CONCLUSION.
1857-1860.
THE HOUSE FOR FOUR HUNDRED OPENED--PRAYER MORE THAN
ANSWERED--THE RESORT IN TROUBLE--AN OUTPOURING OF THE SPIRIT ON
THE ORPHANS--LAND FOR A NEW BUILDING PURCHASED--"BUT ONE LIFE TO
SPEND FOR GOD"--"SCATTERING, YET INCREASING"--A MEMORABLE
YEAR--THE GERM OF THE IRISH REVIVAL--LETTER FROM AN ORPHAN--THE
FRUIT OF SIX MONTHS' PRAYER--THE RESULTS OF THE WORK--REVIVAL
AMONG THE ORPHANS.
Under date of Nov. 12, 1857, Mr. M. writes:--
The long looked-for and long prayed-for day had now arrived when the
desire of my heart was granted to me, to be able to open the house for
four hundred additional orphans. Much had I labored in prayer and active
engagements to accomplish what was to be done previously; and now things
were so far advanced as that the new house was ready for use; and a few
days after we began to receive the children into it. How precious this
was to me, such will be able to enter into, who, having day by day
prayed for a blessing for seven years, and often repeatedly on the same
day, at last obtain the desire of their heart. Yet this blessing came
not unexpectedly to me, but had been looked for, and had, in the full
assurance of faith, been expected to be obtained in God's own time.
Feb. 17, 1858. As far as I am able to judge, I have now all I require in
the way of pecuniary means for the third house also, so that I am able
to accomplish the full enlargement of the orphan work to one thousand
orphans.
By the conclusion of the year under consideration, Mr. M. had
received, from all sources, thirty-five thousand three hundred
and thirty-five pounds nine shillings threepence toward the new
Orphan Houses, "being actually three hundred and thirty-five
pounds nine shillings threepence more than I had been from the
commencement praying for."
The following circumstance, connected with the maintenance and
care of the orphans, exhibits the reliance placed upon prayer
and faith for relief in every exigency:--
Towards the end of November, 1857, I was most unexpectedly informed that
the boiler of our heating apparatus at the new Orphan House, No. 1,
leaked very considerably, so that it was impossible to go through the
winter with such a leak. Our heating apparatus consists of a large
cylinder boiler, inside of which the fire is kept, and with which boiler
the water pipes which warm the rooms are connected. Hot air is also
connected with this apparatus. This now was my position. The boiler had
been considered suited for the work of the winter; the having had ground
to suspect its being worn out, and not to have done anything towards its
being replaced by a new one, and to have said I will trust in God
regarding it, would be careless presumption, but not faith in God. It
would be the counterfeit of faith.
The boiler is entirely surrounded by brickwork; its state, therefore,
could not be known without taking down the brickwork; this, if needless,
would be rather injurious to the boiler than otherwise; and as, year
after year, for eight winters, we had had no difficulty in this way, we
had not anticipated it now. But suddenly and most unexpectedly, at the
commencement of the winter, this difficulty occurred. What then was to
be done? For the children, especially the younger infants, I felt deeply
concerned that they might not suffer through want of warmth. But how
were we to obtain warmth? The introduction of a _new_ boiler would, in
all probability, take many weeks. The _repairing_ of the boiler was a
questionable matter, on account of the greatness of the leak; but, if
not, nothing could be said of it, till the brick-chamber in which the
boiler, with Hazard's patent heating apparatus, is inclosed, was, at
least in part, removed; but that would, at least as far as we could
judge, take days, and what was to be done in the mean time to find warm
rooms for three hundred children? It naturally occurred to me to
introduce temporary gas stoves, but, on further weighing the matter, it
was found that we should be unable to heat our very large rooms with gas
except we had very many stoves, which we could not introduce, as we had
not a sufficient quantity of gas to spare from our lighting apparatus.
Moreover, for each of these stoves we needed a small chimney, to carry
off the impure air. This mode of heating, therefore, though applicable
to a hall, a staircase, or a shop, would not suit our purposes. I also
thought of the temporary introduction of Arnott's stoves; but they would
be unsuitable, as we needed chimneys, long chimneys, for them, as they
would have been of a temporary kind, and therefore must go out of the
windows. On this account, the uncertainty of its answering in our case,
the disfigurement of the rooms almost permanently, led me to see it
needful to give up this plan also. But what was to be done? Gladly would
I have paid one hundred pounds if thereby the difficulty could have been
overcome, and the children not be exposed to suffer for many days from
being in cold rooms. At last I determined on falling entirely into the
hands of God, who is very merciful and of tender compassion, and I
decided on having, at all events, the brick-chamber opened, to see the
extent of the damage, and to see whether the boiler might be repaired,
so as to carry us through the winter. The day was fixed when the workmen
were to come, and all the necessary arrangements were made. The fire, of
course, had to be let out while the repairs were going on. But now see.
After the day was fixed for the repairs, a bleak north wind set in. It
began to blow either on Thursday or Friday before the Wednesday
afternoon when the fire was to be let out. Now came the first really
cold weather which we had in the beginning of last winter, during the
first days of December. What was to be done? The repairs could not be
put off. I now asked the Lord for two things, viz. that he would be
pleased to change the north wind into a south wind, and that he would
give to the workmen "a mind to work;" for I remembered how much Nehemiah
accomplished in fifty-two days, whilst building the walls of Jerusalem,
because "the people had a mind to work." Well, the memorable day came.
The evening before, the bleak north wind blew still; but on the
Wednesday the south wind blew: exactly as I had prayed. The weather was
so mild that no fire was needed. The brickwork is removed, the leak is
found out very soon, the boiler-makers begin to repair in good earnest.
About half-past eight in the evening, when I was going to leave the new
Orphan House for my home, I was informed at the lodge that the acting
principal of the firm whence the boiler-makers came was arrived, to see
how the work was going on, and whether he could in any way speed the
matter. I went immediately into the cellar, therefore, to see him with
the men, to seek to expedite the business. In speaking to the principal
of this, he said in their hearing, "the men will work late this evening,
and come very early again to-morrow." "We would rather, sir," said the
leader, "work all night." Then remembered I the second part of my
prayer, that God would give the men "a mind to work." Thus it was: by
the morning the repair of the boiler was accomplished, the leak was
stopped, though with great difficulty, and within about thirty hours the
brickwork was up again and the fire in the boiler; and all the time the
south wind blew so mildly that there was not the least need of a fire.
Here, then, is one of our difficulties which was overcome by prayer and
faith.
For nearly three months all went on well; but at the end of February
another leak appeared, which was worse than the previous one. But over
this also we were helped through prayer, so that without any real
inconvenience the repairs were accomplished within about thirty hours.
From that time the Lord has not tried us any further in this way. While
I am writing this it is fine warm weather, and I have ordered in both
houses the fires to be discontinued in the heating apparatuses, and, the
Lord willing, a new boiler will of course be substituted.
Feb. 2, 1858. "From Newton" one pound. To-day I took the first active
steps towards the building of the third house, when immediately
afterwards I was informed by letter that a lady in London, an entire
stranger to me, had ordered her bankers to send me three hundred pounds
for the support of the orphans. I was also further informed in the
evening that in two weeks eight hundred pounds shall be paid to me for
the work of the Lord. The three hundred pounds was sent the next day,
and the eight hundred pounds a fortnight after. See how, with
enlargement of the work, the Lord keeps pace with the expenses, helping
when help is really needed, often also giving beforehand.
