A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 33

May 26. 82l. 18s. 4d., being the proceeds arising from the sale of a work published in English, and 14s. 3d., from the sale of a work published in French, were given for the Building Fund.

Thus closes the period from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854. The whole income for this object during the year was 5,285l. 7s. 5d., which, together with the 12,531l. 12s. 0 d. in hand on May 26, 1853, made the total of 17,816l. 12s. 5 d. in hand on May 26, 1854.

I add the following remarks, with reference to the intended Orphan House for 700 Orphans, which appeared in the Report for 1854, and which are here reprinted.

A. During this year the current expenses, for the various Objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, amounted to 7,507l. 0s. 11 d., being 471l. 8s, 11d. more than during any previous year; yet the Lord not only enabled me to meet them all, but to add the sum of 5,285l. 7s, 5d. to the Building Fund.

B. There is yet a large sum required, before I shall be enabled to build another house for 700 Orphans; nor have I now, any more than at the first, any natural prospect of obtaining what is yet needed; but my hope is in the living G.o.d. When I came to the conclusion that it was the will of G.o.d I should build another Orphan House, I had not only no natural prospect of obtaining the 35,000l. which would be needed for thus object, but also no natural prospect of being able to provide for the necessities of the 300 Orphans already under my care. Three years have elapsed since then, and I have had all I needed for them, amounting to about 10,500l., and 17,816l. 19s. 5 d. I have received for the Building Fund. May I not well trust in the Lord, for what is yet needed for the Building Fund? By His grace I will do so, and delight in doing so; for I know that at last all my prayers will be turned into praises concerning this part of the service.

C. There is one point which is particularly an encouragement to me, to go on waiting upon the Lord for the remainder of the means, which are required, viz.: applications for the admission of Orphans continue to be made. On May 26, 1858, there were 480 Orphans waiting for admission.

Since then 181 more have been applied for, making in all 661. Of these, however, thirty have been admitted during the past year into the New Orphan-House, and twenty-nine have been otherwise provided for, so that there are actually 602 waiting for admission. These children are from three months old and upwards, and all bereaved of both parents by death.

Supplies for the School ?, Bible?, Missionary and Tract fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

On May 26, 1853, there was left in hand for these objects a balance of 67l. 17s. 7 d.

June 13. When I had very little in hand, comparatively, there being about 30l. left, as little only had come in since May 26th, I received a donation of 301l., of which I took 201l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for these objects. How much is there needed, to go on with all these various objects, and to press into every open door, which the Lord may set before me! How kind, therefore, of Him, to have sent me this sum!

July 14. Only about 150l. had come in for these objects since June 18.

But though I had not much in hand, I sent out 65l. on the 11th, three days since, for missionary objects, being a.s.sured that the sowing would bring the reaping. On the very next day, July 12th, I received from Chelsea 5l. and also 10s. From the north of Devon 10l. Anonymously 5l.

From Norwich, for foreign missions, 5l. The day after that, July 13th, I received from the neighbourhood of Leeds 10l., and from Oakhill 1s. Now today I received the 541l. 10s., spoken of under the Building Fund, of which I took for these objects 100l.

July 15. Today the Lord has been pleased to give still more. I have received 20l. for the Schools and 50l. for these various objects.

Sept. 15. During the last two days I sent out 85l. to brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad; and during the first half of this month have already sent to them 174l. During the last two days, whilst sending out almost the last pound in hand for missionary objects, I felt quite comfortable in doing so, and said to myself: "The Lord can give mc more." So it has been. This morning I have received from Weston Super Mare, in a registered letter, 100l. with these words: "The enclosed 100l. for missionaries to the heathen, from H. E. H., Western Super Mare, Sept, 14th." This is particularly refreshing to me, as I desired still to send out during this month about 200l. to other brethren.

Oct. 15. During the last six weeks little only, comparatively, has been received for these objects; but I have sent out much for missionary objects, and for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts. Thus the funds for these various objects were this morning reduced to 29l.

