Page 60 - Living Epistles

George Mueller

The name George Muller is familiar to many Christians who have heard of his
work in providing for thousands of orphans in England during the 1800s. His
was a remarkable life. He was born in Prussia in 1805, what would now be
called Germany. The Prussian people were known for certain characteristics
that some have attributed to the region’s success and influence.

Many people believe that some specific "Prussian virtues" were part of the
reasons for the rise of their country, for instance: perfect organization,
discipline, sacrifice, rule of law, obedience to authority, reliability, tolerance,
honesty, frugality, punctuality, modesty, and diligence.
[Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussia]

These traits describe George Muller’s life and ministry throughout his adult
life, but they were far from him as a youth. He was not raised in a Christian
home, though his father chose for him to pursue a career as a clergyman. This
had nothing to do with any religious belief, or devotion. It was merely a career
decision to provide a good living and security for his father in his old age.

Before he was ten years old George Muller was stealing money from his father.
As he entered his teen years he was drinking regularly, reading novels, and
living an immoral life. His dishonesty led to his being jailed at the age of 16 for
a brief period, having run up bills at expensive hotels that he could not pay.
His father paid off his bills and beat him severely upon his return home. He
was then sent off to study for the university and to prepare for a job among the