A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 5

I began the service of caring for children who are bereaved of both parents, by death, born in wedlock, and are in dest.i.tute circ.u.mstances, on Dec. 9, 1835. For nearly ten years I never had any desire to build an Orphan-House. On the contrary, I decidedly preferred spending the means, which might come in, for present necessities, and desired rather to enlarge the work according to the means which the Lord might be pleased to give. Thus it was till the end of October, 1845, when I was led to consider this matter in a way I had never done before. The occasion of my doing so was this: On Oct. 30, 1845, I received from a gentleman, who lived in the street, where the 4 Orphan-Houses were, a polite and friendly letter, in which he courteously stated to me that the inhabitants in the adjoining houses were in various ways inconvenienced by the Orphan-Houses being in Wilson Street. He left to myself the judgment of the case.

This letter I received on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 1845. Being very much occupied that week, I had scarcely any time to consider time matter. On Monday morning, however, Nov. 3, I set apart some hours for the prayerful consideration of the subject, and after I had besought the Lord to guide me to a right decision, I wrote down the reasons which appeared to me to make it desirable that the Orphans should be removed from Wilson Street, and also the reasons against removing. As far as they are suitable for being stated in print, they were those:

I. Reasons for removing from Wilson Street.

1. The neighbours feel themselves inconvenienced by the noise of the children in the play-hours. This complaint is neither without foundation, nor unjust; for many persons are very much inconvenienced by the noise of children, and those living close by the Orphan-Houses must be so during the play-hours, even though the noise be only of that kind, that one could not at all find fault with the dear children on account of it. I should myself feel it trying to my head to live next door to the Orphan-Houses, on that account I therefore ought to do to others, as I should wish to be done by. This point had never before appeared to me in so serious a light.

2 The greatness of the number of the inmates in the houses has several times prevented the drains from acting properly, and thus has a few times affected the water in one or two of the neighbours' houses. With reference to these two reasons, as it regards those living near the Orphan-Houses, these words, "Let not your good be evil spoken of," Rom.

xiv. 16, and "Let your moderation (i.e. yieldingness) be known unto all men," Philip iv. 5, seemed to me two important portions of the word of G.o.d to be acted out in this matter.

But in addition to the reasons for removing the Orphans from Wilson Street, on account of the unavoidable occasional inconvenience that comes upon the neighbours, there appeared now to me, when once I was led to consider seriously the reasons for removing the Inst.i.tution from Wilson Street, other reasons for doing so, in connexion with the work itself, which had occurred to me before, but never in so strong a light as now, when the subject was brought more immediately before me by the letter, in which I was politely requested to remove the Orphans from Wilson Street. These reasons are:

1. We have no proper play-grounds in Wilson Street. There is one play-ground, which, however, is only large enough for the children of one house at a time; but as there are children in four houses who ought to have the benefit of it, we can not arrange so that all the children have the full benefit of that play-ground, as the meals, the school-hours, the weather, and other hinderances interfere. The dear Orphans ought, I know, to be trained in habits of industry, but children are children, and need to be treated as such; and they should, on account of their health, have the full benefit of a play-ground. But this they cannot have in Wilson Street: and to take them out into the fields for the benefit of bodily exercise, as we have been in the habit of doing, is often very inconvenient.

2. We have no ground for cultivation, near the Orphan-Houses, and hence there must be more walking for the children, on account of using proper means for keeping them, with the blessing of G.o.d in health, than is, in other respects, good for them; because frequent walks easily beget in children habits of idleness, which would be especially felt when boys are apprenticed. But this difficulty cannot be obviated by remaining in Wilson Street, and renting a piece of land somewhere else for cultivation; for to get the children ready and conduct them to the piece of ground, not only takes a good deal of time, but is connected with other great inconveniences, yea with insurmountable difficulties, so that we found it needful to give up a small piece of ground which we once rented for about two years for the Orphan-Boys, at a distance of about half a mile from Wilson Street. Thus, by removing from Wilson Street, and obtaining premises surrounded by land for cultivation, we should be able to procure a most important moral benefit for the children, by having the opportunity more fully than we now have, of training them in habits of industry, besides giving to the boys occupation which is more suitable for them than knitting, which is now the only employment they have, besides making their beds, cleaning the house, and attending to the cooking of their meals. Moreover, this would be occupation in the open air, which not only would bring their limbs into exercise, but also make walking, for the sake of health, almost entirely needless.

