George Müller · 73 of 97

Fourth Part · Part 8

4. The reason why we pursued this plan of travelling was, a, that I might myself circulate as many as possible; b, that the tracts and Narratives might be scattered over as extensive a tract of country as possible; c, that I might be able to accomplish it, before the police could prevent it. On the road side, before entering villages and towns, or after we had left them, I gave away freely. Now suppose this came to the ears of the police, as no doubt in many instances it did; before any measures could be taken, we might be at a distance of 5, 10, or 20 miles from the spot; for we travelled, as I said, from 40 to 45 miles daily. This was indeed an expensive way of circulating the tracts, and wearing to body and mind more than can easily be perceived; but it was a most effectual way, and a precious service to be allowed to be engaged in for the Lord. When we had finished our journey, lasting 23 days, we were completely worn out for the time.

5. At first we sometimes threw down the tracts to persons, out of the carriage, when they were not near enough to have them handed to them. This, however, we discontinued on the second or third day; for I judged, that, as we would not throw down Bibles, Testaments, or smaller portions of the Holy Scriptures, so these tracts also, filled with the truth of God, and written for the honour of God, should not be thrown down; and that we would rather not give them at all, than in this way. I purposely notice this, as many Christians are in the habit of throwing tracts out of a carriage, as I did at first. I might put them secretly in drawers, or on the table, or under the table-cover in inns, or elsewhere, where they afterwards might be found; but I could not feel any longer happy in not treating them with all reverence, because they contain the truth of God.

6. Perhaps the reader may ask: What has been the result of this labour in Germany? My reply is: God only knows. The day of Christ will declare it. Judging from the constant labour in prayer during 8 months before we went the second time, and day by day while we were on the Continent, and day by day for a long time after our return, I am warranted to expect fruit, and I do expect it. I expect abundant fruit in the day of Christ's appearing. In the meantime my comfort is, that 220,000 tracts have been circulated, many of which through the providence of God found their way not only into the darkest places of the Continent of Europe, but went also to America and Australia. Further, the 4000 copies of my Narrative in German, are almost all circulated. And again, the publishing of my Narrative in German, led me to do the same in French, which was accomplished about three years later. Further, these tracts were reprinted at Hamburg and at Cologne, and are circulated by other Christians; in addition to which, my having published them in Germany led me to get them stereotyped in England, and they continue to be circulated in many countries.

7. I only add, we continued our service in a similar way, after we had left Cassel, from whence I wrote the last letter to the church in Bristol; and in many respects it was the most interesting part of the service.

December 31, 1845. There have been received into communion 53 during this year, and 1055 since our coming to Bristol, which, with 68 whom we found in fellowship, makes 1123. Of these, 115 have fallen asleep, 65 have been excluded, 57 left us, and 193 left Bristol; so that there are only 693 brethren and sisters in fellowship at present.

During this year the Lord has been pleased to give to me:—

1. Through anonymous donations in money, put up in paper and directed to me, and placed in the boxes for the poor saints and the rent, at the two chapels £166 15 10 ¼

2. Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . . . 102 18 11 ½

3. Through presents in money, from believers, not residing in Bristol . . 138 0 7

4. Through presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least . . . 26 3 9

———

Altogether £433 19 1 ¾

To this is to be added, that my dear child had again during the whole of this year her education free at a boarding school, as stated at the close of the last year, whereby I saved about 50l. Also my traveling expenses to and from Germany, and other expenses, connected with my service in Germany, were paid out of the 500l. to which reference has been made. Adding these two items to 433l., I had at least 500l.

Esteemed reader, what do you think of this? Is it not a pleasant thing, in the end, even for this life, really to trust in God? Verily, thus I have found it to be, and thus do I find it to be, the longer I live. Only there must be real trust in God, and it must be more than merely using words. If we trust in God, we look to Him alone, we deal with Him alone, and we are satisfied with His knowing about our need. Two things I add, as I write my experience and the Lord's dealings with me for the profit of the saints.

1. During the last year I resolved, that, by Gods help, I would seek to be more than ever a channel for the Communication of God's bounties, and to communicate to those in need, or to give to the work of God. I acted according to the light which God gave me, and He condescended to make me His steward in one way or another far more abundantly than ever before. Would we wish to have means intrusted to us by the Lord, or to succeed in our trade, business, profession, etc., we must be truly desirous of being His stewards, and only His stewards. Read what I have written at length on this subject within the last twenty pages of the third part of this my Narrative; and, if you have read it before, read it yet again.

