On the third day already, after the accounts had been closed, May 29,
1851, I received a donation of 150l., of which I took one-half for the
current expenses for the Orphans, and the other half for these objects.
This was the first donation in this new period, and was a precious
encouragement to me in the work.
July 8. From May 29th to this day have come in twenty-eight donations,
varying from 1d. to 15l. Today I received a donation of 150l. of which
the donor kindly wished me to take 10l. for my own personal expenses,
and to use the rest as the work of God might require it. As I still had
an abundance in hand both for the Orphans and for these objects, I took
one-half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and the other half
for these objects.
Sept. 6. Again fifty-two donations had come in between July 8th and this
day, varying from 1d. to 20l., when today a brother who has often
manifested his deep interest in the spread of the truth, and who is far
from being rich, sent me 80l. for home and foreign labourers in the
Word.
Nov. 10. Forty donations have come in for these objects from Sept. 6th
to this day, varying from 1 ½ d. to 25l. Today I received 200l., of
which, as stated under the particulars given under this date with
reference to the Building Fund, I took 80l. for these objects. This
donation came in most seasonably; for now the funds for these objects
were lower than they had been for the last ten months, as only 113l.
remained in hand.
Dec. 21. The funds for these objects were now reduced to 10l. 14s. 5d.,
as the twenty-two donations from 4d. to 13l., which had come in since
Nov. 10th, did not altogether amount to more than 31l. 9s. 4d., and as
much money had been expended. The means in hand were therefore far less
than they had been at any time during the last sixteen months, when I
received this morning from A. Z., a new donor, by the Clifton post,
10l., which, being left to my disposal, I took for these objects.
Dec. 27. Only 1l. 7s. 6d. had come in since the 21st. After the payments
of this day were met, there remained only 10s. 4d. in hand.
Consider this position, dear reader. Only 10s. 4d. in hand, and the
expenses for all the various schools were to be met, and the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures and of Tracts I desired to go on, and the Fifty
preachers of the Gospel, whom I sought to help, my heart desired to
help still further. Consider also, that whatever my necessities may be,
I never go into debt, nor do I apply to any one personally for any
thing, but give myself unto prayer. Now hear how this matter ended.
Dec. 28. When I came home last evening from the New Orphan-House, I
found a letter from Gloucestershire, containing a sovereign and a half.
The sovereign was half for these objects, and half for the Orphans; and
of the half sovereign, 6s. were intended for the Orphans; and 4s. for
these objects. Thus I had 14s. more But this morning the Lord has opened
His hands still more bountifully. I have received a donation of 200l.
The disposal of the money was left to me. I took therefore one half
for the School , Bible , Missionary and Tract Objects, and the
other half for the Building Fund.--This donation has been a very
great refreshment to my spirit. During the last six weeks very little
has come in, and though we had lacked nothing (for only a few days since
I paid for sixty thousand Tracts at once), yet we were now poorer than
we had been for two or three years, with regard to means for these
objects. This, however, did not in the least cast me down; for I knew it
was only for the trial of my faith and patience, and that, when the
trial was over, the Lord would again send in bountiful supplies. This He
has now commenced to do, but I expect much more than this. Indeed I am
looking out daily for the Lord's help.
Jan. 1, 1852. The old year closed with manifestations of God's loving
help, in the way of means, and the new begins in the same way. Last
evening I received 4s. 5d. for these objects, and this morning, when I
paid an account, I had 10l. returned for the Schools.--In the course
of the day I received still further from Sherborne 3l., of which the
donor wished 1l. to be taken for the Orphans, 1l. for missions, and 1l.
for my own personal expenses. I received also anonymously from Aberdeen
4s. for the Orphans, with 2s. for missions.
Jan. 2. Further: 5l. for the Schools in Bristol.
Jan. 19. All our money for missionary objects, for the circulation of
Bibles and Tracts, and for the support of the various Schools was now
again spent, as only very little, comparatively had come in since Dec.
28th. The last money which I had, I sent off by the mail steamer to
Demerara, which left two days since. Under these circumstances, I
received this evening 20l., which I might either use for the Orphans, or
for missionary objects, according to the donor's wish. I took it for
missionary objects. But I am looking out for larger supplies, as I have
many openings, profitably to lay out considerable sums for missionary
objects, and for the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. It is remarkable,
that, while I have received from the donor of this sum from time to time
donations for the Orphans, I had not received anything for missionary
objects for a very long time. But I have again and again prayed for help
for this part of the work, and this point makes the answer to prayer
only the more manifest.
