declining any longer to receive your offerings through boxes publicly
put up, and having our names appended to them. We desire grace to
serve you more faithfully than ever, and cast ourselves, as we have
done hitherto, upon Him who hath said, "If any man serve me him will
my Father honour."
HENRY CRAIK, GEORGE MÜLLERMüller
Bristol, July 7, 1841. .
When this alteration was made, I had another proof of the many
blessings which are connected with the life of faith. Under other
circumstances the question would have naturally arisen in my mind,
And what will you do for support, if the boxes are removed? How will
the offerings come in? Will any come in? But none of these things
troubled me even for a moment. I said to myself, somehow or other the
Lord will provide for me. If not through the instrumentality of the
saints in Bristol, He will send help by means of those who live
elsewhere. All I have to do in this matter is, to serve the Lord and
to trust in Him, and He will surely take care of my temporal
necessities. And thus it has been since July 1841 also, even as
before. The reader may desire to know, how the Lord has since that
time provided for my temporal necessities, seeing that the boxes,
which were put up in the two chapels for the reception of the
free-will offerings, were removed. I therefore state it. 1, I have
received, as at former times, some presents in provisions, clothes,
etc., from the saints among whom I labour and from other saints. 2,
Some of the brethren and sisters among whom I labour have either
habitually or from time to time put up some money in paper, and
directed it to brother Craik or to me, or to both of us, and have put
these little money parcels into one of the boxes for the reception of
the offerings of the poor saints, or into the boxes into which the
free-will contributions for the rent and expenses of the chapels are
put. These little packets have been handed over to us by the deacons,
and as they were directed so they have been appropriated, Those which
are directed to brother Craik only, are handed over to brother Craik;
those which are directed to me only, I appropriate for myself; and
those which are directed to both of us, the contents are divided
between us. 3, In a few cases, brethren and sisters in communion with
us have also given me presents in money. 4, The Lord has also
continued to incline the hearts of some of His children, not living
in Bristol, to send me presents in money, and again and again even
those whom I have never seen, and whose names, sometimes, I do not
even know.
The only thing that was a real difficulty in my mind in making this
alteration was, not that I should be a loser, and much less that the
Lord would not care for my temporal necessities; but lest some of the
children of God should find, in the removal of the boxes for the
reception of the offerings for brother Craik and me, an excuse for
doing nothing at all for our temporal necessities; and lest
especially the poor, because they might have only pence or halfpence
to give, should be deterred from doing so, and thereby both classes
should rob themselves of blessing. It was not, because I feared to
lose the gifts of some; for, I can, by the grace of God, say in some
measure at least with the apostle Paul, "Not because I desire a gift:
but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Philip iv. 17.
My aim also is, by the help of God, to be brought into that state of
heart in which the apostle Paul was when he said, "I will very gladly
spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you the
less I be loved." 2 Cor. xii. 15. But yet with this desire on my
part, I knew that the dear children of God among whom I labour would
rob themselves and not me of a blessing, if they did not contribute
towards my temporal necessities and I feared, lest this alteration
should be used by Satan as an instrument to their injury.
But the mind of God seemed to us, after all, on account of the
reasons before stated, that the alteration ought to be made,
notwithstanding any possible evils which might result from it.
We are thus in such a position, that there is free room for the Holy
Ghost to commend all the various labourers among us, according to the
measure of grace and gift given to them, to the consciences of the
brethren, not only with reference to their spiritual position in the
body, butt also with reference to their temporal need.
Aug. 7. Today we had one sixpence left for our own personal
necessities. We needed some money to buy eggs and cocoa for a brother
who is come to stay with us, when this brother gave me four
shillings, which he had brought for me from the place whence he
comes. Thus we are helped for the present.
Aug. 26. After a season of comparative poverty with reference to
myself, though always having what was really needful in the way of
nourishing food, etc., a brother sent me today 17l. 18s. from a
considerable distance, of which half is for the Orphans, and half for
my own temporal necessities.
Sept. 2. During the last four months we have had more in hand for the
Orphans than we needed. Since July 1838, when for the first time the
funds were exhausted, we have had at no period so much money in hand.