During the year 1857-8, twenty-four schools were supported or
assisted out of the funds of the Institution, three thousand
nine hundred and sixty-three Bibles and portions of Scripture
were circulated, and three thousand five hundred and thirty-one
pounds expended for the aid of eighty-two laborers in various
parts of the world. From these men Mr. Mueller received letters
containing the delightful intelligence that their labor had been
blessed of the Lord. After giving copious extracts from these
letters, Mr. M. adds:--
Such extracts might be greatly multiplied, and, as I said before, a
large volume might easily be written; but space forbids me giving any
more. I feel it, however, due to the Christian reader to state that
there is good reason to believe that many hundreds of souls have been
brought to the knowledge of the Lord through the instrumentality of
these brethren within the last year; and may we not hope that even that
which is known is not nearly all that the Lord has been pleased to
accomplish through them? How seasonably, often, the help for which I had
labored in prayer has come to these dear servants of Christ, the
following extracts from letters may show, though hundreds of similar
letters have been received by me within the last twenty years.
May 19, 1858. "I gratefully acknowledge the Lord's goodness in the
receipt of your check for ten pounds. Being brought low, my dear wife
and myself, when specially waiting on him last evening, pleaded with the
Lord that he would graciously send a supply this morning; and again we
have the proof of his love by your letter and its contents. Bless the
Lord, O my soul! With many thanks to you, in which my dear wife unites,
I am," etc.
Feb. 27, 1858. "O, how my heart goes out towards you for your
affectionate remembrance of us in our low estate! _Not a shilling_ had
we in the house, nor any human prospect of any money, when your
remittance of five pounds reached us."
A laborer on the Continent writes on Dec. 17, 1857: "We received
yesterday your kind note inclosing eight pounds. The very day you sent
your letter to the post-office, the 12th instant, was a day set apart
for prayer, with fasting, to ask the Lord for means."
There were also circulated during the year 1,334,791 tracts and
books. Letters received from the persons who distributed them
show that they were greatly blessed in awakening and converting
souls.
At the commencement of the last period there were 299 orphans in the new
Orphan House on Ashley Down, Bristol. During the past year there were
admitted into it, and into the new house for 400, altogether 219
orphans. The total number of orphans who have been under our care since
April 11, 1836, is 871.
The opening of the new house for 400 orphans, which is not a wing of the
house that has been before in existence, but an entirely distinct
establishment, and larger than the former, has made it needful to
distinguish between these two houses in this way, that the house which
was opened on June 18, 1849, is now called the new Orphan House No. 1,
and the one which was opened on Nov. 12, 1857, is called the new Orphan
House No. 2. The new Orphan House No. 1 is fitted up for the
accommodation of 140 orphan girls above seven years of age, 80 orphan
boys above seven years, and 80 male and female orphans from their
earliest days, till they are about seven or eight years of age. The
infants, after having passed the age of seven or eight years, are
removed into the different departments for older boys and girls. The new
Orphan House No. 2 is fitted up for 200 female infant orphans, and for
200 elder female orphans.
_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything_ by me,
the sum of L102,714, 9s. 6d. has been given to me for the orphans, _as
the result of prayer to God_, since the commencement of the work, which
sum includes the amount received for the building fund for the houses
already built and the one to be built. It may also be interesting to the
reader to know that the total amount which has been given for the other
objects, since the commencement of the work, amounts to L38,297, 12s.
111/2d.; and that which has come in by the sale of Bibles since the
commencement amounts to L2,222, 4s. 31/2d.; by sale of tracts, L2,294,
6s. 111/2d., and by the payments of children in the day schools, from
the commencement, L2,138, 11s. 41/4d.
During the past twenty-two years the Spirit of God has been again and
again working among the orphans who were under our care, so that very
many of them have been brought to the knowledge of the Lord; but we
never had so great a work, and at the same time one so satisfactory,
_within so short a time_, as during the past year. I will enter somewhat
into details for the benefit of the reader. There are one hundred and
forty elder girls in the new Orphan House No. 1, of whom, at the
beginning of the last period, ten were considered to be believers.
On May 26, 1857, the death of an orphan, Caroline Bailey, took place.
The death of this beloved girl, who had known the Lord several months
before she fell asleep, seems to have been used by the Lord as a means
of answering in a goodly measure our daily prayers for the conversion of
the orphans. It pleased God at the beginning of the last period mightily
to work among the orphans, so that all at once, within a few days,
without any apparent cause, except it be the peaceful end of the beloved
Caroline Bailey, more than fifty of these girls were brought to be under
concern about their souls, and some with deep conviction of sin
accompanying it, so that they were exceedingly distressed. And how is it
now? my readers may ask; for young persons are often apparently much
concerned about the things of God, but these impressions pass away.
True, dear reader, I have seen this myself, having had to do with many
thousands of children and young persons within the last thirty years.
Had, therefore, this work among the orphans begun within the last few
days, or even weeks, I should have passed it over in silence; but more
than a year has now elapsed since it commenced, and it will, therefore,
give joy to the godly reader to hear that in addition to those ten who
were previously believers, and of whom one has been sent to service,
there are twenty-three girls respecting whom for several months there
has been no doubt as to their being believers; two died in the faith
within the year; and there are thirty-eight more who are awakened and
under concern about their souls, but respecting whom we cannot speak as
yet so decidedly. All this regards only one branch of the Orphan
Establishment, the elder girls of the House No. 1. In addition to this,
I am glad also to be able to state that among the other girls in the New
House No. 2, and among the boys also, some are interested about the
things of God; yea, our labors begin already to be blessed to the
hearts of some of the new received orphans.
Continuing the narrative of the progress of the new Orphan
Houses, Mr. M. writes under date of Oct. 29, 1858:--
In the last Report I stated that I was looking out for land for the
third house. Regarding this, I waited day by day upon God. But for many
months it pleased him to exercise my faith and patience. When, more than
once I seemed to have obtained my desire, I again appeared further from
it than ever. However, I continued to pray and to exercise faith, being
fully assured that the Lord's time was not yet come, and that, when it
was, he would help. And so it proved. At last, in September, 1858, I
obtained eleven and a half acres of land, quite close to the new Orphan
Houses No. 1 and No. 2, and only separated from them by the road. On
these eleven and a half acres of land a house is built. The price for
house and land was three thousand six hundred and thirty-one pounds
fifteen shillings, being more money than I should have seen it right to
expend on the site, had it not been of the utmost importance that the
third house should be quite near the other two, to facilitate the
superintendence and direction of the establishment. Thus, at last, this
prayer also was answered, concerning which I had been waiting upon God
for so many months, and concerning which the difficulties as to sight
and reason seemed so great, but respecting which my mind was continually
at peace; for I was sure that, as I was doing God's work, he would, in
his own time, help me in this particular also. The longer I go on in
this service, the more I find that prayer and faith can overcome every
difficulty.
Having now obtained land, and so much, my desire was to make the best
use of it, and to build for four hundred orphans, instead of for three
hundred, as I had previously purposed to do. After having had several
meetings with the architects, and finding that it was possible to
accommodate, with comparatively little more expense, four hundred and
fifty orphans, instead of four hundred, I finally determined on that
number, so as to have eventually one thousand one hundred and fifty
orphans under my care, instead of one thousand, as for several years
previously had been contemplated. The greatness of the number of
destitute children bereaved of both parents by death,--together with the
greatness of the Lord's blessing, which has during all these many years
rested upon my service in this way,--and the greatness of the Lord's
help in giving me assistants and helpers in the work as well as
means,--and, above all, the deep realization that I have but one life to
spend for God on earth, and that that one life is but a brief
life;--these were the reasons which led me to this further enlargement.
To this determination of a still further enlargement _I came solely in
dependence upon the living God for help_, though the increase of expense
for the building fund, on account of the purchase of the land, and
accommodation to be built for the additional one hundred and fifty
orphans more than had been from the beginning contemplated, would not be
less than from six thousand to seven thousand five hundred pounds _more_
than I had originally expected the total of the premises, which were to
be erected, would cost; and though, in addition to this, the yearly
additional expenditure for the maintenance of these one hundred and
fifty orphans, beyond the intended number of one thousand, could not be
less than one thousand eight hundred pounds a year. But none of these
difficulties discouraged me.
Nov. 27. It is this day a twelvemonth since we began to receive fresh
children into the new Orphan House No. 2. Since then the mercies of the
Lord have been very many, and his help has been very great. There have
been received from Nov. 27, 1857, to Nov. 27, 1858, altogether three
hundred and eight orphans. Such a year I never spent in this
service,--one so full of help and blessing in every way.
Jan. 4, 1859. Received seven thousand pounds, which was entirely left at
my disposal, as the work of God in which I am engaged might more
especially require it. When I decided at the end of October, 1858, to
build for four hundred and fifty orphans, instead of three hundred, I
needed several thousand pounds more, and was fully assured that God
would give me the required means, because in reliance upon him, and for
the honor of his name, I had determined on this enlargement; and now
see, esteemed reader, how the Lord honored this my faith in him!
Jan. 12. From Westerham, in eighty-eight small donations, L4, 8s. 6d.
Without my knowledge these eighty-eight small donations had been
contributed, and were sent to me.
May 26. During the year now closing, four thousand one hundred and
forty-nine-pounds seventeen shillings fivepence was expended in aid of
ninety-one brethren laboring in England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium,
France, Switzerland, Sardinia, Canada, Nova Scotia, East Indies, China,
and British Guiana. Also, during the past year 1,885,401 tracts and
books have been circulated.
At the commencement of the last period there were four hundred and
ninety-nine orphans in the new Orphan Houses No. 1 and No. 2. On May 26,
1859, there were six hundred and seventy-two orphans in the two houses,
_i. e._ in No. 1, 299, and in No. 2, 373. The total number of orphans
who have been under our care since April 11, 1836, is 1,083.
Though during the past year we have not had so great and so sudden a
work of the Spirit of God going on among the orphans as during the
previous year, when, within a few days, above fifty out of one
department of one hundred and forty girls were suddenly brought under
deep concern about their souls; yet, the blessing of the Lord has not
been withheld even spiritually. There are already many caring about the
things of God among the four hundred and twenty-four orphans who were
received within the last eighteen months, and who ask it, as a
privilege, to be allowed, in the summer, to take their Bibles with them
to bed, so that, should they awake in the morning before the bell is
rung, they may be able to read it. Out of the thirteen girls who were
sent to service, nine had been believers for some time before they left
the establishment.
When I began the orphan work, one of the especial objects which I had in
view was to benefit the church of Christ at large, by the accounts which
I might be enabled to write in connection with this service; for I
expected, from the beginning, to have many answers to prayer granted to
me, and I confidently anticipated that the recording of them would be
beneficial to believers, in leading them to look for answers to their
own prayers, and in encouraging them to bring all their own necessities
before God in prayer. I likewise firmly believed that many unconverted
persons would, by means of such writings, be led to see the reality of
the things of God. As I expected, so it has been. In very many instances
the reading of the Reports of this Institution, or the "Narrative of the
Lord's Dealings" with me, has been blessed by God to the conversion of
those who knew not our Lord Jesus. In thousands of instances, likewise,
believers have been benefited through them, being thereby comforted,
encouraged, led more simply to the Holy Scriptures, led more fully to
trust in God for everything; in a word, led, in a greater or less
degree, to walk in the same path of faith in which the writer, by the
help of God, is walking. The thousands of instances of blessing which
have been brought before me during the past twenty-four years (for
almost daily I have heard of fresh cases, and often of several on the
same day), have only still further led me to earnestness in prayer, that
the Lord would condescend to use these publications still more, and make
them a blessing to many tens of thousands of his children, and to many
tens of thousands of the unconverted. And now the reader will rejoice
with me, when he reads what follows. I am the more led to relate the
following, that the godly reader more than ever may be encouraged to
prayer, and, also, that an _accurate_ statement may be given of this
fact, which has been already referred to in many public places in
connection with revival-meetings, and which likewise has been several
times stated in print.
In November, 1856, a young Irishman, Mr. James McQuilkin, was brought to
the knowledge of the Lord. Soon after his conversion he saw my Narrative
advertised. He had a great desire to read it, and procured it
accordingly, about January, 1857. God blessed it greatly to his soul,
especially in showing to him what could be obtained by prayer. He said
to himself something like this: See what Mr. Mueller obtains simply by
prayer. Thus _I_ may obtain blessing by prayer. He now set himself to
pray that the Lord would give him a spiritual companion, one who knew
the Lord. Soon after, he became acquainted with a young man who knew the
Lord. These two began a prayer meeting in one of the Sunday schools in
the parish of Connor. Having his prayer answered in obtaining a
spiritual companion, Mr. James McQuilkin asked the Lord to lead him to
become acquainted with some more of his hidden ones. Soon after, the
Lord gave him two more young men, who knew the Lord previously, as far
as he could judge. In autumn, 1857, Mr. James McQuilkin stated to these
three young men, given him in answer to believing prayer, what blessing
he had derived from my Narrative,--how it had led him to see the power
of believing prayer; and he proposed that they should meet for prayer,
to seek the Lord's blessing upon their various labors in the Sunday
schools, prayer meetings, and preachings of the gospel. Accordingly, in
autumn, 1857, these four young men met together for prayer in a small
schoolhouse near the village of Kells, in the parish of Connor, every
Friday evening. On January 1, 1858, the Lord gave them the first
remarkable answer to prayer in the conversion of a farm servant. He was
taken into the number, and thus there were five who gave themselves to
prayer. Shortly after, another young man, about twenty years old, was
converted; there were now six. This greatly encouraged the other three
who first had met with Mr. James McQuilkin. Others now were converted,
who were also taken into the number; but only believers were admitted to
these fellowship meetings, in which they read, prayed, and offered to
each other a few thoughts from the Scriptures. These meetings, and
others for the preaching of the gospel, were held in the parish of
Connor, Antrim, Ireland. Up to this time all was going on most quietly,
though many souls were converted. There were no physical prostrations,
as afterwards. About Christmas, 1858, a young man from Ahoghill, who had
come to live at Connor, and who had been converted through this little
company of believers, went to see his friends at Ahoghill, and spoke to
them about their own souls and the work of God at Connor. His friends
desired to see some of these converts. Accordingly, Mr. James McQuilkin,
with two of the first who met for prayer, went, on February 2, 1859, and
held a meeting at Ahoghill in one of the Presbyterian churches. Some
believed, some mocked, and others thought there was a great deal of
presumption in these young converts; yet many wished to have another
meeting. This was held by the same three young men, on February 16,
1859; and now the Spirit of God began to work, and to work mightily.
Souls were converted, and from that time conversions multiplied rapidly.
Some of these converts went to other places, and carried the spiritual
fire, so to speak, with them. The blessed work of the Spirit of God
spread in _many places_. On April 5, 1859, Mr. James McQuilkin went to
Ballymena, held a meeting there in one of the Presbyterian churches, and
on April 11 held another meeting in another of the Presbyterian
churches. Several were convinced of sin, and the work of the Spirit of
God went forward in Ballymena. On May 28, 1859, he went to Belfast.
