Supplies for the SchoolBibleMissionary and Tract-Fund, sent in
answer to prayer, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846.
Aug. 10, 1844. In the greatest need, when not one penny was in hand, I
received 5l. from a brother at Hackney. I took half of this sum for
these objects, and half for the Orphans.
Sept. 7. Our poverty has been great ever since the accounts were closed
on July 14th. Our Tract and Bible stock is very small, and we have much
reduced it on account of sending supplies to Demerara. The rents for the
School-Rooms are becoming due, and other expenses are to be met. Under
these circumstances I received today with Philip iv. 6, the sum of 50l.
The donor writes that he thinks he is directed by the Lord to send the
money. How truly is it so! I took of this sum 20l. for the Orphans, and
30l. for these objects.
Oct. 1. This evening I received a bank order for 70l., to be used as the
Lord might direct me. This money came in most seasonably, as I am thus
able to pay to the six teachers who labour in the six Day-schools, their
salaries. I took 30l. of the 70l. for these objects, and 40l. for the
Orphans.
Dec. 14. The means for these objects have been very small for some time
past. Under these circumstances I received this afternoon from a sister
in the Lord, who is near the close of her earthly pilgrimage, a small
box, containing five brooches, two rings set with twelve small
brilliants, five other rings, one mourning ring, a pair of gilt
bracelets, a gold pin, a small silver vinaigrette, some tracts, and a
sovereign. The donor stated on a paper, contained in the box, that the
produce might be used for the Orphans or otherwise, as I might require.
As these funds are in particular need, I took the contents of this
little box for them, and the trinkets were soon disposed of.--The
sister fell asleep very shortly after. Will she need such ornaments
before her Lord? Will she regret having given them for His work? Oh!
no.
Dec. 21. Today I have received the following trinkets, the produce of
which I was at liberty to use for the Orphans, or my own personal
necessities, or the printing of my Narrative, or for the School,
Bible, Missionary and Tract Fund. I have put the produce to the funds
for these objects. A ring set with twelve small brilliants, a ring set
with one brilliant, another ring set with one brilliant, a ring set with
five brilliants, a paste ring, a large brooch, two large rings, two
wedding rings, two other small rings, a ring set with small pearls,
three other rings, two gold pins, four gold shirt studs, and a gilt
pin.
Dec. 24. I have received still further the following trinkets, the
produce of which was likewise taken for these objects, it being left to
me to use them as most needed. A small gold chain, a ring set with seven
brilliants, five gold seals, an eyeglass silver mounted, a ring set with
a head, a gold pin, a gold buckle, a silver pencil case, a gold brooch,
a brooch set with small pearls, a set of gold shirt studs, a small gold
brooch, nine gold rings, a gold heart, a gilt chain, and a gilt
watch-chain.
Jan. 13, 1845. When there was nothing in hand towards our many
necessities for these objects, I received today the following valuable
donation:--Three forty-franc pieces, two twenty-franc pieces, six
five-franc pieces, seven two-franc pieces, eleven one-franc pieces,
fourteen half-franc pieces, twenty-one quarter of a franc pieces, and
fifty-two other small Italian and French silver coins.
Feb. 3. Today, when I had again nothing at all in hand, I received from
W. P. 5l.
Apr. 8. When, once more, I had nothing in hand, I received today from
Yorkshire 10l., which, being left at my disposal, I used for these
objects.
Apr. 24. Today were sent to me a small old gold watch, a half sovereign,
a half guinea piece, two twenty-franc pieces, six small Turkish gold
coins, a quarter of a franc, a threepenny piece, a silver toothpick, and
a brass pencil-case. The produce of these articles likewise was put to
these funds.
May 5. From Scarborough was sent to day 5l. for these funds, at a time
when I had again nothing left.
