that the servants of God can stand up anywhere and let truth, clear and connected, bear away the victory. This great blessing has not been prized, has not been realized. If any trial arises, some begin to look back and think, they have a hard time. Some of the professed servants of God do not know what purifying trials are. They make trials sometimes for themselves, imagine trials, and are so easily discouraged, so easily hurt, self-dignity is so quick to feel, that they injure themselves, injure others, and the cause. Satan magnifies and puts things into the mind that if given way to will destroy the usefulness and influence of such.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 6}
I saw that some had felt tempted to take themselves from the work, to labor with their hands. I saw that if the hand of God should be taken from them, and they left subject to disease and death, then such would know what trouble is. It is a fearful thing to murmur against God. They do not bear in mind that the way they are traveling in is a rugged, self-denying, self-crucifying way, and they must not expect everything to move on as smoothly as though they were traveling in the broad road.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 7}
I saw that some of the servants of God, even messengers, are so easily discouraged, self is so quickly hurt, that they imagine themselves slighted and injured when it is not so. They think their lot hard. Such realize not how they would feel should the sustaining hand of God be withdrawn, and they pass through anguish of soul. Their lot they then would see would be ten-fold harder than it was before, while they were employed in the labor of God, suffering trials and privations, yet withal having the approbation of God. Some that are laboring in the cause of God know not when they do have an easy time. They have had so few privations, have hardly known anything of want or wearing, labor or burden of soul, that when they have an easy time, their lives almost entirely free from anguish of spirit, are favored of God, they know it not, and think their trials great. I saw that unless such have a spirit of self-sacrifice, and are ready to labor cheerfully, not sparing themselves, God will release them. He will not acknowledge them as his self-sacrificing servants; but will raise up those who will labor, not slothfully, but in earnest, and will know when they have an easy time. God’s servants must feel the burden for souls, and weep between the porch and the altar, and cry, “Spare thy people, Lord.”?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 8}
Some of the servants of God have given up their lives, to spend and be spent, for the cause of God, until their constitutions are gone, and they are almost worn out with mental labor, incessant care, toil and privations, while others have not had, and would not take, the burden upon them. Yet just such ones think they have a hard time, because they never have experienced hardships. They never have been baptized into the suffering part, and never will be, as long as they manifest so much weakness, and so little fortitude, and love their ease so well. From what God has shown me, there needs to be a scourging among the messengers, and the slothful, and dilatory, and self-caring ones, scourged out, and have a pure, faithful, and self-sacrificing company that will not study their ease, but minister faithfully in word and doctrine, that are willing to suffer and endure all things for Christ’s sake, and to save those for whom he died. Let these servants feel the woe upon them if they preach not the gospel, and it will be enough; but all do not feel this.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 9}
I was shown the conformity of some professed Sabbath-keepers to the world. Oh, I saw it was a disgrace to their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God. They give the lie to their profession. They think they are not like the world, but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation, and actions, that there is no distinction. I saw them decorating their poor mortal bodies, which are liable any moment to be touched by the finger of God, and laid upon a bed of anguish. Oh, then, as they approach their last change, mortal anguish racks their frames, and the great inquiry then is,“Am I prepared to die? prepared to appear before God in judgment, and stand the grand review?” Ask them then how they feel about decorating their bodies, and if they have any sense of what it is to be prepared to appear before God, they will tell you that if they could take back and live over the past, they would correct their lives, shun the follies of the world, its vanity, its pride, and would adorn the body with modest apparel, and set an example to others around them. They would live to the glory of God. Why is it so hard to lead a self-denying, humble life? Because professed Christians are not dead to the world. It is easy living after we are dead. But there is a hankering after the leeks and onions of Egypt. They have a disposition to dress and act as much like the world as possible, and yet go to heaven. Such climb up some other way. They do not enter through the narrow way and straight gate.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 10}
