March 18. Received 4000l., which was left at my disposal as the work of the Lord might require it. I took of this sum 3000l. for the Building Fund, and 1000l. for Missions, the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and the various schools, supported by the Institution.--This donation is the fruit of many prayers, and of much looking to the Lord for answers. His holy name be magnified for it. I am thus drawing nearer and nearer the time when I shall have obtained from the Lord everything needed for this object. I have not had, from the beginning, by God's grace, one moment's doubt, that in His own time, He would give me all that is required.
May 26. By sale of a publication in French 3l.--By sale of a publication in English 69l. 1s. 10d.--To these donations is to be added 911l. 8s. 1d., received during this year for interest.
I add a few remarks.
A. Up to May 20, 1856, the total income for the Building Fund was 29,297l. 18s. 11 ½ d., so that only about 5700l. more will be required, as far as I am able to see, in order to accomplish to the full my purpose respecting the accommodation for 700 more Orphans.
B. The house for 400 female Orphans, commenced in August, 1855, is expected, with God's blessing to be ready by about Midsummer 1857 for the reception of 400 Orphans.
C. As soon as my path is made plain, God willing, the other house for 300 Orphans will also be commenced; but I cannot state, at present, any further particulars respecting this.
Supplies for the School, Bible, Missionary and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856.
On May 26, 1855, when the accounts were closed, there was in hand 41l. 6s. 11 ½ d. for these objects. On June 5, 1855, therefore only a few days after the commencement of the new period, when only 1l. 0s. 6d. altogether had come in for these objects, in 8 different donations, I received 211l. 9s. 5d., of which the donor kindly wished me to retain 11l. 9s. 5d. for my own expenses, and to use the 200l. for the work of the Lord, as might be needed. I took, therefore, 100l. for the support of the Orphans, and 100l. for these objects, and had thus some means, to go on with the work. This donation was a great refreshment and encouragement to me, at the commencement of this new period.
July 12. Since June 5th little only, comparatively, has come in. All the donations for these objects were under 5l. Today, however, the Lord, in answer to many prayers, has sent me 200l., to be used as needed. I took of this donation 100l. for the Orphans, and 100l. for these objects, and have thus the means of being able to send some help to brethren who labour in the Gospel.
Aug. 9. Having had heavy expenses the last ten days, in order to help foreign labourers in the Gospel, and to procure supplies of Bibles, Testaments, and Tracts, our means for these objects were now reduced to 7l. 7s. 10 ½ d. Yet I desired far more to help brethren who labour in the Word, as the greater party of them had not yet been supplied. I therefore besought the Lord, that He would be pleased to send in means. When I came home this evening from the New Orphan House, I found the following letter, from the same believing farmer, whom the Lord has several times used in previous years, to help me when in need.
"* * * * Aug. 8, 1855.
"Dear Brother in Christ,
"I feel stirred up to help you in the work in which you are engaged, and therefore beg your acceptance of the enclosed Twenty Pounds, to be used in any way you please, trusting God will direct you.
Yours affectionately in Christ,
"* * * *"
I took the whole amount for Missionary objects and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts.
Aug. 25. The outgoings from these objects have been great, during this month, and the income comparatively small. On this account the means for these objects were reduced today to a few shillings. As the opportunities for the gratuitous circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Gospel Tracts, however, continued to be great, and as I had been only able to send out about the third part as much to labourers in the Gospel, as I could have desired, my prayer during this week had been especially for means for this object. Now the Lord has somewhat helped us. I have received today a donation of 203l. 14s., the whole of which I took for these objects, as the application of it was left with me. The Lord be magnified for this precious help! I shall be able to send at least 150l. of this sum to labourers in the Gospel.-- About 3 hours, before this donation was received, I had been asking the Lord, if He would not condescend to use me as an instrument, at this time, in helping these brethren, He would kindly in some other way supply them with means.
Sept. 1. From Dublin 5l. for missions.
Sept. 11. From C. W. 20l. for foreign labourers in the Gospel. A precious help in answer to many prayers.