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

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"Hull, March 20, 1845.

"Beloved Brother,

"I send you a small box of articles, which perhaps you can dispose of for
the Orphans, and 5l. 5s. 7d. in money. Accept it in the Lord's name as
a tribute of love from the brethren here. We shall be always glad to see
you if you travel this way.

"In haste,

"Yours affectionately in the Lord,

"* * * * "

The box contained the following articles:--a gold cross, two gold
pins, two brooches, three gold rings, a small gold seal, two gold
bracelet snaps, a pair of silver studs, a mourning brooch, necklace and
ear-rings, a silver pencil case, a stone cross and heart, a gilt
waist-buckle, a dozen new cloth caps, two books, two new cotton frocks,
three new pinafores, a new white lace veil, two waistcoats, a gown, a
pair of lady's boots, three veils, two lace capes, two lace shawls,
two muslin aprons, a lady's bag, four waist ribands, three pairs of
cuffs, a little scarf, three necklaces; 4l. 5s. 7d. for the Orphans, and
1l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures.--Today there came in
still further, by sale of articles 8s. 6d., for Reports 8d, and by sale
of stockings 6s. 8d. Also from Thornbury 2s. 6d. Thus we have enough for
today, and something left.

March 24, Monday. Yesterday and today came in only 7s. 6d. altogether.
We have enough for today, and 6s. 6d. left, as the demands were only 2l.
10s.

March 25. When there was again only 6s. 6d. left, 4s. 6d. came in
yesterday evening. There was also 5l. put into one of the boxes at my
house. This morning I received from a brother from the neighbourhood of
Birmingham 2l., and 10s. came in by another donation. Thus I had more
than sufficient for the need of today, which is 4l. 15s. There came in
still further from Bridgenorth 10s., and from a sister in Bristol 2s.
2d.

March 26. Only 3s. 2 1/2 d. came in today, by the boxes in my house.

March 27. Yesterday morning I sent off for housekeeping all the money I
had left. It was enough for yesterday, but only enough. Only 1l came in
yesterday, and this morning 4d. This 1l. 0s. 4d. was all I had to send
to the Orphan-Houses. There came in 5s, 4d. besides, and thus we were
helped through this day also.

March 28. Nothing has come in. While the Orphan Boy was waiting for the
bag to be made up, 1l. 5s. 1d. came in for a few trinkets, which I had
sent out to be disposed of. This was all I could send.

March 29. By the 1l. 5s. 1d. we were helped through yesterday. But there
was now again not only nothing at all in hand, but we required the more,
as the last two days there had been so little laid out for housekeeping,
and also because today was Saturday. However, as the Lord never once has
forsaken me in the work during the last eleven years, so it has been at
this time also. About five o'clock yesterday afternoon a note was
given to me in which was enclosed 5l., which a physician of this city
kindly sent. In the evening I received 10s., being the profit from the
sale of ladies' bags, and this morning came in still further by the
sale of articles 9s. 6d., and by the sale of stockings 13s. There were
also last evening, anonymously left at my house, a gold seal, a brass
seal, and a pair of gilt ear-rings. There came in still further 10s.,
and 10s.

March 31. There came in yesterday and today anonymously from Hayes-Town,
near Uxbridge, 1l., and 2l. 10s. besides.

April 1. On account of the expenses of Saturday having been great, and
of yesterday likewise, there remained again but a few shillings. Our
gracious Lord, however, who day after day looks on our need, yea, so to
speak, inspects our stores, knew this, and therefore yesterday caused
ten pounds to be put into one of the boxes at my house. Last evening
came in also still further 1l. 7s. from the Isle of Wight.

April 2. As I had to expend today more than 10l, for the Orphans, I was
again reduced to a few shillings, when this morning 15l. was sent to me
by two donors from Liverpool. Also at the same time came from the
neighbourhood of Worcester 1l.

April 3. After having been comparatively poor, the Lord is now again
pouring in means, which come very seasonably for the replenishing of our
stores, for the obtaining of certain articles of clothing for the
children, etc. Today I received the following donations: 19l. 5s. from
the brethren assembling at Bethesda Chapel, Sunderland, from two sisters
6s., from A. A. 18s. 5d., and by sale of Reports 1s. 4d.

April 4. Still further from Sunderland 15s., from Sherborne 8s. 6d.,
from Sidmouth 1l., and from "S. P., Dublin," 1l. 10s.

April 12, Saturday. 33l. 19s. 7d. more has come in since the 4th. After
the expenses of today had been met, there again remained scarcely
anything, when, in addition to all the ordinary expenses during the
coming week before me, a fresh supply of oatmeal needed to be purchased.
The boxes in the Orphan-Houses therefore were opened, but only 1l. 8s.
6d. was found in them. There came in besides from A. A. 7s.