Such will have no excuse. Many, I saw, dressed like the world to have an influence. But here they make a sad and fatal mistake. If they would have a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction great between the Christian and the world. I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all, and all will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus, and unbelievers will see that the truth we profess has a holy influence, and that faith in Christ’s coming affects the character of the man or woman. If any wish to have their influence tell in favor of truth, let them live it out, and imitate the humble Pattern.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 11}
I saw that God hates pride, and that all the proud, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up. I saw that the third angel’s message must yet work like leaven upon many minds that profess to believe it, and purge away their pride, selfishness, covetousness, and love of the world.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 12}
Jesus is coming, and will He find a people conformed to the world? and will He acknowledge them as His people that He has purified unto Himself? Oh, no. None but the pure and holy will He acknowledge as His. Those that have been purified and made bright through suffering, and have kept themselves separate, unspotted from the world, He will own as His.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 13}
As I saw the dreadful fact that God’s people were conformed to the world, with no distinction, only in name, between many of the professed disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus, and unbelievers, my soul felt deep anguish. I saw that Jesus was wounded and put to an open shame. Said the angel, as with sorrow he saw the professed people of God loving the world, partaking of the spirit of the world, and following its fashions,?“Cut loose! Cut loose!” lest He appoint thee thy portion with hypocrites and unbelievers outside the city. Thy profession will only cause thee greater anguish, and thy punishment will be greater, because ye knew His will, but did it not.”?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 14}
I saw that those who profess to believe the third angel’s message, often wound the cause of God by lightness, joking, and trifling. This evil, I was shown, was all through our ranks. I saw that there should be an humbling before God, and that the Israel of God should rend the heart and not the garment. Childlike simplicity is rarely seen; the approbation of man is more thought of than to fear to displease God. Said the angel, “Set thine heart in order, lest He visit thee in judgment, and the brittle thread of life be cut, and ye lie down in the grave unsheltered, unprepared for the judgment. Or if ye do not make your bed in the grave, unless ye soon make your peace with God, tear yourselves from the world, your hearts will grow harder, and ye will lean upon a false prop, a supposed preparation, and find out your mistake too late to secure a well-grounded hope.”?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 15}
I saw that some professed Sabbath-keepers spend hours that were worse than thrown away, studying this or that fashion, to decorate the poor mortal body. While, you make yourselves appear like the world, and as beautiful as you can, remember that the same body may, in a few days, be food for the worms. And while you fix it up to your taste to please the eye, you are dying spiritually. God hates your vain, wicked pride, and He looks upon you as a whited sepulchre; but within full of corruption and uncleanness. Mothers set the example of pride to their children, and while so doing, sow seed that will spring up and bear fruit. The harvest will be plenteous and sure. That which they sow, they shall reap. There will be no failure in the crop.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 16}
I saw, parents, that it is easier for you to learn your children a lesson of pride, than a lesson of humility. And that Satan and his angels stand right by your side to make the act of yours, or the word that you may speak to them, effectual to encourage them to dress, and in their pride to mingle with society that is not holy. Oh, parents, you plant a thorn in your own bosoms that you will often feel in anguish. And when you would counteract the sad lesson you have learned your children, you will find it a hard thing. It is impossible for you to do it. You may deny them things that will gratify their pride, yet that pride lives in the heart, yet longing to be satisfied, and nothing can kill this pride but to have the quick and powerful Spirit of God find way to the heart, and work like leaven there and root it out.?{RH January 6, 1863, par. 17}