During the first week, there were meetings held in five different
Presbyterian churches, and from that time the blessed work commenced at
Belfast. In all these visits he was accompanied and helped by Mr.
Jeremiah Meneely, one of the three young men who first met with him
after the reading of my Narrative. From this time the work of the Holy
Ghost spread further and further; for the young converts were used by
the Lord to carry the truth from one place to another.
Such was the _beginning_ of that mighty work of the Holy Spirit, which
has led to the conversion of many tens of thousands, and which is still
going on even in Ireland, and the blessed results of which are still
felt in Scotland, England, and other countries. It is almost needless to
add, that in no degree the honor is due to the instruments, but to the
Holy Spirit alone; yet these facts are stated in order that it may be
seen what delight God has in answering abundantly the believing prayers
of his children.
Seeing, then, how greatly he has condescended to own these records
regarding his willingness to listen to prayer, made to him in the name
of the Lord Jesus, I am delighted, at the close of another year, in
connection with this Institution, to recount a few of the very many
instances in which God has been pleased to answer our prayers, and to
grant blessing to rest upon the various objects of this Institution;
yea, blessing greater far than during any part of the past twenty-six
years, while it has been in operation.
Up to May 26, 1860, Mr. M. received for the building fund the
sum of L45,113, 14s. 41/2d.
In May, 1859, I had in hand for the Bible, school, tract, and missionary
funds, L2,009, 11s. 21/2d., a balance far greater than I ever had had
before. This arose not from the fact of unwillingness to spend the means
which the Lord had been pleased to intrust me with, but chiefly from the
fact that some large donations had come in during the last part of the
previous year; and I had not, as a steward who desires to act in the
fear of God, had opportunities brought before me to spend all. But much
as the balance was, all the various schools, directly or indirectly
connected with the Institution, required means; the circulation of the
Holy Scriptures and tracts, which objects increase more and more, needed
much, in order to enter every suitable open door; and lastly, and
especially, the ninety-one preachers of the gospel in various parts of
the world, on my list on May 26, 1859, required a large sum to aid them.
All these various objects, therefore, needed so much, that the balance,
large as it was, would have lasted but a short time, had not the living
God, who has been my helper from the beginning, and to whom I have
looked, and looked alone, opened, in answer to our prayers, his
bountiful hands, and sent in more before the balance was expended; so
that, though without any human probability of meeting even one half of
the probable expenses in connection with these objects, not only have I
been able to meet the whole, but also, so bountifully has God helped,
that though the expenses were L1,584, 7s. 33/4d. more than during the
preceding year, I had not only enough, but even a larger balance was
left than at the end of the previous year.
Jan. 31, 1860. On this day I received a donation of three thousand
pounds, of which I took for these objects two thousand pounds. Day by
day, during this period also, I had been asking the Lord for means for
these objects; and day by day I had been entreating him that he would be
pleased to enable me to accomplish during this period as much as during
the former one in the way of circulating the Holy Scriptures and tracts,
and in aiding missionary operations, though I had no natural prospect
whatever of being able to do so. My eyes were alone directed to the
living God, who year after year for many years past had allowed me to
increase the operations of these three objects, notwithstanding the
continual increase of expense in connection with the orphan work; and
thus I expected, fully expected, though all appearance was against it,
that during this period also I should be again helped by God, the living
God. Think, then, Christian reader, how great my spiritual refreshment,
when, by this one donation in a great measure, I saw these my daily
prayers being again answered. In like manner may you, in your sphere of
service, in your family affairs, in your business, in your profession,
in your various temporal or spiritual necessities, have your prayers
answered.
Dec. 9, 1859. To-day it is twenty-four years since the orphan work
commenced. What has God wrought! There have been received since then
altogether 1,129 orphans, and during the last two years and two months
alone 469, so greatly has the work increased of late. We have now 700
orphans under our care.
Dec. 10. The following letter was received to-day from an apprentice:--
MOST BELOVED SIR:
With feelings of gratitude and great thankfulness to you for all
the kindness I experienced whilst under your care, and for now
apprenticing me to a suitable trade whereby I can earn my own
living, I write you these few lines. I arrived at my destined
abode in safety, and was kindly received by my master and
mistress. Dear sir, I thank you for the education, food,
clothing, and for every comfort; but, above all, for the
instruction from God's word which I received when in that happy
Orphan House; for it was there I was brought to know Jesus as my
Saviour; and I hope to have him as my guide through all my
difficulties, temptations, and trials in this world; and, having
him for my guide, I hope to prosper in my trade, and thereby
show my gratitude to you for all the kindness I have received.
Please to accept my gratitude and thanks; and I hope you will be
spared many, many more years, to care for poor destitute
children like me. I am sure I shall often look back with
pleasure and regret to the time I was in that happy home;--with
pleasure that I lived there, and regret that I left it. Begging
you to accept my grateful thanks, and with my kind love to Mr.
L----, Mr. B----, Mr. W----, and Mr. S----,
I am, dear sir,
Yours gratefully,
* * * *
The Christian reader, I doubt not, in perusing such letters, will with
us thank God for condescending to give such blessing, such abundant
blessing, to our labors.
Feb. 14, 1860. Two pounds ten shillings sixpence, with the following
letter:--
MY DEAR BROTHER IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST:
Will you please to accept an order for two pounds ten shillings
sixpence by the same post, for the dear orphans under your care?
The history of this small sum is as follows. About seven and a
half years ago your Narrative was put into my hands, which the
Lord very greatly blessed to my soul. Six years and eleven
months ago I was enabled to cast myself, my wife and family,
upon the Lord, and look to _Him alone_ for the supply of our
temporal necessities while laboring in his glorious cause. From
that time to the present we have had no claims upon any person
for a single penny; nor have we made known our wants to any, or
applied to any person for help, but to our heavenly Father
alone; and he has supplied our need and not suffered us to be
confounded, blessed be his name! My dear wife, as well as
myself, from the very first had a strong desire to help you a
_little_ in your blessed work of love and labor of faith; but,
for a long time, owing to the continued ill-health of my wife,
and the growing expenses of our family, we never seemed to have
any money to spare; so all we did was to _wish, desire_, and
_talk about it_, and say how happy we should be if the Lord
would enable us to do so. At length, we both felt we were acting
wrong, and on the eighth of August last we solemnly decided we
would give the Lord back a tenth of the money he was pleased to
send us, though at that time we were very poor, I may add in
deeper poverty than we had ever been before; yet, under those
circumstances, we were enabled in the strength of the Lord to
come to the above decision and act up to it that very morning;
and the peace and joy we both felt it is in vain for me to
attempt to describe. The Lord has kept us firm ever since, and
instead of having less for our own use, we have had even more;
so, dear sir, this sum is the fruit of six months' prayers.
Pardon me for troubling you with so long an account of so
trifling a sum; but I want you to bless our heavenly Father for
his goodness to us his unworthy servants, and to remember us in
your petitions at a throne of grace.
