If you look at the map where Mannheim is, you will, I think, find a
small town, called Weinheim, the place where we are now at Mrs. Ms.
Weinheim forms with Heidelberg and Mannheim a triangle, about 10
miles from Mannheim, and the same from Heidelberg. On the Lords day
evening last I wrote to you from Rotterdam, which letter, I hope, you
safely received. On Monday morning at seven, Aug. 14, we left
Rotterdam, with sister W. in one of the Rhine steamers, in which we
sailed till about half-past eight in the evening, when we arrived at
Emmerich, the first Prussian town, where we stopped for the night.
The weather was beautiful, as indeed it has been every day of this
week. There was nothing remarkable as to natural things, except a
large noble river, and on the banks of the river clean pretty
cottages of the Dutch people. The Lord enabled me to do a little for
Him. I distributed German tracts among those who could read German;
but many of them were Dutch persons, who could understand me in
speaking to them, but could not read German. I had a long but
affecting conversation with four Jews, who, though disagreeing among
themselves as to their religious views, were all agreed in their
complete rejection of Jesus of Nazareth, as the Messiah, and, as
usual, blasphemed. I conversed with many persons, but found only one
aged person, who, I think, as far as I could learn, was a christian.
After having given him a tract, having heard my testimony for Christ,
he came with tears and asked me to sell him another tract. After
having told him that I gladly gave him the tract, he then asked me to
give him a third and a fourth for the old clergyman and the
schoolmaster of his place, and said, Oh! if you could but stop, how
glad the old clergyman, a pious man, would be to see you.--There were
two other interesting things that day. Very soon after we had
started, perhaps two hours after, a gentleman left, to whom I gave a
tract in German and English, as he could also read English. He then
told me he had seen me reading the Bible, but did not like to
interrupt me. I told him my errand to Germany. His reply was:
"Brother, the Lord bless thee." On asking him who he was, he told me
he was a Baptist minister at Amsterdam, and on his way to the
brethren at Utrecht, in Holland. He now much regretted not to have
had conversation with me. In the afternoon, a gentleman, an officer
on pension, who, with his lady, had heard my confession for Christ,
while I was conversing with a person sitting close by, asked me very
politely, on his leaving, for a tract.--There were two little cabins
in the steamer, each with two berths, one of which I engaged for Mary
and myself it being much cheaper than to go on shore, though we
should not do so again, as our sleep was greatly interrupted, there
being much noise till twelve oclock, and commencing again soon after
three in the mornings, so that for three nights our sleep was greatly
interrupted. Yet I do not mention this in the way of complaint, for
we have only to sing of mercy. However, as in spiritual things, so in
natural things, we learn daily. The noise only arose from the needful
occupations, but it could scarcely have been greater than it was, if
persons had purposely tried to disturb us.--At half-past five on
Tuesday morning the steamer began again to ply. While I was sitting
on deck, between five and six, reading the Bible, a Dutchman came to
me to speak about the things of God. He understood me pretty well,
but I understood him only imperfectly. He questioned me about the
connexion between faith and works, and how man can believe, being a
fallen being in Adam. I fear it was more intellectual than heart-work
with him, but I made use of the opportunity, to preach Jesus before
all, who through this conversation had been drawn round us. This day
also I had opportunities of giving away tracts, and of speaking to
several, particularly to a young Prussian soldier, and other young
men. But all were dead. Most listened and received the tracts, but
there were some who boldly rejected. On the second day we sailed from
half-past five in the morning till about half-past ten in the
evening, when we arrived at Cologne, where we stopped. Our German
sister went on shore, and took leave of us, to go on by another
companys vessel, for which she had previously paid; dear Mary and I
remained alone on board. The third day we had very few passengers on
board. Two Irish gentlemen and an English gentleman came on board, to
whom I gave English tracts. One of them soon left, and the other two
declared themselves on the Lords side. Two other Jews, who had come
on board, likewise rejected the truth, yet I conversed with them till
they blasphemed. This third day we sailed from ten in the morning
till about half-past seven in the evening, when we arrived at the
Prussian fortress Coblentz. Mary and I now took a little walk. In the
town I gave some tracts to a Prussian soldier, for himself and some
of his comrades, for having given us some information; and in going
back to the steamer we heard an English lady before us speaking
English to a little boy who was with her. We joined her, and offered
her some English tracts, which she accepted, also some German tracts
for the Roman Catholic servant. Today we have seen beautiful scenery.