3. If we were to remove from Wilson Street, and obtain premises in the country, we might have all the was.h.i.+ng done at home, which now, for want of room, can be only done in part. Thus the girls also would have more laborious work at home, a point of great importance for them, so that they would not feel so much the hards.h.i.+ps connected with going out to service.

4. The situation of Wilson Street is perhaps scarcely bracing enough for strengthening the const.i.tution of the Orphans, most of whom, being the offspring of very diseased parents, require a very invigorating place of abode.

5. The present situation is certainly not desirable for the teachers, especially as, when their hours of work are over, they have no garden or fields close to the house, immediately to go into for a little refreshment of body; and for some of them it is too far to go to fields, where they might have bracing air.

6. In times of sickness we are too confined in the houses in Wilson Street. If there were less than 30 children in each house, the average expenses for each child would be too great, it being desirable, as the arrangements are now, that there should not be less than 3 labourers in each house; and yet, if there are 30 children in each house, we are too lull in time of sickness, as we have not a single spare room in any of the houses. Now, though the Lord has during all these years most mercifully helped us through such seasons, yet it has not been without inconvenience, and without also, perhaps, having more of the children in one room, at such times, than on account of health is desirable.

7. Even ordinarily, when there is no sickness, it would be desirable to have more room.

There are no premises to be had in Bristol, or in the immediate neighbourhood, where we could have these advantages; for I have been looking about in all directions for this purpose during the last ten years. But suppose there were a large house to be had in one part of the city, and a second a mile off, and a third and a fourth in other directions, such houses, on account of our peculiar position in the work, would not do. For in seasons of need, the distance of the several houses would render it very inconvenient for the labourers to meet together for prayer, to divide the means that may be in hand, etc.

Besides, when in seasons of other peculiar difficulties, connected with the work, I wished to meet all my fellow-labourers, there would arise great difficulty by their being divided in different parts of the city.

It would also thus be very inconvenient to persons, who wish to see the work, to go from place to place, in order to have a view of all the Orphan-Houses. But this is not all. The more I have considered the matter, the more am I now persuaded, that no ordinary large houses, built for private families, and therefore only calculated to accommodate 10 or 15 persons, at most, for any length of time in them, will do for charitable inst.i.tutions of any considerable size, as no ordinary house furnishes the proper advantages of ventilation, a point so needful for the health of the inmates in a charitable inst.i.tution. There seemed to me, therefore to remain nothing but to build premises for the purpose.

II. Reasons for Remaining in Wilson Street.

1. G.o.d hitherto has pointed out the spot most plainly. At the commencement of the work, in 1835, no other house was to be had but No.

6, Wilson Street. After-wards, when in 1830 the Infant Orphan-House was on the point of being opened, again I was looking about in all directions, and saw many houses, but found none that was suitable, till all at once, most unlooked for, the occupiers of No. 1, Wilson Street were desirous of immediately leaving that house, and I was able thus to rent it. When in 1837 I was on the point of opening the Boys'

Orphan-House, I looked about again for a house in all directions; for I knew not at that time, what I have since learned by experience, that it was so important that all the houses should be near together. After seeking long in vain, I at last found a very large house, not far from Wilson Street, which I rented; but when the occupiers of the houses in the neighbourhood heard that that house had been let for a charitable inst.i.tution, they threatened the owner with an action, which led him to request me to give up the agreement, which, of course, I did immediately. At last, most unexpectedly, after having looked about in vain in all directions, the occupiers of No 3 Wilson Street offered it to me, and I rented it for the Orphan Boys. Lastly, in the year 1843, when I was led to see it to be the will of G.o.d to go forward in this work, and to establish time Girls' Orphan-House, No. II, for older girls, one particular feature in the matter was, that the house No. 4, in Wilson Street, bad been offered to me without being sought after, when there had not been for about 6 years one single large house to be let in that street.

