Ten Years After: A Sequel to the Autobiography of George Müller

Preface & Introduction

Ten Years After: A Sequel To The Autobiography Of George Müller Being An Account Of The Work At The Ashley Down Orphanage, Bristol, For The Ten Years Following The Death Of Mr. Müller Compiled By G. Fred. Bergin J. Nisbet & Co., Ltd.

London

Preface

“He counteth the number of the stars.”—Psalm 147: 4.

“The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”—Matt. 10:30.

My dear Almighty Lord,

My Conqueror and my King

Thy sceptre and Thy sword,

Thy reigning grace I sing;

Thine is the power;

Behold I sit

In willing bonds

Beneath Thy feet.

—Watts

In the early thirties of last century the Lord implanted a strong desire in the heart of His servant George Müller, who was then under thirty years of age, to present to the Church and the world a visible, tangible proof that He delights to hear and answer the prayers put up to Him in the worthy name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The lack of faith which Mr. Müller saw around in the children of God, and the growing materialism in the world, moved him in the year 1836 to begin this testimony.

The Lord granted such a measure of success to this effort, that far beyond anything Mr. Müller ever conceived, he was allowed, all through the remaining years of the century, up to his death in 1898, to bear a clear, full, unmistakable testimony to the fact that God is, that He is the living God, and “that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him.”

In His infinite grace, the Lord called me very shortly after Mr. Müller’s death, to this work; and after six years and nine months of most blessed association with beloved Mr. Wright, He took him unto Himself. Thus upon me devolved since then the holy and blessed work of seeking to maintain, in this twentieth century—which needs it even more than the nineteenth did—this unique testimony for God. Verily has the Lord fulfilled to me the words of the Psalmist, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth” (Psalm 60:4), and my heart’s desire is, by His enabling, to display this banner with unwavering hand.

After experiencing during these ten years, partly with Mr. Wright and partly without him, the responsibility of this work, I do most gladly say, what Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright often said, I am not tired of this way of carrying on the work of God. Yea, I bear my feeble testimony that it is the best way, the happiest way, the way most conducive to the spiritual profit of the workers, and the way that brings most glory to our God and Father.

The marvellous blessing which the Lord has been pleased to grant to readers of Mr. Müller’s own Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller, and Dr. Pierson’s George Müller of Bristol, besides smaller works, and finally to the readers of the Centenary Memorial volume, The Autobiography of George Müller, published Sept. 27th, 1905, has wrought in me the conviction that it is desirable, now that ten years have elapsed since Mr. Müller was taken home, to compile, from the yearly Reports of the work done at Ashley Down during this period, such records of facts as would be of permanent interest, and thus perpetuate the testimony so long borne to the faithfulness of God.

The increasing materialism of our times, when an awful fulfillment is going on before our eyes of the solemn words of our God, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in later times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,’” constrained me to reproduce in book form some of the remarkable answers to prayer found therein. I have added little besides.

Three purposes are before me in so doing: (1) That God may be glorified in the setting forth plainly that this work is His, and that He can carry it on by whatever instruments He chooses. (2) That His own loved children may be blessed, and their faith in Him strengthened, by making manifest that He delights to care for all their needs, and to hear and answer their prayers. (3) That those who know not the joy of having God as their Father, may hereby be convinced that He is the living God, and be thus led to trust in our Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

Will the reader kindly help by prayer, asking the Lord to graciously use this feeble effort, so that the triple object may be fulfilled.

This book is a sequel to the Autobiography of George Müller, published in 1905, which contains a record of the work from its commencement in 1834 up to 1898. As in a chain, where each link is complete in itself, yet of necessity each link overlaps the other, so this sequel will be found to overlap its predecessor, consequently there are some few instances of repetition of facts already recorded.

Those who have read Mr. Müller’s life, and now read this book, will see that the work is now conducted on exactly the same lines of faith in God only that have characterized it from the beginning.

In the compilation of this book I have had valuable assistance from my son, Dr. George F. Bergin, and in this I see another instance of our Heavenly Father’s loving-kindness in making a gracious provision for my help, by granting to him such a measure of restored health. Just ten years ago he returned from China, so ill that he fully expected “ to depart and be with Christ” but now for the past two years and ten months he has been daily at my side, rendering me, in all parts of this work, most efficient help. Many who see him now will remember how Mr. Wright laid hold on God for his restoration, and will observe in this an answer to his prayers.

The illustrations are reproduced by permission of Mr. J. W. Garratt, Ashley Down, and Mr. F. Holmes, Clifton.

Ashley Down Orphanage, Bristol

March 4th, 1909

Introduction

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past tracing out!”—Rom. 11:33 Almighty God, to Thee Be endless honors done, The undivided Three, And the mysterious One!

Where reason fails with all her powers,

There faith prevails, and love adores.

Dr. Watts, 1709

Of all the dealings of the Lord with Mr. Müller, perhaps none are more remarkable than the trials He caused him to pass through in his advanced years, even to old age.

The following words, taken from his latest writings, will bear out fully this statement, and will form a background on which to portray this record of the Lord’s dealings with those who succeeded him during the ten years following his home-call.

Mr. Müller’s Words About The Trials In The Work

Concerning the year ending 26th May, 1892, Mr. Müller wrote: “The Lord’s dealings with us during the last year indicate that it is His will we should contract our operations, and we are waiting on Him for directions as to how, and to what extent this should be done; for we have but one single object in connection with this Institution, viz., the glory of God.

“When I founded it, one of the principles stated was, ‘That there would be no enlargement of it by going into debt’: and in like manner we cannot go on with that which already exists, if we have not sufficient means to meet the current expenses. I have further to state that, by the grace of God, our trust in Him is unshaken, and we doubt not in the least, either His power, or His willingness to help us in His own time; and we believe also that only for blessing has He been pleased thus greatly to try our faith and patience, and not that He has in the way of chastisement forsaken us.”

The guidance thus sought was obtained, and later Mr. Müller wrote:

“We had no alternative but, on Oct. 31st, 1891, to close all the Foreign Schools, and the Home Schools, in all 33 schools, excepting those at Purton (Glos.), which we desire to carry on, if we can do so without going into debt, as the premises belong to the Institution.”

To the praise of God’s grace, I here tell that the Schools in Spain were not closed, the Lord enabled other servants of His to carry them on, and they still exist.

Regarding these deep waters of trial, he further writes: “Reference has been repeatedly made to the want of funds for the support of the Orphans. I have now to state that £1,951 7s. 1¼d. more was expended for them than had been received: and there were due to the helpers in the work, salaries for the last three-quarters of a year, amounting to £1,712. This is, within the past fifty-eight years, the second time only that the income was not equal to the expenses. In the year 1881-2, the expenses for the Orphans exceeded the income by £488 6s. 9½d., which amount was carried to the next year’s account; but at that time, in less than a month after the commencement of the new financial year of the Institution, by the payment of legacies received, we had about six times as much as the deficiency; and all this took place before an account was published in the Report, that the expenses had been greater than the income. We had drawn on the bank then, in consequence of many legacies, which had long been left, and of which some large ones were overdue, but had not been paid; and in like manner, on the 26th of May, 1892, sixteen legacies which had been left were due, and might any day be paid to us, amounting to £3,435 altogether. There have been besides also forty-five other legacies left to the Institution, amounting altogether to £25,983, which legacies however depend, as to payment, on the death of relatives of the testators, and in most instances on the decease of widows. I simply refer to this to show that we did not draw on the bank at the end of this last financial year of the Institution whilst we had no prospect of being able to meet the account. Besides this, there are the five large Orphan Houses, erected and furnished at a cost of £115,000; and these Houses are entirely unencumbered. Further, we have about nineteen acres of Building Land, which might be sold for many thousands of pounds.”

These trials of faith continued during the next year.

On Feb. 17th, 1893, he wrote: “The first two deliveries of letters brought only £4. There is, therefore, again special exercise of faith, but, by the grace of God, we look with unshaken confidence to Him for help.”

On March 1st: “The income during the week ending today, was £92 8s. 3¾d. for the Orphans, and £9 11s. 2d. for the other objects, being about the sixth part of our weekly expenses; but now the great trial of our faith was nearly brought to a close, as will presently be seen.”

Sale Of Land

On March 4th, he writes: “This very day God begins to answer our prayers, as we have received a very good offer for the land we have to sell. The beginning of the day was darker, as to outward appearances, than ever: but we trusted in God for help. The first three deliveries of letters brought us only £4. But God has now helped us. We have been able this evening to sell ten acres and two-fifths of an acre of land at £1,000 per acre. The contract was signed at 8 o’clock this evening.”

He again wrote: “There was paid on March 28th £5,811 on account of the land which was sold. Now the Lord has helped to the full for the present, as He did assist me in former days, when many times I received £5,000 at once, also £8,100 at one time, £9,000 at once, and even £11,100 at one time. Thus after much trial of faith and patience, the answer has come at last, and by the grace of God our faith and patience were sustained without wavering to the end.”

Mr. Müller here records the facts that occurred at that date (1893), when he had been engaged for fifty-seven years in the Orphan work. He does not, however, tell us the pangs of sorrow it must have cost him to sell that land which he had bought in 1864. If the reader will turn to the “Autobiography,” and trace on pages 289 to 300 the deep exercises of soul through which he passed, the three years of unceasing daily prayer, the faith in God as to exceedingly great difficulties in the way of obtaining this land, and the joy at seeing these difficulties removed, he may be able to enter into my thought as to what it must have cost him, in the way of anguish of heart, to decide to sell the fair fields, which lay in front of No. 4 and No. 5 Orphan Houses.

Yet once he became assured it was the will of his Lord that he should sell it, he calmly narrates, “God has now helped us: we have been able this evening to sell ten acres and two-fifths of land.” Thus the beloved servant of God, who in 1870, when his devoted wife Mary was taken from him, tells us, “My inmost soul bowed under the trial, and I was not merely perfectly satisfied with this trying dispensation, but habitually kissed the hand of my loving Heavenly Father, who had given the stroke”; now in holy calmness simply records the fact he has been led to see was the will of God for him.

Renewed Trials Of Faith During Mr. Müller’s Last Two Years

Concerning the year ending May 26th, 1896, he writes: “Our faith has been tried exceedingly during the whole year in regard to pecuniary supplies, yet we have been continually sustained, so that, without the least wavering, we have been carried through the year.”

Supplies Do Not Come Through Reports Being Sent Out

He writes on July 30th: “The income by the first two deliveries was £1 10s. Many copies of the new Report have recently been sent out to donors, and people say that the Reports bring the money. See what would become of us if we trusted in the Reports! We are just now in great need of means, having before us very heavy expenses, and thus our faith is tried, but with unshaken confidence we look to the Lord, who has never failed us, and not in the least degree to the Reports.”

Also on September 30th: “Our need has been great, very, very, great, almost during the whole of the past year. We do nothing under these circumstances, but give ourselves to prayer, and to pray more frequently for help, and God speaks to His stewards for us.”

Nothing In Hand

Again, on October 27th he writes: “When the monthly balance was taken this morning, it was found that all the money for the Orphans was expended. We have 45 sacks of flour, 20 bags of rice, about 100 sacks of potatoes, and a large quantity of oatmeal in stock, but no money. In the course of the day came in £15. Thus the reader can see our position, and the exercise of our faith.”

The Number Of Prayer Meetings Increased

The continuance of the trial was so great that he writes on Feb. 12th, 1897: “The first two deliveries did not bring one single penny in all the many letters I had. During this week we have to expend more than £1,000, and our income is exceedingly small, and has been so for some time. I do not remember one single day, for more than forty years, when the first two deliveries brought nothing at all. We have now arranged to have, from this day, six united prayer meetings for the helpers, instead of three a week, as for years past; for we expect that more united prayer, more exercise of faith, and more patience, will bring more help. There have been many legacies left, and some are long overdue, but they remain unpaid.”

He writes on March 6th: “Today we have begun the 64th year of the Institution, and our trial of faith is as great or greater, than it was during the eleven years from 1838 to 1849. Five deliveries of letters have brought us today £9, viz., just the tenth part of the daily average expenses, which are £90. We continue, with unshaken confidence, to look to the Lord. His time to help us more abundantly is not yet come, but it will come. With every delivery of letters I look for an answer to prayer.”

Again, he writes on March 10th: “The income for this week is £211 6s. 4¾d., one-third of the average expenses. We meet six times a week for prayer. This evening 53 helpers were present, the others were engaged, and at work. The trial of faith becomes greater and greater, with every day.”

He writes on May 8th: “The trial of our faith continues, and becomes greater and greater. This morning the first two deliveries brought many letters, requesting grants of tracts, applications for servants or apprentices, requests from poor persons for help, receipts, bills, etc. but not one penny in the way of donations for the Institution.”1 Yet again, he writes on the 27th: “For two years now uninterruptedly, day by day, faith, prayer and patience have been called for. We have been however sustained, the Institution goes on, and is still used by the Lord.”

The trial continues, and he writes on Nov. 3rd: “In our deep poverty we received today altogether £103 17s. 1¾d. We also, today, received five more Orphans.”

Yet again he writes, on February 26th, 1898: “The income today, by the first two deliveries, was £7 15s. 11d. Day by day our great trial of faith and patience continues; yet, by Thy grace, we are sustained.”

Deliverance Comes Nine Days Before Mr. Müller’s Death

Still further, after over two years of trial, he writes, on March 1st: “With scarcely the least intermission the trial of our faith and patience has continued. Now, today, the Lord has refreshed our hearts. This afternoon came in £1,427 is. 7d. as part payment of a legacy of the late Mrs. E. C. S. For 3 years and 10 months this money has been in the Irish Chancery Court. Hundreds of petitions have been brought before the Lord regarding it, and now, at last, this portion of the legacy has been received.”

How gracious it was of the Lord to order that these “hundreds of petitions” should be answered nine days before his home-call.

Through the great financial strain of which Mr. Müller wrote frequently, the Lord fulfilled, in one respect, the oft-repeated prayer of His beloved servant: “Lord, make my last days to be my best days;” for by the grace of God abounding to him through all that long period of trial, “he endured as seeing Him who is invisible,” and departed to “receive the crown of life,” according to the Holy Spirit’s utterance through James, “Blessed is the man that endureth trial; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love Him.”

Mr. Müller’s Reasons For Beginning This Work

The following words of Mr. Müller set forth the motives that impelled him to commence this work, and as they express the aim which I desire by the grace of God to keep ever before me, I give them here in extenso:

“It is quite true that my heart was affected by the deplorable physical condition in which I saw destitute Orphans before I began to care for them; but a higher motive by far actuated me than merely seeking to benefit their health. For more than sixty years [now seventy-two] we have constantly sought the physical well-being of the Orphans, and thousands of them have been benefited, even as regards their health. The lives of many hundreds have been saved, humanly speaking, through their having been received under our care; and their health has been established, by the blessing of God, through wholesome food, proper clothing, thorough cleanliness, regular habits, and a healthy dwelling-place. The low death-rate at the Orphan Houses, year after year, is in itself a proof how the children are cared for physically.

“It is further true, that I had a desire to benefit the Orphans by seeking to educate them; but I aimed at far more than this. For sixty-one years [now seventy-two] we have sought to develop, and to cultivate their mental powers, and to what extent we have succeeded will be seen by this, that, though the girls are more especially trained for domestic service, and the boys for trades, very many of the girls, by reason of their good education, have become housekeepers and book-keepers in establishments, and very many are filling places of great responsibility; many also are now teachers. As regards the boys, many of them have now a business of their own, or are managers of businesses; some are partners in large houses of business, others are clerks in offices, a considerable number have become teachers, and very many are engaged in preaching the gospel in this country, or are Missionaries, or labor otherwise in the Church of God, by seeking to spread the truth.

“Further, when I began the Orphan Work, I aimed at the salvation of the children. To make them see their lost and ruined condition by nature through instructing them in the Word of God, and to lead them to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, was my aim; and God has given us the joy of seeing thousands of them brought to believe in Him, so that few Institutions, perhaps, have been more abundantly blessed in this respect than the Orphan Houses on Ashley Down have been.

“Yet even this was not the primary object I had in view; but in carrying on this work, simply through the instru- mentality of prayer and faith, without applying to any human being for help, my great desire was that it might be seen that now, in the nineteenth century, God is still the living God, and that now, as well as thousands of years ago, He listens to the prayers of His children, and helps those who trust in Him. In all the forty-two countries through which I travelled during the past twenty-one years of my missionary service, numberless instances came before me of the benefit which this Orphan Institution has been in this respect, not only in making men of the world see the reality of the things of God, and converting them, but especially by leading the children of God more abundantly to give themselves to prayer, and strengthening their faith. Far beyond what I first expected to accomplish, the Lord has been pleased to give me. But what I have seen, as the fruit of my labor in this way, may not be the thousandth part of what I shall see when the Lord Jesus comes again; as day by day, for sixty-one years, I have earnestly labored, in believing prayer, that God would be pleased, most abundantly, to bless this service in the way I have stated.

“Years before I was honored to found this Institution, I saw that what the Church of God especially needed, was an increase of faith, and that therefore it would be of great benefit to the believers in the Lord Jesus to see clearly, that the living God is still the living God, and therefore still as able, and as willing as nineteen hundred years since, to answer prayer. I therefore resolved: (1) Never to ask any human being for money for this work; nor (2) To state our need of pecuniary help, while in need, either directly or indirectly, even if asked so to do. Not, as if this were sinful, but that thus the Church of God might be led more to trust in the living God; and great spiritual blessing has thus come to many thousands of the children of God in many parts of the earth: yea, many unbelievers have seen thus the reality of the things of God.”

The income for the Orphans the last ten years of Mr. Müller’s life was, £231,909 9s. 1¾d., including the amount received for land sold.

“O taste and see that Jehovah is good:

Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

O fear Jehovah, ye His saints:

For there is no want to them that fear Him.

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:

But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing.”

Ps. 34:8, 9, 10

1 A similar experience is recorded on Feb. 12th. These are the only two days in the last 50 years of which this is true. It shows how intensely severe was the trial the Lord in His wisdom, caused His aged servant to endure in his last days.

Chapter I

March 10th, 1898—May 26th, 1899

“Thou remainest … Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.”—Heb. 1:11, 12.

As we commence today’s untrodden way,

To Thee we turn,

And hear Thy loving call to watch and pray,

And of Thee learn.

We render now the tribute of our praise,

Which cheers with hope the thought of future days.

—A. Gardner

Mr. Wright took up the work laid down by Mr. Müller, and the following facts show forth the continuance of the Lord’s gracious provision for His own work.

Mr. Wright’s Account Of Mr. Müller’s Death

My beloved father-in-law, Mr. George Müller, who was the instrument in the hand of God in founding and for 64 years carrying on this Institution, had, a week or two before his departure to be with Christ, begun to prepare the manuscript for the Report. Probably in the afternoon of March the 9th, he laid down his pen, not knowing that he had finished this part of his service for his Lord.

In the evening of that day he took part in the usual meeting for prayer, held in the Orphan House No. 3; retired at his usual hour to rest, and early on the following morning, alone in his bedroom, breathed his last, realizing what had long been with him a most joyous anticipation, viz., that “to depart and to be with Christ is far better.”

At two o’clock in the afternoon of that day the helpers again assembled in the room, where, on the previous evening, he had, in our presence, poured out his soul in prayer to our God and Father, committing, as he little knew, for the last time, the whole work and all the workers to the faithful care of the living God.

In our first prayer meeting after the decease of the human guide, whom all of us so loved and revered, no fear as to the future was permitted to distract our hearts. By God’s grace our minds were kept “in -perfect peace,”—because “stayed upon Him.”2 And thus it has been, without intermission, ever since; the only difference being that the constant proofs of His presence with us, and His power, love and tender care toward us, have confirmed our faith in Himself.

It is written (Job 26:7): “He hangeth the earth upon nothing.” And so we exult in the fact that “The Scriptural Knowledge Institution” hangs, as it has ever hung since its commencement, “upon nothing “—that is, upon no visible support. It hangs upon no human patron, upon no endowment or funded property, but solely upon the good pleasure of the blessed God.

The following record tells how “the blessed God” delights in being thus trusted, and manifests His good pleasure in upholding this work.

On March 19th we received from Newport-on-Tay, £2. The donor writes: “I learned from Mr. Müller to keep a prayer-book.3 The last prayer in it is for you and your work, inserted this morning, No. 15,796; I commenced it in 1862”—From near Stroud, 10s., from two Orphans formerly under our care, one of whom has been 31 years, and the other 26 years in the same family, as servants, and are greatly valued. They write:—

“In thinking of the future we have no doubt, but feel sure that all will be well, for although dear Mr. Müller has been called away to his rest (and his loss will be greatly felt), yet Mr. Müller’s God still lives, and He will continue to bless His own work. He is still the Father of the fatherless, for He changeth not.”

The legacy of the late Miss H. G., of £1,099 7s. 6d. reached us on April 23rd.—During the last three or four weeks, in the increased income, our faithful God and Father has been answering, in a marked way, the many prayers that had gone up from our hearts in the name of Jesus, and now, the payment of this legacy, bequeathed some twelve years ago, is another precious token that we do not wait upon Him in vain!

Mr. Wright’s Remarks On The Lord’s Provision Of A Yoke-Fellow

The following words of Mr. Wright as to the way the Lord supplied his need of a helper at this time are so important that I give them in extenso:—

As if to show His delight in the life-testimony of His departed servant, and to confirm that testimony by a signal act of favor towards the Institution he had so long directed, it pleased God, within about a month of his decease, to give me one of the most striking answers to long continued prayer which I ever experienced.

In the Report for the year 1872, Mr. Müller announced that he had associated me with himself in the direction of the Institution, and that he had also nominated me to become his successor in its direction, in the event of his decease. Three years later he commenced the Missionary Tours, which formed the principal part of his labor for the Lord during seventeen subsequent years. When over seventy years of age, he began to encounter the exposure and fatigue of voyages to the Antipodes—and in two successive years, faced the extremes of temperature in St. Petersburg and Calcutta!—my beloved wife, his only child, and I began to realize how uncertain, humanly speaking, was his precious life; and how, any day, we might find that the direct responsibility of the Institution had come to rest upon our shoulders. Under these circumstances we had only one resource: we “cast our burden on the Lord.” Again and again our united prayer was that the Lord would be pleased to raise up some servant of His, who would be able and willing to share with me the labor and responsibility of the work.

After the tenth of January, 1890, when my loved one went to her Lord, I continued, alone, to “seek unto God” for the long asked and waited for blessing, a congenial sharer of my labors and responsibilities. In 1895 Mr. Müller became a second time a widower, and I began to unite with him in daily private prayer concerning all matters affecting the welfare of the Institution. Latterly his mind became impressed with the importance of the will of God being dearly manifested as to a fellow-laborer with myself in the oversight of the work.

In August of last year, Mr. Müller had attacks of heart weakness, which he evidently understood to indicate the approaching end of his service on earth. During the six or seven months that we were still permitted to have the cheer of his joyous and triumphant spirit with us, his prayer became more frequent, when we were together, that God would manifest His choice of “a man” who should be my helper. But no name escaped his lips. He was never led to drop a word from which I could gather that he had even thought of any one as the one in whom our prayers would find their answer.

After the 10th March, when, for the first time, I realized as a fact what I had looked forward to for twenty-six years as a possible, and, during the later portion of this time, as a probable issue, it can be well understood with what increased earnestness I urged my petition that our gracious tenderly pitiful Father in heaven would answer the prayers of so many years, and set before me, unmistakably, the man of His choice.

I had not much longer to wait: about two weeks later I became assured that it was the will of God that I should invite a brother in Christ, Mr. G. Frederic Bergin, to join me in the work. One thing which, at first, struck me as an insuperable difficulty; and which, I think, had hitherto prevented my ever thinking of him as eligible for the service, was that he had for twenty-four years been engaged in pastoral labor in the Church, and seemed to become, day by day, more needful to the Lord’s flock in this capacity of under shepherd. But it was brought to my mind that, 64 years ago, Mr. Müller himself had been placed in a very similar position; and that he, then, deliberately judged that, in consideration of the blessing to the Church of Christ at large, which he believed the Institution he had been led to establish would prove, he was justified in retiring in a great measure from a personal attention to the needs of a local Church. I could not fail to see how thoroughly subsequent events had proved that, in this decision, he had been guided of God: and I thought, may it not be the will of God that Mr. Bergin should be brought to the same conclusion?

At the end of another week I felt free to go forward. I had been intimately acquainted with my beloved friend for twenty-five years. Our hearts had become closely united through deep sympathy with each other in family joys and sorrows. We had worked, shoulder to shoulder, in the work of the Church for years; and, though of differing temperaments, and, at times, differing from each other as to the course which should be taken in this or that set of circumstances, we had never had a misunderstanding. We had, invariably, been enabled to respect each other’s judgment, and to wait till God brought us to a common view of our duty. Mr. Bergin is 17 years my junior, and, therefore, has the prospect, if it please the Lord, of occupying this service for a good many years. His personal experience in the path of faith for over twenty years will tend to fit him to encounter the trials of faith, to which we are often subjected, in carrying on the work of this Institution. Moreover, his singularly happy domestic life fits him to find his element in the loving care of children.

In the fullest certainty that I was directed of God, I went to Mr. Bergin, explained fully my need, and told him that I believed he was the man, who, as the Lord’s instrument, could meet it. To my delight, though not to my surprise, I found that the Lord had prepared his mind to entertain my invitation. After conferring with his beloved wife, who, up to that time, knew nothing of the exercises of his heart about the matter, he heartily consented to become my yoke-fellow, and on April 25th he was at my side on Ashley Down, actually at work.

I have dwelt, thus minutely, upon this event, not only because of its most important bearing upon the future conduct of this Institution, but because it furnishes, what its beloved Founder so desired all the providential dealings of God with it, should ever furnish, viz., a practical lesson of encouragement to the dear children of God to confide utterly in the love, and wisdom, and power, and tender compassion of their Heavenly Father. As long as the Founder and Director of the Institution was spared to live and work on earth, there was no absolute need that the yoke-fellow of his successor should be manifested; so, it pleased the Lord to conceal him from us both, and thus to exercise the faith and patience of His servants.

Both Mr. Müller and I felt, and felt deeply, that, which ever one of us should survive the other, that one would not be able to go on many weeks alone, but we were assured that our Father knew this better than ourselves; and that He knew what He would do when the need actually came. And this confidence our good and gracious God abundantly justified. I need scarcely add that we both crave the prayers of every believing reader, that our united service in connection with this Institution may, through the Lord’s constant grace, be only to the praise of Him who bought us with His blood.

To these deeply interesting and instructive words of Mr. Wright’s, I add that on March 10th, only a few hours after Mr. Müller’s death, I called on Mr. Wright. We wept and prayed together. On returning to my home a deep sense of his need of a companion in his labors, came over me, and I got on my knees before the Lord, told Him of this, and offered myself to Him for such service—if He saw I was the one who could be his helper. This I continued to do daily, without mentioning the matter to any human ear, not even to my wife, up to April 1st, when Mr. Wright called on me, and made known the exercises of his mind towards me. Our hearts were immediately one in this matter, as they had been for twenty-five years before on other matters. I set out for Barnstaple, where my wife was staying, with beloved Mr. R. C. Chapman. I told my wife all, and we together laid the whole matter before Mr. Chapman. He, on hearing of Mr. Wright’s and my own exercise of mind, and our twenty-five years of unbroken fellowship, expressed his full conviction that the matter was of God.

The resumed record tells that the prayers Mr. Wright asked on behalf of our united service, have been blessedly answered.

We received on the 29th April, from Kidderminster, “From two of the old Girls, £10, as a little token of gratitude.” There are not a few trials connected with a work like this, but this is a specimen of the many cups of cordial which our loving Father hands to us, in the deep affection towards the Homes, and the helpers, shown by so many of the dear Orphans after they leave; and, as in this case, after they have left us for a long time.

On May 16th there reached us from Ramsgate, £50. This kind donor was led on this occasion to send us a much larger donation than usual. How much more precious was this to us, as a purely spontaneous act, than it would have been if it came as a kind response to an urgent appeal from ourselves. I do not even know this kind friend, personally; but, in answer to our believing prayers, our Heavenly Father moves his heart thus greatly to aid us.

There came to us on June 8th, from Kendal, £50. From Sydenham, from an Orphan formerly under our care, £5, and the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I have pleasure in sending £5 for the Orphans. I beg to express my sympathy with you, and the whole Church of God, at the loss of our esteemed dear Mr. Müller. May you be endowed with a double portion of his spirit, as the Orphans’ friend, is the sincere wish and prayer of “Your former Orphan.”

The total receipts for the five objects of the Institution, during the week ending with this date, amounted to only £272 19s. 7½d., considerably less than one-half of our average weekly expenses. The great thing, under such circumstances, is to lay hold, by faith, of such an inspired word, as “My times are in Thy hand” the “hand” of the Father, that “spared not His own Son” the “hand” of the eternal Son that was “pierced” for our sins:—

“Sure, love so amazing, unmeasured, untold, No evil can do us, no good can withhold!”

One noticeable feature, too, in the donations received this week, is the number of contributions received from Orphans formerly under our care. The comfort that these gifts bring to our hearts is not to be estimated by the amounts. He who still “sits over against the treasury” (Mark 12:41) “beholds” these gifts, and estimates them at their true value.

The mail of July 4th brought us from Dunedin, N.Z., £7 5s., with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Please find enclosed a draft for £7 5s. for the Orphan work. When I heard of dear Mr. Müller’s death, I was in Melbourne, and I spoke on his death in a very large gathering there. When I reached my own people in Dunedin, I preached a funeral sermon, based on Heb. 11:4. Several of my hearers wanted to give a little towards the Homes, and the result is this draft, which I have the greatest pleasure in sending to you… It will be a joy of my life that I was privileged to see the dear man of God before he left this world for heaven.”

The writer of this letter was formerly an inmate of the Orphan House No. 1. He has been laboring in the gospel for years, and is ministering the Word to one of the largest congregations in Dunedin, N.Z.

I left Bristol this day week (July 20th) for Teignmouth for a little rest. Our funds for the Orphan work were extremely low when I left; but I knew that I could help by prayer at Teignmouth just as effectually as I could in Bristol; and as the leadings of our Heavenly Father plainly pointed to my going away at this time, I left in the fullest confidence that He would care for His own work. My beloved brother, Mr. Bergin, took up the extra responsibility devolving upon him in my absence, in the same calm assurance.

In our first week’s experience, as separated, locally, from each other, the Lord saw fit to test this confidence in Himself very severely. Our Orphan Fund was practically “nil” when I left, and day by day, from the 13th to the 20th, very little came in, so that the total income of the week was only £155 3s. 2¾d.—one-fourth part of our weekly expenditure. But the Lord did not permit our financial trial to trouble our hearts. We firmly “believed,” that, according to Psalm 27:13, we should yet again “see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” so we simply continued to “wait on the Lord,” and charged our souls to be of “good courage,” and what was the result? I received tidings from Mr. Bergin that the week’s income on the 27th amounted to £1,025 9s. 0d.!

From Bristol there reached us on August 1st, £25, “From a lover of the little ones.”

The total income for all the branches of the work, for the week ending on the 3rd, has been only £142 18s. 9d., the smallest weekly income during the present financial year. “The fining pot for silver, the furnace for gold, but the Lord trieth the hearts” but His design is not to consume the precious metal, but only the dross.

On the 6th we received from Clifton, £50. From Dundee, £50. At our weekly evening prayer meeting at Orphan House, No. 3, on the evening of the 17th, a petition was presented for “a draught of financial blessing.” The very next morning a cheque arrived from South Wales for £200.

We received on September 7th, from St. Mary Church, £100. This donation, coming, as it did, from a widow, was an especial cheer in our poverty as regards funds for the Orphans. Received anonymously, from Bristol, the following letter:—

“A poor widow, I send a little of what the Lord has given me, for the Orphans. I still desire your prayers. I want more faith and patience. I send £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for yourself, from an Unknown Friend, fond of little children.”

On the 8th there came from Scarborough, 10s., “a thank-offering to God for finding a pair of spectacles after prayer for the discovery of them.” Our Heavenly Father’s care of His children extends to the minutest detail of their circumstances: for our Lord Jesus, “the Faithful Witness,” declares that the “very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Nay more, He teaches us that the care of His Father and our Father encircles the little “sparrows.” A comparison of the Gospels presents this in two ways. In Luke 12:6, “not one of them (the sparrows) is forgotten before God,” that is they, or rather each one of them, is present to His infinite mind every moment of its brief, restless life. Then in Matt. 10:29, “One of them (the sparrows) shall not fall on the ground” (that is, when the life of any one of these insignificant little creatures ends, and it falls on the ground in death, the event happens not) “without your Father!” Now if, as the Lord tells us, we “are of more value than many sparrows” should we not conclude that no “care” of ours can escape His eye? and that when He counsels us to be “casting all our care upon Him” He means that we should not account the least to be too small to be included in that “all”? Do not the “cares” that we neglect to deal with thus, always become “worries”? Whereas, does not every “care” that we really cast upon Him become “bread” for us by the fresh lesson we learn of the tenderness of the Father’s heart, and the skilfulness of His hand?

We received from Abingdon, £130 10s. The Christian gentleman from whom this gift came had been a donor of large amounts to this Institution for about a quarter of a century. His first donation consisted of railway bonds, which realized several thousands of pounds sterling; and since then he gave, generally twice a year, a number of interest coupons, and dividend warrants, amounting to sums varying from £130 to £170.

Since he sent the donation entered under this date, he has fallen asleep in Jesus. If we were trusting in the human instruments that the Lord uses to supply the means needed for this work, we should indeed be cast down and discouraged when such a helper as this beloved friend has been, is removed by death. But, because, by the grace of God, we do not trust in the human stream, which must sooner or later dry up, but in the divine, and ever living Fountain, which cannot be exhausted, we are kept from all anxiety. We were deeply, and sincerely grateful to this kind friend for his long-continued, and generous aid, and now we delight to think how he is proving above, the wondrous recompense with which our most bountiful Lord rewards every service rendered to Him here below; while, regarding the funds of this Institution, we are assured that the lack occasioned by the cessation of our friend’s gifts will serve as a fresh opportunity for our infinitely rich God and Father to display His boundless resources and grace.

There was received on the 10th, from Bristol, from an aged widow, £100. We were in deep pecuniary need for the Orphans when this donation arrived, and it served to remind us of the sovereignty of our Lord in the choice of His instrument. We should not have expected a hundred shillings from this kind donor, but, most unexpectedly to us, she gave, and gave most cheerfully, one hundred pounds, little knowing what a great help she was rendering us. This is the second donation of one hundred pounds received from a widow within three days, another having sent us, as above noted on the 7th, a similar sum.

On the 12th there was left anonymously at our Bible and Tract Warehouse, £41. This anonymous donation consisted of 30 sovereigns, and 22 half-sovereigns, enclosed in a small tin canister, with the words: “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” Thus, while, on the one hand we are, day after day, kept very low as to funds (and this state of things has continued, more or less, for more than two years); yet, on the other hand, the Lord again and again refreshes us by sending most timely help, from most unexpected quarters, and in a great variety of ways. The next donation I record, further illustrates this, viz., from Harrogate, £60. In sending this gift the transmitter wrote:—

“A young man, who for long desired to send Mr. Müller something for his Orphans, wishes me to send you enclosed draft for sixty pounds.”

Our need is now (October 15th) more pressing than at any time during the last seven months. Mr. Bergin and I had been especially bringing our great need before the Lord, and the letter, which T next notice, came to hand immediately after:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I herewith enclose you a cheque, £37 18s. 11d., for the dear Orphans. I have had this money sent to me in extra dividends this year, and, not standing in need of it, I have decided to send it to you for your large family, about which I am sure you must be greatly exercised at times.”

We accepted this letter as our Heavenly Father’s gracious intimation that He listens to us still for the sake of His beloved Son, and that, when His time is “fully come” He will again deal bountifully with us. The writer of the letter just quoted is right in his conclusion that we are often “greatly exercised;” but our gracious God so assures our hearts that He “will never leave nor forsake us,” nor “forsake the work of His own hands,” that we are kept in peace, and free from the faintest wish to depart from the position of absolute dependence upon Himself for all and everything that we need in carrying on the work.

18th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £75.

The total income of the Institution for the week ending on the 19th has been £337 2s. 4d., only about one-half of the average weekly expenditure. We can do nothing but keep our eyes, unaverted and undistracted, upon our God until He shall have mercy upon us!

There came on the 20th, from near Bristol, £80, with £20 for myself, and the following letter, in which we again hear the “Eternal Voice” saying to us, “Fear not, only believe!”

“My dear Mr. Wright,

“I have pleasure in enclosing you cheque for £100, of which kindly accept £20 for your own private use, and £80 for the work as you may see fit to appropriate. While praying this morning for the work on Ashley Down, I was so impressed with the thought that this may be a time of special need, that I determined at once to send you the enclosed today.”

We received on the 27th, from Edgbaston, £200, a precious encouragement to continuance in prayer.

The total income for the week ending on November 15th, has been only £276 5s. 11d.—17th. Legacy of the late W. R., Esq., £180.—19th. Legacy of the late Mrs. E. H., £500. The Lord is graciously beginning to relieve our financial strain.

A Gift Of Two Thousand Four Hundred Pounds

We received on the 26th, from “God’s Steward,” Oxfordshire, £800 for the School, Bible and Tract Fund, £800 for Missions, and £800 for the Orphans. In August last this donor, who has for many years contributed, wrote me that he had dedicated a considerable portion of his property to the Lord, and he accordingly desired that I would receive the deeds of several houses that belonged to him; and, either use the rents accruing, or sell the property and use the proceeds in promoting Missions, circulating the Scriptures, or supporting the Orphans. He desired me to consult our solicitors as to how this purpose might be carried out forthwith.

I complied with this wish, and, in a day or two submitted for his consideration three different ways, in either of which the solicitors advised me that the business could be legally carried through. My kind correspondent was delighted to find that the Lord appeared to be opening the way for the carrying out of his purpose; but his second letter contained an expression which led me to think that, perhaps, he had not fully counted the cost in respect of the very serious diminution of his annual income that the gift of the property would involve; and, further, as I judged from the correspondence, that the pecuniary interest of a near relative might be affected, I felt that I could not proceed in the matter until I was assured that he had fully weighed the consequences to himself of the proposed step; and that the near relative referred to was entirely one with him in his purpose, and was prepared to signify this in writing.

Six days later I received a reply expressing a grateful sense of my consideration for himself, and his relative; but assuring me that my fears of possible inconvenience to himself had really no foundation; and, further, that the relative in question had, voluntarily, without any solicitation on his part, set him perfectly at liberty to carry out his purpose. He, moreover, informed me that the Lord had so ordered matters that the transaction could now be accomplished in a much simpler way than he had before thought of. That a portion of his property could be substituted for the house property, and that, in about three months he would be in a position to hand over the whole amount by a cash payment.

During the whole of the three months which elapsed before the money came into my hands, the Lord allowed us to continue in the same straitness, financially, which we had experienced for more than two years and a half. Often we were in the greatest need of supplies. The believing reader can judge, then, with what joy and thankfulness to our faithful God and Father, this precious donation was received; only the evening before, I had been led to praise God for the assurance, that, seeing we had been asking according to His will; asking solely on the ground of the merits of His beloved Son; and that we had been, and were patiently waiting, and fully expecting His deliverance, it must soon come; when lo! the very next post brought the long-waited-for blessing in the shape of a cheque for £2,400! Thus, after having, for two years and a half, been “instructed how to suffer need” it pleased the Lord, graciously, to allow us once more to abound.

That the reader may see that our joy in this deliverance was equalled by the joy of the beloved donor in the privilege conferred upon him in being permitted thus to sow for eternity, I quote the following from his letter:—

“I have been looking forward for years for this unspeakable privilege. Never, in all my life, previously, have I sent you any smaller sum with such deep feelings of joy and gladness, as I now experience in sending this larger amount to you to be used in the Lord’s service. I thank the Lord from the depth of my soul, that He has put this desire into my heart, and, by His grace, He has kept me steadfast in my purpose; not allowing a shade of regret or the least shadow of misgiving to cross my mind at any time. To Him alone be the glory.”

Financial Strain Relieved Entirely By Legacy Of £2000

On December 10th we received the legacy of the late Mrs. H. H., for £2,000. Intimation that this legacy had become payable reached us about ten months ago. Subsequently we were informed that the will was disputed, and we were invited by some of the beneficiaries under it to join them in active legal proceedings to defend our claims.

Observe, this was not one of those cases which often occur, in which, through the ambiguous wording of the Will, or some technical defect in the instrument itself, Executors run serious personal risk in seeking to carry out the provisions of the Will; and therefore the sanction of the Chancery, or other Law Court, is sought to enable them to act with safety, or the whole responsibility of the administration is devolved upon such Court. In such cases, what may be termed a “friendly action” may be instituted, simply with the view of carrying out the wishes of the Testator; and the beneficiaries under the Will may be made consenting parties to such proceedings, without assuming a hostile attitude towards any person whatever. But, as I said before, the course we were invited to enter upon in the present instance was litigation pure and simple, directed against the party, who, with or without just ground, sought to quash the Will. In such proceedings we preferred to take no part, believing it to be the more excellent, because the more scriptural, way to commit our cause to Him who judgeth righteously.

We, therefore, continually waited upon God in private and united prayer, that inasmuch as the deceased lady undoubtedly desired and intended by her Will to befriend the Orphans, He would, as “the Father of the fatherless,” defend the Orphans on Ashley Down, and not suffer the Will to be upset. Our petitions were listened to, and were answered. In the month of August the verdict of the Court was to the effect that the Will was.perfectly valid, and that its provisions were all to be carried out.

For two years and six months the financial strain in providing for the Orphans had been permitted to continue. My beloved father-in-law departed to be with Christ, after sharing this trial of faith and patience with his helpers for more than two years, and he departed in the buoyant hope, to the last moment, that, financially, the Lord would “revive us again.” With a face beaming with joyful confidence in the love and power of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, he would turn to us, at our united meetings for prayer, and exclaim: “A little more faith, a little more prayer, a little more patience will bring the blessing!”

Now, see, beloved reader (and may God cause the lesson it conveys to sink down into your heart and mine), how God, in whom he trusted, vindicated the confidence of His child and servant. Nine months more had to pass, after beloved George Müller had entered his Lord’s presence, before God’s time had “fully come,” but come it did; and on the 10th December, nine months to a day after his departure, our faithful God turned our prayers once more into praises, and our poverty into comparative abundance! By the £2,400 donation of last month and the £2,000 legacy today we are richly supplied, for the present, for all the five branches of the Institution.

There came on the 13th, from Redland, £20. On the 26th, from Sydenham, £6 from an Orphan formerly under our care, who says:—

“Dear Sir,

“I beg to enclose £6 for the Orphans. I send £1 extra (he is in the habit of sending £5 yearly) for restitution for small thefts, which I committed at the Orphan House, and for which I was punished at the time; but having been led recently to think on the subject, I have thought it right to make restitution.”

On balancing our books on December 26th, there was found in hand for the Orphans, after meeting all the current expenses, a balance of £1,213 8s. 8d., and for the School, Bible, Missionary, and Tract Fund, a balance of £1,151 8s. 7d., and this after expending about £1,000 in remittances to Laborers in the Gospel. It is more than two years and a half since we have had such sums in hand. The Lord allowed my beloved father-in-law to fall asleep nine months before this answer to many prayers was granted; yet he departed fully expecting it.

Though the Institution gained no pecuniary legacy by his death (for he gave daring his life with all his might, and died, as he had lived, a poor man), yet what a rich bequest of unanswered prayer it inherited! and these balances in hand today are but instalments of what the bequest implied.

1899

There arrived on January 19th, from Herefordshire, £800, a most unexpected donation; but one that reminded us how truly our “Father who seeth in secret” listens to and verily answers the prayers we present to Him in secret.

We received on February 17th, from Herefordshire, £200, from the same donor. Thus the Lord has been pleased to use one of His stewards to supply us with £1,000. Verily, His poor, needy children and servants do not call upon Him in vain! There came in, also, from Wallington, £50, with the words:—

“I thank God that He has enabled me to send the enclosed £50 for the use of the dear children in the Orphanage under your care.” “Not grudgingly, nor of necessity,” did our kind friend send this gift, but as a “cheerful giver.”

I received on May 1st a letter, in which the writer expresses her regret that she finds it necessary, on account of special circumstances, to postpone her usual remittance for a while, and, under these circumstances, adds that she and her husband “are thankful that the Orphan Houses have recently received so helpful a legacy.” The writer refers to a legacy of which I received notice on March 28th, and she evidently supposes that the money has been paid to us. This, however, was not the case; and indeed, up to the date on which I am now writing (June 20th) nothing has yet been received on account of this legacy. The mistake into which our kind friend fell, in assuming that we were already handling this “helpful legacy,” is one into which many others have fallen, for I have received many congratulations from those who have assumed the same, some actually speaking of it as a “donation.”

Mr. Wright Refuses To Disclose The Financial Position

The receipt of this letter led me to special and earnest pleading with God; bringing before Him that He knew our real position; that, instead of, as many supposed, abounding, we were really in a strait; that, in His fear, we could not explain to our friends their mistake, or divulge to one of them our real position, as that would be indirectly appealing to them for money; that He knew the heavy expenses of this month; that from £2,000 to £2,500 would be required to meet them, towards which we had little more than £200 in hand. Now, note dear reader, the result. First, having thus really rolled the burden upon God, I was perfectly free from anxiety, and had a night’s unbroken sleep. Secondly, the first letter that I opened in the morning contained a cheque for One Thousand and Fifty Pounds! Concerning this I give the following particulars:—Four days ago I received a letter from a donor, who was an entire stranger to me, in which he wrote as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“I am very wishful to know what is the pecuniary position of your Orphanage this year, more especially since the first January last. I had a somewhat unusual conviction brought home to me about your needing help, one night, when lying awake in bed. My inquiry is in strict confidence. Give me at same time the name in which a draft should be made out.

“Yours very faithfully,—.”

To this letter I replied expressing my full appreciation of his kind interest in the Institution, but adding that the principle upon which my late father-in-law had, from the first, carried on the work was, never to divulge to any human being its present financial position. That only once a year, in the Annual Report, a financial statement was published; but that this always referred to a state of things eight or ten weeks previous to the date of publication: and that, as I had received the responsibility of carrying on the work as a sacred trust, I could not depart from the principle which had been undeviatingly adhered to up to the present hour. By return of post I received the following letter with cheque enclosed:—

“Dear Sir,

“I am in receipt of your Report, and note it is your rule not to give information as to your present needs. I no w enclose draft in your favor for £1,050, to be devoted to the maintenance of the Orphans, and your other objects, as God may direct you. Please acknowledge receipt to me in enclosed envelope, and please note it is strictly private. He gave it me in a very direct manner, with what appeared to me a plain intimation that you required it. No thanks, whatever, are due to me. Trusting this instance of His wonderful kindness may still further strengthen your faith in Him, whose goodness is so great that words cannot characterize it, “I am, “Yours truly,—.”

Now, that the reader of this book may be helped more clearly to see and admire the hand of the invisible, living God in this transaction, I here state, simply, that the fund for the Orphans was nearly exhausted. Moreover, we had been much in prayer, secretly and unitedly, that for the honor of His Name the Lord might be graciously pleased to close our financial year with a substantial balance on the right side, on the 26th of May. Under these circumstances came the letter of enquiry above quoted.

Now, as beloved Mr. Müller was wont to say, there is nothing sinful, in itself, in a child of God asking a fellow believer to help him with money for the work of God; much less is there any sin in giving information of financial need to one who, as in this instance, particularly enquires in order that he may be guided in his own action; but Mr. Müller began this work with one clearly defined purpose, viz., to illustrate the truth that the unseen God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, really listens to, and answers the believing prayers of His children now, at the end of the nineteenth century, just as much as He did in the days of the Apostles, or in the days of Daniel, David, Abraham, and Enoch. To emphasize this lesson, Mr. Müller resolved, from the outset, never to do what, otherwise, it would have been perfectly scriptural, and therefore lawful to do, viz., to make his needs known to his fellow Christians. Only into the ear of the living God would he tell his circumstances; and for 64 years God vindicated His servant and showed His approval of his utter trust in Himself. Beloved Mr. Bergin and I felt that if we departed a hair’s breadth from this position, in conducting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, w-e should be marring its unique testimony, and so we had not a moment’s hesitation as to the nature of the reply that must be made to this kind friend’s inquiry.

Now, mark, dear reader, how our faithful God owned our reliance on Himself alone. In answer to our secret cries that He would influence our unknown friend’s heart, we receive by return of post one thousand and fifty pounds.

How true was the “conviction” which our kind helper had brought home to him as he lay awake! We were indeed “needing help.” And though we cannot (in spite of what he wrote in his second letter) fail to feel truly grateful to him as the instrument whom God used so greatly to help us, and have, therefore, very heartily thanked him, yet we do just as heartily echo his expressed desire that “this instance of the Lord’s wonderful kindness may still further strengthen our faith in Him, whose goodness is so great that words cannot characterize it,” and may this be the blessed result to many who shall read this record.

From “One of the Lord’s Stewards, Oxfordshire,” £8 3s. and 4 gold rings. These were further gifts from the donor of the £2,400, referred to under date of Nov. 26th, and he accompanied today’s gifts with a letter, from which I extract the following:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Please to accept for your personal use, or how you feel best” (I took the donation for the Orphans) “the enclosed cheque for £8 3s. I thank the Lord from the depth of my heart for making my way clear, after many difficulties, to surrender all the money to Him, and placing it in your hands; and I have repeatedly done so, for not letting a shadow of regret cross my mind, but only constant inward rejoicing that He has granted me this great privilege in my own lifetime.

“Yours very truly, etc.”

We received on the 3rd the balance of the legacy of the late Mrs. S. E. B., £573 os. 3d. Thus our loving and faithful God and Father is answering the cries of His children, and pouring in the needed supplies to meet the heavy expenditure of this month.

There came on the 18th, from Sevenoaks, £300, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Being desirous of furthering the Lord’s work while I have the opportunity, instead of leaving the money for it after my decease, I now enclose cheque for £300, to be used thus: £100 for the Orphans, and £200 towards Missions to Jews and Gentiles. Believing that the Lord will carry on your work in answer to prayer, as He did in the late good George Müller’s lifetime, “Yours in Christian sympathy,—.”

This donation was a precious encouragement to us. Mr. Bergin and I had, a few days before, gone through our list of the Lord’s Missionary servants whom we seek to aid, apportioning amounts to the utmost extent we felt justified. After making up the total, it seemed doubtful whether we had not even over-stepped the limit, and we decided to delay sending out some remittances, unless the Lord was pleased to add to our Mission Fund. Again and again in our united meetings of the helpers for prayer, as well as in private, we besought the Lord to supply this need, and now, about a week before the close of our financial year, came this most helpful £200, which enabled us, at once, to send out all that we had desired.

Review Of The Year’s Mercies

The signal blessing that the God of all grace bestowed on the “Scriptural Knowledge Institution,” during the 64 years that my late beloved father-in-law was permitted to direct its operations, has continued to rest upon it, abundantly, through another twelve months. By the grace of God, my dear fellow-laborer, Mr. Bergin, and our dear helpers in the work, and myself, have been enabled to trust in Him, and in Him alone; and He, who “is no respecter of persons,” has shown Himself strong on our behalf. In His unmerited mercy I am permitted the joyful privilege of bearing testimony to the lovingkindness and faithfulness of our God. Complete and uninterrupted oneness of mind and judgment in the conduct of the work has been given to Mr. Bergin and myself throughout the year; and our mutual conviction grows more and more that our union in this service is of God.

Between May 26th, 1898, and May 26th, 1899, in answer to believing prayer, without a single application to any human being for pecuniary help, the sum of £29,677 17s. 9d. was received for the work.

The year closed with a balance in hand for the Orphans of £728 is. 5d.

2 In order to estimate truly the working of God’s grace on that day in the heart of beloved Mr. Wright, it must be borne in mind that for nearly three years they had been going through an exceedingly great financial strain.

3 That is a book with a column to record the date when a particular prayer was offered, and another column to record when the prayer was answered.

Chapter II

May 26th, 1899—May 26th, 1900

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still, then are they glad because they are quiet.”—Ps. 107:29, 30.

“Be not anxious for the morrow,”

Jesus said;

Why should we its trials borrow?

Trust instead!

For each hour of need or sorrow,

Grace He gives, and daily bread.

Thus our treasures safe investing

In His care,

Kept in His pavilion resting,

May we dare

Still to trust, through faith’s deep testing,

Sure, God will His ways declare.

J. H. S.

A remarkable interposition of God on behalf of the work entirely relieves the financial strain.

The following instances of the Lord’s goodness in supplying our need for this His work, further tell of His power, and willingness to hear, and answer prayer.

