A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 36

"Dear Sir,--Will you graciously accept this mite from one who thinks of you and yours with grat.i.tude. It is indeed a very small sum. I regret that I have no more to bestow upon such a n.o.ble work. It will perhaps put a corner stone in the wall of the intended Orphan House. I think I should like to labour for the Lord in that blessed house, if it is His own will, and be the means in the Lord's hand of bringing many of the dear Orphans to know the truth as it is in Jesus. It was in the Orphan House in Wilson Street, 1846, that first the light of life dawned upon my benighted soul. It was there, that I first learned to call G.o.d my Father. I have need therefore to love the Orphan House, not only as concerning temporal things, but especially as its being my spiritual birth-place. May the Lord reward you, dear Sir, for all you have done for me. I am sure He will.

"I am, dear Sir, yours most respectfully,

I have at full length inserted this letter out of very many of that kind, received during the past twenty years, that I have been engaged in the Orphan work, for many of the Orphans who have been with us since.

April 11, 1836, have not only been fitted for this life, through being under our care, but have been manifestly brought to the knowledge of the Lord.

April 22. 50l., with 50l. for the labourers in the Gospel.

May 6. From Clifton 20l., with 10l. for missions.--May 26. By the sale of a publication 69l. 18s. 1 d.--To the sums received during this year is to be added 767l. 7s. 0d., received for interest. Thus ends the period from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855. The amount which came in during this year for the Building Fund, together with the 17,816l. 19s.

5 d. in. hand on May 26, 1854, make the total of 23,059l. 17s. 8 d. in hand on May 26, 1855.

In. addition to what has been stated relative to the income for the Building Fund during this year, I furnish the Reader with the following particulars respecting the building for 700 Orphans, reprinted from the Report for 1855.

When I had received the kind information, in January 1855, respecting the donation of 5700l., which should be paid to me by several Christian friends, of which I was at liberty to take such portion for the Building Fund as I might deem desirable, I judged that, though I had not such an amount of means in hand as I considered necessary before being warranted to begin to build, yet that I might make inquiries respecting land.

Accordingly, I applied in the beginning of February for the purchase of two fields which join the land on which the New Orphan-House is built.

On these two fields I had had my eye for years, and had purposed to endeavour to purchase them, whenever I might be in such a position as to means for the Building Fund, that it would be suitable to do so. I found, however, that, according to the will of the late owner of these fields, they could not be sold now. Thus my prospects were blighted.

When I obtained this information, though naturally tried by it and disappointed, I said, by G.o.d's grace, to myself: "The Lord has something better to give me, instead of these two fields;" and thus my heart was kept in peace. But when now the matter was fully decided that I could not obtain those fields, which had appeared to me so desirable for the object, the question arose, what I was to do for the obtaining of land. Under these circ.u.mstances some of my Christian friends again asked, as they had done before, why I did not build on the ground which we have around the New Orphan-House? My reply was, as before, that it could not be done:--1. Because it would throw the New Orphan-House for nearly two years into disorder on account of the building going on round about it. 2. There would not be sufficient room without shutting in the present house to a great extent. 3. That, as the New Orphan-House stands in the centre of our ground, there would not be sufficient room on any of the sides for the erection of a building so large as would be required.--I was, however, led to consider whether there was any way whereby we could accomplish the building on the ground belonging to the New Orphan-House. In doing so, I found that--1. By having a high temporary boundary made of old boards, the building ground could be entirely distinct from the present establishment. 2. By building on an entirely different plan from that of the present house, we should not only have room enough; but that also, 3. The present house would not be so enclosed that the health of the inmates of the establishment would thereby be injured.

