1906年12月26日
亲爱的奥尔森弟兄：
我不在能写信给你的最佳状态;因为在过去的一个星期里，我一直遭受着今年冬天第三次流感的袭击。我一直在接受这种疾病的特殊治疗，现在正在好转。{PC 98.1}
我们看到世界乱上加乱。我们听到海上和陆地上的事故。犯罪行为正在增加，我们从我日报的报道中得知这一点。旧金山的政治事态发展表明，那些担任官方职务的人多么不可信任。这些人中有许多人，有些甚至自称是信教的，都在公众面前被揭发犯有各种罪行。他们正提供证据，表明现在是天上的耶和华毁灭他们的财产的时候了。最后一个重大问题即将到来。我们看见，我们必须明白，上帝的灵正在从那些邪恶的国家收回，他们早已抛弃上帝的工作和祂的圣洁律法，形成了错误的理论和错误的律法，高举它们在上帝的诫命之上。{PC 98.2}
时兆在确实的应验，表明这尘世的历史结局已近;我们有一项个人的工作要做，使我们自己适合向我们的世界发出最后的警告信息，使它为最后的场景做好准备，按照圣经，这些场景很快就会来到。我深感需要每一个工人都作忠心的守望者，发出这最后的警告之声，预备教会，使那些已有亮光的人可以醒着，认识到穿上每一件军装的重要性。{PC 98.3}
“你该知道，末世必有危险的日子来到。因为那时人要专顾自己、贪爱钱财、自夸、狂傲、谤讟、违背父母、忘恩负义、心不圣洁、无亲情、不解怨、好说谗言、不能自约、性情凶暴、不爱良善、卖主卖友、任意妄为、自高自大、爱宴乐、不爱上帝，有敬虔的外貌，却背了敬虔的实意;这等人你要躲开。那偷进人家、牢笼无知妇女的，正是这等人。这些妇女担负罪恶，被各样的私欲引诱，常常学习(总是提出一些新理论)，终久不能明白真道”(提后3:1-7)。{PC 98.4}
这一章目前正在旧金山和奥克兰应验。这些城市，通过他们的报纸，每天向我们公开他们的真实状况，他们高级官员的罪孽。那些被安置在公职以压制邪恶的人，他们自己也被各种邪恶的行为所腐化。{PC 98.5}
“从前雅尼和佯庇怎样敌挡摩西，这等人也怎样敌挡真道。他们的心地坏了，在真道上是可废弃的。然而他们不能再这样敌挡;因为他们的愚昧必在众人面前显露出来，像那二人一样”(提后3:8,9)。我们在圣经历史中蒙赐予这个例子，教导我们上帝会为祂的话辩护，并达到祂神圣的目的。{PC 98.6}
通过对比，使徒提出了将在那些忠心服务持守上帝律法之人中间存在的相反的道德状况。“但你已经服从了我的教训、品行、志向、信心、宽容、爱心、忍耐，以及我在安提阿、以哥念、路司得所遭遇的逼迫，苦难。我所忍受是何等的逼迫;”然后，为了鼓励我们，他说了快乐的话：“但从这一切苦难中，主都把我救出来了。不但如此，凡立志在基督耶稣里敬虔度日的也都要受逼迫。只是作恶的和迷惑人的，必越久越恶，他欺哄人，也被人欺哄。但你所学习的，所确信的，要存在心里;因为你知道是跟谁学的，并且知道你是从小明白圣经，这圣经能使你因信基督耶稣，有得救的智慧。圣经都是上帝所默示的，于教训、督责、使人归正、教导人学义都是有益的，叫属上帝的人得以完全，预备行各样的善事”(提后3:10-17)。也请阅读保罗在《提摩太后书》第四章中对提摩太的庄严嘱咐。{PC 98.7}
旧金山官员在调查他们的一些官员的欺诈行为时所花的时间，在上帝的天意安排中，对辛普森弟兄和希巴德弟兄来说，乃是一个宝贵的机会，可以向奥克兰的大批会众介绍真理。在这些弟兄开始他们的系列聚会之前，赫斯格长老夫妇在奥克兰的大帐篷里举行了聚会，跟进帐篷大会的工作，并且指教一些想要学习如何从事查经工作的人。这是一次成功的聚会。主彰显了祂的能力和恩典。希巴德长老协助了赫斯格长老的工作，在晚上的聚会上讲道。这便以清晰的思路将真理摆在奥克兰人面前;而且工作继续进行，直到辛普森长老开始举行他的帐篷大会。{PC 99.1}
参加辛普森弟兄的聚会的人很多，人们饶有兴趣地听着他的话;这种兴趣从头到尾都在继续。辛普森弟兄手里拿着圣经，他所有的论据都以上帝的道为根据，在他们面前描绘出了《但以理书》和《启示录》的预言。他自己的话很少;他使圣经本身向百姓解释真理。告诉他们真理之后，辛普森长老会让他的会众表达意见。他会说：“现在，那些看见我所讲真理的人，请举手;”许多人就回应，举起手。我只是粗略地向你描绘了他的工作引起的兴趣。{PC 99.2}
辛普森长老在他的教导中指出，预言之灵在真理的建立中起着重要的作用。他在工作收尾时，邀请我去奥克兰向人们讲话。{PC 99.3}
接到邀请的时候，我刚从流感中恢复过来，但我说，我会去的。这是我四个星期来第一次离开自己的家。我们星期四下午离开圣赫勒那。星期五我病得很重;虽然如此，我安息日还是在公理会的教堂里讲了话，我们的人民通常在那里聚会，举行安息日的敬拜。四百到五百人聚集在一起。我因病感到虚弱;但我祈求上帝帮助我。我一开讲，上帝之灵复兴的影响就临到我身上，我便得到了加强。我用清晰的声音讲了一小时十五分钟;因为祂恩典的能力在我身上。我因圣灵能力的这个证据而非常感恩。{PC 99.4}
星期天，我乘车几英里去了巴斯，在那里，辛普森长老给31名候选人施了洗。仪式进行得很好，一切都井井有条。穿插在礼拜中的诗歌似乎要将快乐的消息带到天堂。还有更多的人将在大约四周后接受洗礼;因为当时不是人人都完全准备好了要受洗。我因那些在辛普森长老的教导下接受了真理之人的这个表现而心中充满感激。{PC 100.1}
我还在旧金山的礼拜堂讲了道，怀雅各和我还有其他几个人曾是建造那个礼拜堂的媒介。这座房子是在旧金山大火中保存下来的，只受了轻微的损伤。烟囱被扔了下来，一些灰泥被震掉了。{PC 100.2}
这项工作仍在旧金山和奥克兰继续进行着;因为灵魂必须受到警告。现在是我们的时间和机会，而这些对不诚实和欺诈性交易的揭露正在进行之中。在这些人有这些事天天被带到他们面前叫他们注意的时候，上帝话语的合理论证，它关于每个城市都会有这样做法的预言，将比我们可以用来代表现存的邪恶并指出它们的意义的任何语言更能吸引他们的思想和良知。辛普森长老将在两周后重新开始工作，之后他将在旧金山操劳。真理正在这些城市里前所未有在得到宣扬。我们觉得现在就是我们工作的时候。我们必须团结一致，在工作中团结一致，团结在一起。{PC 100.3}
我的工作人员现在正在忙着准备我在欧洲和澳大利亚的经验日记。我们想把这些内容编成书籍出版，以便人们了解主半个世纪以来赐给我去从事之工的性质。{PC 100.4}
我在主里很有勇气，我因此赞美祂的圣名。{PC 100.5}
怀爱伦(签名)
(来自保尔森医生的选集)
26-Dec-06
Sanitarium P. O., Napa Co., California
Dear Brother Olsen,
I am not in the best condition to write to you; for, for the past week I have been suffering from my third attack of influenza this winter. I have been having special treatment for this disease, and am now improving.?{PC 98.1}
We see in our world confusion upon confusion. We hear of accidents by sea and by land. Crime is increasing, this we know from the reports of our daily newspapers. Political developments in San Francisco are of a character to show how little confidence can be placed in the men who occupy official positions. Many of these men, some even who profess to be religious, are being exposed before the public as guilty of various crimes. They are giving evidence that it is time for the Lord of heaven to destroy their property. The last great issue is soon to come. We must see, we must understand, that the spirit of God is being withdrawn from the wicked nations who have long discarded God’s work, His holy law, and have formed false theories and false laws, exalting them above the commandments of God.?{PC 98.2}
