REAPING BOUNTIFULLY.
1845-1846.
AN UNEXPECTED REQUEST--DELIBERATION--A GREAT
UNDERTAKING--RELIANCE ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LIVING GOD--AN
ANSWER EXPECTED AND RECEIVED--PRAYER FOR FAITH AND
PATIENCE--FURTHER PROOFS OF DIVINE FAVOR--THE BLESSEDNESS OF
DEVISING LIBERAL THINGS.
I began the service of caring for children who are bereaved of _both_
parents, by death, born in wedlock, and are in destitute circumstances,
on Dec. 9, 1835. For nearly ten years I had never had any desire to
_build_ an Orphan House. On the contrary, I decidedly preferred spending
the means which might come in for present necessities, and desired
rather to enlarge the work according to the means which the Lord might
be pleased to give. Thus it was till the end of October, 1845, when I
was led to consider this matter in a way in which I had never done
before.[18] The occasion of my doing so was this: On Oct. 30, 1845, I
received from a gentleman, who lived in the street where the four Orphan
Houses were, a polite and friendly letter, in which he courteously
stated to me that the inhabitants in the adjoining houses were in
various ways inconvenienced by the Orphan Houses being in Wilson Street.
He left to myself the judgment of the case.
[Footnote 18: The reader will not fail to remark the striking
illustration afforded in the present chapter, of the truth stated
in Chapter XVI., that God rewards the right use of means of
benevolence by affording the means of enlarged usefulness.--ED.]
This letter I received on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 1845. Being very
much occupied that week, I had scarcely any time to consider the matter.
On Monday morning, however, Nov. 3, I set apart some hours for the
prayerful consideration of the subject, and after I had besought the
Lord to guide me to a right decision, I wrote down the reasons which
appeared to me to make it desirable that the Orphan Houses should be
_removed_ from Wilson Street, and also the reasons _against removing_.
As far as they are suitable for being stated in print they were these:--
I. REASONS FOR REMOVING FROM WILSON STREET.
1. The neighbors feel themselves inconvenienced by the noise of the
children in the play-hours. This complaint is neither without
foundation, nor unjust; for many persons are very much inconvenienced by
the noise of children, and those living close by the Orphan Houses must
be so during the play-hours, even though the noise be only of that kind
that one could not at all find fault with the dear children on account
of it. I should myself feel it trying to my head to live next door to
the Orphan Houses on that account. I therefore ought to do to others as
I should wish to be done by. This point had never before appeared to me
in so serious a light.
2. The greatness of the number of the inmates in the houses had several
times prevented the drains from acting properly, and thus has a few
times affected the water in one or two of the neighbors' houses. With
reference to these two reasons as it regards those living near the
Orphan Houses, these words, "Let not your good be evil spoken of," Rom.
xiv. 16, and "Let your moderation (_i. e._ yieldingness) be known unto
all men," Philip. iv. 5, seemed to me two important portions of the word
of God to be acted out in this matter.
But in addition to the reasons for removing the Orphan Houses from
Wilson Street on account of the unavoidable occasional inconvenience
that comes upon the neighbors, there appeared now to me, when once I was
led to consider seriously the reasons for removing the Institution from
Wilson Street, other reasons for doing so, in connection with the work
itself, which had occurred to me before, but never in so strong a light
as now, when the subject was brought more immediately before me by the
letter in which I was politely requested to remove the Orphan Houses
from Wilson Street. These reasons are:--
1. We have no proper play-grounds in Wilson Street. There is one
play-ground, which, however, is only large enough for the children of
_one house_ at a time; but as there are children in _four_ houses who
ought to have the benefit of it, we cannot arrange so that all the
children have the full benefit of that play-ground, as the meals, the
school-hours, the weather, and other hindrances interfere. The dear
orphans ought, I know, to be trained in habits of industry, but children
are children, and need to be treated as such; and they should, on
account of their health, have the full benefit of a play-ground. But
this they cannot have in Wilson Street: and to take them out into the
fields for the benefit of bodily exercise, as we have been in the habit
of doing, is often very inconvenient.
