―STRENGTHENING THE FAITH OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD‖: PIETISM, PRINT, AND PRAYER IN THE MAKING OF A WORLD EVANGELICAL HERO, GEORGE MÜLLER OF BRISTOL (1805-1898) by DARIN DUANE LENZ B.A., California State University, Bakersfield, 1997 M.A., Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, 2000 M.A., Villanova University, 2003 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2010 Abstract George Müller of Bristol (1805-1898) was widely celebrated in the nineteenth century as the founder of the Ashley Down Orphan Homes in Bristol, England. He was a German immigrant to Great Britain who was at the vanguard of evangelical philanthropic care of children. The object of his charitable work, orphans, influenced the establishment of Christian orphanages in Great Britain, North America, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. However, what brought Müller widespread public acclaim was his assertion that he supported his orphan homes solely by relying on faith and prayer. According to Müller, he prayed to God for the material needs of the orphans and he believed, in faith, that those needs were supplied by God, without resort to direct solicitation, through donations given to him. He employed his method as a means to strengthen the faith of his fellow Christians and published an ongoing chronicle of his answered prayers that served as evidence. Müller‘s method of financial support brought him to the forefront of public debate in the nineteenth century about the efficacy of prayer and the supernatural claims of Christianity. His use of prayer to provide for the orphans made his name a ―household word the world round.‖ This dissertation is a study of Müller‘s influence on evangelicals that analyzes Müller‘s enduring legacy as a hero of the faith among evangelicals around the world. For evangelicals Müller was an exemplary Christian—a Protestant saint—who embodied a simple but pure form of biblical piety. To explore his influence from the nineteenth century through the twentieth century, this study, as a social biography, investigates how evangelicals remember individuals and how that memory, in this case Müller, influenced the practice of prayer in evangelical piety. The dissertation affirms a link between evangelicals and eighteenth-century German Pietism, while also showing that evangelicals used publications to celebrate and to informally canonize individuals esteemed for their piety. The dissertation, ultimately, is concerned with how evangelicals identified heroes of the faith and why these heroes were and are widely used as models for edification and for emulation in everyday life. ―STRENGTHENING THE FAITH OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD‖: PIETISM, PRINT, AND PRAYER IN THE MAKING OF A WORLD EVANGELICAL HERO, GEORGE MÜLLER OF BRISTOL (1805-1898) by DARIN DUANE LENZ B.A., California State University, Bakersfield, 1997 M.A., Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, 2000 M.A., Villanova University, 2003 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2010 Approved by: Major Professor Robert D. Linder Copyright DARIN DUANE LENZ 2010 Abstract George Müller of Bristol (1805-1898) was widely celebrated in the nineteenth century as the founder of the Ashley Down Orphan Homes in Bristol, England. He was a German immigrant to Great Britain who was at the vanguard of evangelical philanthropic care of children. The object of his charitable work, orphans, influenced the establishment of Christian orphanages in Great Britain, North America, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. However, what brought Müller widespread public acclaim was his assertion that he supported his orphan homes solely by relying on faith and prayer. According to Müller, he prayed to God for the material needs of the orphans and he believed, in faith, that those needs were supplied by God, without resort to direct solicitation, through donations given to him. He employed his method as a means to strengthen the faith of his fellow Christians and published an ongoing chronicle of his answered prayers that served as evidence. Müller‘s method of financial support brought him to the forefront of public debate in the nineteenth century about the efficacy of prayer and the supernatural claims of Christianity. His use of prayer to provide for the orphans made his name a ―household word the world round.