staying at Ashton, near Bristol, came with some of his family to the
Orphan-Houses. While brother B. was for a few moments out of the room
to fetch a key, the visiting brother took the opportunity of secretly
putting something into the box at the Boys-Orphan-House. Brother B.,
however, perceived it before he could get away from the box, and, the
brother being gone, our great need brought it out, when it was found
to be 5l. Thus the Lord kindly has provided for the need of today and
tomorrow. When this money was given we were exceedingly poor. For not
only would there have been no means to take in the usual quantity of
bread in one of the houses, but there was no money to take in milk in
the afternoon in any of the houses. The Lord knew our need, and
therefore just now sent this brother. He gave also 2s, for Reports.
Sept. 10. When now the 5l. of yesterday was again spent, the Lord has
kindly sent another 5l. There came in still further 6s. 10d.
Yesterday came in it. 7s., and today 1l. 15s. 10d. for the other
funds. Thus the Lord, in answer to our petitions at the morning
prayer meetings, has sent in a little for these funds also.
Sept. 11. The Lord has sent in still further and more richly for the
Orphans. This morning 1l. was given to me which had been sent from
Trowbridge, and this afternoon a brother who came from Scotland gave
me 10l., and brought the following trinkets which were sent by a lady
from Scotland:--2 clasps, a ring, 2 pairs of ear-rings, a slide, a
pin, a cross, and 2 bracelets, all of gold. In the afternoon came in
3l. by sale of articles.
Sept. 12. The Lord has sent in still more. This morning was sent 10l.
through a banker in London, by the order of a sister at Worcester;
and 10s. was put into the box at my house. This has been a week of
peculiar mercies, as above 40l. has been sent in, besides several
articles. We have continued to meet for prayer every morning, from
seven to eight.
Sept. 13. Today came in 3l. 8s. 4d.,of which 1l. 10s. 6d. was for some
of the articles sent from Leeds.
Sept. 16. Though during the last week above 40l. came in, yet,
because the usual expenses for housekeeping were about 15l., and
because most of the sisters who labour in the Orphan-Houses had not
had for a long time any money for their own personal necessities, we
were the day before yesterday again so poor, that only a few
shillings were left. The Lord, knowing this, sent in a little money,
and, by a sister from the Isle of Wight, 7 rings, 2 brooches, 2 pins,
1 pair of ear-rings, 2 pairs of studs, all of gold, 2 chemises, and 2
babies shirts. Today arrived from Leeds, from two sisters in the
Lord before referred to, a second box, the first having come about a
fortnight ago. This second box contained the following articles:--2
silver dessert spoons, a pair of silver sugar tongs, a silver tea
caddy spoon, 6 plated forks, 4 knife resters, a cream spoon, 6
Britannia metal tea spoons, a silver watch, a metal watch, a small
telescope, 2 cloak fastenings, 11 pencils, a pen case with pieces of
sealing wax, 2 pairs of scissors, 6 chimney ornaments, a boa ring, a
chess board, 3 purses with 2l. 1s. 4d., 2 silver pocket knives, a
silver pencil case, a ditto of brass, a bodkin case, a gold pin, a
silver vinaigrette, 125 needles, 1 memorandum case, 5 paper baskets,
18 books, 100 copies of a small English Grammar (unbound), 75
pamphlets, 37 table mats, 120 little tracts, 5 pairs of stockings, 2
pairs of socks, a Thibet shawl, 6 coloured frocks, 4 caps, 9 collars,
8 neckerchiefs, 3 muslin aprons, 5 holland aprons, 4 muslin frocks, 6
babies ditto, 2 white gowns, 2 remnants of print, 5 habit shirts, a
bonnet, a merino apron, a glass trumpet, a taper candlestick, several
small pieces of riband and gauze, 4 yards of silk fringe, 7 cases of
different kinds of cards, a crape scarf, some lining calico, 13
little boxes, a straw basket, and about 50 other various little
articles. It is difficult to describe the peculiar pleasure which I
had in unpacking the box, and in finding that all these articles were
for the Lords work.--There came in still further this evening 8s.
Besides other small donations since the 10th, there came into day 5l.
for the other funds, as the answer to oft-repeated prayer; also, from
Liverpool, 1l. l4s. 8d. Thus the Lord encourages our hearts in this
part of the work likewise.
