March 15. Anonymously 2l. with these lines written in the paper: "Wishing for the privilege of raising a few stones towards erecting the New Orphan-House, the enclosed trifle is sent for that purpose.-- There will doubtless be a conspiracy from beneath, to fight against and to hinder the work; nevertheless let us make our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night."
March 19. By sale of some articles 1l. 5s 4 ½ d.
March 22. From a sister in the Lord 10s.
March 25. A pair of knitted cuffs for sale.
March 28. A lady at Clifton gave 2l.
March 31. A brother, having unexpectedly received a sum of money as a dividend from a Bankruptcy, gave 10l. towards the Building-Fund, as "A thank-offering to the Lord."
April 5. Anonymously 1l.
April 7. Four pairs of knitted socks were given for sale; and by a sister in the Lord 10l., as "A thank-offering for mercies received." This 10l. comes at a season of a very great trial of faith, on account of a multiplicity of difficulties in which I am just now, and it is another precious earnest to me from God, that He will give me in every way what I need, after He has sufficiently tried my faith and patience.There were also given 5 stuffed birds and a pincushion. Also 2 cups, 2 shells, a book-mark, and a watch guard. Also a knitted cloth.
April 27. Anonymously 4s., and by sale of articles 3s. 9d. I received also the following letter from Sunderland:
"Sunderland, April 24, 1846.
"Beloved Brother,
"A year having now elapsed since our chapel was opened, and our God having signally blessed us in all things, the saints here have been stirred up to present a thank-offering to our Father, and to give it for the New Orphan-Houses. I therefore send you in their name, the sum of 17l. Etc."
May 3. From a sister at Bath 10s.
May 9. By sale of articles 1s. "A widow's mite" 1l.
May 11. From a brother 50l.
May 21. From Oxford 1l.
May 27. From a sister in Bristol 1l.
June 2. Through a sister 1s. 3d.
June. 4. From Leicestershire 5s., and from a sister in Bristol 2s. 6d.
That which has been stated above concerning the origin of the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, was published in the Ninth Report of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, which was issued in the year 1846. In that Report were added to the above, the following remarks, which I likewise give here again, in order that the reader may have a clear under-standing of the whole, and also the full particulars concerning this Orphan Establishment.
1. The total amount, which has been given for the Building-Fund, up to June 4, 1846, is 2710l. 3s. 5 ½ d. This is only a small part of what will be needed, but, by the grace of God, I am in perfect peace, being fully assured that God in His own time will send the whole sum which is required. Many and great have already been the exercises of faith and patient since I first began to give myself to prayer about this work, and still greater they may be, before it is accomplished; but God, in the riches of His grace, will help me through them all. It is now (June 4, 1846) 212 days since I first began to pray about this work, and day after day, since then, have I been enabled to continue to wait upon God, and I am more than ever assured that, notwithstanding all my exceeding great unworthiness, God will condescend to use me, to build this House. Had it been the excitement of the moment, the difficulties which have already come upon me in connexion with this work, (which are not stated here, on account of their occupying too much room) would have overwhelmed me; but as God Himself, I trust, led me to this work, so He has helped me, and does help me, and, I doubt not, will help me to the end.
2. The house is intended to be built, so as to accommodate 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of age, 80 Orphan Boys above seven, and 80 male and female Orphans from their earliest days, till they are seven years old, together with all the overseers and teachers, etc. that may be needed. The Infants, after having passed the age of seven, will be removed into the different departments for older boys and girls.
3. The plan of the building is, by the help of God, all but completed. Scarcely anything more remains to be altered.
4. The building, however, will not commence till all the money, which is required, has been received.
5. The land and house will be invested in the hands of about ten brethren, as trustees, who shall be persons well known and of good report.
6. Only such donations, ordinarily, will be put to time Building-Fund as are expressly given for it. I should only depart from this my usual mode, if the Lord by some very great abundance of means corning in, or in other respects were to point out, that money not expressly given for the Building-Fund, was to be appropriated to it. It is therefore requested that donors will kindly state it, if they wish any donation put to the Building-Fund.