‖ This dissertation is a study of Müller‘s influence on evangelicals that analyzes Müller‘s enduring legacy as a hero of the faith among evangelicals around the world. For evangelicals Müller was an exemplary Christian—a Protestant saint—who embodied a simple but pure form of biblical piety. To explore his influence from the nineteenth century through the twentieth century, this study, as a social biography, investigates how evangelicals remember individuals and how that memory, in this case Müller, influenced the practice of prayer in evangelical piety. The dissertation affirms a link between evangelicals and eighteenth-century German Pietism, while also showing that evangelicals used publications to celebrate and to informally canonize individuals esteemed for their piety. The dissertation, ultimately, is concerned with how evangelicals identified heroes of the faith and why these heroes were and are widely used as models for edification and for emulation in everyday life. Table of Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………...…….ix Dedication……………………………………………………………………………...…...……xi CHAPTER 1 - Introduction: George Müller and Evangelical Christianity………………...…….1 CHAPTER 2 - Confronting Hagiography: A Literature Review……………………….…..…...33 CHAPTER 3 - Pietism in the Making of George Müller……………………………….…..…...81 CHAPTER 4 - Chronicle of a Dissenter………………………………………………....……..141 CHAPTER 5 - "Strengthen Them in Faith"…………………….…………………….……..….221 CHAPTER 6 - Establishing Transatlantic Legitimacy………………………………….…...…269 CHAPTER 7 - Celebrated Around the World………………………………………….……....337 CHAPTER 8 - Evangelical Iconography: Remembering a Hero of the Faith……….……...…403 CHAPTER 9 - Conclusion: "Eager to be Imitators of His Ways"……………………………..484 Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………501 Appendix A - 1883 Photograph of George Müller…………………………………….……….572 Appendix B - 1895 Photograph of George Müller……………………………………….…….573 Appendix C - Half-penny Postcard of Ashley Down Orphan Home No. 1…………...….……574 viii Acknowledgements My research efforts would not have been successful if it were not individuals from around the world who helped me in this daunting venture. First, I would like to thank Professor Robert D. Linder who has served as a model of scholarship and devotion to the craft of history. Second, I would like to recognize the late Professor Gary B. McGee, who first introduced me to the history of Christianity and encouraged this study. Third, Professor Seth Koven, now at Rutgers University, originally suggested that I write a paper on George Müller while working on my M.A. at Villanova University. At the time, researching Müller was simply a very engaging way to expand my knowledge of evangelical history in Great Britain; I had no idea that this preliminary research would someday serve as the foundation for this dissertation. So many people have shared their ideas and knowledge about Müller that it is impossible to thank them all individually. However, I would like to thank several scholars who directed me to additional reading, resources, and, in some cases, shared their research: Professor Stephan Holthaus, Dr. Darrell Paproth, Dr. Timothy C. F. Stunt, Professor John M. McCulloh, and Dr. Tim Grass. I am also grateful to Julian Marsh, former Executive Director of the Müller Foundation, and the staff of the Müller House in Bristol, England, for their hospitality. Finally, I would to thank the members of my doctoral committee—Professor Robert D. Linder, Professor John M. McCulloh, Professor David A. Graff, Professor Lou Falkner Williams, and Professor Laurie M. Bagby—for their insight, advice, and criticism that improved this dissertation. A major research grant awarded by the Institute on Military and Twentieth Century Studies was greatly appreciated, as were the Florence M. Hamscher Award and the Kenneth S. Jones Travel Award supported by their respective families and awarded by the Department of ix History at Kansas State University. A Faculty Study Grant awarded by the Northwest University Faculty Development Committee and additional financial support provided by Northwest University Board of Trustees were instrumental for additional travel to archives in Great Britain and Australia. Thanks also to my colleagues at Northwest University, especially the History Department Chair, Professor LeRoy Johnson, as well as the Northwest University Provost, Dr. James Heugel, Profesor Martha Diede, Professor Brad Embry, Professor Doo Jung Jin, and Professor Suzan Kobashigawa for their help and support. I would also like to thank ―The Old Gang‖—Alan Bearman, Keith Bates, Liam Atchison, Julie Scott, Scott Pickard, Cheryl Johnson, and Preston Goering—who made life as a doctoral student studying the history of Christianity at KSU a life changing experience. Thanks also to K-State alumni Todd and Anna Thompson who provided a hospitable glimpse into the world of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. I would also be remiss