UNVARYING PROSPERITY.
1850-1852.
DESIRES FOR MORE ENLARGED USEFULNESS GRATIFIED--A LARGE DONATION
ANTICIPATED AND RECEIVED--REVIEW OF 1851--PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE--BUILDING FUND FOR THE SECOND NEW ORPHAN HOUSE--DOUBT
RESISTED--WAITING ON GOD NOT IN VAIN--REVIEW OF 1852.
At the commencement of the year beginning with May, 1850, it was my
purpose to seek help from the Lord that I might be able, in a still
greater degree than before, to assist brethren who labor in the gospel
at home and abroad, in dependence upon God for their temporal supplies,
and to labor more than ever in the circulation of the Holy Scriptures,
and of simple gospel tracts.
June 11. By the sums which came in within the first fifteen days of this
period I was able to begin to carry out the purpose I had formed; and as
the Lord enabled me, without anxious reckoning, to go on giving out as
he was pleased to intrust me with means, so again he sent further
supplies before all was gone. It is a point of great importance in the
divine life not to be anxiously reckoning about the morrow, nor dealing
out sparingly on account of possible future wants which never may come;
but to consider that the _present_ moment to serve the Lord only is
ours, and that the morrow may never come to _us_.
April 20, 1851. During the whole of the current year, up to this date,
the Lord has so abundantly supplied me with means that there came not
one single case before me in which it would have been desirable to help,
according to the measure of light given to me, or to extend the work,
without my having at the same time ample means for doing so. In the
midst of the great depression of the times, which was so generally felt,
and on account of which, humanly speaking, I also might have been
exceedingly tried for want of means, I, on the contrary, at no period of
the work for the seventeen years previous had a greater abundance of
means. I do on purpose lay stress upon this because I desire that it may
become increasingly known that there is no easier, no better, and no
happier way in the end than God's way, and this in particular also with
regard to the obtaining of means _simply in answer to prayer, without
personal application to any one_.
At the beginning of the year I had more in hand for the orphans than for
many years before, under similar circumstances, the balance for current
expenses on May 26, 1850, being one hundred and fifty pounds seven
shillings tenpence. Yet, much as this was in comparison with what the
balance had generally been before, how small was the amount in reality!
About three hundred persons were connected with the new Orphan House,
who day by day were to be provided with all they needed, besides several
apprentices who also were still to be supported. On this account the one
hundred and fifty pounds in hand would only furnish that which was
needed for about fifteen days, as the average expenses of the orphan
work alone were about ten pounds daily. Place yourself, therefore, dear
reader, in my position. Three hundred persons daily at table, and one
hundred and fifty pounds in hand! Looking at it naturally, it is enough
to make one tremble; but trusting in the living God, as by his grace I
was enabled to do, I had not the least trial of mind, and was assured
that God would as certainly help me as he had done fourteen years
before, when the number of the orphans was only the tenth part as large.
Nov. 27. For seven weeks the income has been very small, in comparison
with what has been expended, both for the orphans and for the various
other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. There has come in
for the orphans L187, 16s. 23/4d., and for the other objects L62, 11s.
1d.; and the expenditure has been for the orphans during these seven
weeks L477, 2s. 11d., and for the various other objects L394, 9s. 8d.
