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

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35

This is just a specimen of how the Lord helped me, week after week, to
meet the expenses during this period. About Six Hundred Pounds a month,
or above Seven Thousand Pounds during the year, I had to expend for the
various objects of the Institution; but I had sufficient to meet every
demand; and over and above I was helped by the Lord to increase the
Building Fund Nine Thousand Pounds above what it was the year before.
The current expenses of the Institution were never so great during the
previous nineteen years; but the extent of its operations, and the means
which the Lord was pleased to send in, were also never so great.

I stated, however, before, that I could not give here in detail an
account of every donation. I, therefore, single out a few more
instances, to show the manner in which the Lord helped me.

Aug. 4. The funds for these objects were now reduced to about 4l.; but
there was much required in order to be able to go on with the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and to assist missionary
brethren; when I received this evening 200l., which was left to me to be
applied as seemed best to me. I took therefore one half for the current
expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for these objects, and was
thus again supplied for the present.

Aug. 14. 20l. for missions from W. W.

Sept. 8. Little, comparatively, has come in since August 4th. Only
twenty-seven donations altogether, of which only a few were rather large
sums. Therefore all our means were now gone. On the 3rd of this month I
sent out 40l. to six brethren who labour in the Word, and would on that
day have sent out 35l, more to other six brethren, but had not the
means; and, therefore, could only wait upon God. I also desired to order
more Bibles and Tracts; but had to delay this likewise, as I would not
go into debt for them. Now this morning I received 280l. 10s. 6d.
[referred to under the Building Fund], of which 86l. 13s. 4d. was taken
for these objects. Thus I am helped again for the present, and look for
further supplies.

Oct. 9. Only nineteen donations, almost all small, have come in for
these objects since September 8th. For the last three days I have
especially desired means for these objects. Gladly would I have helped
brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad; but was unable to do
so, and could only pray for means. Now this morning the Lord gave me the
desire of my-heart in this respect. I received a donation of 230l. 15s.,
which, being left at my disposal, I took one half for these objects, and
the other half for the current expenses for the Orphans.

Nov. 3. "From an Irish friend" 10l. for missions.--I have
particularly prayed within the last few days for means for missionary
objects, as all means are gone; therefore this donation is very
refreshing as an answer to prayer. But I expect more, as I desire to
send out shortly 200l. at least to brethren who labour in the Word.

This I wrote, as the date shows, on November 3rd, and that which follows
will now show to the Reader, that I did not wait upon God in vain.
During no period, within the nineteen years previously, was I enabled to
do so much in the way of aiding missionary operations, as during this
period; and during no previous period so much in the circulation of the
Holy Scriptures and Tracts, as during this; yet once or twice all the
means for these objects were expended, and I had to stand still and to
wait upon God for further supplies. The servant of Christ, who knows
that he is not occupied about his own work, but about that of his
master, can, however, be quiet, and ought to be quiet, under such
circumstances, in order to prove that he is only the servant and not the
master. If he cannot be quiet, and if, in the restlessness of nature, he
will work and take steps when he ought to stand still, and wait upon
God; then let him suspect himself, and let him see well to it, whether
the work in which he is engaged is God's work or not; and whether, if
it be God's work, it is done for the honour of the Master or for the
honour of the servant. In this case God abundantly recompensed me for
standing still for a little, and for calling upon Him. I had not to wait
long, before He was pleased to help me. I now go on with my journal, to
show to the Reader how the Lord answered prayer in this instance.

Nov. 5. Received from Okehampton six silver tea spoons, to be sold for
foreign missions.

Nov. 6. Received 5l. with the following words: "Enclosed is a Post
Office Order, drawn out in your favour by * * * * *, Three Pounds of
which my dear husband is constrained to send to you for foreign
missions. The other two I send; one for your own personal expenses, and
the other to be used for the Orphans, as their need may require, &c."

I have especially prayed, for several days past, for help for brethren
who labour in the Word at home and abroad, as I have no means left for
them, and could lay out at once 200l. or 300l. on their behalf.
Therefore this donation is particularly precious. But I expect more.

Nov. 7. From Braunton 2l. for missions.--Anonymously 2s. 6d. for
missions.

