CONTINUED MERCIES.
1848-1850.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS--DEVISING LIBERAL THINGS--THE ORPHANS PROVIDED
FOR--A MEMORABLE DAY--MONEY "AT INTEREST"--MEANS FROM AN
UNEXPECTED SOURCE--THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW ORPHAN HOUSE--MEANS
PROVIDED FOR ITS COMPLETION--INEXPRESSIBLE DELIGHT IN
GOD--REVIEW OF THE TWO YEARS PAST.
On the 26th of May, 1848, I had on hand for the Bible, tract,
missionary, and school funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution,
five pounds nineteen shillings sevenpence one farthing; a sum so small,
that, without the help of God, I could not have gone on even for a few
days; for during this period our average expenditure for one single day,
merely for this part of the work, was as much as the whole balance left
in hand. Now see how God carried me through, in meeting the expenditure
of the thousands of pounds which were laid out for these objects,
irrespective of the orphan work, from May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850.
On the very next day, after the accounts were closed, May 27, 1848, I
received from Westmoreland five pounds, being the first donation during
this period towards this part of the work, of which sum one half was
intended by the donor for the current expenses of the orphans, and the
other half for these objects. On the following day, May 28, was
anonymously put into the chapel boxes for missions one shilling
sixpence, and twopence. Now it happened so that all the expenses,
connected with these objects, during the first two days amounted only to
about three pounds, which I was able to meet by what had come in and the
balance left in hand; and on May 29 I received one hundred pounds. As
the application of this sum was left to me, I took one half of it for
the orphans, and the other half for these objects. Thus I was supplied
with means to meet the expenses which came on me the following day, May
30, when I had to pay the weekly salaries of the teachers in the day
schools.
June 9. Great has been my desire, and many have been my prayers to God,
that he would be pleased to condescend to use me still further, in
allowing me the privilege of helping brethren who labor in the word and
doctrine, at home and abroad, without any salary, as I have been able to
do but very little for them comparatively during the last four months.
Now at last, in answer to my prayers, I have received this morning one
hundred and sixty pounds for home and foreign laborers. The Lord may see
it needful, for the trial of our faith, to seem for a season not to
regard our supplications; yet, if we patiently and believingly continue
to wait upon him, it will be manifest, in his own time and way, that we
did not call upon him in vain.
July 12. My soul has been longing for further supplies for home and
foreign laborers, to whom I have sent of late all I could. Almost all
the letters which I have received from the brethren, to whom I have sent
money, have shown to me their great need. Some were in the greatest
necessity when my remittances were received by them. Under these
circumstances a donation of one hundred and seventeen pounds two
shillings sevenpence came in this morning, of which I took fifty pounds
for these objects, and sixty-seven pounds two shillings sevenpence for
the orphans.
Nov. 9. Only a few shillings were left in my hands on Tuesday evening,
the 7th instant, towards the weekly salaries of the teachers, for the
coming week. Also, almost all the tracts are again gone, and it is
nearly four weeks since I paid out the last money I had in hand for
missionary objects. As to this latter point, my heart had been
especially longing to be able to send again help to home and foreign
laborers, knowing how very great the need of many is. Thus I was
situated with regard to means, when I received to-day one thousand
pounds.
Since March 5, 1834, I have received above forty-four thousand pounds
altogether [up to May 26, 1850, only]; and so has the Lord enlarged the
work and helped me that during the last three years I have had the
privilege of paying away in his service, in connection with this work,
about twenty-five thousand pounds; nor have I had during this period, in
any one instance, to meet a payment without being previously provided by
the Lord with means for it. If it pleased the Lord to condescend to use
me further in this way, he could so order it that even a still larger
field of labor were intrusted to me, which would require still greater
sums. Truly, it must be manifest to all simple-hearted children of God,
who will carefully read the accounts respecting this Institution, that
he is most willing to attend to the supplications of his children who in
their need cry to him; and to make this manifest is the great object I
aim at, through the means of this Institution.
Jan. 2, 1850. The new year commences, even as to this part of the work,
with new mercies. There was given to me one hundred and sixty pounds, to
be used as might be most needed.
