PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
George Müller of Bristol, and His Witness to a Prayer-Hearing God
Pierson, Arthur T. (Arthur Tappan) · 137,521 words · 207 reading sections
The Word Of God And Prayer
This is translating the promises of God's word, not only into praying, but into living, doing, serving. Blessed was the hour when Mr. Muller learned that one of God's chosen names is "the Father of the fatherless"! To sustain such burdens would have been quite impossible but for faith in such a God. In reply to oft-re…
778 wordsSECTION 62The Word Of God And Prayer
In May he once more took part in public services in Bristol, a period of six months having elapsed since he had previously done so. His head was still weak, but there seemed no loss of mental power. About three months after he had been in Germany part of the fruits of his visit were gathered, for twelve brothers and t…
650 wordsSECTION 63The Word Of God And Prayer
Not so George Muller. He saw at once that this would be _finding a way of his own out of difficulty, instead of waiting on the Lord for deliverance._ Moreover, he also saw that it would be _forming a habit of trusting to such expedients of his own, which in other trials would lead to a similar course and so hinder the …
707 wordsSECTION 64The Word Of God And Prayer
* Matt. viii. 8. We are to argue our case with God, not indeed to convince _Him,_ but to convince _ourselves._ In proving to Him that, by His own word and oath and character, He has bound Himself to interpose, we demonstrate _to our own faith_ that He has given us the right to ask and claim, and that He will answer ou…
813 wordsSECTION 65Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
* Mr. Muller himself tells how he argued his case before the Lord at this time. (Appendix F. Narrative, vol. 1, 243, 244) In some such fashion as this did this lowly-minded saint in Bristol plead with God for more than threescore years, _and prevail_--as every true believer may who with a like boldness comes to the th…
772 wordsSECTION 66Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
Thus informed and instructed, these devoted coworkers, with the beloved founder of the orphan work, met the crisis intelligently. If, when there were _no funds,_ there must be _no leaning upon man, no debt_ incurred, and yet _no lack_ allowed, clearly the only resort or resource must be waiting upon the unseen God; and…
676 wordsSECTION 67Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
A gentleman and some ladies visiting the orphan houses saw the large number of little ones to be cared for. One of the ladies said to the matron of the Boys' House: "Of course you cannot carry on these institutions without a good stock of funds"; and the gentleman added, "Have you a good stock?" The quiet answer was, "…
717 wordsSECTION 68Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
One evening a brother ventured to ask how the balance would stand when the next accounts were made up, and whether it would be as great in favour of the orphans as when the previous balance-sheet had been prepared. Mr. Mutter's calm but evasive answer was: _"It will be as great as the Lord pleases."_ This was no intent…
734 wordsSECTION 69Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
Weakness of body again, in the autumn of 1839, compelled, for a time, rest from active labour, and Mr. Muller went to Trowbridge and Exeter, Teignmouth and Plymouth. God had precious lessons for him which He could best teach in the school of affliction. While at Plymouth Mr. Muller felt anew the impulse to early risin…
666 wordsSECTION 70Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
In February, 1840, another attack of ill health combined with a mission to Germany to lead Mr. Muller for five weeks to the Continent. At Heimersleben, where he found his father weakened by a serious cough, the two rooms in which he spent most time in prayer and reading of the Word, and confession of the Lord, were the…
650 wordsSECTION 71Trials Of Faith, And Helpers To Faith
2. It would turn the minds of saints away from dependence solely upon Him. This man of God had staked everything upon one great experiment--he had set himself to prove that the prayer which _resorts to God only_ will bring help in every crisis, even when the crisis is unknown to His people whom He uses as the means of…
421 wordsSECTION 72New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
THE teacher must also be a learner, and therefore only he who continues to learn is competent to continue to teach. Nothing but new lessons, daily mastered, can keep our testimony fresh and vitalizing and enable us to give advance lessons. Instead of being always engaged in a sort of review, our teaching and testimony …
674 wordsSECTION 73New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
All the lessons learned in God's school of prayer made Mr. Muller's feelings and convictions about this matter more profound and subduing. He saw the vital relation of prayer to holiness, and perpetually sought to impress it upon both his hearers and readers; and, remembering that for the purpose of persuasion the most…
716 wordsSECTION 74New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
This praying saint, who watched man, most of all watched God. Even in the lesser details of his work, his eye was ever looking for God's unfailing supplies, and taking notice of the divine leadings and dealings; and, afterward, there always followed the fruit of the lips, giving thanks to His name. Here is another secr…
652 wordsSECTION 75New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
