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

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Of the donations which came in between Sept. 2nd and Nov. 5th, amounting
to about 600l., in 346 different sums, I mention only, for the sake of
brevity, the following.

Sept. 2. From an anonymous donor through Mr. B. at Geneva, by the hands
of Count G., 1l. 15s.--Sept. 6. Received from Clerkenwell 50l., to be
used one half for missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took
the one half for the support of the Orphans, and find the following
remark in my journal respecting this donation: "What a precious answer
to prayer! Since Aug. 26th we have been day by day coming to the Lord
for our daily supplies. Precious, also, on account of missionary
brethren, whom I seek to help, for whom there was nothing in hand when
this donation was received!"--Sept. 22. From Crediton 3l. 4s. 8d., as
"a thank-offering to God for the very fine harvest which in mercy He has
been pleased to grant."

Nov. 5. There was now again only about 5l. in hand for the support of
the Orphans, when I received 2l. 10s. for them, and 2l. 10s. for myself,
from a donor in London, whom the Lord has been pleased to raise up
during the last two years, and who since then has been often used as an
instrument in helping the work at times of need. A brother in the Lord
also gave me 5l. this morning, saying, "I have of late had the Orphans
much laid on my heart."--From Clifton 1l. 10s.--From H. C. 3s.
--From F. M. 5s.

Nov. 6. Further help. From the Isle of Wight 5s.--Through Bethesda
boxes 2s. 6d.--Ditto 6d.--From P. 1s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.
-- From a Gloucestershire Farmer 20l., of which he intended 10l. for
missions, and the other 10l. to be used as most needed. I took it for
the support of the Orphans.

Nov. 7. By sale of Reports 4s. 10d.--Anonymously from York 5s.--
Received back on paying an account 3s. 7 1/2 d.--From a relative of
one of the Orphans 1s.--Having had to pay out 18l. for house-keeping
expenses, and having had to meet a few little expenses besides, we had
again only about 5l. left, as was the case three days ago, when I
received this afternoon 5l. from a Bristol donor.--Also 1l. from
London.

Nov. 15. Our means were now again gone. We had scarcely anything in
hand, with very heavy expenses before us, when this morning a Christian
gentleman from Yorkshire called on me, and gave me 50l. for the current
expenses for the Orphans. This was a most precious encouragement to
prayer! There came in further today from Manchester 9s. 6d.--By sale
of Reports 11s. 6d.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 2l.7s.
11d.--Returned on paying an account 3s. 1 1/4 d.--From Exeter 1l.
10s.

Nov. 22. A Brother in the Lord from Manchester came to see the New
Orphan-House, and gave 10l., which came in a time of great need.

Nov. 27. 100l. was sent in the greatest need, from a considerable
distance, of which I took 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for the other
objects.

Dec. 20. As since Nov. 27 only about 200l. has come in, I found this
evening that our means for the support of the Orphans were reduced to
10l. 9s. 8d, whilst our current expenses of late have been about 12l.
daily, on account of the high price of provisions. This led to earnest
prayer, that the Lord would be pleased to help us.

Dec. 21. The Lord has already sent a precious answer to the prayer of
last evening. I received today from a noble Lady 10l.--From
Devonshire 15l.--By sale of Reports 6s. 6d.--From Birmingham 2s.
-- By sale of a few coins, etc. 19s. 1d.--From Monmouthshire 8s.--
By sale of Reports 2s. 6d.--From Worksop 10s. 6d.--Returned on
paying an account 3s. 3 3/4 d.

Dec. 23. From Cheltenham 2s. 6d.--From London 10s.--From Clondegad
10s.--By sale of articles 3l. 16s. 5d. By sale of a Report 6d.--
From Edinburgh 5l.

Dec. 24. Anonymously 1l.--From Barking 6s.--From Blackheath Hill
6s.

Dec. 25. From B. S. 2s.--Through Bethesda and Salem boxes 7s.--
From P. 2s.

Dec. 26. From a brother in the Lord 6l.--From O. O. at Plymouth 10s.

