George Müller was born on September 27, 1805, in Kroppenstaedt, Prussia (Northern Germany). His father was a tax collector. George and his brother learnt many worldly principles from him. Because of this, they slipped easily into many sins. Before George was 10, he had repeatedly stolen governmental money, and forced his father to pay for the loss. When he was 11, his father wanted him to become a clergyman. Not that he would serve God in doing so, but that he would lead a comfortable and luxurious life. He was then sent to Cathedral school in Halberstadt to prepare for study at the University. He mastered six languages, including Latin and Greek. When George was 14, his mother suddenly died while he was drinking and gambling. Her death made no lasting impression on him, instead he grew worse.
Three days before his confirmation and communion, he was guilty of gross immorality, and lied to the priest rather than confess his sins.
Studying, reading novels, and indulging in sinful practices were his favorite pastimes.
On one occasion, George saw one of his former classmates - Beta. It appeared wise to him to chose him as a friend, thinking that this friendship will improve his conduct. But Beta was a backslider, who wanted to enjoy the world.
Sometime later Beta told him that he started attending a Christian home study, were they sang, prayed, read the Bible, and a printed sermon. When George heard that, he felt as if he found the treasure he’d been looking for all his life. He attended the next meeting, and before it was over, Mr. Kayser, a missionary in Africa, knelt and prayed. George was amazed! He had never seen such humility! For the first time in his life, he saw someone pray, not reading from a book, but kneeling as before a king, eyes closed and head bowed, praying from the heart.
A happy, changed, Christian young man walked home that night. This decision changed his life drastically. All his pleasures could not compare with that evening. God began a work of grace in him, and that was the turning point of his life. Although he did not give up all his sins at once, his life became very different. He started reading missionary newsletters, and was inspired to become a missionary himself.
A few months later, he met a well-educated and wealthy man, who chose to work in Poland among the Jews as a missionary, rather than live comfortably in his fatherland with his family. His example made a deep impression on Mr.Müller, and for the first time he was able to give his life to God fully without any reservations.
He wrote to his father and brother to tell them how happy he was and to encourage them to seek the Lord. But to his great surprise, they replied with angry letters.
Later when his former desire to give himself to Missionary service returned, he went to his father to ask his permission. His father was greatly displeased, and reproached him, saying that he had spent so much money on his education hoping to spend his old days with him in comfort. He wept and begged him to change his mind and even went as far a to say that he no longer considered him a son.
One big obstacle stood in the way of George Muller leaving Prussia (to fulfill his dream to become a missionary) - every male Prussian was obligated to serve in the army for 3 years. Those who completed their studies at the university had only serve one year. There was absolutely no way he could obtain a passport out of the country until he had either served his time or been exempted by the king himself. He hoped that he would be exempted by the king.
Soon, it seemed that the only way would be to become a soldier. But God had his plans. George, being weakened by a former illness, thought he was not fit for military service. The doctors examined him, and agreed. The Chief General himself signed the papers, and George got complete dismissal for life from all military duty.
When he finally reached England (as a missionary) he became ill. After 2 weeks of suffering he recovered.
Towards the close of 1829, he began to doubt whether it was right for him to be supported by the LMS (London Missionary Society). It seemed unscriptural to him for a servant of Christ to put himself under the control and direction of anyone but the Lord. He then decided to be supported by God alone. George and the LMS exchanged letters upon this subject, and in complete kindness and love, dissolved the relationship. He was now free to preach the gospel wherever the Lord opened a way. More opportunities arose and he rejoiced to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
When George moved to Teignmouth, he was expecting to preach there for 10 days. During the first evening, a young woman came to know Jesus Christ personally as her savior. This was a very encouraging to him, because the elders didn’t like the sermon. How differently the Lord judges from man.
The next week, after preaching daily at the chapel, the people asked him to stay and be their pastor. So, George decided to stay until he was formally rejected. He preached again on Sunday, although many people didn’t enjoy the sermon. Some left and never returned. Others came who had not been in a habit of attending before. People started searching the scripture, wanting to know whether the things he said were true. George wasn’t a people-pleaser. He wanted to please God, and preach strictly from the Word of God. Explaining the scriptures encouraged the congregation to bring their Bibles to church, and value its importance. George believed that “Simplicity in expression is of utmost importance.” He preached in such a way that even children and people who cannot read can understand. During his time as the pastor of the church, he refused a regular salary, believing that the practice could lead to church members giving out of duty, not desire. He also eliminated the renting of church pews, arguing that it gave unfair prestige to the rich.
Same time later after much prayer, and full conviction that it is better for him to be married, he was united in marriage to a godly Christian young lady by the name of Miss Mary Groves, on October the 7th, 1830.
Müller moved to Bristol in 1832 to begin working at Bethesda Chapel. Along with Henry Craik, he continued preaching there until his death, even while devoted to his other ministries.
In 1834, he established the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, for the spread of the Gospel at home and abroad. The goal he was working toward was for the whole world to be eventually be converted. By the end of February 1835, there were five Day-schools - two for boys and three for girls.
The work of Müller and his wife with orphans began in 1836 with the preparation of their own home for the accommodation of thirty girls.Soon after, three more houses were furnished, growing the total of children cared for to 130. In 1845, as growth continued, George decided that a separate building designed to house 300 children was necessary, and in 1849 the first home opened.
By 26 May 1870, 1,722 children were being accommodated in five homes. Every morning after breakfast there was a time of Bible reading and prayer, and every child was given a Bible upon leaving the orphanage, together with a tin trunk containing two changes of clothing. The children were dressed well and educated - Müller even employed a schools inspector to maintain high standards. In fact, many claimed that nearby factories and mines were unable to obtain enough workers because of his efforts in securing apprenticeships, professional training, and domestic service positions for the children old enough to leave the orphanage.
Through all this, Müller never made requests for financial support, nor did he go into debt, even though the five homes cost over £100,000 to build. Many times, he received unsolicited food donations only hours before they were needed to feed the children, further strengthening his faith in God. For example, on one well-documented occasion, they gave thanks for breakfast when all the children were sitting at the table, even though there was nothing to eat in the house. As they finished praying, the baker knocked on the door with sufficient fresh bread to feed everyone.
In 1875, at the age of 70 and after the death of his first wife in 1870 and his marriage to Susannah Grace Sanger in 1871, Müller and Susannah began a 17 year period of missionary travel.
George prayed about everything and expected each prayer to be answered. By prayer alone he provided the food, clothing, housing, and schooling for these children whose parents had died. They experienced both times of plenty and times of poverty, but always they trusted God to be a "Father of the fatherless." His faith in God strengthened day by day and he spent hours in daily prayer and Bible reading.- indeed, it was his practice, in later years, to read through the entire Bible four times a year.
He once said, "Brethren and sisters, we should live so as to be missed." George Müller died on Wednesday, March 10th, 1898 at the age of 92. The whole city of Bristol was closed for the funeral. Over 2000 orphans marched in the funeral line. People all over the world felt the loss of this dear man.
Here is one more, from his own writing. "I know what a lovely, gracious, bountiful Being God is from the revelation which He has been pleased to make of Himself in His Holy Word . . . Therefore I was satisfied with God, I delighted myself in God; and so it came, that He gave me the desire of my heart." (Psalm 37:4)