On the 29th May the legacy of the late J. S., Esq., for £2,700, reached us.—From “A. Z.,” £200. This gift came from an anonymous donor, who, as far as I know, never helped us before. Thus on the third day of our new year, the Lord has greatly encouraged us by sending us these large sums, which, with other smaller donations that came in, make up a total of £2,924 17s. 7d. received on this one day.

We received on the 30th the legacy of the late Miss F. B., £500. Our infinitely rich Patron, “the living God,” who knew our need, continues to deal bountifully with us. In the case of this £500, as well as in that of the large legacy which was paid yesterday, we have had answers to a prayer frequently presented, viz., that executors and lawyers, having to do with estates where legacies have been left to us, may be disposed to wind up the accounts and pay the bequests quickly. In both these cases, the sums have been paid within a few weeks after the proving of the Wills.

On June 10th we received a legacy from the late Miss A. E. P., of £100. On the same day there came the legacy of the late Miss E. P., £1,000. The Christian lady who bequeathed the last-named sum was a liberal donor to this Institution during her life. She does not now regret the large sums she gave to God’s work. As regards ourselves, this “brook” has “dried up,” but the God of Elijah still lives, and by His grace our eyes are upon Him.

There came from Kirriemuir, on the 13th, £1, with the following letter:—

“Dear Brother in the Lord,

“It is 32 years since my dear husband was put to sleep, and I was, with four children, the youngest not born till eight months after, cast upon the Lord. Of all the money I received, a portion was to go to the Orphans; and, once more, I am enabled to send you £1 for them. I have indeed realized the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises, who is ‘the Husband of the widow.’

“Your sister in Him,——.”

The Apostle (2 Cor. 8:2) speaks of the Churches of Macedonia: “That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” The letter just quoted shows that the same blessed Spirit can produce in His obedient children the same gracious fruit today.

On the 29th there came from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.

We received on July nth, from Alresford, from an Orphan formerly under our care, 5s. 6d. for Missions. This dear Christian friend, who is now a trained nurse, has, since the 10th March, 1898, sent regularly on the 10th of each month, in remembrance of her beloved benefactor.—13th. From West Hartlepool, £20.—14th. From Watford, £6. In sending this gift, the donor bears the following noteworthy testimony:—

“Through reading The Lord’s Dealings with George Müller, I was led, from 1868 to 1893, while in business, to devote a portion for the Lord’s work in various ways. Blessed be His holy name! for those 25 years I had a very successful business career, and I believe that, for the whole time, there was not one week but what the Lord gave me enough and to spare to meet all liabilities and expenses. I saw many, very many instances of the Lord’s guidance and favor.”

We received on the 15th a thank-offering for an appeal case being decided in the donor’s favor, £200. On the 25th there arrived from London, £1. The donor had mislaid the keys of a safe; but, after “making known her request” to God, again and again, they were found. She says, and says truly, “This is only one of many such instances.” Yes, to the anointed eye they are as plentiful as daisy heads upon an unmown grass plot on a summer morning.

We received on Aug. 12th, £100 for Missions, with £75 for the Orphans, and £25 for myself, as a further thank-offering for an appeal case being decided in favor of the donor. On the 18th there came from South Kensington, £1, sent by an Orphan, formerly under our care, and whom we were under the painful necessity of expelling from the Institution, but who now writes very gratefully, and sends the above donation to its funds. This instance shows how important it is that servants of Christ should not give way to feelings of discouragement when, for the time being, those whom they are seeking to benefit occasion them only sorrow. Our resource, under such circumstances, should always be the Lord Himself, in regard to whom our work can never be in vain (1 Cor. 15:58): who always appreciates and rewards true-hearted service to Himself (Heb. 6:10), whatever be its issue manwards. And then we shall often find, if in the darkest outlook we thus encourage ourselves in our God, that He will give us, over and above the consciousness of His own approval, the joy of finding that our labor has not been without good result even in those who, for a time, seemed to profit nothing by it.

There arrived on the 29th, from Manchester, £5, from an Orphan formerly under our care, who writes as follows:

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“It is with feelings of deep gratitude and pleasure I send you £5 for the Orphans. It is over twenty-two years since I left the home of my childhood. I have not forgotten the goodness of the Lord to me all those years. I was led to trust in Him when ten years old. As a young man, my dear husband had a desire to meet with one of your Orphan girls. We met in one of the meetings here some thirteen years ago. We have five children, and I fully believe that two of them have given their hearts to Jesus. Ours is a happy, Christian home. We entertain some of God’s children who come this way. Some whom we had the pleasure to entertain are in Africa, some in India, and some in China. Kindly remember us to Mr. Bergin with gratitude.”

The mail of September 6th brought us from Fielding, N.Z., £5. The donor wrote as follows:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I have settled to give you five pounds a year, as the Lord has blessed me, to help the dear Orphans under your care, and the Enemy came to me saying that my little bit would not be much for such a large work. However, I am sending it to you. ‘Give, and it shall be given?’

“I remain,

“Yours in our coming Lord, with love to all,——.”

The temptation which our dear friend experienced was to regard his £5 as such a “little bit,” compared with the requirements of the Orphan work, that it was scarcely worth sending. To show how fallacious such reasoning would be, I state that during the last financial year for the Orphan work alone there were 1,521 donors whose gifts ranged between £1 and £5. Assuming that the average of these was not less than £2 (it would probably be found to exceed this), the donations “not exceeding “£5 would amount to more than £3,000, which is nearly a 12th part of the total income for the Orphans for the year, so that a donation of £5 is far from being the insignificant factor that the “Enemy” sought to make it appear to our dear friend in New Zealand.

We received on October nth, from Sydenham, £50. From Birmingham, £10, “as conscience money for dishonesty committed fifty-three or fifty-four years ago.”

On the 12th there came from Portishead, £3 for Foreign Missions, £5 for the Orphans, £1 for Mr. Bergin and £1 for myself. The kind donor wrote:—

“I am thankful to say that God, in His great mercy, saved me just forty-two years one month and seventeen days ago, viz., on August 17th, 1857; and, praise Him, He has kept me until now. Very shortly after my conversion, for conscience sake, I gave up a good situation; and, as I endeavoured to honor God by so doing, He has greatly blessed me ever since. I, therefore, have proved the fulfillment of that promise: ‘Them that honor Me, I will honor.’”

Many of God’s children are able to bear a similarly happy testimony. Apparent loss, in the things of this life, incurred by faithfulness to God’s Word, is often abundantly compensated for in His subsequent dealings with His obedient child; but, even if this be not the case in a pecuniary sense, nevertheless the rich reward of the consciousness of our Heavenly Father’s approving smile becomes an ample recompense. The Apostle Paul said that he “exercised” himself to keep “a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.” This should be our aim at all costs; and, if Satan would deter us by the fear of possible consequences, our Lord’s word furnishes the shield for faith.—”Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” It is, however, deeply important that the conscience be enlightened by the direct precepts, or the obvious principles of God’s written revelation; otherwise we may be brought into bondage by a merely scrupulous (which must always be distinguished from a tender) conscience.

The legacy of the late Mr. S. B., for £300, reached us on the 27th. We received on the 28th from South Hackney, £72 10s. There came on the 30th, from the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £100. From Kenton, £1, with the following:—

“Dear Sir,

“This is from a very poor man, but, I thought, as there is so much collecting going on, owing to the war, I would send this.”

On the 31st, from Danshill, £1 2s., “Instead of spending it on flowers for a funeral.” Yesterday, one donor stated that he was led to send a gift to us on account of the large collections which are being made for sufferers through the war. Today, another donor writes:—

“I trust God will not allow your work to be overlooked in these exciting and troublous times. I am constrained to send a Postal Order for £1 as a contribution to the Orphan work.”

Thus the Lord, in answer to our continued prayers, works on our behalf in the hearts of His children, without our making any appeal to their sympathies: and, as if to show us that He can take care that war and famine shall not prevent the needed supplies reaching us, He sends us, this week, nearly £1,000.

On November 2nd there came to us from “God’s Steward, Oxfordshire,” £10.—3rd. From Epsom, a box containing 3 silver rings, a cameo brooch set in gold, 3 large gold lockets with chains, a small gold locket, a gold chain, 4 diamond rings, 16 other gold rings, 2 silver bracelets, a silver locket and chain, a hair bracelet with gold clasp, and some other articles of jewellery, to be sold for the Orphans, with £5 for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures. This donation illustrates a way of serving the Lord, and promoting the spread of His truth, which is often lost sight of, viz., by placing at His disposal stores of plate, and valuable articles of jewellery, which the possessors never use, and perhaps would hesitate to wear. If given up under the constraint of His love, surely, with such sacrifices He is well-pleased.

We received on the 4th, from C. H. 3 G., £50.— 6th. From Bovey Tracey, £100. The donor, while in lodgings away from his home, was taken very ill. A servant of Christ, an entire stranger to the sick person, went to lodge in the same house, and was asked to visit the sick one. In conversation the sick gentleman opened his mind to his visitor; told him that he knew he was dying, and that he wished to give, immediately, some money for the help of children; for, though he had none of his own, he loved children. He asked his visitor if he could recommend any Home or Refuges for such, whereupon the visitor said he could recommend the Ashley Down Orphanage, and another Institution. A few days after, the above-mentioned donation of £100 came to hand. Thus, while we speak of our needs to the living God alone, He, who has His servants everywhere, pleads our cause, and influences His stewards to send us, when, and in such amounts as He pleases.

There came on the 16th, from near Melton Mowbray, £50. 20th.—From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.

We received on December 6th, from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 15s. The kind donor said in his letter:—

“I hope the present outburst of patriotism is not being made at the expense of your Institution; but, as you look to your Father alone for your support, we may rest assured that, be the demands in other directions what they may, ‘He will not leave you nor forsake you.’”

To this it is our joy to set our “Amen.” The very unusual calls upon the benevolent, during the last seven months, doubtless diverted from this Institution many donations that otherwise would have come to us. This will be evident to the reader when I place before him, as I will now do, the state of our funds on the 26th day of seven successive months in our last financial year:

On June 26th the balance had risen to £4,990 14s. 9d., on July 26th the balance was £4,620 10s. 0d., on Aug. 26th, £3,339 9s. 7d., on Sept. 26th, £2,854 6s. 2d., on Oct. 26th, £2,785 os. 3d., on Nov. 26th (six weeks after the outbreak of the war), £1,602 15s. 1d., Dec. 26th, £1,101 0s. 6d. Thus, the close of 1899 found us with a rapidly diminishing balance and income, but found us also “in -perfect -peace!” We were fully persuaded that “He Himself knew what He would do,” and we simply prayed, and waited, and watched for His working, who “doeth wonders.”

We received on the 12th, from Redland, £20 4s., the result of one year’s work for the Ashley Down Orphans, from a Father, Mother, Daughter, and three Grandchildren. This labor of love has been persevered in, and the result annually sent to us for many years past, and all through this ten years.—25th. From “Mother,” £25 4s.

1900

The first letter opened on the first day of the New Year, was from “South Brisbane, Queensland,” and contained a Bankers’ Draft for £100, with the following words:—

“Dear Steward of God,

“Please accept, in your Master’s name, and for the support of the Orphans (or otherwise as you may be directed) £100; draft enclosed herewith, 1 Peter 3:12. “Yours in Him,——.”

This sum came as a precious token of our Heavenly Father’s purpose to continue towards us His mercies in this, another year.

From “Needy,” £20 for Missions, etc., with £15 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. This came from a business firm in one of the Midland counties. The father, the head of the firm, began nearly forty years ago to send, under the above pseudonym, small sums to this Institution. As his business increased the amount of his gifts increased, until they have now reached the present sum. The cheque was accompanied by the following instructive letter, which, by the father’s desire, was written by one of his sons:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Please find enclosed cheque value £40 from our firm, £15 for Orphans, £5 for self, and the balance as you think needful. The other £2 enclosed is a small offering from my youngest brother, the “baby” of the family, who wishes it to be used for the dear children. Our dear father, who sent to Mr. Müller for many years before he allowed us to know anything about it, expressed a wish to me yesterday that I should write to you a few lines. I could have wished that he should, himself, write, and I told him I would be ready to follow him, if spared, when he himself could no longer do so, but he said he would rather have the joy and pleasure of seeing some of his children doing it during his life, so I readily and willingly complied. We thank God for pious parents, and the example set us not to think too much of ourselves, but to think and do for others who are less fortunate than ourselves, etc.”

In this letter, the one word “example” explains the deeply important lesson that the whole letter conveys. How is it that this Christian father, in the evening of life, has the peculiarly rich joy of seeing his dear children, from the eldest to the youngest, treading with evidently hearty delight the same scriptural, and therefore blessed path in which, by God’s grace, he was enabled to walk, viz., regarding himself as a steward of God’s bounties, and therefore required to “look not on his own things, but to look also on the things of others”? How, we ask, has it come to pass, that the father has this joy in the truly filial spirit and conduct of his sons? Because, in seeking to “train them up in the way that they should go,” he did not rely upon mere verbal instruction, but, as a living example before their eyes, allured them into this peaceful and happy path of obedience to God’s Word.

We received on the 6th, from “Mother,” £25. This came from the same kind anonymous donor who sent us £25 4s. on the 27th of last month, and who has been a contributor for many years.—8th. From Ealing, £10 10s. The kind donor sent this amount “fearing that the large fund now being got together as a War fund must naturally interfere with the amount of your receipts.” No doubt this, to some extent, is the case; nevertheless our gracious God does not forget us, as will be evident when I state the income of the last three weeks, which has been as follows: for the week ending Dec. 27th, £421 5s. 1d.; for week ending Jan. 3rd., £1,185 18s. 6d.; for week ending Jan. 10th, £1,044 10s. 1d.; and this, let it be remembered, without any application to man, directly or indirectly, privately or publicly, by word, letter or press.

From Bristol, £5. The donor writes: “This is for Orphan children, for they must be cared for as well as soldiers!” The legacy of the late Miss E. P., £450.

The Credulousness Of Unbelief Versus The Reasonableness Of Faith

There was left anonymously on February 5th at the Bible and Tract Warehouse, 78, Park Street, a bag, containing £36 in gold and £2 in silver. The income for the Orphans, which for the first two or three weeks was more than adequate to the daily expenditure, has, since, been much less than the average daily outgoings: the balance in hand is therefore rapidly diminishing. This fact, in child-like simplicity, we, in private, and at meetings of the helpers for prayer, spread before our God; and in such a donation as this £38 from an utterly unknown source, we hear our Heavenly Father’s voice, saying “Fear not, only believe”! “Thou shalt see greater things than these.”

There came from London on the 10th, £37 10s., with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Presuming that, as formerly, no name or address of donor is published, I pass on, with my name, the enclosed. It is a dedicated amount and has just been waiting till the Master told where it was to go. Thirty-seven pounds ten shillings.

“Believe me,

“Yours faithfully,——.”

Four days ago as we were waiting upon God in prayer, telling Him, and Him only, of our needs, an unknown friend is directed to leave without a word, at our Book Depot, £38, nearly half of our average daily expenses. Now, today, we find that a servant of our Heavenly Master, who has been just waiting till He told her where to send £37 10s., has received clear intimation of His will that she should send it here, where a little group of other servants of His were telling Him that they were in increasing need. Now which, beloved reader, is the most reasonable, the credulousness of unbelief, which will have it that these repeatedly occurring coincidences are all mere chance, or the simple faith that beholds in these coincidences the proofs of the existence of a living God, who really listens to His servants’ prayers, and really works in the hearts of other servants of His to “will and to do His good pleasure,” and thus answers His suppliant ones?

There arrived on the 22nd from Islington, £10. From Southport, 4s. with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Herewith I send you 4s. for your work amongst the Orphans. It is from my aged father (86) and myself, as a small thank-offering for the mercies received during last year. We could not send before, though we have long wanted to do so. Three times in last year I was ill, and through long continued weakness I lost my situation. This situation was a great joy to me, and a great help financially. Since the end of 1898, I have been solely dependent on the Lord; and, though often sorely tried, He has never failed me. In my illness in the early part of last year, His care for me was most wonderful, meeting heavy expenses in all sorts of ways: and, in November, when again very ill, and very downcast and unbelieving, because I could not begin some new work as I had hoped, when able to read, I was led to your last year’s Report. At that time, as before in the year, I was without a penny; but, as I read your Report, tears of joy and thankfulness came. I went to the Lord in all my weakness and poverty, and gave myself, my plans, everything, to Him, and pleaded, as often before, that He who had so often answered dear Mr. Müller, and now so wonderfully answered your prayers, would provide for me. I think it was the very next day, He began to answer in a most unlooked for, undreamed of way, and has continued to do so ever since. I can only praise Him, from day to day, as I leave myself in His hands. I tell you this, that you may see how the publishing of the Report may help many as it has helped me. With earnest wishes for the welfare of all under your care.

“I am sincerely yours,——.”

The mail of the 26th, brought us from Christians in Robertson, Cape Colony, £1 15s. Even from the seat of war God sends us help!

The income for January was larger than for the previous month, and the balance on the 26th of that month had risen to £1,360 0s. 10d.; but during February this melted away, and we began March with a practically empty purse. We began March, I say, thus, but in the fourth week of that month (as of old, in the fourth watch of the night), our promise-keeping Lord came to us. On March 2nd we received from St. John’s Wood, London, £50, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I thank God for the good news of the relief of Lady-smith, with all its praying band, who have been supplicating the Throne of Grace. I enclose the sum of £50 for the Orphans, which I vowed to give as a token of gratitude to our gracious prayer hearing and answering God.

“Yours in Him,——.”

From A. H., Esq., I received £70 10s. The donor, who is today leaving England for the West Coast of Africa, left this sum at the Orphan House, No. 3.—7th. From Edinburgh, £2 8s. 6d. The donor wrote:—

“A few years ago I had the privilege of reading the narrative of Mr. Müller, and it has been in the providence of God a means of great blessing to me. I just believed that God is the same now as He was in Bible times: that He does give us the desires of our hearts, if we make known our requests unto Him. To show you how God blessed me after I had acted on Mr. Müller’s advice, viz., to give systematically to the Lord; when I read of Christians, after doing this, receiving an advance on their wages, I thought to myself, Well, my pay is as high as ever it will be, because I have the standard pay at my trade. However, I said, I will lay apart a certain sum every week. Well, on the last day of last year, my employer told me that he was going to raise my wages, and it was exactly as much as I had laid aside for the Lord! You can imagine how happy I was to see God’s hand in it.”

For the sake of beloved fellow believers who may know but little of the deep joy of which the writer of the above letter testifies, I have given it. How much present, conscious blessing is lost by not “just believing that God is the same now as in Bible times.” That He “does give us the desires of our hearts if we make known our requests to Him.” How much more “real” God would become to His children if they “honored Him with their substance, and with the first-fruits of all their increase” (Prov. 3:9).

The total income of the Institution for the week ending on the 14th has been only £252 5s. 1d. Our fund for the Orphans is quite exhausted. We can only speak to the Lord, and wait upon and for Him.

Legacy Of Twenty Thousand Pounds, Less Duty, Received When There Was Nothing In Hand

We received on the 24th, the legacy of the late V. S. L., Esq., £18,000. This sum exceeded by about £7,000 the largest ever received at one time. It came to hand at a moment when our supplies for the Orphans had, again, become entirely exhausted, and therefore, as a fresh proof of our Heavenly Father’s tender care, and faithfulness to His promises, in affording the help needed.

The timeliness of it is especially instructive. When, some fourteen years ago, the Testator was moved by God to insert this bequest in his Will, what was then hidden from human ken was “naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do” viz., that the year 1900, when this bequest would become payable, would, on account of a most costly war in South Africa, and an unprecedented famine in India, be a year of more than ordinary strain to charitable enterprises dependent, instrumentally, upon free-will offerings. Our Father in heaven foresaw the need of the hundreds of fatherless and motherless ones who, in the year 1900, would, in dependence solely upon His power and mercy, be gathered under the sheltering roofs of the Ashley Down Orphan Houses, or rather under His own sheltering wing, and He took care that even in the time of famine they should be satisfied. Such a deliverance does indeed illustrate His ever-enduring word: “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

Thus, our deliverance out of one more great strait, and the sustentation of the Orphans’ work in a time of diminished income, and rising prices of coal and many other articles of consumption, was accomplished by the fatherly care of the blessed God. I dwell on this that the reader may admire the lovingkindness of the Lord, who, having in the fourth decade of the present century, led His beloved departed servant Mr. Müller to begin this work, has now been pleased in the last year of the century to crown, as it were, the work with this signal mark of His favor, by causing the largest sum ever received in one amount to flow into its treasury.

There came on April 21st, from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. From near Bristol, £60, with £20 for myself.

On May 18th we received from Southport, £25. The kind donor remembers the Orphan work daily, at family prayer. May many be led to follow his example. The legacy of the late E. T. B., Esq., £100.—19th. From Edgbaston, £200.—21st. From Neuchatel, £2. The donors wrote as follows:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“The reading of the life of Mr. Müller, by Dr. Pierson, which reached us at a peculiarly suitable time, was made a very great help and blessing to my husband and to myself, and it is in acknowledgment (not in discharge) of the debt, which we feel we owe to him, that I am now sending the enclosed cheque for £2 to be used for the Orphans. It is part of a sum of money at my disposal, which I should not have thought of using, or been willing, probably, to use in this way, had it not been for some of Mr. Müller’s weighty and practical counsels as to ‘ laying up,’ joined with the effect of the circumstances into which we ourselves have lately been brought.”

On the 23rd there came from London £10, “a thank-offering to God for the relief of Mafeking.”

One Year’s Income Over £43,000

Through another twelve months the “Father of the fatherless”—the “Hearer of prayer”—has condescended, in His dealings with this Institution, to illustrate in remarkable ways these His unchangeable titles. Between May 26th, 1899, and May 26th, 1900, there was received, in answer to believing prayer, without a single application to any human being for pecuniary help, a total sum of £43,985 18s. 0d. This is by far the largest income for the Orphans that has ever been received; and that in a year of war and famine.

The balance in hand for the Orphans at the end of the year, was £15,535 2s. 10d.

“Behold the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy, … to keep them alive in famine.”

Chapter IV

May 26th, 1901—May 26th, 1902

“Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is Thine: … both riches and honor come of Thee, … and in Thy hand it is to give strength unto all.”—1 Chron. 29:11, 12.

To talk with God—no breath is lost;

Talk on, talk on!

To walk with God—no strength is lost;

Walk on, walk on!

To wait on God—no time is lost;

Wait on, wait on!

A. A. R.

A Time Of Abounding Supplies—Admission Of Children Bereft Of Only One Parent

We received on May 28th, from Clifton, £50.—30th. Anonymously, from S. M., £30.

June 8th. The income for the Orphans during the past seven days has amounted to only £99 19s. 7d., very little more than a fifth part of the amount of our average weekly expenditure on account of the Orphans. We had been especially bringing this disparity between income and expenditure before the Lord, and now He refreshed us today with the following larger gifts. From R. E., £100.— 11th. Anonymously, postmark “Home Bush, N.S.W.,” £25.

There arrived by the mail of the 21st, from Drouin, Australia, £60 for Missions, with £2 10s. for Mr. Bergin and £2 10s. for myself.—22nd. From Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself. It has pleased the Lord to supply us this year abundantly for the Orphans; but in His infinite wisdom He has suffered us to hunger again and again for supplies for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract work; we had often during the year to mourn our inability to send the amount of pecuniary aid which we would gladly have sent to the beloved Missionary Laborers. Not only had every shilling, which donors sent expressly for Missionary Laborers, been so expended, but considerable sums, which were left by the donors at our disposal, were appropriated to the Missionary branch of this fund, and so expended. The fund for these objects was at this time nearly, if not quite, exhausted; and we could do nothing but call upon our infinite helper, the living God, and await His gracious response. How refreshing to our hearts, under such circumstances, was the arrival of this £100, which, according to the terms of the donor’s letter, I was at liberty to appropriate to any part of the work of God in our hands. It enabled us to send off remittances to several of the Lord’s servants; and thus, besides meeting their temporal needs, caused, doubtless, “many thanksgivings unto God.”

On the 25th, from Rugby, the legacy of the late Mrs. H. R., £100. By far the larger proportion of the legacies bequeathed to this Institution are for the benefit of the Orphan branch of the work; but, in this instance, the Lord, who foresaw what our need would be at this time, influenced this testatrix to leave this portion of her estate for the four other objects of the work.—26th. From Southport, £50, with the following letter:—

“Dear Brother,

“In May 1900 I sent you a gift on behalf of your great and good work. Since then, my wife, myself, my daughters and niece have had the pleasure of looking through one of your Homes. Words fail to express my feelings, and I am convinced that the best-way to show them is by sending you the enclosed. I need not tell you that you are seldom forgotten at the throne of grace.”

On July 8th there came to us from Barrhead, N.B., £3, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Having been greatly blessed through reading the life of the late Mr. Müller, and being constrained to ‘lay up’ no more ‘treasure upon earth,’ but to look to God, as do the fowls of the air and the lilies of the field, I herewith send you part of the ‘treasure’ I had ‘laid up,’ for the benefit of the Orphans.”

The legacy of the late Mrs. E. T., for £2,700, reached us on the 20th. From readers of “The Christian,” £29 3s. 2d.—22nd. From Clifton Down, £150.

Opening Wider Our Doors

The decision arrived at on March 14th, to open the doors of these Orphan Houses to children bereft of only one parent, took effect on August 1st; and we had the deep joy of receiving during the week eight such children and up to the end of the time this book deals with we have received 1,702 of such Orphans.

There came on the 4th, from Fulham, £500, with the following letter:—

“Miss sends you a donation of £500 for the Orphan Homes, which the late Mr. Müller carried on for so many years for our blessed Master. May you, dear Sir, be spared to follow in his steps for the sake of the dear children.”

The mail of the 9th brought us from Wellington, N.Z., £50. The donor says in his letter:—

“The last year was the best I have had in business, and this is the balance of ten percent I set aside for the Lord’s work, which I was led to do through reading Mr. Müller’s remarks on Christian Stewardship. When I sent you the five pounds, I hardly dared to hope that I should have this privilege, but I most gladly give as the Lord has given me.”

A Legacy From A Grateful Orphan

We received on the 13th the legacy of the late Mr. O. H., £100. The testator was, from Aug. 1st, 1850, to March 26th, 1857, an inmate of the Orphan House No. 1, Ashley Down; and was apprenticed to a baker in the city of Wells. God prospered him; in his Will, dated 17th May, 1901, he bequeathed the above legacy, duty free, in the following words:—

“I give and bequeath to James Wright, Director of Mr. Müller’s Orphan Homes, Ashley Down, Bristol, the sum of One hundred pounds, to be paid as soon as may be after my death, the said sum to be used for the benefit of the Orphans in the above Home, and I wish here to record my deep gratitude for the benefits I received in the said Institution, when I was totally destitute and homeless, and may God prosper the good work for all time. I also direct the above legacy to be paid free of duty.”

The testator died on the 7th of June last, and the executors kindly fulfilled the desire, expressed by himself, by paying the legacy in a little over two months.

On the 16th we received from Cheltenham the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I was reading on Lord’s Day evening the Report you sent, when I came to the pages of help to the Lord’s Laborers. I did indeed thank Him for entrusting to you so much. I felt He was pleased, else it could not be. I had this £30 given to me for the Lord’s cause, and I meant to divide it among so many; but this evening, alone with God, I decided to send all to you, and I feel sure it will please Him, for I doubt not it is direct giving to God.”

Greatly had we been longing and praying that our ability to send help to Laborers in the gospel might be largely increased, and we had often reminded the Lord, that we made no appeals to His stewards, either privately or publicly, but that we relied entirely on His gracious disposing of His servants’ hearts. What a striking illustration this letter affords that He is pleased to recognize and respond to the trust that reposes in Himself alone.

There came in on the 22nd from South Wales, £225, and £25 for myself. This donation was another most cheering answer to our prayer for increased supplies.—24th. From Bristol, 1 ton of coals. The donor said: “God told him, at 4 a.m. this morning, to bring it; so he obeyed.” How much happier, dear reader, it is to receive this gift, which our Heavenly Father thus inclined His child to send us, than to have obtained it by our own pressing appeal. If we speak to God our Father, trusting in the merits of His beloved Son for the acceptance of our petition, He speaks to His stewards for us; and, as in this instance, they obey.

We received on the 27th, from Riddings, £16 8s. 5d. for the support of one Orphan for one year. The donor, twenty-six years ago, was one of our boys in the Orphan House No. 4. He sent a kind note expressing his “wishes for every success in the good work.”—28th. On account of the legacy of the late Mr. C. H., £700. From Bristol, £75, and £25 for myself. From Wellington, N.Z., £40.—30th. From Bristol, with 2 Cor. 9:15, £12 10s.

On September 2nd the legacy of the late Miss E. W. G., for £204 10s., reached us.—4th. From Chippenham, £50, From Orpington, £5, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Please accept the enclosed from two of your old scholars, in memory of our youngest sister, L. G., also one of your scholars, who passed peacefully away on the 17th of July. She was ready for the Master’s call, and never forgot the dear old Home.

“Yours ever gratefully, and praying God always to continue to bless you all, “(Signed) M. B. and F. H., sisters to L. G., the first baby in the New Orphan House, No. 2.”

This House was opened in the year 1857.

The legacy of the late Mrs. C. K., £329, came to us on the 6th.

I received on the 12th a brief letter, which may be taken as illustrative of the feelings of many widows, whose hearts have been caused to “sing for joy,” by the reception of their fatherless offspring into this Institution. The writer dated her letter from “The Brompton Hospital,” London, where she was being treated for Consumption, and it ran as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your exceeding kindness in receiving my fatherless darling daughter, Hilda Alice, and my two boys, Joseph and John, into your Orphanage.

“I am, dear Sir,

“Yours most gratefully,——.”

There reached us on the 18th the legacy of the late Mr. S. P., £447 18s. 9d.—19th. From Streatham, £1 0s. 6d. The donor wrote:—

“I shall never be able to thank you enough for the kindness I received whilst in the Orphanage; but the principal thing is that there I found my Saviour in the year 1887. I love to know more and more of Him ‘who loved me, and gave Himself for me.’ Wonderful love!”

On the 21st, the legacy of the late Mrs. M. J., £134 17s., came to us.—27th. From Bristol, £2, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Tomorrow being the anniversary of dear Mr. Müller’s birthday, I think I cannot do better than send you a small cheque to use as you think best. I was one of the 120 boys that walked from Wilson Street to dear No. 1 Orphan House, on Ashley Down, in 1849, where I received so much good, temporal and spiritual, which was the foundation of all the good I have received in this world, and where I learned to put my trust in Jesus as my Saviour. “With fondest love, dear Sir, believe me to remain, “Yours truly,——.”

I received from the Orphans in the sixteen departments of the New Orphan Houses on Ashley Down, in memory of beloved Mr. Müller’s birthday, £12 3s. for Foreign Missions. 28th. From Scotland, £100 for Schools, Bibles and Missions, with £5 for myself, after continuance for weeks in prayer.

On October 2nd there came from Sussex, £120 for Missions in South America, another precious answer to prayer.—3rd. From Taunton, £50. From Clydach, £25.

The British Government’s Action—An Answer To Prayer

We received on the 7th the legacy of the late Mrs. E. D., £6,168 5s. 9d. The testatrix, in her desire to avoid the payment of legacy duty, abstained from making a Will, but dictated her wishes to a friend who took them down in writing. As several Charities were interested in this intended distribution of her property, the case was, by common consent of the beneficiaries, submitted for decision to a Judge in Chancery. His decision, on strictly legal grounds, was that the document was informal, and that the whole of the estate reverted to the Crown. The facts of the case were then brought before the Treasury authorities. The matter was for some months in abeyance. Meanwhile we gave ourselves to prayer, that the Lord would influence the authorities to decide rather upon principles of equity than upon those of legal technicalities, as we well knew that the testatrix really desired her estate to be divided according to the written memorandum, though she had erred in attempting to evade the Government duty. The Lord most graciously answered our prayers, for the Treasury authorities were led to forego the larger portion of their strictly legal rights, and to apportion to each of the Charities, about three-fifths of their respective claims under the informal memorandum. The deceased lady intended to benefit this Institution to the extent of £10,000, and, instead of losing the whole, we were awarded a sum of £6,300, which, reduced by the costs of the legal enquiry, brought £6,168 5s. 0d. to our funds. The action of the Government was generous, and we feel deeply grateful to them, but we see behind them the hand of our loving God and Father, the “Father of the fatherless,” who delights to answer the supplications of His waiting children and servants.

There came on the 8th, from Leamington, £20.—10th. From Weston-super-Mare, £30.—14th. Anonymously, a B. E. Note for £10, with the words, “He careth for us.” It is meet that we should praise our God, every day, for verifications of this truth in His dealings with this Institution, and it is just in proportion as believers really lay hold of the Word, “He careth for you,” and, by faith, personally appropriate it, that they will be careful for nothing.—16th. From Hampstead, £44 for Missions, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself.

The legacy of the late W. B., Esq., of £1,000, reached us on the 21st. In our daily meetings of the helpers, for prayer, it is our frequent petition that the Lord would be pleased to influence executors and lawyers having to do with Wills under which bequests have been left for the Institution, to wind them up and pay the legacies without needless delay. In respect of the above legacy of one thousand pounds we recognized a distinct answer to these petitions, as it was paid within six months after the proving of the Will; and several other legacies have been paid, during the past year, with equal promptness.—22nd. From the Board of Governors of “The Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £100.—25th. On account of the legacy of the late Mrs. M. E. C, £100.—29th. From Kendal, £20.

The total income of the Institution on this day, November 4th, has been only £10 7s. 9d., while we have had to pay out £236 8s. 4d. Under such experiences we first give thanks, that, through His bountiful supplies in the past, we have more than enough to meet all demands; and, secondly, we cast ourselves afresh on our Heavenly Father’s infinite resources, of whom we are taught in His Word thus to reckon: “The Lord hath been mindful of us, He will bless us.” And how soon He gives us a fresh proof of His purpose thus to do, the next entry shows, viz.—6th. From Bideford, £30.—9th. From Leeds, £100.—12th. From Scotland, £100 for Missions, etc., with £5 for myself. From Starbeck, 3s., with the following words:—”I am only a poor old woman, but I put a copper or two away, or a sixpence when I can spare it.” Received “From one of the No. 4 Orphans, now a sailor well saved,” £2 12s.; and, from his intended wife, 8s.—15th. From Somercotes, £35.—25th. Balance of the legacy of the late Mr. D. M., £175 11s. 5d.—29th. From South Hackney, £50.

On December 5th I received on account of the legacy of the late Mr. J. R., £80. From Monmouthshire, £500.—11th. From Redland, £20 3s.

On the 13th there came in from Redland, a tortoiseshell comb, a mantle, a fur skin, a jacket, a skirt, 2 bonnets, 6 hats, and a few other things. All articles kindly sent to us, that we can make use of in clothing the Orphans, or in meeting any need of the Institution, we retain for such purposes; the remainder are sent to the Sale Room, at 78, Park Street, where articles are offered for sale to the public. But I take this opportunity to state that we never hold any “Bazaar,” or resort to any expedient of a sensational character to attract purchasers; believing that all such methods of obtaining money for the work of God are contrary to the teaching of the Word of God.

There came to us on the 16th, from Chatham, £20.—17th. From Walsall, “from an Anonymous Friend,” £30. 21st. From Kendal, £20. From “an Elderly Orphan,” £50. From “W. P. & Sons,” £30.—26th. Legacy of the late M. H. S., Esq., £450.—27th. From near Spean Bridge, £60. From Glasgow, £50. The donor wrote:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Accept this donation—’the results of a deceased wife’s industry’—I have sent to honor her memory, and the great life work of the honored founder of the Orphan Houses on Ashley Down.”

On the 30th I received from G. B., Chester, £25. From “Mother,” £25 4s.—31st. From Westbourne Park, London, £65, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. From Sussex, £20 for Missions in South America.

1902

On January 1st, I received from “Needy,” the following letter:—

“My dear Mr. Wright,

“It now devolves upon me, the youngest member of our firm, to write you the annual letter we generally send with our remittance. During the past year we have been called upon to bear a very heavy loss in the death of our father, who, you well know, has been a subscriber to your Homes between thirty and forty years, under the pseudonym of ‘Needy.’ You can imagine what this loss is to us, but our memory of him is of the happiest nature, and we recall with gratitude the noble example he always was to us. Of his interest in your Homes I need not speak; but we shall be for ever thankful that he created in us the same interest, and that we now have the best of all pleasures, viz. that of being able to help the little ones who are left without parents, and of whom we dread to think what their lives might be if it were not for such Homes as yours. May God bless you and the work you are engaged in is the earnest prayer of, “Yours sincerely,——

“P.S.—Please find cheque enclosed for £37; this is £35 from my two brothers and myself, with £2 added by a younger brother who wishes to help, as far as he is able, your good work. Kindly take £5 for your own requirements, and divide the balance, as in former years, as you think best.”

From Melksham, £35 came to us.—3rd. From “Readers of ‘The Christian,’” £44 17s. Left, anonymously, at New Orphan House, No. 3, in two B. E. notes, £20, “from two brothers in the Lord.”—7th. Legacy of the late Miss M. W. D., £500. From Geneva, anonymously, in two Post Office Orders, £15 16s. 2d.—11th. From Selkirk, £15, from a “Cheerful Giver,” the tenth of a small legacy.— 15th. From Christian friends at Kendal, £38 10s. 2d.—23rd. From Staffordshire, £4 15s. 0d. for Missions, from a converted atheist.—24th. From Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself.—28th. On account of the legacy of the late Mrs. K. C, £324.—30th. From St. Colomb, £100.

On February 5th from Mansfield, £12 10s. was received. The donor wrote as follows:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I promised, if I sold a certain property, £25 should come to you out of £100 set aside for distribution. This was about twenty days ago. Yesterday I sold the property, and the deposit was paid. On the 17th the purchasers should pay the total. Enclosed is £12 10s. on account: balance to follow.

“Yours truly,——.”

Received on the 18th, from Hitchin, a gold Albert chain and seal, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“After reading the life of Mr. Müller, I wish to take a lesson from his life, and am enclosing my gold chain, and seal, for which I wish to substitute a simple one, for I think it becomes one professing the name of Christ to forego all such ornaments.”

Have we not in this incident, very artlessly told, by one who is, personally, entirely unknown to me, something worthy of attention, whether we regard the action itself or the way in which it is done? It is just an act of obedience to God’s clearly revealed will, that His children should not adorn themselves with gold (1 Pet. 3:3): and then it is done without ostentation. This donor knows that his name will not be made public. It is a transaction between himself and his Lord. Only that! Now what does his Lord think of it? We are not left in any uncertainty about this. He says, 1 Sam. 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” This child of God might have tried to do some great thing—something that would have bulked largely in the eyes of his fellow-men, and won their admiration—but instead of this he is only intent upon pleasing God by doing what He tells him to do, i.e., to lay aside his gold ornaments; and plainly he was wise in his choice, for God’s Word says, as above, that this is the “better” of the two; to wit—the simple obedience, rather than the great sacrifice.

We received on the 22nd from Westbury Park, £20. On account of the legacy of the late C. H., Esq., £250.— 25th. From Porthcawl, £52 10s. On the 26th, the legacy of the late Mrs. M. A. H., of £500, was paid. Observe, dear reader, how mindful our heavenly Father is that, on account of the altered conditions of reception, in that we now receive Orphans bereaved of one parent, the number under our care is, week by week, increasing, and consequently our expenses are becoming larger and larger; He, therefore, sends us these large sums, that there may be no lack.—28th. From near Havant, £30, for the support of two Orphans for one year.

A Former Orphan’s Gift

There came in on March 7th, from Melksham, £25. From Bargoed, £14, for Missions. This donation came from an Orphan formerly under our care. As I considered this a large sum for one in his circumstances, I begged him, when he sent me the gift in February, to fully count the cost. I said I would not grieve him by returning the money, but would hold it for a month, during which time I wished him to reconsider the matter, and then to write me again, and if he found that he had acted upon a sudden impulse, and at all regretted the step he had taken, I would gladly return the money. He thanked me, and said he would do as I wished, but he did not think he should change his mind. Now, after waiting a month, he remained entirely satisfied that he was doing the will of the Lord in offering this gift for His work, and felt very happy and grateful for the opportunity granted him of thus showing his love to Christ. As such grace was given my dear young friend, I now gladly accepted his help.

We received on the 12th, from South Africa, through the Editors of Echoes of Service, £100. The donor sent this gift “With deep thankfulness for the teaching contained in some of the earlier Reports “which he had lately been reading.—13th. From London, Ontario, £30. 18th. From Edgbaston, £150.—19th. From Weston-super-Mare, £40.—24th. Legacy of the late Mrs. E. B., £100. 27th. From Hertfordshire, £100.

God Blesses Obedient Business Men

On the 29th, we received from Taranaki, £10, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“I herewith enclose Money Order for £10, which please use for the Orphans, or take a part for any other object of the Institution, if more in need. Last year, about the same time, I sent you the same amount, being an increase on what I had previously sent to you, and now again I send you the same, and wish to testify, for the benefit of others, that I have in no way missed the money I sent you, though it is more than I had previously sent; but, on the contrary, I have had greater prosperity in my business, and also in my family have enjoyed God’s blessing, and, above all, have enjoyed constant peace of mind, and so I am proving that God is an ever-present help to those who trust in Him, and that He is an overflowing fountain of felicity, and the only stable centre on which the soul may repose itself for ever.”

The following letter arrived by this mail from Dunedin:

“Dear Brother in the Lord,

“Please find enclosed draft for £50. As you are aware, for many years we have set aside ten percent of our income for the Lord’s work. As our capital is steadily increasing, more quickly than our necessities, we have decided in future to set aside fifteen percent of our income for this purpose, and feel convinced that this will prove to be the best investment we have ever made; the results we may not see here, but we know it is better than laying up treasure in earthen vessels; we have proved God’s power to supply all our needs, for when we have at times been in sore need, the help has ever been sent, though at times only after a real trial of faith; but, praise His holy name, when we were prepared to ‘be still,’ then did we know of a verity that our God was ever the same. We cannot close without again thanking Him for using the Institutions managed by you as an object lesson to lead us to ‘walk by faith and not by sight.’ We conclude with the prayer that our God may still supply all you need. “

“We remain,

“Yours in the Coming One,——.”

There came to us on April 3rd, from “Readers of ‘The Christian,’” £21 18s. 6d.—4th. From near Berkeley, £30. 14th. On account of the legacy of the late Mrs. E. M., £599 18s. 11d.—15th. From Bristol, £25. From Chicago, a ten-dollar note, from an Orphan formerly under our care, who left us a professing believer, but (as he now confesses) departed afterwards very far from the Lord, giving way to drinking, betting, gambling, and other sins. God, however, in the riches of His grace, restored his soul, and he is now seeking to live as becomes a child of God. This is one of many instances which have come before us, encouraging us to go on patiently sowing the good seed of the Word of God in the hearts of the Orphans, and not to despair when we see the fair hopes of a spiritual harvest apparently blasted by the enemy; for often the grace of God triumphs in reviving the spiritual life which appeared to have been destroyed.—17th. By sale of watches, jewellery, plate, and gold coins, £70 2s. 6d. From Bath, £20.—19th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £125. Legacy of the late Mr. G. S., £66 9s. 9d. From Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself. After days and weeks of prayer for help, the Lord gladdened our hearts by sending us this sum.

The mail of the 24th brought us from Chester, U.S.A., £1, with 10s. for Mr. Bergin, and 10s. for myself, from an Orphan who was under Mr. Müller’s care in the early period of the work. He wrote as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“I often think about you, and your dear friend and companion in the great work you are carrying forward under the guidance of the blessed Master, and my dear wife and myself often think of our departed fatherly friend, Mr. George Müller, with great affection and love; and I think of the many happy years I spent in the Orphan School at No. 3, Wilson Street. That is a great many years ago, I am now just 70 years of age, but the Lord has watched over me and my family all the time, and I can say in the words of the Psalmist, ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth those that fear Him.’”

On the 28th I received from Norwich, £25, “In memory of a wife.”

On May 2nd, the legacy of the late G. S. S. Esq., £100, was received.—3rd. Legacy of the late J. O., Esq., £100. 13th. From Reading, £69. From Perry Bar, £25, with £1 for Mr. Bergin, and £1 for myself.—17th. From “Joyfulness,” £50.—24th. From R. H. T., £1 10s. The donor says:—

“Of this sum, £1 9s. 3d. was the amount of a bill, begun in 1895 and ended in 1897; and, although I had repeatedly sent the bill, it remained unpaid. I lately felt I would use it for the Lord, if paid: and today I called on the debtors, and it was immediately paid. It is sweet thus to see the Lord’s hand in the matter.”

A Review Of The Year’s Mercies

The state of our finances during the past year furnishes another ground for devout praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. He has sent us 224 more Orphans to care for, and He has, in effect, been saying to us: “I well know that your expenses are all the greater, and, therefore, I will provide accordingly.”

The balance in hand for the Orphans on the 26th May, 1901, was £8,491 4s. 5d.; the expenditure from May 27th, 1901, to May 26th, 1902, was £24,462 17s. 9d., but not only had this large amount been met, but so widely has our faithful God and Father opened His liberal bountiful hand, that we closed the account on May 26th, 1902, with a balance in hand of £12,424 11s. 2fd. How willingly does He “who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all” give to His children “freely, with Him, all things.”

The total income for this year was £33,013 8s. 1d.

Chapter V

May 26th, 1902—May 26th, 1903

“His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”—Lam. 3:22, 23.

O worship the King all glorious above!

And gratefully sing His power and His love!

Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,

Pavilioned in splendour, and girded with praise!

Sir Robert Grant, 1815

Supplies Still Bountiful

The following entries tell of some of these “compassions” of our God toward us during another year.

On May 28th we received from Edinburgh, £130, with £10 for Mr. Bergin, and £10 for myself.—31st. From Clifton, £50. From R. F., £100.

We received on June 2nd the legacy, with interest, of the late Mrs. F. A., £104 14s. 1d.—3rd. From Eastville, 10s., “A thank-offering to God for the good news of Peace.” 4th. From Plusha Bridge, 4s., “as a small thank-offering on the declaration of Peace.”—11th. The total receipts towards the support of the work, this day, were £5 19s. 9d., while the payments reached the total of £702 5s. 6d. If our trust was in the balance in hand we might well be anxious; but, by grace, our trust is in God, who will provide, in His own time and way.

Mr. Wright’s Remarks On Mr. Chapman

There is another agency in operation for the benefiting of this Institution, to which I am led now to refer—viz., the power of Intercessory Prayer. This agency is invisible in its working and beyond all human calculation in its results, but we have the divine estimate of its importance in James v. 16: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

It is a simple, undeniable fact, that the “Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad “owes its existence, and largely its history, instrumentally, to “the effectual fervent prayer” of one man, whom God raised up to accomplish it. But his faith proved contagious, and the phalanx of praying souls that the Holy Spirit has banded together to sustain and forward it by their believing supplication and intercession, have become, like David’s supporters of old, “a great host like the host of God.”

But as in that “host” there were some pre-eminently “mighty,” so also with the modern parallel, there have been amongst the secret pleaders with our “Father who seeth in secret” the mighty, the mightier, and the mightiest. One who, I believe, I may safely class with the last named, on June 12th passed away from earth, and it is his decease that leads me to make these remarks. Robert Cleaver Chapman, late of Barnstaple, Devon, was one of George Müller’s oldest and most intimate friends. Throughout the sixty-eight years of the existence of this Institution, he has been its helper by continuous intercession; a mighty spiritual helper. Well beloved, single-eyed “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” thou hast “fought the good fight, thou hast kept the faith, thou hast finished thy course,” may grace be given to us to follow thee as thou didst follow thy Lord.

On the 13th, there came from 2 Cor. 9:15, £10 for Missions.—20th. Legacy of the late A. B., Esq., £500.

There came on the 24th, from Scotland, £100. Our fund for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract operations was again exhausted, and we had been longing and praying for help for these branches of the work; especially that we might be enabled to help some of the beloved servants of Christ laboring in the gospel in this and other lands. It was, therefore, a great cheer and refreshment to receive this £100.

Faith Relieves From Anxiety

The freedom from anxious care that this way of carrying on work for God brings cannot be described in words. The work is more and more felt to be God’s work, not ours. If He is pleased to contract our income, we seek to contract our expenditure—”A man can receive nothing except it be given him from above.” If the Lord withholds from us the honor of enlarging our operations in any particular direction, we have no personal reputation to maintain. We are not architects charged with the designing of the form, and scope of God’s work. He, Himself, is the Architect, and Designer, and we are simply His day laborers, supremely happy in taking our orders day by day from Him, and leaving all the results in His hands.

At the same time we hold to it that—”He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think,” and so we go on seeking to “hope in His mercy,” and to expect greater things still from His infinite wisdom, love, and power. Moreover, the Lord of the harvest is not limited to this or that particular channel by which to supply His servants that labor in dependence upon Himself; and if He, our Lord and Master, is pleased to call others to share in such work as we delight to do for Him, by His grace we will rejoice in His holy pleasure, for “If one member be honored, all the (other) members (should) rejoice with it.”

On July 2nd the legacy of the late R. A., Esq., £100, was paid. From Stoke, Devon, 5s. The donor writes:—

“It is a thank-offering to God for a good husband, the son of a praying mother, who attributes her conversion to the influence received while a resident in one of the Orphan Houses on Ashley Down.”

We received from South Hackney, £93.—7th. From Mundesley, £20.—14th. From Streatham Hill came the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I am sending the enclosed for the benefit of the Orphans. I myself was in the Orphanage for thirteen years; and, though I did not value its advantages as I ought to have done, God, in His mercy, has led me to see how much I have missed. Since my conversion I have looked upon it as a pleasure and a duty to support the Orphanages, knowing that the God who clothed and fed me, through the faith of others, can also render to me according to my faith in Him; and, lately, He has led me to see that we should give to Him according as He has blessed us; so will you kindly put the enclosed £13 for the Orphans.”

We received on the 19th, from Porthcawl, £39 7s. 4d. The donor says:—”I am deeply thankful that the Lord has given me the power and desire to help the good work.” 21st. From Westmorland, £167.—The mail of the 22nd brought us from an Orphan formerly under our care, now living in British Columbia, 10s. 3d. for Missions and 10s. 3d. for the Orphans, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Once more the Lord has given me the privilege, and a milling heart, to send the enclosed to you for His work; will you kindly use half for the Orphans, and the other for what you think best. Hoping you and all helpers are quite well, “I remain, “Your grateful Orphan,—.”

The writer states that “the Lord” had given her a “willing heart.” The truth referred to cannot be too deeply impressed on our minds. “God loveth a cheerful giver.” But for this very cheerfulness, which, like the bloom on fresh ripe fruit, imparts such preciousness to the gift in the eyes of the blessed God, we are indebted altogether to Himself! This willing cheerfulness in giving is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, who works in us to “will and to do of His good pleasure.” But the Holy One works by using instrumentality, and the instrument is His own holy written Word; and here comes in our responsibility. Our part is to cultivate the habit of daily prayerful meditation on the Scriptures, and if this habit is maintained, the Holy Spirit will so unfold to our hearts the wondrous love of God manifested in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, that that love will, as the Apostle Paul expresses it, “Constrain” us to regard all that we possess as given to us “ with “ Jesus, and so to account it our happy privilege to render to Him of His own. In this spirit David exclaimed: “Of Thine own have we given Thee.”

On the 23rd the legacy of the late Mr. M. D., £500, was received. From Edgbaston, £150. From Clifton, £150. For several weeks the income for the support of the Orphans has been much less than the expenditure. Now, in answer to many prayers, the Lord has graciously sent us, within three days, more than one thousand pounds for this branch of the work!—There was paid, on the 24th, the legacy of the late Miss F. P., £250.

Still further, after our weeks of comparative straitness, the Lord is today pouring bountifully into our treasury. This is according to the manner of our gracious Heavenly Father. First He tests the faith and patience He bestows. Secondly, He sustains both the faith and patience that He exercises, and thus strengthens and increases both. Thirdly, in grace, He richly rewards the trust that has reposed in Himself. For three weeks past I had been away from Bristol for a little rest and change. Mr. Bergin sent me daily reports of the work, so I knew how, day by day, the disparity between income and expenditure increased. Nevertheless, neither Mr. Bergin nor myself were permitted to suffer any anxiety. We “thanked God” that, owing to His previous bounties, we had more than enough to meet this lack, and, for the future, we “took courage,” trusting in the Lord Jehovah, Jehovah Jireh, that He would in His own time and way provide; and thus it has again proved. From a solicitor, £1 is: “It is my first fee on setting up in practice as a solicitor, and I wish to offer the firstfruit unto the Lord.”—30th. From Barnston, a letter as follows:—

“My first donation to the Orphans at Ashley Down was 2s. 6d., and after reading your Report, another 2s. 6d. The next year I sent 10s., and last year 10s., and again, after reading your Report, another 10s., and then I resolved to lay by a tenth of my earnings for my Saviour’s cause, and have been enabled to do so up to the present. The letters I receive from my three sisters and brother in your Homes give me great pleasure, and I do pray the Lord to continue abundantly to bless your labors and all connected with the cause at Ashley Down.”

