1. By anonymous donations through the
boxes ... ... ... ... £177 9 7 ½
2. Through donations from believers in
Bristol, not anonymously . . . . . . . 143 3 0
3. Through donations from believers not
residing in Bristol ... ... 299 16 1
4. Through presents in clothes, provisions,
&c., worth at least ... ... 18 3 0
----
£638 11 8 ½
----
Further account respecting the intended Orphan I-louse for Seven Hundred
Poor Orphans, bereaved of both Parents by death, from May 26, 1854, to
May 26, 1855.
On May 26, 1854, I had actually in hand for this intended Orphan House,
as has been stated in the last chapter on this subject, 17,816l. 19s. 5
¼ d. I will now relate further, how the Lord was pleased to supply me
with means, but can only refer, for the sake of brevity, to a few
instances out of many. The receipts of the first month of this year,
however, shall be given entirely, as a specimen.
May 29, 1854. Through Salem Chapel boxes 6d.
May 31. From Finchdean 5l.
June 1. Through the boxes at Bethesda Chapel 1l.--Ditto from P. and
M. E. 10s.--From London 1s. 6d.
June 4. A gold dollar piece and nearly two pennyweights of Californian
gold dust.
June 5. Through Bethesda Chapel boxes 2s. 6d. as a thank-offering to the
Lord for the mercies of the past month.--Through Salem Chapel boxes
1s.--Ditto 6d.--From P. 2s.
June 7. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l.--Through the boxes
at the New Orphan House 1s.
June. 8. From E. 2s. 6d.--Anonymously 2s.
June. 12. Through Bethesda boxes 3s.--Ditto 1s.--Ditto 1l.--
Through Salem boxes 6d.
June 14. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5s.--Ditto ¼ d.
June 17. By sale of articles 17s. 7d.
June 18. 3s.--5s.
June-19. 15s.
June 22. A muslin cap, a cape, some worked trimming, and two bags, to be
sold for the Building Fund.
June 25. From Glasgow 2s. 6d.--From K. C. 10s.
June 26. Anonymously 2s. 2d.--Through Salem boxes 6d.--From P.
1s.
These were but little sums, esteemed reader, in comparison with the
total amount required for the accommodation of 700 more Orphans; yea,
they were even small in comparison with what was still required, though
I had then nearly 18,000l. in hand. But as it had been given to me, by
God's grace, to expect help from Him, yea, the full help needed for
this object, so the additional income of a few pounds, of a few
shillings, yea of a penny or two, was an encouragement to me for further
waiting upon Him, as every donation, the smallest even, brings me nearer
the time when all my prayers concerning this object also shall be turned
into praises.
July 1. A large gold brooch, set with two carbuncles, to be sold for the
Building Fund.
July 2. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l.--From Bury 10s.
July 19. A silver tea pot.
Sept. 27. From one of the former Orphans, now in service, 5s.--From
the Orphan Girls, now under our care, 15s. for the Building Fund.--
From the House Girls, i.e. the elder female Orphans, who are more
particularly engaged in doing household work, for the purpose of being
thus trained for situations, I received likewise 11s.--From the
Infant Orphans was also received for the Building Fund today, 6s. 8d.;
and from the Orphan Boys 15s, 0 ½ d.--Oct. 4. From two little
factory girls 1s. 7d.
Oct. 28. From Halifax in Nova Scotia 7l.
Nov. 25. From the neighbourhood of Wheatley 10l.
Dec. 8. From various believers at Hull 12l. 12s.
Dee. 30. From Orleans, in France, five francs.
Thus ended the year 1854. Only 426l. 16s. 4d. altogether had come in for
the Building Fund from May 26 up to the end of the year. My faith and
patience were therefore tried; but, while they were tried, they were, by
God's grace, sustained. Day by day I had been enabled from May 26 to
Dec. 31, 1854, as well as during the three years previously, to bring
this object before the Lord in player; and day by day, by God's grace,
my heart had been fully assured, without wavering, that He, in His own
time, would not only give larger sums, but the whole amount required. I
desired only His honour in the building of premises for 700 more
destitute Orphans, bereaved of both parents; and as God, who cares
infinitely more for poor Orphans than I do, did not consider the time
to have come for the building of another house, I might well be quiet.
My heart longed indeed to begin to build; for there were not only 602
Orphans waiting for admission, when the last report was published but
there had been application made for 125 more since then, so that on Dec.
31, 1854, 714 were waiting for admission, as only 13 could be received
of the total number of 727, no more vacancies having occurred. But
though it was so, I judged it was the will of God, that, by patiently
waiting His own time, I should glorify Him.--I now proceed to relate
how the Lord further dealt with me.
Jan. 1, 1855. 6s. 3d.--From an Orphan 1s., Ditto 1s.--From
Manchester 10s.--From three children in Ireland 5s.--Anonymously
from Culworth 1l.--From P. 2s. 6d.
Jan. 8. On this day I received from several Christian friends the
promise, that 5,700l. should be paid to me for the work of the Lord in
which I am engaged.--This donation was paid to me, in different
installments, by the middle of April. I took of this sum, for the
Building fund 3,400l., for the support of the Orphans 900l., for
missionary objects 1,000l., for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures
150l., for the circulation of Tracts 150l., and for the various day
schools, Sunday schools, and the adult school 100l. Thus the Lord is
hastening on the time when the building may be commenced. His name be
magnified! How refreshing this help was, and how seasonable with regard
to all the various objects, can scarcely be described. The Lord may
allow us, to have our faith and patience tried; but if we are enabled to
continue to look to Him, and to trust in Him alone, a rich recompense
will result from doing so.
Jan. 11. From a distance of several hundred miles 13l. 15s, with a
letter containing the following paragraph: For the last six months, we
(i.e. the donor and his wife) have laboured in prayer for the different
departments of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and especially that
our Heavenly Father would be pleased this year largely to increase the
Building Fund, and let the work proceed. Two months ago, while
continuing in prayer, it was laid upon our minds, that we should set
apart, whatever monies the Lord might send us between that time and the
new year. The sum contained in the order is what the Lord has given us
and we rejoice in being able to send it." What various ways has the Lord
to help us! The donor of the 13l. 15s. is a brother who serves the Lord
in the ministry of the Gospel among very poor and wretched persons,
whilst he labours in dependence upon Him for his temporal supplies. He
has been greatly encouraged by the accounts of the Lord's dealings
with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; and now he is a fellow-helper
in prayer, and, as this instance shows, also in contributing out of that
which the Lord gives to him as the fruit of prayer. This donation
greatly refreshed my spirit; for it is so manifest a proof that the Lord
is mindful of this work, that He surely, in His own time, will provide
for the accommodation of 700 more Orphans, and that thus this dear
donor's prayers, and our prayers, will be turned into praises.
Feb. 7. From London 400l., of which the donor kindly wished me to keep
20l. for my family expenses, and to lay out the 380l. for the Lord's
work, as I might think best. I took therefore 100l for the Building
Fund, 140l. for the support of the Orphans, and 140l. for the other
objects.
Feb. 10. Received 197l. 17s. 3d., of which the donor kindly wished me to
take 20l. for my own expenses, and the rest to be used as might be most
needed for the Lord's work. I took therefore 57l. 17s. 3d. for the
Building Fund, 60l. for the support of the Orphans and 60l. for the
other objects.
March 28. From one of the Orphans, formerly for many years under our
care, but now in service, 10s., with the following letter:
"Dear Sir,--Will you graciously accept this mite from one who thinks
of you and yours with gratitude. It is indeed a very small sum. I regret
that I have no more to bestow upon such a noble work. It will perhaps
put a corner stone in the wall of the intended Orphan House. I think I
should like to labour for the Lord in that blessed house, if it is His
own will, and be the means in the Lord's hand of bringing many of the
dear Orphans to know the truth as it is in Jesus. It was in the Orphan
House in Wilson Street, 1846, that first the light of life dawned upon
my benighted soul. It was there, that I first learned to call God my
Father. I have need therefore to love the Orphan House, not only as
concerning temporal things, but especially as its being my spiritual
birth-place. May the Lord reward you, dear Sir, for all you have done
for me. I am sure He will.
"I am, dear Sir, yours most respectfully,
"* * * * * * * *"
I have at full length inserted this letter out of very many of that
kind, received during the past twenty years, that I have been engaged in
the Orphan work, for many of the Orphans who have been with us since.
April 11, 1836, have not only been fitted for this life, through being
under our care, but have been manifestly brought to the knowledge of the
Lord.
April 22. 50l., with 50l. for the labourers in the Gospel.
May 6. From Clifton 20l., with 10l. for missions.--May 26. By the
sale of a publication 69l. 18s. 1 ½ d.--To the sums received during
this year is to be added 767l. 7s. 0d., received for interest. Thus ends
the period from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855. The amount which came in
during this year for the Building Fund, together with the 17,816l. 19s.
5 ¼ d. in. hand on May 26, 1854, make the total of 23,059l. 17s. 8 ¼
d. in hand on May 26, 1855.
In. addition to what has been stated relative to the income for the
Building Fund during this year, I furnish the Reader with the following
particulars respecting the building for 700 Orphans, reprinted from the
Report for 1855.
When I had received the kind information, in January 1855, respecting
the donation of 5700l., which should be paid to me by several Christian
friends, of which I was at liberty to take such portion for the Building
Fund as I might deem desirable, I judged that, though I had not such an
amount of means in hand as I considered necessary before being warranted
to begin to build, yet that I might make inquiries respecting land.
Accordingly, I applied in the beginning of February for the purchase of
two fields which join the land on which the New Orphan-House is built.
On these two fields I had had my eye for years, and had purposed to
endeavour to purchase them, whenever I might be in such a position as to
means for the Building Fund, that it would be suitable to do so. I
found, however, that, according to the will of the late owner of these
fields, they could not be sold now. Thus my prospects were blighted.
When I obtained this information, though naturally tried by it and
disappointed, I said, by God's grace, to myself: "The Lord has
something better to give me, instead of these two fields;" and thus my
heart was kept in peace. But when now the matter was fully decided that
I could not obtain those fields, which had appeared to me so desirable
for the object, the question arose, what I was to do for the obtaining
of land. Under these circumstances some of my Christian friends again
asked, as they had done before, why I did not build on the ground which
we have around the New Orphan-House? My reply was, as before, that it
could not be done:--1. Because it would throw the New Orphan-House
for nearly two years into disorder on account of the building going on
round about it. 2. There would not be sufficient room without shutting
in the present house to a great extent. 3. That, as the New Orphan-House
stands in the centre of our ground, there would not be sufficient room
on any of the sides for the erection of a building so large as would be
required.--I was, however, led to consider whether there was any way
whereby we could accomplish the building on the ground belonging to the
New Orphan-House. In doing so, I found that--1. By having a high
temporary boundary made of old boards, the building ground could be
entirely distinct from the present establishment. 2. By building on an
entirely different plan from that of the present house, we should not
only have room enough; but that also, 3. The present house would not be
so enclosed that the health of the inmates of the establishment would
thereby be injured.
But there was in connexion with this another point, which now came under
consideration in addition to the particulars already mentioned: it was
this. Though for four years past I had never had a doubt as to its being
the will of God that I should build accommodation for 700 more Orphans;
yet, at the same time, I had for a long time seen the desirableness of
having two houses, instead of one, for the 700 Orphans. This previously
formed judgment of having two houses for 350 Orphans in each, or 400 in
the one, and 300 in the other, led me now to see whether there could be
another house built on each side of the present New Orphan-House, and I
judged, from measuring the ground, that there was no objection to this
plan. I then called in the aid of architects, to survey the ground, and
to make a rough plan of two houses, one on each side, and it was found
that it could be accomplished. Having arrived thus far, I soon saw, that
we should not only save expense by this plan in various ways, but
especially that thus the direction, and inspection of the whole
establishment would be much more easy and simple, as the buildings would
be so near together. This, indeed, on being further considered, soon
appeared to be a matter of such importance, that, even if land could be
had but a quarter of a mile off, the difficulties would be greatly
increased thereby. At the same time I found, that we still should retain
so much land for cultivation by the spade, as would furnish some
out-door employment for many boys, and would produce such vegetables as
are the most important for young children, to have fresh out of the
ground; or that we could easily rent a piece of ground near for that
purpose, though it could not be bought.
The result, then, at which I have arrived at present is this, that,
having seen what could be accomplished on the ground which we have
already, I decided to build, without any further delay than was
necessary for preparing the plans, at the South side of the New
Orphan-House, another house for 400 children. The plans are now ready,
and in a very short time, God willing, i.e. as soon as all tine
necessary preliminary arrangements can be made, the building will
commence, which I think will be in the early part of July of the present
year, (i.e. 1855). Indeed, the first actual steps are already taken,
since, on May 29th, the sinking of four wells for the new house was
commenced.
This house is intended for 400 female Orphans, bereaved of both parents,
from their earliest days, until they can be placed out in service. With
regard to the other house for 300 Orphans, to be built at the North side
of the New Orphan-House, nothing definitively can be stated at present.
There is enough money in hand to build, fit up, and furnish the house
for 400 Orphans, and it is expected that something will be left; but
there is not sufficient money in hand, at present, to warrant commencing
the building of both. As soon, however, as there is, I shall be
delighted to take active measures with regard to that for 300 Orphans
also. I do not ask persons to help me with their means. I speak to the
Lord about my need in prayer, and I do not wait upon Him in vain. At the
same time I feel it right to state, that there is a loud and an abundant
call for caring for destitute Orphans. On May 26, 1854, there were 602
waiting for admission, each bereaved of both parents by death. Since
then 197 more have been applied for, making in all 799. Of these I have
been able to receive only 39 during the past year, and 45 who were
waiting for admission have been otherwise provided for, or have died
since application was made for them; so that still 715 Orphans are
waiting for admission, from three months old and upward. But this
number, I state unhesitatingly, would be much larger, had not very many
persons refrained from making application, because they judged it would
be of no use, as there are already so many waiting for admission. Indeed
there is every reason to believe, that there are many tens of thousands
of destitute Orphans in this country. And what provision is there in the
way of Orphan establishments, it may be asked? At the last census in
1851, there were in England and Wales 39 Orphan Establishments, and the
total number of Orphans provided for through them, amounted only to
3764; but at the time the New Orphan-House was being built, there were
about 6000 young Orphans in the prisons of England. To prevent their
going to prison, to prevent their being brought up in sin and vice, yea,
to be the honoured instrument to win their souls for God, I desire, by
His help, to enlarge the present establishment, so as to be able to
receive 1000 Orphans; and individuals who purpose not to live for time
but for eternity, and look on their means as in the light of eternity,
will thus have an opportunity of helping me to care for these children.
