FAITH CONFIRMED BY PROSPERITY.
1846-1848.
THE SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION BESTOWED AND PRAYER ANSWERED--THE
TIME OF MAN'S NEED AND OF GOD'S BOUNTY--FAITH NOT
SHAKEN--DEALING ONLY WITH GOD--THE NEEDED AMOUNT
FURNISHED--PERPETUAL "NEED"--NOT WEARY IN GOD'S WORK--JOY IN
ANSWERED PRAYER--FOUR REQUESTS GRANTED--"CONTINUING INSTANT IN
PRAYER"--THE BUILDING COMMENCED--PERSONAL HISTORY--A MARKED
DELIVERANCE.
In the following chapter, Mr. Mueller has grouped together, under
the appropriate heads, the leading events connected with each of
the departments of the work of the Lord in his hands.
I. ASSISTANCE TO THE MISSIONARY LABORERS.
During no former period since undertaking to send aid to laborers at
home and abroad was I intrusted by the Lord with such large sums as
during the one to which this chapter refers. I had never had more need
of pecuniary supplies than during those two years, on account of the
many pressing calls; but, at the same time, I had the exceeding great
joy and privilege of being able to respond to them in such a way as I
had never before been allowed to do. These remarks apply to all the
various objects of the Institution, but especially to the supplies for
brethren who labor at home and abroad in word and doctrine, without
being connected with any society, or without having any regular salary
for preaching the word.
On May 26, 1846, after the accounts had been closed, a check for one
hundred pounds was given to me, the application of which was left to my
disposal. I put half of the amount to the fund for these objects, and
half to the orphan fund. When the accounts were closed, there was
ninety-one pounds four shillings elevenpence three farthings in hand for
these objects, to which this fifty pounds was added; therefore I began
this period with more means than I had had in hand at any time
previously at the beginning of a fresh period; and as was its beginning,
so was the continuance. It has often struck me that one especial reason
why, on the whole, I was allowed to have so little trial with regard to
means for the work during those two years, in comparison with former
times, may have been, that thereby the Lord would say that he was
willing to give what would be needed, when once the new Orphan House
should be built, though the expenses would be about two thousand five
hundred pounds a year more than they were before.
June 4, 1846. To-day was given to me, _just when I rose from my knees_,
after having asked the Lord for more means, especially for missionary
purposes, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, with the request to
use of it fifty pounds for the orphans, fifty pounds for laborers in
England, and fifty pounds for laborers abroad.
From the commencement of this Institution, on March 5, 1834, it had been
my desire to employ part of the funds, with which I might be intrusted,
in aiding missionary brethren in foreign lands, who are not supported by
any regular salary; and for several years I had likewise had the desire
to assist brethren, laboring in similar circumstances, in Great Britain
and Ireland. The Lord also had given me the great privilege to assist
such brethren more or less during the time that this Institution had
been in operation; but especially he began during the two years to which
this chapter refers to allow me to do so in a far greater degree than
before. I knew it to be a fact that many brethren who preach the word,
without having any salary for doing so, or property to live upon, were
in need. Now it might be said that such brethren ought to trust in God;
that, if they preach Jesus as the only hope for the salvation of
sinners, they ought to set them a good example by trusting themselves in
God for the supply of their temporal necessities, in order that
unconverted persons thereby might be led to trust in the Lord Jesus
alone for the salvation of their souls. This is true, quite true.
Preachers of the precious good news of salvation to every sinner who
puts his trust in the merits of the Lord Jesus, ought indeed themselves
to depend upon God, their Lord and Father, for the supply of their
temporal necessities; but I also felt that I, as their brother, ought to
seek to help them as far as lay in me. To this I set myself more than
ever after the beginning of the year 1846, as I knew, that, from
particular causes, there was an especial call to help such brethren; and
as my own means would go but a little way, I gave myself to more earnest
prayer than ever for such brethren. The result was, that, during the two
years of this period, the Lord so answered my _daily_ supplications with
regard to this particular, that I was honored to send nearly three times
as much to home and foreign laborers as during any previous period of
the same length. One thousand five hundred and fifty-nine pounds eleven
shillings sixpence was spent in this way, by which twenty-one brethren
were assisted who labored in foreign lands, and nineteen who labored in
Great Britain and Ireland. Large as this sum is, in comparison with
what I had been able to do in this particular in former years, yet it is
small, very small, in comparison with what my heart desired to be able
to do for these forty brethren. It has frequently, yea almost always, so
happened, that the assistance which God has allowed me to send to such
brethren has come to them _at a time of great need_. Sometimes _they had
no money at all left_. Sometimes _even their last provisions were almost
consumed_, when I sent them supplies. Some of them are fathers of large
families, or have sickly wives and children; some were once well off in
this world, but for Christ's sake have become poor; and some have had
for Christ's sake their all taken from them. Is it not an honor to help
such brethren? I could fill hundreds of pages by giving extracts from
the letters of the dear brethren to whom I have sent help, and they
would be greatly to the edification of the reader; but I do not feel
free to do so. As I have not only been laboring for these brethren in
prayer that God would intrust me with means and allow me the privilege
of helping them, but as I also have asked God to direct me especially to
send to those who might be in particular need, in case I could not help
them all; and as I have sought by an encouraging word to strengthen
their hands in God; I have great reason to believe that these dear
brethren have not only been helped by these pecuniary supplies in a
temporal point of view, but also that the fact of God sending them help
in their extremity has tended to refresh and strengthen their hearts,
and to lead them more and more to trust in him.
