An introduction to religious and spiritual experience

The Müller Orphan Houses
These orphanages were established in Bristol through a remarkable 
venture of faith. Nancy Garton tells the story in 
George Müller and his 
Orphans
. George Müller (1805–1898) was a German, who married Mary 
Groves in England and moved to Bristol in 1832. He was a man who 
prayed for everything he needed and received it. That is how he set up his 
Müller Orphan Houses for boys and girls.
George had been happy living a dissolute life, had no Bible and hardly 
ever went to church. One evening he decided to accompany a friend to a 
meeting where a chapter from the Bible was read and a sermon, followed 
by a hymn and a prayer.
He scarcely remembered afterwards what he did in getting back to his 
lodging, except that he lay peaceful and happy in bed. ‘This shows that 
the Lord may begin His work in different ways. For I have not the least 
doubt that on that evening He began a work of grace in me, though I 
obtained joy without any deep sorrow of heart, and with scarcely any 
knowledge. That evening was the turning point in my life. The next day, 
and Monday, and once or twice besides, I went again to the house of 
He changed completely, foreswearing the tavern for religious observ-
ance and from then on lived not merely a devout life, but one entirely 
dependent on God. He would pray and then wait for guidance, after 

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which he left it all up to God and he was not disappointed, for even when 
he and his wife were down to their last penny, ultimately they were always 
provided for.
In the wake of an outbreak of cholera in Bristol, Müller decided 
to establish homes for orphans, which he saw as part of his missionary 
work. He began with one for girls between seven and twelve years 
old, soon after he began a home for younger children and then one for 
boys, all in Wilson Street. Before long, he was able to move to premises 
he had specially built on Ashley Down. From the very beginning, all 
this was funded by donations, which Müller received in answer to 
prayer. This was a precarious method of financing such a project, but 
despite times of difficulty, donations would come and eventually various 
large gifts and legacies ensured the survival of the Houses. George Müller 
himself never doubted that his venture would succeed, as he was 
certain that he was doing God’s will and therefore the means would be 
provided.