I am, my dear brother,
Yours very affectionately and respectfully,
* * * *
During the year 1859-60 there have been received for the orphans 3,542
separate sums. Of these there were 1,494 under 5s., 560 above 5s. and
not exceeding 10s., 614 above 10s. and not exceeding L1, 288 above L1
and not exceeding L2, 411 above L2 and not exceeding L5, 93 above L5 and
not exceeding L10, 49 above L10 and not exceeding L20, 10 above L20 and
under L50, 11 of L50, 1 of L59, 19s. 9d., 1 of L62, 17s., 1 of L89, 4s.,
1 of L96, 12s. 3d., 5 of L100, 2 of L500, and 1 of L1,500. Among these
donations were some from East India, Australia, Cape of Good Hope,
Saxony, Holland, South America, United States, from vessels on the
ocean, and from missionaries among the heathen.
During the year under consideration twenty-three schools in England were
supported or aided by the funds of the Institution. In all of these the
teachers are persons of piety, and instruction is given not only in
secular knowledge, but in the way of salvation. Without reckoning the
orphans, 13,124 souls have been brought under _habitual_ instruction in
the things of God in these various schools; besides the many thousands
in the schools in the various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland,
British Guiana, the West Indies, the East Indies, etc., which have been
to a greater or less degree assisted.
The total amount of means which has been expended during the last
twenty-six years in connection with the schools, which have been either
entirely or in part supported by the funds of this Institution, amounts
to L9,275, 0s. 81/2d.
The number of Bibles, Testaments, and portions of the Holy Scriptures,
which have been circulated since May 26, 1859, is as follows: Bibles
sold, 579. Bibles given away, 1,120. Testaments sold, 409. Testaments
given away, 725. Copies of the Psalms sold, 63. Other small portions of
the Holy Scriptures sold, 248.
There have been circulated since March 5, 1834, through the medium of
this Institution, 24,768 Bibles, 15,100 Testaments, 719 copies of the
Psalms, and 1,876 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures.
The amount of the funds of the Institution spent during the past year on
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures is L398, 3s. 7d. The total amount
spent since March 5, 1834, is L5,681, 13s. 31/2d.
During the past year has been spent of the funds of the Institution, in
aid of missionary efforts at home and abroad, the sum of L5,019, 6s. 1d.
By this sum one hundred and one laborers in the word and doctrine, in
various parts of the world, have been to a greater or less degree
assisted. It is an interesting fact that these laborers are located in
England, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Sardinia,
Canada, Nova Scotia, East India, China, and British Guiana.
The laborers aided by the Institution were peculiarly blessed during the
year 1859-60. While the preaching of those laboring in _foreign_ lands
was very useful, the brethren preaching in Ireland and Scotland were
signally favored with success, and were permitted to see in a wonderful
measure the fruit of their prayers and toils. A single extract only can
be given from the letter of a laborer in Scotland.
A devoted servant of Christ has been laboring in a manufacturing town in
Scotland, where, by means of schools, Bible classes, visiting from house
to house, and preaching the gospel among thousands of the most wretched,
most debased, and most ignorant, he seeks to win souls for the Lord. In
this service he has been going on year after year. In a measure his
labors had been blessed up to the period of the last Report, but far
more abundantly since, as the following account, given by himself to me
in a letter dated Oct. 28, 1859, will show:--
"This month, through which we have passed, has brought me to a point in
my history which for years I have contemplated and looked forward to
with deeper and more intense desire than to any anticipated event in my
whole life. More than thirty years ago there sprang up in my soul a
longing and craving for the effusion of the Holy Ghost on the church and
on the world, such as would extend throughout the whole of Scotland. For
this I have labored, and spoken, and prayed increasingly. As I grew
older, the craving for this blessing grew stronger. To see it became the
ruling passion of my soul, and, as years rolled away, my hope of seeing
it realized strengthened apace. On this season of expected blessing we
seem at length to have entered. The religious movement is creeping
steadily along the whole of the west of Scotland. It has not acquired a
sudden or very powerful momentum. We are, so far as I can judge, in the
initiatory stage in all the points where the work has found a
settlement. A sound has gone out as from the Lord; the rumor travels on,
and in its course awakens the careless, opens the ear, quickens the
attention, and everywhere is making preparation for something coming.
This note of preparation is calling the people together. Their ear is
open to listen. In every place this hearing is bringing faith in its
train; men are turning to God; intensity is given to those silent cases
of conviction where for months or years there has been concern ebbing
and flowing with circumstances. Not a few of these have come to light
through their concern all at once ripening into deep distress. Forced
out of the old ruts in which they have moved, they are forced to venture
their all into the hands of Jesus, and are set at liberty. Such has been
the process at work here. I am continually falling in with solitary
cases, and a number of these have found peace. It would take far more
time than I can spare to record their history, and how they obtained
deliverance."
The total amount of the funds of the Institution which has been spent on
missionary operations since March 5, 1834, is L34,495, 3s. 4d.
There has been laid out for tracts and books, from May 26, 1859, to May
26, 1860, the sum of L1,650, 11s. 43/4d.; and there have been
circulated within the last year 2,562,001 tracts and books. The sum
total which has been expended on this object, since Nov. 19, 1840,
amounts to L8,064, 12s. 61/2d. The total number of all the tracts and
books which have been circulated since Nov. 19, 1840, is 11,493,174.
During the past year there were again circulated 676,600 tracts and
books more than during the year before. The great number of laborers for
God who have been raised up for service within the last two years in
various parts of the world, and the mighty working of the Spirit of God,
which has created in multitudes a desire gladly to receive tracts and
books, account for this. Nor is there in these two particulars a
decrease, but a continual increase. So great has been the call for
tracts that of late we have sent out repeatedly 100,000 in one week, for
gratuitous circulation, and sometimes even more than this. When the
mighty working of the Spirit of God commenced in Ireland, I sought from
the beginning to send very large supplies of tracts to Belfast and
elsewhere, in order that thus the holy flame might be fanned, as it
were, and that in the very outset the simplicity of the gospel might be
set before the young converts. About two millions of the tracts and
books circulated during the past year were given away _gratuitously_.
Hundreds of believers have been engaged in spreading them abroad, not
merely in many parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, but in various
other parts of the world.
At the commencement of the last period, there were 672 orphans in the
new Orphan Houses No. 1 and No. 2. During the past year were admitted
into the two houses 70 orphans. On May 26, 1860, there were just 700
orphans under our care, our full number in the two houses, _i. e._ in
No. 1, 300, in No. 2, 400. The total number of orphans who have been
under our care since April 11, 1836, is 1,153.
_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything_ by me,
the sum of L133,528, 14s. has been given to me for the orphans, _as the
result of prayer to God_, since the commencement of the work, which sum
includes the amount received for the building fund for the houses
already built and the one to be built. It may also be interesting to the
reader to know that the total amount which has been given for the other
objects since the commencement of the work amounts to L51,777, 14s.
11d.; and that which has come in by the sale of Bibles, since the
commencement, amounts to L2,530, 4s. 51/2d.; by sale of tracts, L3,546,
19s. 11/4d.; and by the payments of the children in the day schools,
from the commencement, L2,304, 18s. 9d. Besides this, also, a great
variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc.,
have been given _for the use_ of the orphans.
Day after day, and year after year, by the help of God, we labor in
prayer for the spiritual benefit of the orphans under our care. These
our supplications, which have been for twenty-four years brought before
the Lord concerning them, have been abundantly answered in former years
in the conversion of hundreds from among them. We have also had repeated
seasons in which, within a short time, or even all at once, _many_ of
the orphans were converted. Such a season we had about three years
since, when within a few days about sixty were brought to believe in the
Lord Jesus; and such seasons we have had again twice during the past
year. The first was in July, 1859, when the Spirit of God wrought so
mightily in one school of 120 girls, as that very many, yea, more than
one half, were brought under deep concern about the salvation of their
souls. This work, moreover, was not a mere momentary excitement; but,
after more than eleven months have elapsed, there are 31 concerning whom
there is _full_ confidence as to their conversion, and 32 concerning
whom there is likewise a goodly measure of confidence, though not to the
same amount as regarding the 31. There are therefore 63 out of the 120
orphans in that one school who are considered to have been converted in
July, 1859. This blessed and mighty work of the Holy Spirit cannot be
traced to any particular cause. It was, however, a most precious answer
to prayer. As such we look upon it, and are encouraged by it to further
waiting upon God. The second season of the mighty working of the Holy
Spirit among the orphans, during the past year, was at the end of
January and the beginning of February, 1860. The particulars of it are
of the deepest interest. A very profitable pamphlet might be written on
the subject. I have prayed again and again for guidance how to act, and
have at last come to the decision _not_ to relate the details, lest the
dear children, who would recognize themselves in the description, should
be injured; for my experience of laboring twenty-six years among
children, and of having had to deal with so _many very young believers_,
has led me to the full conviction _that it is injurious to make them
prominent_. If God makes them prominent by using them as evidently he is
using children in these days, we have only to admire and to praise; but
this is very different from ourselves making them prominent. I must
therefore content myself by stating that this great work of the Spirit
of God in January and February, 1860, began among the younger class of
the children under our care, little girls of about six, seven, eight,
and nine years old; then extended to the older girls, and then to the
boys; so that within about ten days above 200 of the orphans were
stirred up to be anxious about their souls, and in _many_ instances
found peace _immediately_, through faith in our Lord Jesus. They at once
requested to be allowed to hold prayer meetings among themselves, and
have had these meetings ever since. Many of them also manifested a
concern about the salvation of their companions and relations, and spoke
or wrote to them about the way to be saved. Should the believing reader
desire to know how it has been with these children since the end of
January and the beginning of February, our reply is, we have, in most
cases, cause for thankfulness. The present state of the 700 orphans,
spiritually, is, that there are 118 under our care, regarding whose
conversion we have full confidence; 89 regarding whom we have also
confidence, though not to that full degree as concerning the 118; and 53
whom we consider in a hopeful state. To these 260 are to be added the 14
who were sent out as believers, and the three who died in the faith
during the past year. It is to be remembered that very many of the
children in the Orphan Houses are quite young, as we have received them
from four months old and upward. During no year have we had greater
cause for thanksgiving on account of the spiritual blessing among the
children than during the last; AND YET WE LOOK FOR FURTHER AND GREATER
BLESSING STILL.
APPENDIX.
Mr. Mueller is constantly receiving not only contributions in money, but
a great variety of useful articles, which are regularly sent to a shop
provided for their sale. The following list of such articles, given
anonymously during the first six months of the year 1859-60, will not be
without interest to the reader, as showing by what an endless diversity
of means resources are furnished for the work in which Mr. M. is
engaged:--
JUNE. A bead bag, a bouquet-holder, 6 gilt brooches, a gilt
bracelet, a waist-buckle, and an agate heart.--5 pairs of
knitted travelling shoes, a compass and thermometer, a
court-plaster case, a guinea piece, 2 half franc pieces, a
copper coin, 4 rings, a brooch, a gold pencil-case, a pair of
earrings, top of a seal, and a gold waist-buckle.--A silver
watch guard; a small brooch, a breastpin, and a ring.--12 pairs
of garters.--A sofa tidy.--A small stereoscopic box. 6 frocks, 6
shirts, 4 pocket handkerchiefs, 2 pairs of socks, 2 nightcaps,
12 kettle-holders, 2 pairs of wristlets, 4 thimbles, 2 brooches,
steel slides, a bracelet, and waist-buckle. A bead mat, 2 bags,
a penwiper, 3 book-marks, and a scent-bag.--A pencil, 2 pairs of
spectacles, a smelling-bottle, a pocketbook, some gloves,
stockings, combs, and various articles of clothing, etc.,
together with a half-sovereign.
JULY. An old silver watch, an old metal watch, and an old
shilling.--2 coats, 1 jacket, one waistcoat, 1 pair of trousers,
and 1 pair of garters. 5 dresses, a body, and 2 shillings.--9
penwipers, 4 babies' shirts, 9 mats, 1 pair of baby's boots, 2
nightcaps, 6 pinafores, 2 pairs of watch pockets, 1 ribbon mat,
1 pincushion, 2 needlebooks, and 3 book-markers.--2 dolls, 2
dolls' hats, a pair of bracelets, a pincushion, a needlebook, a
shaving cloth, a sampler, 2 pairs of cuffs, a kettle-holder, a
penwiper, a pair of baby's shoes, a book-mark, a bag, a
watch-guard, a pinafore, and a pamphlet.--2 buckles, a
smelling-bottle, some mock pearls, 3 hair bracelets, a hair
ring, and a wig.
AUGUST. Some fancy envelopes.--A ring, 2 shirt studs, and a
watch-hook.--A pattern for a collar.--A ring from Stroud.--12
new bonnets.--A brooch, a bracelet, a book-marker, some cuffs, a
pattern for work, and some trimming.--A frame for ladies'
work.--"From the friend at Devizes," 2 skirts of dresses, a
jacket, and a shawl.--Some pencil lead for polishing.--Some
knitting and sewing cotton.--2 old wedding rings.--3 balls.--8
book-marks, 4 postage-stamp cases, and 6 pincushions.
SEPTEMBER. A parcel containing some worsted, some brass
thimbles, bodkins, and needles.--4 black ostrich feathers, 1
white ditto, 4 colored drawings.--3 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of
stockings, and 2 waistcoats.--A pair of patent renovators (or
flesh gloves).--A small work-bag of silk and straw.--A guinea
piece, a lace habit shirt, a pair of lace sleeves, and a French
cambric handkerchief.--3 collars, 1 pocket handkerchief, and 1
pair of sleeves.--2 flannel petticoats, a table cover, a silver
wine-strainer, a silver marrow spoon, 1 sugar spoon, a punch
ladle, 6 chemises, and 6 pinafores.--A small hamper of books.--1
alpaca coat, 1 check waistcoat, 1 pair of trousers, 3 pairs of
shoes, 1 travelling cap, 1 pair of spectacles in case, 2 pairs
of boots, 2 muffetees, 1 pair of gaiters, 1 pair of boots, 8
copper pens, 1 pair of slippers, 1 black leather bag, 1 pair of
new boots, 1 coat, 1 waistcoat, 5 pairs of gloves, 1 pair of
braces, a necktie, a dressing box, 2 brushes, 3 razors, a
stiletto, a pair of spectacles, and 2 pieces of teeth set in
gold.--12 book covers, 7 small ditto, 1 small box, 4 ditto in
one.--A large box of toys.--A collar.--A large tea chest,
containing 160 articles of ladies' dress, etc.--A dress, 3
bodies, 3 berthas, a waistband, a pair of cuffs, a feather, an
ornament for the hair, some artificial flowers, some whalebone,
and some pieces of ribbon.--A cloth mantle, a velvet jacket, and
a muslin ditto.
OCTOBER. 3 pairs of crotchet ladies' slippers, and 1 pair of
child's ditto.--A pair of gilt bracelets, a collar, a pair of
cuffs, and a pair of worked sleeves.--2 paper mats, a bead
ditto, a plaister case, 3 needlebooks, 5 small cushions, 4
pincushions, 2 penwipers, a book-mark, 2 little baskets, a
little bag, a doll, a pair of candlestick ornaments, and 6
napkin rings. The parcel also contained 5s. from
"Hephzibah."--An urn-stand, a bag, and a mat.--A collar.--6
pence purses.--3 dolls' bonnets.--"A Canadian lady's purse."--9
pairs of boots, 3 pairs of shoes, and a single boot, all new.
