Chapter I: Front Matter

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THE LIFE OF TRUST:

BEING A

NARRATIVE OF THE LORD'S DEALINGS

WITH

GEORGE MUeLLER, WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

EDITED AND CONDENSED BY
REV. H. LINCOLN WAYLAND,
PASTOR OF THE THIRD BAPTIST CHURCH, WORCESTER, MASS.

With an Introduction

BY

FRANCIS WAYLAND.

BOSTON:
GOULD AND LINCOLN,
59 WASHINGTON STREET.
NEW YORK: SHELDON AND COMPANY.
CINCINNATI: GEORGE S. BLANCHARD.

1861.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by
GOULD AND LINCOLN,

In the Clerk's office of the District Court
of the District of Massachusetts.

STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY
GEO. C. RAND AND AVERY, 3 CORNHILL.

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EDITOR'S PREFACE.

Having been requested by MESSRS. GOULD AND LINCOLN to examine the work entitled "A NARRATIVE OF SOME OF THE LORD'S DEALINGS WITH GEORGE MUeLLER," the Editor was convinced that its republication in this country would greatly promote the piety of American Christians. But to reproduce the work in its original form was attended with difficulty. The "Narrative," in four parts, (published respectively in 1837, 1841, 1845, and 1856,) and the four "Annual Reports" issued in 1857, 1858, 1859, and 1860, would occupy not less than eighteen hundred pages of the size of those contained in this volume. The cost of such a work would greatly limit its circulation and its usefulness, if indeed any publisher should undertake its issue. There seemed no alternative except to abandon the idea of an American edition altogether, or to present it to the public in a condensed form.

Such a condensation seemed, on examination, to be entirely practicable. Owing to the "Parts" of the "Narrative" having been published at four separate periods, it often happens that the same matter is several times repeated. A large portion of the space is occupied with the acknowledgment of donations received. These entries, although appropriate in a report made to the donors and to the British public, have not the same interest for American readers. The discussion of some points in church polity, and the account of the Author's journeys upon the Continent, though interesting and instructive, are not necessary to the continuity of the history. Although in some cases the portions which have been omitted cover a considerable period of time, yet it is believed that all which is essential has been retained. No pains have been spared on the part of the Editor to preserve the value of the work while reducing its compass, and to give, in a form universally accessible, a clear exhibition of the wonderful results of the life of George Mueller, as well as of the principles by which his life has been governed.

Believing that the book would be rendered more attractive to the reader, and more convenient for reference, the Editor has divided it into Chapters, and has prefixed to each a brief statement of some of the leading subjects introduced in the Chapter. For these "contents," as well as for the headings of the Chapters, and for the general title of the volume, the Editor alone is responsible.

The "Narrative" of George Mueller has been blessed in other lands to the awakening of spiritual life. It was the means, as will be observed by the reader, of greatly forwarding, if not of originating, the work of grace now advancing in Ireland. "THE LIFE OF TRUST" is submitted to the Christian public of America, in the hope that its still small voice may be heard even amid the clangor of political strife and the revulsion of commercial interests, and that it may be used by the Divine Spirit to promote and strengthen in the hearts of American Christians, FAITH IN THE LIVING GOD.

H. L. W.

WORCESTER, DEC. 12, 1860

AUTHOR'S PREFACE.