2. We have no ground for cultivation near the Orphan Houses, and hence
there must be more walking for the children, on account of using proper
means for keeping them, with the blessing of God, in health, than is in
other respects good for them; because frequent walks easily beget in
children habits of idleness, which would be especially felt when boys
are apprenticed. But this difficulty cannot be obviated by remaining in
Wilson Street, and renting a piece of land somewhere else for
cultivation; for to get the children ready and conduct them to the piece
of ground not only takes a good deal of time, but is connected with
other great inconveniences, yea, with insurmountable difficulties, so
that we found it needful to give up a small piece of ground which we
once rented for about two years for the orphan boys, at a distance of
about half a mile from Wilson Street. Thus, by removing from Wilson
Street, and obtaining premises surrounded by land for cultivation, we
should be able to procure a most important moral benefit for the
children, by having the opportunity more fully than we now have of
training them in habits of industry, besides giving to the boys
occupation which is more suitable for them than knitting, which is now
the only employment they have, besides making their beds, cleaning the
house, and attending to the cooking of their meals. Moreover, this would
be occupation in the open air, which not only would bring into exercise
the use of their limbs, but also make walking for the sake of health
almost entirely needless.
3. If we were to remove from Wilson Street, and obtain premises in the
country, we might have all the washing done at home, which now, for want
of room, can be only done in part. Thus the girls also would have more
laborious work at home, a point of great importance for them, so that
they would not feel so much the hardships connected with going out to
service.
4. The situation of Wilson Street is _perhaps_ scarcely bracing enough
for strengthening the constitution of the orphans, most of whom, being
the offspring of very diseased parents, require a very invigorating
place of abode.
5. The present situation is _certainly_ not desirable for the teachers,
especially as, when their hours of work are over, they have no garden or
fields close to the house immediately to go into for a little
refreshment of their body; and for some of them it is too far to go to
fields, where they might have a bracing air.
6. In times of sickness we are too confined in the houses in Wilson
Street. If there were less than thirty children in each house, the
average expenses for each child would be too great, it being desirable,
as the arrangements are now, that there should not be less than three
laborers in each house; and yet, if there are thirty children in each
house, we are too full in time of sickness, as we have not a single
spare room in any of the houses. Now, though the Lord has during all
these years most mercifully helped us through such seasons, yet it has
not been without inconvenience, and without also, perhaps, having more
of the children in one room, at such times, than on account of health it
is desirable.
7. Even ordinarily, when there is no sickness, it would be desirable to
have more room.
There are no premises to be had in Bristol, or in the immediate
neighborhood, where we could have these advantages; _for I have been
looking about in all directions for this purpose during the last ten
years_. But suppose there were a large house to be had in one part of
the city, and a second a mile off, and a third and a fourth in other
directions, such houses, on account of our peculiar position in the
work, would not do. For in seasons of need the distance of the several
houses would render it very inconvenient for the laborers to meet
together for prayer, to divide the means that may be in hand, etc.
Besides, when in seasons of other peculiar difficulties, connected with
the work, I wished to meet all my fellow-laborers, there would arise
great difficulty by their being divided in different parts of the city.
It would also thus be very inconvenient to persons who wish to see the
work, to go from place to place, in order to have a view of all the
Orphan Houses. But this is not all. The more I have considered the
matter, the more am I now persuaded that no ordinary large houses, built
for private families, and therefore only calculated to accommodate, ten
or fifteen persons at most for any length of time in them, will do for
charitable institutions of any considerable size, as no ordinary house,
except built on purpose, furnishes the proper advantages of ventilation,
_a point so needful for the health of the inmates in a charitable
institution_. There seemed to me, therefore, to remain nothing but to
build premises for the purpose.
II. REASONS FOR REMAINING IN WILSON STREET.
1. God _hitherto_ has pointed out the spot most plainly. At the
commencement of the work, in 1835, no other house was to be had but No.
6 Wilson Street. Afterwards, when in 1836 the Infant Orphan House was on
the point of being opened, again I was looking about in all directions,
and saw many houses, but found none that was suitable, till all at once,
most unlooked for, the occupiers of No. 1 Wilson Street were desirous of
immediately leaving that house, and I was able thus to rent it. When in
1837 I was on the point of opening the Boys' Orphan House, I looked
about again for a house in all directions; for I knew not at that time,
what I have since learned by experience, that it was so important that
all the houses should be near together. After seeking long in vain, I at
last found a very large house, not far from Wilson Street, which I
rented; but when the occupiers of the houses in the neighborhood heard
that that house had been let for a charitable institution, they
threatened the owner with an action, which led him to request me to give
up the agreement, which, of course, I did immediately. At last, most
unexpectedly, after having looked about in vain in all directions, the
occupiers of No. 3 Wilson Street offered it to me, and I rented it for
the orphan boys. Lastly, in the year 1843, when I was led to see it to
be the will of God to go forward in this work, and to establish the
Girls' Orphan House, No. 2, for older girls, one particular feature in
the matter was, that the house No. 4 in Wilson Street had been offered
to me, without being sought after, when there had not been for about six
years one single large house to be let in that street.
