Heavy Trials in the Orphan Work During the Last Thirteen Years of Mr. Müller's Life (part 4 of 5)

"I am, dear Mr. Müller,

"Yours truly, ——."

I advise the readers to read this letter once more, and then attend to the few remarks I make in connection with it.

(1) You have again brought before you the blessing, temporally and spiritually, connected with systematic giving to the poor or the Lord's work.

(2) The writer, as he says, began in a small way, then he gave more. Here is a donation of £100 at a time; and this is not the only time that I have received from this donor £100. How came it, that the donor was able to give more, and considerably more? Because any one, who is a believer in the Lord Jesus, and who, constrained by the love of Christ, becomes a systematic giver, as God prospers him in his business, in his profession, or otherwise, is not only blessed in his inner man spiritually, but also temporally. This I have seen within the last sixty-five years in many instances, so that £5,000, £7,000, £8,000, could be given at one time by persons, who had been comparatively poor, when they began to act according to these principles; I also know, from my own experience, within the past sixty-five years, the effect of systematic giving.

(3) The writer says, "Now I am enabled, by God's grace, to set apart all I make (after providing for the maintenance of my household) for the Lord's work." See, in this, the precious result of acting according to the Word of God. If all the disciples of the Lord Jesus were to act according to this way, which is the scriptural way, then, though the Church of God is poor, in comparison with the world, it would be found that at least ten times more could be done for the poor or the work of God, than now is done.

(4) The writer says, "I am sure I have much more pleasure than those who are scraping, and heap up money to leave to their children, which in nine cases out of ten may prove a curse and not a blessing to them." To give, to communicate, of that which the Lord has entrusted to us, invariably brings more or less blessing to the soul. If this were really believed, it would encourage the systematic giving, on account of the increase of happiness. Observe also the only too frequent result of seeking to leave large possessions to children.

January 1st. Of the sixty-four donations, which came in to-day for the Orphans, I refer only to the following. From Melksham £35.—January 9th. From Maidstone £50.—January 24th. From London, E.C., £40.—January 25th. Received from Ireland £102 10s., with the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"I have much pleasure in enclosing Bank Draft for the funds of the Orphanage, as a thankoffering to our Heavenly Father for His numerous mercies and blessings received during the past two years. I was unable to send the usual gift this time last year, and in LIEU have added one year's interest, to make up for the time. May the Lord's blessing rest upon you and your work, my dear Brother, is the prayer of

"Your unworthy Brother in Christ, ——."

January 26th. Legacy of the late Captain G. B. £3,288 0s. 3d. More than twenty-three years ago the testator came to me, an entire stranger, and asked me to become his executor. My reply was: "You had better consider this further." I never heard a word more from the testator, nor saw him even once during the past twenty-three years, though Mr. Wright tells me that from time to time during my absence on missionary tours he brought a donation for the Orphans. But in last November I was informed that he had died, that he had made his Will immediately after he had spoken to me twenty-three years ago, that he had made me his executor, and that, after his funeral expenses, his debts, and five legacies had been paid, the residue should go to the Orphan Fund. Will the reader please to notice the hand of God in this legacy. (1) An entire stranger to me, because he has confidence in me, makes me his executor. (2) For twenty-three years he remains of the same mind, without once seeing me on the subject, nor letting me know he had made me his executor. And (3) how comes all this? Oh! beloved reader, see the hand and the heart of God. What cannot He do for those who confide in Him; and what is not He willing to do for all such?—January 30th. Legacy of the late Miss A. M. £500. From Wales £420 12s. for the Orphans, with £46 14s. 6d. for myself.

February 7th. On account of the legacy of the late Mr. W. C., £190 14s. 3d.—February 12th. Balance of the legacy of the late Mr. R. W. I., £146 9s. 4d.—February 14th. From Yarmouth £40.—February 15th. From Chippenham £50.—February 19th. From Liverpool £40.—February 26th. As this morning only £4 4s. 1d. had come in, instead of about £90, the average daily expenses, I fell again on my knees, and asked the Lord for more. The next delivery brought £7 10s. more, and information in a letter from Edinburgh that in a registered letter a £10 note would follow. I also received to-day £5, with the following statement: "Enclosed you have cheque for £5, which I have been IMPRESSED to give to your work."

March 1st. The first two deliveries brought only £13 8s. 6d. I therefore bowed again my knees before the Lord twice and also a third and fourth time, asking the Lord, that He would graciously be pleased to send more. The third delivery brought 7s. 6d., and also from Thetford a Banker's Draft for £31. By 3 o'clock delivery £1 1s. more came in. I thanked God for this and prayed for more. By 6 o'clock delivery was received 9s. 3d., also from Clifton £10, and from New Zealand £3. Also from Manchester £1, and for myself 10s. I thanked God for this and asked still more, when, by the last delivery at 9 p.m., I received £5 from Westbury-on-Trym. Thus the £13 8s. was increased to £65 6s. 3d.—March 2nd. The income this morning by the first two deliveries was only £4 2s. I thanked God for this, though only so little for our great requirements, and asked Him for more; then came in further in coupons, £142 7s. 4d., also £2, also 10s. By 3 o'clock delivery, after further prayer and praise, I received from Scotland £5, and from Ireland 1s. 10d. By 6 o'clock delivery 10s. more was received.—March 13th. The total of the income, since March 6th, for the whole week, for all the various Objects of the Institution, has been £76 14s. 9d., viz. about the ninth part of what is needed. Under such circumstances the heart is to be fixed on the power and love of God, without wavering in the least.—March 26th. From Reading £51 1s. 9d. The donor of this sum puts by regularly and systematically as the Lord prospers him in his business. He has done so for several years, and I have observed, how his donations have increased more and more, and now his gift is £51 1s. 9d.

