A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 34

Oct. 29. From Chilton Polden 5s., as "A thank-offering that the donor's children have not been left Orphans."--From Kingsbridge 5s.

6d.--From Glasgow 7s. 6d.--By sale of articles and Reports 2l.

10s.--From Royston 1l.

Oct. 30. From Lichfield 2s. 6d. and 3s. 8d.--From a medical gentleman in Bristol 1l.--From Clifton 3s.

Oct. 31. This afternoon more money was required for house-keeping. By the donations which had come in since the 27th, I was able to pay away 7l. 13s., and 1l. 2s., and had 12l. 17s, 2d. besides. This I gave to the last penny for house-keeping, and had now literally not one penny left in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans.

This evening I received, when I had nothing in hand: from Clifton 1l.

? From a sister in the Lord in Bristol 2s. 6d.--Through Bethesda boxes 5s., "from servants in Scotland,"--From Wivelis...o...b.. 1l.-- From Clifton 10s.--Through the Chapel boxes 2s.--A pair of silver-mounted spectacles and 2s. 6d. from Clifton.

Nov. 1. By means of those little sums, which came in last evening, I was able to let the matron have further 2l. 17s. early this morning. Thus we were able to meet this day's demands. There came in further today: By sale of old clothes 6s. 4d., and from Launceston, by sale of Reports, 7s. 6d.--There was put into the letter box at my house anonymously, 1s. 6d., with these words: "I had worked hard for this money, and could not get paid. A thought pa.s.sed lately through my mind, if I ever get it, I will devote it to some charitable purpose. To my surprise, without asking for it, it is paid. I now send it for the Orphans."--Evening.

By sale of Reports 3s.--From Spaldwick 2s. 6d. and 1s.--From the neighbourhood of Arundel 11s. 6d.

Nov. 2. From Hull 5s.--From Knapp 1s.--From Gosport 2l.--From six servants at Hampton Court Palace, a parcel, containing a variety of articles, for the use of the Orphans, or to be sold for their benefit, with 4s. ?Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 1l. 16s. 5 d.

Given also by a visitor from Cornwall 10s., Ditto by another 10s., Ditto by another 2s. 6d., Ditto by another 1s.--By sale of Reports 6s.-- I was thus further able to advance last evening for house-keeping expenses 1l. 0s. 4d., this morning 3l. 1s., and this evening 3l. 12s. 11 d. Thus, though we are living by the day, as it respects supplies out of the hands of our Heavenly Father, yet we have lacked nothing!

Received further 12s. by sale of Reports.

Nov. 3. From Helensburgh 2s. and 6d.--From Bideford 12s.--From Islington 2l.--From Clifton Park 5l.--By sale of some books 3l.

? From a donor in Bristol 5l. From Norwich 5s.--Thus we have wherewith to meet the expenses for today and tomorrow, and, it may be, of the day after tomorrow. At all events, before this is gone, the faithful Lord will send in more.

Nov. 4. By sale of old clothes 11s. 2 d.--From Whitby 1l. Ditto 5s.--From Bodmin 1s.--By sale of rags 7s. 3d. [I transcribe from the Income book. We think it right to turn every thing to account, so that nothing be wasted, and that the expenses of the Inst.i.tution be not needlessly increased.]

Nov. 5. From Swansea 5s.--From Willenhall 5s.--From Bridgewater 5s.--From Worcester 5s. and 1s.--Evening, Sat.u.r.day. Thus we have had during another week everything needed.

Nov. 7. There came in yesterday 1s. from Stafford, and 3s. from Worksop.

? To day from Kilkenny 1l.--When I had nothing at all in hand, having paid out the last money today, and when more would be needed this evening or tomorrow morning, I received this afternoon, from a most unexpected quarter, 6l. This morning the matron had between 11l, and 12l. in hand for house-keeping expenses, but, by the time I arrived at the New Orphan House, it had all been expended through unexpected demands, so that she had had to add half a crown of her own. I had received, however, this morning, at the very time while I was in prayer for means, 1l. from Kilkenny, which, with, 9s. 3 d. besides, in hand, I gave to her. Now this afternoon came in the 6l., and we have thus a manifest answer to prayer. The Lord be magnified.--Evening. Through Salem boxes 1s. Through Bethesda boxes 2s. 6d. Do. 6d. From P. 2s. 6d.

