My dear reader, if you are tired of going on with this account of the Lord's gracious interpositions for us week after week, or day after day, I beseech you to lay it aside for the present. Take it up at another time. This Narrative is not of an ordinary character. It does not contain anecdotes for amusement; it relates no embellished tales; it gives facts in which the hand of God is seen stretched out on our behalf, as the result of prayer and faith. Seek to admire God, dear reader, in this simple Narrative of Facts, which are related to His praise, and to allure your heart more and more for Him, and which are brought before you in all simplicity to encourage you and to stir you up, if it may please God so to use His servant, to put your whole trust in Him. I judge that it will be the more profitable way to read this account by little and little.
Sept. 15. A brother, who is staying at my house, gave me a silver table spoon and two silver dessert spoons. This is the beginning of fresh supplies from God.
Sept. 16. From the neighbourhood of Glastonbury 5s. Also 5s. worth of postages from Derby.
Sept. 17. A. Christian lady at Richmond, having received a copy of my Narrative, read aloud in the hearing of another lady the account about A. L. (page 156 to 160 of part I.) The lady who heard it read was so touched by it, that she sent 10l. for the Orphans. God moved her heart to send me this donation at a time when I had only a few shillings in hand for the use of the Orphans!--There came in still further from Clifton 10s., and from Taunton 5s.
Sept. 19. From C. C. 19s.--Sept. 21. Anonymously from Barnstaple 5s. worth of postages. This anonymous donor has many times sent his donations thus. It may be that twenty or thirty times the same amount has been forwarded in the same way.--Also by sale of articles 1l. 8s. 8d. By the boxes in my house 1l. 0s. 6d. Evening: I was able to supply the matrons only with means for house-keeping for three or four days, being fully assured, that, by the time more is needed, the Lord will send further supplies.
Sept. 24. Friday. After I had paid away on Tuesday evening to the last penny what I had in hand for present use for the Orphans, there came in a pair of ear-rings from Norwich; also 1s. 6d. besides. On Wednesday and Thursday nothing came in; but it was needful that I should send more means to the matrons today. Thus situated I received this morning from Barnstaple. 19s. 4d. and 17s. About three hours after, came in by sale of the 3 silver spoons (given on the 15th), an old silver punch ladle, and a few trinkets lately given, 6l. 14s. 7d. Thus we are once more helped, and I have been able to send all that which was yet needed for house-keeping till Tuesday evening. The Lord be praised for His seasonable help! Observe, dear reader, we may be poor, very poor; we may have to wait upon God, even again and again we may have to make known our requests to Him; but He helps, always helps.
Sept. 25. From C. C. 1l.--Sept. 27. From a Christian lady 1l.-- Sept. 28. 8s. 4d. came in, also 1l. from Scotland, and 1l. 6s. 4 ½ d. by sale of articles. Also from Wellington an old half-crown, shilling, and sixpence. 3s. 10d. came in besides. Evening. So little having come in, I was able to give to the matrons only as much as would last for about two days for provisions.
Sept. 29. A young man called this morning at my house and gave 2s. 6d. A brother called and put 2s. 6d. into an Orphan-box in my house. Mrs. W. C: gave 1l. Also Mrs. K. 5s. These donations came in today, after I had twice given myself especially to prayer for means, as we are now in so much need.
Sept. 30. Nothing more having come in, we were in great need today. On this account the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, which contained 1l. 4s. 2d. This evening sister C. gave me 18s. 9 ½ d., being the contents of her Orphan-box. Also 15s. 11d. came in by knitting of stockings. Thus we were helped for the present.