There was as it were, during these four months, one continual even
running of the river of Gods bounty, both by presents in money and
articles. Of the donations which were received during this period, I
mention only the following:--On May 12th I received from Florence, in
Italy, the following donations:--3 silver pins and 4 dollars; 3
dollars and a sixpence; 2 Pauls (Italian coins); 5l.; 3 pincushions,
6 penwipers, and a little shawl How abundantly do these donations
from Florence prove how easily the Lord is able to provide us with
means for His work, even from the most unexpected quarters!--As we had
now for several months abounded in a greater degree than at any
previous time of the same length during the past three years and
three months, so it pleased the Lord after this period to try our
faith more severely than during any time since the work first
commenced. Indeed, so sharp were the trials of our faith for more
than six months after this;--so long the seasons when, day after day,
only daily supplies were granted to us, and when even from meal to
meal we had to look to the Lord;--so long had we to continue in
prayer, and yet help seemed to fail;--that it can be only ascribed to
the especial mercy of God, that the faith of those who were engaged
in this work did not altogether fail, and that they did not entirely
grow weary of this way of carrying on the Lords work, and go, in
despair of help from God, back again to the habits and maxims of this
evil world. How my fellow-labourers have felt during all this time, I
am, of course, unable to state; but, if I may speak of myself, I
joyfully state, to the praise of the Lord, that during all the
following months my faith was sustained without wavering, but still
so greatly was it tried, that often I had no other petition, but that
the Lord would be pleased to continue it, and that He would pity me
as a father pitieth his children. In the midst of the trial I was
fully assured that the Lord would lighten His hand in His own good
time, and that, whilst it lasted, it was only in order that in a
small measure, for the benefit of the church of Christ generally,
that word might be fulfilled in us--"Whether we be afflicted it is
for your consolation." I now give an account of the commencement and
progress of our trial of faith during the months which succeeded the
time of abundance.
Sept. 3. The money in hand had come to 3l. 5s. I therefore asked the
Lord this morning for fresh supplies, and very soon after came a
post-office order from Glasgow for 3l.
Sept. 7. 5l. 9s. more had come in since September 3rd, but this
morning the last money had been given out. After the great abundance
during the last months, now not a farthing was left. I gave myself
therefore to prayer, and in the afternoon I received a post-office
order from a brother at Plymouth for 3l. In the evening was left at
my house a bonnet box from G. T. I., which contained 5s., 4 shirts
and 4 handkerchiefs.
Sept. 8. Today came in 4s. from the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton,
2s. 6d. from Bath, and 1l. was given by a brother, who had just
arrived from Ceylon.
Sept. 9. This morning 5l. was sent by a brother, a student in the
University of Cambridge, who had read my Narrative; also 13s. 6d.
came in besides.
Sept. 18. From the 9th to this day we were comfortably supplied with
what we needed. Today, when 3l. was needed, and there was only 1l.
9s. 2d. in hand, 12l. came in from the neighbourhood of
Wolverhampton, and 3s. by knitting.
Sept. 25. Saturday. Since the 18th was received, by donations and
sale of articles, 5l. 19s. 8d., which enabled us, together with the
12l. 3s. which came in on the 18th, to meet all the expenses. But
when I had sent off yesterday what was needed to meet the days need,
nothing at all was left in hand for this day, whilst I knew that
above 3l. would be required. The Lord, therefore, in His faithful
love sent in yesterday afternoon 11s. 0 1/2d.; this morning 5l. from
Plymouth; and 1l. 1s. with several articles of clothing for the
Orphans from Clapham. Thus we had about twice as much as was required
for this day.
Sept. 26. 2l. 11s. came in today.
Sept. 28. As 2l. was needed for the supplies of this day, and only
1l. l3s. 0 1/2d. was in hand, the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were
opened, in which was found 10s. 2d.
Sept. 29, When there was again only 3s. 2 1/2d. in hand towards the
need of today, a brother, a commercial traveller, having returned
last night to Bristol, brought me two sovereigns, which had been
given him for the Orphans by a lady at Marlborough, who had read one
of the Reports. There came in still further today 2l. 8s. 6d.
