P.A. Sheehan - "My New Curate"

John Morley - "Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 1 of 3)"

Jane M. Bancroft - "Deaconesses in Europe"

Abraham Tomlinson - "The Military Journals of Two Private Soldiers, 1758 1775"

Editorial
This article explores Rohinton Mistry's novel A Fine Balance (1996), alongside his short story "Lend Me Your Light" (1987), focussing on the tensions between the politically-distanced cosmopolitan migrant and the socially-committed local activist. My readings draw on Radhakrishnan's notion of diasporic "double duty" — of accountability to, rather than irresponsible detachment from, the homeland. Mistry's representations of migrants, I contend, are centrally concerned not only with the necessity, but also the difficulty, of performing such "double duty" through a sustained engagement with India's history and politics. In this light, I argue that Mistry offers representations of migrants whose attempts to distance themselves from local and national politics are revealed as impossible and irresponsible. Moreover, I suggest that Mistry's representations reveal an anxiety over his position as a migrant writer, and his work seems to mobilize writing as a means of avoiding a problematically apolitical detachment from India. Thus, Mistry establishes a tension between his representation of the migrant within his fiction and his negotiation of his own migrant position through his fiction.

A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Mueller

G >> George Mueller >> A Narrative of Some of the Lord's Dealings with George Mueller



PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST EDITION OF THE FOURTH PART

Twelve years have elapsed since the period at which the third part of
the Narrative of the Lord's dealings with me closes. It has not been
for want of matter, that this fourth part has not appeared sooner; but
the increased and ever increasing variety of other occupations has kept
me hitherto from arranging the materials for the press. Of late,
however, I have judged, for the following reasons, that I ought
particularly to give myself to this service.

1, It has pleased the Lord so abundantly to bless the former parts of my
Narrative to the comfort, encouragement, strengthening, and instruction
of those who are young and weak in the faith, and to those unacquainted
with the simplicity of the truth, that I consider myself to be the
servant of such; and I feel that responsibility is laid upon me, to do
what further I can, in this way, to serve them. And this, I confess, I
do joyfully; for my spirit has oft times been not a little refreshed
during the eighteen years which have elapsed, since I published the
first part of my Narrative, by the many hundreds of letters I have
received, giving an account of the blessing, which the writers of them
have derived from the perusal of it; and I have thus been again and
again encouraged to go on with the work.

2, I think it important, that the reader of the first three parts of my
Narrative should have a right impression of the work in which I am
engaged. He may not be acquainted with the Reports of the Scriptural
Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, which have been published
since 1844, and therefore he may know no more of the work in which I am
especially engaged, than the first three parts of my Narrative give him.
In that case he would not know how the work has been growing since that
period; he would not be aware, that it is now three or four times as
large as it was in 1844, and is still more and more increasing. He would
not know in that case, that the principles of Holy Scripture on which
the work of God in my hands was carried on, when comparatively small,
and which then were found to be sufficient, even in these last days, are
the same on which it is carried on now, though the work is now so large.
This point has especially weighed with me, in desiring the publication
of the continuation of the account of the Lord's dealings with me in
the form of the first three parts, in order that the Living God may be
glorified through this account. I judged, moreover, that, whilst the
first three parts may especially furnish, to the believer in the Lord
Jesus for his private life subjects for comforting and encouraging
reflections; this part, besides doing the same still further, may
especially be of help to the servant of Christ labouring for God on a
large scale, or to the man of God who seeks to carry on business on a
large scale, on Scriptural principles.

3, Though the Reports of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home
and Abroad have been issued generally every year or every two years;
yet, as they are not bound together, they may be lost in part, and thus
the chain be interrupted. Moreover, they contain, sometimes, matters
which may be of moment for the time being, but not so important
afterwards. The Narrative leaves out such points, and introduces on the
other hand things which were scarcely suitable for the Reports. My
desire, therefore, has been to give in this fourth part the substance of
the Reports, which have been published since July 1844, and to bring
thus together in one volume what is contained in these nine different
Reports.

4, The Reports give scarcely anything of the dealings of God with me
personally, irrespective of the work in which I am engaged; but I have
not only to speak well of the name of the Lord with regard to His
service, but also with reference to His dealings with me personally and
with my family; and I desire to serve the saints in relating to them
instance upon instance of His kindness to me, hoping that thus many
others may be encouraged more and more fully, unreservedly and
habitually to trust in God; yea, to do so in the darkest seasons.

