except 1s. The next day, Wednesday, I received 2s. 6d., and took 2s.
out of the box in the Boys-Orphan-House. Also a sister purchased a
Bible, and out of that money I took 3s. 6d. to make up the 30s., to
which I alluded in my last letter. This carried us through the day.
In the evening of the same day I received 11s. 3d. and 2s., which
purchased meat for dinner; and the potatoes in the boys garden,
being now fit for use, we had for dinner. After the dinner was
provided we received the 10l. from you, which enabled the sisters
again to replenish their stock. Out of the 10l. I kept the 30s., in
case I might need it on Saturday for the salaries of the masters and
governesses of the Day Schools. We felt the poverty a little more, I
think, on account of your absence. I knew the Lord would help, but
still I felt tried in some measure. The Lord, by His grace, reproves
our waywardness towards Him.
When this letter arrived, there was sent to me, at the same time,
from Bristol, 5l. for the Orphans, which I sent off at once. On July
17th I returned to Bristol.
I add a few more words respecting my stay at Liverpool.
--About October 1837 I sent some Bibles and 46 copies of my Narrative
to a brother in Upper Canada, who, in dependence upon the Lord for
temporal supplies, is labouring as a missionary in that country.
About eighteen months afterwards I heard, that this box had not
arrived. I then wrote to the shipbroker at Liverpool, (who as agent
had to send it to America, and to whom I had paid his commission and
the freight), to make inquiry about the box; but I received no
answer. About a month afterwards my letter was returned to me,
through the Dead-Letter Office, and it was stated on the outside that
the individual had left Liverpool, and no one knew where he was gone.
Putting all these things together, I had now full reason to think
that the broker had, never sent off the box. My comfort, however,
was, that though this poor sinner had acted thus, yet the Lord, in
His own place and way, would use the Bibles and my Narratives. Now,
almost immediately after my arrival in Liverpool, a brother told me,
that several persons wished to hear me preach who had read my
Narrative; and that he knew a considerable number had been bought by
a brother, a bookseller, from pawnbrokers, and sold again; and that
some also had been ordered from London when there were no more to be
had otherwise. It was thus evident that the shipbroker pawned these
Narratives before he absconded; but the Lord used them as I had
hoped.--I preached ten times in English and once in German whilst at
Liverpool, and I know that several persons were brought to hear me,
through having read my Narrative.--The German brethren preached twice
in German, there being several German vessels in the port, and a
number of German sugar refiners living at Liverpool. Liverpool seems
to me especially a place where a brother, who is familiar with French
and German, may find an abundance of work among the German and French
sailors, in the way of preaching to them, and in the way of
distributing French and German Bibles and Tracts.--One of the German
missionary brethren found out a brother in the Lord, a native of the
same town in Prussia, from whence he himself comes, who repeatedly
met with us. This dear sailor was the only believer in the vessel in
which he was, and has had to suffer much for the Lords sake.--When
the German brethren and sisters were going on board, I engaged a fly
for the purpose of taking all their small luggage. When the man put
the luggage into the fly, I was struck by its having a hind boot,
which I had never seen before in any fly, which he opened, and into
which he put several carpet bags. There were seventeen packages
altogether. When we arrived at the vessel it was just on the point of
going into the river, with several other vessels, and there were
crowds of people standing at the docks. The flyman took out the
luggage and was on the point of leaving, when I asked him whether he
had taken out all the luggage, which I had not been able to count,
because of the pressure of people, and the rapidity with which the
packages were taken to the vessel. His reply was, Yes. But all at
once, by the good hand of God, I remembered the hind boot, and I
asked him to open it. The man, somewhat confused, opened it, and in
it were five or six carpet bags. This thing showed me afresh our
entire dependence upon the Lord, step by step. I was alone. The crowd
was great. The vessel was on the point of sailing: and all without my
fault or the fault of any one; but it was so through unforseen
circumstances. One minute later, and the bags, in all human
probability, would have been lost. For when the brethren had missed
their luggage, it would have been too late; for though I had marked
the number of the fly when I engaged it, yet that would have profited
nothing, when once the brethren were at sea. But the hand of God was
for good upon these His children, whose stock of linen was only such
as they would need. Such a circumstance should teach one to make the
very smallest affairs a subject of prayer; for instance, That all the
luggage might be safely taken out of a fly.
