A Narrative of some of the Lords Dealings with George Müller | Page 2

usual quantity, for want
of means, we procure stale bread afterwards.]
Dec. 12. Only 4s. had come in to meet this day’s necessities. Thus we
should not have had sufficient means to provide for the dinner in the
Girls’-Orphan-House, had not 6s. come in this morning, just in time to
help us through the difficulty. Still we had no means to buy bread, and
a few other little things which were needed. In addition to all this it was
Saturday, and therefore provisions for two days needed to be procured.
About four o’clock this afternoon, one of the sisters in the
Orphan-Houses, to whom I had some days since sent a little money for
her own personal necessities, gave 1l. Thus we were able to purchase
sufficient provisions to last till breakfast on Monday morning. These
last days have been very trying. The poverty has been greater than ever;
the Lord, however, has not confounded us, but has, strengthened our
faith, and always given us necessaries.
The School-Funds are also now again very low. There was only so
much money in hand, as that two of the teachers, really in need, could
be paid today. Truly, my dear fellow-labourers in the schools need to
trust the Lord for their temporal supplies! [I notice here, that though the
brethren and sisters have a certain remuneration, yet it is understood
that, if the Lord should not be pleased to send in the means at the time
when their salary is due, I am not considered their debtor. Should the
Lord be pleased to send in means afterwards, the remainder of the
salary is paid up, and also additional assistance is given in time of
sickness or more than usual need, as the Lord may be pleased to grant
the means. A brother or sister, in connection with this work, not

looking for themselves to the Lord, would be truly uncomfortable; for
the position of all of us is of such a character, that it brings heavy trials
of faith, in addition to the many precious seasons of joy on account of
answers to prayer.]
Dec. 13. Lord’s day. This morning I received 2l. 10s. Thus, before the
last provisions are actually consumed in the Orphan-Houses, I have
been able to give fresh supplies.
Dec. 14. Though 2l. 10s. had come in yesterday, there was still not
sufficient this morning to buy coals in the Boys’ and
Girls’-Orphan-Houses. But the Lord kindly supplied us with means for
that also; for there were given today six silver tea spoons, and a pair of
silver sugar tongs. I received also 1l. 10s. which yesterday had been
anonymously given for rent. Thus the Lord, in this particular also,
again begins the year with blessings. [As during the two previous years
1l. 10s. a week was anonymously given to pay for the rent of the three
Orphan-Houses, so during the whole of this year also, from Dec. 10,
1840, to Dec. 10, 1841, the donor continued the same contribution.]
This evening was the first of our public meetings, at which I gave the
account of the Lord’s dealings with us in regard to this work, during the
last year. It was a good season. I felt much assisted by the Lord, and
was, through grace, very happy, so that none of those who were present
can have read in my countenance that I have nothing at all in hand
towards the supply of the necessities of tomorrow. After the meeting
this evening 2 1/2d. was left anonymously at my house.
Dec. 15. The day commenced with 2 1/2d. in hand. My eyes were
directed to the living God. I was looking out for help. The greatness of
our need led me to expect it. About eleven o’clock I received from
Barnstaple a 5l. note and half-a-sovereign. Thus the Lord in His faithful
love delivered us. Half an hour afterwards I had the report from the
Orphan-Houses about the state of things today, which will show how
seasonably the money from Barnstaple came. Brother R. B., master at
the Boys’-Orphan~ House, wrote that last evening a sister gave 5s. and
a cloak, but that there never was less bread in the Orphan-Houses at
any time than this morning, and that both in the Boys’ and

Infant-Orphan-Houses all bread had been, cut up for use.--We are now
waiting on the Lord for means to enable us to have the Report printed.
Till He provides, we will, by His help, do nothing in this matter.
Though it seems to us important that the account of the Lord’s dealings
with us in the work should be made known to the saints generally; yea,
though this is the primary object of the work; nevertheless it appears to
us a small matter for our kind