The plan on which I have thought it best to bring the materials before
the reader is, to relate in distinct periodical chapters: a, How I have
been provided, simply in answer to prayer, with means for the support of
the various schools of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, for the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts and for the aiding
of Missionary work. b, How I have obtained means for the support of the
hundreds of Orphans under my care. c, How the Lord has led me to, and
provided me with means for, the building of a large Orphan-House, and
how I am now occupied in seeking to build a second still larger. d, To
state, periodically, a variety of miscellaneous points in connexion with
the operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, in a separate
chapter. e, To give separately and periodically a chapter, for relating
matters connected with my own personal affairs or the work of the Lord
in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution for Home and Abroad. As, however, the whole book is intended
for the spiritual profit of the believing reader, and to show to those
who know not God, by His blessing, the reality of the things of God,
there will be found interspersed, throughout the book, such practical
remarks, as the subjects may seem to call for.

GEORGE MUeLLER.

21, Paul Street, Kingsdown,

Bristol, June 18, 1856.



A

NARRATIVE,

&c. &c.



FOURTH PART.

Supplies for the School--Bible--Missionary and Tract-Fund, sent in
answer to prayer, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846.

Aug. 10, 1844. In the greatest need, when not one penny was in hand, I
received 5l. from a brother at Hackney. I took half of this sum for
these objects, and half for the Orphans.

Sept. 7. Our poverty has been great ever since the accounts were closed
on July 14th. Our Tract and Bible stock is very small, and we have much
reduced it on account of sending supplies to Demerara. The rents for the
School-Rooms are becoming due, and other expenses are to be met. Under
these circumstances I received today with Philip iv. 6, the sum of 50l.
The donor writes that he thinks he is directed by the Lord to send the
money. How truly is it so! I took of this sum 20l. for the Orphans, and
30l. for these objects.

Oct. 1. This evening I received a bank order for 70l., to be used as the
Lord might direct me. This money came in most seasonably, as I am thus
able to pay to the six teachers who labour in the six Day-schools, their
salaries. I took 30l. of the 70l. for these objects, and 40l. for the
Orphans.

Dec. 14. The means for these objects have been very small for some time
past. Under these circumstances I received this afternoon from a sister
in the Lord, who is near the close of her earthly pilgrimage, a small
box, containing five brooches, two rings set with twelve small
brilliants, five other rings, one mourning ring, a pair of gilt
bracelets, a gold pin, a small silver vinaigrette, some tracts, and a
sovereign. The donor stated on a paper, contained in the box, that the
produce might be used for the Orphans or otherwise, as I might require.
As these funds are in particular need, I took the contents of this
little box for them, and the trinkets were soon disposed of.--The
sister fell asleep very shortly after. Will she need such ornaments
before her Lord? Will she regret having given them for His work? Oh!
no.

Dec. 21. Today I have received the following trinkets, the produce of
which I was at liberty to use for the Orphans, or my own personal
necessities, or the printing of my Narrative, or for the School--,
Bible--, Missionary and Tract Fund. I have put the produce to the funds
for these objects. A ring set with twelve small brilliants, a ring set
with one brilliant, another ring set with one brilliant, a ring set with
five brilliants, a paste ring, a large brooch, two large rings, two
wedding rings, two other small rings, a ring set with small pearls,
three other rings, two gold pins, four gold shirt studs, and a gilt
pin.

Dec. 24. I have received still further the following trinkets, the
produce of which was likewise taken for these objects, it being left to
me to use them as most needed. A small gold chain, a ring set with seven
brilliants, five gold seals, an eyeglass silver mounted, a ring set with
a head, a gold pin, a gold buckle, a silver pencil case, a gold brooch,
a brooch set with small pearls, a set of gold shirt studs, a small gold
brooch, nine gold rings, a gold heart, a gilt chain, and a gilt
watch-chain.

Jan. 13, 1845. When there was nothing in hand towards our many
necessities for these objects, I received today the following valuable
donation:--Three forty-franc pieces, two twenty-franc pieces, six
five-franc pieces, seven two-franc pieces, eleven one-franc pieces,
fourteen half-franc pieces, twenty-one quarter of a franc pieces, and
fifty-two other small Italian and French silver coins.

Feb. 3. Today, when I had again nothing at all in hand, I received from
W. P. 5l.

Apr. 8. When, once more, I had nothing in hand, I received today from
Yorkshire 10l., which, being left at my disposal, I used for these
objects.

Apr. 24. Today were sent to me a small old gold watch, a half sovereign,
a half guinea piece, two twenty-franc pieces, six small Turkish gold
coins, a quarter of a franc, a threepenny piece, a silver toothpick, and
a brass pencil-case. The produce of these articles likewise was put to
these funds.