Jan. 30. During this month I had been especially led to send much
assistance to home and foreign laborers. Also in other respects the
expenses for _these_ objects had been considerable. On this account the
funds for them had been reduced to about eighty pounds when I received
this evening four hundred and fifty pounds, of which the donor kindly
wished me to take fifty pounds for my own personal expenses, to give to
brother Craik fifty pounds, and to use the other as might be most
needed.
May 3. The work is now large, the outgoings great. During the month were
again expended about five hundred pounds for the various objects of the
Institution, nor have I any prospect that the expenses will decrease;
yea, _I have no desire that they should_. I have as great satisfaction,
as much joy, in writing checks for large amounts upon my bankers, as I
have joy in paying over to them checks, or bank orders, or large notes,
which I receive from the living God, by means of donors, for this work.
For the money is of no more value to me than as I can use it for God;
and the more I can pay out for the work of God, the more prospect I have
of being again supplied by him; and the larger the sum is which I can
obtain from him, in answer to prayer only, the greater the proof of the
blessedness and the reality of this mode of dealing directly with the
living God for what I need; therefore, I say, I have as much joy in
giving out as in receiving. I have been devoting myself, for instance,
with all my might, and expending much exertion both of body and mind,
but especially by laboring in spirit to have the Orphan House filled
with children, not only that thus three hundred destitute orphans, none
of whom have either father or mother, might be lodged, boarded, clothed,
instructed, and in every way cared for, bodily, mentally, and
spiritually; _but also in order that thus large sums might be needed and
expended_, and I might have a greater call than ever to draw largely
upon the inexhaustible treasures of God. That I do not mean, in thus
speaking, to say that money so obtained by prayer may be wasted, will
scarcely need to be noticed; for if any one would obtain means from God
by prayer only, and then waste them, he would soon find that he was not
able to pray in faith for further supplies.
* * * * *
When the accounts were closed, on May 26, 1848, I had on hand for the
orphans a balance of one pound ten shillings three and three-fourths
pence. With this amount then we began, whilst day by day above one
hundred and thirty persons were to be provided for in the four Orphan
Houses in Wilson Street.
On the very next day, after the accounts were closed, May 27, 1848, I
received from Westmoreland five pounds, half of which sum was intended
by the donor for the orphans, and half for the other objects. This
donation I took as an earnest out of the hands of the living God, that
during the whole of this period also he would provide for these many
orphans, as he had done in former years.
Nov. 9. Up to date the wants of the orphans have been supplied as
heretofore. Yesterday, only five shillings sixpence came in. To-morrow
more money will be needed for housekeeping. In this our poverty I
received this morning one thousand pounds. The money being left to my
disposal as it might be most needed, I took of it six hundred pounds for
the building fund, three hundred pounds for missionary purposes and the
circulation of Bibles and tracts, and one hundred pounds for present use
for the orphans. I have thus the means which are yet needed for this
week's housekeeping expenses, besides being able to meet other heavy
expenses which are before me next week.
Feb. 20, 1849. For three months and ten days, since Nov. 9, 1848, the
donations had always come in so that we abounded during the whole
period, there having been always fresh donations received before all the
money in hand was disbursed. The total amount that came in during this
period was four hundred and sixty-nine pounds fourteen shillings
tenpence. Now to-day there was no money in hand for advancing the amount
needed for the next week's housekeeping. All the money in hand was due
for rent, and therefore unavailable, as I never go into debt for
anything. In this our need there was given to me this afternoon the sum
of two hundred pounds, which was left to my disposal for fitting up the
new Orphan House, or for any of the objects in connection with the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution that might be in need. As, however, I
have all the means for fitting up and furnishing the new Orphan House,
as far as I know, and as there is no money in hand for the present use
of the orphans, I took one hundred pounds for that object.
