A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller Volume IV Part 7

June. 4. From Leicesters.h.i.+re 5s., and from a sister in Bristol 2s. 6d.

That which has been stated above concerning the origin of the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, was published in the Ninth Report of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, which was issued in the year 1846. In that Report were added to the above, the following remarks, which I likewise give here again, in order that the reader may have a clear under-standing of the whole, and also the full particulars concerning this Orphan Establishment.

1. The total amount, which has been given for the Building-Fund, up to June 4, 1846, is 2710l. 3s. 5 d. This is only a small part of what will be needed, but, by the grace of G.o.d, I am in perfect peace, being fully a.s.sured that G.o.d in His own time will send the whole sum which is required. Many and great have already been the exercises of faith and patient since I first began to give myself to prayer about this work, and still greater they may be, before it is accomplished; but G.o.d, in the riches of His grace, will help me through them all. It is now (June 4, 1846) 212 days since I first began to pray about this work, and day after day, since then, have I been enabled to continue to wait upon G.o.d, and I am more than ever a.s.sured that, notwithstanding all my exceeding great unworthiness, G.o.d will condescend to use me, to build this House.

Had it been the excitement of the moment, the difficulties which have already come upon me in connexion with this work, (which are not stated here, on account of their occupying too much room) would have overwhelmed me; but as G.o.d Himself, I trust, led me to this work, so He has helped me, and does help me, and, I doubt not, will help me to the end.

2. The house is intended to be built, so as to accommodate 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of age, 80 Orphan Boys above seven, and 80 male and female Orphans from their earliest days, till they are seven years old, together with all the overseers and teachers, etc. that may be needed. The Infants, after having pa.s.sed the age of seven, will be removed into the different departments for older boys and girls.

3. The plan of the building is, by the help of G.o.d, all but completed.

Scarcely anything more remains to be altered.

4. The building, however, will not commence till all the money, which is required, has been received.

5. The land and house will be invested in the hands of about ten brethren, as trustees, who shall be persons well known and of good report.

6. Only such donations, ordinarily, will be put to time Building-Fund as are expressly given for it. I should only depart from this my usual mode, if the Lord by some very great abundance of means corning in, or in other respects were to point out, that money not expressly given for the Building-Fund, was to be appropriated to it. It is therefore requested that donors will kindly state it, if they wish any donation put to the Building-Fund.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1840.

1. During the whole of this period, 4 Day-Schools, with 278 children in them, were entirely supported by the funds of the Inst.i.tution. Three Day-Schools besides were a.s.sisted. The number of the children that were taught in the Day-Schools, entirely supported by the funds of the Inst.i.tution, from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 3983.

During the period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, 628l. 19s. 4 d. was spent on all the Schools, which were either entirely or in part supported by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution.

?Further, during this period there were also entirely supported a Sunday-School with 80 children, and an Adult-School with 60 persons attending it. The total number of Adult scholars who received instruction, from the formation of this Inst.i.tution to May 26, 1846, is 1146.

2. During this period were circulated 269 Bibles, and 171 Testaments; and 5079 Bibles, and 3528 Testaments were circulated from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. 40l. 7s. 10d. was expended of the Funds of the Inst.i.tution on this object, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1840.

3. From July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, was laid out for Foreign and Home Missions the sum of 595l. 7s, 9d. Of this sum was spent for Foreign Missions 447l. 17s. 9d, which was divided among 15 brethren and sisters who labour in British Guiana, one brother and sister in Jamaica, 2 brethren in India, one brother in Prussia, and 3 brethren in Switzerland. The remainder, 147l. 10s. was divided among 14 brethren who labour in England without any salary, and in dependence upon the Lord for their temporal supplies. During no period previously was so much of the Funds of this Inst.i.tution spent on Missionary work, which arose from the fact, that, the more I corresponded with brethren who laboured in the word and doctrine in foreign lands, the more I saw how much they stood in need of a.s.sistance, and thus, my heart having been led out in prayer to G.o.d on their behalf, that He would be pleased to send me means, whereby I might be able to a.s.sist them, He was pleased to do so.

This led me to purpose, as G.o.d should give me grace, to be still more mindful of them in future, and to seek to be able still more to a.s.sist them. The same was the case with regard to those brethren who labour in England, but who have no salary or stipend, but trust in the living G.o.d for the supply of their daily necessities; I did long to help such brethren, and had no doubt that G.o.d would enable me to do so.