[But though _hitherto_ God has pointed out Wilson Street as being the
spot where this work should be carried on, may not _now_ the time have
come for removing?]
2. Perhaps we might also rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7, in Wilson Street, and
use two out of those three houses for Orphan Houses, and one of them for
an infirmary in the case of sickness.
[But then, I said to myself, would not the objection, which the
neighbors on the opposite side of the street might make, on account of
the noise of the children in their play-hours, etc., remain? Also the
drains would be still more unsuitable, not being constructed for so many
inmates; and to alter them would be a heavy expense. The play-ground
would be still less sufficient, if two new houses were added. Lastly,
there was no reason to think that we could rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7.]
3. There are these three great objections against building: The
considerable sum which is required, and which could be spent for present
use upon the orphans. The pilgrim character of the Christian seems lost
in building. The time that it will necessarily take in making
arrangements for it.
[Do not all these objections only hold good, I said to myself, if I were
_needlessly_ to set about building? If I could rent premises, which are
really in every way suitable for the work, and I _preferred_ building,
then those objections would apply to the case; but when one is _forced_
to it, it is no more than erecting a large building because there may be
eight hundred children of God in fellowship who have been hitherto
renting a meeting-place, but for certain reasons are obliged to leave
it, and cannot rent another. Such could not be accused of needlessly
spending money in building instead of renting; nor could it be justly
said that they have _on that account_ given up the pilgrim character;
nor would it be time wasted if some individuals were to make
arrangements about the building of that meeting-place. Therefore these
three objections just mentioned, which had been _for ten years strongly
in my own mind_, were removed when once I saw plainly that nothing
remained but to build.]
After I had spent a few hours in prayer and consideration over the
subject, I began already to see that the Lord would lead me to build,
and that his intentions were not only the benefit of the orphans and the
better ordering of the whole work, but also the bearing still further
testimony that he _could_ and _would_ provide _large_ sums for those who
need them and trust in him for them; and besides, that he would enlarge
the work, so that, if I once did build a house, it might be large enough
to accommodate three hundred orphans, with their teachers and other
overseers and servants needful for the work. Concerning this latter
point, I think it important to remark, that during no period had the
number of the applications for the admission of orphans been greater
than just before I was led to think about building, so that it was quite
painful to me not to be able to comply with the wishes of all the many
persons who applied for the admission of orphans. There were many
waiting for admission, particularly orphan boys.
In the afternoon of November 3, 1845, I laid the matter before my
fellow-laborers in the church (eight in number), to get their judgment,
whether I ought not to leave Wilson Street, and to build. All judged
that I ought to leave Wilson Street, and none saw reasons against
building.
On Nov. 4, my dear wife and I began to meet for prayer about this
matter, and purposed to do so morning by morning. We asked God for
clearer light concerning the particular points connected with the
subject; and being assured that it was his will that I should build, I
began asking the Lord for means.
On Nov. 7, I judged, having considered the matter more fully, that
sufficiently large premises to furnish all needful accommodation for
three hundred children (from their earliest days up to fifteen or
sixteen years old), together with a sufficiently large piece of ground
in the neighborhood of Bristol, for building the premises upon, and the
remainder for cultivation by the spade, would cost at least ten thousand
pounds. I was not discouraged by this, but trusted in the living God.
We continued meeting for prayer morning by morning for fifteen days, but
not a single donation came in; yet my heart was not discouraged. The
more I prayed, the more assured I was that the Lord would give the
means. Yea, as fully assured was I that the Lord would do so, as if I
had already seen the new premises actually before me. This assurance
arose not from some vague, enthusiastical feeling, the mere excitement
of the moment, but, 1. From the reasons already related, and especially
from the commandment contained in Philip. iv. 5. For I saw that I should
not act according to the mind of our Lord Jesus if I did not, as soon as
I could, remove the orphans from Wilson Street, as it had been stated to
me, in the letter above referred to, that their living there was an
annoyance to some of the inhabitants in that street. 2. This assurance
that I should build an Orphan House arose further from the whole way in
which the Lord had been pleased to lead me in connection with the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad since its beginning
on March 5, 1834, _i. e._ he has been leading me forward as by an unseen
hand, and enlarging the work more and more from its commencement, and,
generally, without my seeking after it, and bringing things so clearly
before me that I could not but see that I ought to go forward. 3. Lastly
and chiefly, this, my assurance that I should build unto the Lord this
house of mercy, arose also particularly from this, that having strictly
examined my heart as to the motives for doing so, I found that, as
before God, I could say that my only motives were his honor and glory,
and the welfare of the church of Christ at large, the real temporal and
spiritual welfare of destitute orphans, and the welfare of all those who
might take care of them, in the building to be erected. And finding
that, after praying again and again about the matter, I still remained
in perfect peace, I judged it assuredly to be the will of God that I
should go forward.
On Nov. 15, brother R. C. arrived, to labor for a little while in
Bristol. I communicated to him my position with reference to having to
remove the orphans from Wilson Street, and I had his judgment also as to
its being of God that I should _build_. This dear brother's judgment
greatly encouraged me. His visit was to me of great help in this
particular, especially in stirring me up yet more to bring everything in
connection with this matter before God. He also laid it on my heart to
seek direction from God with reference to the plan of the building. He
said, "You must ask help from God to show you the plan, so that all may
be according to the mind of God."
Up to Dec. 9, thirty-five days had passed away, whilst I was day by day
waiting upon God for means for this work, and not a single penny had
been given to me. Nevertheless, this did not in the least discourage me,
but my assurance that God, in his own time and in his own way, would
give the means, increased more and more. The portion which came in
course of my meditation on the New Testament, was the beginning of the
epistle of James. More than at any period in my life was I struck with
these verses: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers
temptations (_i. e._ trials); knowing this, that the trying of your
faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James i. 2-4. It was
especially the last verse, "But let patience have her perfect work,"
etc., which I found of exceeding great importance with reference to the
building of the Orphan House. It led out my soul in prayer day after
day, to ask the Lord to increase my faith, and to sustain my patience. I
had these verses so impressed upon my heart that I could not but think
that God meant particularly to bless me by them, with regard to the work
before me, and that I should especially need patience as well as faith.
On the thirty-sixth day after having begun to pray, Dec. 10, 1845, I
received one thousand pounds towards the building of the Orphan House.
This is the largest donation that I had received up to that time for the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but when I received it I was as calm,
as quiet, as if I had only received one shilling. For my heart was
looking out for answers. Day by day I was expecting to receive answers
to my prayers. Therefore, having faith concerning the matter, this
donation did not in the least surprise me. Yea, if five thousand pounds
or ten thousand pounds had been given to me, instead of one thousand
pounds, it would not have surprised me.
Dec. 13. On the thirty-ninth day my sister-in-law, who had been for
some weeks absent in London, and who had now returned to Bristol, told
me that she had met a gentleman in London, who, having quite recently
read with deep interest the Narrative of the Lord's dealings with me,
wished to know as many particulars about the work in my hands as he
could. Being told by my sister-in-law that I purposed to build an Orphan
Mouse, he, an architect, offered to make the plan, and superintend the
building _gratuitously_. Unsolicited, he pressed this matter upon her
with deep and lively interest. I hear also that he is a Christian. The
fact that this offer comes _unsolicited_, and from a Christian
architect, shows especially the hand of God. This is the _second_ proof
that God will help me in this matter.
Dec. 23. This is now the fiftieth day since I have come to the
conclusion to build, and the forty-ninth day since we have been daily
waiting upon God for help. Nothing more has come in since Dec. 10, not
even one penny. This morning I have been particularly encouraged by the
consideration that the Lord has sent me the one thousand pounds, and the
promise from that pious architect, whom I have never seen, and of whose
name I am as yet in ignorance, _not to mock me, but as an earnest that
he will give all that is needed_.
It seems desirable that we should have a large piece of ground, at least
six or seven acres. This piece of ground must be in the vicinity of
Bristol: 1. In order that the Orphan House may be accessible to me, as
my place at present is fixed by my other work in Bristol. 2. That the
laborers in the Institution, and the orphans may be able to attend our
meetings, at least on the Lord's day. For if meetings were held on
purpose in the Orphan House, either the laborers or the children would
not be benefited by them in that measure in which it is desirable. 3.
That the inhabitants of Bristol may have the benefit of seeing with
their own eyes this work of God, which is so manifestly his and not
mine. 4. That strangers who pass through Bristol may have easy access to
it, for the same reason. But then, such a piece of ground near Bristol,
where there is just now such an inordinate desire for building, in the
way of speculation, would cost, in all human probability, between two
and three thousand pounds. Then the building itself, however plain,
would not cost less than from six to eight thousand pounds, being for
three hundred orphans, besides all their overseers, teachers, and
assistants. In addition to this, the fitting up and furnishing the house
for all these between three and four hundred inmates would not cost less
than fifteen hundred pounds more. This is indeed a large sum of money
which I need; but my hope is in God. I have not sought after this thing.
It has not begun with me. God has altogether unexpectedly, by means of
the letter before mentioned, led me to it. Only the day before I
received the letter, I had no more thought about _building_ premises for
the accommodation of the orphans than I had had during the ten previous
years. My especial prayer is that God would continue to me _faith_ and
_patience_. If he shall be pleased to help me in faith and patience to
continue to wait on him, help will surely come.
Dec. 24. No further donation yet. But my hope in God is unshaken. He
most assuredly will help. I have on purpose not issued any circular in
connection with this matter, in order that the hand of God may be the
more manifest. To some persons residing in or out of Bristol I have
spoken about my intention of building, when conversation led to it.
Through this, if the Lord please, he can make it known to others, and
thus send means for the building fund. Or he can send in such an
abundance of means for the work which is already in existence, that
from that abundance there might be a rich surplus towards the building
fund. But howsoever God may help, I do desire to see his hand made most
manifest. There will be, no doubt, many trials connected with this
enlargement of the field of labor (for if with the one hundred and
thirty orphans there has been so much trial of faith, what is to be
expected when the number is three hundred); and therefore I desire to
see as clearly as daylight that God himself is leading me onward.
Dec. 29. This is the fifty-sixth day since I came to the conclusion to
build, and the fifty-fifth since I have been day by day waiting upon God
concerning it. Only that one donation had come in till this evening,
when I received fifty pounds. This donation is exceedingly precious to
me, not only because I am sure it is most cheerfully given, nor even
because of its largeness, but because it is another precious proof that
God will bring about the matter, else he would not give me these
earnests. All _my_ business therefore is, to continue in faith and
patience to wait upon God. My assurance has been more and more
increasing that God will build for himself a large Orphan House in this
city, to show to the inhabitants, and to all who may read and hear about
it, what a blessed thing it is to trust in him. Of late I have seen, by
God's grace, more and more how entirely unworthy I am of being used by
God for this glorious and honorable service, and I can only say: "Lord,
here is thy servant, if thou art pleased to use such a one as I am."
Dec. 30, 1845. This morning I came, in course of my reading, to the
commencement of the book of Ezra. I was particularly refreshed by the
two following points contained in the first chapter, in applying them to
the building of the Orphan House: 1. Cyrus, an _idolatrous_ king, was
used by God to provide the means for building the temple at Jerusalem:
how easy therefore for God to provide ten thousand pounds for the
Orphan House, or even twenty or thirty thousand pounds, if needed. 2.
The people were stirred up by God to help those who went up to
Jerusalem. Thus it is a small matter for him to put it into the hearts
of his children to help me, in desiring to build this house of mercy
unto his name. This meditation I had before breakfast. After family
prayer in the morning, I had again my usual season for prayer about the
building, and at this time it was particularly coupled with thanksgiving
for the fifty pounds received last evening, and with entreating
blessings on the donor. I was now looking out for more, as I am doing
day by day, when this afternoon I received from a person at Clevedon two
shillings sixpence, from her grandson sixpence, and from the sister in
the Lord who brought the money the change which she did not wish back,
being another sixpence. These donations, though small, are nevertheless
very precious to me, as I take them as further proofs out of the hands
of God that he will most assuredly bring this thing to pass. This
evening I received one thousand pounds towards the building fund. When I
received this donation I was as calm, yea as perfectly calm, as if I had
received a single penny, because, by God's grace, I have faith in him,
and therefore I am looking for answers to my prayers, and am sure that
God will give every shilling that is needed.
January 2, 1846. This evening I received from Bideford eleven shillings
towards the building fund.
Jan. 3. One of the orphans gave sixpence.
Jam 6. Received a little bag made of foreign seed, and a shell flower,
to be sold for the building fund. The sister who sent these articles
wrote to me, that the moment she heard of my intention of building an
Orphan House, this text was before her mind: "Who art thou, O great
mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain." Zech. iv. 7.
Also one of the orphans sent fourpence.
