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George Muller 1 Narrative of the Lord's Dealings with George Muller. 2

Part IV 3 4 PREFACE 5 6 TO THE 7 8 FIRST EDITION OF THE FOURTH PART 9 10 Twelve years have elapsed since the period at which the 11 third part of the Narrative of the Lord’s dealings with me 12 closes. It has not been for want of matter, that this fourth 13 part has not appeared sooner; but the increased and ever 14 increasing variety of other occupations has kept me 15 hitherto from arranging the materials for the press. 0f late, 16 however, I have judged, for the following reasons, that I 17 ought particularly to give myself to this service. 18 19 1, It has pleased the Lord so abundantly to bless the 20 former parts of my Narrative to the comfort, 21 encouragement, strengthening, and instruction of those 22 who are young and weak in the faith, and to those 23 unacquainted with the simplicity of the truth, that I 24 consider myself to be the servant of such; and I feel that 25 responsibility is laid upon me, to do what further I can, in 26 this way, to serve them. And this, I confess, I do joyfully; 27 for my spirit has oft times been not a little refreshed 28 during the eighteen years which have elapsed, since I 29 published the first part of my Narrative, by the many 30 hundreds of letters I have received, giving an account of 31 the blessing, which the writers of them have derived from 32

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the perusal of it; and I have thus been again and again 33 encouraged to go on with the work. 34 35 2, I think it important, that the reader of the first three 36 parts of my Narrative should have a right impression of 37 the work in which I am engaged. He may not be 38 acquainted with the Reports of the Scriptural Knowledge 39 Institution for Home and Abroad, which have been 40 published since 1844, and therefore he may know no more 41 of the work in which I am especially engaged, than the 42 first three parts of my Narrative give him. In that case he 43 would not know how the work has been growing since 44 that period; he would not be aware, that it is now three or 45 four times as large as it was in 1844, and is still more and 46 more increasing. He would not know in that case, that the 47 principles of Holy Scripture on which the work of God in 48 my hands was carried on, when comparatively small, and 49 which then were found to be sufficient, even in these last 50 days, are the same on which it is carried on now, though 51 the work is now so large. This point has especially 52 weighed with me, in desiring the publication of the 53 continuation of the account of the Lord’s dealings with 54 me in the form of the first three parts, in order that the 55 Living God may be glorified through this account. I 56 judged, moreover, that, whilst the first three parts may 57 especially furnish, to the believer in the Lord Jesus for his 58 private life subjects for comforting and encouraging 59 reflections; this part, besides doing the same still further, 60 may especially be of help to the servant of Christ 61 labouring for God on a large scale, or to the man of God 62 who seeks to carry on business on a large scale, on 63 Scriptural principles. 64

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65 3, Though the Reports of the Scriptural Knowledge 66 Institution for Home and Abroad have been issued 67 generally every year or every two years; yet, as they are 68 not bound together, they may be lost in part, and thus the 69 chain be interrupted. Moreover, they contain, sometimes, 70 matters which may be of moment for the time being, but 71 not so important afterwards. The Narrative leaves out 72 such points, and introduces on the other hand things 73 which were scarcely suitable for the Reports. My desire, 74 therefore, has been to give in this fourth part the substance 75 of the Reports, which have been published since July 76 1844, and to bring thus together in one volume what is 77 contained in these nine different Reports. 78 79 4, The Reports give scarcely anything of the dealings of 80 God with me personally, irrespective of the work in which 81 I am engaged; but I have not only to speak well of the 82 name of the Lord with regard to His service, but also with 83 reference to His dealings with me personally and with my 84 family; and I desire to serve the saints in relating to them 85 instance upon instance of His kindness to me, hoping that 86 thus many others may be encouraged more and more 87 fully, unreservedly and habitually to trust in God; yea, to 88 do so in the darkest seasons. 89 90 The plan on which I have thought it best to bring the 91 materials before the reader is, to relate in distinct 92 periodical chapters: a, How I have been provided, simply 93 in answer to prayer, with means for the support of the 94 various schools of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, 95 for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel 96

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Tracts and for the aiding of Missionary work. b, How I 97 have obtained means for the support of the hundreds of 98 0rphans under my care. c, How the Lord has led me to, 99 and provided me with means for, the building of a large 100 Orphan-House, and how I am now occupied in seeking to 101 build a second still larger. d, To state, periodically, a 102 variety of miscellaneous points in connexion with the 103 operations of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, in a 104 separate chapter. e, To give separately and periodically a 105 chapter, for relating matters connected with my own 106 personal affairs or the work of the Lord in my hands, not 107 immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge 108 Institution for Home and Abroad. As, however, the whole 109 book is intended for the spiritual profit of the believing 110 reader, and to show to those who know not God, by His 111 blessing, the reality of the things of God, there will be 112 found interspersed, throughout the book, such practical 113 remarks, as the subjects may seem to call for. 114 115 116 GEORGE MÜLLER. 117 118 21, Paul Street, Kingsdown, 119 120 Bristol, June 18, 1856. 121 122 123 124 125 A 126 127 NARRATIVE, 128

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129 &c. &c. 130 131 132 133 134 FOURTH PART. 135 136 137 Supplies for the School—Bible—Missionary and Tract-138 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from July 14, 1844, to 139 140 May 26, 1846. 141 142 143 Aug. 10, 1844. In the greatest need, when not one penny 144 was in hand, I received 5l. from a brother at Hackney. I 145 took half of this sum for these objects, and half for the 146 Orphans. 147 148 Sept. 7. Our poverty has been great ever since the 149 accounts were closed on July 14th. Our Tract and Bible 150 stock is very small, and we have much reduced it on 151 account of sending supplies to Demerara. The rents for the 152 School-Rooms are becoming due, and other expenses are 153 to be met. Under these circumstances I received today 154 with Philip iv. 6, the sum of 50l. The donor writes that he 155 thinks he is directed by the Lord to send the money. How 156 truly is it so! I took of this sum 20l. for the Orphans, and 157 301. for these objects. 158 159

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Oct. 1. This evening I received a bank order for 701., to 160 be used as the Lord might direct me. This money came in 161 most seasonably, as I am thus able to pay to the six 162 teachers who labour in the six Day-schools, their salaries. 163 I took 301. of the 70l. for these objects, and 401. for the 164 Orphans. 165 166 Dec. 14. The means for these objects have been very 167 small for some time past. Under these circumstances I 168 received this afternoon from a sister in the Lord, who is 169 near the close of her earthly pilgrimage, a small box, 170 containing five brooches, two rings set with twelve small 171 brilliants, five other rings, one mourning ring, a pair of 172 gilt bracelets, a gold pin, a small silver vinaigrette, some 173 tracts, and a sovereign. The donor stated on a paper, 174 contained in the box, that the produce might be used for 175 the Orphans or otherwise, as I might require. As these 176 funds are in particular need, I took the contents of this 177 little box for them, and the trinkets were soon disposed of. 178 — The sister fell asleep very shortly after. Will she need 179 such ornaments before her Lord? Will she regret having 180 given them for His work? Oh! no. 181 182 Dec. 21. Today I have received the following trinkets, the 183 produce of which I was at liberty to use for the Orphans, 184 or my own personal necessities, or the printing of my 185 Narrative, or for the School—, Bible—, Missionary and 186 Tract Fund. I have put the produce to the funds for these 187 objects. A ring set with twelve small brilliants, a ring set 188 with one brilliant, another ring set with one brilliant, a 189 ring set with five brilliants, a paste ring, a large brooch, 190 two large rings, two wedding rings, two other small rings, 191

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a ring set with small pearls, three other rings, two gold 192 pins, four gold shirt studs, and a gilt pin. 193 194 Dec. 24. I have received still further the following 195 trinkets, the produce of which was likewise taken for 196 these objects, it being left to me to use them as most 197 needed. A small gold chain, a ring set with seven 198 brilliants, five gold seals, an eyeglass silver mounted, a 199 ring set with a head, a gold pin, a gold buckle, a silver 200 pencil case, a gold brooch, a brooch set with small pearls, 201 a set of gold shirt studs, a small gold brooch, nine gold 202 rings, a gold heart, a gilt chain, and a gilt watch-chain. 203 204 Jan. 13, 1845. When there was nothing in hand towards 205 our many necessities for these objects, I received today 206 the following valuable donation: — Three forty-franc 207 pieces, two twenty-franc pieces, six five-franc pieces, 208 seven two-franc pieces, eleven one-franc pieces, fourteen 209 half-franc pieces, twenty-one quarter of a franc pieces, 210 and fifty-two other small Italian and French silver coins. 211 212 Feb. 3. Today, when I had again nothing at all in hand, I 213 received from W. P. 51. 214 215 Apr. 8. When, once more, I had nothing in hand, I 216 received today from Yorkshire 101., which, being left at 217 my disposal, I used for these objects. 218 219 Apr. 24. Today were sent to me a small old gold watch, a 220 half sovereign, a half guinea piece, two twenty-franc 221 pieces, six small Turkish gold coins, a quarter of a franc, a 222 threepenny piece, a silver toothpick, and a brass pencil-223

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case. The produce of these articles likewise was put to 224 these funds. 225 226 May 5. From Scarborough was sent to day 5l. for these 227 funds, at a time when I had again nothing left. 228 229 May 6. About six weeks ago intimation was kindly given 230 by a brother that he expected a certain considerable sum 231 of money, and that, if he obtained it, a certain portion of it 232 should be given to the Lord, so that 1001. of it should be 233 used for the work in my hands, and the other part for 234 Brother Craik’s and my own personal expenses. However, 235 day after day passed away, and the money did not come. I 236 did not trust in this money, yet, as during all this time, 237 with scarcely any exception, we were more or less needy, 238 I thought again and again about this brother’s promise; 239 though I did not, by the grace of God, trust in the brother 240 who had made it, but in the Lord. Thus week after week 241 passed away, and the money did not come. Now this 242 morning it came to my mind, that such promises ought to 243 be valued, in a certain sense, as nothing, i.e. that the mind 244 ought never for a moment to be directed to them, but to 245 the living God, and to the living God only. I saw that such 246 promises ought not to he of the value of one farthing, so 247 far as it regards thinking about them for help. I therefore 248 asked the Lord, when, as usual, I was praying with my 249 beloved wife about the work in my hands, that He would 250 be pleased to take this whole matter, about that promise, 251 completely out of my mind, and to help me, not to value it 252 in the least, yea, to treat it as if not worth one farthing, but 253 to keep my eye directed only to Himself. I was enabled to 254

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do so. We had not yet finished praying when I received 255 the following letter: 256 257 "Beloved Brother, May 5, 1845. 258 259 Are your bankers still Messrs. Stuckey and Co. of Bristol, 260 and are their hankers still Messrs. Robarts and Co. of 261 London? Please to instruct me on this; and if the case 262 should be so, please to regard this as a letter of advice that 263 701. are paid to Messrs. Robarts and Co., for Messrs. 264 Stuckey and Co., for you. This sum apply as the Lord may 265 give you wisdom. I shall not send to Robarts and Co. until 266 I hear from you. 267 268 Ever affectionately yours, 269 270 * * * *" 271 272 Thus the Lord rewarded at once this determination to 273 endeavour not to look in the least to that promise from a 274 brother, but only to Himself. But this was not all. About 275 two o’clock this afternoon I received from the brother, 276 who had, more than forty days ago, made that promise, 277 1661. 18s., as he this day received the money, on the 278 strength of which he had made that promise. Of this sum 279 1001. are to be used for the work in my hands, and the 280 remainder for brother Craik’s and my own personal 281 expenses. — I took of these two sums, i.e. of the 701. and 282 the 1001., half for the Orphans and half for these objects. 283 When this money came in, there was only very little in 284 hand. The last tracts had been given away, two or three 285 days ago, but I had no money to order more: thus I was 286

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able to send off an order for 11,700. Bibles also needed to 287 be ordered, but I had no money: I am now able to order 288 some. It had been much on my heart to send a little help to 289 some Missionary brethren, as a token of affectionate 290 interest, and this I am now able to do. The Lord be praised 291 for His goodness in helping thus so seasonably! 292 293 From May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, we experienced no 294 difficulty at all as to means, the Lord having always 295 seasonably sent in the supplies, so that, without any one 296 exception, I was always able not only to meet all the 297 demands connected with the Day-Schools, the Sunday-298 School, and the Adult-Schools, but I was also able to do 299 more, so far as it regards means, in aiding the circulation 300 of Tracts, and helping Missionary efforts, than at any 301 previous period of the same length. Of the donations 302 which came in from May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, I only 303 mention the following: — On June 23, with Philip. iv. 6, 304 for circulation of Tracts and Bibles in foreign lands, or, as 305 needed, 601. Oct. 12, 1501. On Feb. 26, 1846, I received 306 2001., of which 1001. was to be used for Missionary work 307 in foreign lands, and 1001. for brethren who labour in 308 England, in the word and doctrine, without any stated 309 salary. In connexion with this donation three points are 310 particularly to be noticed: — I. The day before I received 311 this sum, I had given 5l. to a brother, who was travelling 312 through Bristol, and who was on the point of going out as 313 a missionary, without being connected with any society. 314 When I gave him this 51. 1 had but very 315 316 little in hand, but I said to myself, the Lord can easily give 317 more. And thus it was. 2. Before I received this donation, 318

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I had been especially led to ask the Lord, that He would 319 be pleased to condescend to use me more largely in 320 helping missionary brethren. For this I had a still greater 321 desire when I found that the money, which I had sent to 322 British Guiana, at the end of November, 1845, amounted 323 only to a few pounds for each brother who labours there, 324 on account of there being so many. I had, on this account 325 particularly, a desire to be able shortly to send another 326 sum to British Guiana, which was thus granted to me. 3. I 327 had also, from time to time, sought, to help brethren, who 328 labour in dependence on the Lord for temporal supplies in 329 various parts of England, and my desire especially had 330 been, that, even in this particular, the Funds of the 331 Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad 332 might be more extensively useful. And thus, in this 333 particular also, this donation cheered my heart, enabling 334 me to assist, in some measure, several faithful labourers. 335 Concerning this latter point I would especially notice, that 336 whenever God has put it into my heart "to devise liberal 337 things," He has not only blessed me in my own soul in 338 doing so, but has also, more or less given me the means to 339 carry out such a purpose. I mention further here, in 340 connexion with this point, that henceforth, as God shall be 341 pleased to supply me with means, I purpose particularly, 342 in connexion with this work, to endeavour to assist 343 brethren of good report, who labour in the word and 344 doctrine, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 345 Ireland, but who have no regular salary. If, therefore, any 346 donations should be given henceforth for that particular 347 object, they shall be, by God’s help, applied to that; or, if 348 no donations should be given for that particular object, 349 yet, as God shall be pleased to intrust me with means, I 350

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purpose by His help, to have my eye particularly on 351 brethren who preach the Gospel without charge, and who, 352 perhaps, besides, for conscience’ sake, have relinquished 353 former stipends or regular emoluments which they had in 354 connexion with doing so. Have we not particularly to 355 strive to be fellow-labourers with those who, seeking not 356 their own things, but the things of Jesus Christ, preach the 357 Word without being chargeable to any one? Many whom I 358 know and love in the truth, are mindful of this; but others 359 may not, perhaps, have sufficiently weighed the matter. 360 361 On March 10, 1846, I asked the Lord for still further 362 supplies for missionary purposes, and while I was in 363 prayer a letter came from C. W. with 201. for missionary 364 purposes. Thus also, about the same time, came in, from 365 the neighbourhood of Ludlow, 21., and from Keswick 5l. 366 for Missions, besides other smaller donations for the same 367 368 purpose. - 369 370 It must not be supposed that these are all the donations 371 which I received for the carrying on these objects from 372 July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846; but those which are 373 referred to came in under remarkable circumstances, or, 374 more manifestly, as answers to prayer. 375 376 I now proceed to give an account of the Lord’s goodness 377 in supplying me with means for the Orphans, from July 378 14, 1844, up to May 26, 1846; though here again only the 379 most remarkable instances, on account of the great 380 number of cases, can be given. 381 382

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383 Supplies for the Orphan Fund, sent in answer to Prayer, 384 from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846. 385 386 387 July 25, 1844. The need of today for the Orphans is 21. 388 5s. As there came in yesterday 21. as the profit of the sale 389 of ladies’ bags, which are made by a sister in the Lord for 390 the benefit of the Orphans; also two donations of 5s. each, 391 through her; 5s. from a poor sister in the Lord; and 11. 392 from Hackney, in all 31. 15s.; we have 11.10s. left. — In 393 the course of today the Lord was pleased to send in the 394 following donations: — by the boxes in my house 11.10s., 395 in nine small donations 16s. 11d., and the contents of an 396 orphan-box, 3s. 01⁄2 d. This evening also two Christian 397 servants gave me the following trinkets: — a ring, a gold 398 pin, two brooches, and a silver toothpick. A precious gift, 399 because of its seasonableness, and because it gave me joy 400 in seeing these ornaments given up for the Lord’s sake. 401 402 Observe, dear reader, only eleven day’s after the accounts 403 were closed, we were again in fresh poverty, and had to 404 go on day by day waiting upon the Lord for the 405 necessities of about 140 persons. 406 407 July 26. Only 6d. has come in today. 408 409 July 27, Saturday. July 11. 14s. was in hand to begin the 410 day with. With two of my fellow—labourers I besought 411 the Lord between nine and ten o’clock this morning for 412 help, when, at eleven o’clock came in, by sale of articles, 413 given for the purpose, 7s. 3d., by sale of Reports 1s. by 414

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sale of ladies’ bags ls. 6d., and by two donations 4s. 6d. 415 There were sent also anonymously, two coats, a pair of 416 trousers, and three waistcoats (worn). When this parcel 417 and money came, I was called on for money from the 418 Orphan-Houses. In the course of the day came in still 419 further, by sale of articles, 10s. Thus we have been helped 420 through this day. Late in the evening was given 2s. 6d. 421 besides. 422 423 July 28. This morning, when there was now again only 2s. 424 6d. in hand, I received from Tavistock 61.; and this 425 evening from Nailsworth, 2s. 6d. 426 427 July 29. Yesterday was anonymously put into the Chapel 428 boxes 21.; also by A. A. 11. Thus we are provided for 429 today and tomorrow. There came in still further today 11., 430 from an orphan-box at Barnstaple 1l., and by the profit of 431 work, done by a sister, 5s. There was likewise given a 432 little box, containing the following articles: a lady’s bag, a 433 pair of gloves, a silver fruit knife, a gold seal, a needle 434 book with two farthings, a purse containing two-435 halfpence, 41⁄2 francs, and a copper coin; a little 436 tortoiseshell box containing two old sixpences, two 437 fourpenny pieces, a shilling, a sixpence, and a pebble; a 438 silver vinaigrette, a seal, two patterns for worsted work, a 439 microscope, and 6 embossed cards. This evening I 440 received two silver pencil cases. 441 442 July 30. By the boxes in the Orphan-Houses came in 443 today 21. 4s. 6d., and by sale of Reports 5s. 444 445

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July 31. Immediately after having risen from my knees 446 today, to ask the Lord for further supplies, I received 19s. 447 by sale of stockings, knitted by the Orphan Boys. This 448 evening was given to mc by A. A. 5l., and through ditto 449 2s. 450 451 August 1. This morning I was called on for 51. for the 452 Infant Orphans, so that again only a few shillings 453 remained, not enough for, the other expenses of today, 454 when I received, in the bag sent for the money from the, 455 Orphan Houses, the following donations, 11., and 1s. 6d., 456 1s. ld., 1s. 1d., and 2s. 2d. Likewise came in 1s., and I 457 found 2s. 6d. in an orphan-box in my house. Thus I had 458 enough for today. 459 460 Aug. 2. The day began with 2 3⁄4 d. in hand. A little 461 before ten o’clock in the morning the letter-bag was 462 brought from the Orphan-Houses for money, in which I 463 found a note stating that the need of today was 11. 17s,, 464 but I had only 2 3⁄4 d. to send. I wrote so to brother R. B. 465 master of the Orphan Boys, intending to request him (to 466 send up again in the afternoon, for what the Lord might 467 have sent in the mean time. When I was going to put the 2 468 3⁄4 d into the purse in the bag, I found half-a-crown in the 469 bag, slipped into it before it was opened. This half-crown 470 is a precious earnest that the Lord will help this day also. 471 It was found by me just after I had risen from my knees, 472 having been with some of the labourers in the work in 473 prayer for means. Before I bad yet finished the note to 474 brother B. B., a sovereign was given to me, so that I had 475 1l. 2s. 8 3⁄4 d. to send off. About two o’clock this 476 afternoon I received by sale of articles 10s. 6d., by sale of 477

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stockings 6s. 8d,, and by the sale of ladies’ bags 9s. 4d. 478 Thus I could send off the l4s. 6d. which was still needed 479 for today, and had 12s. left. 480 481 Aug. 3, Saturday. With the 12s. we began the day. My 482 sou1 said: "I will now look out for the way in which the 483 Lord will deliver us this day again; for He will surely 484 deliver. Many Saturdays, when we were in need, He 485 helped us, and so He will do this day also."—Between 486 nine and ten o’clock this morning I gave myself to prayer 487 for means, with three of my fellow-labourers, in my 488 house. Whilst we were in prayer, there was a knock at my 489 room door, and I was informed that a gentleman had come 490 to see me. When we had finished prayer, it was found to 491 be a brother from Tetbury, who hail brought from 492 Barnstaple 11. 2s. 6d. for the Orphans. Thus we have 11. 493 14s. 6d., with which I must return the letter-bag to the 494 Orphan-Houses, looking to the Lord for more. Evening. In 495 the afternoon one of the labourers received 6s. for 496 himself, which he gave for the Orphans. This evening I 497 went to the usual prayer meeting, (which is held on 498 Saturday evening at the Orphan-Houses, to ask the Lord’s 499 blessing upon the work generally), when I found that 2s. 500 had been put into the boxes in the Orphan Houses in the 501 course of the afternoon; also 7s. had come in by the 502 knitting of the Orphan-Girls, and 3s. 6d. more one of the 503 labourers was able to give. Thus we hail 21. 13s., which 504 was enough for today. How very kind of the Lord thus to 505 listen to the prayers of His children, and to help us day by 506 day! — We had not yet separated, after our prayer 507 meeting, when a box was brought from Scarborough, 508 containing 5s. and a number of articles. When I came 509

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home I found that there had come in still further, by sale 510 of articles given for the purpose, l5s. 10d., and by sale of 511 stockings knitted by the Orphans, 7s. 8d. Thus the Lord 512 has greatly helped us today. 513 514 Aug. 5, Monday. There came in from A. A. 1s., and 515 anonymously was yesterday put into the Chapel-boxes 2s. 516 6d., ditto 2s. 6d. 517 518 Aug. 6. Without one single penny in my hands the day 519 began. The post brought nothing, nor had I yet received 520 anything, when ten minutes after ten this morning the 521 letter bag was brought from the Orphan-Houses, for the 522 supplies of today. — Now see the Lord’s deliverance! In 523 the bag I found a note from one of the labourers in the 524 Orphan—Houses, enclosing two sovereigns, which she 525 sent for the Orphans, stating that it was part of a present 526 which she had just received unexpectedly, for herself. —527 Thus we are supplied for today. In the afternoon, when I 528 had now again nothing at all in hand, as I had paid out this 529 21., there was brought to me from Oxford 1l. 2s. A sister 530 also gave 2s. 6d. 531 532 Aug. 7. There came in, when there was Not one penny in 533 my hands, 4s.and 3s. 6d. I only found 3s. in the boxes in 534 my house, 10s. was given as the profit of the sale of 535 ladies’ bags, and 2s. 6d. as the produce of "A forfeit-box 536 at a young ladies’ school." Likewise were given to me, 537 two gold rings, two gold watch-keys, a pair of earrings, a 538 gold brooch, two waist-buckles, a pair of bracelets, a 539 watch hook, and a broken brooch. Thus we have a little 540 towards the need of tomorrow. 541

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542 Aug. 8. The money which came in yesterday was not 543 enough for the need of today. The boxes in the Orphan-544 Houses were therefore opened, as I had understood that 545 some money had been put into them during the last days, 546 and they contained 1l. 4s. Thus we have been supplied 547 this day also. 548 549 Aug. 9. It is just now striking eleven o’clock, and I have 550 not yet one single penny towards the need of this day. The 551 bag is brought from the Orphan-Houses for money, but I 552 have nothing to send, and am therefore obliged to return 553 the bag without anything. But my soul is waiting for help. 554 The Lord has so repeatedly helped as again during the last 555 weeks, and so He will surely do this day also. Evening. At 556 half-past twelve this morning I received two notes from 557 two sisters who labour in the Orphan-Houses, the one 558 from the sister who, on the 6th, had sent the 21., being 559 part of a present which she had received, and who now 560 sent 11. more. She writes: The enclosed I thought of 561 applying to another purpose; but His thoughts are not as 562 ours. Please to use it as you think fit." The other sister, 563 likewise one of the labourers, sent 10s. This 11. 10s. met 564 our need for today. 565 566 Aug. 10, Saturday. Only 3d., which had come in yesterday 567 afternoon, by sale of a Report, was in my hands, when the 568 day began. A little after nine o’clock I received a post-569 office order for 5l. from Hackney, to he used as most 570 needed. Of it I took one half for the Orphans, and the 571 other half for the Day Schools. There came in still further, 572 21. 5s., 5s. 10d., 6d., and 3s. 4d. 573

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574 Aug. 12. Yesterday I received from a sister 5s., with 575 James i. 17., 2s. 6d., 6d. was put into the boxes at my 576 house, and 6d. was given by an aged friend. Thus, with 577 what was left on Saturday, we had 11. 15s. 5d., which met 578 our need today. 579 580 Aug. 13. Nothing has come in, but one of the labourers, to 581 whom 15s. was given last evening to buy herself a new 582 gown, gave that. I am looking for more! The boxes in the 583 Orphan-Houses were opened, in which 5s. was found. 584 Thus we had enough, except 6s., which one of the 585 labourers gave. 586 587 Aug. 14. Nothing at all had come in, when the hag was 588 brought from the Orphan-Houses for money, and I had 589 therefore to return it without any. About half an hour 590 after, the labourers had an especial prayer meeting. At this 591 meeting one of the teachers of the Day-Schools gave me 592 10s., which he had put by to buy himself some little 593 books, but he considered it now not to be the Lord’s will 594 to do so, but that he should give this money for the 595 present need in the Orphan-Houses. Another of the 596 labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave 5s. Thus we are 597 provided with the absolute necessaries till tomorrow after 598 breakfast. 599 600 Aug. 15. Last evening I received 2s., just after our last 601 public meeting about the Orphan-Houses and other 602 objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, at which I 603 had testified afresh of my reliance upon the living God, 604 though I had not then one single penny in hand for the 605

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work, which, of course, was not stated. — Now this 606 morning, between eight and nine o’clock sister L. M. 607 came to me and brought me 30s., which she had received 608 for the Orphans. But this will not be enough for today. 609 Yesterday and this morning, before this money came in, 610 the trial of faith had been very sharp. — Evening. At 611 eleven o’clock I received still further from A. A. 5s., and 612 this afternoon, from one of the labourers, 5s., and from 613 two donors 6d. each. 614 615 Aug. 16. Our poverty is extremely great. The trial of faith 616 as sharp as ever, or sharper. It is ten o’clock, and there are 617 no means yet for a dinner. I now thought of some articles 618 which I might be able to do without, to dispose of them 619 for the benefit of the Orphans, when one of the labourers 620 gave me 11., which she had intended for another object, 621 and which she now considers must be left alone for the 622 present. There was also taken out of the boxes in the 623 Orphan-Houses 1s. 6d., and by knitting came in 2s. 3d., 624 and from A. A. 2s. 625 626 Aug. 17, Saturday. The Lord has, in tender mercy, helped 627 us, in sending in 31. for knitting done by the Orphan 628 Girls, 9s. 10d. for stockings knitted by the boys, 11s. 11d. 629 for things sold, which were given for the purpose, and 630 10s. 7d. put into the boxes at the Orphan-Houses. 631 632 Aug. 18. There was put anonymously into the Chapel-633 boxes 1s., ditto 2s., ditto 2s. 6d., and A. A. gave 10s. 634 635 Aug. 19, Monday. Only 3s. has come in today. 636 637

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Aug. 20. This 3s. was all there was in hand for this day, 638 which was needed at the Boys’ Orphan-House towards the 639 dinner. In the. other houses nothing was needed, but at the 640 same time Nothing was left towards the next meal. Two 641 o’clock came, and we had nothing yet. After two o’clock I 642 opened the boxes in my house, in which I found a paper 643 containing a sovereign and a half, and 2 half-crowns 644 loose. Of this I took 30s. at once to the Orphan-Houses, 645 whereby we were helped for this day. Our need had not 646 been greater for a long time. Dear reader, join me in 647 admiring and adoring Him, who caused that money to be 648 put into the box, and, I have reason to believe, only a very 649 short time before, and who led my mind to open it, to 650 obtain thus the help which was needed. — In the 651 afternoon came in still further 31. 6s. by the sale of some 652 old silver and a few trinkets. 653 654 Aug. 21. There came in, by sale of Reports, 5s., and from 655 Tewkesbury 11. This sovereign came in the greatest need. 656 I took it at once to the Orphan-Houses, and by it we were 657 supplied for the day. When I returned home I found that a 658 little old gold watch had been given in the mean time. 659 There came in also 3s.; and two half-sovereigns were 660 given this evening by two little girls, through a sister in 661 the Lord from Bath. 662 663 Aug. 22. The two half-sovereigns, which were given last 664 evening, were all we had at the beginning of today. There 665 was found in the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 5s. 9d., and 666 in a post-office order I received 11. So we had enough for 667 one more day. — And it is by the day I live. Were I to 668 think of how it will be a year or even a month hence, I 669

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should be tried indeed—yea, greatly tried. "Sufficient 670 unto the day is the evil thereof," is my Lord’s own 671 precious warrant for this. He will not have me to be 672 anxious about tomorrow, and therefore I cast my cares 673 about tomorrow upon Him. As the weeks pass on, and I 674 go on Saturday evenings to the prayer meetings at the 675 Orphan-Houses, I praise the Lord for having sustained me 676 one more week in this service, by enabling me to look to 677 Him. Yea, as each day closes, I desire to be grateful to the 678 Lord for having sustained my faith and patience, and 679 enabled me to rely upon Him, especially in seasons of 680 such great poverty, lasting for weeks, as we have been in 681 of late. But this I must say to the praise of the Lord, that 682 my soul is kept in peace at such times, and, through the 683 riches of His grace, I am kept from questioning whether 684 He will help me or not. And, indeed, it would be sinful 685 ingratitude, after all the Lord has been doing for me in this 686 work, not to rely upon Him. May He in mercy uphold me 687 to the end in this service, and keep me from dishonouring 688 His holy name, either by unbelief, or in any other way. 689 690 Aug. 23. This morning the Lord greatly refreshed my 691 spirit; for after a long-continued trial of faith, and after 692 long and deep poverty, there was sent me from 693 Devonshire a check for 201. There came in 6s. besides. 694 695 Aug. 24. 11. 19s. 7 1⁄4 d. came in today. 696 697 Aug. 25. From A. A. I received today 201. How 698 exceedingly kind of the Lord, in an hour of such great 699 need, on account of all the many and great wants in which 700

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I find myself just now, to have sent this sum! There came 701 in 21. 0s. 6d. besides. 702 703 Aug. 26. Received for Reports 11. 7s., and 3d. besides. 704 705 Aug. 28. Altogether 11. 11s. 2d. came in today. 706 707 Aug. 29. Received 2s. 11d. by sale of Reports, and 708 709 7s. 6d. from Bath. The brother in Bath, who sent me this 710 money, wrote me that the 7s. 6d. was sent to him with the 711 following letter. 712 713 714 27th August, 1844. 715 716 "Sir, 717 718 Part of the enclosed 7s. 6d. did belong to your dear Father, 719 J. L., Esq., value of which I stole from him in my 720 unconverted state. — I, now a believer in Jesus, 721 constrained by love to Him, return it to you with interest, 722 praying that the Lord may richly bless you and yours. 723 724 * * * *." 725 726 727 J. L., Esq. has been dead more than fifteen years, 728 therefore it must be longer than that period since the theft 729 alluded to was committed. — This 7s. 6d. came in in 730 especially great need; for though 501. had been given 731 during the last seven days, yet on account of our long-732

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continued poverty, and the heavy expenses which were to 733 be met, this 7s. 6d. was received when there was nothing 734 at all in hand, and was sent off at once to the Orphan-735 Houses. — This evening, when we were still in great 736 need, and when means were required for tomorrow 737 morning, 10s. was given to me. This money was sent off 738 this evening to the Orphan-Houses, for the need of 739 tomorrow morning. About nine o’clock a sister came to 740 my house, who had been to Shirehampton, and had there 741 received 1l. 10s. 6d. for the Orphans. She gave also the 742 remaining 6d. of the change of two sovereigns. The Lord 743 inclined the heart of this sister to bring the money at once, 744 and we are thus supplied for tomorrow. At half-past nine 745 this evening I received another precious donation of 10s., 746 with the following letter: — 747 748 Aug. 29, 1844. 749 750 "The history of this money is this. I did some work in the 751 country some time ago, and thought I should never get the 752 money for it, as I had repeatedly written about it, and 753 could not get it. But some time ago I was asking the Lord 754 to incline the heart of the person who owed me the 755 money, to send it to me, and I told Him, that, if He would 756 do so, I would give 10s. for the Orphans. Three days ago I 757 had such confidence, that I should have the 758 759 money, that I was enabled to praise the Lord for it; and 760 today I was going up Park Street, and met the person 761 coming with the money. It had been put into the party’s 762 heart the day before yesterday to pay me the money. Now, 763 dear brother, I fulfil my promise to the Lord by giving you 764

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the money. Help me, dear brother, to praise Him for it, 765 and that I may be enabled to trust Him more than ever I 766 have done yet. 767 768 "Yours in Jesus, 769 770 * * *" 771 772 773 This brother is a poor tradesman, himself working with 774 his hands. 775 776 Aug. 30. Today 6s. 8d. came in by sale of Reports. This 777 evening I met a sister from Bath, who is staying in Bristol 778 for two or three days. She gave me her purse, and all that 779 was in it, for the Orphans, being 5s., saying, she wanted 780 nothing till she returned to Bath. This goes towards 781 tomorrow’s need, which will be at least 41., and for which 782 we have as yet only 1l. 6s. in hand. 783 784 Aug. 81, Saturday. There came in a few shillings besides, 785 last evening and this morning, so that I had 11. 13s. 8d. to 786 send to the Orphan-Houses; but I find 787 788 41. 5s. is needed. — Evening. There came in still further, 789 in the morning, 5s. 6d., by sale of stockings, 11. 8s. by 790 sale of Reports, 15s. 1d. by sale of articles given for the 791 purpose, 5s. 5d. by sale of ladies’ bags. And in the 792 evening was received 21. 10s. 2d. besides, so that I had 793 21. l2s. 10d. more than was actually needed. 794 795

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Sept. 3, Tuesday. Since Saturday evening there has come 796 in, in donations 18s. 10d., by sale of Reports 21. 3s. 1d., 797 and by work done by the Orphan-girls 11. 3s. 8d. Thus, 798 with what was left on Saturday, we have been supplied 799 these two days. 800 801 Sept. 4. Only one farthing was in my hands this morning. 802 Pause a moment, dear reader! Only one farthing in hand 803 when the day commenced. Think of this, and think of 804 nearly 140 persons to be provided for. You, poor brethren, 805 who have six or eight children and small wages, think of 806 this; and you, my brethren, who do not belong to the 807 working classes, but have, as it is called, very limited 808 means, think of this! May you not do, what we do, under 809 your trials? Does the Lord love you less than He loves us? 810 Does He not love all His children with no less love than 811 that, with which He loves His only begotten Son, 812 according to John xvii. 20—23? Or are we better than 813 you? Nay, are we not in ourselves poor miserable sinners 814 as you are; and have any of the children of God any claim 815 upon God, on account of their own worthiness? Is not 816 that, which alone can make us worthy to receive anything 817 from our Heavenly Father, the righteousness of the Lord 818 Jesus, which is imputed to those who believe in Him? 819 Therefore, dear reader, as we pray in our every need, of 820 whatever character it may be, in connexion with this 821 work, to our Father in Heaven for help, and as he does 822 help us, so is He willing to help all His children who put 823 their trust in Him. Especially do not think, that because 824 you may not be called by God to establish Orphan-Houses 825 and Schools for poor children, therefore you are not 826 warranted to rely upon God, in all your need; for the 827

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blessedness of depending upon the living God may be 828 enjoyed by all the children of God, though they are not all 829 called by Him to such a work as this Narrative describes. 830 Nor must you suppose, that our only trials in this work 831 arise from want of means, so that, in carrying it on, we 832 have to rely upon God for nothing besides this. I assure 833 you that the want of means is the smallest trial, and that I 834 have had far, far greater exercises of faith on account of 835 other things in connexion with this work than those 836 arising from the want of means. But the trials connected 837 with the want of means I dwell upon so particularly, 838 because that is a matter which can be understood by all, 839 and in which the senses themselves almost force us, so to 840 speak, to acknowledge the hand of God. — Well, let us 841 hear then, how God helped when there was only one 842 farthing left in my hands, on the morning of Sept. 4, 1844. 843 844 A little after nine o’clock I received a sovereign from a 845 sister in the Lord, who does not wish the name of the 846 place, where she resides, mentioned. Between ten and 847 eleven o’clock the bag was sent from the Orphan-Houses, 848 in which in a note it was stated that 1l. 2s. was required 849 for today. Scarcely had I read this, when a fly stopped 850 before my house, and a gentleman, Mr. —— 851 852 from the neighbourhood of Manchester, was announced. I 853 found that he was a believer, who had come on business 854 to Bristol. He had heard about the Orphan-Houses, and 855 expressed his surprise, that without any regular system of 856 collection, and without personal application to any one, 857 simply by faith and prayer, I obtained 20001. and more 858 yearly for the work of the Lord in my hands. This brother, 859

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whom I had never seen before, and whose name I did not 860 even know before he came, gave me 21., as an 861 exemplification of what I had stated to him. — There 862 came in still further this morning 10s., being profits froth 863 the sale of ladies’ bags. From the same donor who had 864 sent the sovereign this morning, I received, two hours 865 later, a box containing the following articles: — Three 866 mourning rings, three other gold rings set with cameos, 867 two gold watch keys, four gold lockets, a gold brooch, a 868 silver snuffbox, six medals, three gold ear-drops, a pair of 869 mourning earrings, a purse, two pairs of babies’ shoes, a 870 pair of card-racks, two necklaces, five ornamental hair 871 pins, a wafer-stamp, a paper-knife, two book marks, and a 872 great variety of polished pebbles.—Oh! how good is the 873 Lord, and how seasonably comes His help, in our great, 874 great need, when so much is required for clothes, &c. 875 There came in likewise through a sister in Bath 11., and 876 5s. 6d. more. Thus, besides all the articles, which have 877 been mentioned, altogether 41. l5s. 6d. has come in this 878 day, at the commencement of which I had only One 879 farthing left. 880 881 Sept. 6. Besides the money, spoken of on the 4th, only 6s. 882 10d. more had come in, so that, after this day’s necessities 883 had been met, there was now again nothing at all in hand. 884 Soon after I received 3s. 6d. this also was presently spent, 885 except 9d., when a brother from Essex came, who gave 886 me 2l. 887 888 Sept. 7, Saturday. Having had to pay out 10s. more, 889 immediately after the receipt of the 2l., this day began 890 with 1l. 10s. 9d. in hand, whilst the need was 3l. 15s. This 891

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1l. 10s. 9d. I sent off to the Orphan-Houses, trusting in the 892 Lord for more. And this time also my hope in God was 893 not put to shame; for in the course of the morning came in 894 10s. 6d. by sale of Reports, by a donation 10s., by sale of 895 articles 2l. 8s. 8 1⁄2 d., by sale of stockings 1s. 8d., and by 896 sale of ladies’ bags 4s. It was very kind of the Lord to 897 send in this money in the course of the morning, thus 898 providing us not only with the 3l. 15s. which was needed 899 for housekeeping, but enabling us also to meet other 900 unexpected expenses. In the Evening I received still 901 further, after the need of the day had been met, but when 902 all again was expended, a sovereign, four small old silver 903 coins, a pair of coral earrings, and a brooch. 904 905 Sept. 8 There was the sovereign in hand which came in 906 last evening, as a little towards the need of Monday, when 907 I received this morning 50l., to be used as most needed. It 908 is impossible to express how seasonably this help came, 909 as, though our daily wants had been met day by day, yet 910 very much is required in the way of clothes, &c. But as 911 the need for the other objects is as great or greater, I took 912 of this sum 30l. for them and 20l. for the Orphans. We are 913 thus greatly encouraged to continue in prayer. Our 914 poverty has scarcely ever lasted longer than now, yet the 915 Lord has helped us as our absolute need has required it. 916 The donor of this 50l. wished me to enter it with the text 917 Philip iv. 6, judging that this text must have been often a 918 refreshment to me in seasons of trial, as indeed it as. 919 920 From Sept. 8th to 17th came in 23l. 2s. 6 1⁄2 d. 921 922

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Sept. 18. From A. A. 5l., by sale of Reports, 13s. 8d., and 923 by the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 14s. 11d. 924 925 Sept. 19. This morning came in 10l. from Scotland. By 926 this 10l., and what came in yesterday, I am able to meet 927 the expenses of today, which were more than 16l. 928 929 Sept. 21, Saturday. Yesterday came in from Clapham, at 930 an hour of need, 1l. 12s. 10d., together with several 931 articles, also 1l. from Clifton; and today by sale of 932 Reports, 1l. 15s. 4d., and by sale of articles l4s. 9d. Thus 933 we are brought to the close of another week, though the 934 expenses of it have not been less than 110l. (part of which 935 had been put by beforehand). At the close of the week I 936 have not more than 3s. left but the Lord will provide. 937 938 Sept. 22. Lord’s-day morning. This morning I received 939 from the neighbourhood of Crediton 101., and from 940 Sidmouth 10l., of which 81. is for the Orphans, and 21. 941 for my own personal expenses. Likewise from A. A. 2s. 2 942 1⁄2d., for Reports 4s., and in the Chapel boxes was put 943 anonymously 6d., ditto 2s. 6d. ditto 2s. 6d., ditto 6d. with 944 these words: "Be still and know that I am God." How 945 precious this word, and how have I seen today again the 946 truth of it! — Three days ago a sister in the Lord, who is a 947 servant, came to me, and brought me 91. l6s. which she 948 had drawn out of the Savings’ Bank, considering it the 949 Lord’s will that she should not keep it there any longer, 950 but spend it for him. She gave me the money that I might 951 do with it as I thought right. However, I sent her home 952 again with the money, advising her to weigh the matter 953 still further, and to pray still further about it, and to count 954

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the cost; and if she was of the same mind, after some 955 days, to come again to me. Now this afternoon this sister 956 came again, with her little all, 91. 16s. As she had now, 957 for a long time, weighed the matter (according to her own 958 statement), and as there had three days more passed away 959 since I had sent her home again with the money, and as I 960 found her grounded upon Scripture for what she was 961 going to do, I could not refuse the money. See portioned it 962 out thus: 21. for her father, brother, and sister, 11. 10s. for 963 the poor believers in fellowship with us, 11. for the 964 Chapel expenses, and 11. for missionary purposes. This 965 left 41. 6s., of which she would give me 21. which I 966 declined, in order that there might not be even the 967 appearance as if I had persuaded this poor servant to draw 968 her money out of the Savings’ Bank. She then wished me 969 to give brother Craik 1l., which I accepted for him, and as 970 I saw she wept, because I would not receive anything for 971 myself, I said I would take a sovereign. This I did, that 972 she might not think I refused her Christian kindness 973 because she was a poor servant. The remaining 21. 6s. she 974 gave for the Orphans. —By the donations which have 975 come in today I am able to meet almost all the expenses 976 connected with the procuring of many articles of clothing 977 and furniture, for which I have long been praying. 978 979 Oct. 1. Since the 22nd many pounds have come in, though 980 not any sums above 51. Now this evening I have received 981 a bank order for 701., to be used as the Lord might direct 982 me. The donor wishes me to let him know if anything 983 particular should be connected with this donation. There 984 is indeed much connected with it, as it comes most 985 manifestly in answer to prayer; for thus I am able to 986

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supply all that is needed in the way of articles of clothes 987 for the Orphans, for which I have been long waiting upon 988 the Lord, and as the winter is now drawing near, the 989 winter-clothes need to be got ready; further, I am able to 990 have the Boys’ Orphan-House painted inside and coloured 991 down, which is much needed; I am able to furnish all the 992 labourers in the Orphan-Houses with some money for 993 themselves, which, on account of our long-continued 994 poverty, I had not been able to do for six months. Yet; 995 though the donation comes in so seasonably, I cannot 996 write to the kind donor thus, lest he should be induced to 997 give more, by my exposing our circumstances, and lest 998 also the hand of God should not be so manifest, in 999 providing me with means for the work, as otherwise it 1000 would. 1001 1002 —I took of this money 401. for the Orphans, and 301. for 1003 the other funds. — During the last two weeks I have had 1004 to pay out for the work about 2001., and this week I shall 1005 have to pay out again about 601. Thus the Lord helps 1006 continually. 1007 1008 Nov. 1. Since Oct. 1st there has come in such an 1009 abundance, that without any difficulty I have been able to 1010 meet all the expenses for the Orphans, though during the 1011 week ending Oct. 5th I had to pay out 591., during the 1012 week ending on the 12th above 401., during the week 1013 ending on the 19th nearly 401., and during the week 1014 ending on the 26th about 50l. Of the many donations 1015 which came in during this period I will only mention the 1016 following: From a small town in the kingdom of 1017 Wirtemburg 1s. 8d.; from Nice, in France, 1l.; from a 1018

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missionary in the East Indies 141. 12s. 6d. Notice, dear 1019 reader, how the Lord sends donations from Wirtemburg, 1020 France, and the East Indies! Great, however, as our 1021 income had been, we were now again poor, on account of 1022 the heavy expenses, when, in answer to prayer, there came 1023 in today, from some sisters near Coleford, 21. 10, by sale 1024 of Reports 2s., and from A. A. 10l. 7s. 7 1⁄2 d. The post 1025 was out this morning and nothing had come; but my heart 1026 said, the Lord still can send, though the post is out; and 1027 these donations were soon after given to me. 1028 1029 Nov. 11. From Nov. 1st up to this day we went on easily. 1030 There came in again many donations. Now, however, we 1031 were again very poor, having had again very heavy 1032 expenses. In this great need a ten pound note was this 1033 afternoon put into an Orphan-box in my house. This 1034 evening I received also still further, from a brother who 1035 labours in Demerara, 11., and 1l. 10s. besides. 1036 1037 Nov. 13. Yesterday and today came in again more than 1038 10l. Our expenses having again been very great, as during 1039 these three days above 301. had been paid out for the 1040 Orphans, we were still poor, notwithstanding the 1041 considerable income during the last three days. Under 1042 these circumstances a ring was given to me this afternoon, 1043 set with one large and six small brilliants. How kind of the 1044 Lord, thus to help us continually in the work, and to listen 1045 to our supplications, which, day after day, we bring to 1046 him! Daring no time, since I have been engaged in this 1047 service, have the expenses been heavier than during the 1048 last four months; yet the Lord has always given us what 1049 we have needed. 1050

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1051 Nov. 18. The produce of the ring, together with about 10l, 1052 more, which had come in since the 13th, was nearly all 1053 gone again, on account of the expenses of the past week 1054 having been nearly 501., when this morning a Christian 1055 gentleman from Devonshire called on me, who, on 1056 leaving, left a letter on my table, containing two five 1057 pound notes, of which five pounds was for the Orphans 1058 and five pounds for three other objects. This evening I 1059 found a five pound note in one of the Orphan-boxes in my 1060 house. Thus we are again helped for the present. The 1061 name of the Lord be praised! 1062 1063 Nov. 21. The need of today was 41. 5s., but there were 1064 only a few shillings in hand. I opened the boxes in my 1065 house, in which 1 found a sovereign and a shilling. The 1066 sovereign could have been put in only last evening. After 1067 family prayer I retired again for prayer, about the work as 1068 I do daily, by which means I have been helped not only to 1069 meet the very heavy expenses since July 15th, but have 1070 been helped through many and great difficulties in other 1071 respects, and have been enabled to bring many blessings 1072 upon the work. While in prayer, I received a letter from 1073 the neighbourhood of Leeds, with 5l. Thus we are helped 1074 for today. This afternoon came in still further, by sale of 1075 articles 1l. 9s., by the boxes in the Orphan- Houses 1l. 6s. 1076 3 1⁄2 d.; and this evening I received 5l., being the profits 1077 from the sale of a Hymn book, which has been printed for 1078 the benefit of the Orphans. Thus we have something for 1079 the need of tomorrow also. 1080 1081

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Nov. 23. As yesterday’s expenses had to be met out of 1082 what had come in on the 21st, only 11s. 10d. having come 1083 in yesterday, and as the need of today for housekeeping 1084 was 4l. 10s., we had not enough in hand. Our precious 1085 universal remedy, prayer, was now again resorted to. 1086 About ten minutes after, I received a Post-office order 1087 from Stafford for 21. About twelve o’clock this morning 1088 came in still further, by the sale of some books and prints, 1089 given for the purpose, 31. 1s., by the sale of other articles 1090 31. 7s. 9d., by the sale of Reports 1s. 1d., by the sale of 1091 ladies’ bags l3s. 5d., and by the sale of stockings 2s. 6d. 1092 This afternoon came in still further from Glasgow 5l. 1093 Thus the day, which commenced when we had not enough 1094 in hand for its necessities, has ended in comparative 1095 abundance, though there is still little in hand for present 1096 use, as we need to provide for the rent of the houses and 1097 for the purchase of oatmeal, and therefore put by a part of 1098 the money given today. Yet we are brought to the close of 1099 another week, having been able to meet all its expenses. 1100 1101 Nov. 24. This morning I received a letter from the 1102 neighbourhood of Dublin, with four five pound Post-1103 office orders. Thus the Lord has done according to my 1104 expectation; for in our usual weekly prayer meeting last 1105 evening at the Orphan-houses with the labourers in the 1106 work, I was enabled to praise the Lord, that He would 1107 provide for the need of this week also. 1108 1109 Dec. 2, Monday. During the last week the income had 1110 been again about 361. But having had still many extra 1111 expenses, and, also to put by money for the rents due on 1112 the next quarter-day, there was nothing left at the close of 1113

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the week. Yesterday came in 5s. 10d., 4d., 5s., 19s. 10d., 1114 and 1l. By this money we were able to meet the 1115 housekeeping expenses of this day, being only 21. 5s.; 1116 but, having 21. to pay out, besides the current expenses, 1117 and having understood that a brother in the Lord from 1118 Birmingham, with two other strangers, had visited the 1119 Orphan-Houses, and that money had been put into the 1120 boxes, they were opened, and 31. 3s. 1d. was found in 1121 them. Thus I was able to send off the 21. There came in 1122 also this afternoon 10s. for work done by a young lady, 1123 and this evening, by sale of Reports, 4s. 1124 1125 Dec. 3. As only 1l. 15s. was required for housekeeping 1126 today, we had enough, by what had come in yesterday 1127 afternoon and evening, and I had twopence left. 1128 1129 Dec. 4. The Lord has again, in the love and compassion of 1130 His fatherly heart, multiplied "the handful of meal in the 1131 barrel, and the little oil in the cruse." The twopence have 1132 been multiplied more than a thousand fold. Yesterday 1133 came in from Clapton 2s. 6d., from the county of Dorset 1134 101., and from A. A. 10s., being (as the donor writes) "the 1135 produce of a needless article of jewelery." 1136 1137 Dec. 7, Saturday. Only 21. 10s. 10d. having come in 1138 during the last two days (among which was a remarkable 1139 donation of 10s. from Calv, in the kingdom of 1140 Wirtemberg), I had again, after I had paid out yesterday 1141 what was required, only 21. 10s. 3d. left, which I knew 1142 would not be half enough for this day. Yesterday 1143 afternoon came in from Sherborne 6s. This morning I had 1144 an unusually full assurance that the Lord would help us 1145

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this day again, though I knew that more than 81. would be 1146 needed today, towards which there was only 21. l6s. 3d. in 1147 hand. I praised the Lord repeatedly this morning 1148 beforehand for the help which He again would grant this 1149 day. By the first delivery arrived 10s. from the 1150 neighborhood of Kingsbridge. Thus we had 31. 6s. 3d.; 1151 but for housekeeping we needed 5l. 10s., and for other 1152 expenses 31. 1s. 5d. However, when the Orphan came 1153 with the letter-bag, to fetch the money, I received in it a 1154 letter from Bath, containing 5l. Thus we had enough, and 1155 more than enough, for the momentary need, as to the 1156 house-keeping expenses. About twelve o’clock came in 1157 the following sums besides: by sale of articles 41. 5s. 8d., 1158 by sale of Reports 8d., by sale of stockings 2s. 2d., by sale 1159 of ladies’ bags 3s. 9d. This evening came in still further, 1160 from Dublin, for Reports 1l. 2s., and 1l. as a donation, 1161 together with some prints, some books, etc. for sale. Thus 1162 we had all we needed, to help us to the close of the week, 1163 and were able to put by some money for the weekly rents 1164 and other expenses, to be met on quarter day. 1165 1166 Dec. 9, Monday. Though we had been helped abundantly 1167 on Saturday, yet, as some money needed to be put by, we 1168 had still nothing for the beginning of this week. Yesterday 1169 came in for Reports 7s. 4d., and anonymously was put 1170 into the Chapel-boxes 1s. and 2s. 6d. There was also 1171 anonymously put into the Chapel-boxes a 501. note, with 1172 these words: "251. for the Orphan-Houses, and 25l. for 1173 clothing and blankets for the poor." Thus we are again 1174 most seasonably helped, and are now almost entirely 1175 prepared to meet all the expenses coming upon us a few 1176 weeks hence. 1177

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1178 Jan. 18 1845, Saturday. Since Dec. 9th we had always 1179 supplies sent, before the last money was given out; it was 1180 a season of rich abundance, for there came in (including 1181 the 251. last mentioned) about 1401. Now, however, this 1182 evening, after all the expenses of the day had been met, 1183 there was nothing remaining. But admire with me, dear 1184 reader, the goodness of the Lord! This very evening He 1185 has again kindly supplied us with means for the 1186 commencement of another week. The boxes at the 1187 Orphan-Houses were opened (our need leading us to do 1188 so) in winch was found 10l. 16s., one of them containing a 1189 ten pound note. Is it not, dear reader, a precious thing to 1190 trust 1191 1192 in the Lord? Are not ten pounds, thus received out of the 1193 hands of our Heavenly Father, as the result of faith in 1194 God, most precious? Will not you also seek to trust in 1195 Him, and depend on Him alone in all your everyday’s 1196 concerns, and in all spiritual matters too? If you have not 1197 done so, do make but trial of the preciousness of this way, 1198 and you will see how pleasant and sweet it is; and if you 1199 have done so in a measure, do so yet more and more, and 1200 you will never have cause to regret it. But, perhaps, you 1201 are not a believer; if so, you cannot trust in God, and go in 1202 all circumstances to Him, as to your Father, except you 1203 are first reconciled to him through our Lord Jesus. What 1204 you have then to do is, to learn that you are a lost, ruined, 1205 guilty sinner, deserving nothing but punishment. But, at 1206 the same time, you have to remember that God, in the 1207 greatness of His love to sinners, sent His own dear Son, 1208 that He, in their room and stead, might bear the 1209

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punishment due to them, make an atonement for their 1210 sins, and fulfil the law of God in their stead, in order that 1211 every one, who believes on Him, might obtain the 1212 forgiveness of his sins, and be reckoned righteous before 1213 God. If you believe in the Lord Jesus, i.e., if you receive 1214 Him as the one whom God has declared Him to be, even 1215 the Son of God (as to His person), and the Lamb of God 1216 that takes away the sin of the world (as to His work), and 1217 if you rest upon Him, trust in Him for the salvation of 1218 your soul, then all your sins shall be forgiven. Though you 1219 have grown old in sin, though your sins have been very 1220 many and very grievous, yet the blood of Jesus Christ 1221 cleanseth from all sin. Do but believe, and you shall be 1222 saved. And when thus you are reconciled to God, through 1223 faith in His dear Son, walk before Him as an obedient 1224 child, seek in child-like simplicity to go to God for every 1225 thing, and do really treat God as your father. 1226 1227 There arrived also this Saturday evening, from the Isle of 1228 Wight, a small box, containing 14s. and many articles for 1229 sale. 1230 1231 Jan. 20, Monday. 31. 11s, has come in besides the 11l. 1232 10s., which came in on Saturday evening; but as, in 1233 addition to the ordinary house-keeping expenses, I had 1234 this afternoon to order material for boys’ clothes, all the 1235 money which had come in since Saturday evening was 1236 now again gone. About an hour afterwards I found that 1237 two five-pound notes had been put into one of the boxes 1238 at my house, and at the same time I received a bank order 1239 for 16l. from a poor missionary brother, who labours 1240 about 3,000 miles from Bristol~ in dependence upon the 1241

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Lord for his temporal supplies. Of this 161. the sum of 1242 121. is to be employed in sending him Bibles and New 1243 Testaments, and 41. he gives to the Orphans. What ways 1244 has not the Lord to help His children who trust in Him! 1245 Who would suppose that a poor missionary would send 1246 41. for the Orphans, from a distance of 3,000 miles? But 1247 rather must the ravens again bring supplies, as in the days 1248 of Elijah, than that the children of God, who trust in their 1249 Heavenly Father, should not have their need supplied. —1250 Thus the Lord has again given 14l. for the Orphans, when 1251 all was gone. 1252 1253 Jan. 25, Saturday evening. We have been helped through 1254 the heavy expenses of this week, without lacking any 1255 thing; but now we have nothing left. — This evening, 1256 about ten. o’clock, I received from Barnstaple some 1257 articles for sale, and a Spanish dollar, two 1⁄4 of a franc, 1258 and a sixpence; also 1l. and 2l. Also sixpence for Reports. 1259 1260 Jan. 27, Monday. Yesterday I received from F. E. B. 2s. 1261 6d., from "Friends to the Institution" 4l.; and 2s. 6d. was 1262 put into the Chapel-boxes anonymously, ditto 10s., ditto 1263 2s. 6d. Thus, by what came in on Saturday evening and 1264 yesterday, I am able to meet this day’s demands, being 41. 1265 5s. 6d. — Evening. This afternoon I received from 1266 Camerton 5l., of which 31. is for the circulation of the 1267 Holy Scriptures, and 2l. for the Orphans. Thus, as the 1268 money goes out, the Lord kindly sends in supplies, and all 1269 without speaking to one human being about our 1270 necessities, but making them known to Him only; yea, 1271 determined, by His help and support, rather to endure 1272 many trials, in order that through our difficulties the 1273

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Church of Christ at large may be comforted, and those 1274 who are weak 1275 1276 in faith be strengthened, than to go away from the door of 1277 our Heavenly Father to that of brethren. 1278 1279 Feb. 1, Saturday. We are brought to the close of another 1280 week, and have been supplied with all we needed; but 1281 there is now again nothing left. 1282 1283 Feb. 2. When now again there was nothing left last 1284 evening in my hands for the beginning of the coming 1285 week, there have been today, by two different donors, two 1286 five-pound notes put into the Chapel-boxes, ditto 2s. 6d., 1287 ditto 2s. 6d., and also 2s. 6d. was given besides. Thus we 1288 are again supplied fur the present. O Lord, fill my -heart 1289 with lively gratitude for all Thy goodness! Lord help me, 1290 not only to trust in Thee more and more, but also to love 1291 Thee more and more, seeing that Thou dost condescend to 1292 use such a poor sinful servant! 1293 1294 Feb. 8, Saturday evening. Above 301. has come in during 1295 this week; but as there have been bought eight hundred 1296 weight of rice and eight bushels of peas, besides meeting 1297 the regular housekeeping expenses, again only a few 1298 shillings remain. 1299 1300 Feb. 10, Monday. Yesterday 21. was sent to me, from a 1301 physician residing in Bristol; anonymously was put into 1302 the boxes at Bethesda Chapel 2s., ditto 1l., and ditto 2s. 1303 6d. Also by A. A. was given to me 7s. 2d. I was thus able, 1304 with the few shillings that were left on Saturday evening, 1305

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to meet the expenses of this day, after which 7s. 10d. 1306 remained. This morning I was kept, through pressure of 1307 engagements, from having prayer, on account of the work, 1308 at the usual time; but at half-past two I united with my 1309 beloved wife and her sister in prayer, and I asked the 1310 Lord, among other blessings, also for means. As to the 1311 latter, we had answer upon answer before the close of the 1312 day. For this afternoon 1l. 5s. 9d. arrived from Stirling. 1313 This afternoon also five sovereigns were put into the box 1314 in my room, which I happened to find out soon after. I 1315 received also this evening 5s., which had yesterday been 1316 anonymously put into the boxes at Salem Chapel. A poor 1317 brother likewise gave me 2s. Still further came. in 11s. 5d. 1318 1319 Feb. 11. This morning I received still further a donation of 1320 2l. This afternoon I received, as the profit of the sale of 1321 ladies’ bags, 1l., and 21. 17s. 4d. came in by sale of 1322 articles. 1323 1324 Feb. 12. After I had sent off this morning the money 1325 which was required for the housekeeping of today, I had 1326 again only 16s. 2 1⁄2 d. left, being only about one-fourth 1327 as much as is generally needed for one day, merely for 1328 housekeeping, so that there was now again a fresh call for 1329 trusting in the Lord. In the morning I met again, as usual, 1330 1331 with my dear wife and her sister, for prayer, to ask the 1332 Lord for many blessings, in connexion with this work, and 1333 for means also. About one hour after, I received a letter 1334 from Devonshire, containing an order for 22l., of which 1335 10l. was for the Orphans, 2l. for a poor brother in Bristol, 1336 and 101. for myself. — Besides having thus a fresh proof 1337

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of the willingness of our Heavenly Father to answer our 1338 requests on behalf of the Orphans, there is this, moreover, 1339 to be noticed. For many months past the necessities of the 1340 poor saints among us have been particularly laid upon my 1341 heart. The word of our Lord: "Ye have the poor with you 1342 always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good," 1343 has again and again stirred me up to prayer on their 1344 behalf, and thus it was again in particular this morning. It 1345 was the coldest morning we have had the whole winter. In 1346 my morning walk for prayer and meditation I thought how 1347 well I was supplied with coals, nourishing food, and warm 1348 clothing, and how many of the dear children of God might 1349 be in need; and I lifted up my heart to God to give me 1350 more means for myself, that I might be able, by actions, to 1351 show more abundant sympathy with the poor believers in 1352 their need; and it was but three hours after when I 1353 received this 10l. for myself. —This evening was left at 1354 the Infant Orphan-House an anonymous letter, containing 1355 a sovereign for the Orphans, with the letters C. T. D. 1356 1357 Feb. 15, Saturday evening. 61. 1s. 4d. has come in since 1358 the 12th. All the wants of this week have been richly 1359 supplied, but now there was again scarcely anything left 1360 towards the coming week, when this evening, just before I 1361 was going to our usual Saturday evening prayer meeting 1362 at the Orphan-Houses, a bank post bill for 10l. came to 1363 hand, being the gift of an aged clergyman. Thus we have a 1364 little for the next week, and we have also been able to 1365 order two hundred weight of soap, which it was very 1366 desirable to have, in order that there might be no need of 1367 using new soap for washing. 1368 1369

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Feb. 16. Today the Lord has given still more. 1370 Anonymously were put into the Chapel-boxes the 1371 following sums: A twenty-pound note, a sovereign, 2s. 1372 6d., and 6s. There was given also by A. A. 3s. 7d., and a 1373 lady from Nottingham sent 5s. It was particularly kind of 1374 the Lord to send in this rich supply, because soon again a 1375 ton and a half of oatmeal will need to be ordered from 1376 Scotland, the rents need to be provided for, and I desire 1377 soon to be able to give again some money to the labourers 1378 in the Orphan-Houses for their own personal necessities. 1379 1380 March 4, Besides the 32l. 7s. 1d. that had come in on the 1381 15th and 16th of Feb., there came in up to this day 381. 1382 17s. 1d., so that there was not any difficulty to meet all 1383 the demands. After I had met the expenses for 1384 housekeeping yesterday, all our means were again gone, 1385 and there was therefore nothing in hand towards the 1386 expenses of today. But the Lord helped us again; for two 1387 five-pound notes were found in one of the boxes at my 1388 house, whereby I am able to meet the need of this day, 1389 which is 31. 1390 1391 Dear Reader! does your heart admire the hand of God in 1392 these instances? Does your heart praise the Lord for His 1393 goodness to us? Does it, or does it not? If not, then I 1394 beseech you to lay aside this account of His dealings with 1395 us, and fall on your knees, and ask God to have mercy 1396 upon you, and to soften your heart, that you may be 1397 sensible of His goodness to us. Surely if you can read this 1398 account of His goodness, and it makes no impression 1399 upon you, it is a sign that your heart is not in a right state 1400 before God. I do not expect that all the readers will, as 1401

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much as I do, by the grace of God, see the hand of God in 1402 all these matters, though I could wish that they did so, 1403 even a thousand times more than I do; but yet all should 1404 adore God for His great goodness to us, and should 1405 remember that what He does for us, in answering our poor 1406 sin-mixed petitions, for the sake of His dear Son, He is 1407 willing to do for them also. — Particularly notice, that the 1408 help never comes too late. We may be poor, yea, very 1409 poor; yet the help comes at the right time. We may have 1410 to wait upon the Lord, yea, even a long time; but at last 1411 He helps. It may seem as if the Lord had forgotten us, by 1412 allowing us to be poor, and very poor, and that week after 1413 week; but at last He helps abundantly, and shows that 1414 only for the trial of our faith, both for our own benefit and 1415 the benefit of those who might hear of His dealings with 1416 us, has He allowed us to call so long upon Him. —By the 1417 grace of God my heart is not troubled now, whether there 1418 be much or little in hand. I am sure, that, in the best time 1419 and way, God will send help; and thus it is not only with 1420 reference to temporal supplies, but also as it regards other 1421 things that we may need, or when we may be in peculiar 1422 difficulties in other respects. When boys need to be 1423 apprenticed, or situations have to be found for the girls, 1424 and there are difficulties in the way, as we never send 1425 them out, except to believing masters and mistresses, my 1426 soul is yet at peace, because I betake myself to my 1427 Heavenly Father. When there have been infectious 1428 diseases in the Orphan-Houses, whereby, looking at it 1429 naturally, many children might be taken away through 1430 death, my soul is at peace, because I cast this burden upon 1431 the Lord, and He sustains me. When one or the other of 1432 my fellow-labourers have left the work, and I needed their 1433

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place supplied, and knew of no suitable persons, I have 1434 been looking to God for help, and that has kept my heart 1435 in peace, though this is no small difficulty, as not only can 1436 no hirelings be engaged in this work, but also, in case, the 1437 individual is a true child of God, there are yet so many 1438 things to be considered as to fitness and call for the work. 1439 When all kinds of lying reports have been spread about 1440 the work and about myself in connexion with it (though 1441 they have been very much less than might have been 1442 expected), I have committed my case to the Lord; and 1443 such things, instead of casting me down, often have 1444 greatly cheered me, because they have been a fresh proof 1445 to me, that God is at work, and that, therefore, the devil is 1446 angry, and stirs up these lies. When I have had for months 1447 to leave the work, as in the year 1838, for about four 1448 months, in 1843-4, for seven months, and in 1845, for 1449 three months, being called to labour on the Continent, or 1450 being ill, as in 1838, my heart has been in perfect peace, 1451 committing all the concerns of the whole Institution into 1452 the hand of God, considering that it was not my work but 1453 His, and that, therefore, I might be without carefulness 1454 about it. I seek to believe more and more what God says 1455 about Himself in His holy word, and it is this which gives 1456 this rest and peace to my heart, not only with reference to 1457 all the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 1458 Institution for Home and Abroad, but also about my own 1459 body and soul, my dear wife and child, my other dear 1460 relations, the temporal supplies for myself and family, my 1461 service in the Church in which I labour, now consisting of 1462 more than 700 believers, and the state of the Church of 1463 Christ at large. 1464 1465

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March 8, Saturday. 11l. 17s. 1 3⁄4 d. more has come in 1466 since March 4th. Thus I have been able fully to meet all 1467 the expenses during this week, but now hare again only a 1468 few shillings left towards the necessities of the coming 1469 week. — Late in the Evening. — After our prayer-1470 meeting this evening four sovereigns were given to me, 1471 two for the Orphans, and two for the other objects. This is 1472 the beginning of the help which the Lord surely will give 1473 during the coming week also. 1474 1475 March 11, Tuesday. Only l7s. 6d. had come in since 1476 Saturday evening, and therefore, after the expenses of 1477 yesterday had been met, there remained again only a few 1478 shillings in hand, on account of which my prayer was, that 1479 the Lord would be pleased to send in something for this 1480 day. When I came home last evening from the meeting, 1481 my dear wife told me, that there was some money in the 1482 box in our parlour. I opened it, and found it to contain five 1483 sovereigns. Thus we are supplied for today. 1484 1485 March 13. Yesterday I had sent off all the money, which 1486 was remaining in my hands, to the Orphan-Houses for 1487 housekeeping. Also the boxes were opened in the Orphan-1488 Houses, but only 10 1⁄2 d. was found in them. We were 1489 comfortably supplied yesterday with all that was required, 1490 but there was no money at all in hand for today. When the 1491 letter-bag was brought this morning for money, I found 1492 that the need for housekeeping for today was 2l. 15s.; but 1493 there was nothing at all in hand. Therefore, while the boy 1494 was waiting at my house, I disposed of some trinkets, 1495 which had been sent a few days since, for 2l. 15a. 6d. 1496 Thus we had enough, and 6d. over. There came in also 8d. 1497

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by sale of Reports. — Evening. This afternoon came in, 1498 by sale of articles, 17s. 6d., and by a donation 1l. 1499 1500 March 14. The need of today is 2l. There was 1s. 4d. more 1501 needed than I had in hand, when 5s. 6 1⁄2 d. came in from 1502 two Orphan-boxes. Thus we are helped for this day. 1503 1504 March 15. Yesterday afternoon half-a-sovereign was 1505 brought to me. In the evening 19s. 4d. came in by sale of 1506 articles. But this was not enough for the need of today. 1507 While the Orphan boy was waiting for the money, I 1508 received the following letter from Bath: — 1509 1510 "Beloved Brother in the Lord, 1511 1512 My sister E. and myself feel it laid on our hearts to send a 1513 little for your need at this time, thinking it 1514 1515 must be increased by the severity of the weather. We send 1516 the inclosed in much love, and thankfulness to the 1517 1518 Lord for permitting us to do it, half for the Orphans, and 1519 the rest to be applied as seems good to you. Etc." 1520 1521 1522 The letter contained two sovereigns, of which I took one 1523 for the Orphans, and the other for the School fund. (The 1524 latter sovereign was needed today towards the payment of 1525 the teachers in the Day-schools.) Thus we had all that was 1526 needed today for the Orphans. This evening I found a 1527 sixpence in the box in my room. 1528 1529

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March 17, Monday. The sixpence which I took out of the 1530 box in my room on Saturday evening was all there was in 1531 hand, when yesterday came in the following donations: 1532 1533 A. A. 1l. 2s. 4 1⁄2 d., anonymously 6d., ditto 2s. 6d. When 1534 this morning I had the bag sent from the Orphan-Houses, I 1535 found that the amount needed for house-keeping was 21. 1536 5s.; but there was only 1l. 5s. 10 1⁄2 d. in hand. 1537 Immediately after, before the bag was fetched, one of my 1538 fellow-labourers sent me 1l. for the Orphans, so that we 1539 had enough for today, and 10 1⁄2 d. over. When now only 1540 10 1⁄2 d. remained, I received from Swansea a letter 1541 containing a franc and a half, with the words "Jehovah 1542 Jireh." 1543 1544 March 18. "Jehovah Jireh (i.e. the Lord will provide) has 1545 been again verified in our experience. 10 1⁄2 d. remained 1546 in hand, and the need of this day was 6l. 3s. But the Lord 1547 knew what we should need today, and he helped 1548 accordingly. I opened the box in my room, and found a 1549 ten-pound note in it. Thus we have more than is needed 1550 for the present moment. 1551 1552 March 19. Yesterday afternoon I had to pay out 3l. more, 1553 for one of the apprentices. Thus the expenses of yesterday 1554 were altogether 9l. 3s. How kind therefore of the Lord to 1555 have put it into the heart of the donor of the ten-pound 1556 note to give that money just then. And now we had again 1557 only 17s. 10 1⁄2 d. left towards the need of today, which is 1558 31. 5s. But our most faithful Lord has been again mindful 1559 of us at this time also. For there came in yesterday from a 1560 lady at Sheffield 1l., by sale of Reports 8d., by the profit 1561

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from the sale of ladies’ bags 15s., and by three donations 1562 from Bristol donors 12s. Thus there is again all we need 1563 for today, and 6 1/2d. left. Immediately after I had written 1564 this in my journal, the Lord began to increase again "the 1565 handful of meal in the barrel." I received from Barnstaple 1566 5s. 1567 1568 March 20. Yesterday morning, when I was going to send 1569 off the money to the Orphan-Houses, I found 2s. 6d. in the 1570 letter bag, slipped in anonymously. I found also 1l. 5s. in 1571 the boxes at my house. Thus we have 1l. 13s. 0 1⁄2 d. for 1572 the necessities of today, which I find is sufficient. 1573 1574 March 21. All the money being spent, the boxes in the 1575 Orphan-Houses were opened yesterday afternoon, in 1576 which were found a sovereign, half-a-crown, and a penny. 1577 This is all we have for today. 1578 1579 March 22, Saturday. We were able to get through 1580 yesterday with the 1l. 2s. 7d. found in the boxes; but in 1581 this way our stores become much reduced. Now, however, 1582 was Saturday before us with its heavy expenses, and there 1583 was nothing yet to meet them, when I went last evening to 1584 our public meeting, to minister in the word. However, my 1585 soul has been in peace, by the grace of God, during all this 1586 week and the last, though again and again we have had 1587 nothing. I have reminded the Lord repeatedly during this 1588 week, that it is His commandment to His disciples to be 1589 without anxiety, and that I am so, because it is His 1590 commandment that I should be so, but that now He also, 1591 on His part, graciously would be pleased to continue to 1592 help me, as He had done hitherto. And now observe how 1593

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the Lord again has helped! After the meeting last evening, 1594 between 8 and 9 o’clock, when I had nothing at all in 1595 hand, towards meeting the necessities of this day, which I 1596 had every reason to believe would be several pounds, one 1597 of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave to my wife 1598 5s., Miss E. N. sent 10s., and a sister in the. Lord, who 1599 arrived last evening from Hull, put the following letter 1600 into the hands of my dear wife, addressed to me:— 1601 1602 "Hull, March 20, 1845. 1603 1604 "Beloved Brother, 1605 1606 I send you a small box of articles, which perhaps you can 1607 dispose of for the Orphans, and 5l. 5s. 7d. in money. 1608 Accept it in the Lord’s name as a tribute of love from the 1609 brethren here. We shall be always glad to see you if you 1610 travel this way. 1611 1612 In haste, 1613 1614 Yours affectionately in the Lord, 1615 1616 * * * * " 1617 1618 1619 1620 1621 1622 1623 The box contained the following articles: — a gold cross, 1624 two gold pins, two brooches, three gold rings, a small 1625

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gold seal, two gold bracelet snaps, a pair of silver studs, a 1626 mourning brooch, necklace and ear-rings, a silver pencil 1627 case, a stone cross and heart, a gilt waist-buckle, a dozen 1628 new cloth caps, two books, two new cotton frocks, three 1629 new pinafores, a new white lace veil, two waistcoats, a 1630 gown, a pair of lady’s boots, three veils, two lace capes, 1631 two lace shawls, two muslin aprons, a lady’s bag, four 1632 waist ribands, three pairs of cuffs, a little scarf, three 1633 necklaces; 4l. 5s. 7d. for the Orphans, and 1l. for the 1634 circulation of the Holy Scriptures. — Today there came in 1635 still further, by sale of articles 8s. 6d., for Reports 8d, and 1636 by sale of stockings 6s. 8d. Also from Thornbury 2s. 6d. 1637 Thus we have enough for today, and something left. 1638 1639 March 24, Monday. Yesterday and today came in only 7s. 1640 6d. altogether. We have enough for today, and 6s. 6d. left, 1641 as the demands were only 2l. 10s. 1642 1643 March 25. When there was again only 6s. 6d. left, 4s. 6d. 1644 came in yesterday evening. There was also 5l. put into one 1645 of the boxes at my house. This morning I received from a 1646 brother from the neighbourhood of Birmingham 2l., and 1647 10s. came in by another donation. Thus I had more than 1648 sufficient for the need of today, which is 4l. 15s. There 1649 came in still further from Bridgenorth 10s., and from a 1650 sister in Bristol 2s. 2d. 1651 1652 March 26. Only 3s. 2 1⁄2 d. came in today, by the boxes in 1653 my house. 1654 1655 March 27. Yesterday morning I sent off for housekeeping 1656 all the money I had left. It was enough for yesterday, but 1657

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only enough. Only 1l came in yesterday, and this morning 1658 4d. This 1l. 0s. 4d. was all I had to send to the Orphan-1659 Houses. There came in 5s, 4d. besides, and thus we were 1660 helped through this day also. 1661 1662 March 28. Nothing has come in. While the Orphan Boy 1663 was waiting for the bag to be made up, 1l. 5s. 1d. came in 1664 for a few trinkets, which I had sent out to be disposed of. 1665 This was all I could send. 1666 1667 March 29. By the 1l. 5s. 1d. we were helped through 1668 yesterday. But there was now again not only nothing at all 1669 in hand, but we required the more, as the last two days 1670 there had been so little laid out for housekeeping, and also 1671 because today was Saturday. However, as the Lord never 1672 once has forsaken me in the work during the last eleven 1673 years, so it has been at this time also. About five o’clock 1674 yesterday afternoon a note was given to me in which was 1675 enclosed 5l., which a physician of this city kindly sent. In 1676 the evening I received 10s., being the profit from the sale 1677 of ladies’ bags, and this morning came in still further by 1678 the sale of articles 9s. 6d., and by the sale of stockings l3s. 1679 There were also last evening, anonymously left at my 1680 house, a gold seal, a brass seal, and a pair of gilt ear-rings. 1681 There came in still further l0s., and l0s. 1682 1683 March 31. There came in yesterday and today 1684 anonymously from Hayes-Town, near Uxbridge, 1l., and 1685 2l. l0s. besides. 1686 1687 April 1. On account of the expenses of Saturday having 1688 been great, and of yesterday likewise, there remained 1689

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again but a few shillings. Our gracious Lord, however, 1690 who day after day looks on our need, yea, so to speak, 1691 inspects our stores, knew this, and therefore yesterday 1692 caused ten pounds to be put into one of the boxes at my 1693 house. Last evening came in also still further 1l. 7s. from 1694 the Isle of Wight. 1695 1696 April 2. As I had to expend today more than l0l, for the 1697 Orphans, I was again reduced to a few shillings, when this 1698 morning 15l. was sent to me by two donors from 1699 Liverpool. Also at the same time came from the 1700 neighbourhood of Worcester 1l. 1701 1702 April 3. After having been comparatively poor, the Lord 1703 is now again pouring in means, which come very 1704 seasonably for the replenishing of our stores, for the 1705 obtaining of certain articles of clothing for the children, 1706 etc. Today I received the following donations: 19l. 5s. 1707 from the brethren assembling at Bethesda Chapel, 1708 Sunderland, from two sisters 6s., from A. A. 18s. 5d., and 1709 by sale of Reports 1s. 4d. 1710 1711 April 4. Still further from Sunderland 15s., from 1712 Sherborne 8s. 6d., from Sidmouth 1l., and from "S. P., 1713 Dublin," 1l. l0s. 1714 1715 April 12, Saturday. 33l. 19s. 7d. more has come in since 1716 the 4th. After the expenses of today had been met, there 1717 again remained scarcely anything, when, in addition to all 1718 the ordinary expenses during the coming week before me, 1719 a fresh supply of oatmeal needed to be purchased. The 1720 boxes in the Orphan-Houses therefore were opened, but 1721

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only 1l. 8s. 6d. was found in them. There came in besides 1722 from A. A. 7s. 1723 1724 April 13, Lord’s-day. This morning I received a letter 1725 from Hampstead, containing four post-office orders of 5l. 1726 each, of which 10l. is for the poor believers among whom 1727 I labour, and l0l, for the Orphans. 1728 1729 April 30. From the 13th to this day came in altogether 57l. 1730 l3s. 2d. Thus we were well supplied with all the 1731 1732 1733 means which were needed during that time; but yesterday 1734 morning I had sent off to the Orphan-Houses the last 1735 money I had in hand. In the afternoon a sister in the Lord 1736 from Bath called, and gave me a sovereign, when I had 1737 not one penny in hand towards the need of today. This 1738 morning came in still further 18s. 10 1⁄2 d, by needlework 1739 done by the Orphan-Girls. Also 4d. by sale of a Report. 1740 Thus we were supplied for today. 1741 1742 May 1. When this day began I had only half-a-crown in 1743 hand, which I had taken last evening out of one of the 1744 boxes in my house. When I was this morning, on my 1745 usual walk before breakfast, bringing my circumstances 1746 before the Lord, I reminded Him of His word, "Take no 1747 thought for the morrow ", (i.e. be not anxious about the 1748 morrow), and I told Him that yesterday I had not been 1749 anxious about today, and prayed that He would now be 1750 pleased to help me. I was in perfect peace, though I had 1751 not the least natural prospect of having the necessities of 1752 today supplied. Of the money put by for the rent I would 1753

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not take. Our need was my comfort. When I returned to 1754 my house at eight o’clock, I found that there bad been sent 1755 from the Orphan-Houses 5s., given there, and 2s. 6d. for 1756 knitting. Also a person had brought yesterday to the. 1757 Orphan-Houses the contents of an Orphan-box, which had 1758 in his room, having felt himself, as he said, much stirred 1759 up to do so. It was 3s. 6d. Also a sister from 1760 Worcestershire had sent 10s. Before money was sent for 1761 from the Orphan-Houses, I received this morning from 1762 Stafford l0s. Thus I had 1l. 13s. 6d, to send to the Orphan-1763 Houses for the need of today. 1764 1765 May 2. A little after I had sent off yesterday all the money 1766 to the Orphan-Houses, a brother in the Lord from 1767 Cornwall called on me and gave me 1l. In the afternoon a 1768 sister, who had received peculiar mercy from the Lord in 1769 the way of temporal help, called on me, and gave 10s.; 1770 and a christian servant, who had received a fee, gave it, 1771 the amount being 2s. Thus I have 1l. 12s. to send for the 1772 need of this day. — I had written this in my journal, but 1773 the bag was not yet gone, when I received from a distance 1774 of about 50 miles for Reports 4s. 1d, and from "a Field 1775 Officer" 3l 10s.2d., so that I could send all that was 1776 needed today, being 3l. 1777 1778 May 3. Yesterday afternoon I received half-a-crown 1779 1780 1781 more, and this morning 3s. by sale of articles, and from 1782 Kendal 1l l0s. The money from Kendal came about two 1783 minutes before the boy came from the Orphan-Houses to 1784 fetch the supply for this day’s necessities. It was a most 1785

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seasonable help, as this is Saturday, and we needed today 1786 3l. 15s., and I had not nearly enough in hand. — There 1787 came in further this morning 2l. 1s. 2d. by sale of articles, 1788 and in the evening l0s., being the contents of an Orphan-1789 box in the neighbourhood of Coleford. — We are thus 1790 brought to the close of another week, and have a little left 1791 towards the heavy expenses of the next, as, besides the 1792 usual housekeeping expenses of about 20l., there are ten 1793 tons of gravel for the playgrounds to be bought, and a ton 1794 of oatmeal. 1795 1796 July 10. From May 3rd to this day was a season of 1797 comparatively rich abundance. The total amount which 1798 was received amounts to 268l. l0s. 6 1⁄2 d. Immediately 1799 after the 3rd, the Lord sent considerable help, so that I 1800 was able to meet the extraordinary expenses which are 1801 referred to under the last date; for on the 4th came in 6l. 1802 0s. 3d., on the 5th 9s. 6d., on the 6th 70l. and 100l., of 1803 which two sums one-half was put to the Orphan-Fund, 1804 and the other half to the fund for the other objects. On the 1805 10th of May I had to leave Bristol on account of my 1806 health, and was absent three weeks, and had to pay away, 1807 for the Orphans, about 100l. within one fortnight after. 1808 How seasonably, therefore, came these two donations! 1809 When these two sums came in there was only 10s. 3d. in 1810 hand, and, as has been stated, ten tons of gravel were 1811 needed, and a ton of oatmeal, also money for the 1812 apprentices, besides the daily current expenses. Of the 1813 other donations, which came in during this period, I only 1814 mention: from Negro brethren in Demerara, twelve 1815 dollars. All the money, after this long time of comparative 1816 abundance, was today, July 10th, reduced to 1l. 6s. 0 1⁄2 1817

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d., and 2l. was needed. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses 1818 were opened, in which 16s. 1d. was found. Thus we had 1819 enough, and 2s. 1 1⁄2 d. was left. 1820 1821 July 11. Yesterday afternoon came a box from Newport, 1822 in the Isle of Wight, with many articles for the Orphans, 1823 and a little money for the other objects. This was a 1824 precious encouragement to continue to wait upon the 1825 Lord. At the first delivery this morning I received several 1826 letters. The first I opened was from a brother in 1827 Devonshire, with a post-office order for 8s. for the 1828 Orphans. He writes thus; "My box for the Orphans still 1829 yields but little, but I have been frequently inquiring of 1830 the. Lord, when that little should be sent. For the last few 1831 days it has appeared to me that the time was come to send 1832 it to you, I therefore sent for the amount in an order, 1833 which I this day received, and now send, in hope it may 1834 be of some help in a time of need." This 8s. was a further 1835 precious encouragement. — The next letter which I 1836 opened was from a christian gentleman at Edinburgh, 1837 containing a bank order for twenty-five guineas, of which 1838 twenty guineas are for the work of the Lord in my hands, 1839 and five for my own personal necessities. There came in 1840 still further today, from brethren at Perth 2l., and from the 1841 neighbourhood of Glasgow 5l. 1842 1843 July 12. This morning I received a legacy of 5l. for the. 1844 Orphans, from the relatives of a dear departed sister in the 1845 Lord, who, from the commencement of the work up to her 1846 last days, had taken the deepest interest in it. Also from 1847 Jersey, together with a gold ring, 4l. Also 3l. 2s. 0 1⁄2 d. 1848

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by sale of articles and donations, so that during these two 1849 days we have had above 40l. coming in. 1850 1851 From July 13th to 19th, came in 16l. 6s. 8d. more. On July 1852 19th I left for the Continent, to labour for a season in 1853 Germany, and returned to Bristol on Oct 11th. For about 1854 eight months before this, I had seen it to be the Lord’s 1855 will that I should go again this year to the Continent for a 1856 season, and had made my journey and service a subject of 1857 prayer from Nov., 1844. Besides asking the Lord’s 1858 blessing upon my service, I also sought His help for 1859 means, and for this also I had not to wait on Him in vain. 1860 For as the Lord had sent me, before I went in 1843, the 1861 sum of 702l. 3s. 7d. for various purposes, and for the 1862 work in Germany in particular, so He gave me again, on 1863 May 3rd, 1845, the sum of 500l, for the work in Germany, 1864 yet so, that the surplus which there might be should be 1865 employed for the Orphans and other work in my hands. 1866 From the conditions under which this donation was given 1867 to me, it was obvious then, that whilst on the one hand, 1868 when it plainly could be seen that only a certain part of 1869 the money would be needed for the present service in 1870 Germany, the remainder might be used for the benefit of 1871 the Orphans, or the other part of the work; yet, on the 1872 other hand, we could not begin at once to apply any part 1873 of this money to the objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 1874 Institution; for at the commencement I could not know 1875 how much might be expended on the service in Germany, 1876 particularly as my intention was to do as much as I could 1877 for those on the Continent who are in darkness and in the 1878 shadow of death, and also as I wished as much as possible 1879 to help the Church of Christ in that part of the world. 1880

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Therefore those who said: "We are quite sure there must 1881 be much money in hand for the Orphans, else Mr. Muller 1882 would not have gone to Germany," were quite mistaken. 1883 Often have I had similar things said to me, or about the 1884 work, when we have been in the deepest poverty, simply 1885 because in faith a certain step had been taken, or a certain 1886 thing had been done, which was connected with great 1887 expense. At such times, of course, my fellow-labourers 1888 and I have had to be silent. For we could not say it was 1889 not so, else it would be exposing our poverty, and would 1890 look like asking for help. Therefore we have had to be 1891 content with something like this: "Lord, it is said that 1892 there is much money in hand, whereby some who would 1893 otherwise help us, it may be, are kept from doing so; now, 1894 Lord, do Thou nevertheless, as the work is Thine, lay our 1895 need, the real state of things, on the hearts of Thy 1896 children, that they may help us." Thus it was during my 1897 service in Germany in the summer of 1845 also. My 1898 fellow-labourers in Bristol and my dear wife and I in 1899 Stuttgart, poured out our hearts before the Lord, seeking 1900 His help upon the work, and asking Him also for means, 1901 and He did not despise. our cries. There came in, during 1902 the twelve weeks that I was away, for the Orphans alone, 1903 200l. 5s, 5 1⁄2 d. This, together with what was in hand 1904 when I left, and with come money that at the end of my 1905 stay in Germany (when I saw that I should scarcely need 1906 one half of the 500l.) I could order to be drawn out of my 1907 bankers’ hands in Bristol, richly supplied all the need, 1908 during my absence. But the labourers were repeatedly in 1909 straits, and several times the last money was gone; but the 1910 Lord refreshed their hearts by seasonable help. — Of the 1911 500l. given for the service in Germany, and for the 1912

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printing of tracts, there remained 311l. 18s, 1 1⁄2 d., of 1913 which I took for the Orphans 161l. 18s. 1 1⁄2 d., and for 1914 the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution 1915 150l 1916 1917 Jan. 17, 1846. From the day of my return to Bristol, on 1918 Oct. 11, up to this day, there has been no difficulty at all 1919 with regard to means. The many donations which have 1920 come in, together with what came to the Orphan-Fund 1921 from the surplus of the sum given for the work in 1922 Germany, enabled me, without any difficulty, to meet all 1923 the expenses, though they were many and great. Of the 1924 donations which came in during this period I only refer to 1925 the following: 1926 1927 On Nov. 19th heft Bristol to labour for a little while at 1928 Sunderland. I had but little money to leave with my dear 1929 wife for the work; but my path was plain to go, and 1930 therefore my hope was in God, as to the work in Bristol 1931 during the meantime, being assured that He would care 1932 for it. And thus it was. Rich supplies were granted by 1933 Him. On the very next day, after my departure, Nov. 20th, 1934 the following anonymous letter was left at my house, 1935 containing six five-pound notes and two sovereigns. 1936 1937 1938 "My dear Brother in the Lord, 1939 1940 About six or eight weeks since, anticipating soon a 1941 remittance by a bill, which would become available about 1942 a week previous to this date, I was led to ask the Lord 1943 what He would desire to do with the money which might 1944

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remain in my hands when I should receive the money for 1945 this bill, and your name was immediately presented to my 1946 mind with these words: "the Lord has need of it." I 1947 therefore enclose the amount, viz, thirty-two pounds, and 1948 remain, 1949 1950 Dear Brother, 1951 1952 Yours affectionately in the Lord, 1953 1954 Nov. 20, 1845. &c. &c." 1955 1956 Look at this, dear reader! Is not the hand of God most 1957 manifest in such cases? This unknown donor prays what 1958 to do with the money, and my name is brought to his or 1959 her mind. See also how seasonable the help! 1960 1961 This 32l. was put to the Orphan-Fund, as there was but 1962 little in hand. By this and the other sums which came in 1963 during my absence, my dear wife was helped without any 1964 difficulty, through all the expenses. 1965 1966 There being now again little in hand, I asked the Lord 1967 yesterday (Jan. 16, 1846) that He would be pleased to 1968 send in supplies, when almost immediately after a sister in 1969 the Lord, who had unexpectedly received a rich 1970 remittance from distant relatives, gave me 10l.; and today 1971 a lady, who on her way from Cornwall to London was 1972 staying for a day or two at Clifton, kindly sent me 20l. 1973 Thus we are again supplied at least for a week. 1974 1975

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March 2. Goodness and mercy have followed us again in 1976 many respects with reference to the work, since the last 1977 date, Jan. 17th, up to this day; and with regard to means, 1978 there has been again a rich supply granted to us, so that I 1979 have been able to meet all the expenses of the work, 1980 though they have been for the Orphans alone. 180l. l9s. 1981 1d., and more than 100l. for the other objects, during these 1982 six weeks. But there remained now scarcely anything in 1983 hand, when I received this morning, from a distance of 1984 about 200 miles the. following letter with 15l. 1985 1986 1987 " Beloved Brother, 1988 1989 Enclosed is the produce of the sale of a pianoforte, which 1990 I thankfully send for the Lord’s work in your hands, 1991 having received blessing to my own soul by means of that 1992 work, and not the least in being weaned from some of 1993 those things I once found pleasure in. I have been waiting 1994 payment of the amount for some time, but, having money 1995 now in hand, I send it without further delay, as you may 1996 possibly need it now. The 15l. you will kindly allot as you 1997 see most desirable. That our God would fulfil in you all 1998 the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith 1999 with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may 2000 be glorified in you, is the prayer of 2001 2002 Your affectionate Brother, 2003 2004 * * * * Feb. 28, 1846. * * * *" 2005 2006

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March 18. Up to this day also we have been helped, 2007 though but little, comparatively, has come in. When 2008 yesterday, March 17, all the means were gone, a brother 2009 gave me 1l. as a thankoffering for having received a sum 2010 of money unexpectedly, as a dividend from a bankruptcy. 2011 In the afternoon I received a half sovereign as the profit of 2012 the sale of ladies’ bags made by a sister in the Lord for the 2013 benefit of the Orphans, and 2s. 6d. was put into an 2014 Orphan-box at my house. This morning I received the 2015 following letter from Devonshire, together with a Post-2016 office order for 5l. 2017 2018 2019 "Beloved Brother, 2020 2021 I send you an order for 5l., half of which will you accept 2022 for yourself, and the other half appropriate for the 2023 Orphans; or, if they happen to be well supplied at present, 2024 you may apply it to the building you have in 2025 contemplation. Job xxii. 21-30. 2026 2027 2028 Believe me very affectionately yours, 2029 2030 * * * *" 2031 2032 2033 The half of this money was taken for the present need of 2034 time Orphans. There was also sent 1l. l3s. from 2035 Weymouth. Thus we are again supplied for the present 2036 need. 2037 2038

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March 20. Today I have to send more money for 2039 housekeeping to the Orphan-Houses, and the Lord has 2040 kindly given me yesterday afternoon and this morning the 2041 means for it. Yesterday came in by sale of trinkets, &c., 2042 3l. 8s. 4 1⁄2 d. and by two donations 2s., and this morning 2043 I received 11s, from Marlborough. 2044 2045 March 21, Saturday. Since yesterday morning, when I had 2046 sent off to the Orphan-Houses the very last penny in hand, 2047 the following sums have come in: A sister from Worcester 2048 gave 2s. 6d., and in the boxes in my house I found 10l. 2049 This morning 10s. came from the neighbourhood of 2050 Castle Cary, from a sister in Bristol 2s. 2d., by sale of 2051 articles 1l. 15s. 8d., and by sale of stockings 5s. Thus I 2052 have been enabled, during this week also, to meet all the 2053 expenses, though they have been more than 30l.; and 7s. 2054 6d. is left towards the coming week. My heart is in perfect 2055 peace, though there are between 140 and 150 Persons to 2056 be provided for (including the teachers and matrons in the 2057 Orphan-Houses and the apprentices), and though there is 2058 heavy sickness in two of the houses. — Saturday Evening, 2059 The Lord has already increased "the handful of meal in 2060 the barrel, and the little oil in the cruse." This afternoon I 2061 received 3l. 14s., being the contents of an Orphan-box at 2062 Barnstaple. There came in 3s. 6d, besides. 2063 2064 March 26. On the 23rd came in 3l. 2s. 1d. On the 24th and 2065 25th came in 1l. 5s. Yesterday was also taken out of the 2066 boxes in the Orphan-Houses 7s. 6d., our need having led 2067 to the opening of them, and in the boxes in my house was 2068 found 2s. 6d.; but we had not quite enough for the need of 2069 today, when about twelve o’clock this morning a box 2070

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arrived from Chelsea, containing 17s. 0 3⁄4 d., many 2071 ornaments, etc. — We are thus helped for this day. 2072 2073 March 27. Today came in 4l. 11s. 7d. by sale of articles. 2074 Likewise 1s. from a little girl. Thus we are again provided 2075 for today. 2076 2077 March 28, Saturday. Yesterday afternoon came in still 2078 further from Street, by Sale of Reports 10s. and three 2079 donations of 6d., 4d., and 2d. There was likewise given by 2080 a sister a small gold watch-chain. This morning I 2081 received, by sale of articles 41.14s. 4d., by sale of Reports 2082 1s., and by sale of stockings 6s. Thus, by the income of 2083 this week, and by about 2l. 12s. which I found I had more 2084 than was needed for the rent when paying it on the 25th, 2085 having to receive drawbacks from the landlords, I have 2086 been again able to meet the housekeeping expenses during 2087 this week, amounting to 21l. 19s. 10d., besides the rent 2088 which is 37l., for which the money had been put by; and I 2089 am come to the close of another week, with l7s. 8d. in 2090 hand towards the necessities of the next. — Late on 2091 Saturday. There has come in still further this evening from 2092 A. A. 11s. 3 1⁄2 d., and from Mrs. R. 8s. 2093 2094 March 30, Monday. My heart was particularly in peace on 2095 Saturday evening after the prayer meeting, though I could 2096 leave only a few shillings for each of the four houses 2097 towards the housekeeping expenses of this week, where, 2098 besides the ordinary expenses, there is also money needed 2099 on account of heavy sickness in two of the houses. When I 2100 emptied the purse to the last penny, and returned home 2101 without anything in hand, I felt fully assured that we 2102

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should have again abundant reasons for thanksgiving next 2103 Saturday, and told my dear fellow-labourers so, And, thus 2104 it is. Yesterday was put into the Chapel-boxes for the 2105 Orphans 50l., ditto 1s., ditto 10s. This morning I received 2106 5l. from a miner at a distance, an entire stranger. 2107 2108 Thus our Heavenly Father has helped most seasonably. 1, 2109 In giving me means for present necessities as to 2110 housekeeping. 2, In providing me with means for the extra 2111 need on account of the illness of several children. 3, In 2112 giving means for getting a ton and a half of oatmeal from 2113 Scotland. 2114 2115 April 4, Saturday evening. On the 2nd I received 2116 anonymously from London it, besides some money for 2117 needlework done by the Orphan-Girls; on the 2nd was 2118 sent to me 10l. from Bath, from a lady unknown to me. 2119 These two donations I received the very moment I rose 2120 from my knees, having asked the Lord for more means, 2121 as, on account of the heavy expenses just now, we needed 2122 again more money by the end of this week. There was 2123 also given on the 2nd 1l. by a lady who had received a 2124 present of 10l. from some relations, and gave the tenth 2125 part of it to the Orphans. On the 3rd and 4th came in 2l. 2126 10s. 7d. The actual expenses of this week, have been 2127 2128 42l. besides 22l. having been put by for the oatmeal which 2129 has been ordered, and we have a little more than 9l. left. 2130 2131 April 18, Saturday. The Lord has been again good to me 2132 since the 4th with regard to means, 53l. 14s. 0 1⁄2 d. 2133 having come in during these two weeks. Today, having 2134

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only 2l. 1s. 5 1⁄2 d.,in hand, towards the supplies of the 2135 next week, we made known our requests to God, and 2136 while I was in prayer with two of my fellow-labourers, 2137 there came a letter, in which F. from London sent l0s. 2138 There came in almost immediately after by sale of articles 2139 13s. 8d., and by a sister in the Lord from Brixham, who 2140 called this morning, l0s. was given. This afternoon the 2141 boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, but only l0s. 2142 l0d. found in them. 6s, came in besides. This afternoon a 2143 brother called at the. Boys’ Orphan-House, and gave eight 2144 sovereigns, saying that he had had a desire to bring this 2145 money for some days past, but had been unable on 2146 account of his health, but now was pressed in spirit to do 2147 so, though scarcely able to walk. The following points are 2148 to be noticed concerning the Lord’s goodness today. 1, I 2149 purpose, on account of my health, and for the sake of 2150 procuring time for the writing of the Report, to leave 2151 Bristol on Monday, and thus I am able to leave money 2152 behind for at least 3 or 4 days. 2, I had been speaking 2153 today and yesterday in my prayers to the Lord, "It is buy 2154 will that I should not be anxious. I am not, by Thy grace; 2155 but, Lord, there are about 140 persons to be. provided for 2156 in the 4 Orphan-Houses, wilt Thou then help me with 2157 means!" — I was able to send altogether 11l. 6s. 11 1⁄2 d. 2158 to the matrons. 2159 2160 April 20, Monday morning. The Lord has helped still 2161 further. There came yesterday anonymously from London 2162 5l. with these words: "To Brother Müller, with the 2163 writer’s fervent prayer, that the giver of all good may 2164 continue to pour down upon him and all his undertakings 2165 the abundance of His blessings. Half for his own 2166

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necessities, and half to be disposed of as he thinks fit." I 2167 cannot help noticing here the Lord’s double kindness, 2168 both towards the Orphans and towards myself. I now need 2169 for myself more money than usual, as besides the regular 2170 housekeeping expenses at home, I need money for myself 2171 and dear wife in going away for the twofold object of our 2172 health and my having thus time to write the Report: and 2173 the Lord supplies me with means. Thus also I received 2174 yesterday 5l. for "change of air," and 5l. was sent to me 2175 for myself the day before yesterday from a brother at 2176 Winchester, whom I have never seen. I find continually, 2177 that, without making provision for extra need, and without 2178 reckoning anxiously about the future, the Lord helps me 2179 when I need anything. I find it pleasant and precious, even 2180 as to this life, to walk in the ways of the Lord. 2181 2182 There came in still further yesterday morning for the 2183 Orphans from A. A. 13s. 1d., from a brother 1l., from "A 2184 friend at Stirling" 6s., and from an Irish sister 5s. — Thus 2185 I could send still further this morning to the matrons, 2186 before my departure, 4l. 11s. 1d., so that I am able to 2187 leave about 16l, behind, and thus the need is supplied for 2188 about five days, humanly speaking; and before that time is 2189 gone, I expect to obtain more, by waiting upon God. 2190 2191 This morning, before we departed, I received a letter in 2192 which was the following sentence.: "With regard to 2193 property I do not see my way clearly. I trust it is all indeed 2194 at the disposal of the Lord; and if you would let me know 2195 of any need of it in His service, any sum under 200l. shall 2196 be at your disposal at about a week’s notice." This brother 2197 meant what he said, I have every reason to believe. I 2198

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might have written; "The Orphans, my dear brother, are 2199 now in need, and it would be a particular comfort to me, 2200 as I am going away, if you would send me 1901.," and I 2201 doubt not that I should have had it after a week. I 2202 preferred, however, to continue, as heretofore, to deal 2203 with God alone in this service, that the church of Christ at 2204 large still further may be benefited, particularly those who 2205 are weak in the faith, or those who are recently brought to 2206 the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, in seeing how blessed it 2207 is to make known our requests unto God, and that those 2208 who trust in Him are not confounded. I therefore wrote to 2209 this brother, with regard to his kind offer, that I only 2210 speak to the Lord about my need. 2211 2212 May, 9, Saturday. This evening, after an absence of 19 2213 days, we returned to Bristol. During all this time the Lord 2214 supplied us with means, but it was almost always by the 2215 day. During the last days, in the course of my regular 2216 meditation on the New Testament, I came to that precious 2217 word: "Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for 2218 you," 1 Peter, v. 7, and, by God’s grace, I was able to cast 2219 all my care concerning His work on the Lord; and when 2220 we returned this evening I found, that for this day also the 2221 Lord had not only provided, but there was 1l. 16s. 3 1⁄2 d. 2222 more than was needed. 2223 2224 May 11, Monday. Yesterday a brother from Hackney gave 2225 21., and 17s. 1 1⁄4 d. came in besides. Thus, with what 2226 was left on Saturday, I was able to send 4l. 13s. 5d. to the 2227 Orphan-Houses, to be divided among the four matrons. 2228 After having sent this morning to the last penny all the 2229 money I had in hand to the Orphan-Houses, I received 2230

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200l., which, being left entirely at my disposal, was 2231 portioned out thus: 100l. for the present need of the 2232 Orphans, 50l. for the other objects, and 50l. for the 2233 Building Fund of the Orphan House. How kind of the 2234 Lord to help so seasonably; for I have very many and 2235 heavy expenses before me, besides the ordinary expenses 2236 of about 30l. per week. There are to be bought 4 bags of 2237 rice, 4 bushels of peas, 2 cwt. of soap, material for boys’ 2238 clothes, the 4 houses are to coloured down, several small 2239 sums for apprentices are to be paid, the Report is to be 2240 printed, etc. This also is to be noticed: The Lord rewarded 2241 me thus, for not exposing our poverty to the brother, who 2242 offered on April 20th to give me any sum under 200l., if I 2243 2244 would let him know if I needed anything for the Lord’s 2245 work. Thus we had at least a little more than we should 2246 have had, even if I had asked that brother. 2247 2248 May 26. Up to this day, till the last hours before the 2249 commencement of our public meetings, at which an 2250 account is to be given of the Lord’s dealings with us since 2251 July 14, 1844, the Lord’s goodness has continued in 2252 supplying us with means. About 80l. more has come in 2253 during the last fifteen days. And this very day, the last of 2254 this period, I received 26l. anonymously from Stafford, 2255 with an affectionate and encouraging note; 20l. 1s. 6 1⁄2 d. 2256 I took out of the boxes at my house, two ten pound notes 2257 having been put in; and several other little donations came 2258 in besides. 2259 2260 It is scarcely needful to state, at the close of these details, 2261 that, notwithstanding our having been often poor, and 2262

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very poor, yet the children have always had the needful 2263 articles of clothing and nourishing food. Those who know 2264 what it is to walk in the fear of God, know also, that God 2265 would not help us, in answer to our prayers, if we 2266 hypocritically stated that the children were well provided 2267 with wholesome food, etc., and yet it were not true. 2268 2269 2270 Account of the New Orphan-House, on Ashley Down, 2271 Bristol, from its earliest beginning to June 4, 1846. 2272 2273 2274 I began the service of caring for children who are 2275 bereaved of both parents, by death, born in wedlock, and 2276 are in destitute circumstances, on Dec. 9, 1835. For nearly 2277 ten years I never had any desire to build an Orphan-2278 House. On the contrary, I decidedly preferred spending 2279 the means, which might come in, for present necessities, 2280 and desired rather to enlarge the work according to the 2281 means which the. Lord might be pleased to give. Thus it 2282 was till the end of October, 1845, when I was led to 2283 consider this matter in a way I had never done before. The 2284 occasion of my doing so was this: On Oct. 30, 1845, I 2285 received from a gentleman, who lived in the street, where 2286 the 4 Orphan-Houses were, a polite and friendly letter, in 2287 which he courteously stated to me that the inhabitants in 2288 the adjoining houses were in various ways 2289 inconvenienced by the Orphan-Houses being in Wilson 2290 Street. He left to myself the judgment of the case. 2291 2292 This letter I received on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 1845. 2293 Being very much occupied that week, I had scarcely any 2294

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time to consider time matter. On Monday morning, 2295 however, Nov. 3, I set apart some hours for the prayerful 2296 consideration of the subject, and after I had besought the 2297 Lord to guide me to a right decision, I wrote down the 2298 reasons which appeared to me to make it desirable that the 2299 Orphans should be removed from Wilson Street, and also 2300 the reasons against removing. As far as they are suitable 2301 for being stated in print, they were those: 2302 2303 2304 I. Reasons for removing from Wilson Street. 2305 2306 2307 1. The neighbours feel themselves inconvenienced by the 2308 noise of the children in the play-hours. This complaint is 2309 neither without foundation, nor unjust; for many persons 2310 are very much inconvenienced by the noise of children, 2311 and those living close by the Orphan-Houses must be so 2312 during the play-hours, even though the noise be only of 2313 that kind, that one could not at all find fault with the dear 2314 children on account of it. I should myself feel it trying to 2315 my head to live next door to the Orphan-Houses, on that 2316 account I therefore ought to do to others, as I should wish 2317 to be done by. This point had never before appeared to me 2318 in so serious a light. 2319 2320 2 The greatness of the number of the inmates in the 2321 houses has several times prevented the drains from acting 2322 properly, and thus has a few times affected the water in 2323 one or two of the neighbours’ houses. With reference to 2324 these two reasons, as it regards those living near the 2325 Orphan-Houses, these words, "Let not your good be evil 2326

