ATLANTIC UNION GLEANER
《大西洋联合会拾遗》文章
1902年1月8日
1、大纽约的工作
始终应当在基督耶稣基督里团结如一个教会的众教会亲爱的弟兄姐妹们： {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 1}
你们还没有接受上帝的旨意本来要你们接受的教育，因为你们没有一直在吃那从天上降下来的生命的粮。要是你们殷勤地研究了上帝的道，你们原会确信：如果你们愿意在恩典和真理的知识上长进，就应当始终保持团结和谐的行动。如果你们的悟性曾受到启迪，你们的眼目单单关注上帝的荣耀，你们自己那些自私的想法原会被打消;你们悟性的眼睛原会打开，看明教会中各大属灵机构的奥秘。你们的分离——一个小教会从另一个小教会分开——已经使上帝的圣灵担忧。多年来，天国的计划没有实现，时间已削弱了信息的影响力。你们已经认识上帝律法的约束性要求之人现在的任务是达到比迄今所达到的更高的标准。{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 2}
已经存在的分歧给参加你们聚会的人留下了不好的印象。通过言语上流露的肉欲，演讲的才干已给宝贵的现代真理圣工带来了伤害。时候已到，必须完全彻底地抛弃一切分歧;而今应当毫不拖延地为一个伟大的目标作出一致、系统的努力：藉着耶稣基督成圣，以致顺从真理。“求祢用真理使他们成圣;祢的道就是真理”(约17:17)。一个人的影响要多久才能成为所有人的影响?热心、虔诚和智慧会藉着一种联合运动中的使人成圣的真理调和在归正之人的心中。基督的福音将在有力的行动中发挥其决定性的影响，证明上帝使人得救的大能。在工作中会有深切的热心，更多的联合和积极的努力，利用你们所有的精力，在我们的各城中拓展上帝国度疆界的工作中，彼此互相扶持。将会看到认真的结果，且会向天举手祷告，说：“这事谁能当得起呢”(林后2:16)? {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 3}
必须挑选上帝所拣选的代表从事所指定给他们的工作，他们的工作必须靠门徒们的祷告和奉献来维持，这些门徒可以继续在他们的工作岗位上工作，从而获得必要的资金来支持那些努力完成上帝所指定的计划的人。一个联合的、归正的教会的工作，以祷告和禁食来求上帝圣灵的显现，会使天上的媒介非常接近。当门徒“事奉主、禁食的时候，圣灵说：‘要为我分派巴拿巴和扫罗，去做我召他们所做的工’”(徒13:2)。如果我们个别地与祂合作，上帝在我们的日子里也会做同样多的工作。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 4}
每个人都应该努力加强其他认真工作者的信心。上帝并没有赋予我们任何一个人使命，去阻碍和阻止任何一个能在伟大元首的监管下为宣扬圣经的真理和拯救将亡之人而抱着兴趣工作的人。我们现在必须为真理的扩展而努力，结果许多灵魂将在我们迄今未工作的城市中获得真理的知识。教会中最好的工具应当被挑选出来并派往各地，并在扩展传道努力的过程中得到维持。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 5}
圣经继续记录分派巴拿巴和扫罗从事特殊工作说：“于是禁食祷告，按手在他们头上，就打发他们去了”(徒13:3)。他们前往所指定给他们的工作园地。工人们在神圣的权威下行动。这些人必须自己知道他们要在其中作工的最好的园地。一些人和家人在一起时能工作得更好。家庭教会可能需要一位敬畏上帝的父亲的影响，他会正确地管教和训练他的孩子。上帝不会无情地让人被派到远离家人园地里。一些没有家庭的人可以更方便地去遥远的园地，让父亲们和他们的家人留在一起。在派基督徒去各处工作的时候，要先征求他们父母的意见，然后再指定工作园地。家中的羊群不应因为没有父亲的明智影响而陷入困境。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 6} {PH038 3.1}
主说：“要扩大你们的边界。” 福音的力量是广泛的。人们应当成为献身拯救灵魂的人，应当为他们的工作有所表现。要是工人没能结果子，树就可能出了问题。葡萄园的工作费用必须尽可能少，因为有广大的领域要开发。当人们在不同的地方工作时，他们应当始终得到照顾，好看到他们的劳动成果。如果树不结果子，可能是因为它需要移植。如果经过适当的劳动，它仍然没有结果子，就要让它被移除;那在救灵的工作上无用的仆人应该被解雇，并受到鼓励从事某种业务，从而挣到钱来尽自己的本分，支持能成功作工的工人——有机智和智慧的人，能本着敬畏上帝的心得人归于基督的人. {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 7}
应当建立教会。不要建立像巴特尔克里克那样的大中心;然而在大城市里，还会有一些重要的教堂和集会场所，方便容纳当地的信徒。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 8}
不应该要求牧师在我们的教堂瑞安顿下来，而要让真理赐人生命的能力打动其个人成员去行动，在那个地方进行一项有效的传道工作。作为上帝的手，教会应当接受教育和训练，以便从事有效的工作。其成员应当成为主献身的基督徒工人。教会太过片面了。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 9}
大纽约区会
纽约市有着巨大的事业，而纽约则包含一个广阔的园地。将纽约作为一个单独的区会工作是明智的。这是一个伟大的传道园地。这将需要比现在预期的更多的开支。如果纽约本身处于一个断开的园地、一个与其它领域和利益相分离的园地的一般运作之下，我们就可以使这一领域成为一个专门领域，并将取得更多的成就。还将避免许多混乱。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 10}
有这样一种情况，就是工人们互相妨碍，在准备做一些应该立即做的事情时浪费了时间。对纽约城动工的最佳时间就是现在，是目前;要尽量把道路修直，好完成工作，同时要让大家都关心在附近地区引起的慕道兴趣。{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 11}
那些在大纽约工作的人必须有特别的计划来从事这一园地的工作，总体的工作力量应当在建立总体利益的问题上团结起来。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 12}{PH038 6.2}
比起周围的地区和不同的权益，大纽约必须与总会有不同的关系，而且就传道工作来说，也要不得不以不同的眼光予以考虑。大纽约本身就是一个世界。在某些方面，管理的方法应与周围的地方不一样。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 13}
上帝有祂指定的媒介来扩大我们的影响范围，增加愿意作真正的传道士——为拯救同胞的灵魂而作工之人的人数。那些人不应设定任何界限以限制他们的工作范围。基督的教会必总是想着前进，必总是教育工人为基督取得进一步的胜利。它应该始终不停地活动，直到把真理传到世界各地。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 14}
主原希望纽约和它周围的地区及各城多年前就开工了，而今机会既然更加显明了，我们各地区各教会的弟兄姐妹就当肩并肩，衷心关注福音信息的推进。在葡萄园中凡遭到忽视的地区，人心都应因真正的、活泼的经验而激动。而今既有一项大工启动，就不可有一个人抱着手，而要人人都满有兴趣地关注教会的每一个举动。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 15}
在大纽约各区的各教会如今要感到他们天赐的神圣责任。主的话语是要他们在这个广大的传道园地忠心作工，一切批评、挑剔和弟兄间离心离德的事都要停止。各样偏见，他们的恶思恶言都要抛弃。上帝不会再容忍一直在我们纽约的各教会支配事物的那种精神。这里的园地已经准备好收割。我们无论往哪个方向看，都要看到我们的弟兄们在做所指定给他们的工作，这工作延伸到不可测量的大范围。不要听从那些愿意怀存和培育偏见的人。工作要在上帝的指导之下前进，那些想要保持不和精神的人应该让开道路，让上帝的工作前进。. {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 16}
每一个教会都应当按照上帝的命令行动，遵循祂关于圣餐和基督徒合一的计划。信徒的整个团体都应当在灵里合一。他们都是耶稣基督的教会。站在这个广袤的传道领域，教会应该召唤罪人来看上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。这项工作应当前进。那些自己带着量绳以便衡量一切，并说事情应该如何进行的人，现在可以免除这一责任。. {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 17}{PH038 9.1}
应当高举髑髅地的十字架，凡愿意吸引们到十字架，使信徒的圈子越来越大的人，都将拥有基督，拯救的力量。应当显明对上帝的能力和荣耀的热心。人人都应明白，我们现在应当除掉一切苦毒怨恨，要有成圣的热心，拯救将亡的人。我们需要更多圣灵的引导。 {AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 18}
1901年11月25日
ATLANTIC UNION GLEANER
8-Jan-02
The Work in Greater New York
To the Brethren and Sisters in the churches of Greater New York, which are always to be united as one church in Christ Jesus:?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 1}
You have not received that education which it is the will of God that you should have. You have not been depending upon the Bread of Life which came down from heaven. Had you studied the word of God diligently, you would have been convinced that unity, and harmonious action are always to be preserved if one would advance in grace and the knowledge of the truth. Could your understanding have been with an eye single to the glory of God, your own selfish ideas would have been dispelled and your eyes would have been opened to the secrets of the great spiritual agencies in the church. Your drawing apart—one small church from another small church—has grieved the Holy Spirit of God. For years the plan of Heaven has not been met, and time has weakened the influence of the message. The commission to you who have come to a knowledge of the binding claims of the law of God, is that you are now to reach a higher standard than that which has hitherto been reached.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 2}
The differences which have existed, have left an unfavorable impression upon the minds of those who attend your meetings. By a carnality in words, the talent of speech has been an injury to the precious cause of present truth. The time has come when all the differences must be put away fully, and thoroughly, and now, without delay, attempt a united, systematic effort for the one great object,—sanctification through Jesus Christ to the obedience of the truth. “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth.” If this were accomplished, how long would it be till the influence of one would be the influence of all? Zeal, piety, and wisdom would blend in the converted souls through sanctification of the truth, in a combined movement, and the gospel of Christ would be exerting a decided influence in vigorous action, demonstrating the power of God unto salvation, and there would be deep earnestness in the work, more united and vigorous effort—a using of all your energies, a sustaining of one another in the work of enlarging the territory of the kingdom of God in our cities. Decided results would be seen, and prayers and hands would be uplifted to heaven, saying, “Who is sufficient for these things?”?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 3}
Agents chosen of God must be selected, and their spheres of labor appointed them, and the workers must be sustained by the prayers and the contributions of the disciples who may remain in their business stations, and thus earn the means necessary to sustain those laboring to work out God’s appointed plan. The work of a united, converted church, with prayer and fasting for the Holy Spirit of God to be revealed, will bring the angelic agencies very near. As the disciples “ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” God will work just as much in our day, if we will individually cooperate with him.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 4}
Each should labor to strengthen the faith of the other earnest workers. God does not give to any of us the commission to hinder and discourage others. Any soul who can work interestedly under the supervision of the Great Head for the presentation of Bible truth and the saving of souls ready to perish, should receive our aid and encouragement. We must labor now for the extension of the truth, and as a result many souls will come to a knowledge of the truth in our hitherto unworked cities. The very choicest instrumentalities the church contains should be selected and sent forth, and sustained in extending missionary efforts.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 5}
The record of the appointment to special work of Barnabas and Paul continues, “And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” They went to their appointed field of labor. The laborers moved under divine authority. These men must know for themselves the best fields in which to work. Some men can work better when they can be with their families; the church in their own home may need the influence of a God-fearing father to discipline and train his children. God would not have men ruthlessly sent to fields far away from their families. In sending Christian workers from post to post, let the fathers and mothers be consulted before the field is appointed. The home family flock is not to be left distressed for the want of the father’s judicious influence.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 6}
The Lord says, “Enlarge your borders.” The power of the gospel is expansive, Men are to be devoted soul-savers, and should have something to show for their labors. They should be producers as well as consumers. If a tree fails to produce fruit after a trial, something may be wrong with the tree. The cost of working the vineyard must be made as little as possible, because there is a large territory to be worked. As men are employed in different places, they should always be looked after and interviewed in regard to their work, to see what is the result of their labor. Does the worker give full proof of his faithfulness in ministry? If not, it will injure the cause, and also the one employed, to retain him. If the tree bears no fruit, it may be because it needs to be pruned or transplanted. If after proper labor it still has no fruit to bear, let it be removed; let the laborer be dismissed as an unprofitable servant in the work of soul-saving, and encouraged to go into some business by which he can earn means to act his part in sustaining the laborers who can work successfully—persons with tact and wisdom, who in the fear of God will win souls to Christ.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 7}
Churches are to be planted. No great centers are to be established, as at Battle Creek; and yet there will be some important churches raised up, and meeting-houses provided in large cities, favorable to accommodating the believers in [that locality.]?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 8}
There should not be a call to have settled pastors over our churches, but let the life-giving power of the truth impress the individual members to act, leading them to labor interestedly to carry on efficient missionary work in each locality. As the hand of God, the church is to be educated and trained to do effective service. Its members are to be the Lord’s devoted Christian workers. The church of today is too one-sided.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 9}
The Greater New York Conference
There are large interests in New York City; New York embraces a large field. It would be wise to have New York proper worked as a separate conference. It is a great missionary field. It will require a much larger outlay of means than is now anticipated. If New York is set off as a separate field, if it stands separate from the other territory and interests, we can make a specialty of this field, as a great missionary center, and more will be accomplished. Much confusion will also be avoided.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 10}
There is such a thing as workers’ getting in one another’s way, and losing time in making preparation to do something that ought to be done promptly. The best time to work New York City is now, the present,?now; and let the path be made as straight as possible for the work to be done. At the same time let all the workers in New York be interested in every effort in adjoining localities.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 11}