Having asked the Lord to go before me, I went out to-day to look for a
piece of ground. The armory which is to be sold had been several times
mentioned to me as a suitable place. I did not think so, yet I thought I
ought at least to look at it. Having seen it and been confirmed in my
judgment about its unsuitableness, I asked the Lord whether I should
turn towards the city or towards Stapleton. I felt led to go towards the
city, and saw immediately after some fields near the armory. After
having made inquiry to whom they belonged, I have been led to write this
evening to the owner of them, asking him whether he is disposed to sell
them, etc. I am now quietly waiting the Lord's pleasure. If his time is
come to answer our requests as to a suitable piece of land, I shall be
glad; if it is not yet come, I desire that "patience may have her
perfect work, being perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
Jan. 8. This evening I received a reply to my letter. The owner of those
fields writes, that, if he did sell them, it would be only for building
land, and therefore they will be too dear.
Jan. 9. Went this morning once more to see those fields, which seem very
suitable. Met there Mr. L., a land agent, who told me that they would be
nearly a thousand pounds per acre, and therefore too dear. I asked Mr.
L. to inform me if he should hear of any suitable land for sale.
Jan. 31. It is now eighty-nine days since I have been daily waiting upon
God about the building of an Orphan House. The time seems to me now near
when the Lord will give us a piece of ground, and I told the brethren
and sisters so this evening, after our usual Saturday evening prayer
meeting at the Orphan House.
Feb. 1. A poor widow sent to-day ten shillings.
Feb. 2. To-day I heard of suitable and cheap land on Ashley Down.
Feb. 3. Saw the land. It is the most desirable of all I have seen. There
was anonymously put into an orphan box at my house a sovereign, in a
piece of paper, on which was written, "The New Orphan House."
Feb. 4. This evening I called on the owner of the land on Ashley Down,
about which I had heard on the 2d, but he was not at home. As I,
however, had been informed that I should find him at his house of
business, I went there, but did not find him there either, as he had
_just before_ left. I might have called again at his residence at a
later hour, having been informed by one of the servants that he would be
sure to be at home about eight o'clock; but I did not do so, judging
that there was the hand of God in my not finding him at either place:
and I judged it best therefore not to force the matter, but to "let
patience have her perfect work."
Feb. 5. Saw this morning the owner of the land. He told me that he awoke
at three o'clock this morning and could not sleep again till five. While
he was thus lying awake his mind was all the time occupied about the
piece of land respecting which inquiry had been made of him for the
building of an Orphan House, at my request; and he determined with
himself that, if I should apply for it, he would not only let me have
it, but for one hundred and twenty pounds per acre, instead of two
hundred pounds, the price which he had previously asked for it. How good
is the Lord! The agreement was made this morning, and I purchased a
field of nearly seven acres, at one hundred and twenty pounds per acre.
Observe the hand of God in my not finding the owner at home last
evening! The Lord meant to speak to his servant first about this matter,
during a sleepless night, and to lead him _fully_ to decide before I had
seen him.
Feb. 8. I wrote the day before yesterday to the architect, who has
offered his help gratuitously.
Feb. 11. Received from a sister in the Lord five pounds. Received also
from the architect the following reply to my letter:--
MY DEAR SIR:
It will afford me a gratification, beyond what I can communicate
by letter, to lend you the helping hand in the labor of love you
are engaged in, and I shall esteem it a very great privilege
being allowed to exercise my abilities as an architect and
surveyor in the erection of the building you propose to erect
for the orphans. I really do mean what I say, and, if all is
well, by the blessing of God, I will _gratuitously_ furnish you
with plans, elevations, and sections, with specification of the
work, so that the cost may be accurately estimated. I will also
make you an estimate and superintend the works for you
_gratuitously_, etc.
The total amount which has been given for the building fund, up to June
4, 1846, is two thousand seven hundred and ten pounds three shillings
five and a half pence. This is only a small part of what will be needed;
but, by the grace of God, I am in perfect peace, being fully assured
that God in his own time will send the whole sum which is required. Many
and great have already been the exercises of faith and patience since I
first began to give myself to prayer about this work, and still greater
they may be, before it is accomplished; but God, in the riches of his
grace, will help me through them all. It is now (June 4, 1846) two
hundred and twelve days since I first began to pray about this work, and
day after day, since then, have I been enabled to continue to wait upon
God, and I am more than ever assured that, not withstanding all my
exceeding great unworthiness, God will condescend to use me, to build
this house. Had it been the excitement of the moment, the difficulties
which have already come upon me in connection with this work (and which
are not stated here, on account of their occupying too much room) would
have overwhelmed me; but as God himself, I trust, led me to this work,
so he has helped me, and does help me, and I doubt not will help me to
the end.
