Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with George Muller. Part VI - George Mueller

PREFACE

TO THE

FIRST EDITION OF THE SIXTH PART

THE introduction to the third volume of this Narrative, gives also in part the reason for publishing this fourth volume. Besides what has been stated there, I have to add, that, during the last ten years and nine months, my life and service have been completely different from what they were before, having travelled in 23 countries in Europe, America, Africa, and Asia, on preaching tours, of which a brief account is given in the last chapter of this volume.

I refer also again minutely, in writing about myself in the last chapter, to the blessed results of systematic giving, as the Lord may prosper us, as exemplified in my own experience.

The author has now entered upon his eighty-first year, and greatly desired to show in his advanced age, that he is acting on the same principles as he did 56 years ago, trusting in God alone for everything, and is more and more assured of the blessedness of these principles, and desires that the reader if he does not act on them, may know their blessedness for himself.

Lastly, the author suggests, that this book should not be read like a common narrative, but only a few pages at a time; that that which is read should be pondered over, and that the whole book should habitually be read with self application.

GEORGE MULLER,

January 1, 1886.

New Orphan Houses, Ashley Down, Bristol.

(Permanent Address.)

A

NARRATIVE,

&c. &c.

SIXTH PART.

Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary— and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from March 5, 1874, to May 26, 1885. Practical remarks, Letters from Donors, &c.

In the third volume of this Narrative, the account regarding the income for the first four Objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad was carried on up to March 5th, 1874, as that date finishes its history, in this particular, for the first forty years of its existence; and we now go on with the narrative in what follows.

March 7, 1874. From Ireland, for Missions, £150.

April 1. £100. from a shipowner, instead of insuring his vessels.— £100. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—From Wales £100., with £36. for the support of the Orphans, being the receipt on New Year’s Day in a house of business, carried on on the ready money system.

May 4. From “Needy,” £6. 4s. ld. This donor gives month by month similar amounts, as God prospers him. About eight years ago he sent a few shillings, I think 4 or 5, but continued to send, under the name of “Needy,” these small amounts. After some time they were somewhat enlarged, and after a year or two they became much larger. Now he sends about £60. a year, in monthly instalments, always varying; no doubt as God prospers him.—May 6. £100. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—May 9. £33. with the following letter: “My Dear Sir, Please to accept the enclosed cheque for £33. as from the Lord. I had a very handsome bracelet, and years ago I made up my mind, that, if a certain person died, I would sell it, and send the money to you. Pray make what use of it you please, keeping £5. for yourself. I always read your Reports every year, and my faith gets greatly strengthened, and I generally give several away. Sometimes I used to fear that I should never be able to sell my beautiful bracelet and send you the money. Being almost poor, compared with what I once was, to have sent you the money, was entirely out of my power. However, now when I am upwards of seventy years of age, my Heavenly Father has answered my prayer. That the Lord may greatly bless you, is the fervent prayer of your sincere sister in the Lord * * * *.” I have given this letter as another instance of the remarkable way in which it pleases the Lord to supply us with means, but all comes in answer to prayer; we only speak to Him about our need. And this we have continually to do. Whilst I am writing this for the press, we have scarcely anything left for these first four Objects of the Institution, as the income has been exceedingly little for many days, and the outgoings have been exceedingly large. But I hope in God, and doubt not, that long ere this is out of the press, and before the eye of the public, He will again send in the means more bountifully, which He now, for the trial of our faith, for a while is pleased to withhold from us.—May 13. The following letter, containing ten shillings, is from one of the Orphans now in service, who has been long a believer, and who left our care more than twenty years since: “Dear Mr. Muller, Please to accept the enclosed trifle, towards the support of the great work you have in hand. The sum is very small, but it is given in the earnest desire to lay up treasure in heaven, and also to discharge the duty I think is laid upon every one, to help forward the work of. God, in spreading the gospel all over the world. Take my mite for the purpose which requires it most, and may it bring down a blessing, both to the receiver and to the giver. With the hope that you are well and strong in the Lord, I am, your unworthy Orphan, * * * *.”—May 18. From Worcestershire £90. for Missions, with £10. for myself.—May 21. £100. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—May 23. From Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, £8. 10s. in eight donations.—From the neighbourhood of Bridgend £9. 6s. from donors who give as the Lord prospers them.—May 26. £980. 9s. 7d. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.

Supplies for the School—, Bible,— Missionary— and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1874, to May 26, 1875. Letters from Donors, Practical remarks, &c.

At the commencement of the last period, from May 26, 1874 to May 26, 1875, the balance in hand, for these Objects of the Institution, was £167. 1s. 3½d. We were thankful to have even this small balance in hand, though it was very little indeed, considering that during the previous year the expenses for these Objects alone had amounted to £16518. 5s. 5d. Yet, little as the balance was, we were not in debt, and looked out now for help to our infinitely rich Treasurer, the Living God, and were not confounded. Again and again, when either all, or almost all was gone, for these Objects, He was pleased to send us fresh supplies. I refer now to some of the ways, in which it pleased Him to help us.

July 10, 1874. £149. 19s. 9d. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—July 13. From one of the former Orphans, a Christian, now in service, 10s., “instead of buying herself a new bonnet.”—July 28. From Scotland £37. 10s., £10. for Missions to the Jews, £20. for the Orphans, £1. 7s. for books, and £5. for myself.

August 1. From Scotland £150., with £10. for myself.—August 8. From Ireland £100. for Missions in Spain, £100. for Missions in Italy, £100. for Missions in China, and £200. for the Orphans.—Aug. 25. From India £87. 16s. 0d.—Aug. 27. When the new year for this Institution commenced, three months since, we began the operations of these four Objects with the balance of £167. 1s. 3½d. Since then we have expended £2526. 6s. 6d., and yet this day we have £553. 7s. 2d. left. Thus the Lord has again helped us, during these three months also, in answer to believing and expecting prayer.

Sept. 2. From Sale £66. 4s., with £50. for the Orphans.—Sept. 7. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—Sept. 21. From Cardiff £125.—Sept. 27. Within the past four months we have expended for these Objects £4193. 15s. 11¾d., and yet the balance of £167. 1s. 3½d. which we had, when we began this period, is increased to £207. 5s.—Sept. 30. From one of the Midland Counties £450. for Missions, with £50. for myself.—From London £50., with £50. for the Orphans.

Oct. 13. From Slapton £5., “as a thank-offering for an abundant harvest.”