March 7, 1847. Often of late had I entreated the Lord that he would be
pleased to condescend to use me still further as a steward, in allowing
me to send help to the many dear brethren whom I know laboring at home
and abroad without any salary, the need of many of whom I knew. Under
these circumstances I received this morning one hundred and fifty
pounds, with the following lines:--
DEAR BROTHER:
I have great pleasure in sending you one hundred pounds on
account of laborers in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad,
and fifty pounds for other work in your hands.
Yours very affectionately,
* * *
April 5. I have been praying day by day, ever since I was able during
the last month to send about one hundred and thirty pounds to home and
foreign laborers, that the Lord would be pleased soon again to give me
means for them, on account of their great need; indeed, all our means
were so exhausted, that I had only just enough for to-morrow evening to
meet the weekly expenses connected with the six day schools, when this
morning I received one hundred and twenty-five pounds for these objects.
Almost immediately after this donation had been given to me, I received
a letter from Demerara about the great need among the brethren who labor
there, by which intelligence the seasonable help just received has
become still more precious to me.
May 26, 1848. By the Lord's faithful love I have been enabled to meet
all the heavy expenses connected with _these objects_ during the last
two years, amounting to nearly two thousand and six hundred pounds, and
at the same time owe no one anything, and have a balance of five pounds
nineteen shillings seven pence halfpenny left in hand.
II. THE SUPPORT OF THE ORPHANS.
Jan. 20, 1847. For the whole of this period since May 26, 1846,
therefore nearly eight months, when the accounts were closed, we have
had always an abundance of means, and for the greater part of the time
about two hundred pounds in hand. The sum of one thousand sixty-five
pounds has come in for the orphans in less than eight months, to which
is to be added the balance of eighty-five pounds four shillings
ninepence three farthings in hand when the accounts were closed.
Invariably I have thus been able to give to the matrons of the four
Orphan Houses the money in advance, which was required for the
necessities of one week. But now, after having paid away last evening
forty-five pounds five shillings for the housekeeping of a week in
advance and for other expenses, the money which remains in hand is
needed for rent, and oatmeal, which has been ordered from Scotland. This
morning therefore I gave myself particularly to prayer with regard to
means for present use for the orphans. How blessed to have the living
God to go to! Particularly precious to know him in these days of
wide-spread distress! Potatoes are too dear for food for the orphans at
this time. The rice, which we have substituted instead of them, is twice
as dear as usual; the oatmeal more than twice as dear, and the bread one
half dearer than usual. But the riches of God are as great as ever. He
knows that our expenses are great. He knows that a little will not do in
these days, when provisions are so dear, as there are about one hundred
and fifty persons to be provided for, including teachers and
apprentices. My soul is at peace.--_Evening._ About noon I received from
a pious physician the following note, with a check for five pounds:--
MY DEAR SIR:
I send you something towards buying bread for the orphans. The
dearness of food must be felt by many; but the Lord in judgment
is nevertheless gracious. He will sustain. I am your sincere
friend and well-wisher,
* * * *
March 9. This evening, Tuesday, I find that since last Tuesday evening
again forty-four pounds one shilling sixpence three farthings has come
in. How good is the Lord in helping me week after week through the heavy
expenses, especially in this season of deep distress and dearness of
provisions! To his praise I can say we have lacked nothing all this
winter. Whilst preparing these extracts from my journal for the press, I
remember to have heard the following remarks made with reference to the
time about which I am just now writing, I mean the season of dearth
during the winter of 1846-7: "I wonder how it is now with the orphans?
If Mr. Mueller is now able, to provide for them as he has, we will say
nothing." When I heard such like remarks I said nothing except this: "We
lack nothing;" or, "God helps us." Should this fall into the hands of
any who have had such thoughts, let them remember that it is the very
time for _faith_ to work, when _sight_ ceases. The greater the
difficulties, the easier for _faith_. As long as there remain certain
natural prospects, faith does not get on even as easily (if I may say
so) as when all natural prospects fail. It is true that during the time
of the dearth our expenses were considerably greater than usual; it is
also true that many persons, who otherwise might have given, were unable
to do so, or had their surplus directed into other channels, such as
Ireland, etc.; but the gold and silver are the Lord's. To him we made
our prayer. In him we put our trust. And he did not forsake us. _For we
went as easily through that winter as through any winter since the work
had been in existence._ Nor could it be otherwise; for God had at this
very time an especial opportunity of showing the blessedness of trusting
in him. Seek, dear reader, more and more to put your trust in him for
everything, and you will even concerning this life find it most precious
so to do.
