A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 32

During no period within the nineteen years previous to May 26, 1853, was so large a portion of the funds of the Inst.i.tution expended, in one year, upon Missionary Objects, as during this year; and in every single case I was enabled to help to the full amount of what appeared desirable. Refreshing as this is, and thankful as we desire to be to the Lord for it; yet it were but a very little thing, had there not been corresponding results. But I have to record to the praise of the Lord, and to the enjoyment of the Christian Reader, that not five, nor ten, nor fifty souls only were won for Him through the instrumentality of these fifty-four dear brethren, but hundreds. I received a great number of letters from these labourers in the Word, both at home and abroad, which brought me heart-cheering intelligence. Thank the Lord for this together with me, dear Christian Reader, and continue to help these esteemed brethren with your prayers, some of whom labour for the Lord under peculiar difficulties.

I would repeat that I consider it a great privilege to be permitted to defray in part or altogether, from time funds of this Inst.i.tution, the expenses connected with the voyage and outfit of brethren who desire to go out as Missionaries, or to help them after their arrival in their field of labour; but I do not bind myself to support them habitually, seeing that thus they would be out of the position of simple dependence upon G.o.d for their temporal supplies.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853, the sum of 555l. 16s. 7 d.; and there were circulated within this year 733,674 Tracts.

The total number of Tracts circulated up to May 26, 1853, was One Million Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand and Forty.

The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more and more, as will be seen by a comparison of the years in which this part of the Inst.i.tution has been in operation. From Nov. 19, 1840, to May 10, 1842, the first period that the circulation of Tracts was in operation in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, there were circulated 19,609 from May 10, 1842, to July 14, 1844, 39,473; from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, 40,565; from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, 64,021; from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, 130,464; from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851, 303,098; from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, 489,136; and during this period 733,674.

In these increased opportunities to spread the truth, we rejoice.

Moreover, we would, by the help of G.o.d, seek to labour still far more abundantly in this particular also, and would seek to press into every open door, which the Lord may set before us. Yea, we would labour, as has been stated before, as if everything depended upon our diligence and carefulness in the use of the means; whilst, in reality, we would not depend upon them in the least degree, but only upon G.o.d for His blessing. This blessing of G.o.d we have been enabled to seek upon the labours of missionary brethren, the circulation of time Holy Scriptures, and upon the distribution of Tracts. As the days come, so our heart is drawn out in prayer for blessing upon these objects, in connexion with the various Schools and the Orphan Work. How, then, could it be otherwise, but that sooner or later there should come showers of blessing? Thus it was during this year. This year stands alone, in that more money came in, than during any year previously. It stands alone, in that the operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution were extended beyond whatever they mad been before. But it stands alone, also, in the abundant blessing, which G.o.d granted to our efforts, and which was greater than during any previous period. And, as in other respects, so in particular likewise, the gratuitous distribution of Tracts was abundantly owned of G.o.d. Instance upon instance, not 2, nor 5, nor 10, but many, in the way of conversion, and also of blessing to believers, was I informed of by those G.o.dly brethren, who in various parts of the world, aid me in this service. How can I sufficiently magnify the Lord for this! By His grace I would desire to labour on, though I were not to see one single instance of blessing, being a.s.sured that "in due season we shall reap," and that our "labour is not in vain in the Lord;" yet how kind of the Lord, to grant such abundant blessing to rest upon our labours!

Often, I fear, Tract distributors have expected little result from their labour; and therefore they have seen little fruit. According to their expectation, they have received. Often, also, I fear, the mere distribution of Tracts has been rested in, and the work done has been estimated by the number of Tracts which were circulated, without earnestly preceding their circulation with prayer, and without earnestly following them with prayer, may I, therefore, be allowed to caution my fellow-believers on these two points? Look out for blessing, but seek also the blessing earnestly in prayer; and you will not fail to receive abundantly.

Should any believer be discouraged, because he has not had much fruit resulting from the circulation of Tracts, let such a one, with renewed earnestness and prayerfulness, go on in his work; let him also expect fruit, and he will surely reap abundantly; if not now, at least in the day of Christ's appearing.