It was only after the consideration of many months, and after much self-examination as to my motives, and after much earnest prayer, that I came to the conclusion to write this work. I have not taken one single step in the Lord's service concerning which I have prayed so much. My great dislike to increasing the number of religious books would, in itself, have been sufficient to have kept me forever from it, had I not cherished the hope of being instrumental in this way to lead some of my brethren to value the Holy Scriptures more, and to judge by the standard of the Word of God the principles on which they act. But that which weighed more with me than anything, was, that I have reason to believe, from what I have seen among the children of God, that many of their trials arise either from want of confidence in the Lord as it regards temporal things, or from carrying on their business in an unscriptural way. On account, therefore, of the remarkable way in which the Lord has dealt with me as to temporal things, I feel that I am a debtor to the church of Christ, and that I ought, for the benefit of my poorer brethren especially, to make known the way in which I have been led. In addition to this, I know that to many souls the Lord has blessed what I have told them about the way in which he has led me, and therefore it seemed a duty to use such means, whereby others also, with whom I could not possibly converse, might be benefited. That which induced me finally to determine to write this Narrative was, that if the Lord should permit the book to sell, I might, by the profits arising from the sale, be enabled in a greater degree to help the poor brethren and sisters among whom I labor;--a matter which, just at that time, weighed much on my mind. I therefore began to write. But after three days I was obliged to lay the work aside on account of my other pressing engagements. Subsequently, I was laid aside on account of an abscess; and being unable, for many weeks, to walk about as usual, though able to work at home, I had time for writing. When the manuscript was nearly completed I gave it to a brother to look over, that I might have his judgment; and the Lord so refreshed his spirit through it, that he offered to advance the means for having it printed, with the understanding that if the book should not sell he would never consider me his debtor. By this offer not a small obstacle was removed, as I have no means of my own to defray the expense of printing. These last two circumstances, connected with many other points, confirmed me that I had not been mistaken, when I came to the conclusion that it was the will of God that I should serve his church in this way.

The fact of my being a foreigner, and therefore but very imperfectly acquainted with the English language, I judged to be no sufficient reason for keeping me from writing. The Christian reader, being acquainted with this fact, will candidly excuse any inaccuracy of expression.

For the poor among the brethren this Narrative is especially intended, and to their prayers I commend it in particular.

GEORGE MUeLLER.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION XV

CHAPTER I.

Boyhood and Youth.

1805-1825.

BIRTH--EARLY DISHONESTY--INSENSIBILITY--CONFIRMATION IN
THE STATE CHURCH--DISSOLUTENESS OF LIFE--THE HARD WAY OF
TRANSGRESSORS--THE GYMNASIUM AT NORDHAUSEN--THE
UNIVERSITY AT HALLE--ROVINGS 31

CHAPTER II.

The Prodigal's Return.

1825-1826.

A TREASURE FOUND--DAWNING OF THE NEW LIFE--THE PEACE OF
GOD--"I AM COME TO SET A MAN AT VARIANCE AGAINST HIS
FATHER"--"LET HIM THAT HEARETH SAY, COME"--THE FIRST
SERMON--DELIGHT IN THE LORD--A COMMON ERROR--THE FOUNTAIN
NEGLECTED 38

CHAPTER III.

Self-Dedication.

1826-1829.

DESIRE FOR MISSIONARY LABOR--PROVIDENTIAL RELEASE FROM
MILITARY SERVICE--VISIT AT HOME--LED TO THE LAND OF HIS
FUTURE LABORS--PROGRESS IN RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE--DESIRE
FOR IMMEDIATE USEFULNESS 47

CHAPTER IV.

Leaning on Jesus.

1830-1832.

A DOOR OPENED--TOKENS FOR GOOD--TRUST EXERCISED IN THE
STUDY AND MINISTRY OF THE WORD--THE SWORD OF THE
SPIRIT--TRUSTING IN GOD FOR DAILY BREAD--BLESSEDNESS OF
WAITING UPON THE LORD--"OWE NO MAN"--"ACCORDING TO YOUR
FAITH BE IT UNTO YOU"--THE GIFT OF FAITH AND THE GRACE
OF FAITH 58

CHAPTER V.

Ministry at Bristol Begun.

1832-1833.

"HERE HAVE WE NO CONTINUING CITY"--CAUTION TO THE
CHRISTIAN TRAVELLER--NEW TOKENS FOR GOOD--THE WAY MADE
CLEAR--MEETINGS FOR INQUIRY--NO RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH
GOD--FRANCKE, "BEING DEAD, YET SPEAKETH"--DAILY BREAD
SUPPLIED--A PECULIAR PEOPLE 80

CHAPTER VI.

The Scriptural Knowledge Institution.

1834-1835.

UNSCRIPTURAL CHARACTER OF THE EXISTING RELIGIOUS AND
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES--A NEW INSTITUTION PROPOSED--GOD'S
WORD THE ONLY RULE, AND GOD'S PROMISE THE ONLY
DEPENDENCE--"IN EVERYTHING LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN
UNTO GOD"--EARNEST OF THE DIVINE BLESSING ON THE
INSTITUTION--BEREAVEMENT--HELPER SEASONABLY SENT--REWARD
OF SEEKING GOD'S FACE 94

CHAPTER VII.

