George Muller is still widely known more than a century after his death for the orphanages founded by him and his unique trust in the provision of God. In his youth, however, he was wild and unscrupulous. His life is therefore also a testimony of the transforming power of the Gospel. As a youth he plunged deeply sinful habits, stealing from his own father and ministers at times. There were short times when he attempted to reform himself but to no avail. He was sent to the university of Halle to study Divinity, but even there he spent his father’s money in questionable pursuits among dissipated friends. A change came in Mueller’s life upon attending a religious house meeting with one of his university friends. He stated that it was as if he had found what his soul had been yearning for all the time! That evening Mueller believes God started a work of grace in his heart and although he struggle with certain sins for a while, he continued to grow in the Lord. He began to feel a call to mission work, but his father greatly opposed such a notion. George had to get his own money for studies as he no longer felt to receive from his father, and he was able to earn his needs by means of teaching German to American College professors who remunerated him well. He also started preaching but did not see much fruit at this stage. The truly saved students increased in number from 6 to 20 gathering for prayer and the study of the Word. When 24 years of age, Mueller escaped being drafted into the Prussian army and instead went to England in 1829 although hardly able to speak a word in English! It was soon after reaching England that he had a deeper spiritual experience with a deep realization that all his sins were indeed cleansed experiencing deep peace at last fully surrendering himself to God, laying all his prospects upon the altar. His love for the Word of God was intensified and continued thus until his death. Time does not allow us to include the places he ministered in both in London and Devonshire except to add that he married Mary Groves from Devonshire who was the perfect helpmeet for him in every way. A key point was that they both felt to trust the Lord alone for their finances and not to take payment for pews- a habit of the churches in those days. His preached extensively not only where he was stationed but, in the surrounds, and just before his death his congregation in Bethesda Chapel had 2000 members. When 70 years of age, Muller began to tour as an evangelist preaching in many lands. It is estimated that he travelled 200,000 miles and that his meetings often had about 4500-5000 who attended. This continued until he was close to 90 years, and it is thought he spoke to about 3million people in total.
The Bristol orphanages, erected and maintained by faith, are a testimony of his unique faith and trust in God to supply not only his own needs but those of others! For 60 years the children never lacked a meal even though God sometimes provided in the nick of time! Mueller’s life and writings challenge us to lean more heavily on God and to realize that nothing is impossible for Him to do whether it be the transformation of a reprobate life or the next meal!