A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 37

July 21. From Bideford 10s.--By sale of Reports 1s.--From Tavistock 4s. 9d.--In a box from Tavistock, containing specimens of ores, &c. 3s.

July 22. From Wotton-under-edge 10s.--By sale of Reports 7s.--From West Brixton 2l.--From the Isle of Wight 1s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.--By sale of Reports 2s.--From Chippenham 2l. 10s.--From College Green, Bristol, 10s.

July 23. From Bodmin 5s. and 1s.--From Clifton 5s. Ditto 5s. Ditto 1l. Ditto 1l.

July 24. From Dudley 1l. 0. 6d. Ditto 1s. 8d.--From Clifton 10s.-- With James i. 17l. 2s. 6d.--From P. 2s. 6d.--Through Salem boxes 1s. Ditto 6d.--From Stourbridge 1s. 6d.--From Hastings 1l. 10s.

? From H. B. Esq. 2l.

July 25. From Wells 3s.--12s.--2s. 6d.--From Kendal 2l.-- From London 10l.

July 26. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5l. 18s. 11d.--By sale of Reports 14s. Ditto 6s.--From Torquay 3s. 4d.--From the neighbourhood of Newton Abbot 11s., with three silver pencil cases, and two pieces of old silver.--From a visitor at Clifton 100l., of which the donor wished me to take 20l. for myself, and to use the other as most needed. I took, therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, and 30l. for missions and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts.--From Hackney 1l. 5s.--From Taunton 2s. and lb. of tea.--There were anonymously left at the New Orphan House two vases, a Chinese tea caddy, a mosaic box, a ring set with a ruby and two brilliants, a double gold serpent bracelet, a large cameo brooch, a silver snuff-box, a double gold pin set with two brilliants, a pair of gold ear-rings, a pair of gold ear-rings set with pearls and emeralds, a gold brooch set with pearls and emeralds, a gold pin set with pearls and garnets, three gold s.h.i.+rt studs, a large gold cameo ring, a gold masonic medal, a pair of small gold ear-rings, a gold ring set with topazes, a gold watch ring, and a rupee. (These valuable articles did not merely refresh my spirit on account of their value; but they came as an answer to prayer for means, and also that the Lord would incline the hearts of His children to send such valuable, but needless, articles.) There were also given by the same donors, six Indian table mats, a white lace scarf, a black lace cap, and two pamphlets.

July 27. "20l. tendered as a thank-offering for singular deliverance at Llanberis." Ditto 1s. for a Report. ?From Reading 1l.--From a Christian gentleman of Edinburgh, then near Glasgow, 3l. Through ditto 1l. Ditto 1l.--From Grundisburgh 5s. Ditto 1s. Ditto 6d.-- Anonymously in postages 2s. 6d.--From Bath 5s.--From Chillington 10s. 6d.--From Nottingham 10s.

July 28. From Pentonville 1l., with a little box of articles.--From Yeovil 1s. and 3s. 6d.--From Cannock 5l.--From Blackrock 12s.

July 29. From Higham Ferrers 10s.--From G. D. 1s.--From Colsterworth 10s.--From Wellesborne 10s.--Anonymously 2s.--By sale of Reports 3s. 6d.--From Whitehaven 2l. 14s. 6d.--By sale of a Report 6d.--From Largs 4l.--"From an Orphan Sailor" 2l.

July 30. From Uppingham 2s. 6d.--From Newton Ferrers 2s. 6d.

July 31. From Lenten 6s. 6d.--From Edinburgh 3l. 10s.

Aug. 1. From London 1l. Ditto 1s. 6d. Ditto 5l.--From Chillington 2s.

? From Broseley 5s.--From Warmley 5s. and an old silver watch.-- A little gold dust from a dying believer.--From F. E. B. 2s. 6d.-- From Barnstaple 1l. 3s.--From Northam 5s.--From Hereford 10s.

?By sale of Reports 1s. 6d.--From Newport, near Barnstaple, 1l.

10s.--From Barnstaple 1l. 10s.--From P. 2s. 6d.--Through Bethesda boxes 3s. 6d.--By sale of articles 4l. 13s. 3d. ?By sale of Reports 10s.

Aug. 2. By sale of Reports 1l. 0s. 6d.--Anonymously 3s.--From Bath 1l. 10s.--From Ilfracombe 10l.--From Mundesley 2l.?Anonymously given at the New Orphan House 1l. Ditto 1s.--From Kilmersdon 6s.

Aug. 3. By sale of Reports 3s. 6d.--From Birmingham 6s. 6d.-- Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 3l. 18s. 3d.--From Chapletown 10s.--From London 5l.--From Tavistock 2s. 6d.-- Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d.--By sale of Reports 2s. 6d.-- By sale of trinkets 38l. 11s. 6d.--By sale of Reports 12s. 10d.-- Received also a letter from the neighbourhood of Gumeracha, in Australia, enclosing a bank order for 10l., of which 2l. was intended for aged or blind saints in Bristol, 1l. for Bibles and Testaments, and 7l. for the Orphans or the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution. I took this 7l. for the Orphans.