On July 10th my wife and I left Liverpool, where we had experienced
much kindness, for Worcester, where we stayed a few days, and had
again much love shown to us by the saints there.
July 25. Since July 11th the Lord has kindly sent in the supplies for
the Orphans, so that we have had always something coming in, before
the last which was in hand was spent. Now, today, having paid out
this morning 8l. 5s., again nothing was left in hand, when in the
afternoon 3l. came in by sale of articles.
July 26. Lords-day. As I had no opportunity today of preaching in
our chapels (there being two brethren ministering among us who are
strangers in Bristol), I have preached twice this evening in the open
air. Precious as this work is, yet I am sure it is not that to which
I am called for a constancy, as I have no strength of body for it.
But I have seen afresh this evening how greatly it is needed. The
second time I preached, I took my stand in a court, filled with poor
people, almost every one of whom was dirty, though it was the Lords
day evening. A woman readily lent me a chair on which I stood, and
could thus be heard by the people in the houses behind and before me,
and on my right and left hand. Judging from their dirty appearance, I
should not suppose any of these poor people had been any where, to
hear the Gospel preached throughout the day. How plenteous is the
harvest, and how few are the labourers! Lord of the harvest, send
Thou, in compassion to poor sinners, more labourers into the harvest!
--How well a brother who has some gift, and a measure of strength of
lungs, might employ a part of the Lords days, or of other days,
either by reading the Scriptures from house to house to such persons,
and making some remarks on them; or by standing up in a court and
reading the Scriptures aloud and speaking on them. It is very rarely
that one meets with decided opposition on these occasions; at least I
have generally in such cases found far more readiness to listen, than
decidedly to oppose.
Aug. 1. A few days since a brother was staying with me, on his way to
his father, whom he had not seen for above two years, and who was
greatly opposed to him, on account of the decided steps which his son
had taken for the Lord. Before this brother left, that precious
promise of our Lord was brought to my mind: "If two of you shall
agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be
done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Matt. xviii. 19.
Accordingly, I went to the brothers room, and having agreed to pray
about a kind reception from his father, and the conversion of both
parents, we prayed together.--Today this brother returned. The Lord
has answered already one part of the prayer. The brother was most
kindly received, contrary to all natural expectation. May the Lord
now help us both to look for an answer to the other part of our
prayer! There is nothing too hard for the Lord!
Since the publication of the third edition, the father of this
brother died. He lived above ten years after Aug. 1, 1840, until he
was above 86 years of age; and as he continued a life of much sin and
opposition to the truth, the prospect with reference to his
conversion became darker and darker. But at last the Lord answered
prayer. This aged sinner was entirely changed, simply rested on the
Lord Jesus for the salvation of his soul, and became as much attached
to his believing son, as before he had been opposed to him; and
wished to have him about him as much as possible, that he might read
the Holy Scriptures to him and pray with him. Let this instance
encourage believers, who have unbelieving parents, to continue in
prayer for them.
Since the publication of the fourth edition, the mother also died.
About sixteen years had elapsed, after her son and I had thus prayed
together, before, in her case, the answer was granted; yet she, too,
at last, in very advanced years, was brought to trust in the Lord
Jesus alone for the salvation of her soul.--I distinctly remember,
with what full assurance, that the Lord would answer our united
supplication, I went to the room of this brother, to propose prayer,
resting upon the promise in Matt. xviii. 19, though the case appeared
to be most hopeless.
Aug. 6. Yesterday I was led, by the sense of our necessity, and the
knowledge of the Fathers heart, like Elijah, to go again and again
to Him with my request for help, as there was nothing in hand for the
Orphans to supply the necessities of today. Last evening, after the
meeting, a brother from Oxford gave me a sovereign for the Orphans;
by two other individuals was sent half-a-crown; and by the sale of an
article, which had been given many weeks since, but was only disposed
of today, came in 5s.: thus, in all, the Lord sent again 1l. 7s. 6d.
This morning I heard that 10s. was given yesterday to brother B., so
that we were able to meet the demands of today, which are 1l. 15s.
Aug. 7. As there was only 2s. 6d. in hand, I asked the Lord
repeatedly yesterday to send us what was needed for today. When I
came home last evening from the meeting, 5l. was given to me, which
Q. Q. had brought while I was away, to be used as I thought well.
This I took for the Orphans, which will supply our need for today and
tomorrow.