Therefore altogether L871, 12s. 7d. has been expended, whilst the income
altogether has been only L250, 7s. 33/4d. We have, of course, not gone
into debt, as we never order anything except we have the means in hand
for it. Nor has there been even the least difficulty experienced with
regard to means, as the Lord in his kindness had sent in considerable
sums just before this season commenced. About three hundred and thirty
persons now sit down to their meals in the new Orphan House, day by day,
and the expenses for the orphans alone are about ten pounds daily, and
those for the other parts of the work are also about ten pounds daily,
so that I need to receive after the rate of twenty pounds a day, in
order to go on with the work; but during these forty-nine days there has
been only one single day that I have received about twenty pounds, and
for the greater part of the time only a few pounds daily, and sometimes
even only a few shillings. But what was to be done under these
circumstances? I gave myself to prayer. God, whom I have now been
enabled to make my refuge, and my only refuge, for more than twenty
years, I have besought day by day. And when now day by day I still have
received only small sums, and sometimes nothing or scarcely anything at
all, the only effect that it has had upon me has been _to pray the more
earnestly_. My confidence in God is not at all shaken. I have never had
a thought that he would not help me: nor have I even once been allowed
to look upon these seven weeks in any other way than that the Lord, for
the trial of my faith, has ordered it thus that only so little should
come in. I am sure that, when he has tried me sufficiently, there will
come in again larger sums. In the mean time, how good has the Lord been,
not only to have given all I have needed, but I have even now money in
hand! And as to our stores in the new Orphan House, they are as full as
usual. We have at least one hundred and fifty sacks of potatoes in the
house, twenty sacks of flour, thirty-three barrels of oatmeal, each
containing about two hundred pounds, about three hundred pairs of new
shoes (besides about nine hundred pairs in use), about ten tons of
coals, a large quantity of soap and rice; and so all other parts of the
stores in proportion. Indeed, while there has been little coming in, I
have just ordered articles in the wholesale way as formerly, when our
income was perhaps four or five times as much during the same period. My
judgment is, that it will now soon please the Lord again to send in
larger sums, as he has been pleased to exercise my faith for some time
in this way. Let me see the result!
Jan. 4, 1851. This very day the Lord has given me a most precious proof
that he delights in our having large expectations from him. I have
received this evening the sum of three thousand pounds, being the
largest donation which I have had as yet. I now write again that I
expect far larger sums still, in order that it may be yet more and more
manifest that there is no happier, no easier, and no better way of
obtaining pecuniary means for the work of the Lord than the one in which
I have been led. How great my joy in God is, on account of this
donation, cannot be described; but it is not in the least coupled with
excitement. I take this donation out of the hands of the living God; I
continually look for his help, and am perfectly assured that I shall
have it, and therefore is my soul calm and peaceful, without any
excitement, though the donation is so large. This donation is, however,
like a voice from heaven speaking to me concerning a most deeply
important matter respecting which I am seeking guidance from the Lord,
the building of another Orphan House.
May 26. I am brought to the close of this period. The work is more and
more enlarging. During the last month I have paid out for the orphans
more than four hundred and fifty pounds, and for the other objects more
than five hundred pounds, being nearly one thousand pounds during one
month; and yet I have a greater balance left in hand, through the Lord's
kindness, than at the close of any of the previous periods.
From May 26, 1850, to May 26, 1851, there were four day schools in
Bristol, with 286 children in them, _entirely supported_ by the funds of
the Institution; and three others in Devonshire, Gloucestershire, and
Norfolk, with 180 children in them, were _assisted_. Further, one Sunday
school in Bristol, with 184 children, was entirely supported, and two
others in Devonshire and Gloucestershire, with 213 children, were
assisted. Lastly, an adult school in Bristol, with 90 persons in it, was
entirely supported. The expenses connected with all these various
schools were, during this period, L379, 17s. From the formation of the
Institution, on March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1851, there were 5,343
children in the various day schools in Bristol alone, 2,379 in the
Sunday school, and 1,896 persons in the adult school, besides the
thousands in the schools out of Bristol which were assisted.
There was expended during this period, out of the funds of the
Institution, on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, L150, 16s. 5d.
There were 345 Bibles sold, and 899 given away; and 30 New Testaments
sold, and 413 given away, during this period. From March 5, 1834, to
May 26, 1851, there were circulated 7,709 Bibles and 4,442 New
Testaments.