NOVEMBER. A box containing 5 bonnets, 2 muslin jackets, 1 silk
ditto, 1 silk body, 3 muslin dresses, 1 silk ditto, 1 barege
skirt, 18 pairs of fine stockings, 17 pairs of coarse ditto, 3
pairs of boots, 3 stockings, 10 chemises, 3 pairs of drawers, 5
nightdresses, some pieces of ribbon, and a few artificial
flowers.--6 pairs of night socks.--A riding habit, a box, a silk
body, some velvet trimming, some satin ditto, 2 waistbands, some
fringe, some satin ribbon, a feather, a scarf, a veil, and a
pair of woollen sleeves.--3 silver coins.--A silver tablespoon,
some satin trimming, and a frill.--4 dresses, a skirt, a jacket,
3 children's skirts, and 2 frocks.--A small gold pencil-case, a
gold breastpin, and a pair of small gold earrings.--A collar.--3
antimacassars, and a baby's cap.--2 silver coins, and a pair of
silver shirt studs.--7 boys' shirts.--A jacket and a feather.--A
jacket, a pair of drawers, 2 chemises, 2 nightcaps, 5 skirts,
and 1 body.--4 pairs of new boots, and 2 pairs of new shoes.--A
crumb scraper.
* * * * *
Mr. Mueller, as a faithful steward, renders an annual account of all the
sums intrusted to him. Appended (p. 476) is the "Auditor's Report" for
1859-60, showing the total amount in hand for the year, including the
building fund, to have been L72,188, 16s. 53/4d.--almost _three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars_. Mr. M. says:--
The audited accounts, together with the books containing the
income and expenses, may be inspected by the donors. I
particularly state this, because I do not publish a list of the
donors, nor do I mention their names otherwise, in order that
there may not be held out the least temptation of giving for the
sake of worldly applause; but, at the same time, as I do this
work in the light, it can bear the light, and therefore any
donor can satisfy himself, if he please, that his donation is
accounted for.
To avoid mistakes, delays, and other difficulties, I would
request that all letters for me should be directed to my house,
No. 21, Paul Street, Kingsdown, Bristol.
GEORGE MUeLLER.
BRISTOL, July 2, 1860.
THE INCOME AND EXPENSES OF THE INSTITUTION FOR 1859-60.
=======================================================================
The Income of the first | The Expenses of the first
four objects from May 26, 1859, | four objects from May 26, 1859,
to May 26, 1860. | to May 26, 1860.
----------------------------------+------------------------------------
L s. d. | L s. d.
By balance in hand on | For all the schools 515 4 4
May 26, 1859 2,009 11 21/2 | " Bibles 398 3 7
" Donations 7,029 14 10 | " missionary
" Sale of articles | purposes 5,019 6 1
given for |
the purpose 35 17 7 | " tracts 1,650 11 43/4
" Sale of tracts 636 2 93/4 | " stationery 2 14 8
" Sale of Bibles 152 8 9 | " postage 32 17 5
" Payments of the | Balance in hand on
children in the day | May 26, 1860 2,392 2 21/2
schools 97 4 6 |
------ -- -- | ------ -- --
L10,010 19 81/4 | L10,010 19 81/4
=======================================================================
The Income for the orphans, from | The Expenses for the orphans, from
May 26, 1859, to May 26, 1860. | May 26, 1859, to May 26, 1860.
----------------------------------+------------------------------------
L s. d. | L s. d.
----------------------------------+------------------------------------
By balance in hand | Current expen's in
on May 26, 1859, 7,461 19 1 | connection with the
" donations in money 8,714 6 21/2 | Orphan Houses. 7,255 17 6
" sale of articles | For the Apprentices 200 5 41/2
given for the | " 18,000 copies of the
purpose 570 13 61/2 | Twentieth Report 179 3 0
" sale of Reports 173 18 3 | " postage and carriage
" cash paid on behalf | of boxes
of orphans, 137 5 4 | and parcels 57 1 61/2
| " stationery 7 6 61/2
| Balance in hand on
| May 26, 1860 9,858 8 51/2
------ -- -- | ------ -- --
L17,058 2 5 | L17,058 2 5
===================================================================~~
Income for the Building Fund, from May 26, 1859, to May 26, 1860. |
------------------------------------------------------------------+~~
L s. d. |
By amount received up to May 26, 1859 41,911 15 11 |
" Donations in money 1,964 6 31/2 |
" Sale of grass and rent of the field, |
March 25, 1859, to March 25, 1861 72 0 0 |
" Interest 1,120 14 5 |
" Drawbacks of property tax 44 17 9 |
------ -- -- |
L45,113 14 41/2 |
~===================================================================
| Expenditure in connection with the Building Fund.
~-+-----------------------------------------------------------------
| L s. d.
| Expended up to May 26, 1859 21,402 18 10
| " for additional furniture, etc.,
| on the new Orphan House, No. 2. 49 0 91/2
| " on the building of the
| new Orphan House, No. 3 2,379 4 9
| Balance in hand on May 26, 1860 21,282 10 0
| ------ -- --
| L45,113 14 41/2
We have examined these accounts and find them correct.
RICHARD BALL. ROBERT H. RICHARDS.
SAMUEL BUTLER. JOHN MEREDITH.
BRISTOL, JUNE 22, 1860.
* * * * *
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THE EVENING OF LIFE; or, Light and Comfort amidst the Shadows of
Declining Years. By REV. JEREMIAH CHAPLIN, D. D. A new Revised, and much
enlarged edition. With an elegant Frontispiece on Steel. 12mo, cloth,
$1.00.
[pointing finger graphic] A most charming and appropriate work for
the aged,--large type and open page. An admirable "Gift" for the
child to present the parent.
THE STATE OF THE IMPENITENT DEAD. By ALVAH HOVEY, D. D., Prof. of
Christian Theology in Newton Theol. Inst. 16mo, cloth, 50 cts.
A WREATH AROUND THE CROSS; or, Scripture Truths Illustrated. By the Rev.
A. MORTON BROWN, D. D. Recommendatory Preface, by JOHN ANGELL JAMES.
With a beautiful Frontispiece. 16mo, cloth, 60 cts.
"'Christ, and Him crucified' is presented in a new, striking,
and matter-of-fact light. The style is simple, without being
puerile, and the reasoning is of that truthful, persuasive kind
that 'comes from the heart, and reaches the heart.'"--_N. Y.
Observer._
VALUABLE WORKS.
THE PURITANS; or the Court, Church, and Parliament of England, during
the reigns of Edward VI. and Elizabeth. By SAMUEL HOPKINS, author of
"Lessons at the Cross," etc. In 3 vols. Vol. I. _now ready_. Octavo,
cloth, per vol., $2.50.
VOL. II. READY IN FEBRUARY, " " " " $2.50.
It will be found the most interesting and reliable History of
the Puritans yet published, narrating in a dramatic style many
facts hitherto unknown.
LIMITS OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT EXAMINED, in Eight Lectures delivered in the
Oxford University Pulpit, in the year 1858, on the "Bampton Foundation."
By Rev. H. LONGUEVILLE MANSEL, B. D., Reader in Moral and Metaphysical
Philosophy at Magdalen College, Oxford, and Editor of Sir William
Hamilton's Lectures. With the Copious NOTES TRANSLATED for the American
Ed. 12mo, cloth, $1.00.
