PRECIOUS ANSWERS TO PRAYER
In remarkable ways God helped Mr. Müller as "The Narratives" show:--
THE ARTIST'S FIRST RETURN.
"April 30 [1859].--Received the following letter from a considerable
distance: 'My dear Christian Brother, I am the husband of Mrs. ---- who
sends you by this post the two Sovereign piece. How can we better
dispose of this relic of affectionate remembrance, than by depositing it
in the bank of Christ, who always pays the best interest, and never
fails.--Now, my best and spiritual counsellor, I cannot express to you
the exceeding great joy I feel, in relating what follows. I am an
artist, a _poor_ artist, a landscape painter. About two weeks ago I sent
a picture to Bristol for exhibition, just as I finished your book that
was lent us. I most humbly and earnestly prayed to God to enable me, by
the sale of my Bristol picture, to have the blessed privilege of sending
you _half the proceeds_. The price of the picture is £20. Now mark.
Immediately the exhibition is open, God, in His mercy, mindful of my
prayer, sends me a purchaser. I have exhibited in Bristol before, _but
never sold_ a picture. Oh! my dear friend, my very heart leaps for joy.
I have never been so near God before. Through your instrumentality I
have been enabled to draw nearer to God, with more earnestness, more
faith, more holy desires.--This is the _first return_ God has blessed me
with for the whole of my last year's labours. What a blessing to have it
so returned!--Oh, with what joy I read your book!--The picture I speak
of is now being exhibited in the academy of arts at Clifton, numbered in
the Catalogue ----, the title is ----. I cannot pay you till the close
of the exhibition, as I shall not be paid till then, &c.' Of such
letters I have had thousands during the last 40 years."
THE NORTH WIND CHANGED INTO A SOUTH WIND.
"It was towards the end of November of 1857, when I was most
unexpectedly informed that the boiler of our heating apparatus at No. 1
leaked very considerably, so that it was impossible to go through the
winter with such a leak.--Our heating apparatus consists of a large
cylinder boiler, inside of which the fire is kept, and with which boiler
the water pipes, that warm the rooms, are connected. Hot air is also
connected with this apparatus. The boiler had been considered suited for
the work of the winter. To suspect that it was worn out, and not to do
anything towards replacing it by a new one, and to have said, I will
trust in God regarding it, would be careless presumption, but not faith
in God. It would be the counterfeit of faith.
"The boiler is entirely surrounded by brickwork; its state, therefore,
could not be known without taking down the brickwork; this, if needless,
would be rather injurious to the boiler, than otherwise; and as for
eight winters we had had no difficulty in this way, we had not
anticipated it now. But suddenly, and most unexpectedly, at the
commencement of the winter, this difficulty occurred. What then was to
be done? For the children, especially the younger infants, I felt deeply
concerned, that they might not suffer, through want of warmth. But how
were we to obtain warmth? The introduction of a _new_ boiler would, in
all probability, take many weeks. The _repairing_ of the boiler was a
questionable matter, on account of the greatness of the leak; but, if
not, nothing could be said of it, till the brick-chamber in which it is
enclosed, was, at least in part, removed; but that would, at least, as
far as we could judge, take days; and what was to be done in the
meantime, to find warm rooms for 300 children? It naturally occurred to
me, to introduce temporary gas-stoves; but on further weighing the
matter, it was found, that we should be unable to heat our very large
rooms with gas, except we had many stoves, which we could not introduce,
as we had not a sufficient quantity of gas to spare from our lighting
apparatus. Moreover, for each of these stoves we needed a small chimney,
to carry off the impure air. This mode of heating, therefore, though
applicable to a hall, a staircase, or a shop, would not suit our
purpose. I also thought of the temporary introduction of Arnott's
stoves; but they would have been unsuitable, requiring long chimneys (as
they would have been of a temporary kind) to go out of the windows. On
this account, the uncertainty of their answering in our case, and the
disfigurement of the rooms, led me to give up this plan also. But what
was to be done? Gladly would I have paid £100, if thereby the difficulty
could have been overcome, and the children not be exposed to suffer for
many days from being in cold rooms. At last I determined on falling
entirely into the hands of God, who is very merciful and of tender
compassion, and I decided on having the brick-chamber opened, to see the
extent of the damage, and whether the boiler might be repaired, so as to
carry us through the winter.
"The day was fixed, when the workmen were to come, and all the necessary
arrangements were made. The fire, of course, had to be let out while the
repairs were going on. But now see. After the day was fixed for the
repairs a bleak North wind set in. It began to blow either on Thursday
or Friday before the Wednesday afternoon, when the fire was to be let
out. Now came the first really cold weather, which we had in the
beginning of that winter, during the first days of December. What was to
be done? The repairs could not be put off. I now asked the Lord for two
things, viz., that He would be pleased to change the north wind into a
south wind, and that He would give to the workmen 'a mind to work'; for
I remembered how much Nehemiah accomplished in 52 days, whilst building
the walls of Jerusalem, because 'the people had a mind to work.' Well,
the memorable day came. The evening before, the bleak north wind blew
still: but, on the Wednesday, the south wind blew: exactly as I had
prayed. The weather was so mild that no fire was needed. The brickwork
is removed, the leak is found out very soon, the boiler makers begin to
repair in good earnest. About half-past eight in the evening, when I was
going home, I was informed at the lodge, that the acting principal of
the firm, whence the boiler makers came, had arrived to see how the work
was going on, and whether he could in any way speed the matter. I went
immediately, therefore, into the cellar, to see him with the men, to
seek to expedite the business. In speaking to the principal of this, he
said in their hearing, 'the men will work late this evening, and come
very early again to-morrow.'
"'We would rather, Sir,' said the leader, 'work all night.' Then
remembered I the second part of my prayer, that God would give the men
'a mind to work.' Thus it was: by the morning the repair was
accomplished, the leak was stopped, though with great difficulty, and
within about 30 hours the brickwork was up again, and the fire in the
boiler; and all the time the south wind blew so mildly, that there was
not the least need of a fire.
"Here, then, is one of our difficulties which was overcome by prayer and
faith."
CONVERSION OF THE ORPHANS.
"May 26, 1860.--Day after day, and year after year, by the help of God,
we labour in prayer for the spiritual benefit of the Orphans under our
care. These our supplications, which have been for 24 years brought
before the Lord concerning them, have been abundantly answered, in
former years, in the conversion of hundreds from among them. We have,
also, had repeated seasons in which, within a short time, or even all at
once, _many_ of the Orphans were converted. Such a season we had about
three years since, when, within a few days, about 60 were brought to
believe in the Lord Jesus; and such seasons we have had again twice
during the first year. The first was in July, 1859, when the Spirit of
God wrought so mightily in one school of 120 girls, as that very many,
yea more than one-half, were brought under deep concern about the
salvation of their souls. This work, moreover, was not a mere momentary
excitement; but, after more than eleven months have elapsed, there are
31 concerning whom there is _full_ confidence as to their conversion,
and 32 concerning whom there is likewise a goodly measure of confidence,
though not to the same amount, as regarding the 31. There are therefore
63 out of the 120 Orphans in that one School who are considered to have
been converted in July, 1859. This blessed and mighty work of the Holy
Spirit cannot be traced to any particular cause. It was however, a most
precious answer to prayer. As such we look upon it, and are encouraged
by it to further waiting upon God. The second season of the mighty
working of the Holy Spirit among the Orphans, during the past year, was
at the end of January and the beginning of February, 1860. The
particulars of it are of the deepest interest; but I must content myself
by stating, that this great work of the Spirit of God in January and
February, 1860, began among the younger class of the children under our
care, little girls of about 6, 7, 8 and 9 years old; then extended to
the older girls; and then to the boys, so that within about 10 days
above 200 of the Orphans were stirred up to be anxious about their
souls, and in _many_ instances found peace _immediately_, through faith
in our Lord Jesus. They at once requested to be allowed to hold
prayer-meetings among themselves, and have had these meetings ever
since. Many of them also manifested a concern about the salvation of
their companions and relations, and spoke or wrote to them, about the
way to be saved."
APPRENTICING THE ORPHANS.
"In the early part of the summer, 1862, it was found that we had several
boys ready to be apprenticed; but there were no applications made by
masters for apprentices. As all our boys are invariably sent out as
indoor apprentices, this was no small difficulty; for we not only look
for Christian masters, but consider their business, and examine into
their position, to see whether they are suitable; and the master must
also be willing to receive the apprentice into his own family. Under
these circumstances, we again gave ourselves to prayer, as we had done
for more than twenty years before, concerning this thing, instead of
advertising, which, in all probability, would only bring before us
masters who desire apprentices for the sake of the premium. We
remembered how good the Lord had been to us, in having helped us
hundreds of times before, in this very matter. Some weeks passed, but
the difficulty remained. We continued, however, in prayer, and then one
application was made, and then another; and since we first began to pray
about this matter, last summer, we have been able to send out altogether
18 boys up to May 26, 1863; the difficulty was thus again entirely
overcome by prayer, as every one of the boys, whom it was desirable to
send out, has been sent out."
SICKNESS AT THE ORPHANAGE.
Sickness at times visited the houses.
"During the summer and autumn of 1866 we had also the measles at all the
three Orphan-Houses. After they had made their appearance, our especial
prayer was: 1. That there might not be too many children ill at one time
in this disease, so that our accommodation in the Infirmary rooms or
otherwise might be sufficient. This prayer was answered to the full; for
though we had at the New Orphan-House No. 1 not less than 83 cases, in
No. 2 altogether 111, and in No. 3 altogether 68; yet God so graciously
was pleased to listen to our supplications, as that when our spare rooms
were filled with the invalids, He so long stayed the spreading of the
measles till a sufficient number were restored, so as to make room for
others, who were taken ill. 2. Further we prayed, that the children, who
were taken ill in the measles, might be safely brought through and not
die. Thus it was. We had the full answer to our prayers; for though 262
children altogether had the measles, not one of them died. 3. Lastly we
prayed, that no evil physical consequences might follow this disease, as
is so often the case; this was also granted. All the 262 children not
only recovered, but did well afterwards. I gratefully record this signal
mercy and blessing of God, and this full and precious answer to prayer,
to the honour of His name."
HELP FOR NEEDY BRETHREN.