May 5. From Scarborough was sent to day 5l. for these funds, at a time
when I had again nothing left.

May 6. About six weeks ago intimation was kindly given by a brother that
he expected a certain considerable sum of money, and that, if he
obtained it, a certain portion of it should be given to the Lord, so
that 100l. of it should be used for the work in my hands, and the other
part for Brother Craik's and my own personal expenses. However, day
after day passed away, and the money did not come. I did not trust in
this money, yet, as during all this time, with scarcely any exception,
we were more or less needy, I thought again and again about this
brother's promise; though I did not, by the grace of God, trust in the
brother who had made it, but in the Lord. Thus week after week passed
away, and the money did not come. Now this morning it came to my mind,
that such promises ought to be valued, in a certain sense, as nothing,
i.e. that the mind ought never for a moment to be directed to them, but
to the living God, and to the living God only. I saw that such promises
ought not to be of the value of one farthing, so far as it regards
thinking about them for help. I therefore asked the Lord, when, as
usual, I was praying with my beloved wife about the work in my hands,
that He would be pleased to take this whole matter, about that promise,
completely out of my mind, and to help me, not to value it in the least,
yea, to treat it as if not worth one farthing, but to keep my eye
directed only to Himself. I was enabled to do so. We had not yet
finished praying when I received the following letter:

"Beloved Brother, May 5, 1845.

"Are your bankers still Messrs. Stuckey and Co. of Bristol, and are their
hankers still Messrs. Robarts and Co. of London? Please to instruct me
on this; and if the case should be so, please to regard this as a letter
of advice that 70l. are paid to Messrs. Robarts and Co., for Messrs.
Stuckey and Co., for you. This sum apply as the Lord may give you
wisdom. I shall not send to Robarts and Co. until I hear from you.

"Ever affectionately yours,

"* * * *"

Thus the Lord rewarded at once this determination to endeavour not to
look in the least to that promise from a brother, but only to Himself.
But this was not all. About two o'clock this afternoon I received from
the brother, who had, more than forty days ago, made that promise, 166l.
18s., as he this day received the money, on the strength of which he had
made that promise. Of this sum 100l. are to be used for the work in my
hands, and the remainder for brother Craik's and my own personal
expenses.--I took of these two sums, i.e. of the 70l. and the 100l.,
half for the Orphans and half for these objects. When this money came
in, there was only very little in hand. The last tracts had been given
away, two or three days ago, but I had no money to order more: thus I
was able to send off an order for 11,700. Bibles also needed to be
ordered, but I had no money: I am now able to order some. It had been
much on my heart to send a little help to some Missionary brethren, as a
token of affectionate interest, and this I am now able to do. The Lord
be praised for His goodness in helping thus so seasonably!

From May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, we experienced no difficulty at all
as to means, the Lord having always seasonably sent in the supplies, so
that, without any one exception, I was always able not only to meet all
the demands connected with the Day-Schools, the Sunday-School, and the
Adult-Schools, but I was also able to do more, so far as it regards
means, in aiding the circulation of Tracts, and helping Missionary
efforts, than at any previous period of the same length. Of the
donations which came in from May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, I only
mention the following:--On June 23, with Philip. iv. 6, for
circulation of Tracts and Bibles in foreign lands, or, as needed, 60l.
Oct. 12, 150l. On Feb. 26, 1846, I received 200l., of which 100l. was to
be used for Missionary work in foreign lands, and 100l. for brethren who
labour in England, in the word and doctrine, without any stated salary.
In connexion with this donation three points are particularly to be
noticed:--I. The day before I received this sum, I had given 5l. to a
brother, who was travelling through Bristol, and who was on the point of
going out as a missionary, without being connected with any society.
When I gave him this 5l. I had but very little in hand, but I said
to myself, the Lord can easily give more. And thus it was.
2. Before I received this donation, I had been especially
led to ask the Lord, that He would be pleased to condescend to use me
more largely in helping missionary brethren. For this I had a still
greater desire when I found that the money, which I had sent to British
Guiana, at the end of November, 1845, amounted only to a few pounds for
each brother who labours there, on account of there being so many. I
had, on this account particularly, a desire to be able shortly to send
another sum to British Guiana, which was thus granted to me. 3. I had
also, from time to time, sought, to help brethren, who labour in
dependence on the Lord for temporal supplies in various parts of
England, and my desire especially had been, that, even in this
particular, the Funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home
and Abroad might be more extensively useful. And thus, in this
particular also, this donation cheered my heart, enabling me to assist,
in some measure, several faithful labourers. Concerning this latter
point I would especially notice, that whenever God has put it into my
heart "to devise liberal things," He has not only blessed me in my own
soul in doing so, but has also, more or less given me the means to carry
out such a purpose. I mention further here, in connexion with this
point, that henceforth, as God shall be pleased to supply me with means,
I purpose particularly, in connexion with this work, to endeavour to
assist brethren of good report, who labour in the word and doctrine, in
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, but who have no regular
salary. If, therefore, any donations should be given henceforth for that
particular object, they shall be, by God's help, applied to that; or,
if no donations should be given for that particular object, yet, as God
shall be pleased to intrust me with means, I purpose by His help, to
have my eye particularly on brethren who preach the Gospel without
charge, and who, perhaps, besides, for conscience' sake, have
relinquished former stipends or regular emoluments which they had in
connexion with doing so. Have we not particularly to strive to be
fellow-labourers with those who, seeking not their own things, but the
things of Jesus Christ, preach the Word without being chargeable to any
one? Many whom I know and love in the truth, are mindful of this; but
others may not, perhaps, have sufficiently weighed the matter.