But there was in connexion with this another point, which now came under consideration in addition to the particulars already mentioned: it was this. Though for four years past I had never had a doubt as to its being the will of G.o.d that I should build accommodation for 700 more Orphans; yet, at the same time, I had for a long time seen the desirableness of having two houses, instead of one, for the 700 Orphans. This previously formed judgment of having two houses for 350 Orphans in each, or 400 in the one, and 300 in the other, led me now to see whether there could be another house built on each side of the present New Orphan-House, and I judged, from measuring the ground, that there was no objection to this plan. I then called in the aid of architects, to survey the ground, and to make a rough plan of two houses, one on each side, and it was found that it could be accomplished. Having arrived thus far, I soon saw, that we should not only save expense by this plan in various ways, but especially that thus the direction, and inspection of the whole establishment would be much more easy and simple, as the buildings would be so near together. This, indeed, on being further considered, soon appeared to be a matter of such importance, that, even if land could be had but a quarter of a mile off, the difficulties would be greatly increased thereby. At the same time I found, that we still should retain so much land for cultivation by the spade, as would furnish some out-door employment for many boys, and would produce such vegetables as are the most important for young children, to have fresh out of the ground; or that we could easily rent a piece of ground near for that purpose, though it could not be bought.

The result, then, at which I have arrived at present is this, that, having seen what could be accomplished on the ground which we have already, I decided to build, without any further delay than was necessary for preparing the plans, at the South side of the New Orphan-House, another house for 400 children. The plans are now ready, and in a very short time, G.o.d willing, i.e. as soon as all tine necessary preliminary arrangements can be made, the building will commence, which I think will be in the early part of July of the present year, (i.e. 1855). Indeed, the first actual steps are already taken, since, on May 29th, the sinking of four wells for the new house was commenced.

This house is intended for 400 female Orphans, bereaved of both parents, from their earliest days, until they can be placed out in service. With regard to the other house for 300 Orphans, to be built at the North side of the New Orphan-House, nothing definitively can be stated at present.

There is enough money in hand to build, fit up, and furnish the house for 400 Orphans, and it is expected that something will be left; but there is not sufficient money in hand, at present, to warrant commencing the building of both. As soon, however, as there is, I shall be delighted to take active measures with regard to that for 300 Orphans also. I do not ask persons to help me with their means. I speak to the Lord about my need in prayer, and I do not wait upon Him in vain. At the same time I feel it right to state, that there is a loud and an abundant call for caring for dest.i.tute Orphans. On May 26, 1854, there were 602 waiting for admission, each bereaved of both parents by death. Since then 197 more have been applied for, making in all 799. Of these I have been able to receive only 39 during the past year, and 45 who were waiting for admission have been otherwise provided for, or have died since application was made for them; so that still 715 Orphans are waiting for admission, from three months old and upward. But this number, I state unhesitatingly, would be much larger, had not very many persons refrained from making application, because they judged it would be of no use, as there are already so many waiting for admission. Indeed there is every reason to believe, that there are many tens of thousands of dest.i.tute Orphans in this country. And what provision is there in the way of Orphan establishments, it may be asked? At the last census in 1851, there were in England and Wales 39 Orphan Establishments, and the total number of Orphans provided for through them, amounted only to 3764; but at the time the New Orphan-House was being built, there were about 6000 young Orphans in the prisons of England. To prevent their going to prison, to prevent their being brought up in sin and vice, yea, to be the honoured instrument to win their souls for G.o.d, I desire, by His help, to enlarge the present establishment, so as to be able to receive 1000 Orphans; and individuals who purpose not to live for time but for eternity, and look on their means as in the light of eternity, will thus have an opportunity of helping me to care for these children.

It is a great honour to be allowed to do anything for the Lord. We can only give to Him of His own; for all we have is His. When the day of recompense comes, the regret will only be, that we have done so little for Him, not that we have done too much.

Supplies for the School ?, Bible ??, Missionary ?, and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.

On May 26, 1854, when the accounts were closed, there was in hand 55l.

15s. for these objects. I now mention a few of the instances in which the Lord, in answer to prayer, supplied us with means.

July 6, 1854. As only about 100l. had come in for these objects during the past five weeks, all our means were now expended. I desired to help brethren who labour in the Word, but was unable to do so, when I received today 50l. from London, which, being left to my disposal, I took half of it for these objects, and half for the support of the Orphans.

July 8. Further, from the North of Devon 14l.

July 12. Day by day I have been waiting upon the Lord for means for home and foreign labourers in the Gospel, for whom I had no means, though greatly desiring to send them help. Today I received, as the fruit of many prayers, from London the sum of 100l., of which I took 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for these objects. It was the more remarkable that this donor should have sent me help at this time, as I had received 25l.

from him on the first day of this month.