1863.--"The end of the year was now at hand, and, in winding up the
accounts, it was my earnest desire, to do once more all I could, in
sending help to needy labourers in the gospel. I went therefore through
the list, writing against the various names of those to whom I had not
already recently sent, what amount it appeared desirable to send; and I
found, when these sums were added together, the total was £476, but £280
was all I had in hand. I wrote therefore a cheque for £280, though I
would have gladly sent £476, yet felt thankful, at the same time, that I
had this amount in hand for these brethren. Having written the cheque,
as the last occupation of the day, then came my usual season for prayer,
for the many things which I daily, by the help of God, bring before Him;
and then again, I brought also the case of these preachers of the Gospel
before the Lord, and besought Him that He would even now be pleased to
give me yet a goodly sum for them, though there remained but three days
to the close of our year. This being done, I went home about nine
o'clock in the evening, and found there had arrived from a great
distance £100 for Missions, with £100 left at my disposal, and £5 for
myself. I took, therefore, the whole £200 for Missions, and thus had
£480 in hand to meet the £476 which I desired for this object. Those who
know the blessedness of really trusting in God, and getting help from
Him, as in this case, in answer to prayer, will be able to enter into
the spiritual enjoyment I had in the reception of that donation, in
which both the answer to prayer was granted, and with it the great
enjoyment of gladdening the hearts of many devoted servants of Christ."
THE HEART'S DESIRE GIVEN TO HELP MISSION WORK IN CHINA.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire £50.--Received also One Thousand
Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is
especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire
to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken
steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand
Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be
a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work,
and who may need means for it. It proves afresh, that, if our work is
His work, and we honour Him, by waiting upon and looking to Him for
means, He will surely, in His own time and way, supply them."
THE JOY OF ANSWERS TO PRAYER.
"The joy which answers to prayer give, cannot be described; and the
impetus which they afford to the spiritual life is exceedingly great.
The experience of this happiness I desire for all my Christian readers.
If you believe indeed in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your soul,
if you walk uprightly and do not regard iniquity in your heart, if you
continue to wait patiently, and believingly upon God; then answers will
surely be given to your prayers. You may not be called upon to serve the
Lord in the way the writer does, and therefore may never have answers
to prayer respecting such things as are recorded here; but, in your
various circumstances, your family, your business, your profession, your
church position, your labour for the Lord, etc., you may have answers as
distinct as any here recorded."
THE GREAT NEED OF BEING SAVED BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS.
"Should this, however, be read by any who are not believers in the Lord
Jesus, but who are going on in the carelessness or self-righteousness of
their unrenewed hearts, then I would affectionately and solemnly beseech
such, first of all to be reconciled to God by faith in the Lord Jesus.
You are sinners. You deserve punishment. If you do not see this, ask God
to show it unto you. Let this now be your first and especial prayer. Ask
God also to enlighten you not merely concerning your state by nature,
but especially to reveal the Lord Jesus to your heart. God sent Him,
that He might bear the punishment, due to us guilty sinners. God accepts
the obedience and sufferings of the Lord Jesus, in the room of those who
depend upon Him for the salvation of their souls; and the moment a
sinner believes in the Lord Jesus, he obtains the forgiveness of all his
sins. When thus he is reconciled to God, by faith in the Lord Jesus, and
has obtained the forgiveness of his sins, he has boldness to enter into
the presence of God, to make known his requests unto Him; and the more
he is enabled to realize that his sins are forgiven, and that God, for
Christ's sake, is well pleased with those who believe on Him, the more
ready he will be to come with all his wants, both temporal and
spiritual, to his Heavenly Father, that He may supply them. But as long
as the consciousness of unpardoned guilt remains, so long shall we be
kept at a distance from God, especially as it regards prayer. Therefore,
dear reader, if you are an unforgiven sinner, let your first and
especial prayer be, that God would be pleased to reveal to your heart
the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son."
A DOUBLE ANSWER.
"July 25 [1865].--From the neighbourhood of London £100, with the
following letter: 'My dear Sir, I believe that it is through the Lord's
actings upon me, that I enclose you a cheque on the Bank of England,
Western Branch, for £100. I hope that your affairs are going on well.
Yours in the Lord * * * *.' This Christian gentleman, whom I have never
seen, and who is engaged in a very large business in London, had sent me
several times before a similar sum. A day or two before I received this
last kind donation, I had asked the Lord, that He would be pleased to
influence the heart of this donor to help me again, which I had never
done before regarding him; and thus I had the double answer to prayer,
in that not only money came in, but money from _him_. The reader will
now see the meaning in the donor's letter, when he wrote 'I believe
that it is through the Lord's actings upon me that I enclose you a
cheque, &c.' Verily it was the Lord who acted upon this gentleman, to
send me this sum. Perhaps the reader may think, that in acknowledging
the receipt of the donation, I wrote to the donor what I have here
stated. I did not. My reason for not doing so was, lest he should have
thought I was in especial need, and might have been thus influenced to
send more. In truly knowing the Lord, in really relying upon Him and
upon Him alone, there is no need of giving hints directly or indirectly,
whereby individuals may be induced further to help. I might have written
to the donor (as was indeed the case), I need a considerable sum day by
day for the current expenses of the various objects of the Institution,
and also might have with truth told him, at that time, that I yet needed
about Twenty Thousand Pounds, to enable me to meet all the expenses
connected with the contemplated enlargement of the Orphan work. But my
practice is, never to allude to any of these things in my correspondence
with donors. When the Report is published, every one can see, who has a
desire to see, how matters stand; and thus I leave things in the hands
of God, to speak for us to the hearts of His stewards. And this He does.
Verily we do not wait upon God in _!"
CHRISTIANS IN BUSINESS.
"Jan. 1 [1869].--From Scotland £50 for Missions, £25 for the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures and £25 for the circulation of Tracts. Received
also from a considerable distance £10 for these objects, with £10 for
the Orphans. About this latter donation I make a few remarks. At the
early part of the year 1868, a Christian business man wrote to me for
advice in his peculiar difficult business affairs. His letter showed
that he had a desire to walk in the ways of the Lord, and to carry on
his business to the glory of God; but his circumstances were of the most
trying character. I therefore wrote to him to come to Bristol, that I
might be able to advise him. Accordingly he undertook the long journey,
and I had an interview with him, through which I saw his most trying
position in business. Having fully conversed with him, I gave him the
following counsel: 1, That he should day by day, expressly for the
purpose, retire with his Christian wife, that they might unitedly spread
their business difficulties before God in prayer, and do this, if
possible, twice a day. 2, That he should look out for answers to his
prayers, and expect that God would help him. 3, That he should avoid all
business trickeries, such as exposing for sale two or three articles,
marked below cost price, for the sake of attracting customers, because
of its being unbecoming a disciple of the Lord Jesus to use such
artifices; and that, if he did so, he could not reckon on the blessing
of God. 4, I advised him further, to set apart; out of his profits, week
by week, a certain proportion for the work of God, whether his income
was much or little, and use this income faithfully for the Lord. 5,
Lastly, I asked him, to let me know, month after month, how the Lord
dealt with him.--The reader will feel interested to learn, that from
that time the Lord was pleased to prosper the business of this dear
Christian brother, so that his returns from the 1st of March, 1868, up
to March 1, 1869, were £9,138 13s. 5d., while during the same period the
previous year they had been only £6,609 18s. 3d., therefore £2,528 15s.
2d. more than the year before. When he sent me the donation above
referred to, he also writes, that he had been enabled to put aside
during the previous year £123 13s. 3d. for the work of God or the need
of the poor.--I have so fully dwelt on this, because Christians in
business may be benefited by it."
REVIVAL IN THE ORPHAN-HOUSES.
"In giving the statistics of the previous year [1871-72], I referred
already to the great spiritual blessing, which it pleased the Lord to
grant to the Orphan Work at the end of that year and the beginning of
this; but, as this is so deeply important a subject, I enter somewhat
further and more fully into it here. It was stated before, that the
spiritual condition of the Orphans generally gave to us great sorrow of
heart, because there were so few, comparatively, among them, who were in
earnest about their souls, and resting on the atoning death of the Lord
Jesus for salvation. This our sorrow led us to lay it on the whole
staff of assistants, matrons and teachers, to seek earnestly the Lord's
blessing on the souls of the children. This was done in our united
prayer meetings, and, I have reason to believe, in secret also; and in
answer to these our secret and united prayers, in the year 1872, there
were, as the result of this, more believers by far among the Orphans
than ever. On Jan. 8, 1872, the Lord began to work among them, and this
work was going on more or less afterwards. In the New Orphan-House No.
3, it showed itself least, till it pleased the Lord to lay His hand
heavily on that house, by the small-pox; and, from that time the working
of the Holy Spirit was felt in that house also, particularly in one
department. At the end of July, 1872, I received the statements of all
the matrons and teachers in the five houses, who reported to me, that,
after careful observation and conversation, they had good reason to
believe that 729 of the Orphans then under our care, were believers in
the Lord Jesus. This number of believing Orphans is by far greater than
ever we had, for which we adore and praise the Lord! See how the Lord
overruled the great trial, occasioned by the small-pox, and turned it
into a great blessing! See, also, how, after so low a state,
comparatively, which led us to prayer, earnest prayer, the working of
the Holy Spirit was more manifest than ever!"
MR. MÜLLER'S MISSION TOURS.
In the year 1875, when seventy years of age, Mr. Müller was led to start
on his Missionary Tours, and during the next twenty years preached to
more than three million people, in forty-two countries of the world.
"On August 8th, 1882," Mr. Müller says, "we began our ninth Missionary
Tour. The first place at which I preached was Weymouth, where I spoke in
public four times. From Weymouth we went, by way of Calais and Brussels,
to Düsseldorf on the Rhine, where I preached many times six years
before. During this visit, I spoke there in public eight times.
Regarding my stay at Düsseldorf, for the encouragement of the reader, I
relate the following circumstance. During our first visit to that city,
in the year 1876, a godly City Missionary came to me one day, greatly
tried, because he had six sons, for whose conversion he had been praying
many years, and yet they remained unconcerned about their souls, and he
desired me to tell him what to do. My reply was, '_Continue_ to pray for
your sons, and _expect_ an answer to your prayer, and you will have to
praise God.' Now, when after six years I was again in the same city,
this dear man came to me and said he was surprised he had not seen
before himself what he ought to do, and that he had resolved to take my
advice and more earnestly than ever give himself to prayer. Two months
after he saw me, five of his six sons were converted within eight days,
and have for six years now walked in the ways of the Lord, and he had
hope that the sixth son also was beginning to be concerned about his
state before God. May the Christian reader be encouraged by this, should
his prayers not at once be answered; and, instead of ceasing to pray,
wait upon God all the more earnestly and perseveringly, and _expect_
answers to his petitions."