On March 10, 1846, I asked the Lord for still further supplies for
missionary purposes, and while I was in prayer a letter came from C. W.
with 20l. for missionary purposes. Thus also, about the same time, came
in, from the neighbourhood of Ludlow, 2l., and from Keswick 5l. for
Missions, besides other smaller donations for the same purpose.

It must not be supposed that these are all the donations which I
received for the carrying on these objects from July 14, 1844, to May
26, 1846; but those which are referred to came in under remarkable
circumstances, or, more manifestly, as answers to prayer.

I now proceed to give an account of the Lord's goodness in supplying
me with means for the Orphans, from July 14, 1844, up to May 26, 1846;
though here again only the most remarkable instances, on account of the
great number of cases, can be given.

Supplies for the Orphan Fund, sent in answer to Prayer,
from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846.

July 25, 1844. The need of today for the Orphans is 2l. 5s. As there
came in yesterday 2l. as the profit of the sale of ladies' bags, which
are made by a sister in the Lord for the benefit of the Orphans; also
two donations of 5s. each, through her; 5s. from a poor sister in the
Lord; and 1l. from Hackney, in all 3l. 15s.; we have 1l. 10s. left.--
In the course of today the Lord was pleased to send in the following
donations:--by the boxes in my house 1l. 10s., in nine small donations
16s. 11d., and the contents of an orphan-box, 3s. 01/2 d. This evening
also two Christian servants gave me the following trinkets:--a ring,
a gold pin, two brooches, and a silver toothpick. A precious gift,
because of its seasonableness, and because it gave me joy in seeing
these ornaments given up for the Lord's sake.

Observe, dear reader, only eleven day's after the accounts were
closed, we were again in fresh poverty, and had to go on day by day
waiting upon the Lord for the necessities of about 140 persons.

July 26. Only 6d. has come in today.

July 27, Saturday. July 1l. 14s. was in hand to begin the day with. With
two of my fellow--labourers I besought the Lord between nine and ten
o'clock this morning for help, when, at eleven o'clock came in, by
sale of articles, given for the purpose, 7s. 3d., by sale of Reports 1s.
by sale of ladies' bags 1s. 6d., and by two donations 4s. 6d. There
were sent also anonymously, two coats, a pair of trousers, and three
waistcoats (worn). When this parcel and money came, I was called on for
money from the Orphan-Houses. In the course of the day came in still
further, by sale of articles, 10s. Thus we have been helped through this
day. Late in the evening was given 2s. 6d. besides.

July 28. This morning, when there was now again only 2s. 6d. in hand, I
received from Tavistock 6l.; and this evening from Nailsworth, 2s. 6d.

July 29. Yesterday was anonymously put into the Chapel boxes 2l.; also
by A. A. 1l. Thus we are provided for today and tomorrow. There came in
still further today 1l., from an orphan-box at Barnstaple 1l., and by
the profit of work, done by a sister, 5s. There was likewise given a
little box, containing the following articles: a lady's bag, a pair of
gloves, a silver fruit knife, a gold seal, a needle book with two
farthings, a purse containing two-halfpence, 41/2 francs, and a copper
coin; a little tortoiseshell box containing two old sixpences, two
fourpenny pieces, a shilling, a sixpence, and a pebble; a silver
vinaigrette, a seal, two patterns for worsted work, a microscope, and 6
embossed cards. This evening I received two silver pencil cases.

July 30. By the boxes in the Orphan-Houses came in today 2l. 4s. 6d.,
and by sale of Reports 5s.