1. Notwithstanding multiplied trials of faith, the orphans have lacked nothing. 2. Instead of being disappointed in his expectations or work, the reverse had been true, such trials being seen to be needful to demonstrate that the Lord was their Helper in times of need. 3. Such a way of living brings the Lord very nea…
693 wordsSECTION 76New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
For example, in June, 1841, fifty pounds were received with these words: _"I am not concerned at my having been prevented for so many days from sending this money; I am confident it has not been needed."_ "This last sentence is remarkable," says Mr. Muller. "It is now nearly three years since our funds were for the fi…
692 wordsSECTION 77New Lessons In God'S School Of Prayer
It was in December of this same year, 1841, that, in order to show how solely dependence was placed on a heavenly Provider, it was determined to _delay for a while_ both the holding of any public meeting and the printing of the Annual Report. Mr. Muller was confident that, though no word should be either spoken or prin…
759 wordsSECTION 78Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
George Muller was jealous for the Lord God of hosts, He desired that "even the shadow of ground might be cut off for persons to say, 'They cannot get any more money; and therefore they now publish another report.'" Hence, while, during the whole progress of the work, he desired to stand with his Master, without heeding…
682 wordsSECTION 79Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
To avoid mistake, with equal care he records the counter-arguments. 1. The new orphan house, No. 4, was about to be opened, and his presence was desirable if not needful. 2. A few hundred pounds were needed, to be left with his helpers, for current expenses in his absence. 3. Money was also required for travelling e…
747 wordsSECTION 80Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
Such discriminations have only to be stated to any spiritual mind, to have their wisdom at once apparent. Any believing child of God may safely gauge the measure of his surrender to the will of God, in any matter, by the measure of impatience he feels at the obstacles in the way; for in proportion as self-will sways hi…
860 wordsSECTION 81Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
"As thou goest, step by step, the way shall open up before thee." (See the Hebrew, of Prov. iv. 12.) At Stuttgart he found and felt, like Jude, that it was "needful earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints." Even among believers, errors had found far too deep root. Especially was undue stress la…
679 wordsSECTION 82Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
These views of the Spirit's administration in the assemblies of believers, and of His manifestation in all believers for common profit, fully accord with scripture teaching. (1 Cor. xii., Romans xii., Ephes. iv., etc.) Were such views practically held in the church of this day, a radical revolution would be wrought and…
730 wordsSECTION 83Following The Pillar Of Cloud And Fire
These and other matters, too many to be individually mentioned, had to be borne daily to the great Helper, without whose Everlasting Arms they could not have been carried. And Mr. Muller seeks constantly to impress on all who read his pages or heard his voice, the perfect trustworthiness of God. For any and all needs o…
666 wordsSECTION 84God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
It is important also to observe that, if one branch of the work is in straits, it is not necessarily a reason for abandoning another form of service. The work of God depends on Him alone. If the whole tree is His planting, we need not cut off one limb to save another. The whole body is His, and, if one member is weak, …
788 wordsSECTION 85God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
* Robert C. Chapman, of Barnstaple, yet living--and whom Mr. Muller cherished as his "oldest friend." Three days later, a Christian architect in London voluntarily offered not only to draught the plans, but gratuitously to superintend the building! This offer had been brought about in a manner so strange as to be natu…
694 wordsSECTION 86God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
The assurance became doubly sure that _God would build for Himself_ a large orphan house near Bristol, to show to all, near and far, what a blessed privilege it is to trust in Him. He desired God Himself so manifestly to act as that he should be seen by all men to be nothing but His instrument, passive in His hands. Me…
705 wordsSECTION 87God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
* Appendix G. Six days after, came the formal offer from the London architect of his services in surveying, in draughting plans, elevations, sections, and specifications, and in overseeing the work of construction; and a week later he came to Bristol, saw the site, and pronounced it in all respects well fitted for its…
760 wordsSECTION 88God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
Scarcely were the orphans thus housed on Ashley Down, before Mr. Muller's heart felt enlarged desire that one thousand, instead of three hundred, might enjoy such privileges of temporal provision and spiritual instruction; and, before the new year, 1851, had dawned, this yearning had matured into a purpose. With his un…
654 wordsSECTION 89God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
Up to October 2, 1851, only about eleven hundred pounds had been given directly toward the second proposed orphan house, and, up to May 26th following, a total of some thirty-five hundred pounds. But George Muller remembered one who, "after he had patiently endured, obtained the promise." He had waited over two years b…
741 wordsSECTION 90God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
