George Müller · 87 of 97

Fourth Part · Part 22

Thus I have given some instances to show how the Lord was pleased to supply me during another year.

Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852.

When this period commenced, I had in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans 970l. 13s. 11 ¾ d. We had never had so large a balance for the other objects at the commencement of any new period, as was the case at the commencement of this, and so it was also with regard to the Orphan work. This arose from the fact, that, only a little more than four months before the accounts were closed, a donation of 3000l. had been given, which, being equally divided between the Orphan Fund and the Fund for the other objects, had left so large a balance in hand. But though there was this large balance to begin with, dependence upon God was still required day by day, as the pecuniary help is only a very small part of that which is needed; and even as to means, this sum would not have lasted long, had the Lord not sent in further supplies. This, however, He did; and thus it was, that, while there were other trials, varied and many, yet, as to means, we experienced for a long time scarcely any difficulty at all. I will now very briefly notice some cases in which God helped us with means for the support of the Orphans, in answer to prayer.

May 27, 1851. The first donation of this new period came from an aged Godly clergyman, whom, up to that time, I had never seen, but to whom my heart had been much knit through correspondence. The donation consisted of 5l. from himself, and 1s. 6d. from three poor persons through him.

July 3. A brother and sister, having had a legacy left to them, though very far from being rich, sent 50l. out of it for the Orphans, as they desire to use the money with which the Lord may intrust them for Him.

Oct. 2. From the ladies who constitute the Bristol Dorcas Society, the value of 215l. in flannel and unbleached calico.

Feb. 10, 1852. When the accounts were closed, there was in hand 970l. 13s. 11 ¾ d., and there has come in since then 1242l. 19s. 8d. Up to this time, I had had an abundance of means, to meet all the current expenses of the New Orphan-House, and there was still 126l. 3s. 8 ½ d. in hand. But though I had this, the certain expenses of this week alone were. 102l. 0s. 4d., besides what might be otherwise needed. Under these circumstances, a Godly merchant at Clifton gave me this evening, through his son, a Fifty Pound Note for the benefit of the Orphans. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit; for though we were not in actual need, there being 126l. 3s. 8 ½ d. in hand, to meet the expenses of 102l. 0s. 4d., which I expected to come upon me this week, yet there would then only have been left 24l. 3s. 4 ½ d. towards meeting the current expenses of an establishment with more than 300 inmates. There had not been so little in hand since the New Orphan-House was first opened. How kind, therefore, of the Lord, to put it into the heart of this donor, who is not personally known to me, to contribute this sum!

March 16. From Feb. 10th up to March 8th the income had been comparatively small, only about 130l. altogether having been received for the current expenses for the Orphans. This, with what was in hand on Feb. 10th, was, therefore, so reduced, that on March 8th I had only been able to advance 15l. for house-keeping expenses, instead of 30l., which I had for a long time been in the habit of doing. After having paid away this 15l., I had only about 5l. left. Before this 15l., however, was quite spent, I had received so much, that on the 12th I could advance. 10l. more for house-keeping. Now this money was all gone, and today, March 16th, more money was needed, but there was none in hand, except the balance which was last year left from the Building Fund, which I was most reluctant to use, and concerning which I asked the Lord that there might be no need for using it, as I wished to take it for the intended Orphan-House, the number of destitute Orphans who are waiting for admission being so great. Now observe how God helped me! Just before I was called on for more money, I received this morning from a noble Lady as her own gift and that of two of her friends 15l., and also 4s. 1 ½ d. was given to me as the contents of an Orphan-box. Thus I was able to advance again 15l. for house-keeping.

March 17. For about six weeks past the Lord has been pleased to exercise my faith and patience much. Very little, comparatively, has come in for the Building Fund and the current expenses for the various objects; but now He has this day greatly refreshed my spirit by the donation of 999l. 13s. 5d., referred to under the Building Fund, which, being left to me for the Lord's work, to be used as I think best, I took of it for the current expenses for the Orphans 200l.; so that again, before the money, which came in yesterday, is expended, fresh supplies are received. I have been particularly also refreshed by this donation, in that I am not obliged to use the balance of the former Building Fund, but can let that remain for the present Building Fund.

