March 11. From Feb. 13 to this day we have had comparative a

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A NARRATIVE OF SOME OF THE LORD'S DEALINGS WITH GEORGE MÜLLER

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF

THIRD PART

J. NISBET & CO., BERNERS STREET, LONDON.

PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST EDITION OF THE THIRD PART.

THE reasons which induced me to publish this third part of the Lord’s

dealings with me are the same which led me to the publication of the

second part, and which are stated in the preface to the first edition

of the second part. In addition to those reasons it appeared to me

desirable to give some account of my recent labours in Germany, and

also to write on a few other points, which I considered of great

importance to be made known.

GEORGE MÜLLER.

21, Paul Street, Kingsdown,

Bristol, June 18, 1845.

NARRATIVE,

&c. &c.

THIRD PART.

IN the deep consciousness of my entire natural inability for going

through the work, which is before me, to the profit of the reader and

to the glory of God, I am nevertheless of good cheer in beginning

this service; for the Lord has enabled me often to bow my knees

before Him, to seek His help respecting it; and I am now expecting

His help. He delights in making His strength perfect in our weakness,

and therefore will I also, though so weak, look for His strength. And

if through this my feeble effort, to show forth the praises of the

Lord, good be done (of which I have the fullest assurance, on account

of the abundance of supplication which for many months past has been

found in my spirit in reference to this service,) I do desire from my

inmost soul to ascribe all the honour and glory to the Lord.

I purpose in writing this third part of my Narrative to adopt the

same mode which I employed in the two former parts, namely that of

giving extracts from my journal, and accompanying them with such

remarks as it may be desirable to make for the profit of the reader.

The second part carries on the Narrative up to the end of the year

1840, so far as it regards my own personal affairs; but only to Dec.

9, 1840, so far as it regards the Orphan-Houses, and other objects of

the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, as on that day the accounts

were closed. From this period, then, the Narrative is continued.

Dec. 10, 1840. When the accounts were closed last evening, the

balance in hand was 15l. 0s. 6 1/4d., but as nearly 15l. of this sum

had been put by for the rent of the Orphan-Houses, the sum really in

hand for use was only 4s. 6 1/4d. With this little sum we commenced

the sixth year of this part of the work, while there are daily, as

usual, more than a hundred persons to be provided for.

--A little boy brought half-a-crown to the Boys’-Orphan-House, this

morning, which is the first gift in this sixth year. Thus we had

altogether 7s. 0 1/4d. for this day, which was enough to pay for the

milk in the three houses, and to buy some bread in one of them. We

have never before been so poor at the commencement of the year.

Dec. 11. Only 2s. 6d. more had come in since last evening. There was

sufficient for dinner in the Girls’ and Infant-Orphan-Houses, but

scarcely enough in the Boys’-Orphan-House. This half-crown,

therefore, supplied the remainder of the dinner in the Boys’-Orphan-House.

But now there was no money to take in milk, in any of the

houses, for tea, or to buy any bread. However the Lord helped

us through this day also. About one o’clock some trinkets,

which had been sent a few days since, were disposed of for 12s., by

which the usual quantity of milk, and a little bread could be taken

in. [I observe here that there is generally bread for two or three

days in the houses, the children eating the bread on the third day

after it is baked. When, therefore, we are unable to take in the

usual quantity, for want of means, we procure stale bread afterwards.]

Dec. 12. Only 4s. had come in to meet this day’s necessities. Thus we

should not have had sufficient means to provide for the dinner in the

Girls’-Orphan-House, had not 6s. come in this morning, just in time

to help us through the difficulty. Still we had no means to buy

bread, and a few other little things which were needed. In addition

to all this it was Saturday, and therefore provisions for two days

needed to be procured. About four o’clock this afternoon, one of the

sisters in the Orphan-Houses, to whom I had some days since sent a

little money for her own personal necessities, gave 1l. Thus we were

able to purchase sufficient provisions to last till breakfast on

Monday morning. These last days have been very trying. The poverty

has been greater than ever; the Lord, however, has not confounded us,

but has, strengthened our faith, and always given us necessaries.

The School-Funds are also now again very low. There was only so much

money in hand, as that two of the teachers, really in need, could be

paid today. Truly, my dear fellow-labourers in the schools need to

trust the Lord for their temporal supplies! [I notice here, that

though the brethren and sisters have a certain remuneration, yet it

is understood that, if the Lord should not be pleased to send in the

means at the time when their salary is due, I am not considered their

debtor. Should the Lord be pleased to send in means afterwards, the

remainder of the salary is paid up, and also additional assistance is

given in time of sickness or more than usual need, as the Lord may be

pleased to grant the means. A brother or sister, in connection with

this work, not looking for themselves to the Lord, would be truly

uncomfortable; for the position of all of us is of such a character,

that it brings heavy trials of faith, in addition to the many

precious seasons of joy on account of answers to prayer.]

Dec. 13. Lord’s day. This morning I received 2l. 10s. Thus, before

the last provisions are actually consumed in the Orphan-Houses, I

have been able to give fresh supplies.

