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

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Means for the support of the 300 Orphans already under my care, sent in
answer to Prayer, from May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856.

When this period commenced, I had 116l. 17s. 8 1/2 d. in hand for the
support of the Orphans, an amount so small, looking at it naturally,
that one would be ready to say, there would be soon nothing in hand.
Thus indeed it would have been, had the Lord not been pleased further to
send in means; but He, in His fatherly care, never ceased to remember
our need and to provide for its supply. The expenses were very heavy,
month after month, not only because of the greatness of the
Establishment, but in particular also on account of the high price of
provisions, which prevailed during the whole of last year; yet,
notwithstanding this, there was not a single year, since the Orphan work
commenced, in which I went on with greater ease regarding means, than
during the last period. At the close of the first month, June 26th,
though the expenses had been great, there remained 192l. 9s. 11 1/2 d. in
hand. At the close of the second month, July 26th, there was a balance
left of 259l. 4s. At the close of the third month, Aug. 26th, there was
left a balance of 291l. 19s. 2d. And in like manner the Lord was pleased
to supply me with means, month after month, so that when He was pleased
to give me on Feb. 19th the donation of 3000l., above referred to, I had
still 160l. in hand for the support of the Orphans. It is particularly
worthy of notice, that the income for the support of the Orphans was not
supplied by some very large donations, previous to the one of 3000l.;
for there was no period for about ten years, when I received fewer large
donations for the support of the Orphans, than during the last. It was
supplied by many donations of 1l., 2l., 5l., 10l., 20l. and upwards, but
not exceeding 100l., except one of 117l. 10s. 0d. received on May 3rd,
and the 300l. which I took for the Orphans out of the 3000l. And again
it is remarkable, that while up to Feb. 19th we had always abounded, and
were never brought low, but generally had had about 200l in hand; almost
immediately after the reception of the 3000l., out of which I took 300l.
for the support of the Orphans, the balance, before in hand, was all
expended, and more money required; so that I had soon to use a part of
the 300l., whereby the hand of God in that large donation was so much
the more made manifest; and yet, again, this 300l., with what the Lord
was pleased to send in besides between Feb. 19th and May 26th, not only
met all the remaining heavy expenses, but left in hand a balance of
167l. 18s. 11 3/4 d.

Observe, dear Reader, while we were in rented houses in Wilson Street,
we had our faith greatly tried, year after year, though the expenses
were only about one-third as much, as during the past year. And thus
also it has been again and again, since the New Orphan House was opened
in 1849; but during the past year we were entirely free from trial of
faith regarding means for the support of the Orphans, though not without
many trials of faith and patience on other accounts. The Lord takes His
own way, and therefore He allows this year to stand by itself, in this
particular. On this I delight to dwell; for I desire that the hand of
God may be recognised in this work, whether it be by His power being
manifested in sustaining us in our poverty from day to day, or by His
causing us to go on easily with regard to means for a day, or a month,
or a year. You see, then, that while there was but like "a handful of
flour in the barrel," at the commencement of the period, the Lord was
pleased to make it last for a whole year, and yet, at the end of the
year, there was more than at the beginning; and during the whole year
all these hundreds had been fed, clothed, and provided with everything
needful; apprentices had been placed out and premiums paid for them, and
their outfit and that of the young women going out to service had been
provided at the expense of the Orphan Establishment. What an answer does
all this furnish to unbelief which said, when I was going to build the
New Orphan House, How will you find the means for the support of these
300 Orphans? Or, when unbelief said, How will you be able to support a
thousand Orphans?

I will now out of the very many donations, received during this year,
single out a few, and make here and there remarks, as the subjects may
call for it.

June 1, 1855. The balance left when the accounts were closed, was only
enough to supply the average expenses of ten days for the support of the
Orphans, and there had only been received during the last 5 days 14l.
13s. 7d. How kind therefore of the Lord, to send me today 50l. from
Liverpool, 1l. from Preston, and 10s. from Milton Abbot!

June 5. 5l. from Lincolnshire "As a thank-offering to the Lord for
preserving the only child of a widow from the path of the destroyer."

June 8. A gold chain, some books for sale, and 15l.

June 19. 5l. as "A thank-offering to the Lord for preservation when
thrown out of a gig."

July 10. From Worcestershire 25l.

July 12. Received from a great distance 200l., of which I took 100l. for
the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for the other objects. There has
also come in today 20l. from Norwich, 1l. from Bath, 4s. from Chepstow,
7s. 6d. from Mallow, 1l. from Dublin, a gold seal and sixpence, and 13s.
and 6s. 9d. besides. The Lord's kindness is great in this, as a fresh
supply of oatmeal, flour, &c., will need to be paid for, other heavy
expenses have to be met, and there is not much in hand.