Home for Destitute Orphans.

1835-1836.

FRANKE'S WORKS FOLLOW HIM--A GREAT UNDERTAKING
CONCEIVED--REASONS FOR ESTABLISHING AN ORPHAN
HOUSE--PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE--TREASURE LAID UP IN HEAVEN IN
PRAYER AND IN FAITH THE WORK IS BEGUN 111

CHAPTER VIII.

The Field Widening.

1836-1837.

AN UNEXPECTED OBSTACLE--IMPLICIT SUBMISSION--A SECOND
ORPHAN HOUSE PROPOSED--AN ENCOURAGING TEXT--THE NEW
ORPHAN HOUSE OPENED--COMPLETED ANSWER TO PRAYER--PROGRESS
OF THE LORD'S WORK--THE OVERSIGHT OF THE FLOCK 125

CHAPTER IX.

Trial.

1838.

THE MINISTRY OF SICKNESS--PEACE OF MIND--JESUS A PRESENT
HELP--DEEP POVERTY--PLEADING WITH GOD--UNITED PRAYER 138

CHAPTER X.

Deliverance.

1838.

"PERPLEXED BUT NOT IN DESPAIR"--FAITH JUSTIFIED--A LESSON
OF OBEDIENCE--BOUNTIFUL SUPPLIES--SPIRITUAL
INGATHERING--A DAY OF MERCIES--TIMELY AID--A SEASON OF
PLENTY--OBEDIENCE REWARDED 151

CHAPTER XI.

Asking and Receiving.

1839.

HELP FOR THE POOR SAINTS--THE UNFAILING BANK--MEANS
EXHAUSTED--LIBERALITY OF A LABORING SISTER--"HE KNOWETH
OUR FRAME"--REDEEMING THE TIME--GODLINESS PROFITABLE
UNTO ALL THINGS 167

CHAPTER XII.

Plenty and Want.

1840.

A PURE OFFERING REQUIRED--A JOURNEY PROPOSED--SEASONABLE
PROVISION--LOOKING ONLY TO THE LORD--THE WRATH OF MAN
PRAISING GOD--A PROMISE FULFILLED--BENEFIT OF TRIAL--NEW
SPRINGS OPENED--BEFORE THEY CALL I WILL ANSWER--TRUST IN
GOD COMMENDED--SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS 181

CHAPTER XIII.

Faith Strengthened by Exercise.

1841.

A WANT SUPPLIED--RESOURCES EXCEEDING THE DEMAND--EVIL OF
SURETYSHIP--POWER OF CHRISTIAN LOVE--GOD'S WORD THE FOOD
OF THE SOUL--PREPARATION FOR THE HOUR OF
TRIAL--POVERTY--DEPENDING ONLY ON THE LIVING GOD 200

CHAPTER XIV.

Walking in Darkness.

1841-1842.

"GOD'S WAY LEADS INTO TRIAL"--GROUNDS OF
THANKFULNESS--PROTRACTED DARKNESS--CAST DOWN, BUT NOT
DESTROYED--TRUST IN GOD COMMENDED--THE MEANS OF ITS
ATTAINMENT--REVIEW OF THE WORK 214

CHAPTER XV.

Prosperity.

1842-1843.

ABUNDANT SUPPLIES--RESTING ON THE WRITTEN WORD--"SEEKING
AND FINDING"--ERRONEOUS IMPRESSIONS REMOVED--PERSEVERING
AND PREVAILING PRAYER ANSWERED--"LENGTHENING THE CORDS
AND STRENGTHENING THE STAKES"--A FOURTH ORPHAN HOUSE 241

CHAPTER XVI.

Stewardship.

1844.

EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY TREASURES--SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF
GOD--FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER--THE CHRISTIAN
MERCHANT--EXAMPLES--MISTAKES 259

CHAPTER XVII.

Reaping Bountifully.

1845-1846.

