Page 52 - Heros of the Faith - Textbook w videos short

George Muller 1805 – 1898

https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bmuller16.html
Copied for WholesomeWords.org from Chief Men Among the Brethren... [compiled by] Hy Pickering.
London: Pickering & Inglis, 1931.

George Müller was born in Prussia, and designed by his father for the clerical profession. His
youth was spent in utter ungodliness, even surpassing many of his age in sin and folly. His
conversion was strangely sudden. It was not through deep conviction of sin or clear gospel
preaching, but simply by finding himself for the first time in the company of praying people.
Yet it was indeed a new birth. His life was at once turned wholly to God, and he rapidly grew in the knowledge of
Him. His devotion to the ministry of the Word, on which he now entered, became a reality.

He desired to be a missionary to the Jews, for which his study of Hebrew seemed to fit him. By a striking
providence he was pronounced, under medical examination, incapable of military service, and was thus set free
to give himself to that of the gospel; and he came to England with the prospect of employment under the
London Jews' Society. There, however, he found himself hampered by conditions to which he could not
conscientiously consent. Leaving London, he was led to Teignmouth, in Devonshire, where the Lord so used him
that he settled there for a time, and became associated with Mr. Henry Craik in an uninterrupted fellowship
until the decease of the latter in 1866. Thence, in 1832, they came to Bristol, where they found an open door,
and their united ministry, chiefly in Bethesda Chapel, was exceedingly fruitful.

Already in Devonshire they had learned to lay aside the traditions of "Congregationalism," such as infant
baptism, pew rents, a separate ministerial order, and a stated salary; and they saw that the Lord's Table was for
all believers, irrespective of denominational views and distinctions.

While the work at Bristol was growing on their hands, Mr. Muller's heart was led out to care for destitute
orphans. From a small beginning, a second and a third house were rented for their reception. At the first he had
laid down for himself the rule that, beyond making known the existence of the institution, he would never apply
in any way to man for help; and, further, that he would never reveal to any human being, outside those
associated with him in the work, the state of the funds, however pressing the need; for the aim he set before
him was not merely the benefit of the orphans, but much more that it might be a witness to all that God is, as
ever of old, the hearer of prayer.

Encouraged by God's manifest help, he sought to enlarge this sphere of usefulness. As means were supplied (for
he never under any circumstances would go into debt), he built a large house on Ashley Down for 300 orphans.
To this, soon after, he added a second, then a third, and finally two more—five in all—with accommodation for
2050 orphans and the staff of helpers.

Great as the work had become, and needing a yearly income of about £30,000, so steadfast was his purpose to
trust in God alone that during these sixty-five years (from the commencement in 1834) Mr. Muller and his
helpers have never been known to depart from their rule. Howeve,r pressing their trials, the need has been told
to God only. Nor have they ever advertised the institution. Only once annually (in early years not always so
often), the results have been published some two months after the close of the financial year, to show how the
Lord has dealt with them, never failing to meet their needs, though for long periods together the supply was
often only by the day, or even by the hour.

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