The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-16
W1rH regard to GEORGE Muller we

Tile CfTtSCtUU UC work, tnaC IL seems &c
us that it does not see our point. AL
that we labored to prove with regard tc
George Muller was this, that his work is
reality-that it cannot be explained
except on the theory that his prayers fol-
money to carry on his asylum were an
swered. All that we commended for was
that his prayers were heard.
We expressly said that few could imi.
tate him
But here is the point the lesson taught
by George Muller's life is this, that God
does answer prayer in this day for tenn,
poral blessings. 1t teaches us that en-
everything we are to let our requests be
made known unto God" 1t teaches that
God is very near to every one of us, il
we will call on him, in all that concerns
our daily life. For example, it teaches
US that our business cares may properly
be taken to Him whom George Muller
loves to call THE LIVING COP.
There must be no presumptuous pray.
ing; there must be no laying down of the
implements of labor in the idea that we
shall receive mama from heaven. But
the idea is this, that after we have done
our part, we may look to God to do that
(supposing it be well pleasing to him
which we cannot do.
We are to work, and God is to work
There are two schools of Christianity to-
day: that school which includes the large
majority of Christians leans chiefly OF
the first part of the sentence; there is &
smaller school (to which st. Paul be.
longed), which rests its main hopes on
the latter clause of the sentence. Shall
we, in our daily work, rely chiefly on
ourselves, or chiefly on God? that is the
question.
The tendency in this day is to rely
very little Oh uod; there is really very
little real faith in the efficiency of prayer
even among Christians
Some think the world will be saved by
science and education and religious So
cieties; we think it will be saved by the
Spirit of God, and that while it is mans
duty to work, and work hard, "God
alone can give the increase" When the
sinner realizes that he can do nothing
God lifts him up. When the Church re-
allies that its weapon is chiefly the
PRAYER OF FAITH, God will make the
Church prosper.
George Muller's example merely shows
that God answers prayer; now, hon fan
he will answer it in any individual case
will depend on the individual, his conse-
Grafton to God, the use which God may
choose to make of him, etc. But if any
one who really loves God is in trouble
'or has hard job to do, he may safely
take the matter before God, that is what
the Bristol Orphan Houses prove.
1t is to be noted that Muller does not
teach that Christian can get everything
he wants by praying for it. His diary
records that he prayed most earnestly for
blessings which he did not apparently
receive. In the matter of the Orphan
House, he was convinced that his prayers
would be answered, and the result shows
that he was not under delusion. But
he would not have succeeded even here
if he had not first made an absolute con-
secration Of himself to God, and if he had
not been, also, man Of extraordinary
faith So that for his success, there were
necessary l. The conviction that God APP
proved his undertaking; Q. Conservation
g. Faith.
But was he right to employ no human
means to procure money? The answer
to this is, that in this particular case any
aid that he could have commanded by
the usual appliances and methods would
have been inconsiderable and, secondly
he wanted to shut out all cavil against
its being Gods work, by taking the
ground that he would not ask for a penny