AN UNEXPECTED REQUEST--DELIBERATION--A GREAT
UNDERTAKING--RELIANCE ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LIVING
GOD--AN ANSWER EXPECTED AND RECEIVED--PRAYER FOR FAITH
AND PATIENCE--FURTHER PROOFS OF DIVINE FAVOR--THE
BLESSEDNESS OF DEVISING LIBERAL THINGS 294

CHAPTER XVIII.

Faith Confirmed by Prosperity.

1846-1848.

THE SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION BESTOWED AND PRAYER
ANSWERED--THE TIME OF MAN'S NEED AND OF GOD'S
BOUNTY--FAITH NOT SHAKEN--DEALING ONLY WITH GOD--THE
NEEDED AMOUNT FURNISHED--PERPETUAL "NEED"--NOT WEARY IN
GOD'S WORK--JOY IN ANSWERED PRAYER--FOUR REQUESTS
GRANTED--"CONTINUING INSTANT IN PRAYER"--THE BUILDING
COMMENCED--PERSONAL HISTORY--A MARKED DELIVERANCE 319

CHAPTER XIX.

Continued Mercies.

1848-1850.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS--DEVISING LIBERAL THINGS--THE ORPHANS
PROVIDED FOR--A MEMORABLE DAY--MONEY "AT INTEREST"--MEANS
FROM AN UNEXPECTED SOURCE--THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW ORPHAN
HOUSE--MEANS PROVIDED FOR ITS COMPLETION--INEXPRESSIBLE
DELIGHT IN GOD--REVIEW OF THE TWO YEARS PAST 347

CHAPTER XX.

A New Victory of Faith.

1850-1851.

PAST MERCIES AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO NEW UNDERTAKINGS--A
HOUSE FOR SEVEN HUNDRED ORPHANS PROPOSED--WALKING BY
FAITH--COUNSEL SOUGHT FROM GOD--THE PURPOSE
FORMED--DELIGHT IN THE MAGNITUDE AND DIFFICULTY
OF THE DESIGN 364

CHAPTER XXI.

Unvarying Prosperity.

1850-1852.

DESIRES FOR MORE ENLARGED USEFULNESS GRATIFIED--A LARGE
DONATION ANTICIPATED AND RECEIVED--REVIEW OF
1851--PERSONAL EXPERIENCE--BUILDING FUND FOR THE SECOND
NEW ORPHAN HOUSE--DOUBT RESISTED--WAITING ON GOD NOT
IN VAIN--REVIEW OF 1852 389

CHAPTER XXII.

Reaping in Joy.

1852-1854.

EXPECTING GREAT THINGS FROM GOD--MUNIFICENT
DONATION--INCREASING USEFULNESS OF THE SCRIPTURAL
KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTION--ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH FAITH IN
CHRIST--A VOICE FROM MOUNT LEBANON--BENEFIT OF WAITING
GOD'S TIME--CAREFUL STEWARDSHIP--FAITH, THE ONLY
RELIANCE--"THIS POOR WIDOW HATH CAST IN MORE THAN THEY
ALL"--GREATER ACHIEVEMENTS OF FAITH ANTICIPATED--COUNSEL
TO TRACT DISTRIBUTORS--A NEW AND SEVERE TRIAL OF FAITH 402

CHAPTER XXIII.

Three Years of Prosperity.

1854-1857.

THE SITE SELECTED--SIX THOUSAND ORPHANS IN PRISON--HOW TO
ASK FOR DAILY BREAD--REVIEW OF TWENTY-FOUR YEARS--"TAKE
NO THOUGHT FOR THE MORROW"--INSURANCE AGAINST BAD DEBTS 426

CHAPTER XXIV.

Conclusion.

1857-1860.

THE HOUSE FOR FOUR HUNDRED OPENED--PRAYER MORE THAN
ANSWERED--THE RESORT IN TROUBLE--AN OUTPOURING OF THE
SPIRIT ON THE ORPHANS--LAND FOR A NEW BUILDING
PURCHASED--"BUT ONE LIFE TO SPEND FOR GOD"--"SCATTERING,
YET INCREASING"--A MEMORABLE YEAR--THE GERM OF THE IRISH
REVIVAL--LETTER FROM AN ORPHAN--THE FRUIT OF SIX MONTHS'
PRAYER--THE RESULTS OF THE WORK--REVIVAL AMONG
THE ORPHANS 446

APPENDIX 473