George Müller · 90 of 97

Fourth Part · Part 25

I would repeat that I consider it a great privilege to be permitted to defray in part or altogether, from time funds of this Institution, the expenses connected with the voyage and outfit of brethren who desire to go out as Missionaries, or to help them after their arrival in their field of labour; but I do not bind myself to support them habitually, seeing that thus they would be out of the position of simple dependence upon God for their temporal supplies.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853, the sum of 555l. 16s. 7 ½ d.; and there were circulated within this year 733,674 Tracts.

The total number of Tracts circulated up to May 26, 1853, was One Million Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand and Forty.

The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more and more, as will be seen by a comparison of the years in which this part of the Institution has been in operation. From Nov. 19, 1840, to May 10, 1842, the first period that the circulation of Tracts was in operation in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, there were circulated 19,609 from May 10, 1842, to July 14, 1844, 39,473; from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, 40,565; from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, 64,021; from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, 130,464; from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851, 303,098; from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, 489,136; and during this period 733,674.

In these increased opportunities to spread the truth, we rejoice. Moreover, we would, by the help of God, seek to labour still far more abundantly in this particular also, and would seek to press into every open door, which the Lord may set before us. Yea, we would labour, as has been stated before, as if everything depended upon our diligence and carefulness in the use of the means; whilst, in reality, we would not depend upon them in the least degree, but only upon God for His blessing. This blessing of God we have been enabled to seek upon the labours of missionary brethren, the circulation of time Holy Scriptures, and upon the distribution of Tracts. As the days come, so our heart is drawn out in prayer for blessing upon these objects, in connexion with the various Schools and the Orphan Work. How, then, could it be otherwise, but that sooner or later there should come showers of blessing? Thus it was during this year. This year stands alone, in that more money came in, than during any year previously. It stands alone, in that the operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution were extended beyond whatever they mad been before. But it stands alone, also, in the abundant blessing, which God granted to our efforts, and which was greater than during any previous period. And, as in other respects, so in particular likewise, the gratuitous distribution of Tracts was abundantly owned of God. Instance upon instance, not 2, nor 5, nor 10, but many, in the way of conversion, and also of blessing to believers, was I informed of by those Godly brethren, who in various parts of the world, aid me in this service. How can I sufficiently magnify the Lord for this! By His grace I would desire to labour on, though I were not to see one single instance of blessing, being assured that "in due season we shall reap," and that our "labour is not in vain in the Lord;" yet how kind of the Lord, to grant such abundant blessing to rest upon our labours!

Often, I fear, Tract distributors have expected little result from their labour; and therefore they have seen little fruit. According to their expectation, they have received. Often, also, I fear, the mere distribution of Tracts has been rested in, and the work done has been estimated by the number of Tracts which were circulated, without earnestly preceding their circulation with prayer, and without earnestly following them with prayer, may I, therefore, be allowed to caution my fellow-believers on these two points? Look out for blessing, but seek also the blessing earnestly in prayer; and you will not fail to receive abundantly.

Should any believer be discouraged, because he has not had much fruit resulting from the circulation of Tracts, let such a one, with renewed earnestness and prayerfulness, go on in his work; let him also expect fruit, and he will surely reap abundantly; if not now, at least in the day of Christ's appearing.

5. At the beginning of this period, there were Three Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol. During the year there were admitted into it 13 Orphans, making 313 in all. Of these 313, (we own it with thankfulness to God,) not one died during the year; for not a single death occurred for about 15 months. One of the Orphans, who had been received after he had long had his own way, and who having long been borne with, and repeatedly been received back again on a confession of sorrow, at last ran away again, and had then to be placed by his relatives in the Union. One Orphan was sent to relatives, who were by that time able to care for her. Five girls were, at the expense of the Establishment, fitted out for service or learning a business, and were sent out;—also six boys were, at the expense of the Establishment, fitted out and apprenticed. Thus makes the number removed as great as the number received, so that there were still 300 Orphans in tire New Orphan-House on May 26, 1853. The total number of Orphans, who were under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1853, was Five Hundred and Twenty-eight.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the Orphan Work.

a. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of 55,408l. 17s. 5 ¾ d. was given to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to God, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1853.—It may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the total amount given for the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1853, amounted to 19,163l. 14s. 1 ½ d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the Day Schools, amounted to 3,490l. 7s. 1 ¾ d.— Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the Orphans.

b. Our labours continued to be blessed among the Orphans.

c. The expenses in connexion with the support of the 300 Orphans and the apprentices during this year, were 3,453l. 15s. 1 ½ d.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853.