April 4th. From the neighbourhood of Manchester I received the following letter:—

Dear Sir and Brother,

"I enclose Post Office Order for £10, as a thankoffering to God for a breakdown in health, by means of which the Lord has taught me much needed lessons. I desire to praise God for rich blessing I have had in re-perusing 'The Lord's Dealings with George Müller.' Many of its precious lessons have come to me with greater clearness and force than ever. I have, by God's grace, been enabled to enter into the peace of REALLY trusting Him and putting into action the course commended by God in Philippians 4:6, 7. Will you pray, that God may speedily vouchsafe restored health and strength, that I may be able once more to engage in active work.

"Very faithfully yours, ——."

Will the reader particularly observe, that here is a thankoffering of £10 for broken-down health, on account of the special blessing which God has bestowed thus.—April 6th. From Kidderminster £30.—April 15th. Legacy of the late Mrs. A. A., £400.—April 18th. From a tobacco abstainer £1 2s.—April 20th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. E. B., £450.—April 26th. Received £500 from a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven. —April 27th. From Coventry £4 4s., a thankoffering on the eightyfourth anniversary of the birthday of the donor, with £1 for myself. From Ramsgate £25.—April 30th. From Clifton £50.

May 7th. From the neighbourhood of Birmingham £150 from a donor who very kindly has helped us again and again in a similar way, and often when we were in great need,—May 9th. Legacy of the late Mr. W. S. £450.—May 14th. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £268 17s. 7d.—May 16th. From Scotland £500 in memory of a beloved husband, the late Mr. C. K. From the neighbourhood of Bristol £64, with £2 for myself.—May 17th. Received 10s. as "The first fee of a young physician, as a thankoffering to God."

[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1894, to May 26th, 1895, was £23,419 0s. 2d.]

May 26th, 1895, to May 26th, 1896

When the financial year of the Institution commenced we had a balance of £5,081 13s. 9¾d. in hand.

June 19th. From Leamington £100, with £1 for myself. From "a Steward" £100.—June 21st. From North Devon £10, instead of leaving it by Will, which was considered a better way.—June 22nd. Legacy of the late Miss S. N. £432 7s. 7d. Legacy of the late Miss E. M. £180. In the case of both these legacies, the testatrixes were entire strangers to me, which is almost always the case.

July 16th. Legacy of the late Miss M. H. £900. The lady was an entire stranger to me.—July 17th. From "G.," Preston, £100. From Highbury for the support of three Orphans for one year £42 11s. The Christian gentleman who sent this money pays the average expenses for as many Orphans as he has children.

August 2nd. From Crewe 1s., with the following letter:—

Dear Sir,

"Kindly accept for your Homes my small offering to God, for His love and mercy to me. It is not much, but all I have. I am only a boy and am not allowed much for myself, and it has taken me a month to save this; but I am thankful to be able to give it, and hoping to be able to give more when I am a man. I pray that God will bless you, the Homes, and Orphans. I am so thankful that God is answering your prayers through me."

Will the reader please to notice the great variety of donations we receive.—August 5th. Legacy of the late Mr. J. N., £100.—August 7th. From Dundee £50.—August 9th. Legacy of the late Mrs. L., £200.—August 13th. The expenses during the last thirteen days have been £1,950, and the income £400. Under such circumstances we do nothing but to continue in believing prayer, patiently expecting the Lord's help.

September 3rd. From the neighbourhood of Birmingham £150, from a donor who kindly has helped us again and again, and repeatedly when we were in great need.—September 9th. Received the following letter, with 10s., from one of the former Orphans:—

Dear and honoured Sir,

"I received your Report last week. I thank you much for it. I am glad to let you know, I have benefited greatly by its perusal. I am so glad to see a number of Orphans remember the dear old Home, in which they spent their happiest days; for truly there have been none happier to me, than those spent in the dear Orphan House No. 3. How happy we were in our own little world, brought up in such holy atmosphere! We have plenty of evil to find out when we leave its shelter; but blessed be God, He watches over us and keeps us from ten thousand snares, that are set for our feet. Well, dear Sir, I humbly send my mite, to join other larger sums, wishing it were more. Believe me,

"Your grateful and affectionate Orphan, ——."

September 10th. Final residue of the legacy of the late Miss E. A. D. £407 19s. 6d.—September 23rd, Monday. The income for two days, this morning, by two posts, was £9 13s. 8d. only, instead of £180, and thus it has been for many days, that but very little has come in.

Ninetieth Birthday

September 27th. This is the anniversary of my birthday. I enter today on my 91st year, and, as usual, I have again received very many letters both from Orphans who were once in the Institution on Ashley Down, or who are still there. Of these letters, I give to the readers one. It is from the boys' department No. 4; one writes in the name of the rest.

Dear and honoured Sir,

"We think it one of our greatest pleasures to be able on the anniversary of this your 90th birthday, to wish you as many happy returns of your birthday, as God may, in His goodness, be pleased to grant you. We, the boys of No. 4, hope they may be many, and that the necessary health and strength of body, mind, and spirit, may be given you. We are all very grateful to the Lord, who has spared and used you for these many years in His service; and, more especially, for that part which has been under His guidance, the founding and establishing these happy Homes for Orphans. To a number of us, we find them doubly happy, as we have here learnt to know that 'There is a Home Eternal' awaiting us hereafter. Some of us have lately known a little of the joy of putting our trust in God for His salvation. May we, as a token of love and esteem, ask you to please accept the sum of £1 13s. 6d. as a small birthday present from us? That God's blessing may ever rest upon you and dear Mr. Wright is the hearty, united, and loving wish of

"Yours respectfully,

"THE BOYS OF No. 4."

The £1 13s. 6d. from these dear boys is sent, instead of buying little presents for me, as they know not what might be suitable: thus leaving the choice to myself. They wish me "the necessary health and strength of body." Here I have to remind my readers, that when I was twenty-two and twenty-three years of age, I was exceedingly weak, and considered by high medical authority to have a tendency to consumption; and when I was twenty-five years old, it appeared to me, that I should not live seven years longer. But the Lord has condescended to lengthen out my life since then more than nine times seven years. These dear Orphans wish me also strength of mind. Regarding this I have likewise abundant reason to thank the Lord, for my mind is as clear and as capable of work, as when I passed my examination for the University in March, 1825 (seventyone years since). Then the beloved Orphans wish me also spiritual health and strength. This I myself desire above all, so that my last days may be the happiest, the holiest, and the most useful of my whole life.

October 4th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. W. £371 6s. 7d.—October 7th. Legacy of the late Miss A. H. A. £240 19s. 3d. Will the esteemed reader kindly notice the legacies which were paid during the past year? This was one great means, whereby our heavy expenses were met.—October 30th. Received £260 on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. C.

Gifts of Provisions, and of two live Oxen

November 5th. The readers may be interested in learning what a very large quantity of bread has been given during the past year. In addition to this, from a very large number of Harvest Thank Offerings in Bristol, and the neighbourhood, a large quantity of bread has been sent, and from these Harvest Thank Offerings has also been sent, and from other quarters, a large quantity of apples, pears, tea, plums, etc. I will, therefore, state here some of these and other articles which have been sent to us for the benefit of the Orphans during the past year: 9,455 quarterns of bread, whereby 100 sacks of flour have been saved, 141 lbs. of butter, 13 very large cheeses and 24 lbs., 15 tons and 16 cwts. of coal, 59 lbs. of tea, 239 lbs. of bacon, 709 lbs. of meat, 20 boxes of soap, 29 large pots of jam, 72,648 apples, 7,037 pears, 240 lbs. of cherries, 3,362 plums, 4,174 buns, 22 cases of oranges, a large quantity of potatoes, carrots, turnips, flour. There were also two living oxen sent to be killed for meat for the Institution.—November 8th. Legacy of the late Miss D. M. A. £240 19s. 3d.—November 13th. From Maidstone, from a donor who kindly has helped us repeatedly, and often the donation arrived when we were in great need, £50.—November 14th. Received £3 3s. from Gloucestershire, to make restitution for "mean, dishonest, and contemptible acts, although none but the transgressor lives. I do remember my faults and sins this day both with sorrow and shame." The sins were committed nearly seventy years since; but the donor felt it right, according to the Scripture, to make restitution.—November 15th. Anonymously given to me in the street in Cardiff £10; I took it for the Orphans.—November 20th. Legacy of the late J. H., Esq., £500.—November 27th. The late Mr. R. J. B., a former Orphan, £20.

December 16th. Received £20 5s. 6d., "As a result of one year's work, from a father, mother and daughter." From "M. H." £20, with £20 for myself.—December 21st. Received £100 from Dublin.—December 31st. From Westmoreland £40, with £10 for myself.

January 1st. Out of the sixty-six donations received for the benefit of the Orphans, I will only refer to the following. From the neighbourhood of Melksham £35. From Clifton £15. From Clifton £20. Legacy of the late S. J., Esq., £1,000.—January 3rd. From Westmoreland £50. From London, 8.W., 1s. 7½d., saved in farthings. Observe, esteemed reader, the great variety of our donations. On January 1st we received £1,000 in one donation, and now 1s. 7½d. saved in farthings.—January 17th. I dismissed this afternoon three boys, to go out as apprentices; they have all three been believers in the Lord Jesus for a considerable time. We have had for some time the joy of seeing almost all our boys leaving us for apprenticeship as converted boys. During the past year seventy went out, of whom fifty-eight were converted, and most of them had known the Lord for a considerable time and given comfort to the masters by their deportment.—January 18th. From Stroud £100.—January 23rd. Letter after letter, of the first two deliveries, contained either no money at all, or only 2s. 6d., 5s., or 10s.; but I continued yet to expect an answer to prayer for a larger sum. It had now come almost to the last letter, when, taking up a letter I said in prayer, "Lord, let me now have the answer," and I found in it a cheque for £230, a quite unexpected payment of another part of a legacy, paid in 1878, therefore more than seventeen years since. How deeply important is it to go on expecting answers to prayer!

February 6th. Day after day, and week after week, the income has been exceedingly small. To-day again, the first two deliveries, which are the principal ones, though there were fifty-three letters of business of various kinds, contained only £4 1s. Thus faith and patience are tried day by day; but patient, persevering, believing, waiting upon God, brings at last blessing. Thus we have found it for sixty-two years.—February 7th. Legacy of the late Mr. R. B. £50. Received 5s., with this letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"Please to accept the enclosed Postal Order for 5s., as coming from the rich King, who prompts this His weak child in the flesh to send in aid of the Orphanages.

"I am, yours in His service, W. H. L."

Here is sent, by the prompting of the Lord, 5s.; but in like manner we receive the cheques for £100, £5,000; and thus, in like manner, comes to us the legacy for £5,000, £8,000, and £11,000. All, all comes to us. in answer to prayer, from the living God, who now, at the last part of the nineteenth century, is as able and as willing to give in answer to prayer as 4,000 years since. We believe this, and act accordingly; and so it comes that we have the thousands of answers of prayer.—February 8th. "Could you tell me how faith is developed?" I was asked in a letter. My reply was: "Faith is developed (or increased) by clinging to the Word of God, looking for its fulfilment in the time of need, expecting the answer to prayer, and doing this in spite of all contrary appearances."—February 12th. From Chippenham £50.—February 15th. From London £40.

The income from February 12th to February 19th, for all the various Objects of the Institution, was £212, and the expenses were above £1,200. Prayer and faith are needed under such circumstances.—February 29th. Remainder of the legacy of the late Mrs. M. C. £350.

March 2nd. From Leamington £100, with £1 for myself.—March 7th. Legacy of the late Sir J. D. W. £250—March 24th. The following letter was received from one of the former Orphans, who left nearly forty years since, and who had been for years a consistent believer, before she left, and who ever since has walked in the ways of the Lord

Dear and beloved Sir,

"Will you please accept this small donation, £2 4s. (two shillings was given me by a friend), as a thankoffering to the Lord for mercies and blessings received, though so unworthy. He has indeed crowned my life with them. With deep gratitude I look back to the Home of my childhood, for the wise and kind training I had whilst under your care for nearly thirteen years. The power of faith and prayer, exercised by you in God, has an enduring influence with me. With great pleasure I read the account of the meeting held at Bethesda Chapel, on the anniversary of your ninetieth birthday. How much I should like to have been there! I do praise the Lord for sparing your valuable life to His Church and the world, so many years!