May 26, 1852. Since March 17th no further difficulties have been experienced with regard to means; for though the expenses have amounted since then to about 700l., the Lord has bountifully supplied me with all I needed; for I received another donation of 200l., one of 75l. 18s. 9d., one of 50l., two of 10l., eighteen of between 5l. and 10l., besides many between 6d. and 5l.—Thus I am helped to the close of another year, during which the Lord has enabled me, through waiting upon Him, and looking to Him for help, to supply all the current expenses of the New Orphan-House with its 300 Orphans and all their overseers, teachers, nurses, etc.; the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts has been going on as before; the various schools have been supported; the same amount as during the past year, or rather more, has been expended for missionary objects; and yet, over and above all this, I have been enabled to gather a goodly sum for the Building Fund of the intended Orphan-House.

Have I not therefore abundant reason to praise the Lord for His goodness, to trust in Him for the future, to speak well of His name to my fellow-believers, and to encourage them, more and more to rely upon the Lord for everything?

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Know/edge Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852.

1. During this period there were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution four Day Schools in Bristol, with 248 poor children in them, and three others in Devonshire, Monmouthshire, and Norfolk, were assisted.—Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, with 243 children, was entirely supported, and two others in Devonshire and Gloucestershire, with 230 children, were assisted.—Lastly, one Adult School in Bristol, with 120 Adult Scholars, was entirely supported during this period.—From March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1852, there were 5,525 children in the Day Schools in Bristol, 2,600 in the Sunday School, and 2,033 grown up persons in the Adult School.—There was expended of the Funds of the Institution, for these various Schools, during this period, 360l. 1s. 9d.

2. During this period there was expended of the Funds of the Institution 207l. 3s. 1d. for the purpose of circulating the Holy Scriptures, especially among the very poorest of the poor. There were issued during this period 1,101 Bibles and 409 New Testaments.—There were altogether circulated from March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1852, Eight Thousand Eight Hundred and Ten Bibles, and Four Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-one New Testaments.

For two years previous to May 26, 1852, it was on my heart, to seek to make some especial effort for the spread of the Holy Scriptures and for the spread of simple Gospel Tracts, in a way and for a purpose which would not be accomplished by the giving of copies of the Holy Scriptures, or the giving of Tracts to poor persons. My wish was, to put believers of the higher classes in the way of obtaining cheap pocket Bibles for the purpose of giving them away as presents to more respectable persons, as well as furnishing them with the opportunity of purchasing Bibles and New Testaments, at a cheap rate, for giving them away among the poor; and of furnishing believers in the higher classes, who are Tract distributors, with an opportunity of purchasing simple Gospel Tracts for circulation. Connected with this I desired, especially, to present the truths of the Gospel, in print, before genteel persons, whom I had not the same opportunity of reaching as poorer persons to whom Tracts and Bibles might be given. To this my attention was turned on account of the mighty efforts which were made to take away the Holy Scriptures, and to spread Tracts which contain most pernicious errors. Up to this time we had never had, to any considerable extent, a depository for Bibles and Tracts. The circulation of Tracts had been almost exclusively by gratuitous distribution; and thus it had been also, for some years previously, with reference to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures.—For a very long time, however, we could not meet with a suitable house, till at last, after much prayer, and waiting for more than a year, convenient premises were obtained by renting No. 34, Park Street, Bristol. On April 29, 1852, this Bible and Tract Warehouse was opened with prayer.

3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the Institution, for missionary objects, the sum of 2005l. 7s. 5d. By this sum fifty-one labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or less degree assisted.

It is a subject of joy and thankfulness to me, to be able to inform the believing reader, that the Lord was pleased to grant again much blessing upon the labours of these brethren during this year. Many sinners were converted through their instrumentality, some of whom had been in a most awful state. This remark applies both to foreign and home labourers.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, the sum of 356l. 11s. 3 ½ d. There were circulated during the year 489,136 Tracts.

The total number of Tracts, which were circulated from the beginning up to May 26, 18152, was 1,086,366.

The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more and more.

It is not merely, however, of the increase in the number of Tracts that I have to speak. I heard during this year of one case after another, in which the tracts, with which the Lord enabled me to furnish the many brethren who circulate them, were used by Him in the way of communicating great blessing to believers, or as instruments of conversion to unbelievers. I would indeed with all my might seek to spread the truth of God by means of these little publications in greater and greater numbers; but I would follow them also, day by day, with my prayers, and never trust in the numbers which have been issued, but in God, to Grant His blessing, without which all these efforts are in vain.