Dec. 27. From two believers at Plymouth 10s.--From Kingsbridge 10s.
-- From Falmouth 1s.--From a little girl 3d.--By sale of Reports
6s.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 1l. 14s. 4d.

Dec. 28. From Adelaide, Australia, 5l.

Dec. 29. From Torquay 5s.--From Exmouth 10s.--From Fulbeck 5s.--
From Sherborne 2s.

Dec. 30. At the beginning of this day our money was again reduced to
19l. 2s. 1 1/2 d. for the current expenses for the Orphans, whilst I had
before me the prospect of having to advance this day 30l. for
house-keeping expenses, in order that we might go with ease through the
work, and in order that all expenses might be met. Now see how the Lord
helped us during this day. There came very early this morning, from the
neighbourhood of Norwich, a box, containing the following articles. A
prize medal, 2 salt cellars, 6 pencil cases, 5 thimbles, 2 fruit knives,
a watch chain, 2 vinaigrettes (all of silver), a black necklace, a
silver chain, 2 silver toothpicks, some pieces of silver, 2 pairs of
gilt bracelets, a pincushion, 4 snaps, a pair of gold earrings, a
tortoiseshell comb, a pocket comb, a reading glass, a box of paints, a
bag of coral and other beads, 2 smelling bottles and 2 gilt chains.
Likewise, from another donor, a silver stock buckle, 2 pairs of shoe
buckles, 2 pencil cases, a piece of silver chain, 2 seals, a brooch pin,
2 small gold pins, 6 small silver coins, a metal coin, a small silver
medal, a thimble, a pair of silver studs, 9 pairs ditto set with Bristol
stone, and a gold earring. There was sent with these articles likewise.
1l., and from a poor woman 6d.--In the course of the day came in
further: From Islington 6s.--From A. W. 2s.--From Islington 5s.,
with 8 chemises and 4 shirts.--Also from a great distance 100l.,
which being left at my disposal, I took one half for the Orphans, and
the other half for the other Objects.--By sale of articles 2l.--
Also 2s. 6d., and 2s. 8 1/2 d. from an Orphan-box.--Thus I was enabled
to advance this evening 30l. for house-keeping as needed.

This was the last time, during this period of the Institution, that we
were brought so low as to means; for the Lord sent in on Dec. 31 6l.
10s.; on Jan. 1, 1855, in twenty-eight different donations, 14l. 4s.
6d.; on Jan. 2nd 17l. 8s. 3d.; on Jan. 3rd 15l. 1s. 3d.; on Jan. 4th
34l. 11s. 8d., and so on, till the large donation was given of which, as
has been stated, 900l. was taken for the current expenses for the
Orphans. This, with what came in from Dec. 30th 1854, up to May 26th,
1855, for the support of the Orphans, enabled me to meet all the demands
without any difficulty, during the remaining five months. Of all these
donations, making, up the total of 2226l. 10s. 7 1/4 d., I refer only to
the following.

Jan. 1, 1855. From a clergyman in South Africa 1l.

Jan. 4. From a Christian merchant at Clifton 30l. for the Orphans, with
10l. for myself, and 10l. for poor believers.