Nov. 8. From Guildford 1l. 1s.

Nov. 9. By sale of Reports 3s. 6d.--From Clonmell 9s. 5d.--Our need of means is great, very great. The Lord tries our faith and patience. This afternoon, a brother and sister in the Lord, from Gloucestershire, called to see mc at the New Orphan House, before going through the house. After a few minutes I received from the sister a sovereign, which she had been requested to bring to me for the Building Fund, and she gave mc from herself 1l. for my own personal expenses, and 1l. for tine Building Fund, and her husband gave me 5l. for the Orphans, and 5l. for Foreign Missions. Thus the Lord has refreshed my spirit greatly; but I look for more, and need much more.--Evening. By sale of Reports 13s. 2d. By the boxes in the New Orphan House 3l. 1s. 10 d. I received also this evening from Walmer 10l., of which the donor kindly wished 2l. to be used for the personal expenses of my family, and the rest for missionary work and the support of the Orphans. I took therefore one half for missions, and the other half for the Orphans.

Nov. 10. From Oakhill 5s.--By sale of Reports 15s. 10d.--From Swansea 10s., 4s., and 6s.--From Anglesey 5s. and 2s. 6d.--From Bath 2l.

Nov. 11. Anonymously from Banbury 1l.

Nov. 12. From Bideford 1l.--From Perth 1l. This evening, while praying for means, came a little parcel, containing Ten Sovereigns, from a Christian lady, living not far frown the New Orphan House. This was a very great refreshment to my spirit. Also from Clydach 10s. and 1s.

Nov. 13. Further precious help. Received this morning through Bankers in London, an anonymous donation of 50l. in a Bank Post Bill, with the words: "To be applied to general purposes; to be used as you may judge best." I took therefore the whole of this donation for the current expenses of the Orphans. A most welcome and refreshing donation, the fruit of many prayers, as just now the expenses are very great, and there were no means in hand to meet them! From Clifton 16s. 5d. From Easton 5l.

Nov. 14. From Melton Mowbray 2s. By sale of Reports 1s.--From Norwich 2s. 6d. Ditto 2s. 6d.--From Kingsbridge two brooches--Through the boxes at Bethesda 1s.--From Clevedon 1l.--From F. E. B. 2s. 6d.

Nov. 15. Anonymously from Nottingham 10s.--From Cheltenham 5l.-- From the Isle of Wight 10s.--This evening I received from a Christian lady a brooch set with amethysts, another brooch set with eight brilliants and six other small diamonds, and a small gold necklace. My heart was exceedingly refreshed by this donation, not only because we arc still in need of supplies on account of our heavy daily expenses just now; but also because this valuable donation consists of articles which the Christian donor can spare, without the slightest inconvenience.

Nov. 16. Anonymously in postages 3s. 6d.--From London 10l., with 5l.

for my own expenses.--By sale of Reports 7s.--Left by a visitor from Aberdeen, at the New Orphan House 10s. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 2l. 11s. 6 d.--From South Brent 1s. 6d.

I have thus given, minutely, the manner in which the Lord was pleased, for 24 days in succession to supply us with means for the Orphans, from which the spiritual reader may easily perceive our position. Thus it was with us not merely during the 24 days of which I have now given the history, but also to a greater or less degree at other times during this year. But I refrain from giving minutely the account of every day, for the sake of brevity.

The particular end, why I have been so minute, is to show that the work is now, as much as ever, a work carried on entirely in dependence upon the Living G.o.d, who alone is our hope, and to whom alone we look for help, and who never has forsaken us in the hour of need. There is, however, one thing different with reference to this year, when compared with former years, and that is, that, while our trials of faith during this year were just as great as in previous years, the amount needed in former times was never so great as during this year, especially as the bread during the greater part of this year was about twice as dear as for several years before.

But then, it may be said, if you have had this trial of faith, with these 300 Orphans, why do you seek to build another Orphan House for 700 more, and thus have a thousand to care for? Will you not have still greater trials of faith?

