事奉类 › 成全圣徒与神家的建造 › 第七篇　访问各地召会观感㈠

第七篇　访问各地召会观感㈠

成全圣徒与神家的建造

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　　已过一段时间，主带领我经过日本访问美国，再转到欧洲，再到中东，然后经过南洋数地，回到台湾。在这次欧美之行后，经过在主面前的考量，我觉得应该把一地一地的情形，和我个人经过这些地方所有的观感，交通给弟兄姊妹。
　　我这次出去，有两点使我相当惊奇。第一，就是无论到那里，只要有一个像我们这样的聚会，不管那个聚会人数多少，情形强弱，很希奇，那一个地方的基督徒，和基督教里的人士，都相当看重，也相当注意。换句话说，各地只要有这样一个聚会，那个聚会就是上乘的，是占上风的。这叫我觉得惊奇，感觉他们对我们的评价有一点过高。
　　第二，是台湾众召会的名气太不同凡响了。国外的召会把台湾的召会看得很高；我怕是太高了。无论什么地方，只要有一个台湾去的弟兄姊妹，姑且不论这位弟兄姊妹属灵分量是重是轻，对当地来说，就是个了不起的人。或许一位弟兄在这里根本不聚会，但他出去一说，“我是从台湾来的。”那里的聚会全数就交代给他了。他需要在聚会中讲道，带领，供应，一切都交在这位弟兄手中。在这种情形下，有的人虽然在台湾不常聚会，但出去后，就这样被恢复并拔高了。有时，人自己说，“我不行，我也不会讲，不过我在台湾看见的是这样”等。当地的召会就说，“好，你把所看见、所听见的，讲给我们听，就可以了。”这些弟兄竟然也就照着作了。这两点我都感觉人的评价不够准确，并且是太过了。
　
　　我们此行的头一站，先到了日本。在东京传福音的时间比较多，在大阪只传了短短几天。我们前后在日本，传福音传了半个月。在东京聚会时，擘饼有三十多人；在大阪只有一家或一家半的弟兄姊妹。这次我在日本住了一点时间，见地有一点改变，就是从前总以为日本人不容易接受福音，即便信了主，也不容易给他们属灵的带领。这样的观念当然没有根据，多半都是听来的。这一次我亲自到那里，也和有些人好好接触过，就深深觉得，我从前的观念是不准确的。
　　我在日本所碰到的情形，是他们不仅很容易得救，福音很容易传，并且他们的性格非常好。他们一旦接受了主，便很认真的研究真理；一发觉这是真理，就很肯出代价，所以也就很容易爱主。譬如，我们在那里聚会时，弟兄们根本没有对他们传过福音，可以说也没有用日语讲过道。然而就这样，弟兄们和日本人接触，也带了几位日本人信主得救，他们从未接触过福音，也没有听过主的恢复。有位弟兄受过大学教育，我们和他交谈都是用英文。我们发觉他实在不只满足于得救就好了，他向着主很有心，并且愿意追求主。此外，各地还有一些基督徒。现在那里三、四十位弟兄当中，有二位日本籍的。这是我们遇见大体的情形。
　　日本人在科学这一类的事上，是看重西方的，但在宗教敬拜神的事上，他们的天性还是与中国人比较接近。所以，我发觉一个事实，若是有中国弟兄到那里传福音，为主作工，是比西教士还容易。因为彼此在性情上，生活习惯上都非常接近，非常融和。我知道有好些中国人，都和日本人成为非常亲密的朋友。所以，我有一个很重的感觉，日本是个很大、很好的福音工场，并且不必去太多弟兄姊妹，只要有五、六位同工到日本，借着在那里已经有的一班弟兄姊妹，他们大多数是中国人，很快就能得着相当多的人。
　　在东京的中国人，约有一万，在华人中间的工作，是相当值得作。因为中国弟兄们若要在那里传福音，大部分都是先在中国华侨社会里传；借着华侨弟兄们，再把福音传给日本人，就非常容易。这个工作借着西国教士来作，不如华侨圣徒直接或间接和日本人发生关系。日本人是非常重人情的，你们要直接向他们传福音很难，但借着他们的朋友就非常容易，借着华侨把福音传过去，是轻而易举的。简单的说，这乃是一个大的福音工作，也实在有这个需要。
　　日本弟兄们都很看重交通，他们请求我把他们的交通带回来，和这里的弟兄姊妹有交通。他们是盼望，从这里有弟兄们到东京去为主作工。他们愿意准备一切，办理一切的手续。他们甚至愿意接待同工到那里，并且盼望有人能够移民，长期住在那里，好好的作工。我也深感有这个需要，同时也觉得时候是到了。盼望下次特别聚会后，和全体同工一同在主面前交通这事，希望能有同工弟兄和姊妹，在主面前接受这个负担，到东京为主作工。出入境手续不是个大难题，我信主在这事上有印证，各方面都会有很好的安排。盼望弟兄姊妹们为这事，在主面前实在有祷告。这不是为作我们个人的工，也不仅是为作我们自己的聚会，乃是为着主在地上的权益，为着祂的福音和国度。
　
　　从日本离开后，我们直接到了美国。仅仅在中途，在檀香山停了一下。到美国西岸后，先到旧金山。在美国各地像我们这种聚会的，都没有很大，顶大的一个就是纽约，也不过只有八、九十位，非常弱。第二大的，应该就在旧金山。或许和旧金山同样大的还有一两个，一个在美国南部，一个在美国北部。这三个地方的聚会，差不多都只有三、四十位。不过，那些地方大体都是西国的弟兄姊妹，旧金山这里全数是中国弟兄姊妹，并且旧金山这里主体的人都是从台湾去的，特别是从台北去的。他们差不多都是留学生，大多数都在加州大学。这些弟兄姊妹就形成了旧金山召会聚会的主体，或说是核心。他们那里虽也有工作可作，但是没有人作，所以那里也需要人去作工。要先从说中国话的人中间作起，而后再作到外围。
　　我们从那里就到了洛杉矶，洛杉矶那里有一个聚会，并不比旧金山的聚会小，也许还要大一点。那个聚会早期有两位中国弟兄在那里负责。不过，那里的聚会常有变动，现在是由一位从伦敦去的弟兄，在那里负责作工。大体上，中国弟兄姊妹很少，都是西国的人多。不久，我们就再到美国西南角的一个地方。
　　而后，我们到了西北角，知道在那里的一个大学里，还有一班中国弟兄。负责带领他们的，是一位西国的弟兄，那里大多数是中国学生，也有少部分西国学生。听说他们的光景还很不错，不过没有正式成立聚会。
　　后来我们到了芝加哥、底特律等几个地方。在匹茨堡遇见两家弟兄姊妹，一家是从香港来的，一家是十多年前在上海住过的。这两家还没有正式聚会，不过，每主日他们会来在一起聚集。有时把香港那里的录音带放来听；有时把弟兄们在纽约讲的录音带放一放。我和他们在一起，只有一点点时间，看看他们的光景很不错，实在是学习活在主面前。
　　再往后，我们就到了纽约。在纽约原有一个聚会，这历史可从三十多年前说起。若是有些误差，最少有二十五年，或许还更早一点。虽然聚集早已开始，然而聚会不够稳定，不够刚强，曾有一度停止了聚会。在那些经常聚会的弟兄姊妹们中间，有一半是中国人，有一半是西国人。在原有的聚会停止后，因着中国弟兄姊妹一向就有一个华语的聚会，所以仍然继续聚会。到我们去之前，他们聚在一起，就是有一点祷告，有一点讲道，没有擘饼的聚集。我们去的时候，他们自己愿意擘饼，所以就开始擘饼。从前经常聚会的那些人，差不多也都来聚会。我最近得到一个消息，听说他们的聚会相当活泼，相当刚强，相当不错。不过，纽约那么大的一个城，只有八、九十人聚会。
　　这次旅程，我们大部分时间是在美国，也就是在纽约。这其中有几个原因，一是我个人在那里有些事要办，一是我的内人在那里检查身体，以及开刀治病；所以，时间比较久一点。留在那里的期间，我们到美国的首都华盛顿住了几天。在华盛顿有一个小聚会，虽然很弱，但现在已经渐渐稳固健壮。其中有位弟兄，从前在上海，而后到了香港。之后，他和他的妻子都移民到华盛顿。我知道他们在那里，就顺便去看看他们。
　　关于美国那里的情形，因着这次的访问，我完全改观了。已过我们也许以为，美国人太物质化，太注重物质，太注重今世的享受，所以对宗教不太在意。然而这一次，虽然我在美国住的时日不多，接触的人也不算多，但总归接触过一些人，他们所给我的印象，却不是这样。事实上，在美国很有工作可作，并且据我观察，工作很容易有果效。
　　以美国和日本相比较，日本是个佛教国家，而美国道道地地是个基督教国家。简要的说，在韩战未起之先，美国人主日作礼拜的不到一半。换句话说，就是一百位基督徒中，不超过五十位参加聚会。因着韩战死伤严重，美国人在战事上受了很大的刺激，因此他们很需要心灵的安慰。于是到了主日，他们都去作礼拜，求神给他们平安。从那个时候起，美国作礼拜的人数增高，可以说有百分之六十以上。
　　有些人在那里传正统的福音，新派的势力虽然在增加中，但没有正统派的势力大；正统派仍是居上风。近十年来，特别是和平之后，还有神召会，也出了些成名的布道家。他们这些人在那里为主作工，也相当可观，作起来都有几万人；他们的作法，正合于美国一般人的心情。除此之外，有一个所谓的耶和华见证人会，这个运动也是相当可观。这一次我在纽约时，他们在那里举行一个大会，到会人数远超过葛理翰的聚会，总在十三至十五万之间，各地来的都有。耶和华见证人会是相当厉害的，这也是因他们所用的宣传和组织方法，适合于美国人。
　　在美国那些基督教团体中间，说到属灵方面，得救的人是有，但属灵的深度欠缺。纽约有一个团体，是宣道会的发起人宣信所创的。他们中间有几个传道人，在那里讲十字架的同死，就是宾路易师母的信息；他们都说那是美国最深的道理。我们在那里的聚会，多半是注重神如何在祂儿子里作人的生命。讲过十多次之后，有位年长姊妹，她曾经到中国来作工，也来过我们中间聚会，她告诉我：“李弟兄，像你这次在这里一直讲基督作生命，这在美国是不容易听到的，因为没有人讲这个道。”我们便知道，那里大概的情形如何。所以，在美国的基督教里，正统的福音都传得不错，但没有多少深度。
　　我们都得承认，在全球还不太容易找到一个地方，是那么符合正统的教训，并且在主面前又是有深度的。所以我们也得承认，在美国，主的工作相当有需要，同时也是一个大好的工场。
　　这次我们在美国所得的印象，就是只要有真实地，好的东西，他们很容易接受，并且一定有很丰盛的果效。不仅旧金山的弟兄们盼望我们能去帮忙，纽约的召会也是盼望，并且的确有这个需要。所以，盼望弟兄姊妹能够有负担移民到那里，或者同工们有负担到那里，供应他们的需要。有的人或许会考虑语言的问题，但我信这不是太难的问题。也许你们刚去时，可以多作一点中国人的工作，过了三、五年，语言问题自然就解决了，很快就学会了；所以，这该不是太大的问题。
　
　　关于南美，我本来是定规要去的，但因为时间的缘故，所以没有成行。我虽然没有去，但从那里来的消息很多。简单的说，都是盼望有人移民过去。若是有同工有负担去，目前实在有这个需要。
　　若是能有一两位同工到巴西，住在圣保罗开展主的工作，那是太好了；因为的确有这个需要。弟兄们在“教会通问”里已经看见，在一位弟兄家里，开始有一个很小型的聚会。已过也有些基督徒参加聚会，人数约有三、四十位，大部分是从香港、台湾、马尼拉去的。那里还没有一个华侨专属的聚会，若是有同工或是强一点的弟兄到那里，从那里开始有一个聚会，就能应付那个需要。渐渐的，福音就会从华侨弟兄们中，传到巴西人中间。
　　那里言论、信仰、出版都非常自由，并且南美许多国家虽然本身都是天主教国家，但和更正教国家相当合作，很多差会在那里都有传教士。在那里最强有力地一个聚会，并不是巴西人带领的，而是西国的弟兄们；这一个聚会的人数相当多。所以，那里的前景一片大好，是个大的工场。关于华人住宅区，现在从台湾有人去，从香港也有人去；同时若是在那里作工，还可以从华侨作到日本人中间。日本侨民在那里最多，已有七、八十万，每年还有三、四万人会移民过去。所以，那里也是一片大好的工场。
　　我们在美国停留时间是到七月底，七月三十一日离开那里，夜间是在飞机上度过的。
　
　　八月一日我们到了伦敦。八月初，在那里有一个特别聚会。特别聚会后，我们就到丹麦去，赶赴那里的另一个特别聚会。
　
　　在丹麦，每年夏天都有同样的特别聚会，每次到会人数总是从七百到一千不等；这一次稍微多一点。这些人大多是他们国教里的人。但有相当数字的人，已过几年在一位西国弟兄带领之下，在属灵的事上比较有根基，所以，对国教的观念自然比较轻。
　　在那些赴会的人中，约有四十多位是这样光景的人；他们分别来自挪威、瑞典、及其他几个国家。因着有几国的人在那里聚集，所以讲道时，讲台上是以丹麦话为主体，讲台下有一组英文翻译，一组德文翻译。在那次特别聚会中，虽然上午、下午和晚间都有聚会，但是在圣灵的工作之下，众人所注重的，还是下午那场聚会。至于上午和晚间的聚会，可以说是一些零零杂杂的交通。下午的聚会则是有系统的信息，并且信息着重的指出，神在基督里作生命，是为着建造祂的家、祂的殿，建造基督的身体。这些信息强调两个点：（一）生命，（二）召会的建造。这两点所起的响应相当大，非常有果效。
　　在那次特会里，众人谈话的题目和中心，就是如何享受基督作生命，以及如何在各地使召会被建造；这两点充满在弟兄姊妹的谈话中。我信是圣灵在那里作了相当的工，所以有好多位发问，都是问这个问题。然而，问第二个问题的人更多，他们问说，“我们回去时，应该怎么办？我们应该到那里聚会？”我没有告诉他们该怎么办，不过我问他们说，“第一要问你们自己，你们从前所在的那个会怎么样？”他们说，“那个是不行的。”我说，“那个不行，怎么办？”他们说，“我们不能再到那里去。”我说，“不能再去，那该怎么办？”他们说，“或者我们两三个人先在一起开始聚会…”我就说，“你们都去祷告主，主怎样引导你们，你们就怎样作。好像亚伯拉罕出迦勒底的吾珥一样，往主所指示的地方去。”
　　大会过后，那里带领的弟兄要我们多留两天，以便与几位领头的弟兄姊妹有些交通。那两天的交通非常关键也非常重要，并且看见圣灵特别的作工；所谈的没有辩论上的问题，都是实际实行的路。事实上，在我们去之先，圣灵已经在他们好多人里头作工，所以到那里之后，都是说到实行的事。我们就照着我们所经历的，有限的说一点。每一点他们都觉得非常宝贵，觉得那是从未听过的，他们完全接受。交通之后，我们就回到丹麦的首都哥本哈根。
　　在那里，带领的弟兄要求我们能有一个晚上为着较有追求的弟兄，另有一个晚上为着青年弟兄姊妹能有一点交通。那里有近二百位青年弟兄姊妹，这一班青年人实在追求主，是一个很好的现象。他们要求我，最少要有一次对这些青年人讲道，帮助他们如何配搭事奉。他们虽然还没有正式成立聚会，但他们告诉我，他们不只盼望成立聚会，还要学习如何配搭事奉。我的确在那里多面的教导他们如何配搭事奉。
　　我们离开后不久，他们在哥本哈根分成二十一个家聚会。据说他们的光景非常好，在那里的确有相当多的人爱主，是很不错的材料，相当有工可以作。当地老年人不多，大多都是中年人。
　　我们在丹麦住了十多天，很明显的看见，那里有许多工可作。那里的光景，实在超出我们的想像，圣灵早就在那里有了工作。不只丹麦是如此，恐怕整个北欧，挪威、瑞典、瑞士等，都有主的工作。我们看见那里有非常好的弟兄，并且他们要求我，把“话语职事”寄给他们，他们要翻成他们的文字。若是时间许可，实在应该再去，因为太有可作的了。
　　挪威也有两位弟兄来赴会，与我们有很好的交通，实在有主的同在。我在整个丹麦所得的印象，就是觉得北欧各地，需要有人受带领，认识基督作生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。北欧这几个国家，差不多都信奉国教；那个国教是非常形式，非常死沉的。那里有的人一成了基督徒，就等于是无家可归；所以，实在需要有人能够认识生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。
　　我们在丹麦交通过之后，就再回伦敦。在伦敦停留了十天。简要的说，我们在伦敦也有相当好的交通。我们在那里所释放的信息，弟兄姊妹都感觉非常切合他们的需要，因此，他们里头都非常响应。相信那里未来的情形很可期待。
　
　　在欧洲的时间，我们大部分是在英国，约有四周的光景；从那里离开后，就经过欧洲其他几个地方，到了罗马。我们参观罗马的古迹，特别是那些关乎基督教的，以及从前基督徒殉道的地方、基督徒聚会的地下墓窟等。同时，我们也参观了几座天主教的大教堂，如圣彼得大教堂等。其实，我对此一点都不感兴趣。倒是古代那些爱主的人，那样为主舍身，实在令我们感到敬佩。他们被摆在狮子跟前，与猛兽搏斗的地方仍在。然而现在，那些古迹都成了基督教宣传自己的地方。
　　到了天主教的范围，那就完全是物质的，也完全是迷信。好比教堂里有彼得的像，许多从南美、南非各地来的旅客和天主教徒，都排着队要从雕像面前经过。经过时，都在那里留恋不舍，争着要摸彼得的脚；摸过之后，还要亲一亲。所以，现在彼得像的两只脚指头，都已经被摩擦得看不见了。历代以来有许多人亲这个像，摸这个像；那实在是迷信得太过了。
　　从罗马再往前就到了希腊。我们到了某大城的西北，离城不太远有一块肥美的地，人就告诉我们，保罗曾在那里讲过道，风景相当不错。离那里不远有哥林多城，我们都读过哥林多书，也就在当地略作参观后，往中东方向去了。
　
　　我们的目的是要去看耶路撒冷，经过黎巴嫩就到了耶路撒冷。耶路撒冷老城的部分，现今都落在约但人手中。以色列人在复国之后，是住在老城边界，也就是京城一带活动。两个地方相接处，只有很短的距离，但两处是对立的，无法来往。联合国很难对这两国作出裁决，他们彼此为仇，联合国只能限制他们，不准他们对彼此有什么动作。
　　圣经里那些较著名的地方，我们差不多都去看过，如橄榄山、锡安山、摩利亚山等，还有客西马尼园，主耶稣被卖的地方，以及祂受审、被钉死、埋葬、复活、升天等地方，我们都亲眼看到了。现今在橄榄山，有一个大磐石，磐石上有个很大的脚印，传说是主耶稣升天时，末了一次脚所踏的地方。不过，这完全是没有根据的。
　　我们看了示剑城，并看见那六个支派为百姓祝福时所站的基利心山，和另六个支派宣布咒诅时所站的以巴路山（申二七11~15），印证了他们所受的审判实在厉害。我们在圣经里读过，这地是流奶与蜜之地，然而这次我们去看，完全是一片荒凉。耶路撒冷那一带地方真是荒凉，一眼望去，最多的既不是树，也不是草，更不是土，而是石头。有大石头，有小石头，到处都是石头，尽是不毛之地。为我们开车的人说，若是这些石头能变成面包就好了。这使我想到马太四章，主耶稣受魔鬼的试诱，要主耶稣把石头变成饼（3）。我就知道这司机是基督徒，于是对他说，“你祷告叫这些石头变成饼吧。”
　　那里非常贫穷，人民生活相当辛苦，比东方人还穷乏。在自然环境上，更是经历风的侵袭，一年有十个月，常有风把尘沙吹来，等雨水来时，又把土冲走，所以剩下的土没有多少。土上没有任何作物，甚至没有草，没有树；这种土是根本不能使植物存留的。我们知道风越吹，土越少；水越冲，土更少。在这种情形下，发展实在困难。
　　旧约里圣殿的地基，是亚伯拉罕献以撒的摩利亚山，大卫也曾在那里献过祭；这些事迹圣经上都有记载，那是非常好的地方。然而，现在被阿拉伯人，就是回教人占领了。他们建立一个大的回教区，算是第二大的。第一大回教区在麦加，相当的大，那个清真寺的圆顶都是用金子包的，面积非常的大，许多回教徒都在里面敬拜。他们霸占了那地方，一直不肯交还给以色列人，就作了自己敬拜的所在。
　　我能说的不过这么多，但在我的印象里，觉得神的审判和咒诅是可畏的。神在祂的智慧里，把许多天主教、以色列、和基督教的古迹毁坏了，免得给后人，就是今世的人当作偶像敬拜。人是太愚昧，太污秽，太没有智慧；但神借着罗马太子提多，于主后七十年大施毁坏，而后波斯国，再有阿拉伯人、土耳其人，他们陆陆续续作了许多破坏的工作；因此，那里的古迹难以存留。现在那里所有的，有许多是人工造的。从那里我们经过伊拉克，就是从前的巴比伦城，又经过伊朗，就是从前的波斯，到了巴基斯坦。
　
　　从那里我们到了缅甸，然后到了泰国的首都曼谷。在曼谷有一个聚会，是我们的弟兄在那里服事，经常聚会的有五、六十位。我在那里住了三天，就看见曼谷聚会人数加增，实在是有主的祝福。当地召会原有约一百位圣徒，我们到那里有三天的聚会，聚到第三天，不仅会所坐满了人，院子里也坐了人。那实在是一个有许多工可作的地方。全泰国有三百多万华侨，在曼谷那里最少有八十万。曼谷一个城就有几百万人口，八十万是中国人，为数不少。最好有会说汕头话的，同时又会说闽南话的人到那里去；那里实在有一个很大的需要。弟兄们非常真诚的盼望有同工能接受负担，到那里作工。
　　南洋其他各地，虽然有要求，但限于时间我们没法子去。这些地方，多多少少都有需要，我们几乎一直接到他们的呼声，要求有人去帮助他们，现在即使有几十位同工到那些地方去，还是不够分配。
　　我们在十月四日回到香港，在那里住了十二天。从到达那里后，弟兄们一直安排聚会，直到我们上飞机前。这是我们大概的经过。
　
　　这次我们出访各处，简要的说，有两点是非常缺乏而有需要的，就是认识基督作生命，以及神的家得着建造。好比有弟兄或同工到日本，单纯的因为需要而去。他们留在那里，必须带领人认识神如何在基督里作人的生命，并且如何建造神的家，使神在地上得着一个居所，神的儿女在这个荒凉的地上，有家可归。我们知道在日本，如东京、大阪等，都有这个需要。我们访问那里时，到过东京，也到过神户，这些地点都很近，是很方便的地方。然而这三处地方，东京、大阪、神户，都还没有主的见证。
　　再者，美国虽然是个基督教国家，那里最需要的，也是带人认识基督作生命，并且在一地一地把人建造起来，成为神的居所。整个欧洲也是如此。当我访问欧洲，在台上讲道时，就明说在整个北欧，难以指出有一个地方像神的家；好多地方，神的儿女被兴起来，却都感觉像无家可归的人。所以，生命的认识和召会的建造，乃是各地所需要的。
　　欧洲南部的情形还谈不上什么，因为天主教势力太大，如西班牙、葡萄牙、义大利等国，都是天主教国家，连法国也是天主教国家。位于欧洲南部的希腊，则是非常荒凉，不仅在属灵方面荒凉，连在物质方面也很荒凉。整体的情形就是一片荒凉。所以，欧洲方面，在属灵上实在有一个很大的需要；南洋各地也有这需要。
　　总之，我们感觉各地最需要的，就是基督作生命，以及神在地上要得着一个居所，使祂的儿女有家可归。因此，生命与召会，在各处的需要实在是非常的大。此外，还有一点值得提到的，就是我们在东方，常觉得自己非常的软弱，也相当的贫穷，常有许多不及的感觉。然而，正如有人说，“不怕货比货，就怕不识货。”我这次出去看看后，里头很敬拜神。神在这一个地球上，特别恩待了我们。人很不容易看到有一个地方，蒙的恩典像我们所蒙的一样。
　　已过这些年，我自己常有一种感觉：一面觉得我们所走的这条路，是百分之百出乎主的；但另一面也常觉得，在召会历史中所看见的，都不是这样的。同时，在这个时代里，只有我们这班人在东方走这一条路。虽然我们一面很有把握，觉得是出乎神的；但另一面，人是软弱的，又不免打问号。是不是我们错了？是不是太过了？不然，为什么已往基督教里没有这种光景，今天也不能找到什么能印证我们的；似乎只有我们这班人走了这一条路。
　　然而，这次我们出去，走过不少国家后，非常加强我们里面的认识，也给我们有负担，看见各地所需要的。以日本、美国、北欧以及南美等地为例，他们所需要的，就是我们这样的见证。我们实际观察过，任何其他东西都不能应付今天神儿女的需要。各地神的儿女，今天真实准确的需要，就是认识基督作生命，叫神在地上，在祂儿女中间能建造起一个居所，使祂的儿女在地上有可归之处。
　　许多基督徒虽然听了许多道，感觉很兴奋，也感觉有益处，但是他们不能从心里说，那就是他们的需要。只有你带他们认识什么是基督作生命，并且带他们看见基督作生命的结果，就是神在人中间，建造起一个居所，叫祂的儿女有家可归。只有这一个，无论在什么地方，都能满足神儿女的需要。在日本、在美国、在欧洲、在南洋，所有神的儿女，都印证这条生命的道路：基督作生命，使神的家得建造。各地既都有这样一个印证，这样一个需要，就加强了我们的感觉，使我们得着很深的鼓励。
　
　
　　末了，盼望我们众人都清楚这一点：基督作生命，为要建造神的家。在信息开头我们已经说过，无论在哪里，只要有这样一个聚会，无论它是多小，多弱，在当地都非常的受到重视。此外，台湾的召会，特别是台北召会，虽然在外面的名声太高，但我信这也是出乎主的。若是我们在这里向着主忠诚，感觉也不迟慢，在往后不久的日子中，主会有相当的带领。逐渐的会有人出去，也会有同工出去，你们众人都要把握机会。
　　在这里我们已经有过训练的工作，如今在弟兄们中间，有一部分是全时间的，也有一些是带职业的。或者该有更多的人出来全时间服事，然后有些人出去开展，另一班人就补上来；一班一班的跟上来，持续的有人出来服事主。我们不能在这里读书，而一直没有毕业生；若是一个学校一直都没有毕业生，那是不正确的。我们知道，一个家里的孩子，若是十年都没有长大，就不正常。所以，我们实在应该有同工们陆续出去服事。
　
　　其次，从各方面看，弟兄姊妹或者逐渐移民出去，或者有的带着适当的职业出去，这都是有益的，甚至对国家都有益。这一个时代不是个停留的时代，乃是个流动的时代。什么人能在外面流通，什么人就是一个活的人。
　　这是我此行的一些印象，也是我的一些观感。我们实在需要出去，一直的出去；越出去就越有路。盼望你们能出去，无论是对个人，或家庭，甚至对召会都有益；即使是对我们肉身所处的国家，也都有益处，并且益处非常大。我不愿意过于鼓励，只不过应弟兄们的要求，把我的观感交通给你们。若是再多十个、二十个家移民到巴西，或是再有一两位同工去，那里马上就会有一个相当成形的聚会，能够有一个很好的见证，并且能够有很好的结果。这无论在那一面都是有益的。
　
　　此外，我们深深盼望，文字工作能好好加强。已过只有少数人，是帮助这个工作的。我们从前出版的文字不多，只有三类。第一类，是“话语职事”的正刊，那是相当有分量和果效的。第二，是“享受神”这类的小册子。现在只要是和我们有点交通的地方，他们谈话的资料，讲台上的信息，都是讲到如何享受神。第三，是“教会通问”，在各地效力很大，所起的作用很厉害。因此，为着推广工作往外发展，需要加强文字工作，通问需要再多出一点。同时，服事的人要能多给一点帮助，出版一点英文书，并且在量上加多一些。这能使这里的见证扩展出去。
　
　　所以，有三件事相当重要。第一，同工们出去作工。第二，弟兄姊妹移民出去。第三，文字要推广出去。自然，这需要后面的人再补上；我信这里要补充人，应该没有问题。我们不要怕我们开展出去，后面的人补不上来。我们应该相信，我们出去的越多，后面越有补上来的。希望弟兄姊妹为这些事，能有真实地祷告。同时，要到主面前寻求负担。或者有人应该接受负担，受主差遣，往外去为主作工；或者有人应该受主引导，往外移民；或者有人为这些事摆上奉献。我信主既这样带领我们，也必能给我们积极的印证。我们相信，这十多年来，主给我们这么许多的带领，其用途不会仅仅限于台湾岛上。我们深信主在这里预备我们，带领、训练我们，是为着祂在这末后时代里的见证能更为广阔。
　　多年来我们不愿意多加宣传，但主在外面为我们所打开的，实在是敞开的门，畅通的路。我们出去之先，从来没有想到是这样的光景；但走过之后，所看见的实在是超过我们所能作的。
　　人对我们的评价，我们只得低下头来，谦卑的说那个评价太高；然而这是神作的。有人告诉我，有些地方从来没有那样实行过，就是把整个聚会，整个讲台交给别人。然而，我们这一次出去，所到之处都是全数交给我们作。这是主作的，并且实在有圣灵的印证。我一直学一个功课，不要在这些地方说得太多；但我必须告诉你们，我所说的不过是主所作的，并且是为给你们一个印象。
　　事实上主所作的，实在是超过我们所想的，是又宽又大，又有功效的路。盼望弟兄姊妹，为着主的缘故刚强，勇敢的接受主所给我们的负担。许多地方都需要我们的帮助，我们实在愿意主在我们中间，作这样的工作。我们不愿意发起什么，也不愿意有什么活动，但我们必须把这些感觉交通给弟兄姊妹，好让我们有负担，把所蒙的恩典带给那些缺乏的地方。
　　讲于主后一九五八年十月二十五日
　　已过一段时间，主带领我经过日本访问美国，再转到欧洲，再到中东，然后经过南洋数地，回到台湾。在这次欧美之行后，经过在主面前的考量，我觉得应该把一地一地的情形，和我个人经过这些地方所有的观感，交通给弟兄姊妹。　　我这次出去，有两点使我相当惊奇。第一，就是无论到那里，只要有一个像我们这样的聚会，不管那个聚会人数多少，情形强弱，很希奇，那一个地方的基督徒，和基督教里的人士，都相当看重，也相当注意。换句话说，各地只要有这样一个聚会，那个聚会就是上乘的，是占上风的。这叫我觉得惊奇，感觉他们对我们的评价有一点过高。　　第二，是台湾众召会的名气太不同凡响了。国外的召会把台湾的召会看得很高；我怕是太高了。无论什么地方，只要有一个台湾去的弟兄姊妹，姑且不论这位弟兄姊妹属灵分量是重是轻，对当地来说，就是个了不起的人。或许一位弟兄在这里根本不聚会，但他出去一说，“我是从台湾来的。”那里的聚会全数就交代给他了。他需要在聚会中讲道，带领，供应，一切都交在这位弟兄手中。在这种情形下，有的人虽然在台湾不常聚会，但出去后，就这样被恢复并拔高了。有时，人自己说，“我不行，我也不会讲，不过我在台湾看见的是这样”等。当地的召会就说，“好，你把所看见、所听见的，讲给我们听，就可以了。”这些弟兄竟然也就照着作了。这两点我都感觉人的评价不够准确，并且是太过了。
　
　　我们此行的头一站，先到了日本。在东京传福音的时间比较多，在大阪只传了短短几天。我们前后在日本，传福音传了半个月。在东京聚会时，擘饼有三十多人；在大阪只有一家或一家半的弟兄姊妹。这次我在日本住了一点时间，见地有一点改变，就是从前总以为日本人不容易接受福音，即便信了主，也不容易给他们属灵的带领。这样的观念当然没有根据，多半都是听来的。这一次我亲自到那里，也和有些人好好接触过，就深深觉得，我从前的观念是不准确的。　　我在日本所碰到的情形，是他们不仅很容易得救，福音很容易传，并且他们的性格非常好。他们一旦接受了主，便很认真的研究真理；一发觉这是真理，就很肯出代价，所以也就很容易爱主。譬如，我们在那里聚会时，弟兄们根本没有对他们传过福音，可以说也没有用日语讲过道。然而就这样，弟兄们和日本人接触，也带了几位日本人信主得救，他们从未接触过福音，也没有听过主的恢复。有位弟兄受过大学教育，我们和他交谈都是用英文。我们发觉他实在不只满足于得救就好了，他向着主很有心，并且愿意追求主。此外，各地还有一些基督徒。现在那里三、四十位弟兄当中，有二位日本籍的。这是我们遇见大体的情形。　　日本人在科学这一类的事上，是看重西方的，但在宗教敬拜神的事上，他们的天性还是与中国人比较接近。所以，我发觉一个事实，若是有中国弟兄到那里传福音，为主作工，是比西教士还容易。因为彼此在性情上，生活习惯上都非常接近，非常融和。我知道有好些中国人，都和日本人成为非常亲密的朋友。所以，我有一个很重的感觉，日本是个很大、很好的福音工场，并且不必去太多弟兄姊妹，只要有五、六位同工到日本，借着在那里已经有的一班弟兄姊妹，他们大多数是中国人，很快就能得着相当多的人。　　在东京的中国人，约有一万，在华人中间的工作，是相当值得作。因为中国弟兄们若要在那里传福音，大部分都是先在中国华侨社会里传；借着华侨弟兄们，再把福音传给日本人，就非常容易。这个工作借着西国教士来作，不如华侨圣徒直接或间接和日本人发生关系。日本人是非常重人情的，你们要直接向他们传福音很难，但借着他们的朋友就非常容易，借着华侨把福音传过去，是轻而易举的。简单的说，这乃是一个大的福音工作，也实在有这个需要。　　日本弟兄们都很看重交通，他们请求我把他们的交通带回来，和这里的弟兄姊妹有交通。他们是盼望，从这里有弟兄们到东京去为主作工。他们愿意准备一切，办理一切的手续。他们甚至愿意接待同工到那里，并且盼望有人能够移民，长期住在那里，好好的作工。我也深感有这个需要，同时也觉得时候是到了。盼望下次特别聚会后，和全体同工一同在主面前交通这事，希望能有同工弟兄和姊妹，在主面前接受这个负担，到东京为主作工。出入境手续不是个大难题，我信主在这事上有印证，各方面都会有很好的安排。盼望弟兄姊妹们为这事，在主面前实在有祷告。这不是为作我们个人的工，也不仅是为作我们自己的聚会，乃是为着主在地上的权益，为着祂的福音和国度。
　