"I remain, Your ever grateful Orphan, ——."

March 25th. The total income during the week, for all the various branches of the Institution, was £151 10s. 11¾d., viz., not the fourth part of our average expenses. But we continue in prayer for more help, and exercise faith; for our universal remedy for all our difficulties is, "Prayer, faith, and patience."

April 13th. Day after day, and week after week, the income has been very, very small, and our faith has been greatly tried; but, by the grace of God, Mr. Wright and I have been clinging to the Lord, and holding fast our entire trust in Him. Now the time was come, when the Lord saw it well to refresh us again spiritually. This morning I received a cheque from a distance for £250, with the following letter: —

Dear Sir,

"I thank God that He has entrusted me with the means, and also that He has put it into my heart to forward you a portion of the same. I herewith send you a cheque, value £250, for the benefit of the dear children whom He has entrusted to your care. I do sincerely hope and trust that our Heavenly Father will bless you with health and strength, so that you may be enabled to carry on the noble work, in which you are so devotedly engaged, for many years yet to come. With kindest Christian regards,

"I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely, ——."

In the course of the day it pleased the Lord to send us a few other donations, and in the evening, between 9 and 10 o'clock, from "A Friend," a cheque for £1,000 for the support of the Orphans, so that the income of this one day amounted to £1,260. This has been a precious answer to many prayers, after a long season of little income, and our balance in hand having been almost entirely spent. Neither the donor of £250 nor the one of £1,000 is personally known to us, which makes the hand of God the more manifest. Will the esteemed reader especially remember, that under such trials of faith, for the benefit of the Church of God at large, we do nothing but continue in prayer, trusting alone in God? We do not advertise for money, nor make our need known directly or indirectly; yea, our assistants have been solemnly requested not to speak of the need of the Institution, while it lasts; in order that the hand of God may be clearly seen and that thus the faith of the children of God may be strengthened, and that the unconverted may see the reality of the things of God.—April 18th. From Bradford, Yorks, a gold ring, set with diamonds.—April 23rd. Received from the widow of one of our beloved former Orphans, the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Wright,

"My dear husband, whom you will no doubt remember, passed away to be with the Lord, on February 22nd. While he was very ill he expressed a wish that I should send 30s. to Mr. Müller for the Orphans. May I trouble you to give it him?"

May 4th. Legacy of the late Miss G. S. S. £400 10s. 9d. I again invite the kind reader to observe how many legacies it pleased the Lord to cause to be paid, whereby we were so considerably helped to meet our expenses. I again state, that not one of the twenty individuals who left us legacies was personally known to us, which makes the hand of God the more manifest. May 8th. From the neighbourhood of Birmingham £150, from a donor who has kindly repeatedly helped us, and often when we happened to be in great need of help.—May 19th. Legacy of the late Miss S. B. £100. Legacy of the late Mr. J. T. £100.

[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1895, to May 26th, 1896, was £23,173 6s. 6½d.]

May 26th, 1896, to May 26th, 1897

When the financial year of the Institution commenced, we had a balance of £276 5s. 10¼d. in hand; a balance so small, that very frequently we have paid out two or three times as much in one day. We trusted, however, in God for help, and He helped us.

The magnitude of the Expenses

Our requirements are great, and many, and varied; and regarding them all we have our eyes directed towards the Lord; and He is ever mindful of us, though sometimes faith and patience are considerably exercised before the needed help comes. The reader will kindly place himself in our position during the year, with nearly two thousand persons day by day sitting down to their meals. The expense of this alone, as every one can suppose, is great, during one year only. But the Orphans have not only to be fed, but clothed; their clothes have to be washed and repaired. This costs many hundred pounds in one year. The one single article of shoes and boots alone, think of it, as we require about six thousand pairs; both the supplies of new and repairs; how many hundred pounds it takes!

Hundreds of fresh Orphans are received year by year, and the new comers have to be fitted out; hundreds of boys and girls go out as apprentices, servants, or pupil teachers, and they have to be provided with an outfit at the expense of the Institution. The considerable number of boys who are sent out as apprentices, year by year, have many of them a premium of £13 paid for them to their masters, which is about equal to another year's support. Then come the heavy expenses connected with keeping in repair these five large Houses, in which there are more than 1,700 large windows and 500 rooms. This is only mentioned to give to the reader who has not seen the houses, an idea of their magnitude. It may, therefore, easily be supposed how much the mere painting, whitewashing, colouring, repairs, etc., must cost, year by year.

Then consider the many thousands of articles of table linen, bed linen, towels, etc.; all have to be kept up. The thousands of articles of furniture in these 500 rooms have to be kept in repair, or to be replaced by new articles, which continually becomes more or less needful. The children get ill, or one or the other dies; all the extra expenses have to be met. The Orphans leave as apprentices, or as domestic servants, or pupil teachers; the travelling expenses have to be paid. Further, remember the large staff of overseers of one kind or another, such as school inspector, matrons, masters, female teachers, medical officers, assistants helping the directors, etc.; all their salaries have to be obtained from the Lord. All the nurses in the infirmary in each of the five houses, the nurses of the little infants, the laundresses and other servants (though the last are but few, as the Orphans do the work); all this costs very much, and for all this we look to the Lord. There are also heavy taxes to be paid, and there are, over and above, year by year, heavy extra expenses not here referred to, occasioned by extraordinary circumstances; for all of which we look to the Lord. May this suffice to give to the reader a faint idea as to our position with regard to the Orphan work alone, and he will readily see, that it not only requires the purse of a nobleman; but that, at least nine out of ten of our nobility would be unable to meet these expenses year by year, and that only a very few of the most wealthy could do so; but we have nothing of their wealth, and yet we are able, with as much ease, if not greater ease, than very rich noblemen, to accomplish this, by looking to the infinitely rich One for everything.