March 9. The new Orphan House is now nearly ready. On this account we
have to get in large supplies for the children's clothes. Within the
last few days I have ordered thousands of yards of material for this
purpose, and thousands more will need to be ordered, besides providing a
stock of many other things. For this large sums are needed. Under these
circumstances I received to-day a donation of three hundred pounds, to
be used for the building fund, or the current expenses of the various
objects, just as it might be most required. As I judge that we have all
that is needed for the fitting up and furnishing of the house, and as
there is more in hand than usual for the missionary objects, the
circulation of Bibles and tracts, and for the various schools, and as we
have only about sixty pounds for present use for the orphans, towards
meeting all the heavy expenses before us, I took the whole of this
donation for the orphans, as the donor has kindly left the disposal of
the money entirely to me. This donation coming in just now has been an
exceedingly great refreshment to my spirit; for it is at the
commencement of the great increase of our expenses, in connection with
the three hundred orphans, instead of one hundred and twenty, like an
earnest from God that he will supply us also with means when the demands
for the three hundred will be more than twice as great as they are now.
Through this donation I have means to meet all the expense which will be
incurred in getting in for the new establishment the stores of
provisions, soap, material for clothes, haberdashery, and of the many
other articles of which it would be desirable to buy our supplies on
wholesale terms. The Lord be praised for his kindness!
June 18. To-day, as the fruit of the prayers of three years and seven
months, the children began to be moved from the four Orphan Houses in
Wilson Street, Bristol, into the new Orphan House.
June 23. Saturday Evening. This has been indeed a week of great and many
and peculiar mercies. All the orphans with their teachers and overseers
have been moved into the new Orphan House during Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday; so that there are now about one hundred and
forty persons under one roof. The Lord has most signally helped. As I
had for more than three years sought the help of God concerning all
matters connected with the new Orphan House, I did expect his help in
this particular also; but he has done beyond my expectations. Though
only the day before yesterday the last children were moved in, there is
already such a measure of order established in the house, by the help of
God, as that things can be done by the minute hands of the timepieces.
His name is to be praised for this, and my soul does magnify him for his
goodness! Also with regard to temporal supplies for the dear orphans,
the Lord has been exceedingly kind. On the second day of receiving the
children, there was sent twenty pounds. On the third day, an individual
who walked with me through part of the house said, "These children must
consume a great deal of provisions," and, whilst saying it, took out of
his pocket a roll of Bank of England notes to the amount of one hundred
pounds, and gave them to me for the orphans. On the same evening I had
also sent for the orphans a very large cask of treacle, and for their
teachers and overseers six loaves of sugar. Also a cooper made
gratuitously two large new casks for treacle. On the next day I received
information that about one thousand pounds of rice had been purchased
for the orphans, which should be sent. Besides this, several small
donations have come in. So bountifully has the Lord been pleased to help
of late, that I have not only been able to meet all the extraordinary
heavy expenses connected with moving the orphans from Wilson Street into
the new Orphan House, filling the stores of the new Orphan House, etc.;
but I have more than five hundred pounds in hand to begin housekeeping
in the new Orphan House. How true that word that those that trust in the
Lord shall not be confounded! After all the many and long-continued
seasons of great trial of faith within these thirteen years and two
months, during which the orphans were in Wilson Street, the Lord
dismisses us from thence in comparative abundance. His holy name be
praised for it!
Aug. 30. Received a fifty-pound note with these words: "I send you
herewith a fifty-pound note, half for the missions, half for the
orphans, unless you are in any personal need; if so, take five pounds
for yourself. This will be the last large sum I shall be able to
transmit to you. Almost all the rest is already _out at interest_." I
took half of this fifty pounds for the orphans, and half for
missionaries. The writer sold some time since his only earthly
possession, and sent me at different times sums of one hundred and
twenty pounds, of one hundred pounds, of fifty-five pounds, of fifty
pounds, and of twenty pounds for the work of the Lord in my hands. When
he says, therefore, "the rest is already out _at interest_," he means
that he has given it away for the Lord, which indeed both for time and
eternity is the very best way of using the means with which the Lord may
be pleased to intrust us, in so far as, considering in the fear of God
all our various claims and duties and relationships, we may do so. As
this is written for the spiritual profit of the reader, I cannot but add
to this extract from my journal under Aug. 30, 1849, that since that
time I have received other donations from the same donor, and much
larger still. He used for God the means with which he was pleased to
intrust him, and, contrary to this brother's expectation, the above
fifty pounds was not the last large donation; for it pleased God soon
after to intrust him with another considerable sum, which he again used
for the Lord. This did not at all surprise me; for it is the Lord's
order that, in whatever way he is pleased to make us his stewards,
whether as to temporal or spiritual things, if we are indeed acting as
_stewards_, and not as _owners_, he will make us stewards over _more_.
