had to pass for some time through a season of comparative poverty, in
which day by day we have had to wait upon the Lord, our Father alters
His way of dealing with us, and opens His bountiful hand, by
supplying us for several or many days at once. Thus it is now. During
the last three days we received more than was required for each of
those days, and it was still more abundantly so today; for this
afternoon a person, residing at Keynsham, gave me 1l., and this
evening a brother gave me 50l. When I received this 50l., we were not
in absolute need, but had enough for two or three days; yet I see the
kindness of the Lord in sending this donation, as I had been
repeatedly of late praying for means, and as we are thus enabled to
do things which are not absolutely needful just now, though
desirable, and as we have thus the continued proof of his willingness
to send means.
April 14. From the end of Nov. 1843, till about the middle of March,
1844, there was always as much in hand as was needed for the
School-Bible-and Tract Fund; for besides the help, which we received
through the two donations of 50l. and 100l., a number of smaller
donations came in after. But now for some weeks past all means were
again gone, and on the last three Saturdays all the usual
remuneration could not be given to all the teachers in the
Day-Schools. In addition to this, the greater part of the common sort
of Bibles and Testaments, for circulation among the poor and for
Schools was gone. I had also often prayed for means to assist
Missionary brethren. Under these circumstances I received this
morning from A. B., who has been already repeatedly referred to, as
having been used by the Lord to help us in our need, the sum of 50l.
May 4. Besides the 50l. which was given on April 8th, for the
Orphans, and the money we had in hand before the 50l. was given,
there has come in since then 36l. 2s. 8d.; but today, Saturday, we
have again only 5l. 6s. 6 1/2d. left, which, however, is enough for
today, and a few shillings will be left for the beginning of next
week.
May 6. On Saturday came in by sale of articles 1l. 11s., and by a
donation 10s., and yesterday was put anonymously into the Chapel
boxes 2s. 6d. So we have more than enough for the expenses of today.
May 8. By the produce of some little boxes, made by a sister, there
came in 5s. 6d., by a donation. 2s. 6d., by the contents of an
Orphan-box from Crediton. 6s. 10d., and by sale of articles 10s. By
these small donations all that is needed for today is met. The
brother, who sent me the 6s. 10d, from Crediton, wrote, that he did
not like to wait till this little sum had increased, before he sent
it, as it might be just now needed; and thus it was.
May 9. The Lord has again helped for today and tomorrow. Last evening
I received through a brother 5s., and this morning the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses were opened, in which 5l. 3s. 1 1/2d. was found; some
one also bought a Report and gave 1s. for it.
May 13. On the 10th there came in 2l. 1s. 9d., on the 11th 10l. 10s.
4d., on the 12th 5l. was sent from Barnstaple by three sisters, and
3l. 6s. came in besides. By I the income of these three days I was
not only able to meet their own demands, but I had enough for today,
though I required no less than 13l. 15s.
May 15. Yesterday there was only 1l. 5s. left, not nearly enough for
what was required today. When I came home last evening, having spent
a part of the afternoon at the Infant-Orphan-House, where I found
that several articles were needed, I heard that a gentleman had
called and wished to be shown into my room, where he had written a
paper, which he had put with some money into the Orphan-box. On
opening it I found the paper to contain four sovereigns. Thus we are
helped for the present.
May 16. Only 5s. came in, through the boxes at my house.
May 17. Yesterday I paid out all TO THE LAST PENNY I had in hand.
When now there was nothing left, 2l. came in by the sale of some
books, and 1l. 0s. 6d. by two donations, whereby I was able to meet
this days need.
May 18. This morning 1l. 17s. 10d. came in. We have thus, with the
little which was left yesterday, 2l. 15s. 11d. for this day, Saturday
but I know not whether that will be enough.--Evening. This evening at
six oclock one of my sisters-in-law returned from Plymouth, where
she had been staying for a little while, and brought from a sister in
the Lord 2l., from another sister 1l. 15s., and also a parcel from
some sisters in the Lord in the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge,
containing l4s., and the following articles: a pair of shoes, 3 pairs
of socks, 3 pairs of cuffs, a pair of mittens, 3 little mats, a
pincushion cover, a comb, 3 books, 4 clasps, 2 brooches, a gold pin,
a chain, a vinaigrette, a Turks head cushion, and 10 yards of
calico. Also a parcel from Plymouth, containing 2 veils and a scarf.