　　从日本离开后，我们直接到了美国。仅仅在中途，在檀香山停了一下。到美国西岸后，先到旧金山。在美国各地像我们这种聚会的，都没有很大，顶大的一个就是纽约，也不过只有八、九十位，非常弱。第二大的，应该就在旧金山。或许和旧金山同样大的还有一两个，一个在美国南部，一个在美国北部。这三个地方的聚会，差不多都只有三、四十位。不过，那些地方大体都是西国的弟兄姊妹，旧金山这里全数是中国弟兄姊妹，并且旧金山这里主体的人都是从台湾去的，特别是从台北去的。他们差不多都是留学生，大多数都在加州大学。这些弟兄姊妹就形成了旧金山召会聚会的主体，或说是核心。他们那里虽也有工作可作，但是没有人作，所以那里也需要人去作工。要先从说中国话的人中间作起，而后再作到外围。　　我们从那里就到了洛杉矶，洛杉矶那里有一个聚会，并不比旧金山的聚会小，也许还要大一点。那个聚会早期有两位中国弟兄在那里负责。不过，那里的聚会常有变动，现在是由一位从伦敦去的弟兄，在那里负责作工。大体上，中国弟兄姊妹很少，都是西国的人多。不久，我们就再到美国西南角的一个地方。　　而后，我们到了西北角，知道在那里的一个大学里，还有一班中国弟兄。负责带领他们的，是一位西国的弟兄，那里大多数是中国学生，也有少部分西国学生。听说他们的光景还很不错，不过没有正式成立聚会。　　后来我们到了芝加哥、底特律等几个地方。在匹茨堡遇见两家弟兄姊妹，一家是从香港来的，一家是十多年前在上海住过的。这两家还没有正式聚会，不过，每主日他们会来在一起聚集。有时把香港那里的录音带放来听；有时把弟兄们在纽约讲的录音带放一放。我和他们在一起，只有一点点时间，看看他们的光景很不错，实在是学习活在主面前。　　再往后，我们就到了纽约。在纽约原有一个聚会，这历史可从三十多年前说起。若是有些误差，最少有二十五年，或许还更早一点。虽然聚集早已开始，然而聚会不够稳定，不够刚强，曾有一度停止了聚会。在那些经常聚会的弟兄姊妹们中间，有一半是中国人，有一半是西国人。在原有的聚会停止后，因着中国弟兄姊妹一向就有一个华语的聚会，所以仍然继续聚会。到我们去之前，他们聚在一起，就是有一点祷告，有一点讲道，没有擘饼的聚集。我们去的时候，他们自己愿意擘饼，所以就开始擘饼。从前经常聚会的那些人，差不多也都来聚会。我最近得到一个消息，听说他们的聚会相当活泼，相当刚强，相当不错。不过，纽约那么大的一个城，只有八、九十人聚会。　　这次旅程，我们大部分时间是在美国，也就是在纽约。这其中有几个原因，一是我个人在那里有些事要办，一是我的内人在那里检查身体，以及开刀治病；所以，时间比较久一点。留在那里的期间，我们到美国的首都华盛顿住了几天。在华盛顿有一个小聚会，虽然很弱，但现在已经渐渐稳固健壮。其中有位弟兄，从前在上海，而后到了香港。之后，他和他的妻子都移民到华盛顿。我知道他们在那里，就顺便去看看他们。　　关于美国那里的情形，因着这次的访问，我完全改观了。已过我们也许以为，美国人太物质化，太注重物质，太注重今世的享受，所以对宗教不太在意。然而这一次，虽然我在美国住的时日不多，接触的人也不算多，但总归接触过一些人，他们所给我的印象，却不是这样。事实上，在美国很有工作可作，并且据我观察，工作很容易有果效。　　以美国和日本相比较，日本是个佛教国家，而美国道道地地是个基督教国家。简要的说，在韩战未起之先，美国人主日作礼拜的不到一半。换句话说，就是一百位基督徒中，不超过五十位参加聚会。因着韩战死伤严重，美国人在战事上受了很大的刺激，因此他们很需要心灵的安慰。于是到了主日，他们都去作礼拜，求神给他们平安。从那个时候起，美国作礼拜的人数增高，可以说有百分之六十以上。　　有些人在那里传正统的福音，新派的势力虽然在增加中，但没有正统派的势力大；正统派仍是居上风。近十年来，特别是和平之后，还有神召会，也出了些成名的布道家。他们这些人在那里为主作工，也相当可观，作起来都有几万人；他们的作法，正合于美国一般人的心情。除此之外，有一个所谓的耶和华见证人会，这个运动也是相当可观。这一次我在纽约时，他们在那里举行一个大会，到会人数远超过葛理翰的聚会，总在十三至十五万之间，各地来的都有。耶和华见证人会是相当厉害的，这也是因他们所用的宣传和组织方法，适合于美国人。　　在美国那些基督教团体中间，说到属灵方面，得救的人是有，但属灵的深度欠缺。纽约有一个团体，是宣道会的发起人宣信所创的。他们中间有几个传道人，在那里讲十字架的同死，就是宾路易师母的信息；他们都说那是美国最深的道理。我们在那里的聚会，多半是注重神如何在祂儿子里作人的生命。讲过十多次之后，有位年长姊妹，她曾经到中国来作工，也来过我们中间聚会，她告诉我：“李弟兄，像你这次在这里一直讲基督作生命，这在美国是不容易听到的，因为没有人讲这个道。”我们便知道，那里大概的情形如何。所以，在美国的基督教里，正统的福音都传得不错，但没有多少深度。　　我们都得承认，在全球还不太容易找到一个地方，是那么符合正统的教训，并且在主面前又是有深度的。所以我们也得承认，在美国，主的工作相当有需要，同时也是一个大好的工场。　　这次我们在美国所得的印象，就是只要有真实地，好的东西，他们很容易接受，并且一定有很丰盛的果效。不仅旧金山的弟兄们盼望我们能去帮忙，纽约的召会也是盼望，并且的确有这个需要。所以，盼望弟兄姊妹能够有负担移民到那里，或者同工们有负担到那里，供应他们的需要。有的人或许会考虑语言的问题，但我信这不是太难的问题。也许你们刚去时，可以多作一点中国人的工作，过了三、五年，语言问题自然就解决了，很快就学会了；所以，这该不是太大的问题。
　
　　关于南美，我本来是定规要去的，但因为时间的缘故，所以没有成行。我虽然没有去，但从那里来的消息很多。简单的说，都是盼望有人移民过去。若是有同工有负担去，目前实在有这个需要。　　若是能有一两位同工到巴西，住在圣保罗开展主的工作，那是太好了；因为的确有这个需要。弟兄们在“教会通问”里已经看见，在一位弟兄家里，开始有一个很小型的聚会。已过也有些基督徒参加聚会，人数约有三、四十位，大部分是从香港、台湾、马尼拉去的。那里还没有一个华侨专属的聚会，若是有同工或是强一点的弟兄到那里，从那里开始有一个聚会，就能应付那个需要。渐渐的，福音就会从华侨弟兄们中，传到巴西人中间。　　那里言论、信仰、出版都非常自由，并且南美许多国家虽然本身都是天主教国家，但和更正教国家相当合作，很多差会在那里都有传教士。在那里最强有力地一个聚会，并不是巴西人带领的，而是西国的弟兄们；这一个聚会的人数相当多。所以，那里的前景一片大好，是个大的工场。关于华人住宅区，现在从台湾有人去，从香港也有人去；同时若是在那里作工，还可以从华侨作到日本人中间。日本侨民在那里最多，已有七、八十万，每年还有三、四万人会移民过去。所以，那里也是一片大好的工场。　　我们在美国停留时间是到七月底，七月三十一日离开那里，夜间是在飞机上度过的。
　
　　八月一日我们到了伦敦。八月初，在那里有一个特别聚会。特别聚会后，我们就到丹麦去，赶赴那里的另一个特别聚会。
　
　　在丹麦，每年夏天都有同样的特别聚会，每次到会人数总是从七百到一千不等；这一次稍微多一点。这些人大多是他们国教里的人。但有相当数字的人，已过几年在一位西国弟兄带领之下，在属灵的事上比较有根基，所以，对国教的观念自然比较轻。
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　　在那些赴会的人中，约有四十多位是这样光景的人；他们分别来自挪威、瑞典、及其他几个国家。因着有几国的人在那里聚集，所以讲道时，讲台上是以丹麦话为主体，讲台下有一组英文翻译，一组德文翻译。在那次特别聚会中，虽然上午、下午和晚间都有聚会，但是在圣灵的工作之下，众人所注重的，还是下午那场聚会。至于上午和晚间的聚会，可以说是一些零零杂杂的交通。下午的聚会则是有系统的信息，并且信息着重的指出，神在基督里作生命，是为着建造祂的家、祂的殿，建造基督的身体。这些信息强调两个点：（一）生命，（二）召会的建造。这两点所起的响应相当大，非常有果效。　　在那次特会里，众人谈话的题目和中心，就是如何享受基督作生命，以及如何在各地使召会被建造；这两点充满在弟兄姊妹的谈话中。我信是圣灵在那里作了相当的工，所以有好多位发问，都是问这个问题。然而，问第二个问题的人更多，他们问说，“我们回去时，应该怎么办？我们应该到那里聚会？”我没有告诉他们该怎么办，不过我问他们说，“第一要问你们自己，你们从前所在的那个会怎么样？”他们说，“那个是不行的。”我说，“那个不行，怎么办？”他们说，“我们不能再到那里去。”我说，“不能再去，那该怎么办？”他们说，“或者我们两三个人先在一起开始聚会…”我就说，“你们都去祷告主，主怎样引导你们，你们就怎样作。好像亚伯拉罕出迦勒底的吾珥一样，往主所指示的地方去。”　　大会过后，那里带领的弟兄要我们多留两天，以便与几位领头的弟兄姊妹有些交通。那两天的交通非常关键也非常重要，并且看见圣灵特别的作工；所谈的没有辩论上的问题，都是实际实行的路。事实上，在我们去之先，圣灵已经在他们好多人里头作工，所以到那里之后，都是说到实行的事。我们就照着我们所经历的，有限的说一点。每一点他们都觉得非常宝贵，觉得那是从未听过的，他们完全接受。交通之后，我们就回到丹麦的首都哥本哈根。　　在那里，带领的弟兄要求我们能有一个晚上为着较有追求的弟兄，另有一个晚上为着青年弟兄姊妹能有一点交通。那里有近二百位青年弟兄姊妹，这一班青年人实在追求主，是一个很好的现象。他们要求我，最少要有一次对这些青年人讲道，帮助他们如何配搭事奉。他们虽然还没有正式成立聚会，但他们告诉我，他们不只盼望成立聚会，还要学习如何配搭事奉。我的确在那里多面的教导他们如何配搭事奉。　　我们离开后不久，他们在哥本哈根分成二十一个家聚会。据说他们的光景非常好，在那里的确有相当多的人爱主，是很不错的材料，相当有工可以作。当地老年人不多，大多都是中年人。　　我们在丹麦住了十多天，很明显的看见，那里有许多工可作。那里的光景，实在超出我们的想像，圣灵早就在那里有了工作。不只丹麦是如此，恐怕整个北欧，挪威、瑞典、瑞士等，都有主的工作。我们看见那里有非常好的弟兄，并且他们要求我，把“话语职事”寄给他们，他们要翻成他们的文字。若是时间许可，实在应该再去，因为太有可作的了。　　挪威也有两位弟兄来赴会，与我们有很好的交通，实在有主的同在。我在整个丹麦所得的印象，就是觉得北欧各地，需要有人受带领，认识基督作生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。北欧这几个国家，差不多都信奉国教；那个国教是非常形式，非常死沉的。那里有的人一成了基督徒，就等于是无家可归；所以，实在需要有人能够认识生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。　　我们在丹麦交通过之后，就再回伦敦。在伦敦停留了十天。简要的说，我们在伦敦也有相当好的交通。我们在那里所释放的信息，弟兄姊妹都感觉非常切合他们的需要，因此，他们里头都非常响应。相信那里未来的情形很可期待。
　
　　在欧洲的时间，我们大部分是在英国，约有四周的光景；从那里离开后，就经过欧洲其他几个地方，到了罗马。我们参观罗马的古迹，特别是那些关乎基督教的，以及从前基督徒殉道的地方、基督徒聚会的地下墓窟等。同时，我们也参观了几座天主教的大教堂，如圣彼得大教堂等。其实，我对此一点都不感兴趣。倒是古代那些爱主的人，那样为主舍身，实在令我们感到敬佩。他们被摆在狮子跟前，与猛兽搏斗的地方仍在。然而现在，那些古迹都成了基督教宣传自己的地方。　　到了天主教的范围，那就完全是物质的，也完全是迷信。好比教堂里有彼得的像，许多从南美、南非各地来的旅客和天主教徒，都排着队要从雕像面前经过。经过时，都在那里留恋不舍，争着要摸彼得的脚；摸过之后，还要亲一亲。所以，现在彼得像的两只脚指头，都已经被摩擦得看不见了。历代以来有许多人亲这个像，摸这个像；那实在是迷信得太过了。　　从罗马再往前就到了希腊。我们到了某大城的西北，离城不太远有一块肥美的地，人就告诉我们，保罗曾在那里讲过道，风景相当不错。离那里不远有哥林多城，我们都读过哥林多书，也就在当地略作参观后，往中东方向去了。
　
　　我们的目的是要去看耶路撒冷，经过黎巴嫩就到了耶路撒冷。耶路撒冷老城的部分，现今都落在约但人手中。以色列人在复国之后，是住在老城边界，也就是京城一带活动。两个地方相接处，只有很短的距离，但两处是对立的，无法来往。联合国很难对这两国作出裁决，他们彼此为仇，联合国只能限制他们，不准他们对彼此有什么动作。　　圣经里那些较著名的地方，我们差不多都去看过，如橄榄山、锡安山、摩利亚山等，还有客西马尼园，主耶稣被卖的地方，以及祂受审、被钉死、埋葬、复活、升天等地方，我们都亲眼看到了。现今在橄榄山，有一个大磐石，磐石上有个很大的脚印，传说是主耶稣升天时，末了一次脚所踏的地方。不过，这完全是没有根据的。　　我们看了示剑城，并看见那六个支派为百姓祝福时所站的基利心山，和另六个支派宣布咒诅时所站的以巴路山（申二七11~15），印证了他们所受的审判实在厉害。我们在圣经里读过，这地是流奶与蜜之地，然而这次我们去看，完全是一片荒凉。耶路撒冷那一带地方真是荒凉，一眼望去，最多的既不是树，也不是草，更不是土，而是石头。有大石头，有小石头，到处都是石头，尽是不毛之地。为我们开车的人说，若是这些石头能变成面包就好了。这使我想到马太四章，主耶稣受魔鬼的试诱，要主耶稣把石头变成饼（3）。我就知道这司机是基督徒，于是对他说，“你祷告叫这些石头变成饼吧。”
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申27:11  
当日，摩西吩咐百姓说，
申27:12  
你们过了约但河，西缅、利未、犹大、以萨迦、约瑟、便雅悯这些支派的人，要站在基利心山上为百姓祝福。
申27:13  
流便、迦得、亚设、西布伦、但、拿弗他利这些支派的人，要站在以巴路山上宣布咒诅。
申27:14  
利未人要向以色列众人高声宣告说，
申27:15  
有人制造耶和华所憎恶的雕像或铸像，就是工匠的手所作的，在暗中设立，那人必受咒诅。百姓都要答应说，阿们。
申命记一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
马太福音四章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
太4:3  
那试诱者进前来，对祂说，你若是神的儿子，就叫这些石头变成饼吧。
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　　那里非常贫穷，人民生活相当辛苦，比东方人还穷乏。在自然环境上，更是经历风的侵袭，一年有十个月，常有风把尘沙吹来，等雨水来时，又把土冲走，所以剩下的土没有多少。土上没有任何作物，甚至没有草，没有树；这种土是根本不能使植物存留的。我们知道风越吹，土越少；水越冲，土更少。在这种情形下，发展实在困难。　　旧约里圣殿的地基，是亚伯拉罕献以撒的摩利亚山，大卫也曾在那里献过祭；这些事迹圣经上都有记载，那是非常好的地方。然而，现在被阿拉伯人，就是回教人占领了。他们建立一个大的回教区，算是第二大的。第一大回教区在麦加，相当的大，那个清真寺的圆顶都是用金子包的，面积非常的大，许多回教徒都在里面敬拜。他们霸占了那地方，一直不肯交还给以色列人，就作了自己敬拜的所在。　　我能说的不过这么多，但在我的印象里，觉得神的审判和咒诅是可畏的。神在祂的智慧里，把许多天主教、以色列、和基督教的古迹毁坏了，免得给后人，就是今世的人当作偶像敬拜。人是太愚昧，太污秽，太没有智慧；但神借着罗马太子提多，于主后七十年大施毁坏，而后波斯国，再有阿拉伯人、土耳其人，他们陆陆续续作了许多破坏的工作；因此，那里的古迹难以存留。现在那里所有的，有许多是人工造的。从那里我们经过伊拉克，就是从前的巴比伦城，又经过伊朗，就是从前的波斯，到了巴基斯坦。
　
　　从那里我们到了缅甸，然后到了泰国的首都曼谷。在曼谷有一个聚会，是我们的弟兄在那里服事，经常聚会的有五、六十位。我在那里住了三天，就看见曼谷聚会人数加增，实在是有主的祝福。当地召会原有约一百位圣徒，我们到那里有三天的聚会，聚到第三天，不仅会所坐满了人，院子里也坐了人。那实在是一个有许多工可作的地方。全泰国有三百多万华侨，在曼谷那里最少有八十万。曼谷一个城就有几百万人口，八十万是中国人，为数不少。最好有会说汕头话的，同时又会说闽南话的人到那里去；那里实在有一个很大的需要。弟兄们非常真诚的盼望有同工能接受负担，到那里作工。
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　　南洋其他各地，虽然有要求，但限于时间我们没法子去。这些地方，多多少少都有需要，我们几乎一直接到他们的呼声，要求有人去帮助他们，现在即使有几十位同工到那些地方去，还是不够分配。　　我们在十月四日回到香港，在那里住了十二天。从到达那里后，弟兄们一直安排聚会，直到我们上飞机前。这是我们大概的经过。
　
　　这次我们出访各处，简要的说，有两点是非常缺乏而有需要的，就是认识基督作生命，以及神的家得着建造。好比有弟兄或同工到日本，单纯的因为需要而去。他们留在那里，必须带领人认识神如何在基督里作人的生命，并且如何建造神的家，使神在地上得着一个居所，神的儿女在这个荒凉的地上，有家可归。我们知道在日本，如东京、大阪等，都有这个需要。我们访问那里时，到过东京，也到过神户，这些地点都很近，是很方便的地方。然而这三处地方，东京、大阪、神户，都还没有主的见证。　　再者，美国虽然是个基督教国家，那里最需要的，也是带人认识基督作生命，并且在一地一地把人建造起来，成为神的居所。整个欧洲也是如此。当我访问欧洲，在台上讲道时，就明说在整个北欧，难以指出有一个地方像神的家；好多地方，神的儿女被兴起来，却都感觉像无家可归的人。所以，生命的认识和召会的建造，乃是各地所需要的。　　欧洲南部的情形还谈不上什么，因为天主教势力太大，如西班牙、葡萄牙、义大利等国，都是天主教国家，连法国也是天主教国家。位于欧洲南部的希腊，则是非常荒凉，不仅在属灵方面荒凉，连在物质方面也很荒凉。整体的情形就是一片荒凉。所以，欧洲方面，在属灵上实在有一个很大的需要；南洋各地也有这需要。　　总之，我们感觉各地最需要的，就是基督作生命，以及神在地上要得着一个居所，使祂的儿女有家可归。因此，生命与召会，在各处的需要实在是非常的大。此外，还有一点值得提到的，就是我们在东方，常觉得自己非常的软弱，也相当的贫穷，常有许多不及的感觉。然而，正如有人说，“不怕货比货，就怕不识货。”我这次出去看看后，里头很敬拜神。神在这一个地球上，特别恩待了我们。人很不容易看到有一个地方，蒙的恩典像我们所蒙的一样。　　已过这些年，我自己常有一种感觉：一面觉得我们所走的这条路，是百分之百出乎主的；但另一面也常觉得，在召会历史中所看见的，都不是这样的。同时，在这个时代里，只有我们这班人在东方走这一条路。虽然我们一面很有把握，觉得是出乎神的；但另一面，人是软弱的，又不免打问号。是不是我们错了？是不是太过了？不然，为什么已往基督教里没有这种光景，今天也不能找到什么能印证我们的；似乎只有我们这班人走了这一条路。　　然而，这次我们出去，走过不少国家后，非常加强我们里面的认识，也给我们有负担，看见各地所需要的。以日本、美国、北欧以及南美等地为例，他们所需要的，就是我们这样的见证。我们实际观察过，任何其他东西都不能应付今天神儿女的需要。各地神的儿女，今天真实准确的需要，就是认识基督作生命，叫神在地上，在祂儿女中间能建造起一个居所，使祂的儿女在地上有可归之处。　　许多基督徒虽然听了许多道，感觉很兴奋，也感觉有益处，但是他们不能从心里说，那就是他们的需要。只有你带他们认识什么是基督作生命，并且带他们看见基督作生命的结果，就是神在人中间，建造起一个居所，叫祂的儿女有家可归。只有这一个，无论在什么地方，都能满足神儿女的需要。在日本、在美国、在欧洲、在南洋，所有神的儿女，都印证这条生命的道路：基督作生命，使神的家得建造。各地既都有这样一个印证，这样一个需要，就加强了我们的感觉，使我们得着很深的鼓励。
　
　
　　末了，盼望我们众人都清楚这一点：基督作生命，为要建造神的家。在信息开头我们已经说过，无论在哪里，只要有这样一个聚会，无论它是多小，多弱，在当地都非常的受到重视。此外，台湾的召会，特别是台北召会，虽然在外面的名声太高，但我信这也是出乎主的。若是我们在这里向着主忠诚，感觉也不迟慢，在往后不久的日子中，主会有相当的带领。逐渐的会有人出去，也会有同工出去，你们众人都要把握机会。　　在这里我们已经有过训练的工作，如今在弟兄们中间，有一部分是全时间的，也有一些是带职业的。或者该有更多的人出来全时间服事，然后有些人出去开展，另一班人就补上来；一班一班的跟上来，持续的有人出来服事主。我们不能在这里读书，而一直没有毕业生；若是一个学校一直都没有毕业生，那是不正确的。我们知道，一个家里的孩子，若是十年都没有长大，就不正常。所以，我们实在应该有同工们陆续出去服事。
　
　　其次，从各方面看，弟兄姊妹或者逐渐移民出去，或者有的带着适当的职业出去，这都是有益的，甚至对国家都有益。这一个时代不是个停留的时代，乃是个流动的时代。什么人能在外面流通，什么人就是一个活的人。　　这是我此行的一些印象，也是我的一些观感。我们实在需要出去，一直的出去；越出去就越有路。盼望你们能出去，无论是对个人，或家庭，甚至对召会都有益；即使是对我们肉身所处的国家，也都有益处，并且益处非常大。我不愿意过于鼓励，只不过应弟兄们的要求，把我的观感交通给你们。若是再多十个、二十个家移民到巴西，或是再有一两位同工去，那里马上就会有一个相当成形的聚会，能够有一个很好的见证，并且能够有很好的结果。这无论在那一面都是有益的。
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　　此外，我们深深盼望，文字工作能好好加强。已过只有少数人，是帮助这个工作的。我们从前出版的文字不多，只有三类。第一类，是“话语职事”的正刊，那是相当有分量和果效的。第二，是“享受神”这类的小册子。现在只要是和我们有点交通的地方，他们谈话的资料，讲台上的信息，都是讲到如何享受神。第三，是“教会通问”，在各地效力很大，所起的作用很厉害。因此，为着推广工作往外发展，需要加强文字工作，通问需要再多出一点。同时，服事的人要能多给一点帮助，出版一点英文书，并且在量上加多一些。这能使这里的见证扩展出去。
　
　　所以，有三件事相当重要。第一，同工们出去作工。第二，弟兄姊妹移民出去。第三，文字要推广出去。自然，这需要后面的人再补上；我信这里要补充人，应该没有问题。我们不要怕我们开展出去，后面的人补不上来。我们应该相信，我们出去的越多，后面越有补上来的。希望弟兄姊妹为这些事，能有真实地祷告。同时，要到主面前寻求负担。或者有人应该接受负担，受主差遣，往外去为主作工；或者有人应该受主引导，往外移民；或者有人为这些事摆上奉献。我信主既这样带领我们，也必能给我们积极的印证。我们相信，这十多年来，主给我们这么许多的带领，其用途不会仅仅限于台湾岛上。我们深信主在这里预备我们，带领、训练我们，是为着祂在这末后时代里的见证能更为广阔。　　多年来我们不愿意多加宣传，但主在外面为我们所打开的，实在是敞开的门，畅通的路。我们出去之先，从来没有想到是这样的光景；但走过之后，所看见的实在是超过我们所能作的。　　人对我们的评价，我们只得低下头来，谦卑的说那个评价太高；然而这是神作的。有人告诉我，有些地方从来没有那样实行过，就是把整个聚会，整个讲台交给别人。然而，我们这一次出去，所到之处都是全数交给我们作。这是主作的，并且实在有圣灵的印证。我一直学一个功课，不要在这些地方说得太多；但我必须告诉你们，我所说的不过是主所作的，并且是为给你们一个印象。　　事实上主所作的，实在是超过我们所想的，是又宽又大，又有功效的路。盼望弟兄姊妹，为着主的缘故刚强，勇敢的接受主所给我们的负担。许多地方都需要我们的帮助，我们实在愿意主在我们中间，作这样的工作。我们不愿意发起什么，也不愿意有什么活动，但我们必须把这些感觉交通给弟兄姊妹，好让我们有负担，把所蒙的恩典带给那些缺乏的地方。　　讲于主后一九五八年十月二十五日
　During the past few months the Lord led me to visit Japan, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and several places in Southeast Asia. After this trip to America and Europe, I spent time before the Lord to consider the situation in those places. I feel that I should fellowship with the brothers and sisters about the situation in the different places and my personal impressions.
　During the trip I was surprised to see that Christians highly regard any group of believers who meet in a way that is similar to the way we meet. Whether the group is large or small, strong or weak, it is highly regarded, and it often has good meetings. This surprised me, and I feel that believers think too highly of us.
　The churches in Taiwan have an extraordinary reputation. The regard that the Christians abroad have for the churches in Taiwan may even be too high. Whether or not a saint from Taiwan has spiritual weight, the local believers regard him as a spiritual giant. A brother may not even be in the meetings in Taiwan, but if he goes overseas and says that he is from Taiwan, the local saints will hand everything in their meetings over to him. He then has to take the lead and minister the word to supply the saints. This situation has revived and uplifted some brothers who did not meet regularly when they were in Taiwan. Even if the brother says that he does not know what to do and that he cannot speak, the local saints are satisfied if he gives a report concerning what he has seen and heard in Taiwan. These two points indicate that the esteem for us is too high and inaccurate.
　
THE VISIT TO JAPAN
　Our first stop was in Japan. We spent most of our time preaching the gospel in Tokyo, and we spent a few days in Osaka. We were in Japan for two weeks. There are over thirty saints in the bread-breaking meeting in Tokyo, and there are one and a half households in Osaka. During this trip my impression of Japan changed. In the past I considered that it is difficult for the Japanese people to receive the gospel and that it is not easy to lead them spiritually. Such an impression was not founded. While I was there, I contacted several people and saw that my previous impression was inaccurate.
　It was easy for us to preach the gospel in Japan, and it was easy for people to be saved. Since the Japanese people have good character, once they receive the Lord, they diligently study the truth and are willing to pay a price to know the truth. This makes it easy for them to love the Lord. When our brothers went to Japan, they did not have gospel preaching meetings or give messages. They only contacted the Japanese people directly and led several of them to salvation. The ones whom they contacted had never heard of the gospel or the Lord’s recovery. One brother has a university education, and we conversed with him in English. He is not satisfied with merely being saved; he has a heart for the Lord and a desire to pursue the Lord. Besides him, there were other believers in various places. Two of the saints in Tokyo are Japanese.
　In matters related to science the Japanese people are inclined to follow the West, but in matters related to religion they are inclined toward the Chinese people. Consequently, it is easier for a Chinese brother to preach the gospel and labor for the Lord in Japan than it is for a Western missionary, because of the similarity between the Chinese and the Japanese dispositions and daily habits. Many Chinese people develop intimate relationships with their Japanese friends. Therefore, Japan is a vast field for the gospel. We do not need many saints to go there. If five or six co-workers go to Japan and labor with the saints who are already there, we should be able to gain many people rather quickly.
　It is even worthwhile to labor with the ten thousand Chinese people in Tokyo. The brothers can labor in the Chinese communities. It would be easy to spread the gospel from the Chinese communities to the Japanese people. It is difficult to preach the gospel directly to the Japanese, because they value friendship. But it would be easy to reach them through their friends, that is, through the Chinese people residing in Japan.
