Robber of the Cruel Streets: The Story of George Muller (2006) | Full Movie | Adam Stone

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Robber of the Cruel Streets: The Story of George Muller (2006) | Full Movie | Adam Stone George Mül...

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[bells chiming] (Narrator) Street kids aren't new, : they've always been around. Nowadays, society tries to help them, but 200 years ago in England, they were treated like vermin. With no parents or relatives to look after them, orphans were forced to survive by begging or stealing.

They had no one to turn to. They lived and died in the gutter. 'Oy, You!

[dramatic music] (Narrator) But in Bristol, help was on its way - from someone a national newspaper would later proclaim, had 'robbed the cruel streets of thousands of victims. ' [struggling sounds] [soft music] [thinking] What have? done - my father will kill me.

(Narrator) George Muller lived the life of a playboy - spending his time drinking, gambling or chasing the ladies. But his fondness for women and rich living demanded money - and he knew how to get it! From before he was ten, Muller was stealing money from his tax-collecting father, and by his teenage years had become an expert, cheating and stealing even from his best friends.

in the towns and villages across this region, Muller lived in what he later admitted was 'much sin'- and there was usually a young lady involved! Eventually, having spent all his money, he came here to Wolfenbuttel, and unable to pay an angry innkeeper, he was arrested. Now this is where they brought him - it's still a prison, a high security one with 400 inmates.

When they marched Muller through these actual doors it was a lot smaller - although the prisoners were no less dangerous! Now, locked up with thieves and murderers, he had plenty of time to reflect on the misery that he'd caused. After nearly a month, his father reluctantly sent the money to pay off his debts, and he was free - but the experience did little to change his ways.

Not even the wrath of his strictly religious father, who gave him a severe beating, had the power to change him. (Narrator) Muller's life began here in the small village of Kroppenstedt in what used to be called the Kingdom of Prussia. His birth is recorded in the church's register- 27th of September 1805.

This is the house where George Muller was born. Obviously, it's been so modernized that any historical evidence has long gone. But there is this plaque that commemorates the two hundred years since his birth.

So what happened to the scheming, conniving playboy, that he should be remembered like this? (Narrator) And how did this unlikely German end up hundreds of miles away here in Bristol, England, and build these, which in his lifetime housed over 120 thousand orphans? They're still used today as the City of Bristol College and also as fashionable private residences.

And what's more - how did this man who lived in relative poverty, do all of this without any of the fund raising machinery and publicity techniques that we have today? He steadfastly refused to make any appeals for money, and yet in his lifetime, he received donations amounting to two and a half million dollars - in today's money that's a staggering 180 million dollars. How he did it is what this story is about.

Just as in Britain, German society in the 19th century held 'the Church' in high regard - it was the place to be seen. A career in the Church was a top job - with prospects, a pension and status! Something that John Frederick Muller desperately wanted for his son George.

It required rigorous and expensive training - and nowhere was better than the university here at Halle - today it's known as the Martin Luther University. Now when Muller arrived here, he'd grown up a bit, and he desperately wanted to turn over a new leaf and start a better kind of life - mainly to please his father who was footing the bill. But the university life was filled with distractions and possibilities - not all of them honorable.

His moneymaking scams continued - and the sun hadn't quite set on his playboy days. But all of that was about to change. .

. At University there was a young man called Christoph Leopold Freidrich Beta. He was a quiet and thoughtful young man, and Muller took to him instantly.

He was hoping that he'd be able to help him change his ways, which in his heart he desperately wanted. Beta was also a Christian - whose faith had lapsed quite a bit, and secretly he was hoping that some of Muller's worldliness would rub off on him. Now Beta's faith revived, and he started coming to meetings every Saturday night at the home of Johann Wagner - a Christian businessman who lived here on Kleine Steinstrasse.

(Narrator) One night Muller asked if he could go with him. Beta at first refused. Muller was still very much the playboy - but inside he felt empty and miserable.

Beta reluctantly took him along, : he was sure he'd hate it! What on earth would he make of the praying, the singing, the Bible reading, and then the reading of a sermon? George Muller, welcome here!

Please have a seat. Thank you. Friends, we have a guest tonight here at our Bible Study.