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spoken of," Rom. xiv. 16, and "Let your moderation (i.e. 2327 yieldingness) be known unto all men," Philip iv. 5, 2328 seemed to me two important portions of the word of God 2329 to be acted out in this matter. 2330 2331 But in addition to the reasons for removing the Orphans 2332 from Wilson Street, on account of the unavoidable 2333 occasional inconvenience that comes upon the 2334 neighbours, there appeared now to me, when once I was 2335 led to consider seriously the reasons for removing the 2336 Institution from Wilson Street, other reasons for doing so, 2337 in connexion with the work itself, which had occurred to 2338 me before, but never in so strong a light as now, when the 2339 subject was brought more immediately before me by the 2340 letter, in which I was politely requested to remove the 2341 Orphans from Wilson Street. These reasons are: 2342 2343 1. We have no proper play-grounds in Wilson Street. 2344 There is one play-ground, which, however, is only large 2345 enough for the children of one house at a time; but as 2346 there are children in four houses who ought to have the 2347 benefit of it, we can not arrange so that all the children 2348 have the full benefit of that play-ground, as the meals, the 2349 school-hours, the weather, and other hinderances 2350 interfere. The dear Orphans ought, I know, to be trained in 2351 habits of industry, but children are children, and need to 2352 be treated as such; and they should, on account of their 2353 health, have the full benefit of a play-ground. But this 2354 they cannot have in Wilson Street: and to take them out 2355 into the fields for the benefit of bodily exercise, as we 2356 have been in the habit of doing, is often very 2357 inconvenient. 2358

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2359 2. We have no ground for cultivation, near the Orphan-2360 Houses, and hence there must be more walking for the 2361 children, on account of using proper means for keeping 2362 them, with the blessing of God in health, than is, in other 2363 respects, good for them; because frequent walks easily 2364 beget in children habits of idleness, which would be 2365 especially felt when boys are apprenticed. But this 2366 difficulty cannot be obviated by remaining in Wilson 2367 Street, and renting a piece of land somewhere else for 2368 cultivation; for to get the children ready and conduct them 2369 to the piece of ground, not only takes a good deal of time, 2370 but is connected with other great inconveniences, yea with 2371 insurmountable difficulties, so that we found it needful to 2372 give up a small piece of ground which we once rented for 2373 about two years for the Orphan-Boys, at a distance of 2374 about half a mile from Wilson Street. Thus, by removing 2375 from Wilson Street, and obtaining premises surrounded by 2376 land for cultivation, we should be able to procure a most 2377 important moral benefit for the children, by having the 2378 opportunity more fully than we now have, of training 2379 them in habits of industry, besides giving to the boys 2380 occupation which is more suitable for them than knitting, 2381 which is now the only employment they have, besides 2382 making their beds, cleaning the house, and attending to 2383 the cooking of their meals. Moreover, this would be 2384 occupation in the open air, which not only would bring 2385 their limbs into exercise, but also make walking, for the 2386 sake of health, almost entirely needless. 2387 2388 3. If we were to remove from Wilson Street, and obtain 2389 premises in the country, we might have all the washing 2390

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done at home, which now, for want of room, can be only 2391 done in part. Thus the girls also would have more 2392 laborious work at home, a point of great importance for 2393 them, so that they would not feel so much the hardships 2394 connected with going out to service. 2395 2396 4. The situation of Wilson Street is perhaps scarcely 2397 bracing enough for strengthening the constitution of the 2398 Orphans, most of whom, being the offspring of very 2399 diseased parents, require a very invigorating place of 2400 abode. 2401 2402 5. The present situation is certainly not desirable for the 2403 teachers, especially as, when their hours of work are over, 2404 they have no garden or fields close to the house, 2405 immediately to go into for a little refreshment of body; 2406 and for some of them it is too far to go to fields, where 2407 they might have bracing air. 2408 2409 6. In times of sickness we are too confined in the houses 2410 in Wilson Street. If there were less than 30 children in 2411 each house, the average expenses for each child would be 2412 too great, it being desirable, as the arrangements are now, 2413 that there should not be less than 3 labourers in each 2414 house; and yet, if there are 30 children in each house, we 2415 are too lull in time of sickness, as we have not a single 2416 spare room in any of the houses. Now, though the Lord 2417 has during all these years most mercifully helped us 2418 through such seasons, yet it has not been without 2419 inconvenience, and without also, perhaps, having more of 2420 the children in one room, at such times, than on account 2421 of health is desirable. 2422

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2423 7. Even ordinarily, when there is no sickness, it would be 2424 desirable to have more room. 2425 2426 There are no premises to be had in Bristol, or in the 2427 immediate neighbourhood, where we could have these 2428 advantages; for I have been looking about in all directions 2429 for this purpose during the last ten years. But suppose 2430 there were a large house to be had in one part of the city, 2431 and a second a mile off, and a third and a fourth in other 2432 directions, such houses, on account of our peculiar 2433 position in the work, would not do. For in seasons of 2434 need, the distance of the several houses would render it 2435 very inconvenient for the labourers to meet together for 2436 prayer, to divide the means that may be in hand, etc. 2437 Besides, when in seasons of other peculiar difficulties, 2438 connected with the work, I wished to meet all my fellow-2439 labourers, there would arise great difficulty by their being 2440 divided in different parts of the city. It would also thus be 2441 very inconvenient to persons, who wish to see the work, 2442 to go from place to place, in order to have a view of all 2443 the Orphan-Houses. But this is not all. The more I have 2444 considered the matter, the more am I now persuaded, that 2445 no ordinary large houses, built for private families, and 2446 therefore only calculated to accommodate 10 or 15 2447 persons, at most, for any length of time in them, will do 2448 for charitable institutions of any considerable size, as no 2449 ordinary house furnishes the proper advantages of 2450 ventilation, a point so needful for the health of the inmates 2451 in a charitable institution. There seemed to me, therefore 2452 to remain nothing but to build premises for the purpose. 2453 2454

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2455 II. Reasons for Remaining in Wilson Street. 2456 2457 2458 1. God hitherto has pointed out the spot most plainly. At 2459 the commencement of the work, in 1835, no other house 2460 was to be had but No. 6, Wilson Street. After-wards, when 2461 in 1830 the Infant Orphan-House was on the point of 2462 being opened, again I was looking about in all directions, 2463 and saw many houses, but found none that was suitable, 2464 till all at once, most unlooked for, the occupiers of No. 1, 2465 Wilson Street were desirous of immediately leaving that 2466 house, and I was able thus to rent it. When in 1837 I was 2467 on the point of opening the Boys’ Orphan-House, I looked 2468 about again for a house in all directions; for I knew not at 2469 that time, what I have since learned by experience, that it 2470 was so important that all the houses should be near 2471 together. After seeking long in vain, I at last found a very 2472 large house, not far from Wilson Street, which I rented; 2473 but when the occupiers of the houses in the 2474 neighbourhood heard that that house had been let for a 2475 charitable institution, they threatened the owner with an 2476 action, which led him to request me to give up the 2477 agreement, which, of course, I did immediately. At last, 2478 most unexpectedly, after having looked about in vain in 2479 all directions, the occupiers of No 3 Wilson Street offered 2480 it to me, and I rented it for the Orphan Boys. Lastly, in the 2481 year 1843, when I was led to see it to be the will of God to 2482 go forward in this work, and to establish time Girls’ 2483 Orphan-House, No. II, for older girls, one particular 2484 feature in the matter was, that the house No. 4, in Wilson 2485 Street, bad been offered to me without being sought after, 2486

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when there had not been for about 6 years one single large 2487 house to be let in that street. 2488 2489 [But though hitherto God has pointed out Wilson Street as 2490 being the spot where this work should be carried on, may 2491 not now the time have come for removing?] 2492 2493 2. Perhaps we might also rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7, in Wilson 2494 Street, and use two out of those three houses for Orphan-2495 Houses, and one of them for an infirmary in case of 2496 sickness. 2497 2498 [But then, I said to myself, would not the objection, which 2499 the neighbours on the opposite side of the street might 2500 make, on account of the noise of the children in their play-2501 hours, etc. remain? Also the drains would be still more 2502 unsuitable, not being constructed for so many inmates; 2503 and to alter them would be a heavy expense. The play-2504 ground would be still less sufficient, if two new houses 2505 were added. Lastly, there was no reason to think that we 2506 could rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7.] 2507 2508 3. There are these three great objections against building: 2509 The considerable sum which is required, and which could 2510 be spent for present use upon the Orphans. The pilgrim 2511 character of the Christian seems lost in building. The time 2512 that it will necessarily take in making arrangements for it. 2513 2514 [Do not all these objections only hold good, I said to 2515 myself, if I were needlessly to set about building? If I 2516 could rent premises, which are really in every way 2517 suitable for the work, and I preferred building, then those 2518

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objections would apply to the case.; but when one is 2519 forced to it, it is no more than erecting a large building, 2520 because there may be 800 children of God in fellowship 2521 who have been hitherto renting a meeting-place, but for 2522 certain reasons are obliged to leave it, and cannot rent 2523 another. Such could not be accused of needlessly 2524 spending money in building instead of renting; nor could 2525 it be justly said that they have on that account given up 2526 the pilgrim character; nor would it be time wasted if some 2527 individuals were to make arrangements about the building 2528 of that meeting-place. Therefore these three objections 2529 just mentioned, which had been for ten years strongly in 2530 my own mind, were removed when once I saw plainly 2531 that nothing remained but to build.] 2532 2533 After I had spent a few hours in prayer and consideration 2534 over the subject, I began already to see that the Lord 2535 would lead me to build, and that His intentions were not 2536 only the benefit of the. Orphans, and the better ordering of 2537 the whole work, but also the bearing still further 2538 testimony that He could and would provide large sums for 2539 those who need them and trust in Him for them; and 2540 besides, that He would enlarge the work so, that, if I once 2541 did build a house, it might be large enough to 2542 accommodate three hundred Orphans, with their teachers 2543 and other overseers and servants needful for the work. — 2544 Concerning this latter point, I think it important to remark, 2545 that during no period had the number of applications for 2546 the admission of Orphans been greater than just before I 2547 was led to think about building, so that it was quite 2548 painful to me, not to be able to comply with the wishes of 2549 all the many persons who applied for the admission of 2550

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Orphans. There were many waiting for admission, 2551 particularly Orphan-Boys. 2552 2553 In the afternoon of November 3rd, 1845, I laid the matter 2554 before my fellow-labourers in the Church (eight in 2555 number) to get their judgment, whether I ought not to 2556 leave Wilson Street, and to build. All judged that I ought 2557 to leave Wilson Street, and none saw reasons against 2558 building. 2559 2560 On Nov. 4th my dear wife and I began to meet for prayer 2561 about this matter, and purposed to do so morning by 2562 morning. We asked God for clearer light concerning the 2563 particular points connected with the subject; and, being 2564 assured that it was His will that I should build, I began 2565 asking the Lord for means. 2566 2567 On Nov. 7th I judged, having considered the matter more 2568 fully, that sufficiently large premises to furnish all needful 2569 accommodation for 300 children (from their earliest days 2570 up to 15 or 10 years old), together with a sufficiently large 2571 piece of ground in the neighbourhood of Bristol, for 2572 building the premises upon and the remainder for 2573 cultivation by the spade, would cost at least Ten Thousand 2574 Pounds. I was not discouraged by this, but trusted in the 2575 living God. 2576 2577 We continued meeting for prayer morning by morning for 2578 l5 days, but not a single donation came in; yet my heart 2579 was not discouraged. The more I prayed the more assured 2580 I was, that the Lord would give the means. Yea, as fully 2581 assured was I that the Lord would do so, as if I bad 2582

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already seen the new premises actually before me. This 2583 assurance arose not from some vague, enthusiastical 2584 feeling, the mere excitement of the moment, but I, from 2585 the reasons already related, and especially from the 2586 commandment contained in Philip iv. 5. For I saw that I 2587 should not act according to the mind of our Lord Jesus, if 2588 I did not, as soon as I could, remove the Orphans from 2589 Wilson Street, as it had been stated to me in the letter 2590 referred to, that their living there was an annoyance to 2591 some of the inhabitants in that street. 2. This assurance 2592 that I should build an Orphan-House arose further, from 2593 the whole way in which the Lord has been pleased to lead 2594 me in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge 2595 Institution for Home and Abroad, since its beginning on 2596 March 5, 1834, i.e. He has been leading me forward as by 2597 an unseen hand, and enlarging the work more and more 2598 from its commencement, and, generally, without my 2599 seeking after it, and bringing things so clearly before me, 2600 that I could not but see that I ought to go forward. 3. 2601 Lastly and chiefly, this my assurance, that I should build 2602 unto the Lord this House of Mercy, arose also particularly 2603 from this, that, having strictly examined my heart as to the 2604 motives for doing so, I found that, as before. God, I could 2605 say that my only motives were His honour and glory and 2606 the. welfare of the Church of Christ at large, the real 2607 temporal and spiritual welfare of destitute Orphans, and 2608 the welfare of all those who might take care of them, in 2609 the building to be erected. And finding that, after praying 2610 again and again about the matter, I still remained in 2611 perfect peace, I judged it assuredly to be the will of God 2612 that I should go forward. 2613 2614

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2615 On Nov. 15th brother R. C. arrived, to labour for a little 2616 while in Bristol, I communicated to him my position with 2617 reference to having to remove the Orphans from Wilson 2618 Street, and I had his judgment also as to its being of God 2619 that I should build. This dear brother’s judgment greatly 2620 encouraged me. His visit was to me of great help in this 2621 particular, especially in stirring me up yet more, to bring 2622 everything, in connexion with this matter, before God. He 2623 also laid it on my heart to seek direction from God with 2624 reference to the plan of the building. He said "You must 2625 ask help from God to show you the plan, so that all may 2626 be according to the mind of God." 2627 2628 On Nov. 19th I left with my brother and fellow-labourer, 2629 Mr. Craik, for Sunderland, where we arrived on Nov. 20. 2630 Here we laboured till Dec. 4, when I left alone for Kendal, 2631 to labour there for a few days. All the time that I was at 2632 Sunderland, I had very much prayer about the building of 2633 the Orphan-House, and I felt all the time fully assured, 2634 that God would bring the matter to pass. But thirty days 2635 had now passed away, whilst I had been day by day 2636 waiting upon God for means for this work, and not a 2637 single penny had been given to me. Nevertheless, this did 2638 not in the least discourage me, but my assurance, that God 2639 in His own time and in His own way would give the 2640 means, increased more and more. While I was at 2641 Sunderland the portion which came in course of my 2642 meditation, on the New Testament, was the beginning of 2643 the epistle of James. More than at any period in my life 2644 was I struck with these verses: "My brethren, count it all 2645 joy when ye fall into divers temptations (i.e. trials) 2646

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2647 knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh 2648 patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye 2649 may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James i. 2—2650 4. It was especially the last verse, "But let patience have 2651 her perfect work, etc." which I found of exceeding great 2652 importance with reference to the building of the Orphan-2653 House. It led out my soul in prayer day after day, to ask 2654 the Lord to increase my faith and to sustain my patience. I 2655 had these verses so impressed upon my heart, that I could 2656 not but think God meant particularly to bless me by them, 2657 with regard to the work before me, and that I should 2658 especially need patience as well as faith, 2659 2660 I stayed at Kendal from the evening of Dec. 4 to Dec. 8, 2661 when I left for Bristol, where I arrived on Dec. 9th. It was 2662 now 35 days that I had been day by day bringing this 2663 matter before God, as to the various points connected with 2664 it, and especially also asking the Lord for means; but 2665 nothing whatever had been given to me. On the day after 2666 my return I renewed our united prayer meeting with my 2667 dear wife. Now observe: on the 36th day, after having 2668 begun to pray, on Dec. 10, 1845, I received 1000l. 2669 towards the building of the Orphan-House. This is the 2670 largest donation that I had received up to that time for the 2671 Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but when I received it I 2672 was as calm, as quiet, as if I had only received one 2673 shilling. For my heart was looking out for answers. Day 2674 by day I was expecting to receive answers to my prayers. 2675 Therefore, having faith concerning the matter, this 2676 donation did not in the least surprise me. Yea, if Five 2677 Thousand Pounds, or Ten Thousand Pounds, had been 2678

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given to me, instead of One Thousand Pounds, it would 2679 not have surprised me. 2680 2681 Dec. 13. On the 39th day my sister-in-law, who had been 2682 for some weeks absent in London, and who had now 2683 returned to Bristol, told me that she had met a gentleman 2684 in London, who, having quite recently read with deep 2685 interest the Narrative of the Lord’s dealings with me, 2686 wished to know as many particulars about the work in my 2687 hands as he could. Being told by my sister-in-law that I 2688 purposed to build an Orphan-House, he, an architect, 2689 offered to make the plan, and superintend the building, 2690 gratuitously. Unsolicited he pressed this matter upon her 2691 with deep and lively interest. I hear also that he is a 2692 Christian. The fact, that this offer comes unsolicited and 2693 from a Christian architect, shows especially the hand of 2694 God. This is the second proof that God will help me in 2695 this matter. 2696 2697 Dec. 23. This is now the 50th day since I have come to the 2698 conclusion to build, and the 49th day since we have been 2699 daily waiting upon God for help. Nothing more has come 2700 in since Dec. 10th, not even one penny. This morning I 2701 have been particularly encouraged by the consideration 2702 that the Lord has sent me the 1000l. and the promise from 2703 that pious architect, whom I have never seen, and of 2704 whose name I am as yet in ignorance, not to mock me, but 2705 as an earnest that He will give all that is needed. 2706 2707 It seems desirable that we should have a large piece of 2708 ground of at least six or seven acres. This piece of ground 2709 must be in the vicinity of Bristol. 1. In order that the 2710

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Orphan-House may be accessible to me, as my place at 2711 present is fixed by my other work in Bristol. 2. That the 2712 labourers in the Institution and the Orphans may be able 2713 to attend our meetings, at least on the Lord’s day. 3. That 2714 the inhabitants of Bristol may have the benefit of seeing 2715 with their own eyes this work of God, which is so 2716 manifestly His and not mine. 4. That strangers, who pass 2717 through Bristol, may have an easy access to it, for the 2718 same reason. But then, such a piece of ground, near 2719 Bristol, where there is just now an inordinate desire for 2720 building, in the way of speculation, would cost in all 2721 human probability between 2000l. and 3000l. Then the 2722 building itself, however plain, would not cost less than 2723 from 6000l. to 8000l., being for 300 Orphans, besides all 2724 their overseers, teachers, and assistants. In addition to this, 2725 the fitting up and furnishing the house for between 300 2726 and 400 inmates, would not cost less than 1500l. more. 2727 This is indeed a large sum of money which I need; but my 2728 hope is in God. I have not sought after this thing. It has 2729 not begun with me. God has altogether unexpectedly, by 2730 means of the letter before mentioned, led me to it. Only 2731 the day before I received the letter, I had no more thought 2732 about building premises for the accommodation of the 2733 Orphans, than I had had during the ten previous years. — 2734 My especial prayer is, that God would continue to me 2735 faith and patience. If He shall be pleased to help me, in 2736 faith and patience to continue to wait on Him, help will 2737 surely come. 2738 2739 Dec. 24. No further donation yet. But my hope in God is 2740 unshaken. He most assuredly will help. — I have on 2741 purpose not issued any circular in connexion with this 2742

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matter, in order that the band of God may be the more 2743 manifest. To some persons, residing in or out of Bristol, I 2744 have spoken about my intention of building, when 2745 conversation led to it. Through this, if the Lord please, He 2746 can make it known to others, and thus send means for the 2747 Building Fund. Or He can send in such an abundance of 2748 means for the work which is already in existence, that 2749 from that abundance there may be a rich surplus towards 2750 the Building Fund. But howsoever God may help, I do 2751 desire to see His hand made most manifest. There will be, 2752 no doubt, many trials connected with this enlargement of 2753 the field of labour (for if with 130 Orphans there has been 2754 so much trial of faith, what is to be expected when the 2755 number is 300); and therefore I desire to see as clearly as 2756 daylight that God Himself is leading me onward. 2757 2758 Dec.29. This is the 56th day since I came to the 2759 conclusion to build, and the 55th since I have been day by 2760 day waiting upon God concerning it. Only that one 2761 donation had come in till this evening, when I received 2762 2763 50l. This donation is exceedingly precious to me, not only 2764 because I am sure it is most cheerfully given, nor even 2765 because of its largeness, but because it is another precious 2766 proof that God will bring about the matter, else He would 2767 not give me these earnest. All my business therefore is: to 2768 continue in faith and patience to wait upon God. My 2769 assurance has been more and more increasing that God 2770 will build for Himself a large Orphan-House in this city, 2771 to show to the inhabitants, and to all who may read and 2772 hear about it, what a blessed thing it is to trust in Him. — 2773 Of late I have seen, by God’s grace, more and more, how 2774

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entirely unworthy I am of being used by God for this 2775 glorious and honourable service, and I can only say, "Lord 2776 here is thy servant, if thou art pleased to use such a one as 2777 I am." 2778 2779 Dec. 30, 1845. This morning I came, in course of my 2780 reading, to the commencement of the book of Ezra. I was 2781 particularly refreshed by the two following points 2782 contained in the first chapter, in applying them to the 2783 building of the Orphan-House: 1. Cyrus, an idolatrous 2784 king, was used by God to provide the means for building 2785 the temple at Jerusalem: how easy therefore for God to 2786 provide Ten Thousand Pounds for the Orphan-House, or 2787 even Twenty or Thirty Thousand Pounds, if needed. 2. 2788 The people were stirred up by God to help those who 2789 went up to Jerusalem. Thus it is a small matter for Him to 2790 put it into the hearts of His children to help me, in 2791 desiring to build this house of mercy unto His name.—2792 This meditation I had before breakfast. After family 2793 prayer in the morning I had again my usual season for 2794 prayer about the building, and at this time it was 2795 particularly coupled with thanksgiving for the 50l. 2796 received last evening, and with entreating blessings on the 2797 donor. I was now looking out for more, as I am doing day 2798 by day, when this afternoon I received from a person at 2799 Clevedon 2s. 6d., from her grandson 6d., and from the 2800 sister in the Lord, who brought the money, the change, 2801 which she did not wish back, being another 6d. These 2802 donations, though small, are nevertheless very precious to 2803 me, as I take them as further proofs out of the hands of 2804 God, that He will most assuredly bring this thing to pass. 2805 This evening I received One Thousand Pounds towards 2806

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the Building Fund. When I received this donation, I was 2807 as calm, yea as perfectly calm, as if I had received a single 2808 penny, because, by God’s grace, I have faith in Him, and 2809 therefore am looking for answers to my prayers, and am 2810 sure that God will give every shilling that is needed. 2811 2812 January 2, 1846. This evening I received from Bideford 2813 11s, towards the Building Fund. 2814 2815 Jan. 3. One of the Orphans gave 6d. 2816 2817 Jan. 6. Received a little bag made of foreign seed, and a 2818 shell-flower, to be sold for the Building Fund. The sister 2819 who sent these articles wrote to me, that the moment she 2820 heard of my intention of building an Orphan-House, this 2821 text was before her mind: "Who art thou, O great 2822 mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a 2823 plain."— Zech. iv. 7. Also one of the Orphans sent 4d. 2824 2825 Having asked the Lord to go before me, I went out today 2826 to look for a piece of ground. The armory which is to be 2827 sold had been several times mentioned to me, as a suitable 2828 place. I did not think so, yet thought I ought at least to 2829 look at it. Having seen it and been confirmed in my 2830 judgment about its unsuitableness, I asked the Lord 2831 whether I should turn towards the city or towards 2832 Stapleton. I felt led to go towards the city, and saw 2833 immediately after some fields near the armory. After 2834 having made inquiry to whom they belonged, I have been 2835 led to write this evening to the owner of them, asking him 2836 whether he is disposed to sell them, &c. I am now quietly 2837 waiting the Lord’s pleasure. If His time is come to answer 2838

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our requests as to a suitable piece of land, I shall be glad; 2839 if it is not yet come, I desire that "patience may have her 2840 perfect work, being perfect and entire, wanting nothing." 2841 2842 Jan. 8. This evening I received a reply to my letter. The 2843 owner of those fields writes, that, if he did sell them, it 2844 would be only for building land, and therefore they will 2845 be too dear. 2846 2847 Jan 9. Went this morning once more to see those fields, 2848 which seem very suitable. Met there Mr. L., a land agent, 2849 who told me that they would be nearly a Thousand 2850 Pounds per acre, and therefore too dear. I asked Mr. L. to 2851 inform me if he should hear of any suitable land for sale. 2852 2853 Jan. 10. One of the Orphans having received half-a-crown 2854 from a cousin, gave 1s. 6d. of it towards building the 2855 Orphan-House; a sister in the Lord also gave me 3s., a 2856 ring, a pair of gold earrings, and a gold brooch. 2857 2858 Jan. 11. Today I received from a gentleman of Liverpool, 2859 who has been staying at Clifton, 5l, and from the sister, 2860 through whom this donation was conveyed to me, I 2861 received 1l. more towards the Building-Fund. 2862 2863 Jan. 12. Received a case with ladies’ working instruments, 2864 to be sold for the Building Fund. Two of the Infant 2865 Orphans also gave 6d. and 4d. 2866 2867 Jan. 13. Half-a-crown was given today. 2868 2869 Jan. 16. From Bideford 1l. 15s. 2870

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2871 Jan. 24. The produce of a knitted handkerchief, sold for 2872 2s, was given today; also 4s. 6d. by sale of two dolls; and 2873 some brethren at Barnstaple sent 12l. as a token of their 2874 loving interest in this work. 2875 2876 Jan. 26. A sister in the Lord gave 2s. 6d. 2877 2878 Jan. 31. It is now 89 days since I have been daily waiting 2879 upon God about the building of an Orphan-House. The 2880 time seems to me now near when the Lord will give us a 2881 piece of ground, and I told the brethren and sisters so this 2882 evening, after our usual Saturday evening prayer meeting 2883 at the Orphan-Houses. 2884 2885 Feb. 1. A poor widow sent today l0s. 2886 2887 Feb. 2. Today I heard of suitable and cheap land on 2888 Ashley Down. 2889 2890 Feb. 3, Saw the land. It is the most desirable of all I have 2891 seen. — There was anonymously put into an Orphan-box 2892 at my house a sovereign, in a piece of paper, on which 2893 was written, "The New Orphan-House." 2894 2895 Feb. 4. This evening I called on the owner of the land on 2896 Ashley Down, about which I had heard on the 2nd, but he 2897 was not at borne. As I, however, had been informed that I 2898 should find him at his house of business, I went there, but 2899 did not find him there either, as he had just before left. I 2900 might have called again at his residence, at a later hour, 2901 having been informed by one of the servants that he 2902

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would be sure to be at home about eight o’clock; but I did 2903 not do so, judging that there was the hand of God in my 2904 not finding him at either place: and I judged it best 2905 therefore not to force the matter, but to "let patience have 2906 her perfect work." 2907 2908 Feb. 5. Saw this morning the owner of the land. He told 2909 me that he awoke at three o’clock this morning and could 2910 not sleep again till five. While he was thus lying awake, 2911 his mind was all the time occupied about the piece of 2912 land, respecting which inquiry had been made of him for 2913 the building of an Orphan-House, at my request; and he 2914 determined, that if I should apply for it, he would not only 2915 let me have it, but for 120l. per acre, instead of 200l., the 2916 price which he had previously asked for it. How good is 2917 the Lord! The agreement was made this morning, and I 2918 purchased a field of nearly seven acres, at 120l. per acre. 2919 2920 Observe the hand of God in my not finding the owner at 2921 home last evening! The Lord meant to speak to His 2922 servant first about this matter, during a sleepless night, 2923 and to lead him fully to decide, before I had seen him. 2924 2925 Feb. 6. Two dolls were given for sale, and one of them 2926 was sold for 3s. 2927 2928 Feb. 7. Received from two of the Orphans 8d. and 4d. 2929 Also, one of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave l0s, 2930 and a poor man 3d. 2931 2932 Feb. 8. I wrote the day before yesterday to the architect, 2933 who has offered his help gratuitously. 2934

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2935 Feb. 11. Received from a sister in the Lord 5l. Received 2936 also from the architect the following reply to my letter: 2937 2938 "My dear Sir, 2939 2940 It will afford me a gratification, beyond what I can 2941 communicate by letter, to lend you a helping hand in the 2942 labour of love you are engaged in, and I shall esteem it a 2943 very great privilege being allowed to exercise my abilities 2944 as an architect and surveyor in the erection of the building 2945 you propose to erect for the Orphans. I really do mean 2946 what I say, and, if all is well, by the blessing of God, I 2947 will gratuitously furnish you with plans, elevations, and 2948 sections; with specification of the work, so that the cost 2949 may be accurately estimated. I will also make you an 2950 estimate and superintend the works for you gratuitously, 2951 &c." 2952 2953 2954 Feb. 12. This afternoon a little parcel was brought to my 2955 house, containing ten sovereigns and a little slip of paper, 2956 on which was written: 2957 2958 "Dear Sir, —I have sent you ten pounds for the New 2959 Orphan-House. It is the Lord’s doing. Seek not to know 2960 my name." 2961 2962 2963 Feb. 14. There came in 8s. 6d. by sale of articles. 2964 2965

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Feb. 15. Received the promise that on March 25th should 2966 be paid to me 500l. for the building of the Orphan-House. 2967 2968 Feb. 18. Received 1l. from Sunderland. 2969 2970 Feb. 19. The architect kindly came from London. He 2971 considers the ground to be most suitable as to situation, 2972 drainage, water, &c. —I received also today from a sister 2973 5l. 2974 2975 Feb. 20. Received from a sister l0s., and from a brother 5l. 2976 The brother told me that never in his life does he 2977 remember to have given any donation with so much real 2978 pleasure as this 51. This is of God. I own God’s hand in 2979 this. He it is that inclines the hearts of His dear children 2980 towards this service. May He only be pleased to continue 2981 to give me faith amid patience, and I shall most assuredly 2982 see this building erected to the praise of His name! 2983 2984 Feb. 28. Two of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave 2985 1s. each—Today the 5001. which had been promised on 2986 the 15th, was paid 25 days sooner than promised. I 2987 rejoiced in this speed; for I remembered that word: 2988 2989 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: 2990 for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor 2991 wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest." 2992 2993 March 2. Received 2 rings, 6 brooches, 2 mourning 2994 brooches, 3 old silver thimbles, a silver guard, a small 2995 gold chain, 4 pairs of earrings, 3 polished stones, a 2996

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bracelet, 3 waist buckles, a silver mounting of a horn, and 2997 2 candlestick ornaments. 2998 2999 March 3. From a brother in the Lord 101. 3000 3001 March 8. From Clevedon 1s., and from London 6d. 3002 3003 March 13. From a young sister in the Lord 13s. From a 3004 little girl at Bath 2s. 6d. — Also 2 babies’ pinafores for 3005 sale. — 4 little frocks, a pair of socks, and 4 pincushions 3006 (also for sale). — Likewise a dozen doilies. 3007 3008 March 15. Anonymously 21. with these lines written in 3009 the paper: "Wishing for the privilege of raising a few 3010 stones towards erecting the. New Orphan-House, the 3011 enclosed trifle is sent for that purpose. — There will 3012 doubtless be a conspiracy from beneath, to fight against 3013 and to hinder the work; nevertheless let us make our 3014 prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day 3015 and night." 3016 3017 March 19. By sale of some articles 1l. 5s 4 1⁄2 d. 3018 3019 March 22. From a sister in the Lord 10s. 3020 3021 March 25. A pair of knitted cuffs for sale. 3022 3023 March 28. A lady at Clifton gave 21. 3024 3025 March 31. A brother, having unexpectedly received a sum 3026 of money as a dividend from a Bankruptcy, gave 101. 3027

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towards the Building-Fund, as "A thank-offering to the 3028 Lord." 3029 3030 April 5. Anonymously 11. 3031 3032 April 7. Four pairs of knitted socks were given for sale; 3033 and by a sister in the. Lord 101., as "A thank-offering for 3034 mercies received." This 101. comes at a season of a very 3035 great trial of faith, on account of a multiplicity of 3036 difficulties in which I am just now, and it is another 3037 precious earnest to me from God, that He will give me in 3038 every way what I need, after He has sufficiently tried my 3039 faith and patience.—There were also given 5 stuffed birds 3040 and a pincushion. Also 2 cups, 2 shells, a book-mark, and 3041 a watch guard. Also a knitted cloth. 3042 3043 April 27. Anonymously 4s., and by sale of articles 3s. 9d. 3044 I received also the following letter from Sunderland: 3045 3046 3047 Sunderland, April 24, 1846. 3048 3049 Beloved Brother, 3050 3051 A year having now elapsed since our chapel was opened, 3052 and our God having signally blessed us in all things, the 3053 saints here have been stirred up to present a thank-3054 offering to our Father, and to give it for the New Orphan-3055 Houses. I therefore send you in their name, the sum of 3056 17l. Etc." 3057 3058 May 3. From a sister at Bath 10s. 3059

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3060 May 9. By sale of articles 1s. "A widow’s mite" 1l. 3061 3062 May 11. From a brother 50l. 3063 3064 May 21. From Oxford 1l. 3065 3066 May 27. From a sister in Bristol 1l. 3067 3068 June 2. Through a sister 1s. 3d. 3069 3070 June. 4. From Leicestershire 5s., and from a sister in 3071 Bristol 2s. 6d. 3072 3073 That which has been stated above concerning the origin of 3074 the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, was 3075 published in the Ninth Report of the Scriptural 3076 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, which was 3077 issued in the year 1846. In that Report were added to the 3078 above, the following remarks, which I likewise give here 3079 again, in order that the reader may have a clear under-3080 standing of the whole, and also the full particulars 3081 concerning this Orphan Establishment. 3082 3083 1. The total amount, which has been given for the 3084 Building-Fund, up to June 4, 1846, is 2710l. 3s. 5 1⁄2 d. 3085 This is only a small part of what will be needed, but, by 3086 the grace of God, I am in perfect peace, being fully 3087 assured that God in His own time will send the whole sum 3088 which is required. Many and great have already been the 3089 exercises of faith and patient since I first began to give 3090 myself to prayer about this work, and still greater they 3091

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may be, before it is accomplished; but God, in the riches 3092 of His grace, will help me through them all. It is now 3093 (June 4, 1846) 212 days since I first began to pray about 3094 this work, and day after day, since then, have I been 3095 enabled to continue to wait upon God, and I am more than 3096 ever assured that, notwithstanding all my exceeding great 3097 unworthiness, God will condescend to use me, to build 3098 this House. Had it been the excitement of the moment, the 3099 difficulties which have already come upon me in 3100 connexion with this work, (which are not stated here, on 3101 account of their occupying too much room) would have 3102 overwhelmed me; but as God Himself, I trust, led me to 3103 this work, so He has helped me, and does help me, and, I 3104 doubt not, will help me to the end. 3105 3106 2. The house is intended to be built, so as to accommodate 3107 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of age, 80 Orphan 3108 Boys above seven, and 80 male and female Orphans from 3109 their earliest days, till they are seven years old, together 3110 with all the overseers and teachers, etc. that may be 3111 needed. The Infants, after having passed the age of seven, 3112 will be removed into the different departments for older 3113 boys and girls. 3114 3115 3. The plan of the building is, by the help of God, all but 3116 completed. Scarcely anything more remains to be altered. 3117 3118 4. The building, however, will not commence till all the 3119 money, which is required, has been received. 3120 3121

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5. The land and house will be invested in the hands of 3122 about ten brethren, as trustees, who shall be persons well 3123 known and of good report. 3124 3125 6. Only such donations, ordinarily, will be put to time 3126 Building-Fund as are express1y given for it. I should only 3127 depart from this my usual mode, if the. Lord by some very 3128 great abundance of means corning in, or in other respects 3129 were to point out, that money not expressly given for the 3130 Building-Fund, was to be appropriated to it. It is therefore 3131 requested that donors will kindly state it, if they wish any 3132 donation put to the Building-Fund. 3133 3134 3135 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge 3136 Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the 3137 period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1840. 3138 3139 3140 1. During the whole of this period, 4 Day-Schools, with 3141 278 children in them, were entirely supported by the funds 3142 of the Institution. Three Day-Schools besides were 3143 assisted. The number of the children that were taught in 3144 the Day-Schools, entirely supported by the funds of the 3145 Institution, from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1846, 3146 amounts to 3983. During the period from July 14, 1844, to 3147 May 26, 1846, 628l. l9s. 4 3⁄4 d. was spent on all the 3148 Schools, which were either entirely or in. part supported 3149 by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. —3150 Further, during this period there were also entirely 3151 supported a Sunday-School with 80 children, and an 3152 Adult-School with 60 persons attending it. The total 3153

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number of Adult scholars who received instruction, from 3154 the formation of this Institution to May 26, 1846, is 1146. 3155 3156 2. During this period were circulated 269 Bibles, and 171 3157 Testaments; and 5079 Bibles, and 3528 Testaments were 3158 circulated from the commencement of the work up to May 3159 26, 1846. 40l. 7s. 10d. was expended of the Funds of the 3160 Institution on this object, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 3161 1840. 3162 3163 3. From July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, was laid out for 3164 Foreign and Home Missions the sum of 595l. 7s, 9d. Of 3165 this sum was spent for Foreign Missions 447l. l7s. 9d, 3166 which was divided among 15 brethren and sisters who 3167 labour in British Guiana, one brother and sister in 3168 Jamaica, 2 brethren in India, one brother in Prussia, and 3 3169 brethren in Switzerland. The remainder, 147l. 10s. was 3170 divided among 14 brethren who labour in England 3171 without any salary, and in dependence upon the Lord for 3172 their temporal supplies. During no period previously was 3173 so much of the Funds of this Institution spent on 3174 Missionary work, which arose from the fact, that, the 3175 more I corresponded with brethren who laboured in the 3176 word and doctrine in foreign lands, the more I saw how 3177 much they stood in need of assistance, and thus, my heart 3178 having been led out in prayer to God on their behalf, that 3179 He would be pleased to send me means, whereby I might 3180 be able to assist them, He was pleased to do so. This led 3181 me to purpose, as God should give me grace, to be still 3182 more mindful of them in future, and to seek to be able still 3183 more to assist them. The same was the case with regard to 3184 those brethren who labour in England, but who have no 3185

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salary or stipend, but trust in the living God for the supply 3186 of their daily necessities; I did long to help such brethren, 3187 and had no doubt that God would enable me to do so. 3188 3189 When I now, whilst preparing this fourth part of my 3190 Narrative for the press, look back to this period, how 3191 greatly has God helped me since then even in this 3192 particular; for, of late years, he has enabled me to spend 3193 on Missionary objects about seven times more than during 3194 the period now referred to. 3195 3196 4. There was laid out for the circulation of tracts, from 3197 July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, the sum of 50l. 9s. 9 1⁄2 3198 d., for which Fifty-two thousand and three such little 3199 publications were bought, which, with 5315 in hand on 3200 July 14, 1844, makes 57318, of which number 40565 3201 were circulated The total number circulated from Nov. 19, 3202 1840, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 99647. 3203 3204 5. There were received into the four Orphan-Houses, from 3205 July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1840, 30 Orphans, who, 3206 together with those who were in the four Houses on July 3207 14, 1844, make up 151 in all. Of these: 1. One child died. 3208 2. One boy left the Institution secretly just when he was 3209 ready to be apprenticed, and went to his relatives. [In 3210 going over this account, for time sake of preparing it for 3211 the press, I cannot help making a few remarks on this 3212 case, for the sake of teachers, guardians, and parents, who 3213 are greatly afflicted by the bad behaviour of children or 3214 young persons. The boy referred to just now gave us for 3215 years much sorrow. All means, to bring him into a 3216 different state, seemed entirely lost. At last he was going 3217

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to be apprenticed. His clothes and outfit for leaving the 3218 House were already prepared, when he secretly left and at 3219 last reached on foot the dwelling-place of an elder sister, 3220 in the North of Devon, who is married to a master of a 3221 small vessel, a pious man. His sister and brother-in-law 3222 were greatly afflicted by his bad behaviour towards his 3223 friends in Bristol. There remained, however, now nothing 3224 to be done, but that the lad should go with his brother-in-3225 law to sea. After he had been some time at sea, one night 3226 there was a terrific storm, so that all hope of the vessel or 3227 crew being saved was gone. This poor lad now 3228 remembered the instruction which he had received in the 3229 Orphan-House in Bristol, and earnestly prayed to God for 3230 mercy, and turned to Him. From that time, as the brother-3231 in-law himself told me, this youth was a truly changed 3232 character, and proved by his godly deportment for several 3233 months afterwards, that he had the grace of God in him; 3234 for he continued walking in the fear of God, till about 6 3235 months afterwards, when he was drowned by falling 3236 overboard. May this encourage all who labour among the 3237 young, patiently to go on in their service. "They that sow 3238 in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. 126, 5.] 3. Six children were 3239 taken back by their relatives, who by that time were able 3240 to provide for them. 4. Six boys were apprenticed at the 3241 expense of the Institution, and five other boys, ready to be 3242 apprenticed, were sent to their relatives to be apprenticed. 3243 5. Two girls were apprenticed, and eight sent out to 3244 service, and one girl was sent to her relatives to serve 3245 them. 3246 3247 There were on May 28, 1846, One hundred and twenty-3248 one Orphans in the Four Houses. Besides this, six 3249

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apprentices were still supported by the Funds of the 3250 Institution, so that the total number was 127. The number 3251 of the Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, 3252 to May 26, 1846, amounts to 213. 3253 3254 I notice further the following points in connexion with the 3255 Orphan-Houses. 3256 3257 1. Without any one having been personally applied to for 3258 anything by me, the sum of 13,275l. 6s. 9 3⁄4 d. was given 3259 to me as the result of prayer to God, from the 3260 commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. This 3261 sum includes the 2710l. 3s. 5 1⁄2 d. which up to June 4, 3262 1846, was given towards the Building Fund. (It may be 3263 interesting to the reader to know that the total amount 3264 which was given as free contributions, for the other 3265 objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 3266 26, 1846, amounts to 4833l. 18s. 10 3⁄4 d.; and that which 3267 came in by the sale. of Bibles and Tracts, and by the 3268 payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounts to 3269 2097l. 18s. 2 1⁄2 d.) 2. Besides this, also a great variety 3270 and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, 3271 etc., were given for the Orphans, as has been stated in the 3272 printed Reports. The total expenditure for the Orphans 3273 from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, was 2732l. l4s. 1 1⁄2 3274 d., and for the other objects 1325l. 7s. 7 1⁄4 d. 3275 3276 In conclusion I cannot but mention, to the praise of the 3277 Lord, concerning this period, that four of the Sunday-3278 School children were admitted to communion. Likewise 3279 three more of the Orphans were received into church 3280 fellowship, so that up to that time, altogether 32 of the 3281

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Orphans had been admitted. I also mention with peculiar 3282 joy, and as a matter for thankfulness, that of those who 3283 were apprenticed or sent out to service, from July 14, 3284 1844, to May 20, 1846, ten were believers, most of whom 3285 had been for several years in fellowship, before they were 3286 sent out to service. But whilst we desire to receive these 3287 instances as precious encouragements from the Lord to 3288 continue our service, we cannot but believe, judging from 3289 the many prayers the Lord gives us for the children and 3290 adults under our care and instruction, that that which we 3291 see is but an earnest of a far larger harvest in the day of 3292 Christ’s appearing. 3293 3294 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or time 3295 work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected 3296 with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, from January 3297 1, 1844, to May 26, 1846. 3298 3299 Soon after my return from Germany, where I had been 3300 labouring for seven months in 1843, and 1844, of which I 3301 have written at length in the third part of this Narrative, I 3302 had it laid on my heart to go there again for a season; but, 3303 before doing so, I felt called upon to prepare for the press 3304 a new edition of the first and second parts, and to write 3305 the third part of my Narrative. For this, however, a large 3306 sum of money was required, as I purposed to print not less 3307 than 4000 copies. As I had no money of my own for this 3308 object, I gave myself to prayer, and, after having prayed 3309 several months respecting it, I received on December 30, 3310 1844, unasked for, the sum which would be needed to 3311 accomplish this object. 3312 3313

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Dec. 31, 1844. Since Brother Craik and I came to Bristol, 3314 982 believers have been received into communion, 3315 making 1050 with the 68 whom we found in fellowship. 3316 Of these, 97 have fallen asleep, 53 are under church 3317 discipline, 56 have left us but are still in Bristol, and 176 3318 have removed from Bristol; so that there are only 668 in 3319 communion at present. During this year 73 have been 3320 received. 3321 3322 The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year— 3323 3324 1, Through anonymous offerings in money, 3325 3326 put up in paper, and directed to me, and placed in the 3327 boxes for the poor 3328 3329 saints, or the rent, at the two chapels. £117 11 9 3330 3331 2, Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, 3332 not given anonymously 56 0 6 3333 3334 3, Through presents in money, from believers not residing 3335 in Bristol . . . . 81 14 6 3336 3337 4, In presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at 3338 least 12 0 0 3339 3340 £267 6 9 3341 3342 To this is to be added, that, for the first two months and 3343 six days of this year, my expenses, and those of my dear 3344 wife, during our stay in Germany, were met, as also our 3345

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traveling expenses back, as stated in. the third part of my 3346 Narrative. Also during the whole of this year a Christian 3347 lady gave to our dear child board and schooling without 3348 any remuneration, a present worth to us not less than 50l. 3349 On this point I cannot help making a few remarks. I had 3350 clearly seen it to be the will of God that my daughter 3351 should be brought up at school, and not at home. My 3352 reasons for it were these: 1, My dear wife, though well 3353 qualified, to instruct our daughter, so far as knowledge 3354 goes, was unable, on account of being engaged as my wife 3355 in a variety of things connected with the Lord’s service, to 3356 give herself uninterruptedly to this work; and to do it 3357 partially we judged to be injurious to our daughter. 2, I 3358 had seen instances in which a home education, for an only 3359 child, had turned out very badly. 3, I judged that the 3360 mixing with other children would be beneficial to our 3361 daughter, provided that intercourse was under proper 3362 oversight; as thus a child is in early life introduced into a 3363 little world, and things do not all at once come upon a 3364 young person, when at last obliged to leave the parental 3365 roof. 4, But that which most of all led me to this decision 3366 was, that, as in the Church of Christ the Lord has qualified 3367 the members of the body for the performance of certain 3368 work, and all have not the same gift and service, so, in the 3369 same way, certain believers are called and qualified above 3370 others, for instructing children, and give themselves to 3371 this particular service, and that, therefore, I ought to make 3372 use of the qualifications of such, and of their having given 3373 their whole time to this particular service. — These 3374 reasons led us to place our dear daughter at school, 3375 instead of educating her at home, and we have never had 3376 cause to regret the step we took, but on the contrary, have 3377

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had abundant reason to praise God for it I have purposely 3378 made these remarks, as I am fully aware that some 3379 believers have different views on this subject, and I desire 3380 to serve them with the measure of light and experience I 3381 have obtained. 3382 3383 After our daughter had been at school for half a year, I 3384 asked for the account, when it was stated to me by the 3385 Christian lady in whose establishment she was, that she 3386 had a pleasure in educating her gratuitously. However, as 3387 I pressed the matter, I obtained the account. It was paid, 3388 but the exact sum was returned to me anonymously, 3389 which, of course, I found out at once to be from the 3390 Christian sister at whose school my daughter was. From 3391 that time I could never more obtain the account, though 3392 my dear child was about six years longer at school. I refer 3393 to this point for this especial reason: God had laid it on 3394 my heart to care about poor destitute Orphans. To this 3395 service I had been led to give myself; He, in return, as a 3396 recompense even for this life, took care that my own 3397 beloved child should have a very good education, free of 3398 expense to me. I was able, and well able to pay for her 3399 education, and most willing to do so; but the Lord gave it 3400 gratuitously; thus also showing how ready He is, 3401 abundantly to help me and to supply my wants. 3402 3403 January 6, 1845. Today I received the most painful 3404 information that a false teacher from Switzerland had 3405 found his way among the brethren and sisters at Stuttgart, 3406 and that through him several, yea almost all, to a greater 3407 or less degree had been drawn aside, and shaken as to the 3408 very foundations of their faith. 3409

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3410 I cannot describe how bitter the trial was to me to see the 3411 Lord thus dishonoured, and my painful service for seven 3412 months during the previous year, to all appearance, 3413 entirely frustrated. The Lord, however, laid these brethren 3414 and sisters on my heart in prayer, so that I was day by day 3415 enabled to bring them before God, and also to resolve, 3416 that, as soon as my path was made plain, I would go again 3417 to Stuttgart for a season. 3418 3419 May 3, 1845. I have seen it more and more clearly of late, 3420 that the time is drawing near, when I shall go again to 3421 Germany, to labour there for a time; for the brethren who 3422 had fallen into grievous errors are now recovering out of 3423 them, but need a helping hand to restore them fully, or at 3424 least to confirm them in the truth. In addition to this I 3425 purpose to publish some tracts in German. But though it is 3426 now four months, since I have been daily praying 3427 respecting this object, I never had been led to ask the Lord 3428 to give me means for it, because I felt assured, that, when 3429 His time was come for me to go, He would provide the 3430 means; and also because I had never felt myself led to 3431 pray about it. Today, however, I asked the Lord that He 3432 would provide the means for all that is necessary in 3433 connexion with this service; and I had a secret satisfaction 3434 in feeling that so much was required, i.e. means for the 3435 journey to and fro, means for our stay there, means for the 3436 publication of Tracts, means to be left behind for the work 3437 in Bristol, to supply the need at least for a time, for I did 3438 not wish to go, unless it were the Lord’s will, and if so, 3439 He would give the means. Now see how the Lord dealt 3440 with me! About a quarter of an hour after 1 had been in 3441

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prayer with my dear wife respecting this object, and I had 3442 now, for the first time, asked Him for means to carry it 3443 out, though for four months we had daily prayed together 3444 respecting spiritual success in this service, I received a 3445 letter containing an order for 500l. In the letter this was 3446 written: 3447 3448 "I enclose * * * * 500l., which will be more useful in your 3449 hands than in mine. I mean it in the first place for all that 3450 is needed preparatory to and attendant upon your journey 3451 to Germany, and, whatever the surplus may be, you will 3452 apply as you find there is need in the different parts of 3453 service under your care." Thus the Lord has fully 3454 answered our requests for means, and that so speedily! 3455 3456 On July 19th my dear wife and I left Bristol for Stuttgart. 3457 As the letters, which I wrote to the church in Bristol, in 3458 which I gave some account of my labours on the 3459 Continent, have been preserved, I give them here, as they 3460 will furnish the reader with an outline of the Lord’s 3461 dealings with me during that period. 3462 3463 3464 Stuttgart, Aug. 16, 1845. 3465 3466 To the Saints, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at 3467 Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol. 3468 3469 3470 Dear Brethren, 3471 3472

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It is today four weeks since we left you. As I know that 3473 your love to us would like to know how the Lord has been 3474 dealing with us since, and as I have abundant reason to 3475 speak well of Him on account of His goodness and mercy 3476 to us since our departure; I gladly relate to you how it has 3477 been with us since we left Bristol It was on Saturday 3478 afternoon, July 19th, that we started for London. On the 3479 next day, the Lord’s day, I ministered twice in London, as 3480 also on Monday evening. I was much helped in doing so, 3481 especially on the evening of the Lord’s day and on 3482 Monday evening, and I could not but recognize the hand 3483 of the Lord even in this, with reference to my leaving 3484 Bristol for a season. On Monday and Tuesday we were 3485 much occupied in procuring our passports, and on 3486 Wednesday at twelve o’clock we went on board the 3487 steamer for Ostend. The Lord mercifully carried us over 3488 the sea, although we were both very sea-sick, and about 3489 five o’clock the next morning we went on shore at 3490 Ostend. Having in a very little time, without any 3491 difficulty, obtained our luggage out of the Customhouse, 3492 we left by the first train for Cologne, at half-past six, 3493 travelled all that day, a distance of about 240 miles, and 3494 reached Cologne between nine and ten o’clock in the 3495 evening. We then travelled either in the Rhine steamers, 3496 on the rail-road, or in an omnibus, the four following days 3497 also, yet so that we arranged to have time to ourselves, 3498 and reached Stuttgart about eight o’clock on Monday 3499 evening, July 28th. Of the journey I would mention no 3500 more, than that on the last day we travelled with a most 3501 lovely and gracious brother, an English clergyman from 3502 Sussex, with whom, after two or three hours I was so one 3503 in heart, that on getting out of the omnibus, in which we 3504

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travelled together about 30 miles, in order to walk up a 3505 long hill, we walked together arm-in-arm. It was most 3506 refreshing to our spirits to find so lovely a brother in this 3507 dark land. We spent a few hours together at Stuttgart, and 3508 then this dear brother left for the neighbourhood of 3509 Munich, the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria, where his 3510 family is for a season. — I had written from Bristol to one 3511 of the brethren at Stuttgart, Brother M— , 3512 3513 an Englishman, to look out for furnished lodgings for us, 3514 and I therefore called on him the next morning, July 29th, 3515 to see how far he had succeeded. I now learned that he 3516 had made every inquiry for me, and also advertised in the 3517 paper, and applied at an intelligence office, but that he had 3518 heard only of three apartments, and even these were 3519 unfurnished; for all the lodgings which were to be had 3520 were occupied by the deputies of the people, a sort of 3521 Parliament in Wirtemberg, who have once every three 3522 years their assemblies, and who had been for the last six 3523 months assembled in Stuttgart. This was no small 3524 difficulty, as to stay at an hotel would have been very 3525 expensive, especially just now, as the assembly of the 3526 deputies has made a great difference in the hotels also. 3527 However, our comfort was, that, as we had come in the 3528 name of the Lord, and according to His bidding, and that, 3529 after having daily prayed about the matter since the latter 3530 part of November last year, He would help in this thing 3531 also. We now went to the only lodging out of the three 3532 which was at all likely to suit; but we found that this was 3533 only to be had on Nov. 10th, and not now, a lady having 3534 taken a whole floor of seven rooms, and wishing to let 3535 two of them. We saw the two rooms which had been 3536

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offered, found them furnished, and asked to whom they 3537 belonged, when we learned that they were in the use of 3538 the owner of the house, who had sold the house, but 3539 would have the use of these rooms, as well as those in 3540 which he lived, till Nov. 1st. 1 now affectionately asked 3541 him, whether he would not let an have these rooms for a 3542 time, offering to pay any price, and give the money 3543 before-hand, as I was a stranger to him. He said he would 3544 consider it with his wife a few hours. My dear wife and I 3545 now gave ourselves to prayer, that, if it were good for us, 3546 the Lord would be pleased to incline the hearts of these 3547 persons to let us have those two rooms, but I told Him, at 3548 the same time, that I should not now press the matter 3549 further, having offered what I had; for after all He might 3550 have another place for us, where. He wished us to be. 3551 After two or three hours I went again, and as we required 3552 little as to attendance, and were of quiet habits, and 3553 required little alteration to be made in the way of 3554 furniture, these persons agreed to let us have those rooms; 3555 and that same afternoon we were able to leave the hotel 3556 and enter our lodging. And now hear the Lord’s goodness 3557 in this particular. The dear persons with whom we lodge 3558 are both Christians, who are most kind to us, and obliging 3559 in every way. Their servant also who waits on us is a most 3560 kind person. The house is in a healthy and quiet situation, 3561 and not far from our meeting-place, though without the 3562 city gates. In a word, we could not have wished better 3563 lodgings. And how did we get them? Because all the 3564 apartments, usually let out as lodgings, were occupied by 3565 these 90 or 100 gentlemen of the Parliament. Moreover, to 3566 this house we came, through a mistake having been made; 3567 for the rooms we now live in were only intended to be let 3568

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on Nov. 10th. More, the persons with whom we live are 3569 evidently wealthy persons, a surgeon who has retired from 3570 his profession, and his wife, and who never had let 3571 lodgings. Oh! how kind of the Lord, to let circumstances 3572 be as they were, in order that we might, through this very 3573 difficulty, obtain such a dwelling-place. Daily we feel the 3574 comfort of living with Christians, though these dear 3575 persons belong to the State Church. May this little matter 3576 lead us all, dear brethren, to leave all our affairs in the 3577 hands of our loving Father; He arranges matters as they 3578 are best for us. — During the first three or four days in 3579 Stuttgart, I was especially poor and needy, and required 3580 every particle of courage not to be overwhelmed by the 3581 state of things here. Everything seemed most dark. On 3582 Tuesday evening when I went to the meeting, there were 3583 but eight present, and all I saw and heard gave me the 3584 impression of spiritual desolation, resulting from that false 3585 teacher from Switzerland having come among the 3586 brethren here. In addition to this, my dear wife was taken 3587 very ill during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, July 3588 29 to 30, so that for two days she kept her bed, and only 3589 on the fourth day was pretty well again. It was the result 3590 of sea-sickness and the great fatigue of the journey, I 3591 think. But the Lord had mercy and brightened the prospect 3592 by increasing my faith. In addition to this, circumstances 3593 looked better almost immediately after my arrival, and I 3594 was constantly comforted by the knowledge, that only 3595 according to the Lord’s will we were here, and that He 3596 would not have sent us, if He had not some purpose to be 3597 accomplished by it. The first thing that occurred was, that, 3598 in answer to our many prayers in England, on the journey, 3599 and here, and also in answer to your prayers, dear 3600

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brethren, the police gave me permission to stay here, a 3601 thing which, looking at it naturally, could not have been 3602 expected. Still, this had always been my hope, because to 3603 Stuttgart I felt to be my mission. The next thing was, that 3604 the moment my arrival became known, the poor scattered 3605 sheep were again drawn together, and other persons also, 3606 believers and unbelievers, came to the meetings, so that 3607 the first evening it was known I should hold a meeting, 3608 there were about 20 persons present, and since then there 3609 have been repeatedly 40 and upwards. This is a small 3610 number for England, but large here, and for our position 3611 in particular. The next thing was, our landlady told me 3612 that every Monday afternoon a number of pious females 3613 met at her house, for two or three hours, to knit stockings 3614 for the Moravian missionaries, and requested me to come 3615 and speak to them. This I now do every Monday 3616 afternoon, expounding the Scriptures to 20 or 25 of these 3617 females and our landlord and to an aged brother, who has 3618 been in the habit of attending these meetings. This is a 3619 new field entirely, and something else to show how the 3620 hand of God was in the matter of our lodgings. Still more. 3621 On the last two Friday evenings I have attended a 3622 meeting, at which about 150 persons, belonging to the 3623 State Church, meet together, most of them probably 3624 converted, and the others either seeking the Lord, or 3625 religiously inclined. To this meeting I have gone for 3626 love’s sake, to show that I really desire to be united, in 3627 spirit, with all who love our Lord Jesus. Now at this 3628 meeting also, I have had opportunity to speak both times. 3629 In future also, the Lord willing, I purpose to go to this 3630 meeting, and to embrace the opportunity which thus I may 3631 have of speaking what may be suitable under the 3632

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circumstances. The character of the meeting is not in 3633 every way that which is according to the Holy Scriptures, 3634 but these dear brethren must be borne with, in order to 3635 help them on. About 8 brethren sit round a table, being 3636 more intimately known to each other. They lead the whole 3637 meeting as to prayer, giving out a hymn, proposing the 3638 portion of the Word of God for consideration, &c. They 3639 make remarks on it, and all the other 100 or 200, or more 3640 or less, that may be present, listen. As I had called on one 3641 of these leading brethren, he asked me to sit at that table, 3642 and thus I have the right of speaking, which yet must be 3643 used very wisely, as these dear children of God may be 3644 able to bear it. But even if I were not to speak at all, my 3645 very presence would do good, with God’s blessing, as 3646 they would see that I am desirous of being united with all 3647 who love our Lord Jesus; and I cannot but hope that thus 3648 prejudices will wear away, they will come to our 3649 meetings, and read my book. The Continent is not like 3650 England. Every particle of progress one is able to make 3651 here, is highly to be prized. The state of things is most 3652 interesting here. Infidelity is most awfully showing itself, 3653 regardlessly trampling under foot God’s word, and 3654 shamelessly and most impudently denouncing the whole 3655 as a fabrication; but, on the other side, there is evidently 3656 an inquiry after truth, and a seeking to know the truth 3657 from the Scriptures themselves, and a beginning to be 3658 dissatisfied with cold dead forms. The Lord also begins to 3659 work for us in other respects. The parliament of 3660 Wirtemberg has also publicly considered the matter of the 3661 brother and sister who would not be married at the State 3662 Church, and have recommended to the government of the 3663 country to consider the matter once more, and also to 3664

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grant to us the privilege of being able to marry, without 3665 going to the State Church, as they had already granted us 3666 "the administration of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism," as 3667 they call it. Thus, with God’s blessing, help will come in 3668 that way also; and I cannot but hope that this poor little 3669 gathering here, in which the devil has recently made such 3670 havoc, will yet be to the praise of the Lord, and to the 3671 benefit of His church in the German States. — God has 3672 blessed my being here in bringing brother R. out of the 3673 errors into which he had fallen, having been led away by 3674 that false teacher from Switzerland; but this brother reaps 3675 now bitterly the fruits of his want of watchfulness: that 3676 dear young sister who was converted while I was here 3677 before, his youngest daughter, is among those persons in 3678 Switzerland, and another of his daughters is engaged to 3679 one of these persons — Oh! how important, dear brethren, 3680 carefully and prayerfully to compare what we hear with 3681 the Word of God. Five days following, three times each 3682 day, this false teacher held meetings, and thus 3683 overpowered these dear saints completely; for they had no 3684 time left to consider and to pray over, and compare with 3685 the Holy Scriptures, what they heard, as, in addition to 3686 three meetings a day, they lasted till after 11 o’clock at 3687 night. — I now attend eight meetings every week. Sunday 3688 mornings at nine o’clock, exposition of the Word, and in 3689 the afternoon at two we meet for the breaking of bread. 3690 The dear brethren have gone back to these unsuitable 3691 hours. On Monday afternoon at three the exposition of the 3692 Scriptures to those who meet together to knit for the 3693 missionaries, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings 3694 from 8 to 10 o’clock, Scripture reading meetings, with the 3695 saints only who break bread. On Tuesday and Thursday 3696

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evenings from eight to half-past nine, public exposition of 3697 the Word. And on Friday evening from half-past eight to a 3698 quarter before ten, I meet with the brethren who belong to 3699 the State Church. Besides this, my time has hitherto been 3700 much occupied in seeing brethren and sisters privately and 3701 the rest of my time, besides prayer and meditation, for my 3702 own soul and the work, has been occupied in preparing 3703 tracts for the press. Five are already finished. I have 3704 translated into German: "The love of God to poor 3705 sinners," "The Serpent of brass," and "The two thieves;" 3706 and I have written myself two tracts, on "Lydia’s 3707 conversion," and "The conversion of the jailer at 3708 Philippi." In this work I purpose to continue, the Lord 3709 willing, while we remain here, either writing or translating 3710 tracts, and then seeking myself, as much as I can, whilst 3711 here, to circulate them—Oh! help me, beloved brethren, 3712 yet more and more with your prayers in all this important 3713 service. My position here is more important, and more 3714 interesting than ever; for God, "who comforteth those who 3715 are cast down," has comforted me, after the first three 3716 days of trial, and has given me a larger field for service 3717 than I had before. — We remember you daily in prayer, 3718 and gladly do so, and shall be truly glad to return to you, 3719 as soon as we can see it to be the will of the Lord. 3720 Farewell, beloved brethren. My dear wife sends to you her 3721 love in Christ. Should any of you wish to write to me, I 3722 shall be glad to hear from you; but please to write on very 3723 thin paper, on account of the heavy postage. The letters 3724 may be left at my house. 3725 3726 Your affectionate brother and servant in the Lord, 3727 3728

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3729 George Müller. 3730 3731 3732 Stuttgart, Sept. 13, 1845. 3733 3734 To the Brethren in Christ, meeting in the name of the Lord 3735 Jesus at Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol. 3736 3737 My dear brethren, 3738 3739 It is eight weeks today since we left Bristol, and we have 3740 still abundant reason to say, that goodness and mercy have 3741 followed us every day. This I have in particular also to say 3742 in reference to the last four weeks, even since I wrote to 3743 you last. As we desire your thanksgiving to the Lord for 3744 His goodness to us, and as we earnestly crave the 3745 continuance of your prayers, I write again, especially also 3746 as I judge that your love will be desirous of knowing 3747 further particulars about us and the work of the Lord in 3748 my hands. Since I wrote to you, I have continued to attend 3749 eight meetings a week, that is, three for exposition of the 3750 Scriptures at our usual in meeting-place on Lord’s day 3751 mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings; the 3752 breaking of bread on the Lord’s day evenings (as we have 3753 altered the hour from 2 in the afternoon to 8 in the 3754 evening); two Scripture reading meetings on Monday and 3755 Wednesday, at which, as well as at all our other meetings, 3756 there is given to every brother as much room for prayer, 3757 as there may be a desire for it. Then I attend two other 3758 meetings a week, among believers or inquirers who are in 3759 connexion with the State Church, one on Monday 3760

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afternoon at the house where we live, which has increased 3761 from about ten to about forty. At this meeting I lead 3762 entirely, and am the only speaker. Then there is every 3763 Friday evening another meeting, at which about 150 3764 persons assemble, which I have continued to attend, and 3765 where I have regularly spoken, together with other 3766 brethren. The shyness which there was at first is evidently 3767 wearing off, and last evening, when I took leave of them, 3768 having been there for the last time before our departure, 3769 the brethren were quite cordial. In addition to this, the 3770 Lord has opened another new and important field. At the 3771 house of an elderly lady of title, of one of the ancient 3772 noble families of this kingdom, there is a meeting for 3773 ladies who work for charitable purposes. This meeting I 3774 have also been requested to attend for the purpose of 3775 expounding the Scriptures, whilst the ladies work. I was 3776 there last Tuesday afternoon, and shall be there again, the 3777 Lord willing, neat Tuesday. To all who attend this 3778 meeting I have therefore an opportunity of giving a copy 3779 of my Narrative in German, about forty in all, as well as a 3780 copy of the eleven tracts which I have published, and thus 3781 the truth, with God’s blessing, may be carried into the 3782 higher circles of this city, if not of this kingdom. Truly, 3783 the Lord gave, at the beginning of my sojourn here, to 3784 everything apparently the death-blow, that He might give 3785 me a larger field than I had had before. Still it is even now 3786 but little in comparison with England, yet it is much for 3787 Germany. Indeed I have now as much work day by day as 3788 I can do. Persons from the establishment come to see 3789 mind converse with me, and I might visit as many as I 3790 have time and strength for, and many more, and should be 3791 welcome. 3792

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3793 Sept. 14. Thus far I had written yesterday morning, when 3794 a pious gentleman of rank called on me, who, with his 3795 wife, feels the deepest interest about the work of the Lord 3796 in Bristol, of which they have gathered information 3797 through my Narrative in German. This gentleman has 3798 been this morning to our poor meeting place also, and has 3799 invited me to his house to meet his friends. Thus a new 3800 opening has been given. The remainder of yesterday was 3801 spent in seeing visitors, and the evening I spent among 3802 brethren belonging to the State Church. — I have now 3803 been able to publish eleven different Gospel tracts in 3804 German. They are as follows; 1."The love of God to poor 3805 sinners," translation from the English, 4 pages. 2. "The 3806 Serpent of brass," translation, 4 pages. 3. "The two 3807 thieves," translation, 8 pages. 4. "Lydia, the seller of 3808 purple," written by me, 4 pages. 5. "The jailer at Philippi," 3809 written by me, 12 pages. 6. "The four most important 3810 questions answered," written by me, 12 pages. 7. "Grace," 3811 translation, 4 pages. 8. "The poor man’s best medicine," 3812 translation, 6 pages. 9. "Almost and Altogether," 3813 translation, 6 pages. 10. "What is a Christian?" translation, 3814 6 pages. 11. "A just God and a Saviour," translation, 6 3815 pages. — Of each of these tracts twenty thousand copies 3816 have been printed, there are therefore two hundred and 3817 twenty thousand copies ready to be used by the Lord. I tell 3818 you all these particulars, dear brethren, that you may now 3819 help me with your prayers, that God may be pleased to 3820 use and bless them. The especial intention respecting 3821 these tracts is, to state the Gospel in a plain and distinct 3822 way. Now one of my particular reasons for leaving you 3823 for a season, and labouring here was, to publish these 3824

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tracts, and to circulate myself as many of them as I could. 3825 The latter I am now about to do in the following way. I 3826 have had a box made which will hold about thirty 3827 thousand tracts. This box will be filled and fastened 3828 behind the conveyance which I purpose hiring. Our 3829 portmanteaus and other packages, as much as room 3830 permits, will be filled -with copies of my German 3831 Narrative. Thus stored we purpose to leave on Wednesday 3832 or Thursday, Sept. 17 or 18, giving to each person we 3833 meet on the road a tract, and giving away in the towns and 3834 villages as many as may be wise, without raising a mob 3835 around us. In addition to this, as far as opportunity may 3836 allow, I purpose to speak with persons on the road. In this 3837 way we purpose to travel on, day after day, giving away 3838 tracts, and also my Narrative, so that in every village and 3839 town, of a journey of 500 or 600 miles, at least a few 3840 copies of my Narrative will be left, besides giving them to 3841 passengers on the road, and as many tracts as we can. In 3842 order to fill our stores again, I purpose to send to 3843 Frankfort a large bale of tracts and books before us, also 3844 to Eisleben, where Luther was born, and to Cassel. In this 3845 way I hope to be able to give away about 900 copies of 3846 my Narrative, and fifty or sixty thousand tracts. In 3847 addition to this, I am seeking to place with trustworthy 3848 brethren in this country, in Switzerland, and in Prussia, 3849 smaller quantities, to be given away as opportunity may 3850 occur. Our route, as far as I can see at present, will be this: 3851 To Heilbronn, Heidelberg, Darmstadt, Frankfort, Fulda, 3852 Erfurt, Eisenach, Eisleben. The last place will be the 3853 furthest part of our journey. Then we mean to return 3854 towards England by way of Nordhausen, Gottingen, 3855 Cassel, Elberfeld, Dusseldorf, and Cologne. The whole 3856

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tour may take from 20 to 25 days, travelling day after day. 3857 All this I write to you, earnestly asking your prayers for 3858 us, on account of the following particulars: 1. That the 3859 Lord would be pleased so to strengthen us in body, as that 3860 we may be able to continue travelling day after day for 20 3861 days or more. 2. That the Lord would be pleased to give 3862 us suitable and kind drivers, that we may not have 3863 difficulty in our work in that way. 3. That the police may 3864 not be permitted to obstruct our service. 4. That our own 3865 souls may not suffer through this work, but rather be 3866 benefited. 5. That the. Lord would be pleased to direct the 3867 Tracts and Narratives into the hands of those very persons 3868 whom He means to bless by them. 3869 3870 6. That He would also be pleased to allow the weather to 3871 be of that kind, if it seem good to Him, that our work may 3872 not be hindered. — Great unforseen hindrances and 3873 difficulties we may meet with in this service, yet it has 3874 now been with me the subject of prayer for several 3875 months, and in the name of the Lord I enter upon it. — 3876 The especial reason why I go towards the North of 3877 Germany is, because there this service is mostly needed, 3878 and there my Narrative is not at all, or scarcely at all 3879 known, as the 200 copies which I sent to a beloved 3880 brother in those parts for circulation, he could not 3881 conscientiouisly, as he says, circulate; I therefore mean 3882 myself to circulate the book there. And further, in those 3883 parts public meetings in abundance are held, in which the 3884 foundation truths of the Gospel are openly attacked by 3885 persons who call themselves "the Friends of Light." There 3886 then I mean to distribute among the common people as 3887 many thousands of Tracts as I can. — Germany is in great 3888

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agitation. Light is increasing, there is a shaking in 3889 establishments; but there infidelity is also increasing, as 3890 well as democracy in politics. I watch with deep interest 3891 the state of things in Germany, and were not my position 3892 in Bristol what it is, I should remain longer here; but I 3893 judge it well to be back again, if the Lord prosper our 3894 way, about the 12th of October. Gladly should I have 3895 written many more Tracts, they are also greatly needed, 3896 especially on subjects which are more particularly of 3897 importance for believers; but I cannot now stay longer, 3898 and must leave it to a time when the Lord may honour me 3899 again to labour for a season in Germany. 3900 3901 Sept. 15. Yesterday I was again interrupted by visitors, so 3902 that I could not finish my letter. The gentleman, who 3903 called the day before yesterday, called again also 3904 yesterday. He was Professor of Medicine in the University 3905 of Moscow in Russia, and President of the Evangelical 3906 Consistory in that City. He seems deeply interested in the 3907 service in my hands. He was twice yesterday at our poor 3908 meeting place, and has invited me this evening to his 3909 house to meet some friends of his, clergymen and others. 3910 Last evening there were present at the meeting for the 3911 breaking of bread about 40 persons; besides those who 3912 broke bread. Our departure is now fixed for Thursday, 3913 Sept. 18th; but after a dry season for 4 or 5 weeks, the 3914 Lord has now sent rain, and we are entirely in His hands 3915 as to the weather, as a rainy season ill suit our intended 3916 service; but our Lord, whose work it is, and not ours, will 3917 order this matter also as it shall be for His glory and our 3918 welfare. I reckon, beloved brethren, on the continuance of 3919 your prayers. We also, by the grace of God, continue to 3920

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remember you day after day. We shall be glad indeed to 3921 behold your faces again, and yet we desire to be happy 3922 here, because we are in our Lord’s work: and indeed we 3923 are happy here also, though so far absent from the 3924 hundreds of dear saints whom we have so much reason to 3925 love. The little church here consists of 19, of whom 6 do 3926 not live in this city, but in two villages at some distance, 3927 who can only from time to time come to the breaking of 3928 bread. That which they especially now need is, that one or 3929 more brethren should labour among them, and I would 3930 particularly commend this matter to your prayer, that the 3931 Lord would be pleased to appear on their behalf in this 3932 particular; for it is not likely that things will go on well 3933 among them without pastoral care and without oversight. 3934 In some little measure order has now been restored among 3935 them, and I hope that the coming of that false teacher 3936 among them, nine months since, will finally be used by 3937 the Lord for their furtherance. And now, greatly loved 3938 brethren, farewell. May the Lord, as we continually pray, 3939 give to each of you according to your individual need. My 3940 dear wife, who helps me much in the work here in one 3941 way or other, sends her love in Christ to you. 3942 3943 Your affectionate brother and servant in our Lord, 3944 3945 3946 George Müller. 3947 3948 3949 Cassel, Capital of the Electorate of Hesse Cassel, Oct. 1, 3950 1845. 3951 3952

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To the saints, assembling in the name of the Lord Jesus at 3953 Salem and Bethesda Chapels, Bristol. 3954 3955 My very dear brethren, 3956 3957 I long to tell you of the Lord’s goodness to us, since last I 3958 wrote you, and though this letter may reach you only three 3959 or four days before our arrival among you, still I would 3960 wish you to help us in praising the Lord for His goodness 3961 to us. I now record His kindness in our service, as far as I 3962 remember it, from the day where my last letter heft off. I 3963 think it was on Sept. 15th that my last letter was finished. 3964 On that afternoon I had the last meeting among the 3965 working females in my house. It had then increased to at 3966 least sixty, from about 10 at the beginning. The evening of 3967 that day I spent among gentlemen and ladies of Stuttgart, 3968 at the house of a gentleman who had invited me. There the 3969 Lord gave me opportunity of testifying for Him about 2 3970 hours and a half. The next afternoon I had a meeting at 3971 which about 25 ladies were working for charitable 3972 purposes, at the house of a lady of title. To these and to 3973 their absent friends, I gave a copy of my Narrative, 40 in 3974 number, as well as a copy of each of the 11 Tracts which I 3975 have published. Thus, with the Lord’s blessing, the 3976 Narrative and the Tracts may work among the higher or 3977 highest classes of the kingdom of Wirtemberg. I simply 3978 mention this to show, dear brethren, what open doors the 3979 Lord has given me, after the apparent death-blow upon 3980 everything at the beginning. How important that we 3981 should not be discouraged by appearances in the Lord’s 3982 service! On the same evening the last public meeting 3983 among the brethren at Stuttgart was attended by about 80 3984

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persons more than any previous time, either at this or my 3985 former visit. Thus also the Lord gave still further 3986 encouragement. On the following day, Wednesday, Sept. 3987 17th, I took leave of various believers, not in communion 3988 with us; among the rest, of two pious clergymen at 3989 Stuttgart, who treated me most kindly. This day was 3990 occupied with making all the arrangements for our 3991 journey, as I had to send many thousands of tracts before 3992 us to several places, not being able to carry in our carriage 3993 all the books and tracts, which we hoped to circulate on 3994 the journey. In the evening that gentleman called once 3995 more to see me, in whose house I had spent the Monday 3996 evening, and with whom I had become acquainted a few 3997 days before, and who, since then, had attended all our 3998 meetings. I think I told you before, that he was Professor 3999 of Medicine at the Russian University at Moscow, and 4000 also President of the Protestant Consistory in that city. 4001 This dear brother takes a deep interest in my service, and 4002 has offered to circulate 50 copies of my book, and 50 4003 copies of each of the 11 tracts. We parted like old friends. 4004 — Our prayer had been for a suitable carriage, and an 4005 obliging driver, on which so much of our service 4006 depended; but we were so occupied, that I could only 4007 order a carriage on the morning of our departure, 4008 Thursday, Sept. 18th, and the Lord most signally 4009 answered our prayers; for we obtained a driver who was 4010 one of a hundred. He drove us three days, and was most 4011 obliging, so that we could not have desired a better driver; 4012 the carriage also was as if made for our work. At 10 4013 o’clock on Thursday morning we set out, furnished with 4014 many thousands of tracts, and about 24,000 sent before 4015 us; also carrying with us about 450 copies of my 4016

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Narrative, and having to take up 350 copies on the way. 4017 About 350 copies I was able to circulate at Stuttgart whilst 4018 there. I should also say that I found several brethren with 4019 whom I could leave smaller quantities of tracts for 4020 circulation at Stuttgart and else-where, especially an 4021 English brother, Dr. M., who lives at Basle, and who 4022 spends his whole time in circulating religious books and 4023 tracts, written in German and French. This brother came, 4024 three days before our departure, to Stuttgart, so that I 4025 could arrange with him. Indeed step by step has the Lord 4026 prospered me in my feeble endeavours, mixed with sin as 4027 every one of them has been, and made it manifest, that, 4028 this time also, He bad sent me to Germany. On Thursday, 4029 September 18th, then, we set out, and while yet driving 4030 through the city of Stuttgart I began giving away tracts, 4031 thus to begin the service at once, lest my hands should be 4032 weakened through delay. Whilst going on, we continued 4033 offering tracts to the passengers on the road, and giving 4034 away now and then a copy of my book, and seeking 4035 especially to put some copies of it into every village and 4036 town. Thus we went on the first day from Stuttgart to 4037 Heilbronn, a distance of about 35 English miles. All went 4038 on most quietly. We were able to give away many 4039 hundreds of tracts, and about 50 copies of my Narrative, 4040 and to a few persons I had the opportunity of speaking a 4041 little. The second day’s journey was from Heilbronn to 4042 Heidelberg. In the large towns we went on most quietly, 4043 lest there should be a running together of the people, and 4044 the appearance be a political disturbance. On this account 4045 I never give away tracts and books in towns, but on the 4046 road, or just before I come to towns, or after I have passed 4047 through them. Yet now and then I have also given them 4048

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away in towns in a quiet way; for instance, by going to a 4049 baker’s shop, and buying a trifle and then giving a book. 4050 The second day from Heilbronn to Heidelberg we went on 4051 as before in our service, but in the afternoon we were tried 4052 in spirit. We observed a carriage at a distance behind us, 4053 with a gentleman in it, and his coachman before. He 4054 stopped more than once to converse with the people to 4055 whom I had given tracts. At last he obtained sight of my 4056 book also. Thus he kept on driving behind us. Our nerves 4057 were greatly tried by this. By the grace of God we were 4058 willing to suffer for His name’s sake, even greatly, in this 4059 work; yet this matter greatly tried us, not knowing what 4060 the result might be. At last the carriage drove before us. 4061 Then it stopped, and the gentleman lifted himself up, to 4062 have a full look at me, then he ordered his coachman to 4063 drive on, and they were soon out of sight. The next thing 4064 to be expected was, that in the next town the police would 4065 stop us in our service. However, we continued the work, 4066 and at last arrived at Heidelberg, without having been 4067 stopped, and having given away more books and tracts 4068 than even on the previous day. The steady even course of 4069 service, under all difficulties, without any one’s 4070 encouragement, and with the discouragement of many, 4071 requires not a little faith! We felt how weak our faith was! 4072 The third day’s journey was from Heidelberg. We 4073 continued again our blessed service. I had opportunity this 4074 day to put my Narrative and tracts into the hands of ladies 4075 and gentlemen as well as poor persons. Our opportunities 4076 for service were very many this day, and things went on 4077 quietly in the morning. In the afternoon, however, we 4078 were even more tried than the day before. We had 4079 travelled through Wirtemberg and also the Grand Duchy 4080

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of Baden, and were now in the country of Hesse-4081 Darmstadt, when I gave some tracts to some lads of a 4082 Grammar School, whom we met before a town. But these 4083 lads followed us, accompanied the carriage through the 4084 whole town, and some distance out of the town, ridiculing 4085 us. We sat quiet, saying nothing at all. Then I was 4086 addressed by a mail-guard who had seen me give away 4087 tracts and books, and who, having stopped the mail, asked 4088 for tracts for himself and the passengers, but evidently in 4089 a sneering way. This carried the news of our service 4090 before us, as the mail went much faster than we, and 4091 therefore our work was known in the next place, and a 4092 man ran out on our arrival to ask for books, and in 4093 consequence of this the attention of persons was arrested. 4094 Nevertheless the Lord helped us to continue the work, 4095 though somewhat tried in mind, being aware how much 4096 such work is opposed on the Continent. A little while 4097 after, a light wagon drove quickly after us, and as I was 4098 walking by the side of the carriage, up a hill, a man got 4099 out, joined me, and asked for a tract. He then said: "Who 4100 has allowed you to distribute these books?" I replied. 4101 "Nobody, but I am a servant of Jesus, and I desire to serve 4102 my Lord. If, however, you can show me that what I am 4103 now doing is against the laws of the country I will give it 4104 up. As far as I am aware, it is not." He then asked me, 4105 what religion was contained in the tracts. I said not any 4106 one in particular, but that there were in them the truths of 4107 Christianity, about which alone I cared, as I did not design 4108 by these books to increase any particular party. A few 4109 words more of this kind passed, and he then left me, drove 4110 on before us, and presently turned off from the turnpike 4111 road into a little bye road in the wood, where he stopped 4112

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and read the tract which I had given him, which was, "The 4113 conversion of the jailer at Philippi." I went on as before 4114 with the work, not tried in spirit, but yet my nerves were 4115 much affected by it. We meant only to have gone that day 4116 as far as Darmstadt, the capital of Hesse-Darmstadt, but I 4117 engaged the driver 15 miles further, to Frankfort-on-the-4118 Main, in order that we might be out of the dominion of 4119 Hesse-Darmstadt, if through the mail-guard, or the last-4120 mentioned person, who, to judge from his dress, was a 4121 government officer, the matter should be coming before 4122 the magistrates. At Frankfort we arrived after ten on 4123 Saturday evening, Sept. 20th, having now been able for 3 4124 days to go on with the service. The next day, being the 4125 Lord’s day, we purposed to rest at Frankfort which we 4126 much needed for body and spirit, especially also for the 4127 sake of asking the Lord’s blessing upon the work up till 4128 then, and to ask guidance for our future steps, mud His 4129 help and blessing for what remained of our work. We had 4130 intended, before we left Stuttgart, to go to Eisleben, such 4131 a distance from Frankfort, as would require 4 or 5 days 4132 more travelling, and then all the way back to Cologne. But 4133 on account of what had occurred the two previous days, 4134 we now began again to consider our steps, whether we 4135 should go on still further or not. Nature wished to get back 4136 to England at once. Nature shrank greatly from the 4137 continuance of this service. But after having strengthened 4138 ourselves in God, we came to the conclusion, that our first 4139 purpose was of God, and that we ought not to alter our 4140 plans, except we saw it most clearly to be the will of God; 4141 we therefore purposed (as we could only look upon the 4142 desire of discontinuing our tour as a temptation), to go on 4143 with our service, till by the order of the police we were 4144

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prohibited. Blessed be God who enabled us to triumph 4145 over the temptation! But to Him is all the praise due; for 4146 had He not strengthened us in that hour, we should have 4147 been as those who, having put their hand to the plough, 4148 draw it back. I now set about making arrangements for the 4149 journey, as the carriage and horses, which I had engaged 4150 for the three previous days, had to return to Stuttgart. Our 4151 prayer was for another suitable driver, upon which so very 4152 much depended in our service. In this again we 4153 experienced most evidently the Lord’s willingness to 4154 answer prayer; for in the same inn at which our Stuttgart 4155 driver had put up, it happened, by the ordering of the 4156 Lord, that there was a driver from Cassel, the place where 4157 I am now writing, who had taken a family to Frankfort, 4158 and who was looking out for a job. With this coachman I 4159 agreed, to take us to Eisleben, to stop there a day and a 4160 half, while I saw brethren in that neighbourhood, and then 4161 to take us to Cassel. This engagement was for eight days. 4162 It was the more kind of the Lord to allow me to find this 4163 person, as I went from place to place in Frankfort to 4164 obtain a conveyance, but could not succeed in that large 4165 city; and the only one I could have had, would have been 4166 nearly twice as expensive as the one which I hired. On 4167 Monday morning, then, Sept. 22nd, we left Frankfort, 4168 determined by the help of God to pursue our service, and, 4169 if need be, to suffer and to endure hardship in it. Many 4170 tracts and books also were given away this day, and in the 4171 evening we reached Schlüchtern, a small town before 4172 Fulda. The next day at Fulda I took up a large bale of 4173 tracts and books which I had sent before, and on Tuesday 4174 evening we reached Vacha. Up to that time we had had 4175 fine weather; but we reached Vacha in a heavy storm, it 4176

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having rained heavily for 2 hours, and lightened and 4177 thundered exceedingly. All night the rain continued, and 4178 in rain we left Vacha for Eisenach. Our service now 4179 seemed over; but 4180 4181 4182 yet I managed now and then to put a copy of my book out 4183 of the carriage, when I saw an opportunity that it could be 4184 kept pretty dry. By the time we reached Eisenach, which 4185 stands on the foot of the hill on which is the old castle 4186 called the Wartburg, where Luther translated the Bible, 4187 the rain ceased and we had a fine afternoon, and in a few 4188 hours were able to give away more than 50 books and 4189 many tracts. In the evening we reached Gotha, capital of 4190 the small dukedom of Saxe Gotha. On Thursday, Sept. 4191 28th, we came as far as a small town called Arthern, and 4192 on Friday, about 1 o’clock in the afternoon, we reached 4193 Eisleben. All these five days and a half we went on 4194 quietly in our service, none hindering us, giving away 4195 many books and tracts. Here now we stopped two days, 4196 had some intercourse with brethren, and then left for 4197 Cassel, which we reached in two days and a half, arriving 4198 here last evening. This morning I have been writing this 4199 letter and doing some other things needful for the journey, 4200 whilst my dear wife has been all the morning engaged in 4201 putting up tracts for the journey. If we can obtain a 4202 suitable conveyance, we purpose to leave this afternoon 4203 on our way to Elberfeld, and, if the Lord gives us grace, to 4204 pursue our service till we come to the Rhine, and then by 4205 way of Ostend to cross the sea for England, so that about 4206 3 or 4 days after this reaches you we may have the joy of 4207 seeing you again face to face. It will be joy to us indeed to 4208

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see you all again. Farewell, beloved brethren. My dear 4209 wife sends her love in Christ to you all. 4210 4211 4212 Your affectionate brother and servant in our Lord, 4213 4214 George Müller. 4215 4216 4217 I add a few remarks respecting this my service on the 4218 Continent. 4219 4220 1. For about eight months before I left England, I had seen 4221 it to be the Lord’s will, that I should go again that year to 4222 the Continent for a season, and had made my journey and 4223 service, during that period, a daily subject of prayer from 4224 Nov. 1844. I left Bristol on July 19th and returned on Oct. 4225 11th, 1845. 4226 4227 2. I should have greatly preferred to preach the Gospel in 4228 the streets or in the market places in Germany; but for that 4229 there was no liberty. I did therefore what I could, in 4230 spreading about eleven hundred copies of my Narrative, 4231 and tens of thousands of tracts. In this I was particularly 4232 encouraged by remembering that that great work, at the 4233 time of the Reformation, was chiefly accomplished by 4234 means of printed publications. 4235 4236 3. We travelled in a hired carriage for 17 days, each day 4237 about 40 or 45 miles. I had a box, containing about thirty 4238 thousand tracts, made on purpose, behind the carriage, 4239 and in the fore-part several portmanteaus filled with tracts 4240

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and copies of my Narrative in German. As we went on, 4241 my dear wife and I looked out for travellers who were 4242 coming, or persons on the road side. It was just the time 4243 when the potatoes were taken up, and thousands of people 4244 were thus either close to the turnpike road, or only a little 4245 way from it. The front of our carriage had glass windows, 4246 so that we could see all the persons before us, and on each 4247 side. As soon as the carriage was near enough, I held the 4248 tracts or a copy of my Narrative out to them, and 4249 requested them to accept them or sometimes beckoned the 4250 working people to come up to the carriage, which almost 4251 without exception they readily did, and then received a 4252 book or tract. In case of genteel persons, whom we 4253 sometimes met, I repeatedly ordered the driver to stop, 4254 and I got out of the carriage, and handed the books or 4255 tracts to them. Often also I walked up a hill, and then 4256 conversed with the persons whom I joined, or gave tracts 4257 more extensively in this way. 4258 4259 4. The reason why we pursued this plan of travelling was, 4260 a, that I might myself circulate as many as possible; b, 4261 that the tracts and Narratives might be scattered over as 4262 extensive a tract of country as possible; c, that I might be 4263 able to accomplish it, before the police could prevent it. 4264 On the road side, before entering villages and towns, or 4265 after we had left them, I gave away freely. Now suppose 4266 this came to the ears of the police, as no doubt in many 4267 instances it did; before any measures could be taken, we 4268 might be at a distance of 5, 10, or 20 miles from the spot; 4269 for we travelled, as I said, from 40 to 45 miles daily. This 4270 was indeed an expensive way of circulating the tracts, and 4271 wearing to body and mind more than can easily be 4272

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perceived; but it was a most effectual way, and a precious 4273 service to be allowed to be engaged in for the Lord. When 4274 we had finished our journey, lasting 23 days, we were 4275 completely worn out for the time. 4276 4277 5. At first we sometimes threw down the tracts to persons, 4278 out of the carriage, when they were not near enough to 4279 have them handed to them. This, however, we 4280 discontinued on the second or third day; for I judged, that, 4281 as we would not throw down Bibles, Testaments, or 4282 smaller portions of the Holy Scriptures, so these tracts 4283 also, filled with the truth of God, and written for the 4284 honour of God, should not be thrown down; and that we 4285 would rather not give them at all, than in this way. I 4286 purposely notice this, as many Christians are in the habit 4287 of throwing tracts out of a carriage, as I did at first. I 4288 might put them secretly in drawers, or on the table, or 4289 under the table-cover in inns, or elsewhere, where they 4290 afterwards might be found; but I could not feel any longer 4291 happy in not treating them with all reverence, because 4292 they contain the truth of God. 4293 4294 6. Perhaps the reader may ask: What has been the result of 4295 this labour in Germany? My reply is: God only knows. 4296 The day of Christ will declare it. Judging from the 4297 constant labour in prayer during 8 months before we went 4298 the second time, and day by day while we were on the 4299 Continent, and day by day for a long time after our return, 4300 I am warranted to expect fruit, and I do expect it. I expect 4301 abundant fruit in the day of Christ’s appearing. In the 4302 meantime my comfort is, that 220,000 tracts have been 4303 circulated, many of which through the providence of God 4304

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found their way not only into the darkest places of the 4305 Continent of Europe, but went also to America and 4306 Australia. Further, the 4000 copies of my Narrative in 4307 German, are almost all circulated. And again, the 4308 publishing of my Narrative in German, led me to do the 4309 same in French, which was accomplished about three 4310 years later. Further, these tracts were reprinted at 4311 Hamburg and at Cologne, and are circulated by other 4312 Christians; in addition to which, my having published 4313 them in Germany led me to get them stereotyped in 4314 England, and they continue to be circulated in many 4315 countries. 4316 4317 7. I only add, we continued our service in a similar way, 4318 after we had left Cassel, from whence I wrote the last 4319 letter to the church in Bristol; and in many respects it was 4320 the most interesting part of the service. 4321 4322 December 31, 1845. There have been received into 4323 communion 53 during this year, and 1055 since our 4324 coming to Bristol, which, with 68 whom we found in 4325 fellowship, makes 1123. Of these, 115 have fallen asleep, 4326 65 have been excluded, 57 left us, and 193 left Bristol; so 4327 that there are only 693 brethren and sisters in fellowship 4328 at present. 4329 4330 During this year the Lord has been pleased to give to 4331 me:— 4332 4333 1. Through anonymous donations in money, put up in 4334 paper and directed to me, and placed in the boxes for the 4335 poor 4336

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4337 saints and the rent, at the two chapels £166 15 10 1⁄4 4338 4339 2. Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, 4340 not given anonymously . . . . . . 102 18 11 1⁄2 4341 4342 3. Through presents in money, from believers, not 4343 residing in Bristol . . 138 0 7 4344 4345 4. Through presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to 4346 us at least . . . 26 3 9 4347 4348 _____________ 4349 4350 Altogether £433 19 1 3⁄4 4351 4352 To this is to be added, that my dear child had again during 4353 the whole of this year her education free at a boarding 4354 school, as stated at the close of the last year, whereby I 4355 saved about 50l. Also my traveling expenses to and from 4356 Germany, and other expenses, connected with my service 4357 in Germany, were paid out of the 500l. to which reference 4358 has been made. Adding these two items to 433l., I had at 4359 least 500l. 4360 4361 Esteemed reader, what do you think of this? Is it not a 4362 pleasant thing, in the end, even for this life, really to trust 4363 in God? Verily, thus I have found it to be, and thus do I 4364 find it to be, the longer I live. Only there must be real trust 4365 in God, and it must be more than merely using words. If 4366 we trust in God, we look to Him alone, we deal with Him 4367 alone, and we are satisfied with His knowing about our 4368

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need. Two things I add, as I write my experience and the 4369 Lord’s dealings with me for the profit of the saints. 4370 4371 1. During the last year I resolved, that, by God’s help, I 4372 would seek to be more than ever a channel for the 4373 Communication of God’s bounties, and to communicate 4374 to those in need, or to give to the work of God. I acted 4375 according to the light which God gave me, and He 4376 condescended to make me His steward in one way or 4377 another far more abundantly than ever before. Would we 4378 wish to have means intrusted to us by the Lord, or to 4379 succeed in our trade, business, profession, etc., we must 4380 be truly desirous of being His stewards, and only His 4381 stewards. Read what I have written at length on this 4382 subject within the last twenty pages of the third part of 4383 this my Narrative; and, if you have read it before, read it 4384 yet again. 4385 4386 2. In looking over my journal, I find that during this year 4387 also I was more than once without a shilling, yea without 4388 a penny, though my income was about 500l. 4389 4390 April 29, 1846. Today my beloved wife and myself had 4391 the inexpressibly great joy of receiving a letter from our 4392 beloved daughter, while we are staying in the Lord’s 4393 service at Chippenham, in which she writes that she has 4394 now found peace in the Lord Jesus. Thus our prayers are 4395 turned into praises. 4396 4397 About 18 mouths before this I began especially to pray for 4398 the conversion of my dear child, and the Lord soon after 4399 seems to have begun to work in her heart. I knew little of 4400

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her state of mind before receiving her letter, for I did not 4401 wish to force anything upon her of a spiritual character, 4402 but leave her to be attracted by the loveliness of the things 4403 of God. After hearing from her in April, 1846, she was not 4404 received at once to communion, but, being so young, I 4405 judged it desirable to watch the work in her soul. Towards 4406 the end of the year, however, my fellow-labourers being 4407 fully satisfied, she was baptized and received into 4408 communion, when she was 14 years and 3 months old. 4409 4410 4411 Supplies for the School—-Bible—Missionary and Tract 4412 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1846, to 4413 May 26, 1848. 4414 4415 4416 During no period, from the commencement of the 4417 operations of this Institution up to May 26, 1846, was I 4418 intrusted by the Lord with such large sums, as during the 4419 one to which this chapter refers. I had never had more 4420 need of pecuniary supplies than during those two years, 4421 on account of the many pressing calls; but, at the same 4422 time, I had the exceeding great joy and privilege of being 4423 able to respond to them in such a way as I had never 4424 before been allowed to do. These remarks apply to all the 4425 various objects of the Institution, but especially to the 4426 supplies for brethren who labour at Home and Abroad in 4427 word and doctrine. without being connected with any 4428 society, or without having any regular salary for 4429 preaching the Word. 4430 4431

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On May 26, 1846, after the accounts had been closed, a 4432 check for 100l. was given to me, the application of which 4433 was left to my disposal. I put half the amount to the fund 4434 for these objects, and half to the Orphan-Fund, When the 4435 accounts were closed, there was 91l. 4s. 11 3⁄4 d. in, and 4436 for these objects, to which this 50l. was added; therefore I 4437 began this period with more means than I had had in hand 4438 at any time previously at the beginning of a fresh period; 4439 and as was its beginning so was the continuance. It has 4440 often struck me, that one especial reason why, on the 4441 whole, I was allowed to have so little trial with regard to 4442 means for the work during those two years, in comparison 4443 with former times, may have been, that thereby the. Lord 4444 would say that He was willing to give what would be 4445 needed when once the New Orphan-House should be 4446 built, though the expenses would be about two thousand 4447 five hundred pounds a year more than they were before. 4448 Another reason also may have been, because in many 4449 other ways trials of faith and patience came upon me in 4450 connexion with the Institution during those two years, that 4451 therefore the Lord may not have exercised me so much by 4452 the want of pecuniary means as before. But especially also 4453 one reason, why the Lord generally gave me so great an 4454 abundance during those two years, seems to me this, that 4455 it might be seen, not only how He can help us day by day 4456 when we are poor, but also how able and willing He is to 4457 cause us to abound, when this is for His honour and for 4458 our profit. 4459 4460 June 4, 1846. To day was given to me, just when I rose 4461 from my knees, after having asked the Lord for more 4462

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means, especially for missionary purposes, the sum of 4463 150l., with the request to use of it 50l. for the Orphans, 4464 4465 50l. for labourers in England; and 50l. for labourers 4466 abroad. 4467 4468 July 6. Besides several small donations which came in 4469 since June 4, I received today 50l., of which one half is 4470 intended by the donor for the Orphans, the other half for 4471 these objects. 4472 4473 July 16. Today I received One Hundred Pounds from a 4474 donor who had lost about one half of his property, and 4475 who gives this donation as "A thank-offering to God for 4476 having left to him as much as he has." I put one half of 4477 this donation to the funds for these objects, and the other 4478 half to the Orphan Fund. 4479 4480 Aug. 1. About 24l. more has come in since July 16th. 4481 During the last two days I have sent 110l. to Foreign 4482 labourers, and 15l. to brethren who labour in England; and 4483 having thus begun to reduce our Missionary Fund, the 4484 Lord gives fresh supplies. The evening before last was 4485 sent to me 5l. from Ludlow. Today I received 5l. from 4486 Scarborough, of which 4l. is for Missionary objects, and 4487 1l. for the Orphans. Thus the Lord gives me the desire of 4488 my heart, to help more and more the dear brethren who 4489 labour in word and doctrine, either in this country or in 4490 foreign lands. 4491 4492 From the commencement of this Institution on March 5th, 4493 1834, it had been my desire to employ part of the funds 4494

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with which I might be intrusted, in aiding missionary 4495 brethren in foreign lands, who are not supported by any 4496 regular salary; and for several years I have likewise had 4497 the desire to assist brethren, labouring in similar 4498 circumstances, in Great Britain and Ireland. The Lord also 4499 had given me the great privilege to assist such brethren 4500 more or less during the time that this Institution had been 4501 in operation; but especially He began during the two 4502 years, to which this chapter refers, to allow me to do so in 4503 a far greater degree than before. I knew it to be a fact, that 4504 many brethren, who preach the Word, without having any 4505 salary for doing so, or property to live upon, were in need. 4506 Now it might be said that such brethren ought to trust in 4507 God; that, if they preach Jesus as the only hope for the 4508 salvation of sinners, they ought to set them a good 4509 example by trusting themselves in God for the supply of 4510 their temporal necessities, in order that unconverted 4511 persons thereby might be led to trust in the Lord Jesus 4512 alone for the salvation of their souls. This is true, quite 4513 true. Preachers of the precious good news of salvation to 4514 every sinner who puts his trust in the merits of the Lord 4515 Jesus, ought indeed themselves to depend upon God, their 4516 Lord and Father, for the supply of their temporal 4517 necessities; but I also felt that I, as their brother, ought to 4518 seek to help them as far as lay in me. To this I set myself 4519 more than ever after the beginning of the year 1846, as I 4520 knew, that, from particular causes, there was an especial 4521 call to help such brethren; and as my own means would 4522 go but a little way, I gave myself to more earnest prayer 4523 than ever for such brethren. The result was, that, during 4524 the two years of this period, the Lord so answered my 4525 daily supplications with regard to this particular, that I 4526

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was honoured to send nearly three times as much to Home 4527 and Foreign labourers, as during any previous period of 4528 the same length. 1,559l. 11s. 6d. was spent in this way, by 4529 which twenty-one brethren were assisted who laboured in 4530 Foreign lands, and nineteen who laboured in Great Britain 4531 and Ireland. Large as this sum is, in comparison with what 4532 I had been able to do in this particular in former years, yet 4533 it is small, very small, in comparison with what my heart 4534 desired to be able to do for these forty brethren. It has 4535 frequently, yea almost always, so happened, that the 4536 assistance which God has allowed me to send to such 4537 brethren, has come to them at a time of great need. 4538 Sometimes they had no money at all left. Sometimes even 4539 their last provisions were almost consumed, when I sent 4540 them supplies. Some of them are fathers of large families, 4541 or have sickly wives and children; some were once well 4542 off in this world, but for Christ’s sake have become poor; 4543 and some have had for Christ’s sake their all taken from 4544 them. Is it not an honour to help such brethren? I could fill 4545 hundreds of pages by giving extracts from the letters of 4546 the dear brethren to whom I have sent help, and they 4547 would be greatly to the edification of the reader; but I do 4548 not feel free to do so. — As I have not only been 4549 labouring for these brethren in prayer that God would 4550 intrust me with means and allow me the privilege of 4551 helping them, but as I also have asked God to direct me 4552 especially to send to those who might be in particular 4553 need, in case I could not help them all; and as I have 4554 sought by an encouraging word to strengthen their hands 4555 in God; there is great reason to believe, that these dear 4556 brethren have not only been helped by these pecuniary 4557 supplies in a temporal point of view, but also that the fact, 4558

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of God sending them help in their extremity, has tended to 4559 refresh and strengthen their hearts, and to lead them more 4560 and more to trust in Him. 4561 4562 Sep. 4. 38l. more has come in since Aug. 1st for these 4563 objects, and today there was given to me 305l. 17s. 3d. for 4564 Home and Foreign labourers, for present use for the 4565 Orphans, and for the other parts of the work. Thus I have 4566 again the desire of my heart given to me in being able to 4567 assist a number of dear brethren at home and abroad, to 4568 whom I desired to send help. Of this sum I took 205l. 17s. 4569 3d. for these objects, and 100l. for the Orphans. 4570 4571 Sept. 9. Since the 4th I have sent out about 60l. already 4572 for brethren who labour in England and Foreign lands. 4573 This morning I received from C. W. 25l. more for 4574 missionary objects. 4575 4576 Oct. 22. This morning’s post had brought no means. 4577 Whilst walking in my little garden for meditation and 4578 prayer, I said to myself — "Though the post has brought 4579 no means, yet the Lord can send even this day rich 4580 supplies." It was not two minutes after this, when a letter 4581 was handed to me, which had been brought that moment, 4582 containing two Fifty Pound Notes and these words: "My 4583 little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; 4584 but in deed and in truth."—40l. for missionaries; 4585 Demerara and others, dependant on God for supplies. 10l. 4586 for Home missionaries, dependant on God for their 4587 support. 10l. for the Orphans. 10l. for the poor of 4588 Bethesda and Salem Church. 10l. for Mr. Müller. 10l. for 4589 Mr. Craik. 5l. for Bibles and Testaments. 5l. for rent, &c. 4590

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of chapels."—Thus I had a fresh answer to my prayers, 4591 which had been again brought before the Lord this 4592 morning, that He would enable me still more to help the 4593 dear brethren who labour at home and abroad in 4594 dependence upon Him for supplies. 4595 4596 Dec. 22. During the last two months about 70l. more has 4597 come in, chiefly for Missionary purposes. Of these 4598 donations, about eighty in number, I only mention that 4599 there was given on Nov. 5, the sum of 6l. 14s., being the 4600 tenth part of profits arising from shares which a brother 4601 has in coal mines. —Now today, Dec. 22, I received 175l. 4602 more for these funds, which I took as a further precious 4603 answer to my supplications to God, for help for home and 4604 foreign labourers, and for means to procure a fresh stock 4605 of tracts. 4606 4607 March 7, 1847. Often of late have I besought the Lord that 4608 He would be pleased to give me more means for those 4609 objects. For more than nine months we have on the whole 4610 abounded more than at any time during the thirteen years 4611 since this work first began; but now there was only 15l. 4612 left for the support of six day schools, two Sunday 4613 schools, an adult school, and the circulation of Bibles and 4614 Tracts. Often also of late had I entreated the Lord that He 4615 would be pleased to condescend to use me still further as 4616 a steward, in allowing me to send help to the many dear 4617 brethren whom I know labouring at home and abroad 4618 without any salary, the need of many of whom I knew. 4619 Under these circumstances I received this morning 150l. 4620 with the following lines: 4621 4622

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4623 "Dear brother, 4624 4625 I have pleasure in sending you 100l. on account of 4626 labourers in the Lord’s vineyard at home and abroad, and 4627 50l. for other work in your hands. 4628 4629 Yours very affectionately, 4630 4631 * *." 4632 4633 4634 Thus my request was in a measure answered with regard 4635 to home and foreign labourers, and by taking half of the 4636 50l. for the schools and the circulation of Bibles and 4637 Tracts, I had also something for these objects. The other 4638 25l. I put to the Orphan Fund. 4639 4640 March 12. The 100l. for home and foreign labourers was 4641 soon portioned out. The difficulty was not to spend it, but 4642 how to make it do, so that all, who seemed to me to need, 4643 might get a little. On this account I prayed still further 4644 during the last four days for means for home and foreign 4645 labourers, and now this morning, when I arose from my 4646 knees, after having again asked the Lord about tills 4647 matter, I received a letter in which C. W. sent me 30l. for 4648 missionaries. 4649 4650 April 5. I have been praying day by day, ever since I was 4651 able during the last month to send about 130l. to home 4652 and foreign labourers, that the Lord would be pleased 4653 soon again to give me means for them, on account of their 4654

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great need; indeed, all our means were so exhausted, that I 4655 had only just enough, for tomorrow evening, to meet the 4656 weekly expenses connected with the six day schools, 4657 when this morning I received 125l. for these objects. 4658 What a precious help! How is my heart refreshed by this 4659 seasonable answer to prayer! — Almost immediately after 4660 this donation had been given to me, I received a letter 4661 from Demerara about the great need among the brethren 4662 who labour there, by which intelligence the seasonable 4663 help, just received, has become still more precious to me. 4664 4665 Thirteen other small donations came in between April 5th 4666 and May 13th, and on May 13th I received 100l. for 4667 missionary purposes. 4668 4669 On June 8th was given 100l. for missionary purposes. 4670 4671 June 30. For the whole period, since the accounts were 4672 last closed, more than 13 months since, we have not been 4673 so poor with regard to these funds as today. Last evening I 4674 paid out the last money to the brethren who labour in the 4675 day schools, in giving them their weekly salary. Under 4676 these circumstances a brother in the Lord, who resides 4677 about 200 miles from this, and who had been staying in 4678 my house two days, gave me 30l. to dispose of as I 4679 thought best, only that missionary brethren should be 4680 remembered. I took therefore 15l. for Missions, and the 4681 other 15l. for the School—Bible and Tract Fund. What a 4682 seasonable help! 4683 4684 July 16. Today was given to me, when now again the 4685 money received on June 30th for the schools, &c., had 4686