This volume is destined to create a profounder sensation in this
country than any philosophical or religious work of this
century. It is a defence of revealed religion, equal in ability
to the "Analogy" of Bishop Butler, and meets the scepticism of
our age as effectually as that great work in an earlier day. The
Pantheism and Parkerism infused into our popular literature will
here find an antidote. The Lectures excited the highest
enthusiasm at Oxford, and the Volume has already reached a
_third_ edition in England. The copious "Notes" of the author
having been translated for the American edition by an
accomplished scholar, adds greatly to its value.
THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCES OF THE TRUTH OF THE SCRIPTURE RECORDS, STATED
ANEW, with Special Reference to the Doubts and Discoveries of Modern
Times. In Eight Lectures, delivered in the Oxford University pulpit, at
the Bampton Lecture for 1859. By GEO. RAWLINSON, M.A., Editor of the
Histories of Herodotus. With the Copious NOTES TRANSLATED for the
_American Edition_ by an accomplished scholar. 12mo, cloth, $1.00.
SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON'S LECTURES ON LOGIC. With Notes from Original
Materials, and an Appendix containing the Latest Development of his New
Logical Theory. Edited by Prof. H. LONGUEVILLE MANSEL, Oxford, and JOHN
VEITCH, M. A., Edinburgh. Royal octavo, cloth, $3.00. (_In press._)
MORAL PHILOSOPHY, including Theoretical and Practical Ethics. By JOSEPH
HAVEN, D. D., late Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy in
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It is eminently scientific in method, and thorough in
discussion, and its views on unsettled questions in morals are
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Ethics--a department of morals of great importance to American
youth, but generally overlooked in text-books. In the history of
ethical opinions it is unusually rich and elaborate.
POPULAR GEOLOGY; With Descriptive Sketches from a Geologist's Portfolio.
By Hugh Miller. With a Resume of the Progress of Geological Science
during the last two years. By MRS. MILLER. 12mo, cloth, $1.25.
This work is likely to prove the most popular of Hugh Miller's
writings, and to attain the widest circulation. It is written in
his best style, and makes the mysteries of Geology intelligible
to the common mind. As an architect explains the structure of a
house from cellar to attic, so this accomplished geologist takes
the globe to pieces, and explains the manner in which all its
strata have been formed, from the granite foundation to the
alluvial surface. It supplies just the information which many
readers have been longing for, but unable to find. Also,
HUGH MILLER'S WORKS. Seven volumes, uniform style, in an elegant box,
embossed cloth, $8.25; library sheep, $10.00; half calf, $14.00;
antique, $14.00.
MANSEL'S MISCELLANIES; including "Prolegomina Logica," "Metaphysics,"
"Limits of Demonstrative Evidence," "Philosophy of Kant," etc. 12mo,
cloth, (_In press._)
WORKS FOR CHURCH MEMBERS.
THE CHRISTIAN'S DAILY TREASURY; a Religious Exercise for every Day in
the Year. By Rev. E. TEMPLE. A new and improved edition. 12 mo, cloth,
$1.00.
[pointing finger graphic] A work for every Christian. It
is indeed a "Treasury" of good things.
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST; or, Christianity Viewed in its Leading Aspects. By
the Rev. A. R. L. FOOTE, author of "Incidents in the Life of our
Saviour," etc. 16 mo, cloth, 50 cts.
THE CHRISTIAN PASTOR; His Work and the Needful Preparation. By ALVAN
HOVEY, D. D., Prof. of Theology in the Newton Theol. Inst. 16 mo, pp.
60; flexible cloth, 25 cents; paper covers, 12 cents.
APOLLOS; or, Directions to Persons just commencing a Religious Life. 32
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THE HARVEST AND THE REAPERS. Home Work for All, and how to do it. By
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This work is dedicated to the converts of 1858. It shows what
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Christian, will find this work to be for him.
THE CHURCH-MEMBER'S MANUAL of Ecclesiastical Principles, Doctrines, and
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CHOULES, D. D. New edition. With Introductory Essay, by Rev. HUBBARD
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"The spontaneous effusion of our heart, on laying the book down,
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THE CHURCH IN EARNEST. By Rev. JOHN A. JAMES. 18 mo, cloth, 40 cts.
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"Those who have the means should purchase a number of copies of
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CHRISTIAN PROGRESS. A Sequel to the Anxious Inquirer. By JOHN ANGELL
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[pointing finger graphic] One of the best and most useful
works of this popular author.
"It ought to be sold by hundreds of thousands, until every
church-member in the land has bought, read, marked, learned, and
inwardly digested a copy."--_Congregationalist._
"So eminently is it adapted to do good, that we feel no surprise
that it should make one of the publishers' excellent
publications. It exhibits the whole subject of growth in grace
with great simplicity and clearness."--_Puritan Recorder._
* * * * *
GOULD AND LINCOLN
59 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON,
Would call particular attention to the following valuable works described
in their Catalogue of Publications, viz.:
Hugh Miller's Works.
Bayne's Works.
Walker's Works.
Miall's Works.
Bungener's Work.
Annual of Scientific Discovery.
Knight's Knowledge is Power.
Krummacher's Suffering Saviour.
Banvard's American Histories.
The Aimwell Stories.
Newcomb's Works.
Tweedie's Works.
Chambers's Works.
Harris' Works.
Kitto's Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature.
Mrs. Knight's Life of Montgomery.
Kitto's History of Palestine.
Whewell's Work.
Wayland's Works.
Agassiz's Works.
Williams' Works.
Guyot's Works.
Thompson's Better Land.
Kimball's Heaven.
Valuable Works on Missions.
Haven's Mental Philosophy.
Buchanan's Modern Atheism.
Cruden's Condensed Concordance.
Eadie's Analytical Concordance.
The Psalmist: a Collection of Hymns.
Valuable School Books.
Works for Sabbath Schools.
Memoir of Amos Lawrence.
Poetical Works of Milton, Cowper, Scott.
Elegant Miniature Volumes.
Arvine's Cyclopaedia of Anecdotes.
Ripley's Notes on Gospels, Acts, and Romans.
Sprague's European Celebrities.
Marsh's Camel and the Hallig.
Roget's Thesaurus of English Words.
Hackett's Notes on Acts.
M'Whorter's Yahveh Christ.
Siebold and Stannius's Comparative Anatomy.
Maroon's Geological Map, U.S.
Religious and Miscellaneous Works.
Works in the various Departments of Literature, Science and Art.
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as
possible, including obsolete and variant spellings. Obvious
typographical errors in punctuation (misplaced quotes and the like) have
been fixed. Corrections [in brackets] in the text are noted below:
throughout:
It is possible that the same name is spelled variously: Franke;
Francke; Franke. The names have been left as in the original.
page 203: typo corrected
the Lord Jesus. Even about the commencment[commencement] of this
century, when there was almost universal darkness or even
page 302: typo corrected
with a sufficiently large piece of ground in the
neghborhood[neighborhood] of Bristol, for building the premises
page 342: possible typo corrected
from among the sunday[Sunday]-school children were, during these
two years, received into church fellowship. The
page 399: possible typo corrected
added to the _present_ building fund, so that on the evening of
May 26, 1852, I had altogether L3,530, 9s. 0-1/4[d].
page 408: possible typo corrected
and unbelief prevails. How different, if one is enabled to
wait's[wait] God's own time, and to look alone to him for help