The Life of Trust

The narrative of the Lord's dealings with George Müller were a series of volumes that have blessed many. The present volume is a more manageable version edited by Rev. H. Lincoln Wayland. EDITOR'S PREFACE: Having been requested by Messrs. Gould and Lincoln to examine the work entitled A Narrative of some of the Lord's Dealings with George Müller the Editor was convinced that its republication in this country would greatly promote the piety of American Christians. But to reproduce the work in its original form was attended with difficulty. The Narrative in four parts (published respectively in 1837 1841 1845 and 1856) and the four Annual Reports issued in 1857 1858 1859 and 1860 would occupy not less than eighteen hundred pages of the size of those contained in this volume. The cost of such a work would greatly limit its circulation and its usefulness if indeed any publisher should undertake its issue. There seemed no alternative except to abandon the idea of an American edition altogether or to present it to the public in a condensed form. Such a condensation seemed on examination to be entirely practicable. Owing to the Parts of the Narrative having been published at four separate periods it often happens that the same matter is several times repeated. A large portion of the space is occupied with the acknowledgment of donations received. These entries although appropriate in a report made to the donors and to the British public have not the same interest for American readers. The discussion of some points in church polity and the account of the Author's journeys upon the Continent though interesting and instructive are not necessary to the continuity of the history. Although in some cases the portions which have been omitted cover a considerable period of time yet it is believed that all which is essential has been retained. No pains have been spared on the part of the Editor to preserve the value of the work while reducing its compass and to give in a form universally accessible a clear exhibition of the wonderful results of the life of George Müller as well as of the principles by which his life has been governed. Believing that the book would be rendered more attractive to the reader and more convenient for reference the Editor has divided it into Chapters and has prefixed to each a brief statement of some of the leading subjects introduced in the Chapter. For these contents as well as for the headings of the Chapters and for the general title of the volume the Editor alone is responsible. The Narrative of George Müller has been blessed in other lands to the awakening of spiritual life. It was the means as will be observed by the reader of greatly forwarding if not of originating the work of grace now advancing in Ireland. The Life of Trust is submitted to the Christian public of America in the hope that its still small voice may be heard even amid the clangor of political strife and the revulsion of commercial interests and that it may be used by the Divine Spirit to promote and strengthen in the hearts of American Christians Faith in the Living God.