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been all but entirely expended (as only little had come in 4687 since), the sum of 110l. for these objects. 4688 4689 Aug. 25. Great had been my desire to send fresh supplies 4690 to the home and foreign labourers. Day by day had I been 4691 again praying for means for them since July 16th. Now 4692 also I had nothing in hand for the Bible and Tract Fund; 4693 and as to the schools, there was not nearly enough to pay 4694 the weekly salaries to the teachers next Tuesday evening, 4695 when I received this evening 120l. for these objects. 4696 4697 Aug. 26. This morning I received still further from C. W. 4698 20l. for home and foreign labourers. 4699 4700 Sept. 14. Day by day I am bringing before the Lord the 4701 necessities of the home and foreign labourers, whom I 4702 seek to help, especially as I found in what great need 4703 some brethren were, when a short time since they received 4704 the help which the Lord allowed me to send them. Now 4705 this afternoon 1 received from Norwich 5l. 6s. for 4706 missionary purposes, and also 2 rings, a cornelian 4707 necklace., an amber necklace, and a pair of amber 4708 bracelets. 4709 4710 Oct. 4. I have now been again praying much for many 4711 days for means for home and foreign labourers as well as 4712 for means for the other objects, having very little in hand, 4713 and having reason to believe that several of the brethren 4714 whom I seek to help are in great need. This evening I 4715 received from a brother, as the first fruits of his salary, a 4716 sovereign for home and foreign labourers. I take this as an 4717

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earnest out of the hands of God that He will soon send me 4718 more. — Received also 5s. 4719 4720 Oct. S. This morning I received the following letter, at the 4721 very moment while I was on my knees, waiting still 4722 further upon the Lord for help for the various objects, and 4723 especially also for means for home and foreign labourers. 4724 4725 * * * *, Oct. 3, 1847. 4726 4727 "Beloved Brother, 4728 4729 The enclosed sum of 30l. is in my hands, and it does not 4730 appear that the Lord has need of it here, either for my own 4731 wants, or others under my notice. It seems likely that He 4732 may have need of it for the help of missionary labourers, 4733 who are depending on Himself. Would you kindly 4734 dispense it, as you may see good, to any who are 4735 labouring in the Word at home and abroad; or if you see 4736 other pressing need for it among the saints or for the 4737 Orphans, use it rather for them, &c." 4738 4739 4740 I took the whole of this donation for these objects, as 4741 evidently coming in answer to prayer for them. 4742 4743 Oct. 12. The very great need of some of the dear brethren 4744 who labour in the Word, and whom I seek to assist, had 4745 led me again day by day to bring their cases before God. I 4746 also needed help for the School—, Bible and Tract Fund. 4747 Now this evening the Lord has once more helped me by a 4748 donation of 180l., of which I took 40l. for the Orphans, 4749

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100l. for home and foreign labourers and 40l. for the 4750 School, Bible and Tract Fund. How seasonable and how 4751 precious this help! How precious to me as the fruit of 4752 many prayers, and how seasonable to many who are in 4753 need, and who will be thus assisted! Moreover, I am just 4754 now in deep sorrow and great trial, the cause of which I 4755 will not mention here; and thus God Himself cheers and 4756 refreshes my heart, and tells me by this fresh precious and 4757 manifest answer to prayer, that He is mindful of His poor 4758 unworthy servant, and of the work in which he is engaged. 4759 There came in five small donations besides today. 4760 4761 Dec. 30. When in the greatest need, so that I should not 4762 have been able to pay the weekly salaries of the teachers 4763 of the day schools next Tuesday, I received today from C. 4764 W. 10l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took half 4765 of it for the school fund and half for the Orphans. 4766 4767 Dec. 31. The year closes under the smiles of our Heavenly 4768 Father upon this work, in giving us another proof that He 4769 is indeed mindful of our need and attentive to our 4770 supplications. I received today 100l., to be used as most 4771 needed. I took of it 50l. for these objects and 50l. for the 4772 Orphans. I scarcely ever received a donation more 4773 seasonably; for there are only means enough for next 4774 week for the teachers, Bibles and tracts are needed, and I 4775 have been long waiting upon God for means for home and 4776 foreign labourers. But this donation only furnishes me 4777 with means for present necessities for the schools, and to 4778 order some tracts. As to ordering Bibles and sending help 4779 to foreign and home labourers, I must still further wait 4780 upon God. 4781

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4782 Jan. 1, 1848. Today I received still further, for the benefit 4783 of the day schools, the sum of 10l. 4784 4785 Jan. 6. Only 1l. 5s. has come in since the first. This 4786 evening 120l. was given to me, of which the donor intends 4787 20l. for home and foreign labourers. The other 100l. was 4788 left at my disposal. I took therefore of it 70l. for the 4789 Orphans, 10l. for the various schools, 10l. for the 4790 circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 10l. for the 4791 circulation of tracts. 4792 4793 Feb. 10. There came in about 65l. more for missionary 4794 purposes during the month, of January, and today was 4795 given to me a donation of 100l., the disposal of which 4796 being left to me, I took half of it for these objects, and half 4797 for the Orphans, and thus I am able, after much waiting 4798 upon God for it, to send a little more help to brethren who 4799 labour in the Word. 4800 4801 April 13. This is only the second time, since May 26, 4802 1846, that the means for these objects have been 4803 completely exhausted, though we have been two or three 4804 times besides brought very low in funds. The last money 4805 there was in hand was spent in paying the weekly salaries 4806 of the teachers the day before yesterday. There was 4807 therefore nothing for this purpose for next week, nor were 4808 there any means for the circulation of Bibles and tracts, 4809 and for aiding missionary efforts. Under these 4810 circumstances prayer and faith were again resorted to. For 4811 my universal remedy in need of any kind is, to make 4812 known my requests unto God, and then I seek to believe 4813

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that God has heard me for His dear Son’s sake, and I look 4814 out for answers to my petitions, and fully expect them. I 4815 had also particularly requested four brethren, masters of 4816 the boys’ day schools, to help me with their prayers, as I 4817 should not be able to pay them their weekly salary, next 4818 week, except the Lord were pleased to send in means. — 4819 Thus situated, I received this morning, as the fruit of 4820 many supplications, the sum of 90l., which was a great 4821 refreshment to my spirit. It being left to me to use this 4822 money as needed, I put 50l. of it to the funds for these 4823 objects, and 40l. to the Orphan-Fund. Thus we are once 4824 more helped, and my heart is encouraged more and more 4825 to trust in God. 4826 4827 April 29. One of the labourers gave 10l. for missionary 4828 purposes, whereby at least one of the most needy among 4829 the brethren who labour in the Word could be helped. — 4830 It has pleased God not to allow me, during the last five 4831 months, to have the honour of helping the dear brethren, 4832 who labour in the Word, to the same extent as the 4833 eighteen months before. I confess that I am not worthy to 4834 be used any longer by the Lord as a steward, to assist 4835 these His servants; still my heart craves after it, and still 4836 prays that God would count me worthy for His dear Son’s 4837 sake to supply me with means for them, as I know they 4838 are in great need, and many of them, through particular 4839 circumstances, in far greater need than ever. 4840 4841 May 26, 1848. By the. Lord’s faithful love I have been 4842 enabled to meet all the heavy expenses connected with 4843 these objects during the last two years, amounting to 4844 nearly Two Thousand Six Hundred Pounds, and at the 4845

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same time owe no one anything, and have a balance of 5l. 4846 19s. 7 1⁄4 d. left in hand 4847 4848 4849 Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to 4850 prayer, from May 26, 1846, to May, 26, 1848. 4851 4852 4853 May 26, 1846. Scarcely ever had we so much in hand, and 4854 certainly not for the last eight years, when the accounts 4855 were closed, as at this time. This evening I received 100l. 4856 It being left to me to apply this sum as I felt led, and as it 4857 might be needed, I put half of it to the Orphan Fund, and 4858 the other half to the fund for the other objects. 4859 4860 June 4. Today I received 50l. for the Orphans together 4861 with 100l. for the other objects. This money came the 4862 instant after I had risen from my knees, to ask the Lord for 4863 more means, as, on account of needing about 75l. for the 4864 printing of the Report, 23l. for oatmeal, 19l. for fittings, 4865 25l. for rent, and 26l. for the sisters who labour in the 4866 Orphan-Houses (which sums are shortly to be paid), we 4867 shall soon again need more. 4868 4869 Jan. 20, 1847. For the whole of this period since May 26, 4870 1846, therefore nearly eight months, when the accounts 4871 were closed, we have had always an abundance of means, 4872 and for the greater part of the time about 200l. in hand. 4873 The sum of One Thousand Sixty-Five Pounds has come in 4874 for the Orphans in less than eight months, to which is to 4875 be added the balance of 85l. 4s. 9 3⁄4 d. in hand when the 4876 accounts were closed. Invariably I have thus been able to 4877

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give to the Matrons of the four Orphan-Houses the money 4878 in advance, which was required for the necessities of one 4879 week. But now, after having paid away last evening 45l. 4880 5s. for the house-keeping of a week in advance and for 4881 other expenses, the money which remains in hand is 4882 needed for rent, and oatmeal, which has been ordered 4883 from Scotland. This morning therefore I gave myself 4884 particularly to prayer with regard to means for present use 4885 for the Orphans. How blessed to have the living God to go 4886 to! Particularly precious to know Him in these days of 4887 widespread distress! Potatoes are too dear for food for the 4888 Orphans at this time. The rice, which we have substituted 4889 instead of them, is twice as dear as usual; the oatmeal 4890 more than twice as dear; and the bread one-half dearer 4891 than usual. But the riches of God are as great as ever. He 4892 knows that our expenses are great. He knows that a little 4893 will not do in these days, when provisions are so dear, as 4894 there are about 150 persons to be provided for, including 4895 teachers and apprentices. My soul is at peace. — Evening. 4896 About noon I received from a pious physician the 4897 following note, with a check for 5l. 4898 4899 4900 "My dear sir, I send you something towards buying bread 4901 for the Orphans. The dearness of food must be felt by 4902 many; but the Lord in judgment is nevertheless gracious 4903 He will sustain. I am your sincere friend and well-wisher. 4904 4905 * * * *" 4906 4907 4908 4909

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4910 From Maidenhead I received still further this evening 5s. 4911 4912 Jan. 21. Having had to pay out this morning 5l. 2s. 6d. for 4913 oatmeal for present use, before the arrival of the larger 4914 quantity of a ton and a half ordered from Scotland, there 4915 was again only 2s. 6d. left of the money which had come 4916 in yesterday. About 1 o’clock this afternoon I received 1l. 4917 through a Christian lady of Bristol from "a poor 4918 gardener." There came in also-still further 1s. by sale of 4919 Reports and 1l. 2s. 6d. from London. 4920 4921 Jan. 22. A brother from Devonshire came here on 4922 business, to obtain some money which was owed to him. 4923 He did not obtain it; but God used him as an instrument to 4924 bring me some money, for he gave me 10s. for the 4925 Orphans. There came in still further by sale of trinkets and 4926 old silver 12l. 8s. 5d. 4927 4928 Jan. 23. By sale of books and some music 2l. 10s. 4929 4930 Jan. 24. Profits from the sale of ladies’ bags 1l. — During 4931 this period also two sisters kindly made some ladies’ bags 4932 and baskets, and gave the profits arising from the sale for 4933 the benefit of the Orphans. 4934 4935 On the 25th and 26th came in still further 2l. 4s. 1 3⁄4 d., 4936 so that, when in the evening of the 26th at our usual 4937 weekly meeting for prayer and conference I met with the 4938 brethren and sisters, who labour in the various day schools 4939 and Orphan-Houses (then seventeen in number), I was 4940 again able, by means of the 26l. 1s. 0 3⁄4 d., which the 4941

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Lord had sent in during the week, to give to the four 4942 matrons of the Orphan-Houses all the needful supplies for 4943 the coming week. That which remained was put by 4944 towards the rent of the houses. Our prayer now was, that 4945 the Lord would he pleased again to send in fresh supplies, 4946 that we might have at the next meeting all that might be 4947 needed for the week after. 4948 4949 Feb. 2, Tuesday. When we met this evening for prayer 4950 and conference, it was found, that, whilst there had been 4951 nothing left in hand after our meeting this day week 4952 (except money put by for oatmeal and rent), there had 4953 come in altogether during the week 29l. 18s. 18 1⁄2 d. The 4954 way in which the Lord supplied us with those means was 4955 as follows: On the 26th and 27th I received 10s., and 10s. 4956 as profits from the sale of ladies’ bags. On the 27th from 4957 London 3l., and also 5s. From C. C. 2l. From Braunton a 4958 purse with 6s. From Barnstaple 1l. On the 28th 4959 anonymously from London, from J. W. A., 5l. with these 4960 words: "From the giver of all, through one of His 4961 stewards." On the 29th from Sodbury 2s. 6d. On the 30th 4962 from Droitwich 5s. 6d. Also anonymously by post 5s. 4963 worth of postages with these words: "A sip of milk and a 4964 crust of bread for a poor Orphan." Also from C. C. 10s. 4965 On the 31st an old shilling and sixpence, a small silver 4966 pencil case, and a pair of small ear-drops. — Feb. 1. 4967 Before breakfast I took a direction in my usual morning’s 4968 walk, in which I had not been for many weeks, feeling 4969 drawn in that direction, just as if God had an intention in 4970 leading me in that way. Returning home I met a Christian 4971 gentleman whom formerly I used to meet almost every 4972 morning, but whom I had not met for many weeks, 4973

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because I had not been walking in that direction. He 4974 stopped me and gave me 21. for the Orphans. Then I 4975 knew why I bad been led thus; for there is not yet enough 4976 in hand, to supply the matrons tomorrow evening with the 4977 necessary means for housekeeping during another week. 4978 — There came in still further today for needlework done 4979 by the Orphans 1l. 17s. 7d. Also 4s. 5d., the contents of an 4980 Orphan box. — On Feb. 2nd came in 2l. 5s. 11d., by sale 4981 of a Report 4d., and by sale of stockings 9s. 3d. — On 4982 Jan. 30th a box came from London. It contained 4 4983 brooches, a gold chain, 2 pairs of earrings, 2 gold watch 4984 hooks, a locket, a ring, 2 parts of gold chains, a rich silk 4985 dress, a silk cloak, a glass bottle, some music, 39 books, 4986 18 knitted doilies, and a pair of knitting pins. Some of 4987 these articles were today, Feb. 2, sold for 8l. 2s. 3d. — 4988 There came in further by the sale of articles and Reports, 4989 4s. ld., by the boxes in the Orphan-Houses and at my 4990 house 1l. 2s., and anonymously was sent 5s. worth of 4991 postages. Here then, dear reader, you have a specimen 4992 how the Lord does week after week supply us — I said 4993 29l. 18s. 10 1⁄2 d. had come in during the week. As, 4994 however, I was informed that the arrival of the oatmeal 4995 from Scotland had been announced, and that it was much 4996 dearer than I had expected, i.e. nearly three times as dear 4997 as formerly, I found that there had not been sufficient 4998 money put by, and took therefore in the first place what 4999 was yet needed for that. In consequence of this I had only 5000 10l. 14s. left for housekeeping, which I divided among the 5001 matrons, being fully assured that the Lord would again 5002 send in means, before that was spent. I went home in great 5003 peace, though all the money I possessed for present use 5004 for the Orphans was only three half-farthings. 5005

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5006 Feb. 4. Yesterday nothing had come in. This morning, just 5007 before I was going to give myself to prayer about the 5008 Orphans, a sister in the Lord sent a sovereign, winch she 5009 had received, as she writes, "From a friend who had met 5010 the Orphan Boys, and was particularly pleased with their 5011 neat and orderly appearance." After having received this 5012 1l., I prayed for means for present use, though not 5013 confining my prayers to that. About a quarter of an hour 5014 after I had risen from my knees, I received a letter, with 5015 an order for 5l. The donor writes, that it is "the proceeds 5016 of a strip of land, sold to the railway company." What 5017 various means does the Lord employ to send us help, in 5018 answer to our prayers! — About half an hour after having 5019 received this 5l., there was sent 10s., being the profits 5020 from the sale of ladies’ bags. This evening was received 5021 still further, by the sale of some trinkets, 1l. 18s. Thus I 5022 am able to send all the remainder of the money, which is 5023 yet needed for housekeeping up to Tuesday, Feb. 9th. 5024 5025 The Lord’s holy name be praised for this fresh precious 5026 help! 5027 5028 Feb. 5. 1l. 4s. 10d. has come in today. 5029 5030 Feb. 7. Lord’s day. Yesterday nothing had come in. In two 5031 days again about 20l. will be needed for housekeeping, 5032 and there was only about the tenth part in hand. But I was 5033 not in the least disturbed about this. There are also new 5034 clothes to be found for the 32 Orphans in the Boys’ 5035 Orphan-House, which likewise will cost many pounds. 5036 That expense also, I believed, God would help me to 5037

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meet. Now observe the Lord’s kindness! On returning this 5038 morning from the meeting, I found the following letter 5039 containing 50l. 5040 5041 "* * * *, Feb. 6, 1847. 5042 5043 "Beloved Brother, 5044 5045 Having been led, during the past year, to see the 5046 unscripturalness of life insurance, which I had been 5047 carrying on for some years previously, I now enclose you 5048 the sum which I received from the office, on returning to 5049 them my policy, viz. 22l. 8s., and the payment due about 5050 this time, eleven guineas, as a thank-offering to the Lord 5051 for having, chiefly by means of the work in which you are 5052 engaged in Bristol, opened my eyes in some little measure 5053 to His will with regard to His pilgrim people here. I ask 5054 your prayers on my behalf, dearest brother, amongst the 5055 many who must be on your heart, for singleness of eye, to 5056 walk with God by faith, that ‘the whole body may be full 5057 of light,’ and that I may not be permitted to darken the 5058 little light I have, by serving any other master. 5059 5060 I add also ten pounds, which you will kindly apply to the 5061 help of those who are labouring in the Gospel abroad, or if 5062 more urgent, at home. Also will you oblige me by 5063 accepting six pounds for your own use. 5064 5065 Of several Reports (which you sent me for distribution) I 5066 have received payment for three, for which I enclose one 5067 shilling. The first items please apply for the use of the 5068 Orphan-Houses, as you may see best." &c. 5069

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5070 Thus the Lord has given by one donation 34l. for the 5071 Orphans. — I have also in this another answer, in 5072 receiving 10l. for missionary brethren, for whom I had of 5073 late been especially seeking help from the Lord. — This 5074 evening I received still further from C. C. 1l. l0s. 0 1⁄2 d. 5075 5076 Feb. 9. There was received today by sale of articles 3l. 9s. 5077 8d. When I met again this evening with my fellow-5078 labourers for prayer and conference at one of the Orphan-5079 Houses, it was found that 48l. 12s. 6 1⁄2 d. had come in 5080 for present use for the Orphans during the past week, 5081 which commenced with three half-farthings in my hands; 5082 so that there was enough for all the expenses connected 5083 with the house-keeping of the coming week, and the rest 5084 was put by for the rent, the apprentices, and the boys’ 5085 clothes; and as to the necessities of this day week, when 5086 again fresh supplies will need to be given to the matrons, I 5087 am looking to the Lord. 5088 5089 Feb. 10. This evening we hare received already a little 5090 towards the expenses of the coming week. A brother gave 5091 me 10l., of which 5l. are for the poor Irish and 5l. for the 5092 Orphans. Also 7s. 1d. from the Orphan-box of a sister. 5093 5094 Feb. 11. Anonymously 2s. 6d. From Nottingham 1l. 15s. 5095 5096 Feb. 12. Anonymously, from a lady, 21. to buy coals for 5097 the four Orphan-houses. 5098 5099 Feb. 13. Anonymously from Islington a half-sovereign. 5100 By sale of Reports 8d. 5101

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5102 Feb. 14. Through a sister 5s., from C. C. 8s. 3d., and 5103 anonymously 2s. 6d. 5104 5105 Feb. 15. From a Scotch sister 1l., by sale of stockings, 5106 Reports, and articles 7l. 0s. 4d., from an Orphan- box 3s. 5107 O 1⁄2 d., from Nice 1l., anonymously 10s., from Cork 5s. 5108 2d., and several shillings besides in small donations, &c. 5109 — Thus there had come in again by this Tuesday evening, 5110 Feb. 16th, 21l. 4s. 2d. during the past week. As, however, 5111 I had to put by some money for the boys’ clothes and rent, 5112 I could only leave 12l. 4s. with the matrons, quite 5113 sufficient for a few days; and my hope in God is, that He 5114 will send more, before this is gone. 5115 5116 Feb. 17. From the. neighbourhood of Bridgewater l0s. 6d., 5117 and 1s. 1d. came in besides. On the 18th came in 1l. more. 5118 5119 Feb. 19. This morning I gave myself again to prayer, 5120 importuning the Lord that He would be pleased to send 5121 more means, as so little had come in during the last two 5122 days. Almost immediately, after rising from my knees, I 5123 received from Doncaster 3l. 3s. At the same tune I 5124 received from Bromyard 5s., and 4s. from Aberystwith. 5125 About an hour later came from a sister in the 5126 neighbourhood of Wotton-under-Edge l2s. 6d., a lady’s 5127 bag, and a knitted bread-basket cloth. Thus, with the 12l. 5128 4s. already given to the matrons, we are supplied till next 5129 Tuesday evening, the 23rd of February. 5130 5131 Feb. 20. Today came in from the neighbourhood of Castle 5132 Cary 10s., by sale of Reports 2l. 6d., and by sale of 5133

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articles 10s. 6d. Also anonymously a parcel from Tetbury, 5134 containing 2 shillings, a gold coin, a silver coin, 2 copper 5135 coins, a brass coin, 4 gilt brooches, 2 silver brooches, 3 5136 gold brooches, 5 collars, a waistcoat, a pair of boots, 2 5137 cloaks, and a shawl. 5138 5139 Feb. 21. From C. C. 14s., and 5l. with these words: "Your 5140 Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these 5141 things," and Philip iv. 19. How true! My Heavenly Father 5142 knew that we had need of this, and therefore put it into the 5143 heart of this donor to give this 5l. for in two days we shall 5144 again require many pounds more than I had this morning. 5145 Also how truly is again fulfilled in my experience at this 5146 time Philip iv. 19. 5147 5148 Feb. 22. From Westmoreland a half sovereign and 1s. in 5149 postages. 5150 5151 Feb. 23. Anonymously a half sovereign. By sale of 5152 articles and Reports 3l. 16s. 0 1⁄2 d., and through an 5153 Orphan- box in my house 2s. A lady who met the Orphans 5154 today in the fields, gave to one of the girls 2s. Evening. 5155 Tuesday. By what the Lord has been pleased to send in 5156 during the past week, I have enough to supply the matrons 5157 with all which is needed during the coming week and 14s. 5158 left. 5159 5160 Feb. 24. From a poor brother 6s.; the produce of an 5161 Orphan-box 1s. 7 1⁄2 d. and a shilling bank token. — Feb. 5162 26. From Bath 2s. 6d., and from Droitwich 9s. 4d. 5163 5164

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Feb. 27. Saturday evening. Only these few shillings have 5165 come in since Tuesday evening, so that, having had to pay 5166 away several small sums besides the housekeeping 5167 expenses, since Tuesday, nothing is in hand towards 5168 supplying the matrons with housekeeping money next 5169 Tuesday. — Received this evening from C. C. 5l., 6s. 6d. 5170 and anonymously from Totness 1s. 6d. worth of postages. 5171 5172 Feb. 28. Today came in still further from the Hot-wells 3s. 5173 6d., and 10l. as the profits of shares which the donor has 5174 in a certain concern. How kind of the Lord to help us thus 5175 so seasonably in our poverty! 5176 5177 March 1. By work and knitting of the Orphans 1l. 4s. 8d. 5178 and from E. N. 10s. 5179 5180 March 2. By sale of articles 8l. 10s. 6d., and by sale of a 5181 Report 4d. From H. C. as "A thank-offering to the Lord" 5182 1l. From Manchester 1l. From London 13s. From 5183 Staffordshire 1s. — Thus by this evening the Lord has 5184 again sent in during the past week 29l. 8s. 11 1⁄2 d., 5185 whereby I had enough to advance the house-keeping 5186 expenses to the matrons of the four Orphan-Houses for 5187 the coming week, and to meet some other expenses. 5188 5189 March 3. Received 6s. 7d. — March 4. 1l. from the 5190 neighbourhood of Stroud, as "a thank-offering to God for 5191 partial recovery from sickness."—Also from Bath 5l.— A 5192 gentleman gave anonymously to the governess of the 5193 Infant Orphans 2l. — I also received the following letter 5194 today: "Dear Sir, When my dear brother John died, he had 5195 one shilling and fourpence halfpenny owing to him which 5196

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he intended for the Orphans. As I received it today, I now 5197 send it to you. He said ‘Jesus will never forsake the 5198 Orphans.’ M. W." The paper contained 1s. 7 3⁄4 d. and a 5199 quarter of a gilder. This legacy came from a dear boy who 5200 I hear died in the faith. — March 5. From Clevedon 2s. 5201 6d. — March 6. The proceeds of an Orphan-box 7s. 1d. 5202 5203 March 7. Only 8l. 17s. 9 3⁄4 d. had come in since the 2nd, 5204 and the day after tomorrow fresh supplies will need to be 5205 given to the matrons for house-keeping, Under these 5206 circumstances I received this morning 150l., of which the 5207 donor intends 100l. for labourers in the Lord’s vineyard at 5208 home and abroad, and 50l. for other work in my hands. Of 5209 this 50l. I took 25l. for the Orphans, and 25l. for the 5210 School—Bible—and Tract Fund. Thus we are helped 5211 afresh. — There came in besides from C. C. 6s., from a 5212 lady 1l., and anonymously 1s. 4d. 5213 5214 March 8. This morning I received still further from 5215 Falmouth a bank order for 4l. from a brother "As a thank-5216 offering to the Lord for bringing him safely back to his 5217 native land;" 2l. of this amount is for the Orphans, 1l. for 5218 Brother Craik, and 1l. for my own personal necessities. 5219 Also 10s. from an Orphan-box, and 10s. from a sister. 5220 5221 March 6. By sale of articles and Reports 4l. 13s. 2d., from 5222 a poor brother 6d., and through the boxes in my 5223 5224 5225 house 1l. 1s. 6d. — This evening, Tuesday, I find that 5226 since last Tuesday evening again 44l. 1s. 6 3⁄4 d. has 5227 come in. Thus I have the means to meet all the house-5228

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keeping expenses during the coming week, and something 5229 will be left to put by towards the rent, the current 5230 expenses for the apprentices, &c. How good is the Lord in 5231 helping us week after week through the heavy expenses, 5232 especially in this season of deep distress and dearness of 5233 provisions! To His praise I can say, we have lacked 5234 nothing all this winter. 5235 5236 Whilst preparing these extracts from my journal for the 5237 press, I remember to have heard the following remarks 5238 made with reference to the time about which I am just 5239 now writing, namely the season of dearth during the 5240 winter of 1846-7: "I wonder how it is now with the 5241 Orphans? If Mr. Miller is now able to provide for them as 5242 he has, we will say nothing." When I heard such remarks, 5243 I said nothing except this: " We lack nothing:" or, "God 5244 helps us." Should this fall into the hands of any who have 5245 had such thoughts, let them remember that it is the very 5246 time for faith to work, when sight ceases. The greater the 5247 difficulties, the easier for faith. As long as there remain 5248 certain natural prospects, faith does not get on even as 5249 easily (if I may say so), as when all natural prospects fail. 5250 It is true that during the time of the dearth our expenses 5251 were considerably greater than usual it is also true that 5252 many persons, who otherwise might have given, were 5253 unable to do so, or had their surplus directed into other 5254 channels, such as Ireland, &c.; but the gold and silver are 5255 the Lord’s. To Him we made our prayer. In Him we put 5256 our trust. And He did not forsake us.’ For we went as 5257 easily through that winter as through any winter since the 5258 work had been in existence. Nor could it be otherwise; for 5259 God had at this very time an especial opportunity of 5260

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showing the blessedness of trusting in Him. Seek, dear 5261 reader, more and more to put your trust in Him for 5262 everything, and you will even concerning this life find it 5263 most precious so to do. 5264 5265 March 10. I was able, last evening, to meet most 5266 comfortably all the expenses for the coming week; yet we 5267 had then nothing left, as I put by the rest of the money, 5268 that we might not get into debt with regard to the rent, the 5269 expenses of the apprentices, &c. When now there was 5270 again nothing left for future house-keeping expenses, a 5271 Christian lady at a considerable distance informed me by 5272 this mornings post, that she has paid into the hands of 5273 Messrs. Stuckey and Co. of Bristol, my bankers, the sum 5274 of 100l. for my use, for the benefit of the Orphans. By the 5275 same post I have received also 10s. from Droitwich. The 5276 Lord’s holy name be praised for this seasonable help! I 5277 have now all the rent for next quarter day, am able to 5278 purchase two pieces of calico which were needed, a fresh 5279 supply of rice and soap, and to meet other heavy expenses 5280 in the way of certain alterations and improvements to be 5281 made in the four houses, about which I had repeatedly 5282 asked the Lord. 5283 5284 May 1. From March 10th up to this day came in the sum 5285 of 132l. 10s. 5 3⁄4 d. Before the means in hand were 5286 expended, the Lord always gave a fresh supply. This 5287 evening, Saturday May 1st, I gave myself especially to 5288 prayer for means, as we were now again very poor, there 5289 being no means to meet the house-keeping expenses on 5290 next Tuesday evening, when fresh supplies are to be given 5291 to the matrons. About half an hour, after I had risen from 5292

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my knees, I received from a Friend to the Institution a 5293 letter, containing 10l. Of this sum 8s. 5d. is from twenty 5294 poor Orphans under his care, who, having read one of my 5295 Reports, desired him to send to the Orphans in Bristol 5296 their little donations, each having contributed from 2d. to 5297 8d., 5s. 6d. is from an aged Christian, 10s. from a servant 5298 of the donor, and 8l. 16s. 1d. from himself, to makeup the 5299 10l. 5300 5301 May 2. There came in still further from C. C. 1l., from a 5302 Christian lady 10s., from a Christian servant 5s., and 5303 anonymously 10s. 5304 5305 May 4. Today was received for articles and Reports 1l. 5306 16s. 1d., and through the boxes at the Orphan-Houses 16s. 5307 8 1⁄2 d. Thus I was able this evening, by what had come in 5308 since Saturday evening, May 1, to meet the house-keeping 5309 expenses of the coming week. 5310 5311 May 11. Another week is gone by. This evening also I 5312 have been able to meet all the expenses connected with 5313 house-keeping during the coming week, through what has 5314 come in since May 4th, but at the same time there is 5315 nothing left. Hitherto the children have lacked nothing. 5316 Never were provisions nearly so dear since the 5317 commencement of the work, as they are now. The bread is 5318 almost twice as much as eighteen months ago, the oatmeal 5319 nearly three times as much as formerly, the rice more than 5320 double the usual price, and no potatoes can be used, on 5321 account of their exceeding high price. But though I have 5322 now returned from the Orphan-Houses, without any 5323 means being left in my hands for further supplies, yet my 5324

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heart is in peace, in great peace, being sure that the Lord 5325 will help. 5326 5327 May 12. The Lord is beginning to help already. This 5328 evening I have received 4l. from Scarborough. 5329 5330 May 13. This morning I received 6s. from the 5331 neighbourhood of Bideford. This afternoon was given to 5332 me 50l., being left to my disposal, as it might be most 5333 needed. Being so exceedingly poor as to means for the 5334 Orphans, and having heavy expenses to meet, I put this 5335 50l. to the Orphan-Fund for present use. Thus I am able to 5336 order oatmeal from Scotland, which is nearly out, put by 5337 money for the rent, pay for medical attendance for the 5338 children, &c. How good is the Lord, in helping us so 5339 seasonably in this time of great dearness of provisions! — 5340 There came in still further today 5s. — On May 14th from 5341 O. 1s., "through walking a short distance instead of 5342 riding." — On May 16th from C. C. 13s. 1d. From O. 3s. 5343 being "the first fruits of increase of wages." From the Isle 5344 of Wight 17s. 9d., from Hayle 2l., from Plymouth 15s. — 5345 On May 17th from a Christian lady 5s., from E. A. B. 13s. 5346 6d., and from C. B. 13s. 10 1⁄2 d. — On May 18th by sale 5347 of articles and Reports 2l. 6s. 4d. Though thus since last 5348 Tuesday evening, May 11th, about 63l. has come in, yet 5349 as there have been heavy extra expenses to meet in the 5350 course of the week, besides the usual amount required for 5351 housekeeping for the coming week, and as I need to put 5352 by about 20l. for oatmeal which has been ordered from 5353 Scotland, we are again without anything in hand. 5354 5355

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May 19. This morning the Lord has again begun to send 5356 in a little. I received from Bath 1l., and from a Colonel in 5357 the Presidency of Madras 2l. — May 20th. From 5358 Worcester 1l., and from a sick little boy 6d. — May 23rd. 5359 From C. C. 5l. 2s. 4d. Also a stranger called at the infant 5360 Orphan-House, bought books to the amount of 8s. 1d., 5361 and gave a sovereign for them. 5362 5363 May 24. By sale of articles came in 3l. 10s. 2d. 5364 5365 May 25. From Shirehampton 2s. 5366 5367 The boxes in the Orphan-Houses contained 1l. 10s 1d. 5368 Also an individual from Taunton gave 10s. Lastly there 5369 came in by sale of Reports 6d. and from M. W. 6d. — 5370 Thus the Lord has again sent in since last Tuesday 5371 evening about 161l. This, however, not being nearly 5372 enough to meet the house-keeping expenses of the coming 5373 week, I could only give a part of what was needed, hoping 5374 in God to give me more, before that which is in the hands 5375 of the matrons shall have been spent. 5376 5377 May 26. A lady gave 10s. — May 27th. By sale of books, 5378 given for the purpose, came in 1l. 11s. 6d., and through an 5379 Orphan-box 8s. 6d. This 2l. 10s. received yesterday and 5380 today I sent off to the Orphan-Houses. 5381 5382 May 28. By sale of Reports 1s., the proceeds of an 5383 Orphan-box at Street 2s., from Guernsey 1l.—May 29th. 5384 The 1l. 3s., which came in yesterday, was enough for 5385 today, Saturday; for only the addition of 1l. was required 5386 to help us till Monday morning, and therefore the Lord 5387

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had sent 3s. more than was needed. Evening. There has 5388 come in this day still further 1l. 9s. 7d. by sale of some 5389 little trinkets, almost all of which had been given some 5390 time since, and which now our poverty led me to pack up 5391 and send out for sale. This money likewise was divided 5392 among the matrons. 5393 5394 May 30. Lord’s day morning. I have just now received, in 5395 this our great need, when there was not sufficient in hand 5396 to meet the necessities of tomorrow, 6l. 6s. from a 5397 Christian gentleman of title at Zurich in Switzerland, a 5398 distance of about one thousand miles. What a most 5399 seasonable help! Thus I am able to send all the remainder 5400 of the supplies, which are needed till Tuesday evening. 5401 5402 In these days of straitness, the question would naturally 5403 arise, If, when you have only to care for 130 Orphans, you 5404 are so poor, what will you do when there are 300, for 5405 whom you are just on the point of building a house? And 5406 further, Is it not an indication not to increase the work, 5407 seeing you are now so poor with only about one-third of 5408 the number of Orphans which you purpose to receive into 5409 the New Orphan-House? — I am not tried, however, with 5410 such thoughts; for I know that 1, Only for the trial of my 5411 faith, as heretofore the Lord allows me now again to be 5412 poor. Never at any time have the expenses been so great 5413 for the work, as from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1847; but 5414 also never has so much come in in the same space of time 5415 during any other period of this work. 2, It is for the profit 5416 of the church at large, that we have now again to pass 5417 through these days of poverty. 3, I know that it is as easy 5418 for the Lord to supply us with all the means that the work 5419

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will require when once the New Orphan-House is opened, 5420 as it is for Him to give us what we need now, though the 5421 expenses in all likelihood will then be Two Thousand 5422 Five Hundred Pounds a year more than they are at 5423 present. 5424 5425 Evening: Received 10s. more anonymously. 5426 5427 June 1. Tuesday, 8l. 9s. 0 1⁄2 d. more has come in since 5428 May 30th, of which, however, only 4l. 9s. 7 1⁄2 d. 5429 remained for house-keeping expenses, during the coming 5430 week. This was all I could leave with the matrons, hoping 5431 in God to send in more before this is gone. 5432 5433 June 2. This morning I received the following anonymous 5434 note from Teignmouth, enclosing two halfsovereigns. 5435 5436 5437 "My dear Brother, 5438 5439 I send you with much pleasure the enclosed trifle, to be 5440 disposed of as you judge to be best. Also this precious 5441 text, " Only believe," once spoken by the lips of our 5442 blessed glorified Head, now above. 5443 5444 Ever yours in Him." 5445 5446 5447 Thus the Lord has already sent me a little help towards 5448 what may be needed tomorrow. His name be praised! 5449 How true that word: "Only believe." — Evening. This 5450 afternoon the Lord has shown afresh in my experience the 5451

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truth of that word: "Only believe." I received a letter 5452 containing 40l., of which 10l. are for Brother Craik and 5453 myself, 10l. for Home and Foreign labourers, and 20l. for 5454 present use for the Orphans. Thus I am enabled to send 5455 the money required for house-keeping for this week, till 5456 Tuesday the 8th. Oh, how kind of the Lord to help us 5457 again and again! 5458 5459 June 8. There was only about 6l. in hand towards the 5460 house-keeping expenses of the coming week, as 5461 comparatively little had come in since June 2. In addition 5462 to the house-keeping, other expenses needed to be met. 5463 Under these circumstances 50l. was given to me this 5464 morning to be laid out as most needed, which I took for 5465 the support of the Orphans. Thus we are again helped for 5466 the present moment. 5467 5468 June 17. Only 12l.16s. 0 1⁄2 d. has come in during the last 5469 9 days. After having advanced on the 15th the money for 5470 one week’s house-keeping expenses, and paid also 13l. 5471 10s. for apprentices, all our money was again expended, 5472 except that which had been put by for rent and oatmeal, 5473 which has been ordered. When we were thus once more 5474 quite poor, I received today from a Christian gentleman at 5475 Edinburgh, whom God has repeatedly used to help us in 5476 times of need, a bank-order for 35l. Of this amount 5l. had 5477 been given to him by a lady for the Orphans, 25l. were 5478 from himself for the Orphans, and 5l. he kindly intended 5479 for my own personal necessities. Oh, how precious thus 5480 continually to see the hand of God stretched out on our 5481 behalf! Will you not, dear reader, taste and see that the 5482 Lord is good, and that it is a blessed thing to put our trust 5483

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in Him? Whatever your position in life, though you may 5484 not be called by the Lord to establish Orphan-Houses and 5485 Day-Schools for poor children, or to trust in Him for 5486 means for circulating Tracts and Copies of His Holy 5487 Word; yet all children of God, whatever their position in 5488 the world or in the church, ought to put their trust in God 5489 for every thing connected with their body, their soul, their 5490 business, their family, their church position, their service 5491 for God, &c. And it is impossible to do so, without 5492 enjoying the blessedness which results from it, even first 5493 that peace which keeps the heart and mind like a garrison, 5494 and secondly true liberty with regard to circumstances, 5495 times, places and persons. 5496 5497 June 29. Tuesday Evening. Having had nearly 50l. 5498 coming in since this day fortnight, I have had the means 5499 of meeting all the expenses of these two weeks; but now 5500 having paid out what was required for house-keeping for 5501 the coming week, all is again gone. 5502 5503 June 30. This morning when, as stated, there was again 5504 nothing in hand, I received from Devonshire 20l. for the 5505 Orphans. 5506 5507 July 1. This morning I received still further from a Bristol 5508 donor 10l., and 5l. from M.R. These three donations of 5509 yesterday and today came in most seasonably, not only 5510 because they came when there was nothing in hand, but 5511 also because the Lord willing, I am on the point of leaving 5512 Bristol for a few weeks, and am thus able to leave some 5513 money behind. 5514 5515

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I was absent from Bristol from July 1st to August 2nd. 5516 During this time 133l. 11s. 4 1⁄2 d. was received, and the 5517 sums came in so seasonably, that there was not ally 5518 difficulty at all experienced with regard to means, because 5519 there was always a sufficient amount of money in hand, to 5520 furnish the house-keeping expenses each week in 5521 advance, besides meeting all other current expenses. At 5522 the same time I might say that almost every one of the 5523 donations came in most seasonably to help us on, if not 5524 from day to day, at least from week to week; and if it were 5525 not on account of its taking up too much space, I should 5526 mention every one of the donations which form the total 5527 amount referred to, but I shall only refer to the following. 5528 5529 July 13. The proceeds of an Orphan-box from Stafford 4l. 5530 7s. 6d. The friend who sent the money wished to know 5531 whether it arrived in a time of need. I have had many 5532 similar requests, to which I can reply nothing, or say at 5533 the most that the answer may be learnt from the next 5534 Report. It will be easily perceived, on reflection, that if I 5535 said, it came seasonably, that would imply we had little or 5536 nothing at all in hand, and what would that again mean 5537 but this, "As our expenses are so great, that which you 5538 have now sent will be soon gone again, and therefore send 5539 us some more, or get some friend to help us." But by this 5540 very thing the chief object of this work, "To show how 5541 blessed it is to deal with God alone, and how blessed to 5542 trust in Him in the darkest moments," would be hindered. 5543 It is also for this very reason that I do not publish the 5544 accounts very frequently, for instance quarterly, as I have 5545 been requested to do; but I am delighted to wait a year, or 5546 eighteen months, or two years, or more; and even then I 5547

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do not publish them for the sake of obtaining money 5548 (though unquestionably God has used the Reports as 5549 instruments to procure us means), but for the benefit of 5550 the Church of God, to refresh, encourage, exhort, and 5551 instruct my brethren in Christ; and also because it is 5552 needful that from time to time. I should give a public 5553 account of the way in which the considerable sums, with 5554 which I have been intrusted, have been spent. 5555 5556 Of the donations which came in between Aug. 2nd and 5557 14th (in amount 51l. 16s. 3 1⁄2 d.), I only refer to the 5558 following. — Aug. 9th. A brother, being some time ago, 5559 through a particular circumstance, in danger of losing all 5560 his property, dedicated to the Lord 50l., if He would be 5561 pleased to help him out of the difficulty. Now today I 5562 received from that brother, with his explanation of this, 5563 10l. for the Orphans and 5l. for my own personal 5564 necessities, being a part of that 50l., as the Lord, in 5565 answer to prayer, has delivered him out of the danger. 5566 5567 Aug. 14. Saturday evening. This evening I found that 5568 there was only as much money in hand for present use for 5569 the Orphans (i.e. 44l.), as there were liabilities upon me 5570 for rent, &c. On this account I gave myself particularly to 5571 prayer for means for house-keeping expenses, as on 5572 Tuesday evening I shall have to give fresh supplies to the 5573 matrons. About one hour, after I had risen from my knees, 5574 two sovereigns were given to me, which a sister had 5575 brought from Ilfracombe. 5576 5577 Aug. 15. Today came in further, from Barnstaple. 5s., 5578 anonymously 5l., from C. C. 5s. 4d., from a sister in 5579

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Bristol 1l., from Clifton 4s., and anonymously 2s. 6d. and 5580 3s. 6d. — Thus the Lord has been pleased to give me 5581 already, within twenty-four hours, after I had sought more 5582 especially His help for means, the sum of 9l. 0s. 4d. My 5583 eyes are now looking to Him for more. 5584 5585 Aug. 16. By sale of articles came in 1l. 10s. 10d. 5586 5587 Aug. 17. Tuesday evening. No more having come in, I 5588 have not been able to give to the matrons the 5589 housekeeping expenses for the whole week; I hope, 5590 however, that the Lord will send more before all is 5591 expended which I was able to give, and which will last 5592 about three or four days. 5593 5594 Aug. 18. This morning I received from Droitwich a half 5595 sovereign, and from Yorkshire 3l. Thus the Lord has 5596 already given 3l. 10s. — There was also left at my house 5597 this afternoon, anonymously, a pair of silver spectacles; 5598 and at the Girls’ Orphan-House. No. II were left 3 rings, a 5599 brooch, and a pair of ear-rings. — There was also given 5600 2s. 6d. 5601 5602 Aug. 21. Today more money was needed for 5603 housekeeping; but having receive nothing yesterday, and 5604 having sent off what had come in on the 18th, I gave 5605 myself to prayer. And now see the precious answer. By 5606 the first delivery this morning a letter came from 5607 Birmingham, signed W. R., which contained a half-5608 sovereign, of which the anonymous donor wished 7s. 6d. 5609 to be used for the Orphans, and 2s. 6d. for Missions. I also 5610 received through two Orphan-boxes 7s. 8d. There came 5611

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also to hand, three small parcels from Plymouth, one of 5612 which contained an old silver watch for the benefit of the 5613 Orphans, from a blind Orphan; the other contained two 5614 shillings and a franc piece; the third a pair of ear-rings, a 5615 brooch, a fourpenny piece, half a franc piece, and an old 5616 sixpence. — About half an hour, after I had received these 5617 three little parcels, a gentleman, who did not give his 5618 name, left at my house two sovereigns and one shilling. 5619 About half an hour after that, a lady called and wished to 5620 put some money into the box at my house. I do not know 5621 her name. But God knows her, and influenced her in 5622 answer to my supplications. May His blessing rest upon 5623 her and the unknown gentleman who left the 2l. 1s.! 5624 When the box was opened, it contained a paper with half a 5625 sovereign. Thus the Lord so kindly in this remarkable 5626 manner has helped us in this our time of need, and we 5627 have now again all we need for the present. 5628 5629 —Evening. Still further help. About two o’clock this 5630 afternoon a lady from London, who about a year ago had 5631 read the Narrative of the Lord’s dealings with me, in 5632 passing through Bristol left a sovereign at my house for 5633 the Orphans, feeling that she could not go on without 5634 doing so. — This evening also I received a letter from 5635 Scarborough with five pounds. Also 1l. came in by sale of 5636 articles this evening, and 2s. 6d. as a donation. 5637 5638 Aug. 22. I have received still further today from C. C. 21. 5639 3s. 3d., from Wolverhampton 10s., and from a brother in 5640 Bristol 1l. 1s. Thus altogether 141. 5s. 3d. has come in 5641 during these two days. 5642 5643

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All, who have spiritual eyes to see, cannot but observe in 5644 reading these facts-- 1st, the reality of dealing with God 5645 Himself directly; 2, the blessedness of trusting in Him; 5646 and 3, His most particular providence. 5647 5648 5649 Aug. 23. I prayed still further for means, as I shall need to 5650 give a fresh supply to the matrons for house-keeping 5651 tomorrow evening, besides meeting other expenses. This 5652 afternoon I received from a sister in the Lord a sovereign, 5653 half of which she wished me to use for my own temporal 5654 necessities, and half for the Orphans. Likewise. 10s. as 5655 profits from the sale of ladies’ baskets. 5656 5657 Aug. 24. Today came in by sale of articles and Reports 2l. 5658 l5s. 10 1⁄2 d. 5659 5660 Aug. 25. Wednesday. Last evening I was able to advance 5661 only a part of the week’s house-keeping expenses to the 5662 matrons. Today, when I had nothing in hand, a sister in 5663 the Lord brought her Orphan-box, which contained 10s. 6 5664 3⁄4 d. in donations, and likewise 9s. 4d. as the proceeds 5665 from the sale of musk plants, reared and sold by her for 5666 the benefit of the Orphans. The box contained also a 5667 Spanish silver coin. Evening. Precious and encouraging as 5668 it was to receive those little sums this afternoon, still, as 5669 they came in when no money was in hand, they were only 5670 an encouragement to look to the Lord for further supplies, 5671 but were not enough to supply our need. However the 5672 Lord, in His faithful, loving care over the work, and in His 5673 readiness to answer prayer, helped further this evening. 5674

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There came in 150l., of which I took 30l. for the Orphans, 5675 and 120l. for the other objects. 5676 5677 Sept. 6. Since August 25th only 20l. 17s. 0 1⁄2 d. had 5678 come in. On this account there was only 3l. 15s. 5 3⁄4 d. in 5679 hand, and tomorrow evening I have again to supply the 5680 matrons with house-keeping expenses. In this need, whilst 5681 walking in my little garden, I lifted up my heart to God 5682 for means, when, in less than five minutes after, I received 5683 a letter from Jersey, containing Five Pounds for the 5684 Orphans. — This evening I received still further, from a 5685 little girl 3s., from Margate. 10d., anonymously 3s., and 3 5686 dollars from a poor missionary brother in Demerara. 5687 5688 Sept. 7. Further, by sale of articles 3l. 1s. 3d. through the 5689 boxes in my house 2s. 6d., and through the boxes in the 5690 Orphan-houses, which our need led me to open, 1l. 6s. 5691 and a medal. Thus I had for the need of the coming week, 5692 at our usual prayer meeting this evening, 14l. 1s. 6 3⁄4 d., 5693 which I divided to the last farthing, with the firm 5694 persuasion and hope in God, that, by the time it was 5695 expended, He would give more; for it was not enough to 5696 meet all the demands of this week. 5697 5698 Sept. 8. The. Lord has already sent in a little I received 5699 from Weymouth 21. 10s. 5700 5701 Sept. 10. From a dentist in Bristol 10s. 5702 5703 Sept. 11. From a Christian brother, about 200 miles from 5704 Bristol, whom the Lord has repeatedly used to help us in 5705 time of need, I received 20l. What a precious help! We 5706

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have now all we require for this week, and a little towards 5707 the expenses of the next. — There came in also from 5708 Droitwich 5s. 5709 5710 Sept. 12. Further: From C.C. 10s. 14d., from Clevedon 5711 5s., from Clifton 5s., anonymously 2s., ditto 1s. 5 1⁄2 d. 5712 5713 Sept. 13. Monday morning. As there will be again money 5714 needed for house-keeping tomorrow evening, and as I 5715 have not enough in hand to advance for the expenses of a 5716 whole week, which I generally now seek to do, I gave 5717 myself again to prayer for means, and, while I was on my 5718 knees in prayer, there came a letter from Yorkshire, 5719 containing 5l. for the Orphans. There was received also, 5720 by sale of stockings at the Boys’ Orphan-house, 7s. 7d. 5721 5722 Sept. 14. By sale of articles and stockings came in 3l. 10s. 5723 0 1⁄2 d. From Norwich 1l., and also 2s. 6d. Evening. By 5724 these sums we have received altogether since last Tuesday 5725 evening 34l. 8s. 5 1⁄2 d. Thus I have been able to supply 5726 the matrons this evening with what they need for the 5727 coming week, and that which was left I put by for the rent 5728 and current expenses connected with the apprentices, and 5729 am now looking out for fresh supplies, as I have again 5730 nothing left towards the need of the following week. 5731 5732 My dear reader, if you are tired of going on with this 5733 account of the Lord’s gracious interpositions for us week 5734 after week, or day after day, I beseech you to lay it aside 5735 for the present. Take it up at another time. This Narrative 5736 is not of an ordinary character. It does not contain 5737 anecdotes for amusement; it relates no embellished tales; 5738

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it gives facts in which the hand of God is seen stretched 5739 out on our behalf, as the result of prayer and faith. Seek to 5740 admire God, dear reader, in this simple Narrative of Facts, 5741 which are related to His praise, and to allure your heart 5742 more and more for Him, and which are brought before 5743 you in all simplicity to encourage you and to stir you up, 5744 if it may please God so to use His servant, to put your 5745 whole trust in Him. I judge that it will be the more 5746 profitable way to read this account by little and little. 5747 5748 Sept. 15. A brother, who is staying at my house, gave me 5749 a silver table spoon and two silver dessert spoons. This is 5750 the beginning of fresh supplies from God. 5751 5752 Sept. 16. From the neighbourhood of Glastonbury 5s. 5753 Also 5s. worth of postages from Derby. 5754 5755 Sept. 17. A. Christian lady at Richmond, having received 5756 a copy of my Narrative, read aloud in the hearing of 5757 another lady the account about A. L. (page 156 to 160 of 5758 part I.) The lady who heard it read was so touched by it, 5759 that she sent 10l. for the Orphans. God moved her heart to 5760 send me this donation at a time when I had only a few 5761 shillings in hand for the use of the Orphans! — There 5762 came in still further from Clifton 10s., and from Taunton 5763 5s. 5764 5765 Sept. 19. From C. C. 19s. — Sept. 21. Anonymously from 5766 Barnstaple 5s. worth of postages. This anonymous donor 5767 has many times sent his donations thus. It may be that 5768 twenty or thirty times the same amount has been 5769 forwarded in the same way. — Also by sale of articles 1l. 5770

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8s. 8d. By the boxes in my house 1l. 0s. 6d. Evening: I 5771 was able to supply the matrons only with means for 5772 house-keeping for three or four days, being fully assured, 5773 that, by the time more is needed, the Lord will send 5774 further supplies. 5775 5776 Sept. 24. Friday. After I had paid away on Tuesday 5777 evening to the last penny what I had in hand for present 5778 use for the Orphans, there came in a pair of ear-rings from 5779 Norwich; also 1s. 6d. besides. On Wednesday and 5780 Thursday nothing came in; but it was needful that I should 5781 send more means to the matrons today. Thus situated I 5782 received this morning from Barnstaple. 19s. 4d. and 17s. 5783 About three hours after, came in by sale of the 3 silver 5784 spoons (given on the 15th), an old silver punch ladle, and 5785 a few trinkets lately given, 6l. 14s. 7d. Thus we are once 5786 more helped, and I have been able to send all that which 5787 was yet needed for house-keeping till Tuesday evening. 5788 The Lord be praised for His seasonable help! —Observe, 5789 dear reader, we may be poor, very poor; we may have to 5790 wait upon God, even again and again we may have to 5791 make known our requests to Him; but He helps, always 5792 helps. 5793 5794 Sept. 25. From C. C. 1l. — Sept. 27. From a Christian 5795 lady 1l. — Sept. 28. 8s. 4d. came in, also 1l. from 5796 Scotland, and 1l. 6s. 4 1⁄2 d. by sale of articles. Also from 5797 Wellington an old half-crown, shilling, and sixpence. 3s. 5798 10d. came in besides. Evening. So little having come in, I 5799 was able to give to the matrons only as much as would 5800 last for about two days for provisions. 5801 5802

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Sept. 29. A young man called this morning at my house 5803 and gave 2s. 6d. A brother called and put 2s. 6d. into an 5804 Orphan-box in my house. Mrs. W. C: gave 11. Also Mrs. 5805 K. 5s. These donations came in today, after I had twice 5806 given myself especially to prayer for means, as we are 5807 now in so much need. 5808 5809 Sept. 30. Nothing more having come in, we were in great 5810 need today. On this account the boxes in the Orphan-5811 Houses were opened, which contained 1l. 4s. 2d. This 5812 evening sister C. gave me 18s. 9 1⁄2 d., being the contents 5813 of her Orphan-box. Also 15s. 11d. came in by knitting of 5814 stockings. Thus we were helped for the present. 5815 5816 Oct. 2, Saturday. As today more money was needed, and 5817 nothing had come in, one of the labourers supplied the 5818 present need till Monday morning, which took 3l. — 5819 Evening. This afternoon, when there was nothing at all in 5820 my hands for the work, I received from a little boy 1s. 5821 This evening a box arrived from Norwich, filled by the 5822 contributions of many believers. It contained in money 1l. 5823 10s., and the following articles: 6 brass and copper coins, 5824 a gold pin, 5 gold brooches, 3 pairs of ear-rings, 3 pairs of 5825 silver clasps, a gold clasp, a gold locket, 2 rings, a pair of 5826 silver studs, a broken silver tooth-pick, 4 gilt bracelets, a 5827 silver mounted eye-glass, 5 braid watch-guards, a silver 5828 washed watch-guard, 4 waist buckles, a pair of gilt ear-5829 rings, 3 mourning necklaces and a pair of ear-rings, a 5830 mourning ring set with pearls, 2 brass brooches, a mother-5831 o’-pearl cross and clasps, a silver fruit knife, a pair of 5832 coral bracelets, 2 bead necklaces, a snuff-box, 2 little 5833 baskets, 12 worked mats, 24 ladies’ bags of various kinds, 5834

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4 cephalines, 13 book-marks, 8 purses, 5 shells, 45 pin-5835 cushions of various kinds, 17 needle cases, 9 pairs of 5836 babies’ shoes, 2 babies’ hoods, 3 neck ties, 2 knitted 5837 cloths, 2 netted mats, 4 pairs of watch pockets, 3 pairs of 5838 cogs, 3 little scarfs, 2 collars, a pair of socks, a nightcap, 5839 some knitted fringe, some work and lace, 2 silk winders, 3 5840 waistbands, 5 handkerchiefs, 1⁄4 lb. of tea, 2 pen-wipers, 5841 some little playthings, 2 combs, some slate pencils, 3 5842 chimney ornaments, 4 paintings, 3 books, 16 pamphlets, a 5843 fan, a little box, 13 chemises, 2 shirts, a frock and cape, a 5844 shawl border, 3 bodkin cases, 2 1⁄2 yards of print, a gown, 5845 and a few other little things. — Great indeed was my joy 5846 in receiving this box, for it was a fresh proof to me, in this 5847 our present great poverty, that the Lord hears our prayers 5848 and is mindful of us. 5849 5850 Oct. 3. Lord’s day. Today I received from C. C. 10s. 10d., 5851 from a sister 3l., being the produce of a piece of work 5852 done for the Orphans, and anonymously 2s. 6d. By these 5853 donations we are supplied till Tuesday evening. 5854 5855 Oct. 4. From a Christian gentleman I received today 1l.; 5856 from a brother, as the first fruits of his salary, 2l., of 5857 which 1l. is for the Orphans, and 1l. for home and foreign 5858 labourers; from another brother 2s. 6d.; from a sister 5s. 5859 5860 Oct. 5. By sale of articles 1l. 10s. 4 1⁄2 d. This evening I 5861 had only means enough to give to the matrons supplies for 5862 one or two days. When I came home from our prayer 5863 meeting I found unexpectedly another demand made upon 5864 me for 5l., in connexion with the house-keeping expenses, 5865

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towards which I had nothing, but which it was desirable to 5866 meet as soon as possible. 5867 5868 Oct. 6. This morning I received the following letter from 5869 Kennington, containing a post-office order for 5l. 5870 5871 5872 * * * *, Kennington, Surrey. 5873 5874 "Beloved and honoured brother in our Lord, 5875 5876 I am permitted to be the unworthy instrument in the 5877 Lord’s hand of transmitting to you the enclosed post-5878 office order for 5l., to be applied either for the Orphans or 5879 your own use, as may be most required at this time, &c. 5880 5881 Your affectionate sister in our Lord, 5882 5883 Oct. 5, 1847. * * * *" 5884 5885 I am now able to send off the 5l. about the need of which I 5886 was informed late last evening, and am again thus 5887 graciously helped at this time also by Him who hears the 5888 cries of His children. Do you not discern His hand, dear 5889 reader, in this instance? 5890 5891 Oct. 8. Today 10s. more was required towards 5892 housekeeping expenses; but nothing had come in since the 5893 6th. One of the labourers was able of his own means to 5894 give the amount required. 5895 5896

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Oct. 9. Saturday. Yesterday, when there was nothing at all 5897 in hand, were given half-a-crown, 2 silk handkerchiefs, 3 5898 pinafores, a baby’s shirt, a frock, and 2 children’s work-5899 bags. — This morning I found in the boxes at my house 5900 1s. I knew that several pounds would be needed today for 5901 provisions, and therefore my eyes were directed to the 5902 Lord for help. I received accordingly 13s. 6d. "from a 5903 London Postman," and from Cumberland 1l. Thus I had 5904 1l. l7s., but as this was still not enough, one of the 5905 labourers added 1l. 3s. of his own, as 3l. was needed. 5906 Thus we have enough for house-keeping expenses till 5907 Monday morning. 5908 5909 Oct 11. Monday. Yesterday came in from a sister 10s., 5910 ditto 4s., anonymously 2s., through an Orphan-box 8s., 5911 and from a sister 2s. 6d. Thus we have enough for today’s 5912 necessities, and 1s. 6d. left. 5913 5914 Oct. 12. There came in yesterday afternoon through the 5915 boxes at the Orphan-Houses 5s. 0 1⁄2 d., and through 5916 those at my house 1s. Also by sale of Reports 2s. This 5917 morning I received through sister Ch. 1l. 5s. 5d. These 5918 donations were very refreshing to my spirit in this time of 5919 great need, and though not nearly enough for all we 5920 required today, they are nevertheless a precious earnest 5921 that the Lord will help us further. — By the first delivery 5922 this morning I received an anonymous letter, containing 5923 5l., with these words: 5924 5925 "It is requested that half of the enclosed sum may be 5926 expended on Brother Müller’s own necessities, the other 5927 half as he thinks fit, in furtherance of his Christian 5928

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schemes: and may the blessing of the ‘Giver of all good’ 5929 attend him! Oct. 7, 1847." 5930 5931 I put the half of this 5l. to the Orphan-Fund — There 5932 came in still further by sale of articles and Reports 1l. l2s. 5933 6d. Thus we have all that is needed for the present 5934 moment. — Afternoon. This afternoon a person from the 5935 neighbourhood of Chepstow called and left a half-5936 sovereign. There came in also through needlework, done 5937 by the Orphans, 2l. 5s. 4d. Thus we are still further helped 5938 for the present moment. But all this is not enough. Larger 5939 sums are needed, as oatmeal is to be ordered from 5940 Scotland, and several other heavy expenses, besides those 5941 for house-keeping, are to be met. Nevertheless the 5942 precious proofs, which I have had again today of our 5943 Father’s loving care over the work, lead me to expect 5944 further help. — Evening. This evening at a quarter to ten 5945 o’clock I received 180l. Of this sum I put 100l. to the 5946 Missionary-Fund, 40l. to the School—Bible and Tract-5947 Fund, and 40l. to the Orphan-Fund for present use. How 5948 good is the Lord! How precious this help! How much 5949 needed and how seasonable! 5950 5951 From the 13th to the 19th of October came in 8l 6s. 1 1⁄2 5952 d. 5953 5954 On Oct. 19th I left Bristol with my dear wife, partly, 5955 because both of us much needed change of air, and partly, 5956 because I had a great desire to labour in the Word for a 5957 few weeks in Westmoreland and Cumberland. I was not 5958 able to leave more means than enough for about three 5959 days for house-keeping expenses. But I could not have 5960

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stayed in Bristol, though there had been nothing at all in 5961 hand; my hope was that God would help during my 5962 absence. During all the time of my stay at Bowness in 5963 Westmoreland, from Oct. 20th to Nov. 20th, there was 5964 day by day, with the exception of the first three days, after 5965 my departure, need to wait upon God for daily supplies 5966 for the Orphans. In consequence of this, every donation, 5967 without exception, which was received daring my 5968 absence, came in most seasonably. Partly on account of 5969 my health, and partly on account of opportunities for 5970 service in Westmoreland and elsewhere, I did not feel it 5971 right to return to Bristol sooner than I did, though there 5972 was such great poverty; nor could I have done anything in 5973 Bristol which I could not do in Westmoreland, as it 5974 regards procuring means, since prayer and faith are all the 5975 means I make use of to obtain supplies when we are in 5976 need. For the encouragement of the reader, and also that 5977 those, whom God used at that time to enable us day by 5978 day to supply the Orphans with what they needed, may 5979 see how they were used by Him to help us, I mention here 5980 every one of the donations which came in during my 5981 absence, with the exception of the articles. 5982 5983 Oct. 21, 1847. From some poor sisters near Kingsbridge. 5984 4s. 6d., in small donations through Brother F. in Bristol 5985 7s. 5d. — Oct. 22. Anonymously from Walsall 5l., of 5986 which 2l. is intended for missions, 1l. for the Building 5987 Fund, and 2l. for present use for the Orphans. — From 5988 Bath anonymously 10s. with a lace cape. — Oct. 24th. I 5989 received while at Bowness 10s., also 1s. and 2s. This 13s. 5990 I forwarded at once to Bristol by an order. There was also 5991 received in Bristol from Droitwich 10s. and from London 5992

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2s. 6d. — Oct. 25th. By sale of articles and Reports 2l. 5993 From C. C. 1l. From Wolverhampton 10s. — Oct. 26th. 5994 Through the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 1l. 14s. 6d., our 5995 need having caused them to be opened. — Oct. 28. By 5996 sale of Reports 2s. 4d. Orphan-box in my house 10s. From 5997 a Christian gentleman near Crediton 5l. —Oct. 30. By sale 5998 of Reports 2s. 6d. By sale of an improved Rendering 9d. 5999 From London 10s. — Nov. 1. By sale of articles, 6000 stockings, and Reports 1l. 14s. 4d. — Nov. 2. Through a 6001 brother at Clevedon 5s. Through the boxes at the Orphan-6002 Houses 3l. 8s. 6d. By sale of a Report and Rendering 10d. 6003 From one of the labourers 3s. — Nov. 4. From a sister 6004 near Wotton-under-Edge 1l. — Nov. 5. From two donors 6005 in the neighborhood of Droitwich 5s. each. — Nov. 6. 6006 From sister B. in Bristol 4s. From C. C. 1l. 2s. 5 1⁄2 d. — 6007 Nov. 8. Anonymously by post 5l. — From sister H. C. 3s. 6008 —There was also given to me at Kendal, where I had been 6009 labouring, by a brother 10s., and by a poor sister 4d. This 6010 I sent at once to Bristol by an order. — Nov. 9. From a 6011 donor in Bristol 1l. From Switzerland 1l. 4s. 4d. From 6012 London 5s. By sale of articles 5l. 14s. 4 1⁄2 d. — Nov. 11. 6013 A lady from Ireland visited the Orphan-Houses and gave 6014 11. By sale of a Report 4d. — Proceeds of an Orphan-box 6015 from the neighbourhood of Launceston 1l. 3s. 9d. — 6016 Through an Orphan-box in my house 5s. — Nov. 13. 6017 Through the bonds in the Orphan-Houses 10s. 2d. 6018 Through Mrs. T.’s Orphan-box 2s, 1 1⁄2 d. — Nov. 14. 6019 From C. C. 5l. — Anonymously 2s. 6d. — Nov. 16. By 6020 sale of articles and stockings 2l. 11s. 6d. — Nov. 17. By 6021 sale of Reports 1s. Through a box in my house 2s. 6d. By 6022 needlework and knitting of the Orphans 1l. 6s. From sister 6023 C. 10s. From one 6024

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6025 of the labourers in the work 5l. — Nov. 19. From P. 2s. 6026 6d. — On Nov. 20th we left Bowness for Keswick in 6027 Cumberland. The day before we left, I received at 6028 Bowness 5s., 5s., and 1l., also from Kendal 2s. 6d. This 6029 1l. 12s. 6d. I sent off at once to Bristol by an order, 6030 knowing that it was needed. — Nov. 21. From C. C. 3l. — 6031 Nov. 22. Through the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 7s. — 6032 Nov. 23. By sale of articles and stockings 2l. 5s. 9d. From 6033 one of the labourers 3l. — Nov. 24. By sale of Reports 3s. 6034 3d. From F. L. in Ireland 1l. From Richmond 1l. 10s. — 6035 From Nov. 20th to 24th we stayed at Keswick. Whilst 6036 there I received 10s., 2s., and 1s. 6d. for the Orphans. This 6037 13s. 6d. was at once sent off to Bristol, by an order, as we 6038 were still very poor, with regard to means for 6039 housekeeping expenses for the Orphan-Houses. But 6040 notwithstanding all this great poverty in Bristol, which 6041 required that we should day by day wait upon God, for 6042 our daily supplies, I did not feel at all led to return home, 6043 but had an especial drawing to go to Sunderland to labour 6044 there for a little while among the brethren assembling at 6045 "Bethesda Free Chapel." We therefore left Keswick on 6046 Nov. 24th for Sunderland. — Nov. 26th came in by sale 6047 of articles 2s., through the boxes at my house 1L. 2s. 6d., 6048 and from Dublin 1l. — Nov. 27. Through a box 8d., by 6049 sale of articles 7s., and 2l. from London. — Nov. 28th. 6050 From C. C. 10s. 8d., and by sale of Reports 8d. — Nov. 6051 30. By sale of stockings and articles 1l. 13s. 6 1⁄2 d. From 6052 one of the labourers 1l. 10s. By sale of articles 1s. 11d. —6053 Dec. 1. From one of the labourers in the work 10s. — 6054 Dec. 2. From sister F. 5s. By sale of articles 1l. From 6055 Newbury 10s. 6d. — Dec. 3. By sale of articles 5s. By 6056

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profits from the sale of ladies’ bags 1l. 19s. 6d. From 6057 Kingstown, Ireland, 1l. By sale of a Report 4d. — Dec. 5. 6058 From C. C. 1l. Through the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 6059 3s. 10d. By knitting of the Orphans 8s. 6d. From Glasgow 6060 5s. — Dec. 7. By sale of articles and stockings 3l. 7s, 11d. 6061 From one of the labourers 2l. From Thornbury 4s. — Dec. 6062 8. From a village near Keswick 10s., and by sale of 6063 articles 6d. From one of the labourers 10s. From a donor 6064 in Ayrshire 2l. — In the evening of Dec. 8th we returned 6065 to Bristol from Sunderland. Day by day while we were at 6066 Sunderland also, the Orphan-Fund was very low, but God 6067 helped day by day, by sending in the means which have 6068 been mentioned; and when we returned there was 1s. 11d, 6069 in hand, and 2l. came in that same evening from 6070 Plymouth. 6071 6072 Dec. 9. From the neighbourhood of Pershore came in this 6073 morning most seasonably 5l., as time need for house-6074 keeping expenses today was 4l., and there was only 2l. 1s. 6075 11d, in hand. This 5l. came in about an hour before the 4l. 6076 was needed. There was received further today from Bath, 6077 anonymously, 10s., and by sale of articles 2s. 6d. — Will 6078 you not, dear reader, unite with me in admiring and 6079 praising the Lord who so seasonably helped all the time 6080 that I was away from the work, engaged in His service in 6081 another way! Do you not see how precious it is to have 6082 God to go to, and to find Him ever willing to help those 6083 who trust in Him, wherever they be? Do you not also see 6084 again the hand of God so manifestly stretched out on our 6085 behalf this day Dec. 9th? 4l. was needed, but only 2l. 1s. 6086 11d, in hand, and, an hour before the 41. was called for 6087

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from the Orphan-Houses for house-keeping expenses, the 6088 Lord sent that 5l. from Pershore. 6089 6090 Dec. 10. Today I received information, in answer to my 6091 inquiry, that 10s., which had been sent to me at 6092 Sunderland, were intended for the Orphans. These 10s., 6093 together with 31. l4s. 5d. left in hand yesterday, are 6094 sufficient for this day, as the need of today is only 3l. 10s. 6095 for house-keeping. 6096 6097 Dec. 11. This morning came in 1l. from the 6098 neighbourhood of Cockermouth; thus we had, with the 6099 14s. 5d. left yesterday, 1l. 14s. 5d,, which is enough for 6100 today. 6101 6102 Dec. 13. Monday. Yesterday I received from C. C. 1l. 6103 10s., from another person 2s., as profit from the sale of 6104 ladies’ bags 1l., and this morning from Burford 2s. 6d. 6105 Thus we have again enough for the house-keeping 6106 expenses of today. 6107 6108 Dec. 14. Yesterday we had enough, but nothing over. 6109 When there was again nothing at all remaining in my 6110 hands, there was yesterday afternoon 1s. put into a box at 6111 my house. In the evening came in by sale of stockings and 6112 articles 2l. 6s. 6d., and by a donation 10s — In the 6113 evening also a sister from Norwich brought 10s., 2s. 6d., 6114 6d., and 3s. She also brought the following articles, to be 6115 sold for the benefit of the Orphans: A bottle of extract of 6116 spring flowers, a small box of scent bottles, a smelling 6117 bottle, 8 common seals, a thimble case, a box of wafers; a 6118 china box containing two rings, a mourning brooch, and a 6119

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bead watch-guard; a pin-cushion, a pair of little cuffs, and 6120 a little box. Another parcel containing a pair of worked 6121 slippers, 2 little bags, 2 books, 2 aprons, a knitted cloth, 3 6122 pin-cushions, a Shetland shawl, and a pair of card-racks. 6123 Further: 2 pairs of cuffs and a necktie. Further: a child’s 6124 silver rattle, 3 rings, 3 pairs of ear-rings, and 2 necklaces 6125 — There was also a parcel sent from Langport, containing 6126 two toilette cushions, a pair of worked slippers, 2 fans, 2 6127 children’s caps, some gold lace, a pair of silver clasps, 3 6128 brooches, a silver thimble, a brass clasp, and some bits of 6129 gold. This morning I received a letter from the 6130 neighbourhood of Exeter containing a post-office order 6131 for 8s. with these words: 6132 6133 6134 "I had hoped to have accumulated a larger sum in my box 6135 for the Orphans, than I have of late been enabled to 6136 obtain. I now, however, send it to you, though the amount 6137 is small, and should be thankful if it should prove useful 6138 for present need, it having been upon my mind for the last 6139 day or two that I ought to forward it to you without further 6140 delay. I therefore send an order for 8s., &c." 6141 6142 6143 Thus we were supplied for the need of this day. This last 6144 8s. was needed to make up the amount required. 6145 6146 Dec. 15. Yesterday afternoon I received 3l. more, of 6147 which 2l. was from Madeira, and 1l. from the brother 6148 through whom the 2l. was remitted. This 3l. was paid 6149 away at once, though not needed for house-keeping, so 6150 that I had still nothing for the need of today, when this 6151

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day began. — My prayer last evening and this morning 6152 had been especially, that the Lord would not only be 6153 pleased to send me some money for the house-keeping 6154 expenses of today, but also enable me to give at least a 6155 little money to eight of the sisters who labour in the four 6156 Orphan-Houses, who have not had any money for their 6157 own personal necessities for several months. This desire 6158 was granted to me, for I received this morning a letter 6159 from Wakefield with 20l., in which the donor writes: "I 6160 hasten to enclose 20l., which I leave to your disposal; but 6161 if the varied funds are so situated as to give no material 6162 preponderance of need to any one, I should divide it as 6163 under, viz. 10l. to the Orphans, 5l. to yourself and 6164 colleague, and 5l. for the Bibles, &c." I took all this 20l. 6165 for the Orphans, and have thus the joy of being able to 6166 send at least 16l. to those eight sisters, and am also 6167 supplied with house-keeping money for today; and as for 6168 tomorrow, "my eyes are upon the Lord." The Lord be 6169 praised for this precious and seasonable help! 6170 6171 Dec. 16. Yesterday afternoon a brother in the Lord gave 6172 5l. for the Orphans. By this money I was able to defray 6173 the expenses of today, and the rest I put away for the rent, 6174 so that again we have to look to the Lord for supplies for 6175 tomorrow. Yesterday also a person gave half-a-crown to 6176 one of the teachers of the Orphans, whilst she was 6177 walking out with the children. 6178 6179 Dec. 17. Yesterday afternoon came in 12s. and 5s. — 6180 Also a lady and gentleman called at the Girls’ Orphan-6181 House No. II. and gave 10s. for a copy of my Narrative. 6182 Thus we had a little towards the need of today, but not 6183

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nearly enough. Before, however, I was called on for 6184 money, I received from Worcester 1l. 10s. Thus we were 6185 supplied for the need of today. 6186 6187 Dec. 18. Saturday. I had reason to believe that our need 6188 for house-keeping today would be about 5l., and I 6189 therefore waited upon God for means, and looked out for 6190 help. Yesterday afternoon, accordingly, came in by sale of 6191 trinkets 1l. 8s. This morning I received from 6192 Westmoreland 10l. Also a letter from Edinburgh, 6193 containing 15l., with the following lines without name. 6194 6195 6196 "Dear brother in Christ, I enclose ‘in the name of Jesus’ 6197 15l. 5l. for dear brother Craik, 5l. for dear brother and 6198 sister Müller, for their personal or family expenses, 3l. for 6199 the Orphans, and 2l. for the Christian Knowledge 6200 Institution. May the peace of God, which passeth all 6201 understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Jesus 6202 Christ our Lord." 6203 6204 6205 There came in also, at the same time, by sale of Reports 6206 10s. Thus I was able to meet all the house-keeping 6207 expenses of today, being 4l. 15s. 0d., and the rest I was 6208 obliged to put by for the rent and the expenses connected 6209 with the apprentices, so that we have yet again to wait 6210 upon the Lord for further supplies for next Monday. 6211 However, we are brought to the close of another week in 6212 this service, and He who has helped us thus far will surely 6213 help us further. 6214 6215

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Monday, Dec. 20. Only 9s. and a small gold pin and ring 6216 from Stowmarket having come in since Saturday morning, 6217 we had not enough for house-keeping expenses today, 6218 which are 2l.; but one of the labourers was able of his own 6219 to give 1l. 11s. 0d., to supply the deficiency. 6220 6221 Dec. 21. Yesterday afternoon a brother sent 2l. for the 6222 Orphans. In the evening a sister gave 2s, 6d. This morning 6223 came in through two Orphan-boxes 14s. 10d.; from 6224 Droitwich 10s; and by sale of articles, Reports and 6225 stockings 1l. 7s. 9d. Thus we have all that is needed for 6226 today, the demand being only 3l. 5s. The rest I put by for 6227 rent and the apprentices, and wait upon God for help for 6228 tomorrow. 6229 6230 Dec. 22. Yesterday evening came in by sale of Reports 6231 8d., from Plymouth 1s., and from a sister 5s. Our need 6232 also led me to open the boxes in the Orphan-Houses, 6233 which contained 15s. 2 1⁄2 d. By sale of articles 2s. 6d. 6234 This was all I was able to send this morning to the 6235 Orphan-Houses, waiting upon the Lord for more. 6236 6237 Dec. 23. The need of today was 11l., having several 6238 expenses to meet besides those of house-keeping, which 6239 amounted to 4l. for today. This sum the Lord gave me 6240 thus: last evening I received 1l. together with a pair of 6241 trousers and gaiters, and a remnant of fustian for the 6242 Orphans. But as I knew how much there would be needed 6243 today, I waited further upon the Lord this morning for 6244 help, and, in ONE MINUTE, after I had risen from my 6245 knees, I received a letter from Liverpool with 10l. for the 6246 Orphans. The donor writes: "I have had the enclosed Ten 6247

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Pound Note in my drawer for some time, intending to 6248 send it to you for the Orphans; but my time is so 6249 occupied, that, at a suitable time, when at my desk, I have 6250 overlooked it. I now however enclose it," &c, — How 6251 seasonable this help! How exactly to the very shilling 6252 what is needed today! How remarkable that just now this 6253 donor in Liverpool is led to send the Ten Pounds which 6254 had been, according to his own words, for some time in 6255 his drawer for the purpose of sending it! All this 6256 abundantly proves the most minute and particular 6257 providence of God and His readiness to answer the 6258 supplications of His children. — I am now looking out 6259 again for supplies for tomorrow. 6260 6261 Dec. 24. Last evening came in from Mrs. O. 1l., by 6262 knitting 1s. 10d., by sale of stockings 2l. 5s., by four half- 6263 sovereigns given to the matrons of the four Orphan-6264 Houses, of which three of them gave their part to the 6265 funds, 30s, and by sale of trinkets 1l. 2s. Thus we are 6266 supplied till next Monday, i.e. for Christmas day 6267 (Saturday) and the Lord’s day. 6268 6269 Dec. 27. Monday. Before I was called on for fresh 6270 supplies, the Lord, in His great kindness, had given me 6271 the means requisite for today. On Christmas Day was 6272 brought to me a parcel from Hereford in which I received 6273 from A. and Z. 3s., also a little box, a silver vinaigrette., 6274 and half-a-crown. Yesterday, Lord’s Day. I received from 6275 Kendal 5l. 10s. Also from Stoke Bishop 10s. — Thus I 6276 have been again able to meet all the expenses of today. 6277 6278

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Dec. 28. Yesterday came in by sale of Reports from Bath 6279 2s. 6d., ditto from Street 1s., by the proceeds of an 6280 Orphan-box from Street 3s., and anonymously 5s.—6281 Today I received by sale of articles and stockings 1l. 11s. 6282 8d. As this was not quite enough for the necessities of 6283 today, the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, and 6284 2l. 1s. 0 1⁄2 d. found in them. Thus we had again more 6285 than four pounds for house-keeping to day, and are 6286 supplied with all we need. 6287 6288 Dec. 29. Yesterday evening I met at our usual weekly 6289 prayer meeting with all the labourers in the Schools and 6290 Orphan-Houses, to seek the Lord’s blessing upon the 6291 work, and upon the children under our care in particular. 6292 Among other points the state of the funds also was a 6293 subject for prayer, on account of the great need in every 6294 way. For we need money for the schools, as I shall not be 6295 able next week to pay to the teachers in the Day Schools 6296 their usual weekly salary, except means should come in 6297 for them. The stock of tracts and Bibles is also becoming 6298 very small. Also for eleven weeks I have scarcely at all 6299 been able to send help to home and foreign labourers. 6300 This especially we prayed about. And as to the Orphans, I 6301 had again only 9d. in hand for house-keeping expenses, 6302 which had come in at the meeting. However, my heart, by 6303 God’s goodness, was at peace, and as I had now with my 6304 fellow-labourers been again able to bring all our 6305 necessities before the Lord I was looking out for help. 6306 After the meeting one of the teachers gave me 1s. 6d. for 6307 the Orphans, saying, the Lord will give you more 6308 tomorrow morning. This I expected myself; for we were 6309 in need for house-keeping expenses for today, and we had 6310

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been waiting upon God for means. Accordingly this 6311 morning, when I had only 2s. 3d. in hand, I received from 6312 Devonshire 15l. for the Orphans. — How good is the 6313 Lord! How seasonable again this supply! I had been just 6314 again in prayer about the work, and about this day’s 6315 necessities, and at the very moment that I rose from my 6316 knees this letter was given to me. — There was also 6317 another letter from Essex, containing 1l. 5s. for the 6318 Orphans. Thus I was again abundantly supplied for this 6319 day, and was able to put by the rest for rent and the 6320 expenses connected with the apprentices, trusting in the 6321 Lord for fresh supplies for tomorrow. 6322 6323 Dec. 30. When this day began, we were without any thing 6324 for the necessities of the day, though I had reason to 6325 believe that several pounds would again be required. I was 6326 therefore again looking out for fresh supplies. 6327 Accordingly, about ten o’clock this morning, a brother in 6328 the Lord, who had come last evening to stay for a night in 6329 my house, gave me 10l., to be used as it might be most 6330 needed. To be noticed in connexion with this donation is: 6331 1, I had, not long since, received a donation from him. 2, 6332 This brother had generally stated how he wished his 6333 donations to be appropriated, and they had been chiefly 6334 for missionary purposes; but this time he left it to me to 6335 use this money as most needed, and therefore I could take 6336 of it what was needed for the Orphans. 3, We were now 6337 extremely poor also with regard to the funds for all the 6338 other objects, so that I was obliged to tell the teachers of 6339 the Day Schools last Tuesday evening, 28th, that if no 6340 fresh supplies came in, I should not be able to give them 6341 their weekly salaries, as usual, next Tuesday evening, 6342

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being now poorer in this particular than I had been for 6343 years. How kind therefore of the Lord, not only to give 6344 me this money through this brother at this time, but also to 6345 dispose his heart to leave the application of it to me as 6346 most needed. I took half of it for this day’s housekeeping 6347 expenses for the Orphans, and half for the School Fund, 6348 for the weekly salaries of the teachers next Tuesday. — I 6349 also received further this morning a half-sovereign from 6350 Droitwich. — The little that was left, after the house-6351 keeping expenses were met, was put by for rent and the 6352 expenses for the apprentices, and I was again, without a 6353 penny, looking out for fresh supplies for tomorrow. 6354 6355 Dec. 31, 1847. The last day of another year had now 6356 come. Great and many had been the mercies of God to me 6357 this year in every way, particularly also in connexion with 6358 the Orphans; but now I had again nothing for today, 6359 except two shillings which are in one of the boxes in my 6360 house. I was, however, by God’s grace, able to look out 6361 for supplies for this last day of another year also, being 6362 fully assured that the Lord would not confound me. And 6363 thus it has been, according to my expectation; for, before 6364 being called on for money, I received 100l., which was 6365 left to me to apply to any part of the Lord’s service where 6366 there seemed the most need. At the same time I received 6367 5l. for the Orphans from Teignmouth. Of the 100l. I took 6368 half for the Orphans and half for the other objects. It was 6369 indeed a moat seasonable help! I am thus able to meet all 6370 the expenses for house-keeping for today, all the present 6371 expenses connected with the apprentices, and am able to 6372 give 16l. to eight of the sisters who labour in the Orphan-6373 Houses, for their own personal necessities. How good is 6374

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the Lord! How can I sufficiently praise Him for this 6375 seasonable help! —Evening. Received still further 3s., 6376 and from Banbury 17s., and the proceeds of an Orphan-6377 box, being 1l. 2s. 6d. Thus the year closes in blessing and 6378 under the manifest help of God. 6379 6380 Jan. 1, 1848. As the old year ended, so the new begins. 6381 Early this morning was sent to me 1l. 12s. 0d., being the 6382 proceeds of an Orphan-box. — A little later I received 6383 from Worcester 1l., and from Scotland 3l. 6384 6385 Jan. 6. On the second and three following days came in 6386 many pounds more; but though so much had been 6387 received during the last seven days, I sent again today the 6388 last money to the Orphan-Houses for house-keeping, as 6389 our expenses have been exceedingly heavy during the last 6390 few days; and I am therefore again penniless with regard 6391 to the necessities of tomorrow. — Evening. The Lord has 6392 been again exceedingly kind, and has again helped in His 6393 faithful love. This evening I received a check for 120l., of 6394 which 20l. is intended by the donor for missionary 6395 purposes, and the other 100l. is left to my disposal, either 6396 for the Orphans or the other part of the work. I took 6397 therefore 70l. for the Orphans, and 30l. for the Day 6398 Schools, and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. I 6399 received likewise from D.D. 5l. 6400 6401 Jan. 25. Besides the seventy-five pounds that had come in 6402 on the 6th, the sum of 53l. 18s. 0 1⁄4 d. more came in up 6403 to this day. — Now, after having paid this evening for the 6404 house-keeping expenses for one week in advance, all the 6405 money in my hands for the Orphans is again gone; yet, by 6406

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the Lord’s goodness, we have our stores pretty well 6407 supplied, and besides this the matrons have the current 6408 house-keeping expenses for one week in hand. May the 6409 Lord in His faithful love send fresh supplies for the 6410 coming week! 6411 6412 Jan. 27. This afternoon when there was nothing in hand, 1 6413 received from Guernsey 2l. 6414 6415 Jan. 28, Received from Plymouth 5l. Also 5s. 6d. from the 6416 neighbourhood of Exeter, and 2s. besides. From the 6417 neighbourhood of Nottingham 5s. 6418 6419 Jan. 30. By profits from the sale of ladies’ baskets 2s. 6420 6421 Jan. 31. One of the labourers in the work gave 10l., and a 6422 brother on his way to Ireland 1l. 6423 6424 Feb. 1. By sale of articles and stockings 3l. 19s. 7 1⁄2 d., 6425 anonymously 2d., from sister F. 10s., proceeds of an 6426 Orphan-box l2s. 6 3⁄4 d., by sale of stockings 8s. 5d., and 6427 by the boxes at the Orphan-Houses 16s. 9d. — When I 6428 went this evening to the Orphan-Houses for our usual 6429 prayer meeting on Tuesday evenings, I found that 6430 altogether since last Tuesday evening 25l. 2s. 0 1⁄2 d. had 6431 come in; but as there had been many extra expenses to 6432 meet during the week, there was only actually in hand 8l. 6433 8s. 4 1⁄4 d. Of this I gave to each of the matrons 2l. 2s. 1d, 6434 being only a part of what would be needed during the 6435 week, and had then one farthing left, "like the handful of 6436 meal in the barrel." 6437 6438

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Feb. 2. This morning on my usual walk before breakfast I 6439 felt myself led out of my usual track, into a direction in 6440 which I had not gone for some months. In stepping over a 6441 stile I said to myself: "Perhaps God has a reason even in 6442 this." About five minutes afterwards I met a Christian 6443 gentleman who gave me two sovereigns for the Orphans, 6444 and then I knew the reason, why I had been led this way. 6445 Thus the farthing which remained last evening has been 6446 already multiplied. — Evening. This afternoon I received 6447 still further from a brother 1l. 1s., also a letter from 6448 Portsea containing 1l. 10s. The letter from Portsea 6449 contained these words: Please accept it as another token 6450 of the Lord’s watchful care for you and yours." How true! 6451 How exemplified in this very donation at this time! 6452 6453 Feb. 3. This morning I received by the first delivery three 6454 letters, each containing further supplies. The first, from 6455 Sherborne, enclosed a post-office order for 1l. 15s., of 6456 which 1l. is for missionary purposes, and 15s. for the 6457 Orphans. The second, from Yorkshire, contained two half 6458 Five Pound Notes, which 10l. is left to my disposal, yet it 6459 is requested that a part of it should go to the destitute 6460 Irish. I put therefore 5l. to the relief of the Irish, and 5l. to 6461 the Orphan Fund. The third letter, from Marlborough, 6462 contained 1l. for the Orphans. — Thus I have now all that 6463 is needed in the way of house-keeping money for the 6464 remainder of this week; but I am now waiting upon God 6465 for about 25l. to provide each of the 32 Orphan Boys 6466 above seven years old with a new suit of clothes. 6467 6468 The reader might say, "You are continually in need. No 6469 sooner is the one demand met, than another comes. Do 6470

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you not find it a trying life, and are you not tired of it?" 6471 My reply is, It is true I am more or less continually in 6472 need in connexion with this work. And if I were to tell out 6473 all my heart to the reader concerning it, be would have 6474 still more reason to say that I am continually in need. For 6475 what I have here written is almost exclusively about the 6476 way in which God has been pleased to supply me with 6477 money for carrying on the work; but I do deliberately state 6478 that this, much as it might appear to one or the other, is by 6479 no means the chief thing that I stand in need of from day 6480 to day. I will just hint at a few other things. Sickness 6481 among the children, very difficult and tedious cases, in 6482 which, notwithstanding all the means which are used 6483 month after month, yea year after year, the children 6484 remain ill. Nothing remains but either to keep them, or to 6485 send them to the Parish Union to which they belong, as 6486 they have no relatives able to provide for them. The very 6487 fact of having cared for them and watched over them for 6488 years, only endears them the more to us, and would make 6489 it the more trying to send them back to their parish. This 6490 is a "need" which brings me to God. Here is prayer 6491 required, not only for means which such sick children call 6492 for, but for guidance and wisdom from on High. — 6493 Sometimes children are to be placed out as servants or 6494 apprentices. A suitable place is needed, or else they had 6495 better remain under our care. The obtaining of this 6496 suitable place is a "need" indeed. It is more difficult to be 6497 obtained than money. Sometimes for many weeks have I 6498 had to wait upon God, to have this "need" supplied; but 6499 He has always at last helped. — Sometimes great has 6500 been my "need" of wisdom and guidance in order to know 6501 how certain children ought to be treated under particular 6502

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circumstances; and especially how to behave towards 6503 certain apprentices or servants who were formerly in the 6504 Orphan-Houses. A "need" in this respect is no small thing; 6505 though I have found that in this and in all other matters 6506 concerning which I was in "need," I have been helped, 6507 provided I was indeed able to wait patiently upon God. 6508 That word, "godliness is profitable unto all things, having 6509 promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to 6510 come" (1 Tim. iv. 8), I have in times almost without 6511 number found to be true in my own experience. — 6512 Further, when one or the other of the labourers needed to 6513 leave the work on account of health, or for other reasons, I 6514 have been at such times in far greater "need" than when I 6515 required money for the various objects of the Institution. I 6516 could only have such "need" supplied by waiting upon 6517 God. I could do nothing but speak to my heavenly Father 6518 about this matter, and He has always helped. One of the 6519 greatest difficulties connected with this work is, to obtain 6520 suitable Godly persons for it. So many things are to be 6521 taken into the account. Suitable age, health, gift, 6522 experience, love for children, true godliness, a ready mind 6523 to serve God in the work and not themselves, a ready 6524 mind to bear with the many trials and difficulties 6525 connected with it, a manifest purpose to labour not for the 6526 sake of the remuneration, but to serve God in their work; 6527 surely, to obtain Godly persons, in whom these 6528 qualifications, even in some measure, are found 6529 combined, is not an easy matter. Not that any one will 6530 suppose me to mean that I am looking out for perfect 6531 fellow-labourers. Not that any one will suppose that my 6532 fellow-labourers are referred to by rue, as if they were 6533 without weaknesses, deficiencies, and failings. I am 6534

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myself far, very far from being without weaknesses, 6535 deficiencies, and failings. Moreover, I never expect to 6536 find fellow-labourers for this work who have not their 6537 weaknesses; but this I do mean to say, that the work of 6538 God in my hands is of that character, and, by God’s grace, 6539 is really carried on with such a true purpose to serve God 6540 thereby (however much I and my fellow-labourers may 6541 fail), that it is with me a matter of deep moment to find 6542 truly suitable individuals for it, in whom, as much as 6543 possible, the above qualifications should be found united. 6544 And, however much there may be wanting, this is more 6545 and more my aim, that I may obtain such helpers; and 6546 hence it can be easily perceived bow great my "need" 6547 must be again and again on this very account. I do here 6548 especially advise, that if any should apply in future for 6549 situations in connexion with this work, they would keep 6550 these remarks before them; for, by God’s grace, it is my 6551 purpose never to give to any persons a situation in 6552 connexion with the Institution, if they are not suitable for 6553 it according to the light which God gives me. — Further, 6554 that the labourers work happily together among 6555 themselves, and that I go on happily in service with them; 6556 that I be their servant, on the one hand, and yet, on the 6557 other, maintain the place which God has given me in this 6558 work; surely, if any one carefully looks at this, he will at 6559 once see, that there is a difficulty and a "need" far greater 6560 than any that is connected with money. Oh, how these 6561 matters lead one to call upon God! How they continually 6562 make one sensible of one’s "need!" Truly, I am in need, in 6563 continual need. Many more points might be referred to in 6564 connexion with this work, in which I am more or less 6565 continually in "need;" but I will only mention one it is 6566

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now many years since I have made my boast in the living 6567 God in so public a manner by my publications. On this 6568 account Satan unquestionably is waiting for my halting, 6569 and, if left to myself, I should fall a prey to him. Pride, 6570 unbelief, or other sins would be my ruin, and lead me to 6571 bring a most awful disgrace upon the name of Jesus. Here 6572 is then a "need," a great "need." I do feel myself in 6573 "need," in great " need," even to be upheld by God; for I 6574 cannot stand for a moment, if left to myself. Oh, that none 6575 of my dear readers might admire me, and be astonished at 6576 my faith, and think of me as if I were beyond unbelief! 6577 Oh, that none of my dear readers might think, that I could 6578 not be puffed up by pride, or in other respects most 6579 awfully dishonour God, and thus at last, though God has 6580 used me in blessing hitherto to so many, become a beacon 6581 to the church of Christ! No, I am as weak as ever, and 6582 need as much as ever to be upheld as to faith, and every 6583 other grace. I am therefore in "need," in great "need;" and 6584 therefore help me, dear Christian reader, with your 6585 prayers. 6586 6587 I allow, then, moat fully that I am in continual "need." 6588 This is the case with regard to money matters, because the 6589 work is now so large. A few hundred pounds go but a 6590 little way. There have been often weeks, when my 6591 demands have been several hundred pounds a week, and it 6592 can therefore easily be supposed that even if large 6593 donations come in, they do not last long. But whilst I 6594 allow this, I desire that the Christian reader may keep in 6595 mind that there are other necessities, and even greater 6596 ones than those connected with money. — Should, 6597 however, the reader say that he thinks "I must find this a 6598

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very trying life, and that I must be tired of it," I beg to 6599 state, that he is entirely mistaken. I do not find the life in 6600 connexion with this work a trying life, but a very happy 6601 one. It is impossible to describe the abundance of peace 6602 and heavenly joy that often has flowed into my soul by 6603 means of the fresh answers which I have obtained from 6604 God, after waiting upon Him for help and blessing; and 6605 the longer I have had to wait upon Him, or the greater my 6606 need was, the greater the enjoyment when at last the 6607 answer came, which has often been in a very remarkable 6608 way, in order to make the hand of God the more manifest. 6609 I therefore solemnly declare that I do not find this life a 6610 trying life, but a very happy one, and I am consequently 6611 not in the least tired of it. Straits and difficulties I 6612 expected from the very beginning. Before I began this 6613 service I expected them; nay, the chief object of it was, 6614 that the church at large might be strengthened in faith, and 6615 be led more simply, habitually, and unreservedly to trust 6616 in the living God, by seeing His hand stretched out in nay 6617 behalf in the hour of need. I did, therefore, expect trials, 6618 great trials and straits; but cheerfully, for the glory of 6619 God, and the profit of God’s dear children, did I desire to 6620 pass through them, if only the saints might be benefited 6621 by the dealings of God with me. The longer I go on in this 6622 service, the greater the trials of one kind or another 6623 become; but, at the same time, the happier I am in this my 6624 service, and the more assured, that I am engaged as the 6625 Lord would have me to be. How then could I be tired of 6626 carrying on the work of God on such principles as I do? 6627 6628 I now return to the extracts from my journal. 6629 6630

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Feb. 4, 1848. Yesterday came in still further: from 6631 Norwich 1l. and from Devonshire 1l. 6632 6633 Feb. S. From a brother at Hereford 5l. — Feb. 5. From 6634 "Friends to Orphans" 2l., and from D.D. 12s 2 1⁄2 d. — 6635 Feb. 5. By sale of articles 2l. 6s. 4d. Evening. Since this 6636 day week, when I had only one farthing left, the Lord has 6637 been pleased to send in for the Orphans 23l. l6s. 8 1⁄2 d; 6638 but as I have had to pay away more than 10l., besides 6639 making up the remainder of what was needed for house-6640 keeping expenses for the past week, there was only 6l. 6641 10s. 10 3⁄4 d. for the expenses of the coming week, whilst 6642 nearly three times as much was required by the four 6643 matrons. I divided this little, however, among them, in the 6644 full assurance, that, by the time it was consumed, the Lord 6645 would send more. 6646 6647 Feb. 9. Today only 2s. 4d. has come in. We are supplied 6648 for the present moment, and shall have enough till 6649 tomorrow evening for house-keeping expenses; hut there 6650 is about 25l. needed for boys’ clothes, and I greatly desire 6651 to give some money to the sisters who labour in the 6652 Orphan-Houses. 6653 6654 Feb. 10. This morning was given to me the sum of One 6655 Hundred Pounds, which being left entirely to my disposal, 6656 I took of it 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for the School—, 6657 Bible—, Tract—and Missionary Fund. — The Lord be 6658 praised for this most seasonable help! I am thus helped for 6659 the present for all the various parts of the work, and have 6660 especially two precious answers to my prayers concerning 6661 the Orphan work, in that I am able to get a new suit of 6662

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clothes for all the boys, and to give some money to the 6663 sisters, who labour in the Orphan-Houses, for their own 6664 personal necessities. 6665 6666 From Feb. 10th to 22nd came in 21l. 0s. 1 1⁄2 d. more. 6667 6668 Feb. 25. All money was now again expended. This 6669 afternoon I had paid away the last. About an hour after, I 6670 received from a brother the contents of his Orphan-box, 6671 being 2s. 6d. and a gold watch-key. In the evening was 6672 given to me 10l., being the half-yearly profits arising from 6673 shares in a certain company. How kind of the Lord thus to 6674 help again so soon! As soon as the last money was 6675 disbursed, He sent more. 6676 6677 Feb. 29. 4l. l8s. 0d. more has come in since the 25th. This 6678 evening I paid away for house-keeping all the money I 6679 had, being 12l. 10s. 7d., and returned home with an empty 6680 purse, trusting in the Lord to give me again fresh supplies. 6681 I shall shortly need again many pounds. 6682 6683 March 1. This morning I received anonymously by post 6684 from P. L. A. ten shillings. Evening. This afternoon a 6685 check for 25l. was left at my house for the benefit of the 6686 Orphans. — Thus we are again supplied for a week for 6687 what we need for house-keeping, &c. Oh, how good it is 6688 to depend on the faithful love of our heavenly Father, who 6689 never forsakes His children who put their trust in Him! 6690 6691 March 17. Since the first of this month there has come in, 6692 besides the 25l. given on the 1st, altogether 36l. 0s. 3 1⁄2 6693 d. Now today all means were again gone, when a brother 6694

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in the Lord from Gloucestershire called at the Orphan-6695 Houses and bought some tracts and an "Improved 6696 Rendering" for 2s. 6d., and gave 17s. 6d. for the Orphans. 6697 This afternoon came in further, by sale of articles, 2l. 12s. 6698 9d. 6699 6700 March 18. This morning I received from Chelsea 4l., from 6701 Tewkesbury 10d., and this evening from D. D. Sc. 2d., 6702 and by sale of articles 5s. There was also 1l. left 6703 anonymously at my house. — Thus we are again supplied 6704 for 2 or 3 days. 6705 6706 March 21. Tuesday. As during the last three days only 1l. 6707 15s. had come in, I had only 2l. this evening towards the 6708 house-keeping expenses of the coming week; but finding 6709 that one of the teachers had 5l. in hand for knitting and 6710 needlework, done by the children, I added this to the 2l., 6711 and we are thus supplied for 2 or 3 days with provisions. 6712 6713 March 23. Evening. When there was now again no money 6714 at all in hand, and when I had the prospect of needing 6715 fresh supplies tomorrow or the day after, a brother from 6716 Switzerland arrived at my house, who brought me 4l., 6717 which some brethren at Vevey, in Switzerland, had 6718 contributed towards the support of the Orphans. He also 6719 was the bearer of 15s.from London. What a variety of 6720 ways the Lord uses to supply our need! How remarkable 6721 that these Swiss brethren, who are just now in so much 6722 trial, should be led to send help towards this work! A few 6723 minutes, after I had received this 4l. l5s, there came also 6724 to hand a letter from Stafford, containing 4l., of which the 6725

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donor wished me to take one-half for the Orphans, and the 6726 other half for my own personal expenses. 6727 6728 March 24. This morning I received still further from the 6729 Swiss brother, who had arrived yesterday afternoon, 18 6730 francs, being a donation from the pupils of a boarding 6731 school in Switzerland, and 10 francs from a German 6732 brother. — Also from Norwich 13s. 8d. and 2s. 4d. 6733 6734 March 2S. This morning I received from O. W. a letter 6735 with 20l., which the donor wished me to apply to the help 6736 of those labouring in the Gospel, and to the Orphans, if in 6737 present need. I took half of this for time Orphans, and half 6738 for Home and Foreign labourers. We are thus supplied for 6739 the Orphans for about three days. 6740 6741 March 28. On the 26th came in anonymously 3s,, ditto 6742 10s., ditto 2s. 6d., ditto 1s. 10d.; and 2l. 7s. besides. This 6743 evening I had again to give to the matrons fresh supplies 6744 for the coming week, towards which I had only a few 6745 pounds, when I received this morning 20l. from a distance 6746 of about 200 miles, 6747 6748 Between March 28th and April 12th I received, besides 6749 the 20l. referred to, 24l. 0s. 7d. 6750 6751 April 13. Thursday. On Tuesday evening I had given out 6752 for house-keeping all the money in hand, being 11l. This 6753 was enough for three or four days. This morning I was 6754 now looking out for more, having requested the Lord to 6755 look upon our necessities; for tomorrow, or at the latest 6756 the day after tomorrow, fresh supplies will be needed. 6757

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Now think, my dear reader, of the Lord’s goodness, when 6758 I tell you that this very morning I received 90l. for the 6759 Lord’s work in my hands, the disposal of which sum was 6760 entirely left with me. I took of this sum 40l. for the 6761 Orphans, and 50l. for the School—, Bible—,Missionary—6762 and Tract Fund. 6763 6764 April 26. Only 18l. 19s. 8 1⁄2 d. had come in since the 6765 13th. As the income during these thirteen days had been 6766 so small, our means were again reduced to 16s., after I 6767 had supplied the day before yesterday the means for the 6768 house-keeping expenses for this week. Today I received 6769 information, that to a sister in Switzerland had been given 6770 Fifty Francs for the Orphans. Thus the Lord is in every 6771 way showing that He is mindful of us. 6772 6773 April 29. Saturday. The expenses of today, in addition to 6774 those for house-keeping, which had been met last Tuesday 6775 evening for a whole week in advance, reduced our little 6776 stock of means to only a few shillings. In addition to this, 6777 Tuesday is approaching, when again about 20l. will be 6778 needed. And now see, dear reader, how seasonably the 6779 Lord helped us again, and that from most unexpected 6780 quarters. This morning I received One Hundred Pounds 6781 from a brother, who is himself depending upon God for 6782 daily supplies whilst labouring in word and doctrine, but 6783 who has lately come into the possession of this sum, and 6784 who does not think it right to lay up treasure upon earth. 6785 Of this 100l. he wishes me to take 10l. for my own 6786 personal necessities, to give to brother Craik 10l., and to 6787 take 80l. for the Orphans. Of this 80l. the sum of 50l. has 6788 been put to the Building Fund, and 30l. has been taken for 6789

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present use for the Orphans. — But this was not all. There 6790 was paid to me today the legacy of 19l. 19s. left to me for 6791 the benefit of the Orphans by the late Mrs. B., an 6792 individual whom I do not remember ever to have seen in 6793 my life, and whom I only know by name. Observe this 6794 particular providence! At a time of need, of great need of 6795 means, this legacy comes in. The will may have been 6796 made years ago, and the testator has been dead several 6797 months; but just at this time, when not only the 20l. are 6798 needed next Tuesday for house-keeping, but other 6799 expenses of about 30l. more are to be met in a few days, 6800 this legacy comes in. — Today also I have received 6801 besides, 10l. from Wiltshire, 1l. 4a. from Cumberland, 6802 10s. from Birmingham, and 1l. from a donor in Bristol. 6803 Thus in one day, in a time of great need, 62l. 13s. has 6804 come in, besides 50l. for the Building Fund. 6805 6806 May 11. 10l. 2s. has come in since April 29th. This 6807 morning I received from a lady at a considerable distance 6808 16l., and from Wandsworth 5l. These two donations came 6809 in especially in answer to prayer, not so much for 6810 immediate need as it regards house-keeping, but on 6811 account of other heavy expenses which are shortly to be 6812 met. I have also repeatedly asked the Lord of late, if it 6813 may please Him to send in considerable means, before the 6814 accounts are closed on the 26th, so that there might not be 6815 even the appearance, as if I wrote another Report, because 6816 I could get on no longer without it. 6817 6818 May 26, 1848. On this day the accounts were closed. The 6819 total sum which has come in from the 12th to this day, is 6820 40l, 3s. 7d. Thus the Lord closes this period under His 6821

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manifest help! I have been able to meet all the expenses 6822 connected with the support of the four Orphan-Houses 6823 during the last two years, amounting to 3,228l. 5s. 11d., 6824 owe no one anything, and have on this 26th of May, 1848, 6825 1l. 10s. 3 3⁄4 d. left in hand. 6826 6827 6828 Further Account of the New Orphan-House, on Ashley 6829 Down, Bristol, from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848. 6830 6831 6832 Those, who have read the former chapter on this subject, 6833 will remember, how I was obliged to think of building an 6834 Orphan-House, and how, when once led to this, I felt 6835 myself also led to build it large enough for Three Hundred 6836 Orphans; and how the. Lord, in His great kindness, most 6837 manifestly in answer to prayer, gave me a field of about 6838 seven acres for the purpose; and how, by various 6839 donations, 2,710l. 3s. 5 1⁄2 d. had been already received 6840 on May 26, 1848. I shall now give a further account of the 6841 Lord’s dealings with me, concerning the New Orphan-6842 House, yet so, that, for the sake of brevity, only a few of 6843 the donations will be referred to, and chiefly those which 6844 seem more particularly to mark the finger of God. 6845 6846 July 4, 1846. For about three months my faith and 6847 patience have been exceedingly tried about the field, 6848 which I have purchased for the building of the Orphan-6849 House, as the greatest difficulties arose about my 6850 possessing the land after all; but, by God’s grace, my 6851 heart was kept in peace, being fully assured, that, if the 6852 Lord were to take this piece of land from me, it would be 6853

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only for the purpose of giving me a still better one; for our 6854 Heavenly Father never takes any earthly thing from His 6855 children except He means to give them something better 6856 instead. But in the midst of all this great trial of faith, I 6857 could not but think, judging from the way in which God 6858 so manifestly had given me this piece of land, that the 6859 difficulties were only allowed for the trial of my faith and 6860 patience. And thus it was. Last evening I received a letter 6861 by which all the difficulties were removed, and now, with 6862 the blessing of God, in a few days the conveyance will be 6863 made out. 6864 6865 July 6. The reason why, for several months, there had 6866 come in so little for the Building Fund, appeared to me 6867 this, that we did not need the money at present; and that, 6868 when it was needed, and when my faith and patience had 6869 been sufficiently tried, the Lord would send more means. 6870 And thus it has proved; for today was given to me the sum 6871 of Two Thousand and Fifty Pounds, of which Two 6872 Thousand Pounds is for the Building Fund, and Fifty 6873 Pounds for present necessities, of which latter sum I took 6874 one half for present use for the Orphans, and the other half 6875 for the. School—, Bible—,Tract— and Missionary Fund. 6876 This is the largest donation I have yet had at one time for 6877 the work; but I expect still larger ones, in order that more 6878 and more it may be manifest to the children of God, that 6879 there is no happier, no easier, and no better way for the 6880 obtaining of pecuniary means or anything else in 6881 connexion with the work of God, than to deal directly 6882 with the Lord Himself. 6883 6884