Nov. 10. From some believers at Ludlow 8l. 14s. for foreign missions.

Nov. 11. During the last ten days I have especially asked the Lord for
means for home and foreign labourers. This also was particularly dwelt
upon at our usual weekly prayer meeting of the labourers in the work on
Saturday the 6th of November. Now today I received 237l. 10s. for the
work of the Lord in my hands. As the application of the money was left
to me, I took the whole of this amount for home and foreign labourers in
the Word, as they, greatly need help; and I expect by tomorrow evening
to have sent out the whole amount.--In the course of my reading
through the Holy Scriptures there came today John xvi. 23, "Verily,
verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He
will give it you." I turned to my Father in heaven and said: "Be
pleased, Holy Father, to hear me for the sake of Thy Holy Child Jesus,
and give me means for these dear brethren who labour in the word and
doctrine, whom I seek to help." In about half an hour afterwards I
received this 237l. 10.

Nov. 18. Today were paid to me two legacies, left by a lady at a
distance whom I have never seen, and whose name even I had never heard,
till I was informed about the payment of the legacies. I received the
legacy of 100l. for the Orphans (being 101l. 4s. with the interest due),
and 50l. for the various Schools for poor children under my direction
(being 50l. 12s. with the interest due.)--In portioning out yesterday
the means for the brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad, to
whom I desire to send help, I found that the 237l. 10s. was not enough,
and also that I needed more means for the various Schools and the
circulation of Bibles and Tracts. On this account the payment of this
legacy of 50l. 12s. for the Schools came in very seasonably. But the
Lord helped still further this evening by a donation of 60l., the
application of which is entirely left to me. I have therefore taken of
it 20l. for missionary brethren, 20l. for the circulation of the Holy
Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts.

Nov. 19. From Yorkshire 3l. for foreign missions.--From Cumberland
13s. 10d. for missionaries in Demerara--Also 200l., left to my
disposal, as I might be directed by the Lord. I took of it 100l. for the
Building Fund, 60l. for foreign and home labourers in the Word, 20l. for
the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of
Gospel Tracts.--During the last eight days I had sent out 252l. to
home and foreign labourers in the Word, and 65l. I had paid out for the
circulation of Tracts and the Holy Scriptures. I desired, however, still
further means for brethren who labour in the Word, for I wished to send
out at once 70l. more, and also to lay out more on the circulation of
the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts; but I had only about 90l.
altogether left for these various objects, when I received today the
3l., the 13s. 10d., and this 200l. The Lord be praised for this help,
and may He recompense the donors.

You see, dear Reader, by these instances, that we are richly recompensed
for our waiting upon God. You perceive the readiness of His heart to
listen to the supplications of His children who put their trust in Him.
If you have never made trial of it, do so now. But in order to have your
prayers answered, you need to make your requests unto God on the ground
of the merits and worthiness of the Lord Jesus. You must not depend upon
your own worthiness and merits, but solely on the Lord Jesus, as the
ground of acceptance before God, for your person, for your prayers, for
your labours, and for every thing else. Do you really believe in Jesus?
Do you verily depend upon Him alone for the salvation of your soul? See
to it well, that not the least degree of your own righteousness is
presented unto God as a ground of acceptance. But then, if you believe
in the Lord Jesus, it is further necessary, in order that your prayers
may be answered, that the things which you ask of God should be of such
a kind, that God can give them to you, because they are for His honour
and your real good. If the obtaining of your requests were not for your
real good, or were not tending to the honour of God, you might pray for
a long time, without obtaining what you desire. The glory of God should
be always before the children of God, in what they desire at His hands;
and their own spiritual profit, being so intimately connected with the
honour of God, should never be lost sight of, in their petitions. But
now, suppose we are believers in the Lord Jesus, and make our requests
unto God, depending alone on the Lord Jesus as the ground of having them
granted; suppose also, that, so far as we are able honestly and
uprightly to judge, the obtaining of our requests would be for our real
spiritual good and for the honour of God; we yet need, lastly, to
continue in prayer, until the blessing is granted unto us. It is not
enough to begin to pray, nor to pray aright; nor is it enough to
continue for a time to pray; but we must patiently, believingly continue
in prayer, until we obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to
continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to believe that God
does hear us, and will answer our prayers. Most frequently we fail in
not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained and in not
expecting the blessing. As assuredly as in any individual these various
points are found united, so assuredly answers will be granted to his
requests.