[But though hitherto G.o.d has pointed out Wilson Street as being the spot where this work should be carried on, may not now the time have come for removing?]

2. Perhaps we might also rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7, in Wilson Street, and use two out of those three houses for Orphan-Houses, and one of them for an infirmary in case of sickness.

[But then, I said to myself, would not the objection, which the neighbours on the opposite side of the street might make, on account of the noise of the children in their play-hours, etc. remain? Also the drains would be still more unsuitable, not being constructed for so many inmates; and to alter them would be a heavy expense. The play-ground would be still less sufficient, if two new houses were added. Lastly, there was no reason to think that we could rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7.]

3. There are these three great objections against building: The considerable sum which is required, and which could be spent for present use upon the Orphans. The pilgrim character of the Christian seems lost in building. The time that it will necessarily take in making arrangements for it.

[Do not all these objections only hold good, I said to myself, if I were needlessly to set about building? If I could rent premises, which are really in every way suitable for the work, and I preferred building, then those objections would apply to the case; but when one is forced to it, it is no more than erecting a large building, because there may be 800 children of G.o.d in fellows.h.i.+p who have been hitherto renting a meeting-place, but for certain reasons are obliged to leave it, and cannot rent another. Such could not be accused of needlessly spending money in building instead of renting; nor could it be justly said that they have on that account given up the pilgrim character; nor would it be time wasted if some individuals were to make arrangements about the building of that meeting-place. Therefore these three objections just mentioned, which had been for ten years strongly in my own mind, were removed when once I saw plainly that nothing remained but to build.]

After I had spent a few hours in prayer and consideration over the subject, I began already to see that the Lord would lead me to build, and that His intentions were not only the benefit of the Orphans, and the better ordering of the whole work, but also the bearing still further testimony that He could and would provide large sums for those who need them and trust in Him for them; and besides, that He would enlarge the work so, that, if I once did build a house, it might be large enough to accommodate three hundred Orphans, with their teachers and other overseers and servants needful for the work.--Concerning this latter point, I think it important to remark, that during no period had the number of applications for the admission of Orphans been greater than just before I was led to think about building, so that it was quite painful to me, not to be able to comply with the wishes of all the many persons who applied for the admission of Orphans. There were many waiting for admission, particularly Orphan-Boys.

In the afternoon of November 3rd, 1845, I laid the matter before my fellow-labourers in the Church (eight in number) to get their judgment, whether I ought not to leave Wilson Street, and to build. All judged that I ought to leave Wilson Street, and none saw reasons against building.

On Nov. 4th my dear wife and I began to meet for prayer about this matter, and purposed to do so morning by morning. We asked G.o.d for clearer light concerning the particular points connected with the subject; and, being a.s.sured that it was His will that I should build, I began asking the Lord for means.

On Nov. 7th I judged, having considered the matter more fully, that sufficiently large premises to furnish all needful accommodation for 300 children (from their earliest days up to 15 or 10 years old), together with a sufficiently large piece of ground in the neighbourhood of Bristol, for building the premises upon and the remainder for cultivation by the spade, would cost at least Ten Thousand Pounds. I was not discouraged by this, but trusted in the living G.o.d.