A friend of Beta - George Muller is a student at the university here in Halle. And he's trained for the ministry, I believe. May I suggest that we continue our Bible studies from last week and turn to I John 4, and I will read from verse 7 on, and if somebody else then could continue from verse 13.

'Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love.

This is how God showed His love among us. ' (Narrator) Muller loved it - it was so completely different from the harsh, legalistic and heavy religion he had been brought up in. These people obviously had something he had never experienced, : something which he now realized he'd been longing for all his life.

For the first time, he was really happy. This is what I have been longing for - all our worldly pleasures are as nothing compared to this. (Narrator) It was a turning point in Muller's life.

He now knew, for the very first time, the joy and relief of being forgiven, and what it meant to really trust in Christ. He was on the threshold of a brand new life - and little did he know where it would lead. Muller wanted to share his life changing experience with others, and his heart naturally warmed to mission work.

But for his father, John Frederick, this was a bitter disappointment. Gone were the prospects of being cared for by his clergyman son. As a result, he felt he could no longer let his father pay his University fees or his living costs.

But he had two more years to go, and no money! It was a predicament he would know all too well in the years to come - and the solution was a foretaste of what he experienced again and again. God Provided!

There was no miracle, no lights from heaven - just a God given opportunity to teach German to some American students - who paid him very well. Drven by his new zeal, Muller spent all his spare time studying the Bible and having meetings in his room. His tutor, Professor Tholuck, arranged for him to preach in many of the local churches - and he soon gained something of a reputation.

But he also had a dream - that one day he could become a missionary. So when the Professor recommended him to the British based Continental Society for their work in Bucharest he thought that his dream was about to become a reality. But war broke out, between Turkey and Russia just as he was about to leave- putting an end to his plans.

But it didn't put an end to God's plans for His young servant. To be honest, Muller wasn't all that disappointed because for some time in his heart, he'd felt more and more drawn to work with Jews. So when an English based mission society invited him to join them doing just that, he jumped at the chance - thinking that this was from God.

But there was a problem. National Military Service! Every male graduate had to serve at least a year in the German army - if they were fit and well.

But because Muller had suffered from poor health as a youth, and because he'd recently had recovered from a serious illness, the army let him go. It wasn't the only time that his health would play an important part in the unfolding of God's plan. Now Muller was free to go - to London.

(Narrator) In 1829, London was the most advanced city in the world. When Muller arrived, the Georgian era was about to end with the death of King George 4th. A new, exciting period of scientific discovery and empire building would soon begin under the reign of someone still just a teenager- Princess Victoria.

Muller made his new home in Hackney in the heart of London's East end. His days were filled with learning Hebrew and the Rabbinic alphabet, and the evenings, meeting with fellow German Students and the Jews he had come to serve. It wasn't long before he collapsed through sheer exhaustion.

His friends advised him to take a break from London's smog and pollution. The relative tranquility of Teignmouth in the West Country seemed the ideal place with its bracing sea air, river estuary and rolling hills. Once again, through illness, God was directing the steps of the young Muller because what happened here was to shape the rest of his life.

Muller found a soul mate. He was a Scotsman and pastor of the Baptist chapel at nearby Shaldon. Henry Craik was the same age as Muller- 24, and had also been converted as a student.

After graduating from St. Andrew's University in Scotland, he'd moved south to Exeter- only 14 miles away. And it was there that he met someone whose fresh understanding of the Bible was to have a huge impact on the way mission work was done around the world - and, it was to change Muller's life.

So tell me about this dentist friend of yours - this Anthony Norris Groves. Well, I’ve never met anyone like him - or his wife Mary. They are the only believers I have met who have actually followed Jesus' command to: 'sell all you have and give to the poor.

' Indeed, just recently they gave away a huge inheritance to those involved in mission work, and he has given up his very lucrative dental practice to go to Baghdad in Persia - and they've gone without any financial support whatsoever. They believe God will meet all their needs - by prayer, just as He promised in the scriptures. I’d very much like to meet him and discuss these things.

I’m fascinated by the idea of being more adventurous in trusting God. Muller returned to London a different man - a man of vision and passion - fired up by Grove's experience of living by faith. But his new found convictions didn't go down very well with the mission board that had brought him to England - and so, by mutual consent, they parted company.