May 27th. On this very first day of the new financial year of the Institution, we received £10 from Edinburgh, and also £100 as the payment of the legacy of J. P. S., Esq.—May 29th. Received on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. K. C. £900.

June 10th. The income for the whole of this week, for all the various Objects of the Institution, was £134 7s. 10d., about the fifth part of the average expenses.—June 11th. Legacy of the late W. H. P., Esq., £100.—June 18th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. R. C. L. T. £564 5s., which was received at a time of great need.—June 22nd. This is Monday, when the letters for two days are received. The income this morning, in all the letters of the first two deliveries from the North and West, was 11s. 6d., instead of £180, the average expenses for two days. Notice, esteemed reader, 11s. 6d. See what patient continuing in looking to the Lord, and really trusting in Him, is required under such circumstances.—June 26th. From "A Steward" £100.—June 29th. Received a pair of gold ear-rings, two gold rings, a breast-pin, set with a pearl, a gold brooch, a silver brooch, a gold watch, with the following letter:—

"Please accept the enclosed to be sold for the benefit of the Orphans in the Lord's Orphan Homes. It is He Himself that has prompted me to send it to you.

"From a Sister in the Lord."

Notice: "It is He Himself that has prompted me to send it to you." We pray to the Lord for money, such articles, etc., and He speaks for us to the hearts of His children.

July 11th. Received £20, with the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"I enclose a cheque for £20. Please accept £5 for yourself, and the remaining £15 for the Orphans. This is a thankoffering for special preservation this morning. I had only left my bathroom about five minutes, when the ceiling fell, owing to a leakage in one of the tanks. Had I been there at the time it happened the result must have been serious. I have such a distinct prompting, 'Send £20 to Mr. Müller,' so I hope it is a message from God. With Christian regards, "Yours truly, ——."

A message indeed from God, in answer to very long-continued constant prayer, on account of the very small income for the Institution, and the constant application to my own purse for help. This morning, again, while opening the letters, two most distressing applications for help; and I am thus able to send some help.—July 15th. The total income during the past week was £129 6s. 10d., instead of £630, the average expenses for one week. Will the reader please to seek to enter into our position, as thus it has been going on for a considerable time.—July 17th. From "G.," Preston, £100. Very, very seasonable help.—July 18th. From Bournemouth £100. When the £100 from Bournemouth came to hand, we were in very great need of help, as for a long time the income had been so very small. Legacy of the late Miss S. C. M. B. £200.—July 19th. From the neighbourhood of Bristol £50.—July 20th. From the neighbourhood of Bristol £150.—July 30th. The income by the first two deliveries was £1 10s. Thousands of copies of the new Report have recently been sent to the donors, and people say, that the Reports bring the money. See what would become of us if we trusted in the Reports! We are just now in great need of means, having before us very heavy expenses, and thus our faith is tried; but with unshaken confidence we look to the Lord, who has never failed us, and not in the least degree to the Reports.

August 1st. Received £10, with the following letter:—

Dear Sir,

"Please to receive for benefit of Orphans from my wife and self the enclosed £10, on our son's coming of age, and for countless other mercies."

August 3rd. From Dundee £45, with £5 for myself.—August 11th. From Birmingham £150 from a kind donor who has often helped us, and almost invariably her help has come to us in great need; and so it is again this time.—August 12th. With 2 Cor. 9:15, £20.—August 15th. During the last two weeks out expenses have been very great; but, in answer to very much prayer and the exercise of faith, God has helped us through them. This week £1,051 has been expended, and as yet a little is left in hand. Precious answers of prayer we have had!—August 26th. Week after week the income has been very little: but we continued waiting upon God. Now see, this very evening, when the whole weekly income had been only £228 9s. 2d., instead of £630, by the last delivery I received £300 as the legacy of the late Mrs. H. G.

September 10th. From Bristol 5s., "Instead of buying a wreath for her husband's grave."—September 14th. From Potter's Bar £30.—September 15th. Received the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"Please accept the enclosed 'widow's mite' of ten shillings for the dear Orphans. Please also accept my grateful thanks for your kind remembrance of my dear son in Africa. I always feel his being there as a Missionary, is the fruit of your faith and constant trust in God. For thirty-six years your example has helped and encouraged me, to trust and not to be afraid. When staying at Teignmouth in 1860, you gave me a copy of your Narrative. I was a young wife then, earnestly seeking truth, and the help and comfort it was to me God only knows. He has led me through deep waters since then, and often, when discouraged and almost in despair, the thought of your faith has enabled me to wait for God's deliverance, and so I was enabled to let my sons go to Africa as Missionaries, knowing that God is true to His promises. 'They shall not be ashamed that wait for Me.' 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'

"With kind regards, I remain, dear Mr. Müller,

"Yours sincerely, ——."

September 19th. On account of the legacy of the late Mrs. A. B. £2,000. This was a great help to us, as the income for the last three months had been unusually small.—September 27th. This is the anniversary of my birthday, completing my ninety-first year. Through the Lord's kindness I am very well, able to work every day and all the day, as seventy years since, and that with ease, so that generally I am in the evening as fresh and vigorous as in the morning. In addition to all this, I am able to preach four, five, yea sometimes even six or seven times weekly. What abundant cause have I for gratitude, to be able to accomplish all this in my advanced years! And as to preaching, with a voice that 3,000, yea 4,000 and more, can hear me with ease. On this day I received from each of the sixteen different departments of the Orphan Houses, one letter from each department, written in the name of all the Orphans in each department.

September 29th. From Blagdon £10. From Lausanne, Switzerland, £4 and articles.

October 1st. Received £13 15s. for the support of one Orphan for one year, and £68 15s. for the support of five Orphans for one year. Both donations were accompanied by this letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"My eldest girl's birthday will be this month, so I enclose cheque for £13 15s. for one Orphan for one year. Something also seems to constrain me to send payment for 1897 in advance, so I enclose cheque for £68 15s. for five Orphans for one year."

