The Life of Trust Part 29

A devoted servant of Christ has been laboring in a manufacturing town in Scotland, where, by means of schools, Bible cla.s.ses, visiting from house to house, and preaching the gospel among thousands of the most wretched, most debased, and most ignorant, he seeks to win souls for the Lord. In this service he has been going on year after year. In a measure his labors had been blessed up to the period of the last Report, but far more abundantly since, as the following account, given by himself to me in a letter dated Oct. 28, 1859, will show:--

"This month, through which we have pa.s.sed, has brought me to a point in my history which for years I have contemplated and looked forward to with deeper and more intense desire than to any antic.i.p.ated event in my whole life. More than thirty years ago there sprang up in my soul a longing and craving for the effusion of the Holy Ghost on the church and on the world, such as would extend throughout the whole of Scotland. For this I have labored, and spoken, and prayed increasingly. As I grew older, the craving for this blessing grew stronger. To see it became the ruling pa.s.sion of my soul, and, as years rolled away, my hope of seeing it realized strengthened apace. On this season of expected blessing we seem at length to have entered. The religious movement is creeping steadily along the whole of the west of Scotland. It has not acquired a sudden or very powerful momentum. We are, so far as I can judge, in the initiatory stage in all the points where the work has found a settlement. A sound has gone out as from the Lord; the rumor travels on, and in its course awakens the careless, opens the ear, quickens the attention, and everywhere is making preparation for something coming.

This note of preparation is calling the people together. Their ear is open to listen. In every place this hearing is bringing faith in its train; men are turning to G.o.d; intensity is given to those silent cases of conviction where for months or years there has been concern ebbing and flowing with circ.u.mstances. Not a few of these have come to light through their concern all at once ripening into deep distress. Forced out of the old ruts in which they have moved, they are forced to venture their all into the hands of Jesus, and are set at liberty. Such has been the process at work here. I am continually falling in with solitary cases, and a number of these have found peace. It would take far more time than I can spare to record their history, and how they obtained deliverance."

The total amount of the funds of the Inst.i.tution which has been spent on missionary operations since March 5, 1834, is 34,495, 3s. 4d.

There has been laid out for tracts and books, from May 26, 1859, to May 26, 1860, the sum of 1,650, 11s. 4d.; and there have been circulated within the last year 2,562,001 tracts and books. The sum total which has been expended on this object, since Nov. 19, 1840, amounts to 8,064, 12s. 6d. The total number of all the tracts and books which have been circulated since Nov. 19, 1840, is 11,493,174.

During the past year there were again circulated 676,600 tracts and books more than during the year before. The great number of laborers for G.o.d who have been raised up for service within the last two years in various parts of the world, and the mighty working of the Spirit of G.o.d, which has created in mult.i.tudes a desire gladly to receive tracts and books, account for this. Nor is there in these two particulars a decrease, but a continual increase. So great has been the call for tracts that of late we have sent out repeatedly 100,000 in one week, for gratuitous circulation, and sometimes even more than this. When the mighty working of the Spirit of G.o.d commenced in Ireland, I sought from the beginning to send very large supplies of tracts to Belfast and elsewhere, in order that thus the holy flame might be fanned, as it were, and that in the very outset the simplicity of the gospel might be set before the young converts. About two millions of the tracts and books circulated during the past year were given away _gratuitously_.

Hundreds of believers have been engaged in spreading them abroad, not merely in many parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, but in various other parts of the world.

At the commencement of the last period, there were 672 orphans in the new Orphan Houses No. 1 and No. 2. During the past year were admitted into the two houses 70 orphans. On May 26, 1860, there were just 700 orphans under our care, our full number in the two houses, _i. e._ in No. 1, 300, in No. 2, 400. The total number of orphans who have been under our care since April 11, 1836, is 1,153.

_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything_ by me, the sum of 133,528, 14s. has been given to me for the orphans, _as the result of prayer to G.o.d_, since the commencement of the work, which sum includes the amount received for the building fund for the houses already built and the one to be built. It may also be interesting to the reader to know that the total amount which has been given for the other objects since the commencement of the work amounts to 51,777, 14s.

11d.; and that which has come in by the sale of Bibles, since the commencement, amounts to 2,530, 4s. 5d.; by sale of tracts, 3,546, 19s. 1d.; and by the payments of the children in the day schools, from the commencement, 2,304, 18s. 9d. Besides this, also, a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., have been given _for the use_ of the orphans.