March 10. I was able, last evening, to meet most comfortably all the
expenses for the coming week, yet we had then nothing left, as I put by
the rest of the money, that we might not get into debt with regard to
the rent, the expenses of the apprentices, etc. When now there was again
nothing left for future housekeeping expenses, a Christian lady at a
considerable distance informed me by this morning's post that she has
paid into the hands of Messrs. Stuckey & Co. of Bristol, my bankers, the
sum of one hundred pounds for my use for the benefit of the orphans. By
the same post I have received also ten shillings from Droitwich. The
Lord's holy name be praised for this seasonable help!
May 11. This evening I have been able to meet all the expenses connected
with housekeeping during the coming week, through what has come in since
May 4, but at the same time I have nothing left. Hitherto the children
have lacked nothing. Never were provisions nearly so dear since the
commencement of the work as they are now. The bread is almost twice as
much as eighteen months ago, the oatmeal nearly three times as much as
formerly, the rice more than double the usual price, and no potatoes can
be used on account of the exceeding high price.
May 30. Lord's-day morning. I have just now received, in our great need,
when there was not sufficient in hand to meet the necessities of
to-morrow, six pounds six shillings, from a Christian gentleman of title
at Zurich in Switzerland, a distance of about one thousand miles. What a
most seasonable help! Thus I am able to send all the remainder of the
supplies which are needed till Tuesday evening.
In these days of straitness the question would naturally arise, If, when
you have only to care for one hundred and thirty orphans, you are so
poor, what will you do when there are three hundred, for whom you are
just on the point of building a house? And, further, Is it not an
indication not to increase the work, seeing you are now so poor with
only about one third of the number of orphans which you purpose to
receive into the new Orphan House? I am not tried, however, with such
thoughts; for I know that, 1. Only for the trial of my faith, as
heretofore, the Lord allows me now again to be poor. Never at any time
have the expenses been so great for the work as from May 26, 1846, to
May 26, 1847; but also never has so much come in in the same space of
time during any other period of this work. 2. It is for the profit of
the church at large that I have now again to pass through these days of
poverty. 3. It is as easy for the Lord to supply me with all the means
that the work will require when once the new Orphan House is opened, as
it is for him to give me what I need now, though the expenses in all
likelihood will then be two thousand five hundred pounds a year more
than they are at present.
July 13. The proceeds of an orphan box from Stafford, four pounds seven
shillings sixpence. The friend who sent the money wished to know whether
it arrived in a time of need. I have had many similar requests, to which
I can reply nothing, or say at the most that the answer may be learnt
from the next Report. It will be easily perceived, on reflection, that
if I said it came seasonably, that would imply we had little or nothing
at all in hand, and what would that again mean but this, "As our
expenses are so great, that which you have now sent will be soon gone
again, and therefore send us some more, or get some friend to help us."
But by this very thing the chief object of this work, "_To show how
blessed it is to deal with God alone, and how blessed to trust in him in
the darkest moments_," would be hindered. It is also for this very
reason that I do not publish the accounts very frequently, for instance
quarterly, as I have been requested to do; but I am delighted to wait a
year, or eighteen months, or two years, or more; and even then I do not
publish them for the sake of obtaining money (though unquestionably God
has used the Reports as instruments to procure us means), but for the
benefit of the church of God, to refresh, encourage, exhort, and
instruct my brethren in Christ; and also because it is needful that from
time to time I should give a public account of the way in which the
considerable sums with which I have been intrusted have been spent.
Oct. 19. I left Bristol with my dear wife, partly because both of us
much needed change of air, and partly because I had a great desire to
labor in the word for a few weeks in Westmoreland and Cumberland. I was
not able to leave more means than enough for about three days for
housekeeping expenses. But I could not have stayed in Bristol, though
there had been nothing at all in hand; my hope was that God would help
during my absence. During all the time of my stay at Bowness in
Westmoreland, from Oct. 20 to Nov. 20, there was day by day, with the
exception of the first three days after my departure, need to wait upon
God for daily supplies for the orphans. In consequence of this, _every
donation, without exception, which was received during my absence, came
in most seasonably_. Partly on account of my health, and partly on
account of opportunities for service in Westmoreland and elsewhere, I
did not feel it right to return to Bristol sooner than I did, though
there was such great poverty; nor could I have done anything in Bristol
which I could not do in Westmoreland, as it regards procuring means,
since prayer and faith are all the means I make use of to obtain
supplies when we are in need.
Dec. 23. The need of to-day was eleven pounds. This sum the Lord gave me
thus: Last evening I received one pound, together with a pair of
trousers and gaiters, and a remnant of fustian for the orphans. But as
I knew how much there would be needed to-day, I waited further upon the
Lord this morning for help, and, in ONE MINUTE after I had risen from my
knees, I received a letter from Liverpool with ten pounds for the
orphans. The donor writes: "I have had the inclosed ten-pound note in my
drawer for some time, intending to send it to you for the orphans; but
my time is so occupied that at a suitable time when at my desk I have
overlooked it. I now, however, inclose it," etc. How seasonable this
help! How exactly _to the very shilling_ what is needed to-day! How
remarkable that _just now_ this donor in Liverpool is led to send the
ten pounds which had been, according to his own words, for some time in
his drawer for the purpose of sending it! All this abundantly proves
_the most minute and particular providence_ of God, and his readiness to
answer the supplications of his children.
