Seven Hundred Orphans.
1. Would not this be going beyond my measure spiritually? according to
that word: "For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that
is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the
measure of faith." Rom. xii. 3.
Answer: If the Lord were to leave me to myself, the tenth part of the
difficulties and trials, which befall me now in connexion with the
various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and
Abroad, would be enough to overwhelm me; but, whilst He is pleased to
sustain me, I am able day by day to pass on peacefully, and am carried
through one difficulty after the other: and thus, by God's help, even
with my present measure of faith, if continued to me, should be enabled
to bear up under other difficulties and trials; but I look for an
increase of faith with every fresh difficulty, through which the Lord is
pleased to help me.
2. Would it not be going beyond my measure naturally with reference to
mental and bodily strength? Answer: Of all the objections against
establishing another Orphan-House, there is none that weighs more with
me than this; I might say, it is the only real difficulty. This,
however, too, I am enabled to put aside and to overcome thus: By
husbanding my strength, by great order, by regular habits, by lightening
the work as much as possible, and by using every help that I can, I have
been enabled to get through a vast quantity of work. My immense
correspondence of about 3000 letters a-year, I have been enabled to
accomplish without a secretary. The entire management and direction, and
the whole vast correspondence of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution
has devolved upon myself alone these sixteen years and ten months, and I
have been thinking that, by seeking for an efficient secretary, an
efficient clerk, and an inspector of the schools, I might, with God's
help, accomplish yet more, though much of what I have been doing
hitherto would need to be done by others. There have been several other
arrangements brought before my mind, since I have been exercised about
this matter, whereby, with the blessing of God, the work might be
lightened. I should certainly need efficient helpers to carry out the
plans before me; but with such, I, as director, might be enabled, by
God's help, to accomplish yet more.
3. There must be a limit to my work and service. Answer: That is true,
and if I were quite sure that the present state of the Scriptural
Knowledge Institution were to be the limit, I would at once lay aside
this thing; but I am not sure that I am come as yet to God's limit.
All these sixteen years and ten months, the work has been constantly
progressing, and the Lord has helped me continually; and now my mind is
just in the same way exercised, as when fifteen years ago I began the
Orphan Work, and as when thirteen years ago it was enlarged, and as when
seven years and nine months since it was still further enlarged, and as
when five years and two months since I was led to decide on building the
New Orphan-House. Under these circumstances, having been helped through
all these difficulties, and seeing such a vast field of usefulness
before me, and having so many applications for the admission of very
destitute Orphans, I long to be used still further, and cannot say that
as yet the Lord has brought me to His limit.
4. Is it not like "tempting God," to think of building another
Orphan-House for seven hundred more orphans? Answer: "Tempting God"
means, according to the Holy Scriptures, to limit Him in any of His
attributes by His grace I do not wish to limit His power or His
willingness, to give to me, His poor servant, simply in answer to
prayer, all the means, and every other help and blessing which I shall
need to build another large Orphan-House.
5. You will not get the means for building and fitting up so large an
Orphan-House; and, even if you did, how will you, at the same time, get
the means for carrying on the work, which already exists? Answer:
Looking at the matter naturally, this is indeed a weighty objection.
The New Orphan-House, with its 300 Orphans only, cost about fifteen
thousand pounds to build and to fit up and furnish, and still the
expenses are not all met even now. It will in all probability cost
several hundred pounds yet. And this large sum was needed, though the
style of the building is most simple, and though the field in which it
was built was comparatively cheap. After this rate, a building to
accommodate seven hundred Orphans, with the necessary ground attached to
it for the cultivation of the vegetables used in the Institution, could
not be less than thirty-five thousand pounds. Now, looking at it
naturally, where is this great sum to come from? Though I looked at all
my friends who have given hitherto, and several have done so very
liberally, yet there is no natural prospect whatever of receiving this
amount; especially if it be kept in mind that six or seven thousand
pounds besides, every year, would be needed for carrying on that which
is already in existence. I might, therefore, well tremble, looking at
the matter naturally, and say, I shall never have the money for this
intended Orphan-House for 700 children; for where is this large sum of
thirty-five thousand pounds to come from? And even if I were to get the
money, will not persons, in giving means for such a Building-Fund, take
it away from what they might have given me for carrying on the work
which exists already? But whilst thus, naturally, there is no hope of
succeeding, I am not in the least discouraged spiritually; for by faith
in the living God I say this: He has the power to give me this
thirty-five thousand pounds, and much more, were it needed: and He has
the power, in the mean time., to give me also all the large sums
required, week after week, for meeting the current expenses for the
present state of the work. Moreover, I delight in the greatness of the
difficulty, as it respects the large sum needed for building and fitting
up such an Establishment; for I desire to be most fully assured, from
the very outset, that I go forward in this matter according to the
Lord's bidding. If so, He will give me the means; if not, I shall not
have them. Nor do I mean to apply to any one personally for pecuniary
help, but purpose to give myself to prayer for means, as heretofore.
6. Suppose now, you were even to succeed in getting this large Orphan
House built, how will you be able to provide for 700 other Orphans?
Answer: There is much weight in this objection, looking at it naturally.