We continued meeting for prayer morning by morning for 15 days, but not a single donation came in; yet my heart was not discouraged. The more I prayed the more a.s.sured I was, that the Lord would give the means. Yea, as fully a.s.sured was I that the Lord would do so, as if I bad already seen the new premises actually before me. This a.s.surance arose not from some vague, enthusiastical feeling, the mere excitement of the moment, but I, from the reasons already related, and especially from the commandment contained in Philip iv. 5. For I saw that I should not act according to the mind of our Lord Jesus, if I did not, as soon as I could, remove the Orphans from Wilson Street, as it had been stated to me in the letter referred to, that their living there was an annoyance to some of the inhabitants in that street. 2. This a.s.surance that I should build an Orphan-House arose further, from the whole way in which the Lord has been pleased to lead me in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, since its beginning on March 5, 1834, i.e. He has been leading me forward as by an unseen hand, and enlarging the work more and more from its commencement, and, generally, without my seeking after it, and bringing things so clearly before me, that I could not but see that I ought to go forward. 3. Lastly and chiefly, this my a.s.surance, that I should build unto the Lord this House of Mercy, arose also particularly from this, that, having strictly examined my heart as to the motives for doing so, I found that, as before. G.o.d, I could say that my only motives were His honour and glory and the welfare of the Church of Christ at large, the real temporal and spiritual welfare of dest.i.tute Orphans, and the welfare of all those who might take care of them, in the building to be erected. And finding that, after praying again and again about the matter, I still remained in perfect peace, I judged it a.s.suredly to be the will of G.o.d that I should go forward.

On Nov. 15th brother R. C. arrived, to labour for a little while in Bristol, I communicated to him my position with reference to having to remove the Orphans from Wilson Street, and I had his judgment also as to its being of G.o.d that I should build. This dear brother's judgment greatly encouraged me. His visit was to me of great help in this particular, especially in stirring me up yet more, to bring everything, in connexion with this matter, before G.o.d. He also laid it on my heart to seek direction from G.o.d with reference to the plan of the building.

He said "You must ask help from G.o.d to show you the plan, so that all may be according to the mind of G.o.d."

On Nov. 19th I left with my brother and fellow-labourer, Mr. Craik, for Sunderland, where we arrived on Nov. 20. Here we laboured till Dec. 4, when I left alone for Kendal, to labour there for a few days. All the time that I was at Sunderland, I had very much prayer about the building of the Orphan-House, and I felt all the time fully a.s.sured, that G.o.d would bring the matter to pa.s.s. But thirty days had now pa.s.sed away, whilst I had been day by day waiting upon G.o.d for means for this work, and not a single penny had been given to me. Nevertheless, this did not in the least discourage me, but my a.s.surance, that G.o.d in His own time and in His own way would give the means, increased more and more. While I was at Sunderland the portion which came in course of my meditation, on the New Testament, was the beginning of the epistle of James. More than at any period in my life was I struck with these verses: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (i.e.

trials) knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James i. 2?4. It was especially the last verse, "But let patience have her perfect work, etc." which I found of exceeding great importance with reference to the building of the Orphan-House. It led out my soul in prayer day after day, to ask the Lord to increase my faith and to sustain my patience. I had these verses so impressed upon my heart, that I could not but think G.o.d meant particularly to bless me by them, with regard to the work before me, and that I should especially need patience as well as faith, I stayed at Kendal from the evening of Dec. 4 to Dec. 8, when I left for Bristol, where I arrived on Dec. 9th. It was now 35 days that I had been day by day bringing this matter before G.o.d, as to the various points connected with it, and especially also asking the Lord for means; but nothing whatever had been given to me. On the day after my return I renewed our united prayer meeting with my dear wife. Now observe: on the 36th day, after having begun to pray, on Dec. 10, 1845, I received 1000l. towards the building of the Orphan-House. This is the largest donation that I had received up to that time for the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution; but when I received it I was as calm, as quiet, as if I had only received one s.h.i.+lling. For my heart was looking out for answers. Day by day I was expecting to receive answers to my prayers.

Therefore, having faith concerning the matter, this donation did not in the least surprise me. Yea, if Five Thousand Pounds, or Ten Thousand Pounds, had been given to me, instead of One Thousand Pounds, it would not have surprised me.