Nov. 2. From Ireland £I00.—£200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven—Nov. 14. £200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—Nov. 20. From Yorkshire £200. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and £100. for the Orphans.—Nov. 26. From Sale £40., with £100. for the Orphans, and £10. for myself.—Nov. 27. From Cambridge, for Missions, £31. 15s. 8d.—We had now expended £7360. 18s. 6d., though we commenced only with the balance of £167. 1s. 3½d. on May 27th, and had £128. 14s. 6¼d. left, as the result of waiting upon God in believing prayer.

Dec. 16. From the neighbourhood of Henley-on-Thames £100.—From Bedfordshire £5., with £5. for the Orphans’ treat and 6d. for a Report, from a small shopkeeper, who many times has sent £5. as the Lord is pleased to prosper him.—Dec. 23. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—Dec. 27. During the past seven months we have been enabled to expend for these Objects £8687. 13s. 1½d., though, when this period began, we had only £167. 1s. 3½d. in hand. Now, however, all our means are gone. We have nothing at all left.—Dec. 28. See how soon the Lord has again sent us means, in answer to prayer, for these Objects. Received from a Christian Gentleman £181. 18s. 1d., with £50. for the Orphans, being the entire proceeds of a field, set apart for the benefit of this Institution.—Received also £10. from Menton in France for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and ten other donations besides, amounting altogether to £9. 8s. 1d. Thus above £200. came in at once, when all our means were completely expended, for these first four Objects of the Institution.

Jan. 1, 1875. With the new year, the Lord was pleased to send us, as the result of many prayers, many donations. I only mention, as specimens, the following:—From Ireland £50.—From Scotland £110.—Jan. 4. From Cork £50.—Jan. 5. An aged Christian near Spilsby, who, being too aged to continue his ordinary work, having yet a desire to do something for this Institution, and having some strength left, made 40 beehives during the past year, for its benefit, which be sold for £4. and sent the money. This affords another proof, how all, who really have it in their heart, may do something for the work of God.—Jan. 12. Received 15s. from one of the former Orphans, who went to service about 24 years since, and who has been for many years a believer. The donation was sent with the following letter: “Dear Mr. Muller, I have the pleasure of once more giving you my mite towards carrying on the great works in your hands. I send fifteen shillings for that part which requires it most; and may the dear Lord bless you in receiving, and me in giving the same. The thought crossed my mind the other day, that it was a great privilege to be used in the smallest degree as an instrument in answer to prayer, that is, I know that you pray earnestly every day for means to work with, and if I am inclined to send a small portion of my means, then I look upon it, that I ought to esteem it a great honour to be allowed in that way to be a co-worker with you. I desire your prayers on my behalf, that I may be preserved faithful unto the great day of the Lord, or the end of time allotted for me to live in this world. I am, dear Sir, your affectionate Orphan * * * *.”—Jan. 18. From Algiers £10.—Jan. 22. From one of the former Orphans £6. 10s. The donor has been a Christian for many years, is now in business on his own account, and had taken one of our Christian Orphan Boys as an apprentice. When the one half of the premium was sent to him, he returned it, with a grateful letter for the benefit he had himself received at the Orphan Houses.—Jan. 23. Anonymously from Birmingham £400.—From Hampshire £100. for Foreign Missions, £75. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, £300. for the support of the Orphans, and £25. for myself.—Jan. 27. Today it was found, that we had expended for these Objects within the past eight months £10349. 8s. 10½d., though we had at the beginning of the period less than One Hundred and Seventy Pounds in hand, and today we have £322. 15s. 11½d. left, whilst a month since we had nothing at all; but more than this, we have been able to meet the monthly expenses, amounting to nearly Seventeen Hundred Pounds.

Feb. 6. By sale of gold and silver articles, given to be sold, £50.—Feb. 12. From one of the Midland Counties £450. for Home Missions, with £50. for myself.—Feb. 16. Received £250. with the following letter: “My dear Brother in Christ, After 54 years of natural life, and nearly as long since my ‘birth from above,’ during which interval the earth has, mostly, brought forth unto me plenty of thorns and thistles (of results painful and results dry and barren) I have now for the first time received what is to me an important supply of earthly riches; but without my own labour, and from a totally unexpected source, and after equally unexpected losses, risks and delays, during four years in receiving it. Therefore I desire to take the earliest appropriate day to express recognition of my Heavenly Father’s bounty, in having, according to my petitions, protected this from again wholly vanishing: and more especially for having preceded it with equal bounty of various spiritual riches for which I had been petitioning. I beg you to accept, therefore, the enclosed cheque for £250., being £120. for the important faithful and scriptural Missionary work; £70. for the Bible Fund, SCHOOLS and Tracts on correct Scriptural principles, greatly needed by the rising generation in these evil days, before Christ’s Church is translated to meet Him. £50. for the Orphans, that great work which shows the blessing and reality of “walking” truly and Scripturally by Faith. £10. for the personal use of yourself, as having been set forth by God as an instructive example of a believer “having Christ’s words abiding m him,” and of the practical fulfilment of the promises attached thereto. Various other Christian works are pressed on me in God’s providence, to which to apply other portions of what God has entrusted to me; but, as my faith (besides knowledge of God’s will in worship and walk) has been greatly strengthened and helped (as could not be done by any mere words) during the last 25 years, by the Holy Spirit through your Autobiography and Orphan work, I feel it a privilege thus to testify this first (having specially prayed for wisdom) in beginning to employ this Divine bounty, while as yet the blessed powers of natural life are continued to you and to me. In former years I have gladly sent you a pound or a few pounds, from time to time, as I have felt able, without expecting, at all, that I should ever be so well enabled to send this. May our Father’s blessing continue on yourself and, on your works; and be on the expenditure, by you, of this comparatively small item toward your great works so graciously sustained in the Lord. Ever yours sincerely in Christ, * * * *.” This donation, as unexpectedly received by me from the kind donor, as the money was unexpectedly received by him, which enabled him, to send it, was one of the various means, whereby the Lord was pleased to carry us through the expenses of the past year.— £12. from Glasgow, with the following letter: “Dear Mr. Muller, I think it but right you should have the first fruits of the tenth of my business, which plan has been adopted by me within the last few weeks, solely from reading your publications (The Lord’s Dealings with George Muller.) I prayed fervently that the Lord would incline my heart also to give systematically to Him, as others did. I say fervently, as I had to contend with a grasping, money loving disposition, which, I am glad to say, has been so far conquered victoriously, that I can now put on one side the Lord’s Tenth after the close of each day’s transactions, without any feelings of regret. I ask an interest in your prayers, that I may become one of the Lord’s stewards, and give still more largely to Him “who daily loadeth me with benefits.” From this amount, £12., you will greatly oblige me by retaining £5. for yourself; the remainder apply as you think best. Trusting the Lord in His infinite goodness will spare you for many years to come, not only as a father to poor Orphans, but as a shining light to bring those out of darkness as once was yours sincerely and affectionately * * * *.”—£200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven. —Feb. 27. Saturday. Up to this day we had been enabled, by the help of God, as the result of prayer and faith, to expend within the past nine months, for these Objects alone, £12237. 12s. 1d., though we began the year with so small a balance, and we had now £52. 4s. 10½d. left for these Objects, which this very day was entirely expended, and we had now nothing at all in hand; but our infinitely rich Treasurer, the Living God, remained, and in Him we trusted, and to Him we made known our requests.