I am too much a man of business, and too much a person of calm, quiet,
cool calculation, not to feel its force. And indeed, were I only to look
at the thing naturally, I should at once be ready to own that I am going
too far; for the increase of expenditure for the support of these 700
other Orphans could not be less than eight thousand pounds a-year more,
so that the current expenses of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution,
reckoning its present state, and including those eight thousand pounds,
would be about fifteen thousand pounds a-year. Now, I am free to own,
that I have no human prospect of obtaining such a sum year by year. But
while matters stand thus, looking at them naturally, I see no difficulty
at all in them spiritually. If according to the will of God I am enabled
to go about this intended second Orphan House; and if, with His help, I
shall be enabled to finish it; He will surely provide for those who are
gathered together in it, as long as He shall be pleased to enable me to
trust in Him for supplies. And here I look back upon the way in which
the Lord has led me and dealt with me. When, about seventeen years ago,
I took up, in dependence upon the living God for means, two Charity
Schools, with which the Scriptural Knowledge Institution commenced (and
this involved an expense of less than one hundred pounds a-year), I had
no certain prospect of being able to meet even that small sum; but God
so helped me, that I had shortly six Charity Schools. He helped me then
also, and enabled me to meet all their expenses. When, fifteen years
ago, I began the Orphan Work, which was connected with far heavier
expenses, I had still less prospect, according to natural reason, of
being able to meet them; but I trusted in God, and He helped me, and He
not only enabled me to meet the current expenses for thirty Orphans in
the first house rented for them, but also soon to open another for
thirty-six more, and to meet all those expenses; for as I had begun in
faith in the living God, and not by putting my trust in my brethren in
Christ, so I was not confounded. After I had gone on some time with
these Orphans in the two rented houses, about thirteen years ago the
Lord was pleased greatly to encourage me and to increase my faith by a
donation of 500l. for the Orphans; for up to that period I had never
received more than One Hundred Pounds at once. But this kind donor, a
stranger to me up to that time, suggested to me the propriety of
investing this sum and using only the interest of it, as I could not
expect to have the Orphans supported for a continuance in the way they
had been till then; for that such Institutions must depend upon regular
subscriptions or funded property, otherwise they could not go on. As,
however, this was only a friendly hint, and no condition under which the
money was given, I took this 500l. towards fitting up a third house for
the reception of thirty more Orphans. From that time the work has been
increasing more and more, till it came to what it is at present. Now,
suppose I had said, seventeen years ago, looking at matters according to
natural reason, "the two Charity Schools are enough, I must not go any
further;" then the work would have stopped there. Or, if I had had a
little more trust in my exertions or my friends, I might have taken at
the utmost one or two steps further. Instead of this, however, I looked
in no degree whatever at things according to my natural fallen reason,
and trusted not in the circle of my Christian friends, but in the living
God; and the result has been, that there have been since 1834 ten
thousand souls under our instruction in the various Day Schools, Sunday
Schools and Adult Schools; several hundred Orphans have been brought up,
and many of them from their very tenderest infancy; several hundred
thousand tracts and many thousand copies of the Word of God have been
circulated; about forty preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad have
been, for several years, assisted in connection with the Scriptural
Knowledge Institution; and a house has been built and fitted up for the
accommodation of 300 destitute Orphans, each of whom has neither father
nor mother. How blessed therefore it is to trust in God, and in Him
alone, and not in circumstances nor friends There is, however, one thing
which I must record here, because it has taken place since I last wrote
in my journal on this subject on January 2nd. It is this. During these
twelve days I have received for the various objects of the Scriptural
Knowledge Institution in smaller donations 64l. 15s. 6 ½ d., also a
donation of 150l. and one of 3000l. Is not this a plain proof that God
is both able and willing to help simply in answer to prayer? Is not
human reason confounded by such instances? When I first began to write
these exercises of my mind about another Orphan House, I knew not that
on January 4th I should receive a donation of 3000l., yet I was fully
assured that God was able to support one thousand Orphans as easily as
He did the thirty whom I first received in a rented house. Does He not,
however, tell me by all this: Go forward, my servant, and I will help
thee?
7. But it might be said, suppose you were able by prayer to obtain this
large sum for building a house for seven hundred other Orphans; and
suppose you were able to provide for them during your lifetime, what
would become of this Institution after your death? Answer: I am quite
familiar with this objection, having heard it many times as a reason
against the way of obtaining the means for the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution, simply by trusting in God, without any funded property, and
without looking to regular subscribers; but my reply is this. My
business is, with all my might to serve my own generation; in doing so I
shall best serve the next generation, should the Lord Jesus tarry. Soon
He may come again but, if He tarry, and I have to fall asleep before His
return, I shall not have been altogether without profit to the
generation to come, were the Lord only to enable me to serve my own
generation. Suppose this objection were a sound one, I ought never to
have commenced the Orphan. Work at all, for fear of what might become of
it after my death, and thus all the hundreds of destitute children
without father and mother, whom the Lord has allowed me to care for,
during the last fifteen years, would not have been taken up by me. The
same argument was again and again used to Franké, my esteemed
countryman, who at Hallé, in Prussia, commenced about A.D. 1696, the
largest charitable establishment for poor children that, as far as I
know, exists in the world. He trusted in God alone. He went on trusting
in God alone. And God helped him throughout abundantly. Simply by trust
in the living God the Institutions, resembling a large street rather
than a house, were erected, and about two thousand children instructed
in them. For about thirty years all was going on under his own eye,
until 1727, when it pleased God to take His servant to Himself. At his
death these Institutions were directed by his truly pious son-in-law. It
is true that, at the latter part of the last century, and during the
first part of the present, there was little real vital godliness in
these Institutions; still they were a temporal blessing to many tens of
thousands of young persons even then. So then for several tens of years
they were carried on in a truly Godly way, after Franké's death, and
when afterwards there was but little real, vital godliness found in
these schools, yet tens of thousands of children were benefited at least
for this life. Now these Institutions have existed already 150 years,
and are in existence still: and, if the Lord Jesus tarry, are likely,
humanly speaking, to exist hereafter, as they have existed hitherto.
Suppose then, that dear man of God, A. H. Franké, had listened to the
suggestions of unbelief, and said, I must not undertake this work, for
what will become of it after my death, then all the blessing which
spiritually resulted from it to thousands, and all the temporal benefits
which have resulted from it to hundreds of thousands, would have been
lost. I add, however, this. The New Orphan House has been placed in the
hands of eleven trustees, and has been properly enrolled in Chancery,
and so also, should God condescend to honour me further in building for
Him this intended house for 700 Orphans, it would likewise be placed in
the hands of trustees and enrolled in Chancery. One word in conclusion
on this subject: let every one take heed lest, in caring about what will
become of the next generation, he forget to serve his own generation.
The latter each one should seek to do with his might, and thus it should
be with each succeeding generation; then, though we be dead, yet should
we be speaking. A. H. Franké is long since gone to his rest, but he
spoke to my soul in 1826, and he is speaking to my soul now; and to his
example I am greatly indebted for having been stirred up to care about
poor children in general, and about poor Orphans in particular.
8. The last objection which has occurred to my own mind is, that by
building another Orphan House, I should be in danger of being lifted up.
Answer: I should be in danger of it indeed, and am in great danger, even
were I not in the least degree to go forward. Yea, the tenth part of the
honour which the Lord has condescended to bestow upon me, and the tenth
part of service with which He has been pleased to intrust me, would be
enough, if I were left to myself, exceedingly to puff me up. I cannot
say that hitherto the Lord has kept me humble; but I can say, that
hitherto He has given me a hearty desire to give to Him all the glory,
and to consider it a great condescension on His part that He has been
pleased to use me as an instrument in His service. I do not see,
therefore, that fear of being lifted up ought to keep me from going
forward in this work; but that I have rather to beseech the Lord that He
would be pleased to give me a lowly mind, and never suffer me to rob Him
of the glory which is due to Him alone.
Jan. 25. Great pressure of work has kept me from going on writing my
reasons for establishing another Orphan-House till now, but being more
and more convinced that it is of God I should do so, I now proceed in
writing.
Reasons for establishing another Orphan House for Seven Hundred
Orphans.
1. The many applications for the admission of destitute Orphans, which
continue to be made, I consider as a call from God upon me, to do all
that is in my power to provide a Home and Scriptural Education for a
still greater number of Orphans. Nothing but positive inability to go
forward ought to keep me standing still, whilst I have almost daily
fresh entreaties to receive Orphans. Since I began writings on this
subject in my journal, thirty more Orphans have been applied for, from
two years old and upwards. I cannot refuse to help, as long as I see a
door open, and opened by God, as I consider, to help them.
2. The moral state of the Poorhouses greatly influences me to go
forward. I have heard it again and again, from good authority, that
children, placed in the Unions, are corrupted, on account of the
children of vagrants, and other very bad young people who are in such
places; so that many poor relatives of Orphans, though unable to provide
for them, cannot bear the idea of their going there, lest they should be
corrupted. I therefore judge that, even for the sake of keeping Orphans
of poor yet respectable people from being obliged to mix with the
children of vagabonds, I ought to do, to my utmost power, all I can to
help them. For this reason, then, I purpose, in dependence upon the
living God, to go forward and to establish another Orphan House for
seven hundred destitute children, who are bereaved of both parents. When
writing thus about the Poorhouses, I do not wish it to be understood in
the way of reproof; for I know not how these matters could be altered;
but simply state the fact that thus it is.
3. In this purpose I am the more confirmed, since it is a fact, that the
Orphan Houses already in existence in the kingdom are by no means
sufficient to admit even the most deserving and distressing cases, and
far less all that it would be well to provide for. Moreover, there is
great difficulty connected with the admission of Orphans into most of
the ordinary Orphan Establishments, on account of the votes which must
be obtained, so that really needy persons have neither time nor money to
obtain them. Does not the fact that there were six thousand young
Orphans in the prisons of England about five years ago, call aloud for
an extension of Orphan Institutions? By God's help, I will do what I
can, to keep poor Orphans from prison.
4. In this purpose I am still further encouraged by the great help which
the Lord has hitherto given me in this blessed service. When I look at
the small beginning, and consider how the Lord has helped me now for
more than fifteen years in the Orphan work; and when I consider how He
has been pleased to help me through one great difficulty after another;
and when I consider, especially, how, as with an unseen hand, almost
against my will and former desires and thoughts, He has led me on from
one step to another, and has enlarged the work more and more: I say,
when I review all this, and compare with it my present exercise of mind,
I find the great help, the uninterrupted help, which the Lord has given
me for more than fifteen years, a great reason for going forward in this
work. And this, trusting in Him, I am resolved to do.
5. A further reason for going forward in this service I see in the
experience which I have had in it. From the smallest commencement up to
the present state of the establishment, with its 300 Orphans, all has
gone through my own hands. In the work itself I obtained the experience.
It has grown with the work. I have been the sole director of the work,
under God, from its smallest commencement. Now this is not an every day
case. No committee member of a society, no president or vice-president
of an institution, except they had been situated as myself, could have
this experience. Coupled with this is the measure of gift which the Lord
has been pleased to give me for such work, and for the exercise of which
I am responsible to Him. These things, in connexion with the former
reasons, it appears to me, are a call from God to go forward in a
greater degree than ever in this work.
6. The spiritual benefit of still more Orphans is another especial
reason, why I feel called to go forward. The Orphans, who have been
under my care hitherto, were almost all the children of parents who were
naturally weak in body, if not consumptive. The very fact of a child
being deprived of both parents when four, five, six, or seven years old,
shows that, except the parents lost their lives by casualty, they were
constitutionally weak. On this account young Orphans, generally
speaking, require particular care as to their health. In this respect I
desire to care for them; but there is more than that to be attended to.
I further heartily desire to keep them from the corrupting and
demoralizing effect of the lowest sort of children in the streets,
courts and Unions; but I desire more for them than mere decency and
morality. I desire that they should be useful members of society, and
that the prisons of the United Kingdom should not be filled with poor,
destitute, and homeless Orphans. We bring them up therefore in habits of
industry, and seek to instruct them in those things which are useful for
the life that now is; but I desire more than this for the Orphans. I
cannot be satisfied with anything concerning them short of this, that
their souls be won for the Lord. For this reason I long to have them
from their earliest days, yea, the younger the better, under my care,
that thus, under godly nurses and teachers, they may be brought up in
the fear of the Lord. Now as this is the chief and primary aim
concerning the dear Orphans, even the salvation of their souls through
faith in the Lord Jesus, I long to be more extensively used than
hitherto, even that I may have a thousand of them instead of three
hundred under my care.
