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Editorial
This paper argues that discourses of love in Ghanaian market literature for youth offer a view into complex negotiations of agency and empowerment. Drawing on Deborah Durham's notion of youth as "social `shifters'" and Francis Nyamnjoh's conception of the "interconnectedness" of agency, I take Ghanaian market literature as one specific case of how African literature for youth foregrounds questions of continuity and change as African societies enter into increasingly complex global relations. In this literature for youth, received notions of love, often constructed out of impressions from American pop and hip hop music, carry new notions of agency that compete with existing "domesticated" forms. Authors like Ike Tandoh and Evelyn Tay employ discourses of love to offer youth alternative avenues for empowerment in a context of socio-economic disenfranchizement. In a creative process of "straddling", this writing both reveals and reproduces the contradictions that obtain in youth configurations of agency.

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




Nov. 13. Today was paid to me the legacy for the Orphans, to which
reference has been made. I had no doubt it would come in in good time.
Thus it is. The expenses are heavy, week after week. The day after
tomorrow, I shall have again to pay out above 100l. for the Orphans.

On Dec. 20th, in the evening, I had only 16l. 9s. left. Think of this,
dear Reader. So little, for so large an Establishment! From Dec. 20th to
the evening of Dec. 26th, there came in only about 18l.; and as I had
paid out above 13l., I could only advance 15l. for house-keeping on Dec.
27th, instead of the usual 30l., and had then about 5l. left for petty
expenses. I knew that on the 31st I should have to advance again at
least 20l. for house-keeping. Now see how the Lord was pleased to send
in the means from the morning of Dec. 27th to Dec. 31st. Dec. 27. From
Alcombe, near Minehead, 10s.--From a poor widow in Bristol, 5s.--
Anonymously 1l. Ditto a sovereign, with these words: "An Orphan's mite
for the Orphan House."--From Clifton, 1s., and 1s. besides.--Dec.
28. From Newport, in Monmouthshire, 10s. and 10s.--From Birmingham,
2l. 10s. with the same for my own personal expenses.--From Boscrea
7d. from three children.--From Lenwade, 10s.--Dec. 29. From B. B.
at Leamington 5l.--Anonymously, from London, 2s. 5d.--From three
sisters 10s., 5s., 1l., also 10s. 8 1/2 d.--By sale of Reports, 3s.
--Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 1l. 6s. 9 1/2 d.--Dec.
30. By sale of Reports 2s. 6d.--From Clifton 5l.--From two
Christian ladies in Buckinghamshire 20l.-- From some pupils on
Kingsdown 5s. Thus I had on Dec. 31st money enough to advance 25l. for
house-keeping expenses, besides having had the means to pay away 20l.
5s. 9d. After I had given out the money in advance for house-keeping
expenses, I had, at the close of the year, not 2l. left. But my mind was
in full peace. Now see how, before the 25l. which had been advanced was
expended, and before other expenses came upon me, the Lord was pleased
to send in the means from the 1st to the 4th of January, 1853.--Jan.
1. Anonymously 1s.--From Sherborne, 1l.--From Colchester 10s.--
From Manchester 10s.--From a distance 1l. 2s. 6d.--From
Glouchstershire 14s. 6d.--From a brother in the Lord in Bristol 3l.
12s., together with 5s. 7d. from his Orphan box. This brother had it on
his heart, more than a twelvemonth ago, to dispose of an article for the
benefit of the Orphans, but could not meet with an opportunity till
today. Thus, in this time of need, the Lord sends in this money.--
Jan. 2. By sale of Reports 12s.--From two Christian sisters 5s., as a
thank offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past year.--From a
lady at Clifton 10s.--From a Brother in Bristol 1l.---From Torquay
3s., with 3s. for Reports.--From Worcester 2s. 2d.--From a brother
in Bristol 3l.--Jan. 3. From Waterford 1l.--From Liverpool 5l.--
Also the 75l. being part of the 252l. 17s. 1d. spoken of under the
Building Fund.--From Clifton 10s.--Through Salem boxes 2s. 6d.--
From "P." 1s. Jan. 4. From Ryde 2l.--From Tottenham 10s. Thus God
helped me in a time of great, great need. But before this 4th of January
was over, He did far more than ever in the way of supplying me with
means, for the largest of all the donations I had ever had, and of which
mention has been made before, was given to me, of which 600l. was
portioned out for the current expenses for the Orphans.