When I now, whilst preparing this fourth part of my Narrative for the press, look back to this period, how greatly has G.o.d helped me since then even in this particular; for, of late years, he has enabled me to spend on Missionary objects about seven times more than during the period now referred to.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of tracts, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, the sum of 50l. 9s. 9 d., for which Fifty-two thousand and three such little publications were bought, which, with 5315 in hand on July 14, 1844, makes 57318, of which number 40565 were circulated The total number circulated from Nov. 19, 1840, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 99647.

5. There were received into the four Orphan-Houses, from July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1840, 30 Orphans, who, together with those who were in the four Houses on July 14, 1844, make up 151 in all. Of these: 1. One child died. 2. One boy left the Inst.i.tution secretly just when he was ready to be apprenticed, and went to his relatives. [In going over this account, for time sake of preparing it for the press, I cannot help making a few remarks on this case, for the sake of teachers, guardians, and parents, who are greatly afflicted by the bad behaviour of children or young persons. The boy referred to just now gave us for years much sorrow. All means, to bring him into a different state, seemed entirely lost. At last he was going to be apprenticed. His clothes and outfit for leaving the House were already prepared, when he secretly left and at last reached on foot the dwelling-place of an elder sister, in the North of Devon, who is married to a master of a small vessel, a pious man. His sister and brother-in-law were greatly afflicted by his bad behaviour towards his friends in Bristol. There remained, however, now nothing to be done, but that the lad should go with his brother-in-law to sea.

After he had been some time at sea, one night there was a terrific storm, so that all hope of the vessel or crew being saved was gone. This poor lad now remembered the instruction which he had received in the Orphan-House in Bristol, and earnestly prayed to G.o.d for mercy, and turned to Him. From that time, as the brother-in-law himself told me, this youth was a truly changed character, and proved by his G.o.dly deportment for several months afterwards, that he had the grace of G.o.d in him; for he continued walking in the fear of G.o.d, till about 6 months afterwards, when he was drowned by falling overboard. May this encourage all who labour among the young, patiently to go on in their service.

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. 126, 5.] 3. Six children were taken back by their relatives, who by that time were able to provide for them. 4. Six boys were apprenticed at the expense of the Inst.i.tution, and five other boys, ready to be apprenticed, were sent to their relatives to be apprenticed. 5. Two girls were apprenticed, and eight sent out to service, and one girl was sent to her relatives to serve them.

There were on May 28, 1846, One hundred and twenty-one Orphans in the Four Houses. Besides this, six apprentices were still supported by the Funds of the Inst.i.tution, so that the total number was 127. The number of the Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 213.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the Orphan-Houses.

1. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of 13,275l. 6s. 9 d. was given to me as the result of prayer to G.o.d, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. This sum includes the 2710l. 3s. 5 d. which up to June 4, 1846, was given towards the Building Fund. (It may be interesting to the reader to know that the total amount which was given as free contributions, for the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846, amounts to 4833l. 18s. 10 d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounts to 2097l. 18s. 2 d.) 2. Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., were given for the Orphans, as has been stated in the printed Reports. The total expenditure for the Orphans from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, was 2732l. 14s. 1 d., and for the other objects 1325l.

7s. 7 d.

In conclusion I cannot but mention, to the praise of the Lord, concerning this period, that four of the Sunday-School children were admitted to communion. Likewise three more of the Orphans were received into church fellows.h.i.+p, so that up to that time, altogether 32 of the Orphans had been admitted. I also mention with peculiar joy, and as a matter for thankfulness, that of those who were apprenticed or sent out to service, from July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, ten were believers, most of whom had been for several years in fellows.h.i.+p, before they were sent out to service. But whilst we desire to receive these instances as precious encouragements from the Lord to continue our service, we cannot but believe, judging from the many prayers the Lord gives us for the children and adults under our care and instruction, that that which we see is but an earnest of a far larger harvest in the day of Christ's appearing.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or time work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge Inst.i.tution, from January 1, 1844, to May 26, 1846.