Dec. 30. When this day began, I was without anything for the necessities
of the day, though I had reason to believe that several pounds would
again be required. I was therefore again looking out for fresh supplies.
Accordingly, about ten o'clock this morning, a brother in the Lord, who
had come last evening to stay for a night in my house, gave me ten
pounds, to be used as it might be most needed. To be noticed in
connection with this donation is: 1. I had, not long since, received a
donation from him. 2. This brother had generally stated how he wished
his donations to be appropriated, and they had been chiefly for
missionary purposes; but this time he left it to me to use this money,
as most needed, and therefore I could take of it what was needed for the
orphans. 3: I was now extremely poor also with regard to the funds for
all the other objects, so that I was obliged to tell the teachers of the
day schools last Tuesday evening, 28th, that if no fresh supplies came
in, I should not be able to give them their weekly salaries, as usual,
next Tuesday evening, being now poorer in this particular than I had
been for years. How kind therefore of the Lord, not only to give me this
money through this brother at this time, but also to dispose his heart
to leave the application of it to me as most needed. I took half of it
for this day's housekeeping expenses for the orphans, and half for the
school fund, for the weekly salaries of the teachers next Tuesday. I
also received further this morning a half sovereign from Droitwich. The
little that was left, after the housekeeping expenses were met, was put
by for rent and the expenses for the apprentices, and I was again
without a penny, looking out for fresh supplies for to-morrow.
Dec. 31, 1847. The last day of another year had now come. Great and many
had been the mercies of God to me this year in every way, particularly
also in connection with the orphans; but now I had again nothing for
to-day, except two shillings which are in one of the boxes in my house.
I was, however, by God's grace, able to look out for supplies for this
last day of another year also, being fully assured that the Lord would
not confound me. And thus it has been, according to my expectation; for,
before I was called on for money, I received one hundred pounds, which
was left to me to apply to any part of the Lord's service where there
seemed the most need.
Feb. 2, 1848. This morning, on my walk before breakfast, I felt myself
led out of my usual track into a direction in which I had not gone for
some months. In stepping over a stile I said to myself: "Perhaps God has
a reason even in this." About five minutes afterwards I met a Christian
gentleman who gave me two sovereigns for the orphans, and then I knew
the reason why I had been led this way.
Feb. 3. The reader might say, "_You are continually in need. No sooner
is the one demand met, than another comes. Do you not find it a trying
life, and are you not tired of it?_" My reply is, It is true I am more
or less continually in need in connection with this work. And if I were
to tell out all my heart to the reader concerning it, he would have
still more reason to say that I am continually in need. For what I have
here written is almost exclusively about the way in which God has been
pleased to supply me with _money_ for carrying on the work; but I do
deliberately state that this, much as it might appear to one or the
other, is by no means the chief thing that I stand in need of from day
to day. I will just hint at a few other things. Sickness among the
children, very difficult and tedious cases, in which, notwithstanding
all the means which are used month after month, yea, year after year,
the children remain ill. Nothing remains but either to keep them, or to
send them to the Parish Union, to which they belong, as they have no
relatives able to provide for them. The very fact of having cared for
them and watched over them for years only endears them the more to us,
and would make it the more trying to send them back to their parish.
This is a "need" which brings me to God. Here is prayer required, not
only for means which such sick children call for, but for guidance and
wisdom from on high.
Sometimes children are to be placed out as servants or apprentices. A
suitable place is needed, or else they had better remain under our care.
The obtaining of this suitable place is a "need" indeed. It is more
difficult to be obtained than money. Sometimes for many weeks have I had
to wait upon God to have this "need" supplied; but he has always at last
helped. Sometimes great has been my "need" of wisdom and guidance in
order to know how certain children ought to be treated under particular
circumstances; and especially how to behave towards certain apprentices
or servants who were formerly in the Orphan Houses. A "need" in this
respect is no small thing; though I have found that in this and in all
other matters, concerning which I was in "need," I have been helped,
provided I was indeed able to wait patiently upon God. That word,
"godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life
that now is and of that which is to come," (1 Tim. iv. 8,) I have in
times almost without number found to be true in my own experience.
Further, when one or the other of the laborers needed to leave the work
on account of health, or for other reasons, I have been at such times in
far greater "need" than when I required money for the various objects of
the Institution. I could only have such "need" supplied by waiting upon
God. I could do nothing but speak to my heavenly Father about this
matter, and he has always helped. One of the greatest difficulties
connected with this work is to obtain suitable godly persons for it; so
many things are to be taken into the account. Suitable age, health,
gift, experience, love for children, true godliness, a ready mind to
serve God in the work and not themselves, a ready mind to bear with the
many trials and difficulties connected with it, a manifest purpose to
labor, not for the sake of the remuneration, but to serve God in their
work; surely, to obtain godly persons, in whom these qualifications even
in some measure are found combined, is not an easy matter. Not that any
one will suppose me to mean that I am looking out for perfect
fellow-laborers. Not that any one will suppose that my fellow-laborers
are referred to by me as if they were without weaknesses, deficiencies,
and failings. I am myself far, very far from being without weaknesses,
deficiencies, and failings. Moreover, I never expect to find
fellow-laborers for this work who have not their weaknesses; but _this I
do mean to say_, that the work of God in my hands is of that character,
and, by God's grace, is really carried on with such a true purpose to
serve God thereby (however much I and my fellow-laborers may fail), that
it is with me a matter of deep moment to find truly suitable individuals
for it, in whom, as much as possible, the above qualifications should be
found united. And, however much there may be wanting, this is more and
more my aim, that I may obtain _such_ helpers; and hence it can be
easily perceived how great my "need" must be again and again on this
very account. I do here especially advise, that if any should apply in
future for situations in connection with this work, they would keep
these remarks before them; for, by God's grace, it is my purpose never
to give to any persons a situation in connection with the Institution,
if they are not suitable for it according to the light which God gives
me.