July 14. An Israelitish gentleman, an entire stranger, brought to my
house this morning 5l. for the support of the Orphans. See in what a
variety of ways the Lord is pleased to supply us with means, and all
unsolicited, simply in answer to prayer!

Aug. 17. From Messrs. * * * 7l. 10s. 0d., being a portion of the money
received for showing the "British Empire" before she left Bristol.
Observe again, esteemed Reader, what a variety of ways the Lord uses to
supply me with means; for I had not before even heard of the name of
this vessel, nor did I know her owners, even by name; yet God inclines
the heart of these gentlemen to send me this 7l. 10s. 0d. towards the
support of the 300 Orphans.--Anonymously from Wilton 4s., as "A
thank-offering to God for His mercies on a journey."

Aug. 21. From Worcestershire 30l.

Sept. 6. From the Bombay Presidency 25l.

On Sept. 12, were sent by the donor who gave so valuable a donation of
jewellery on July 26, 1854, the following articles of jewellery, etc.,
being the last she possessed, and which the love of Christ led her to
give up: A valuable dressing case, 2 little boxes, 2 pomatum pots, a
gold thimble, a large gold brooch set with a ruby and 2 brilliants, a
gold star necklace set with a brilliant, a gold bracelet, a gold
watchguard, a gold cross, 2 rings set with pearls, a ring set with
pearls and small rubies, a ring set with 2 brilliants, a ring set with 3
rubies and 2 brilliants, a pair of gold earrings and brooch set with
pearls, a large ivory brooch, a silver brooch set with pearls, a silver
pencil case, a paste brooch, 5 loose crystals, and some small carved
ornaments.

Sept. 26. Received a large cask containing the wearing apparel of the
late Mrs. H. at J. in the county of Leicester, which this lady, by her
will, had bequeathed to me for the benefit of the Orphans.

Oct. 3. Received the following letter.

"* * *, Oct. 8, 1855.

Dear Mr. Mueller,

The enclosed check for 8l. 1s. 4d. is chiefly the product of a sale for
the Orphans, which we held on our sister's wedding-day, and hoping it
will be acceptable,

We remain,

Your's affectionately,

* * * * *."

The Orphans on Ashley Down were to be benefited by the day of gladness
in this Godly family.--The Godly principle, which brought this
donation, refreshed my spirit above the money, and, I doubt not, will
refresh other Godly readers.--Let me here say, by the way, to
believing parents, Seek to cherish in your children early the habit of
being interested about the work of God and about cases of need and
distress, and use them too at suitable times, and under suitable
circumstances, as your almoners, and you will reap fruit from doing so.

Oct. 10. From Surrey 5s. and a gold chain.--From a shepherd in
Australia, who had read my Narrative while tending his flock, 12s.--
See how the lady near London sends her gold chain, and the shepherd in
Australia his 12s.--Thus the Lord, in the greatest variety of ways
supplies me with means, for the greater part through entire strangers.
Thus I received one hundred pounds after another, anonymously, through
London bankers, until a particular circumstance made known to me the
name of the kind Christian donor, whom I have seen but once years ago,
and who had, at the same time, sent me considerable donations with his
name, whilst his bankers, anonymously, sent his still larger donations
of many hundred pounds. I dwell upon this fact, that the reader may be
led to own increasingly the hand of God in this work; for I desire that
He may be honoured, that His hand may be recognised, and that attention
may be drawn to Him, and not to me. It gives me no joy but sorrow, if
persons admire me, in connexion with this work, as if I did anything
great; as if I acted in a remarkable way. What is it that I do? I simply
desire, through this work, to direct the attention of those who need it
to the precious truth, that God is unchangeably the same, and that those
who take Him at His word, as given to us in the Holy Scriptures, will
find how unspeakably blessed it is, even for this life, to do so. To
bring back to the written word of God those of His children, who
practically have departed from it, and to sound again and again in the
ears and consciences of the unbeliever that there is verily a living God
who listens to the prayers of those who put their trust in Him, is, as I
have often before stated, the great end of this work.

Oct. 11. To day I received, unsolicited, a kind and useful present of
flannel and calico, to the amount of 10l., from the ladies constituting
the Bristol Dorcas Society.

Oct. 18. "Articles forwarded by friends at a distance," an anonymous but
most valuable donation, the particulars of which I am not at liberty to
state.--The kind unknown donor or donors should, however, know, that
very many pounds have been realized through the sale of these articles,
and that they were almost all readily sold.

