THE TRUE MISSIONARY
1874年1月1日
1、其他国家
牺牲的精神：为把真理传到其他国家而呼吁人员和资金
亲爱的弟兄姐妹： {TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 1}
我深感我们必须做出更加彻底认真的努力，把真理带到世人面前。在最近赐给我的异象中，我蒙指示看到我们在做的救灵工作不及我们应做的二十分之一。我们做得漫不经心，好像接受还是拒绝真理不是一个十分重大的问题似的。我们虽然做了一般的努力，却没有藉着个人之工把工作做到点子上。我们没有以对个人感兴趣的方式接近男男女女，我们既不切愿他们得救，也不打算放弃他们。我们与那些不相信真理的人保持太远的距离了。我们叫他们，等着他们来问我们真理。许多人不会喜欢这样做的，因为他们是在黑暗与错谬中，看不出真理及其至关重要性。撒但稳稳地把握着他们，我们若是愿意帮助他们，就必须对他们的心灵表示个人的关爱，并且认真地把握他们。我们必须以祈祷和爱心作工，存信心和不倦的耐心，有蛇的灵巧和鸽子的温顺，以便争取生灵归于基督。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 2}
我蒙指示：在宣教事工中，我们相对而言什么也没做，但我们却自称承载着一个极其重要、检验这个世界的信息。我们在宣教工作上远远落后于其他教派。他们没有宣布基督即将来临;所有人的命运很快就会决定。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 3}
我们教会并不缺乏人才。我们中间有一些人如果愿意献身服务，必蒙上帝悦纳，但具有牺牲精神的人太少了。有些人会很乐意地施舍他们的钱财，并且觉得当他们这样做了，就不再需要他们了。他们这样做并没有作出特别的牺牲。金钱固然是好，但如果不与个人的努力相结合，则对帮助人归向真理帮助不大。弟兄们，上帝不仅呼吁你们奉献金钱，也呼吁你们献上自己。你们虽然奉献了自己的钱财，却把自己留了下来。一个在葡萄园里认真工作的人，在没有其他人做的情况下，价值百万。如果你们对工作有正确的估计，并理解它的要求，你们的献身就成了一种牺牲。我们的榜样基督是一个认真工作的工人。祂不仅离开了天廷，为我们的缘故而变得贫穷，好让我们能拥有无穷的财富，祂还取了人性，通过个人之工接近人类，以便帮助处于错误和盲目之中的人。祂没有留下自己，却奉献了一切。祂忍受了祂来祝福和拯救之人的剥夺、羞辱和憎恨，最终在工作中牺牲了自己的性命。如今基督说：我为你们已经作了这一切，你们愿意为我作什么呢?我已经给你们树立了榜样。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 4}
我们要问：谁愿意效法主的自我牺牲和无私仁慈的榜样来拯救他的同胞呢?有青年男女，也有中年人，他们在真理上有经验，但却在神圣的生活上没有进步，在认识我们主和救主耶稣基督的知识上没有长进，他们也不知道原因。他们缺乏属灵力量又没有在基督里长大成人的一个原因是，他们不是与基督同工的人。他们若是愿意为耶稣工作，他们的同情心原会与基督密切联合，他们原会在他们永活的元首里面长进，更好地理解祂工作的性质和祂为人类作出的牺牲;会对人们的灵魂作出与基督为人付上的代价相称的估计。有大量的人若是愿意藉着完全献身达到离上帝足够近的地步，原会听到祂的声音说：到我的葡萄园里去作工，不久你们就会得到工价。 {TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 5}
许多人没有充分认识到自己有责任去做只要他们愿意就能够做的工作，他们不做是因为他们没有牺牲的精神。上帝要让他们对同胞的灵魂负责。他们本可以与基督联合作一件美事。他们也必蒙召，为他们所能帮助却没有帮助的灵魂交账。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 6}
我们这班人没有充分醒悟作工时间的短促，也不明白当今工作重大程度。黑夜不久就会来到，那时就没有人能作工了。撒但正在努力、热心、执着地工作。如果他第一次没能达到目的，他会再试一次。他还会尝试其他的办法，并以极大的毅力引进各种各样的诱惑来诱捕灵魂。他从不气馁地设法让人完全独处。如果跟随基督的人在救灵努力中所表现出的热情和坚韧与撒但欺骗他们为他们永远沦丧的努力相当，我们现在只看到一个人接受真理的地方，将会看到数以百计的人接受。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 7}
上帝要求男男女女藉着献身于祂的旨意和恳切研究圣经来使自己有资格去做这些末后日子特别的圣工。如今祂需要能作工的人。当他们本着真诚谦卑的心参加这工作，去做他们能做的一切时，他们就会获得一种更加彻底的经验。他们就会对真理有更好的认识，更知道如何接近人，就在人们需要帮助的地方帮助他们。如今需要工人为上帝效劳。各个园地的庄稼已经发白可以收割了，可是作工的人却很少。.我们中间有一些人如果认识到圣工的需要，愿意承担责任，他们是能够工作的。上帝呼召跟随基督的人，自愿在祂的指导下救人脱离毁灭。凡从事向人传讲真理之工的人，都必须有真正的礼貌，就是基督化的礼貌，对人的灵魂有真挚的爱，不仅作出集体的努力，还要作出个人的努力。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 8}
我蒙指示，作为一班子民，在向外国人传扬真光的工作上，我们失职沉睡了。岂是因为上帝已经免去我们作为一班子民对说其他语言之人的负担和特别工作，所以我们今天在外国才没有传道士吗?为何有这种疏忽和耽延呢?在许多别的国家都有才智超群的人，上帝正使他们对我国各基督教派的缺乏灵性和真正的敬虔留下深刻的印象。他们无法把一般自称基督徒之人的生活和品格与圣经的标准和谐起来。许多人在祈求亮光和知识。他们并不满足。上帝愿意藉着我们这班人回应他们的祈求，只要我们别离祂这么远以致听不到祂的声音，也不要这么自私以致不愿我们安逸惬意的社交受打扰。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 9}
我们跟不上上帝所显示的美意安排。耶稣和众天使都在作工。当我们伫立落后的时候，圣工依然在前进。我们若随从上帝显示的美意安排，就会敏于发现每一机会，并充分利用自己力所能及的一切有利条件，让真光散布到其他国家。上帝在祂的天意安排中，已经把人带到了我们的门口，就像把他们推到了我们的膀臂中，使他们能更完全地学到真理，并胜任我们所无法成就的把亮光带给外国人的工作。我们往往没能看出上帝的手笔，也没有接待上帝所提供给我们要我们联合同工、并在把亮光传给其他国家之人的工作中起作用的人。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 10}
在我们中间有一种闲懒的疏忽和不信之罪，妨碍了上帝委托我们把光照到其他国家人民的工作。—在这项伟大的工作上，我们害怕冒险，惟恐花了金钱，却得不偿失。若是花了钱，却见不到有人得救，怎么办呢?若是我们的金钱有一部分完全浪费了，怎么办呢?我们要作工，继续作工，这比什么都不作更好。你不知道哪一样发旺：或是这样，或是那样。人们会投资于专利权，因而遭受重大的损失，却不当回事。但在上帝的工作与事业上，人们却害怕冒险。把金钱投资于救灵的工作上，当时没得到报酬，对他们来说便似乎是十足的浪费。现今吝于投资在上帝的工作上，自私自利地保留着的金钱，不久就会与各种偶像一同被抛给田鼠和蝙蝠(赛2:20)。当永恒的实况展现于人眼前时，金钱的价值会突然消失。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 11}
上帝必有人情愿将自己的一切投资于救灵的工作上。那些非在眼前看明每一步骤，便不肯动的人，在这时对于推进上帝的真理，是没有什么用处的。现今所需要的工人，既能在黑暗中也能在光明之中向前推进。他们愿意在灰心及失望之下勇敢地坚持着，凭着信心，带着眼泪及忍耐的希望继续工作，在各水边撒种，信靠主必带来丰收。上帝呼召有勇气，有盼望、信心、及忍耐的人，工作到底。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 12}
基督既看到人类灵魂的宝贵，愿意离开天庭，降卑为人，帮助处在黑暗中的人，最后为人而死，我们更当如何彼此视对方为上帝恩典的对象和伟大救恩的承受者。我的弟兄们，我本着对上帝的敬畏告诉你们，基督为救赎他们付出了极大的代价，我们却低估了他们的价值。如果我们本着爱心和信心朴素地工作，基督和天使随时愿意配合我们的努力。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 13}