7. But there is one point which weighs more strongly with me than even
the last mentioned one. It is this. When I began the Orphan Work more
than fifteen years ago, it was for the definite and especial purpose,
that, by means of it, the unconverted might see, through the answers of
prayer that I received in connection with it, that there is verily
reality in the things of God; and that the children of God might have
their faith strengthened by means of it, and be encouraged, in all
simplicity to deal with God under every circumstance, and trust in Him
at all times. But if this would be answered in a measure by the state in
which the Orphan Work has been in former times, and more so by what it
has been since the erection of the New Orphan House, it would be still
more so, by the blessing of God, by my going forward in it to a far
greater degree than before. This point, even the glory of God in the
manifestation of His readiness to hear prayer, has weighed especially
and supremely with me in purposing to enlarge the Orphan Work.
8. Lastly, 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
be-taking 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.
Up to this day, January 25, 1851, I have not spoken to one human being
about it. As yet even my dear wife knows not about it. I purpose to keep
the matter still for some time entirely to myself, dealing with God
alone about it, in order that no outward excitement may be in the least
degree a stimulus to me. I still pray to be kept from mistake and
delusion in this thing, not that I think I am mistaken or deluded, quite
the reverse; but yet I would distrust myself and cling to God, to be
kept from mistakes and delusions.
January 31st. For several weeks past I have had no doubt that the Lord
would have me to serve Him in the erection and fitting up of another
Orphan-House for seven hundred Orphans, and I am quite decided on doing
so, with His help, and I am now quiet about it, not because I have the
least misgiving in my own mind, but because I know that it is most
suitable that I should still for some time continue to deal quietly with
God alone about it.
March 5th. Nearly five weeks have passed away since I wrote the last
paragraph, and my mind has not been once, during this time, even for a
moment, in uncertainty as to what I ought to do. It is now about fifteen
weeks since I have been especially praying about this subject, and three
months since. I began first to write on the subject in my journal, and
about ten weeks since I have had any doubt as to what is the will of the
Lord concerning this service. I believe that, altogether unworthy though
I am of this great honour, He will condescend to use me further and more
extensively than before in caring for destitute children who are
bereaved of both parents. And this I purpose to do.
April 5th. Another month has passed away, and my mind is just in the
same state as it was when I wrote in my journal on the subject on March
5th.
May 5th. One more month has passed away, and still my mind remains
quietly assured that, utterly unworthy though I am to be allowed to go
forward in this work, and great though the difficulties are, which must
be overcome, yet that it is the will of God I should serve Him in this
way. It is now this day five months since I first wrote on this subject
in my journal, and longer even than that since it has been before rue,
during which time I have day by day prayed concerning this matter.
May 24th. 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.
When I published these exercises of my mind, and made known my purpose
respecting the intended Orphan-House for 700 Orphans, in the Twelfth
Report of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, the following
particulars were added to what has been stated.
1. All this time, though now six months have elapsed since. I first
began to be exercised about this matter, I have never once been led to
ask the Lord for means for this work, but have only continued day by day
to seek guidance from Him as to whether I should undertake it or not.
2. The means requisite, to accomplish the building and fitting up of a
house, which shall be really suitable for my intended purposes, though
the building be quite simple, cannot be less than Thirty-Five Thousand
Pounds, including fifteen or twenty acres of land round the building for
cultivation by the spade, in order to obtain out of our own grounds all
the vegetables, which are so important to the health of the children.
3. I do not mean to begin the building until I have the means requisite
in hand, just as was the case with regard to the New Orphan-House. If
God will condescend to use me in building for Him another Orphan-House
(as I judge He will), He will give me the means for it. Now though I
have not on my mind any doubt left that it is His will I should do so;
yet there is one point still wanting for confirmation, and that is that
He will also furnish me, without personal application to any one, with
all the means requisite for this new part of my service. I the more need
also to my own soul this last of all the proofs that I have not been
mistaken, in order to have unquestionable assurance that, whatever
trials hereafter may be allowed to befall me in connexion with this
work, I did not at my own bidding and according to my own natural desire
undertake it, but that it was under the guidance of God. The greatness
of the sum required affords me a kind of secret joy; for the greater the
difficulty to be overcome, the more will it be seen to the glory of God,
how much can be done by prayer and faith; and also, because, when God
Himself overcomes our difficulties for us, we have, in this very fact,
the assurance that we are engaged in His work and not in our own.
4. It is intended to place this Orphan-House also, as was the New
Orphan-House, in the hands of godly Trustees.
5. Orphans from any part of the world, provided they speak English, if
bereaved of both parents, lawfully begotten, and in destitute
circumstances, are intended to be admitted, as is the ease now,
irrespective of any sectarian feeling or preference whatever. Neither
entrance money nor any particular interest will be required, in order to
obtain a ticket for the admission of destitute Orphans, bereaved of both
parents, as long as there is room.
6. Individuals who desire to contribute towards the Building Fund for
this intended Orphan-House for seven hundred destitute Orphans, are
requested to state that the donation is "for the Building Fund." Indeed
concerning all the donations for any part of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution for Home and Abroad, it is requested that the donors will
kindly state, for what they wish their donations to be applied; or to
say expressly that they leave the application of their donations to me,
as the various objects may more particularly need help.
Supplies for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract Fund, sent in
answer to prayer, from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851.
At the commencement of this period it was my purpose to seek help from
the Lord that I might be able, in a still greater degree than before, to
assist brethren who labour in the Gospel, at Home and Abroad, in
dependence upon God for their temporal supplies, and to labour more than
ever in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and of simple Gospel
Tracts. The following extracts from my journal will now show how kind
the Lord has been in answering my requests, and in furnishing me with
the means for carrying out the desire of my heart.
June 7, 1850. Today I have received 50l. for missions from a Brother
whose heart the Lord has inclined to spend, as a steward of God, a
second property, with which He has intrusted him.
June 10. Received 150l., the disposal of which was left to me. I took
half for the Orphans and half for these objects.
June 11. Received from C. W. 50l. for missions.--By these sums which,
besides smaller donations, came in within the first fifteen days of this
period, I was able to begin to carry out my purpose; and as the Lord
enabled me, without anxious reckoning, to go on giving out as He was
pleased to intrust me with means, so again He sent further supplies
before all was gone. It is a point of great importance in the divine
life, not to be anxiously reckoning about the morrow, nor dealing out
sparingly, on account of possible future wants, which never may come;
but to consider, that only the present moment to serve the Lord is
ours, and that the morrow may never come to us.