Once again, Muller headed west. Henry Craik had asked him to preach at his church here in Shaldon. Well, the local people loved him, so much so they asked him to consider becoming the minister of Ebenezer Chapel here at Teignmouth.

And Muller agreed - on one condition - that he'd be free to preach wherever and whenever God called him - and to this, the congregation agreed. So Muller became known, not just locally, but across most of Devon, and his influence as an effective preacher grew. (Narrator) But there was also another influence at work which drew Muller to Exeter again and again.

This time it was a young woman- Mary Groves - the sister of Anthony Norris Groves, whose writings had so stirred up Muller. He was head over heels in love. Mary was as devoted to Christ as her brother and also shared his conviction - some say even more so.

She was a talented young lady, musical, artistic and gifted in languages. Muller didn't waste any time in asking her to be his wife, and within three months, they married and settled in Shaldon while they worked together in the church across the water in Teignmouth. But it wasn't just Grove's sister that had swept Muller off his feet; many of Grove's biblical insights had also begun to change the way they lived.

For instance, they took literally Christ's command to His disciples to 'sell their possessions and give to the poor' - and for the rest of their married life - this is what George and Mary did! (Narrator) They also decided that from now on, they would make their needs known only to God. It was a courageous step, : some would say foolhardy, but as Muller was later to recall, : [Muller's writing] "This has been the means of letting us see "the tender love and care of our God over His children, "even in the most minute things, "in a way we never experienced before.

"It has made the Lord known to us more fully, as a prayer hearing God. " (Narrator) Henry Craik had also decided to 'take God at His word. ' He and Muller had numerous stories to tell of God's provision, which sometimes arrived at the very last minute when there was nothing left.

So George - how's the good Lord treating you these days? How's this 'living by faith' working out for you and Mary? I’ve been amazed at how God is looking after us.

For instance, just a few weeks ago, Mary and I were right down to 8 shillings, so we prayed for some money to come in. Later that morning we were visiting one of our congregation, and she asked me straight out - 'do you need any money? ' Well, I was tempted - but, I kept our agreement with the Lord - and told her I would only tell God about our needs.

Well, she went on and said how a while ago, she had asked the Lord what she could do for Him, and He had impressed upon her to give me some money. Then, just last Saturday, the feeling came back to her most powerfully. Well, I kept my mouth shut so as not to influence her giving - it wasn't easy.

But when we left, she gave me two pounds. So how about yourself? Like you, George, - finding God to be faithful - but sometimes He can leave us waiting until the very last minute - but, I wouldn't change this way of living for anything - just to experience God in such practical ways.

After 2 years, Muller became restless. He had a growing conviction that he had finished his time here at Teignmouth - and a growing sense that it was God's time for him to move on. Once again, Henry Craik, was key to Muller's next step of faith.

Craik had already started a new work, and when he asked Muller to join him, Muller knew that it was time to go. (Narrator) If Teignmouth was the gymnasium where Muller grew and developed his faith muscles, then Bristol was the arena where he effectively flexed them - and so effectively, that not only would Bristol be amazed, but the whole world would come to know of his reputation. In 1832, Bristol was already being amazed - by the daring scheme of one Isambard Kingdom Brunel to build a bridge across the Avon Gorge.

When George Muller arrived in Bristol, a lack of funding had halted its construction; it wasn't completed for another 30 years. (Narrator) The halcyon days of Bristol, as one of the country's major seaports, were over. The British slave trade had been dealt a death blow by the campaigning of William Wilberforce, and at a stroke, one of Bristol's main sources of income was cut off.

The city itself, as a port was losing out to more accessible ports such as Liverpool. However, Brunel's soon to be completed rail link with the capital, and his ship building managed to keep Bristol in the premier league of British cities. (Narrator) For Henry Craik, Muller's arrival eased the burden of an already busy ministry.

For the people of Bristol, the Scottish and German accents were something of a novelty. Many came to Bethesda Chapel to hear them preach out of sheer curiosity - and left having been presented with the claims of Jesus Christ. Two years after arriving, Muller and Craik started the Scriptural Knowledge Institution with four aims.

: to distribute the Scriptures, to support mission work around the world, to run Sunday schools and Day Schools for children and adults and enable the children of poor people to attend. The work continues to this day. The cold, damp, and unsanitary conditions of pre-Victorian Britain meant children were highly vulnerable to diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and cholera.