Dec. 14. Though 2l. 10s. had come in yesterday, there was still

not sufficient this morning to buy coals in the Boys’ and

Girls’-Orphan-Houses. But the Lord kindly supplied us with means for

that also; for there were given today six silver tea spoons, and a

pair of silver sugar tongs. I received also 1l. 10s. which yesterday

had been anonymously given for rent. Thus the Lord, in this

particular also, again begins the year with blessings. [As during the

two previous years 1l. 10s. a week was anonymously given to pay for

the rent of the three Orphan-Houses, so during the whole of this year

also, from Dec. 10, 1840, to Dec. 10, 1841, the donor continued the

same contribution.] This evening was the first of our public

meetings, at which I gave the account of the Lord’s dealings with us

in regard to this work, during the last year. It was a good season. I

felt much assisted by the Lord, and was, through grace, very happy,

so that none of those who were present can have read in my

countenance that I have nothing at all in hand towards the supply of

the necessities of tomorrow. After the meeting this evening 2 1/2d.

was left anonymously at my house.

Dec. 15. The day commenced with 2 1/2d. in hand. My eyes were

directed to the living God. I was looking out for help. The greatness

of our need led me to expect it. About eleven o’clock I received from

Barnstaple a 5l. note and half-a-sovereign. Thus the Lord in His

faithful love delivered us. Half an hour afterwards I had the report

from the Orphan-Houses about the state of things today, which will

show how seasonably the money from Barnstaple came. Brother R. B.,

master at the Boys’-Orphan~ House, wrote that last evening a sister

gave 5s. and a cloak, but that there never was less bread in the

Orphan-Houses at any time than this morning, and that both in the

Boys’ and Infant-Orphan-Houses all bread had been, cut up for use.--We

are now waiting on the Lord for means to enable us to have the Report

printed. Till He provides, we will, by His help, do nothing in this

matter. Though it seems to us important that the account of the

Lord’s dealings with us in the work should be made known to the

saints generally; yea, though this is the primary object of the work;

nevertheless it appears to us a small matter for our kind and loving

Father, who withholds nothing from His children that is really good

for them, to give us the sum which we need for this purpose whenever

His time shall have come. We do desire grace even in this thing to

acknowledge Him; for His time may not yet have come for us to have

the sweet privilege of sending forth far and wide the account of His

goodness to us during the past year.

Dec. 16. To-night I received with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, 1l. 10s., and

12s. from another individual; also a Spanish dollar was sent. Thus we

have something for the necessities of tomorrow.

Dec. 17. Today came in 3s., and from Bath 4l. 6s. 8d.; also 2l., the

produce of the sale of ladies’ baskets.

Dec. 19. Only 11s. 2d. has come in since the day before yesterday. As

I had to pay out today 6l. 10s., it being Saturday, we have now again

only 5s. 9d. left, which is just enough to meet the expense of a

parcel, the arrival of which has been announced. Thus we still have

no means for printing the Report, The Lord’s time seems not yet to

have come.

This afternoon came in from Exmouth 1l. 10s. 5d. for the other

objects, so that, with what there was in hand, the teachers of the

Day-Schools who were in need could be supplied.

Dec. 20. The Lord has again sent in rich supplies. He remembered that

there was nothing in hand for the Orphans, and that we, who care for

them, desire, through grace, not to be anxiously concerned about the

morrow. There came in today altogether 6l. 17s.

Dec. 25. This morning there was 5l. given to me by a brother, to be

used as most needed. As there is a little left for the Orphans, but

about 5l. needed, tomorrow, for the schools, and there are only a few

shillings in hand, I took this money for these funds.

Jan. 1, 1841. Since Dec. 20 has come in not only as much as was

needed, but more. Of the donations which were given, I only notice: A

sister brought the produce of her silver spoons, which she had sold,

having had it laid on her heart to do so through the last public

meetings. During this week we have daily met for prayer, for the

especial purpose of asking the Lord to give us the means of having

the last year’s Report printed. It is three weeks since it might have

been sent to the press. We felt this now to be a matter of especial

importance, as, if the Report were not soon printed, it would be

known that it arose from want of means. By the donations which came

in during these last days for the Orphans, and by 10l. which was

given today for the other funds, we have the means of defraying the

expenses of about two-thirds of the printing, and therefore a part of

the manuscript was sent off, trusting that the Lord would be pleased

to send in more means before two sheets are printed off; but if not,

we should then stop till we have more.--Evening. There came in still

further 5l.; and also 10s., and 3s.

Jan. 2. Today 18s. came in, and the following articles were sent

anonymously to the Girls’-Orphan-House: A smelling bottle, a metal

chain and cross, a silver pencil case, a mother-of-pearl ring, a

pebble, a necklace clasp, 2 pairs of studs, and 6 chimney ornaments.

There were also sent anonymously, this evening, 2 pairs of

skates.--There was needed today 1l. 1s. 6d. more than there was in hand,

to pay the salaries of the teachers in the Day-Schools. About noon a

sister brought three small donations, amounting to 9s.; and a

sovereign came by post. Thus our need has been supplied.