April 13, Lord's-day. This morning I received a letter from Hampstead,
containing four post-office orders of 5l. each, of which 10l. is for the
poor believers among whom I labour, and 10l, for the Orphans.

April 30. From the 13th to this day came in altogether 57l. 13s. 2d.
Thus we were well supplied with all the means which were needed during
that time; but yesterday morning I had
sent off to the Orphan-Houses the last money I had in hand. In the
afternoon a sister in the Lord from Bath called, and gave me a
sovereign, when I had not one penny in hand towards the need of today.
This morning came in still further 18s. 10 1/2 d, by needlework done by
the Orphan-Girls. Also 4d. by sale of a Report. Thus we were supplied
for today.

May 1. When this day began I had only half-a-crown in hand, which I had
taken last evening out of one of the boxes in my house. When I was this
morning, on my usual walk before breakfast, bringing my circumstances
before the Lord, I reminded Him of His word, "Take no thought for the
morrow ", (i.e. be not anxious about the morrow), and I told Him that
yesterday I had not been anxious about today, and prayed that He would
now be pleased to help me. I was in perfect peace, though I had not the
least natural prospect of having the necessities of today supplied. Of
the money put by for the rent I would not take. Our need was my comfort.
When I returned to my house at eight o'clock, I found that there bad
been sent from the Orphan-Houses 5s., given there, and 2s. 6d. for
knitting. Also a person had brought yesterday to the Orphan-Houses the
contents of an Orphan-box, which had in his room, having felt himself,
as he said, much stirred up to do so. It was 3s. 6d. Also a sister from
Worcestershire had sent 10s. Before money was sent for from the
Orphan-Houses, I received this morning from Stafford 10s. Thus I had 1l.
13s. 6d, to send to the Orphan-Houses for the need of today.

May 2. A little after I had sent off yesterday all the money to the
Orphan-Houses, a brother in the Lord from Cornwall called on me and gave
me 1l. In the afternoon a sister, who had received peculiar mercy from
the Lord in the way of temporal help, called on me, and gave 10s.; and a
christian servant, who had received a fee, gave it, the amount being 2s.
Thus I have 1l. 12s. to send for the need of this day.--I had written
this in my journal, but the bag was not yet gone, when I received from a
distance of about 50 miles for Reports 4s. 1d, and from "a Field
Officer" 3l 10s.2d., so that I could send all that was needed today,
being 3l.

May 3. Yesterday afternoon I received half-a-crown more, and this morning
3s. by sale of articles, and from Kendal 1l 10s.
The money from Kendal came about two minutes before the boy came from
the Orphan-Houses to fetch the supply for this day's necessities. It
was a most seasonable help, as this is Saturday, and we needed today 3l.
15s., and I had not nearly enough in hand.--There came in further
this morning 2l. 1s. 2d. by sale of articles, and in the evening 10s.,
being the contents of an Orphan-box in the neighbourhood of Coleford.
-- We are thus brought to the close of another week, and have a little
left towards the heavy expenses of the next, as, besides the usual
housekeeping expenses of about 20l., there are ten tons of gravel for
the playgrounds to be bought, and a ton of oatmeal.

July 10. From May 3rd to this day was a season of comparatively rich
abundance. The total amount which was received amounts to 268l. 10s. 6
1/2 d. Immediately after the 3rd, the Lord sent considerable help, so
that I was able to meet the extraordinary expenses which are referred to
under the last date; for on the 4th came in 6l. 0s. 3d., on the 5th 9s.
6d., on the 6th 70l. and 100l., of which two sums one-half was put to
the Orphan-Fund, and the other half to the fund for the other objects.
On the 10th of May I had to leave Bristol on account of my health, and
was absent three weeks, and had to pay away, for the Orphans, about
100l. within one fortnight after. How seasonably, therefore, came these
two donations! When these two sums came in there was only 10s. 3d. in
hand, and, as has been stated, ten tons of gravel were needed, and a ton
of oatmeal, also money for the apprentices, besides the daily current
expenses. Of the other donations, which came in during this period, I
only mention: from Negro brethren in Demerara, twelve dollars. All the
money, after this long time of comparative abundance, was today, July
10th, reduced to 1l. 6s. 0 1/2 d., and 2l. was needed. The boxes in the
Orphan-Houses were opened, in which 16s. 1d. was found. Thus we had
enough, and 2s. 1 1/2 d. was left.

