the desire of ages-第105章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
lf…justification。 Let all your effort be for his recovery。 In treating the wounds of the soul； there is need of the most delicate touch； the finest sensibility。 Only the love that flows from the Suffering One of Calvary can avail here。 With pitying tenderness； let brother deal with brother； knowing that if you succeed； you will 〃save a soul from death；〃 and 〃hide a multitude of sins。〃 James 5：20。
441
But even this effort may be unavailing。 Then； said Jesus； 〃take with thee one or two more。〃 It may be that their united influence will prevail where that of the first was unsuccessful。 Not being parties to the trouble； they will be more likely to act impartially； and this fact will give their counsel greater weight with the erring one。
If he will not hear them； then； and not till then； the matter is to be brought before the whole body of believers。 Let the members of the church； as the representatives of Christ； unite in prayer and loving entreaty that the offender may be restored。 The Holy Spirit will speak through His servants； pleading with the wanderer to return to God。 Paul the apostle； speaking by inspiration； says； 〃As though God did beseech you by us： we pray you in Christ's stead； be ye reconciled to God。〃 2 Cor。 5：20。 He who rejects this united overture has broken the tie that binds him to Christ； and thus has severed himself from the fellowship of the church。 Henceforth； said Jesus； 〃let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican。〃 But he is not to be regarded as cut off from the mercy of God。 Let him not be despised or neglected by his former brethren； but be treated with tenderness and compassion； as one of the lost sheep that Christ is still seeking to bring to His fold。
Christ's instruction as to the treatment of the erring repeats in more specific form the teaching given to Israel through Moses： 〃Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart： thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy neighbor； that thou bear not sin for him。〃 Lev。 19：17； margin。 That is； if one neglects the duty Christ has enjoined； of trying to restore those who are in error and sin； he becomes a partaker in the sin。 For evils that we might have checked； we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves。
But it is to the wrongdoer himself that we are to present the wrong。 We are not to make it a matter of comment and criticism among ourselves； nor even after it is told to the church； are we at liberty to repeat it to others。 A knowledge of the faults of Christians will be only a cause of stumbling to the unbelieving world； and by dwelling upon these things； we ourselves can receive only harm； for it is by beholding that we become changed。 While we seek to correct the errors of a brother； the Spirit of Christ will lead us to shield him； as far as possible； from the criticism of even his own brethren； and how much more from the censure of the unbelieving world。 We ourselves are erring； and need Christ's pity and forgiveness； and just as we wish Him to deal with us； He bids us deal with one another。
442
〃Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven： and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven。〃 You are acting as the ambassadors of heaven； and the issues of your work are for eternity。
But we are not to bear this great responsibility alone。 Wherever His word is obeyed with a sincere heart； there Christ abides。 Not only is He present in the assemblies of the church； but wherever disciples； however few； meet in His name； there also He will be。 And He says； 〃If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask； it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven。〃
Jesus says； 〃My Father which is in heaven；〃 as reminding His disciples that while by His humanity He is linked with them； a sharer in their trials； and sympathizing with them in their sufferings； by His divinity He is connected with the throne of the Infinite。 Wonderful assurance！ The heavenly intelligences unite with men in sympathy and labor for the saving of that which was lost。 And all the power of heaven is brought to combine with human ability in drawing souls to Christ。
（447）
Chapter 49
At the Feast of Tabernacles
Three times a year the Jews were required to assemble at Jerusalem for religious purposes。 Enshrouded in the pillar of cloud； Israel's invisible Leader had given the directions in regard to these gatherings。 During the captivity of the Jews； they could not be observed； but when the people were restored to their own land； the observance of these memorials was once more begun。 It was God's design that these anniversaries should call Him to the minds of the people。 But with few exceptions； the priests and leaders of the nation had lost sight of this purpose。 He who had ordained these national assemblies and understood their significance witnessed their perversion。
The Feast of Tabernacles was the closing gathering of the year。 It was God's design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy。 The whole land had been under His guidance； receiving His blessing。 Day and night His watchcare had continued。 The sun and rain had caused the earth to produce her fruits。 From the valleys and plains of Palestine the harvest had been gathered。 The olive berries had been picked； and the precious oil stored in bottles。 The palm had yielded her store。 The purple clusters of the vine had been trodden in the wine press。
448
The feast continued for seven days； and for its celebration the inhabitants of Palestine； with many from other lands； left their homes； and came to Jerusalem。 From far and near the people came； bringing in their hands a token of rejoicing。 Old and young； rich and poor； all brought some gift as a tribute of thanksgiving to Him who had crowned the year with His goodness； and made His paths drop fatness。 Everything that could please the eye； and give expression to the universal joy； was brought from the woods； the city bore the appearance of a beautiful forest。
This feast was not only the harvest thanksgiving； but the memorial of God's protecting care over Israel in the wilderness。 In commemoration of their tent life； the Israelites during the feast dwelt in booths or tabernacles of green boughs。 These were erected in the streets； in the courts of the temple； or on the housetops。 The hills and valleys surrounding Jerusalem were also dotted with these leafy dwellings； and seemed to be alive with people。
With sacred song and thanksgiving the worshipers celebrated this occasion。 A little before the feast was the Day of Atonement； when； after confession of their sins； the people were declared to be at peace with Heaven。 Thus the way was prepared for the rejoicing of the feast。 〃O give thanks unto the Lord； for He is good： for His mercy endureth forever〃 （Ps。 106：1） rose triumphantly； while all kinds of music； mingled with shouts of hosanna； accompanied the united singing。 The temple was the center of the universal joy。 Here was the pomp of the sacrificial ceremonies。 Here； ranged on either side of the white marble steps of the sacred building； the choir of Levites led the service of song。 The multitude of worshipers； waving their branches of palm and myrtle； took up the strain； and echoed the chorus； and again the melody was caught up by voices near and afar off； till the encircling hills were vocal with praise。
At night the temple and its court blazed with artificial light。 The music； the waving of palm branches； the glad hosannas； the great concourse of people； over whom the light streamed from the hanging lamps； the array of the priests； and the majesty of the ceremonies； combined to make a scene that deeply impressed the beholders。 But the most impressive ceremony of the feast； one that called forth greatest rejoicing； was one commemorating an event in the wilderness sojourn。
At the first dawn of day； the priests sounded a long； shrill blast upon their silver trumpets； and the answering trumpets； and the glad shouts