Soon after my return from Germany, where I had been labouring for seven months in 1843, and 1844, of which I have written at length in the third part of this Narrative, I had it laid on my heart to go there again for a season; but, before doing so, I felt called upon to prepare for the press a new edition of the first and second parts, and to write the third part of my Narrative. For this, however, a large sum of money was required, as I purposed to print not less than 4000 copies. As I had no money of my own for this object, I gave myself to prayer, and, after having prayed several months respecting it, I received on December 30, 1844, unasked for, the sum which would be needed to accomplish this object.

Dec. 31, 1844. Since Brother Craik and I came to Bristol, 982 believers have been received into communion, making 1050 with the 68 whom we found in fellows.h.i.+p. Of these, 97 have fallen asleep, 53 are under church discipline, 56 have left us but are still in Bristol, and 176 have removed from Bristol; so that there are only 668 in communion at present. During this year 73 have been received.

The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year?

1, Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper, and directed to me, and placed in the boxes for the poor saints, or the rent, at the two chapels. 117 11 9

2, Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously 56 0 6

3, Through presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . .

. . 81 14 6

4, In presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least 12 0 0

267 6 9

To this is to be added, that, for the first two months and six days of this year, my expenses, and those of my dear wife, during our stay in Germany, were met, as also our traveling expenses back, as stated in.

the third part of my Narrative. Also during the whole of this year a Christian lady gave to our dear child board and schooling without any remuneration, a present worth to us not less than 50l. On this point I cannot help making a few remarks. I had clearly seen it to be the will of G.o.d that my daughter should be brought up at school, and not at home.

My reasons for it were these: 1, My dear wife, though well qualified, to instruct our daughter, so far as knowledge goes, was unable, on account of being engaged as my wife in a variety of things connected with the Lord's service, to give herself uninterruptedly to this work; and to do it partially we judged to be injurious to our daughter. 2, I had seen instances in which a home education, for an only child, had turned out very badly. 3, I judged that the mixing with other children would be beneficial to our daughter, provided that intercourse was under proper oversight; as thus a child is in early life introduced into a little world, and things do not all at once come upon a young person, when at last obliged to leave the parental roof. 4, But that which most of all led me to this decision was, that, as in the Church of Christ the Lord has qualified the members of the body for the performance of certain work, and all have not the same gift and service, so, in the same way, certain believers are called and qualified above others, for instructing children, and give themselves to this particular service, and that, therefore, I ought to make use of the qualifications of such, and of their having given their whole time to this particular service.-- These reasons led us to place our dear daughter at school, instead of educating her at home, and we have never had cause to regret the step we took, but on the contrary, have had abundant reason to praise G.o.d for it I have purposely made these remarks, as I am fully aware that some believers have different views on this subject, and I desire to serve them with the measure of light and experience I have obtained.

After our daughter had been at school for half a year, I asked for the account, when it was stated to me by the Christian lady in whose establishment she was, that she had a pleasure in educating her gratuitously. However, as I pressed the matter, I obtained the account.

It was paid, but the exact sum was returned to me anonymously, which, of course, I found out at once to be from the Christian sister at whose school my daughter was. From that time I could never more obtain the account, though my dear child was about six years longer at school. I refer to this point for this especial reason: G.o.d had laid it on my heart to care about poor dest.i.tute Orphans. To this service I had been led to give myself; He, in return, as a recompense even for this life, took care that my own beloved child should have a very good education, free of expense to me. I was able, and well able to pay for her education, and most willing to do so; but the Lord gave it gratuitously; thus also showing how ready He is, abundantly to help me and to supply my wants.

January 6, 1845. Today I received the most painful information that a false teacher from Switzerland had found his way among the brethren and sisters at Stuttgart, and that through him several, yea almost all, to a greater or less degree had been drawn aside, and shaken as to the very foundations of their faith.

I cannot describe how bitter the trial was to me to see the Lord thus dishonoured, and my painful service for seven months during the previous year, to all appearance, entirely frustrated. The Lord, however, laid these brethren and sisters on my heart in prayer, so that I was day by day enabled to bring them before G.o.d, and also to resolve, that, as soon as my path was made plain, I would go again to Stuttgart for a season.

