George Muller of Bristol

by Arthur Tappan Pierson

Book by Pierson, Arthur T.

Genres: Biography, Christian, Prayer, Christianity, Nonfiction, History, Christian Living

464 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Arthur Tappan Pierson (March 6, 1837 – June 3, 1911) was an American Presbyterian pastor, early fundamentalist leader, and writer who preached over 13,000 sermons, wrote over fifty books, and gave Bible lectures as part of a transatlantic preaching ministry that made him famous in Scotland and England. He was a consulting editor for the original "Scofield Reference Bible" (1909) for his friend, C. I. Scofield and was also a friend of D. L. Moody, George Müller (whose biography 'George Muller of Bristol' he wrote), Adoniram Judson Gordon, and C. H. Spurgeon, whom he succeeded in the pulpit of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, London, from 1891 to 1893. Throughout his career, Pierson filled several pulpit positions around the world as an urban pastor who cared passionately for the poor.

Reviews

[Carrie Brownell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I confess to feeling bad for marking this book only 3 stars but it was distinctly not to my taste. That is mostly due to the fact that it was originally published in 1849 and it was written by what we would now call a "fan boy" instead of someone who could write from a neutral perspective and let a reader make up their own mind about the person in question.

I've heard about George Muller all of my life and read a jr. biography in my teens. However, I had forgotten much about the details of his career and so I purchased a copy of this book by Arthur Pierson in large part because Pierson actually knew Muller. Being that he was close to the source, I wanted to catch his thoughts. Getting as close to the source is always preferred because too many people who follow after a person or an event in history seem to find it their moral duty to rewrite the character and flavor of both persons and events. So for that reason I would still suggest that anyone who wants to read about Muller give this book a go. With caution.

The reason that I did not enjoy it is because of the over flowery language Pierson uses in describing the greatness, the saintliness, the otherwordliness of the admirable, honorable and righteous Muller. I would never want to meet the guy based on Pierson's recommendation because he lost sight of Muller's humanity when writing. There are really great people who have followed the Lord with their whole hearts and Muller is most definitely one of them. His faith is inspiring and encouraging and I felt convicted about my own prayer life when reading about his. However Pierson wants to add an extra level of morality to Muller that I find distasteful. If someone is that perfect, are they real? Did they struggle? Was he ever sad? Did he ever fumble? Did he every say one word he regretted or make one bad decision? According to Pierson, Muller only ever sinned before he became a Christian and never afterward. Holiness completed, apparently. And that's not true, nor is it realistic. I find it hard to get to know the subject of a book when the author is so very biased and Pierson is absolutely predisposed to want you to think that Muller happily lived out his life on a pedestal looking down at everyone else. Smarter, wiser, holier. And I just don't think that's the case of anyone unless they are a narcissist and that would be a stretching accusation of Muller.

Did I learn more about Muller's life? Yes I did. Fascinating and interesting. He chose to live life before the Lord in some very unique and specific ways and I can admire that and appreciate it and would happily encourage him on his faith. If he needed me to. Which according to Pierson, he probably didn't.

Pierson clearly prided himself on writing this book about his self-proclaimed hero. I think he should have handed the task over to someone else, personally. But it has been written and it has been read. I'd only say to those considering this read to remember that Muller actually had flesh and bone, that he bled red and got sick. He also likely offended the living daylights out of many people, both for the Lord's glory and against it. No one is perfect and no man should ever try to live like an island. He had need of a Savior just like you do. Just like I do. Bear that in mind while reading and don't assume the path to holiness is self-avowed poverty with a side of self-righteousness.

(Sorry, I'll stop now. You get the idea.)

[Olamide OPEYEMI · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a book to delay reading at all. After the Holy Scriptures, every child of God must pore through the pages of this book to bear witness to what God can do with a man of like passions like ourselves. This book to me was not really about George Mueller but about the God of George Mueller who will not cast away anyone who comes to Him and who is willing to grant access/entrance to His heart and treasury, where all things gets done for the heavenward child of God. Dr. Pierson, who had a close encounter with George Mueller, who himself was a renowned preacher, marveled at the childlike trust that Mr. Mueller had in God; and in writing this biography, he seemed to me to have received grace from heaven to do it justice. I have been immensely blessed by this classic. As I put my life through it, it kept pointing me back to the Scriptures and the Almighty God and to Christ the pattern-son who is the only hope we have to live as simply as heaven demands (which when the world scrutinizes, they are quick to award exemplariness. May the Lord draw you too to this God-glorifying testimony. Amen.