Sept. 17. The need of today for the Orphans was supplied by the
little which had come in yesterday, and by the 2l. 1s. 4d. which came
in the second box from Leeds. These two boxes from Leeds have been
sent most seasonably by the Lord, and thus truly the sisters who sent
them have been led by Him to do so, according to what they wrote in a
letter, which announced the arrival of the first box; "We feel deeply
interested in your concerns, and our anxiety to serve you has
increased by every new discovery of the kindness and goodness of God,
in providing for your wants. Indeed, we cannot but believe that the
Lord has put it into our hearts to help you, and we trust you will
honour us, His unworthy servants, by believing that our gift is
really His." There came in today 2l. 16s. by the sale of some of the
articles sent in the first box from Leeds, and by the sale of some
other articles. Thus our need for tomorrow is supplied.
Sept. 18. Today the Lord has sent again 17s. 5d. by sale of some of
the articles sent from Leeds, and 2l. 10s. from Leicestershire, and
also 4s. for childrens needlework. Thus we had enough for tomorrow,
being Saturday.
Sept. 21. Monday. By what was in hand for the Orphans, and by what
had come in yesterday, the need of today is more than supplied, as
there is enough for tomorrow also.
Today a brother from the neighbourhood of London gave me 10l., to be
laid out as it might be most needed. we have been praying many days
for the School-Bibleand Missionary Funds, I took it all for them.
This brother knew nothing about our work, when he came three days
since to Bristol. Thus the Lord, to show His continued care over us,
raises up new helpers. They that trust in the Lord shall never be
confounded! Some who helped for a while may fall asleep in Jesus;
others may grow cold in the service of the Lord; others may be as
desirous as ever to help, but have no longer the means; others may
have both a willing heart to help, and have also the means, but may
see it the Lords will to lay them out in another way;--and thus, from
one cause or another, were we to lean upon man, we should surely be
confounded; but, in leaning upon the living God alone, We are BEYOND
disappointment, and BEYOND being forsaken because of death, or want
of means, or want of love, or because of the claims of other work.
How precious to have learned in any measure to stand with God alone
in the world, and yet to be happy, and to know that surely no good
thing shall be withheld from us whilst we walk uprightly!
Sept. 23. This morning there was again only 10s. in hand for the
Orphans. As this was not enough for the day, I opened the box in my
house, in which I found 8s. 6d. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses were
also opened, which contained 7s. 6 1/2d. There came in also by the
sale of a pair of stockings, 1s. 6d. This 1l., 7s. 6 1/2d. was
enough, and even 3s. more than was absolutely needed. The Lord gave
today another proof that He is still mindful of us, for a brother
sent half a ton of coals to each of the three houses.
Sept. 24. Yesterday our prayer, in our meeting at twelve oclock, was
especially for the supply of today. I was fully assured that the Lord
would send help, as now all our stores were again exhausted.
Accordingly, last evening a sister, into whose hands some of the
articles, which came in the second box from Leeds, had been put for
sale, gave me 1l. 3s. 7d., being the payment for some of them. There
came in a donation of 2s. besides. This 1l. 5s. 7d. served for this
day. The Lord be praised who has helped us thus!
Sept. 25. It is now half-past eleven. Nothing has come in as yet. How
the Lord will help us through the day is not my care; for sure I am
He will help. I am just going to meet with my fellow-labourers for
prayer. Perhaps the Lord will again, at the time of the meeting, fill
our mouths with praise, as He has done so many times. My soul waits
on Him for deliverance! How truly precious to have such a Father as
we have!
Sept. 26. When I went yesterday to the meeting for prayer, I found
that some articles, which had come from Leeds, had been sold for 10s.
9d., and that 2s. 6d. had been taken out of the box in the
Girls-Orphan-Ho use. To this one of the labourers added 10s. of his
own. This 1l. 3s. 3d. supplied all we needed yesterday; but there was
now again nothing in hand to meet this days demands, which I knew
would be great, on account of its being Saturday. The Lord, however,
remembered our Saturdays necessities, and therefore sent in
abundantly, so that we had even more than we needed for today, though
we required no less than 5l. The way in which He kindly helped us,
was this: first, 3l. came in for articles which had been sent from
Leeds; afterwards a little boy and girl brought two little Savings
Banks, filled with their little presents, amounting altogether to
15s l 1/4d. In the evening came in still further 4l. for articles
which had been sold, most of which had likewise been sent from Leeds.
Thus the Lord sent in altogether 8l. l8s. l 1/4d. in the course of
the day, whilst it commenced without there being a penny in hand.
Sept. 27. Today the Lord has sent in still further 2l. 5s. 8d., of
which 15s. 8d. was for articles sent from Leeds, and 1l. with
Ecclesiastes ix. 10.
Sept. 29. Yesterday we were again penniless, after the necessities of
the three houses had been supplied. Almost immediately afterwards
came in 1l. l2s. 2d., sufficient to supply the need of today.