　The brothers in Japan desire fellowship. They hope that brothers will go to Tokyo to labor for the Lord. They are willing to prepare everything, including the necessary paperwork. They are willing to receive co-workers, and they hope that some will migrate for the sake of the work. I agree with their feeling, and I hope that when we fellowship about this matter in the next co-workers’ gathering, some brothers and sisters will be burdened to go to Tokyo for the Lord’s work. I believe that immigration procedures will not be a problem, that the Lord will confirm this matter, and that everything will be arranged in a good way. The brothers and sisters should pray concerning this matter. Our work is not for our personal interest or for our own meeting but for the Lord’s interest on the earth. Our work is for His gospel and His kingdom.
　
THE VISIT TO AMERICA
　After leaving Japan, we went directly to America and stopped briefly in Honolulu. When we arrived on the West Coast, we visited San Francisco. Most of the meetings in America that are similar to ours do not have a large congregation. The largest group, which is in New York City, has about eighty or ninety saints. The second largest group is probably in San Francisco. There may have been two other groups of about the same size—one in the south and the other in the north. These groups have thirty to forty believers. The group in the north and the group in the south consist of mostly Caucasian saints, and the group in San Francisco has only Chinese saints who are mainly from Taiwan, particularly from Taipei. The core of the group in San Francisco is mainly made up of students who study at the University of California. There is much work to be done there. They need co-workers who can work with the Chinese-speaking people and then spread the work.
　After San Francisco we went to Los Angeles. The meeting in Los Angeles is probably larger than the one in San Francisco. When they first began to meet, two Chinese brothers took care of the meeting. Now a brother from London labors there. There are only a few Chinese brothers and sisters in this group; most of the saints are Caucasian. Afterward, we went to the southwest corner of America.
　We then visited the Northwest and learned that there is a group of Chinese brothers who meet on a university campus. An American brother is taking the lead in that group, and they have a few American students. This group is doing well, but they do not have a formal meeting.
　From there we visited several places, including Chicago and Detroit. We also went to Pittsburgh and met two families there. One family came from Hong Kong, and the other, from Shanghai. These two families meet together every Lord’s Day and listen to a message that was given either in Hong Kong or New York City. We spent a short time with them. Their condition is good, and they are learning to live before the Lord.
　The meeting in New York City has a history of at least twenty-five years. However, their meetings are not stable and even stopped for a period of time. About half the saints who meet regularly are Chinese, and the other half are Caucasian. During the period when their meetings stopped, the Chinese saints continued to meet because they had a Chinese-speaking meeting. Before our visit, the Chinese and Caucasian saints met together only to pray and listen to a message. They did not break bread together. After our visit they began to have the Lord’s table together. Now their meetings are lively and strong. However, there are only eighty to ninety saints meeting in a city as large as New York.
　A large portion of our trip was spent in America, specifically in New York City. We stayed there for a longer time because I had some personal things to take care of, and my wife needed medical attention. We also visited the capital of America, Washington, D.C., where there is a small meeting that is stable. One brother in this meeting is originally from Shanghai; he and his wife migrated to Washington, D.C.
　During this visit my view concerning the situation in America changed. In the past I considered Americans to be materialistic because they pay too much attention to material things and worldly enjoyment but are indifferent to religious things. However, the few people whom I contacted gave me a different impression. According to my observation, there is much work to do in America, and our work would be effective.
　Compared to Japan, which is a Buddhist country, America is a genuine Christian country. Before the Korean War less than half of the American population attended Sunday service. In other words, out of every one hundred Christians less than fifty regularly attended a Sunday service. However, because the Americans suffered many casualties in the Korean War, they were stirred up to attend Sunday service in search of consolation and peace. Since that time onward, the number of Americans who attend Sunday service has increased to more than sixty percent of the population.
　Most of the Christian groups in America preach an orthodox gospel. There is an increasing number of modernists, but there are still more orthodox groups. Over the past ten years, especially after the truce in Korea, several evangelists have emerged from the Assembly of God. Because they work in a way that is according to the common sentiment of the American people, some of them have congregations of over ten thousand people. While I was in New York City, a group called Jehovah’s Witnesses held a gathering, and about thirteen to fifteen thousand people attended. This group has increased because their work fits in with the way of the Americans.
　Even though people are being saved, on the spiritual side there is a lack of spiritual depth among Christian groups in America. There is a group in New York City that was started by A. B. Simpson, who founded the Christian and Missionary Alliance. That group teaches the believers’ co-crucifixion with Christ. Mrs. Penn-Lewis also taught this. Many believers regard this teaching to be the deepest among Christians in America. The messages that we gave in New York focused on how God came in the Son to be man’s life. After more than ten meetings an older sister, who labored in China and met with us, came to me and said that no one in America speaks about taking Christ as life. This comment shows the situation in America. The orthodox gospel is preached in America, but there is not much depth.
　It is not easy to find a group of believers who teach the orthodox truth and also have spiritual depth. We have to admit that there is a need for the Lord’s work in America. Hence, America is also a large field for the work.
　Our impression of America is that as long as what we have is genuine and good, the Americans will receive it, and the result will be rich and solid. The brothers in San Francisco and the church in New York City want us to help them. It would be good if some of the saints or some co-workers would be burdened to migrate there to meet this need. Some of the saints may be concerned about the language, but this is not a great problem. The saints who go can focus their labor among the Chinese people, and after three to five years the language issue will be resolved.
　
CONCERNING THE SITUATION IN SOUTH AMERICA
　I initially planned to visit South America, but because of time constraints I was not able to go there. Even though I did not go to South America, I received information concerning the situation there. The saints in South America want some saints to migrate there. If any of the co-workers have a burden, there is a need.
　There is a need for some co-workers to go to Brazil and live in São Paulo to propagate the Lord’s work. A report in Church News says that one of the brothers there has a meeting in his home, and about thirty or forty Christians from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Manila have attended this meeting. They do not have a meeting that is only for the overseas Chinese. A co-worker or a strong brother who moves there and begins a meeting will meet the need. The gospel can then gradually spread from the overseas Chinese saints to the Brazilians.
　In Brazil there is freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press. Even though many countries in South America are Catholic, they cooperate with Protestant countries who send missionaries to them. The strongest Protestant meeting in Brazil has a large gathering and is led by Westerners, not Brazilians. Therefore, Brazil is a large field for the Lord’s work. Some of the Chinese there are from Taiwan and Hong Kong. If we labor among them, we can spread the work even to the Japanese people. There are seven to eight hundred thousand Japanese immigrants there, and their number is increasing by thirty to forty thousand every year. The Japanese people in Brazil are also a good field.
　We stayed in South America until the end of July and left there on July 31.
　
THE VISIT TO EUROPE
　We arrived in London on August 1 and immediately held a conference. After the conference we went to Denmark for another conference.
　
The Special Work by the Holy Spirit in Denmark
　Every summer there is a conference in Denmark with an attendance of seven hundred to a thousand believers. This year the attendance was higher. Most of the believers who attended are from state churches. However, a number of them are under the leading of a Western brother and have had a solid spiritual background. They do not hold the concept of a state church.
　About forty believers who were in the congregation are more enlightened. They came from Norway, Sweden, and other countries. Because the believers were from many countries, the messages were translated into Danish on the podium and then translated into English and German among those in the audience. There were three meetings a day in the conference: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. However, due to the work of the Holy Spirit, all the saints focused on the meetings in the afternoon. The meetings in the morning and evening were mainly miscellaneous fellowships. The meetings in the afternoon emphasized God in Christ as life for the building of His house, His temple, and the Body of Christ. These messages stressed life and the building up of the church. These two points had an impact on the saints and stirred them up.
　During the conference all the fellowship was on how to enjoy Christ as life and how to build up the church in every place, and most of the questions were concerning the church. This was the work of the Holy Spirit. The saints wanted to know what they should do after the conference and where they should meet. Instead of saying what they should do, I advised them to pray and follow the Lord’s leading, just as Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans and went to the place that the Lord called him to.
　After the conference the leading brothers requested that we stay for two more days to fellowship with several leading brothers and sisters. That time of fellowship was a crucial turning point, and we saw a special work of the Holy Spirit. There were no debates. All the fellowship was about the practical way to go on. The Holy Spirit was working in many of the saints before the conference; therefore, after we arrived, they spoke about only the practice. We shared our experience with them, and they treasured every point. The saints had never heard what we fellowshipped and fully accepted what we said. After that we returned to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
　In Copenhagen the leading brothers requested that we spend one evening to fellowship with some brothers who desire to pursue the Lord and another evening to fellowship with the young saints. There were close to two hundred young saints who were truly pursuing the Lord. The brothers requested that I speak to the young saints concerning how to coordinate in service. The young saints do not have their own meeting, but they want to begin a meeting, and they also want to learn to coordinate in service. My fellowship with them covered many aspects of how to coordinate and serve together.
　Shortly after we left, the saints in Copenhagen began to meet in twenty-one homes. I heard that they have a good situation. Many of them love the Lord and are good material with much potential. Most of the saints are middle-aged. There are not many older saints.
　We stayed in Denmark for about ten days and saw that there is much work to do there. Their situation exceeded our expectation. This proves that the Holy Spirit began His work long before we arrived. This does not apply only to Denmark. The Lord’s work can be seen in all of Scandinavia, including Norway and Sweden. We met many promising brothers who requested that we send them The Ministry of the Word so that they can translate it into their language. If time permits, we will visit them again, because there is much work to do there.
　Two brothers from Norway came to meet us, and we had good fellowship with them. The impression I have from the trip to Denmark is that all the places in Scandinavia need to be led to know Christ as life so that God’s house can be built up in every locality. The Scandinavian countries have state churches that are formal and dead. Hence, many people become “homeless” once they believe into Christ. There is a need for them to know life so that God’s house can be established in every locality.
　After our fellowship in Denmark, we returned to London and stayed there for ten days. We had good fellowship in London also. The brothers and sisters felt that the messages met their need. There is much that can come out of the situation there.