May 6. About six weeks ago intimation was kindly given by a brother that
he expected a certain considerable sum of money, and that, if he
obtained it, a certain portion of it should be given to the Lord, so
that 100l. of it should be used for the work in my hands, and the other
part for Brother Craik's and my own personal expenses. However, day
after day passed away, and the money did not come. I did not trust in
this money, yet, as during all this time, with scarcely any exception,
we were more or less needy, I thought again and again about this
brother's promise; though I did not, by the grace of God, trust in the
brother who had made it, but in the Lord. Thus week after week passed
away, and the money did not come. Now this morning it came to my mind,
that such promises ought to be valued, in a certain sense, as nothing,
i.e. that the mind ought never for a moment to be directed to them, but
to the living God, and to the living God only. I saw that such promises
ought not to be of the value of one farthing, so far as it regards
thinking about them for help. I therefore asked the Lord, when, as
usual, I was praying with my beloved wife about the work in my hands,
that He would be pleased to take this whole matter, about that promise,
completely out of my mind, and to help me, not to value it in the least,
yea, to treat it as if not worth one farthing, but to keep my eye
directed only to Himself. I was enabled to do so. We had not yet
finished praying when I received the following letter:
"Beloved Brother, May 5, 1845.
"Are your bankers still Messrs. Stuckey and Co. of Bristol, and are their
hankers still Messrs. Robarts and Co. of London? Please to instruct me
on this; and if the case should be so, please to regard this as a letter
of advice that 70l. are paid to Messrs. Robarts and Co., for Messrs.
Stuckey and Co., for you. This sum apply as the Lord may give you
wisdom. I shall not send to Robarts and Co. until I hear from you.
"Ever affectionately yours,
"* * * *"
Thus the Lord rewarded at once this determination to endeavour not to
look in the least to that promise from a brother, but only to Himself.
But this was not all. About two o'clock this afternoon I received from
the brother, who had, more than forty days ago, made that promise, 166l.
18s., as he this day received the money, on the strength of which he had
made that promise. Of this sum 100l. are to be used for the work in my
hands, and the remainder for brother Craik's and my own personal
expenses.--I took of these two sums, i.e. of the 70l. and the 100l.,
half for the Orphans and half for these objects. When this money came
in, there was only very little in hand. The last tracts had been given
away, two or three days ago, but I had no money to order more: thus I
was able to send off an order for 11,700. Bibles also needed to be
ordered, but I had no money: I am now able to order some. It had been
much on my heart to send a little help to some Missionary brethren, as a
token of affectionate interest, and this I am now able to do. The Lord
be praised for His goodness in helping thus so seasonably!
From May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, we experienced no difficulty at all
as to means, the Lord having always seasonably sent in the supplies, so
that, without any one exception, I was always able not only to meet all
the demands connected with the Day-Schools, the Sunday-School, and the
Adult-Schools, but I was also able to do more, so far as it regards
means, in aiding the circulation of Tracts, and helping Missionary
efforts, than at any previous period of the same length. Of the
donations which came in from May 6, 1845, to May 26, 1846, I only
mention the following:--On June 23, with Philip. iv. 6, for
circulation of Tracts and Bibles in foreign lands, or, as needed, 60l.
Oct. 12, 150l. On Feb. 26, 1846, I received 200l., of which 100l. was to
be used for Missionary work in foreign lands, and 100l. for brethren who
labour in England, in the word and doctrine, without any stated salary.
In connexion with this donation three points are particularly to be
noticed:--I. The day before I received this sum, I had given 5l. to a
brother, who was travelling through Bristol, and who was on the point of
going out as a missionary, without being connected with any society.
When I gave him this 5l. I had but very little in hand, but I said
to myself, the Lord can easily give more. And thus it was.