There came on August 6th, from Dundee, £50.—7th. From the Lord Mayor of Bristol, £41 15s. 6d., in new sixpences (1,150 Victorian and 521 of the present reign); 1,701 Coronation medals, with ribbon to attach the same, and 1,701 buns, for presentation to the Orphans in the five Orphan Homes on the day of the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward the Seventh.—8th. From London, £5 5s. for Missions. The kind donor, in former years, was instrumental in bringing many Orphans under our care; but was subsequently led to engage in the work of caring for Orphans, and has been greatly blessed therein. The following are some of the sympathetic words that accompanied the donation:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Many thanks for your Report. I am delighted to know that God has led you to open the doors of your Homes to children bereaved of one parent, and so to fill up the vacancies, that the Houses God has so honored may be filled. I see by your Report that money has been coming in rather slowly for Missions, so kindly do me the favor to accept the enclosed small cheque for that object.”

There was received on the 12th, from Bristol, with 2 Cor. 9:15, £10 for Missions. Legacy of the late Mrs. E. P., £201 14s. 9d. Legacy of the late J. W., Esq., £100— 28th. From Bristol, £75, and £25 for myself.

Death Of A Loved And Valued Friend And Helper

On September 9th our dearly beloved and valued friend, Mr. Benjamin Perry, fell asleep, after a protracted and painful illness. He was for many years a close personal friend of Mr. Müller’s; one who not only liberally aided with the substance which the Lord entrusted to him as His steward, but by his constant prayer was a mighty helper of this work. The words on helpers by prayer, given under June 12th, have a true application in his case also. His counsel in business matters was so valuable, that when in 1892 land belonging to this Institution was sold, it was to this wise, godly, business man Mr. Müller turned for assistance, which was ungrudgingly and joyfully rendered. The Institution has suffered a great loss by his removal; but, blessed be God, the word “Thou remainest” comforts our hearts.

I received from London on the 15th the following letter:

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I am pleased to be able to write to you once again, and to send you £1 4s., being a tenth of four months’ wages, to be used as you think best. I must tell you it is exactly eighteen years ago today since I left the dear old Orphan House No. 5. What memories it does recall as I look back. Truly the Lord has been with me and watched over me each step of the way, and I thank Him today for all the way He has led me. Will you kindly give my love to the dear matrons and teachers of No. 5.

“I remain,

“A grateful Orphan.”

There was received on the 23rd, from Redland, £40, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself.—27th. From Tranmere, 5s., “from one who was under your care twenty-five years ago.”

There came to us on October 1st, from Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself. From “Readers of The Christian,” 5s. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, with £49 18s. 2d. for the Orphans. From Sussex, £100 for Missions, with £20 for the Orphans. After a period of some weeks, during which the supplies for the work have been comparatively small, the Lord is, today, beginning to answer many prayers, in a more abundant income, and, particularly, in that nearly £200 are available for the Missionary operations.

I received on the 3rd, from Cheltenham, 5s., with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“It gives me great pleasure to write to you and to be able to send a small token of gratitude for the kind care that was taken of me during the fifteen years I was at the dear Home. I thank God that I was brought up at such a home. It is the only home I have known, except where I am now. I have been here three and a half years. My master and mistress are exceedingly kind, they are just like parents to me. My grateful love to all.”

There came on the 8th, from Weston-super-Mare, £30. From Bath, £20.—11th. From Workington, 5s. for Missions, with the following words:—

“Dear Sir,

“I have begun to work for the bread that perisheth; and, seeing that the Lord has saved my soul, I have decided to give my first earnings for the Master’s use.

“Faithfully yours,

“First Fruits.”

The father of this anonymous donor adds the following postscript to his son’s letter: “I, the father of the above, agree and rejoice. Proverbs 22:6. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’” From Leeds, £50.

We received on the 17th the legacy of the late Mrs. E. H., £450. From Prahran, Australia, £1, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I am not personally acquainted with you, but, as the successor to the benefactor of my youth, the good George Müller, you are, and ever will be, dear to me, one of the earliest Orphan boys at No. 3, Wilson Street, Bristol. I am now seventy-two years of age, and for about forty years have never slept without remembering my early friend, and the Orphan Houses at the throne of grace; and, since his lamented death, have prayed every night for you, and the Orphans under your care; and now pray again, ‘God bless you and them, and all engaged in the work.’ The bearer of this letter is one of my sons, a good Christian lad, who will be delighted to see the noble Institution, and the wonderful work of God through faith in Him. He will hand you 20s. from me towards the Orphan work.”

There came to us on the 18th, from Leamington, £20. From Christian Sailors, on board H.M.S. Ramillies, £1 15s., “money received as pay instead of grog.” From the Board of Governors of “Thomas Porter’s Equipment Fund,” £125.—28th. Legacy of the late Miss R. D. K., £93 is. 3d.—31st. Received in cash, £50, in lieu of plate and jewellery bequeathed by the late Miss K. J. E. P.

On November 1st the legacy of the late Mr. T. W., £22 10s., was paid.—5th. From Bradninch, £1. In the letter accompanying it, the donor says:—

“Will you please accept the enclosed £1 with my love and gratitude for the many years of good training I had from early childhood. It was a great pleasure, last summer, to go to Bristol, and pass through No. 3 and No. 1 Orphan Houses. Every place seemed so familiar to me, although I have left so many years. It was thirty years since I had had the pleasure of seeing you.”

We received on the 6th, the legacy of the late Mr. J. L, £126 15s. 6d.—10th. From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:15, £15.— 12th. From Chippenham, £50. Anonymously, per G.W. Railway, £30, and a pair of sheets and 2 pillow slips. From Scotland, £80, for Missions, Bibles, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. For many weeks the Lord has been pleased to keep us very low in the fund for these objects; yet daily some tokens of His gracious remembrance came to hand. Now, after many prayers, and patient waiting for the Lord, He again cheered us by this donation.

The legacy of the late Mrs. L. L. A., £200, was paid on the 21st. From “Fide et Amore,” £20, “prize money for a horse.” The donor was “impressed to forward this for the Orphans.”—26th. By sale of dental gold, £21 5s. Many hundreds of pounds have been received by the sale of artificial teeth set in gold.

On December 4th, was received the legacy of the late T. M. J., Esq., £450.—9th. From Salem, U.S.A., £4 2s. 1d. The donor has been blessed in business, so sends this, which he says is “the fruit of hard labor,” but he sends it “with pleasure, because it is all the Lord’s.” Beloved reader, let us more and more seek to give in this spirit. If we have been enabled to trust in Christ as our Saviour, let us heartily own Him as Lord, i.e., absolute possessor of our persons, and all that we have. How different our view of all earthly possessions will be from that of the world that knows not God, if we regard them simply as entrusted to us to deal with as stewards answerable to the Sovereign Possessor of all.—13th. From Redland, £20 0s. 6d.—15th. From Blackheath the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I enclose you cheque for £15, of which please devote £10 to your Orphan work, or any other department you think well, and take the remaining £5, please, for your own and co-worker’s needs, dividing it among yourselves. I feel I am a good deal indebted to our dear departed friend, Mr. Müller, as regards his testimony as to the value of giving. I see it was early in 1868 I first got into communication with him, now nearly thirty-five years ago, and I cannot but notice how the Lord has been with me and helped me; and now, as I am getting an old man, and derive my income principally from house property, how my houses are kept well let, and rents well paid, is quite remarkable. I say this to His praise, which I feel it is well, both for ourselves and others, not to keep back.”

There came in on the 18th, from Bristol, £20, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. From W. P. and Sons, £30—20th. Legacy of the late W. H. M., Esq., £90— 27th. From Dublin, £100. From “Mother,” £25 4s. 31st. From Redland, £3 3s., a thank-offering for the preservation of a son, who served in the South African war, and who had been shot through both legs.

1903

We received on January 1st, from Melksham, £35. From Ashley Hill, £35. From “Needy,” £30, with £5 for myself. From Highbury, £100.—16th. From “H. S. H., Reveresco,” £200, with £2 for myself. From Kendal, £38 14s. 4d.—17th. Anonymously, from Clifton, £50 “from an elderly Orphan.”—23rd. Legacy of the late Miss H. H., £218 is. 5d. The testatrix was a domestic servant, and her mistress informed us of the legacy, and sent us the Will, which enabled us to obtain it.—28th. From London, £y, “with grateful love, from one of your old Orphans.”—29th. From Moline, £20 7s.—30th. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., £20 for the Orphans, with £5 for myself.

Trust In God By Merchants

On February 2nd I received from Dunedin, £25. The donors write:—

“One of the greatest crises in our business will take place in a few short weeks; but our hearts are stayed upon Jehovah, and we realize that the fear of man bringeth a snare. In the ordinary course of things the events of the near future should give us cause for much thought and great concern, but the business is the Lord’s, not ours, and He will guide through all the difficulties that seem to be gathering fast about us. Meanwhile, we wait patiently upon the Lord, knowing He will bring it to pass.”

The above sentences are worthy of the attention of Christians engaged in business. They are not the words of mere theorists, but of men who have daily to face all the varied difficulties which beset those who aim at really carrying on business for God. The calm confidence which the letter breathes can only flow from one source, viz.: the faith that “God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Again, such freedom from anxious care could not be maintained if there was on the part of the merchants any “turning aside to crooked ways “in carrying on their transactions. It would be a hollow pretension to say “the business is the Lord’s,” if He were not really recognized as the Lord of the business: that is, if His will, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, was not reverently applied to every detail of management, and implicitly obeyed. That, at least, must be the habitual aim of His servants if their peace of mind is to continue unruffled. Will the reader kindly refer to the entry made further on, under date of April 6th, and the remarks made thereon.

From Liverpool we received £50 for Missions, “being savings.” On the 5th, from Morningside, the following letter came:—

“Dear Sir,

“It is with great pleasure I am sending you 5s., as a thank-offering to God, for His great mercy to me and mine, in providing such a home for four of my fatherless little girls in your Orphanage. It is not much I can do, but I know that, small as it is, it is given with a thankful and grateful heart. How hard it is to part with our little ones no one but a mother knows; but I am sure that we mothers ought to thank and praise God, that our dear little ones are being taken care of, and, above all, being brought up in the right way. Oh, I am so thankful when I think how my dear ones might have been neglected, while I was working for them, and I do thank you again and again for your goodness in taking four of my darlings.

“I remain, etc.”

There came in on the 7th, from Clevedon, £50.—12th. From Sheffield, £50 for Missions in Italy, and £50 for the Orphans. From Ipswich, £300, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“The late Mr.—— left me his residuary legatee. As I do not intend to retain this money myself, I send you £300 towards your funds. In doing so I believe I am promoting a work with which the Testator was entirely in sympathy.”

We received on the 13th, from near Bingley, £20.—26th. From Kidderminster, £20. From Tavistock, £5 for Missions, with £5 for the Orphans and £1 for myself. This kind donor writes as follows:—

“The fact that a work of such magnitude has been carried on for so many years, by simply calling in faith upon God for supplies, is of vast importance in this skeptical age.”

Seventy years ago it was borne in upon George Müller’s heart that the Church of Christ needed such a testimony, and He yielded himself to God for the service. That our God and Father accepted it, the above letter, a sample of many, goes to prove. That such a testimony is none the less needed today is our deep conviction, and we also desire to continue it as long as the Lord shall be pleased to uphold us.—28th. From Watford, £25.

A Large Legacy

There was paid on March 2nd, on account of the legacy of the late G. R., Esq., £6,000. For some weeks the daily income for the Orphans has been much below the average daily expenditure on their account. Now, by causing this large sum to be paid to us, our faithful and gracious God and Father reminds us how well He knows our need, and, that, owing to our having some 300 more Orphans under our care than we had two years ago, our expenditure is largely increased.—10th. Balance of the legacy of the late Miss J. D., £85 6s. 11d.—11th. From Weston-super-Mare, £30.—16th. From London, Ontario, £30.—18th. From Southport, £25.—24th. Received the following gratifying report of an Orphan apprentice:—

“Dear Sir,

“I have to inform you, that——, who was apprenticed to me, from your Institution, is leaving my employ for Liverpool. I am very pleased to state that he has done very well during his term of apprenticeship, and for over a year in my employ afterwards, and will depart, with our sincere love and best wishes for his future success in every respect.”

On the 25th, we received from Woodhouse, £10, from one who, twenty-seven years ago, was an Orphan boy, in Orphan House No. 4. Seven years ago we sent him an Orphan, as an apprentice to his business, and of him he reports: “He is doing well, is to be married at Easter, and, to all appearances, his prospects are bright for the future.” From readers of the Christian Herald, £27 18s. 10d. 30th. From Westbury Park, £20. Balance of the legacy of the late G. R., Esq., £1,314 1s. 7d., making in all £7,314 1s. 7d. received from the estate of this gentleman.

Trusting In God Leads To Fuller Trust

On April 2nd, the legacy of the late Mrs. C. B. C, £100, was paid.—6th. From Dunedin, the following letter:—

“Dear Brother in the Lord,

“We enclose a draft for £100; £50 for the Orphans, and £50 for Missions. As we told you last year, we have been constrained to lay aside 15 percent of our profits for the Lord’s work, and the resolution, from a worldly point of view, has proved a good investment. Our needs have not increased with our capital, and we have now nearly all we need in our business, so we now propose to devote 20 percent of the profits to the Lord’s work. ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof’ and why should we try to hoard up what is not ours? We realize that we need much of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom to distribute His money in His way, and our prayer is that we may be kept low at the Master’s feet. ‘The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.’ Banks may break, business may decline, but when the soul is stayed upon Jehovah, none of these things shall move us. We sincerely trust that our testimony may help you all in your life and work of faith.

“We remain,

“Yours in the Master’s service ——.”

Three important principles are illustrated in this letter. First, to give to the Lord according to His will as revealed in the Scriptures, the believer should give in proportion to the increase of his substance, 1 Cor. 16:2, “as God hath prospered him.” In this instance, after a clear increase in the business profits in a given year, the amount devoted to the Lord is raised from its previous rate to fifteen percent of the profits; the following year showing a still further increase of profits, the amount to be devoted to the Lord is raised to twenty percent. Secondly, it is recognized that the object of a child of God is not to hoard up treasure on earth, but, as a steward, to scatter the increase entrusted to his stewardship. Thirdly (a most deeply important point), even in the disbursal of this, the believer is not to act in self will, or depend upon his own wisdom and discretion, but “low at the Master’s feet” to seek explicit direction. Implicit trust in the “Counsellor” “the Mighty God,” will always obtain His explicit guidance. The reader will, I think, find it profitable to read again the letter, given under the date of Feb. 2nd, from the same writer. A comparison of that letter and the present one, written two months later, will illustrate the faithfulness of God in abundantly justifying, by His subsequent providence, the calm confidence expressed in the first letter in the Father’s unfailing care.

Received the legacy of the late F. D. M., Esq., £152 17s. 10d. On the 8th, from Bristol, £50.—14th. From Wolverhampton, £50. From Bristol, £34 16s. and a gold locket from the same kind donor who gave the £50 for these objects as noted under the 8th of this month.

I had, at first, some hesitation in accepting the first gift, and probed the donor as to the motives inducing the surrender, but it was evident that the cost had been counted, and the action prompted by love to the Saviour, so I could only admire the Lord’s sovereignty in selecting His instruments for supplying the needs of His work. These were emphatically cheerful, yea, joyful gifts.

We received on the 17th, from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. This was a most marked answer to our continued supplications, for additional means for Missions.—22nd. From the Board of Governors of “Thomas Porter’s Equipment Fund,” £125. From Porthcawl, £50. From Perry Bar, £25, with £1 for Mr. Bergin, and £1 for myself.—25th. Legacy of the late Mrs. L. W., £100.

There came in on May 2nd, from Porthcawl, £111 3s., from the same kind donor who sent £50 on April 22nd. 4th. From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:15, £15.—5th. From Edinburgh, £100, for Missions, etc., with £30 for the Orphans, £10 for Mr. Bergin, and £10 for myself.—9th. From Boston, on account of the share of residue of the late T. M. J., Esq., £1,000.—18th. From Newton Abbot, £100, share of residue of the late Mrs. S. I. B.—21st. Legacy of the late Dr. T. J. C, £100.

A Skeptical Critic’s Opinion

A skeptical critic, writing, in the year 1898, in one of the popular magazines, remarked that “the days of fanatical giving had now passed,” and that, therefore, it could not be expected that the extensive work, originated by the deceased philanthropist, could be, in the future, successfully carried on by the same methods which had hitherto been pursued. Yet, for five years, this work has gone on, and is going on today, on precisely the same lines on which it was conducted for the previous sixty-four years. To meet the expenses during these five years, the sum of £158,150 has been obtained simply in answer to believing prayer, without any appeal, verbal or printed, to the public, or solicitation for help addressed to one single individual.

Mr. Bergin and myself feel profoundly grateful to the God of all grace for His unmerited mercy bestowed upon us, in our being permitted to bear this testimony to the faithfulness of our God and Father, who, today, as ever, hears and answers the prayers of His children.

The total income for all the purposes of this work, for the past year, ending 26th May, has been £29,359 6s. 9d.

The balance in hand for the Orphans at the end of the year was £11,523 16s. 2d.

Chapter VI

May 26th, 1903—May 26th, 1904

“He led them forth by the right way.”—Ps. 107:7

Press forward and fear not! though trial be near,

The Lord is our refuge,—whom then shall we fear?

His staff is our comfort, our safeguard His rod;

Then let us be steadfast, and trust in our God.

Balance In Hand Steadily Decreases

It is with a deep sense of responsibility, as well as of rare privilege, that I proceed, for the seventh time since the decease of my beloved father-in-law, to record some of the dealings of God with the “Scriptural Knowledge Institution” through another year.5 In Acts 14:26 and 27, we have an inspired reference to a twelve months’ work, for which two servants of Christ “ had been recommended to the grace of God” and which, through that grace, they had fulfilled; and we are significantly told, that after such completion of their work, “ they rehearsed” not what they had done, but “ all that God had done with them “; and, further, “ how He,” not they, “ had opened the door.” I pray that, in the like spirit, every line may be written:—

“All boasting be excluded here,

And God alone be great.”

We received on June 2nd, from R. F., £100—11th. From New Zealand, £1. The donor wrote:—

“My dear Fellow Believers,

“You are engaged in a mighty work, and it needs little ones to deal in big things.” We felt thankful to our correspondent for this hint. The true object of all Christian work is “that God in all things may be glorified,” I Pet. 4:11. The less man is visible or prominent in any work for God, the more room is left for God to display Himself. Gideon’s army became “effective” on the exactly reverse principle to that which obtains in this world’s warfare. Thirty-two thousand men were “too many” for God, because victorious Israel would have eclipsed God! But reduced to three hundred they became “effective” for God, because His power could not but be fully manifested. Judges 7:2 and 7.

There came to us on the 13th, from Bath, £20.—18th. Received on account of the legacy of the late C. H., Esq., £100.—20th. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. For this donation much thanksgiving ascended to our faithful God and Father, the hearer of prayer. We had been especially desiring to send aid to Missionaries: this help was therefore very timely.

June 26th. One month has elapsed since the commencement of our financial year; and only £602 5s. 6d. has been received for the support of the Orphans. During the same month we have paid out on account of the Orphans £2,231 19s. 6d. The thoughtful reader will, therefore, see how necessary it is that we should be kept, by grace, looking “not at the things which are seen,” viz., the balance in hand, “hit at the things which are not seen,” viz., the living God, and the promises of His Word, which are yea and amen in Christ.

There came by the mail of the 29th, from Wellington, N.Z., the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Accept my thanks for Report. Please accept the enclosed bank draft £25. I still find it a real privilege to give according to the scriptural plan as explained so clearly by the late George Müller.”

We received on July 3rd, from Sussex, £20.—7th. From a Professor in Dublin, £25.—13th. From Chingford, £155. 21st. From Clifton, £150.—27th. From Cardiff, £20 for Foreign Missions.

There came on the 28th, from Clerkenwell, £5. The donors wrote as follows:—

“We are always greatly delighted to know all that is possible about your work; and, whenever our faith is weak, we just remember that it is God who cares for the children, and feeds and clothes them. Your work is a grand testimony to the efficacy of prayer.”

From R. F., £50, was received. From Stroud, 20 boxes of soap. From Bristol, 60 panes of glass. The firm that sends this gift have most kindly, entirely of their own accord, without solicitation, supplied us for years with all the window-glass required for repairs in our Orphan Houses. The reader will observe, in the last two recorded donations, specimens of the variety of ways in which our gracious God and Father supplies our needs.—30th. From Liverpool, £50 for Missions. This donation came as a very distinct answer to prayer, and an encouragement to further supplication for funds to enable us to aid servants of Christ. I received on August 4th, from Bembridge, £5, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Please accept this enclosed note for £5, as a thank-offering. I was once one of your Orphans, and have been able to save this, for which I am very thankful; and although I am at a distance, I often talk of my childhood’s days to my husband and children. My husband is a fisherman, and very steady.”

There came to us from Croxley Green, £14 15s. 4d. for the support of one Orphan for a year. The reader will have observed that donations expressly designated by the kind donors “for the support of one Orphan for a year” vary in amount. This arises from the fact that the average annual cost of an Orphan varies: the outlay during one year differs from that of another.

Delays Not Refusals

On the 5th was received the legacy of J. A. H., Esq., £1,908 is. Legacy of the late T. W., Esq., £300. This week’s income for the Orphans exceeds the total income of the previous nine weeks, i.e., the whole period from May 26th to July 29th. But, during those nine weeks we were kept from anxiety because we knew that the work was the Lord’s, not ours, and that He could easily, and very quickly, make up for all deficiencies during one period by opening more widely His loving, liberal, bountiful hand at another period. So we simply continued to ask Him, in the name of His beloved Son, to do so; and now in one short week He has practically done it! Beloved fellow trusters in God, let us learn to trust our Heavenly Father wholly; and let us remember that His delays are not refusals, but opportunities for the exercise, and by this the growth, of faith.

From Dundee arrived £50—11th. From readers of The Christian £22 15s.—14th. From F., Honiton, £5 for Home Missions, with £20 for the Orphans, £2 10s. for Mr. Bergin, and £2 10s. for myself.—19th. From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:15, £10 for Missions.—22nd. From Shaldon, 13 gold scarf pins, and 1 set with small diamonds, 3 gold shirt studs in case, 1 massive gold ring and seal set with carbuncle, 3 safety pins, 3 pairs of sleeve links, 2 silver matchboxes, a silver pencil case, 7 trinkets, 2 memorandum books and 4 cigar cases. From Market Drayton, £50. The kind donor attributes his sending this donation to “the Lord’s promptings.” This coincides exactly with the fact that the same Lord is continually prompting His servants engaged in this work to seek the needed pecuniary supplies from Himself alone.—24th. From Ladysmith, £12, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“Mr.——, who sends you £12, desired me to write to ask you not to publish his name. He has served in the 14th Hussars, and is now engaged by the A.S.C. as a shoeing-smith. The money is a thank-offering to the Lord for all His care over him through the war, and for three definite answers to prayer. First, in giving him a Christian girl for his future wife, and for twice giving him employment, when humanly speaking there seemed no probability of his getting any. He did not on either of these occasions look for work, holding the view that it is more honoring to God to leave out the human instrumentality. What drew him to sympathize with you, and to show his sympathy in a practical way, was this particular and distinctive feature of your work; and together we rejoice that God put it into the late Mr. Müller’s heart to start on these lines, “Yours, with much Christian love,——, “Soldiers’ Home, Ladysmith.”

Not The Money Anyhow

I received on the 27th, from Bristol, £75, with £25 for myself. From Edinburgh, £10, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I received your letter and the books you so kindly sent me. In accordance with your request, I have waited for more than a month, in order to consider the matter of sending you the money, and I am glad to say my mind is still the same as when I wrote you first, and herewith I have pleasure in enclosing the sum of £10, which I hope you will receive all right. As I do not wish my name to be known in the matter of giving, please accept this small donation as from ‘Eliezer.’”

The pseudonym chosen by our kind friend is the name which Moses gave to his second son, as a memorial that God had been his help. It no doubt furnished a suitable word to our kind donor for expressing his experience of God’s faithfulness. I delight in now alluding to it, as expressing the true ground of our confidence in carrying on this work. Truly our God is our help!—At the time when our friend tendered this donation we were in great need of help, yet we could not hastily take the proffered gift, as we had some doubt as to whether the friend who offered it had fully counted the cost; and it is not the money anyhow, but the money in God’s way on which we can expect a blessing; so we waited. Now, after fully weighing the matter, the donor continuing unchanged in his godly purpose, we felt no hesitation in accepting it, as God’s own way of partly supplying our need.—29th. From Cow-bridge, £47 0s. 6d.

The mail of September 1st brought us, from Cedar Mill, U.S.A., £4, The remitter of this kind donation has often sent us help. Soon after sending this gift he “fell asleep” in Jesus. Thus, one after another, the brooks dry up, but the living God, our never-failing friend and helper, remains the inexhaustible fountain.—5th. From Redditch, 13,000 needles and 288 knitting pins. Yearly a similar donation has been received.—11th. From Southport, £30, with £20 for myself, and the following letter:—

“My dear Brother,

“Once again, through the great mercy of an ever-faithful God, I am spared to live, after passing through a fire at sea, and a railway accident, in which some seven lives were lost, and a very great number injured. Words fail to express my feelings of gratitude, for I am sure I am the worst and most undeserving of all His children, and I hope it will redound to His own glory. I do pray our God will bless you, and your fellow-workers in the great cause among the little ones. Will you take £20 for yourself, and the other for the work.

“Yours, in gospel bonds,——.”

I received on the 23rd, from Whitby, £2. The following is an extract from the donor’s letter:—

“It is thirty-three years since I sent my first mite to Mr. Müller’s Home. I am a widow, and sixty-eight years of age. I began with 10s., and I believe I have sent something every year since. It gives me joy now, that the Lord, in whom I have trusted all my life, inclined me when young to help such a good work. His promise never fails. People tell me I am wonderful for my years, and I say, It is wonderful how the Lord has helped; and I do rejoice in Him as the God of my salvation.”

There was paid on the 26th, the legacy of the late Mr. E. H., New Zealand, £1,044 19s.

On the 27th a valued and loved helper, Mr. James Wilmot, fell asleep. He was an esteemed and trusted fellow-worker with Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright, for very many years.

We received on the 28th, from Tranmere, 5s., with the following letter:—

“Dear and respected Sir,

“Kindly accept the enclosed for the benefit of the Orphans. I do often think of my very happy childhood’s days spent in the Homes. They grow dearer to me each year of my life. I do praise God for the spiritual instruc- tion which we received under your care. I love my Bible, and believe it to be God’s own Word. It does so encourage one in the Christian life to read how God answers prayer. I often remember you all before the Throne of Grace.

“Ever your grateful Orphan,——.”

On October 1st there came to us from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. From Hungerford, £20. After much prayer for further supplies, and after long waiting, the Lord has again cheered us with these larger sums. An oft-repeated saying of the late George Müller, the beloved founder of this Institution, was, “A little more faith, a little more prayer, and a little more patient waiting, and the blessing will surely come,” and the truth of this is still abundantly illustrated in the Lord’s dealings with us.

Asking Help From God Only

We received on the 2nd, from Watford, £50. From Sussex, £100 for Missions, with £20 for the Orphans. Notice, beloved reader, how richly our faithful God and Father helped us in these last two days with supplies for Missions, etc.; and remember that no appeal had been made, during the preceding days and weeks of scarcity, to a single human being for pecuniary aid. In commencing “The Scriptural Knowledge Institution” more than seventy years ago, Mr. Müller resolved, in dependence upon God, never to deviate from this principle, viz., to speak to the living God, his Heavenly Father, alone, about its pecuniary needs. From this principle he was never permitted, during the sixty-four years of his afterlife, to swerve.

Not, as he often pointed out, that there is anything wrong, in itself, in asking believers for money to carry on the work of God with, but he desired to abstain from what it was lawful to do, in order that he might present to the Church of Christ and to the world a more clear and unmistakable proof that God is still, in these latter days, the living God, who hears and answers the prayers that His children present in the name of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is because Mr. Bergin and I believe that we have been called of God to help in continuing to bear this testimony, that we have, by His grace, been enabled to adhere unswervingly to this principle for six years and three months, and do purpose, in reliance upon the same grace, to continue to do so in the future.6

Debt Recovery Office

On the 5th I received from Bath, 10s. The donor wrote as follows:—

“Sir,

“Having read G. Müller’s book, I was much struck by instances mentioned of the recovery of money by the exercise of faith and prayer, when all earthly means had failed. I enclose Postal Order for 10s. as a gift for the Orphans, which I promised the Lord I would send if I received a certain account in seven days. I had made six monthly applications to my client, and he sent no answer, so I placed my case in the Lord’s hands. I sent to my client on Sept. 30th, and, to my agreeable surprise, received his cheque on Oct. 2nd.

“Yours truly,——.”

There came on the 8th, from Fulham, £2. The donor, a widow, whose two boys had been received into these Orphan Houses, wrote to Mr. Bergin as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“I am writing to thank you for your very kind words to me on June 18th last year, when I was so brokenhearted at parting with my two dear little boys. Now, Sir, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you, and Mr. Wright, for the beautiful home you have given them. I am so thankful to be able to send you a small gift…

“I am, Sir,

“Yours respectfully,——.”

On the 17th, was received from Bristol, with 2 Cor. 9:15, £15.—19th. From one engaged in the work, £50. Legacy of the late Miss M. S., £900.—20th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £125 towards the cost of outfits of Orphans leaving the Institution.—21st. From readers of The Christian, £30. 22nd. From near Cardiff, £175 for Missions, etc., with £50 for the Orphans, and £25 for myself.—24th. From Taunton, £50.

Profitable Reading

The mail of the 26th brought us, from Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony, £3 from a Christian man, who left the Orphan House as a boy, sixteen years ago. He received, as usual on leaving, together with a Bible, a copy of Mr. Müller’s Narrative, but only recently had he looked into the latter. He has now been reading the three volumes with deep interest, and finds them “helpful.” If this should meet the eyes of any of our young friends who received these valuable books in the same way, when leaving the Orphan Houses, but may still be allowing them to remain in their box or on their shelves unread, I would affectionately advise them to lay aside the novel, or sensational “story” in the periodical, or so-called “religious” magazine, that may be engrossing their precious time, and thoughtfully and with prayer read the Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller,7 which they can scarcely fail to find deeply interesting, and which may be used of God, as it has in thousands of instances, to the great blessing of their souls. From Clydach, £37 10s.

On November 6th I received from South Ashford, £6, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“I am only a poor woman, with 12s. per week, but have had fifty pounds left me, and I have enclosed £6 for the Orphans, and should I ever be in a position to help them again I shall not forget them. Please don’t put my name in the Report.”

On the 10th there was received, from Reading, £1 7s. 4d. The donor wrote:—

“When I first left the Orphan House, I resolved to send you at least a tenth of all I could earn. I always put the portion aside for the Orphan House work, and it has given me more pleasure than I have had in any I have spent on myself. I have never missed it.”

There came on the 17th, from Edinburgh, £5 4s. 8d. for Missions in Spain, and £14 15s. 4d. for the support of an Orphan for one year.—19th. Legacy of the late J. R. M., Esq., £179 16s. 7d.—20th. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.—21st. By sale of dentist gold and jewellery, £30.—23rd. Legacy (moiety of the residue) of the late Mrs. M. S., £819 10s. 5d. 28th. From Chippenham, £50. From Bristol, £20, and £5 for myself.

We received on December 2nd, in memory of E. F. R., £500. See how the Lord can move whom He will.—7th. From Drouin, Victoria, £50 for Missions, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. From near Pembroke, 10s., with 10s. for the Orphans. The donor has one of our Orphan boys as an apprentice, and, through reading the boy’s copy of Mr. Müller’s “Narrative,” was led to send this gift. He says, in his letter: “Glad to say the boy gives your Home great credit, and I believe he will make a good man.”—8th. From Bristol, £50. From Redland, £20 is.—14th. By sale of watches and jewellery, £60 10s. 18th. From Spean Bridge, £60.—21st. From the late J. P., Esq., £200, and from his surviving brother, £5. From Messrs. W. P. and Sons, £30.—24th. From Sheerness, 5s. The donor wrote:—

“Please accept 5s. for the Orphans, as a small thank-offering from one of the old girls, who was in the Home from 1862 to 1868.”

From “An elderly Orphan,” £50, was received.—28th. From “Mother,” £25 4s.

The Wealth Of A Poor Woman.

From Yoker, £10, with the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“The enclosed sum was left by my dear Mother for the Orphans. She passed to be with her Lord and Saviour after nine months of sore suffering from cancer. She was the wife of only a poor laborer, but she counted herself one of the Lord’s stewards. Wishing you every success in your noble labor of love for the Master, “I remain, your well-wisher,——.”

May you be enabled, dear reader, to admire, with us, this lovely example of the “fruit of the Spirit”! Here is one who, as to earthly position was “only the wife of a poor laborer,” yet she rises, in the power of a simple, childlike faith, to the recognition of her stewardship under the Lord of all worlds. Her poor body writhed for nine months in the agonies of cancer, yet, triumphing in Christ, she was “at leisure from herself to soothe and sympathize” with the Orphans! Happy woman! Think you she regrets now, as she looks into the face of the Lord who died for her, that she denied herself and gave that £10, out of her poverty, to Him?

We received by this mail from Middleport, U.S.A., £150 for Bibles, Missions, etc., with £14 13s. 10d. for the Orphans. This considerable sum came to us from one personally unknown to us, and shows that our Heavenly Father has His servants everywhere, and confers on whom He wills the privilege of helping on His work. It is unspeakably sweet to receive them so directly from His own hand; while at the same time we feel none the less truly grateful to the human instrument He employs thus to aid us in our work for Him.

There came in on the 29th, from Sussex, £20. From Bexhill, £10, anonymously, in gold, in a registered letter, signed “Restitution.” From Blackheath, £3, from the widow of a Missionary, her son and daughter. The daughter wrote as follows:—

“Please accept the enclosed £3 from the trio, for the Orphans. We feel that, like the Orphan Houses on Ashley Down, we are proofs of the loving Father’s watchful care over those committed to His charge. Often as I look at my brave little mother, and think of the path she has trodden, I thank God for the practical demonstration of an implicit trust, and its reward which have been my portion from my earliest years.”

On the 31st we received from Bristol, £35. From London, £90 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans. From Westbourne Park, £10 for Schools, £25 for Missions, £30 for the Orphans, with £5 for Mr. Bergin, and £5 for myself.

1904

There came to us on January 1st, from Dublin, £50. From Melksham, £35. From readers of The Christian, £35 1s. 6d. From “Needy,” £24 for Missions, etc., with £6 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself: also, from “Needy, Junr.,” £4 for Missions.—2nd. From Chelten- ham, £10. This kind donor has continued to help us for many years; and, not only with money, but by persevering prayer, as the following words testify:—

“Dear Mr. Wright and Mr. Bergin,

“I again have the pleasure to remit £10, which it has been my privilege to forward in January and July for many years. I continue to hold you both in mind, together with certain others, in prayer thrice daily…

“I am,

“Very truly yours,——.”

Restitution After Many Years

From Kendal, £20 was received. From Hackney, 6s., “Restitution Money,” with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“This is restitution money. I remember, when in the Orphan House No. 3, seeing some stamps in one of the teacher’s bedrooms, and I was tempted to take them. As far as I remember it was 2s. 6d. or 3s. worth. I remember buying a work-box with it, which amounted to 2s. 11d. It is over thirty years ago, but I have never liked to think of it. I feel that God would have me return it doubly. I am very sorry I ever did such a mean thing. God never forgets. I am happy to say that both myself and family are on the Lord’s side, striving, day by day, to live up to our calling.”

We received on the 4th, from Hale End, £176.—6th. From Melksham, £25.—7th. From Clifton, £20. From Buckland, £26, “sent in accordance with the wish of a deceased friend.”—8th. From sixty boys in the Orphan House No. 4, £1 for Missions. One of the masters wrote as follows:—

“The enclosed sovereign is a contribution from sixty boys, most of whom are Christians, and they desire to give it of their own free will as a New Year’s gift for Missionaries. I have much pleasure in forwarding it to you with their love and best wishes.”

A Large Legacy

Received on account of the legacy of J. L., Esq., £4,000. Thus the Lord reminds us that He knows that we have now several hundred more Orphans under our care than we had two-and-a-half years ago, through our receiving many children bereft of one parent.—12th. From Kendal, £37 17s. 3d. a collective gift.—14th. From Bournemouth, £20, with £5 for myself.—16th. From Bristol, 10s., from an Orphan youth, who left the Orphan House six years ago, and who has now a strong desire to become a Missionary, and to serve the Lord in South America.—18th. From Kendal, £35.

Anointed Investments

There came in on the 23rd, from Liverpool, £50 for Missions. This kind donor sent us a similar amount about six months ago. In his letter he quotes from Eph. 3:20: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be the glory.” And, surely, this passage of Scripture reveals the true source of all real, practical interest in Missionary work. It is the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer that prompts the true Missionary to surrender himself for the blessed service of carrying the glad tidings to the regions beyond: and it is the working of the same Holy Spirit that prompts others of His servants to devote their money to the same holy service. How surpassingly high the honor of becoming an Anointed Ambassador for Christ! and how infinitely remunerative are anointed investments of earthly substance!

On the 26th, from Market Drayton, we received £100. 29th. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.

By the mail of February 1st, we received from Little Britain, Ont., Canada, £51 17s. 0d. for Missions, etc., with £50 for the Orphans.—2nd. From W., Hampstead, 5s. The donor wrote:—

“This is a small thank-offering to the Lord for answered prayer in the recovery of three sovereigns, that, by an accident, were thrown into the fire, being wrapped in a piece of paper to meet a bill due. I was afraid the money had been stolen; still, I went to God in prayer; and, after waiting in faith four days, a voice seemed to say to me, ‘Go down stairs, and rake over the dustbin before you have your dinner.’ I did so, and, in a moment, I found the gold that I had lost, burnt and stuck together. I was advised to send it to the Mint, and they sent me back the full amount without any deduction. To God, our loving Father, be all the praise. I am only a working man, and the loss would have been serious.”

Time For Closet Prayer

On the 4th there came to us from Bristol, £25.—15th. From Southport, £12 10s., with £12 10s. for myself.—18th. From Loughborough, £1. The donor wrote:—

“I have made George Müller’s life the subject of several addresses. I believe the facts only want clearly stating to lead many of the Lord’s people to see how Satan is beguiling many just here, viz. failure to set apart ample time for closet-prayer.” I have italicised the last sentence because it contains a most timely truth. Happy are those who “are not ignorant of Satan’s devices” in this matter, and are watchful to resist him.—20th. A boy leaving us to be apprenticed wrote to me as follows:—

“I hope to look back on the years I have been in these Homes as some of the best days in my life, especially as it was here that I was brought to acknowledge Jesus as my Saviour.” We continue in prayer that these Houses may become the spiritual birthplace of the Orphans that come under their roofs; and in instances like this, and they are many, we gratefully recognize our Heavenly Father’s answer.—27th. From High Wycombe, £5 for Missions, with £40 for the Orphans.—29th. From London, Ontario, £30.

On March 10th the legacy of the late Mrs. E. L., £98 19s., reached us. From Aberdeen £5, with the following letter:

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I have pleasure in sending the enclosed, as an offering unto the Lord. I have from time to time been stimulated in faith by reading accounts of the late Mr. Müller’s work among the Orphans, which must be very far-reaching in its results, seeing so many young lives are not only rescued from poverty, but brought under the power of the gospel. May the Lord stir His people up not only to see their privilege but their responsibility, to be laborers together with Him in this great work. I am convinced that the enclosed donation is the outcome of the Spirit’s work, or, in other words, the Refiner’s fire in my own soul.

“With much Christian love, from——.”

The italics in the last sentence are those of the donor, and illustrate the fact that, while we refrain from making any appeal to any human being for funds, our gracious God and Father listens to the appeals which we make to Him, and influences the hearts of His stewards on our behalf, causing them to see—reversing, with the permission of our kind friend, the order of the words—not only their responsibility but their privilege to become fellow-laborers in upholding this testimony to His name as the living God, who still hears and answers the prayers of His people.

By the mail of the 11th, we received from Papanui, N.Z., 5s. The donor wrote:—

“I have had doubts about prayer for some time, but reading an old Report all doubt has gone, thank God; and, by God’s grace, I ask for increase of faith, with love.”

There was sent on the 16th, from the Orphans in the five Orphan Houses, a birthday present to myself, £13 5s. 9d., taken for Foreign Missions. Legacy of the late Miss H. B., £645 18s. 10d. From Tunbridge Wells, £20.—17th. From Bootle, £25.—18th. From Kidderminster, £20. 26th. From Brixton, £1 from an Orphan who left us four years ago. She wrote as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“Will you please accept enclosed P.O. for £1 for the benefit of the Orphans. I have lately come of age, and have received a little money. For some time I have regularly set aside a tenth for God’s work; and, as I spent so many happy years in No. 3, I knew I could not do better than send a part to you. I am still trying to follow the teaching I received whilst with you, and I can indeed say God has been very good to me.”

Freeness With God

The mail of the 29th, brought us from Dunedin, N.Z., £25 for Missions, and £25 for the Orphans. The kind donors say:—

“Had the Master willed it so, we would like to have gone on increasing the amount sent you year by year, instead of a decrease as the above amount shows. He however has willed it otherwise, and He knows what is best for us. It has pleased our Heavenly Father to send a year of trial in our business, and, although the test has been a severe strain mentally, physically, and financially, yet, amid it all, He has kept our faith in His omnipotence unshaken. He doeth all things well, and we trust that our trial will prove to be for His glory. The way still seems dark before us, but it is our earnest endeavour by His strength to live above the mists of earth, and to abide in the light of His presence…In humility, we bow to His will, and accept the position as from Him, and, in thankfulness, praise His holy Name…We can now appreciate more than ever the trials of faith which were so often the lot of our dear departed brother George Müller; and, as we read how much the Lord honored him in his life, and how he being dead yet speaketh, we take up our cross daily, and know that, when our Father wills, the clouds will part, if He deems us worthy to continue as stewards in His service.”

I have quoted these sentences from our correspondents’ letter because the testimony to God’s truth which they bear may be more fruitful in blessing to souls, and thus to God’s glory, than if ten times the amount of money had been sent to us.—The greatest joy that a child of God can bring to his Heavenly Father consists in an entirely surrendered will. To be able, from the heart, to say “Even so, Father,” when all our natural desires are crossed, is better than much labor. “To obey is better than sacrifice”—and what glorifies God most is that which ensures the most perfect inward peace of the servant of God. It has been well said, “The inward peace of God’s believing children is not in freedom from trouble, but in freeness with God in the midst of trouble”; and this “freeness with God” results from delighting ourselves in Him as revealed to us in His written Word, and in all His ways.

From Mangere, N.Z., we received £5 for Missions, etc., with £5 for the Orphans. The donor wrote:—

“As the knowledge of your Institution, and the way that God has kept His promises, and sent such great blessing in answer to faith and prayer, have been a great blessing to my whole life, I earnestly endeavour to bring it to the knowledge of others, that they may all receive a blessing. I always feel a pleasure in sending you my donations, and have never once had a feeling of regret for having sent you what I have, but am quite sure that I have been many times more than repaid even in a money point of view, besides the still greater blessing of being kept in continual peace of mind, and experiencing God’s continual guiding and teaching through all the difficulties and perplexities of daily life and business.

“Yours most sincerely,——.”

There came to us from Rochford, Illinois, £20.—31st. From Leamington, 2s. from a poor widow, as an expression of gratitude for our having her two little children in the Orphanage.

On April 2nd we received from readers of The Christian, £25 13s. 2d.—6th. From Hereford, £30.—8th. From Sussex, £20. From Kent, £100.—13th. From Bristol, £20. Legacy of the late Miss E. C, £82 12s. 1d. From Hong-Kong, £5, “A thank-offering to God for ten years of happy service in China, and for much blessing in reading the Memoir of Mr. George Müller.”—19th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £150. From Dorking, £20.—21st. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.—27th. From Perry Bar, £25, with £1 for Mr. Bergin, and £1 for myself.

On May 3rd, the legacy of the late Miss M. L., for £100, reached us.—4th. From Edinburgh, £130, with £10 for Mr. Bergin, and £10 for myself. The donations received during the last four days have much refreshed our hearts, as a proof that we do not wait upon our Heavenly Father in vain; and as an encouragement to pray, to wait, and hope for further supplies from Himself.

There was sent to us on the 5th, from N. H. B., £100. 6th. From St. Martin’s, 16s., “Proceeds of Sunday eggs; an acknowledgment of the Lord’s claim on all we have and are.”—7th. From D. G., £4 8s. 0d. The donor wrote:—

“Some years since, through pressure of circumstances, I had to borrow from savings I had allotted to the Orphanage, the sum of £2 10s. Interest on it to this date, at 5 percent, is £1 18s. 9d., so I am sending you £4 8s. 9d.”

There was received on the 10th, on account of the legacy of the late T. M. J., Esq., £500. From Auckland, £10. The donor wrote:—

“Dear Sir,

“This is the first installment of an amount promised to the Lord some months ago. I had been reading George Müller of Bristol, and my trust in God had been strengthened thereby. After much prayer, I had decided to make considerable changes in my business, by purchasing a site close to our present premises, and erecting larger and more suitable premises for our increasing trade. I had cabled home, and secured the freehold of this site, but there was a thirteen years’ lease of the land, and the three shops that were on it. I offered the holder, for this lease, £550, which was its full value, but he would not take less than £1,000. On reading page 332 of George Müller of Bristol, I was encouraged to lay the matter more earnestly before God, and promised Him to give a certain sum to the Orphans if my offer was accepted. Humanly speaking, there was not the slightest hope; but with God nothing is impossible. The promise was made on 29th November, 1903, and, on the 16th of December, our offer was accepted. I thought it was only my duty to write you these facts; and, although there is a very large sum involved in my new venture, yet I go forward without a single fear, trusting in the living God. Four more donations will follow as God enables me.

“I am, dear Sir,

“Yours very sincerely,——.”

On the 12th I received an anonymous legacy from “Thirlestane,” of £202 2s. 6d. From Taunton, £20.—16th. From Newport, £1 10s. The sender wrote:—

“This money came into my hands in a remarkable way. A man, recently converted to God, called to tell me that, some years ago, he broke into our warehouse and robbed us. He came to confess his sin and pay the penalty. He voluntarily left this money, which I have much pleasure in sending to you.” It was taken for the Orphans.

We received on the 24th, from Stapenhill, £1, “A widow’s thank-offering for blessing on her three children now in this Orphanage.”

The total income for all the objects, for the past year, has been £27,301 12s. 4d.

In connection with the care of the sick, a new departure has been made. On February 15th, Miss A. Adele Bergin, the youngest daughter of my beloved Associate Director, who had spent over ten years nursing at the Bristol General Hospital, entered on her duties as Superintendent of the Infirmaries in the five Orphan Houses. In addition to rendering most important aid in the care and oversight of the sick, her attainments and experience qualify her to train for the nursing profession such of our Orphan girls as manifest a particular aptitude for that occupation.

The balance in hand for the Orphans at the end of the year was £6,643 0s. 7d.

Thus ends beloved Mr. Wright’s written testimony to the faithfulness of the living God. He was permitted to labor on for God, and with us, for seven months after this date, and then spend one month on his sick—yea, what proved to be his dying—bed.

Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art!

That, that alone can be my soul’s true rest;

Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart,

And stills the tempest of my tossing breast.

‘Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God,

That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song;

Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod;

Leaning on Thee, in weakness I am strong.

More of Thyself, oh! show me, hour by hour,

More of Thy glory, O my God and Lord:

More of Thyself, in all Thy grace and power;

More of Thy love and truth, Incarnate Word!

Dr. H. Bonar

5 This proved to be the last time Mr. Wright was-privileged to compile a Narrative of Facts concerning this work.

6 When it is borne in mind that this was the last Report Mr. Wright wrote, it will be seen how to the end of his course he was upheld in this heavenly way.

7 These three volumes are now published in one, under the title of The Autobiography of George Müller.

Chapter VII

May 2,6th, 1904—May 26th, 1905

“Thy way, O God, is in the Sanctuary…. Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known.”—Ps. 77:13, 19.

And if in lonely places, a fearful child I shrink,

He prays the prayer within me, I cannot ask or think,

The deep, unspoken language, known only to that love,

Who fathoms the heart’s mystery, from the throne of light above.

Trans. Paul Gerhardt

In the centre of the circle

Of the will of God I stand.

There can come no second causes,

All must come from His dear hand.

Further Decrease Of Income. Home Call Of Mr. Wright

Up to this point my work has been that of a compiler of the words of beloved Mr. Wright; henceforth the work is that of selecting portions from the Narratives compiled by myself.

The balance in hand on May 26th for the Orphans was £6,643 0s. 7d. It may occur to the mind of one or another of my readers, that with such a balance in hand there can be but very few trials of faith, but such is far from being the case. This balance, though considerable, did not last long, and trials of faith came in many other ways. But whether it be for means to carry on this work, or for the supply of all other wants, the living God has been, and is, our unfailing source.

We received on June 6th, from Clifton, £50. From Victoria, Australia, £50 for Missions.—14th. From Brisbane, £25.—21st. Legacy of the late Mrs. J. P., £584 3s. 10d.—23rd. Received today a letter from a former Orphan, now in service near London:—

“Much beloved and respected Sir,

“Permit me to return many thanks for the numerous blessings and privileges attendant on an inhabitant of one of the Orphan Houses; the first and most important being Christ and Him crucified, so clearly set forth. How many of us can look back with great joy to that beloved Home as our spiritual birth-place.

“Believe me, beloved Sir,

“Your truly grateful Orphan,——.”

There came from Scotland, £8o for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for Mr. Wright.—27th. From Bray, £10 for Missions to Jews, with £20 for the Orphans. Second instalment of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £2,000.

Today I said good-bye to a girl who was received into this Institution 28th September, 1888, as an infant not quite sixteen months old. She leaves us as a Christian girl of just seventeen years, to go to a situation in a Christian family.

We received on July 4th, from Chingford, from “Anonymous,” £180. From J. A., Liverpool, 4s. This anonymous donor varies his weekly donation; seemingly as the Lord prospers him. From Burnham-on-Crouch, £1. The donor writes:—

“For many years I got no rent for a piece of land, but since sending to you it has always been paid, so I now enclose it for the Lord’s work.”

For the week ending on the 13th our income for the Orphans amounted to £85 14s. 2d., while the expenses were £577 6s. 3d. We hope in God concerning this.—14th. From Mundesley, £25. The donor writes:—

“It is laid on my heart to send you the enclosed cheque for the dear Orphans under your care, and may His richest blessing be upon you and them, is the prayer of “Yours in Him,——.”

Why is it laid on the heart of this lady to send us this? Simply that just now much prayer is being made by us to the Lord, that He would constrain His stewards to send us help. We did not write and tell this donor that such was the case; we waited “only upon God” and He answered our cry.

There came to us on the 16th, from Liverpool, £50 for Missions, from a donor who has long been a helper of this work.—19th. On account of the legacy of the late Mrs. H. S., £86 2s. 3d. Anonymously from Midsomer Norton, £5, “As a thank-offering to God for His mercy, and for help obtained from reading the book, George Müller of Bristol.”—21st. From a donor residing in Clifton, who has long helped this work, and whose donations have often come in a time of need, £150.—23rd. From a daughter, at the request of her late father, £100,—26th. From Victoria, Australia, £50 for Missions, £5 for Mr. Wright, and £5 for myself. From Bristol, £20 with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright and Mr. Bergin,

“My beloved wife and self have very much pleasure in enclosing you herewith £20 to be used as needed for Foreign Missions, or Orphans. We send this our first united offering to our Heavenly Father for His loving-kindness in bringing my beloved wife to know Christ as her Saviour; thus uniting our hearts closer together and to Himself.”

From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:15, £5 for Missions. By the mail of August 2nd, we received from “J. A. S.,” South Australia, £1. This anonymous donor writes:—

“I was left without father at an early age; my poor mother being left without any means of support, with a large family. She, being a Christian, solely depended on God to help, which He has promised. We are all reared to men and women, and can really say we have never found Him to fail. You solely depend on God; I would like to send a little; I give it with a free will.”

