| George Mueller: Prayer Warrior continued...
BIRTH OF A NEW ERA
Muller was ready at length for his life's
work...Every leaning post had been removed. This apostle
of faith had laid down those principles of trust by
which his future was to be marked. He looked entirely
to God for spiritual direction as well as for physical
supplies...One thing was lacking, which God in a devious
manner was about to furnish, and that was a location
for his faith to germinate into a living reality...Muller
tells the turning events in a few sentences in his "Life
of Trust." "April 13. Found a letter from Brother Craik,
from Bristol...He invites me to come and help him...It
seems to me as if I should shortly go, if the Lord permit."...On
the following day he wrote, "Wrote to Brother Craik,
in which I said I should come, if I clearly saw it to
be the Lord's will." This was the bend in his life's
road, and the proviso was written into the letter as
well as designed into Muller's experience...if the
Lord will. Always the minister made his plans only
when God plainly indicated that human plans and the
divine will coincided.
In 1829 Mr. Muller had met a kindred spirit in Henry
Craik, both being university trained men, who had been
spiritually awakened at their respective universities,
Craik in Scotland and Muller in Halle. Shortly before
Muller had begun preaching on the second coming of Christ
as being in accordance with the Scriptures, and Craik
held to similar views. This drew the two men together
as kindred souls...
Due to the death of Craik's wife, he had met a friend
from Bristol who had invited him to accept work in the
city, serving as pastor of the Gideon Chapel. A month
after he had located in Bristol he wrote to his old
friend George Muller to come and help him...
After a visit to Bristol on April 21, 1832, where he
preached at the Gideon Chapel and later at the Pithay
Chapel, Mr. Muller decided it was God's will to leave
his Teignmouth congregation. Accordingly he and Mr.
Craik laid down conditions for the new congregation
to accept before they would become pastors of the work...
On May 15 two letters arrived from Bristol in which
the Gideon folk accepted the terms, which were, "to
consider us only as ministering among them, but not
in any fixed pastoral relationship, so that we may preach
as we consider it to be according to the mind of God,
without reference to any rules among them; that the
pew-rents should be done away with, and that we should
go on, respecting the supply of our temporal wants,
as in Devonshire."...
The two spiritual leaders of the congregations diligently
entered upon their duties, preaching faithfully the
word of redemption...
..."The meetings for enquirers were so largely attended
that, though they sometimes lasted for more than four
hours, it was frequently the case that many...had to
be sent away for lack of time and strength on the part
of the two workers," declares Mr. Muller.
For eight years the Gideon Chapel, jointly with the
Bethesda Chapel, was the scene of their spiritual ministrations.
At the close of 1833 Muller took stock of God's dealings
with him since he had begun to live by faith alone in
the promises of God. He found that his income for this
time was approximately $3,700, whereas his stated salary
for the same length of time would have been $900.
"During the last three years," he affirms in reviewing
his income through faith, "I never have asked anyone
for anything; but, by the help of the Lord, I have been
enabled at all times to bring my wants to Him, and He
graciously supplied them all."
The previous year Mr. Muller had been given a copy of
August H. Franke's life, and as time permitted he read
it through. The inspiration of Franke proved a great
boon to Muller's faith, for it showed him that God for
thirty years during Franke's life had been able to supply
all the needs for nearly 2,000 orphans, and that for
a hundred years the noble work had been continued through
faith.
Muller was touched by the condition of the orphans and
street gamins round about him, and he decided as inspired
by Franke's work to gather them around him for instruction.
At eight o'clock in the morning he gathered the children
from the street to his home, fed them a little breakfast,
and then for an hour and a half taught them out of the
Scriptures. The work increased on his hands until it
included older folk as well.
He found himself feeding from thirty to forty such persons,
and as the number increased the Lord's provisions also
increased. One kept pace with the other...
"This thought ultimately," declares the apostle of faith,
"issued in the formation of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution and in the establishment of the Orphan Houses."
