Feb. 23. Anonymously a half sovereign. By sale of articles and Reports 3l. 16s. 0 ½ d., and through an Orphan-box in my house 2s. A lady who met the Orphans today in the fields, gave to one of the girls 2s. Evening. Tuesday. By what the Lord has been pleased to send in during the past week, I have enough to supply the matrons with all which is needed during the coming week and 14s. left.
Feb. 24. From a poor brother 6s.; the produce of an Orphan-box 1s. 7 ½ d. and a shilling bank token.--Feb. 26. From Bath 2s. 6d., and from Droitwich 9s. 4d.
Feb. 27. Saturday evening. Only these few shillings have come in since Tuesday evening, so that, having had to pay away several small sums besides the housekeeping expenses, since Tuesday, nothing is in hand towards supplying the matrons with housekeeping money next Tuesday.-- Received this evening from C. C. 5l., 6s. 6d. and anonymously from Totness 1s. 6d. worth of postages.
Feb. 28. Today came in still further from the Hot-wells 3s. 6d., and 10l. as the profits of shares which the donor has in a certain concern. How kind of the Lord to help us thus so seasonably in our poverty!
March 1. By work and knitting of the Orphans 1l. 4s. 8d. and from E. N. 10s.
March 2. By sale of articles 8l. 10s. 6d., and by sale of a Report 4d. From H. C. as "A thank-offering to the Lord" 1l. From Manchester 1l. From London 13s. From Staffordshire 1s.--Thus by this evening the Lord has again sent in during the past week 29l. 8s. 11 ½ d., whereby I had enough to advance the house-keeping expenses to the matrons of the four Orphan-Houses for the coming week, and to meet some other expenses.
March 3. Received 6s. 7d.--March 4. 1l. from the neighbourhood of Stroud, as "a thank-offering to God for partial recovery from sickness."--Also from Bath 5l.--A gentleman gave anonymously to the governess of the Infant Orphans 2l.--I also received the following letter today: "Dear Sir, When my dear brother John died, he had one shilling and fourpence halfpenny owing to him which he intended for the Orphans. As I received it today, I now send it to you. He said Jesus will never forsake the Orphans.' M. W." The paper contained 1s. 7 ¾ d. and a quarter of a gilder. This legacy came from a dear boy who I hear died in the faith.--March 5. From Clevedon 2s. 6d.--March 6. The proceeds of an Orphan-box 7s. 1d.
March 7. Only 8l. 17s. 9 ¾ d. had come in since the 2nd, and the day after tomorrow fresh supplies will need to be given to the matrons for house-keeping, Under these circumstances I received this morning 150l., of which the donor intends 100l. for labourers in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad, and 50l. for other work in my hands. Of this 50l. I took 25l. for the Orphans, and 25l. for the SchoolBibleand Tract Fund. Thus we are helped afresh.--There came in besides from C. C. 6s., from a lady 1l., and anonymously 1s. 4d.
March 8. This morning I received still further from Falmouth a bank order for 4l. from a brother "As a thank-offering to the Lord for bringing him safely back to his native land;" 2l. of this amount is for the Orphans, 1l. for Brother Craik, and 1l. for my own personal necessities. Also 10s. from an Orphan-box, and 10s. from a sister.
March 6. By sale of articles and Reports 4l. 13s. 2d., from a poor brother 6d., and through the boxes in my house 1l. 1s. 6d.--This evening, Tuesday, I find that since last Tuesday evening again 44l. 1s. 6 ¾ d. has come in. Thus I have the means to meet all the house-keeping expenses during the coming week, and something will be left to put by towards the rent, the current expenses for the apprentices, &c. How good is the Lord in helping us week after week through the heavy expenses, especially in this season of deep distress and dearness of provisions! To His praise I can say, we have lacked nothing all this winter.