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

Now, dear Christian Reader, if you have not seen much blessing resulting
from your labours, or perhaps none at all, consider prayerfully these
hints, which are affectionately given by one who has now for about
thirty years [in 1856] in some measure sought to serve the Lord, and who
has found the blessedness, of what he has suggested, in some measure in
his own experience.

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 30 Orphans; making 330 in all. Of these 330, four died,
three were received back again by their relatives, who by that time were
able to provide for them, 17 boys were, at the expense of the
establishment, fitted out and apprenticed, and eight girls were fitted
out and sent to situations, at the expense of the Establishment; so that
there were only 298 Orphans in the house at the close of the period. The
total number of Orphans, who were under our care from April, 1836, to
May 26, 1854, was Five Hundred and Fifty Eight.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the New Orphan
House.

A. The expenses during this year, for the support of the Orphans, were
3,897l. 2s. 0 1/2 d.

B. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me,
the sum of 64,591l. 6s. 11 1/4 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,
1854.--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, 1854, was 22,268l. 2s 11 1/4 d.; and that which came
in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children
in the Day Schools, from the commencement up to May 26, 1854, amounted
to 3,989l. 4s. 5 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.

C. Our labours continued to be blessed among the Orphans. We saw also
again fruit of our labours, during this year, with regard to Orphans who
formerly were under our care.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from May 26, 1853, to
May 26, 1854.

In July 1853 it pleased the Lord to try my faith in a way in which
before it had not been tried. My beloved daughter, an only child, and a
believer since the commencement of the year 1846, was taken ill on June
20th. This illness, at first a low fever, turned to typhus. On July 3rd
there seemed no hope of her recovery. Now was the trial of faith. But
faith triumphed. My beloved wife and I were enabled to give her up into
the hands of the Lord. He sustained us both exceedingly. But I will only
speak about myself. Though my only and beloved child was brought near
the grave, yet was my soul inn perfect peace, satisfied with the will of
my Heavenly Father, being assured that He would only do that for her and
her parents, which in the end would be the best. She continued very ill
till about July 20th, when restoration began. On Aug. 18th she was so
far restored, that she could be removed to Clevedon for change of air,
though exceedingly weak. It was then 59 days mince she was first taken
ill.

While I was in this affliction, this great affliction, besides being at
peace, so far as the Lord's dispensation was concerned, I also felt
perfectly at peace with regard to the cause of the affliction. When in
August 1831 the hand of the Lord was heavily laid on me in my family, as
related in the first part of this Narrative, I had not the least
hesitation in knowing, that it was the Father's rod, applied in
infinite wisdom and love, for the restoration of my soul from a state of
lukewarmness. At this time, however, I had no such feeling. Conscious as
I was of manifold weaknesses, failings, and shortcomings, so that I too
would be ready to say with the Apostle Paul, "O wretched man that I am;"
yet I was assured that this affliction was not upon me in the way of the
fatherly rod, but for the trial of my faith. Persons often have, no
doubt, the idea respecting me, that all my trials of faith regard
matters connected with money, though the reverse has been stated by me
very frequently; now, however, the Lord would try my faith concerning
one of my dearest earthly treasures, yea, next to my beloved wife, the
dearest of all my earthly possessions. Parents know what an only child,
a beloved child is, and what to believing parents an only child, a
believing child must be. Well, the Father in heaven said, as it were, by
this His dispensation, Art thou willing to give up this child to me? My
heart responded, As it seems good to Thee my Heavenly Father. Thy will
be done. But as our hearts were made willing to give back our beloved
child to Him who had given her to us, so He was ready to leave her to
us, and she lived. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give
thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm xxxvii. 4. The desires of my
heart were, to retain the beloved daughter, if it were the will of God;
the means to retain her were, to be satisfied with the will of the
Lord.

Of all the trials of faith that as yet I have had to pass through, this
was the greatest; amid by God's abundant mercy, I own it to His
praise, I was enabled to delight myself in the will of God; for I felt
perfectly sure, that, if the Lord took this beloved daughter, it would
be best for her parents, best for herself, and more for the glory of God
than if she lived: this better part I was satisfied with; and thus my
heart had peace, perfect peace, and I had not a moment's anxiety. Thus
would it be under all circumstances, however painful, were the believer
exercising faith.