Sept. 30. Today there is nothing in hand. It is now a quarter past
eleven, but nothing yet has come in. Nevertheless the Lord will
surely help us this day also! About five minutes after I had written
the above, I was informed by a note from brother B., that 2l. 10s.
6d. had come in in small donations.
Oct. 1. It is now again eleven oclock, and the Lord has not as yet
been pleased to send in any thing for the necessities of this day.
Let me see now how the Lord will again help us in the love of His
heart; for He will surely help, though I know not how.--Evening. When
I went to the prayer meeting, I found that only 1s. had come in, but
at the same time I was informed that the money, which had been
divided yesterday among the matrons, was enough for today also.
Oct. 2. Nothing came in yesterday, nor this morning. In addition to
this, I was so engaged, that in the afternoon I had not even time to
make inquiry how the Lord had helped. Thus it is often that I can do
nothing but quietly go on with my engagements, casting all care upon
the Lord. When I came home this evening, the first thing that met my
eyes was the following letter from a distance of many miles:
"Beloved Brother,--Five pounds are enclosed as from the Lord, as I
believe you stand in need of it for the use of the Orphans. Yours
affectionately, F. W.
Truly, the Lord, to whom we had spoken yesterday, had spoken for us,
and told this brother that we were in need of money. After having
read this letter, my eyes met two others. In the one I was informed
by a brother, that he had sold two pairs of fire screens for 8s., and
had sent the money. These screens had been for many months in his
hands for sale, and now to-day, in this our poverty, a lady came to
the shop and bought them. The other letter was from brother B.,
master of the boys in the Boys-Orphan-House, which I give here:
"I opened the boxes and found 4s. 1 1/2d. in them. This was far from
being sufficient. About four oclock three persons came to the
Orphan-Houses, and put into the box at the Boys-Orphan-House 7s.,
into the box at the Infant-Orphan-House 6s., and into the box at the
Girls-Orphan-House 7s. Thus I have had in all to divide 1l. 4s. 1
1/2d., which meets the necessities of the day."
Oct. 3. It was exceedingly kind of the Lord to send in so much
yesterday; for the necessities of today, being Saturday, required it
all. And now, when there was again nothing in hand, there arrived
this evening a large box, sent by a sister at Stafford, whom I never
saw, which contained 1l. 5s., and the following articles: 11 gold
rings, a silver ring washed, a locket, a gold brooch, 3 single
ear-rings, a watch hook, a silver watch-guard, 2 silver-mounted eye
glasses, 3 vinaigrettes, 2 purses, a silver buckle, 2 old silver
coins, 2 silver pencil cases, 3 pairs of bracelets, 3 necklaces, 2
waist buckles, a bracelet snap, a cloak fastening, a necklace snap, a
yard measure, a mourning brooch, 7 pincushions, a snuff box, a small
looking glass, 2 china boxes, a china inkstand, 5 china cups and
saucers, a china basket, 2 china jugs, a scent bottle, a boa ring, 20
shells, a boys cap, a pair of snuffers and stand, a little basket, a
pair of screen handles, 3 ornamental pens, 5 artificial flowers, 5
glass plates, 5 counter plates, 3 pairs of card racks, a comb, a pair
of watch pockets, 12 table mats, 8 paintings, 4 drawings, 2 fans, a
pair of garters, 3 pairs of gloves, 3 pairs of silk stockings, 3
veils, a gauze scarf, 6 ladies bags, 5 silk bands, 2 floss silk
scarfs, a gauze handkerchief, 2 silk scarfs, a crape shawl, a silk
shawl, 2 muslin capes, 30 yards of worn cotton lace, 8 yards of
muslin work, 9 yards of print, a pinafore, a frock, a sampler, a pair
of socks, a pair of ear-rings, and 17 ladies dresses.--One thing is
particularly to be noticed respecting this donation, that the Lord
from time to time raises up fresh individuals to help us in the work,
thereby continually reminding us, that He is not limited to any
individuals in particular, neither are we, His children.
Oct. 4. Today came in 19s. 4d., by sale of some of the articles sent
from Leeds. Thus our need for tomorrow is supplied.
Oct. 5. 7l. 15s. 2d. came in again today, of which 5l. was from a
brother whom I have never seen.
Oct. 6. Today came in further by sale of articles which had been sent
from Leeds, 3l. 7s. 6d., also 14s. 3d. in small donations.
Oct. 7. 1l. 14s. 2d. came in today in small donations.