May 3, 1845. I have seen it more and more clearly of late, that the time is drawing near, when I shall go again to Germany, to labour there for a time; for the brethren who had fallen into grievous errors are now recovering out of them, but need a helping hand to restore them fully, or at least to confirm them in the truth. In addition to this I purpose to publish some tracts in German. But though it is now four months, since I have been daily praying respecting this object, I never had been led to ask the Lord to give me means for it, because I felt a.s.sured, that, when His time was come for me to go, He would provide the means; and also because I had never felt myself led to pray about it. Today, however, I asked the Lord that He would provide the means for all that is necessary in connexion with this service; and I had a secret satisfaction in feeling that so much was required, i.e. means for the journey to and fro, means for our stay there, means for the publication of Tracts, means to be left behind for the work in Bristol, to supply the need at least for a time, for I did not wish to go, unless it were the Lord's will, and if so, He would give the means. Now see how the Lord dealt with me! About a quarter of an hour after 1 had been in prayer with my dear wife respecting this object, and I had now, for the first time, asked Him for means to carry it out, though for four months we had daily prayed together respecting spiritual success in this service, I received a letter containing an order for 500l. In the letter this was written:

"I enclose * * * * 500l., which will be more useful in your hands than in mine. I mean it in the first place for all that is needed preparatory to and attendant upon your journey to Germany, and, whatever the surplus may be, you will apply as you find there is need in the different parts of service under your care." Thus the Lord has fully answered our requests for means, and that so speedily!

On July 19th my dear wife and I left Bristol for Stuttgart. As the letters, which I wrote to the church in Bristol, in which I gave some account of my labours on the Continent, have been preserved, I give them here, as they will furnish the reader with an outline of the Lord's dealings with me during that period.

Stuttgart, Aug. 16, 1845.

To the Saints, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol.

Dear Brethren,

It is today four weeks since we left you. As I know that your love to us would like to know how the Lord has been dealing with us since, and as I have abundant reason to speak well of Him on account of His goodness and mercy to us since our departure; I gladly relate to you how it has been with us since we left Bristol It was on Sat.u.r.day afternoon, July 19th, that we started for London. On the next day, the Lord's day, I ministered twice in London, as also on Monday evening. I was much helped in doing so, especially on the evening of the Lord's day and on Monday evening, and I could not but recognize the hand of the Lord even in this, with reference to my leaving Bristol for a season. On Monday and Tuesday we were much occupied in procuring our pa.s.sports, and on Wednesday at twelve o'clock we went on board the steamer for Ostend.

The Lord mercifully carried us over the sea, although we were both very sea-sick, and about five o'clock the next morning we went on sh.o.r.e at Ostend. Having in a very little time, without any difficulty, obtained our luggage out of the Customhouse, we left by the first train for Cologne, at half-past six, travelled all that day, a distance of about 240 miles, and reached Cologne between nine and ten o'clock in the evening. We then travelled either in the Rhine steamers, on the rail-road, or in an omnibus, the four following days also, yet so that we arranged to have time to ourselves, and reached Stuttgart about eight o'clock on Monday evening, July 28th. Of the journey I would mention no more, than that on the last day we travelled with a most lovely and gracious brother, an English clergyman from Suss.e.x, with whom, after two or three hours I was so one in heart, that on getting out of the omnibus, in which we travelled together about 30 miles, in order to walk up a long hill, we walked together arm-in-arm. It was most refres.h.i.+ng to our spirits to find so lovely a brother in this dark land. We spent a few hours together at Stuttgart, and then this dear brother left for the neighbourhood of Munich, the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria, where his family is for a season.--I had written from Bristol to one of the brethren at Stuttgart, Brother M?, an Englishman, to look out for furnished lodgings for us, and I therefore called on him the next morning, July 29th, to see how far he had succeeded. I now learned that he had made every inquiry for me, and also advertised in the paper, and applied at an intelligence office, but that he had heard only of three apartments, and even these were unfurnished; for all the lodgings which were to be had were occupied by the deputies of the people, a sort of Parliament in Wirtemberg, who have once every three years their a.s.semblies, and who had been for the last six months a.s.sembled in Stuttgart. This was no small difficulty, as to stay at an hotel would have been very expensive, especially just now, as the a.s.sembly of the deputies has made a great difference in the hotels also. However, our comfort was, that, as we had come in the name of the Lord, and according to His bidding, and that, after having daily prayed about the matter since the latter part of November last year, He would help in this thing also. We now went to the only lodging out of the three which was at all likely to suit; but we found that this was only to be had on Nov. 10th, and not now, a lady having taken a whole floor of seven rooms, and wis.h.i.+ng to let two of them. We saw the two rooms which had been offered, found them furnished, and asked to whom they belonged, when we learned that they were in the use of the owner of the house, who had sold the house, but would have the use of these rooms, as well as those in which he lived, till Nov. 1st. 1 now affectionately asked him, whether he would not let an have these rooms for a time, offering to pay any price, and give the money before-hand, as I was a stranger to him. He said he would consider it with his wife a few hours.