March 1. Monday. Since Saturday, when we had nothing at all left for these Objects, the Lord has graciously been pleased to give us, in answer to prayer, altogether £333. The donors who kindly helped us, will feel interested in knowing how God used them as His instruments to send, us help when we had nothing left, which I did not tell them, when I sent their receipts, as otherwise it would have been like an indirect request for further help. I never speak of the state of the funds to any one, not connected with the Institution, except when the yearly Report is issued.—I received this day £160. from London with the following letter: “My dear Sir and Brother, For the past nine years I have not been giving systematically of my income to the Lord’s work, as He has prospered me, though never thoughtlessly, I trust, disregarding any call, which came under my notice. On examining my books I find, that, after deducting my entire drawings from the business, which I started in my own name in 1866, a considerable sum has accumulated, and of this I have put aside Ten per Cent. to be more especially devoted to the Lord’s work, and desire to acknowledge that all I have and myself also are His, whilst I gratefully remember that what He has, and He Himself is mine. It was through reading the third Volume of your Narrative that I have been led to do this, and therefore send you the first payment out of this fund, say £160. herein, of which please retain £10. for yourself, and appropriate the £150. to any one or amongst all or any of the Objects of the Lord’s work in your hands. Etc.”—Besides this donation, I received from Scotland £100., with £10. for myself.—From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £74. 19s. 11d.—From Budleigh Salterton £2.—From Grogan, Ireland, £3. 3s. 0d.—From L. C. J. £1. 0s. 6d.—From Leicester 10s.—From Attelborough £l.—From Edinburgh £1.— Through the chapel boxes 15s. 6d.—The Lord be praised for this precious help, received thus today in answer to prayer, when we had nothing at all left in hand for these Objects!—March 2. The Lord has still more abundantly helped us. I received from Yorkshire One Thousand Pounds. £13. 9s. 11d. came in besides.—How soon is God able to help us, and to replenish our stores! May all the readers be increasingly led to trust unreservedly in God. I have joyfully dedicated my whole life to the object of exemplifying how much may be accomplished by prayer and faith.—Received from London a diamond ring and 2 silver coins for the Bible and Tract Fund, with these words : “The engaged ring of my wife, for whom to die was gain, to be sold for the benefit of the Bible and Tract Fund.”—March 19. £100. from Wick, for Missions to the heathen.—March 23. From Sale £100.

May 12. From New Zealand £25. for China Missions, £20. for the Orphans, and £5. for myself.—May 19. £200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—May 21. From Plympton for the School Fund £20.—May 26. £280. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.

I have thus given specimens as to the way in which it pleased the Lord to supply us with means, during the past year, for the operations of the first four Objects of the Institution. Though we began the year with only £167. 1s. 3½d. in hand, yet God so helped us by prayer and faith, without asking any one but Himself, that we were able to expend for these Objects during the year £16,895. 4s. 7¾d., and had a balance of £18. 14s. 4½d. left on May 26, 1875. Only very few of the donations have been here referred to.

Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary— and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1875, to May 26, 1876. Letters from Donors, Practical Remarks, &c.

When we began the period, we had, on May 26, 1875, the balance of £18. 14s. 4¼d. left for these Objects. When it is considered, that we had expended for them, during the previous year £16895. 4s. 7¾d., and that during the year from May 26th, 1875 to May 26th, 1876 our expenses for these Objects were £17643. 15s. 0½d., the reader sees, how small our balance was, to begin the year with, especially as we do not go in debt; yet, small as it was, it was a balance in hand. Our hope was now again in the Living God, who for more than forty-one years had never failed us. We trusted in Him, and in Him alone; and He graciously was pleased to supply us during the past year also with what we needed. I give now some instances as to the way, which God was pleased to use for our supply, in answer to our daily prayers. On May 28, 1875 we received from Nova Scotia 7 dollars, 4 dollars, and 4 dollars.

June 5. From Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, £1., £3., £1., £1., £1., 10s. 6d. and 10s.—June 16. From Ireland £100.

July 17th. Received from Ireland £30., with the following letter: “My dear sir, I enclose herewith first half notes for £30., the premium on insurance against losses in trade and on stock, which insurance I effect in the office of the Living God, in whose service I hold my stewardship; and I believe I am acting in accordance with His will in remitting it to you, to use it in His service. Please apply £5. of this sum to your own use, and remaining £25. as you think fit, according to His guidance. With my best wishes for the success of the undertaking committed to your charge, accept my regards and esteem. Yours sincerely ****.”—L200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven. —July 19. Received £250. with the following letter: “Dear Brother in Christ, only 5 months have passed, since I wrote to you, mentioning our Heavenly Father’s most unexpected earthly bounty, the first (of any material amount pecuniarily) in 54 years of varied and continual discipline. Out of that I begged you to use £250. in recognition by me of the Giver, and of the great spiritual benefit to me (for faith and walk) wrought by means of the history of the Orphanage and through the principles taught in your book “The Lord’s Dealings with you.” Yet more unexpectedly, if that were, possible, God has, again so soon, showered upon me yet further, though smaller, supplies of money, unsought by me, from a source which, I had always reckoned, must flow to others, and not, by human possibility, to myself. Therefore,— with deep sense of the Giver, and with prayer that these gifts may be accompanied with the personal blessings to me of fitness for His service and the needed health, to turn the attention of very many fellow-Christians correctly to Scriptural teachings much neglected, and with the power and demonstration of the Spirit therewith,—I again enclose a cheque for £250. to be applied as before, by you, in the service of Him whom we are awaiting from heaven, even Him who is our Great God and Saviour, Christ Jesus. Namely £120. for that large, important, faithful and Scriptural Missionary work, which is under your hand. £70. for your Bible Fund, Schools and Tracts, greatly needed by the rising generation, in these evil days, before Christians are to be translated to meet Him. £50. for the Orphanage, that great work on which God’s blessing shows the reality of the promises to him in whom Christ’s words abide. £10. for yourself, as having been the instrument eminently owned of God, to teach to your fellow-Christians precious truths of faith and walk, for growing “strong in the Lord” and for acceptableness to Christ in the soon coining day. 2 Cor. v., 9, etc.” This donation was one of the various ways, coming as unexpectedly to us, as the means came to the donor, whereby it pleased the Lord to carry us through the heavy expenses of the year; it also shows, how abundantly the Lord had been pleased to repay the donor for his former kindess.—July 21. By sale of gold and silver articles £125.—July 24. £12. 10s. “instead of insuring 500 acres against hail-storms.”

