A Bondslave of the Lord and A Worthy Woman
Brother Minoru Chen Spoke at the Memorial Meeting of Sister Huang Liu Minglie on April 11
Although I had the opportunity to meet Sister Huang Liu Minglie, our acquaintance was not deep. However, upon hearing the testimonies shared by the saints regarding her life, I was deeply moved. She truly stands as a final witness and pattern among the generation of sister coworkers who served in the 1950s. The first influential sister coworker among us was Sister M. E. Barber, who was quite a deep person in the Lord, possessed a deep understanding of the Spirit and life. Upon her departure from this world, her sole possession, her Bible, was bequeathed to Brother Watchman Nee. On it were inscribed the words, “I want nothing for myself, I want everything for the Lord!” Brother Nee would quote these words; many ascribe them to him, unaware of their origin with Sister M. E. Barber. Among the many sisters who served alongside Brother Nee, Dora Yu led him to salvation, and Peace Wong was his coworker, Ruth Lee was his helper. However, it was Sister M. E. Barber who first edified Brother Nee. Our Sister Huang was such a pattern of one who forsook herself and was pleasing to the Lord, having perfected numerous young people. This is the first impression that resonated with me.
Secondly, our Sister Huang was a bondslave of Christ and a worthy woman. Our sister was not single but was a married woman with children and a housewife. She fully supported her husband and educated her children and gave herself wholeheartedly in serving the saints and the church. Just as the worthy woman mentioned in Proverbs 31; the word “worthy” signifies preciousness, something invaluable and unattainable, full of worth. Today, I like to mention four women in the Bible who could be considered as bond slaves of God and worthy women.
The first is Sarah. Her defining characteristic was her manner of life in fear. As a holy woman who hoping in God, she adorned herself with a pure manner of life in fear, the hidden man of the heart in the incorruptible adornment of a meek and quiet spirit, being subject to her husband, Abraham, which is very costly in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:1-7). The characteristics of Sarah are one marked by her manner of life in fear.
The second is Ruth. Ruth declared to her mother-in-law, Naomi, “For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you dwell, I will dwell; and your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” (Ruth 1:16 and footnote 1). Ruth chose the goal of participating with God’s elect in the enjoyment of Christ, and she even became a top ancestor of Christ. This was more than just a resolution on the part of the Moabite widow; it was a goal, a choosing. Ruth chose God and His kingdom. Her husband, Boaz, recognized her as a worthy woman (Ruth 3:11). This excellence stemmed from Ruth’s choice and goal.
The third is Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus in the flesh. Luke 1:38 says, “…Behold the slave of the Lord; may it be to me according to your word.” First, her response reveals a simple and pure heart, Second, we see her obedience and submission. Her obedience lies in her willingness to listen and allow God’s word to be fulfilled in her life. Mary did not refuse the word of the angel, thinking that was too much for her. Instead, she was simple and without any natural consideration concerning her situation, position, reputation, and future. It is in Mary’s singleness and obedience.
The fourth is Prisca: Romans 16:3-5 states, “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the nations; and greet the church in their house…” Priscilla and Aquila were absolute for the local churches. Their only interest was the church, and they were willing to be martyred, risking their necks for the apostles. These two were a couple who loved and served the Lord, becoming co-workers with Paul. To risk one’s life is not to care for one’s self and pour out to others. This is the pattern we should see and follow. Her virtue lies in absoluteness and sacrifice, absoluteness before sacrifice.
My hope is that Sister Huang’s pattern will inspire the sisters in the Lord’s recovery today, especially the younger sisters. What we need today is such a sister, such a wife, such a mother, such a grandmother, such a co-worker, a bondslave who serves the Lord full-time. I do have such a hope before the Lord.
Finally, I will read Proverbs 31:10-3, although I do not have time to expound these verses but what’s described is our dear sister Huang:
“Who can find a worthy woman? / For her price is far above corals.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, / And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil / All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, / And delights to work with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships; / She brings her food from afar.
She rises also while it is still night / And gives food to her household, / And their task to her
serving girls.
She considers a field and buys it; / With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with strength / And makes strong her arms.