Dec. 13. On the 39th day my sister-in-law, who had been for some weeks absent in London, and who had now returned to Bristol, told me that she had met a gentleman in London, who, having quite recently read with deep interest the Narrative of the Lord's dealings with me, wished to know as many particulars about the work in my hands as he could. Being told by my sister-in-law that I purposed to build an Orphan-House, he, an architect, offered to make the plan, and superintend the building, gratuitously. Unsolicited he pressed this matter upon her with deep and lively interest. I hear also that he is a Christian. The fact, that this offer comes unsolicited and from a Christian architect, shows especially the hand of G.o.d. This is the second proof that G.o.d will help me in this matter.

Dec. 23. This is now the 50th day since I have come to the conclusion to build, and the 49th day since we have been daily waiting upon G.o.d for help. Nothing more has come in since Dec. 10th, not even one penny. This morning I have been particularly encouraged by the consideration that the Lord has sent me the 1000l. and the promise from that pious architect, whom I have never seen, and of whose name I am as yet in ignorance, not to mock me, but as an earnest that He will give all that is needed.

It seems desirable that we should have a large piece of ground of at least six or seven acres. This piece of ground must be in the vicinity of Bristol. 1. In order that the Orphan-House may be accessible to me, as my place at present is fixed by my other work in Bristol. 2. That the labourers in the Inst.i.tution and the Orphans may be able to attend our meetings, at least on the Lord's day. 3. That the inhabitants of Bristol may have the benefit of seeing with their own eyes this work of G.o.d, which is so manifestly His and not mine. 4. That strangers, who pa.s.s through Bristol, may have an easy access to it, for the same reason. But then, such a piece of ground, near Bristol, where there is just now an inordinate desire for building, in the way of speculation, would cost in all human probability between 2000l. and 3000l. Then the building itself, however plain, would not cost less than from 6000l. to 8000l., being for 300 Orphans, besides all their overseers, teachers, and a.s.sistants. In addition to this, the fitting up and furnis.h.i.+ng the house for between 300 and 400 inmates, would not cost less than 1500l.

more. This is indeed a large sum of money which I need; but my hope is in G.o.d. I have not sought after this thing. It has not begun with me.

G.o.d has altogether unexpectedly, by means of the letter before mentioned, led me to it. Only the day before I received the letter, I had no more thought about building premises for the accommodation of the Orphans, than I had had during the ten previous years.--My especial prayer is, that G.o.d would continue to me faith and patience. If He shall be pleased to help me, in faith and patience to continue to wait on Him, help will surely come.

Dec. 24. No further donation yet. But my hope in G.o.d is unshaken. He most a.s.suredly will help.--I have on purpose not issued any circular in connexion with this matter, in order that the band of G.o.d may be the more manifest. To some persons, residing in or out of Bristol, I have spoken about my intention of building, when conversation led to it.

Through this, if the Lord please, He can make it known to others, and thus send means for the Building Fund. Or He can send in such an abundance of means for the work which is already in existence, that from that abundance there may be a rich surplus towards the Building Fund.

But howsoever G.o.d may help, I do desire to see His hand made most manifest. There will be, no doubt, many trials connected with this enlargement of the field of labour (for if with 130 Orphans there has been so much trial of faith, what is to be expected when the number is 300); and therefore I desire to see as clearly as daylight that G.o.d Himself is leading me onward.

Dec.29. This is the 56th day since I came to the conclusion to build, and the 55th since I have been day by day waiting upon G.o.d concerning it. Only that one donation had come in till this evening, when I received 50l. This donation is exceedingly precious to me, not only because I am sure it is most cheerfully given, nor even because of its largeness, but because it is another precious proof that G.o.d will bring about the matter, else He would not give me these earnest. All my business therefore is: to continue in faith and patience to wait upon G.o.d. My a.s.surance has been more and more increasing that G.o.d will build for Himself a large Orphan-House in this city, to show to the inhabitants, and to all who may read and hear about it, what a blessed thing it is to trust in Him.--Of late I have seen, by G.o.d's grace, more and more, how entirely unworthy I am of being used by G.o.d for this glorious and honourable service, and I can only say, "Lord here is thy servant, if thou art pleased to use such a one as I am."