15s. 6 d. Yet my heart desired to send out, before the close of this month, a considerable amount to preachers of the Gospel, and to spend further sums on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. This my desire has been in a measure already granted, for I received this morning 192l. 1s. Of this sum I took 100l. for these objects, and the remainder for the current expenses for the Orphans. The Lord be magnified for this kindness! There was also much need for fresh supplies for the Orphans, when this donation was received. With more than usual exercise of faith and patience have I had to wait upon G.o.d for the last four weeks, during which time the income has been very little and the outgoing very great.

Dec. 8. Today I received three autographs of King William IV., one of Sir Robert Peel, and two of Lord Melbourne (with six postage stamps), to be sold for the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution.--See what a variety of donations the Lord sends us for the support of the work!

Dec. 11. For several years I have not been so poor for these objects, as during the last six weeks. Day by day have I besought the Lord for more means, and almost daily has He also sent in something; yet the income has not been adequate to help the 56 brethren, whom I seek to a.s.sist as preachers of the Word at home and abroad, in the measure I have desired.

I had reason to believe, that several were in need, but I had nothing to send to them, and could only labour on in prayer, finding relief in the knowledge that G.o.d could help them irrespective of my instrumentality, and make this their trial of faith and patience a blessing to their souls, even as I have found this season profitable to myself. But now at the last the Lord has refreshed my spirit exceedingly, by a donation of 300l., left at my disposal; of which I have taken 150l. for these objects, and 150l. for the Orphans, for whom also fresh supplies were greatly needed, so much so, that we had not once been so poor since the New Orphan-House was first opened.

Jan. 17, 1854. Received from an anonymous donor, through London bankers, a Bank Post Bill for 50l. "for general purposes." I took of this amount one half for these various objects, and the other half for the benefit of the Orphans. This donation came at a time of great need.

But the Lord helped me still mere bountifully; for I received also, on that day, the promise of the donation of 5,207l., spoken of already under the Building Fund, and of which donation I took for these objects altogether 1,500l. whereby I was so abundantly helped, that, with what the Lord was pleased to send in besides for these objects, up to May 26, 1854, I was enabled to meet all their many and heavy expenses.

The following circ.u.mstance is so remarkable, that I give it at full length as an ill.u.s.tration of the various ways, and the remarkable manner, in which the Lord is pleased, in answer to prayer, to supply me with means.

On Aug. 9th, 1853, I received a letter, from a Christian brother, accompanied by an order for 88l. 2s. 6d. on his bankers, of which 3l.

2s, 6d. were the proceeds of an Orphan-Box in a meeting place of believers, and 85l. from a poor widow, who had sold her little house, being all her property, and who had put 90l., the total amount she had received, into that Orphan-Box two months before, on June 9, 1853. In this box the money remained till it was opened, and then the 90l., with a few lines, without name, were found in it. As, however, the fact of her intending to sell the house, and sending me the money, for the Lord's work, had been known to the brother, who sent me the money, he did not feel free to send it to me, without remonstrating with her through two brethren, whom he sent with the money, offering it again to her; for he knew her to be very poor, and feared that this might be an act of excitement, and therefore be regretted afterwards. These brethren could not prevail on her to receive back the money, but they did persuade her to receive back 5l. of the amount, and then the brother, referred to, felt no longer free to keep the money from me, but sent me the 85l.

On the receipt of this I wrote at once to the poor G.o.dly widow, offering her the traveling expenses for coming to Bristol, that I might have personal intercourse with her; for I feared lest this should be an act of excitement, and the more so, as she had received back 5l. of the sum.

