GOOD HEALTH
《健康》
1880年1月1日
1、对母亲们的呼吁
“让小孩子到我这里来，不要禁止他们。因为在天国的，正是这样的人”(太19：14)。{HR January 1, 1880, par. 1}
在基督的日子，母亲们把孩子带到祂面前，让祂按手在他们头上，为他们祝福。她们藉此表示自己相信耶稣，并深切关心她们受托照顾之儿女现今和将来的福利。但门徒们却觉得没有必要只为关注孩子而打扰夫子。正当他们打发母亲们走开的时候，耶稣责备了他们，并吩咐群众让路给这些带着小孩的忠心母亲。祂说:“让小孩到我这里来，不要禁止他们;因为在天国的，正是这样的人。” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 2}
当母亲们穿过满是尘土的道路走近救主时，祂看见了她们抑制不住的眼泪和发抖的嘴唇，在默默地为儿女献上祷告。祂听见门徒责备的话，就立刻取消了他们的命令。祂充满大爱的心敞开着接纳小孩子。祂一个接一个地将他们抱在怀里为他们祝福，还有一个孩子靠着祂的胸膛酣睡了。耶稣就母亲的工作对她们讲了几句鼓励的话，给她们的心带来多大的安慰啊!当她们回忆那个值得记念的经历时，她们会带着何等喜乐的心情，思念耶稣的良善和慈悲啊!祂的恩言卸除了她们心头的重担，赋予她们新的盼望和勇气。她们疲劳的感觉全都消失了。 {HR January 1, 1880, par. 3}
这个教训要给世世代代的母亲带来鼓舞。她们既尽力谋求儿女的福利，就有权把他们领到耶稣面前来。连母亲怀里的婴孩，祂都无比珍视。当母亲心中渴望得到她明知自己无力给予的帮助，和不能赐予的恩典，而将自己和儿女一起投靠基督慈悲的膀臂时，祂必接纳和祝福他们，将平安、盼望和喜乐赐给母亲和孩子。 {HR January 1, 1880, par. 4}
这是耶稣应许给一切母亲的宝贵特权。所要求的，只是把他们领到耶稣面前。上帝指派母亲的工作。这些孩子应该接受教育和训练，成为基督的门徒，“我们的儿子，从幼年好象树栽子长大;我们的女儿，如同殿角石，是按建宫的样式凿成的。”这种塑造、提炼和琢磨的工作是属于母亲的。孩子的品格必须培养。母亲要在孩子的心版上镌刻永垂不朽的教训。她如果忽略或让其他事物干扰这项神圣的工作，主就会不喜悦。她必须不理会不断变化和永不令人满意的时尚来来去去，不理会时尚爱好者的心专注于这些时尚。然而基督徒母亲肩负上帝所指派的工作。她如果与上帝有密切的联络，被祂的灵所充满，就不会忽略这项工作。 {HR January 1, 1880, par. 5}
父母在言谈举止上应该以身作则，因为这是他们的孩子效法的榜样。父母如果希望儿女为人正直，行事公义，自己就必须就正直，在理论和实际上为义。父母应当以礼相待，即便是在小事上。全家要以仁慈为规则。不要说粗话，不要吐恶言。父母在与子女相处时应运用自制、耐心、宽容、温柔和爱。他们应该记住，他们给孩子的榜样，会在他们身上重现。{HR January 1, 1880, par. 6}
父母们应成为诚实的模范，因为这是每日要铭刻在儿童心中的教训。父母一生的事务，尤其是在教育训练儿女上，应受不偏不依的原则所管束。因为“孩童的动作，是纯洁、是正直，都显明他的本性”(箴20：11)。{HR January 1, 1880, par. 7}
有人问一位著名的圣徒，孩子必须多大才可以成为基督徒。他回答说：“年龄没有关系。爱耶稣，相信，依赖，投靠祂，这些品质都符合儿童的天性。儿童一开始爱母亲，信赖母亲，他就会爱母亲的朋友耶稣，信赖耶稣。耶稣要成为他的朋友，接受他的爱和尊敬。” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 8}
鉴于上述的事实，父母在这些善于观察的小眼睛和敏锐的感官之前，怎么小心地言传身教也不为过。我们的信仰是务实的。我们在家中和教会里一样需要宗教。我们的举止不可冷漠，严厉，令人生畏，而当以恩慈同情表现我们有温暖仁爱之心。耶稣应成为我们家中的贵宾。我们应当与祂交谈，向祂倾诉所有的苦衷，并讲论祂的爱、祂的恩典和祂的完全品格。敬虔的父母如果能将一切苦恼带到那背负众人重担之主耶稣面前，不为自己所无法解决的烦闷困惑生气和责骂，他们每天能给儿女多好的教训啊!应当教导儿童自己的心转向耶稣，就像鲜花朝太阳展开花瓣一样。 {HR January 1, 1880, par. 9}
雅各布在约瑟幼年时所给他的教训，提到自己如何坚定地信靠上帝，并屡次向他讲述有关祂慈爱和不断眷顾的宝贵凭据。这是约瑟被卖到拜偶像的民族中时最需要的教训。他在受到考验时就实行这些教训。在最严峻的试炼下，他仰望自己素来所信赖的天父。如果约瑟父亲的教训和榜样不是这样，灵感之笔就不会在圣史的篇章里写下约瑟的品格所显示的正直与美德的故事了。他早年在心中所得到的印象，在他遭遇猛烈的试探时保守了他的心，使他义正词严地说:“我怎能作这大恶，得罪上帝呢?” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 10}
在童年时代所留下的印象是最长久的。孩童耳闻目睹的事正在幼嫩的心智中划下深刻的线条，是后来的人生环境无法完全消除的。理智正在形成，情感也在接受方向，得到力量。某些行为经一再重复就成了习惯，以后经过严格的训练可能有所改善，但很少完全改变。千千万万的人未来的道路是由童年时父母的教育决定的。年轻的时候美德的道路就已经进入，它通向尊贵和永恒的生命;或者进入一条悖逆和堕落的道路，会导致不幸、耻辱和灵魂的毁灭。{HR January 1, 1880, par. 11}
上帝指派母亲的工作，要她遵照主的教训和劝勉养育自己的儿女。要将敬爱上帝的观念灌输在他们稚嫩的脑海中。在纠正他们的时候，要教育他们意识到他们是受上帝训诫的;祂不喜欢欺诈，不忠和罪恶。这样，孩子们的心就可以与上帝相联。他们的一切言行，都会考虑到上帝的荣耀。在以后的岁月中，他们就不会象被风中的芦苇那样，在癖性与义务之间摇曳不定了。{HR January 1, 1880, par. 12}
儿童的心如果自幼充满真理、纯洁和良善的美好形象，就必养成纯洁高尚的品味，思想也不容易败坏污秽。如果采取相反的做法，如果父母的心时常思想下流的情景，如果他们的谈吐始终是品格的不良方面，如果他们惯于抱怨别人的做法，儿童就会从这些轻蔑的话语中学到功课，并效法有害的榜样。这种邪恶的印象，犹如大麻疯的污秽一般，将伴随他们终生。. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 13}
敬畏上帝的母亲在幼儿身上所小心播撒的种子，将会长成公义树，开花结果。由敬畏上帝的父亲言传身教所给予的教训不久将会有丰富的收成，就像约瑟的情况一样。父母肯不肯反省自己教育训练儿女的工作，思考自己有没有凭着盼望和信心尽他们的全部责任，使这些儿女在主耶稣的日子成为喜乐的冠冕呢?他们有没有为儿女的福利操劳，使耶稣可以从高天垂顾，藉着祂所赐的圣灵洁净他们的努力呢?父母们，你们有权利预备儿女在今生发挥最大的作用，并至终分享来生的荣耀。 {HR January 1, 1880, par. 14}
GOOD HEALTH J
anuary 1, 1880
Appeal to Mothers
“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 1}
In the days of Christ, mothers brought their children to him, that he might lay his hands upon them in blessing. By this act they showed their faith in Jesus, and the intense anxiety of their hearts for the present and future welfare of the little ones committed to their care. But the disciples could not see the need of interrupting the Master just for the sake of noticing the children, and as they were sending these mothers away Jesus rebuked the disciples, and commanded the crowd to make way for these faithful mothers with their little children. Said he, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom Heaven.” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 2}
As the mothers passed along the dusty road, and drew near the Savior, he saw the unbidden tear and the quivering lip, as they offered a silent prayer in behalf of the children. He heard the words of rebuke from the disciples, and promptly countermanded the order. His great heart of love was open to receive the children. One after another, he took them in his arms and blessed them, while one little child lay fast asleep, reclining against his bosom. Jesus spoke words of encouragement to the mothers in reference to their work, and oh, what a relief was thus brought to their minds. With what joy they dwelt upon the goodness and mercy of Jesus, as they looked back to that memorable occasion. His gracious words had removed the burden from their hearts and inspired them with fresh hope and courage. All sense of weariness was gone. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 3}
This is an encouraging lesson to mothers for all time. After they have done the best they can do for the good of their children, they may bring them to Jesus. Even the babes in the mother’s arms are precious in his sight. And as the mother’s heart yearns for the help she knows she cannot give, the grace she cannot bestow, and she casts herself and children into the merciful arms of Christ, he will receive and bless them, he will give peace, hope, and happiness to mother and children. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 4}
This is a precious privilege which Jesus has granted to all mothers. But to lead them to Jesus is not all that is required. God has given the mother a work to do. These children are to be educated and trained to become disciples of Christ, “that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth, that our daughters may be as corner-stones polished after the similitude of a palace.” This work of molding, refining, and polishing, is the mother’s. The character of the child is to be developed. The mother must engrave upon the tablet of the heart lessons as enduring as eternity; and she will surely meet the displeasure of the Lord if she neglects this sacred work or allows anything to interfere with it. She must allow the ever-changing and never-satisfying fashions to come and go, letting the hearts of the devotees of fashion be set on these if they will. But the Christian mother has her God-appointed work, which she will not neglect if she is closely connected with God and imbued with his Spirit. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 5}
The example of the parents, in word and deportment, should be without fault; for this is the copy which is given their little ones to imitate. If parents desire their children to be right and do right, they must be right themselves in theory and in practice. Courtesy, even in little things, should be manifested by the parents toward each other. Universal kindness should be the law of the house. No rude language should be indulged, no bitter words should be spoken. Parents should exercise self-control, patience, forbearance, gentleness, and love, in dealing with their children. They should remember that the example they give their children, they will see reproduced in them. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 6}
The parents should be models of truthfulness, for this is the daily lesson to be impressed upon the heart of the child. Undeviating principle should govern parents in all the affairs of life, especially in the education and training of their children. “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 7}
An eminent divine was once asked how old a child must be before there was reasonable hope of his being a Christian. “Age has nothing to do with it,” was the answer. “Love to Jesus, trust, repose, confidence, are all qualities that agree with the child’s nature. As soon as a child can love and trust his mother, then can he love and trust Jesus as the friend of his mother. Jesus will be his friend, loved and honored.” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 8}
In view of the foregoing truthful statement, can parents be too careful in presenting precept and example before those watchful little eyes and sharp senses? Our religion should be made practical. It is needed in our homes as much as in the house of worship. There should be nothing cold, stern, and forbidding in our demeanor; but we should show, by kindness and sympathy, that we possess warm, loving hearts. Jesus should be the honored guest in the family circle. We should talk with him, bring all our burdens to him, and converse of his love, his grace, and his perfection of character. What a lesson may be daily given by godly parents in taking all their troubles to Jesus, the burden-bearer, instead of fretting and scolding over cares and perplexities they cannot help. The minds of the little ones may be taught to turn to Jesus as the flower turns its opening petals to the sun. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 9}