During this year was spent of the funds of the Institution, for
missionary objects, the sum of L2,000, 11s. 1d. By this sum forty-five
laborers in the word and doctrine in various parts of the world were to
a greater or less degree assisted. The total amount of L2,000 was sent
to these forty-five servants of the Lord Jesus in 264 different sums.
During this period L358, 7s. 3d. was expended on the circulation of
tracts, and 303,098 tracts and little books were circulated. I was
permitted to send out more tracts than _during the whole of the previous
ten years taken together_. Nor must it be withheld from the reader, as
matter for thankfulness, that the Lord was pleased to allow me to hear
again and again of instances of conversion, by means of the distribution
of these tracts during this period.
On May 26, 1850, there were 275 orphans in the new Orphan House on
Ashley Down, Bristol. On May 26, 1851, there were 300 orphans in the new
Orphan House. The total number of orphans who were under our care from
April, 1836, to May 26, 1851, is 488. There came in altogether during
this year L4,102, 14s. 91/4d. for the support of the orphans, and
L3,640, 9s. 13/4d. for the other objects; and, after having met to the
full every demand with reference to the orphans, the balance of L970,
13s. 113/4d. remained in hand. Also, after having entered into every
door which the Lord was please to set before me respecting the other
objects, and to do far more than during any one year previously, the
balance of L809, 10s. 6d. remained in hand on May 26, 1851. Verily we do
not trust in the Lord in vain!
_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me_,
the sum of L38,018, 4s. 61/2d. was given to me for the orphans _as the
result of prayer to God_ from the commencement of the work to May 26,
1851. 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 to May 26, 1851, amounted to L13,988, 11s.
91/4d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and tracts, and by
the payments of the children in the day schools, amounted to L2,890, 9s.
113/4d.
It pleased the Lord greatly to gladden our hearts by the working of his
Holy Spirit among the orphans during this period.
Dec. 31, 1850. During this year there have been received into fellowship
57, and altogether, from the time that brother Craik and I began to
labor in Bristol, 1,313. The Lord has been pleased to give me, for my
personal expenses, L402, 4s. 5d.
May 26, 1851. The reader will remember that I stated in a previous
chapter that I purposed, not in dependence upon my Christian friends,
nor in dependence upon former donors, but alone in dependence upon the
living God, to enlarge the orphan work. Before I brought before the
public what I purposed to do, I gave the record of the exercises of my
mind on this subject to a valued Christian friend to read, the only one
who, besides my family, knew anything of this my intention before it
came before the public. I did this particularly in order that, after I
had been waiting for several months in secret upon God for guidance and
direction concerning it, I might also have the counsel of a prayerful,
judicious, and cautious man of God. When this brother returned the
manuscript, he spoke to me words of encouragement concerning this
purpose, and gave me a half sovereign towards the building fund for this
house for seven hundred destitute orphans. This was the first donation,
which I received on May 13, 1851, and which, I confess, was a great
refreshment and encouragement to me, the more so as it came from so
cautious a brother, and after I had been for several months, through
secret prayer, assured that I should go forward.
On May 28, 1851, my intention became publicly known, and in the evening
of May 29 I received from a Christian lady a sovereign towards the
building fund.
June 1. A brother in the Lord, who gives his donations with the letter
"P.," gave me ten shillings. I also received a sovereign. This evening I
received still further four half crowns, with very encouraging words and
expressions of joy that I have been led to this purpose of building
another Orphan House for seven hundred more orphans. There came to hand,
also anonymously, three shillings. Ditto an old shilling, a small
American coin, and two shillings. Also from a Christian servant in
Clifton two shillings sixpence.
June 21. Twenty-four days have now passed away since I have been
enabled, day by day, to wait with a goodly measure of earnestness and in
faith upon the Lord for means; but as yet only a little above
twenty-eight pounds has come in. But I am not discouraged. The less
there comes in, the more earnestly I pray, the more I look out for
answers, and the more assured I am that the Lord, in his own time, after
he has tried my faith, will send me larger sums, and, at last, all I
need.