Aug. 2. From Scotland £150.—Aug. 4. From New Zealand £40.—From India £5. for Missions with £5. for the Orphans.—Aug. 11. £500 for Missions and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures in Spain and Italy. The donor of this amount sent me a few years since his first donation, being Five Shillings. From that time he began to give, as the Lord prospered him. In this way not only his own soul has been greatly benefited, but the Lord from that time has so prospered him, that he has again and again been able to send me £500. as also £100. or £200. at a time.

Sep. 2. Received 10s., with the following letter, from one of the former Orphans under our care. “Dear and Honoured Sir, May I be allowed the privilege of writing to you, after so many years have passed, to thank you for the kind and fatherly care you showed me, while in the dear Orphan House, and to ask your forgiveness, for not doing so before. It is now seven years, since I left, and I can never think of it, without a bitter pang, at the remembrance of my ingratitude. I can never thank God enough for placing me there, and oh! if I had my time to spend over again, how different it would be. I know, dear sir, that we all have your prayers, and also the prayers of the dear teachers and helpers, although we have been away some time, and I know also what joy it will give you and them, to know that there is one more lost sheep found. It is some time, since I began to realize what a sinner I am, and also before I could find peace; but I rejoice to say, that at last I am able to put my whole trust in Jesus, and know what a precious Friend He is. I can now see the loving care He has shown me, ever since I was left an Orphan, which is now 18 years ago; and I can say, truly the promise has been fulfilled to me, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” Since I left your fatherly care, I have been in 3 situations, and I am now living in a clergyman’s family as head-nurse, and have been here two years and six months. May I ask your prayers on my behalf, that my feet may not slip, but that I may go steadily on, and be able to show by my life, that I belong to Christ’s fold, and help others on the way; and may I also ask your acceptance of this trifle enclosed, as a very small token of my gratitude, and please use it in whatever way you think best. I know it is impossible ever to repay you, but one day you will be repaid. Oh! how I hope to meet you all again, where we never more shall part; and it is my hope now, that in this world I may be permitted to see the dear Orphan Houses once more. I do not know, whether there are any of the teachers in No. 1 that remember me; but if so, I know how pleased they will be, to see this. May I so far intrude on your valuable time as to tell them how very sorry I am for all the trouble I gave them, and to ask their forgiveness for me, and please give my kind duty to them. Believe me to be your very grateful but unworthy Orphan ****.” This letter has been given to show, how, though sometimes the appearance may be, as if our labours were in vain, yet in the end it is made manifest, that they were not; and also, that, though it seems, as if our prayers were not answered, yet, in the Lord’s own time, they are answered. May parents, and guardians, and teachers be greatly encouraged by this letter! On Sep. 16th a gentleman called at the Orphan Houses, who up to that time had been unknown to me, and left, with valuable documents, the following paper: “I **** hereby present to the Orphanage and the other Institutions, conducted by Mr. G. Muller of Bristol £3,000 **** 5 per cent. Railway Stock and 25 shares of the same Company, £10 per share paid, to be disposed of as Mr. Muller shall think best.” These documents were sold in the London market and produced £3734. 7s. 6d., of which four-fifths were taken for the School—, Bible—, Missionary— and Tract Fund, being £2987. 10s. and one-fifth (£746. 17s. 6d.) for the support of the Orphans. See, esteemed Reader, how able and how willing God is, to help those who seek to honour Him, by depending on Him alone. To the Living God, and to Him alone we look for all the means we require for this great work, and these means He supplies us with, simply in answer to prayer, year by year, and has done so now for more than forty-two years, though we need now about Forty Four Thousand Pounds yearly. But not only with regard to means, but for everything else we may require, we look to our Heavenly Father, making known our requests to Him, and He ever helps us, though sometimes we have had many times to repeat our requests to Him, before the answer has come. And what He condescends to do for us, in connection with this Institution, which is now so extensive, He is willing to do for all His children in their particular necessities as to their families, their business, their labour and service for Him, and as to every other way in which they may stand in need of His help. This large donation, just referred to, so kindly given by that donor, helped us to a considerable degree over the heavy expenses connected with these first four Objects of the Institution, during the past year.

