Dec. 31, 1847. The last day of another year had now come. Great and many had been the mercies of God to me this year in every way, particularly also in connexion with the Orphans; but now I had again nothing for today, except two shillings which are in one of the boxes in my house. I was, however, by God's grace, able to look out for supplies for this last day of another year also, being fully assured that the Lord would not confound me. And thus it has been, according to my expectation; for, before being called on for money, I received 100l., which was left to me to apply to any part of the Lord's service where there seemed the most need. At the same time I received 5l. for the Orphans from Teignmouth. Of the 100l. I took half for the Orphans and half for the other objects. It was indeed a moat seasonable help! I am thus able to meet all the expenses for house-keeping for today, all the present expenses connected with the apprentices, and am able to give 16l. to eight of the sisters who labour in the Orphan-Houses, for their own personal necessities. How good is the Lord! How can I sufficiently praise Him for this seasonable help! Evening. Received still further 3s., and from Banbury 17s., and the proceeds of an Orphan-box, being 1l. 2s. 6d. Thus the year closes in blessing and under the manifest help of God.
Jan. 1, 1848. As the old year ended, so the new begins. Early this morning was sent to me 1l. 12s. 0d., being the proceeds of an Orphan-box.--A little later I received from Worcester 1l., and from Scotland 3l.
Jan. 6. On the second and three following days came in many pounds more; but though so much had been received during the last seven days, I sent again today the last money to the Orphan-Houses for house-keeping, as our expenses have been exceedingly heavy during the last few days; and I am therefore again penniless with regard to the necessities of tomorrow. Evening. The Lord has been again exceedingly kind, and has again helped in His faithful love. This evening I received a check for 120l., of which 20l. is intended by the donor for missionary purposes, and the other 100l. is left to my disposal, either for the Orphans or the other part of the work. I took therefore 70l. for the Orphans, and 30l. for the Day Schools, and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. I received likewise from D.D. 5l.
Jan. 25. Besides the seventy-five pounds that had come in on the 6th, the sum of 53l. 18s. 0 ¼ d. more came in up to this day.--Now, after having paid this evening for the house-keeping expenses for one week in advance, all the money in my hands for the Orphans is again gone; yet, by the Lord's goodness, we have our stores pretty well supplied, and besides this the matrons have the current house-keeping expenses for one week in hand. May the Lord in His faithful love send fresh supplies for the coming week!
Jan. 27. This afternoon when there was nothing in hand, 1 received from Guernsey 2l.
Jan. 28, Received from Plymouth 5l. Also 5s. 6d. from the neighbourhood of Exeter, and 2s. besides. From the neighbourhood of Nottingham 5s.
Jan. 30. By profits from the sale of ladies' baskets 2s.
Jan. 31. One of the labourers in the work gave 10l., and a brother on his way to Ireland 1l.
Feb. 1. By sale of articles and stockings 3l. 19s. 7 ½ d., anonymously 2d., from sister F. 10s., proceeds of an Orphan-box 12s. 6 ¾ d., by sale of stockings 8s. 5d., and by the boxes at the Orphan-Houses 16s. 9d.--When I went this evening to the Orphan-Houses for our usual prayer meeting on Tuesday evenings, I found that altogether since last Tuesday evening 25l. 2s. 0 ½ d. had come in; but as there had been many extra expenses to meet during the week, there was only actually in hand 8l. 8s. 4 ¼ d. Of this I gave to each of the matrons 2l. 2s. 1d, being only a part of what would be needed during the week, and had then one farthing left, "like the handful of meal in the barrel."
Feb. 2. This morning on my usual walk before breakfast I felt myself led out of my usual track, into a direction in which I had not gone for some months. In stepping over a stile I said to myself: "Perhaps God has a reason even in this." About five minutes afterwards I met a Christian gentleman who gave me two sovereigns for the Orphans, and then I knew the reason, why I had been led this way. Thus the farthing which remained last evening has been already multiplied.--Evening. This afternoon I received still further from a brother 1l. 1s., also a letter from Portsea containing 1l. 10s. The letter from Portsea contained these words: "Please accept it as another token of the Lord's watchful care for you and yours." How true! How exemplified in this very donation at this time!