Orphan House No. 3 was opened March 12, 1862, and with over ten thousand pounds in hand for current expenses. All the helpers needed had not then been supplied, but this delay was only a new incentive to believing prayer: and, instead of _once, thrice,_ a day, God was besought to provide suitable persons. One after ano…
698 wordsSECTION 91God'S Building: The New Orphan Houses
One cannot but be impressed, in visiting the orphan houses, with several prominent features, and first of all their magnitude. They are very spacious, with about seventeen hundred large windows, and accommodations for over two thousand inmates. They are also very substantial, being built of stone and made to last. They…
870 wordsSECTION 92The Manifold Grace Of God
SOME one has quaintly said, in commenting upon the Twenty-third Psalm, that "the coach in which the Lord's saints ride has not only a driver, but two footmen"--_"goodness and mercy shall follow me."_ Surely these two footmen of the Lord, in their celestial livery of grace, followed George Muller all the days of his li…
742 wordsSECTION 93The Manifold Grace Of God
One experience of this sojourn abroad should have special mention for the lesson it suggests, both in charity for others' views and loving adaptation to circumstances. A providential opening occurred to address meetings of about one hundred and fifty members of the state church. In his view the character of such assemb…
665 wordsSECTION 94The Manifold Grace Of God
What goodness and mercy followed him in the strength he ever had to bear the heavy loads of care incident to his work! The Lord's coach bore him and his burdens together. Day by day his gracious Master preserved his peace unbroken, though disease found its way into this large family, though fit homes and work must be f…
650 wordsSECTION 95The Manifold Grace Of God
And what goodness and mercy was it that never suffered prayerfulness and patience to relax their hold, either when answers seemed to come fast and thick like snow-flakes, or when the heavens seemed locked up and faith had to wait patiently and long! Every day brought new demands for continuance in prayer. In fact, as M…
666 wordsSECTION 96The Manifold Grace Of God
The common ways of accounting for its success would be absurdly ridiculous and amusing were they not so sadly unbelieving. Those who knew little or nothing, either of the exercise of faith or the experience of God's faithfulness, resorted to the most God-dishonouring explanations of the work. Some said: "Mr. Muller is …
789 wordsSECTION 97The Manifold Grace Of God
Towards the end of November, 1857, it was found that a serious leak in the boiler of the heating apparatus of house No. 1 would make repairs at once necessary, and as the boilers were encased in bricks and a new boiler might be required, such repairs must consume time. Meanwhile how could three hundred children, some o…
664 wordsSECTION 98The Manifold Grace Of God
* About twenty years later the Bristol Water Works Co. introduced pipes and thus a permanent and unfailing supply. Second, when, for three years, scarlet and typhus fevers and smallpox, being prevalent in Bristol and the vicinity threatened the orphans, prayer was again made to Him who is the God of health as well as …
670 wordsSECTION 99The Manifold Grace Of God
What lessons lie hidden--nay, lie on the very surface--to be read of every willing observer of these events! Prayer can break even a hard heart; a memory, stored with biblical truth and pious teaching, will prove, when once God's grace softens the heart and unlooses the tongue, a source of both personal growth in grace…
717 wordsSECTION 100The Shadow Of A Great Sorrow
"WITH clouds He covereth the light." No human life is without some experience of clouded skies and stormy days, and sometimes "the clouds return after the rain." It is a blessed experience to recognize the silver lining on the darkest storm cloud, and, better still, to be sure of the shining of God's light behind a sky…
760 wordsSECTION 101The Shadow Of A Great Sorrow
Under the weight of such a sorrow, most men would have sunk into depths of almost hopeless despair. But this man of God, sustained by a divine love, at once sought for occasions of thanksgiving; and, instead of repining over his loss, gratefully remembered and recorded the goodness of God in _taking_ such a wife, relea…
683 wordsSECTION 102The Shadow Of A Great Sorrow
That funeral sermon was a noble tribute to the goodness of the Lord even in the great affliction of his life. The text was: _"Thou art good and doest good."_ (Psalm cxix. 68.) Its three divisions were: "The Lord was good and did good: first, in giving her to me; second in so long leaving her to me; and third, in taki…
698 wordsSECTION 103The Shadow Of A Great Sorrow
These words were to Mr. Muller her last legacy; and with the comfort they gave him, the loving sympathy of his precious Lydia who did all that a daughter could do to fill a mother's place, and with the remembrance of Him who hath said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,' he went on his lonely pilgrim way, rejoi…
685 wordsSECTION 104The Shadow Of A Great Sorrow
Nevertheless much prayer was offered that the Lord would provide such a successor, and, in Mr. James Wright, the prayer was answered. He was not chosen, as Mr. Muller's son-in-law, for the choice was made before his marriage to Lydia Muller was even thought of by him. For more than thirty years, even from his boyhood, …
505 wordsSECTION 105The Period Of World-Wide Witness
GOD'S real answers to prayer are often seeming denials. Beneath the outward request He hears the voice of the inward desire, and He responds to the mind of the Spirit rather than to the imperfect and perhaps mistaken words in which the yearning seeks expression. Moreover, His infinite wisdom sees that a larger blessing…
