怀爱伦对瑞士区会和欧洲传教士委员会的演讲
1885年9月于巴塞尔
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们：我确实很感恩，因为有此特权与在欧洲各国传播真理亮光的人们相会。这是一项重大高尚的工作，应全力以赴。我们作为上帝的工人，需要更加庄严地亲近祂，彼此也有更亲密的交情，以便我们的祷告和努力不受阻碍。我们不可指望靠自己力量去对付和冲破世上的道德黑暗，而要坚定地努力争取那种惟有在耶稣里才能得到的力量。祂爱我们，而那些本着祂的精神作工的人，必在他们一切的努力中体验到祂的帮助。即使用最有力的真理论据，也不可能感动人心，除非这些论据与神能相结合。{HS 119.1}
一台机器或许各个部件都很完美，可是运转起来却有许多摩擦和磨损;然而加上润滑油，它就能好好地安静工作了。我们也是这样。我们心中必须要有恩典的油，才能防止我们与工作对象之间发生摩擦。我们既有真理的论据又有恩典的油，就能以大能传扬信息。就会打破偏见，成就大工。基督说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”(约15:5)。枝子若不在葡萄树上，就不能结果子;我们若不住在基督里，也不能结出果子来。{HS 119.2}
心中若是怀有耶稣的爱，就必在工作中体现出来;意愿和仪态就会受圣灵陶冶影响。基督在被钉之前祷告说：“我为他们的缘故，自己分别为圣，叫他们也因真理成圣”(约17:19)。教导百姓的人必须在温柔、忍耐、自制和耐心上作上帝群羊的榜样。他在某种特殊的意义上乃是一封活的荐信，“被众人所知道所念诵”(林后3:2)。因此，他的品格中显出真理使人成圣的能力乃是多么重要的事啊。{HS 119.3}
上帝的传道人自己必须先喝那活泉的水，才能坚定而聪明地把别人带到活泉。他若想给工作对象介绍基督的完全，自己必须得以完全。惟有上帝的能力才能感动和软化罪人的心，使他悔罪归向基督。路德、梅兰克吞、卫斯理、怀特菲尔德或其他任何一位改革家和教师之所以能成功地接近人心以致成就大工，都不是出于自己的能力，而是上帝藉着他们说了话。人们感受到一种超级能力的影响，不知不觉便顺从了。{HS 119.4}
上帝号召凡在人前高举真理旗帜的人在自己的日常生活中示范真理的教训。这么做会吸引许多已经筑起不信壁垒的人信从真道。真基督徒品格的感化力就象一道悦人的阳光，刺透黑暗得以进入的最隐秘的角落。从基督徒传道人身上焕发出的榜样之光不应该是断续不定，象流星那样一闪而过的，而应该象天上的众星一样发出平静、稳定的光辉。{HS 120.1}
真正属于基督的传道人应该环绕着一种属灵亮光的氛围，因为他是与世界的光联络且与基督同行的，基督乃是世界的光。论据或许遭到拒绝，说服和恳劝也被藐视，最动人的呼吁，虽有严格的逻辑支持，也会遭到漠视，但一种活泼的公义品格，日常虔诚的工作生活，为各处见到的罪人担忧，真理的精神燃烧在心中，焕发在脸上，流露在每一言行中，便构成了一种令人难以抗拒的证道，使撒但的营垒战兢。与上帝同行的传道人穿着天国的全副甲胄，他们的努力伴随着成功。{HS 120.2}
那些从事警告世人之严肃大工的人，应当不仅在上帝的事上有个人的经验，而且要培养彼此相爱的心，同心协力地工作，有一样的判断，一样的见识。缺乏这种爱使我们狡猾的仇敌大大欢喜。他是猜忌、嫉妒、仇恨与争持不睦的作者;他喜欢看到这些毒草把上天所栽培的爱的嫩苗挤死。{HS 120.3}
上帝不喜悦祂的仆人们彼此责难、批评和定罪。祂已赐给他们一项特别的工作，要他们坚持捍卫真理。他们是祂的工人;人人都应尊重他们，他们也应彼此尊重。在军队中，官长们要尊重与自己同作军官的人，而士兵们很快就会学到这个教训。在基督徒的战争中，民中的领袖们若是仁慈而宽容，对自己的同工显出特别的关爱与尊重，就必教导别人也这么做。{HS 120.4}
应当郑重地维护同工的名誉。一个人如果在另一个人身上发现了过错，千万不要在别人面前将其夸大为严重的罪恶。他们虽然可能作出错误的判断，但上帝必赐下恩典予以克服。祂若认为完美的天使会为堕落的人类做成比人做得更好的工作，原会把工作交给他们去做。但祂不但没有这么做，反而藉着可怜、软弱、容易犯错的凡人送去必要的帮助，这些人与自己的同胞一样软弱，却得到最好的预备去帮助他们。{HS 120.5}
彼得曾经否认他的主。他经过跌倒和悔改以后，耶稣对他说：“你牧养我的羊”。彼得跌倒以前，缺乏牧养羊群所需要的柔和精神。当他感悟到自己的软弱后，才知道怎样去教导犯错和跌倒的人。他能以温柔的同情接近和帮助他们。{HS 121.1}
在新的园地开始工作时，往往犯一个大错误，没有调动所有可用才干投入工作。有时那些具有卓越能力的人在开始工作时会犯一些大错误;但因此就要解雇他们吗?千万不要。而要耐心有恒地教育和训练他们，他们十有八九会成为有用的工人。{HS 121.2}
我的传道弟兄们哪，我恳劝你们要仁慈宽容地对待初信的人，就象你们初次得到真理的知识时希望别人待你们的那样。要温柔仁爱地教导他们负责任和为他人劳苦作工。耶稣爱他们象爱你们一样，只要他们愿意学习倚靠祂，祂也一样乐于帮助他们。你们若是发现他们身上有不完全之处，千万不要表现出傲慢批评的精神，使他们灰心丧志，远离真理。这并不是基督的精神。上帝怎么说呢?“你们来，我们彼此辩论。”祂并没有说：你们是有缺陷的，我和你们没关系。“你们的罪虽象朱红，必变成雪白;虽红如丹颜，必白如羊毛。你们若甘心听从，必吃地上的美物”(赛1:18,19)。
9月16日，星期三早上。{HS 121.3}
Dear Brethren and Sisters,I am indeed thankful for this privilege of meeting with those who are laboring to spread the light of truth in the various countries of Europe. It is a grand, a noble work, and one which should call forth every energy of the being. As laborers for God, we need a more sacred nearness to him, and a closer fellowship with one another, that our prayers and efforts may not be hindered. We must not expect in our own strength to meet and press through the moral darkness that is in the world but we must perseveringly labor for that strength which is found alone in Jesus. He loves us, and those who labor in his spirit will realize his assistance in all their efforts. It is impossible, even with the strong arguments of truth, to reach the hearts of men, unless there is, united with these arguments, a divine power.?{HS 119.1}[1]