The signs are certainly fulfilling that show that the end of this earth’s history is near; and we have an individual work to do in fitting ourselves to sound the last message of warning to our world, and prepare it for the closing scenes which according to the word of God, are soon to come. I feel deeply the need of every worker to stand as faithful watchmen to give this last note of warning, to prepare the church that those who have had the light may be awake, realizing the importance of keeping every piece of the armor on.?{PC 98.3}
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; from such turn away; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Ever learning (ever presenting some new theory) but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)?{PC 98.4}
This whole chapter is being fulfilled in San Francisco and Oakland at the present time. These cities, through their newspapers, are daily opening to us their true condition, the iniquity of their high officials. The very men who are placed in office to suppress evil are themselves corrupted with all kinds of evil works.?{PC 98.5}
“As Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds; reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no farther; for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” We have been given this example in Bible History to teach us that God will vindicate His word and fulfil His holy purpose. (2 Timothy 3:8, 9)?{PC 98.6}
By way of contrast the apostle presents the opposite condition?of morals that will exist among those who are faithful in their service for keeping the law of God. “Thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came into me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured.” Then for our encouragement he sounds the glad word, “Out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Read also Paul’s solemn charge to Timothy in the fourth chapter of second Timothy.?{PC 98.7}
The time spent by the officials of San Francisco in investigating the frauds of some of their officers has been, in the providence of God, a precious opportunity for Brethren Simpson and Hibbard to present the truth to large congregations in the city of Oakland. Before these brethren began their series of meetings, Elder Haskell and wife were holding meetings in the large tent in Oakland, following up the work of the camp meeting, and instruction (classes) some who wished to learn how to do Bible work. This was a successful meeting. The Lord manifested His power and grace. Elder Hibbard assisted Elder Haskell in his work, speaking at the evening meetings. This brought the truth before the people of Oakland in clear lines; and the work was continued until Elder Simpson commenced his tent effort.?{PC 99.1}
Brother Simpson’s meetings were largely attended, and the people listened to his words with spellbound interest; the interest continued from first to last. With his Bible in his hand, and basing all his arguments on the word of God, Brother Simpson traced out before them the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. His own words were few; he made the Scriptures themselves explain the truth to the people. After giving them the truth, Elder Simpson would draw an expression of opinion from his congregation. “Now,” he would say, “those who see the truth of what I am saying, raise your hands;” and in response many hands would be raised. I can only poorly represent to you the interest his work has created.?{PC 99.2}