I have been thus particular in this last paragraph, on purpose, to give
a practical illustration that those are entirely mistaken who suppose
that the work is now no longer a work of faith, as it used to be in
former years. It is true, we have now a larger income, then we used to
have in the years 1838, 1839, and 1840; but it is also true that our
expenses are three times as great. We have no regular income now; even
as we had not then. We ask no human being now for help; even as we did
not then. We depend alone upon God, by His grace even as we did then.
Who is there in the whole world who will state that I ever asked him for
help in this Orphan work, from its commencement, on Dec. 9, 1835, up
till now? Now, as we have no funds to live upon; as we have no regular
subscribers or donors upon whom we could depend; as we never ask help
from man but God alone; and as, finally, we never did go into debt for
this work, nor do we now: why is it not now a work of faith as formerly?
Will those, who say it is not, place themselves in my position, when, at
the close of the year 1852, I had not two pounds left, and about 330
persons were day by day to be provided for, with all they need, and
prove whether it is now anything else than a work of faith? Every one,
except those who are determined not to see, will have no difficulty in
perceiving that now, as formerly, one could only be kept from being
overwhelmed in such a position by looking day by day to the Lord, and
that not merely for pecuniary supplies, but for help under the
numberless difficulties, which continually are met with in such a work.

On account of the abundance which came in at the beginning of the year,
together with what was received afterwards, there was not the least
difficulty felt, in the way of means, for many weeks afterwards. Of the
donations that came in from Jan. 5 to April 20, and which amounted
altogether to 648l. 8s. 8 1/4 d., in 314 different sums, large and small,
I will only mention the following: Jan. 25. From an aged Christian
merchant at Clifton 50l.--From a Christian merchant in London 20l.,
on Feb. 11.

April 20. In the prospect of having to pay away yet about 500l, before
the accounts are closed on May 26th, and having only 236l. in hand, I
asked the Lord especially this evening, that He would be pleased to help
me with means for the current expenses for the Orphans, for which I
might have far more in hand had I not with all my might given myself to
the Building Fund, in order to be soon able to commence the building of
this second Orphan House. Now, this evening, I found that a donation of
100l. had come in at my house during my absence, the disposal of which
was entirely left to me. I took not the whole of this donation for the
current expenses for the Orphans, but only one half, and the other half
for the Building Fund. The funds for the various Schools, for the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary
objects, need nothing for at least six weeks to come. This donation has
greatly refreshed my spirit, especially as it came from a most
unexpected quarter.

Before the accounts were closed, I received, between April 20th and May
26th, 1853, in just One Hundred different sums, 422l. 3s. 11 1/2 d. more,
so that I was able amply to supply all demands, and had the balance of
117l. 10s. 9d. left in hand. It was chiefly through a donation of 260l.,
given to be employed as most needed, spoken of under the Building Fund
Income on May 14th, 1853, of which I took 160l. for the Orphans, that we
had so large an amount in hand. This donation was indescribably
precious, as it not only, in conjunction with the other money which came
in, carried me easily through all the expenses which absolutely needed
to be met, and which were heavier than they ever had been during any
month since the Orphan work had been in existence; but also enabled me
to do things which were most desirable, though not absolutely needful.

How can I sufficiently praise, and adore, and magnify the Lord, for His
love and faithfulness, in carrying me thus from year to year through
this His service, supplying me with all I need in the way of means,
fellow labourers, mental strength, and, above all, spiritual support!
But for His help and support, I should be completely overpowered in a
very short time; yet, by His help, I go on, and am very happy
spiritually, in my service; nor am I now generally worse in health than
I was twenty years ago, but rather better.

Miscellaneous Points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for
Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1852, to May
26, 1853.

1. During this period there were four Day Schools, with 235 children in
them, entirely supported by the funds of the Institution. Further, one
Sunday School in Bristol, with 150 children, was entirely supported, and
three others in Devonshire, Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire, with 280
children, were assisted. Lastly, one Adult School, with 103 Adult
Scholars, was entirely supported by the funds of the Institution. There
were under our care, from March 5, 1884, to May 26, 1853, in the various
Day Schools, 5686 children, in the Sunday School 2673 children, and in
the Adult School 2132 persons. There was expended of the funds of the
Institution, during this year, for the various Schools, 349l. 12s. 11d.