　
The Visit to Rome
　Most of our time in Europe, about four weeks, was spent in England. After England we went to several places in Europe, including Rome. In Rome we visited several archeological sites. We saw the places where Christians were martyred and some underground caves where Christians held meetings. We also visited several Catholic cathedrals, as well as St. Peter’s Basilica. We were not actually interested in the cathedrals. We preferred the places where the believers sacrificed themselves because of their love for the Lord. The places where the martyrs fought with wild beasts still exist. These sites are now used to promote Christianity.
　Everything that Catholicism embraces and promotes belongs to the physical realm and is therefore superstitious. For example, there is a statue of Peter in a cathedral that tourists and Catholics from South America and even South Africa pay tribute to. People are eager to touch and even kiss the foot of the statue. As a result, two toes on the statue have almost disappeared. Many people go to kiss and touch this statue. This is a superstitious practice.
　From Rome we went to the northwest part of Greece, which has rich soil and pleasant scenery. We were told that Paul preached the gospel there. Since the city of Corinth was close by and we have read the Epistles to the Corinthians, we stopped for a brief visit. After Greece we went to the Middle East.
　
THE VISIT TO ISRAEL
　Our aim in going to Israel was to see the city of Jerusalem. The old city of Jerusalem is in the hands of the Jordanians. The Israelis live close to the old city, which is near the center of Jerusalem. Even though there is only a short distance between these two parts of the city, the Israelis and the Jordanians are enemies and do not communicate with each other. The United Nations finds it hard to reconcile the two nations; at best, the United Nations can only restrict them from taking action against one another.
　We visited most of the places recorded in the Bible, such as the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion (which is Mount Moriah), the Garden of Gethsemane (where the Lord Jesus was betrayed), and the places where the Lord was judged and crucified. We also saw where He ascended. On the Mount of Olives there is a big rock with a footprint, which is said to be the last place the Lord Jesus stood before He ascended into heaven. Of course, this is superstition.
　We visited the city of Shechem, and we saw Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where the children of Israel stood to bless and to curse after they heard the law. According to the Bible, the good land is a land flowing with milk and honey, but the land that we saw is desolate and barren. The area near Jerusalem is very desolate. There are no trees, grass, or even dirt; there are only large and small rocks.
　The people in Israel are poor and live a difficult life. They are poorer than people in Asia. It seems as though the environment is attacked by the wind. The wind blows for ten months every year, and then the rain comes to wash the dirt away. As a result, not much soil is left on the ground. There is no grass or trees, because no vegetation can survive with such little soil. The more the wind blows, the less soil there is, and the more it rains, the more the dirt is washed away. Under these circumstances it is difficult to develop anything.
　The foundation of the Old Testament temple is on Mount Moriah. This is where Abraham offered Isaac. David also offered sacrifices on this place. The Arabs occupy Mount Moriah, and they built a Muslim holy site there. This is the second most important Muslim site. The most important site is in Mecca. The dome of the mosque on Mount Moriah is overlaid with gold. The Muslims occupy that place and will not return it to the Israelis, but the Israelis regard it as their own place of worship.
　God’s judgment and curse need to be feared. In His wisdom God destroyed many Jewish and Christian archeological sites so that people would not worship these sites. God used the Roman general, Titus, to devastate the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and He used the Persian Empire, the Arabs, and the Turks to further devastate the city. Now few archeological objects remain. From Israel we bypassed Iraq, which has the city of Babylon, and Iran, previously Persia, and arrived in Pakistan.
　
THE VISIT TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
　From there we went to Burma and then to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. There is a meeting in Bangkok with a regular attendance of about fifty to sixty saints. One of our brothers is serving there. We stayed in Bangkok for three days and saw how the Lord has blessed them by adding people. The church in Bangkok has about one hundred saints. We held a conference there, and on the last day of the conference the meeting hall was filled to capacity and overflowed into the courtyard. Bangkok is an area for the work. There are three million overseas Chinese in Thailand, and at least eighty thousand of them live in Bangkok. Several million people live in Bangkok. There is a need for the saints who can manage both the Swatow and the Amoy dialects to migrate there. The brothers there hope that some co-workers will receive a burden to labor there.
　Other places in Southeast Asia requested that we visit them, but we were limited by time. All these places have a need and continually ask for help. Twenty-four serving ones would not be able to meet this need.
　On October 4 we arrived in Hong Kong and stayed there for twelve days. The brothers arranged for us to be in meetings until we boarded the plane. This is a rough sketch of our trip abroad.
　
A WORD OF BURDEN—CHRIST AS OUR LIFE AND THE BUILDING UP OF GOD’S HOUSE
　In our visit to the different places we observed that believers do not know Christ as life, and they do not have the building up of God’s house. Suppose some brothers go to Japan because of the need there. They must help people know that God in Christ desires to be man’s life, and they must build up the house of God so that God has a dwelling place on earth and God’s children have a home. There is such a need in Japan. When we visited Japan, we went to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. These places are close to each other and conveniently located. However, the Lord’s testimony is not in these three cities.
　Furthermore, even though the United States is a Christian country, there is a need to help people know Christ as life and to build them up as God’s dwelling place locality by locality. This also applies to Europe. In a message I gave in Europe, I said that it is difficult to find a place in Scandinavia that resembles God’s house. God’s children are stirred up, but they feel as if they are homeless. Hence, the knowledge of life and the building up of the church are needed everywhere.
　There is nothing in southern Europe, because the influence of Catholicism is very strong there. Spain, Portugal, Italy, and even France are Catholic countries. Greece is located in southern Europe, and it is spiritually and materially desolate. The entire situation in Europe is desolate. Thus, there is a great spiritual need in Europe. There is also such a need in different places in Southeast Asia.
　Every place needs to know Christ as life and to have the building up of God’s dwelling place so that the believers can have a home. There is a need for life and the church. Even though we often feel that we are weak and poor, God has bestowed His grace upon us. It is difficult to find a place that is as blessed as we are.
　On the one hand, we know that this way is one hundred percent of the Lord, but on the other hand, it is difficult to see anything like this in church history. Furthermore, we seem to be the only believers who are taking this way. We are sure that this is of the Lord, but when we are weak, we ask whether we are wrong or if we are too much. Otherwise, why can we not find a similar situation in church history, and why is there not another group to confirm this way? We seem to be the only ones who are taking this way.
　We visited many countries on this trip and were strengthened in our inner realization. We also received a burden to see the need in every place. Japan, the United States, Scandinavia, and South America need a testimony like ours. This is the only thing that can meet the need of God’s children today. The genuine need of God’s children is to know Christ as life so that God can build up a house on earth among His children and so that His children can have a home.
　Many Christians receive help from the messages that they listen to, but they do not know what their need is. We should lead them to know that Christ is our life. They also need to see that the result of Christ being our life is that God’s house is built up for His children to have a home. Only these two things can satisfy the need of God’s children. God’s children in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia confirmed this way of life. After we saw that this is the need in every place, our realization was strengthened, and we were encouraged.
　
THREE IMPORTANT MATTERS
　
Co-workers Needing to Go Out and Work for the Lord
　We need a clear understanding that Christ is our life for the building up of God’s house. At the beginning of this chapter I said that Christians highly regard any believers who meet the way we do. We believe that it is of the Lord that the churches in Taiwan, especially the church in Taipei, are highly regarded by other believers. If we are faithful to the Lord, He will give us a strong and definite leading, and some of us will go to other places. We need to grasp this opportunity.
　We have trained many saints. Some of the saints who are trained serve full time, and others have a job. There may be more saints who can serve full time and then go to serve in other places. Some saints can meet this need. As more saints rise up to meet this need, there will be a steady flow of saints who leave their jobs and serve full time. We cannot study indefinitely. We must have graduates. Every school must produce graduates. Similarly, it is not normal for the children in a family to not grow up. Therefore, we need to continually produce co-workers who can serve full time in other places.
　
Brothers and Sisters Needing to Emigrate
　In view of the overall situation, it is profitable for the brothers and sisters to consider migrating to other places. Some of them may get jobs abroad. This is an age of mobility that is not stagnant. Active people are mobile.
　These are impressions from my trip abroad. We need saints to go out. The more the saints go out, the more the way will be opened to us. All the saints need to go out. This will profit the saint, his family, the church, and even the country. I do not want to exhort you too much. This is my fellowship in response to the request of the brothers. If ten to twenty families and a few co-workers migrate to Brazil, they could start meeting immediately. This would be a good testimony, and the result would be good.
　
Strengthening the Literature Work
　Furthermore, the literature work needs to be strengthened. In the past only a few saints helped in this work. The few publications that we put out are of three categories: The Ministry of the Word magazine, booklets, such as Enjoying God, and Church News. All three categories are effective. Hence, we need to strengthen the literature work in order to propagate overseas, and we need to increase the circulation of Church News. The serving ones also need to put out some publications in English. This will cause our testimony to spread.
　
CONCLUSION
　In conclusion, there are three crucial matters: co-workers need to go and labor, brothers and sisters need to migrate, and the literature work needs to be increased and spread. In order to fulfill these needs, there is the need for more manpower. I believe that there will be no shortage of manpower. We should not fear a shortage of manpower, because some saints are going out. Rather, we should believe that as more saints go out, more will be added to the labor. The brothers and sisters need to pray concerning this matter. We should all go before the Lord to seek a burden. It may be that some saints will receive the burden and be sent out by the Lord and labor for Him. Other saints may be led by the Lord to migrate abroad. Still others may be burdened to give money to meet the need. The Lord will surely give us a strong confirmation since this is His leading. The direction of the Lord’s leading over the years is not merely limited to the island of Taiwan. The Lord is preparing us for the spread of His testimony in the last days.
　Over the years we never advertised ourselves; nevertheless, during this trip the Lord opened many doors for us. Before we went on the trip our consideration of the actual situation was limited. What we saw, however, exceeded our expectations.
　The high regard Christians have for us causes us to be humble. It is unprecedented for a meeting and all the speaking to be handed over to someone else. But this was our experience in every place where we visited. This was of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit confirmed it. This fellowship is to give us an impression and to show what the Lord has done.
　The Lord’s work exceeds all our expectations. He has given us a broad and effective way. The brothers and sisters need to be strong and brave for the Lord’s sake and receive His burden. Many places need our help. I do not want to initiate anything, and we do not want mere activity. This fellowship is for us to receive a burden and bring the blessings that we have received to the places that are in need.
 