It is a great honour to be allowed to do anything for the Lord. We can
only give to Him of His own; for all we have is His. When the day of
recompense comes, the regret will only be, that we have done so little
for Him, not that we have done too much.
Supplies for the School , Bible , Missionary , and Tract
Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.
On May 26, 1854, when the accounts were closed, there was in hand 55l.
15s. for these objects. I now mention a few of the instances in which
the Lord, in answer to prayer, supplied us with means.
July 6, 1854. As only about 100l. had come in for these objects during
the past five weeks, all our means were now expended. I desired to help
brethren who labour in the Word, but was unable to do so, when I
received today 50l. from London, which, being left to my disposal, I
took half of it for these objects, and half for the support of the
Orphans.
July 8. Further, from the North of Devon 14l.
July 12. Day by day I have been waiting upon the Lord for means for home
and foreign labourers in the Gospel, for whom I had no means, though
greatly desiring to send them help. Today I received, as the fruit of
many prayers, from London the sum of 100l., of which I took 50l. for the
Orphans, and 50l. for these objects. It was the more remarkable that
this donor should have sent me help at this time, as I had received 25l.
from him on the first day of this month.
About this time I received several other donations for missions.
On July 24th I received a small plate-chest, containing 14 table spoons,
6 dessert spoons, 11 tea spoons, 2 gravy spoons, 2 sauce ladles, 12
forks, 4 salt cellars, 4 salt spoons, a pepper box, a pair of sugar
tongs, a wine funnel, a cream jug, a small salver, a small goblet, a
larger ditto, fish knife, and a coffee pot, all of silver, 3 pairs of
plated nut crackers, a plated salver and a pewter can. The donor, who
desires to be his own executor, wished me to sell these articles, keep
10l. for myself, and to use the rest for missionary objects. The
contents of the box realized 44l. 5s. 10d., and I was thus enabled on
August 1, 1854, to send 40l. to seven brethren labouring in British
Guiana; and about ten weeks afterwards I heard that the Lord had sent
them this help at a time of great need.--On July 25th from Kendal 1l.
for missions.--On July 26th from a visitor at Clifton 30l. for
missions.--From Bath 10s.--From Hackney 10s.--From Brosely 2s.
6d.--July 29. From Whitehaven 2l. 5s. 6d. for missions.--July 30.
From Uppingham 2s. 6d.--August 8. 40l from a distance, of which 30l.
was for missions.--August 18. From C. W. 20l. for missions.
I had thus the joy of being able to send assistance to some of the
brethren whom I desire to help as labourers in the Gospel at Home or
Abroad; yet all this was little in comparison with what I desired to do.
For several months, during this period, that is in June, July, August
and September, up to October 17th, I was day by day waiting upon the
Lord for means for labourers in the Word, as I had reason to believe
that many of them were in need; but little only, comparatively, came in.
I was able to send up to October l7th not more than about one half of
what I had been able to send them for several years previously. My
desire to help these dear brethren was as great as ever. My earnestness
in prayer for them, by God's grace, had not decreased. Their need, I
had full reason to believe (and in some instances I knew) was great. I
could, therefore, only conclude that the Lord allowed these dear
brethren thus to have their faith tried, in order that they might the
better become acquainted with himself. At last, however, the Lord
refreshed my spirit greatly, first on October 17th, and then especially
by that large donation at the commencement of the year 1855, of which I
took a considerable portion for missionary objects, so that, especially
during the last five months of this period, I was able to send help to
brethren who labour in the Gospel to such an extent, as that about the
same amount was disbursed for that object as for several years
previously, but a greater amount for the circulation of the Holy
Scriptures and Tracts than formerly. Of the donations for these objects
between Aug. 18 and Oct. 17, 1854, I only mention the following--On
Sept. 21st, anonymously from Exmonth, a bank post bill for 20l., of
which the donor designed 10l. to be applied to the Missionary Fund, 5l.
for the Orphans, and 5l. where most needed, or for my own necessities,
as a thank-offering for unmerited mercies. This latter 5l., left for my
disposal, I took for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel
Tracts. I wrote in my journal concerning this donation: "A precious
answer to prayer! Great, great is the need."--On Sept. 23rd a
deeply-afflicted mother left at my disposal 20l. I took it for
missionary objects, the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel
Tracts; for which objects much then was needed. Almost all the Tracts
for gratuitous circulation were gone, and many brethren who labour in
the Word I desired to help, but had not the means.--Sept. 26. From
Kensington 11l., which was taken for the circulation of Tracts and
missions, as the disposal of it was left with me.--From
Worcestershire 8l. 6s. 7d., being the balance of an account. It was
taken for missions and the circulation of Gospel Tracts. A most
seasonable help!--Sept. 28. "From two of God's children who can
say, Our hearts trusted in Him, and we are helped,'" Psalm xxviii.
7, 1l. for missions, 1l. for the Orphans, with 1l. for myself.--Sept.
30. This morning, at our usual prayer meeting with my fellow-labourers,
the need of brethren, who labour in the Word, was again especially
brought before the Lord, as I had reason to believe many were in need,
and I had nothing to send them. This evening I received from Shropshire
2 gold chains, a diamond brooch, and a topaz brooch, with the request of
the donor to sell them for the benefit of brethren who labour in the
Word. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, but I look out for
more, far more.--Oct. 4. From E. B. 5l. for missions.--From a
Missionary box at Stroud 3l. 0s. 7d.--Oct. 8. From a distance 20l.
for brethren who labour in the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 40l. for the
Orphans, and 20l. for my own expenses. Precious answer to prayer. Great,
great is the need for labourers in the Word. I had, therefore,
particularly again waited upon the Lord yesterday, together with my
fellow-labourers, for this object.--From B. S. 1l. for missions.--
Oct. 11. From Austin Friars, London, 20l.--Oct. 12. From Philadelphia
1l. From Cotham Lane 1l.--Oct. 14. 2s. 6d.--From Weymouth was
received 2l., the disposal of which was left to me. Having just sent
out, to the last pound, 40l. to Demerara, I took it for Missionary
objects.