Dec. 31, 1852. During this year 35 believers have been received into fellowship. When Brother Craik and I began to labour in the Word in Bristol, we found 68 in fellowship. Since then there have been received into communion altogether 1,403, so that the total number would be 1,471, had there been no changes. But 64 are under church discipline, and separated, for the present, from fellowship; 154 have left us (some of them, however, in love, and merely through circumstances); 421 have left Bristol to reside elsewhere; and 197 have fallen asleep. So that there are at present only 635 actually remaining in communion.

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

1. Through believers in and out of Bristol, in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least . . . . . 9 0 0

2. Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper and directed to me, and put into the boxes for the poor saints or the rent, at the chapels . 157 11 4 ½

——

Carried forward £166 11 4 ½

Brought forward £166 11 4 ½

3. Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . . . 121 5 2

4. Through presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . . 157 12 2

——

£445 8 8 ½

My brother-in-law, Mr. A. N. Groves, of whom mention has been made in the first part of this Narrative, as having been helpful to me by his example when I began my labours in England in 1829, in that he, without any visible support, and without being connected with any missionary society, went with his wife and children to Bagdad, as a missionary, after having given up a lucrative practice of about 1500l. per year, returned in Autumn 1852, from the East Indies, a third time, being exceedingly ill. He lived, however, till May 20th, 1853, when, after a most blessed testimony for the Lord, he fell asleep in Jesus in my house. I should more fully dwell on this to myself amid my family's deeply important event, had not a very full biography been published by the widow of my dear brother-in-law, in which also full particulars are given of the last days of this servant of Christ. I therefore refer the reader to the deeply interesting memoir, which has been published at Nisbet's, London, and may be had at the Bible and Tract Warehouse of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, 84, Park Street, Bristol, and through all booksellers, under the title: Memoir of the late Anthony Norris Groves, second edition, with a portrait, cloth, 4s. 6d.; fine paper, cloth, 6s. 6d.

Further account respecting the intended Orphan-House for Seven Hundred Children, bereaved of both parents by death, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

In the last chapter on this subject I stated, that, on May 26, 1853, I had actually in hand, towards the accomplishment of my object, the sum of 12,531l. 12s. 0 ¼ d. I will now give some further particulars as to the manner in which it pleased the Lord to supply me with means, but must confine myself to those donations which more specially may call for notice.

June 28, 1853. From Wakefield 40l., with 5l. for Mr. Craik, and 5l. for my own personal expenses.—Also 220l. from the West of England, of which the donor kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my own private expenses, and to use the 200l. as might be most needed. I have taken, therefore, 100l. for the Building Fund; 60l. for missionary operations, the circulation of Bibles and Tracts; and 40l. for the Orphans.

July 14. Received 541l. 10s., which being left to me as most needed, I took 100l. for the current expenses for the Orphans, 100l. for the other objects, and 341l. 10s. for the Building Fund. Being just now in great family affliction, this kindness of the Lord has been a great refreshment to my spirit.

July 15. From Clifton 1s.—Received also 110l. from one who counts it an honour to have this sum to lay down at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I took of this amount 60l. for the Building Fund, and 50l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary objects.

I cannot help remarking here, that the Lord has used some of the most unlikely persons during the past twenty-two years, in providing me with means for His service. So it was particularly in the case of this brother in the Lord, from whom I received the last-mentioned donation of 110l. I had not the least natural expectation of receiving this sum, when this brother, sitting before me at the New Orphan-House, took out of his pocket a packet of Bank Notes, and gave to me this amount, reserving to himself, as his whole property in this world, a smaller sum than he gave to me, because of his joy in the Lord, and because of his being able to enter into the reality of his possessions in the world to come. I delight in dwelling upon such an instance, because 1, it shows that there is grace, much grace, to be found among the saints even now; 2, it shows the variety of instrumentality which the Lord is pleased to employ, in supplying me with means for His service; and 3, because it so manifestly proves that we do not wait upon Him in vain, when we make known our requests to Him for means.

