the children of God opening their hearts to each other, especially
when they are getting into a cold state, or are under the power of a
certain sin, or are in especial difficulty. An individual called on
me, who I trust is a brother, with whom I had conversed once before,
but felt uncomfortable respecting him. When he called again today, it
appeared to me that there was something upon his heart, which, if I
could but know, I might be instrumental in benefiting him. I pressed
him affectionately to open his heart, assuring him at the same time
that the matter which he might speak of should remain in my own
bosom. At last I succeeded. [The result of this conversation was,
that the advice which I gave him, led him, after three days, to leave
for America, where he ought to have been, instead of being in
England; and if he has followed my advice, in one other point, the
matter which for years had burdened his conscience, and which, no
doubt had been the means of keeping him in a low spiritual state,
will have no more power over him. Should this fall into the hands of
any children of God who have a particular trial or burden, or a
guilty conscience, on account of a particular thing, or a besetting
sin, etc., on account of which it would be beneficial to open their
hearts to another child of God, in whose love, spiritual judgment,
etc., they have confidence, I would advise them to do so. I know from
my own experience, how often the snare of the devil has been broken,
when under the power of sin; how often the heart has been comforted,
when nigh to be overwhelmed; how often advice, under great
perplexity, has been obtained,--by opening my heart to a brother in
whom I had confidence. We are children of the same family, and ought
therefore to be helpers one of another.]
Aug. 3. £3. 5s. was required to meet the necessities of the
Orphan-Houses this day. The Lord enabled us to meet this demand,
partly, by the sale of some Indian muslin, which had been given some
months since, but which was only now disposed of; partly, by a few
small donations; and partly, by what one of the labourers added of
his own. [We have often found that the money for articles, which were
put out to be sold, has come in most seasonably. At this time it
happened so that a brother, into whose hands the muslin had been put,
felt himself stirred up to go and ask the individual who had it for
sale whether she had disposed of it. This brother knew nothing about
our need at that time.]
Aug. 5. Monday. On Saturday and yesterday morning I had repeatedly
asked the Lord to send us help, as there was not a penny in hand for
the need of today. Yesterday morning a brother gave me two
sovereigns, and in the evening I received two more. Besides this,
there was 4l. 10s. anonymously given for three weeks rent for the
Orphan-Houses, also 10s. by a brother, and 9s. came in for needlework
of the children; so that altogether 9l. 9s. came in yesterday.
This evening I took tea with a sister who purposes to leave Bristol
tomorrow for Van Diemens Land. [For the comfort of any saints, who
may be similarly situated, I mention the following circumstance. The
son of this sister was transported many years since. In the course of
time he obtained a business of his own in Van Diemens Land, and
wished his mother to come to him. The mother went, and had, in answer
to the prayers of the saints, a prosperous voyage. When she arrived,
she found her son truly converted. What a joy for the long and deeply
afflicted mother! What remarkable means the Lord uses to bestow
blessings! Moreover, to mark that the Lord had sent her to her son,
she found that a month before her arrival his wife had died, and that
she therefore reached him just at the right time, both on account of
his children and his business.]
Aug. 7. Today again about 3l. was needed for housekeeping at the
Orphan-Houses, which the Lord had sent in since the day before
yesterday, so that we were able to meet all the demands.
Aug. 8. Today 1l. 3s. was needed, but only 3s. had come in. The
deficiency was supplied by one of the labourers giving a sovereign of
his own. Though there is no money in hand, yet are we so little
discouraged, that we have received today one orphan boy, and have
given notice for the admission of six other children, which will
bring the number up to 98 altogether.
Aug. 9. Only 10s. had come in since yesterday, and as 30s. were
needed, one of the labourers gave a sovereign.
Aug. 10. Saturday. The need of today is 2l. 10s. but only 10s, has
been given since yesterday. One of the labourers, having 2l., gave
it, and thus our need was supplied.
Aug. 12. Monday. The Lord has again kindly sent 11l. Of this sum 10l.
came in from Q. Q., when again there was not one penny in hand. We
have now supplies for about four days.
Aug. 14. Today was very seasonably sent a whole piece of calico and a
piece of print.