There have been many instances, in which, along with the donations for
missions, or for the support of the Orphans, or the Building Fund, there
were also presents in money sent for my own personal expenses, or those
of my family. These instances I have gladly recorded, as they came in
connexion with the donations referred to, because they afforded me an
opportunity of speaking well of the kindness and faithfulness of the
Lord in supplying my own personal or family need. It is now [i.e. in
1856] above Twenty Five years, since I have not had any regular income
whatever. In the year 1830, I saw it to be the Lord's will to give up
my regular income in connexion with the ministry of the Word, and to
trust in Him, alone for the supply of all my temporal necessities. I
have been enabled to continue in this path, and have not been allowed to
regret the step which I then took. Thus it is also in my position as
director of the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.
I have no salary in this position; but the Lord abundantly supplies my
need; yea, though there are many expenses connected with this very
position, He abundantly meets all my wants, and gives me far more than I
need. If with all my might I had sought to obtain a lucrative place,
either as a preacher of the Gospel, or in some other way, I should not
have had more, I have reason to believe, if as much, as, unsought,
unasked for, so far as it regards man, I receive day by day out of the
loving hand of my Heavenly Father. When I look at His kindness to me in
saving my guilty soul, I am overwhelmed with the boundlessness of His
love and grace towards me in Christ Jesus; and when I look at His
kindness to me, even as it regards temporal things, I know not where to
begin, nor where to end, in speaking well of His name. I do desire to
magnify Him, and therefore declare in this public way His great goodness
to me in thus so abundantly supplying my temporal necessities; and I do
so also, if it may please God, by this means, to encourage the hearts of
His children more and more unreservedly to trust in Him. It is now above
twenty-five years since I have asked help for myself from any human
being; but God has been indeed my helper. And now the very work even
with which I am connected, respecting which I had every reason to
believe, when I commenced it, that it would be connected with great
expenses to myself, as well as be the means, looked at naturally, of
decreasing my own income, God has, though unsought for on my part, used
as the instrument to bring along with it many supplies for myself also,
thus not only abundantly meeting my increased expenses, but giving me
far more than I need for myself. How great is His goodness! Dear
Christian Reader, be encouraged by this! Do but trust in God with all
your heart, and you will find that you will not be confounded. Only let
it be trust in God, not in man, not in circumstances, not in any of your
own exertions, but real trust in God, and you will be helped, in your
various necessities.--I refer to a few more of the donations.

Jan. 25. From various believers at Melbourne, Australia, 20l. for the
Orphans, and 20l. for the other objects.

Feb. 23. Received a very valuable gold watch, a gold watch chain, 2 gold
watch keys, a gold seal, a silver mustard pot and spoon, a silver salt
stand, a scent bottle, a china basket, 3 china jugs, a china cup and
saucer and mug 2 taper candlesticks, a ring stand, 2 spill cups, a card
stand, a lamp, a claret jug, a pair of decanters, 6 hock glasses, 14
claret glasses, 6 finger glasses, and a set of china tea things. The
donor has found true riches and peace to his soul in the Lord Jesus; and
he is thus led to send these articles for the benefit of the Orphans.

April 18. 100l. from a distance, of which the donor kindly intends 20l.
for myself, and 80l. for the benefit of the Orphans.

May 5. 219l. 9s. 4d. from a distance, of which the donor kindly wished
me to keep 19l. 9s 4d. for myself, and to use the other as it might be
required for the Lord's work. I took 100l. for the support of the
Orphans, and 100l. for the other objects. This donation was especially
refreshing to my spirit, because of its coming at this period, when the
outgoings are very great.

May 26. Towards the close of this day it was found that the balance left
in hand, for the support of the Orphans, was 110l. 17s. 8 1/2 d., as the
amount with which we should have to begin the new period in providing
for the necessities of the Orphans. Before leaving the Orphan-House, I
had my usual daily season for prayer with my dear wife. Having praised
the Lord for His goodness to us and the work, in helping us during
another year, and having sought His blessing upon the various objects of
the Institution, we commended ourselves again to Him, especially, with
reference to means for the coming year, and entreated Him also to
sustain our faith to the end of our course; for the longer I go on in
this path, the more I feel my entire dependence upon the Lord and my
need of being sustained by Him. When we arrived home, we found two more
donations, the last of the present period, sent for the benefit of the
Orphans; one being two little dresses, a piece of print, a piece of
calico, and 20 pocket handkerchiefs; the other a small gold Geneva
watch, quite new. We took these two last donations as the Lord's
earnest that He would be with us during the coming period also, and with
good courage looked forward to it, by His grace.