Oct. 17. This morning at family prayer, came, in the course of reading,
Exodus v, which shows, that, just before the deliverance of the
Israelites out of Egypt, their trials were greater than ever. They had
not only to make the same number of bricks as before, but also to gather
stubble, as no straw was given them any longer. This led me, in
expounding the portion, to observe, that even now the children of God
are often in greater trial than ever, just before help and deliverance
comes. Immediately after family prayer it was found, that by the
morning's post not one penny had come in for the work of the Lord in
which I am engaged, though we needed much, and though but very little
had come in during the three previous days. Thus I had now to remember
Exodus v, and to practise the truths contained therein. In the course of
the day nothing was received. In the evening I had, as usual, a season
for prayer with my dear wife, respecting the various objects of the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and then we left the New Orphan House
for our home. When we arrived at our house, about nine o'clock, we
found that 5l. and also 5s. had been sent from Norwich in two Post
Office Orders for the Building Fund, and that 8l. 3s. 11d. had been sent
in for Bibles, Tracts and Reports, which had been sold. This called for
thanksgiving. But a little later, between nine and ten o'clock, a
Christian gentleman called and gave me 1l. for the Orphans and 200l. for
foreign missions. He had received these sums from an aged Christian
woman, whose savings as a servant, during her whole life, made up the
200l., and who, having recently had left to her a little annual income
of about 30l., felt herself constrained, by the love of Christ, to send
the savings of her whole life for foreign missions. This gentleman
stated to me at the same time, that she had never had more than 5l. or
6l. wages a year, during her whole life. Moreover, out of this she has
sent me, year by year, 1l. or more for the benefit of the Orphans, for
many years; though I never knew her circumstances till now, as she
resides at a distance, and I have never seen her. What various ways has
the Lord to supply us with means! I add the following remarks: 1, For
several months past no donation as large as 200l. has been received, a
circumstance which has not occurred for about ten years past. 2, Now an
aged servant is used by the Lord to send this donation as the fruit of
her earnings, from about fifty years' service. 3, Our especial prayer
had been again and again, that the Lord would be pleased to send in
means for missionary brethren, as I had reason to believe they were in
much need of help; and only at eight o'clock this evening I had
particularly besought the Lord to send help for this object. By the last
mail I had sent off 40l. to British Guiana, to help seven brethren there
in some measure. This amount took the last pound in hand for this
object. How gladly would I have sent assistance to other brethren also,
but I had no more. Now I am in some degree supplied for this object. 4,
Very recently our tracts for gratuitous circulation were almost entirely
gone; but, before they were quite exhausted, the Lord sent more means,
so that about 200,000 could be ordered.
Oct. 23 Received 149l. 8s., the disposal of which was left with me. I
took of it 100l. for the support of the Orphans, for whom I had not 5l.
in hand, when it came, and the remainder for these objects, for which
still much is needed, in order to help labourers in the Gospel at home,
as well as foreign labourers, and in order to go on with the circulation
of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts, and to meet the expenses for the
various schools. This morning I had also the promise, that in about a
month 400l. should be paid to me for the work of the Lord. Thus, after a
season of several months, during which scarcely any large sums have been
received, the Lord is pleased, in answer to many prayers, to cause the
streams of His bounty to flow again more abundantly.
Oct. 26. From a visitor at Clifton 50l., which I took for the School,
Bible, Missionary, and Tract Objects.
Nov. 27. In great need there came in 100l., which was left to my
appropriation as it might be most required. I took, therefore, 50l. for
the Orphans, for whom there was scarcely anything in hand, and 50l. for
these objects, for which we needed much in every way.
Dec. 30. Received 100l., when in the greatest need for these objects,
and for the support of the Orphans. I took one-half for these objects,
and the other for the Orphans, and am thus again helped, in answer to
many prayers.
Jan. 1, 1855. As the year closed with mercies, so another has commenced
with mercies. I received from one engaged in the work 2l. for missions.
From M. E. for missions 5s.--From E. 0. 5s.--From M. A. E. 4s.
4d.--From B. S. 1l. for missions.--Also 10l. for the support of
the Day Schools.
Jan. 2. From a few believers in Huntingdonshire 15s. 2d. for missions.
Jan. 3. From two Christian ladies in London 10l. for missions, with 10l.
for the Orphans.
Thus we were helped till I received on Jan. 8th the promise of the
donation of 5,700l., of which, as has been stated, 1,400l. was taken for
these objects. This, with what came in besides, from Jan. 8, to May 26,
1855, enabled me so amply to meet every demand afterwards, that no
further difficulty was experienced during this period, in the way of
means.
Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, a/ready under our care, sent
in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.
At the beginning of this period there was in hand a balance of 123l. 0s.
7 ½ d. To the poorer class of readers this might appear
a considerable sum; but to such we would say, that
often the expenses of three or four days are more than this for the
Orphan Establishment, with which 335 persons are connected; and,
certainly, the average expenses, even if no extraordinary demands were
to be met, amount to about Twelve Pounds per day in these dear times;
and therefore 123l. would only be enough for about ten days. We had
then, so far as regarded visible/e support, only enough for about ten
days; but whilst we had so little as to visible support, we looked by
faith to Him who is invisible, the Living God, who has upheld this work
for so many years. We believed that He would help us still; and we were
not confounded, though our faith was again and again tried. I can,
however, give only a few out of the many instances which might be
recorded.
June 15, 1854. Though this is only the third week since the new period
commenced, yet as only about 60l. had come in for the support of the
Orphans, in addition to the balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d., we were today
reduced to less than Five Pounds. This had led to much waiting upon the
Lord: and again He gave a gracious answer to prayer. I received 151l.
5s. 8d., which, being left to my disposal, I took the whole for the
support of the Orphans. Also from two little girls was sent to me 8s.,
with the information that one of their sisters had set apart a swarm of
bees, the honey of which should be sold for the benefit of the Orphans.
Thus the Lord has again helped in the hour of need.
July 12. Our means were now again reduced to about 30l., as only about
150l. had come in since June 15. In addition to this, we had very heavy
expenses before us. This morning, in reading through the book of
Proverbs, when I came to chapter xxii. 19 "That thy trust maybe in
the Lord," &c., I said in prayer to Him: "Lord, I do trust in Thee; but
wilt Thou now be pleased to help me; for I am in need of means for the
current expenses of all the various objects of the Institution." By the
first delivery of letters I received an order on a London bank for
100l., to be used for all the various objects, "as the present need
might require." I took, therefore, 50l. for the support of the Orphans,
and 50l. for the other objects, which are also in great need. Received
also from Wandsworth Road 1l. 10s. 8d.; and in the course of the day 2l.
3s. 3d., through the boxes at the New Orphan House. Thus we are again
helped for the present.
July 19. For some time past I have been under an engagement to leave
Bristol at the end of this month, or in the beginning of August, for
about four weeks, to labour at Sunderland. On this account I have
besought the Lord during the last days that He would be pleased to send
me some means for my own expenses, but especially that I might be able
to leave some money behind, to last at least for some time. Yesterday
the Lord was pleased to begin answering my request, in sending means for
the support of the Orphans. I received from Lymington 5l.--From
Tregenda 10s.--From Thetford 10s.--From Perth 1l.--From
Kilmarnock 5l.--By sale of Reports 18s. 10d.--Proceeds of an
Orphan Box 1l. 5s. 9 ½ d. Today I have received from South Brent 1s.
From Middlesex 50l.--Ditto 18s.--From Clifton 5l.--From
Dudbridge 8s.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 7l. 1s. 3d.
By sale of Reports 1l. 8s.--Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d.
From a visitor at Clifton 50l. and a gold chain. The donor kindly
wished me to retain 10l. for my own expenses.--From Kingsbridge 2s.
Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected more, and He sent
me more on the following days. I record the income for the Orphans:--
July 20. From Homerton 3l. 3s.--Anonymously from Birmingham 1s.--
Anonymously left at my house 5l.
July 21. From Bideford 10s.--By sale of Reports 1s.--From
Tavistock 4s. 9d.--In a box from Tavistock, containing specimens of
ores, &c. 3s.
July 22. From Wotton-under-edge 10s.--By sale of Reports 7s.--From
West Brixton 2l.--From the Isle of Wight 1s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.--By
sale of Reports 2s.--From Chippenham 2l. 10s.--From College Green,
Bristol, 10s.
July 23. From Bodmin 5s. and 1s.--From Clifton 5s. Ditto 5s. Ditto
1l. Ditto 1l.