With no antibiotics or penicillin, they nearly always died. For the poor- life was especially harsh - not just because of the physical conditions - but also because of society's attitude - in particular, its attitude toward street children. When Muller arrived in Bristol, he could not help but be moved by the plight of these orphaned children - they were always coming to his front door.

There was nowhere for them to go and no one to look after them, so they lived on the streets, begging and stealing to stay alive. All too often their attempts failed. Regarded as filth, the government's response was to put them in a workhouse.

They were hellish places, often run by heartless, money-grabbing owners. There was no escape. Young children became prisoners - forced to co-habit with mentally ill and violent adults.

Few people knew about the appalling atrocities they endured. But one man in particular was to highlight this evil through his regular newspaper column. Charles Dicken's heartrending story of the young orphan lad, Oliver Twist awakened the conscience of an indifferent nation.

But the conscience of George Muller had already been awakened. A seed planted years before when he was a student in the town of Halle, germinated and began to grow. For two months, Muller had taken advantage of the free lodging provided for poor divinity students here at the Orphan House.

When it was built - a hundred years before Muller was born, this five story complex was the largest building in Germany - and was virtually a small town within the town of Halle. It had its own hospital, medicine lab, print shop, school, and accommodation for the elderly, widows - and orphans. It was the vision of August Herman Franke, Professor of Divinity at the university.

It housed over 2,000 orphans - with 100 teachers who gave them a good education, and trained them in various crafts so they'd be well prepared for adult life. When Muller saw how it was run and the godly principles that Franke held to, he was deeply affected - even more so when he discovered that it had all been done in dependence upon God. In Britain, the idea of special homes for orphans was revolutionary.

It would be another 30 years before Thomas Barnardo opened his homes, with the Church of England's homes and then the National Childrens' Homes following after. But in 1835, there were only a dozen orphanage homes in the whole of England and Wales. They were all in London and the prosperous southeast - they all charged fees and only accepted orphans from professional, middle class families.

(Narrator) The orphans of working class parents either had to move in with relatives, who were often hard pressed to feed their own children, or they were forced into the workhouse. Or, worst of all, left to fend for themselves on the streets where, in the freezing winter months they did not even have the shelter of the workhouse. Their plight had become a major social issue - and one that deeply troubled Muller, especially as there was nothing in Bristol to help them.

He couldn't ignore the need all around him. And that's when he remembered Professor Franke's orphanages here in Germany - and Muller's vision began to take shape. [Muller's writing] Wednesday.

Took tea at a friend's house - where? found a biography on professor Francke. ?

have frequently, for a long time, thought about laboring in a similar way, though it might be on a much smaller scale, : not to imitate Franke, but in reliance upon the Lord. Today, it is very much on my heart to no longer think about starting an orphan house, but to actually do it, and? have been very much in prayer about it.

In just a few days the Lord has answered my prayers and given me 50 pounds. ? had asked for only 40.

This has been a great encouragement to me and has stirred me up even more to pray about an orphan house. Again, yesterday and today ? have been much in prayer about the orphan house, and am more convinced that it is of God.

May He in His mercy guide me. But there was something else that had been eating away at George Muller. For many people, God - if He actually existed, was irrelevant.

Life was harsh. Living conditions were appalling; terrible deprivation. Sickness and death were never far away.

So cynics and skeptics had a field day. Where was this 'loving' God that the Christians spoke of? Did He care?

And many concluded that - evidently - He did not. And for those who did believe, 'having faith' meant little more than going to church on a Sunday. Few people experienced God at work in their lives, and so they lived in a perpetual state of anxiety and worry.

Christ's promise to His followers of 'a perfect peace that passes all understanding' was not their experience. Many people had a morbid fear of ending up in the Work House - the state's provision of those in need. But if anything, it was this that motivated George Muller.

[Muller's writings] Now if? - a poor man, can set up and run an orphan house without asking anyone for money or supplies, and do it simply by prayer and faith, that would be something which with the Lord's blessing, could encourage and strengthen the faith of the children of God. It would also be a powerful witness to the unconverted of the reality of God.