I add a few remarks to this part of the Narrative:--1. Should any one
suppose, on account of its having been stated in the previous pages that
we were repeatedly brought low as to means, that the Orphans have not
had all that was needful for them; we reply, that never, since the work
has been in existence, has there a meal-time come, but the Orphans have
had good nourishing food in sufficient quantity: and never have they
needed clothes, but I have had the means to provide them with all they
required. Persons living in Bristol can easily satisfy themselves as to
this, not only by seeing week after week our stores for food and
clothes; but also the dress and the healthy countenances of these
hundreds of children (though very many of them were received in a very
weak and diseased state) will amply prove what I state. 2. Never since
the Orphan work has been in existence, have I asked one single human
being for any help for this work; and yet, unasked for, simply in answer
to prayer, from so many parts of the world, as has been stated, the
donations have come in, and that very frequently at a time of the
greatest need. Were I to state what is not true, persons could easily
convict me; to say nothing of the fact that God, whose name I have
continually connected with this work, would disown me as an awful
deceiver, and bring this work to nought; but if these things are true,
as indeed they are, will not my readers own the hand of God, will they
not recognize the minute particular providence of God, and the readiness
of His heart to listen to the supplications of those who come to Him
with their requests in the name of the Lord Jesus? I do not seek a name
for myself in connexion with this work; I do not wish to draw attention
to myself, and am indeed sorry when persons have had their attention
directed only to me; but I do seek honour for my Heavenly Father, and I
do desire that His hand may be owned in this work.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution,
for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 20, 1854, to
May 26, 1855.

1. During this year four Day Schools in Bristol, with 184 children in
them, were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution; and
several other Day Schools in Devonshire, Cornwall, Suffolk, Ireland, and
Scotland were assisted with copies of the Holy Scriptures. Further, one
Sunday School in Bristol, with 158 children, was entirely supported, and
seven others, in Cornwall, Devonshire, Somersetshire, and
Gloucestershire, with about 400 children in them, were assisted. Lastly,
one Adult School, with 183 Adults, was entirely supported during this
year.--The amount expended, during this year, on these various
Schools, was 338l. 2s. 5d.

In connexion with all these Schools, I would suggest the following
important matter for prayer. From March, 1884, to May, 26, 1855, there
were 5,956 children in the Day Schools. In the Adult School there were
2,459 persons. The number of the Sunday School children amounted to
2,817. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 11,232 souls were brought
under habitual instruction in the things of God in these Schools;
besides the many thousands in the Schools in various parts of England,
Ireland, Scotland, British Guiana, the West Indies, the East Indies,
&c., which were to a greater or less degree assisted. Now, what I would
especially request is, that all the disciples of the Lord Jesus, who
take an interest in this work, would help me and my fellow-labourers
with their prayers, that not only those who are at present under our
instruction may be spiritually benefited, but particularly also, that
God would be pleased to work mightily in the hearts of those who were
once under our care, in bringing to their remembrance the truth which
was then set before them. I am the more induced to make this request, as
we frequently meet with young men or young women, who many years ago
were under our care and instruction, who thankfully own the benefit they
received when with us, and who are now believers in the Lord Jesus,
though at the time they had given us little or no hope. Thus has the
Lord afterwards been pleased to cause the seed to spring up and to bear
fruit to His praise. During this year also we had again and again most
encouraging instances of this kind brought before us.

The total sum expended during the 21 years, from March 5, 1834, to May
26, 1855, in connexion with the Schools, which were either entirely, or
in part supported by the funds of this Institution, amounted to 7,204l.
12s. 8 1/4 d.