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It is impossible to describe my joy in God when I received 6885 this donation. I was neither excited nor surprised; for I 6886 look out for answers to my prayers. I believe that God 6887 hears me. Yet my heart was so full of joy, that I could 6888 only sit before God, and admire him, like David in 2 6889 Samuel vii. At last I cast myself flat down upon my face, 6890 and burst forth in thanksgiving to God, and in 6891 surrendering my heart afresh to Him for His blessed 6892 service. 6893 6894 There came in still further today 2s. 6d. 6895 6896 July 10. Received 120l., of which 100l. is intended by the 6897 donor for the Building Fund, and 20l. for present use in 6898 the work, as most needed. I took of this 20l. one half for 6899 the Orphans, and the other half for the other objects of the 6900 Institution. 6901 6902 July 11. By sale of articles, given for the Building Fund, 6903 came in 5s. 6d. 6904 6905 July 15. From a sister in the Lord 1l., from a Christian 6906 gentleman 5l., from a sister 3s., and from another sister an 6907 old silver pencil case and 2s. 6908 6909 July 17. From the neighbourhood of Oxford 1l. 6910 6911 July 21. This morning a gentleman from Devonshire, on 6912 his way to London, called on me. When he came I was in 6913 prayer, having, among other matters, brought also before 6914 the Lord the following points: 1, I had been asking Him 6915 for some supplies for my own temporal necessities, being 6916

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in need. 2, 1 had asked Him for more means for the 6917 Building Fund, and besought Him to hasten the matter, on 6918 account of the inhabitants in Wilson Street, on account of 6919 the welfare of the children and those who have the 6920 oversight of them in the Orphan-Houses, and lastly, that I 6921 might be able to admit more Orphans, the number of 6922 applications being so great. 3, I had also asked the Lord 6923 for means for present use for the Orphans, as the 6924 outgoings are so great. 4, I had asked for means for the 6925 other objects. — When I saw this gentleman from 6926 Devonshire, he gave me 20l., of which 10l. is to be used 6927 for the Building Fund, 5l. for present use for the Orphans, 6928 21. for brother Craik and myself, and the remaining 3l. 6929 were left to my disposal, which I applied to the other 6930 objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. Thus I 6931 received, at the very moment that I had been asking God, 6932 FOUR answers to my prayers. 6933 6934 Sept. 7 From a friend, who has many times helped the 6935 Orphans almost from the commencement, I received 50l. 6936 6937 Sept. 9. "Let patience have her perfect work, &c.," must 6938 be still my motto concerning this service. Our position in 6939 Wilson Street, where the Orphan-Houses are now, 6940 remains as it was; I also see more and more the 6941 desirableness of commencing the building soon, both on 6942 account of the Orphans, and their teachers and overseers; 6943 particularly also, because so very many applications are 6944 made for the admission of very destitute Orphans, and I 6945 am unable at present, to receive all who are applied for; 6946 and yet the Lord is delaying to send the full amount of 6947 means required. I am also asked, when the Building is 6948

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likely to commence, and can only answer, I do not know. 6949 Now this morning I had again, after family prayer, my 6950 usual season for prayer about this work, when I brought 6951 all these matters in simplicity before the Lord. 6952 Immediately, after I had risen from my knees, the 6953 following letter was handed to me, containing 60l. 6954 6955 6956 * * * *, Sept. 8, 1846. 6957 6958 "My dear Brother, 6959 6960 I send Sixty Pounds out of the abundance which the Lord 6961 has given to me, and of which it seems to me that He has 6962 need in the work you are engaged. If you think proper, 6963 would you kindly take 25l. for the Building Fund of the 6964 Orphan Asylum, 25l. for missionary labourers, 5l. for the 6965 present use of the Orphans, and 5l. for your own purse; 6966 and may our good Lord bless your labours of love, and 6967 give the increase a hundred fold. 6968 6969 Your unworthy brother, 6970 6971 * * * *" 6972 6973 6974 Thus the Lord encourages me, day by day, to continue to 6975 wait on Him. His time is not yet come; but, when it is, all 6976 that is needed will be given. By God’s grace my faith is 6977 unshaken. I am as certain that I shall have every shilling 6978 needed for the work, as if I had the money already in 6979 actual possession; and I am as certain that this house of 6980

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mercy will be built, as if it were already standing before 6981 me. 6982 6983 Oct. 18. Today the Lord has much refreshed my heart by 6984 sending from B. B. 5s., from a young sister 2s. 6d., and 6985 through an order on a Bristol Bank 120l. 6986 6987 Oct. 19. While I was this morning in the very act of 6988 praising the Lord for His goodness, in giving me 6989 yesterday the above mentioned donations, and whilst I 6990 was again bringing my arguments before Him, why He 6991 would be pleased soon to give me the whole sum which is 6992 requisite, I received an order for 200l., which was doubly 6993 precious, because it was accompanied by an affectionate 6994 and encouraging letter. 6995 6996 Oct. 29. This morning I had been again bringing the ease 6997 of the Building before the Lord in prayer, entreating Him 6998 to hasten the matter, if it might be, when, the very instant 6999 I rose from my knees, there was handed to me a letter 7000 with an order for 300l. — About an hour after, I received 7001 from a sister in the neighbourhood of Wotton-under-Edge 7002 10s. 6d. — "From Saints in the neighbourhood of 7003 Kingsbridge" 1l. 5s. — From a sister an old silver 7004 thimble. 7005 7006 Nov. 14. By sale of articles 12s. — This evening I 7007 received a small morocco case, containing a gold chain, a 7008 pair of gold ear-rings, and a gold brooch (being a set), 7009 with the following letter enclosed: 7010 7011 7012

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"Beloved Brother in Jesus, 7013 7014 The contents of the accompanying casket being in my 7015 unconverted days a wedding gift from a very dear 7016 husband, has, as you may suppose, been hither-to 7017 preserved as beyond price. But since God, in His great 7018 mercy revealed to my soul His exceeding riches in Christ, 7019 and gave to it more (Oh, how much more!) than He has 7020 taken away, they seemed as the Babylonish garment or 7021 wedge of gold, which ought not to be in the Israelites’ 7022 possession. I therefore give up that which the flesh would 7023 fain keep, and still prize; but which the spirit rejects, as 7024 unworthy a follower of Jesus. Accept then, dear Brother, 7025 those toys, once the pride of life, and the food of folly; 7026 and use them for the building of the Orphan-House, in 7027 which I feel it a privilege to lay one stone; and may the 7028 Lord recompense you a hundred fold, yea, a thousand 7029 fold, in this your great labour of love, is the prayer of 7030 yours affectionately in the best of bonds. 7031 7032 — November 1846. A Sister and a Widow. 7033 7034 7035 The gift was precious to me as a proof of the continued 7036 readiness of my Heavenly Father to help me in this work; 7037 but doubly so, on account of the circumstances under 7038 which it was given, and on account of the state of mind in 7039 which the anonymous donor had given these ornaments. 7040 7041 Nov. 19. I am now led more and more to importune the 7042 Lord to send me the means, which are requisite in order 7043 that I may be able to commence the building. Because 1, 7044

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It has been for some time past publicly stated in print, that 7045 I allow it is not without ground that some of the 7046 inhabitants of Wilson Street consider themselves 7047 inconvenienced by the Orphan-Houses being in that street, 7048 and I long therefore to be able to remove the Orphans 7049 from thence as soon as possible. 2, I become more and 7050 more convinced, that it would be greatly for the benefit of 7051 the children, both physically and morally, with God’s 7052 blessing, to be in such a position as they are intended to 7053 occupy, when the New Orphan-House shall have been 7054 built. And 3, because the number of very poor and 7055 destitute Orphans, that are waiting for admission, is so 7056 great, and there are constantly fresh applications made. — 7057 Now whilst, by God’s grace, I would not wish the 7058 building to be begun one single day sooner than is His 7059 will; and whilst I firmly believe, that He will give me, in 7060 His own time every shilling which I need; yet I also know, 7061 that He delights in being earnestly entreated, and that He 7062 takes pleasure in. the continuance in prayer, and in the 7063 importuning Him, which so clearly is to be seen from the 7064 parable of the widow and the unjust judge. Luke xviii. 1-7065 8. For these reasons I gave myself again particularly to 7066 prayer last evening, that the Lord would send further 7067 means, being also especially led to do so, in addition to 7068 the above reasons, because there had come in but little 7069 comparatively, since the 29th of last month. This 7070 morning, between five and six o’clock I prayed again, 7071 among other points, about the Building Fund, and then 7072 had a long season for the reading of the word of God. In 7073 the course of my reading I came to Mark xi. 24, " What 7074 things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye 7075 receive them, and ye shall have them." The importance of 7076

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the truth contained in this portion I have often felt and 7077 spoken about; but this morning I felt it again most 7078 particularly, and, applying it to the New Orphan-House, 7079 said to the Lord: "Lord I believe that Thou wilt give me 7080 all I need for this work. I am sure that I shall have all, 7081 because I believe that I receive in answer to my prayer." 7082 Thus, with the heart full of peace concerning this work, I 7083 went on to the other part of the chapter, and to the next 7084 chapter. After family prayer I had again my usual season 7085 for prayer with regard to all the many parts of the work, 7086 and the various necessities thereof, asking also blessings 7087 upon my fellow-labourers, upon the circulation of Bibles 7088 and Tracts, and upon the precious souls in the Adult 7089 School, the. Sunday Schools, the Six Day Schools, and 7090 the four Orphan-Houses. Amidst all the many things I 7091 again made my requests about means for the Building. 7092 And now observe: About five minutes, after I had risen 7093 from my knees, there was given to me a registered letter, 7094 containing a check for 300l., of which 280l. are for the 7095 Building Fund, 10l. for my own personal expenses, and 7096 10l. for Brother Craik. The Lord’s holy name be praised 7097 for this precious encouragement, by which the Building 7098 Fund is now increased to more than six thousand pounds. 7099 7100 Dec. 9. It is now Four Hundred Days, since day after day, 7101 I have been waiting upon God for help with regard to the 7102 building of the Orphan-House; but as yet He keeps me 7103 still in the trial of faith and patience. He is still saying as it 7104 were, "Mine hour is not yet come." Yet He does sustain 7105 me in continuing to wait upon Him. By His grace my faith 7106 is not in the least shaken; but I am quite sure that He, in 7107 His own time, will give me everything which I need 7108

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concerning this work. How I shall be supplied with the 7109 means which are yet requisite, and when, I know not; but 7110 I am sure that God will help me in His own time and way. 7111 In the mean time I have abundant reason to praise God, 7112 that I am not waiting on Him in vain; for since this day 7113 twelvemonth He has given me in answer to prayer, a most 7114 suitable piece of ground, and 6,304l. for the Building 7115 Fund, and about 2,700l. for present use for the work, so 7116 that altogether I have received, since this day 7117 twelvemonth, solely in answer to prayer, the sum of Nine 7118 Thousand Pounds. Surely, I am not waiting upon the Lord 7119 in vain! By His help, then, I am resolved to continue this 7120 course unto the end. 7121 7122 Dec. 22. Today I have again a precious proof that 7123 continuing to wait upon the Lord is not in vain. During 7124 this month, comparatively little had come in for the 7125 Building Fund; yet, by God’s grace, I have been enabled, 7126 as before; yea, even with more earnestness perhaps than 7127 before to make known my requests unto God, being more 7128 and more convinced that I ought to seek by earnest prayer 7129 soon to be able to begin the building. In addition to this I 7130 had also especially besought the Lord to give me means 7131 for missionary brethren, and also for brethren who labour 7132 in the word in various parts of England and Ireland; as all 7133 my means for them were now gone. I had also been 7134 waiting upon God for means to order a fresh stock of 7135 tracts. I had lastly again and again besought the Lord to 7136 give me means for the poor saints in Bristol, of whom 7137 there are many, and whose need is now particularly great. 7138 Now today the Lord has granted me precious answers to 7139 my requests concerning these various objects, for I 7140

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received this morning one Thousand Pounds with these. 7141 words: "I send you some money, part of which you can 7142 apply to the Orphans and the other objects of your 7143 Institution, according to their need, and the rest you can 7144 put to the Building Fund. At the present price of 7145 provisions your expenses must be large for the Orphans. 7146 Please also take 25l. for your own need." As I have about 7147 80l. in hand for the Orphans, I took nothing for present 7148 use for them, but took 175l. for the other objects, in order 7149 thus to be able to send some help to Home and Foreign 7150 labourers, and to order a fresh stock of tracts; and 800l. I 7151 took for the Building Fund. I should have taken less for 7152 the Building Fund, and more for present use, did it not 7153 appear to me the will of God, that with my might I ought 7154 to give myself to this part of the work. 7155 7156 Jan. 5, 1847. We have just now much sickness in the four 7157 Orphan-Houses, on account of which we are much tried 7158 for want of room, and for want of proper ventilation, the 7159 houses having been originally built for private families. 7160 This has again most practically shown me the 7161 desirableness of having the Orphans, as soon as possible, 7162 removed to a house built on purpose for them and my 7163 heart says, "Lord, how long?" and importunes Him the 7164 more, yet, by His grace, without being impatient, but 7165 willing to wait His time, which in the end is always found 7166 to be the best. 7167 7168 Jan. 9. From a professional Christian gentleman 10l., 7169 which I received from him in paying him his account 7170 today. 7171 7172

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Jan. 10. From a brother in the Lord 80l. — From C. C. 8s. 7173 2 1⁄2 d. 7174 7175 Jan. 11. From a lady at Bedminster 3l. 10s. 7176 7177 Jan. 25. The season of the year is now approaching, when 7178 building may be begun. Therefore with increased 7179 earnestness I have given myself unto prayer, importuning 7180 the Lord that He would be pleased to appear on our 7181 behalf, and speedily send the remainder of the amount 7182 which is required, and I have increasingly, of late, felt that 7183 the time is drawing near, when the Lord will give me all 7184 that which is requisite for commencing the Building. All 7185 the various arguments which I have often brought before 7186 God, I brought also again this morning before Him. It is 7187 now 14 months and 3 weeks since day by day I have 7188 uttered my petitions to God on behalf of this work. I rose 7189 from my knees this morning in full confidence, not only 7190 that God could, but also would, send the means, and that 7191 soon. Never, during all these 14 months and 3 weeks, 7192 have I had the least doubt, that I should have all that 7193 which is requisite. — And now, dear believing reader, 7194 rejoice and praise with me. About an hour, after I had 7195 prayed thus, there was given to me the sum of Two 7196 Thousand Pounds for the Building Fund. Thus I have 7197 received altogether 9,285l. 3s. 9 1⁄2 d. towards this work. 7198 — I cannot describe the joy I had in God when I received 7199 this donation. It must be known from experience, in order 7200 to be felt. 447 days I have had day by day to wait upon 7201 God, before the sum reached the above amount. How 7202 great is the blessing which the soul obtains by trusting in 7203 God, and by waiting patiently. Is it not manifest how 7204

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precious it is to carry on God’s work in this way, even 7205 with regard to the obtaining of means? From December 7206 10, 1845, to January 2b, 1847, being thirteen months and 7207 a half, I have received solely in answer to prayer, Nine 7208 Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty-five Pounds. Add to 7209 this what came in during that time for present use for the 7210 various objects of the Institution, and the total is about 7211 Twelve Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds, entirely the 7212 fruit of prayer to God. Can it be said, therefore, with good 7213 ground, that this way of carrying on the work of God may 7214 do very well in a limited and small way, but it would not 7215 do on a large scale? The fact brought out here contradicts 7216 such statements. 7217 7218 June 23. This day the Lord in His great goodness, by a 7219 donation of One Thousand Pounds for the Building Fund, 7220 has again encouraged my heart abundantly to trust in Him 7221 for all that which I shall yet need, to meet the remainder 7222 of the expenses connected with the fitting up and 7223 furnishing the New Orphan-House, &c. 7224 7225 Jan. 23, 1848. Today I received 350l., concerning which 7226 the donor expressed it as his especial wish that I should 7227 take 50l. for myself, 50l. should be for brother Craik, 50l., 7228 for the Employment Fund, and the remaining 200l. as I 7229 pleased. I put this 200l. to the Building Fund, as the donor 7230 had not given to this object before, having been prevented 7231 through circumstances, and I knew he would like to 7232 contribute towards it. 7233 7234

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Jan. 30. I received from D. D. 35l., of which 30l. are 7235 intended for the Building Fund, and 5l. for the School—, 7236 Bible—, Tract and Missionary Fund. 7237 7238 March 19. From Scotland 10l. 7239 7240 March 21. From the neighbourhood of Dudley 9s. 8d. 7241 7242 March 28. "A thank-offering to the Lord from the Church 7243 assembling at Bethesda Free Chapel, Sunderland, for 7244 Church mercies during the past year." The amount is 21l. 7245 10s. 10d. 7246 7247 April 29. From Cornwall 50l., from a most unexpected 7248 quarter, whereby the hand of God is the more abundantly 7249 made manifest. 7250 7251 In the Report, published in 1848, the following account 7252 was given respecting the New Orphan-House, which, 7253 except a few verbal alterations, is here reprinted. 7254 7255 1, The total amount, which I have received for the 7256 Building Fund, amounts to 11,062l. 4s. 11 1⁄2 d. This sum 7257 enables me to meet all the expenses connected with the 7258 purchase of the piece of land and with the erection of the 7259 house. I stated before that I did not mean to commence the 7260 Building until I had all the means requisite for it, and this 7261 intention was carried out. It was not until there was a 7262 sufficient amount of means to meet all the sums required 7263 for the various contractors, that a single thing was done; 7264 but when I once had as much as was required for them, I 7265 did not consider it right to delay any longer, though I saw 7266

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then clearly, and have since seen still more clearly, that a 7267 considerable sum would yet be needed to complete the 7268 work. For whilst in every respect the Building will be 7269 most plain and inexpensive, yet it being intended to be the 7270 abode of Three Hundred Orphans, with all their teachers 7271 and overseers, it necessarily must be a very large 7272 Building, and was therefore found to be even somewhat 7273 more expensive than I had thought, as the whole 7274 (including fittings and furniture) cannot be accomplished 7275 for less than Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred Pounds, 7276 towards which the Lord has already given me, as stated, 7277 Eleven Thousand and Sixty-two Pounds Four Shillings 7278 and Eleven Pence Halfpenny. The sum still needed is 7279 required for all the ordinary fittings, the heating apparatus, 7280 the gas fittings, the furnishing the whole house, making 7281 three large playgrounds and a small road, and for some 7282 additional work which could not be brought into the 7283 contracts. I did not think it needful to delay commencing 7284 the Building, though several thousand pounds more would 7285 be required, as all these expenses needed not to be met till 7286 many months after the beginning of the Building. 7287 7288 2, The work of the Building commenced on July 5, 1847, 7289 and has been going on steadily ever since, with the 7290 manifest blessing and help of God. — Six hundred and 7291 seven days I sought the help of God day by day, before 7292 we came so far as to be able to commence the Building; 7293 yet at last He gave me the desire of my heart. — The work 7294 is now so far advanced, with the blessing of God, that a 7295 considerable part of the Buildings has been already roofed 7296 in, and the remainder will be ready for being roofed in a 7297 few weeks, that is, in July, 1848. 7298

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7299 3, The New Orphan-House has been placed in the hands 7300 of eleven trustees, brethren in the Lord well known to me, 7301 whom I have chosen, that they might watch over the work 7302 and care for it, should the Lord Jesus tarry and take me to 7303 Himself. The deeds have been enrolled in Chancery. 7304 7305 4, The New Orphan-House is intended to accommodate 7306 140 Orphan Girls above seven years, 80 Orphan Boys 7307 above seven years, and 80 male and female Orphans from 7308 their earliest days, till they are seven or eight years of age, 7309 together with all the overseers, teachers and assistants that 7310 may be needed. The Infants, after having passed the age 7311 of seven or eight years, will be removed into the different 7312 departments for older boys and girls. 7313 7314 7315 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge 7316 Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the 7317 period from May 26, 1846 to May 26, 1848. 7318 7319 7320 1, During the whole of this period six Day Schools, with 7321 330 children, were supported by the funds of the 7322 Institution; two Sunday Schools were entirely supported 7323 by it, and a third was occasionally assisted. Again four 7324 from among the Sunday School children were during 7325 these two years received into Church Fellowship. The 7326 total number of the children who received instruction in 7327 the Day Schools of the Institution, from its 7328 commencement up to May 26, 1848, amounted to 4519. 7329 The number of the Adult Scholars, who were instructed 7330

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during this period in the Adult School, which was 7331 supported by the funds of the Institution, amounted to 7332 292; and the total number of adults who had instruction 7333 from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1848, was 1438. The 7334 total of the expenses connected with all these schools, 7335 during these two years, amounted to 886l. 1s. 11 1⁄2 d. 7336 7337 2, During this period were circulated 649 Bibles and 232 7338 New Testaments. There were circulated from March 5, 7339 1834 up to May 26, 1848, 5746 Bibles and 3760 New 7340 Testaments. 74l. 9s. 10d. was expended of the Funds of 7341 the Institution, during this period, on this object. 7342 7343 3, From May 26, 1846 to May 26, 1848 was expended of 7344 the Funds of the Institution on Missionary objects, 1559l. 7345 11. 6d., whereby 43 labourers in the Gospel, at Rome and 7346 Abroad, were assisted. 7347 7348 4, During this period 64,021 Tracts were circulated, and 7349 the sum of 63l. 1s. 5d. was expended on this object of the 7350 funds of the Institution. The total number of Tracts 7351 circulated from Nov. 19, 1840 to May 26, 1848, amounted 7352 to 163,668. 7353 7354 5, There were received into the four Orphan-Houses, from 7355 May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, Fifty-one Orphans, who, 7356 together with those who were in the four Houses on May 7357 26, 18413, made up 172 in all. Of these: 1. Five children 7358 died, two as decided believers, one not without some 7359 hope, and two as infants. This was the greatest number of 7360 deaths we had had for many years; and yet how small is 7361 even the number five out of 172 within two years, if it be 7362

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remembered that we received children as young as two 7363 years old; and if it be further remembered that the very 7364 fact of such young children being bereaved of BOTH 7365 parents is, generally, a plain proof that their parents were 7366 very sickly and unhealthy persons, as indeed has generally 7367 been the case, since the greater part of the parents of these 7368 children died in consumption, which I learn from the 7369 certificates of their death. 2. One of the Orphans, who had 7370 been above ten years in the house, left the Institution 7371 without leave, and went to her friends for two or three 7372 days; and for an example to the other children was not 7373 taken back again, when her friends wished her to return. 7374 3. Three of the elder girls, who had been several years in 7375 the house, were taken back to their relatives and not 7376 suffered to remain any longer, because of improper 7377 behaviour towards their teacher. All three, however, were 7378 of an age to go to service, and would have been shortly 7379 placed out, had they behaved better. 4. Four of the 7380 children were dismissed because of malignant skin or 7381 other diseases, remedies having failed: and in these cases, 7382 for the sake of the other children, we were obliged to send 7383 them back to their relatives till they might he cured. 5. 7384 Seven children were taken back by their relatives, who by 7385 that time were able to provide for them, after they had 7386 been for several years in the Orphan-Houses. Some of 7387 them were able to earn their own bread by that time, and 7388 were of use to their relatives. I always act on the principle 7389 of at once giving up the Orphans, to their relatives, if they 7390 say that they are able to provide for them; having 7391 continually a considerable number of very destitute 7392 Orphans waiting for admission. 6. Nine boys were 7393

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apprenticed. 7. Twenty-one girls were sent out to service, 7394 eight of whom had been for some time believers. 7395 7396 There were on May 26, 1848, One Hundred and Twenty-7397 two Orphans in the Four Houses. The number of the 7398 Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, to 7399 May 26, 1848, was 264. The total amount of expenditure 7400 in connexion with the support of the Orphans from May 7401 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, was 3228l. 5s. 11d. 7402 7403 I notice further the following points in connexion with the 7404 Orphan-Houses. 7405 7406 1. Without any one having been personally applied to for 7407 anything by me, the sum of 24,771l. 19s. 8 3⁄4 d. was 7408 given to me as the result of prayer to God from the 7409 commencement of the work up to May 26, 1848. This 7410 sum includes the 11,062l. 4s. 11 1/2 d, which up to May 7411 26, 1848 had been given towards the Building Fund. (It 7412 may be. interesting to the reader to know that the total 7413 amount which was given as free contributions, for the 7414 other objects, 7415 7416 7417 from the commencement of the work, up to May 26, 7418 1848, was 7,060l. 14s. 1 3⁄4 d.; and that which came in by 7419 the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payment of the 7420 children in the day-schools, amounted to 2,373l. 3s. 7 1⁄2 7421 d.) 2. Besides this, also a great variety and number of 7422 articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c. were given 7423 for the use of the Orphans. 7424 7425

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7426 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the 7427 work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected 7428 with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, from May 26, 7429 1846 to May 26, 1848. 7430 7431 7432 July 21, 1846, In very great need respecting my own 7433 personal expenses, and immediately after I had prayed 7434 respecting it, I received from a Christian gentleman of 7435 Torquay 1l. 7436 7437 July 23. Immediately after prayer for my own personal 7438 expenses, being in need, I received from the 7439 neighbourhood of Leeds 2l. 7440 7441 July 25. While I was on my knees in prayer, asking the 7442 Lord for means for myself, 1l. came to me from Bath. 7443 7444 Aug. 5. Being still much in need, and having asked the 7445 Lord for means, I received yesterday evening 1l. 0s. 3d., 7446 being some money due to me, and today from 7447 Teignmouth 1l. as a present. 7448 7449 Dec. 31, 1846. During this year there have been received 7450 into Fellowship 66. 7451 7452 The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year 7453 7454 1, Through the boxes. . . . £165 15 1 1⁄2 7455 7456 2, Through believers in Bristol, not 7457

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7458 anonymously . . . . 81 13 1 1⁄2 7459 7460 3, Through believers not residing in 7461 7462 Bristol . . . . . 136 14 8 7463 7464 4, Through presents in articles, worth 7465 7466 at least . . . . 15 0 0 7467 7468 —————— 7469 7470 £399 2 11 7471 7472 7473 To this is again to be added, what I have enlarged on in a 7474 former chapter, that during the whole of this year also my 7475 daughter was, free of all expenses, at a boarding school. 7476 This was worth about 50l. 7477 7478 In November, 1847, I had a most remarkable deliverance, 7479 which to the praise of the Lord is here recorded, as it is a 7480 further illustration of how the Lord watches over His 7481 children. 7482 7483 I was labouring for a little while at Bowness and Keswick 7484 in the ministry of the Word in October and November 7485 When at Keswick, I stayed with my dear wife in a large 7486 boarding-house, in which, however, we were then alone, 7487 except a single gentleman. Just before we left Keswick, 7488 on the morning of Nov. 24th, I heard that the gentleman, 7489

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lodging in the same house, had shot himself during the 7490 night, but was not quite dead. We had not heard the report 7491 of the pistol, it being a very stormy night, and the house 7492 large. Two days after, I received from a Christian brother 7493 at Keswick the following information respecting the 7494 transaction. 7495 7496 7497 Keswick, Nov. 25, 1847. 7498 7499 "Dear Mr. Muller, 7500 7501 7502 The tender and Almighty care of our loving Father was 7503 never more over you, and indeed over all of us, than in 7504 your stay at Mrs. . . . .’s. Mr. . . . . . was quite deranged for 7505 two or three days before you left. Without any control, he 7506 had been walking about his room for the last two days and 7507 nights, with loaded-pistols in his hands. Furthermore he 7508 had taken into his head that you were going to kill him. 7509 How gracious of God, that he spread His wings over you, 7510 and over dear Mrs. Müller, so that Satan could not break 7511 through the fence, to hurt even a hair of your heads. 7512 Speaking after the manner of men, there was nothing to 7513 have hindered him coming into the room, where we were 7514 all at tea, 9 and firing amongst us; but the Lord was our 7515 refuge and fortress, and preserved us from danger, which 7516 we knew not of. He shot himself in the neck and the 7517 breast, but is not dead. He has a strait-waistcoat on. I 7518 assisted in cutting his clothes off, and in other little 7519 offices, needed at such a time, and told him of Christ’s 7520 love in dying for poor sinners. ‘I know it,’ he said. He 7521

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shot himself the first time about three o’clock in the 7522 morning, and again about seven. What a scene his room 7523 presented. Pistols lying in gore. Bloody knives, lancets, 7524 and razors strewed about the floor." Etc. 7525 7526 7527 I add an extract from a second letter, written by the same 7528 Christian brother, because it shows still further, how very 7529 merciful the Lord was to us at that time, in protecting us. 7530 7531 7532 "Mr. —— is still alive, and has been removed by his 7533 friends into Yorkshire. It appears, insanity is in his family, 7534 his father being at this time in an asylum. It is evident that 7535 he had the pistols in his pockets, but of this no one knew 7536 until after the occurrence took place. I do not know what 7537 time of night you went to bed; but I judge it was about 7538 ten. If so, it was at ten o’clock Mr. — came down from 7539 his bedroom, after having been there six hours. It was a 7540 mercy you did not meet him, as it is plain that he had 7541 loaded pistols on his person." 7542 7543 7544 Dec. 31, 1847. There have been received into Fellowship, 7545 during this year, 39: and altogether, since Mr. Craik and I 7546 began labouring in Bristol, 1157, besides the 68 whom we 7547 found in Fellowship. Of these 1225, 143 have fallen 7548 asleep, 70 are under church discipline, 78 have left us, and 7549 259 have left Bristol; so that there are only 675 actually in 7550 communion. 7551 7552 During this year the Lord has been pleased to give me. 7553

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7554 1, Through the boxes. . . . £140 6 11 1⁄2 7555 7556 2, Through believers in Bristol, not 7557 7558 anonymously . . . . . 57 3 6 7559 7560 3, Through believers, not residing in 7561 7562 Bristol . . . . . 127 3 6 7563 7564 4, By a legacy of £100 Stock . . 73 4 9 7565 7566 5, Through presents in articles, worth to 7567 7568 us at least . . . . 15 0 0 7569 7570 ——————— 7571 7572 £412 18 84 7573 7574 To this is again to be added the free education of my dear 7575 daughter, at a boarding school, worth to us at least 7576 7577 50l. 7578 7579 In April, 1848, I was enabled, by the help of the Lord, to 7580 complete all the arrangements for the publication of the 7581 Narrative of the Lord’s Dealings with me in the French 7582 language; and about September of the same year the book 7583 appeared under the following title: Exposé de quelques-7584

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unes des dispensations de Dieu envers Georges Müller. 7585 Paris, librairie Protestante, Rue Tronchet, 2. 7586 7587 7588 Supplies for the School—Bible-—Missionary and Tract 7589 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1848, to 7590 May 26, 1850. 7591 7592 7593 When this period of the work commenced, I had for these 7594 various objects 5l. 19s. 7 1⁄4 d. in hand, a sum so small, 7595 that, without the help of God, I could not have gone on 7596 even for a few days; for during this period our average 7597 expenditure for one single day, merely for this part of the 7598 work, was as much as the whole balance left in hand. 7599 Now see how God carried me through, in meeting the 7600 expenditure of the thousands of pounds which were laid 7601 out for these objects, irrespective of the Orphan work, 7602 from May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850. 7603 7604 On the very next day, after the accounts were closed, May 7605 27, 1848, I received from Westmoreland 5l., being the 7606 first donation during this period towards this part of the 7607 work, of which sum one half was intended by the donor 7608 for the current expenses of the Orphans, and the other half 7609 for these objects. On the following day, May 28, was 7610 anonymously put into the Chapel boxes for missions 1s. 7611 6d. and 2d. Now it happened that all the expenses, 7612 connected with these objects, during the first two days 7613 amounted only to about 3l:, which I was able to meet by 7614 what had come in and the balance left in hand; and on 7615 May 29th I received 100l. As the application of this sum 7616

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was left to me, I took one half of it for the Orphans, and 7617 the other half for these objects. — Thus I was supplied 7618 with means to meet the expenses which came on me the 7619 following day, May 30th, when I had to pay the weekly 7620 salaries of the teachers in the Day Schools. 7621 7622 June 9. Great has been my desire, and many have been my 7623 prayers to God, that He would be pleased to condescend 7624 to use me still further, in allowing me the privilege of 7625 helping brethren who labour in the word and doctrine, at 7626 home and abroad, without any salary, as I have been able 7627 to do but very little for them comparatively during the last 7628 four months. Now at last, in answer to my prayers, I have 7629 received this morning 160l. for home and foreign 7630 labourers. — The Lord may see it needful, for the trial of 7631 our faith, to seem for a season not to regard our 7632 supplications; yet, if we patiently and believingly continue 7633 to wait upon Him, it will be manifest in His own time and 7634 way, that we did not call upon Him in vain. 7635 7636 July 12. My soul has been longing for farther supplies for 7637 home and foreign labourers, to whom I have sent of late 7638 all I could. Almost all the letters received from the 7639 brethren, to whom I have sent money, have shown to me 7640 their great need. Some were in the greatest necessity when 7641 my remittances were received by them. Under these 7642 circumstances a donation of 117l. 2s. 7d. came in this 7643 morning, of which I took 50l. for these objects, and 67l. 7644 2s. 7d. for the Orphans. 7645 7646 Aug. 19. Today all the means for home and foreign 7647 labourers were again gone. Also for the support of the 7648

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various schools and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures 7649 and Tracts, scarcely anything remained; 48l. were in hand, 7650 yet, considering the liabilities for rent, &c., not more than 7651 5l. of this sum at most could be considered available. 7652 When I had, therefore, so little, there came in 267l. Thus 7653 my heart is made glad, for I am able to send help to many 7654 brethren in these days of peculiar distress. 7655 7656 Oct. 26. This evening there was given to me anonymously 7657 at Salem Chapel a sealed paper, which contained two 7658 sovereigns and these words: "For what most needs." I 7659 took this donation for these objects, as I have now 7660 scarcely any money left towards paying the weekly 7661 salaries of the teachers in the Day Schools next Tuesday. 7662 Oct. 31st. We have not been so poor with regard to these 7663 objects since the accounts were closed. But I hope in God. 7664 7665 Oct. 28. I received from Calne 2l. 7666 7667 Oct. 30. Received from Bath 1l. 7668 7669 Oct. 31. There having come in this 5l., and 1l. 10s. 9d. 7670 besides, by the sale of Tracts, I had enough to pay the 7671 weekly salaries of the teachers. 7672 7673 Nov. 4. Saturday. There were now again only a few 7674 shillings in hand towards paying next Tuesday the weekly 7675 salaries of the teachers in the Day Schools, when I 7676 received this morning from the neighbourhood of Leeds 7677 5l. 7678 7679 Nov. 5. There was put into the boxes at Bethesda 2s. 6d. 7680

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7681 Nov. 6. Received 1l. 0s. 6d. 7682 7683 No-v. 7. This evening I found, that, by what had come in 7684 during the 4th, 5th and 6th in the way of donations, and by 7685 the sale of Tracts during this week, there was more than 7686 enough to pay the weekly salaries. 7687 7688 Nov. 9. Only a few shillings were left in my hands on 7689 Tuesday evening, the 7th instant, towards the weekly 7690 salaries of the teachers, for the coming week. Also almost 7691 all the Tracts are again gone, and it is nearly four weeks, 7692 since I paid out the last money in hand for missionary 7693 objects. As to this latter point, my heart had been 7694 especially longing to be able to send again help to home 7695 and foreign labourers, knowing how very great the need 7696 of many is. Thus I was situated with regard to means 7697 when I received today 1000l., of which sum I took 300l. 7698 for these objects, 100l. for the support of the Orphans, and 7699 600l. for the Building-Fund. The Lord be praised for this 7700 most precious help, which is doubly precious on account 7701 of the seasonable time in which it comes! 7702 7703 Nov. 16. Yesterday and today I have sent out more than 7704 one hundred pounds to brethren who labour at home and 7705 abroad, and the. Lord has sent again further supplies; for I 7706 received today from C. W. 40l. for home and foreign 7707 labourers. 7708 7709 Jan. 15. 1849. The means for the circulation of Bibles and 7710 Tracts, and for all the various Schools, and for helping 7711 missionary efforts had now been reduced to 15l. It had 7712

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been during the last days especially my prayer, that the 7713 Lord would be pleased to give me fresh supplies for 7714 brethren who labour in the word and doctrine at home and 7715 abroad, as I had not been able to do any thing for any of 7716 them during the last fortnight, for want of means. I desired 7717 also more means for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, 7718 as several thousands of Tracts had been going out during 7719 the last few days, and as also quite recently there had been 7720 many openings found for the circulation of the Holy 7721 Scriptures among very poor persons. Now the Lord has 7722 again given me a precious answer of prayer. I received 7723 this morning a donation of 200l., to be used as any of the 7724 objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution might 7725 need help. The donor, however, kindly wished me to take 7726 25l. for myself. I took this 175l. for these objects, and thus 7727 I am again supplied with means for the various Schools, 7728 for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and have 7729 something for aiding brethren who labour in the word and 7730 doctrine, as I purpose to use 100l. for them. The Lord be 7731 praised for this precious help! 7732 7733 I have received still farther today for missions 23l. 5s. 7734 7735 Jan. 17. Today I have received still further help from the 7736 Lord in a donation of 125l. for these objects. How 7737 manifest it is by all these sums, large and small, received 7738 from God in answer to prayer, that He does not allow me 7739 to call upon Him in vain! 7740 7741 Feb. 19. A brother in the Lord, who had sold his earthly 7742 possession, for the purpose of spending the proceeds of it 7743 for the Lord, sent me 120l. as a part, of which he wished 7744

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me to use 100l. for missions, 5l. for the Orphans, 10l. for 7745 another object not to be mentioned, to give 2l. 10s. to 7746 brother Craik, and to take 2l. 10s. for myself. 7747 7748 Feb. 20. Today I have received still further 200l. of which 7749 I took 100l. for these objects, and 100l. for the. Orphans, 7750 as the disposal of this sum was entirely left to me. — I do 7751 especially rejoice in all these considerable donations, 7752 partly, because they enable me to assist so many faithful 7753 servants of Jesus Christ, who labour for Him in 7754 dependence upon Him for their temporal supplies; and, 7755 partly, because they prove that the work of God may be 7756 carried on in dependence upon Him alone for pecuniary 7757 means, not merely on a small but also on a large scale. 7758 See! dear Christian reader, without making any effort 7759 whatever, simply in answer to prayer, without personal 7760 application to any one, all these sums come in. And thus it 7761 has now been going on for more than sixteen years, [was 7762 written in 1850]. Persons said to me fifteen years ago, that 7763 it was impossible to carry on such a work for any length 7764 of time, without regular subscriptions; for the interest 7765 which was taken in it at first, would wear off. I never 7766 believed such statements. I was assured in my inmost soul 7767 that, if the work of God was carried on in God’s way, that 7768 was the best pledge that it would be provided by God with 7769 pecuniary means. Thus I have found it ever since March 7770 5, 1834, when this work commenced. For since that time I 7771 have received above Forty-four Thousand Pounds 7772 altogether, [up to May 26 1850 only]; and the Lord has so 7773 enlarged the work and helped me, that during the last 7774 three years I have had the privilege of paying away in His 7775 service, in connexion with this work, about Twenty-five 7776

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Thousand Pounds; nor have 1 had during this period in 7777 any one instance to meet a payment, without being 7778 previously provided by the Lord with means for it. If it 7779 pleased the Lord to condescend to use me further in this 7780 way, He could so order it that even a still larger field of 7781 labour were intrusted to me, which would require still 7782 greater sums. Truly, it must be manifest to all simple 7783 hearted children of God, who will carefully read the 7784 accounts respecting this Institution, that He is most 7785 willing to attend to the supplications of His children, who 7786 in their need cry to Him; and to make this manifest is the 7787 great object I aim at, through the means of this Institution. 7788 7789 March 13. The same donor who sent me on Feb. 19th the 7790 donation of 120l., sent me today 100l. more for missions. 7791 7792 March 15. From C. W. for missions 30l. 7793 7794 April 1. Anonymously through Bethesda boxes 2d. for 7795 missions. Anonymously through Salem boxes 30l., with 7796 these words: "5l. for dear brother Müller, 5l. for dear 7797 brother Craik, 5l. for the poor, 5l: for the rent, 5l. for 7798 missionary work, 5l. for the Scriptural Knowledge 7799 Institution." The last mentioned 5l. I took for the 7800 circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for the various 7801 Schools. 7802 7803 April 15. Anonymously through Salem boxes 1d. for 7804 missions. 7805 7806 April 18. Received 250l., which, being entirely left at my 7807 disposal, I took 100l. for the current expenses for the. 7808

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Orphans, and 150l. for these objects. Thus I have 7809 especially the joy, in answer to my daily supplications, of 7810 being able to continue to assist many home and foreign 7811 labourers who labour in the word and doctrine. 7812 7813 May 13. Anonymously for foreign missions 1s. 7814 7815 May 23. Received 360l., of which the kind donor wished 7816 me to take 10l. for my own personal expenses, and the 7817 350l. were left to my disposal, just as the work of the. 7818 Lord in my hands might require it. I took therefore one 7819 half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and the 7820 other half for these objects, and I have thus the means to 7821 continue to send help to home and foreign labourers. 7822 7823 7824 May 27. From the same donor, who gave on Feb. 19th 7825 120l., and on March 13th 100l., 20l. more for missions. 7826 7827 Aug. 4. During the last month I had sent to home and 7828 foreign labourers about 150l., and many heavy extra 7829 expenses had been met for the Schools and the circulation 7830 of Tracts, on which account our means for these objects 7831 began to be reduced, when I received this morning 200l., 7832 which, being left entirely at my disposal as might be most 7833 needed, I took for these objects. 7834 7835 Aug. 9. Anonymously 5l. for home and foreign labourers 7836 in the Word. 7837 7838

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Aug. 30. 50l. from the donor spoken of under May 27th. 7839 Half this sum lie intends for the Orphans and half for 7840 missions. 7841 7842 Sept. 18. I received 100l., to be used as might be most 7843 needed. This sum came after I had repeatedly asked the 7844 Lord for more means, as the money in hand for these 7845 objects was now less than it had been for several months. 7846 I took, therefore, the whole of this sum for these objects. 7847 7848 Nov. 3. The means were now again low, lower than they 7849 had been for many months, when I received 200l., which, 7850 being left at my disposal as most needed, I took entirely 7851 for these objects. 7852 7853 Dec. 7. Before our means were exhausted for these 7854 objects, when there. was yet 140l. in hand, I received 7855 today a donation of 150l., the disposal of which was left 7856 to me, to use it either for the Orphans or any part of the 7857 work of God in my hands. I took 100l. for these objects, 7858 and 50l. for the Orphans. 7859 7860 Jan. 2, 1850. The new year commences, even as to this 7861 part of the work, with new mercies. There was given to 7862 me 160l., to be used as might be most needed, of which 7863 sum I took 100l. for these objects, and 60l. for the 7864 Orphans. Thus, before all means are expended, while 7865 there is yet about 100l. in hand, the Lord sends me again a 7866 fresh supply, in answer to my daily supplications, 7867 whereby I am enabled to go on with the circulation of 7868 Bibles and Tracts, the meeting of all the expenses 7869 connected with the various Schools, and still further to 7870

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help preachers of the Gospel at home and abroad. — I 7871 take this first donation from the Lord in this new year, as 7872 an earnest that He will help me during the whole of this 7873 year also in regard to means for these objects. 7874 7875 Jan. 30. During this month I had been especially led to 7876 send much assistance to home and foreign labourers. Also 7877 in other respects the expenses for these objects had been 7878 considerable. On this account the funds for them had been 7879 reduced to about 80l., when I received this evening 450l., 7880 of which the donor kindly wished me to take 50l. for my 7881 own personal expenses, to give to Brother Craik 50l., and 7882 to use the other as might be most needed. I took therefore 7883 200l. for the Orphans, 50l. for foreign missions, 25l. for 7884 home missionaries, 25l. for the Day Schools for poor 7885 children and for the Adult School and the Sunday School, 7886 25l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, and 25l. for the 7887 circulation of the Holy Scriptures. 7888 7889 Feb. 10. Received 180l., which the donor left to my 7890 disposal, as it might be most needed for the work of God 7891 in my hands; he only desired in his kindness that I should 7892 take 20l. of it for my own purse. As there is a considerable 7893 sum in hand at present for the supplies of the Orphans, I 7894 took the whole of this donation for tile other objects, 7895 whereby I am enabled to go on more and more in aiding 7896 missionary work, and in continuing the circulation of 7897 Bibles and Tracts. — I have great delight in showing also 7898 by this and other instances to which reference has been 7899 made, how the Lord is mindful of my own temporal 7900 necessities, whilst I endeavour to serve Him, in entire 7901 reliance on Him for what I need with regard to this life, 7902

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without any salary or any regular income whatever, so 7903 that He not only gives me as much as I absolutely need, 7904 but most bountifully supplies me; for generally I receive 7905 from Him far more than 1 need for myself and family. 7906 7907 March 23. During the last six weeks has been paid out for 7908 the School—Bible—Tract and Missionary objects alone 7909 about 270l., and very little comparatively has been 7910 received. On this account came in most seasonably, and 7911 very manifestly in answer to prayer, a donation of 152l. 7912 3s. 6d., which I received this morning, and which I took 7913 for these objects, to replenish our means for them. 7914 7915 March 30. From C. W. 30l. for foreign missions. 7916 7917 May 3. During the last month but very little was received 7918 for these objects, whilst, for missionary purposes alone, 7919 113l. was paid out. Now this morning I received a 7920 registered letter, containing 60l. with these words: 7921 7922 7923 "———— May 1, 1850. 7924 7925 "Dear Brother, 7926 7927 "I send you 50l, for the missionaries, and 10l. for the 7928 Orphans, having just sold out part of my property in the 7929 funds. It pleases me to find that your new Report will 7930 soon be out. 7931 7932 Believe me to be, dear brother, 7933 7934

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Yours truly in Christ, 7935 7936 * * * *" 7937 7938 7939 This donation came after many prayers to the Lord for 7940 supplies. The work is now large. The outgoings are great. 7941 During the last month were again expended about 500l. 7942 for the various objects of the Institution, nor have I any 7943 prospect that the expenses will decrease; yea, I have no 7944 desire that they should. I have as great satisfaction, as 7945 much joy, in writing checks for large amounts upon my 7946 bankers, as I have joy in paying over to them checks, or 7947 bank orders, or large notes, which I receive from the 7948 living God, by means of donors, for this work. For the 7949 money is of no more value to me than as I can use it for 7950 God; and the more I can pay out for the work of God, the 7951 more prospect I have of being again supplied by Him; and 7952 the larger the sum is, which I can obtain from Him, in 7953 answer to prayer only, the greater the proof of the 7954 blessedness and the reality of this mode of dealing 7955 directly with the living God, for what I need; therefore, I 7956 say, I have as much joy in giving out as in receiving. I 7957 have been devoting myself, for instance, with all my 7958 might, both of body and mind, but especially by labouring 7959 in spirit, to have the Orphan-House filled with children, 7960 not only that thus three hundred destitute Orphans, might 7961 be lodged, boarded, clothed, instructed, and in every way 7962 cared for, bodily, mentally, and spiritually; but also, in 7963 order that thus large sums might be needed and expended, 7964 and I might have a greater call than ever to draw largely 7965 upon the inexhaustible treasures of God. That I do not 7966

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mean, in thus speaking, to say that money so obtained by 7967 prayer may be wasted, will scarcely need to be noticed; 7968 for if any one would obtain means from God by prayer 7969 only, and then waste them, he would soon find that he is 7970 not able to pray in faith for further supplies. 7971 7972 May 7. The donation of 50l. for the missionary brethren, 7973 received four days ago, was very refreshing to my spirit, 7974 and most manifestly to me another answer to prayer; but it 7975 did not hinder me from continuing in prayer for more 7976 means, as I have a great desire to spend again, by God’s 7977 help, considerable sums in connexion with these various 7978 objects, in the course of this month. Moreover, I was 7979 looking out for answers to prayer, and therefore expected 7980 still further means to come in on the 4th, the 5th, and 7981 yesterday; and, as I received nothing, I only prayed the 7982 more earnestly, instead of being discouraged. And thus it 7983 was that I obtained this morning a still further answer to 7984 my supplication, in a donation of 150l., of which I took 7985 half for the Orphans and half for these objects, as the 7986 disposal of the money was left to me. 7987 7988 My dear Christian reader, will you not try this way? Will 7989 you not know for yourself, if as yet you have not known 7990 it, the preciousness and the happiness of this way of 7991 casting all your cares and burdens and necessities upon 7992 God? This way is as open to you as to me. Every one of 7993 the children of God is not called by Him to be engaged in 7994 such a service as that to which He has condescended to 7995 call me; but every one is invited and commanded to trust 7996 in the Lord, to trust in Him with all his heart, and to cast 7997 his burden upon Him, and to call upon Him in the day of 7998

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trouble. Will you not do this, my dear brethren in Christ? I 7999 long that you may do so. I desire that you may taste the 8000 sweetness of that state of heart, in which, while 8001 surrounded by difficulties and necessities, you can yet be 8002 at peace, because you know that the living God, your 8003 Father in heaven, cares for you. Should, however, any one 8004 read this, who is not reconciled to God, but is still going 8005 on in the ways of sin and carelessness, unbelief and self-8006 righteousness, then let me say to such, that it is 8007 impossible, that you should have confidence to come 8008 boldly to God in such a state, and I therefore ask you to 8009 make confession of your sins to Him, and to put your trust 8010 for eternity entirely in the merits of the Lord Jesus, that 8011 you may obtain the forgiveness of your sins. Again, 8012 should any one read this who has believed in the Lord 8013 Jesus, but who is now again living in sin, who is again 8014 regarding iniquity in his heart, let not such a one be 8015 surprised that he has no confidence toward God, and that 8016 he does not know the blessedness of having answers to his 8017 prayers; for it is written: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, 8018 the Lord will not hear me: but verily God bath heard me; 8019 He hath attended to the voice of my prayer." Ps. lxvi. 18, 8020 19. The first thing such a one has to do is, to forsake his 8021 evil course, to make confession of it, and to know afresh 8022 the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus on his 8023 conscience, by putting his trust in that precious blood, in 8024 order that he may obtain confidence toward God. 8025 8026 8027 Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to 8028 prayer, from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850. 8029 8030

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8031 When the accounts were closed on May 26, 1848, I had in 8032 hand a balance of 1l. 10s. 3 3⁄4 d. With this amount then 8033 we began, whilst day by day above one hundred and thirty 8034 persons were to be provided for in the four Orphan-8035 Houses in Wilson Street. Nor was there any money 8036 besides available except what had been advanced to the 8037 four matrons in the various Orphan-Houses for the week’s 8038 house-keeping, which was already more than half 8039 expended; and I had on the 30th to advance again many 8040 pounds for the following week. Place yourself now, dear 8041 reader, in my position, in order that you may the more 8042 clearly see the hand of God in what follows. 8043 8044 On the very next day, after the accounts were closed, May 8045 27, 1848, I received from Westmoreland five pounds, half 8046 of which sum was intended by the donor for the Orphans, 8047 and half for the other objects. This donation I took as an 8048 earnest out of the hands of the living God, that during the 8049 whole of this period also He would provide for these 8050 many Orphans, as He had done in former years. 8051 8052 May 28. Received anonymously 3s. 9 1⁄2 d., and from A. 8053 S. A. 10s. 2 1⁄2 d. 8054 8055 May 29. Today I have received 100l., which, being left to 8056 me as most needed, I took half for the Orphans, and half 8057 for the other objects. How kind of the Lord to refresh my 8058 heart thus in sending me this seasonable help at the very 8059 commencement of this period, as there was so little left in 8060 hand when the accounts were closed three days since and 8061

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how especially kind, as tomorrow evening again nearly 8062 20l. will have to be advanced for house-keeping! 8063 8064 June 20. 81l. 8s. 4d. had come in since May 26th. Without 8065 any difficulty I had been able to meet all the expenses as 8066 they occurred; but now all our money was gone, and this 8067 evening I had again to advance the means for a week’s 8068 house-keeping, whilst there was nothing in hand. Now 8069 observe, dear reader, how the Lord helped me! Whilst I 8070 was in the very act of beseeching the Lord for fresh 8071 supplies, two sisters in the Lord called, who desired to see 8072 my dear wife for a few minutes. It was for the purpose of 8073 giving her fifteen pounds for the Orphans. — About half 8074 an hour after, a brother from Devonshire called, who, on 8075 leaving, gave me 5l. for the Orphans. This evening I 8076 received still further from Norwich 1l. 1s., together with 8077 an eye-glass and a parcel of clothes. There was received 8078 also 1s. for Reports. Also a Christian brother from 8079 Barnstaple gave me half a sovereign. Thus I was able to 8080 meet the house-keeping expenses for the coming week, 8081 and to order 2 cwt. of soap, which was needed, amounting 8082 altogether to 20l. 10s., and have 1l. 2s. left. The day began 8083 and I had nothing, and yet the Lord enabled me to meet all 8084 its demands, and I have 1l. 2s. over. 8085 8086 June 21. The Lord is already beginning to give fresh 8087 supplies towards the need of the coming week. This 8088 morning was sent to me from Essex a large silver mug. 8089 There has come in further today from Bath 5s., by sale of 8090 Reports 1s., by sale of a book 1s., from South Molton 2s. 8091 6d., from a lady near Bristol 5s., and through an Orphan-8092 box 11s. 6d. and a silver thimble. 8093

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8094 June. 23. From Merriott l4s. 4d., from Dundry 5s., 8095 through A. S. A. 1s. 6d., from a sister 5s., by sale of 8096 Reports 3s. 4d, by sale of articles 1l. 4s. 10d., by the 8097 children’s knitting 4s. 6d., and from the Isle of Wight 14s. 8098 7d. 8099 8100 June 25. Anonymously from Teignmouth 5l., through 8101 Bethesda boxes 6d., ditto 2d. 8102 8103 June 26. From L. M. 1s. 1d., brother F.’s Orphan-box 1s. 8104 1d., by profit from the sale of ladies’ baskets 10s., 8105 anonymously 1s., ditto 6d., ditto 1d. 8106 8107 June 27. By sale of articles 17s. 3d., from Clifton 10s., 8108 from a sister 10s., through a box in my room 10s., from 8109 Tiverton 5s., and through the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 8110 4l. 5s. 2d. — Thus we have bad again this evening, in 8111 answer to prayer, all the means required for the 8112 housekeeping expenses of the coming week, and have a 8113 few shillings left. 8114 8115 July 4. Though this day week I had all the means requisite 8116 for advancing the house-keeping expenses for this week, 8117 yet, after having done so, there remained only a few 8118 shillings. I had therefore again to seek help from God 8119 respecting the means requisite for this evening, besides 8120 means for other expenses, which in the course of the week 8121 might come upon me, as the regular house-keeping 8122 expenses are not one half of the whole of the expenses for 8123 the Orphans. Now, during this week also, I have been 8124 helped by the Lord in the following manner: — 8125

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8126 On June 28th I received from Uppingham 10s., and 10s., 8127 and 1s. Also by sale of Reports came in 6s. — On June 8128 30th was sent from Tetbury 10s. — On July 1st a brother 8129 in the Lord gave me 10l. — On July 2nd from A. S. A. 1l., 8130 and from a sister 5s. Also anonymously 4s., ditto 10s., 8131 ditto 1s. 6d. — On July 3rd from a brother 1l.—-July 4th. 8132 By sale of articles 2l. 3s. 6 1⁄2 d., and by knitting and 8133 needlework 6l. 13s. 10d. — Thus I was again able to 8134 advance this evening the means for the house-keeping 8135 expenses of the coming week, and have a few shillings 8136 left. 8137 8138 July 6. The more the Lord is pleased to help me, the more, 8139 by His grace, I have confidence in Him. Therefore, though 8140 there were only a few shillings left the evening before 8141 last, I set myself to prayer that God would be pleased to 8142 send everything requisite for continuing this work. 8143 Accordingly, two ladies left today, anonymously, at the. 8144 Infant Orphan-House, 2 old foreign gold watches, an old 8145 silver watch, a small gold chain, 6 gold mourning rings, a 8146 pair of gold earrings, and 2 necklaces. There was also 8147 given today 10s., and 2s. 2 1⁄2 d. came in by sale of 8148 Reports. 8149 8150 July 7. From Edmonton 1l. From a Christian lettercarrier 8151 10s., from a sister 2s. 6d., and from M. R. 5l. 8152 8153 July 8. Through sister C. from a friend 2s., from M. 2s., 8154 from D. 1s., and from sister F. 1s. 1d. 8155 8156

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July 9. From A. S. A. 10s. Also a brother has brought me 8157 this evening 5l. 8158 8159 July 10. From Street 2s., through Salem boxes 3d., and by 8160 knitting 10s. 9d. 8161 8162 July 11. By sale of trinkets, &c. 14l. 13s. 7d. From 8163 Gloucester 1l., from Tenby 1s. 6d., anonymously 5s., and 8164 from one of the labourers in the work 3s. — Thus I had 8165 again this evening enough to meet the ordinary 8166 housekeeping expenses for the coming week, but I am 8167 now looking out for fresh supplies to meet the expenses 8168 connected with ordering a fresh quantity of oatmeal from 8169 Scotland, &c. 8170 8171 July 12. The Lord has quickly given me an answer, and 8172 granted the desire of my heart. I received this morning a 8173 donation of 117l. 2s. 7d., to be used as the work of God in 8174 my hands might require. Of this sum I took 67l. 2s. 7d. for 8175 the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects. 8176 8177 Aug. 1. From July 12th up to this day we were 8178 comfortably provided with means; but this evening, at our 8179 usual prayer-meeting, I had only 8l. to give to the four 8180 matrons towards the house-keeping expenses of the 8181 coming week, which I did give in the full assurance that 8182 the Lord would provide more by the time that this sum 8183 was expended, if not before. — Now see how God at this 8184 time also helped in His faithful love, and thereby proved 8185 that we did not call upon Him in vain. On the next day, 8186 Aug. 2, I received from London 1l., from Buttevant 1s. 8187 6d., from "a Leamington grocer" 2s. 6d., from Bedminster 8188

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5s., and by sale of Reports 10s. 6d. — On Aug. 3rd came 8189 in by the sale of Reports 1s., from Langport 7l. 4s., from a 8190 very poor widow 2s., and 8s. besides. — On Aug. 5th was 8191 received from Mr. G. B. C. 1l. 1s., from Marbury 6d., 8192 from Brighton 10s., from Ayrshire 1l., and from Newbury 8193 1l. — On Aug. 6, from the. neighbourhood of Wotton-8194 under Edge 7s., and by profit by the sale of ladies’ baskets 8195 10s. — On Aug. 7th from a Christian lady 1l., by sale of 8196 Reports 1s., from a sister 10s., through the Chapel-boxes 8197 2s. 6d., and 6d., from Tockington 1l. 1s., through the 8198 Orphan-boxes in my house 13s. 6d., from Northam 2l., 8199 and from Cork 1l. On Aug. 8th by sale of articles 18s. 2 8200 1⁄2 d. By sale of Reports 8s. Thus I had everything which 8201 was requisite for the expenses of the past week, and had 8202 this evening, Tuesday, even 7l. left to advance towards the 8203 house-keeping expenses of the coming week. My hope 8204 and prayer is, that the Lord will be pleased to send in 8205 more means before this is gone, as it will only suffice till 8206 Friday morning. 8207 8208 Aug. 9. The Lord has been very kind today, and proved 8209 afresh that none who trust in Him shall be confounded. 8210 There has come in by the sale of Reports ll. 13s. 10d., by 8211 sale of another book given for sale 9d., and from 8212 Clevedon 10s., together with a pair of gold ear-drops, a 8213 buckle, and a pencil case. This evening, while I was 8214 walking in my little garden, lifting up my heart for further 8215 supplies for the work of God in my hands, there was given 8216 to me a registered letter from Liverpool, containing 20l. 8217 for the Orphans. There came also from Lymington 5s. 8218 Thus I am able to send the remainder of the money which 8219 is needed for house-keeping expenses for this week. 8220

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8221 Aug. 10. The Lord has sent in still further supplies in 8222 answer to prayer. From a brother I received 1l., from the 8223 Isle of Wight 5l., from Bath 5l., from Barking 2 gold 8224 seals, 2 pairs of gold ear-rings, 2 gold brooches, a gold 8225 snap, a bead necklace, and a small telescope. 8226 8227 Aug. 11. By sale of Reports 1l. 9s. 2d. From Bath 5l. 8228 8229 Aug. 12. From Norfolk 1l. 10s. 8230 8231 Aug. 13. Anonymously 2s. 6d., ditto 6d., ditto 1s. 8232 8233 Aug. 14. By profit from the sale of ladies’ baskets 1l. 8234 8235 Aug. 15. Through a box in my house 10s., by sale of 8236 articles 15s. 2d., by sale of Reports 2l. 0s. 6d., 8237 anonymously 2s., from Keswick 1s., from one of the 8238 labourers in the work 10s., and from Chelsea with a great 8239 variety of articles 7s. 8d., 7 1⁄4 d., and 1s. I received also 8240 from Bath 2 mourning rings. 8241 8242 Aug. 16, Wednesday. This afternoon I received from a 8243 brother, who had sold the greater part of his little 8244 property, 20l., of which he wished me to take 10l. for the 8245 Building Fund and 10l. for present use for the Orphans. 8246 Thus I have received for the Orphans altogether in money, 8247 besides many articles, since yesterday week the 8th, 61l. 8248 15s. 8 1⁄4 d., whereby I have been enabled to supply the 8249 means which were yet needed for house-keeping; and I 8250 had likewise sufficient to advance last evening all that is 8251 needed for house-keeping for this week, and to meet 38l. 8252

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2s. 6d. extra expenses, which have come upon me during 8253 the last eight days. How seasonable were, therefore, the 8254 various donations which the Lord was pleased to send me 8255 since the 8th, and how manifestly did they come in 8256 answer to prayer! But now I have again scarcely anything 8257 left, which, however, does not cast me down, as I shall go 8258 afresh, by God’s help, to His inexhaustible treasures. 8259 8260 Aug. 22. Tuesday evening. The Lord has again been 8261 pleased to send me since last Wednesday morning 17l. 8262 14s. 9d., so that, together with the little which was left last 8263 Tuesday evening, I was able to advance the money needed 8264 for house-keeping during the coming week. The Lord was 8265 pleased to provide me with means for this in the following 8266 manner. On Aug. 17th came in 9s. 10d. from Clifton. On 8267 Aug. 18th was received by sale of Reports 2l. 1s., and by 8268 a donation from Acklow 1l. Also a brother from Bath left 8269 anonymously at the Boys’ Orphan-House two sovereigns. 8270 On Aug 19th a brother from the neighbourhood of Stroud 8271 sent me 5l., of which he kindly wished me to take 1l. for 8272 my own personal expenses and to use the 4l. as most 8273 needed, which I took for the Orphans. Received also 9s. 8274 by sale of Reports. On Aug. 20th I received 6s. 6d. and 6s. 8275 10d., being the contents of two Orphan-boxes, also from 8276 the neighbourhood of Keynsham 1l., from the 8277 neighbourhood of Royston 1l. and from Batheaston 10s. 8278 — Aug. 21. Through a box in my house 1l., from 8279 Doncaster 10s., by sale of Reports 18s., and from the Isle 8280 of Wight 10s. —Aug. 22. By sale of Reports 17s. 6d, by 8281 sale of articles 12s. 3d., anonymously 1s., from Thornbury 8282 2s. 6d., and anonymously 4d. Thus, then, I had all the 8283 means requisite, and had 11 3⁄4 d. left. — Think of this, 8284

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dear reader! 11 3⁄4 d. I had left and about 130 persons 8285 were daily to be provided for, and yet we did not go into 8286 debt at that time for anything, nor do we now, nor have 8287 we from the commencement of this work. Nor did I make 8288 personal application to any one for anything, nor did I 8289 directly or indirectly speak about our need, so that persons 8290 might be influenced to give. But why not, you may say, 8291 dear reader? Simply because this work has for its first and 8292 primary end the benefit of the Church at large and of the 8293 unconverted world, to show that there is verily a God in 8294 Heaven whose ears are open to those who call upon Him 8295 in the name of the Lord Jesus, and who put their trust in 8296 Him. Cheerfully have I dedicated myself with all my 8297 physical, mental, and spiritual energies to this life of faith 8298 upon the living God, for everything that I need in 8299 connexion with my own personal and family necessities, 8300 and in connexion with the work of God in my hands, if 8301 but by any means, through it, multitudes of believers and 8302 unbelievers may be benefited. Thousands have been 8303 benefited by it already, but tens of thousands my heart 8304 longs to benefit. No trial, no difficulty, no hardships, no 8305 self-denial, will I, by God’s help, count too much, if but 8306 this end may be attained. — I had then, as I said, 11 3⁄4 d. 8307 left. Now observe how the Lord helped me again this time 8308 in answer to the supplications which the evening before, 8309 Aug. 22nd, my fellow-labourers and myself had offered 8310 up to Him. 8311 8312 On Aug. 23rd, the very next day, came in early in the 8313 morning 4s. 6d. by sale of Reports, and a Christian 8314 brother from Barnstaple sent 1l. with Matt. vi. 11 (" Give 8315 us this day our daily bread"). Also from Torquay was sent 8316

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a half-sovereign. From Budleigh Salterton 1l., and from 8317 Weymouth 2l. together with a gold brooch. There arrived 8318 also a parcel from Stowmarket containing the following 8319 little sums; 6d., 7s. 6d., 2s., 2s. 6d., 10s., 6s., and 5s. 8320 There came in also from Bath 18s. for Reports. Thus I 8321 received altogether that day 7l. 5s. 6d,, whereby I was 8322 enabled to order 8 cwt. of rice, as I was informed the 8323 evening before that our store of rice was exhausted. 8324 8325 Aug. 24. By knitting of the children 2s. 3d. 8326 8327 Aug. 25. By sale of Reports 1s., and from F. B. B. 2s. 6d. 8328 8329 Aug. 26. Saturday. Next Tuesday evening again a 8330 considerable sum will be needed for house-keeping, 8331 whilst at the beginning of this day I had nothing yet 8332 towards meeting this demand. Now observe the kindness 8333 of the Lord in helping me again bountifully this day. I 8334 received from a sister at Tottenham 2l., from Norton St. 8335 Philip’s 10s., from a village near Leeds 5l., from 8336 Southwell 10s., from Edinburgh 21l., of which the donor 8337 kindly wished me to take 6l. for my own personal 8338 expenses, and 15l. for the Orphans; and from Thornbury 8339 for Reports 10s. 6d., as a donation, 2 old three-penny 8340 pieces and 20 copper coins, also 5s. from another donor 8341 near Thornbury. 8342 8343 Aug. 27. A half-sovereign was received, but the place of 8344 the donor is not to be mentioned; from an aged Christian 8345 woman 3l. and a pair of silver shirt buttons; and by sale of 8346 Reports 10s. 8347 8348

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Aug. 28. From a sister as the profit from the sa1e of 8349 ladies’ bags 6s. 6d., anonymously 2s. 6d., by sale of 8350 Reports 12s., from Weymouth 2l., also 4s., 1s., and 1s. 8351 6d., and from Ryde 1l. 8352 8353 Aug.29. Anonymously from Torquay 1l. There came in 8354 also by sale of articles 17s. 6d., by sale of Reports 10s. 8355 6d., and from a sister 2s. 6d. — Thus, by the help of God, 8356 we have again received by this Tuesday evening 42l. 3s. 8357 9d., while last Tuesday evening there was only 11 3⁄4 d. 8358 left. How kindly has the Lord therefore, in answer to our 8359 supplications, increased "the handful of meal in the 8360 barrel!" Thus I have been enabled to advance the needful 8361 sum requisite for the house-keeping expenses till next 8362 Tuesday evening, and to meet several extra expenses. The 8363 remainder of the money has been put by for rent, and 8364 towards meeting the current expenses connected with the 8365 apprentices; and I am now again, without anything on 8366 hand, looking to the Lord for fresh supplies. 8367 8368 Now observe, dear reader, how again the Lord helped at 8369 this time also, and notice in particular how, from all parts 8370 of the country, yea from great distances, and sometimes 8371 also from foreign lands, the donations are sent, and most 8372 frequently from persons whom I have never seen, 8373 whereby the hand of God is the more strikingly made 8374 manifest. — I relate now how we were helped in answer 8375 to our prayers, this time, when nothing was left. 8376 8377 Aug. 30. Wednesday evening. I had this evening a long 8378 season for prayer for the work in which I am engaged, and 8379 sought also especially help from God as to means for 8380

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present use for the Orphans. While I was in prayer, a 8381 parcel of clothes was brought from Weymouth for the 8382 benefit of the Orphans, and shortly after another parcel. 8383 There were also sent 2s. 6d. as a donation, and 1s. 6d. for 8384 Reports. A few minutes after I had finished praying, I 8385 received an anonymous letter from Teignmouth, 8386 containing 1l. and these lines; "The Lord permits me to 8387 send you the enclosed. Dear brother, ‘Only believe,’ ‘O 8388 how great is thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for 8389 them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them 8390 that trust in Thee before the sons of men.’ Yours ever in 8391 Him." — How again has been fulfilled in my experience 8392 that word "Only believe!" I am now looking out for more, 8393 for I shall shortly again need many pounds, for the current 8394 expenses for the Orphans. 8395 8396 Aug. 31. Received from Hull 1l. 8s. 10d., of which 16s. 3 8397 3⁄4 d. is from A. Z., who intends of this, 10s. for the 8398 Building-Fund, and the remainder as most needed, which 8399 I took for present use for the Orphans. A young man also 8400 sent through A. Z. 6s., and the remaining 6s. 6d. is for 8401 Reports. This morning also a sister in the Lord from 8402 Malvern called on me, who brought from herself and a 8403 few other sisters 4l., of which 10s. is intended by a sister 8404 for foreign missions, and the rest to be used as most 8405 needed, which I therefore took for the Orphans. I also 8406 received from Cheltenham 6s., and 10s. for Reports from 8407 Teignmouth, 10s. ditto from Street, and 1s. and 6d. as 8408 donations from Street. 8409 8410 Sept. 1. Received from several believers at Bowness 31. 8411 0s. 6d., of which they kindly intend 1l. for myself, 1l. for 8412

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foreign missions, and 1l. 0s. 6d., for the Orphans. — From 8413 A. S. 5l. — By needlework of the children 6s. 1d., from 8414 Shirehampton 5s., and from a sister 2s. 6d. 8415 8416 Sept. 2. From Ilfracombe 1l. 10s. From Wakefield 10l. 8417 From Windsor 8l. 10s., of which 2l. 7s. is for Narratives 8418 and Reports. By sale of Reports 1l. 8s. 8d., and for 8419 needlework done by the Orphans 1l. 17s. 2d. 8420 8421 Sept. 4. A very poor Christian widow, having come into 8422 the possession of 10l. through the death of her mother, 8423 gave 1l. of it for the Orphans. 8424 8425 This sister in the Lord has since fallen asleep. Will she 8426 regret the gift now? Our time is short, very short. Let 8427 every child of God stand in the place of service in which 8428 He has set him, working while it is called today, "for the 8429 night cometh when no man can work." Again and again, 8430 while looking over my journal, I meet with names of 8431 donors, who have fallen asleep. Shortly, dear reader, your 8432 turn and mine may also come. 8433 8434 Sept. 5. The boxes in my house contained 1l. 6s. There 8435 came in also by sale of articles 5l. 1s. 8d., by sale of 8436 Reports 14s. 4 1⁄2 d., through the boxes of the Orphan-8437 Houses 4l. 14s. 9 1⁄2 d., and from a sister 10s. Thus this 8438 evening, Tuesday, it was found that the Lord had sent in 8439 again since last Tuesday evening, when there was nothing 8440 in hand, nearly 50l., so that I have been able to meet all 8441 the extra expenses of the week, and to advance again this 8442 evening money for house-keeping for the coming week. 8443 8444

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Now see how the Lord helped further for the week after 8445 this. 8446 8447 Sept. 6. By sale of Reports 13s. 9d. Sept. 8. From a lady 8448 7s. 6d. 8449 8450 Sept. 9. By sale of a small cask of pickles, given for the 8451 purpose, 12s. — A brother and sister gave 3l., as a thank-8452 offering to the Lord for the conversion of two brothers, in 8453 one week, in answer to prayer. From London 5l. By sale 8454 of articles 1s. 4d. From Scotland 12s. 6d. for Reports, and 8455 3s. 6d. for the Orphans. From Crediton was sent 10s., 3s. 8456 6d., and 11s. 8457 8458 Sept. 10. By sale of Reports 11s. 8d. — From a sister 2s. 8459 6d., and through ditto 1s. 6d. Anonymously 1s. 8460 8461 Sept. 11. Profit from the sale of bags 10s. — From a 8462 brother in London 10s. From Scotland 3l. 18s. 7d. with 1l. 8463 for myself. 8464 8465 Sept. 12. Tuesday. By sale of articles 18s. 8d. By sale of 8466 Reports 3s. By a donation 1s. Thus again about 20l. has 8467 come in during the past week, and, with what remained in 8468 hand last Tuesday evening, I have had over and above 8469 what is needed for house-keeping expenses for the coming 8470 week. — When I came home this evening from our usual 8471 weekly prayer meeting for the Lord’s blessing upon the 8472 various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, I 8473 found that a brother from Tavistock had left at my house 8474 2l. 2s. 6d. 8475 8476

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Sept. 13. By sale of Reports 8s. 2d. — From a Christian 8477 lady 2 crown pieces and 2 pairs of socks. — From East 8478 Coker 1l. 10s., together with many gold articles, &c. Also 8479 1s. 6d. with many articles and some coins. From Belper 8480 10s. for Reports, and 10s. as three donations. 8481 8482 Sept. 15. From Kingstown 5s. as a donation and 10s. for 8483 Reports. — This evening 1l. was left anonymously at my 8484 house; and a brother left 2 sovereigns at the Boys’ 8485 Orphan-Rouse. A little boy gave 8d., and 6s. 6d. came in 8486 by sale of Reports. 8487 8488 Sept. 10. From a brother at Clifton 1l. 10s. 8489 8490 Sept. 17. By sale of Reports 13s. A.S.A. 10s. 8491 Anonymously 10s. From a sister 2s. 6d. Through a sister 8492 10s. 8493 8494 Sept. 19. Tuesday. A gentleman called on me this 8495 morning and gave me half-a-sovereign for the Orphans, 8496 but would not give his name. — By sale of articles 3l. 0s. 8497 6d., by Reports 8s. 6d., through the box at my house 1l., 8498 by a donation 10s. 6d., and paid on behalf of two Orphans 8499 1l. 15s. Evening. Thus again more than 20l. has come in 8500 in money during this week, besides many valuable 8501 articles. I was thus able to advance all that was needed for 8502 house-keeping, and what was left I put by for rent and 8503 material for clothes, which have been ordered, trusting in 8504 God for fresh supplies for next Tuesday. 8505 8506 The Lord helped us this time again, as the following 8507 shows. 8508

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8509 Sept. 20. By sale of a Report 6d. 8510 8511 Sept. 21. From Barnstaple was sent 1l. 5s. — Boxes in my 8512 house 10s. 6d. — This morning a Christian from 8513 Somersetshire called at my house, and said, he only 8514 wished to put something into the Orphan-box, and then 8515 put in a sovereign. — From Leicester was sent 1l. — This 8516 afternoon a letter was left at my house, containing a five 8517 pound note and these words: "From a Believer in the 8518 efficacy of the prayer of faith, to be appropriated as Mr. 8519 Müller may think fit." As there was only 3l. 16s. in hand 8520 for the Orphans, I took this donation for them. — This 8521 evening I had again an especial season for prayer 8522 respecting the various objects of the Institution. Almost 8523 immediately, after I had risen from my knees, I received 8524 from Sunderland 1l. 8525 8526 Sept. 23. From Norwich 10s. From Bath 5l. Through a 8527 sister in Bristol 5s. 8528 8529 Sept. 24. Anonymously from Liverpool 10s. — From 8530 Stourbridge 1l. — From A. S. A. 6s. 8 1⁄2 d. By sale of 8531 Reports 2s. 6d. From Cheshire 2l. Anonymously 5s. 8532 8533 Sept. 25. The contents of an Orphan-box 18s. 10d. 8534 8535 Sept. 20. From Brighton 5s. By sale of articles 2l. 6s. 8d. 8536 By sale of Reports 1l. 6s. Through Orphan-boxes 5s. 2d. 8537 Ditto 2s. 9d. Through the boxes at the Orphan-Houses 2l. 8538 14s. 11d. — Thus the Lord has again sent in about 25l. 8539 during the week, whereby I have been enabled to meet all 8540

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the extra expenses of the week, and to advance for the 8541 house-keeping expenses of the coming week. 8542 8543 Sept. 27. When today there was again only a few shillings 8544 in hand, I received from Sunderland 2l. 19s. 6d. for 8545 Reports. Also from a sister in Bristol 10s. from another 8546 10s. as the profit from the sale of ladies’ baskets, and 8547 from Plymouth 1l. 8548 8549 Sept. 28. By the sale of trinkets and old silver 9l. 10s. 8550 8551 —From Scarborough 2l. as a donation, and 6s. for 8552 Reports. — From Barnstaple 2l. 0s. 9 1⁄2 d. By sale of 8553 Reports 10s. — From a donor in Bristol 1l. 8554 8555 Sept. 30. From a Christian gentleman in Bath 1l. From 8556 Oswestry 7s. By sale of Reports 12s. 8557 8558 Oct. 1. By Reports 3s. 4d. From A. S. A. 11s. 10d. 8559 Anonymously 10s. From Devonshire 6s. 6d. 8560 8561 Oct. 2. From Liverpool 2s. 6d. By Reports 7s. 6d. From a 8562 Brother in Bristol 1l. 8563 8564 Oct. 3. By sale of Reports 2s. 6d. and by sale of articles 8565 1l. 9s. 9d. Thus by this evening, Tuesday, again about 28l. 8566 has come in, and I have been able to meet all the extra 8567 expenses of the work, and advance money for the week’s 8568 house-keeping; but have now again scarcely anything left. 8569 8570 Oct. 4. By sale of trinkets came in 2l. 17s. 6d. 8571 8572

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Oct. 5. From a sister 2s. 6d. From Kingsbridge 1l. 5s. 8573 8574 Oct. 0. By knitting 15s. 3d. 8575 8576 Oct. 7. Received from Sherborne 1l. 9s. 4d. Received also 8577 from the neighbourhood of Dartmouth 1l. 0s. 6d. There 8578 came in likewise through sister E. Ch. 1l. 5s. 10d. — Also 8579 5l. 14s. 0 1⁄2 d., being part of the proceeds of a little 8580 publication. 8581 8582 Oct. 8. From A. S. A. 5l. Anonymously 1l. Ditto 6s. 8583 8584 Oct. 9. By sale of a Report 6d. From a sister 10s. 8585 8586 Oct. 10. From Cheltenham 10s. By sale of articles 4l. 0s. 8587 1d. By sale of Reports 6s. 2d. — Thus, by this evening, 8588 Tuesday, again the sum of 26l. 2s. 8 1⁄2 d. had come in. I 8589 was, therefore, able to meet all the housekeeping expenses 8590 of the coming week, besides having paid away 8l. l5s. for 8591 apprentices, &c., and have l2s. 8d. left in hand. My heart 8592 is assured that the Lord will help further. 8593 8594 Now, dear reader, did the Lord help this time also? Yes, 8595 He did. Could it be otherwise? No; for they that trust in 8596 the Lord shall never be confounded. Let me then relate to 8597 you the way in which God helped us, going on with the 8598 extracts from my journal. 8599 8600 Oct. 11. At our meeting yesterday evening we made our 8601 supplication to God that He would be pleased to help us 8602 further. Immediately after the meeting I received 10s. 8603 Also when I came home I found that 6s. had been brought 8604

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from Gosport for Reports, and 1s. 6d. as the proceeds of 8605 an Orphan-box at Gosport. Also 5s. was put by the bearer 8606 of the money into an Orphan-box at my house, who also 8607 brought a woollen shawl. — Today 1l. was left at one of 8608 the Orphan-Houses by "an aged person of a Bristol alms-8609 house," who would not give her name. There came in also 8610 by sale of stockings 1l. 4s. 6d. There was likewise left 8611 anonymously at my house, an old silver watch, 2 8612 mourning brooches, and 2 gold pins. Thus the Lord has 8613 already sent in a little. 8614 8615 Oct. 12. Received in an anonymous letter 1s. 8d. From the 8616 Isle of Man 2s. 6d. By sale of Reports 1l. 13s. 6d. 8617 Through a brother in Scotland 1l. — From two young 8618 gentlemen at Clifton 4s. — From Street 1s. 6d. — 8619 Through an Orphan-box 2s. 1d. 8620 8621 Oct. 13. From some believers near Kingsbridge 1l. By 8622 sale of articles 15s. Left at the. Boys’ Orphan-House 5s. 8623 8624 Oct. 14. From Bideford 2l. By sate of Reports 8s. By 8625 children’s needlework l9s. 8 1⁄2 d. 8626 8627 Oct. 15. By sale of Reports 2s. 6d. From A. S. A. 13s. 5d. 8628 From Barnstaple 1l. From Yorkshire 5l., with these 8629 words: "Please to accept the enclosed 5l., as a thank-8630 offering to God for an answer to prayer, in the conversion 8631 of a soul. I should like half of it to go to the Orphans, the 8632 other half I leave to your discretion." The other half I put 8633 to the Building-Fund. 8634 8635

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Oct. 10. From Horsington 10s. — Through the boxes at 8636 my house 15s. 0 1⁄2 d. — From a sister 5s. 8637 8638 Oct. 17. From Reading 1l. By sale of Reports 5s. 6d. By 8639 sale of articles 4l. 10s. 6d. — Thus by this evening, 8640 Tuesday, the Lord had sent in again 23l. 11s. 3d., whereby 8641 I had enough for advancing the house-keeping expenses 8642 of the coming week, and the remainder I put by for the 8643 rent and the current expenses for the apprentices. 8644 8645 Oct. 18. When now there was again nothing in hand, I 8646 received by sale of Reports 12s., by a donation 7s, from 8647 Notts 5s. ld,, in small contributions l2s. 3d., and 1s. 8648 8649 Oct. 19. Anonymously from Tottenham a half-sovereign. 8650 From Collumpton 8s. 6d. and 11s. 6d. 8651 8652 Oct. 20. By sale of Reports 4s. From Barnstaple 5s. From 8653 a sister 2s. 6d., and from Madeley 1s. From Dublin 5s. 8654 8655 Oct. 21. From Clevedon 1l. 10s. From Cirencester 1l. 13s. 8656 4d. and also 3s. — By sale of Reports 1l. 2s. 6d. 8657 8658 Oct. 22. From A. S. A. 11s. 3 1⁄2 d. Anonymously 10s. 8659 Ditto 8d. From a clergyman 10s. From S. 10s. By sale of 8660 Reports 1s. 6d. From a sister 5l. Oct. 24. By sale of 8661 Reports 5s. 4d. Boxes in the Orphan-Houses 1l. 2s. By 8662 sale of articles 3l. 2s. 1d. — Thus by this evening, 8663 Tuesday, again 20l. 4s. 11 1⁄2 d, had been received, and as 8664 the expenses of the coming week for house-keeping, 8665 together with some extra expenses during the past week, 8666 did not amount to more than 18l. 1s. 6d., I had 2l. 3s. 5 1⁄2 8667

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d. left, which I put by for the rent and the current expenses 8668 for the apprentices, and am again looking to the Lord for 8669 fresh supplies, and again assured that He will help me. 8670 8671 Oct. 31. Since last Tuesday evening it has pleased God 8672 again to make it abundantly manifest that we do not wait 8673 on Him in vain. Besides many articles, there came in 24l. 8674 4s. 8 3⁄4 d. As the money which was needed for the 8675 house-keeping expenses for the coming week, together 8676 with a few other small expenses which I had had to meet 8677 during the last week, did not amount to more than 19/. l9s. 8678 3d., there was more than 4l. left, which I put by towards 8679 the rent and the expenses for the apprentices, and hope in 8680 God for the next week. 8681 8682 Nov. 1. When I came home last evening from our usual 8683 weekly prayer meeting, I found 1l. from R. L. H. Thus the 8684 Lord has already given a little. — There arrived today a 8685 box from Reading, containing the following articles from 8686 various donors: 8687 8688 A black feather. Also two pairs of ladies’ shoes and a pair 8689 of velvet boots. Also two ladies’ bags, 2 pairs of bracelets, 8690 2 waistbands, a pair of baby’s shoes, 2 neck ribands, and 8691 some white lace. — Further, a pair of worked slippers, a 8692 thimble case, 2 pin-cushions, a pair of baby’s stays, a 8693 lady’s bag, a pocket-book, a silver brooch, 2 gilt 8694 brooches, a gilt seal, and 12 yards of calico. — Further, a 8695 box of artificial flowers. Also an urn stand. Further, a 8696 bible and prayer book in a case. Further, a little box 8697 containing 2 gold rings, a gilt chain, a bead necklace, 8698 some mock pearls, and a gilt buckle. — Likewise a paper 8699

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containing a smelling bottle, a pen knife, a waist buckle, 8700 and a card. — Further, a paper containing 2 needle-cases, 8701 a purse, 2 little books, 2 medals, a scent bag, a little 8702 smelling bottle, 3 pebbles, and 3 mourning necklaces. 8703 Another paper, containing 4 gold rings, a gold pin, 2 old 8704 silver thimbles, the handle of a silver fruit knife, a snuff-8705 box, 2 silver mounted corks, 7 pin-cushions, a needle-8706 book, a pair of bracelets, a bead purse, a smelling bottle, a 8707 silver brooch, a gold brooch, a bead necklace, a pair of 8708 compasses, a broken gold watch key, 1 shilling, an old 8709 silver thimble, an emery cushion, a gold ring, a cloak 8710 fastener, and a little bead bag. — Another paper, 8711 containing a silk scarf, a shawl, and some muslin for 8712 night-caps. A paper box, containing a silver-mounted 8713 smelling bottle, a toilette cushion, an amethyst brooch, a 8714 silver butter-knife, a pair of gloves, and 2 shillings for 8715 missions. Another paper, containing 8 1⁄2 yards of blue 8716 print. — Also 50 books and some pamphlets. —Lastly, a 8717 gauze dress, a silk dress, a collar, and 3 caps. — I have on 8718 purpose given here at full length the contents of this box, 8719 to show what a variety of articles, either for sale or for the 8720 use of the Orphans, has been sent. — There arrived also 8721 today, anonymously, a box from a considerable distance, 8722 containing more than one hundred different articles. There 8723 was also 5s. in this box, to pay for the carriage. This day 8724 also came in by sale of Reports 2s. 6d., and by 8725 needlework of the Orphans 19s. 1d. 8726 8727 Nov. 2. From the neighbourhood of Lutterworth a half-8728 sovereign, from a sister in Bristol 10s., through a brother 8729 half-a-crown and 4 frocks. 8730 8731

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Nov. 3. From S. N. 2s. 6d. 8732 8733 Nov. S. From A. S. A. 8s. Anonymously 2s. 6d. By sale 8734 of Reports 1s. 4d. 8735 8736 Nov. 6. By sale of stockings 9s. 2d. From Cumberland 5l. 8737 From Ayrshire 1l. 8738 8739 Nov. 7. By sale of articles 2l. 9s. 4 1⁄2 d., and by sale of a 8740 Report 6d. This evening, Tuesday, as only 13l. 3s. 5 1⁄2 d. 8741 had come in during the week, I had only 7l. to advance 8742 towards the house-keeping expenses of the coming week, 8743 after having met some other expenses. But I hope in God 8744 for more, before this is gone, which will only last two or 8745 three days. 8746 8747 Nov. 5. By sale of Reports came in 3s., and 2s. 6d. was 8748 given by a relative of one of the Orphans. 8749 8750 Nov. 9. Only 5s. 6d. had come in yesterday. Tomorrow 8751 more money will be needed for house-keeping. In this our 8752 poverty I received this morning One Thousand Pounds. 8753 The money being left to me for disposal as it might be 8754 most needed, I took of it 600l. for the Building Fund, 8755 300l. for missionary purposes and the circulation of bibles 8756 and tracts, and 100l. for present use of the. Orphans. I 8757 have thus the means which are yet needed for this week’s 8758 house-keeping expenses, besides being able to meet other 8759 heavy expenses which are before me next week. 8760 8761 Feb. 20, 1849. For three months and ten days, since Nov. 8762 9, 1848, the donations have always come in so, that we 8763

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abounded during the whole period, there having been 8764 always fresh donations received, before all the money in 8765 hand was disbursed. The total amount that came in during 8766 this period was 469l. 14s. 10d. Now today there was no 8767 money in hand for advancing the amount needed for the 8768 next week’s house-keeping. All the money in hand was 8769 due for rent, and therefore unavailable, as I never go in 8770 debt for anything. In this our need there was given to me 8771 this afternoon the sum of 200l., which was left to my 8772 disposal for fitting up the New Orphan-House, or for any 8773 of the objects in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge 8774 Institution that might be in need. As, however, I have all 8775 the means for fitting up and furnishing the New Orphan-8776 House, as far as I know, and as there is no money in hand 8777 for present use for the Orphans, I took 100l. for that 8778 object, and 100l. for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, 8779 for the Day-Schools, the Sunday-School, and the Adult-8780 School, and for Home and Foreign labourers in the Word. 8781 8782 March 9. The New Orphan-House is now nearly ready. 8783 On this account we have to get in large supplies for the 8784 children’s clothes. Within the last few days I have ordered 8785 thousands of yards of material for this purpose, and 8786 thousands more will need to be ordered, besides providing 8787 a stock of many other things. For this large sums are 8788 needed. Under these circumstances I received today a 8789 donation of 300l., to be used for the Building Fund, or the 8790 current expenses of the various objects, just as it might be 8791 most required. As I judge that we have all that is needed 8792 for the fitting up and furnishing of the house, and as there 8793 is more in hand than usual for the missionary objects, the 8794 circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for the various 8795

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Schools, and as we have only about 60l. for present use 8796 for the Orphans, towards meeting all the heavy expenses 8797 before us, I took the whole of this donation for the 8798 Orphans, as the donor has kindly left the disposal of the 8799 money entirely to me. This donation, coming in just now, 8800 has been an exceedingly great refreshment to my spirit; 8801 for it is, at the commencement of the great increase of our 8802 expenses, in connexion with the 300 Orphans, instead of 8803 120, like an earnest from God, that He will supply us also 8804 with means when the demands for the 300 will be more 8805 than twice as great as they are now. Through this donation 8806 I have means to meet all the expenses which will be 8807 incurred in getting in for the new establishment the stores 8808 of provisions, soap, material for clothes, haberdashery, 8809 and of the many other articles of which it would be 8810 desirable to buy our supplies on wholesale terms. The 8811 Lord be praised for His kindness! 8812 8813 April 10. Received this afternoon the following letter: — 8814 "Dear Brother, 8815 8816 "I have the pleasure today of sowing a little more seed-8817 corn for eternity. Employ the enclosed 50l., if you please, 8818 for the support of the Orphans. The remaining 5l. be 8819 pleased to divide between yourself and dear brother Craik. 8820 8821 "Yours very truly in Christ, 8822 8823 "* * * *" 8824 8825 8826

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From the same donor I had recently had two donations of 8827 120l. and 100l. 8828 8829 April 11. From the brethren at Sunderland, assembling at 8830 Bethesda chapel, 10l., as a part of their annual thank-8831 offering to the Lord for Church mercies during the last 8832 twelvemonth. 8833 8834 April 18. Today I received a donation of 250l., of which I 8835 took 100l. for the Orphans, and the other 150l. for the 8836 other objects. Never were the current expenses for the 8837 Orphans nearly so great as they are now, but at the same 8838 time never was the income nearly so great. Thereby the 8839 Lord, as it were, says, that, when the New Orphan-House 8840 shall have been filled with Orphans, He will likewise give 8841 what is requisite for them. Whilst yet much is in hand, He 8842 has been pleased to send this donation. 8843 8844 From April 19th to May 23rd, the Lord was pleased to 8845 send in still further many donations. 8846 8847 May 23. Today I received 3601., of which I took half for 8848 the current expenses for the Orphans, and half for the 8849 other objects. By this donation I am still further provided 8850 with means to meet all the expenses connected with the 8851 removal of the children into the New Orphan-House, the 8852 reception and fitting out of many fresh children, the filling 8853 the stores of the New Orphan-House, &c. How does the 8854 Lord by all this clearly say, that, when this house shall 8855 have been filled with children, He will provide the means 8856 for their support! 8857 8858

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June 18. Today, as the fruit of the prayers of three years 8859 and seven months, the children began to be moved from 8860 the four Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, into the 8861 New Orphan-House. 8862 8863 June 23. Saturday Evening. This has been indeed a week 8864 of great and many and peculiar mercies. All the Orphans 8865 with their teachers and overseers have been moved into 8866 the New Orphan-House, during Monday, Tuesday, 8867 Wednesday, and Thursday; so that there are now about 8868 140 persons under one roof. The Lord has most signally 8869 helped. — As I had for more than three years sought the 8870 help of God concerning all matters connected with the 8871 New Orphan-House, I did expect His help in this 8872 particular also; but He has done beyond my expectations. 8873 Though only the day before yesterday the last children 8874 were moved in, there is already such a measure of order 8875 established in the house, by the help of God, as that things 8876 can be done by the minute hands of the timepieces. His 8877 name is to be praised for this, and my soul does magnify 8878 Him for His goodness! — Also with regard to temporal 8879 supplies for the dear Orphans, the Lord has been 8880 exceedingly kind. On the second day of receiving the 8881 children, there was sent 20l. On the third day, an 8882 individual, who walked with me through part of the 8883 house, said, "These children must consume a great deal of 8884 provisions," and, whilst saying it, took out of his pocket a 8885 roll of Bank of England notes, to the amount of one 8886 hundred pounds, and gave them to me for the Orphans. 8887 On the same evening there was also sent for the Orphans a 8888 very large cask of treacle, and for their teachers and 8889 overseers 6 loaves of sugar. Also a cooper made 8890

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gratuitously two large new casks for treacle. On the next 8891 day I received information that about 10 cwt. of rice had 8892 been purchased for the Orphans, which should be sent. 8893 Besides this, several small donations have come in. So 8894 bountifully has the Lord been pleased to help of late, that I 8895 have not only been able to meet all the extraordinary 8896 heavy expenses connected with moving the Orphans from 8897 Wilson Street into the New Orphan-House, filling the 8898 stores of the New Orphan-House, &c.; but I have more 8899 than five hundred pounds in hand, to begin house-keeping 8900 in the New Orphan-House. How true that word that those 8901 that trust in the Lord shall not be confounded! After all 8902 the many and long-continued seasons of great trial of faith 8903 within these thirteen years and two months, during which 8904 the Orphans were in Wilson Street, the Lord dismisses us 8905 from thence in comparative abundance. His holy name be 8906 praised for it! 8907 8908 In order that this chapter may not be too long, I can only 8909 mention of the donations, from June 23, 1849, to May 20, 8910 1850, those which came in under particular 8911 circumstances. The total amount received from June 23, 8912 1849, to May 26, 1850, for the current expenses of the 8913 Orphans, was 2,102l. 13s. 4 3⁄4 d. 8914 8915 Aug. 30. Received a Fifty Pound Note with these words: 8916 "I send you herewith a Fifty Pound Note, half for the 8917 Missions, half for the Orphans, unless you are in any 8918 personal need; if so, take 5l. for yourself. This will be the 8919 last large sum I shall be able to transmit to you. Almost all 8920 the rest is already out at interest." I took half of this 50l. 8921 for the Orphans and half for Missionaries. The writer sold 8922

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some time since his only earthly possession, and sent me 8923 at different times sums of 120l., of 100l., of 55l., of 50l, 8924 and of 20l. for the work of the Lord in my hands. When 8925 he says therefore "the rest is already out at interest," he 8926 means that he has given it away for the Lord, which 8927 indeed both for time and eternity is the very best way of 8928 using the means with which the Lord may be pleased to 8929 intrust us, in so far as, considering in the fear of God all 8930 our various claims and duties and relationships, we may 8931 do so. As this is written for the spiritual profit of the 8932 reader, I cannot but add to this extract from my journal 8933 under Aug. 30, 1849, that since that time I have received 8934 other donations from the same donor, and much larger 8935 still. He used for God the means with which He was 8936 pleased to intrust him, and, contrary to this brother’s 8937 expectation, the above 50l. was not the last large 8938 donation; for it pleased God soon after, to intrust him with 8939 another considerable sum, which he again used for the 8940 Lord. This did not at all surprise me; for it is the Lord’s 8941 order, that, in whatever way He is pleased to make us His 8942 stewards, whether as to temporal or spiritual things, if we 8943 are indeed acting as stewards and not as owners, He will 8944 make us stewards over more. But for more, on this deeply 8945 important subject, I must refer the reader to the third part 8946 of this Narrative, page 575 to 604. 8947 8948 Sept. 27. From friends at Othery 20l. — This donation is 8949 very refreshing to my spirit. Last evening and this 8950 morning I had especially besought the Lord, that He 8951 would be pleased to continue to send me means, as the 8952 expenses are now so great; for there are 107 Orphans in 8953 the house, and about 190 persons daily sit down to their 8954

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meals, and this number is every week increasing. Now, by 8955 this donation, which comes not only from an entirely new 8956 but also most unexpected quarter, the Lord is, as it were, 8957 saying to me, that He will not fail to help me, even when 8958 there shall be about 330 persons in the house, for which 8959 number it is fitted up. 8960 8961 Oct. S. Yesterday again seven Orphans were received. 8962 Every week I am now taking in five, six, seven, or eight; 8963 and within the last nine weeks altogether have been 8964 received, and about 200 persons sit down daily to their 8965 meals. This has greatly increased the expenses already, 8966 and they will be still more increased, as I purpose to 8967 receive still further 120 Orphans, if God permit, to make 8968 up the number 300. Yesterday, after having received the 8969 seven children, I again gave myself to prayer for an 8970 increase of means. Now today I have received from 8971 Devonshire a set of valuable jewels, i.e. a ring set with 5 8972 brilliants, a brooch set with 12 larger and 12 smaller 8973 brilliants and 1 large emerald, and a pair of ear-rings, both 8974 together set with 10 brilliants and 2 emeralds. The bearer 8975 brought also 1l. 10s. 4d. and 10s. 2d., being the proceeds 8976 of two Orphan-boxes, likewise 1l. 4s. 6d. At the same 8977 time I received from another brother from Devonshire. 4l.; 8978 and from a third 16s. 10d. — Truly the Lord does not 8979 allow me to wait upon Him in vain! 8980 8981 Nov. 1. Today I have again received seven Orphans. 8982 There are now about 220 persons daily sitting down to 8983 their meals in the Orphan-House. Before the seven fresh 8984 Orphans were brought, I received a letter from a banker in 8985 London, giving me information that a brother in the Lord, 8986

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living between 200 and 300 miles from hence, had given 8987 order to pay me 40l. for the Orphans. — By the same post 8988 I received anonymously from London 5/. from the same 8989 donor, who has now for several years sent twice every 8990 year this amount, of which she kindly wishes me to use 8991 half for my own personal expenses, and half for the work 8992 of the Lord in my hands. I took the half for the Orphans. 8993 — This was not all. In the afternoon, whilst receiving the 8994 Orphans, there came in still further 69l. 3s. 8d., also 2s. 8995 and a few articles. 8996 8997 Nov. 16. About 260l. has been spent within these 16 days, 8998 i.e. since the first of the month, for current expenses for 8999 the Orphans alone, and about 120/. for the other objects, 9000 making in all about 380l. within half a month. Lord look 9001 upon the necessities of Thy servant, seeing that now the 9002 outgoings are so large! 9003 9004 Nov. 30. We have been helped through this month most 9005 comfortably, though the expenses for the Orphans have 9006 been heavier by far, than in any month all the 14 years 9007 since this work was commenced, having been 380l. 9s. 9008 2d., and, including the expenses for the other objects, 9009 about 540l. 9010 9011 Dec. 4. Today was paid to me a legacy of 50l., left for the 9012 benefit of the Orphans. 9013 9014 Dec. 12. Anonymously a Bank Post Bill for 50l. 13s. 6d. 9015 9016 Jan. 9, 1850. Today was sent to me from the Committee 9017 of the Cholera Fund in Bristol 20l., which the gentlemen 9018

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constituting it had voted for the benefit of the twenty 9019 children who had lost their parents in the Cholera, and 9020 whom I had received into the New Orphan-House. 9021 9022 I had not applied either directly or indirectly for this 9023 money; indeed I was reluctant even to give information as 9024 to the number of Cholera Orphans received, lest there 9025 should be even the appearance as if after all I asked for 9026 money, instead of solely trusting in the living God. But 9027 some of the gentlemen on the Committee, knowing the 9028 fact that I had received many Orphans, made such by 9029 means of the Cholera, proposed that there should be paid 9030 to the Institution a sovereign on account of each such 9031 child received. This sum was especially remarkable to me 9032 as a fresh proof of the numberless ways, which God has at 9033 His command for providing me with means. 9034 9035 I also cannot help noticing the remarkable coincidence 9036 that, at the time God visited this land with the Cholera, in 9037 1849, I had so much room for the reception of Orphans. 9038 The Lord was pleased to allow me the joy and sweet 9039 privilege of receiving altogether twenty-six children, from 9040 ten months old and upward, who lost their parents in the 9041 Cholera at that time, and many besides, since then, who 9042 were bereaved of their parents through this fearful 9043 malady. 9044 9045 Jan. 31. Today five more Orphans are to be received. For 9046 the last fortnight, comparatively little had come in for the 9047 Orphans, i.e. not quite 60l. In the prospect of the Orphans 9048 coming today, I said last evening to my dear wife, that the 9049 Lord would send us something for them; for I have often 9050

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found, that either He has sent something with the children, 9051 or at the time that they have been received. It was but 9052 about ten minutes after I had said so, when I received 9053 450l. (see the account of the income for the other objects), 9054 of which I took 200l. for the Orphans. This morning I 9055 received further 10l. from a pious countess in Edinburgh, 9056 and 10s. from Deptford. Thus the Lord has indeed sent 9057 something for the Orphans. It is now seven months and 9058 thirteen days since the Orphans began to be received into 9059 the New Orphan-House. The expenses for them have been 9060 since then Fifteen Hundred and Twenty Pounds; and yet 9061 we have this day more in hand, than when the New 9062 Orphan-House was opened. Unbelief and natural reason 9063 would have said, and did say, If there have often been 9064 scarcely any means in hand, while the Orphans were in 9065 the rented houses, and only about 120 in number, how 9066 will it be when there shall be 300 in the New Orphan-9067 House? But faith’s reply was, Our poverty has been only 9068 for the trial of our faith, and it will be as easy to the Lord 9069 to provide for 300 as for 120 Orphans. And thus we have 9070 proved it hitherto, and, no doubt, shall prove it, as long as 9071 the Lord shall enable us to trust in Him 9072 9073 9074 May 25, 1850. The Lord has up to the close of this period 9075 helped also for this as well as for the other parts of the 9076 work; for during this last week I have received about 62l. 9077 for the current expenses for the Orphans. With confidence 9078 in the living God I step into the new period, though our 9079 expenses are now far heavier than ever they were, being 9080 fully assured of His faithfulness. May He be pleased to 9081 uphold me during the remainder of my earthly pilgrimage 9082

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in His fear and truth, and may He graciously be pleased to 9083 give me day by day the faith which my circumstances 9084 may require. 9085 9086 9087 Closing account as to the way in which the means were 9088 obtained for the expenses connected with the erection, 9089 fitting up, and furnishing of the New Orphan-House, 9090 Ashley Down, Bristol. 9091 9092 9093 At the time where the last chapter, referring to this 9094 subject, closes, the New Orphan-House was being built. 9095 Part of it was already roofed in, and the remainder was to 9096 be roofed not many weeks afterwards. But how much did 9097 there yet remain to be done in other respects! A building 9098 so considerable as to contain about 300 large windows, 9099 would require, even after it was finished, an immense 9100 amount of labour, to be fitted up and furnished for 330 9101 persons. Then, after this was done, the settling in of the 9102 Orphans and their teachers and other overseers, needed 9103 still more abundant help. Further, the obtaining of suitable 9104 helpers for this part of the work, was indeed no small 9105 matter. Lastly, though the Lord had been pleased to give 9106 me already above Eleven Thousand Pounds for the New 9107 Orphan-House, yet I needed several thousand pounds 9108 more, in order to bring the whole into such a state, as 9109 might render the building fit for the reception of the 9110 Orphans. And now, in looking back, and finding that I not 9111 only was helped in all these matters, but also in every one 9112 of them far beyond my largest expectations —does it not 9113 become me to say to those who love the Lord Jesus, and 9114

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into whose hands this account may fall: "0 magnify the 9115 Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!" Each 9116 one of the foregoing difficulties which still existed on the 9117 26th of May, 1848, was so great, that if only one of them 9118 had remained, and I had not been helped, what would 9119 have been the result? But while the prospect before me 9120 would have been overwhelming had I looked at it 9121 naturally, I was never, even for once, permitted to 9122 question what would be the end. For as, from the 9123 beginning, I was sure that it was the will of God, that I 9124 should go to the work of building for Him this large 9125 Orphan-House, so also, from the beginning, I was as 9126 certain that the whole would be finished, as if the building 9127 had been already before my natural eyes, and as if the 9128 house had been already filled with three hundred destitute 9129 Orphans. I was therefore of good courage, in the midst of 9130 an overwhelming pressure of work yet to be done, and 9131 very many difficulties yet to be overcome, and thousands 9132 of pounds yet needed; and I gave myself still further to 9133 prayer, and sought still further to exercise faith on the 9134 promises of God. And now, the work is done, the 9135 difficulties are overcome, all the money that was needed 9136 has been obtained, and even more than I needed; and, as 9137 to helpers in the work, I have obtained even beyond my 9138 expectations and prayers. Nearly seven years have passed 9139 away already [1856] since the New Orphan-House was 9140 opened, and about three hundred and thirty persons sit 9141 down in it day by day to their meals. 9142 9143 The Godly reader will feel interested in learning now 9144 further particulars, as to how it pleased God to assist me 9145 in accomplishing my desires, with reference to the 9146

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preparation of the House for the reception of the children, 9147 and I therefore relate the manner in which I received 9148 further pecuniary supplies; and, whilst doing so, will here 9149 and there make remarks concerning other points, which 9150 may throw light on the subject. 9151 9152 Up to May 26, 1848, I had received altogether towards 9153 meeting the expenses connected with the building of the 9154 New Orphan-House the sum of 11,062l. 4s. 11 1⁄2 d. I 9155 now state further, some instances, merely as specimens, as 9156 to the manner in which it pleased the Lord, to provide me 9157 further with means for fitting up and furnishing the New 9158 Orphan-House, without applying to a single individual 9159 personally for anything, but only giving myself to prayer. 9160 9161 June 8, 1848. I received 5l. l7s. as the "Proceeds from the 9162 sale of a Tree for the New Orphan-House." 9163 9164 June 17. Received 5l., of which 4l. 1s. is the proceeds 9165 from the sale of "a second tree for the New Orphan-9166 House," and 19s. for present use for the Orphans. — The 9167 reader is here called upon to notice that, whilst I had yet 9168 to obtain several thousand pounds for finishing the New 9169 Orphan-House, all the other current expenses of the 9170 various objects of the Institution were going on; and for 9171 none of all these pecuniary necessities had I any regular 9172 certain income whatever, nor did I seek help from any one 9173 but the living God only. 9174 9175 June 20. A brother and sister gave four silver table 9176 spoons, twelve silver tea spoons, and a pair of silver sugar 9177 tongs for sale. 9178

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9179 Aug. 7. From a sister in the Lord 200l. — With 2 Cor. 9180 viii. 12, 1s. — Anonymously from J. H. W. 5s., as "a 9181 thank-offering to the Lord for His delivering goodness in 9182 sickness." — Anonymously 1s. 9183 9184 Aug. 13. From a brother 10s. This brother had worked 9185 overtime, and in prayer he told the Lord that, if his 9186 employers gave him anything for it, he would give it to 9187 the Building Fund, as he had a great desire to contribute 9188 something towards this work, from which he had been 9189 kept for want of means. 9190 9191 Aug. 16. A brother in the Lord having sold his little 9192 earthly property, for the sake of spending the money for 9193 the Lord, brought 20l. of the proceeds, of which he 9194 wished me to take 10l. for the Building Fund, and 10l. for 9195 the orphans. 9196 9197 Aug. 19. It is this day a twelvemonth since the foundation 9198 stone of the New Orphan-House was laid, and now the 9199 building is up, and almost entirely roofed in. Also part of 9200 the inside plastering is already done. How can my soul 9201 sufficiently magnify the Lord for all the help which He 9202 has been pleased to give, since this day twelvemonth! — 9203 As we are now so far advanced, I have been increasingly 9204 entreating God, that He would be pleased to give me the 9205 means which are yet requisite for fitting up and furnishing 9206 the house; for even now I am completely depending upon 9207 Him for considerable sums, to accomplish this. But while 9208 much is still needed, I have never had, by God’s grace, the 9209 least misgiving, as to His willingness to give me all I 9210