Nov. 15. From India £77. 16s. 0d.— £200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—Nov. 20. Received the following letter with £150. “Dear sir,— I have great pleasure in again forwarding my mite to be used by you, in carrying on the Lord’s work in your hands. Enclosed is £150., £120. of which is to be used in the work as you think best, the remainder is for your own private use. I would beg to add my testimony to many others, which you have received, as to the blessedness of giving systematically. I have been a farmer for about 20 years, and for about half that time did not act on that principle; and while giving my business as much care and more concern than now, still it was all I could do to make ends meet. About that time I had the subject of ‘giving as the Lord prospered’ brought under my notice, when I there and then vowed to the Lord, that I would give one-tenth of the profits of the farm to His cause, should He be pleased to give me any. From that time I have been prospered in my business far beyond what I ever could have anticipated; I have truly experienced the fulfilment of the promise contained in Luke vi, 38. I continued for a short time giving a tenth, but was gradually constrained to give more and more, until for some years I have been giving one-half, and can truly say, that the longer experience I have in this way, the more blessed do I find it to be. I heard you in Glasgow lately, and beg to thank you for your address on prayer. I trust many of us will have good cause to bless God for your visit. Please unite with me in asking God to give me more and more of His Holy Spirit’s influence, so that I may be enabled to live more by faith and less by sight, continually realising my relation to Him in Christ, and therefore be constrained to live more for His glory. That the Lord may long spare you, to be a testimony to the world of the power of faith, and that you may see much fruit from your tour at this time, is the earnest prayer of yours most sincerely, ****.” I make the following remarks on this most instructive and profitable letter. The writer says: “I would beg to add my testimony to many others, which you have received, as to the blessedness of giving systematically.” The reader may say, What is meant by giving systematically It means, Not to leave the giving to a certain impulse, to feeling, to powerful emotions under a charity sermon; but to give according to a certain order, or system, viz., “as God prospers us.” This order we find laid down by the Holy Ghost through the Apostle Paul in I Cor. xvi, 2. It is true, that this commandment was given with reference to a particular circumstance, but it is most profitably applied to our times, and holds good with regard to ourselves. There is not only no reason, why we may not apply this to ourselves, but rather ought to do so, and upon the first day of the week “lay by in store, as God has prospered us.” The following points are particularly to be noticed: 1, “As God has prospered us.” If God has been pleased to give unto us much during the week, it is suitable that, constrained by gratitude and love, we should give much back to him in return, for His work or His poor. 2, If it be asked, How much should I give of what God is pleased to give to me? The reply is, no rule can be laid down. According to the grace and the knowledge the individual believers have, it is left to them. The Lord desires willing, cheerful givers; and therefore no law is given, under the present dispensation, regarding this point; yet, let it be remembered, that if the Israelites after the flesh were commanded to give the tenth, we, the Israel of God, the believers in the Lord Jesus, whose calling is a heavenly calling, not only may give the same, but should seek to give considerably more. 3, They were to attend to this every Lord’s day, every first day of week. Regularly, orderly, they were to attend to this. In most cases it can be known, how much the Lord has been pleased to give to us, during the previous week; but, suppose that, through particular circumstances, we could not fully ascertain this, then we should act according to the best of our judgment in the matter; and, should it afterwards be clearly seen, that we had not given enough, we may add to what we did give. But perhaps one may reply: If I acted thus, how are my bad debts to be covered; how shall I make up for other losses: how for flat and dull times in my business, etc.? Have you weighed before God, dear reader, that often God allows “bad debts,” “losses in other respects,” and “flat and dull times in business” to befall His children, because they withhold more than is meet; and that they would escape these things were they to act more as stewards and not as owners? 4, Notice especially that this commandment was not only given to one class of the believers, but to the rich, the middle class, and the poor; for though, at certain times, those who are poor, might have nothing to give, yet, at some time or other they might be particularly prospered, and have something to give. No class therefore was exempted. 5, Should it be said, How should I lay by in store? the reply is, that we may actually lay aside what we set apart for the Lord (and that in most cases may be the best); or we may keep a memorandum book, entering, how much we have put aside, for the Lord’s work and the poor; and how much, out of this, we have expended, and from time to time make up the account.—The writer of the letter goes on: “I have been a farmer for about 20 years, and for about half that time did not act on that principle; and while giving my business as much care and more concern than now, still it was all I could do to make ends meet.” The writer attended with carefulness to His business; as he was a Christian, we have also reason to believe that he sought God’s blessing, but he practically forgot to look upon himself as a steward; and so it came, that he did not prosper as was the case afterwards. He goes on to write: “About that time I had the subject of ‘giving as the Lord prospered’ brought under my notice, when I there and then vowed to the Lord, that I would give one-tenth of the profits of the farm to His cause, should He be pleased to give me any. From that time I have been prospered in my business far beyond what I ever could have anticipated; I have truly experienced the fulfilment of the promise, contained in Luke vi, 38.” Notice, how the prosperity in business was brought about. The writer had not previously neglected it, and only now paid attention to it; but previously he did not carry on his business as a steward for the Lord, but for himself as owner thereof. He now altered his course, and became the Lord’s steward, and thus acting according to the mind of the Lord, the Lord needed no longer to withhold prosperity from him; but could intrust him with more.—Have all my readers weighed the passage, to which the writer of the letter refers: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosoms”? Luke vi, 38. The word was spoken by the Lord Jesus. It refers evidently to the present dispensation. This word will be fulfilled in the case of those who act according to this verse. The writer of the letter found it thus. I have found it thus, thousands and tens of thousands of the children of God have found it thus. Of course, if any one from vanity or other unholy motives were to give, God could not fulfil this word.—Lastly the writer says: “I continued for a short time giving a tenth, but was gradually constrained to give more and more, until for some years I have been giving one-half, and can truly say, that the longer experience I have in this way, the more blessed do I find it to be.” Notice 1, He gives after a short time more than a tenth. So great is the blessedness of giving, both temporarily and spiritually, that, if we do give from right motives, we are blessed in our souls and so blessed in our basket and store, that we shall give more and more, even as the writer gave only for a short time a tenth. The very blessing he received led him to give more than a tenth. He did not miss the tenth; he was not a loser on account of giving a tenth, but a gainer, both temporally and spiritually. And it was this which led him to give a fifth, a fourth, a third of his profits, yea soon one half. How is it in this respect with the Reader? How much, dear Reader, do you give back to the Lord? 2, The writer says: “I can truly say, that the longer experience I have in this way, the more blessed do 1 find it to be.” Notice this particularly. Here is no acting under excitement. More than ten years have passed, during which the writer of this letter has acted on these principles, and the more hundreds and thousands he spends for the Lord, the more blessed does he find it. Now, esteemed Reader, whether you belong to the wealthy, the middle class, or the poor, if you have not previously acted on these principles, I beseech you to do so. I have done so for forty-seven years, and can assure you that both temporally and Spiritually, I have been abundantly blessed in doing so.

Dec. 23. Anonymously left at my house £25. for Missions, and £25. for the Orphans.—Dec. 30. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—Dec. 31. Great as our expenses have been, during this year, the Lord has habitually helped us, and brought us now to the close of it; and, in the full assurance of faith, that He, in His faithful love, will help us during the coming year also, we go forward to it.

March 9, 1876. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—March 15. From Wales £6. 15s. 6d. for Missions in Italy and Spain, with £10. for the support of the Orphans. The kind donor has often sent a similar donation.