我蒙指示看到我们应当不惜代价，把我们的书刊印成各种文字，分发到各文明国家。在这个时代，金钱的价值怎么能与灵魂的价值相比呢?我们的每一块钱都应视为属于上帝的，而非我们的;这是上帝给我们的宝贵托付，不应浪费于无谓的放纵中，而应善用在上帝的圣工上，善用在拯救男女世人免遭灭亡的工作上。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 14}
我蒙指示看到印刷品能发挥向善或向恶的强大能力。这个工具可以达到和影响到公众的心，是其他方法所达不到的。印刷品若在圣洁归主的人控制之下，就能成为一种行善的力量，引人认识真理。在那些觉得在心灵的坛上有真理在燃烧，对上帝存着有见识的热情，并且有健全判断的人手中，笔乃是一种力量。沉浸在纯洁真理源泉中的笔，能将光线送到地上黑暗的角落，并反射回来，带着更多的亮光散布到各地。TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 15}
我蒙指示，印刷品一直在一些外国人的心中进行工作，推倒偏见和迷信的墙壁。我蒙指示看到男男女女们正在认认真真地研究有关现代真理的报刊和小册子。他们阅读对他们来说是十分新奇的证据，就以新的深切兴趣打开圣经，于是他们过去所不明白的真理向他们显明了，特别是有关第四诫安息日的亮光。当他们查考圣经，看看事情是否如此时，就有新的亮光照在他们的悟性上，因为天使正在他们上方，使他们所读之书刊里的真理深深感动他们的心。我看见他们一手拿着书刊和小册子，一手拿着圣经，脸上流着眼泪，诚恳谦卑地俯服在上帝面前祷告，求祂引导他们进入一切的真理——这件事是在他们求告祂以前，祂一直在为他们做的。及至他们把真理接到心里时，他们就看出真理和谐的链环。圣经在他们成了一部新的书。他们以感激喜乐之情把圣经接在自己的心中，同时他们的面上也流露出幸福和圣洁的喜乐。他们不满足于单单自己享有这真光。他们开始为别人工作。一些人为真理的缘故作出了很大的牺牲，帮助处在黑暗中的弟兄。分发外国语的小册子和书刊的伟大工作就这样打开了门路。{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 16}
THE TRUE MISSIONARY
January 1, 1874
Other Nations
The Spirit of Sacrifice: An Appeal for Men and Means to Send the Truth to Other Nations
Dear Brethren and Sisters:?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 1}
I deeply feel the necessity of our making more thorough and earnest efforts to bring the truth before the world. In the last vision given me, I was shown that we were not doing one-twentieth part of the work we should for the salvation of souls. We labor for them indifferently, as though it was not a question of very great importance whether they received or rejected the truth. General efforts are made, but we fail to work to the point by personal effort. We do not approach men and women in a manner that impresses them that we have a personal interest for them, and that we feel deeply in earnest for their salvation, and do not mean to give them up. We hold too much at a distance those who do not believe the truth. We call them and wait for them to come to us to inquire for the truth. Many will not be inclined to do this, for they are in darkness and error, and cannot discern the truth and its vital importance. Satan holds them with his firm power, and if we would help them, we must show a personal interest and love for their souls, and take hold of them in earnest. We must work in prayer and love, with faith and unwearied patience, hoping all things and believing all things, having the wisdom of the serpent and the meekness of the dove, in order to win souls to Christ.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 2}
I was shown that in missionary efforts we have done comparatively nothing, and yet we profess to be bearing a message of infinite importance which is to test the world. We are far behind other denominations in missionary work, who do not claim that Christ is soon to come, and that the destiny of all must soon be decided.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 3}
As a people, we are not deficient in talent. There are men and women among us whose labors God would accept if they would offer them to him, but there are so very few who have the spirit of sacrifice. Some will hand out readily of their means, and feel that when they have done this, there is no more required of them. They make no special sacrifice in thus doing. Money is good as far as it goes, but, unless accompanied by personal effort, will go but a little way toward converting souls to the truth. Not only does God call for your money, brethren, but he calls for you. While you have given of your means, you have selfishly withheld yourselves. One earnest worker in the vineyard is worth more than a million of money without men to do the work. This giving of yourselves will be a sacrifice if you have a correct estimate of the work, and realize its