Fourth day, Aug. 17, One of the Irish gentlemen asked me to read to
him and his friend a chapter in the Bible. This day also we glided
along through most beautiful scenery. Travelling is a very dangerous
thing. I would exhort every one, especially to be aware what he is
about, before he sets out on a journey. Much as I had prayed about
this journey, and sure as I have been and still am, that the Lord
sent me on this errand, I was yet made to feel how difficult it is to
keep the heart in the right frame whilst looking at such beautiful
scenery. It surpassed all I have before seen of the kind. I suppose
we have not had less than forty instances of ruined castles,
fortresses, &c., brought before us this day; the ancient Roman
glory--the glory of the German knights, and of the German emperors,
whose works, castles and fortresses we saw in ruins, how loudly does
it speak of the changeableness of all earthly things, and yet how
pernicious often the effect upon the new nature, while looking at
these things. The Rhine is wide, the castles often quite close to the
river, and hundreds of millions of vines, you might say, without
exaggeration, and tens of thousands of vineyards all along the river
for perhaps a hundred miles or more. It is beautiful; but how poor,
how very poor this beauty in comparison with Jesus! Through grace I
would not pay one shilling to see it again, nor go one mile to see it
again, for the sake of seeing it.--On the fourth evening, after having
sailed that day from seven in the morning, we arrived about five or
six oclock at Mayence, sister W. having joined us again. We found it
very refreshing to have a few hours quiet in an hotel, and then all
three together took a walk. In this town, where printing was
invented, Gods precious word is not valued. Almost all are
Romanists. It is a large, magnificent, and busy town, and a strong
fortress. The railroad also was just in sight on the opposite side of
the river. There was scarcely a trace to be seen of that poverty
which you see so often in large towns in England, but all bespoke
abundance, though I know there is not the abundance of the English
gold. Yesterday morning, Aug. 18, we ought to have left at eight
oclock by the steamer, in which we had taken our places from
Rotterdam to Mannheim, but the steamer, by which we ought to have
gone, did not arrive. We waited hour after hour, till at last, near
four oclock in the afternoon, we left Mayence for Mannheim by a
steamer of another company, having thus to lose the money we had
previously paid. We were on board of this steamer about seven hours,
till near eleven in the evening, when we arrived at Mannheim. There
were at least 14 English passengers on board, besides many Germans
and French. I distributed English and German tracts, and had
conversation with several. There was a dear young sister, a French
lady, with whom I had much conversation. She had been with her little
brother to a bathing place near the Rhine. I saw her reading the
Epistle to the Romans, and thus took the opportunity to converse with
her. She had been at school in Paris till within a few months, and is
now, as she has no parents, living with her aunt, a pious woman near
Strasbourg. It was very refreshing to be able to help this solitary
one, who knew no one on board, and who was very glad to have a little
counsel. In parting I gave her a copy of my Narrative, some English
tracts, a German tract, and an Orphan Report, as she has begun to
learn English, and has a friend, a believer, who understands English
well. I had also a pretty long conversation with a German young
gentleman, a Roman Catholic, about the way to heaven. This morning,
Aug. 19, we called on our sister N. at Mannheim, if it might please
the Lord to use us to benefit and restore her soul. We found out her
residence after some inquiry, and she seemed very glad to see us.
After having our passports signed, and taken up some money from the
banker, we left Mannheim at two oclock in the afternoon, and arrived
here at four, where we were very affectionately received by brother
T. H. and dear Mrs. M. We are now staying in an old building,
formerly a Roman Catholic cloister, where I this evening expounded
the Scriptures.
Aug. 20, 1843. This morning I expounded the Scriptures at family
prayer in English, then at eleven oclock we broke bread in the
cloister, being five in number, and this afternoon, at four oclock,
I expounded again, when altogether 10 English gentlemen and ladies,
who are staying here, were present. Tomorrow morning I purpose to see
the pious Lutheran clergyman resident here, and about one oclock,
the Lord willing, we shall leave by the mail and arrive at Stuttgart
on Tuesday evening, Aug. 22. The heat has been exceedingly great all
the last week, so that we have constantly been obliged to sleep with
the window wide open. Farewell, dear helper. Our love to dear sister
E. from whom we shall be very glad to hear, and to whom you will
please to communicate all in our letters that may be interesting to
her. Our tender love also to our own dear child. How gladly should we
see and kiss her, but though we cannot do that, yet we pray for her.