July 20. From Philadelphia, in the United States, 5l.

Aug. 20. From the neighbourhood of Mallow in Ireland 17s. 6d, and 2s. 6d.—Anonymously from a "Brother Christian and Well-wisher," through his bankers in London, 100l.

Aug. 27. From Caistor 5s.—From Gumeracka, near Adelaide, Australia, 2l. 10s. From the same place 10s.—From Cheltenham 2s. 6d.—From Frampton-on-Severn seven silver coins.

You see, esteemed reader, how much variety there is in the kind of donations as well as in the amount, the places whence they are sent, and the friends who send them. But all these donations come from the living God. All come to us in answer to prayer, and are received by us as answers to prayer; and with every donation, however small, we receive thins a fresh encouragement, to continue in prayer, and have, as it were, another earnest from our Heavenly Father, that at last He not only will give larger sums, but the whole amount which is needed for the Building Fund. Every one of these donations comes unsolicited. Ever since the Orphan Work has been in operation, we have never asked any one for anything. Be therefore, dear reader, encouraged by this, to make trial for yourself, to prove the power of prayer, if you have never done so before.

Dec. 31. This is the last day of another year. Two years and a half I have new been day by day seeking the Lord's help in player for this object. He has also been pleased to give us many proofs, that He is remembering our requests, still as yet I have only 13,670l. 11s. 7 ¾ d. in hand. Considerably more than double this sum will be needed. But, by the grace of God, I am not discouraged. The Lord is able and willing to help us. This is my comfort. In His own time the Almighty God will manifest His power. In the meantime I desire to continue to wait upon Him, and to receive every fresh donation, however small, as an earnest, that in His own time He not only will give larger sums, but the whole amount needed for this object.

Jan. 17, 1854. This day I received the promise, that there should be paid to me, for the work of the Lord in my hands, 5,207l., to be disposed of as I might consider best.

This large donation was shortly after paid to me, and was portioned out thus: For the Building Fund 3000l.; for the support of the 300 Orphans 707l.; for foreign missions 500l.; for labourers in the Word in England, Ireland and Scotland 500l.; for the gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures among the poor 200l.; for the gratuitous circulation of Gospel Tracts 200l.; and for the various schools, supported or assisted by the Funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, 100l.

Behold, esteemed reader, the goodness of God! Behold also the recompense, which sooner or hater, the Lord gives to His children, who wait upon Him and trust in Him Often it may appear that we wait upon the Lord in vain; but, in His own time God will abundantly prove, that it was not in vain. Go on therefore, Christian reader, to wait upon the Lord. Continue to make known your requests to Him; but do also expect help from Him. You honour God, by believing that He does hear your prayers, and that He will answer them.

The joy which such answers to prayer give, cannot be described; and the impetus which they thus afford to the spiritual life is exceedingly great. The experience of this happiness I desire for all my Christian readers. Nor is there anything to hinder any believer from having these joys. If you believe indeed in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your soul, if you walk uprightly and do not regard iniquity in your heart, if you continue to wait patiently, and believingly upon God; then answers will surely be given to your prayers. You may not be called upon to serve the Lord in the way the writer does, and therefore may never have answers to prayer respecting such things as are recorded here; but in your various circumstances, as to your family, your business, your profession, your church position, your labour for the Lord inn army way, you may have answers as distinct as any here recorded.

Should this, however, be read by any who are not believers in the Lord Jesus, but any who are going on in the carelessness or self-righteousness of their unrenewed hearts, then I would affectionately and solemnly beseech such, first of all to be reconciled to God by faith in the Lord Jesus. You are sinners. You deserve punishment. If you do not see this, ask God to show it unto you. Let this now be your first and especial prayer. Ask Him also to enlighten you not merely concerning your state by nature, but especially to reveal the Lord Jesus to your hearts. God sent Him, that He might bear the punishment, due to us guilty sinners. God accepts the obedience and sufferings of the Lord Jesus, in the room of those who depend upon Him for the salvation of their souls; and the moment a sinner believes in the Lord Jesus, he obtains the forgiveness of all his sins. When thus he is reconciled to God, by faith in the Lord Jesus, and has obtained the forgiveness of his sins, he has boldness to enter into the presence of God, to make known his requests unto God; and the more he is enabled to realize, that his sins are forgiven, and that God, for Christ's sake, is well pleased with those who believe on Him, the more ready he will be to come with all his wants, both temporal and spiritual, to his Heavenly Father, that He may supply them. But as long as the consciousness of unpardoned guilt remains, so long shall we be kept at a distance from God, and especially also as it regards prayer. Therefore, dear reader, if you are an unforgiven sinner, let your first and especial subject of your prayer be, that God would be pleased to reveal to your heart the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son.