Further, that the laborers work happily together among themselves, and
that I go on happily in service with them; that I be their servant, on
the one hand, and yet, on the other, maintain the place which God has
given me in this work; surely, if any one carefully looks at this, he
will at once see that there is a difficulty and a "need" far greater
than any that is connected with _money_. O, how these matters lead one
to call upon God! How they continually make one sensible of one's
"need!" Truly, I am in need, in continual need. I might refer to many
more points, in connection with this work, in which I am more or less
continually in "need;" but I will only mention one. It is now many years
since I have made my boast in the living God in so public a manner by my
publications. On this account Satan unquestionably is waiting for my
halting, and if I were left to myself I should fall a prey to him.
Pride, unbelief, or other sins would be my ruin, and lead me to bring a
most awful disgrace upon the name of Jesus. Here is then a "need," a
great "need." I do feel myself in "need," in great "need," even to be
upheld by God; for I cannot stand for a moment if left to myself. O that
none of my dear readers might admire me, and be astonished at my faith,
and think of me as if I were beyond unbelief! O, that none of my dear
readers might think that I could not be puffed up by pride, or in other
respects most awfully dishonor God, and thus at last, though God has
used me in blessing hitherto to so many, become a beacon to the church
of Christ! No, I am as weak as ever. I need as much as ever to be upheld
as to faith, and every other grace. I am therefore in "need," in great
"need;" and therefore help me, dear Christian reader, with your prayers.
I allow, then, most fully that I am in continual "need." This is the
case with regard to money matters, because the work is now so large. A
few hundred pounds go but a little way. There have often been weeks when
my demands have been several hundred pounds a week, and it can therefore
easily be supposed that, even if large donations come in, they do not
last long. But whilst I allow this, I desire that the Christian reader
may keep in mind that there are other necessities, and even greater ones
than those connected with _money_. Should, however, the reader say that
he thinks "_I must find this a very trying life, and that I must be
tired of it_," I beg to state that he is entirely mistaken. I do not
find the life in connection with this work a trying life, but a very
happy one. It is impossible to describe the abundance of peace and
heavenly joy that often has flowed into my soul by means of the fresh
answers which I have obtained from God, after waiting upon him for help
and blessing; and the longer I have had to wait upon him, or the greater
my need was, the greater the enjoyment when at last the answer came,
which has often been in a very remarkable way, in order to make the hand
of God the more manifest. I do therefore solemnly declare that I do not
find this life a trying life, but a very happy one, and I am
consequently not in the least tired of it. Straits and difficulties I
expected from the very beginning. Before I began this service I expected
them; nay, the chief object of it was, that the church at large might be
strengthened in faith, and be led more simply, habitually, and
unreservedly to trust in the living God, by seeing his hand stretched
out in my behalf in the hour of need. I did, therefore, expect trials,
great trials and straits; but cheerfully, for the glory of God, and the
profit of God's dear children, did I desire to pass through them, if
only the saints might be benefited by the dealings of God with me. The
longer I go on in this service, the greater the trials of one kind or
another become; but at the same time the happier I am in this my
service, and the more I am assured that I am engaged as the Lord would
have me to be. How then could I be tired of carrying on the work of God
on such principles as I do?
III. THE NEW ORPHAN HOUSE ON ASHLEY DOWN.
Up to May 26, 1846, L2,710, 3s. 51/2d. had been received toward
building the new Orphan House.
July 4, 1846. For about three months my faith and patience have been
exceedingly tried about the field which I have purchased for the
building of the orphan house, as the greatest difficulties arose about
my possessing the land after all; but, by God's grace, my heart was kept
in peace, being fully assured that if the Lord were to take this piece
of land from me _it would be only for the purpose of giving me a still
better one; for our heavenly Father never takes any earthly thing from
his children except he means to give them something better instead_. But
in the midst of all this great trial of faith I could not but think,
judging from the way in which God so manifestly had given me this piece
of land, that the difficulties were only allowed _for the trial of my
faith and patience_. And thus it was. Last evening I received a letter
by which all the difficulties were removed, and now, with the blessing
of God, in a few days the conveyance will be made out.
July 6. The reason why, for several months, there had come in so little
for the building fund, appeared to me this, that we did not need the
money at present; and that when it was needed, and when my faith and
patience had been sufficiently tried, the Lord would send more means.
And thus it has proved; for to-day was given to me the sum of two
thousand and fifty pounds, of which two thousand pounds is for the
building fund, and fifty pounds for present necessities.