I cannot help noticing here, how much help the Lord has given us, in
disposing of the articles, given for the benefit of the Orphans, and
what a considerable sum has come to the funds of the Institution through
the fact that believers have been led to send their needless articles.
There came in by the sale of articles during the past year, for the
Building Fund 21l. 16s. 7d., for missionary objects 15l. 6s. 4d., and
for the support of the Orphans 426l. 14s. 9d.

Oct. 27. From Devonshire 4l. "The proceeds of the sale of the Orphans
pig." A young pig bought, fattened and sold for the benefit of the
Orphans, and this 4l. was sent as the proceeds.

Nov. 3. From St. Leonard's-on-Sea 50l.

Nov. 4. A ring set with 5 brilliants.

Nov. 16. From Yate 10l. and also 5s.

Nov. 19. From New York 25l. From Bath 10l.

Flour is now 65s. per sack. When we began to bake in the New Orphan
House, it was from 27s. to 32s. We bought at one time 20 sacks at 27s.
Now it is 65s. But the Lord provides us with all we need, though other
provisions are also expensive, as well as flour.

Dec. 11. From the north of Devon a brooch, set with an emerald and 10
brilliants.--I took this as a further answer to my prayers, for gifts
of diamonds, etc.

Jan. 4, 1856. 42l. 4s. 6d. with these words; "This is the answer of
prayers, we have of late without ceasing offered up on behalf the
Orphans."--This is one of the most remarkable donations received
during the whole year. A brother and sister in the Lord, who labour for
Him in seeking to win souls, whilst depending upon Him for all they
need, gave themselves to prayer on behalf of the Orphans, and that which
the Lord gave them towards the close of the yean 1855, in answer to
prayer, enabled them to send this 42l. 4s. 6d. See, dear Reader, that
the saints have power with God. This brother and sister have been
greatly encouraged by this work, and now, even in the way of means,
though they are poor themselves, this work reaps the fruit of their
prayers. Be encouraged, then, for yourself to trust in God for all you
may need.

Jan.30, 1l. 5s. from Stroud, as "a thank-offering for 25 years of family
mercies."

Feb. 3. From Worcestershire 30l.

Feb. 0. From George Town, Demerara, 10 dollars.--From South Town 5l
and also 5s.--From Liverpool 50l.

Feb. 9. From Adelaide, Australia, 2l. and also 10s.

Feb. 15. From Hornley, Staffordshire, 20l.

April 5. Received 74l. 9s. 1d., which being left to my disposal for the
Lord's work, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans.

April 9. From Worcestershire 50l.

April 19. 1l. from the Grand Duchy of Baden.

I have thus, out of more than 2000 donations, taken a few, to show in
what way the Lord is pleased to supply me with means.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for
Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1855, to May
26, 1856.

1, During this year 4 Day Schools in Bristol, with 203 children, were
entirely supported by the funds of the Institution; and nine Day
Schools, in Devonshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Scotland,
British Guiana and Africa, were assisted.--Further, one Sunday School
in Bristol, with 158 children, was entirely supported, and eight others,
in Gloucestershire, Devonshire, Middlesex, Canada and British Guiana,
were assisted.--Lastly, one Adult School in Bristol, with 158 Adult
scholars, was entirely supported, and two other Adult Schools, in Kent
and Norfolk, were assisted. The amount spent during this year, in
connexion with these schools, was 348l. 5s. 11 1/4 d.; and the sum total
expended during the last 22 years in connexion with the schools, either
entirely, or in part, supported by the funds of this Institution,
amounts to 7552l. 18s. 7 1/2 d.--The number of children, who were
under our care, merely in the Schools, entirely supported by this
Institution, from March 5, 1834, to May 20, 1856, was 6104 in the Day
Schools, 2911 in the Sunday Schools, and 2611 persons in the Adult
School. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 11,626 persons have been
brought under habitual instruction in the things of God in these various
Schools; besides the many thousands in the Schools in various parts of
England, Ireland, Scotland, British Guiana, the East Indies, etc., which
have been to a greater or lesser degree assisted.

2, During this year was expended on the circulation of the Holy
Scriptures, of the funds of this Institution, 496l. 10s. 0d. There were
circulated during this year 2175 Bibles, 1233 New Testaments, 119 copies
of the Psalms, and 155 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures.--
There have been circulated since March 5, 1834, through the medium of
this Institution, 16,124 Bibles, 10,280 New Testaments, 307 copies of
the Psalms, and 944 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures.--The
sum total spent on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, since March
5, 1834, is 3880l. 0s.1d.