(Narrator) A few days later, Muller laid his vision of a Children's Home before many of Bristol's Christians. And right from the beginning he set out the Biblical principles on which he would operate - they were the same that Anthony Norris Groves had written about a decade earlier, and the same that Muller and his wife Mary had been practicing for 5 years. .

. . and we cannot - as God's people, pass by on the other side, pretending not to see the awful plight of our city's orphans.

My friends, I cannot claim to be a follower of the Lord Jesus and not do something to help these children who have no home and know nothing of the warm embrace of family. Therefore, I have called this meeting today to share with you what I believe God has been calling me to do since I came to Bristol. I intend, with His help and provision to open a Children's Home, where these 'children of the street' can find refuge and welfare and love.

It will be open only to those who have been bereaved of both parents. No one will be turned away on grounds of class or creed. As well as receiving a plain education, girls will be trained for domestic service, and the boys will be taught a trade.

Under no circumstances will anyone be asked to pay or make a donation - the home will be for those who are truly destitute. God has freely given to us in our need of salvation, and we will freely give to those who are in need. Of course, we will need matrons and teachers, and all manner of assistants, and those who wish to apply need to be qualified for such work, and also be true believers in the Lord Jesus.

The Children's Home will be established only if God provides the means and suitable staff to run it. There will be no 'going to man' for funds or provisions. We will not be making any appeals - either by 'prayer requests' or sermons or literature.

We will rely on God alone - but I firmly believe that if this is of Him - He will provide. (Narrator) All through December, word of Muller's enterprise spread. Many of God's people were moved to make gifts of money and donate essential items.

Everything from knives and forks and plates to furniture and cloth began to flow in. Right from the start, Muller kept a record of every single item and every single gift of money received. Soon people came to his door, offering to work in the new home as matrons, tutors, and assistants.

It wasn't long before suitable premises were found here at Wilson Street at number 6. The owner only wanted a small rent for the place. But there was one thing missing-orphans!

Muller had forgotten to ask God to send the orphans. He soon put that right and within a short period the very first Muller orphan arrived - a little girl of 11 years old who was called Charlotte Hill. Her story, like so many others, was tragic.

(Narrator) It happened during the infamous reform riots of 1831 when a bill to introduce fairer voting had been unexpectedly rejected by the Government. Bristol was in total chaos and Charlotte's mother, afraid that rioters would break in, hid all the family's life savings. But she became ill and died without telling her husband where she had hidden them.

According to this entry in Muller's own writing, the husband died as a result. Whether from suicide or heart failure, Muller is too discreet to record. But Charlotte came to live here with her grandfather- it was the Plume of Feathers then.

But he just couldn't cope, which is how she came to be on Muller's doorstep. Charlotte was the first of thirty girls to live here at Wilson Street. Eight months later, a short distance away, Muller opened a second home - this was for very young boys and girls.

And seven months after that, the same year Princess Victoria became Queen, Muller opened a third house - this one was for orphaned boys. So in just over a year, Muller had three homes up and running, caring for a total of 90 orphans - who all needed to be clothed and fed. It isn't difficult to imagine the challenge of looking after 30 children in buildings which were quite cramped - and Muller did have his critics, but it was still better than life on the streets.

(Narrator) The first two years were exciting. Everything that was needed arrived on the doorstep or in the post. They even had the services of a doctor, free of charge.

If anything, the supply was greater than the need. Muller's dependence on God alone to supply without making any appeals, was working. But these honeymoon years came to an end.

For the next seven years, Muller was to experience, what in his own words, was 'severe testing, ' as more and more his faith in God was stretched. It wasn't uncommon for the table to be set, children waiting for food, and for there to be none - until, at the very last minute, there'd be a knock at the door and provisions would arrive - just in time. Yeah!

! I just had to bring these for you, Mr Muller. All last night I couldn't get any sleep - seemed as though the Lord himself was telling me to get up, and make some bread for the orphans - so I got up at 2 o'clock this morning and here you are, sir - Someone's certainly looking after you - what you are doing here is very noble - very noble indeed, sir - Lord be praised.

Thank you so much - God bless you. (Narrator) In the late autumn of 1841, when this had been going on for some months, Muller did something he had never done before. Maybe it was the sheer weight of responsibility that got to him, or the continual uncertainty that supplies would arrive on time, but Muller broke with his tradition, and shared with his staff the reality of their situation.