Also from another sister, 2 netted handkerchiefs.
--The money I took at once to the Orphan Houses, where I found, that,
to meet the present expenses, 3l. 10s. more was required than what I
had been able to send in the morning, as altogether about 6l. 5s. was
needed for this day. How kind, therefore, of the Lord, to send this
money so opportunely, though only towards the evening of the day!
Thus we had enough, and a little left towards the need of Monday.
May 20. Monday. Yesterday came in 4s. 3d., and today 8s. 5d. As this,
together with what had been left in hand, was not quite enough, one
of the labourers added 6s. 6d. of his own. Thus we had 1l. 18s. 2d.
for the need of today.
May 23. We are still supplied by the day. We had received from the
Lord during the last days also what we required, but we were poor,
having nothing at all in hand. Under these circumstances with
reference to means for the Orphans, and in as great need for the
other objects of the Institution, two persons, professed believers,
called on me today, who were going from house to house in the street
where I live, to ask money for a chapel debt. I remonstrated with
them, and sought to show them how the name of the Lord was
dishonoured by them, in calling upon the enemies of the Lord for
pecuniary assistance towards, what they considered, the work of the
Lord. I sought to show them, that if their work were of God, He
would, in answer to their prayers, send them help: and if not, ought
they not to give up, what was not His work, and not force the matter
by calling promiscuously from house to house upon believers and
unbelievers. Their reply was: "The gold and silver are the Lords,
and therefore we call upon the unconverted for help for His work." My
reply was: "Because the gold and silver are the Lords, therefore we,
His children, need not go to His enemies for the support of His
work." Now, at that very moment, while I was thus speaking for the
Lord, having then nothing at all in hand for the Orphans or the other
objects, the postman brought a small brown paper parcel and a letter.
My conversation seemed, for the time at least, fruitless; for those
two individuals, having left, went as before from house to house; but
when I came back to my room, I found the blessedness of the
scriptural way; for that parcel, which the postman had brought, while
I was conversing, came from Ireland, and contained two post-office
orders for 5l. each, and a worked stool cover; the letter which had
been brought, and which was from Seaton, contained 1l. for the
Orphans; and 1l. 1s. 5d. had been sent, having been taken out of the
boxes in the Orphan Houses: so that altogether, whilst those two
persons were with me, 12l. 1s. 5d. had come in. Half of the 10l. I
put to the Orphan-Fund, and half to the other funds, there being
nothing in hand to supply the teachers in the Day-Schools during this
week.
May 24. Today a box with many articles arrived from the neighbourhood
of Droitwich, and 1l. 8s. 9d, was received by the sale of articles.
May 25, 6s. 6d. came in.
May 27. Monday. On Saturday, after having supplied the need of that
day, which was 5l. 15s., and now again little being left in my hands,
a brother from Cork brought me a parcel which contained 6 pairs of
childrens shoes, a pair of little boots, a pair of list slippers
(all new), 2 books, 2 pincushions, a knitted watch pocket, and 102
thimbles. The same brother gave also 10s. 6d. and a book. In the
evening a brother gave me 1l.--Yesterday was put into the chapel boxes
10s. with Eccles. ix. 10, and 2s. 6d. besides. By these donations,
with what was left on Saturday, I am able to meet the demands of this
day, being 2l. 17s.
May 31. By the produce of the sale of stockings, knitted by the
Orphan-Boys, by some help which one of the labourers was able to
give, by a donation, etc., we were supplied during the last three
days. Now this morning, when again in much need, I received a note,
which contained 5l. with Eccles. ix. 10. By means of this 5l. I was
able to meet the expenses of today, which are 2l. 8s. 3d.
June 1. Yesterday there came in still further 2l.18s. 11d. by sale of
articles, and today by needlework, done by the Orphans, 1l. 13s. 9d.
Thus I am able (including what remained of the 5l.) to supply the
need of this day, which is 5l. 10s.--Still further came in 5s.
June 3. Monday. Yesterday came in l6s. l 1/2d. This, with what was in
hand from Saturday, met the demands of today.
