AN INTERESTING ANNIVERSARY

Otago Witness, Issue 2690, 4 October 1905, Page 89

AN INTERESTING ANNIVERSARY

The 27th ult. was the hundredth anniversary of the birth of saintly George Muller, founder of the Orphan Houses on A«hley Down, Bristol, England. He was a native of Prussia, being born at Kroppenstaedt on September 27, 1805. He died at Bristol on March 10, 1898, in his ninety-third year. Foi over 70 years of his long life he resided in England, and for 60 years devoted his energies to the well-being of his fellows in many ways, but specially to doubly-orphaned children — those bereaved of both parents and in needy circumstances. He provided and cared for over 10,000 of these orphans (now over 12,000), and hundreds of thorn are now to be found in good social positions at home and abroad. No sectarian views ever prompted or in-

nueiK^d him in the reception of children. He disliked hearing the term " Muller's Orphanages," and in his yearly reports constantly reiterated the statement : " They are not mt Orphan Houses; they are God's, and the Orphan Houses for any and every destitute orphan." By the report for 1904 we learn that some 2206 orphans were in the institution last year. Several other c-bjsScts apart from the orphanage, had the benefit of his practical caro, such as schocV,v Bible circulation, tract distribution, and -'missionary work. For these four objects vtthiutary offerings to the amount of £421,269 Is 5d have been sent, and, including what has been sent for the orphans, the total amounts to the large sum of £1,585,GC5 14s sd. All this, according to the report, " the Living God has sent solely in answer to prayer." No appeal is ever made or any human being asked for help, George Mullcr's primary _ object and great desire from the first being, to use his own words. " that it might be seen that now, in the nineteenth century, God is still tho Living God, and that now, as well as thousand* of year? ago, He listens to the prayers of His children, and helps those who trust in Him." Doubtless tens of thousands, apart from the orphans, have

benefited by George Midler's simple life of faith in God, and to-day, not alone in England but the world o\cr. multitudes will in some way or other bo commemorating" the centenary of the buth of one of Ciod'a choicest gifts (.0 His Church and to the world.