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need; on the contrary, I have been assured that, when I 9211 actually required the money for the fittings and the 9212 furniture, it would come. And now this day the Lord has 9213 again proved, to me, how willing Ha is to act according to 9214 my faith; for there was given to me this morning 887l. 9215 under the kind condition that I should take of it 20l. for 9216 my own personal expenses, and the rest for the Building 9217 Fund or the present need of the various objects of the 9218 Institution, as it appeared best to me. I took therefore 9219 600l. for the Building Fund, and placed 267l. to the 9220 School—, Bible—, Tract—and Missionary Fund, with the 9221 especial intention of using the greater part of this 267l. for 9222 helping home and foreign preachers of the Gospel, who 9223 labour without any salary, in dependence upon the Lord 9224 for supplies, knowing the need of many to be very great; 9225 for cases of especial distress among them had again 9226 recently come before me. My soul does magnify the. Lord 9227 for all His goodness and faithfulness! 9228 9229 Oct. 11. This afternoon I received a letter, containing a 9230 check for 50l. with these words: "1 Peter iv. 12-14. The 9231 enclosed draft is for Mr. Müller, to be disposed of 9232 according to his own need, and the need of the Orphans 9233 under his care. May the 37th Psalm continue to be his 9234 solace in the fiery trial through which he is passing." I 9235 took the whole of this sum towards fitting up and 9236 furnishing the New Orphan-House. 9237 9238 Oct. 16. This evening I received a fifty pound note as a 9239 thank-offering to the Lord for numberless mercies during 9240 a long course of years. The donor desired that Brother 9241 Craik should have 10l., myself 10l. for my own personal 9242

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expenses, and 30l. were left to me to dispose of as I 9243 thought best, for the work of God in my hands, which sum 9244 I put to the Building Fund, with the donor’s approval. 9245 9246 Oct. 20. From a lady in Ireland 5s. — By sale of turf and 9247 grass 3l. l6s. 2d. 9248 9249 Oct. 24. By sale of articles 4s. 4 1⁄2 d. — From a 9250 Christian gentleman in Devonshire 20l. Day by day 1 am 9251 waiting upon God for means for furnishing the house. The 9252 last-mentioned sum I received when returning from the 9253 Orphan-Houses from our weekly prayer-meeting, where I 9254 had been again seeking from God further help, together 9255 with my fellow labourers in the work. 9256 9257 Oct. 25. From sisters in the Lord in Devonshire, 5l., of 9258 which they kindly intend one half for the Building Fund, 9259 and the other half for present use for the Orphans. 9260 9261 Nov. 8. The Building is now so far advanced by the help 9262 of God, that I was able to arrange yesterday with the clerk 9263 of the works to purchase today 32 grates for small rooms, 9264 two copper furnaces for the wash-house, and two iron 9265 furnaces for the scullery. Thus, therefore, the expenses for 9266 fitting up the house commence. For all this I had the 9267 money in hand, and even some hundreds of pounds more, 9268 than the liabilities which are already upon me; yet I want 9269 still many hundred pounds to meet all the heavy expenses, 9270 connected with fitting up and furnishing so large a 9271 building, levelling the ground, making a road through the 9272 ground, pitching three large playgrounds, &c. Under these 9273 circumstances I received this morning anonymously 50l. 9274

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for the Orphan-House, with Psalm cxvi. and the request 9275 not to notice the post-mark. As I understood the donor to 9276 intend this donation for the Building Fund, I took it for 9277 that. 9278 9279 Nov. 9. Today the Lord has helped still more abundantly. 9280 I have received a donation of One Thousand Pounds, to be 9281 used for the Building Fund and the present necessities of 9282 the work generally, as the various objects of the 9283 Institution might require. Of this donation I took, 9284 therefore, 600l. for the Building Fund, 100l. for the 9285 present necessities of the Orphans, 200l. for missionary 9286 purposes, and 100l. for the circulation of Bibles and 9287 Tracts, and for the various Day Schools, the Sunday 9288 School, and the Adult School of the Institution. All these 9289 manifestations of the Lord’s abundant help do not in the 9290 least surprise me. I expect help from Him. I know that He 9291 listens to my supplications, and that, for the sake of the 9292 Lord Jesus, He is willing to help me yet more and more, 9293 to the confounding of Satan and to the putting to shame of 9294 unbelief. 9295 9296 Nov. 10. Received a bank order for 5l. from the 9297 neighbourhood of Tavistock, which, being left to my 9298 disposal, I took for the Building Fund. 9299 9300 Nov. 15. From the neighbourhood of Launceston 20l. 9301 9302 Dec. 22. Received 100l. This sum being left to my 9303 disposal, I took it for the Building Fund. 9304 9305

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Jan. 2, 1849. Received from Devonshire 10l., with these 9306 words: " A moiety of the first fruits of interest 9307 9308 on Bristol Dock Shares from the Town Council of Bristol, 9309 towards the New Orphan Building." Thus even the fact, of 9310 Bristol being made a free port, was used by the Lord as a 9311 means to supply me with this sum. 9312 9313 Jan. 17. The time is now drawing near, when further steps 9314 are to be taken to fit up and furnish the house, as more 9315 than two-thirds of the rooms are all but ready. Under these 9316 circumstances I have prayed the more earnestly, day by 9317 day, that the Lord would be pleased to give me the means 9318 which are yet needed; and as my heart has been assured 9319 from the beginning, and all through these three years and 9320 two months, since I first began to pray about this subject, 9321 that God would in every way help me in this work, so I 9322 have also been particularly satisfied that He would be 9323 pleased to provide the means which may be required to 9324 meet all the heavy expenses, which yet remain to be met. 9325 Now, today I have had again a precious answer to my 9326 daily supplications with reference to this work; for I 9327 received this evening 600l., concerning which it was 9328 desired that brother Craik and myself should each take 9329 501. for ourselves; the remaining 500l. was left entirely to 9330 my disposal; yet an especial reference was made to the 9331 heavy expenses connected with fitting up and furnishing 9332 the. New Orphan-House, towards which I might, either in 9333 part, or entirely take this sum. — After prayer I have 9334 decided on portioning out the money thus: 300l. towards 9335 fitting up and furnishing the New Orphan-House, 50l. for 9336 present use for the Orphans, 50l. for the support of the 9337

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Day Schools, the Sunday School, and the Adult School, 9338 25l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 25l. for the 9339 circulation of Gospel Tracts, 25l. for Foreign Missions, 9340 and 25l. for the Employment Fund. 9341 9342 With reference to the present of 50l. for myself, as 9343 mentioned just now, I cannot help calling upon the 9344 Christian reader to observe how richly the Lord supplies 9345 my own personal necessities. Since 1830 I have had no 9346 regular salary nor any stated income whatever I then 9347 began to rely upon the living God alone for the supply of 9348 all my temporal necessities; and all these many years have 9349 never once been allowed to regret this step, nor has the 9350 Lord at any time failed me. Often, indeed, I have known 9351 what it is to be poor; but for the most part I have 9352 abounded. I sought no payment from man for my service 9353 for God, whether in the ministry of the Word or as 9354 director of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but 9355 though I did not seek for any payment, the Lord has most 9356 abundantly recompensed me, even as to this life. By far 9357 the most important point, however, of this my way of 9358 living, is, that many of the disciples of the Lord Jesus 9359 have had their hearts comforted, and have been 9360 encouraged themselves to trust more in God, than they 9361 used to do; and it was, moreover, my becoming more 9362 experimentally acquainted, through this way of living, 9363 with the readiness of God to help, to succour, to relieve, 9364 and to answer prayer, which led me in March 1834 to 9365 begin the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and in 9366 November 1835 to care about destitute Orphans. 9367 9368

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Jan. 26. Anonymously from the neighbourhood of 9369 Nottingham "A gold chain." 9370 9371 Jan. 30. From a professional gentleman in Bristol 50l. 9372 9373 Feb. 12. The New Orphan-House is now almost entirely 9374 finished. In six weeks, with the help of God, all will be 9375 completed. On this account I have been during the last 9376 fortnight much occupied in making the necessary 9377 arrangements for fitting it up and furnishing it; but the 9378 more. I have been occupied about this, the more I have 9379 seen how large a sum the whole of the fittings and the 9380 furniture will require; and this consideration has led me 9381 still more earnestly of late to entreat the Lord, that He 9382 would be pleased to give me the means, which may yet be 9383 needed for the completion of the whole. Under these 9384 circumstances a brother in the Lord came to me this 9385 morning, and after a few minutes conversation gave me 9386 Two Thousand Pounds, concerning which sum he kindly 9387 gave me permission to use it for the fitting up and 9388 furnishing of the New Orphan-House, or for any thing 9389 else needed in connexion with the. Orphans. I have placed 9390 the whole of this sum, at least for the present, to the. 9391 Building Fund. Now, dear reader, place yourself in my 9392 position. Eleven hundred and ninety-five days it is since I 9393 began asking the Lord for means for the building and 9394 fitting up of an Orphan-House. Day by day have I, by His 9395 grace, since that time, continued to bring this matter 9396 before Him. Without one moment’s doubt, or misgiving, 9397 or wavering, have I been enabled to trust in God for the 9398 means. From the beginning, after I had once ascertained 9399 the will of God concerning this work, have I been assured 9400

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that He would bring it about; yea, as sure have I been 9401 from the beginning that He would do so, as if I had 9402 already had all the means in hand for it, or as if the house 9403 had been actually before me, occupied by the children. 9404 But though to faith even three years ago the whole work 9405 was accomplished, to sight there remained many and great 9406 difficulties to be overcome. Even at the commencement of 9407 this day there remained many difficulties, in the way of 9408 means, as well as in other respects; therefore. I was on the 9409 point of giving myself again especially to prayer, at the 9410 very moment when I was informed that the donor of the 9411 above mentioned Two Thousand Pounds had called to see 9412 me. Now I have the means, as far as I can see, which will 9413 enable me to meet all the expenses; and in all probability I 9414 shall have even several hundred pounds more than are 9415 needed. Thus the Lord shows that He can and will not 9416 only give as much as is absolutely needed for His work, 9417 but also that He can and will give abundantly. It is 9418 impossible to describe the real joy I had in God, when I 9419 received this sum. I was calm, not in the least excited, 9420 able to go on immediately with other work that came upon 9421 me at once after I had received the donation; but 9422 inexpressible was the delight which I had in God, who 9423 had thus given me the full answer to my thousands of 9424 prayers, during these eleven hundred and ninety-five days. 9425 I notice further concerning this donation: 1, The donor 9426 especially desired me to keep his name entirely concealed; 9427 and in order that no one might know who he is, he gave 9428 me not an order on a bank, but brought the amount in 9429 notes. 2, He had intended to leave me this sum for the 9430 benefit of the Orphans after his death, and for years it had 9431

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been in his last will; but he judged it more according to 9432 the will of God to give the money during his life time. 9433 9434 March 31. A brother brought me a gold repeater with a 9435 gold chain, to which two gold seals and a gold ring were 9436 attached, and told me that he desired to give the chain, 9437 seals, and ring towards fitting up the New Orphan-House, 9438 and wished me to get him for the gold repeater a silver 9439 watch, as the love of Christ had weaned his heart from 9440 any desire to use a gold repeater. He also stated, that 9441 whatever was over and above the sale of the repeater 9442 should go for the benefit of the Orphans. 9443 9444 I have thus given a few out of the hundreds of donations, 9445 varying from one farthing to 2000l., as specimens, to 9446 show how the Lord was pleased to furnish me with the 9447 means. The total amount, which came in for the Building 9448 Fund, was 15,784l. 18s. 10d. Of this sum 14,914l. 5s. 8d. 9449 was received by donations in money, 60l. 19s. 11d. came 9450 in by the sale of articles, given for the purpose. 66l. 3s. 9451 10d. by the sale of grass and turf from the field, on which 9452 the New Orphan-House was erected. 743l. 9s. 5d. came in 9453 for Interest; for I considered that, as a steward of large 9454 sums, which were intrusted to me, I ought to invest the 9455 money, till it was actually needed; and thus the sum was 9456 obtained. 9457 9458 After all the expenses had been met for the purchase of 9459 the land, the conveyance of the same, the enrolment of the 9460 trust deeds in Chancery, the building, fitting up and 9461 furnishing of the New Orphan-House, there remained a 9462 balance of 776l. 14s. 3 3⁄4 d., affording a manifest proof 9463

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that the Lord can not only supply us with all we need in 9464 His service, simply in answer to prayer, but that He can 9465 also give us even more than we need. It will be seen how 9466 this balance was afterwards used. 9467 9468 9469 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge 9470 Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the 9471 period from May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850. 9472 9473 9474 1, During the whole of this period, five Day Schools, with 9475 329 children in them, were entirely supported by the 9476 Funds of this Institution; and some pecuniary assistance 9477 was rendered to four other Day Schools. Also a Sunday 9478 School, with 168 children, was entirely supported, and 9479 another was occasionally assisted. Lastly, an Adult 9480 School, with 106 Adult Scholars, was supported during 9481 this period. There was expended on these various Schools 9482 851l. 1s. 5 1⁄2 d. during these two years. — The number 9483 of all the children that were taught in the Day Schools 9484 through the medium of this Institution, from March 5 9485 1834 to May 26, 1850, amounted to 5114; the number of 9486 those in the Sunday Schools amounted to 2200; and the 9487 number of the persons in the Adult School to 1737. In all 9488 9051. 9489 9490 2, From May 26, 1848 to May 20, 1850, were circulated 9491 719 Bibles and 239 New Testaments. There was expended 9492 on this object, during this period, of the funds of the 9493 Institution, 104l. 15s. 11d. There were circulated 9494 altogether, from March 5, 1834 to May 26, 1850, Six 9495

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Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty-Five Bibles and Three 9496 Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine New 9497 Testaments. 9498 9499 3, From May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, were spent 9500 2574l. 16s. 6d. of the funds of the Institution for 9501 missionary objects, whereby 40 preachers of the Gospel in 9502 British Guiana, in the East Indies, in Switzerland, in 9503 France, in Germany, in Canada, in Scotland, m Ireland, 9504 and in England were assisted. 9505 9506 The reader will notice how greatly this object of the. 9507 Institution was increased during the last four years 9508 previous to May 26, 1850. This arose from the fact, that, 9509 in the early part of 1846, the need of certain brethren who 9510 laboured in the word and doctrine came before me, and 9511 God laid them on my heart to labour for them in prayer, in 9512 order that I might obtain means from Him for such 9513 brethren to a greater extent than I had done before. Ever 9514 since then the Lord has been pleased increasingly to use 9515 me in this way. For from May 26, 1846 to May 26, 1848, 9516 there was spent for that object nearly three times as much 9517 as during any former period of the same length; and 9518 during the period from May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850, I 9519 was not only allowed to do as much as before, but to 9520 expend even 1016l. 5s. more than during the former 9521 period, notwithstanding all the many heavy additional 9522 expenses for the various other objects of the Institution. 9523 9524 It is my sweet privilege to state, that the labours of many 9525 of these forty servants of the Lord, whom I assisted, were 9526 especially owned of God during these two years. There 9527

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took place very many conversions through their 9528 instrumentality. This applies both to those who laboured 9529 among idolaters and those among nominal Christians. 9530 9531 4, From May 26, 1848 to May 26, 1850 the sum of 184l. 9532 9s. 4 1⁄2 d. was expended on the circulation of Tracts. 9533 There were circulated during this period 130,464 Tracts. 9534 The total number which was circulated from Nov. 19, 9535 1840 up to May 26, 1850 amounted to 294,128. 9536 9537 As the Missionary department was considerably enlarged 9538 during these two years, so the Tract Department also 9539 increased to nearly three times the extent that it was 9540 during the former periods, for which I desire to be grateful 9541 to the Lord, and I rejoice in it as a means by which the 9542 Lord may be pleased to do much good; indeed already we 9543 can say, we are not without fruit. 9544 9545 Besides English Tracts, we circulated many in German 9546 and French, also some in Welsh, and a few hundreds in 9547 Portuguese and Italian. 9548 9549 On May 26, 1848, there were 122 Orphans in the four 9550 Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol. There were 9551 admitted, before the New Orphan-House was opened, 9 9552 fresh Orphans, making 131 in all. Of these, however, one 9553 was taken by her relatives to Australia, to which they 9554 emigrated, and wished her to accompany them. Three 9555 were sent to their relatives till they might be cured, on 9556 account of such diseases as made them unfit to be with 9557 other children. Two fell asleep in Jesus as decided 9558 believers, of whom the one had been several years in the 9559

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house and converted some months before her death. The 9560 other had been only six months under our care, when she 9561 died. Almost immediately after her admission she was 9562 found to be in consumption, but the Lord allowed us the 9563 joy of winning her soul for Him. Two girls were sent out 9564 to service, both as believers. And four boys and one girl 9565 were apprenticed. The actual number, therefore, of 9566 Orphans who were removed from the four rented Orphan-9567 Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, on June 18th, 19th, 20th, 9568 and 21st, 1849, into the New Orphan-House on Ashley 9569 Down, Bristol, was 118. Some of these children had been 9570 received when the first and second Orphan-Houses in 9571 Wilson Street were opened, and had therefore been with 9572 us, at the time of our removal, more than twelve years, 9573 and they remained several years afterwards, for we keep 9574 them as long as it appears to us good for them, 9575 irrespective of expense. Thus we have the joy of seeing 9576 very delicate and sickly little children grow up and 9577 become healthy young men and women, whilst otherwise, 9578 humanly speaking, they might never have been reared, or, 9579 at all events have been sickly all their lives for want of a 9580 healthy place of abode, of cleanliness, or a sufficient 9581 quantity of wholesome and nourishing food. But 9582 especially we have in this way the great joy of seeing 9583 many of these Orphans brought to the knowledge of the 9584 Lord Jesus, through the blessing which God grants to our 9585 training them up in His fear from their earliest days. It is 9586 never with me a question how much money each child 9587 costs, through being retained so long, but only that bodily, 9588 mentally, and spiritually they may be benefited through 9589 our care. To make them useful for time, and to win their 9590 souls for the Lord, are our great aims concerning them. 9591

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9592 After the New Orphan-House had been opened, and the 9593 118 Orphans from Wilson Street, with their teachers and 9594 other overseers admitted into it, I did not at once receive 9595 fresh Orphans; but, in order that all the necessary 9596 regulations of the new establishment might be properly 9597 made, and especially, in order that I myself might first 9598 learn what was the best way of regulating it, we waited 9599 five weeks before the reception of fresh Orphans. On July 9600 24th, 1849, this commenced, and from that time up to 9601 May 26, 1850, altogether one hundred and seventy 9602 Orphans were received, from ten months old and upwards, 9603 so that on May 26, 1850, there would have been 288 9604 Orphans in the New Orphan-House, including the 118 9605 removed into it from Wilson Street, had there been no 9606 changes. But of this number two young children died, two 9607 Orphans were taken back by their relatives, who were by 9608 that time able to provide for them. One boy was sent back 9609 to his relations, partly on account of epileptic fits, and 9610 partly on account of oft-repeated great disobedience, in 9611 order that we might thus make an example of him for the 9612 benefit of the rest. Three boys were sent to their relatives, 9613 as ready to be apprenticed, four boys were apprenticed at 9614 the expense of the Institution, and provided with an outfit 9615 accordingly; and one girl was fitted out and sent to 9616 service. 9617 9618 There were, therefore, on May 26, 1850, only Two 9619 Hundred and Seventy-five Orphans in the New Orphan-9620 House; and with the teachers, overseers, nurses, and 9621 indoor and out-door servants, &c., the whole number of 9622 persons connected with the establishment was Three 9623

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Hundred and Eight. The total number of Orphans, who 9624 were under our care from April 1836, up to May 26, 1850, 9625 was Four Hundred and Forty-three. 9626 9627 I notice further the following points in connexion with the 9628 New Orphan-House. 9629 9630 1. Without any sectarian distinction whatever, and without 9631 favour or partiality, Orphans are received. There is no 9632 interest whatever required to get a child admitted, nor is it 9633 expected that a certain sum be paid with the Orphans. 9634 Three things only are requisite: a, that the children have 9635 been lawfully begotten; b, that they be bereaved of both 9636 parents by death; and c, that they be in destitute 9637 circumstances. Respecting these three points strict 9638 investigation is made, and it is expected that each of them 9639 be proved by proper documents; but that having been 9640 done, children may be admitted from any place, provided 9641 there is nothing peculiar in the case that would make them 9642 unsuitable inmates for the establishment. — I particularly 9643 request, that persons will kindly refrain from applying for 9644 children, except they are bereaved of both parents, as I 9645 can not receive them, if only bereaved of one; for this 9646 establishment has been from the beginning, only for 9647 destitute children who have neither father nor mother, and 9648 there can be no exceptions made. 9649 9650 2. The attention of the reader is called to the name of the 9651 Orphan Establishment. It is called the "New Orphan-9652 House." I particularly request that the friends of the 9653 Institution will use this name and earnestly beg, in order 9654 to avoid mistake, that it may not be called the "Orphan 9655

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Asylum," as there is about half a mile from the spot, 9656 where the "New Orphan-House" has been erected, another 9657 charitable establishment, which has been for many years 9658 in existence, called the "Female Orphan Asylum." But 9659 most of all I earnestly request, that the New Orphan-9660 House be not called "Mr. Muller’s Orphan-House." I have 9661 now and then been pained by observing that this 9662 appellation has been given to it. I trust that none, who 9663 recognise the finger of God in this work, will be sinning 9664 against Him by giving to me any measure of that honour, 9665 which so manifestly and altogether is only due to Him. 9666 The Lord led me to this work. He gave me faith for it. He 9667 sustained my faith for it to the end. He provided the 9668 means. He remarkably helped me through one difficulty 9669 after the other. Had He not upheld me in the midst of 9670 them all, I should have been surely overwhelmed by them. 9671 Therefore, by His help, I will not sin by taking even in the 9672 smallest degree that honour to myself, which entirely 9673 belongs to Him; and let none be sinning, by giving the 9674 least degree of this honour to me, or admiring me, instead 9675 of honouring and admiring the Lord. 9676 9677 3. The New Orphan-House was placed in the hands of 9678 eleven trustees, chosen by me. The deeds were enrolled in 9679 Chancery. 9680 9681 4. The New Orphan-House is fitted up for the 9682 accommodation of 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of 9683 age, 80 Orphan Boys above seven years, and 80 male and 9684 female Orphans from their earliest days, till they are about 9685 seven or eight years of age. The infants, after having 9686

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passed the age of seven or eight years, are removed into 9687 the different departments for older boys and girls. 9688 9689 5. The New Orphan-House is open to visitors every 9690 Wednesday afternoon; but the arrangements of the 9691 establishment make it needful, that it should be shown 9692 only at that time. No exceptions can be made. — The first 9693 party of visitors is shown through the House at half-past 9694 two o’clock precisely, God permitting the second at three 9695 o’clock; and, should there be need for it, the third and last 9696 party at half-past three o’clock. — As it takes at least one 9697 hour and a half to see the whole establishment, it is 9698 requested that visitors will be pleased to make their 9699 arrangements accordingly, before they come, as it would 9700 be inconvenient, should one or the other leave, before the 9701 whole party has seen the House. — From March 1st to 9702 Nov. 1st there may be three parties shown through the 9703 House every Wednesday afternoon; but from Nov. 1st to 9704 March 1st only two parties can be accommodated, on 9705 account of the shortness of the days. 9706 9707 6. Persons who desire to make application for the 9708 admission of Orphans are requested to write to me and 9709 address the letter to my house, No. 21, Paul Street, 9710 Kingsdown, Bristol. 9711 9712 7. Without any one having been personally applied to for 9713 anything by me, the sum of 33,868l. 11s. 1 1⁄4 d. was 9714 given to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to 9715 God, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 9716 1850. — It may be also interesting to the reader to know 9717 that the total amount, which was given as free 9718

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contributions, for the other objects, from the 9719 commencement of the work up to May 26, 1850, 9720 amounted to 10,531l. 3s. 3 3⁄4 d.; and that which came in 9721 by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of 9722 the children in the schools, up to May 26, 1850, amounted 9723 to 2,707l. 9s. 3 1⁄2 d. — Besides this also a great variety 9724 and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, 9725 &c., were given for the use of the Orphans. 9726 9727 8. The total of the current expenses for the Orphans from 9728 May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1849, was 1,559l. 6s. 9d., and 9729 the total of the current expenses for them from May 26, 9730 1849, to May 26, 1850, was only 2,665l. 13s. 2 3⁄4 d., i.e. 9731 only about Eleven Hundred Pounds more than the 9732 previous year. To avoid misunderstanding, I would 9733 request the reader to keep in mind that, though there were 9734 above 300 persons connected with the New Orphan-9735 House, on May 26, 1850, and only about 130 in the rented 9736 Orphan Houses in Wilson Street, yet above three weeks of 9737 the second year the children were still in Wilson Street, 9738 and five weeks afterwards we had only those children 9739 who came from Wilson Street into the New Orphan-9740 House; and even when we began to receive fresh Orphans, 9741 they came in only four, five, six, seven, or eight a-week, 9742 so that only by little and little our expenses increased. — 9743 It is also needful, in order to have a correct view of the 9744 expenses connected with the Orphans, to take into account 9745 the presents in rice, bread, coals, calico, print, shoes, &c., 9746 worth about 200l., which were given during these two 9747 years. 9748 9749 9750

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Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from 9751 May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850. 9752 9753 9754 Dec. 31, 1848. During this year the Lord was pleased to 9755 give me— 9756 9757 1. By anonymous offerings in money, put 9758 9759 up in paper, directed to me, and put 9760 9761 into the boxes for the poor saints or 9762 9763 the rent, at the two chapels. . . . . £156 7 1 9764 9765 2. By presents in money, from believers 9766 9767 in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . 157 14 6 9768 9769 3. By presents in money, from believers 9770 9771 not residing in Bristol . . . 145 0 0 9772 9773 4. By presents in provisions, clothes, etc., 9774 9775 from believers in and out of Bristol, 9776 9777 worth to us at least . . . . 15 16 0 9778 9779 ———————— 9780 9781 £474 17 7 9782

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9783 To this is again to be added, for this year also, as before 9784 stated, the free education of my daughter at a boarding 9785 school, worth at least 50l. 9786 9787 Dec. 31, 1849. The Lord sent me during this year— 9788 9789 1. By anonymous offerings in money, 9790 9791 through the boxes in the two chapels . . . . . £149 14 9 9792 9793 2. By presents in money from believers in 9794 9795 Bristol, not given anonymously . . 101 3 0 9796 9797 3. By presents in money, from believers 9798 9799 not residing in Bristol . . . 158 19 7 9800 9801 4. By presents in articles, worth at least . 3 5 0 9802 9803 ——————— 9804 9805 £413 2 4 9806 9807 Full account of the reasons which led me to the 9808 enlargement of the Orphan work, so that One Thousand 9809 Orphans might be provided for. 9810 9811 9812

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Having written down at full length the exercises of my 9813 mind respecting this deeply important step, I give them 9814 here, in the form of a journal, as recorded at the time. 9815 9816 Dec. 5, 1850. It is now sixteen years and nine months this 9817 evening, since I began the Scriptural Knowledge 9818 Institution for Home and Abroad. This Institution was in 9819 its beginning exceedingly small. Now it is so large, that I 9820 have not only disbursed, since its commencement, about 9821 Fifty Thousand Pounds sterling, but the current expenses, 9822 after the rate of the last months, amount to above £6,000 a 9823 year. I did "open my mouth wide," this very evening 9824 fifteen years ago, and the Lord has filled it. The New 9825 Orphan-House is now inhabited by 300 Orphans; and 9826 there are altogether 335 persons connected with it. My 9827 labour is abundant. The separation from my dear wife and 9828 child great, on account of my being the greater part of the 9829 day at the New Orphan-House; sometimes also by night. 9830 But notwithstanding all this, I have again and again 9831 thought about labouring more than ever in serving poor 9832 Orphans. Within the last ten days this matter has much 9833 occupied my mind, and for the last five days I have had 9834 much prayer about it. It has passed through my mind to 9835 build another Orphan-House, large enough for Seven 9836 Hundred Orphans, so that I might be able to care for One 9837 Thousand altogether. The points which have led me to this 9838 thought are: 1, The many distressing cases of children, 9839 bereaved of both parents, who have no helper. I have 9840 received 207 Orphans within the last sixteen months, and 9841 have now 78 waiting for admission, without having 9842 vacancies for any. I had about 60 children waiting for 9843 admission about sixteen months since, so about 230 9844

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children have been applied for within these sixteen 9845 months. But, humanly speaking, for the next sixteen 9846 months the number of applications will be far greater, as 9847 the work is now so much more widely known; except it be 9848 that persons may hear that the New Orphan-House is quite 9849 full, and on that account may consider it useless to apply. 9850 2, The constitution of most other charitable Institutions 9851 for Orphans makes the admission of a really destitute 9852 Orphan, i.e. a child bereaved of both parents, and without 9853 an influential friend, very difficult, if not hopeless; for 9854 admission by means of the votes of donors precludes 9855 really poor persons from having, in most instances, the 9856 benefit of these Institutions, as they cannot give the time 9857 nor expend the money necessary for obtaining such votes. 9858 I have myself seen that certain candidates had several 9859 thousand votes. The necessity of this arrangement being 9860 continued may be much regretted by many who are 9861 connected with such Institutions, but they have no power 9862 to alter it. In our case nothing is needed but application to 9863 me; and the very poorest person, without influence, 9864 without friends, without any expense, no matter where he 9865 lives, or of whatever religious denomination, who applies 9866 for children born in lawful wedlock, bereaved of both 9867 parents, and in destitute circumstances, may procure their 9868 admission. Now as the new Poor-law is against giving 9869 relief to relatives for Orphan children out of the Poor 9870 Houses; and as there is such difficulty for really poor 9871 people to get their Orphan relatives admitted into ordinary 9872 Orphan Establishments; I feel myself particularly called 9873 upon to be the. Friend of the Orphan, by making an easy 9874 way for admission, provided it is really a destitute case. 3, 9875 The confidence which God has caused thousands of His 9876

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children to repose in me, calls upon me to make use of it 9877 to the utmost of my power, and to seek yet more largely to 9878 be their almoner. 4, The experience which I have had in 9879 this service now for fifteen years, during which time I 9880 have gone from the smallest commencement of the work 9881 to having at present 300 Orphans under my care, calls 9882 upon me to make use of this my experience to the utmost. 9883 No member of a committee, no president of a Society, 9884 could possibly have the same experience, except he 9885 himself had practically been engaged in such a work for a 9886 number of years, as I have been. 5, This very experience 9887 makes things light to me, under God’s help, which were 9888 difficult formerly, and which would be very difficult now 9889 to many; may I not therefore proceed still further? 6, If 9890 700 more young souls could be brought under regular 9891 godly training, (and their number would be renewed from 9892 time to time,) what blessed service for the kingdom of 9893 Christ, and what profitable expenditure of labour too, with 9894 the blessing of God, even for this realm in a civil and 9895 moral point of view! 7, But that which outweighs every 9896 one of these six reasons, is lastly this: I began this Orphan 9897 Work fifteen years ago for the very purpose of illustrating 9898 to the world and to the church that there is verily a God in 9899 heaven who hears prayer; that God is the living God. (See 9900 fully about this in "Narrative of the Lord’s dealings with 9901 George Muller," under the reasons why I began the 9902 Orphan Work in 1835, 1st Part, page 143-146 of the 9903 Seventh Edition.) Now this last object is the more fully 9904 accomplished the larger the work is, provided I am helped 9905 in obtaining the means simply through prayer and faith. 9906 9907

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But whilst such thoughts have passed through my mind, 9908 there are others of another character. For instance, 1, I 9909 have already an abundance of work. 2, My dear wife has 9910 already an abundance of work. Her whole time, with little 9911 intermission (except for prayer and reading of the Word 9912 of God) is occupied directly or indirectly about the 9913 Orphans. 3, Am I not undertaking too much for my bodily 9914 strength and mental powers, by thinking about another 9915 Orphan-House? 4, Am I not going beyond the measure of 9916 my faith in thinking about enlarging the work so as to 9917 double or treble it? 5, Is not this a delusion of Satan, an 9918 attempt to cast me down altogether from my sphere of 9919 usefulness, by making me go beyond my measure? 6, Is it 9920 not also, perhaps, a snare to puff me up, by attempting to 9921 build a very large Orphan-House? 9922 9923 Under these circumstances I can only pray that the Lord in 9924 his tender mercy would not allow Satan to gain an 9925 advantage over me. By the grace of God my heart says: 9926 Lord if I could be sure that it is Thy will, that I should go 9927 forward in this matter, I would do so cheerfully; and, on 9928 the other hand, if I could be sure, that these are vain, 9929 foolish, proud thoughts, that they are not from Thee, I 9930 would, by Thy grace, hate them, and entirely put them 9931 aside. 9932 9933 My hope is in God; He will help and teach me. Judging, 9934 however, from His former dealings with me, it would not 9935 be a strange thing to me, nor surprising, if He called me to 9936 labour yet still more largely in this way. 9937 9938

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The thoughts about enlarging the Orphan Work have not 9939 arisen on account of an abundance of money having lately 9940 come in; for I have had of late to wait for about seven 9941 weeks upon God, whilst little, very little comparatively, 9942 came in, i.e., about four times as much was going out as 9943 came in; and, had not the Lord previously sent me large 9944 sums, we should have been distressed indeed. 9945 9946 Lord! How can Thy servant know Thy will in this matter? 9947 Wilt Thou be pleased to teach him! 9948 9949 Dec. 11, 1850. During the last six days, since writing the 9950 above, I have been, day after day, waiting upon God 9951 concerning this matter. It has generally been more or less 9952 all the day on my heart. When I have been awake at night, 9953 it has not been far from my thoughts. Yet all this without 9954 the least excitement I am perfectly calm and quiet 9955 respecting it. My soul would be rejoiced to go forward in 9956 this service, could I be sure that the Lord would have me 9957 to do so; for then, notwithstanding the numberless 9958 difficulties, all would be well, and His name would be 9959 magnified. 9960 9961 On the other hand, were. I assured that the Lord would 9962 have me to be satisfied with my present sphere of service, 9963 and that I should not pray about enlarging the work, by 9964 His grace I could, without an effort, cheerfully yield to it; 9965 for He has brought me into such a state of heart, that I 9966 only desire to please Him in this matter. Moreover, 9967 hitherto I have not spoken about this thing even to my 9968 beloved wife, the sharer of my joys, sorrows and labours 9969 for more than twenty years; nor is it likely that I shall do 9970

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so for some time to come: for I prefer quietly to wait on 9971 the Lord, without conversing on this subject, in order that 9972 thus I may be kept the more easily, by His blessing, from 9973 being influenced by things from without. The burden of 9974 my prayer concerning this matter is, that the Lord would 9975 not allow me to make a mistake, and that He would teach 9976 me His will. As to outward things, I have had nothing to 9977 encourage me during these six days, but the very reverse; 9978 for the income, for the various objects of the Scriptural 9979 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, has been 9980 unusually small, only 6l. 14s. altogether, while the 9981 outgoings have been 138l. 11s. 7d. But all this would not 9982 weigh the least with me, could I be quite sure that the 9983 Lord would have me to go forward. 9984 9985 The especial burden of my prayer therefore is, that God 9986 would be pleased to teach me His will. My mind has also 9987 been especially pondering, how I could know His will 9988 satisfactorily concerning this particular. Sure I am, that I 9989 shall be taught. I therefore desire patiently to wait for the 9990 Lord’s time, when He shall be pleased to shine on my 9991 path concerning this point. 9992 9993 Dec. 26. Fifteen days have elapsed since I wrote the 9994 preceding paragraph. Every day since then I have 9995 continued to pray about this matter, and that with a goodly 9996 measure of earnestness, by the help of God. There has 9997 passed scarcely an hour during these days, in which, 9998 whilst awake, this matter has not been more or less before 9999 me. But all without even a shadow of excitement. I 10000 converse with no one about it. Hitherto have I not even 10001 done so with my dear wife. From this I refrain still, and 10002

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deal with God alone about the matter, in order that no 10003 outward influence, and no outward excitement ay keep me 10004 from attaining unto a clear discovery of His will. I have 10005 the fullest and most peaceful assurance, that He will 10006 clearly show me His will. This evening I have had again 10007 an especial solemn season for prayer, to seek to know the 10008 will of God. But whilst I continue to entreat and beseech 10009 the Lord, that He would not allow me to be deluded in this 10010 business, I may say I have scarcely any doubt remaining 10011 on my mind as to what will be the issue, even that I 10012 should go forward in this matter. As this, however, is one 10013 of the most momentous steps that I have ever taken, I 10014 judge that I cannot go about this matter with too much 10015 caution, prayerfulness, and deliberation. I am in no hurry 10016 about it. I could wait for years, by God’s grace, were this 10017 His will, before even taking one single step towards this 10018 thing, or even speaking to any one about it; and, on the 10019 other hand, I would set to work tomorrow, were the Lord 10020 to bid me do so. This calmness of mind, this having no 10021 will of my own in the matter, this only wishing to tease 10022 my Heavenly Father in it, this only seeking His and not 10023 my honour in it; this state of heart, I say, is the fullest 10024 assurance to me that my heart is not under a fleshly 10025 excitement, and that, if I am helped thus to go on, I shall 10026 know the will of God to the full. But, while. I write thus, I 10027 cannot but add at the same time, that I do crave the 10028 honour and the glorious privilege to be more and more 10029 used by the Lord. I have served Satan much in my 10030 younger years, and desire now with all my might to serve 10031 God, during the remaining days of my earthly pilgrimage. 10032 I am forty-five years and three months old. Every day 10033 decreases the number of days that I have to stay on earth. 10034

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I therefore desire with all my might to work. There are 10035 vast multitudes of Orphans to be provided for. About five 10036 years ago, a brother in the Lord told me he had seen in an 10037 official Report, that there were at that time six thousand 10038 young Orphans in the prisons of England. My heart longs 10039 to be instrumental in preventing such young Orphans from 10040 having to go to prison. I desire to be used by the Lord as 10041 an instrument in providing all the necessary temporal 10042 supplies, not only for the 300 now under my care, but for 10043 700 more. I desire to alleviate yet further the sufferings of 10044 poor dying widows, when looking on their helpless 10045 Orphans, about to be left behind. I desire yet further to 10046 assist poor persons to whom destitute Orphans are left, 10047 and who are unable to provide for them. I desire to be 10048 allowed to provide Scriptural Instruction for a thousand 10049 Orphans; instead of doing so for 300. I desire to expound 10050 the Holy Scriptures regularly to a thousand Orphans, 10051 instead of doing so to 300. I desire that thus it may be yet 10052 more abundantly manifest that God is still the hearer and 10053 answerer of prayer, and that He is the living God now, as 10054 He ever was and ever will be, when He shall, simply in 10055 answer to prayer, have condescended to provide me with a 10056 house for 700 Orphans, and with means to support them. 10057 This last consideration is the most important point in my 10058 mind. The Lord’s honour is the principal point with me in 10059 this whole matter; and just because that is the case, if He 10060 would be more glorified by my not going forward in this 10061 business, I should, by His grace, be perfectly content to 10062 give up all thoughts about another Orphan-House. Surely 10063 in such a state of mind, obtained by the Holy Spirit, Thou, 10064 O my Heavenly Father, wilt not suffer Thy child to be 10065 mistaken, much less to be deluded! By the help of God I 10066

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shall continue further, day by day, to wait upon Him in 10067 prayer concerning this thing, till He shall bid me act. 10068 10069 Jan. 2, 1851. A week ago I wrote the preceding paragraph. 10070 During this week I have still been helped, day by day, and 10071 more than once every day, to seek the guidance of the 10072 Lord about another Orphan-House. The burden of my 10073 prayer has still been, that He, in His great mercy, would 10074 keep me from making a mistake. During the last week the 10075 Book of Proverbs has come in the course of my Scripture 10076 reading, and my heart has been refreshed, in reference to 10077 this subject, by the following passages: "Trust in the Lord 10078 with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own 10079 understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He 10080 shall direct thy paths." Prov. iii. 5, 6. By the grace of God 10081 I do acknowledge the Lord in my ways, and in this thing 10082 in particular; I have therefore the comfortable assurance 10083 that He will direct my paths concerning this part of my 10084 service, as to whether I shall be occupied in it or not. 10085 Further: "The integrity of the upright shall preserve them; 10086 but the perverseness of fools shall destroy them." Prov. xi. 10087 3. By the grace of God I am upright in this business. My 10088 honest purpose is to get glory to God. Therefore. I expect 10089 to be guided aright. Further, "Commit thy works unto the. 10090 Lord and thy thoughts shall be established." Prov. xvi. 8. I 10091 do commit my works unto the. Lord, and therefore expect 10092 that my thoughts will be established. — My heart is more 10093 and more coming to a calm, quiet, and settled assurance, 10094 that the Lord will condescend to use me yet further in the 10095 Orphan Work. Here, Lord, is Thy servant! 10096 10097

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Jan. 14. Twelve days have passed away since I wrote the 10098 last paragraph. I have still, day by day, been enabled to 10099 wait upon the Lord with reference to enlarging the Orphan 10100 Work, and have been, during the whole of this period 10101 also, in perfect peace, which is the result of seeking in this 10102 thing only the Lord’s honour and the temporal and 10103 spiritual benefit of my fellowmen. Without an effort could 10104 I, by His grace, put aside all thoughts about this whole 10105 affair, if only assured that it is the will of God I should do 10106 so; and, on the other hand, would at once go forward, if 10107 He would have it to be so. I have still kept this matter 10108 entirely to myself. Though it is now about seven weeks, 10109 since day by day, more or less, my mind has been 10110 exercised about it, and since I have daily prayed 10111 concerning it; yet not one human being knows of it. As 10112 yet I have not mentioned it even to my dear wife, in order 10113 that thus, by quietly waiting upon the. Lord, I might not 10114 be influenced by what might be said to me on the subject. 10115 This evening has been particularly set apart for prayer, 10116 beseeching the Lord once more, not to allow me to be 10117 mistaken in this thing, and much less to be deluded by the 10118 Devil. I have also sought to let all the reasons against 10119 building another Orphan-House, and all the reasons for 10120 doing so, pass before my mind; and now, for the sake of 10121 clearness and definiteness, write them down. 10122 10123 10124 Reasons against establishing another Orphan-House for 10125 10126 Seven Hundred Orphans. 10127 10128 10129

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1. Would not this be going beyond my measure 10130 spiritually? according to that word: "For I say through the 10131 grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not 10132 to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but 10133 to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man 10134 the measure of faith." Rom. xii. 3. 10135 10136 Answer: If the Lord were to leave me to myself, the tenth 10137 part of the difficulties and trials, which befall me now in 10138 connexion with the various objects of the Scriptural 10139 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, would be 10140 enough to overwhelm me; but, whilst He is pleased to 10141 sustain me, I am able day by day to pass on peacefully, 10142 and am carried through one difficulty after the other: and 10143 thus, by God’s help, even with my present measure of 10144 faith, if continued to me, should be enabled to bear up 10145 under other difficulties and trials ; but I look for an 10146 increase of faith with every fresh difficulty, through 10147 which the Lord is pleased to help me. 10148 10149 2. Would it not be going beyond my measure naturally 10150 with reference to mental and bodily strength? Answer: Of 10151 all the objections against establishing another Orphan-10152 House, there is none that weighs more with me than this; I 10153 might say, it is the only real difficulty. This, however, too, 10154 I am enabled to put aside and to overcome thus: By 10155 husbanding my strength, by great order, by regular habits, 10156 by lightening the work as much as possible, and by using 10157 every help that I can, I have been enabled to get through a 10158 vast quantity of work. My immense correspondence of 10159 about 3000 letters a-year, I have been enabled to 10160 accomplish without a secretary. The entire management 10161

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and direction, and the whole vast correspondence of the 10162 Scriptural Knowledge Institution has devolved upon 10163 myself alone these sixteen years and ten months, and I 10164 have been thinking that, by seeking for an efficient 10165 secretary, an efficient clerk, and an inspector of the 10166 schools, I might, with God’s help, accomplish yet more, 10167 though much of what I have been doing hitherto would 10168 need to be done by others. There have been several other 10169 arrangements brought before my mind, since I have been 10170 exercised about this matter, whereby, with the blessing of 10171 God, the work might be lightened. I should certainly need 10172 efficient helpers to carry out the plans before me; but with 10173 such, I, as director, might be enabled, by God’s help, to 10174 accomplish yet more. 10175 10176 3. There must be a limit to my work and service. Answer: 10177 That is true, and if I were quite sure that the present state 10178 of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution were to be the 10179 limit, I would at once lay aside this thing; but I am not 10180 sure that I am come as yet to God’s limit. All these 10181 sixteen years and ten months, the work has been 10182 constantly progressing, and the Lord has helped me 10183 continually; and now my mind is just in the same way 10184 exercised, as when fifteen years ago I began the Orphan 10185 Work, and as when thirteen years ago it was enlarged, and 10186 as when seven years and nine months since it was still 10187 further enlarged, and as when five years and two months 10188 since I was led to decide on building the New Orphan-10189 House. Under these circumstances, having been helped 10190 through all these difficulties, and seeing such a vast field 10191 of usefulness before me, and having so many applications 10192 for the admission of very destitute Orphans, I long to be 10193

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used still further, and cannot say that as yet the Lord has 10194 brought me to His limit. 10195 10196 4. Is it not like "tempting God," to think of building 10197 another Orphan-House for seven hundred more orphans? 10198 Answer: "Tempting God" means, according to the Holy 10199 Scriptures, to limit Him in any of His attributes by His 10200 grace I do not wish to limit His power or His willingness, 10201 to give to me, His poor servant, simply in answer to 10202 prayer, all the means, and every other help and blessing 10203 which I shall need to build another large Orphan-House. 10204 10205 5. You will not get the means for building and fitting up 10206 so large an Orphan-House; and, even if you did, how will 10207 you, at the same time, get the means for carrying on the 10208 work, which already exists? Answer: Looking at the 10209 matter naturally, this is indeed a weighty objection. 10210 10211 The New Orphan- House, with its 300 Orphans only, cost 10212 about fifteen thousand pounds to build and to fit up and 10213 furnish, and still the expenses are not all met even now. It 10214 will in all probability cost several hundred pounds yet. 10215 And this large sum was needed, though the style of the 10216 building is most simple, and though the field in which it 10217 was built was comparatively cheap. After this rate, a 10218 building to accommodate seven hundred Orphans, with 10219 the necessary ground attached to it for the cultivation of 10220 the vegetables used in the Institution, could not be less 10221 than thirty-five thousand pounds. Now, looking at it 10222 naturally, where is this great sum to come from? Though I 10223 looked at all my friends who have given hitherto, and 10224 several have done so very liberally, yet there is no natural 10225

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prospect whatever of receiving this amount; especially if 10226 it be kept in mind that six or seven thousand pounds 10227 besides, every year, would be needed for carrying on that 10228 which is already in existence. I might, therefore, well 10229 tremble, looking at the matter naturally, and say, I shall 10230 never have the money for this intended Orphan-House for 10231 700 children; for where is this large sum of thirty-five 10232 thousand pounds to come from? And even if I were to get 10233 the money, will not persons, in giving means for such a 10234 Building-Fund, take it away from what they might have 10235 given me for carrying on the work which exists already? 10236 But whilst thus, naturally, there is no hope of succeeding, 10237 I am not in the least discouraged spiritually; for by faith in 10238 the living God I say this: He has the power to give me this 10239 thirty-five thousand pounds, and much more, were it 10240 needed: and He has the power, in the mean time., to give 10241 me also all the large sums required, week after week, for 10242 meeting the current expenses for the present state of the 10243 work. Moreover, I delight in the greatness of the 10244 difficulty, as it respects the large sum needed for building 10245 and fitting up such an Establishment; for I desire to be 10246 most fully assured, from the very outset, that I go forward 10247 in this matter according to the Lord’s bidding. If so, He 10248 will give me the means; if not, I shall not have them. Nor 10249 do I mean to apply to any one personally for pecuniary 10250 help, but purpose to give myself to prayer for means, as 10251 heretofore. 10252 10253 6. Suppose now, you were even to succeed in getting this 10254 large Orphan House built, how will you be able to provide 10255 for 700 other Orphans? Answer: There is much weight in 10256 this objection, looking at it naturally. I am too much a 10257

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man of business, and too much a person of calm, quiet, 10258 cool calculation, not to feel its force. And indeed, were I 10259 only to look at the thing naturally, I should at once be 10260 ready to own that I am going too far; for the increase of 10261 expenditure for the support of these 700 other Orphans 10262 could not be less than eight thousand pounds a-year more, 10263 so that the current expenses of the Scriptural Knowledge 10264 Institution, reckoning its present state, and including those 10265 eight thousand pounds, would be about fifteen thousand 10266 pounds a-year. Now, I am free to own, that I have no 10267 human. prospect of obtaining such a sum year by year. 10268 But while matters stand thus, looking at them naturally, I 10269 see no difficulty at all in them spiritually. If according to 10270 the will of God I am enabled to go about this intended 10271 second Orphan House; and if, with His help, I shall be 10272 enabled to finish it; He will surely provide for those who 10273 are gathered together in it, as long as He shall be pleased 10274 to enable me to trust in Him for supplies. And here I look 10275 back upon the way in which the. Lord has led me and 10276 dealt with me. When, about seventeen years ago, I took 10277 up, in dependence upon the living God for means, two 10278 Charity Schools, with which the Scriptural Knowledge 10279 Institution commenced (and this involved an expense of 10280 less than one hundred pounds a-year), I had no certain 10281 prospect of being able to meet even that small sum; but 10282 God so helped me, that I had shortly six Charity Schools. 10283 He helped me then also, and enabled me to meet all their 10284 expenses. When, fifteen years ago, I began the Orphan 10285 Work, which was connected with far heavier expenses, I 10286 had still less prospect, according to natural reason, of 10287 being able to meet them; but I trusted in God, and He 10288 helped me, and He not only enabled me to meet the 10289

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current expenses for thirty Orphans in the first house 10290 rented for them, but also soon to open another for thirty-10291 six more, and to meet all those expenses; for as I had 10292 begun in faith in the living God, and not by putting my 10293 trust in my brethren in Christ, so I was not confounded. 10294 After I had gone on some time with these Orphans in the 10295 two rented houses, about thirteen years ago the Lord was 10296 pleased greatly to encourage me and to increase my faith 10297 by a donation of 500l. for the Orphans; for up to that 10298 period I had never received more than One Hundred 10299 Pounds at once. But this kind donor, a stranger to me up 10300 to that time, suggested to me the propriety of investing 10301 this sum and using only the interest of it, as I could not 10302 expect to have the Orphans supported for a continuance in 10303 the way they had been till then; for that such Institutions 10304 must depend upon regular subscriptions or funded 10305 property, otherwise they could not go on. As, however, 10306 this was only a friendly hint, and no condition under 10307 which the money was given, I took this 500l. towards 10308 fitting up a third house for the reception of thirty more 10309 Orphans. From that time the work has been increasing 10310 more and more, till it came to what it is at present. Now, 10311 suppose I had said, seventeen years ago, looking at 10312 matters according to natural reason, "the two Charity 10313 Schools are enough, I must not go any further;" then the 10314 work would have stopped there. Or, if I had had a little 10315 more trust in my exertions or my friends, I might have 10316 taken at the utmost one or two steps further. Instead of 10317 this, however, I looked in no degree whatever at things 10318 according to my natural fallen reason, and trusted not in 10319 the circle of my Christian friends, but in the living God; 10320 and the result has been, that there have been since 1834 10321

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ten thousand souls under our instruction in the various 10322 Day Schools, Sunday Schools and Adult Schools; several 10323 hundred Orphans have been brought up, and many of 10324 them from their very tenderest infancy; several hundred 10325 thousand tracts and many thousand copies of the Word of 10326 God have been circulated; about forty preachers of the 10327 Gospel at Home and Abroad have been, for several years, 10328 assisted in connection with the Scriptural Knowledge 10329 Institution; and a house has been built and fitted up for the 10330 accommodation of 300 destitute Orphans, each of whom 10331 has neither father nor mother. How blessed therefore it is 10332 to trust in God, and in Him alone, and not in 10333 circumstances nor friends There is, however, one thing 10334 which I must record here, because it has taken place since 10335 I last wrote in my journal on this subject on January 2nd. 10336 It is this. During these twelve days I have received for the 10337 various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution in 10338 smaller donations 64l. 15s. 6 1⁄2 d., also a donation of 10339 150l. and one of 3000l. Is not this a plain proof that God 10340 is both able and willing to help simply in answer to 10341 prayer? Is not human reason confounded by such 10342 instances? When I first began to write these exercises of 10343 my mind about another Orphan House, I knew not that on 10344 January 4th I should receive a donation of 3000l., yet I 10345 was fully assured that God was able to support one 10346 thousand Orphans as easily as He did the thirty whom I 10347 first received in a rented house. Does He not, however, 10348 tell me by all this: Go forward, my servant, and I will help 10349 thee? 10350 10351 7. But it might be said, suppose you were able by prayer 10352 to obtain this large sum for building a house for seven 10353

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hundred other Orphans; and suppose you were able to 10354 provide for them during your lifetime, what would 10355 become of this Institution after your death? Answer: I am 10356 quite familiar with this objection, having heard it many 10357 times as a reason against the way of obtaining the means 10358 for the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, simply by 10359 trusting in God, without any funded property, and without 10360 looking to regular subscribers; but my reply is this. My 10361 business is, with all my might to serve my own 10362 generation; in doing so I shall best serve the next 10363 generation, should the Lord Jesus tarry. Soon He may 10364 come again but, if He tarry, and I have to fall asleep 10365 before His return, I shall not have been altogether without 10366 profit to the generation to come, were the Lord only to 10367 enable me to serve my own generation. Suppose this 10368 objection were a sound one, I ought never to have 10369 commenced the Orphan. Work at all, for fear of what 10370 might become of it after my death, and thus all the 10371 hundreds of destitute children without father and mother, 10372 whom the Lord has allowed me to care for, during the last 10373 fifteen years, would not have been taken up by me. The 10374 same argument was again and again used to Franké, my 10375 esteemed countryman, who at Hallé, in Prussia, 10376 commenced about A.D. 1696, the largest charitable 10377 establishment for poor children that, as far as I know, 10378 exists in the world. He trusted in God alone. He went on 10379 trusting in God alone. And God helped him throughout 10380 abundantly. Simply by trust in the living God the 10381 Institutions, resembling a large street rather than a house, 10382 were erected, and about two thousand children instructed 10383 in them. For about thirty years all was going on under his 10384 own eye, until 1727, when it pleased God to take His 10385

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servant to Himself. At his death these Institutions were 10386 directed by his truly pious son-in-law. It is true that, at the 10387 latter part of the last century, and during the first part of 10388 the present, there was little real vital godliness in these 10389 Institutions; still they were a temporal blessing to many 10390 tens of thousands of young persons even then. So then for 10391 several tens of years they were carried on in a truly Godly 10392 way, after Franké’s death, and when afterwards there was 10393 but little real, vital godliness found in these schools, yet 10394 tens of thousands of children were benefited at least for 10395 this life. Now these Institutions have existed already 150 10396 years, and are in existence still: and, if the Lord Jesus 10397 tarry, are likely, humanly speaking, to exist hereafter, as 10398 they have existed hitherto. Suppose then, that dear man of 10399 God, A. H. Franké, had listened to the suggestions of 10400 unbelief, and said, I must not undertake this work, for 10401 what will become of it after my death, then all the 10402 blessing which spiritually resulted from it to thousands, 10403 and all the temporal benefits which have resulted from it 10404 to hundreds of thousands, would have been lost. I add, 10405 however, this. The New Orphan House has been placed in 10406 the hands of eleven trustees, and has been properly 10407 enrolled in Chancery, and so also, should God condescend 10408 to honour me further in building for Him this intended 10409 house for 700 Orphans, it would likewise be placed in the 10410 hands of trustees and enrolled in Chancery. One word in 10411 conclusion on this subject: let every one take heed lest, in 10412 caring about what will become of the next generation, he 10413 forget to serve his own generation. The latter each one 10414 should seek to do with his might, and thus it should be 10415 with each succeeding generation; then, though we be 10416 dead, yet should we be speaking. A. H. Franké is long 10417

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since gone to his rest, but he spoke to my soul in 1826, 10418 and he is speaking to my soul now; and to his example I 10419 am greatly indebted for having been stirred up to care 10420 about poor children in general, and about poor Orphans in 10421 particular. 10422 10423 8. The last objection which has occurred to my own mind 10424 is, that by building another Orphan House, I should be in 10425 danger of being lifted up. Answer: I should be in danger 10426 of it indeed, and am in great danger, even were I not in the 10427 least degree to go forward. Yea, the tenth part of the 10428 honour which the Lord has condescended to bestow upon 10429 me, and the tenth part of service with which He has been 10430 pleased to intrust me, would he enough, if I were left to 10431 myself, exceedingly to puff me up. I cannot say that 10432 hitherto the Lord has kept me humble; but I can say, that 10433 hitherto He has given me a hearty desire to give to Him all 10434 the glory, and to consider it a great condescension on His 10435 part that He has been pleased to use me as an instrument 10436 in His service. I do not see, therefore, that fear of being 10437 lifted up ought to keep me from going forward in this 10438 work; but that I have rather to beseech the Lord that He 10439 would be pleased to give me a lowly mind, and never 10440 suffer me to rob Him of the glory which is due to Him 10441 alone. 10442 10443 Jan. 25. Great pressure of work has kept me from going 10444 on writing my reasons for establishing another Orphan-10445 House till now, but being more and more convinced that it 10446 is of God I should do so, I now proceed in writing. 10447 10448 10449

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Reasons for establishing another Orphan House for Seven 10450 Hundred Orphans. 10451 10452 10453 1. The many applications for the admission of destitute 10454 Orphans, which continue to be made, I consider as a call 10455 from God upon me, to do all that is in my power to 10456 provide a Home and Scriptural Education for a still 10457 greater number of Orphans. Nothing but positive inability 10458 to go forward ought to keep me standing still, whilst I 10459 have almost daily fresh entreaties to receive Orphans. 10460 Since I began writings on this subject in my journal, thirty 10461 more Orphans have been applied for, from two years old 10462 and upwards. I cannot refuse to help, as long as I see a 10463 door open, and opened by God, as I consider, to help 10464 them. 10465 10466 2. The moral state of the Poorhouses greatly influences 10467 me to go forward. I have heard it again and again, from 10468 good authority, that children, placed in the Unions, are 10469 corrupted, on account of the children of vagrants, and 10470 other very bad young people who are in such places; so 10471 that many poor relatives of Orphans, though unable to 10472 provide for them, cannot bear the idea of their going there, 10473 lest they should be corrupted. I therefore judge that, even 10474 for the sake of keeping Orphans of poor yet respectable 10475 people from being obliged to mix with the children of 10476 vagabonds, I ought to do, to my utmost power, all I can to 10477 help them. For this reason, then, I purpose, in dependence 10478 upon the living God, to go forward and to establish 10479 another Orphan House for seven hundred destitute 10480 children, who are bereaved of both parents. When writing 10481

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thus about the Poorhouses, I do not wish it to be 10482 understood in the way of reproof; for I know not how 10483 these matters could be altered; but simply state the fact 10484 that thus it is. 10485 10486 3. In this purpose I am the more confirmed, since it is a 10487 fact, that the Orphan Houses already in existence in the 10488 kingdom are by no means sufficient to admit even the 10489 most deserving and distressing cases, and far less all that 10490 it would be well to provide for. Moreover, there is great 10491 difficulty connected with the admission of Orphans into 10492 most of the ordinary Orphan Establishments, on account 10493 of the votes which must be obtained, so that really needy 10494 persons have neither time nor money to obtain them. Does 10495 not the fact that there were six thousand young Orphans in 10496 the prisons of England about five years ago, call aloud for 10497 an extension of Orphan Institutions? By God’s help, I will 10498 do what I can, to keep poor Orphans from prison. 10499 10500 4. In this purpose I am still further encouraged by the 10501 great help which the Lord has hitherto given me in this 10502 blessed service. When I look at the small beginning, and 10503 consider how the Lord has helped me now for more than 10504 fifteen years in the Orphan work; and when I consider 10505 how He has been pleased to help me through one great 10506 difficulty after another; and when I consider, especially, 10507 how, as with an unseen hand, almost against my will and 10508 former desires and thoughts, He has led me on from one 10509 step to another, and has enlarged the work more and 10510 more: I say, when I review all this, and compare with it 10511 my present exercise of mind, I find the great help, the 10512 uninterrupted help, which the Lord has given me for more 10513

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than fifteen years, a great reason for going forward in this 10514 work. And this, trusting in Him, I am resolved to do. 10515 10516 5. A further reason for going forward in this service I see 10517 in the experience which I have had in it. From the smallest 10518 commencement up to the present state of the 10519 establishment, with its 300 Orphans, all has gone through 10520 my own hands. In the work itself I obtained the 10521 experience. It has grown with the work. I have been the 10522 sole director of the work, under God, from its smallest 10523 commencement. Now this is not an every day case. No 10524 committee member of a society, no president or vice-10525 president of an institution, except they had been situated 10526 as myself, could have this experience. Coupled with this 10527 is the measure of gift which the Lord has been pleased to 10528 give me for such work, and for the exercise of which I am 10529 responsible to Him. These things, in connexion with the 10530 former reasons, it appears to me, are a call from God to go 10531 forward in a greater degree than ever in this work. 10532 10533 6. The spiritual benefit of still more Orphans is another 10534 especial reason, why I feel called to go forward. The 10535 Orphans, who have been under my care hitherto, were 10536 almost all the children of parents who were naturally 10537 weak in body, if not consumptive. The very fact of a child 10538 being deprived of both parents when four, five, six, or 10539 seven years old, shows that, except the parents lost their 10540 lives by casualty, they were constitutionally weak. On this 10541 account young Orphans, generally speaking, require 10542 particular care as to their health. In this respect I desire to 10543 care for them; but there is more than that to be attended 10544 to. I further heartily desire to keep them from the 10545

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corrupting and demoralizing effect of the lowest sort of 10546 children in the streets, courts and Unions; but I desire 10547 more for them than mere decency and morality. I desire 10548 that they should be useful members of society, and that 10549 the prisons of the United Kingdom should not be filled 10550 with poor, destitute, and homeless Orphans. We bring 10551 them up therefore in habits of industry, and seek to 10552 instruct them in those things which are useful for the life 10553 that now is; but I desire more than this for the Orphans. I 10554 cannot be satisfied with anything concerning them short 10555 of this, that their souls be won for the Lord. For this 10556 reason I long to have them from their earliest days, yea, 10557 the younger the better, under my care, that thus, under 10558 godly nurses and teachers, they may he brought up in the 10559 fear of the Lord. Now as this is the chief and primary aim 10560 concerning the dear Orphans, even the salvation of their 10561 souls through faith in the Lord Jesus, I long to be more 10562 extensively used than hitherto, even that I may have a 10563 thousand of them instead of three hundred under my care. 10564 10565 7. But there is one point which weighs more strongly with 10566 me than even the last mentioned one. It is this. When I 10567 began the Orphan Work more than fifteen years ago, it 10568 was for the definite and especial purpose, that, by means 10569 of it, the unconverted might see, through the answers of 10570 prayer that I received in connection with it, that there is 10571 verily reality in the things of God; and that the children of 10572 God might have their faith strengthened by means of it, 10573 and be encouraged, in all simplicity to deal with God 10574 under every circumstance, and trust in Him at all times. 10575 But if this would be answered in a measure by the state in 10576 which the Orphan Work has been in former times, and 10577

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more so by what it has been since the erection of the New 10578 Orphan House, it would be still more so, by the blessing 10579 of God, by my going forward in it to a far greater degree 10580 than before. This point, even the glory of God in the 10581 manifestation of His readiness to hear prayer, has weighed 10582 especially and supremely with me in purposing to enlarge 10583 the Orphan Work. 10584 10585 8. Lastly, I am peaceful and happy, spiritually, in the 10586 prospect of enlarging the work, as on former occasions 10587 when I had to do so. This weighs particularly with me as a 10588 reason for going forward. After all the calm, quiet, 10589 prayerful consideration of the subject for about eight 10590 weeks, I am peaceful and happy, spiritually, in the 10591 purpose of enlarging the field. This, after all the heart 10592 searching which I have had, and the daily prayer to be 10593 kept from delusion and mistake in this thing, and the be-10594 taking myself to the Word of God, would not be the case, 10595 I judge, had not the Lord purposed to condescend to use 10596 me more than ever in this service. 10597 10598 I, therefore, on the ground of the objections answered, and 10599 these eight reasons for enlarging the work, come to the 10600 conclusion that it is the will of the blessed God, that His 10601 poor and most unworthy servant should yet more 10602 extensively serve Him in this work, which he is quite 10603 willing to do. 10604 10605 Up to this day, January 25, 1851, I have not spoken to one 10606 human being about it. As yet even my dear wife knows 10607 not about it. I purpose to keep the matter still for some 10608 time entirely to myself, dealing with God alone about it, 10609

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in order that no outward excitement may be in the least 10610 degree a stimulus to me. I still pray to be kept from 10611 mistake and delusion in this thing, not that I think I am 10612 mistaken or deluded, quite the reverse; but yet I would 10613 distrust myself and cling to God, to be kept from mistakes 10614 and delusions. 10615 10616 January 31st. For several weeks past I have had no doubt 10617 that the Lord would have me to serve Him in the erection 10618 and fitting up of another Orphan-House for seven hundred 10619 Orphans, and I am quite decided on doing so, with His 10620 help, and I am now quiet about it, not because I have the 10621 least misgiving in my own mind, but because I know that 10622 it is most suitable that I should still for some time 10623 continue to deal quietly with God alone about it. 10624 10625 March 5th. Nearly five weeks have passed away since I 10626 wrote the last paragraph, and my mind has not been once, 10627 during this time, even for a moment, in uncertainty as to 10628 what I ought to do. It is now about fifteen weeks since I 10629 have been especially praying about this subject, and three 10630 months since. I began first to write on the subject in my 10631 journal, and about ten weeks since I have had any doubt 10632 as to what is the will of the Lord concerning this service. I 10633 believe that, altogether unworthy though I am of this great 10634 honour, He will condescend to use me further and more 10635 extensively than before in caring for destitute children 10636 who are bereaved of both parents. And this I purpose to 10637 do. 10638 10639

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April 5th. Another month has passed away, and my mind 10640 is just in the same state as it was when I wrote in my 10641 journal on the subject on March 5th. 10642 10643 May 5th. One more month has passed away, and still my 10644 mind remains quietly assured that, utterly unworthy 10645 though I am to be allowed to go forward in this work, and 10646 great though the difficulties are, which must be overcome, 10647 yet that it is the will of God I should serve Him in this 10648 way. It is now this day five months since I first wrote on 10649 this subject in my journal, and longer even than that since 10650 it has been before rue, during which time I have day by 10651 day prayed concerning this matter. 10652 10653 May 24th. From the time that I began to write down the 10654 exercises of my mind on Dec. 5th, 1850, till this day, 10655 ninety-two more Orphans have been applied for, and 10656 seventy-eight were already waiting for admission before. 10657 But this number increases rapidly as the work becomes 10658 more and more known. 10659 10660 On the ground of what has been recorded above, I purpose 10661 to go forward in this service, and to seek to build, to the 10662 praise and honour of the living God, another Orphan-10663 House, large enough to accommodate seven hundred 10664 Orphans. 10665 10666 When I published these exercises of my mind, and made 10667 known my purpose respecting the intended Orphan-House 10668 for 700 Orphans, in the Twelfth Report of the Scriptural 10669 Knowledge Institution, the following particulars were 10670 added to what has been stated. 10671

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10672 1. All this time, though now six months have elapsed 10673 since. I first began to be exercised about this matter, I 10674 have never once been led to ask the Lord for means for 10675 this work, but have only continued day by day to seek 10676 guidance from Him as to whether I should undertake it or 10677 not. 10678 10679 2. The means requisite, to accomplish the building and 10680 fitting up of a house, which shall be really suitable for my 10681 intended purposes, though the building be quite simple, 10682 cannot be less than Thirty-Five Thousand Pounds, 10683 including fifteen or twenty acres of land round the 10684 building for cultivation by the spade, in order to obtain 10685 out of our own grounds all the vegetables, which are so 10686 important to the health of the children. 10687 10688 3. I do not mean to begin the building until I have the 10689 means requisite in hand, just as was the case with regard 10690 to the New Orphan-House. If God will condescend to use 10691 me in building for Him another Orphan-House (as I judge 10692 He will), He will give me the means for it. Now though I 10693 have not on my mind any doubt left that it is His will I 10694 should do so; yet there is one point still wanting for 10695 confirmation, and that is that He will also furnish me, 10696 without personal application to any one, with all the 10697 means requisite for this new part of my service. I the more 10698 need also to my own soul this last of all the proofs that I 10699 have not been mistaken, in. order to have unquestionable 10700 assurance that, whatever trials hereafter may be allowed 10701 to befall me in connexion with this work, I did not at my 10702 own bidding and according to my own natural desire 10703

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undertake it, but that it was under the guidance of God. 10704 The greatness of the sum required affords me a kind of 10705 secret joy; for the greater the difficulty to be overcome, 10706 the more will it be seen to the glory of God, how much 10707 can be done by prayer and faith; and also, because, when 10708 God Himself overcomes our difficulties for us, we have, 10709 in this very fact, the assurance that we are engaged in His 10710 work and not in our own. 10711 10712 4. It is intended to place this Orphan-House also, as was 10713 the New Orphan-House, in the hands of godly Trustees. 10714 10715 5. Orphans from any part of the world, provided they 10716 speak English, if bereaved of both parents, lawfully 10717 begotten, and in destitute circumstances, are intended to 10718 be admitted, as is the ease now, irrespective of any 10719 sectarian feeling or preference whatever. Neither entrance 10720 money nor any particular interest will be required, in 10721 order to obtain a ticket for the admission of destitute 10722 Orphans, bereaved of both parents, as long as there is 10723 room. 10724 10725 6. Individuals who desire to contribute towards the 10726 Building Fund for this intended Orphan-House for seven 10727 hundred destitute Orphans, are requested to state that the 10728 donation is "for the Building Fund." Indeed concerning all 10729 the donations for any part of the Scriptural Knowledge 10730 Institution for Home and Abroad, it is requested that the 10731 donors will kindly state, for what they wish their 10732 donations to be applied; or to say expressly that they leave 10733 the application of their donations to me, as the various 10734 objects may more particularly need help. 10735

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10736 10737 Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary and Tract 10738 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1850, to 10739 May 26, 1851. 10740 10741 10742 At the commencement of this period it was my purpose to 10743 seek help from the Lord that I might be able, in a still 10744 greater degree than before, to assist brethren who labour 10745 in the. Gospel, at Home and Abroad, in dependence upon 10746 God for their temporal supplies, and to labour more than 10747 ever in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and of 10748 simple Gospel Tracts. The following extracts from my 10749 journal will now show how kind the Lord has been in 10750 answering my requests, and in furnishing me with the 10751 means for carrying out the desire of my heart. 10752 10753 June 7, 1850. Today I have received 50l. for missions 10754 from a Brother whose heart the Lord has inclined to 10755 spend, as a steward of God, a second property, with which 10756 He has intrusted him. 10757 10758 June 10. Received 150l., the disposal of which was left to 10759 me. I took half for the Orphans and half for these objects. 10760 10761 June 11. Received from C. W. 50l. for missions. — By 10762 these sums which, besides smaller donations, came in 10763 within the first fifteen days of this period, I was able to 10764 begin to carry out my purpose; and as the Lord enabled 10765 me, without anxious reckoning, to go on giving out as He 10766 was pleased to intrust me with means, so again He sent 10767

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further supplies before all was gone. It is a point of great 10768 importance in the divine life, not to be anxiously 10769 reckoning about the morrow, nor dealing out sparingly, on 10770 account of possible future wants, which never may come; 10771 but to consider, that only the present moment to serve the. 10772 Lord is ours, and that the morrow may never come to us. 10773 10774 July 2. 170l. has come in today. The donor kindly gave 10775 me permission to use this amount as might be most 10776 needed. I took therefore 80l. of it for the Orphans, the 10777 other for these objects. 10778 10779 Of the various donations which came in for these objects, 10780 between July 2nd and Aug. 13th, I only mention, that I 10781 received on Aug. 5th a silver salver, 2 silver table spoons, 10782 a silver sugar spoon, and a silver mustard spoon; all to be 10783 sold for missionary purposes. On Aug. 13th a Christian 10784 Friend gave me 50l., of which I took one half for 10785 missionary operations and the other half for the Orphans, 10786 as the donation was left at my disposal as most needed. 10787 10788 Aug. 15. Today I have received from the same donor, who 10789 sent me on June 7th 50l., another donation of 110l, of 10790 which he wishes me to apply 10l. for the use of the 10791 Orphans and 100l. for missionary purposes. This day I 10792 have also received a donation of 120l., of which I took 10793 half for the Orphans, and half for these objects. — Several 10794 other small donations came in on the following day. 10795 10796 Aug. 24. Have received from C. W. 30l., of which the 10797 donor kindly intends 10l. for foreign missions, 10l. for the 10798 Orphans, and 10l. for my own personal expenses. I have 10799

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sent out already during this month 170l. to Home and 10800 Foreign labourers, and the Lord continues to give me 10801 means for this and all the other parts of the work. 10802 10803 Sept. 14. Received again 190l., of which I took half for 10804 the Orphans and half for these objects. 10805 10806 Sept. 19. Today I received a registered letter from the 10807 donor referred to under June 7th and Aug. 15th containing 10808 Four Hundred Pounds and these words: 10809 10810 10811 "Dear Brother, 10812 10813 Herewith I send you 400l., of which three parts are to be 10814 expended on missionaries, the rest you may expend on 10815 the. Orphans, if needed; else the whole to be disposed of 10816 to the Lord’s ministering servants. I thank you for your 10817 prayers that I may not regret this step. Were the Lord to 10818 come tomorrow, how glad I should be that the whole was 10819 thus sent on before me! . . If yourself or dear brother 10820 Craik (to whom give my love in Christ) are at all in need, 10821 scruple not to take five pounds each. 10822 10823 Yours in the Lord Jesus, 10824 10825 * * * * *" 10826 10827 I took the whole amount for labourers in the word and 10828 doctrine. My soul does magnify the. Lord for His 10829 condescension in listening to my supplications, and, in 10830 answer to them, sending me means, and thus allowing me 10831

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more and more to help missionary brethren. During the 10832 last five weeks I have sent again to them about 300l., but I 10833 long to be more than ever their servant. What the donor 10834 says about "the money going before him," is in reference 10835 to his having now spent two properties for the Lord. 10836 10837 Sept. 27. Still further abundant help. Received from a new 10838 donor 200l., which, being left at my disposal as most 10839 needed, I took of it 100l. for the Orphans, and 100l. for 10840 these objects. 10841 10842 Oct. 9. The Lord condescends to use me more and more 10843 as His steward. Today I have again received 200l., which 10844 might be used as most needed. I have therefore taken of it 10845 100l. for the Orphans, and the other half for these objects. 10846 10847 Oct. 28. Since Oct. 9th many small donations have come 10848 in, chiefly for missions; now today I received again 200l., 10849 of which I took one half for the Orphans, and the other 10850 half for these objects. By these donations (large and 10851 small) the Lord enables me to send more and more help to 10852 Home and Foreign labourers. During the last seven weeks, 10853 only little, comparatively, has come in for these objects, 10854 while several hundred pounds have been expended; yet, 10855 through the rich abundance which the Lord had sent me 10856 before, I have not only had no lack of means, but had still 10857 about 300l. in hand, before this donation was received 10858 today. Nevertheless it was very sweet to receive it as the 10859 fruit of earnest prayer for several weeks, as so little, 10860 comparatively, had come in during the last seven weeks. 10861 10862

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Dec. 18. This evening was given to me 90l. As the donor 10863 stated in the course of conversation, that he felt especially 10864 interested about those brethren who labour in the Gospel 10865 in various countries, whom I seek to assist, I took of this 10866 sum 60l. for that object, and 30l. for the Orphans. 10867 10868 Jan. 4, 1851. This evening I received Three Thousand 10869 Pounds, of which I took half for these objects, and half for 10870 the Orphans, as the disposal of it was entirely left to me. I 10871 am thus enabled more and more to enlarge the work, and 10872 to assist increasingly home and foreign labourers in the 10873 Word. When I gave myself more particularly to this part 10874 of the work, now about six years since, I had not the least 10875 human prospect of being able to do so much; but the Lord 10876 has been pleased to condescend to listen to my 10877 supplications on behalf of these brethren who trust in Him 10878 for their temporal supplies. I am in this way also furnished 10879 with means, on a larger scale than ever, to circulate copies 10880 of the Holy Scriptures and simple Gospel Tracts, which 10881 was always of deep importance, but in these days of 10882 increasing darkness more so than ever. 10883 10884 Jan. 11. A further rich supply. I have received 150l., of 10885 which I took half for the Orphans and half for these 10886 objects, as the disposal of it was left to me. 10887 10888 Feb. 24. The donor, who has spent two properties in the 10889 service of the Lord, receiving a present of 100l., sent me 10890 today 50l. of it for missions. This instance shows, that if 10891 we use the means with which the Lord may intrust us, as 10892 stewards for Him, He will make us stewards over more. 10893 10894

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Since Feb. 1851, the donor just now referred to has come 10895 into the possession of a third property, which likewise, as 10896 the two previous ones, he has entirely spent for the Lord. 10897 10898 March 7. Exceedingly little, comparatively, has come in 10899 since Jan. 11th; yet, as I had means, I expended them to 10900 the full degree in which it appeared to me that the Lord 10901 pointed out openings, and, in the meantime, I continued 10902 praying for more means. Now the Lord has again given 10903 much encouragement for continuing to wait upon Him, by 10904 a donation of 200l., received today, of which the donor 10905 kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my own personal 10906 expenses, and the 180l. to be used as may be most needed, 10907 which sum I have divided between the Orphans and the 10908 other objects. 10909 10910 April 15. From C. W. 40l. for foreign missions. 10911 10912 April 17. Further supplies for missionary purposes. This 10913 evening 1 found a letter containing a check for 50l., of 10914 which the donor intends one half for missionary purposes, 10915 and the other for the Orphans. 10916 10917 April 30. Received 200l., of which I took half for the 10918 Orphans and half for these objects. Besides the donations 10919 above referred to, of a larger kind, I received for these 10920 objects more than two hundred other donations in pence, 10921 shillings, pounds, five pounds, ten pounds, and upwards, 10922 during this period. In order to save room I have refrained 10923 from particularizing these smaller sums, and especially 10924 because it was my more immediate object to show, by the 10925 above, how bountifully the Lord was pleased to furnish 10926

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me with means for the carrying out my desires concerning 10927 these objects. Yea, the Lord so abundantly supplied me 10928 with means, that during the whole of this period there 10929 came not one single case before me in which it would 10930 have been desirable to help, according to the measure of 10931 light given to me, or to extend the work, without my 10932 having at the same time ample means for doing so. In the 10933 midst of the great depression of the times, which was so 10934 generally felt, and on account of which, humanly 10935 speaking, I also might have been exceedingly tried for 10936 want of means, I, on the contrary, at no period of the work 10937 for the seventeen years previous had a greater abundance 10938 of means. I do on purpose lay stress upon this, because I 10939 desire that it may become increasingly known, that there 10940 is no easier, no better, and no happier way in the end than 10941 God’s way, and this in particular also with regard to the 10942 obtaining of means, simply in answer to prayer, without 10943 personal application to any one. I value all the smaller 10944 donations which have not been referred to, as well as the 10945 larger ones; and many of them, in the sight of the Lord, 10946 may have been greater donations than the hundreds of 10947 pounds which have been mentioned; but it appeared to me 10948 necessary to give the above facts, as I could not mention 10949 every single donation, in order to prove the easy way in 10950 which prayer and faith may procure means, if we walk 10951 uprightly, and if the work in which we are engaged is 10952 really the work of God. Were the obtaining of money my 10953 aim, by thus writing, it would be bad policy indeed, to 10954 bring out all these instances of rich and most abundant 10955 supplies for the work; for persons might be led to think 10956 that I need no money, or that, if I did, I should have only 10957 to pray and it would soon come in, through some one or 10958

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other, without their helping me; but since my chief aim in 10959 the whole work, and in the writing of these accounts in 10960 particular, is, that the blessedness of the life of faith may 10961 be seen, and that the hearts of the children of God may be 10962 allured more and more to their Heavenly Father, and be 10963 led more and more to cast their every care upon Him, and 10964 to trust in Him at all times, yea, in the darkest moments, 10965 therefore I take pleasure in speaking about this rich 10966 abundance which God gave me for His own work. 10967 10968 Some readers may say, And what use was made of the 10969 money which was received in this way? Such a one is 10970 referred, for a full answer, to the next chapter but one, 10971 which speaks of the operations of the Scriptural 10972 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad; yet I would 10973 give to him here a few outlines of the operations of the 10974 Institution. By the funds, which were intrusted to me 10975 during this period, several hundred poor children and 10976 adults were provided with schooling; many hundreds of 10977 copies of the Holy Scriptures were circulated; about three 10978 hundred thousand Gospel Tracts were distributed; forty-10979 five preachers of the Gospel in the East Indies, British 10980 Guiana, Canada, the United States, France, Switzerland, 10981 Germany, Ireland, Scotland and England were, to a 10982 greater or less degree, assisted with pecuniary help; and, 10983 lastly, three hundred Orphans were provided with 10984 everything they needed for this life, besides being under 10985 continual Scriptural instruction. Thus, at least, fifteen 10986 thousand souls were during this period under habitual 10987 Scriptural instruction in connection with this Institution, 10988 either in the Sunday Schools, Adult Schools, Day 10989

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Schools, and the Orphan House, or through the preachers 10990 of the Gospel referred to. 10991 10992 10993 Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to 10994 prayer, from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851. 10995 10996 10997 When this period commenced, I had more in hand for the 10998 Orphans than for many years before, under similar 10999 circumstances, the balance for current expenses on May 11000 26, 1850, being 150l. 7s. l0d. Yet, much as this was, in 11001 comparison with what the balance had generally been 11002 before, how small was the amount in reality! About 300 11003 persons were connected with the New Orphan House, 11004 who day by day were to be provided with all they needed, 11005 besides several apprentices who also were still to be 11006 supported. On this account, the one hundred and fifty 11007 pounds in hand would only furnish that which was needed 11008 for about fifteen days, as the average expenses of the 11009 Orphan Work alone were about Ten pounds daily.10 11010 Place yourself, therefore, dear reader, in my position. 11011 Three hundred persons daily at table, and 150l. in hand! 11012 Looking at it naturally, it is enough to make one tremble; 11013 but, trusting in the living God, as by His grace I was 11014 enabled to do, I had not the least trial of mind, and was 11015 assured that God would as certainly help me as He had 11016 done fourteen years before, when the number of the 11017 Orphans was only the tenth part as large. The following 11018 record will now show that I was not mistaken; and thus 11019 another precious proof is furnished to the believing reader 11020

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of the truth of that word: "Whosoever believeth on Him 11021 shall not be confounded." 11022 11023 On the very first day of this new period I received from a 11024 sister in the Lord 6l. Another sister gave me 3l., the price 11025 of a piece of work done by her. Thus, as the Lord 11026 commenced this period, so He was pleased generally day 11027 by day to send me something, either in small or large 11028 donations. I can, however, only refer to a few instances, to 11029 save space. 11030 11031 Between May 26 and June 30, 1850, God was pleased to 11032 send in 193l. 4s. 5d., so that I had more than enough with 11033 the balance left in hand, to meet all the expenses. 11034 11035 July 1. Paid an account to a Christian brother, and 11036 received 10l. back from him for the Orphans. More than 11037 3l. came in besides. 11038 11039 July 2. Received 170l., of which I took 80l. for the 11040 Orphans, the rest for the other objects. 17l. l0s. 1d. came 11041 in besides. 11042 11043 On Aug. 16th I had purposed to leave Bristol for a time, 11044 having been for two years and four months 11045 uninterruptedly there, in the midst of more work than I 11046 had ever had before. I went, not because I was quite unfit 11047 for work, but in order that, labouring for a little while in a 11048 different air, I might, with the blessing of God, keep off 11049 illness. On the 13th, when going to take lodgings in the 11050 country, a Christian, residing at a distance, whom I met, 11051 by God’s ordering, no doubt, gave me at the Railway 11052

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station, just before starting, 50l., of which I took half for 11053 the Orphans and half for missionary purposes. On the 15th 11054 I received 110l., of which 100l. was intended for 11055 missions, and 10l. for the Orphans; and also on the same 11056 day 120l. Both donations were from considerable 11057 distances. Besides this I received several small donations, 11058 so that within three days, from the 13th to the 16th, came 11059 in about 300l. While absent from the work, from Aug. 11060 16th to Sept. 13th, I was able to help by my prayers. This 11061 was the heaviest month in the way of current expenses. 11062 During no month, all the sixteen years and five months 11063 previously, had there been so much expended for current 11064 expenses, as in August, 1850; but, by what was in hand on 11065 August 1, by what came in, as just related, and by all the 11066 many smaller donations, we were most comfortably 11067 helped through. While absent I was also enabled to wait 11068 upon God for means for the work, besides seeking His 11069 blessing in other respects. That this was not in vain, was 11070 most evident; for not only did many donations come in 11071 while I was away, but, on my return, God so abundantly 11072 poured in the means, that, within thirteen days after, I 11073 received altogether about One Thousand Pounds; for on 11074 the very morning after my return, Sept. 14th, came in 11075 190l., on Sept 19th 400l., on Sept. 17th 31l. 18s. 3d., on 11076 Sept. 25th 50l., on Sept. 27th 200l., besides many 11077 donations of smaller amounts. Truly I do not wait on the 11078 Lord in vain! One thing more I must add here. For several 11079 years I had not been so poor, with regard to means for 11080 myself, as when going away for change of air. But seeing 11081 it to be the will of God that I should go, I was sure that He 11082 would help me. Thus it was. On Aug. 13th my dear wife 11083 received from a sister in the Lord 5l. for change of air; 11084

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and from a Christian lady near Bridgewater was sent to 11085 me for my own personal expenses 1l., from Cork 2l., and 11086 from a brother in Bristol 1l. On Aug. 15th was sent for 11087 myself from a considerable distance 18l. 11s. 3d. On Aug. 11088 21st from Glasgow 1l. On Aug. 24th from Sunderland 1s., 11089 from Cork 1l., and from Liverpool 10l. Thus the Lord sent 11090 me for my own personal expenses such an abundance, that 11091 from Aug. 13th to Sept. 13th, 1850, I received altogether 11092 61l. 13s. 6d. Truly I serve a good master, and this I delight 11093 to show. Not only with regard to the obtaining of means 11094 for the work, in which I am engaged, have I found simple 11095 trust in the Lord alone the easiest, the happiest, and the 11096 best way; but also in the obtaining of supplies for my own 11097 personal necessities. 11098 11099 Nov. 27. For seven weeks the income has been very 11100 small, in comparison with what has been expended, both 11101 for the Orphans and for the various other objects of the 11102 Scriptural Knowledge Institution. There has come in for 11103 the Orphans 187l. 16s. 2 3⁄4 d., and for the other objects 11104 62l. 11s. 1d.; and the expenditure has been for the 11105 Orphans during these seven weeks 477l. 2s. 11d., and for 11106 the various other objects 394l. 9s. 8d. Therefore altogether 11107 871l. 12s. 7d. has been expended, whilst the income 11108 altogether has been only 250l. 7s. 3 3⁄4 d. Of course, we 11109 have not gone into debt, as we never order anything, 11110 except we have the means in hand for it. Nor has there 11111 been even the least difficulty experienced with regard to 11112 means, as the Lord in His kindness had sent in 11113 considerable sums just before this season commenced. 11114 About 330 persons now sit down to their meals in the 11115 New Orphan House, day by day, and the expenses for the 11116

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Orphans alone are about Ten Pounds daily, and those for 11117 the other parts of the work are also about Ten Pounds 11118 daily, so that I need to receive after the rate of 20l. a day, 11119 in order to go on with the work; but during these forty-11120 nine days there has been only one single day that I have 11121 received about 20l., and for the greater part of the time 11122 only a few pounds daily, and sometimes even only a few 11123 shillings. But what was to be done under these 11124 circumstances? I gave myself to prayer. God, whom I 11125 have now been enabled to make my refuge, and my only 11126 refuge for more than twenty years, I have besought day by 11127 day. And when now day by day I still have received only 11128 small sums, and sometimes nothing or scarcely anything 11129 at all: the only effect that it has had upon me has been, to 11130 pray the more earnestly. My confidence in God is not at 11131 all shaken. I have never had a thought that He would not 11132 help me; nor have I even once been allowed to look upon 11133 these seven weeks in any other way than that the Lord, for 11134 the trial of my faith, has ordered it thus that only so little 11135 should come in. I am sure that, when He has tried me 11136 sufficiently, there will come in again larger sums. In the 11137 mean time, how good has the Lord been, not only to have 11138 given all I have needed, but I have even now money in 11139 hand! And as to our stores in the New Orphan-House, 11140 they are as full as usual. We have at least 150 sacks of 11141 potatoes in the house, 20 sacks of flour, 33 barrels of 11142 oatmeal, each containing about 200 lbs., about 300 pairs 11143 of new shoes (besides about 900 pairs in use), about ten 11144 tons of coal, a large quantity of soap and rice; and so all 11145 other parts of the stores in proportion. Indeed while there 11146 has been little coming in, I have just ordered articles in the 11147 wholesale way as formerly, when our income was perhaps 11148

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four or five times as much during the same period. My 11149 judgment is, that it will now soon please the Lord again to 11150 send in larger sums, as He has been pleased to exercise 11151 my faith for some time in this way. Let me see the result! 11152 11153 Nov. 28. This morning the Lord has given me a fresh 11154 proof, that I had not waited on Him in vain, and that my 11155 confidence in Him, as recorded last evening, has not been 11156 confounded. I received early this morning a donation of 11157 200l., of which I took one half for the Orphans and the 11158 other half for the other objects. 11159 11160 Nov. 30. Evening. I am brought to the close of another 11161 month. Great have been the expenses, as I have paid out 11162 above 400l. for the Orphans, and above 200l. for the other 11163 objects; but I have always had the means to meet every 11164 payment. 11165 11166 Jan. 4, 1851. Besides a donation of 1l. from Newton 11167 Ferrers, 1l. 8s. from Keswick, 4l. 6s. 9d. from the 11168 neighbourhood of Bath, I received also this morning 11169 anonymously from Torquay 5s. worth of postages, with 11170 these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." I 11171 am doing this. I expect much, very much indeed, in every 11172 way. I also expect much in the way of means. Evening. 11173 This very day the Lord has given me a most precious 11174 proof, that He delights in our having large expectations 11175 from Him. "My mouth has been filled," according to the 11176 portion of Holy Scripture sent to me this morning. I have 11177 received this evening the sum of Three Thousand Pounds, 11178 being the largest donation which I have had as yet. I have 11179 had very many donations of 100l. and of 200l., several of 11180

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300l., one of 400l., several of 500l., some from 600l. to 11181 900l., four of l000l., two of 2000l. and one of 2050l. But I 11182 never had more than this given to me at one time; yet I 11183 have expected more than 2050l. in one donation, and, 11184 accordingly, it has pleased the Lord to give me 3000l. this 11185 evening. I now write again that I expect far larger Sums 11186 still, in order that it may be yet more and more manifest, 11187 that there is no happier, no easier, and no better way of 11188 obtaining pecuniary means for the work of the Lord, than 11189 the one in which I have been led. How great my joy in 11190 God is, on account of this donation, cannot be described; 11191 but it is not in the least coupled with excitement. I take 11192 this donation out of the hands of the living God; I 11193 continually look for His help, and am perfectly assured 11194 that I shall have it, and therefore is my soul calm and 11195 peaceful, without any excitement, though the donation is 11196 so large. This donation is, however, like a voice from 11197 heaven, speaking to me concerning a most deeply 11198 important matter respecting which I am seeking guidance 11199 from the Lord, the building of another Orphan-House. For 11200 several years, while the Orphans were living in rented 11201 houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, it pleased the Lord to 11202 manifest His power by helping us from day to day, and 11203 sometimes even from meal to meal; but of late years He 11204 has more especially been pleased to show His power by 11205 sending us abundant supplies. Should it please Him, 11206 however, hereafter to cause us again to be similarly 11207 situated, He will surely help; and, by His grace, we will 11208 then trust in Him as heretofore. Moreover, though we 11209 have not been so low with regard to means, yet my faith 11210 has not been without trial even in this particular; but 11211 especially in other respects it has pleased God continually 11212

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to keep my faith in exercise. This sum of 3000l. was 11213 entirely left at my disposal, and it was therefore portioned 11214 out thus: 1500l. for the Orphans, 500l, for foreign 11215 labourers in the Gospel, 500l. for home. labourers in the 11216 Gospel, 200l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, 100l. 11217 for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 200l. for the 11218 support of Day Schools, Adult Schools, and Sunday 11219 Schools. 11220 11221 As an instance to show in what a variety of ways the Lord 11222 is pleased to help me with means, I insert here the 11223 following kind but anonymous letter, which was left at my 11224 house on January 27th, 1851. 11225 11226 11227 "Dear Mr. Miller, 11228 11229 " I left at Mr. W—’s last week a donation of 1l. 1s. 11230 towards the Orphan-Houses, which I hope you received 11231 safely. It is indeed encouraging and strengthening to read 11232 the account of the many indubitable answers you have had 11233 to prayer, and I pray God, dear sir, to strengthen your 11234 hands, and prolong your life, if it be His will, that both the 11235 servants of Christ and of Satan, the former to their 11236 comfort, the latter to their confusion if not to their 11237 conversion, may see that God alone reigns, and that the 11238 hearts of all are in His hand. I now inclose you some coins 11239 (there are 18), which may be disposed of for the Orphan-11240 Houses. Truly we wish you good luck in the name of the 11241 Lord. 11242 11243 "Believe me, dear sir, 11244

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11245 "To remain your unknown but true Friend, 11246 11247 "A Minister of the Church of England." 11248 11249 "N.B. I earnestly solicit an interest in your prayers." 11250 11251 11252 The letter contained a two-guinea piece, a small 11253 Portuguese gold coin, 15 silver coins, and a copper coin. 11254 11255 March. 7. Very great have been the expenses for the 11256 Orphans of late. During the short month of February alone 11257 I spent 386l. for them. For nearly eight weeks, since Jan. 11258 11th, the expenses have been nearly four times as great as 11259 the income, which, however, I have been able amply to 11260 meet, on account of the previous abundance which the 11261 Lord had been pleased to send in. Now, however, after 11262 much prayer for means, the Lord has been pleased to 11263 refresh my heart by a donation of 200l., referred to under 11264 this date in the account of the income for the other 11265 objects. I took of this sum 90l. for the Orphans. I received 11266 also this day 4l. 10s., being the bequest of a Swiss brother 11267 in the Lord, who fell asleep in Devonshire, and who 11268 desired that what he left should be sold for the benefit of 11269 the Orphans. 11270 11271 April 30. At the morning exposition of the Holy 11272 Scriptures at the New Orphan-House, I was led 11273 particularly to dwell upon the blessedness of the believer 11274 having to do with the living God, and referred, in the way 11275 of illustration, to His care in supporting the Orphan Work. 11276

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Immediately after the exposition was over, I received a 11277 donation of 12l. 12s. for the Orphans, another of 200l. 11278 (which I took half for the Orphans and half for the other 11279 objects), and in the afternoon came in still further through 11280 the boxes in the New Orphan-House 2l. 14s. 4 1⁄2 d. 11281 Concerning the donation of 12l. 12s. the hand of the Lord 11282 is the more manifest, in that it came from a place whence. 11283 I had never received any donation, as far as I know, and 11284 towards it a vicar, an archdeacon, and one of the Queen’s 11285 chaplains contributed, gentlemen entirely unknown to me, 11286 and yet they felt thus kindly disposed towards this work. 11287 11288 May 26. I am brought to the close of this period. The 11289 work is more and more enlarging. During the last month I 11290 have paid out for the Orphans more than 450l., and for the 11291 other objects more than 500l., being nearly One Thousand 11292 Pounds during one month; and yet I have a greater 11293 balance left in hand, through the Lord’s kindness, than at 11294 the close of any of the previous periods. 11295 11296 Of the several hundreds of donations, large and small, 11297 received during this period, I have thus taken a few, to 11298 show in what way it pleased the Lord to supply me with 11299 means for the Orphan Work. 11300 11301 11302 Miscellaneous Points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge 11303 Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the 11304 period from May 26, 1850 to May 26, 1851. 11305 11306 11307

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1. There were during this period four Day Schools in 11308 Bristol, with 286 children in them, entirely supported by 11309 the funds of the Institution, and three others in 11310 Devonshire, Gloucestershire, and Norfolk, with 180 11311 children in them, were assisted. — Further, one Sunday 11312 School in Bristol, with 184 children, was entirely 11313 supported, and two others, in Devonshire and 11314 Gloucestershire, with 213 children, were assisted. — 11315 Lastly, an Adult School in Bristol, with 90 persons in it, 11316 was entirely supported. — The expenses connected with 11317 all these various Schools were, during this period, 379l. 11318 17s. — From the formation of the Institution, on March 5, 11319 1834, up to May 26, 1851, there were 5,343 children in 11320 the various Day Schools in Bristol alone, 2,379 in the 11321 Sunday School, and 1,896 persons in the Adult Schools, 11322 besides the thousands in the Schools out of Bristol, which 11323 were assisted. 11324 11325 2. During this period I sought again especially to supply 11326 very poor persons, whose character was known by their 11327 being visited, with copies of the Holy Scriptures; and also 11328 to put copies which are printed with large type in to the 11329 hands of aged persons, which seems to me of especial 11330 need, as such Bibles are still expensive, considering the 11331 means of the poor. There was expended during this 11332 period, out of the funds of the Institution, on the 11333 circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 150l. 16s. 5d. There 11334 were 345 Bibles sold and 899 given away; and 30 New 11335 Testaments sold, and 413 given away, during this period. 11336 From March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1851, there were 11337 circulated 7,709 Bibles and 4,442 New Testaments. 11338 11339

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3. During this year was spent of the Funds of the 11340 Institution for Missionary objects the sum of 2000l. 11s. 11341 ld. By this sum, forty-five labourers in the word and 11342 doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or 11343 less degree assisted. The amount sent to each of these 11344 servants of Christ was as follows. 11345 11346 11347 To No. 1. Labouring in British Guiana 11348 11349 To No. 2. Ditto 11350 11351 To No. 3. Ditto 11352 11353 To No. 4. Ditto 11354 11355 To No. 5. Ditto 11356 11357 To No. 6. Ditto 11358 11359 To No. 7. Ditto 11360 11361 To No. 8. Ditto 11362 11363 To No. 9. Labouring in the East Indies 11364 11365 To No. 10. Ditto 11366 11367 To No. 11. Ditto 11368 11369 To No. 12. Ditto 11370 11371

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To No. 13 Ditto 11372 11373 To No. 14 Labouring in Canada 11374 11375 To No. 15 Ditto 11376 11377 To No. 16 Labouring in the United States 11378 11379 To No. 17 Labouring in France 11380 11381 To No. 18. Labouring in Switzerland 11382 11383 To No. 19. Ditto 11384 11385 To No. 20. Ditto 11386 11387 To No. 21. Labouring in Germany 11388 11389 To No. 22. Labouring in Ireland 11390 11391 To No. 23. Labouring in Scotland 11392 11393 To No. 24. Labouring in England 11394 11395 91l. 10s. 11396 11397 82l. 11398 11399 80l. 10s. 11400 11401 55l. 11402 11403

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55l. 11404 11405 30l. 11406 11407 20l. 11408 11409 10l. 11410 11411 100l. 11412 11413 40l. 11414 11415 40l. 11416 11417 20l. 11418 11419 14l. 11420 11421 20l. 11422 11423 20l. 11424 11425 30l. 11426 11427 60l. 11428 11429 50l. 11430 11431 10l. 11432 11433 10l. 11434 11435

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10l. 11436 11437 70l. 11438 11439 115l. 11440 11441 130l. 11442 11443 11444 11445 To No. 25. Labouring in England 115l. 11446 11447 To No. 26. Ditto 80l. 11448 11449 To No. 27. Ditto 65l. 11450 11451 To No. 28. Ditto 65l. 11452 11453 To No. 29. Ditto 57l. 11454 11455 To No. 30. Ditto 50l. 11456 11457 To No. 31. Ditto 50l. 11458 11459 To No. 32. Ditto 50l. 11460 11461 To No. 33. Ditto 45l. 11462 11463 To No. 34. Ditto 45l 11464 11465 To No. 35. Ditto 30l. 11466 11467

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To No. 36. Ditto 30l. 11468 11469 To No. 37. Ditto 30l. 11470 11471 To No. 38. Ditto 20l. 11472 11473 To No. 39. Ditto 15l. 11474 11475 To No. 40. Ditto 10l. 11476 11477 To No. 41. Ditto 10l. 11478 11479 To No. 42. Ditto 10l. 11480 11481 To No. 43. Ditto 10l. 11482 11483 To No. 44. Ditto 5l. 11484 11485 To No. 45. Ditto 5l. 11486 11487 There was also sent to me anonymously 11488 11489 for the support of native preachers of the 11490 11491 Gospel in China 11s. ld., which was for- 11492 11493 warded . . . . . . . 11s. 1d. 11494 11495 The total amount of 2000l. was sent to these forty-five 11496 servants of the Lord Jesus in 264 different sums, generally 11497 not less than 5l. and not more than 10l. at one time to 11498 each, except there were especial reasons pointing to a 11499

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different course. Almost all these brethren were habitually 11500 assisted; a few needed only occasional assistance. 11501 11502 I have great joy, in being able to inform the believing 11503 reader, that it pleased the Lord again to let great blessing 11504 rest upon the labours of these preachers of the Gospel, 11505 whom I sought to assist during this year; which is alike 11506 true both with reference to those who labour in our own 11507 country and those who preach the Word in foreign lands. 11508 11509 I consider it a great privilege to be permitted to defray in 11510 part or altogether, from the funds of this institution, the 11511 expenses connected with the voyage and outfit of brethren 11512 who desire to go out as Missionaries, or to help them after 11513 their arrival in their field of labour; but I do not bind 11514 myself to support them habitually, seeing that thus they 11515 would be out of the position of simple dependence upon 11516 God for their temporal supplies. 11517 11518 4. During this period 358l. 7s. 3d. was expended on the 11519 circulation of Tracts, and 303,098 Tracts and Little Books 11520 were circulated. 11521 11522 The Lord was pleased to give me such an abundance of 11523 opportunities for circulating tracts by means of godly 11524 men, both in this and foreign countries, that, during this 11525 year, I was permitted to send out more tracts than during 11526 the whole of the previous ten years taken together. Nor 11527 must it be withheld from the reader, as matter for 11528 thankfulness, that the Lord was pleased to allow me to 11529 hear again and again of instances of conversion, by means 11530 of the distribution of these Tracts during this period. 11531

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11532 5. On May 26, 1850, there were Two Hundred and 11533 Seventy-five Orphans in the New Orphan House on 11534 Ashley Down, Bristol. There were admitted into it, during 11535 this year, 45 Orphans, making 320 in all. Of these, 11536 however, two were removed by their relatives, who were 11537 able by that time to provide for them, seven died during 11538 the year, five of the elder girls were sent out to service, 11539 and six of the elder boys were apprenticed; so that on May 11540 26, 1851, there were 300 Orphans in the New Orphan 11541 House. The total number of Orphans who were under our 11542 care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1851, is Four Hundred 11543 and Eighty-Eight. There came in altogether during this 11544 year 4102l. 14s. 9 1⁄4 d. for the support of the Orphans, 11545 and 3,640l. 9s. l 3⁄4 d. for the other objects; and, after 11546 having met to the full every demand with reference to the 11547 Orphans, the balance of 970l. 13s. 11 3⁄4 d. remained in 11548 hand. Also, after having entered into every door, which 11549 the Lord was pleased to set before me respecting the other 11550 objects, and to do far more than during any one year 11551 previously, the balance of 809l. 10s. 6d. remained in hand 11552 on May 26, 1851. Verily we do not trust in the Lord in 11553 vain! 11554 11555 Without any one having been personally applied to for 11556 anything by me, the sum of 38,018l. 4s. 6 1⁄2 d. was given 11557 to me for the Orphans as the result of prayer to God from 11558 the commencement of the work to May 26, 1851. — It 11559 may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the 11560 total amount which was given as free contributions, for 11561 the other objects, from the commencement of the work to 11562 May 26, 1851, amounted to 13,988l. 11s. 9 1⁄4 d.; and that 11563

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which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the 11564 payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounted to 11565 2,890l. 9s. 11 3⁄4 d. — Besides this, also a great variety 11566 and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, 11567 &e., were given for the use of the Orphans. 11568 11569 It pleased the Lord greatly to gladden our hearts by the 11570 working of His Holy Spirit among the Orphans during this 11571 period. 11572 11573 11574 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the 11575 work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected 11576 with the Scriptural Knowledge institution, from May 26, 11577 1850, to May 26, 1851. 11578 11579 11580 Dec. 31, 1850. During this year there have been received 11581 into Fellowship 57, and altogether, from the time that 11582 Brother Craik and I began to labour in Bristol, 1313, 11583 which, with the 68 believers whom we found in 11584 Fellowship, make 1381. Of these 174 have fallen asleep, 11585 160 have left us during these 18 years and a half, 355 11586 have removed from Bristol, and 80 have been excluded 11587 from Fellowship; so that there are at present only 612 in 11588 communion. 11589 11590 During this year the Lord has been pleased to give me— 11591 11592 1. By anonymous offerings through the 11593 11594 Chapel boxes ... ... ... £148 11 0 11595

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11596 2. By presents in money from believers in 11597 11598 Bristol, not given anonymously 86 1 9 11599 11600 8. By presents in money from believers 11601 11602 not residing in Bristol ... ... 160 0 8 11603 11604 4. By presents in provisions, clothes, &c., 11605 11606 worth to us at least ... ... 7 11 0 11607 11608 £402 4 5 11609 11610 Further account of the intended Orphan House for Seven 11611 Hundred Poor Children, bereaved of both Parents by 11612 11613 death, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852. 11614 11615 11616 The reader will remember it was stated in the previous 11617 chapter on this subject, that I purposed, not in dependence 11618 upon my Christian Friends, nor upon former donors, but 11619 alone in dependence upon the living God, who, I trust, has 11620 called me for it, notwithstanding all my unworthiness, to 11621 enlarge the Orphan Work. The Godly reader will now be 11622 desirous to learn how far I have been helped, in this my 11623 intention, to enlarge the field of labour in caring for the 11624 vast numbers of helpless Orphans in our land. I will, 11625 therefore, give an extract, in the way of specimens, from 11626 the account book, kept for the purpose, together with the 11627

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remarks and observations which I wrote down at the time 11628 of the receipt of the donations, and make also here and 11629 there additional remarks, as the occasion may call for. 11630 11631 Before I brought before the public my purpose, I gave the 11632 record of the exercises of my mind, on this subject, to a 11633 valued Christian friend to read, the only one who, besides 11634 my family, knew anything of my intention, before it came 11635 before the public. I did this particularly in order that, after 11636 waiting for several months in secret upon God for 11637 guidance and direction concerning it, I might also have 11638 the counsel of a prayerful, judicious, and cautious man of 11639 God. When this brother returned the manuscript, he spoke 11640 to me words of encouragement concerning this purpose, 11641 and gave me a half-sovereign towards the Building Fund 11642 for this house for 700 destitute Orphans. This was the first 11643 donation, which I received on May 13, 1851, and which, I 11644 confess, was a great refreshment and encouragement to 11645 me, the more so as it came from so cautious a brother, and 11646 after I had been for several months, through secret prayer, 11647 assured that I should go forward. 11648 11649 On May 28th, 1851, my intention became publicly 11650 known, and in the evening of May 29th I received from a 11651 Christian lady a sovereign towards the Building Fund. 11652 11653 May 30. One of the Orphans in the New Orphan House 11654 gave 6d. for the Building Fund, and one engaged in the 11655 work gave an old silver watch for sale and 5s. 11656 11657 June. 1. A brother in the Lord, who gives his donations 11658 with the letter "P.," gave me 10s. — I also received a 11659