Oct. 1. When I had again not one penny in hand for the necessities
of this day, there was brought to me this morning 10s. for the
Orphans, which had been sent from Kensington. In the paper, which
contained the money, was written: "Your Heavenly Father knoweth that
ye have need of these things." "Trust in the Lord." This word of our
Lord is to me of more value than many bank notes. About five minutes
later I received from an Irish sister 10l., through her banker in
London. At the same time I received information from Tetbury that
three boxes, containing articles to be disposed of for the benefit of
the Orphans, were on the way, and two hours after, 14 small donations
were given to me, amounting to 1l. 7s. 4d.--I mention here, as a point
particularly to be noticed, that after the season of comparative
abundance had come to an end in September, the Lord did not at once
allow us to be so sharply tried as we were afterwards. He dealt in
the same gentle way with us three years before, when the trials of
faith in this part of the work first commenced.
Oct. 6. As only 4l. more had been received for the Orphans since Oct.
1; the last money had now again been given out to supply this days
necessities, when 2l. 15s. came in, being the produce of some of the
articles which had been sent from Tetbury. This evening I also
received from a brother a sovereign, which his believing wife, on her
dying bed, had requested him to give after her decease. There came in
likewise this evening by a donation 10s., and by sale of articles 2l.
10s. 5d.
During the last five months we have had comparatively an abundance of
means for the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution
also; but now we are again very poor. Just now, in this our great
need, a brother, who has learned to esteem the Holy Scriptures above
every other book, sent me a box of books, the produce of which
supplies our present need for the Day Schools.
Oct. 9. No more than 1l. 2s. 11d, having been received for the
Orphans since the 6th, there was only 2l. 3s. 9d. in hand, whilst 4l.
was needed, it being Saturday. In the course of the morning 2l. came
in for stockings, from a sister who resides five or six miles from
Bristol; and in the afternoon another sister sent 1s., and a third
brought 5l. The latter had it particularly laid on her heart not to
delay till tomorrow the giving of this money, as it might be needed
today. Thus the Lord has not only given us enough for today, but also
a little to begin the next week with.
Oct. 10. Today we received still further 5l. 9s. 11d. for the Orphans.
Oct. 11. When today again money was needed for the Day Schools, there
arrived from Marlborough a box of books, containing 110 volumes and
several pamphlets. The produce of the books, together with 1l. 9s.
4d., which came in at the same time, supplied again our present
necessities.
Oct. 16. More than 10l. had come in since the 10th for the Orphans;
but today there was again only 10s. 11 1/2d. in hand, whilst about
3l. was required. The boxes at the Orphan-Houses were therefore
opened, which contained 1l. 1s. In the course of the day also 5s. 5d.
was paid for stockings. About seven oclock this evening sister E. C.
brought several small donations, amounting to 1l. 17s. 4d., for the
Orphans, and 9s. 8d. for the other funds. Thus we had even for this
day 3l. 14s. 4 1/4d.
Oct. 21. As only between 9l. and 10l. had come in since the 16th for
the Orphans, we were this day again, as is often the case, without
anything in hand, when 12s. 2d. was sent from Exmouth, and 8s. 8d.
came in by sale of stockings. There arrived also a box and a basket
from Ilfracombe, the contents of which are to be sold for the benefit
of the Orphans. Moreover 15s. 6d. was taken out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses.
Oct. 22. By the money which was yesterday taken out of the boxes, and
by 1l. 3s. which came in by disposing of some of the articles sent
from Ilfracombe, we were comfortably supplied today.
Oct. 23. We had only 5s. 6d., which I found in the box in my house,
8s. 9d. for stockings, and 9s. which came in morning, besides a few
shillings in the hands of the matrons, to help us through the day.
Oct. 24. Today, when we had not enough to pay the salaries of the
teachers in the Day Schools, I received 5l. from a sister at Topsham,
which supplied our need.
Oct. 25. Yesterday and today was given 2l. 17s. for the Orphans.