claims. Christ our pattern was an earnest worker. He not only left the royal courts of Heaven, and for our sakes became poor, that we might have infinite riches, but took human nature, and by personal labors he came close to man, that he might reach him where he was, in his error and blindness. He withheld not himself. He gave all. He suffered deprivation, and reproach, and hatred of those whom he came to bless and save, and finally sacrificed his life in the work. And now, says Christ, I have done all this for you, what are you willing to do for me? I have given you an example.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 4}
Who, we ask, will follow the example of his Lord in self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence, to save his fellow-men? There are young men and women and those of middle age who have had experience in the truth, but do not advance in the divine life and increase in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they do not know the cause. One cause of their lack of spiritual strength, and of their not being full-grown men and women in Christ is, they are not workers with Christ. If they would work for Jesus, their sympathies would be brought in close union with Christ, and they would grow in him their living head, and have a better understanding of the nature of his work and of his sacrifice for man; and would place that estimate upon souls proportionate to the value of the price Christ has paid for man. There are a large number who, if they would come near enough to God by entire consecration, would hear his voice saying, Go labor in my vineyard, and ye shall receive your wages by-and-by.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 5}
Many are not sufficiently aroused to their duty to do the work they might do if they would, and that they do not do because they have not the spirit of sacrifice. God will hold such accountable for the souls of their fellowmen. They might have done a good work in union with Christ, and they will be called to render an account for the good to souls they could have done and did not.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 6}
We are not, as a people, sufficiently aroused to the short time in which we have to work, and we do not understand the magnitude of the work for the time. The night soon cometh, in which no man can work. Satan is earnest, zealous, and persevering in his work. If he fails to accomplish his purpose the first time, he tries again. He will try other plans, and work with great perseverance to bring in various temptations to ensnare souls. He never becomes so discouraged as to let souls entirely alone. If the zeal and perseverance of Christ’s followers in their efforts to save souls were equal to Satan’s efforts to deceive them to their eternal loss, we should see hundreds embracing the truth where we now see one.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 7}
God calls for men and women to qualify themselves, by consecration to his will and earnest study of the Scriptures, to do his special work for these last days. He calls for men now who can work. As they engage in the work in sincerity and humility to do all they can, they will be obtaining a more thorough experience. They will have a better knowledge of the truth and better know how to reach souls and help them just where they need to be helped. Workmen are needed now, just now, to labor for God. The fields are already white for the harvest, and yet laborers are few. There are those among us who could work if they were awake to the wants of the cause, and were willing to bear burdens. God calls for men and women, who are followers of Christ, to volunteer to work under his dictation to rescue souls from ruin. All who engage in the work of presenting the truth to others must have true courtesy, and Christian politeness, and sincere love for souls, so as to make, not general efforts merely, but personal efforts.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 8}