3. During this year there were spent of the Funds of the Institution for
Missionary objects 2501l. 9s. 1d. By this sum, sixty one labourers in
the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater
or less degree assisted. The amount sent to each of these servants of
the Lord is as follows.

To No. 1. Labouring in British Guiana (a European) 171l.

To No. 2. Ditto (Ditto) 110l.

To No. 3. Ditto (Ditto) 62l.

To No. 4. Ditto (Ditto) 58l.

To No. 5. Ditto (Ditto) 48l.

To No. 6. Ditto (Ditto) 33l.

To No. 7. Ditto (Ditto) 8l.

To No. 8 Ditto (A Native) 17l.

To No. 9 Ditto (Ditto) 14l.

To No. 10. Labouring in China (a European) 14l.

To No. 11. Labouring in the East Indies (a European) 60l.

To No. 12. Ditto (Ditto) 40l.

To No. 13. Ditto (Ditto) 25l.

To No 14. Ditto (a Native) 15l.

To No. 15 Labouring in Canada 90l.

To No. 16. Ditto 70l.

To No. 17. Labouring in Belgium 45l.

To No. 18. Labouring in Switzerland 30l.

To No. 19. Labouring in France 30l.

To No. 20. Labouring in Ireland 60l.

To No. 21. Ditto 45l.

To No. 22. Labouring in Scotland 60l.

To No. 23 Labouring in England 90l.

To No. 24. Ditto 80l.

To No. 25. Ditto 60l.

To No. 26. Ditto 60l.

To No. 27. Ditto 58l.

To No. 28. Ditto 50l.

To No. 29. Ditto 50l.

To No. 30. Ditto 50l.

To No. 31. Ditto 50l.

To No. 32. Ditto 45l.

To No. 33. Ditto 45l.

To No. 34. Ditto 45l.

To No. 35. Ditto 40l.

To No. 36. Ditto 40l.

To No. 37. Ditto 40l.

To No. 38. Ditto 35l.

To No. 39. Ditto 35l.

To No. 40. Ditto 35l.

To No. 41. Ditto 35l.

To No. 42. Ditto 30l.

To No. 43. Ditto 30l.

To No. 44. Ditto 30l.

To No. 45. Ditto 30l.

To No. 46. Ditto 25l.

To No. 47. Ditto 25l.

To No. 48. Ditto 25l.

To No. 49. Ditto 20l.

To No. 50. Ditto 20l.

To No. 51. Ditto 20l.

To No. 52. Ditto 15l.

To No. 53. Ditto 15l.

To No. 54. Ditto 15l.

To No. 55. Ditto 15l.

To No. 56. Ditto 10l.

To No. 57. Ditto 8l.

To No. 58. Ditto 8l.

To No. 59. Ditto 8l.

To No. 60. Ditto 5l.

To No. 61. Ditto 5l.

There was also expended for fitting up, or renting, lighting, cleaning,
&c., some preaching rooms in spiritually dark villages in Devonshire,
Gloucestershire, and Somersetshire, 38l. 9 1

Respecting this part of the work there is great cause for thanksgiving.
It has pleased the Lord abundantly to bless the labours of many of these
servants of Christ whom I have assisted. Very many souls have been won
through them during the past year. On the labours of some in particular,
both at home and abroad, an unusual blessing has rested. But whilst I
say this to the praise of the Lord, I add the earnest entreaty also, to
the believing reader, to supplicate for these dear brethren, that it may
please God to give unto them strength of voice, mind and body for their
service; but, above all, to renew them in their inward man day by day,
and to make them happy in Himself, so that they may out of a happy
heart, which is under the power of the truth, set forth the unsearchable
riches of Christ. I also request the prayers of the believing reader for
an increase of labourers, especially for foreign countries, as almost
everywhere there is a great lack of them, and from time to time through
death or ill health they are removed from their post of service.

Though more has been expended this year of the funds of the Institution,
than during the previous year, for Missionary objects; yet I long to be
permitted to do far more than this.

The sum total expended on Missionary operations, of the funds of the
Institution, since March 5, 1834, is 18,616l. 9s. 6 1/2 d.

4, There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1855,
to May 26, 1856, the sum of 791l. 1s. 0 1/2 d., and there were circulated
812,970 Tracts and Books.--The sum total expended on this object,
since. Nov. 19, 1840, amounts to 3659l. 16s. 7 1/4 d.--The total
number of all the Tracts and Books circulated since Nov. 19, 1840, is
4,397,680.