Doubtless February 21, 1834, was the crowning day up
to that time of God's dealings with George Muller. "I
was led this morning to form a plan for the establishing,
upon Scriptural principles, of the institution for the
spread of the gospel at home and abroad. I trust this
matter is of God..." Other societies, he held, were
formed on the assumption that the world would gradually
become better and better, "and at last the whole world
will be converted." This belief he held to be contrary
to the Bible and hence could not endorse it. [i.e. The
Amillennialist view was judged to be false by Scripture
according to Muller.] The worldly connection of other
societies was contrary to God's Word. "The connection
with the world is too marked in these religious societies,
for every one who pays a guinea...is considered a member...and
has a right to vote."
Other societies asked the unconverted for money which
was contrary to Mr. Muller's principles. The leaders
in such societies were ofttimes wealthy, but unregenerate,
individuals without true knowledge of God. A final reason
for not believing in existing organizations was that
they contracted debts, which long ago God had taught
him to be unworthy of a trustful life.
"It appeared to us to be his will," Muller explains,
"that we should be entirely separate from these societies..."
Accordingly on the evening of March 5, 1834, a public
meeting was held where "The Scriptural Knowledge Institution
for Home and Abroad" was formed. The founding of the
Institution was accomplished by a statement of principles
and objects, which in substance are as follows:
- "We consider every believer bound...to help the
cause of Christ."
- "We never intend to ask unconverted persons of rank
or wealth to countenance this institution...In the
name of God we set up our banners."
- "We do not mean to ask unbelievers for money."
- "We reject altogether the help of unbelievers in
managing...the affairs of the Institution."
- "We intend never to enlarge the field of labor by
contracting debts...but in secret prayer...we shall
carry the wants of the Institution to the Lord, and
act according to the means that God shall give us."
- "We do not reckon the success of the Institution
by the amount of money given...but by the Lord's blessing
upon the work."
- "We desire to go simply according to the Scripture,
without compromising the truth."
The objects of the Institution were:
- To assist day schools, Sunday schools. "We consider
it unscriptural that any person who does not profess
to know the Lord themselves should be allowed to give
religious instruction," "The Institution does not
assist any adult school...except the teachers are
believers."
- To circulate the Holy Scriptures.
- To aid missionary efforts. "We desire to assist
those missionaries whose proceedings appear to be
most according to the Scriptures." [That is why this
Christian unity web site wholeheartedly supports Campus
Crusade for Christ and it's JESUS Film Project, in
it's spreading of the gospel around the world and
a portion of my tithes are dedicated to this worthy
organization.]
This indeed is a large order for an institution
whose founder wrote two days later, "Today we have
only one shilling left"--only one shilling between
two preachers and their families. There were no patrons,
no committees, and no membership. There was to be no
asking for funds, and the responsibility rested solely
upon the frail efforts of two ministers, both of whom
were decidedly poor!...
God had found a man he could trust and used him as His
instrument in giving birth to this work. Muller was
missionary spirited, for during his earlier years he
had tried to become officially connected with some missionary
endeavor. He had learned to take counsel and direction
from God. He had discovered the power for spiritual
enduement which lies in Bible reading, and had filled
his soul with God's Word so that he might test his daily
walk by these principles which God had inspired.
Another source of his spiritual strength was found in
cutting loose from worldly attachments. He would not
even as much as give money to a school or a Sunday school
where the teachers were not believers, nor would he
ask for money from anyone, let alone the fact that he
would not list wealthy patrons as promoters of his work.
He had renounced self, the world and its attachments,
that he might give himself to secret prayer. Out of
such endeavors flowed the stream of his power with God.
With God as its Patron, prayer as its appeal, believing
workers at its head, the Institution could but flourish.
During the first seven months money began to flow in
so that active work was undertaken. Almost a hundred
and sixty-eight pounds were contributed by various persons,
which was carefully expended to promote the objects
of the work. During this time in the Sunday school 120
children received instruction; 40 in the Adult school;
209 children were taught in the four Day schools, two
for boys and two for girls, 54 of this number being
free pupils and the others paying part of their expenses.