She samples her merchandise to be sure it is good; / Her lamp does not go out by night.
She lays her hands to the distaff, / And her hands hold on to the spindle.
She stretches out her hand to the afflicted, / And she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She does not fear for her household when it snows, / For all her household are clothed with
scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; / Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, / When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them / And delivers girdles to the merchant.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, / And she happily looks forward to the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, / And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She watches closely over the ways of her household / And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; / Her husband also, and he praises her,
saying:
Many daughters have done worthily, / But you surpass them all.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; / But a woman who fears Jehovah, she will be
praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, / And let her works praise her in the gates.”
Sister Huang’s has passed away in the Lord and has rested from her labor, and her work will surely follow her (Revelation 14:13). Although she died, her pattern of faith still speaks to us (Hebrews 1:4). May God graciously care His church and continue to raise up many sisters like her for the building up of the Body of Christ, for His testimony on earth, and for the Lord’s recovery going forward. Amen.
基督的婢女与才德的妇人
陈实弟兄4月11日讲于黄刘明烈姊妹安葬聚会
我与黄刘明烈师母虽然见过面，认识却不深。这次因为听到圣徒们为她所作的见证，就深受感动。她的确是五〇年代姊妹同工中，最后的一个见证和榜样。我们中间第一个有影响力的姊妹同工，就是和受恩姊妹，她是一个在主里顶深，认识灵和生命的人。她将离世时的惟一产业，她的圣经，遗赠给了倪柝声弟兄，其中写到：『为己无所求，为主求一切』，倪弟兄后来也引用这句话；很多人以为是倪弟兄说的，其实是出于和受恩姊妹。同工姊妹中间，余慈度带他得救，汪佩真与他同工，李渊如是他助手，但和受恩姊妹却是首先造就倪弟兄的。我们的黄姊妹就是这样的一个舍弃自己、讨主喜悦的榜样，成全了许多的年青人。这是我的第一个感觉。