Dec. 31, 1853. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me

1. By anonymous donations through the
boxes ... ... ... ... L177 9 7 1/2

2. Through donations from believers in
Bristol, not anonymously . . . . . . . 143 3 0

3. Through donations from believers not
residing in Bristol ... ... 299 16 1

4. Through presents in clothes, provisions,
&c., worth at least ... ... 18 3 0

----

L638 11 8 1/2

--------

Further account respecting the intended Orphan I-louse for Seven Hundred
Poor Orphans, bereaved of both Parents by death, from May 26, 1854, to
May 26, 1855.

On May 26, 1854, I had actually in hand for this intended Orphan House,
as has been stated in the last chapter on this subject, 17,816l. 19s. 5
1/4 d. I will now relate further, how the Lord was pleased to supply me
with means, but can only refer, for the sake of brevity, to a few
instances out of many. The receipts of the first month of this year,
however, shall be given entirely, as a specimen.

May 29, 1854. Through Salem Chapel boxes 6d.

May 31. From Finchdean 5l.

June 1. Through the boxes at Bethesda Chapel 1l.--Ditto from P. and
M. E. 10s.--From London 1s. 6d.

June 4. A gold dollar piece and nearly two pennyweights of Californian
gold dust.

June 5. Through Bethesda Chapel boxes 2s. 6d. as a thank-offering to the
Lord for the mercies of the past month.--Through Salem Chapel boxes
1s.--Ditto 6d.--From P. 2s.

June 7. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l.--Through the boxes
at the New Orphan House 1s.

June. 8. From E. 2s. 6d.--Anonymously 2s.

June. 12. Through Bethesda boxes 3s.--Ditto 1s.--Ditto 1l.--
Through Salem boxes 6d.

June 14. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5s.--Ditto 1/4 d.

June 17. By sale of articles 17s. 7d.

June 18. 3s.--5s.

June-19. 15s.

June 22. A muslin cap, a cape, some worked trimming, and two bags, to be
sold for the Building Fund.

June 25. From Glasgow 2s. 6d.--From K. C. 10s.

June 26. Anonymously 2s. 2d.--Through Salem boxes 6d.--From P.
1s.

These were but little sums, esteemed reader, in comparison with the
total amount required for the accommodation of 700 more Orphans; yea,
they were even small in comparison with what was still required, though
I had then nearly 18,000l. in hand. But as it had been given to me, by
God's grace, to expect help from Him, yea, the full help needed for
this object, so the additional income of a few pounds, of a few
shillings, yea of a penny or two, was an encouragement to me for further
waiting upon Him, as every donation, the smallest even, brings me nearer
the time when all my prayers concerning this object also shall be turned
into praises.

July 1. A large gold brooch, set with two carbuncles, to be sold for the
Building Fund.

July 2. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l.--From Bury 10s.

July 19. A silver tea pot.

Sept. 27. From one of the former Orphans, now in service, 5s.--From
the Orphan Girls, now under our care, 15s. for the Building Fund.--
From the House Girls, i.e. the elder female Orphans, who are more
particularly engaged in doing household work, for the purpose of being
thus trained for situations, I received likewise 11s.--From the
Infant Orphans was also received for the Building Fund today, 6s. 8d.;
and from the Orphan Boys 15s, 0 1/2 d.--Oct. 4. From two little
factory girls 1s. 7d.

Oct. 28. From Halifax in Nova Scotia 7l.

Nov. 25. From the neighbourhood of Wheatley 10l.

Dec. 8. From various believers at Hull 12l. 12s.

Dee. 30. From Orleans, in France, five francs.

Thus ended the year 1854. Only 426l. 16s. 4d. altogether had come in for
the Building Fund from May 26 up to the end of the year. My faith and
patience were therefore tried; but, while they were tried, they were, by
God's grace, sustained. Day by day I had been enabled from May 26 to
Dec. 31, 1854, as well as during the three years previously, to bring
this object before the Lord in player; and day by day, by God's grace,
my heart had been fully assured, without wavering, that He, in His own
time, would not only give larger sums, but the whole amount required. I
desired only His honour in the building of premises for 700 more
destitute Orphans, bereaved of both parents; and as God, who cares
infinitely more for poor Orphans than I do, did not consider the time
to have come for the building of another house, I might well be quiet.
My heart longed indeed to begin to build; for there were not only 602
Orphans waiting for admission, when the last report was published but
there had been application made for 125 more since then, so that on Dec.
31, 1854, 714 were waiting for admission, as only 13 could be received
of the total number of 727, no more vacancies having occurred. But
though it was so, I judged it was the will of God, that, by patiently
waiting His own time, I should glorify Him.--I now proceed to relate
how the Lord further dealt with me.

Jan. 1, 1855. 6s. 3d.--From an Orphan 1s., Ditto 1s.--From
Manchester 10s.--From three children in Ireland 5s.--Anonymously
from Culworth 1l.--From P. 2s. 6d.