For the first time, they saw Muller as someone who was just as vulnerable and tempted to doubt, as they were themselves. I know our situation gives us cause for concern, but we must not give way to doubt and anxiety. These past years we have seen how faithful God has been, and now, I believe, He waits to see how we will trust him in these trials of our faith.

But for the time being, please do not buy anything we cannot afford. This does not mean the children should go without their food or clothing. When you return to your stations, look for items we do not need, and arrange to have them sold.

Now let's pray. Our Lord and heavenly Father, thank you for your goodness to us - for the wonderful ways in which you supply all our needs. Now Father, we turn to you again, and ask that You would help us to stand firm in our faith, and help us to trust that You will provide what we need to look after our children.

Amen. (All) Amen. Mr Muller, - it isn't right for me to ask God to provide, if I’m not willing to give what I can - here's 16 shillings - it's all I have - but I give it gladly.

My dear, Emily. (Narrator) During these years of testing, many of the staff themselves gave money or sold articles they didn't need - donating the proceeds. There were those who criticized Muller, that this was a failure of the principles on which he ran the homes, but he maintained that unless there was a willingness to give from their own resources - they couldn't expect God to provide out of His.

Muller was never a rich man - in fact, in his lifetime, he gave away the equivalent of $700,000 that was given for his personal needs. Muller's faith never did once break, and not once did the children go without a meal. As Muller wrote in his diary at the time - These dear little ones know nothing about this trial, because their tables are as well supplied as when there was 800 pounds in the bank, and they have lack of nothing.

In fact, after praying for 22 days for guidance, Muller opened a fourth home at ♪4 Wilson Street, just to keep up with the growing number of orphans - who now amounted to over 140. And this became a problem. "Dear Mr Muller, it is with considerable reluctance that?

, "on behalf of my fellow neighbors, "bring to your notice "that we continue to be inconvenienced "by the orphan houses. "The noise and disruption have increased, "and once again the drains have overflowed, "the third time in one week! "While we understand the difficulty you have "in caring for so many children in so small a place, "we would respectfully ask you to consider what action you could take to alleviate the situation.

" (Narrator) So Muller prayed and came to the conclusion it was time to move. It wasn't just because of the neighbors. The work also needed to expand if it was to cope with the increasing number of orphans needing care.

So, with his faith already being severely tested, he became convinced God was calling him to take an even greater step of faith. But how did he become convinced? How did he know that this was what God wanted?

Well, for George Muller, prayer and the study of God's word was the key to understanding God's will - once he knew that, it was just a question of trusting Him to do it - in His own way and in His own time. Muller believed with all his heart that God answers the prayers of His people, not as a reward for being good or sincere, but because they believe in His son, Jesus Christ. (Narrator) Every day he spent hours praying and reading the Bible - it was his number one priority.

Sometimes he would pray and study like this for days, pouring his heart out in worship and praise, often just listening, and he'd keep on until he heard God speak to him in the depth of his heart. It was five weeks before he knew with certainty that God was calling him not to find new premises, but to build them. An architect who'd heard of Muller's plans offered his services free of charge.

Nevertheless, it was going to be expensive - $18,000 - that's almost a million in today's money. Within a week, a tenth of that had been given in one single gift - which is the largest they'd ever received. But where were they going to build?

There was a lot of property speculation - new buildings were going up all over Bristol, and land was at a premium. Sounds familiar! But there was a possibility of some open land a bit further out.

So Muller came to see it, and immediately he knew it was right. It was here on Ashley Down - seven acres of fresh air and space, not far from the city center. The landowner, who'd heard of Muller's plans was hoping to sell his land for $350 an acre.

Then after a sleepless night, he agreed to sell it to Muller for $200 an acre. Once again, Muller saw God's hand in the provision. Now and then as today - anybody embarking on this kind of project and buying land would just get a bank loan.

Not Muller. He refused to allow any building work to start until all the money to complete the project had come in. Now, in some ways, this couldn't have happened at a worse time.

(Narrator) The country's economy faltered. Rumors of train companies going bust caused the stock market to plunge and drove up inflation. The price of basic items shot up.

Bread, rice and oatmeal at least doubled in price and potatoes became a luxury! But for Muller, this was one more opportunity to show God's faithfulness. So two and a half years after receiving the first gift, all the funding was in place and building work began.