Jan. 3. This morning a brooch was given to me, set with a brilliant

and 10 small emeralds. The stones are to be sold for the benefit of

the Orphans, and the gold is to be returned. I received also the

following sums: From a sister in Bristol, 5l.; from the East Indies

2l.; from Devonshire 2l. 10s. and a silver vinaigrette; anonymously

put into the boxes at Bethesda 2s., ditto by I. L. 3s. 6d., ditto for

rent 1l. 10s.; and by sale of articles 1s. 6d. Thus the Lord has

sent in today 11l. 7s., in answer to our united prayer during the

last week.

Jan. 4. Today the following trinkets were given, to be disposed of

for the benefit of the Orphans, or on behalf of the other objects.

[They were taken for the latter, there being only about 7s. in hand.]

Two chains and crosses of soap beads, an amber necklace, a bead

necklace, a gold Maltese cross and chain, a Brazilian gold chain, a

pearl hair brooch, a pearl cross, a mother-of-pearl buckle, 2 rings,

a necklace snap, a moonstone brooch, a brooch of Ceylon stones, a

pair of bracelet snaps, a gold brooch, a gilt vinaigrette, a pair of

buckles, and a box. [The money which was obtained for the greater

part of these trinkets, supplied our need on Saturday, January 9th.]

Jan. 11. Monday. During the last week the Lord not only supplied us

richly with all we needed for the Orphans, but enabled us to put by

several pounds towards printing the Report. On Saturday evening there

was only 3s. 6d. left. On this account I was looking out for answers

to my prayers for means, and the Lord did not disappoint me. There

came in altogether yesterday 9l. 16s. 4d. We have now enough even for

the last part of the Report. Thus the Lord has been pleased to answer

our prayers in this respect also. This afternoon when there was again

only 2s. 6d. in hand, came in by sale of articles 3l. 9s. 6d., and by

a donation 5l.

Jan. 12. Today I have received a letter from a brother, in which he

empowers me to draw upon his bankers, during this year to the amount

of 1000l., for any brethren who have it in their hearts to give

themselves to missionary Service in the East Indies, and whom I shall

consider called for this service, as far as I am able to judge. [This

power lasted only for that year; but no brethren who seemed to be

suitable offered themselves for this service]

Jan. 13. This evening I was called to the house of a brother and

sister who are in the deepest distress. The brother had become surety

for the debts of his son, not in the least expecting that he ever

should be called upon for the payment of them; but as his son has not

discharged his debts, the father has been called upon to do so; and

except the money is paid within a few days, he will be imprisoned.

How precious it is, even for this life, to act according to the word

of God! This perfect revelation of His mind gives us directions for

every thing, even the most minute affairs of this life. It commands

us, "Be thou not one of them that strike hands, or of them that are

sureties for debts." Prov. xxii. 26. The way in which Satan ensnares

persons, to bring them into the net, and to bring trouble upon them

by becoming sureties, is, that he seeks to represent the matter as if

there were no danger connected with that particular case, and that

one might be sure one should never be called upon to pay the money;

but the Lord, the faithful Friend, tells us in His own word that the

only way in such a matter "to be sure" is "to hate suretiship." Prov.

xi. 15. The following points seem to me of solemn moment for

consideration, if I were called upon to become surety for another: 1.

What obliges the person who wishes me to become surety for him, to

need a surety? Is it really a good cause in which I am called upon to

become surety? I do not remember ever to have met with a case in

which in a plain, and godly, and in all respects Scriptural matter

such a thing occurred. There was generally some sin or other

connected with it. 2. If I become surety, notwithstanding what the

Lord has said to me in His word, am I in such a position that no one

will be injured by my being called upon to fulfill the engagements of

the person for whom I am going to be surety? In most instances this

alone ought to keep one from it. 3. If still I become surety, the

amount of money, for which I become responsible, must be so in my

power, that I am able to produce it whenever it is called for, in

order that the name of the Lord may not be dishonoured. 4. But if

there be the possibility of having to fulfill the engagements of the

person in whose stead I have to stand, is it the will of the Lord,

that I should spend my means in that way? Is it not rather His will

that my means should be spent in another way? 5. How can I get over

the plain word of the Lord, which is to the contrary, even if the

first four points could be satisfactorily settled?

This morning (Jan. 13) I had again not one penny in hand for the

Orphans, though there was enough for today at the Orphan-Houses, as I

had sent yesterday sufficient for two days. The little stock being

exhausted, I had been led to the Lord in prayer for fresh supplies,

when soon afterwards a brother called on me, who stated, that, in

considering the necessities of the poor, on account of the cold

season, the Orphans had likewise been brought to his mind, and that

he had brought me 15l. for them. This afternoon came in still further

1l. from two sisters, as a thank-offering for many mercies during the

past year. Likewise 10l. "From a friend in Christ for the

Orphans’-House." Further: by sale of articles 2l. 4s. 6d., by

knitting 1l. 4s., by Reports 9d., and by four donations 13s. Thus the

Lord has been pleased to send in this day altogether 30l. 2s. 3d.,

whilst, when the day commenced, I had nothing at all in hand.