July 24. From Dudley 1l. 0. 6d. Ditto 1s. 8d.--From Clifton 10s.--
With James i. 17l. 2s. 6d.--From P. 2s. 6d.--Through Salem boxes
1s. Ditto 6d.--From Stourbridge 1s. 6d.--From Hastings 1l. 10s.
From H. B. Esq. 2l.
July 25. From Wells 3s.--12s.--2s. 6d.--From Kendal 2l.--
From London 10l.
July 26. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5l. 18s. 11d.--By
sale of Reports 14s. Ditto 6s.--From Torquay 3s. 4d.--From the
neighbourhood of Newton Abbot 11s., with three silver pencil cases, and
two pieces of old silver.--From a visitor at Clifton 100l., of which
the donor wished me to take 20l. for myself, and to use the other as
most needed. I took, therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, and 30l. for
missions and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts.--From
Hackney 1l. 5s.--From Taunton 2s. and ¼ lb. of tea.--There were
anonymously left at the New Orphan House two vases, a Chinese tea caddy,
a mosaic box, a ring set with a ruby and two brilliants, a double gold
serpent bracelet, a large cameo brooch, a silver snuff-box, a double
gold pin set with two brilliants, a pair of gold ear-rings, a pair of
gold ear-rings set with pearls and emeralds, a gold brooch set with
pearls and emeralds, a gold pin set with pearls and garnets, three gold
shirt studs, a large gold cameo ring, a gold masonic medal, a pair of
small gold ear-rings, a gold ring set with topazes, a gold watch ring,
and a rupee. (These valuable articles did not merely refresh my spirit
on account of their value; but they came as an answer to prayer for
means, and also that the Lord would incline the hearts of His children
to send such valuable, but needless, articles.) There were also given by
the same donors, six Indian table mats, a white lace scarf, a black lace
cap, and two pamphlets.
July 27. "20l. tendered as a thank-offering for singular deliverance at
Llanberis." Ditto 1s. for a Report. From Reading 1l.--From a
Christian gentleman of Edinburgh, then near Glasgow, 3l. Through ditto
1l. Ditto 1l.--From Grundisburgh 5s. Ditto 1s. Ditto 6d.--
Anonymously in postages 2s. 6d.--From Bath 5s.--From Chillington
10s. 6d.--From Nottingham 10s.
July 28. From Pentonville 1l., with a little box of articles.--From
Yeovil 1s. and 3s. 6d.--From Cannock 5l.--From Blackrock 12s.
July 29. From Higham Ferrers 10s.--From G. D. 1s.--From
Colsterworth 10s.--From Wellesborne 10s.--Anonymously 2s.--By
sale of Reports 3s. 6d.--From Whitehaven 2l. 14s. 6d.--By sale of
a Report 6d.--From Largs 4l.--"From an Orphan Sailor" 2l.
July 30. From Uppingham 2s. 6d.--From Newton Ferrers 2s. 6d.
July 31. From Lenten 6s. 6d.--From Edinburgh 3l. 10s.
Aug. 1. From London 1l. Ditto 1s. 6d. Ditto 5l.--From Chillington 2s.
From Broseley 5s.--From Warmley 5s. and an old silver watch.--
A little gold dust from a dying believer.--From F. E. B. 2s. 6d.--
From Barnstaple 1l. 3s.--From Northam 5s.--From Hereford 10s.
By sale of Reports 1s. 6d.--From Newport, near Barnstaple, 1l.
10s.--From Barnstaple 1l. 10s.--From P. 2s. 6d.--Through
Bethesda boxes 3s. 6d.--By sale of articles 4l. 13s. 3d. By sale
of Reports 10s.
Aug. 2. By sale of Reports 1l. 0s. 6d.--Anonymously 3s.--From Bath
1l. 10s.--From Ilfracombe 10l.--From Mundesley 2l.Anonymously
given at the New Orphan House 1l. Ditto 1s.--From Kilmersdon 6s.
Aug. 3. By sale of Reports 3s. 6d.--From Birmingham 6s. 6d.--
Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 3l. 18s. 3d.--From
Chapletown 10s.--From London 5l.--From Tavistock 2s. 6d.--
Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d.--By sale of Reports 2s. 6d.--
By sale of trinkets 38l. 11s. 6d.--By sale of Reports 12s. 10d.--
Received also a letter from the neighbourhood of Gumeracha, in
Australia, enclosing a bank order for 10l., of which 2l. was intended
for aged or blind saints in Bristol, 1l. for Bibles and Testaments, and
7l. for the Orphans or the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution. I took this 7l. for the Orphans.
Aug. 4. From Plymouth 2l.From Ilfracombe 10s.--From London 1l.
13s. 4d.
Aug. 5. From Manchester 10s.--By sale of Reports 3s. 4d.
Aug. 6. From Greenock 5l.--From Cockermouth 1l.--From Islington
1l. 1s.--From Child Okeford 2s. 6d.--From Clifton 2s. 6d. and 3s.
From Horfield Road 10s. From Henbury 2l.
Aug. 7. From Melton Abbot 3s.--From Cheltenham Road, Bristol, 1l. 1s.
From Islington 1l. 4s.--By sale of articles 17s. 3 ½ d.--From
Fowey 5l.--Through Bethesda boxes 6s. 8d.--From St. Philip's,
Bristol, 5s.--From three children 8s. 6d.--From Clifton
1l. 10s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.
Aug. 8. From Lichfield 1l. Ditto 5s.--By sale of books 4l.--From
Calstock 2s. 6d.--From Freshwater 1l.
Aug. 9. Anonymously 10s.--By sale of Reports 2s.--From Yaxham 1l.
From Gravesend 1l. Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 4l. 5s.
10d.--From Norwich 16s.--From a brother in the Lord 5l. 17s. 4d.
From Plymouth 10s.--By sale of Reports 14s. 6d.
Thus the Lord, in answer to prayer, had supplied me so bountifully,
that, when I left home on August 10th, I could leave sufficient in the
bank to last for a little time, and I hoped in God that, by the time
that was gone, He would kindly give more. And thus He did. I have also
given the income for the Orphans day by day, for the above 23 days, in
order that thus the Reader may see how, in large and small sums, and
from various parts of the world, the Lord is pleased to send in the
supplies.
I shall now give a few more instances in which the Lord manifestly, in
answer to prayer, helped us in the time of need.
Aug. 26. A Christian widow, having had left to her by a friend a few
articles, among which was a diamond brooch, sent it to me for the
benefit of the Orphans, and thus had the desire of her heart granted,
which she had often had, to be able to send something for them. On the
other hand, we receive it in answer to prayer, as there is very little
in hand for the Orphans, and as I have again and again asked the Lord to
lead His children to send me such articles for His own work.--There
came in also from Kirriemuir 1l.--From Kingsbridge a guinea piece,
also 1l. From the neighbourhood of Hyde 10s.
Aug. 27. From Douglas 1l.--From the neighbourhood of Sunderland 5s.
From Sunderland 5s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.--With James, 1,
17, 2s. 6d.--From H. T. and E. E. 2s.
Aug. 28. From Captain J. K., Royal Navy, 2l.--From Mr. C. K. 2l.--
From Mr. P. 1l.--From Bury 10s.
Aug. 29. From Sunderland 1l. Ditto 1s.--From Gloucester 6s.--By
sale of articles 1l. 4s.--From one engaged in the work 2l.--From
the neighbourhood of Crencester 1l.
Aug. 30. From the neighbourhood of Southampton 5l.
