teach me through the instrumentality of brother C.; and I went to him,
that he might have an opportunity of probing my heart. For as I desire
only the Lord's glory, I should be glad to be instructed through the
instrumentality of any brother, if the matter be not of Him. But brother
C., on the contrary, greatly encouraged me in it. Therefore I have this
day taken the first actual step in the matter, in having ordered bills to
be printed, announcing a public meeting on December 9th, at which I intend
to lay before the brethren my thoughts concerning the Orphan-House, as a
means of ascertaining more clearly the Lord's mind concerning the matter.
December 4. Brother Craik told me this morning, that his voice is getting
a little better. December 5. This evening I was struck, in reading the
Scriptures, with these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it."
Ps. lxxxi. 10. Up to this day I had not prayed at all concerning the means
or individuals needed for the Orphan-House. I was now led to apply this
scripture to the Orphan-House, and asked the Lord for premises, 1000l.,
and suitable individuals to take care of the children. December 7. Today I
received the first shilling for the Orphan-House. Afterwards I received
another shilling from a German brother.
December 9. This afternoon the first piece of furniture was given--a large
wardrobe. This afternoon and evening I was low in spirit as it regards the
Orphan-House, but as soon as I began to speak at the meeting, I received
peculiar assistance from God, felt great peace and joy, and the assurance
that the work is of God. After the meeting, 10s. was given to me. There
was purposely no collection, nor did any one speak besides myself; for it
was not in the least intended to work upon the feelings, for I sought to
be quite sure concerning the mind of God. After the meeting a sister
offered herself for the work. I went home happy in the Lord, and full of
confidence that the matter will come to pass, though but 10s. has been
given. December 10. This morning I have sent to the press a statement
which contains the substance of what I said at the meeting last evening.
[For the sake of those who have not read it before, it is given here.]
Proposal for the Establishment of an Orphan-House in connexion with the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad.
Since the last Report of the operations of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution for home and abroad was published, the Lord has sent us, in
answer to prayer, brother John C-r, formerly a minister of the
establishment, as a city missionary, who goes from house to house, among
the poor of this city, to converse with them about the things of God, to
circulate the Scriptures among them, to get them to come to the adult
school, if they cannot read, and to advise them to put their children to
our schools, provided they go to no other. It was particularly gracious of
the Lord to send this brother, nearly five months ago, as my brother and
fellow labourer, Henry Craik, has been for these eight months laid aside
from the ministry of the Word on account of bodily infirmity, and has
therefore been unable to take an active part in this Institution. Thus I
have not only found great help, but I have been greatly encouraged to
enlarge the field. That to which my mind has been particularly directed,
is, to establish an Orphan-House in which destitute fatherless and
motherless children may be provided with food and raiment, and scriptural
education. Concerning this intended Orphan-House I would say
1. It is intended to be in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution for home and abroad, in so far as it respects the Reports,
accounts, superintendence, and the principles on which it is conducted, so
that, in one sense, it may be considered as a new object of the
Institution, yet with this difference, that only those funds shall be
applied to the Orphan-House which are expressly given for it. If,
therefore, any believer should prefer to support either those objects
which have been hitherto assisted by the funds of this Institution, or the
intended Orphan-House, it need only be mentioned, in order that the money
may be applied accordingly.
2. It will only be established if the Lord should provide both the means
for it, and suitable persons to conduct it.