Jan. 23. This day commenced without any thing in hand. In addition to

this it was Saturday. About nine o’clock Q. Q. called to see me, but,

as I was in prayer with my family, she did not stay. About half an

hour afterwards she called a second time, gave 5l. for the Orphans,

and said, "I bring this because it is Saturday, and it may be

needed." This sister was not deterred by not seeing me the first

time, because our Father knew we had need of this money. There was

likewise 5s. given me this afternoon, and when the sister gave it she

said, "I bring this today, because it is Saturday."

Jan. 25. 2l. 19s. 10d. came in yesterday and this morning. When the

necessities of the day had been supplied, and there was only 12s.

l0d. left, I received a parcel from an unknown donor. It contained 1

lb. and 6 oz. of worsted and 4 sovereigns, with the following note:--"‘Your

Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.’ ‘All things

whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ An

Orphan sends 3l. for the Orphans, and 1l. for Mr. G. Müller’s own

necessities, Jan. 23, 1841."

Feb. 1. Today we had not sufficient money for our own personal

necessities, when we were helped in the following way. Some months

ago several articles were sent to my dear wife from a distance of

about 200 miles, which she did not at all need, and which therefore

had been placed in the hands of a sister to be disposed of. This was

only now done, and today, in this our need, the money was brought for

them, being 1l.. 10s. 6d.

Feb. 4. Since Jan. 25, there has come in 10l. 14s. 11d. for the

Orphans. This morning a brother from Gloucestershire brought me a

doubloon, (18 1/2 pennyweights of fine gold,) a Spanish dollar, 2

small Spanish coins, 4 old English crown pieces, 2 old English

half-crown pieces, 3 old shillings, 2 old sixpences, and an old

twopenny piece. He told me that he had purposed to come a day sooner,

but that, though he was quite prepared for his journey, his business

did not allow him to leave home, but that immediately, when these

coins were given to him for the Orphans, he was able to leave. On his

arrival in Bristol, this brother was asked by a gentleman, a fellow

passenger, to go with him; but he replied he must go at once to me.

On mentioning my name, the Gloucestershire brother was asked whether

he did not believe that it was all chance work about the

Orphan-Houses. He replied no, and showed him the handful of gold and

silver coins, which he had received for the Orphan-Houses, and which

he felt himself constrained at once to deliver.--There was also given

this day a valuable gold lever watch.--Though these donations of today

were not needed to supply the necessities of the children, yet they

came very seasonably, and as the answer to many prayers which I had

lately offered up to the Lord, to enable me to give 26l. to the

labourers in the Orphan-Houses, for their own personal necessities.

Feb. 6. At the close of this week there is nothing at all in hand,

either in the Orphan-Fund or in the other funds; but the Lord has

enabled me to meet all the expences of the week, which only yesterday

and today were above 30l.

Feb. 7. In answer to prayer, when we were without any money for the

Orphans, came in today altogether 2l. 18s.

Feb. 10. There came in yesterday and the day before several small

donations; also by post, anonymously, a sovereign and a diamond ring

from Leamington; but we are now again without means. May the Lord

help us!

--Evening. There came in by sale of articles 10s., by sale of Reports

10s., and by a donation 1s. 6d. I also opened the box in my house, in

which I found 1l. 0s. 6d. A sovereign had been put in by a brother

from Stafford, who had already left my house, but felt himself

constrained to return, in order to put in this money.

Feb. 12. Last evening there was left at my house, anonymously, a

letter containing two sovereigns, in which was written, "For the

Orphan-House 2l." This 2l. is exactly what is needed for today.

Feb. 13. Saturday morning. The Lord sent in yesterday 1l. 15s. which,

though not enough for this day, was a little to commence with.

Evening. Scarcely had I sent off this morning the 1l. 15s. to the

Orphan-Houses, when I received from Clapham 9l. 6s. 6d. and 6 yds. of

calico, for the Orphans, so that 1l. more, which was needed to meet

this day’s demands, could be supplied. There came in also 14s. 6d.

We are very poor in reference to the funds for the other objects, and

have now determined to meet daily for prayer, till the Lord may be

pleased to send help.

There are now four sisters in the Lord staying at our house. This

morning we had only 2s. left of our own money, when there was sent to

us for ourselves from Clapham a sovereign and 2 lbs. of tea; and from

Manchester 5 shillings’ worth of postages. Thus the Lord has kindly

helped us for the present.

Feb. 14. The Lord has had pity, and helped us in some measure. A

brother gave me 5l. for the first four objects of the Scriptural

Knowledge Institution.

Feb. 22. Since the 14th there has come in still further for the first

four objects 6s. 1d., 13s. 4d., 2s. 6d., 1l., and 5l., besides what

has come in by the sale of Bibles, etc. Thus we have been able to

meet all the expenses of this week.

March 4. From February 22 up to this day our necessities in the Day

Schools were supplied by thirteen small donations, and by a donation

of 8l. from Q. Q. Today I received the following letter

"Dear Brother,

I yesterday happened to meet with one of your Reports of the Orphan

Institution for the last year, which I have read with much interest.