This gentleman has five children, and he sends yearly the average expenses for as many Orphans as he has children. What was it that constrained him to pay the money a year in advance? We were very poor, had had very little coming in; but we prayed continually for help, and the Lord put it into the heart of this Christian gentleman, thus to help us.—October 3rd. Received from two poor boys 4s., with the following letter:—

Dear Sir,

"Will you please to accept this small donation for Jesus' sake, for the little boys and girls you care for. I and my brother have saved up mother's rags and bones and sold them, and the enclosed, except a few coppers, is what we received for them."

Will the readers please to notice how the Lord is pleased to send us help also through the very poor.—October 7th. From Leigh Woods £50.—October 8th. Balance of legacy of the late Mr. A. B. £215 3s. 3d.—October 9th. From a little girl, saved in farthings, 5s.

October 15th. The following letter was received from Ireland:

Dear Sir,

"Something has been saying to me during the last few days, that I should send you a small sum for your Orphan Houses. I sincerely trust it is the voice of God Himself, and that the enclosed small cheque (£1) may be found of use. With best wishes and prayers for your good work,

"Yours sincerely, ——."

How came this voice? It was the result of our continual waiting on God in our need.—October 20th. From a lady in the Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, £7 9s. Anonymously given to me at Cardiff £5.—October 21st. Legacy of the late Dr. J. C. K. £100.—October 26th. "A Friend, per J. R. C.," £20.—October 27th. When the monthly balance was taken this morning, it was found that all the money for the Orphans was expended. We have 45 sacks of flour, 20 bags of rice, about 100 sacks of potatoes, and a large quantity of oatmeal in stock; but no money. In the course of the day came in £15 for the various Objects of the Institution. Thus the reader can see our position and the exercise of our faith.—October 28th. God has helped again; in answer to our many prayers there came in £450 as a further payment on account of the legacy of the late Mrs. K. C. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £64. See how graciously the Lord has helped. Three hours after the £450 and the £64 had been received, came a telegram that a lady, who had left me all her property and appointed me as her sole executor, had died. See, how gloriously prayer was answered. Will not the reader be encouraged by this?

November 3rd. From a donor, then at Mambury, near Bideford, £30. —November 4th. From Leeds £25.—November 10th. The legacy of the late Miss E. M. £500.—November 13th. Legacy of the late M. D., Esq., £100.—November 21st. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £69 7s. 9d., and two gold watches, a gold chain, and a pair of silver sugar tongs, left to him.

December 2nd. From London £21.—December 3rd. From Leeds £20. —December 5th. From eleven donors in Exeter £14.—December 7th. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £1,950 17s. 8d., which had been left to him as a legacy. December 15th. From a Bristol manufacturer £50.—December 18th. From Sevenoaks £100, with the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"It came into my mind last night, when in bed, that I would send you £100 for the Orphans; and now, by daylight, being of the same mind, I am forwarding a cheque to you for the amount, and hope it is 'of the Lord.' I trust you are keeping well.

"Yours very sincerely, ——."

It was indeed "of the Lord," for we were very poor and very much needed help.—December 30th. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £50 6s. 3d.

January 1st. From Melksham £35. From "Mother" £25 4s. January 2nd. From Kendal £50. From London £25.—January 5th. From Kendal £40, with £10 for myself.—January 11th. From Kendal £20, with £10 for myself. From Scotland £40, with £10 for myself.—January 15th. From Christian friends at Sand Area Chapel, Kendal, £39 18s. 7d. as a thankoffering.—January 16th. From London £40.—January 19th. Received the following letter from a widow, 73 years of age:—

Dear Sir,

"I am pleased that I am able to send you the enclosed sum of 5s. I delight in your work and the way in which you carry it on, even in faith. Your faith has done me good for many years, when I was left a widow, with four children, without anything to depend on. After reading your Report in distress, as I was then, I was enabled to look to the Lord for help. From that day I was strengthened, till my faith grew strong enough to advise others to apply for the same remedy, to trust in the Lord, instead of in the arm of flesh, and conscientiously to return one-tenth of what we earn, to glorify His Holy name. Though my bodily eyes have never seen you, yet I can assure you, there is not a day going by without you and your grand work being remembered in prayer. May the everlasting arms support and cheer you in your old age, shall be the prayer of

"Your well-wisher, ——."

From Bournemouth £30, with £5 for Mr. Wright, and £5 for myself. —January 29th. From Paignton £25.—January 30th. Legacy of the late W. E. Y., Esq., £200.

February 12th. The first two deliveries did not bring one single penny in all the many letters I had. During this week we have to expend more than £1,000, and our income is exceedingly small and has been so for some time. I do not remember one single day, for more than forty years, when the first two deliveries of letters brought nothing at all. We have now arranged to have, from this day, six united prayer meetings for the helpers, instead of three a week, as for years past; for we expect that more united prayer, more exercise of faith, and more patience, will bring more help. There have been many legacies left, and some are long overdue, but they remain unpaid.—February 17th. From Leamington £100, with £1 for myself. Received four vests, with the following letter:—

Dear Christian Friend,

"Please accept the enclosed vests for the use of two of your little ones. The coarser ones are the first ripe fruit of a knitting machine, which you were the means of my getting possession of. This is the story. I am in a small way of business, and often feel sorely tried, having a desire to 'provide things honest in the sight of all men,' but find it hard work. I have often thought whether a knitting machine might be a help; and sent for a price list; but the figures were too high. I therefore thought, I must think no more about it, but found I could not shake off the thought. Weeks and months passed, when on Wednesday, November 11th, I read a slip cut from a newspaper, headed 'Seventy-one years of prayer.' It was an extract of an address, given by yourself, at a Union of Y.M.C.A. 'The wonderful efficacy of prayer.' While reading this, such a spirit of prayer rose within me, as I have not often experienced, and a desire to ask for something. It must be almost an impossibility to make it more marked; for I felt sure I should obtain whatever I asked for. Then a 'Knitting Machine' came to my mind, just the thing; and, as I did not know whether to choose a round or a long one, I asked the Lord to choose for me. He did so; for on Friday following I saw it advertised, a long one, £3 10s. I wrote for it, and in due course the machine came, and the Lord is teaching me to use it. Some said, 'She cannot learn without a teacher;' but I have had no help, except 'The Instruction Book;' and am getting on all right. We shall speak face to face of this another day, to the glory of His grace. Amen."