THE DIVINE PLAN FOR SENDING OUT FOREIGN MISSIONARIES.
The Bristol Church with which Mr. Müller was connected has been
privileged to set an example to the Church of God of the way in which
Foreign Missionaries (who are so greatly needed) can be sent forth in
answer to prayer. Mr. Müller writes on p. 516, Vol. I. of his
Narrative:--
"I also mention here, that during the eight years previous to my going
to Germany to labour there, it had been laid on my heart, and on the
hearts of some other brethren among us, to ask the Lord that he would be
pleased to honour us, as a body of believers, by calling forth from our
midst brethren, for carrying the truth into foreign lands. But this
prayer seemed to remain unanswered. Now, however, the time was come when
the Lord was about to answer it, and I, on whose heart particularly this
matter had been laid, was to be the first to carry forth the truth from
among us. About that very time the Lord called our dear brother and
sister Barrington from among us, to go to Demerara, to labour there in
connexion with our esteemed brother Strong, and our dear brother and
sister Espenett, to go to Switzerland. Both these dear brethren and
sisters left very shortly after I had gone to Germany. But this was not
all. Our much valued brother Mordal, who had commended himself to the
saints by his unwearied faithful service among us for twelve years, had
from Aug. 31, 1843, (the day on which brothers Strong and Barrington
sailed from Bristol for Demerara), his mind likewise exercised about
service there, and went out from among us eleven months after. He,
together with myself, had had it particularly laid upon his heart,
during the eight years previously, to ask the Lord again and again to
call labourers from among us for foreign service. Of all persons he, the
father of a large family, and about 50 years of age, seemed the least
likely to be called to that work; but God did call him. He went,
laboured a little while in Demerara, and then, on January 9, 1845, the
Lord took him to his rest.--When we ask God for a thing, such as that He
would be pleased to raise up labourers for His harvest, or send means
for the carrying on of His work, the honest question to be put to our
hearts should be this: Am _I_ willing to go, if He should call _me_? Am
_I_ willing to give according to _my_ ability? For we may be the very
persons whom the Lord will call for the work, or whose means He may wish
to employ."
In the Report of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for 1896 Mr.
Müller shows how greatly this body of believers has been honoured by
God.
"From our own midst, as a church sixty brethren and sisters have gone
forth to foreign fields of labour, some of whom have finished their
labour on earth; but there are still about forty yet engaged in this
precious service."
Why should not the great and crying need for workers in Asia, Africa,
and other parts of the world be thus met by thousands of churches in
Europe and America following this divine plan of praying the Lord of the
harvest that He would send forth labourers from among them?
Surely they may expect GOD to answer their prayers as He did the prayers
of this Bristol church.
Look what has been done in China by the faithful use of GOD'S method! We
quote Mr. Hudson Taylor's words as given in _China's Millions_ for July,
1897:--
"For the obtaining of fellow-workers we took the MASTER'S direction,
'Pray ye the LORD of the Harvest.' As for the first five before the
Mission was formed, so for the twenty-four for whom we first asked for
the C.I.M.; for further reinforcements when they were needed; for the
seventy in three years, for the hundred in one year, and for further
additions from time to time, we have ever relied on this plan. Is it
possible that in any other way such a band of workers from nearly every
denomination, and from many lands, could have been gathered and kept
together for thirty years with no other bond save that which the call of
GOD and the love of GOD has proved--a band now numbering over seven
hundred men and women, aided by more than five hundred native workers."
THE BEGINNING OF THE 1859 REVIVAL.
"In November, 1856, a young Irishman, Mr. James McQuilkin, was brought
to the knowledge of the Lord. Soon after his conversion he saw my
Narrative advertised, viz.: the first two volumes of this book. He had a
great desire to read it, and procured it accordingly, about January,
1857. God blessed it greatly to his soul, especially in showing to him,
what could be obtained by prayer. He said to himself something like
this: 'See what Mr. Müller obtains simply by prayer. Thus I may obtain
blessing by prayer.' He now set himself to pray, that the Lord would
give him a spiritual companion, one who knew the Lord. Soon after he
became acquainted with a young man who was a believer. These two began a
prayer-meeting in one of the Sunday Schools in the parish of Connor.
Having his prayer answered in obtaining a spiritual companion, Mr. James
McQuilkin asked the Lord to lead him to become acquainted with some more
of His hidden ones. Soon after the Lord gave him two more young men, who
were believers previously, as far as he could judge. In Autumn, 1857,
Mr. James McQuilkin stated to these three young men, given him in
answer to believing prayer, what blessing he had derived from my
Narrative, how it had led him to see the power of believing prayer; and
he proposed that they should meet for prayer to seek the Lord's blessing
upon their various labours in the Sunday Schools, prayer-meetings, and
preaching of the Gospel. Accordingly in Autumn, 1857, these four young
men met together for prayer in a small school-house near the village of
Kells, in the parish of Connor, every Friday evening. By this time the
great and mighty working of the Spirit, in 1857, in the United States,
had become known, and Mr. James McQuilkin said to himself, 'Why may not
we have such a blessed work here, seeing that God did such great things
for Mr. Müller, simply in answer to prayer.' On January 1, 1858, the
Lord gave them the first remarkable answer to prayer in the conversion
of a farm servant. He was taken into the number, and thus there were
five who gave themselves to prayer. Shortly after, another young man,
about 20 years old, was converted; there were now six. This greatly
encouraged the other three who first had met with Mr. James McQuilkin.
Others now were converted, who were also taken into the number; but only
believers were admitted to these fellowship meetings, in which they
read, prayed, and offered to each other a few thoughts from the
Scriptures. These meetings and others for the preaching of the Gospel
were held in the parish of Connor, Antrim, Ireland. Up to this time all
was going on most quietly, though many souls were converted, There were
no physical prostrations, as afterwards.
"About Christmas, 1858, a young man, from Ahoghill, who had come to live
at Connor, and who had been converted through this little company of
believers, went to see his friends at Ahoghill, and spoke to them about
their own souls, and the work of God at Connor. His friends desired to
see some of these converts. Accordingly Mr. James McQuilkin, with two of
the first who met for prayer, went on February 2, 1859, and held a
meeting at Ahoghill in one of the Presbyterian Churches. Some believed,
some mocked, and others thought there was a great deal of presumption in
these young converts; yet many wished to have another meeting. This was
held by the same three young men on February 16th, 1859; and now the
Spirit of God began to work, and to work mightily. Souls were converted,
and from that time conversions multiplied rapidly. Some of these
converts went to other places, and carried the spiritual fire, so to
speak, with them. The blessed work of the spirit of God spread in _many
places_.--On April 5th, 1859, Mr. James McQuilkin went to Ballymena,
held a meeting there in one of the Presbyterian Churches; and on April
11th held another meeting in another of the Presbyterian churches.
Several were convinced of sin and the work of the Spirit of God went
forward in Ballymena.--On May 28th, 1859, he went to Belfast. During the
first week there were meetings held in five different Presbyterian
Churches, and from that time the blessed work commenced at Belfast. In
all these visits he was accompanied and helped by Mr. Jeremiah Meneely,
one of the three young men who first met with him, after the reading of
my Narrative. From this time the work of the Holy Ghost spread further
and further; for the young converts were used by the Lord to carry the
truth from one place to another.
"Such was the _beginning_ of that mighty work of the Holy Spirit, which
has led to the conversion of hundreds of thousands; for some of my
readers will remember how in 1859 this fire was kindled in England,
Wales and Scotland; how it spread through Ireland, England, Wales and
Scotland; how the Continent of Europe was more or less partaking of this
mighty working of the Holy Spirit; how it led thousands to give
themselves to the work of Evangelists; and how up to the year 1874 not
only the effects of this work, first begun in Ireland, are felt, but
that still more or less this blessed work is going on in Europe
generally. It is almost needless to add, that in no degree the honour is
due to the instruments, but to the Holy Spirit alone; yet these facts
are stated, in order that it may be seen, what delight God has in
answering abundantly the believing prayer of His children."
MR. MÜLLER'S MARRIAGE.
In Vol. 3 of The Narrative, Mr. Müller shows the ordering of God in his
meeting with and subsequent marriage to his first wife, Miss Mary
Groves.
"In giving her to me, I own the hand of God; nay, His hand was most
marked; and my soul says, 'Thou art good, and doest good.'
"I refer to a few particulars for the instruction of others. When at the
end of the year 1829, I left London to labour in Devonshire in the
Gospel, a brother in the Lord gave to me a card, containing the address
of a well-known Christian lady, Miss Paget, who then resided in Exeter,
in order that I should call on her, as she was an excellent Christian. I
took this address and put it into my pocket, but thought little of
calling on her. Three weeks I carried this card in my pocket, without
making an effort to see this lady; but at last I was led to do so. This
was God's way of giving me my excellent wife. Miss Paget asked me to
preach the last Tuesday in the month of January, 1830, at the room which
she had fitted up at Poltimore, a village near Exeter, and where Mr. A.
N. Groves, afterwards my brother-in-law, had preached once a month,
before he went out as a Missionary to Bagdad. I accepted readily the
invitation, as I longed, everywhere to set forth the precious truth of
the Lord's return, and other deeply important truths, which not long
before my own soul had been filled with.
"On leaving Miss Paget, she gave me the address of a Christian brother,
Mr. Hake, who had an Infant Boarding School for young ladies and
gentlemen, at Northernhay House, the former residence of Mr. A. N.
Groves, in order that I might stay there on my arrival in Exeter from
Teignmouth. To this place I went at the appointed time. Miss Groves,
afterwards my beloved wife, was there; for Mrs. Hake had been a great
invalid for a long time, and Miss Groves helped Mr. Hake in his great
affliction, by superintending his household matters. My first visit led
to my going again to preach at Poltimore, after the lapse of a month,
and I stayed again at Mr. Hake's house; and this second visit led to my
preaching once a week in a chapel at Exeter; and thus I went, week after
week, from Teignmouth to Exeter, each time staying in the house of Mr.