Jan. 9, 1850. To-day was sent to me from the Committee of the Cholera
Fund in Bristol, twenty pounds, which the gentlemen constituting it had
voted for the benefit of the twenty children who had lost their parents
in the cholera, and whom I had received into the new Orphan House.
I had not applied either directly or indirectly for this money; indeed,
I was reluctant even to give information as to the number of cholera
orphans whom I had received, lest there should be even the appearance as
if after all I asked for money, instead of solely trusting in the living
God. But some of the gentlemen on the committee, I understand, knowing
the fact that I had received many orphans, made such by means of the
cholera, proposed that there should be paid to the Institution a
sovereign on account of each such child whom I had received. This sum
was especially remarkable to me as a fresh proof of the numberless ways
which God has at his command for providing me with means.
I also cannot help noticing the remarkable coincidence that, at the time
that God visited this land with the cholera, in 1849, I had so much room
for the reception of orphans. The Lord was pleased to allow me the joy
and sweet privilege of receiving altogether twenty-six children, from
ten months old and upward, who lost their parents in the cholera _at
that time_, and many besides, since then, who were bereaved of their
parents through this fearful malady.
At the time when I last referred to the _progress_ of the new Orphan
House, it was being built. A part of it was already roofed in, and the
remainder was to be roofed not many weeks afterwards. But how much did
there yet remain to be done in other respects! A building so
considerable as to contain about three hundred large windows would
require, even after it was finished, an immense amount of labor to be
fitted up and furnished for three hundred and thirty persons. Then,
after this was done, the settling in of the orphans and their teachers,
and other overseers, needed still more abundant help. Further, the
obtaining of suitable helpers for this part of the work was indeed no
small matter. Lastly, though the Lord had been pleased to give me
already above eleven thousand pounds for the new Orphan House, yet I
needed several thousand pounds more, in order to bring the whole into
such a state as might render the building fit for the reception of the
orphans. And now, in looking back, and finding that I not only was
helped in _all_ these matters, but also _in every one of them_ far
beyond my largest expectations, does it not become me to say to those
who love the Lord Jesus, and into whose hands this account may fall: "O
magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!" Each one
of the foregoing difficulties which still existed on the 26th of May,
1848, was so great, that if only one of them had remained, and I had not
been helped, what would have been the result? But while the prospect
before me would have been overwhelming had I looked at it _naturally_, I
was never, even for once, permitted to question what would be the end.
For as, from the beginning, I was sure _that it was the will of God_
that I should go to the work of building for him this large Orphan
House, so also, from the beginning, I was as certain that the whole
would be finished as if the building had been already before my natural
eyes, and as if the house had been already filled with three hundred
destitute orphans. I was therefore of good courage in the midst of an
overwhelming pressure of work yet to be done, and very many difficulties
yet to be overcome, and thousands of pounds yet needed; and I gave
myself still further to prayer, and sought still further to exercise
faith on the promises of God. And now the work is done, the difficulties
are overcome, all the money that was needed has been obtained, and even
more than I needed; and, as to helpers in the work, I have obtained even
beyond my expectations and prayers. Nearly seven years have passed away
(1856) since the new Orphan House was opened, and about three hundred
and thirty persons sit down in it day by day to their meals.
* * * * *
Up to May 26, 1848, I had received altogether towards meeting the
expenses connected with the building of the new Orphan House the sum of
eleven thousand and sixty-two pounds four shillings elevenpence
halfpenny.
Aug. 19. It is this day a twelvemonth since the foundation stone of the
new Orphan House was laid, and now the building is up, and almost
entirely roofed in. Also part of the inside plastering is already done.