I have been shown that, as a people, we have been asleep as to our duty in regard to getting the light before those of other nations. Is it because God has excused us, as a people, from having any burden or special work to do for those of other tongues that there are no missionaries today in foreign countries? Why is this negligence and delay? There are those of superior minds in many other nations whom God is impressing with the lack of spirituality and genuine godliness in the Christian denominations of the land. They cannot harmonize the life and character of professed Christians generally with the Bible standard. Many are praying for light and knowledge. They are not satisfied. God will answer their prayers through us, as a people, if we are not at such a distance from him that we cannot hear his voice, and so selfish that we do not wish to be disturbed in our ease and agreeable associations.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 9}
We are not keeping pace with the opening providence of God. Jesus and angels are at work. This cause is onward, while we are standing still and being left in the rear. If we would follow the opening providence of God, we should be quick to discern every opening, and make the most of every advantage within our reach, to let the light extend and spread to other nations. God, in his providence, has sent men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth more perfectly, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues. We have too often failed to discern God’s hand, and we have not received the very ones God had provided for us to work in union with, and act a part in sending the light to other nations.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 10}
There has been a slothful neglect, and a criminal unbelief among us as a people which has kept us back from doing the work God has left us to do in letting our light shine forth to those of other nations. There is a fearfulness to venture out and to run risks in this great work, fearing that the expenditure of means would not bring returns. What if means are used and yet we cannot see that souls have been saved by it? What if there is a dead loss of a portion of our means? Better work and keep at work than to do nothing. You know not which shall prosper this or that. Men will invest in patent rights and meet with heavy losses, and it is taken as a matter of course. But in the work and cause of God, men are afraid to venture. Money seems to them to be a dead loss that does not bring immediate returns when invested in the work of saving souls. The very means that is now so sparingly invested in the cause of God, and that is selfishly retained will, in a little while, be cast with all idols to the moles and to the bats. Money will soon depreciate in value very suddenly when the reality of eternal scenes opens to the senses of man.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 11}
God will have men who will venture anything and everything to save souls. Those who will not move until they can see every step of the way clearly before them will not be of advantage at this time to forward the truth of God. There must be workers now who will push ahead in the dark as well as in the light, and who will hold up bravely under discouragements and disappointed hopes, and yet work on with faith, with tears and patient hope, sowing beside all waters, trusting the Lord to bring the increase. God calls for men of nerve, of hope, faith, and endurance, to work to the point.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 12}
