continuing to meet, as a church, at Gideon Chapel, we were still
quite willing to continue to occupy it as a preaching place, provided
the brethren whose property the Chapel was (because of their having
contributed towards the purchase and fitting up of the building,)
were perfectly satisfied with our doing so. If this had been the
case, all the difference would have been, that on Lords day mornings
Gideon Chapel would have been shut, and all the church would have met
at Bethesda; but we should have been willing not only to preach in
Gideon on the Lords day evenings, and once or twice in the week, but
also on the Lords day afternoons instead of the morning meeting: so
that even the unconverted, or the believers of that neighbourhood,
who are not in communion with us, should have been no losers.--Whilst
nothing was stated by any one, that showed us we had been mistaken in
the conclusion to which we had come, a point was mentioned which soon
brought the matter to a final decision. It was said that the giving
up of one of the principal meetings on the Lords day would be
against the spirit of the trust deeds, as the Chapel was particularly
intended to be a preaching place. Now, though we did not see it to be
thus, as we meant to preach the Word, as before, at Gideon, if it
could be done in perfect harmony with the owners of it; yet it seemed
beyond a question that we could not retain the Chapel, whilst we
appeared, even in the least to alienate the property from the use for
which it was said to have been intended. We, therefore, were
confirmed by this in our conclusion to give up the Chapel at once,
and that entirely. [In order that the aged and infirm, and invalids
who live in the neighbourhood of Gideon, might not be losers by the
change, cars were provided, at the expense of the church, to convey
them to the meeting for the breaking of bread at Bethesda; and a
Chapel was rented in Callow-hill Street, near Gideon, in which, on
the Lords day and Thursday evenings the Word was ministered, It was
very kind of the Lord to order it so that this chapel was at once to
be had! Two years and a half afterwards, in October, 1842, we rented
a still more suitable Chapel, in the heart of the City. On April
19th, 1840, we preached for the last time at Gideon, after having
laboured there, with abundant blessing, for about eight years. Only
three saints, as far as I know, out of about 250, who used to meet
with us at Gideon, remained there. Nor has the Lord ceased to bless
our labours since we left.]
April 27. Monday. The Lord knew that we were penniless, and should be
in need of fresh supplies today for the Orphans, therefore He moved
the hearts of some of His children to remember us, in answer to our
prayer. Yesterday I received with Eccles. ix. 10, 5l., and 10s. from
a sister who had lent this sum to some one, but never expected it
again; and now, having unexpectedly received it, gave it to the Lord
for the Orphans. 1l. 10s. was given for the rent of the
Orphan-Houses. There was 2s. 6d. put anonymously into the box at
Bethesda, and also 1l. This morning I was informed that 5l. had been
sent to the Infant-Orphan-House. Thus the Lord has given for our need
13l. 2s. 6d.
Let us pause here a few moments, beloved reader! Let us adore the
Lords kindness! See how seasonably the Lord sends the help. As our
need is, so He remembers us. It is not now and then that He is
mindful of us, but continually. As surely as we stand in need of any
thing, He sends it; be it money, provisions, clothes, or any thing
else. We may be allowed to be poor, yea, very poor; we may have to
pray again and again to our Father before the answer comes; we may be
reduced so as to have from mal to meal to wait upon Him; yea,
according to all outward appearance, the Lord may seem to have
forgotten us:--but, amidst it all, as surely as we really need any
thing, in His own time and way does He send help. Perhaps you may
say; "But how would you do, in case there were a mealtime to come and
you had no provisions for the children, or they really wanted
clothes, and you had no money to procure them?" Our answer is, such a
thing is impossible as long as the Lord shall give us grace to trust
in Him, (for "whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed,") and
as long as He shall enable us to carry on the work in uprightness of
heart. But should we be ever so left to ourselves as to forsake the
Lord and trust in an arm of flesh, or should we regard iniquity in
our heart i. e. wilfully and habitually do any thing, either in
connexion with the work or otherwise, which is against the will of
God, then we may pray and utter many words before Him, but He will
not hear us, as it is written: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the
Lord will not hear me." Psalm lxvi. 18. I, therefore, beseech all who
love our Lord Jesus and who may read this, to entreat Him on behalf
of all of us who are engaged in this work, that He would be pleased
to continue to give us faith, and that He would keep us from living
in sin.
May 2. Nothing having come in for five days, we were today again
penniless. In answer to prayer 5s. 6d. came in, and some trinkets
were sent, the names of which the donor does not wish to be known.
