MÜLLER AT STUTTGART
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had become opportunities for unprofitable talking rather than for godly edifying; and as I felt myself bound to communicate to these dear brethren the experience I had gathered with reference to these very truths since June, 1830: for these reasons, I say, I thought it well to spend evening after evening with them over the passages above mentioned [Rom. xii., 3—8; Ephes. iv., 7—16; 1. Cor. xii. and xiv.; Acts xx., 7]. … We broke bread, but it was understood, and I wished it to be understood, that I was the only speaker. This I did … because they knew not yet what was meant by meeting in dependence upon the Holy Spirit. But, at last, after we had for about eight weeks or more spent two evenings a week together over those passages, and others, setting forth the same truths. … I took my place among them simply as a brother. … I do not mean at all to say that even then this matter was perfectly understood, for a few times still things like these would occur:—A brother read a portion of the word, and then would say, ‘Perhaps our brother Müller will expound to us this portion’. Or, a brother might speak a little on a subject, and then would say, ‘Perhaps our brother Müller will enter somewhat more fully into this subject’. At such times, which occurred twice or thrice, I said nothing, but acted according to the desire of those brethren, and spoke; but afterwards, when we met privately, at our Scripture reading meetings, I pointed out to the dear brethren their mistake, and reminded them that all these matters ought to be left to the ordering of the Holy Ghost, and that, if it had been truly good for them, the Lord would have not only led me to speak at that time, but also on the very subject on which they desired that I should speak to them.”
Probably open communion was the most important feature of the new start in Müller’s eyes. “There is one brother among us,” he writes, “who through dear John Darby learned the way of God more perfectly in Switzerland, and who often had spoken about it before I came, but who was neither much listened to nor received into fellowship, because he was not baptised.”
Müller’s visit lasted just over six months. At the close of that time there were twenty-five people breaking bread with him. When he left, not only these, but also