July 11. Yesterday afternoon came a box from Newport, in the Isle of
Wight, with many articles for the Orphans, and a little money for the
other objects. This was a precious encouragement to continue to wait
upon the Lord. At the first delivery this morning I received several
letters. The first I opened was from a brother in Devonshire, with a
post-office order for 8s. for the Orphans. He writes thus; "My box for
the Orphans still yields but little, but I have been frequently
inquiring of the Lord, when that little should be sent. For the last
few days it has appeared to me that the time was come to send it to you,
I therefore sent for the amount in an order, which I this day received,
and now send, in hope it may be of some help in a time of need." This
8s. was a further precious encouragement.--The next letter which I
opened was from a christian gentleman at Edinburgh, containing a bank
order for twenty-five guineas, of which twenty guineas are for the work
of the Lord in my hands, and five for my own personal necessities. There
came in still further today, from brethren at Perth 2l., and from the
neighbourhood of Glasgow 5l.

July 12. This morning I received a legacy of 5l. for the Orphans, from
the relatives of a dear departed sister in the Lord, who, from the
commencement of the work up to her last days, had taken the deepest
interest in it. Also from Jersey, together with a gold ring, 4l. Also
3l. 2s. 0 1/2 d. by sale of articles and donations, so that during these
two days we have had above 40l. coming in.

From July 13th to 19th, came in 16l. 6s. 8d. more. On July 19th I left
for the Continent, to labour for a season in Germany, and returned to
Bristol on Oct 11th. For about eight months before this, I had seen it
to be the Lord's will that I should go again this year to the
Continent for a season, and had made my journey and service a subject of
prayer from Nov., 1844. Besides asking the Lord's blessing upon my
service, I also sought His help for means, and for this also I had not
to wait on Him in vain. For as the Lord had sent me, before I went in
1843, the sum of 702l. 3s. 7d. for various purposes, and for the work in
Germany in particular, so He gave me again, on May 3rd, 1845, the sum of
500l, for the work in Germany, yet so, that the surplus which there
might be should be employed for the Orphans and other work in my hands.
From the conditions under which this donation was given to me, it was
obvious then, that whilst on the one hand, when it plainly could be seen
that only a certain part of the money would be needed for the present
service in Germany, the remainder might be used for the benefit of the
Orphans, or the other part of the work; yet, on the other hand, we could
not begin at once to apply any part of this money to the objects of the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution; for at the commencement I could not
know how much might be expended on the service in Germany, particularly
as my intention was to do as much as I could for those on the Continent
who are in darkness and in the shadow of death, and also as I wished as
much as possible to help the Church of Christ in that part of the world.
Therefore those who said: "We are quite sure there must be much money in
hand for the Orphans, else Mr. Muller would not have gone to Germany,"
were quite mistaken. Often have I had similar things said to me, or
about the work, when we have been in the deepest poverty, simply because
in faith a certain step had been taken, or a certain thing had been
done, which was connected with great expense. At such times, of course,
my fellow-labourers and I have had to be silent. For we could not say it
was not so, else it would be exposing our poverty, and would look like
asking for help. Therefore we have had to be content with something like
this: "Lord, it is said that there is much money in hand, whereby some
who would otherwise help us, it may be, are kept from doing so; now,
Lord, do Thou nevertheless, as the work is Thine, lay our need, the real
state of things, on the hearts of Thy children, that they may help us."
Thus it was during my service in Germany in the summer of 1845 also. My
fellow-labourers in Bristol and my dear wife and I in Stuttgart, poured
out our hearts before the Lord, seeking His help upon the work, and
asking Him also for means, and He did not despise our cries. There came
in, during the twelve weeks that I was away, for the Orphans alone,
200l. 5s, 5 1/2 d. This, together with what was in hand when I left, and
with come money that at the end of my stay in Germany (when I saw that I
should scarcely need one half of the 500l.) I could order to be drawn
out of my bankers' hands in Bristol, richly supplied all the need,
during my absence. But the labourers were repeatedly in straits, and
several times the last money was gone; but the Lord refreshed their
hearts by seasonable help.--Of the 500l. given for the service in
Germany, and for the printing of tracts, there remained 311l. 18s, 1 1/2
d., of which I took for the Orphans 161l. 18s. 1 1/2 d., and for the
other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution 150l.

Jan. 17, 1846. From the day of my return to Bristol, on Oct. 11, up to
this day, there has been no difficulty at all with regard to means. The
many donations which have come in, together with what came to the
Orphan-Fund from the surplus of the sum given for the work in Germany,
enabled me, without any difficulty, to meet all the expenses, though
they were many and great. Of the donations which came in during this
period I only refer to the following:

On Nov. 19th heft Bristol to labour for a little while at Sunderland. I
had but little money to leave with my dear wife for the work; but my
path was plain to go, and therefore my hope was in God, as to the work
in Bristol during the meantime, being assured that He would care for it.
And thus it was. Rich supplies were granted by Him. On the very next
day, after my departure, Nov. 20th, the following anonymous letter was
left at my house, containing six five-pound notes and two sovereigns.