2. During thus year there was laid out of the funds of the Institution,
on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 431l. 5s. 1 1/2 d., and there
were circulated 1,666 Bibles and 1,210 New Testaments.--There were
circulated from March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1853, 10,476 Bibles, and
6.061 New Testaments.

For several years past this part of the work has appeared more and more
important to me, on account of the fearful attempts which have been made
by the powers of darkness to rob the church of Christ of the Holy
Scriptures. I have on this account sought to embrace every opportunity
to circulate the Holy Scriptures in England, Ireland, Canada, British
Guiana, the East Indies, China, Australia, &c. Every open door which the
Lord was pleased to set before me in these or other parts of the world,
I have joyfully entered; yea, I have counted it a privilege, indeed, to
be permitted of God to send forth His Holy Word. Many servants of
Christ, in various parts of the world, have assisted me in this service,
through whose instrumentality copies of the Holy Scriptures have been
circulated. Our endeavour has been, to place the word of God in the
hands of the very poorest persons, and also, in particular, to supply
very aged persons with copies of the Scriptures, printed in large type,
as such copies still remain expensive, considering the means of the
poor. Nor have our efforts been in vain. For we had several cases of
direct conversion, simply through circulating the Holy Scriptures,
brought before us during this year. But we are fully assured, that the
fruit which we have seen, as resulting from this part of the world, is
but little in comparison with what we shall see in the day of Christ's
appearing. The disciples of the Lord Jesus should labour with all their
might in the work of God, as if everything depended upon their own
exertions; and yet, having done so, they should not in the least trust
in their labour and efforts, and in the means which they use for the
spread of the truth, but in God; and they should with all earnestness
seek the blessing of God, in persevering, patient, and believing prayer.
Here is the great secret of success, my Christian Reader. Work with all
your might; but trust not in the least in your work. Pray with all your
might for the blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all
diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray then, and
work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and then work. And so on all
the days of your life. The result will surely be, abundant blessing.
Whether you see much fruit or little fruit; such kind of service will be
blessed. We should labour then, for instance, with all earnestness in
seeking to circulate Thousands of copies of the Holy Scriptures, and
Hundreds of Thousands of Tracts, as if everything depended upon the
amount of copies of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts which we circulate;
and yet, in reality, we should not in the least degree put our
dependence upon the number of copies of the Holy Scriptures, and upon
the number of Tracts, but entirely upon God for His blessing, without
which all these efforts are entirely useless. This blessing, however,
should be sought by us habitually and perseveringly in prayer. It should
also be fully expected.

3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the Institution for
missionary objects 2,234l. 2s. 6d. By this sum fifty-four labourers in
the word and doctrine, in various pants of time world, were to a greater
or less degree assisted.

During no period within the nineteen years previous to May 26, 1853, was
so large a portion of the funds of the Institution expended, in one
year, upon Missionary Objects, as during this year; and in every single
case I was enabled to help to the full amount of what appeared
desirable. Refreshing as this is, and thankful as we desire to be to the
Lord for it; yet it were but a very little thing, had there not been
corresponding results. But I have to record to the praise of the Lord,
and to the enjoyment of the Christian Reader, that not five, nor ten,
nor fifty souls only were won for Him through the instrumentality of
these fifty-four dear brethren, but hundreds. I received a great number
of letters from these labourers in the Word, both at home and abroad,
which brought me heart-cheering intelligence. Thank the Lord for this
together with me, dear Christian Reader, and continue to help these
esteemed brethren with your prayers, some of whom labour for the Lord
under peculiar difficulties.

I would repeat that I consider it a great privilege to be permitted to
defray in part or altogether, from time funds of this Institution, the
expenses connected with the voyage and outfit of brethren who desire to
go out as Missionaries, or to help them after their arrival in their
field of labour; but I do not bind myself to support them habitually,
seeing that thus they would be out of the position of simple dependence
upon God for their temporal supplies.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1852,
to May 26, 1853, the sum of 555l. 16s. 7 1/2 d.; and there were
circulated within this year 733,674 Tracts.

The total number of Tracts circulated up to May 26, 1853, was One
Million Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand and Forty.

