George Müller of Bristol (Illustrated) E-Book

Arthur Tappan Pierson

• Herausgeber: Bauer Books
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Beschreibung

Arthur Tappan Pierson (March 6, 1837 – June 3, 1911) was an American Presbyterian pastor, early fundamentalist leader, and writer who preached over 13,000 sermons, wrote over fifty books, and gave Bible lectures as part of a transatlantic preaching ministry that made him famous in Scotland and England. He was a consulting editor for the original "Scofield Reference Bible" (1909) for his friend, C. I. Scofield and was also a friend of D. L. Moody, George Müller (whose biography 'George Muller of Bristol' he wrote).

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Table of contents

Introduction

VERY soon after the decease of my beloved father-in-law I began to receive letters pressing upon me the desirableness of issuing as soon as possible a memoir of him and his work.

The well-known autobiography, entitled “Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller,” had been, and was still being, so greatly used by God in the edification of believers and the conversion of unbelievers that I hesitated to countenance any attempt to supersede or even supplement it. But as, with prayer, I reflected upon the subject, several considerations impressed me:

1st. The last volume of the Narrative ends with the year 1885, so that there is no record of the last thirteen years of Mr. Müller’s life excepting what is contained in the yearly reports of “The Scriptural Knowledge Institution.”

2d. The last three volumes of the Narrative, being mainly a condensation of the yearly reports during the period embraced in them, contain much unavoidable repetition.

3d. A book of, say, four hundred and fifty pages, containing the substance of the four volumes of the Narrative, and carrying on the history to the date of the decease of the founder of the institution, would meet the desire of a large class of readers.

4th. Several brief sketches of Mr. Müller’s career had issued from the press within a few days after the funeral; and one (written by Mr. F. Warne and published by W. F. Mack & Co., Bristol), a very accurate and truly appreciative sketch, had had a large circulation; but I was convinced by the letters that reached me that a more comprehensive memoir was called for, and would be produced, so I was led especially to pray for guidance that such a book might be entrusted to the author fitted by God to undertake it. While waiting for the answer to this definite petition, though greatly urged by publishers to proceed, I steadily declined to take any step until I had clearer light. Moreover, I was, personally, occupied during May and June in preparing the Annual Report of “The Scriptural Knowledge Institution,” and could not give proper attention to the other matter.

Just then I learned from Dr. Arthur T. Pierson, of Brooklyn, N. Y., that he had been led to undertake the production of a memoir of Mr. Müller for American readers, and requesting my aid by furnishing him with some materials needed for the work.

Having complied with this request I was favoured by Dr. Pierson with a syllabus of the method and contents of his intended work.

The more I thought upon the subject the more satisfied I became that no one could be found more fitted to undertake the work which had been called for on this side of the Atlantic also than this my wellknown and beloved friend.

He had had exceptional opportunities twenty years ago in the United States, and in later years when visiting Great Britain, for becoming intimately acquainted with Mr. Müller, with the principles on which the Orphanage and other branches of “The Scriptural Knowledge Institution” were carried on, and with many details of their working. I knew that Dr. Pierson most thoroughly sympathized with these principles as being according to the mind of God revealed in His word; and that he could, therefore, present not merely the history of the external facts and results of Mr. Müller’s life and labours, but could and would, by God’s help, unfold, with the ardour and force of conviction, the secret springs of that life and of those labours.

I therefore intimated to my dear friend that, provided he would allow me to read the manuscript and have thus the opportunity of making any suggestions that I felt necessary, I would, as my beloved father-in-law’s executor and representative, gladly endorse his work as the authorized memoir for British as well as American readers. To this Dr. Pierson readily assented; and now, after carefully going through the whole, I confidently recommend the book to esteemed readers on both sides of the Atlantic, with the earnest prayer that the result, in relation to the subject of this memoir, may be identical with that produced by the account of the Apostle Paul’s “manner of life” upon the churches of Judea which were in Christ (Gal. i. 24), viz.,

”They glorified GOD” in him. JAMES WRIGHT. 13 CHARLOTTE STREET, PARK STREET, BRISTOL, ENG., March, 1899. A Prefatory Word

DR. OLIVER W. HOLMES wittily said that an autobiography is what every biography ought to be. The four volumes of “The Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller,” already issued from the press and written by his own hand, with a fifth volume covering his missionary tours, and prepared by his wife, supplemented by the Annual Reports since published, constitute essentially an autobiography—Mr. Müller’s own life-story, stamped with his own peculiar individuality, and singularly and minutely complete. To those who wish the simple journal of his life with the details of his history, these printed documents make any other sketch of him from other hands so far unnecessary.