Hake. All this time my purpose had been, not to marry at all, but to
remain free for travelling about in the service of the Gospel; but after
some months I saw, for many reasons, that it was better for me, as a
young Pastor, under 25 years of age, to be married. The question now
was, to whom shall I be united? Miss Groves was before my mind; but the
prayerful conflict was long, before I came to a decision; for I could
not bear the thought, that I should take away from Mr. Hake this valued
helper, as Mrs. Hake continued still unable to take the responsibility
of so large a household. But I prayed again and again. At last this
decided me, I had reason to believe that I had begotten an affection in
the heart of Miss Groves for me, and that therefore I ought to make a
proposal of marriage to her, however unkindly I might appear to act to
my dear friend and brother Mr. Hake, and to ask God to give him a
suitable helper to succeed Miss Groves. On Aug. 15th, 1830, I therefore
wrote to her, proposing to her to become my wife, and on Aug. 19th, when
I went over as usual to Exeter for preaching, she accepted me. The first
thing we did, after I was accepted, was, to fall on our knees, and to
ask the blessing of the Lord on our intended union. In about two or
three weeks the Lord, in answer to prayer, found an individual, who
seemed suitable to act as housekeeper, whilst Mrs. Hake continued ill;
and on Oct. 7, 1830, we were united in marriage. Our marriage was of the
most simple character. We walked to church, had no wedding breakfast,
but in the afternoon had a meeting of Christian friends in Mr. Hake's
house and commemorated the Lord's death; and then I drove off in the
stagecoach with my beloved bride to Teignmouth, and the next day we went
to work for the Lord. Simple as our beginning was, and unlike the habits
of the world, for Christ's sake, so our Godly aim has been, to continue
ever since. Now see the hand of God in giving me my dearest wife:--1st,
that address of Miss Paget's was given to me under the ordering of God.
2nd, I must at last be made to call on her, though I had long delayed
it. 3rd, She might have provided a resting-place with some other
Christian friend, where I should not have seen Miss Groves. 4th, My mind
might have at last, after all, decided, not to make a proposal to her;
but God settled the matter thus in speaking to me through my
conscience--you know that you have begotten affection in the heart of
this Christian sister, by the way you have acted towards her, and
therefore, painful though it may be, to appear to act unkindly towards
your friend and brother, you ought to make her a proposal. I obeyed. I
wrote the letter in which I made the proposal, and nothing but one even
stream of blessing has been the result.
"Let me here add a word of Christian counsel. To enter upon the marriage
union is one of the most deeply important events of life. It cannot be
too prayerfully treated. Our happiness, our usefulness, our living for
God or for ourselves afterwards, are often most intimately connected
with our choice. Therefore, in the most prayerful manner, this choice
should be made. Neither beauty, nor age, nor money, nor mental powers,
should be that which prompt the decision; but 1st, Much waiting upon God
for guidance should be used; 2nd, A hearty purpose, to be willing to be
guided by Him should be aimed after; 3rd, True godliness without a
shadow of doubt, should be the first and absolutely needful
qualification, to a Christian, with regard to a companion for life. In
addition to this, however, it ought to be, at the same time, calmly and
patiently weighed, whether, in other respects, there is a suitableness.
For instance, for an educated man to choose an entirely uneducated
woman, is unwise; for however much on his part love might be willing to
cover the defect, it will work very unhappily with regard to the
children."
DANGEROUS ILLNESS OF MR. MÜLLER'S DAUGHTER.
"In July, 1853, it pleased the Lord to try my faith in a way in which
before it had not been tried. My beloved daughter and only child, and a
believer since the commencement of the year 1846, was taken ill on June
20th.
"This illness, at first a low fever, turned to typhus. On July 3rd there
seemed no hope of her recovery. Now was the trial of faith. But faith
triumphed. My beloved wife and I were enabled to give her up into the
hands of the Lord. He sustained us both exceedingly. But I will only
speak about myself. Though my only and beloved child was brought near
the grave, yet was my soul in perfect peace, satisfied with the will of
my Heavenly Father, being assured that He would only do that for her and
her parents, which in the end would be the best. She continued very ill
till about July 20th, when restoration began.
"On Aug. 18th she was so far restored that she could be removed to
Clevedon for change of air, though exceedingly weak. It was then 59 days
since she was first taken ill. * * * * * *
"Parents know what an only child, a beloved child is, and what to
believing parents an only child, a believing child must be. Well, the
Father in Heaven said, as it were, by this His dispensation, 'Art thou
willing to give up this child to me?' My heart responded, As it seems
good to Thee, my Heavenly Father. Thy will be done. But as our hearts
were made willing to give back our beloved child to Him who had given
her to us, so He was ready to leave her to us, and she lived. 'Delight
thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine
heart.' Psalm xxxvii. 4. The desires of my heart were, to retain the
beloved daughter if it were the will of God; the means to retain her
were to be satisfied with the will of the Lord.
"Of all the trials of faith that as yet I have had to pass through, this
was the greatest; and by God's abundant mercy, I own it to His praise, I
was enabled to delight myself in the will of God; for I felt perfectly
sure, that, if the Lord took this beloved daughter, it would be best for
her parents, best for herself, and more for the glory of God than if she
lived: this better part I was satisfied with; and thus my heart had
peace, perfect peace, and I had not a moment's anxiety. Thus would it be
under all circumstances, however painful, were the believer exercising
faith."
THE DAILY BREAD.
"Aug. 3, 1844. Saturday. With the 12s. we began the day. My soul said:
'I will now look out for the way in which the Lord will deliver us this
day again; for He will surely deliver. Many Saturdays, when we were in
need, He helped us, and so He will do this day also.' Between nine and
ten o'clock this morning I gave myself to prayer for means, with three
of my fellow-labourers, in my house. WHILST WE WERE IN PRAYER, there was
a knock at my room-door, and I was informed that a gentleman had come
to see me. When we had finished prayer, it was found to be a brother
from Tetbury, who had brought from Barnstaple £1 2s. 6d. for the
Orphans. Thus we have £1 14s. 6d., with which I must return the
letter-bag to the Orphan-Houses, looking to the Lord for more.
"Aug. 6.--Without _one single penny_ in my hands the day began. The post
brought nothing, nor had I yet received anything, when ten minutes after
ten this morning the letter-bag was brought from the Orphan-Houses, for
the supplies of to-day.--Now see the Lord's deliverance! In the bag I
found a note from one of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses, enclosing
two sovereigns, which she sent for the Orphans, stating that it was part
of a present which she had just received unexpectedly, for
herself.--Thus we are supplied for to-day.
"Sept. 4.--Only one farthing was in my hands this morning. Pause a moment,
dear reader! Only one farthing in hand when the day commenced. Think of
this, and think of nearly 140 persons to be provided for. You, poor
brethren, who have six or eight children and small wages, think of this;
and you, my brethren, who do not belong to the working classes, but have,
as it is called, very limited means, think of this! May you not do, what
we do, under your _trials_? Does the Lord love you less than He loves
us? Does He not love all His children with no less love than that, with
which He loves His only begotten Son, according to John xvii. 20-23? Or
are we better than you? Nay, are we not in ourselves poor miserable
sinners as you are; and have any of the children of God any claim upon
God, on account of their own worthiness? Is not that, which alone can
make us worthy to receive anything from our Heavenly Father, the
righteousness of the Lord Jesus, which is imputed to those who believe
in Him? Therefore, dear reader, as we pray in our every need, of
whatever character it may be, in connection with this work, to our
Father in Heaven for help, and as He does help us, so is He willing to
help all His children who put their trust in Him.--Well, let us hear
then, how God helped when there was only one farthing left in my hands,
on the morning of Sept. 4, 1844.
"A little after nine o'clock I received a sovereign from a sister in the
Lord, who does not wish the name of the place, where she resides,
mentioned. Between ten and eleven o'clock the bag was sent from the
Orphan-Houses, in which in a note it was stated that £1 2s. was required
for to-day. SCARCELY HAD I READ THIS, when a fly stopped before my
house, and a gentleman, Mr. ----, from the neighbourhood of Manchester,
was announced. I found that he was a believer, who had come on business
to Bristol. He had heard about the Orphan-Houses, and expressed his
surprise, that without any regular system of collections, and without
personal application to anyone, simply by faith and prayer, I obtained
£2,000 and more yearly for the work of the Lord in my hands. This
brother, whom I had never seen before; and whose name I did not even
know before he came, gave me £2, as an exemplification of what I had
stated to him."
"THE POOR WITH YOU ALWAYS."
"Feb. 12, 1845.--After I had sent off this morning the money which was
required for the housekeeping of to-day, I had again only 16s. 2½d.
left, being only about one-fourth as much as is generally needed for one
day, merely for housekeeping, so that there was now again a fresh call
for trusting in the Lord. In the morning I met again, as usual, with my
dear wife and her sister, for prayer, to ask the Lord for many blessings
in connection with this work, and for means also.
"About one hour after, I received a letter from Devonshire, containing
an order for £22 of which £10 was for the Orphans, £2 for a poor brother
in Bristol, and £10 for myself.--Besides having thus a fresh proof of
the willingness of our Heavenly Father to answer our requests on behalf
of the Orphans, there is this, moreover, to be noticed. For many months
past, the necessities of the poor saints among us have been particularly
laid upon my heart. The word of our Lord: 'Ye have the poor with you
always,' and 'whensoever ye will ye may do them good,' has again and
again stirred me up to prayer on their behalf, and thus it was again in
particular this morning. It was the coldest morning we have had the
whole winter. In my morning walk for prayer and meditation I thought
how well I was supplied with coals, nourishing food, and warm clothing,
and how many of the dear children of God might be in need; and I lifted
up my heart to God to give me more means for myself, that I might be
able, by actions, to show more abundant sympathy with the poor believers
in their need; and it was but three hours after when I received this
£10 for myself."
THE LORD DIRECTING THE STEPS.
"Feb. 1, 1847.--Before breakfast I took a direction in my usual
morning's walk, in which I had not been for many weeks, feeling drawn in
that direction, just as if God had an intention in leading me in that
way. Returning home I met a Christian gentleman whom formerly I used to
meet almost every morning, but whom I had not met for many weeks,
because I had not been walking in that direction. He stopped me and gave
me £2 for the Orphans. Then I knew why I had been led thus; for there is
not yet enough in hand, to supply the matrons to-morrow evening with the
necessary means for house-keeping during another week.
"Feb. 4.--Yesterday nothing had come in. This morning, just before I was
going to give myself to prayer about the Orphans, a sister in the Lord
sent a sovereign, which she had received, as she writes, 'From a friend
who had met the Orphan Boys, and was particularly pleased with their
neat and orderly appearance.' After having received this £1, I prayed
for means for present use, though not confining my prayers to that.