E. G. White.
January 13, 1863
Testimony for the Church
I saw that young and old neglect their Bibles. They do not make that book their study, and the rule of life as they should, especially the young. Most of them are ready, and find plenty of time to read almost any other book. But the word that points to life, eternal life, is not perused and daily studied. That precious, important book, that is to judge them in the last day, is scarcely studied at all. Idle stories have been attentively read, while the Bible has been passed by, neglected. A day is coming, of clouds and thick darkness, when all will wish to be thoroughly furnished by the plain, simple truths of the word of God; that they may meekly, yet decidedly, give a reason of their hope. This reason of their hope, I saw, they must have to strengthen their own souls for the fierce conflict. Without this they are wanting, and cannot have firmness and decision.?{RH January 13, 1863, par. 1}
Parents had much better burn the idle tales of the day, and the novels as they come into their houses. It would be a mercy to their children. Encourage the reading of these story-books, and it is like enchantment. It bewilders and poisons the mind. I saw that unless parents awake to the eternal interest of their children, they will surely be lost through their neglect. And the possibility of these unfaithful parents being saved themselves is very small. Parents, I saw, should be exemplary. They should exert a holy influence in their families. They should let their dress be modest, different from the world around them. You should rebuke pride in your children, if you value their eternal interest. Faithfully rebuke this pride, and encourage it not in deed or word. I saw that this pride must be torn out of our families. O, the pride that was shown me of God’s professed people. It has increased every year, until it is now impossible to designate professed Advent Sabbath-keepers from all the world around them. Much, I saw, was expended for ribbons and laces for the bonnets, collars [The question has often been asked me if I believed it wrong to wear plain linen collars. My answer has always been, no. Some have taken the extreme meaning of what I have written about collars, and have maintained that it was wrong to wear one of any description. I was shown expensively wrought collars, and expensive and unnecessary ribbons and laces, which some Sabbath-keepers have worn, and still wear, for the sake of show and fashion. I did not design to be understood, by naming collars, that nothing like a collar should be worn, or by naming ribbons, that no ribbons at all should be worn.] and other needless articles to decorate the body, while Jesus the King of glory, who gave His life to redeem them wore a crown of thorns. This was the way their Master’s sacred head was decorated. He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” And yet the very ones that profess to be washed by the blood of Jesus, spilt for them, can dress up, and decorate their poor, mortal bodies, and dare to profess to be the followers of the holy, self-denying, humble Pattern. O, I wish that all could see this in the light that God sees it, and showed it to me. It seemed too much, too much for me to bear, to feel the anguish of soul that I felt as I beheld it. “God’s people,” said the angel, “are?peculiar, such He is purifying unto Himself.” I saw that the outside appearance was an index to the heart. When hung with ribbons, collars and needless things, it plainly shows that all this is in the heart, and unless that such persons are cleansed from their corruption, they can never see God, for the pure in heart?alone?will see Him.?{RH January 13, 1863, par. 2}
I saw that the axe must be laid at the root of the tree. Such pride should not be suffered in the church. It is these things that separate God from His people, that shuts the Ark away from them. Israel has been asleep to the pride, and fashions, and conformity to the world, in their very midst. They advance every month in pride, covetousness, and selfishness, and love of the world. When the truth affects the heart, it will cause a death to the world, and the ribbons, laces and collars will be laid aside, and if dead, the laugh, the jeer, and scorn of unbelievers will not move them. They will feel an anxious desire to be separate from the world, like their Master. They will not imitate its pride, fashions or customs. The noble object will be ever before them, to glorify God, and gain the immortal inheritance. This prospect will swallow up all besides of an earthly nature. God will have a separate and distinct people from the world. And if any have a desire to imitate the fashions of the world, that they do not immediately subdue, just so soon God ceases to acknowledge them as His children. They are the children of the world and darkness. They hanker after the leeks and onions of Egypt, want to be as much like the world as possible; and those who profess to have put on Christ, by thus doing put Him off, and show that they are strangers to grace, strangers to the meek and lowly Jesus. If they had acquainted themselves with Him, they would walk worthy of Him.?{RH January 13, 1863, par. 3}
I saw that the Israel of God must arise, renew their strength in God by renewing, and keeping their covenant with Him. Covetousness, selfishness, and love of money, and love of the world, are all through the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. These evils are drying up the sacrifice of God’s people. Those that have this covetousness in their hearts are not aware of it. It has gained upon them imperceptibly. And unless it is rooted out, their destruction will be as sure as Achan’s was. Many have taken the sacrifice from God’s altar, and they love the world, love its gain and increase, and unless there is an entire change they will perish with the world. God has lent them means. It is not their own; but God has made them His stewards. And because of this, they call it their own, and hoard it up. But, O, how quick, when the prospering hand of God is removed from them, it is all snatched away in a moment. There must be a sacrificing for God, a denying self for the truth’s sake. O, how weak and frail is man. How puny his arm. I saw that soon the loftiness of man is to be brought down, and the pride of man humbled. Kings and nobles, rich and poor, alike shall bow, and the withering plagues from God shall fall upon them.?{RH January 13, 1863, par. 4}
Ellen G. White.