June 4. This morning came in 3l. 2s. 4d. by the sale of a few
trinkets and of some pieces of old silver. This was enough for this
days need, and left something over, as only 1l. 16s. was required.
This afternoon arrived a parcel from Westmoreland, containing 24
chemises, 2 shirts, 2 petticoats, a pinafore, 5 night caps, 7 pairs
of stockings (all new), and 38 1/2 yards of print. Thus we are
encouraged day after day, though for many days we have now been again
very poor.
June 5. Last evening a brother gave me a dozen of modern silver
tea-spoons, which, being this morning readily disposed of at a good
price, supplied our need for today.
For several days I have now had day by day especial prayer with some
of my fellow-labourers about the work, and particularly for pecuniary
supplies; and surely we do not wait in vain upon the Lord. Before
this day is over we have had another proof of it. This afternoon a
parcel was brought by a brother from London, containing a silver
cream jug, a pair of gilt earrings, a gold ring, 2 bracelets, and a
muffineer. The same donor sent also a sovereign. The bearer brought
also another donation of 2s. 6d. A lady also called this afternoon at
the Infant-Orphan-House, to see the Institution, and gave 5s.
June 8. On the 6th came in 16s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.; and yesterday was
received, by the sale of the silver cream jug and a few other little
articles 4l. 0s. 9d., by the sale of stockings 5s., and by a donation
10s. Thus we had enough for today, though the need was 4l. 19s. 8d.,
as 4l. 15s. 9d. had come in yesterday, and a few shillings had been
left before.
June 10. Monday. Though on Saturday all our necessities were
comfortably supplied, yet I had then NOT ONE PENNY left. Our Heavenly
Father, however, having given us grace to trust in Him, and not to be
anxiously concerned about Monday, gave us, even late on Saturday
evening, a proof of his loving tender care over us. The labourers
met, as usual, on Saturday evening for prayer, and we continued in
prayer from a little after seven till about nine oclock. After we
had separated, a sister, who had been waiting at the Infant-Orphan-House,
till our prayer was over, gave 4s., saying that she had intended
to give it to me on the Lords-day morning, but had felt herself
stirred up to bring it that evening.--Nothing came in yesterday.
I met this morning with some of the labourers again for
prayer, as I have now been doing daily for about a fortnight, and we
again asked the Lord for help, with regard to the writing of the
Report, that He would let His blessing rest upon it, bless the
intended public meetings, when the account of the Lords dealings
with us will be given, convert the children, give the needful grace
and wisdom to us who are engaged in the work, give us means for the
Day-Schools, means for ordering a quantity of oatmeal from Scotland,
for colouring down the Orphan-houses, for the supply of the present
need, etc. There was only the 4s. in hand for the need of today,
which I had reason to believe would be about 2l. Now see the Lords
help I just now, at eleven oclock, when the letter bag is brought
for the money for todays need, I receive in it 2l. 7s. 3d., which
had been taken by brother R. B. out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses, and half-a-sovereign, which had been sent by a brother
in Suffolk. Thus we have 3l. 1s. 3d., whilst only 1l. 15s. is needed
today. In the course of reading the Holy Scriptures in my family this
morning, came the word: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and
ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matth. vii.
7.) I pleaded this word especially with the Lord, while I was again
praying, after the family prayer was over, with some of the
labourers; and surely He has proved afresh that he acts according to
His word.
--Evening. The Lord sent still further help today. This afternoon a
person called at the Infant-Orphan-House, and gave 7s., and two
ladies met the teacher of the Infant-Orphan-House in the street, and
gave her a paper, directed to me, which contained 10s. 2s. was also
given by a person at Clifton.
June 12. By what had come in on the 10th we were supplied yesterday
and also today, and I had three pence left, after I had sent off to
the matrons of the four houses what they needed. I then gave myself
to prayer with some of the labourers for the supplies of the present
need, mentioning again before the Lord all the many things for which
we need His help. About one hour after, I received 10s. for the
Orphans from a brother of Guernsey, who has been staying a few days
in Bristol.
