through which we passed during the four months previous to Dec. 9,
1838, respecting the Orphan-Houses, that I have been disappointed as
it regards my expectations, as far as the funds are concerned: my
answer is, that the reverse is the case. For straits were expected.
Long before the trials came, I had more than once stated publicly,
that answers to prayer, in the time of need,--the manifestation of
the hand of God, stretched out for our help,--was just the very end
for which the Institution was established.
I further state, that the Orphans have never lacked any thing. Had I
had thousands of pounds in hand, they would have fared no better than
they have; for they have always had good nourishing food, the
necessary articles of clothing, etc.
It is now (namely on Dec. 10, 1838) four years and nine months since
brother Craik and I established the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.
The reasons which we had for doing so were, that thus a testimony
might be borne that the children of God need not to go to unbelievers
to ask them for money; nor require the patronage of the great men of
this world in the Lords work; and that, further, believers generally
might be stirred up, to renounce their alliance with the world in the
management and promotion of religious objects, and that, lastly, it
might be seen, that, without contracting debts, such objects can be
carried on.
Painful as it was, and as it still is, to us, to be obliged to differ
from so many of our brethren, in these particulars, nevertheless we
were called upon to work without them, if we could not conscientiously
work with them. May the Lord grant, that the eyes of many of His children
may be opened, so that they may seek, in all spiritual things, to be
separated from unbelievers, (2 Cor. vi. 1418), and to do Gods work
according to Gods mind!
I notice briefly the following particulars respecting the first three
objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. 1. There is at
present (in December, 1838) a Sunday School supported by it, which
contains four hundred and sixty-three children. This part of the work
calls for particular thanksgiving; for during these last eighteen
months the number of the children has been nearly three times as
great as it used to be. Five of the scholars have been converted
within the last two years, and are now in fellowship with the church,
and three of them are teachers in the school. 2. There is in
connection with the Institution an Adult-school, in which, since the
commencement of the work, above 120 adults have been instructed, and
in which at present twelve are taught to read. 3. The Institution has
entirely supported, since its commencement, several Day-schools for
poor children, and within the last two years six of such: three for
boys, and three for girls.--The number of all the children that have
had schooling in the Day-schools through the medium of the
Institution, since its formation, amounts to 1534; the number of
those at present in the six Day. Schools is 342. 4. During the last
two years there have been circulated, 1884 copies of the Scriptures
in connexion with the Institution, and since the beginning of the
work, March 5, 1834, five thousand and seventy-eight copies. 5. For
Missionary purposes have been laid out £74. 18s. 4d. 6. The total of
the income for the first three objects, during the last two years,
was £1129. 13s. 1d. The total of the expenses £1111. 13s. 7 1/2d.
There are, at present, 86 Orphans in the three houses, i. e. 31 in
the Girls-Orphan-House, 31 in the Infant-Orphan-House, and 24 in the
Boys-Orphan-House.
The whole number of Orphans, who have been under our care, from April
11, 1836, to Dec. 9, 1838, amounts to 110.
Gods blessing has most manifestly rested upon this part of the work.
For, 1. Without any one having been asked for any thing by us, the
sum of £2111 5s. 4 1/2d. has been given to us, entirely as the result
of prayer to God.
2. Besides this, also, many articles of clothing, furniture,
provisions, etc. 3. Without our solicitation three medical gentlemen,
(one for each house), have, up to Dec. 9, 1838, kindly given their
attendance and medicines gratuitously.
4. The children have been, on the whole, in good health, and many of
them have greatly improved as to their health, since they have been
with us. 5. Though most of them had been brought up in a very
different manner from what one could desire, yet God has constrained
them, on the whole, to behave exceedingly well, so much so that it
has attracted the attention of all observers. This can be ascribed
only to the good hand of God. 6. There are a few among them,
respecting whom we have a comfortable assurance that they care about
their souls. 7. There is not one of those who have died, of whom we
are without hope, as it regards their eternal welfare; but respecting
two of them we have especial reason to rejoice. The elder of the two,
Harriet Culliford, about twelve years of age when she died, had been
for many months wasting away in consumption. She was, almost during
the whole time of her illness, completely careless about the things
of God; nothing seemed to make any impression upon her, though a well
behaved child in other respects. About a fortnight before her
departure, she was brought to know the Lord, gave the fullest
evidence, that could be given in her circumstances, of a real change
of heart, and departed full of joy at the prospect of being with the
Lord, though previously she had been very desirous to be restored
again. The younger, Leah Culliford, (both of them of a very
consumptive family), fell asleep in Jesus on Sept. 11, 1838. She was
but little more than eight years of age; but many weeks before her
death she gave evidence to those who were placed over her of a change
of heart, and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The total of the income for the Orphans, from Dec. 9, 1836, to Dec.