January 20, 1863
Parents and Children
I have been shown that while parents who have the fear of God before them restrain their children, they should study their dispositions and temperaments, and should seek to meet their wants. Some parents attend carefully to the temporal wants of their children; if sick, they kindly and faithfully nurse them, and then think their duty done. They mistake here. Their work has but just begun. The wants of the mind should be cared for. It requires skill to apply the proper remedies to cure a wounded mind. Children have trials just as hard to bear, just as grievous in character, as older people. Parents do not always feel alike. Their minds are often perplexed. They labor under mistaken views and feelings. Satan buffets them, and they yield to his temptations. They speak irritably, and in a manner to excite wrath in their children, and are sometimes exacting and fretful. The poor children partake of the same spirit, and the parents are not prepared to help them, for they were the cause of the trouble. Sometimes everything seems to go wrong. It is fretfulness all around, and all have a very miserable, unhappy time of it. The parents lay the wrong upon their poor children, and think them very disobedient and unruly, and the worst children in the world, when the cause of the disturbance is in themselves. In this manner some parents raise many a storm, by their lack of self-control. Instead of kindly asking the children to do this, or that, they are ordered in a scolding tone, and at the same time a censure or reproof is on their lips which the children have not merited. This course, pursued toward children, destroys their cheerfulness and ambition. They do your bidding, not from love, but because they dare not do otherwise. Their heart is not in the matter. It is a drudgery, instead of a pleasure, which often leads them to forget to follow out all your directions, which increases your irritation, and makes it still worse for the children. The fault-finding is repeated, their bad conduct arrayed before them in glowing colors, until a discouragement comes over the children, and they are not particular whether they please or not. A spirit of “I don’t care” seizes them, and they seek that pleasure and enjoyment away from home, away from their parents, which they do not find at home. They mingle with street company, and are soon as corrupt as any of the worst.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 1}
Upon whom rests this great sin! If home had been made attractive, had the parents manifested love and affection for their children, and with kindness found employment for them, in love instructed them how to obey their wishes, they would have touched an answering cord in their hearts, and their willing feet, and hands, and hearts, would have all readily obeyed them. Parents, by controlling themselves, and speaking kindly, and praising their children when they try to do right, encourage their right efforts, make them very happy, and throw a charm into the family circle which will chase away every dark shadow, and bring cheerful sunlight in.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 2}
Parents sometimes excuse their own wrong course because they do not feel well. They are nervous, and cannot, they think, be patient and calm, and speak pleasantly. They deceive themselves in this thing, and please Satan. He exults that the grace of God is not allowed by them as sufficient to overcome natural infirmities. They can, and should, at all times, control themselves. God requires it of them. They should realize that when they give way to fretfulness and impatience they cause others to suffer. Those around them are affected by the spirit they manifest, and if they in their turn act out the same spirit, the evil is increased, and everything goes wrong.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 3}
Parents, when you feel fretful, you should not commit so great a sin as to poison the whole family with this dangerous irritability. At such times set a double watch over yourself, and resolve in your heart not to offend with your lips. Nothing but pleasant, cheerful words should escape from your lips. Say to yourself, “I will not mar the happiness of my children by a fretful word.” By thus controlling yourself, you will grow stronger. Your nervous system will not be so sensitive. You will be strengthened by the principles of right. The consciousness in your heart that you are faithfully discharging your duty, will strengthen you. Angels of God will smile upon your efforts, and help you. When you feel impatient, you too often think it is all in your children, and you blame them when they do not deserve it. At another time they might do the very same things, and all be acceptable and right. Children know, and mark, and feel these irregularities, and?they?are not always alike. Sometimes they are better prepared to meet changeable moods, and at other times they are nervous, and fretful, and cannot bear censure. Their spirit rises up in rebellion against it. Parents want all due allowance made for their state of mind, yet do not always see the necessity of making the same allowance for their poor children. They excuse in themselves that, which if they see in their children, who have not their years of experience and discipline, they would highly censure. Some parents are of a nervous temperament, and when fatigued with labor or oppressed with care, do not labor to preserve a calm state of mind, but manifest to those who should be dearest to them on earth, fretfulness and lack of forbearance, which displeases God, and brings a cloud over the family. Children, in their troubles, should often be soothed with tender sympathy. Mutual kindness and forbearance will make home a paradise, and attract holy angels into the family circle.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 4}