As to the means, I would make the following remarks. The reason for
proposing to enlarge the field, is not because we have of late
particularly abounded in means; for we have been rather straitened. The
many gracious answers, however, which the Lord had given us concerning
this Institution, led brother C-r and me to give ourselves to prayer,
asking him to supply us with the means to carry on the work, as we
consider it unscriptural to contract debts. During five days, we prayed
several times, both unitedly and separately. After that time, the Lord
began to answer our prayers, so that, within a few days, about 50l. was
given to us. I would further say, that the very gracious and tender
dealings of God with me, in having supplied, in answer to prayer, for the
last five years, my own temporal wants without any certain income, so that
money, provisions and clothes have been sent to me at times when I was
greatly straitened, and that not only in small but large quantities; and
not merely from individuals living in the same place with me, but at a
considerable distance; and that not merely from intimate friends, but from
individuals whom I have never seen: all this, I say, has often led me to
think, even as long as four years ago, that the Lord had not given me this
simple reliance on Him merely for myself; but also for others. Often, when
I saw poor neglected children running about the streets at Teignmouth, I
said to myself: "May it not be the will of God, that I should establish
schools for these children, asking Him to give me the means?" However, it
remained only a thought in my mind for two or three years. About two years
and six months since I was particularly stirred up afresh to do something
for destitute children, by seeing so many of them begging in the streets
of Bristol, and coming to our door. It was not, then, left undone on
account of want of trust in the Lord, but through an abundance of other
things calling for all the time and strength of my brother Craik and
myself; for the Lord had both given faith, and had also shown by the
following instance, in addition to very many others, both what He can and
what He will do. One morning, whilst sitting in my room, I thought about
the distress of certain brethren, and said thus to myself:--"O that it
might please the Lord to give me the means to help these poor brethren!"
About an hour afterwards I had 60l. sent as a present for myself, from a
brother, whom up to this day I have never seen, and who was then, and is
still, residing several thousand miles from this. Should not such an
experience, together with promises like that one in John xiv. 13, 14,
encourage us to ask with all boldness, for ourselves and others, both
temporal and spiritual blessings? The Lord, for I cannot but think it was
He, again and again, brought the thought about these poor children to my
mind, till at last it ended in the establishment of "The Scriptural
Knowledge Institution, for Home and Abroad;" since the establishment of
which, I have had it in a similar way brought to my mind, first about
fourteen months ago, and repeatedly since, but especially during these
last weeks, to establish an Orphan-House. My frequent prayer of late has
been, that if it be of God, He would let it come to pass; if not, that He
would take from me all thoughts about it. The latter has not been the
case, but I have been led more and more to think that the matter may be of
Him. Now, if so, He can influence His people in any part of the world,
(for I do not look to Bristol, nor even to England, but to the living God,
whose is the gold and the silver,) to intrust me and brother C-r, whom the
Lord has made willing to help me in this work, with the means. Till we
have them, we can do nothing in the way of renting a house, furnishing it,
&c. Yet, when once as much as is needed for this has been sent us, as also
proper persons to engage in the work, we do not think it needful to wait
till we have the Orphan-House endowed, or a number of yearly subscribers
for it; but we trust to be enabled by the Lord, who has taught us to ask
for our daily bread, to look to Him for the supply of the daily wants of
those children whom He may be pleased to put under our care. Any donations
will be received at my house. Should any believers have tables, chairs,
bedsteads, bedding, earthenware, or any kind of household furniture to
spare, for the furnishing of the house; or remnants or pieces of calico,
linen, flannel, cloth, or any materials useful for wearing apparel; or
clothes already worn; they will be thankfully received.
Respecting the persons who are needed for carrying on the work, a matter
of no less importance than the procuring of funds, I would observe, that
we look for them to God Himself, as well as for the funds; and that all
who may be engaged as masters, matrons, and assistants, according to the
smallness or largeness of the Institution, must be known to us as true
believers; and moreover, as far as we may be able to judge, must likewise
be qualified for the work.
3. At present nothing can be said as to the time when the operations are
likely to commence; nor whether the Institution will embrace children of
both sexes, or be restricted either to boys or girls exclusively; nor of
what age they will be received, and how long they may continue in it; for
though we have thought about these things, yet we would rather be guided
in these particulars by the amount of the means which the Lord may put
into our hands, and by the number of the individuals whom he may provide
for conducting the Institution. Should the Lord condescend to use us as
instruments, a short printed statement will be issued as soon as something
more definite can be said.
4. It has appeared well to us to receive only such destitute children as
have been bereaved of both parents.
5. The children are intended, if girls, to be brought up for service; if
boys, for a trade; and therefore they will be employed, according to their
ability and bodily strength, in useful occupations, and thus help to
maintain themselves; besides this they are intended to receive a plain
education; but the chief and especial end of the Institution will be to
seek, with God's blessing, to bring them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ,
by instructing them in the Scriptures.