May 1. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—May 8. From Bengal, India, £10.—From Adelaide, South Australia, £20.—May 12. Received £1. 5s. 6d. from one of the former Orphans, with the following letter: “Dear Sir, It is with feelings of deep gratitude, that I now write again, to thank you for all the kindness I received when under your paternal care; for it was there that I first learned to love my Saviour, in whose footsteps I have been trying to walk ever since. I feel very grateful for having been put in so comfortable a situation as that in which I have just completed my five years’ apprenticeship, and I have now great pleasure in sending you 5s. 6d., my first week’s wages [besides board and lodging]. My master very kindly gave me £5., on completing my apprenticeship, one pound of which I beg also to enclose for disposal as you may think proper. I have engaged to live with my master for another year, and I hope that this year may be as happy a one as each of the five that I have already served him. I thank you for the Report you so kindly sent me, the reading of which afforded me much pleasure. I thank you also for the kindness manifested towards my sister, who I suppose is still under your care. Praying that God may still spare your life many more years to be the Orphans’ friend, I remain your grateful Orphan, ****.”—May 16. From Otago, New Zealand, £l0.—May 23. From Oxfordshire £100. for Foreign Missions.—May 26. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.

Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary— and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1876, to May 26, 1877. Letters from Donors, Practical remarks, &c.

When we began the period, we had, on May 26, 1876, the balance of £356. l9s. 4¼d. left for these Objects. When it is considered, that during the year from May 26th, 1875 to May 26th, 1876 our expenses for these Objects were £17643. 15s. 0½d., the reader sees, how small our balance was, to begin the year with, especially as we do not go in debt. Our hope was now again in the Living God, who for more than forty-two years had never failed us. We trusted in Him, and in Him alone; and He graciously was pleased to supply us during the past year also with what we needed. I give now some instances as to the way, which God was pleased to use for our supply, in answer to our daily prayers.

June 6, 1876, From Pennsylvania, United States of America, £10.—June 8. From ten donors in Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, £15. 8s. 6d.—June 13. From Victoria, Australia, £5. 5s.— From Adelaide, South Australia, £5.—June 21. From Ireland for Missions, £100.

July 5. Received £500. from a donor, whose first donation to the Institution was 5s. He had long been undecided, as to whether he could afford to give anything at all to the Lord’s work, as he considered that he ought first to be more prosperous in his business before he began to give; but at last he came to the decision, that he would wait no longer for greater prosperity, and give, according to his means. Since then the Lord began to prosper this donor so, as that he was able to send me much larger sums, and shortly hundreds of pounds, and repeatedly since £500. at once; having stated to me, that since he began to act as a steward for the Lord, he could send me with greater ease £500., than the first donation of 5s.—July 19. From New Zealand £4., with £4. for the Orphans.—July 22. From Jersey £50. for Missions.—July 24. £200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.—By sale of gold and silver articles, dentist gold and diamonds, given for the benefit of the Institution, £161. 13s. 6d. See Christian reader, how much may be obtained, by putting aside for the work of the Lord such superfluities. Were we all more in earnest, to see how much we can do for the spread of the Gospel, for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and evangelical Tracts, for the instruction of poor children, for the support of the poor, etc., it would be found that there is in the church of God an abundance of pecuniary means to accomplish ten times as much as is accomplished now, in so far as regards means. We should say to ourselves individually, What can I do? How much can I spare? What needless articles have I to give? How can I practice self-denial, that I may have more to give? And thus could not only far more be accomplished than is now accomplished, but our own souls would thus be greatly blessed, whilst, by withholding more than is meet, we not only hinder the progress of the work of God, but injure our own souls.—July 27. Received 5s. from one of the former Orphans, who for more than twenty years has known the Lord, and walked in the ways of the Lord, with the following letter: “Much loved and honoured Sir, I write to ask your acceptance of the enclosed trifle, to be used as most needed. I am thankful, that I can send even so small a sum, to be used for God, as it is my earnest desire by my life and conversation to speak to others of a Saviour’s love, and tell how great things He hath done for me.—I have, indeed, much cause to praise Him for having directed your steps to Liverpool, as it was there our Heavenly Father was pleased to bless the preached Word through you, to the salvation of my beloved brother; and I most earnestly pray, you may still have strength to continue your work and labour of love for many years to come, together with all your faithful helpers in the work. Please to excuse this intrusion on your precious time, and believe me to remain, dear Sir, Your ever grateful Orphan, ****.” The brother to whom the former Orphan refers, was also once an Orphan under our care, but did not, as his sister, leave the Orphan Institution as a believer in the Lord Jesus. He was, however, followed by our prayers; and, there is reason to believe, that many hundreds of prayers ascended to the Lord from the heart of his Christian sister. While I was preaching in January and February, 1876, in the immense Victoria Hall in Liverpool, erected for the dear American brethren, Moody and Sankey, the brother of the Orphan who writes this letter, and who is now commander of a merchant ship, came to hear me, and was, the very first time that I preached there, converted. Thus the Lord answered our prayers, and the prayers of his Christian sister for him, though only after many years. May through this the Christian reader be encouraged to continue to pray for his unconverted relatives!

Aug. 1. From the Bengal Presidency, India, £90. for these Objects, with £10. for myse1f.—Aug. 8. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200,—Aug. 21. From Ireland for Missions, £l00.—Aug. 29. From London £160. with £10. for myself.—From Berlin £34. 15s. 5d. This donation comes from a disciple of the Lord Jesus, who considers it a privilege to give to the work of the Lord a little capital, which he had saved, but which he now considers better spent for the Lord than to be kept. Since this donation was received, I have had the opportunity of becoming personally acquainted with the donor, and to hear from him, how greatly the Lord has been pleased to bless his soul through this act.

Sep. 5. From the neighbourhood of Manchester £24. 5s. 3d. for Missions, £100. for the support of the Orphans, and £5. for myself.—From a donor, who repeatedly has thus helped us, 19 Interest Warrants for these Objects, amounting to £74. 1s. 3d., deducting the Income Tax; and 10 Interest Warrants, amounting to £25. 7s. 10d., for the Orphans.—Sep. 19. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.