The house is intended to be built so as to accommodate one hundred and
forty orphan girls above seven years of age, eighty orphan boys above
seven, and eighty male and female orphans from their earliest days, till
they are seven years old, together with all the overseers and teachers,
etc., that may be needed. The infants, after having passed the age of
seven, will be removed into the different departments for older boys and
girls.
Before leaving this period, it may be proper to recur to the following
miscellaneous points, respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution
for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from July 14, 1844, to
May 26, 1846.
1. During the whole of this period four day schools, with 278 children
in them, were _entirely_ supported by the funds of the Institution.
Three day schools besides were _assisted_. The number of the children
that were taught in the day schools, entirely supported by the funds of
the Institution, from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 3,983.
During the period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, L628, 19s.
43/4d. was spent on all the schools, which were either entirely or in
part supported by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution.
Further: during this period there were also entirely supported a Sunday
school with 80 children, and an adult school with 60 persons attending
it. The total number of the adult scholars who received instruction,
from the formation of this Institution to May 26, 1846, is 1,146.
2. During this period were circulated 269 Bibles and 171 Testaments; and
5,079 Bibles and 3,528 Testaments were circulated from the commencement
of the work up to May 26, 1846. From July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846,
L40, 7s. 10d. was expended of the funds of the Institution on this
object.
3. From July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, was laid out for foreign and
home missions the sum of L595, 7s. 9d. During no period previously was
so much of the funds of this Institution spent on missionary work, which
arose from the fact that the more I corresponded with brethren who
labored in the word and doctrine in foreign lands, the more I saw how
much they stood in need of assistance, and thus, my heart having been
led out in prayer to God on their behalf, that he would be pleased to
send me means, whereby I might be able to assist them, he was pleased to
do so. This led me to the purpose, as God should give me grace, to be
still more mindful of them in future, and to seek to be able still more
to assist them. The same was the case with regard to those brethren who
labor in England, but who have no salary or stipend, but trust in the
living God for the supply of their daily necessities; I did long to help
such brethren, and had no doubt that God would enable me to do so.
4. There was laid out for the circulation of tracts from July 14, 1844,
to May 26, 1846, the sum of L56, 6s. 91/2d., for which 52,003 such
little publications were bought, which, with 5,315 in hand on July 14,
1844, makes 57,318, of which number 40,565 were circulated. The total
number circulated from Nov. 19, 1840, to May 26, 1846, amounts to
99,647.
5. There were received into the four Orphan Houses, from July 14, 1844,
to May 26, 1846, 30 orphans, who, together with those who were in the
four houses on July 14, 1844, make up 151 in all.
On May 26, 1846, there were 121 orphans in the four houses. Besides
this, six apprentices were still supported by the funds of the
Institution, so that the total number was 127. The number of the
orphans who were under our care from April, 1836, to May 26, 1846,
amounts to 213.
I notice further the following points in connection with the Orphan
Houses.
1. _Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by
me_, the sum of L13,275, 6s. 93/4d. was given to me _as the result of
prayer to God_, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846.
This sum includes the L2,710, 3s. 51/2d. which, up to June 4, 1846, was
given towards the building fund. (It may be interesting to the reader to
know that the total amount which was given as free contributions, for
the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846,
amounts to L4,833, 18s. 103/4d.; and that which came in by the sale of
Bibles and tracts, and by the payments of the children in the day
schools, amounts to L2,097, 18s. 21/2d.) 2. Besides this, also a great
variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc.,
were given for the orphans, as has been stated in the printed Reports.
The total expenditure for the orphans from July 14, 1844, to May 26,
1846, was L2,732, 14s. 11/2d., and for the other objects, L1,325, 7s.
71/4d.
In conclusion, I cannot but mention to the praise of the Lord concerning
this period, that four of the Sunday-school children were admitted to
communion. Likewise three more of the orphans were received into church
fellowship; so that up to that time, altogether, thirty-two of the
orphans had been admitted. I also mention with peculiar joy, and as a
matter for thankfulness, that of those who were apprenticed or sent out
to service, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, ten were believers,
most of whom had been for several years in fellowship before they were
sent out to service. But whilst we desire to receive these instances as
precious encouragements from the Lord to continue our service, we cannot
but believe, judging from the many prayers the Lord gives us for the
children and adults under our care and instruction, that that which we
_see_ is but an earnest of a far larger harvest in the day of Christ's
appearing.
Dec. 31, 1844. Since brother Craik and I came to Bristol, 982 believers
have been received into communion. During this year 73 have been
received.