　　已过一段时间，主带领我经过日本访问美国，再转到欧洲，再到中东，然后经过南洋数地，回到台湾。在这次欧美之行后，经过在主面前的考量，我觉得应该把一地一地的情形，和我个人经过这些地方所有的观感，交通给弟兄姊妹。

　　我这次出去，有两点使我相当惊奇。第一，就是无论到那里，只要有一个像我们这样的聚会，不管那个聚会人数多少，情形强弱，很希奇，那一个地方的基督徒，和基督教里的人士，都相当看重，也相当注意。换句话说，各地只要有这样一个聚会，那个聚会就是上乘的，是占上风的。这叫我觉得惊奇，感觉他们对我们的评价有一点过高。

　　第二，是台湾众召会的名气太不同凡响了。国外的召会把台湾的召会看得很高；我怕是太高了。无论什么地方，只要有一个台湾去的弟兄姊妹，姑且不论这位弟兄姊妹属灵分量是重是轻，对当地来说，就是个了不起的人。或许一位弟兄在这里根本不聚会，但他出去一说，“我是从台湾来的。”那里的聚会全数就交代给他了。他需要在聚会中讲道，带领，供应，一切都交在这位弟兄手中。在这种情形下，有的人虽然在台湾不常聚会，但出去后，就这样被恢复并拔高了。有时，人自己说，“我不行，我也不会讲，不过我在台湾看见的是这样”等。当地的召会就说，“好，你把所看见、所听见的，讲给我们听，就可以了。”这些弟兄竟然也就照着作了。这两点我都感觉人的评价不够准确，并且是太过了。
 
　During the past few months the Lord led me to visit Japan, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and several places in Southeast Asia. After this trip to America and Europe, I spent time before the Lord to consider the situation in those places. I feel that I should fellowship with the brothers and sisters about the situation in the different places and my personal impressions.