5. At the beginning of this period, there were Three Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol. During the year there were admitted into it 13 Orphans, making 313 in all. Of these 313, (we own it with thankfulness to G.o.d,) not one died during the year; for not a single death occurred for about 15 months. One of the Orphans, who had been received after he had long had his own way, and who having long been borne with, and repeatedly been received back again on a confession of sorrow, at last ran away again, and had then to be placed by his relatives in the Union. One Orphan was sent to relatives, who were by that time able to care for her. Five girls were, at the expense of the Establishment, fitted out for service or learning a business, and were sent out;--also six boys were, at the expense of the Establishment, fitted out and apprenticed. Thus makes the number removed as great as the number received, so that there were still 300 Orphans in tire New Orphan-House on May 26, 1853. The total number of Orphans, who were under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1853, was Five Hundred and Twenty-eight.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the Orphan Work.

a. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of 55,408l. 17s. 5 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, 1853.--It may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the total amount given for the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1853, amounted to 19,163l. 14s. 1 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 3,490l. 7s. 1 d.-- Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the Orphans.

b. Our labours continued to be blessed among the Orphans.

c. The expenses in connexion with the support of the 300 Orphans and the apprentices during this year, were 3,453l. 15s. 1 d.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853.

Dec. 31, 1852. During this year 35 believers have been received into fellowship. When Brother Craik and I began to labour in the Word in Bristol, we found 68 in fellowship. Since then there have been received into communion altogether 1,403, so that the total number would be 1,471, had there been no changes. But 64 are under church discipline, and separated, for the present, from fellowship; 154 have left us (some of them, however, in love, and merely through circ.u.mstances); 421 have left Bristol to reside elsewhere; and 197 have fallen asleep. So that there are at present only 635 actually remaining in communion.

The Lord has been pleased to give unto me during this year?

1. Through believers in and out of Bristol, in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least . . . . . 9 0 0

2. Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper and directed to me, and put into the boxes for the poor saints or the rent, at the chapels . 157 11 4

Carried forward 166 11 4

Brought forward 166 11 4

3. Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . . . 121 5 2

4. Through presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . . 157 12 2

445 8 8

My brother-in-law, Mr. A. N. Groves, of whom mention has been made in the first part of this Narrative, as having been helpful to me by his example when I began my labours in England in 1829, in that he, without any visible support, and without being connected with any missionary society, went with his wife and children to Bagdad, as a missionary, after having given up a lucrative practice of about 1500l. per year, returned in Autumn 1852, from the East Indies, a third time, being exceedingly ill. He lived, however, till May 20th, 1853, when, after a most blessed testimony for the Lord, he fell asleep in Jesus in my house. I should more fully dwell on this to myself amid my family's deeply important event, had not a very full biography been published by the widow of my dear brother-in-law, in which also full particulars are given of the last days of this servant of Christ. I therefore refer the reader to the deeply interesting memoir, which has been published at Nisbet's, London, and may be had at the Bible and Tract Warehouse of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, 84, Park Street, Bristol, and through all booksellers, under the t.i.tle: Memoir of the late Anthony Norris Groves, second edition, with a portrait, cloth, 4s. 6d.; fine paper, cloth, 6s. 6d.

Further account respecting the intended Orphan-House for Seven Hundred Children, bereaved of both parents by death, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

In the last chapter on this subject I stated, that, on May 26, 1853, I had actually in hand, towards the accomplishment of my object, the sum of 12,531l. 12s. 0 d. I will now give some further particulars as to the manner in which it pleased the Lord to supply me with means, but must confine myself to those donations which more specially may call for notice.

June 28, 1853. From Wakefield 40l., with 5l. for Mr. Craik, and 5l. for my own personal expenses.--Also 220l. from the West of England, of which the donor kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my own private expenses, and to use the 200l. as might be most needed. I have taken, therefore, 100l. for the Building Fund; 60l. for missionary operations, the circulation of Bibles and Tracts; and 40l. for the Orphans.