The work of Bible distribution, always a large object
for promotion, began at once. During the initial seven
months 482 Bibles and 520 New Testaments were circulated
while $285 was given to aid missionary activities.
On January 21, 1835, Mr. Muller entered in his Journal
these words, "Received in answer to prayer from an unexpected
quarter, five pounds for the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.
The Lord pours in, whilst we seek to pour out."
This was always his plan of operation. He sought God
to pour in the supplies, and he diligently furnished
sources through which they might be distributed. As
long as Muller saw to the careful distribution of money
and supplies, God never failed in pouring in the needed
materials.
He had struck a partnership with God, and had promised
to dispense whatever the Almighty provided. The partnership
remained constant to the end...From the birth of this
idea--the founding of the Institution--during Muller's
lifetime more than seven and a half million dollars
were to be poured into the coffers of the work, through
this man's prayer.
INTO HIS LIFE'S WORK AT LAST
Gradually God's providence led Mr. Muller
to the sphere of his life's work...For months Mr. Muller
had been thinking about founding an orphanage...On November
20, 1835, he found at a sister's house a life of Franke
which touched the well-springs of his ambition. He wrote,
"I have frequently, for a long time, thought of laboring
in a similar way." The following day he entered in his
Journal, "Today I have had it very much impressed on
my heart no longer merely to think about the
establishment of an orphan house, but actually to set
about it. I have very much in prayer regarding it...to
ascertain the Lord's mind." On December 2 he was to
take the first outward and formal step toward bringing
into reality this prayer-dream. He says, "Therefore,
I have this day taken the first actual step in the matter,
in having ordered bills to be printed, announcing a
public meeting on December 9, at which I intend to lay
before the brethren my thoughts concerning the orphan
house..."
Mr. Muller was not to wait for the brethren's opinion,
advice or first-fruits of meager gifts. For on December
5 while reading the Bible at his evening prayer season,
the Scriptures blazed forth in a text which inspired
his faith to immediate action.
"This evening," he affirms, "I was struck in reading
the Scriptures with these words, 'Open thy mouth
wide, and I will fill it.' I was led
to apply this scripture to the orphan house, and ask
the Lord for premises, one thousand pounds and suitable
individuals to take care of the children." His faith
flamed forth when God spoke.
From that moment this text formed one of his life mottoes,
and the promise became power in molding his future work.
The text was his check on heaven's bank, and cashable
for any needed amount, so Muller's faith attested.
God's seal on the work was not long in coming, for his
faith obtained the substance in the form of a gift,
the first of many thousands...
On the afternoon of the meeting, December 9, came the
first gift of furniture in the form of a large wardrobe.
Concerning that night meeting, more or less a form since
God had put his sanction upon the work and gifts had
already been coming in through Muller's faith, the faith-venturing
preacher says, "As soon as I began to speak at the meeting
I received peculiar assistance from God. After the meeting
ten shillings were given me. There was purposely no
collection...After the meeting a sister offered herself
for the work. I went home, happy in the Lord and full
of confidence that the matter would come to pass."
The following morning a statement of the meeting was
given to the press. Immediate response burst forth following
the news article, and gifts began to come in, as well
as offers of life services of the givers themselves.
On December 10 Muller received a letter, one of the
many scores which were to follow during his long orphanage
career, "We propose ourselves for the service of the
intended orphan house, if you think us qualified for
it; also to give up all the furniture, etc., which the
Lord has given us, for its use; and to do this without
receiving any salary whatever; believing that, if it
be the will of the Lord to employ us, He will supply
all our needs."
Since that day there has never been a lack of competent,
cheerful and devoted helpers, though the work rapidly
extended beyond Muller's strongest dreams.
In the evening of the same day, as tokens from the Lord,
individuals sent in "three dishes, twenty-eight plates,
three basins, one jug, four mugs, three saltstands,
one grater, four knives and five forks." On December
12 came more dishes and fifty pounds for the work. On
the thirteenth came twenty-nine yards of print, "also
a sister offered herself for the work." Mr. Muller reported
one gift with the same calm and equipoise as the other.