On the 3rd, the legacy of the late Miss E. A. T. J., £1,954 15s. 11d. was paid. From Manchester, £20.—5th. Legacy of the late Mrs. J. J., £282 8s. 2d.—9th. On account of the legacy of the late C. H., Esq., £166 13s. 4d.—11th. From Southport, £25. From Brecon, Wales, a gold ring set with a cameo. The donor writes:—

“The Report is so helpful and strengthening to faith. I believe the work the Lord has given to you, and your helpers, is a blessed testimony to saint and sinner, unto our Lord, as the faithful, covenant-keeping, prayer-answering God. I am glad I am privileged, morning by morning, to remember you at the throne of grace.”

Expressions Of Gratitude

A widow, whose two boys we have in N. O. House No. 4, writes on the 12th:—

“I cannot express to you, Sir, what I feel when I am not well, and not earning, that my boys have got a good home. Please accept the enclosed trifle, 5s.”

From Scarborough, 10s. The donor writes:—

“It is now thirty years since I left the Home of my childhood. I can never forget the good received there, nor cease to thank God for His great love in placing me under the care of Mr. Müller in infancy, the influence of which has followed me through life.”

There came on the 17th a letter from an Orphan, who writes:—

“I received the Report, and enjoyed reading it. It is now seven years since I left Orphan House No. 2; I shall never forget the happy days or the good training of which I was the recipient. I have been nearly seven years in my present situation with good Christian people. I am sure you will be pleased, dear Sir, to know I found the Saviour just before leaving the Orphan House No. 2.”

From Bally waiter, £30 was sent by the donor “at the wish of her late mother.” The income for the week ending today was £209 8s. 9d., while the expenditure was £1,272 19s. 7d. Thus the balance in hand at the commencement of this period decreases, but the living God is our stay.

We received on the 18th, from Bristol, £25, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“Last night, when I was praying for you, and Mr. Bergin, and the work committed to you by God, I was deeply impressed with the desire to send you the enclosed cheque. I know that often in August less money comes in, as many Christians are away from home, and sometimes overlook the needs of Orphans and others. Praying that God will continue to bless and sustain you.

“Yours very truly,——.”

On the 24th, from 2 Cor. 9:15, £10 was received. From two helpers in this work, who received a small legacy, £14.—27th. From R. F., £50.

There came to us on September 5th, from Loch Shell, N.B., 10s. I give the following extract from this donor’s letter:—

“When reading the Report, I wished to send you 10s., but I could not; but I remembered that all things we ask for in the name of Jesus shall be given unto us, and therefore I knelt down and prayed to God for Jesus’ sake to give me 10s. to send to Müller’s Home. Not many days after one of the sailors called me down into the forecastle, and to my great joy handed me 10s., saying, ‘This is for your kindness towards us in washing up our crockery, etc.’ I am cook on board this yacht, and thought I would do that for them, but did not expect to be rewarded.”

We received on the 6th, from Los Angeles, £40, with £5 for Mr. Wright and £5 for myself.—7th. From Tunbridge Wells, £100, with £1 for Mr. Wright. From Stoke Gifford Church, a long loaf of bread, 12 marrows, a cauliflower, a pumpkin, and some flowers, apples, grapes, beetroots, cabbages, beans, potatoes, leeks, onions, parsnips, carrots, and turnips. About this time of year we receive many such gifts; they are Harvest Thanksgiving offerings. This will give the reader a sample of many such received this year: some larger, some smaller. The first was received on September 1st, and the last on November 7th. 9th. Legacy of the late Miss S. E. H., £50. This legacy was not left duty free, but the solicitor kindly sent it free of duty.—13th. From Ealing the following letter:—

“I enclose £50 for the Orphans, or any of the other objects under your care. It is, I fancy, five years ago last month that I had the privilege of sending £100, and since then I have enjoyed reading year by year the Brief Narrative of Facts, containing such signal answers to prayer, proving how God honors faith. Oh, that I possessed such faith!”

On the 14th, the legacy of the late Mr. H. J., for £183 19s. 8d., was received. From “a brother in the Lord,” Streatham Common, 5s. The donor writes:—

“Enclosed is a P.O. for 5s., a thank-offering to the Lord for answering prayer in sending me this part of an old debt. I asked the Lord to incline this man’s heart to pay, promising half the debt to the Orphans, and thus the man made the first payment.”

There was received on the 21st, the legacy of the late Mr. O. R., £100.—23rd. From Bradninch, £5, from an Orphan formerly under our care.—24th. From Bristol, the following letter from a former Orphan:—

“Dear Sir,

“It gives us great joy to be enabled, through the loving-kindness of our Heavenly Father, to forward the enclosed. Please receive £1 for your own personal use, £1 for Mr. Bergin, and £14 10s. for the support of one dear child.”

Received on the 27th, from Salcombe, £6, with letter as follows:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“‘Honor the Lord with thy substance,’ for it all is from Him. We are sending cheque value £6. Of this £1 is a thank-offering for finding a purse that was let drop.”

There came to us on the 29th, from Plumstead, 10s., from an Orphan at one time under our care, with the following letter:—

“Dear and honored Sir,

“Will you please accept my little gift. I am deeply grateful for all that you, and your helpers have done for my three sisters and myself, both spiritually and physically. God has indeed more than fulfilled His promise, ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.’ I cannot help praising God for taking us up and placing us in No. 2. May God’s choicest and richest blessing rest on you, is the earnest prayer of “Yours respectfully,——.”

Received on the 30th, from readers of The Christian, £34. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, £20 for the Orphans, with £5 for Mr. Wright.

The mail of October 1st brought us from Wellington, N.Z., £3 from an Orphan formerly under our care, who writes:—

“Enclosed please find Money Order for £3. I am glad to know the noble work still continues a living testimony of the truth of God, that He still answers prayer, and that as He was in the beginning, so He is now, and ever will be, faithful to the end.”

From Sussex, £120 for Missions to South America, was received.—3rd. From Leeds, 6 pieces of crochet work, with the following:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“I have been in a hospital for a month with pleurisy and rheumatism. While there I made this crochet work. I hope you will kindly accept it, as a small acknowledgment of my gratitude for all you are doing for my daughter.

“With dutiful respects,

“Your most obliged servant in Christ,——.”

On the 8th I said good-bye to a girl who was admitted into No. 5, on 27th February, 1889. She goes tomorrow to a situation, after having been with us fifteen years and seven months. I rejoice to say that she leaves us as a professed disciple of our Lord Jesus.—11th. From Bristol, £3 7s., with £1 10s. for Mr. Wright, and £1 10s. for myself. The kind donor writes:—

“Tomorrow will be my 69th birthday; and my dear wife’s (recently passed) 58th, making together 127 years, thus reckoning shillings instead of years. Please accept this thank-offering from the Lord through His humble servants, with our warmest Christian love and esteem.”

The income for the Orphans for the week ending on the 12th was £133 1s. 10d., during the same period we paid out £544 8s. 9d. Thus the balance with which we began this year is decreasing. How blessed to have the eye fixed, not on a balance, however large it may be, but on the living God. From Montrose, N.B., £40. This is a new donor, who writes:—

“God has blessed my soul, and stirred me up through reading Mr. Müller’s writings.”

We received on the 15th, from Victoria, Canada, £1 from an Orphan once under our care, and her husband; she writes:—

“We thank you very much for the Report, it seems so wonderful the different ways the Lord has of providing; He is indeed the hearer and answerer of prayer. I can never thank you enough for all I was taught of Him while I was under your care.”

There came from Bristol, £20, with £5 for Mr. Wright, and £5 for myself. From Bristol, £1. The donor, a very aged lady of very limited means, writes:—

“Dear Messrs. Wright and Bergin,

“Having unexpectedly received a small present today, which I can do without,8 will you kindly do me the favor to accept it; with true respect and Christian love.”

Will the reader kindly observe two points in this donor’s letter. First, because she can do without it, she gives it to the Lord. Is that the rule that guides you in giving? Is it not such as will get warm commendation from our Lord Jesus Christ, when He sits on His judgment seat? Second, she asks us to kindly do her the favor of accepting it. How this differs from the thought in the mind of many who consider themselves patrons of God’s work!

From Dublin a donor writes on the 18th:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“It is again my privilege to send you my small gift of £1 for the Orphan fund with much pleasure, rejoicing and praising God that the work of faith in which you are engaged is still so manifestly owned and blessed of Him. I feel I ought to acknowledge the help and blessing I have many times received through the perusal of your Reports, and those of your venerated predecessor, Mr. George Müller, particularly in the matter of proportionate and systematic giving to the Lord’s work. The adoption now for many years of the principle of setting aside for this purpose a definite proportion of one’s income, I have proved to be attended with the happiest results. Not only does the matter of distributing become a positive pleasure, but the aggregate amount thus devoted is considerably larger than would ordinarily be given. Need I say that any little the Lord, in His grace, has enabled me to use for Him, He has returned multiplied many times, not only in spiritual benefits, but also in temporal mercies innumerable.”

This happy testimony, with the blessing of God upon it, may be of value to the reader.

We received on the 20th, from Worcester, £1. The donor writes:—

“I feel it an especial privilege to send this cheque for £1, as your work is carried on in simple faith, apart from all worldly means, which is honoring to the Lord.”

There came on the 22nd, from Edinburgh, £5, with the request, “Pray for the sender to be filled with the Spirit.” Our Lord said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”—24th. From Cape Colony, £2. The donor wrote:—

“This has been given me in answer to prayer. I seemed unable to get some money that was owing to me, so did, as I read in the Report a child of God did—put it in the Lord’s hands, and I promised Him if He would let me have it, I would send it to the Orphans. Today it was brought to me, and I have much pleasure in sending it on.”

On the afternoon of the 25th I saw and said farewell to a boy, who was admitted on 19th July, 1893, and who now, after being with us eleven years and three months, leaves us tomorrow to be apprenticed to a grocer and chemist.

This lad, I regret to say, has not yielded himself to the claims of our Lord Jesus Christ.—26th. From Manchester, £150, from the Board of Governors of “The Thomas Porter’s Equipment Fund” for outfits of Orphans leaving the Institution. From Brandis Corner, £30. From Wandsworth Common, £5. The donor writes:—

“Please find enclosed £5. It is restitution money, having been first sent to the heir of the person from whom it was taken, but restored to sender.”

Three important matters are found in this brief letter: first the conscience is exercised about making restitution; second, though the person wronged was dead, an heir is sought for and found, and restitution made; third, when this restitution is returned to the sender, she does not keep it, but gives it to the Lord.

Words of Mr. Wright

Amongst materials for the Narrative, I found under date of 27th the following note, in beloved Mr. Wright’s handwriting: “The first day of another financial month. The total income up to 10:45 a.m. is £8 17s. 6d. This is among the ‘things present,’ and God tells us, in His faithful Word, that they are ‘ours,’ They are ‘ours’ in that they are designed for our profit and blessing.”

We received on November 1st, from Taunton, £50.—2nd. From Bray, £20, with £10 for Mr. Wright.—3rd. From London, from a physician visiting England, £5, with £10 for Mr. Wright, and £10 for myself. From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:15, £10 for Missions.—7th. From Sherborne, £1 10s., “from an old friend, who always remembers the kindness shown to him at the Home of his childhood’s early days.” 9th. I found among Mr. Wright’s notes the following, written in the forenoon of this day:—

“Had a good time of prayer at home asking for supplies. When I got to the Orphan House only £6 5s. 6d. had come in; I thanked the Lord for this sum, but told my Heavenly Father that I am looking for £600 and £6,000, which is as easy for Him to send as £6, and that the latter sum will be needed ere long if this work is to be carried on. And I am sure it is His intention to carry it on.”

The income for the week ending this evening was £133 11s. 2d., the amount paid out, £705 9s. 3d.—10th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. W., £100.—12th. From Luton, 5s., and 3d. for Report. The donor writes:—

“Having received great blessing in my soul, through reading George Müller’s ‘Life’ and ‘Narrative,’ I am very pleased to be able to send you a small thank-offering. Like many others, I praise God for the inspiration and help such a life has been and still is, and can thankfully testify to a quickening of spiritual life.”

Received on the 15th, the legacy of the late C. C, Esq., £45.—16th. The income for the week ending today was £278 14s. 4d., the amount paid out during the same period £1,272 6s. 1d. Thus our balance decreases; but the exhortation, “Hope thou in God,” still encourages our hearts.—21st. From Staines £2 2s., with the following profitable letter:—

“My dear Sir,

“It gives me great joy to send you herewith £2 2s. The Lord has dealt wonderfully with me in breaking down barriers, and bringing about my conversion. In particular the love of money, desire for wealth, and envy of the well-to-do, which were great snares to me, were broken down by God in a remarkable way, and used as a means of spiritual blessing. I made a speculation, buying a considerable amount of railway stocks, which I could not pay for, in the hope of making a quick profit by an expected rise in their value. That very night I received a warning in reading those striking verses in 1 Tim. 6:9-11. I felt at once I had done wrong, and ought to sell, but I disregarded the warning. Almost immediately afterwards there was a panic in that particular stock, and then, too late, I sold at what was to me a very serious loss indeed. Now, as a child of God, I can see His hand in this, and other losses, and can praise Him for afflictions, which at the time seemed very grievous. Now my one desire is to lay up treasure in Heaven, and to set my affections on things above.” A blessed lesson this.

There came to us on the 24th from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for Mr. Wright.—Legacy of the late Mrs. E. A., £449 8s. 9d. 25th. From Edinburgh, £10 1s. 6d. for Missions in Spain and Persia, with £14 18s. 6d. for the support of one Orphan for one year.

This further entry is from the pen of beloved Mr. Wright, written on the 28th, and found amongst materials he had prepared for the Narrative:—

“Ps. 59. The night of distress is followed by the morning of joy. The Psalmist waits through the night upon the God of His strength and mercy, and he sings in the morning of the power and mercy of his God. The present is a night of distress on various accounts: (a) Influenza is in the five Houses; (b) Helpers as well as children are laid down in it; (c) Our sore need of helpers, three servants; (d) The decreasing balance; (e) The inadequate income, especially for Missions. O Lord! help us to hope in Thy mercy in regard to all these distresses, and to count upon the morning of joy.”

On December 9th we received from Redland, £20 2s. Legacy of the late Miss C. C, £192 2s. 9d. Legacy of the late Mrs. K. C, £100.—16th. From Redland, 7s. 6d. The donor of this is a former Orphan, who was in Wilson Street, and was moved up to N. O. H. No. 1 in 1849. From one of the boys in No. 4, 7s. with the following letter:—

“Dear and honored Sir,

“I am trusting in the Lord, I am glad to say, and would like to give a little toward Mission work. Would you please accept the enclosed 7s. for that purpose.

“Your ever grateful Orphan,——.”

These last two donations are worthy of note; the former is from one who was in the Orphan House fifty-six years ago, the latter from an Orphan now with us.

On the 19th, we received from “an elderly Orphan,” £50.—20th. From Messrs. W. P. & Sons, £30. The balance of the legacy of the late S. B., Esq., £454 8s. 9d. for Schools, Bibles, Tracts, and Missionaries, with a like amount for the Orphans. Mr. Wright’s cry on Nov. 28th for help for Missions had several responses in November and December that gladdened our hearts, and now comes this goodly amount, out of which we were able to send help to several laborers abroad, to his great joy.—21st. From Burnhope, £10. The donor writes:—

“As a working man, I thank the Lord for my health, and the joy I have in again sending you a little donation. I leave it to yourself to use any way you think best. May the Lord continue to bless you and your great work.”

We received on the 23rd, the legacy of the late Miss M. A. K., £500. This was left to come to us on the death of her sister. This sister has, however, most kindly paid it now, without deduction. How good the Lord is to us thus!—26th. From Dublin, £50. From Newport, Fife, £25.—27th. From Bristol, £28 7s., from “Mother.”—30th. From Greenwich, £2 13s.—31st. From Bristol, £30. From Westbourne Park, £65, with £5 for Mr. Wright, and £5 for myself.

1905

There came on January 2nd, from Middleport, £40 19s. 8d., “for Missionaries who have no stated salary.” From “Needy,” £20, with £10 for Orphans and £5 for Mr. Wright; also £4 from “Needy, junr.” From Melksham, £35. Thus the Lord greeted Mr. Wright on the opening of the New Year—his last day at Ashley Down. Eighty offerings besides this were received.

On November 3rd a gentleman called and gave £5 for this work: his first donation towards its funds. He made himself known to Mr. Wright as having been formerly an inmate of this Home. Today notice was received, through the Probate Court, of a bequest under his Will, dated Nov. 4th, the day following that of his visit here.

On the 3rd we received from Ashley Hill, £25.—4th. From Canton, £10. The donor writes:—

“Please accept enclosed cheque for the Orphans, from one who was once one of them. The Spirit has prompted me to testify in this way of His goodness.”

There came to us on the 5th, from “Anonymous,” £233. 11th. From Somercotes, £21 18s. 6d.—13th. From Christian friends at Kendal, £42 os. 2d.—14th. From West Dulwich, £25, with £5 for Mr. Wright, and £5 for myself. 16th. By sale of jewellery, etc., £21 11s. 9d.—17th. From Bournemouth, £20, with £5 for Mr. Wright. From Liverpool, £5. The donor writes:—

“It gives me very much pleasure to send you the enclosed £5 note, as a thank-offering to my gracious Heavenly Father, for His goodness to me in my business during the past year. I have truly experienced, in a practical way, that God answers prayer, even in regard to business; and that He can and does give wisdom for the way and good success. I desire to thank Him for this, in sending this gift for the furtherance of His work.” This testimony has a real value of its own. There are not a few people who are so foolish as to say, “Yes, faith is all right for carrying on Orphan Work, but it won’t do for business in these days of competition.” I commend this donor’s testimony—a Liverpool business man—to the careful thought of any who may read this.

We received on the 18th, from Luton, £1. The donor writes:—

“Enclosed is £1. I wish it were many more, but I am one of the Lord’s ‘shut in’ children, a widow. My income is very limited, and only by strict economy and self-denial can I manage to help such institutions, but I would not miss the joy of giving for any consideration whatever.”

Dear reader, let me ask you, what do you know of such self-denial or of this joy of giving?

There came to us on the 21st, from “E. McN.,” £20. 23rd. From Liverpool, £50 for Missions, from a donor who has long helped us for this branch of the work, and this donation came as an answer to many prayers, that we may be allowed the joy of further helping beloved brethren and sisters, who are toiling in the heat of the battle with sin and Satan.—25th. From Trealaw, £2 10s., with £2 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“I am very thankful that the work is still going on at Ashley Down; may it always do so is my heart’s sincere desire. Reading Mr. Müller’s life has helped me many times on my journey, and I prize it next to the Bible.”

On the 26th we received as further installment of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £250.

Death Of Mr. Wright

The statement recorded in Dan. 4:35: “The Most High doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?” was solemnly fulfilled yesterday (January 29th), when, after a brief illness of less than four weeks, the Lord took home to Himself the beloved Director of this work, Mr. James Wright. Job spoke truly when he said (chap. 33:13), “He giveth not account of any of His matters:” and neither the few who watched him calmly breathing during his last moments, nor the larger number on Ashley Down, who awaited with deep concern for news, and heard it by telephone from the writer a few minutes after, can give any account of this matter; why one so fitted of God—so beloved and valued by all who knew him, both in his work on Ashley Down, and as a teacher of the Oracles of God, should have been removed from the midst of active service in which he was so much needed. We, however, know that “the only wise god” has done it, and by faith we bow and worship Him in our grief. Cowper well said:—

“God moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform,”

and equally well he adds:—

“God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.”

Never in the history of this work, now over seventy years, has so severe a blow fallen upon it. When the founder of it, beloved Mr. Müller, fell asleep, he left behind him one who had been intimately associated with him in the work for over thirty-eight years; and for not a few of these Mr. Wright had virtually acted as Director while Mr. Müller was travelling to distant parts of the world on his preaching tours: whereas now, when beloved Mr. Wright fell asleep, he has left behind him one who has been his associate in the Directorate for a period of rather less than seven years. The Psalmist saith truly: “Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters, and Thy footsteps are not known” (Ps. 77:19).

Some Details Of Mr. Wright’s Illness

My readers will, I think, be glad to have some particulars of the illness and death of this servant of Christ, so I here insert, with a few alterations, some notes which I then issued in circular form.

On Sunday Evening, Jan. 1st, he preached with power what proved to be his last discourse, at Stokes Croft Chapel. That day he felt a little pain in the part affected.

Monday, 2nd. He was all day at the Orphan House—his last day there. No one observed anything the matter with him. He stayed there till late, arriving at Bethesda for the prayer meeting when it was well on, sitting at the back of the chapel instead of in his usual seat, and taking no part in the meeting. The pain had considerably increased, and the journey to Bethesda by tram had been with discomfort. At the close of the service he had a conversation with a Christian lady, who had recently lost her husband, and greatly comforted her in her sorrow by saying it was not sin to feel the stroke; if it were, the sinless One could not be touched with the feelings of which we are the subjects. This was his last work as a shepherd.

Tuesday, 3rd. The boil, as it then appeared to be, had so increased that he was unable to fulfil his engagement to give an address at the Blind Asylum, at the United Prayer Meeting, convened by the Evangelical Alliance during the first week of the New Year. This was the first service to his Lord that he was compelled to relinquish. He had the letters sent from Ashley Down that day, and with the help of his niece, Miss A. M. Withy, who had been assisting him daily for many years at the Orphan Houses, he attended to them that day, and the next day Wednesday.

On Thursday morning I begged him to let me relieve him of the letters the next day; he assented, but before he had gone through half of that day’s letters, he consented to Miss Withy’s taking them back to Ashley Down for me to attend to. For three days after that he signed one or two personal letters, but even that he was compelled soon to relinquish. About that time he said to one of his nieces, “I have no anxiety about the work.”

On Friday, 6th, when I saw him, he said, with a heavenly smile: “My doctor has christened my ailment with a new name—a carbuncle. The Lord is dealing well with me; I would not alter what He has ordered.” I said that day: “You are engaged to preach at Stokes Croft next Lord’s-day; you will not be able.” He replied: “No, indeed; who can we get?” “I am free,” I said. “Oh, thank you; I am so glad,” was his reply. That same day he signed two cheques on his own private account, the last he ever signed.

During the second week of his illness a second doctor was called in, and by Friday 13th his weakness was so great that late in the evening the doctor advised a second nurse being engaged for night duty, and as it was so late he telephoned to the Orphan House for my daughter to take on the nursing for that night, which she did, with a feeling of sad pleasure, to the relief of the dear patient.

Throughout that week his conversation with his nieces was of a most heavenly character; the nature of it was no matter of surprise when we remember how, Enoch-like, “he walked with God”; but the measure of his communicativeness was a surprise, and led to the thought that he was about to go to his eternal home.

On Sunday, 15th, one of his nieces, having been absent from his room for an hour or so, expressed regret, when he answered very brightly: “Oh, I am not unhappy; God has brought me into a sweet resting-place, and He is talking to me.” On Tuesday, the 17th, he said: “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” If I could have my choice I would not dare to choose other than He has appointed for me. I do not want to talk much, but it is my joy to testify. Many words are not needed. I have left myself entirely in His hands, and I have been walking with Him in this illness. I know He is doing the very best for me.”

Wednesday Evening, 18th. He said: “His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father” and after a few seconds: “Of the increase of His government there shall be no end.” After another pause, he added: “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this.” Then he said: “Everything in the world will have to arrange itself in accordance with this.” After an hour he said softly and slowly: “The stillness of His presence.” With twain they covered their faces, with twain they covered their feet.’”

Thursday, 19th. Speaking of his illness, he said it had been a sweet rest; he could not explain it to any one. He remarked that Mr. Craik (Mr. Müller’s companion in the service of Christ from the beginning of the work in Bristol until his death in 1865) used to quote in his strong Scotch accent the following verse: “The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy.” The same evening he suddenly uttered the words: “And there was a great calm.”

Saturday Evening, 21st. One of his nieces said to him: “Jesus walks upon the waters, and I suppose so far as our faith lays hold on Him, we too walk upon the waters?” He answered, “Yes, He does not let me sink even ankle deep.” Later in the evening he was told of the special prayer meetings being held that evening for him. He was much touched, and said: “Who am I, Lord?—but Thou art very great.”

On Sunday, 22nd, a physician, who had come down from London to Bristol to see another patient, was brought in to see him. This doctor gave some hope that he might recover.

His Last Message

On Monday, 23rd, he dictated to his niece, as best he was able, a message to those who would be assembled at the prayer meeting that evening at Bethesda, a meeting he had regularly attended for over fifty years. It is given verbatim as follows:—

“As it would be impossible for me to acknowledge individually the tenth part of the loving words, prayers, and acts of which I have been the recipient, I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my heart’s thanks in this public way. At the same time the Lord has ministered to my soul, and now when I find it difficult to exercise continuous thought, such indescribable joy in the three aspects of our adorable Saviour’s work: in appearing at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, thus triumphantly meeting every personal need of my conscience as a guilty sinner; then His present appearing before the face of our God for us, thus bringing heaven’s peace into the soul in regard to all present things, cares, and needs; and then the Certainty of His appearing ‘the second time without sin unto salvation’—the living person—God’s Christ—, is enough. Would the dear brethren read the three passages in Hebrews 9 to which I have referred, and receive them as a loving message from myself.”

On Tuesday, the 24th, when I called, he wished to see me. He instructed me to do a certain matter for him, which gave me the impression that he was thinking of at least the possibility that he might be called to higher service; yet he added some words, showing he still thought he might further be allowed to continue his work on Ashley Down. When leaving him I kissed his hand, and he drew mine to his lips and kissed it, saying: “Oh, my brother, how I love you.” To one of his nieces he said: “Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not accept (i.e., receive joyfully) the evil?”

On Wednesday and Thursday he passed restless nights, weakness was increasing, also his mind began to wander.

On Friday morning, the 27th, he spoke to me of God’s grace to us in the conduct of the work at Ashley Down, and how deeply we were debtors to Him for that grace.

His Home Going

On Saturday, 28th, a third doctor was called in for consultation; they agreed that there was no hope of recovery. In the morning he clearly replied to questions I put to him about the work. That night at 11:45 he had a bad attack, so that three of his nieces were called; he soon rallied, but both nurses stayed with him the night.

Early Sunday morning, 29th, he asked the nurse to read Psalm xxiii. to him, thereby giving evidence of his confidence in, and love to, his Shepherd. Then he asked her also to read a favorite hymn of his; the first verse runs thus:

“‘Abba, Father,’ Lord, we call Thee, (Hallowed name!) from day to day:

‘Tis Thy children’s right to own Thee—

None but children ‘Abba’ say.

This high blessing we inherit,

Thy free gift, through Jesus’ blood;

God the Spirit, with our spirit,

Witnesseth we’re sons of God.”

thus expressing his habitual delight in his Heavenly Father.

At 10 a.m. I saw him, and in reply to my question, he said: “Well, I thought I had a good night, but they tell me I had a bad one.” During the morning one of his nieces repeated to him: “Fear thou not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine.” He repeated: “I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine”

At 12:30 my daughter called and saw him; he recognized her, and spoke to her.

At 1:30 there was a further change for the worse. At 3:00 I went again and stayed there until the end. He recognized me and grasped my hand, but could not articulate. I said to him: “Nearing Home, beloved brother,” to which he assented by a grip of his hand. His four nieces, the nurse, and I sat watching the loved one. He several times opened his eyes, and looked round on all present as if to say “Good-bye.” At 4:00 p.m. he just ceased to breathe; and thus ended a long and useful life of service down here to the Master he loved so well, who took him home into His own immediate presence. “Absent from the body, at home with the Lord.”

Beginning Work Without Mr. Wright

To the praise of our gracious God and Father, and that He may be glorified thereby, I narrate what follows. When I awoke the next morning, a solemn sense of my new position came over me with almost overwhelming force; I knew the Houses were nearly full, that the balance with which we began the financial year had been steadily decreasing, with no human prospect but that it would continue to do so. Alone with God, between six and seven that morning, I faced the matter. Our “Adversary the Devil,” who “walketh about seeking whom he may devour,” was not idle then: but our Heavenly Melchizedek, the Lord Jesus Christ, “brought forth bread and wine.” The 62nd Psalm was to me that morning far more than my pen could possibly describe, or my lips utter:

“My soul waiteth only upon God;

From Him cometh my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved.

My soul, wait thou only upon God;

For my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my high tower; I shall not be moved.

Trust in Him at all times, ye people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Surely men of low degree are vanity,

And men of high degree are a lie;

In the balances they will go up;

They are together lighter than vanity.

God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this:

That power belongeth unto God.”

Strengthened with this heavenly food, I went up to Ashley Down in the name of Jehovah the God of Hosts. At 2 o’clock, our usual hour for prayer, a large number of my fellow-laborers and I met—we had verily a Bochim. I read this Psalm, told them of my morning’s blessed experience—we poured out our hearts before Him—we found Him “a refuge.” We believed “that power belongeth unto God,” and in the assurance that He is with us, we, without harbouring any doubt of His sufficiency, refused to let the deep sense of our own insufficiency hinder us from taking up the work unto which He had called us.

The words of Solomon, uttered shortly after the death of David, “Now, O Jehovah my God … I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in, and Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people … give Thy servant therefore an understanding heart … that I may discern between good and evil,” found a true and deep utterance before God that day. A gracious response was given to this petition by the Holy Spirit reminding me of the words of the Apostle Paul, “Our sufficiency is of God.”

The memory of the Lord’s great goodness to this work, during the time since beloved Mr. Müller’s departure to be with Christ, tended greatly to strengthen our hearts in Him. During that period of six years, ten months and nineteen days, there was received, without one single appeal by us, spoken or written, public or private, in the form of donations, and legacies, the sum of two hundred and two thousand, five hundred and sixty pounds, sixteen shillings and five pence, halfpenny. With this abundant proof that the living God hears and answers the prayers of His people who look to Him only, we are not moved by the skepticism of this age, which found an utterance, after the death of Mr. Müller, to the effect that the days of fanatical giving had now passed, and that consequently this work could not be carried on in the way it had been by Mr. Müller: but, delighting in our God for this His abundant mercy, we say with the Psalmist, “The Lord hath been mindful of us”—and are encouraged as we look on to the future to complete the words: “He will bless us.”

We received from Clifton, £50. This donation was no small cheer to me on this my first day after beloved Mr. Wright’s departure to be with Christ. I received precious letters of sympathy from some of my fellow-laborers, and from some Orphans, on behalf of those in the departments where they reside.—31st. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for estate of Mr. Wright. From Clifton, £50.

On February 1st, we received 5s. The donor writes:—

“These dear Homes were a real home to me for fourteen years. What hundreds of Orphan boys and girls were the other side of the gates of pearl to welcome dear Mr. Wright.”

Left at No. 5 Lodge in farthings, 3s. 11d. A little girl writes: “I hope you will like the 4s. I have kept a money box, and friends have helped. I am sorry that Mr. Wright is dead, and hope you won’t be very lonely. He is happy with Jesus.”—3rd. From Blackheath, £4, “Instead of a wreath for dear departed Mr. Wright.” From G. P. I., Clifton, £1 “for the dear Orphans, now re-orphaned.”

Memorial Service For Boys And Girls

Today we had a memorial service, when over a thousand of the elder Orphan boys and girls assembled in the large dining-room of No. 3. With tearful eyes we worshipped our God, who had bereaved us so sorely, and I gave an address to a weeping congregation.

Funeral Services

Thursday, February 4th, the interment took place. A service was held at Bethesda Chapel, where the beloved departed one had, with such spiritual power, ministered the Word of God for many years. Another service was held at Arno’s Vale Cemetery, by the graveside, where the burial took place.

Particulars of these services are given in Dr. Pierson’s Memoir of Mr. Wright.

Mr. Wright’s Will, And The Lessons It Teaches

As executor under his Will, certain facts have come to my knowledge, that tend to enforce lessons he loved to teach while he was here with us; lessons of such importance that I think it well to set aside the veil of privacy, and let the reader have the benefit to be derived therefrom. In common with many others who knew him well, I was under the impression that he had some private source of income. This impression was quite incorrect; he was solely dependent upon the Lord God for his personal expenses, as well as for the needs of the work. He never made any allusion to this matter in the seven Reports he wrote—a proof of his self-effacement and retiring disposition.

Those who were privileged to enjoy his ministry of the Word will remember that, when speaking on Matt. 6:3, “Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” he often reminded us that it is not as it is frequently quoted, “Let not thy right hand know what thy left hand doeth,” adding, “our giving should ever be right-hand giving, the right hand being the hand of power.” Those who knew him intimately, knew how truly he carried this into practice, ever giving liberally, cheerfully, often leaving the impression on the mind that he considered he was the favored one in being allowed to give, rather than the one who was the recipient of his bounty. On examining his cash book, I discovered it was his regular habit to lay aside, of every gift he received, whether one shilling, or twenty pounds, or more, not a tenth, not a fifth, not a quarter, but the half. This large proportion, however, did not satisfy him, for I found that out of what I may call his own half, he gave liberally, in addition to giving all the Lord’s portion. Words on systematic giving may well come with force to our hearts from one who acted so nobly.

Another Scripture, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth … but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven” (Matt. 6:19), was literally carried out by our beloved friend. Shortly after his wife died, on Jan. 10th, 1890, he gave up housekeeping, and went to live with his nieces, disposing of his furniture. He continued to reside there till his death. The total value of his estate on earth was: personal effects, £21 8s. 6d.; cash, £25 4s. 8d.; together £46 13s. 2d.

Yet another scripture found beautiful fulfillment in his case: “Owe no man anything.” The only debts left for me, as his executor, to discharge, were his doctor’s bill, the undertaker’s bill, and the lawyer’s fee for proving his Will.

We may well hearken, with much profit to our own souls, to the exhortation given to us in Heb. 13:7: “Remember them that had the rule over you; men that spake unto you the Word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith”

I have known our departed brother personally and intimately for the last thirty-two years. They were thirty-two years of unbroken and increasing friendship. During the last seven years it had been closer than ever. I esteem that friendship as one of God’s choicest gifts to me during my whole life.

On the 6th we received from Bristol, 2s. The donor writes:—

“The sad procession of little people, coming from Mr. Wright’s funeral, appealed to me very much, as I am sure it must have to all Bristol. Heaven bless and support you, Sir, in your noble work, is the wish of “An Irish Girl.”

From Reading, £25 for Missions, etc., with £25 for the Orphans, was received. This was from an Orphan, formerly in these Houses, who, having received a legacy, gladly sends this portion of it.—7th. Legacy of the late J. B., Esq., £180.—9th. On account of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £750.—10th. From New Zealand, £7 10s. for Missions, with £15 for the Orphans. From New Zealand, £10, with £13 for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“I did not send you any last year: I was not in good health, and got somewhat short of cash, hence the delay, but I hope it will not occur again. The amount is made up thus: £10 for last year’s donation, £10 for this year, 9s. 7d. for not sending last year when I should. £1 10s. 4d. is from the children of our Sunday-school, and £1 from my wife; £23 amount of draft enclosed.”

This donor’s way of dealing with his stewardship is worthy of imitation, (a) He does not seek to escape from giving what in his judgment he ought to have given last year, but sends it now. (b) He sends 9s. 7d.. as interest, or as a fine for not sending.

There came to us on the 18th, from the executors of the late Miss C. L., from money left at their disposal for Orphanages, £180.—23rd. From Streatham, £1. The donor says:

“I was taken to No. 5 in the year 1881; was saved in 1887, and left in 1891. God bless and help you in your time of sorrow.”

On the 24th, from Miss E. McN., £50.—28th. From Bristol, 10s. The donor writes:—

“When very young I was placed under Mr. Müller’s and Mr. Wright’s fatherly care, where I spent my young and happy days. Will you please accept this small sum in loving memory of them both.”

From Stoke, 10s. from a donor who writes:—

“Many years ago, my mother was taken care of at the Orphan Houses, and I have never forgotten the stories she used to tell, when I was a boy at home, of the Lord’s wonderful, watchful care, and His answers to prayer.”

We received on March 2nd, from Norwich, £42 10s. A widowed mother writes, in a letter received today about her daughter, who was with us from January 27th, 1903, to February 27th, 1905:—

“I am grateful for the kindness shown to E——. I am deeply touched by the knowledge that she is a decided young Christian. I took her to my Bible-class and prayer-meeting tonight, and before those strangers she prayed so simply and earnestly. I was so very thankful.”

There was sent in on the 7th, from Bournemouth, 10s., with 10s. for Orphans. The donor writes:—

“It has been impressed upon me that it is the will of the Lord that I should send a donation for the work now entrusted to you: and at the same time to let you know that I have daily much liberty in prayer for you, that you may be supplied with all the help you need in this, great work. The Lord can as easily carry on His purposes through you, as even through dear Mr. Müller, the founder.”

The total income for this week, ending the 8th inst., has been £163 14s. 7d., whereas the outgoings were £736 5s. 5d., thus our balance in hand continues to diminish. Nothing but simple childlike trust in God can avail for times like these; faith in the promises of God—yea, faith in the Blessed One who gave the promises. “Trust in Jehovah—feed on His faithfulness. Delight thyself also in Jehovah” (Ps. 37:3, 4) are commands to be obeyed. Compare Isaiah 26:3.—9th. From Rutherford, £20 for Missions, with £20 for the Orphans.—10th. From St. Leonards-on-Sea, 15s. for Missions, from an Orphan once under our care, who writes:—

“I was indeed sorry to hear of your great loss and that of the Orphans, in the death of dear Mr. Wright: but I rejoice for his gain, and that God is enabling you to take up the noble work. God buries His workmen, but carries on His work, raising up other workers. Some one said to me, ‘Will it be carried on?’ I said, ‘Oh, yes; for God still lives, and that means everything; El Shaddai.’ I do not know you, but for the last seven years I have mingled your name with dear Mr. Wright’s in my prayers. It seemed quite an effort to me to drop dear Mr. Müller’s name, and now Mr. Wright’s. It is nearly thirty-seven years since I left No. 2, but I can never forget the dear Home.”

On the 11th we received from Bedford, £25 for Missions, etc., with £25 for the Orphans. “In memory of my late father,” writes this donor.—14th. From Farnham, £50. News has reached me, while writing this Report, that this donor has died. Thus one after another of those who helped this work depart, but the living God remains. From High Wycombe, £25.—16th. From Kidderminster, £20. From Orphans in several departments of the Houses, in memory of Mr. Wright’s birthday, £4 15s., taken for Missions. Letters were written from several departments, the following will serve as a sample:

“Boys’ Dept. No. 1, March 16th, 1905.

“Dear and honored Sir,

“On this the anniversary of Mr. Wright’s birthday, we thought we should like to send you a letter expressing our love and sympathy for you in the loss of dear Mr. Wright, whom we all miss so much. We little thought at Christmas that it was the last time he would come into our schoolroom to hear us sing. We were so pleased to see him, with you, and dear Miss Withy, and we shall never forget him. We pray that God will give you strength and wisdom now that you are Director, and that God will spare your valuable life to us for many years, and that He will comfort the Misses Withy in their sorrow. Will you please accept the sum of 7s. 6d. in remembrance of dear Mr. Wright’s birthday.

“With our united love, We remain, dear Sir,

“Your grateful Orphans,

“The Boys of No. 1.”

The income on the 17th amounted to £6 17s. 5d., and the outgoings were £414 17s. 10d.—20th. From Glamorgan, £200, with £20 for myself. The donor writes:—

“The name of Müller’s Orphanage has been an object-lesson to the world of what faith and prayer can accomplish; and a living, powerful testimony that the great God, who made us and saves us, does hear the believing prayers of His children, and enables them to achieve that which without prayer would never be brought about. I pray the Lord to bless you with equal blessing with which He blessed both Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright, in hearing and answering your prayers for the important work entrusted to you.”

The mail today brought us from London, Canada, £15 for Missions, with £15 for the Orphans.—23rd. From Dunedin, N.Z., £100 for Missions, with £100 for the Orphans. The donors write:—

“Dear Mr. Wright,

“In sending this, the largest amount we have been privileged to forward you on the Master’s account, we cannot but look over the past twelve years of our business career, and, in doing so, are amazed at the privileges we have enjoyed compared with others in the same line of business. We are no better qualified by nature than others to escape the numerous pitfalls that often beset the path of business men. Surely the Lord has led us in a way we know not, and we have certainly been often tried, dispirited, and cast down. Yet the Lord has ever been faithful, and has carried the burdens, which have been our own making, through lack of faith, and has loaded us with benefits, which have inspired us with a deep sense of His forgiving love to poor erring mortals. Two years ago we were led to give 20 percent of the profits out of the business to the Lord’s work, and the poorest year followed that we have had since we have been setting aside the Lord’s tenth. Satan often puts the question, ‘Does it pay?’ and, while we wondered, yet we felt that it was only a trial of our faith, and, after waiting our Father’s time, we now give the answer back—It does pay—God’s investments always do. And in thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for the wonderful way He has blessed us in all our ways, we have decided to return to Him, from now, 25 percent of the profits He allows us to make in our business. We may say that ever since we decided to set aside the Lord’s tenth, we have never had a year’s transactions without a profit, and as we look over the past, and remember how our God has helped us on many occasions in times of grave financial difficulty, it is marvellous in our eyes. The increased amount the Lord has given us to dispose of for Him requires much and careful thought and prayer that we may be led to administer our stewardship faithfully and wisely, lay up treasure in heaven, and walk humbly before men. We cannot close without again saying that your Annual Reports of the faith work in the Homes are a great inspiration to us. If the Lord wills we are ever hoping that one day we may be privileged to meet you in the flesh, and hold sweet communion with you among surroundings that have, even at this distance, lent an influence to our lives that only eternity can reveal.”

This letter is calculated, with the blessing of God, to be very profitable to the reader. These servants of God recognize the need of His guidance as to the way He would have them disburse His bounty entrusted to them as stewards. This is a deeply important matter.

Further, here in Bristol we were daily telling the Lord of our great need, and in particular of our need for His missionary servants; and these friends, who knew nothing of this, were led to send the largest amount they ever sent to this work. This donation was an exceeding joy and cheer to us, coming as it did seven weeks and four days after beloved Mr. Wright’s departure to be with Christ, and during a period when our balance in hand was fast decreasing.

There came on the 27th, from Limerick, £1. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“I am anxious to express my deep sympathy with you and so many in Bristol, who are mourning the loss of our beloved friend Mr. Wright. I can understand what a blank it must be, for I had known Mr. Wright since Dec, 1840, when he was a dear child of God, not quite fifteen years of age, and the remembrance of him is always a cause of praise. There must be but one heart in those who mourn his departure in praying earnestly for you, dear Mr. Bergin, that you may be sustained and helped. The burden looks heavy, but it is not too heavy to be cast upon Him who cares for the dear Orphans, and for those who are engaged in His work for them.”

We received on the 24th, from Berkeley, £32.—27th. From Leicester, £4. The donor writes:—

“I feel constrained to send you the enclosed cheque; put it down as the Lord’s tithe.”

We know who made him “feel constrained,” even the living God, who, in this way, heard and answered our prayers.

Fire Insurance, A Strange Letter

On the 30th there came to us, from Southport, £50. Yesterday I received the following communication:—

“Dear Sir,

“Do you issue Fire Insurance Policies, making the Heavenly Father responsible, as it were, for the safety of the things insured? If so, will you let me have particulars, and oblige, “Yours faithfully,——.”

To this remarkable letter I sent a reply as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“In reply to your postcard of the 28th ult., I write to say that no such Insurance Policies have ever been issued by Mr. George Müller, or Mr. James Wright, nor are such ever likely to be. We have no warrant from Holy Scripture to attempt to make our Heavenly Father responsible for the safety of our things, or the things of others, but we have therein abundant warrant for our encouragement, to trust in God whatever circumstances He may be pleased to lead us into. It is written in Psalm 9:10, ‘They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee.” It was this knowledge of God that led Mr. George Müller, when he built these five Orphan Houses, to prefer trusting in Him, concerning them, to do that which He saw would be most for His own glory, and for the good of the Orphans, and for the blessing of Mr. Müller himself. Whether the good pleasure of the blessed God would reveal itself in preserving the buildings, or in allowing them to be burned, Mr. Müller was prepared to obey the command given in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.’’ Having realized the blessedness which resulted to himself from thus wholly trusting in the living God, he encouraged others to tread in the same path, and not a few have followed, and manifold has been their testimony of the blessing such a path has led them into.” I did not receive any reply to this.

There came on the 31st, from Barrow-in-Furness, £4 5s. 4d. Anonymously from Weston-super-Mare, from “A child of God,” a new gold ring to be disposed of. Dear reader, think you that this child of God will have any cause to regret giving away, rather than wearing, this gold ring, when he, or she, appears before the judgment seat of Christ? Also from Swindon, a silk blouse, with the following words:

“I am sending a silk blouse, to be sold for the benefit of the Orphans. I am persuaded, through reading the life of dear Mr. Müller, that the Lord desires more consecration to Him in my life, and this blouse, I feel, will hinder instead of helping me, so I give it to my Lord, and seek His help and guidance to keep me near Him.”

In view of these two donations I commend to my reader, 1 Tim. 2:9, 10, and 1 Pet. 3:3, 4. Contrast these with Rev. 17:4. The Psalmist says: “Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all Thy commandments.”

On April 1st I received from readers of The Christian, £30 1s. 8d. From D. G., £5 5s. The donor writes:—

“I hope the Lord’s work there will never want through the slackness of those who call themselves His children. May the testimony to the value of faith and prayer, supplied by the work on Ashley Down, live and grow, and become increasingly evident.”

From London, £25.

There was received on the 4th, from two parents, “A thank-offering to God for His abundant mercy in giving them nothing but joy in their sons and daughters,” £8 2s. 5th. From Bradninch, £2. The donor writes:—

“It was usually sent by me on 16th March (for Mr. Wright’s birthday, 17th), but the thought was so distressing to my mind of the sudden departure of beloved Mr. Wright from our midst—that only is the reason of the delay. May the Lord bless you and prosper the good work, shall be my constant prayer.

“One of the Orphans formerly under your care,——.”

There was paid to us on the 6th, the legacy of the late C. B., Esq., £100. From Sunderland, 9s. The writer says:—

“Our prayers ascend to God on your behalf, that you may be sustained by His grace, guided by His counsel, strengthened by His might, and cheered by His love in the work you have undertaken.”

We received on the 7th, from Clifton, £20.—11th. From Didsbury, £2, with the following:—

“I was sorry to see that Mr. Wright had fallen asleep. Truly, known unto God are all His works. His employees then need have no care other than to please Him.”

The income for the past three days, ending the 15th, has been £34 2s. 4d., the expenditure £609 10s. 7d.—18th.

From Miss E. McN., £100.—19th. From Kentish Town, £1. The donor writes:—

“Please accept enclosed as a small thank-offering. I was at No. 2, and always think with gratitude and pleasure of the happy time I spent there, and the care I received.”

She was here from December, 1884, to December, 1898, and left us as a believer. From Burton-on-Trent, £5, from a donor who was formerly an inmate of No. 1 N. O. House, and left it thirty years ago. She brought three children of a family of which we already have received two. This dear friend’s delight at bringing these needy children to the happy home of her own childhood was great, and the expression of it, and her gift, were no little cheer to me.

The income for the week ending today amounted to £163 16s. 5d., whereas the outgoings amounted to £644 4s. 6d. Only the living God could keep our hearts at rest in such circumstances. Blessed be His name, He does keep our “hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Anonymously, left at No. 3 House, 109 lbs. of tea, “From one who has suffered much from fits, and has recently been converted in the Revival, and has not had any fits since then.”

I received a letter on the 20th, of which I give the following:—

“Will you please use the enclosed £4 2s. 6d., for the support of one Orphan for three months. I often think of your great loss in the home-going of dear Mr. Wright, but feel so glad there is no cause for anxiety, seeing the Source of supply changes not. I found that out soon after my conversion, forty-eight years ago, in one of the Class Rooms of No. 1, while reading the 40th Isaiah. I wept for joy, and I don’t think the sense of satisfaction I had at that time has ever left me. My wife joins me in grateful love.”

There came to us from Scotland, £80 for Missions, with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself.—22nd. On account of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £500. From Tunbridge Wells, £10. The donor writes:—

“This morning I felt impelled to write.” We know why. The same God who commanded the ravens to feed Elijah, “impelled” His servant to replenish our “ barrel of meal,” though she knew nothing of our circumstances.

Easter Gifts

We received from Horfield, 2,395 eggs. From Horfield, 2,372 buns. From Downend, 750 buns.—25th. From Bristol, 323 buns, and 67 rock-cakes. From Bristol, 1,900 eggs, and some flowers.

From Perry Bar, £26, with £1 for myself. From Brooklyn, U.S.A., £20 8s. The donor writes:—

“Please find enclosed for the Orphans, of whom I was one at No. 3, Wilson Street. I am now an old man, but I am very thankful I was brought under the influence of that home and of dear Mr. Müller.”

The legacy of the late Mrs. H. E., £50, was paid to us. From Eastbourne, 5s., from a donor, who writes:—

“This is a thank-offering to my dear Lord. Since I made up my mind to give the Orphans one penny out of every shilling, He has helped me by sending me more work to do than I had before.

“I remain, respected Sir,

“One of the Orphans, now nearly fifty years of age.”

We received on the 27th, from The Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter’s Equipment Fund,” £150. From Bristol, £15, with £5 for a helper, and £5 for myself.

We received on May 4th, from Devonport, N.Z., £1 for Missions, with £1 for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“When a girl in my teens the reading of Mr. Müller’s Reports was blessed much to me, in a way for which I ever give God thanks; may His seal be granted similarly and manifold to the Reports of God’s work now issued from year to year.”

During the last four days ending on the 8th, the income was £106 5s. 4d., while the expenditure reached £507 3s. 1d. Thus the trial of our faith lasts, and we are more and more cast upon our only Patron—the living God.—9th. From Ipswich, £2 5s. 7d. The donor writes:—

“This is the amount of insurance against accident and sickness, from which I have withdrawn some years, looking to the Lord to be preserved from, or seek His grace and help should He permit one or both.” This illustrates the truth of what is written under date of March 30th.

Received on the 11th, on account of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £500.—13th. The income for yesterday and today amounted to £17 10s. 7d., whereas the expenditure amounted to £390 6s. 11d. How good it was of the Lord to send the £500 the day before. Oh! the blessedness of being kept in perfect peace in such circumstances.—16th. Anonymous, with “Matt. 6:34,” £14. With this gift I received a deeply interesting letter, from which I give the following extracts:—

“Our Lord’s words, ‘Take no thought for the morrow! … your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things’ searched me; then the account of the rich man, whom I had always thought so foolish and weak, not willing to give up his riches for Jesus, while I found I was clinging to a paltry £20 in the Post Office; not willing to give it up lest I might want in the future. At last I can see that I am distinctly disobeying a command of our Lord, by seeking to make provision for the future when He has told me not to. Another thing, when I was praying specially for God’s own work on Ashley Down, and for you, I found I wanted God to influence other hearts to send, not mine! How dreadful self is, and it seems to appear in all quarters! I am sending you £14. I owe £3, and must send it at once. God had shown me that I ought not to have borrowed it.”

Fearing that this donor might have been unduly influenced by a passing feeling, and afterwards regret her action, I wrote to that effect, and said I would not take the money for the work until I heard again. I received her reply today in which she says: “I did not decide hastily; it took me about three weeks before every doubt was removed. Now that you know I have calmly con- sidered, prayed, and read about it, and am perfectly happy, will you take it at once.” I could not refuse to accept such an offering. Today I received a letter from the wife of a Vicar in Devonshire; she writes:—

“I have now in my kitchen a girl who was brought up in your Orphanage, and whose standard of life is such as to make me wish to have another girl from the same Home.”

This testimony causes us to praise God for His goodness. From Brixton there was sent us 5s. 6d. for Bibles, and 5s. for Missions. The donor writes:—

“The love of Christ has made me free to obey His will, and to delight in that which will extend His kingdom.”

What a blessed freedom is this. Are you enjoying it, dear reader? Free from the dominion of self, of Satan, and owning Christ Jesus as your Lord.

On the 18th, we received from Stroud, £100. This donor called, and gave me her cheque, saying that she was impressed with the thought that she must bring this £100 down this week. I did not ask her to do this. I gave her no hint of our need; but I well knew why she was so “impressed.” Our God, the same God who supplied the Israelites with manna day by day, used her as His servant to supply our pressing need, of which He was aware.

There came on the 22nd, from Opunake, N.Z., £10. From Bishopsteignton, £1 15s., “the price of my best lamb.” This donor gives his best lamb to the Lord. Does not the blessed Lord deserve our best in every matter?

From London, £45 for Missions, with £45 for Orphans, and £10 for myself. The donor writes:—

“Herewith I am sending you a thank-offering to our Heavenly Father for His timely deliverance from what, in my bad state of health, was a great burden to me (Ps. 121).”

This donor had not the least knowledge of our circumstances, and little can have thought how great a deliverance the living God was working for us, when He moved him to send this, by far the largest amount he had ever before sent to this work.

From Drouin, Australia, £50 for Missions, with £55 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. From New Zealand, £5 for Missions. Thus the Lord greatly refreshed our hearts by sending in this supply from widely separated places, and we were able to send help to some Laborers for the Lord, which we had longed to do.