It is now five weeks, since we have daily met for prayer. Not indeed
merely to ask for means, but for grace and wisdom for ourselves in
reference to the work, for the conversion of the children under our
care, for grace for those children who stand already on the Lords
side, for a blessing upon the circulation of the Scriptures, for a
blessing upon the work, with reference to the church at large, etc.
But whilst we thus, as the Spirit led us, prayed for various things,
nevertheless the lack of means was that which had brought us day
after day together. We asked the Lord to give us the means which are
needed for carrying on the Day Schools, for buying Bibles, as several
sorts are needed, and to enable us to assist Missionary work in
foreign countries. Never at any previous time, since first the work
commenced on March 5, 1834, have we had to continue so long a time in
prayer for these funds, without obtaining the answer. The Lord,
however, gave us grace to "continue in prayer," and keep our hearts
in the assurance that He would help. Now, though He delayed long,
before He sent us the answer, in His own time He made it manifest,
that He had not only not shut His ear against our prayer in anger,
but that He had answered them even before we called; for there was
sent today, from the East Indies, a bank order for 100l., which had
been sent off two months since, therefore several days before we even
began to pray. It was left to me to apply this money as it might be
needed. As we had so long, and so particularly prayed for these
funds, I took the whole of it for them, and not for the Orphan-Fund.
--The Lord be praised for this precious answer. It was particularly
precious, as leading the dear brethren and sisters who labour in the
Day Schools, and who comparatively are little accustomed to this way,
to see how good it is to wait upon the Lord.
Oct. 10. All our wants for the Orphans have been richly supplied
during this week; and today, on my leaving for Trowbridge in the
Lords service, I was able to send 5l. 5s. 8d. to the sisters, the
matrons.
Oct. 1114. Trowbridge. I have had a good season since I have been
here. The Lord has enabled me to rise very early, and I have thus had
more than two hours of communion with Him before breakfast, the fruit
of which I have felt all the day long. The Lord in mercy continue my
enjoyment!--For the last three weeks I had been asked, yea pressed,
to come here, to minister among the saints; but I could not clearly
see it to be the Lords will, and therefore did not go. Now I came,
assured that it was His will, and have been very happy, and greatly
helped in my service here in every way, and I am fully assured that
my labour has not been in vain. How good it is, even for this life,
according to the Lords bidding either to go or stay!--I have seen,
whilst here, a young woman, the daughter of a brother and sister who
were in communion with us, but who have both fallen asleep. While her
father was living she hated the truth, but still she came to Bethesda
Chapel. One day, whilst there, she was made to feel the power of the
truth: and, since the death of her parents, the Lord has granted an
answer to their many prayers on her behalf; for she is now standing
on the Lords side. Let believing parents continue in prayer for
their children, and let them also continue affectionately and at
suitable times to bring the truth before them, and to bring them to
the preaching of the Word: and in due season it will be manifested
that their labours were not in vain.
Oct. 14. Yesterday, while at Trowbridge, I received from a sister,
from the neighbourhood of London, 1l. for the Orphans. In the
evening, a sister, a servant, gave me 1s. This morning I gave myself
again to prayer respecting the Orphan-Fund, as I had reason to
believe that there was nothing in hand in Bristol, except several
pounds had come in since I left. Soon after, a sister, a servant,
gave me 5s., and, on leaving in the afternoon, a brother gave me 5l.
When I came home this evening, I found that only 3l. 10s. 8d. had
come in since I left, just sufficient to supply the need up to this
evening, so that the help which the Lord gave at Trowbridge, in
answer to prayer, came very seasonably to supply the need of tomorrow.
Oct. 20. Tuesday. During these last three days we have again
experienced the continued care of our loving Father on behalf of the
Orphans. On Saturday evening, when again there was no money at all
remaining in my hands, a pair of silver mounted horns was anonymously
left at my house. On the Lords day I received 6l. 1s. Yesterday the
Lord sent in still more abundantly; for in the morning came in 12l.
from the neighbourhood of Wolverhampton, and in the evening 2l. was
given to me by D. C. This morning, a few minutes after I had been
thinking that no potatoes had been sent yet for the Orphans, and that
we had no money to lay in a stock (for the 14l. which came in
yesterday was at once sent off), a brother came and informed me that
he had given orders that twenty sacks of good potatoes should be sent
to the Orphan-Houses. Thus our kind Father continually cares for us.