Jan. 21. After still further repeated waiting upon the Lord for means,
especially for missionary objects and for the circulation of the Holy
Scriptures and Tracts, I received today from Somersetshire 20l., of
which the donor intends 10l. for foreign missions and 10l. towards the
support of the Orphans.
Jan. 22. From London 4l. for missions.
Jan. 23. 50l., of which half is for missions, and half for the Building
Fund.
Jan. 26. 500l. was left at my disposal. I took the whole for these
objects.
This donation came in most seasonably, enabling me to go on helping
preachers of the Gospel, and also to go on with the circulation of
Bibles and Tracts.
March 17. Before all means were gone, when there was yet about 160l. in
hand, there came in again today for these objects 199l. 13s. 5d.
March 23. 200l. more came in today.
March 26. From three brethren 20l. for missions.--On the same day
from a missionary box at Old Aberdeen 2l.
May 12. The 26 donations which have come in for these objects, since
March 26th, were small. Today I received from Cornwall 50l., of which
the donor wished me to take 10l. for my own personal expenses; the rest
being left at my disposal I took the whole for these objects.
May 15. Received 20l. for missions.
May 19. When nearly all the means for these objects were exhausted, I
received 250l., of which I took for these objects 200l., and 50l. for
the current expenses for the Orphans.
Thus I have given some instances to show how the Lord was pleased to
supply me during another year.
Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to prayer, from
May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852.
When this period commenced, I had in hand for the current expenses for
the Orphans 970l. 13s. 11 ¾ d. We had never had so large a balance for
the other objects at the commencement of any new period, as was the case
at the commencement of this, and so it was also with regard to the
Orphan work. This arose from the fact, that, only a little more than
four months before the accounts were closed, a donation of 3000l. had
been given, which, being equally divided between the Orphan Fund and the
Fund for the other objects, had left so large a balance in hand. But
though there was this large balance to begin with, dependence upon God
was still required day by day, as the pecuniary help is only a very
small part of that which is needed; and even as to means, this sum would
not have lasted long, had the Lord not sent in further supplies. This,
however, He did; and thus it was, that, while there were other trials,
varied and many, yet, as to means, we experienced for a long time
scarcely any difficulty at all. I will now very briefly notice some
cases in which God helped us with means for the support of the Orphans,
in answer to prayer.
May 27, 1851. The first donation of this new period came from an aged
Godly clergyman, whom, up to that time, I had never seen, but to whom my
heart had been much knit through correspondence. The donation consisted
of 5l. from himself, and 1s. 6d. from three poor persons through him.
July 3. A brother and sister, having had a legacy left to them, though
very far from being rich, sent 50l. out of it for the Orphans, as they
desire to use the money with which the Lord may intrust them for Him.
Oct. 2. From the ladies who constitute the Bristol Dorcas Society, the
value of 215l. in flannel and unbleached calico.
Feb. 10, 1852. When the accounts were closed, there was in hand 970l.
13s. 11 ¾ d., and there has come in since then 1242l. 19s. 8d. Up to
this time, I had had an abundance of means, to meet all the current
expenses of the New Orphan-House, and there was still 126l. 3s. 8 ½ d.
in hand. But though I had this, the certain expenses of this week alone
were. 102l. 0s. 4d., besides what might be otherwise needed. Under these
circumstances, a Godly merchant at Clifton gave me this evening, through
his son, a Fifty Pound Note for the benefit of the Orphans. This
donation has greatly refreshed my spirit; for though we were not in
actual need, there being 126l. 3s. 8 ½ d. in hand, to meet the expenses
of 102l. 0s. 4d., which I expected to come upon me this week, yet there
would then only have been left 24l. 3s. 4 ½ d. towards meeting the
current expenses of an establishment with more than 300 inmates. There
had not been so little in hand since the New Orphan-House was first
opened. How kind, therefore, of the Lord, to put it into the heart of
this donor, who is not personally known to me, to contribute this sum!
March 16. From Feb. 10th up to March 8th the income had been
comparatively small, only about 130l. altogether having been received
for the current expenses for the Orphans. This, with what was in hand on
Feb. 10th, was, therefore, so reduced, that on March 8th I had only been
able to advance 15l. for house-keeping expenses, instead of 30l., which
I had for a long time been in the habit of doing. After having paid away
this 15l., I had only about 5l. left. Before this 15l., however, was
quite spent, I had received so much, that on the 12th I could advance.