　During the trip I was surprised to see that Christians highly regard any group of believers who meet in a way that is similar to the way we meet. Whether the group is large or small, strong or weak, it is highly regarded, and it often has good meetings. This surprised me, and I feel that believers think too highly of us.

　The churches in Taiwan have an extraordinary reputation. The regard that the Christians abroad have for the churches in Taiwan may even be too high. Whether or not a saint from Taiwan has spiritual weight, the local believers regard him as a spiritual giant. A brother may not even be in the meetings in Taiwan, but if he goes overseas and says that he is from Taiwan, the local saints will hand everything in their meetings over to him. He then has to take the lead and minister the word to supply the saints. This situation has revived and uplifted some brothers who did not meet regularly when they were in Taiwan. Even if the brother says that he does not know what to do and that he cannot speak, the local saints are satisfied if he gives a report concerning what he has seen and heard in Taiwan. These two points indicate that the esteem for us is too high and inaccurate.
　　我们此行的头一站，先到了日本。在东京传福音的时间比较多，在大阪只传了短短几天。我们前后在日本，传福音传了半个月。在东京聚会时，擘饼有三十多人；在大阪只有一家或一家半的弟兄姊妹。这次我在日本住了一点时间，见地有一点改变，就是从前总以为日本人不容易接受福音，即便信了主，也不容易给他们属灵的带领。这样的观念当然没有根据，多半都是听来的。这一次我亲自到那里，也和有些人好好接触过，就深深觉得，我从前的观念是不准确的。

　　我在日本所碰到的情形，是他们不仅很容易得救，福音很容易传，并且他们的性格非常好。他们一旦接受了主，便很认真的研究真理；一发觉这是真理，就很肯出代价，所以也就很容易爱主。譬如，我们在那里聚会时，弟兄们根本没有对他们传过福音，可以说也没有用日语讲过道。然而就这样，弟兄们和日本人接触，也带了几位日本人信主得救，他们从未接触过福音，也没有听过主的恢复。有位弟兄受过大学教育，我们和他交谈都是用英文。我们发觉他实在不只满足于得救就好了，他向着主很有心，并且愿意追求主。此外，各地还有一些基督徒。现在那里三、四十位弟兄当中，有二位日本籍的。这是我们遇见大体的情形。

　　日本人在科学这一类的事上，是看重西方的，但在宗教敬拜神的事上，他们的天性还是与中国人比较接近。所以，我发觉一个事实，若是有中国弟兄到那里传福音，为主作工，是比西教士还容易。因为彼此在性情上，生活习惯上都非常接近，非常融和。我知道有好些中国人，都和日本人成为非常亲密的朋友。所以，我有一个很重的感觉，日本是个很大、很好的福音工场，并且不必去太多弟兄姊妹，只要有五、六位同工到日本，借着在那里已经有的一班弟兄姊妹，他们大多数是中国人，很快就能得着相当多的人。

　　在东京的中国人，约有一万，在华人中间的工作，是相当值得作。因为中国弟兄们若要在那里传福音，大部分都是先在中国华侨社会里传；借着华侨弟兄们，再把福音传给日本人，就非常容易。这个工作借着西国教士来作，不如华侨圣徒直接或间接和日本人发生关系。日本人是非常重人情的，你们要直接向他们传福音很难，但借着他们的朋友就非常容易，借着华侨把福音传过去，是轻而易举的。简单的说，这乃是一个大的福音工作，也实在有这个需要。

　　日本弟兄们都很看重交通，他们请求我把他们的交通带回来，和这里的弟兄姊妹有交通。他们是盼望，从这里有弟兄们到东京去为主作工。他们愿意准备一切，办理一切的手续。他们甚至愿意接待同工到那里，并且盼望有人能够移民，长期住在那里，好好的作工。我也深感有这个需要，同时也觉得时候是到了。盼望下次特别聚会后，和全体同工一同在主面前交通这事，希望能有同工弟兄和姊妹，在主面前接受这个负担，到东京为主作工。出入境手续不是个大难题，我信主在这事上有印证，各方面都会有很好的安排。盼望弟兄姊妹们为这事，在主面前实在有祷告。这不是为作我们个人的工，也不仅是为作我们自己的聚会，乃是为着主在地上的权益，为着祂的福音和国度。
 
　Our first stop was in Japan. We spent most of our time preaching the gospel in Tokyo, and we spent a few days in Osaka. We were in Japan for two weeks. There are over thirty saints in the bread-breaking meeting in Tokyo, and there are one and a half households in Osaka. During this trip my impression of Japan changed. In the past I considered that it is difficult for the Japanese people to receive the gospel and that it is not easy to lead them spiritually. Such an impression was not founded. While I was there, I contacted several people and saw that my previous impression was inaccurate.

　It was easy for us to preach the gospel in Japan, and it was easy for people to be saved. Since the Japanese people have good character, once they receive the Lord, they diligently study the truth and are willing to pay a price to know the truth. This makes it easy for them to love the Lord. When our brothers went to Japan, they did not have gospel preaching meetings or give messages. They only contacted the Japanese people directly and led several of them to salvation. The ones whom they contacted had never heard of the gospel or the Lord’s recovery. One brother has a university education, and we conversed with him in English. He is not satisfied with merely being saved; he has a heart for the Lord and a desire to pursue the Lord. Besides him, there were other believers in various places. Two of the saints in Tokyo are Japanese.

　In matters related to science the Japanese people are inclined to follow the West, but in matters related to religion they are inclined toward the Chinese people. Consequently, it is easier for a Chinese brother to preach the gospel and labor for the Lord in Japan than it is for a Western missionary, because of the similarity between the Chinese and the Japanese dispositions and daily habits. Many Chinese people develop intimate relationships with their Japanese friends. Therefore, Japan is a vast field for the gospel. We do not need many saints to go there. If five or six co-workers go to Japan and labor with the saints who are already there, we should be able to gain many people rather quickly.

　It is even worthwhile to labor with the ten thousand Chinese people in Tokyo. The brothers can labor in the Chinese communities. It would be easy to spread the gospel from the Chinese communities to the Japanese people. It is difficult to preach the gospel directly to the Japanese, because they value friendship. But it would be easy to reach them through their friends, that is, through the Chinese people residing in Japan.

　The brothers in Japan desire fellowship. They hope that brothers will go to Tokyo to labor for the Lord. They are willing to prepare everything, including the necessary paperwork. They are willing to receive co-workers, and they hope that some will migrate for the sake of the work. I agree with their feeling, and I hope that when we fellowship about this matter in the next co-workers’ gathering, some brothers and sisters will be burdened to go to Tokyo for the Lord’s work. I believe that immigration procedures will not be a problem, that the Lord will confirm this matter, and that everything will be arranged in a good way. The brothers and sisters should pray concerning this matter. Our work is not for our personal interest or for our own meeting but for the Lord’s interest on the earth. Our work is for His gospel and His kingdom.
　　从日本离开后，我们直接到了美国。仅仅在中途，在檀香山停了一下。到美国西岸后，先到旧金山。在美国各地像我们这种聚会的，都没有很大，顶大的一个就是纽约，也不过只有八、九十位，非常弱。第二大的，应该就在旧金山。或许和旧金山同样大的还有一两个，一个在美国南部，一个在美国北部。这三个地方的聚会，差不多都只有三、四十位。不过，那些地方大体都是西国的弟兄姊妹，旧金山这里全数是中国弟兄姊妹，并且旧金山这里主体的人都是从台湾去的，特别是从台北去的。他们差不多都是留学生，大多数都在加州大学。这些弟兄姊妹就形成了旧金山召会聚会的主体，或说是核心。他们那里虽也有工作可作，但是没有人作，所以那里也需要人去作工。要先从说中国话的人中间作起，而后再作到外围。

　　我们从那里就到了洛杉矶，洛杉矶那里有一个聚会，并不比旧金山的聚会小，也许还要大一点。那个聚会早期有两位中国弟兄在那里负责。不过，那里的聚会常有变动，现在是由一位从伦敦去的弟兄，在那里负责作工。大体上，中国弟兄姊妹很少，都是西国的人多。不久，我们就再到美国西南角的一个地方。

　　而后，我们到了西北角，知道在那里的一个大学里，还有一班中国弟兄。负责带领他们的，是一位西国的弟兄，那里大多数是中国学生，也有少部分西国学生。听说他们的光景还很不错，不过没有正式成立聚会。

　　后来我们到了芝加哥、底特律等几个地方。在匹茨堡遇见两家弟兄姊妹，一家是从香港来的，一家是十多年前在上海住过的。这两家还没有正式聚会，不过，每主日他们会来在一起聚集。有时把香港那里的录音带放来听；有时把弟兄们在纽约讲的录音带放一放。我和他们在一起，只有一点点时间，看看他们的光景很不错，实在是学习活在主面前。

　　再往后，我们就到了纽约。在纽约原有一个聚会，这历史可从三十多年前说起。若是有些误差，最少有二十五年，或许还更早一点。虽然聚集早已开始，然而聚会不够稳定，不够刚强，曾有一度停止了聚会。在那些经常聚会的弟兄姊妹们中间，有一半是中国人，有一半是西国人。在原有的聚会停止后，因着中国弟兄姊妹一向就有一个华语的聚会，所以仍然继续聚会。到我们去之前，他们聚在一起，就是有一点祷告，有一点讲道，没有擘饼的聚集。我们去的时候，他们自己愿意擘饼，所以就开始擘饼。从前经常聚会的那些人，差不多也都来聚会。我最近得到一个消息，听说他们的聚会相当活泼，相当刚强，相当不错。不过，纽约那么大的一个城，只有八、九十人聚会。

　　这次旅程，我们大部分时间是在美国，也就是在纽约。这其中有几个原因，一是我个人在那里有些事要办，一是我的内人在那里检查身体，以及开刀治病；所以，时间比较久一点。留在那里的期间，我们到美国的首都华盛顿住了几天。在华盛顿有一个小聚会，虽然很弱，但现在已经渐渐稳固健壮。其中有位弟兄，从前在上海，而后到了香港。之后，他和他的妻子都移民到华盛顿。我知道他们在那里，就顺便去看看他们。

　　关于美国那里的情形，因着这次的访问，我完全改观了。已过我们也许以为，美国人太物质化，太注重物质，太注重今世的享受，所以对宗教不太在意。然而这一次，虽然我在美国住的时日不多，接触的人也不算多，但总归接触过一些人，他们所给我的印象，却不是这样。事实上，在美国很有工作可作，并且据我观察，工作很容易有果效。

　　以美国和日本相比较，日本是个佛教国家，而美国道道地地是个基督教国家。简要的说，在韩战未起之先，美国人主日作礼拜的不到一半。换句话说，就是一百位基督徒中，不超过五十位参加聚会。因着韩战死伤严重，美国人在战事上受了很大的刺激，因此他们很需要心灵的安慰。于是到了主日，他们都去作礼拜，求神给他们平安。从那个时候起，美国作礼拜的人数增高，可以说有百分之六十以上。

　　有些人在那里传正统的福音，新派的势力虽然在增加中，但没有正统派的势力大；正统派仍是居上风。近十年来，特别是和平之后，还有神召会，也出了些成名的布道家。他们这些人在那里为主作工，也相当可观，作起来都有几万人；他们的作法，正合于美国一般人的心情。除此之外，有一个所谓的耶和华见证人会，这个运动也是相当可观。这一次我在纽约时，他们在那里举行一个大会，到会人数远超过葛理翰的聚会，总在十三至十五万之间，各地来的都有。耶和华见证人会是相当厉害的，这也是因他们所用的宣传和组织方法，适合于美国人。

　　在美国那些基督教团体中间，说到属灵方面，得救的人是有，但属灵的深度欠缺。纽约有一个团体，是宣道会的发起人宣信所创的。他们中间有几个传道人，在那里讲十字架的同死，就是宾路易师母的信息；他们都说那是美国最深的道理。我们在那里的聚会，多半是注重神如何在祂儿子里作人的生命。讲过十多次之后，有位年长姊妹，她曾经到中国来作工，也来过我们中间聚会，她告诉我：“李弟兄，像你这次在这里一直讲基督作生命，这在美国是不容易听到的，因为没有人讲这个道。”我们便知道，那里大概的情形如何。所以，在美国的基督教里，正统的福音都传得不错，但没有多少深度。

　　我们都得承认，在全球还不太容易找到一个地方，是那么符合正统的教训，并且在主面前又是有深度的。所以我们也得承认，在美国，主的工作相当有需要，同时也是一个大好的工场。

　　这次我们在美国所得的印象，就是只要有真实地，好的东西，他们很容易接受，并且一定有很丰盛的果效。不仅旧金山的弟兄们盼望我们能去帮忙，纽约的召会也是盼望，并且的确有这个需要。所以，盼望弟兄姊妹能够有负担移民到那里，或者同工们有负担到那里，供应他们的需要。有的人或许会考虑语言的问题，但我信这不是太难的问题。也许你们刚去时，可以多作一点中国人的工作，过了三、五年，语言问题自然就解决了，很快就学会了；所以，这该不是太大的问题。
 
　After leaving Japan, we went directly to America and stopped briefly in Honolulu. When we arrived on the West Coast, we visited San Francisco. Most of the meetings in America that are similar to ours do not have a large congregation. The largest group, which is in New York City, has about eighty or ninety saints. The second largest group is probably in San Francisco. There may have been two other groups of about the same size—one in the south and the other in the north. These groups have thirty to forty believers. The group in the north and the group in the south consist of mostly Caucasian saints, and the group in San Francisco has only Chinese saints who are mainly from Taiwan, particularly from Taipei. The core of the group in San Francisco is mainly made up of students who study at the University of California. There is much work to be done there. They need co-workers who can work with the Chinese-speaking people and then spread the work.

　After San Francisco we went to Los Angeles. The meeting in Los Angeles is probably larger than the one in San Francisco. When they first began to meet, two Chinese brothers took care of the meeting. Now a brother from London labors there. There are only a few Chinese brothers and sisters in this group; most of the saints are Caucasian. Afterward, we went to the southwest corner of America.

　We then visited the Northwest and learned that there is a group of Chinese brothers who meet on a university campus. An American brother is taking the lead in that group, and they have a few American students. This group is doing well, but they do not have a formal meeting.

　From there we visited several places, including Chicago and Detroit. We also went to Pittsburgh and met two families there. One family came from Hong Kong, and the other, from Shanghai. These two families meet together every Lord’s Day and listen to a message that was given either in Hong Kong or New York City. We spent a short time with them. Their condition is good, and they are learning to live before the Lord.

　The meeting in New York City has a history of at least twenty-five years. However, their meetings are not stable and even stopped for a period of time. About half the saints who meet regularly are Chinese, and the other half are Caucasian. During the period when their meetings stopped, the Chinese saints continued to meet because they had a Chinese-speaking meeting. Before our visit, the Chinese and Caucasian saints met together only to pray and listen to a message. They did not break bread together. After our visit they began to have the Lord’s table together. Now their meetings are lively and strong. However, there are only eighty to ninety saints meeting in a city as large as New York.

　A large portion of our trip was spent in America, specifically in New York City. We stayed there for a longer time because I had some personal things to take care of, and my wife needed medical attention. We also visited the capital of America, Washington, D.C., where there is a small meeting that is stable. One brother in this meeting is originally from Shanghai; he and his wife migrated to Washington, D.C.

　During this visit my view concerning the situation in America changed. In the past I considered Americans to be materialistic because they pay too much attention to material things and worldly enjoyment but are indifferent to religious things. However, the few people whom I contacted gave me a different impression. According to my observation, there is much work to do in America, and our work would be effective.

　Compared to Japan, which is a Buddhist country, America is a genuine Christian country. Before the Korean War less than half of the American population attended Sunday service. In other words, out of every one hundred Christians less than fifty regularly attended a Sunday service. However, because the Americans suffered many casualties in the Korean War, they were stirred up to attend Sunday service in search of consolation and peace. Since that time onward, the number of Americans who attend Sunday service has increased to more than sixty percent of the population.

　Most of the Christian groups in America preach an orthodox gospel. There is an increasing number of modernists, but there are still more orthodox groups. Over the past ten years, especially after the truce in Korea, several evangelists have emerged from the Assembly of God. Because they work in a way that is according to the common sentiment of the American people, some of them have congregations of over ten thousand people. While I was in New York City, a group called Jehovah’s Witnesses held a gathering, and about thirteen to fifteen thousand people attended. This group has increased because their work fits in with the way of the Americans.

　Even though people are being saved, on the spiritual side there is a lack of spiritual depth among Christian groups in America. There is a group in New York City that was started by A. B. Simpson, who founded the Christian and Missionary Alliance. That group teaches the believers’ co-crucifixion with Christ. Mrs. Penn-Lewis also taught this. Many believers regard this teaching to be the deepest among Christians in America. The messages that we gave in New York focused on how God came in the Son to be man’s life. After more than ten meetings an older sister, who labored in China and met with us, came to me and said that no one in America speaks about taking Christ as life. This comment shows the situation in America. The orthodox gospel is preached in America, but there is not much depth.