2. Before I received this donation, I had been especially
led to ask the Lord, that He would be pleased to condescend to use me
more largely in helping missionary brethren. For this I had a still
greater desire when I found that the money, which I had sent to British
Guiana, at the end of November, 1845, amounted only to a few pounds for
each brother who labours there, on account of there being so many. I
had, on this account particularly, a desire to be able shortly to send
another sum to British Guiana, which was thus granted to me. 3. I had
also, from time to time, sought, to help brethren, who labour in
dependence on the Lord for temporal supplies in various parts of
England, and my desire especially had been, that, even in this
particular, the Funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home
and Abroad might be more extensively useful. And thus, in this
particular also, this donation cheered my heart, enabling me to assist,
in some measure, several faithful labourers. Concerning this latter
point I would especially notice, that whenever God has put it into my
heart "to devise liberal things," He has not only blessed me in my own
soul in doing so, but has also, more or less given me the means to carry
out such a purpose. I mention further here, in connexion with this
point, that henceforth, as God shall be pleased to supply me with means,
I purpose particularly, in connexion with this work, to endeavour to
assist brethren of good report, who labour in the word and doctrine, in
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, but who have no regular
salary. If, therefore, any donations should be given henceforth for that
particular object, they shall be, by God's help, applied to that; or,
if no donations should be given for that particular object, yet, as God
shall be pleased to intrust me with means, I purpose by His help, to
have my eye particularly on brethren who preach the Gospel without
charge, and who, perhaps, besides, for conscience' sake, have
relinquished former stipends or regular emoluments which they had in
connexion with doing so. Have we not particularly to strive to be
fellow-labourers with those who, seeking not their own things, but the
things of Jesus Christ, preach the Word without being chargeable to any
one? Many whom I know and love in the truth, are mindful of this; but
others may not, perhaps, have sufficiently weighed the matter.
On March 10, 1846, I asked the Lord for still further supplies for
missionary purposes, and while I was in prayer a letter came from C. W.
with 20l. for missionary purposes. Thus also, about the same time, came
in, from the neighbourhood of Ludlow, 2l., and from Keswick 5l. for
Missions, besides other smaller donations for the same purpose.
It must not be supposed that these are all the donations which I
received for the carrying on these objects from July 14, 1844, to May
26, 1846; but those which are referred to came in under remarkable
circumstances, or, more manifestly, as answers to prayer.
I now proceed to give an account of the Lord's goodness in supplying
me with means for the Orphans, from July 14, 1844, up to May 26, 1846;
though here again only the most remarkable instances, on account of the
great number of cases, can be given.
Supplies for the Orphan Fund, sent in answer to Prayer,
from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846.
July 25, 1844. The need of today for the Orphans is 2l. 5s. As there
came in yesterday 2l. as the profit of the sale of ladies' bags, which
are made by a sister in the Lord for the benefit of the Orphans; also
two donations of 5s. each, through her; 5s. from a poor sister in the
Lord; and 1l. from Hackney, in all 3l. 15s.; we have 1l. 10s. left.--
In the course of today the Lord was pleased to send in the following
donations:--by the boxes in my house 1l. 10s., in nine small donations
16s. 11d., and the contents of an orphan-box, 3s. 0½ d. This evening
also two Christian servants gave me the following trinkets:--a ring,
a gold pin, two brooches, and a silver toothpick. A precious gift,
because of its seasonableness, and because it gave me joy in seeing
these ornaments given up for the Lord's sake.
Observe, dear reader, only eleven day's after the accounts were
closed, we were again in fresh poverty, and had to go on day by day
waiting upon the Lord for the necessities of about 140 persons.
July 26. Only 6d. has come in today.
July 27, Saturday. July 1l. 14s. was in hand to begin the day with. With
two of my fellowlabourers I besought the Lord between nine and ten
o'clock this morning for help, when, at eleven o'clock came in, by
sale of articles, given for the purpose, 7s. 3d., by sale of Reports 1s.
by sale of ladies' bags 1s. 6d., and by two donations 4s. 6d. There
were sent also anonymously, two coats, a pair of trousers, and three
waistcoats (worn). When this parcel and money came, I was called on for
money from the Orphan-Houses. In the course of the day came in still
further, by sale of articles, 10s. Thus we have been helped through this
day. Late in the evening was given 2s. 6d. besides.
July 28. This morning, when there was now again only 2s. 6d. in hand, I
received from Tavistock 6l.; and this evening from Nailsworth, 2s. 6d.