Aug. 8. Saturday. This evening I was meditating on the 4th Psalm. The
words in verse 3: "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is
godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call upon Him," I was
enabled to apply to myself, and they led me to prayer for spiritual
blessings. Whilst in prayer, the need of the Orphans (there being now
again not one penny in hand), was also brought to my mind, and I
asked the Lord respecting this likewise. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES
AFTERWARDS I was informed that a sister wished to see me. She brought
1l. 10s. for the Orphans. Thus the Lord has already kindly sent a
little to begin the week with. There was also still further given
today, 1s. 11d.; and 5s. 1d. was taken out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses.
Aug. 10. Monday. The 1l. 17s. which came in on Saturday evening for
the Orphans, was not enough for the necessities of today, as 2l. l5s.
was required. About noon, the Lord gave through a brother in Bath,
who has a relative in one of the Orphan-Houses, 1l. 10s. more, so
that we had enough, and a few shillings left. This evening came in
4s. besides, also 15s. 6d. by sale of articles.
Aug. 11. The money which was in hand, with 3s. which was given by one
of the labourers, as there was not enough otherwise, helped us
through this day.
Aug. 12. One of the labourers gave today 10s. of his own, as nothing
had come in. Yet this would not have been sufficient, had there not
been sold two pairs of stockings, which had been knitted by the boys,
for 4s. 1d., and had not 5s. been found in one of the boxes.
Aug. 13. Yesterday there was given a collection of shells, which was
sold today, and supplied the necessities of this day, with an
addition of 10s. which a brother gave last evening, and 4s. which was
taken out of the box in the Infant-Orphan-House.
Aug. 14. There was nothing at all in hand. I opened the box in my
house, and found 1s. 4d. in it, A labourer gave 4s. of his own. There
was found 1s, 6d. in the boxes in the Orphan-Houses, and 5s. came in
by the sale of a few articles which had been given for that purpose.
By this 11s. 10d, we were able to meet the absolute need, but were
able to take in only a small quantity of bread.
Aug. 15. There was today the greatest poverty in all the three
houses; all the stores were very low, as the income throughout the
week had been so small. In addition to this it was Saturday, when the
wants are nearly double in comparison with other days. At least 3l.
was needed to help us comfortably through the day; but there was
nothing towards this in hand. My only hope was in God.
The very necessity led me to expect help for this day; for if none
had come, the Lords name would have been dishonoured. Between twelve
and one two sisters in the Lord called on me, and the one gave me 2l.
and the other 7s. 6d. for the Orphans. With this I went to the
Boys-Orphan-House about one oclock, where I found the children at
dinner. Brother B. put the following note into my hand, which he was
just going to send off:
"Dear Brother,--With potatoes from the childrens garden, and with
apples from the tree in the play-ground (which apples were used for
apple dumplings), and 4s. 6d. the price of some articles given by one
of the labourers, we have a dinner. There is much needed. But the
Lord has provided and will provide."
There came in still further this day by sale of Reports, 1s., by the
box in the Girls-Orphan-House, 1s., by childrens needlework, 6s.
6d., by a donation of one of the sisters in the Orphan-Houses, 6s.
Thus we had this day 3l. 6s. 6d. to meet all necessities, and are
brought to the close of another week.
Aug. 16. Lords-day. There came in still further last evening, 3s. by
sale of some articles, and today 2s. was given, and 5l.; so that the
Lord in His love and faithfulness has given us what we are likely to
need tomorrow and the day after.
Aug. 17. There has come in still further 2l.
Aug. 18. This morning a brother who passed through Bristol gave 1l.,
saying that it had been especially laid on his heart to do so. Thus
the Lord has provided a little towards tomorrow. Besides this came in
today 1s. 9d.
Aug. 19. By the sale of three pairs of stockings came in 5s. 6d., and
from Liverpool was sent 12s. 6d.: this, with what was in hand, was
enough for today, and left a little over.
Aug. 20. Today there was not enough money in hand to meet all the
demands; but it being known that yesterday several persons had put
money into the boxes in the Orphan-Houses, they were opened, and
found to contain 1l. 4s. 6d., which was more than sufficient.
I would call upon the believing reader to admire the love and wisdom
and power of God in ordering it so that persons should come to the
Orphan-Houses just at the time when there is temporal pressure, and
should be influenced to put money into the boxes. These little sums
have been often the means of helping us in our greatest need. The
especial providence of God, as in every other respect, so in this
particular point also, is to be seen respecting this Institution, in
that so much is anonymously put into the boxes; for there has been no
less than 45l. 18s. 9 3/4d, put in during the last two years, from
Dec. 10, 1838, to Dec. 10, 1840.
Aug. 22. Saturday. Yesterday there was only 13s. 6d. in hand, which
was enough to meet the necessities of the day, but not sufficient to
enable us to take in the usual quantity of bread. This morning we
were in much need, not only because there were no means for procuring
dinner in the Boys and Girls-Orphan-Houses, but also because, this
being Saturday, we had to procure provisions for two days. When
brother B. went to the Infant-Orphan-House, to make inquiry about the
demands for today, he was informed that money had been put into the
box there, which was found to be 12s. There came in also in the
morning 10s, besides. This 1l. 2s. was more than sufficient to
purchase all that was needed for dinner. Between twelve and one
oclock there arrived a parcel from Clapham, which contained several
donations for the Orphans, amounting to 2l. l5s., besides a pair of
sheets and pillow cases, 4 frocks, 4 handkerchiefs, 4 caps, 1 stuff
petticoat, 2 chemises, 6 bags, 1 little shirt, (all new), and several
yards of prints and calico. In the evening came a box from Worcester,
which contained the following articles for sale: a valuable veil, 2
silver ladles, a silver fork, 2 pairs of new plated candlesticks, a
fan, and 2 Italian books. There came also from the neighbourhood of
Wolverhampton, 2s. 6d. and seven books. Thus the Lord helped us
through this day also, at the commencement of which we were so very
poor, and needed several pounds.
Aug. 23. Lords-day. As we have often found it to be the case, so it
is again now. After the Lord has tried our faith, He, in the love of
His heart, gives us an abundance, to show that not in anger, but for
the glory of His name, and for the trial of our faith He has allowed
us to be poor. This morning I received from an aged and afflicted
servant, 3l.; and a little afterwards 8l. from Q. Q. From another
servant 5s.; also 2s. was put anonymously into the box at Bethesda,
besides the 1l. 10s. for rent. Thus the Lord has kindly given today
12l. 17s.
Aug. 29. Saturday. Since last Monday had come in only 2l. by the
profits of the sale of ladies baskets, 1l. l4s. 10d. by sale of
articles, 3s. as two donations, and 6d. by Reports. Thus it happened
that when this day began, though a Saturday, we had only 7s. in hand.
In the course of the morning came in 11s. 9d., and towards the
evening 8s. 6d. This day we have been as poor in regard to our
stores, as at any time. During the whole of this day, though
Saturday, we had only 1l. 7s. 3d, On this account we had to buy a
smaller quantity of bread than usual, etc.; nevertheless the children
have even this day lacked nothing, and there is a sufficient quantity
of wholesome food till breakfast on Monday morning.
For many weeks past very little has come in for the other funds. The
chief supply has been by the sale of Bibles. Last Saturday I was not
able to pay the whole of the weekly salaries of the teachers in the
Day Schools, which, however, does not make me a debtor to them, as it
is an understood thing, that they have not to look to me for payment,
but to the Lord. Today again only 2s. was in hand, whilst several
pounds were needed to pay the salaries. It appeared now plainly to be
the will of the Lord that, as all the labourers in the Orphan-Houses
know about the state of the funds, so the brethren and sisters who
labour in the Day Schools should share the trial of faith and the joy
of faith with us. Accordingly we all met, and after I had laid on
their hearts, the importance of keeping to themselves, for the Lords
sake, the state of the funds, we prayed together.
Aug. 30. Lords day. Today the Lord has again bountifully opened His
hand for the Orphans. There came in with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, 5l.;
from a sister, a servant, 10s.; and for rent 1l. 10s. Besides this,
was anonymously put into the box at Bethesda, 10s. 3d. and 2s. 6d.