9, 1838, has amounted to £1341. 4s. 7d. the total of the expenses to
£1664. 4s. 0 3/4d. There was two years ago a balance of £373. 4s. 8
1/4d. in hand, and now the balance is £50. 5s. 3d.
Dec. 16. There was a paper anonymously put into the box at Bethesda
Chapel, containing 4l. 10s. In the paper was written "For the Rent of
the Orphan-Houses, from Dec. 10 to Dec. 31, 1838. O taste and see
that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him!" In
order that the reader may be able to enter into the value of this
donation, I would request him to read over once more, what I wrote
under "Sept. 29 of this year." [The individual who gave this 4l. 10s.
for the rent of the Orphan-Houses for the first three weeks after the
public meetings, at which the matter about the rent, for the
instruction of the brethren, was fully stated, continued for three
years, up to Dec. 10, 1841, to give regularly, but anonymously, 1l.
10s. a week for the same purpose, which was exactly the sum required
every week for the rent of those three houses. Thus the Lord rewarded
our faithfulness, in carrying out the light which He had given us.
But the chief blessing, resulting from this circumstance, I consider
to be this, that several brethren, who earn their bread by the labour
of their hands, have learned through this circumstance, that it is
the will of the Lord they should lay by their rent weekly. I beseech
those brethren who are not pursuing this course, to do so, and they
will soon prove by experience the benefit of acting on Scriptural
principles even as it regards this life.]
Dec. 17. Today eleven brethren and sisters were proposed for
fellowship. The Lord still uses us as instruments. Truly, our labour
in the Lord is not in vain!
Dec. 20. As the expenses for the Orphans have been above 47l. within
the last six days, and as but little above 13l. has come in, and as
the money for printing the Report had to be kept back, in order that
we might not be in debt, we were again today very low in funds,
though it is but six days since the public meetings. As I knew that
tomorrow several pounds would be needed to supply the matrons, I gave
myself this morning to prayer. About a quarter of an hour afterwards
I received 3l., the payment of a legacy, left by a sister, who fell
asleep in Jesus several months since, in Ireland. Besides this I
received from the brother, through whom the legacy was paid, 2l. 10s.
for the Orphan-Fund. With this 5l. 10s. I hope to be able to meet the
expenses of tomorrow.
I observe here that it might have been naturally supposed that every
heart would be touched, through what was publicly stated about the
remarkable manner in which the Lord had provided for us for nearly
150 days, and that consequently an abundance of means would have come
in. To this is to be added, that 50l. 5s. 3d. was in hand on Dec. 10,
and that therefore it seemed not likely that we should be in need;
and yet, by Dec. 20, we were again so poor, that there was nothing to
meet the expenses of the next day, as has just been related. All this
came not unawares upon me and my fellow-labourers; for we had been
taught to look off from all creature expectations to the living God.
It was on this account that, many times in our prayer meetings during
November and the beginning of December, we were led to ask the Lord,
not to allow us to expect an influx of means because, for the benefit
of the Church, our circumstances would be made known at the public
meetings. And how kind was it of the Lord to give us prayer about
this, and thus to prepare us beforehand; for had we leaned upon
natural expectations, we should have been surely disappointed, as
only six days after the meetings we were as poor as ever. By the
grace of God we are so acquainted with the heart of our Father, that
we speak not about these things to excite the compassion of our
fellow saints, for we have learned to lean upon God only; but we make
known His dealings with us, that others may be led "to taste and see
that the Lord is good," and to put their trust in Him.
The sister who left the 3l. for the Orphans, as just alluded to, also
left 3l. for the funds of the other objects, 20l. to be divided
between brother Craik and me, and 3l. for the poor saints.