It is impossible to describe my joy in God when I received this
donation. I was neither excited nor surprised; for _I look out_ for
answers to my prayers. _I believe that God hears me._ Yet my heart was
so full of joy that I could only _sit_ before God, and admire him, like
David in 2 Sam. vii. At last I cast myself flat down upon my face, and
burst forth in thanksgiving to God, and in surrendering my heart afresh
to him for his blessed service.
July 21. This morning a gentleman from Devonshire, on his way to London,
called on me. When he came I was just in prayer, having, among other
matters, brought also before the Lord the following points: 1. I had
been asking him for some supplies for my own temporal necessities, being
in need. 2. I had asked him for more means for the building fund, and
besought him to hasten the matter, on account of the inhabitants in
Wilson Street, on account of the welfare of the children and those who
have the oversight of them in the Orphan Houses, and lastly that I might
be able to admit more orphans, the number of applications being so
great. 3. I had also asked the Lord for means for present use for the
orphans, as the outgoings are so great. 4. I had asked for means for
the other objects. When I saw this gentleman from Devonshire, he gave me
twenty pounds, of which ten pounds is to be used for the building fund,
five pounds for present use of the orphans, two pounds for brother Craik
and myself, and the remaining three pounds were left to my disposal,
which I applied to the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution. Thus I received, _at the very moment that I had been asking
God_, FOUR answers to my prayers.
Nov. 19. I am now led more and more to importune the Lord to send me the
means which are requisite in order that I may be able to commence the
building. Because, 1. It has been for some time past publicly stated in
print that I consider it is not without ground that some of the
inhabitants of Wilson Street consider themselves inconvenienced by the
Orphan Houses being in that street, and I long therefore to be able to
remove the orphans from thence, as soon as possible. 2. I become more
and more convinced that it would be greatly for the benefit of the
children, both physically and morally, with God's blessing, to be in
such a position as they are intended to occupy, when the new Orphan
House is built. And, 3. Because the number of very poor and destitute
orphans, that are waiting for admission, is so great, and there are
constantly fresh applications made. Now whilst, by God's grace, I would
not wish the building to be begun one single day sooner than it is his
will; and whilst I firmly believe that he will give me, in his own time,
every shilling which I need; yet I also know that he delights in being
earnestly entreated, and that he takes pleasure in the continuance in
prayer, and in the importuning him, which so clearly is to be seen from
the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. Luke xviii. 1-8. For
these reasons I gave myself again particularly to prayer last evening,
that the Lord would send further means, being also especially led to do
so, in addition to the above reasons, because there had come in but
little comparatively since the 29th of last month. This morning between
five and six o'clock I prayed again, among other points, about the
building fund, and then had a long season for the reading of the word of
God. In the course of my reading I came to Mark xi. 24: "What things
soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye
shall have them." The importance of the truth contained in this portion
I have often felt and spoken about; but this morning I felt it again
most particularly, and, applying it to the new Orphan House, said to the
Lord: "Lord, I believe that thou wilt give me all I need for this work.
I am sure that I shall have all, because I believe that I receive in
answer to my prayer." Thus, with the heart full of peace concerning this
work, I went on to the other part of the chapter, and to the next
chapter. After family prayer I had again my usual season for prayer with
regard to all the many parts of the work, and the various necessities
thereof, asking also blessings upon my fellow-laborers, upon the
circulation of Bibles and tracts, and upon the precious souls in the
adult school, the Sunday schools, the six day schools, and the four
Orphan Houses. Amidst all the many things I again made my requests about
means for the building: And now observe: About five minutes after I had
risen from my knees, there was given to me a registered letter,
containing a check for three hundred pounds, of which two hundred and
eighty pounds are for the building fund, ten pounds for my own personal
expenses, and ten pounds for brother Craik. The Lord's holy name be
praised for this precious encouragement, by which the building fund is
now increased to more than six thousand pounds.
Dec. 9. It is now four hundred days since day after day I have been
waiting upon God for help with regard to the building of the Orphan
House; but as yet he keeps me still in the trial of faith and patience.
He is still saying, as it were, "Mine hour is not yet come." Yet he does
sustain me in continuing to wait upon him. By his grace my faith is not
in the least shaken; but I am quite sure that he, in his own time, will
give me everything which I need concerning this work. _How_ I shall be
supplied with the means which are yet requisite, and _when_, I know not;
but I am sure that God will help me in his own time and way. In the mean
time I have abundant reason to praise God that I am not waiting on him
in vain; for since this day twelvemonth he has given me, in answer to
prayer, a most suitable piece of ground, and six thousand three hundred
and four pounds for the building fund, and about two thousand seven
hundred pounds for present use for the work, so that altogether I have
received, since this day twelvemonth, solely in answer to prayer, the
sum of nine thousand pounds. Surely, I am not waiting upon the Lord in
vain! By his help, then, I am resolved to continue this course unto the
end.