Sept. 1. Though there was a good supply given to the matrons
yesterday, yet, as the stock of provisions had been so low on
Saturday, the money was all spent by last evening; and had the Lord
not kindly sent in yesterday 14s., and today 1l. 10s., we should have
been again in need.
Sept. 4. The day before yesterday, Sept. 2, came a box from Leeds,
from sisters in the Lord whom we have never seen, and of whom until
now we have never heard, but on whose hearts the Lord has laid His
work in our hands. The box contained a variety of articles, to be
sold for the benefit of the Orphans. No money has come in the last
two days, except 1s. which was given, and 5s. for things sold. On
this account the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, but only 1s.
7 1/2d. was found in them. To supply what was needed today, an
article which came in the box from Leeds was sold for 5s. and thus we
were helped through the day. The sisters who sent the box from Leeds
wrote to us a most affectionate letter, in which they announced this
and another box which is to follow, stating how much the Lord had
laid the work in our hand on their hearts. They may have little
thought, when they sent off the box, that so soon the produce of one
of the articles sent by them would supply our need.
Sept. 5. Saturday. Because there had come in so little during the
last days, at least 3l. was requisite to supply the need of today.
There was, however, not one penny in hand when the day commenced.
Last evening the labourers in the Orphan-Houses, together with the
teachers of the Day Schools, met for prayer. This morning one of the
teachers, who had a little money of his own, brought 1l. 5s. 6d.
Thus, as we had hoped, we were enabled to provide for the dinner. In
the afternoon all of us met again for prayer. Another teacher of the
Day Schools gave 2s, 6d, and 1s. came in besides. But all this was
not enough. There was no dinner provided for tomorrow, nor was there
any money to take in milk tomorrow, and besides this a number of
other little things were to be purchased, that there might be no real
want of anything. Now observe how our kind father helped us! Between
seven and eight this evening a sister, whose heart the Lord has made
willing to take on her the service of disposing of the articles which
are sent for sale, brought 2l. 10s. 6d. for some of the things which
came a fortnight ago from Worcester, and last Wednesday from Leeds.
The sister stated, that though she did not feel at all well, she had
come because she had it so laid on her heart, that she could not stay
away. Our Father knew our need, and therefore, though so late, He
sent this help. Thus we were richly provided with all we needed this
Saturday.
Sept. 6. The Lord has kindly sent in today for the Orphans 4l. 5s.
6d. for the need of tomorrow. One pound of this money was given by a
servant, who has again and again given of late, and who has thus
again and again been the means of supplying our need, when there was
either nothing at all, or not sufficient in hand. When she gave me
the money to-night, she told me that of late she had had the Orphans
particularly laid on her heart. 1l. 3s. was the produce of an
orphan-box, which a sister was led so seasonably to send just now.
Sept. 7. This morning a brother from Barnstaple, who came on Saturday
evening (that evening when we were so greatly tried, but so
graciously delivered), gave me 1l. 0s. 3d., which the love of some
saints at Barnstaple had sent for the Orphans, besides 5s. of his
own. We have thus enough for today and tomorrow. There came in still
further today, 6s. 6d.
Sept. 8. How kindly has the Lord so ordered it that for some time
past the income for the school-fund should have been so little, in
order that thus we might be constrained to let the labourers in the
Day Schools share our joys and our trials of faith, which had been
before kept from them! But as above two years ago the Lord ordered it
so that it became needful to communicate to the labourers in the
Orphan-Houses the state of the funds, and made it a blessing to them,
so that I am now able to leave Bristol, and yet the work goes on, so,
I doubt not, the brethren and sisters who are teachers in the Day
Schools will be greatly blessed by being thus partakers of our
precious secret respecting the state of the funds. Our prayer
meetings have already been a blessing to us, and united us more than
ever in the work. We have them now every morning at seven, and we
shall continue them, the Lord helping us, till we see His hand
stretched forth, not merely in giving us means for the teachers, but
also for other purposes; for we need a stove in one of the school
rooms, a fresh supply of several kinds of Bibles and New Testaments,
and it is desirable to have means to help Missionary brethren who
labour in dependence upon the Lord for the supply of their temporal
necessities.
Sept. 9. We are now meeting every morning at seven for prayer. With
5s. which was sent yesterday from the Isle of Wight for the Orphans,
we have commenced the day; but I believe that the Lord will help us
through this day also.