2. In looking over my journal, I find that during this year also I was more than once without a shilling, yea without a penny, though my income was about 500l.

April 29, 1846. Today my beloved wife and myself had the inexpressibly great joy of receiving a letter from our beloved daughter, while we are staying in the Lord's service at Chippenham, in which she writes that she has now found peace in the Lord Jesus. Thus our prayers are turned into praises.

About 18 mouths before this I began especially to pray for the conversion of my dear child, and the Lord soon after seems to have begun to work in her heart. I knew little of her state of mind before receiving her letter, for I did not wish to force anything upon her of a spiritual character, but leave her to be attracted by the loveliness of the things of God. After hearing from her in April, 1846, she was not received at once to communion, but, being so young, I judged it desirable to watch the work in her soul. Towards the end of the year, however, my fellow-labourers being fully satisfied, she was baptized and received into communion, when she was 14 years and 3 months old.

Supplies for the School-BibleMissionary and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848.

During no period, from the commencement of the operations of this Institution up to May 26, 1846, was I intrusted by the Lord with such large sums, as during the one to which this chapter refers. I had never had more need of pecuniary supplies than during those two years, on account of the many pressing calls; but, at the same time, I had the exceeding great joy and privilege of being able to respond to them in such a way as I had never before been allowed to do. These remarks apply to all the various objects of the Institution, but especially to the supplies for brethren who labour at Home and Abroad in word and doctrine without being connected with any society, or without having any regular salary for preaching the Word.

On May 26, 1846, after the accounts had been closed, a check for 100l. was given to me, the application of which was left to my disposal. I put half the amount to the fund for these objects, and half to the Orphan-Fund, When the accounts were closed, there was 91l. 4s. 11 ¾ d. in, and for these objects, to which this 50l. was added; therefore I began this period with more means than I had had in hand at any time previously at the beginning of a fresh period; and as was its beginning so was the continuance. It has often struck me, that one especial reason why, on the whole, I was allowed to have so little trial with regard to means for the work during those two years, in comparison with former times, may have been, that thereby the Lord would say that He was willing to give what would be needed when once the New Orphan-House should be built, though the expenses would be about two thousand five hundred pounds a year more than they were before. Another reason also may have been, because in many other ways trials of faith and patience came upon me in connexion with the Institution during those two years, that therefore the Lord may not have exercised me so much by the want of pecuniary means as before. But especially also one reason, why the Lord generally gave me so great an abundance during those two years, seems to me this, that it might be seen, not only how He can help us day by day when we are poor, but also how able and willing He is to cause us to abound, when this is for His honour and for our profit.

June 4, 1846. To day was given to me, just when I rose from my knees, after having asked the Lord for more means, especially for missionary purposes, the sum of 150l., with the request to use of it 50l. for the Orphans, 50l. for labourers in England; and 50l. for labourers abroad.

July 6. Besides several small donations which came in since June 4, I received today 50l., of which one half is intended by the donor for the Orphans, the other half for these objects.

July 16. Today I received One Hundred Pounds from a donor who had lost about one half of his property, and who gives this donation as "A thank-offering to God for having left to him as much as he has." I put one half of this donation to the funds for these objects, and the other half to the Orphan Fund.

Aug. 1. About 24l. more has come in since July 16th. During the last two days I have sent 110l. to Foreign labourers, and 15l. to brethren who labour in England; and having thus begun to reduce our Missionary Fund, the Lord gives fresh supplies. The evening before last was sent to me 5l. from Ludlow. Today I received 5l. from Scarborough, of which 4l. is for Missionary objects, and 1l. for the Orphans. Thus the Lord gives me the desire of my heart, to help more and more the dear brethren who labour in word and doctrine, either in this country or in foreign lands.