About this time I received several other donations for missions.

On July 24th I received a small plate-chest, containing 14 table spoons, 6 dessert spoons, 11 tea spoons, 2 gravy spoons, 2 sauce ladles, 12 forks, 4 salt cellars, 4 salt spoons, a pepper box, a pair of sugar tongs, a wine funnel, a cream jug, a small salver, a small goblet, a larger ditto, fish knife, and a coffee pot, all of silver, 3 pairs of plated nut crackers, a plated salver and a pewter can. The donor, who desires to be his own executor, wished me to sell these articles, keep 10l. for myself, and to use the rest for missionary objects. The contents of the box realized 44l. 5s. 10d., and I was thus enabled on August 1, 1854, to send 40l. to seven brethren labouring in British Guiana; and about ten weeks afterwards I heard that the Lord had sent them this help at a time of great need.--On July 25th from Kendal 1l.

for missions.--On July 26th from a visitor at Clifton 30l. for missions.--From Bath 10s.--From Hackney 10s.--From Brosely 2s.

6d.--July 29. From Whitehaven 2l. 5s. 6d. for missions.--July 30.

From Uppingham 2s. 6d.--August 8. 40l from a distance, of which 30l.

was for missions.--August 18. From C. W. 20l. for missions.

I had thus the joy of being able to send a.s.sistance to some of the brethren whom I desire to help as labourers in the Gospel at Home or Abroad; yet all this was little in comparison with what I desired to do.

For several months, during this period, that is in June, July, August and September, up to October 17th, I was day by day waiting upon the Lord for means for labourers in the Word, as I had reason to believe that many of them were in need; but little only, comparatively, came in.

I was able to send up to October l7th not more than about one half of what I had been able to send them for several years previously. My desire to help these dear brethren was as great as ever. My earnestness in prayer for them, by G.o.d's grace, had not decreased. Their need, I had full reason to believe (and in some instances I knew) was great. I could, therefore, only conclude that the Lord allowed these dear brethren thus to have their faith tried, in order that they might the better become acquainted with himself. At last, however, the Lord refreshed my spirit greatly, first on October 17th, and then especially by that large donation at the commencement of the year 1855, of which I took a considerable portion for missionary objects, so that, especially during the last five months of this period, I was able to send help to brethren who labour in the Gospel to such an extent, as that about the same amount was disbursed for that object as for several years previously, but a greater amount for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts than formerly. Of the donations for these objects between Aug. 18 and Oct. 17, 1854, I only mention the following--On Sept. 21st, anonymously from Exmonth, a bank post bill for 20l., of which the donor designed 10l. to be applied to the Missionary Fund, 5l.

for the Orphans, and 5l. where most needed, or for my own necessities, as a thank-offering for unmerited mercies. This latter 5l., left for my disposal, I took for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. I wrote in my journal concerning this donation: "A precious answer to prayer! Great, great is the need."--On Sept. 23rd a deeply-afflicted mother left at my disposal 20l. I took it for missionary objects, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts; for which objects much then was needed. Almost all the Tracts for gratuitous circulation were gone, and many brethren who labour in the Word I desired to help, but had not the means.--Sept. 26. From Kensington 11l., which was taken for the circulation of Tracts and missions, as the disposal of it was left with me.--From Worcestershire 8l. 6s. 7d., being the balance of an account. It was taken for missions and the circulation of Gospel Tracts. A most seasonable help!--Sept. 28. "From two of G.o.d's children who can say, ?Our hearts trusted in Him, and we are helped,'" Psalm xxviii.

7, 1l. for missions, 1l. for the Orphans, with 1l. for myself.--Sept.

