Nov. 3. This evening I received a check for 300l. for the Building Fund. I am continually looking out for help, and am sustained in waiting upon God, and in being enabled daily, and generally several times every day, to bring the matter about the Building Fund before Him. I know that God hears me, on the ground of the worthiness of the Lord Jesus, and that at last He will give me the full amount needed for accomplishing this work. How the means are to come, I know not; but I know that God is almighty, that the hearts of all are in His hands, and that, if He pleaseth to influence persons, they will send help. In this donation of 300l., received this evening, I have seen afresh, how easily God can send means. The donor, who sent it, was not even known to me by name this day month; but, on Oct. 12th, he sent me 200l. for the Orphans, and now 300l. for the Building Fund. Nothing had come in during the former part of the day; still, I was looking out, and, when I returned from the Orphan-House, found that this 300l. had arrived at my house. But I expect far larger sums.
Nov. 11. From London three boxes and two parcels of books, containing 275 volumes in all, to be sold for the Building Fund.
Nov. 16. 50l.--From the neighbourhood of Stroud 10s.--From one of the former Orphans 10s., being part of her first quarter's wages. Sent as a token of gratitude.
Nov. 19. 200l., which, being left to my disposal, I took of it 100l. for the Building Fund, 60l. for preachers of the Gospel at Home and Abroad, 20l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 20l. for the circulation of Tracts.
Nov. 21. From Malta 5l.
Nov. 27. "From the neighbourhood of Leominster, as a thank-offering," 2l. Day by day I am waiting upon God, concerning this object. I firmly believe that the Lord will give me all I require for the accomplishment of it though I am utterly unworthy. I believe that I shall also have large sums, very large sums, when the Lord has been pleased sufficiently to exercise my faith and patience. Today I received 250l., the disposal of which was left to me. I took, therefore, 125l. for the Building Fund, 25l. for current expenses for the Orphans, 40/. for the home and foreign labourers in the Word, whom I seek to assist, 20l. for gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures among very poor persons, 20l. for gratuitous circulation of Gospel Tracts, and 20l. for all the various Day schools, Sunday schools, and the Adult school, which the Scriptural Knowledge Institution either assists or entirely supports.
Nov. 30. During this month, again 25 children, bereaved of both parents by death, lawfully begotten, and in destitute circumstances, have been applied for, not one of whom I have any prospect of being able to admit until the Lord shall have been pleased to enable me to build another Orphan-House. The many Orphans waiting for admission, whose number is increasing every month, lead me to continue in earnest supplication, that the Lord would be pleased to furnish me with means for the erection of another Orphan-House. Nor do I doubt that He will help me.
Jan. 3. From the neighbourhood of Stroud 1l. 15s. 3d.--Anonymously in a letter 8d.--From Newtown Limavady 1l.--Also 252l. 17s. 1d., which, being left to my disposal, I portioned out thus: 75l. for the Orphans, 75l. for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract Fund, and 102l. 17s. 1d. for the Building Fund.
Jan. 4. From London 2s. 6d.--Day by day I have now been waiting upon God for means for the Building Fund for more than nineteen months, and almost daily I have received something in answer to prayer. These donations have been, for the most part, small, in comparison with the amount which will be required for the completion of this object; nevertheless they have shown that the Lord, for the sake of His dear Son, listens to my supplications and to those of my fellow labourers and helpers in the work; and they have been precious encouragements to me to continue to wait upon God. I have been for many months assured that the Lord, in His own time, would give larger sums for this work; and for this I have been more and more earnestly entreating Him, during the last months. Now at last He has abundantly refreshed my spirit, and answered my request. I received today the promise, that, as the joint donation of several Christians, there should be paid to me a donation of Eight Thousand and One Hundred Pounds for the work of the Lord in my hands. Of this sum I purpose to take 6,000l. for the Building Fund, 600l. for the current expenses for the Orphans, and 1,500l. for the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. [This joint donation of several Christians was paid in four installments during January, February, March, and April.]