We received on the 23rd, the legacy of the late J. H., Esq., £90. From Hinton St. George, £3 is. The sender writes:—

“At our prayer meeting we were led to make special prayer for you and the Orphan Houses. The Lord reminded us of the privilege of helping in a practical way, as well as by prayer.”

On the 24th there came to us from Weston-super-Mare, £10 for the Orphans’ Treat. From London, S.E., £3, with the following:—

“Dear Sir,

“This is interest on some money that was left to me by an aunt. I am one of the old girls, so I feel it is my duty to send a little, because of all that was done for me while I was in No. 2.”

On the 26th we obtained by sale of dental gold, jewellery, etc., £32 is. 4d. From Clapham, a gold chain and fob, and a pair of gold links. The donor writes that he sends it “As a thank-offering for blessing received at the Torrey-Alexander Mission.” He got such a blessing that he will no longer wear such ornaments, but delights in giving them to the Lord. Dear reader, has this godly example a voice for you?

The Trials Of The Year And The Lessons They Teach

The abundant supplies that came in between the years 1900 to 1903 have not continued during the past two years. I was unable in the month of May to pay the salaries to our resident helpers. Under similar circumstances in 1898 Mr. Wright wrote as follows:—

“Another very noticeable feature in the history of the Institution, during the past twelve months, has been the continuance of the trial of our faith and patience in regard to pecuniary supplies. He who is pleased, sometimes, to teach His servants ‘how to abound,’ sees it best for them, at other times to be instructed ‘how to suffer need.’ For many of the sixty-four years during which this work has been carried on, the former was our experience; we abounded, and richly abounded. Latterly, and especially during the last two or three years, it has been the very reverse. Pressing need has been the rule; a balance in hand, over and above our need, the rare exception. Yet we have never been forsaken. Our faithful resident helpers, loyal to the great principle of the Institution, dependence upon God alone for everything, have been cheer- fully content to wait, once and again, for their salaries, rather than encumber the finances of the work.”

In similar circumstances now, a like mercy is granted to us, and the loyalty to the great principle of this Institution—dependence upon God—above referred to by Mr. Wright, has once again been put to the test, and was, thank God, not found wanting. The joyful manner in which they, one and all, shared with me this trial of faith was a very great cheer to my heart, and not a little helped me to “cast my burden upon the Lord.” The deep spirit of prayerfulness manifested; the increased attendance at our daily prayer meetings; the numerous testimonies that have reached me from not a few, show very clearly how the Lord is blessing us through this trial. The elder ones, who passed through like experiences when Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright were with them, tell of the blessing then received; while younger ones, to whom it has been a new experience, tell of the blessing it brings to them now.

The total income for the year was £25,980 1s. 1d. The balance in hand for the Orphans at the end of the year was £33 18s. 10d.

8 The italics are mine.

Chapter VIII

May 26th, 1905—May 26th, 1906

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.”—Isaiah 26:3 Like a river, glorious, Is God’s perfect peace, Over all victorious In its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth

Fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth

Deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah,

Hearts are fully blest;

Finding, as He promised,

Perfect peace and rest.

Frances Ridley Havergal

A Year Of Continuous Trial Of Faith

We began this period with an available balance in hand of £33 18s. 10d. Put yourself, if you can, dear reader, in any measure in our position—over 1,900 Orphan children to feed, clothe, and educate, with all the attendant expenses, and see how truly we had to look to, yea, cling to, our God, as the ivy clings to the oak tree, and is by it supported in the storm.

There came to us on May 29th, from Newington Green, £20 towards the support of two Orphans.

We received on June 1st, from one engaged in the work £1. He writes: “It is only one of the £1,000 the Lord is going to give us. I am asking Him for other £999; so easy for Him.” This refers to a petition we had presented to the Lord for £1,000.—2nd. From Glasgow, from a donor who for years has helped this work month by month, £12, and £3 for myself.—5th. From Bradford, anonymously in a registered letter, £17. In a time of great need this donor, who would not allow us to send thanks, is led to send this gift. From Natal, £20. Again our God remembers us, this time from a distant land.—7th. From Christchurch, £2, from a donor who writes: “ Mrs. N— last week took the journey to see her little grand-daughter. She cried with gratitude at seeing the child look so well and so happy, and in such a lovely home.”

There came to us on the 9th, the balance of the legacy of the late T. M. J., Esq., £149 19s. 8d.—13th. From Edinburgh, £100 for the Orphans, and £30 for Bibles, Tracts, etc., with £10 for a colleague when given to me, and £10 for myself. This donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“I had not left school when I first heard of Mr. Müller’s work, and then began to give a few shillings yearly, all I could then give, increasing from time to time.”

Will the reader take particular note of this donor’s words. When a girl at school she began to give shillings to the Lord out of that with which He was then pleased to entrust her. She did not say, “I have so little, it is not worth giving.” No: she was faithful to the Lord according to what He then gave her, and with what result? Firstly, He saw that He could entrust His child with more, and He has given her much, yea, thousands of pounds. Secondly, the heavenly principle, begun when she was a girl, has guarded her from being injured by the acquisition of wealth; she still delights to give according to what the Lord gives to her, fulfilling our Lord’s words, “He that is faithful in a very little, is faithful also in much.”—Luke 16:10, R.V.

The mail brought us from Dilley, Texas, $100. From Drouin, Australia, £100.—15th. From Brixton Hill, 5s. The donor writes:—

“I should have communicated long ago, as I was a resident Orphan at Ashley Down from the age of five to twelve.” We did not stir this donor’s conscience in this matter, but the living God, our almighty helper, did it for us.

Today I have said good-bye to an Orphan girl, who was saved on January 29th, the day on which beloved Mr. Wright died, through words spoken that evening by a servant of Christ.

On the 16th we received from Leicester, £1, with 2s. 6d. The donor wrote:

“We send this instead of insuring our furniture. We are in God’s hands; He can keep us ever looking to Him.”

These words are of deep importance, and I beg the reader to ponder them. If our eye be kept “looking to Him,” we shall not be dismayed even if such furniture should be consumed by fire. Please turn to page 189 and see what is said there on this subject.—17th. For these four days past the income has been as follows: 14th. £18 2s. 7d.; 15th. £18 8s. 6d.; 16th. £7 8s. 1d.; 17th. £11 18s. 11d.; altogether £55 18s. 1d. When the reader remembers that the expenses average about £90 day by day, he will see plainly how, without the accident of a fire, we who are carrying on this work need to be kept “looking to Him.” “God is our refuge and strength”— 19th. From “A Steward,” Clifton, £5. How blessed to recognize that we are not owners but stewards of all that the Lord entrusts us with. Were this more fully recognized, how much greater would be the blessing of many of God’s children.

The total income for the week ending today, the 21st, has been £87 5s. 3d., not quite sufficient for one day’s outgoings!—22nd. Legacy of the late G. I. H., Esq., £90. 26th. From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself; this gift was very welcome, coming, as it did, at a time of great need.—27th. From H. S., £6 5s. The donor writes:—

“Eight years ago I entered the employ of a gentleman, and having some livery by me he offered me £5 instead of new. I left hastily in two months. I feel now I did wrong, and being anxious not to benefit by wrong-doing, I am sending you the money and 2| percent, the said gentleman being now dead.”

From Torquay there came to us on the 30th, £25. On July 7th, I received from a gentleman who visited No. 3 N. O. H. the day before, £50. Note, dear reader, how the Lord works for us.—8th. From Dalston, £50, “as a thank-offering to the dear Lord for answering my prayers.” From Hereford, from a donor who has repeatedly helped us, £10 for Missions, £10 for the Orphans, 10s. for Mr. Arnot, and 10s. for myself.—nth. From an Orphan once with us, now a Nursing Sister, £1 for Missions. This donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Thank you for so kindly sending me the account of the last days of our revered friend Mr. Wright. I consider it one of the privileges of my life to have been brought into contact with both him and our precious Mr. Müller, whose memory to me, and hundreds of others, is so sacred. I can realize a little of what your loss is. I think of you and pray for you very often, that God will comfort and guide you …”

We received on the 13th, from “Anonymous,” £221. This gift, coming to us in a time of great need, was a real cheer to us.—14th. From Chippenham, £50.—15th. From Kent, £100.—17th. On account of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £750. From “E. L.,” £100.—19th. From Sydney, £40, with £10 for myself, through the Editors of Echoes of Service. The income for the Orphans for the past week has been £1,388 14s. 10d. Thus the Lord shows forth His power to help in His own time, and so cheers our hearts by its manifestation.

There came to us on the 20th, from Clifton, £150, a real help in our present need. The donor of this has for many years given a like sum on his birthday. Not long after this he departed “to be with Christ.” Thus, one by one, kind helpers die, or go away, or cease from one cause or another to help us, but our God, the living God, remains. 22nd. From Clifton, £50, a most seasonable help.—24th. From Liverpool, £50 for Missions. This came as an answer to many prayers that we might have the joy of helping the Lord’s servants, and was at once distributed.—25th. On account of the legacy of the late C. W., Esq., £125.—31st. From Clifton, £45, with £5 for my own use. Legacy of the late Mr. J. McD., £193 10s. From R. F., £100.

There was sent to us on August 4th, from readers of The Christian, £31 14s. 6d.—8th. From Gildersome, £5. “A loan,” Prov. 19:17, £1. Dear reader, pause and turn to this verse in Proverbs, and ask yourself, “Am I satisfied with this security, and am I investing accordingly?” From Hanley Castle, 10s. for the Bible Fund, with 10s. for the Orphans, and 10s. for myself. This donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Thank you much for the Report. I am deeply interested in it, and can only praise and bless God for all His lovingkindness so manifested throughout. Usually I send my donation later in the year, but now I feel impelled to forward it at once. You are daily remembered before God for a bountiful supply of heavenly wisdom, faith, and grace, which must be greatly needed in your responsible position.

“Yours,——.”

Why was this donor impelled to send at once? He, into whose ear we poured our tale of need, impelled His servant.

I received on the 10th, from Bristol, 7s., with 5s. for myself, from a donor who writes:—

“I found the Report very helpful to read: I followed the example of one and another I read of therein, and sold my chain, and with joy send you 12s. When I told my husband, he gave me his watch-chain to sell.” This is an example that many others might well imitate to their own blessing, and to the joy of the heart of our God.

On the 11th, the legacy of the late Miss C. M. P., £225, reached us.—12th. Legacy of the late Mrs. J. P., £270. 14th. From Plymouth, £2 10s. for Missions, etc., with £2 10s. for the Orphans. This donor writes as follows:—

“Dear Sir,

“I forgot to send my little donation in July. Usually I send 40s. and sometimes only 20s., but this year I think my Lord would have me forward the enclosed £5. You will please appropriate it to whatever department of your important and Christ-like work most needs help. Praying that God’s richest blessing may rest on you and your helpers, as it has so manifestly on your two predecessors.”

How graciously our God works on our behalf.

From Dundee I received today £20 for the Centenary Fund, to aid in the free distribution of the Autobiography of beloved Mr. Müller.—15th. From Bristol, £25 for Missions, etc., with £50 for the Orphans and £25 for myself.—16th. From Sheffield, is. The donor writes:—

“The new Report is full of deep interest. I reached my eightieth birthday the last day of May. In 1847 I labored in Orphan House No. 6 Wilson Street, and removed to Ashley Down; I remained about six years, until health gave way.”

The income for the week ending today is £833 5s. 10d., so we do not wait on God in vain.

On the 19th I received from Kendal, £60, from a donor who was prevented sending year by year, but now most kindly sends the amount for three years. From Kilmington, £1, with 4d. for Report. This donor writes:—

“It was through reading Mr. Müller’s Reports that, by God’s grace, I was led to give proportionately; since then my Lord has enabled me to give more.”

From Watford, £50, was received on the 22nd.—24th. From Taunton, £24, with £1 for myself. From Fairfield, £20. This donor writes:—

“I received the most interesting Report, and am constrained to write at once and send £20. I rejoice greatly in the honor. The Lord’s dealings with Mr. Müller have been an unspeakable blessing to me in my Christian life and service. The Lord has wonderfully dealt with me since I realized my position as a steward.”

From Hollinwood, £100 was sent us. This is from a gentleman who had not previously given to this work. Thus the Lord hears our prayers that He would raise up new donors. From Bedminster, £2 2s. This donor writes:—

“The work associated with Ashley Down Orphanage for so many years is truly wonderful, only explained by the unmistakable fact that God is in it. It has been to me (as to others of God’s children) often an inspiration and a stimulus to faith. We change, men and things about us change, but God never. Your Report has been a great cheer to me.”

There was sent on the 26th, from Bristol, £4, with £110s. for Mr. Arnot and £1 10s. for myself. The donor writes:—

“We have been privileged to send a thank-offering on my birthday, Oct. 12th, but instead of waiting for that date I am constrained to forward it at once.” Who constrained him? The living God, to whom alone we told our pressing need.

From Chelmsford, £1 10s. The donor writes:—

“This is part of a standing debt. I had thought of taking legal proceedings to enforce payment. But I said if Mr.—— would pay, I would send part to you, and in a very short time it came.”

On the 29th there came in from Taunton, £2 for Testaments to be sent abroad, with £3 for the Orphans. By the same post came an application from France for “Marked New Testaments,” which were sent out of this gift.—30th. From Dartford, £7 10s. for Missions, etc., with £7 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“Thank you for the Report. I trust that I have received much help in the perusal of it. I shall never forget what joy it gave me when I first commenced to set aside a portion of my wages for the Lord’s work.”

From a town missionary in the North of England I received 5s. He writes:—

“I have been deeply interested in reading your Report. Please accept the enclosed towards your work. I would like to testify to the great blessing received in giving systematically. I am a town missionary, with a salary of 27s. 6d. per week to support my wife and two children, but we feel it a great privilege to be able to put the first 3s. every week into the ‘Lord’s Box.’”

On the 31st I received from Bury St. Edmunds, £30 is. 6d., with 6d. for Report. The donor writes:—

“I enclose a small cheque for the Orphans. I wish I could do more. I have sent my mites from year to year to Bristol, and now I enclose a little more, as my life cannot be much longer. I am in my ninety-sixth year.” “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.”—Ps. 92:14. How blessedly is this fulfilled! This donor has since then gone to be with her Lord.

There came to us on September 1st, from Shepton Mallet, from “a contented farmer,” £5. The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, tells us that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” How happy is this farmer! Legacy of the late Mr. J. D., £450.—2nd. Legacy of the late Miss M. L. B., £252 18s. 8d.—5th. From Swindon, 5s. for Missions, with 5s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“Please accept thanks for the Report. Over and over have I told others, that next to my precious Bible nothing has ever helped me so much spiritually, or so helped to strengthen my faith in God.”

I received on the 6th, from Redland, 5s. The donor writes:—

“I am so thankful that God has raised you up to carry on His work at the dear old Orphan Home, for I am one of the ‘ old girls,’ and I have never forgotten what I was taught there, nor Mr. Wright’s last words to me, when I was leaving. I learned to love the Lord when I was twelve years old, at the Orphan Homes, and I have now been away from them thirty years.”

From Balsall Heath, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I trust that you will prove ‘our God’ sufficient for your own anxieties. In the days of Numbers 11 it mattered little whether it was Moses alone, or the seventy in addition; the power of the Spirit was only divided, not increased (see verse 17). So long as God was the sole resource of His servant, all was well.”

The income for the week ending today has been £943 18s. 6d.—7th. From Dundee, £100. The donor writes:—

“I am sorry I overlooked sending you cheque last year.” This friend will not let himself benefit by having forgotten to send £50 last year, but sends me two fifties. Thus our God “careth for “ us.

By this mail there came in from Bewdley, Canada, £8 4s. 9d. for Missions, £8 4s. 10d. for the Orphans, £2 1s. 2d. for Mr. Arnot, and £2 1s. 2d. for myself. This friend writes:—

“It is now more than forty years since I first became acquainted with Mr. Müller’s work of faith and love, and many a time have I been helped by his example.”

On the 8th, the legacy of the late W. H. F., Esq., £500, reached us.—9th. From Worcestershire, £50, with £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself. The donor writes:—

“t is a small thank-offering, on the part of my dear wife and myself, to our gracious God and Father for His goodness, mercy and longsuffering towards us during the fifty years of our married life, which were completed today. Truly we would take the language of Psalm 103 as our experience.”

We received from Redland, £100. “A grateful thank-offering for untold mercies from our dear Heavenly Father.” From Flax Bourton, £20.

Legacy of the late Miss J. C, £180 for Missions, etc., with £90 for the Orphans, came today. For the week ending the 13th, the income for the Orphans has been £994 17s. 5d.; for Bibles, etc., £206 5s. 9d.; for the Centenary Fund, £3; in all £1,204 3s. 2d. So we do not wait on the Lord in vain.—19th. From Drouin, Australia, £100 for Missions, £100 for the Orphans, £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself. This was a cheer and a help to us, coming as it did in a season of great straitness. The donor writes:—

“I am looking for the coming of our blessed Saviour to gather me up, with all believers, to meet Him in the air, and so for ever be with Him in glory.”

Is this your hope, dear reader?

On the 20th there came to us from Weston-super-Mare, £20.—22nd. From Kenton, £44 6s. 3d.

Gift Of Bananas For Centenary Day

For some days the question was before me of giving an extra treat to our children on Mr. Müller’s Centenary day, the 27th, in addition to the cake they always have on his birthday. My difficulty was the cost, our means were so reduced. I wished to give them a banana each, but 2,000 bananas would cost not a little. This morning I decided, before leaving my home, to send to town and enquire the cost of 2,000 bananas, and see if our funds would permit of that form of treat. Picture my joy, dear reader, if you can, when I tell you, that on reaching Ashley Down I found that a firm of importers of bananas had sent us a large quantity, which when reckoned were found to be over 4,000. So, through God’s bounty, our children had two bananas each on the 27th, whereas I had only thought of one for each; “exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.”

I received on the 23rd, from Leyton, £1 10s. The donor writes:—

“Thank you very much for Report, which I have found most interesting and helpful. A few friends, with myself, have agreed to put aside one penny a week for the Orphans. I started this last February, and now have the privilege and pleasure of sending enclosed 30s. for that work, which is a living witness to God’s faithfulness and power.”

The legacy of the late Mrs. J. C, £100, reached us. We received from an Orphan, who was many years ago in this Institution, £9 for Missions, etc., with £9 for the Orphans. 25th. From Wellington, N.Z., “An old boy of No. 4,” sends £3. He writes:—

“It grieved me much some months ago to come across an item in a magazine announcing the death of Mr. Wright. I thank the Lord for having given him a partner after his own heart, and pray that He may be very near you at all times, ‘a very present help in trouble.’”

This Orphan was admitted to No. 4 in March, 1878, and left it in October, 1885.

On the 26th, there came from Redland, 5s. The donor writes:—

“How often I have thanked my Heavenly Father for providing such a happy home for my two sisters, a brother, and myself, when we were left without both our dear parents in three months. I can truly say I spent five of the happiest years of my life there. We have all left now, and I am pleased to be able to say, are all doing well. You will be pleased to know I am in the same situation that I came to from the Home; it will be six years in December.”

Centenary Day

The memorable day, the 27th, the Centenary of the birth of beloved Mr. Müller, has come and gone, and our hearts are full of praise and gratitude to God for all His tender mercy and lovingkindness.

Our meetings began at seven in the morning, in the Visitors’ room at No. 3, when the room was comfortably filled, and the presence of the Lord was consciously realized. We opened with the hymn—

“O God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come.”

After singing, we read the first three verses of Psalm 65, and poured out our souls in praise to God. Then Mr. Arnot followed with helpful words from Psalm 103, after which praise and prayer flowed forth.

We met again at ten in the same room. At this meeting Mr. Stanley gave us cheering words from Isaiah 63:7 and Acts 27:25. Again there followed a stream of praise and prayer, continuing till a quarter to twelve.

Before two o’clock, the time for the afternoon meeting, the Visitors’ room was so filled with loving, sympathizing friends, who had come from various parts, that we had to adjourn to the large dining-room downstairs. At this meeting Mr. Bennet, of Yeovil, gave a helpful address on the words from Genesis 17, “I am the Almighty God, walk before Me and be thou perfect,” and 2 Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” After this, again the Lord gave us a stream of praise and prayer, which continued to a quarter to four.

At the evening meeting, at 6 o’clock, the presence of the Lord was again manifest, and the meeting took a somewhat different form. Mr. Snelling, of Swansea, after reading Psalm 71, said that instead of expounding it, he would give us some of his experiences of blessing received through Mr. Müller. He told us of blessing he had been to him forty years ago; when as a young man he learned the joy of trusting in God alone for directions and for supplies. This led me to think that the Lord had a purpose with regard to this meeting in letting it take the character, rather of a testimony meeting, and the testimonies that followed proved that this was evidently His provision for those who gathered for the evening meeting.

So truly did the Lord sustain us, that I am sure no one of those present had the slightest conception of the sore financial trial we were passing through that day: I had not been able to pay the teachers’ salaries due over a month. His promise given in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee” was blessedly fulfilled, and at three of the meetings our hearts found utterance in the words of Miss Havergal:—

“Like a river, glorious, is God’s perfect peace.”

It seems to me a greater manifestation of His power to maintain His servants in peace while trials last, than to give them deliverance out of them. We closed our day’s meetings with:—

“Glory, honor, praise and power, be unto the Lamb for ever;

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. Hallelujah! praise the Lord.”

The Centenary Memorial volume, the “Autobiography of George Müller,” was published that day.

We received from Exeter, three gold brooches. The donor writes:—

“I have been greatly exercised for months about wearing these brooches; in fact I never put one on without feeling it is contrary to the mind of the Lord, according to 1 Pet. 3. ‘Whose adorning let it not be the wearing of gold’; and 1 Tim. 2. ‘That women adorn themselves not with gold or pearls.’ So after long and careful consideration, I have decided to forward them to you.” How good is an obedient ear and an exercised conscience!

From St. Leonards-on-Sea there came to us 10s., “as an act of praise for God’s gracious gift of dear Mr. Müller, to be the teacher, witness, and worker he was in our time.” Today I received the following letter from a maker of class-room desks:—

“Dear Sir,

“Such a time as this is an opportunity for us to render unto God according to benefits received. Who of us can tell how much we owe to the godly life and example of our dear friend Mr. G. Müller? Under God’s guidance, at the beginning of my Christian life, at the end of 1872, I was brought under his ministry; since then we have had his life and example before us so closely it could be seen and felt. He lived amongst us in our day; let us thank God for this incandescent burner that He gave His Church in this dark age. Now to the point, some time ago I learned that there are class rooms at the Orphan Houses that need desks, therefore I purpose to give 100 if required, so if you will kindly send order to me for what is wanted to that number, they shall be supplied in due course. This will be my little Centenary gift to the work established on Ashley Down, and carried on in the fear of God by Mr. Müller, and also Mr. Wright. Now dear Mr. Bergin, our prayer and hope is that their mantles may come to you, and be well worn all your remaining days.

“I remain, with Christian love,

“Yours sincerely,——.”

How this friend learned of our need I know not; I did not tell him, but we did sorely need such desks. Not many days before, Mr. Heys, our School Inspector, brought the need before me; I had replied, “We must wait on God.”

On the 28th, I received the following letter from Bristol:

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“With feelings of joy and thankfulness to the Giver of every good thing, my dear husband and I send on the enclosed mite, £14 10s., towards the work of faith and love, which has been so abundantly blessed and honored by our Heavenly Father, and He alone knows the thousands of hearts that are this Centenary week going up in praise and thanksgiving to His most holy name, for having given us such a friend to care for the fatherless, as our beloved and revered Mr. Müller; also dear Mr. Wright.”

I received from “Ebenezer,” 10s., “In grateful memory of dear Mr. Müller, from two who will have cause to bless his memory to all eternity.”—30th. From Sussex, £60 for Missions, with £60 for the Orphans. This came as an answer to many prayers for our brethren laboring in the gospel, and for the Orphan Fund.

We received on October 2nd, from Scotland, £50 for Missions, etc., with £50 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. From Singapore, 10s., “a Singapore mite.” The donor writes:—

“The Report makes exciting reading, but it is the healthy excitement of faith. There is food and encouragement for the soul in it.”

We received on the 5th, from The Mumbles, £15, with £5 for myself.

News of the following striking incident reached me on the 6th. Mr. Müller’s Narrative in German had been read by a Stundist, who was sent into exile; on parting with his wife, he said, if he were only in Bristol he would pray to God for money to pay his railway fare to the place of exile, otherwise he would have to travel on foot with the prison gang, and probably die of the hardships, but there was no use praying in Russia; where would the money come from? But he had hardly spoken, when a man called with a gift of money, saying he had sold his watch, and so he was able to pay this man’s railway fare.

There arrived by the mail of the 9th, from New York, $100 towards the circulation of Mr. Müller’s Autobiography. From Failsworth, £1, the donor writes:—

“It is part of God’s tenth. I am only a poor hawker, sixty-four years old, but happy in the Lord. Since I have given God His tenth, our income keeps growing, glory be to God!”

We received on the 10th, from Dorset, £4. The donor writes:—

“I am one of your old scholars. I was the first baby in arms with the first lot in No. 4 House. I have enjoyed a long period of good health, and have never been in want, thank God. I am now a carrier, and having sold a horse at a better price than I expected, I have sent you the surplus, which is £4. I always feel deeply grateful for the kindness and attention shown me while in the Home.”

A Remarkable Occurrence

From Newcastle-on-Tyne, 5s., was received, with the following deeply interesting letter:—

“My dear Brother in Christ,

“It is four months today since my business premises were burnt to the ground at midnight, and my entire capital of £1,000, gathered during forty-five years of business life, swept away. No insurance in any earthly society, no cash investments, and less than £20 available of cash. The books in two safes were saved, and the book debts were in excess of the trade liabilities.

“The night before I looked round, and said to myself, ‘That is all safe.’ Then I left for home. At 2 next morning not a vestige of workshop, warehouses, showroom, or offices remained. The Lord, who has so many times preserved these and other premises I have rented, during the past forty-five years, has now permitted a fire of the uttermost destructive character to swallow all up. I could not understand it, yet there was no excitement. He keepeth, and He kept me in perfect peace. The heart said, ‘Father, glorify Thy name.’ I stayed only a few minutes, then returned home, went again to bed, and read Psalm 46.

“Being in my seventy-first year, with no capital or stock, and no insurance, I considered if this fire was intended to end my business career, or was it God’s will that I should just go on as if nothing unusual had happened? After a calm, prayerful survey of the situation, I saw it was God’s will that I should take at once a vacant premise close adjoining the ruins. At this time a whisper came into my soul, ‘Why think, or say you are not insured? Have you not for over forty years sent the money, instead of insurance, to God’s treasury at the Orphan and Missionary Institute at Bristol?’ This question was pondered, and I wrote in my pocket diary under date of June 8th, ‘Works and warehouse burnt up—”Thou art my portion, 0 Lord.”— Heaven my insurance society—Jesus Christ its capital—The Holy Ghost, manager—and all premiums paid.’

“On the fifth day after the fire a letter containing a £5 note was delivered to me by post, with only these brief words in, ‘For Keswick or otherwise, from an old friend.’ Where is the insurance society that would do this? A few weeks later from another source came another £5 for my wife to go to Keswick with me. Other four five pounds (not any begged or borrowed) were quickly given to me. Then a fortnight after the fire, came £50 from a lady in London, who I have not to my knowledge ever seen, to pay for a new modern gas engine. Then, in addition to all this, there has been what it is impossible for any insurance company to give, and that is four months of unbroken health and strength, enabling me to be at work daily from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and this has not been possible for many years past.

“It is with much pleasure 5s. 1s herewith sent you for the Orphans, instead of insuring any of the new stock I am obliged to obtain. Having read your very interesting Report, in it, on page 54, I notice with deep interest the matter of insurance gone into, and dear Mr. Müller’s attitude and action. [See page 189.] Many of my well-meaning friends think I have made a great mistake in not being insured; I tell them I do not object at all to the principle of insurance, but that from the first of the fire till now, I have no regret or sense of mistake at the step I took over forty years ago in sending the money to Bristol instead of insuring.

“Then, I tell my friends, I don’t ask any one to follow me along this path unless they are fully prepared to trust the Lord. I freely admit that I had come to believe that God would never let the frail premises that I had rented be burnt; in this I have been wrong as to God’s way. I have not sent you money as insurance, but instead of it, and as a thank-offering. I prayed for protection from fire, and thanked Him often for His protecting mercy, and now that it has pleased Him to permit the devouring fire to take all away, I am often saying, ‘They shall perish, but Thou remainest:’ and ‘In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you!’”

It is indeed a grave mistake for any one to suppose that the Lord will always protect from fire the stock or premises of those who give their money to Him instead of insuring; but it is no mistake to count on Him to give His richest blessing to all who really trust Him to do as He, in His infinite wisdom, sees to be the best for them. Both these facts are well illustrated in the experience of the writer of above letter, and in my own experience since I issued the Report for 1905, for on November 4th the premises of the printers of this Report were consumed by fire, and a large quantity of sheets of the Autobiography of George Müller were destroyed, which were not insured. The words of the Psalmist, “He shall choose our inheritance for us,” are blessedly true, and “He sees, He knows, He cares, Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to those

Who leave the choice to Him.”

Let none, who are not desirous of heavenly blessing rather than earthly, attempt to walk this path, but let all who do so desire, rejoice in the truth of the Psalmist’s words, “O Jehovah of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.”

On the 13th there came to us from Leamington, £20. From Clifton, a gold watch.—16th. From Moline, U.S.A., £20 10s. 8d.—18th. The income for the week ending today was £189 6s. 7d. Think of this, dear reader, with over 2,000 persons to feed day by day.

The income up to 12:30 on the 19th was £7 13s. We then met at our mid-day prayer meeting, and sang—

“Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest.”

The second letter I opened after dinner contained £20, from High Wycombe.

On the 21st, the legacy of the late Miss M. G., £100, was received. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. W., £500.—23rd. From Bristol, £4 2s. 6d., for the support of an Orphan for three months. Regularly, quarter by quarter, this gift has come for many years, and these donors, themselves once Orphans in this Home, are already reaping fruit from this godly sowing, in that all their own children have been brought to Christ. From Clydach, £50. The donor writes:—

“I pray the Lord’s blessing may be with you, as it was with Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright, in carrying on the same good work. I consider it is a present-day miracle, the way that money is sent for the work, and proves clearly that God watches and directs what goes on in this world.”

There was sent to us on the 24th, from the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £150, to be spent on the outfits of Orphans. From Bournemouth, a gold chain. The sender writes:—

“I am sending a gold watch-chain (18 carat), which I feel it is not becoming for me to wear as a follower of Christ.” An example is this, dear reader, in these days, when consciences are so little exercised, and obedience to the Scriptures, revealing the Lord’s will on this matter, so little heeded.

The mail of the 25th brought us from Centreville, U.S.A., £5 for Missions, and £15 for the Orphans. The income for the week ending today is £996 7s. 11d. We do not wait on God to no purpose.

We received on the 27th, from Newcastle-on-Tyne, £5 for Orphans, with £5 for Missions. The donor of this, whose letter appears under the date of October 10th, now writes:—

“With deep joy I find myself able to ask you to receive the enclosed £10. During these past three weeks of quiet, and meditation on the Lord’s goodness to me, the following definite conclusions have been come to. First, that I committed no violation of divine law in ceasing my life insurance, and in never beginning stock insurance. Then I have no regrets at this course I adopted over forty years ago. Next, I can find no authority in Scripture to alter my manner of life. Another is, to devote one-tenth of net profits to the Lord’s service. Now beginning business again at a little over the age of three score years and ten, the Lord has graciously given me for business purposes alone, without begging, borrowing, or soliciting financial aid, £105. In addition to this is £10 for the Keswick Convention. Hence the £10 I am now having the pleasure to send is not the tenth of all cash received. Thus this singular experience wells up in one’s soul of real abounding wealth, right in the face of a loss of over £1,000. ‘Having nothing, yet possessing all things.’”

How truly has the Lord in this instance fulfilled His word of promise, “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).

The legacy of the late J. T., Esq., £100, reached us on the 28th.

Noteworthy And Seasonable Help

On November 1st there was paid to us the legacy of the late H. N., Esq., £835 16s. No notice of this legacy had been received until within a few days of its payment, when the following information was conveyed to me by the solicitors:—

“At the Testator’s death his estate was insolvent, and the whole of his real estate was sold by order of the Mortgagees. The Testator’s personal estate consisted principally of shares, which at the date of his death had only a nominal market value, no dividends having ever been paid thereon. At the request of the Executors the principal creditors did not press for immediate settlement, and consented to the realization of the shares being deferred, as in the opinion of the Executors these shares were likely in a few years to considerably increase in value. By the adoption of this course there is now a very large residuary estate divisible amongst the beneficiaries, the creditors having been paid.”

How real and true are the words:—

“Say not, my soul, from whence can God relieve thy care?

Remember! Omnipotence hath servants everywhere.”

How manifestly the Lord wrought for us in this matter: Executors were moved to take a wise view of the estate, and creditors yielded to their advice, with this happy result.

There came to us anonymously from London, £8. The sender writes:—

“The £8 is the result of praying to God, after reading in G. Müller’s Narratives, ‘An artist’s first return’; I asked God to give me an order, as I should like to do what the artist did, and He gave me an order for a £20 portrait in less than twenty-four hours; it staggered me. I hope the Lord will give me the privilege to send you many sums.”

The income for the week ending today is £1,130 15s. 10d. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?”

We received on the 2nd, from Bideford, £30, for the support of two Orphan boys for one year.—7th. From E. McN., £50.—10th. From Bude, £4 for Bibles and Tracts, £4 for the Orphans, 1s. for Report, and £2 for myself. This donor writes:—

“Many thanks for sending me the Report. I always look forward to it each year; it is so full of spiritual help, that I look upon it as a rich luxury from the great Giver of all good.”

On the 11th there came to us from Hungerford, £10, for Missions, with £10 for the Orphans. From Hereford, £5. The donor writes:—

“We are seeking daily to bear you and all your dear helpers up before the Lord; and though our voice is human, and faith feeble, His ear is divine, and His word almighty. One always feels, as the train runs through Ashley Down Station, ‘A city set on a hill cannot he hid.’”

A widow, a former Orphan, called on me on the 17th, and gave me £10. She said:—

“I got this from a party to whom I had lent it, and was about to put it into the Bank, but I felt led of God to put it into His work, by giving it to you for the Orphans.”

I did not tell this widow how needy we were—how small our income was the previous week; but our God told her to give it. This gift was a great cheer to me.

There came in on the 18th, from Curry Rivel, £5. From “one of the Lord’s purse-bearers,” £1. This donor recognizes that what she holds is not her own but the Lord’s. How great would be the blessing if all God’s children knew this in the power of the Holy Spirit. Anonymously, per Midland Railway, 5 boxes of cheese, a valuable gift.—21st. From Purley, £5. This donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“I am enclosing £5 for the Orphans. I had decided to send this elsewhere, but seemed hindered and impressed to send it for your Orphans instead. Several times when trying to decide, the text has come before me, ‘Have faith in God.’ I pass it on to you.”

From Upper Tooting we received £3. The donor writes:—

“It is a thank-offering for the birth of a little son. I have just returned from service of the King in Nigeria. The Homes are an object-lesson to the world, and have served to strengthen the faith of many of the Lord’s servants whose faith has been sorely tried.”

The legacy of the late Miss H. B., £270, was paid to us. From Liverpool, £1 4s., with 6d. for Report. The donor writes:—

“I send you this under the following circumstances: a great many years ago, while I was unconverted, I went to New Orleans, as a steward on board of a steamer. Some person dropped their gold spectacles; I picked them up, but did not make any enquiry. Now, as a believer on the Lord Jesus, I have decided to hand the sum of £1 as value, and 4s. as per Lev. 6:5, ‘He shall add the fifth part more thereto,’ to the Lord’s Treasury.”

We received on the 24th, from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., and £20 for the Orphans, with £2 10s. for Mr. Arnot, and £2 10s. for myself. This donation arrived at a time of great need, and caused much thanksgiving to God.

There came on the 25th, from Dunedin, £40 for Missions, with £50 for the Orphans, and £10 for my own use. This gift arrived as an answer to much prayer for the Lord’s servants. The donors write:—

“Your Reports duly came to hand, and as usual have proved very helpful in our Christian experience. We took advantage of the 100th anniversary of the founder’s birthday to have a number of cards printed, and circulated amongst those we knew, with a desire that our Heavenly Father would use the mementos for the extension of His kingdom, and cause the faith of those who profess to serve Him to be strengthened by the brief extracts from the sayings of our departed friend Geo. Müller.”

This morning the letter bag contained a large number of letters, and after a season of prayer I opened them. Amongst them all there were only three letters containing money, 1s. 2d., 10s., and £1. Again we got on our knees and commended ourselves to God. As the trial of our faith is very keen at this present time, we asked Him to send in, if it pleased Him before the day is over, yet more. Shortly after this a bill was brought to me for goods just received, amounting to £101. Consider, dear reader, how needful to have the eye fixed only on God in such circumstances. He kept us calmly looking to Him for deliverance. When the mid-day mail was brought to me, the first letter I opened contained 1s. from New Zealand, the next letter, from Dunedin, contained a cheque for £100. Thus the Lord answered our cries to Him.

On the 28th we received from Edinburgh, £10 16s. 10d. for Missions to Spain and Persia, with £14 3s. 2d. for the support of one Orphan for one year.—29th. Legacy of the late T. E., Esq., £120.

A Bereaved Parent’s Touching Gift

The mail of the 30th brought us from New York City, £59 5s. 6d. for Missions, £100 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. This was a great cheer to us, coming at this time when our funds for both departments were exhausted. The donor writes:—

“I feel led by God to send you a sum of money in memory of my little daughter, Sarah, who passed over last April, to be with Him who called little children to Him. When my dear babe was lying grievously ill, I vowed a certain sum to God’s work as a special thank-offering in case of her recovery, but almost immediately felt there might be something of a disposition in my heart to drive a bargain with the Heavenly Father, all unconsciously to myself; so was led to promise the money as a thank-offering whether she recovered or went, knowing that God understands what is best for us. Herein you will find a bill of exchange for £164 5s. 6d., of which I shall ask you to keep £5 for your personal use, and to apply the rest as your knowledge of the needs of the work may suggest. I should like, however, to think that some portion be used to supply the needs of those who, relying on the Lord to provide, are laboring as Missionaries.”

How the Lord—who “taketh pleasure in them that fear Him”—must have rejoiced in this beautiful example of true parental love, combined with a tender conscience and submission to His holy will!

We received on December 1st, from “H. S. H.,” £100, with £1 for myself.—2nd. From Glasgow, £8 for Missions, etc., with £4 for the Orphans, and £3 for myself; the donor of this writes:—

“I always look upon your dear children not so much as Orphans to be brought up and then started in life, which of course is a blessed work itself, but I look upon them as children whom God has chosen out of the world to be converted, trained, and educated, to go forth as lights in the world. This I consider God’s great purpose, and He will not fail in it.”

There came on the 4th, from Torquay, £100. The sender writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“You will, I know, be thankful to hear that prayer has been answered on my dear husband’s behalf, and he is now restored to his usual health. We now ask you to join us in thanks for this great mercy, and ask your acceptance of«enclosed cheque for £100, as a thank-offering to be used where most needed. That our Father’s blessing may rest abundantly on you, and your dear fellow-laborers, and on all your work for the Master, is the earnest prayer of, “Yours in Him,——.”

We received from Southport, £25. Legacy of the late Miss J. I., £100.—7th. From Bath, £20.—9th. From Bristol, £20 for Missions, with £30 for the Orphans. From Fort William, Scotland, £60. From Treforest, £62 10s.— nth. From Rugeley, £100. The donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“When I retired from active life in 1893, I called at the Orphanage, and left Mr. Wright £50. I have had many calls upon me nearer home since then. I am now far advanced in years. I beg of you to accept of the enclosed, on behalf of your noble work, that has been carried on by your two predecessors; may you be spared to carry it on for many years to come.”

This mail brought us from Drouin, Australia, £30 for Missions, etc., with £70 for the Orphans, £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself.—14th. From Redland, £20 0s. 6d. From London, £20. The donor writes:—

“It is £10 for last year, and £10 for this year’s insurance of my premises, to be spent on the King’s ‘little ones.’”

From Cotham, £10, from a widow, who writes:—

“When I saw how ill my husband looked, I knew only God could save him. I went to my room and cried to God if it was His holy will to save him, and promised that I would send the Orphans £10. I didn’t like myself afterwards for saying such a thing. Is not all that I have got the Lord’s? and how easily He could take it all away from me. However, I pray He will accept it, because I send it with all my heart.”

There came on the 15th, from Brussels, £1. The donor writes:—

“By some particular circumstances I was led to take my meals at another restaurant, and there I found a book about ‘George Müller.’ I cannot say how this narrative has touched me; it was as if I still came into contact with the power and love and trust of his wonderful life of faith.”

There was sent in from Bristol, 475 lbs. of cake—1 lb. each for 1,900 children, and from the maids of this donor, some flowers for the Orphans in the Infirmaries. The donor writes:—

“Please give my love to the children, and tell them this gift is in memory of my husband (his birthday will be tomorrow), a good man, a lowly follower of the Lord Jesus.”

By the mail of the 18th, we received from Cronenberg, Germany, 10s. 3d. The donor writes:—

“It is a little thank-offering for the blessing which I have had in reading the memoir of George Müller.”

There came in on the 20th, from Taunton, £50. From Hastings, £20. The donor writes:—

“The enclosed I send as a trifle for the Orphans towards the plum-pudding dinner on Christmas day. I well remember how we used to look forward to all the little extras at that time of year. I wish them all a very merry Xmas.”

From Messrs. W. P. & Sons, £30 was sent us.—22nd. From Aberdare, 130 lbs. of meat. From Bristol, 20 cases of oranges, 5 cases of dates, and 40 ½ -boxes Valencia raisins.

Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way

From Guildford, I received the following interesting letter, with £2 8s. 6d. enclosed:—

“I think it is about thirty-five years ago I first read Mr. Müller’s Report. I began by giving up smoking, and giving part of the money to the Orphans, and I thank God today for that Report. I can say to encourage you with others, not a morning passes from five to six but you are remembered in prayer, and the dear children. I have many times thought how I should like to see them, but we farm men don’t get very high wages to have much to run about with, about 15s. or 16s. per week. I was thinking of the goodness of God to me, and the thought struck me, send those two brethren 5s, each, with £1 10s. for the Orphans; also 8s., grandchildren and their mother’s pence, and 6d. for Report.”

Note, dear reader, a man earning 15s. or 16s. a week sending such an amount, and praying for us every morning between five and six o’clock. How can we estimate the value of such helpers!

We received on the 23rd, from Burnhope, £5 for Missions, etc., with £5 for the Orphans. The donor of this writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“As a working man I am truly thankful to our Heavenly Father to be able again to send a small donation to the great work at Ashley Down.”

Does not He who sat over the treasury of old, now take full note of this gift of “a working man”?

There came on the 26th, from Camberwell, £1. The donor writes: “The eyes of the Lord are beholding you.” Yes, indeed, this is so, and it is a source of deep joy and constant support to know that such is the fact.

On the 27th, we received from Kendal, £25. From Bristol, “from Mother,” £25 4s. The income for the past week has been only £286 8s. 11d.—28th. From the late Miss L. S. A. H., £20.—29th. From London, £100. From Wolverhampton, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I send a thank-offering for God’s exceeding goodness. I can never forget, or cease to be thankful for, the care bestowed upon me in the days of my childhood.”

Thus the Lord has brought us to the close of the year—a year of bereavement and sore trial of faith, yet a year in which His hand has been outstretched on our behalf in upholding us, and providing for His own work. To Him be all the glory, and to Him alone.

1906

There was sent us on January 1st, from Needy, £20 for Missions, etc., with £10 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself; also from Needy, Junr., £5 for the Orphans. From Bristol, £17 10s. for Missions, etc., with £17 10s. for the Orphans.

On the 2nd, we received from Westbourne Park, £25 for Missions, £10 for the School Fund, £30 for the Orphans, with £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself. From Kendal, £20. From “an elderly Orphan,” £50. From Melksham, £35. This day twelve months was beloved Mr. Wright’s last day up here.

Through Bethesda Box, £30 came to us anonymously on the 3rd. The income for the past week was £813 us. 5d. 4th. From “345,” £2. The donor writes:—

“This is a privilege given to me as year by year the Lord supplements my wages, by giving to me Christmas boxes in my calling as a postman.”

On the 5th, we received from “Anonymous,” £221. This donation came at a time of sore need, and was the cause of much thanksgiving to God.—6th. From Melksham, £32.

It is written in Psalm 148:8, “Stormy wind fulfilling His word.” Last night our roofs were seriously injured by a severe storm. Some tons of slate will be needed for repairs. The same “word” that sent the storm, will send the means to defray the cost.—8th. From Putney Park, £20, from a donor who never gave to this work before. From Bristol, £2 2s. The donor writes:—

“I enclose a little thank-offering to the Lord for graciously preserving my house and our factory from harm during the gale of Friday last. Please put the 2 guineas towards repairs rendered necessary by the gale.”

The mail brought us on the 9th, from Auckland, N.Z., £20. From West Dulwich, £25, with £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself. From Merton, N.Z., £10 10s. for Missions, £5 10s. for the Orphans, 2s. for Reports, £1 for Mr. Arnot, and £1 for myself. The donor says: “Of this, 5s. is three months’ interest, added, because I was unable to send the money in August, as I hoped to be able to do.”—10th. Today I received the following letter:—

“Kindly send me one of the new books published on Mr. Müller’s Centenary, price 5s., but worth a good deal more, I reckon. I always remember the happy days I spent in No. 2; I was there about fifteen years. I left it thirty-two years ago. ‘Tis a great work you are carrying on by faith in Him, the great Provider, without asking any human aid.”

Received the legacy of the late Miss S., £217 11s. 8d. 13th. From Bury St. Edmunds, £2 2s. The donor herself writes:—

“Once more I am permitted to send my small subscription to your Orphanage. I am thankful to be able to do so at my great age of ninety-six this month.” How truly is the word of God fulfilled in this case, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age”!

On the 15th, the legacy of the late Mr. C. C. B., of U.S.A., $1,000=£205 15s., was paid. This was a great encouragement to us in a time of keen trial of faith. From Weymouth, 10s. The donor writes:—

“Though only poor in this world’s goods, I have found that giving to God does not impoverish me, neither does withholding enrich me, and as we make channels for giving, so we make channels for receiving; this is God’s plan.”

How true and how wise these words!

We received on the 16th, from Eastbourne, £25. From Litchfield I received the following letter:—

“Herewith I send you a guinea piece, which I have carried on my watch chain for about twenty-four years, but since reading your Report I cannot carry it any longer.”

There came to us on the 17th, “In Memoriam,” £180. The senders of this gift write that this is sent “In accordance with the spoken wish of a relation now dead.” From Newtownards, £1 5s. The donor writes:—

“Dear brethren in Christ,

“Never having a heart to push debtors for outstanding debts, and oftentimes wondering whether after years they ever intended to pay, your Report opened up a debt recovery agency (telling the Lord about it), so please accept this, the first one I have taken to Him. The customer came in this morning, and said he wanted to pay his account, so I enclose you full amount.”

There was sent us on the 18th, from Christian friends at Kendal, £34 5s. 1d. These friends have contributed regularly and liberally for more than a quarter of a century. 19th. From Moline, U.S.A., £20 7s. From Bournemouth, £20, with £5 for myself.

A Donor For Fifty-One Years

From Lozells, 7s. 6d. The donor writes:—

“I think it’s fifty-one years since I first sent to the Orphans; am now seventy-six. I have felt help and inspiration from the Reports year by year, and trust you may find the same divine support as dear Mr. Müller did in all the past, and you will, because God has promised.”

The mail of the 22nd brought us from London, Ontario, £30.—23rd. From Liverpool, £50 for Missions. This gift, from one who has long delighted in helping this part of the work, was a great refreshment to us; we had cried often to the Lord to grant us the joy of helping His beloved servants laboring in the gospel, and now we got this answer. From Corstorphine, 5s. The donor writes:—

“I trust the Homes are continuing to prosper. What a blessed and God-inspired venture of good Mr. Müller.”

The income for the week ending on the 24th was only £239 16s. 9d. “God is our refuge.”—25th. From Southport, £50.—27th. The legacy of the late Mr. G. M. £83 9s. 2d.

Mr. Wright’s First Year In Heaven

As I write this date (29th) thoughts of the loss this Institution sustained this day twelvemonth, in the departing to “be with Christ” of beloved Mr. Wright, will rush into my mind. To him it has been twelve months of unutterable joy and peace and blessing in the presence of his beloved Lord and of loved ones with Him. “They rest from their labors” (Rev. 14:13). I once heard him remark on the word they, “It implies fellowship in rest,” he said. To me it has been a twelvemonth of unnumbered mercies and lovingkindnesses, mingled with deep trials, and an increasing sense of my loss.

“With mercy and with judgment

My web of time He wove,

And aye the dews of sorrow

Were lustred with His love:

I’ll bless the hand that guided,

I’ll bless the heart that plann’d,

When throned where glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.”

Yes, and by faith we do now “bless the hand that guided,” and “the heart that planned.”

By this mail we received from Salem, U.S.A., $250. The donor writes:—

“I knew dear Mr. Müller; he was in our place, and preached three times. My only living son, C——, was a wild young man, had horses in the races, etc. Mr. Müller promised to pray for his conversion, which he did. His prayers were gloriously answered, and my son went at once (in 1894) into Evangelistic work. The last time we were in Bristol was in 1895, and, in looking at the photo of C——, Mr. Müller said, ‘The dear boy, I have prayed for him many hundreds of times.’”

On the 31st there came from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., and £20 for Orphans, with £2 10s. for Mr. Arnot, and £2 10s. for myself.

We received on February 6th, from C.-on-M., £100. This was from a new donor, who gave £5 on January 17th, and is now constrained to send this considerable amount, which came as a direct answer to prayer that the Lord would raise up new donors to this work; and He has raised up many. From Cheltenham, 10s. The donor writes:—

“It gives me great pleasure to send the enclosed, as a small token of gratitude for all the kind care that was taken of me during the fourteen and a half years I was at the dear old Home. I am still in my first situation; am now keeping house for my dear master. It is just seven years since I came here; I can truly say, ‘The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places.’ I am very happy, realizing day by day the wonderful love of God.”

Our need today (the 13th) is great. At our mid-day prayer meeting I mentioned that thus far the income was £49 14s. 6d. We cried very earnestly that the Lord would be pleased, ere the day was over, to send us help. At 4:20 I received a note from the Matron of No. 2, enclosing a cheque for £20 given by a gentleman and lady then staying in Clifton, who had gone over that House as visitors. Little did these friends think then how truly they were God’s servants, sent in answer to our prayers, nor did I tell them when sending them a receipt.—14th. The income for the week ending today was only £213 0s. 11d.

I received on the 17th, from India, from H. C. B., £50. 19th. From “E. L.,” £250. I do not even know the name of this kind donor: the Lord does, and He will not fail to reward her.—20th. Through the Editors of Echoes of Service, from New South Wales, £26 10s., “from sale of jewellery.” From Edinburgh, 10s. The donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“I enclose 10s. for the benefit of the dear Orphan Houses, under whose sheltering roof I spent many years at No. 1. I used to delight in hearing you preach, and the memories of all the happy times I will ever cherish in my heart. I left in 1892.

“I am, dear Sir,

“One of your old Orphans of No. 1.”

There came to us on the 21st, on account of the legacy of the late C. W., Esq., £125. By sale of dental gold and jewellery, £20.—22nd. Legacy of the late Mrs. M. H. T., £100. Legacy of the late Mrs. E. O., £187 13s. 9d.—26th. From Watford, £25.—28th. From E. McN., £50.

We received on March 1st, from near Bingley, £40. The donor writes:—

“I enclose you cheque for £40, which, with £60 previously sent, makes a £100 in payment of an amount left in my Will in favor of Müller’s Orphanage.”

Thus this donor is led to help us now in our time of need, instead of leaving it to us in his Will. On the 3rd there came to us from Aldershot, £40, with £10 for myself.—5th. From Woodside, a gold ring set with a stone. The donor writes:—

“Please accept this ring. I have no money to send. I have been so blessed by God in reading Dr. Pierson’s Life of Mr. G. Müller; it has strengthened my faith, and filled me with a desire to glorify God, that I feel, ‘Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.’”