10l. more for house-keeping. Now this money was all gone, and today,
March 16th, more money was needed, but there was none in hand, except
the balance which was last year left from the Building Fund, which I was
most reluctant to use, and concerning which I asked the Lord that there
might be no need for using it, as I wished to take it for the intended
Orphan-House, the number of destitute Orphans who are waiting for
admission being so great. Now observe how God helped me! Just before I
was called on for more money, I received this morning from a noble Lady
as her own gift and that of two of her friends 15l., and also 4s. 1 ½
d. was given to me as the contents of an Orphan-box. Thus I was able to
advance again 15l. for house-keeping.
March 17. For about six weeks past the Lord has been pleased to exercise
my faith and patience much. Very little, comparatively, has come in for
the Building Fund and the current expenses for the various objects; but
now He has this day greatly refreshed my spirit by the donation of 999l.
13s. 5d., referred to under the Building Fund, which, being left to me
for the Lord's work, to be used as I think best, I took of it for the
current expenses for the Orphans 200l.; so that again, before the money,
which came in yesterday, is expended, fresh supplies are received. I
have been particularly also refreshed by this donation, in that I am not
obliged to use the balance of the former Building Fund, but can let that
remain for the present Building Fund.
May 26, 1852. Since March 17th no further difficulties have been
experienced with regard to means; for though the expenses have amounted
since then to about 700l., the Lord has bountifully supplied me with all
I needed; for I received another donation of 200l., one of 75l. 18s.
9d., one of 50l., two of 10l., eighteen of between 5l. and 10l., besides
many between 6d. and 5l.--Thus I am helped to the close of another
year, during which the Lord has enabled me, through waiting upon Him,
and looking to Him for help, to supply all the current expenses of the
New Orphan-House with its 300 Orphans and all their overseers, teachers,
nurses, etc.; the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts has been
going on as before; the various schools have been supported; the same
amount as during the past year, or rather more, has been expended for
missionary objects; and yet, over and above all this, I have been
enabled to gather a goodly sum for the Building Fund of the intended
Orphan-House.
Have I not therefore abundant reason to praise the Lord for His
goodness, to trust in Him for the future, to speak well of His name to
my fellow-believers, and to encourage them, more and more to rely upon
the Lord for everything?
Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Know/edge Institution for
Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1851, to May
26, 1852.
1. During this period there were entirely supported by the funds of the
Institution four Day Schools in Bristol, with 248 poor children in them,
and three others in Devonshire, Monmouthshire, and Norfolk, were
assisted.--Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, with 243 children,
was entirely supported, and two others in Devonshire and
Gloucestershire, with 230 children, were assisted.--Lastly, one Adult
School in Bristol, with 120 Adult Scholars, was entirely supported
during this period.--From March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1852, there
were 5,525 children in the Day Schools in Bristol, 2,600 in the Sunday
School, and 2,033 grown up persons in the Adult School.--There was
expended of the Funds of the Institution, for these various Schools,
during this period, 360l. 1s. 9d.
2. During this period there was expended of the Funds of the Institution
207l. 3s. 1d. for the purpose of circulating the Holy Scriptures,
especially among the very poorest of the poor. There were issued during
this period 1,101 Bibles and 409 New Testaments.--There were
altogether circulated from March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1852, Eight
Thousand Eight Hundred and Ten Bibles, and Four Thousand Eight Hundred
and Fifty-one New Testaments.
For two years previous to May 26, 1852, it was on my heart, to seek to
make some especial effort for the spread of the Holy Scriptures and for
the spread of simple Gospel Tracts, in a way and for a purpose which
would not be accomplished by the giving of copies of the Holy
Scriptures, or the giving of Tracts to poor persons. My wish was, to put
believers of the higher classes in the way of obtaining cheap pocket
Bibles for the purpose of giving them away as presents to more
respectable persons, as well as furnishing them with the opportunity of
purchasing Bibles and New Testaments, at a cheap rate, for giving them
away among the poor; and of furnishing believers in the higher classes,
who are Tract distributors, with an opportunity of purchasing simple
Gospel Tracts for circulation. Connected with this I desired,
especially, to present the truths of the Gospel, in print, before
genteel persons, whom I had not the same opportunity of reaching as
poorer persons to whom Tracts and Bibles might be given. To this my
attention was turned on account of the mighty efforts which were made to
take away the Holy Scriptures, and to spread Tracts which contain most
pernicious errors. Up to this time we had never had, to any considerable
extent, a depository for Bibles and Tracts. The circulation of Tracts
had been almost exclusively by gratuitous distribution; and thus it had
been also, for some years previously, with reference to the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures.--For a very long time, however, we could not
meet with a suitable house, till at last, after much prayer, and waiting
for more than a year, convenient premises were obtained by renting No.