Dec. 22. A solemn day. I received today the information from my
father that my brother died on October 7th. When I saw him in April
this year, he was living in open sin, and in disunion with my father.
I cannot learn that his end was different from his life, so that I
have no comfort in his death.--Of all the trials that can befall a
believer, the death of an unconverted near relative seems to me one
of the greatest. "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?"
must be the stay of the believer at such a time, and, by grace, it is
my stay now. I know that the Lord is glorified in my brother,
whatever his end has been: whether in his last hours, like the thief,
on the cross, he was saved, or whether he died in sin and unbelief;
yet I do, as to myself, desire from my heart to adore that grace
which plucked me as a brand out of the burning, many years ago.--May
the Lord make this event a lasting blessing to me, especially in
leading me to earnestness in prayer for my father!
Dec. 26. From the 21st to this day several small donations had come
in for the Orphans, so that we were supplied as we needed. Today
there was ten-pence left, after the days expenses had been met. One
hour after the Lord kindly appeared again. 5l. was sent by Q. Q. This
money came, just after I had prayed for means.
Dec. 27. Today came in 2l. 12s. 6d., whereby the Lord has again
helped us to meet the probable expenses of tomorrow.
Dec. 28. This evening the Lord kindly sent further help, when we were
again destitute of the means of providing for tomorrow. I received
20l. (half for the Orphan-Fund, and half for the other funds), with
Ecclesiastes ix. 10: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with
thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor
wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Dec. 29. A sister, having felt herself particularly stirred up about
the Orphans, as she writes, sent this evening 7l. five pounds from
herself, and 2l. which had been sent from the EAST INDIES. To the
Lord this is to be ascribed, who, in answer to our prayers, makes
these impressions on the hearts of His children.
REVIEW OF THE YEAR 1838.
1. As to the church.
68 brethren and sisters we found in fellowship, when brother Craik
and I came to Bristol.
458 have been admitted into fellowship since, so that the total
number would be
526 had there been no changes. But,
31 have fallen asleep.
28 are under church discipline, which is the total number of all the
cases of separation from communion within these six years and seven
months.
36 have left Bristol
26 have left us, but are still in Bristol. Only 26 within six years
and seven months!
Total 121. There are therefore only 405 at present in fellowship with
us. 61 have been added during the last year, of whom 36 have been
brought among us to the knowledge of the truth.
II. As to my temporal supplies
The Lord has been pleased to give me during the past year:
1. By the Freewill Offerings through the boxes £151 6s. 8d.
2. By presents in money from believers in and out of Bristol £141
18s. 0d.
3. By money, through family connexion £40 0s. 0d.
4. By presents in clothes, provisions, etc., which were worth to me,
at least £12 0s. 0d.
We have been living for six months, half free of rent whereby we have
saved at least £5 0s. 0d.
Altogether £350 4s. 8d.
During no period of my life had I such need of means, on account of
my own long illness and that of my dear wife, and on account of the
many and particular calls for means as during the past year; but also
during no period of my life has the Lord so richly supplied me.
Truly, it must be manifest to all that I have served a most kind
Master, during this year also, and that, even for this life, it is by
far the best thing to seek to act according to the mind of the Lord,
as to temporal things.
January 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1830. We have had three especial church
prayer meetings these three days. The year commenced with mercies. In
the first hour of the year there came in for the Orphans 2l. 7s.,
which was given after our usual prayer meeting on December 31, which
this time lasted from seven in the evening till after midnight.
Jan. 11. Since December 20, came in several donations for the
Orphans, so that we were supplied, before that which we had in hand
was quite gone. On the seventh, however, all our money was again
expended, when a brother, from the neighbourhood of London, who, is
staying here, gave me 10l. Today, when this 10l. was given out, I
received from London 3l. 7s., and 4s. besides. Thus the Lord, as our
need is, sends help, and all in answer to prayer, without our asking
any one.