655 wordsSECTION 106The Period Of World-Wide Witness
5. To _strengthen the faith of believers,_ encouraging a simpler trust, and a more real and unwavering confidence in God, and particularly in the sure answers to believing prayer, based upon His definite promises. 6. To _promote separation from the world_ and deadness to it, and so to increase heavenly-mindedness in c…
725 wordsSECTION 107The Period Of World-Wide Witness
The third tour was on the Continent. It occupied most of the year closing May 26, 1877, and embraced Paris, various places in Switzerland, Prussia and Holland, Alsace, Wurtemberg, Baden, Hesse Darmstadt, etc. Altogether over three hundred addresses were given in about seventy cities and villages to all of which he had …
738 wordsSECTION 108The Period Of World-Wide Witness
Mr. Muller, ready to preach the gospel to those at Rome also, felt his spirit saddened and stirred within him, as he saw that city wholly given to idolatry--not pagan but papal idolatry--the Rome not of the Caesars, but of the popes. While at Naples he ascended Vesuvius. Those masses of lava, which seemed greater in bu…
664 wordsSECTION 109The Period Of World-Wide Witness
This visit was extended to the Holy Land in a way strikingly providential. After speaking at Alexandria, Cairo, and Port Said, he went to Jaffa, and thence to Jerusalem, on November 28. With reverent feet he touched the soil once trodden by the feet of the Son of God, visiting, with pathetic interest, Gethsemane and Go…
784 wordsSECTION 110The Period Of World-Wide Witness
This sudden bereavement led Mr. Muller to bring his mission tour in the East to a close and depart for Bristol, that he might both comfort Mr. Wright and relieve him of undue pressure of work. After a lapse of two months, once more Mr. and Mrs. Muller left home for other extensive missionary journeys. They went to the…
737 wordsSECTION 111The Period Of World-Wide Witness
These missionary tours were not always approved even by the friends and advisers of Mr. Muller. In 1882, while experiencing no little difficulty and trial, especially as to funds, there were not a few who felt a deep interest in the Institution on Ashley Down, who would have had God's servant discontinue his long absen…
677 wordsSECTION 112The Period Of World-Wide Witness
The results of this close and frequent contact were singularly blessed to me, and at my invitation he came to Detroit, Michigan, in his next tour, and spoke in the Fort Street Presbyterian Church, of which I was pastor, on Sundays, January 18 and 25, 1880, and on Monday and Friday evenings, in the interval. In additio…
760 wordsSECTION 113Faith And Patience In Serving
QUANTITY of service is of far less importance than quality. To do well, rather than to do much, will be the motto of him whose main purpose is to please God. Our Lord bade His disciples tarry until endued with power from on high, because it is such enduement that gives to all witness and work the celestial savour and f…
736 wordsSECTION 114Faith And Patience In Serving
All this was, from first to last, and of necessity, a work of faith. How far faith must have been kept in constant and vigorous exercise can be appreciated only by putting one's self in Mr. Muller's place. In the year 1874, for instance, about forty-four thousand pounds were needed, and he was compelled to count the co…
815 wordsSECTION 115Faith And Patience In Serving
The trials of faith did not cease even until the end. July 28, 1881, finds the following entry in Mr. Muller's journal: "The income has been for some time past only about a third part of the expenses. Consequently all we have for the support of the orphans is nearly gone; and for the first four objects of the Institut…
790 wordsSECTION 116Faith And Patience In Serving
As to our trials, difficulties, losses, and disappointments, we are prone to hesitate about committing them to the Lord, trustfully and calmly. We think we have done well if we take refuge in the Lord's promise to his reluctant disciple Peter, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter," referring t…
709 wordsSECTION 117Faith And Patience In Serving
The Lord did not forget His promise, and He did keep the plant He had permitted His servant to set in His name in the soil on Ashley Down. Faith that was tried, triumphed. On June 7, 1884, a legacy of over eleven thousand pounds reached him, the _largest single gift_ ever yet received, the largest donations which had p…
887 wordsSECTION 118Faith And Patience In Serving
In another connection it has already been recorded that, when at Jubbulpore in 1890, Mr. Muller received tidings of his daughter's death. To any man of less faith that shock might have proved, at his advanced age, not only a stunning but a fatal blow. His only daughter and only child, Lydia, the devoted wife of James W…
732 wordsSECTION 119Faith And Patience In Serving
Prayer was much increased, and faith did not fail under the trial, which continued for weeks and months, but was abundantly sustained by the promises of an unfailing Helper. This distress was relieved in March by the sale of ten acres of land, at one thousand pounds an acre, and at the close of the year there was in ha…
846 wordsSECTION 120At Evening-Time--Light
THE closing scene of this beautiful and eventful life-history has an interest not altogether pathetic. Mr. Muller seems like an elevated mountain, on whose summit the evening sun shines in lingering splendour, and whose golden peak rises far above the ordinary level and belongs to heaven more than earth, in the clear, …
697 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.