1894年3月15日写于墨尔本，圣基尔达路，乔治阶地
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们：
既有谣言广传，说怀姐妹认可了安娜·菲利普斯所著述并流传为上帝之启示的异象，我就感到有责任发言。我并没有认可这些作品。已有警告赐给我，说明这些作品必定会误导人。交织在其中的言论会引人走极端，使那些接受的人行非做错。我们的弟兄姐妹按所得的亮光，更为谨慎地行动才好。他们在接受这些所谓的异象并将之与上帝所赐给我的亮光相提并论之前，应当加以试验。我看到我们的信徒有犯严重过失和过早行动的危险。上帝论到这些正在涌现的先知说：“我没有打发他们，他们竟自奔跑。不要信他们。”{PC 127.1}
但令我忧伤的是，我们有些弟兄竟把安娜·菲利普斯的作品与怀姐妹的证言联系起来，并把二者当作同样的事讲给人听。许多人已全盘接受，当作是我的证言。而当这种作品的效果显出其真相，当谬误被当成来自上帝的真理提出来，并有人遵之而行，相信是来自主的信息时，就会有各种运动出现，不带有上帝的印证，使人对预言之灵的真实作为产生怀疑。上帝赐给其子民的证言就会带上这些虚假言论的污名。这些启示大多是重复多年来人们所熟悉的已发表的异象;可是混有一些会把人带入歧途的东西。{PC 127.2}
我无法认可某弟兄采取的做法。他还没有给我写一句话，看看上帝是否已就这些事赐下什么亮光;可是他竟将它们公开发表了，表明了他对这些事的信心。某弟兄一直在向百姓介绍宝贵亮光的事实，导致他们认为他所说的都像是上帝的默示，否则某弟兄就不会像他所做的那样介绍它们了，我看不出这种做法有什么智慧。我比我的弟兄们更清楚地看到了这件事的本质，和必定随之而来的结果。我已经就此事发表了明确的声明，我很遗憾这事走到了这个地步，将要起到会使上帝所赐的证言受责难的作用。在这些所谓的启示的得到接受的地方，它们肯定会导致许多人采取错误的、仓促的行动。我对这些事情感到负担沉重。{PC 127.3}
一位纽约的记者最近在墨尔本时代报发表了一封信，记述了在巴特尔克里克举行的精彩聚会，当时捐赠了许多珠宝。据说这项工作是在宣读了怀夫人的一个异象之后做成的，她是个女先知，敦促人民出售和赠送他们的财产。你们怎么能认为我觉得要在这个新园地这里作工，并且正当慕道兴趣渐趋成熟，人们决定支持真理的时候，要让安娜·菲利普斯的作品进来，被接受和出版为我的证言呢?我的弟兄们，请不要将怀姐妹的证言与安娜·菲利普斯相提并论。我奉主的名抗议这种混杂的工作，因为这将导致上帝所赐给我的证言要为安娜·菲利普斯的话负责任。我请求我的弟兄们只要拿着圣经上的证据来到人们面前，不要加强反对我们的力量，反对如此强烈，且因格兰特和坎莱特的谎言而变本加厉了。{PC 127.4}
我不时地听到报告说怀姐妹说了什么，却是我完全不知道的事，而且肯定会误导人们对我的真实观点和教导的看法。一位姐妹在写给她朋友们的信中很热心地说到了某弟兄的一句话，说怀姐妹看见时候已经到了，我们若保持跟上帝有正确的关系，人人都能拥有预言的恩赐，到达与如今那些有异象的人同样的程度。支持这种言论的权威在哪里呢?我必须认为那位姐妹没能理解某弟兄，因为我无法认为他会说这种话。那位姐妹继续写道：“某弟兄昨天晚上说，情况就是这样，不是上帝为别人的益处对各人讲话，而是为各人自己的益处对他们讲话，这将应验约珥的预言。他说在许多场合，这种事情已经在发生。他说，他似乎认为没有人会拥有怀姐妹过去和将来的那种领导地位。他说摩西也是这样的人。他是一位领袖，但还有许多其他人被提到是说预言的，虽然他们的预言没有发表。他(某弟兄)不会允许广泛散布这种言论的，就是我们此时从某个姐妹所读到的话。我想知道你是否见过其中的一个异象?那些异象描绘我们处在最后时刻，所有的时辰都已过去，现在是时刻了。多么严肃啊!”{PC 128.1}
这些说法，交织着其它自称来自上帝的内容，在误导人;许多人会急切地抓住它们，并且通过错误的印象，他们会误解我们的真实立场和工作。性情激动之人，从极端的意义上，接受了许多混杂着错误的真理，并遵此而行。狂热主义就这样代替井然有序，进退有方，受命于天的努力，大行其道，直到成功。{PC 128.2}
关于预言的这些想法，我毫不犹豫地说，最好永远不要说出来。这种言论会为一种局面预备道路，撒但必定会利用那种局面引进假冒的活动。会有危险，不仅心智不平衡的人会被误导陷入狂热盲信，而且有阴谋的人也会利用这种兴奋增进他们自私的企图。耶稣已经发声警告说：“你们要防备假先知。他们到你们这里来，外面披着羊皮，里面却是残暴的狼。凭着他们的果子，就可以认出他们来”(太7:15, 16)。“万军之耶和华如此说：这些先知向你们说预言，你们不要听他们的话。他们以虚空教训你们，所说的异象是出于自己的心，不是出于耶和华的口”(耶23:16)。“那时若有人对你们说：‘看哪，基督在这里’，或说：‘基督在那里’，你们不要信!因为假基督、假先知将要起来，显神迹奇事，倘若能行，就把选民迷惑了。你们要谨慎。看哪，凡事我都预先告诉你们了”(可13:21-23)。{PC 128.3}
我警告弟兄们，务要跟随主他们的领袖，不要跑到基督的前面去。在这些时候不要意气从事，危言耸听，使心态不平衡的人以为自己从上帝那里领受了奇妙的亮光。凡奉上帝之命向百姓传达信息的人必须运用完全的自制，时刻牢记在信心的道路旁边，就是臆测的旁门左道。决不可使用过激的言辞，夸夸其谈，因为必有某等人会受感染，引发如脱缰野马一般不能控制的影响。一旦让冲动与情绪占了沉稳判断的上风，即使是行走正道，也可能急功近利。行动过快，会面临多方面的危险。或许不用多时，他就会从正道冲入歧途。{PC 129.1}
切不可被情绪冲昏了头脑，而失去判断力。合法之事，行之过度，也会有危险;不法必然引人入歧途。如果不是谨慎、殷切、明智地工作，在推广理念与原则，在发表每一言论的时候稳如磐石，就有使灵魂灭亡之虞。真理是强大的，它必得胜。它将在人的心灵上做它自己的工作。我们不必诉诸于强有力的表达，导致过度行动。平静地、清晰地说出的真理将进入接收者的头脑，并成为其本性的一部分。保惠师圣灵重塑品格，在基督耶稣里造成一个新人。思想、理念、原则都是纯正的、明智的，并带有影响力，在新的和神圣的渠道中流动。心与魂都被征召了。天国的“是的”和“阿们”必须为每一行动殿后，否则工人就会失去成功的赏赐。但他应该从每一努力中清除所有过度的表现。这种谨慎会使他的工作更加有效和值得赞扬，甚至对那些不相信真理的人也是如此。即使在发出督责时，也有使狡猾的头脑去深思细想那些导致淫荡的话题的危险。即使是道德纯洁的题目，也可能会受到如此的处理，以致产生它想要防止的结果。{PC 129.2}
对于那些自称领受了来自上帝之启示的人，要待之以极大的谨慎。需要密切注意多多祈祷。那些在这末日大工上有份的人要一起商议每一要引进来的新事物，不要让单独一人判断或公布与上帝的圣工有关的重要问题。在这段时间里，我们正遭受着由不明智的、心理失衡的人在一个信息中给圣工带来的指责，他们认为自己获得了一种应该得到所有人信任的美妙经验。在我们早期的经验中，我们不得不遭遇他们过度紧张的谦逊和错误的观念。给我的第一个任务就是责备他们的人为考验。我所作反对狂热主义的见证使我得到了那些参与这些运动之人的忌恨、嫉妒、邪恶的猜测和批评。我们很清楚我们个人因为不愿接受那些狂热盲信之人的异象、异梦和见证而付出了什么代价。我们被迫知道几分他们对上帝圣工的残酷影响。真理不得不承受我们到处蒙召去谴责和责备的错误与狂热的责备。而今我曾忠心操劳去抑制、作上帝赐给我的见证去抵消它的有害影响的狂热盲信，竟被格兰特和坎莱特归咎于我身上。我已蒙指示看到，无论何时何地上帝行事，我们都必须警醒;每一个男人和女人都必须站立为忠心的哨兵，因为那大骗子正等着准备发动各种装置要误导人。倘若可能，他就会将假的和真的掺在一起，以致，在努力分开真假时，有人就会遭受危险。无论何时何地上帝行事，撒但和他的使者都在场。(请阅读《怀爱伦自传》第92-94页。){PC 129.3}
主并没有委托某弟兄将安娜·菲利普斯的启示介绍给我们的人。上帝圣言的真理具有足够的权威和能力。它带有自己的证书。上帝赐给我的证言旨在唤起人们注意 “耶和华如此说。”某弟兄处在绝对的危险中，而弟兄们却没有看见那危险。他们正在将仆人置于上帝应在的位置。主已赐给某弟兄一个信息，要预备一班人在上帝的日子站立得住;然而当百姓指望某长老像指望上帝一样时，他们就会变得软弱而不是刚强。现在不是粗心大意和不知道撒但精明的诡计要吸引人们进入欺骗和妄想的时候。{PC 130.1}
怀爱伦(签名)
(来自保尔森医生的选集)
March 15, 1894
March 15, 1894 George’s Terrace, St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