Aug. 16. All our money is now again gone. Today 1l. 3s. was needed,
but only 3s. was in hand. One of the labourers was able to add a
sovereign, and thus we were helped.
Aug. 17. Saturday. 5l. was needed today, but only 7s. 6d. had come
in. The remaining 2l. l2s. 6d. one of the labourers gave. Thus we
were helped to the close of another week.
Aug. 19. Monday. This has been again a day in which our faith has
been particularly tried; but even this day we have not been
confounded. Not one penny was in hand when the day began. We had
therefore now, for more than one hundred persons, again to look to
the Lord. But this I must say, to the praise of the Lord, my soul was
perfectly at peace. I meant to have gone very early to the
Orphan-Houses to meet with my fellow-labourers for prayer; but, as
one person after the other called upon me, I was kept from it the
whole morning. When brother T. called upon me between 12 and 1
oclock for money, I had none to give. In the afternoon at four I was
able to meet with the brethren and sisters. When I came to the
Girls-Orphan-House, I found that one of those children, for the
reception of whom we had given notice, had been brought from Bath,
and with him was sent 1l. 5s. After the meeting was over, one of the
labourers gave 10s. By means of this 1l. 15s. we were able for this
day also to provide every thing needful.
Aug. 20. When we met together this morning for prayer, only one
shilling had come in since yesterday, and 2l. at least was needed to
meet the expenses of this day. After prayer, one of the labourers
gave 10s., and 1s. 1 1/2d. was taken out of one of the boxes. This
12s. 1 1/2d. was divided to meet the momentary need. About an hour
afterwards, 1l. 14s. came in, being the payment, in part, of articles
which had been sold several months since.
Aug. 21. Nothing had come in since yesterday. 13s. would have been
needed to have taken in the usual quantity of bread. After we had
prayed, the same labourer who had contributed yesterday and the day
before, gave today 5s. more. This helped us to buy milk; but in one
of the houses the usual quantity of bread could not be taken in. I
have further to notice respecting this time of trial, that I had
purposed to have gone yesterday to Bath, to meet today and tomorrow
with several brethren, who are met there from various parts of the
country, to unite in prayer for the present spiritual necessities of
the church at large. However, on account of our present need in the
Orphan-Houses, I could not go yesterday, as I did not think it right
to let my fellow-labourers bear the trial alone. Today also I have
been kept here, as our poverty is greater than ever. Yet (the Lord be
praised!) neither have the children in the least lacked this day, nor
has my mind been in any degree disturbed. My fellow-labourers also
seem quite in peace. We are waiting for deliverance, and we are sure
that the Lord, in His own time, will send it.
Aug. 22. In my morning walk, when I was reminding the Lord of our
need, I felt assured that He would send help this day. My assurance
sprang from our need; for there seemed no way to get through the day,
without help being sent. After breakfast I considered whether there
was any thing which might be turned into money for the dear children.
Among other things, there came under my hands a number of religious
pamphlets which had been given for the benefit of the Orphans; but
all seemed not nearly enough, to meet the necessities of the day, In
this our deep poverty, after I had gathered together the few things
for sale, a sister, who earns her bread by the labour of her hands,
brought 82l. This sister had seen it to be binding upon believers in
our Lord Jesus to act out His commandments: "Sell that ye have (sell
your possessions) and give alms," Luke xii. 33; and "Lay not up for
yourselves treasures upon earth," Matt. vi. 19. Accordingly she had
drawn her money out of the bank and stocks, being 250l., and had
brought it to me at three different times for the benefit of the
Orphans, the BibleMissionaryand School-Fund, and the poor saints,
About two months ago she brought me 100l. more, being the produce of
some other possession which she had sold, the half of which was to be
used for the SchoolBible-and Missionary Fund; and the other half
for the poor saints. This 82l. which she had brought today, is the
produce of the sale of her last earthly possession.--[At the time I am
preparing the seventh edition for the press, more than twenty-nine
years have passed away, and this sister has never expressed the least
regret as to the step she took, but goes on, quietly labouring with
her hands, to earn her bread.]--But even now, when this money was
given, I left it in the hands of the Lord, whether any part of it
should be applied for the Orphans. I asked the sister, therefore,
whether she wished the money to be spent in any particular way, as
she had expressed her wish about the former sums. This time she left
it with me, to lay out the money as I thought best. I took,
therefore, half of it for the Orphans, and half for the other objects
of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. I have thus been enabled to
come to Bath, (after I had sent a more than usual supply to the
matrons), to meet, at least for the remaining time, with the brethren
who are assembled here for prayer. Before the day is over, I have
received 10l. more, while at Bath, from one of the brethren who are
assembled here; so that our deep poverty, in the morning, has been
turned into a comparative abundance.
Aug. 23. The Lord has sent still further supplies. Another of the
brethren gave me this morning 1l., and a third, with whom I drove
back to Bristol, 5l.
From Aug. 25 to Sept. 1, there came in above 17l. more.
Sept. 4. I have been led to pray whether it is the Lords will that I
should leave Bristol for a season, as I have for the last fortnight
been suffering from indigestion, by which my whole system is
weakened, and thus the nerves of my head are more than usually
affected. There are, however, two hindrances in the way, want of
means for the Orphans, and want of means for my own personal
expenses.--Today I have received a cheque from Q. Q. for 7l. 10s. for
the Orphans, which came, therefore, very seasonably. Also 4l. besides
has came in since the day before yesterday.
Sept. 5. Today a sister sent me 5l. for myself, to be used for the
benefit of my health. She had heard that my health is again failing.
I do not lay by money for such purposes; but whenever I really need
means, whether for myself or others, the Lord sends them, in answer
to prayer; for He had in this case again given me prayer respecting
means for myself and for the Orphans, that my way might be made plain
as to leaving Bristol for a season.
Sept. 6. My body is now so weak, and my head again so affected in
consequence of it, and I have found it needful to give up the work at
once. I left today for Trowbridge, for three days, intending
afterwards to go with my wife into Devonshire, if the Lord permit.
Sept. 7. Trowbridge. This has been a very good day. I have had much
communion with the Lord. How kind to take me from the work at Bristol
for a season, to give me more communion with Himself. I remembered
the Lords especial goodness to me in this place, at the commencement
of last year. How kind has He also been since! I prayed much for
myself, for the Church at large, for the saints here and in Bristol,
for my unconverted relatives, for my dear wife, and that the Lord
would supply my own temporal necessities and those of the Orphans:--and
I know that He has heard me.--I am surrounded with kind friends
in the dear saints, under whose roof I am, and feel quite at home. My
room is far better than I need; yet an easy chair, in this my weak
state of body, to kneel before in prayer, would have added to my
comfort. In the afternoon, without having given a hint about it, I
found an easy chair put into my room. I was struck with the kindness,
the especial kindness of my heavenly Father, in being mindful of the
smallest wants and comforts of His child.--Having had more prayer than
usual, I found that my intercourse with the saints at tea was with
unction, and more than usually profitable. But this very fact reminds
me of my sad deficiencies, and of my great lack of real fervency of
spirit. May the Lord carry on His work with power in my soul! Today I
had 1l. given to me, half for the Orphans, and half for the other
funds. Thus the Lord has begun to answer my prayers; for I expect far
more.
Sept. 8. Lords day. I assembled with a few saints at Trowbridge, and
spoke to them in the morning and evening with much assistance. The
afternoon I spent at home over the Word and in prayer. God has
evidently blessed the Word. He had a purpose in sending me here, both
for blessing to myself and to others.
Sept. 9. This morning I conversed with a poor aged sister in the
Lord, who for 47 years has been a believer, but who, from want of
settling by the written Word only, whether she is a believer or not,
has often had doubts about her state before God. However, I brought
the Scriptures only before her. [My pressing the Scriptures alone
upon her heart, was made such a blessing, that I hear she has not
doubted in the same way since.] This aged sister told me she often
prays for the Orphans, and for the continuance of means. How many
helpers has the Christian in the conflict; yet all are strengthened
by ONE who is ALWAYS for us!
This evening I returned to Bristol, to go from hence tomorrow to
Exeter, if the Lord permit, on account of my health. I had been
earnestly asking the Lord, while I was staying at Trowbridge, that He
would be pleased to send in supplies for the Orphans, before I go
into Devonshire, and I had the fullest assurance that means would
come in before I left Bristol. I therefore asked my wife, on my
return, how much had come in, and found that it was only 8l. 9s. 7
3/4d. This was not nearly as much as I had expected, and would not
answer the end for which I had particularly asked means, i. e. that I
might be able to leave enough for several days. My reply therefore
was, according to the faith given to me, and judging from the
earnestness and confidence of my prayer, that the Lord would send
more before I left. About an hour after, brother Craik brought me
10l., which he had received this evening with Ecclesiastes ix. 10,
and also a letter from a brother at Ilfracombe, in which the arrival
of a large box, full of articles, to be sold for the benefit of the
Orphans, is announced. Thus the Lord has dealt with me according to
my faith.
Sept. 10. This morning before I left Bristol came in still further
1l. l6s. 7d., so that I had about 20l. to leave behind for the
present need. I found also, on opening the box which has arrived, 65
books, a brace of valuable pistols, and a great many articles of East
India linen. How kind of the Lord to send these supplies just now!
After my departure from Bristol I continued to help my
fellow-labourers by my prayers. I had the fullest assurance that the
Lord would help them, and my hope was not ashamed, as will appear
from the following part of the journal.--In the evening of Sept. 10th,
we arrived in Exeter, where we were lodged by a brother, who on the
following day left for Plymouth. The love of this brother constrained
us to remain for five days at his house, though he was absent,
leaving us all the house with a sister, as a servant, to ourselves.
Though at another time I should have preferred the opportunity of
having intercourse with this brother, yet now, in this my weak state
of body, the being left alone was the very thing which suited me. I
could not but trace the kind hand of God in this circumstance. I was
able to speak twice publicly while in Exeter. I rejoiced at what I
saw there of the work of God. This city was in the year 1830
especially laid on my heart, when I used frequently to preach there;
but then there was a great spiritual deadness.
From Sept. 16th to Sept. 28th we were at Teignmouth my former field
of labour. I had not seen the brethren, among whom I used to labour,
since May, 1833. The Lord gave me strength, many times to minister in
the Word among them, during the time of my stay there. At Teignmouth
also, I had, in some respects, reason to be glad, particularly in
that I saw some of those truths practised, and that more fully and
intelligently, which, though in much weakness and indistinctly, I had
sought to set forth whilst labouring there. At Teignmouth also, as
well as in Exeter, the saints showed us much love. A brother and
sister lodged us during the whole of our stay. May the Lord reward
them for their love!--While I was at Teignmouth I received on Sept.
18th, the following letter from brother T., in reference to the work
in Bristol:--
Bristol, Sept. 16, 1839.
My dear Brother, I have delayed writing until now, that, as I hoped,
I might have additional news to tell you after the Lords day. And
now that my hope has been made good, I rejoice to do so. The Lord has
dealt most graciously with us since your departure. The children,
brother B. and the sisters are well, and the wants of the Orphans
have been abundantly supplied. There has come in altogether 24l. 8s.
6d., &c.
On Sept. 24th, I received another letter from brother T., dated
Bristol, Sept. 23rd, in which he writes: "It rejoices me that I have
still nothing but the goodness of the Lord to tell you of. That
little word Ebenezer is at once our encouragement and our daily
song, of which we are not weary. I have received since the last
information you had from me 5l. l7s. 4 1/4d., besides 1l. 10s. for
the rent of the Orphan-Houses."
On Sept. 28th, while I was at Teignmouth, a brother asked me about
the funds for the Orphans, being willing to help, and I had reason to
believe considerably, if they were in need. Though I knew not for a
certainty that there was one shilling in hand in Bristol, yet for the
Lords sake I declined telling him any thing about the funds, in
order that the work might evidently be carried on by dealing with the
Lord Himself.
On Sept. 28th we left Teignmouth for Plymouth, being taken by the
love of a brother from Teignmouth to Newton Bushel in his own little
carriage. At Plymouth we found again a kind brother waiting at the
coach office, to receive us. He took us to his house and lodged us
till our departure, on Oct. 6th. During my stay at Plymouth, I was
stirred up afresh to early rising, a blessing, the results of which I
have not lost since. That which led me to it was the example of the
brother in whose house I was staying, and a remark which he made in
speaking on the sacrifices in Leviticus, "That as not the refuse of
the animals was to be offered up, so the best part of our time should
be especially given to communion with the Lord." I had been, on the
whole, rather an early riser during former years. But since the
nerves of my head had been so weak, I thought, that, as the day was
long enough for my strength, it would be best for me not to rise
early, in order that thus the nerves of my head might have the longer
quiet. On this account I rose only between six and seven, and
sometimes after seven. For the same reason also I brought myself
purposely into the habit of sleeping a quarter of an hour, or half an
hour, after dinner: as I thought I found benefit from it, in quieting
the nerves of my head. In this way, however, my soul had suffered
more or less every day, and sometimes considerably, as now and then
unavoidable work came upon me before I had had sufficient time for
prayer and reading the Word. After I had heard the remark to which I
have alluded, I determined, that whatever my body might suffer, I
would no longer let the most precious part of the day pass away while
I was in bed. By the grace of God I was enabled to begin the very
next day to rise earlier, and have continued to rise early since that
time. I allow myself now about seven hours sleep, which, though I am
far from being strong, and have much to tire me mentally, I find is
quite sufficient to refresh me. In addition to this I gave up the
sleeping after dinner. The result has been that I have thus been able
to procure long and precious seasons for prayer and meditation before
breakfast; and, as to my body, and the state of the nervous system in
particular, I have been much better since. Indeed I believe that the
very worst thing I could have done for my weak nerves was, to have
lain an hour or more longer in bed than I used to do before my
illness; for it was the very way to keep them weak.--As this may fall
into the hands of some children of God who are not in the habit of
rising early, I make a few more remarks on the subject.
I. It might be asked, how much time shall I allow myself for rest?
The answer is, that no rule of universal application can be given, as
all persons do not require the same measure of sleep, and also the
same persons, at different times, according to the strength or
weakness of their body, may require more or less. Females also, being
generally weaker in body, require more sleep than males. Yet, from
what I can learn, it is the opinion of medical persons, that men in
health do not require more than between six and seven hours sleep,
and females no more than between seven and eight hours; so that it
would be rather an exception, for a man to require more than seven
and a woman more than eight hours. But my decided advice, at the same
time, is, that children of God should be careful not to allow
themselves too little sleep, as there are few men who can do with
less than six hours sleep, and yet be well in body and mind, and few
females who can do with less than seven hours. Certain it is that for
a long time, as a young man before I went to the university, I went
to bed regularly at ten and rose at four, studied hard, and was in
good health; and certain also, that since I have allowed myself only
about seven hours, from the time of my visit at Plymouth in Oct.
1839, I have been much better in body, and in my nerves in
particular, than when I was eight or eight hours and a half in bed.
II. If it be asked, but why should I rise early? The reply is, to
remain too long in bed is 1. waste of time, which is unbecoming a
saint, who is bought by the precious blood of Jesus, with his time
and all he has, to be used for the Lord. If we sleep more than is
needful for the refreshment of the body, it is wasting the time with
which the Lord has intrusted us as a talent, to be used for His
glory, for our own benefit, and the benefit of the saints and the
unbelievers around us. 2. To remain too long in bed injures the body.
Just as when we take too much food, we are injured thereby, so as it
regards sleep. Medical persons would readily allow, that, the lying
longer in bed than is needful for the strengthening of the body, does
weaken it. 3. It injures the soul. The lying too long in bed, not
merely keeps us from giving the most precious part of the day to
prayer and meditation, but this sloth leads also to many other
evils.--Any one need but make the experiment of spending one, two, or
three hours in prayer and meditation before breakfast, either in his
room, or with his Bible in his hand in the fields, and he will soon
find out the beneficial effect which early rising has upon the
outward and inward man. I beseech all my brethren and sisters into
whose hand this may fall, and who are not in the habit of rising
early, to make the trial, and they will praise the Lord for having
done so.