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sovereign. — This evening I received still further 4 half-11660 crowns, with very encouraging words and expressions of 11661 joy, that I have been led to this purpose of building 11662 another Orphan House for 700 more Orphans. — There 11663 came to hand also anonymously 3s. Ditto an old shilling, a 11664 small American coin, and two shillings. Also from a 11665 Christian servant in Clifton 2s. 6d. 11666 11667 June. 3. From one of the Orphans in the New Orphan 11668 House 6d., and from another 6d. 11669 11670 June 4. From another Orphan in the New Orphan House, 11671 6d. I received also 8s. 0 1⁄2 d., which the Orphans in the 11672 Girls’ School of the New Orphan House gave between 11673 them for the Building Fund. 11674 11675 June 5. Through one of the boxes at the New Orphan 11676 House twopence and likewise one half-penny. These two 11677 small donations are very sweet to me. I take them as a 11678 further earnest, out of the hands of my heavenly Father, 11679 that He, in His own time, will give me the whole sum 11680 requisite. Evening: From a sister from Norwich 2s. 6d. 11681 From a sister in the Lord in Bristol 1s. 11682 11683 June. 6. Anonymously 5l. 0s. 1d., with these words: 11684 "Towards the Building Fund of the proposed Orphan 11685 House 2l., for Brother Müller 11. 10s., for Brother Craik 11686 1l. 10s." 11687 11688 June 7. Anonymously 1s. 6d. 11689 11690

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June. 8. From a brother 5s. — From one of the Orphans 11691 formerly under our care, a believer, a sovereign, of which 11692 she intends 5s. for the Building Fund, 5s. for present use 11693 for the Orphans, 5s. for Brother Craik, and 5s. for my own 11694 personal expenses. How sweet a donation! Anonymously 11695 1s. From "P." 1s. 6d. 11696 11697 June 11. Anonymously, from Sunderland 1l — A lady 11698 gave to my daughter at my house 5l., but would not give 11699 her name. 11700 11701 June. 12. From Richmond 5l. 11702 11703 I have thus given minutely an account of the income 11704 during the first two weeks, after my purpose had become 11705 known; but shall now only, for the sake of brevity, refer to 11706 some of the donations. 11707 11708 June. 21. Twenty-four days have now passed away since I 11709 have been enabled, day by day, to wait with a goodly 11710 measure of earnestness and in faith upon the Lord for 11711 means; but as yet only a little above 28l. has come in. But 11712 I am not discouraged. The less there comes in, the more 11713 earnestly I pray, the more I look out for answers, and the 11714 more assured I am that the Lord, in His own time, after He 11715 has tried my faith, will send me larger sums, and, at last, 11716 all I need. 11717 11718 July 27. From a Christian gentleman in Clifton 20l. This 11719 donation has much refreshed my spirit. I am, day by day, 11720 expecting help from the Lord, in large and small sums as 11721 He pleases; but as He is trying my faith, in that only so 11722

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little as yet has come in, this donation has been very 11723 precious. 11724 11725 Aug. 8. From a Christian lady in London 5l. — From 11726 Somersetshire 40l. 11727 11728 Aug. 12, Day by day I am waiting upon the Lord for 11729 means for this object, and generally more than once a day 11730 am bowing my knees before God with reference to it. 11731 Moreover, of late I have been enabled, with increasing 11732 earnestness, to beseech the. Lord, that He would be 11733 pleased to send in means for the Building Fund. My soul 11734 has been all along at peace, though only so little as yet, 11735 comparatively, has come in (in all 127l. 19s. 9d.) and 11736 though Satan has, in the most subtle way, sought to shake 11737 my confidence, and to lead me to question, whether, after 11738 all, I had not been mistaken concerning this whole matter. 11739 Yet, though he has aimed after this, to the praise of God I 11740 have to confess, that he has not been allowed to triumph. I 11741 have especially besought the Lord of late, that He would 11742 be pleased to refresh my spirit by sending in some large 11743 donation for this part of the work. Under these 11744 circumstances, I received this morning the following letter 11745 with 500l.: 11746 11747 11748 "* * * * August 8. 11749 11750 "My Dear Brother, 11751 11752 "Trusting that God has indeed called you to this work, 11753 viz., caring for poor Orphans, and will not allow you to be 11754

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deceived as to His will regarding the increasing it, but will 11755 greatly use you for His own glory and for blessing to 11756 many poor destitute children, it is my desire, and I humbly 11757 thank our most gracious God and Father for the ability, to 11758 have fellowship with you in this work, as far as He 11759 permits. Will you, therefore, use the enclosed check for 11760 500l. for the Orphans, towards the present Establishment 11761 or the proposed new one, as you may judge best, or taking 11762 any part thereof for one or the other. The Lord Jesus be 11763 your counselor, your joy, your strength, your all. 11764 11765 "Affectionately yours, 11766 11767 "* * * *" 11768 11769 11770 I took the whole amount for the Building Fund. I was not 11771 in the least excited. I look out for means. Even at that very 11772 moment, when I received this donation, I was looking out 11773 for means, for large donations; and I should not have been 11774 surprised if 5,000l. had come in, or more. The Lord be 11775 praised for this precious encouragement, which has still 11776 further quickened me for prayer! 11777 11778 Aug. 14. From the neighbourhood of Leeds 10l. — From 11779 Essex 5l. 11780 11781 Aug. 15. Anonymously from Hull 5s. — From Cornwall a 11782 copy of "Greece" for sale. 11783 11784 Aug. 19. From Shirehampton 5l. 11785 11786

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Aug. 20. From Mirfield 2l. Also 150l. came in today 11787 which, being left at my disposal by the donor, as most 11788 needed, I took the whole of this amount for the Building 11789 Fund, having sufficient means in hand for the current 11790 expenses of the various objects of the Scriptural 11791 Knowledge Institution. 11792 11793 Aug. 30. From M. S. 30l., of which the donor desires 20l. 11794 to be used for missionary objects, and 10l. for the 11795 Building Fund. The donor writes: "My present 11796 inducement to remit this is, that God has lately prospered 11797 me in business, and I had been putting by for this and a 11798 few other similar purposes, intending to make bequests in 11799 my will, but am convinced that this is the best course to 11800 pursue, if not the only justifiable one, with what I can 11801 spare from my business and other necessities." 11802 11803 Sept. 1. From a much afflicted sister seven dolls’ bonnets 11804 for sale. — A picture in frame. 11805 11806 Sept. 2. From an individual living in Nicholas Street, 11807 Bristol, 1l. — From a brother in the Lord, in Wandsworth 11808 Road, London, 5s., with 1l. for present use for the 11809 Orphans, and 15s. for missionary purposes. — From a 11810 poor Christian widow in London 1s., with 1s. for present 11811 use for the Orphans. — I am day by day labouring in 11812 prayer for this object, and with a goodly measure of 11813 fervency of spirit, by the grace of God; and am day by day 11814 looking out for answers. These sums last recorded are but 11815 small, yet they tell me that my Heavenly Father is not 11816 unmindful of my supplications, and of those of His dear 11817 children who help me with their prayers, and that, in His 11818

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own time, He will send me more, and also large sums. I 11819 magnify His holy name that He does not in the least allow 11820 me to question either His power or His willingness to give 11821 me all that I shall need; yea, my soul is as assured that I 11822 shall have this my request fully granted, unworthy though 11823 I am of it, as if the whole amount were already in my 11824 hand. 11825 11826 Sept. 4. From a Christian at Keswick 10s., and a lady 11827 through ditto 5s. 11828 11829 Sept. 5. From the neighbourhood of Keswick 1l. — From 11830 Hull 1l. — From Shrewsbury 20l. 11831 11832 Sept. 10. As yet the Lord delays sending in larger sums; 11833 but I am looking out for them, and am confidently 11834 expecting them. This delay is only for the trial of my 11835 faith; after He has tried it, He will help me. Applications 11836 for the admission of Orphans continue to be made. Within 11837 the last ten days eighteen poor children, bereaved of both 11838 parents, have been applied for; and since Aug. 15th, 11839 therefore in twenty-six days, thirty-two altogether. My 11840 heart longs to be allowed of God to help poor Orphans 11841 more extensively than ever. Whence the means are to 11842 come for the building of this house for 700 Orphans, I 11843 know not; but still, by God’s help, my confidence in Him 11844 is not shaken. To Him it is a very small matter to give me 11845 all I need for this work. 11846 11847 Sept. 11. From Ludgvan 10s. Evening. Only these ten 11848 shillings have come in today, but three more Orphans 11849 have been applied for, making thirty-five in less than a 11850

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month. Does not the Lord tell me by this, that He will 11851 provide another home for Orphans? I will therefore 11852 patiently wait upon Him for the means, and after He has 11853 tried my faith and patience, He will show Himself as the 11854 bearer and answerer of prayer. Today came in the course 11855 of my reading John xiv. 13, 14, "And whatsoever ye shall 11856 ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be 11857 glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name I 11858 will do it." I pleaded this word of promise, and look for 11859 answers, even for the fulfilment of this promise. Nor do I 11860 doubt that the Lord Jesus will fulfil this His promise in 11861 this my case. 11862 11863 Sept. 12. From Guildford 1l. 8s. — From Bath 1l. 11864 11865 Sept. 13. Patience and faith are still called for, and, by 11866 God’s grace, my desire is to "let patience have her perfect 11867 work," Not one penny has come in today for the Building 11868 Fund, but five more Orphans have been applied for, so 11869 that now forty in less than one single month have been 11870 brought before me, all bereaved of both parents, and all 11871 very destitute. Under these circumstances, how can I but 11872 fervently labour in prayer that the Lord would be pleased 11873 to intrust me with means for building another Orphan-11874 House for 700 Orphans. The more I look at things 11875 according to natural appearances and prospects, the less 11876 likely is it that I should have the sum which is needed; but 11877 I have faith in God, and my expectation is from Him 11878 alone. From the beginning I depended upon Him only, 11879 concerning this proposed enlargement of the work, and 11880 therefore have not been disappointed, though as yet only 11881 the fortieth part of what is needed has come in (882l. l8s. 11882

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7 1⁄2 d). But how soon, how very soon can the Lord alter 11883 the aspect of things. Even this very evening, while I am 11884 writing, He can give me many thousand pounds. I 11885 continue therefore, to wait upon God, and seek to 11886 encourage my heart by His holy word, and while he 11887 delays giving me answers, to be occupied in His blessed 11888 service. Of this, however, my soul has not the least doubt, 11889 that, when the Lord shall have been pleased to exercise 11890 my soul by the trial of faith and patience, He will make 11891 bare His arm, and send help. The fact that the applications 11892 for the admission of destitute Orphans are so many, does 11893 both quicken me to prayer, and is also a great 11894 encouragement to me, that the Lord will give me the 11895 desire of my heart, to provide another home for these 11896 destitute, fatherless and motherless children. 11897 11898 Sept. 19. Received today a donation of 170l., which the 11899 donor kindly allowed me to use for the work of the Lord 11900 in my hands as I pleased. I therefore took the whole of 11901 this donation for the Building Fund, having at present 11902 sufficient means in hand for the current expenses of all, 11903 the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 11904 Institution, and feeling called to give myself with my 11905 might to prepare for the Building of another Orphan-11906 House. 11907 11908 Sept. 20. About two months since I received a letter, of 11909 which I give as much as refers to the subject in hand. 11910 11911 11912 "My Dear Sir, 11913 11914

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"I was once a book collector, and turned my attention to 11915 our old English Bibles, and, among other editions, 11916 perfected, almost sheet by sheet, our first English 11917 Coverdale Bible of 1535. It is a sad specimen of time, 11918 attention, and money mis-spent and mis-applied, and as I 11919 look upon you as the receiver of cast off idols, whether 11920 watch chains, trinkets, or old Bibles, I have purposed for 11921 some time sending it to you. * * * * Do with the proceeds 11922 as you see fit. I should be glad if a portion were converted 11923 into large printed Testaments for the aged, and should be 11924 thankful if that, which has been cause of humbling to me, 11925 should be converted into the means, through your 11926 instrumentality, of raising others. 11927 11928 * * * * * 11929 11930 "Ever yours, 11931 11932 * * * *." 11933 11934 11935 11936 11937 A day or two after the receipt of this letter, a parcel 11938 arrived, containing the said Coverdale Bible, of A.D. 1535 11939 and another book; the latter to be sold for the benefit of 11940 the Orphans. It was only today that I had an opportunity 11941 of disposing of the old Bible, which fetched 60l., together 11942 with other books, which had been given for the benefit of 11943 the Orphans, which brought 10/. Of the 60l. I took 101. 11944 for New Testaments printed with large type for aged poor 11945 persons, and 50l. for the Building Fund. 11946

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11947 Oct. 2. Evening. Nothing has come in today for the 11948 Building Fund, and very little during the last ten days. I 11949 have had just now again a long season for prayer 11950 respecting this object. Through the support which I 11951 receive from the Lord, I am not cast down, though only so 11952 little as yet has come in. The work is His, and not mine; 11953 therefore am I able quietly to leave it in His hands. Were I 11954 to look at what has come in hitherto, much though it is, in 11955 one sense, it would take, after this rate, about ten years, 11956 before I should have the sum needed; but this does not 11957 cast me down; for, when the Lord’s time is come I expect 11958 larger sums. Further, there are peculiar natural obstacles 11959 in the way to my receiving donations for this object; for it 11960 has now been for several months reported that I have 11961 already Thirty Thousand Pounds in hand for the Building 11962 Fund, though this day it is actually only 1,139l. 19s. 2 1⁄2 11963 d. Again and again this has been told me, and therefore, 11964 were I to look at things naturally, I should have much 11965 reason to be cast down, as the spread of such reports is 11966 calculated, humanly speaking, to keep persons from 11967 contributing towards this object. Another class of persons, 11968 true Christians, and liberal persons too, may be thinking, 11969 that the sum required is so large that it is not likely I shall 11970 obtain it, and that therefore their contributing towards this 11971 object would be useless. But none of these things 11972 discourage me. God knows that I have not Thirty 11973 Thousand Pounds in hand. God can influence the minds of 11974 His dear children towards this intended Orphan-House, 11975 whatever their thoughts may have been hitherto on the 11976 subject. I therefore seek to "let patience have her perfect 11977 work," and go on in prayer, being fully assured, that the 11978

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Lord will not suffer me to be confounded. I am day by 11979 day looking out for help, yea for large sums; and I know I 11980 shall have them, after the Lord has exercised my faith and 11981 patience. Lord wilt Thou mercifully continue to give unto 11982 Thy servant faith and patience! 11983 11984 Oct. 3. From the Forest of Dean 1l. 11985 11986 Oct. 4. From Old Aberdeen 5l. — From Dublin the work 11987 for an ottoman and a piece of crochet work. 11988 11989 Oct. 5. Through Bethesda boxes 10s. — From Clifton 7s. 11990 — From H. S. 4d. 11991 11992 Oct. 7. From Wellington in Salop 5s. Evening. The trial of 11993 my faith and patience continues still. Again very little has 11994 come in during the last four days for the Building Fund. 11995 But my hope in God, by His help, continues steadfast. I 11996 had just now again a long season for prayer, having spent 11997 the whole evening alone for the purpose, and am assured 11998 that, when God’s time shall have come, it will be seen 11999 that, even concerning this object, I do not wait upon Him 12000 in vain. There are persons again and again asking me, 12001 When I am going to commence the building; for, they 12002 think that I have all, or nearly all, the means which are 12003 required. And there are others who ask me whether I still 12004 purpose to build this Orphan-House. To Thee, my 12005 Heavenly Father, Thy child turns under these 12006 circumstances. Thou knowest how small an amount as yet 12007 Thy servant has, in comparison with what is needed; but 12008 Thou also knowest that Thy servant did not act rashly and 12009 under excitement in this matter, but waited upon Thee for 12010

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six months in secret, before he spoke about this his 12011 intention. Now, Lord, in Thy mercy, sustain Thy servant’s 12012 faith and patience, and, if it please Thee, speedily refresh 12013 his heart by sending in larger sums, for which he is 12014 looking, and which he confidently expects! 12015 12016 Oct. 8. Through the boxes at the New Orphan-House 2s. 12017 6d., with Psalm xxvii. 14. The words of the passage are 12018 these: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He 12019 shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." By 12020 God’s grace I wait on the Lord, and am of good courage, 12021 and He does strengthen my heart, in faith and patience to 12022 continue to wait on Him, though only so little comes in, 12023 being assured that, when the trial of faith and patience is 12024 over, He will make bare His arm, and send in larger sums. 12025 12026 Oct. 28. Nothing at all has come in today for the Building 12027 Fund, and about 70l. only during the last four weeks. Yet, 12028 by the grace of God, I am supported, and have not the 12029 least questioning of soul whether I shall have the means or 12030 not. I only look upon this delay, on the part of God, in 12031 sending me larger sums, as an exercise of my patience and 12032 faith, and am sure, that in His own time He will give more 12033 largely. Today I have had again three long seasons for 12034 prayer respecting the work in my hands; and the greater 12035 part of this evening have been in prayer, entreating and 12036 beseeching the. Lord to help me; and I am now again 12037 looking out for means, as I do day by day. 12038 12039 Oct. 29. This morning I received a letter, containing a 12040 check for 50l., and these words: 12041 12042

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12043 "* * * * Oct. 27, 1851. 12044 12045 "My dear Sir, 12046 12047 12048 I had much pleasure and blessing in perusing the Report 12049 you were kind enough to send me some time ago, and am 12050 much obliged to you for it. Is it not a privilege to be 12051 allowed to obtain future good out of present expending? 12052 (Luke xvi. 9)’ That when ye fail, etc.’ I enclose a check 12053 for 50l., of which I should wish 25l.to be used for the 12054 New Orphan-House, that which you propose to build. 12055 12056 Yours, dear Sir, 12057 12058 Ever faithfully, 12059 12060 12061 * * * * *" 12062 12063 12064 12065 12066 The other 25l. being left to me, to be disposed of as I 12067 thought well, I divided equally between the five objects of 12068 the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and 12069 Abroad. 12070 12071 By the same post I received also a donation of 10s., with 12072 the following letter. 12073 12074

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12075 * * * *, Oct. 27, 1851. 12076 12077 "Dear Mr. Müller, 12078 12079 I enclose you 10s. worth of postages, as a token of 12080 gratitude to the Lord. I had 2l. due to me, and the party 12081 told me. he would not pay it, except I summoned him. I 12082 consulted the Scripture, and found, as a Christian, I must 12083 not do that; so I put the case into the hand of the 12084 ‘wonderful counsellor,’ and told the Lord, if He would be 12085 pleased to give me the 2l., I would give Him back half of 12086 it. Not long after I had a message from the party, to say if 12087 I would fetch it, I should have the 2l.; so I went, and he 12088 paid me without an unpleasant word. I have sent you one 12089 half of the pound (the other half I have designed for 12090 another purpose). If you need it, you will please to take it 12091 for your own personal use; if it is not needed any other 12092 way, I should like the privilege of having a stone in the 12093 intended Orphan-House, &c." 12094 12095 12096 I took this 10s.for the Building Fund. The donor is a poor 12097 working man. — This afternoon I received 50l. more from 12098 the neighbourhood of London, with these words: "For the 12099 missionaries, and where else most needed." I took, 12100 therefore, 25l. of it for missions, and the other 25l. for the 12101 Building Fund. 12102 12103 Thus the Lord has been pleased this day to refresh my 12104 heart greatly in sending these donations, and has given 12105 again a manifest proof that yesterday I did not wait upon 12106

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Him in vain. But I look out for more abundant help, and 12107 for larger sums. I cannot help noticing here, that this 12108 afternoon the Lord also refreshed my spirit through a 12109 donation of 6 pairs of new shoes, which a young man 12110 (whom about twelve years ago I received as a very 12111 destitute Orphan, and who about five years ago was 12112 apprenticed to a shoemaker, and who has lately finished 12113 his apprenticeship), brought me for the Orphans, as a 12114 small token of his gratitude, as he said. He had himself 12115 made the shoes, having bought the leather with the little 12116 sums which he had earned in working overtime for his 12117 master. 12118 12119 Such instances occur often. I see now, again and again, 12120 fruit resulting from my labours in this service. It is not at 12121 all a rare thing that I meet with respectable young women, 12122 or respectable young men, who, many years ago, were 12123 placed, as very destitute Orphans, under my care, and who 12124 are now a comfort and help to society, instead of being a 12125 pest, which otherwise they might have been. But valuable 12126 and pleasant as this is, I frequently meet with far more in 12127 them: I find them to be children of the living God, through 12128 faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and see or hear that they 12129 walk according to their profession. Thus, in the midst of 12130 many difficulties, and with much that, for the present 12131 moment, is discouraging, I see abundant fruit. Yet, if even 12132 only one soul were won from among these Orphans, how 12133 abundantly would all labours, trials, difficulties, and 12134 expenditure of money be made up; but, if I know of scores 12135 of them already in heaven, and scores of them now on the 12136 road to heaven, how can I but go on labouring, esteeming 12137 it a privilege to be allowed of God to seek to win more 12138

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and more of them for Him? Considerations like these are a 12139 mighty impulse to me to go forward with regard to the 12140 intended Orphan House. 12141 12142 Nov. 10. Today I received 200l., of which the donor 12143 kindly wished me to keep 20l. for my own personal 12144 expenses, and to apply the rest as most needed for the 12145 Lord’s work in my hands. I took, therefore, 100l. for the 12146 Building Fund, and 80l. for missionary objects, the 12147 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts, and 12148 for the support of all the various schools which are 12149 supported by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge. 12150 Institution. By this donation my heart has been greatly 12151 refreshed for the following reasons: — lst. During the last 12152 twelve days very little, comparatively, has come in. 2nd. 12153 The first four objects of the Institution, for which I took 12154 the 801., were lower as to funds than they have been 12155 during the last ten months, as only 113l. remained in 12156 hand. 3rd. I had been praying for supplies for my own 12157 personal expenses, in order that I might be able to help in 12158 certain cases of need, which were near my heart. This day 12159 week, Nov. 3rd, I began particularly to pray about this 12160 object. On Nov. 7th there was 5l. put anonymously into 12161 the letter box at my house, for my own personal expenses. 12162 The note was signed "H." On the same evening I received 12163 2l. more. On Nov. 8th I received 1l. from Keswick. On 12164 Nov. 9th 1l. 14s. 6d., and today 20l. Though this is a 12165 digression from the immediate subject before me, yet, as I 12166 write chiefly for the comfort and encouragement of the 12167 children of God, and that their dependence upon God and 12168 their trust in Him may more and more be increased, and 12169 also that unbelievers may see the reality of the things of 12170

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God, I take delight in mentioning these cases, to show that 12171 He does not merely supply me, in answer to prayer, with 12172 means for His work in which I am occupied, but that He 12173 also bountifully supplies my own personal necessities, 12174 simply in answer to prayer. 12175 12176 Nov. 19. Early this morning came, in the course of my 12177 reading through the Holy Scriptures, Heb. v. and vi., and 12178 my heart was greatly strengthened by Heb. vi. 15., "And 12179 so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the 12180 promise." I have not once, even for one moment, been 12181 allowed to doubt, either the power or the willingness of 12182 the Lord to supply me with all that shall be needed for this 12183 other Orphan House, since I came at first to the 12184 conclusion that it was His will I should enlarge the work; 12185 yet I have often, very often, been led to ask, that He 12186 would graciously be pleased to sustain my faith and 12187 patience to the end; for great, very great, may yet be the 12188 exercises both of my faith and patience, before. I have the 12189 desire of my heart granted. 12190 12191 Nov. 28. The following case will especially show in what 12192 a variety of ways the Lord is pleased to supply me with 12193 means. Today I received from an individual, hitherto an 12194 entire stranger to me, the letter which follows: — 12195 12196 * * * *, London, Nov 27, 1851. 12197 12198 "My dear Brother, 12199 12200 12201

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I asked the Lord for help with regard to yourself and your 12202 work. The other night a stranger called at my house, and 12203 left a parcel, declining to give her name, saying, ‘Take 12204 charge of this for Mr. George Müller.’ The parcel 12205 contained 3l. 14s. 9d., two silver spoons, and two silver 12206 thimbles; 4s. were added to pay the expenses. May the 12207 Lord prosper you, my brother. 12208 12209 Yours affectionately, 12210 12211 * * * * *" 12212 12213 12214 As it was not stated for what object the donation was 12215 intended, I took the whole for the. Building Fund. 12216 12217 Dec. 8. From A. Z. at Hull 3l. 5s., of which the donor 12218 kindly intends 5s. for my own personal expenses. Through 12219 this donor also 5s. besides. Both these donations are 12220 remarkable. The donor who sent the 3l. 5s., some years 12221 ago, when in very poor circumstances, set apart from his 12222 earnings 3⁄4 d. a-day for the Orphans. From that time God 12223 was pleased to prosper him; and now he. is able to send 12224 this 3/. 5s. at once. The donor of the 5s. had about a year 12225 ago one of the Reports of the Scriptural Knowledge 12226 Institution lent to him, when he was living in much sin, by 12227 the brother who sent the 3l. 5s., and this Report was the 12228 means of his conversion. 12229 12230 Dec. 28. This morning I received a donation of 200l., 12231 which, being left at my disposal, I took one half for the 12232

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Building Fund, and the other half for the School, Bible, 12233 Tract and Missionary Objects. 12234 12235 Jan. 28, 1852. From Torquay 5s. — I received also this 12236 morning the following registered letter, enclosing 50l. 12237 12238 12239 "* * * * *Jan. 21, 1852. 12240 12241 "Dear Brother, 12242 12243 12244 "Having this morning received a large present, I hasten to 12245 send you 50l., either towards building the New Orphan 12246 House, or for the missionary servants of the Lord; as you 12247 may deem best. 12248 12249 " Yours very truly in Christ, 12250 12251 "* * * *" 12252 12253 12254 I am especially labouring in prayer, day by day, that the 12255 Lord would be pleased to furnish me with the means for 12256 building another Orphan House, as the number of 12257 applications for destitute children, bereaved of both 12258 parents, is increasing more and more: but I have also of 12259 late been particularly praying to the Lord for means for 12260 missionary brethren, as almost all I have in hand for them 12261 is expended. On this account I purpose to take one half of 12262 this donation for the Building Fund, and the other half for 12263 missionary objects. 12264

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12265 March 17. Day by day I am waiting upon God for means. 12266 With full confidence, both as to the power of the Lord to 12267 give me the means, and likewise His willingness, I am 12268 enabled to continue to wait. But He is pleased to exercise 12269 my faith and patience, and especially has this been the 12270 case of late. Not more than 27l. 11s. has come in, during 12271 the last four weeks, for the Building Fund. Yet, amidst it 12272 all, by the help of God, my heart has been kept looking to 12273 the Lord, and expecting help from Him. Now today my 12274 heart has been greatly refreshed by a donation of 999l. 12275 13s. 5d., which, being left to my disposal for the work of 12276 God, I took of it for the Building Fund 600l., for current 12277 expenses for the Orphans 200l., and the remainder for the 12278 School, Bible, Tract, and Missionary objects. I cannot 12279 describe to any one how refreshing this donation is to my 12280 spirit. After having been for weeks, day by day, waiting 12281 upon the Lord, and receiving so little, comparatively, 12282 either for current expenses or for the Building Fund, this 12283 answer to many prayers is exceedingly sweet to my spirit. 12284 12285 March 18. From Mallow in Ireland 5s. — From Torquay 12286 5s. — From Whitby 2l. 3s. 6d., of which 1l. is for the 12287 Building Fund, 1l. for present use for the Orphans, and 3s. 12288 6d. for ditto. — From Kingstanley 1l. — From Lichfield 12289 4l. 15s., and 5s. 12290 12291 March 21. From Clifton 5l., with 3s. for present use for 12292 the Orphans. — Through Salem boxes 1s. 12293 12294 March 23. From Driffield 5l. — Received also further 12295 500l., which, being entirely left at my disposal, I took 12296

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100l. for the Building Fund, 200l. for current expenses for 12297 the Orphans, 50l. for the circulation of the Holy 12298 Scriptures, 50l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, 50l. 12299 for preachers of the Gospel in foreign lands, and 50l. 12300 12301 for preachers of the Gospel in England, Ireland, and 12302 Scotland. 12303 12304 May 16. From two Christian ladies at Clifton l0s. 12305 12306 May 19. From Bishopwearmouth 5l. 12307 12308 May 20. 149l. 8s. 11 1⁄2 d., being the proceeds arising 12309 from the sale of a book in English, and 40l. 14s. from the 12310 sale of a book in French, were given for the Building 12311 Fund; and 75l. 18s. 9d., being the balance of a certain 12312 account, for present use for the Orphans. 12313 12314 To the donations received during this year, is to be added 12315 64l. 10s. 6d. received for interest; for as a steward of the 12316 money, with which I was intrusted for the Building Fund, 12317 I felt it right to put out to interest that which came in. 12318 Lastly, there remained in hand from the former Building 12319 Fund the balance of 776l. 14s. 3 3⁄4 d., which I added to 12320 the present Building Fund, so that on the evening of May 12321 26th, 1852, I had altogether 3530l. 9s. 0 1⁄4 d. 12322 12323 I add the following points, which were stated in the 12324 Report of 1852, and which are here reprinted for the better 12325 information of the readers. 12326 12327

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A. Looking at the comparatively small amount yet in hand 12328 towards the accomplishment of my purpose, some of my 12329 readers may suppose that I am on that account 12330 discouraged. My reply is, that I am not at all discouraged, 12331 and that for the following reasons. 12332 12333 1. The many donations which the Lord has been pleased 12334 to send me during the past year expressly for the Building 12335 Fund, have been a proof to me that He condescends to 12336 listen to my supplications respecting this part of the work, 12337 and to those of His dear children who help me with their 12338 prayers; for many, I believe, labour with me in prayer. 12339 12340 2. The delay of the Lord in sending still larger sums, and 12341 more speedily, than He has been pleased to do hitherto, I 12342 only consider to be for the exercise of my faith and 12343 patience. Were the Lord displeased with my intention, He 12344 would not have dealt with me as He has, and would not 12345 have encouraged me to continue to wait upon Him, by the 12346 many donations which were expressly given for this 12347 object, and some from most unexpected quarters. This 12348 exercise of my faith and patience, however, I believe to be 12349 intended not merely for my own individual profit; but 12350 through me, also for the benefit of others. By God’s 12351 gracious help and support I will, therefore, continue to 12352 wait patiently, till He shall be pleased more abundantly to 12353 send in the means, which I do not in the least doubt life 12354 will do. 12355 12356 3. Even when intending to build the New Orphan-House 12357 on Ashley Down, Bristol, (which was then an undertaking 12358 to me greater far than the second Orphan House now 12359

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contemplated), I had to wait two years and three months, 12360 before I had all the means needed; and great, and many, 12361 and varied indeed were the trials of my patience and faith, 12362 before that work was accomplished; yet, at last, the Lord 12363 so abundantly helped me, and so altogether carried me 12364 through all the difficulties, that the house was built, fitted 12365 up, furnished, and inhabited, and several hundred pounds 12366 remained over and above what was required. And now 12367 three years have already elapsed since the house has been 12368 inhabited, and the three hundred Orphans in it have no 12369 cause to speak of want, but only of abundance. But as the 12370 work increases more and more, 1 am not surprised that 12371 my trials of faith and patience should become sharper and 12372 sharper, and should last longer and longer; but yet, by His 12373 help, will I hope in God, whom I shall have to praise 12374 further still, and who will help me further still, on the 12375 ground of the worthiness and merits of His holy child 12376 Jesus, though I am most unworthy in myself to be helped. 12377 12378 4. One of the things, which especially encourages me to 12379 continue to wait upon God, and to labour on in prayer 12380 Concerning this object, is the great number of applications 12381 which continue to be made for the admission of children 12382 who have been lawfully begotten, but who are by death 12383 bereaved of both parents, and who are in very destitute 12384 circumstances. There were 170 such children waiting for 12385 admission a year ago; since then there have been 183 12386 more applied for, making in all 353. Of these, as during 12387 the last year but few vacancies have occurred, I have only 12388 been able to receive twenty-seven, therefore 326 remain 12389 unprovided for. This number would be far greater still, 12390 had not many persons been kept from applying to me; for 12391

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they considered it useless, as the number of Orphans, 12392 waiting for admission, was already so great. Now when I 12393 consider all the help which the Lord has been pleased to 12394 grant me in this His service for so many years, and how 12395 He has carried me through one difficulty after another, 12396 and when I see one case after another, of the most pitiable 12397 Orphans (some less than one year old) brought before me; 12398 how can I but labour on in prayer on their behalf, fully 12399 believing that God, in His own time, will give me the 12400 means for this intended second home for 700 more 12401 Orphans, though I know not when the money will be sent, 12402 and whom He will honour to be the instruments, whether 12403 it will come from many or from few comparatively, and 12404 whether more especially from those donors whom God 12405 has used in former times, or whether He may be pleased 12406 to put it into the heart of those to assist me in this service, 12407 whose names I have never heard up to this time. 12408 12409 B. Up to the present I have taken no actual steps towards 12410 the erection of the second Orphan-House, nor do I mean 12411 to do anything in the way of purchasing the land, &c., 12412 until I have a sum in hand which may point out that the 12413 Lord’s time is come for taking such steps. At present I do 12414 not allow my mind to be occupied with such points, but 12415 seek to go on step by step, and therefore, in the first place, 12416 to wait upon God for a greater amount of means than I 12417 have in hand at present; and when the Lord shall have 12418 been pleased to grant me this, I doubt not that He will also 12419 guide and direct me as to carrying out the desire which, I 12420 trust, He has put into my heart, to be still more 12421 extensively used as the Friend of the Orphan. 12422 12423

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C. I state again that this second Orphan-House is only 12424 intended, as the one already built, for children who have 12425 been lawfully begotten, who have lost both parents by 12426 death, and who are in destitute circumstances; this, 12427 however, being the case, children may be received from 12428 any place, and the more destitute, the fewer patrons and 12429 friends they have to plead their cause, the more likely they 12430 are to be received, as neither favour nor partiality is 12431 shown in the admission of the children, but their cases are 12432 considered in the order in which applications are made. I 12433 state again here especially, that no sectarian views prompt 12434 me, or even in the least influence me in the reception of 12435 children; I do not belong to any sect, and am, therefore, 12436 not influenced by sectarianism in the admission of 12437 Orphans; but from wheresoever they come, and to 12438 whatsoever religions denomination the parents belonged, 12439 or with whatever body the persons making application 12440 may be connected; and whether those who apply never 12441 gave me one penny towards the work, or whether they 12442 gave much; it makes no difference in the admission of the 12443 children. Now just as it has been thus with regard to the 12444 admission of Orphans for more than sixteen years past, so, 12445 when God shall be pleased to allow me to accomplish my 12446 purpose concerning another Orphan-House, it is still 12447 intended to be the same concerning that one also. The 12448 New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, is not say 12449 Orphan-House, not the Orphan-House of any party or 12450 sect, but it is God’s Orphan-House, and the Orphan-House 12451 for any and every poor destitute Orphan who has lost both 12452 parents; provided, of course, there be room in the 12453 establishment, and that there be nothing so peculiar in the 12454 case of the children as to prevent their being received; and 12455

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exactly thus it is intended to be, God helping, with regard 12456 to the Orphan-House for 700 Orphans, now in 12457 contemplation. 12458 12459 12460 Supplies for the School—, Bible —, Missionary and Tract 12461 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1851, to 12462 May 26, 1852. 12463 12464 12465 At no time during the past eighteen years did I begin a 12466 new period with so much money in hand, as was the case 12467 at the commencement of this. There was a balance of 12468 809l. 10s. 6d. left for these objects. Long before this 12469 balance was expended, however, the Lord was pleased to 12470 send in further supplies; so that, during all the year, there 12471 did not come before me one single instance in which, 12472 according to my judgment, it would have been desirable 12473 to help forward Schools or Missionary objects, or the 12474 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, but I had 12475 always the means in hand for doing so. 12476 12477 I will now notice a few of the more remarkable donations 12478 12479 On the third day already, after the accounts had been 12480 closed, May 29, 1851, I received a donation of 150l., of 12481 which I took one-half for the current expenses for the 12482 Orphans, and the other half for these objects. — This was 12483 the first donation in this new period, and was a precious 12484 encouragement to me in the work. 12485 12486

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July 8. From May 29th to this day have come in twenty-12487 eight donations, varying from 1d. to 15l. Today I received 12488 a donation of 150l. of which the donor kindly wished me 12489 to take 10l. for my own personal expenses, and to use the 12490 rest as the work of God might require it. As I still had an 12491 abundance in hand both for the Orphans and for these 12492 objects, I took one-half for the current expenses for the 12493 Orphans, and the other half for these objects. 12494 12495 Sept. 6. Again fifty-two donations had come in between 12496 July 8th and this day, varying from 1d. to 20l., when 12497 today a brother who has often manifested his deep interest 12498 in the spread of the truth, and who is far from being rich, 12499 sent me 80l. for home and foreign labourers in the Word. 12500 12501 Nov. 10. Forty donations have come in for these objects 12502 from Sept. 6th to this day, varying from 1 1⁄2 d. to 25l. 12503 Today I received 200l., of which, as stated under the 12504 particulars given under this date with reference to the 12505 Building Fund, I took 80l. for these objects. This donation 12506 came in most seasonably; for now the funds for these 12507 objects were lower than they had been for the last ten 12508 months, as only 113l. remained in hand. 12509 12510 Dec. 21. The funds for these objects were now reduced to 12511 10l. 14s. 5d., as the twenty-two donations from 4d. to 13l., 12512 which had come in since Nov. 10th, did not altogether 12513 amount to more than 31l. 9s. 4d., and as much money had 12514 been expended. The means in hand were therefore far less 12515 than they had been at any time during the last sixteen 12516 months, when I received this morning from A. Z., a new 12517

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donor, by the Clifton post, 10l., which, being left to my 12518 disposal, I took for these objects. 12519 12520 Dec. 27. Only 1l. 7s. 6d. had come in since the 21st. After 12521 the payments of this day were met, there remained only 12522 10s. 4d. in hand. 12523 12524 Consider this position, dear reader. Only 10s. 4d. in hand, 12525 and the expenses for all the various schools were to be 12526 met, and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and of 12527 Tracts I desired to go on, and the Fifty preachers of the. 12528 Gospel, whom I sought to help, my heart desired to help 12529 still further. Consider also, that whatever my necessities 12530 may be, I never go into debt, nor do I apply to any one 12531 personally for any thing, but give myself unto prayer. 12532 Now hear how this matter ended. 12533 12534 Dec. 28. When I came home last evening from the New 12535 Orphan-House, I found a letter from Gloucestershire, 12536 containing a sovereign and a half. The sovereign was half 12537 for these objects, and half for the Orphans; and of the half 12538 sovereign, 6s. were intended for the Orphans; and 4s. for 12539 these objects. Thus I had 14s. more But this morning the 12540 Lord has opened His hands still more bountifully. I have 12541 received a donation of 200l. — The disposal of the money 12542 was left to me. I took therefore one half for the School —, 12543 Bible —, Missionary and Tract Objects, and the other half 12544 for the Building Fund. — This donation has been a very 12545 great refreshment to my spirit. During the last six weeks 12546 very little has come in, and though we had lacked nothing 12547 (for only a few days since I paid for sixty thousand Tracts 12548 at once), yet we were now poorer than we had been for 12549

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two or three years, with regard to means for these objects. 12550 This, however, did not in the least cast me down; for I 12551 knew it was only for the trial of my faith and patience, 12552 and that, when the trial was over, the Lord would again 12553 send in bountiful supplies. This He has now commenced 12554 to do, but I expect much more than this. Indeed I am 12555 looking out daily for the Lord’s help. 12556 12557 Jan. 1, 1852. The old year closed with manifestations of 12558 God’s loving help, in the way of means, and the new 12559 begins in the same way. Last evening I received 4s. 5d. 12560 for these objects, and this morning, when I paid an 12561 account, I had 10l. returned for the Schools. — In the 12562 course of the day I received still further from Sherborne 12563 3l., of which the donor wished 1l. to be taken for the 12564 Orphans, 1l. for missions, and 1l. for my own personal 12565 expenses. I received also anonymously from Aberdeen 4s. 12566 for the Orphans, with 2s. for missions. 12567 12568 Jan. 2. Further: 5l. for the Schools in Bristol. 12569 12570 Jan. 19. All our money for missionary objects, for the 12571 circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for the support of the 12572 various Schools was now again spent, as only very little, 12573 comparatively had come in since Dec. 28th. The last 12574 money which I had, I sent off by the mail steamer to 12575 Demerara, which left two days since. Under these 12576 circumstances, I received this evening 20l., which I might 12577 either use for the Orphans, or for missionary objects, 12578 according to the donor’s wish. I took it for missionary 12579 objects. But I am looking out for larger supplies, as I have 12580 many openings, profitably to lay out considerable sums 12581

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for missionary objects, and for the circulation of Bibles 12582 and Tracts. It is remarkable, that, while I have received 12583 from the donor of this sum from time to time donations 12584 for the Orphans, I had not received anything for 12585 missionary objects for a very long time. But I have again 12586 and again prayed for help for this part of the work, and 12587 this point makes the answer to prayer only the more 12588 manifest. 12589 12590 Jan. 21. After still further repeated waiting upon the Lord 12591 for means, especially for missionary objects and for the 12592 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, I received 12593 today from Somersetshire 20l., of which the donor intends 12594 10l. for foreign missions and 10l. towards the support of 12595 the Orphans. 12596 12597 Jan. 22. From London 4l. for missions. 12598 12599 Jan. 23. 50l., of which half is for missions, and half for the 12600 Building Fund. 12601 12602 Jan. 26. 500l. was left at my disposal. I took the whole for 12603 these objects. 12604 12605 This donation came in most seasonably, enabling me to go 12606 on helping preachers of the Gospel, and also to go on with 12607 the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. 12608 12609 March 17. Before all means were gone, when there was 12610 yet about 160l. in hand, there came in again today for 12611 these objects 199l. 13s. 5d. 12612 12613

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March 23. 200l. more came in today. 12614 12615 March 26. From three brethren 20l. for missions. — On 12616 the same day from a missionary box at Old Aberdeen 2l. 12617 12618 May 12. The 26 donations which have come in for these 12619 objects, since March 26th, were small. Today I received 12620 from Cornwall 50l., of which the donor wished me to take 12621 10l. for my own personal expenses; the rest being left at 12622 my disposal I took the whole for these objects. 12623 12624 May 15. Received 20l. for missions. 12625 12626 May 19. When nearly all the means for these objects were 12627 exhausted, I received 250l., of which I took for these 12628 objects 200l., and 50l. for the current expenses for the 12629 Orphans. 12630 12631 Thus I have given some instances to show how the Lord 12632 was pleased to supply me during another year. 12633 12634 12635 Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to 12636 prayer, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852. 12637 12638 The reader will remember it was stated in the previous 12639 chapter on this subject, that I purposed, not in dependence 12640 upon my Christian Friends, nor upon former donors, but 12641 alone in dependence upon the living God, who, I trust, has 12642 called me for it, notwithstanding all my unworthiness, to 12643 enlarge the Orphan Work. The Godly reader will now be 12644 desirous to learn how far I have been helped, in this my 12645

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intention, to enlarge the field of labour in caring for the 12646 vast numbers of helpless Orphans in our land. I will, 12647 therefore, give an extract, in the way of specimens, from 12648 the account book, kept for the purpose, together with the 12649 remarks and observations which I wrote down at the time 12650 of the receipt of the donations, and make also here and 12651 there additional remarks, as the occasion may call for. 12652 12653 Before I brought before the public my purpose, I gave the 12654 record of the exercises of my mind, on this subject, to a 12655 valued Christian friend to read, the only one who, besides 12656 my family, knew anything of my intention, before it came 12657 before the public. I did this particularly in order that, after 12658 waiting for several months in secret upon God for 12659 guidance and direction concerning it, I might also have 12660 the counsel of a prayerful, judicious, and cautious man of 12661 God. When this brother returned the manuscript, he spoke 12662 to me words of encouragement concerning this purpose, 12663 and gave me a half-sovereign towards the Building Fund 12664 for this house for 700 destitute Orphans. This was the first 12665 donation, which I received on May 13, 1851, and which, I 12666 confess, was a great refreshment and encouragement to 12667 me, the more so as it came from so cautious a brother, and 12668 after I had been for several months, through secret prayer, 12669 assured that I should go forward. 12670 12671 On May 28th, 1851, my intention became publicly 12672 known, and in the evening of May 29th I received from a 12673 Christian lady a sovereign towards the Building Fund. 12674 12675

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May 30. One of the Orphans in the New Orphan House 12676 gave 6d. for the Building Fund, and one engaged in the 12677 work gave an old silver watch for sale and 5s. 12678 12679 June. 1. A brother in the Lord, who gives his donations 12680 with the letter "P.," gave me 10s. — I also received a 12681 sovereign. — This evening I received still further 4 half-12682 crowns, with very encouraging words and expressions of 12683 joy, that I have been led to this purpose of building 12684 another Orphan House for 700 more Orphans. — There 12685 came to hand also anonymously 3s. Ditto an old shilling, a 12686 small American coin, and two shillings. Also from a 12687 Christian servant in Clifton 2s. 6d. 12688 12689 June. 3. From one of the Orphans in the New Orphan 12690 House 6d., and from another 6d. 12691 12692 June 4. From another Orphan in the New Orphan House, 12693 6d. I received also 8s. 0 1⁄2 d., which the Orphans in the 12694 Girls’ School of the New Orphan House gave between 12695 them for the Building Fund. 12696 12697 June 5. Through one of the boxes at the New Orphan 12698 House twopence and likewise one half-penny. These two 12699 small donations are very sweet to me. I take them as a 12700 further earnest, out of the hands of my heavenly Father, 12701 that He, in His own time, will give me the whole sum 12702 requisite. Evening: From a sister from Norwich 2s. 6d. 12703 From a sister in the Lord in Bristol 1s. 12704 12705 June. 6. Anonymously 5l. 0s. 1d., with these words: 12706 "Towards the Building Fund of the proposed Orphan 12707

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House 2l., for Brother Müller 11. 10s., for Brother Craik 12708 1l. 10s." 12709 12710 June 7. Anonymously 1s. 6d. 12711 12712 June. 8. From a brother 5s. — From one of the Orphans 12713 formerly under our care, a believer, a sovereign, of which 12714 she intends 5s. for the Building Fund, 5s. for present use 12715 for the Orphans, 5s. for Brother Craik, and 5s. for my own 12716 personal expenses. How sweet a donation! Anonymously 12717 1s. From "P." 1s. 6d. 12718 12719 June 11. Anonymously, from Sunderland 1l — A lady 12720 gave to my daughter at my house 5l., but would not give 12721 her name. 12722 12723 June. 12. From Richmond 5l. 12724 12725 I have thus given minutely an account of the income 12726 during the first two weeks, after my purpose had become 12727 known; but shall now only, for the sake of brevity, refer to 12728 some of the donations. 12729 12730 June. 21. Twenty-four days have now passed away since I 12731 have been enabled, day by day, to wait with a goodly 12732 measure of earnestness and in faith upon the Lord for 12733 means; but as yet only a little above 28l. has come in. But 12734 I am not discouraged. The less there comes in, the more 12735 earnestly I pray, the more I look out for answers, and the 12736 more assured I am that the Lord, in His own time, after He 12737 has tried my faith, will send me larger sums, and, at last, 12738 all I need. 12739

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12740 July 27. From a Christian gentleman in Clifton 20l. This 12741 donation has much refreshed my spirit. I am, day by day, 12742 expecting help from the Lord, in large and small sums as 12743 He pleases; but as He is trying my faith, in that only so 12744 little as yet has come in, this donation has been very 12745 precious. 12746 12747 Aug. 8. From a Christian lady in London 5l. — From 12748 Somersetshire 40l. 12749 12750 Aug. 12, Day by day I am waiting upon the Lord for 12751 means for this object, and generally more than once a day 12752 am bowing my knees before God with reference to it. 12753 Moreover, of late I have been enabled, with increasing 12754 earnestness, to beseech the. Lord, that He would be 12755 pleased to send in means for the Building Fund. My soul 12756 has been all along at peace, though only so little as yet, 12757 comparatively, has come in (in all 127l. 19s. 9d.) and 12758 though Satan has, in the most subtle way, sought to shake 12759 my confidence, and to lead me to question, whether, after 12760 all, I had not been mistaken concerning this whole matter. 12761 Yet, though he has aimed after this, to the praise of God I 12762 have to confess, that he has not been allowed to triumph. I 12763 have especially besought the Lord of late, that He would 12764 be pleased to refresh my spirit by sending in some large 12765 donation for this part of the work. Under these 12766 circumstances, I received this morning the following letter 12767 with 500l.: 12768 12769 12770 "* * * * August 8. 12771

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12772 "My Dear Brother, 12773 12774 "Trusting that God has indeed called you to this work, 12775 viz., caring for poor Orphans, and will not allow you to be 12776 deceived as to His will regarding the increasing it, but will 12777 greatly use you for His own glory and for blessing to 12778 many poor destitute children, it is my desire, and I humbly 12779 thank our most gracious God and Father for the ability, to 12780 have fellowship with you in this work, as far as He 12781 permits. Will you, therefore, use the enclosed check for 12782 500l. for the Orphans, towards the present Establishment 12783 or the proposed new one, as you may judge best, or taking 12784 any part thereof for one or the other. The Lord Jesus be 12785 your counselor, your joy, your strength, your all. 12786 12787 "Affectionately yours, 12788 12789 "* * * *" 12790 12791 12792 I took the whole amount for the Building Fund. I was not 12793 in the least excited. I look out for means. Even at that very 12794 moment, when I received this donation, I was looking out 12795 for means, for large donations; and I should not have been 12796 surprised if 5,000l. had come in, or more. The Lord be 12797 praised for this precious encouragement, which has still 12798 further quickened me for prayer! 12799 12800 Aug. 14. From the neighbourhood of Leeds 10l. — From 12801 Essex 5l. 12802 12803

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Aug. 15. Anonymously from Hull 5s. — From Cornwall a 12804 copy of "Greece" for sale. 12805 12806 Aug. 19. From Shirehampton 5l. 12807 12808 Aug. 20. From Mirfield 2l. Also 150l. came in today 12809 which, being left at my disposal by the donor, as most 12810 needed, I took the whole of this amount for the Building 12811 Fund, having sufficient means in hand for the current 12812 expenses of the various objects of the Scriptural 12813 Knowledge Institution. 12814 12815 Aug. 30. From M. S. 30l., of which the donor desires 20l. 12816 to be used for missionary objects, and 10l. for the 12817 Building Fund. The donor writes: "My present 12818 inducement to remit this is, that God has lately prospered 12819 me in business, and I had been putting by for this and a 12820 few other similar purposes, intending to make bequests in 12821 my will, but am convinced that this is the best course to 12822 pursue, if not the only justifiable one, with what I can 12823 spare from my business and other necessities." 12824 12825 Sept. 1. From a much afflicted sister seven dolls’ bonnets 12826 for sale. — A picture in frame. 12827 12828 Sept. 2. From an individual living in Nicholas Street, 12829 Bristol, 1l. — From a brother in the Lord, in Wandsworth 12830 Road, London, 5s., with 1l. for present use for the 12831 Orphans, and 15s. for missionary purposes. — From a 12832 poor Christian widow in London 1s., with 1s. for present 12833 use for the Orphans. — I am day by day labouring in 12834 prayer for this object, and with a goodly measure of 12835

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fervency of spirit, by the grace of God; and am day by day 12836 looking out for answers. These sums last recorded are but 12837 small, yet they tell me that my Heavenly Father is not 12838 unmindful of my supplications, and of those of His dear 12839 children who help me with their prayers, and that, in His 12840 own time, He will send me more, and also large sums. I 12841 magnify His holy name that He does not in the least allow 12842 me to question either His power or His willingness to give 12843 me all that I shall need; yea, my soul is as assured that I 12844 shall have this my request fully granted, unworthy though 12845 I am of it, as if the whole amount were already in my 12846 hand. 12847 12848 Sept. 4. From a Christian at Keswick 10s., and a lady 12849 through ditto 5s. 12850 12851 Sept. 5. From the neighbourhood of Keswick 1l. — From 12852 Hull 1l. — From Shrewsbury 20l. 12853 12854 Sept. 10. As yet the Lord delays sending in larger sums; 12855 but I am looking out for them, and am confidently 12856 expecting them. This delay is only for the trial of my 12857 faith; after He has tried it, He will help me. Applications 12858 for the admission of Orphans continue to be made. Within 12859 the last ten days eighteen poor children, bereaved of both 12860 parents, have been applied for; and since Aug. 15th, 12861 therefore in twenty-six days, thirty-two altogether. My 12862 heart longs to be allowed of God to help poor Orphans 12863 more extensively than ever. Whence the means are to 12864 come for the building of this house for 700 Orphans, I 12865 know not; but still, by God’s help, my confidence in Him 12866

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is not shaken. To Him it is a very small matter to give me 12867 all I need for this work. 12868 12869 Sept. 11. From Ludgvan 10s. Evening. Only these ten 12870 shillings have come in today, but three more Orphans 12871 have been applied for, making thirty-five in less than a 12872 month. Does not the Lord tell me by this, that He will 12873 provide another home for Orphans? I will therefore 12874 patiently wait upon Him for the means, and after He has 12875 tried my faith and patience, He will show Himself as the 12876 bearer and answerer of prayer. Today came in the course 12877 of my reading John xiv. 13, 14, "And whatsoever ye shall 12878 ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be 12879 glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name I 12880 will do it." I pleaded this word of promise, and look for 12881 answers, even for the fulfilment of this promise. Nor do I 12882 doubt that the Lord Jesus will fulfil this His promise in 12883 this my case. 12884 12885 Sept. 12. From Guildford 1l. 8s. — From Bath 1l. 12886 12887 Sept. 13. Patience and faith are still called for, and, by 12888 God’s grace, my desire is to "let patience have her perfect 12889 work," Not one penny has come in today for the Building 12890 Fund, but five more Orphans have been applied for, so 12891 that now forty in less than one single month have been 12892 brought before me, all bereaved of both parents, and all 12893 very destitute. Under these circumstances, how can I but 12894 fervently labour in prayer that the Lord would be pleased 12895 to intrust me with means for building another Orphan-12896 House for 700 Orphans. The more I look at things 12897 according to natural appearances and prospects, the less 12898

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likely is it that I should have the sum which is needed; but 12899 I have faith in God, and my expectation is from Him 12900 alone. From the beginning I depended upon Him only, 12901 concerning this proposed enlargement of the work, and 12902 therefore have not been disappointed, though as yet only 12903 the fortieth part of what is needed has come in (882l. l8s. 12904 7 1⁄2 d). But how soon, how very soon can the Lord alter 12905 the aspect of things. Even this very evening, while I am 12906 writing, He can give me many thousand pounds. I 12907 continue therefore, to wait upon God, and seek to 12908 encourage my heart by His holy word, and while he 12909 delays giving me answers, to be occupied in His blessed 12910 service. Of this, however, my soul has not the least doubt, 12911 that, when the Lord shall have been pleased to exercise 12912 my soul by the trial of faith and patience, He will make 12913 bare His arm, and send help. The fact that the applications 12914 for the admission of destitute Orphans are so many, does 12915 both quicken me to prayer, and is also a great 12916 encouragement to me, that the Lord will give me the 12917 desire of my heart, to provide another home for these 12918 destitute, fatherless and motherless children. 12919 12920 Sept. 19. Received today a donation of 170l., which the 12921 donor kindly allowed me to use for the work of the Lord 12922 in my hands as I pleased. I therefore took the whole of 12923 this donation for the Building Fund, having at present 12924 sufficient means in hand for the current expenses of all, 12925 the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 12926 Institution, and feeling called to give myself with my 12927 might to prepare for the Building of another Orphan-12928 House. 12929 12930

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Sept. 20. About two months since I received a letter, of 12931 which I give as much as refers to the subject in hand. 12932 12933 12934 "My Dear Sir, 12935 12936 "I was once a book collector, and turned my attention to 12937 our old English Bibles, and, among other editions, 12938 perfected, almost sheet by sheet, our first English 12939 Coverdale Bible of 1535. It is a sad specimen of time, 12940 attention, and money mis-spent and mis-applied, and as I 12941 look upon you as the receiver of cast off idols, whether 12942 watch chains, trinkets, or old Bibles, I have purposed for 12943 some time sending it to you. * * * * Do with the proceeds 12944 as you see fit. I should be glad if a portion were converted 12945 into large printed Testaments for the aged, and should be 12946 thankful if that, which has been cause of humbling to me, 12947 should be converted into the means, through your 12948 instrumentality, of raising others. 12949 12950 * * * * * 12951 12952 "Ever yours, 12953 12954 * * * *." 12955 12956 12957 12958 12959 A day or two after the receipt of this letter, a parcel 12960 arrived, containing the said Coverdale Bible, of A.D. 1535 12961 and another book; the latter to be sold for the benefit of 12962

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the Orphans. It was only today that I had an opportunity 12963 of disposing of the old Bible, which fetched 60l., together 12964 with other books, which had been given for the benefit of 12965 the Orphans, which brought 10/. Of the 60l. I took 101. 12966 for New Testaments printed with large type for aged poor 12967 persons, and 50l. for the Building Fund. 12968 12969 Oct. 2. Evening. Nothing has come in today for the 12970 Building Fund, and very little during the last ten days. I 12971 have had just now again a long season for prayer 12972 respecting this object. Through the support which I 12973 receive from the Lord, I am not cast down, though only so 12974 little as yet has come in. The work is His, and not mine; 12975 therefore am I able quietly to leave it in His hands. Were I 12976 to look at what has come in hitherto, much though it is, in 12977 one sense, it would take, after this rate, about ten years, 12978 before I should have the sum needed; but this does not 12979 cast me down; for, when the Lord’s time is come I expect 12980 larger sums. Further, there are peculiar natural obstacles 12981 in the way to my receiving donations for this object; for it 12982 has now been for several months reported that I have 12983 already Thirty Thousand Pounds in hand for the Building 12984 Fund, though this day it is actually only 1,139l. 19s. 2 1⁄2 12985 d. Again and again this has been told me, and therefore, 12986 were I to look at things naturally, I should have much 12987 reason to be cast down, as the spread of such reports is 12988 calculated, humanly speaking, to keep persons from 12989 contributing towards this object. Another class of persons, 12990 true Christians, and liberal persons too, may be thinking, 12991 that the sum required is so large that it is not likely I shall 12992 obtain it, and that therefore their contributing towards this 12993 object would be useless. But none of these things 12994

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discourage me. God knows that I have not Thirty 12995 Thousand Pounds in hand. God can influence the minds of 12996 His dear children towards this intended Orphan-House, 12997 whatever their thoughts may have been hitherto on the 12998 subject. I therefore seek to "let patience have her perfect 12999 work," and go on in prayer, being fully assured, that the 13000 Lord will not suffer me to be confounded. I am day by 13001 day looking out for help, yea for large sums; and I know I 13002 shall have them, after the Lord has exercised my faith and 13003 patience. Lord wilt Thou mercifully continue to give unto 13004 Thy servant faith and patience! 13005 13006 Oct. 3. From the Forest of Dean 1l. 13007 13008 Oct. 4. From Old Aberdeen 5l. — From Dublin the work 13009 for an ottoman and a piece of crochet work. 13010 13011 Oct. 5. Through Bethesda boxes 10s. — From Clifton 7s. 13012 — From H. S. 4d. 13013 13014 Oct. 7. From Wellington in Salop 5s. Evening. The trial of 13015 my faith and patience continues still. Again very little has 13016 come in during the last four days for the Building Fund. 13017 But my hope in God, by His help, continues steadfast. I 13018 had just now again a long season for prayer, having spent 13019 the whole evening alone for the purpose, and am assured 13020 that, when God’s time shall have come, it will be seen 13021 that, even concerning this object, I do not wait upon Him 13022 in vain. There are persons again and again asking me, 13023 When I am going to commence the building; for, they 13024 think that I have all, or nearly all, the means which are 13025 required. And there are others who ask me whether I still 13026

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purpose to build this Orphan-House. To Thee, my 13027 Heavenly Father, Thy child turns under these 13028 circumstances. Thou knowest how small an amount as yet 13029 Thy servant has, in comparison with what is needed; but 13030 Thou also knowest that Thy servant did not act rashly and 13031 under excitement in this matter, but waited upon Thee for 13032 six months in secret, before he spoke about this his 13033 intention. Now, Lord, in Thy mercy, sustain Thy servant’s 13034 faith and patience, and, if it please Thee, speedily refresh 13035 his heart by sending in larger sums, for which he is 13036 looking, and which he confidently expects! 13037 13038 Oct. 8. Through the boxes at the New Orphan-House 2s. 13039 6d., with Psalm xxvii. 14. The words of the passage are 13040 these: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He 13041 shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." By 13042 God’s grace I wait on the Lord, and am of good courage, 13043 and He does strengthen my heart, in faith and patience to 13044 continue to wait on Him, though only so little comes in, 13045 being assured that, when the trial of faith and patience is 13046 over, He will make bare His arm, and send in larger sums. 13047 13048 Oct. 28. Nothing at all has come in today for the Building 13049 Fund, and about 70l. only during the last four weeks. Yet, 13050 by the grace of God, I am supported, and have not the 13051 least questioning of soul whether I shall have the means or 13052 not. I only look upon this delay, on the part of God, in 13053 sending me larger sums, as an exercise of my patience and 13054 faith, and am sure, that in His own time He will give more 13055 largely. Today I have had again three long seasons for 13056 prayer respecting the work in my hands; and the greater 13057 part of this evening have been in prayer, entreating and 13058

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beseeching the. Lord to help me; and I am now again 13059 looking out for means, as I do day by day. 13060 13061 Oct. 29. This morning I received a letter, containing a 13062 check for 50l., and these words: 13063 13064 13065 "* * * * Oct. 27, 1851. 13066 13067 "My dear Sir, 13068 13069 13070 I had much pleasure and blessing in perusing the Report 13071 you were kind enough to send me some time ago, and am 13072 much obliged to you for it. Is it not a privilege to be 13073 allowed to obtain future good out of present expending? 13074 (Luke xvi. 9)’ That when ye fail, etc.’ I enclose a check 13075 for 50l., of which I should wish 25l.to be used for the 13076 New Orphan-House, that which you propose to build. 13077 13078 Yours, dear Sir, 13079 13080 Ever faithfully, 13081 13082 13083 * * * * *" 13084 13085 13086 13087 13088 The other 25l. being left to me, to be disposed of as I 13089 thought well, I divided equally between the five objects of 13090

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the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and 13091 Abroad. 13092 13093 By the same post I received also a donation of 10s., with 13094 the following letter. 13095 13096 13097 * * * *, Oct. 27, 1851. 13098 13099 "Dear Mr. Müller, 13100 13101 I enclose you 10s. worth of postages, as a token of 13102 gratitude to the Lord. I had 2l. due to me, and the party 13103 told me. he would not pay it, except I summoned him. I 13104 consulted the Scripture, and found, as a Christian, I must 13105 not do that; so I put the case into the hand of the 13106 ‘wonderful counsellor,’ and told the Lord, if He would be 13107 pleased to give me the 2l., I would give Him back half of 13108 it. Not long after I had a message from the party, to say if 13109 I would fetch it, I should have the 2l.; so I went, and he 13110 paid me without an unpleasant word. I have sent you one 13111 half of the pound (the other half I have designed for 13112 another purpose). If you need it, you will please to take it 13113 for your own personal use; if it is not needed any other 13114 way, I should like the privilege of having a stone in the 13115 intended Orphan-House, &c." 13116 13117 13118 I took this 10s.for the Building Fund. The donor is a poor 13119 working man. — This afternoon I received 50l. more from 13120 the neighbourhood of London, with these words: "For the 13121 missionaries, and where else most needed." I took, 13122

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therefore, 25l. of it for missions, and the other 25l. for the 13123 Building Fund. 13124 13125 Thus the Lord has been pleased this day to refresh my 13126 heart greatly in sending these donations, and has given 13127 again a manifest proof that yesterday I did not wait upon 13128 Him in vain. But I look out for more abundant help, and 13129 for larger sums. I cannot help noticing here, that this 13130 afternoon the Lord also refreshed my spirit through a 13131 donation of 6 pairs of new shoes, which a young man 13132 (whom about twelve years ago I received as a very 13133 destitute Orphan, and who about five years ago was 13134 apprenticed to a shoemaker, and who has lately finished 13135 his apprenticeship), brought me for the Orphans, as a 13136 small token of his gratitude, as he said. He had himself 13137 made the shoes, having bought the leather with the little 13138 sums which he had earned in working overtime for his 13139 master. 13140 13141 Such instances occur often. I see now, again and again, 13142 fruit resulting from my labours in this service. It is not at 13143 all a rare thing that I meet with respectable young women, 13144 or respectable young men, who, many years ago, were 13145 placed, as very destitute Orphans, under my care, and who 13146 are now a comfort and help to society, instead of being a 13147 pest, which otherwise they might have been. But valuable 13148 and pleasant as this is, I frequently meet with far more in 13149 them: I find them to be children of the living God, through 13150 faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and see or hear that they 13151 walk according to their profession. Thus, in the midst of 13152 many difficulties, and with much that, for the present 13153 moment, is discouraging, I see abundant fruit. Yet, if even 13154

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only one soul were won from among these Orphans, how 13155 abundantly would all labours, trials, difficulties, and 13156 expenditure of money be made up; but, if I know of scores 13157 of them already in heaven, and scores of them now on the 13158 road to heaven, how can I but go on labouring, esteeming 13159 it a privilege to be allowed of God to seek to win more 13160 and more of them for Him? Considerations like these are a 13161 mighty impulse to me to go forward with regard to the 13162 intended Orphan House. 13163 13164 Nov. 10. Today I received 200l., of which the donor 13165 kindly wished me to keep 20l. for my own personal 13166 expenses, and to apply the rest as most needed for the 13167 Lord’s work in my hands. I took, therefore, 100l. for the 13168 Building Fund, and 80l. for missionary objects, the 13169 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts, and 13170 for the support of all the various schools which are 13171 supported by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge. 13172 Institution. By this donation my heart has been greatly 13173 refreshed for the following reasons: — lst. During the last 13174 twelve days very little, comparatively, has come in. 2nd. 13175 The first four objects of the Institution, for which I took 13176 the 801., were lower as to funds than they have been 13177 during the last ten months, as only 113l. remained in 13178 hand. 3rd. I had been praying for supplies for my own 13179 personal expenses, in order that I might be able to help in 13180 certain cases of need, which were near my heart. This day 13181 week, Nov. 3rd, I began particularly to pray about this 13182 object. On Nov. 7th there was 5l. put anonymously into 13183 the letter box at my house, for my own personal expenses. 13184 The note was signed "H." On the same evening I received 13185 2l. more. On Nov. 8th I received 1l. from Keswick. On 13186

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Nov. 9th 1l. 14s. 6d., and today 20l. Though this is a 13187 digression from the immediate subject before me, yet, as I 13188 write chiefly for the comfort and encouragement of the 13189 children of God, and that their dependence upon God and 13190 their trust in Him may more and more be increased, and 13191 also that unbelievers may see the reality of the things of 13192 God, I take delight in mentioning these cases, to show that 13193 He does not merely supply me, in answer to prayer, with 13194 means for His work in which I am occupied, but that He 13195 also bountifully supplies my own personal necessities, 13196 simply in answer to prayer. 13197 13198 Nov. 19. Early this morning came, in the course of my 13199 reading through the Holy Scriptures, Heb. v. and vi., and 13200 my heart was greatly strengthened by Heb. vi. 15., "And 13201 so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the 13202 promise." I have not once, even for one moment, been 13203 allowed to doubt, either the power or the willingness of 13204 the Lord to supply me with all that shall be needed for this 13205 other Orphan House, since I came at first to the 13206 conclusion that it was His will I should enlarge the work; 13207 yet I have often, very often, been led to ask, that He 13208 would graciously be pleased to sustain my faith and 13209 patience to the end; for great, very great, may yet be the 13210 exercises both of my faith and patience, before. I have the 13211 desire of my heart granted. 13212 13213 Nov. 28. The following case will especially show in what 13214 a variety of ways the Lord is pleased to supply me with 13215 means. Today I received from an individual, hitherto an 13216 entire stranger to me, the letter which follows: — 13217 13218

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* * * *, London, Nov 27, 1851. 13219 13220 "My dear Brother, 13221 13222 13223 I asked the Lord for help with regard to yourself and your 13224 work. The other night a stranger called at my house, and 13225 left a parcel, declining to give her name, saying, ‘Take 13226 charge of this for Mr. George Müller.’ The parcel 13227 contained 3l. 14s. 9d., two silver spoons, and two silver 13228 thimbles; 4s. were added to pay the expenses. May the 13229 Lord prosper you, my brother. 13230 13231 Yours affectionately, 13232 13233 * * * * *" 13234 13235 13236 As it was not stated for what object the donation was 13237 intended, I took the whole for the. Building Fund. 13238 13239 Dec. 8. From A. Z. at Hull 3l. 5s., of which the donor 13240 kindly intends 5s. for my own personal expenses. Through 13241 this donor also 5s. besides. Both these donations are 13242 remarkable. The donor who sent the 3l. 5s., some years 13243 ago, when in very poor circumstances, set apart from his 13244 earnings 3⁄4 d. a-day for the Orphans. From that time God 13245 was pleased to prosper him; and now he. is able to send 13246 this 3/. 5s. at once. The donor of the 5s. had about a year 13247 ago one of the Reports of the Scriptural Knowledge 13248 Institution lent to him, when he was living in much sin, by 13249

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the brother who sent the 3l. 5s., and this Report was the 13250 means of his conversion. 13251 13252 Dec. 28. This morning I received a donation of 200l., 13253 which, being left at my disposal, I took one half for the 13254 Building Fund, and the other half for the School, Bible, 13255 Tract and Missionary Objects. 13256 13257 Jan. 28, 1852. From Torquay 5s. — I received also this 13258 morning the following registered letter, enclosing 50l. 13259 13260 13261 "* * * * *Jan. 21, 1852. 13262 13263 "Dear Brother, 13264 13265 13266 "Having this morning received a large present, I hasten to 13267 send you 50l., either towards building the New Orphan 13268 House, or for the missionary servants of the Lord; as you 13269 may deem best. 13270 13271 " Yours very truly in Christ, 13272 13273 "* * * *" 13274 13275 13276 I am especially labouring in prayer, day by day, that the 13277 Lord would be pleased to furnish me with the means for 13278 building another Orphan House, as the number of 13279 applications for destitute children, bereaved of both 13280 parents, is increasing more and more: but I have also of 13281

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late been particularly praying to the Lord for means for 13282 missionary brethren, as almost all I have in hand for them 13283 is expended. On this account I purpose to take one half of 13284 this donation for the Building Fund, and the other half for 13285 missionary objects. 13286 13287 March 17. Day by day I am waiting upon God for means. 13288 With full confidence, both as to the power of the Lord to 13289 give me the means, and likewise His willingness, I am 13290 enabled to continue to wait. But He is pleased to exercise 13291 my faith and patience, and especially has this been the 13292 case of late. Not more than 27l. 11s. has come in, during 13293 the last four weeks, for the Building Fund. Yet, amidst it 13294 all, by the help of God, my heart has been kept looking to 13295 the Lord, and expecting help from Him. Now today my 13296 heart has been greatly refreshed by a donation of 999l. 13297 13s. 5d., which, being left to my disposal for the work of 13298 God, I took of it for the Building Fund 600l., for current 13299 expenses for the Orphans 200l., and the remainder for the 13300 School, Bible, Tract, and Missionary objects. I cannot 13301 describe to any one how refreshing this donation is to my 13302 spirit. After having been for weeks, day by day, waiting 13303 upon the Lord, and receiving so little, comparatively, 13304 either for current expenses or for the Building Fund, this 13305 answer to many prayers is exceedingly sweet to my spirit. 13306 13307 March 18. From Mallow in Ireland 5s. — From Torquay 13308 5s. — From Whitby 2l. 3s. 6d., of which 1l. is for the 13309 Building Fund, 1l. for present use for the Orphans, and 3s. 13310 6d. for ditto. — From Kingstanley 1l. — From Lichfield 13311 4l. 15s., and 5s. 13312 13313

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March 21. From Clifton 5l., with 3s. for present use for 13314 the Orphans. — Through Salem boxes 1s. 13315 13316 Sept. 28. From Melbourne, in Australia, 50l., from a 13317 believer in the Lord Jesus, whose name even I did not 13318 know up to the time that I received this donation. — See, 13319 dear Reader, how the Lord helps me, in answer to prayer. 13320 Do you not perceive that my fellow-labourers and myself 13321 do not wait upon the Lord in vain? Be encouraged by this! 13322 Go for yourself, with all your temporal and spiritual 13323 wants, to the Lord. Bring also the necessities of your 13324 friends and relatives to the Lord. Only make the trial, and 13325 you will perceive how able and willing He is to help you. 13326 Should you, however, not at once, obtain answers to your 13327 prayers, be not discouraged; but continue patiently, 13328 believingly, perseveringly to wait upon God: and as 13329 assuredly as that, which you ask, would be for your real 13330 good, and therefore for the honour of the Lord; and as 13331 assuredly as you ask it solely on the ground of the 13332 worthiness of our Lord Jesus, so assuredly you will at last 13333 obtain the blessing. I myself have had to wait upon God 13334 concerning certain matters for years, before I obtained 13335 answers to my prayers; but at last they came. At this very 13336 time, I have still to renew my requests daily before God, 13337 respecting a certain blessing for which I have besought 13338 Him for eleven years and a half, and which I have as yet 13339 obtained only in part, but concerning which I have no 13340 doubt that the full blessing will be granted in the end. So 13341 also, when I was led to build the New Orphan-House, and 13342 waited upon the Lord for means for it, it took two years 13343 and three months, whilst day by day I brought this matter 13344 before Him, before I received the full answer. — But to 13345

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return to my journal. This donation of 50l. from 13346 Melbourne, refreshed my spirit greatly, and quickened me 13347 yet further to prayer. — On the same day I received from 13348 Sheffield 5l., and from Tottenham 10l. 13349 13350 Oct. 31. Thirteen more Orphans have been applied for 13351 during this month. 13352 13353 Nov. 3. This evening I received a check for 300l. for the 13354 Building Fund. — I am continually looking out for help, 13355 and am sustained in waiting upon God, and in being 13356 enabled daily, and generally several times every day, to 13357 bring the matter about the Building Fund before Him. I 13358 know that God hears me, on the ground of the worthiness 13359 of the Lord Jesus, and that at last He will give me the full 13360 amount needed for accomplishing this work. How the 13361 means are to come, I know not; but I know that God is 13362 almighty, that the hearts of all are in His hands, and that, 13363 if He pleaseth to influence persons, they will send help. In 13364 this donation of 300l., received this evening, I have seen 13365 afresh, how easily God can send means. The donor, who 13366 sent it, was not even known to me by name this day 13367 month; but, on Oct. 12th, he sent me 200l. for the 13368 Orphans, and now 300l. for the Building Fund. Nothing 13369 had come in during the former part of the day; still, I was 13370 looking out, and, when I returned from the Orphan-House, 13371 found that this 300l. had arrived at my house. But I expect 13372 far larger sums. 13373 13374 Nov. 11. From London three boxes and two parcels of 13375 books, containing 275 volumes in all, to be sold for the. 13376 Building Fund. 13377

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13378 Nov. 16. 50l. — From the neighbourhood of Stroud 10s. 13379 — From one of the former Orphans 10s., being part of her 13380 first quarter’s wages. Sent as a token of gratitude. 13381 13382 Nov. 19. 200l., which, being left to my disposal, I took of 13383 it 100l. for the Building Fund, 60l. for preachers of the 13384 Gospel at Home and Abroad, 20l. for the circulation of the 13385 Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of Tracts. 13386 13387 Nov. 21. From Malta 5l. 13388 13389 Nov. 27. "From the neighbourhood of Leominster, as a 13390 thank-offering," 2l. Day by day I am waiting upon God, 13391 concerning this object. I firmly believe that the Lord will 13392 give me all I require for the accomplishment of it though I 13393 am utterly unworthy. I believe that I shall also have large 13394 sums, very large sums, when the Lord has been pleased 13395 sufficiently to exercise my faith and patience. Today I 13396 received 250l., the disposal of which was left to me. I 13397 took, therefore, 125l. for the Building Fund, 25l. for 13398 current expenses for the Orphans, 40/. for the home and 13399 foreign labourers in the Word, whom I seek to assist, 20l. 13400 for gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures among 13401 very poor persons, 20l. for gratuitous circulation of 13402 Gospel Tracts, and 20l. for all the various Day schools, 13403 Sunday schools, and the Adult school, which the. 13404 Scriptural Knowledge Institution either assists or entirely 13405 supports. 13406 13407 Nov. 30. During this month, again 25 children, bereaved 13408 of both parents by death, lawfully begotten, and in 13409

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destitute circumstances, have been applied for, not one of 13410 whom I have any prospect of being able to admit until the 13411 Lord shall have been pleased to enable me to build 13412 another Orphan-House. The many Orphans waiting for 13413 admission, whose number is increasing every month, lead 13414 me to continue in earnest supplication, that the Lord 13415 would be pleased to furnish me with means for the 13416 erection of another Orphan-House. Nor do I doubt that He 13417 will help me. 13418 13419 Jan. 3. From the. neighbourhood of Stroud 1l. l5s. 3d. — 13420 Anonymously in a letter 8d. — From Newtown Limavady 13421 1l. — Also 252l. 17s. 1d., which, being left to my 13422 disposal, I portioned out thus: 75l. for the Orphans, 75l. 13423 for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract Fund, and 13424 102l. 17s. 1d. for the Building Fund. 13425 13426 Jan. 4. From London 2s. 6d. — Day by day I have now 13427 been waiting upon God for means for the Building Fund 13428 for more than nineteen months, and almost daily I have 13429 received something in answer to prayer. These donations 13430 have been, for the most part, small, in comparison with 13431 the amount which will be required for the completion of 13432 this object; nevertheless they have shown that the Lord, 13433 for the sake of His dear Son, listens to my supplications 13434 and to those of my fellow labourers and helpers in the 13435 work; and they have been precious encouragements to me 13436 to continue to wait upon God. I have been for many 13437 months assured that the Lord, in His own time, would 13438 give larger sums for this work; and for this I have been 13439 more and more earnestly entreating Him, during the last 13440 months. Now at last He has abundantly refreshed my 13441

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spirit, and answered my request. I received today the 13442 promise, that, as the joint donation of several Christians, 13443 there should be paid to me a donation of Eight Thousand 13444 and One Hundred Pounds for the work of the Lord in my 13445 hands. Of this sum I purpose to take 6,000l. for the 13446 Building Fund, 600l. for the current expenses for the 13447 Orphans, and 1,500l. for the other objects of the Scriptural 13448 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. [This joint 13449 donation of several Christians was paid in four 13450 installments during January, February, March, and April.] 13451 13452 It is impossible to describe the spiritual refreshment 13453 which my heart received through this donation. Day by 13454 day, for nineteen months, I had been looking out for more 13455 abundant help than I had had. I was fully assured that God 13456 would help me with larger sums; yet the delay was long. 13457 See how precious it is to wait upon God! See how those 13458 who do so, are not confounded! Their faith and patience 13459 may long and sharply he tried; but in the end it will most 13460 assuredly be seen, that those who honour God He will 13461 honour, and will not suffer them to be put to shame. The 13462 largeness of the donation, whilst it exceedingly refreshed 13463 my spirit, did not in the least surprise me; for I expect 13464 great things from God. I quote a paragraph from the 13465 Twelfth Report, page 27, where under Jan. 4, 1851, this 13466 will be found written: "I received this evening the sum of 13467 Three Thousand Pounds, being the largest donation which 13468 I have had as yet. I have had very many donations of 100l. 13469 and of 200l., several of 300l., one of 400l., several of 13470 13471 500l., some of from 600l. to 900l., four of 1,000l., two of 13472 2,000l., and one of 2,050l., but never had more than this 13473

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given to me at one time; yet I have expected more than 13474 2,050l. in one donation, and, accordingly, it has pleased 13475 the Lord to give me 3,000l. this evening. I now write 13476 again that I expect far larger sums still, in order that it 13477 may be yet more and more manifest, that there is no 13478 happier, no easier, and no better way for obtaining 13479 pecuniary means for the work of the Lord, than the one in 13480 which I have been led." This, you perceive, dear Reader, 13481 was written more than two years ago. Since then I have 13482 again received many considerable donations, besides 13483 thousands of pounds in smaller sums. And now the largest 13484 donation of 3,000l., was surpassed by the one of 8,100l. 13485 Have I then been boasting in God in vain? Is it not 13486 manifest that it is most precious, in every way, to depend 13487 upon God? Do I serve God for nought? Is it not obvious 13488 that the principles on which I labour, are not only 13489 applicable to the work of God on a small scale, but also, 13490 as I have so many times affirmed during the past nineteen 13491 years, for the most extensive operations for God? I delight 13492 to dwell upon this, if, by any means, some of my beloved 13493 fellow believers might be allured to put their whole trust 13494 in God for every thing; and if, by any means, some 13495 unbelievers thereby might he made to see that God is 13496 verily the living God now as ever, and might be stirred up 13497 to seek to be reconciled to Him by putting their trust in the 13498 atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus find in God a 13499 friend for time and eternity. 13500 13501 Feb. 19. Saturday Evening. The Lord has been pleased to 13502 send in the means as sparingly this month, as He was 13503 pleased to send them in abundantly during the last. But 13504 this is for the trial of my faith and patience. While, 13505

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however, these graces are exercised by the. Lord, He 13506 kindly sustains both. With unshaken confidence and 13507 joyful anticipation am I, by the help of God, enabled to go 13508 forward day by day, looking on to the day when I shall 13509 have the whole amount requisite for this object, just as it 13510 was with reference to the building of the New Orphan 13511 House on Ashley Down. I know that I shall not be 13512 confounded; for I trust in God, and for the honour of His 13513 name proposed the building of this second Orphan House. 13514 Yet my soul longs, to be able to declare to the Church of 13515 Christ at large, that I have obtained an answer to this my 13516 oft repeated request, which again and again, every day, is 13517 brought before Him, and in which request my fellow 13518 labourers in the work join. Moreover, I long to be able to 13519 show to an unbelieving world afresh, by this my petition 13520 being granted, that verily there is reality in the things of 13521 God. And lastly, I long to be able to commence the 13522 building of this second Orphan House, because there are 13523 now 438 Orphans waiting for admission. I have not yet 13524 received anything today for this object; but the Lord can 13525 even now give me something this evening; but be that as 13526 it may, I know that, when His time is come, and when my 13527 patience has been sufficiently exercised, He will help me 13528 abundantly. That word respecting Abraham: "And so, 13529 after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise," 13530 (Hebrew vi, 15), has been repeatedly a precious word to 13531 me during the last days, it having come of late in the 13532 course of my reading through the. New Testament. 13533 13534 Feb. 23. This evening, after another long season of prayer 13535 respecting the work of God in my hands, and especially 13536 also, that it might please the Lord to give me soon what I 13537

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need for the Building Fund, so that I may be enabled to 13538 take active steps in the erection of another Orphan House, 13539 came in the course of my reading and meditation James I. 13540 This forcibly reminded me of the close of November and 13541 the beginning of December in 1845, when, whilst 13542 labouring for a season in the Word at Sunderland, this 13543 portion also came in the course of my meditation on the 13544 whole New Testament. James i, 4: "But let patience have 13545 her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, 13546 wanting nothing," was then particularly impressed on my 13547 mind as a portion which I should need to keep before me. 13548 I was at that time, day by day, waiting upon the Lord for 13549 means and every other help which might be needed in 13550 connexion with the Orphan House, which I had purposed 13551 to build in dependence upon the. Lord for help. I had not 13552 the least doubt that God would help me through all the 13553 difficulties connected with this work. I felt as sure that He 13554 would enable me to accomplish this work, as if I had 13555 actually seen the house before me, inhabited by Orphans; 13556 but I had reason to believe, at the same time, that great 13557 and many and varied would be my trials of faith and 13558 patience, before all would be accomplished. I had not at 13559 that time one single shilling in hand towards this work, 13560 but often, even then, whilst staying at Sunderland, and 13561 meditating on this first chapter of the Epistle of James, did 13562 I praise God before hand, that He would give me 13563 everything I should need in connexion with this intended 13564 Orphan House. Now this evening, February 23, 1853, I 13565 am writing in that very house, the New Orphan House, 13566 with its 300 Orphans, about which I was then praying. 13567 Nearly four years it has been already inhabited by 13568 Orphans. And I now say again, "Let patience have her 13569

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perfect work," with reference to the intended Orphan 13570 House for 700 more Orphans; but also, at the same time, 13571 am I assured that the Lord will enable me to accomplish 13572 this also. 13573 13574 March 14. — From Scotland 200l., of which the donor 13575 kindly wished me to give 10l. to Mr. Craik, to take 10l. 13576 for my own personal expenses, and to use the 180l. as 13577 most needed. I took, therefore, 100l. for the Building 13578 Fund, and 80l. for the current expenses for the Orphans. 13579 This donation has been a great refreshment to my spirit; 13580 for since Jan. 4th only little, comparatively, has come in 13581 either for the Building Fund or for the current expenses. 13582 13583 March 29. For nearly three months the Lord has been 13584 pleased to exercise my patience by the comparatively 13585 small amount of means which has come in. It was more an 13586 exercise of patience than of faith; for, during all this time, 13587 we not only abounded, with regard to means for the 13588 current expenses, through the large sums, which had come 13589 in at the beginning of the year, but I had also even now 13590 considerable sums in hand, for the current expenses of the 13591 various objects. Still, though not actually in need of 13592 means, yet my spirit had been enabled to labour on in 13593 prayer for means for the Building Fund in particular, and 13594 also for means for current expenses, in order that it may 13595 become more and more manifest, what a happy, easy, and 13596 successful way this is. Now, this evening, when I came 13597 home, I found that 300l. had come in. This is a great 13598 refreshment to my spirit. — As the amount is left to my 13599 disposal as may be most needed, I have taken one half of 13600 it for the Building Fund, and the other half for the current 13601

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expenses for the Orphans. The other objects abound at 13602 present with means, and even for the Orphans I have yet 13603 above 200l. in hand. 13604 13605 April 20. Received from a most unexpected quarter 100l., 13606 which I took half for the Building Fund, and half for the 13607 Orphans, as the other objects were not in immediate need 13608 of means. This donation has much refreshed my spirit. 13609 13610 May 14. Received 260l., of which I took 100l. for the 13611 Building Fund, and 160l. for the current expenses for the 13612 Orphans. 13613 13614 May 26. From Gloucester 5s. — Through the box at the 13615 Bible and Tract Warehouse in Park Street, Bristol, 2l. 11s. 13616 10d. — By sale of an old gold watch, a few trinkets, some 13617 old silver coins, and some small pieces of broken silver 13618 articles, 10l. 7s. 8d. — Also 80l. 15s. 11d., being the 13619 proceeds arising from the sale of a work published in 13620 English and 2l. 10s., being the proceeds arising from the 13621 sale of a work published in French; were given to the 13622 Building Fund. — To these sums is to be added 334l. 16s. 13623 9d., received during this period for interest; for I felt it my 13624 duty, as has been stated before, to invest the money given 13625 to me for the Building Fund until actually required. 13626 13627 Thus closes this period, from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 13628 1853. All the donations received during this period for the 13629 Building Fund, together with the 3530l. 9s. 0 ¼ d. in 13630 hand, on May 26, 1852, made the total of 12,531l. 12s. 0 13631 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1853. 13632 13633

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The following paragraphs were printed in the Report of 13634 1853, respecting the intended Orphan House, which are 13635 here reprinted for the better understanding of the subject. 13636 13637 A. Besides having the means to meet all the demands 13638 which came upon me in connexion with the various 13639 objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home 13640 and Abroad; and besides enlarging almost all of them 13641 considerably, so that the sum of 7035l. 12s. 0 ½ d. 13642 altogether was expended; I have been enabled to add, 13643 during the past twelvemonth, 9,001l. 3s. to the Building 13644 Fund. The total sum, which God has been pleased to give 13645 to me, during the year, both for current expenses and the 13646 Building Fund, amounts to 16,042l. 8s. 11d. 13647 13648 B. It is true that very much yet is needed for the Building 13649 Fund, before I shall be enabled to accomplish the desire of 13650 my heart, in building another House for 700 more 13651 Orphans. I may have also yet many trials of faith and 13652 patience to pass through; but what the Lord has done for 13653 me during the past 24 years in particular, and all His 13654 dealings with me in connexion with the Scriptural 13655 Knowledge Institution; and all His help afforded for 13656 building the New Orphan House on Ashley Down, 13657 Bristol, which has been now already inhabited for four 13658 years encourage me to continue to wait upon God. By His 13659 grace I am not tired of waiting upon Him for means. Yea, 13660 I confess to His praise, that, the longer I live, the more I 13661 am practically assured of the blessedness of waiting upon 13662 God for every thing. 13663 13664 C. There is no decrease as to the application for the 13665

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admission of Orphans. This, in addition to all the help and 13666 support which the Lord has granted to me for these many 13667 years in the work, and in addition to the means received 13668 for the Building Fund during the past year, encourages me 13669 greatly, to continue to wait upon God for help, to be 13670 enabled to build another Orphan House for 700 Orphans. 13671 On May 26, 1852, there were 326 Orphans waiting for 13672 admission. Since then there have been 184 Orphans 13673 applied for, making in all 510. Of these, as only few 13674 vacancies have occurred during the past year, not more 13675 than 13 could be received into the New Orphan House, 13676 and 17 besides, as I have been informed by applicants, 13677 were otherwise provided for, so that 30 are to be deducted 13678 from 510, which leaves 480 Orphans waiting for 13679 admission. Many of these are very young, some even 13680 under one year old. But I have the fullest reason to 13681 believe, that many persons are kept from applying for the 13682 admission of Orphans, because there are already so many 13683 waiting, else the number would be greater still. With such 13684 a number of poor destitute Orphans before me, bereaved 13685 of both parents by death, how can I but labour on in 13686 prayer for means, for the accomplishment of this object; 13687 and I have not the least doubt that, after the Lord may 13688 have been pleased to exercise my faith and patience yet 13689 somewhat more, unworthy though I am of it, He will 13690 condescend to grant the request for the whole amount of 13691 the means which are needed for the building of this 13692 second Orphan House, in answer to the supplications 13693 which my fellow-labourers and myself continually bring 13694 before Him. 13695 13696 D. It must not be supposed that I am discouraged, 13697

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because two years have elapsed since I first began to 13698 receive donations towards this object, and as yet only 13699 12,531l. l2s. 0 ¼ d. is in hand. I expected trials of faith 13700 and patience, both for my own profit, and for the benefit 13701 of others, who might hear of the Lord’s dealings with me. 13702 I was not without trials, yea, not without many trials of 13703 faith and patience, in building the. New Orphan House for 13704 300 Orphans; nor did I obtain the means then till after the 13705 lapse of two years and three months; therefore, in seeking 13706 to build this house for 700 Orphans, I am not surprised 13707 that I should have to wait patiently. But of this I have 13708 never had a doubt that, after the Lord had sufficiently 13709 tried my faith and patience, He would supply me with all I 13710 need. I therefore wait His time. Moreover, the Lord, in a 13711 very short time, can give me all I need, it is not necessary 13712 that twice or thrice as much time as has already elapsed 13713 should have to pass away, before I am in a position to be 13714 warranted to take active measures; yet, be this as it may, 13715 by the grace of God I am content to wait His time. 13716 13717 E. Should it be asked, whether I intend to wait till I have 13718 the whole sum of Thirty-Five Thousand Pounds, which 13719 will be needed; or whether I purpose to begin the building 13720 before; my reply is this I do not purpose to delay the 13721 beginning of the building till I have what is required for 13722 fitting up and furnishing the house, which is included in 13723 that sum; for I may well trust in the Lord for that amount 13724 whilst the. House is being built; but as I, on Scriptural 13725 grounds, neither for my own personal expenses, nor for 13726 the work of God, go into debt, I should not begin building, 13727 till I have sufficient to meet the amount of the contracts of 13728 the builders, for which, together with the land, I consider 13729

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not less than 25,000l. would be needed, so that I have just 13730 half the amount requisite for that. 13731 13732 13733 Supplies for the School—, Bible—, Missionary and Tract 13734 Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1852, to 13735 May 26, 1853. 13736 13737 13738 On May 26, 1852, when the accounts were closed, there 13739 was left in hand for these objects the balance of 45l. 5s. 7 13740 ½ d. Before this balance was expended, I received, on 13741 May 27, 1852, from the neighbourhood of Whitehaven, 13742 2l. 10s. for missions. On May 29, from Belper 5s. 7d. for 13743 missions. On May 30, through Bethesda boxes 2s. 6d. and 13744 4d. for missions. On June 7th, I received from 13745 Somersetshire. 10l.; and on the same day I found that a 13746 Christian bookseller in London had, paid into the hands of 13747 my bankers 34l. 14s. 4d., which he had been ordered to 13748 pay to me, on behalf of a Christian gentleman, to whom 13749 this amount was due. This sum I took for these objects. 13750 But the Lord helped still further. June 8. 10l. from Y. Z. 13751 — June 13. From Y. Z. 33l. 3s. Through Bethesda boxes 13752 for missions 1s. Ditto 1s. Through Salem boxes 1s. 8d. 13753 From "P." 1s. Ditto 4d. —June. 15. From one engaged in 13754 the work 1l. — June 16. From Clifton 4d. — June 18. 13755 From W, W. 10l. "for missionary brethren, labouring in 13756 dependence upon God for their temporal supplies." Also 13757 200l. came in, of which I took 60l. for these objects, as 13758 stated with reference to this donation, in giving an account 13759 of the donations for the Building Fund. — June 22. 500l. 13760 came in, as stated under Building Fund, of which one-13761

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third or 166l. 13s. 4d. was taken for these objects. 13762 13763 This is just a specimen of how the Lord helped me, week 13764 after week, to meet the expenses during this period. About 13765 Six Hundred Pounds a month, or above Seven Thousand 13766 Pounds during the year, I had to expend for the various 13767 objects of the Institution; but I had sufficient to meet 13768 every demand; and over and above I was helped by the 13769 Lord to increase the Building Fund Nine Thousand 13770 Pounds above what it was the year before. The current 13771 expenses of the Institution were never so great during the 13772 previous nineteen years; but the extent of its operations, 13773 and the means which the Lord was pleased to send in, 13774 were also never so great. 13775 13776 I stated, however, before, that I could not give here in 13777 detail an account of every donation. I, therefore, single out 13778 a few more instances, to show the manner in which the 13779 Lord helped me. 13780 13781 Aug. 4. The funds for these objects were now reduced to 13782 about 4l.; but there was much required in order to be able 13783 to go on with the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and 13784 Tracts, and to assist missionary brethren; when I received 13785 this evening 200l., which was left to me to be applied as 13786 seemed best to me. I took therefore one half for the 13787 current expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for 13788 these objects, and was thus again supplied for the present. 13789 13790 Aug. 14. 20l. for missions from W. W. 13791 13792 Sept. 8. Little, comparatively, has come in since August 13793

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4th. Only twenty-seven donations altogether, of which 13794 only a few were rather large sums. Therefore all our 13795 means were now gone. On the 3rd of this month I sent out 13796 40l. to six brethren who labour in the Word, and would on 13797 that day have sent out 35l, more to other six brethren, but 13798 had not the means; and, therefore, could only wait upon 13799 God. I also desired to order more Bibles and Tracts; but 13800 had to delay this likewise, as I would not go into debt for 13801 them. Now this morning I received 280l. 10s. 6d. [referred 13802 to under the Building Fund], of which 86l. 13s. 4d. was 13803 taken for these objects. Thus I am helped again for the 13804 present, and look for further supplies. 13805 13806 Oct. 9. Only nineteen donations, almost all small, have 13807 come in for these objects since September 8th. For the last 13808 three days I have especially desired means for these 13809 objects. Gladly would I have helped brethren who labour 13810 in the Word at home and abroad; but was unable to do so, 13811 and could only pray for means. Now this morning the 13812 Lord gave me the desire of my-heart in this respect. I 13813 received a donation of 230l. 15s., which, being left at my 13814 disposal, I took one half for these objects, and the other 13815 half for the current expenses for the Orphans. 13816 13817 Nov. 3. "From an Irish friend" 101. for missions. — I 13818 have particularly prayed within the last few days for 13819 means for missionary objects, as all means are gone; 13820 therefore this donation is very refreshing as an answer to 13821 prayer. But I expect more, as I desire to send out shortly 13822 200l. at least to brethren who labour in the Word. 13823 13824 This I wrote, as the date shows, on November 3rd, and 13825

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that which follows will now show to the Reader, that I did 13826 not wait upon God in vain. During no period, within the 13827 nineteen years previously, was I enabled to do so much in 13828 the way of aiding missionary operations, as during this 13829 period; and during no previous period so much in the 13830 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, as during 13831 this; yet once or twice all the means for these objects were 13832 expended, and I had to stand still and to wait upon God 13833 for further supplies. The servant of Christ, who knows 13834 that he is not occupied about his own work, but about that 13835 of his master, can, however, be quiet, and ought to be 13836 quiet, under such circumstances, in order to prove that he 13837 is only the servant and not the master. If he cannot be 13838 quiet, and if, in the restlessness of nature, he will work 13839 and take steps when he ought to stand still, and wait upon 13840 God; then let him suspect himself, and let him see well to 13841 it, whether the work in which he is engaged is God’s work 13842 or not; and whether, if it be God’s work, it is done for the 13843 honour of the Master or for the honour of the servant. In 13844 this case God abundantly recompensed me for standing 13845 still for a little, and for calling upon Him. I had not to wait 13846 long, before He was pleased to help me. I now go on with 13847 my journal, to show to the Reader how the Lord answered 13848 prayer in this instance. 13849 13850 Nov. 5. Received from Okehampton six silver tea spoons, 13851 to be sold for foreign missions. 13852 13853 Nov. 6. Received 5l. with the following words: "Enclosed 13854 is a Post Office Order, drawn out in your favour by * * * 13855 * *, Three Pounds of which my dear husband is 13856 constrained to send to you for foreign missions. The other 13857

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two I send; one for your own personal expenses, and the 13858 other to be used for the Orphans, as their need may 13859 require, &c." 13860 13861 I have especially prayed, for several days past, for help 13862 for brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad, 13863 as I have no means left for them, and could lay out at once 13864 200l. or 300l. on their behalf. Therefore this donation is 13865 particularly precious. But I expect more. 13866 13867 Nov. 7. From Braunton 2l. for missions. — 13868 Anonymously 2s. 6d. for missions. 13869 13870 Nov. 10. From some believers at Ludlow 8l. 14s. for 13871 foreign missions. 13872 13873 Nov. 11. During the last ten days I have especially asked 13874 the Lord for means for home and foreign labourers. This 13875 also was particularly dwelt upon at our usual weekly 13876 prayer meeting of the labourers in the work on Saturday 13877 the 6th of November. Now today I received 237l. 10s. for 13878 the work of the Lord in my hands. As the application of 13879 the money was left to me, I took the whole of this amount 13880 for home and foreign labourers in the Word, as they, 13881 greatly need help; and I expect by tomorrow evening to 13882 have sent out the whole amount. — In the course of my 13883 reading through the Holy Scriptures there came today 13884 John xvi. 23, "Verily, verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye 13885 shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you." I 13886 turned to my Father in heaven and said: "Be pleased, Holy 13887 Father, to hear me for the sake of Thy Holy Child Jesus, 13888 and give me means for these dear brethren who labour in 13889

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the word and doctrine, whom I seek to help." In about half 13890 an hour afterwards I received this 237l. 10. 13891 13892 Nov. 18. Today were paid to me two legacies, left by a 13893 lady at a distance whom I have never seen, and whose 13894 name even I had never heard, till I was informed about the 13895 payment of the legacies. I received the legacy of 100l. for 13896 the Orphans (being 101l. 4s. with the interest due), and 13897 50l. for the various Schools for poor children under my 13898 direction (being 50l. 12s. with the interest due.) — In 13899 portioning out yesterday the means for the brethren who 13900 labour in the Word at home and abroad, to whom I desire 13901 to send help, I found that the 237l. 10s. was not enough, 13902 and also that I needed more means for the various Schools 13903 and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. On this account 13904 the payment of this legacy of 50l. 12s. for the Schools 13905 came in very seasonably. But the Lord helped still further 13906 this evening by a donation of 60l., the application of 13907 which is entirely left to me. I have therefore taken of it 13908 20l. for missionary brethren, 20l. for the circulation of the 13909 Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of Gospel 13910 Tracts. 13911 13912 Nov. 19. From Yorkshire 3l. for foreign missions. — 13913 From Cumberland 13s. 10d. for missionaries in 13914 Demerara—Also 200l., left to my disposal, as I might be 13915 directed by the Lord. I took of it 100l. for the Building 13916 Fund, 60l. for foreign and home labourers in the Word, 13917 20l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for 13918 the circulation of Gospel Tracts. — During the last eight 13919 days I had sent out 252l. to home and foreign labourers in 13920 the Word, and 65l. I had paid out for the circulation of 13921

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Tracts and the Holy Scriptures. I desired, however, still 13922 further means for brethren who labour in the Word, for I 13923 wished to send out at once 70l. more, and also to lay out 13924 more on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel 13925 Tracts; but I had only about 90l. altogether left for these 13926 various objects, when I received today the 3l., the 13s. 13927 10d., and this 200l. The Lord be praised for this help, and 13928 may He recompense the donors 13929 13930 You see, dear Reader, by these instances, that we are 13931 richly recompensed for our waiting upon God. You 13932 perceive the readiness of His heart to listen to the 13933 supplications of His children who put their trust in Him. If 13934 you have never made trial of it, do so now. But in order to 13935 have your prayers answered, you need to make your 13936 requests unto God on the ground of the merits and 13937 worthiness of the Lord Jesus. You must not depend upon 13938 your own worthiness and merits, but solely on the Lord 13939 Jesus, as the ground of acceptance before God, for your 13940 person, for your prayers, for your labours, and for every 13941 thing else. Do you really believe in Jesus? Do you verily 13942 depend upon Him alone for the salvation of your soul? 13943 See to it well, that not the least degree of your own 13944 righteousness is presented unto God as a ground of 13945 acceptance. But then, if you believe in the Lord Jesus, it is 13946 further necessary, in order that your prayers may be 13947 answered, that the things which you ask of God should be 13948 of such a kind, that God can give them to you, because 13949 they are for His honour and your real good. If the 13950 obtaining of your requests were not for your real good, or 13951 were not tending to the honour of God, you might pray for 13952 a long time, without obtaining what you desire. The glory 13953

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of God should be always before the children of God, in 13954 what they desire at His hands; and their own spiritual 13955 profit, being so intimately connected with the honour of 13956 God, should never be lost sight of, in their petitions. But 13957 now, suppose we are believers in the Lord Jesus, and 13958 make our requests unto God, depending alone on the Lord 13959 Jesus as the ground of having them granted; suppose also, 13960 that, so far as we are able honestly and uprightly to judge, 13961 the obtaining of our requests would be for our real 13962 spiritual good and for the honour of God; we yet need, 13963 lastly, to continue in prayer, until the blessing is granted 13964 unto us. It is not enough to begin to pray, nor to pray 13965 aright; nor is it enough to continue for a time to pray; but 13966 we must patiently, believingly continue in prayer, until we 13967 obtain an answer; and further, we have not only to 13968 continue in prayer unto the end, but we have also to 13969 believe that God does hear us, and will answer our 13970 prayers. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in 13971 prayer until the blessing is obtained and in not expecting 13972 the blessing. As assuredly as in any individual these 13973 various points are found united, so assuredly answers will 13974 be granted to his requests. 13975 13976 From what I have stated, the Reader will have seen that 13977 my prayer had been especially, that the Lord would be 13978 pleased to furnish me with means for the circulation of 13979 Bibles and Tracts, and for missionary operations; and it 13980 has been shown how He granted this my request through 13981 the large sums which He sent me (entirely unasked for, so 13982 far as man is concerned), on November 11, 13 and 19; but 13983 even this was but little in comparison with what He did 13984 for me afterwards, when He was pleased to place far 13985

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greater sums at my disposal for these objects, to which 13986 reference has been already made, when speaking about 13987 the donations which came in for the Building Fund on 13988 November 27, 1852, and on January 3 and 4, 1853. 13989 13990 Thus I was carried through all the expenses for these 13991 various objects, and was enabled to enter into every open 13992 door which the Lord set before me for circulating the 13993 Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for aiding missionary 13994 operations; and not only so, but was enabled to do for 13995 these various objects more then during any one period 13996 within the nineteen previous years. 13997 13998 13999 Means for the support of the 300 Orphans already under 14000 our care, sent in answer to Prayer, from May 26, 1852, to 14001 May 26, 1853. 14002 14003 14004 When we began this period, we were not only not in debt, 14005 but had in hand the balance of 134l. 8s. 10 ¾ d. To those 14006 who are in very poor circumstances, this amount would 14007 appear a considerable sum, and they might think, this sum 14008 would last a long tine. Such need, however, to know, that 14009 it would only furnish the current expenses of two weeks, 14010 and that often in one week much more than that sum has 14011 been disbursed for the. Orphans. To those, on the other 14012 hand, who would say, "This is very little, and what will 14013 you do, with so small a sum in hand, when day by day 14014 330 persons need to be provided for?" our reply is, God is 14015 able to send us more, before this sum is gone. We seek for 14016 grace, to live by the day. We seek to be enabled to attend 14017

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to the commandment and affectionate counsel of the Lord, 14018 to be anxious about nothing. It was in this way that no 14019 care came over our mind with regard to the future, when 14020 we looked at this large Orphan Establishment, with all its 14021 large daily wants; for we were assured, that the Lord 14022 would surely give us something before all was expended. 14023 And thus it was. 14024 14025 I will now furnish the Reader with a few instances from 14026 my journal of the particular providence of God, 14027 manifested in caring for us, and granting us help in 14028 answer to our prayers; for I do especially desire it to be 14029 understood, that, though the work is now so very much 14030 larger than it was in former years, and therefore far larger 14031 sums are needed than before; yet the principles of trusting 14032 in God, and depending upon Him alone, are now acted 14033 upon as formerly, only with this difference, that year by 14034 year, by the grace of God, my soul becomes more and 14035 more rooted and established in them. It would therefore be 14036 entirely a mistake, to suppose that it is no longer a work 14037 of faith. If it was formerly a work of faith on a small 14038 scale, it is now a work of faith on a large scale. If we had 14039 trials of faith formerly, about comparatively little things; 14040 we have now trials of faith about comparatively great 14041 things. If we formerly hind no certain income, so now 14042 have we none. We have to look to God for every thing in 14043 connexion with the world, of which often, however, the 14044 pecuniary necessities are the smallest matter; but to Him 14045 we are enabled to look, and therefore it is, that we are not 14046 disappointed. 14047 14048 During the very first month, from May 27th to June 27th, 14049

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1852, there came in, by ninety-two different donations or 14050 sums, 354l. 1s. 5d.: so that we had, after a month, more in 14051 hand than before. Unbelief, which said, what will you do 14052 with so little as 134l.? was therefore confounded. The. 14053 Lord increased thus little, before it was expended. 14054 14055 June 29, 1852. Today I received one of the most 14056 remarkable donations which I ever had. I give the whole 14057 account, without the name of the donor. 14058 14059 14060 "Lyons, June 24, 1852. 14061 14062 "Dear Brother in Christ, 14063 14064 "It is now several years, that I read with great interest, 14065 and I hope with some benefit to my soul, the account of 14066 your labours and experiences. Ever since then your work 14067 was the object of many thoughts and prayers, and I gave 14068 many copies of your book to Christian friends. One of 14069 them has read it in Syria, on Mount Lebanon, where he is 14070 for commercial business; and, whilst praying for you and 14071 your clear Orphans, the Lord put it in his heart to send 14072 you 2l., to which my husband added two others: and we 14073 beg you to accept that small offering in the name of the 14074 Lord. If you have published anything of the Lord’s 14075 dealings with you since the year 1844, we shall be very 14076 happy to receive it. You could forward it to Messrs. * * * 14077 *, London, for * * * * of Lyons. And now, dear Brother, 14078 may the grace and peace of the Lord rest on you and your 14079 dear home’s inhabitants. 14080 14081

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" Affectionately yours in the Lord, 14082 14083 * * * *" 14084 14085 14086 I have had donations from Australia, the East Indies, the 14087 West Indies, the United States, Canada, from the Cape of 14088 Good Hope, from France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, 14089 &c.; and now comes also this donation from Mount 14090 Lebanon, with the prayer of a Christian brother, whose 14091 name I never heard, nor know even now. See, dear 14092 Reader, this is the way in which the. Lord has helped me 14093 in this precious service for twenty-two year’s [1856]. 14094 With my fellow-labourers, or without them, and they 14095 without me, our prayers are offered up unto the Lord for 14096 help, and He is pleased, for Jesus’ sake, to listen to our 14097 supplications, and to influence the hearts of some of His 14098 children known to us or not, to send us help. The donors 14099 may be rich or poor; they may live near or at a distance of 14100 more than ten thousand miles; they may give much or 14101 little; they may have often given before or never; they 14102 may be well known to us or not at all; in these and many 14103 other things there may be constant variations; but God 14104 continually helps us; we are never confounded. And why 14105 not? Simply because we are enabled, by time grace of 14106 God, to put our trust in Him for what we need. 14107 14108 On the very next day, June 30th, I received another 14109 donation from a believing farmer in Jersey of 3l. 1s., 14110 which, with 15s. sent by him on June. 8th, were the 14111 proceeds of a small field of potatoes, which he had 14112 cultivated for the benefit of the Orphans. See in what 14113