(Narrator) Two years later, in June 1849, the new orphanage opened its doors to 300 children. Over the next 21 years, four more homes were built on Ashley Down, providing shelter, food, welfare and love for over 2,000 orphans. What was life like on Ashley Down?

Muller's attitude to children was revolutionary at the time. As well as giving them a good religious education - and that more often by example - he made sure that they all had a good general education. It was often better than that available in state schools.

Muller even had his own school inspectors to maintain these high standards. The children were also trained in basic crafts - the girls learned domestic science, the boys learned how to garden, keep house, and even how to darn. In fact, he was criticized for teaching children 'above their social station.

' Muller's orphans were well set up for adult life by the time they left the homes and did well getting good jobs. But there were always the rumors and the criticisms. One rumor reached the ears of Dickens.

He'd heard that the children were starving, so he decided to make a surprise visit to find out for himself. On his arrival, Muller sent for an assistant, handed him a bunch of keys, and requested that Mr Dickens be shown over any of the five orphan houses he chose to see. Dickens was impressed - so impressed - that he wrote it up for the papers.

It was publicity money can't buy! Life in the homes continued - with just the occasional crisis. But Muller's faith always rose to the challenge - sometimes with unusual results.

In November 1857 - just as the winter was settling in, one of the boilers sprung a leak. Now this was serious! Without it, home number one was going to be left cold and miserable - the children would be exposed to dampness and to disease.

There was only one solution - fix the leak, but there was a problem - the boiler had been bricked in. It was going to be a major job to undo all that brickwork, find the leak, repair it, put it all back together again - it was going to take days. Meanwhile, the weather was getting much worse thanks to a fierce north wind.

So Muller prayed for two things. First, that the direction of the wind would change - and second, that the builders would work hard and fast. On cue, right on the day when they switched the boiler off, the wind changed direction.

Then the builders decided that they wanted to work through the night, so they completed it in 30 hours. In all that time, a south wind blew, making the lighting of fires unnecessary. (Narrator) Sadly, in 1870, Mary died just after the last orphanage was opened.

Everyone was devastated - the children and the staff missed her desperately - but for Muller, it was especially hard - their love for each other had steadily deepened over the years. Yet reading his diaries, there is not one word of complaint against God or any hint of bitterness or self-pity. He accepted her death as God's will - and knew that one day he would see her again in paradise.

By now, Muller's homes were well established and running smoothly with thousands of orphans being cared for. He now had a right hand man- James Wright. With wise foresight, Muller was training him to be his successor.

When his middle-aged daughter, Lydia, got engaged to James, Muller himself was encouraged to re-marry. So on the last day of November 1871, Susanna Grace Sangar became his second wife. She was a governess he'd known for some time, and 16 years younger.

Susanna was a great encouragement to Muller. And she soon realized that her new husband, with all his years of experience, had a message that deserved a bigger audience. It was a message that the Bible could be trusted, and Christians everywhere could be encouraged to practice what it teaches.

It was a message that needed to be shared - and not just with Bristol's believers, but with believers everywhere. Muller also had another passion - and it was that Christians would put aside their often petty denominational differences and enter into true fellowship. It was a plea that needed to be heard, and not just here, but also across the oceans, far away!

And now they could do it. With James Wright able to run the orphanages, Susanna set about organizing international speaking tours for her 70-year-old husband. On some of these globe trotting adventures, they saw God at work in amazing ways.

. . Captain Dutton, I have to be in Quebec by Saturday afternoon - I am due to speak that evening.

Do you think we will we make it? That's now impossible, Mr Muller - there is no sign of this fog lifting at all. Ah, in 52 years I have never broken a speaking engagement.

We must pray - may we go to the chart room? Yeah, of course, but do you have any idea how thick this fog is? I’m not looking at the fog, Captain Dutton, but on God who controls all our circumstances.

Are you a praying man, Captain Dutton? Yes - but I don't believe in miracles! We could be stuck here for days.

. . go ahead, Mr Muller.

Then let us pray. Our Lord, our God; we thank you that you command the wind and the waves - and even this fog. We rejoice that our times and our circumstances are in your hands.

Now Father, in the glorious name of our Savior, I ask that you will make it possible for us to reach Quebec by Saturday afternoon, that Your name will be glorified. Amen. Oh, God, uh.