I was not before at all aware how entirely you subsisted day by day

on the good providence of the Lord, and it is very wonderful to see

His constant care of such of His children as walk uprightly, and put

their trust in Him. It must be very blessed thus to know and feel His

care from day to day, in making bread and water sure. I am concerned

to find that there was so much need at the time I saw you in

and

that I did not assist you; but I will delay no longer, for there may

be equal need now; and as I find many sums given with the text

Ecclesiastes ix. 10, it reminds me, not to put off till tomorrow that

which should be done today. Just before I fell in with your Report, I

got a little portable money out of the bank, thinking it might be

needed in some such way, so without delay I enclose it; the amount is

15l., and I hope that the Lord will direct my mind and incline my

heart to help you again at the time of need. I perceive you have a

list with the sums received, and the names of the donors open for

inspection (though not published, which is well). Please to insert my

donation, and any future ones I may give, under the initials A. B."

When this letter arrived, there was not one penny in hand for the Day

Schools, whilst two days after about 7l. was needed. As the money was

not given for any particular part of the work, it was put to this

fund. There was also only 2l. in the Orphan fund. This money came

from a considerable distance, and from a brother who never had

assisted in this work before, whereby the Lord afresh shows how

easily He can raise up new helpers.

March 11. From Feb. 13 to this day we have had comparative abundance

for the Orphans, as 70 donations of 10l. and under have come in, also

many pounds by sale of articles and Reports; but now, when we had

again only 13s. 6d. in hand, not half of what is needed to meet the

necessities of tomorrow, a sister at Plymouth sent 6l.

March 12. There came in still further today 5l. from "Friends to the

Orphan," besides 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 10s., and 8s. 6d.

March 18. Today I heard of the conversion of a gentleman, whose

believing wife had prayed many years on behalf of her husband. He was

a Roman Catholic and a great drunkard. But though he had been a Roman

Catholic, he was truly made to rest upon the Lord Jesus alone for

salvation; though he had been a great drunkard, the power of the

Gospel was seen in his case, for he forsook his evil ways; and though

his wife had had to continue to pray for him many years, yet at last

the Lord answered the cries of his afflicted handmaid, and gave her

the desire of her heart.

As I know it to be a fact, that many children of God are greatly

tried by having unconverted relatives, I relate here, for the

encouragement of believers who are thus exercised, two precious

facts, the truth of which I know, and by which the Lord manifested

His power in converting, two of the most unlikely individuals, so far

as natural appearance is concerned. Between forty and fifty years ago

it pleased the Lord to convert the wife of a farmer at Ashburton in

Devonshire, whose husband in consequence became her bitter opposer.

This opposition was greatly increased when he had reason to believe

that she was going to be baptized. The wife, however, thought that,

on account of his great enmity, she would choose a time for being

baptized when he was from home. A time was therefore chosen when he

was to be absent at a fair in Exeter. The farmer went to the fair;

but having learned on Thursday that his wife was to be baptized at

eleven o’clock the next morning, in haste to return he rose early on

Friday morning, to put a stop to the proceeding. After he had rode

several miles, he said to himself, "No, I will not go; let her do

what she pleases, I will not care about her at all:" and he

therefore rode back again towards Exeter. But after awhile he altered

his mind again and said to himself, "Nay, I will go, she shall not

have her way;" and he rode again towards Ashburton. He pursued his

way, and then changed his mind a third time, and turned towards

Exeter; but not long after this, a fourth time he had different

thoughts, and determined to ride borne. Now, however, he remembered,

that, on account of his having thus gone backwards and forwards, and

that for several miles, he had wasted so much time, that he could not

possibly be at Ashburton by eleven o’clock, a distance of more than

twenty miles from Exeter. Enraged by this thought, he dismounted from

his horse on Haldon Common, between Exeter and Teignmouth, cut a

large stick out of the hedge and determined to beat his wife with

that stick, as long as a part of it remained. At last he reached his

home, late in the afternoon, and found his wife had been baptized. In

a great rage he now began to beat her, and continued to do so, till

the stick in his hand was actually broken to pieces. Having thus most

cruelly treated her, her body being full of bruises, he ordered her

to bed. She meekly began to undress herself, and intended to go to

bed, without saying a word. But when he saw her about to go, he said,

"You shall not sleep in my bed any more. Go to the children’s bed."

She obeyed. When now on the point of lying down on the children’s

bed, he ran into the kitchen, fetched a piece of wood, threw her down

on the bed, and was about to begin again to beat her, when suddenly

he let the piece of wood fall, and went away without saying a word.

The poor suffering wife saw no more of him that evening or night. On

the next morning, Saturday, before she had risen, her husband left

the house, and was absent all day till the evening. In the evening

the wife gave him to understand when retiring for the night, that,

according to his wish, she was again going to sleep in the children’s

bed, when he meekly said to her, "Will you not sleep in your own bed?"