Day after day, and year after year, by the help of G.o.d, we labor in prayer for the spiritual benefit of the orphans under our care. These our supplications, which have been for twenty-four years brought before the Lord concerning them, have been abundantly answered in former years in the conversion of hundreds from among them. We have also had repeated seasons in which, within a short time, or even all at once, _many_ of the orphans were converted. Such a season we had about three years since, when within a few days about sixty were brought to believe in the Lord Jesus; and such seasons we have had again twice during the past year. The first was in July, 1859, when the Spirit of G.o.d wrought so mightily in one school of 120 girls, as that very many, yea, more than one half, were brought under deep concern about the salvation of their souls. This work, moreover, was not a mere momentary excitement; but, after more than eleven months have elapsed, there are 31 concerning whom there is _full_ confidence as to their conversion, and 32 concerning whom there is likewise a goodly measure of confidence, though not to the same amount as regarding the 31. There are therefore 63 out of the 120 orphans in that one school who are considered to have been converted in July, 1859. This blessed and mighty work of the Holy Spirit cannot be traced to any particular cause. It was, however, a most precious answer to prayer. As such we look upon it, and are encouraged by it to further waiting upon G.o.d. The second season of the mighty working of the Holy Spirit among the orphans, during the past year, was at the end of January and the beginning of February, 1860. The particulars of it are of the deepest interest. A very profitable pamphlet might be written on the subject. I have prayed again and again for guidance how to act, and have at last come to the decision _not_ to relate the details, lest the dear children, who would recognize themselves in the description, should be injured; for my experience of laboring twenty-six years among children, and of having had to deal with so _many very young believers_, has led me to the full conviction _that it is injurious to make them prominent_. If G.o.d makes them prominent by using them as evidently he is using children in these days, we have only to admire and to praise; but this is very different from ourselves making them prominent. I must therefore content myself by stating that this great work of the Spirit of G.o.d in January and February, 1860, began among the younger cla.s.s of the children under our care, little girls of about six, seven, eight, and nine years old; then extended to the older girls, and then to the boys; so that within about ten days above 200 of the orphans were stirred up to be anxious about their souls, and in _many_ instances found peace _immediately_, through faith in our Lord Jesus. They at once requested to be allowed to hold prayer meetings among themselves, and have had these meetings ever since. Many of them also manifested a concern about the salvation of their companions and relations, and spoke or wrote to them about the way to be saved. Should the believing reader desire to know how it has been with these children since the end of January and the beginning of February, our reply is, we have, in most cases, cause for thankfulness. The present state of the 700 orphans, spiritually, is, that there are 118 under our care, regarding whose conversion we have full confidence; 89 regarding whom we have also confidence, though not to that full degree as concerning the 118; and 53 whom we consider in a hopeful state. To these 260 are to be added the 14 who were sent out as believers, and the three who died in the faith during the past year. It is to be remembered that very many of the children in the Orphan Houses are quite young, as we have received them from four months old and upward. During no year have we had greater cause for thanksgiving on account of the spiritual blessing among the children than during the last; AND YET WE LOOK FOR FURTHER AND GREATER BLESSING STILL.

APPENDIX.

Mr. Muller is constantly receiving not only contributions in money, but a great variety of useful articles, which are regularly sent to a shop provided for their sale. The following list of such articles, given anonymously during the first six months of the year 1859-60, will not be without interest to the reader, as showing by what an endless diversity of means resources are furnished for the work in which Mr. M. is engaged:--

JUNE. A bead bag, a bouquet-holder, 6 gilt brooches, a gilt bracelet, a waist-buckle, and an agate heart.--5 pairs of knitted travelling shoes, a compa.s.s and thermometer, a court-plaster case, a guinea piece, 2 half franc pieces, a copper coin, 4 rings, a brooch, a gold pencil-case, a pair of earrings, top of a seal, and a gold waist-buckle.--A silver watch guard; a small brooch, a breastpin, and a ring.--12 pairs of garters.--A sofa tidy.--A small stereoscopic box. 6 frocks, 6 shirts, 4 pocket handkerchiefs, 2 pairs of socks, 2 nightcaps, 12 kettle-holders, 2 pairs of wristlets, 4 thimbles, 2 brooches, steel slides, a bracelet, and waist-buckle. A bead mat, 2 bags, a penwiper, 3 book-marks, and a scent-bag.--A pencil, 2 pairs of spectacles, a smelling-bottle, a pocketbook, some gloves, stockings, combs, and various articles of clothing, etc., together with a half-sovereign.

JULY. An old silver watch, an old metal watch, and an old shilling.--2 coats, 1 jacket, one waistcoat, 1 pair of trousers, and 1 pair of garters. 5 dresses, a body, and 2 shillings.--9 penwipers, 4 babies' shirts, 9 mats, 1 pair of baby's boots, 2 nightcaps, 6 pinafores, 2 pairs of watch pockets, 1 ribbon mat, 1 pincushion, 2 needlebooks, and 3 book-markers.--2 dolls, 2 dolls' hats, a pair of bracelets, a pincushion, a needlebook, a shaving cloth, a sampler, 2 pairs of cuffs, a kettle-holder, a penwiper, a pair of baby's shoes, a book-mark, a bag, a watch-guard, a pinafore, and a pamphlet.--2 buckles, a smelling-bottle, some mock pearls, 3 hair bracelets, a hair ring, and a wig.

