Jan. 4, 1856. 42l. 4s. 6d. with these words; "This is the answer of prayers, we have of late without ceasing offered up on behalf the Orphans."--This is one of the most remarkable donations received during the whole year. A brother and sister in the Lord, who labour for Him in seeking to win souls, whilst depending upon Him for all they need, gave themselves to prayer on behalf of the Orphans, and that which the Lord gave them towards the close of the yean 1855, in answer to prayer, enabled them to send this 42l. 4s. 6d. See, dear Reader, that the saints have power with God. This brother and sister have been greatly encouraged by this work, and now, even in the way of means, though they are poor themselves, this work reaps the fruit of their prayers. Be encouraged, then, for yourself to trust in God for all you may need.
Jan.30, 1l. 5s. from Stroud, as "a thank-offering for 25 years of family mercies."
Feb. 3. From Worcestershire 30l.
Feb. 0. From George Town, Demerara, 10 dollars.--From South Town 5l and also 5s.--From Liverpool 50l.
Feb. 9. From Adelaide, Australia, 2l. and also 10s.
Feb. 15. From Hornley, Staffordshire, 20l.
April 5. Received 74l. 9s. 1d., which being left to my disposal for the Lord's work, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans.
April 9. From Worcestershire 50l.
April 19. 1l. from the Grand Duchy of Baden.
I have thus, out of more than 2000 donations, taken a few, to show in what way the Lord is pleased to supply me with means.
Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from May 26, 1855, to May 26, 1856.
1, During this year 4 Day Schools in Bristol, with 203 children, were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution; and nine Day Schools, in Devonshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Norfolk, Scotland, British Guiana and Africa, were assisted.--Further, one Sunday School in Bristol, with 158 children, was entirely supported, and eight others, in Gloucestershire, Devonshire, Middlesex, Canada and British Guiana, were assisted.--Lastly, one Adult School in Bristol, with 158 Adult scholars, was entirely supported, and two other Adult Schools, in Kent and Norfolk, were assisted. The amount spent during this year, in connexion with these schools, was 348l. 5s. 11 ¼ d.; and the sum total expended during the last 22 years in connexion with the schools, either entirely, or in part, supported by the funds of this Institution, amounts to 7552l. 18s. 7 ½ d.--The number of children, who were under our care, merely in the Schools, entirely supported by this Institution, from March 5, 1834, to May 20, 1856, was 6104 in the Day Schools, 2911 in the Sunday Schools, and 2611 persons in the Adult School. Thus, without reckoning the Orphans, 11,626 persons have been brought under habitual instruction in the things of God in these various Schools; besides the many thousands in the Schools in various parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, British Guiana, the East Indies, etc., which have been to a greater or lesser degree assisted.
2, During this year was expended on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, of the funds of this Institution, 496l. 10s. 0d. There were circulated during this year 2175 Bibles, 1233 New Testaments, 119 copies of the Psalms, and 155 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures.-- There have been circulated since March 5, 1834, through the medium of this Institution, 16,124 Bibles, 10,280 New Testaments, 307 copies of the Psalms, and 944 other small portions of the Holy Scriptures.--The sum total spent on the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, since March 5, 1834, is 3880l. 0s.1d.
3. During this year there were spent of the Funds of the Institution for Missionary objects 2501l. 9s. 1d. By this sum, sixty one labourers in the word and doctrine, in various parts of the world, were to a greater or less degree assisted. The amount sent to each of these servants of the Lord is as follows.
To No. 1. Labouring in British Guiana (a European) 171l.
To No. 2. Ditto (Ditto) 110l.
To No. 3. Ditto (Ditto) 62l.
To No. 4. Ditto (Ditto) 58l.
To No. 5. Ditto (Ditto) 48l.
To No. 6. Ditto (Ditto) 33l.
To No. 7. Ditto (Ditto) 8l.
To No. 8 Ditto (A Native) 17l.
To No. 9 Ditto (Ditto) 14l.
To No. 10. Labouring in China (a European) 14l.
To No. 11. Labouring in the East Indies (a European) 60l.
To No. 12. Ditto (Ditto) 40l.
To No. 13. Ditto (Ditto) 25l.
To No 14. Ditto (a Native) 15l.
To No. 15 Labouring in Canada 90l.
To No. 16. Ditto 70l.
To No. 17. Labouring in Belgium 45l.
To No. 18. Labouring in Switzerland 30l.
To No. 19. Labouring in France 30l.
To No. 20. Labouring in Ireland 60l.
To No. 21. Ditto 45l.
To No. 22. Labouring in Scotland 60l.
To No. 23 Labouring in England 90l.
To No. 24. Ditto 80l.
To No. 25. Ditto 60l.
To No. 26. Ditto 60l.
To No. 27. Ditto 58l.
To No. 28. Ditto 50l.
To No. 29. Ditto 50l.
To No. 30. Ditto 50l.
To No. 31. Ditto 50l.