Dec. 30, 1845. This morning I came, in course of my reading, to the commencement of the book of Ezra. I was particularly refreshed by the two following points contained in the first chapter, in applying them to the building of the Orphan-House: 1. Cyrus, an idolatrous king, was used by G.o.d to provide the means for building the temple at Jerusalem: how easy therefore for G.o.d to provide Ten Thousand Pounds for the Orphan-House, or even Twenty or Thirty Thousand Pounds, if needed. 2.

The people were stirred up by G.o.d to help those who went up to Jerusalem. Thus it is a small matter for Him to put it into the hearts of His children to help me, in desiring to build this house of mercy unto His name.?This meditation I had before breakfast. After family prayer in the morning I had again my usual season for prayer about the building, and at this time it was particularly coupled with thanksgiving for the 50l. received last evening, and with entreating blessings on the donor. I was now looking out for more, as I am doing day by day, when this afternoon I received from a person at Clevedon 2s. 6d., from her grandson 6d., and from the sister in the Lord, who brought the money, the change, which she did not wish back, being another 6d. These donations, though small, are nevertheless very precious to me, as I take them as further proofs out of the hands of G.o.d, that He will most a.s.suredly bring this thing to pa.s.s. This evening I received One Thousand Pounds towards the Building Fund. When I received this donation, I was as calm, yea as perfectly calm, as if I had received a single penny, because, by G.o.d's grace, I have faith in Him, and therefore am looking for answers to my prayers, and am sure that G.o.d will give every s.h.i.+lling that is needed.

January 2, 1846. This evening I received from Bideford 11s, towards the Building Fund.

Jan. 3. One of the Orphans gave 6d.

Jan. 6. Received a little bag made of foreign seed, and a sh.e.l.l-flower, to be sold for the Building Fund. The sister who sent these articles wrote to me, that the moment she heard of my intention of building an Orphan-House, this text was before her mind: "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain."--Zech. iv. 7.

Also one of the Orphans sent 4d.

Having asked the Lord to go before me, I went out today to look for a piece of ground. The armory which is to be sold had been several times mentioned to me, as a suitable place. I did not think so, yet thought I ought at least to look at it. Having seen it and been confirmed in my judgment about its unsuitableness, I asked the Lord whether I should turn towards the city or towards Stapleton. I felt led to go towards the city, and saw immediately after some fields near the armory. After having made inquiry to whom they belonged, I have been led to write this evening to the owner of them, asking him whether he is disposed to sell them, &c. I am now quietly waiting the Lord's pleasure. If His time is come to answer our requests as to a suitable piece of land, I shall be glad; if it is not yet come, I desire that "patience may have her perfect work, being perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Jan. 8. This evening I received a reply to my letter. The owner of those fields writes, that, if he did sell them, it would be only for building land, and therefore they will be too dear.

Jan 9. Went this morning once more to see those fields, which seem very suitable. Met there Mr. L., a land agent, who told me that they would be nearly a Thousand Pounds per acre, and therefore too dear. I asked Mr.

L. to inform me if he should hear of any suitable land for sale.

Jan. 10. One of the Orphans having received half-a-crown from a cousin, gave 1s. 6d. of it towards building the Orphan-House; a sister in the Lord also gave me 3s., a ring, a pair of gold earrings, and a gold brooch.

Jan. 11. Today I received from a gentleman of Liverpool, who has been staying at Clifton, 5l, and from the sister, through whom this donation was conveyed to me, I received 1l. more towards the Building-Fund.

Jan. 12. Received a case with ladies' working instruments, to be sold for the Building Fund. Two of the Infant Orphans also gave 6d. and 4d.