[Ken Van Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, help me to be more like Muller. Please.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible testimony of maybe the most faith-filled man I've ever heard of. My faith is strongly encouraged and rebuked after reading this book. Muller was a man full of unwavering conviction with a dependance on God that seems impossible in the flesh... and perhaps that's true. He was truly a Spirit filled man. This book will definitely be an annual reference.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone! My faith was challenged time and again and the power of our God was emphasized and manifested! Coming away from this book, my conclusions are twofold: I want to be a man of faith like George Mueller. My faith is so small!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Muller focused on the basics--reading Scripture and prayer. Yet through his faith and obedience, God did amazing things and countless lives were blessed.

[Sarah Posey · Rating 5 out of 5]

there is simply no other book that can better teach the power of prayer, the sovereignty of God, and the brevity of man.

[Tim Schwamb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good stuff in this book that I didn't know before, but it was written in 1899, so the language is heavy and can be hard to follow at times. I first heard of George Mueller by reading the YWAM biography of him and would much more recommend that one for a life-changing exposure to George's faith and trust in God through the power of prayer.

[Bradly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a powerful reminder and detailed description of the things that can be accomplished by God through those who are willing to trust Him implicitly for everything. Although not strongly narrative in style, it was written in a more narrative style than Muller's autobiography (which I also highly recommend). The author gives extensive details about Muller's methods, motives and decisions. Pierson does not lend a great amount of space to the faults or doubts in Muller's life, but does not entirely leave these out. Instead, his purpose seems to mirror Muller's own desire to demonstrate God's goodness and provision.
If you have ever faced doubts and questions as to how you may be useful in God's hands or concerning His willingness and ability to provide, you should read this book.

[OJIWRITES · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Muller's life was all about prayer and faith. He lived in England and cared deeply for orphans. Instead of asking people for money, he prayed to God to provide for the children's needs. Amazingly, God always answered his prayers, and the orphanage never lacked food or anything important.

Muller's story teaches us about trusting God completely. He showed that even when things look impossible, prayer can make a big difference. He wasn't rich or powerful, but his strong faith helped many children. His life is an example of how faith and prayer can change the world.

[Julie MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a long book, but definitely worth a read for committed Christians. There are a lot of gems of wisdom and stories of God’s faithfulness. It inspires one to spend more time in prayer and reading God’s Word, and also that we need to simply trust God and believe that he will be faithful to provide and answer our prayers.

[Johnvano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. Inspiring. Challenging. Not 5 stars because it lacks much in form. Written in 1899 (and in the language of the day) as a meticulous accounting for a godly man's life, it does not have a literary or even much of a narrative sophistication, but the content makes up for it.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! It challenged my view of the way God works and the power of prayer. This showed me even more that our God is a “prayer hearing God”. I think every believer should read this book!!!

[Nyamani Joash · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing Book .it is great Biography of a great man of God. It's amazing and enjoyable reading this book about the Faith of Muller and what Gid accomplished through him .

I Got some good lessons of Faith.

[Cedric Dukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, he lived his life obeying God and his sole purpose was to help people and allow God to use him.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Biography of a man of prayer and the fruit of a life and ministry totally devoted to God.

[Dean Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read better

I've read better biographies on George Mueller. This had way too many words to get to the point. Not worth it

[Lalnun Ralte · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a practical way of following God through faith and prayers. His stories are extraordinary.

[Smallbrook]

An inspiring man of prayer. Also, a good reminder that famous men and women of the faith were far from perfect. There is One man who is perfect, and His name is Jesus Christ.

[Elise Ann Freimark · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful

I liked the whole book
Particularly helpful his words on prayer and waiting on the Lord sometimes for many years.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Christian ought to read this. It describes authentic faith, the critical nature of prayer, and, in my opinion, agape love. Not an easy read, but well worth the time & effort!

[Alvin J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How blessed is each person who reads this book to its end!

Other than the Holy Scriptures this may be one of the most beneficial books for those seeking to fully follow God. George Muller’s life witness of God’s sufficiency is probing and convincing.
It would have been most profitable for me to have read this biography and the appendices, which follow, decades before my present age of 84.

[Christina Dent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book. Incredible. If you're a Christ-follower it is profoundly challenging in most every area of faith and life. If you're not, the author would encourage you to read it anyway, as many people came to faith in Jesus Christ as a result of reading about Mueller's faith in a prayer-hearing God and seeing God's faithfulness to provide for the work Mueller felt led by God's Spirit to do. I had heard vaguely of Mueller's work (wasn't he the guy that never asked for help and just prayed for food for the orphans and it came?), but I had no idea of the scope and monstrous size of it (2,000 orphans were being fed, clothed, schooled, discipled, and housed at the time of his death, along with several other large evangelistic arms of the ministry without ever even hinting at the needs at hand. Prayer was his only means of provision, to prove that God is faithful.) The author was a well-known and respected pastor himself in that day and a personal friend of Muellers. His faith, insight, and theology play heavily into how well the story is told. It's not just "and then he did this and that," it's "then he did this because he believed X about God and Y about His Word." I read parts of the book twice and plan to read the whole thing again in the next year, it's that good and that different from our culture, how we view God, his word, personal holiness, prayer, taking up our cross, and laying down ourselves for whatever He calls us to.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of a man whom God blessed with the gift of faith. This paragraph from page 321 nicely summarizes the purpose of the book as well as Mr. Müller's life:

"If Mr. Müller had any great mission, it was not to found a worldwide institution of any sort, however useful scattering Bibles and books and tracts, or housing and feeding thousands of orphans, or setting up Christian schools and aiding missionary workers. His main mission was to teach men that it is safe to trust God's Word, to rest implicitly upon whatever he hath said, and obey explicitly whatever he has bidden; that prayer offered in faith, trusting his promise and the intercession of his dear Son, is never offered in vain; and that the life lived by faith is a walk with God, just outside the very gates of heaven."

He set out to prove to men that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and that He can be relied on today to answer prayer and provide for His work. Mr. Müller provided a living example of trust in God and God's continual provision. In his life we see countless examples of how God is indeed rarely early but never late in answering prayer. We see how in practical ways God made known what it was He wanted Mr. Müller to do.

Read this book and see God at work. It will enlarge your view of God, change the way you pray, and change the way you make decisions in life.

[Aleassa Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love the story of George Muller and all that God did through him, this book was a dry and difficult book to read. I expected a biography, however it was more of a long, long, very wordy dissertation or sermon.

The author briefly skimmed over the life story of Muller and instead chose thoroughly analyze in minute detail what he believed to be the thoughts, convictions, and motivations behind Muller’s decisions. It was a little bit like watching an old black and white movie with the director’s voice explaining every detail in verbose 1800’s English.

It was also challenging to follow as he would jump back and forth between different time periods in Muller’s life, and included many lists and dates that were difficult to mentally keep track of.

If you want a sermon on the life of Muller that reads like a book, John Piper has a good one. I don’t agree with all of Piper’s theology, but as it turns out, I don’t agree with all of Muller’s either, so... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Geoff and Janet Benge have a children’s biography of Muller’s life that is a good and interesting read for the whole family. If anybody knows of a better biography for adult readers, I’d be interested to hear about it.

I almost didn’t finish it, and to be honest did quite a lot of skimming just because it was so long and I wanted to move on with my life. :)

[Frank Peters · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story of George Muller of Bristol is truly an amazing account of what God can do through a humble and obedient man (or person for those who require politically correct pronouns). I am in awe in reading about God’s faithfulness and all of the people who were touched by the ministry of Muller. BUT, I really did not like the book itself. I expected to be reading a biography of this man of God, but other than the first few chapters, this book is something quite different! It is a commentary on the autobiographical writings of Muller. As a result the actual narrative (which I wanted to read) is minimal, while there is an excessive amount of semi-ambiguous religious language that is used either to preach to the reader, or praise Muller. Thus, while I strongly recommend reading a biography of Muller, I don’t recommend this one, and would be delighted if someone would point me to a better one.

[Dennis Beery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable account of a man of incredible faith in God and his promises. Muller relied solely on God to provide every need as he built a number of orphan houses over the course of his 60+ years of ministry, never asking anyone for a cent (or farthing, as it was in England at that time) and even refusing money when the motive or source was questionable. While Pierson's sermonizing thoughout this narrative is unnecessary, this is a great book that will strengthen the faith of true followers of Christ and remove doubts in the mind of agnostics about the existence of a prayer-answering God.

[christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and challenging story of the man of faith who founded and sustained 3 orphanages with no marketing or fundraising efforts but only through prayer to God. It humbled me.

The only reason I held back from giving it 5 stars is that it felt about 50 pages too long. In my opinion the chapters after the account of his death could have been omitted or greatly condensed with no serious loss of impact.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biograpy of an amazing man who serves an awesome God and ended up homing, feeding and educating thousands of orphans without ever publicizing a need or asking for human help. He relied solely on his God, and his God always provided, even if at the eleventh hour. After all George Muller accomplished in his life he died a humble man who'd never sought credit or praise for himself, but gave all the glory to his prayer hearing God.

[Mathias Seiwert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot say enough about this book. It is the third and most comprehensive biography about George Muller that I have read. I tried to read it slowly, to sip and savor the lessons God was (and still is!) teaching me from the life of G.M. as well as from the insight of the author A.T. Pierson. This is definitely a book that I will read again; God is teaching me so much about prayer, trusting in Him, living a life of simple faith in Jesus, etc.