2. Great have been the efforts, made of late years, to spread error;
therefore the disciples of the Lord Jesus should be especially active in
seeking to spread the truth. Fearfully great, in particular, have been
the efforts to rob the Church of Christ of the Word of God; on this
account, all who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity, should seek,
according to their ability, to spread the Holy Scriptures. On account,
therefore, of the especial attempts made, of late years, once more to
deprive the Church of Christ of God's unerring Holy Word, I have had
it particularly laid upon my mind, in every way to embrace opportunities
for circulating it, and especially to place it in the hands of the very
poorest of the poor. In this way, not only in England, Wales and
Scotland, but particularly in Ireland, we have sought to circulate the
Holy Scriptures. And not only there, but also in Canada, British Guiana,
the East Indies, Australia and China. Every open door, which the Lord
was pleased to set before us, I have endeavoured to press into; and, in
this service have been helped by many servants of Christ, who have
sought out the most destitute persons, desirous of possessing a copy of
the Holy Scriptures. With this we have also particularly sought to
combine the supplying of aged persons, who are poor, with copies printed
in large type. Our efforts have not been in vain. We have had instances
brought before us of direct conversion, simply through reading the Holy
Scriptures. Again, during this year also, our labours were owned in this
part of the work. But though we have seen some fruit, we believe that
the greater part by far will be manifested in the Day of the Lord. It
has been given to us, by the help of the Lord, day by day to seek His
blessing upon the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and therefore we
believe that our labour will not be in vain. We expect results.

The number of Bibles, New Testaments, and Portions of the Holy
Scriptures, circulated from May 20, 1854, to May 26, 1855, is as
follows:

693 Bibles were sold.

890 Bibles were given away.

950 New Testaments were sold.

748 New Testaments were given away.

82 copies of the Psalms were sold.

186 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures were sold.

There were circulated from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1855, through the
medium of this Institutions 13,949 Bibles, 9047 New Testaments, 188
copies of the Psalms, and 789 other small portions of the Holy
Scriptures.

The total amount of the funds of this Institution, spent on the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures, from March 5, 1834, to May 20, 1855,
is 3389l. 10s. 1d. The amount spent during this year, 476l. 12s. 3d.

3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the Institution for
missionary objects, the sum of 2081l. 3s. 2d. By this sum Fifty Seven
Labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were
to a greater or less degree assisted.

With reference to this part of the operations of the Institution, I have
especially the joy of being able to communicate to the Christian reader,
that the Lord was pleased, during this year, abundantly to bless the
labours of many of the brethren whom I assisted. Again and again I had
refreshing intelligence as to the fruit which resulted from their
efforts. Many souls were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, through
their labours during this year. And such heart-refreshing intelligence
came to me not only from those labouring in various parts of the United
Kingdom, but also from those who are serving the Lord in foreign
countries. This calls for especial praise; but at the same time I would
commend these dear brethren to the prayers of the saints, that they may
be upheld by the Lord with reference to their bodily and mental
strength, and especially that they may be sustained with patience,
faith, love, perseverance, and endurance; for great and many are their
difficulties. I would especially also request all, who love the Lord
Jesus, to pray for more labourers in the Gospel; for I hear continually
of fields which are unoccupied, and of open doors not entered into for
lack of labourers.

The total amount of the funds of the Institution, spent on Missionary
operations, from March 5, 1834, to May 20, 1855, was 16,115l. 0s. 5 1/2
d.

4. The fourth object of the Institution is, the circulation of such
publications as may be beneficial, with the blessing of God, to benefit
both believers and unbelievers. As it respects tracts for unbelievers, I
seek especially to aim after the diffusion of such as contain the truths
of the Gospel clearly and simply expressed; and as it respects
publications for believers, I aim after the circulation of such as may
be instrumental in directing their minds to those truths which in these
last days are more especially needed, or which have been particularly
lost sight of, and may lead believers to return to the written Word of
God.

There was laid out for this object, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855,
the sum of 624l. 8s. 4d.; and there were circulated within this year
895,034 Tracts and Books.

The total number of all the Tracts and Books circulated from the
beginning up to May 26, 1855, was 3,584,710.

The total amount of means, expended on this object, from Nov. 19, 1840,
to May 26, 1855, is 2868l. 15s. 6 3/4 d.