From the commencement of this Institution on March 5th, 1834, it had been my desire to employ part of the funds with which I might be intrusted, in aiding missionary brethren in foreign lands, who are not supported by any regular salary; and for several years I have likewise had the desire to assist brethren, labouring in similar circumstances, in Great Britain and Ireland. The Lord also had given me the great privilege to assist such brethren more or less during the time that this Institution had been in operation; but especially He began during the two years, to which this chapter refers, to allow me to do so in a far greater degree than before. I knew it to be a fact, that many brethren, who preach the Word, without having any salary for doing so, or property to live upon, were in need. Now it might be said that such brethren ought to trust in God; that, if they preach Jesus as the only hope for the salvation of sinners, they ought to set them a good example by trusting themselves in God for the supply of their temporal necessities, in order that unconverted persons thereby might be led to trust in the Lord Jesus alone for the salvation of their souls. This is true, quite true. Preachers of the precious good news of salvation to every sinner who puts his trust in the merits of the Lord Jesus, ought indeed themselves to depend upon God, their Lord and Father, for the supply of their temporal necessities; but I also felt that I, as their brother, ought to seek to help them as far as lay in me. To this I set myself more than ever after the beginning of the year 1846, as I knew, that, from particular causes, there was an especial call to help such brethren; and as my own means would go but a little way, I gave myself to more earnest prayer than ever for such brethren. The result was, that, during the two years of this period, the Lord so answered my daily supplications with regard to this particular, that I was honoured to send nearly three times as much to Home and Foreign labourers, as during any previous period of the same length. 1,559l. 11s. 6d. was spent in this way, by which twenty-one brethren were assisted who laboured in Foreign lands, and nineteen who laboured in Great Britain and Ireland. Large as this sum is, in comparison with what I had been able to do in this particular in former years, yet it is small, very small, in comparison with what my heart desired to be able to do for these forty brethren. It has frequently, yea almost always, so happened, that the assistance which God has allowed me to send to such brethren, has come to them at a time of great need. Sometimes they had no money at all left. Sometimes even their last provisions were almost consumed, when I sent them supplies. Some of them are fathers of large families, or have sickly wives and children; some were once well off in this world, but for Christ's sake have become poor; and some have had for Christ's sake their all taken from them. Is it not an honour to help such brethren? I could fill hundreds of pages by giving extracts from the letters of the dear brethren to whom I have sent help, and they would be greatly to the edification of the reader; but I do not feel free to do so.—As I have not only been labouring for these brethren in prayer that God would intrust me with means and allow me the privilege of helping them, but as I also have asked God to direct me especially to send to those who might be in particular need, in case I could not help them all; and as I have sought by an encouraging word to strengthen their hands in God; there is great reason to believe, that these dear brethren have not only been helped by these pecuniary supplies in a temporal point of view, but also that the fact, of God sending them help in their extremity, has tended to refresh and strengthen their hearts, and to lead them more and more to trust in Him.

Sep. 4. 38l. more has come in since Aug. 1st for these objects, and today there was given to me 305l. 17s. 3d. for Home and Foreign labourers, for present use for the Orphans, and for the other parts of the work. Thus I have again the desire of my heart given to me in being able to assist a number of dear brethren at home and abroad, to whom I desired to send help. Of this sum I took 205l. 17s. 3d. for these objects, and 100l. for the Orphans.

Sept. 9. Since the 4th I have sent out about 60l. already for brethren who labour in England and Foreign lands. This morning I received from C. W. 25l. more for missionary objects.

Oct. 22. This morning's post had brought no means. Whilst walking in my little garden for meditation and prayer, I said to myself—"Though the post has brought no means, yet the Lord can send even this day rich supplies." It was not two minutes after this, when a letter was handed to me, which had been brought that moment, containing two Fifty Pound Notes and these words: "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."-40l. for missionaries; Demerara and others, dependant on God for supplies. 10l. for Home missionaries, dependant on God for their support. 10l. for the Orphans. 10l. for the poor of Bethesda and Salem Church. 10l. for Mr. Müller. 10l. for Mr. Craik. 5l. for Bibles and Testaments. 5l. for rent, &c. of chapels."-Thus I had a fresh answer to my prayers, which had been again brought before the Lord this morning, that He would enable me still more to help the dear brethren who labour at home and abroad in dependence upon Him for supplies.