July 14. Received 541l. 10s., which being left to me as most needed, I took 100l. for the current expenses for the Orphans, 100l. for the other objects, and 341l. 10s. for the Building Fund. Being just now in great family affliction, this kindness of the Lord has been a great refreshment to my spirit.

July 15. From Clifton 1s.--Received also 110l. from one who counts it an honour to have this sum to lay down at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I took of this amount 60l. for the Building Fund, and 50l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary objects.

I cannot help remarking here, that the Lord has used some of the most unlikely persons during the past twenty-two years, in providing me with means for His service. So it was particularly in the case of this brother in the Lord, from whom I received the last-mentioned donation of 110l. I had not the least natural expectation of receiving this sum, when this brother, sitting before me at the New Orphan-House, took out of his pocket a packet of Bank Notes, and gave to me this amount, reserving to himself, as his whole property in this world, a smaller sum than he gave to me, because of his joy in the Lord, and because of his being able to enter into the reality of his possessions in the world to come. I delight in dwelling upon such an instance, because 1, it shows that there is grace, much grace, to be found among the saints even now; 2, it shows the variety of instrumentality which the Lord is pleased to employ, in supplying me with means for His service; and 3, because it so manifestly proves that we do not wait upon Him in vain, when we make known our requests to Him for means.

July 20. From Philadelphia, in the United States, 5l.

Aug. 20. From the neighbourhood of Mallow in Ireland 17s. 6d, and 2s.

6d.--Anonymously from a "Brother Christian and Well-wisher," through his bankers in London, 100l.

Aug. 27. From Caistor 5s.--From Gumeracka, near Adelaide, Australia, 2l. 10s. From the same place 10s.--From Cheltenham 2s. 6d.--From Frampton-on-Severn seven silver coins.

You see, esteemed reader, how much variety there is in the kind of donations as well as in the amount, the places whence they are sent, and the friends who send them. But all these donations come from the living G.o.d. All come to us in answer to prayer, and are received by us as answers to prayer; and with every donation, however small, we receive thins a fresh encouragement, to continue in prayer, and have, as it were, another earnest from our Heavenly Father, that at last He not only will give larger sums, but the whole amount which is needed for the Building Fund. Every one of these donations comes unsolicited. Ever since the Orphan Work has been in operation, we have never asked any one for anything. Be therefore, dear reader, encouraged by this, to make trial for yourself, to prove the power of prayer, if you have never done so before.

Dec. 31. This is the last day of another year. Two years and a half I have new been day by day seeking the Lord's help in player for this object. He has also been pleased to give us many proofs, that He is remembering our requests, still as yet I have only 13,670l. 11s. 7 d.

in hand. Considerably more than double this sum will be needed. But, by the grace of G.o.d, I am not discouraged. The Lord is able and willing to help us. This is my comfort. In His own time the Almighty G.o.d will manifest His power. In the meantime I desire to continue to wait upon Him, and to receive every fresh donation, however small, as an earnest, that in His own time He not only will give larger sums, but the whole amount needed for this object.

Jan. 17, 1854. This day I received the promise, that there should be paid to me, for the work of the Lord in my hands, 5,207l., to be disposed of as I might consider best.

This large donation was shortly after paid to me, and was portioned out thus: For the Building Fund 3000l.; for the support of the 300 Orphans 707l.; for foreign missions 500l.; for labourers in the Word in England, Ireland and Scotland 500l.; for the gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the poor 200l.; for the gratuitous circulation of Gospel Tracts 200l.; and for the various schools, supported or a.s.sisted by the Funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution, 100l.

Behold, esteemed reader, the goodness of G.o.d! Behold also the recompense, which sooner or hater, the Lord gives to His children, who wait upon Him and trust in Him Often it may appear that we wait upon the Lord in vain; but, in His own time G.o.d will abundantly prove, that it was not in vain. Go on therefore, Christian reader, to wait upon the Lord. Continue to make known your requests to Him; but do also expect help from Him. You honour G.o.d, by believing that He does hear your prayers, and that He will answer them.