A great number of believers, in various parts of the world, aid me in the circulation of tracts. Up to April 1852, however, almost all the tracts which were circulated were given away gratuitously, but, as has been stated already, there was then more particularly commenced the sale of Tracts also, in connexion with the sale of Bibles, at the Bible and Tract Warehouse, No. 34, Park Street, Bristol.

5. On May 26, 1851, there were. Three Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan House on Ashley Down, Bristol. From that day up to May 26, 1852, there wore admitted into it twenty-seven Orphans, making 327 in all. Of these 327, nine died during the year; one Orphan was sent to Christian relatives, who by that time were able to provide for him, and who felt it their duty to do so; one was sent to relatives on account of being in such a state of health that the Establishment was an unsuitable place for her; three of the elder girls, who were able to earn their bread by entering service, but who could not be recommended to any situation, after they had been long borne with, were at last sent in disgrace from the Establishment to their relatives. This course was adopted as a last remedy with regard to themselves, and as a solemn warning for all the children in the Establishment. Four girls were with comfort sent out to service, and nine boys were apprenticed at the expense of the establishment. This makes the removals as many as the reception of new Orphans, so that the number was still 300 in the New Orphan House, on May 26, 1852. The total of the expenses, connected with the support of the Orphans, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, was 3035l. 3s. 4d. The total number of Orphans under our care from April 1836, to May 26, 18152, was Five Hundred and Fifteen.

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

1. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything, by me, the sum of 42,970l. 17s. 6d. was given to me for the Orphans as the result of prayer to God from the commencement of the work, up to May 26, 1852. 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, 1852, amounted to 15,976l. 10s. 6 ¼ d.; and that, which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounted to 3,073/. 1s. 9 ¾ d. Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the Orphans.

2. During no period of the work had we such great affliction in the way of sickness in the Orphan Establishment as during this. For nearly four months the scarlet fever and other diseases prevailed, so that more than one hundred children were seriously ill during this period, and at one time there were 55 Orphans confined to their beds. But the Lord dealt very mercifully with us. Only 5 died in consequence of the scarlet fever, though we had 64 decided cases.

3. Several of the Orphans who left the Establishment during this year went away as believers, having been converted some time before they left; one also who died gave very decided evidence of a true change of heart by faith in our Lord Jesus; several who in former years were under our care, as we heard during this year, took their stand openly on the Lord's side, and dated their first impressions to the instructions received whilst with us; and lastly, of those under our care, there were not a few whose spiritual state gave us joy and comfort. Thus, amidst many difficulties and trials and some discouragements, we had abundant cause to praise God for His goodness, and to go forward in the strength of the Lord.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs.

Dec. 31, 1851. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me

1. By anonymous offerings through the Chapel boxes . . . . . £157 4 0 ¾

2. By presents in money from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . 135 5 4

3. By presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . . . 156 6 9

4. By presents in provisions, clothes, &c., worth to us at least . . . 16 17 0

——

£465 13 1 ¾

Admire, dear reader, the Lord's kindness towards me, in that again, during this year also, Ha has so abundantly supplied me with means for my own personal and family necessities, without any regular salary or other stated income whatever, simply in answer to prayer.

Further account of the intended Orphan House for Seven Hundred Poor Children, bereaved of both parents by death, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853.

In the last chapter on this subject, it was stated, that on May 26, 1852, 1 had actually in hand towards this object 3,530l. 9s. 0 ¼ d.; and now I go on to relate how the Lord has been pleased to help me further since then; but, for the sake of brevity, I can only refer to the more remarkable donations.

June 18. Received 5s. 7d. from the Orphans in the Girl's Department of the New Orphan House, in commemoration of the anniversary of the opening of the New Orphan House, which took place this day three years. Received also 3s. 9d. from the Orphan Boys. These little sums from these children have given me much joy. I likewise received this day a donation of 200l., of which the donor kindly wished me to keep 20l. for my own personal expenses, and to use the 180l. as might be most needed. I took of this sum 60l. for the Building Fund, 60l. towards the support of the 300 Orphans, and 60l. for the various other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.

June 22. Today I was informed that there had been paid into the hands of my bankers 500l. This sum is from a donor whom I have never seen, but whom God evidently has led, in answer to my daily supplications, and to those of my fellow-labourers, to help me in His service. This donation has exceedingly refreshed my spirit, and has led me to expect more and more help from God. As this 500l. is left at my disposal, I took of it one-third for the Building Fund, another third for the current expenses for the 300 Orphans, and the last third for the School, Bible, Tract, and Missionary Fund of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.

