《大西洋书报员》
1890年12月1日
1、最好的工作方法
在传扬真理时，传道士讲道或书报员开展工作如果使用更多的机智与谨慎，就会有更多的效果。由于疏忽了这一点，许多人对我们的信仰和道理有了误解。要是给他们的第一印象更为有利，他们原不会这样。我们的责任是尽量通过个人的努力接近高层人士。这样的工作并不会排斥穷人和下层阶级，但无论地位高低，人都有机会从圣经的真理中得益。如果我们自己的话语和生活显示了上帝的真理提炼人心的影响，熟悉我们的人会看到，圣经的宗教决不会贬低接受的人。他们一旦接受了真理，就会意识到自己有责任和义务作耶稣基督在地上的代表。从心里顺服上帝的真理，会不断地使接受的人得到升华、精炼和提高。不是世俗的智慧，而是上帝所赐的智慧教导我们以能够接触上层人士的方式来呈现真理。他们悔改以后，会发挥对真理有利的影响，用上帝交托他们的才干和钱财来帮助支持真理。我们对同胞所负的责任，使我们有义务根据我们所接受的真理，发挥我们的才能，并把资金交给兑换银钱的人。通过争取人归向耶稣基督——争取那些身居要职的人，他们的影响力会达到上帝赋予更大行善能力的上层人士，我们的才干将会倍增。即使只争取到一个人，我们工作的影响也是深远的;我们的资金交给了兑换银钱的人，正在不断地增加。{Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 1}
从事圣工的工人不应该觉得惟一可行的办法是不论在什么地方直截了当地告诉人们安息日复临信徒所持守的一切真理和要道问题，这么做一开始就会使他们塞住耳朵，从而达不到所追求的目标。上帝希望你们像羊羔在狼群中间，灵巧像蛇，驯良像鸽子。他们必须把自己的观念放在一边，随从上帝之灵的引导。他们必须把自己的观念放在一边，随从上帝之灵的引导。他们不应觉得要随时随地对不信的人传上帝所有的真理，而要仔细计划该说什么，不该说什么。这不是欺骗，而是像保罗那样工作。他说：“. 我虽是自由的，无人辖管，然而我甘心作了众人的仆人，为要多得人。 向犹太人，我就作犹太人，为要得犹太人。向律法以下的人，我虽不在律法以下，还是作律法以下的人，为要得律法以下的人。向没有律法的人，我就作没有律法的人，为要得没有律法的人。其实我在上帝面前，不是没有律法，在基督面前，正在律法之下。向软弱的人，我就作软弱的人，为要得软弱的人。向什么样的人，我就作什么样的人。无论如何，总要救些人”(林前9：19-22)。保罗并没有以一种会引起偏见的方式接近犹太人。他并没有冒险使他们成为他的敌人，告诉他们必须信靠拿撒勒人耶稣;反而详细讲述旧约圣经中见证弥赛亚及其使命和工作的预言和应许。他一步一步地引导他们，向他们说明尊荣上帝律法的重要性。他也给了仪文律法应得的尊敬，说明基督原是设立整个献祭崇祀制度的那一位。在详细讲述了这些事之后，他既表明自己对这些事有清楚的认识，就把听众带到基督的第一次降临，说明被钉的耶稣应验了仪文律法的细节。他向他们说明从髑髅地的十字架发出的光辉如何赋予整个犹太制度意义和荣耀。他就这样改变自己的工作方式，总是因地制宜地形成他的信息;然而，虽然在耐心作工之后，他在很大程度上取得了成功，但还是有许多人不愿意信服。无论以什么方法传讲适合现代的特别真理，有些人也不愿意信服。虽然如此，为上帝作工的人应该仔细研究最佳方法，以便不至引起不必要的偏见，激起听众心中好斗的精神。他要向人们证明，他是一个真正的基督徒，光明正大，渴望和平而不是冲突;他爱他们的灵魂。这样他就能赢得人们的信任。 {Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 2}
基督对祂的门徒说过：“我还有好些事要告诉你们，但你们现在担当不了”(约16:12)。有许多事祂并没有告诉他们，因为他们的教育和观念会使他们思想混乱，产生难以消除的质疑和不信。{Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 3}
上帝的工人必须成为多面手，有宽宏的品格，而不是片面、工作方式刻板、一成不变的人，看不见也意识不到他们的言语和宣扬真理的方法必须因人而异、因地制宜。所有的人都应该不断地設法削弱自己突出的特性，並加強点自己的弱項，從而讓思想平衡。他们若要成为有用、成功的工人，这样做是必要的。上帝希望祂的仆人，无论年老的还是年轻的，不断地改进，更好地学习如何与人接触。他们不应该安于现状，认为自己的方法是完美的，其他人必须像他们一样工作。我们所有的方法和计划都应该带着神圣的印记。{Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 4}
(待续)
THE ATLANTIC CANVASSER
December 11, 1890
The Best Manner of Working
If more tact and discretion were used in the presentation of the truth, by ministers in their discourses and by the canvassers in their work, much more would be accomplished than we now see. Because of a neglect in this direction, many have a misconception of our faith and doctrine which they would never have formed if their first impressions had been more favorable. It is our duty to get as close to the people in high places as we can by personal efforts. Such labor will not exclude the poorer and lower classes, but both high and low will have an opportunity to be benefited by the truths of the Bible. If our own words and lives show the refining influence of the truth of God upon the heart, those who become acquainted with us will see that the religion of the Bible never degrades the receiver, and as they accept the truth they will perceive the duties and responsibilities resting upon them in their turn to be representatives of Jesus Christ upon the earth. The truth of God, obeyed from the heart, is constantly elevating, refining, and ennobling the receiver. It is not worldly wisdom, but God-given wisdom that teaches us to present the truth in such a manner that it will reach the higher classes, who will when converted to the truth exert an influence in its favor, and who will help to sustain it with their intrusted talents of influence and means. The duty we owe to our fellowmen places us under obligations to put out our talents, in the light of truth which we have received, as well as the talents of means to the exchangers. By winning souls to Jesus Christ,—souls who are in responsible positions, and whose influence can be a power to reach men and women of the higher classes whom God has seen fit to intrust with large capacity for doing good,—talents will be doubled. The influence of our work, even though it be through but one soul gained, is far-reaching; our talent is out to the exchanger, and is constantly increasing. {Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 1}