On the next day came eight shillings and "a brother
and sister offered themselves." Still there were no
surprise remarks from the apostle of trust, for he had
believed that God would fill his open mouth,
and in this filling all came as from God. Similar gifts
continued daily.
Came basins and mugs and dessert spoons, a skimmer,
a toasting fork and a dredge, also pillow cases and
table cloths, as well as "fifty-five yards of sheeting,
twelve yards of calico."
The orphanage was on its way...for the bounteous hand
of God was overflowing with gifts.
On December 17 Mr. Muller turned down the gift of $500
from a poor woman, thinking she was unable to give so
much. She was weak in body and her weekly earnings were
less than a dollar. "But," she replied in triumphant
faith, "the Lord Jesus has given His last drop for me,
and should I not give Him this hundred pounds?"
The gift Mr. Muller discovered had come through the
death of the girl's grandmother, and he accepted it
with gratitude to God for using "this poor, sickly sister
as an instrument in so considerable gift, for helping
at its very commencement the work."
At last Mr. Muller was able to set a definite date for
opening an orphans' house for girls. As funds came in
he secured a large house, No. 6 North Wilson Street,
where he had been living for some time, by renting it
for one year. April 1, 1836, was set as the formal opening
day. He informed the public that he would receive applications
for entrance, and shortly after he intimated that a
second house would be opened to receive small children,
both boys and girls.
During the weeks that Mr. Muller had prayed in the materials
for the house, the funds for the rent and its equipment,
the laborers to carry on the work, he had forgotten
to pray for orphans. And on the opening day not one
applicant was received!
He had taken it for granted that the children would
come. He spent two hours at the house waiting for applicants,
and then dejectedly walked home. On his way this thought
rushed to his mind, "I have prayed about everything
connected with this work--for money, for a house, for
helpers, about the various articles of furniture, etc.,
but I have never asked the Lord to send me orphans."
That night he laid low in prayer, prevailing with God
to send children for the home. Faith once more gained
a divine audience, for the very next day he received
the first application for entrance. Within a month forty-two
children were seeking admission, with twenty-six already
in the home and more arriving daily.
Throughout the year there were to be testings of personal
faith, but God never failed him. As a sample of such
trials on November 30 he writes, "Being in great need,
I was led, yesterday morning, earnestly to ask the Lord;
and in answer to this petition a brother gave me, last
evening, ten pounds." Morning prayer was answered by
the evening gift.
Mr. Muller testifies that in his lifetime fifty thousand
such specific prayers were answered. Years before he
died, about the middle of his career, he affirmed that
up to that time five thousand of his definite prayers
had been answered on the day of asking.
He made it a habit to keep a notebook with two page
entries. On one page he gave the petition and the date,
and on the opposite page he entered the date of the
answer. In this manner he was able to keep record of
definite petitions, and their specific answers. He recommended
this form to believers who desired specific results
to their prayers. Thus there is no guesswork as to when
God answers prayers.
At the beginning of 1836 Mr. Muller had asked for a
thousand pounds and an orphanage house along with its
equipment. In reviewing that year's work, he found that
God had given him his first orphanage house on Wilson
Street, and seven months after the opening of the first
house he obtained another one located at No. 1 Wilson
Street. This received its first children on November
18. A review of his financial returns showed gifts for
the orphanages of seven hundred and seventy pounds,
and he himself had received for his personal needs two
hundred and thirty-two pounds
During that year, God had furnished more than the $5,000
asked as the initial starter of the work. Closing the
first orphanage year, he relates, "On December 31, we
had this evening a prayer meeting to praise the Lord
for His goodness during the past year, and to ask Him
for a continuance of His favors."
The blessings of God were so numerous that by April
8, 1837, there were thirty orphans in each house, No.
