A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 21

Nov. 9. Today the Lord has helped still more abundantly. I have received a donation of One Thousand Pounds, to be used for the Building Fund and the present necessities of the work generally, as the various objects of the Inst.i.tution might require. Of this donation I took, therefore, 600l.

for the Building Fund, 100l. for the present necessities of the Orphans, 200l. for missionary purposes, and 100l. for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for the various Day Schools, the Sunday School, and the Adult School of the Inst.i.tution. All these manifestations of the Lord's abundant help do not in the least surprise me. I expect help from Him. I know that He listens to my supplications, and that, for the sake of the Lord Jesus, He is willing to help me yet more and more, to the confounding of Satan and to the putting to shame of unbelief.

Nov. 10. Received a bank order for 5l. from the neighbourhood of Tavistock, which, being left to my disposal, I took for the Building Fund.

Nov. 15. From the neighbourhood of Launceston 20l.

Dec. 22. Received 100l. This sum being left to my disposal, I took it for the Building Fund.

Jan. 2, 1849. Received from Devons.h.i.+re 10l., with these words: "A moiety of the first fruits of interest on Bristol Dock Shares from the Town Council of Bristol, towards the New Orphan Building." Thus even the fact, of Bristol being made a free port, was used by the Lord as a means to supply me with this sum.

Jan. 17. The time is now drawing near, when further steps are to be taken to fit up and furnish the house, as more than two-thirds of the rooms are all but ready. Under these circ.u.mstances I have prayed the more earnestly, day by day, that the Lord would be pleased to give me the means which are yet needed; and as my heart has been a.s.sured from the beginning, and all through these three years and two months, since I first began to pray about this subject, that G.o.d would in every way help me in this work, so I have also been particularly satisfied that He would be pleased to provide the means which may be required to meet all the heavy expenses, which yet remain to be met. Now, today I have had again a precious answer to my daily supplications with reference to this work; for I received this evening 600l., concerning which it was desired that brother Craik and myself should each take 50l. for ourselves; the remaining 500l. was left entirely to my disposal; yet an especial reference was made to the heavy expenses connected with fitting up and furnis.h.i.+ng the New Orphan-House, towards which I might, either in part, or entirely take this sum.--After prayer I have decided on portioning out the money thus: 300l. towards fitting up and furnis.h.i.+ng the New Orphan-House, 50l. for present use for the Orphans, 50l. for the support of the Day Schools, the Sunday School, and the Adult School, 25l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 25l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, 25l. for Foreign Missions, and 25l. for the Employment Fund.

With reference to the present of 50l. for myself, as mentioned just now, I cannot help calling upon the Christian reader to observe how richly the Lord supplies my own personal necessities. Since 1830 I have had no regular salary nor any stated income whatever I then began to rely upon the living G.o.d alone for the supply of all my temporal necessities; and all these many years have never once been allowed to regret this step, nor has the Lord at any time failed me. Often, indeed, I have known what it is to be poor; but for the most part I have abounded. I sought no payment from man for my service for G.o.d, whether in the ministry of the Word or as director of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution; but though I did not seek for any payment, the Lord has most abundantly recompensed me, even as to this life. By far the most important point, however, of this my way of living, is, that many of the disciples of the Lord Jesus have had their hearts comforted, and have been encouraged themselves to trust more in G.o.d, than they used to do; and it was, moreover, my becoming more experimentally acquainted, through this way of living, with the readiness of G.o.d to help, to succour, to relieve, and to answer prayer, which led me in March 1834 to begin the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution, and in November 1835 to care about dest.i.tute Orphans.

Jan. 26. Anonymously from the neighbourhood of Nottingham "A gold chain."

Jan. 30. From a professional gentleman in Bristol 50l.

Feb. 12. The New Orphan-House is now almost entirely finished. In six weeks, with the help of G.o.d, all will be completed. On this account I have been during the last fortnight much occupied in making the necessary arrangements for fitting it up and furnis.h.i.+ng it; but the more. I have been occupied about this, the more I have seen how large a sum the whole of the fittings and the furniture will require; and this consideration has led me still more earnestly of late to entreat the Lord, that He would be pleased to give me the means, which may yet be needed for the completion of the whole. Under these circ.u.mstances a brother in the Lord came to me this morning, and after a few minutes conversation gave me Two Thousand Pounds, concerning which sum he kindly gave me permission to use it for the fitting up and furnis.h.i.+ng of the New Orphan-House, or for any thing else needed in connexion with the Orphans. I have placed the whole of this sum, at least for the present, to the Building Fund. Now, dear reader, place yourself in my position.