From what I have stated, the Reader will have seen that my prayer had
been especially, that the Lord would be pleased to furnish me with means
for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for missionary operations;
and it has been shown how He granted this my request through the large
sums which He sent me (entirely unasked for, so far as man is
concerned), on November 11, 13 and 19; but even this was but little in
comparison with what He did for me afterwards, when He was pleased to
place far greater sums at my disposal for these objects, to which
reference has been already made, when speaking about the donations which
came in for the Building Fund on November 27, 1852, and on January 3 and
4, 1853.

Thus I was carried through all the expenses for these various objects,
and was enabled to enter into every open door which the Lord set before
me for circulating the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for aiding
missionary operations; and not only so, but was enabled to do for these
various objects more then during any one period within the nineteen
previous years.

Means for the support of the 300 Orphans already under our care, sent in
answer to Prayer, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853.

When we began this period, we were not only not in debt, but had in hand
the balance of 134l. 8s. 10 3/4 d. To those who are in very poor
circumstances, this amount would appear a considerable sum, and they
might think, this sum would last a long tine. Such need, however, to
know, that it would only furnish the current expenses of two weeks, and
that often in one week much more than that sum has been disbursed for
the Orphans. To those, on the other hand, who would say, "This is very
little, and what will you do, with so small a sum in hand, when day by
day 330 persons need to be provided for?" our reply is, God is able to
send us more, before this sum is gone. We seek for grace, to live by the
day. We seek to be enabled to attend to the commandment and affectionate
counsel of the Lord, to be anxious about nothing. It was in this way
that no care came over our mind with regard to the future, when we
looked at this large Orphan Establishment, with all its large daily
wants; for we were assured, that the Lord would surely give us something
before all was expended. And thus it was.

I will now furnish the Reader with a few instances from my journal of
the particular providence of God, manifested in caring for us, and
granting us help in answer to our prayers; for I do especially desire it
to be understood, that, though the work is now so very much larger than
it was in former years, and therefore far larger sums are needed than
before; yet the principles of trusting in God, and depending upon Him
alone, are now acted upon as formerly, only with this difference, that
year by year, by the grace of God, my soul becomes more and more rooted
and established in them. It would therefore be entirely a mistake, to
suppose that it is no longer a work of faith. If it was formerly a work
of faith on a small scale, it is now a work of faith on a large scale.
If we had trials of faith formerly, about comparatively little things;
we have now trials of faith about comparatively great things. If we
formerly hind no certain income, so now have we none. We have to look to
God for every thing in connexion with the world, of which often,
however, the pecuniary necessities are the smallest matter; but to Him
we are enabled to look, and therefore it is, that we are not
disappointed.

During the very first month, from May 27th to June 27th, 1852, there
came in, by ninety-two different donations or sums, 354l. 1s. 5d.: so
that we had, after a month, more in hand than before. Unbelief, which
said, what will you do with so little as 134l.? was therefore
confounded. The Lord increased thus little, before it was expended.

June 29, 1852. Today I received one of the most remarkable donations
which I ever had. I give the whole account, without the name of the
donor.

"Lyons, June 24, 1852.

"Dear Brother in Christ,

"It is now several years, that I read with great interest, and I hope
with some benefit to my soul, the account of your labours and
experiences. Ever since then your work was the object of many thoughts
and prayers, and I gave many copies of your book to Christian friends.
One of them has read it in Syria, on Mount Lebanon, where he is for
commercial business; and, whilst praying for you and your clear Orphans,
the Lord put it in his heart to send you 2l., to which my husband added
two others: and we beg you to accept that small offering in the name of
the Lord. If you have published anything of the Lord's dealings with
you since the year 1844, we shall be very happy to receive it. You could
forward it to Messrs. * * * *, London, for * * * * of Lyons. And now,
dear Brother, may the grace and peace of the Lord rest on you and your
dear home's inhabitants.

