HAPTER XVIII.

FAITH CONFIRMED BY PROSPERITY.

1846-1848.

THE SPIRIT OF SUPPLICATION BESTOWED AND PRAYER ANSWERED--THE
TIME OF MAN'S NEED AND OF GOD'S BOUNTY--FAITH NOT
SHAKEN--DEALING ONLY WITH GOD--THE NEEDED AMOUNT
FURNISHED--PERPETUAL "NEED"--NOT WEARY IN GOD'S WORK--JOY IN
ANSWERED PRAYER--FOUR REQUESTS GRANTED--"CONTINUING INSTANT IN
PRAYER"--THE BUILDING COMMENCED--PERSONAL HISTORY--A MARKED
DELIVERANCE.

In the following chapter, Mr. Mueller has grouped together, under
the appropriate heads, the leading events connected with each of
the departments of the work of the Lord in his hands.

I. ASSISTANCE TO THE MISSIONARY LABORERS.

During no former period since undertaking to send aid to laborers at
home and abroad was I intrusted by the Lord with such large sums as
during the one to which this chapter refers. I had never had more need
of pecuniary supplies than during those two years, on account of the
many pressing calls; but, at the same time, I had the exceeding great
joy and privilege of being able to respond to them in such a way as I
had never before been allowed to do. These remarks apply to all the
various objects of the Institution, but especially to the supplies for
brethren who labor at home and abroad in word and doctrine, without
being connected with any society, or without having any regular salary
for preaching the word.

On May 26, 1846, after the accounts had been closed, a check for one
hundred pounds was given to me, the application of which was left to my
disposal. I put half of the amount to the fund for these objects, and
half to the orphan fund. When the accounts were closed, there was
ninety-one pounds four shillings elevenpence three farthings in hand for
these objects, to which this fifty pounds was added; therefore I began
this period with more means than I had had in hand at any time
previously at the beginning of a fresh period; and as was its beginning,
so was the continuance. It has often struck me that one especial reason
why, on the whole, I was allowed to have so little trial with regard to
means for the work during those two years, in comparison with former
times, may have been, that thereby the Lord would say that he was
willing to give what would be needed, when once the new Orphan House
should be built, though the expenses would be about two thousand five
hundred pounds a year more than they were before.

June 4, 1846. To