She thought he meant to mock her, and would beat her again, if she

did go into her own bed. As, however, he continued in a meek and kind

way to desire her to lie down in her usual bed, she did so. All night

from Saturday to the Lord’s day he lay groaning by her side, turning

about in the bed, but having no sleep. On the Lord’s day morning he

rose early. After awhile he came to her and said, "My dear, it is

time to get up: if you will get up and make the breakfast, I will go

with you to the meeting." Still the wife thought, he only meant to

mock her, and that perhaps he would beat her again, when she was on

the point of going to the meeting. Nevertheless she rose, prepared

the breakfast, and at last, as he continued meek and kind as before,

she made herself ready to go to the meeting. How great was the

astonishment and surprise of the people in the small town, where the

thing had become known almost to every one, when arm in arm he walked

with his wife to the meeting and entered it himself, which he had

never done before! After the meeting was over, he related before all

persons present, what had passed in his mind between Exeter and

Ashburton, how he had most cruelly beaten his wife, how he had

ordered her to go to the children’s bed, how he had run into the

kitchen to fetch a piece of wood to beat his wife a second time, how

he had thrown her on the bed for that purpose, and how he had already

lifted up his hand with the piece of wood in it, when there was like

an audible voice saying to him: "Why persecutest thou me!" The piece

of wood had then fallen out of his hand, and he had felt instantly

that he was persecuting the Lord Jesus. From that moment his soul had

become most distressed. He had been sleepless and miserable during

the night from Friday to Saturday. On Saturday morning he had left

the house early in the greatest agonies of soul, and had been roving

about in the fields and neighbouring villages all the day. He had

come home, and spent another sleepless night from Saturday to the

Lord’s day. And then passed what has been related.

From this time this persecutor became a disciple of the Lord Jesus.

He found peace through the blood of the Lord Jesus, by faith in His

name, and walked about thirty years in peace and love with his wife,

and adorned the gospel of the grace of God.

His wife outlived him. The husband died more than thirteen years ago.

The aged sister told all the particulars of the case to a brother in

the Lord, out of whose mouth I heard them; and I have related them

faithfully to the best of my knowledge.

Surely the arm of the Lord is not shortened in our days! In a moment

He may turn the heart of the greatest persecutor. Think on Paul,

think on Manasseh!

The other case of a remarkable conversion, which I am about to relate

for the encouragement of the believing reader, occurred in my native

country, the kingdom of Prussia, about the year 1820. I relate it as

circumstantially as it was brought before me by a brother in the

Lord. Baron von K. had been for many years a disciple of the Lord

Jesus. Even about the commencement of this century, when there was

almost universal darkness or even open infidelity spread over the

whole continent of Europe, he knew the Lord Jesus; and when about the

year 1806, there was the greatest distress in Silesia among many

thousands of weavers, this blessed man of God took the following

gracious step for his Lord and Master. As the weavers had no

employment, the whole Continent almost being in an unsettled state on

account of Napoleon’s career, it seemed to him the will of the Lord,

that he should use his very considerable property to furnish these

poor weavers with work, in order to save them from the greatest state

of destitution, though in doing this there was not only no prospect

of gain, but the certain prospect of immense loss. He therefore found

employment for about six thousand weavers. But he was not content

with this. Whilst he gave the bread which perishes, he also sought to

minister to the souls of these weavers. To that end he sought to set

believers as overseers over this immense weaving concern, and not

only saw to it that the weavers were instructed in spiritual things,

but he himself also set the truth before them. Thus it went on for a

good while, till at last, on account of the loss of the chief part of

his property, he was obliged to think about giving it up. But by this

time this precious act of mercy had so commended itself to the

government, that it was taken up by them, and carried on till the

times altered. Baron von K. was, however, appointed director of the

whole concern as long as it existed.--This dear man of God was not

content with this. He travelled through many countries to visit the

prisons, for the sake of improving the temporal and spiritual

condition of the prisoners, and among all the other things which he

sought to do for the Lord, was this also in particular: He assisted

poor students whilst at the University of Berlin, (especially those

who studied theology, as it is called,) in order to get access to

them, and to win them for the Lord. One day a most talented young

man, whose father lived at Breslau, where there is likewise a

university, heard of the aged baron’s kindness to students, and he

therefore wrote to him, requesting him to assist him, as his own

father could not well afford to support him any longer, having other

children to provide for. A short time afterwards young T. received a

most kind reply from the baron, inviting him to come to Berlin; but,

before this letter arrived, the young student had heard that Baron

von K. was a pietist or mystic (as true believers are contemptuously

called in Germany;) and as young was of a highly philosophical turn

of mind, reasoning about every thing, questioning the truth of

revelation, yea questioning most sceptically the existence of God, he

much disliked the prospect of going to the old baron. Still, he

thought he could but try, and if he did not like it, he was not bound

to remain in connexion with him. He arrived in Berlin on a day when

there was a great review of the troops; and being full of this he

began to speak about it to the steward of the baron. The steward,

however, being a believer, turned the conversation, before the young

student was aware of it, to spiritual things; and yet he could not

say that it had been forced. He began another subject, and a third,

but still it always came presently again to spiritual things. At last

the baron came, who received young T. in the most affectionate and

familiar manner, as if he had been his equal, and as if young T.

bestowed a favour on him, rather than that he was favoured by the

baron. The baron offered him a room in his own house, and a place at

his own table, while he should be studying in Berlin, which young T.

