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A.T. Pierson
Arthur Tappan Pierson (March 6, 1837 – June 3, 1911) was an American preacher, missionary advocate, and author whose transatlantic ministry and prolific writings elevated him to prominence in evangelical circles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in New York City, the ninth of ten children to Stephen and Sallie Pierson, a family with abolitionist roots, he was named after Arthur Tappan, a noted abolitionist. Raised in a Presbyterian home, he joined the church at 15, graduated from Hamilton College in 1857, and completed Union Theological Seminary in 1860. Ordained that year, he began pastoring in Binghamton, New York, before serving churches in Detroit (1869–1882) and Philadelphia’s Bethany Presbyterian (1883–1889), where he launched a missionary training school. Pierson’s preaching career soared as he championed foreign missions, authoring The Crisis of Missions (1886) and inspiring the Student Volunteer Movement with the motto “the evangelization of the world in this generation.” He preached over 13,000 sermons, wrote over 50 books—including In Christ Jesus (1898)—and edited the Missionary Review of the World (1888–1911). Succeeding Charles Spurgeon at London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (1891–1893), he later embraced believer’s baptism in 1896, baptized by Spurgeon’s brother. Married to Sarah Frances Benedict in 1860, with whom he had seven children, he traveled globally, influencing figures like Robert Speer and John Mott. After retiring, he visited Korea in 1910, aiding the founding of Pierson Memorial Union Bible Institute, and died in Brooklyn in 1911, buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.
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A.T. Pierson shares the remarkable account of Mr. Benjamin Perry detailing the divine orchestration in the purchase of land for the orphan houses on Ashley Down, as narrated by Mr. Müller himself. Despite missing the owner twice, Mr. Müller discerned God's hand at work and chose to wait, leading to a significant reduction in the land price from £200 to £120 per acre as revealed in the owner's dream. This powerful testimony highlights the importance of trusting in God's timing and guidance in all circumstances.
Scriptures
G. the Purchase of a Site, Etc.
MR. BENJAMIN PERRY gives an account of the circumstances under which the land was purchased, prior to the erection of the orphan houses on Ashley Down, as he heard it from Mr. Müller's own mouth, showing how directly the Lord worked on the mind of the owner. Mr. Müller had been making inquiries respecting the purchase of land much nearer Bristol, the prices asked being not less than £1000 per acre, when he heard that the land upon which the Orphan Houses Nos. 1 and 2 stand, was for sale, the price being £200 per acre. He therefore called at the house of the owner, and was informed that he was not at home, but that he could be seen at his place of business in the city. Mr. Müller went there, and was informed that he had left a few minutes before, and that he would find him at home. Most men would have gone off to the owner's house at once; but Mr. Müller stopped and reflected, " Peradventure the Lord, having allowed me to miss the owner twice in so short a time, has a purpose that I should not see him to-day; and lest I should be going before the Lord in the matter, I will wait till the morning." And accordingly he waited and went the next morning, when he found the owner at home; and on being ushered into his sitting-room, he said: "Ah, Mr. Müller, I know what you have come to see me about. You want to buy my land on Ashley Down. I had a dream last night, and I saw you come in to purchase the land, for which I have been asking £200 per acre; but the Lord told me not to charge you more than £120 per acre, and therefore if you are willing to buy at that price the matter is settled." And within ten minutes the contract was signed. "Thus," Mr. Müller pointed out, "by being careful to follow the Lord, instead of going before His leading, I was permitted to purchase the land for £80 per acre less than I should have paid if I had gone to the owner the evening before."
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Arthur Tappan Pierson (March 6, 1837 – June 3, 1911) was an American preacher, missionary advocate, and author whose transatlantic ministry and prolific writings elevated him to prominence in evangelical circles during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in New York City, the ninth of ten children to Stephen and Sallie Pierson, a family with abolitionist roots, he was named after Arthur Tappan, a noted abolitionist. Raised in a Presbyterian home, he joined the church at 15, graduated from Hamilton College in 1857, and completed Union Theological Seminary in 1860. Ordained that year, he began pastoring in Binghamton, New York, before serving churches in Detroit (1869–1882) and Philadelphia’s Bethany Presbyterian (1883–1889), where he launched a missionary training school. Pierson’s preaching career soared as he championed foreign missions, authoring The Crisis of Missions (1886) and inspiring the Student Volunteer Movement with the motto “the evangelization of the world in this generation.” He preached over 13,000 sermons, wrote over 50 books—including In Christ Jesus (1898)—and edited the Missionary Review of the World (1888–1911). Succeeding Charles Spurgeon at London’s Metropolitan Tabernacle (1891–1893), he later embraced believer’s baptism in 1896, baptized by Spurgeon’s brother. Married to Sarah Frances Benedict in 1860, with whom he had seven children, he traveled globally, influencing figures like Robert Speer and John Mott. After retiring, he visited Korea in 1910, aiding the founding of Pierson Memorial Union Bible Institute, and died in Brooklyn in 1911, buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.