This sister in the Lord, a widow of about 60 years of age, came to Bristol, and told me in all simplicity how ten years before, in the year 1843, she had purposed that, if ever she should come into the possession of the little house in which she lived with her husband, she would sell it, and give the proceeds to the Lord. About five years afterwards her husband died, and she, having no children, nor any particular claim upon her, then sought to dispose of her little property. However one difficulty after the other prevented her being able to effect a sale. At last she felt in particular difficulty on account of her inability to pay the yearly ground rent of the house and garden, and she asked the Lord to enable her to sell the property, in order that she might be able to carry out her desire, which she had had for ten years. He now helped her; the house was sold, the money paid, and she put the whole 90l. into the Orphan Box for me, being a.s.sured that the Lord would direct me how best the money might be used for Him.--I still questioned her again and again to find out, whether it was not excitement which had led her to act as she had done; but I not only saw that her mind had been fully decided about this act for ten years before, but that she was also able to answer from the word of G.o.d all the objections which I purposely made, in order to probe her, whether she had intelligently and from right motives acted in what she had done. At last, being fully satisfied that it was not from impulse nor under excitement that she had given the money, I stated to her something like this: "You are poor, about sixty years old, and therefore decreasing in strength, may you not therefore keep this money for yourself?" Her reply was: "G.o.d has always provided for me, and I have no doubt He will do so in future also. I am able to work and to earn my bread as well as others, and am willing to work as a nurse, or in any other way." What could I say against this? This was just what a child of G.o.d would say, and should say.--But the greatest of all the difficulties about accepting the 85l. remained in my mind. It was this. The house had been sold for 90l. The whole amount had been put into the box, but, on the persuasion of the two brethren who were requested to remonstrate with this widow, she had been induced to take back 5l. out of the 90l. I therefore said to myself, might she not be willing, after a time, to take back the whole 90l., how therefore can I feel happy in accepting this money. On this account I particularly laid stress upon this point, and now learned the circ.u.mstances under which she had been induced to take back this 5l.

The two brethren who had called for the purpose of pointing out the propriety of receiving back again the 90l., or part of it, told her that Barnabas sold his land, but afterwards lived with others on that which he and others had thrown into the common stock, and that therefore she might receive at least part of the 90l. back again, if she would not take the whole. She then said to herself that, "as a child of G.o.d she might take the children's portion," and, as she had given to G.o.d this 90l., she might receive 5l. back again. She told me, that she considered the brethren had shown her from the Holy Scriptures what she might do, and therefore she had taken this 5l. I did not myself agree with the judgment of those brethren who had said this (as there is no evidence that Barnabas ever was supported out of the common stock, the proceeds of the sale of houses and lands, out of which the poor were supported); but I purposely said nothing to the widow, lest she should at once be induced to give me this 5l. also. She had, however, this 5l. untouched, and showed it to me; and before leaving she would make me take 1l. of it for the benefit of the Orphans, which I did not refuse, as I had no intention to keep the 85l. She also gave me a sixpence for the Orphans, which some one had given her for herself, a few days before.

I now asked her, as this matter concerning the remaining of the 5l. was satisfactorily explained, as far as it respected her own state of heart, what she wished me to do with the money, in case I saw it right to keep it. Her reply was, that she would leave that with me, and G.o.d would direct me concerning it; but that, if she said any thing at all, she should most like it to be used for the support of brethren who labour in the Word without salary, and who hazard their lives for the name of Christ. She wished me to have a part of the money; but this I flatly refused, lest I should be evil spoken of in this matter. I then offered to pay her traveling expenses, as she had come to me, which she would not accept, as she did not stand in need of it. In conclusion I told her, that I would now further pray respecting this matter, and consider what to do concerning it. I then prayed with this dear G.o.dly woman, commended her to G.o.d, separated from her, and have not seen her since.

I waited from Aug. 9, 1853, to March 7, 1854, when I wrote to her, offering her back again the whole 85l., or a part of it. On March 9, 1854, just seven months after I had received the money, amid just nine months after she had actually given it, and ten years and nine months after she had made the resolution to give her house and garden to G.o.d, I heard from her, stating that she was of the same mind as she had been for years. I, therefore, disposed of the money, to aid such foreign missionary brethren as, according to the best my knowledge resembled most the cla.s.s of men whom she wished to a.s.sist.