accepted. He now sought in every way to treat the young student in

the most kind and affectionate way, and as much as possible to serve

him, and to show him the power of the Gospel in his own life, without

arguing with him, yea without speaking to him directly about his

soul. For, discovering in young T. a most reasoning and sceptical

mind, he avoided in every possible way getting into any argument with

him, while the young student again and again said to himself: "I wish

I could get into an argument with this old fool, I would show him his

folly." But the baron avoided it. When the young student used to come

home in the evening, and the baron heard him come, he would himself

go to meet him on entering the house, would light his candle, would

assist and serve him in any way he could, even to the fetching the

bootjack for him, and helping him to take off his boots. Thus this

lowly aged disciple went on for some time, whilst the young student

still sought an opportunity for arguing with him, but wondered

nevertheless how the baron could thus serve him. One evening, on the

return of young T. to the baron’s house, when the baron was making

himself his servant as usual, he could refrain himself no longer, but

burst out thus: "Baron, how can you do all this! You see I do not

care about you, and how are you able to continue to be so kind to me,

and thus to serve me!" The baron replied: "My dear young friend, I

have learned it from the Lord Jesus. I wish you would read through

the Gospel of John. Good night." The student now for the first time

in his life sat down and read the word of God in a disposition of

mind to be willing to learn, whilst up to that time he had never read

the Holy Scriptures but with the view of wishing to find out

arguments against them. It pleased God to bless him. From that time

he became himself a follower of the Lord Jesus, and has been so ever

since.

I continue now the extracts from my journal.

March 19, 1841. It is twelve years this day since I arrived in

England. How exceedingly kind and gracious has the Lord been to me

day by day ever since! And the Lord has crowned this day also with

mercies. I have been for some time again very weak in body, on

account of which it appeared to me desirable to change my sphere of

labour for awhile, to which I was the more inclined as I purpose to

write the second part of my Narrative, for which I need more time

than I can well find in Bristol, along with my other engagements.

Today I had fully determined to leave, as I am now exceedingly weak;

but we had no means for it. This morning, after the exposition of the

Scriptures to the Orphan and Day School children, there was given to

me a check for 15l., of which 5l. is for brother Craik, 5l. for

myself, and 5l. for the Orphans, Thus my way, even as to means, is

made quite plain.

March 20. Nailsworth. I had purposed to take lodgings in the

neighbourhood of Tetbury, passing only a night or so at Nailsworth.

When I came here today, and heard about the state of the saints here

and in the neighbourhood, I could not but think that the Lord had

sent me to this place to labour for a season.

March 21. I ministered twice today among the brethren at Nailsworth,

with much assistance from the Lord, and feel already much better from

the change of air.

March 22. Truly God has sent me here! Certain matters which have been

brought to light through my being here, prove it. May the Lord make

it still more abundantly plain that He has sent me here!--There is a

small house, which a brother left a few weeks since, but has to pay

rent for at least three months longer. He will let me have it rent

free, and he and brother--mean to put into it the needful

furniture.--Thus the Lord has provided a lodging, not only for me, but

also for all my family, who can now join me here.

A sister in the Lord in Ireland, who did not see her acceptance

before God, and who was habitually without the assurance that she is

a child of God, that she is born again, that her sins are forgiven,

and that she shall be saved, in her distress of mind wrote to me

about this time. As her case is by no means a solitary one, but as

there are so many children of God who do not know that they are

children of God; as there are so many whose sins are forgiven who do

not know that they are forgiven; and as there are so many who will be

saved, who do not know that they will be saved, and who are

continually afraid of what would become of them, were they to be

taken out of the world:--I have thought it well to say something here

on this most important subject.

I. Question. How may I obtain the knowledge that I am a child of God,

or that I am born again, or that my sins are forgiven, or that I

shall not perish but have everlasting life?

Answer. Not by my feelings, not by a dream, not by my experience

being like this or that one’s, or unlike this or that one’s; but this

matter is to be settled, as all other spiritual matters, entirely by

the revealed will of God, the written word of God, which is the only

rule, the only standard for believers.

II. Question. By what passages, then, for instance, may I make out

that I am a child of God, or born again?

Answer. 1. In 1 John v. 1, it is written: "Whosoever believeth that

Jesus is the Christ is born of God." The meaning of these words is

evidently this, that every one (whether young or old, male or female,

one who has lived an outwardly moral or immoral life,) who believes

that the poor, despised Jesus of Nazareth, of whom we read in the New

Testament, was the promised Christ or Messiah, such a one is no

longer in his natural state, but is born again, is born of God, is a

child of God. The question therefore is, Do you believe that Jesus,

who was born at Bethlehem, and crucified under Pontius Pilate, is the

promised Saviour, the Messiah, the one for whom the Jews were to

look? If so, you are a child of God, else you would not believe it.

It is given unto you to believe it. Millions may SAY that Jesus is

the Saviour, the Messiah, but none BELIEVE it except the children of

God. It proves me to be a child of God that I believe it; to none

besides is it given to believe it, though millions might say so.

Perhaps you say, I do not feel that I am born again, born of God, and

I have therefore no enjoyment.

