GRACE的珍貴角落

荒漠甘泉∕8 月 27日

除了從地上買來的那十四萬四千人以外，沒有人能學這歌。」（啟14:3）

有一種歌，既非藝術所能教，也非樂理所能編，只有在患難中能學會的。這種歌是憑記憶的，憑經驗的。沒有一個天使能唱得像我們這麼好聽。他們要唱，他們就必須走我們所走的道路，經歷我們所經歷的經歷。沒有一人能學會，除了十架之子。所以，我的己哪！你現在正在從父學習音樂功課。祂訓練你，要使你有資格加入天上的大歌詠團。有一部份聲音，沒有有別人能擔任，連天使和天使長也不能。只有你一人能擔任的。天使雖能唱高音，但是這幽而且沉的低音，只有你一人能唱。你的父在訓練你擔任那天使所不擔任的一部份；訓練你的學校就是苦難。在黑雲中祂試你的聲音，在憂傷中祂教你唱歌的表情，在患難中祂練你的氣，在試煉中祂教你發音準確。不要輕看這神的音樂院；許多人雖然羨慕，可是還不能被選呢！－馬得勝（George Matheson）

原作∕Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

『耶穌領他離開眾人，到一邊去。』（可七章三十三節）

保羅不但在活動的時候忍受了試煉，在被禁的時候也忍受了試煉。我們在最劇烈的勞動下受苦，可能還站得住；但是到了放下一切活動的時候，被監禁在牢獄中的時候，恐怕最容易失敗吧！

勇敢的小鳥，在翱翔的時候，能高飛直上雲霄，忍受長途的辛勞；但是在籠中的時候，卻只能垂頭喪氣地在籠門上拍著無力的翅膀了。你一定看見過：大鷹被幽禁在籠中的時候，是怎樣了無生氣地低著頭，垂著翅膀！啊！不活動是一個多麼悲哀的景象啊！

保羅在監獄中！這是另一面的生活！你要不要看看他在監獄中作甚麼呢？他所望的，不是監獄，乃是獄頂上面的天；不是仇敵，乃是仇敵頭上頂著的天！我看見他在繕寫書信，簽上了他的名字－不是非斯都的囚犯，也不是該撒的囚犯；乃是－『基督耶穌的囚犯』（弗三章一節直譯。）在這一切的事上他只看見神的手。他看監獄為宮殿，所以監獄中滿佈了勝利的歡呼、讚美和喜樂。

被強迫離開了所喜愛的工作，他設立了一個新的講壇－一個新的見證壇－他的監禁帶給了我們一條最甘甜、有益的自由之路。他在黑暗的拘禁中所帶給我們的信息和亮光，是多麼可貴啊！

保羅之後，曾有好多聖徒入獄。十二年之久，本仁 (註)（Bunyan）的口，在培特福（Bedford）監獄中，和在家中一樣安適；我一直坐下來寫，寫，因為喜樂催促我寫』。

那個奇妙的夢照耀了無數疲勞的旅客的路程。那位精神煥發的法國女士凱恩夫人(註)（Madame Guyon）也曾很久被囚在監獄中。小鳥因受監禁唱出更悅耳的歌來，凱恩夫人心的音樂也遠盪出了牢獄牆外，驅散了人們不少的愁苦與傷心。

哦，屬天的安慰都是從寂寞中流出來的！－李斯（S. C. Rees） 
 

"And he took him aside from the multitude."(Mark 7:33.)

PAUL not only stood the tests in Christian activity, but in the solitude of captivity. You may stand the strain of the most intense labor, coupled with severe suffering, and yet break down utterly when laid aside from all religious activities; when forced into close confinement in some prison house.

That noble bird, soaring the highest above the clouds and enduring the longest flights, sinks into despair when in a cage where it is forced to beat its helpless wings against its prison bars. You have seen the great eagle languish in its narrow cell with bowed head and drooping wings. What a picture of the sorrow of inactivity.

Paul in prison. That was another side of life. Do you want to see how he takes it? I see him looking out over the top of his prison wall and over the heads of his enemies. I see him write a document and sign his name─not the prisoner of Festus. nor of Caesar; not the victim of the Sanhedrin; but the─"prisoner to the Lord." He saw only the hand of God in it all. To him the prison becomes a palace. Its corridors ring with shouts of triumphant praise and joy.

Restrained from the missionary work he loved so well, he now built a new pulpit─a new witness stand─and from that place of bondage come some of the sweetest and most helpful ministries of Christian liberty. What precious messages of light come from those dark shadows of captivity.

Think of the long train of imprisoned saints who have followed in Paul's wake. For twelve long years Bunyan's lips were silenced in Bedford jail. It was there that he did the greatest and best work of his life. There he wrote the book that has been read next to the Bible. He says, "I was at home in prison and I sat me down and wrote, and wrote, for joy did make me write."

The wonderful dream of that long night has lighted the pathway of millions of weary pilgrims. That sweet-spirited French lady, Madam Guyon, lay long between prison walls. Like some caged birds that sing the sweeter for their confinement, the music of her soul has gone out far beyond the dungeon walls and scattered the desolation of many drooping hearts.

Oh, the heavenly consolation that has poured forth from places of solitude! --- S. C. Rees.