March 5. To day it is twenty years since the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad made its beginning. When I look back upon that day, with reference to this work, I desire with gratitude to exclaim, What has God wrought! His name be magnified for it! I desire to take courage from all His former goodness, and to go on in His service.

March 6. Received 131l. 1s. 3d., which being left at my disposal, I took 31l. 1s. 3d. for the Building Fund, and 100l. for the support of the Orphans.—Through Bethesda boxes, as a thank-offering for the mercies of the past month, 2s. 6d.

April 22. From London, six knives, nine silver forks, three silver table spoons, three silver dessert spoons, three silver tea spoons, one silver salt spoon, a silver pencil case, three penholders, one mounted in silver and two in gold, and a penknife.

May. 3. Anonymously, through banker's in London, 100l.—May 8. Through Bethesda homes, 2s. 6d., as "A thank-offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past month."

Month after month, for some time past, 2s. 6d. has been given as "A thank-offering for the mercies of the past month," I am delighted with this. Not yearly only may the saints bring their offerings to the Lord, as He may have prospered them, but monthly. Yea the Holy Ghost, by the Apostle Paul, gives this exhortation to the believers of the Church at Corinth, concerning offerings for the poor saints; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." I Cor. xvi. 2. As the Lord had prospered them, so were they not merely yearly, or monthly, but even weekly to contribute to the support of the poor. We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. The time of our pilgrimage here is very uncertain. The opportunities which the Lord gives us for His service are therefore readily to be embraced. All here below is most uncertain. How long we may have the opportunity to work for the Lord, who can tell? Therefore the present hour is to be used with all our might. As an encouragement for all this, we have to look to the return of our Lord Jesus.

May 26. 82l. 18s. 4d., being the proceeds arising from the sale of a work published in English, and 14s. 3d., from the sale of a work published in French, were given for the Building Fund.

Thus closes the period from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854. The whole income for this object during the year was 5,285l. 7s. 5d., which, together with the 12,531l. 12s. 0 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1853, made the total of 17,816l. 12s. 5 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1854.

I add the following remarks, with reference to the intended Orphan House for 700 Orphans, which appeared in the Report for 1854, and which are here reprinted.

A. During this year the current expenses, for the various Objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, amounted to 7,507l. 0s. 11 ½ d., being 471l. 8s, 11d. more than during any previous year; yet the Lord not only enabled me to meet them all, but to add the sum of 5,285l. 7s, 5d. to the Building Fund.

B. There is yet a large sum required, before I shall be enabled to build another house for 700 Orphans; nor have I now, any more than at the first, any natural prospect of obtaining what is yet needed; but my hope is in the living God. When I came to the conclusion that it was the will of God I should build another Orphan House, I had not only no natural prospect of obtaining the 35,000l. which would be needed for thus object, but also no natural prospect of being able to provide for the necessities of the 300 Orphans already under my care. Three years have elapsed since then, and I have had all I needed for them, amounting to about 10,500l., and 17,816l. 19s. 5 ¼ d. I have received for the Building Fund. May I not well trust in the Lord, for what is yet needed for the Building Fund? By His grace I will do so, and delight in doing so; for I know that at last all my prayers will be turned into praises concerning this part of the service.

C. There is one point which is particularly an encouragement to me, to go on waiting upon the Lord for the remainder of the means, which are required, viz.: applications for the admission of Orphans continue to be made. On May 26, 1858, there were 480 Orphans waiting for admission. Since then 181 more have been applied for, making in all 661. Of these, however, thirty have been admitted during the past year into the New Orphan-House, and twenty-nine have been otherwise provided for, so that there are actually 602 waiting for admission. These children are from three months old and upwards, and all bereaved of both parents by death.