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various ways the Lord helps me! This dear man sent me 14114 once more in April 1853, with an affectionate letter in 14115 French, 2l. for the Orphans, and shortly afterwards fell 14116 asleep in Jesus. While writing this account, I met with 14117 many names of worthy disciples of the Lord Jesus, who 14118 have entered upon their rest, since I received their 14119 donations; may this speak to my heart, and to the heart of 14120 the reader, and may we learn the lesson which God 14121 intends to teach us thereby! 14122 14123 July 10. 50l. from Liverpool. 14124 14125 Aug. 4. Today I received 200l., of which I took one half 14126 for the Orphans, and the other half for the other objects, 14127 the disposal of this sum being left with me. This is a 14128 precious answer to prayer. There will be about 400l. 14129 required during this month for the current expenses for the 14130 Orphans, but there was only about 170l. in hand, when 14131 this donation came in. 14132 14133 As the 127 donations, which had come in since Aug. 4th, 14134 were of a smaller kind, we had on Sept. 8th scarcely 14135 anything left, when I received the 280l. 10s. 6d., spoken 14136 of (Sept. 8th, 1852) under the Building Fund, of which 14137 86l. 13s. 4d. was taken for the current expenses for the 14138 Orphans. 14139 14140 Oct. 7. This evening there was only 8l. left in hand for the 14141 current expenses for the Orphans. Hitherto we had 14142 generally abounded. But though much had come in, since 14143 the commencement of this new period, yet our expenses 14144 had been greater than our income, as every donation 14145

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almost of which the disposal was left with me, had been 14146 put to the Building Fund. Thus the balance in hand on 14147 May 26, 1852, notwithstanding the large income since 14148 then, was reduced to about 8l. I therefore gave myself 14149 particularly to prayer for means, that this small sum might 14150 be increased. When I came home this evening from the 14151 New Orphan House, I found a letter from London, 14152 containing 2l., being two donations from Kelso, of 1l. 14153 each, and another letter from Peterborough, containing 1l. 14154 14155 Oct 8. This morning I received 5l. 5s. more from 14156 Willenhall. Thus the. Lord has already been pleased to 14157 add 8l. in to the little stock in hand, which is now 14158 increased to 16l. 5s. — Another 6d. was added, by sale of 14159 a Report. — This evening the matron told me that 14160 tomorrow she would need to have more money. I 14161 generally advance 30l. at a time for housekeeping 14162 expenses, but I had now only 8l. l4s. left, as I had to pay 14163 out this afternoon 7l. 11s. 6d. This I purposed to give to 14164 her, should it not please the Lord to give more in the 14165 meantime, being assured that, before this amount was 14166 gone, He would give more. My prayer to the Lord, 14167 however, was that He would be pleased to send help, and 14168 I looked out for means. When I came home this evening I 14169 found a letter from Gosport, containing 1s., which a little 14170 boy has sent for the Orphans, having received it as a 14171 reward for picking up a ring, and giving it to the owner. 14172 Also a letter from Kingstown, Ireland, containing a Post-14173 office Order for 1l. 7s., of which 1l. 2s. 6d. are for the 14174 Building Fund, and 4s. 6d. for Reports. I likewise 14175 received 6d. for missions and 6d. for the Orphans, from 14176 two boys in the neighbourhood of Stroud. Thus I have 9l, 14177

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to advance tomorrow for house-keeping. 14178 14179 Oct. 9. This morning Luke vii. came in the course of my 14180 reading before breakfast. While reading the account about 14181 the Centurion and the raising from death of the widow’s 14182 son at Nain, I lifted up my heart to the Lord Jesus thus: 14183 "Lord Jesus, Thou hast the same power now. Thou canst 14184 provide me with means for Thy work in my hands. Be 14185 pleased to do so." — About half an hour afterwards I 14186 received 230l. 15s. Also 1s. This 230l. 15s. was left at my 14187 disposal. I took one half for the current expenses for the 14188 Orphans, and the other half for the other objects, and am 14189 now amply provided for meeting the demands of this day. 14190 14191 The joy which such answers to prayer afford, cannot be 14192 described. I was determined to wait upon God only, and 14193 not to work an unscriptural deliverance for myself. I have 14194 thousands of pounds for the Building Fund; but I would 14195 not take of this sum because it was once set apart for that 14196 object. There is also a legacy of 100l. for the Orphans two 14197 months overdue, in the prospect of the payment of which 14198 the heart might be naturally inclined to use some money 14199 of the Building Fund, to be replaced by the legacy money, 14200 when it comes in; but I would not thus step out of God’s 14201 way of obtaining help. At the very time when this 14202 donation arrived, I had packed up 100l. which I happened 14203 to have in hand, received for the Building Fund, in order 14204 to take it to the Bank, as I was determined not to touch it, 14205 but to wait upon God. My soul does magnify the Lord for 14206 His goodness. 14207 14208 This last paragraph is copied out of my journal, written 14209

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down at the time, I add a few words more to the last 14210 sentences. 14211 14212 The natural mind is ever prone to reason, when we ought 14213 to believe; to be at work, when we ought to be quiet; to go 14214 our own way, when we ought steadily to walk on in God’s 14215 ways, however trying to nature. When first converted, I 14216 should have said, What harm can there be to take some of 14217 the money, which has been put by for the Building Fund? 14218 God will help me again after some time with means for 14219 the Orphans, and then I can replace it. Or, there is this 14220 money due for the legacy of 100l. This money is quite 14221 sure; may I not, therefore, on the strength of it, take some 14222 from the Building Fund, and when the legacy is paid, 14223 replace the money which I have taken? I know that many 14224 would act thus. But how does it work, when we thus 14225 anticipate God, by going our own way? We bring, in 14226 many instances, guilt on our conscience; but if not, we 14227 certainly weaken faith, instead of increasing it; and each 14228 time we work thus a deliverance of our own, we find it 14229 more and more difficult to trust in God, till at last we give 14230 way entirely to our natural fallen reason, and unbelief 14231 prevails. How different, if one is enabled to wait God’s 14232 own time, and to look alone to Him for help and 14233 deliverance! When at last help comes, after many seasons 14234 of prayer it may be, and after much exercise of faith and 14235 patience it may be, how sweet it is, and what a present 14236 recompense does the soul at once receive for trusting in 14237 God, and waiting patiently for His deliverance! Dear 14238 Christian reader, if you have never walked in this path of 14239 obedience before, do so now, and you will then know 14240 experimentally the sweetness of the joy which results 14241

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from it. I now return to Oct. 9, 1852. 14242 14243 Received still further today, from Cirencester, 2l., and 14244 also 10l. 14245 14246 Oct. 10. From two little girls at Clifton, 5s. — By sale of 14247 a silver watch given for the purpose, 1l. 10s, — From a 14248 donor in Maryport Street, 3s. 4d. — Through Bethesda 14249 boxes 1s. Ditto 2s. 6d. Ditto a sovereign. — From a 14250 believer in Bristol 5s. — By sale of empty oatmeal 14251 barrels, 15s. 14252 14253 Oct. 11. From Sutton Points, 13s. 7d. —Through the 14254 boxes in the New Orphan House, 3s. — From an Orphans 14255 formerly under our care, and now in service, 10s., with 14256 10s. for the Building Fund. — From a Christian lady, 14257 recently come from Edinburgh, 1l. — Through a Christian 14258 lady, staying at Clifton, 5s. 14259 14260 Oct. 12. By sale of rags and bones 12s. 6d. [I copy 14261 literally from the receipt book. We seek to make the best 14262 of every thing. As a steward of public money, I feel it 14263 right that even these articles should be turned into money; 14264 nor could we expect answers to our prayers if knowingly 14265 there were any waste allowed in connexion with this 14266 work. For just because the money is received from God, 14267 simply in answer to prayer only, therefore it becomes us 14268 the more, to be careful in the use of it]. — By sale of 14269 Reports 5s. — From an Orphan box at Plymouth 3s., 14270 together with 8s. as a donation added, and 9s. for Reports. 14271 Still further help: This afternoon a lady of Clifton called at 14272 my house, and brought a check for 200l., which a 14273

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gentlemen, whose name even I had never heard of, had 14274 sent her for the benefit of tine Orphans. We are not now in 14275 actual need, yet as 62l. lies already been paid out of what I 14276 have received since the 9th, and as other heavy payments 14277 are before me, in a few days, it is particularly kind of the 14278 Lord, to send this donation from a perfect stranger. 14279 14280 Nov. 13. Today was paid to me the legacy for the 14281 Orphans, to which reference has been made. I had no 14282 doubt it would come in in good time. Thus it is. The 14283 expenses are heavy, week after week. The day after 14284 tomorrow, I shall have again to pay out above 100l. for 14285 the Orphans. 14286 14287 On Dec. 20th, in the evening, I had only 16l. 9s. left. 14288 Think of this, dear Reader. So little, for so large an 14289 Establishment! From Dec. 20th to the evening of Dec. 14290 26th, there came in only about 18l.; and as I had paid out 14291 above 13l., I could only advance 15l. for house-keeping 14292 on Dec. 27th, instead of the usual 30l., and had then about 14293 5l. left for petty expenses. I knew that on the 31st I should 14294 have to advance again at least 20l. for house-keeping. 14295 Now see how the Lord was pleased to send in the means 14296 from the morning of Dec. 27th to Dec. 31st. Dec. 27. 14297 From Alcombe, near Minehead, 10s. — From a poor 14298 widow in Bristol, 5s. — Anonymously 1l. Ditto a 14299 sovereign, with these words: "An Orphan’s mite for the 14300 Orphan House." — From Clifton, 1s., and 1s. besides. — 14301 Dec. 28. From Newport, in Monmouthshire, 10s. and 10s. 14302 — From Birmingham, 2l. 10s. with the same for my own 14303 personal expenses. — From Boscrea 7d. from three 14304 children. — From Lenwade, 10s. — Dec. 29. From B. B. 14305

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at Leamington 5l. — Anonymously, from London, 2s. 5d. 14306 — From three sisters 10s., 5s., 1l., also 10s. 8 ½ d. — By 14307 sale of Reports, 3s. — Through the boxes in the New 14308 Orphan House 1l. 6s. 9 ½ d. — Dec. 30. By sale of 14309 Reports 2s. 6d. — From Clifton 5l. — From two Christian 14310 ladies in Buckinghamshire 20l.— From some pupils on 14311 Kingsdown 5s. Thus I had on Dec. 31st money enough to 14312 advance 25l. for house-keeping expenses, besides having 14313 had the means to pay away 20l. 5s. 9d. After I had given 14314 out the money in advance for house-keeping expenses, I 14315 had, at the close of the year, not 2l. left. But my mind was 14316 in full peace. Now see how, before the 25l. which had 14317 been advanced was expended, and before other expenses 14318 came upon me, the Lord was pleased to send in the means 14319 from the 1st to the 4th of January, 1853. — Jan. 1. 14320 Anonymously 1s. — From Sherborne, 1l. — From 14321 Colchester 10s. — From Manchester 10s. — From a 14322 distance 1l. 2s. 6d. — From Glouchstershire 14s. 6d. — 14323 From a brother in the Lord in Bristol 3l. 12s., together 14324 with 5s. 7d. from his Orphan box. This brother had it on 14325 his heart, more than a twelvemonth ago, to dispose of an 14326 article for the benefit of the Orphans, but could not meet 14327 with an opportunity till today. Thus, in this time of need, 14328 the Lord sends in this money. — Jan. 2. By sale of 14329 Reports l2s. — From two Christian sisters 5s., as a thank 14330 offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past year. — 14331 From a lady at Clifton 10s. — From a Brother in Bristol 14332 1l.—From Torquay 3s., with 3s. for Reports. — From 14333 Worcester 2s. 2d. — From a brother in Bristol 3l. — Jan. 14334 3. From Waterford 1l. — From Liverpool 5l. — Also the 14335 75l. being part of the 252l. 17s. 1d. spoken of under the 14336 Building Fund. — From Clifton 10s. — Through Salem 14337

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boxes 2s. 6d. — From "P." 1s. Jan. 4. From Ryde 2l. — 14338 From Tottenham 10s. Thus God helped me in a time of 14339 great, great need. But before this 4th of January was over, 14340 He did far more than ever in the way of supplying me 14341 with means, for the largest of all the donations I had ever 14342 had, and of which mention has been made before, was 14343 given to me, of which 600l. was portioned out for the 14344 current expenses for the Orphans. 14345 14346 I have been thus particular in this last paragraph, on 14347 purpose, to give a practical illustration that those are 14348 entirely mistaken who suppose that the work is now no 14349 longer a work of faith, as it used to be in former years. It 14350 is true, we have now a larger income, then we used to 14351 have in the years 1838, 1839, and 1840; but it is also true 14352 that our expenses are three times as great. We have no 14353 regular income now; even as we had not then. We ask no 14354 human being now for help; even as we did not then. We 14355 depend alone upon God, by His grace even as we did 14356 then. Who is there in the whole world who will state that I 14357 ever asked him for help in this Orphan work, from its 14358 commencement, on Dec. 9, 1835, up till now? Now, as we 14359 have no funds to live upon; as we have no regular 14360 subscribers or donors upon whom we could depend; as we 14361 never ask help from man but God alone; and as, finally, 14362 we never did go into debt for this work, nor do we now: 14363 why is it not now a work of faith as formerly? Will those, 14364 who say it is not, place themselves in my position, when, 14365 at the close of the year 1852, I had not two pounds left, 14366 and about 330 persons were day by day to be provided 14367 for, with all they need, and prove whether it is now 14368 anything else than a work of faith? Every one, except 14369

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those who are determined not to see, will have no 14370 difficulty in perceiving that now, as formerly, one could 14371 only be kept from being overwhelmed in such a position 14372 by looking day by day to the Lord, and that not merely for 14373 pecuniary supplies, but for help under the numberless 14374 difficulties, which continually are met with in such a 14375 work. 14376 14377 On account of the abundance which came in at the 14378 beginning of the year, together with what was received 14379 afterwards, there was not the least difficulty felt, in the 14380 way of means, for many weeks afterwards. Of the 14381 donations that came in from Jan. 5 to April 20, and which 14382 amounted altogether to 648l. 8s. 8 ¼ d., in 314 different 14383 sums, large and small, I will only mention the following: 14384 Jan. 25. From an aged Christian merchant at Clifton 50l. 14385 — From a Christian merchant in London 20l., on Feb. 11. 14386 14387 April 20. In the prospect of having to pay away yet about 14388 500l, before the accounts are closed on May 26th, and 14389 having only 236l. in hand, I asked the Lord especially this 14390 evening, that He would be pleased to help me with means 14391 for the current expenses for the Orphans, for which I 14392 might have far more in hand had I not with all my might 14393 given myself to the Building Fund, in order to be soon 14394 able to commence the building of this second Orphan 14395 House. Now, this evening, I found that a donation of 100l. 14396 had come in at my house during my absence, the disposal 14397 of which was entirely left to me. I took not the whole of 14398 this donation for the current expenses for the Orphans, but 14399 only one half, and the other half for the Building Fund. 14400 The funds for the various Schools, for the circulation of 14401

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the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary 14402 objects, need nothing for at least six weeks to come. This 14403 donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, especially as it 14404 came from a most unexpected quarter. 14405 14406 Before the accounts were closed, I received, between 14407 April 20th and May 26th, 1853, in just One Hundred 14408 different sums, 422l. 3s. 11 ½ d. more, so that I was able 14409 amply to supply all demands, and had the balance of 117l. 14410 10s. 9d. left in hand. It was chiefly through a donation of 14411 260l., given to be employed as most needed, spoken of 14412 under the Building Fund Income on May 14th, 1853, of 14413 which I took 160l. for the Orphans, that we had so large 14414 an amount in hand. This donation was indescribably 14415 precious, as it not only, in conjunction with the other 14416 money which came in, carried me easily through all the 14417 expenses which absolutely needed to be met, and which 14418 were heavier than they ever had been during any month 14419 since the Orphan work had been in existence; but also 14420 enabled me to do things which were most desirable, 14421 though not absolutely needful. 14422 14423 How can I sufficiently praise, and adore, and magnify the 14424 Lord, for His love and faithfulness, in carrying me thus 14425 from year to year through this His service, supplying me 14426 with all I need in the way of means, fellow labourers, 14427 mental strength, and, above all, spiritual support! But for 14428 His help and support, I should be completely overpowered 14429 in a very short time; yet, by His help, I go on, and am very 14430 happy spiritually, in my service; nor am I now generally 14431 worse in health than I was twenty years ago, but rather 14432 better. 14433

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14434 14435 Miscellaneous Points respecting the Scriptural 14436 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, with 14437 reference to the period from May 26, 1852, to May 26, 14438 1853. 14439 14440 14441 1. During this period there were four Day Schools, with 14442 235 children in them, entirely supported by the funds of 14443 the Institution. Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, 14444 with 150 children, was entirely supported, and three 14445 others in Devonshire, Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire, 14446 with 280 children, were assisted. Lastly, one Adult 14447 School, with 103 Adult Scholars, was entirely supported 14448 by the funds of the Institution. There were under our care, 14449 from March 5, 1884, to May 26, 1853, in the various Day 14450 Schools, 5686 children, in the Sunday School 2673 14451 children, and in the Adult School 2132 persons. There 14452 was expended of the funds of the Institution, during this 14453 year, for the various Schools, 349l. 12s. 11d. 14454 14455 2. During thus year there was laid out of the funds of the 14456 Institution, on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 431l. 14457 5s. 1 ½ d., and there were circulated 1,666 Bibles and 14458 1,210 New Testaments. — There were circulated from 14459 March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1853, 10,476 Bibles, and 14460 6.061 New Testaments. 14461 14462 For several years past this part of the work has appeared 14463 more and more important to me, on account of the fearful 14464 attempts which have been made by the powers of 14465

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darkness to rob the church of Christ of the Holy 14466 Scriptures. I have on this account sought to embrace every 14467 opportunity to circulate the Holy Scriptures in England, 14468 Ireland, Canada, British Guiana, the East Indies, China, 14469 Australia, &c. Every open door which the Lord was 14470 pleased to set before me in these or other parts of the 14471 world, I have joyfully entered; yea, I have counted it a 14472 privilege, indeed, to be permitted of God to send forth His 14473 Holy Word. Many servants of Christ, in various parts of 14474 the world, have assisted me in this service, through whose 14475 instrumentality copies of the Holy Scriptures have been 14476 circulated. Our endeavour has been, to place the word of 14477 God in the hands of the very poorest persons, and also, in 14478 particular, to supply very aged persons with copies of the 14479 Scriptures, printed in large type, as such copies still 14480 remain expensive, considering the means of the poor. Nor 14481 have our efforts been in vain. For we had several cases of 14482 direct conversion, simply through circulating the Holy 14483 Scriptures, brought before us during this year. But we are 14484 fully assured, that the fruit which we have seen, as 14485 resulting from this part of the world, is but little in 14486 comparison with what we shall see in the day of Christ’s 14487 appearing. The disciples of the Lord Jesus should labour 14488 with all their might in the work of God, as if everything 14489 depended upon their own exertions; and yet, having done 14490 so, they should not in the least trust in their labour and 14491 efforts, and in the means which they use for the spread of 14492 the truth, but in God; and they should with all earnestness 14493 seek the blessing of God, in persevering, patient, and 14494 believing prayer. Here is the great secret of success, my 14495 Christian Reader. Work with all your might; but trust not 14496 in the least in your work. Pray with all your might for the 14497

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blessing of God; but work, at the same time, with all 14498 diligence, with all patience, with all perseverance. Pray 14499 then, and work. Work and pray. And still again pray, and 14500 then work. And so on all the days of your life. The result 14501 will surely be, abundant blessing. Whether you see much 14502 fruit or little fruit; such kind of service will be blessed. 14503 We should labour then, for instance, with all earnestness 14504 in seeking to circulate Thousands of copies of the Holy 14505 Scriptures, and Hundreds of Thousands of Tracts, as if 14506 everything depended upon the amount of copies of the 14507 Holy Scriptures and Tracts which we circulate; and yet, in 14508 reality, we should not in the least degree put our 14509 dependence upon the number of copies of the Holy 14510 Scriptures, and upon the number of Tracts, but entirely 14511 upon God for His blessing, without which all these efforts 14512 are entirely useless. This blessing, however, should be 14513 sought by us habitually and perseveringly in prayer. It 14514 should also be fully expected. 14515 14516 3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the 14517 Institution for missionary objects 2,234l. 2s. 6d. By this 14518 sum fifty-four labourers in the word and doctrine, in 14519 various pants of time world, were to a greater or less 14520 degree assisted. 14521 14522 During no period within the nineteen years previous to 14523 May 26, 1853, was so large a portion of the funds of the 14524 Institution expended, in one year, upon Missionary 14525 Objects, as during this year; and in every single case I was 14526 enabled to help to the full amount of what appeared 14527 desirable. Refreshing as this is, and thankful as we desire 14528 to be to the Lord for it; yet it were but a very little thing, 14529

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had there not been corresponding results. But I have to 14530 record to the praise of the Lord, and to the enjoyment of 14531 the Christian Reader, that not five, nor ten, nor fifty souls 14532 only were won for Him through the instrumentality of 14533 these fifty-four dear brethren, but hundreds. I received a 14534 great number of letters from these labourers in the Word, 14535 both at home and abroad, which brought me heart-14536 cheering intelligence. Thank the Lord for this together 14537 with me, dear Christian Reader, and continue to help these 14538 esteemed brethren with your prayers, some of whom 14539 labour for the Lord under peculiar difficulties. 14540 14541 I would repeat that I consider it a great privilege to be 14542 permitted to defray in part or altogether, from time funds 14543 of this Institution, the expenses connected with the voyage 14544 and outfit of brethren who desire to go out as 14545 Missionaries, or to help them after their arrival in their 14546 field of labour; but I do not bind myself to support them 14547 habitually, seeing that thus they would be out of the 14548 position of simple dependence upon God for their 14549 temporal supplies. 14550 14551 4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from 14552 May 26, 1852, to May 26, 1853, the sum of 555l. 16s. 7 ½ 14553 d.; and there were circulated within this year 733,674 14554 Tracts. 14555 14556 The total number of Tracts circulated up to May 26, 14557 1853, was One Million Eight Hundred Twenty Thousand 14558 and Forty. 14559 14560 The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more 14561

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and more, as will be seen by a comparison of the years in 14562 which this part of the Institution has been in operation. 14563 From Nov. 19, 1840, to May 10, 1842, the first period that 14564 the circulation of Tracts was in operation in connexion 14565 with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and 14566 Abroad, there were circulated 19,609 from May 10, 1842, 14567 to July 14, 1844, 39,473; from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 14568 1846, 40,565; from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, 14569 64,021; from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, 130,464; 14570 from May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851, 303,098; from May 14571 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, 489,136; and during this 14572 period 733,674. 14573 14574 In these increased opportunities to spread the truth, we 14575 rejoice. Moreover, we would, by the help of God, seek to 14576 labour still far more abundantly in this particular also, and 14577 would seek to press into every open door, which the Lord 14578 may set before us. Yea, we would labour, as has been 14579 stated before, as if everything depended upon our 14580 diligence and carefulness in the use of the means; whilst, 14581 in reality, we would not depend upon them in the least 14582 degree, but only upon God for His blessing. This blessing 14583 of God we have been enabled to seek upon the labours of 14584 missionary brethren, the circulation of time Holy 14585 Scriptures, and upon the distribution of Tracts. As the 14586 days come, so our heart is drawn out in prayer for blessing 14587 upon these objects, in connexion with the various Schools 14588 and the Orphan Work. How, their, could it be otherwise, 14589 but that sooner or later there should come showers of 14590 blessing? Thus it was during this year. This year stands 14591 alone, in that more money came in, than during any year 14592 previously. It stands alone, in that the operations of the 14593

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Scriptural Knowledge Institution were extended beyond 14594 whatever they mad been before. But it stands alone, also, 14595 in the abundant blessing, which God granted to our 14596 efforts, and which was greater than during any previous 14597 period. And, as in other respects, so in particular likewise, 14598 the gratuitous distribution of Tracts was abundantly 14599 owned of God. Instance upon instance, not 2, nor 5, nor 14600 10, but many, in the way of conversion, and also of 14601 blessing to believers, was I informed of by those Godly 14602 brethren, who in various parts of the world, aid me in this 14603 service. How can I sufficiently magnify the Lord for this! 14604 By His grace I would desire to labour on, though I were 14605 not to see one single instance of blessing, being assured 14606 that "in due season we shall reap," and that our "labour is 14607 not in vain in the Lord;" yet how kind of the Lord, to 14608 grant such abundant blessing to rest upon our labours! 14609 14610 Often, I fear, Tract distributors have expected little result 14611 from their labour; and therefore they have seen little fruit. 14612 According to their expectation, they have received. Often, 14613 also, I fear, the mere distribution of Tracts has been rested 14614 in, and the work done has been estimated by the number 14615 of Tracts which were circulated, without earnestly 14616 preceding their circulation with prayer, and without 14617 earnestly following them with prayer, may I, therefore, be 14618 allowed to caution my fellow-believers on these two 14619 points? Look out for blessing, but seek also the blessing 14620 earnestly in prayer; and you will not fail to receive 14621 abundantly. 14622 14623 Should any believer be discouraged, because he has not 14624 had much fruit resulting from the circulation of Tracts, let 14625

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such a one, with renewed earnestness and prayerfulness, 14626 go on in his work; let him also expect fruit, and he will 14627 surely reap abundantly; if not now, at least in the day of 14628 Christ’s appearing. 14629 14630 5. At the beginning of this period, there were Three 14631 Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan-House on Ashley 14632 Down, Bristol. During the year there were admitted into it 14633 13 Orphans, making 313 in all. Of these 313, (we own it 14634 with thankfulness to God,) not one died during the year; 14635 for not a single death occurred for about 15 months. One 14636 of the Orphans, who had been received after he had long 14637 had his own way, and who having long been borne with, 14638 and repeatedly been received back again on a confession 14639 of sorrow, at last ran away again, and had then to be 14640 placed by his relatives in the Union. One Orphan was sent 14641 to relatives, who were by that time able to care for her. 14642 Five girls were, at the expense of the Establishment, fitted 14643 out for service or learning a business, and were sent out; 14644 — also six boys were, at the expense of the 14645 Establishment, fitted out and apprenticed. Thus makes the 14646 number removed as great as the number received, so that 14647 there were still 300 Orphans in tire New Orphan-House 14648 on May 26, 1853. The total number of Orphans, who were 14649 under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1853, was 14650 Five Hundred and Twenty-eight. 14651 14652 I notice further the following points in connexion with 14653 the Orphan Work. 14654 14655 a. Without any one having been personally applied to for 14656 anything by me, the sum of 55,408l. 17s. 5 ¾ d. was given 14657

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to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to God, from 14658 the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1853. — It 14659 may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the 14660 total amount given for the other objects, from the 14661 commencement of the work up to May 26, 1853, 14662 amounted to 19,163l. 14s. 1 ½ d.; and that which came in 14663 by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of 14664 the children in the Day Schools, amounted to 3,490l. 7s. 1 14665 ¾ d. — Besides this, also a great variety and number of 14666 articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given 14667 for the use of the Orphans. 14668 14669 b. Our labours continued to be blessed among the 14670 Orphans. 14671 14672 c. The expenses in connexion with the support of the 300 14673 Orphans and the apprentices during this year, were 14674 14675 3,453l. 15s. 1 ½ d. 14676 14677 14678 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the 14679 work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected 14680 with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, from May 26, 14681 1852, to May 26, 1853. 14682 14683 14684 Dec. 31, 1852. During this year 35 believers have been 14685 received into fellowship. When Brother Craik and I began 14686 to labour in the Word in Bristol, we found 68 in 14687 fellowship. Since then there have been received into 14688 communion altogether 1,403, so that the total number 14689

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would be 1,471, had there been no changes. But 64 are 14690 under church discipline, and separated, for the present, 14691 from fellowship; 154 have left us (some of them, 14692 however, in love, and merely through circumstances); 421 14693 have left Bristol to reside elsewhere; and 197 have fallen 14694 asleep. So that there are at present only 635 actually 14695 remaining in communion. 14696 14697 The Lord has been pleased to give unto me during this 14698 year— 14699 14700 14701 1. Through believers in and out of Bristol, in provisions, 14702 clothes, etc., worth to us 14703 14704 a t least . . . . . 9 0 0 14705 14706 2. Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in 14707 paper and directed to me, and put into the boxes for the 14708 poor 14709 14710 saints or the rent, at the chapels . 157 11 4 ½ 14711 14712 ————— 14713 14714 Carried forward ₤166 11 4 ½ 14715 14716 14717 Brought forward £166 11 4 ½ 14718 14719 3. Through presents in money, from be- 14720 14721

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lievers in Bristol, not given anony- 14722 14723 mously . . . . . . 121 5 2 14724 14725 4. Through presents in money, from be- 14726 14727 lievers not residing in Bristol . . 157 12 2 14728 14729 —————— 14730 14731 £445 8 8 ½ 14732 14733 My brother-in-law, Mr. A. N. Groves, of whom mention 14734 has been made in the first part of this Narrative, as having 14735 been helpful to me by his example when I began my 14736 labours in England in 1829, in that he, without any visible 14737 support, and without being connected with any missionary 14738 society, went with his wife and children to Bagdad, as a 14739 missionary, after having given up a lucrative practice of 14740 about 1500l. per year, returned in Autumn 1852, from the 14741 East Indies, a third time, being exceedingly ill. He lived, 14742 however, till May 20th, 1853, when, after a most blessed 14743 testimony for the Lord, he fell asleep in Jesus in my 14744 house. I should more fully dwell on this to myself amid 14745 my family’s deeply important event, had not a very full 14746 biography been published by the widow of my dear 14747 brother-in-law, in which also full particulars are given of 14748 the last days of this servant of Christ. I therefore refer the 14749 reader to the deeply interesting memoir, which has been 14750 published at Nisbet’s, London, and may be had at the 14751 Bible and Tract Warehouse of the Scriptural Knowledge 14752 Institution for Home and Abroad, 84, Park Street, Bristol, 14753

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and through all booksellers, under the title: Memoir of the 14754 late Anthony Norris Groves, second edition, with a 14755 portrait, cloth, 4s. 6d.; fine paper, cloth, 6s. 6d. 14756 14757 14758 Further account respecting the intended Orphan-House 14759 for Seven Hundred Children, bereaved of both parents by 14760 death, from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854. 14761 14762 14763 In the last chapter on this subject I stated, that, on May 14764 26, 1853, I had actually in hand, towards the 14765 accomplishment of my object, the sum of 12,531l. 12s. 0 14766 ¼ d. I will now give some further particulars as to the 14767 manner in which it pleased the Lord to supply me with 14768 means, but must confine myself to those donations which 14769 more specially may call for notice. 14770 14771 June 28, 1853. From Wakefield 40l., with 5l. for Mr. 14772 Craik, and 5l. for my own personal expenses. — Also 14773 220l. from the West of England, of which the donor 14774 kindly wishes me to take 20l. for my own private 14775 expenses, and to use the 200l. as might be most needed. I 14776 have taken, therefore, 100l. for the Building Fund; 60l. for 14777 missionary operations, the circulation of Bibles and 14778 Tracts; and 40l. for the Orphans. 14779 14780 July 14. Received 541l. 10s., which being left to me as 14781 most needed, I took 100l. for the current expenses for the 14782 Orphans, 100l. for the other objects, and 341l. 10s. for the 14783 Building Fund. Being just now in great family affliction, 14784 this kindness of the Lord has been a great refreshment to 14785

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my spirit. 14786 14787 July 15. From Clifton 1s. — Received also 110l. from 14788 one who counts it an honour to have this sum to lay down 14789 at the feet of the Lord Jesus. I took of this amount 60l. for 14790 the Building Fund, and 50l. for the circulation of the Holy 14791 Scriptures and Tracts, and for missionary objects. 14792 14793 I cannot help remarking here, that the Lord has used 14794 some of the most unlikely persons during the past twenty-14795 two years, in providing me with means for His service. So 14796 it was particularly in the case of this brother in the Lord, 14797 from whom I received the last-mentioned donation of 14798 110l. I had not the least natural expectation of receiving 14799 this sum, when this brother, sitting before me at the New 14800 Orphan-House, took out of his pocket a packet of Bank 14801 Notes, and gave to me this amount, reserving to himself, 14802 as his whole property in this world, a smaller sum than he 14803 gave to me, because of his joy in the Lord, and because of 14804 his being able to enter into the reality of his possessions in 14805 the world to come. I delight in dwelling upon such an 14806 instance, because 1, it shows that there is grace, much 14807 grace, to be found among the saints even now; 2, it shows 14808 the variety of instrumentality which the Lord is pleased to 14809 employ, in supplying me with means for His service; and 14810 3, because it so manifestly proves that we do not wait 14811 upon Him in vain, when we make known our requests to 14812 Him for means. 14813 14814 July 20. From Philadelphia, in the United States, 5l. 14815 14816 Aug. 20. From the neighbourhood of Mallow in Ireland 14817

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l7s. 6d, and 2s. 6d. — Anonymously from a "Brother 14818 Christian and Well-wisher," through his bankers in 14819 London, 100l. 14820 14821 Aug. 27. From Caistor 5s. — From Gumeracka, near 14822 Adelaide, Australia, 2l. 10s. From the same place 10s. — 14823 From Cheltenham 2s. 6d. — From Frampton-on-Severn 14824 seven silver coins. 14825 14826 You see, esteemed reader, how much variety there is in 14827 the kind of donations as well as in the amount, the places 14828 whence they are sent, and the friends who send them. But 14829 all these donations come from the living God. All come to 14830 us in answer to prayer, and are received by us as answers 14831 to prayer; and with every donation, however small, we 14832 receive thins a fresh encouragement, to continue in prayer, 14833 and have, as it were, another earnest from our Heavenly 14834 Father, that at last He not only will give larger sums, but 14835 the whole amount which is needed for the Building Fund. 14836 Every one of these donations comes unsolicited. Ever 14837 since the Orphan Work has been in operation, we have 14838 never asked any one for anything. Be therefore, dear 14839 reader, encouraged by this, to make trial for yourself, to 14840 prove the power of prayer, if you have never done so 14841 before. 14842 14843 Dec. 31. This is the last day of another year. Two years 14844 and a half I have new been day by day seeking the Lord’s 14845 help in player for this object. He has also been pleased to 14846 give us many proofs, that He is remembering our requests, 14847 still as yet I have only 13,670l. 11s. 7 ¾ d. in hand. 14848 Considerably more than double this sum will be needed. 14849

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But, by the grace of God, I am not discouraged. The Lord 14850 is able and willing to help us. This is my comfort. In His 14851 own time the Almighty God will manifest His power. In 14852 the meantime I desire to continue to wait upon Him, and 14853 to receive every fresh donation, however small, as an 14854 earnest, that in His own time He not only will give larger 14855 sums, but the whole amount needed for this object. 14856 14857 Jan. 17, 1854. This day I received the promise, that there 14858 should be paid to me, for the work of the Lord in my 14859 hands, 5,207l., to be disposed of as I might consider best. 14860 14861 This large donation was shortly after paid to me, and was 14862 portioned out thus: For the Building Fund 3000l.; for the 14863 support of the 300 Orphans 707l.; for foreign missions 14864 500l.; for labourers in the Word in England, Ireland and 14865 Scotland 500l.; for the gratuitous circulation of the Holy 14866 Scriptures among the poor 200l.; for the gratuitous 14867 circulation of Gospel Tracts 200l.; and for the various 14868 schools, supported or assisted by the Funds of the 14869 Scriptural Knowledge Institution, 100l. 14870 14871 Behold, esteemed reader, the goodness of God! Behold 14872 also the recompense, which sooner or hater, the Lord 14873 gives to His children, who wait upon Him and trust in 14874 Him Often it may appear that we wait upon the Lord in 14875 vain; but, in His own time God will abundantly prove, that 14876 it was not in vain. Go on therefore, Christian reader, to 14877 wait upon the Lord. Continue to make known your 14878 requests to Him; but do also expect help from Him. You 14879 honour God, by believing that He does hear your prayers, 14880 and that He will answer them. 14881

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14882 The joy which such answers to prayer give, cannot be 14883 described; and the impetus which they thus afford to the 14884 spiritual life is exceedingly great. The experience of this 14885 happiness I desire for all my Christian readers. Nor is 14886 there anything to hinder any believer from having these 14887 joys. If you believe indeed in the Lord Jesus for the 14888 salvation of your soul, if you walk uprightly and do not 14889 regard iniquity in your heart, if you continue to wait 14890 patiently, and believingly upon God; then answers will 14891 surely be given to your prayers. You may not be called 14892 upon to serve the Lord in the way the writer does, and 14893 therefore may never have answers to prayer respecting 14894 such things as are recorded here; but in your various 14895 circumstances, as to your family, your business, your 14896 profession, your church position, your labour for the Lord 14897 inn army way, you may have answers as distinct as any 14898 here recorded. 14899 14900 Should this, however, be read by any who are not 14901 believers in the Lord Jesus, but any who are going on in 14902 the carelessness or self-righteousness of their unrenewed 14903 hearts, then I would affectionately and solemnly beseech 14904 such, first of all to be reconciled to God by faith in the 14905 Lord Jesus. You are sinners. You deserve punishment. If 14906 you do not see this, ask God to show it unto you. Let this 14907 now be your first and especial prayer. Ask Him also to 14908 enlighten you not merely concerning your state by nature, 14909 but especially to reveal the Lord Jesus to your hearts. God 14910 sent Him, that He might bear the punishment, due to us 14911 guilty sinners. God accepts the obedience and sufferings 14912 of the Lord Jesus, in the room of those who depend upon 14913

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Him for the salvation of their souls; and the moment a 14914 sinner believes in the Lord Jesus, he obtains the 14915 forgiveness of all his sins. When thus he is reconciled to 14916 God, by faith in the Lord Jesus, and has obtained the 14917 forgiveness of his sins, he has boldness to enter into the 14918 presence of God, to make known his requests unto God; 14919 and the more he is enabled to realize, that his sins are 14920 forgiven, and that God, for Christ’s sake, is well pleased 14921 with those who believe on Him, the more ready he will be 14922 to come with all his wants, both temporal and spiritual, to 14923 his Heavenly Father, that He may supply them. But as 14924 long as the consciousness of unpardoned guilt remains, so 14925 long shall we be kept at a distance from God, and 14926 especially also as it regards prayer. Therefore, dear reader, 14927 if you are an unforgiven sinner, let your first and especial 14928 subject of your prayer be, that God would be pleased to 14929 reveal to your heart the Lord Jesus, His beloved Son. 14930 14931 March 5. To day it is twenty years since the Scriptural 14932 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad made its 14933 beginning. When I look back upon that day, with 14934 reference to this work, I desire with gratitude to exclaim, 14935 What has God wrought! His name be magnified for it! I 14936 desire to take courage from all His former goodness, and 14937 to go on in His service. 14938 14939 March 6. Received 131l. 1s. 3d., which being left at my 14940 disposal, I took 31l. 1s. 3d. for the Building Fund, and 14941 100l. for the support of the Orphans. — Through 14942 Bethesda boxes, as a thank-offering for the mercies of the 14943 past month, 2s. 6d. 14944 14945

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April 22. From London, six knives, nine silver forks, 14946 three silver table spoons, three silver dessert spoons, three 14947 silver tea spoons, one silver salt spoon, a silver pencil 14948 case, three penholders, one mounted in silver and two in 14949 gold, and a penknife. 14950 14951 May. 3. Anonymously, through banker’s in London, 14952 100l. — May 8. Through Bethesda homes, 2s. 6d., as "A 14953 thank-offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past 14954 month." 14955 14956 Month after month, for some time past, 2s. 6d. has been 14957 given as "A thank-offering for the mercies of the past 14958 month," I am delighted with this. Not yearly only may the 14959 saints bring their offerings to the Lord, as He may have 14960 prospered them, but monthly. Yea the Holy Ghost, by the 14961 Apostle Paul, gives this exhortation to the believers of the 14962 Church at Corinth, concerning offerings for the poor 14963 saints; "Upon the first day of the week let every one of 14964 you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." I 14965 Cor. xvi. 2. As the Lord had prospered them, so were they 14966 not merely yearly, or monthly, but even weekly to 14967 contribute to the support of the poor. We are strangers and 14968 pilgrims on the earth. The time of our pilgrimage here is 14969 very uncertain. The opportunities which the Lord gives us 14970 for His service are therefore readily to be embraced. All 14971 here below is most uncertain. How long we may have the 14972 opportunity to work for the Lord, who can tell? Therefore 14973 the present hour is to be used with all our might. As an 14974 encouragement for all this, we have to look to the return 14975 of our Lord Jesus. 14976 14977

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May 26. 82l. 18s. 4d., being the proceeds arising from the 14978 sale of a work published in English, and l4s. 3d., from the 14979 sale of a work published in French, were given for the 14980 Building Fund. 14981 14982 Thus closes the period from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 14983 1854. The whole income for this object during the year 14984 was 5,285l. 7s. 5d., which, together with the 12,531l. 12s. 14985 0 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1853, made the total of 14986 17,816l. 12s. 5 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1854. 14987 14988 I add the following remarks, with reference to the 14989 intended Orphan House for 700 Orphans, which appeared 14990 in the Report for 1854, and which are here reprinted. 14991 14992 A. During this year the current expenses, for the various 14993 Objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home 14994 and Abroad, amounted to 7,507l. 0s. 11 ½ d., being 471l. 14995 8s, 11d. more than during any previous year; yet the Lord 14996 not only enabled me to meet them all, but to add the sum 14997 of 5,285l. 7s, 5d. to the Building Fund. 14998 14999 B. There is yet a large sum required, before I shall be 15000 enabled to build another house for 700 Orphans; nor have 15001 I now, any more than at the first, any natural prospect of 15002 obtaining what is yet needed; but my hope is in the living 15003 God. When I came to the conclusion that it was the will of 15004 God I should build another Orphan House, I had not only 15005 no natural prospect of obtaining the 35,000l. which would 15006 be needed for thus object, but also no natural prospect of 15007 being able to provide for the necessities of the 300 15008 Orphans already under my care. Three years have elapsed 15009

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since then, and I have had all I needed for them, 15010 amounting to about 10,500l., and 17,816l. 19s. 5 ¼ d. I 15011 have received for the Building Fund. May I not well trust 15012 in the Lord, for what is yet needed for the Building Fund? 15013 By His grace I will do so, and delight in doing so; for I 15014 know that at last all my prayers will be turned into praises 15015 concerning this part of the service. 15016 15017 C. There is one point which is particularly an 15018 encouragement to me, to go on waiting upon the Lord for 15019 the remainder of the means, which are required, viz.: 15020 applications for the admission of Orphans continue to be 15021 made. On May 26, 1858, there were 480 Orphans waiting 15022 for admission. Since then 181 more have been applied for, 15023 making in all 661. Of these, however, thirty have been 15024 admitted during the past year into the New 0rphan-House, 15025 and twenty-nine have been otherwise provided for, so that 15026 there are actually 602 waiting for admission. These 15027 children are from three months old and upwards, and all 15028 bereaved of both parents by death. 15029 15030 15031 Supplies for the School —, Bible—, Missionary and 15032 Tract fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1853, 15033 to May 26, 1854. 15034 15035 15036 On May 26, 1853, there was left in hand for these objects 15037 a balance of 67l. 17s. 7 ¾ d. 15038 15039 June 13. When I had very little in hand, comparatively, 15040 there being about 30l. left, as little only had come in since 15041

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May 26th, I received a donation of 301l., of which I took 15042 201l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for these 15043 objects. How much is there needed, to go on with all these 15044 various objects, and to press into every open door, which 15045 the Lord may set before me! How kind, therefore, of Him, 15046 to have sent me this sum! 15047 15048 July 14. Only about 150l. had come in for these objects 15049 since June 18. But though I had not much in hand, I sent 15050 out 65l. on the 11th, three days since, for missionary 15051 objects, being assured that the sowing would bring the 15052 reaping. On the very next day, July l2th, I received from 15053 Chelsea 5l. and also 10s. From the north of Devon 10l. 15054 Anonymously 5l. From Norwich, for foreign missions, 5l. 15055 The day after that, July 13th, I received from the 15056 neighbourhood of Leeds 10l., and from Oakhill 1s. Now 15057 today I received the 541l. 10s., spoken of under the 15058 Building Fund, of which I took for these objects 100l. 15059 15060 July 15. Today the Lord has been pleased to give still 15061 more. I have received 20l. for the Schools and 50l. for 15062 these various objects 15063 15064 Sept. 15. During the last two days I sent out 85l. to 15065 brethren who labour in the Word at home and abroad; and 15066 during the first half of this month have already sent to 15067 them 174l. During the last two days, whilst sending out 15068 almost the last pound in hand for missionary objects, I felt 15069 quite comfortable in doing so, and said to myself: "The 15070 Lord can give mc more." So it has been. This morning I 15071 have received from Weston Super Mare, in a registered 15072 letter, 100l. with these words: "The enclosed 100l. for 15073

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missionaries to the heathen, from H. E. H., Western Super 15074 Mare, Sept, 14th." This is particularly refreshing to me, as 15075 I desired still to send out during this month about 200l. to 15076 other brethren. 15077 15078 Oct. 15. During the last six weeks little only, 15079 comparatively, has been received for these objects; but I 15080 have sent out much for missionary objects, and for the 15081 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts. Thus the 15082 funds for these various objects were this morning reduced 15083 to 29l. 15s. 6 ¼ d. Yet my heart desired to send out, 15084 before the close of this month, a considerable amount to 15085 preachers of the Gospel, and to spend further sums on the 15086 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. This 15087 my desire has been in a measure already granted, for I 15088 received this morning 192l. 1s. Of this sum I took 100l. 15089 for these objects, and the remainder for the current 15090 expenses for the Orphans. The Lord be magnified for this 15091 kindness! There was also much need for fresh supplies for 15092 the Orphans, when this donation was received. With more 15093 than usual exercise of faith and patience have I had to 15094 wait upon God for the last four weeks, during which time 15095 the income has been very little and the outgoing very 15096 great. 15097 15098 Dec. 8. Today I received three autographs of King 15099 William IV., one of Sir Robert Peel, and two of Lord 15100 Melbourne (with six postage stamps), to be sold for the 15101 funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. — See 15102 what a variety of donations the Lord sends us for the 15103 support of the work! 15104 15105

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Dec. 11. For several years I have not been so poor for 15106 these objects, as during the last six weeks. Day by day 15107 have I besought the Lord for more means, and almost 15108 daily has He also sent in something; yet the income has 15109 not been adequate to help the 56 brethren, whom I seek to 15110 assist as preachers of the Word at home and abroad, in the 15111 measure I have desired. I had reason to believe, that 15112 several were in need, but I had nothing to send to them, 15113 and could only labour on in prayer, finding relief in the 15114 knowledge that God could help them irrespective of my 15115 instrumentality, and make this their trial of faith and 15116 patience a blessing to their souls, even as I have found this 15117 season profitable to myself. But now at the last the Lord 15118 has refreshed my spirit exceedingly, by a donation of 15119 300l., left at my disposal; of which I have taken 150l. for 15120 these objects, and 150l. for the Orphans, for whom also 15121 fresh supplies were greatly needed, so much so, that we 15122 had not once been so poor since the New Orphan-House 15123 was first opened. 15124 15125 Jan. 17, 1854. Received from an anonymous donor, 15126 through London bankers, a Bank Post Bill for 50l. "for 15127 general purposes." I took of this amount one half for these 15128 various objects, and the other half for the benefit of the 15129 Orphans. This donation came at a time of great need. 15130 15131 But the Lord helped me still mere bountifully; for I 15132 received also, on that day, the promise of the donation of 15133 5,207l., spoken of already under the Building Fund, and 15134 of which donation I took for these objects altogether 15135 1,500l. whereby I was so abundantly helped, that, with 15136 what the Lord was pleased to send in besides for these 15137

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objects, up to May 26, 1854, I was enabled to meet all 15138 their many and heavy expenses. 15139 15140 The following circumstance is so remarkable, that I give 15141 it at full length as an illustration of the various ways, and 15142 the remarkable manner, in which the. Lord is pleased, in 15143 answer to prayer, to supply me with means. 15144 15145 On Aug. 9th, 1853, I received a letter, from a Christian 15146 brother, accompanied by an order for 88l. 2s. 6d. on his 15147 bankers, of which 3l. 2s, 6d. were the proceeds of an 15148 Orphan-Box in a meeting place of believers, and 85l. from 15149 a poor widow, who had sold her little house, being all her 15150 property, and who had put 90l., the total amount she had 15151 received, into that Orphan-Box two months before, on 15152 June 9, 1853. In this box the money remained till it was 15153 opened, and then the 90l., with a few lines, without name, 15154 were found in it. As, however, the fact of her intending to 15155 sell the house, and sending me the money, for the Lord’s 15156 work, had been known to the brother, who sent me the 15157 money, he did not feel free to send it to me, without 15158 remonstrating with her through two brethren, whom he 15159 sent with the money, offering it again to her; for he knew 15160 her to be very poor, and feared that this might be an act of 15161 excitement, and therefore be regretted afterwards. These 15162 brethren could not prevail on her to receive back the 15163 money, but they did persuade her to receive back 5l. of 15164 the amount, and then the brother, referred to, felt no 15165 longer free to keep the money from me, but sent me the 15166 85l. 15167 15168 On the receipt of this I wrote at once to the poor Godly 15169

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widow, offering her the traveling expenses for coming to 15170 Bristol, that I might have personal intercourse with her; 15171 for I feared lest this should be an act of excitement, and 15172 the more so, as she had received back 5l. of the sum. This 15173 sister in the Lord, a widow of about 60 years of age, came 15174 to Bristol, and told me in all simplicity how ten years 15175 before, in the year 1843, she had purposed that, if ever she 15176 should come into the possession of the little house in 15177 which she lived with her husband, she would sell it, and 15178 give the proceeds to the Lord. About five years afterwards 15179 her husband died, and she, having no children, nor any 15180 particular claim upon her, then sought to dispose of her 15181 little property. However one difficulty after the other 15182 prevented her being able to effect a sale. At last she felt in 15183 particular difficulty on account of her inability to pay the 15184 yearly ground rent of the house and garden, and she asked 15185 the Lord to enable her to sell the property, in order that 15186 she might be able to carry out her desire, which she had 15187 had for ten years. He now helped her; the house was sold, 15188 the money paid, and she put the whole 90l. into the 15189 Orphan Box for me, being assured that the Lord would 15190 direct me how best the money might be used for Him. — I 15191 still questioned her again and again to find out, whether it 15192 was not excitement which had led her to act as she had 15193 done; but I not only saw that her mind had been fully 15194 decided about this act for ten years before, but that she 15195 was also able to answer from the word of God all the 15196 objections which I purposely made, in order to probe her, 15197 whether she had intelligently and from right motives acted 15198 in what she had done. At last, being fully satisfied that it 15199 was not from impulse nor under excitement that she had 15200 given the money, I stated to her something like this: "You 15201

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are poor, about sixty years old, and therefore decreasing 15202 in strength, may you not therefore keep this money for 15203 yourself?" Her reply was: "God has always provided for 15204 me, and I have no doubt He will do so in future also. I am 15205 able to work and to earn my bread as well as others, and 15206 am willing to work as a nurse, or in any other way." What 15207 could I say against this? This was just what a child of God 15208 would say, and should say. — But the greatest of all the 15209 difficulties about accepting the 85l. remained in my mind. 15210 It was this. The house had been sold for 90l. The whole 15211 amount had been put into the box, but, on the persuasion 15212 of the two brethren who were requested to remonstrate 15213 with this widow, she had been induced to take back 5l. out 15214 of the 90l. I therefore said to myself, might she not be 15215 willing, after a time, to take back the whole 90l., how 15216 therefore can I feel happy in accepting this money. On 15217 this account I particularly laid stress upon this point, and 15218 now learned the circumstances under which she had been 15219 induced to take back this 5l. 15220 15221 The two brethren who had called for the purpose of 15222 pointing out the propriety of receiving back again the 90l., 15223 or part of it, told her that Barnabas sold his land, but 15224 afterwards lived with others on that which he and others 15225 had thrown into the common stock, and that therefore she 15226 might receive at least part of the 90l. back again, if she 15227 would not take the whole. She then said to herself that, "as 15228 a child of God she might take the children’s portion," and, 15229 as she had given to God this 90l., she might receive 5l. 15230 back again. She told me, that she considered the brethren 15231 had shown her from the Holy Scriptures what she might 15232 do, and therefore she had taken this 5l. I did not myself 15233

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agree with the judgment of those brethren who had said 15234 this (as there is no evidence that Barnabas ever was 15235 supported out of the common stock, the proceeds of the 15236 sale of houses and lands, out of which the poor were 15237 supported); but I purposely said nothing to the widow, lest 15238 she should at once be induced to give me this 5l. also. She 15239 had, however, this 5l. untouched, and showed it to me; 15240 and before leaving she would make me take 1l. of it for 15241 the benefit of the Orphans, which I did not refuse, as I had 15242 no intention to keep the 85l. She also gave me a sixpence 15243 for the Orphans, which some one had given her for 15244 herself, a few days before. 15245 15246 I now asked her, as this matter concerning the remaining 15247 of the 5l. was satisfactorily explained, as far as it 15248 respected her own state of heart, what she wished me to 15249 do with the money, in case I saw it right to keep it. Her 15250 reply was, that she would leave that with me, and God 15251 would direct me concerning it; but that, if she said any 15252 thing at all, she should most like it to be used for the 15253 support of brethren who labour in the Word without 15254 salary, and who hazard their lives for the name of Christ. 15255 She wished me to have a part of the money; but this I 15256 flatly refused, lest I should be evil spoken of in this 15257 matter. I then offered to pay her traveling expenses, as she 15258 had come to me, which she would not accept, as she did 15259 not stand in need of it. In conclusion I told her, that I 15260 would now further pray respecting this matter, and 15261 consider what to do concerning it. I then prayed with this 15262 dear Godly woman, commended her to God, separated 15263 from her, and have not seen her since. 15264 15265

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I waited from Aug. 9, 1853, to March 7, 1854, when I 15266 wrote to her, offering her back again the whole 85l., or a 15267 part of it. On March 9, 1854, just seven months after I had 15268 received the money, amid just nine months after she had 15269 actually given it, and ten years and nine months after she 15270 had made the resolution to give her house and garden to 15271 God, I heard from her, stating that she was of the same 15272 mind as she had been for years. I, therefore, disposed of 15273 the money, to aid such foreign missionary brethren as, 15274 according to the best my knowledge resembled most the 15275 class of men whom she wished to assist. 15276 15277 The reasons, why I have so minutely dwelt upon this 15278 circumstance, are: 1, If, as a steward of the bounties of the 15279 children of God, I should be blamed for receiving from a 15280 poor widow almost literally her all, it may be seen in what 15281 manner I did so. To have refused, on March 9, 1854, also 15282 would be going beyond what I should be warranted to do. 15283 2, I desired also to give a practical illustration, that I only 15284 desire donations in God’s way. It is not the money only, I 15285 desire; but money received, in answer to prayer, in God’s 15286 order. 3, This circumstance illustrates how God helps me 15287 often in the most unexpected manner. 4, I have also 15288 related this instance, as a fresh proof, that even in these 15289 last days the love of Christ is of constraining power, and 15290 may work mightily, as in the days of the Apostles. I have 15291 witnessed many such instances as this, during the twenty 15292 years I have been occupied in this my service. Let us give 15293 thanks to God for such cases, and seek for grace rather to 15294 imitate such Godly men and women than think that they 15295 are going too far. 15296 15297

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I cannot, however, dismiss this subject, without 15298 commending this poor widow to the prayers of all who 15299 love our Lord Jesus, that she may be kept humble, lest, 15300 thinking highly of herself, on account of what she has 15301 been enabled to do, by the grace of God, she should not 15302 only lose blessing in her own soul, but this circumstance 15303 should become a snare to her. Pray also, believing Reader, 15304 that she may never be allowed to regret what she has done 15305 for the Lord. 15306 15307 May 23. Yesterday I looked over the list of the 56 15308 labourers in the Word, whom I seek to assist, in order to 15309 see to whom it would be desirable to send help; and, 15310 having drawn out a list, with the respective amounts for 15311 each, I found that it would be desirable to send out this 15312 week 327l., but I wanted at least 50l. more, to be able to 15313 accomplish this. Accordingly I gave myself to prayer, if it 15314 might please the Lord to send me the means. And now, 15315 this morning, in answer to prayer, I received anonymously 15316 from bankers in London 100l., which the donor desired to 15317 be applied for the current expenses for the Orphans, and 15318 for labourers in the Gospel at Home and Abroad. I took 15319 therefore 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for home and 15320 foreign labourers. 15321 15322 By the same post I received also from the neighbourhood 15323 of Shrewsbury 10l., the disposal of which being left to 15324 me, I took for missionary objects. — I have now the 15325 desire of my heart granted, being able to send out the full 15326 amount of what it yesterday appeared to me desirable that 15327 I should send to the brethren whom I seek to help. 15328 15329

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15330 Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, already under 15331 our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1853, to 15332 May 26, 1854. 15333 15334 15335 At the commencement of this period, there was in hand 15336 the balance of 117l. 10s. 9d. This was the visible support, 15337 in the way of pecuniary means, which we had to look to 15338 for 320 inmates in the New Orphan House, whilst often 15339 two or three days might call for such an amount as this. 15340 But we hoped in God, as in former years, and, by His 15341 grace, were upheld, and our faith was not allowed to fail, 15342 though it was not a little tried, as the following pages will 15343 show. 15344 15345 Of the donations which came in between May 26, and 15346 June. 13, 1853, I will only mention the following. On June 15347 1st I received from Cape Town 2l. for the Orphans, and 15348 3l. for tracts. On June 8th I received from Rhode Island, 15349 United States, 20 dollars and 5 dollars (4l. 15s. 9d. 15350 English), when I had scarcely anything left for the 15351 Orphans. Observe, dear Reader, from Africa and from 15352 America the. Lord sends help to us, yea from almost all 15353 parts of the world. Thus is He saying to us more and 15354 more; "Only believe." On June 10th I received 5l. from a 15355 brother in the Lord at a distance, as a thank-offering to 15356 God, that, having been thrown from his horse, he had not 15357 been killed, but only greatly hurt. 15358 15359 June. 13. We were now very poor. Not indeed in debt, 15360 nor was even all the money gone; for there was still about 15361

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12l. in hand; but then there needed to be bought flour, of 15362 which we buy generally 10 sacks at a tine, 300 stones of 15363 oatmeal, 4 cwt. of soap, and there were many little repairs 15364 going on in the house, with a number of workmen, besides 15365 the regular current expenses of about 70l. per week. Over 15366 and above all this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, 15367 I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, 15368 which would cost in all probability 25l. It was therefore 15369 desirable, humanly speaking, to have 100l. for these 15370 heavy extra expenses, besides means for the current 15371 expenses. But I had no human prospect whatever of 15372 getting even 100 Pence, much less 100l. In addition to 15373 this, today was Monday, when generally the income is 15374 little. But, in walking to the Orphan House this morning, 15375 and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in 15376 prayer, that on this day, though Monday, He could send 15377 me much. And thus it was. I received this morning 301l. 15378 for the Lord’s service, as might be most needed. — The 15379 joy which I had cannot be described. I walked up and 15380 down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and 15381 gratitude to the Lord running plentifully over my cheeks, 15382 praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and 15383 surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for 15384 His blessed service. I scarcely ever felt more the kindness 15385 of the Lord in helping me. — I took of this money 201l., 15386 for the current expenses for the Orphans, and 100l. for 15387 missionary objects, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures 15388 and Gospel Tracts, and for the various Schools. 15389 15390 Of the donations which came in between June 13th and 15391 Aug. 31st, amounting to more than 600l., I will only 15392 mention: 50l., through a most unexpected circumstance, 15393

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from Glasgow, on June 29th. 2l. from Sunderland on July 15394 23rd, of which 1l was made up, by an individual putting 15395 by one half-penny daily for the Orphans, and a poor 15396 widow one penny per week. — On Aug. 19th I received 15397 from a Christian Negro in Demerara an old silver watch, a 15398 gold pin and brooch, and Five Dollars. 15399 15400 Aug. 31. When there was less than 20l. in, hand, I 15401 received today a donation of 220l., of which the donor 15402 kindly wished me to take 20l. for my own personal 15403 expenses, and to use the other for the work of the Lord as 15404 most needed. I therefore took 150l. for the Orphans, and 15405 50l. for the other objects, and was thus enabled to advance 15406 today 30l., as usual, for the house-keeping expenses; 15407 money being called for, which, otherwise, I should not 15408 have been able to supply. 15409 15410 Of the donations received between Aug. 31st and Oct. 15411 24th, amounting to about 550l., I only notice 2l. 7s. 6d. 15412 "From South Africa," 1l. from Malta, and 6s. 4d. from 15413 Demerara. 15414 15415 I will now minutely relate the Lord’s dealings with us, 15416 with reference to meeting the expenses for the 300 15417 Orphans, for about three weeks, as a specimen of how the 15418 Lord was pleased to help us during a period when the 15419 flour was twice as dear as for several years before, and 15420 when other expenses were much greater than usual. 15421 15422 Oct. 24. This afternoon I was called on to advance more 15423 house-keeping money; but as I had only about 26l. 15424 altogether in hand, I could only give 20l. this time, instead 15425

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of the usual 30l. I had then about 6l. left for all the many 15426 other expenses, large and small, connected with the 15427 Establishment, and which are not included in the ordinary 15428 house-keeping expenses. Before the day is over, I have 15429 received this evening the following amounts Through 15430 Salem boxes 1s. By sale of Reports 5s. 1d. with 10s. as a 15431 donation. Both sums from Waterford. — From a donor in 15432 Bristol 11. — From Bayswater 5l. 15433 15434 Oct. 25. From an Orphan-box in Bristol 4s. — From 15435 Warminster 1l. 1s. — From Seven Oaks 1l.1s. 6d. This 15436 was an old debt, owed for a long time to the donor. He 15437 expressed in prayer that, if the Lord would cause the 15438 money to be paid, it should be sent to me; and almost 15439 immediately afterwards it was paid. — From Durham 15440 12l., being a dividend on shares in gas-works. — From 15441 Braunton 5s. — From Balham Hill, London, 1l. 10s., with 15442 a variety of articles to be sold for the benefit of the 15443 Orphans. — By sale of Reports 2s. 15444 15445 Oct. 26. From Keswick 7s. 6d., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., and 3s. — 15446 By sale of Reports 1l. 2s. 11 ½ d. — By sale of some 15447 silver coins, a few tea spoons, and a few trinkets 5l. — By 15448 sale of Reports 9s. — There was found in the visitor’s 15449 room at the New Orphan House a four-penny piece. — 15450 Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 4l. 14s. This 15451 afternoon was the time in the week when visitors see the 15452 establishment. It was a wet afternoon, but still above 60 15453 persons went over the house. Being in great need of 15454 means, of which the visitors, however, could perceive 15455 nothing, as all our stores were full as usual, I asked the. 15456 Lord, that He would be pleased to put it into their hearts 15457

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to put money into the boxes: and this sum I found in them 15458 this evening. — Yesterday it was necessary to purchase 15459 ten sacks of flout, which, being just now twice as dear as 15460 darning the last years, cost 27l. 10s.; and this day it was 15461 needful to spend 8l. 1s. 2d. for smith’s work. How kind, 15462 therefore, of the Lord to have sent me today, yesterday, 15463 and the afternoon of the day before yesterday, 34l. 11s, 4 15464 ½ d. Thus, with the 6l. left before, I am able to meet these 15465 two items of above 35l., and have about 5l. left. 15466 15467 Now observe how the Lord further helped, when I had 15468 only Five Pounds left. 15469 15470 Oct. 27. By sale of Reports 3s. — From West Brixton 5s., 15471 and 5s. from Scotland. — Through a box in the New 15472 Orphan House 6d. — By sale of a Report 6d. 15473 15474 Oct. 28. "From Friends of Petersham" 1l. 2s. 6d., and 15475 from Richmond 7s. 6d. — From the neighbourhood of 15476 Stourbridge. 1l. — From Wells 3s. — From a clergyman 15477 at Weston-super-Mare 5l. — Anonymously from Scotland 15478 6d. — From a brother in the Lord 1l., with two pewter 15479 plates. — From Clifton 10s. — From Hackney 1s. 15480 15481 Oct. 29. From Chilton Polden 5s., as "A thank-offering 15482 that the donor’s children have not been left Orphans." — 15483 From Kingsbridge 5s. 6d. — From Glasgow 7s. 6d. — By 15484 sale of articles and Reports 2l. 10s. — From Royston 1l. 15485 15486 Oct. 30. From Lichfield 2s. 6d. and 3s. 8d. — From a 15487 medical gentleman in Bristol 1l. — From Clifton 3s. 15488 15489

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Oct. 31. This afternoon more money was required for 15490 house-keeping. By the donations which had come in since 15491 the 27th, I was able to pay away 7l. 13s., and 1l. 2s., and 15492 had 12l. 17s, 2d. besides. This I gave to the last penny for 15493 house-keeping, and had now literally not one penny left in 15494 hand for the current expenses for the Orphans. 15495 15496 This evening I received, when I had nothing in hand: 15497 from Clifton 1l. — From a sister in the Lord in Bristol 2s. 15498 6d. — Through Bethesda boxes 5s., "from servants in 15499 Scotland," — From Wiveliscombe 1l. — From Clifton 15500 10s. — Through the Chapel boxes 2s. — A pair of silver-15501 mounted spectacles and 2s. 6d. from Clifton. 15502 15503 Nov. 1. By means of those little sums, which came in last 15504 evening, I was able to let the matron have further 2l. 17s. 15505 early this morning. Thus we were able to meet this day’s 15506 demands. There came in further today: By sale of old 15507 clothes 6s. 4d., and from Launceston, by sale of Reports, 15508 7s. 6d. — There was put into the letter box at my house 15509 anonymously, 1s. 6d., with these words: "I had worked 15510 hard for this money, and could not get paid. A thought 15511 passed lately through my mind, if I ever get it, I will 15512 devote it to some charitable purpose. To my surprise, 15513 without asking for it, it is paid. I now send it for the 15514 Orphans." — Evening. By sale of Reports 3s. — From 15515 Spaldwick 2s. 6d. and 1s. — From the neighbourhood of 15516 Arundel 11s. 6d. 15517 15518 Nov. 2. From Hull 5s. — From Knapp 1s. — From 15519 Gosport 2l. — From six servants at Hampton Court 15520 Palace, a parcel, containing a variety of articles, for the 15521

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use of the Orphans, or to be sold for their benefit, with 4s. 15522 —Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 1l. 16s. 5 15523 ½ d. Given also by a visitor from Cornwall 10s., Ditto by 15524 another 10s., Ditto by another 2s. 6d., Ditto by another 1s. 15525 — By sale of Reports 6s. — I was thus further able to 15526 advance last evening for house-keeping expenses 1l. 0s. 15527 4d., this morning 3l. 1s., and this evening 3l. 12s. 11 ½ d. 15528 Thus, though we are living by the day, as it respects 15529 supplies out of the hands of our Heavenly Father, yet we 15530 have lacked nothing! 15531 15532 Received further 12s. by sale of Reports. 15533 15534 Nov. 3. From Helensburgh 2s. and 6d. — From Bideford 15535 12s. — From Islington 2l. — From Clifton Park 5l. — By 15536 sale of some books 3l. — From a donor in Bristol 5l. 15537 From Norwich 5s. — Thus we have wherewith to meet 15538 the expenses for today and tomorrow, and, it may be, of 15539 the day after tomorrow. At all events, before this is gone, 15540 the faithful Lord will send in more. 15541 15542 Nov. 4. By sale of old clothes 11s. 2 ½ d. — From 15543 Whitby 1l. Ditto 5s. — From Bodmin 1s. — By sale of 15544 rags 7s. 3d. [I transcribe from the Income book. We think 15545 it right to turn every thing to account, so that nothing be 15546 wasted, and that the expenses of the Institution be not 15547 needlessly increased.] 15548 15549 Nov. 5. From Swansea 5s. — From Willenhall 5s. — 15550 From Bridgewater 5s. — From Worcester 5s. and 1s. — 15551 Evening, Saturday. Thus we have had during another 15552 week everything needed. 15553

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15554 Nov. 7. There came in yesterday 1s. from Stafford, and 15555 3s. from Worksop. — To day from Kilkenny 1l. — When 15556 I had nothing at all in hand, having paid out the last 15557 money today, and when more would be needed this 15558 evening or tomorrow morning, I received this afternoon, 15559 from a most unexpected quarter, 6l. This morning the 15560 matron had between 11l, and 12l. in hand for house-15561 keeping expenses, but, by the time I arrived at the New 15562 Orphan House, it had all been expended through 15563 unexpected demands, so that she had had to add half a 15564 crown of her own. I had received, however, this morning, 15565 at the very time while I was in prayer for means, 1l. from 15566 Kilkenny, which, with, 9s. 3 ½ d. besides, in hand, I gave 15567 to her. Now this afternoon came in the 6l., and we have 15568 thus a manifest answer to prayer. The Lord be magnified. 15569 — Evening. Through Salem boxes 1s. Through Bethesda 15570 boxes 2s. 6d. Do. 6d. From P. 2s. 6d. 15571 15572 Nov. 8. From Guildford 1l. 1s. 15573 15574 Nov. 9. By sale of Reports 3s. 6d. — From Clonmell 9s. 15575 5d. — Our need of means is great, very great. The Lord 15576 tries our faith and patience. This afternoon, a brother and 15577 sister in the Lord, from Gloucestershire, called to see mc 15578 at the New Orphan House, before going through the 15579 house. After a few minutes I received from the sister a 15580 sovereign, which she had been requested to bring to me 15581 for the Building Fund, and she gave mc from herself 1l. 15582 for my own personal expenses, and 1l. for tine Building 15583 Fund, and her husband gave me 5l. for the Orphans, and 15584 5l. for Foreign Missions. Thus the Lord has refreshed my 15585

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spirit greatly; but I look for more, and need much more. 15586 — Evening. By sale of Reports 13s. 2d. By the boxes in 15587 the New Orphan House 3l. 1s. 10 ½ d. I received also this 15588 evening from Walmer 10l., of which the donor kindly 15589 wished 2l. to be used for the personal expenses of my 15590 family, and the rest for missionary work and the support 15591 of the Orphans. I took therefore one half for missions, and 15592 the other half for the Orphans. 15593 15594 Nov. 10. From Oakhill 5s. — By sale of Reports 15s. 15595 10d. — From Swansea 10s., 4s., and 6s. — From 15596 Anglesey 5s. and 2s. 6d. — From Bath 2l. 15597 15598 Nov. 11. Anonymously from Banbury 1l. 15599 15600 Nov. 12. From Bideford 1l. — From Perth 1l. This 15601 evening, while praying for means, came a little parcel, 15602 containing Ten Sovereigns, from a Christian lady, living 15603 not far frown the New Orphan House. This was a very 15604 great refreshment to my spirit. Also from Clydach 10s. 15605 and 1s. 15606 15607 Nov. 13. Further precious help. Received this morning 15608 through Bankers in London, an anonymous donation of 15609 50l. in a Bank Post Bill, with the words: "To be applied to 15610 general purposes; to be used as you may judge best." I 15611 took therefore the whole of this donation for the current 15612 expenses of the Orphans. A most welcome and refreshing 15613 donation, the fruit of many prayers, as just now the 15614 expenses are very great, and there were no means in hand 15615 to meet them! From Clifton 16s. 5d. From Easton 5l. 15616 15617

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Nov. 14. From Melton Mowbray 2s. By sale of Reports 15618 1s. — From Norwich 2s. 6d. Ditto 2s. 6d. — From 15619 Kingsbridge two brooches — Through the boxes at 15620 Bethesda 1s. — From Clevedon 1l. — From F. E. B. 2s. 15621 6d. 15622 15623 Nov. 15. Anonymously from Nottingham 10s. — From 15624 Cheltenham 5l. — From the Isle of Wight 10s. — This 15625 evening I received from a Christian lady a brooch set with 15626 amethysts, another brooch set with eight brilliants and six 15627 other small diamonds, and a small gold necklace. My 15628 heart was exceedingly refreshed by this donation, not only 15629 because we arc still in need of supplies on account of our 15630 heavy daily expenses just now; but also because this 15631 valuable donation consists of articles which the Christian 15632 donor can spare, without the slightest inconvenience. 15633 15634 Nov. 16. Anonymously in postages 3s. 6d. — From 15635 London 10l., with 5l. for my own expenses. — By sale of 15636 Reports 7s. — Left by a visitor from Aberdeen, at the 15637 New Orphan House 10s. Through the boxes at the New 15638 Orphan House 2l. 11s. 6 ½ d. — From South Brent 1s. 6d. 15639 15640 I have thus given, minutely, the manner in which the 15641 Lord was pleased, for 24 days in succession to supply us 15642 with means for the Orphans, from which the spiritual 15643 reader may easily perceive our position. Thus it was with 15644 us not merely during the 24 days of which I have now 15645 given the history, but also to a greater or less degree at 15646 other times during this year. But I refrain from giving 15647 minutely the account of every day, for the sake of brevity. 15648 15649

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The particular end, why I have been so minute, is to show 15650 that the work is now, as much as ever, a work carried on 15651 entirely in dependence upon the Living God, who alone is 15652 our hope, and to whom alone we look for help, and who 15653 never has forsaken us in the hour of need. There is, 15654 however, one thing different with reference to this year, 15655 when compared with former years, and that is, that, while 15656 our trials of faith during this year were just as great as in 15657 previous years, the amount needed in former times was 15658 never so great as during this year, especially as the bread 15659 during the greater part of this year was about twice as dear 15660 as for several years before. 15661 15662 But then, it may be said, if you have had this trial of faith, 15663 with these 300 Orphans, why do you seek to build another 15664 Orphan House for 700 more, and thus have a thousand to 15665 care for? Will you not have still greater trials of faith? 15666 15667 My reply is: 1, God has never failed me all the 20 years 15668 of this my service. 2, I am going on as easily now, with 15669 300 Orphans, as with 30, the number with which I 15670 commenced. Their number is ten times as large, as it was 15671 at the first; but God has always helped me. 3, Trials of 15672 faith were anticipated, yea were one chief end of the 15673 work, for the profit of the Church of Christ at large. 4, I 15674 had courage given me to go forward, solely in dependence 15675 upon God, being assured that He would help me; yet I 15676 waited in secret upon Him for six months, before I made 15677 this my intention known, in order that I might not take a 15678 hasty step; and have never regretted having gone forward. 15679 5, But it needs to be added, that the very abundance which 15680 the Lord gave me at the time, when my mind was 15681

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exercised about this matter, was a great confirmation to 15682 me, that I had not mistaken His mind. And even during 15683 this year, how great has been His help; for the income for 15684 the work altogether has been 12,785l. 15s. 7 ¼ d. I am 15685 therefore assured that the Lord will, in His own time, not 15686 only allow me to build another Orphan House, but that He 15687 will also, when He shall have been pleased to fill it, find 15688 the means to provide for these children. 15689 15690 I give now a brief reference to some of the more 15691 remarkable donations which came in between Nov. 16, 15692 1853, and May 26, 1854. 15693 15694 Jan. 1, 1854. Received three old guinea pieces, with the 15695 following words: "The enclosed has been too long held in 15696 reserve, as an esteemed memento from a dear departed 15697 parent (for which may the Lord grant a pardon). A 15698 conviction of its wrong overpowers the natural desire, of 15699 its being retained, and not expended to the glory of God: 15700 for which purpose it is now sent to dear Mr. Müller, as a 15701 new year offering, to be used in the way he thinks most 15702 conducive to the same," — In this instance I had a double 15703 answer to prayer; for we were not only much in need of 15704 means, when the donation came in, but I had also again 15705 and again asked the Lord to incline the hearts of His dear 15706 children to send me their jewellery, their old gold and 15707 silver coins, and other valuable, but needless, articles, to 15708 be turned into money for the work of the Lord. 15709 15710 Jan. 17. Memorable day. Today, in much need, was 15711 received from Glasgow 10l., with 10l. for Mr. Craik, and 15712 10l. for my own personal expenses. — There came in 15713

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also, a Bank Post Bill for 50l., anonymously, through 15714 London Bankers, which amount was taken half for the 15715 Orphans and half for the other objects. — Likewise from 15716 Stroud 10s. — From Reading 6s. 3d. — From Gloucester 15717 2s. 6d. — But the Lord over and above all this, allowed 15718 me to have this day the promise of that large donation 15719 which has been spoken of under the Building Fund, of 15720 which 707l. was taken towards the support of the 15721 Orphans, by which, together with 1,119l. 8s. 2 ½ d. which 15722 came in for the support of the Orphans from Jan. 17 up to 15723 May 26, 1854, we were helped to the close of this period. 15724 15725 March 1. There was left to me, for the benefit of the 15726 Orphans, a year ago, by an individual in Bristol, whom I 15727 had never seen, a legacy of 100l., which was paid this 15728 day, less 10l. legacy duty. 15729 15730 April 9. This morning I received from an anonymous 15731 donor, through Bankers in London, a Bank Post Bill for 15732 50l., the application of which was left to me. I took the 15733 whole of it for the support of the Orphans. This donation 15734 has been a great spiritual refreshment to me, as the 15735 expenses for the Orphans are now so very great, and as for 15736 five weeks no large sums have come in. 15737 15738 April 17. Received 150l., of which the donor kindly 15739 wished me to take 20l. for my own personal expenses, and 15740 to use the rest as might be most needed for the Lord’s 15741 work in my hands. I took, therefore, 100l. for the current 15742 expenses for the Orphans, and 30l. for the other Objects. 15743 — This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, as the 15744 expenses for the Orphans were never so great at any 15745

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period, since the work commenced, as during the last six 15746 mouths, on account of the high price of provisions; and as 15747 the income, compared with the expenses, has been small 15748 of late, though considerable, were not the expenses so 15749 very great. 15750 15751 May 14. This morning I have received 150l., of which I 15752 have taken for the current expenses for the Orphans 100l., 15753 and for the other objects 50l. — Tomorrow I shall have to 15754 pay out for the Orphans 107l. 4s. The total amount I had 15755 in hand for them, before this donation was received, was 15756 only 120l. How kind, therefore, of the Lord to replenish 15757 our means again, before they were almost entirely 15758 exhausted! — I received, also, this morning from Clifton 15759 5l. 15760 15761 During the following 12 days there came in further 107l. 15762 altogether for the support of the Orphans. 15763 15764 15765 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural 15766 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, with 15767 reference to the period from May 26, 1853, to May 26, 15768 1854. 15769 15770 15771 1. During this year 4 Day Schools, with 202 children, 15772 were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution. 15773 Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, with 137 children, 15774 was entirely supported, and three others in Devonshire, 15775 Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire, with 300 children, 15776 were assisted. Lastly, one Adult School, with 154 Adult 15777

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scholars, was entirely supported. The total amount which 15778 was spent during this year, in connexion with these 15779 schools, was 359l. 15s. 10 ½ d. — The number of all the 15780 children, who were under our care, merely in the schools 15781 which were entirely supported by this Institution, from 15782 March 5,1834, to May 26, 1854, was 5,817 in the Day 15783 Schools, and 2,748 in the Sunday Schools, and 2,315 15784 persons in the Adult School. 15785 15786 2. During this year was expended on the circulation of the 15787 Holy Scriptures, of the funds of the Institution, 433l. 2s. 15788 9d. There were circulated during this year 1890 Bibles 15789 and 1288 New Testaments; and from the commencement 15790 of the work up to May 26, 1854, Twelve Thousand Three 15791 Hundred and Sixty-six Bibles, and Seven Thousand Three 15792 Hundred and Forty-nine New Testaments. 15793 15794 3. During this year there was spent of the Funds of the 15795 Institution for Missionary objects the sum of 2,249l. 10s. 15796 8 ½ d. By this sum, fifty-six labourers in the word and 15797 doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or 15798 less degree assisted. 15799 15800 During this year, the Lord was pleased to bless again 15801 abundantly the labours of many of those servants of 15802 Christ, who were assisted through the funds of this 15803 Institution, and this has been the case in foreign countries 15804 as well as at home. 15805 15806 4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from 15807 May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854, the sum of 563l. 5s. 0 ½ 15808 d.; and there were circulated 869,636 Tracts. 15809

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15810 The total number of all time Tracts circulated from the 15811 beginning up to May 26, 1854, was Two Millions Six 15812 Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand Six Hundred and 15813 Seventy-six. 15814 15815 We desire to be grateful to the Lord, that, during no 15816 period previously we were enabled to circulate more 15817 Tracts, and more copies of the Holy Scriptures, and aid to 15818 a greater degree missionary labours, than during this 15819 period; yet we would not rest in that. It is the blessing of 15820 the Lord upon our labours which we need, which we 15821 desire, and which, by His grace, we also seek. If never so 15822 many millions of Tracts, yea even copies of the Holy 15823 Scriptures, were circulated, and the Lord did not give His 15824 blessing, all these efforts would produce no results to the 15825 glory of His name. Yea, if even tens of thousands of 15826 preachers of the gospel could be supported with means, in 15827 the darkest places of the earth, and they enjoyed not the 15828 blessing of the Lord upon their labours, they would labour 15829 in vain. For this blessing God will be asked, in order that 15830 He may bestow it; but, when it is sought at His hands, He 15831 delights in giving it. By God’s help we were enabled to 15832 seek this blessing, and we obtained again precious 15833 answers to our prayers, during this year. It is not merely 15834 that the Lord was pleased to give us answers to our 15835 prayers with regard to means for carrying on the work; but 15836 also in that the various objects of the Scriptural 15837 Knowledge Institution were abundantly blessed to the 15838 conversion of very many souls; and this was particularly 15839 also the case again with reference to the circulation of 15840 Tracts. 15841

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15842 15843 If any of the Christian Readers are in the habit of 15844 circulating Tracts, and yet have never seen fruit, may I 15845 suggest to them the following hints for their prayerful 15846 consideration. 1, Seek for such a state of heart, through 15847 Prayer and meditation on the Holy Scriptures, as that you 15848 are willing to let God have all the honour, if any good is 15849 accomplished by your service. If you desire for yourself 15850 the honour, yea, though it were in part only, you oblige 15851 the Lord, so to speak, to put you as yet aside as a vessel 15852 not meet for the Master’s use. One of the greatest 15853 qualifications for usefulness in the service of the Lord is a 15854 heart, truly desirous of getting honour for Him. 2, Precede 15855 all your labours with earnest, diligent prayer; go to them 15856 in a prayerful spirit; and follow them by prayer. Do not 15857 rest on the number of Tracts you have given. A million of 15858 Tracts may not be the means of converting one single 15859 soul; and yet how great, beyond calculation, may be the 15860 blessing which results from one single Tract. Thus it is 15861 also with regard to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 15862 and the ministry of the Word itself. Expect, then, 15863 everything from the blessing of the Lord, and nothing at 15864 all from your own exertions. 3, And yet, at the same time, 15865 labour, press into every open door, be instant in season 15866 and out of season, as if everything depended upon your 15867 labours. This, as has been stated before, is one of the great 15868 secrets in connexion with successful service for the Lord; 15869 to work, as if everything depended upon our diligence, 15870 and yet not to rest in the least upon our exertions, but 15871 upon the blessing of the Lord. 4, This blessing of the 15872 Lord, however, should not merely be sought in prayer, but 15873

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should also be expected, looked for, continually looked 15874 for; and the result will be, that we shall surely have it. 5, 15875 But suppose, that, for the trial of our faith, this blessing 15876 were for a long time withheld from our sight; or suppose 15877 even that we should have to fall asleep, before we see 15878 much good resulting from our labours; yet will they, if 15879 carried on in such a way and spirit as has been stated, be 15880 at last abundantly owned, and we shall have a much 15881 harvest in the day of Christ. 15882 15883 Now, dear Christian Reader, if you have not seen much 15884 blessing resulting from your labours, or perhaps none at 15885 all, consider prayerfully these hints, which are 15886 affectionately given by one who has now for about thirty 15887 years [in 1856] in some measure sought to serve the Lord, 15888 and who has found the blessedness, of what he has 15889 suggested, in some measure in his own experience. 15890 15891 5. At the beginning of this period, there were Three 15892 Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan House on Ashley 15893 Down, Bristol. During the year there were admitted into it 15894 30 Orphans; making 330 in all. Of these 330, four died, 15895 three were received back again by their relatives, who by 15896 that time were able to provide for them, 17 boys were, at 15897 the expense of the establishment, fitted out and 15898 apprenticed, and eight girls were fitted out and sent to 15899 situations, at the expense of the Establishment; so that 15900 there were only 298 Orphans in the house at the close of 15901 the period. The total number of Orphans, who were under 15902 our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1854, was Five 15903 Hundred and Fifty Eight. 15904 15905

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I notice further the following points in connexion with 15906 the New Orphan House. 15907 15908 A. The expenses during this year, for the support of the 15909 Orphans, were 3,897l. 2s. 0 ½ d. 15910 15911 B. Without any one having been personally applied to for 15912 anything by me, the sum of 64,591l. 6s. 11 ¼ d. was given 15913 to me for the Orphans as the result of prayer to God from 15914 the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1854. — It 15915 may be also interesting to the reader to know that the total 15916 amount given for the other objects, from the 15917 commencement of the work up to May 26, 1854, was 15918 22,268l. 2s 11 ¼ d.; and that which came in by the sale of 15919 Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in 15920 the Day Schools, from the commencement up to May 26, 15921 1854, amounted to 3,989l. 4s. 5 ¾ d. — Besides this, also, 15922 a great variety and number of articles of clothing, 15923 furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use of the 15924 Orphans. 15925 15926 C. Our labours continued to be blessed among the 15927 Orphans. We saw also again fruit of our labours, during 15928 this year, with regard to Orphans who formerly were 15929 under our care. 15930 15931 15932 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from 15933 May 26, 1853, to May 26, 1854. 15934 15935 15936 In July 1853 it pleased the Lord to try my faith in a way 15937

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in which before it had not been tried. My beloved 15938 daughter, an only child, and a believer since the 15939 commencement of the year 1846, was taken ill on June 15940 20th. This illness, at first a low fever, turned to typhus. On 15941 July 3rd there seemed no hope of her recovery. Now was 15942 the trial of faith. But faith triumphed. My beloved wife 15943 and I were enabled to give her up into the hands of the 15944 Lord. He sustained us both exceedingly. But I will only 15945 speak about myself. Though my only and beloved child 15946 was brought near the grave, yet was my soul inn perfect 15947 peace, satisfied with the will of my Heavenly Father, 15948 being assured that He would only do that for her and her 15949 parents, which in the end would be the best. She 15950 continued very ill till about July 20th, when restoration 15951 began. On Aug. 18th she was so far restored, that she 15952 could be removed to Clevedon for change of air, though 15953 exceedingly weak. It was then 59 days mince she was first 15954 taken ill. 15955 15956 While I was in this affliction, this great affliction, besides 15957 being at peace, so far as the Lord’s dispensation was 15958 concerned, I also felt perfectly at peace with regard to the 15959 cause of the affliction. When in August 1831 the hand of 15960 the Lord was heavily laid on me in my family, as related 15961 in the first part of this Narrative, I had not the least 15962 hesitation in knowing, that it was the Father’s rod, applied 15963 in infinite wisdom and love, for the restoration of my soul 15964 from a state of lukewarmness. At this time, however, I 15965 had no such feeling. Conscious as I was of manifold 15966 weaknesses, failings, and shortcomings, so that I too 15967 would be ready to say with the Apostle Paul, "O wretched 15968 man that I am;" yet I was assured that this affliction was 15969

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not upon me in the way of the fatherly rod, but for the trial 15970 of my faith. Persons often have, no doubt, the idea 15971 respecting me, that all my trials of faith regard matters 15972 connected with money, though the reverse has been stated 15973 by me very frequently; now, however, the Lord would try 15974 my faith concerning one of my dearest earthly treasures, 15975 yea, next to my beloved wife, the dearest of all my earthly 15976 possessions. Parents know what an. only child, a beloved 15977 child is, and what to believing parents an only child, a 15978 believing child must be. Well, the Father in heaven said, 15979 as it were, by this His dispensation, Art thou willing to 15980 give up this child to me? My heart responded, As it seems 15981 good to Thee my Heavenly Father. Thy will be done. But 15982 as our hearts were made willing to give back our beloved 15983 child to Him who had given her to us, so He was ready to 15984 leave her to us, and she lived. "Delight thyself also in the 15985 Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." 15986 Psalm xxxvii. 4. The desires of my heart were, to retain 15987 the beloved daughter, if it were the will of God; the means 15988 to retain her were, to be satisfied with the will of the Lord. 15989 15990 Of all the trials of faith that as yet I have had to pass 15991 through, this was the greatest; amid by God’s abundant 15992 mercy, I own it to His praise, I was enabled to delight 15993 myself in the will of God; for I felt perfectly sure, that, if 15994 the Lord took this beloved daughter, it would be best for 15995 her parents, best for herself, and more for the glory of 15996 God than if she lived: this better part I was satisfied with; 15997 and thus my heart had peace, perfect peace, and I had not 15998 a moment’s anxiety. Thus would it be under all 15999 circumstances, however painful, were the believer 16000 exercising faith. 16001

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16002 Dec. 31, 1853. During this year the Lord was pleased to 16003 give me 16004 16005 l. By anonymous donations through the 16006 16007 boxes ... ... ... ... £177 9 7 ½ 16008 16009 2. Through donations from believers in 16010 16011 Bristol, not anonymously . . . . . . . 143 3 0 16012 16013 3. Through donations from believers not 16014 16015 residing in Bristol ... ... 299 16 1 16016 16017 4. Through presents in clothes, provisions, 16018 16019 &c., worth at least ... ... 18 3 0 16020 16021 ———— 16022 16023 £638 11 8 ½ 16024 16025 —————— 16026 16027 Further account respecting the intended Orphan I-louse 16028 for Seven Hundred Poor Orphans, bereaved of both 16029 Parents by death, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855. 16030 16031 On May 26, 1854, I had actually in hand for this intended 16032 Orphan House, as has been stated in the last chapter on 16033

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this subject, 17,816l. 19s. 5 ¼ d. I will now relate further, 16034 how the Lord was pleased to supply me with means, but 16035 can only refer, for the sake of brevity, to a few instances 16036 out of many. The receipts of the first month of this year, 16037 however, shall be given entirely, as a specimen. 16038 16039 May 29, 1854. Through Salem Chapel boxes 6d. 16040 16041 May 31. From Finchdean 5l. 16042 16043 June 1. Through the boxes at Bethesda Chapel 1l. — 16044 Ditto from P. and M. E. 10s. — From London 1s. 6d. 16045 16046 June 4. A gold dollar piece and nearly two pennyweights 16047 of Californian gold dust. 16048 16049 June 5. Through Bethesda Chapel boxes 2s. 6d. as a 16050 thank-offering to the Lord for the mercies of the past 16051 month. — Through Salem Chapel boxes 1s. — Ditto 6d. 16052 — From P. 2s. 16053 16054 June 7. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l. — 16055 Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 1s. 16056 16057 June. 8. From E. 2s. 6d. — Anonymously 2s. 16058 16059 June. 12. Through Bethesda boxes 3s. — Ditto 1s. — 16060 Ditto 1l. — Through Salem boxes 6d. 16061 16062 June 14. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5s. 16063 — Ditto ¼ d. 16064 16065

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June 17. By sale of articles 17s. 7d. 16066 16067 June 18. 3s. — 5s. 16068 16069 June-19. 15s. 16070 16071 June 22. A muslin cap, a cape, some worked trimming, 16072 and two bags, to be sold for the Building Fund. 16073 16074 June 25. From Glasgow 2s. 6d. — From K. C. 10s. 16075 16076 June 26. Anonymously 2s. 2d. — Through Salem boxes 16077 6d. — From P. 1s. 16078 16079 These were but little sums, esteemed reader, in 16080 comparison with the total amount required for the 16081 accommodation of 700 more Orphans; yea, they were 16082 even small in comparison with what was still required, 16083 though I had then nearly 18,000l. in hand. But as it had 16084 been given to me, by God’s grace, to expect help from 16085 Him, yea, the full help needed for this object, so the 16086 additional income of a few pounds, of a few shillings, yea 16087 of a penny or two, was an encouragement to me for 16088 further waiting upon Him, as every donation, the smallest 16089 even, brings me nearer the time when all my prayers 16090 concerning this object also shall be turned into praises. 16091 16092 July 1. A large gold brooch, set with two carbuncles, to 16093 be sold for the Building Fund. 16094 16095 July 2. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l. — 16096 From Bury 10s. 16097

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16098 July 19. A silver tea pot. 16099 16100 Sept. 27. From one of the former Orphans, now in 16101 service, 5s. — From the Orphan Girls, now under our 16102 care, 15s. for the Building Fund. — From the House Girls, 16103 i.e. the elder female Orphans, who are more particularly 16104 engaged in doing household work, for the purpose of 16105 being thus trained for situations, I received likewise 11s. 16106 — From the Infant Orphans was also received for the 16107 Building Fund today, 6s. 8d.; and from the Orphan Boys 16108 15s, 0 ½ d. — Oct. 4. From two little factory girls 1s. 7d. 16109 16110 Oct. 28. From Halifax in Nova Scotia 7l. 16111 16112 Nov. 25. From the neighbourhood of Wheatley 10l. 16113 16114 Dec. 8. From various believers at Hull 12l. 12s. 16115 16116 Dee. 30. From Orleans, in France, five francs. 16117 16118 Thus ended the year 1854. Only 426l. 16s. 4d. altogether 16119 had come in for the Building Fund from May 26 up to the 16120 end of the year. My faith and patience were therefore 16121 tried; but, while they were tried, they were, by God’s 16122 grace, sustained. Day by day I had been enabled from 16123 May 26 to Dec. 31, 1854, as well as during the three years 16124 previously, to bring this object before the Lord in player; 16125 and day by day, by God’s grace, my heart had been fully 16126 assured, without wavering, that He, in His own time, 16127 would not only give larger sums, but the whole amount 16128 required. I desired only His honour in the building of 16129

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premises for 700 more destitute Orphans, bereaved of 16130 both parents; and as God, who cares infinitely more for 16131 poor Orphans than. I do, did not consider the time to have 16132 come for the building of another house, I might well be 16133 quiet. My heart longed indeed to begin to build; for there 16134 were not only 602 Orphans waiting for admission, when 16135 the last report was published but there had been 16136 application made for 125 more since then, so that on Dec. 16137 31, 1854, 714 were waiting for admission, as only 13 16138 could be received of the total number of 727, no more 16139 vacancies having occurred. But though it was so, I judged 16140 it was the will of God, that, by patiently waiting His own 16141 time, I should glorify Him. — I now proceed to relate 16142 how the Lord further dealt with me. 16143 16144 Jan. 1, 1855. 6s. 3d. — From an Orphan 1s., Ditto 1s. — 16145 From Manchester 10s. — From three children in Ireland 16146 5s. — Anonymously from Culworth 1l. — From P. 2s. 6d. 16147 16148 Jan. 8. On this day I received from several Christian 16149 friends the promise, that 5,700l. should be paid to me for 16150 the work of the Lord in which I am engaged. — This 16151 donation was paid to me, in different installments, by the 16152 middle of April. I took of this sum, for the Building fund 16153 3,400l., for the support of the Orphans 900l., for 16154 missionary objects 1,000l., for the circulation of the Holy 16155 Scriptures 150l., for the circulation of Tracts 150l., and 16156 for the various day schools, Sunday schools, and the adult 16157 school 100l. Thus the Lord is hastening on the time when 16158 the building may be commenced. His name be magnified! 16159 How refreshing this help was, and how seasonable with 16160 regard to all the various objects, can scarcely be 16161

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described. The Lord may allow us, to have our faith and 16162 patience tried; but if we are enabled to continue to look to 16163 Him, and to trust in Him alone, a rich recompense will 16164 result from doing so. 16165 16166 Jan. 11. From a distance of several hundred miles 13l. 16167 15s, with a letter containing the following paragraph: For 16168 the last six months, we (i.e. the donor and his wife) have 16169 laboured in prayer for the different departments of the 16170 Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and especially that our 16171 Heavenly Father would be pleased this year largely to 16172 increase the Building Fund, and let the work proceed. 16173 Two months ago, while continuing in prayer, it was laid 16174 upon our minds, that we should set apart, whatever 16175 monies the Lord might send us between that time and the 16176 new year. The sum contained in the order is what the Lord 16177 has given us and we rejoice in being able to send it." What 16178 various ways has the Lord to help us! The donor of the 16179 13l. 15s. is a brother who serves the Lord in the ministry 16180 of the Gospel among very poor and wretched persons, 16181 whilst he labours in dependence upon Him for his 16182 temporal supplies. He has been greatly encouraged by the 16183 accounts of the Lord’s dealings with the Scriptural 16184 Knowledge Institution; and now he is a fellow-helper in 16185 prayer, and, as this instance shows, also in contributing 16186 out of that which the Lord gives to him as the fruit of 16187 prayer. This donation greatly refreshed my spirit; for it is 16188 so manifest a proof that the Lord is mindful of this work, 16189 that He surely, in His own time, will provide for the 16190 accommodation of 700 more Orphans, and that thus this 16191 dear donor’s prayers, and our prayers, will be turned into 16192 praises. 16193

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16194 Feb. 7. From London 400l., of which the donor kindly 16195 wished me to keep 20l. for my family expenses, and to lay 16196 out the 380l. for the Lord’s work, as I might think best. I 16197 took therefore 100l for the Building Fund, 140l. for the 16198 support of the Orphans, and 140l. for the other objects. 16199 16200 Feb. 10. Received 197l. 17s. 3d., of which the donor 16201 kindly wished me to take 20l. for my own expenses, and 16202 the rest to be used as might be most needed for the Lord’s 16203 work. I took therefore 57l. 17s. 3d. for the Building Fund, 16204 60l. for the support of the Orphans and 60l. for the other 16205 objects. 16206 16207 March 28. From one of the Orphans, formerly for many 16208 years under our care, but now in service, 10s., with the 16209 following letter: 16210 16211 16212 "Dear Sir, — Will you graciously accept this mite from 16213 one who thinks of you and yours with gratitude. It is 16214 indeed a very small sum. I regret that I have no more to 16215 bestow upon such a noble work. It will perhaps put a 16216 corner stone in the wall of the intended Orphan House. I 16217 think I should like to labour for the Lord in that blessed 16218 house, if it is His own will, and be the means in the Lord’s 16219 hand of bringing many of the dear Orphans to know the 16220 truth as it is in Jesus. It was in the Orphan House in 16221 Wilson Street, 1846, that first the light of life dawned 16222 upon my benighted soul. It was there, that I first learned 16223 to call God my Father. I have need therefore to love the 16224 Orphan House, not only as concerning temporal things, 16225

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but especially as its being my spiritual birth-place. May 16226 the Lord reward you, dear Sir, for all you have done for 16227 me. I am sure He will. 16228 16229 " I am, dear Sir, yours most respectfully, 16230 16231 "* * * * * * * *" 16232 16233 16234 I have at full length inserted this letter out of very many 16235 of that kind, received during the past twenty years, that I 16236 have been engaged in the Orphan work, for many of the 16237 Orphans who have been with us since. April 11, 1836, 16238 have not only been fitted for this life, through being under 16239 our care, but have been manifestly brought to the 16240 knowledge of the Lord. 16241 16242 April 22. 50l., with 50l. for the labourers in the Gospel. 16243 16244 May 6. From Clifton 20l., with 10l. for missions. — May 16245 26. By the sale of a publication 69l. 18s. 1 ½ d. — To the 16246 sums received during this year is to be added 767l. 7s. 0d., 16247 received for interest. Thus ends the period from May 26, 16248 1854, to May 26, 1855. The amount which came in during 16249 this year for the Building Fund, together with the 17,816l. 16250 19s. 5 ¼ d. in. hand on May 26, 1854, make the total of 16251 23,059l. 17s. 8 ¼ d. in hand on May 26, 1855. 16252 16253 In. addition to what has been stated relative to the income 16254 for the Building Fund during this year, I furnish the. 16255 Reader with the following particulars respecting the 16256 building for 700 Orphans, reprinted from the Report for 16257

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1855. 16258 16259 When I had received the kind information, in January 16260 1855, respecting the donation of 5700l., which should be 16261 paid to me by several Christian friends, of which I was at 16262 liberty to take such portion for the Building Fund as I 16263 might deem desirable, I judged that, though I had not such 16264 an amount of means in hand as I considered necessary 16265 before being warranted to begin to build, yet that I might 16266 make inquiries respecting land. Accordingly, I applied in 16267 the beginning of February for the purchase of two fields 16268 which join the land on which the New Orphan-House is 16269 built. On these two fields I had had my eye for years, and 16270 had purposed to endeavour to purchase them, whenever I 16271 might be in such a position as to means for the. Building 16272 Fund, that it would be suitable to do so. I found, however, 16273 that, according to the will of the late owner of these fields, 16274 they could not be sold now. Thus my prospects were 16275 blighted. When I obtained this information, though 16276 naturally tried by it and disappointed, I said, by God’s 16277 grace, to myself: "The Lord has something better to give 16278 me, instead of these two fields;" and thus my heart was 16279 kept in peace. But when now the matter was fully decided 16280 that I could not obtain those fields, which had appeared to 16281 me so desirable for the object, the question arose, what I 16282 was to do for the obtaining of land. Under these 16283 circumstances some of my Christian friends again asked, 16284 as they had done before, why I did not build on the 16285 ground which we have around the New Orphan-House? 16286 My reply was, as before, that it could not be done: — 1. 16287 Because it would throw the New Orphan-House for nearly 16288 two years into disorder on account of the building going 16289

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on round about it. 2. There would not be sufficient room 16290 without shutting in the present house to a great extent. 3. 16291 That, as the New Orphan-House stands in the centre of 16292 our ground, there would not be sufficient room on any of 16293 the sides for the erection of a building so large as would 16294 be required. — I was, however, led to consider whether 16295 there was any way whereby we could accomplish the 16296 building on the ground belonging to the New Orphan-16297 House. In doing so, I found that — 1. By having a high 16298 temporary boundary made of old boards, the building 16299 ground could be entirely distinct from the present 16300 establishment. 2. By building on an entirely different plan 16301 from that of the present house, we should not only have 16302 room enough; but that also, 3. The present house would 16303 not be so enclosed that the health of the inmates of the 16304 establishment would thereby be injured. 16305 16306 But there was in connexion with this another point, which 16307 now came under consideration in addition to the 16308 particulars already mentioned: it was this. Though for four 16309 years past I had never had a doubt as to its being the will 16310 of God that I should build accommodation for 700 more 16311 Orphans; yet, at the same time, I had for a long time seen 16312 the desirableness of having two houses, instead of one, for 16313 the 700 Orphans. This previously formed judgment of 16314 having two houses for 350 Orphans in each, or 400 in the 16315 one, and 300 in the other, led me now to see whether there 16316 could be another house built on each side of the present 16317 New Orphan-House, and I judged, from measuring the 16318 ground, that there was no objection to this plan. I then 16319 called in the aid of architects, to survey the ground, and to 16320 make a rough plan of two houses, one on each side, and it 16321

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was found that it could be accomplished. Having arrived 16322 thus far, I soon saw, that we should not only save expense 16323 by this plan in various ways, but especially that thus the 16324 direction, and inspection of the whole establishment 16325 would be much more easy and simple, as the buildings 16326 would be so near together. This, indeed, on being further 16327 considered, soon appeared to be a matter of such 16328 importance, that, even if land could be had but a quarter 16329 of a mile off, the difficulties would be greatly increased 16330 thereby. At the same time I found, that we still should 16331 retain so much land for cultivation by the spade, as would 16332 furnish some out-door employment for many boys, and 16333 would produce such vegetables as are the most important 16334 for young children, to have fresh out of the ground; or that 16335 we could easily rent a piece of ground near for that 16336 purpose, though it could not be bought. 16337 16338 The result, then, at which I have arrived at present is this, 16339 that, having seen what could be accomplished on the 16340 ground which we have already, I decided to build, without 16341 any further delay than was necessary for preparing the 16342 plans, at the South side of the New Orphan-House, 16343 another house for 400 children. The plans are now ready, 16344 and in a very short time, God willing, i.e. as soon as all 16345 tine necessary preliminary arrangements can be made, the 16346 building will commence, which I think will be in the early 16347 part of July of the present year, (i.e. 1855). Indeed, the 16348 first actual steps are already taken, since, on May 29th, 16349 the sinking of four wells for the new house was 16350 commenced. 16351 16352 This house is intended for 400 female Orphans, bereaved 16353

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of both parents, from their earliest days, until they can be 16354 placed out in service. With regard to the other house for 16355 300 Orphans, to be built at the North side of the New 16356 Orphan-House, nothing definitively can be stated at 16357 present. There is enough money in hand to build, fit up, 16358 and furnish the house for 400 Orphans, and it is expected 16359 that something will be left; but there is not sufficient 16360 money in hand, at present, to warrant commencing the 16361 building of both. As soon, however, as there is, I shall be 16362 delighted to take active measures with regard to that for 16363 300 Orphans also. I do not ask persons to help me with 16364 their means. I speak to the Lord about my need in prayer, 16365 and I do not wait upon Him in vain. At the same time I 16366 feel it right to state, that there is a loud and an abundant 16367 call for caring for destitute Orphans. On May 26, 1854, 16368 there were 602 waiting for admission, each bereaved of 16369 both parents by death. Since then 197 more have been 16370 applied for, making in all 799. Of these I have been able 16371 to receive only 39 during the past year, and 45 who were 16372 waiting for admission have been otherwise provided for, 16373 or have died since application was made for them; so that 16374 still 715 Orphans are waiting for admission, from three 16375 months old and upward. But this number, I state 16376 unhesitatingly, would be much larger, had not very many 16377 persons refrained from making application, because they 16378 judged it would be of no use, as there are already so many 16379 waiting for admission. Indeed there is every reason to 16380 believe, that there are many tens of thousands of destitute 16381 Orphans in this country. And what provision is there in 16382 the way of Orphan establishments, it may be asked? At 16383 the last census in 1851, there were in England and Wales 16384 39 Orphan Establishments, and the total number of 16385

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Orphans provided for through them, amounted only to 16386 3764; but at the time the New Orphan-House was being 16387 built, there were about 6000 young Orphans in the prisons 16388 of England. To prevent their going to prison, to prevent 16389 their being brought up in sin and vice, yea, to be the 16390 honoured instrument to win their souls for God, I desire, 16391 by His help, to enlarge the present establishment, so as to 16392 be able to receive 1000 Orphans; and individuals who 16393 purpose not to live for time but for eternity, and look on 16394 their means as in the light of eternity, will thus have an 16395 opportunity of helping me to care for these children. It is a 16396 great honour to be allowed to do anything for the Lord. 16397 We can only give to Him of His own; for all we have is 16398 His. When the day of recompense comes, the regret will 16399 only be, that we have done so little for Him, not that we 16400 have done too much. 16401 16402 16403 Supplies for the School —, Bible ——, Missionary —, 16404 and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 16405 1854, to May 26, 1855. 16406 16407 16408 On May 26, 1854, when the accounts were closed, there 16409 was in hand 55l. 15s. for these objects. I now mention a 16410 few of the instances in which the Lord, in answer to 16411 prayer, supplied us with means. 16412 16413 July 6, 1854. As only about 100l. had come in for these 16414 objects during the past five weeks, all our means were 16415 now expended. I desired to help brethren who labour in 16416 the Word, but was unable to do so, when I received today 16417

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50l. from London, which, being left to my disposal, I took 16418 half of it for these objects, and half for the support of the 16419 Orphans. 16420 16421 July 8. Further, from the North of Devon 14l. 16422 16423 July 12. Day by day I have been waiting upon the Lord 16424 for means for home and foreign labourers in the Gospel, 16425 for whom I had no means, though greatly desiring to send 16426 them help. Today I received, as the fruit of many prayers, 16427 from London the sum of 100l., of which I took 50l. for the 16428 Orphans, and 50l. for these objects. It was the more 16429 remarkable that this donor should have sent me help at 16430 this time, as I had received 25l. from him on the first day 16431 of this month. 16432 16433 About this time I received several other donations for 16434 missions. 16435 16436 On July 24th I received a small plate-chest, containing 14 16437 table spoons, 6 dessert spoons, 11 tea spoons, 2 gravy 16438 spoons, 2 sauce ladles, 12 forks, 4 salt cellars, 4 salt 16439 spoons, a pepper box, a pair of sugar tongs, a wine funnel, 16440 a cream jug, a small salver, a small goblet, a larger ditto, 16441 fish knife, and a coffee pot, all of silver, 3 pairs of plated 16442 nut crackers, a plated salver and a pewter can. The donor, 16443 who desires to be his own executor, wished me to sell 16444 these articles, keep 10l. for myself, and to use the rest for 16445 missionary objects. The contents of the box realized 44l. 16446 5s. 10d., and I was thus enabled on August 1, 1854, to 16447 send 40l. to seven brethren labouring in British Guiana; 16448 and about ten weeks afterwards I heard that the Lord had 16449