My dear wife and I now gave ourselves to prayer, that, if it were good for us, the Lord would be pleased to incline the hearts of these persons to let us have those two rooms, but I told Him, at the same time, that I should not now press the matter further, having offered what I had; for after all He might have another place for us, where. He wished us to be.

After two or three hours I went again, and as we required little as to attendance, and were of quiet habits, and required little alteration to be made in the way of furniture, these persons agreed to let us have those rooms; and that same afternoon we were able to leave the hotel and enter our lodging. And now hear the Lord's goodness in this particular. The dear persons with whom we lodge are both Christians, who are most kind to us, and obliging in every way. Their servant also who waits on us is a most kind person. The house is in a healthy and quiet situation, and not far from our meeting-place, though without the city gates. In a word, we could not have wished better lodgings. And how did we get them? Because all the apartments, usually let out as lodgings, were occupied by these 90 or 100 gentlemen of the Parliament. Moreover, to this house we came, through a mistake having been made; for the rooms we now live in were only intended to be let on Nov. 10th. More, the persons with whom we live are evidently wealthy persons, a surgeon who has retired from his profession, and his wife, and who never had let lodgings. Oh! how kind of the Lord, to let circ.u.mstances be as they were, in order that we might, through this very difficulty, obtain such a dwelling-place. Daily we feel the comfort of living with Christians, though these dear persons belong to the State Church. May this little matter lead us all, dear brethren, to leave all our affairs in the hands of our loving Father; He arranges matters as they are best for us.-- During the first three or four days in Stuttgart, I was especially poor and needy, and required every particle of courage not to be overwhelmed by the state of things here. Everything seemed most dark. On Tuesday evening when I went to the meeting, there were but eight present, and all I saw and heard gave me the impression of spiritual desolation, resulting from that false teacher from Switzerland having come among the brethren here. In addition to this, my dear wife was taken very ill during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, July 29 to 30, so that for two days she kept her bed, and only on the fourth day was pretty well again. It was the result of sea-sickness and the great fatigue of the journey, I think. But the Lord had mercy and brightened the prospect by increasing my faith. In addition to this, circ.u.mstances looked better almost immediately after my arrival, and I was constantly comforted by the knowledge, that only according to the Lord's will we were here, and that He would not have sent us, if He had not some purpose to be accomplished by it. The first thing that occurred was, that, in answer to our many prayers in England, on the journey, and here, and also in answer to your prayers, dear brethren, the police gave me permission to stay here, a thing which, looking at it naturally, could not have been expected. Still, this had always been my hope, because to Stuttgart I felt to be my mission. The next thing was, that the moment my arrival became known, the poor scattered sheep were again drawn together, and other persons also, believers and unbelievers, came to the meetings, so that the first evening it was known I should hold a meeting, there were about 20 persons present, and since then there have been repeatedly 40 and upwards. This is a small number for England, but large here, and for our position in particular. The next thing was, our landlady told me that every Monday afternoon a number of pious females met at her house, for two or three hours, to knit stockings for the Moravian missionaries, and requested me to come and speak to them. This I now do every Monday afternoon, expounding the Scriptures to 20 or 25 of these females and our landlord and to an aged brother, who has been in the habit of attending these meetings. This is a new field entirely, and something else to show how the hand of G.o.d was in the matter of our lodgings.

