Nov. 27. For seven weeks the income has been very small, in comparison with what has been expended, both for the Orphans and for the various other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. There has come in for the Orphans 187l. 16s. 2 ¾ d., and for the other objects 62l. 11s. 1d.; and the expenditure has been for the Orphans during these seven weeks 477l. 2s. 11d., and for the various other objects 394l. 9s. 8d. Therefore altogether 871l. 12s. 7d. has been expended, whilst the income altogether has been only 250l. 7s. 3 ¾ d. Of course, we have not gone into debt, as we never order anything, except we have the means in hand for it. Nor has there been even the least difficulty experienced with regard to means, as the Lord in His kindness had sent in considerable sums just before this season commenced. About 330 persons now sit down to their meals in the New Orphan House, day by day, and the expenses for the Orphans alone are about Ten Pounds daily, and those for the other parts of the work are also about Ten Pounds daily, so that I need to receive after the rate of 20l. a day, in order to go on with the work; but during these forty-nine days there has been only one single day that I have received about 20l., and for the greater part of the time only a few pounds daily, and sometimes even only a few shillings. But what was to be done under these circumstances? I gave myself to prayer. God, whom I have now been enabled to make my refuge, and my only refuge for more than twenty years, I have besought day by day. And when now day by day I still have received only small sums, and sometimes nothing or scarcely anything at all: the only effect that it has had upon me has been, to pray the more earnestly. My confidence in God is not at all shaken. I have never had a thought that He would not help me; nor have I even once been allowed to look upon these seven weeks in any other way than that the Lord, for the trial of my faith, has ordered it thus that only so little should come in. I am sure that, when He has tried me sufficiently, there will come in again larger sums. In the mean time, how good has the Lord been, not only to have given all I have needed, but I have even now money in hand! And as to our stores in the New Orphan-House, they are as full as usual. We have at least 150 sacks of potatoes in the house, 20 sacks of flour, 33 barrels of oatmeal, each containing about 200 lbs., about 300 pairs of new shoes (besides about 900 pairs in use), about ten tons of coal, a large quantity of soap and rice; and so all other parts of the stores in proportion. Indeed while there has been little coming in, I have just ordered articles in the wholesale way as formerly, when our income was perhaps four or five times as much during the same period. My judgment is, that it will now soon please the Lord again to send in larger sums, as He has been pleased to exercise my faith for some time in this way. Let me see the result!
Nov. 28. This morning the Lord has given me a fresh proof, that I had not waited on Him in vain, and that my confidence in Him, as recorded last evening, has not been confounded. I received early this morning a donation of 200l., of which I took one half for the Orphans and the other half for the other objects.
Nov. 30. Evening. I am brought to the close of another month. Great have been the expenses, as I have paid out above 400l. for the Orphans, and above 200l. for the other objects; but I have always had the means to meet every payment.
Jan. 4, 1851. Besides a donation of 1l. from Newton Ferrers, 1l. 8s. from Keswick, 4l. 6s. 9d. from the neighbourhood of Bath, I received also this morning anonymously from Torquay 5s. worth of postages, with these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." I am doing this. I expect much, very much indeed, in every way. I also expect much in the way of means. Evening. This very day the Lord has given me a most precious proof, that He delights in our having large expectations from Him. "My mouth has been filled," according to the portion of Holy Scripture sent to me this morning. I have received this evening the sum of Three Thousand Pounds, being the largest donation which I have had as yet. I have had very many donations of 100l. and of 200l., several of 300l., one of 400l., several of 500l., some from 600l. to 900l., four of l000l., two of 2000l. and one of 2050l. But I never had more than this given to me at one time; yet I have expected more than 2050l. in one donation, and, accordingly, it has pleased the Lord to give me 3000l. this evening. I now write again that I expect far larger Sums still, in order that it may be yet more and more manifest, that there is no happier, no easier, and no better way of obtaining pecuniary means for the work of the Lord, than the one in which I have been led. How great my joy in God is, on account of this donation, cannot be described; but it is not in the least coupled with excitement. I take this donation out of the hands of the living God; I continually look for His help, and am perfectly assured that I shall have it, and therefore is my soul calm and peaceful, without any excitement, though the donation is so large. This donation is, however, like a voice from heaven, speaking to me concerning a most deeply important matter respecting which I am seeking guidance from the Lord, the building of another Orphan-House. For several years, while the Orphans were living in rented houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, it pleased the Lord to manifest His power by helping us from day to day, and sometimes even from meal to meal; but of late years He has more especially been pleased to show His power by sending us abundant supplies. Should it please Him, however, hereafter to cause us again to be similarly situated, He will surely help; and, by His grace, we will then trust in Him as heretofore. Moreover, though we have not been so low with regard to means, yet my faith has not been without trial even in this particular; but especially in other respects it has pleased God continually to keep my faith in exercise. This sum of 3000l. was entirely left at my disposal, and it was therefore portioned out thus: 1500l. for the Orphans, 500l. for foreign labourers in the Gospel, 500l. for home labourers in the Gospel, 200l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, 100l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 200l. for the support of Day Schools, Adult Schools, and Sunday Schools.
As an instance to show in what a variety of ways the Lord is pleased to help me with means, I insert here the following kind but anonymous letter, which was left at my house on January 27th, 1851.
"Dear Mr. Müller,
" I left at Mr. W's last week a donation of 1l. 1s. towards the Orphan-Houses, which I hope you received safely. It is indeed encouraging and strengthening to read the account of the many indubitable answers you have had to prayer, and I pray God, dear sir, to strengthen your hands, and prolong your life, if it be His will, that both the servants of Christ and of Satan, the former to their comfort, the latter to their confusion if not to their conversion, may see that God alone reigns, and that the hearts of all are in His hand. I now inclose you some coins (there are 18), which may be disposed of for the Orphan-Houses. Truly we wish you good luck in the name of the Lord.
"Believe me, dear sir,
"To remain your unknown but true Friend,
"A Minister of the Church of England."