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 God, 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 assured, 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 Saturday 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 passports, 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 shore 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 Sussex, 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 refreshing 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 assemblies, and who had been for the last six months assembled in Stuttgart. This was no small difficulty, as to stay at an hotel would have been very expensive, especially just now, as the assembly 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 wishing 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 circumstances 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, circumstances 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 God 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 circumstances. 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 God 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 God may be able to bear it. But even if I were not to speak at all, my very presence would do good, with God'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 God'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 God'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.—God 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 God. 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 hitherto 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 God to poor sinners," "The Serpent of brass," 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 God, "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 Müller.