第二个就是，我们的黄姊妹，是一个基督的婢女和一个才德的妇人。我们的姊妹并不是单身，却是一个结了婚，生儿育女的家庭主妇：一面相夫教子，一面服事圣徒和召会。正如箴言三十一章里提到的才德的妇人；才德这个辞就等于是贵重、无价、买不到，满有价值的。今天我想特别提到圣经中的四个女人，都是神的婢女和才德的妇人。
第一位是撒拉，撒拉的特点是她的敬畏和品行。她是仰望神的圣别妇人，以敬畏中纯洁的品行，温柔安静的灵，为不朽坏之装饰的心中隐藏的人，顺从了自己的丈夫，亚伯拉罕，称他为主，这在神面前是极有价值的。（彼前三1~7）这说出撒拉的特点就是她的敬畏和品行。
第二位是路得，路得向她的婆婆内奥米说：『你往那里去，我也往那里去；你在那里住宿，我也在那里住宿；你的民就是我的民，你的神就是我的神。』（一16与注1）。路得所拣选的目标，乃是与神的选民一同有分于对基督的享受；她甚至成为基督重要的先祖。这不仅是她这位摩押寡妇的定意，更是她的目标，她的拣选。路得拣选神和神的国，她的丈夫波阿斯称她为贤德的女子（三11)。这就在于路得的拣选和目标。
第三位是马里亚，主耶稣肉身的母亲马里亚，在路加福音一章三十八节说，『…看哪，我是主的婢女，情愿照你的话成就在我身上。』第一是她的单纯，纯洁。第二是她的服从，顺服。她愿神的话成就在她身上。马里亚没有回绝天使的话，认为太过分，要求她付的代价太大。她对她的处境、地位、名誉和前途，没有任何天然的考虑，就成了在妇女中有福的。这是在于马里亚的纯洁与顺服。
第四位是百居拉，罗马书十六章三到五节讲到，『问我在基督耶稣里的同工，百基拉和亚居拉安；他们为我的性命，将自己的颈项置于度外，不但我感谢他们，就是外邦的众召会也感谢他们；又问在他们家中的召会安。…』百基拉和亚居拉是绝对为着众地方召会的。他们惟一关心的是召会，甘愿将自己的颈项置于度外，为使徒们殉道。这两位圣徒是一对爱主、服事主的夫妇；他们作了保罗的同工，冒性命的危险就是不顾自己，把自己倾倒出来。这是我们所要看见并跟随的。这是百居拉的牺牲与绝对。
我盼望黄师母这样的模范，能彀传给今天在主恢复里的姊妹们，特别是年轻的姊妹们。今天我们所需要的就是这样的姊妹，这样的一个妻子，这样的一个母亲，这样的一个祖母，这样的一个同工，这样一个全时间服事主的婢女，我在主面前就是有这样一个盼望。
最后，我读一读箴言三十一章十到三十一节，虽然今天没有时间解释这些经节，但其中所描述的，就是我们亲爱的黄师母：
“才德的妇人谁能得着呢？她的价值远胜过珠宝。她丈夫心里倚靠她，必不缺少利益。
她一生的日子使丈夫有益无损。她寻找羊毛和麻，乐意亲手作工。
她好像商船从远方运粮来，天还黑她就起来，把食物分给家中的人，将当作的工分派婢女。
她想得田地就买来；用手所得的成果，栽种葡萄园。她以能力束腰，使膀臂有力。
她检试自作的商品，确定都是好的；她的灯终夜不灭。她手拿捻线竿，手握纺线锤。
她张手赒济困苦人，伸手帮补穷乏人。
她不因下雪为家里的人担心，因为全家都穿着朱红衣服。
她为自己制作毯子；她的衣服是细麻和紫色布作的。
她丈夫在城门口与本地的长老同坐，为众人所认识。
她作细麻布衣裳出卖，又将腰带供给商家。
能力和威仪是她的衣服，她想到日后的景况就喜笑。
她开口就发智慧，她舌上有慈爱的法则。她观察家务，并不吃闲饭。
她的儿女起来称她有福；她的丈夫也称赞她，说，
行事有才德的女子很多，惟独你超过众人。
艳丽是虚假的，美容是虚浮的；惟敬畏耶和华的妇女，必得称赞。
愿她得着亲手操劳的果效，愿她的工作使她在城门口得称赞。”
黄师母在主里过去了，已经息了自己的劳苦，她的工作也必定随着她（启十四13）。她虽然死了，她信心的榜样仍旧向我们说话（来一4)。求神眷顾祂的召会，为着基督身体的建造，为着祂在地上的见证，为着主恢复的往前，继续兴起众多像她一样的姊妹们。阿们。
基督的婢女與才德的婦人
陳實弟兄4月11日講於黃劉明烈姊妹安葬聚會