July 29. Yesterday was anonymously put into the Chapel boxes 2l.; also
by A. A. 1l. Thus we are provided for today and tomorrow. There came in
still further today 1l., from an orphan-box at Barnstaple 1l., and by
the profit of work, done by a sister, 5s. There was likewise given a
little box, containing the following articles: a lady's bag, a pair of
gloves, a silver fruit knife, a gold seal, a needle book with two
farthings, a purse containing two-halfpence, 4½ francs, and a copper
coin; a little tortoiseshell box containing two old sixpences, two
fourpenny pieces, a shilling, a sixpence, and a pebble; a silver
vinaigrette, a seal, two patterns for worsted work, a microscope, and 6
embossed cards. This evening I received two silver pencil cases.
July 30. By the boxes in the Orphan-Houses came in today 2l. 4s. 6d.,
and by sale of Reports 5s.
July 3l. Immediately after having risen from my knees today, to ask the
Lord for further supplies, I received 19s. by sale of stockings, knitted
by the Orphan Boys. This evening was given to mc by A. A. 5l., and
through ditto 2s.
August 1. This morning I was called on for 5l. for the Infant Orphans,
so that again only a few shillings remained, not enough for, the other
expenses of today, when I received, in the bag sent for the money from
the Orphan Houses, the following donations, 1l., and 1s. 6d., 1s. 1d.,
1s. 1d., and 2s. 2d. Likewise came in 1s., and I found 2s. 6d. in an
orphan-box in my house. Thus I had enough for today.
Aug. 2. The day began with 2 ¾ d. in hand. A little before ten
o'clock in the morning the letter-bag was brought from the
Orphan-Houses for money, in which I found a note stating that the need
of today was 1l. 17s., but I had only 2 ¾ d. to send. I wrote so to
brother R. B. master of the Orphan Boys, intending to request him (to
send up again in the afternoon, for what the Lord might have sent in the
mean time. When I was going to put the 2 ¾ d into the purse in the bag,
I found half-a-crown in the bag, slipped into it before it was opened.
This half-crown is a precious earnest that the Lord will help this day
also. It was found by me just after I had risen from my knees, having
been with some of the labourers in the work in prayer for means. Before
I bad yet finished the note to brother B. B., a sovereign was given to
me, so that I had 1l. 2s. 8 ¾ d. to send off. About two o'clock this
afternoon I received by sale of articles 10s. 6d., by sale of stockings
6s. 8d., and by the sale of ladies' bags 9s. 4d. Thus I could send off
the 14s. 6d. which was still needed for today, and had 12s. left.
Aug. 3, Saturday. With the 12s. we began the day. My soul said: "I will
now look out for the way in which the Lord will deliver us this day
again; for He will surely deliver. Many Saturdays, when we were in need,
He helped us, and so He will do this day also."--Between nine and ten
o'clock this morning I gave myself to prayer for means, with three of
my fellow-labourers, in my house. Whilst we were in prayer, there was a
knock at my room door, and I was informed that a gentleman had come to
see me. When we had finished prayer, it was found to be a brother from
Tetbury, who hail brought from Barnstaple 1l. 2s. 6d. for the Orphans.
Thus we have 1l. 14s. 6d., with which I must return the letter-bag to
the Orphan-Houses, looking to the Lord for more. Evening. In the
afternoon one of the labourers received 6s. for himself, which he gave
for the Orphans. This evening I went to the usual prayer meeting, (which
is held on Saturday evening at the Orphan-Houses, to ask the Lord's
blessing upon the work generally), when I found that 2s. had been put
into the boxes in the Orphan Houses in the course of the afternoon; also
7s. had come in by the knitting of the Orphan-Girls, and 3s. 6d. more
one of the labourers was able to give. Thus we hail 2l. 13s., which was
enough for today. How very kind of the Lord thus to listen to the
prayers of His children, and to help us day by day!--We had not yet
separated, after our prayer meeting, when a box was brought from
Scarborough, containing 5s. and a number of articles. When I came home I
found that there had come in still further, by sale of articles given
for the purpose, 15s. 10d., and by sale of stockings knitted by the
Orphans, 7s. 8d. Thus the Lord has greatly helped us today.
Aug. 5, Monday. There came in from A. A. 1s., and anonymously was
yesterday put into the Chapel-boxes 2s. 6d., ditto 2s. 6d.