If Christ saw that the souls of men were so precious that he could leave the royal courts and humble himself to humanity, in order to help man in his darkness, and to finally die for him, how ought we to feel for one another who have been made subjects of the grace of God, and partakers of this great salvation. I say to you, my brethren, in the fear of God, that we do not place a just estimate upon souls for whose redemption Christ paid so great a price. Christ and angels are ready to work with our efforts, if we will work with love, simplicity, and faith.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 13}
I have been shown that our publications should be printed in different languages and sent to every civilized country, at any cost. What is the value of money at this time, in comparison with the value of souls? Every dollar of our means should be considered as the Lord’s, not ours; and as a precious trust from God to us; not to be wasted for needless indulgences, but carefully used in the cause of God, in the work of saving men and women from ruin.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 14}
I have been shown that the press is powerful for good or evil. This agency can reach and influence the public mind as no other means can. The press, controlled by men who are sanctified to God, can be a power indeed for good in bringing men to the knowledge of the truth. The pen is a power in the hands of men who feel the truth burning upon the altar of their hearts, and who have an intelligent zeal for God, balanced with sound judgment. The pen, dipped in the fountain of pure truth, can send the beams of light to dark corners of the earth, which will reflect its rays back, adding new power, and giving increased light to be scattered everywhere. Truth is what the people need. Fables are cheap, and can be found at hand anywhere.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 15}
I have been shown that the publications already have been doing a work upon some minds in other countries, in breaking down the walls of prejudice and superstition. I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and a few pages of tracts upon present truth. They would read the evidences so wonderful and new to them and would open their Bibles with a deep and new interest, as subjects of truth that had been dark to them were made plain, especially the light in regard to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. As they searched the Scriptures to see if these things were so, a new light shone upon their understanding, for angels were hovering over them and impressing their minds with the truths contained in the publications they had been reading. I saw them holding papers and tracts in one hand, and the Bible in the other, while their cheeks were wet with tears, and bowing before God in earnest, humble prayer, to be guided into all truth,—the very thing he was doing for them before they called upon him. And when the truth was received in their hearts, and they saw the harmonious chain of truth, the Bible was to them a new book; they hugged it to their hearts with grateful joy, while their countenances were all aglow with happiness and holy joy. These were not satisfied with merely enjoying the light themselves, and they began to work for others. Some made great sacrifices for the truth’s sake and to help those of the brethren who were in darkness. The way is thus preparing to do a great work in the distribution of tracts and papers in other languages.?{TrueMiss January 1, 1874, par. 16}
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