I am especially labouring in prayer, day by day, that the Lord would be pleased to furnish me with the means for building another Orphan House, as the number of applications for destitute children, bereaved of both parents, is increasing more and more: but I have also of late been particularly praying to the Lord for means for missionary brethren, as almost all I have in hand for them is expended. On this account I purpose to take one half of this donation for the Building Fund, and the other half for missionary objects.
March 17. Day by day I am waiting upon God for means. With full confidence, both as to the power of the Lord to give me the means, and likewise His willingness, I am enabled to continue to wait. But He is pleased to exercise my faith and patience, and especially has this been the case of late. Not more than 27l. 11s. has come in, during the last four weeks, for the Building Fund. Yet, amidst it all, by the help of God, my heart has been kept looking to the Lord, and expecting help from Him. Now today my heart has been greatly refreshed by a donation of 999l. 13s. 5d., which, being left to my disposal for the work of God, I took of it for the Building Fund 600l., for current expenses for the Orphans 200l., and the remainder for the School, Bible, Tract, and Missionary objects. I cannot describe to any one how refreshing this donation is to my spirit. After having been for weeks, day by day, waiting upon the Lord, and receiving so little, comparatively, either for current expenses or for the Building Fund, this answer to many prayers is exceedingly sweet to my spirit.
March 18. From Mallow in Ireland 5s.--From Torquay 5s.--From Whitby 2l. 3s. 6d., of which 1l. is for the Building Fund, 1l. for present use for the Orphans, and 3s. 6d. for ditto.--From Kingstanley 1l.--From Lichfield 4l. 15s., and 5s.
March 21. From Clifton 5l., with 3s. for present use for the Orphans. Through Salem boxes 1s.
March 23. From Driffield 5l.--Received also further 500l., which, being entirely left at my disposal, I took 100l. for the Building Fund, 200l. for current expenses for the Orphans, 50l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, 50l. for the circulation of Gospel Tracts, 50l. for preachers of the Gospel in foreign lands, and 50l. for preachers of the Gospel in England, Ireland, and Scotland.
May 16. From two Christian ladies at Clifton 10s.
May 19. From Bishopwearmouth 5l.
May 20. 149l. 8s. 11 ½ d., being the proceeds arising from the sale of a book in English, and 40l. 14s. from the sale of a book in French, were given for the Building Fund; and 75l. 18s. 9d., being the balance of a certain account, for present use for the Orphans.
To the donations received during this year, is to be added 64l. 10s. 6d. received for interest; for as a steward of the money, with which I was intrusted for the Building Fund, I felt it right to put out to interest that which came in. Lastly, there remained in hand from the former Building Fund the balance of 776l. 14s. 3 ¾ d., which I added to the present Building Fund, so that on the evening of May 26th, 1852, I had altogether 3530l. 9s. 0 ¼ d.
I add the following points, which were stated in the Report of 1852, and which are here reprinted for the better information of the readers.
A. Looking at the comparatively small amount yet in hand towards the accomplishment of my purpose, some of my readers may suppose that I am on that account discouraged. My reply is, that I am not at all discouraged, and that for the following reasons.
1. The many donations which the Lord has been pleased to send me during the past year expressly for the Building Fund, have been a proof to me that He condescends to listen to my supplications respecting this part of the work, and to those of His dear children who help me with their prayers; for many, I believe, labour with me in prayer.
2. The delay of the Lord in sending still larger sums, and more speedily, than He has been pleased to do hitherto, I only consider to be for the exercise of my faith and patience. Were the Lord displeased with my intention, He would not have dealt with me as He has, and would not have encouraged me to continue to wait upon Him, by the many donations which were expressly given for this object, and some from most unexpected quarters. This exercise of my faith and patience, however, I believe to be intended not merely for my own individual profit; but through me, also for the benefit of others. By God's gracious help and support I will, therefore, continue to wait patiently, till He shall be pleased more abundantly to send in the means, which I do not in the least doubt life will do.