Dec. 22. To-day I have again a precious proof that _continuing_ to wait
upon the Lord is not in vain. During this month comparatively little had
come in for the building fund; yet, by God's grace, I had been enabled,
as before, yea, even with more earnestness perhaps than before, to make
known my requests unto God, being more and more convinced that I ought
to seek by earnest prayer soon to be able to begin the building. In
addition to this I had also especially besought the Lord to give me
means for missionary brethren, and also for brethren who labor in the
word in various parts of England and Ireland, as all my means for them
were now gone. I had also been waiting upon God for means to order a
fresh stock of tracts. I had lastly again and again besought the Lord to
give me means for the poor saints in Bristol, of whom there are many,
and whose need is now particularly great. Now to-day the Lord has
granted me precious answers to my requests concerning these various
objects, for I received this morning one thousand pounds, with these
words: "I send you some money, part of which you can apply to the
orphans and the other objects of your Institution, according to their
need, and the rest you can put to the building fund. At the present
price of provisions your expenses must be large for the orphans. Please
also take twenty-five pounds for your own need."
January 25, 1847. The season is now approaching when building may be
begun. Therefore with increased earnestness I have given myself unto
prayer, importuning the Lord that he would be pleased to appear on our
behalf, and speedily send the remainder of the amount which is required,
and I have increasingly, of late, felt that the time is drawing near
when the Lord will give me all that which is requisite for commencing
the building. All the various arguments which I have often brought
before God I brought also again this morning before him. It is now
fourteen months and three weeks since day by day I have uttered my
petitions to God on behalf of this work. I rose from my knees this
morning in full confidence not only that God _could_, but also _would_,
send the means, and that soon. Never, during all these fourteen months
and three weeks, have I had the least doubt that I should have all that
which is requisite. And now, dear believing reader, rejoice and praise
with me. About an hour after I had prayed thus, there was given to me
the sum of two thousand pounds for the building fund. Thus I have
received altogether L9,285, 3s. 91/2d. towards this work. I cannot
describe the joy I had in God when I received this donation. It must be
known from experience in order to be felt. Four hundred and forty-seven
days I have had to wait upon God before the sum reached the above
amount. How great is the blessing which the soul obtains by _trusting
in God_ and _by waiting patiently_. Is it not manifest how precious it
is to carry on God's work in this way, even with regard to the obtaining
of means? From Dec. 10, 1845, to Jan. 25, 1847, being thirteen months
and a half, I have received, solely in answer to prayer, nine thousand
two hundred and eighty-five pounds. Add to this what came in during that
time for present use for the various objects of the Institution, and the
total is about twelve thousand and five hundred pounds, entirely the
fruit of prayer to God. Can it be said, therefore, with good ground,
that this way of carrying on the work of God may do very well in a
limited and small way, but it would not do on a large scale? The fact
brought out here contradicts such statements.
June 23. This day the Lord in his great goodness, by a donation of one
thousand pounds for the building fund, has again encouraged my heart
abundantly to trust in him for all that which I shall yet need to meet
the remainder of the expenses connected with the fitting up and
furnishing the new Orphan House, etc.
April 29, 1848. The total amount which I have received for the building
fund is L11,062, 4s. 111/2d. This sum enables me to meet all the
expenses connected with the purchase of the piece of land and with the
erection of the house. I stated before that I did not mean to commence
the building until I had all the means requisite for it, and this
intention was carried out. It was not until I had a sufficient amount of
means to meet all the sums required for the various contractors that a
single thing was done; but when I once had as much as was required for
them, I did not consider it right to delay any longer, though I saw then
clearly, and have since seen still more clearly, that I should need yet
a considerable sum to complete the work. For whilst in every respect the
building will be most plain and inexpensive, yet, it being intended to
be the abode of three hundred orphans, with all their teachers and
overseers, it necessarily must be a very large building, and was
therefore found to be even somewhat more expensive than I had thought,
as the whole (including fittings and furniture) cannot be accomplished
for less than fourteen thousand five hundred pounds, towards which the
Lord has already given me, as stated, eleven thousand and sixty-two
pounds four shillings elevenpence halfpenny. The sum still needed is
required for all the ordinary fittings, the heating apparatus, the gas
fittings, the furnishing the whole house, making three large
play-grounds and a small road, and for some additional work which could
not be brought into the contracts. I did not think it needful to delay
commencing the building, though several thousand pounds more would be
required, as all these expenses needed not to be met till many months
after the beginning of the building.
The work of the building commenced on July 5, 1847. Six hundred and
seven days I sought the help of God day by day, before we came so far as
to be able to commence the building; yet at last he gave me the desire
of my heart.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS POINTS RESPECTING THE SCRIPTURAL KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTION
FOR HOME AND ABROAD.
1. During the whole of this period six day schools, with 330 children,
were supported by the funds of the Institution; two Sunday schools were
entirely supported by it, and a third one was occasionally assisted.
Again, four from among the Sunday-school children were, during these two
years, received into church fellowship. The total number of the children
who received instruction in the day schools of the Institution, from its
commencement up to May 26, 1848, amounted to 4,519. The number of the
adult scholars who were instructed during this period in the adult
school, which was supported by the funds of the Institution, amounted to
292; and the total number of adults who had instruction from March 5,
1834, to May 26, 1848, was 1,438. The total of the expenses connected
with all these schools, during these two years, amounted to L886, 1s.
111/2d.