Aug. 6. Without one single penny in my hands the day began. The post
brought nothing, nor had I yet received anything, when ten minutes after
ten this morning the letter bag was brought from the Orphan-Houses, for
the supplies of today.--Now see the Lord's deliverance! In the bag
I found a note from one of the labourers in the OrphanHouses,
enclosing two sovereigns, which she sent for the Orphans, stating that
it was part of a present which she had just received unexpectedly, for
herself. Thus we are supplied for today. In the afternoon, when I had
now again nothing at all in hand, as I had paid out this 2l., there was
brought to me from Oxford 1l. 2s. A sister also gave 2s. 6d.
Aug. 7. There came in, when there was not one penny in my hands, 4s. and
3s. 6d. I only found 3s. in the boxes in my house, 10s. was given as the
profit of the sale of ladies' bags, and 2s. 6d. as the produce of "A
forfeit-box at a young ladies' school." Likewise were given to me, two
gold rings, two gold watch-keys, a pair of earrings, a gold brooch, two
waist-buckles, a pair of bracelets, a watch hook, and a broken brooch.
Thus we have a little towards the need of tomorrow.
Aug. 8. The money which came in yesterday was not enough for the need of
today. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses were therefore opened, as I had
understood that some money had been put into them during the last days,
and they contained 1l. 4s. Thus we have been supplied this day also.
Aug. 9. It is just now striking eleven o'clock, and I have not yet one
single penny towards the need of this day. The bag is brought from the
Orphan-Houses for money, but I have nothing to send, and am therefore
obliged to return the bag without anything. But my soul is waiting for
help. The Lord has so repeatedly helped as again during the last weeks,
and so He will surely do this day also. Evening. At half-past twelve
this morning I received two notes from two sisters who labour in the
Orphan-Houses, the one from the sister who, on the 6th, had sent the
2l., being part of a present which she had received, and who now sent
1l. more. She writes: "The enclosed I thought of applying to another
purpose; but His thoughts are not as ours. Please to use it as you think
fit." The other sister, likewise one of the labourers, sent 10s. This
1l. 10s. met our need for today.
Aug. 10, Saturday. Only 3d., which had come in yesterday afternoon, by
sale of a Report, was in my hands, when the day began. A little after
nine o'clock I received a post-office order for 5l. from Hackney, to
be used as most needed. Of it I took one half for the Orphans, and the
other half for the Day Schools. There came in still further, 2l. 5s.,
5s. 10d., 6d., and 3s. 4d.
Aug. 12. Yesterday I received from a sister 5s., with James i. 17., 2s.
6d., 6d. was put into the boxes at my house, and 6d. was given by an
aged friend. Thus, with what was left on Saturday, we had 1l. 15s. 5d.,
which met our need today.
Aug. 13. Nothing has come in, but one of the labourers, to whom 15s. was
given last evening to buy herself a new gown, gave that. I am looking
for more! The boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, in which 5s. was
found. Thus we had enough, except 6s., which one of the labourers gave.
Aug. 14. Nothing at all had come in, when the bag was brought from the
Orphan-Houses for money, and I had therefore to return it without any.
About half an hour after, the labourers had an especial prayer meeting.
At this meeting one of the teachers of the Day-Schools gave me 10s.,
which he had put by to buy himself some little books, but he considered
it now not to be the Lord's will to do so, but that he should give
this money for the present need in the Orphan-Houses. Another of the
labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave 5s. Thus we are provided with the
absolute necessaries till tomorrow after breakfast.
Aug. 15. Last evening I received 2s., just after our last public meeting
about the Orphan-Houses and other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution, at which I had testified afresh of my reliance upon the
living God, though I had not then one single penny in hand for the work,
which, of course, was not stated.--Now this morning, between eight
and nine o'clock sister L. M. came to me and brought me 30s., which
she had received for the Orphans. But this will not be enough for today.
Yesterday and this morning, before this money came in, the trial of
faith had been very sharp.--Evening. At eleven o'clock I received
still further from A. A. 5s., and this afternoon, from one of the
labourers, 5s., and from two donors 6d. each.
