Müller, GEORGE

Müller, GEORGE, founder of the Orphan Homes, Ashleydown, Bristol, was born near Halberstadt, Prussia, September 27, 1805. While in training for the ministry he was dissipated in his habits, and at sixteen he was sent to prison for defrauding an hotelkeeper. He went to Halle as a student of divinity, and a visit to a private meeting for praise and prayer proved the turning-point in his career, and in 1826 he began to preach and teach, and took up his abode in free lodgings provided for poor divinity students. Through Tholuck's advice he came to London in 1829, and studied Hebrew and Chaldee with the view of becoming a missionary to the Jews. He settled at Teignmouth as minister of Ebenezer Chapel, and in the conduct of his church abolished collections and depended on voluntary gifts. In 1835 he printed proposals for the establishment of an Orphan House, which took shape in 1836 at Bristol. As the result only of 'prayer to God' he announced that he had received £84,441 up to 1856 on behalf of the orphans, who then numbered 297. By 1875 upwards of 2000 children were lodged, fed, and educated. In 1889 it was announced that the Orphan Homes and associated enterprises cost about £36,000, which sum was the result of faith and prayer and voluntary subscriptions on the part of the public. Müller visited the East on an evangelistic tour in 1889. He published A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller (1837-56). He died 10th March 1898, leaving £160.