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sent them this help at a time of great need. — On July 16450 25th from Kendal 1l. for missions. — On July 26th from a 16451 visitor at Clifton 30l. for missions. — From Bath 10s. — 16452 From Hackney 10s. — From Brosely 2s. 6d. — July 29. 16453 From Whitehaven 2l. 5s. 6d. for missions. — July 30. 16454 From Uppingham 2s. 6d. — August 8. 40l from a 16455 distance, of which 30l. was for missions. — August 18. 16456 From C. W. 20l. for missions. 16457 16458 I had thus the joy of being able to send assistance to some 16459 of the brethren whom I desire to help as labourers in the 16460 Gospel at Home or Abroad; yet all this was little in 16461 comparison with what I desired to do. For several months, 16462 during this period, that is in June, July, August and 16463 September, up to October 17th, I was day by day waiting 16464 upon the Lord for means for labourers in the. Word, as I 16465 had reason to believe that many of them were in need; but 16466 little only, comparatively, came in. I was able to send up 16467 to October l7th not more than about one half of what I had 16468 been able to send them for several years previously. My 16469 desire to help these dear brethren was as great as ever. My 16470 earnestness in prayer for them, by God’s grace, had not 16471 decreased. Their need, I had full reason to believe (and in 16472 some instances I knew) was great. I could, therefore, only 16473 conclude that the Lord allowed these dear brethren thus to 16474 have their faith tried, in order that they might the better 16475 become acquainted with himself. At last, however, the 16476 Lord refreshed my spirit greatly, first on October 17th, 16477 and then especially by that large donation at the 16478 commencement of the year 1855, of which I took a 16479 considerable portion for missionary objects, so that, 16480 especially during the last five months of this period, I was 16481

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able to send help to brethren who labour in the Gospel to 16482 such an extent, as that about the same amount was 16483 disbursed for that object as for several years previously, 16484 but a greater amount for the circulation of the Holy 16485 Scriptures and Tracts than formerly. Of the donations for 16486 these objects between Aug. 18 and Oct. 17, 1854, I only 16487 mention the following — On Sept. 21st, anonymously 16488 from Exmonth, a bank post bill for 20l., of which the 16489 donor designed 10l. to be applied to the Missionary Fund, 16490 5l. for the Orphans, and 5l. where most needed, or for my 16491 own necessities, as a thank-offering for unmerited 16492 mercies. This latter 5l., left for my disposal, I took for the 16493 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. I 16494 wrote in my journal concerning this donation: "A precious 16495 answer to prayer! Great, great is the need." — On Sept. 16496 23rd a deeply-afflicted mother left at my disposal 20l. I 16497 took it for missionary objects, the circulation of the Holy 16498 Scriptures and Gospel Tracts; for which objects much 16499 then was needed. Almost all the Tracts for gratuitous 16500 circulation were gone, and many brethren who labour in 16501 the Word I desired to help, but had not the means. — 16502 Sept. 26. From Kensington 11l., which was taken for the 16503 circulation of Tracts and missions, as the disposal of it 16504 was left with me. — From Worcestershire 8l. 6s. 7d., 16505 being the balance of an account. It was taken for missions 16506 and the circulation of Gospel Tracts. A most seasonable 16507 help! — Sept. 28. "From two of God’s children who can 16508 say, ‘Our hearts trusted in Him, and we are helped,’" 16509 Psalm xxviii. 7, 1l. for missions, 1l. for the Orphans, with 16510 1l. for myself. — Sept. 30. This morning, at our usual 16511 prayer meeting with my fellow-labourers, the need of 16512 brethren, who labour in the Word, was again especially 16513

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brought before the Lord, as I had reason to believe many 16514 were in need, and I had nothing to send them. This 16515 evening I received from Shropshire 2 gold chains, a 16516 diamond brooch, and a topaz brooch, with the request of 16517 the donor to sell them for the benefit of brethren who 16518 labour in the Word. This donation has greatly refreshed 16519 my spirit, but I look out for more, far more. — Oct. 4. 16520 From E. B. 5l. for missions. — From a Missionary box at 16521 Stroud 3l. 0s. 7d. — Oct. 8. From a distance 20l. for 16522 brethren who labour in the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 16523 40l. for the Orphans, and 20l. for my own expenses. 16524 Precious answer to prayer. Great, great is the need for 16525 labourers in the Word. I had, therefore, particularly again 16526 waited upon the Lord yesterday, together with my fellow-16527 labourers, for this object. — From B. S. 1l. for missions. 16528 — Oct. 11. From Austin Friars, London, 20l. — Oct. 12. 16529 From Philadelphia 1l. From Cotham Lane 1l. — Oct. 14. 16530 2s. 6d. — From Weymouth was received 2l., the disposal 16531 of which was left to me. Having just sent out, to the last 16532 pound, 40l. to Demerara, I took it for Missionary objects. 16533 16534 Oct. 17. This morning at family prayer, came, in the 16535 course of reading, Exodus v, which shows, that, just 16536 before the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt, their 16537 trials were greater than ever. They had not only to make 16538 the same number of bricks as before, but also to gather 16539 stubble, as no straw was given them any longer. This led 16540 me, in expounding the portion, to observe, that even now 16541 the children of God are often in greater trial than ever, just 16542 before help and deliverance comes. Immediately after 16543 family prayer it was found, that by the morning’s post not 16544 one penny had come in for the work of the Lord in which 16545

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I am engaged, though we needed much, and though but 16546 very little had come in during the three previous days. 16547 Thus I had now to remember Exodus v, and to practise the 16548 truths contained therein. In the course of the day nothing 16549 was received. In the evening I had, as usual, a season for 16550 prayer with my dear wife, respecting the various objects 16551 of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and then we left 16552 the New Orphan House for our home. When we arrived at 16553 our house, about nine o’clock, we found that 5l. and also 16554 5s. had been sent from Norwich in two Post Office Orders 16555 for the Building Fund, and that 8l. 3s. 11d. had been sent 16556 in for Bibles, Tracts and Reports, which had been sold. 16557 This called for thanksgiving. But a little later, between 16558 nine and ten o’clock, a Christian gentleman called and 16559 gave me 1l. for the Orphans and 200l. for foreign 16560 missions. He had received these sums from an aged 16561 Christian woman, whose savings as a servant, during her 16562 whole life, made up the 200l., and who, having recently 16563 had left to her a little annual income of about 30l., felt 16564 herself constrained, by the love of Christ, to send the 16565 savings of her whole life for foreign missions. This 16566 gentleman stated to me at the same time, that she had 16567 never had more than 5l. or 6l. wages a year, during her 16568 whole life. Moreover, out of this she has sent me, year by 16569 year, 1l. or more for the benefit of the Orphans, for many 16570 years; though I never knew her circumstances till now, as 16571 she resides at a distance, and I have never seen her. What 16572 various ways has the Lord to supply us with means! I add 16573 the following remarks: 1, For several months past no 16574 donation as large as 200l. has been received, a 16575 circumstance which has not occurred for about ten years 16576 past. 2, Now an aged servant is used by the Lord to send 16577

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this donation as the fruit of her earnings, from about fifty 16578 years’ service. 3, Our especial prayer had been again and 16579 again, that the Lord would be pleased to send in means for 16580 missionary brethren, as I had reason to believe they were 16581 in much need of help; and only at eight o’clock this 16582 evening I had particularly besought the Lord to send help 16583 for this object. By the last mail I had sent off 40l. to 16584 British Guiana, to help seven brethren there in some 16585 measure. This amount took the last pound in hand for this 16586 object. How gladly would I have sent assistance to other 16587 brethren also, but I had no more. Now I am in some 16588 degree supplied for this object. 4, Very recently our tracts 16589 for gratuitous circulation were almost entirely gone; but, 16590 before they were quite exhausted, the. Lord sent more 16591 means, so that about 200,000 could be ordered. 16592 16593 Oct. 23 Received 149l. 8s., the disposal of which was left 16594 with me. I took of it 100l. for the support of the Orphans, 16595 for whom I had not 5l. in hand, when it came, and the 16596 remainder for these objects, for which still much is 16597 needed, in order to help labourers in the Gospel at home, 16598 as well as foreign labourers, and in order to go on with the 16599 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and to meet 16600 the expenses for the various schools. This morning I had 16601 also the promise, that in about a month 400l. should be 16602 paid to me for the work of the Lord. Thus, after a season 16603 of several months, during which scarcely any large sums 16604 have been received, the Lord is pleased, in answer to 16605 many prayers, to cause the streams of His bounty to flow 16606 again more abundantly. 16607 16608 Oct. 26. From a visitor at Clifton 50l., which I took for 16609

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the School, Bible, Missionary, and Tract Objects. 16610 16611 Nov. 27. In great need there came in 100l., which was left 16612 to my appropriation as it might be most required. I took, 16613 therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, for whom there was 16614 scarcely anything in hand, and 50l. for these objects, for 16615 which we needed much in every way. 16616 16617 Dec. 30. Received 100l., when in the greatest need for 16618 these objects, and for the support of the Orphans. I took 16619 one-half for these objects, and the other for the Orphans, 16620 and am thus again helped, in answer to many prayers. 16621 16622 Jan. 1, 1855. As the year closed with mercies, so another 16623 has commenced with mercies. I received from one 16624 engaged in the work 2l. for missions. — From M. E. for 16625 missions 5s. — From E. 0. 5s. — From M. A. E. 4s. 4d. 16626 — From B. S. 1l. for missions. — Also 10l. for the 16627 support of the Day Schools. 16628 16629 Jan. 2. From a few believers in Huntingdonshire 15s. 2d. 16630 for missions. 16631 16632 Jan. 3. From two Christian ladies in London 10l. for 16633 missions, with 10l. for the Orphans. 16634 16635 Thus we were helped till I received on Jan. 8th the 16636 promise of the donation of 5,700l., of which, as has been 16637 stated, 1,400l. was taken for these objects. This, with what 16638 came in besides, from Jan. 8, to May 26, 1855, enabled 16639 me so amply to meet every demand afterwards, that no 16640 further difficulty was experienced during this period, in 16641

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the way of means. 16642 16643 16644 Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, a/ready under 16645 our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to 16646 May 26, 1855. 16647 16648 16649 At the beginning of this period there was in hand a 16650 balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d. To the poorer class of readers 16651 16652 16653 this might appear a considerable sum; but to such we 16654 would say, that often the expenses of three or four days 16655 are more than this for the Orphan Establishment, with 16656 which 335 persons are connected; and, certainly, the 16657 average expenses, even if no extraordinary demands were 16658 to be met, amount to about Twelve Pounds per day in 16659 these dear times; and therefore 123l. would only be 16660 enough for about ten days. We had then, so far as 16661 regarded visible/e support, only enough for about ten 16662 days; but whilst we had so little as to visible support, we 16663 looked by faith to Him who is invisible, the Living God, 16664 who has upheld this work for so many years. We believed 16665 that He would help us still; and we were not confounded, 16666 though our faith was again and again tried. I can, 16667 however, give only a few out of the many instances which 16668 might be recorded. 16669 16670 June 15, 1854. Though this is only the third week since 16671 the new period commenced, yet as only about 60l. had 16672 come in for the support of the Orphans, in addition to the 16673

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balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d., we were today reduced to less 16674 than Five Pounds. This had led to much waiting upon the 16675 Lord: and again He gave a gracious answer to prayer. I 16676 received 151l. 5s. 8d., which, being left to my disposal, I 16677 took the whole for the support of the Orphans. Also from 16678 two little girls was sent to me 8s., with the information 16679 that one of their sisters had set apart a swarm of bees, the 16680 honey of which should be sold for the benefit of the 16681 Orphans. Thus the Lord has again helped in the hour of 16682 need. 16683 16684 July 12. Our means were now again reduced to about 16685 30l., as only about 150l. had come in since June 15. In 16686 addition to this, we had very heavy expenses before us. 16687 This morning, in reading through the book of Proverbs, 16688 when I came to chapter xxii. 19— "That thy trust maybe 16689 in the Lord," &c., I said in prayer to Him: "Lord, I do trust 16690 in Thee; but wilt Thou now be pleased to help me; for I 16691 am in need of means for the current expenses of all the 16692 various objects of the Institution." By the first delivery of 16693 letters I received an order on a London bank for 100l., to 16694 be used for all the various objects, "as the present need 16695 might require." I took, therefore, 50l. for the support of 16696 the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects, which are also 16697 in great need. Received also from Wandsworth Road 1l. 16698 10s. 8d.; and in the course of the day 2l. 3s. 3d., through 16699 the boxes at the New Orphan House. Thus we are again 16700 helped for the present. 16701 16702 July 19. For some time past I have been under an 16703 engagement to leave Bristol at the end of this month, or in 16704 the beginning of August, for about four weeks, to labour 16705

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at Sunderland. On this account I have besought the Lord 16706 during the last days that He would be pleased to send me 16707 some means for my own expenses, but especially that I 16708 might be able to leave some money behind, to last at least 16709 for some time. Yesterday the Lord was pleased to begin 16710 answering my request, in sending means for the support of 16711 the Orphans. I received from Lymington 5l. — From 16712 Tregenda 10s. — From Thetford 10s. — From Perth 1l. 16713 — From Kilmarnock 5l. — By sale of Reports 18s. 10d. 16714 — Proceeds of an Orphan Box 1l. 5s. 9 ½ d. Today I have 16715 received from South Brent 1s. — From Middlesex 50l. — 16716 Ditto 18s. — From Clifton 5l. — From Dudbridge 8s. — 16717 Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 7l. 1s. 3d. 16718 — By sale of Reports 1l. 8s. — Returned on paying an 16719 account 2s. 4d. — From a visitor at Clifton 50l. and a gold 16720 chain. The donor kindly wished me to retain 10l. for my 16721 own expenses. — From Kingsbridge 2s. 16722 16723 Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected 16724 more, and He sent me more on the following days. I 16725 record the income for the Orphans: — 16726 16727 July 20. From Homerton 3l. 3s. — Anonymously from 16728 Birmingham 1s. — Anonymously left at my house 5l. 16729 16730 July 21. From Bideford 10s. — By sale of Reports 1s. — 16731 From Tavistock 4s. 9d. — In a box from Tavistock, 16732 containing specimens of ores, &c. 3s. 16733 16734 July 22. From Wotton-under-edge 10s. — By sale of 16735 Reports 7s. — From West Brixton 2l. — From the Isle of 16736 Wight 1s. 6d. and 3s. 6d. — By sale of Reports 2s. — 16737

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From Chippenham 2l. 10s. — From College Green, 16738 Bristol, 10s. 16739 16740 July 23. From Bodmin 5s. and 1s. — From Clifton 5s. 16741 Ditto 5s. Ditto 1l. Ditto 1l. 16742 16743 July 24. From Dudley 1l. 0. 6d. Ditto 1s. 8d. — From 16744 Clifton 10s. — With James i. 17l. 2s. 6d. — From P. 2s. 16745 6d. — Through Salem boxes 1s. Ditto 6d. — From 16746 Stourbridge 1s. 6d. — From Hastings 1l. 10s. — From H. 16747 B. Esq. 2l. 16748 16749 July 25. From Wells 3s. — 12s. — 2s. 6d. — From 16750 Kendal 2l. — From London 10l. 16751 16752 July 26. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5l. 16753 18s. 11d. — By sale of Reports 14s. Ditto 6s. — From 16754 Torquay 3s. 4d. — From the neighbourhood of Newton 16755 Abbot 11s., with three silver pencil cases, and two pieces 16756 of old silver. — From a visitor at Clifton 100l., of which 16757 the donor wished me to take 20l. for myself, and to use 16758 the other as most needed. I took, therefore, 50l. for the 16759 Orphans, and 30l. for missions and the circulation of the 16760 Holy Scriptures and Tracts. — From Hackney 1l. 5s. — 16761 From Taunton 2s. and ¼ lb. of tea. — There were 16762 anonymously left at the New Orphan House two vases, a 16763 Chinese tea caddy, a mosaic box, a ring set with a ruby 16764 and two brilliants, a double gold serpent bracelet, a large 16765 cameo brooch, a silver snuff-box, a double gold pin set 16766 with two brilliants, a pair of gold ear-rings, a pair of gold 16767 ear-rings set with pearls and emeralds, a gold brooch set 16768 with pearls and emeralds, a gold pin set with pearls and 16769

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garnets, three gold shirt studs, a large gold cameo ring, a 16770 gold masonic medal, a pair of small gold ear-rings, a gold 16771 ring set with topazes, a gold watch ring, and a rupee. 16772 (These valuable articles did not merely refresh my spirit 16773 on account of their value; but they came as an answer to 16774 prayer for means, and also that the Lord would incline the 16775 hearts of His children to send such valuable, but needless, 16776 articles.) There were also given by the same donors, six 16777 Indian table mats, a white lace scarf, a black lace cap, and 16778 two pamphlets. 16779 16780 July 27. "20l. tendered as a thank-offering for singular 16781 deliverance at Llanberis." Ditto 1s. for a Report. —From 16782 Reading 1l. — From a Christian gentleman of Edinburgh, 16783 then near Glasgow, 3l. Through ditto 1l. Ditto 1l. — From 16784 Grundisburgh 5s. Ditto 1s. Ditto 6d. — Anonymously in 16785 postages 2s. 6d. — From Bath 5s. — From Chillington 16786 10s. 6d. — From Nottingham 10s. 16787 16788 July 28. From Pentonville 1l., with a little box of articles. 16789 — From Yeovil 1s. and 3s. 6d. — From Cannock 5l. — 16790 From Blackrock 12s. 16791 16792 July 29. From Higham Ferrers 10s. — From G. D. 1s. — 16793 From Colsterworth 10s. — From Wellesborne 10s. — 16794 Anonymously 2s. — By sale of Reports 3s. 6d. — From 16795 Whitehaven 2l. 14s. 6d. — By sale of a Report 6d. — 16796 From Largs 4l. — "From an Orphan Sailor" 2l. 16797 16798 July 30. From Uppingham 2s. 6d. — From Newton 16799 Ferrers 2s. 6d. 16800 16801

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July 31. From Lenten 6s. 6d. — From Edinburgh 3l. 10s. 16802 16803 Aug. 1. From London 1l. Ditto 1s. 6d. Ditto 5l. — From 16804 Chillington 2s. — From Broseley 5s. — From Warmley 16805 5s. and an old silver watch. — A little gold dust from a 16806 dying believer. — From F. E. B. 2s. 6d. — From 16807 Barnstaple 1l. 3s. — From Northam 5s. — From Hereford 16808 10s. —By sale of Reports 1s. 6d. — From Newport, near 16809 Barnstaple, 1l. 10s. — From Barnstaple 1l. 10s. — From 16810 P. 2s. 6d. — Through Bethesda boxes 3s. 6d. — By sale 16811 of articles 4l. 13s. 3d. —By sale of Reports 10s. 16812 16813 Aug. 2. By sale of Reports 1l. 0s. 6d. — Anonymously 16814 3s. — From Bath 1l. 10s. — From Ilfracombe 10l. — 16815 From Mundesley 2l.—Anonymously given at the New 16816 Orphan House 1l. Ditto 1s. — From Kilmersdon 6s. 16817 16818 Aug. 3. By sale of Reports 3s. 6d. — From Birmingham 16819 6s. 6d. — Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 16820 3l. 18s. 3d. — From Chapletown 10s. — From London 5l. 16821 — From Tavistock 2s. 6d. — Returned on paying an 16822 account 2s. 4d. — By sale of Reports 2s. 6d. — By sale of 16823 trinkets 38l. 11s. 6d. — By sale of Reports 12s. 10d. — 16824 Received also a letter from the neighbourhood of 16825 Gumeracha, in Australia, enclosing a bank order for 10l., 16826 of which 2l. was intended for aged or blind saints in 16827 Bristol, 1l. for Bibles and Testaments, and 7l. for the 16828 Orphans or the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 16829 Institution. I took this 7l. for the Orphans. 16830 16831 Aug. 4. From Plymouth 2l.—From Ilfracombe 10s. — 16832 From London 1l. 13s. 4d. 16833

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16834 Aug. 5. From Manchester 10s. — By sale of Reports 3s. 16835 4d. 16836 16837 Aug. 6. From Greenock 5l. — From Cockermouth 1l. — 16838 From Islington 1l. 1s. — From Child Okeford 2s. 6d. — 16839 From Clifton 2s. 6d. and 3s. — From Horfield Road 10s. 16840 —From Henbury 2l. 16841 16842 Aug. 7. From Melton Abbot 3s. — From Cheltenham 16843 Road, Bristol, 1l. 1s. — From Islington 1l. 4s. — By sale 16844 of articles 17s. 3 ½ d. — From Fowey 5l. — Through 16845 Bethesda boxes 6s. 8d. — From St. Philip’s, Bristol, 5s. 16846 — From 16847 16848 three children 8s. 6d. — From Clifton 1l. 10s. — 16849 Through Salem boxes 1s. 16850 16851 Aug. 8. From Lichfield 1l. Ditto 5s. — By sale of books 16852 4l. — From Calstock 2s. 6d. — From Freshwater 1l. 16853 16854 Aug. 9. Anonymously 10s. — By sale of Reports 2s. — 16855 From Yaxham 1l. — From Gravesend 1l. Through the 16856 boxes in the New Orphan-House 4l. 5s. 10d. — From 16857 Norwich 16s. — From a brother in the Lord 5l. 17s. 4d. 16858 — From Plymouth 10s. — By sale of Reports 14s. 6d. 16859 16860 Thus the Lord, in answer to prayer, had supplied me so 16861 bountifully, that, when I left home on August 10th, I 16862 could leave sufficient in the bank to last for a little time, 16863 and I hoped in God that, by the time that was gone, He 16864 would kindly give more. And thus He did. I have also 16865

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given the income for the Orphans day by day, for the 16866 above 23 days, in order that thus the Reader may see how, 16867 in large and small sums, and from various parts of the 16868 world, the Lord is pleased to send in the supplies. 16869 16870 I shall now give a few more instances in which the Lord 16871 manifestly, in answer to prayer, helped us in the time of 16872 need. 16873 16874 Aug. 26. A Christian widow, having had left to her by a 16875 friend a few articles, among which was a diamond brooch, 16876 sent it to me for the benefit of the Orphans, and thus had 16877 the desire of her heart granted, which she had often had, 16878 to be able to send something for them. On the other hand, 16879 we receive it in answer to prayer, as there is very little in 16880 hand for the Orphans, and as I have again and again asked 16881 the Lord to lead His children to send me such articles for 16882 His own work. — There came in also from Kirriemuir 1l. 16883 — From Kingsbridge a guinea piece, also 1l. From the 16884 neighbourhood of Hyde 10s. 16885 16886 Aug. 27. From Douglas 1l. — From the neighbourhood 16887 of Sunderland 5s. — From Sunderland 5s. — Through 16888 Salem boxes 1s. — With James, 1, 17, 2s. 6d. — From H. 16889 T. and E. E. 2s. 16890 16891 Aug. 28. From Captain J. K., Royal Navy, 2l. — From 16892 Mr. C. K. 2l. — From Mr. P. 1l. — From Bury 10s. 16893 16894 Aug. 29. From Sunderland 1l. Ditto 1s. — From 16895 Gloucester 6s. — By sale of articles 1l. 4s. — From one 16896 engaged in the work 2l. — From the neighbourhood of 16897

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Crencester 1l. 16898 16899 Aug. 30. From the neighbourhood of Southampton 5l. 16900 16901 Aug. 31. Anonymously, through the boxes at Bethesda 16902 chapel, Sunderland, 5l. — From Ilfracombe 2s. 6d. — 16903 Through the boxes at the New Orphan-House 5l. 1 ½ d. 16904 — By sale of Reports 16s. — From one engaged in the 16905 work, as a thank-offering for journeying mercies, 10s. — 16906 From the neighbourhood of Sudbury in Derbyshire 10l. —16907 From Grosmont 5s. — From Hayle 1l. — By sale of the 16908 above-mentioned brooch 6l. 11s. 16909 16910 Sept. 1. From the Isle of Wight 2s. 6d. — From 16911 Birmingham 5l. — From Bath 5l. — From a Christian 16912 lady in Bath 10l. 16913 16914 See, dear reader, how good the Lord is, and how ready to 16915 help in answer to prayer! I was then 300 miles from the 16916 work in which I am more especially engaged; but the 16917 Lord’s assistance was to be obtained in this distant place. 16918 Day by day I sought His help while absent, and day by 16919 day I received intelligence from Bristol. And thus, my 16920 fellow-labourers in Bristol, and I at Sunderland, were 16921 seeking the help of the Lord, and He did condescend to 16922 listen to our supplications on account of His dear Son, the 16923 Lord Jesus, and to grant us our requests. 16924 16925 On this day, Sept. 1st, I also received a precious letter, 16926 enclosing a Post-Office Order for 2l. 14s., from a donor, 16927 who, for many years, took a lively interest in the work in 16928 which I am engaged. This letter was doubly precious, not 16929

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only because of its containing 2l. 14s., which came just 16930 then so particularly in answer to prayer, as since August 2 16931 6th, I had been especially looking to the Lord for means, 16932 there being then scarcely any thing left; but also because it 16933 so strikingly proved the power of the divine life. 16934 16935 * * * * Aug. 30, 1854. 16936 16937 "Dear Mr. Müller, 16938 16939 16940 "Having been a constant sufferer now for a year, the 16941 money I send you is (humanly speaking) consequently 16942 less; and as there is likely to be a crisis soon, in the shape 16943 of a large abscess, and I know not what the Lord is about 16944 to do with me, I send you all the money I have in hand; 16945 and if it should be the last may the Lord add a double 16946 blessing to it. The Lord does not want my poor help to do 16947 His own work; but I feel priviledged to be allowed to 16948 contribute, if it is but a nail, or a cup of milk, to His 16949 service. My peace is great—that is, His peace is with me, 16950 though tribulation, to some extent, is mine also. I desire 16951 your prayers, and remain, 16952 16953 "Yours in our precious Lord, 16954 16955 "* * * * *." 16956 16957 16958 "P.S.—I expect to be able to send a box of, it may be, 16959 almost useless articles soon. Whither shall I send it?" 16960 16961

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16962 This Christian lady, whom I have never seen in the body, 16963 though I corresponded with her for many years, has 16964 entered into her rest. She fell asleep at the beginning of 16965 the year 1855. In looking over my account books, I meet 16966 again and again with the name of one and another who 16967 has finished his course. Soon dear Reader, your turn and 16968 mine may come. Are you prepared for eternity? 16969 Affectionately I press this question upon you. Do not put 16970 it away. Nothing is of greater moment than this point; yea, 16971 all other things, however important in their place, are of 16972 exceedingly small importance, in comparison with this 16973 matter. Do you ask, how you may be prepared for 16974 eternity, how to be saved, how to obtain the forgiveness of 16975 your sins; the answer is, believe in the Lord Jesus, trust in 16976 Him, depend upon Him alone as it regards the salvation of 16977 your soul. He was punished by God, in order that we 16978 guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might not be 16979 punished. He fulfilled the law of God, and was obedient 16980 even unto death, in order that we disobedient, guilty 16981 sinners, if we believe in Him, might, on His account, be 16982 reckoned righteous by God. Ponder these things, dear 16983 Reader, should you have never done so before. Through 16984 faith in the Lord Jesus alone can we obtain forgiveness of 16985 our sins, and be at peace with God; but, believing in Jesus, 16986 we become, through this very faith, the children of God; 16987 have God as our Father, and may come to Him for all the 16988 temporal and spiritual blessings which we need. Thus 16989 every one of my readers may obtain answers to prayers, 16990 not only to the same extent that we obtain them, but far 16991 more abundantly. It may be that few, comparatively, of 16992 the children of God are called to serve the Lord in the way 16993

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of establishing Orphan-Houses, &c.; but all of them may, 16994 yea, are called upon to trust in God, to rely upon Him, in 16995 their various positions and circumstances, and apply the 16996 word of God, faith, and prayer to their family 16997 circumstances, their earthly occupation, their afflictions 16998 and necessities of every kind, both temporally and 16999 spiritually; just as we, by God’s help, in some little 17000 measure seek to apply the word of God, faith, and prayer 17001 to the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge 17002 Institution for Home and Abroad. Make but trial of it, if 17003 you have never done so before, and you will see how 17004 happy a life it is. You may, perhaps, pity the writer, and 17005 think how he must be burdened day by day, and full of 17006 care and anxiety; and you may think that he cannot have 17007 any quietness and peace, but is worn down by the constant 17008 questionings, how the expenses for the various schools are 17009 to be met; how further money is to be obtained for the 17010 circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts; how the 17011 many preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad, who 17012 are assisted by the Institution, may once more be helped; 17013 how the 300 Orphans are to be provided with all they 17014 need; how situations for the elder female Orphans are to 17015 be found; how suitable places may be obtained for the 17016 elder male Orphans when they are ready to be 17017 apprenticed, and so on. Now here is just the true state of 17018 the case: — We are not insensible to any of these points; 17019 we do feel them. We do not put them away lightly and 17020 treat them with indifference; but we look them in the face 17021 and feel their deep importance. At the same time, while 17022 we neither treat them with indifference, nor attempt to 17023 carry them in our own strength, we do, by God’s grace, 17024 cast our burdens upon Him, trust in Him; and thus are 17025

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kept in peace in the midst of numberless difficulties, and 17026 almost constant trials of one kind and another. Truly I 17027 prefer by far this life of almost constant trial, if I am only 17028 able to roll all my cares upon my Heavenly Father, and 17029 thus become increasingly acquainted with Him, to a life of 17030 outward peace and quietness, without these constant 17031 proofs of His faithfulness, His wisdom, His love, His 17032 power, His over-ruling providence, &c. 17033 17034 Of the donations which came in between Sept. 2nd and 17035 Nov. 5th, amounting to about 600l., in 346 different sums, 17036 I mention only, for the sake of brevity, the following. 17037 17038 Sept. 2. From an anonymous donor through Mr. B. at 17039 Geneva, by the hands of Count G., 1l. 15s. — Sept. 6. 17040 Received from Clerkenwell 50l., to be used one half for 17041 missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took the 17042 one half for the support of the Orphans, and find the 17043 following remark in my journal respecting this donation: 17044 "What a precious answer to prayer! Since Aug. 26th we 17045 have been day by day coming to the Lord for our daily 17046 supplies. Precious, also, on account of missionary 17047 brethren, whom I seek to help, for whom there was 17048 nothing in hand when this donation was received!" — 17049 Sept. 22. From Crediton 3l. 4s. 8d., as "a thank-offering to 17050 God for the very fine harvest which in mercy He has been 17051 pleased to grant." 17052 17053 Nov. 5. There was now again only about 5l. in hand for 17054 the support of the Orphans, when I received 2l. 10s. for 17055 them, and 2l. 10s. for myself, from a donor in London, 17056 whom the Lord has been pleased to raise up during the 17057

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last two years, and who since then has been often used as 17058 an instrument in helping the work at times of need. A 17059 brother in the Lord also gave me 5l. this morning, saying, 17060 "I have of late had the Orphans much laid on my heart." 17061 — From Clifton 1l. 10s. — From H. C. 3s. —From F. M. 17062 Ss. 17063 17064 Nov. 6. Further help. From the Isle of Wight 5s. — 17065 Through Bethesda boxes 2s. 6d. — Ditto 6d. — From P. 17066 1s. — Through Salem boxes 1s. — From a 17067 Gloucestershire Farmer 20l., of which he intended 10l. for 17068 missions, and the other 10l. to be used as most needed. I 17069 took it for the support of the Orphans. 17070 17071 Nov. 7. By sale of Reports 4s. 10d. — Anonymously 17072 from York 5s. — Received back on paying an account 3s. 17073 7 ½ d. — From a relative of one of the Orphans 1s. — 17074 Having had to pay out 18l. for house-keeping expenses, 17075 and having had to meet a few little expenses besides, we 17076 had again only about 5l. left, as was the case three days 17077 ago, when I received this afternoon 5l. from a Bristol 17078 donor. — Also 1l. from London. 17079 17080 Nov. 15. Our means were now again gone. We had 17081 scarcely anything in hand, with very heavy expenses 17082 before us, when this morning a Christian gentleman from 17083 Yorkshire called on me, and gave me 50l. for the current 17084 expenses for the Orphans. This was a most precious 17085 encouragement to prayer! There came in further today 17086 from Manchester 9s. 6d. — By sale of Reports 11s. 6d. — 17087 Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 2l.7s. 11d. 17088 — Returned on paying an account 3s. 1 ¼ d. — From 17089

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Exeter 1l. 10s. 17090 17091 Nov. 22. A Brother in the Lord from Manchester came to 17092 see the New Orphan-House, and gave 10l., which came in 17093 a time of great need. 17094 17095 Nov. 27. 100l. was sent in the greatest need, from a 17096 considerable distance, of which I took 50l. for the 17097 Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects. 17098 17099 Dec. 20. As since Nov. 27 only about 200l. has come in, I 17100 found this evening that our means for the support of the 17101 Orphans were reduced to 10l. 9s. 8d, whilst our current 17102 expenses of late have been about 12l. daily, on account of 17103 the high price of provisions. This led to earnest prayer, 17104 that the. Lord would be pleased to help us. 17105 17106 Dec. 21. The Lord has already sent a precious answer to 17107 the prayer of last evening. I received today from a noble 17108 Lady 10l. — From Devonshire 15l. — By sale of Reports 17109 6s. 6d. — From Birmingham 2s. — By sale of a few 17110 coins, etc. 19s. 1d. — From Monmouthshire 8s. — By 17111 sale of Reports 2s. 6d. — From Worksop 10s. 6d. — 17112 Returned on paying an account 3s. 3 ¾ d. 17113 17114 Dec. 23. From Cheltenham 2s. 6d. — From London 10s. 17115 — From Clondegad 10s. — By sale of articles 3l. 16s. 5d. 17116 By sale of a Report 6d. — From Edinburgh 5l 17117 17118 Dec. 24. Anonymously 1l. — From Barking 6s. — From 17119 Blackheath Hill 6s. 17120 17121

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Dec. 25. From B. S. 2s. — Through Bethesda and Salem 17122 boxes 7s. — From P. 2s. 17123 17124 Dec. 26. From a brother in the Lord 6l. — From O. O. at 17125 Plymouth 10s. 17126 17127 Dec. 27. From two believers at Plymouth 10s. — From 17128 Kingsbridge 10s. — From Falmouth 1s. — From a little 17129 girl 3d. — By sale of Reports 6s. — Through the boxes in 17130 the New Orphan-House 1l. 14s. 4d. 17131 17132 Dec. 28. From Adelaide, Australia, 5l. 17133 17134 Dec. 29. From Torquay 5s. — From Exmouth 10s. — 17135 From Fulbeck 5s. — From Sherborne 2s. 17136 17137 Dec. 30. At the beginning of this day our money was 17138 again reduced to 19l. 2s. 1 ½ d. for the current expenses 17139 for the Orphans, whilst I had before me the prospect of 17140 having to advance this day 30l. for house-keeping 17141 expenses, in order that we might go with ease through the 17142 work, and in order that all expenses might be met. Now 17143 see how the Lord helped us during this day. There came 17144 very early this morning, from the neighbourhood of 17145 Norwich, a box, containing the following articles. A prize 17146 medal, 2 salt cellars, 6 pencil cases, 5 thimbles, 2 fruit 17147 knives, a watch chain, 2 vinaigrettes (all of silver), a black 17148 necklace, a silver chain, 2 silver toothpicks, some pieces 17149 of silver, 2 pairs of gilt bracelets, a pincushion, 4 snaps, a 17150 pair of gold earrings, a tortoiseshell comb, a pocket comb, 17151 a reading glass, a box of paints, a bag of coral and other 17152 beads, 2 smelling bottles and 2 gilt chains. Likewise, from 17153

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another donor, a silver stock buckle, 2 pairs of shoe 17154 buckles, 2 pencil cases, a piece of silver chain, 2 seals, a 17155 brooch pin, 2 small gold pins, 6 small silver coins, a metal 17156 coin, a small silver medal, a thimble, a pair of silver studs, 17157 9 pairs ditto set with Bristol stone, and a gold earring. 17158 There was sent with these articles likewise. 1l., and from a 17159 poor woman 6d. — In the course of the day came in 17160 further: From Islington 6s. — From A. W. 2s. — From 17161 Islington 5s., with 8 chemises and 4 shirts. — Also from a 17162 great distance 100l., which being left at my disposal, I 17163 took one half for the Orphans, and the other half for the 17164 other Objects. — By sale of articles 2l. — Also 2s. 6d., 17165 and 2s. 8 ½ d. from an Orphan-box. — Thus I was 17166 enabled to advance this evening 30l. for house-keeping as 17167 needed. 17168 17169 This was the last time, during this period of the 17170 Institution, that we were brought so low as to means; for 17171 the Lord sent in on Dec. 31 6l. 10s.; on Jan. 1, 1855, in 17172 twenty-eight different donations, 14l. 4s. 6d.; on Jan. 2nd 17173 17l. 8s. 3d.; on Jan. 3rd 15l. 1s. 3d.; on Jan. 4th 34l. 11s. 17174 8d., and so on, till the large donation was given of which, 17175 as has been stated, 900l. was taken for the current 17176 expenses for the Orphans. This, with what came in from 17177 Dec. 30th 1854, up to May 26th, 1855, for the support of 17178 the Orphans, enabled me to meet all the demands without 17179 any difficulty, during the remaining five months. Of all 17180 these donations, making, up the total of 2226l. 10s. 7 ¼ d., 17181 I refer only to the following. 17182 17183 Jan. 1, 1855. From a clergyman in South Africa 1l. 17184 17185

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Jan. 4. From a Christian merchant at Clifton 30l. for the 17186 Orphans, with 10l. for myself, and 10l. for poor believers. 17187 17188 There have been many instances, in which, along with the 17189 donations for missions, or for the support of the Orphans, 17190 or the Building Fund, there were also presents in money 17191 sent for my own personal expenses, or those of my family. 17192 These instances I have gladly recorded, as they came in 17193 connexion with the donations referred to, because they 17194 afforded me an opportunity of speaking well of the 17195 kindness and faithfulness of the Lord in supplying my 17196 own personal or family need. It is now [i.e. in 1856] 17197 above Twenty Five years, since I have not had any regular 17198 income whatever. In the year 1830, I saw it to be the 17199 Lord’s will to give up my regular income in connexion 17200 with the ministry of the Word, and to trust in Him, alone 17201 for the supply of all my temporal necessities. I have been 17202 enabled to continue in this path, and have not been 17203 allowed to regret the step which I then took. Thus it is 17204 also in my position as director of the various objects of 17205 the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. I have no salary in 17206 this position; but the Lord abundantly supplies my need; 17207 yea, though there are many expenses connected with this 17208 very position, He abundantly meets all my wants, and 17209 gives me far more than I need. If with all my might I had 17210 sought to obtain a lucrative place, either as a preacher of 17211 the Gospel, or in some other way, I should not have had 17212 more, I have reason to believe, if as much, as, unsought, 17213 unasked for, so far as it regards man, I receive day by day 17214 out of the loving hand of my Heavenly Father. When I 17215 look at His kindness to me in saving my guilty soul, I am 17216 overwhelmed with the boundlessness of His love and 17217

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grace towards me in Christ Jesus; and when I look at His 17218 kindness to me, even as it regards temporal things, I know 17219 not where to begin, nor where to end, in speaking well of 17220 His name. I do desire to magnify Him, and therefore 17221 declare in this public way His great goodness to me in 17222 thus so abundantly supplying my temporal necessities; 17223 and I do so also, if it may please God, by this means, to 17224 encourage the hearts of His children more and more 17225 unreservedly to trust in Him. It is now above twenty-five 17226 years since I have asked help for myself from any human 17227 being; but God has been indeed my helper. And now the 17228 very work even with which I am connected, respecting 17229 which I had every reason to believe, when I commenced 17230 it, that it would be connected with great expenses to 17231 myself, as well as be the means, looked at naturally, of 17232 decreasing my own income, God has, though unsought for 17233 on my part, used as the instrument to bring along with it 17234 many supplies for myself also, thus not only abundantly 17235 meeting my increased expenses, but giving me far more 17236 than I need for myself. How great is His goodness! Dear 17237 Christian Reader, be encouraged by this! Do but trust in 17238 God with all your heart, and you will find that you will 17239 not be confounded. Only let it be trust in God, not in man, 17240 not in circumstances, not in any of your own exertions, 17241 but real trust in God, and you will be helped, in your 17242 various necessities. — I refer to a few more of the 17243 donations. 17244 17245 Jan. 25. From various believers at Melbourne, Australia, 17246 20l. for the Orphans, and 20l. for the other objects. 17247 17248 Feb. 23. Received a very valuable gold watch, a gold 17249

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watch chain, 2 gold watch keys, a gold seal, a silver 17250 mustard pot and spoon, a silver salt stand, a scent bottle, a 17251 china basket, 3 china jugs, a china cup and saucer and 17252 mug 2 taper candlesticks, a ring stand, 2 spill cups, a card 17253 stand, a lamp, a claret jug, a pair of decanters, 6 hock 17254 glasses, 14 claret glasses, 6 finger glasses, and a set of 17255 china tea things. The donor has found true riches and 17256 peace to his soul in the Lord Jesus; and he is thus led to 17257 send these articles for the benefit of the Orphans. 17258 17259 April 18. 100l. from a distance, of which the donor kindly 17260 intends 20l. for myself, and 80l. for the benefit of the 17261 Orphans. 17262 17263 May 5. 219l. 9s. 4d. from a distance, of which the donor 17264 kindly wished me to keep 19l. 9s 4d. for myself, and to 17265 use the other as it might be required for the Lord’s work. I 17266 took 100l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for 17267 the other objects. This donation was especially refreshing 17268 to my spirit, because of its coming at this period, when the 17269 outgoings are very great. 17270 17271 May 26. Towards the close of this day it was found that 17272 the balance left in hand, for the support of the Orphans, 17273 was 110l. 17s. 8 ½ d., as the amount with which we 17274 should have to begin the new period in providing for the 17275 necessities of the Orphans. Before leaving the Orphan-17276 House, I had my usual daily season for prayer with my 17277 dear wife. Having praised the Lord for His goodness to us 17278 and the work, in helping us during another year, and 17279 having sought His blessing upon the various objects of the 17280 Institution, we commended ourselves again to Him, 17281

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especially, with reference to means for the coming year, 17282 and entreated Him also to sustain our faith to the end of 17283 our course; for the longer I go on in this path, the more I 17284 feel my entire dependence upon the Lord and my need of 17285 being sustained by Him. When we arrived home, we 17286 found two more donations, the last of the present period, 17287 sent for the benefit of the Orphans; one being two little 17288 dresses, a piece of print, a piece of calico, and 20 pocket 17289 handkerchiefs; the other a small gold Geneva watch, quite 17290 new. We took these two last donations as the Lord’s 17291 earnest that He would be with us during the coming 17292 period also, and with good courage looked forward to it, 17293 by His grace. 17294 17295 I add a few remarks to this part of the Narrative: — 1. 17296 Should any one suppose, on account of its having been 17297 stated in the previous pages that we were repeatedly 17298 brought low as to means, that the Orphans have not had 17299 all that was needful for them; we reply, that never, since 17300 the work has been in existence, has there a meal-time 17301 come, but the Orphans have had good nourishing food in 17302 sufficient quantity: and never have they needed clothes, 17303 but I have had the means to provide them with all they 17304 required. Persons living in Bristol can easily satisfy 17305 themselves as to this, not only by seeing week after week 17306 our stores for food and clothes; but also the dress and the 17307 healthy countenances of these hundreds of children 17308 (though very many of them were received in a very weak 17309 and diseased state) will amply prove what I state. 2. Never 17310 since the Orphan work has been in existence, have I asked 17311 one single human being for any help for this work; and 17312 yet, unasked for, simply in answer to prayer, from so 17313

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many parts of the world, as has been stated, the donations 17314 have come in, and that very frequently at a time of the 17315 greatest need. Were I to state what is not true, persons 17316 could easily convict me; to say nothing of the fact that 17317 God, whose name I have continually connected with this 17318 work, would disown me as an awful deceiver, and bring 17319 this work to nought; but if these things are true, as indeed 17320 they are, will not my readers own the hand of God, will 17321 they not recognize the minute particular providence of 17322 God, and the readiness of His heart to listen to the 17323 supplications of those who come to Him with their 17324 requests in the name of the Lord Jesus? I do not seek a 17325 name for myself in connexion with this work; I do not 17326 wish to draw attention to myself, and am indeed sorry 17327 when persons have had their attention directed only to me; 17328 but I do seek honour for my Heavenly Father, and I do 17329 desire that His hand may be owned in this work. 17330 17331 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural 17332 Knowledge Institution, for Home and Abroad, with 17333 reference to the period from May 20, 1854, to May 26, 17334 1855. 17335 17336 1. During this year four Day Schools in Bristol, with 184 17337 children in them, were entirely supported by the funds of 17338 the Institution; and several other Day Schools in 17339 Devonshire, Cornwall, Suffolk, Ireland, and Scotland 17340 were assisted with copies of the Holy Scriptures. Further, 17341 one Sunday School in Bristol, with 158 children, was 17342 entirely supported, and seven others, in Cornwall, 17343 Devonshire, Somersetshire, and Gloucestershire, with 17344 about 400 children in them, were assisted. Lastly, one 17345

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Adult School, with 183 Adults, was entirely supported 17346 during this year. — The amount expended, during this 17347 year, on these various Schools, was 338l. 2s. 5d. 17348 17349 In connexion with all these Schools, I would suggest the 17350 following important matter for prayer. From March, 1884, 17351 to May, 26, 1855, there were 5,956 children in the Day 17352 Schools. In the Adult School there were 2,459 persons. 17353 The number of the Sunday School children amounted to 17354 2,817. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 11,232 souls 17355 were brought under habitual instruction in the things of 17356 God in these Schools; besides the many thousands in the 17357 Schools in various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, 17358 British Guiana, the West Indies, the East Indies, &c., 17359 which were to a greater or less degree assisted. Now, what 17360 I would especially request is, that all the disciples of the 17361 Lord Jesus, who take an interest in this work, would help 17362 me and my fellow-labourers with their prayers, that not 17363 only those who are at present under our instruction may 17364 be spiritually benefited, but particularly also, that God 17365 would be pleased to work mightily in the hearts of those 17366 who were once under our care, in bringing to their 17367 remembrance the truth which was then set before them. I 17368 am the more induced to make this request, as we 17369 frequently meet with young men or young women, who 17370 many years ago were under our care and instruction, who 17371 thankfully own the benefit they received when with us, 17372 and who are now believers in the Lord Jesus, though at 17373 the time they had given us little or no hope. Thus has the 17374 Lord afterwards been pleased to cause the seed to spring 17375 up and to bear fruit to His praise. During this year also we 17376 had again and again most encouraging instances of this 17377

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kind brought before us. 17378 17379 The total sum expended during the 21 years, from March 17380 5, 1834, to May 26, 1855, in connexion with the Schools, 17381 which were either entirely, or in part supported by the 17382 funds of this Institution, amounted to 7,204l. 12s. 8 ¼ d. 17383 17384 2. Great have been the efforts, made of late years, to 17385 spread error; therefore the disciples of the Lord Jesus 17386 should be especially active in seeking to spread the truth. 17387 Fearfully great, in particular, have been the efforts to rob 17388 the Church of Christ of the Word of God; on this account, 17389 all who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity, should seek, 17390 according to their ability, to spread the Holy Scriptures. 17391 On account, therefore, of the especial attempts made, of 17392 late years, once more to deprive the Church of Christ of 17393 God’s unerring Holy Word, I have had it particularly laid 17394 upon my mind, in every way to embrace opportunities for 17395 circulating it, and especially to place it in the hands of the 17396 very poorest of the poor. In this way, not only in England, 17397 Wales and Scotland, but particularly in Ireland, we have 17398 sought to circulate the Holy Scriptures. And not only 17399 there, but also in Canada, British Guiana, the East Indies, 17400 Australia and China. Every open door, which the Lord 17401 was pleased to set before us, I have endeavoured to press 17402 into; and, in this service have been helped by many 17403 servants of Christ, who have sought out the most destitute 17404 persons, desirous of possessing a copy of the. Holy 17405 Scriptures. With this we have also particularly sought to 17406 combine the supplying of aged persons, who are poor, 17407 with copies printed in large type. Our efforts have not 17408 been in vain. We have had instances brought before us of 17409

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direct conversion, simply through reading the Holy 17410 Scriptures. Again, during this year also, our labours were 17411 owned in this part of the work. But though we have seen 17412 some fruit, we believe that the greater part by far will be 17413 manifested in the Day of the Lord. It has been given to us, 17414 by the help of the Lord, day by day to seek His blessing 17415 upon the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and therefore 17416 we believe that our labour will not be in vain. We expect 17417 results. 17418 17419 The number of Bibles, New Testaments, and Portions of 17420 the Holy Scriptures, circulated from May 20, 1854, to 17421 May 26, 1855, is as follows: 17422 17423 693 Bibles were sold. 17424 17425 890 Bibles were given away. 17426 17427 950 New Testaments were sold. 17428 17429 748 New Testaments were given away. 17430 17431 82 copies of the Psalms were sold. 17432 17433 186 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures were 17434 sold. 17435 17436 There were circulated from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 17437 1855, through the medium of this Institutions 13,949 17438 Bibles, 9047 New Testaments, 188 copies of the Psalms, 17439 and 789 other small portions of the. Holy Scriptures. 17440 17441

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The total amount of the funds of this Institution, spent on 17442 the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, from March 5, 17443 1834, to May 20, 1855, is 3389l. 10s. 1d. The amount 17444 spent during this year, 476l. 12s. 3d. 17445 17446 3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the 17447 Institution for missionary objects, the sum of 2081l. 3s. 17448 2d. By this sum Fifty Seven Labourers in the word and 17449 doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or 17450 less degree assisted. 17451 17452 With reference to this part of the operations of the 17453 Institution, I have especially the joy of being able to 17454 communicate to the Christian reader, that the Lord was 17455 pleased, during this year, abundantly to bless the labours 17456 of many of the brethren whom I assisted. Again and again 17457 I had refreshing intelligence as to the fruit which resulted 17458 from their efforts. Many souls were brought to the 17459 knowledge of the Lord, through their labours during this 17460 year. And such heart-refreshing intelligence came to me 17461 not only from those labouring in various parts of the 17462 United Kingdom, but also from those who are serving the 17463 Lord in foreign countries. This calls for especial praise; 17464 but at the same time I would commend these dear brethren 17465 to the prayers of the saints, that they may be upheld by the 17466 Lord with reference to their bodily and mental strength, 17467 and especially that they may be sustained with patience, 17468 faith, love, perseverance, and endurance; for great and 17469 many are their difficulties. I would especially also request 17470 all, who love the Lord Jesus, to pray for more labourers in 17471 the Gospel; for I hear continually of fields which are 17472 unoccupied, and of open doors not entered into for lack of 17473

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labourers. 17474 17475 The total amount of the funds of the Institution, spent on 17476 Missionary operations, from March 5, 1834, to May 20, 17477 1855, was 16,115l. 0s. 5 ½ d. 17478 17479 4. The fourth object of the Institution is, the circulation of 17480 such publications as may be beneficial, with the blessing 17481 of God, to benefit both believers and unbelievers. As it 17482 respects tracts for unbelievers, I seek especially to aim 17483 after the diffusion of such as contain the truths of the 17484 Gospel clearly and simply expressed; and as it respects 17485 publications for believers, I aim after the circulation of 17486 such as may be instrumental in directing their minds to 17487 those truths which in these last days are more especially 17488 needed, or which have been particularly lost sight of, and 17489 may lead believers to return to the written Word of God. 17490 17491 There was laid out for this object, from May 26, 1854, to 17492 May 26, 1855, the sum of 624l. 8s. 4d.; and there were 17493 circulated within this year 895,034 Tracts and Books. 17494 17495 The total number of all the Tracts and Books circulated 17496 from the beginning up to May 26, 1855, was 3,584,710. 17497 17498 The total amount of means, expended on this object, from 17499 Nov. 19, 1840, to May 26, 1855, is 2868l. 15s. 6 ¾ d. 17500 17501 We desire to be truly thankful to the. Lord, for having 17502 intrusted us with means, and given us open doors, for the 17503 circulation of so many copies of the Holy Scriptures, and 17504 so many thousands of Tracts; and for having enabled us to 17505

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assist again to such an extent preachers of the 17506 unsearchable riches of Christ; but we do not rest in this. 17507 Our trust was in the Lord for His blessing upon our 17508 efforts. Nor has He allowed us to wait upon Him in vain, 17509 during this year. We had not only very many answers to 17510 our prayers with regard to the obtaining of means, but also 17511 many answers to prayer as it respects fruit resulting from 17512 our labours. Thus also with reference to the circulation of 17513 Tracts. Again and again instances came before us in 17514 which souls were converted through the Tracts, which the 17515 Lord had allowed us to send out during the year. Among 17516 others, I would only mention, that an actor on the stage, to 17517 whom one of them was given, was brought to the. 17518 knowledge of the Lord. 17519 17520 Tract distributors, who can afford to pay for Tracts, and 17521 who desire to procure Tracts from us, may obtain them for 17522 this purpose with a discount of one-half, or 50 per cent., 17523 from the retail price. I state this, as many be1ievers may 17524 not like to give away that which cost them nothing, and 17525 yet may, at the same time, wish to obtain as much as 17526 possible for their money. Applications for this should be 17527 made verbally or in writing to Mr. Stanley, at the Bible 17528 and Tract Warehouse, No. 34, Park-street, Bristol. To 17529 him, also, application may be made for specimen packets 17530 containing an assortment of the Tracts and small books 17531 which are kept. By sending 3s., 5s., 7s., or 10s. in 17532 postages to Mr. Stanley, No. 34, Park Street, Bristol, 17533 packets will be sent to any part of England, Wales, 17534 Ireland, Scotland, Jersey, Guernsey, &c., post paid, 17535 containing specimens to the amount of the postages sent. 17536 17537

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A catalogue of the various books and tracts, sold at the 17538 above Warehouse, with their prices, may be had there, by 17539 applying either personally or by letter to Mr. Stanley. 17540 17541 5. The fifth object of the Institution is, to board, clothe, 17542 and Scripturally to educate destitute children who have 17543 lost both parents by death. 17544 17545 At the commencement of this period there were 298 17546 Orphans in the New Orphan House on Ashley Down, 17547 Bristol. During the year there were admitted into it 39 17548 Orphans, making 337 in all. Of these 337, two died during 17549 the year. Only two! We record this with particular 17550 gratitude. And even these two died through water on the 17551 brain. God helping us, we desire to trace His hand in 17552 everything; at the same time, the longer I am engaged in 17553 the Orphan work, and see the effects which are produced 17554 by regular habits, cleanliness, nourishing food, proper 17555 clothing, good ventilation, a healthy locality, &c., the 17556 more I am convinced, that at least one-half of the children 17557 among the poorer classes die for want of proper attention. 17558 I do not state this to find fault with them, but rather 17559 mention it in the way of pity and commiseration, to draw 17560 the attention of the public to the fact. If anywhere the 17561 mortality among children should be great, humanly 17562 speaking, it should be so among us, because we generally 17563 receive the children very young, and also, because the 17564 very fact of these children, while so young, having been 17565 bereaved of both parents by death, shows that their 17566 parents, generally speaking, were of a very sickly 17567 constitution. Indeed the greater part of the Orphans whom 17568 we have received, lost one or both parents through 17569

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consumption. And yet, though such is the case, we have 17570 seen again and again, how children who came to us in a 17571 most diseased state, have, through proper attention, by the 17572 blessing of God, been brought out of that state, and are 17573 now very healthy. But we often receive children whose 17574 countenances at once show that they have not had 17575 sufficient food, or were in other respects greatly 17576 neglected. It was only as late as April 26, 1855, that the 17577 turn of 4 children came, to be received, all of the same 17578 family, from 5 to 9 years old. When these children were 17579 brought, it was evident that they were in a most 17580 deplorable state of health from the want of proper food. 17581 This was now the painful difficulty in which we found 17582 ourselves; if we received them, it was not at all unlikely, 17583 humanly speaking, that we should have great trial with 17584 them on account of their health, as they had been so long 17585 neglected; and yet, if we did not take them, they would, 17586 we had great reason to fear, very shortly sink under their 17587 position. Trust in God decided the matter. We received all 17588 four, hoping that, by God’s blessing, they would be thus 17589 rescued from sinking under their circumstances. The 17590 eldest of the four, a boy of above nine years old, was for 17591 the first evening or two so weak, that he could not walk 17592 up stairs to the dormitory without stopping. This 17593 disappeared, after he had had the food of the New Orphan 17594 House for a few days; and now all the four are so greatly 17595 improved, that they do not look at all like what they were 17596 on April 26th, 1855. I have so minutely entered into this 17597 one case out of very many of the kind, which have come 17598 before me in connexion with the Orphan work during the 17599 last 20 years, in order to show how deeply important it is 17600 to care for such destitute Orphans, to rescue them, 17601

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humanly speaking, from misery or premature death, to say 17602 nothing now with reference to their spiritual welfare, 17603 which is paramount with us. 17604 17605 Besides the two who died out of the 387, we were 17606 obliged to expel one from the establishment. This boy was 17607 admitted on Oct. 4, 1849. He was then not quite eight 17608 years old; but though so young, it was soon found out that 17609 he was old in sin, for he was a confirmed liar, thief, &c. 17610 He gloried in it among the other boys, and told them that 17611 he had belonged to a juvenile gang of thieves, before he 17612 had been admitted into the Orphan House, that he had 17613 often stolen from the ships iron, brass, &c., and sold it. 17614 We thought at first that he spoke thus merely in the way 17615 of boasting, but it proved but too true, that he was 17616 experienced in such matters; for twice he ran away from 17617 the Orphan House, carrying off things belonging to the 17618 other children. Moreover, he could pick locks, &c. We 17619 received him back twice, after having run away, hoping 17620 that, by bearing with him, admonishing him, speaking to 17621 him privately, praying with him, and using a variety of 17622 other means, he might be reclaimed; but all in vain. At 17623 last, having borne with him, and tried him for five years 17624 and four months, he was solemnly, with prayer, before the 17625 whole establishment, expelled, if by any means this last 17626 painful remedy might be blessed to him. Yet we follow 17627 even this poor young sinner with our prayers, and hope 17628 that yet the Lord may show him his evil ways, and give us 17629 even now joy concerning him, as we have had before in a 17630 similar instance. This case afresh deeply impressed upon 17631 me the importance of caring for Orphans from their 17632 earliest days; for this poor boy, when but eight years old, 17633

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was already greatly practiced in stealing. 17634 17635 One of the children, after having been five years and one 17636 month under our care, was taken back by the relatives 17637 who had placed him with us, as they were by that time 17638 able to provide for him. One of the girls was sent out to 17639 learn a business, one as a junior teacher in a school, and 17640 13 to take situations; and 21 boys were apprenticed. These 17641 40 vacancies thus occasioned, left at the end of the year 17642 only 297 children in the New Orphan House. The total 17643 number of Orphans, under our care from April 1836, to 17644 May 26, 1855, was 597. 17645 17646 I notice further the following points respecting the New 17647 Orphan House. 17648 17649 1. Persons who desire to make application for the 17650 admission of Orphans, are requested to write to me, and 17651 address the letter to my house, No. 23, Paul Street, 17652 Kingsdown, Bristol. 17653 17654 2. I again state, as it regards the funds, that the income for 17655 the Orphans is kept distinct from that for the other objects. 17656 Donors may therefore contribute for one or the other of 17657 the objects exclusively, or have their donations equally 17658 divided among them all, just as it may appear best to 17659 themselves. If any of the donors would wish to leave the 17660 application of their donations to my discretion, as the 17661 work of God in my hands more especially may call for it 17662 at the time, they are requested, kindly to say so, when 17663 sending their donations. 17664 17665

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3. The expenses for the Orphans, during this year, were 17666 4304l. 4s. 7 ½ d. 17667 17668 4. Without any one having been personally applied to for 17669 anything by me, the sum of 74132l. 6s. 10 ¾ d. was given 17670 to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to God, from 17671 the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1855, 17672 which sum includes the 15,055l 3s. 2 ¼ d. paid for the 17673 building, fitting up, and furnishing of the present New 17674 Orphan House, the 23,059l. 17s. 8 ¼ d., in hand on the 17675 20th May, 1855, for the Building Fund, and the 116l. 17s. 17676 8 ½ d., the balance for the current expenses. — It may 17677 also be interesting to the reader to know that the total sum, 17678 given for the other objects, from the commencement of 17679 the work up to May 26, 1855, amounted to 25,239l. 8s. 10 17680 ¾ d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and 17681 Tracts, and by the payment of the children in the Day 17682 Schools, from the commencement, amounted to 4531l. 17683 12s. 10 ¾ d. — Besides this, also a great variety and 17684 number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., 17685 were given for the use of the Orphans. 17686 17687 5. I have the joy of being able to state that we have great 17688 cause for thankfulness, that, in the midst of many 17689 difficulties, our labours among the Orphans continue to be 17690 blessed, and that, especially, again and again instances 17691 now come before us in which those, who were formerly 17692 under our care, declare themselves on the Lord’s side. 17693 17694 6. Besides being able to meet the expenses for the 17695 Orphans and the other Objects, amounting altogether to 17696 7832l. 7s. 0 ½ d. during this year, I was able to add to the 17697

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Building Fund 5242l. 18s. 3d. The total income during the 17698 year was 13,054l. 14s. 4d. 17699 17700 7. The articles given for the benefit of the Orphans, are 17701 sold by Miss Stevens, on the first floor of the Bible and 17702 Tract Warehouse of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, 17703 No. 34, Park Street, Bristol. 17704 17705 17706 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or the 17707 work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected 17708 with the Scriptural Know/edge Institution, from May 26, 17709 1854, to May 26, 1855. 17710 17711 17712 Dec. 31, 1854. During this year there have been received 17713 into fellowship 61. 17714 17715 The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year— 17716 17717 1. In provisions, clothes, etc., worth at least 8 14 0 17718 17719 2. In anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper and 17720 directed to me, and put into the boxes for the poor saints 17721 17722 or the rent, at the chapels . . 191 1 11 ½ 17723 17724 3. In presents in money, from believers in 17725 17726 Bristol, not given anonymously. . 143 12 10 17727 17728 4. In money, from believers not residing 17729

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17730 in Bristol . . . . . 854 2 7 ½ 17731 17732 ——————————— 17733 17734 £697 11 5 17735 17736 ——————————— 17737 17738 17739 Some of my readers may be ready to exclaim, 697l. 11s. 17740 5d.! What a large sum! Not one out of a hundred ministers 17741 has such a large salary, nor one out of twenty clergymen 17742 such a good living! Should you, esteemed reader, say so, 17743 my reply is: Indeed mine is a happy way for the obtaining 17744 of my temporal supplies; but if any one desires to go this 17745 way, he must — 17746 17747 1. Not merely say that he trusts in God, but must really 17748 do so. Often individuals profess to trust in God, but they 17749 embrace every opportunity, directly or indirectly, to 17750 expose their need, and thus seek to induce persons to help 17751 them. I do not say it is wrong to make known our wants; 17752 but I do say it ill agrees with trust in God, to expose our 17753 wants for the sake of inducing persons to help us. God 17754 will take us at our word. If we say we trust in Him, He 17755 will try whether we really do so, or only profess to do so; 17756 and if indeed we trust in Him, we are satisfied to stand 17757 with Him alone. 17758 17759 2. The individual who desires to go this way must be 17760 willing to be rich or poor, as the Lord pleases. He must be 17761

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willing to know what it is to have an abundance or 17762 scarcely anything. He must be willing to leave this world 17763 without any possessions. 17764 17765 3. He must be willing to take the money in God’s way, 17766 not merely in large sums but in small. — Again and again 17767 have I had a single shilling given or sent to me. To have 17768 refused such tokens of Christian love, would have been 17769 ungracious. 17770 17771 4. He must be willing to live as the Lord’s steward. — If 17772 any one were to begin this way of living, and did not 17773 communicate out of that which the Lord gives to him, but 17774 hoard it up; or, if he would live up to his income, as it is 17775 called, then the Lord, who influences the hearts of His 17776 children, to help him with means, would soon cause those 17777 channels to be dried up. How it came that my already 17778 good income still more increased, so as to come to what it 17779 is, has been stated in the early part of this volume; it was 17780 when I determined that, by God’s help, His poor and His 17781 work should more than ever partake of my means. From 17782 that time the Lord was pleased more and more to intrust 17783 me with means for my own purse. I request the reader 17784 carefully to read over once more all I have said in the first 17785 volume of this Narrative, third part, from page 575 to 604, 17786 on Matthew 6, 19-21, on Matthew 6, 33, and on 17787 "Stewardship." 17788 17789 Various reasons might have kept me from publishing 17790 these accounts; but I have for my object in writing, the 17791 glory of God, and therefore delight in thus showing what 17792 a loving master I serve, and how bountifully He supplies 17793

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my necessities; and I write for the comfort and 17794 encouragement of my fellow believers, that they may be 17795 led to trust in God more and more, and therefore I feel it 17796 due to them to state, how, even with regard to this life, I 17797 am amply provided for, though that is not what I seek 17798 after. 17799 17800 17801 Further account respecting the intended Orphan Houses 17802 for Seven Hundred Poor Children, bereaved of both 17803 parents by death, from May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856. 17804 17805 17806 On May 20, 1855, I had in hand for this object 23,059l. 17807 17s. 8 ¼ d., as stated in the last chapter on this subject. I 17808 now relate how the Lord was pleased to supply me further 17809 with means, but must confine myself, for the sake of 17810 brevity, to some of the more remarkable donations. 17811 17812 June. 20. A silver medal "given to the donor for being 17813 engaged in the taking of Java; but he desires to lay down 17814 his honour at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and to have this 17815 medal used to lay a stone in the new building." 17816 17817 Aug. 4. From S. S. 5l., with 5l. for the circulation of the 17818 Holy Scriptures, 5l. for Missions, and 5l. and the 17819 following articles for the support of the Orphans: A pair 17820 of gold mounted bracelets, a pair of jet bracelets, an iron 17821 watch guard, a pair of iron bracelets and waist buckle, a 17822 small gold seal, a ring, 2 pencil cases, a gold brooch, a 17823 purse and some mock pearls and beads. 17824 17825

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Aug. 22. From Devonshire 100l. 17826 17827 Nov. 21. From Ipswich 2l., "The property of a dear child 17828 now in heaven." 17829 17830 Nov. 23. From London 50l., with 5l. for the circulation of 17831 Bibles and Tracts, 5l. for the Schools, 10l. for Missions, 17832 10l. for the Orphans, 10l. for Mr. Craik, and 10l. for my 17833 own expenses. 17834 17835 Dec. 5. This evening I had the kind offer, unsolicited, that 17836 all the glass required, for about 300 large windows in the 17837 new house, which is now being built, should be 17838 gratuitously supplied. It is worthy of notice that the glass 17839 was not contracted for, this time, as in the case of the 17840 house already built. This, no doubt, was under the 17841 ordering of our Heavenly Father, who knew beforehand 17842 that this offer would be made. 17843 17844 Jan. 10, 1850. From Liverpool: A ring set with a brilliant, 17845 a gold bracelet, a Maltese bracelet, a brooch, a Maltese 17846 silver clasp and belt, a garnet ring, a pair of gold ear-rings, 17847 a box of whist markers, and German cross and chain. 17848 17849 Feb. 19. Now at last the Lord has been pleased, in answer 17850 to many prayers, to give me today 3000l., which being left 17851 to my disposal for the work of the Lord, I took for the 17852 Building Fund 1700l., for the support of the Orphans 17853 300l., and for Missionary objects, the circulation of the 17854 Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and the support of the various 17855 Schools in connection with the Scriptural Knowledge 17856 Institution 1000l. How I feel at such times cannot 17857

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17858 be described, when in answer to many prayers, the Lord 17859 is pleased to open His bountiful hands, and to prove so 17860 abundantly how willing He is to listen to the supplications 17861 of His children who put their trust in Him, though it may 17862 be needful, for their own good and that of others, that for 17863 a season He seem but little or not at all to regard their 17864 supplications. 17865 17866 March 18. Received 4000l., which was left at my 17867 disposal as the work of the Lord might require it. I took of 17868 this sum 3000l. for the Building Fund, and 1000l. for 17869 Missions, the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and the 17870 various schools, supported by the Institution. — This 17871 donation is the fruit of many prayers, and of much looking 17872 to the Lord for answers. His holy name be magnified for 17873 it. I am thus drawing nearer and nearer the time when I 17874 shall have obtained from the Lord everything needed for 17875 this object. I have not had, from the beginning, by God’s 17876 grace, one moment’s doubt, that in His own time, He 17877 would give me all that is required. 17878 17879 May 26. By sale of a publication in French 3l. — By sale 17880 of a publication in English 69l. 1s. 10d. — To these 17881 donations is to be added 911l. 8s. 1d., received during this 17882 year for interest. 17883 17884 I add a few remarks. 17885 17886 A. Up to May 20, 1856, the total income for the Building 17887 Fund was 29,297l. 18s. 11 ½ d., so that only about 5700l. 17888 more will be required, as far as I am able to see, in order 17889

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to accomplish to the full my purpose respecting the 17890 accommodation for 700 more Orphans. 17891 17892 B. The house for 400 female Orphans, commenced in 17893 August, 1855, is expected, with God’s blessing to be 17894 ready by about Midsummer 1857 for the reception of 400 17895 Orphans. 17896 17897 C. As soon as my path is made plain, God willing, the 17898 other house for 300 Orphans will also be commenced; but 17899 I cannot state, at present, any further particulars respecting 17900 this. 17901 17902 17903 Supplies for the School —, Bible —, Missionary and 17904 Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1855, 17905 to May 26, 1856. 17906 17907 17908 On May 26, 1855, when the accounts were closed, there 17909 was in hand 41l. 6s. 11 ½ d. for these objects. On June 5, 17910 1855, therefore only a few days after the commencement 17911 of the new period, when only 1l. 0s. 6d. altogether had 17912 come in for these objects, in 8 different donations, I 17913 received 211l. 9s. 5d., of which the donor kindly wished 17914 me to retain 11l. 9s. 5d. for my own expenses, and to use 17915 the 200l. for the work of the Lord, as might be needed. I 17916 took, therefore, 100l. for the support of the Orphans, and 17917 100l. for these objects, and had thus some means, to go on 17918 with the work. This donation was a great refreshment and 17919 encouragement to me, at the commencement of this new 17920 period. 17921

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17922 July 12. Since June 5th little only, comparatively, has 17923 come in. All the donations for these objects were under 5l. 17924 Today, however, the Lord, in answer to many prayers, has 17925 sent me 200l., to be used as needed. I took of this 17926 donation 100l. for the Orphans, and 100l. for these 17927 objects, and have thus the means of being able to send 17928 some help to brethren who labour in the Gospel. 17929 17930 Aug. 9. Having had heavy expenses the last ten days, in 17931 order to help foreign labourers in the Gospel, and to 17932 procure supplies of Bibles, Testaments, and Tracts, our 17933 means for these objects were now reduced to 7l. 7s. 10 ½ 17934 d. Yet I desired far more to help brethren who labour in 17935 the Word, as the greater party of them had not yet been 17936 supplied. I therefore besought the Lord, that He would be 17937 pleased to send in means. When I came home this evening 17938 from the New Orphan House, I found the following letter, 17939 from the same believing farmer, whom the Lord has 17940 several times used in previous years, to help me when in 17941 need. 17942 17943 "* * * * Aug. 8, 1855. 17944 17945 17946 "Dear Brother in Christ, 17947 17948 17949 "I feel stirred up to help you in the work in which you are 17950 engaged, and therefore beg your acceptance of the 17951 enclosed Twenty Pounds, to be used in any way you 17952 please, trusting God will direct you. 17953

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17954 Yours affectionately in Christ, 17955 17956 "* * * *" 17957 17958 17959 I took the whole amount for Missionary objects and the 17960 circulation of Bibles and Tracts. 17961 17962 Aug. 25. The outgoings from these objects have been 17963 great, during this month, and the income comparatively 17964 17965 small. On this account the means for these objects were 17966 reduced today to a few shillings. As the opportunities for 17967 the gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures and 17968 Gospel Tracts, however, continued to be great, and as I 17969 had been only able to send out about the third part as 17970 much to labourers in the Gospel, as I could have desired, 17971 my prayer during this week had been especially for means 17972 for this object. Now the Lord has somewhat helped us. I 17973 have received today a donation of 203l. 14s., the whole of 17974 which I took for these objects, as the application of it was 17975 left with me. The Lord be magnified for this precious 17976 help! I shall be able to send at least 150l. of this sum to 17977 labourers in the Gospel. — About 3 hours, before this 17978 donation was received, I had been asking the Lord, if He 17979 would not condescend to use me as an instrument, at this 17980 time, in helping these brethren, He would kindly in some 17981 other way supply them with means. 17982 17983 Sept. 1. From Dublin 5l. for missions. 17984 17985

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Sept. 11. From C. W. 20l. for foreign labourers in the 17986 Gospel. A precious help in answer to many prayers. 17987 17988 Sept. 20. Received 190l., of which I took 100l. for these 17989 objects, in order to be able to send some help to brethren 17990 who labour in the Word, and to have means for going on 17991 with the circulation of Bibles and Tracts; and the 17992 remaining 90l. I took for the support of the Orphans. 17993 Precious help, the fruit of many prayers! 17994 17995 Sept. 30. From Clerkenwell for missions 10l. 17996 17997 Oct. 13. 20l. from Austin Friars, London. I had been 17998 praying again and again for more means for these objects, 17999 and had sent out 100l. within the last few days to brethren 18000 who labour in the Word, but desired to send out more. 18001 18002 Oct. 23. From London 20l. 18003 18004 Nov. 6th. Since Oct. 16th I had not been able to send any 18005 further help to brethren who labour in the Word, much as 18006 I desired to do so, having only means enough to meet the 18007 necessary demands for the Schools, and the circulation of 18008 Bibles and Tracts, which amounted, from that time, to 18009 about 120l. But I prayed daily for means for missionary 18010 objects and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. Today I 18011 received 180l., the whole of which I have taken for these 18012 objects, as the disposal of it was left to me, having great 18013 reason to believe that many labourers in the Gospel are in 18014 need of help, and having still so many openings for the 18015 circulation of the. Holy Scriptures and Tracts. The Lord 18016 be magnified for this precious answer to prayer! 18017

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18018 Dec. 13. During November I was enabled to send 200l. to 18019 brethren who labour in the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 18020 and also 197l. in October; but during this month I have as 18021 yet been only able to send out 12l. My often repeated 18022 prayer has been, that the Lord would give me the joy and 18023 privilege of sending out a considerable sum during this 18024 month also. This prayer was again repeated, when I rose 18025 this morning, and saw the windows covered with ice; for I 18026 thought then of the needy brethren in this cold weather, 18027 connected with the high price of provisions. It was not 18028 long after, when I received 153l., to be used in the Lord’s 18029 service, as most needed. I took of this, 100l. for brethren 18030 labouring in the Gospel at Home and Abroad, and 53l. for 18031 the support of the Orphans, and thus have the. joy of 18032 being able to send at least 100l. at once, waiting upon the 18033 Lord for more. 18034 18035 Jan. 31, 1850. As the fruit of very many prayers, I have 18036 received today 100l., the whole of which I have put to 18037 these funds, the application of the money being left with 18038 me; as there was nothing at all left now for the circulation 18039 of Bibles and Tracts, and the various Schools, and as I had 18040 often asked the Lord to allow me further the joy of 18041 sending help to brethren who labour in the Word, to 18042 whom since Dec. 14th I had been able to send scarcely 18043 anything. 18044 18045 From this time there were no further difficulty 18046 experienced with regard to means, for these objects, as on 18047 Feb. 19th there was received the donation of 3000l., and 18048 on March 18th the donation of 4000l., of each of which, 18049

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as stated before, I took 1000l. for the School—, Bible—, 18050 Missionary—and Tract objects, whereby, together with 18051 what came in besides, I was not only carried to the close 18052 of this period, but was enabled to expend more on 18053 Missionary objects, and the circulation of the Holy 18054 Scriptures and Tracts, than during any previous year, 18055 since the Institution commenced in March, 1834. Let it be 18056 especially observed by the Godly reader, that not only 18057 does this work continue to exist, after more than 22 years, 18058 carried on solely through the power of prayer and faith in 18059 the Living God; but also year by year its operations have 18060 been extended. Unbelief is thus put to shame. It is plainly 18061 proved that the work of God can be carried on simply by 18062 trust in God. If our work is indeed the work of God, faith 18063 and prayer will be found efficient agents; and if they are 18064 not efficient, we may well question, whether we do indeed 18065 make use of them; or, if we do, whether the work, in 18066 which we are occupied, is truly the work of God. 18067 18068 Notice here also, that not only was I enabled, simply 18069 through prayer and faith, to procure means for a greater 18070 amount of operations than during any year since March 18071 1834; but, over and above all this, I was able to add to the 18072 Building Fund during this year 6238l. 1s. 3 ¼ d., whilst 18073 the income for the support of the Orphans was 4070l. 18s. 18074 1 ¼ d., and the income for the other objects 4279l. 6s. 6 ¼ 18075 d. The total amount, therefore, which the Lord was 18076 pleased to send in during the past year, was 14,588l. 5s. 18077 10 ¾ d. Behold, dear Reader, how effectual this way is for 18078 the obtaining of means; for the amount is large. Behold 18079 too, how pleasant a way it is; for I have not to encounter 18080 unpleasant refusals, in applying for money. Behold how 18081

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cheap a way; for it involves none of the heavy expenses, 18082 usually attendant on the collection of contributions; for all 18083 I do is, to make known the work in which we are engaged, 18084 by means of the Reports, which are for the most part sold 18085 for the benefit of the Orphans, and they actually brought 18086 in during this year, as the audited accounts show, a little 18087 more than they cost. 18088 18089 But, perhaps, you say, Yes, it is just these Reports, why 18090 there is nothing at all remarkable in the matter. Our reply 18091 is: We do not pretend to miracles. We have no desire 18092 even, that the work, in which we are engaged, should be 18093 considered an extraordinary one, or even a remarkable 18094 one. We are truly sorry that many persons, 18095 inconsiderately, look upon it almost as a miraculous one. 18096 The principles on which we are acting are as old as the 18097 Holy Scriptures. But they are forgotten by many; and they 18098 are not held in living faith by others; and by some they are 18099 not known at all; nay, they are denied even to be 18100 Scriptural by not a few, and are considered as wild and 18101 fanatical. It is ascribed to my being a foreigner that I 18102 succeed so well, or to the novelty of the thing, or to some 18103 secret treasure to which I have access; but when all will 18104 not account for the progress of the work, it is said, the 18105 Reports produce it all. My reply to these different 18106 objections is: My being a foreigner, looked at naturally, 18107 would be much more likely to hinder my being intrusted 18108 with such large sums, than to induce donors to give. As to 18109 the novelty procuring the money, the time is long gone by 18110 for novelty, for this is June 1856, and the work 18111 commenced in March 1834. As to the secret treasure to 18112 which I have access, there is more in this supposition than 18113

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the objectors are aware of; for surely God’s treasury is 18114 inexhaustible, and I have that (though that alone) to go to, 18115 and have indeed drawn out of it, simply by prayer and 18116 faith, more than 113,000l. since the beginning of the 18117 work. But now as to the last objection, that the Reports 18118 are the means by which all the money is obtained: let us 18119 consider this a little, for I do heartily desire that the 18120 Reader may not lose the blessing, which this Institution is 18121 intended to convey to his soul. My reply is: There is 18122 nothing unusual in writing Reports. This is done by public 18123 Institutions generally, but the constant complaint is, that 18124 Reports are not read. Our Reports are not extraordinary as 18125 to the power of language, or as to striking appeals to 18126 feelings. They are simple statements of facts. These 18127 Reports are not accompanied by personal application for 18128 means; but they are simply sent to the donors, or to any 18129 other individuals who wish to have or purchase them. If 18130 they produce results, which Reports generally do not, I 18131 can only ascribe it to the Lord. 18132 18133 I do not mean to say that God does not use the Reports as 18134 instruments in procuring us means. They are written in 18135 order that I may thus give an account of my stewardship, 18136 but particularly, in order that, by these printed accounts of 18137 the work, the chief end of this Institution may be 18138 answered, which is to raise another public testimony to an 18139 unbelieving world, that in these last days the Living God 18140 is still the Living God, listening to the prayers of His 18141 children, and helping those who put their trust in Him; 18142 and in order that believers generally may be benefited and 18143 especially be encouraged to trust in God for everything 18144 they may need, and be stirred up to deal in greater 18145

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simplicity with God respecting everything connected with 18146 their own particular position and circumstances; in short, 18147 that the children of God maybe brought to the practical 18148 use of the Holy Scriptures, as the word of the Living God. 18149 — But while these are the primary reasons for publishing 18150 these Reports, we doubt not that the Lord has again and 18151 again used them as instruments in leading persons to help 18152 us with their means. For as we continually stand in need 18153 of considerable sums, and as even hundreds of pounds go 18154 but a very little way, I entreat the Lord day by day, and 18155 generally several times every day, to supply me with 18156 means, to speak to the hearts of His dear children, and to 18157 constrain them by the love of Christ to help me out of the 18158 means, with which He has intrusted them; and so it comes 18159 to pass, I doubt not, that the Lord again and again works 18160 by His Spirit in the hearts of those who have read or heard 18161 the Reports. But whether we are supplied with means 18162 through the Reports or irrespective of them; in either case 18163 it is God, who is working for us, and it is to this I wish to 18164 direct the mind of the Reader. 18165 18166 18167 Means for the support of the 300 Orphans already under 18168 my care, sent in answer to Prayer, from May 26, 1855, to 18169 May 26, 1856. 18170 18171 18172 When this period commenced, I had 116l. 17s. 8 ½ d. in 18173 hand for the support of the Orphans, an amount so small, 18174 looking at it naturally, that one would be ready to say, 18175 there would be soon nothing in hand. Thus indeed it 18176 would have been, had the Lord not been pleased further to 18177

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send in means; but He, in His fatherly care, never ceased 18178 to remember our need and to provide for its supply. The 18179 expenses were very heavy, month after month, not only 18180 because of the greatness of the Establishment, but in 18181 particular also on account of the high price of provisions, 18182 which prevailed during the whole of last year; yet, 18183 notwithstanding this, there was not a single year, since the 18184 Orphan work commenced, in which I went on with greater 18185 ease regarding means, than during the last period. At the 18186 close of the first month, June 26th, though the expenses 18187 had been great, there remained 192l. 9s. 11 ½ d. in hand. 18188 At the close of the second month, July 26th, there was a 18189 balance left of 259l. 4s. At the close of the third month, 18190 Aug. 26th, there was left a balance of 291l. 19s. 2d. And 18191 in like manner the Lord was pleased to supply me with 18192 means, month after month, so that when He was pleased 18193 to give me on Feb. 19th the donation of 3000l., above 18194 referred to, I had still 160l. in hand for the support of the 18195 Orphans. It is particularly worthy of notice, that the 18196 income for the support of the Orphans was not supplied 18197 by some very large donations, previous to the one of 18198 3000l.; for there was no period for about ten years, when I 18199 received fewer large donations for the support of the 18200 Orphans, than during the last. It was supplied by many 18201 donations of 1l., 2l., 5l., 10l., 20l. and upwards, but not 18202 exceeding 100l., except one of 117l. 10s. 0d. received on 18203 May 3rd, and the 300l. which I took for the Orphans out 18204 of the 3000l. And again it is remarkable, that while up to 18205 Feb. 19th we had always abounded, and were never 18206 brought low, but generally had had about 200l in hand; 18207 almost immediately after the reception of the 3000l., out 18208 of which I took 300l. for the support of the Orphans, the 18209

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balance, before in hand, was all expended, and more 18210 money required; so that I had soon to use a part of the 18211 300l., whereby the hand of God in that large donation was 18212 so much the more made manifest; and yet, again, this 18213 300l., with what the Lord was pleased to send in besides 18214 between Feb. 19th and May 26th, not only met all the 18215 remaining heavy expenses, but left in hand a balance of 18216 167l. 18s. 11 ¾ d. 18217 18218 Observe, dear Reader, while we were in rented houses in 18219 Wilson Street, we had our faith greatly tried, year after 18220 year, though the expenses were only about one-third as 18221 much, as during the past year. And thus also it has been 18222 again and again, since the New Orphan House was opened 18223 in 1849; but during the past year we were entirely free 18224 from trial of faith regarding means for the support of the 18225 Orphans, though not without many trials of faith and 18226 patience on other accounts. The. Lord takes His own way, 18227 and therefore He allows this year to stand by itself, in this 18228 particular. On this I delight to dwell; for I desire that the 18229 hand of God may be recognised in this work, whether it 18230 be by His power being manifested in sustaining us in our 18231 poverty from day to day, or by His causing us to go on 18232 easily with regard to means for a day, or a month, or a 18233 year. You see, then, that while there was but like "a 18234 handful of flour in the barrel," at the commencement of 18235 the period, the Lord was pleased to make it last for a 18236 whole year, and yet, at the end of the year, there was more 18237 than at the beginning; and during the whole year all these 18238 hundreds had been fed, clothed, and provided with 18239 everything needful; apprentices had been placed out and 18240 premiums paid for them, and their outfit and that of the 18241

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young women going out to service had been provided at 18242 the expense of the Orphan Establishment. What an answer 18243 does all this furnish to unbelief which said, when I was 18244 going to build the New Orphan House, How will you find 18245 the means for the support of these 300 Orphans? Or, when 18246 unbelief said, How will you be able to support a thousand 18247 Orphans? 18248 18249 I will now out of the very many donations, received 18250 during this year, single out a few, and make here and there 18251 remarks, as the subjects may call for it. 18252 18253 June 1, 1855. The balance left when the accounts were 18254 closed, was only enough to supply the average expenses 18255 of ten days for the support of the Orphans, and there had 18256 only been received during the last 5 days 14l. 13s. 7d. 18257 How kind therefore of the Lord, to send me today 50l. 18258 from Liverpool, 1l. from Preston, and 10s. from Milton 18259 Abbot! 18260 18261 June 5. 5l. from Lincolnshire "As a thank-offering to the 18262 Lord for preserving the only child of a widow from the. 18263 path of the destroyer." 18264 18265 June 8. A gold chain, some books for sale, and 15l. 18266 18267 June 19. 5l. as "A thank-offering to the Lord for 18268 preservation when thrown out of a gig." 18269 18270 July 10. From Worcestershire 25l. 18271 18272 July 12. Received from a great distance 200l., of which I 18273

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took 100l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for 18274 the other objects. There has also come in today 20l. from 18275 Norwich, 1l. from Bath, 4s. from Chepstow, 7s. 6d. from 18276 Mallow, 1l. from Dublin, a gold seal and sixpence, and 18277 13s. and 6s. 9d. besides. The Lord’s kindness is great in 18278 this, as a fresh supply of oatmeal, flour, &c., will need to 18279 be paid for, other heavy expenses have to be met, and 18280 there is not much in hand. 18281 18282 July 14. An Israelitish gentleman, an entire stranger, 18283 brought to my house this morning 5l. for the support of 18284 the Orphans. See in what a variety of ways the Lord is 18285 pleased to supply us with means, and all unsolicited, 18286 simply in answer to prayer! 18287 18288 Aug. 17. From Messrs. * * * 7l. 10s. 0d., being a portion 18289 of the money received for showing the "British Empire" 18290 before she left Bristol. Observe again, esteemed Reader, 18291 what a variety of ways the Lord uses to supply me with 18292 means; for I had not before even heard of the name of this 18293 vessel, nor did I know her owners, even by name; yet God 18294 inclines the heart of these gentlemen to send me this 7l. 18295 10s. 0d. towards the support of the 300 Orphans. — 18296 Anonymously from Wilton 4s., as "A thank-offering to 18297 God for His mercies on a journey." 18298 18299 Aug. 21. From Worcestershire 30l. 18300 18301 Sept. 6. From the Bombay Presidency 25l. 18302 18303 On Sept. 12, were sent by the donor who gave so 18304 valuable a donation of jewellery on July 26, 1854, the 18305

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following articles of jewellery, etc., being the last she 18306 possessed, and which the love of Christ led her to give up: 18307 A valuable dressing case, 2 little boxes, 2 pomatum pots, 18308 a gold thimble, a large gold brooch set with a ruby and 2 18309 brilliants, a gold star necklace set with a brilliant, a gold 18310 bracelet, a gold watchguard, a gold cross, 2 rings set with 18311 pearls, a ring set with pearls and small rubies, a ring set 18312 with 2 brilliants, a ring set with 3 rubies and 2 brilliants, a 18313 pair of gold earrings and brooch set with pearls, a large 18314 ivory brooch, a silver brooch set with pearls, a silver 18315 pencil case, a paste brooch, 5 loose crystals, and some 18316 small carved ornaments. 18317 18318 Sept. 26. Received a large cask containing the wearing 18319 apparel of the late Mrs. H. at J. in the county of Leicester, 18320 which this lady, by her will, had bequeathed to me for the 18321 benefit of the Orphans. 18322 18323 Oct. 3. Received the following letter. 18324 18325 "* * *, Oct. 8, 1855. 18326 18327 Dear Mr. Müller, 18328 18329 The enclosed check for 8l. 1s. 4d. is chiefly the product 18330 of a sale for the Orphans, which we held on our sister’s 18331 wedding-day, and hoping it will be acceptable, 18332 18333 We remain, 18334 18335 Your’s affectionately, 18336 18337

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* * * * *." 18338 18339 18340 The Orphans on Ashley Down were to be benefited by 18341 the day of gladness in this Godly family. — The Godly 18342 principle, which brought this donation, refreshed my spirit 18343 above the money, and, I doubt not, will refresh other 18344 Godly readers. — Let me here say, by the way, to 18345 believing parents, Seek to cherish in your children early 18346 the habit of being interested about the work of God and 18347 about cases of need and distress, and use them too at 18348 suitable times, and under suitable circumstances, as your 18349 almoners, and you will reap fruit from doing so. 18350 18351 Oct. 10. From Surrey 5s. and a gold chain. — From a 18352 shepherd in Australia, who had read my Narrative while 18353 tending his flock, 12s. — See how the lady near London 18354 sends her gold chain, and the shepherd in Australia his 18355 12s. — Thus the Lord, in the greatest variety of ways 18356 supplies me with means, for the greater part through entire 18357 strangers. Thus I received one hundred pounds after 18358 another, anonymously, through London bankers, until a 18359 particular circumstance made known to me the name of 18360 the kind Christian donor, whom I have seen but once 18361 years ago, and who had, at the same time, sent me 18362 considerable donations with his name, whilst his bankers, 18363 anonymously, sent his still larger donations of many 18364 hundred pounds. I dwell upon this fact, that the reader 18365 may be led to own increasingly the hand of God in this 18366 work; for I desire that He may be honoured, that His hand 18367 may be recognised, and that attention may be drawn to 18368 Him, and not to me. It gives me no joy but sorrow, if 18369

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persons admire me, in connexion with this work, as if I 18370 did anything great; as if I acted in a remarkable way. 18371 What is it that I do? I simply desire, through this work, to 18372 direct the attention of those who need it to the precious 18373 truth, that God is unchangeably the same, and that those 18374 who take Him at His word, as given to us in the Holy 18375 Scriptures, will find how unspeakably blessed it is, even 18376 for this life, to do so. To bring back to the written word of 18377 God those of His children, who practically have departed 18378 from it, and to sound again and again in the ears and 18379 consciences of the unbeliever that there is verily a living 18380 God who listens to the prayers of those who put their trust 18381 in Him, is, as I have often before stated, the great end of 18382 this work. 18383 18384 Oct. 11. To day I received, unsolicited, a kind and useful 18385 present of flannel and calico, to the amount of 10l., from 18386 the ladies constituting the Bristol Dorcas Society. 18387 18388 Oct. 18. "Articles forwarded by friends at a distance," an 18389 anonymous but most valuable donation, the particulars of 18390 which I am not at liberty to state. — The kind unknown 18391 donor or donors should, however, know, that very many 18392 pounds have been realized through the sale of these 18393 articles, and that they were almost all readily sold. 18394 18395 I cannot help noticing here, how much help the Lord has 18396 given us, in disposing of the articles, given for the benefit 18397 of the Orphans, and what a considerable sum has come to 18398 the funds of the Institution through the fact that believers 18399 have been led to send their needless articles. There came 18400 in by the sale of articles during the past year, for the 18401

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Building Fund 21l. 16s. 7d., for missionary objects 15l. 18402 6s. 4d., and for the support of the Orphans 426l. 14s. 9d. 18403 18404 Oct. 27. From Devonshire 4l. "The proceeds of the sale 18405 of the Orphans pig." A young pig bought, fattened and 18406 sold for the benefit of the Orphans, and this 4l. was sent as 18407 the proceeds. 18408 18409 Nov. 3. From St. Leonard’s-on-Sea 50l. 18410 18411 Nov. 4. A ring set with 5 brilliants. 18412 18413 Nov. 16. From Yate 10l. and also 5s. 18414 18415 Nov. 19. From New York 25l. From Bath 10l. 18416 18417 Flour is now 65s. per sack. When we began to bake in the 18418 New Orphan House, it was from 27s. to 32s. We bought at 18419 one time 20 sacks at 27s. Now it is 65s. But the Lord 18420 provides us with all we need, though other provisions are 18421 also expensive, as well as flour. 18422 18423 Dec. 11. From the north of Devon a brooch, set with an 18424 emerald and 10 brilliants. — I took this as a further 18425 answer to my prayers, for gifts of diamonds, etc. 18426 18427 Jan. 4, 1856. 42l. 4s. 6d. with these words; "This is the 18428 answer of prayers, we have of late without ceasing offered 18429 up on behalf the Orphans." — This is one of the most 18430 remarkable donations received during the whole year. A 18431 brother and sister in the Lord, who labour for Him in 18432 seeking to win souls, whilst depending upon Him for all 18433

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they need, gave themselves to prayer on behalf of the 18434 Orphans, and that which the Lord gave them towards the 18435 close of the yean 1855, in answer to prayer, enabled them 18436 to send this 42l. 4s. 6d. See, dear Reader, that the saints 18437 have power with God. This brother and sister have been 18438 greatly encouraged by this work, and now, even in the 18439 way of means, though they are poor themselves, this work 18440 reaps the fruit of their prayers. Be encouraged, then, for 18441 yourself to trust in God for all you may need. 18442 18443 Jan.30, 1l. 5s. from Stroud, as "a thank-offering for 25 18444 years of family mercies." 18445 18446 Feb. 3. From Worcestershire 30l. 18447 18448 Feb. 0. From George Town, Demerara, 10 dollars. — 18449 From South Town 5l and also 5s. — From Liverpool 50l. 18450 18451 Feb. 9. From Adelaide, Australia, 2l. and also 10s. 18452 18453 Feb. 15. From Hornley, Staffordshire, 20l. 18454 18455 April 5. Received 74l. 9s. 1d., which being left to my 18456 disposal for the Lord’s work, I took the whole for the 18457 support of the Orphans. 18458 18459 April 9. From Worcestershire 50l. 18460 18461 April 19. 1l. from the Grand Duchy of Baden. 18462 18463 I have thus, out of more than 2000 donations, taken a 18464 few, to show in what way the Lord is pleased to supply 18465

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me with means. 18466 18467 18468 Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural 18469 Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, with 18470 reference to the period from May 26, 1855, to May 26, 18471 1856. 18472 18473 18474 1, During this year 4 Day Schools in Bristol, with 203 18475 children, were entirely supported by the funds of the 18476 Institution; and nine Day Schools, in Devonshire, 18477 Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Scotland, British 18478 Guiana and Africa, were assisted. — Further, one Sunday 18479 School in Bristol, with 158 children, was entirely 18480 supported, and eight others, in Gloucestershire, 18481 Devonshire, Middlesex, Canada and British Guiana, were 18482 assisted. — Lastly, one Adult School in Bristol, with 158 18483 Adult scholars, was entirely supported, and two other 18484 Adult Schools, in Kent and Norfolk, were assisted. The 18485 amount spent during this year, in connexion with these 18486 schools, was 348l. 5s. 11 ¼ d.; and the sum total expended 18487 during the last 22 years in connexion with the schools, 18488 either entirely, or in part, supported by the funds of this 18489 Institution, amounts to 7552l. 18s. 7 ½ d. — The number 18490 of children, who were under our care, merely in the 18491 Schools, entirely supported by this Institution, from 18492 March 5, 1834, to May 20, 1856, was 6104 in the Day 18493 Schools, 2911 in the Sunday Schools, and 2611 persons in 18494 the Adult School. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 18495 11,626 persons have been brought under habitual 18496 instruction in the things of God in these various Schools; 18497

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besides the many thousands in the Schools in various 18498 parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, British Guiana, the 18499 East Indies, etc., which have been to a greater or lesser 18500 degree assisted. 18501 18502 2, During this year was expended on the circulation of the 18503 Holy Scriptures, of the funds of this Institution, 496l. 10s. 18504 0d. There were circulated during this year 2175 Bibles, 18505 1233 New Testaments, 119 copies of the Psalms, and 155 18506 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures. — There have 18507 been circulated since March 5, 1834, through the medium 18508 of this Institution, 16,124 Bibles, 10,280 New Testaments, 18509 307 copies of the Psalms, and 944 other small portions of 18510 the Holy Scriptures. — The sum total spent on the 18511 circulation of the Holy Scriptures, since March 5, 1834, is 18512 3880l. 0s.1d. 18513 18514 3. During this year there were spent of the Funds of the 18515 Institution for Missionary objects 2501l. 9s. 1d. By this 18516 sum, sixty one labourers in the word and doctrine, in 18517 various parts of the world, were to a greater or less degree 18518 assisted. The amount sent to each of these servants of the 18519 Lord is as follows. 18520 18521 To No. 1. Labouring in British Guiana (a European) 171l. 18522 18523 To No. 2. Ditto (Ditto) 110l. 18524 18525 To No. 3. Ditto (Ditto) 62l. 18526 18527 To No. 4. Ditto (Ditto) 58l. 18528 18529

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To No. 5. Ditto (Ditto) 48l. 18530 18531 To No. 6. Ditto (Ditto) 33l. 18532 18533 To No. 7. Ditto (Ditto) 8l. 18534 18535 To No. 8 Ditto (A Native) 17l. 18536 18537 To No. 9 Ditto (Ditto) 14l. 18538 18539 To No. 10. Labouring in China (a European) 14l. 18540 18541 To No. 11. Labouring in the East Indies (a European) 60l. 18542 18543 To No. 12. Ditto (Ditto) 40l. 18544 18545 To No. 13. Ditto (Ditto) 25l. 18546 18547 To No 14. Ditto (a Native) 15l. 18548 18549 To No. 15 Labouring in Canada 90l. 18550 18551 To No. 16. Ditto 70l. 18552 18553 To No. 17. Labouring in Belgium 45l. 18554 18555 To No. 18. Labouring in Switzerland 30l. 18556 18557 To No. 19. Labouring in France 30l. 18558 18559 To No. 20. Labouring in Ireland 60l. 18560 18561

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To No. 21. Ditto 45l. 18562 18563 To No. 22. Labouring in Scotland 60l. 18564 18565 To No. 23 Labouring in England 90l. 18566 18567 To No. 24. Ditto 80l. 18568 18569 To No. 25. Ditto 60l. 18570 18571 To No. 26. Ditto 60l. 18572 18573 To No. 27. Ditto 58l. 18574 18575 To No. 28. Ditto 50l. 18576 18577 To No. 29. Ditto 50l. 18578 18579 To No. 30. Ditto 50l. 18580 18581 To No. 31. Ditto 50l. 18582 18583 To No. 32. Ditto 45l. 18584 18585 To No. 33. Ditto 45l. 18586 18587 To No. 34. Ditto 45l. 18588 18589 To No. 35. Ditto 40l. 18590 18591 To No. 36. Ditto 40l. 18592 18593

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To No. 37. Ditto 40l. 18594 18595 To No. 38. Ditto 35l. 18596 18597 To No. 39. Ditto 35l. 18598 18599 To No. 40. Ditto 35l. 18600 18601 To No. 41. Ditto 35l. 18602 18603 To No. 42. Ditto 30l. 18604 18605 To No. 43. Ditto 30l. 18606 18607 To No. 44. Ditto 30l. 18608 18609 To No. 45. Ditto 30l. 18610 18611 To No. 46. Ditto 25l. 18612 18613 To No. 47. Ditto 25l. 18614 18615 To No. 48. Ditto 25l. 18616 18617 To No. 49. Ditto 20l. 18618 18619 To No. 50. Ditto 20l. 18620 18621 To No. 51. Ditto 20l. 18622 18623 To No. 52. Ditto 15l. 18624 18625

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To No. 53. Ditto 15l. 18626 18627 To No. 54. Ditto 15l. 18628 18629 To No. 55. Ditto 15l. 18630 18631 To No. 56. Ditto 10l. 18632 18633 To No. 57. Ditto 8l. 18634 18635 To No. 58. Ditto 8l. 18636 18637 To No. 59. Ditto 8l. 18638 18639 To No. 60. Ditto 5l. 18640 18641 To No. 61. Ditto 5l. 18642 18643 There was also expended for fitting up, or renting, 18644 lighting, cleaning, &c., some preaching rooms in 18645 spiritually dark villages in Devonshire, Gloucestershire. 18646 and Somersetshire. 38l. 9 1 18647 18648 Respecting this part of the work there is great cause for 18649 thanksgiving. It has pleased the Lord abundantly to bless 18650 the labours of many of these servants of Christ whom I 18651 have assisted. Very many souls have been won through 18652 them during the past year. On the labours of some in 18653 particular, both at home and abroad, an unusual blessing 18654 has rested. But whilst I say this to the praise of the Lord, I 18655 add the earnest entreaty also, to the believing reader, to 18656 supplicate for these dear brethren, that it may please God 18657

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to give unto them strength of voice, mind and body for 18658 their service; but, above all, to renew them in their inward 18659 man day by day, and to make them happy in Himself, so 18660 that they may out of a happy heart, which is under the 18661 power of the truth, set forth the unsearchable riches of 18662 Christ. I also request the prayers of the believing reader 18663 for an increase of labourers, especially for foreign 18664 countries, as almost everywhere there is a great lack of 18665 them, and from time to time through death or ill health 18666 they are removed from their post of service. 18667 18668 Though more has been expended this year of the funds of 18669 the Institution, than during the previous year, for 18670 Missionary objects; yet I long to be permitted to do far 18671 more than this. 18672 18673 The sum total expended on Missionary operations, of the 18674 funds of the Institution, since March 5, 1834, is 18,616l. 18675 9s. 6 ½ d. 18676 18677 4, There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from 18678 May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856, the sum of 791l. 1s. 0 ½ 18679 d., and there were circulated 812,970 Tracts and Books. 18680 — The sum total expended on this object, since. Nov. 19, 18681 1840, amounts to 3659l. 16s. 7 ¼ d. — The total number 18682 of all the Tracts and Books circulated since Nov. 19, 18683 1840, is 4,397,680. 18684 18685 During this year, as for many years past, there has not 18686 been a single open door set before us, where we could 18687 profitably have circulated the Holy Scriptures, or given 18688 away Tracts, but the Lord has also been pleased to enable 18689

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us to enter those doors. These opportunities have of late 18690 years increased more and more, but the Lord has also 18691 been pleased, along with them, to give increased means; 18692 and, we doubt not, He will yet further open His bountiful 18693 hand, and supply us with means for the circulation of the 18694 Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts. 18695 18696 I have heard again and again of instances, during the past 18697 year in which it had pleased the Lord to bless the 18698 circulation of those Tracts and little books, which He had 18699 allowed us to issue. 18700 18701 5, At the beginning of this period, there were 297 18702 Orphans in the New Orphan House. During the past year, 18703 there were admitted into it 25 Orphans, making 322 in all. 18704 Of these 322, one died. Only one! She had been nine 18705 years under our care, and we had the great joy of seeing 18706 her depart this life as a decided believer in the Lord Jesus. 18707 One boy we were obliged to expel from the Institution, 18708 after we had long borne with him, but we follow him still 18709 with our prayers. 13 boys were fitted out and apprenticed 18710 at the expense of the Establishment. Seven girls were sent 18711 to service and one was apprenticed, each having been 18712 provided with an outfit, at the expense of the 18713 Establishment. Several of those who left the Orphan 18714 House, we had the joy of sending out as believers. These 18715 23 vacancies, thus occasioned, left on May 26, 1856, only 18716 299 Orphans under our care. This one vacancy, however, 18717 was the very next Friday filled up. The total number of 18718 Orphans, who have been under our care since April 1836, 18719 is 622. 18720 18721

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I notice further the following points respecting the 18722 Orphan work: 18723 18724 1, At the beginning of this period, there were 715 18725 Orphans waiting for admission. Since then 201 more 18726 destitute Orphans, bereaved of both parents by death, and 18727 some only a few months old, have been applied for to be 18728 admitted, making 916 in all. Of these 916, we were only 18729 able to receive 25, as has been stated, and 44 either died 18730 or were otherwise provided for, as their relatives or 18731 friends informed us; so that there are still 847 waiting for 18732 admission. Dear Reader, think of these 847 destitute 18733 Orphans, bereaved of both parents! As for myself, I have 18734 now before me the most pleasant and heart-refreshing 18735 prospect, if the Lord permit, of being able to receive 400 18736 of them about June or July 1857, and also of being 18737 permitted to build the third house for 300 more. 18738 18739 2, The average expense for each of the Orphans under our 18740 care, during the past year; amounted to 12l. 6s. 8d. 18741 18742 3, Without any one having been personally applied to for 18743 anything by me, the sum of 84,441l. 6s. 3 ¼ d. has been 18744 given to me for the Orphans, as the result of prayer to 18745 God, since the commencement of the work. The total sum 18746 given for the other objects, since the commencement of 18747 the work, amounts to 28,904l. 11s. 3 ¾ d.; and that which 18748 has come in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the 18749 payments of the children in the Day Schools, from the 18750 commencement up to May 26, 1856, amounts to 5,145l. 18751 17s. 0d. Besides this, also a great variety and number of 18752 articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., have been 18753

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given for the use of the Orphans. 18754 18755 4, The Lord is pleased to continue to allow us to see fruit 18756 in connexion with the Orphan work, and we hear still 18757 again and again of cases, in which those, who were 18758 formerly under our care, have been led to declare 18759 themselves openly for the Lord, besides those, in whom 18760 we saw the work of grace manifestly begun, before they 18761 left the Orphan House. 18762 18763 5, The total of the current expenses for the Orphans and 18764 the various other objects of the Institution, was 8166l. 8s. 18765 5 ¼ d. during the past year. 18766 18767 18768 Matters connected with my own personal affairs, from 18769 May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856. 18770 18771 18772 Dec. 31, 1855. During this year the Lord has been 18773 pleased to give me 18774 18775 1. By anonymous donations through the 18776 18777 boxes . . . . . . £202 10 9 ¼ 18778 18779 2. Through donations from believers in 18780 18781 Bristol, not anonymously . . 149 13 9 18782 18783 3. Through donations from believers not 18784 18785

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residing in Bristol . . . 301 15 8 18786 18787 4. Through presents in clothes, provisions, 18788 18789 etc., worth at least . . . 12 16 0 18790 18791 —————— 18792 18793 £726 10 2 ¼ 18794 18795 18796 This, dear Reader, is the writer’s statement after having 18797 acted on these principles for more than 25 years. You see, 18798 not for a week, a month, or even a year, how the writer 18799 has been dealt with by the Lord, after he had set out in this 18800 way; but, in all simplicity he has related to you, how it has 18801 been with him year after year. And now, after more than 18802 25 years, he is still acting on these principles, and is more 18803 than ever convinced of their truthfulness and their 18804 blessedness; and he is delighted in being able to prove to 18805 you, to God’s honour, that even for this life he has been 18806 no loser by acting out the light which the Lord has been 18807 pleased to give to him. 18808 18809 May 26, 1856. Yesterday evening it was 24 years, since I 18810 came to labour in Bristol. In looking back upon this 18811 period, as it regards the Lord’s goodness to my family and 18812 myself, the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and the 18813 saints among whom I seek to serve Him, I exclaim, What 18814 has God wrought! I marvel at His kindness, and yet I do 18815 not; for such is His manner; and, if it please Him that I 18816 remain longer on earth, I expect, not fewer manifestations 18817

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of His love, but more and more. 18818 18819 Since my beloved friend and fellow labourer and I first 18820 came to Bristol, 1586 believers have been received into 18821 fellowship, which number, with the 68 we found in 18822 communion, makes 1654. But out of that number 252 18823 have fallen asleep, 53 have been separated from 18824 fellowship, 145 have left us, some however merely 18825 through circumstances, and in love, and 510 have left 18826 Bristol; so that there are only 694 remaining in 18827 communion. 18828 18829 Farewell, Christian Reader. I reckon it one of the greatest 18830 privileges which the Lord has been pleased to bestow 18831 upon me to be able to finish this volume. Remember the 18832 writer in your prayers. He greatly needs them. Numberless 18833 are his difficulties and trials, as well as his joys and 18834 blessings! Pray that he may be helped of God to finish his 18835 course with joy, and to continue his service without 18836 growing weary. 18837 18838 18839 The End. 18840 18841 More resources on prayer, victory and revival can be 18842 found at path2prayer.com 18843 18844 18845 18846