About a quarter of an hour after I had risen from my knees, I received a
Setter, with an order for £5. The donor writes, that it is 'the proceeds
of a strip of land, sold to the railway company.' What various means
does the Lord employ to send us help, in answer to our prayers!"
CONTINUED TRIALS OF FAITH AND PATIENCE.
With the enlargement of the work, by which some 330 persons needed to be
provided for, the trials of faith continued. Mr. Müller writes:--
"If we formerly had no certain income, so now have we none. We have to
look to God for everything in connection with the work, of which often,
however, the pecuniary necessities are the smallest matter; but to Him
we are enabled to look, and _therefore_ it is, that we are not
disappointed."
"Oct. 7, 1852.--This evening there was only £8 left in hand for the
current expenses for the Orphans. Hitherto we had generally abounded.
But though much had come in, since the commencement of this new period,
yet our expenses had been greater than our income, as every donation
almost of which the disposal was left with me, had been put to the
Building Fund. Thus the balance in hand on May 26, 1852, notwithstanding
the large income since then, was reduced to about £8. I therefore gave
myself particularly to prayer for means, that this small sum might be
increased.
"Oct. 9.--This morning Luke vii came in the course of my reading before
breakfast. While reading the account about the Centurion and the raising
from death the widow's son at Nain, I lifted up my heart to the Lord
Jesus thus: 'Lord Jesus, Thou hast the same power now. Thou canst
provide me with means for Thy work in my hands. Be pleased to do so.'
About half an hour afterwards I received £230 15s.
"The joy which such answers to prayer afford, cannot be described. I was
determined to wait upon God only, and not to work an unscriptural
deliverance for myself. I have thousands of pounds for the Building
Fund; but I would not take of this sum because it was once set apart for
that object. There is also a legacy of £100 for the Orphans two months
overdue, in the prospect of the payment of which the heart might be
naturally inclined to use some money of the Building Fund, to be
replaced by the legacy money, when it comes in; but I would not thus
step out of God's way of obtaining help. At the very time when this
donation arrived, I had packed up £100 which I happened to have in hand;
received for the Building Fund, in order to take it to the Bank, as I
was determined not to touch it, but to wait upon God. My soul does
magnify the Lord for His goodness.
"June 13, 1853.--We were now very poor. Not indeed in debt, nor was even
all the money gone; for there was still about £12 in hand; but then
there was needed to be bought flour, of which we buy generally 10 sacks
at a time, 300 stones of oatmeal, 4 cwt. of soap, and there were many
little repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen, besides
the regular current expenses of about £70 per week. Over and above all
this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating
apparatus needed to be repaired, which would cost in all probability
£25. It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have £100 for
these heavy extra expenses, besides means for the current expenses.
"But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even 100 pence, much
less £100. In addition to this, to-day was Monday, when generally the
income is little. But, in walking to the Orphan-House this morning, and
praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, that on this
day, though Monday, He could send me much. And thus it was. I received
this morning £301 for the Lord's service, as might be most needed.--The
joy which I had cannot be described. I walked up and down in my room for
a long time, tears of joy and gratitude to the Lord raining plentifully
over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and
surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed
service. I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord in helping
me.
"Nov. 9.--Our need of means is now great, very great. The Lord tries our
faith and patience. This afternoon, a brother and sister in the Lord,
from Gloucestershire, called to see me at the New Orphan-House, before
going through the house. After a few minutes I received from the sister
a sovereign, which she had been requested to bring to me for the
Building Fund; and she gave me from herself £1 for my own personal
expenses, and £1 for the Building Fund, and her husband gave me £5 for
the Orphans, and £5 for Foreign Missions.
"Thus the Lord has refreshed my spirit greatly; but I look for more, and
need much more.
"Nov. 12.--This evening, while praying for means, came a little parcel,
containing ten sovereigns, from a Christian lady, living not far from
the New Orphan-House. This was a very great refreshment to my spirit.
"Oct. 17, 1854.--This morning at family prayer, came, in the course of
reading, Exodus v, which shows that, just before the deliverance of the
Israelites out of Egypt, their trials were greater than ever. They had
not only to make the same number of bricks as before, but also to gather
stubble, as no straw was given them any longer. This led me, in
expounding the portion, to observe that even now the children of God are
often in greater trial than ever, just before help and deliverance
comes. Immediately after family prayer it was found, that by the
morning's post not one penny had come in for the work of the Lord in
which I am engaged, though we needed much, and though but very little
had come in during the three previous days. Thus I had now to remember
Exodus v, and to practice the truths contained therein. In the course of
the day nothing was received. In the evening I had, as usual, a season
for prayer with my dear wife, respecting the various objects of the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and then we left the New Orphan-House
for our home.
"When we arrived at our house, about nine o'clock, we found that £5 and
also 5s. had been sent from Norwich in two Post Office Orders for the
Building Fund, and that £8 3s. 11d. had been sent in for Bibles, Tracts,
and Reports, which had been sold. This called for thanksgiving. But a
little later, between nine and ten o'clock, a Christian gentleman called
and gave me £1 for the Orphans and £200 for foreign missions. He had
received these sums from an aged Christian woman, whose savings as a
servant, during her WHOLE life, made up the £200, and who, having
recently had left to her a little annual income of about £30, felt
herself constrained, by the love of Christ, to send the savings of her
whole life for foreign missions. * * *
"Our especial prayer had been again and again, that the Lord would be
pleased to send in means for missionary brethren, as I had reason to
believe they were in much need of help; and only at eight o'clock this
evening I had particularly besought the Lord to send help for this
object. By the last mail I had sent off £40 to British Guiana, to help
seven brethren there in some measure. This amount took the last pound in
hand for this object. How gladly would I have sent assistance to other
brethren also, but I had no more. Now I am in some degree supplied for
this object.
"July 12, 1854.--Our means were now again reduced to about £30, as only
about £150 had come in since June 15. In addition to this, we had very
heavy expenses before us. This morning, in reading through the book of
Proverbs, when I came to chapter xxii. 19--'That thy trust may be in the
Lord, &c.,' I said in prayer to Him: 'Lord, I do trust in Thee; but wilt
Thou now be pleased to help me; for I am in need of means for the
current expenses of all the various objects of the Institution.' By the
first delivery of letters I received an order on a London bank for £100,
to be used for all the various objects 'as the present need might
require.'"
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR ETERNITY?
"In looking over my account books, I meet again and again with the name
of one and another who has finished his course. Soon, dear reader, your
turn and mine may come. Are you prepared for eternity? Affectionately I
press this question upon you. Do not put it away. Nothing is of greater
moment than this point; yea, all other things, however important in
their place, are of exceedingly small importance, in comparison with
this matter. Do you ask, how you may be prepared for eternity, how to be
saved, how to obtain the forgiveness of your sins? The answer is,
believe in the Lord Jesus, trust in Him, depend upon Him alone as it
regards the salvation of your soul. He was punished by God, in order
that we guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might not be punished. He
fulfilled the law of God, and was obedient even unto death, in order
that we disobedient, guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might, on His
account, be reckoned righteous by God. Ponder these things, dear reader,
should you have never done so before. Through faith in the Lord Jesus
alone can we obtain forgiveness of our sins, and be at peace with God;
but, believing in Jesus, we become, through this very faith, the
children of God; have God as our Father, and may come to Him for all the
temporal and spiritual blessings which we need. Thus everyone of my
readers may obtain answers to prayers, not only to the same extent that
we obtain them, but far more abundantly.
"It may be that few, comparatively, of the children of God are called to
serve the Lord in the way of establishing Orphan-Houses, &c.; but all of
them may, yea, are called upon to trust in God, to rely upon Him, in
their various positions and circumstances, and apply the word of God,
faith, and prayer to their family circumstances, their earthly
occupation, their afflictions and necessities of every kind, both
temporally and spiritually; just as we, by God's help, in some little
measure seek to apply the word of God, faith and prayer to the various
objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad.
Make but trial of it, if you have never done so before, and you will
see how happy a life it is. * * * *
"Truly I prefer by far this life of almost constant trial, if I am only
able to roll all my cares upon my Heavenly Father, and thus become
increasingly acquainted with Him, to a life of outward peace and
quietness, without these constant proofs of His faithfulness, His
wisdom, His love, His power, His over-ruling providence, &c."
WAITING ONLY UPON GOD.
"Sept 6, 1854.--Received from Clerkenwell £50 to be used one-half for
missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took the one-half for
the support of the Orphans, and find the following remark in my journal
respecting this donation: 'What a precious answer to prayer!' Since Aug.
26th we have been day by day coming to the Lord for our daily supplies.
Precious, also, on account of Missionary brethren, whom I seek to help,
for whom there was nothing in hand when this donation was received."
Mr. Müller adds a few remarks to this part of the Narrative:--
"1. Should anyone suppose, on account of its having been stated in the
previous pages that we were repeatedly brought low as to means, that the
Orphans have not had all that was needful for them; we reply that
_never_, since the work has been in existence, has there a meal-time
come, but the Orphans have had good nourishing food in sufficient
quantity: and never have they needed clothes, but I have had the means
to provide them with all they required.
"2. Never since the Orphan work has been in existence have I asked one
single human being for any help for this work; and yet, unasked for,
simply in answer to prayer, from so many parts of the world, as has been
stated, the donations have come in, and that very frequently at a time
of the greatest need."
Mr. Müller writes under date, 1859:--
"Every Wednesday evening I meet with my helpers for united prayer; and
day by day I have stated seasons, when I seek to bring the work with its
great variety of spiritual and temporal necessities, before the Lord in
prayer, having perhaps each day 50 or more matters to bring before Him,
and thus I obtain the blessing. I ask no human being for help concerning
the work. Nay, if I could obtain £10,000 through each application for
help; by God's grace, I would not ask. And why not? Because I have
dedicated my whole life cheerfully to the precious service of giving to
the world and to the church, a clear, distinct, and undeniable
demonstration, that it is a blessed thing to trust in, and to wait upon,
God; that He is now, as He ever was, the Living God, the same as
revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that if we know and are reconciled
to Him through faith in the Lord Jesus, and ask Him in His name for that
which is according to His mind, He will surely give it to us, in His
own time, provided that we believe that He will. * * * * *
"Nor has God failed me at any time. Forty years have I proved His
faithfulness, in this work."
IN THE LORD JEHOVAH IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH.