34, Park Street, Bristol. On April 29, 1852, this Bible and Tract
Warehouse was opened with prayer.
3. During this year there was spent of the funds of the Institution, for
missionary objects, the sum of 2005l. 7s. 5d. By this sum fifty-one
labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were
to a greater or less degree assisted.
It is a subject of joy and thankfulness to me, to be able to inform the
believing reader, that the Lord was pleased to grant again much blessing
upon the labours of these brethren during this year. Many sinners were
converted through their instrumentality, some of whom had been in a most
awful state. This remark applies both to foreign and home labourers.
4. There was laid out for the circulation of Tracts, from May 26, 1851,
to May 26, 1852, the sum of 356l. 11s. 3 ½ d. There were circulated
during the year 489,136 Tracts.
The total number of Tracts, which were circulated from the beginning up
to May 26, 18152, was 1,086,366.
The Lord is pleased to increase this part of the work more and more.
It is not merely, however, of the increase in the number of Tracts that
I have to speak. I heard during this year of one case after another, in
which the tracts, with which the Lord enabled me to furnish the many
brethren who circulate them, were used by Him in the way of
communicating great blessing to believers, or as instruments of
conversion to unbelievers. I would indeed with all my might seek to
spread the truth of God by means of these little publications in greater
and greater numbers; but I would follow them also, day by day, with my
prayers, and never trust in the numbers which have been issued, but in
God, to Grant His blessing, without which all these efforts are in
vain.
A great number of believers, in various parts of the world, aid me in
the circulation of tracts. Up to April 1852, however, almost all the
tracts which were circulated were given away gratuitously, but, as has
been stated already, there was then more particularly commenced the sale
of Tracts also, in connexion with the sale of Bibles, at the Bible and
Tract Warehouse, No. 34, Park Street, Bristol.
5. On May 26, 1851, there were. Three Hundred Orphans in the New Orphan
House on Ashley Down, Bristol. From that day up to May 26, 1852, there
wore admitted into it twenty-seven Orphans, making 327 in all. Of these
327, nine died during the year; one Orphan was sent to Christian
relatives, who by that time were able to provide for him, and who felt
it their duty to do so; one was sent to relatives on account of being in
such a state of health that the Establishment was an unsuitable place
for her; three of the elder girls, who were able to earn their bread by
entering service, but who could not be recommended to any situation,
after they had been long borne with, were at last sent in disgrace from
the Establishment to their relatives. This course was adopted as a last
remedy with regard to themselves, and as a solemn warning for all the
children in the Establishment. Four girls were with comfort sent out to
service, and nine boys were apprenticed at the expense of the
establishment. This makes the removals as many as the reception of new
Orphans, so that the number was still 300 in the New Orphan House, on
May 26, 1852. The total of the expenses, connected with the support of
the Orphans, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, was 3035l. 3s. 4d. The
total number of Orphans under our care from April 1836, to May 26,
18152, was Five Hundred and Fifteen.
I notice further the following points in connection with the New Orphan
House.
1. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything, by
me, the sum of 42,970l. 17s. 6d. was given to me for the Orphans as the
result of prayer to God from the commencement of the work, up to May 26,
1852. It may be also interesting to the reader to know, that the total
amount, which was given as free contributions, for the other objects,
from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1852, amounted to
15,976l. 10s. 6 ¼ d.; and that, which came in by the sale of Bibles and
Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounted
to 3,073/. 1s. 9 ¾ d. Besides this, also a great variety and number of
articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c., were given for the use
of the Orphans.
2. During no period of the work had we such great affliction in the way
of sickness in the Orphan Establishment as during this. For nearly four
months the scarlet fever and other diseases prevailed, so that more than
one hundred children were seriously ill during this period, and at one
time there were 55 Orphans confined to their beds. But the Lord dealt
very mercifully with us. Only 5 died in consequence of the scarlet
fever, though we had 64 decided cases.
3. Several of the Orphans who left the Establishment during this year
went away as believers, having been converted some time before they
left; one also who died gave very decided evidence of a true change of
heart by faith in our Lord Jesus; several who in former years were under
our care, as we heard during this year, took their stand openly on the
Lord's side, and dated their first impressions to the instructions
received whilst with us; and lastly, of those under our care, there were
not a few whose spiritual state gave us joy and comfort. Thus, amidst
many difficulties and trials and some discouragements, we had abundant
cause to praise God for His goodness, and to go forward in the strength
of the Lord.
Matters connected with my own personal affairs.