Jan. 8. On this day I received from several Christian friends the
promise, that 5,700l. should be paid to me for the work of the Lord in
which I am engaged.--This donation was paid to me, in different
installments, by the middle of April. I took of this sum, for the
Building fund 3,400l., for the support of the Orphans 900l., for
missionary objects 1,000l., for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures
150l., for the circulation of Tracts 150l., and for the various day
schools, Sunday schools, and the adult school 100l. Thus the Lord is
hastening on the time when the building may be commenced. His name be
magnified! How refreshing this help was, and how seasonable with regard
to all the various objects, can scarcely be described. The Lord may
allow us, to have our faith and patience tried; but if we are enabled to
continue to look to Him, and to trust in Him alone, a rich recompense
will result from doing so.

Jan. 11. From a distance of several hundred miles 13l. 15s, with a
letter containing the following paragraph: For the last six months, we
(i.e. the donor and his wife) have laboured in prayer for the different
departments of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and especially that
our Heavenly Father would be pleased this year largely to increase the
Building Fund, and let the work proceed. Two months ago, while
continuing in prayer, it was laid upon our minds, that we should set
apart, whatever monies the Lord might send us between that time and the
new year. The sum contained in the order is what the Lord has given us
and we rejoice in being able to send it." What various ways has the Lord
to help us! The donor of the 13l. 15s. is a brother who serves the Lord
in the ministry of the Gospel among very poor and wretched persons,
whilst he labours in dependence upon Him for his temporal supplies. He
has been greatly encouraged by the accounts of the Lord's dealings
with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; and now he is a fellow-helper
in prayer, and, as this instance shows, also in contributing out of that
which the Lord gives to him as the fruit of prayer. This donation
greatly refreshed my spirit; for it is so manifest a proof that the Lord
is mindful of this work, that He surely, in His own time, will provide
for the accommodation of 700 more Orphans, and that thus this dear
donor's prayers, and our prayers, will be turned into praises.

Feb. 7. From London 400l., of which the donor kindly wished me to keep
20l. for my family expenses, and to lay out the 380l. for the Lord's
work, as I might think best. I took therefore 100l for the Building
Fund, 140l. for the support of the Orphans, and 140l. for the other
objects.

Feb. 10. Received 197l. 17s. 3d., of which the donor kindly wished me to
take 20l. for my own expenses, and the rest to be used as might be most
needed for the Lord's work. I took therefore 57l. 17s. 3d. for the
Building Fund, 60l. for the support of the Orphans and 60l. for the
other objects.

March 28. From one of the Orphans, formerly for many years under our
care, but now in service, 10s., with the following letter:

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

"I am, dear Sir, yours most respectfully,

"* * * * * * * *"

I have at full length inserted this letter out of very many of that
kind, received during the past twenty years, that I have been engaged in
the Orphan work, for many of the Orphans who have been with us since.
April 11, 1836, have not only been fitted for this life, through being
under our care, but have been manifestly brought to the knowledge of the
Lord.

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

May 6. From Clifton 20l., with 10l. for missions.--May 26. By the
sale of a publication 69l. 18s. 1 1/2 d.--To the sums received during
this year is to be added 767l. 7s. 0d., received for interest. Thus ends
the period from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855. The amount which came in
during this year for the Building Fund, together with the 17,816l. 19s.
5 1/4 d. in. hand on May 26, 1854, make the total of 23,059l. 17s. 8 1/4
d. in hand on May 26, 1855.

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

When I had received the kind information, in January 1855, respecting
the donation of 5700l., which should be paid to me by several Christian
friends, of which I was at liberty to take such portion for the Building
Fund as I might deem desirable, I judged that, though I had not such an
amount of means in hand as I considered necessary before being warranted
to begin to build, yet that I might make inquiries respecting land.
Accordingly, I applied in the beginning of February for the purchase of
two fields which join the land on which the New Orphan-House is built.
On these two fields I had had my eye for years, and had purposed to
endeavour to purchase them, whenever I might be in such a position as to
means for the Building Fund, that it would be suitable to do so. I
found, however, that, according to the will of the late owner of these
fields, they could not be sold now. Thus my prospects were blighted.
When I obtained this information, though naturally tried by it and
disappointed, I said, by God's grace, to myself: "The Lord has
something better to give me, instead of these two fields;" and thus my
heart was kept in peace. But when now the matter was fully decided that
I could not obtain those fields, which had appeared to me so desirable
for the object, the question arose, what I was to do for the obtaining
of land. Under these circumstances some of my Christian friends again
asked, as they had done before, why I did not build on the ground which
we have around the New Orphan-House? My reply was, as before, that it
could not be done:--1. Because it would throw the New Orphan-House
for nearly two years into disorder on account of the building going on
round about it. 2. There would not be sufficient room without shutting
in the present house to a great extent. 3. That, as the New Orphan-House
stands in the centre of our ground, there would not be sufficient room
on any of the sides for the erection of a building so large as would be
required.--I was, however, led to consider whether there was any way
whereby we could accomplish the building on the ground belonging to the
New Orphan-House. In doing so, I found that--1. By having a high
temporary boundary made of old boards, the building ground could be
entirely distinct from the present establishment. 2. By building on an
entirely different plan from that of the present house, we should not
only have room enough; but that also, 3. The present house would not be
so enclosed that the health of the inmates of the establishment would
thereby be injured.