Aug. 31. Anonymously, through the boxes at Bethesda chapel, Sunderland,
5l.--From Ilfracombe 2s. 6d.--Through the boxes at the New
Orphan-House 5l. 1 ½ d.--By sale of Reports 16s.--From one
engaged in the work, as a thank-offering for journeying mercies, 10s.
From the neighbourhood of Sudbury in Derbyshire 10l. From
Grosmont 5s.--From Hayle 1l.--By sale of the above-mentioned
brooch 6l. 11s.
Sept. 1. From the Isle of Wight 2s. 6d.--From Birmingham 5l.--From
Bath 5l.--From a Christian lady in Bath 10l.
See, dear reader, how good the Lord is, and how ready to help in answer
to prayer! I was then 300 miles from the work in which I am more
especially engaged; but the Lord's assistance was to be obtained in
this distant place. Day by day I sought His help while absent, and day
by day I received intelligence from Bristol. And thus, my
fellow-labourers in Bristol, and I at Sunderland, were seeking the help
of the Lord, and He did condescend to listen to our supplications on
account of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, and to grant us our requests.
On this day, Sept. 1st, I also received a precious letter, enclosing a
Post-Office Order for 2l. 14s., from a donor, who, for many years, took
a lively interest in the work in which I am engaged. This letter was
doubly precious, not only because of its containing 2l. 14s., which came
just then so particularly in answer to prayer, as since August 2 6th, I
had been especially looking to the Lord for means, there being then
scarcely any thing left; but also because it so strikingly proved the
power of the divine life.
* * * * Aug. 30, 1854.
"Dear Mr. Müller,
"Having been a constant sufferer now for a year, the money I send you is
(humanly speaking) consequently less; and as there is likely to be a
crisis soon, in the shape of a large abscess, and I know not what the
Lord is about to do with me, I send you all the money I have in hand;
and if it should be the last may the Lord add a double blessing to it.
The Lord does not want my poor help to do His own work; but I feel
priviledged to be allowed to contribute, if it is but a nail, or a cup
of milk, to His service. My peace is greatthat is, His peace is with
me, though tribulation, to some extent, is mine also. I desire your
prayers, and remain,
"Yours in our precious Lord,
"* * * * *."
"P.S.I expect to be able to send a box of, it may be, almost useless
articles soon. Whither shall I send it?"
This Christian lady, whom I have never seen in the body, though I
corresponded with her for many years, has entered into her rest. She
fell asleep at the beginning of the year 1855. In looking over my
account books, I meet again and again with the name of one and another
who has finished his course. Soon dear Reader, your turn and mine may
come. Are you prepared for eternity? Affectionately I press this
question upon you. Do not put it away. Nothing is of greater moment than
this point; yea, all other things, however important in their place, are
of exceedingly small importance, in comparison with this matter. Do you
ask, how you may be prepared for eternity, how to be saved, how to
obtain the forgiveness of your sins; the answer is, believe in the Lord
Jesus, trust in Him, depend upon Him alone as it regards the salvation
of your soul. He was punished by God, in order that we guilty sinners,
if we believe in Him, might not be punished. He fulfilled the law of
God, and was obedient even unto death, in order that we disobedient,
guilty sinners, if we believe in Him, might, on His account, be reckoned
righteous by God. Ponder these things, dear Reader, should you have
never done so before. Through faith in the Lord Jesus alone can we
obtain forgiveness of our sins, and be at peace with God; but, believing
in Jesus, we become, through this very faith, the children of God; have
God as our Father, and may come to Him for all the temporal and
spiritual blessings which we need. Thus every one of my readers may
obtain answers to prayers, not only to the same extent that we obtain
them, but far more abundantly. It may be that few, comparatively, of the
children of God are called to serve the Lord in the way of establishing
Orphan-Houses, &c.; but all of them may, yea, are called upon to trust
in God, to rely upon Him, in their various positions and circumstances,
and apply the word of God, faith, and prayer to their family
circumstances, their earthly occupation, their afflictions and
necessities of every kind, both temporally and spiritually; just as we,
by God's help, in some little measure seek to apply the word of God,
faith, and prayer to the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge
Institution for Home and Abroad. Make but trial of it, if you have never
done so before, and you will see how happy a life it is. You may,
perhaps, pity the writer, and think how he must be burdened day by day,
and full of care and anxiety; and you may think that he cannot have any
quietness and peace, but is worn down by the constant questionings, how
the expenses for the various schools are to be met; how further money is
to be obtained for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts;
how the many preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad, who are
assisted by the Institution, may once more be helped; how the 300
Orphans are to be provided with all they need; how situations for the
elder female Orphans are to be found; how suitable places may be
obtained for the elder male Orphans when they are ready to be
apprenticed, and so on. Now here is just the true state of the case:--
We are not insensible to any of these points; we do feel them. We do not
put them away lightly and treat them with indifference; but we look them
in the face and feel their deep importance. At the same time, while we
neither treat them with indifference, nor attempt to carry them in our
own strength, we do, by God's grace, cast our burdens upon Him, trust
in Him; and thus are kept in peace in the midst of numberless
difficulties, and almost constant trials of one kind and another. Truly
I prefer by far this life of almost constant trial, if I am only able to
roll all my cares upon my Heavenly Father, and thus become increasingly
acquainted with Him, to a life of outward peace and quietness, without
these constant proofs of His faithfulness, His wisdom, His love, His
power, His over-ruling providence, &c.
Of the donations which came in between Sept. 2nd and Nov. 5th, amounting
to about 600l., in 346 different sums, I mention only, for the sake of
brevity, the following.
Sept. 2. From an anonymous donor through Mr. B. at Geneva, by the hands
of Count G., 1l. 15s.--Sept. 6. Received from Clerkenwell 50l., to be
used one half for missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took
the one half for the support of the Orphans, and find the following
remark in my journal respecting this donation: "What a precious answer
to prayer! Since Aug. 26th we have been day by day coming to the Lord
for our daily supplies. Precious, also, on account of missionary
brethren, whom I seek to help, for whom there was nothing in hand when
this donation was received!"--Sept. 22. From Crediton 3l. 4s. 8d., as
"a thank-offering to God for the very fine harvest which in mercy He has
been pleased to grant."
Nov. 5. There was now again only about 5l. in hand for the support of
the Orphans, when I received 2l. 10s. for them, and 2l. 10s. for myself,
from a donor in London, whom the Lord has been pleased to raise up
during the last two years, and who since then has been often used as an
instrument in helping the work at times of need. A brother in the Lord
also gave me 5l. this morning, saying, "I have of late had the Orphans
much laid on my heart."--From Clifton 1l. 10s.--From H. C. 3s.
From F. M. 5s.
Nov. 6. Further help. From the Isle of Wight 5s.--Through Bethesda
boxes 2s. 6d.--Ditto 6d.--From P. 1s.--Through Salem boxes 1s.
From a Gloucestershire Farmer 20l., of which he intended 10l. for
missions, and the other 10l. to be used as most needed. I took it for
the support of the Orphans.
Nov. 7. By sale of Reports 4s. 10d.--Anonymously from York 5s.--
Received back on paying an account 3s. 7 ½ d.--From a relative of
one of the Orphans 1s.--Having had to pay out 18l. for house-keeping
expenses, and having had to meet a few little expenses besides, we had
again only about 5l. left, as was the case three days ago, when I
received this afternoon 5l. from a Bristol donor.--Also 1l. from
London.