Those working the great New York proper must have special plans by which to work that field, and the general working forces should unite in the matter of building up the missionary interests in Greater New York.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 12}
The great New York must stand in a different relation to the General Conference from the surrounding territory and neighboring interests, which are different, and which will have to be considered in a different light as far as missionary work is concerned. New York is a world of itself; and as such should have, in some respects, a different management from that of the surrounding localities.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 13}
God has his appointed agencies for the enlargement of our circle of influence, and for the increasing of the number of workers who will be missionaries indeed,—laborers for the saving of the souls of their fellow men. These should set no boundaries to the sphere of their labors. The Christian church will ever mediate advancements; it will ever be educating workers for further conquests for Christ. It should ever be moving on and on, that the truth may extend to all parts of the globe.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 14}
The Lord would have had New York with all its suburbs and surrounding cities worked many years ago; and now that it is more plainly revealed that the opportune time has come, let our brethren and sisters in all localities, in every church, stand shoulder to shoulder, their hearts drawn out, and their interests connected with the progress of the gospel message. In all the neglected parts of the vineyard hearts should be thrilled with a genuine, living experience; and now that there is a great work started, no one must fold his hands, but all must regard with interest every movement of the church.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 15}
The churches now in different parts of Greater New York are to feel their sacred, God-given responsibilities. The word of the Lord is, for this wide missionary field to be faithfully worked, and every vestige of criticism and fault-finding and separating of brethren is to cease. Their prejudices, their thinking and speaking evil, are to be put away. God will not tolerate any longer the spirit that has been controlling matters in our New York churches. The fields are ready for the harvest. In whatever direction they look, our brethren must do their appointed work, which stretches to a large, unmeasured circumference. Those who would cherish and foster their prejudices, and stand in a negative position, are not to be listened to. The work is to go forward under the direction of God, and those who wish to keep up the spirit of dissension should take themselves out of the way, and let God’s work move onward.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 16}
Every church should move in God’s order, following his plan of communion and Christian oneness. The whole body of believers is to be one in spirit. They are collectively the church of Jesus Christ. Standing in this widely extended missionary territory, the church should be calling the sinful to look at the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. This work is to go forward. Those who have taken upon themselves to carry a measuring line that they may measure everybody and say how things shall go, may now be excused from this responsibility.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 17}
The cross of Calvary is to be uplifted, and all who will be engaged in drawing the people to the cross, enlarging the circumference of the circle of believers more and more, will have Christ, the power of salvation. Zeal for the glory of God is to be revealed. Let all understand that we are to get rid of every root of bitterness, and through the Holy Spirit’s guidance have a sanctified zeal for the saving of souls who are ready to perish.?{AUGleaner January 8, 1902, par. 18}
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