How can my soul sufficiently magnify the Lord for all the help which he
has been pleased to give since this day twelvemonth! As we are now so
far advanced, I have been increasingly entreating God that he would be
pleased to give me the means which are yet requisite for fitting up and
furnishing the house; for even now I am completely depending upon him
for considerable sums to accomplish this. But while much is still
needed, I have never had, by God's grace, the least misgiving as to his
willingness to give me all I need; on the contrary, I have been assured
that, when I actually required the money for the fittings and the
furniture, it would come. And now this day the Lord has again proved to
me how willing he is to act according to my faith; for there was given
to me this morning eight hundred and eighty-seven pounds, under the kind
condition that I should take of it twenty pounds for my own personal
expenses, and the rest might be used for the building fund, or the
present need of the various objects of the Institution, as it appeared
best to me.
Nov. 9. To-day the Lord has helped still more abundantly. I have
received a donation of one thousand pounds, to be used for the building
fund and the present necessities of the work generally, as the various
objects of the Institution might require it.
Jan. 17, 1849. The time is now near when further steps are to be taken
to fit up and furnish the house, as more than two thirds of the rooms
are all but ready. Under these circumstances I have prayed the more
earnestly, day by day, that the Lord would be pleased to give me the
means which are yet needed; and as my heart has been assured from the
beginning, and all through these three years and two months, since I
first began to pray about this subject, that God would in every way
help me in this work, so I have also been particularly satisfied that he
would be pleased to provide the means which may be required to meet all
the heavy expenses which yet remain to be met. Now, to-day I have had
again a precious answer to my daily supplications with reference to this
work; for I received this evening six hundred pounds, concerning which
it was desired that brother Craik and myself should each take of it
fifty pounds for ourselves; the remaining five hundred pounds was left
entirely to my disposal; yet an especial reference was made to the heavy
expenses connected with fitting up and furnishing the new Orphan House,
towards which I might, either in part or entirely, take this sum.
Feb. 12. The new Orphan House is now almost entirely finished. In six
weeks, with the help of God, all will be completed. On this account I
have been during the last fortnight much occupied in making the
necessary arrangements for fitting it up and furnishing it; but the more
I have been occupied about this, the more I have seen how large a sum
the whole of the fittings and the furniture will require; and this
consideration has led me still more earnestly of late to entreat the
Lord that he would be pleased to give me the means which may yet be
needed for the completion of the whole. Under these circumstances a
brother in the Lord came to me this morning, and after a few minutes'
conversation gave me two thousand pounds, concerning which sum he kindly
gave me permission to use it for the fitting up and furnishing of the
new Orphan House, or for anything else needed in connection with the
orphans. I have placed the whole of this sum, at least for the present,
to the building fund. Now, dear reader, place yourself in my position.
Eleven hundred and ninety-five days it is since I began asking the Lord
for means for the building and fitting up of an Orphan House. Day by
day have I, by his grace, since that time, continued to bring this
matter before him. Without one moment's doubt, or misgiving, or
wavering, have I been enabled to trust in God for the means. From the
beginning, after I had once ascertained the will of God concerning this
work, have I been assured that he would bring it about; yea, as sure
have I been from the beginning that he would do so, as if I had already
had all the means in hand for it, or as if the house had been actually
before me, occupied by the children. But though to faith even three
years ago the whole work was accomplished, to sight there remained many
and great difficulties to be overcome. And even at the commencement of
this day there remained many difficulties in the way of means, as well
as in other respects; and therefore I was on the point of giving myself
again especially to prayer, at the very moment when I was informed that
the donor of the above-mentioned two thousand pounds had called to see
me. Now I have the means, as far as I can see, which will enable me to
meet all the expenses; and in all probability I shall have even several
hundred pounds more than are needed. Thus the Lord shows that he can and
will not only give _as much as is absolutely needed_ for his work, but
also that he can and will give _abundantly_. It is impossible to
describe the real joy I had in God when I received this sum. I was calm,
not in the least excited, able to go on immediately with other work that
came upon me at once after I had received the donation; but
inexpressible was the delight which I had in God, who had thus given me
the full answer to my thousands of prayers, during these eleven hundred
and ninety-five days.
I have thus given a few out of the hundreds of donations, varying from
one farthing to two thousand pounds, as specimens, to show how the Lord
was pleased to furnish me with the means. The total amount which came in
for the building fund was fifteen thousand seven hundred and
eighty-four pounds eighteen shillings tenpence.