July 2. 170l. has come in today. The donor kindly gave me permission to
use this amount as might be most needed. I took therefore 80l. of it for
the Orphans, the other for these objects.
Of the various donations which came in for these objects, between July
2nd and Aug. 13th, I only mention, that I received on Aug. 5th a silver
salver, 2 silver table spoons, a silver sugar spoon, and a silver
mustard spoon; all to be sold for missionary purposes. On Aug. 13th a
Christian Friend gave me 50l., of which I took one half for missionary
operations and the other half for the Orphans, as the donation was left
at my disposal as most needed.
Aug. 15. Today I have received from the same donor, who sent me on June
7th 50l., another donation of 110l, of which he wishes me to apply 10l.
for the use of the Orphans and 100l. for missionary purposes. This day I
have also received a donation of 120l., of which I took half for the
Orphans, and half for these objects.--Several other small donations
came in on the following day.
Aug. 24. Have received from C. W. 30l., of which the donor kindly
intends 10l. for foreign missions, 10l. for the Orphans, and 10l. for my
own personal expenses. I have sent out already during this month 170l.
to Home and Foreign labourers, and the Lord continues to give me means
for this and all the other parts of the work.
Sept. 14. Received again 190l., of which I took half for the Orphans and
half for these objects.
Sept. 19. Today I received a registered letter from the donor referred
to under June 7th and Aug. 15th containing Four Hundred Pounds and these
words:
"Dear Brother,
Herewith I send you 400l., of which three parts are to be expended on
missionaries, the rest you may expend on the Orphans, if needed; else
the whole to be disposed of to the Lord's ministering servants. I
thank you for your prayers that I may not regret this step. Were the
Lord to come tomorrow, how glad I should be that the whole was thus sent
on before me! . . If yourself or dear brother Craik (to whom give my
love in Christ) are at all in need, scruple not to take five pounds
each.
Yours in the Lord Jesus,
* * * * *"
I took the whole amount for labourers in the word and doctrine. My soul
does magnify the Lord for His condescension in listening to my
supplications, and, in answer to them, sending me means, and thus
allowing me more and more to help missionary brethren. During the last
five weeks I have sent again to them about 300l., but I long to be more
than ever their servant. What the donor says about "the money going
before him," is in reference to his having now spent two properties for
the Lord.
Sept. 27. Still further abundant help. Received from a new donor 200l.,
which, being left at my disposal as most needed, I took of it 100l. for
the Orphans, and 100l. for these objects.
Oct. 9. The Lord condescends to use me more and more as His steward.
Today I have again received 200l., which might be used as most needed. I
have therefore taken of it 100l. for the Orphans, and the other half for
these objects.
Oct. 28. Since Oct. 9th many small donations have come in, chiefly for
missions; now today I received again 200l., of which I took one half for
the Orphans, and the other half for these objects. By these donations
(large and small) the Lord enables me to send more and more help to Home
and Foreign labourers. During the last seven weeks, only little,
comparatively, has come in for these objects, while several hundred
pounds have been expended; yet, through the rich abundance which the
Lord had sent me before, I have not only had no lack of means, but had
still about 300l. in hand, before this donation was received today.
Nevertheless it was very sweet to receive it as the fruit of earnest
prayer for several weeks, as so little, comparatively, had come in
during the last seven weeks.
Dec. 18. This evening was given to me 90l. As the donor stated in the
course of conversation, that he felt especially interested about those
brethren who labour in the Gospel in various countries, whom I seek to
assist, I took of this sum 60l. for that object, and 30l. for the
Orphans.
Jan. 4, 1851. This evening I received Three Thousand Pounds, of which I
took half for these objects, and half for the Orphans, as the disposal
of it was entirely left to me. I am thus enabled more and more to
enlarge the work, and to assist increasingly home and foreign labourers
in the Word. When I gave myself more particularly to this part of the
work, now about six years since, I had not the least human prospect of
being able to do so much; but the Lord has been pleased to condescend to
listen to my supplications on behalf of these brethren who trust in Him
for their temporal supplies. I am in this way also furnished with means,
on a larger scale than ever, to circulate copies of the Holy Scriptures
and simple Gospel Tracts, which was always of deep importance, but in
these days of increasing darkness more so than ever.
Jan. 11. A further rich supply. I have received 150l., of which I took
half for the Orphans and half for these objects, as the disposal of it
was left to me.
Feb. 24. The donor, who has spent two properties in the service of the
Lord, receiving a present of 100l., sent me today 50l. of it for
missions. This instance shows, that if we use the means with which the
Lord may intrust us, as stewards for Him, He will make us stewards over
more.
Since Feb. 1851, the donor just now referred to has come into the
possession of a third property, which likewise, as the two previous
ones, he has entirely spent for the Lord.
March 7. Exceedingly little, comparatively, has come in since Jan. 11th;
yet, as I had means, I expended them to the full degree in which it
appeared to me that the Lord pointed out openings, and, in the meantime,
I continued praying for more means. Now the Lord has again given much
encouragement for continuing to wait upon Him, by a donation of 200l.,
received today, of which the donor kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my
own personal expenses, and the 180l. to be used as may be most needed,
which sum I have divided between the Orphans and the other objects.
April 15. From C. W. 40l. for foreign missions.
April 17. Further supplies for missionary purposes. This evening 1 found
a letter containing a check for 50l., of which the donor intends one
half for missionary purposes, and the other for the Orphans.
