In Halberstadt Mr. Muller found seven large Protestant churches without one clergyman who gave evidence of true conversion, and the few genuine disciples there were likewise forbidden to meet together. A few days after returning to Bristol from his few weeks in Germany, and at a time of great financial distress in the work, a letter reached him from a brother who had often before given money, as follows: "Have you any _present_ need for the Institution under your care? I know you do not _ask,_ except indeed of Him whose work you are doing; but to _answer when asked_ seems another thing, and a right thing. I have a reason for desiring to know the present state of your means towards the objects you are labouring to serve: viz., should you _not have_ need, other departments of the Lord's work, or other people of the Lord, _may have_ need. Kindly then inform me, and to what amount, i.e. what amount you at this present time need or can profitably lay out." To most men, even those who carry on a work of faith and prayer, such a letter would have been at least a temptation. But Mr. Muller did not waver. To announce even to an inquirer the exact needs of the work would, in his opinion, involve two serious risks: 1. It would turn his own eyes away from God to man; 2. It would turn the minds of saints away from dependence solely upon Him. This man of God had staked everything upon one great experiment--he had set himself to prove that the prayer which _resorts to God only_ will bring help in every crisis, even when the crisis is unknown to His people whom He uses as the means of relief and help. At this time there remained in hand but twenty-seven pence ha'penny, in all, to meet the needs of hundreds of orphans. Nevertheless this was the reply to the letter: "Whilst I thank you for your love, and whilst I agree with you that, in general, there is a difference between _asking for money_ and _answering when asked,_ nevertheless, in our case, I feel not at liberty to speak about the state of our funds, as the primary object of the work in my hands is to lead those who are weak in faith to see that there is _reality_ in dealing with God _alone."_ Consistently with his position, however, no sooner was the answer posted than the appeal went up to the Living God: "Lord, thou knowest that, for Thy sake, I did not tell this brother about our need. Now, Lord, show afresh that there is reality in speaking to Thee only, about our need, and speak therefore to this brother so that he may help us." In answer, God moved this inquiring brother to send one hundred pounds, which came when _not one penny was in hand._ The confidence of faith, long tried, had its increasing reward and was strengthened by experience. In July, 1845, Mr. Muller gave this testimony reviewing these very years of trial: