Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 5 月【福音與中華】日光之下:蘇慧廉和他的時代

【福音與中華】日光之下:蘇慧廉和他的時代

 

P18-UnderSun作為溫州早期傳道人的後代,我一直對百年之前的溫州傳教士及教會歷史十分關切。在這個如今被稱為 "中國的耶路撒冷" 的城市中,什麼人最初來點燃了福音之火?在這個有著獨特方言的小城裡,福音的先驅者們曾如何工作?在這個地理環境特殊、交通不便的地區內,第一代的基督徒有怎樣的經歷?這些問題多年來一直是我心中的未解之謎。但除了長輩留下的一些零碎口傳之外,我所得到的資訊實在是少之又少。

信主之後便聽家人說,曾外祖父是溫州早期的傳道人。他為了傳福音甘願去了瘟疫蔓延的玉環島,在那裡受傳染而病逝,為主獻身。他的六個孩子中最大的就是我的外公,當時只有十歲左右。從外公後來留下的記憶我們得知:那一天父親來到他跟前,拿出一串上面掛了一個小小雞心像框的項鏈,問他:"孩子,看看這是誰?"孩子回答說:"這是你,爸爸。""以後若是想爸爸,就看看這照片吧。"他就這樣離開了自己年幼的孩子和年輕的妻子。這是我以往對於曾外祖父夏正邦的全部所知。

我也從未見過外公夏廷耀,因為他去世的時候我還沒有出生。從三舅夏建民為溫州文史資料撰寫的夏廷耀小傳中,我得知外公是一位學業優秀、事業出眾的學者型官員。他精通多國語言,曾受國家嘉獎,為近代史上第一位華人海關稅務司,而同時他也是一位虔誠的基督徒,多年在此位置上從來不願妥協收禮而放棄任何原則。母親告訴我們,外公最喜歡唱的一首讚美詩就是《我若稍微偏離正路》,歌詞的開頭就是:我若稍微偏離正路,我要立刻舒服;但我記念我主基督,如何忠心受苦......

使我最感不解的是外公和外婆的婚姻。他倆在個人經歷、受教育程度,以及文化素質方面有著太大的差異。外公是當時的高級知識份子,外婆卻是一個來自農村、目不識丁的村姑。然而從外婆的講述以及其他長輩的談論中,我都可以確證他們倆非常恩愛,且彼此尊重。因為外公職業的原因,他們還常常分居兩地。但是外公教會了外婆用羅馬拼音寫信,他們多年來的交流就是通過溫州方言的羅馬拼音進行的。每當他們在一起時,家裡總是充滿了快樂。以至於母親和她的兄姊們都一直懷念在這個和睦相愛的家庭氛圍中成長的年歲。是什麼使文化素質不同的夫妻能够如此和諧?

十年前有幸認識沈迦弟兄,從他為寫早年溫州宣教士而搜集的各樣資料中,我漸漸得知了許多年以前不知道的,關乎我祖輩的事情。我不但知道了外公的父親叫夏正邦,最初是蘇慧廉的書童,後來成為溫州第一代華人牧師,還瞭解了外婆的父親徐定鰲。這位淳樸而忠心的鄉村基督徒,經歷了百年前"楓林教案"之逼迫。在夏正邦去世後,他資助了我的外公夏廷耀去北京讀書,之後還將女兒徐玉潔許配於他為妻。正是這種在基督裡共同的追求和彼此間真誠的愛,使兩個早期的基督徒家庭走到一起,共同承受了從主而來的祝福。在沈迦的寫作期間,我不時地得到一些新的資料,也一直期待著該書的出版。

近日,終於得以一讀這本積累著沈迦數年辛勞之新書《日光之下:蘇慧廉和他的時代》(大陸簡體字版書名《尋找蘇慧廉》,新星出版社出版)。這本洋洋灑灑三十余萬字的力作,不但重現了一個世紀前的歷史,也將主內前輩們的形象生動地刻畫出來。讀此書時似乎回到遙遠的從前,看到那個世代基督徒的榜樣。書中的主人翁蘇慧廉,是許許多多在溫州工作過的傳教士之一。他在中國作出的貢獻,在我們今天的人看來幾乎無法理解。無論是將新約聖經譯成溫州方言,還是將《論語》等書譯成英文,或是編撰華英袖珍詞典,都是許多人盡其一生仍無法完成之事。而蘇慧廉卻是在擔負教會發展、開辦學堂、醫院等多項繁忙工作的同時,完成了如此之多的傑作,由此略見當時傳教士勤奮與忠心。《日光之下》這本書有著嚴謹的史學風格,同時又不失文筆流暢生動之美。

沈迦弟兄在此書中展出了自己搜集的大量珍貴史料,也傾注了對書中前輩們的欽佩與熱愛。這本書不但是對一段歷史的記載,更是對那些為中國的福音和文明文化作出貢獻者的紀念。就如牛津玫瑰山墓園上蘇慧廉墓碑上的銘文所書:Their work abideth —— 他們的功績長存。

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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