Aug. 12. Day by day I am waiting upon the Lord for means for this
object, and generally more than once a day am I bowing my knees before
God with reference to it. Moreover, of late I have been enabled, with
increasing earnestness, to beseech the Lord that he would be pleased to
send in means for the building fund. My soul has been all along at
peace, though only so little, as yet, comparatively, has come in (in
all, one hundred and twenty-seven pounds nineteen shillings ninepence);
and though Satan has in the most subtle way sought to shake my
confidence, and to lead me to question whether, after all, I had not
been mistaken concerning this whole matter. Yet, though he has aimed
after this, to the praise of God I have to confess that he has not been
allowed to triumph. I have especially besought the Lord of late that he
would be pleased to refresh my spirit by sending in some large donation
for this part of the work. Under these circumstances I received this
morning five hundred pounds for the new building. I was not in the least
excited. I look out for means. _Even that very moment_, when I received
this donation, I was looking out for means, for large donations; and I
should not have been surprised if five thousand pounds had come in, or
more. The Lord be praised for this precious encouragement, which has
still further quickened me for prayer!
Sept. 13. Patience and faith are still called for, and, by God's grace,
my desire is to "let patience have her perfect work." Not one penny has
come in to-day for the building fund, but five more orphans have been
applied for, so that now forty in less than one single month have been
brought before me, all bereaved of _both_ parents, and all very
destitute. Under these circumstances, how can I but fervently labor in
prayer that the Lord would be pleased to intrust me with means for the
building another Orphan House for seven hundred orphans. The more I look
at things according to natural appearances and prospects, the less
likely is it that I should have the sum which is needed; but I have
faith in God, and my expectation is from him alone. From the beginning I
depended upon him only concerning this proposed enlargement of the work,
and therefore have I not been disappointed, though as yet only the
fortieth part of what is needed has come in (eight hundred and
eighty-two pounds eighteen shillings sevenpence halfpenny). But how
soon, how very soon can the Lord alter the aspect of things. Even this
very evening, while I am writing, he could give me many thousand pounds.
I continue, therefore, to wait upon God, and seek to encourage my heart
by his holy word, and, while he delays giving me answers, to be occupied
in his blessed service. Of this, however, my soul has not the least
doubt, that, when the Lord shall have been pleased to exercise my soul
by the trial of faith and patience, he will make bare his arm, and send
help. The fact that the applications for the admission of destitute
orphans are so many, does both quicken me to prayer, and is also a great
encouragement to me that the Lord will give me the desire of my heart,
to provide another home for these destitute, fatherless and motherless
children.
March 17, 1852. Day by day I am waiting upon God for means. With full
confidence, both as to the power of the Lord to give me the means, and
likewise his willingness, I am enabled to continue to wait. But he is
pleased to exercise my faith and patience, and especially has this been
the case of late. Not more than twenty-seven pounds eleven shillings has
come in during the last four weeks for the building fund. Yet, amidst it
all, by the help of God, my heart has been kept looking to the Lord, and
expecting help from him. Now to-day my heart has been greatly refreshed
by a donation of nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds thirteen shillings
fivepence. I cannot describe to any one how refreshing this donation is
to my spirit. After having been for weeks, day by day, waiting upon the
Lord, and receiving so little comparatively, either for current expenses
or for the building fund, this answer to many prayers is exceedingly
sweet to my spirit.
May 20. There remained in hand from the _former_ building fund the
balance of L776, 14s. 43/4d., which I added to the _present_ building
fund, so that on the evening of May 26, 1852, I had altogether L3,530,
9s. 01/4d.
