George Muller: The Guardian of Bristol's Orphans by Janet Benge & Geoff Benge

Author:Janet Benge & Geoff Benge [Benge, Janet & Benge, Geoff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography, Non-Fiction, History, Childrens, Spirituality, Religion
ISBN: 9781576587263
Amazon: 1576587266
Barnesnoble: 1576587266
Goodreads: 17274937
Publisher: YWAM Publishing
Published: 1999-05-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The First Orphanage in Bristol

The Wednesday night two weeks before Christmas was cold and windy. George and Mary Müller walked arm in arm up Paul Street from their home towards Gideon Chapel on their way to a special meeting. When they arrived, they found the chapel already crowded with people. They made their way to the front of the chapel. As George stood to speak, he could feel his heart thumping wildly with excitement and anticipation. He cleared his throat and began the speech that was to be the outline for the rest of his life’s work. “I have called this meeting for one purpose,” he began. “God has told me to start an orphanage.”

The audience let out a gasp and murmured as George went on to tell them about the pattern of operation for his orphanage. There would be no collections, no asking for money, and no payment required from the children who were taken in. Instead, George would rely on God to supply all the needs of the orphans.

After he had finished talking, George invited questions from the audience. Some were practical, such as, Where was the orphanage to be located? George did not know, since God had not yet shown him a house. What orphans would he take in, and how many? George thought there would probably be around thirty girls aged seven to twelve. How old would a girl be when she left the orphanage? George wasn’t sure. He hoped to find work for most of the girls as domestic servants when they were twelve, but no girl would be returned to the streets because she was too old for the orphanage. Some place would be found for her to go. Did he have any staff? Not yet.

Some of the questions were more spiritual. One man with a long gold watch chain draped across his ample belly asked if George really thought God was interested in the daily needs of an orphanage. Did he honestly think, for instance, that God would send chamber pots and bandages, schoolbooks and socks for thirty girls whom no one loved or cared about? George replied that they would have to wait and see, but in his experience, there wasn’t anything too large or small to ask God for.

When the questions were finished, George concluded the meeting in prayer, and then he made his way to the back of the chapel to greet people on their way out. There he heard all of the comments people had not wanted to make in front of others.

“I do think it’s a big project to take on,” said one elderly woman. “I think if God is calling you to work with orphans, you might be better to take one or two into your home. It doesn’t do to bite off more than you can chew. Besides, if the orphanage failed, it would be an embarrassment to us all,” she told George, patting him soothingly on the arm.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” muttered another man as he put on his hat and coat.

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