Under date Nov. 9, 1861, Mr. Müller wrote:--
"Nov. 9. Saturday evening. When this week commenced, I received only £3
19s. by the first delivery. Shortly after there came in the course of my
reading, through the Holy Scriptures, Isaiah xxvi, 4, 'Trust ye in the
Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.'--I laid
aside my Bible, fell on my knees, and prayed thus: I believe that there
is everlasting strength in the Lord Jehovah, and I do trust in Him; help
me, O Lord, for ever to trust in Thee. Be pleased to give me more means
this day, and much this week, though only so little now has come
in.--That same day, Nov. 3rd, I received £10 from Surbiton, £5 from a
donor residing in Clifton, £2 from a Bristol donor, and in the course of
the week altogether £457 came in; thus Jehovah again proved, that in Him
is everlasting strength, and that He is worthy to be trusted.--Dear
believing reader, seek but in the same way to trust in the Lord, if you
are not in the habit of doing so already, and you will find as I have
found thousands of times, how blessed it is. But if the reader should be
yet going on in carelessness about his soul, and therefore be without
the knowledge of God and His dear Son, then the first, and most
important thing, such a one has to do, is to trust in the Lord Jesus for
the salvation of his soul, that he may be reconciled to God, and obtain
the forgiveness of his sins."
JESUS CHRIST, THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO-DAY, AND FOREVER.
"May 26, 1861.--At the close of the period I find, that the total
expenditure for all the various objects was £24,700 16s. 4d., or £67
13s. 5¾d. per day, all the year round. During the coming year I expect
the expenses to be considerably greater. But God, who has helped me
these many years, will, I believe, help me in future also.
"You see, esteemed reader, how the Lord, in His faithful love helped us
year after year. With every year the expenses increased, because the
operations of the Institutions were further enlarged; but He never
failed us. You may say, however, 'What would you do, if He should fail
in helping you?' My reply is, that cannot be, as long as we trust in Him
and do not live in sin. But if we were to forsake Him, the fountain of
living waters, and to hew out to ourselves broken cisterns, which cannot
hold water, by trusting in an arm of flesh; or if we were to live in
sin, we should then have to call upon Him in vain, even though we
professed still to trust in Him, according to that word: 'If I regard
iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' Psalm lxvi, 18.
"Hitherto, by God's grace, I have been enabled to continue to trust in
Him alone; and hitherto, though failing and weak in many ways, yet, by
God's grace, I have been enabled to walk uprightly, hating sin and
loving holiness, and longing after increased conformity to the Lord
Jesus.
"Oct. 21 1868--As the days come, we make known our requests to Him, for
our outgoings have now been for several years at the rate of more than
One Hundred Pounds each day; but though the expenses have been so great,
He has never failed us. We have indeed, as to the outward appearance,
like the 'Burning Bush in the Wilderness;' yet we have not been
consumed. Moreover, we are full of trust in the Lord, and therefore of
good courage, though we have before us the prospect, that, year by year,
our expenses will increase more and more. Did all my beloved fellow
disciples, who seek to work for God know the blessedness of looking
truly to God alone, and trusting in Him alone, they would soon see how
soul refreshing this way is, and how entirely beyond disappointment, so
far as He is concerned. Earthly friends may alter their minds regarding
the work in which we are engaged; but if indeed we work for God, whoever
may alter His mind regarding our service, He will not. Earthly friends
may lose their ability to help us, however much they desire so to do;
but He remains throughout eternity the infinitely Rich One. Earthly
friends may have their minds after a time diverted to other objects,
and, as they cannot help everywhere, much as they may desire it, they
may, though reluctantly, have to discontinue to help us; but He is able,
in all directions, though the requirements were multiplied a million
times, to supply all that can possibly be needed, and does it with
delight, where His work is carried on, and where He is confided in.
Earthly friends may be removed by death, and thus we may lose their
help, but He lives for ever, He cannot die. In this latter point of
view, I have especially, during the past 40 years, in connection with
this Institution, seen the blessedness of trusting in the Living God
alone. Not one nor two, nor even five nor ten, but many more, who once
helped me much with their means, have been removed by death; but have
the operations of the Institution been stopped on that account? No. And
how came this? Because I trusted in God, and in God alone."
THOROUGHLY IN HEART PREPARED FOR TRIALS OF FAITH.
Under date July 28, 1874, Mr. Müller wrote:--
"It has for months appeared to me, as if the Lord meant, by His dealings
with us, to bring us back to that state of things, in which we were for
more than ten years, from August, 1838, to April, 1849, when we had day
by day, almost without interruption, to look to Him for our daily
supplies, and, for a great part of the time, from meal to meal. The
difficulties appeared to me indeed very great, as the Institution is
now twenty times larger, than it was then, and our purchases are to be
made in a wholesale way; but, at the same time, I am comforted by the
knowledge, that God is aware of all this; and that, if this way be for
the glory of His name, and for the good of His church and the
unconverted world, I am, by His grace, willing to go this way, and to do
it to the end of my course. The funds were thus fast expended; but God,
our infinitely rich Treasurer, remains to us. It is this which gives me
peace. Moreover, if it pleases Him, with a work requiring about £44,000
a year, to make me do again at the evening of my life, what I did from
August, 1838, to April, 1849, I am not only prepared for it, but gladly
again I would pass through all these trials of faith, with regard to
means, if He only might be glorified, and His church and the world be
benefited. Often and often this last point has of late passed through my
mind, and I have placed myself in the position of having no means at all
left, and Two Thousand and One Hundred persons not only daily at the
table, but with everything else to be provided for, and all funds gone;
189 Missionaries to be assisted, and nothing whatever left; about one
hundred schools, with about nine thousand scholars in them, to be
entirely supported, and no means for them in hand; about Four Millions
of Tracts and Tens of Thousands of copies of the Holy Scriptures yearly
now to be sent out, and all the money expended. Invariably, however,
with this probability before me, I have said to myself: 'God, who has
raised up this work through me, God who has led me generally year after
year to enlarge it, God who has supported this work now for more than
forty years, will still help, and will not suffer me to be confounded,
because I rely upon Him, I commit the whole work to Him, and He will
provide me with what I need, in future also, though I know not, whence
the means are to come.'
"Thus I wrote in my journal on July 28, 1874. The reader will now feel
interested in learning how we fared under these circumstances.
"When I came home, last evening (July 27), I found letters had arrived,
which contained £193, among which there was one from a Missionary in
Foreign lands, helped by the funds of this Institution, who, having come
into the possession of some money, by the death of a relative, sent £153
0s. 4d. for Foreign Missions. This morning, July 28, came in £24 more,
so that, when I met this afternoon with several of my helpers for prayer
for means and various other matters, such as spiritual blessing upon the
various Objects of the Institution, for more rain in this very dry
season, the health of our fellow-labourers, etc., we had received, since
yesterday afternoon, altogether £217. We thanked God for it, and asked
for more. When the meeting for prayer was over, there was handed to me a
letter from Scotland, containing £73 17s. 10d., and a paper with 13s.
This was the immediate answer to prayer for more means.
"Aug. 12.--The income for this whole week, since Aug. 5, has been £897
15s. 6½d.
"Sept. 16.--Just after having again prayed for the payment of legacies,
which have been left, I had a legacy receipt sent for the payment of a
legacy for £1,800.
"Sept. 23.--Income to-day £5,365 13s. 6d., of which there was sent in
one donation £5,327 7s. 6d. The Lord be praised!"
STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD.
On March 27, 1881, Mr. Müller found that no money remained in hand for
the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract Funds. Nearly £1,400 had been
spent for these Objects during the previous month. He writes:--
"What was now to be done, dear reader, under these circumstances, when
all the money for the above Objects was again gone? I reply, we did what
we have done for 47 years, that is, we waited continually upon God. My
dear fellow-labourers in Bristol, and my dear wife and myself in
America, brought our necessities again and again before the Lord.
"Here in the United States, besides our habitual daily prayer for help,
we had especial seasons 4, 5, and 6 times a day additionally, for
pouring out our hearts before our Heavenly Father, and making known our
requests unto Him, being assured that help would come: and we have not
waited upon the Lord in vain. This plan may be despised by some,
ridiculed by others, and considered insufficient by a third class of
persons; but, under every trial and difficulty, we find prayer and faith
to be our universal remedy; and, after having experienced for half a
century their efficacy, we purpose, by God's help, to _continue_ waiting
upon Him, in order to show to an ungodly world, and to a doubting
Church, that the Living God is still able and willing to answer prayer,
and that it is the joy of His heart to listen to the supplications of
His children. In Psalm ix. 10, the Divine testimony regarding Jehovah
is, 'They that know thy name will put their trust in Thee.' We know Him,
by His grace, and do therefore put our trust in Him.
"April 27.--On March 27th we had no means at all in hand for these
Objects, as stated under that date. We have now been helped through one
more month, in answer to prayer, and have been supplied with all we
needed, though that amounted to nearly £1000, and have £23 8s. 6¼d.
left.
"April 29.--A servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of
Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, having received a legacy of
£532 14s. 5d., gave £500 of it for these Objects.
"July 28, 1881.--The income has been for some time past only about the
third part of the expenses. Consequently, all we have for the support of
the Orphans is nearly gone; and for the first four Objects of the
Institution we have nothing at all in hand. The natural appearance now
is, that the work cannot be carried on. But I BELIEVE that the Lord
will help, both with means for the Orphans and also for the other
Objects of the Institution, and that we shall not be confounded; also,
that the work shall not need to be given up. I am fully expecting help,
and have written this to the glory of God, that it may be recorded
hereafter for the encouragement of His children. The result will be
seen.
"The foregoing was written at 7 A. M. July 28, 1881. As yet we have the
means to meet our expenses, and I expect that we shall not be
confounded, though for seven years we have not been so poor."
The result has indeed been seen, and will be seen. For more than 20
years since those words were written and Mr. Müller had thus recorded
his confidence in the Lord's help, God HAS sustained the work, and in
May, 1902, there was a balance in hand of some thousands of pounds,
notwithstanding that more than £500,000 had been received and expended
since this entry was made in Mr. Müller's journal on July 28, 1881.
During these 20 years faith and patience were at times greatly tried:
"Aug. 15, 1881.--The balance for the Orphans is now reduced to £332 12s.
7d., lower than it has been for more than twenty-five years. This sum we
have in hand to meet the daily expenses in connection with 2,100
persons. It is only enough for the average outgoings of 4½ days. But our
eyes are upon the Lord. I look to my heavenly Provider. The total
income of to-day has been £28 5s. 2½d.
