2-889-630 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Orphan-House, Ashley Down, near Bristol, 1850. '... there has lately sprung up a new religious sect, known by the inconvenient and undeclinable name of Craik-and-Müllerites, whose prime article of belief is the power of prayer. Mr Müller says "Without any sectarian distinction whatever...orphans are received...Three things only are requisite: that the children should have been born in lawful wedlock; that they should be bereaved of both parents; and that they should be in destitute circumstances...children may be admitted...provided that they speak English, and that there is nothing peculiar in the case that would make them unsuitable inmates for the establishment...without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of £33,868 11s. 1d. has been given to me for the orphans, as the result of prayer to God, since the commencement of the work".' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.