In his teaching, Elder Simpson showed that the Spirit of prophecy has an important part to act in the establishment of the truth. When binding off his work, he called for me to go to Oakland to speak to the people.?{PC 99.3}
When the call came, I had just begun to recover from an attack of influenza; but I said, I will go. This was the first time for four weeks that I had left my home premises. We left St. Helena on Thursday afternoon. On Friday I was very ill; nevertheless I spoke on the Sabbath in the Congregational church in which our people usually meet for their Sabbath worship. Between four and five hundred people were assembled. I was feeling weak from my illness; but I prayed that God would help me. As soon as I began?to speak, the reviving influence of the Spirit of God came upon me, and I was strengthened. I spoke one hour and fifteen minutes with a clear voice; for the power of His grace was upon me. I was very thankful for this evidence of the power of the Spirit of God.?{PC 99.4}
On Sunday I rode several miles to the Baths, where Elder Simpson baptized thirty-one candidates. The service was beautifully conducted, and everything passed off with perfect order. The songs interspersed through the service seemed to be carrying the joyful news to heaven. As many more persons will be baptized in about four weeks’ time; for all were not fully prepared to go forward in this ordinance at that time. My heart is filled with gratitude for this representation of those who have received the truth under the teaching of Elder Simpson.?{PC 100.1}
I have also spoken in the meeting house in San Francisco which James White and I and a few others were the means of establishing there. The house was preserved through the San Francisco fire, and only slightly injured. The chimneys were thrown down, and some of the plaster shaken off.?{PC 100.2}
The work is still being carried forward in San Francisco and Oakland; for souls must be warned. Now is our time and opportunity, while these revelations of dishonesty and fraudulent transactions are being made. While these people have these things brought daily before their notice, the reasonable arguments of the word of God, its predictions that just such practices will be carried on in every city, will appeal to their minds and consciences better than would any language we could use to represent the existing evil and point out their meaning. Elder Simpson will take up his work again in about two weeks’ time, and after that he will labor in San Francisco. The truth is being proclaimed in these cities as it has never been before. We feel that now is our time to work, just now. We must unite, be united in the work, and press together.?{PC 100.3}
My workers are now engaged in preparing my diaries of my experience in Europe and Australia. We want to prepare this matter for book publication, that the people may understand the character of the work the Lord has given me to do for the last half century.?{PC 100.4}
I am of good courage in the Lord, and I praise His holy name for this.?{PC 100.5}
(Signed)Ellen G. White
(From Doctor Paulson’s Collection)
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