Aug. 4. From Plymouth 2l.?From Ilfracombe 10s.--From London 1l.

13s. 4d.

Aug. 5. From Manchester 10s.--By sale of Reports 3s. 4d.

Aug. 6. From Greenock 5l.--From c.o.c.kermouth 1l.--From Islington 1l. 1s.--From Child Okeford 2s. 6d.--From Clifton 2s. 6d. and 3s.

? From Horfield Road 10s. ?From Henbury 2l.

Aug. 7. From Melton Abbot 3s.--From Cheltenham Road, Bristol, 1l. 1s.

? From Islington 1l. 4s.--By sale of articles 17s. 3 d.--From Fowey 5l.--Through Bethesda boxes 6s. 8d.--From St. Philip's, Bristol, 5s.--From three children 8s. 6d.--From Clifton 1l. 10s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.

Aug. 8. From Lichfield 1l. Ditto 5s.--By sale of books 4l.--From Calstock 2s. 6d.--From Freshwater 1l.

Aug. 9. Anonymously 10s.--By sale of Reports 2s.--From Yaxham 1l.

? From Gravesend 1l. Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 4l. 5s.

10d.--From Norwich 16s.--From a brother in the Lord 5l. 17s. 4d.

? From Plymouth 10s.--By sale of Reports 14s. 6d.

Thus the Lord, in answer to prayer, had supplied me so bountifully, that, when I left home on August 10th, I could leave sufficient in the bank to last for a little time, and I hoped in G.o.d that, by the time that was gone, He would kindly give more. And thus He did. I have also given the income for the Orphans day by day, for the above 23 days, in order that thus the Reader may see how, in large and small sums, and from various parts of the world, the Lord is pleased to send in the supplies.

I shall now give a few more instances in which the Lord manifestly, in answer to prayer, helped us in the time of need.

Aug. 26. A Christian widow, having had left to her by a friend a few articles, among which was a diamond brooch, sent it to me for the benefit of the Orphans, and thus had the desire of her heart granted, which she had often had, to be able to send something for them. On the other hand, we receive it in answer to prayer, as there is very little in hand for the Orphans, and as I have again and again asked the Lord to lead His children to send me such articles for His own work.--There came in also from Kirriemuir 1l.--From Kingsbridge a guinea piece, also 1l. From the neighbourhood of Hyde 10s.

Aug. 27. From Douglas 1l.--From the neighbourhood of Sunderland 5s.

? From Sunderland 5s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.--With James, 1, 17, 2s. 6d.--From H. T. and E. E. 2s.

Aug. 28. From Captain J. K., Royal Navy, 2l.--From Mr. C. K. 2l.-- From Mr. P. 1l.--From Bury 10s.

Aug. 29. From Sunderland 1l. Ditto 1s.--From Gloucester 6s.--By sale of articles 1l. 4s.--From one engaged in the work 2l.--From the neighbourhood of Crencester 1l.

Aug. 30. From the neighbourhood of Southampton 5l.

Aug. 31. Anonymously, through the boxes at Bethesda chapel, Sunderland, 5l.--From Ilfracombe 2s. 6d.--Through the boxes at the New Orphan-House 5l. 1 d.--By sale of Reports 16s.--From one engaged in the work, as a thank-offering for journeying mercies, 10s.

? From the neighbourhood of Sudbury in Derbys.h.i.+re 10l. ?From Grosmont 5s.--From Hayle 1l.--By sale of the above-mentioned brooch 6l. 11s.

Sept. 1. From the Isle of Wight 2s. 6d.--From Birmingham 5l.--From Bath 5l.--From a Christian lady in Bath 10l.

See, dear reader, how good the Lord is, and how ready to help in answer to prayer! I was then 300 miles from the work in which I am more especially engaged; but the Lord's a.s.sistance was to be obtained in this distant place. Day by day I sought His help while absent, and day by day I received intelligence from Bristol. And thus, my fellow-labourers in Bristol, and I at Sunderland, were seeking the help of the Lord, and He did condescend to listen to our supplications on account of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, and to grant us our requests.

On this day, Sept. 1st, I also received a precious letter, enclosing a Post-Office Order for 2l. 14s., from a donor, who, for many years, took a lively interest in the work in which I am engaged. This letter was doubly precious, not only because of its containing 2l. 14s., which came just then so particularly in answer to prayer, as since August 2 6th, I had been especially looking to the Lord for means, there being then scarcely any thing left; but also because it so strikingly proved the power of the divine life.

* * * * Aug. 30, 1854.

"Dear Mr. Muller,

"Having been a constant sufferer now for a year, the money I send you is (humanly speaking) consequently less; and as there is likely to be a crisis soon, in the shape of a large abscess, and I know not what the Lord is about to do with me, I send you all the money I have in hand; and if it should be the last may the Lord add a double blessing to it.

The Lord does not want my poor help to do His own work; but I feel priviledged to be allowed to contribute, if it is but a nail, or a cup of milk, to His service. My peace is great?that is, His peace is with me, though tribulation, to some extent, is mine also. I desire your prayers, and remain,

"Yours in our precious Lord,

"P.S.?I expect to be able to send a box of, it may be, almost useless articles soon. Whither shall I send it?"

This Christian lady, whom I have never seen in the body, though I corresponded with her for many years, has entered into her rest. She fell asleep at the beginning of the year 1855. In looking over my account books, I meet again and again with the name of one and another who has finished his course. Soon dear Reader, your turn and mine may come. Are you prepared for eternity? Affectionately I press this question upon you. Do not put it away. Nothing is of greater moment than this point; yea, all other things, however important in their place, are of exceedingly small importance, in comparison with this matter. Do you ask, how you may be prepared for eternity, how to be saved, how to obtain the forgiveness of your sins; the answer is, believe in the Lord Jesus, trust in Him, depend upon Him alone as it regards the salvation of your soul. He was punished by G.o.d, in order that we guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might not be punished. He fulfilled the law of G.o.d, and was obedient even unto death, in order that we disobedient, guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might, on His account, be reckoned righteous by G.o.d. Ponder these things, dear Reader, should you have never done so before. Through faith in the Lord Jesus alone can we obtain forgiveness of our sins, and be at peace with G.o.d; but, believing in Jesus, we become, through this very faith, the children of G.o.d; have G.o.d as our Father, and may come to Him for all the temporal and spiritual blessings which we need. Thus every one of my readers may obtain answers to prayers, not only to the same extent that we obtain them, but far more abundantly. It may be that few, comparatively, of the children of G.o.d are called to serve the Lord in the way of establis.h.i.+ng Orphan-Houses, &c.; but all of them may, yea, are called upon to trust in G.o.d, to rely upon Him, in their various positions and circ.u.mstances, and apply the word of G.o.d, faith, and prayer to their family circ.u.mstances, their earthly occupation, their afflictions and necessities of every kind, both temporally and spiritually; just as we, by G.o.d's help, in some little measure seek to apply the word of G.o.d, faith, and prayer to the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad. Make but trial of it, if you have never done so before, and you will see how happy a life it is. You may, perhaps, pity the writer, and think how he must be burdened day by day, and full of care and anxiety; and you may think that he cannot have any quietness and peace, but is worn down by the constant questionings, how the expenses for the various schools are to be met; how further money is to be obtained for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts; how the many preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad, who are a.s.sisted by the Inst.i.tution, may once more be helped; how the 300 Orphans are to be provided with all they need; how situations for the elder female Orphans are to be found; how suitable places may be obtained for the elder male Orphans when they are ready to be apprenticed, and so on. Now here is just the true state of the case:-- We are not insensible to any of these points; we do feel them. We do not put them away lightly and treat them with indifference; but we look them in the face and feel their deep importance. At the same time, while we neither treat them with indifference, nor attempt to carry them in our own strength, we do, by G.o.d's grace, cast our burdens upon Him, trust in Him; and thus are kept in peace in the midst of numberless difficulties, and almost constant trials of one kind and another. Truly I prefer by far this life of almost constant trial, if I am only able to roll all my cares upon my Heavenly Father, and thus become increasingly acquainted with Him, to a life of outward peace and quietness, without these constant proofs of His faithfulness, His wisdom, His love, His power, His over-ruling providence, &c.

Of the donations which came in between Sept. 2nd and Nov. 5th, amounting to about 600l., in 346 different sums, I mention only, for the sake of brevity, the following.

Sept. 2. From an anonymous donor through Mr. B. at Geneva, by the hands of Count G., 1l. 15s.--Sept. 6. Received from Clerkenwell 50l., to be used one half for missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took the one half for the support of the Orphans, and find the following remark in my journal respecting this donation: "What a precious answer to prayer! Since Aug. 26th we have been day by day coming to the Lord for our daily supplies. Precious, also, on account of missionary brethren, whom I seek to help, for whom there was nothing in hand when this donation was received!"--Sept. 22. From Crediton 3l. 4s. 8d., as "a thank-offering to G.o.d for the very fine harvest which in mercy He has been pleased to grant."

Nov. 5. There was now again only about 5l. in hand for the support of the Orphans, when I received 2l. 10s. for them, and 2l. 10s. for myself, from a donor in London, whom the Lord has been pleased to raise up during the last two years, and who since then has been often used as an instrument in helping the work at times of need. A brother in the Lord also gave me 5l. this morning, saying, "I have of late had the Orphans much laid on my heart."--From Clifton 1l. 10s.--From H. C. 3s.

?From F. M. 5s.

Nov. 6. Further help. From the Isle of Wight 5s.--Through Bethesda boxes 2s. 6d.--Ditto 6d.--From P. 1s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.

? From a Gloucesters.h.i.+re Farmer 20l., of which he intended 10l. for missions, and the other 10l. to be used as most needed. I took it for the support of the Orphans.