Jan. 17. Since the 11th 22 small donations have again come in, by
which we have been helped thus far. This afternoon all which was in
hand was given for housekeeping, and I was again penniless. The Lord,
however, was mindful of this, and in the evening two sovereigns were
left anonymously at my house. In the paper was written: "The enclosed
are for the use of the Orphan-Houses, from J. H., who thinks he ought
to do something for the Institution." J. H. will have in this a proof
that the Lord touched his heart to give the money, because there was
not a penny in hand for those who are the especial care of Him who is
the "Father of the fatherless."
Jan. 20. Ten small donations have come in since the 17th, which have
enabled us to provide what was needed for the last three days, and
also for today.--For some time past it has appeared to me that the
words "Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye
may do them good," which the Lord spoke to His disciples, who were
themselves very poor, imply that the children of God, as such, have
power with God to bring temporal blessings upon poor saints or poor
unbelievers, through the instrumentality of prayer. Accordingly I
have been led to ask the Lord for means to assist poor saints; and at
different times He has stirred up His children to intrust me with
sums both large and small, for that especial object; or has, by some
means or other, put money at my disposal, which I might so use. In
like manner I had been asking again for means a few days since, to be
able more extensively to assist the poor saints in communion with us,
as just now many of them are not merely tried by the usual temporal
difficulties arising from its being winter, but especially from the
high price of bread. And now this evening the Lord has given me the
answer to my prayer. When I came home from the meeting, I found a
brother at my house who offered to give me 10l. a week, for twelve
weeks, towards providing the poor saints with coals and needful
articles of clothing, but chiefly with bread. [Accordingly this
brother sent me two days afterwards 120l.,--whereby very many,
especially poor widows, were greatly assisted, chiefly with flour and
bread. This money just lasted till the price of bread was reduced
from 9 1/2d. to 7 1/2d. Thus, for several weeks, about 150 quarterns
of bread were distributed weekly, besides what was given in flour,
coals, and clothes. I have mentioned this circumstance as an
encouragement to those who either have little or nothing at all to
give to poor persons, and who yet have a desire to give; and to those
who have means, but whose means are not adequate to relieve all the
demands made upon them. Had we more grace to plead the words of our
Lord, above referred to, we should receive far more from Him to meet
the necessities around us.]
Jan. 22. A brother formerly an officer in the navy, Who for Jesus
sake has given up his rank and pay, gave three silver table spoons,
three silver forks, and two teaspoons, to be sold for the benefit of
the Orphans. The produce of them, with 1l. 5s. which has come in
besides, enabled us to meet the expenses of today and tomorrow.
Jan. 26. Saturday. The need of the 24th, 25th, and of today was
supplied, partly, by the little that had been left on the 23rd; and
partly, by five small donations, by 9s. for the childrens
needlework, and by 12s. which had come in by the sale of two old silk
dresses, which had been given for sale. Now, when we were again
penniless, 6s. was given me, just after I had been praying for means.
Jan. 28. Monday morning. We are now quite reduced as to means for the
Orphans. The little which is in hand has been put by for rent. How
the Lord will help us through this day, I know not; but I have faith
in God. He will help us, though I know not how. By Gods help I
purpose not to take a single penny of what is in hand, because it is
due for rent.--This morning and afternoon came in from one individual
4s. 6d., and from a sister, who earns her bread by needlework, 1l.
There was also 1l. 0s. 10d. taken out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses, which our need had led us to open. Thus we were helped
through the day, and have 1l. left for tomorrow.
Jan. 29. The 1l. which was left helped us through this day; but in
the Boys-Orphan-House were no means to take in bread. In the evening
eight small loaves were sent by a sister who could not possibly know
our need, and thus we were supplied.
Jan, 30. A little while after I had been in prayer this morning for
means for the Orphans, brother T. brought a silver watch and 5s.,
which had been given last evening. Also, still further, came in this
morning five yards of Indian muslin, a zephyr scarf, a muslin dress,
and a gold locket, to be sold. About two hours afterwards was sent 1l.
The individual who last evening gave the silver watch and 5s. for the
Orphans, called on me today. She is a servant, who in the house of
her master found the first part of this Narrative soon after the
publication of the first edition, which the Lord used as the means of
her conversion. [She fell asleep in Jesus, after having been 36 years
in fellowship with us.]
Jan. 31. There came in this morning 2s. 6d. for the Orphans. This,
with 1l. in hand, and 10s. which one of the labourers contributed,
was sufficient for this days necessities.