Supplies for the School , Bible, Missionary and Tract fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854.

On May 26, 1853, there was left in hand for these objects a balance of 67l. 17s. 7 ¾ d.

June 13. When I had very little in hand, comparatively, there being about 30l. left, as little only had come in since May 26th, I received a donation of 301l., of which I took 201l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for these objects. How much is there needed, to go on with all these various objects, and to press into every open door, which the Lord may set before me! How kind, therefore, of Him, to have sent me this sum!

July 14. Only about 150l. had come in for these objects since June 18. But though I had not much in hand, I sent out 65l. on the 11th, three days since, for missionary objects, being assured that the sowing would bring the reaping. On the very next day, July 12th, I received from Chelsea 5l. and also 10s. From the north of Devon 10l. Anonymously 5l. From Norwich, for foreign missions, 5l. The day after that, July 13th, I received from the neighbourhood of Leeds 10l., and from Oakhill 1s. Now today I received the 541l. 10s., spoken of under the Building Fund, of which I took for these objects 100l.

July 15. Today the Lord has been pleased to give still more. I have received 20l. for the Schools and 50l. for these various objects.

Sept. 15. During the last two days I sent out 85l. to brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad; and during the first half of this month have already sent to them 174l. During the last two days, whilst sending out almost the last pound in hand for missionary objects, I felt quite comfortable in doing so, and said to myself: "The Lord can give mc more." So it has been. This morning I have received from Weston Super Mare, in a registered letter, 100l. with these words: "The enclosed 100l. for missionaries to the heathen, from H. E. H., Western Super Mare, Sept, 14th." This is particularly refreshing to me, as I desired still to send out during this month about 200l. to other brethren.

Oct. 15. During the last six weeks little only, comparatively, has been received for these objects; but I have sent out much for missionary objects, and for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts. Thus the funds for these various objects were this morning reduced to 29l. 15s. 6 ¼ d. Yet my heart desired to send out, before the close of this month, a considerable amount to preachers of the Gospel, and to spend further sums on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. This my desire has been in a measure already granted, for I received this morning 192l. 1s. Of this sum I took 100l. for these objects, and the remainder for the current expenses for the Orphans. The Lord be magnified for this kindness! There was also much need for fresh supplies for the Orphans, when this donation was received. With more than usual exercise of faith and patience have I had to wait upon God for the last four weeks, during which time the income has been very little and the outgoing very great.

Dec. 8. Today I received three autographs of King William IV., one of Sir Robert Peel, and two of Lord Melbourne (with six postage stamps), to be sold for the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.—See what a variety of donations the Lord sends us for the support of the work!

Dec. 11. For several years I have not been so poor for these objects, as during the last six weeks. Day by day have I besought the Lord for more means, and almost daily has He also sent in something; yet the income has not been adequate to help the 56 brethren, whom I seek to assist as preachers of the Word at home and abroad, in the measure I have desired. I had reason to believe, that several were in need, but I had nothing to send to them, and could only labour on in prayer, finding relief in the knowledge that God could help them irrespective of my instrumentality, and make this their trial of faith and patience a blessing to their souls, even as I have found this season profitable to myself. But now at the last the Lord has refreshed my spirit exceedingly, by a donation of 300l., left at my disposal; of which I have taken 150l. for these objects, and 150l. for the Orphans, for whom also fresh supplies were greatly needed, so much so, that we had not once been so poor since the New Orphan-House was first opened.

Jan. 17, 1854. Received from an anonymous donor, through London bankers, a Bank Post Bill for 50l. "for general purposes." I took of this amount one half for these various objects, and the other half for the benefit of the Orphans. This donation came at a time of great need.

But the Lord helped me still mere bountifully; for I received also, on that day, the promise of the donation of 5,207l., spoken of already under the Building Fund, and of which donation I took for these objects altogether 1,500l. whereby I was so abundantly helped, that, with what the Lord was pleased to send in besides for these objects, up to May 26, 1854, I was enabled to meet all their many and heavy expenses.

The following circumstance is so remarkable, that I give it at full length as an illustration of the various ways, and the remarkable manner, in which the Lord is pleased, in answer to prayer, to supply me with means.