2. During this period were circulated 649 Bibles and 232 New Testaments.
There were circulated from March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1848, 5,746
Bibles and 3,760 New Testaments. During this period, L74, 9s. 10d. was
expended of the funds of the Institution on this object.
3. From May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, was expended of the funds of the
Institution on missionary objects, L1,559, 11s. 6d., whereby 43 laborers
in the gospel, at home and abroad, were assisted.
4. During this period 64,021 tracts were circulated, and the sum of L63,
1s. 5d. was expended on this object of the funds of the Institution. The
total number of tracts circulated from Nov. 19, 1840, to May 26, 1848,
amounted to 163,668.
5. There were received into the four Orphan Houses, from May 26, 1846,
to May 26, 1848, 51 orphans, who, together with those who were in the
four houses on May 26, 1846, made up 172 in all.
On May 26, 1848, there were 122 orphans in the four houses. The number
of the orphans under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1848, was
264. The total amount of expenditure in connection with the support of
the orphans from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, was L3,228, 5s. 11d.
I notice, in connection with the Orphan Houses, that _without any one
having been personally applied to for anything by me_, the sum of
L24,771, 19s. 83/4d. was given to me _as the result of prayer to God_
from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1848. This sum includes
the L11,062, 4s. 111/2d., which up to May 26, 1848, had been given
towards the building fund. It may be interesting to the reader to know
that the total amount which was given as free contributions for the
other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1848, was
L7,060, 14s. 13/4d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and
tracts, and by the payment of the children in the day schools, amounted
to L2,373, 3s. 71/2d.
V. PERSONAL HISTORY.
Dec. 31, 1846. During this year there have been received into fellowship
66. The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year L399, 2s. 11d.
To this is again to be added, what I have enlarged on in a former
chapter, that during the whole of this year also my daughter was, free
of all expenses, at a boarding-school, worth about fifty pounds.
In November, 1847, I had a most remarkable deliverance, which, to the
praise of the Lord, is here recorded, as it is a further illustration of
how the Lord watches over his children.
I was laboring for a little while at Bowness and Keswick in the ministry
of the word, in October and November. When at Keswick, I stayed with my
dear wife in a large boarding-house, in which, however, we were then
alone, except a single gentleman. Just before we left Keswick, on the
morning of Nov. 24, I heard that the gentleman, lodging in the same
house, had shot himself during the night, but was not quite dead. We had
not heard the report of the pistol, it being a very stormy night and the
house large. Two days after, I received from a Christian brother at
Keswick the following information respecting the transaction.
KESWICK, Nov. 25, 1847.
DEAR MR. MUeLLER:
The tender and Almighty care of our loving Father was never more
over _you_, and indeed over all of us, than in your stay at Mrs.
----'s. Mr. ---- was quite deranged for two or three days before
you left. Without any control, he had been walking about his
room for the last two days and nights, with loaded pistols in
his hands. Furthermore, he had taken into his head that you were
going to kill him. How gracious of God that he spread his wings
over you, and over dear Mrs. Mueller, so that Satan could not
break through the fence, to hurt even a hair of your heads.
Speaking after the manner of men, there was nothing to have
hindered him coming into the room, where we were all at tea,[19]
and of firing amongst us; but the Lord was our refuge and
fortress, and preserved us from danger, which we knew not of. He
shot himself in the neck and breast, but is not dead. He has a
strait-waistcoat on. I assisted in cutting his clothes off, and
in other little offices needed at such a time, and told him of
Christ's love in dying for poor sinners. "I know it," he said.
He shot himself the first time about three o'clock in the
morning, and again about seven. What a scene his room presented;
pistols lying in gore; bloody knives, lancets, and razors
strewed about the floor, etc.
[Footnote 19: The evening before my departure I had invited a
number of believers to tea, to spend some time together in prayer,
reading the Holy Scriptures, and in intercourse on spiritual
subjects.]
I add an extract from a second letter, written by the same Christian
brother, because it shows still further how very merciful the Lord was
to us at that time, in protecting us.
Mr. ---- is still alive, and has been removed by his friends
into Yorkshire. It appears, insanity is in his family, his
father being at this time in an asylum. It is evident that he
had the pistols in his pockets, but of this no one knew until
after the occurrence took place. I do not know what time of
night you went to bed, but I judge it was about ten. If so, it
was at ten o'clock Mr. ---- came down from his bedroom, after
having been there six hours. It was a mercy you did not meet
him, as it is plain that he had loaded pistols on his person.
Dec. 31, 1847. There have been received into fellowship, during this
year, 39; and altogether, since Mr. Craik and I began laboring in
Bristol, 1,157, besides the 68 whom we found in fellowship. During this
year the Lord has been pleased to give me L412, 18s. 81/2d. To this is
again to be added the free education of my dear daughter, at a boarding
school, worth to us at least fifty pounds.
In April, 1848, I was enabled, by the help of the Lord, to complete all
the arrangements for the publication of the Narrative of the Lord's
dealings with me, in the French language; and about September of the
same year the book appeared, under the following title: "Expose de
quelques-unes des dispensations de Dieu envers Georges Mueller. Paris,
librairie Protestante, Rue Tronchet, 2."