My reply is: 1, G.o.d has never failed me all the 20 years of this my service. 2, I am going on as easily now, with 300 Orphans, as with 30, the number with which I commenced. Their number is ten times as large, as it was at the first; but G.o.d has always helped me. 3, Trials of faith were antic.i.p.ated, yea were one chief end of the work, for the profit of the Church of Christ at large. 4, I had courage given me to go forward, solely in dependence upon G.o.d, being a.s.sured that He would help me; yet I waited in secret upon Him for six months, before I made this my intention known, in order that I might not take a hasty step; and have never regretted having gone forward. 5, But it needs to be added, that the very abundance which the Lord gave me at the time, when my mind was exercised about this matter, was a great confirmation to me, that I had not mistaken His mind. And even during this year, how great has been His help; for the income for the work altogether has been 12,785l. 15s. 7 d. I am therefore a.s.sured that the Lord will, in His own time, not only allow me to build another Orphan House, but that He will also, when He shall have been pleased to fill it, find the means to provide for these children.

I give now a brief reference to some of the more remarkable donations which came in between Nov. 16, 1853, and May 26, 1854.

Jan. 1, 1854. Received three old guinea pieces, with the following words: "The enclosed has been too long held in reserve, as an esteemed memento from a dear departed parent (for which may the Lord grant a pardon). A conviction of its wrong overpowers the natural desire, of its being retained, and not expended to the glory of G.o.d: for which purpose it is now sent to dear Mr. Muller, as a new year offering, to be used in the way he thinks most conducive to the same,"--In this instance I had a double answer to prayer; for we were not only much in need of means, when the donation came in, but I had also again and again asked the Lord to incline the hearts of His dear children to send me their jewellery, their old gold and silver coins, and other valuable, but needless, articles, to be turned into money for the work of the Lord.

Jan. 17. Memorable day. Today, in much need, was received from Glasgow 10l., with 10l. for Mr. Craik, and 10l. for my own personal expenses.

? There came in also, a Bank Post Bill for 50l., anonymously, through London Bankers, which amount was taken half for the Orphans and half for the other objects.--Likewise from Stroud 10s.--From Reading 6s.

3d.--From Gloucester 2s. 6d.--But the Lord over and above all this, allowed me to have this day the promise of that large donation which has been spoken of under the Building Fund, of which 707l. was taken towards the support of the Orphans, by which, together with 1,119l. 8s. 2 d. which came in for the support of the Orphans from Jan. 17 up to May 26, 1854, we were helped to the close of this period.

March 1. There was left to me, for the benefit of the Orphans, a year ago, by an individual in Bristol, whom I had never seen, a legacy of 100l., which was paid this day, less 10l. legacy duty.

April 9. This morning I received from an anonymous donor, through Bankers in London, a Bank Post Bill for 50l., the application of which was left to me. I took the whole of it for the support of the Orphans.

This donation has been a great spiritual refreshment to me, as the expenses for the Orphans are now so very great, and as for five weeks no large sums have come in.

April 17. Received 150l., of which the donor kindly wished me to take 20l. for my own personal expenses, and to use the rest as might be most needed for the Lord's work in my hands. I took, therefore, 100l. for the current expenses for the Orphans, and 30l. for the other Objects.

? This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, as the expenses for the Orphans were never so great at any period, since the work commenced, as during the last six mouths, on account of the high price of provisions; and as the income, compared with the expenses, has been small of late, though considerable, were not the expenses so very great.

May 14. This morning I have received 150l., of which I have taken for the current expenses for the Orphans 100l., and for the other objects 50l.--Tomorrow I shall have to pay out for the Orphans 107l. 4s. The total amount I had in hand for them, before this donation was received, was only 120l. How kind, therefore, of the Lord to replenish our means again, before they were almost entirely exhausted!--I received, also, this morning from Clifton 5l.

During the following 12 days there came in further 107l. altogether for the support of the Orphans.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

1. During this year 4 Day Schools, with 202 children, were entirely supported by the funds of the Inst.i.tution. Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, with 137 children, was entirely supported, and three others in Devonshire, Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire, with 300 children, were a.s.sisted. Lastly, one Adult School, with 154 Adult scholars, was entirely supported. The total amount which was spent during this year, in connexion with these schools, was 359l. 15s. 10 d.--The number of all the children, who were under our care, merely in the schools which were entirely supported by this Inst.i.tution, from March 5,1834, to May 26, 1854, was 5,817 in the Day Schools, and 2,748 in the Sunday Schools, and 2,315 persons in the Adult School.