April 30. Received 200l., of which I took half for the Orphans and half
for these objects. Besides the donations above referred to, of a larger
kind, I received for these objects more than two hundred other donations
in pence, shillings, pounds, five pounds, ten pounds, and upwards,
during this period. In order to save room I have refrained from
particularizing these smaller sums, and especially because it was my
more immediate object to show, by the above, how bountifully the Lord
was pleased to furnish me with means for the carrying out my desires
concerning these objects. Yea, the Lord so abundantly supplied me with
means, that during the whole of this period there came not one single
case before me in which it would have been desirable to help, according
to the measure of light given to me, or to extend the work, without my
having at the same time ample means for doing so. In the midst of the
great depression of the times, which was so generally felt, and on
account of which, humanly speaking, I also might have been exceedingly
tried for want of means, I, on the contrary, at no period of the work
for the seventeen years previous had a greater abundance of means. I do
on purpose lay stress upon this, because I desire that it may become
increasingly known, that there is no easier, no better, and no happier
way in the end than God's way, and this in particular also with regard
to the obtaining of means, simply in answer to prayer, without personal
application to any one. I value all the smaller donations which have not
been referred to, as well as the larger ones; and many of them, in the
sight of the Lord, may have been greater donations than the hundreds of
pounds which have been mentioned; but it appeared to me necessary to
give the above facts, as I could not mention every single donation, in
order to prove the easy way in which prayer and faith may procure means,
if we walk uprightly, and if the work in which we are engaged is really
the work of God. Were the obtaining of money my aim, by thus writing, it
would be bad policy indeed, to bring out all these instances of rich and
most abundant supplies for the work; for persons might be led to think
that I need no money, or that, if I did, I should have only to pray and
it would soon come in, through some one or other, without their helping
me; but since my chief aim in the whole work, and in the writing of
these accounts in particular, is, that the blessedness of the life of
faith may be seen, and that the hearts of the children of God may be
allured more and more to their Heavenly Father, and be led more and more
to cast their every care upon Him, and to trust in Him at all times,
yea, in the darkest moments, therefore I take pleasure in speaking about
this rich abundance which God gave me for His own work.
Some readers may say, And what use was made of the money which was
received in this way? Such a one is referred, for a full answer, to the
next chapter but one, which speaks of the operations of the Scriptural
Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad; yet I would give to him here
a few outlines of the operations of the Institution. By the funds, which
were intrusted to me during this period, several hundred poor children
and adults were provided with schooling; many hundreds of copies of the
Holy Scriptures were circulated; about three hundred thousand Gospel
Tracts were distributed; forty-five preachers of the Gospel in the East
Indies, British Guiana, Canada, the United States, France, Switzerland,
Germany, Ireland, Scotland and England were, to a greater or less
degree, assisted with pecuniary help; and, lastly, three hundred Orphans
were provided with everything they needed for this life, besides being
under continual Scriptural instruction. Thus, at least, fifteen thousand
souls were during this period under habitual Scriptural instruction in
connection with this Institution, either in the Sunday Schools, Adult
Schools, Day Schools, and the Orphan House, or through the preachers of
the Gospel referred to.
Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to prayer, from
May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851.
When this period commenced, I had more in hand for the Orphans than for
many years before, under similar circumstances, the balance for current
expenses on May 26, 1850, being 150l. 7s. 10d. Yet, much as this was, in
comparison with what the balance had generally been before, how small
was the amount in reality! About 300 persons were connected with the New
Orphan House, who day by day were to be provided with all they needed,
besides several apprentices who also were still to be supported. On this
account, the one hundred and fifty pounds in hand would only furnish
that which was needed for about fifteen days, as the average expenses of
the Orphan Work alone were about Ten pounds daily.10 Place yourself,
therefore, dear reader, in my position. Three hundred persons daily at
table, and 150l. in hand! Looking at it naturally, it is enough to make
one tremble; but, trusting in the living God, as by His grace I was
enabled to do, I had not the least trial of mind, and was assured that
God would as certainly help me as He had done fourteen years before,
when the number of the Orphans was only the tenth part as large. The
following record will now show that I was not mistaken; and thus another
precious proof is furnished to the believing reader of the truth of that
word: "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be confounded."
On the very first day of this new period I received from a sister in the
Lord 6l. Another sister gave me 3l., the price of a piece of work done
by her. Thus, as the Lord commenced this period, so He was pleased
generally day by day to send me something, either in small or large
donations. I can, however, only refer to a few instances, to save
space.
Between May 26 and June 30, 1850, God was pleased to send in 193l. 4s.
5d., so that I had more than enough with the balance left in hand, to
meet all the expenses.
July 1. Paid an account to a Christian brother, and received 10l. back
from him for the Orphans. More than 3l. came in besides.
July 2. Received 170l., of which I took 80l. for the Orphans, the rest
for the other objects. 17l. 10s. 1d. came in besides.
On Aug. 16th I had purposed to leave Bristol for a time, having been for
two years and four months uninterruptedly there, in the midst of more
work than I had ever had before. I went, not because I was quite unfit
for work, but in order that, labouring for a little while in a different
air, I might, with the blessing of God, keep off illness. On the 13th,
when going to take lodgings in the country, a Christian, residing at a
distance, whom I met, by God's ordering, no doubt, gave me at the
Railway station, just before starting, 50l., of which I took half for
the Orphans and half for missionary purposes. On the 15th I received
110l., of which 100l. was intended for missions, and 10l. for the
Orphans; and also on the same day 120l. Both donations were from
considerable distances. Besides this I received several small donations,
so that within three days, from the 13th to the 16th, came in about
300l. While absent from the work, from Aug. 16th to Sept. 13th, I was
able to help by my prayers. This was the heaviest month in the way of
current expenses. During no month, all the sixteen years and five months
previously, had there been so much expended for current expenses, as in
August, 1850; but, by what was in hand on August 1, by what came in, as
just related, and by all the many smaller donations, we were most
comfortably helped through. While absent I was also enabled to wait upon
God for means for the work, besides seeking His blessing in other
respects. That this was not in vain, was most evident; for not only did
many donations come in while I was away, but, on my return, God so
abundantly poured in the means, that, within thirteen days after, I
received altogether about One Thousand Pounds; for on the very morning
after my return, Sept. 14th, came in 190l., on Sept 19th 400l., on Sept.