The mother can and should do much toward controlling her nerves and mind when it is depressed; and even when she is sick, she can, if she only schools herself, be pleasant and cheerful, and can bear more of their noise than she would once have thought it possible. If infirmities, or depression of spirits affect the mother, she should not make the children feel her infirmities, and cloud their young, sensitive minds, and cause them to feel that the house is a tomb, and the mother’s room the most dismal place in the world. The mind and nerves can gain tone, and strength, by exercising the will. The power of the will in many cases will prove a mighty soother of the nerves.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 5}
Do not let your children see you with a clouded brow. If they yield to temptation, and afterwards see and repent of their error, forgive them just as freely as you hope to be forgiven of your Father in heaven. Kindly instruct them, and bind them to your hearts. It is a critical time for children. Influences will be thrown around them to wean them from you, which you must counteract. Teach them to make you their confident. Let them whisper in your ear their trials and joys. By encouraging this, you will save them from many a snare that Satan has prepared for their inexperienced feet. But if you treat your children only with sternness, if you forget your own childhood, and forget that they are but children, and try to make them perfect, and make them men and women in their acts at once, you will close the door of access which you might otherwise have to your children, and you drive them to open a door for injurious influences, to affect their young minds, and before you awake to their danger, their minds have been poisoned by others.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 6}
Satan and his host are making most powerful efforts to sway the minds of the children, and they must be treated with candor, Christian tenderness and love. This will give you a strong influence over them, and they will feel that they can repose unlimited confidence in you. Throw around your children charms for home, and your society. If you do this, they will not desire so much the society of other young associates. Satan works through young associates to influence and corrupt the minds of each other. It is the most effectual way he can work. Young associates have a powerful influence over one another. Their conversation is not always choice and elevated. Evil communications will be breathed into the ear, which, if not decidedly resisted, find a lodgment in the heart, take root, and spring up to bear fruit, and corrupt their good manners. Because of the evils now in the world, and the restriction necessary to be placed upon the children, parents should have double care to bind them to their hearts, and let them see they wish to make them happy.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 7}
Parents should not forget their childhood years, how much they yearned for sympathy and love, and how unhappy they felt when censured and fretfully chided. They should be young again in their feelings. You should bring your mind down to understand the wants of your children. With firmness, all mixed with love, require your children to obey you. Your word should be implicitly obeyed.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 8}
Angels of God are watching the children with the deepest interest, to see what characters they develop. If Christ dealt with us as we often deal with each other and with our children, we should stumble and fall through utter discouragement. I saw that Jesus knows our infirmities, and Himself hath felt their experience in all things but in sin, therefore He hath proportioned a way and a path to our strength and capacity, and like Jacob, hath marched softly and in evenness with the children as they were able to endure, that He might entertain us by the comfort of His company, and be to us a perpetual guide. He does not despise, neglect, or leave behind the children of the flock.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 9}
He has not bid us to move forward and leave them. He has not traveled so hastily as to leave us with our children behind. O no, but He has evened the path to life, even for children. And parents are required in His name to lead them along the narrow way. God has proportioned a way and a path according to the strength and capacity of children.?{RH January 20, 1863, par. 10}
Ellen G. White.
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