The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year L267, 6s. 9d. To
this is to be added that for the first two months and six days of this
year, my expenses, and those of my dear wife, during our stay in
Germany, were met, as also our travelling expenses back, as stated in
another part of my Narrative. Also during the whole of this year a
Christian lady gave to our dear child board and schooling without any
remuneration, a present worth to us not less than fifty pounds. On this
point I cannot help making a few remarks: I had clearly seen it to be
the will of God that my daughter should be brought up at school, and not
at home. My reasons for it were these: 1. My dear wife, though well
qualified to instruct our daughter, so far as knowledge goes, was
unable, on account of being engaged as my wife in a variety of things
connected with the Lord's service, to give herself uninterruptedly to
this work; and to do it partially we judged to be injurious to our
daughter. 2. I had seen instances in which a home education for an only
child had turned out very badly. 3. I judged that the mixing with other
children would be beneficial to our daughter, provided that intercourse
was under proper oversight; as thus a child is in early life introduced
into a little world, and things do not all at once come upon a young
person, when at last obliged to leave the parental roof. 4. But that
which most of all led me to this decision was, that as in the church of
Christ the Lord has qualified the members of the body for the
performance of certain work, and all have not the same gift and service,
so, in the same way, certain believers are called and qualified above
others for instructing children, and give themselves to this particular
service, and that, therefore, I ought to make use of the qualifications
of such, and of their having given their whole time to this particular
service. These reasons led us to place our daughter at school, instead
of educating her at home, and we have never had cause to regret the step
we took, but, on the contrary, have had abundant reason to praise God
for it. I have purposely made these remarks, as I am fully aware that
some believers have different views on this subject, and I desire to
serve them with the measure of light and experience I have obtained.
After our daughter had been at school for half a year, I asked for the
account, when it was stated to me by the Christian lady in whose
establishment she was that she had a pleasure in educating her
gratuitously. However, as I pressed the matter, I obtained the account.
It was paid, but the exact sum was returned to me anonymously, which, of
course, I found out at once to be from the Christian sister at whose
school my daughter was. From that time I could never more obtain the
account, though my dear child was about six years longer at school. I
refer to this point for this especial reason: God had laid it on my
heart to care about poor destitute orphans. To this service I had been
led to give myself; he, in return, as a recompense, even for this life,
took care that my own beloved child should have a very good education,
free of expense to me. I was able and well able to pay for her
education, and most willing to do so; but the Lord gave it gratuitously;
thus also showing how ready he is abundantly to help me, and to supply
my wants.
Having learned that the brethren in Germany were led away by
false teachers, and having received, in answer to prayer, five
hundred pounds, for the expenses of his journey thither, Mr. M.
left Bristol July 19, 1845, and, after laboring in word and
doctrine in Germany, he returned to Bristol Oct. 11, 1845.
Perhaps the reader may ask, What has been the result of this labor in
Germany? My reply is, God only knows. The day of Christ will declare it.
Judging from the constant labor in prayer during eight months before I
went the second time, and day by day while I was on the Continent, and
day by day for a long time after my return, I am warranted to expect
fruit, and I do expect it. I expect abundant fruit in the day of
Christ's appearing. In the mean time my comfort is that two hundred and
twenty thousand tracts have been circulated, many of which, through the
providence of God, found their way not only into the darkest places of
the continent of Europe, but went also to America and Australia.
Further: four thousand copies of my Narrative, in German, are almost all
circulated. And, again, the publishing of my Narrative in German led me
to do the same in French, which was accomplished about three years
later. Further: these tracts were reprinted at Hamburg and at Cologne,
and are circulated by other Christians; in addition to which, my having
published them in Germany led me to get them stereotyped in England, and
they continue to be circulated in many countries.
December 31, 1845. There have been received into communion 53 during
this year, and 1,055 since the commencement of our coming to Bristol.
During this year the Lord has been pleased to give to me L433, 19s.
13/4d. To this is to be added that my dear child had again during the
whole of this year her education free at a boarding-school, as stated at
the close of the last year, whereby I saved about fifty pounds. Also my
travelling expenses to and from Germany, and other expenses connected
with my service in Germany, were paid out of the L500 pounds to which
reference has been made. Adding these two items to L433, I had at least
L500.
April 29, 1846. To-day my beloved wife and myself had the inexpressibly
great joy of receiving a letter from our beloved daughter, while we are
staying in the Lord's service at Chippenham, in which she writes that
she has now found peace in the Lord Jesus. Thus our prayers are turned
into praises. About eighteen months before this I began especially to
pray for the conversion of my dear child, and the Lord soon after seems
to have begun to work in her heart.