30. This morning, at our usual prayer meeting with my fellow-labourers, the need of brethren, who labour in the Word, was again especially brought before the Lord, as I had reason to believe many were in need, and I had nothing to send them. This evening I received from Shropshire 2 gold chains, a diamond brooch, and a topaz brooch, with the request of the donor to sell them for the benefit of brethren who labour in the Word. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, but I look out for more, far more.--Oct. 4. From E. B. 5l. for missions.--From a Missionary box at Stroud 3l. 0s. 7d.--Oct. 8. From a distance 20l.

for brethren who labour in the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 40l. for the Orphans, and 20l. for my own expenses. Precious answer to prayer. Great, great is the need for labourers in the Word. I had, therefore, particularly again waited upon the Lord yesterday, together with my fellow-labourers, for this object.--From B. S. 1l. for missions.-- Oct. 11. From Austin Friars, London, 20l.--Oct. 12. From Philadelphia 1l. From Cotham Lane 1l.--Oct. 14. 2s. 6d.--From Weymouth was received 2l., the disposal of which was left to me. Having just sent out, to the last pound, 40l. to Demerara, I took it for Missionary objects.

Oct. 17. This morning at family prayer, came, in the course of reading, Exodus v, which shows, that, just before the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, their trials were greater than ever. They had not only to make the same number of bricks as before, but also to gather stubble, as no straw was given them any longer. This led me, in expounding the portion, to observe, that even now the children of G.o.d are often in greater trial than ever, just before help and deliverance comes. Immediately after family prayer it was found, that by the morning's post not one penny had come in for the work of the Lord in which I am engaged, though we needed much, and though but very little had come in during the three previous days. Thus I had now to remember Exodus v, and to practise the truths contained therein. In the course of the day nothing was received. In the evening I had, as usual, a season for prayer with my dear wife, respecting the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution, and then we left the New Orphan House for our home. When we arrived at our house, about nine o'clock, we found that 5l. and also 5s. had been sent from Norwich in two Post Office Orders for the Building Fund, and that 8l. 3s. 11d. had been sent in for Bibles, Tracts and Reports, which had been sold. This called for thanksgiving. But a little later, between nine and ten o'clock, a Christian gentleman called and gave me 1l. for the Orphans and 200l. for foreign missions. He had received these sums from an aged Christian woman, whose savings as a servant, during her whole life, made up the 200l., and who, having recently had left to her a little annual income of about 30l., felt herself constrained, by the love of Christ, to send the savings of her whole life for foreign missions. This gentleman stated to me at the same time, that she had never had more than 5l. or 6l. wages a year, during her whole life. Moreover, out of this she has sent me, year by year, 1l. or more for the benefit of the Orphans, for many years; though I never knew her circ.u.mstances till now, as she resides at a distance, and I have never seen her. What various ways has the Lord to supply us with means! I add the following remarks: 1, For several months past no donation as large as 200l. has been received, a circ.u.mstance which has not occurred for about ten years past. 2, Now an aged servant is used by the Lord to send this donation as the fruit of her earnings, from about fifty years' service. 3, Our especial prayer had been again and again, that the Lord would be pleased to send in means for missionary brethren, as I had reason to believe they were in much need of help; and only at eight o'clock this evening I had particularly besought the Lord to send help for this object. By the last mail I had sent off 40l. to British Guiana, to help seven brethren there in some measure. This amount took the last pound in hand for this object. How gladly would I have sent a.s.sistance to other brethren also, but I had no more. Now I am in some degree supplied for this object. 4, Very recently our tracts for gratuitous circulation were almost entirely gone; but, before they were quite exhausted, the Lord sent more means, so that about 200,000 could be ordered.

Oct. 23 Received 149l. 8s., the disposal of which was left with me. I took of it 100l. for the support of the Orphans, for whom I had not 5l.

in hand, when it came, and the remainder for these objects, for which still much is needed, in order to help labourers in the Gospel at home, as well as foreign labourers, and in order to go on with the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and to meet the expenses for the various schools. This morning I had also the promise, that in about a month 400l. should be paid to me for the work of the Lord. Thus, after a season of several months, during which scarcely any large sums have been received, the Lord is pleased, in answer to many prayers, to cause the streams of His bounty to flow again more abundantly.

Oct. 26. From a visitor at Clifton 50l., which I took for the School, Bible, Missionary, and Tract Objects.

Nov. 27. In great need there came in 100l., which was left to my appropriation as it might be most required. I took, therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, for whom there was scarcely anything in hand, and 50l. for these objects, for which we needed much in every way.

Dec. 30. Received 100l., when in the greatest need for these objects, and for the support of the Orphans. I took one-half for these objects, and the other for the Orphans, and am thus again helped, in answer to many prayers.