The joy which such answers to prayer give, cannot be described; and the impetus which they thus afford to the spiritual life is exceedingly great. The experience of this happiness I desire for all my Christian readers. Nor is there anything to hinder any believer from having these joys. If you believe indeed in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your soul, if you walk uprightly and do not regard iniquity in your heart, if you continue to wait patiently, and believingly upon G.o.d; then answers will surely be given to your prayers. You may not be called upon to serve the Lord in the way the writer does, and therefore may never have answers to prayer respecting such things as are recorded here; but in your various circ.u.mstances, as to your family, your business, your profession, your church position, your labour for the Lord inn army way, you may have answers as distinct as any here recorded.

Should this, however, be read by any who are not believers in the Lord Jesus, but any who are going on in the carelessness or self-righteousness of their unrenewed hearts, then I would affectionately and solemnly beseech such, first of all to be reconciled to G.o.d by faith in the Lord Jesus. You are sinners. You deserve punishment. If you do not see this, ask G.o.d to show it unto you. Let this now be your first and especial prayer. Ask Him also to enlighten you not merely concerning your state by nature, but especially to reveal the Lord Jesus to your hearts. G.o.d sent Him, that He might bear the punishment, due to us guilty sinners. G.o.d accepts the obedience and sufferings of the Lord Jesus, in the room of those who depend upon Him for the salvation of their souls; and the moment a sinner believes in the Lord Jesus, he obtains the forgiveness of all his sins. When thus he is reconciled to G.o.d, by faith in the Lord Jesus, and has obtained the forgiveness of his sins, he has boldness to enter into the presence of G.o.d, to make known his requests unto G.o.d; and the more he is enabled to realize, that his sins are forgiven, and that G.o.d, for Christ's sake, is well pleased with those who believe on Him, the more ready he will be to come with all his wants, both temporal and spiritual, to his Heavenly Father, that He may supply them. But as long as the consciousness of unpardoned guilt remains, so long shall we be kept at a distance from G.o.d, and especially also as it regards prayer. Therefore, dear reader, if you are an unforgiven sinner, let your first and especial subject of your prayer be, that G.o.d would be pleased to reveal to your heart the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son.

March 5. To day it is twenty years since the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad made its beginning. When I look back upon that day, with reference to this work, I desire with grat.i.tude to exclaim, What has G.o.d wrought! His name be magnified for it! I desire to take courage from all His former goodness, and to go on in His service.

March 6. Received 131l. 1s. 3d., which being left at my disposal, I took 31l. 1s. 3d. for the Building Fund, and 100l. for the support of the Orphans.--Through Bethesda boxes, as a thank-offering for the mercies of the past month, 2s. 6d.

April 22. From London, six knives, nine silver forks, three silver table spoons, three silver dessert spoons, three silver tea spoons, one silver salt spoon, a silver pencil case, three penholders, one mounted in silver and two in gold, and a penknife.

May. 3. Anonymously, through banker's in London, 100l.--May 8.

Through Bethesda homes, 2s. 6d., as "A thank-offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past month."

Month after month, for some time past, 2s. 6d. has been given as "A thank-offering for the mercies of the past month," I am delighted with this. Not yearly only may the saints bring their offerings to the Lord, as He may have prospered them, but monthly. Yea the Holy Ghost, by the Apostle Paul, gives this exhortation to the believers of the Church at Corinth, concerning offerings for the poor saints; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as G.o.d hath prospered him." I Cor. xvi. 2. As the Lord had prospered them, so were they not merely yearly, or monthly, but even weekly to contribute to the support of the poor. We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. The time of our pilgrimage here is very uncertain. The opportunities which the Lord gives us for His service are therefore readily to be embraced.

All here below is most uncertain. How long we may have the opportunity to work for the Lord, who can tell? Therefore the present hour is to be used with all our might. As an encouragement for all this, we have to look to the return of our Lord Jesus.