Jan. 3. From two Christian ladies in London 10l. for missions, with 10l. for the Orphans.
Thus we were helped till I received on Jan. 8th the promise of the donation of 5,700l., of which, as has been stated, 1,400l. was taken for these objects. This, with what came in besides, from Jan. 8, to May 26, 1855, enabled me so amply to meet every demand afterwards, that no further difficulty was experienced during this period, in the way of means.
Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, a/ready under our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.
At the beginning of this period there was in hand a balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d. To the poorer class of readers this might appear a considerable sum; but to such we would say, that often the expenses of three or four days are more than this for the Orphan Establishment, with which 335 persons are connected; and, certainly, the average expenses, even if no extraordinary demands were to be met, amount to about Twelve Pounds per day in these dear times; and therefore 123l. would only be enough for about ten days. We had then, so far as regarded visible/e support, only enough for about ten days; but whilst we had so little as to visible support, we looked by faith to Him who is invisible, the Living God, who has upheld this work for so many years. We believed that He would help us still; and we were not confounded, though our faith was again and again tried. I can, however, give only a few out of the many instances which might be recorded.
June 15, 1854. Though this is only the third week since the new period commenced, yet as only about 60l. had come in for the support of the Orphans, in addition to the balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d., we were today reduced to less than Five Pounds. This had led to much waiting upon the Lord: and again He gave a gracious answer to prayer. I received 151l. 5s. 8d., which, being left to my disposal, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans. Also from two little girls was sent to me 8s., with the information that one of their sisters had set apart a swarm of bees, the honey of which should be sold for the benefit of the Orphans. Thus the Lord has again helped in the hour of need.
July 12. Our means were now again reduced to about 30l., as only about 150l. had come in since June 15. In addition to this, we had very heavy expenses before us. This morning, in reading through the book of Proverbs, when I came to chapter xxii. 19 "That thy trust maybe in the Lord," &c., I said in prayer to Him: "Lord, I do trust in Thee; but wilt Thou now be pleased to help me; for I am in need of means for the current expenses of all the various objects of the Institution." By the first delivery of letters I received an order on a London bank for 100l., to be used for all the various objects, "as the present need might require." I took, therefore, 50l. for the support of the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects, which are also in great need. Received also from Wandsworth Road 1l. 10s. 8d.; and in the course of the day 2l. 3s. 3d., through the boxes at the New Orphan House. Thus we are again helped for the present.
July 19. For some time past I have been under an engagement to leave Bristol at the end of this month, or in the beginning of August, for about four weeks, to labour at Sunderland. On this account I have besought the Lord during the last days that He would be pleased to send me some means for my own expenses, but especially that I might be able to leave some money behind, to last at least for some time. Yesterday the Lord was pleased to begin answering my request, in sending means for the support of the Orphans. I received from Lymington 5l.--From Tregenda 10s.--From Thetford 10s.--From Perth 1l.--From Kilmarnock 5l.--By sale of Reports 18s. 10d.--Proceeds of an Orphan Box 1l. 5s. 9 ½ d. Today I have received from South Brent 1s. From Middlesex 50l.--Ditto 18s.--From Clifton 5l.--From Dudbridge 8s.--Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 7l. 1s. 3d. By sale of Reports 1l. 8s.--Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d. From a visitor at Clifton 50l. and a gold chain. The donor kindly wished me to retain 10l. for my own expenses.--From Kingsbridge 2s.
Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected more, and He sent me more on the following days. I record the income for the Orphans:--
July 20. From Homerton 3l. 3s.--Anonymously from Birmingham 1s.-- Anonymously left at my house 5l.
July 21. From Bideford 10s.--By sale of Reports 1s.--From Tavistock 4s. 9d.--In a box from Tavistock, containing specimens of ores, &c. 3s.
July 22. From Wotton-under-edge 10s.--By sale of Reports 7s.--From West Brixton 2l.--From the Isle of Wight 1s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.--By sale of Reports 2s.--From Chippenham 2l. 10s.--From College Green, Bristol, 10s.
July 23. From Bodmin 5s. and 1s.--From Clifton 5s. Ditto 5s. Ditto 1l. Ditto 1l.