Love also to S. My especial love to all my dear fellow-labourers in
the church. My love to all the dear brethren and sisters in the
Orphan-Houses and Day-Schools. Our love to all the saints.
Your affectionate brother,
GEORGE MÜLLER.
We are now just 600 miles from Bristol.
I make a few remarks in connexion with this letter.
I found it injurious to my inner man that for three nights I had had
very little sleep. My own experience has been almost invariably, that
if I have not the needful sleep, my spiritual enjoyment and strength
is greatly affected by it. I judge it of great moment that the
believer, in travelling, should seek as much as possible to refrain
from travelling by night, or from travelling in such a way as that he
is deprived of the needful nights rest; for if he does not, he will
be unable with renewed bodily and mental strength to give himself to
prayer and meditation, and the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and he
will surely feel the pernicious effects of this all the day long.
There may occur cases when travelling by night cannot be avoided;
but, if it can, though we should seem to lose time by it, and though
it should cost more money, I would most affectionately and solemnly
recommend the refraining from night travelling; for, in addition to
our drawing beyond measure upon our bodily strength, we must be
losers spiritually. The next thing I would advise with reference to
travelling is, with all ones might to seek morning by morning,
before setting out, to take time for meditation and prayer, and
reading the word of God; for although we are always exposed to
temptation, yet we are so especially in travelling. Travelling is one
of the devils especial opportunities for tempting us. Think of that,
dear fellow believers. Seek always to ascertain carefully the mind of
God, before you begin any thing; but do so in particular before you
go a journey, so that you may be quite sure that it is the will of
God that you should undertake that journey, lest you should
needlessly expose yourself to one of the special opportunities of the
devil to ensnare you. So far from envying those who have a carriage
and horses at their command, or an abundance of means, so that they
are not hindered from travelling for want of means, let us, who are
not thus situated, rather thank God that in this particular we are
not exposed to the temptation of needing to be less careful in
ascertaining the will of God, before we set out on a journey.
Stuttgart, Aug. 30, 1843.
My dear L--,
My last letter I finished on the 20th, and posted it on the 21st at
Weinheim. On. Monday morning, Aug. 21, I saw a pious clergyman at
Weinheim, a true brother, and a nice man. But we came, without my
seeking it, upon the subject of separation from the state church, for
which I could not be sorry, as I had an opportunity of stating truth
to him which it may please the Lord to use hereafter. Mrs. ---- gave us
a rich silk dress, quite new, and a few silver articles for the
Orphans. So even here the Lord makes it manifest that He is mindful
of this work. About one oclock in the afternoon we left Weinheim. At
Heidelberg, about ten miles from there, a person came into the mail
in which Mary and I were, whom I found out in a few moments to be a
brother; and a few minutes afterwards the widow of a much tried pious
clergyman, who herself also loves the Lord Jesus, seated herself
likewise. We had now, from three oclock till about half-past nine in
the evening, when we arrived at Heilbronn, a most pleasant and
profitable time, being all four believers. I told this brother much
about England, and also about the Orphans, and on separating from him
he gave me a gold coin, about seventeen shillings in value, for the
Orphans. It was indeed a most precious gift to me, and a fresh proof
in what a variety of ways the Lord is able to send help. We remained
the night at Heilbronn, that we might not have to travel the night,
left the next morning at eleven oclock, and reached the apartments
of our sister G. about eight in the evening on Aug. 22. We were
received in the most affectionate way, and she has done every thing
to make us comfortable; but the very great heat and the change of
living have hitherto drawn upon both of us. I think, that, with the
Lords blessing, we shall be better after a few days. Indeed I have
been rather better yesterday and today. On the same evening of our
arrival here I went to the post-office and found your first letter,
and last Monday morning I received your second also. The next
afternoon, Wednesday, Aug. 23, I went to Brother Dr. B., with whom I
spent about two hours; and in the evening from half-past eight till
ten oclock I met the four elders of the Baptist Church at his house.