February 26th. Legacy of the late Miss E. B. £100. Legacy of the late Mr. G. B. £400.—March 4th. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £49 10s.—March 6th. To-day we have begun the sixty-fourth year of the Institution, and our trial of faith is as great or greater, than it was during the eleven years from 1838 to 1849. Five deliveries of letters have brought us to-day £9, viz., just the tenth part of the daily average expenses, which are £90. We continue, with unshaken confidence, to look to the Lord. His time to help us more abundantly is not yet come; but it will come. With every delivery of letters, I look for an answer to prayer. There came in by the sixth, the last delivery, 7s. 6d.; so that the whole day's income was £9 7s. 6d.—March 9th. With 2 Cor. 9:15, £45.—March 10th. The income for this week is £211 6s. 4¾d., one-third of the average expenses. We meet six times a week for prayer. This evening fifty-three helpers were present, the others were engaged, and at work. The trial of faith becomes greater and greater, with every day.—March 13th. From Cotham £50 as a birthday thankoffering.—March 15th. From Sunderland £20. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £29 8s. 6d.—March 18th. In the greatest need of help, a kind donor, of the neighbourhood of Birmingham, sent £150.—March 19th. From readers of The Christian, per Messrs. Morgan and Scott, £57 15s. Christian Friends at Manvers Hall, Bath, £14. From Berkshire £120 8s. This donation, and the two previous ones, came in the time of greatest need.—March 22nd. From C. R. S. £100.—March 25th. From Langnau, Switzerland, 1,045 francs, 100 francs, and 5 francs.—March 29th. From New Zealand £100.

April 5th. Received the following letter from Tasmania:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"Some time ago I took out a policy in the 'Widow's Life Assurance Society' for £250, payable at sixty-five. I have always had my doubts about the matter. It appeared to me in this way: You can trust God for spiritual blessing, can you not trust Him for temporal? You can trust God with your immortal soul, can you not trust Him to feed your body, and care for your wife and child if you should be called home? I have been greatly exercised about the matter. To-day I took up your Narrative of Facts, and read how God feeds your big family of 2,000 children. All is done by looking to the infinitely rich One. I said at once, Lord I will trust Thee to feed me in my old age, if I should live to see it, and I will trust Thee with my wife and dear little boy, if I should be taken away. Thou art better to me than a Life Policy. I then resolved to send you the quarterly premium, viz., £3 14s. You may possibly remember me. I took part in a service with you in Ballarat, and you preached in my church in Maryborough, Victoria. I am now in Tasmania. Pray for me that I may be enabled to trust our Heavenly Father for everything, and that He would use me in winning souls and in the upbuilding of saints.

"Yours in our wealthy Boaz, ——."

The reader may be benefited by reading this letter a second time.—April 14th. Legacy of the late A. P., Esq., £100. From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in heaven, £14.—April 15th. In very great need, from Colorado, U.S., America, £100.—April 24th. From Scotland £100, with £5 for myself. For very many weeks now has our trial of faith continued. To-day God seems to begin to help us. There came in about £140, and information of a legacy of £100 being left to the Institution, also a legacy for £220, and in the evening by the last delivery I had information of a third legacy for £200.—April 26th. Monday, further great help. Information was sent that a legacy for £2,000 which has been in Chancery for three years, is now on the point of being paid. God be praised for the answer to many hundreds of prayers!—April 29th. Received the legacy of the late Miss M. G. £500. Most precious answer to many, many prayers!

May 8th. The trial of our faith continues and becomes greater and greater. This morning the first two deliveries brought many letters, requesting grants of Tracts, applications for servants or apprentices, requests from poor persons for help, receipts, bills, etc.; but not one penny in the way of donations for the Institution.—May 10th. Legacy of Mrs. M. D. £90. I request the reader to notice the payment of the many legacies; but for this, the work could not have gone on during the past year. God knew all beforehand, and ordered all these legacies to be left, and, in the time of our greatest need, to be paid.—May 15th. From the late A. P., Esq., £68, with £2 for myself.—May 26th. The expenditure on account of the Orphans has exceeded the income actually to hand by £2,428 1s. 3½d.; but, on the other hand, there are several large legacies, amounting altogether to over £6,780, the payment of which is much overdue. The receipt of these legacies will far more than counterbalance the apparent deficiency. The actual receipt of these moneys is delayed only until certain legal formalities have been complied with.

[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1896, to May 26th, 1897, was £22,639 5s. 4d.]

* May 26th, 1897, to May 26th, 1898

On this, the first day of the new financial year, the total sum received on account of the Orphans was only £11 7s.; a very small proportion of the amount of the daily average expenditure.

May 31st. From Edinburgh £65. The donor writes:—"I have again the pleasure of sending you rather earlier in the year than usual." The Lord, who knew our deep need at this time, enabled this kind donor to send her gift earlier than usual.

June 1st. Legacy of the late Colonel H. P. £100.—June 2nd. Legacy of the late Miss M. A. R. £190 3s. 10d.—June 4th. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. E. B. £614 4s. 10d. Day by day we supplicate our gracious God and Father to cause the legacies, the payment of which is overdue, and in some cases long overdue, to be paid, and see, dear reader, we do not call upon our God in vain!—June 11th. Legacy of the late Mr. A. R. £250.—June 16th. From the Mayor of Bristol £50, a sum allotted to this Institution out of the City Jubilee Fund, "for the purpose of providing treats for the Orphans, in commemoration of the sixtieth year of the happy and prosperous reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen." This handsome present from our Civic Authorities enabled us to give the many hundreds of Orphans in our five Houses a treat they greatly enjoyed, viz., a visit to the Clifton Zoological Gardens. Arrangements were made for the admission of the children and their teachers, in detachments, on successive days. Besides inspecting the interesting and instructive collection of animals, the children were supplied with tea and an abundance of suitable provisions. The balance of the sum referred to helped towards a provision of special treats in the Houses for the very youngest infant children who were not able to undertake the walk to Clifton.