　It is not easy to find a group of believers who teach the orthodox truth and also have spiritual depth. We have to admit that there is a need for the Lord’s work in America. Hence, America is also a large field for the work.

　Our impression of America is that as long as what we have is genuine and good, the Americans will receive it, and the result will be rich and solid. The brothers in San Francisco and the church in New York City want us to help them. It would be good if some of the saints or some co-workers would be burdened to migrate there to meet this need. Some of the saints may be concerned about the language, but this is not a great problem. The saints who go can focus their labor among the Chinese people, and after three to five years the language issue will be resolved.
　　关于南美，我本来是定规要去的，但因为时间的缘故，所以没有成行。我虽然没有去，但从那里来的消息很多。简单的说，都是盼望有人移民过去。若是有同工有负担去，目前实在有这个需要。

　　若是能有一两位同工到巴西，住在圣保罗开展主的工作，那是太好了；因为的确有这个需要。弟兄们在“教会通问”里已经看见，在一位弟兄家里，开始有一个很小型的聚会。已过也有些基督徒参加聚会，人数约有三、四十位，大部分是从香港、台湾、马尼拉去的。那里还没有一个华侨专属的聚会，若是有同工或是强一点的弟兄到那里，从那里开始有一个聚会，就能应付那个需要。渐渐的，福音就会从华侨弟兄们中，传到巴西人中间。

　　那里言论、信仰、出版都非常自由，并且南美许多国家虽然本身都是天主教国家，但和更正教国家相当合作，很多差会在那里都有传教士。在那里最强有力地一个聚会，并不是巴西人带领的，而是西国的弟兄们；这一个聚会的人数相当多。所以，那里的前景一片大好，是个大的工场。关于华人住宅区，现在从台湾有人去，从香港也有人去；同时若是在那里作工，还可以从华侨作到日本人中间。日本侨民在那里最多，已有七、八十万，每年还有三、四万人会移民过去。所以，那里也是一片大好的工场。

　　我们在美国停留时间是到七月底，七月三十一日离开那里，夜间是在飞机上度过的。
 
　I initially planned to visit South America, but because of time constraints I was not able to go there. Even though I did not go to South America, I received information concerning the situation there. The saints in South America want some saints to migrate there. If any of the co-workers have a burden, there is a need.

　There is a need for some co-workers to go to Brazil and live in São Paulo to propagate the Lord’s work. A report in Church News says that one of the brothers there has a meeting in his home, and about thirty or forty Christians from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Manila have attended this meeting. They do not have a meeting that is only for the overseas Chinese. A co-worker or a strong brother who moves there and begins a meeting will meet the need. The gospel can then gradually spread from the overseas Chinese saints to the Brazilians.

　In Brazil there is freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press. Even though many countries in South America are Catholic, they cooperate with Protestant countries who send missionaries to them. The strongest Protestant meeting in Brazil has a large gathering and is led by Westerners, not Brazilians. Therefore, Brazil is a large field for the Lord’s work. Some of the Chinese there are from Taiwan and Hong Kong. If we labor among them, we can spread the work even to the Japanese people. There are seven to eight hundred thousand Japanese immigrants there, and their number is increasing by thirty to forty thousand every year. The Japanese people in Brazil are also a good field.

　We stayed in South America until the end of July and left there on July 31.
　　八月一日我们到了伦敦。八月初，在那里有一个特别聚会。特别聚会后，我们就到丹麦去，赶赴那里的另一个特别聚会。
 
　We arrived in London on August 1 and immediately held a conference. After the conference we went to Denmark for another conference.
　　在丹麦，每年夏天都有同样的特别聚会，每次到会人数总是从七百到一千不等；这一次稍微多一点。这些人大多是他们国教里的人。但有相当数字的人，已过几年在一位西国弟兄带领之下，在属灵的事上比较有根基，所以，对国教的观念自然比较轻。

　　在那些赴会的人中，约有四十多位是这样光景的人；他们分别来自挪威、瑞典、及其他几个国家。因着有几国的人在那里聚集，所以讲道时，讲台上是以丹麦话为主体，讲台下有一组英文翻译，一组德文翻译。在那次特别聚会中，虽然上午、下午和晚间都有聚会，但是在圣灵的工作之下，众人所注重的，还是下午那场聚会。至于上午和晚间的聚会，可以说是一些零零杂杂的交通。下午的聚会则是有系统的信息，并且信息着重的指出，神在基督里作生命，是为着建造祂的家、祂的殿，建造基督的身体。这些信息强调两个点：（一）生命，（二）召会的建造。这两点所起的响应相当大，非常有果效。

　　在那次特会里，众人谈话的题目和中心，就是如何享受基督作生命，以及如何在各地使召会被建造；这两点充满在弟兄姊妹的谈话中。我信是圣灵在那里作了相当的工，所以有好多位发问，都是问这个问题。然而，问第二个问题的人更多，他们问说，“我们回去时，应该怎么办？我们应该到那里聚会？”我没有告诉他们该怎么办，不过我问他们说，“第一要问你们自己，你们从前所在的那个会怎么样？”他们说，“那个是不行的。”我说，“那个不行，怎么办？”他们说，“我们不能再到那里去。”我说，“不能再去，那该怎么办？”他们说，“或者我们两三个人先在一起开始聚会…”我就说，“你们都去祷告主，主怎样引导你们，你们就怎样作。好像亚伯拉罕出迦勒底的吾珥一样，往主所指示的地方去。”

　　大会过后，那里带领的弟兄要我们多留两天，以便与几位领头的弟兄姊妹有些交通。那两天的交通非常关键也非常重要，并且看见圣灵特别的作工；所谈的没有辩论上的问题，都是实际实行的路。事实上，在我们去之先，圣灵已经在他们好多人里头作工，所以到那里之后，都是说到实行的事。我们就照着我们所经历的，有限的说一点。每一点他们都觉得非常宝贵，觉得那是从未听过的，他们完全接受。交通之后，我们就回到丹麦的首都哥本哈根。

　　在那里，带领的弟兄要求我们能有一个晚上为着较有追求的弟兄，另有一个晚上为着青年弟兄姊妹能有一点交通。那里有近二百位青年弟兄姊妹，这一班青年人实在追求主，是一个很好的现象。他们要求我，最少要有一次对这些青年人讲道，帮助他们如何配搭事奉。他们虽然还没有正式成立聚会，但他们告诉我，他们不只盼望成立聚会，还要学习如何配搭事奉。我的确在那里多面的教导他们如何配搭事奉。

　　我们离开后不久，他们在哥本哈根分成二十一个家聚会。据说他们的光景非常好，在那里的确有相当多的人爱主，是很不错的材料，相当有工可以作。当地老年人不多，大多都是中年人。

　　我们在丹麦住了十多天，很明显的看见，那里有许多工可作。那里的光景，实在超出我们的想像，圣灵早就在那里有了工作。不只丹麦是如此，恐怕整个北欧，挪威、瑞典、瑞士等，都有主的工作。我们看见那里有非常好的弟兄，并且他们要求我，把“话语职事”寄给他们，他们要翻成他们的文字。若是时间许可，实在应该再去，因为太有可作的了。

　　挪威也有两位弟兄来赴会，与我们有很好的交通，实在有主的同在。我在整个丹麦所得的印象，就是觉得北欧各地，需要有人受带领，认识基督作生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。北欧这几个国家，差不多都信奉国教；那个国教是非常形式，非常死沉的。那里有的人一成了基督徒，就等于是无家可归；所以，实在需要有人能够认识生命，使神的家在一地一地得着建立。

　　我们在丹麦交通过之后，就再回伦敦。在伦敦停留了十天。简要的说，我们在伦敦也有相当好的交通。我们在那里所释放的信息，弟兄姊妹都感觉非常切合他们的需要，因此，他们里头都非常响应。相信那里未来的情形很可期待。
 
　Every summer there is a conference in Denmark with an attendance of seven hundred to a thousand believers. This year the attendance was higher. Most of the believers who attended are from state churches. However, a number of them are under the leading of a Western brother and have had a solid spiritual background. They do not hold the concept of a state church.

　About forty believers who were in the congregation are more enlightened. They came from Norway, Sweden, and other countries. Because the believers were from many countries, the messages were translated into Danish on the podium and then translated into English and German among those in the audience. There were three meetings a day in the conference: in the morning, afternoon, and evening. However, due to the work of the Holy Spirit, all the saints focused on the meetings in the afternoon. The meetings in the morning and evening were mainly miscellaneous fellowships. The meetings in the afternoon emphasized God in Christ as life for the building of His house, His temple, and the Body of Christ. These messages stressed life and the building up of the church. These two points had an impact on the saints and stirred them up.

　During the conference all the fellowship was on how to enjoy Christ as life and how to build up the church in every place, and most of the questions were concerning the church. This was the work of the Holy Spirit. The saints wanted to know what they should do after the conference and where they should meet. Instead of saying what they should do, I advised them to pray and follow the Lord’s leading, just as Abraham left Ur of the Chaldeans and went to the place that the Lord called him to.

　After the conference the leading brothers requested that we stay for two more days to fellowship with several leading brothers and sisters. That time of fellowship was a crucial turning point, and we saw a special work of the Holy Spirit. There were no debates. All the fellowship was about the practical way to go on. The Holy Spirit was working in many of the saints before the conference; therefore, after we arrived, they spoke about only the practice. We shared our experience with them, and they treasured every point. The saints had never heard what we fellowshipped and fully accepted what we said. After that we returned to Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

　In Copenhagen the leading brothers requested that we spend one evening to fellowship with some brothers who desire to pursue the Lord and another evening to fellowship with the young saints. There were close to two hundred young saints who were truly pursuing the Lord. The brothers requested that I speak to the young saints concerning how to coordinate in service. The young saints do not have their own meeting, but they want to begin a meeting, and they also want to learn to coordinate in service. My fellowship with them covered many aspects of how to coordinate and serve together.

　Shortly after we left, the saints in Copenhagen began to meet in twenty-one homes. I heard that they have a good situation. Many of them love the Lord and are good material with much potential. Most of the saints are middle-aged. There are not many older saints.

　We stayed in Denmark for about ten days and saw that there is much work to do there. Their situation exceeded our expectation. This proves that the Holy Spirit began His work long before we arrived. This does not apply only to Denmark. The Lord’s work can be seen in all of Scandinavia, including Norway and Sweden. We met many promising brothers who requested that we send them The Ministry of the Word so that they can translate it into their language. If time permits, we will visit them again, because there is much work to do there.

　Two brothers from Norway came to meet us, and we had good fellowship with them. The impression I have from the trip to Denmark is that all the places in Scandinavia need to be led to know Christ as life so that God’s house can be built up in every locality. The Scandinavian countries have state churches that are formal and dead. Hence, many people become “homeless” once they believe into Christ. There is a need for them to know life so that God’s house can be established in every locality.

　After our fellowship in Denmark, we returned to London and stayed there for ten days. We had good fellowship in London also. The brothers and sisters felt that the messages met their need. There is much that can come out of the situation there.
　　在欧洲的时间，我们大部分是在英国，约有四周的光景；从那里离开后，就经过欧洲其他几个地方，到了罗马。我们参观罗马的古迹，特别是那些关乎基督教的，以及从前基督徒殉道的地方、基督徒聚会的地下墓窟等。同时，我们也参观了几座天主教的大教堂，如圣彼得大教堂等。其实，我对此一点都不感兴趣。倒是古代那些爱主的人，那样为主舍身，实在令我们感到敬佩。他们被摆在狮子跟前，与猛兽搏斗的地方仍在。然而现在，那些古迹都成了基督教宣传自己的地方。

　　到了天主教的范围，那就完全是物质的，也完全是迷信。好比教堂里有彼得的像，许多从南美、南非各地来的旅客和天主教徒，都排着队要从雕像面前经过。经过时，都在那里留恋不舍，争着要摸彼得的脚；摸过之后，还要亲一亲。所以，现在彼得像的两只脚指头，都已经被摩擦得看不见了。历代以来有许多人亲这个像，摸这个像；那实在是迷信得太过了。

　　从罗马再往前就到了希腊。我们到了某大城的西北，离城不太远有一块肥美的地，人就告诉我们，保罗曾在那里讲过道，风景相当不错。离那里不远有哥林多城，我们都读过哥林多书，也就在当地略作参观后，往中东方向去了。
 
　Most of our time in Europe, about four weeks, was spent in England. After England we went to several places in Europe, including Rome. In Rome we visited several archeological sites. We saw the places where Christians were martyred and some underground caves where Christians held meetings. We also visited several Catholic cathedrals, as well as St. Peter’s Basilica. We were not actually interested in the cathedrals. We preferred the places where the believers sacrificed themselves because of their love for the Lord. The places where the martyrs fought with wild beasts still exist. These sites are now used to promote Christianity.

　Everything that Catholicism embraces and promotes belongs to the physical realm and is therefore superstitious. For example, there is a statue of Peter in a cathedral that tourists and Catholics from South America and even South Africa pay tribute to. People are eager to touch and even kiss the foot of the statue. As a result, two toes on the statue have almost disappeared. Many people go to kiss and touch this statue. This is a superstitious practice.

　From Rome we went to the northwest part of Greece, which has rich soil and pleasant scenery. We were told that Paul preached the gospel there. Since the city of Corinth was close by and we have read the Epistles to the Corinthians, we stopped for a brief visit. After Greece we went to the Middle East.
　　我们的目的是要去看耶路撒冷，经过黎巴嫩就到了耶路撒冷。耶路撒冷老城的部分，现今都落在约但人手中。以色列人在复国之后，是住在老城边界，也就是京城一带活动。两个地方相接处，只有很短的距离，但两处是对立的，无法来往。联合国很难对这两国作出裁决，他们彼此为仇，联合国只能限制他们，不准他们对彼此有什么动作。

　　圣经里那些较著名的地方，我们差不多都去看过，如橄榄山、锡安山、摩利亚山等，还有客西马尼园，主耶稣被卖的地方，以及祂受审、被钉死、埋葬、复活、升天等地方，我们都亲眼看到了。现今在橄榄山，有一个大磐石，磐石上有个很大的脚印，传说是主耶稣升天时，末了一次脚所踏的地方。不过，这完全是没有根据的。

　　我们看了示剑城，并看见那六个支派为百姓祝福时所站的基利心山，和另六个支派宣布咒诅时所站的以巴路山（申二七11~15），印证了他们所受的审判实在厉害。我们在圣经里读过，这地是流奶与蜜之地，然而这次我们去看，完全是一片荒凉。耶路撒冷那一带地方真是荒凉，一眼望去，最多的既不是树，也不是草，更不是土，而是石头。有大石头，有小石头，到处都是石头，尽是不毛之地。为我们开车的人说，若是这些石头能变成面包就好了。这使我想到马太四章，主耶稣受魔鬼的试诱，要主耶稣把石头变成饼（3）。我就知道这司机是基督徒，于是对他说，“你祷告叫这些石头变成饼吧。”

　　那里非常贫穷，人民生活相当辛苦，比东方人还穷乏。在自然环境上，更是经历风的侵袭，一年有十个月，常有风把尘沙吹来，等雨水来时，又把土冲走，所以剩下的土没有多少。土上没有任何作物，甚至没有草，没有树；这种土是根本不能使植物存留的。我们知道风越吹，土越少；水越冲，土更少。在这种情形下，发展实在困难。

　　旧约里圣殿的地基，是亚伯拉罕献以撒的摩利亚山，大卫也曾在那里献过祭；这些事迹圣经上都有记载，那是非常好的地方。然而，现在被阿拉伯人，就是回教人占领了。他们建立一个大的回教区，算是第二大的。第一大回教区在麦加，相当的大，那个清真寺的圆顶都是用金子包的，面积非常的大，许多回教徒都在里面敬拜。他们霸占了那地方，一直不肯交还给以色列人，就作了自己敬拜的所在。

　　我能说的不过这么多，但在我的印象里，觉得神的审判和咒诅是可畏的。神在祂的智慧里，把许多天主教、以色列、和基督教的古迹毁坏了，免得给后人，就是今世的人当作偶像敬拜。人是太愚昧，太污秽，太没有智慧；但神借着罗马太子提多，于主后七十年大施毁坏，而后波斯国，再有阿拉伯人、土耳其人，他们陆陆续续作了许多破坏的工作；因此，那里的古迹难以存留。现在那里所有的，有许多是人工造的。从那里我们经过伊拉克，就是从前的巴比伦城，又经过伊朗，就是从前的波斯，到了巴基斯坦。
 
　Our aim in going to Israel was to see the city of Jerusalem. The old city of Jerusalem is in the hands of the Jordanians. The Israelis live close to the old city, which is near the center of Jerusalem. Even though there is only a short distance between these two parts of the city, the Israelis and the Jordanians are enemies and do not communicate with each other. The United Nations finds it hard to reconcile the two nations; at best, the United Nations can only restrict them from taking action against one another.