The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more and more, as
will be seen by a comparison of the years in which this part of the
Institution has been in operation. From Nov. 19, 1840, to May 10, 1842,
the first period that the circulation of Tracts was in operation in
connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad,
there were circulated 19,609 from May 10, 1842, to July 14, 1844,
39,473; from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, 40,565; from May 26, 1846,
to May 26, 1848, 64,021; from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, 130,464;
from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851, 303,098; from May 26, 1851, to May
26, 1852, 489,136; and during this period 733,674.

In these increased opportunities to spread the truth, we rejoice.
Moreover, we would, by the help of God, seek to labour still far more
abundantly in this particular also, and would seek to press into every
open door, which the Lord may set before us. Yea, we would labour, as
has been stated before, as if everything depended upon our diligence and
carefulness in the use of the means; whilst, in reality, we would not
depend upon them in the least degree, but only upon God for His
blessing. This blessing of God we have been enabled to seek upon the
labours of missionary brethren, the circulation of time Holy Scriptures,
and upon the distribution of Tracts. As the days come, so our heart is
drawn out in prayer for blessing upon these objects, in connexion with
the various Schools and the Orphan Work. How, then, could it be
otherwise, but that sooner or later there should come showers of
blessing? Thus it was during this year. This year stands alone, in that
more money came in, than during any year previously. It stands alone, in
that the operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution were
extended beyond whatever they mad been before. But it stands alone,
also, in the abundant blessing, which God granted to our efforts, and
which was greater than during any previous period. And, as in other
respects, so in particular likewise, the gratuitous distribution of
Tracts was abundantly owned of God. Instance upon instance, not 2, nor
5, nor 10, but many, in the way of conversion, and also of blessing to
believers, was I informed of by those Godly brethren, who in various
parts of the world, aid me in this service. How can I sufficiently
magnify the Lord for this! By His grace I would desire to labour on,
though I were not to see one single instance of blessing, being assured
that "in due season we shall reap," and that our "labour is not in vain
in the Lord;" yet how kind of the Lord, to grant such abundant blessing
to rest upon our labours!

Often, I fear, Tract distributors have expected little result from their
labour; and therefore they have seen little fruit. According to their
expectation, they have received. Often, also, I fear, the mere
distribution of Tracts has been rested in, and the work done has been
estimated by the number of Tracts which were circulated, without
earnestly preceding their circulation with prayer, and without earnestly
following them with prayer, may I, therefore, be allowed to caution my
fellow-believers on these two points? Look out for blessing, but seek
also the blessing earnestly in prayer; and you will not fail to receive
abundantly.

Should any believer be discouraged, because he has not had much fruit
resulting from the circulation of Tracts, let such a one, with renewed
earnestness and prayerfulness, go on in his work; let him also expect
fruit, and he will surely reap abundantly; if not now, at least in the
day of Christ's appearing.

5. At the beginning of this period, there were Three Hundred Orphans in
the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol. During the year there were
admitted into it 13 Orphans, making 313 in all. Of these 313, (we own it
with thankfulness to God,) not one died during the year; for not a
single death occurred for about 15 months. One of the Orphans, who had
been received after he had long had his own way, and who having long
been borne with, and repeatedly been received back again on a confession
of sorrow, at last ran away again, and had then to be placed by his
relatives in the Union. One Orphan was sent to relatives, who were by
that time able to care for her. Five girls were, at the expense of the
Establishment, fitted out for service or learning a business, and were
sent out;--also six boys were, at the expense of the Establishment,
fitted out and apprenticed. Thus makes the number removed as great as
the number received, so that there were still 300 Orphans in tire New
Orphan-House on May 26, 1853. The total number of Orphans, who were
under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1853, was Five Hundred and
Twenty-eight.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the Orphan
Work.

a. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me,
the sum of 55,408l. 17s. 5 3/4 d. was given to me for the Orphans, as the
result of prayer to God, from the commencement of the work up to May 26,
1853.--It may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the
total amount given for the other objects, from the commencement of the
work up to May 26, 1853, amounted to 19,163l. 14s. 1 1/2 d.; and that
which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of
the children in the Day Schools, amounted to 3,490l. 7s. 1 3/4 d.--
Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing,
furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the Orphans.

b. Our labours continued to be blessed among the Orphans.

c. The expenses in connexion with the support of the 300 Orphans and the
apprentices during this year, were 3,453l. 15s. 1 1/2 d.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the work of the Lord
in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853.