As the report has been quite widely circulated that Sister White has endorsed what has been written and circulated as revelations from God through Miss Anna Phillips, I feel that it is my duty to speak. I have not endorsed these productions. Warnings have been given to me in reference to them, that they will most certainly mislead. Woven in them will be statements that will lead to extremes and to wrong action on the part of those who accept them. It would be well for our brethren and sisters to move more cautiously, in accordance with the light given them. They should test these so-called visions before accepting them and presenting them in connection with the light God has given me. I see that our people are in danger of making grave blunders and premature movements. God says of these prophets that are springing up, “I have not sent them, yet they ran. Believe them not.”?{PC 127.1}
But that which grieves me is that some of our brethren have associated the exercises of Annie Phillips with the testimonies of Sister White, and have presented the two to the people as one and the same thing. Many have accepted the whole as proceeding from me. And when the result of such productions shall be seen in the true character, when falsehoods are presented as truths from God, and individuals act upon these things, believing them to be a message from the Lord, movements will be made that bear not the divine credentials, doubt will be cast on the true work of the Spirit of prophecy, and the testimonies that God sends to the people will bear the stigma of these false utterances. These revelations are largely a repetition of that which has been before the people in publications for years; and yet mingled with this are some things that will lead astray.?{PC 127.2}
I cannot endorse the course Brother_____has pursued. He has not written one word to me, to see if God has given any light in these matters; yet he has presented them in public, making manifest his confidence in them. The fact that Brother _____has been presenting precious light to the people, leads them to regard all he says as if inspired of God, else Brother_____would not present them as he has done, I cannot see wisdom in this course. More clearly than do my Brethren I discern the inwardness of this thing, and the results that will follow. I have already made decided statements in reference to this matter, and I am sorry it has been brought in as it has, to do a work which will cast reflections upon the testimonies God has given. Where these so-called revelations are accepted, they will surely lead many into erroneous, precipitate action. I am burdened over these things.?{PC 127.3}
Recently a letter was published in the Melbourne Age, from a New York correspondent, giving an account of the wonderful meeting held in Battle Creek on the occasion when so much jewelry was donated. And the work was said to have been done?after the reading of a vision given by Mrs. White, a prophetess, urging the people to sell and give away their property. How can you think I feel, to be at work here in this new field, and just as the interest is ripening off, souls deciding for the truth, to have some of the productions of Anna Phillips brought in, to be received and to go out as my testimony? Will my brethren please make no reference to the testimonies of Sister White in connection with Anna Phillips? In the name of the Lord I protest against this mixing up work, for it will result in making the testimonies God has given me responsible for the influence and effect of Anna Phillips’ words. I beg my brethren just to come to the people with the evidence from the Bible, and not strengthen the opposition which is so strong against us, and is intensified by the falsehoods of Grant and Canright.?{PC 127.4}