The reasons, why I have so minutely dwelt upon this circ.u.mstance, are: 1, If, as a steward of the bounties of the children of G.o.d, I should be blamed for receiving from a poor widow almost literally her all, it may be seen in what manner I did so. To have refused, on March 9, 1854, also would be going beyond what I should be warranted to do. 2, I desired also to give a practical ill.u.s.tration, that I only desire donations in G.o.d's way. It is not the money only, I desire; but money received, in answer to prayer, in G.o.d's order. 3, This circ.u.mstance ill.u.s.trates how G.o.d helps me often in the most unexpected manner. 4, I have also related this instance, as a fresh proof, that even in these last days the love of Christ is of constraining power, and may work mightily, as in the days of the Apostles. I have witnessed many such instances as this, during the twenty years I have been occupied in this my service. Let us give thanks to G.o.d for such cases, and seek for grace rather to imitate such G.o.dly men and women than think that they are going too far.

I cannot, however, dismiss this subject, without commending this poor widow to the prayers of all who love our Lord Jesus, that she may be kept humble, lest, thinking highly of herself, on account of what she has been enabled to do, by the grace of G.o.d, she should not only lose blessing in her own soul, but this circ.u.mstance should become a snare to her. Pray also, believing Reader, that she may never be allowed to regret what she has done for the Lord.

May 23. Yesterday I looked over the list of the 56 labourers in the Word, whom I seek to a.s.sist, in order to see to whom it would be desirable to send help; and, having drawn out a list, with the respective amounts for each, I found that it would be desirable to send out this week 327l., but I wanted at least 50l. more, to be able to accomplish this. Accordingly I gave myself to prayer, if it might please the Lord to send me the means. And now, this morning, in answer to prayer, I received anonymously from bankers in London 100l., which the donor desired to be applied for the current expenses for the Orphans, and for labourers in the Gospel at Home and Abroad. I took therefore 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for home and foreign labourers.

By the same post I received also from the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury 10l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took for missionary objects.--I have now the desire of my heart granted, being able to send out the full amount of what it yesterday appeared to me desirable that I should send to the brethren whom I seek to help.

Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, already under our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

At the commencement of this period, there was in hand the balance of 117l. 10s. 9d. This was the visible support, in the way of pecuniary means, which we had to look to for 320 inmates in the New Orphan House, whilst often two or three days might call for such an amount as this.

But we hoped in G.o.d, as in former years, and, by His grace, were upheld, and our faith was not allowed to fail, though it was not a little tried, as the following pages will show.

Of the donations which came in between May 26, and June. 13, 1853, I will only mention the following. On June 1st I received from Cape Town 2l. for the Orphans, and 3l. for tracts. On June 8th I received from Rhode Island, United States, 20 dollars and 5 dollars (4l. 15s. 9d.

English), when I had scarcely anything left for the Orphans. Observe, dear Reader, from Africa and from America the Lord sends help to us, yea from almost all parts of the world. Thus is He saying to us more and more; "Only believe." On June 10th I received 5l. from a brother in the Lord at a distance, as a thank-offering to G.o.d, that, having been thrown from his horse, he had not been killed, but only greatly hurt.

June. 13. We were now very poor. Not indeed in debt, nor was even all the money gone; for there was still about 12l. in hand; but then there needed to be bought flour, of which we buy generally 10 sacks at a tine, 300 stones of oatmeal, 4 cwt. of soap, and there were many little repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen, besides the regular current expenses of about 70l. per week. Over and above all this, on Sat.u.r.day, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, which would cost in all probability 25l. It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have 100l. for these heavy extra expenses, besides means for the current expenses. But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even 100 Pence, much less 100l. In addition to this, today was Monday, when generally the income is little. But, in walking to the Orphan House this morning, and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, that on this day, though Monday, He could send me much. And thus it was. I received this morning 301l. for the Lord's service, as might be most needed.--The joy which I had cannot be described. I walked up and down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and grat.i.tude to the Lord running plentifully over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed service. I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord in helping me.--I took of this money 201l., for the current expenses for the Orphans, and 100l. for missionary objects, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts, and for the various Schools.

