June. 8. From E. 2s. 6d.--Anonymously 2s.
June. 12. Through Bethesda boxes 3s.--Ditto 1s.--Ditto 1l.-- Through Salem boxes 6d.
June 14. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5s.--Ditto ¼ d.
June 17. By sale of articles 17s. 7d.
June 18. 3s.--5s.
June-19. 15s.
June 22. A muslin cap, a cape, some worked trimming, and two bags, to be sold for the Building Fund.
June 25. From Glasgow 2s. 6d.--From K. C. 10s.
June 26. Anonymously 2s. 2d.--Through Salem boxes 6d.--From P. 1s.
These were but little sums, esteemed reader, in comparison with the total amount required for the accommodation of 700 more Orphans; yea, they were even small in comparison with what was still required, though I had then nearly 18,000l. in hand. But as it had been given to me, by God's grace, to expect help from Him, yea, the full help needed for this object, so the additional income of a few pounds, of a few shillings, yea of a penny or two, was an encouragement to me for further waiting upon Him, as every donation, the smallest even, brings me nearer the time when all my prayers concerning this object also shall be turned into praises.
July 1. A large gold brooch, set with two carbuncles, to be sold for the Building Fund.
July 2. Anonymously through London Bankers 100l.--From Bury 10s.
July 19. A silver tea pot.
Sept. 27. From one of the former Orphans, now in service, 5s.--From the Orphan Girls, now under our care, 15s. for the Building Fund.-- From the House Girls, i.e. the elder female Orphans, who are more particularly engaged in doing household work, for the purpose of being thus trained for situations, I received likewise 11s.--From the Infant Orphans was also received for the Building Fund today, 6s. 8d.; and from the Orphan Boys 15s, 0 ½ d.--Oct. 4. From two little factory girls 1s. 7d.
Oct. 28. From Halifax in Nova Scotia 7l.
Nov. 25. From the neighbourhood of Wheatley 10l.
Dec. 8. From various believers at Hull 12l. 12s.
Dee. 30. From Orleans, in France, five francs.
Thus ended the year 1854. Only 426l. 16s. 4d. altogether had come in for the Building Fund from May 26 up to the end of the year. My faith and patience were therefore tried; but, while they were tried, they were, by God's grace, sustained. Day by day I had been enabled from May 26 to Dec. 31, 1854, as well as during the three years previously, to bring this object before the Lord in player; and day by day, by God's grace, my heart had been fully assured, without wavering, that He, in His own time, would not only give larger sums, but the whole amount required. I desired only His honour in the building of premises for 700 more destitute Orphans, bereaved of both parents; and as God, who cares infinitely more for poor Orphans than I do, did not consider the time to have come for the building of another house, I might well be quiet. My heart longed indeed to begin to build; for there were not only 602 Orphans waiting for admission, when the last report was published but there had been application made for 125 more since then, so that on Dec. 31, 1854, 714 were waiting for admission, as only 13 could be received of the total number of 727, no more vacancies having occurred. But though it was so, I judged it was the will of God, that, by patiently waiting His own time, I should glorify Him.--I now proceed to relate how the Lord further dealt with me.
Jan. 1, 1855. 6s. 3d.--From an Orphan 1s., Ditto 1s.--From Manchester 10s.--From three children in Ireland 5s.--Anonymously from Culworth 1l.--From P. 2s. 6d.
Jan. 8. On this day I received from several Christian friends the promise, that 5,700l. should be paid to me for the work of the Lord in which I am engaged.--This donation was paid to me, in different installments, by the middle of April. I took of this sum, for the Building fund 3,400l., for the support of the Orphans 900l., for missionary objects 1,000l., for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures 150l., for the circulation of Tracts 150l., and for the various day schools, Sunday schools, and the adult school 100l. Thus the Lord is hastening on the time when the building may be commenced. His name be magnified! How refreshing this help was, and how seasonable with regard to all the various objects, can scarcely be described. The Lord may allow us, to have our faith and patience tried; but if we are enabled to continue to look to Him, and to trust in Him alone, a rich recompense will result from doing so.