Dec. 22. During the last two months about 70l. more has come in, chiefly for Missionary purposes. Of these donations, about eighty in number, I only mention that there was given on Nov. 5, the sum of 6l. 14s., being the tenth part of profits arising from shares which a brother has in coal mines. Now today, Dec. 22, I received 175l. more for these funds, which I took as a further precious answer to my supplications to God, for help for home and foreign labourers, and for means to procure a fresh stock of tracts.

March 7, 1847. Often of late have I besought the Lord that He would be pleased to give me more means for those objects. For more than nine months we have on the whole abounded more than at any time during the thirteen years since this work first began; but now there was only 15l. left for the support of six day schools, two Sunday schools, an adult school, and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. Often also of late had I entreated the Lord that He would be pleased to condescend to use me still further as a steward, in allowing me to send help to the many dear brethren whom I know labouring at home and abroad without any salary, the need of many of whom I knew. Under these circumstances I received this morning 150l. with the following lines:

"Dear brother,

"I have pleasure in sending you 100l. on account of labourers in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad, and 50l. for other work in your hands.

"Yours very affectionately,

"* *."

Thus my request was in a measure answered with regard to home and foreign labourers, and by taking half of the 50l. for the schools and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, I had also something for these objects. The other 25l. I put to the Orphan Fund.

March 12. The 100l. for home and foreign labourers was soon portioned out. The difficulty was not to spend it, but how to make it do, so that all, who seemed to me to need, might get a little. On this account I prayed still further during the last four days for means for home and foreign labourers, and now this morning, when I arose from my knees, after having again asked the Lord about tills matter, I received a letter in which C. W. sent me 30l. for missionaries.

April 5. I have been praying day by day, ever since I was able during the last month to send about 130l. to home and foreign labourers, that the Lord would be pleased soon again to give me means for them, on account of their great need; indeed, all our means were so exhausted, that I had only just enough, for tomorrow evening, to meet the weekly expenses connected with the six day schools, when this morning I received 125l. for these objects. What a precious help! How is my heart refreshed by this seasonable answer to prayer!—Almost immediately after this donation had been given to me, I received a letter from Demerara about the great need among the brethren who labour there, by which intelligence the seasonable help, just received, has become still more precious to me.

Thirteen other small donations came in between April 5th and May 13th, and on May 13th I received 100l. for missionary purposes.

On June 8th was given 100l. for missionary purposes.

June 30. For the whole period, since the accounts were last closed, more than 13 months since, we have not been so poor with regard to these funds as today. Last evening I paid out the last money to the brethren who labour in the day schools, in giving them their weekly salary. Under these circumstances a brother in the Lord, who resides about 200 miles from this, and who had been staying in my house two days, gave me 30l. to dispose of as I thought best, only that missionary brethren should be remembered. I took therefore 15l. for Missions, and the other 15l. for the SchoolBible and Tract Fund. What a seasonable help!

July 16. Today was given to me, when now again the money received on June 30th for the schools, &c., had been all but entirely expended (as only little had come in since), the sum of 110l. for these objects.

Aug. 25. Great had been my desire to send fresh supplies to the home and foreign labourers. Day by day had I been again praying for means for them since July 16th. Now also I had nothing in hand for the Bible and Tract Fund; and as to the schools, there was not nearly enough to pay the weekly salaries to the teachers next Tuesday evening, when I received this evening 120l. for these objects.

Aug. 26. This morning I received still further from C. W. 20l. for home and foreign labourers.

Sept. 14. Day by day I am bringing before the Lord the necessities of the home and foreign labourers, whom I seek to help, especially as I found in what great need some brethren were, when a short time since they received the help which the Lord allowed me to send them. Now this afternoon 1 received from Norwich 5l. 6s. for missionary purposes, and also 2 rings, a cornelian necklace., an amber necklace, and a pair of amber bracelets.

Oct. 4. I have now been again praying much for many days for means for home and foreign labourers as well as for means for the other objects, having very little in hand, and having reason to believe that several of the brethren whom I seek to help are in great need. This evening I received from a brother, as the first fruits of his salary, a sovereign for home and foreign labourers. I take this as an earnest out of the hands of God that He will soon send me more.—Received also 5s.

Oct. S. This morning I received the following letter, at the very moment while I was on my knees, waiting still further upon the Lord for help for the various objects, and especially also for means for home and foreign labourers.

"* * * *, Oct. 3, 1847.