Answer. In order that you may have the enjoyment, which is the result

of the knowledge that you are a child of God, that you are born of

God, or born again, you must receive God’s testimony. He is a

faithful witness, He speaks nothing but the truth, and His

declaration is, That every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ

is born of God. If you receive this testimony of God, you, to whom by

grace it is given to believe that Jesus is the Christ, cannot but be

happy, from the fact that God Himself says, that you are His child.

But if you will wait till you feel that you are a child of God, you

may have to wait long; and even if you felt it, yet your feelings

would be worth nothing; for either it might be a false feeling, or,

though it were real, it might be lost the next hour. Feelings change;

but the word of God remains unalterably the same. You have, then,

without having had a dream about it, without having had a portion of

the word in a more than usual way impressed upon your mind concerning

the subject, without having heard something like a voice from heaven

about it, to say to yourself: If I believe that Jesus is the promised

Messiah, I am a child of God. And then, from a belief of what God

declares in this passage concerning you who believe that Jesus is the

Christ, even that you are His child, spring peace and joy in the Holy

Ghost.

Answer 2. In Galatians iii. 26, it is written: "Ye are all the

children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." The question here again

is: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus? Do I depend upon Him alone for

the salvation of my soul? If so, I am a child of God, whether I feel

it or not.

Answer 3. In John i. 11—13, it is written of the Lord Jesus: "He came

unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received

Him, to them gave He power (or the right or the privilege) to become

the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were

born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of

man, but of God." The question here again is simply this, Have I

received the Lord Jesus, i.e., Do I believe in His name? If so, I am

born of God, I am a child of God, else I should never have believed

in the Lord Jesus; for none but the children of God do believe in Him.

III. Question. How may I know that my sins are forgiven? Have I to

wait till I feel that they are forgiven, before I may take comfort

concerning this matter? Or, must I wait till I have in some powerful

way a portion of the word of God applied to my mind, to assure me of

it?

Answer. This point is again only to be settled by the word of God. We

have not to wait till we feel that our sins are forgiven.--I myself

have now been a believer for more than nineteen years (i.e. in the

year 1845). How long it is, since I have had no doubt whatever about

the forgiveness of my sins, I cannot tell with certainty; but this I

am quite sure of, that ever since I have been in England, which is

now about sixteen years (in 1845), I have never once had a single

moment’s doubt that my sins are all forgiven; and yet I do not

remember that I even once have felt that they were forgiven. To know

that they are forgiven, and to feel that they are forgiven, are two

different things.--The way to settle, whether our sins are forgiven,

is, to refer to the word of God alone with reference to it. In Acts

x. 43, it is written concerning the Lord Jesus, "To him give all the

prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him

shall receive remission of sins." All the prophets speaking under the

immediate power of the Holy Spirit, bore testimony, that through the

obedience and sufferings of the Lord Jesus, whereby He becomes our

Saviour or is our Jesus, all who believe in Him for salvation, who

depend upon Him and not upon themselves, who receive Him to be the

one whom God declares Him to be, should receive the forgiveness of

their sins. The questions therefore to be put to ourselves are simply

these: Do I walk in utter carelessness? Do I trust in my own

exertions for salvation? Do I expect forgiveness for my sins on

account of living a better life in future? Or, do I depend only upon

this, that Jesus died upon the cross to save sinners--and that Jesus

fulfilled the law of God to make sinners righteous? If the latter is

the case, my sins are forgiven, whether I feel it or not. I have

already forgiveness. I shall not have it merely when I die, or when

the Lord Jesus comes again; but I have it now, and that for all my

sins. I must not wait to feel that my sins are forgiven, in order to

be at peace, and in order to be happy; but I must take God at His

word, I must believe that what He says in true, and He says, "That

whosoever believeth in the Lord Jesus should receive remission of

sins;" and when I believe what God says, peace and joy will be the

result.

Again, in Acts xv. 8, 9, it is written with reference to us Gentile

sinners: "And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving

them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference

between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." Here we see

how the guilt is to be removed from the heart, how we can get a clean

heart, obtain the forgiveness of our sins,--even by faith in the Lord

Jesus. Depending upon the sufferings of the Lord Jesus in the room of

sinners, and depending upon His obedience in fulfilling the law of

God, His sufferings are considered as endured by us, His obedience as

if found in ourselves: in Him (if we believe on Him) we are

considered to have hung on the cross, and therefore were punished in

Him, on account of which God, though perfectly holy and just, can

forgive us our sins for Jesus’ sake, as well as reckon us righteous,

through faith in the Lord Jesus, who in the room of those who believe

on Him fulfilled the law of God.

I would here by the way especially warn against one error, which is,

that persons say, I can believe that Jesus is the Christ, the

Saviour, that through Him alone the forgiveness of sins is to be

obtained, and I do depend on Him alone for forgiveness, but I desire

to know that He is my Christ, my Saviour, and because I am not sure

about that, I can have no peace. Now, the Gospel which is preached in

the New Testament is not, you must believe that Jesus of Nazareth is

your Christ, your Saviour, but that He is the Christ, the Saviour;

and if you believe that, you have a right to look upon Him as your

Saviour.

IV. Question. How may I know that I shall be saved?