17th 31l. 18s. 3d., on Sept. 25th 50l., on Sept. 27th 200l., besides
many donations of smaller amounts. Truly I do not wait on the Lord in
vain! One thing more I must add here. For several years I had not been
so poor, with regard to means for myself, as when going away for change
of air. But seeing it to be the will of God that I should go, I was sure
that He would help me. Thus it was. On Aug. 13th my dear wife received
from a sister in the Lord 5l. for change of air; and from a Christian
lady near Bridgewater was sent to me for my own personal expenses 1l.,
from Cork 2l., and from a brother in Bristol 1l. On Aug. 15th was sent
for myself from a considerable distance 18l. 11s. 3d. On Aug. 21st from
Glasgow 1l. On Aug. 24th from Sunderland 1s., from Cork 1l., and from
Liverpool 10l. Thus the Lord sent me for my own personal expenses such
an abundance, that from Aug. 13th to Sept. 13th, 1850, I received
altogether 61l. 13s. 6d. Truly I serve a good master, and this I delight
to show. Not only with regard to the obtaining of means for the work, in
which I am engaged, have I found simple trust in the Lord alone the
easiest, the happiest, and the best way; but also in the obtaining of
supplies for my own personal necessities.
Nov. 27. For seven weeks the income has been very small, in comparison
with what has been expended, both for the Orphans and for the various
other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. There has come in
for the Orphans 187l. 16s. 2 ¾ d., and for the other objects 62l. 11s.
1d.; and the expenditure has been for the Orphans during these seven
weeks 477l. 2s. 11d., and for the various other objects 394l. 9s. 8d.
Therefore altogether 871l. 12s. 7d. has been expended, whilst the income
altogether has been only 250l. 7s. 3 ¾ d. Of course, we have not gone
into debt, as we never order anything, except we have the means in hand
for it. Nor has there been even the least difficulty experienced with
regard to means, as the Lord in His kindness had sent in considerable
sums just before this season commenced. About 330 persons now sit down
to their meals in the New Orphan House, day by day, and the expenses for
the Orphans alone are about Ten Pounds daily, and those for the other
parts of the work are also about Ten Pounds daily, so that I need to
receive after the rate of 20l. a day, in order to go on with the work;
but during these forty-nine days there has been only one single day that
I have received about 20l., and for the greater part of the time only a
few pounds daily, and sometimes even only a few shillings. But what was
to be done under these circumstances? I gave myself to prayer. God, whom
I have now been enabled to make my refuge, and my only refuge for more
than twenty years, I have besought day by day. And when now day by day I
still have received only small sums, and sometimes nothing or scarcely
anything at all: the only effect that it has had upon me has been, to
pray the more earnestly. My confidence in God is not at all shaken. I
have never had a thought that He would not help me; nor have I even once
been allowed to look upon these seven weeks in any other way than that
the Lord, for the trial of my faith, has ordered it thus that only so
little should come in. I am sure that, when He has tried me
sufficiently, there will come in again larger sums. In the mean time,
how good has the Lord been, not only to have given all I have needed,
but I have even now money in hand! And as to our stores in the New
Orphan-House, they are as full as usual. We have at least 150 sacks of
potatoes in the house, 20 sacks of flour, 33 barrels of oatmeal, each
containing about 200 lbs., about 300 pairs of new shoes (besides about
900 pairs in use), about ten tons of coal, a large quantity of soap and
rice; and so all other parts of the stores in proportion. Indeed while
there has been little coming in, I have just ordered articles in the
wholesale way as formerly, when our income was perhaps four or five
times as much during the same period. My judgment is, that it will now
soon please the Lord again to send in larger sums, as He has been
pleased to exercise my faith for some time in this way. Let me see the
result!
Nov. 28. This morning the Lord has given me a fresh proof, that I had
not waited on Him in vain, and that my confidence in Him, as recorded
last evening, has not been confounded. I received early this morning a
donation of 200l., of which I took one half for the Orphans and the
other half for the other objects.
Nov. 30. Evening. I am brought to the close of another month. Great have
been the expenses, as I have paid out above 400l. for the Orphans, and
above 200l. for the other objects; but I have always had the means to
meet every payment.
Jan. 4, 1851. Besides a donation of 1l. from Newton Ferrers, 1l. 8s.
from Keswick, 4l. 6s. 9d. from the neighbourhood of Bath, I received
also this morning anonymously from Torquay 5s. worth of postages, with
these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." I am doing this.
I expect much, very much indeed, in every way. I also expect much in the
way of means. Evening. This very day the Lord has given me a most
precious proof, that He delights in our having large expectations from
Him. "My mouth has been filled," according to the portion of Holy
Scripture sent to me this morning. I have received this evening the sum
of Three Thousand Pounds, being the largest donation which I have had as
yet. I have had very many donations of 100l. and of 200l., several of
300l., one of 400l., several of 500l., some from 600l. to 900l., four of
l000l., two of 2000l. and one of 2050l. But I never had more than this
given to me at one time; yet I have expected more than 2050l. in one
donation, and, accordingly, it has pleased the Lord to give me 3000l.
this evening. I now write again that I expect far larger Sums still, in
order that it may be yet more and more manifest, that there is no
happier, no easier, and no better way of obtaining pecuniary means for
the work of the Lord, than the one in which I have been led. How great
my joy in God is, on account of this donation, cannot be described; but
it is not in the least coupled with excitement. I take this donation out
of the hands of the living God; I continually look for His help, and am
perfectly assured that I shall have it, and therefore is my soul calm
and peaceful, without any excitement, though the donation is so large.
This donation is, however, like a voice from heaven, speaking to me
concerning a most deeply important matter respecting which I am seeking
guidance from the Lord, the building of another Orphan-House. For
several years, while the Orphans were living in rented houses in Wilson
Street, Bristol, it pleased the Lord to manifest His power by helping us
from day to day, and sometimes even from meal to meal; but of late years
He has more especially been pleased to show His power by sending us
abundant supplies. Should it please Him, however, hereafter to cause us
again to be similarly situated, He will surely help; and, by His grace,
we will then trust in Him as heretofore. Moreover, though we have not
been so low with regard to means, yet my faith has not been without
trial even in this particular; but especially in other respects it has
pleased God continually to keep my faith in exercise. This sum of 3000l.
was entirely left at my disposal, and it was therefore portioned out
thus: 1500l. for the Orphans, 500l. for foreign labourers in the Gospel,
500l. for home labourers in the Gospel, 200l. for the circulation of
Gospel Tracts, 100l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and
200l. for the support of Day Schools, Adult Schools, and Sunday
Schools.