GEORGE MULLER.
Bristol, Dec. 10th, 1835.
December 11. I have been enabled to pray all this week with increased
confidence concerning the Orphan-House, as it regards means, a house,
suitable individuals to take care of the children, furniture, &c. December
16. Brother C-n, whom the Lord has kindly allowed to stay above two months
among us, to supply brother Craik's lack of service, left us today. How
very gracious has the Lord been to us in this affliction! Many brethren
have been sent to us as helpers for a little while--brother C-t for the
greater part of the time, and brother C-n for more than two months. And,
in addition to this, when brother Craik and I were both ill, the brethren
were kept in peace, and there was a spirit of prayer among them. December
31. This evening we had an especial meeting for prayer and praise. We
continued together from seven till after twelve.
There have been received into the church at Gideon during the past year--29
Ditto, Bethesda--30
Altogether--59
Of these 59, 30 have been brought to the knowledge of the Lord through
the instrumentality of brother Craik and me. There are now, of those who
have been begotten again through us, since we have been in Bristol, at
Gideon 63, and at Bethesda 71--altogether 134. Besides this, several have
fallen asleep in the faith, who never were in communion with us, and
several of our spiritual children have joined other churches, in and out
of Bristol, and many are now standing as hopeful characters on the list of
candidates for communion. There have been added to the church at Gideon,
since we came, 125; to Bethesda, 163--altogether 288; so that the number
of both churches would have been 356 (68 believers we found at Gideon),
had there been no changes; but
Of Gideon are at present
under church discipline 6, of Bethesda, 7, altogether, 13
Do. have fallen asleep 12 do. 5 do. 17
Do. have left Bristol 10 do. 4 do. 14
Do. have left us, but are
still in Bristol 11 do. 4 do. 15
39 20 59
So that there are at present in communion with us 297:--143 at Bethesda,
and 154 at Gideon.
As it regards the way in which the Lord, in His faithful love, supplied
my temporal wants, during the past year, I mention that I received--
1. In free-will offerings, given through the boxes, as my part £130 3s. 7
1/4d.
2. In free-will offerings given by believers in and out of Bristol, not
through the boxes £120 7s. 6d.
3. Towards the house rent I received from brother Craik, in consideration
that he has no rent to pay, for nine months £7 10s. 0d.
4. The presents sent to us in clothes and provisions, &c., were worth to
us at least £27 0s. 0d.
Altogether £285 1s. 1 1/4d.
January 3, 1836. This morning brother Craik spoke a little in public for
the first time after about nine months.
January 6. Today we had three especial prayer meetings, for the full
restoration of brother Craik's voice. We had also, on January 7, 8, 9, and
10, especial prayer meetings for brother Craik's full restoration. January
16. Today I put into the press another statement, containing a further
account respecting the Orphan-House. [It is here reprinted.]
Further account respecting the Orphan-House, intended to be established
in Bristol, in connection with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for
Home and Abroad.
When, of late, the thoughts of establishing an Orphan-House, in
dependence upon the Lord, revived in my mind, during the first two weeks I
only prayed, that, if it were of the Lord, He would bring it about; but,
if not, that He graciously would be pleased to take all thoughts about it
out of my mind. My uncertainty about knowing the Lord's mind did not arise
from questioning whether it would be pleasing in His sight, that there
should be an abode and scriptural education provided for destitute
fatherless and motherless children; but whether it were His will that I
should be the instrument of setting such an object on foot, as my hands
were already more than filled. My comfort, however, was, that, if it were
His will, He would provide not merely the means, but also suitable
individuals to take care of the children, so that my part of the work
would take only such a portion of my time, as, considering the importance
of the matter, I might give, notwithstanding my many other engagements.