Donation From A Former Atheist Lecturer

We received on the 7th, from Staffordshire, £3. The donor writes:—

“It is £3 laid down at the feet of the living God on the anniversary of the day when a wicked atheist and lecturer on atheism versus Christianity, was in 1849 turned upside down into a Christian, on a small common where he sat down with the intention of committing suicide, when God in His wondrous love revealed Himself as an undeniable reality, without any human instrumentality, illuminating the utter folly of all atheism, so as to enable him to grasp salvation full and free, to believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Covenant from back to back, and afterwards to proclaim the gospel of a crucified, risen, and ascended Christ—Oh! the bliss of true, undefiled Christianity, its joys are more than tongue can utter.”

On the 8th, the legacy of the late A. C. P., Esq., £500, came to hand.—9th. By sale of dental gold and jewellery, £57 10s. 8d. The reader will observe what substantial help we get from gifts of this nature.—10th. From Rotherham, £5, from “one time a No. 4 boy.” Today we received the last lot of school desks promised on September 27th as a Centenary gift. This kind donor was not satisfied with sending 100, according to his promise, but sent in all 105; a real help to us are these in our class work. We praise our God, and thank our friend His servant.—12th. A lady who has had several of our girls, writes thus:—

“I must say that the training they receive from you makes them modest, industrious, and really anxious to do their best; and I thank you for the comfort you have thus given us.”

By this mail arrived from Drouin, Australia, £50 for Missions, £50 for the Orphans, £5 for Mr. Arnot, and £5 for myself. This gift from the Antipodes came at a time of great need for both objects, and cheered us not a little. 13th. From Dunedin, £50 for Missions with £100 for the Orphans. The donors write:—

“We have reached another milestone in our business transactions, and although the past year has not been without much to test our faith, yet we are assured that the resolve to apportion 25 percent of our income to His work, has met with the approval of our Father in Heaven, and we never regret it, though Satan sometimes tries to make us believe that it is not necessary. Changes may come, you have experienced them and so have we, but our God is the same yesterday, today, and for ever. To Him be all the glory.”

This gift also greatly refreshed our hearts.

We received on the 14th, on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. M. L. M. F., £500. The income for the week ending today was £1,397 16s. 8d. Oh, the blessedness of truly waiting upon God!—16th. From Bristol, £1, “In memory of the two beloved Directors.” This is the anniversary of the birth of beloved Mr. Wright, who, had he been spared to us here, would have been eighty years old today. From Bradninch, £2 2s., from an Orphan formerly here, “In memory of our beloved Mr. Wright’s birthday.” From a helper in the work, 10s., “In memory of dear Mr. Wright.” “In memoriam,” £2, “a thank-offering for the babe born this day eighty years.”

There came in on the 17th, from Bristol, 13s., with 6d. for Reports. This donor, a godly domestic servant, puts aside for the Orphans gifts she receives from friends of her master who stay at his house.—19th. Anonymously, from Richmond, Virginia, £5, “from the sister of a boy cared for, and who died in your school in the year 1878.”

The income, when we met at 2:00 for prayer today, was £16 13s. 10d. While we were at prayer a letter arrived from Australia, bringing £93 3s. 11d., being a legacy of £100 less expenses. Of this legacy we had no previous tidings whatever. How unlimited are the resources of our God! How little reason is there for unbelief to work!—20th. From West Croydon, £20.—21st. Our income for this week ending today has been £243 12s. 4d. Thus our God tests our faith that He may strengthen it.—23rd. From Market Drayton, £100. This proved an exceeding cheer to us—it was an answer to prayer in a special way. From Kidderminster, £20.

On the 27th, we received from London an Orphan bereft of both parents. Her mother dying in a hospital heard from a patient in the same ward what she, as a former Orphan of this Institution, owed to Mr. Müller, and asked that her little girl might be sent to the same Home, and the mother took part with the other relatives in signing documents the day before she died.—30th. From Sussex, £20. The donor writes:—

“I wish that some of the large sums given by some of the millionaires would enable you to swim softly the remainder of your earthly pilgrimage, but I can hear you saying, that we have a safer Bank whereon to rest, and the Head knows well when and how to test the faith of His servants.”

A Remarkable Deliverance

For many months past we have been passing through severe trials in consequence of the low state of the funds for the Orphans. Today, March 31st, the Lord gives us to see how abundant, and how varied are His resources, and that He has His servants ready to carry out His will at His own time. This morning the total income received was very small, but I received a letter from a solicitor in Bristol, saying that if I would call at his office, he would hand me a cheque for a considerable amount. I called, and he gave me a cheque for £1,600, the gift of a lady in London. Can the reader at all picture my feelings when I was handed this cheque? This is the largest donation sent to this Institution for several years, and afresh proves the power of our God to move on our behalf the hearts of the stewards of His wealth, without our writing to them or in any way making known to human ears our needs. Of our sore and pressing need the kind donor knew nothing. What a proof of the truth of words quoted from a donor in Sussex yesterday! Well may we sing:—

“How good is the God we adore,

Our faithful, unchangeable Friend,

Whose love is as great as His power,

And knows neither measure nor end.”

We received on April 4th, from Lewisham, £50. From Ton Pentre, 10s. The donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“Please accept this small sum from once an inmate of No. 1 Boys’ School. I hope you will forgive me for not sending before. I had begun to think of the lepers who returned not to give thanks to our Saviour after being healed.

“Yours truly,——.”

Seventy Years—Over Twelve Thousand Orphans

There was sent us on the 6th, from readers of The Life of Faith, £27 5s. 11th. This day seventy years, Mr. Müller received the first Orphans into No. 6, Wilson Street. For thirteen years and two months the work was carried on in that street, until the New Orphan House No. 1, Ashley Down, was opened in June, 1849, when 118 Orphans were transferred to it. The number received up to May 26th of this year, was 12,206. What hath God wrought!

We received on the 17th, from the North of England, £6 for Missions, from a donor who writes:—

“Dear Brother,

“I am a poor laborer. This last number of months I have been working overtime; I have been leaving my own house at 5:30 a.m., and home at 10 p.m., about four or five nights in the week, so I have saved £6. I have been praying to the Lord to guide me where to give this money. Yesterday morning Müller’s Homes was coming up before me in a way that I thought I should send this money to you, so my stewardship ends, except prayer, and yours begins.”

There was sent on the 19th, from the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter’s Equipment Fund,” £150. A gift to aid in the outfit of boys and girls when we send them out as apprentices, servants, or otherwise. From Redland, a donor writes:—

“I am sending you the enclosed cheque, value £8. It gives me great pleasure to know that the eternal God continues to bless and prosper the work. I know of nothing which gives me greater joy than to see the dear Orphans when taken out for their walk. Praying that every blessing may rest on you and your work.

“With kind regards,

“Sincerely yours,——.”

On the 24th we received from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., and £20 for the Orphans, with £2 10s. for Mr. Arnot, and £2 10s. for myself. I could not describe the joy that the reception of this gift gave us.

There came on May 8th, from Leominster, £25 10s. 11d. 9th. From Dunedin, £50, through the Editors of Echoes of Service. From Edgbaston, £250. This gift gave us much joy, as it came at a time of very great need, and in answer to many prayers.

We received on the 12th, from Kingstown, 15s. for Missions, and 15s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“Is the work difficult? Jesus directs thee. Is the path dangerous? Jesus protects thee; Fear not, and falter not; let the word cheer thee; All through the coming days, He will be near thee.”

These words did cheer me, and so I insert them in the hope that some reader may likewise be cheered.

There was sent on the 14th, from a helper in the work, £3. This is a day of exceedingly great trial of faith. On last Wednesday evening at our weekly prayer meeting of helpers, we asked the Lord for £1,500, and He has been pleased to send us £72 15s. 6d. Today the income is only £12 1s., yet He keeps us in perfect peace.

We received on the 15th, on account of the legacy of the late Miss H. M. H., £100.

On the 16th, we received through the Orphan Box at N.O. House No. 2, £2 10s., with Luke 12:24, “Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber, nor barn; and God feedeth them; of how much more value are ye than the birds!” Today a girl came to me to say farewell. She entered this Institution on August 26th, 1897, at eight years of age. The Spirit of God used the news of beloved Mr. Wright’s death to her conversion—she had been under conviction of sin before that. Now she leaves us as an accredited believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, to take a situation in Bristol.—17th. From readers of The Christian, £49 7s. 10d.—19th. From Kilcullen, Ireland, £10 for Missions, with £8 for the Orphans, and £1 for myself. From Kent, £500. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Enclosed I am glad to be able to send you a gift toward the Orphan work, in which I hope you are having much cause for encouragement.

“Yours truly,——.”

We had “much cause for encouragement” in the receipt of this gift; we had been crying to our faithful Friend to move His stewards to send us goodly sums—we had definitely named £500 in our petitions, for we were in great need of such help—see, dear reader, how good it is to “wait only upon God.” I did not write to this gentleman and tell him we were in great and pressing need— we told God only—and He bade His servant send this. The cheer such deliverances give can only be known by experience.

There was sent from Skipton, £29 9s. 9d., “the lion’s share of the proceeds of the sale of a diamond.”—21st. From Apiti, N.Z., a gold medal, and a gold ring set with a stone. The donor writes:—

“I am posting a gold medal and a ring to you. The Christian who desires to have treasure in heaven must let go all the useless baggage of the world. The less we store up here, the more will our heart yearn for the treasure laid up in the life beyond.”

We received on the 24th, from Landkey, £1. The donor writes:—

“May you ever realize that ‘the government shall be on His shoulder, who is called Wonderful!’ I sometimes think of the overwhelming weight of responsibility connected with the Orphanage, looking at it manward, and the need of prayer in these material days to believe that God is able.”

There was sent us on the 25th, from Ryde, £20.—26th. By sale of silver articles, £9 12s. 6d.

Review Of The Year’s Mercies

“Oh how great is Thy goodness which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!” Such was the outburst of praise and worship to which the Psalmist gave utterance, when he surveyed some proofs he had of the Lord’s goodness to him; and such language expresses the thoughts of my heart as I review Jehovah’s lovingkindness to us during the past year. At its beginning I said that the abundant way in which the Lord had shown forth His power to beloved Mr. Wright since Mr. Müller’s death, had strengthened our faith to take up the burden He had seen fit to lay upon us; and now it is my joy to tell out concerning His faithfulness ever since. The confidence reposed in Him has been verified to the full, and I can say to His praise with Joshua, that “not one thing hath failed of all the good things which Jehovah spake.”

When beloved Mr. Wright was called home, there were not a few who questioned whether the Orphan work could still be continued on the same lines. Looked at in the light of natural reason, at the beginning of this financial year, it seemed as if their doubts were well founded. The great men of God who had conducted the work for nearly seventy years were gone, and in their place was a man who is comparatively unknown, with no money, or property of any kind, with no rich patrons, and no influential committee behind him. Could the work then still be carried out on the same lines?

These are the not unreasonable questions of the natural mind, but faith looks at “the things that are not seen” viz., the resources of the almighty, eternal God, who has infinite power, and who condescends to listen to believing prayers put up in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Mr. Müller wrote in 1882 (see “Autobiography,” page 516):

“We grant that according to appearances all was dark, and that there was no natural prospect of help; but we knew God. We did not merely say we knew Him, but verily we did know Him. We did not merely say that we trusted in Him, but we did so in reality; and thus it has come that we have been helped, as it is written: ‘They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee’ (Psalm 9:10).”

The preceding pages, showing what God has done in this past year, give a conclusive answer to all unbelief’s questions.

It has been indeed a time of deep and prolonged exercise of faith, but all through it we have been proving His power to sustain us in continued trial, which has lasted until the close of the year.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when in Nebuchadnezzar’s fire, had as their companion the Son of God; and that fire took no effect on them save to burn their bands, and set them free to walk with their Lord—see Daniel iii. 24, 25; and when He caused us to walk through the fire, He walked with us. Again and again, when dark clouds hung over us, we strengthened our hearts in God by singing Cowper’s beautiful lines:—

“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

“Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace:

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.”

The total income for this year was £28,256 4s. 8d., leaving an adverse balance on the Orphans’ account of £251 19s. 3d. in consequence of the wording of a Will compelling us to invest the sum of £500 left us.

I praise Thy name, O Jesus, Lord,

Almighty Son of God;

The world’s Creator, by Thy word;

My Saviour, by Thy blood.

Thy wonders in the floods I see,

Thy throne is on the deep;

And I may sit and reign with Thee,

Let storms awake or sleep.

R. C. Chapman

Chapter IX

May 26th, 1906—May 26th, 1907

“I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him.”—Psalm 41:15.

The path is rough, My child! but at thy side

Thy Father walks! then be not terrified,

For I am with thee; will thy foes command

To let thee freely pass; will take thy hand,

And through the throng, Lead safe along My child.

Unknown

More Trials, With Some Remarkable Deliverances.

We began this year with nothing in hand for all our great needs for the Orphans; yea, with an adverse balance, and £30 3s. 11d. in hand for the other four objects. Mark now, dear reader, how the Lord dealt with us in His loving-kindness.

On May 28th we received from Clifton, £50. This was a great refreshment to our hearts, coming as it did in our deep need on this our first day.

The reader will see that for carrying on this work we had need to count on our Friend and Patron—our only Patron, the living God, from the first day: and how did He meet us? By fresh trials of faith. The 27th was Sunday, therefore there was no income—the 28th passed by, but not one penny was received for the first four objects; still our eye was towards Him, and on the 30th He sent us from Edinburgh, £40, with £110 for the Orphans. The donor of this £150 can have had little thought how her gift gladdened our hearts, coming as it did at a time of sorest need—of which we did not apprise her when acknowledging the gift, as that might have appeared as an appeal for further help.

There reached us on June 2nd, the legacy of the late Miss A. C, £770 12s. 11d. Thus within six days the Lord in His great goodness sent us this seasonable help. How blessed it is to trust in the living God! The income, for the week ending today, is £1,054 11s. 3fd. The reader will thus see that we do not wait on God in vain. He is the living God, and is worthy to be trusted.—7th. The legacy of the late Mrs. M. A. M. £112 7s. 4d. Anonymously, in a small box, £20 in gold.—14th. From Bristol, £25.—16th. The total income for all the objects of this work for the week ending today, is £155 2s. 4d.—Thus our God in His wisdom tests us as to whether or not we will trust Him.—19th. From Aberdeen, from a widow and her late husband, £35 for Missions, with £15 for Missions to Jews, and £150 for Orphans. Oh! how glad our hearts were made by this proof of our Lord’s care for this His work, and of His ability to help when and how He pleases.—22nd. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. A. B., £100.—27th. From Clayton Bridge, £25.

On July 2nd we received the legacy of the late Miss M. C, £100 for Missions, etc., with £100 for the Orphans. 3rd. Legacy of the late Mrs. E. McK., £100. From Northiam, Sussex, £10. The donor, who has sent twice annually for years, writes:—

“It is a small contribution to our Lord’s work in your hands, which work I daily have in mind morning and evening during prayer.”

From Trowbridge, a widow, whose children are with us, writes:—

“I enclose 10s. in grateful acknowledgment of your kindness to my dear children, and I am very thankful they are both keeping in good health and are quite happy.”

On the 5th we received from readers of the Christian Herald, £11 9s. 0d.—6th. From Treforest, £45 17s. 8d. 7th. From Torquay, £20, with £5 for Dr. Bergin and £5 for my own use.

We received on the 9th, from Wales, from an Orphan formerly, as a boy, under our care, £15. This young man, out of gratitude to God, and to Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright, who cared for him, when he could not care for himself, sends this gift. From Bulls, N.Z., £5, from a donor who writes:—

“Dear Friend,

“I herewith enclose £5. A period of nearly eighteen years has elapsed since I left your care, and I am thankful that grace has been given me to remember the Lord’s kindness in my childhood’s years. Today, in this far-off land, He still is my Helper, and I have long since learned to know Jesus as my personal Saviour. The remembrance of my experience as a boy, under the care of the Lord, is a splendid antidote against doubts as to the truth of Scripture. When I consider that so much has been done in answer to prayer, it is an indisputable proof that there is reality in the things of God. I left your Homes about the end of October, 1888, after having been about eleven years under your care.

“I remain,

“Your brother in Christ,——.’

On the 11th, we received from Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself. This gift greatly cheered our hearts. It came from one who has for many years been a helper of this work; its timely arrival is worthy of note.—12th. From the late Miss E. E., £30.—16th. From Perry Barr, £25, with £1 for Dr. Bergin, and £1 for my own use. 17th. Today I bade good-bye to a lad of 14, who has been with us seven years and a half, and now goes forth a bright Christian lad. He was brought to Christ two years ago, through words spoken by one of the schoolmasters, and has given great joy since.—19th. From Perth, £40, from “Anonymous.”—24th. Legacy of the late Mr. J. H., £541 3s. 11d. From Liverpool, £50 for Missionaries.—25th. From Australia, £75.—28th. From “Anonymous,” £215. From Wiltshire, £1. The donor writes:—

“It is a thank-offering to Him, who is teaching me more and more that ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Does the reader really believe this, that it is more blessed to be giver than receiver? The income for the week ending today is £1,092 7s. 8d. Again our gracious God has heard and answered our cries—praised be His holy name. 30th. From Brixton, £1 10s. The donor writes:—

“The lines on which the Orphanage is run are a great testimony that there is a God, and a God who hears and answers prayer.”

We received on August 1st, from Exmouth, £4, with 4d. for Report. This donor writes similarly:—

“I feel constrained to send you this. The Orphanage at Ashley Down is a unique thing, a monument of the fact that our God hears and answers prayer, a proof to the world and to God’s people that ‘God is.’ We intensely long and desire that for His sake the whole thing may continue its witness-bearing.”

We received on the 3rd, from Dundee, £50.—9th. From Bath, £25.—10th. Legacy of the late Miss McE., £1,004 10s. 11th. Once more our God gives us cause to praise Him—this week’s income is £1,345.

There came to us on the 14th, from Bedminster, £10. The donor says:—

“I have sold a small property lately, and feel I would like to send £10. I knelt and asked our Father if I should send it to Mr. Bergin for his work amongst the Orphans. Immediately the thought was given, ‘The Lord’s work.’ What a lift! Do we hinder the work sometimes by not sending when it is laid upon our hearts to do so, thinking our littles will not be missed, another time will do? It may be others like me did the same, so the deficiency arose, our gift lying idle.”

From Oldham we received 6s., with 3d. for Report. The writer says:—

“Some time ago I set aside 5 percent of my income for the Lord’s work, but in a time of embarrassment I paid my bills with it, and have set nothing aside since. But I have not gained by it, for a dishonest servant has robbed me of pounds. I take it as a warning from my heavenly Father, and this day restart the 5 percent which I enclose.”

We received on the 15th, from Bristol, £25 for Missions, etc., with £50 for Orphans, and £25 for myself. Thus the Lord supplied pressing need for the work and for my own use. Let me here say that, whether for carrying on God’s work, or for the supply of the needs of myself and family, I have found, since the year 1874, that there is no such blessed way as trusting the Lord alone.

There was sent us on the 16th, from Bristol, a ribbon for typewriter. I had spoken to our typist about getting one. The Lord knew even this small need, and thus sent it. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” From Worcester, £5. The donor writes:—

“I have been putting 1s. out of every £1 for the Lord, but have kept it by me, for when my apartments get empty I have borrowed from this purse. Now, having realized that I ought not to keep it for my own use, I send you a part, viz., £5. May the Lord keep you all in perfect peace as ‘men wondered at.’—Zech. 3:8.”

On the 18th, our balance in hand for the four objects—Schools, Bibles, Tracts, and Missionaries—is £4 4s. 11d. Think of our position, beloved reader, and see how only as we are upheld by the almighty power of God, can we go on without being overwhelmed.

We received on the 20th, from Kilcullen, £20 for Missions to China and India. Note, dear reader—On Saturday we looked at our small balance, and so did the Lord, and He moved His servant on that day to write a cheque for £20 for the many needs we were bringing before Him. We did not tell this kind friend that we had nothing in hand for China and India. “Oh, magnify Jehovah with me, and let us exalt His name together.”—22nd. From Portishead, £5 for Missions, etc., with £5 for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“I have been reading the Report with much interest. It has humbled me and lifted me up with praise. It is just a record of deliverances, according to Psalm 68:20, ‘God is unto us a God of deliverances’ (r.v.). What an education is the life of faith! Surely a man is great as he is brought into touch with the great God.”

There reached us on the 22nd, the legacy of the late F. C. B., Esq., £900. Today I had the great joy of a visit from a gentleman, now in the Civil Service in India, who thirty-six years ago was a schoolboy in No. 1 New Orphan House. He was sent out as an apprentice to a printer; he is now a Christian man, filling a responsible position as Superintendent of a printing press for the Government. He happened to meet here a boy who was saying farewell to me, and gave him words of counsel, telling him that thirty-six years ago he said good-bye to Mr. Müller.

The income for the week ending on the 24th was £1,127 16s. 9d. Praise the Lord with us, dear reader.—27th. From Clifton, £25. From Kensington, £20. The donor writes:—

“The usual annual donation of £10 does not seem to have been sent last year, and is now included.”

On the 28th, there came from Dublin, £171 3s., of which £10 was taken for free distribution of the Autobiography of Mr. Müller. This was the balance of the legacy of the late Mrs. E. C. S., concerning which beloved Mr. Müller, nine days before his death, made some remarks, which will be found on page 8. Now at length, after much prayer, during eight years and four months, we receive the remainder in a time of similar “trial of our faith and patience.”

On this day we received from Switzerland a gift of 150,000 picture postcards and 1400 pictures of Swiss scenery.

At the time of our mid-day prayer meeting on the 30th, the income for the day was £28 17s. 3d. Just before going into the meeting I received a bill for £93, needing immediate payment. After the prayer meeting the first letter I opened was as follows:—

“My dear Mr. Bergin,

“I am quite sure you need no words of mine to encourage you in the great work in which you and your helpers are engaged, for you know you have the Master’s blessing in your work. I often think what an answer to the skeptic is the manner in which your work is conducted; it so appeals to the living family of God. What a proof of His interest in the wants of His own. May He grant you and your helpers very much of His presence. I enclose £100 for the work, and £25 for yourself.

“Yours in hope.”

Note, dear reader, how the Lord made these two to meet together on my table within the same hour. We had on the previous day specially named to the Lord donors who could send us sums such as £100. Verily we do not wait on God in vain.

We received on September 1st, from Manchester, £20, with the following letter:—

“Dear Brother,

“I have again the great pleasure of sending £20, as I was privileged to do last August. God used Mr. Müller to open my eyes about the scriptural use of money. I at once responded to my new-found position of a steward, and God has continued to enlarge my resources, as He says: ‘Honor the Lord with thy substance, so shall thy barns be filled with plenty.’ I could never have expected to be able to send £20 at one gift, but this is the second time, besides the joy of giving in many other directions. May God sustain and enrich you, dear brother. You are not only feeding Orphans, etc., you are greatly delivering the saints from the bondage of the ways of the world. I am a schoolmaster in a Church of England school.

“Yours very joyfully in fellowship.”

This interesting letter shows how good it is to promptly carry out any truth which the Lord teaches us; and reveals the blessing that comes from recognizing our stewardship, not ownership, of that with which the Lord entrusts us.

In connection with this donor’s remarks, I here give some deeply important words of Mr. Müller.

Mr. Müller’s Advice On Systematic Giving

“Do all the Christian readers systematically put aside for the poor, or for the Lord’s work, as He is pleased to prosper them? If not, they rob themselves of great temporal blessings, of great spiritual enjoyment, and, above all, of the great privilege of aiding the poor, and contributing to the work of the Lord in a degree in which, without it, they cannot do. Oh, that all children of God would give heed to the exhortation of the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 16:2: ‘Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him’!

“The result of this would be, that, if done, as constrained by the love of Christ, the Lord would not only repay what they have given, but, generally speaking, would give them far more than they have given, making them stewards over more, and peace and joy in God would increase more and more. I have acted according to these principles now sixty-eight years, and I cannot describe the most abundant blessing I have received, both temporally and spiritually.

“One or other of the readers may ask, And how much shall I lay in store? No rule can be laid down. It is left to us to act according to the measure of knowledge and grace we have. It may be the tenth part, the eighth part, the fifth part, the third part, one half, or even more. But if even Jacob, with the first dawning of spiritual light (Genesis 27:22), promised to God the tenth of all He should give to him, how much ought we believers in the Lord Jesus to do for Him? We, whose calling is a heavenly one, and who know distinctly that we are children of God and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus! Yet do all the children of God give even the tenth part of what the Lord gives them? That would be two shillings per week for the brother who earns £1, and 4s. to him who earns £2, and £2 per week to him whose income is £20 per week. But whatever proportion of our property we give, though it were only the twentieth, we should faithfully attend to it, under all circumstances; for only thus are we warranted to expect blessing. Many begin to act in this way; but when trying weeks come they cease to act thus, and therefore lose the blessing which they would have received had they persevered.”

We received on the 3rd, from Glasgow, £6 for Missions, etc., with £6 for Orphans, and £3 for myself. The donor writes:—

“Thank you for sending me the twelve Reports; as far as I have gone, I am delighted. Many things in it interest me—the supply of school desks—the bananas on beloved Mr. Müller’s birthday—these are specimens. I don’t read it all at once, and throw it aside, as with most Reports. I like to read a few pages now and then. I find it has such a power through the Holy Spirit to quicken spiritual life, and strengthen faith.”

From New Brighton, £1 for Missions, from a donor who writes:—

“I found your Report very interesting, and after personally enjoying its contents, I posted it with a letter to a Christian friend. It is about sixty-two years since I picked up a pamphlet. ‘The Lord’s Dealings with George Müller,’ at a secondhand bookstall in Liverpool. I then sent my first subscription, 1s., the result of three days’ self-denial! I am now seventy-three, and during all those years ‘God’s providence has been mine inheritance.’”

This mail brought us from Heidelberg, Transvaal, £7. The donor writes:—

“I meant to have sent this money to the Mission Field, but I now feel convinced that our Lord wants me to send it to you.” We know why he was so convinced, for “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world, To bring deliverance down.”

We received on the 4th, from Clifton, 8s. 1d., from a widow, who writes:—

“I am sending you a small sum from myself and friends, in grateful thanks for all the care and love that my dear children have had shown toward them since they have been in your Home, four years now.”

There came in on the 7th, by sale of Swiss postcards, £15 19s. 1d.—8th. From Mundesley, £2 10s., with the following words:—

“I am reading with real delight the Autobiography of dear Mr. Müller, and find it most encouraging to faith and prayer; how blessed the life of dependence upon God!”

From Knightsbridge, 12s., and 3d. for Report, “with heartfelt thanks for training my dear little men. I was so delighted to see them last Bank Holiday.”

By the mail of the 10th there arrived, from Germiston, Transvaal, £25.

A Strange Answer To Prayer

There came from St. Leonards, on the 13th, £1, with the following interesting letter:—

“In August I posted a Postal Order for £1. The addressee, however, affirmed that he never received it. Last Thursday I was reading some jottings in The Witness, re the Homes, and was very much impressed with the ‘Debt Recovery’ notes. I told the Lord about my Postal Order, that if He recovered it, I would send it to Mr. Müller’s Homes. On Monday afternoon the man to whom I had sent the Postal Order came into the office to see me privately. He slipped a sovereign into my hands, and, with trembhng knees, and flushed face, implored me not to utter a word until after a certain date, when he would be clear of the town. Apart from an answer to prayer, I am still puzzled to know why the man brought me the sovereign. Surely this is the Lord’s doing.”

On the 17th we received from Uxbridge, 10s. for Missions, etc., with £1 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“I have for the first time seen your annual Report. Such a work is, I am sure, an unmistakable proof that God is willing in this twentieth century to honor the faith of those who honor Him.”

There came to us on the 18th from Upton Park, £1, from a former Orphan, who writes:—

“Since writing you last year I have been permitted to take up the work of a Deaconess. It has been the desire of my life ever since my conversion many years ago at Bristol. The influence of No. 5 Orphan House, Ashley Down, Bristol, has, I believe, by God’s grace, coloured my life, and will always remain.”

We received on the 21st, from Aldershot, £25, with £5 for myself.—25th. From Sussex, £60 for Missionaries, with £60 for the Orphans. This answer to many prayers came at a time of sore need, and was a great cheer to us. From a former Orphan and her husband, £14 10s., with £2 for myself.

On the 27th there came from Dulwich, 5s., with the following:—

“I shall never forget all the goodness and great kindness which was done for me in the dear old Home. It is so pleasant to look back and dwell upon the thoughts of my happy childhood’s days, not only to me but to hundreds of others. It is now thirteen years since I left, but the memory of those happy times is still with me.”

Thanksgiving Meetings On Mr. Müller’s Birthday

On September 27th we had meetings for thanksgiving and prayer, it being beloved Mr. Müller’s birthday one hundred and one years ago. A large number of former residents in these Homes, “old Orphans,” as they love to call themselves, met in the afternoon and evening; to these were added many loving sympathizers with this work of God, from Bristol and the neighborhood, and some from a distance. It was a delightful sight to see old friends, who had not met for years, greeting one another. We enjoyed blessed seasons of praising our God for His mercies in the past, and crying to Him for His blessing on all the future of the work.

It greatly moved my heart to see our brother Senington, grown grey in Mission work in Spain—our brother Arnot, after all his experience, then returning to Central Africa, and our young brother, Alfred Jenkins—a former boy of N.O. House No. 1—about to set out for South America, to labor as a Missionary in that “neglected continent.”

Also on that day the Memoir of Mr. Wright was published. Dr. Pierson, the author, says it was a fragrant life—yes, indeed it was. While many have written to me of the blessing the perusal of this Memoir has been to them, it necessarily comes far short of giving the reader an adequate idea of what the subject of it was. His was not a life that lent itself to a biographer. He loved to keep in the background. But the full record of his holy, useful life is written in heaven.

We received on October 4th, from Leamington, £20. The trial of faith continues to be very great. The income for the week ending yesterday was £231 9s. 3d. When we met at our prayer meeting we afresh proved the peace of God as “guarding our hearts and our thoughts.” We thanked the Lord for £29 0s. 1d.; we also thanked Him for help which was on the way to us, so assured were we that He was hearing our cry. Within an hour £20 came from Bath, which proved a great refreshment to our hearts, and it was a matter of no little cheer that we were helped to thank Him for that which we were assured was coming.—10th. From Dundonald, 5s., with 1s. for Reports. The donor writes:—

“I wish it were £5; the 1s. is for Report, one could not read it without being moved to tears. I have only one child. This tiny gift is a yearly thank-offering to the Lord for preserving her year by year, and for sparing us to her, so that she is not an Orphan. Others might do this, and no doubt many do. Small gifts seem hardly worth sending, and one may be tempted not to send it, but many smalls make a great.”

The income for the week ending this evening is £183 4s. 11d., which is only a little more than enough for two days’ expenses. Yet, blessed be His name! He garrisons our hearts with His peace. I would here mention, to His praise, that on this day week He permitted me to give an address on this very subject at the Clifton Conference. I spoke out of a full heart, when passing through very deep and prolonged trials, and He has graciously deigned to bless the words when spoken, and subsequently published in booklet form. To Him be all the praise!—15th. From Clydach, £40, with £10 for myself. The donor little knew what a cheer this gift was to us, and how it supplied a pressing need.

On the 16th, I received from Drouin, Australia, a letter from a Christian gentleman, who has long been a helper of this work, in which he says:—

“I have instructed the Colonial Bank, Melbourne, to forward to you by the outgoing mail the sum of £110, which you will please appropriate £100 at your discretion to Orphan and Mission work, £5 for yourself, and £5 to your son. I was much pleased with the extract of dear Mr. Müller’s address which you enclosed in your last. I felt it was just adapted to my condition.”

There came from Scotland £100, with £5 for myself. These large gifts, from various parts of the world, coming in answer to many prayers, greatly refreshed our hearts, and caused much praise to flow forth. From Sheffield, £1 10s., with 1s. for Reports. This donor writes:—

“Some years ago I began to send 13s. a year, but in 1902 my husband had to go in hospital with diseased hip, and it is only a few months since he got in regular work again, so I could not keep up my subscription. But I said if ever I was able I would make it up, so this, and the 30s. I sent in September last, will make £3; the amount for the four years would be £2 12s., and 8s. I thought would do for interest. I have earned it myself by washing and ironing.”

What an object lesson on giving!

We received on the 17th, from readers of The Christian, £24 8s. 3d.—24th. On account of the legacy of the late Miss H. M. H., £300.—25th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £150. From Bideford, £30, for the support of two Orphan boys in whom the donor takes a prayerful interest.

On the 26th there came to us from H. S. H., £100, with £1 for myself. From a gentleman who is treasurer of another Orphanage, £20. When this gentleman handed me that gift, as he was leaving, after an interested and interesting conversation about the work, he had no idea of the deep need at that moment pressing on me, and of the joy his gift gave to me, or the praise to God that it called forth. Seeing this gentleman’s interests are naturally mostly in the Orphanage with which he is connected, one could not but see the hand of God in moving him to give £20 for this Orphanage.

There came in on the 27th, from Norwich, a gold watch-chain and bracelet. The donor writes:—

“I am sending a gold watch-chain and bracelet. For some time past I have not worn them, as a Christian I knew I could not wear them without bringing dishonor to my Lord, and I have been much exercised of late as to what I should do with them. I am a nurse, and poor in this world’s things, and although I have for long wished to devote these things to the work of the Lord, I had a fear that a time might come when I should be glad to sell them for my own needs. I have prayed to be guided as to what I should do with them, and I have been most unmistakably led to send them to you for the benefit of the dear Orphans.

‘Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small,

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my heart, my life, my all.’”

The income for the week ending today, for all the objects, is £749 2s. 5d., so we do not wait on God without result.

On November 1st we received from Bristol, £50. From Bruckless, £1. The donor writes:—

“I have received much blessing in reading the ‘Autobiography of Mr. Müller.’ From the time I first commenced reading it my life is indeed changed.”

The mail of the 3rd brought us from Onehunga, N.Z., £4 10s., with £1, 10s., and 5s., from members of the family. The sender writes:—

“You will never know how much your trials, and triumphs of faith are used of God for strengthening His weaker ones, until Jesus comes.”

On the 8th, the legacy of the late Mr. T. R. J., £1,312 3s. 5d., was paid. After our long time of waiting, this deliverance caused many thanksgivings to God.—9th. From Port Talbot, £4 10s. for Missions, etc., with £4 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“The Lord has deeply interested me by reading your Report, and has opened my eyes to the privilege which is mine in having fellowship with you in the work. ‘Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver’ (2 Cor. 9:7).” Note, dear reader, four directions regarding giving, contained in this inspired word, thus quoted by this friend: (1) There is the purpose of heart; this surely implies calm thought in the presence of Him to whom the gift is made. (2) Not grudgingly; wishing it might have been less. (3) Not of necessity; that is, not constrained either by an appeal that you cannot refuse, or by wanting to appear to do as well as your neighbor. (4) With cheerfulness; that is, given with such a joyful countenance or word that the recipient is also made glad.

We received on the 10th, from near Pembroke, £1. The donor writes:—

“I wish I had ten thousand pounds to give. You have trusted us with three of your boys, and they are sent out with good outfits, and well trained and taught to serve the Lord. They do you all great credit. The Reports of Mr.

Müller’s you gave the first boy we had, strengthened my faith, that I could not rest till I had seen your Homes; the sight I shall never forget—to see the dear children from babies upwards, and everything in order. I fail to find words to express myself.”

The income for the week ending today is £1,509 3s. 10d. Join with us, dear reader, in praise to our faithful covenant-keeping God.

There came on the 12th, from Norfolk, £25 for Schools in Italy. The donor writes:—

“We send you the enclosed cheque, the result of the sale of an old stamp book, with the request you would devote it to Italy. We see in the Report you have it on your heart to open more Schools; while wishing it, if possible, to go to Spinetta, we do not wish to tie your hands, as you may know other places more needy.”

This gift was to me an indication from the Lord that I should at once do what was on my heart to do, viz., employ as teacher, in the Spinetta Asilo (Infant School), one of our former Pupil Teachers, now a qualified Mistress, who was herself asking the Lord for employment.

On the 13th there called upon me a widow, living in a cottage not far from this, and gave me £30, which she said she wished to give to Jesus Christ on her seventy-second birthday. The present income of this dear child of God is derived from occasional letting of lodgings in her cottage, and selling ginger beer and lemonade to passers-by. Her joy in giving this was great, as was mine in receiving from such a source, verifying the truth of the words that “Omni- potence hath His servants everywhere.” From Kilmarnock, £1 1s. 6d. The donors write:—

“The Lord has laid you and your large family very much upon our hearts during the past few months. God answers prayer.

‘Oh to trust Him then more fully.

Just to simply move In the conscious, calm enjoyment of the Father’s love.’”

The first post today (the 14th) brings me eight donations, amounting in all to £11 7s. Think of this, dear reader, with over 1,900 children to feed! The same mail brings me four applications for the admission of Orphans, two applications for the supply of Bibles, and one for the supply of tracts. Our unfailing resource is the living God, and we are kept in peace by His power.—19th. From Wallingford, 512 shares in South African securities.—22nd. From Patutahi, N.Z., £6. The donor writes:—

“I have of late been reading through Mr. Müller’s book. I have been encouraged to go to God in prayer, and rely more upon Him for guidance and help. Your work has been such a noble testimony to the Church, and also to an unbelieving world, that God is a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God.”

We received on the 26th, from Norwich, £25.—27th. From Taunton, £50.—29th. From Edinburgh, £6 2s. 3d. for Missions in Spain, £5 for Missions in Persia, and £13 17s. 9d. for the support of an Orphan for one year.

On December 3rd, the legacy of the late Miss M. A. D., £90, reached us. From Hampshire, a gilt cup. The donor wrote: “This ought to realize a good sum of money.” (See remarks under Dec. 10th.)—6th. Last evening at our prayer meeting, in telling the Lord of our great and pressing need just now, we asked Him to send us large sums speedily. The income today, up to 12:30, when we met for prayer, was £7 17s. 9d. We told Him we believed that this was His ordering for us, and asked Him to help us, that faith should not fail. On returning to my room the first letter I opened contained a cheque for £20 from Scotland. The kind donor of this little knew the cheer she was preparing for me, when she wrote that cheque the day before. Thus in one moment the income up to that time was nearly trebled.

We received on the 7th, from Redland, £20 7s. From Aldershot, £50, with £5 for myself.—8th. From Harrogate, £50.

There came to us on the 10th, by sale of the gilt cup received on the 3rd, £130. On the 6th I offered this cup for sale to a firm of jewellers, who paid me on the 7th this price for it. Thinking possibly that had the donor known its full value she would not have wished all to come to this work, and desiring that her gift should be according to God’s fourfold rule, “Let each one give according as he purposeth in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7), I wrote her as follows:—

“Dear Madam,

“Referring again to my acknowledgment of the 3rd inst., of your kind gift of a gilt cup, and telling you, in reply to a remark in your letter, that I would seek to get the best price for it; I am happy to tell you that I have today sold it for £130. Remembering that beloved Mr. Müller, in beginning the Orphan work had ever the glory of God in view, and sought that every detail of it should be carried out in such wise that God should be glorified, and feeling that you may not have known its full value, and may not have intended to benefit this Institution to such an amount, I therefore, prior to placing the money to its funds, write to inform you of the above fact, and shall wait to hear from you as to what your wish is. I enclose stamped envelope for reply.”

Today I received the following reply:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“I am so glad you have got such a good sum for the gilt cup. It is more than I expected, but I feel sure the Lord has ordered it so for the benefit of the Institution, which has been so signally owned and blessed of God. With sincere thanks, “Believe me, “Yours in His service,——.”

This was most cheering help to us in a time of need, as were also the next gifts. From Torquay, £20, with £2 10s. for Dr. Bergin and £2 10s. for myself.—11th. From Burnham, £40.—12th. From Bristol, £25 for Missions, etc., with £25 for the Orphans. Thus again, in a time of great need for both objects, the living God sends to our help in answer to believing prayer.

On the 14th, the legacy of the late Rev. J. M., £100, was paid.—15th. The legacy of the late Mrs. A. M., £100. 17th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. C. H., £100. From Mafeking, £1. The donor writes:—

“Please accept this £1 for the children. I got it given to me as a birthday gift. After reading the account about the dear children in The Witness, I could not spend it upon myself. The Lord has left my father and mother with me. I have always had enough to eat and wear, and more than that, He has saved my soul from hell.”

There came to us on the 19th, by sale of South African Mining Shares, £66 5s. From Sussex, £20.—20th. From Newport, Fife, £25.—21st. From Belfast, £2 10s for “a laborer in the gospel in heathen lands,” and £2 10s. for the “Orphan Fund.” The sender writes:—

“Since I wrote in September, I received and read Mr. Müller’s life; my soul has been enriched by its perusal. Up till then the principles under which he lived, and upon which the Homes were founded and sustained, were altogether unknown to me. I have been greatly helped in seeing how, in Mr. Müller’s long life, God always honored His servant. Before I was married, and for a short time afterwards, I gave a tenth of all I received, but as my household expenses grew larger with an increasing family, I found that while my income was getting somewhat larger each year, my contributions were not; I believe this was not to God’s glory. I intend that in future, by His grace, circumstances shall not be allowed to crush out first things. The 5s. I sent last year was the first money I sent your way. I now enclose £5.”

Many thousands have been led by Mr. Müller’s example and writings to see the privilege, as well as the duty, of systematically and regularly giving to the Lord’s work in proportion to the amount of their income. Not a few of these are now “ with Christ” Is it likely that now they regret that, when on earth, they obeyed the Lord’s command, and laid up for themselves “treasures in heaven”? Many, on the other hand, in the day of the Lord will mourn over their failure to obey that command. We need to remember that while salvation is all of grace, rewards will be according to our works. (See 1 Cor. 3:8; Rev. 22:12.)

On the 22nd we received from a Bristol firm, 80 quarter boxes of valencias, 20 cases of oranges, and 10 boxes of figs.—24th. From Cilcennin, Glam., 5s. The donor of this writes:—

“I feel I ought to acknowledge the help and blessing I have many times received through the perusal of your Reports, particularly in the matter of proportionate and systematic giving to the Lord’s work. Not only does the matter of distributing become a positive pleasure, but the aggregate amount thus devoted is considerably larger than would ordinarily be given.”

Increase Versus Poverty

There reached us on the 26th, on account of the legacy of the late W. K., Esq., £250.—27th. From Newcastle-on-Tyne, £2 2s., with Prov. 11:24, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Who can possibly estimate the far-reaching results the Spirit of God foretells here of “increase” on the one hand, and of “poverty” on the other? If we limit these terms to earthly riches or poverty, we shall surely miss the blessed lesson; rather let us look at increase of heavenly blessing, and poverty of soul as the far more important results. From “Mother,” £31 10s.

On the 29th, I received from Nottingham a letter, from a lad who is apprenticed to a chemist; he says:—

“Dear Sir,

“Many thanks for the ‘Daily Light Almanack’ you so very kindly sent me. I will try to learn the texts in the morning when I get up. I often think of the splendid time I had in the Home. As I look back on my schooldays, just left behind me, I think they were the jolliest days of my life. I have joined a Sunday-School class, and go every Sunday.”

There came to us from Guernsey, 10s. for Missions, with 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“When I meet some one talking about new doctrines of Christian Science, and others, I like to think upon the great work of the Lord at Ashley Down, and I feel sure that any one who has been, with the Lord’s help, interested in your work, will not be easily shaken by these modern doctrines.”

We received from “an elderly Orphan,” £50. From Australia, £300 for the Orphans, with £140 for Schools, Bibles, Tracts, and Missions. These gifts, £50 and £440, came to us as very special answers to many prayers; we had been entreating the Lord to send us help ere the close of this year. Our needs were great. The donor of the £440 wrote as follows:—

“I get weaker and weaker as the days roll on, suffering also from various maladies, but still linger on in a very happy state of mind spiritually. It is now a great pleasure to me that our Heavenly Father has unexpectedly allowed me satisfactorily to dispose of the property on which I have been residing for about nine years past, for £450, which it is my privilege to herewith forward to you. Please apportion it at your discretion, but take, as on previous occasions, £5 therefrom for yourself, and £5 for Dr. Bergin.”

Mark, dear reader, firstly, this donor, a frequent helper, by considerable sums of £100, is now made to desire to help this work to a larger extent by the sale of his property. Secondly, at this time of our extreme need, a suitable purchaser is found, better than our friend expected. Thirdly, the payment is promptly made to him. Fourthly, our friend does not delay in sending, and so we are helped in our time of sore need. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let its exalt His name together.” On January 12th I received a letter from this servant of Christ, in which he wrote:—

“I am in very feeble condition: it is difficult to write.”

Eighteen days after writing that letter to me he departed to be with Christ.

The total income for the past week was £1,076 0s. 4d. Truly we do not wait only on God to no purpose.

On the 31st, we received from Ross, a gold chain. The donor writes:—

“For some time past I have thought it unbecoming of Christians to wear gold, so I send my gold chain, that it may be disposed of, and the money used for the benefit of the Orphans. I think that 1 Tim. 2:9 may apply to men as well as to women, and our deportment should be as becometh those professing godliness.”

Review Of Mercies And Trials

This year, 1906, has closed full of mercies and trials of faith. During it the donations for all the work have been £27,566 8s. 1d. Think of this, dear reader—I, a poor man, without wealthy friends, without influence, without human patrons, and my fellow-workers, prayed to God only, and God, the living God, has, for the sake of His beloved Son, heard our feeble, unworthy cries, and sent us this large amount. Yet such is the demand in this great work that we begin the year with nothing in hand. However, in view of the past, we say with the Psalmist, “The Lord hath been mindful of us,” and, with calm confidence in His faithfulness, add with regard to the future, “He will bless us.”

1907

January 1st. We began this year with nothing in hand for our many needs, and on this day the Lord showed forth His power on our behalf, and His love towards us, by sending us from Westbourne Park, £25 for Missions, £10 for Schools, £30 for the Orphans, £5 for Dr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. From “Needy,” £15 for Missions, etc., with £15 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself, with £5 from “Needy, Junr.”

How clearly these gifts exhibit the power of the Lord to help those who trust in Him. Our souls exclaim with the Psalmist, “Oh how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!”

The total income for today is £473 18s. 0d. Has not the Lord given us good proof that He means, through this year also, to be our Helper?

We received on the 2nd, from Werneth, £100. From Kendal, £20. From readers of The Christian Herald, £9 8s. 3rd. From further sale of South African Mine Shares, £16 17s.—4th. From a former Orphan, £10. He writes:—

“I left the dear Homes twenty-one years ago. Our Heavenly Father has blessed us abundantly. I cannot refrain from sending you my usual cheque for such goodness bestowed upon us; words cannot express our thankfulness. He alone knows the joy we have in the privilege of showing it in a practical way.”

We received from Norwood, £10 for Missions, Bibles and Tracts, £15 for the Orphans, £5 for Dr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. This is from a donor who has helped this work for many years.—5th. Legacy of the late Mr. E. P., £200. This legacy was not left duty free, but the Executors very kindly paid it to us in full, of their own free will—thus saving £20 for this Institution.—7th. From Brondesbury, £25. From Bristol, £1. The donor writes:—

“I feel constrained to send 20s. as a little thank-offering while I think of the following group of mercies in my history last month and this. The 5th December last, forty-seven years ago, I left the Orphan House a Christian. On the 22nd December last, forty years ago, I was married, and have had all that time a happy married life. Today is the sixty-first anniversary of my birth, and I have excellent health, and have had nearly all that time.”

The income for the week ending on the 9th has been £972 10s. 0d.

A Remarkable Fortnight

During the past fortnight, when riding in the tram car to Ashley Down daily, my attention was attracted by an appeal placed in the cars, on behalf of a local medical charity, for £2,500. I pointed it out to my son, remarking that this was about what we needed, and that the Lord could give us that sum without any public appeal, and we besought Him to do so both in private and in our prayer meetings, and it is worthy of mention here that during the fortnight ending yesterday (9th), while these appeals were facing us, He gave us £2,570 7s. 5d. It is needless to say that at our prayer meeting last evening praise ascended to our faithful God and Father. Skepticism may sneer, and unbelief may refuse credence, but we joyfully continue our happy testimony, so long borne by those beloved men of God, Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright, that the living God still hears and answers the prayers of His people, just as much as He did in the days of Abraham and Daniel, or of the Syrophenician woman, and Peter and John.

We received on the 11th, from Bristol, £25, with £5 for Miss Withy, and £5 for myself.—12th. From Stromness, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I send this small offering with heartfelt gratitude, through reading the life of George Müller, and your last Report, and seeing by it that the same God hears and answers prayer at this present day just as truly as in the days of Israel.”

There came on the 15th, from Chester, £5. The donor writes:—

“Please accept £5 for the kindness I received under your fatherly care. May God bless you in your great undertaking.

“Your affectionate Orphan,——.”

On the 16th, we received from Chippenham, £1 5s. The writer says:—

“Your Orphan Homes have helped me much. I was hauling furniture up Ashley Down, and everything seemed to be going wrong that day, my mind very skeptical. But I came near your Orphan Homes, and I asked a lad what those buildings were, and upon receiving his reply that they were Müller’s Orphanage, my skepticism vanished.”

There reached us on the 17th, the legacy of the late Mrs. M. L. M. F., £649 3s. 6d. The receipt of this amount greatly cheered us, and supplied pressing needs.

On the 22nd, we received from Christian friends at Kendal, £28 1s. 3d. For very many years a like gift has come from these kind friends. From Shanghai, 10 taels=£1 10s. 10d. The donor writes:—

“It is always a source of blessing to our Chinese Christian brethren and sisters to tell them incidents of the Lord’s workings in connection with the Orphanages.”

There came from Oldham, 2s. for Reports. The writer says:—

“Kindly send Reports for my Sunday-school class. The life of Mr. Müller has proved a greater blessing to me than anything, excepting the Bible itself, and I want others to know how God is fulfilling His promises to them that trust in Him.”

On the 23rd we received from Limehouse, 5s. The sender writes:—

“My mother sent you a day or so after Christmas 5s. She is an old Orphan, left about 1847, and was soundly converted to God whilst in the Homes. She is now a widow, and in very poor health, and the more her infirmities increase, the more drawn she is to the old associations. She asked me this morning to send you another 5s.”

From Bournemouth, £20, with £5 for my own use. There came to us on the 25th, from Liverpool, £50 for Missions. This gift gladdened our hearts, arriving, as it did, when we had nothing in hand for this object, and in answer to many cries to God. It was sent immediately to servants of Christ in Central Africa.—26th. The income for the month ending this day has been £3,913 0s. 11d. Dear reader, join with us in praising our God for His bounty, and let us together learn afresh, the while we worship, that “with God all things are possible.”

We received on the 29th, from London, £11. The donor, a former Orphan, writes:—

“Please accept two £5 notes and £1, my gift for the dear Orphans. I want you to receive it on the anniversary of dear Mr. Wright’s death. I cannot tell you how I look forward to the yearly Report, I find so much comfort from reading it. I have bought the Autobiography of dear Mr. Müller, and Mr. Wright’s life. I have spent many pleasant hours reading them, and shall lend them to my friends.”

There came on the 31st, from Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself. This gift of a donor, who has often helped Mr. Müller and Mr. Wright in times of sore need, came to us in such a time now, and greatly strengthened our hands in God, to trust Him in the darkest hours and severest trials of faith.

From Kendal, £17 and £20. From “Hannah,” Proverbs 19:17, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again,” £1. This donor is satisfied with the security offered. Are you, dear reader?

The total income for yesterday was £38 2s. 5d., and today, February 2nd, is £23 2s. 11d. How we need in such circumstances to cling to our God, the living God, who “cannot deny Himself.”—4th. The income for yesterday (Sunday) and today is £15 7s. 9d. Our trial of faith is severe. The total income on the 8th was £8 1s. 6d. Our faith and patience are being again sorely tried, yet the Lord sustains, we are having a fulfillment of the words: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”

On the 9th, we received from Mundesley, £25.—11th. From Newcastle-on-Tyne, 5s. The donor writes:—

“I received lately one of your booklets, The Peace of God Garrisoning the Heart, in which you mentioned that you tried to place your girls where there was family prayer morning and evening, which suggested to me to commence morning prayers. We have always had evening prayers, but my wife being an invalid, morning prayers have seemed impossible. However, God has blessed the attempt. I have pleasure in enclosing a small donation as a thank-offering for your suggestion.”

This blessed and time-honored custom is being so sadly neglected, that I insert this letter with the earnest hope that others also may follow this good example.

There came to us on the 12th, from Colchester, £1. The donor writes:—

“Our hearts were deeply stirred by our visit to the Homes, and though we have often read the Reports and heard about the work, we were simply filled with wonderment at the greatness of the work, and the good hand of our God.”

We received on the 14th, from Treforest, £71 5s.—15th. From Dunedin, N.Z., £50 for Missions. From Devonport, N.Z., £10 for Bibles, Schools and Missions, and £10 for Orphans. The donor writes:—

“The happy privilege has been given me of sending you £20. I thank you for the Report received. These Reports have been to me for many years a real spiritual tonic and stimulant.”

On the 16th, we received from Tayport, £14, with £7 for myself.