"Aug. 22.--Part of a legacy, left years ago, £1,000, was paid, as the
answer to many prayers.
"Feb. 26, 1882.--The balance in hand to-day for the Orphans is £97 10s.
7½d., viz., £24 more than the average expenses of one single day.
"March 2.--Our position now regarding the Orphan work is, praying day by
day 'Give us _this day_ our _daily_ bread'. For a considerable time we
have had day by day to look to the Lord for the supply of our _daily_
wants; but God has helped us thus far.
"April 20, 1882.--When in the greatest need we received from Edinburgh
£100 with this statement: 'The enclosed was intended as a legacy, but I
have sent it in my lifetime.'
"June 3.--From Wottan-under-edge £500. A glorious deliverance was this
donation, and a precious earnest of what God would do further for us.
"Oct. 21.--Received from Wottan-under-edge £1,000. * * * * * God, in
answer to our prayers, spoke to His dear child, and inclined his heart
to send to us more than ever. Thus He also gives proof, that during the
previous year, when we were so low as to funds, it was only for the
trial of our faith and patience, and not in anger; nor did He thereby
mean to indicate, that He would not help us any more. For my own part, I
_expected_ further great help from God, and I have not been confounded.
"Aug. 17, 1883.--Our balance was reduced this afternoon to £10 2s. 7d.
Think of this, dear reader! Day by day about 2,100 persons are to be
provided for in the Orphan Institution, and £10 2s. 7d. was all that was
in hand to do this. You see that we are just in the same position in
which we were 46 years since as to funds. God is our banker. In Him we
trust, and on Him we draw by faith. This was Saturday. In the evening
£30 was received. On Monday we received £129 further, but had to pay out
£60. On Tuesday we received £295, but had to pay out £180. * * * * *
"God is pleased continually to vary His mode of dealing with us, in
order that we may not be tempted to trust in donors, or in
circumstances, but in Him alone, and to keep our eye fixed upon Him.
This, by His grace, we are enabled to do, and our hearts are kept in
peace."
Some ten months later, when the balance in hand was only £41 10s., a
very little more than one-half of the average expenses for the Orphans
for one day, and there were sanitary operations advisable to be carried
out, the expenses of which would amount to upwards of £2,000, Mr. Müller
received a legacy of £11,034 6s.
"June 7, 1884.--This is the largest donation I have _ever_ received at
_one time_. This legacy had been above six years in Chancery, and year
after year its payment was expected, but remained unsettled by the
Chancery Court. I kept on praying, however, and for six years prayed day
by day that the money might be paid, believing that God in His own time
(_which is always the best_), would help at last; for _many_ legacies in
Chancery I had prayed out of the Court, and the money was eventually
paid. In the present case, too, after faith and patience had been
sufficiently exercised, God granted this request likewise."
1893.--In the Fifty-fourth Report of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution Mr. Müller says:--
"The readers of the last report will remember, under what particular
trials we entered upon the last financial year of the Institution, from
May 26th, 1892, to May 26th, 1893; but we trusted in _God_; with
unshaken confidence we looked to _Him_, and we _expected_ that we should
somehow or other be helped. * * While thus we went on, my heart was at
peace habitually, being assured that all this was permitted by God, to
prepare a blessing for thousands, who would afterwards read the record
of His dealings with us, during the year from May 26th, 1892, to May
26th, 1893. With reference to our dear fellow-labourers, Mr. Wright and
I have seen already, while passing through the trial, how God has
blessed it to them.
"Aug. 30, 1892.--This evening, whilst reading in the Psalms, I came to
Psalm lxxxi, 10, and remembered the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart,
when reading this verse on Dec. 5, 1835, and the effect which this had,
not only on leading me to found the greatest Orphan Institution in the
world, but I thought also of the blessing which has thus been brought to
tens of thousands of believers and unbelievers all over the world.
Putting aside the Bible, therefore, I fell on my knees and asked God
that He would graciously be pleased to repeat His former kindness, and
to supply me again more abundantly with means. Accordingly in less than
half an hour, I received £50 from a Bristol Donor and from Redland a
large quantity of fish, in addition to £97 already received to-day as
the result of much prayer. By the last delivery, at 9 p. m., I received
£5 more also, and had thus £152 in all, this day, as the result of
prayer.
"Nov. 11.--There came in to-day, by the first two deliveries, only about
£8, but the Lord increased the income to more than £200 this day. I am
never discouraged by very little only coming in, but say to myself, and
also to my dear helpers, 'More prayer, more patience, and more exercise
of faith will bring greater blessing'; for thus I have invariably found
it, since October, 1830, now 63 years ago, when I first began this life
of entire dependence upon God for everything.
"March 1, 1893.--The income during this week, ending to-day, was £92 8s.
8¾d. for the Orphans, and £9 11s. 2d. for the other Objects, being about
the sixth part of our weekly expenses; but now the great trial of our
faith was nearly brought to a close, as will presently be seen.
"March 4.--_This very day_ God begins to answer our prayers, as we have
received a very good offer for the land we have to sell, even £1,000 per
acre. The beginning of the day was darker as to outward appearances
than ever: but we trusted in God for help. The first three deliveries of
letters brought us only £4, and the remaining three brought us so little
that the whole day's income was only £8 instead of £90, the amount we
require every day to meet all our expenses. But God has now helped us.
We have been able this evening to sell ten acres of land and two-fifths
of an acre at £1,000 per acre, and shall receive £10,405 altogether for
the whole of one field. The contract was signed at 8 o'clock this
evening."
MR. MÜLLER'S DEPARTURE TO BE WITH CHRIST.
On the evening of Wednesday, March 9th, 1898, Mr. Müller took part in
the usual meeting for prayer held in the Orphan-House No. 3; retired at
his usual hour to rest, and early on the following morning (the 10th of
March) alone, in his bed-room, breathed his last, realizing what had
long been with him a most joyous anticipation, viz., that "to depart and
to be with Christ is far better."
March 14.--This day Mr. Müller's earthly remains were laid in the grave
of his first and second wives, at Arno' Vale Cemetery. The attendant
circumstances, throughout, were very remarkable and interesting to the
Christian mind chiefly as illustrating God's eternal principle--"Them
that honour Me I will honour." The man who in life sought not his own
glory, became in death the one to whom all classes delighted to show
respect and honour.
From the masses of sympathizing spectators that lined the streets, from
the tearful eyes, and the audible prayerful ejaculations that escaped
the lips of bystanders (many of them the poorest of the poor), as the
orphans filed past, following the hearse; from the suspension of all
traffic in the principal streets, the tolling of muffled bells, and the
half-masted flags, and from the dense crowds in the cemetery that
awaited the arrival of the funeral company, it seemed as if the whole
city had spontaneously resolved to do honour to the man who had not
lived for himself, but for the glory of God and the good of his fellows.
For some 21 months before Mr. Müller's death the trials of faith and
patience were great. Mr. James Wright, Mr. Müller's successor, writes:
"He who is pleased, sometimes, to teach His servants 'how to _abound_,'
sees it _best_ for them, at other times 'to be instructed how to suffer
need.' For many of the 64 years during which this work has been carried
on, the former was our experience; we abounded and richly abounded,
latterly, and especially during the last 2 or 3 years it has been the
very reverse. _Pressing need_ has been the _rule_; a balance in hand,
over and above our need, the rare exception. Yet we have never been
forsaken."
"Sept. 23, 1897.--Residue of the legacy of the late G. J., Esq., £2,679
18s. 7d. This sum was received when we were in the _deepest need_; and
after it had pleased the Lord to allow a very protracted trial of faith
and patience; but see, beloved reader, He did not disappoint nor
forsake us, as He _never_ does those who really trust in Him. The _joy_
of _such_ a deliverance cannot be tasted without the experience of the
previous _trial_.
"Feb. 26, 1898.--The following entry, under this date, is in Mr.
Müller's own hand-writing:
"The income to-day, by the two first deliveries, was £7 15s. 11d. Day by
day our great trial of faith and patience continues, and thus it has
been, more or less, now, for 21 months, yet, by Thy grace, we are
sustained."
March 1, 1898.--The following, again, is from a memorandum in Mr.
Müller's own hand-writing, under this date:
"For about 21 months with scarcely the least intermission the trial of
our faith and patience has continued. Now, to-day, the Lord has
refreshed our hearts. This afternoon came in, for the Lord's work,
£1,427 1s. 7d. as part payment of a legacy of the late Mrs. E. C. S. For
3 years and 10 months this money had been in the Irish Chancery Court.
Hundreds of petitions had been brought before the Lord regarding it, and
now at last, this portion of the total legacy has been received."
Thus the Lord, in love and faithfulness, greatly refreshed the heart of
His servant, only nine days before taking him home to be with Himself.
APPENDIX A
FIVE CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER
Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus
Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing. (See John xiv. 13,
14; xv. 16, etc.)
2.--Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts,
the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin. (Psalm lxvi.
18.)
3.--Faith in God's word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to
believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer. (Hebrews xi. 6;
vi. 13-20.)
4.--Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly: we
must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lusts. (1 John v.
14; James iv. 3.)
5.--Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and
waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the
harvest. (James v. 7; Luke xviii. 1-8.)
APPENDIX B
THE CAREFUL AND CONSECUTIVE READING OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
Concerning this subject Mr. Müller says: "I fell into the snare, into
which so many young believers fall, the reading of religious books in
preference to the Scriptures. I could no longer read French and German
novels, as I had formerly done, to feed my carnal mind; but still I did
not put into the room of those books the best of all books. I read
tracts, missionary papers, sermons, and biographies of godly persons.