A machine may be perfect in all its parts, and yet there be much friction and wear in its movements; but apply oil, and it performs its work quietly and well. So with us. It is necessary to have the oil of grace in our hearts, in order to prevent the friction that may arise between us and those for whom we labor. Then, having not only the arguments of truth but the oil of grace, we can bear the message with power. Prejudice will be broken down, and a great work will be accomplished. “Without me.” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” The branch cannot bear fruit except it abide in the vine; neither can we except we abide in Christ.?{HS 119.2}[2]
If the love of Jesus is cherished in the heart, it will be seen in the labors; the will and the manners will be brought under the moulding influence of the Holy Spirit. In the prayer of Christ just before his crucifixion, he said, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” The teacher of the people must be an example to the flock of God in all meekness, patience, forbearance, and love. He is, in a special sense, a living epistle, “known and read of all men.” How important, then, that the sanctifying power of the truth be seen in his character.?{HS 119.3}[3]
The minister of God must first drink of the living fountain himself if he would firmly and intelligently lead others to that fountain. If he would present those?for whom he labors, perfect in Christ, he must himself be perfect. Divine power alone will reach and melt the sinner’s heart, and bring him, a penitent, to Christ. Neither Luther, Melancthon, Wesley, Whitefield, nor any other great reformer and teacher, could of himself have gained such access to hearts as to accomplish the work that these men accomplished. But God spoke through them. Men felt the influence of a superior power, and involuntarily yielded to it.?{HS 119.4}[4]
God calls upon those who are lifting up the standard of truth before others to themselves exemplify its precepts in their daily life. Such a course would charm into believing many who have intrenched themselves behind the breast-works of infidelity. The influence of a true Christian character is like a cheering ray of sunlight that pierces to the remotest corner the darkness into which it is allowed to enter. The light emanating from the example of the Christian minister should not be fitful and uncertain, like the flash of a meteor, but it should have the calm, steady radiance of the heavenly stars.?{HS 120.1}[5]
The true minister of Christ should be encircled by an atmosphere of spiritual light, because he is connected with the world of light, and walks with Christ, who is the light of the world. Arguments may be resisted, persuasion and entreaty may be scorned, the most eloquent appeals, supported by the rigor of logic, may be disregarded; but a living character of righteousness, a daily piety in the walks of life, an anxiety for the sinner wherever found, the spirit of truth burning in the heart, beaming from the countenance, and breathing from the lips in every word, constitute a sermon which is hard to resist or to set aside, and which makes the strongholds of Satan tremble. Ministers who walk with God are clad with the panoply of heaven, and victory will attend their efforts.?{HS 120.2}[6]