. . if it be thy will - may it.

. . Do not pray, Captain.

You don't really believe that God will answer, but I know He already has. Come, sir, let us see what God has done. (Captain Dutton) Well, I’ll be.

. . I have known my Lord for 52 years, Captain Dutton, and there is not one single day when the King has not graciously granted me an audience.

Half ahead, Mr Mate! (Narrator) Muller reached Quebec - on time, and began his speaking tour of Canada and the United States. Muller may have had his daily audience with the King - but on this trip, he was to have an audience with a president too - Rutherford Hayes.

Muller and Susanna met with the president and described the work in Bristol before being treated to a tour of the White House by the First Lady herself. Everywhere he and Susanna went to North America, : they spoke to packed theaters, stadiums, halls and churches. People were hungry to hear how they too could have a faith that worked - and Muller encouraged them to get back to their Bibles and believe what it says.

It wasn't until Muller was 87 years old, that he and Susanna stopped traveling. In 17 years, they traveled 200,000 miles. They'd experienced temperatures of freezing cold, sweltering heat.

They'd endured exhausting train journeys, sometimes lasting up to a week, and had terrifying journeys at sea through raging typhoons. Through it all Muller's faith stood strong. And with God's help, he took his message to 42 countries around the world.

(Narrator) Two years after coming home, Susanna died. She was 73. It was a hard blow - his daughter Lydia, at the age of 58 had died several years earlier when he'd been in India.

She'd had bronchitis. So now, George Muller was alone again - but not lonely His Lord was his companion and gave him the strength to accept his loss. He also gave him the strength to carry on preaching - and his sermons were, if anything, even more touched by God.

. . My text is Lamentations 3:22-23 "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; "his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

" While everything changes here on earth, Jesus our Friend is the same - the same yesterday, today and forever. What He was millions of years ago, He is now. What He was when He walked in Galilee, in Judea and Samaria, He is now - His heart full of pity, of tenderness, of compassion.

I say to you all, you may be the oldest, the greatest, the most hardened of sinners you may have sinned again and again - but if you now turn to Christ, He will forgive you, for there is power in the blood of Christ to take away the greatest sins - I know. Knowledge and education cannot make us happy - not truly happy. Christ and Christ alone brings real, true happiness.

I know seven languages, but I'd still go to hell if it were not for the fact that I know Christ. I cannot describe the joy, and the peace, which comes from being a disciple of the Lord Jesus! I am a happy old man; yes, indeed, I am a happy old man!

I walk about my room, and I say "Lord Jesus, I am not alone, for You are with me. "I have buried my wives and my children, "but You are still with me. "I do not feel lonely or forsaken, "for I have you and your smile, and that is better than life itself.

" (Narrator) On Thursday, the 10th of March 1898, Muller woke up early in the morning - as he had all his life. He had Sunday's sermon to prepare. It was never preached.

In one brief moment he had gone to be with his God. The following Monday was a day the like of which Bristol had never seen. Businesses and factories closed.

The city came to a halt as thousands of people lined the streets to pay their last respects - to a German immigrant who had won their hearts, and - as his obituary in Britain's Daily Telegraph said - The Bristol Times said - (Narrator) For the cynics and skeptics then as now, these five buildings and the many thousands of transformed lives, speak volumes of a God who is there. But perhaps the greatest proof of all is Muller himself. The swindler, the cheat, the self-centered playboy who stole from his best friends, and who ends up raising $180 million in today's money - simply by prayer and faith in the One who changed his own life.

(Narrator) In the mid 50s, Mullers closed the five buildings on Ashley Down, and opened smaller family based homes in the Bristol area. There are those who well remember their childhood years in a Muller's home. Although their memories may be mixed, one thing is certain, : their lives would have been very much different had it not been for the faith and vision of George Muller whose remains lie here in a Bristol grave.

His soul has long since departed, but his message remains, : God is real, and can be trusted. (Muller's voice) "Now if? - a poor man, "can set up and run an orphan house "without asking anyone for money or supplies, "and do it simply by prayer and faith, "that would be something which with the Lord's blessing, "could encourage and strengthen the faith "of the children of God.

"It would also be a powerful witness to the unconverted of the reality of God.