Still more. On the last two Friday evenings I have attended a meeting, at which about 150 persons, belonging to the State Church, meet together, most of them probably converted, and the others either seeking the Lord, or religiously inclined. To this meeting I have gone for love's sake, to show that I really desire to be united, in spirit, with all who love our Lord Jesus. Now at this meeting also, I have had opportunity to speak both times. In future also, the Lord willing, I purpose to go to this meeting, and to embrace the opportunity which thus I may have of speaking what may be suitable under the circ.u.mstances. The character of the meeting is not in every way that which is according to the Holy Scriptures, but these dear brethren must be borne with, in order to help them on. About 8 brethren sit round a table, being more intimately known to each other. They lead the whole meeting as to prayer, giving out a hymn, proposing the portion of the Word of G.o.d for consideration, &c. They make remarks on it, and all the other 100 or 200, or more or less, that may be present, listen. As I had called on one of these leading brethren, he asked me to sit at that table, and thus I have the right of speaking, which yet must be used very wisely, as these dear children of G.o.d may be able to bear it. But even if I were not to speak at all, my very presence would do good, with G.o.d's blessing, as they would see that I am desirous of being united with all who love our Lord Jesus; and I cannot but hope that thus prejudices will wear away, they will come to our meetings, and read my book. The Continent is not like England. Every particle of progress one is able to make here, is highly to be prized. The state of things is most interesting here. Infidelity is most awfully showing itself, regardlessly trampling under foot G.o.d's word, and shamelessly and most impudently denouncing the whole as a fabrication; but, on the other side, there is evidently an inquiry after truth, and a seeking to know the truth from the Scriptures themselves, and a beginning to be dissatisfied with cold dead forms. The Lord also begins to work for us in other respects. The parliament of Wirtemberg has also publicly considered the matter of the brother and sister who would not be married at the State Church, and have recommended to the government of the country to consider the matter once more, and also to grant to us the privilege of being able to marry, without going to the State Church, as they had already granted us "the administration of the Lord's Supper and Baptism," as they call it. Thus, with G.o.d's blessing, help will come in that way also; and I cannot but hope that this poor little gathering here, in which the devil has recently made such havoc, will yet be to the praise of the Lord, and to the benefit of His church in the German States.--G.o.d has blessed my being here in bringing brother R. out of the errors into which he had fallen, having been led away by that false teacher from Switzerland; but this brother reaps now bitterly the fruits of his want of watchfulness: that dear young sister who was converted while I was here before, his youngest daughter, is among those persons in Switzerland, and another of his daughters is engaged to one of these persons--Oh! how important, dear brethren, carefully and prayerfully to compare what we hear with the Word of G.o.d. Five days following, three times each day, this false teacher held meetings, and thus overpowered these dear saints completely; for they had no time left to consider and to pray over, and compare with the Holy Scriptures, what they heard, as, in addition to three meetings a day, they lasted till after 11 o'clock at night.--I now attend eight meetings every week.

Sunday mornings at nine o'clock, exposition of the Word, and in the afternoon at two we meet for the breaking of bread. The dear brethren have gone back to these unsuitable hours. On Monday afternoon at three the exposition of the Scriptures to those who meet together to knit for the missionaries, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 to 10 o'clock, Scripture reading meetings, with the saints only who break bread. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from eight to half-past nine, public exposition of the Word. And on Friday evening from half-past eight to a quarter before ten, I meet with the brethren who belong to the State Church. Besides this, my time has. .h.i.therto been much occupied in seeing brethren and sisters privately and the rest of my time, besides prayer and meditation, for my own soul and the work, has been occupied in preparing tracts for the press. Five are already finished. I have translated into German: "The love of G.o.d to poor sinners," "The Serpent of bra.s.s," and "The two thieves;" and I have written myself two tracts, on "Lydia's conversion," and "The conversion of the jailer at Philippi." In this work I purpose to continue, the Lord willing, while we remain here, either writing or translating tracts, and then seeking myself, as much as I can, whilst here, to circulate them--Oh! help me, beloved brethren, yet more and more with your prayers in all this important service. My position here is more important, and more interesting than ever; for G.o.d, "who comforteth those who are cast down," has comforted me, after the first three days of trial, and has given me a larger field for service than I had before.--We remember you daily in prayer, and gladly do so, and shall be truly glad to return to you, as soon as we can see it to be the will of the Lord. Farewell, beloved brethren. My dear wife sends to you her love in Christ. Should any of you wish to write to me, I shall be glad to hear from you; but please to write on very thin paper, on account of the heavy postage. The letters may be left at my house.

Your affectionate brother and servant in the Lord,

George Muller.

Stuttgart, Sept. 13, 1845.