Those who are engaged in the great and solemn work of warning the world, should not only have an individual experience in the things of God, but they should cultivate love for one another, and should labor to be of one mind, of one judgment, to see eye to eye. The absence of this love greatly pleases our wily foe. He is the author of envy, jealousy, hatred, and dissension; and he rejoices to see these vile weeds choke out love, that tender plant of heavenly growth.?{HS 120.3}[7]
It does not please God to have his servants censure, criticise, and condemn one another. He has given them a special work, that of standing in defense of truth. They are his workmen; all should respect them, and they should respect one another. In the army, officers are required to respect their fellow-officers, and the privates soon learn the lesson. When the leaders of the people in the Christian warfare are kind and forbearing, and manifest a special love and regard for their co-laborers, they teach others to do the same.?{HS 120.4}[8]
The reputation of a fellow-laborer is to be sacredly guarded. If one sees faults in another, he is not to magnify them before others, and make them grievous sins. They may be errors of judgment, that God will give divine grace to overcome. If he had seen that angels, who are perfect, would have done the work for the fallen race better than men, he would have committed it to them. But instead of this he sent the needed assistance by poor, weak, erring mortals, who, having like infirmities as their fellow-men, are best prepared to help them.?{HS 120.5}[9]
There was Peter, who denied his Lord. After he had fallen and been converted, Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Before Peter’s feet slipped, he had not the spirit of meekness required to feed the lambs; but after he became sensible of his own weakness, he knew just how to teach the erring and fallen; he could come close to their side in tender sympathy, and could help them.?{HS 121.1}[10]
In beginning missionary work in new fields, a great mistake is often made in not calling into exercise all the talents that might be employed in the work. Sometimes those who have excellent ability make great mistakes when they begin to work; but are they to be dropped because of this? No, indeed. Let them be patiently, perseveringly educated and trained, and in nine cases out of ten they will become useful workers.?{HS 121.2}[11]
My brethren in the ministry, I entreat of you to be just as kind and forbearing toward those who are new in the faith, as you wanted others to be toward you when you first came to the knowledge of the truth. In meekness and love teach them to bear responsibilities, and to labor for others. Jesus loves them just as much as he does you, and is just as willing to help them if they will learn to trust in him. If you see imperfections in them, do not discourage them and drive them from the truth by manifesting an overbearing, critical spirit. This is not the spirit of Christ. What does God say? “Come now, and let us reason together.” He does not say, You are defective, and I will have nothing to do with you. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”——Wednesday morning, September 16.?{HS 121.3}[12]
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