Words Of Mr. Wright’s, Written Twenty-Eight Years Ago

Yesterday a manuscript note was found amongst beloved Mr. Wright’s papers, dated June 2nd, 1878. It is as follows:—

“The Scriptural Knowledge Institution has been carried on for forty-four years and three months, on the principle of not making known its wants (pecuniary) to man, but to God only, in believing prayer. This principle appears now to be on its trial. There is nothing in hand for the first four objects, and the balance in hand for the Orphans is lower than it has been since July, 1874; Mr. Müller is away, and cannot be here until the 7th or 8th of July! I may adopt the words, ‘We have the sentence of death in ourselves that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead!’ If the principle on which the work has so long been carried on is a scriptural one, as I believe it is, it will answer in the hands of any servant of God, to whom He gives grace, to trust Him, as in those of Mr. Müller. I am purposed, therefore, by His help, seeing He has put me in this position, to go on, trusting in Him alone. ‘Our God is able to deliver, and He will deliver’—so I believe and expect—’but if not,’ Dan. 3:17, 18, I will not, by His help, look anywhere else for deliverance, but leave myself in His hands. I am not my own, but His, let Him do with me as seemeth Him good.—June 3rd. This day is announced the decease of Mr. H. of W——, who frequently sent £100.

Another ‘brook’ dried up, but the ‘Fountain’ remains! I am not cast down. I hope in God, and believe that I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”

At a time of sore trial of faith this came, as a message sent by the Lord, to cheer me and strengthen my confidence in God, and the purpose of Mr.Wright then, is now, by God’s grace, my purpose—to wait only upon God, the living God.

If the reader will turn to the Autobiography of George Müller, page 504, he will see that during the three months after this time of trial referred to by Mr. Wright, Mr. Müller received £18,400. What a proof was this that Mr. Wright’s confidence was not misplaced!

On the 19th, we received from Italy, £20, from a former Orphan, who writes:—

“I enclose a cheque for £20, which I offer as a very small recompense for the hospitality I received in Mr. Müller’s Orphan House. I am only a poor teacher, or I would send more.” This donor, having been about eight years under Mr. Müller’s care, left on February 23rd, 1854, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the 20th, the legacy of the late Mrs. F. G., £217 19s. 11d., reached us.—25th. The total income today is £13 0s. 1d.—26th. Today I received a letter from a gentleman, in which he says:—

“I used to subscribe annually, but have been given to understand that of late years more has been sent than needed.” To this I replied as follows:—

“I note what you say about having subscribed annually in past days, but that you have ceased to do so in consequence of having been told that we have more funds than we needed. It was Mr. Müller’s principle, all through his long life, never to give any information with regard to the state of the funds other than the yearly Report. I send you a copy of the last two Reports; the next will not be out till the end of July, and that will contain information as to present matters.”

The reader will see how little foundation there was for what this correspondent supposed to be the case, when he learns that the income by the first post on March 1st amounted to £7 6s. 2d. The payments already today are £111 1s. 8d., so our trial increases, and deliverance is delayed. While thus being sorely tried, there was brought to me, by one of my fellow-workers, some lines by Miss Lucy A. Bennett, that God has used to cheer His perplexed servant:

“A thousand wants thy path attend,

Ten thousand blessings God will send.

What though yon threatening clouds appall,

God’s mercy towers o’er them all:

O’er the calm current of His will

Grace bears thee onward—Homeward still.”

Yes, “the current of His will” is “calm”—I am at peace. The text on my sheet almanac this morning “Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid” was “bread and wine” to my soul, from the hand of our heavenly Melchizedek. This wondrous word “It is I,” agrees with the same “I am” spoken to Moses out of the bush (Exodus 3). Well, then, may we be of good cheer.

On the 2nd, there came from a Missionary, £12 10s. for Missions, etc., with £30 for the Orphans, and £7 10s. for my own use. This gift was an exceedingly great cheer to our hearts because of its timeliness, for it came to supply pressing needs; and because of the source from which it came, viz., one who has labored for the Lord for years, “without charge,” in a tropical climate; from it we afresh learned that the resources of our God are indeed infinite, and that He “hath His servants everywhere.”

Today (4th) the Lord shows me blessedly what He can do. By first post I received a cheque for £400, from Australia, from donors who have never given before, with the words: “A thank-offering to the Lord for increased profit on business.” How kind of the Lord, to whom this thank-offering was given, to direct that it be sent to me. I also received 5s. from a former Orphan, with a grateful letter in which she says:—

“I am very pleased to tell you my master and mistress have given me a very nice silver watch for five years’ faithful service, and I shall value it very much.”

From two former Orphans, £30, a portion of a legacy they had received. From Eastville, 2s. 6d., and some articles for sale. The donor, a widow, writes:—

“I feel so thankful from time to time to see my two dear girls so happy and well cared for in your Homes.”

The mail of the 5th brought us from Ontario, Canada, £51 4s. 6d. for the Orphans, with a like amount for the Schools, Bibles, Tracts and Missions. The donor writes:—

“I have only read a little in your life of Mr. Müller, but take this opportunity to thank you for it. I concluded to send the within donation, £102 9s., to you instead of the great throng who are instantly pleading for money. These appeal directly to me, while you do it indirectly through a Mediator. So my text to you is: ‘Them that honor Me, I will honor’ 1 Samuel 2:30.”

On the 7th, we received from “C.-on-M.,” £135—11th. The income for the week ending today has been £860 16s. 10d.

There was paid on the 12th, on account of the legacy of the late C. W., Esq., £125. From Norwich, £50.—13th. From New Brighton, N.Z., £20.—14th. Last evening at our prayer meeting we cried to the Lord for large help, which we so need at present, and He has been pleased today to send us £5 10s. 11d., the smallest income for many days. Still, we cling to Him, and count on Him, and expect from Him that which we sorely need. In the midst of such trial He greatly cheers our hearts in other ways. Today I said good-bye to a girl. Just as she came to me by appointment, her mother arrived, who not long since came out of gaol, and has not seen the child since. This girl came to us three years ago. Three weeks after getting here she was saved through a conversation with one of her teachers, and has given real joy from that time till now. When I brought this girl and her poor mother together, it was touching to hear the girl pleading with her mother to turn to the Lord. It is worth living for, to rescue such a girl as this. She now goes out with an excellent character and a good outfit to a situation in a Christian family.

We received on the 23rd, from readers of the Life of Faith, £7 17s. 9d. The income for this week has been only £113 18s. 3d., and we need over £500 a week. Esteemed reader, try and put yourself into our position, with over 1,900 children to feed every day, and all the numerous expenses of this Institution, and admire with us the goodness of God, that in all these circumstances He keeps our minds in perfect peace. We are looking out for His answers, expecting them.

Large Sum Received At A Time Of Very Great Need

On the 25th, at our prayer meeting at 2 o’clock, I mentioned that the income thus far was £24 15s. 8d. We again told the Lord our poverty, and we besought Him in His mercy to hear us. Within an hour of our thus gathering I had the news that £1,843 7s. 7d. had been paid to our Bankers this day, the legacy of the late Miss E. McN. Now admire with me, beloved reader, this exhibition of the Lord’s power. Oh, the blessedness of dealing with God! It is “they that do business in great waters, these see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.” May you be led to know something of the joys of the life of simple trust in the living God.—28th. From readers of The Christian, £19 14s. 0d.

We received on April 2nd, from near Chard, £90. The Solicitor, who sent this on behalf of his client, wrote me:—

“He has desired me to inform you that he purposed bequeathing by his Will to your Orphan Homes a legacy of £100, but he thinks that possibly the money may be of use at once, and he requests me accordingly to send you the sum of £90, i.e. £100 less legacy duty, as a donation to the Orphanage funds.”

This mail brought us from Durban, Natal, £474 14s., the legacy of the late Hon. A. J. C, being £500 less legacy duty and costs. I had no notice of this legacy having been left to this Orphanage, until I received the cheque. By these two amounts the Lord reveals to us once more how well able He is to supply every need of this His work, and that from sources of which we are absolutely ignorant. In the first case He moves this gentleman to think that the money may be of use at once—what an answer to our cry for present help! In the second He causes this legacy to be paid promptly, without the legal formalities that often cause serious delay. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord” (Ps. 107:43).

From Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. The donor of this amount could have had but little idea of the refreshment he gave our hearts; it was an answer to many cries to our God, and came at a time of sore need.—6th. The total income for this week is £941 19s. 8d. Blessed be God!

There came in on the 9th, from Kidderminster, £20. 10th. Anonymously, £21, from “City of Cardiff,” from “Disciple.”—13th. From the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £150.—20th. From Newtown, Berks, 10s. The donor writes:—

“Allow me to say that the Homes and their history were a very clear testimony of God Himself to me, that wonderfully helped me out of the mazes of rationalism and infidelity, to which I was falling before conversion.”

The total income for all the objects for this past week has been £139 11s. 9d., so we are indeed again cast on God.—23rd. From “H. C. B.,” £50.

We received from Redland, £1 for Missions, £5 for the Orphans, with £1 for myself. The donor writes:—

“I bear my humble testimony to God’s faithfulness, and whatever has happened in the Church, or the outside world for the last fifty years, the work in connection with the Orphans on Ashley Down is an answer to it all. Was there not a faithful covenant-keeping God, how are the Orphans provided for? I can never get a satisfactory answer to this question.”

On the 29th an envelope was put into the box at New Orphan House No. 5, which contained a Bank of England Note for £50; there was no name given. The Lord knows the donor, and will not fail to reward. If the kind donor sees this, it will rejoice his or her heart to learn that this gift supplied an immediate and pressing need.

There was paid to us on May 1st the legacy of the late Miss M. E., £144 10s. 5d. We note the good hand of our God in this legacy, and in the speed with which the executors realized the estate, and paid it. We sorely needed the help which it afforded us.—3rd. From Mundesley, £10. The donor writes:—

“I am sure you prove day by day how God cares for the Orphans, and now He has put it into my heart to send the enclosed cheque for £10.”

It is indeed as this friend says, and we thank God for putting into her heart to send this, and we thank her for obeying His promptings.

On the 8th, the balance of the legacy of the late Miss E. E. H. R., £90, reached us. Through the lack of definiteness in the wording of the Will of this kind friend, the executor put the estate into Court., and the Judge in Chambers decided that of the £200 left—I have no doubt for this work—only half should come to us; hence we get £100 less legacy duty. This shows the importance of accuracy in the making of Wills. May I here call the reader’s attention to the fact that a form is given on the last page of the annual Report for a bequest to this Institution, in order that the purpose of any leaving bequests may not be frustrated.

The Autobiography Made A Blessing

There came on the 11th, from India, £1, with the following letter:—

“Some months ago a copy of the Autobiography of Mr. Müller was sent to me. The reading of the book has been a great help to me. I noticed how many answers to prayer regarding business matters were recorded. I remembered about a parcel which I had ordered, but which had gone to the wrong address. No word of the missing parcel could be received. I had mentioned the matter in prayer once or twice, but I began to make it a matter of definite prayer, and resolved to give a thank-offering to the Orphan Homes should the parcel reach me safely. Within a week of that date, I heard about the missing parcel, and three days ago it reached me. I enclose a Postal Order for £1, as a thank-offering.

“Yours sincerely,

“An Indian Missionary.”

Last evening (14th) I met, at Bethesda, a Christian woman, who put a purse into my hand, containing, as I afterwards found, £21 is., which she said she gave to me now instead of leaving it to me in her Will. It was real cheer to me to see how the Lord, whom we were entreating to help us in our great need, moved this dear friend to give now instead of by-and-bye. Surely He is the living God.

Special Kindnesses Of God

There reached us on the 18th, on account of the legacy of the late E. G. C. P., Esq., £1,000. This afternoon a lady went over No. 5 New Orphan House as a visitor. Before leaving she told the Matron that she wished to give a donation, and forthwith wrote a cheque for £300, and gave it to her. Yesterday the total income for all purposes was £5 16s. 8d., and we were much in prayer to our never failing Friend, the living God, and today He has sent us £1,312 9s. 4d.

From Scotland a donor writes on the 21st:—

“I herewith enclose cheque for £30, which I would like you to divide in three, £10 for the Orphans, £10 for Missions, and £10 for yourself. May God still use you as a witness for Himself in this dark world of sin.”

The legacy of the late Mr. R. T. B., £66 7s. 6d. was paid. 22nd. From Southport, £5. The donor writes:—

“She always feels it a privilege to help. In this day of blasphemy she rejoices to think the Orphanages stand as a testimony to the faithfulness of God, and to the truth of His Word, which abideth for ever.”

The income for the week ending this evening is £1,508 4s. 8d. Join us, dear reader, in praise to our promise-keeping God.

The Lessons Of The Past Year

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through His servant James, words only to be understood and obeyed by His own gracious operation on our souls, in connection with the circumstances through which we are called to pass: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold trials” (James 1:2). The Apostle Paul had learned this difficult lesson when he wrote: “Therefore I take pleasure in … necessities … in distresses for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor. 12:10).

This apostolic path of “trials, necessities, distresses,” has been that which our God has seen fit in His infinite wisdom to call us to tread during the past year. To the praise of His grace, and of His faithfulness, I record that He has been with us, and in some measure He has enabled us to “count it all joy,” and even to “take pleasure” in these things; not for their own sake, but for the deepened experience we have gained of Himself and of His power. Again and again have we found our position described with an accuracy that only the Holy Spirit could have foreknown and fore-written in that Psalm within a Psalm, viz., verses 23 to 32 of Psalm 107:—

“They that go down to the sea in ships,

That do business in great waters:

These see the works of Jehovah,

And His wonders in the deep.

For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,

Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths:

Their soul melteth away because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man

And are at their wits’ end.

Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble,

And He bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm,

So that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they are quiet;

So He bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise Jehovah for His lovingkindness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,

And praise Him in the seat of the elders.”

We have done “business in great waters,” and we have seen “the works of Jehovah and His wonders.” We have been “at our wits’ end” by the “stormy wind,” which He commanded, and we cried to Him and have seen Him make “the storm a calm” and now we “praise Jehovah for His lovingkindness.”

When Mr. Müller began in 1834 and 1836 unbelief said, when the novelty had worn off, the work would cease. When he died the same unbelief said it could not go on as it had done while he was alive; but it did go on for nearly seven years under Mr. Wright’s care. When he died two years and four months ago, unbelief said, now it must cease, but by the lovingkindness of God it still exists in its seventy-fourth year. All through the year “the bush burned with fire,” and now, as when Moses gazed in wonder at that sight in Horeb, “the bush is not burnt,” and for the very same reason now as then, viz., that Jehovah is in “the midst of the bush.” “Oh magnify the Lord, with me, and let its exalt His name together.” Again and again have we been brought very low; faith and patience have been sorely tried, and that frequently; then in due time the Lord has appeared to our help—note one such instance, in the record of the income on the 18th of tins month.

Often in days of trial this year I have been greatly cheered and helped by the beautiful lines of the beloved servant of God, Richard Chenevix Trench, D.D., of Dublin, which I subjoin in the hope that other tried children of God also may be cheered likewise.

“ Lord, what a change within us one short hour

Spent in Thy presence will prevail to make,

What heavy burdens from our bosoms take,

What parched grounds refresh as with a shower!

We kneel, and all around us seems to lower;

We rise, and all, the distant and the near,

Stands forth in sunny outline, brave and clear;

We kneel how weak, we rise how full of power.

Why therefore should we do ourselves this wrong,

Or others—that we are not always strong,

That we are ever overborne with care,

That we should ever weak or heartless be,

Anxious or troubled, when with us is prayer,

And joy and strength and courage are with Thee.”

The total income for the year ending May 26th, 1907, was £29,063 13s. 6d., which left an adverse balance on the Orphans’ account of £183 17s. 10d.

Chapter X

May 26th, 1907—May 26th, 1908

“And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking upon the sea, … saying, Be of good cheer; it is I: be not afraid.”—Matt. 14:25, 27 “A little more prayer, a little more faith, a little more patience, and the answer is sure to come.”—George Müller Of His deliv’rance I will boast, Till all that are distrest, From my example comfort take, And charm their grief to rest.

While hungry lions lack their prey,

The Lord will food provide

For such as put their trust in Him,

And see their need supplied.

Tate and Brady, 1652

Sustaining Grace Under Trials, And Complete Deliverance

In the unerring wisdom of our God, the living God, we began this year, May 27th, 1907, with nothing in hand. Thus from its earliest dawn we were truly cast upon God. No one knew this, for two months elapsed ere our Statement of Accounts appeared in public: yet we were kept in perfect peace with our “mind stayed on Jehovah” and we were not disappointed or put to shame, as the following narrative of facts will make manifest.

This first donation, £1 10s., “Droppings,” was a beginning of showers that followed ere the year closed.—28th. The income for two days has been £21 4s. 7d. Not much for the eye to rest on, when the vast expenses of this work (about £90 a day) are considered; but our eye is upon Jehovah, and our expectation is from Him.—31st. Received £100, from a donor who asks that it be acknowledged “‘Unto Him that loved us,’ from his own Executor.” This gift was a great cheer to us. Thus the Lord begins to help us in our sore need. We will “trust and not be afraid.”

On June 3rd, we received from Scotland, £43 5s., and £5 for my own use. The donor asks prayer that he and his wife may glorify the Lord in a crisis in their lives. I think this gift tells of an answer to that prayer already given, proving true the word: “Before they call, I will answer.” 4th. From Hull, 10s. 3d. The donor, whose average wage, when able to work, is 10s. or 11s. a week, who is now in the Infirmary, writes:—

“I am sorry for the sake of your big family that I cannot send you £10 instead of 10s. I should like to have waited a little longer, and have made it a £1, but, having regard to the weakness of our nature, I might be tempted to make use of it, if I get to be hard up.”

There came to us on the 5th, from Bridgwater, £50. From Clifton, £50.—11th. The balance of the legacy of the late C. W., Esq., £125.—17th. Legacy of the late Mr. W. H. P., £294 4s. 11d.—22nd. Legacy of the late D. A. M. T., Esq., £100.

The income for the month ending on the 26th, for Schools in Italy and England, Bible Circulation, Tract distribution, and aiding Missionaries, has been £66 15s. 1d. You will thus see, esteemed reader, how solemnly we are cast on God to sustain this His own work. During the last year of this work we spent on these Objects, £3,505 10s. 5d., one-twelfth of which would be about £292 2s. 6d., and He has been pleased to send us only the amount referred to above. Yet we are not confounded, but quietly wait on Him alone, assured that when He has accomplished His purpose in this “trial of our faith,” He will again work on our behalf.—27th. From Sussex, £20.—28th. From Scotland, £45, “from one who does not wish his name disclosed.”

We received on July 1st, from Scotland, £80 for Missions, etc., with £20 for the Orphans, and £5 for my own use. This came from a donor who has for many years liberally helped this work, and often has it been, as it is now, that his gifts have been timely. Can you enter, dear reader, into our feelings of gratitude to God for this? Oh, the blessedness of waiting only upon God!—3rd. From Maidstone I received this letter:—

“I am enclosing 6s. 6d. towards the Bible and Tract Fund. This is one week’s increase in salary, and it has been laid on my mind to send this, as the result of reading that remarkable life of Mr. George Müller. This has been the means of deepening my spiritual life immensely, and of a truth, I had never known the blessedness of believing prayer before. Truly ‘his works do follow him.’”

From New Somerby, £1 5s. The donor writes:—

“I enclose £1 5s. I have been reading Prov. 19:17, ‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.’ He pays good interest, better than any Bank pays. The first time I sent 2s. 6d., and I could hardly spare it.”

On the 6th, from “Anonymous,” £210. This donor has given for years in this way. This gift now is a cause of much thanksgiving to God, because of the very low state of the funds; of this we did not inform him when acknowledging his gift, as that might be construed into an appeal for more. By sale of dental gold, £12 8s. 6d., and of jewellery, £41 5s. 4d. So the Lord further helped us in our poverty.—9th. From Aldershot, £45, with £5 for myself.—10th. The legacy of the late Mr. J. B. B., £107 10s. 16th. Half of residue of the estate of the late Miss H., £105 4s. 5d.—17th. Legacy of the late A. F. G., Esq., £90. Sale of articles at Park Street Depot, £8. The income for the last week is £304 18s. 2d. O Lord, how long!—23rd. From Clifton, £20, with £5 for myself.

On the 24th, the legacy of the late Mrs. R. W., £100, was paid. This past week’s income, including the legacy just named, was only £241 13s. 4d. Thus, dear reader, see how our poverty increases; the fiery trial of our faith gets hotter, the water gets deeper through which we are passing. Can you not understand, then, how blessed is our God’s word to us, as given in Isaiah 43:2-3:—

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.”

We received from Corshamside, 10s. for Missions. The donor writes:—

“I am sure next to the Bible I have derived more benefit from the life of George Müller, and the work on Ashley Down, than by any other means. May our God encourage you at all times; we know Satan is mighty, but our God is almighty.”

A Strange Telegram And Its Answer

On the 25th, while I was at Weston-super-Mare for my holiday, a telegram was received as follows from Manchester.

“Are you in want? Can spare at a push; reply paid.”

My son, whom I left in charge, well knowing my mind on such matters, replied:—

“Only information ever given about funds is contained in Report. To God alone we make known our needs. Writing tonight.”

In the evening he brought me the telegram and copy of his reply, and I wrote a letter as follows:—

“My dear Sir,

“Your most kind telegram reached here today. I am staying at Weston-super-Mare for a rest. My son received your telegram and sent the reply, and has brought down the letters needing my attention. Heartily do I thank you for your most kind thought expressed in your telegram. However, as I received from the Lord the sacred trust to carry on the work begun by Mr. Müller in 1834-1836, and carried on by him till his death without any deviation from the principle that God is able and willing, without any appeal to human helpers, or even in cases like yours, without responding to questions directly asked, to supply all the needs of His work, I cannot depart from that heavenly principle.

“May I ask you to read Mr. Müller’s remarks given on page 87 of the Report just published.9 Mr. Wright, from 1898, when Mr. Müller died, till 1905, when he himself died, continued strictly adhering to this principle. Assuring you of my warm thanks for your deep and true interest in this work, “I am, my dear Sir, “Yours sincerely, “G. Fred. Bergin”

As the reader will have learned above, we were in need, yea, sore need—we gave ourselves to prayer; telling the Lord afresh of this our deep need, and that for His sake we refused to disclose our position, even when thus directly asked, and besought Him to incline that gentleman, or whom other He would, to send us help, and we immediately got the spiritual help in that we “had witness borne to us that we had been well pleasing unto God”—Heb. 11:5, r.v. Yea, “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,”kept guard of “our hearts and” our “thoughts in Christ Jesus.”

On the 27th our hearts were greatly cheered by the receipt of the following letter:—

“I enclose a cheque—£50—for Missions. The reading of the Report, lately received, evokes praise. When it is seen how believers are carried through trials, other believers looking on find that gracious communications are made to their own spirits; and those who are still unbelievers may by the same means be brought to trust the Lord. ‘They that fear Thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in Thy Word’ (Ps. 119:74). I pray God to give you great refreshment.”

The mail of the 29th brought us from Australia, the first installment of the legacy of the late J. N. H., Esq., £397 9s. 11d. for the Orphans, with £100 for the Schools, Bibles, Tracts, and Missions.

Will the reader kindly note that it is only four days since we refused to tell our need to human ears, and now we get £500, less Bank commission, from Australia!

“Say not my soul! From whence can God relieve thy care?

Remember! Omnipotence hath servants everywhere.”

Join us in praising God for His keeping power four days ago, and for His delivering power manifest today.

There came on the 31st, from West Norwood, £100. The income for the past week was £694 10s. 6d.; and since May 27th, two months and five days, £3,918 11s. 1d. Thus has the Lord fed us from day to day through a very trying period.

“Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear Him, Upon them that hope in His lovingkindness, To keep them alive in famine”

We received on August 1st, from Edinburgh, £110 for the Orphans, and £40 for Schools, Bibles, etc. See how again the Lord cheers our hearts. From Polperro, £1 0s. 3d. The donor writes:—

“Thank you very much for the Report, which it has been a great pleasure to read. The sickness in the Homes must have been a real trial of faith, but how delightful to know that ‘Jehovah Jireh’ has not failed you! Do you know these lines?

‘God is faithful; not He has been, nor He will be—both are true;

But today, in this sore trial, God is faithful now to you!’”

We received from Redhill, £1. This donor writes:—

“In April you enclosed one of your booklets, The Peace of God Garrisoning the Heart, and it was just what was needed at the time, ‘a word in season.’ I was rather worried, but it set me right.”

From Scotland there came the following letter:—

“I received and have read with interest last year’s Report.

‘Still trust in God, for Him to praise

Good cause I yet shall have.

He of my countenance is the health;

My God, that doth me save’ (Psalm 43)

As one who would like to be a faithful steward, I enclose notes value £50, of which I wish you to take £5 for yourself, and the balance for what you see most needful.”

On the 2nd, we received from Scotland, £45, and £5 for myself.—3rd. From Bristol, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I must write and thank you for the Report, and tell you what a cheer and uplift it was to me. It came at a time when I was specially in need of a cordial for faith, and such it has been indeed.

‘Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.’”

There came on the 6th, from Glamorganshire, £215, with £10 for Dr. Bergin, and £25 for myself. Only three days since we sang of His good pleasure to help. How true this is, was proved by such a gift. From Bristol, £25.—7th. From Dundee, £50. From Ibrox, £1 for Missions, with £1 10s. for the Orphans. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Thanks for the most interesting Report received. It is a joy to me to have fellowship in a work that has the seal of God so manifestly upon it. May the verse—’My God shall supply all your need’ (Phil. 4:19), be a comfort to you with your large needs, as it has been to me with my small ones.”

The income for the week past was £732 15s. 10d.— 8th. From London, £2 2s. The donors write:—

“Thank you for Reports, which are always such excellent testimonies to the faithfulness of God, in providing for the needs, and, in times of very great trial, keeping your hearts in peace. I quite agree that next to the Word of God there is no reading matter so helpful to one’s faith.”

The legacy of the late Miss F. B. B., £300, was paid, 9th. From Coatbridge, £2 0s. 6d. The donor writes:—

“I am constrained to send you this sum; I only intended to send you £1.” Who constrained him to double his gift? The living God, to whom alone we appeal, and to whom we are now in our poverty continually crying.

We received on the 10th, from readers of The Christian, £29 1s. 9d. On the 13th, the legacy of the late G. P., Esq., £1,000, reached us. From Poole, 3s., “from a poor working-man’s wife,” who writes:—

“‘She hath done what she could’; this is my heart’s desire.”

From Ilfracombe we received 5s. 3d., from an aged donor, who writes:—

“I am truly thankful for the Report. The work on Ashley Down has been a help to me for something like fifty years, and this week past it has greatly cheered me, as I have read portions of it from day to day.”

There came on the 14th, from Bristol, £75, and £25 for myself. The income for the week ending today is £1,671 9s. 11d. Thus it will be evident to the reader that our way of obtaining money, viz., waiting only on God, the living God, is not a failure.

On the 15th there was sent us from Bath, £1 is. The donor writes:—

“Your Report to hand really makes unbelief a difficult thing!”

On the 16th we received from Rusholme, 11s. The donor writes:—

“Many thanks for the Report. I remember seeing it said one year, that it was more interesting reading than any light novel, and I find it so.”

From Rainhili, 5s., with the following letter:—

“Very many thanks for this year’s Report; I have just finished reading it most carefully. It must be quite forty years since my attention was first drawn to Mr. Müller’s work. It has done me more good than I have had for years.”

There was paid on the 17th, the legacy of the late Mr. W. S., £25.

In the early hours of this morning (19th), in reviewing the goodness of the Lord during the past three weeks, my soul is full of praise. Join with me, dear reader, in thanksgiving to our faithful God, who sent me during these three weeks, £3,434 14s. 8d. Yesterday I received a personal gift of 5s. from a fellow-believer. I opened it this morning; with it she sent me Ps. 31:19, 20. Well, then, may I join with David in his outburst of praise, and say: “Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!”

There came on the 20th, from Scotland, £2 2s. 6d., with 10s. for myself. The donor writes:—

“Very many thanks for Reports. It brought to my mind the Scotch Metrical Version of Psalm 34:8, 9, 10:—

‘Oh, taste and see that God is good.

Who trusts in Him is blessed.

Fear God His saints: none that Him fear

Shall be with want oppressed.

The lions young may hungry be,

And they may lack their food:

But they that truly seek the Lord

Shall not lack any good.’

Thank God, we can all add, Amen, Amen.”

I received on the 23rd, from G. H., Esq., the bequest of his late sister, Miss A. H., £100. From Utrecht, 12s., with 8s. for myself. The donor writes:—

“The Narrative of Facts of 1907 leads to adoration to read about these wonderful hearings of prayer.”

Legacy of the late Mrs. M. G., £214 3s. 5d.—24th. From West Ealing, the following letter:—

“With unfeigned thankfulness we enclose £14 5s. as a thank-offering to God for a precious gift of a son, and desire it to be apportioned to the keep of one Orphan for a year. Again we rejoice to learn of God’s faithfulness to you all, through another year. Reading the Report, I notice others send unnecessary decorations, and I believe them right, and desire you to sell the enclosed gold chain, and use money for Missionary purposes.”

We received on the 26th, anonymously, through a friend, £21, with Malachi 3:10. From London, £30. 29th. From West Hartlepool, 5s. The donor writes:—

“A friend having given me a Report of your Orphan Houses, I have been very much interested with it. It seems almost incredible the amount of money that has been raised without begging for it.”

On the 30th, I received a letter, from which I extract the following:—

“Five years ago I lent to a relation £40. This week he has returned it. I enclose it to be divided thus, £20 for the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, £10 for the Orphanage, and £10 for yourself. Please remember it was promised to the Lord’s cause five years ago.”

There came in on the 31st, from Porthcawl, £43 1s. From Torquay, three gifts, £12 10s., and £12 10s., and £12 10s.

The mail of September 3rd brought us from Yamethin, Upper Burmah, £1, with the following letter:—

“I am an Orphan from Ashley Down, and I owe all my success in life to the sound training I received while there, specially the spiritual training, where we were taught to value God’s Word above all things. I bless God for His mercy to one who was destitute.”

There came on the 6th, from Scotland, £100, with £5 for my own use.

Prompt Payment Of A Legacy Of £2,000, Less Duty

7th. Received the legacy of the late H. J. G., Esq., £1,800. The speed with which this legacy was paid is to be noted; the Will was only proved in January. Deep thanksgiving ascends to God for this supply of our pressing need today. Dear reader, in this case we had not long to “hope and quietly wait”: join us in praise. From Clifton, £20.—11th. From “Alastor,” £22. The income for the week ending today has been £2,111 7s. 1d. How good the Lord our God is to us. May we not with good courage trust Him wholly for all our needs!

“To tread the path that Jesus trod;

To be as credulous with God,

And credit what He saith

Because He saith it, nor the less

That how it can be, we confess

We know not: This is Faith.”—C. E. O.

We received on the 16th, from Belfast, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I have been reading Mr. Müller’s Biography; the Lord has blessed my soul much through it, and spoken home to me on the matter of laying up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21). I have much joy in seeking to obey God in this.”

On the 17th, there came from Chelmsford. 10s. The donor writes:—

“This is part of a very long-standing debt I have tried repeatedly to get paid. This morning I told the Lord that if He would help me to get the amount in full, I would give 10s. for support of Orphans, and this afternoon I received a cheque for the amount in full.”

The income yesterday, as far as money was concerned, amounted to £12 7s. 10d., and for the week ending today (18th), £112 14s. 2d. Thus the trial of faith continues keenly; but the incoming of eight new Orphans today gives us confidence that He, who has allowed us to take in and shelter these, will not fail to send us the wherewithal to supply their need. We thank Him for permitting us thus to take in poor, destitute children, and trust Him, who has so recently manifested His power, to put forth His hand again on our behalf.

There reached us by the mail of the 19th, from Christian workers, who conducted a sale of work in Chefoo, China, £60. These dear friends had deep joy in thus helping in the care of our Orphans; and we had no little cheer from it coming, as it did, in a time of sore and pressing need. The Lord will recompense them all.—23rd. Legacy of the late Mr. W. B., £100.—24th. From Peterhead, £12. The donor writes:—

“I think the noble work, which you are in, is one of the greatest proofs of Christianity which is to be seen in the world.”

From Bristol, the following letter was received on the 25th, from a former Orphan and her husband:—

“Dear Sir,

“It gives me great joy to send the enclosed to help ever so little in the great work the Lord is so abundantly blessing you in. We should like £14 10s. taken for the support of a dear child, and £2 please for your own use, with our united Christian love.”

The income for the past week was £357 6s. 0d. Thus our trial lasts: but blessed be God, through His grace, our faith wavers not. How encouraging a fact in the history of Abraham is given us by the Holy Spirit in Rom. 4:19-21, “Without being weakened in faith, he considered his own body now as good as dead {he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yea, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.’”

God’s Power To Help

On the 26th, we received from Gravesend, £50.—27th. “In memory of E. F. R.,” £300, with £15 for myself. Again and again I had in secret brought the donor of this before the Lord by name. This is an answer to many prayers. From Bristol, 2 Cor. 9:7, “In memoriam of beloved Mr. Müller,” £5. From Bradninch, £10, from a former Orphan, who writes:—

“Please accept my gift, £10, which it is a great privilege to be able to send. Of His own have I given Him. How much I enjoyed last year’s meetings. I shall be present with you in spirit throughout the whole day.”

From Sussex, £120 was sent us. See, dear reader, our confidence was not misplaced two days ago; our “God is able to perform what He has promised.” Anonymously, 2s. 6d., “from a poor crippled woman, living in an almshouse.”

From Worcester, 10s. The donor writes:—

“My dear Mr. Bergin,

“I cannot adequately describe my feelings on visiting Ashley Down Orphanage last Friday, where as a boy, thirteen-and-a-half years of age, forty-five years ago, I took farewell of the late dear Mr. Müller. My heart was filled with intense gratitude for the good providence of God, that led me to the Homes as a little boy, six years of age, for the hallowed influences which surrounded my life whilst in the Homes; and for the goodness and mercy which have since followed me for the space of forty-five years. “With sincerest regards from my dear wife and myself, “Yours very truly.”

From the Orphans in the sixteen departments of the New Orphan Houses, “in memory of Mr. Müller’s birthday,” I received £12 11s. This was all taken for Missionaries.

On this day, being the anniversary of beloved Mr. Müller’s birthday, we had our united meetings for prayer and thanksgiving. We had very happy times. Wholesome words were spoken to us from the Scriptures by several servants of Christ. It was an intense joy to meet many former Orphans—two were present who had been in the Orphanage at Wilson Street before No. 1 Orphan House was built. Some friends from Scotland, Wales, and London, and many from Bristol, and neighboring places, gladdened our hearts by their presence.—28th. From Westmorland, £20.—30th. From Berkeley, £30.

Blankets Supplied Just When Needed

A donor writes:—

“I beg to enclose cheque for £50, a thank-offering to the Lord for His goodness and mercy during the past fifty years specially. Kindly use it for the Orphans. Perhaps I may suggest blankets, as the winter is approaching. Please enter it as ‘A sister’s thank-offering.’”

Dear reader, please note some facts in connection with this gift. Firstly, only last week Miss Withy brought before me the fact that our stock of blankets was entirely exhausted, and we needed some immediately. Secondly, I had no money in hand wherewith to buy blankets. Thirdly, this lady has never given us such a large amount before, and is moved now in view of fifty years’ mercies to send this gift. Further, she is moved to suggest, “Perhaps it may be used for blankets, as the winter is approaching.” What a blessed illustration we have here of the truth of the words of Hanani, the Seer, when rebuking Asa for his unbelief: “The eyes of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (2 Chron. 16:9). Fancy the eyes of Jehovah looking into our empty blanket press, and moving this lady to supply this need.

An Orphan boy, now apprenticed in Wales, writes to one of our Schoolmasters:—

“The Vicar says that the boys from our School are the most scholarly and decently behaved boys he has seen in all his ministry. He says that we have the Bible on our tongues. All this is due to you and the other Masters.”

On October 2nd there came from Cheltenham, £10. The donor of this has since fallen asleep. Thus one by one our kind helpers die, but our Heavenly Friend, our only Patron, still lives, and so the work goes on, upheld by Him. 3rd. From Glasgow, £6 for Missions, etc., with £6 for the Orphans, and £3 for myself. The donor writes:—

“I cannot thank you sufficiently for sending me Mr. Wright’s life. It has been a joy and a rich spiritual feast to read it. Oh, that all skeptics and enemies to the truth could read it! In reading it, I have been more and more impressed with the greatness of that work, in the daily manifold duties, you, as its earthly head, have to attend to. I pray God to give you the health and strength which are necessary.”

There came by the mail of the 9th, from Elkader, U.S.A., £1 10s. 3d. The donor writes:—

“The new Report reached me. Words cannot express the interest felt in reading its pages. It is now thirty-five years since I left that dear Home, but it is ever fresh in my memory.”

We received from Bideford, £30 for the support of two Orphans for a year. From Leytonstone, £15, “for the support of one Orphan for one year.” The donor states:—

“I have real pleasure in enclosing cheque, as a thank-offering that my seven children are not Orphans.”

The income for the past week was £247 13s. 5d. Great is our poverty—great is our trial of faith. Greater is our God, the living God, who well knows what He is doing.

On the 10th we received the legacy of the late Miss C. M. B., £500. Picture our joy, dear friends, at getting this illustration of the truth of what was said yesterday. Note also that in our poverty the Lord caused this legacy to be promptly paid. From Swindon, £1, with these lines:—

“His love in times past forbids me to think

He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink.

Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,

Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.”

How true today are these words written by John Newton, of Olney, 1779.

A Clergyman’s Experience Of God’s Faithfulness

I received on the 12th, from Clydach, £50, with £10 for myself. From a clergyman in Somerset, £1, with the following interesting and instructive letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“I have much pleasure in enclosing this small amount, with an expression of appreciation of the principle upon which the Homes are carried on, and of indebtedness to the honored Founder, to whose writings of God’s dealings with him, I am indebted for a corrected attitude towards God in the matter of systematically setting aside the Lord’s portion. As a Minister of the gospel my fixed income is very small, and barely sufficient, but He on whom my dear wife and I cast all our care has up to the present supplied our every need. Yesterday morning we received what is for us a heavy doctor’s bill, by the first post; by the second post we received more than sufficient to pay it; who from, we have not the faintest idea—posted in a town in which we neither of us ever were (except in a train). It is not the first time God has provided for us in this untraceable way. To Him be the praise! That His richest blessing may rest on you, your helpers, and those under your care, is the earnest prayer of “Yours very faithfully.”

The income for the past week ending the 16th was £750 0s. 3d. How good it is to trust only in God, the living God!—17th. From West Hartlepool, £30.

On the 23rd I received a very interesting gift of £20 from an aged widow, who last year gave me £30, and of whom I then said that her only present income is letting lodgings in her little cottage. The reader will be able to picture my joy at receiving it, on reading that it is more than all the rest of today’s income. This I did not make known to the donor, but now tell it for the benefit of the reader. Such manifestations of the grace of giving on the part of the poor often call forth praise from my heart. Surely He who in days of old “sat over against the Treasury and beheld” such, does not the less do so now that He “sits on the right hand of God.”

We received on the 25th, from Bath, £20. Timely help in our great need.—This afternoon I saw two girls who are leaving us. One of them was brought to a knowledge of the Lord a few years ago, and has run her course well. The other gave us not a little trouble, until last August, when she was brought to the Lord through the words of another girl, now dying, who spoke to her about her soul. She has since then given us great joy. Thus in our times of severe testing of faith about supplies, the Lord gives us rich comfort in other ways.

There came to us on the 26th, from the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” for the outfits of Orphans leaving the Institution, £150. From Westmorland, the following letter:—

“Will you kindly use £8 of this cheque, half for Orphans and half for Missionaries or Schools, £1 for yourself, and £1 for Dr. Bergin. I sometimes thank God for putting it into your heart to edit dear Mr. Müller’s Autobiography. It always helps me whenever I read it, and I trust it is helping many others all over the world. May your faith be sustained and strengthened by all the constant trial of it. The proof of the work being of God is even more plain as one after another of His instruments is laid aside. He is indeed the ‘living God.’”

This testimony from an elderly servant of God has cheered me much.

This mail brought us from Brooklyn, U.S.A., £20 10s. for a Hospital in Central Africa in which Mr. Arnot is interested.—30th. From near Bristol, 6s. The donor writes:—

“I have read about one-third of the life of Mr. Müller, and have been greatly helped. One thing I will write, we had a long job on, and our money had run short. I made it a matter of prayer, and about ten days ago a cheque was sent us for £40, telling us to send on details as soon as possible.”

An Answer To Prayer Through The New Zealand Government

By the mail of November 2nd there arrived from Auckland, N.Z., £20. The donor writes:—

“This cheque is the result of a promise made on the 3rd September, on which I asked for what, humanly speaking, seemed impossible, and which, on conferring with some one else interested in the same matter, was told, ‘I hadn’t one chance in a million’ of getting same, as it had already been refused by the Premier of New Zealand (the matter was in connection with a Bill then before the House of Representatives). However, I made my request to God, and then sent a strong request to Wellington, to two members of the House of Representatives, who placed the matter before the Cabinet, and our request was granted. ‘With Him nothing is impossible.’” It is written in Prov. 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord: He turneth it whithersoever He will,” and is as true today as it was in Solomon’s day.

From Rongotea, N.Z., £2 was received. The donor writes: “I feel impressed to send this.” Who “impressed” this friend? I did not write to him. We here in England prayed for help in our time of sore need, and the living God wrought for us at the Antipodes.

There came on the 4th, from Whitestone, U.S.A., £24 0s. 2d., with £20 for Bibles, Schools, etc., and £3 for myself. Today I received a letter from a widow, some of whose children we have here:—

“Sir,

“I feel I cannot let this day pass without writing to thank you for your great kindness to all my children, particularly to my boy Harold, whom you have done so much for. I saw him today, and thought how nice he looked, in the good warm clothes you so kindly provided him with, and I do not know how to express my gratitude to you. I should like all the Teachers to be thanked for the kindness they have shown my children.

“I am, Sir,

“Yours most respectfully.”

From a Doctor of Medicine in New York I received the following letter:—

“Dear Brother Bergin,

“It is with great pleasure that I herewith forward a draft for £46, and a five-dollar bill. Please reserve £3 for your personal use, applying the balance as seems most needed. I had the great pleasure of meeting dear Mr. Müller shortly before his death, and shall always esteem it one of the great privileges of my life. Praying God’s richest blessing upon you and the work, “I remain, “Very sincerely yours,——.”

On the 6th, from Milan, Italy, 100 lire, which realized £3 19s., for Schools in Italy. Coming from a resident in Italy, this donation shows his sense of the value of these Schools, and of the need for them.—8th. The income by the first mail today amounted to £7 15s. 10d., and the outgoings were £122. I had a special season of prayer with my son concerning the inadequacy of the income, imploring the Lord to sustain our faith, and to speedily send us help. Within an hour, by the mid-day post, there arrived a letter from Ramsgate, containing bank notes for £50. Admire with me, dear reader, the kindness and love of God, first testing our faith and thereby strengthening it, and then, in the riches of His grace, showing us His power. This donor had never given as much as £5 before, and the Lord moved her at this time to send £50. I did not tell her in replying how marvellously it was timed, and how it cheered our hearts and strengthened our faith.

We received on the 9th, from St. Leonards-on-Sea, £10. The donor writes:—

“I have been wondering if to send a subscription again to your Home, and gave up the idea, and, when wishing guidance, opened a book at the very moment, with a picture of Mr. Müller, and a short account of his work; there before my face was the very subject I was seeking guidance on. I remember the extra price of provisions at this time, but Phil. 4:19, ‘My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,’ is true.”

From R. H., 6s. with, “Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matt. 6:26). These words of our Lord, quoted at length by the donor, were blessed of God to me in this time of sore need.

There came on the 12th, from Taunton, £50, from a donor who has kindly for a long time thus aided this work. It came now as real help in our great trial. From Palmerston North, N.Z., £95, with £2 10s. for Dr. Bergin, and £2 10s. for myself.—13th. From St. Leonards-on-Sea, £9, from the donor who four days ago sent £10. She writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“I still seem guided and impressed to send you a further donation of £9 for Orphans, for God’s glory. ‘He is faithful that promised.’ ‘He abideth faithful.’ ‘He cannot deny Himself.’

“Yours truly.”

See, dear reader, how the Lord hears our feeble prayers. We did not ask this lady to send us more, but our God bade her do so, fulfilling Isaiah 64:4, R.V., “For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God beside Thee, which worketh for him that waiteth for Him.” The income for the week ending today was £255 12s. 6d., less than half what we need, yet our eyes are up unto the Lord, expecting daily, hourly, His delivering hand.

There came to us on the 16th, from Scotland, £60 for Bibles, etc., with £40 for the Orphans, and £5 for myself. For the month previous to this, the total income for the first four Objects, for which this £60 was used, was only £164 9s. 5d. Thus our God tries our faith, sustains it through the trial, and then at the darkest part of it, as of old, “in the fourth watch of the night He came unto them, walking upon the sea,” manifests His power on our behalf.

Fiery Trials

Our needs are great; we have 1,899 Orphan children in the Houses today (18th), we have no funds in hand. We have no rich patrons: we do not make any public appeals; we have no annual gathering of friends at which we make our needs known. In these circumstances, on rising from bed this morning, my mind was directed, by my Daily Light Text Almanac, to the words in Psalm 78:41, “They limited the Holy One of Israel.” Earlier in the Psalm they had asked three unbelieving questions:

“Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?”

“Can He give bread also?”

“Can He provide flesh for His people?”

By His abounding grace, I am purposed that I will not limit Him, but say, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him”; and expecting His help, I shall not be disappointed.

On the 20th, the legacy of the late Mr. W. P., £100, reached us. From Wallington, £1. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Please accept the enclosed as a thank-offering for recovery from a severe illness. The Lord has certainly magnified Himself in the work of Ashley Down. Your Report to hand calls for praise for all that is past, and your exhortation and example encourages us to trust Him for all that is to come.

“Yours in Christ.”

The income for the past week was £301 6s. 7d. Thus the trial of faith continues. Need I say, dear reader, that the testimony of the letter just quoted greatly cheers us. The narration of our trials of faith last year was used by God for blessing to the writer of that letter. So we count on God that the trials we are passing through now, and have been for so long a time, may yet be owned of God for blessing to many. We are as “a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.”

We received on the 23rd, the legacy of the late Mr. J. F., £250. Think, dear reader, what a cheer this was to us. From Stayner, Canada, $5.25. The donor writes:—

“Not until Eternity shall it be known the wondrous results of your ‘work of faith and labor of love.’ Thank you for your Report; it has been a great benefit to us.”

Early this morning before breakfast, I had as my portion Psalm 40:17, “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, 0 my God.” Our poverty is very great. Yesterday our income was £28 17s. 3d., the day before £33 0s. 6d. Now behold how He, our Patron, works for us: today He sent us £290 3s. 6d. Blessed be His holy name!—25th. From High Wycombe, £10. The donor writes:—

“It is so gratifying to know that God is still maintaining such a wonderful testimony to Himself and His faithfulness.”

We received on the 26th, from Charmouth, 10s. The donor writes:—

“I first sent when eight years old; I am now thirty-eight. I have dear Mr. Müller’s acknowledgment for the first gift, is. What a lesson of faith you are! May God bless you and your dear ones.”

There came on the 28th, from Edinburgh, £25.—30th. From Kensington, W., £20, with £5 for the Orphans’ Christmas treat. I received today £276 14s. 8d., the proceeds by the sale of a house in Bristol, left by legacy of the late Mr. R. F.

On December 2nd we received from Norwich, £5, with Ps. 37:3, “Trust in Jehovah and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (American Revised). What excellent food for the child of God! From Bristol, 3s. The donor writes:—

“Please accept enclosed 72 farthings and 36 halfpennies, towards the Orphan fund. I had it laid very forcibly on my mind to save these for you, thanking you for the care of my two dear girls at No. 3.”

There was paid on the 5th, on account of the legacy of the late J. L., Esq., £242 19s. 10d. How this delighted our hearts, only those who know what being in deep waters of trial is, can understand. Our poverty is great and prolonged. This makes the amount received since Jan. 4th, 1904, on account of this legacy to be £8,992 19s. 10d. 6th. From Oswaldtwistle, £2 2s. The donor says:—

“I cannot find out whether I sent annual subscription last year. I think it must have been overlooked. Please, therefore, find cheque for double annual subscription.”

The Lord who knows exactly our need, made this friend send a double amount.

The mail of the 7th brought us from Kansas, U.S.A., $10 = £2 0s. 5d. The donor writes:—

“The works of Mr. George Müller first fell into my hands in the year 1869, and the very title of the book first gave me inspiration, The Lord’s Dealings with George Müller. His quotation from Jer. 17:5, ‘Thus saith the Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord,’ made a great change in my life.”

There came on the 10th, from Redland, £21. “The labor—glad, joyful labor—of three generations, for the Ashley Down Orphans.” Anonymously, from London, 5s., with the following:—

“It was through reading one of your Reports that the Lord first revealed to me that His mind was that we should have a systematic way of laying aside for Him. Not only has He blessed me in the doing, by giving increase, but He has taught me, in some measure, what a life of faith really is. I thought I knew it; when reading Report, I found I knew very little about it.”

I received on the 11th, from “Cripple,” at Taffs Well, 2s. 6d. The income for the past week was £545 3s. 4d. Thus the Lord supplies us from hand to mouth, and keeps us looking up for supplies from day to day. From Bristol, £50.—13th. The legacy of the late J. J., Esq., £500. See, dear reader, our expectation of help from the Lord was not placed on Him in vain.

A Donor Maintains The Work For One Day

On the 14th, we received £90, a thank-offering. The donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“I understand that the daily cost of the maintenance of your Homes averages £90. I have for some little time been hoping that I might be able to provide for one day. It is truly wonderful where the provision comes from for the other 364 days.

“Yours sincerely.”

Again, in this gift, our God, whom we trust, manifests His power.

There came on the 18th, from Scotland, £30, with the following letter:—

“I hope you can still say with Paul, ‘For when I am weak, then am I strong’ (2 Cor. 12:10). I have still some money to give away for the Lord’s work this year, and among other things the Ashley Down Orphans, etc., have always a foremost place in my mind. Kindly divide the enclosed in three: £10 each for Orphans, Missions, and yourself.”

There was sent in from Bristol, 8 sacks of flour, 8 cases of currants, 11 boxes Valencias, and 10 boxes Valencias. Thus our Christmas puddings and cakes are thought of by kind friends, whom we never remind that Christmas is coming, but our God, the living God does. The income for the week ending today is £769 17s. 2d. Thus the writer and the reader have evidence that it is not a vain thing to trust in God.—26th. From Bristol, 83 lbs. meat. From Aberdare, 122 lbs. meat. From “Well-wisher,” 141 lbs. meat. From Clifton, 170 lbs. meat. Are you surprised, dear reader? With our very large family even this quantity would not last long.—27th. From Bristol, from “Mother,” £46 4s.—28th. From Melksham, £32.—30th. From “an elderly Orphan,” £50. From Mafeking, £1, with the following letter:—

“Last year our precious child wrote you enclosing a birthday gift. I am now sending you the same amount in her name, for she never saw another birthday on earth; our Lord took her from us on the 10th August. She was brought to the Lord when very young, and she lived to His glory.”

On page 275 I named the gift of this child, who wrote me then: “The Lord has saved my soul from hell.” Now He has taken her to heaven.

There came on the 31st, from London, £70, with £5 for Dr. Bergin, and £5 for myself, from a donor who has kindly helped us again and again in like fashion for many many years. Greatly were we cheered by this gift. From Enfield, 3s., “made from a penny for the Lord’s work.” This heavenly trader made good profit. From Bristol, £30.

Thus the Lord crowned another year with His loving-kindness and His tender mercy. Again and again we besought, yea, entreated Him to abound to us, that we might help His beloved servants laboring in the gospel, but He in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to keep us still waiting.

We are still in great poverty, and yet “kept by the power of God.” The income for the Orphans during the year 1907 was £26,928 18s. 11d., without a single appeal to a human ear. Consider this, dear reader, and join us in singing—

“ Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

With a deepened conviction—notwithstanding all the open assaults on the Holy Scriptures, now abounding in every quarter—that our God is the living God, and that He delights to listen to the feeble prayers of His people, and to answer them “according to the good pleasure of His will” we step into this New Year, 1908, this untried path, with calm, holy confidence in His love and wisdom, and power. In the well-known words of Bishop Bickersteth, unbelief challenges us with its question,—

“Peace! Perfect peace! our future all unknown?”

and faith joyfully replies,—

“Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.”