Thus we were helped through this day.--Observe here, how the Lord
allowed five days to pass away without influencing the hearts of any
to send us supplies; but the moment there is real need, the stream
runs again.
May 3. Today the Lord sent in again some money for the Orphans. He
knew we were penniless, and therefore answered our requests. Besides
1l. 10s. for rent, there came in 1l. 1s. from London, and 2l. from
the Isle of Wight.
May 4. By what came in yesterday, we were supplied for today; but the
Lord sent today still more, as that which came in yesterday was only
enough for today. There was given in money 7l., of which 3l. was the
profit of the sale of ladies baskets, which are made by some sisters
in the Lord for the benefit of the Orphans.
Last evening a brother was baptized, who on the first Lords day of
this year came with his intended wife to Bethesda Chapel. Both were
in an unconverted state. They both were at the same meeting, through
what brother Craik said, made to feel the power of the truth, and, in
consequence, were led to Jesus and found peace in Him, and are now
both in communion with us.--The Lord still condescends to use us as
instruments. Today we conversed with seven persons about fellowship,
and had to send away five, being worn out after we had seen the
seven, one after the other. Only since April 1st, forty-one persons
have come to us to speak about their souls. May the Lord in mercy
give us helpers in the work, for truly the harvest is great; and may
not our ingratitude for His abundant blessing upon our labours oblige
Him to shut up His hands from continuing to use us!
May 6th. This evening I received 10l. for the Orphans, and 10l. for
the Infant-School, which we are on the point of opening. Before our
little stock is quite exhausted, (for there is yet 2l. left for the
Orphans) the Lord has thus kindly sent a fresh supply. Thus also my
prayer is answered in being able to give to two of the sisters in the
Orphan-Houses some money for their personal expenses.
May 8. There are four believers staying at my house, and today we had
only a few shillings of our own money left. I gave myself, therefore,
to prayer for means for our own personal expenses. In answer to my
request, I received this morning 5l.
May 10. Today five of the Orphans were received into fellowship and
baptized. There are now fourteen of them in fellowship.
May 16. The need of today, as we were again penniless, led us to open
the boxes in the Orphan-Houses, in which 2l. 0s. 2d. was found. There
was given 5s. besides. In the evening came in still further a
sovereign from a sister, a servant, with the following lines: The
Lord has put it into my heart to send a sovereign to the Orphans. He
indeed put it into my heart, which was once at enmity with God and
would have said, lay it by, you may want it when you are old; but
then I could not look towards heaven and say, I know my Heavenly
Father will supply all my need; neither could I say, Abba, Father,
for I knew Him not."
May 17. Today the Lord has sent a little more, so that we have enough
to meet the demands of tomorrow. There came in altogether 3l. 9s. 6d.
May 22. Several small donations enabled us to supply the necessities
of the last four days. When this day commenced, however, there was
again not a penny in hand. But my eyes were directed to the Lord, and
therefore my heart was at peace; I was fully assured that He would
help this day also. About eleven I was informed that there was 19s.
3d. in hand, being the produce of the boys knitting, and that also
some old clothes, given for sale, had been sold for 3s. 6d., and one
Report besides for 3d. To this one of the labourers added 4s. of his
own, and gave a book besides for sale. Thus we had 1l. 7s., which was
enough to meet the demands of this day.
May 26. By the sale of 166 little books which had been given to be
disposed of, by a few shillings which came in for the childrens
needlework, by 4s. which had been taken out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses, by a little money given by one of the labourers, by
10s. which came anonymously in a letter, and by the sale of some
Reports--we were able to meet the demands since the 22nd. Today there
was 1l. 2s. 8d. left in hand, but this was not quite enough for the
need of the day. In the afternoon came in for needlework 11s. 6d.,
and there was 5s. left at the Infant-Orphan House. Thus we had
enough, and a few shillings left for tomorrow.
May 26. Nothing had come in. My engagements kept me from going to the
Orphan-Houses till seven in the evening, when the labourers met
together for prayer. When we met I found that one of them had given
l7s., which had been divided between the three houses. This, with the
little which had been left yesterday, had procured all necessary
articles. We are now very poor.
May 27. We met for prayer, at eleven this morning. No money had come
in, but there was enough for dinner in all the houses. This morning
the LAST COALS were used in the Infant-Orphan-House, and in the
Boys-Orphan-House there were ONLY ENOUGH FOR TODAY, and there was no
money in hand to buy more. In this our need T.P.C. sent a load of
coals. How kind of the Lord! A plain proof that not in displeasure,
but only for the trial of our faith we are allowed to be so poor. We
purpose to meet again at four this afternoon. May the Lord graciously
be pleased to send help in the mean time!
Evening. The Lord has had mercy! A person bought some days since
several articles, which had been given to be sold for the benefit of
the Orphans, and owed 6l. 15s. This morning I asked the Lord to
incline his heart to bring the money, or a part of it, as we were in
such need. Just as I was going to meet for prayer with my
fellow-labourers this afternoon, he came and brought 4l. But our kind
Father showed us still further today, that only for the trial of our
faith He had for a season withheld supplies; for there was given this
evening with Eccles. ix. 10, 5l. There came in also 9s. for articles
which had been put into the hand of a sister, who has taken on her
the service of disposing of articles which are given for sale.
Besides this, there were sent two boxes of new clothes, and some
materials for clothes, from sisters in the Lord, residing in Dublin,
which articles are worth several pounds. Thus the day, which had
begun with prayer, ended in praise. But there is one thing more to be
recorded respecting this day, as precious or more so than what has
been said: I was today informed that the Lord has begun to stir up
several of the boys to care about their souls.
May 28. The Lord has kindly sent in further supplies. A clergyman
gave 2l.; and 5s. came in for Reports.
May 29. Today has come in still further 1l. 3s. 2d., and several
trinkets which were sent from Barnstaple.
May 30. I took 1l. out of the box in my house.
May 31. When there was again not a penny in hand, the Lord sent in
2l. 2s.
June 6. This is Saturday. Several pounds were needed, as usual, for
the Orphans; but there was not a penny in hand. In this our great
need F. W., who often has been instrumental in supplying our need,
and who lives many miles from Bristol, sent 5l. There came in 5s.
besides. Thus we are helped to the close of one more week, in which
our faith has been repeatedly tried. In the evening came in further,
by sale of articles, 2l., and a donation of 10s.
June 7. Lords day. Today came in 7l. 1s. 3d., to enable us to meet
the necessities of tomorrow.
June 8. This evening eight German Missionary brethren and sisters,
whom I have been for some time expecting, arrived in Bristol, on
their way to the East Indies.
June 9. Again, when only 2s. 3d. was in hand for the Orphans, there
came in from a considerable distance 2l.
June 10 and 11. These two days came in 1l. 0s. 4d., which was enough,
with the little which had been left, to procure what was needed.
June 12. When there was nothing in hand, several articles of
gentlemens clothing, all worn, were sent for sale, which, being
disposed of for 1l. 17s., we were helped through this day.
June 13. Todays need was met by a box of clothes coming from
Worcester, which contained also 3l. 0s. 2d. There was also 11s. taken
out of the box in my house.
June 15. 2l. 5s. 3d. came in yesterday and today, by which we were
able to meet the necessary demands, and have 5s. left.
June 16. Some articles were sold for 11s., which had been given for
sale. This, with the remaining 5s., met the necessities of the day.
June 17. Only 4s. has come in by childrens needlework. This is all
we have, to meet the need of today, except 2s. 6d., which I found in
the box in my house, which our poverty led me to open. Evening. The
Lord has had mercy upon us. A sister, to whom some time since some
money was left, and whom the Lord has made willing to lay it all out
in His service, having received a small part of what is coming to
her, brought 5l. 10s. 6d. of it, this afternoon, for the Orphans.
There came in still further this evening 2l.
For several days past I had been very poor in reference to my own
temporal necessities, as well as in reference to the Orphans. Today
we were especially poor, in both respects; but our kind Father
remembered not merely the need of the dear Orphans, but gave me also
some money for my own personal expenses. The same sister just
referred to, who brought 5l. 10s. 6d. for the Orphans, brought me
also 7l. for myself.
June 18. Today a new coat and waistcoat were given to me, for which I
had repeatedly asked the Lord, as my clothes are now very old. As
surely as I really need any thing, be it in money, or in any other
way, my kind Father supplies the need.
June 19. The Lord has poured in still more abundantly today. A
brother gave me 10l. for myself. Thus, after a season of more than
usual poverty, the Lord sends a more than usual supply. How kind a
Master do I serve!
June 21. Again, when there was not one penny in hand, came in today
6l. 10s. for the Orphans.
June 22. Tomorrow, the Lord willing, I purpose, with my wife, to
accompany the three German brethren and the five German sisters to
Liverpool who purpose to sail from thence. Under these circumstances
it is desirable to leave at least a little money behind. This desire
of my heart the Lord has granted; for this morning D. C. gave me 5l.,
and there came in by sale of articles 10s. 5d. In the evening a
sister, who has left Bristol today, sent me by her mother 5l., having
particularly requested her to let me have the money today, as she
knew that I was going away tomorrow.
This evening we had an especial Missionary prayer meeting, at which
the brethren and sisters were commended to the Lord.
June 23. This morning we left for Liverpool, where we safely arrived
in the evening.
The following extracts give the account of the Lords goodness in
supplying the necessities of the Orphans, while I was away from
Bristol.
On June 25, whilst at Liverpool, I received a letter from brother R.
B., master at the Boys-Orphan-House, dated Bristol, June 24th, in
which he writes thus:--The money which you left behind, with 1s. 6d.
which came in for Reports, supplied the necessities of yesterday and
today; but there is nothing in hand to meet the necessities of
tomorrow. Our hope is in God, assuredly believing that He will, as in
former times, help us in His own time and manner."--
Two days afterwards the following letter came.
"Bristol, June 26, 1840.
"Dear Brother,--Since I wrote to you we have very sweetly proved the
mercy and truth of our heavenly Father, When my letter left Bristol,
we had not one penny in hand. On the same evening sister gave me a
parcel containing 1l. 1s., the produce of the sale of an article.
This was sufficient for yesterday. But after this we were again
penniless. I went to the meeting in the evening, where brother J. B.
gave me a list of names of persons who had given to him for the
Orphans, to the amount of 1l. 4s. 1d. I afterwards sold one of your
books, one of brother Craiks Renderings, and a Report. I also
remembered that a few days before 2s. 6d. had been given to me which
I had forgotten to use. We therefore had in all 1l. 11s. 7d., which
is sufficient to meet this days necessities. I have just received a
sovereign for the Orphans, and besides this a box, containing various
articles of clothes which has been sent from Wales, part of which
articles are only fit for sale. Thus we have something for tomorrow,
if needed.
"Your affectionate brother,
R. B,
The arrival of the box of clothes, etc., was announced to me in an
affectionate letter from a brother in Wales, who sent them, but whom
I do not know personally. What follows will show how seasonably the
donation came. On June 30th I received another letter from brother
B., dated Bristol, June 29th, 1840, in which he writes "I should have
posted my letter by one oclock, but delayed until it was too late,
hoping that I might have to speak of the Lords goodness as well as
of our poverty. Thank God, my hopes have been realized!-Besides the
1l. mentioned in my last letter, in the evening of the 26th 11s. 3d.
came in for needlework, and 5s. was given. On Saturday I sold some of
the clothes which had been sent from Wales for 1l., and 5s. was given
to me for an article which had been sold some time ago. As this was
scarcely sufficient, I opened the boxes, and found 3s. 2d. in them.
The whole, therefore, which was in hand, amounted to 3l. 4s. 5d.,
which was enough for Saturday the 27th. This morning, Monday, as
nothing had been given to me since Saturday, there were no means to
provide for the dinner in the Boys-Orphan-House; but one of the
sisters, having a little money of her own, purchased potatoes and
meat with it. At eleven oclock we met for prayer. The baker came to
the Infant-Orphan-House, but no bread was taken. A brother left two
quarterns of bread at the Boys-Orphan-House, as a gift. Soon after I
received 1l. through sister L. G., which, as soon as I received, I
began to write to you. It was a comfort to me, in our poverty, that
you still, united in spirit, prayed with us, although distance
separated us in body. I do not know that I ever felt more powerfully
the kindness of our Heavenly Father, than when I received this last
mentioned 1l. Although we are still poor, and soon shall be again in
need, yet, receiving it just at this time, it was very refreshing."
The next day I received the following report about the Orphan-Houses
from brother B., dated June 30th.--" According to your request,
tomorrow only is the time for me to write, but as the Lord has dealt
very bountifully with us, I write today, in order that you may be
refreshed by the account thereof. Yesterday afternoon, I received
16s., and this morning I sold some more of the articles sent from
Wales, for 8s. 6d., which meets this days demands."
On July 2nd I accompanied the eight German brethren and sisters to
the vessel. Just before they went on board, brother ----, one of the
missionary brethren, gave me 6l. 10s. for the Orphans. He had sold
his plate while at Bristol, considering that as a servant of Jesus
Christ, and as one who desired to preach Jesus to the poor Hindoos,
he needed it not, This money was the produce of it, except about 2l.,
which he had spent in purchasing a few books. In giving it to me
said, "The money which we have in the common stock, (being altogether
20l. for the eight) is enough for us. For some months, while we are
on board, we need no money at all, whilst you may lay it out; and
when we need more, the Lord will again supply our need. The other
brethren and sisters have no money of their own, and I desire
likewise to have none, The Lord has laid the Orphans particularly on
my heart, and therefore you must not refuse to accept it."--This
brother little knew how on that very day I had been repeatedly asking
the Lord for means. Truly this was one of the most remarkable ways of
obtaining money, as it came from a poor German missionary, who, in
dependence upon the Lord for his temporal supplies, went to the East
Indies. I sent off at once 5l. of this money to Bristol. The next
day, July 3, I received at Liverpool the following letter from
brother B., dated Bristol, July 2nd.--" Since I last wrote, we have
still found that the Lord is faithful to His word. May we never be
unfaithful towards Him! On Tuesday evening, June 30th, sister C.
brought 11s. 6d. for some articles she sold, and I had received 1s.
6d. for Reports. This, with 8s. that had been put into the boxes, met
the absolute necessities of yesterday, Wednesday. As nothing has been
given since Tuesday, we are, today, Thursday, very needy. I sold the
books I mentioned as being sent, with some others which one of the
sisters in the Orphan-Houses gave of her own, for 7s., which bought
that which was needful for dinner; but there is no money to take in
bread nor milk for one of the houses. We met for prayer. Our hope is
in God, trusting that He who has so often helped us in poverty, will
still do so. If I write any more I shall be too late to post this
letter."
[On my return to Bristol I found, which is not mentioned in the next
letter, that the milk was purchased with the money of one of the
sisters in the Orphan-Houses.]
On July 4th I received the following letter from Bristol, dated July
3rd.
"My dear Brother,--The last account I sent you left us in the greatest
poverty. We had sufficient, it is true, for the time then present;
but there was no money to take in bread with. In the afternoon there
was an old riding habit sent for the Orphans, which I sold this
morning for 7s. I also sold a few books for 5s., two old silver
thimbles and a ring for 1s. 6d.; besides this, 1s. 6d. was sent for
Reports; making in all 15s. This purchased dinner for the three
houses. At twelve oclock we met for prayer. We were indeed in great
need. There was no money either for bread or milk. The coals in all
the three houses were used, and in every other respect the stores
were in a low state. We had really wanted nothing, but there was
scarcely any thing left. Well, while we were in prayer to God, your
letter came. One of the sisters opened the door and received it, and
after prayer it was given to me. You will be able to conceive the
greatness of our joy, on opening it, and finding it to contain 5l. I
cannot express how much I felt. During the trial I had been much
comforted by the Lords sending a little token of his love every day.
It just proved that He was mindful of us in our poverty, and that
when His time was come, He would send us an abundance. I think we all
felt your absence a little, although not cast down on that account.
Money is very precious to those who, like us, so evidently see the
HAND and HEART of our Heavenly Father in bestowing it, The sisters
send their love to you.
"Your affectionate brother,
"R. B."
On July 6th I received the following account from Bristol, dated July
5th. "You are, I am sure, often praying for us, and therefore see, in
the help we receive, Gods gracious answers to your prayers, and
therefore you will be refreshed by hearing the account of how matters
are with us. On Saturday there was again a little money needed in the
Girls-Orphan-House, for butter and such little articles; but I had
none in hand, wherewith to supply this need, until nearly tea time,
when 5s. was given to me. In the evening of the same day, at ten
oclock, 10s. was sent through brother J. S. You will see that we are
still cast simply on God for the future, without anything to depend
on but Himself; and on whom, or on what should children depend, but
on their most kind Father."
On July 8th, whilst still detained in the Lords service at
Liverpool, I received from a brother 10l. for the Orphans, which I
sent off at once. On the same day, after I had sent off the money, I
received the following letter from Bristol, dated July 7.
"The Lord is still pleased to keep us very low. Only 4s. 2d. in money
has come in since last I wrote to you. The 10s. I told you of, and
this 4s. 2d., I divided among the sisters. But as this was far from
being sufficient, and knowing that you had received 6l. 10s. and only
sent 5l., I took out of the other funds 1l. 6s. 6d., being all that I
could spare, and divided it also. I would not have done so, had it
not been needful, and had it not appeared to me that we were not
going out of the path of obedience in doing this. There was a sack of
flour sent this morning. We are still, we may say, in need, as even
the money, which I have divided, was not enough to purchase every
thing desirable to have."
On July 11th, whilst at Worcester, I received the following letter,
dated Bristol, July 9.