Little Abbie's First Prayer
Müller Receiving Bread And Milk For Breakfast
This wonderful story, told by a woman who knew Müller as a young child, her father being a close friend of his, does not appear in the biographies of Müller, nor in the narratives. It is true however, and here is confirming evidence.
Little Abbie’s First Prayer
Mrs. Grace K. Swanger
Abigail (Townsend Luffe) was the youngest child of God-fearing parents. From babyhood she was accustomed to hearing the reading of God’s Word, and very early was taught the way of salvation.
Her father was a close friend of the late George Muller, the man whose child-like faith in God bore fruit in the great orphanages in Bristol, England. So little Abbie early learned that faith in God brought things to pass.
Her first childish prayer of faith was uttered on George Muller’s knee. One day while in his home the little girl, then but three years old, said, “I wish God would answer my prayers like he does yours, George Muller.”
“He will,” was the prompt reply, and taking the little child on his lap he repeated God’s promise, “‘What things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.’ Now, Abbie, what is it you want to ask God for?”
“Some wool,” said the child.
So George Muller, clasping her hands in an attitude of prayer, said, “Now you repeat what I say, Please, God, send Abbie some wool.” The child was satisfied and jumped down and ran out to her play. Suddenly she turned back and ran to Mr. Muller’s house and said, “Please, God. send it wa-re-ga-ted.”
The next day she was filled with joy and delight to receive a box by mail with a quantity of little balls of varied colored wools. Her teacher while away on a visit had found the odds and ends of wool, and thought her little pupil might like them, so sent the box by post. Little Abbie’s heart rejoiced and praised God for answering her prayer, and her faith in Him increased.
In telling the answer to her friend, George Muller, he again taught her words of the Lord Jesus in regard to prayer. “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” As God’s Word was also read daily and obeyed by her parents, little Abbie really loved the Lord and prayed to him a long time before she confessed Him.
The Miracle Provision For Breakfast At Müller's Orphanage
Early one morning she was playing in Mr. Muller’s garden at the orphanage. Mr. Muller took her hand saying, “Come, see what our Father will do,” and he led her into a long dining-room. The plates and cups or bowls were on the table. There was nothing on the table but empty dishes. There was no food in the larder, and no money to supply the need. The children were standing waiting for their morning meal, when Mr. Muller said, "Children, you know we must be on time for school.” Then lifting his hand said, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou are going to give us to eat.”
A knock at the door was heard. The baker stood there and said. “Mr. Muller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at two o’clock and baked fresh bread, and have brought it.”
George Muller thanked the man and praised God for His care, then said, “Children, we not only have bread, but the rare treat of fresh bread.” No sooner had he said this than there came a second knock at the door. This time it was a milkman. He said his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and that he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk, so he could empty his wagon and repair it.
These incidents made a great impression on little Abbie. She learned that God, in answer to the prayer of faith, made with thanksgiving, would supply His children with needed food. So step by step God was leading His precious little child, little both in years, and in the faith.
A Miracle Healing
Even a little child’s faith is tested. Abbie’s mother was ill. One night during her fifth year her loved mother had a severe hemorrhage, and was given up to die. An older sister hurried upstairs to bring the baby sister, to receive her mother’s good-bye kiss. Telling her that her mother was dying, and that they must hurry, the little girl commenced crying, “My mother must not die; my mother must not die.” As they passed a closet at the foot of the stairs Abbie asked her sister to let her go in the closet alone for a few minutes. The sister put her down, but told her to hurry. Little Abbie entered the closet, shut the door' and closed the window, then kneeling prayed: "Dear Lord, here I am. I’ve done just what you said. I’ve come to the closet, and I’ve shut the door. No one is here but just you and me. Please, dear Lord, don’t let my mother die till I’ve confessed Christ.”
A great peace filled her heart, and she ran to her mother’s bed saying, “My mother will not die.” Her mother reached out loving arms to enfold her baby, and to the surprise of the physician fell into a natural sleep, clasping her little girl. When she awoke the danger was past, and while she never became entirely well, God spared her life five years.
She Struggled To Confess Christ
Then Satan began troubling little Abbie. Many people think it is not important for children to be saved, but Satan is on the alert to tempt even the little ones, so how necessary it is to lead them early to the Lord Jesus.
In her prayer for God to spare her mother’s life Abbie had said, “Don’t let my mother die till I’ve confessed Christ.” So every time she tried to tell her mother she was saved and belonged to Christ, Satan would whisper, "The minute you confess Christ your mother will die.”
For two years this torture continued. Abbie longed to tell her mother she was saved. She knew her mother was praying and longing for her salvation, but fearing her confession would mean her mother’s death, Satan kept her lips closed. The child believed with her heart, but was afraid to confess with her mouth Jesus as her Saviour.
One Sunday with her parents she started for service. The mother was taken in a wheeled chair, since unable to walk. Little Abbie would trot ahead to see things, then would run back to the chair to tell her mother. Soon they heard singing, but could see no singer. "Run and see what it is, dear,” said her mother.
Abbie ran ahead and found a little ragged girl a few years older than herself, sweeping the street crossing. As she swept she sang,
"I do, I do, I do believe,
That Jesus died for me:
And through His blood. His precious blood,
I am from sin set free.”
Again she sang,
"Oh, I do, I do, I do believe.
That Jesus died for me”—
“If you believe that, then you’re saved, aren’t you?” said Abbie.
“Yes,” said the girl. “Do you believe it?”
“I don’t know,” answered Abbie, great fear of confessing Him and the thought of losing her mother coming upon her.
“That’s queer,” said the little crossing sweeper. “Your father told me how to accept the Lord Jesus. You are his daughter and you don’t believe in the Lord.”
This was more than the child could stand.
“I do believe, so there,” confessed Abbie firmly and joyfully. Turning she ran swiftly and climbed up in the chair beside her mother. Then throwing her arms around her mother’s neck she cried, "Mother, I’m saved, whether you live or die.”
What a great burden was lifted from the heart of a little child as she confessed Christ with her lips. Later in the day she told her mother how she had accepted Christ two years before, but how Satan through fear had kept her silent.
God spared the dear mother for three years longer, until Abbie was ten years old and many lessons of faith were learned at her mother’s knee. When the mother knew her time had come, and she was soon to go to be with the Lord, Abbie was reconciled and willing to let her go.
How necessary that, if the call comes from God to her child, the parent may help by prayers and life.
"Then whatsoever the call may be.
To service small or great.
To cross the seas and speak God's love.
To smile, to rule a state—
When God shall come and say to you,
'Here Is the thing that you must do,'
Be listening."
She Was Called To Serve Sick And Helpless Ones
The call to comfort God’s sick and helpless ones came to Sister Abigail when just a little child. Her parents had always desired and prayed that this should be her work.
On her seventh birthday she confessed Jesus Christ as her Saviour. That same day, after praying with her, the mother placed a little Bible and a few tracts in her hands, saying, “Now my little girl must be a missionary. Go to the old blind lady in the almshouse and read to her, and tell her you love Jesus, and Jesus loves you. She will be su glad. Then go across to see that dear girl who is so sick, and sing, ‘Jesus loves me,’ and tell her He loves her, too.’’
So at the age of seven her life work among the poor, blind, and sick ones started. This service continued for thirty-five years, first with her father, then with her husband. When these dear ones were taken home to the Lord, Sister Abigail came to America, where the Lord led her out into a new service for Him.
Mrs. Grace K. Swanger, in the Sunday School Times. Copyright by S. S. Times & Co., reprinted by permission.
—The Pentecostal Evangel, Nos. 342, 343, May 29, 1920, pp. 3 and 16.