July 3l. Immediately after having risen from my knees today, to ask the
Lord for further supplies, I received 19s. by sale of stockings, knitted
by the Orphan Boys. This evening was given to mc by A. A. 5l., and
through ditto 2s.

August 1. This morning I was called on for 5l. for the Infant Orphans,
so that again only a few shillings remained, not enough for, the other
expenses of today, when I received, in the bag sent for the money from
the Orphan Houses, the following donations, 1l., and 1s. 6d., 1s. 1d.,
1s. 1d., and 2s. 2d. Likewise came in 1s., and I found 2s. 6d. in an
orphan-box in my house. Thus I had enough for today.

Aug. 2. The day began with 2 3/4 d. in hand. A little before ten
o'clock in the morning the letter-bag was brought from the
Orphan-Houses for money, in which I found a note stating that the need
of today was 1l. 17s., but I had only 2 3/4 d. to send. I wrote so to
brother R. B. master of the Orphan Boys, intending to request him (to
send up again in the afternoon, for what the Lord might have sent in the
mean time. When I was going to put the 2 3/4 d into the purse in the bag,
I found half-a-crown in the bag, slipped into it before it was opened.
This half-crown is a precious earnest that the Lord will help this day
also. It was found by me just after I had risen from my knees, having
been with some of the labourers in the work in prayer for means. Before
I bad yet finished the note to brother B. B., a sovereign was given to
me, so that I had 1l. 2s. 8 3/4 d. to send off. About two o'clock this
afternoon I received by sale of articles 10s. 6d., by sale of stockings
6s. 8d., and by the sale of ladies' bags 9s. 4d. Thus I could send off
the 14s. 6d. which was still needed for today, and had 12s. left.

Aug. 3, Saturday. With the 12s. we began the day. My soul said: "I will
now look out for the way in which the Lord will deliver us this day
again; for He will surely deliver. Many Saturdays, when we were in need,
He helped us, and so He will do this day also."--Between nine and ten
o'clock this morning I gave myself to prayer for means, with three of
my fellow-labourers, in my house. Whilst we were in prayer, there was a
knock at my room door, and I was informed that a gentleman had come to
see me. When we had finished prayer, it was found to be a brother from
Tetbury, who hail brought from Barnstaple 1l. 2s. 6d. for the Orphans.
Thus we have 1l. 14s. 6d., with which I must return the letter-bag to
the Orphan-Houses, looking to the Lord for more. Evening. In the
afternoon one of the labourers received 6s. for himself, which he gave
for the Orphans. This evening I went to the usual prayer meeting, (which
is held on Saturday evening at the Orphan-Houses, to ask the Lord's
blessing upon the work generally), when I found that 2s. had been put
into the boxes in the Orphan Houses in the course of the afternoon; also
7s. had come in by the knitting of the Orphan-Girls, and 3s. 6d. more
one of the labourers was able to give. Thus we hail 2l. 13s., which was
enough for today. How very kind of the Lord thus to listen to the
prayers of His children, and to help us day by day!--We had not yet
separated, after our prayer meeting, when a box was brought from
Scarborough, containing 5s. and a number of articles. When I came home I
found that there had come in still further, by sale of articles given
for the purpose, 15s. 10d., and by sale of stockings knitted by the
Orphans, 7s. 8d. Thus the Lord has greatly helped us today.

Aug. 5, Monday. There came in from A. A. 1s., and anonymously was
yesterday put into the Chapel-boxes 2s. 6d., ditto 2s. 6d.

Aug. 6. Without one single penny in my hands the day began. The post
brought nothing, nor had I yet received anything, when ten minutes after
ten this morning the letter bag was brought from the Orphan-Houses, for
the supplies of today.--Now see the Lord's deliverance! In the bag
I found a note from one of the labourers in the Orphan--Houses,
enclosing two sovereigns, which she sent for the Orphans, stating that
it was part of a present which she had just received unexpectedly, for
herself. --Thus we are supplied for today. In the afternoon, when I had
now again nothing at all in hand, as I had paid out this 2l., there was
brought to me from Oxford 1l. 2s. A sister also gave 2s. 6d.

Aug. 7. There came in, when there was not one penny in my hands, 4s. and
3s. 6d. I only found 3s. in the boxes in my house, 10s. was given as the
profit of the sale of ladies' bags, and 2s. 6d. as the produce of "A
forfeit-box at a young ladies' school." Likewise were given to me, two
gold rings, two gold watch-keys, a pair of earrings, a gold brooch, two
waist-buckles, a pair of bracelets, a watch hook, and a broken brooch.
Thus we have a little towards the need of tomorrow.

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