Oct. 7. £500. from two children of God, who, through the sale of some property, which had been left to them, were able to give this sum.—Oct. 9. From Christian Friends in Berne, 300 francs for the Schools in Spain, and 500 francs for the support of the Orphans.—From Heinrichsbad, Switzerland, £5. 18s. 5d.—From St. Gallen, Switzerland, 83 francs.—Oct. 11. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £56. 7s. 6d.—Oct. 13. From Switzerland 1,000 francs.—Oct. 14. From San Francisco, California, £1. L0s. 0d. The reader will have observed from what a variety of places not only, but also countries, the donations are received; yet all, without application to any individuals, only in answer to prayer. Not one out of fifty of the donors we know personally, and by far the greater part not even by name, till we receive their donations. Thus the Lord works for us, and helps us with means to carry on this Institution, and has done so for forty-three years now.

Nov. 2. £500. from two children of God, who, through the sale of some property, which had been left to them, were able to give this sum.—Nov. 11. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—Nov. 17. From Cambridgeshire £81. 1s. 8d.—Nov. 18. From the neighbourhood of Stirling £100. with £10. for my own personal necessities.—Nov. 21. From the neighbourhood of Manchester £25. for Missions, £70. for the Orphans, and £5. for myself.—Nov. 27. From Jersey £50. for Missions in China, India, and Spain.

Dec. 15. From Reutlingen in Wurtemberg 220 Mark and 2s.—From Ober-Urbach in Wurtemberg 135 Mark and 60 German Pence.—Dec. 29. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200.—Dec. 31, 1876. We have, in connection with this Institution also, abundant reason for praise and thanksgiving, at the close of another year. Since this new period commenced, on May 26, 1876, the Lord has in every way, as He is wont to do, helped and blessed the labour of our hands; and during these seven months and five days the total income for the various Objects of the Institution has been above £23,000., as the result of prayer and faith. Truly we do not wait upon Him in vain! May the Christian reader thereby be encouraged, in all his various necessities, of whatever kind they may be, to come with them to God, and he will find, as we do, that it is not in vain to wait upon God; but that He is now the Living God, ready to listen to the supplications of His children, as in the days of the prophets and apostles of old. These remarks are not made, as if I meant to convey thereby, that all the children of God should establish schools, or found Orphan Institutions, and trust in God for the needed funds: for such work an especial call is needed; but I mean to say, that in all our family matters, in our earthly occupation, in our labour in general for the Lord, in our spiritual conflict, in our trials and afflictions, we should thus be encouraged to come to the Lord and expect help and support from Him through prayer and faith, which I have found for 48 years my universal remedy for all my difficulties and necessities. When in the year 1835 I began the Orphan work, I had, in doing so, particularly in view, through this work to prove to the world at large, and to the church at large, that the Living God is now, as thousands of years since, the Living God, and that we may reckon on Him, as those did who really knew Him thousands of years ago. That end has been particularly answered by this Institution. Tens of thousands of souls have indeed been converted through the operations of the various Objects of the Institution, for which I adore and magnify the Lord; but the greatest blessing, which I have reason to believe, which has resulted from it, is, that thereby hundreds of thousands of children of God, in very many parts of the world, have been encouraged, in all simplicity to trust in God. While I am writing this, at Nimwegen in Holland, another precious proof of this kind has just been brought under my own eyes, of which I have had, I might almost say numberless instances, it is this: A Christian evangelist, simply through reading about the Orphan work in Bristol, had it laid on his heart to care about Orphans, and was encouraged by my example, solely in dependence on the Lord, to take them up. He began in the year 1863 with three at Nimwegen in Holland, and he has at present 453 in an Institution, near Nimwegen, through which I and my dear wife went, and which we saw with our own eyes with the deepest interest.

In the same way that I began to work, and have gone on in for more than 42 years, he has now worked about fourteen years, trusting alone in God, never going in debt; and year after year the Lord has enlarged the work and given him everything that he has needed. Very many Orphan Institutions similarly have been begun in various parts of the world, the founders being encouraged through what God has done for us in Bristol. His name be magnified for it!

Jan. 1, 1877. As the old year has closed with blessing, so the new year began in the same way. Many donations, and some considerable ones, were received this very day.—Jan. 5. From Hampshire £75. for Foreign Missions, £75. for the Bible Fund, £300. for the Orphans, and £50. for myself. The kind donor wrote, with regard for the donation for myself, that it was especially sent, on account of my considerable expenses in moving about on the Continent from town to town, and from country to country.—From Heidelberg 120 Mark. Also on Jan. 1st were received 20 Mark, and on the 3rd 40 Mark from Heidelberg.—Jan. 15. From Bonn £4. 12s. 6d., with £4. l2s. 6d. for myself.— Jan. 16. From Bonn 16s.—Jan. 26. £200. from two children of God, who, through the sale of some property, which had been left to them, were able to give this sum.—From Cologne 40 Mark for Missions.

Feb. 6. From Wesel 3 Mark, ditto 3 Mark, ditto 227 1/5 Mark.—From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £250.—Feb. 8. From Ireland £250. for Missions.—Feb. 9. Legacy of the late Mrs. Mc. M. £30., with £10. for the Orphans—Feb. 12. From Ireland for Missions £102. 18s. 4d.—Feb. 21. From Norway £6. The reader cannot but observe from what a variety of countries our donations come. The Lord, in many parts of the earth, in answer to our prayers, inclines the hearts of His children, to remember our need.—Feb. 26. £300. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.

April 2. £200. from two children of God, who, through the sale of some property, which had been left to them, were able to give this sum.—April 3. From a small shopkeeper in Bedfordshire £5. The donor sends us help, as the Lord prospers him in his business, and has sent to us very many times a similar sum.—April 10. £200. from two children of God, to whom this sum had been left as a legacy, and who thus had the privilege of being able to give this amount.—April 23. Legacy of the late Miss B. £19. l9s. for circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and £19. 19s. for the support of the Orphans. April 25. From Kent £151. l7s. 10d.