6 Wilson Street caring for older girls and No. 1 giving
a home to young boys and girls.
The founder of this work, asking at first for a hundred
pounds, affirms that in his own mind the thing was as
good as done, and he often thanked God for the sum as
though already in hand...
No appeal was made to the public, God alone receiving
his petitions daily for eighteen months and ten days.
[Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give."
This man received freely from the Lord, and freely gave
what the Lord provided, freely distributing to those
in need. What a different tune we hear being played
by some Christians today with their hand out for money.
Not to say that some products produced by Christian
works don't have a cost, and are produced for other
Christians, but whatever happened to "Non-profit" in
these works? Do some of the resources they charge for
really cost what is being charged, postage included--or
is their price inflated? We need to search our Christian
conscience in this matter.]
It was in the year 1837 that Mr. Muller, then thirty-two,
felt a deep conviction that his own growth in grace
and power for service were indispensable for the promotion
of the work. He sought two things; first more retirement
for secret prayer and communion with God and provision
for the spiritual oversight of the church, the total
number of communicants being at this time nearly four
hundred [sounds like a Calvary Chapel!]. He found himself
too busy to pray as he ought.
After learning the lesson of being busy in the work
of the Lord, too busy in fact to pray, he told his brethren
that four hours of work after an hour of prayer would
accomplish more than five hours without prayer. This
rule henceforth he faithfully kept...
On October 21 another house was secured in Wilson Street
which was opened to receive orphan boys. Mr. Muller
now had under his care ninety-six orphans. His prayer
for premises, suitable helpers and the thousand pounds
were abundantly answered.
He remarks, "When I was asking the petition I was fully
aware what I was doing, i.e. asking for something
that I had no natural prospect of getting from the
brethren I knew, but which was not too much for
the Lord to grant."
In reviewing the year 1837, Muller states, "Ninety,
therefore, daily sit down to table. Lord, look on the
necessities of thy servant"--a prayer which God abundantly
answered. Not once during the year was a single meal
unsupplied. Throughout all his experience in conducting
the orphanages this servant of God testifies that no
meal, even when he was feeding two thousand orphans
daily by faith, was more than thirty minutes late...
Many asked Mr. Muller how he sought to know the will
of God, in that nothing was undertaken, not even the
smallest expenditure, without feeling certain he was
in God's will. In the following words he gave his answer:
- I seek at the beginning to get my heart into
such a state that it has no will of its own in regard
to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the difficulties
are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's
will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this
state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge
of what His will is.
- Having done this, I do not leave the result
to feeling or simple impressions. If so, I make
myself liable to great delusions.
- I seek the will of the Spirit of God through or
in connection with the Word of God. The Spirit and
the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit
alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great
delusions also.
- Next I take into account providential circumstances.
These plainly indicate God's will in connection
with His Word and Spirit.
- I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me
aright.
- Thus through prayer to God, the study of the
Word and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment
according to the best of my ability and knowledge,
and if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so
after two or three more petitions, I proceed accordingly.
In trivial matters and transactions involving most
important issues, I have found this method always
effective."
And did this plan work?--one asks. Let Mr.
Muller's testimony answer.
"I never remember," he wrote three years before his
death, "in all my Christian course, a period now (in
March 1895) of sixty-nine years and four months, that
I EVER SINCERELY AND PATIENTLY sought to know the will
of God by the teaching of the Word of God, but
I have been ALWAYS directed rightly. But if honesty
of heart and uprightness before God were
lacking, of if I did not patiently wait upon
God for instruction, or if I preferred the counsel
of my fellow men to the declarations of the Word
of the living God, I made great mistakes. (Italics
his.)
When asked why he undertook the work of the Institution,
Mr. Muller replied, "The first and primary object of
the Institution was, and still is, that God might be
magnified by the fact that the Orphans under my care
were, and are, provided with all they need only by prayer
and faith, without anyone being asked by
me or my fellow-laborers, whereby it might be seen that
God is FAITHFUL STILL AND HEARS PRAYER STILL."
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