Nov. 15. Our means were now again gone. We had scarcely anything in
hand, with very heavy expenses before us, when this morning a Christian
gentleman from Yorkshire called on me, and gave me 50l. for the current
expenses for the Orphans. This was a most precious encouragement to
prayer! There came in further today from Manchester 9s. 6d.--By sale
of Reports 11s. 6d.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 2l.7s.
11d.--Returned on paying an account 3s. 1 ¼ d.--From Exeter 1l.
10s.
Nov. 22. A Brother in the Lord from Manchester came to see the New
Orphan-House, and gave 10l., which came in a time of great need.
Nov. 27. 100l. was sent in the greatest need, from a considerable
distance, of which I took 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for the other
objects.
Dec. 20. As since Nov. 27 only about 200l. has come in, I found this
evening that our means for the support of the Orphans were reduced to
10l. 9s. 8d, whilst our current expenses of late have been about 12l.
daily, on account of the high price of provisions. This led to earnest
prayer, that the Lord would be pleased to help us.
Dec. 21. The Lord has already sent a precious answer to the prayer of
last evening. I received today from a noble Lady 10l.--From
Devonshire 15l.--By sale of Reports 6s. 6d.--From Birmingham 2s.
By sale of a few coins, etc. 19s. 1d.--From Monmouthshire 8s.--
By sale of Reports 2s. 6d.--From Worksop 10s. 6d.--Returned on
paying an account 3s. 3 ¾ d.
Dec. 23. From Cheltenham 2s. 6d.--From London 10s.--From Clondegad
10s.--By sale of articles 3l. 16s. 5d. By sale of a Report 6d.--
From Edinburgh 5l.
Dec. 24. Anonymously 1l.--From Barking 6s.--From Blackheath Hill
6s.
Dec. 25. From B. S. 2s.--Through Bethesda and Salem boxes 7s.--
From P. 2s.
Dec. 26. From a brother in the Lord 6l.--From O. O. at Plymouth 10s.
Dec. 27. From two believers at Plymouth 10s.--From Kingsbridge 10s.
From Falmouth 1s.--From a little girl 3d.--By sale of Reports
6s.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan-House 1l. 14s. 4d.
Dec. 28. From Adelaide, Australia, 5l.
Dec. 29. From Torquay 5s.--From Exmouth 10s.--From Fulbeck 5s.--
From Sherborne 2s.
Dec. 30. At the beginning of this day our money was again reduced to
19l. 2s. 1 ½ d. for the current expenses for the Orphans, whilst I had
before me the prospect of having to advance this day 30l. for
house-keeping expenses, in order that we might go with ease through the
work, and in order that all expenses might be met. Now see how the Lord
helped us during this day. There came very early this morning, from the
neighbourhood of Norwich, a box, containing the following articles. A
prize medal, 2 salt cellars, 6 pencil cases, 5 thimbles, 2 fruit knives,
a watch chain, 2 vinaigrettes (all of silver), a black necklace, a
silver chain, 2 silver toothpicks, some pieces of silver, 2 pairs of
gilt bracelets, a pincushion, 4 snaps, a pair of gold earrings, a
tortoiseshell comb, a pocket comb, a reading glass, a box of paints, a
bag of coral and other beads, 2 smelling bottles and 2 gilt chains.
Likewise, from another donor, a silver stock buckle, 2 pairs of shoe
buckles, 2 pencil cases, a piece of silver chain, 2 seals, a brooch pin,
2 small gold pins, 6 small silver coins, a metal coin, a small silver
medal, a thimble, a pair of silver studs, 9 pairs ditto set with Bristol
stone, and a gold earring. There was sent with these articles likewise.
1l., and from a poor woman 6d.--In the course of the day came in
further: From Islington 6s.--From A. W. 2s.--From Islington 5s.,
with 8 chemises and 4 shirts.--Also from a great distance 100l.,
which being left at my disposal, I took one half for the Orphans, and
the other half for the other Objects.--By sale of articles 2l.--
Also 2s. 6d., and 2s. 8 ½ d. from an Orphan-box.--Thus I was enabled
to advance this evening 30l. for house-keeping as needed.
This was the last time, during this period of the Institution, that we
were brought so low as to means; for the Lord sent in on Dec. 31 6l.
10s.; on Jan. 1, 1855, in twenty-eight different donations, 14l. 4s.
6d.; on Jan. 2nd 17l. 8s. 3d.; on Jan. 3rd 15l. 1s. 3d.; on Jan. 4th
34l. 11s. 8d., and so on, till the large donation was given of which, as
has been stated, 900l. was taken for the current expenses for the
Orphans. This, with what came in from Dec. 30th 1854, up to May 26th,
1855, for the support of the Orphans, enabled me to meet all the demands
without any difficulty, during the remaining five months. Of all these
donations, making, up the total of 2226l. 10s. 7 ¼ d., I refer only to
the following.
Jan. 1, 1855. From a clergyman in South Africa 1l.
Jan. 4. From a Christian merchant at Clifton 30l. for the Orphans, with
10l. for myself, and 10l. for poor believers.
There have been many instances, in which, along with the donations for
missions, or for the support of the Orphans, or the Building Fund, there
were also presents in money sent for my own personal expenses, or those
of my family. These instances I have gladly recorded, as they came in
connexion with the donations referred to, because they afforded me an
opportunity of speaking well of the kindness and faithfulness of the
Lord in supplying my own personal or family need. It is now [i.e. in
1856] above Twenty Five years, since I have not had any regular income
whatever. In the year 1830, I saw it to be the Lord's will to give up
my regular income in connexion with the ministry of the Word, and to
trust in Him, alone for the supply of all my temporal necessities. I
have been enabled to continue in this path, and have not been allowed to
regret the step which I then took. Thus it is also in my position as
director of the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.
I have no salary in this position; but the Lord abundantly supplies my
need; yea, though there are many expenses connected with this very
position, He abundantly meets all my wants, and gives me far more than I
need. If with all my might I had sought to obtain a lucrative place,
either as a preacher of the Gospel, or in some other way, I should not
have had more, I have reason to believe, if as much, as, unsought,
unasked for, so far as it regards man, I receive day by day out of the
loving hand of my Heavenly Father. When I look at His kindness to me in
saving my guilty soul, I am overwhelmed with the boundlessness of His
love and grace towards me in Christ Jesus; and when I look at His
kindness to me, even as it regards temporal things, I know not where to
begin, nor where to end, in speaking well of His name. I do desire to
magnify Him, and therefore declare in this public way His great goodness
to me in thus so abundantly supplying my temporal necessities; and I do
so also, if it may please God, by this means, to encourage the hearts of
His children more and more unreservedly to trust in Him. It is now above
twenty-five years since I have asked help for myself from any human
being; but God has been indeed my helper. And now the very work even
with which I am connected, respecting which I had every reason to
believe, when I commenced it, that it would be connected with great
expenses to myself, as well as be the means, looked at naturally, of
decreasing my own income, God has, though unsought for on my part, used
as the instrument to bring along with it many supplies for myself also,
thus not only abundantly meeting my increased expenses, but giving me
far more than I need for myself. How great is His goodness! Dear
Christian Reader, be encouraged by this! Do but trust in God with all
your heart, and you will find that you will not be confounded. Only let
it be trust in God, not in man, not in circumstances, not in any of your
own exertions, but real trust in God, and you will be helped, in your
various necessities.--I refer to a few more of the donations.