1908

The first gift comes from Bradford, 2s. 6d., “the result of a collection at our dinner table on Christmas day.” We thank God for this, and look to Him for the thousands of pounds we shall need. Out of 90 gifts, in money, that reached us this day, besides the one named, I mention only the following. From Melksham, £35. From Bristol, £20, with £2 for Dr. Bergin, and £3 for myself. From “Needy “ I received this letter:—

“It is with pleasure we enclose cheque value £40. Kindly take £5 for self, and use the remainder at your discretion. Kindly note £5 is from ‘Needy,’ Junr. We receive your Reports, and find great interest in reading same. Prayer will do everything for us if we have the faith to believe. We thank God for all the blessings vouchsafed to your Homes in the past, and ask His richest blessings to attend your every effort in the future. With every good wish to yourself and helpers, from the firm.”

These donors are following in the footsteps of their beloved father, who more than forty-five years ago began to give systematically, and continued so to do till his death. Of him Mr. Müller wrote in 1892:—

“This donor began more than thirty years ago to send me from time to time a few shillings, as God prospered him in his business. The Lord was pleased to reward this systematic giving, so that he was able, after a time, to increase his donations, and he now, with his sons, sends £15.”

In 1908 this is increased to £40 as stated above. 2nd. From Westmorland, £20. From St. Leonards-on-Sea, £10. The donor writes:—

“It has been my privilege for very many years to forward my small half-yearly offering of £10, in aid of our Lord’s work in your hands. As mentioned in a former letter, I always have you in mind night and morning in my prayers. I am now in my seventy-fifth year, and pray that God may be with you all through.”

It is impossible to estimate the value of such a helper as this, who prays for us “night and morning.”

There came on the 4th, from Bristol, £25.—6th. From Norwood, £25, with £5 for Dr. Bergin, and £5 for myself. The donor writes:—

“I thank you for sending me the last Report. It is a relief to know that all the necessary means for the work have been supplied. Having known the work for so many years, I feel a sort of partner in it. Please accept the enclosed cheque, with my sincere regards and prayers for a year of blessing to all.”

We received from a donor—who wishes to be styled “Anonymous,” £207. This donation greatly cheered our hearts, coming as it did in a time of great and sore need. Again and again has the Lord used this friend to help us. 9th. From near Exeter, £5. The donors, who are farmers, write:—

“As the sale of Christmas cattle was very bad and prices low, we thought we would not send you the above amount, as we had done for several years past, but now feel constrained to- do so, and like the prophet Habakkuk, we desire to joy in the God of our salvation though circumstances are adverse.”

The inspired words of Habakkuk are as follows:—

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat: The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

How completely does faith lift us above circumstances, as illustrated in the case of these donors. From Sunday-school children in Barcelona, Spain, £3 11s. was sent us. What a beautiful fruit of sowing Scripture seed in these young Spanish hearts!

On the 13th, I returned to work at the Orphan Houses, after an illness which kept me away for five weeks, during which I experienced great kindness from the Lord. Firstly, all went on as well as if I had been on the spot. Secondly, during that period the Lord sent us £2,915 5s. 5d. Thirdly, I was graciously granted complete recovery to health. And, lastly, all through this time, the Lord kept me in perfect peace. Our trials are not small by any means. We are still in great poverty, sorely tried as to means, yet our confidence in God is unshaken.

We received on the 14th, from Surrey, £20, “In memory of Bertha and Charles.” From Sheffield, 9s. The donor writes:—

“The last time I wrote, my husband had a diseased hip. He was working then, but he has not been able to work since last May. I was thinking that I should not be able to send you anything this year, when the thought came to me, Why not save what you earn for getting collars up? I thought it was the Lord who spoke, and I answered, I will, Lord, give it to Thee; so I have saved it every week.”

What grace in this poor working woman, whose husband is ill!

An Appeal Put In A Newspaper. Was It By A Friend Or Foe?

Today I received a letter from a friend, from which I give the following:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“I feel constrained to write to you in connection with an appeal made in a London Sunday newspaper. I feel certain that you know nothing concerning the person who makes the appeal. It was brought to my notice by an unbeliever in the factory where I am engaged, and, of course, this quickly spread amongst those who despise eternal things, especially as you profess to appeal to none but the living God. I sought to show them that the appeal was made against your principles, and without your knowledge or consent. I shall be greatly delighted to receive a line from you refuting entirely this appeal as having emanated from you. I enclose the appeal.”

Müller’s 2,000 Orphans. An appeal to Friends at Home and Abroad for Donations(none too small) by a friend. Please send direct to Mr. G. Fred. Bergin, Ashley Down, Bristol, England.

To this letter I replied:—

“Dear Mr.——,

“I am very grateful to you for your letter of yesterday, enclosing me the advertisement, and I at once write to say that it was put in without my knowledge, or consent, which, had the party concerned appealed to me, would never have been given. During the sixty-two years that Mr. Müller carried on this work, he never, under any circumstances, made an appeal; during the six years and nine months that Mr. Wright carried it on, he never made any kind of appeal; during the now nearly three years since he died, I have never made an appeal, and by the help of God mean never to do so.

“This advertisement is said to have been put in ‘by a Friend’; if this is true, the Friend has made a grave mistake, as the Institution is not likely to benefit by it, for if any gifts reach me with the names of the donors, stating that they are sent in reply to this advertisement, small or great, they shall be returned, as they would have been given under a false impression, and as such I could not receive them. If, as I fear, this is the work of an enemy, I can only say that we will pray the Lord to bless this our enemy.”

On the 15th, the legacy of the late Mr. W. G., £402 3s. 11d. reached us. From Bournemouth, £20, with £5 for myself. We are cheered in our great trial by these helps on our way. The income for the week ending today is £747 6s. 8d., and we are looking out for larger supplies, which we sorely need. “I was brought low, and He helped me” (Ps. 116:6).

Full Deliverance In God’s Own Time

On the 16th, I received the final payment of the legacy of the late J. N. H., Esq., of Australia, £4,156 0s. 2d. Thus in His own right time, and with one opening of His hand (Ps. 145:16), the Lord richly supplies every monetary need, and puts an end to a severe financial strain, that He has been pleased to put upon us for over two years and a half, without intermission. Blessed be His holy name for all that trial of faith, and for His sustaining hand, and for His gracious and full deliverance. Truly it is “They that do business in great waters” who “See the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.”

Many of our friends have been our true helpers by prayer in our times of trial; they will see in this remarkable deliverance good reason to join us in hearty and grateful praise to our gracious Father.

There came to us anonymously, through Bethesda Boxes, £9 3s. 4d. for Missions, £9 3s. 4d. for Orphans, and £5 for myself.—17th. From Christian Friends at Kendal, £26 13s. 3d.—20th. The balance of the legacy of the late E. G. C. P., Esq., £360 16s. 9d.—21st. The legacy of the late Mrs. W. B. C, £150. From St. Leonards-on-Sea, 2s. 6d. The donor writes:—

“Please accept this small gift, for the Orphans, from a Christian brought out from the Roman Catholic Church three years ago, and who has found her faith very much strengthened in reading lately the life of Mr. George Müller of Bristol.”

On the 22nd, we received a proportion of the residue of the legacy of the late G. J., Esq., £728 15s. 10d. This amount is part of an estate from which Mr. Müller received £14,713 between the years 1881 and 1897. It was supposed, long since, that all had been paid; now our God sends me this further large amount after eleven years, showing how exhaustless are His resources.

From “Artisan,” 5s. He writes:—

“You will be glad to learn of my recent decision to give proportionately to the Lord’s work, after consideration, and much influenced by the two incidents recorded in your last Report. I was much tried one week, for my youngest child lost a crown piece. However, I am glad I have been kept in the path of steadfastness.”

There are two points of importance in this working-man’s letter: (1) His calm purpose to give to the Lord proportionately out of his income. (2) His steadfastness, notwithstanding the loss of 5s. by his child.

The income for the week ending today is £5,616 6s. 3d. Admire, dear reader, the Lord’s great goodness, His tender lovingkindness to us His poor unworthy servants, who trust in Him, and look to Him alone to supply all the vast needs of this work. Infidelity may scoff, skepticism may sneer, but, by His help and grace, we will make our boast in God, the living God, and continue to “wait only upon Him.”

On the 24th, a donor writes from Clapham:—

“I have pleasure in enclosing a small gift toward the work of God, being 5s. from my sister, and 5s. from myself.

It seems but ‘one drop in a bucket,’ but as our Father’s word is that each of His children should give ‘as the Lord hath prospered him,’ I do not refrain from offering the little. I have just finished reading the life of Mr. Wright, which has inspired and interested me very much indeed.”

We received on the 25th, from Bootle, a letter in which the writer says:—

“I am reminded just now of the 103rd Psalm, 2nd. verse, ‘Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits.’ I have great pleasure in enclosing £20 16s., the savings of small sums during last year.”

On the 27th, the legacy of the late Captain F. D., £289 5s. 10d., was paid. From London, £41 10s. on account of an Orphan. Today I received a letter from an Orphan who left us this year:—

“Dear and honored Sir,

“I am writing to thank you for all the care and protection I had taken over me during fourteen years. I feel grateful to you, and also to my Heavenly Father, who put it in the heart of somebody to bring me there when I was three years old. I am also very thankful that I was brought to Christ when I was about six years old.

“With love,

“Your very grateful Orphan.”

There came on the 28th, from Plymouth, £5. The donor writes:—

“I thank you for kindly sending me a copy of Brief Narrative of Facts, of which it may be truly said that, from the beginning to the end, it is a faithful testimony to the faithfulness of our ever-living Father in Heaven, who is ever ready to refill the leaky soul with faith from day to day.”

We received on the 29th, from readers of. The Life of Faith, £22 10s. From Hove, £12, from a former Orphan, who writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Please accept the enclosed £12, my gift for the dear Orphans under your care. I want you to receive it on the anniversary of the death of dear Mr. Wright. I cannot tell you the pleasure it gives me year by year to increase my gift for the dear Orphans. Thank you for the last year’s Report. I always look forward to reading it.”

The memory of our bereavement of this day three years, when beloved Mr. Wright entered into the presence of the Lord, abides with us, and our sorrow is still keen: he has enjoyed three years of unbroken communion with Him. We here have proved the truth of Psalm 68:19-20 (k.v.), “Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, even the God who is our salvation. God is unto us a God of deliverances.” He has borne our burden; He has delivered us; and with hearts full of praise we bless Him for three years of mercies.

From Liverpool, we received £50 for Missions. This came as a great solace to us; we had been crying to God for help for His servants, and without delay this was sent to help ten of them.—30th. From Scotland £100, and £5 for myself. From readers of The Christian, £32 6s. 7d.

We received on February 3rd, from Cardiff, 10s., about which the donor writes:—

“My earnings fluctuated so, that often I was unable to hand my wife the necessary amount to keep house with. This was when the Lord had His portion if anything was left over. About five years ago my wife and I saw that the Lord would have us systematically give Him our first-fruits, and not our leavings. He gave us the needed grace to obey His Word. Now mark the results: though it meant a stepping out on faith, and apparent disaster, we have never missed since then the Lord’s portion, and within the last two years have been led to double the amount laid by, yet from that day, when the Lord came first, instead of last, my wife’s housekeeping money has never suffered, but (and for this we thank the Giver of all good) has substantially increased.”

This letter is worthy of perusal over again, dear reader.

There came on the 5th, on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. G. C. B., £2,000. See how the Lord now abounds in His gifts. From Norwich, £20, with £5 for myself.—7th. From C. W. G. and I. J. G., £100, with £25 for myself, “a thank-offering to the Lord for having answered prayer, and having given us a fine voyage.” From Chicago, a donor writes:—

“I have much pleasure in sending the enclosed $10 bill, also 50 cents for your booklet called The Peace of God Garrisoning the Heart, which has been a great blessing to me and many others in Chicago.”

We received on the 10th, anonymously, from Preston, in a registered envelope, £50, containing the words:—

“Enclosed please find note value £50 towards the support of your work. Thank the Lord for it, that is all.”

We add warm thanks to our kind friend, His steward. 11th. From Westfield, U.S.A., £1. The donor writes:—

“I am an old Orphan. I entered No. 1 on April 7th, 1858, and left February 4th, 1864. I was in England last summer, and visited No. 1. The Lord has dealt very gently and kindly with me. I am a local preacher and a class leader in the Methodist Church, and how much I owe to dear Mr. Müller I shall never know.”

The following letter, received today, from a Congregational minister in Wales, to whom I sent Mr. Müller’s Autobiography, will interest my readers:—

“Dear Sir,

“Ten thousand thanks for the Autobiography of the mortal immortal George Müller. Since I was very young I have been deeply interested in the stories about his life. I read till I was tired in body last night, but was refreshed in spirit. God bless you and your work. With sincere thanks, “I beg to remain.”

There was sent us on the 14th, from Bristol, £30 10s. 6d. for the Centenary fund for the circulation of the Autobiography of George Müller.—21st. From Stowmarket, £40 for Schools, Bibles, Tracts, and Missions. Received the legacy of the late Miss L. E. B., £619 18s. 9d.—28th. From Belfast, 10s. The donor writes:—

“In these days, when even professing Christians not only won’t commit themselves to the promises of God, but are trying to explain them away as not applicable to our present day, it is a matter of real thankfulness that your Institution stands out as a living epistle known and read of all men, that God is worthy to be trusted.”

Today I received the following letter from a minister in Wales, to whom I had sent a copy of the Autobiography of George Müller:—

“Dear Sir,

“I beg to acknowledge the receipt of the copy of Mr. Müller’s Autobiography, which you were kind enough to forward at my request. Really, there must be some very large-hearted and noble Christians in our midst who make these things possible. I trust that the perusal of this volume will be for the strengthening of my own faith, and that of many others to whom I may lend it, or to others who may be permitted to listen to some of the things which I find therein, and which I hope to declare unto them.”

On March 2nd, there was sent from Bristol, £25, with £5 for Miss Withy, and £5 for myself.—Today I received the following letter:—

“Dear Sir,

“I write on behalf of my brothers and relations to thank you, and all in connection with the Orphanage, for the care and kindness which my sister has received at your hands, and also for the excellent way in which she has been fitted out with every necessity. I think her equipment perfect, and trust that she may endeavour to show her gratitude by doing credit to the Institution, from which she has received so many benefits. May God bless your noble work is the prayer of the grateful friends of.

“Yours very respectfully.”

We received on the 3rd, from London, £18, with £2 for myself. From Westmorland, £17. From a member of a Bristol firm, a very large quantity of paints and oils required for the work in the Orphan Houses. This valuable gift has been sent for many years.

A Noteworthy Gift From Missionaries

On the 5th, I received £50 from Missionaries laboring amongst the heathen, who wish no mention made of their names, or the country in which they labor, but simply “Corban.” The sender writes:—

“My dear wife and myself send you £50. Please retain for yourself, and dear Dr. Bergin £10, the remaining £40 to be used for the dear Orphans. You may be astonished to see such a gift from a poor Missionary. Some years ago a certain sum was given to my wife. After our marriage, a certain amount was taken towards our going forth, and, before the Lord, we decided to let this £50 be untouched, except for travelling expenses to or from Europe, as we were wishing to be exactly what our brethren were thinking we were, that is, poor, but having a rich Father, who has been faithful, and we have had no want unprovided. Since our settling here, we were led to think over many important matters, and we were soon led to believe that the Lord would be pleased to secure this money for eternity; the eighth chapter of your Autobiography of George Müller gave us the finishing blow; it was then about four months ago, and now we are sending it off with great pleasure.

“One year after my conversion, by the simple reading of God’s Word, I was led to give the tenth of my earnings to the Lord (this came to pass just ten years ago). Two years later I was led to give the fourth of whatever I received. Since our marriage my dear wife has been of one mind with me, and so we continue, and we would never have another course of living; the Lord has been faithful, and He will ever be the same. Our expenses will be greater in the future; this leads us to ask more of Him, and in return we give Him more.”

The four points named by the Spirit of God in 2 Cor. 9:7, (a) “purpose of heart,” (b) “not grudgingly,” (c) “not of necessity,” (d) “a cheerful giver,” are so manifest in this letter, that I give it in extenso. One other most valuable element in this gift is the perfect oneness of mind in both husband and wife.

After the foregoing was written, the sorrowful tidings reached me that these beloved laborers for God were called from their earthly labors, by cholera, to be with the Lord. What a joy it must be to them now, that they used for eternity the money that was entrusted to them.

There came to us on the 6th, from Cotham, £10.—7th. From “Alastor,” India, £12, with £1 for Centenary fund, and £5 9s. for myself. The donor writes:—

“The £1 I should like you to spend in providing, free of all cost, copies of the Autobiography of Mr. Müller (the Centenary Edition) for whomsoever you think fit.”

See letters about the Autobiography on pages 342, 343, and 346.

The legacy of the late Mrs. A. F., £1,500 reached us. From Hollington, £24. From Glasgow, 1s. 1d. The donor writes:—

“I received your Report with joy and gladness. There is nothing better to read, apart from God’s Word. It humbles me much, and makes me rejoice. It is a living testimony against infidelity and unbelief. It is a light set on a hill. I am an old man. Nothing would give me more pleasure than seeing you and the Orphans.”

I was led through this letter to send him a copy of the Autobiography. Three days later he wrote:—

“You cannot imagine what joy and gladness I had this morning when I received the precious volume. It shows forth the greatness of the God with whom we have to do. It has scarcely been out of my hand today. You have gratified my desire in letting me see the Orphans.”

There came by the mail of the 7th, from Glenelg, Australia, £15, with the following letter:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Please find draft for £15. You will kindly take £5 for Orphans, £5 for the other objects, and £2 10s. each for yourself and your son Dr. Bergin. I am thankful that the Lord enabled you to get through another year—the year which the last Report deals with—and that you have again proved that ‘He is faithful who has promised.’ And I am sure He ever will be faithful. May our faith, trust, and confidence in Him become stronger and stronger. I have just finished reading the Autobiography of the late Mr. Müller with great profit. I wish all the children of God could read it. May God continue to bless your ‘work of faith and labor of love.’”

Ten years ago today, March 10th, beloved Mr. Müller fell asleep. These have been years in which, in a remarkable way, we have proved the truth of the words quoted below, “They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true,”

and we are thereby encouraged to trust Him during the eleventh year.

From C.-on-M., £100 was received. From Kidderminster, £20. From an evangelist and his wife in Scotland, £1 10s., and from their children, 10s. This donor, a servant of God trusting Him for daily supplies, writes:—

“It has pleased God to cause us to pass through trials since the dawn of 1908, but our prayer is that every trial may draw Him nearer, and cause us to trust Him more fully. May we have grace to sing like dear Miss Havergal:

‘Every joy or trial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love:

We may trust Him fully, all for us to do,

They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true.’”

There was received on the 16th, by sale of jewellery, and watches, etc., £58 0s. 9d. We get not a little help from this source.—17th. From readers of The Christian, £7 19s. 3d. From Wellington, N.Z., the following letter:—

“Herewith please find draft £20, which gives me very great pleasure to forward. It is many years since I adopted the principle of giving to the Lord’s work, and today it yields me intense satisfaction, and has been the avenue of great blessing to me. Thanks for the Report; the Lord has dealt strangely with you, and your trials have been trials indeed. So have the deliverances. Praise the dear Lord for His sustaining grace. Here in far-away New Zealand we prayed for you daily. It cheered my heart to read of so many of the old Orphans giving evidence of changed lives by their letters to you.”

In this daily prayer for us we have an answer to the question,—

“How? The weary ones had rest, the sad had joy that day!

I wondered how.

A ploughman singing at his work, had prayed,

Lord help them now.”

On the 18th, there came to us from Torquay, £30. From Spain, £10 8s. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Today is the anniversary of my dear mother’s home call, and I have pleasure in enclosing cheque for £10 8s., being 4s. per week for twelve months. This is the outcome of my mother’s teaching to lay aside a weekly sum for the Orphans at Ashley Down, from my boyhood, and the Lord has enabled me to increase the 2d. per week then laid aside to the amount now sent you. I think very often of your ‘work of faith and labor of love,’ out here in isolation, and without a fellow-believer nearer than fifty miles, with the exception of my own family. But you, with the eyes of the world upon you, and I out here in the back side of the desert, can both rejoice in the blessed sustaining power of our beloved Master. Paul’s confidence surely can be ours: ‘My God shall supply all your need? The Orphans and their support are His care, and you will not seek to carry the burden that only He can sustain, and the prayers of God’s people ascend unceasingly that Ashley Down may still be a beacon light in the path Zionward, stimulating the faith of thousands in our prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God.”

The mail of the 21st brought us from Dunedin, N.Z., £50 for Missions, with £100 for the Orphans. The donor writes:

“I daily ask God that He may be pleased to continue to make the Bristol Homes an object lesson to thousands of God’s dear children all over the earth, of what can be accomplished in this skeptical age through prayer and faith in God alone. Did all believers, who do not act on the principle of systematic giving, as God prospered them, know the blessedness of acting as stewards, their peace and joy in the Lord would increase more and more. Seldom a day passes that I fail to read a small portion of the Narratives of the Lord’s dealings with the Homes since the commencement, and next to the Scriptures I know of nothing more helpful to the faith of either young or advanced believers. I have decided to increase the percentage of my profits, which I devote to the Lord, from 25 percent to 33 percent.”

In the Report for 1902, Mr. Wright quoted from a letter from this donor and his partner, “For many years we have set aside 10 percent of our income for the Lord’s work; we have decided in future to set aside 15 percent, and feel convinced that this will prove to be the best investment we have ever made; the results we may not see here.”

In the Report for 1903, Mr. Wright quoted again, “As we told you last year, we were constrained to lay aside 15 percent of our profits for the Lord’s work, and the resolution from a worldly point of view has proved a good investment. We now propose to devote 20 percent of the profits to the Lord’s work. ‘The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,’ and why should we try to hoard up what is not ours?”

In the Report for 1905, I quoted words of these donors, “Two years ago we were led to give 20 percent of the profits of our business to the Lord’s work, and the poorest year followed since we have been setting aside the Lord’s portion. Satan often puts the question, ‘Does it pay?’ We give the answer back, ‘It does pay; God’s investments always do.’ And in thankfulness to our Heavenly Father for the wonderful way He has blessed us in all our ways, we have decided to return to Him now 25 percent of the profits He allows us to make in our business.”

In the Report for 1906 occurs the remark, “Although the past year has not been so successful from a financial point of view, still we are convinced that the resolve to apportion 25 percent of our income to His work has met with the approval of our Father in Heaven, and we never regret it.” Notice now, dear reader, the purpose to increase the Lord’s portion to 33 percent. How blessed is this growth in the love of giving! “God loveth a cheerful giver.”

We received on the 25th, from Liverpool, £2 2s. The donor writes:—

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“Thirty-four years ago today I was born again, through the Word of God, read and commented on by a fellow Orphan in the Class-room of No. 4, and today, as, by the grace of God, I am enabled to look back over those years, I can again testify to the presence and power of the living God, who has kept me until this hour. I have pleasure in enclosing two guineas towards the support of the Orphans now under your care. May many of them be bright testimonies, in years to come, to the saving grace of God whilst under your care.

“Yours sincerely in Christ.”

There came on the 28th, from Porthcawl, £102 15s. 8d. From Southport, £100. Truly we did not count on God in vain, as these two gifts make manifest.—30th. From Newport, I.W., £1, with 5s. for myself. The donor writes:

“I was much helped by the tract you sent me, The Peace of God Garrisoning the Heart. We now have prayers night and morning, and reading of the Word; we used only to have private prayer. It is a great help to keep the soul bright.”

We received on April 2nd, from Scotland, £100, with £5 for myself.—6th. From Stockholm, £25. The donor writes:—

“It is for the support of a little boy and a little girl, from me and my dear wife. I thank God that He has shown me the undeserved grace to be allowed and able to support His work in your hands, and do now understand that nobody can do so by himself unless God gives him grace to do it. It is quite true, as Mr. Müller states on page 625 of the Autobiography, that the Reports are not doing it. God must move the hearts, else you and all the dear Orphans would starve; thus it is a great grace of God to all who are allowed to support the Orphanage at Ashley Down.”

There came on the 13th, from “D. G.,” £5 5s. The donor writes:—

“Dear Sir,

“I sincerely hope such an Institution may never lack generous and constant gifts. I hope the glories of the place will eclipse all its past history, and publish abroad to all the world the power of prayer and faith, showing to all who choose to see, that there is a God who hears, and answers prayer.”

Good Friday Meeting For The Children

On the 17th, Good Friday, the Orphans, as has been the custom for many years, were taken to Bethesda Chapel, where a service was held for them, at which I gave an address. The day was beautifully fine, so many of the children were able to attend; the total number being 1351. The following unsolicited account of the procession, taken from the Bristol Times & Mirror, may be interesting to my readers, coming as it does from a writer in no way connected with the Institution.

“One of the pleasantest spectacles in Bristol on a fine Good Friday morning, is that of the children from Müller’s Orphanage being conducted through the streets to and from divine service. Two and two, boys and girls, they make an enormous ‘crocodile.’ The head will be, say, at the top of Stokes’ Croft, while the tail is twisting itself somewhere in crooked North Street.

“Some marshalling skill is required on the part of the staff to get the children safely home again. And it is something to their credit that we never hear of an accident. They must feel thankful every time. The public, of course, are considerate, even cyclists and motorists. The police are always ready to lend a hand at the crossways, and one might have seen yesterday morning a huge overcoated policeman standing in the middle of a road, assisting the comparative midgets of boys and girls to dodge bicycles, motor cars, and ordinary vehicles.

“For a second or two part of the procession would halt on one pavement; then, holding hands in pairs the component parts would race for the opposite pavement, thoroughly enjoying the little excitement. And people frequently stood to watch the children go by. The quaint black and white shawls and bonnets of the girls—even the tiniest of tots wear them—and the short blue jackets and corduroys of the boys, are matters for comment and criticism. But there can be only one opinion as to the hygienic condition of the wearers. It is faultless. The round, ruddy, happy faces tell their own story of the careful treatment received in those great homes on Ashley Down, which are known throughout Christendom.

“Then it is clear, too, that, though taught to behave well, the children are not ‘kept down.’ They are allowed to be children. If a dog behind a garden door barks as they pass, the boys will slyly give that door a thump with their fists, and delight in the dog’s increased annoyance. The girls chatter ceaselessly. The hum of childish voices, and the shuffle of little feet is the ‘crocodile’s’ music, and often reaches the ear before the spectacle is presented to the eye.”

There was sent us on the 18th, from the Board of Governors of the “Thomas Porter Equipment Fund,” £150, for the outfits of Orphans leaving the Institution.—21st. From “Mother,” £21.—25th. From Surbiton Hill, £50.—28th. From H. C. B., £25.

This day ten years, through God’s mercy, I was allowed to engage in this work, and it is a joy to me to be able to bear witness that the words of our risen Lord, “ Lo I am with yon all the days,” have been blessedly fulfilled. During the six years and nine months while beloved Mr. Wright was here, this was the case; and during the three years and three months of bereavement, since he fell asleep, we have happily realized their fulfillment. In our times of abundance and in our times of need, our Lord has been with us, and perhaps more consciously so in the latter.

Two Remarkable Answers To Prayer

We received on May 5th, from the Trustees of the late “G. S. Gibson’s Charity for Orphanages,” £105.—6th. From Leominster, £24 2s. 4d.—7th. Yesterday at our prayer meeting we specially appealed to the Lord for large donations. One of our brethren very earnestly entreated the Lord that He would that very day move some donor to send us a large sum. By the first delivery this morning I received a letter containing a cheque for £500, for the Orphans. Our joy at receiving so speedily, an answer to our prayer, and our gratitude to this kind donor, were indeed great. At the same prayer meeting another of our brethren had very earnestly entreated the Lord to send help for Missionary laborers. In the afternoon a friend called, and left a letter for me at the Lodge, declining to give any name. On opening it I found it contained bank notes for £100, from an unknown donor, who writes:—

“The Lord has led me to give the amount enclosed, £100, to be used for the Mission work in Central Africa.”

Note, dear reader, the Lord’s lovingkindness to us in answering this prayer, and that so speedily. We are very grateful to the kind donor who gave this £100, and have deep joy in utilizing it as desired.

On the 8th, we received, on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. E. C, £2,500, with interest on this amount, since the expiry of a year from the lady’s death, amounting to £57 5s. 2d. The Lord is now abundantly supplying all our needs. Dear reader, He is worthy of our full confidence, yours and mine, for small needs or large:—

“Oh! make but trial of His love,

Experience will decide

How blest are they, and only they,

Who in His truth confide.”

Tate and Brady, 1652

There came on the 21st, from Torquay, £35, with £2 10s. for Dr. Bergin, and £2 10s. for myself. From Crediton, £5 5s. The donor writes:—

“The Lord has seen fit to place me in a difficulty, but the latter part of Proverbs 28:26, ‘Whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered,’ has come as a message to me. Thus I have great joy in sending the enclosed.” This donor finds the Lord’s dealings with her in a difficulty to be the occasion for sending me this gift.

We received on the 25th from Bristol, from a widow lady, 133 lbs. of meat. Every week for some years this kind donor has helped us in like manner.—26th. From Sunday-school children in Tunis, 10s. 3d. to send the Gospel to the heathen. How touching is this gift, coming from such a source!

Review Of The Year’s Trials And Deliverances

When the financial year opened we were in a position somewhat like unto Israel, of whom it was said, in Exodus 14:3: “They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” This was their position when “Pharaoh and his horsemen, and his army, overtook them encamping by the sea,” and the command of the Lord to Moses was, “Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.” Our position was well described in the lines of the late Mrs. Lucy Guinness Kumm:—

“So do we stand as ancient Israel stood,

The sea before us and the foe behind;

Forced to advance into the ‘whelming flood,

Trusting the Unseen Hand the waves to bind;

Led through the darkness by His staff and rod,

A cloud before us, and within it—GOD.”

And so we found it, God, the living God, our faithful Friend, our only Patron, has been with us all the way, keeping our hearts in peace during prolonged trials, deep and sore, and then stretching forth His hand to deliver us.

For nearly eight months of this period we were in great poverty, and sore trial of faith: then the delivering hand of our God was put forth on our behalf, and during the last four months He has supplied us so bountifully that the income for the Orphans has been larger this year than any previous year during the history of this work, except that for 1900.

Throughout the year the Lord has supplied us with helpers in the work in various departments as the needs have arisen, though often after not a little waiting. In January occurred the home-call of our beloved fellow-helper, Mr. Henry Welchman, after a brief eight days’ illness. He entered this work thirty-five years ago, and all through that time enjoyed the full confidence of Mr. Müller, Mr. Wright, and myself. The loss occasioned by his removal can only be estimated by those who knew him well; his wise counsel I sorely miss.

Regarding the free circulation of the Autobiography of George Müller, it has been a great joy to me that I have been enabled to send out to Ministers of the Word, Missionaries, and other workers, and to Young Women’s Christian Associations in London, 958 copies, since its publication in 1905. The letters I received from those to whom I sent it, make me desire intensely to scatter it widely in these days of unbelief as to God Himself, and as to His inspired Word.

Thus closes a year crowned by the Lord with His loving-kindness. The words of the Psalmist in Psalm 66:10-12,—

“For Thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried, Thou broughtest us into the net; Thou laidst affliction upon our loins. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads: We went through fire and through water; But Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place,”— have been fulfilled in our experience. He has “proved” us: He has “tried” us: He “brought us into the net.” Note “the net” that is the net of His own providing, to teach us lessons we could not have learned otherwise. He “laid affliction upon our loins:” He “caused men to ride over us:” “we went through fire and through water.” “He brought us out into a wealthy place.”

Well do I remember hearing beloved Mr. Müller expound this Psalm, over thirty years ago. Speaking on the words, “Thou broughtest us into the net” he said, “Beloved brethren, let us take heed that we do not cut the meshes of the net—if we do so, we shall not know the joy of the Lord bringing us out of it.” When sore affliction was upon us, we did not seek to deliver ourselves, but by His grace we “waited only upon God” and He has delivered us. When He “caused men to ride over us” we again “waited only upon God” and did not take the matter into our own hands, and He kept us in peace.

Our hearts overflow with praise as we tell out that the total income which the Lord sent us this year, was Thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and one pounds, eighteen shillings, and seven pence three farthings.

We closed the year with a balance in hand of £4,762 17s. 9d. for the Orphans.

It will doubtless interest the reader to know that during the ten years since Mr. Müller’s death, the Lord, in the riches of His grace, sent us in for the Orphan Fund, £259,755 11s. 0d.

Well then may we obey the voice of the Psalmist in Psalm 105:1-3, when he says, “0 give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works: glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”

Yes, we will “tell of all His wondrous works,” we will “glory in His holy name.”

Praise ye Jehovah! Praise the Lord most holy!

Who cheers the contrite, girds with strength the weak;

Praise Him, who will with glory crown the lowly,

And with salvation beautify the meek.

Praise ye Jehovah, source of every blessing!

Before His gifts earth’s richest boons are dim;

Resting in Him, His peace and joy possessing,

All things are ours, for we have all in Him.

Praise ye the Father! God the Lord who gave us,

With full and perfect love, His only Son.

Praise ye the Son, who died Himself to save us!

Praise ye the Spirit! Praise our God alone!

Lady Campbell

9 These remarks are reproduced on page 9 of this book

Chapter XI

“I will make mention of the lovingkindness of Jehovah, and the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed upon us”—Isa. 68:7.

For He, as yesterday, today, for ever,

The same abides, no change our God can know;

Nor powers of death, nor hell prevail to sever

The tie that binds to Him His church below.

John Withy, 1865

Concluding Details— Income For All Departments Of The Work

During the ten years since Mr. Müller’s death, the Lord in His lovingkindness sent us, three hundred and seven thousand, two hundred and eighty-one pounds, two shillings, and five pence three farthings. Thus making the income from the beginning of the work in 1834 and 1836, to reach the total of, one million, six hundred and seventy-eight thousand, one hundred and two pounds, ten shillings, and eight pence halfpenny.

In order to grasp the full value of these facts, the reader must bear in mind that all this money has been obtained without any kind of appeal whatsoever, public or private, to human ears, without bazaars, or any unscriptural ways, simply and only by believing prayer to our God. This condition of working the Institution in all its branches has been maintained uniformly, and continuously all through Mr. Müller’s long life of service here for sixty-two years, and during the ten years that have passed since then, by Mr. Wright, and myself up to now.

Sanitary And Structural Alterations

In the Report for 1907 I mentioned the need of effecting structural and sanitary alterations. Various sums were sent in for this purpose, but not sufficient in amount to enable me to proceed. We waited on the Lord month after month until, through His bounty in January last, I felt free to begin, and have completed very important alterations at New Orphan House No. 1, which will tend in many ways, with the blessing of God, to the better health of our children.

Our need is still great for the further carrying on of similar improvements in the four other Houses. In addition to this there is great need for more Class-room accommodation. Also our Infirmaries need enlargement, to enable us to cope effectually with epidemics, and to provide more open-air accommodation for children suffering from consumption. For this, suitable, airy rooms could easily be added to our present Infirmaries. These, with the Sanitary alterations, would require thousands of pounds. For all this additional expense we “wait only upon God,” and our “expectation is from Him.”

Number Of Orphans Received, And Sent Out

During this same period we were allowed of God the special favor from Himself of welcoming to this Home two thousand, six hundred, and eighty-six children. When we remember the destitution some were in, the sad circumstances others were rescued from, and the happy results that have followed their reception, we can but gratefully praise the Lord for His mercy to them, and to us.

Throughout this same period two thousand, four hundred, and twenty-two children, left us, a large proportion having completed their time with us; some were returned to their relatives or friends, and some died.

Much could be written of “widows’ hearts caused to sing for joy,” as we sheltered their children, who in many cases were all but starving, but the record of it all is written by Him who is “a Father of the fatherless, and a Judge of the widows.”

Spiritual Results.

Of the number who left us we had evidence that one thousand, six hundred and sixty-eight had been the subjects of a gracious work of the Holy Spirit, and we believe had passed from death to life. Concerning the reality of this spiritual change many have since given us abundant evidence. Some departed “to be with Christ” while with us; others after they had left us; concerning one I relate the following.

Happy Death Of An Orphan Girl.

Georgina Snell, aged 17, who had been with us 14 years, fell asleep after several months’ illness, on November 5th, 1907. During the early part of her illness she manifested a very hardened spirit, taking no interest in spiritual things, but grace wrought mightily in her; she was convicted of sin, and led to put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of her soul. A marked change at once took place—her conduct, words, and even her face showing the depth and reality of her new-found joy. To those to whom she had done any wrong, she gladly acknowledged her faults.

She delighted in getting her companions up into her room, to tell them what God had done for her, and to exhort them to put their trust in Christ, and her testimony was made a blessing to some, (see one instance mentioned on page 319). It was always a spiritual help to any of the workers to go in and have a chat with her, and to see how full she was of the Lord, and His love. Over and over again, she said: “My last days are my best days.”

She bore most patiently her much suffering and weakness. Often at night she used to say: “I wonder if Jesus is coming tonight, I am quite ready to go.” Again and again when her doctor came to see her she would look up and say: “Not gone yet, Doctor, still waiting for Him.” On her last morning on earth she had a little service round her bed, asking that “Safe in the arms of Jesus” might be sung. Almost her last words were: “I am so comfortable; I am sure Jesus is coming soon, I feel Him so near.”

Our Care For Orphans Who Have Left Us

The girls whom we send out to service, at seventeen years of age, are under our care for twelve months after they leave. This calls for much prayer, and involves at times much correspondence, and occasional journeys to London, and other places on the part of our Matrons, to enquire into the cause of troubles that arise, and to seek to adjust difficulties, which are often happily settled; while at other times a further journey to deliver the girl up to her relatives becomes necessary.

The boys, whom we apprentice at fourteen years of age, are under our care during the period of their apprenticeship, which in most cases is five years; in other instances four years. Much prayer ascends on their behalf, and many journeys of shorter or longer distances are taken by one of our helpers, and much correspondence goes on with the boys, their masters and relatives. Seeing that we send out as apprentices, on an average, sixty boys each year, this part of our work involves a fatherly oversight of between two and three hundred lads in their early teens, the most critical part of their life.

Training Pupil Teachers.

In 1873 Mr. Müller began to train as Pupil Teachers, boys and girls who showed signs of a work of grace in their hearts, and gave evidence of fitness to be School Teachers. All our School Masters in the Senior Boys’ Schools, eight in number, were trained in this way; and of our Girls’ School Teachers, fourteen were trained by us. All these are doing good work for the Institution. Not all those who begin this training complete it, but we have abundant cause to praise our God for the rich measure of blessing that has rested on this branch of the work.

Training Girls To Be Nurses.

In 1904 a new departure was made. When Mr. Wright secured the services of my daughter to superintend the five Infirmaries, she started training girls, who seemed suitable, and who desired to be trained, as Nurses. This movement is only in its infancy. Yet we are hopeful of good results; already eight girls have entered on this training, two of them, after having been in our Infirmaries over two years, went for further training to a Hospital.

Reception Of Orphans Into This Home

In order to be eligible for reception, children must fulfill the following conditions,

1. Born in wedlock.

2. Bereft of one parent.

Children bereft of both parents have always the prior claim, and we never refuse such if destitute, and otherwise suitable.

3. Boys up to seven, and girls up to thirteen years of age are eligible.

4. They must be in needy circumstances. If friends could pay for their maintenance they are not eligible, not being destitute. Here I repeat what Mr. Müller delighted to emphasize. The Orphan Houses on Ashley Down, Bristol, are not our Orphan Houses, nor the Orphan Houses of any party or sect; they are God’s Orphan Houses, and the Orphan Houses for any and every destitute Orphan, provided, of course, there be room in them.

5. There is no voting for candidates: no nomination; no interest of any kind is necessary for admission. The more destitute they are, and the more devoid of any friends whatsoever, the more we are delighted to welcome them.

6. Without favor, or partiality, or sectarian bias, applications for the admission of Orphans are dealt with in the order in which they are received.

Missionary Work

During these ten years we were granted by our God the joyful privilege of aiding nearly two hundred Missionaries, laboring in direct Gospel work at home and abroad. These are not the Missionaries of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, but rather servants of God who labor for Him, and look alone to Him for the supply of their needs. Their fields of labor are in the British Isles, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, West India Islands, and Australia.

From letters I received from some of these beloved laborers, it is evident that, notwithstanding all the modern assaults made on the truth of God, or the new gospels now proclaimed, we may gladly join the Apostle Paul in his grand utterance to the Church at Rome: “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” The lines of Dr. Isaac Watts, written two hundred years ago, beautifully describe my convictions today on this subject;—

“Questions and doubts, be heard no more;

Let Christ and joy be all our theme;

His Spirit seals His gospel sure

To every soul that trusts in Him.

“The guilty wretch that trusts Thy blood,

Finds peace and pardon at the cross;

The sinful soul averse to God,

Believes and loves his Maker’s laws.

“Learning and wit may cease their strife,

When miracles with glory shine;

The voice that calls the dead to life

Must be almighty, and divine.”

Details About The Schools At Home And Abroad

During these ten years we have been allowed of God to maintain entirely, and in some cases to help, Day Schools, and Sunday Schools conducted on scriptural principles—that is, where only believers are employed to teach, and the Word of God alone is the text book on religious matters.

The English Schools which we maintain are at Exeter, and at Galmpton in Devonshire, and Purton in Gloucestershire. The last is an important work for God; for in addition to School work, and Gospel meetings held on Sunday, it is the training place for our pupil teachers from the Orphan Houses, and from there they enter for the Government examinations.

Re-Building Of Purton Schoolroom

In connection with these Schools the following facts afford a beautiful instance of the Lord working for those who wait for Him. In 1870 Mr. Müller finished all building operations, and since then no prayer had gone up for money for building in connection with this work. Twenty-seven years later a new need arose, and the same method, which Mr. Wright terms below, “our unfailing resource in every difficulty,” was resorted to, with the following blessed result.

Under date of March 23rd, 1898, Mr. Wright wrote: “One of the Day Schools supported by the Scriptural Knowledge Institution has been carried on in the village of Purton for many years; H.M. School Inspector, while making from year to year very favorable reports of the condition, working, and results of the School, felt it necessary to inform the Education Department that the building did not conform to the requirements of the Government Cod^. In consequence, we received, rather more than a year ago, official intimation that, unless the building was reconstructed, the School could no longer be certified as an ‘Efficient Elementary School.’

“The closing of our School would necessitate the erection of new school premises by the local ratepayers, and would deprive the children of the spiritual advantage of a distinctly Evangelical education. Moreover, as Gospel preaching has been regularly carried on in the schoolroom every Lord’s-day for years, we felt that to allow this centre of Gospel light to be removed, involved a very grave responsibility. On the other hand, the building of Schoolrooms is not an object contemplated in connection with the School Fund of this Institution, so we had no means in hand applicable for the purpose.

“Under these circumstances we resorted to what the Lord has taught us is our unfailing resource in every difficulty, viz., faith in and prayer to the living God. We asked that He would show us His will in the matter; and, if this was that we should undertake the rebuilding of Purton Schoolroom, He would be pleased to cause monies to come in for this special object. At first very little came in. From May 31st, 1897, up to the end of January, 1898, only £4 in all had been received! Still, this small amount was a token for good, and we continued to call upon God. At last, upon the 4th of February, we received a donation of £50 for this object; and, the same day, £2 10s. more; the very next day, Feb. 5th, £25 more came in. The sum in hand on March 8th amounted to £90 5s. Up to this time we did not consider the will of the Lord was sufficiently manifested to make any move. We, however, had not much longer to wait, for on March 23rd there came £450 from Bristol, which led us to the conclusion that we should go forward; so architect’s plans and specifications were prepared, and submitted to the Education Department, and were duly approved.”

Under date of Oct. 14th, 1898, he wrote: “Through the good hand of our God upon us, temporary premises were found in which the School could be carried on while the old building was being taken down, and the new one constructed. The beautiful weather which was granted during August and September favored the rapid execution of the work, and on October 10th the School re-opened in the new premises, which fully satisfy the Education authorities, and conduce greatly to the comfort of teachers and children, and facilitate very much the work of instruction.

“With joy I record, to the praise of our ever-faithful prayer-hearing God, that the whole expense, amounting to nearly £800, has been fully met; not only the cost of the new building for the mixed school, and new furniture for the same throughout, but also the sum required for extensive repairs and improvements to the Infant Schoolroom.”

It is a delight to me to record this fresh proof of the truth that God is to be trusted under all circumstances.

The picture opposite gives this schoolroom and its present occupants.

Schools In Italy

The Schools in the north of Italy are being much owned of God, and are greatly valued by the inhabitants of the places in which they are carried on.

I am glad to be able to insert a picture of Italian boys (opposite page 271), and one of Italian girls (opposite page 322), of the Schools at Rivalta Bormida, North Italy.

Besides this school work, we have been allowed of God to bear the entire cost of the training of a number of young Christians as pupil teachers, so as to enable them to qualify themselves under the Italian Government as School Teachers.

Upon these two branches of the work—Missions and Schools—we have been enabled to expend £33,298 4s. 6d.

Mr. Arnot’s Connection With The Work

When Mr. Wright was taken home, I waited much on God as to whom He had chosen and fitted to be associated with me in the Directorate of the work; and many friends joined me in this prayer.

After seven weeks’ prayer and deep exercise of heart, I wrote to Mr. F. S. Arnot, who was then in Central Africa, inviting him to join me. His wife and children were then in Bristol. When he got my letter he conferred with his fellow-workers in Africa, and together they were of one mind that the matter was of such grave importance, he ought to return to Bristol, and face the question on the spot, free from the bias the claims of Africa might involve. This he did, and joined me here in August. We wrought together most happily till April the following year, when he wrote me the following letter:—

“50, Clarendon Road,

“Redland, Bristol,

“25th April, 1906.

“Dear Mr. Bergin,

“After over eight happy months’ service with you at Ashley Down, I have frankly to acknowledge that my lack of business training unfits me for the grave responsibilities of Director of the New Orphan Houses. You will forgive me thus withdrawing at the point mentioned in your letter of March 25th, 1905, in which you say:—

“‘After a time sufficient, if we both are so minded, we would confer with the Trustees as to your being publicly associated with me in the Directorate, and succeeding me should you outlive me.’

“Your recent illness compelled me to face the matter more seriously, and hastened me to this conclusion. The fact, too, that when your son came up at that time to help, he showed himself so conversant with each branch of the work, and so capable; and knowing that he is willing to stand by you is a great relief to my mind, as I would have felt leaving you alone.

“I can only add that for all spiritual work, and missionary matters within my reach, I am entirely at your service, and I hope you will still look upon me as your colleague, and helper by prayer in a work that draws out my deepest affection, and admiration for all the love and wisdom shown in the care of the Orphans in each department, and in every way.

“Believe me, dear Mr. Bergin,

“Ever yours sincerely and affectionately, (Signed) “F. S. Arnot.”

This decision of his was an unexpected, and deep sorrow to me. I am thankful for the eight months’ happy service we had together; very thankful to him for his loving response to my invitation, and journey home to test the matter. We together bless and praise our God that not a cloud was allowed to arise between us, and that our love for one another increased.

In November of that year he returned to Africa, and spent fourteen months in visiting the Stations that are dotted over that continent, from Bihe to Lake Mweru. Then he had a serious illness, which nearly cost him his life. He returned with the deeper longing to spend his life there, but with the settled conviction that he could not reside in tropical Africa during the rainy season. He published an interesting account of this tour, profusely illustrated with photographs taken during his travels, which may be had at 78, Park Street, Bristol.

On the 30th July, 1908, he left England with his wife and family for Johannesburg, where he is now residing. In that very needy place he and his wife are doing a blessed work among the natives, and he hopes to pay extended visits into Central Africa.

Distribution Of The Word Of God

It has been our great joy to circulate 133,119 Bibles, and Testaments, and 29,545 portions of Holy Writ, and further to supply Bibles, and Testaments at half-price to a number of Schools, Sunday Schools, Bible Classes, and Mission Halls, also to aid colporteurs and conductors of Bible carriages by supplying them with Bibles, Testaments, etc., at greatly reduced prices. This branch of the work is a rich source of joy to us, as we believe “the sword of the Spirit” is its own best defense against the assaults of our great adversary the Devil, and all whom he employs to disparage it.

Well does David M. McIntyre write: “The Scriptures are alive because the Spirit of God lives in them. The Holy Spirit, who is the Divine Author of Scripture, is God; the Bible, therefore, is the utterance of a changeless mind.”

Scriptural Literature

Both from our Bible Depot in Park Street, and from Ashley Down, large numbers of books and tracts have gone forth, calculated, with the blessing of God upon the reading of them, to help believers onward in their walk with God, and to warn the unsaved, and lead them to Christ.

In the distribution of these tracts, many servants of Christ in British Isles, and on the Continent of Europe, and in several other countries, have labored. Not a few testimonies have reached me of the Lord having graciously used these silent messengers as His means of leading souls “out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

There has been expended on these two branches of the work, £14,426 1s. 7d.

“To God the Father, God the Son,

And God the Spirit, three in one,

Be honor, praise, and glory given,

By all on earth, and all in heaven.”

Dr. Watts

“For of Him, and through Him, and unto Him, are all things. To Him be the glory for ever. Amen” (Rom. 11:36).

The New Birth And Everlasting Life

As this book is written with a view to the spiritual benefit of the reader, and as it is possible that there may be some who will read it who have not any personal experience of spiritual life, but who, on reading of the blessedness that others realize, desire that they might have the same joy, peace, and satisfaction, I add a few words indicating the scriptural plan of salvation.

First let me say, that it can be of no benefit to any reader to know what is Mr. Müller’s or my own opinion, or the opinion of any sect or party. Man’s opinion, whoever the man may be, counts for nothing; but it is of tremendous consequence that we should know God’s view of this matter, seeing He controls our whole destiny.

It may be asked, “Has God made clearly known His views? If so, where?” Yes, emphatically He has in His Word. The Bible claims to be the authoritative and final declaration of God’s mind on these matters. He “hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.” His revelation is styled “living oracles” (Acts 7:38); again, it is said, “the Word of the Lord abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:25). In Acts 17:11, we read that the Bereans were more noble than those of Thessalonica, “in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.”

Now if the reader is ready to admit that God has declared His mind on the subject in the Bible, he will be desirous of ascertaining accurately what God lays down as the conditions upon which His salvation will be given. The one hindrance that keeps men from God is sin. God is a holy God, and cannot tolerate sin in His presence. “There shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean.” Now, if He is to forgive sin, it must be on righteous grounds. He could by a word bring the world into existence, but He could not forgive a sinner by the same exercise of power; so in His marvelous grace He sent from His bosom His beloved Son to become a man, in order that He might die for the purpose of bearing “our sins in His own body on the tree “ (1 Peter 2:24). Now, an adequate atonement having thus been made, He is able to offer through Him salvation to “whosoever will.”

But a student of the Bible is at once confronted with many texts that clearly show that a radical change of heart is necessary. In Luke 13:5 it says, “Except ye repent, ye shall all perish.” In John 3:7 it says, “Ye must be born again.” In Matt. 18:3 it says, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” So we see that a fundamental heart change is necessary. How, then, is this change brought about? We are told frequently in the Bible, that if a man repents, that is, abandons his former ground of confidence, and relies by a definite act of obedient trust on Christ and on His finished atonement, this wonderful change (the new birth) will be produced, giving him—(1) Forgiveness and justification from sin. (2) Eternal life. (3) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which will enable him to live a new life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”

To make it clearer, we might ask, “Who has everlasting life?” “He that believeth on (or trusteth in) the Son hath everlasting life,” and no one else. “But how does he get everlasting life?” By believing on the Son. “When does everlasting life become his?” When he believes; for the word “hath” shows that it is a present possession. You ask, “How do you know you have everlasting life?” The answer is, not by some peculiar emotion, or by a vision, or by an act of imagination, but simply by believing that what God says is really true. He says, “He that believeth hath everlasting life” and since I do believe, therefore I know, on the authority of the God that cannot lie, that I have everlasting life, and with it all the other blessings already mentioned, which Christ died to procure for us.

If my reader will now lay aside this book, and kneel down, and tell God that he abandons all his former ground of confidence, that he sincerely accepts Christ as his Saviour and Lord, and desires to trust only in Him, that moment will these eternal blessings be his. May God give grace to take this step.

“Amazing words!—He ‘gave Himself for me,’

For me—rebellious, sinful, guilty me.

For me the Saviour bore the cross and shame,

Rejoice, my soul, and bless His sacred name.

For me He left His glorious throne above,

For me revealed His Father’s wondrous love,

For me He tabernacled here below,

For me He drank the bitter cup of woe.

For me He was reviled, despised, betrayed,

For me was scourged, condemned and crucified,

For me He suffered on the accursed tree,

For me—lost, wretched, vile, unworthy me.

For me in agony He groaned and died,

For me God’s righteous law He satisfied,

For me complete atonement He has made,

For me He rose triumphant from the grave.”