After all the expenses had been met for the purchase of the land, the
conveyance of the same, the enrolment of the trust-deeds in chancery,
the building, fitting up, and furnishing of the new Orphan House, there
remained a balance of seven hundred and seventy-six pounds fourteen
shillings threepence three farthings, affording a manifest proof that
the Lord cannot only supply us with all we need in his service, simply
in answer to prayer, but that he can also give us even more than we
need.
* * * * *
During the whole of the two years ending May 26, 1850, five day schools,
with 329 children in them, were entirely supported by the funds of this
Institution; and some pecuniary assistance was rendered to four other
day schools. Also a Sunday school, with 168 children, was entirely
supported, and another was occasionally assisted. Lastly, an adult
school, with 106 adult scholars, was supported during this period. There
was expended on these various schools L851, 1s. 51/2d., during these
two years. The number of all the children that were taught in the day
schools, through the medium of this Institution, from March 5, 1834, to
May 26, 1850, amounted to 5,114; the number of those in the Sunday
schools amounted to 2,200; and the number of the persons in the adult
school to 1,737. In all, 9,051.
From May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, were circulated 719 Bibles, and 239
New Testaments. There was expended on this object, during this period,
of the funds of the Institution, L104, 15s. 11d. There were circulated
altogether from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1850, 6,465 Bibles, and 3,999
New Testaments.
From May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, were spent L2,574, 16s. 6d. of the
funds of the Institution for missionary objects, whereby forty
preachers of the gospel in British Guiana, the East Indies, Switzerland,
France, Germany, Canada, Scotland, Ireland, and England, were assisted.
The reader will notice how greatly this object of the Institution was
increased during the last four years previous to May 26, 1850. This
arose from the fact that, in the early part of 1846, the need of certain
brethren who labored in the word and doctrine came before me, and God
laid them on my heart to labor for them in prayer, in order that I might
obtain means from him for such brethren to a greater extent than I had
done before. Ever since then the Lord has been pleased increasingly to
use me in this way. For from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848, there was
spent for that object nearly three times as much as during any former
period of the same length; and during the period from May 26, 1848, to
May 26, 1850, I was not only allowed to do as much as before, but to
expend even L1,016, 5s. more than during the former period,
notwithstanding all the many heavy additional expenses for the various
other objects of the Institution.
It is my sweet privilege to state that the labors of many of these forty
servants of the Lord, whom I assisted, were especially owned of God
during these two years. There took place very many conversions through
their instrumentality.
From May 26, 1848, to May 26, 1850, the sum of L184, 9s. 41/2d. was
expended on the circulation of tracts. There were circulated during this
period 130,464 tracts. The total number which was circulated from Nov.
19, 1840, up to May 26, 1850, amounted to 294,128.
From July 24, 1849, up to May 26, 1850, altogether 170 orphans were
received, from ten months old and upwards. On May 26, 1850, there were,
therefore, 275 orphans in the new Orphan House; and with the teachers,
overseers, nurses, and in-door and out-door servants, etc., the whole
number of persons connected with the establishment was 308. The total
number of orphans who were under our care from April, 1836, up to May
26, 1850, was 443.
_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me_,
the sum of L33,868, 11s. 11/4d. was given to me for the orphans, _as
the result of prayer to God_, from the commencement of the work up to
May 26, 1850. It may be also 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, 1850, amounted
to L10,531, 3s. 33/4d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles
and tracts, and by the payments of the children in the schools, up to
May 26, 1850, amounted to L2,707, 9s. 31/2d.
The total of the current expenses for the orphans from May 26, 1848, to
May 26, 1849, was L1,559, 6s. 9d., and the total of the current expenses
for them from May 26, 1849, to May 26, 1850, was only L2,665, 13s.
23/4d., _i. e._ only about L1,100 more than the previous year.
As to matters connected with my own personal affairs, from May 26, 1848,
to May 26, 1850:--
Dec. 31, 1848. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me L474,
17s. 7d. To this is again to be added, for this year also, as before
stated, the free education of my daughter at a boarding-school, worth at
least L50.
Dec. 31, 1849. The Lord sent me, during the past year, L413, 2s. 4d.