The next evening from half-past eight to ten was a meeting of the
little church, which consists of about 50 brethren and sisters, of
whom almost all were present. I stated the object of my coming to
Germany, in so far as it was wise to do so, and also a little about
the church in Bristol. The next evening, Aug. 25th, I expounded the
scriptures from half-past eight to ten oclock. All the meetings are
in the evenings from half-past eight to ten, so that we generally
come home at half-past ten, and go to bed about half-past eleven.
Persons have their supper before they go to the meetings. On Saturday
evening we had again a meeting, at which I began to give an account
of the Lords dealings with me, from the beginning, as being the best
means of leading me to speak about many important truths. It was
desired that I should expound the scriptures at all their usual
meetings, i.e. twice on the Lords days, and twice in the week; and,
on all the other evenings, there should be extra meetings, at which I
should give an account of the Lords dealings with me. On the Lords
day therefore I expounded twice with much help, feeling scarcely any
difficulty with reference to the German language, though I have not
before preached in it for fourteen years and a half. On Monday, Aug.
28th, I went on again with my Narrative, and last night I expounded
again with much help. But now, as the truth is beginning to be
spoken, the devil will also begin to seek to work. But the Lord Jesus
will triumph. There is a great crisis before us. Several have been
already attracted by the preciousness of the truth, and others
already wish I had never come to Stuttgart. They are not asleep over
what I say, and that gives me pleasure. I fear it will come in a very
few days to a storm, except the Lord prevent. Nor am I quite sure
whether the police will allow me quietly to work here, when it gets
known what I am doing, as the liberty is not so great as I had
thought. But it would have been worth while to have come here, only
to have spoken these few times. There is now here on a visit to us an
English sister, Mrs. F.
Your affectionate brother,
GEORGE MÜLLER.
Immediately on my arrival at Stuttgart, yea, the very first hour that
I was there, so heavy a trial of faith came upon me, that it was one
of the sharpest trials which I ever have had. The cause of it I am
not at liberty to mention. But so much as this, it was in connexion
with my going to Stuttgart, and, humanly speaking, the thing would
not have occurred, had I not gone thither. The trial was of a double
character; for it was not only the thing itself, great as the trial
of my faith was on that account; but it was as though the question
were put to me in the strongest way:--Are you willing to make
sacrifices in connexion with your service here? And do you really
lean upon me, the living God, in your service here? But thanks to the
Lord, Satan did not prevail. My heart was enabled to say almost
immediately:--"All things work together for good to them that love
God." I know this also does work together for my good. I know it is
the very best thing for me.--Thus peace was almost immediately
restored to me, and I was enabled to leave the matter quietly in the
hands of the Lord. Nor was it many days before I could say from my
inmost soul, if even then I could have had it in my power to alter
the thing, which occasioned the great trial, and the consequences of
which were then still remaining, and were remaining all the time
while I was in Germany, yet I would not have wished it to be altered.
And since my return to England I have again and again had reason to
admire the goodness of the Lord in having allowed this thing to be as
it was, for it proved in the end in every way good to me. May the
believing reader leave himself more and more unreservedly in the
hands of the Lord, and he will find it to be just as the writer has
found it, i. e. that our greatest trials often turn out to be our
greatest blessings.--Had I gone, however, in my own strength to
Stuttgart, and had I not been led to treasure up so many petitions in
heaven before I went, I should, in all human probability, have been
quite overcome by this very first trial.
This was not the only trial which befel me there, but they were so
many, so great, and so long continued, that I required every particle
of experience, wisdom, and grace, humanly speaking, which the Lord
had been pleased to intrust me with. I could not but again and again
admire the wisdom of the Lord in having sent me only in the year 1843
to Germany, and not several years before, as I often had been advised
to go long before I did. For had I gone without having the experience
which I had gathered in my service among the saints during the 13 1/2
years previously, and without having had my soul exercised before God
in trials of patience, and hope, and faith, as it has been since
November 1830, humanly speaking, I should have been overwhelmed. But,
as it was, my soul, through grace, having learned to deal with God
about every thing, I was sustained by casting all my care upon Him,
and looking to Him for help, and expecting help from Him, though
every thing looked dark in every way. And thus it came, that all the
difficulties were overcome one after another. But more about this
when I come to relate some of the peculiar difficulties in connexion
with my service at Stuttgart.
I also mention here, that during the eight years previous to my going
to Germany to labour there, it had been laid on my heart, and on the
hearts of some other brethren among us, to ask the Lord that He would
be pleased to honour us, as a body of believers, by calling forth
from our midst brethren, for carrying the truth into foreign lands.