From time to time reports come to me concerning statements that Sister White is said to have made, but which are entirely new to me, and which cannot fail to mislead the people as to my real views and teaching. A sister, in a letter to her friends, speaks with much enthusiasm of a statement by Brother _____, that Sister White had seen that the time had come when, if we hold the right relation to God, all can have the gift of prophecy to the same extent as do those who are now having visions. Where is the authority for this statement? I must believe that the sister failed to understand Brother _____, for I cannot think that he made the statement. The writer continues: “Brother_____said last night that is the case, not that God will speak to all for the benefit of every one else, but to each for his own benefit, and this will fulfil the prophecy of Joel. He stated that this is already being developed in numerous instances. He spoke as if he thought none would hold such a leading position as Sister White had done, and will still do. Referred to Moses as a parallel. He was a leader, but many others are referred to as prophesying, though their prophecies are not published. He, (Brother _____), will not give permission to have the matter copied for general circulation that has been read here from some sister. I wonder if you have seen one of these visions? They represent us as in the closing moments of time, with hours all in the past, and it is moments now. How solemn!”?{PC 128.1}
These statements, interwoven with other matter that professes to be from God, are misleading; many minds will eagerly seize upon them, and through false impressions will misapprehend our true position and work. With much that is truth, there is mingled error that is accepted in its extreme meaning, and acted upon by persons of excitable temperament. Thus fanaticism will take the place of well-regulated, well-disciplined, heaven ordained efforts to carry forward the work to its completion.?{PC 128.2}
These ideas in relation to prophesying, I do not hesitate to say, might better never have been expressed. Such statements prepare the way for a state of things that Satan will surely take advantage of to bring in spurious exercises. There is danger, not only that unbalanced minds will be led into?fanaticism, but that designing persons will take advantage of this excitement to further their own selfish purposes. Jesus has raised His voice in warning: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.” “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.” “If any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, He is there; believe him not: for false Christs and false prophets shall arise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed : behold, I have foretold you all these things.”?{PC 128.3}
I have a warning to give to our brethren, that they shall follow their Leader, and not to run ahead of Christ. Let there be no haphazard work in these times. Beware of making strong expressions, which will lead unbalanced minds to think that they have wonderful light from God. The one who bears a message to the people from God must exercise perfect self-control. He should ever bear in mind that the path of presumption lies close beside the path of faith. In no case should he make use of extravagant expressions, for a certain class are sure to be affected, and influences are set in motion that can no more be controlled than can an impetuous horse. Once let impulse and emotion get the mastery over calm judgment, and there may be altogether too much speed, even in traveling a right road. He that travels too fast will find it perilous in more ways than one. It may not be long before he will branch off from the right road into a wrong path.?{PC 129.1}