June 13. Last evening came in still further, by the sale of articles,
2s. 3d.; and 6s. 4d. by the sale of some musk plants, which two
sisters in the Lord rear and sell for the benefit of the Orphans; and
this morning I received 7s. 11d., being six donations. Likewise two
small silver coins were given me, and 1l. 15s. 3d. I received by the
sale of articles.
June 14. There came in still further last evening 5s., and this
morning by the boxes in the Orphan-houses 18s. 9d. This evening 1l.
10s. was sent with an Orphan, from Carne in Suffolk.
June 18. As only 13s. had come in on the 16th and 17th, we were now
extremely poor; but the Lord looked upon our necessity, for 5l. was
sent by a Christian lady at Scarborough, and a person from Manchester
gave 1l.
June 22. Saturday evening. Only 1s. came in the day before yesterday,
and 2s. 6d. was taken this morning out of the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses.--This has been one of those weeks, in which I have
prayed particularly much for means, and in which the Lord seemed
little to regard my requests. But my soul, through grace, has been in
perfect peace, being fully assured, that He in His own good time will
again send larger supplies. In every way we are now very poor, and it
seems desirable that we should have large sums to meet the present
circumstances. After much prayer the Lord has closed the week with
fresh proofs of His loving tender care over the work, which has been
a great refreshment to my spirit. There came in this evening, between
eight and nine oclock, by sale of stockings 9s., by sale of other
articles 1l. 8s. 7d., by a donation from an Irish sister 5s., and a
physician in Bristol kindly sent me 2l., and his little children
4s.--How can my soul sufficiently praise the Lord for His tender
mercies and His readiness to bear the prayers of His servant! All
these fresh deliverances in the hour of great need show most clearly,
that it is only for the trial of our faith, for our profit, for the
profit of others who may hear of it, and for the glory of the Lord,
that He sometimes seems not to regard our petitions.
June 24, Monday. Yesterday came in by donations 14s. 8d., anonymously
was put into the Chapel boxes 1s., add 3s. was given to ore as the
produce of the sale of musk plants. Today two Orphans were brought
from Bath; for though we are so poor, the work goes forward, and
children are received as long as there is room. The person who
brought them put two sovereigns into the boxes at the Orphan-Houses.
Thus we have again, with what came in on Saturday evening, more than
is needed for today and tomorrow.
June 25. Today I received from Scotland 10l., to be used as most
needed, of which I took one-half for the Orphans, and the other half
for the other objects. Thus, in our great need, the Lord supplies us
from day to day, and hears our prayers, which we daily bring to Him,
though there have not yet come in larger sums for oatmeal, salary of
the labourers in the Orphan-Houses, colouring down the four houses,
etc.; but the Lord in His own time will send means for these expenses
also.
June 29. Day after day our great poverty continues; yet day after day
the Lord helps us. This evening was received from the neighbourhood
of Bideford 7s. 6d., a chess board, and a gold pin. There came in
also by the sale of articles 1l. 8s. 3d., and by Reports 1s.
June 30. This evening I received 10l. between nine and ten oclock,
at a time of the greatest poverty. A little boy likewise gave me 6d.
this evening, and from a sister I received this morning 10s.
July 3. On the 1st came in 2s., and today, by the boxes in the
Orphan-Houses, 2s. 10d., by sale of articles 1s. 9d., and from
Suffolk was sent a donation of 2l. 10s.