There are, however, two considerations which have mainly prompted the preparation of this brief memoir: first, that the facts of this remarkable life might be set forth not so much with reference to the chronological order of their occurrence, as events, as for the sake of the lessons in living which they furnish, illustrating and enforcing grand spiritual principles and precepts: and secondly, because no man so humble as he would ever write of himself what, after his departure, another might properly write of him that others might glorify God in him.

WHERE IS THE LORD GOD OF ELIJAH? CHAPTER I FROM HIS BIRTH TO HIS NEW BIRTH A HUMAN life, filled with the presence and power of God, is one of God’s choicest gifts to His church and to the world. 1. From his birth to his new birth or conversion: 1805-1825. 2. From his conversion to full entrance on his life-work: 1825-35. 3. From this point to the period of his mission tours: 1835-75. 4. From the beginning to the close of these tours: 1875-92. 5. From the close of his tours to his death: 1892-98. THE NEW BIRTH AND THE NEW LIFE THE lost days of sin, now forever past, the days of heaven upon earth began to dawn, to grow brighter till the perfect day. George Müller’s next marked step in his new path was ”O FEAR THE LORD, YE HIS SAINTS! FOR THERE IS NO WANT TO THEM THAT FEAR HIM.” (Psalm xxxiv. 9.) * One of them, the Rev. Charles Hodge, afterward so well known as professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, etc. CHAPTER III MAKING READY THE CHOSEN VESSEL THE workman of God needs to wait on Him to know the work he is to do and the sphere where he is to serve Him. First, that the safe guide in every crisis is believing prayer in connection with the word of God. Secondly, that continued uncertainty as to one’s course is a reason for continued waiting. NEW STEPS AND STAGES OF PREPARATION PASSION for souls is a divine fire, and in the heart of George Müller that fire now began to burn more brightly, and demanded vent. * See Appendix B. * See Appendix C. THE PULPIT AND THE PASTORATE * Matthew xv. 6. Mark vii. 9-13. “THE NARRATIVE OF THE LORD’S DEALINGS” THINGS which are sacred forbid even a careless touch. “The Lord all these things.” “Known unto God are from the beginning of the world.” (Acts xiv. 27 to xv. 18.) * Five volumes at 16s. Published by Jas. Nisbet & Co., London. With subsequent Annual Reports at 3d. each. 1. An experience of frequent and at times prolonged 2. An experience of the 4. An experience of habitual and nothing else. 6. An experience of extreme caution lest there should be even a careless to the outside public. 7. An experience of growing boldness of faith in * 1 Cor. xii. 1-10. * Vol. I. 73. * Vol. I. 74. * Faith’s Miracles, p. 43. † 2 Timothy ii. 13. CHAPTER VII LED OF GOD INTO A NEW SPHERE * Vol. I. 105. A TREE OF GOD’S OWN PLANTING * Appendix D. Journal I. 107-113. 1. Every believer’s duty and privilege is to help on the cause and work of Christ. 4. Debts are not to be contracted or allowed for any cause in the work of the Lord. 5. The standard of success is not to be a numerical or financial standard. 6. All compromise of the truth or any measures that impair testimony to God are to be avoided. Thus the word of God was accepted as counsellor, and all dependence was on God’s blessing in answer to prayer. The of the institution were likewise announced as follows: 2. To circulate the Holy Scriptures, wholly or in portions, over the widest possible territory. (Isa. xxvii. 3.) THE GROWTH OF GOD’S OWN PLANT Three days later, in reading the Psalms, he was struck with these nine words: “OPEN THY MOUTH WIDE, AND I WILL FILL IT.” (Psalm lxxxi. 10.) * Appendix E. Narrative 1:143-146, 148-152, 154, 155. 1. That God may be glorified in so furnishing the means as to show that it is not a vain thing to trust in Him.