July 1st. "From a servant of the Lord Jesus, who, constrained by the love of Christ, seeks to lay up treasure in Heaven," £5 8s. 9d. July 13th. Legacy of the late Mrs. G. E., £1,126 19s. 7d. After five weeks, during which the income had been far short of what is required to meet the current expenditure, our gracious Heavenly Father was pleased to answer our cries for help by sending us this large sum.—July 20th. From Stoke Bishop £150. From Preston £100. Thus, after a trial of faith and patience, from day to day, for weeks, the Lord is again pouring in more bountifully.—July 23rd. From near Bristol £60, with £20 for Mr. Müller and £20 for Mr. Wright.—July 31st. Day after day, again, the income is very little. The whole amount received for the Orphans during the last three days being under £20! Not a tenth part of what is required to meet the average expenditure. But we go on praying and expecting the Lord's deliverance in His own time.

August 4th. From Dundee £45, with £5 for Mr. Müller.—August 7th. From Bournemouth £52 10s., with £10 for Mr. Müller.—August 11th. From Clifton £50.—August 12th. From Highbury a Railway Bond, which produced £85 11s. 6d., of which £68 was sent for the support of five Orphans for one year, and £17 11s. 6d. for Mr. Müller.—August 14th. From Clifton £50. From Hertfordshire £250, with £5 for Mr. Müller. From Bristol £75, with £25 for Mr. Müller.—August 23rd. From near Spean Bridge £50.—August 24th. From Wales £100. Legacy of the late Miss E. C. £200.

September 1st. From near Abingdon £118 18s., from a kind donor who has helped us largely for more than twenty years. September 2nd. "From a saved engine lad, for Jesus' sake," 3s. September 3rd. From Edgbaston £100. From Totnes, from the widow of a former Orphan, £5.—September 6th. From near Greenock £50.—September 14th. From "A Steward" £100. The word which this kind donor desired should be connected with her donation is very suggestive: The Child of God is not his own but one "bought with a price," even with "the precious blood of Christ." His body, his mind, his whole being, and all his possessions, including his money, belong in the truest sense to his Lord. His use of all should therefore be looked upon as a stewardship, for the faithful discharge of which he is sure to obtain the reward of grace, partly in this present life, but most abundantly in the day of the LORD.—September 23rd. Residue of the legacy of the late G. J., Esq., £2,679 18s. 7d. This sum was received when we were in the deepest need; and after it had pleased the Lord to allow a very protracted trial of faith and patience; but see, beloved reader, He did not disappoint or forsake us, as He never does those who really trust in Him. The joy of such a deliverance cannot be tasted without the experience of the previous trial.—September 27th. From Budleigh Salterton £100.

October 2nd. From a donor who resides in Colorado, U.S.A., £100. He was just leaving England for America, but wrote that he "felt constrained to send this before leaving England." The Lord, who knew our need, thus constrained His servant to aid in supplying it. From Coimbatore, S. India, £8.—October 6th. From St. Albans 10s., and 10s. with the following letter:—

Dear Mr. Müller,

"I thank you most sincerely for answering my letter when I was in perplexity about giving a portion of our money to the Lord's work. I have most carefully followed out your kind directions. They were exactly what I expected you to say, and what my heart and conscience told me. We have since then most carefully taken out every week a proportion of our takings, and you will not be surprised to hear that the Lord has most wonderfully blessed us in our worldly affairs. The unexpected has happened, and we are enabled to build an addition to a little Mission House we are both interested in. Surely it is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes. Will you accept as a small thankoffering from me on my fifty-first birthday 10s., and 10s. from my aged widowed mother to be used as you think best."

October 19th. From North Finchley £10. The donor wrote: "I have had a presentiment for the last few days that you were just now very short of funds. I therefore enclose you a cheque value £10 now, which I should have otherwise sent you later on in the year." Again, dear reader, see the hand of God. We did not directly or indirectly acquaint this kind donor of our financial position, but God impressed him in the way he described, and, in consequence, we received this most timely help.—October 19th. From Bristol, with 2 Cor. 9:15, £25. —October 21st. Legacy of the late Mrs. S. A. R. £100.—October 28th. From Taunton £50.—October 30th. From E. C. C. 10s. The donor wrote:—

Dear Sir,

"I enclose 10s. for your Orphan Homes, and I believe that it is the Lord Himself that is constraining me to send it to you."

November 1st. When in the greatest need, we received, from Tayport, £15, with £5 for Mr. Müller, with the following words:—

My dear Sir,

"I have had it laid on my heart to send you £20, £15 to be used for the Orphans and £5 for your own use."

November 2nd. From Truro £5. The donor wrote:—"About ten this morning the Lord told me to send it." It came to hand when we were in the greatest need.—November 4th. From H. P. £50. In our deep poverty we received to-day altogether £103 17s. 1¾d. We also, today, received five more Orphans.—November 6th. From Jarrow £200. In our great need, the Lord, in His compassion, has sent us today altogether £246 6s. 5d. November 8th. Monday. The income today, for two days, has been only £8 5s. 1¾d., not a twentieth part of our average expenses for two days!—November 17th. Our income for the whole week ending to-day has been only £240 14s. 1¼d., scarcely half of what is needed for the Orphans alone. We have, however, to notice the Lord's goodness in sending us from time to time many valuable donations of articles for use or consumption in the Institution.—November 26th. From readers of The Christian, per Messrs. Morgan & Scott, £115 5s.—November 30th. From "A Widow in Surrey" 10s. This dear widow was, two or three years ago, suddenly bereaved of her husband. She was left with nine children, mostly young, but God has been good to her, she says, "beyond her expectations," so she sent this as a thankoffering. Received the following letter from an Orphan lad just about to be apprenticed:—