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

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There were on May 28, 1846, One hundred and twenty-one Orphans in the
Four Houses. Besides this, six apprentices were still supported by the
Funds of the Institution, so that the total number was 127. The number
of the Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, to May 26, 1846,
amounts to 213.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the
Orphan-Houses.

1. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me,
the sum of 13,275l. 6s. 9 3/4 d. was given to me as the result of prayer
to God, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. This sum
includes the 2710l. 3s. 5 1/2 d. which up to June 4, 1846, was given
towards the Building Fund. (It may be interesting to the reader to know
that the total amount which was given as free contributions, for the
other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846,
amounts to 4833l. 18s. 10 3/4 d.; and that which came in by the sale of
Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the
Day-Schools, amounts to 2097l. 18s. 2 1/2 d.) 2. Besides this, also a
great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions,
etc., were given for the Orphans, as has been stated in the printed
Reports. The total expenditure for the Orphans from July 14, 1844, to
May 26, 1846, was 2732l. 14s. 1 1/2 d., and for the other objects 1325l.
7s. 7 1/4 d.

In conclusion I cannot but mention, to the praise of the Lord,
concerning this period, that four of the Sunday-School children were
admitted to communion. Likewise three more of the Orphans were received
into church fellowship, so that up to that time, altogether 32 of the
Orphans had been admitted. I also mention with peculiar joy, and as a
matter for thankfulness, that of those who were apprenticed or sent out
to service, from July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, ten were believers,
most of whom had been for several years in fellowship, before they were
sent out to service. But whilst we desire to receive these instances as
precious encouragements from the Lord to continue our service, we cannot
but believe, judging from the many prayers the Lord gives us for the
children and adults under our care and instruction, that that which we
see is but an earnest of a far larger harvest in the day of Christ's
appearing.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or time work of the Lord
in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution, from January 1, 1844, to May 26, 1846.

Soon after my return from Germany, where I had been labouring for seven
months in 1843, and 1844, of which I have written at length in the third
part of this Narrative, I had it laid on my heart to go there again for
a season; but, before doing so, I felt called upon to prepare for the
press a new edition of the first and second parts, and to write the
third part of my Narrative. For this, however, a large sum of money was
required, as I purposed to print not less than 4000 copies. As I had no
money of my own for this object, I gave myself to prayer, and, after
having prayed several months respecting it, I received on December 30,
1844, unasked for, the sum which would be needed to accomplish this
object.

Dec. 31, 1844. Since Brother Craik and I came to Bristol, 982 believers
have been received into communion, making 1050 with the 68 whom we found
in fellowship. Of these, 97 have fallen asleep, 53 are under church
discipline, 56 have left us but are still in Bristol, and 176 have
removed from Bristol; so that there are only 668 in communion at
present. During this year 73 have been received.

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

1, Through anonymous offerings in money,
put up in paper, and directed to me,
and placed in the boxes for the
poor saints, or the rent,
at the two chapels. L117 11 9

2, Through presents in money,
from believers in Bristol, not given
anonymously 56 0 6

3, Through presents in money,
from believers not residing in
Bristol . .
. . 81 14 6

4, In presents in provisions, clothes,
etc., worth to us at least 12 0 0

L267 6 9

To this is to be added, that, for the first two months and six days of
this year, my expenses, and those of my dear wife, during our stay in
Germany, were met, as also our traveling expenses back, as stated in.
the third part of my Narrative. Also during the whole of this year a
Christian lady gave to our dear child board and schooling without any
remuneration, a present worth to us not less than 50l. On this point I
cannot help making a few remarks. I had clearly seen it to be the will
of God that my daughter should be brought up at school, and not at home.
My reasons for it were these: 1, My dear wife, though well qualified, to
instruct our daughter, so far as knowledge goes, was unable, on account
of being engaged as my wife in a variety of things connected with the
Lord's service, to give herself uninterruptedly to this work; and to
do it partially we judged to be injurious to our daughter. 2, I had seen
instances in which a home education, for an only child, had turned out
very badly. 3, I judged that the mixing with other children would be
beneficial to our daughter, provided that intercourse was under proper
oversight; as thus a child is in early life introduced into a little
world, and things do not all at once come upon a young person, when at
last obliged to leave the parental roof. 4, But that which most of all
led me to this decision was, that, as in the Church of Christ the Lord
has qualified the members of the body for the performance of certain
work, and all have not the same gift and service, so, in the same way,
certain believers are called and qualified above others, for instructing
children, and give themselves to this particular service, and that,
therefore, I ought to make use of the qualifications of such, and of
their having given their whole time to this particular service.--
These reasons led us to place our dear daughter at school, instead of
educating her at home, and we have never had cause to regret the step we
took, but on the contrary, have had abundant reason to praise God for it
I have purposely made these remarks, as I am fully aware that some
believers have different views on this subject, and I desire to serve
them with the measure of light and experience I have obtained.