The last kind of books I found more profitable than others, and had they
been well selected, or had I not read too much of such writings, or had
any of them tended particularly to endear the Scriptures to me, they
might have done me much good.--I never had been at any time in my life
in the habit of reading the Holy Scriptures. When under fifteen years of
age, I occasionally read a little of them at school; afterwards God's
precious book was entirely laid aside, so that I never read one single
chapter of it, as far as I remember, till it pleased God to begin a work
of grace in my heart. Now the Scriptural way of reasoning would have
been: God himself has condescended to become an author, and I am
ignorant about that precious book, which His Holy Spirit has caused to
be written through the instrumentality of His servants, and it contains
that which I ought to know, and the knowledge of which will lead me to
true happiness; therefore I ought to read again and again this most
precious book, this book of books, most earnestly, most prayerfully, and
with much meditation; and in this practice I ought to continue all the
days of my life. For I was aware, though I read it but little, that I
knew scarcely anything of it. But instead of acting thus, and being led
by my ignorance of the word of God to study it more, my difficulty in
understanding it, and the little enjoyment I had in it, made me careless
of reading it (for much prayerful reading of the Word, gives not merely
more knowledge, but increases the delight we have in reading it); and
thus, like many believers, I practically preferred, for the first four
years of my divine life, the works of uninspired men to the oracles of
the living God. The consequence was, that I remained a babe, both in
knowledge and grace. In knowledge I say; for all _true_ knowledge must
be derived, by the Spirit, from the Word. And as I neglected the Word, I
was for nearly four years so ignorant, that I did not _clearly_ know
even the _fundamental_ points of our holy faith. And this lack of
knowledge most sadly kept me back from walking steadily in the ways of
God. For it is the truth that makes us free, (John viii. 31, 32,) by
delivering us from the slavery of the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of
the eyes, and the pride of life. The Word proves it. The experience of
the saints proves it; and also my own experience most decidedly proves
it. For when it pleased the Lord in Aug. 1829, to bring me really to the
Scriptures, my life and walk became very different. And though even
since that I have very much fallen short of what I might and ought to
be, yet, by the grace of God, I have been enabled to live much nearer to
Him than before.
"If any believers read this, who practically prefer other books to the
Holy Scriptures, and who enjoy the writings of men much more than the
word of God, may they be warned by my loss. I shall consider this book
to have been the means of doing much good, should it please the Lord,
through its instrumentality, to lead some of His people no longer to
neglect the Holy Scriptures, but to give them that preference, which
they have hitherto bestowed on the writings of men. My dislike to
increase the number of books would have been sufficient to deter me from
writing these pages, had I not been convinced, that this is the only way
in which the brethren at large may be benefited through my mistakes and
errors, and been influenced by the hope, that in answer to my prayers,
the reading of my experience may be the means of leading them to value
the Scriptures more highly, and to make them the rule of all their
actions. * * *
"If anyone should ask me, how he may read the Scriptures most
profitably, I would advise him, that:
"I.--Above all he should seek to have it settled in his own mind, that
God alone, by His Spirit, can teach him, and that therefore, as God will
be enquired of for blessings, it becomes him to seek God's blessing
previous to reading, and also whilst reading.
"II.--He should have it, moreover, settled in his mind, that, although
the Holy Spirit is the _best_ and _sufficient_ teacher, yet that this
teacher does not always teach immediately when we desire it, and that,
therefore, we may have to entreat Him again and again for the
explanation of certain passages; but that He will surely teach us at
last, if indeed we are seeking for light prayerfully, patiently, and
with a view to the glory of God.
"III.--It is of immense importance for the understanding of the word of
God, to read it in course, so that we may read every day a portion of
the Old and a portion of the New Testament, going on where we previously
left off. This is important--1, Because it throws light upon the
connection; and a different course, according to which one _habitually_
selects particular chapters, will make it utterly impossible ever to
understand much of the Scriptures. 2, Whilst we are in the body, we need
a change even in spiritual things; and this change the Lord has
graciously provided in the great variety which is to be found in His
word. 3, It tends to the glory of God; for the leaving out some
chapters here and there, is practically saying, that certain portions
are better than others: or, that there are certain parts of revealed
truth unprofitable or unnecessary. 4, It may keep us, by the blessing of
God, from erroneous views, as in reading thus regularly through the
Scriptures we are led to see the meaning of the whole, and also kept
from laying too much stress upon certain favourite views. 5, The
Scriptures contain the whole revealed will of God, and therefore we
ought to seek to read from time to time through the whole of that
revealed will. There are many believers, I fear, in our day, who have
not read even once through the whole of the Scriptures; and yet in a few
months, by reading only a few chapters every day they might accomplish
it.
"IV.--It is also of the greatest importance to meditate on what we read,
so that perhaps a small portion of that which we have read, or, if we
have time, the whole may be meditated upon in the course of the day. Or
a small portion of a book, or an epistle, or a gospel, through which we
go regularly for meditation, may be considered every day, without,
however, suffering oneself to be brought into bondage by this plan.
"Learned _commentaries_ I have found to store the _head_, with many
notions and often also with the truth of God; but when the _Spirit_
teaches, through the instrumentality of prayer and meditation, the
_heart_ is affected. The former kind of knowledge generally puffs up,
and is often renounced, when another commentary gives a different
opinion, and often also is found good for nothing, when it is to be
carried out into practice. The latter kind of knowledge generally
humbles, gives joy, leads as nearer to God, and is not easily reasoned
away; and having been obtained from God, and thus having entered into
the heart, and become our own, is also generally carried out."
APPENDIX C
PROVING THE ACCEPTABLE WILL OF GOD
It is very instructive and helpful to see the way in which Mr. Müller
proved the acceptable will of the Lord, when exercised in heart about
the enlargement of the Orphan work, so that not only 300 but 1000
Orphans might be provided for.
"Dec. 11, 1850.--The especial burden of my prayer therefore is, that God
would be pleased to teach me His will. My mind has also been especially
pondering, how I could know His will satisfactorily concerning this
particular. Sure I am, that I shall be taught. I therefore desire
patiently to wait for the Lord's time, when He shall be pleased to shine
on my path concerning this point.
"Dec. 26.--Fifteen days have elapsed since I wrote the preceding
paragraph. Every day since then I have continued to pray about this
matter, and that with a goodly measure of earnestness, by the help of
God. There has passed scarcely an hour during these days, in which,
whilst awake, this matter has not been more or less before me. But all
without even a shadow of excitement. I converse with no one about it.
Hitherto have I not even done so with my dear wife. From this I refrain
still, and deal with God alone about the matter, in order that no
outward influence, and no outward excitement may keep me from attaining
unto a clear discovery of His will. I have the fullest and most peaceful
assurance, that He will clearly show me His will. This evening I have
had again an especial solemn season for prayer, to seek to know the will
of God. But whilst I continue to entreat and beseech the Lord, that He
would not allow me to be deluded in this business, I may say I have
scarcely any doubt remaining on my mind as to what will be the issue,
even that I should go forward in this matter.
"As this, however, is one of the most momentous steps that I have ever
taken, I judge that I cannot go about this matter with too much caution,
prayerfulness, and deliberation. I am in no hurry about it. I could wait
for years, by God's grace, were this His will, before even taking one
single step towards this thing, or even speaking to anyone about it;
and, on the other hand, I would set to work to-morrow, were the Lord to
bid me do so. This calmness of mind, this having no will of my own in
the matter, this only wishing to please my Heavenly Father in it, this
only seeking His and not my honour in it; this state of heart, I say, is
the fullest assurance to me that my heart is not under a fleshly
excitement, and that, if I am helped thus to go on, I shall know the
will of God to the full. But, while I write thus, I cannot but add at
the same time, that I do crave the honour and the glorious privilege to
be more and more used by the Lord. I have served Satan much in my
younger years, and I desire now with all my might to serve God, during
the remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage. I am forty-five years and
three months old. Every day decreases the number of days that I have to
stay on earth. I therefore desire with all my might to work. There are
vast multitudes of Orphans to be provided for. * * *
"I desire that thus it may be more abundantly manifest that God is still
the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that He is the living God now, as
He ever was and ever will be, when He shall, simply in answer to prayer,
have condescended to provide me with a house for 700 Orphans, and with
means to support them. This last consideration is the most important
point in my mind. The Lord's honour is the principal point with me in
this whole matter; and just because that is the case, if He would be
more glorified by my not going forward in this business, I should, by
His grace, be perfectly content to give up all thoughts about another
Orphan-House. Surely, in such a state of mind, obtained by the Holy
Spirit, Thou, O my Heavenly Father, will not suffer Thy child to be
mistaken, much less to be deluded! By the help of God I shall continue
further, day by day, to wait upon Him in prayer concerning this thing,
till He shall bid me act.
"Jan. 2, 1851.--A week ago I wrote the preceding paragraph. During this
week I have still been helped, day by day, and more than once every
day, to seek the guidance of the Lord about another Orphan-House. The
burden of my prayer has still been, that He, in His great mercy, would
keep me from making a mistake. During the last week the Book of Proverbs
has come, in the course of my Scripture reading, and my heart has been
refreshed, in reference to this subject, by the following passages:
'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy
paths.' Prov. iii. 5, 6. By the grace of God I do acknowledge the Lord
in my ways, and in this thing in particular; I have therefore the
comfortable assurance that He will direct my paths concerning this part
of my service, as to whether I shall be occupied in it or not. Further:
'The integrity of the upright shall preserve them; but the perverseness
of fools shall destroy them.' Prov. xi. 3. By the grace of God I am
upright in this business. My honest purpose is to get glory to God.
Therefore I expect to be guided aright. Further: 'Commit thy works unto
the Lord and thy thoughts shall be established.' Prov. xvi. 3. I do
commit my works unto the Lord, and therefore expect that my thoughts
will be established.--My heart is more and more coming to a calm, quiet,
and settled assurance, that the Lord will condescend to use me yet
further in the Orphan Work. Here, Lord, is Thy servant!"
Mr. Müller wrote down eight reasons against and eight reasons for
establishing another Orphan-House for Seven Hundred Orphans.
The following is his last reason for so doing:
"I am peaceful and happy, spiritually, in the prospect of enlarging the
work as on former occasions when I had to do so. This weighs
particularly with me as a reason for going forward. After all the calm,
quiet, prayerful consideration of the subject for about eight weeks, I
am peaceful and happy, spiritually, in the purpose of enlarging the
field. This, after all the heart searching which I have had, and the
daily prayer to be kept from delusion and mistake in this thing, and the
betaking myself to the Word of God, would not be the case, I judge, had
not the Lord purposed to condescend to use me more than ever in this
service.
"I, therefore, on the ground of the objections answered, and these eight
reasons FOR enlarging the work, come to the conclusion that it is the
will of the blessed God, that His poor and most unworthy servant should
yet more extensively serve Him in this work, which he is quite willing
to do."
"May 24.--From the time that I began to write down the exercises of my
mind on Dec. 5th, 1850, till this day, ninety-two more Orphans have been
applied for, and seventy-eight were already waiting for admission
before. But this number increases rapidly as the work becomes more and
more known.
"On the ground of what has been recorded above, I purpose to go forward
in this service, and to seek to build, to the praise and honour of the
living God, another Orphan-House, large enough to accommodate seven
hundred Orphans."