The Other Orphan Houses

Or the next few years of Mr. Müller’s experience, we quote again from his life by his second wife.

In 1862, when house No. 3 was opened, £1,400 from the Building Fund yet remained. There were nine hundred orphans waiting for admission, who could not be received into the three houses. After waiting again upon the Lord, Mr. Müller decided to build two more houses, large enough to contain four hundred and fifty children each; No. 4 for infant boys under eight years of age, and No. 5 for infant girls under eight; so that there might be five houses, capable of containing 2,050 children and 110 helpers. But money for them came by degrees; four years elapsed before the land was purchased and building No. 4 could be commenced; but, after much prayer and waiting upon God, this house was opened. No. 5 was also erected, and opened in 1869.

Mrs. Muller died of rheumatic fever, February 6, 1870, at 21 Paul Street, Kingsdown, aged seventy-three, after a few days of suffering, and on February 11th her funeral took place at Arno’s Vale Cemetery, near Bristol. Besides her own relatives and a great number of Christian friends, her remains were followed to the grave by many hundred orphans, whose devoted friend she had been so many years. At the request of the children then in the five houses, and of many of the orphans formerly

under Mr. Müller’s care, they were permitted to place a 124

oe TA simple monument upon her grave at their own expense. Her loss was greatly felt, especially at the Orphan Houses, where she superintended and executed with her own hands a large amount of work. “The memory of the just is blessed.” (Prov. x, 7.) “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of all His saints.” (Ps. cxvi, 15.)

There are generally between five hundred and six hundred infant orphans at a time in the institution. The elder girls are trained for domestic service, and remain until seventeen years of age, when suitable outfits are provided and situations in Christian families are found. Converted girls, advanced in their education and possessing decided ability for instructing others, are given positions. The orphans are taught to read, and receive instruction in arithmetic, history, grammar, geography, etc. They are instructed every day for private reading

of the Word and prayer. They have an efficient Christian singing master to teach them how to sing hymns. The girls are carefully taught needle-work. They make and mend their own clothes, work in the laundries and kitchens, and perform all the duties of household servants. The boys knit their own socks, make their beds, scrub the floors, go on errands, work in the gardens, and are brought up to be generally useful. All the children have a week’s holiday at Christmas, a few days at Easter for play and recreation, and a week at Whitsuntide. In July a holiday is given for an excursion to some pleasant spot, where they ramble about and enjoy taking dinner and supper in the open air. In September a week’s holiday is given, including the 27th, the anniversary of Mr. Müller’s birthday, always held in special remembrance 126 a THE WORK OF FAITH.

by the children, whose letters of congratulations are sent him from all the different departments.

In the course of one year there are generally 2,250 orphans in the institution; for though the five houses can accommodate only 2,050 at a time, about 240 new-comers are received annually. The number is continually varying, as the elder boys and girls are sent away to become apprentices or take situations as domestic servants.

From the beginning of the work up to May 26, 1887, 7,501 orphans have been received. They are received into the institution under the three. following conditions:

1. They must have been deprived of both parents by death; 2. They must be legitimate chjldren, the marriage certificates of their parents being invariably required. 3. They must be in destitute circumstances. Orphans from their earliest days become inmates, and many only three, four, and five months old have been received.

A gallery in one of the infant departments, filled with about two hundred young orphans, most of whom are under four years of age, is a touching sight.

The boys are kept until fourteen or fifteen years of age, when they choose the trade or business they desire to learn. Upon leaving the institution, outfits are provided for them, and they are sent as indoor apprentices to Christian masters. A premium of thirteen pounds is paid to the masters for the boys, and during their apprenticeship their teachers and friends at the Orphan Houses seek, by correspondence and otherwise, to watch over them. Converted boys who possess good abilities, decided aptitude for teaching, and whose behavior as Christians has been consistent, are trained to become teachers.

Irrespective of waiting upon the Lord habitually for the necessary pecuniary supplies, there are in connection with the institution innumerable calls for trust in God of an entirely different character. In 1872 the Orphan Houses were visited by small-pox, when some of the helpers were attacked, numbers of the orphans became alarmingly ill, and two teachers and several children died.

A few years ago, 526 children were laid down with fever at one time, a heavy affliction, as every one will acknowledge.

The behavior of the children occasionally causes sorrow. Sometimes it is necessary to expel some for wicked conduct, and send them to their friends; and the trials, either of a grave description or of a minor character, which occur in connection with the institution, are so varied they can be understood only by those engaged in the work.

‘November 16, 1871, Miss Müller was married to Mr. James Wright, her father’s chief assistant at the Orphan Houses, who has been connected with the institution for years; and November 30, 1871, after much prayer and waiting upon God for guidance, Mr. Muller was united, in marriage, at Bethesda Chapel, Bristol, to the writer Of this Narrative, with whom he had long been acquainted. She has ‘been the companion of his joys and sorrows, and in him God has given her the best and kindest of husbands.

In 1872, Mr. Wright was appointed by Mr. Miller Co-Director of the institution.