During this year, as for many years past, there has not been a single
open door set before us, where we could profitably have circulated the
Holy Scriptures, or given away Tracts, but the Lord has also been
pleased to enable us to enter those doors. These opportunities have of
late years increased more and more, but the Lord has also been pleased,
along with them, to give increased means; and, we doubt not, He will yet
further open His bountiful hand, and supply us with means for the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts.

I have heard again and again of instances, during the past year in which
it had pleased the Lord to bless the circulation of those Tracts and
little books, which He had allowed us to issue.

5, At the beginning of this period, there were 297 Orphans in the New
Orphan House. During the past year, there were admitted into it 25
Orphans, making 322 in all. Of these 322, one died. Only one! She had
been nine years under our care, and we had the great joy of seeing her
depart this life as a decided believer in the Lord Jesus. One boy we
were obliged to expel from the Institution, after we had long borne with
him, but we follow him still with our prayers. 13 boys were fitted out
and apprenticed at the expense of the Establishment. Seven girls were
sent to service and one was apprenticed, each having been provided with
an outfit, at the expense of the Establishment. Several of those who
left the Orphan House, we had the joy of sending out as believers. These
23 vacancies, thus occasioned, left on May 26, 1856, only 299 Orphans
under our care. This one vacancy, however, was the very next Friday
filled up. The total number of Orphans, who have been under our care
since April 1836, is 622.

I notice further the following points respecting the Orphan work:

1, At the beginning of this period, there were 715 Orphans waiting for
admission. Since then 201 more destitute Orphans, bereaved of both
parents by death, and some only a few months old, have been applied for
to be admitted, making 916 in all. Of these 916, we were only able to
receive 25, as has been stated, and 44 either died or were otherwise
provided for, as their relatives or friends informed us; so that there
are still 847 waiting for admission. Dear Reader, think of these 847
destitute Orphans, bereaved of both parents! As for myself, I have now
before me the most pleasant and heart-refreshing prospect, if the Lord
permit, of being able to receive 400 of them about June or July 1857,
and also of being permitted to build the third house for 300 more.

2, The average expense for each of the Orphans under our care, during
the past year; amounted to 12l. 6s. 8d.

3, Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me,
the sum of 84,441l. 6s. 3 1/4 d. has been given to me for the Orphans, as
the result of prayer to God, since the commencement of the work. The
total sum given for the other objects, since the commencement of the
work, amounts to 28,904l. 11s. 3 3/4 d.; and that which has come 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, 1856, amounts to
5,145l. 17s. 0d. Besides this, also a great variety and number of
articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., have been given for
the use of the Orphans.

4, The Lord is pleased to continue to allow us to see fruit in connexion
with the Orphan work, and we hear still again and again of cases, in
which those, who were formerly under our care, have been led to declare
themselves openly for the Lord, besides those, in whom we saw the work
of grace manifestly begun, before they left the Orphan House.

5, The total of the current expenses for the Orphans and the various
other objects of the Institution, was 8166l. 8s. 5 1/4 d. during the past
year.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from May 26, 1855, to
May 26, 1856.

Dec. 31, 1855. During this year the Lord has been pleased to give me

1. By anonymous donations through the
boxes . . . . . . L202 10 9 1/4

2. Through donations from believers in
Bristol, not anonymously . . 149 13 9

3. Through donations from believers not
residing in Bristol . . . 301 15 8

4. Through presents in clothes, provisions,
etc., worth at least . . . 12 16 0

------

L726 10 2 1/4

This, dear Reader, is the writer's statement after having acted on
these principles for more than 25 years. You see, not for a week, a
month, or even a year, how the writer has been dealt with by the Lord,
after he had set out in this way; but, in all simplicity he has related
to you, how it has been with him year after year. And now, after more
than 25 years, he is still acting on these principles, and is more than
ever convinced of their truthfulness and their blessedness; and he is
delighted in being able to prove to you, to God's honour, that even
for this life he has been no loser by acting out the light which the
Lord has been pleased to give to him.

May 26, 1856. Yesterday evening it was 24 years, since I came to labour
in Bristol. In looking back upon this period, as it regards the Lord's
goodness to my family and myself, the Scriptural Knowledge Institution,
and the saints among whom I seek to serve Him, I exclaim, What has God
wrought! I marvel at His kindness, and yet I do not; for such is His
manner; and, if it please Him that I remain longer on earth, I expect,
not fewer manifestations of His love, but more and more.

Since my beloved friend and fellow labourer and I first came to Bristol,
1586 believers have been received into fellowship, which number, with
the 68 we found in communion, makes 1654. But out of that number 252
have fallen asleep, 53 have been separated from fellowship, 145 have
left us, some however merely through circumstances, and in love, and 510
have left Bristol; so that there are only 694 remaining in communion.

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