July 1. 50l. The money being left to my disposal, I took half for the Building Fund—and half for the School, Bible, Tract and Missionary Objects.

July 29. Received from one of the Orphans, formerly under our care, the following lines: "Dear Sir, will you please to accept the enclosed silver chain for the Building Fund, and the 3s. 6d. for your personal use, from your grateful Orphan, * * * *." This donation gave me much joy.

Aug. 6. From an Irish friend 53l., "As a small acknowledgment of the donor's gratitude to his Heavenly Father for enriching him with the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to his dear Redeemer for loving him, and giving Himself for him."

Aug. 13. From the neighbourhood of London 50l.

Aug. 21. From Southport a gold ring—I received also today the following letter from Madras, East Indies, enclosing a donation of 50l. for the Building Fund.

"* * * * * Madras, 9th July, 1852.

"Dear Brother,

"Some time in the year 1842 or 1843 I met with The Lord's dealings with George Müller,' and, after rending it, was moved to send you something; but at that time I had not the means. In fact, I had lent, what little money I had, to a person who was unable to repay me, and I was nearly destitute. The good hand of God has been on me since that time, and I have often wondered whether George Müller was still in the flesh but never had the resolution to inquire. Last December I met in a friend's house the Twelfth Report, and, after reading it, resolved to cast a mite into the Lord's treasury towards building the Orphan-House for Seven Hundred children; and may the God of Jacob, that has fed me all my life long, unto this day, accept of it, as an acknowledgment of the thousandth part of the mercies I have received at His hands. I therefore enclose a bill of exchange * * * *. Value of bill Seventy Pounds sterling. * * * * I have often mentioned you by name in my appeals to the throne of grace; and if I meet you not on earth, I hope I shall in those regions where we shall see the Lamb on His throne and in His Father's kingdom, and where there is no more sin or sorrow.

My dear Brother,

"Ever yours,

"* * * * *"

This donation and letter have exceedingly refreshed my spirit, and quickened me yet further to prayer.

Pause a few moments dear Reader. See how faith and prayer bring means from individuals whom we have never seen, whose very names we have never heard of, and who live at a distance of more than Ten Thousand miles from us. Do you not see that it is not in vain, to make known our requests to the Lord, and to come to Him for everything? When it was first laid on my heart, to build a second Orphan-House for 700 destitute children, bereaved of both parents by death, simply in dependence upon God alone for means, could I have looked for this 70l. from this Christian brother at Madras? Verily not, for I did not even know of his existence. Had I other friends, from whom to expect the large sum which will be needed to accomplish this? No, on the contrary, all human probability was against my ever receiving this large sum. But I had faith in God. I believed that He was able and willing to give me what was needed for this work; and solely in dependence upon Him I purposed to build another Orphan-House. But now see bow God has helped me further; for after I had received this donation of 70l., I had still only 4,127l. 12s. 6 ¾ d. in hand, in other words, only a little more than the ninth part of the sum which, as far as I am able to calculate, will be needed to accomplish my object.

Aug. 30. During this month again fourteen destitute Orphans have been applied for, none of whom we can receive, because the New Orphan-House is full. There are now 356 Orphans already waiting for admission, from six months old and upwards, each bereaved of both parents by death.

Sept. 8. During the last five days, only 2l. 14s. had come in for the Building Fund, and only 9l. 1s. altogether for the current expenses for the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. Such seasons try my faith and patience; but, by the grace of God, they do not discourage me. He helps me to continue in prayer, and to look for answers, and for a time when He will help again bountifully. During the past eighteen years and six months, which I have been occupied in this service, I have again and again found, that, after a season, during which very little has come in, and my faith has thus been tried, the Lord has generally the more bountifully helped afterwards. Thus it has been again this day. I have received a donation of 280l. 10s. 6d., of which the donor kindly wished me to take 20l. 10s. 6d. for my own personal expenses, and to use the 260l. as the work of the Lord in my hands might require. I took of this sum one-third for the Building Fund, one-third for the current expenses for the Orphans, and one-third for the other Objects. Thus I had at once a four-fold answer to prayer; 1, Means for my own personal expenses, about which I had been asking the Lord; 2, Means for the Building Fund, for which I am day by day labouring in prayer; 3, Means for the current expenses for the Orphans, which were greatly needed; and 4, Means for the other Objects, which were entirely exhausted.