May 2. From Lubeck 40 Mark for Missions in China, and 20 Mark and 5 Mark for the Orphans.—May 5. From Hanover 20 Mark and 40 Mark.—May 14. From Yorkshire for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures in foreign lands £150., and for the support of the Orphans £150.—May 16. £5. 11s., with the following letter: “My dear Sir, I enclose a cheque, value £5. 11s., for your good work, being a penny for every pound’s worth of goods, sold since the 1st of January. Use it as you think best. Since I have given systematically to God’s cause, I have had many times my faith severely tried. I have had losses in business, losses in health, etc., and I have been sometimes tempted almost to give it up. But I thank God I have been brought through thus far; and I feel assured, if I continue to trust in Him, I shall be brought through. Last year was a bad year for business men generally. I continued to give to God’s cause much the same, as I had been accustomed. A few days before I made up my yearly accounts, I received a letter from a gentleman, an acquaintance, saying that he bad just been balancing up his accounts for the year, and knowing I had been afflicted, etc., he hoped I would accept the enclosed cheque for £50. for my own private use. How kind of my Heavenly Father, to remember me in such a noble manner! Yours sincerely, ****.” The reader has to notice, how this present of £50. repays what would be given on the receipt of £12,000. at one penny per pound.—May 21. From a farmer in South Africa £50.—May 23. From North Wales I received the following letter: “Dear Sir, I enclose you in Post Office Orders the sum of £11. 6s. 7d., which I leave to your best judgment. Since I received your last Report in September last, I have put by threepence on every pound that I have received in business, for your Institution; and although the times are become so poor, I am happy to say, we do meet our bills continually. I believe circumstances are nothing in the Lord’s way, if we trust in Him, etc.”—May 26. From Grahamstown, Cape of Good Hope, from eight donors £14. 3s. 6d.— £200. from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven.

The Lord has helped us through one more year, to meet the expenses connected with the school—, Bible—, Missionary—and Tract Fund; but again and again all our means for these first four Objects of the Institution were gone, completely gone. Under these circumstances our Universal Remedy, prayer and faith, was used, and only this. My helpers in Bristol, I and my dear wife in Switzerland, Germany, or Holland, waited upon God, and He helped, without our appealing to any one, without making even known our need to any one, except speaking about it, in believing prayer, to our Heavenly Father. We had His ear and His heart, for Jesus’ sake, and were helped; and thus it has been, that we have been able to accomplish what we have, in connection with these first four Objects of the Institution, and are even able, with a small balance in hand for them, to close the year. It is unspeakably blessed so to know God, as to be able fully to confide in Him, at all times and under all circumstances, even the most trying; and in order that my younger brethren in Christ may be helped so to do, therefore do I write as I do, and therefore I seek now also, as far as my position in Bristol allows of it, to go from city to city, and from country to country, to spend the evening of my life, to testify to the blessedness of truly knowing God in Christ, as He has revealed Himself in the Holy Scriptures.

Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1877 to May 26, 1878. Letters from Donors, Practical Remarks, &c.

At the beginning of the last year, we had only the small balance of £71. 19s. 2½d. in hand. Our expenses for these Objects had been £16,430. during the year before; therefore our balance was not enough for the fourth part of the requirements of one single week, according to our average expenses. But, poor as we were, our infinitely rich Heavenly Father remained to us; to Him we betook ourselves in prayer, and, as He had done many thousands of times before, during the previous forty-three years, so He helped us during the forty-fourth year also, though not once, nor twice, but again and again all our money, to the last shilling, for these Objects, was gone. I particularly mention this, because some of our Readers suppose, that we had trials of faith, with reference to pecumary supplies, only many years since, and think that at present we continually abound. I refer now to some of the means, which the Lord was pleased to use in supplying our wants.

June 27. We entered today upon the second month of this new period of the Institution, without a penny in hand for these Objects, when in the course of the day came in from Redland, from a most unexpected donor, to make the hand of God the more manifest, £50.; and from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £200. Also from Rotterdam 40 florins=£3. 2s. 8d.—June 28. From a small tradesman in Bedfordshire, who contributes as the Lord prospers him, £5. Received also from Belgium, £20. On June 30th, when again all money was gone for these Objects, I received from Scotland £500. with the following letter: “Dear Mr. Muller, It has been in my mind for some days to send you the enclosed for the work of the Lord in your hands, believing it His will for me so to do. He has bid us lay up treasure in heaven. I am glad to see you are going to America. The Lord bless you and your dear wife, and manifest Himself to you more and more, Yours very truly ****.” By these and other donations, though repeatedly during the past month all was expended, we were carried to the beginning of July, having, in answer to much prayer, been able to meet all our expenses.

July 9. A servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, having most unexpectedly received £56. 4s. 11d., gladly gave it for these Objects.—July 11. From Ireland £500. for missions. The donor will now have joy in being informed, which, when the money came to hand, was purposely not written to him, that, when his kind donation was received, all our money was gone for this Object, and the donation was the fruit of many prayers.—July 14. From Greenock £100., with £20. for my own personal expenses.—July 25. By sale of gold and silver articles, diamonds, dentist gold, &c., £190. 19s.—From Sussex £93. 18s. ld.—July 28, From Wales £100., with £39. for the Orphans and £30. for my own personal expenses.—July 30. Received £10. with the following letter: “Dear Sir, Herewith is Banker’s Draft for Ten Pounds, which please apply as you shall judge best, on behalf of the several or either of the Objects under your charge, and kindly acknowledge as above. The amount should have been sent in instalments previously, the writer having some years since resolved, before God, to discontinue a habit of doubtful character, and send the cost of it to your Institution. The resolution formed in time of trouble was not adhered to, but God has recently brought my sin to my remembrance, by again sending distress; and not only so, but through the ministry of His Word some months since (“Grieve not the Spirit of God”) gave me victory over the habit referred to. I calculate, the practice costs something like 26s. per annum, and the enclosed covers a period from seven to eight years to about this time. I shall be a debtor to your Institution in that sum as long as I am spared, or the Lord come, and hope to send it annually. I do not wish my name to appear—my position is a very humble one—but shall be obliged by an interest in your prayers, especially as being now placed in perplexing circumstances, that I maybe able to rely upon God, when circumstances are mysterious and perplexing, and that I may grow in conformity to our dear Lord. With Christian love I remain, Dear Sir, yours truly ****.”—From Tobago £5.—July 31. From the neighbourhood of Chippenham £100. for Foreign Missions.—On the same day we received from London, £25. for Home Missions, £25. for Foreign Missions, and £20. for the Orphans. And yet further from Kensington £30. for Missions, £20. for the School—, Bible— and Tract Fund, £30. for the Orphans and £20. for myself. These, and other donations, not referred to, carried us through the month of July, in which we had been again reduced to great poverty, but in which, as in thousands of times before, we were helped, not by exposing our need to our fellowmen, and asking them for help, but by taking it in confiding prayer to our Heavenly Father.

Aug. 2. From Dairy

George Mueller