Feb. 1. There is no money in hand for the Orphans. I am waiting on
God. Just when Brother T. had come to tell me that the need for this
day would be 19s. 6d., one of the labourers in the work came and gave
me 1l.
Feb. 2. There are again no means in hand. One of the labourers gave
1l., but I know not whether 1l. will be sufficient for the
necessities of this day. This I do know, however, that the Lord will
supply us with more, should more be needed. When I met with the
brethren and sisters for prayer, one of the labourers gave his watch,
under the condition that 1l., which was needed besides that which we
had in hand, should be taken from the rent money which had been put
by, till it could be replaced; and, if otherwise, that the watch
should be sold at the end of the quarter. Just as we had separated, a
sovereign was brought to me, which had been sent to my house since I
had left it. This was taken instead of the one which had been
advanced upon the watch, and thus a speedy answer was granted to our
prayers. We have now been brought to the close of one more week.
Feb. 3. Lords day. A sister sent from her sick bed this evening 2l.
for the Orphans, with Ecclesiastes ix. 10. Thus the Lord has supplied
our need for tomorrow.
Feb. 4. This afternoon came in two pounds more from the grandmother
of two of the Orphans, in answer to prayer, and very seasonably, as
the coals in one house are quite out, and nearly so in the other two.
Feb. 5. Today came in 12s., which supplied the necessities of this
day.
Feb. 6. Only 10s. 6d. was needed for today, which one of the
labourers gave.
Feb. 7. This day has been one of the most remarkable days as it
regards the Funds. There was no money in hand, I was waiting upon
God. I had asked him repeatedly, but no supplies came. Brother T.
called between 11 and 12 oclock, to tell me that about 1l. 2s. would
be needed, to take in bread for the three houses, and to meet the
other expenses; but we had only 2s. 9d., which yesterday had been
taken out of the boxes in the Orphan-Houses. He went to Clifton to
make arrangements for the reception of the three orphans of our
sister Loader, who fell asleep on the 4th; for though we have no
funds in hand, the work goes on, and our confidence is not
diminished. I therefore requested him to call on his way back from
Clifton, to see whether the Lord might have sent any money in the
mean time. When he came I had received nothing, but one of the
labourers, having 5s. of his own, gave it. It was now four oclock. I
knew not how the sisters had got through the day. Just before I went
out to preach, 5s. was brought to my house, which I took as a token
for good. I had been asking the Lord for a passage of the Word to
speak from this evening, and at last was directed to Matt. vi. 19-34,
a subject most applicable to our circumstances. After the meeting was
over, I went to the Girls-Orphan-House, to meet with the brethren
for prayer, and to give the 5s. which I had received, and to see what
could be done. When I arrived there, I found that a box had come for
me from Barnstaple. The carriage was paid, else there would have been
no money to pay for it. (See how the Lords hand is in the smallest
matters!) The box was opened, and it contained, in a letter from a
sister, 10l., of which 8l. was for the Orphans, and 2l. for the Bible
Fund; from brethren at Barnstaple, 2l. 11s. 2d.; and from another
brother 5s. Besides this, there were in the box 4 yards of merino, 3
pairs of new shoes, 2 pairs of new socks: also six books for sale.
Likewise a gold pencil-case, 2 gold rings, 2 gold drops of ear-rings,
a necklace, and a silver pencil-case. On inquiry, how the sisters had
been carried through the day, I found it thus: everything was in the
houses which was needed for dinner. After dinner a lady from
Thornbury came and bought one of my Narratives and one of the
Reports, and gave 3s. besides. About five minutes afterwards the
baker came to the Boys-Orphan-House. The matron of the
Girls-Orphan-House seeing him, went immediately with the 6s. 6d.
which she had just received, (to prevent his being sent away, as
there was no money in hand at the Boys-Orphan-House,) and bought
bread to the amount of 4s. 6d. The two remaining shillings, with the
little which was in hand, served to buy bread for the Girls-Orphan-House.
By the donations sent in the box, I was enabled to give a rich supply
to the matrons before the close of the day.
How sweet to see our Father thus caring for us! To a person who has
spiritual eyes, what a proof is one such day of the most particular
providence of God! And we have had many such days.