Sept. 28. From Melbourne, in Australia, 50l., from a believer in the Lord Jesus, whose name even I did not know up to the time that I received this donation.—See, dear Reader, how the Lord helps me, in answer to prayer. Do you not perceive that my fellow-labourers and myself do not wait upon the Lord in vain? Be encouraged by this! Go for yourself, with all your temporal and spiritual wants, to the Lord. Bring also the necessities of your friends and relatives to the Lord. Only make the trial, and you will perceive how able and willing He is to help you. Should you, however, not at once, obtain answers to your prayers, be not discouraged; but continue patiently, believingly, perseveringly to wait upon God: and as assuredly as that, which you ask, would be for your real good, and therefore for the honour of the Lord; and as assuredly as you ask it solely on the ground of the worthiness of our Lord Jesus, so assuredly you will at last obtain the blessing. I myself have had to wait upon God concerning certain matters for years, before I obtained answers to my prayers; but at last they came. At this very time, I have still to renew my requests daily before God, respecting a certain blessing for which I have besought Him for eleven years and a half, and which I have as yet obtained only in part, but concerning which I have no doubt that the full blessing will be granted in the end. So also, when I was led to build the New Orphan-House, and waited upon the Lord for means for it, it took two years and three months, whilst day by day I brought this matter before Him, before I received the full answer.—But to return to my journal. This donation of 50l. from Melbourne, refreshed my spirit greatly, and quickened me yet further to prayer.—On the same day I received from Sheffield 5l., and from Tottenham 10l.

Oct. 31. Thirteen more Orphans have been applied for during this month.

Nov. 3. This evening I received a check for 300l. for the Building Fund. I am continually looking out for help, and am sustained in waiting upon God, and in being enabled daily, and generally several times every day, to bring the matter about the Building Fund before Him. I know that God hears me, on the ground of the worthiness of the Lord Jesus, and that at last He will give me the full amount needed for accomplishing this work. How the means are to come, I know not; but I know that God is almighty, that the hearts of all are in His hands, and that, if He pleaseth to influence persons, they will send help. In this donation of 300l., received this evening, I have seen afresh, how easily God can send means. The donor, who sent it, was not even known to me by name this day month; but, on Oct. 12th, he sent me 200l. for the Orphans, and now 300l. for the Building Fund. Nothing had come in during the former part of the day; still, I was looking out, and, when I returned from the Orphan-House, found that this 300l. had arrived at my house. But I expect far larger sums.

Nov. 11. From London three boxes and two parcels of books, containing 275 volumes in all, to be sold for the Building Fund.

Nov. 16. 50l.—From the neighbourhood of Stroud 10s.—From one of the former Orphans 10s., being part of her first quarter's wages. Sent as a token of gratitude.

Nov. 19. 200l., which, being left to my disposal, I took of it 100l. for the Building Fund, 60l. for preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 20l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of Tracts.

Nov. 21. From Malta 5l.

Nov. 27. "From the neighbourhood of Leominster, as a thank-offering," 2l. Day by day I am waiting upon God, concerning this object. I firmly believe that the Lord will give me all I require for the accomplishment of it though I am utterly unworthy. I believe that I shall also have large sums, very large sums, when the Lord has been pleased sufficiently to exercise my faith and patience. Today I received 250l., the disposal of which was left to me. I took, therefore, 125l. for the Building Fund, 25l. for current expenses for the Orphans, 40/. for the home and foreign labourers in the Word, whom I seek to assist, 20l. for gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures among very poor persons, 20l. for gratuitous circulation of Gospel Tracts, and 20l. for all the various Day schools, Sunday schools, and the Adult school, which the Scriptural Knowledge Institution either assists or entirely supports.

Nov. 30. During this month, again 25 children, bereaved of both parents by death, lawfully begotten, and in destitute circumstances, have been applied for, not one of whom I have any prospect of being able to admit until the Lord shall have been pleased to enable me to build another Orphan-House. The many Orphans waiting for admission, whose number is increasing every month, lead me to continue in earnest supplication, that the Lord would be pleased to furnish me with means for the erection of another Orphan-House. Nor do I doubt that He will help me.