Oct. 26. Monday. The Lord has been again very kind to us, during
these last days. There came in since Oct. 20, in small donations,
18s. 1d.; for knitting and by sale of stockings, 16s. On Friday last,
besides, there were sold stockings to the amount of 17s. 5d. In the
evening a brother gave me 5l. This 5l. and the money for the
stockings came in very seasonably, as it enabled us to supply the
large demands of the next day. Yesterday morning, when I took my hat
from the rail, I found in one of my gloves a note, containing a 5l.
note and the following words: "2l. for the Orphans, the rest for dear
brother and sister Muller," There came in still further yesterday 2l.
12s. 6d. Thus we are again supplied for about three days.
In reference to the note which was put into my hat, containing 5l., I
just add, that I had repeatedly asked the Lord for means for our own
personal expenses, previous to the reception of it, as we had but
very little money for ourselves. Indeed the very moment, before I
took my hat from the rail, I had risen from my knees, having again
asked the Lord for means for ourselves and for the Orphans.
Oct. 30. The evening before last 9s. came in, being the produce of
some work which a sister had done for the benefit of the Orphans; and
early this morning, while my candle was yet burning, a paper was
brought, containing 12s. These two donations, with what little is in
hand besides, supply our need for this day.
Oct. 31. Saturday. There was no money in hand, My mind was
particularly stirred up to open the box in my house. I did so, and
found 1l. 10s. 7d. in it. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses were
likewise opened, in which was found 8s. Also a brother from Tetbury
gave 2s. 6d. Thus the need of today was supplied.
Nov. 2. Monday. 1l. 11s, is the need of today, and as 1l. 12s. has
come in since Saturday evening, we are helped for today.
November 3 and 4. Only 2s. 6d. has come in since Nov. 2nd, but the
necessities of these two days were supplied by means of articles
which had been given to be disposed of.
Nov. 5. Only 2s. came in yesterday for knitting. We are now, without
any thing, cast upon the Lord. The need of today is 1l. 3s., which I
am unable to send.--Afternoon. There came in at three oclock 4l. for
some of the articles which had been sent from Stafford, and which had
been sold some time since, so that I was able to send the needful
supplies. There came in 6d. besides.
Nov. 7. Saturday. Of the 4l. 2s. 6d. which was in hand the day before
yesterday, there was so much left, that, with an addition of 9s. 6d.,
all the necessities of today could be supplied. This one of the
labourers gave.
Nov. 8. Lords day. Today the Lord has been again very kind, and
looked upon us in our poverty. Besides the 1l. 10s. for rent, I
received with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, 5l. I was also informed that two
large sacks of oatmeal had been sent from Glasgow as a present. In
addition to all this, a brother told me that he had it in his heart
to give 10l. worth of materials, for winter clothes for the children,
leaving the material to my choice, according to the need, so that
just what was most desirable might be given. (He, accordingly, sent a
few days after, a large pair of good blankets, 32 1/2 yards of mixed
beaver, and 10 1/2 yards of blue beaver for cloaks.) There was also
1s. put into the box at Bethesda, with the words, "Jehovah Jireh."
These words have often been refreshing to my soul for many years
past, and I wrote them with a valuable diamond ring, set with ten
brilliants, which was given to the Orphans about twenty months since,
upon a pane of glass in my room, which circumstance, in remembrance
of the remarkable way in which that valuable ring came, has often
cheered my heart, when in deep poverty my eyes have been cast upon
"JEHOVAH JIREH"(i.e. the Lord will provide) whilst sitting in my room.
I purposed to have gone to Trowbridge yesterday, and had settled it
so on Friday evening with brother ----. But no sooner had I decided to
do so, than I felt no peace in the prospect of going. After having
prayed about it on Friday evening, and yesterday morning, I
determined not to go, and I felt sure the Lord had some reason for
not allowing me to feel happy in the prospect of going. I began now
to look out for blessings for this day, considering that the Lord had
kept me here for good to some souls. This evening I was especially
led to press the truth on the consciences of the unconverted,
entreating and beseeching them, and telling them also that I felt
sure, the Lord had, in mercy to some of them, kept me from going to
Trowbridge. I spoke on Genesis vi. 15. Immediately after I saw fruit
of the Word. An individual fully opened his heart to me. I walked
about with him till about ten oclock, even as long as I had any
strength left. [About ten days afterwards a brother told me of a poor
drunkard who heard me that evening, and who since then had stayed up
till about twelve oclock every night to read the Scriptures, and who
had not been intoxicated since.]
Nov. 11. As only 4s. 6d. had come in for knitting, and 2s. 6d. as a
donation for the Orphans since the 8th, we were now again very poor.
Today there was 9s. more needed than there was in hand, which one of
the labourers gave. There were sent today anonymously, nine sacks of
potatoes, a proof that our Father continues to be mindful of us,
though we are now again so poor.