Jan. 25. From various believers at Melbourne, Australia, 20l. for the
Orphans, and 20l. for the other objects.
Feb. 23. Received a very valuable gold watch, a gold watch chain, 2 gold
watch keys, a gold seal, a silver mustard pot and spoon, a silver salt
stand, a scent bottle, a china basket, 3 china jugs, a china cup and
saucer and mug 2 taper candlesticks, a ring stand, 2 spill cups, a card
stand, a lamp, a claret jug, a pair of decanters, 6 hock glasses, 14
claret glasses, 6 finger glasses, and a set of china tea things. The
donor has found true riches and peace to his soul in the Lord Jesus; and
he is thus led to send these articles for the benefit of the Orphans.
April 18. 100l. from a distance, of which the donor kindly intends 20l.
for myself, and 80l. for the benefit of the Orphans.
May 5. 219l. 9s. 4d. from a distance, of which the donor kindly wished
me to keep 19l. 9s 4d. for myself, and to use the other as it might be
required for the Lord's work. I took 100l. for the support of the
Orphans, and 100l. for the other objects. This donation was especially
refreshing to my spirit, because of its coming at this period, when the
outgoings are very great.
May 26. Towards the close of this day it was found that the balance left
in hand, for the support of the Orphans, was 110l. 17s. 8 ½ d., as the
amount with which we should have to begin the new period in providing
for the necessities of the Orphans. Before leaving the Orphan-House, I
had my usual daily season for prayer with my dear wife. Having praised
the Lord for His goodness to us and the work, in helping us during
another year, and having sought His blessing upon the various objects of
the Institution, we commended ourselves again to Him, especially, with
reference to means for the coming year, and entreated Him also to
sustain our faith to the end of our course; for the longer I go on in
this path, the more I feel my entire dependence upon the Lord and my
need of being sustained by Him. When we arrived home, we found two more
donations, the last of the present period, sent for the benefit of the
Orphans; one being two little dresses, a piece of print, a piece of
calico, and 20 pocket handkerchiefs; the other a small gold Geneva
watch, quite new. We took these two last donations as the Lord's
earnest that He would be with us during the coming period also, and with
good courage looked forward to it, by His grace.
I add a few remarks to this part of the Narrative:--1. Should any one
suppose, on account of its having been stated in the previous pages that
we were repeatedly brought low as to means, that the Orphans have not
had all that was needful for them; we reply, that never, since the work
has been in existence, has there a meal-time come, but the Orphans have
had good nourishing food in sufficient quantity: and never have they
needed clothes, but I have had the means to provide them with all they
required. Persons living in Bristol can easily satisfy themselves as to
this, not only by seeing week after week our stores for food and
clothes; but also the dress and the healthy countenances of these
hundreds of children (though very many of them were received in a very
weak and diseased state) will amply prove what I state. 2. Never since
the Orphan work has been in existence, have I asked one single human
being for any help for this work; and yet, unasked for, simply in answer
to prayer, from so many parts of the world, as has been stated, the
donations have come in, and that very frequently at a time of the
greatest need. Were I to state what is not true, persons could easily
convict me; to say nothing of the fact that God, whose name I have
continually connected with this work, would disown me as an awful
deceiver, and bring this work to nought; but if these things are true,
as indeed they are, will not my readers own the hand of God, will they
not recognize the minute particular providence of God, and the readiness
of His heart to listen to the supplications of those who come to Him
with their requests in the name of the Lord Jesus? I do not seek a name
for myself in connexion with this work; I do not wish to draw attention
to myself, and am indeed sorry when persons have had their attention
directed only to me; but I do seek honour for my Heavenly Father, and I
do desire that His hand may be owned in this work.
Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution,
for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 20, 1854, to
May 26, 1855.
1. During this year four Day Schools in Bristol, with 184 children in
them, were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution; and
several other Day Schools in Devonshire, Cornwall, Suffolk, Ireland, and
Scotland were assisted with copies of the Holy Scriptures. Further, one
Sunday School in Bristol, with 158 children, was entirely supported, and
seven others, in Cornwall, Devonshire, Somersetshire, and
Gloucestershire, with about 400 children in them, were assisted. Lastly,
one Adult School, with 183 Adults, was entirely supported during this
year.--The amount expended, during this year, on these various
Schools, was 338l. 2s. 5d.
In connexion with all these Schools, I would suggest the following
important matter for prayer. From March, 1884, to May, 26, 1855, there
were 5,956 children in the Day Schools. In the Adult School there were
2,459 persons. The number of the Sunday School children amounted to
2,817. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 11,232 souls were brought
under habitual instruction in the things of God in these Schools;
besides the many thousands in the Schools in various parts of England,
Ireland, Scotland, British Guiana, the West Indies, the East Indies,
&c., which were to a greater or less degree assisted. Now, what I would
especially request is, that all the disciples of the Lord Jesus, who
take an interest in this work, would help me and my fellow-labourers
with their prayers, that not only those who are at present under our
instruction may be spiritually benefited, but particularly also, that
God would be pleased to work mightily in the hearts of those who were
once under our care, in bringing to their remembrance the truth which
was then set before them. I am the more induced to make this request, as
we frequently meet with young men or young women, who many years ago
were under our care and instruction, who thankfully own the benefit they
received when with us, and who are now believers in the Lord Jesus,
though at the time they had given us little or no hope. Thus has the
Lord afterwards been pleased to cause the seed to spring up and to bear
fruit to His praise. During this year also we had again and again most
encouraging instances of this kind brought before us.
The total sum expended during the 21 years, from March 5, 1834, to May
26, 1855, in connexion with the Schools, which were either entirely, or
in part supported by the funds of this Institution, amounted to 7,204l.
12s. 8 ¼ d.
2. Great have been the efforts, made of late years, to spread error;
therefore the disciples of the Lord Jesus should be especially active in
seeking to spread the truth. Fearfully great, in particular, have been
the efforts to rob the Church of Christ of the Word of God; on this
account, all who love our Lord Jesus in sincerity, should seek,
according to their ability, to spread the Holy Scriptures. On account,
therefore, of the especial attempts made, of late years, once more to
deprive the Church of Christ of God's unerring Holy Word, I have had
it particularly laid upon my mind, in every way to embrace opportunities
for circulating it, and especially to place it in the hands of the very
poorest of the poor. In this way, not only in England, Wales and
Scotland, but particularly in Ireland, we have sought to circulate the
Holy Scriptures. And not only there, but also in Canada, British Guiana,
the East Indies, Australia and China. Every open door, which the Lord
was pleased to set before us, I have endeavoured to press into; and, in
this service have been helped by many servants of Christ, who have
sought out the most destitute persons, desirous of possessing a copy of
the Holy Scriptures. With this we have also particularly sought to
combine the supplying of aged persons, who are poor, with copies printed
in large type. Our efforts have not been in vain. We have had instances
brought before us of direct conversion, simply through reading the Holy
Scriptures. Again, during this year also, our labours were owned in this
part of the work. But though we have seen some fruit, we believe that
the greater part by far will be manifested in the Day of the Lord. It
has been given to us, by the help of the Lord, day by day to seek His
blessing upon the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and therefore we
believe that our labour will not be in vain. We expect results.
The number of Bibles, New Testaments, and Portions of the Holy
Scriptures, circulated from May 20, 1854, to May 26, 1855, is as
follows: