reading of the word of God, combined with meditation on it. Through
reading of the word of God, and especially through meditation on the
word of God, the believer becomes more and more acquainted with the
nature and character of God, and thus sees more and more, besides His
holiness and justice, what a kind, loving, gracious, merciful,
mighty, wise, and faithful Being He is, and, therefore, in poverty,
affliction of body, bereavement in his family, difficulty in his
service, want of a situation or employment, he will repose upon the
ability of God to help him, because he has not only learned from His
word that He is of almighty power and infinite wisdom, but he has
also seen instance upon instance in the Holy Scriptures in which His
almighty power and infinite wisdom have been actually exercised in
helping and delivering His people; and he will repose upon the
willingness of God to help him, because he has not only learned from
the Scriptures what a kind, good, merciful, gracious, and faithful
being God is, but because he has also seen in the word of God, how in
a great variety of instances He has proved Himself to be so. And the
consideration of this, if God has become known to us through prayer
and meditation on His own word, will lead us, in general at least,
with a measure of confidence to rely upon Him: and thus the reading
of the word of God, together with meditation on it, will be one
especial means to strengthen our faith. 2, As with reference to the
growth of every grace of the Spirit, it is of the utmost importance
that we seek to maintain an upright heart and a good conscience, and,
therefore, do not knowingly and habitually indulge in those things
which are contrary to the mind of God, so it is also particularly the
case with reference to the growth in faith. How can I possibly
continue to act faith upon God, concerning any thing, if I am
habitually grieving Him, and seek to detract from the glory and
honour of Him in whom I profess to trust, upon whom I profess to
depend? All my confidence towards God, all my leaning upon Him in the
hour of trial will be gone, if I have a guilty conscience, and do not
seek to put away this guilty conscience, but still continue to do
things which are contrary to the mind of God. And if, in any
particular instance, I cannot trust in God, because of the guilty
conscience, then my faith is weakened by that instance of distrust;
for faith with every fresh trial of it either increases by trusting
God, and thus getting help, or it decreases by not trusting Him; and
then there is less and less power of looking simply and directly to
Him, and a habit of self-dependence is begotten or encouraged. One or
other of these will always be the case in each particular instance.
Either we trust in God, and in that case we neither trust in
ourselves, nor in our fellowmen, nor in circumstances, nor in any
thing besides; or we no trust in one or more of these, and in that
case do NOT trust in God. 3, If we, indeed, desire our faith to be
strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith
may be tried, and, therefore, through the trial, be strengthened. In
our natural state we dislike dealing with God alone. Through our
natural alienation from God we shrink from Him, and from eternal
realities. This cleaves to us more or less, even after our
regeneration. Hence it is, that, more or less, even as believers, we
have the same shrinking from standing with God alone,--from depending
upon Him alone,--from looking to Him alone:--and yet this is the very
position in which we ought to be, if we wish our faith to be
strengthened. The more I am in a position to be tried in faith with
reference to my body, my family, my service for the Lord, my
business, etc., the more shall I have opportunity of seeing Gods
help and deliverance; and every fresh instance, in which He helps and
delivers me, will tend towards the increase of my faith. On this
account, therefore, the believer should not shrink from situations,
positions, circumstances, in which his faith may be tried; but should
cheerfully embrace them as opportunities where he may see the hand of
God stretched out on his behalf, to help and deliver him, and whereby
he may thus have his faith strengthened. 4, The last important point
for the strengthening of our faith is, That we let God work for us,
when the hour of the trial of oar faith comes, and do not work a
deliverance of our own. Wherever God has given faith, it is given,
among other reasons, for the very purpose of being tried. Yea,
however weak our faith may be, God will try it; only with this
restriction, that as, in every way, He leads on gently, gradually,
patiently, so also with reference to the trial of our faith. At first
our faith will be tried very little in comparison with what it may be
afterwards; for God never lays more upon us than He is willing to
enable us to bear. Now when the trial of faith comes, we are
naturally inclined to distrust God, and to trust rather in ourselves,
or in our friends, or in circumstances. We will rather work a
deliverance of our own somehow or other, than simply look to God and
wait for His help. But if we do not patiently wait for Gods help, if
we work a deliverance of our own, then at the next trial of our faith
it will be thus again, we shall be again inclined to deliver
ourselves; and thus with every fresh instance of that kind, our faith
will decrease; whilst, on the contrary, were we to stand still in
order to see the salvation of God, to see His hand stretched out on
our behalf, trusting in Him alone, then our faith would be increased,
and with every fresh case in which the hand of God is stretched out
on our behalf in the hour of the trial of our faith, our faith would
be increased yet more. Would the believer, therefore, have his faith
strengthened, he must especially, give time to God, who tries his
faith in order to prove to His child, in the end, how willing he is
to help and deliver him, the moment it is good for him.
I now return, dear reader, to the Narrative, giving you some further
information with reference to the 17 months, from December 10, 1840,
to May 18, 1842, as it respects the Orphan-Houses, and other objects
of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, besides
the facts of which mention has been already made.
During this period also--1, Two Sunday Schools were entirely supported
by the funds of the Institution. 2, There were two adult schools, one
for females, and one for males, entirely supported during these 17
months, in which on two evenings of the week the males, and on two
evenings the females were instructed, quite gratuitously, in reading
and writing, and were furnished with books and writing materials
gratuitously. There were, during these 17 months, 344 adults taught
in these two schools, and on May 10, 1842, the number under
instruction amounted to 110. The chief object of these adult schools
is, to teach grown up persons to read, in order that they may
themselves be able to read the Holy Scriptures; but, at the same
time, those who teach them take opportunity to point out the way of
salvation to them, and, while the word of God is read, they seek to
make remarks on the portions which are read.--3, There were, during
these 17 months, also six Day Schools entirely supported by the funds
of the Institution, three for boys and three for girls. These schools
are principally intended to enable persons of the poorer classes of
the inhabitants of Bristol, to send their children to school, either
entirely free, or on paying only the fifth or sixth part of the
expenses connected with the instruction which the children receive;
they are also, especially, intended to keep believing parents, who
have not much means, from the necessity of sending their children to
unbelievers for instruction. On May 10, 1842, the number of the
children, who attended these Day Schools, was 363; and the total
number, who from the formation of the Institution on. March 5, 1834,
up to May 10, 1842, had been instructed in the Day Schools, which are
supported by the funds of the Institution, amounts to 2616.--4, During
these 17 months, 798 copies of the Holy Scriptures were circulated,
and from the commencement of the Institution, up to May 10, 1842,
6,842 copies. 5, During these 17 months was spent for Missionary
purposes, the sum of 126l. 15s. 3d. of the funds of the Institution,
whereby assistance was rendered to the work of God in Jamaica, in
Australia, in Canada, and in the East Indies. 6, At the commencement
of these 17 months, i.e. on December 10, 1840, a new object was
begun., the circulation of such publications as may be instrumental,
with the blessing of God, to benefit both unbelievers and believers.
We laid out for this object, during these 17 months, from December
10, 1840, to May 10, 1842, the sum of 62l. 17s. 4d., for which
twenty-two thousand one hundred and ninety such little publications
were purchased, and of which number nineteen thousand six hundred and
nine were actually given away.--7, There were received into the three
Orphan-Houses, from Dec. 10, 1840, to May 10, 1842, 15 Orphans, who,
together with those who were in the houses on Dec. 10, 1840, make up
106 in all. Of these, five girls were sent out to service, two boys
and one girl were apprenticed, one girl was removed by a lady who had
placed her for a time under our care, and one was sent back to his
relations, as he was injurious to the other children.
There were on May 10, 1842, 96 Orphans in the three houses, i.e. 30
in the Girls-Orphan-House, 37 in the Infant-Orphan-House, and 29 in
the Boys-Orphan-House. Besides this, three apprentices were
supported by the funds of the Institution, so that the total number
was 99. The number of Orphans who were under our care from April,
1836, to May 10, 1842, amounts to 144.
I notice further the following points in connexion with the
Orphan-Houses.
Without any one having been asked for any thing by me, the sum of
5,276l. 14s. 8d. was given to me from the beginning of the work up to
May 16, 1842, as the result of prayer to God. Besides this, also,
many articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, &c.--During these 17
months we had very little sickness in the three houses, and not one
of the children died. I desire publicly to state this, and in it to
acknowledge the hand of God.
The total of the expenditure for the various objects of the
Institution, exclusive of the Orphan-Houses, during these 17 months,
amounted to 710l. 11s. 5d.; the total of the income amounted to 746l.
1s. 0 1/2d. The total of the expenditure for the three Orphan-Houses,
from December 10, 1840, to May 10, 1842, amounted to 1,337l. 15s. 2
3/4d.; the total of the income amounted to 1,339l. 13s. 7d.
May 11, 1842. When the accounts were closed last evening, the balance
in hand for the Orphans was 16l. 18s. 10 1/2d., though the actual
amount for use at present is only 6l. 8s. 10 1/2d. as 10l. 10s. is
put by for the rent.--With this 6l. 8s. 10 1/2d. therefore we had to
begin again the work, whilst there were 107 persons to be provided
for with all they required.
From May 11 to May 27, we were always so provided for by the Lord,
that we received fresh donations before the last money was spent, for
there came in 28l. 15s. 8 1/2d.; but now we should not have had
sufficient for the need of tomorrow, May 28th, when today there
arrived a parcel from Kendal, containing 6 frocks, 5 tippets, 6
pinafores, 6 chemises, 2 shirts, 3 aprons, and the following
donations in money: with Ps. xxvii., 10s.; Proverbs iii. 5, 6, 2s.
6d.; from a sister who earns her own, bread by her daily exertions,
10s.; from another individual 10s. There came in also by sale of
articles, given for that purpose, 2l. 1s.
May 28. There came in still further today 3l. 4s. 4d., so that we are
richly provided, with all we need, and have more than enough.
June 3. For several days past I had not been particularly led to pray
for means for the Orphans. Last evening, however, I did so, as we had
now again no money in hand, there having come in only 10l. 2s. 2d.
during the last five days; and in answer to my request 2l. 19s. 6d.
came in this morning.
June 6. Monday. There was now no money at all in hand. I had
therefore asked the Lord for fresh supplies, and since Saturday
afternoon the following sums have come in: By sale of articles 1l.
4s., FROM AN AGED SERVANT, ILL IN A MORTAL DISEASE, 4l.; anonymously
put into the boxes at Bethesda yesterday, in a small parcel, 11s., a
gold ring, 3 small Spanish silver coins, and a small American silver
coin; ditto 4d.; by a sister was given 6d., and by another sister
5s.; anonymously put into the box at Callow-hill Street Chapel 2s.
This morning I received from A. B. 50l., to be laid out as it might
be most useful. I took the whole of this sum for the other objects,
as the disposal of it was left to me, whereby I am enabled to order a
fresh supply of tracts, some Bibles and Testaments, and to give
something to the brethren and sisters who labour in the Day Schools,
who are much in need of some supply. The stock of Bibles, as far as I
remember, has never been smaller than it is now, for several years;
there is likewise only a small quantity of tracts left, and the
demand for them is great on the part of brethren who gratuitously
circulate them. How kind therefore of the Lord to give us this
supply! If our work be His work, He is sure to provide the means for
it!
June 9. On the 7th came in 3s. for the Orphans,--on the 8th 2l. 6s.
2d. Today was sent anonymously from Bath 5l., with the words "Jehovah
Jireh." These words are very appropriate; for the money came after I
had asked the Lord for some, and is required for our need tomorrow.
June 11. Saturday afternoon. As only 6s. 10d. had come in since the
9th for the Orphans, there remains no money in hand for
Monday.--Saturday evening. The Lord has already sent a little towards
the need of next week, as an earnest, that during the coming week
also He will be mindful of us for this evening came in by sale of
articles, 1l. 8s. 7d., and a little boy gave 3s. 7 1/4d.
June 12. There came in further today 7s. 6d.; anonymously 10s.; ditto
2l.; and with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, was given. 10s.
June 15. As since the 12th only 1l. 13s. 6d. had come in, there was
now again no money in hand for the need of to-morrow. I gave myself
therefore to prayer. Immediately after I had risen from my knees, I
was told that some money had been put into the box at my house. I
opened the box, and found it to be a sovereign.
June 16. The sovereign which yesterday had been put into the box at
my house was not enough. On my morning walk I asked the Lord,
therefore, for more means, and when I came home I found that 1l. 16s.
had been sent for articles given for sale, There came in still
further by sale of articles, 1l. 1s. 6d., and by a donation from
Leeds, 2l. 10s. 3d.
June 17. 1l. 18s. 9d. came in today.
June 18. Having had to meet the expenses of the funeral of a dear
Orphan boy, who, after having been two years in fellowship with the
saints, and walked consistently, had fallen asleep, all means were
now again gone, when an Irish lady sent this morning 10l., of which
8l. is to be used for the Orphans, and 2l. for my own personal
necessities. Thus we are again supplied for the-present.
June 25. As, besides the 8l. which came in on the 18th, only 9l. 14s.
10 1/2d. had been received since, there was now not sufficient in
hand for the expenses of the day; but the Lord, as usual, made it
manifest, that He is mindful of our need, and that He hears our
prayers. For there was sent today from Clapham a parcel, containing a
frock, a pinafore, and 13s. 4d. Also, through the same donors, in the
same parcel, were sent from Brighton, 8 frocks, 6 pinafores, 6
handkerchiefs, 3 chemises, 2 petticoats, and 10s. Likewise a
Christian lady sent a sovereign; and 1s. 6d. came in by sale of
Reports, and 1l. 18s. 0 1/2d. by sale of articles. Thus we were
abundantly supplied for the need of today.
July 1. All our money was again spent, as only 8l. l5s. 4d. had come
in since the 25th, when last evening an Orphan arrived from
Barnstaple, with whom there was sent 2l. 5s. 10d. The Lord has
repeatedly ordered it so, that when Orphans have been brought, money
has been sent with them, whereby our present necessities have been
supplied.--I add here, that we do not require any money to be sent
with them, nor is there any interest required to get the children
admitted, and much less is the Institution of a sectarian spirit, so
that only persons of certain religious views could succeed in making
application for the admission of Orphans; but without respect of
persons, from all parts of the kingdom, so long as there is room,
needy children, bereaved of both parents, may be admitted.--I received
today still further 10l. And likewise, by six other donations, came
in 1l. 10s. 2d. We are now again for a few days supplied.
July 6, On July 2nd came in 10s.; on the 3rd 2l. 2s. 9d.; on the 4th
1l. 18s.; on the 5th came in four donations from Hackney, amounting
to 3l. 6s.; a donation of 2l. from Plymouth; a donation of 4s. from a
brother in Bristol; by sale of Reports 5s. 3d.; anonymously was sent
from Fairford 3l.; a Christian lady gave 1l., and the following
articles were sent from Tottenham: a two-guinea piece, a
quarter-guinea piece, a half doubloon, (a Portuguese gold coin), a
gold coin of James I., and two gold chains. Likewise this evening
came in with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, 3l. 1s. 6d., and 3s. 6d. by sale of
stockings. By the donations of yesterday and today I am enabled to
meet many needful expenses, such as ordering oatmeal from Scotland,
buying peas, rice, Scotch barley, materials for boys clothes, &c.
July 9. On July 7, 8, 9, had only come in 3l. 11s., so that now
today, Saturday, after I had supplied the matrons with what they
needed for today and for tomorrow, all the money was again spent; yet
we had been, by the good hand of the Lord, brought through another
week, and nothing, that had been needed during the week, had been
lacking.
July 11. Monday. Yesterday and today came in 3l. 9s. 6d. This money
was quite enough for the need of today; and when now again, after
this days need had been met, scarcely any thing was left, the boxes
in the Orphan-Houses were opened, which contained 2l. 3s. 4 1/2d.
July 12. 13s. 9d. came in today.
July 13. When our purse was now again empty, the Lord kindly sent 5l.
this morning from Glasgow.
From July 13th to 19th the Lord sent in 22l. 5s. 10d., and on July
19th I left Bristol for a season, being able, through grace, to leave
the work in His hands, and feeling assured, that He would provide
while I was absent from Bristol; and truly the Lord did not suffer me
to be disappointed. For during the time of my absence, from July 19th
to Sept. 10th, whilst I was labouring at Barnstaple, and in the
neighbourhood of Bideford, the Lord richly furnished us with means,
though twice during that period we were quite poor.
From July 19th to Aug. 10th had come in, during my absence, 51l. 3s.
7 1/2d.; but now on Wednesday, Aug. 10th, all the money, except ONE
PENNY, was spent in the three Orphan-Houses. Between 9 and 10 oclock
in the evening brother M. brought 7l. to the Boys-Orphan-House. 5l.
of this he had received from Q. Q., 1l. with Ecclesiastes ix. 10, and
1l. from a sister who had received this money from Weymouth. When the
latter told brother M. that the money might be applied as most
needed, he replied to her, that he would give it to the Orphans, as
he believed them to be in need. When brother M. brought the money, he
said, that when in prayer in the morning for the Orphans, who had
been particularly laid on his heart, he felt assured, that we were in
need. Thus this brother not knowing any thing about our
circumstances, was led by God to help us with his intercessions.
The whole sum which came in from the 10th to the 26th was 25l. 5s.
3d. On the 26th of August there was now again need of a fresh
manifestation of the loving care of our Heavenly Father, as on the
coming day, being a Saturday, much was needed, and there were only a
few pence in hand. And truly, the Lord did appear on our behalf; for
this evening came in 10l. with Eccles. ix. 10.--Behold, you who do
not know the Lord, what a precious thing it is, even for this life,
to walk with God! Behold also you, dear brethren, who tremble to lean
fully and solely upon. Him, that those who trust in Him, according to
His word, shall not be confounded!
From Aug. 26th to Sept. 10th came in 22l. 6s. 8 1/2d.
Besides the 98l. 15s. 7d. which had come in, in money, during my
absence, many articles of clothes, books, provisions, &c. were given
for the benefit of the Orphans; but especially a great quantity of
trinkets was sent, to be disposed of for the benefit of the Orphans.
When I had all these precious spoils before me, which the power of
the love of Jesus had won, I found there were no less in my
possession than 31 brooches, 2 gold clasps, a pair of gold bracelets,
33 gold rings, a silver gilt vinaigrette, 16 pairs of gold earrings,
2 gold crosses, a gold chain, a gold thimble, 8 gold seals, a gold
watch key, a gold watch, 3 lockets, 2 watch hooks, 2 ornamental
ladies combs, 3 ornamental gold hair pins, 2 silver cups, above 30
necklaces, and many other ornaments; also above 60 old silver coins.
I cannot describe how great the joy is, which I have, when I see the
Lord Jesus, by means of this Institution, bringing forth one needless
article after the other, to be disposed of for the benefit of the
Orphans.
From Sept. 10th to 28th the Lord supplied our need richly. There came
in altogether during these 18 days 92l. 19s. 4d, Though so large a
sum had come in, in so short a time, yet as our expenses also had
been great, there was again this day, Sept. 28th, not enough to meet
this days need, when, A FEW MINUTES before I was called on for
money, 2l. 10s. was sent from Birmingham.
Sept. 29. There came in by knitting 2s. 6d., and by two donations 7s.
6d. with these words: "J. W. from the Lord" 5s., and "From the Lord"
2s. 6d.
Sept. 30. There was again only 16s. 5 1/2d. left towards the
necessities of today, when yesterday afternoon a donor left at my
house a good silver watch, which, being disposed of for 6l., supplies
us not only for today, but leaves something towards the need of
tomorrow.
Oct 1. Yesterday afternoon. 1l. came in from Kensington, and this
morning by sale of articles 2s. 6d., and 5s. was put into the box at
my house. Thus we had, with what was left, something towards the
necessities of this day, but not enough, as this is Saturday. As the
Lord, however, had given me both yesterday and this morning prayer
and faith with reference to the need, I was looking out for help,
when at half past ten this morning a small parcel was anonymously
left at my house, which contained a 5l. note, a gold chain, and an
old 5s. piece, to be used for the Orphans. The Lord be praised who
disposed the heart of the unknown donor at so seasonable an hour to
send this donation! Half an hour, after I had received the little
parcel, I was called upon for money, and was thus able to supply the
need of today, and have something left towards the beginning of the
week.--There came in still further today 4l. 1s.; for this afternoon a
sister in the Lord sent two half sovereigns, which had been sent to
her by two donors in Wales, and which she would not delay sending at
once, "as it was Saturday." In the evening about eight oclock an
individual residing in the parish of St. Philip, Bristol, brought a
sovereign for the Orphans, and after eight oclock 2l. 1s. came in by
the sale of articles: so that, whilst the day commenced, without
there being enough to meet its expenses, we received several pounds
more than was needed.
Oct. 8. As since Oct. 2 there had come in by sale of the gold chain,
the old 5s. piece, and donations, only the sum of 12l. 16s. 6d.,
there was (after I had sent yesterday morning the money which was
requisite for the day), again only 1s. 6 1/2d. left, towards the need
of today, being Saturday. But the Lord, in whom I had particularly
again made my boast this morning before four German musicians, was
mindful of our need; for, besides half a sovereign coming in from
Hereford, the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, in which there
was found 2l. 3s. 6d. Thus we have already in the morning the greater
part of what is needed for today, waiting upon the Lord for the
rest.--Evening. This evening came in still further 1l. 5s. 2d., so
that we have all that is needed for today.
Oct. 10. Yesterday were put into the chapel boxes three papers, one
with Eccles. ix. 10, containing 1l., and two containing 1s. each.
There came in also this morning by the knitting of the Orphan Boys
6s. 6d. Thus we have, with a little that was left on Saturday, all
that is required for today, and 3s. 5d. over.