The lessons given Joseph in his youth by Jacob in expressing his firm trust in God and relating to him again and again the precious evidences of his loving-kindness and unceasing care, were the very lessons he needed in his exile among an idolatrous people. In the testing time he put these lessons to a practical use. When under the severest trial he looked to his Heavenly Father, whom he had learned to trust. Had the precepts and example of the father of Joseph been of an opposite character, the pen of inspiration would never have traced upon the pages of sacred history the story of integrity and virtue that shines forth in the character of Joseph. The early impressions made upon his mind garrisoned his heart in the hour of fierce temptation, and led him to exclaim, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” {HR January 1, 1880, par. 10}
Childhood is the season in which the most abiding impressions may be made. What the child sees and hears is drawing deep lines upon the tender mind, which no after circumstances in life can entirely efface. The intellect is now taking shape, and the affections receiving direction and strength. Repeated acts in a given course become habits. These may be modified by severe training, in after life, but are seldom changed. The whole future course of thousands is determined by the education received from the parents in childhood. At an early age the path of virtue is entered upon, which leads to honor and eternal life; or the path of disobedience and vice, which leads to unhappiness, dishonor, and the ruin of the soul. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 11}
The mother’s work is given her of God, to bring up her children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The love and fear of God should ever be kept before their tender minds. When corrected, they should be taught to feel that they are admonished of God, that he is displeased with deception, untruthfulness, and wrong-doing. Thus the minds of little ones may be so connected with God that all they do and say will be in reference to his glory; and in after years they will not be like the reed in the wind, continually wavering between inclination and duty. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 12}
If in their tender years, the minds of children are filled with pleasant images of truth, of purity and goodness, a taste will be formed for that which is pure and elevated, and their imagination will not become easily corrupted or defiled. While if the opposite course is pursued, if the minds of the parents are continually dwelling upon low scenes; if their conversation lingers over objectionable features of character; if they form a habit of speaking complainingly of the course others have pursued, the little ones will take lessons from the words and expressions of contempt, and will follow the pernicious example. The evil impress, like the taint of the leprosy, will cleave to them in after life. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 13}
The seeds sown in infancy by the careful, God-fearing mother will become trees of righteousness, which will blossom and bear fruit; and the lessons given by a God-fearing father by precept and example, will, as in the case of Joseph, yield an abundant harvest by-and-by. Will parents review their work in the educating and training of their children, and consider whether they have done their whole duty in hope and faith that these children may be a crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus? Have they so labored for the welfare of their children that Jesus can look down from Heaven and by the gift of his Spirit sanctify their efforts? Parents, it may be yours to prepare your children for the highest usefulness in this life, and to share at last the glory of that which is to come. {HR January 1, 1880, par. 14}
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