Oct. 26. This afternoon I had only one penny left, when two Orphans
arrived from Bath, with whom 5l. 15s. 6d. was brought. At the very
moment, while I was receiving this money, I was called on for money
from the Girls-Orphan-House, which I was thus able to send. It has
often been so ordered by the Lord, that, whilst we require nothing at
all to be paid at the admission of the children, nevertheless that
which has been brought with them has been the means of supplying the
need, in which we were at the time when they were sent. There came in
still further today 1l.
Oct. 29. Today we were again very poor; for not only had I nothing at
all in hand, but the provision stores were much reduced. About twelve
oclock a sister gave me 3s. 2d., also from a distance was sent 9d.
In the afternoon we were able to dispose of some articles for 3l.,
which had been sent a long time ago. Three shillings came in for
needlework, and 2s. 6d. as a donation. Thus we had 3l. 9s. 5d.--The
day before yesterday I had asked the Lord that He would be pleased to
send us some potatoes, as we have no means to lay in a stock. This
morning I was informed that the same brother who had sent 20 sacks
last year, had again ordered 20 sacks to be sent, and 6 sacks have
also been given by another individual.
Oct. 30. As this is Saturday, the money which came in yesterday was
not quite enough for today. But this mornings post brought, in
answer to prayer, from Clapham 10s. and anonymously from Plymouth 10s.
Nov. 1. Yesterday was received altogether 2l. 10s. 3d.
Nov. 2. At a time of the greatest poverty 1l. was sent by a lady from
Birmingham. About half an hour afterwards I received 10l. from a
brother who had saved up 150l. and put it into a savings bank, but
who now sees that, to devote this money to the promotion of the work
of God tends more to the glory of the name of Jesus, than to retain
it in a savings bank upon interest for a time of sickness or old
age; for he is assured that should such times come, the same Lord,
who has hitherto cared for him whilst in health and strength, and
able to work, will also care for him then. The same brother gave me
3l. a fortnight since. This 10l. came in very seasonably; for though
we had been able to provide for the absolute necessities of today,
yet there was want in many respects, especially as a boy is just
going out as an apprentice, who needs tools and an outfit.
Nov. 3. This afternoon two little boys were received, with whom three
little girls sent 13s. 6d.
Nov. 4 and 5. 2l. 5s. ld. more was given.
Nov. 7. When there was now again nothing at all in hand, there came
in 2l., being the profit of the sale of ladies baskets; and also 3l.
1s. 10d.
Nov. 8-11. 4l. 9s. 4d. was received during these four days.
Nov. 12. This morning after the exposition of the Scriptures to the
children, 10s. was given to me, at a time when there was not only
nothing at all in hand, but when without some help we should not have
had every thing that was really needed for today.
Nov. 13. Saturday. This morning I took 1s. out of the box in my
house. This one shilling was all there was towards the need of
today.--Pause, dear reader, for a few moments! Consider that there are
more than a hundred persons to be provided with every thing they
require; consider that there is no money in hand; and consider also
that this is the case not once nor twice in the course of the year
but very frequently. Is it not precious, under such circumstances, to
have the living God as a father to go to, who is ever able and ever
willing to help as it may be really needed? And to this privilege
every one has a title who believes in the Lord Jesus, being as such a
child of God. Galatians iii. 26. For though all believers in the Lord
Jesus are not called upon to establish Orphan-Houses, Schools for
poor children, etc., and trust in God for means; yet all believers,
according to the will of God concerning them in Christ Jesus, may
cast, and ought to cast, all their care upon Him who careth for them,
and need not be anxiously concerned about any thing, as is plainly to
be seen from 1 Peter v. 7, Philippians iv. 6, Matthew vi. 25-34.
Under these circumstances of need, a silver watch, which only
yesterday afternoon had become the property of the Orphan-Fund, was
disposed of, whereby we were helped through the expenses of today.
The coals are almost gone in each of the houses. Every article of
provision, etc., is likewise much reduced. Truly, we are exceedingly
poor; nevertheless there are the necessary provisions till Monday
morning, and thus we were brought to the close of another week. This
afternoon all the labourers met for prayer.
Nov. 14. When we met again this afternoon for prayer, we had reason
to praise, for the Lord had sent in means. This morning was given to
me 5l., and 6s. had come in by sale of articles. There came also by
post a small parcel from Wales, containing a few little articles,
which are not to be mentioned, and 2s. 6d.
Nov. 15. Last Friday brother Craik and I had a meeting for inquirers
and candidates for fellowship. We saw eight and had to send away ten
whom we could not see, our strength being quite gone after we had
seen the eight, one after another. This evening we saw seven and had
to send away three.
Nov. 16. The last four days we have daily met for prayer, there being
no means to pay the teachers in the Day Schools. Besides this, we
need a stove in one of the school rooms; also some Bibles and Tracts.
Today I received 2l. from a brother at Exmouth.
As only 2s. had been given yesterday for the Orphans, there was this
morning again only 4s. 6d., in hand, which between ten and eleven
oclock I was on the point of sending to the Orphan-Houses, having
been called on for money. While I was writing the note to that
effect, I received a post-office order for 3l. from a brother at
Barnstaple, which was again a most precious deliverance, as our
stores had been in every way so much reduced. About two hours later I
received 4l. more from a brother at Exmouth, the half of which was
for the Orphans, and the other half for the other objects. Through
the same brother also was sent with Luke xxii. 32. 1l. for the
Orphans. There came in still further today 2l. for stockings, which
were bought by two ladies who visited the Orphan-Houses. They also
gave 3s. 9d. Also an individual who had removed at four different
times the furniture of the Orphan-Houses to and from Westbury, where
the children had been, in turn, from Aug. 10 to Nov. 12, while the
houses were coloured down and painted inside, charged only 1l. 1s. 10
1/2d., instead of 4l. 2s. 10 1/2d., which would have been the regular
charge, and stated that he had long wished to do something for the
Orphans, and that he should not have charged even this 1l. 1s. 10
1/2d. had he not had to lay it out in money. Thus the Lord in various
ways helps us, and all without our asking any human being, but only
in simplicity telling Him day by day our need.
Nov. 18. To day we had again a meeting with inquirers, and saw seven.
Nov. 21. Only 1l. 11s. 4d. came in since the 16th for the Orphans, on
account of which there was today again no money at all in hand, and
the stores were very much exhausted. How kind, therefore, of the Lord
to send in again at this time 2l. 10s.
Nov. 23. Yesterday came in 5s. for stockings, which provided today
the means for the breakfast in the Boys-Orphan-House. A sister sent
also a gammon and some peas. Now we are very poor indeed. One of the
labourers was able to provide a dinner in the Girls-Orphan-House out
of his own means. In this our great need came in 17s. 6d. by sale of
Reports, which money had been expected for some months past, but
which the Lord sent just now most seasonably. Besides this, 2s. 6d.
was also received for the childrens needlework. Thus we were
provided for this day also. In the afternoon the Lord gave us a still
further proof of the continuance of His loving care over us, now that
we are so poor; for a box arrived from Plymouth, containing clothes,
trinkets, etc.
Nov. 24. We have been daily meeting for prayer the last twelve days.
Today, just before I was going to the meeting, one of the articles,
which came in the box from Plymouth yesterday afternoon, was sold for
2l. 2s., which sum supplies us with means for this day. The donors
may not have thought, perhaps, that their bounty would so soon be
needed.--When I came to the prayer-meeting, I heard of a little
circumstance which is worthy of notice. The Infant Orphans took a
walk this morning with their teacher. A poor woman came to her,
whilst they were walking, and gave her two pence for the benefit of
the Orphans, adding "It is but a trifle, but I must give it you."
Now, one of these two pence had been needed, by the time I came, to
make up the little sum which was required for the bread.--This
afternoon was received still further 9d., and also 12s. by the sale
of some of the articles which came from Plymouth.
Nov. 25. With 12s. ld. we began the day, which was not sufficient for
all that was required. In the afternoon came in 11s. for knitting.
Thus we had enough for this day also.
Nov. 26. One of the labourers gave 5s.; 11s. came in by sale of
articles, and 6d. was taken out of the box in my house. Little as
this was, yet we were able to procure with it all that was really
needful; but now our provision stock is very much reduced.