2. During this year was expended on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, of the funds of the Inst.i.tution, 433l. 2s. 9d. There were circulated during this year 1890 Bibles and 1288 New Testaments; and from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1854, Twelve Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty-six Bibles, and Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Forty-nine New Testaments.

3. During this year there was spent of the Funds of the Inst.i.tution for Missionary objects the sum of 2,249l. 10s. 8 d. By this sum, fifty-six labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or less degree a.s.sisted.

During this year, the Lord was pleased to bless again abundantly the labours of many of those servants of Christ, who were a.s.sisted through the funds of this Inst.i.tution, and this has been the case in foreign countries as well as at home.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854, the sum of 563l. 5s. 0 d.; and there were circulated 869,636 Tracts.

The total number of all time Tracts circulated from the beginning up to May 26, 1854, was Two Millions Six Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand Six Hundred and Seventy-six.

We desire to be grateful to the Lord, that, during no period previously we were enabled to circulate more Tracts, and more copies of the Holy Scriptures, and aid to a greater degree missionary labours, than during this period; yet we would not rest in that. It is the blessing of the Lord upon our labours which we need, which we desire, and which, by His grace, we also seek. If never so many millions of Tracts, yea even copies of the Holy Scriptures, were circulated, and the Lord did not give His blessing, all these efforts would produce no results to the glory of His name. Yea, if even tens of thousands of preachers of the gospel could be supported with means, in the darkest places of the earth, and they enjoyed not the blessing of the Lord upon their labours, they would labour in vain. For this blessing G.o.d will be asked, in order that He may bestow it; but, when it is sought at His hands, He delights in giving it. By G.o.d's help we were enabled to seek this blessing, and we obtained again precious answers to our prayers, during this year. It is not merely that the Lord was pleased to give us answers to our prayers with regard to means for carrying on the work; but also in that the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution were abundantly blessed to the conversion of very many souls; and this was particularly also the case again with reference to the circulation of Tracts.

If any of the Christian Readers are in the habit of circulating Tracts, and yet have never seen fruit, may I suggest to them the following hints for their prayerful consideration. 1, Seek for such a state of heart, through Prayer and meditation on the Holy Scriptures, as that you are willing to let G.o.d have all the honour, if any good is accomplished by your service. If you desire for yourself the honour, yea, though it were in part only, you oblige the Lord, so to speak, to put you as yet aside as a vessel not meet for the Master's use. One of the greatest qualifications for usefulness in the service of the Lord is a heart, truly desirous of getting honour for Him. 2, Precede all your labours with earnest, diligent prayer; go to them in a prayerful spirit; and follow them by prayer. Do not rest on the number of Tracts you have given. A million of Tracts may not be the means of converting one single soul; and yet how great, beyond calculation, may be the blessing which results from one single Tract. Thus it is also with regard to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and the ministry of the Word itself.

Expect, then, everything from the blessing of the Lord, and nothing at all from your own exertions. 3, And yet, at the same time, labour, press into every open door, be instant in season and out of season, as if everything depended upon your labours. This, as has been stated before, is one of the great secrets in connexion with successful service for the Lord; to work, as if everything depended upon our diligence, and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions, but upon the blessing of the Lord. 4, This blessing of the Lord, however, should not merely be sought in prayer, but should also be expected, looked for, continually looked for; and the result will be, that we shall surely have it. 5, But suppose, that, for the trial of our faith, this blessing were for a long time withheld from our sight; or suppose even that we should have to fall asleep, before we see much good resulting from our labours; yet will they, if carried on in such a way and spirit as has been stated, be at last abundantly owned, and we shall have a much harvest in the day of Christ.

Now, dear Christian Reader, if you have not seen much blessing resulting from your labours, or perhaps none at all, consider prayerfully these hints, which are affectionately given by one who has now for about thirty years [in 1856] in some measure sought to serve the Lord, and who has found the blessedness, of what he has suggested, in some measure in his own experience.

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 30 Orphans; making 330 in all. Of these 330, four died, three were received back again by their relatives, who by that time were able to provide for them, 17 boys were, at the expense of the establishment, fitted out and apprenticed, and eight girls were fitted out and sent to situations, at the expense of the Establishment; so that there were only 298 Orphans in the house at the close of the period. The total number of Orphans, who were under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1854, was Five Hundred and Fifty Eight.

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