July 7. It is now about six weeks since I have been daily entreating
the Lord, both alone and with some of my fellow labourers, that He
would be pleased to send us the supplies which we required, both to
meet the ordinary and extraordinary expenses. Of late we have been
also especially asking the Lord, that He would be pleased to send a
rich supply before the public meetings, (which will commence, if the
Lord will, on the 15th) in order that it may be seen that without
public meetings, and without publishing fresh Reports, we are yet
able, by faith and prayer, to draw down help from the living God. As
to ourselves, through grace we should be able to lean upon the Lord,
and expect help from Him, though not another Report were written, nor
another public meeting held, at which the account about His dealings
with us is given. We have given proof of this, in that when the year
was up on May 10, 1843, no Report was published, and no meetings on
the subject were held; and also when the second year had passed away,
I still did not publish another account, because a weakness in one of
my eyes seemed to point it out that the Lords time had not yet come,
although by forcing the matter I might even then have written the
Report. But whilst I do not write the Reports for the sake of
obtaining money, nor give the account of the Lords dealings with us
at the public meetings for the sake of influencing persons to help us
with their means, nor do so for the sake of exposing our poverty; yet
some persons might think so. Our prayer, therefore, had been
particularly, that the Lord not only would be pleased to give us what
we required day by day, but that He would also send in again largely,
in order to show that He was willing to hear our prayers, and
influence the minds of His children who have the means, to contribute
considerably, though it was now more than two years since the last
Report was published. Not that we were anxiously concerned even about
this: for in the whole work we desire to stand with God, and not to
depend upon the favourable or unfavourable judgment of the multitude;
yet our souls longed, in pity to those who might seek an occasion,
that even the shadow of ground might be cut off for persons to say:
"They cannot get any more money, and therefore they now publish
another Report." My soul, therefore, had assurance that the Lord not
only would supply our need up to the time when the accounts were
closed and the public meetings would be held; but also that He would
send in means more largely than He had done for some time past. And
thus it was. When on Saturday evening, July 6th, more money was
needed than there was in hand, I received about eight oclock a
post-office order for 2l. from Jersey, of which half is for the
Orphans and half for the other objects. There came in also at the
same time 4s. 9d. by sale of articles. I received likewise at the
same time a small paper box by post, containing four mourning rings
(of fine stamped gold), 8 other gold rings, a gold seal, a gold
locket, a pearl necklace, 2 brooches, a gold watch key, and a few
other little things. This was a valuable donation, but doubly so
under our circumstances. And now today A. B. sent 50l., of which I
took one half for the Orphans, and the other half for the other
funds. Besides the reasons just referred to, why this donation is so
seasonable, I would only mention one more: The brother who kindly
procures the oatmeal for us in Scotland, had written to say, that he
had just now some which was very good, if we liked to have it. We
could not say we needed none, for by the time it could be sent our
meal would be gone: nothing therefore remained but to continue
waiting on the Lord for means. And now, when we needed to send an
answer, this 50l. came, so that we were able to order a ton of
oatmeal.--1s. besides came in this day.
July 14. This is the last day before the accounts are closed, and
this day also the Lord has sent in liberally. Being thus helped day
by day up to the last moment of this period, we go on cheerfully to
the next, leaning upon the Lord.
It is scarcely needful to state at the close of these details, with
reference to the last two years and nine weeks, that, notwithstanding
our having been often poor, and very poor, yet the children in the
Orphan-Houses have always had the needful articles of clothing and
nourishing food; indeed this is sufficiently proved by the healthy
countenances of the children. Should any one question, that the
children are provided with what they need, he may at any time have
the proof of it, by seeing the children at their meals, inspecting
their clothes, &c. But those who know what it is to walk in the fear
of God, know also, that God would not help us, in answer to our
prayers, if we hypocritically stated that the children were well
provided with wholesome food, etc., and yet it were not true. Rather
than keep the Orphans, whilst we were unable to provide for them, we
would send them at once back to their relations.
On July 14, 1844, it was two years and nine weeks since the last
public account about the Scriptural Knowledge Institution was given.
In that last Report it was stated, that we desired to leave it to the
Lords direction, as to the time when another should be published.
When the year was expired, I saw no particular reason to lead me to
think that I ought to serve the Church of Christ by publishing a
fresh Narrative about the Orphan-Houses and the other objects of the
Scriptural Knowledge Institution, neither did I see a leading of the
Lord towards this service; and soon after, it pleased the Lord to
call me to labour in Germany. Having returned in March 1844, it
appeared to me desirable now to publish, at the close of the second
year, which would be up on May 10, 1844, a fresh account: partly,
because of the 5000 Reports, which had been printed, only a few
copies were remaining; partly, because many believers expressed a
great desire for some further account of the Lords dealings with us
in the work; partly, because there was now an abundance of profitable
matter ready to be communicated; and most of all, because I was
longing to show by a public audited account, that the considerable
sums, with which I had been entrusted, had been appropriated
according to the intention of the donors. But much as I desired, for
the above reasons, to have written the Report then, the weakness in
one of my eyes already mentioned prevented my doing so, till at last,
my eye being better, I was enabled to do so.