Aug. 16. Our poverty is extremely great. The trial of faith as sharp as
ever, or sharper. It is ten o'clock, and there are no means yet for a
dinner. I now thought of some articles which I might be able to do
without, to dispose of them for the benefit of the Orphans, when one of
the labourers gave me 1l., which she had intended for another object,
and which she now considers must be left alone for the present. There
was also taken out of the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 1s. 6d., and by
knitting came in 2s. 3d., and from A. A. 2s.
Aug. 17, Saturday. The Lord has, in tender mercy, helped us, in sending
in 3l. for knitting done by the Orphan Girls, 9s. 10d. for stockings
knitted by the boys, 11s. 11d. for things sold, which were given for the
purpose, and 10s. 7d. put into the boxes at the Orphan-Houses.
Aug. 18. There was put anonymously into the Chapel-boxes 1s., ditto 2s.,
ditto 2s. 6d., and A. A. gave 10s.
Aug. 19, Monday. Only 3s. has come in today.
Aug. 20. This 3s. was all there was in hand for this day, which was
needed at the Boys' Orphan-House towards the dinner. In the other
houses nothing was needed, but at the same time Nothing was left towards
the next meal. Two o'clock came, and we had nothing yet. After two
o'clock I opened the boxes in my house, in which I found a paper
containing a sovereign and a half, and 2 half-crowns loose. Of this I
took 30s. at once to the Orphan-Houses, whereby we were helped for this
day. Our need had not been greater for a long time. Dear reader, join me
in admiring and adoring Him, who caused that money to be put into the
box, and, I have reason to believe, only a very short time before, and
who led my mind to open it, to obtain thus the help which was needed.
In the afternoon came in still further 3l. 6s. by the sale of some
old silver and a few trinkets.
Aug. 2l. There came in, by sale of Reports, 5s., and from Tewkesbury 1l.
This sovereign came in the greatest need. I took it at once to the
Orphan-Houses, and by it we were supplied for the day. When I returned
home I found that a little old gold watch had been given in the mean
time. There came in also 3s.; and two half-sovereigns were given this
evening by two little girls, through a sister in the Lord from Bath.
Aug. 22. The two half-sovereigns, which were given last evening, were
all we had at the beginning of today. There was found in the boxes in
the Orphan-Houses 5s. 9d., and in a post-office order I received 1l. So
we had enough for one more day.--And it is by the day I live. Were I
to think of how it will be a year or even a month hence, I should be
tried indeedyea, greatly tried. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof," is my Lord's own precious warrant for this. He will not have
me to be anxious about tomorrow, and therefore I cast my cares about
tomorrow upon Him. As the weeks pass on, and I go on Saturday evenings
to the prayer meetings at the Orphan-Houses, I praise the Lord for
having sustained me one more week in this service, by enabling me to
look to Him. Yea, as each day closes, I desire to be grateful to the
Lord for having sustained my faith and patience, and enabled me to rely
upon Him, especially in seasons of such great poverty, lasting for
weeks, as we have been in of late. But this I must say to the praise of
the Lord, that my soul is kept in peace at such times, and, through the
riches of His grace, I am kept from questioning whether He will help me
or not. And, indeed, it would be sinful ingratitude, after all the Lord
has been doing for me in this work, not to rely upon Him. May He in
mercy uphold me to the end in this service, and keep me from
dishonouring His holy name, either by unbelief, or in any other way.
Aug. 23. This morning the Lord greatly refreshed my spirit; for after a
long-continued trial of faith, and after long and deep poverty, there
was sent me from Devonshire a check for 20l. There came in 6s. besides.
Aug. 24. 1l. 19s. 7 ¼ d. came in today.
Aug. 25. From A. A. I received today 20l. How exceedingly kind of the
Lord, in an hour of such great need, on account of all the many and
great wants in which I find myself just now, to have sent this sum!
There came in 2l. 0s. 6d. besides.
Aug. 26. Received for Reports 1l. 7s., and 3d. besides.
Aug. 28. Altogether 1l. 11s. 2d. came in today.