我與黃劉明烈師母雖然見過面，認識卻不深。這次因為聽到聖徒們為她所作的見證，就深受感動。她的確是五〇年代姊妹同工中，最後的一個見證和榜樣。我們中間第一個有影響力的姊妹同工，就是和受恩姊妹，她是一個在主裏頂深，認識靈和生命的人。她將離世時的惟一產業，她的聖經，遺贈給了倪柝聲弟兄，其中寫到：『為己無所求，為主求一切』，倪弟兄後來也引用這句話；很多人以為是倪弟兄說的，其實是出於和受恩姊妹。同工姊妹中間，余慈度帶他得救，汪佩真與他同工，李淵如是他助手，但和受恩姊妹卻是首先造就倪弟兄的。我們的黃姊妹就是這樣的一個捨棄自己、討主喜悅的榜樣，成全了許多的年青人。這是我的第一個感覺。
第二個就是，我們的黃姊妹，是一個基督的婢女和一個才德的婦人。我們的姊妹並不是單身，卻是一個結了婚，生兒育女的家庭主婦：一面相夫教子，一面服事聖徒和召會。正如箴言三十一章裏提到的才德的婦人；才德這個辭就等於是貴重、無價、買不到，滿有價值的。今天我想特別提到聖經中的四個女人，都是神的婢女和才德的婦人。
第一位是撒拉，撒拉的特點是她的敬畏和品行。她是仰望神的聖別婦人，以敬畏中純潔的品行，溫柔安靜的靈，為不朽壞之裝飾的心中隱藏的人，順從了自己的丈夫，亞伯拉罕，稱他為主，這在神面前是極有價值的。（彼前三1~7）這說出撒拉的特點就是她的敬畏和品行。
第二位是路得，路得向她的婆婆拿俄米說：『你往那裏去，我也往那裏去；你在那裏住宿，我也在那裏住宿；你的民就是我的民，你的神就是我的神。』（一16與註1）。路得所揀選的目標，乃是與神的選民一同有分於對基督的享受；她甚至成為基督重要的先祖。這不僅是她這位摩押寡婦的定意，更是她的目標，她的揀選。路得揀選神和神的國，她的丈夫波阿斯稱她為賢德的女子（三11)。這就在於路得的揀選和目標。
第三位是馬利亞，主耶穌肉身的母親馬利亞，在路加福音一章三十八節說，『…看哪，我是主的婢女，情願照你的話成就在我身上。』第一是她的單純，純潔。第二是她的服從，順服。她願神的話成就在她身上。馬利亞沒有回絕天使的話，認為太過分，要求她付的代價太大。她對她的處境、地位、名譽和前途，沒有任何天然的考慮，就成了在婦女中有福的。這是在於馬利亞的純潔與順服。
第四位是百居拉，羅馬書十六章三到五節講到，『問我在基督耶穌裏的同工，百基拉和亞居拉安；他們為我的性命，將自己的頸項置於度外，不但我感謝他們，就是外邦的眾召會也感謝他們；又問在他們家中的召會安。…』百基拉和亞居拉是絕對為著眾地方召會的。他們惟一關心的是召會，甘願將自己的頸項置於度外，為使徒們殉道。這兩位聖徒是一對愛主、服事主的夫婦；他們作了保羅的同工，冒性命的危險就是不顧自己，把自己傾倒出來。這是我們所要看見並跟隨的。這是百居拉的犧牲與絕對。
我盼望黃師母這樣的模範，能彀傳給今天在主恢復裏的姊妹們，特別是年輕的姊妹們。今天我們所需要的就是這樣的姊妹，這樣的一個妻子，這樣的一個母親，這樣的一個祖母，這樣的一個同工，這樣一個全時間服事主的婢女，我在主面前就是有這樣一個盼望。
最後，我讀一讀箴言三十一章十到三十一節，雖然今天沒有時間解釋這些經節，但其中所描述的，就是我們親愛的黃師母：
“才德的婦人誰能得着呢？她的價值遠勝過珠寶。她丈夫心裏倚靠她，必不缺少利益。
她一生的日子使丈夫有益無損。她尋找羊毛和麻，樂意親手作工。
她好像商船從遠方運糧來，天還黑她就起來，把食物分給家中的人，將當作的工分派婢女。
她想得田地就買來；用手所得的成果，栽種葡萄園。她以能力束腰，使膀臂有力。
她檢試自作的商品，確定都是好的；她的燈終夜不滅。她手拿撚線竿，手握紡線錘。
她張手賙濟困苦人，伸手幫補窮乏人。
她不因下雪為家裏的人擔心，因為全家都穿着朱紅衣服。
她為自己製作毯子；她的衣服是細麻和紫色布作的。
她丈夫在城門口與本地的長老同坐，為眾人所認識。
她作細麻布衣裳出賣，又將腰帶供給商家。
能力和威儀是她的衣服，她想到日後的景況就喜笑。
她開口就發智慧，她舌上有慈愛的法則。她觀察家務，並不喫閒飯。
她的兒女起來稱她有福；她的丈夫也稱讚她，說，
行事有才德的女子很多，惟獨你超過眾人。
豔麗是虛假的，美容是虛浮的；惟敬畏耶和華的婦女，必得稱讚。
願她得着親手操勞的果效，願她的工作使她在城門口得稱讚。”
黃師母在主裏過去了，已經息了自己的勞苦，她的工作也必定隨著她（啟十四13）。她雖然死了，她信心的榜樣仍舊向我們說話（來一4)。求神眷顧祂的召會，為著基督身體的建造，為著祂在地上的見證，為著主恢復的往前，繼續興起眾多像她一樣的姊妹們。阿們。