We desire to be truly thankful to the Lord, for having intrusted us
with means, and given us open doors, for the circulation of so many
copies of the Holy Scriptures, and so many thousands of Tracts; and for
having enabled us to assist again to such an extent preachers of the
unsearchable riches of Christ; but we do not rest in this. Our trust was
in the Lord for His blessing upon our efforts. Nor has He allowed us to
wait upon Him in vain, during this year. We had not only very many
answers to our prayers with regard to the obtaining of means, but also
many answers to prayer as it respects fruit resulting from our labours.
Thus also with reference to the circulation of Tracts. Again and again
instances came before us in which souls were converted through the
Tracts, which the Lord had allowed us to send out during the year. Among
others, I would only mention, that an actor on the stage, to whom one of
them was given, was brought to the knowledge of the Lord.

Tract distributors, who can afford to pay for Tracts, and who desire to
procure Tracts from us, may obtain them for this purpose with a discount
of one-half, or 50 per cent., from the retail price. I state this, as
many be1ievers may not like to give away that which cost them nothing,
and yet may, at the same time, wish to obtain as much as possible for
their money. Applications for this should be made verbally or in writing
to Mr. Stanley, at the Bible and Tract Warehouse, No. 34, Park-street,
Bristol. To him, also, application may be made for specimen packets
containing an assortment of the Tracts and small books which are kept.
By sending 3s., 5s., 7s., or 10s. in postages to Mr. Stanley, No. 34,
Park Street, Bristol, packets will be sent to any part of England,
Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Jersey, Guernsey, &c., post paid, containing
specimens to the amount of the postages sent.

A catalogue of the various books and tracts, sold at the above
Warehouse, with their prices, may be had there, by applying either
personally or by letter to Mr. Stanley.

5. The fifth object of the Institution is, to board, clothe, and
Scripturally to educate destitute children who have lost both parents by
death.

At the commencement of this period there were 298 Orphans in the New
Orphan House on Ashley Down, Bristol. During the year there were
admitted into it 39 Orphans, making 337 in all. Of these 337, two died
during the year. Only two! We record this with particular gratitude. And
even these two died through water on the brain. God helping us, we
desire to trace His hand in everything; at the same time, the longer I
am engaged in the Orphan work, and see the effects which are produced by
regular habits, cleanliness, nourishing food, proper clothing, good
ventilation, a healthy locality, &c., the more I am convinced, that at
least one-half of the children among the poorer classes die for want of
proper attention. I do not state this to find fault with them, but
rather mention it in the way of pity and commiseration, to draw the
attention of the public to the fact. If anywhere the mortality among
children should be great, humanly speaking, it should be so among us,
because we generally receive the children very young, and also, because
the very fact of these children, while so young, having been bereaved of
both parents by death, shows that their parents, generally speaking,
were of a very sickly constitution. Indeed the greater part of the
Orphans whom we have received, lost one or both parents through
consumption. And yet, though such is the case, we have seen again and
again, how children who came to us in a most diseased state, have,
through proper attention, by the blessing of God, been brought out of
that state, and are now very healthy. But we often receive children
whose countenances at once show that they have not had sufficient food,
or were in other respects greatly neglected. It was only as late as
April 26, 1855, that the turn of 4 children came, to be received, all of
the same family, from 5 to 9 years old. When these children were
brought, it was evident that they were in a most deplorable state of
health from the want of proper food. This was now the painful difficulty
in which we found ourselves; if we received them, it was not at all
unlikely, humanly speaking, that we should have great trial with them on
account of their health, as they had been so long neglected; and yet, if
we did not take them, they would, we had great reason to fear, very
shortly sink under their position. Trust in God decided the matter. We
received all four, hoping that, by God's blessing, they would be thus
rescued from sinking under their circumstances. The eldest of the four,
a boy of above nine years old, was for the first evening or two so weak,
that he could not walk up stairs to the dormitory without stopping. This
disappeared, after he had had the food of the New Orphan House for a few
days; and now all the four are so greatly improved, that they do not
look at all like what they were on April 26th, 1855. I have so minutely
entered into this one case out of very many of the kind, which have come
before me in connexion with the Orphan work during the last 20 years, in
order to show how deeply important it is to care for such destitute
Orphans, to rescue them, humanly speaking, from misery or premature
death, to say nothing now with reference to their spiritual welfare,
which is paramount with us.

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