AUGUST. Some fancy envelopes.--A ring, 2 shirt studs, and a watch-hook.--A pattern for a collar.--A ring from Stroud.--12 new bonnets.--A brooch, a bracelet, a book-marker, some cuffs, a pattern for work, and some tr.i.m.m.i.n.g.--A frame for ladies'

work.--"From the friend at Devizes," 2 skirts of dresses, a jacket, and a shawl.--Some pencil lead for polishing.--Some knitting and sewing cotton.--2 old wedding rings.--3 b.a.l.l.s.--8 book-marks, 4 postage-stamp cases, and 6 pincushions.

SEPTEMBER. A parcel containing some worsted, some bra.s.s thimbles, bodkins, and needles.--4 black ostrich feathers, 1 white ditto, 4 colored drawings.--3 pairs of socks, 6 pairs of stockings, and 2 waistcoats.--A pair of patent renovators (or flesh gloves).--A small work-bag of silk and straw.--A guinea piece, a lace habit shirt, a pair of lace sleeves, and a French cambric handkerchief.--3 collars, 1 pocket handkerchief, and 1 pair of sleeves.--2 flannel petticoats, a table cover, a silver wine-strainer, a silver marrow spoon, 1 sugar spoon, a punch ladle, 6 chemises, and 6 pinafores.--A small hamper of books.--1 alpaca coat, 1 check waistcoat, 1 pair of trousers, 3 pairs of shoes, 1 travelling cap, 1 pair of spectacles in case, 2 pairs of boots, 2 m.u.f.fetees, 1 pair of gaiters, 1 pair of boots, 8 copper pens, 1 pair of slippers, 1 black leather bag, 1 pair of new boots, 1 coat, 1 waistcoat, 5 pairs of gloves, 1 pair of braces, a necktie, a dressing box, 2 brushes, 3 razors, a stiletto, a pair of spectacles, and 2 pieces of teeth set in gold.--12 book covers, 7 small ditto, 1 small box, 4 ditto in one.--A large box of toys.--A collar.--A large tea chest, containing 160 articles of ladies' dress, etc.--A dress, 3 bodies, 3 berthas, a waistband, a pair of cuffs, a feather, an ornament for the hair, some artificial flowers, some whalebone, and some pieces of ribbon.--A cloth mantle, a velvet jacket, and a muslin ditto.

OCTOBER. 3 pairs of crotchet ladies' slippers, and 1 pair of child's ditto.--A pair of gilt bracelets, a collar, a pair of cuffs, and a pair of worked sleeves.--2 paper mats, a bead ditto, a plaister case, 3 needlebooks, 5 small cushions, 4 pincushions, 2 penwipers, a book-mark, 2 little baskets, a little bag, a doll, a pair of candlestick ornaments, and 6 napkin rings. The parcel also contained 5s. from "Hephzibah."--An urn-stand, a bag, and a mat.--A collar.--6 pence purses.--3 dolls' bonnets.--"A Canadian lady's purse."--9 pairs of boots, 3 pairs of shoes, and a single boot, all new.

NOVEMBER. A box containing 5 bonnets, 2 muslin jackets, 1 silk ditto, 1 silk body, 3 muslin dresses, 1 silk ditto, 1 barege skirt, 18 pairs of fine stockings, 17 pairs of coa.r.s.e ditto, 3 pairs of boots, 3 stockings, 10 chemises, 3 pairs of drawers, 5 nightdresses, some pieces of ribbon, and a few artificial flowers.--6 pairs of night socks.--A riding habit, a box, a silk body, some velvet tr.i.m.m.i.n.g, some satin ditto, 2 waistbands, some fringe, some satin ribbon, a feather, a scarf, a veil, and a pair of woollen sleeves.--3 silver coins.--A silver tablespoon, some satin tr.i.m.m.i.n.g, and a frill.--4 dresses, a skirt, a jacket, 3 children's skirts, and 2 frocks.--A small gold pencil-case, a gold breastpin, and a pair of small gold earrings.--A collar.--3 antimaca.s.sars, and a baby's cap.--2 silver coins, and a pair of silver shirt studs.--7 boys' shirts.--A jacket and a feather.--A jacket, a pair of drawers, 2 chemises, 2 nightcaps, 5 skirts, and 1 body.--4 pairs of new boots, and 2 pairs of new shoes.--A crumb sc.r.a.per.

Mr. Muller, as a faithful steward, renders an annual account of all the sums intrusted to him. Appended (p. 476) is the "Auditor's Report" for 1859-60, showing the total amount in hand for the year, including the building fund, to have been 72,188, 16s. 5d.--almost _three hundred and fifty thousand dollars_. Mr. M. says:--

The audited accounts, together with the books containing the income and expenses, may be inspected by the donors. I particularly state this, because I do not publish a list of the donors, nor do I mention their names otherwise, in order that there may not be held out the least temptation of giving for the sake of worldly applause; but, at the same time, as I do this work in the light, it can bear the light, and therefore any donor can satisfy himself, if he please, that his donation is accounted for.

To avoid mistakes, delays, and other difficulties, I would request that all letters for me should be directed to my house, No. 21, Paul Street, Kingsdown, Bristol.

GEORGE MuLLER.

BRISTOL, July 2, 1860.