"My dear Brother in the Lord,

"About six or eight weeks since, anticipating soon a remittance by a
bill, which would become available about a week previous to this date, I
was led to ask the Lord what He would desire to do with the money which
might remain in my hands when I should receive the money for this bill,
and your name was immediately presented to my mind with these words:
"the Lord has need of it." I therefore enclose the amount, viz,
thirty-two pounds, and remain,

"Dear Brother,

"Yours affectionately in the Lord,

"Nov. 20, 1845. &c. &c."

Look at this, dear reader! Is not the hand of God most manifest in such
cases? This unknown donor prays what to do with the money, and my name
is brought to his or her mind. See also how seasonable the help!

This 32l. was put to the Orphan-Fund, as there was but little in hand.
By this and the other sums which came in during my absence, my dear wife
was helped without any difficulty, through all the expenses.

There being now again little in hand, I asked the Lord yesterday (Jan.
16, 1846) that He would be pleased to send in supplies, when almost
immediately after a sister in the Lord, who had unexpectedly received a
rich remittance from distant relatives, gave me 10l.; and today a lady,
who on her way from Cornwall to London was staying for a day or two at
Clifton, kindly sent me 20l. Thus we are again supplied at least for a
week.

March 2. Goodness and mercy have followed us again in many respects with
reference to the work, since the last date, Jan. 17th, up to this day;
and with regard to means, there has been again a rich supply granted to
us, so that I have been able to meet all the expenses of the work,
though they have been for the Orphans alone. 180l. 19s. 1d., and more
than 100l. for the other objects, during these six weeks. But there
remained now scarcely anything in hand, when I received this morning,
from a distance of about 200 miles the following letter with 15l.

"Beloved Brother,

"Enclosed is the produce of the sale of a pianoforte, which I thankfully
send for the Lord's work in your hands, having received blessing to my
own soul by means of that work, and not the least in being weaned from
some of those things I once found pleasure in. I have been waiting
payment of the amount for some time, but, having money now in hand, I
send it without further delay, as you may possibly need it now. The 15l.
you will kindly allot as you see most desirable. That our God would
fulfil in you all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of
faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you, is the prayer of

"Your affectionate Brother,

"* * * * Feb. 28, 1846. * * * *"

March 18. Up to this day also we have been helped, though but little,
comparatively, has come in. When yesterday, March 17, all the means were
gone, a brother gave me 1l. as a thankoffering for having received a sum
of money unexpectedly, as a dividend from a bankruptcy. In the afternoon
I received a half sovereign as the profit of the sale of ladies' bags
made by a sister in the Lord for the benefit of the Orphans, and 2s. 6d.
was put into an Orphan-box at my house. This morning I received the
following letter from Devonshire, together with a Post-office order for
5l.

"Beloved Brother,

"I send you an order for 5l., half of which will you accept for yourself,
and the other half appropriate for the Orphans; or, if they happen to be
well supplied at present, you may apply it to the building you have in
contemplation. Job xxii. 21-30.

"Believe me very affectionately yours,

"* * * *"

The half of this money was taken for the present need of time Orphans.
There was also sent 1l. 13s. from Weymouth. Thus we are again supplied
for the present need.

March 20. Today I have to send more money for housekeeping to the
Orphan-Houses, and the Lord has kindly given me yesterday afternoon and
this morning the means for it. Yesterday came in by sale of trinkets,
&c., 3l. 8s. 4 1/2 d. and by two donations 2s., and this morning I
received 11s, from Marlborough.

March 21, Saturday. Since yesterday morning, when I had sent off to the
Orphan-Houses the very last penny in hand, the following sums have come
in: A sister from Worcester gave 2s. 6d., and in the boxes in my house I
found 10l. This morning 10s. came from the neighbourhood of Castle Cary,
from a sister in Bristol 2s. 2d., by sale of articles 1l. 15s. 8d., and
by sale of stockings 5s. Thus I have been enabled, during this week
also, to meet all the expenses, though they have been more than 30l.;
and 7s. 6d. is left towards the coming week. My heart is in perfect
peace, though there are between 140 and 150 Persons to be provided for
(including the teachers and matrons in the Orphan-Houses and the
apprentices), and though there is heavy sickness in two of the houses.
-- Saturday Evening, The Lord has already increased "the handful of
meal in the barrel, and the little oil in the cruse." This afternoon I
received 3l. 14s., being the contents of an Orphan-box at Barnstaple.
There came in 3s. 6d, besides.

