A Narrative of some of the Lords Dealings with George Müller | Page 4

a gold
Maltese cross and chain, a Brazilian gold chain, a pearl hair brooch, a
pearl cross, a mother-of-pearl buckle, 2 rings, a necklace snap, a
moonstone brooch, a brooch of Ceylon stones, a pair of bracelet snaps,
a gold brooch, a gilt vinaigrette, a pair of buckles, and a box. [The
money which was obtained for the greater part of these trinkets,
supplied our need on Saturday, January 9th.]
Jan. 11. Monday. During the last week the Lord not only supplied us
richly with all we needed for the Orphans, but enabled us to put by
several pounds towards printing the Report. On Saturday evening there
was only 3s. 6d. left. On this account I was looking out for answers to
my prayers for means, and the Lord did not disappoint me. There came
in altogether yesterday 9l. 16s. 4d. We have now enough even for the
last part of the Report. Thus the Lord has been pleased to answer our
prayers in this respect also. This afternoon when there was again only
2s. 6d. in hand, came in by sale of articles 3l. 9s. 6d., and by a donation
5l.
Jan. 12. Today I have received a letter from a brother, in which he
empowers me to draw upon his bankers, during this year to the amount
of 1000l., for any brethren who have it in their hearts to give
themselves to missionary Service in the East Indies, and whom I shall
consider called for this service, as far as I am able to judge. [This
power lasted only for that year; but no brethren who seemed to be
suitable offered themselves for this service]
Jan. 13. This evening I was called to the house of a brother and sister
who are in the deepest distress. The brother had become surety for the
debts of his son, not in the least expecting that he ever should be called
upon for the payment of them; but as his son has not discharged his
debts, the father has been called upon to do so; and except the money is
paid within a few days, he will be imprisoned.

How precious it is, even for this life, to act according to the word of
God! This perfect revelation of His mind gives us directions for every
thing, even the most minute affairs of this life. It commands us, "Be
thou not one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for
debts." Prov. xxii. 26. The way in which Satan ensnares persons, to
bring them into the net, and to bring trouble upon them by becoming
sureties, is, that he seeks to represent the matter as if there were no
danger connected with that particular case, and that one might be sure
one should never be called upon to pay the money; but the Lord, the
faithful Friend, tells us in His own word that the only way in such a
matter "to be sure" is "to hate suretiship." Prov. xi. 15. The following
points seem to me of solemn moment for consideration, if I were called
upon to become surety for another: 1. What obliges the person who
wishes me to become surety for him, to need a surety? Is it really a
good cause in which I am called upon to become surety? I do not
remember ever to have met with a case in which in a plain, and godly,
and in all respects Scriptural matter such a thing occurred. There was
generally some sin or other connected with it. 2. If I become surety,
notwithstanding what the Lord has said to me in His word, am I in such
a position that no one will be injured by my being called upon to fulfill
the engagements of the person for whom I am going to be surety? In
most instances this alone ought to keep one from it. 3. If still I become
surety, the amount of money, for which I become responsible, must be
so in my power, that I am able to produce it whenever it is called for, in
order that the name of the Lord may not be dishonoured. 4. But if there
be the possibility of having to fulfill the engagements of the person in
whose stead I have to stand, is it the will of the Lord, that I should
spend my means in that way? Is it not rather His will that my means
should be spent in another way? 5. How can I get over the plain word
of the Lord, which is to the contrary, even if the first four points could
be satisfactorily settled?
This morning (Jan. 13) I had again not one penny in hand for the
Orphans, though there was enough for today