The whole of those two weeks I never asked the Lord for money, or for
persons to engage in the work. On December 5th, however, the subject of my
prayer all at once became different. I was reading Psalm lxxxi, and was
particularly struck, more than at any time before, with ver. 10: "Open thy
mouth wide, and I will fill it." I thought a few moments about these
words, and then was led to apply them to the case of the Orphan-house. It
struck me that I had never asked the Lord for any thing concerning it,
except to know His will respecting its being established or not; and I
then fell on my knees, and opened my mouth wide, asking Him for much. I
asked in submission to His will, and without fixing a time when He should
answer my petition. I prayed that He would give me a house, i.e. either as
a loan, or that some one might be led to pay the rent for one, or that one
might be given permanently for this object; further, I asked Him for
£1000; and likewise for suitable individuals to take care of the children.
Besides this, I have been since led to ask the Lord, to put into the
hearts of His people to send me articles of furniture for the house, and
some clothes for the children. When I was asking the petition, I was fully
aware what I was doing, i.e., that I was asking for something which I had
no natural prospect of obtaining from the brethren whom I know, but which
was not too much for the Lord to grant. As I have stated, that I desire to
see clearly the Lord's will concerning the Orphan-House, by His providing
both the means and suitable individuals for it, I will now mention how He
has been dealing with me in these respects.
December 7, 1835.--Anonymously was given 2s. In the paper in which they
were enclosed was written "1s. for the Orphan-House, and 1s. for the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution. In the name of the Lord alone lift up
your banners, so shall you prosper." 1s. besides was given. December 9. I
found 3s. in the box, which I had put up two days before in my room for
the Orphan-House, and a large wardrobe given just before the meeting in
the evening, when I stated publicly my desire concerning this object
before the brethren. After the meeting 10s. was given. Also a sister
offered herself at the same time for the work. December 10. This morning I
received a letter, in which a brother and sister wrote thus:--"We propose
ourselves for the service of the intended Orphan-House, if you think us
qualified for it; also to give up all the furniture, &c., which the Lord
has given us, for its use; and to do this without receiving any salary
whatever; believing, that if it be the will of the Lord to employ us, He
will supply all our need, &c." In the evening a brother brought from
several individuals three dishes, 28 plates, three basins, one jug, four
mugs, three salt stands, one grater, four knives, and five forks.
December 12. While I was praying this morning that the Lord would give us
a fresh token of His favour concerning the Orphan-House, a brother brought
three dishes, 12 plates, one basin, and one blanket. After this had been
given, I thanked God, and asked Him to give even this day another
encouragement. Shortly after, £50. was given, and that by an individual
from whom, for several reasons, I could not have expected this sum. Thus
the hand of God appeared so much the more clearly. Even then I was led to
pray, that this day the Lord would give still more. In the evening,
accordingly, there were sent 29 yards of print. Also a sister offered
herself for the work. Dec. 13. A brother was influenced this day to give
4s. per week, or 10l. 8s. yearly, as long as the Lord gives the means; 8s.
was given by him as two weeks' subscriptions. Today a brother and sister
offered themselves, with all their furniture, and all the provisions which
they have in the house, if they can be usefully employed in the concerns
of the Orphan-House.
December 14. Today a sister offered her services for the work. In the
evening another sister offered herself for the Institution. December 15. A
sister brought from several friends, ten basins, eight mugs, one plate,
five dessert spoons, six tea spoons, one skimmer, one toasting fork, one
flour dredge, three knives and forks, one sheet, one pillow case, one
table cloth; also 1l. In the afternoon were sent 55 yards of sheeting, and
12 yards of calico. December 16. I took out of the box in my room 1s.
December 17. I was rather cast down last evening and this morning about
the matter, questioning whether I ought to be engaged in this way, and was
led to ask the Lord to give me some further encouragement. Soon after were
sent by a brother two pieces of print, the one seven and the other 23 3/4
yards, 6 3/4 yards of calico, four pieces of lining, about four yards
altogether, a sheet, and a yard measure. This evening another brother
brought a clothes' horse, three frocks, four pinafores, six handkerchiefs,
three counterpanes, one blanket, two pewter salt cellars, six tin cups,
and six metal tea spoons; he also brought 3s. 6d. given to him by three
different individuals. At the same time he told me that it had been put
into the heart of an individual to send tomorrow 100l.