Of the donations which came in between June 13th and Aug. 31st, amounting to more than 600l., I will only mention: 50l., through a most unexpected circ.u.mstance, from Glasgow, on June 29th. 2l. from Sunderland on July 23rd, of which 1l was made up, by an individual putting by one half-penny daily for the Orphans, and a poor widow one penny per week.

? On Aug. 19th I received from a Christian Negro in Demerara an old silver watch, a gold pin and brooch, and Five Dollars.

Aug. 31. When there was less than 20l. in, hand, I received today a donation of 220l., of which the donor kindly wished me to take 20l. for my own personal expenses, and to use the other for the work of the Lord as most needed. I therefore took 150l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects, and was thus enabled to advance today 30l., as usual, for the house-keeping expenses; money being called for, which, otherwise, I should not have been able to supply.

Of the donations received between Aug. 31st and Oct. 24th, amounting to about 550l., I only notice 2l. 7s. 6d. "From South Africa," 1l. from Malta, and 6s. 4d. from Demerara.

I will now minutely relate the Lord's dealings with us, with reference to meeting the expenses for the 300 Orphans, for about three weeks, as a specimen of how the Lord was pleased to help us during a period when the flour was twice as dear as for several years before, and when other expenses were much greater than usual.

Oct. 24. This afternoon I was called on to advance more house-keeping money; but as I had only about 26l. altogether in hand, I could only give 20l. this time, instead of the usual 30l. I had then about 6l. left for all the many other expenses, large and small, connected with the Establishment, and which are not included in the ordinary house-keeping expenses. Before the day is over, I have received this evening the following amounts Through Salem boxes 1s. By sale of Reports 5s. 1d.

with 10s. as a donation. Both sums from Waterford.--From a donor in Bristol 1l.--From Bayswater 5l.

Oct. 25. From an Orphan-box in Bristol 4s.--From Warminster 1l. 1s.

? From Seven Oaks 1l.1s. 6d. This was an old debt, owed for a long time to the donor. He expressed in prayer that, if the Lord would cause the money to be paid, it should be sent to me; and almost immediately afterwards it was paid.--From Durham 12l., being a dividend on shares in gas-works.--From Braunton 5s.--From Balham Hill, London, 1l.

10s., with a variety of articles to be sold for the benefit of the Orphans.--By sale of Reports 2s.

Oct. 26. From Keswick 7s. 6d., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., and 3s.--By sale of Reports 1l. 2s. 11 d.--By sale of some silver coins, a few tea spoons, and a few trinkets 5l.--By sale of Reports 9s.--There was found in the visitor's room at the New Orphan House a four-penny piece.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 4l. 14s. This afternoon was the time in the week when visitors see the establishment.

It was a wet afternoon, but still above 60 persons went over the house.

Being in great need of means, of which the visitors, however, could perceive nothing, as all our stores were full as usual, I asked the Lord, that He would be pleased to put it into their hearts to put money into the boxes: and this sum I found in them this evening.--Yesterday it was necessary to purchase ten sacks of flout, which, being just now twice as dear as darning the last years, cost 27l. 10s.; and this day it was needful to spend 8l. 1s. 2d. for smith's work. How kind, therefore, of the Lord to have sent me today, yesterday, and the afternoon of the day before yesterday, 34l. 11s, 4 d. Thus, with the 6l. left before, I am able to meet these two items of above 35l., and have about 5l. left.

Now observe how the Lord further helped, when I had only Five Pounds left.

Oct. 27. By sale of Reports 3s.--From West Brixton 5s., and 5s. from Scotland.--Through a box in the New Orphan House 6d.--By sale of a Report 6d.

Oct. 28. "From Friends of Petersham" 1l. 2s. 6d., and from Richmond 7s.

6d.--From the neighbourhood of Stourbridge. 1l.--From Wells 3s.

? From a clergyman at Weston-super-Mare 5l.--Anonymously from Scotland 6d.--From a brother in the Lord 1l., with two pewter plates.

? From Clifton 10s.--From Hackney 1s.