"Beloved Brother,

"The enclosed sum of 30l. is in my hands, and it does not appear that the Lord has need of it here, either for my own wants, or others under my notice. It seems likely that He may have need of it for the help of missionary labourers, who are depending on Himself. Would you kindly dispense it, as you may see good, to any who are labouring in the Word at home and abroad; or if you see other pressing need for it among the saints or for the Orphans, use it rather for them, &c."

I took the whole of this donation for these objects, as evidently coming in answer to prayer for them.

Oct. 12. The very great need of some of the dear brethren who labour in the Word, and whom I seek to assist, had led me again day by day to bring their cases before God. I also needed help for the School, Bible and Tract Fund. Now this evening the Lord has once more helped me by a donation of 180l., of which I took 40l. for the Orphans, 100l. for home and foreign labourers and 40l. for the School, Bible and Tract Fund. How seasonable and how precious this help! How precious to me as the fruit of many prayers, and how seasonable to many who are in need, and who will be thus assisted! Moreover, I am just now in deep sorrow and great trial, the cause of which I will not mention here; and thus God Himself cheers and refreshes my heart, and tells me by this fresh precious and manifest answer to prayer, that He is mindful of His poor unworthy servant, and of the work in which he is engaged. There came in five small donations besides today.

Dec. 30. When in the greatest need, so that I should not have been able to pay the weekly salaries of the teachers of the day schools next Tuesday, I received today from C. W. 10l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took half of it for the school fund and half for the Orphans.

Dec. 31. The year closes under the smiles of our Heavenly Father upon this work, in giving us another proof that He is indeed mindful of our need and attentive to our supplications. I received today 100l., to be used as most needed. I took of it 50l. for these objects and 50l. for the Orphans. I scarcely ever received a donation more seasonably; for there are only means enough for next week for the teachers, Bibles and tracts are needed, and I have been long waiting upon God for means for home and foreign labourers. But this donation only furnishes me with means for present necessities for the schools, and to order some tracts. As to ordering Bibles and sending help to foreign and home labourers, I must still further wait upon God.

Jan. 1, 1848. Today I received still further, for the benefit of the day schools, the sum of 10l.

Jan. 6. Only 1l. 5s. has come in since the first. This evening 120l. was given to me, of which the donor intends 20l. for home and foreign labourers. The other 100l. was left at my disposal. I took therefore of it 70l. for the Orphans, 10l. for the various schools, 10l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 10l. for the circulation of tracts.

Feb. 10. There came in about 65l. more for missionary purposes during the month, of January, and today was given to me a donation of 100l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took half of it for these objects, and half for the Orphans, and thus I am able, after much waiting upon God for it, to send a little more help to brethren who labour in the Word.

April 13. This is only the second time, since May 26, 1846, that the means for these objects have been completely exhausted, though we have been two or three times besides brought very low in funds. The last money there was in hand was spent in paying the weekly salaries of the teachers the day before yesterday. There was therefore nothing for this purpose for next week, nor were there any means for the circulation of Bibles and tracts, and for aiding missionary efforts. Under these circumstances prayer and faith were again resorted to. For my universal remedy in need of any kind is, to make known my requests unto God, and then I seek to believe that God has heard me for His dear Son's sake, and I look out for answers to my petitions, and fully expect them. I had also particularly requested four brethren, masters of the boys' day schools, to help me with their prayers, as I should not be able to pay them their weekly salary, next week, except the Lord were pleased to send in means.—Thus situated, I received this morning, as the fruit of many supplications, the sum of 90l., which was a great refreshment to my spirit. It being left to me to use this money as needed, I put 50l. of it to the funds for these objects, and 40l. to the Orphan-Fund. Thus we are once more helped, and my heart is encouraged more and more to trust in God.

April 29. One of the labourers gave 10l. for missionary purposes, whereby at least one of the most needy among the brethren who labour in the Word could be helped.—It has pleased God not to allow me, during the last five months, to have the honour of helping the dear brethren, who labour in the Word, to the same extent as the eighteen months before. I confess that I am not worthy to be used any longer by the Lord as a steward, to assist these His servants; still my heart craves after it, and still prays that God would count me worthy for His dear Son's sake to supply me with means for them, as I know they are in great need, and many of them, through particular circumstances, in far greater need than ever.