Eleven hundred and ninety-five days it is since I began asking the Lord for means for the building and fitting up of an Orphan-House. Day by day have I, by His grace, since that time, continued to bring this matter before Him. Without one moment's doubt, or misgiving, or wavering, have I been enabled to trust in G.o.d for the means. From the beginning, after I had once ascertained the will of G.o.d concerning this work, have I been a.s.sured that He would bring it about; yea, as sure have I been from the beginning that He would do so, as if I had already had all the means in hand for it, or as if the house had been actually before me, occupied by the children. But though to faith even three years ago the whole work was accomplished, to sight there remained many and great difficulties to be overcome. Even at the commencement of this day there remained many difficulties, in the way of means, as well as in other respects; therefore. I was on the point of giving myself again especially to prayer, at the very moment when I was informed that the donor of the above mentioned Two Thousand Pounds had called to see me.

Now I have the means, as far as I can see, which will enable me to meet all the expenses; and in all probability I shall have even several hundred pounds more than are needed. Thus the Lord shows that He can and will not only give as much as is absolutely needed for His work, but also that He can and will give abundantly. It is impossible to describe the real joy I had in G.o.d, when I received this sum. I was calm, not in the least excited, able to go on immediately with other work that came upon me at once after I had received the donation; but inexpressible was the delight which I had in G.o.d, who had thus given me the full answer to my thousands of prayers, during these eleven hundred and ninety-five days. I notice further concerning this donation: 1, The donor especially desired me to keep his name entirely concealed; and in order that no one might know who he is, he gave me not an order on a bank, but brought the amount in notes. 2, He had intended to leave me this sum for the benefit of the Orphans after his death, and for years it had been in his last will; but he judged it more according to the will of G.o.d to give the money during his life time.

March 31. A brother brought me a gold repeater with a gold chain, to which two gold seals and a gold ring were attached, and told me that he desired to give the chain, seals, and ring towards fitting up the New Orphan-House, and wished me to get him for the gold repeater a silver watch, as the love of Christ had weaned his heart from any desire to use a gold repeater. He also stated, that whatever was over and above the sale of the repeater should go for the benefit of the Orphans.

I have thus given a few out of the hundreds of donations, varying from one farthing to 2000l., as specimens, to show how the Lord was pleased to furnish me with the means. The total amount, which came in for the Building Fund, was 15,784l. 18s. 10d. Of this sum 14,914l. 5s. 8d. was received by donations in money, 60l. 19s. 11d. came in by the sale of articles, given for the purpose. 66l. 3s. 10d. by the sale of gra.s.s and turf from the field, on which the New Orphan-House was erected. 743l.

9s. 5d. came in for Interest; for I considered that, as a steward of large sums, which were intrusted to me, I ought to invest the money, till it was actually needed; and thus the sum was obtained.

After all the expenses had been met for the purchase of the land, the conveyance of the same, the enrolment of the trust deeds in Chancery, the building, fitting up and furnis.h.i.+ng of the New Orphan-House, there remained a balance of 776l. 14s. 3 d., affording a manifest proof that the Lord can not only supply us with all we need in His service, simply in answer to prayer, but that He can also give us even more than we need. It will be seen how this balance was afterwards used.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850.

1, During the whole of this period, five Day Schools, with 329 children in them, were entirely supported by the Funds of this Inst.i.tution; and some pecuniary a.s.sistance was rendered to four other Day Schools. Also a Sunday School, with 168 children, was entirely supported, and another was occasionally a.s.sisted. Lastly, an Adult School, with 106 Adult Scholars, was supported during this period. There was expended on these various Schools 851l. 1s. 5 d. during these two years.--The number of all the children that were taught in the Day Schools through the medium of this Inst.i.tution, from March 5 1834 to May 26, 1850, amounted to 5114; the number of those in the Sunday Schools amounted to 2200; and the number of the persons in the Adult School to 1737. In all 9051.

2, From May 26, 1848 to May 20, 1850, were circulated 719 Bibles and 239 New Testaments. There was expended on this object, during this period, of the funds of the Inst.i.tution, 104l. 15s. 11d. There were circulated altogether, from March 5, 1834 to May 26, 1850, Six Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Bibles and Three Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine New Testaments.

3, From May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, were spent 2574l. 16s. 6d. of the funds of the Inst.i.tution for missionary objects, whereby 40 preachers of the Gospel in British Guiana, in the East Indies, in Switzerland, in France, in Germany, in Canada, in Scotland, in Ireland, and in England were a.s.sisted.