The workers in the cause should not feel that the only way they can work is to make known all points of doctrine as held by Seventh-day Adventists, at once, and in every place. Such a course would close the ears of the people at the outset, and frustrate the end sought. God would have his workers be as lambs among wolves, wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. Their own ideas must be laid aside, and they must follow the direction of the Spirit of God. They should not feel that all the truth of God is to be spoken to unbelievers on any and every occasion, but should plan carefully what to say and what to leave unsaid. This is not practicing deception; it is working as Paul worked. He says, “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without the law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” He did not approach the Jews in a way to stir up their prejudice. He did not run the risk of making them his enemies by telling them the first thing that they must believe on Jesus of Nazareth; but he dwelt on the promises of the Old Testament scriptures, which testified of Christ, of his mission, and of his work. Thus he led them along step by step, showing them the importance of honoring the law of God. He also gave due honor to the ceremonial law, showing that Christ was the one that instituted the whole Jewish economy of sacrificial service. After dwelling upon these things, evincing that he had a clear understanding of them himself, he brought them down to the first advent of Christ, and proved that in the crucified Jesus every specification had been fulfilled. This was the wisdom that Paul exercised. He approached the Gentiles, not by exalting the law at first, but by exalting Christ, and then showing the binding claims of the law. He showed them plainly how the light that was reflected from the cross of Calvary gave significance and glory to the whole Jewish system. Thus he varied his manner of labor, always shaping his message to the circumstances under which he was placed; and, yet, though after patient labor he was successful to a large degree, many would not be convinced. There are some who will not be convinced by any method of presenting the truth. The laborer for God should, nevertheless, study carefully the best method, in order that he may not arouse prejudice or stir up combativeness unnecessarily. Let him give the people evidence that he is a true Christian, conscientious, desiring peace and not strife, and that he has a love for their souls. Thus the confidence of the people will be gained. {Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 2}
Christ said to his disciples, “I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” There were many things he did not say to them because their education and ideas were of such a character that his instruction would have confused their minds, and raised questioning and unbelief that it would have been difficult to remove. {Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 3}
God’s workmen must be many-sided men; that is, they must have breadth of character. They must not be one-sided men, stereotyped in their manner of working, getting into a groove where they are unable to see that their words and manner of labor must vary to suit the class of people they are with, and the circumstances they have to meet. All should be constantly seeking to subdue their own prominent characteristics and educate their weaker powers, so that the mind may be evenly balanced. This is necessary, if they make useful, successful laborers. God would have his servants, old and young, continually improving, learning better how to reach the people. They should not settle down contented, thinking that their ways are perfect, and that others must work just as they work. All our methods and plans should bear the divine mold. {Canvasser December 11, 1890, par. 4}
(To be continued.)
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