Dec. 31, 1852. During this year 35 believers have been received into
fellowship. When Brother Craik and I began to labour in the Word in
Bristol, we found 68 in fellowship. Since then there have been received
into communion altogether 1,403, so that the total number would be
1,471, had there been no changes. But 64 are under church discipline,
and separated, for the present, from fellowship; 154 have left us (some
of them, however, in love, and merely through circumstances); 421 have
left Bristol to reside elsewhere; and 197 have fallen asleep. So that
there are at present only 635 actually remaining in communion.

The Lord has been pleased to give unto me during this year--

1. Through believers in and out of Bristol,
in provisions, clothes,
etc., worth to us at least . . . . . 9 0 0

2. Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper and directed to
me, and put into the boxes for the poor
saints or the rent, at the chapels . 157 11 4 1/2

------

Carried forward L166 11 4 1/2

Brought forward L166 11 4 1/2

3. Through presents in money, from believers
in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . . . 121 5 2

4. Through presents in money, from believers
not residing in Bristol . . 157 12 2

--------

L445 8 8 1/2

My brother-in-law, Mr. A. N. Groves, of whom mention has been made in
the first part of this Narrative, as having been helpful to me by his
example when I began my labours in England in 1829, in that he, without
any visible support, and without being connected with any missionary
society, went with his wife and children to Bagdad, as a missionary,
after having given up a lucrative practice of about 1500l. per year,
returned in Autumn 1852, from the East Indies, a third time, being
exceedingly ill. He lived, however, till May 20th, 1853, when, after a
most blessed testimony for the Lord, he fell asleep in Jesus in my
house. I should more fully dwell on this to myself amid my family's
deeply important event, had not a very full biography been published by
the widow of my dear brother-in-law, in which also full particulars are
given of the last days of this servant of Christ. I therefore refer the
reader to the deeply interesting memoir, which has been published at
Nisbet's, London, and may be had at the Bible and Tract Warehouse of
the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, 84, Park
Street, Bristol, and through all booksellers, under the title: Memoir of
the late Anthony Norris Groves, second edition, with a portrait, cloth,
4s. 6d.; fine paper, cloth, 6s. 6d.

Further account respecting the intended Orphan-House for Seven Hundred
Children, bereaved of both parents by death, from May 26, 1853, to May
26, 1854.

In the last chapter on this subject I stated, that, on May 26, 1853, I
had actually in hand, towards the accomplishment of my object, the sum
of 12,531l. 12s. 0 1/4 d. I will now give some further particulars as to
the manner in which it pleased the Lord to supply me with means, but
must confine myself to those donations which more specially may call for
notice.

June 28, 1853. From Wakefield 40l., with 5l. for Mr. Craik, and 5l. for
my own personal expenses.--Also 220l. from the West of England, of
which the donor kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my own private
expenses, and to use the 200l. as might be most needed. I have taken,
therefore, 100l. for the Building Fund; 60l. for missionary operations,
the circulation of Bibles and Tracts; and 40l. for the Orphans.

July 14. Received 541l. 10s., which being left to me as most needed, I
took 100l. for the current expenses for the Orphans, 100l. for the other
objects, and 341l. 10s. for the Building Fund. Being just now in great
family affliction, this kindness of the Lord has been a great
refreshment to my spirit.

July 15. From Clifton 1s.--Received also 110l. from one who counts it
an honour to have this sum to lay down at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I
took of this amount 60l. for the Building Fund, and 50l. for the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary
objects.

I cannot help remarking here, that the Lord has used some of the most
unlikely persons during the past twenty-two years, in providing me with
means for His service. So it was particularly in the case of this
brother in the Lord, from whom I received the last-mentioned donation of
110l. I had not the least natural expectation of receiving this sum,
when this brother, sitting before me at the New Orphan-House, took out
of his pocket a packet of Bank Notes, and gave to me this amount,
reserving to himself, as his whole property in this world, a smaller sum
than he gave to me, because of his joy in the Lord, and because of his
being able to enter into the reality of his possessions in the world to
come. I delight in dwelling upon such an instance, because 1, it shows
that there is grace, much grace, to be found among the saints even now;
2, it shows the variety of instrumentality which the Lord is pleased to
employ, in supplying me with means for His service; and 3, because it so
manifestly proves that we do not wait upon Him in vain, when we make
known our requests to Him for means.

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