Jan. 1, 1855. As the year closed with mercies, so another has commenced with mercies. I received from one engaged in the work 2l. for missions.

? From M. E. for missions 5s.--From E. 0. 5s.--From M. A. E. 4s.

4d.--From B. S. 1l. for missions.--Also 10l. for the support of the Day Schools.

Jan. 2. From a few believers in Huntingdonshire 15s. 2d. for missions.

Jan. 3. From two Christian ladies in London 10l. for missions, with 10l.

for the Orphans.

Thus we were helped till I received on Jan. 8th the promise of the donation of 5,700l., of which, as has been stated, 1,400l. was taken for these objects. This, with what came in besides, from Jan. 8, to May 26, 1855, enabled me so amply to meet every demand afterwards, that no further difficulty was experienced during this period, in the way of means.

Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, a/ready under our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.

At the beginning of this period there was in hand a balance of 123l. 0s.

7 d. To the poorer cla.s.s of readers this might appear a considerable sum; but to such we would say, that often the expenses of three or four days are more than this for the Orphan Establishment, with which 335 persons are connected; and, certainly, the average expenses, even if no extraordinary demands were to be met, amount to about Twelve Pounds per day in these dear times; and therefore 123l. would only be enough for about ten days. We had then, so far as regarded visible/e support, only enough for about ten days; but whilst we had so little as to visible support, we looked by faith to Him who is invisible, the Living G.o.d, who has upheld this work for so many years. We believed that He would help us still; and we were not confounded, though our faith was again and again tried. I can, however, give only a few out of the many instances which might be recorded.

June 15, 1854. Though this is only the third week since the new period commenced, yet as only about 60l. had come in for the support of the Orphans, in addition to the balance of 123l. 0s. 7 d., we were today reduced to less than Five Pounds. This had led to much waiting upon the Lord: and again He gave a gracious answer to prayer. I received 151l.

5s. 8d., which, being left to my disposal, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans. Also from two little girls was sent to me 8s., with the information that one of their sisters had set apart a swarm of bees, the honey of which should be sold for the benefit of the Orphans.

Thus the Lord has again helped in the hour of need.

July 12. Our means were now again reduced to about 30l., as only about 150l. had come in since June 15. In addition to this, we had very heavy expenses before us. This morning, in reading through the book of Proverbs, when I came to chapter xxii. 19? "That thy trust maybe in the Lord," &c., I said in prayer to Him: "Lord, I do trust in Thee; but wilt Thou now be pleased to help me; for I am in need of means for the current expenses of all the various objects of the Inst.i.tution." By the first delivery of letters I received an order on a London bank for 100l., to be used for all the various objects, "as the present need might require." I took, therefore, 50l. for the support of the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects, which are also in great need. Received also from Wandsworth Road 1l. 10s. 8d.; and in the course of the day 2l.

3s. 3d., through the boxes at the New Orphan House. Thus we are again helped for the present.

July 19. For some time past I have been under an engagement to leave Bristol at the end of this month, or in the beginning of August, for about four weeks, to labour at Sunderland. On this account I have besought the Lord during the last days that He would be pleased to send me some means for my own expenses, but especially that I might be able to leave some money behind, to last at least for some time. Yesterday the Lord was pleased to begin answering my request, in sending means for the support of the Orphans. I received from Lymington 5l.--From Tregenda 10s.--From Thetford 10s.--From Perth 1l.--From Kilmarnock 5l.--By sale of Reports 18s. 10d.--Proceeds of an Orphan Box 1l. 5s. 9 d. Today I have received from South Brent 1s.

? From Middles.e.x 50l.--Ditto 18s.--From Clifton 5l.--From Dudbridge 8s.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 7l. 1s. 3d.

? By sale of Reports 1l. 8s.--Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d.

? From a visitor at Clifton 50l. and a gold chain. The donor kindly wished me to retain 10l. for my own expenses.--From Kingsbridge 2s.

Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected more, and He sent me more on the following days. I record the income for the Orphans:--

July 20. From Homerton 3l. 3s.--Anonymously from Birmingham 1s.-- Anonymously left at my house 5l.