But this prayer seemed to remain unanswered. Now, however, the time
was come when the Lord was about to answer it, and I, on whose heart
particularly this matter had been laid, was to be the first to carry
forth the truth from among us. About that very time the Lord called
our dear brother and sister Barrington from among us, to go to
Demerara, to labour there in connexion with our esteemed brother
Strong, and our dear brother and sister Espenett, to go to
Switzerland. Both these dear brethren and sisters left very shortly
after I had gone to Germany. But this was not all Our much valued
brother Mordal, who had commended himself to the saints by his
unwearied faithful service among us for twelve years, had from Aug.
31, 1843, (the day on which brothers Strong and Barrington sailed
from Bristol for Demerara), his mind likewise exercised about service
there, and went out from among us eleven months after. He, together
with myself, had had it particularly laid upon his heart, during the
eight years previously, to ask the Lord again and again to call
labourers from among us for foreign service. Of all persons he, the
father of a large family, and about 50 years of age, seemed the least
likely to be called to that work; but God did call him. He went,
laboured a little while in Demerara, and then, on January 9, 1845,
the Lord took him to his rest.--When we ask God for a thing, such as
that He would be pleased to raise up labourers for His harvest, or
send means for the carrying on of His work, the honest question to be
put to our hearts should be this: Am I willing to go, if He should
call me I Am I willing to give according to my ability? For we may be
the very persons whom the Lord will call for the work, or whose means
He may wish to employ.
The Reader will notice, in the preceding letter, that all the
meetings in the evening were very late. The time of the meetings was
one of the many difficulties with which I had to contend; for if the
times had been on purpose ill chosen, they could scarcely have been
worse. On the Lords day mornings the meetings were at nine; thus the
mothers of families either could not come at all, or had to hurry
through their work, and come without having had any time to
themselves. On the Lords day afternoons they were at two, when the
heat of the sun in the summer, which is most oppressive, and the
effect of the dinner, both combined together to make the persons
sleepy, so that individuals not more than half a yard from me, though
interested about what was going on, were sometimes fast asleep. In
the evenings the meetings commenced at half-past eight, when persons
were not only worn out from working nearly up to that time, but also,
in general, had just had a heavy supper, which was sure to make them
sleepy, thought they might be never so desirous to listen. But, by
the grace of God, none of these things moved me. I knew the Lord had
sent me to these dear saints, and that, therefore, by His help, I
could overcome all these difficulties. And these difficulties were
overcome; for after a little while I was able to show to the dear
brethren and sisters that the Lords day morning meeting was too
early, and we had it half an hour later. The Lords day afternoon
meeting at two oclock was entirely given up, on account of its being
an unseasonable time, and it being better to have only two meetings
instead of three, as almost every one could attend two meetings,
which was quite enough for one day, and gave some time for parents to
be with their children, or gave some more time than usual for reading
the Scriptures, a point at which I aimed from the beginning. For when
I came to Stuttgart, I found it just as I have found it in some
places in England on my first beginning to labour there, even that
the dear brethren and sisters had little relish for the word of God,
and as a proof of this never referred to it at the meetings; but,
before I left Stuttgart, I had the joy of seeing either all, or
almost all, having the word of God open before them whilst I was
expounding it.--Instead of the afternoon meeting at two, we met at
four oclock, when the oppression of the heat in the summer is not so
great as at two, whereby also the lateness of the evening meeting was
avoided on the Lords days. Also on the week evenings we had the
meetings half an hour sooner, that is at 8 oclock instead of
half-past 8, and I affectionately advised the dear saints to take a
very light supper on those evenings when we met, that blessing might
not be hindered. Earlier than eight on the week evenings, and later
than half-past nine on the Lords day mornings, we could not have the
meetings, on account of the habits of the country. It can scarcely be
perceived by brethren in England how great the difficulties are, with
which brethren have to contend in many foreign countries in seeking
to spread the truth, not only on account of the climate, or the
police, etc., but also on account of the habits of the people; so
that I would affectionately beseech all, who take a hearty interest
in the spread of the truth, to help by their prayers all who labour
in the word and doctrine in foreign lands, so that through the power
of the Holy Ghost they may be enabled to overcome all those
hinderances.