Not once should feeling be allowed to get the mastery over our judgment. There is danger of excess in that which is lawful, and that which is not lawful will surely lead into false paths. If there is not careful, earnest, sensible work, solid as a rock in the advancement of every idea and principle, in every representation given, souls will be ruined. Truth is mighty, and it will prevail. It will do its own work upon human hearts. We need not resort to the use of strong expressions that lead to overaction. The truth stated calmly, clearly, will enter into the mind of the receiver, and become a part of their very nature. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, remolds the character, making a new man in Christ Jesus. The thoughts, the ideas, the principles, are sound, sensible, bearing with them a weight of influence that flows in the new and divine channel. The heart and the soul are enlisted. The yea and amen of heaven must bring up the rear of every movement, else the worker will lose the reward of success. But he should weed out from every effort all extravagant expressions. This caution will make his work far more efficient and commendable, even to those who do not believe the truth. There is danger, even in reproof, of cunning minds to dwell upon topics that lead to sensuality. Even the subject of moral purity may be so treated as to produce the very results it is desired to guard against.?{PC 129.2}
The greatest care should be exercised concerning those who?claim to receive revelations from God. There needs to be much close watching and much praying. Those who are acting a part in the great work for these last days need to counsel together in regard to every new thing that shall be introduced, for no one man’s mind is to be left to judge of, or to place before the public, important matters which have a relation to the cause of God. At this very time we are suffering from the reproach that was brought on the cause in the first message by unwise, ill-balanced minds, who thought they were obtaining a wonderful experience which should receive the credence of all men. In our early experience we had to encounter their over-strained humility and false notions. The first labor given me to do was to reprove their man-made tests. The testimony which I bore against fanaticism gained for me the envy, jealousy, evil-surmising, and criticism of those who participated in those movements. We know full well what it cost us personally because we would not receive the visions, dreams, and testimonies of those fanatics. We were compelled to know something of their cruel influence upon the cause of God. The truth had to bear the reproach of the error and fanaticism which we were everywhere called to condemn and reprove. And now that fanaticism I labored faithfully to repress, bearing the testimony given me of God to counteract its baleful influence is by Grant and Canright charged upon me. I have been shown that whenever and wherever God works, we must watch ; every man and woman must stand as a faithful sentinel, for the arch-deceiver is waiting and ready to set in operation various devices for misleading souls. If possible he will mingle the counterfeit with the genuine, so that, in the effort to separate the two, souls will be imperiled. Whenever and wherever God works, Satan and his angels are on the ground. (Please read “Life Sketches,” pages 92-94.)?{PC 129.3}
The Lord has not commissioned Brother _____ to present Anna Phillips’ revelations to our people. The truth of the word of God is of sufficient authority and power. It bears its own credentials. The testimonies given me from God are designed to call the attention of the people to a “Thus saith the Lord.” Brother _____ is in positive danger, and his brethren do not see that danger. They are placing the servant where God should be. The Lord has given Brother _____ a message to prepare a people to stand in the day of God; but when the people shall look to Elder _____ as to God they will become weak instead of being strong. It is no time now to be careless and ignorant of Satan’s masterly devices to draw the people into deceptions and delusions.?{PC 130.1}
Ellen G. White
(From Doctor Paulson’s Collection)
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