_Supplies for the School, Bible, Missionary, and Tract Fund, sent in
answer to prayer from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852._--At no time during
the past eighteen years did I begin a new period with so much money in
hand as was the case at the commencement of this. There was a balance of
L809, 10s. 6d. left for _these_ objects. Long before this balance was
expended, however, the Lord was pleased to send in further supplies; so
that during all the year there did not come before me one single
instance in which, according to my judgment, it would have been
desirable to help forward schools or missionary objects, or the
circulation of the Holy Scriptures and tracts, but I had always the
means in hand for doing so.
_Supplies for the Support of the Orphans sent in answer to prayer from
May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852._--When this period commenced, I had in
hand for the current expenses for the orphans L970, 13s. 113/4d. We had
never had so large a balance for the other objects at the commencement
of any new period as was the case at the commencement of this, and so it
was also with regard to the orphan work. But though there was this large
balance to begin with, dependence upon God was still required day by
day, as the _pecuniary_ help is only a very small part of that which is
needed; and even as to means, this sum would not have lasted long, had
the Lord not sent in further supplies. This, however, he did; and thus
it was that while there were other trials, varied and many, yet, as to
means, we experienced scarcely any difficulty at all.
During the period from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, there were
_entirely supported_ by the funds of the Institution four day schools in
Bristol, with 248 poor children in them, and three others in Devonshire,
Monmouthshire, and Norfolk, were _assisted_. Further, one Sunday school
in Bristol, with 243 children, was entirely supported, and two others
in Devonshire and Gloucestershire, with 230 children, were assisted.
Lastly, one adult school in Bristol, with 120 adult scholars, was
entirely supported during this period. From March 5, 1834, up to May 26,
1852, there were 5,525 children in the day schools in Bristol, 2,600 in
the Sunday school, and 2,033 grown-up persons in the adult school. There
was expended of the funds of the Institution, for these various schools,
during this period, L360, 1s. 9d.
During this period there was expended of the funds of the Institution
L207, 3s. 1d. for the purpose of circulating the Holy Scriptures,
especially among the very poorest of the poor. There were issued during
this period 1,101 Bibles and 409 New Testaments. There were altogether
circulated from March 5, 1834, up to May 26, 1852, 8,810 Bibles, and
4,851 New Testaments.
During this year there was spent of the funds of the Institution, for
missionary objects, the sum of L2,005, 7s. 5d. By this sum fifty-one
laborers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were
to a greater or less degree assisted.
There was laid out for the circulation of tracts, from May 26, 1851, to
May 26, 1852, the sum of L356, 11s. 31/2d. There were circulated during
the year 489,136 tracts.
The total number of tracts which were circulated from the beginning up
to May 26, 1852, was 1,086,366.
On May 26, 1851, there were 300 orphans in the new Orphan House on
Ashley Down, Bristol. From that day up to May 26, 1852, there were
admitted into it 27 orphans. The total of the expenses connected with
the support of the orphans, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852, was
L3,035, 3s. 4d. The total number of orphans who were under our care from
April, 1836, to May 26, 1852, was 515.
_Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me_,
the sum of L42,970, 17s. 6d. was given to me for the orphans _as the
result of prayer to God_ from the commencement of the work up to May 26,
1852. 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, 1852, amounted to
L15,976, 10s. 61/4d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and
tracts, and by the payments of the children in the day schools, amounted
to L3,073, 1s. 93/4d. Besides this, also, a great variety and number of
articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., were given for the
use of the orphans.
Several of the orphans who left the establishment during this year went
away as believers, having been converted some time before they left; one
also who died gave very decided evidence of a true change of heart by
faith in our Lord Jesus; several who in former years were under our
care, as we heard during this year, took their stand openly on the
Lord's side, and dated their first impressions to the instructions
received whilst under our care; and, lastly, of those under our care,
there were not a few whose spiritual state gave us joy and comfort.
Thus, amidst many difficulties and trials and some discouragements, we
had abundant cause to praise God for his goodness, and to go forward in
the strength of the Lord.
Dec. 31, 1851. During this year the Lord was pleased to give me, for my
personal expenses, L465, 13s. 13/4d.