" Affectionately yours in the Lord,

* * * *"

I have had donations from Australia, the East Indies, the West Indies,
the United States, Canada, from the Cape of Good Hope, from France,
Switzerland, Germany, Italy, &c.; and now comes also this donation from
Mount Lebanon, with the prayer of a Christian brother, whose name I
never heard, nor know even now. See, dear Reader, this is the way in
which the Lord has helped me in this precious service for twenty-two
year's [1856]. With my fellow-labourers, or without them, and they
without me, our prayers are offered up unto the Lord for help, and He is
pleased, for Jesus' sake, to listen to our supplications, and to
influence the hearts of some of His children known to us or not, to send
us help. The donors may be rich or poor; they may live near or at a
distance of more than ten thousand miles; they may give much or little;
they may have often given before or never; they may be well known to us
or not at all; in these and many other things there may be constant
variations; but God continually helps us; we are never confounded. And
why not? Simply because we are enabled, by time grace of God, to put our
trust in Him for what we need.

On the very next day, June 30th, I received another donation from a
believing farmer in Jersey of 3l. 1s., which, with 15s. sent by him on
June. 8th, were the proceeds of a small field of potatoes, which he had
cultivated for the benefit of the Orphans. See in what various ways the
Lord helps me! This dear man sent me once more in April 1853, with an
affectionate letter in French, 2l. for the Orphans, and shortly
afterwards fell asleep in Jesus. While writing this account, I met with
many names of worthy disciples of the Lord Jesus, who have entered upon
their rest, since I received their donations; may this speak to my
heart, and to the heart of the reader, and may we learn the lesson which
God intends to teach us thereby!

July 10. 50l. from Liverpool.

Aug. 4. Today I received 200l., of which I took one half for the
Orphans, and the other half for the other objects, the disposal of this
sum being left with me. This is a precious answer to prayer. There will
be about 400l. required during this month for the current expenses for
the Orphans, but there was only about 170l. in hand, when this donation
came in.

As the 127 donations, which had come in since Aug. 4th, were of a
smaller kind, we had on Sept. 8th scarcely anything left, when I
received the 280l. 10s. 6d., spoken of (Sept. 8th, 1852) under the
Building Fund, of which 86l. 13s. 4d. was taken for the current expenses
for the Orphans.

Oct. 7. This evening there was only 8l. left in hand for the current
expenses for the Orphans. Hitherto we had generally abounded. But though
much had come in, since the commencement of this new period, yet our
expenses had been greater than our income, as every donation almost of
which the disposal was left with me, had been put to the Building Fund.
Thus the balance in hand on May 26, 1852, notwithstanding the large
income since then, was reduced to about 8l. I therefore gave myself
particularly to prayer for means, that this small sum might be
increased. When I came home this evening from the New Orphan House, I
found a letter from London, containing 2l., being two donations from
Kelso, of 1l. each, and another letter from Peterborough, containing
1l.

Oct 8. This morning I received 5l. 5s. more from Willenhall. Thus the
Lord has already been pleased to add 8l. in to the little stock in hand,
which is now increased to 16l. 5s.--Another 6d. was added, by sale of
a Report.--This evening the matron told me that tomorrow she would
need to have more money. I generally advance 30l. at a time for
housekeeping expenses, but I had now only 8l. 14s. left, as I had to pay
out this afternoon 7l. 11s. 6d. This I purposed to give to her, should
it not please the Lord to give more in the meantime, being assured that,
before this amount was gone, He would give more. My prayer to the Lord,
however, was that He would be pleased to send help, and I looked out for
means. When I came home this evening I found a letter from Gosport,
containing 1s., which a little boy has sent for the Orphans, having
received it as a reward for picking up a ring, and giving it to the
owner. Also a letter from Kingstown, Ireland, containing a Post-office
Order for 1l. 7s., of which 1l. 2s. 6d. are for the Building Fund, and
4s. 6d. for Reports. I likewise received 6d. for missions and 6d. for
the Orphans, from two boys in the neighbourhood of Stroud. Thus I have
9l, to advance tomorrow for house-keeping.