March 26. On the 23rd came in 3l. 2s. 1d. On the 24th and 25th came in
1l. 5s. Yesterday was also taken out of the boxes in the Orphan-Houses
7s. 6d., our need having led to the opening of them, and in the boxes in
my house was found 2s. 6d.; but we had not quite enough for the need of
today, when about twelve o'clock this morning a box arrived from
Chelsea, containing 17s. 0 3/4 d., many ornaments, etc.--We are thus
helped for this day.

March 27. Today came in 4l. 11s. 7d. by sale of articles. Likewise 1s.
from a little girl. Thus we are again provided for today.

March 28, Saturday. Yesterday afternoon came in still further from
Street, by Sale of Reports 10s. and three donations of 6d., 4d., and 2d.
There was likewise given by a sister a small gold watch-chain. This
morning I received, by sale of articles 4l.14s. 4d., by sale of Reports
1s., and by sale of stockings 6s. Thus, by the income of this week, and
by about 2l. 12s. which I found I had more than was needed for the rent
when paying it on the 25th, having to receive drawbacks from the
landlords, I have been again able to meet the housekeeping expenses
during this week, amounting to 21l. 19s. 10d., besides the rent which is
37l., for which the money had been put by; and I am come to the close of
another week, with 17s. 8d. in hand towards the necessities of the next.
-- Late on Saturday. There has come in still further this evening from
A. A. 11s. 3 1/2 d., and from Mrs. R. 8s.

March 30, Monday. My heart was particularly in peace on Saturday evening
after the prayer meeting, though I could leave only a few shillings for
each of the four houses towards the housekeeping expenses of this week,
where, besides the ordinary expenses, there is also money needed on
account of heavy sickness in two of the houses. When I emptied the purse
to the last penny, and returned home without anything in hand, I felt
fully assured that we should have again abundant reasons for
thanksgiving next Saturday, and told my dear fellow-labourers so, And,
thus it is. Yesterday was put into the Chapel-boxes for the Orphans
50l., ditto 1s., ditto 10s. This morning I received 5l. from a miner at
a distance, an entire stranger.

Thus our Heavenly Father has helped most seasonably. 1, In giving me
means for present necessities as to housekeeping. 2, In providing me
with means for the extra need on account of the illness of several
children. 3, In giving means for getting a ton and a half of oatmeal
from Scotland.

April 4, Saturday evening. On the 2nd I received anonymously from London
it, besides some money for needlework done by the Orphan-Girls; on the
2nd was sent to me 10l. from Bath, from a lady unknown to me. These two
donations I received the very moment I rose from my knees, having asked
the Lord for more means, as, on account of the heavy expenses just now,
we needed again more money by the end of this week. There was also given
on the 2nd 1l. by a lady who had received a present of 10l. from some
relations, and gave the tenth part of it to the Orphans. On the 3rd and
4th came in 2l. 10s. 7d. The actual expenses of this week, have been 42l.
besides 22l. having been put by for the oatmeal which has been
ordered, and we have a little more than 9l. left.

April 18, Saturday. The Lord has been again good to me since the 4th
with regard to means, 53l. 14s. 0 1/2 d. having come in during these two
weeks. Today, having only 2l. 1s. 5 1/2 d., in hand, towards the supplies
of the next week, we made known our requests to God, and while I was in
prayer with two of my fellow-labourers, there came a letter, in which F.
from London sent 10s. There came in almost immediately after by sale of
articles 13s. 8d., and by a sister in the Lord from Brixham, who called
this morning, 10s. was given. This afternoon the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses were opened, but only 10s. 10d. found in them. 6s, came in
besides. This afternoon a brother called at the Boys' Orphan-House,
and gave eight sovereigns, saying that he had had a desire to bring this
money for some days past, but had been unable on account of his health,
but now was pressed in spirit to do so, though scarcely able to walk.
The following points are to be noticed concerning the Lord's goodness
today. 1, I purpose, on account of my health, and for the sake of
procuring time for the writing of the Report, to leave Bristol on
Monday, and thus I am able to leave money behind for at least 3 or 4
days. 2, I had been speaking today and yesterday in my prayers to the
Lord, "It is buy will that I should not be anxious. I am not, by Thy
grace; but, Lord, there are about 140 persons to be provided for in the
4 Orphan-Houses, wilt Thou then help me with means!"--I was able to
send altogether 11l. 6s. 11 1/2 d. to the matrons.

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