After our daughter had been at school for half a year, I asked for the
account, when it was stated to me by the Christian lady in whose
establishment she was, that she had a pleasure in educating her
gratuitously. However, as I pressed the matter, I obtained the account.
It was paid, but the exact sum was returned to me anonymously, which, of
course, I found out at once to be from the Christian sister at whose
school my daughter was. From that time I could never more obtain the
account, though my dear child was about six years longer at school. I
refer to this point for this especial reason: God had laid it on my
heart to care about poor destitute Orphans. To this service I had been
led to give myself; He, in return, as a recompense even for this life,
took care that my own beloved child should have a very good education,
free of expense to me. I was able, and well able to pay for her
education, and most willing to do so; but the Lord gave it gratuitously;
thus also showing how ready He is, abundantly to help me and to supply
my wants.

January 6, 1845. Today I received the most painful information that a
false teacher from Switzerland had found his way among the brethren and
sisters at Stuttgart, and that through him several, yea almost all, to a
greater or less degree had been drawn aside, and shaken as to the very
foundations of their faith.

I cannot describe how bitter the trial was to me to see the Lord thus
dishonoured, and my painful service for seven months during the previous
year, to all appearance, entirely frustrated. The Lord, however, laid
these brethren and sisters on my heart in prayer, so that I was day by
day enabled to bring them before God, and also to resolve, that, as soon
as my path was made plain, I would go again to Stuttgart for a season.

May 3, 1845. I have seen it more and more clearly of late, that the time
is drawing near, when I shall go again to Germany, to labour there for a
time; for the brethren who had fallen into grievous errors are now
recovering out of them, but need a helping hand to restore them fully,
or at least to confirm them in the truth. In addition to this I purpose
to publish some tracts in German. But though it is now four months,
since I have been daily praying respecting this object, I never had been
led to ask the Lord to give me means for it, because I felt assured,
that, when His time was come for me to go, He would provide the means;
and also because I had never felt myself led to pray about it. Today,
however, I asked the Lord that He would provide the means for all that
is necessary in connexion with this service; and I had a secret
satisfaction in feeling that so much was required, i.e. means for the
journey to and fro, means for our stay there, means for the publication
of Tracts, means to be left behind for the work in Bristol, to supply
the need at least for a time, for I did not wish to go, unless it were
the Lord's will, and if so, He would give the means. Now see how the
Lord dealt with me! About a quarter of an hour after 1 had been in
prayer with my dear wife respecting this object, and I had now, for the
first time, asked Him for means to carry it out, though for four months
we had daily prayed together respecting spiritual success in this
service, I received a letter containing an order for 500l. In the letter
this was written:

"I enclose * * * * 500l., which will be more useful in your hands than
in mine. I mean it in the first place for all that is needed preparatory
to and attendant upon your journey to Germany, and, whatever the surplus
may be, you will apply as you find there is need in the different parts
of service under your care." Thus the Lord has fully answered our
requests for means, and that so speedily!

On July 19th my dear wife and I left Bristol for Stuttgart. As the
letters, which I wrote to the church in Bristol, in which I gave some
account of my labours on the Continent, have been preserved, I give them
here, as they will furnish the reader with an outline of the Lord's
dealings with me during that period.

Stuttgart, Aug. 16, 1845.

To the Saints, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at Bethesda and
Salem Chapels, Bristol.