Oct. 9. This morning Luke vii. came in the course of my reading before
breakfast. While reading the account about the Centurion and the raising
from death of the widow's son at Nain, I lifted up my heart to the
Lord Jesus thus: "Lord Jesus, Thou hast the same power now. Thou canst
provide me with means for Thy work in my hands. Be pleased to do so."
-- About half an hour afterwards I received 230l. 15s. Also 1s. This
230l. 15s. was left at my disposal. I took one half for the current
expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for the other objects, and
am now amply provided for meeting the demands of this day.

The joy which such answers to prayer afford, cannot be described. I was
determined to wait upon God only, and not to work an unscriptural
deliverance for myself. I have thousands of pounds for the Building
Fund; but I would not take of this sum because it was once set apart for
that object. There is also a legacy of 100l. for the Orphans two months
overdue, in the prospect of the payment of which the heart might be
naturally inclined to use some money of the Building Fund, to be
replaced by the legacy money, when it comes in; but I would not thus
step out of God's way of obtaining help. At the very time when this
donation arrived, I had packed up 100l. which I happened to have in
hand, received for the Building Fund, in order to take it to the Bank,
as I was determined not to touch it, but to wait upon God. My soul does
magnify the Lord for His goodness.

This last paragraph is copied out of my journal, written down at the
time, I add a few words more to the last sentences.

The natural mind is ever prone to reason, when we ought to believe; to
be at work, when we ought to be quiet; to go our own way, when we ought
steadily to walk on in God's ways, however trying to nature. When
first converted, I should have said, What harm can there be to take some
of the money, which has been put by for the Building Fund? God will help
me again after some time with means for the Orphans, and then I can
replace it. Or, there is this money due for the legacy of 100l. This
money is quite sure; may I not, therefore, on the strength of it, take
some from the Building Fund, and when the legacy is paid, replace the
money which I have taken? I know that many would act thus. But how does
it work, when we thus anticipate God, by going our own way? We bring, in
many instances, guilt on our conscience; but if not, we certainly weaken
faith, instead of increasing it; and each time we work thus a
deliverance of our own, we find it more and more difficult to trust in
God, till at last we give way entirely to our natural fallen reason, and
unbelief prevails. How different, if one is enabled to wait God's own
time, and to look alone to Him for help and deliverance! When at last
help comes, after many seasons of prayer it may be, and after much
exercise of faith and patience it may be, how sweet it is, and what a
present recompense does the soul at once receive for trusting in God,
and waiting patiently for His deliverance! Dear Christian reader, if you
have never walked in this path of obedience before, do so now, and you
will then know experimentally the sweetness of the joy which results
from it. I now return to Oct. 9, 1852.

Received still further today, from Cirencester, 2l., and also 10l.

Oct. 10. From two little girls at Clifton, 5s.--By sale of a silver
watch given for the purpose, 1l. 10s,--From a donor in Maryport
Street, 3s. 4d.--Through Bethesda boxes 1s. Ditto 2s. 6d. Ditto a
sovereign.--From a believer in Bristol 5s.--By sale of empty
oatmeal barrels, 15s.

Oct. 11. From Sutton Points, 13s. 7d. --Through the boxes in the New
Orphan House, 3s.--From an Orphans formerly under our care, and now
in service, 10s., with 10s. for the Building Fund.--From a Christian
lady, recently come from Edinburgh, 1l.--Through a Christian lady,
staying at Clifton, 5s.

Oct. 12. By sale of rags and bones 12s. 6d. [I copy literally from the
receipt book. We seek to make the best of every thing. As a steward of
public money, I feel it right that even these articles should be turned
into money; nor could we expect answers to our prayers if knowingly
there were any waste allowed in connexion with this work. For just
because the money is received from God, simply in answer to prayer only,
therefore it becomes us the more, to be careful in the use of it].--
By sale of Reports 5s.--From an Orphan box at Plymouth 3s., together
with 8s. as a donation added, and 9s. for Reports. Still further help:
This afternoon a lady of Clifton called at my house, and brought a check
for 200l., which a gentlemen, whose name even I had never heard of, had
sent her for the benefit of tine Orphans. We are not now in actual need,
yet as 62l. lies already been paid out of what I have received since the
9th, and as other heavy payments are before me, in a few days, it is
particularly kind of the Lord, to send this donation from a perfect
stranger.

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35