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

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

This house is intended for 400 female Orphans, bereaved of both parents,
from their earliest days, until they can be placed out in service. With
regard to the other house for 300 Orphans, to be built at the North side
of the New Orphan-House, nothing definitively can be stated at present.
There is enough money in hand to build, fit up, and furnish the house
for 400 Orphans, and it is expected that something will be left; but
there is not sufficient money in hand, at present, to warrant commencing
the building of both. As soon, however, as there is, I shall be
delighted to take active measures with regard to that for 300 Orphans
also. I do not ask persons to help me with their means. I speak to the
Lord about my need in prayer, and I do not wait upon Him in vain. At the
same time I feel it right to state, that there is a loud and an abundant
call for caring for destitute Orphans. On May 26, 1854, there were 602
waiting for admission, each bereaved of both parents by death. Since
then 197 more have been applied for, making in all 799. Of these I have
been able to receive only 39 during the past year, and 45 who were
waiting for admission have been otherwise provided for, or have died
since application was made for them; so that still 715 Orphans are
waiting for admission, from three months old and upward. But this
number, I state unhesitatingly, would be much larger, had not very many
persons refrained from making application, because they judged it would
be of no use, as there are already so many waiting for admission. Indeed
there is every reason to believe, that there are many tens of thousands
of destitute Orphans in this country. And what provision is there in the
way of Orphan establishments, it may be asked? At the last census in
1851, there were in England and Wales 39 Orphan Establishments, and the
total number of Orphans provided for through them, amounted only to
3764; but at the time the New Orphan-House was being built, there were
about 6000 young Orphans in the prisons of England. To prevent their
going to prison, to prevent their being brought up in sin and vice, yea,
to be the honoured instrument to win their souls for God, I desire, by
His help, to enlarge the present establishment, so as to be able to
receive 1000 Orphans; and individuals who purpose not to live for time
but for eternity, and look on their means as in the light of eternity,
will thus have an opportunity of helping me to care for these children.
It is a great honour to be allowed to do anything for the Lord. We can
only give to Him of His own; for all we have is His. When the day of
recompense comes, the regret will only be, that we have done so little
for Him, not that we have done too much.

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

On May 26, 1854, when the accounts were closed, there was in hand 55l.
15s. for these objects. I now mention a few of the instances in which
the Lord, in answer to prayer, supplied us with means.

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

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

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

About this time I received several other donations for missions.

On July 24th I received a small plate-chest, containing 14 table spoons,
6 dessert spoons, 11 tea spoons, 2 gravy spoons, 2 sauce ladles, 12
forks, 4 salt cellars, 4 salt spoons, a pepper box, a pair of sugar
tongs, a wine funnel, a cream jug, a small salver, a small goblet, a
larger ditto, fish knife, and a coffee pot, all of silver, 3 pairs of
plated nut crackers, a plated salver and a pewter can. The donor, who
desires to be his own executor, wished me to sell these articles, keep
10l. for myself, and to use the rest for missionary objects. The
contents of the box realized 44l. 5s. 10d., and I was thus enabled on
August 1, 1854, to send 40l. to seven brethren labouring in British
Guiana; and about ten weeks afterwards I heard that the Lord had sent
them this help at a time of great need.--On July 25th from Kendal 1l.
for missions.--On July 26th from a visitor at Clifton 30l. for
missions.--From Bath 10s.--From Hackney 10s.--From Brosely 2s.
6d.--July 29. From Whitehaven 2l. 5s. 6d. for missions.--July 30.
From Uppingham 2s. 6d.--August 8. 40l from a distance, of which 30l.
was for missions.--August 18. From C. W. 20l. for missions.

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