The reader will notice how greatly this object of the Inst.i.tution was increased during the last four years previous to May 26, 1850. This arose from the fact, that, in the early part of 1846, the need of certain brethren who laboured in the word and doctrine came before me, and G.o.d laid them on my heart to labour for them in prayer, in order that I might obtain means from Him for such brethren to a greater extent than I had done before. Ever since then the Lord has been pleased increasingly to use me in this way. For from May 26, 1846 to May 26, 1848, there was spent for that object nearly three times as much as during any former period of the same length; and during the period from May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850, I was not only allowed to do as much as before, but to expend even 1016l. 5s. more than during the former period, notwithstanding all the many heavy additional expenses for the various other objects of the Inst.i.tution.

It is my sweet privilege to state, that the labours of many of these forty servants of the Lord, whom I a.s.sisted, were especially owned of G.o.d during these two years. There took place very many conversions through their instrumentality. This applies both to those who laboured among idolaters and those among nominal Christians.

4, From May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850 the sum of 184l. 9s. 4 d. was expended on the circulation of Tracts. There were circulated during this period 130,464 Tracts. The total number which was circulated from Nov.

19, 1840 up to May 26, 1850 amounted to 294,128.

As the Missionary department was considerably enlarged during these two years, so the Tract Department also increased to nearly three times the extent that it was during the former periods, for which I desire to be grateful to the Lord, and I rejoice in it as a means by which the Lord may be pleased to do much good; indeed already we can say, we are not without fruit.

Besides English Tracts, we circulated many in German and French, also some in Welsh, and a few hundreds in Portuguese and Italian.

On May 26, 1848, there were 122 Orphans in the four Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol. There were admitted, before the New Orphan-House was opened, 9 fresh Orphans, making 131 in all. Of these, however, one was taken by her relatives to Australia, to which they emigrated, and wished her to accompany them. Three were sent to their relatives till they might be cured, on account of such diseases as made them unfit to be with other children. Two fell asleep in Jesus as decided believers, of whom the one had been several years in the house and converted some months before her death. The other had been only six months under our care, when she died. Almost immediately after her admission she was found to be in consumption, but the Lord allowed us the joy of winning her soul for Him. Two girls were sent out to service, both as believers.

And four boys and one girl were apprenticed. The actual number, therefore, of Orphans who were removed from the four rented Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, on June 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st, 1849, into the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, was 118.

Some of these children had been received when the first and second Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street were opened, and had therefore been with us, at the time of our removal, more than twelve years, and they remained several years afterwards, for we keep them as long as it appears to us good for them, irrespective of expense. Thus we have the joy of seeing very delicate and sickly little children grow up and become healthy young men and women, whilst otherwise, humanly speaking, they might never have been reared, or, at all events have been sickly all their lives for want of a healthy place of abode, of cleanliness, or a sufficient quant.i.ty of wholesome and nouris.h.i.+ng food. But especially we have in this way the great joy of seeing many of these Orphans brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, through the blessing which G.o.d grants to our training them up in His fear from their earliest days.

It is never with me a question how much money each child costs, through being retained so long, but only that bodily, mentally, and spiritually they may be benefited through our care. To make them useful for time, and to win their souls for the Lord, are our great aims concerning them.

After the New Orphan-House had been opened, and the 118 Orphans from Wilson Street, with their teachers and other overseers admitted into it, I did not at once receive fresh Orphans; but, in order that all the necessary regulations of the new establishment might be properly made, and especially, in order that I myself might first learn what was the best way of regulating it, we waited five weeks before the reception of fresh Orphans. On July 24th, 1849, this commenced, and from that time up to May 26, 1850, altogether one hundred and seventy Orphans were received, from ten months old and upwards, so that on May 26, 1850, there would have been 288 Orphans in the New Orphan-House, including the 118 removed into it from Wilson Street, had there been no changes. But of this number two young children died, two Orphans were taken back by their relatives, who were by that time able to provide for them. One boy was sent back to his relations, partly on account of epileptic fits, and partly on account of oft-repeated great disobedience, in order that we might thus make an example of him for the benefit of the rest. Three boys were sent to their relatives, as ready to be apprenticed, four boys were apprenticed at the expense of the Inst.i.tution, and provided with an outfit accordingly; and one girl was fitted out and sent to service.

There were, therefore, on May 26, 1850, only Two Hundred and Seventy-five Orphans in the New Orphan-House; and with the teachers, overseers, nurses, and indoor and out-door servants, &c., the whole number of persons connected with the establishment was Three Hundred and Eight. The total number of Orphans, who were under our care from April 1836, up to May 26, 1850, was Four Hundred and Forty-three.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the New Orphan-House.

1. Without any sectarian distinction whatever, and without favour or partiality, Orphans are received. There is no interest whatever required to get a child admitted, nor is it expected that a certain sum be paid with the Orphans. Three things only are requisite: a, that the children have been lawfully begotten; b, that they be bereaved of both parents by death; and c, that they be in dest.i.tute circ.u.mstances. Respecting these three points strict investigation is made, and it is expected that each of them be proved by proper doc.u.ments; but that having been done, children may be admitted from any place, provided there is nothing peculiar in the case that would make them unsuitable inmates for the establishment.--I particularly request, that persons will kindly refrain from applying for children, except they are bereaved of both parents, as I can not receive them, if only bereaved of one; for this establishment has been from the beginning, only for dest.i.tute children who have neither father nor mother, and there can be no exceptions made.

2. The attention of the reader is called to the name of the Orphan Establishment. It is called the "New Orphan-House." I particularly request that the friends of the Inst.i.tution will use this name and earnestly beg, in order to avoid mistake, that it may not be called the "Orphan Asylum," as there is about half a mile from the spot, where the "New Orphan-House" has been erected, another charitable establishment, which has been for many years in existence, called the "Female Orphan Asylum." But most of all I earnestly request, that the New Orphan-House be not called "Mr. Muller's Orphan-House." I have now and then been pained by observing that this appellation has been given to it. I trust that none, who recognise the finger of G.o.d in this work, will be sinning against Him by giving to me any measure of that honour, which so manifestly and altogether is only due to Him. The Lord led me to this work. He gave me faith for it. He sustained my faith for it to the end.

He provided the means. He remarkably helped me through one difficulty after the other. Had He not upheld me in the midst of them all, I should have been surely overwhelmed by them. Therefore, by His help, I will not sin by taking even in the smallest degree that honour to myself, which entirely belongs to Him; and let none be sinning, by giving the least degree of this honour to me, or admiring me, instead of honouring and admiring the Lord.

3. The New Orphan-House was placed in the hands of eleven trustees, chosen by me. The deeds were enrolled in Chancery.

4. The New Orphan-House is fitted up for the accommodation of 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of age, 80 Orphan Boys above seven years, and 80 male and female Orphans from their earliest days, till they are about seven or eight years of age. The infants, after having pa.s.sed the age of seven or eight years, are removed into the different departments for older boys and girls.

5. The New Orphan-House is open to visitors every Wednesday afternoon; but the arrangements of the establishment make it needful, that it should be shown only at that time. No exceptions can be made.--The first party of visitors is shown through the House at half-past two o'clock precisely, G.o.d permitting the second at three o'clock; and, should there be need for it, the third and last party at half-past three o'clock.--As it takes at least one hour and a half to see the whole establishment, it is requested that visitors will be pleased to make their arrangements accordingly, before they come, as it would be inconvenient, should one or the other leave, before the whole party has seen the House.--From March 1st to Nov. 1st there may be three parties shown through the House every Wednesday afternoon; but from Nov.

1st to March 1st only two parties can be accommodated, on account of the shortness of the days.

6. Persons who desire to make application for the admission of Orphans are requested to write to me and address the letter to my house, No. 21, Paul Street, Kingsdown, Bristol.

7. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of 33,868l. 11s. 1 d. was given to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to G.o.d, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1850.--It may be also interesting to the reader to know that the total amount, which was given as free contributions, for the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1850, amounted to 10,531l. 3s. 3 d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the schools, up to May 26, 1850, amounted to 2,707l. 9s. 3 d.--Besides this also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the Orphans.

8. The total of the current expenses for the Orphans from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1849, was 1,559l. 6s. 9d., and the total of the current expenses for them from May 26, 1849, to May 26, 1850, was only 2,665l.

13s. 2 d., i.e. only about Eleven Hundred Pounds more than the previous year. To avoid misunderstanding, I would request the reader to keep in mind that, though there were above 300 persons connected with the New Orphan-House, on May 26, 1850, and only about 130 in the rented Orphan Houses in Wilson Street, yet above three weeks of the second year the children were still in Wilson Street, and five weeks afterwards we had only those children who came from Wilson Street into the New Orphan-House; and even when we began to receive fresh Orphans, they came in only four, five, six, seven, or eight a-week, so that only by little and little our expenses increased.--It is also needful, in order to have a correct view of the expenses connected with the Orphans, to take into account the presents in rice, bread, coals, calico, print, shoes, &c., worth about 200l., which were given during these two years.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850.

Dec. 31, 1848. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me?

1. By anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper, directed to me, and put into the boxes for the poor saints or the rent, at the two chapels. . . . . 156 7 1

2. By presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . 157 14 6

3. By presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . . . 145 0 0

4. By presents in provisions, clothes, etc., from believers in and out of Bristol, worth to us at least . . . . 15 16 0

474 17 7

To this is again to be added, for this year also, as before stated, the free education of my daughter at a boarding school, worth at least 50l.

Dec. 31, 1849. The Lord sent me during this year?

1. By anonymous offerings in money, through the boxes in the two chapels . . . . . 149 14 9