　We visited most of the places recorded in the Bible, such as the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion (which is Mount Moriah), the Garden of Gethsemane (where the Lord Jesus was betrayed), and the places where the Lord was judged and crucified. We also saw where He ascended. On the Mount of Olives there is a big rock with a footprint, which is said to be the last place the Lord Jesus stood before He ascended into heaven. Of course, this is superstition.

　We visited the city of Shechem, and we saw Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where the children of Israel stood to bless and to curse after they heard the law. According to the Bible, the good land is a land flowing with milk and honey, but the land that we saw is desolate and barren. The area near Jerusalem is very desolate. There are no trees, grass, or even dirt; there are only large and small rocks.

　The people in Israel are poor and live a difficult life. They are poorer than people in Asia. It seems as though the environment is attacked by the wind. The wind blows for ten months every year, and then the rain comes to wash the dirt away. As a result, not much soil is left on the ground. There is no grass or trees, because no vegetation can survive with such little soil. The more the wind blows, the less soil there is, and the more it rains, the more the dirt is washed away. Under these circumstances it is difficult to develop anything.

　The foundation of the Old Testament temple is on Mount Moriah. This is where Abraham offered Isaac. David also offered sacrifices on this place. The Arabs occupy Mount Moriah, and they built a Muslim holy site there. This is the second most important Muslim site. The most important site is in Mecca. The dome of the mosque on Mount Moriah is overlaid with gold. The Muslims occupy that place and will not return it to the Israelis, but the Israelis regard it as their own place of worship.

　God’s judgment and curse need to be feared. In His wisdom God destroyed many Jewish and Christian archeological sites so that people would not worship these sites. God used the Roman general, Titus, to devastate the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and He used the Persian Empire, the Arabs, and the Turks to further devastate the city. Now few archeological objects remain. From Israel we bypassed Iraq, which has the city of Babylon, and Iran, previously Persia, and arrived in Pakistan.
　　从那里我们到了缅甸，然后到了泰国的首都曼谷。在曼谷有一个聚会，是我们的弟兄在那里服事，经常聚会的有五、六十位。我在那里住了三天，就看见曼谷聚会人数加增，实在是有主的祝福。当地召会原有约一百位圣徒，我们到那里有三天的聚会，聚到第三天，不仅会所坐满了人，院子里也坐了人。那实在是一个有许多工可作的地方。全泰国有三百多万华侨，在曼谷那里最少有八十万。曼谷一个城就有几百万人口，八十万是中国人，为数不少。最好有会说汕头话的，同时又会说闽南话的人到那里去；那里实在有一个很大的需要。弟兄们非常真诚的盼望有同工能接受负担，到那里作工。

　　南洋其他各地，虽然有要求，但限于时间我们没法子去。这些地方，多多少少都有需要，我们几乎一直接到他们的呼声，要求有人去帮助他们，现在即使有几十位同工到那些地方去，还是不够分配。

　　我们在十月四日回到香港，在那里住了十二天。从到达那里后，弟兄们一直安排聚会，直到我们上飞机前。这是我们大概的经过。
 
　From there we went to Burma and then to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. There is a meeting in Bangkok with a regular attendance of about fifty to sixty saints. One of our brothers is serving there. We stayed in Bangkok for three days and saw how the Lord has blessed them by adding people. The church in Bangkok has about one hundred saints. We held a conference there, and on the last day of the conference the meeting hall was filled to capacity and overflowed into the courtyard. Bangkok is an area for the work. There are three million overseas Chinese in Thailand, and at least eighty thousand of them live in Bangkok. Several million people live in Bangkok. There is a need for the saints who can manage both the Swatow and the Amoy dialects to migrate there. The brothers there hope that some co-workers will receive a burden to labor there.

　Other places in Southeast Asia requested that we visit them, but we were limited by time. All these places have a need and continually ask for help. Twenty-four serving ones would not be able to meet this need.

　On October 4 we arrived in Hong Kong and stayed there for twelve days. The brothers arranged for us to be in meetings until we boarded the plane. This is a rough sketch of our trip abroad.
　　这次我们出访各处，简要的说，有两点是非常缺乏而有需要的，就是认识基督作生命，以及神的家得着建造。好比有弟兄或同工到日本，单纯的因为需要而去。他们留在那里，必须带领人认识神如何在基督里作人的生命，并且如何建造神的家，使神在地上得着一个居所，神的儿女在这个荒凉的地上，有家可归。我们知道在日本，如东京、大阪等，都有这个需要。我们访问那里时，到过东京，也到过神户，这些地点都很近，是很方便的地方。然而这三处地方，东京、大阪、神户，都还没有主的见证。

　　再者，美国虽然是个基督教国家，那里最需要的，也是带人认识基督作生命，并且在一地一地把人建造起来，成为神的居所。整个欧洲也是如此。当我访问欧洲，在台上讲道时，就明说在整个北欧，难以指出有一个地方像神的家；好多地方，神的儿女被兴起来，却都感觉像无家可归的人。所以，生命的认识和召会的建造，乃是各地所需要的。

　　欧洲南部的情形还谈不上什么，因为天主教势力太大，如西班牙、葡萄牙、义大利等国，都是天主教国家，连法国也是天主教国家。位于欧洲南部的希腊，则是非常荒凉，不仅在属灵方面荒凉，连在物质方面也很荒凉。整体的情形就是一片荒凉。所以，欧洲方面，在属灵上实在有一个很大的需要；南洋各地也有这需要。

　　总之，我们感觉各地最需要的，就是基督作生命，以及神在地上要得着一个居所，使祂的儿女有家可归。因此，生命与召会，在各处的需要实在是非常的大。此外，还有一点值得提到的，就是我们在东方，常觉得自己非常的软弱，也相当的贫穷，常有许多不及的感觉。然而，正如有人说，“不怕货比货，就怕不识货。”我这次出去看看后，里头很敬拜神。神在这一个地球上，特别恩待了我们。人很不容易看到有一个地方，蒙的恩典像我们所蒙的一样。

　　已过这些年，我自己常有一种感觉：一面觉得我们所走的这条路，是百分之百出乎主的；但另一面也常觉得，在召会历史中所看见的，都不是这样的。同时，在这个时代里，只有我们这班人在东方走这一条路。虽然我们一面很有把握，觉得是出乎神的；但另一面，人是软弱的，又不免打问号。是不是我们错了？是不是太过了？不然，为什么已往基督教里没有这种光景，今天也不能找到什么能印证我们的；似乎只有我们这班人走了这一条路。

　　然而，这次我们出去，走过不少国家后，非常加强我们里面的认识，也给我们有负担，看见各地所需要的。以日本、美国、北欧以及南美等地为例，他们所需要的，就是我们这样的见证。我们实际观察过，任何其他东西都不能应付今天神儿女的需要。各地神的儿女，今天真实准确的需要，就是认识基督作生命，叫神在地上，在祂儿女中间能建造起一个居所，使祂的儿女在地上有可归之处。

　　许多基督徒虽然听了许多道，感觉很兴奋，也感觉有益处，但是他们不能从心里说，那就是他们的需要。只有你带他们认识什么是基督作生命，并且带他们看见基督作生命的结果，就是神在人中间，建造起一个居所，叫祂的儿女有家可归。只有这一个，无论在什么地方，都能满足神儿女的需要。在日本、在美国、在欧洲、在南洋，所有神的儿女，都印证这条生命的道路：基督作生命，使神的家得建造。各地既都有这样一个印证，这样一个需要，就加强了我们的感觉，使我们得着很深的鼓励。
 
　In our visit to the different places we observed that believers do not know Christ as life, and they do not have the building up of God’s house. Suppose some brothers go to Japan because of the need there. They must help people know that God in Christ desires to be man’s life, and they must build up the house of God so that God has a dwelling place on earth and God’s children have a home. There is such a need in Japan. When we visited Japan, we went to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. These places are close to each other and conveniently located. However, the Lord’s testimony is not in these three cities.

　Furthermore, even though the United States is a Christian country, there is a need to help people know Christ as life and to build them up as God’s dwelling place locality by locality. This also applies to Europe. In a message I gave in Europe, I said that it is difficult to find a place in Scandinavia that resembles God’s house. God’s children are stirred up, but they feel as if they are homeless. Hence, the knowledge of life and the building up of the church are needed everywhere.

　There is nothing in southern Europe, because the influence of Catholicism is very strong there. Spain, Portugal, Italy, and even France are Catholic countries. Greece is located in southern Europe, and it is spiritually and materially desolate. The entire situation in Europe is desolate. Thus, there is a great spiritual need in Europe. There is also such a need in different places in Southeast Asia.

　Every place needs to know Christ as life and to have the building up of God’s dwelling place so that the believers can have a home. There is a need for life and the church. Even though we often feel that we are weak and poor, God has bestowed His grace upon us. It is difficult to find a place that is as blessed as we are.

　On the one hand, we know that this way is one hundred percent of the Lord, but on the other hand, it is difficult to see anything like this in church history. Furthermore, we seem to be the only believers who are taking this way. We are sure that this is of the Lord, but when we are weak, we ask whether we are wrong or if we are too much. Otherwise, why can we not find a similar situation in church history, and why is there not another group to confirm this way? We seem to be the only ones who are taking this way.

　We visited many countries on this trip and were strengthened in our inner realization. We also received a burden to see the need in every place. Japan, the United States, Scandinavia, and South America need a testimony like ours. This is the only thing that can meet the need of God’s children today. The genuine need of God’s children is to know Christ as life so that God can build up a house on earth among His children and so that His children can have a home.

　Many Christians receive help from the messages that they listen to, but they do not know what their need is. We should lead them to know that Christ is our life. They also need to see that the result of Christ being our life is that God’s house is built up for His children to have a home. Only these two things can satisfy the need of God’s children. God’s children in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia confirmed this way of life. After we saw that this is the need in every place, our realization was strengthened, and we were encouraged.
　　末了，盼望我们众人都清楚这一点：基督作生命，为要建造神的家。在信息开头我们已经说过，无论在哪里，只要有这样一个聚会，无论它是多小，多弱，在当地都非常的受到重视。此外，台湾的召会，特别是台北召会，虽然在外面的名声太高，但我信这也是出乎主的。若是我们在这里向着主忠诚，感觉也不迟慢，在往后不久的日子中，主会有相当的带领。逐渐的会有人出去，也会有同工出去，你们众人都要把握机会。

　　在这里我们已经有过训练的工作，如今在弟兄们中间，有一部分是全时间的，也有一些是带职业的。或者该有更多的人出来全时间服事，然后有些人出去开展，另一班人就补上来；一班一班的跟上来，持续的有人出来服事主。我们不能在这里读书，而一直没有毕业生；若是一个学校一直都没有毕业生，那是不正确的。我们知道，一个家里的孩子，若是十年都没有长大，就不正常。所以，我们实在应该有同工们陆续出去服事。
 
　We need a clear understanding that Christ is our life for the building up of God’s house. At the beginning of this chapter I said that Christians highly regard any believers who meet the way we do. We believe that it is of the Lord that the churches in Taiwan, especially the church in Taipei, are highly regarded by other believers. If we are faithful to the Lord, He will give us a strong and definite leading, and some of us will go to other places. We need to grasp this opportunity.

　We have trained many saints. Some of the saints who are trained serve full time, and others have a job. There may be more saints who can serve full time and then go to serve in other places. Some saints can meet this need. As more saints rise up to meet this need, there will be a steady flow of saints who leave their jobs and serve full time. We cannot study indefinitely. We must have graduates. Every school must produce graduates. Similarly, it is not normal for the children in a family to not grow up. Therefore, we need to continually produce co-workers who can serve full time in other places.
　　其次，从各方面看，弟兄姊妹或者逐渐移民出去，或者有的带着适当的职业出去，这都是有益的，甚至对国家都有益。这一个时代不是个停留的时代，乃是个流动的时代。什么人能在外面流通，什么人就是一个活的人。

　　这是我此行的一些印象，也是我的一些观感。我们实在需要出去，一直的出去；越出去就越有路。盼望你们能出去，无论是对个人，或家庭，甚至对召会都有益；即使是对我们肉身所处的国家，也都有益处，并且益处非常大。我不愿意过于鼓励，只不过应弟兄们的要求，把我的观感交通给你们。若是再多十个、二十个家移民到巴西，或是再有一两位同工去，那里马上就会有一个相当成形的聚会，能够有一个很好的见证，并且能够有很好的结果。这无论在那一面都是有益的。
 
　In view of the overall situation, it is profitable for the brothers and sisters to consider migrating to other places. Some of them may get jobs abroad. This is an age of mobility that is not stagnant. Active people are mobile.

　These are impressions from my trip abroad. We need saints to go out. The more the saints go out, the more the way will be opened to us. All the saints need to go out. This will profit the saint, his family, the church, and even the country. I do not want to exhort you too much. This is my fellowship in response to the request of the brothers. If ten to twenty families and a few co-workers migrate to Brazil, they could start meeting immediately. This would be a good testimony, and the result would be good.
　　此外，我们深深盼望，文字工作能好好加强。已过只有少数人，是帮助这个工作的。我们从前出版的文字不多，只有三类。第一类，是“话语职事”的正刊，那是相当有分量和果效的。第二，是“享受神”这类的小册子。现在只要是和我们有点交通的地方，他们谈话的资料，讲台上的信息，都是讲到如何享受神。第三，是“教会通问”，在各地效力很大，所起的作用很厉害。因此，为着推广工作往外发展，需要加强文字工作，通问需要再多出一点。同时，服事的人要能多给一点帮助，出版一点英文书，并且在量上加多一些。这能使这里的见证扩展出去。
 
　Furthermore, the literature work needs to be strengthened. In the past only a few saints helped in this work. The few publications that we put out are of three categories: The Ministry of the Word magazine, booklets, such as Enjoying God, and Church News. All three categories are effective. Hence, we need to strengthen the literature work in order to propagate overseas, and we need to increase the circulation of Church News. The serving ones also need to put out some publications in English. This will cause our testimony to spread.
　　所以，有三件事相当重要。第一，同工们出去作工。第二，弟兄姊妹移民出去。第三，文字要推广出去。自然，这需要后面的人再补上；我信这里要补充人，应该没有问题。我们不要怕我们开展出去，后面的人补不上来。我们应该相信，我们出去的越多，后面越有补上来的。希望弟兄姊妹为这些事，能有真实地祷告。同时，要到主面前寻求负担。或者有人应该接受负担，受主差遣，往外去为主作工；或者有人应该受主引导，往外移民；或者有人为这些事摆上奉献。我信主既这样带领我们，也必能给我们积极的印证。我们相信，这十多年来，主给我们这么许多的带领，其用途不会仅仅限于台湾岛上。我们深信主在这里预备我们，带领、训练我们，是为着祂在这末后时代里的见证能更为广阔。

　　多年来我们不愿意多加宣传，但主在外面为我们所打开的，实在是敞开的门，畅通的路。我们出去之先，从来没有想到是这样的光景；但走过之后，所看见的实在是超过我们所能作的。

　　人对我们的评价，我们只得低下头来，谦卑的说那个评价太高；然而这是神作的。有人告诉我，有些地方从来没有那样实行过，就是把整个聚会，整个讲台交给别人。然而，我们这一次出去，所到之处都是全数交给我们作。这是主作的，并且实在有圣灵的印证。我一直学一个功课，不要在这些地方说得太多；但我必须告诉你们，我所说的不过是主所作的，并且是为给你们一个印象。

　　事实上主所作的，实在是超过我们所想的，是又宽又大，又有功效的路。盼望弟兄姊妹，为着主的缘故刚强，勇敢的接受主所给我们的负担。许多地方都需要我们的帮助，我们实在愿意主在我们中间，作这样的工作。我们不愿意发起什么，也不愿意有什么活动，但我们必须把这些感觉交通给弟兄姊妹，好让我们有负担，把所蒙的恩典带给那些缺乏的地方。

　　讲于主后一九五八年十月二十五日
 
　In conclusion, there are three crucial matters: co-workers need to go and labor, brothers and sisters need to migrate, and the literature work needs to be increased and spread. In order to fulfill these needs, there is the need for more manpower. I believe that there will be no shortage of manpower. We should not fear a shortage of manpower, because some saints are going out. Rather, we should believe that as more saints go out, more will be added to the labor. The brothers and sisters need to pray concerning this matter. We should all go before the Lord to seek a burden. It may be that some saints will receive the burden and be sent out by the Lord and labor for Him. Other saints may be led by the Lord to migrate abroad. Still others may be burdened to give money to meet the need. The Lord will surely give us a strong confirmation since this is His leading. The direction of the Lord’s leading over the years is not merely limited to the island of Taiwan. The Lord is preparing us for the spread of His testimony in the last days.

　Over the years we never advertised ourselves; nevertheless, during this trip the Lord opened many doors for us. Before we went on the trip our consideration of the actual situation was limited. What we saw, however, exceeded our expectations.

　The high regard Christians have for us causes us to be humble. It is unprecedented for a meeting and all the speaking to be handed over to someone else. But this was our experience in every place where we visited. This was of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit confirmed it. This fellowship is to give us an impression and to show what the Lord has done.

　The Lord’s work exceeds all our expectations. He has given us a broad and effective way. The brothers and sisters need to be strong and brave for the Lord’s sake and receive His burden. Many places need our help. I do not want to initiate anything, and we do not want mere activity. This fellowship is for us to receive a burden and bring the blessings that we have received to the places that are in need.

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