The following paragraphs were printed in the Report of 1853, respecting the intended Orphan House, which are here reprinted for the better understanding of the subject.
A. Besides having the means to meet all the demands which came upon me in connexion with the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad; and besides enlarging almost all of them considerably, so that the sum of 7035l. 12s. 0 ½ d. altogether was expended; I have been enabled to add, during the past twelvemonth, 9,001l. 3s. to the Building Fund. The total sum, which God has been pleased to give to me, during the year, both for current expenses and the Building Fund, amounts to 16,042l. 8s. 11d.
B. It is true that very much yet is needed for the Building Fund, before I shall be enabled to accomplish the desire of my heart, in building another House for 700 more Orphans. I may have also yet many trials of faith and patience to pass through; but what the Lord has done for me during the past 24 years in particular, and all His dealings with me in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; and all His help afforded for building the New Orphan House on Ashley Down, Bristol, which has been now already inhabited for four years encourage me to continue to wait upon God. By His grace I am not tired of waiting upon Him for means. Yea, I confess to His praise, that, the longer I live, the more I am practically assured of the blessedness of waiting upon God for every thing.
C. There is no decrease as to the application for the admission of Orphans. This, in addition to all the help and support which the Lord has granted to me for these many years in the work, and in addition to the means received for the Building Fund during the past year, encourages me greatly, to continue to wait upon God for help, to be enabled to build another Orphan House for 700 Orphans. On May 26, 1852, there were 326 Orphans waiting for admission. Since then there have been 184 Orphans applied for, making in all 510. Of these, as only few vacancies have occurred during the past year, not more than 13 could be received into the New Orphan House, and 17 besides, as I have been informed by applicants, were otherwise provided for, so that 30 are to be deducted from 510, which leaves 480 Orphans waiting for admission. Many of these are very young, some even under one year old. But I have the fullest reason to believe, that many persons are kept from applying for the admission of Orphans, because there are already so many waiting, else the number would be greater still. With such a number of poor destitute Orphans before me, bereaved of both parents by death, how can I but labour on in prayer for means, for the accomplishment of this object; and I have not the least doubt that, after the Lord may have been pleased to exercise my faith and patience yet somewhat more, unworthy though I am of it, He will condescend to grant the request for the whole amount of the means which are needed for the building of this second Orphan House, in answer to the supplications which my fellow-labourers and myself continually bring before Him.
D. It must not be supposed that I am discouraged, because two years have elapsed since I first began to receive donations towards this object, and as yet only 12,531l. l2s. 0 ¼ d. is in hand. I expected trials of faith and patience, both for my own profit, and for the benefit of others, who might hear of the Lord's dealings with me. I was not without trials, yea, not without many trials of faith and patience, in building the New Orphan House for 300 Orphans; nor did I obtain the means then till after the lapse of two years and three months; therefore, in seeking to build this house for 700 Orphans, I am not surprised that I should have to wait patiently. But of this I have never had a doubt that, after the Lord had sufficiently tried my faith and patience, He would supply me with all I need. I therefore wait His time. Moreover, the Lord, in a very short time, can give me all I need, it is not necessary that twice or thrice as much time as has already elapsed should have to pass away, before I am in a position to be warranted to take active measures; yet, be this as it may, by the grace of God I am content to wait His time.