2月16日
1904年2月15日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院，榆园
致丹尼尔斯长老，普雷斯科特和黑尔医生
我亲爱的弟兄们：
关于要在华盛顿建的楼房，所赐给我的指示是，主的旨意并不是要它成为壮观的炫耀。楼房要向信徒和与我们信仰不同的人表明，没有一块钱用在不必要的炫耀上。楼房的每一部分都要作见证，证明我们认识到在我们面前有一个未开工的传道大园地，真理要在许多地方得建立。{PC 328.6}
要是所建的楼房符合我们所传扬的真理，就会对人发挥一种显著的感化力。行动比言语更有说服力。要坦率地说：上帝已吩咐我们不要将大笔资金投在一个地方，祂还吩咐我们不要将钱花在满足想要炫耀的欲望上。我们在工作中要遵循的原则在基督的生活中得到了例证。祂原是天上的至尊，却在木工台上工作。{PC 329.1}
再说几句关于楼房的事。关于用木头、用砖还是用石头建造的问题，以往所赐给我的指示是，砖混建筑不是最有益健康的，而木制建筑若是适当地建造，就比砖混建筑或石砌建筑更好。而且当我们在上帝的能力保守之下时，木制建筑就像石砌建筑一样防火。{PC 329.2}
在规划建造你们打算建造的建筑物时，不要听从那些为了炫耀而投资之人的建议。不要进行昂贵的投资。在为疗养院的建筑制定计划时，请记住，这是一座为患病受苦的人而建的建筑。要对那些为砖石建筑辩护的人说：“我们相信主必快来，我们不能同意开始建造昂贵的建筑。”这种建筑的建造多年来一直受到上帝的谴责，但祂的警告却没有得到重视，终于，祂允许祂的刑罚临到了在巴特尔克里克的疗养院和出版社。{PC 329.3}
你们建造的建筑物必须坚固而且结构良好。不应该做随便的工作。这些建筑物要十分像样，但不能看到铺张浪费。我们不能让世俗的人有可能说我们并不相信我们所宣讲的——万物的结局近了。{PC 329.4}
这些建筑物应尽量以最低的成本建造。不要仅仅为了炫耀而花一分钱在上面。我们是生活在一个严重邪恶堕落的时代。全世界都摆脱了宗教的束缚。世俗上的人和教会成员正在使上帝的律法无效。我们应当竭尽全力传扬警告的信息。{PC 329.5}
还有许多其它地方要为上帝建立纪念物，要在许多其它地方开展疗养院工作。应该在许多国家做成福音医疗布道工作。上帝的机构要尽到指定给他们的本分。在所做的一切中，在所建立的一切机构中，都要效法基督在祂的生活中所树立的节俭的榜样。{PC 330.1}
在建立华盛顿疗养院时，切莫遵循建立博尔德疗养院时所遵循的方针。如果按照这一方针建立疗养院，就会使其陷入贫困。{PC 330.2}
我的弟兄们，在你们在国家首都的工作中，要让基督生活中所显明的无私的原则被实行出来。要记住，在其它许多地方，以及在华盛顿，都需要福音医疗布道工作为真理的进入打开门户。{PC 330.3}
怀爱伦
Elmshaven, Sanitarium, California February 15, 1904
Elder Daniells and Prescott and Dr. Hare,
My dear Brethren,
The instruction that has been given me in regard to?the buildings to be erected in Washington is that it is not the Lord’s will for an imposing display to be made. The buildings are to show, to believers and to those not of our faith, that not one dollar has been invested in needless display. Every part of the buildings is to bear witness that we realize that there is before us a great, unworked missionary field, and that the truth is to be established in many places.?{PC 328.6}
If the buildings erected correspond to the truth that we are proclaiming, a telling influence will be exerted on minds. Actions speak louder than words. Say frankly, God has charged us not to invest a large amount of means in one place, and He has charged us also not to invest means in gratifying the desire for display. The principles that we are to follow in our work are exemplified in the life of Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, and yet He worked at a carpenter’s bench.?{PC 329.1}
A few words more in regard to buildings. In reference to the question of building with wood, or brick, or stone, the instruction given me in the past is that brick buildings are not the most healthful, and that wooden buildings, while properly put up, are preferable to brick or stone buildings. And while we are under the keeping power of God, a wooden building is as safe from fire as a stone building.?{PC 329.2}
In planning for the erection of the buildings that you propose to put up, do not follow the counsel of those who would invest means for the sake of display. Do not launch out into expensive investments. In laying plans for the sanitarium building, remember that this is to be a building for the sick and suffering. To those who plead for buildings of brick or stone, say, “We believe that the Lord is soon to come, and we cannot consent to launch out into the erection of expensive buildings.” For years the erection of such buildings has borne the rebuke of God, but His warnings were not heeded, and at last He permitted His judgments to fall upon the Sanitarium and the publishing house in Battle Creek.?{PC 329.3}
The buildings that you erect must be solid and well constructed. No haphazard work is to be done. The buildings are to be thoroughly presentable, but no extravagance is to be seen. We are not to make it possible for worldlings to say that we do not believe what we preach - that the end of all things is at hand.?{PC 329.4}
The buildings should be put up at as little cost as possible. No money is to be spent on them merely for show. We are living in a time of fearful depravity. The whole world has thrown off the restraints of religion. Worldlings and church members are making void the law of God. We are to bend every energy to the proclamation of the message of warning.?{PC 329.5}
There are many other places where memorials for God are to be established, many other places in which sanitarium work is to be started. In many countries gospel medical missionary work is to be done. God’s agencies are to act their appointed part. In all that is done, in all the institutions that are established, the example of economy that Christ has set in His life is to be followed.?{PC 330.1}
On no account is the course followed in the erection of the Boulder Sanitariums to be followed in the erection of the Washington Sanitarium. If this course were followed places in which sanitariums should be established, would be left destitute.?{PC 330.2}
My brethren, in your work at the capital of the nation, let the principles of unselfishness revealed in Christ’s life be carried out. Remember that in many other places, as well as in Washington, gospel medical missionary work is needed, to open doors for the entrance of the truth.?{PC 330.3}
Ellen G. White -
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