Dear Brethren,

It is today four weeks since we left you. As I know that your love to us
would like to know how the Lord has been dealing with us since, and as I
have abundant reason to speak well of Him on account of His goodness and
mercy to us since our departure; I gladly relate to you how it has been
with us since we left Bristol It was on Saturday afternoon, July 19th,
that we started for London. On the next day, the Lord's day, I
ministered twice in London, as also on Monday evening. I was much helped
in doing so, especially on the evening of the Lord's day and on Monday
evening, and I could not but recognize the hand of the Lord even in
this, with reference to my leaving Bristol for a season. On Monday and
Tuesday we were much occupied in procuring our passports, and on
Wednesday at twelve o'clock we went on board the steamer for Ostend.
The Lord mercifully carried us over the sea, although we were both very
sea-sick, and about five o'clock the next morning we went on shore at
Ostend. Having in a very little time, without any difficulty, obtained
our luggage out of the Customhouse, we left by the first train for
Cologne, at half-past six, travelled all that day, a distance of about
240 miles, and reached Cologne between nine and ten o'clock in the
evening. We then travelled either in the Rhine steamers, on the
rail-road, or in an omnibus, the four following days also, yet so that
we arranged to have time to ourselves, and reached Stuttgart about eight
o'clock on Monday evening, July 28th. Of the journey I would mention
no more, than that on the last day we travelled with a most lovely and
gracious brother, an English clergyman from Sussex, with whom, after two
or three hours I was so one in heart, that on getting out of the
omnibus, in which we travelled together about 30 miles, in order to walk
up a long hill, we walked together arm-in-arm. It was most refreshing to
our spirits to find so lovely a brother in this dark land. We spent a
few hours together at Stuttgart, and then this dear brother left for the
neighbourhood of Munich, the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria, where
his family is for a season.--I had written from Bristol to one of the
brethren at Stuttgart, Brother M--, an Englishman, to look out for furnished
lodgings for us, and I
therefore called on him the next morning, July 29th, to see how far he
had succeeded. I now learned that he had made every inquiry for me, and
also advertised in the paper, and applied at an intelligence office, but
that he had heard only of three apartments, and even these were
unfurnished; for all the lodgings which were to be had were occupied by
the deputies of the people, a sort of Parliament in Wirtemberg, who have
once every three years their assemblies, and who had been for the last
six months assembled in Stuttgart. This was no small difficulty, as to
stay at an hotel would have been very expensive, especially just now, as
the assembly of the deputies has made a great difference in the hotels
also. However, our comfort was, that, as we had come in the name of the
Lord, and according to His bidding, and that, after having daily prayed
about the matter since the latter part of November last year, He would
help in this thing also. We now went to the only lodging out of the
three which was at all likely to suit; but we found that this was only
to be had on Nov. 10th, and not now, a lady having taken a whole floor
of seven rooms, and wishing to let two of them. We saw the two rooms
which had been offered, found them furnished, and asked to whom they
belonged, when we learned that they were in the use of the owner of the
house, who had sold the house, but would have the use of these rooms, as
well as those in which he lived, till Nov. 1st. 1 now affectionately
asked him, whether he would not let an have these rooms for a time,
offering to pay any price, and give the money before-hand, as I was a
stranger to him. He said he would consider it with his wife a few hours.
My dear wife and I now gave ourselves to prayer, that, if it were good
for us, the Lord would be pleased to incline the hearts of these persons
to let us have those two rooms, but I told Him, at the same time, that I
should not now press the matter further, having offered what I had; for
after all He might have another place for us, where. He wished us to be.
After two or three hours I went again, and as we required little as to
attendance, and were of quiet habits, and required little alteration to
be made in the way of furniture, these persons agreed to let us have
those rooms; and that same afternoon we were able to leave the hotel and
enter our lodging. And now hear the Lord's goodness in this
particular. The dear persons with whom we lodge are both Christians, who
are most kind to us, and obliging in every way. Their servant also who
waits on us is a most kind person. The house is in a healthy and quiet
situation, and not far from our meeting-place, though without the city
gates. In a word, we could not have wished better lodgings. And how did
we get them? Because all the apartments, usually let out as lodgings,
were occupied by these 90 or 100 gentlemen of the Parliament. Moreover,
to this house we came, through a mistake having been made; for the rooms
we now live in were only intended to be let on Nov. 10th. More, the
persons with whom we live are evidently wealthy persons, a surgeon who
has retired from his profession, and his wife, and who never had let
lodgings. Oh! how kind of the Lord, to let circumstances be as they
were, in order that we might, through this very difficulty, obtain such
a dwelling-place. Daily we feel the comfort of living with Christians,
though these dear persons belong to the State Church. May this little
matter lead us all, dear brethren, to leave all our affairs in the hands
of our loving Father; He arranges matters as they are best for us.--
During the first three or four days in Stuttgart, I was especially poor
and needy, and required every particle of courage not to be overwhelmed
by the state of things here. Everything seemed most dark. On Tuesday
evening when I went to the meeting, there were but eight present, and
all I saw and heard gave me the impression of spiritual desolation,
resulting from that false teacher from Switzerland having come among the
brethren here. In addition to this, my dear wife was taken very ill
during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, July 29 to 30, so that for
two days she kept her bed, and only on the fourth day was pretty well
again. It was the result of sea-sickness and the great fatigue of the
journey, I think. But the Lord had mercy and brightened the prospect by
increasing my faith. In addition to this, circumstances looked better
almost immediately after my arrival, and I was constantly comforted by
the knowledge, that only according to the Lord's will we were here,
and that He would not have sent us, if He had not some purpose to be
accomplished by it. The first thing that occurred was, that, in answer