As an instance to show in what a variety of ways the Lord is pleased to
help me with means, I insert here the following kind but anonymous
letter, which was left at my house on January 27th, 1851.
"Dear Mr. Müller,
" I left at Mr. W's last week a donation of 1l. 1s. towards the
Orphan-Houses, which I hope you received safely. It is indeed
encouraging and strengthening to read the account of the many
indubitable answers you have had to prayer, and I pray God, dear sir, to
strengthen your hands, and prolong your life, if it be His will, that
both the servants of Christ and of Satan, the former to their comfort,
the latter to their confusion if not to their conversion, may see that
God alone reigns, and that the hearts of all are in His hand. I now
inclose you some coins (there are 18), which may be disposed of for the
Orphan-Houses. Truly we wish you good luck in the name of the Lord.
"Believe me, dear sir,
"To remain your unknown but true Friend,
"A Minister of the Church of England."
"N.B. I earnestly solicit an interest in your prayers."
The letter contained a two-guinea piece, a small Portuguese gold coin,
15 silver coins, and a copper coin.
March. 7. Very great have been the expenses for the Orphans of late.
During the short month of February alone I spent 386l. for them. For
nearly eight weeks, since Jan. 11th, the expenses have been nearly four
times as great as the income, which, however, I have been able amply to
meet, on account of the previous abundance which the Lord had been
pleased to send in. Now, however, after much prayer for means, the Lord
has been pleased to refresh my heart by a donation of 200l., referred to
under this date in the account of the income for the other objects. I
took of this sum 90l. for the Orphans. I received also this day 4l.
10s., being the bequest of a Swiss brother in the Lord, who fell asleep
in Devonshire, and who desired that what he left should be sold for the
benefit of the Orphans.
April 30. At the morning exposition of the Holy Scriptures at the New
Orphan-House, I was led particularly to dwell upon the blessedness of
the believer having to do with the living God, and referred, in the way
of illustration, to His care in supporting the Orphan Work. Immediately
after the exposition was over, I received a donation of 12l. 12s. for
the Orphans, another of 200l. (which I took half for the Orphans and
half for the other objects), and in the afternoon came in still further
through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 2l. 14s. 4 ½ d. Concerning
the donation of 12l. 12s. the hand of the Lord is the more manifest, in
that it came from a place whence. I had never received any donation, as
far as I know, and towards it a vicar, an archdeacon, and one of the
Queen's chaplains contributed, gentlemen entirely unknown to me, and
yet they felt thus kindly disposed towards this work.
May 26. I am brought to the close of this period. The work is more and
more enlarging. During the last month I have paid out for the Orphans
more than 450l., and for the other objects more than 500l., being nearly
One Thousand Pounds during one month; and yet I have a greater balance
left in hand, through the Lord's kindness, than at the close of any of
the previous periods.
Of the several hundreds of donations, large and small, received during
this period, I have thus taken a few, to show in what way it pleased the
Lord to supply me with means for the Orphan Work.
Miscellaneous Points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for
Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1850 to May
26, 1851.
1. There were during this period four Day Schools in Bristol, with 286
children in them, entirely supported by the funds of the Institution,
and three others in Devonshire, Gloucestershire, and Norfolk, with 180
children in them, were assisted.--Further, one Sunday School in
Bristol, with 184 children, was entirely supported, and two others, in
Devonshire and Gloucestershire, with 213 children, were assisted.--
Lastly, an Adult School in Bristol, with 90 persons in it, was entirely
supported.--The expenses connected with all these various Schools
were, during this period, 379l. 17s.--From the formation of the
Institution, on March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1851, there were 5,343
children in the various Day Schools in Bristol alone, 2,379 in the
Sunday School, and 1,896 persons in the Adult Schools, besides the
thousands in the Schools out of Bristol, which were assisted.
2. During this period I sought again especially to supply very poor
persons, whose character was known by their being visited, with copies
of the Holy Scriptures; and also to put copies which are printed with
large type in to the hands of aged persons, which seems to me of
especial need, as such Bibles are still expensive, considering the means
of the poor. There was expended during this period, out of the funds of
the Institution, on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 150l. 16s.
5d. There were 345 Bibles sold and 899 given away; and 30 New Testaments
sold, and 413 given away, during this period. From March 5, 1834, to May
26, 1851, there were circulated 7,709 Bibles and 4,442 New Testaments.
3. During this year was spent of the Funds of the Institution for
Missionary objects the sum of 2000l. 11s. 1d. By this sum, forty-five
labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were
to a greater or less degree assisted. The amount sent to each of these
servants of Christ was as follows.
To No. 1. Labouring in British Guiana 91l. 10s.
To No. 2. Ditto 82l.
To No. 3. Ditto 80l. 10s.
To No. 4. Ditto 55l.
To No. 5. Ditto 55l.
To No. 6. Ditto 30l.
To No. 7. Ditto 20l.
To No. 8. Ditto 10l.
To No. 9. Labouring in the East Indies 100l.
To No. 10. Ditto 40l.
To No. 11. Ditto 40l.
To No. 12. Ditto 20l.
To No. 13 Ditto 14l.
To No. 14 Labouring in Canada 20l.
To No. 15 Ditto 20l.
To No. 16 Labouring in the United States 30l.
To No. 17 Labouring in France 60l.
To No. 18. Labouring in Switzerland 50l.
To No. 19. Ditto 10l.
To No. 20. Ditto 10l.
To No. 21. Labouring in Germany 10l.
To No. 22. Labouring in Ireland 70l.
To No. 23. Labouring in Scotland 115l.
To No. 24. Labouring in England 130l.
To No. 25. Labouring in England 115l.
To No. 26. Ditto 80l.
To No. 27. Ditto 65l.
To No. 28. Ditto 65l.
To No. 29. Ditto 57l.
To No. 30. Ditto 50l.
To No. 31. Ditto 50l.
To No. 32. Ditto 50l.
To No. 33. Ditto 45l.