to our many prayers in England, on the journey, and here, and also in
answer to your prayers, dear brethren, the police gave me permission to
stay here, a thing which, looking at it naturally, could not have been
expected. Still, this had always been my hope, because to Stuttgart I
felt to be my mission. The next thing was, that the moment my arrival
became known, the poor scattered sheep were again drawn together, and
other persons also, believers and unbelievers, came to the meetings, so
that the first evening it was known I should hold a meeting, there were
about 20 persons present, and since then there have been repeatedly 40
and upwards. This is a small number for England, but large here, and for
our position in particular. The next thing was, our landlady told me
that every Monday afternoon a number of pious females met at her house,
for two or three hours, to knit stockings for the Moravian missionaries,
and requested me to come and speak to them. This I now do every Monday
afternoon, expounding the Scriptures to 20 or 25 of these females and
our landlord and to an aged brother, who has been in the habit of
attending these meetings. This is a new field entirely, and something
else to show how the hand of God was in the matter of our lodgings.
Still more. On the last two Friday evenings I have attended a meeting,
at which about 150 persons, belonging to the State Church, meet
together, most of them probably converted, and the others either seeking
the Lord, or religiously inclined. To this meeting I have gone for
love's sake, to show that I really desire to be united, in spirit,
with all who love our Lord Jesus. Now at this meeting also, I have had
opportunity to speak both times. In future also, the Lord willing, I
purpose to go to this meeting, and to embrace the opportunity which thus
I may have of speaking what may be suitable under the circumstances. The
character of the meeting is not in every way that which is according to
the Holy Scriptures, but these dear brethren must be borne with, in
order to help them on. About 8 brethren sit round a table, being more
intimately known to each other. They lead the whole meeting as to
prayer, giving out a hymn, proposing the portion of the Word of God for
consideration, &c. They make remarks on it, and all the other 100 or
200, or more or less, that may be present, listen. As I had called on
one of these leading brethren, he asked me to sit at that table, and
thus I have the right of speaking, which yet must be used very wisely,
as these dear children of God may be able to bear it. But even if I were
not to speak at all, my very presence would do good, with God's
blessing, as they would see that I am desirous of being united with all
who love our Lord Jesus; and I cannot but hope that thus prejudices will
wear away, they will come to our meetings, and read my book. The
Continent is not like England. Every particle of progress one is able to
make here, is highly to be prized. The state of things is most
interesting here. Infidelity is most awfully showing itself,
regardlessly trampling under foot God's word, and shamelessly and most
impudently denouncing the whole as a fabrication; but, on the other
side, there is evidently an inquiry after truth, and a seeking to know
the truth from the Scriptures themselves, and a beginning to be
dissatisfied with cold dead forms. The Lord also begins to work for us
in other respects. The parliament of Wirtemberg has also publicly
considered the matter of the brother and sister who would not be married
at the State Church, and have recommended to the government of the
country to consider the matter once more, and also to grant to us the
privilege of being able to marry, without going to the State Church, as
they had already granted us "the administration of the Lord's Supper
and Baptism," as they call it. Thus, with God's blessing, help will
come in that way also; and I cannot but hope that this poor little
gathering here, in which the devil has recently made such havoc, will
yet be to the praise of the Lord, and to the benefit of His church in
the German States.--God has blessed my being here in bringing brother
R. out of the errors into which he had fallen, having been led away by
that false teacher from Switzerland; but this brother reaps now bitterly
the fruits of his want of watchfulness: that dear young sister who was
converted while I was here before, his youngest daughter, is among those
persons in Switzerland, and another of his daughters is engaged to one
of these persons--Oh! how important, dear brethren, carefully and
prayerfully to compare what we hear with the Word of God. Five days
following, three times each day, this false teacher held meetings, and
thus overpowered these dear saints completely; for they had no time left
to consider and to pray over, and compare with the Holy Scriptures, what
they heard, as, in addition to three meetings a day, they lasted till
after 11 o'clock at night.--I now attend eight meetings every week.
Sunday mornings at nine o'clock, exposition of the Word, and in the
afternoon at two we meet for the breaking of bread. The dear brethren
have gone back to these unsuitable hours. On Monday afternoon at three
the exposition of the Scriptures to those who meet together to knit for
the missionaries, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 to 10
o'clock, Scripture reading meetings, with the saints only who break
bread. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from eight to half-past nine,
public exposition of the Word. And on Friday evening from half-past
eight to a quarter before ten, I meet with the brethren who belong to
the State Church. Besides this, my time has hitherto been much occupied
in seeing brethren and sisters privately and the rest of my time,
besides prayer and meditation, for my own soul and the work, has been
occupied in preparing tracts for the press. Five are already finished. I
have translated into German: "The love of God to poor sinners," "The
Serpent of brass," and "The two thieves;" and I have written myself two
tracts, on "Lydia's conversion," and "The conversion of the jailer at
Philippi." In this work I purpose to continue, the Lord willing, while
we remain here, either writing or translating tracts, and then seeking
myself, as much as I can, whilst here, to circulate them--Oh! help me,
beloved brethren, yet more and more with your prayers in all this
important service. My position here is more important, and more
interesting than ever; for God, "who comforteth those who are cast
down," has comforted me, after the first three days of trial, and has
given me a larger field for service than I had before.--We remember
you daily in prayer, and gladly do so, and shall be truly glad to return
to you, as soon as we can see it to be the will of the Lord. Farewell,
beloved brethren. My dear wife sends to you her love in Christ. Should
any of you wish to write to me, I shall be glad to hear from you; but
please to write on very thin paper, on account of the heavy postage. The
letters may be left at my house.

Your affectionate brother and servant in the Lord,

George Mueller.

Stuttgart, Sept. 13, 1845.

To the Brethren in Christ, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at
Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol.

My dear brethren,

It is eight weeks today since we left Bristol, and we have still
abundant reason to say, that goodness and mercy have followed us every
day. This I have in particular also to say in reference to the last four
weeks, even since I wrote to you last. As we desire your thanksgiving to
the Lord for His goodness to us, and as we earnestly crave the
continuance of your prayers, I write again, especially also as I judge
that your love will be desirous of knowing further particulars about us
and the work of the Lord in my hands. Since I wrote to you, I have
continued to attend eight meetings a week, that is, three for exposition
of the Scriptures at our usual in meeting-place on Lord's day mornings
and Tuesday and Thursday evenings; the breaking of bread on the Lord's
day evenings (as we have altered the hour from 2 in the afternoon to 8
in the evening); two Scripture reading meetings on Monday and Wednesday,
at which, as well as at all our other meetings, there is given to every
brother as much room for prayer, as there may be a desire for it. Then I
attend two other meetings a week, among believers or inquirers who are
in connexion with the State Church, one on Monday afternoon at the house
where we live, which has increased from about ten to about forty. At
this meeting I lead entirely, and am the only speaker. Then there is
every Friday evening another meeting, at which about 150 persons
assemble, which I have continued to attend, and where I have regularly
spoken, together with other brethren. The shyness which there was at
first is evidently wearing off, and last evening, when I took leave of
them, having been there for the last time before our departure, the
brethren were quite cordial. In addition to this, the Lord has opened
another new and important field. At the house of an elderly lady of
title, of one of the ancient noble families of this kingdom, there is a
meeting for ladies who work for charitable purposes. This meeting I have
also been requested to attend for the purpose of expounding the
Scriptures, whilst the ladies work. I was there last Tuesday afternoon,
and shall be there again, the Lord willing, neat Tuesday. To all who
attend this meeting I have therefore an opportunity of giving a copy of
my Narrative in German, about forty in all, as well as a copy of the
eleven tracts which I have published, and thus the truth, with God's
blessing, may be carried into the higher circles of this city, if not of
this kingdom. Truly, the Lord gave, at the beginning of my sojourn here,
to everything apparently the death-blow, that He might give me a larger
field than I had had before. Still it is even now but little in
comparison with England, yet it is much for Germany. Indeed I have now
as much work day by day as I can do. Persons from the establishment come
to see mind converse with me, and I might visit as many as I have time
and strength for, and many more, and should be welcome.

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