Twenty-five Years of Increasing Supplies for the Orphan Fund, 1849–1874 (part 1 of 4)
CHAPTER XIII
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF INCREASING SUPPLIES FOR THE ORPHAN FUND (1849–1874)
Removal to the New Orphan House
JUNE 23rd. Saturday evening. Tins has been indeed a week of great and many and peculiar mercies. All the Orphans with their teachers and overseers have been moved into the New Orphan House, during Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; so that there are now about 140 persons under one roof. The Lord has most signally helped.—As I had for more than three years sought the help of God concerning all matters connected with the New Orphan House, I did expect His help in this particular also; but He has done beyond my expectations. Though only the day before yesterday the last children were moved in, there is already such a measure of order established in the house, by the help of God, as that things can be done by the minute hands of the time pieces. His name is to be praised for this, and my soul does magnify Him for His goodness!—Also with regard to temporal supplies for the dear Orphans, the Lord has been exceedingly kind. On the second day of receiving the children, there was sent £20. On the third day, an individual, who walked with me through part of the house, said, "These children must consume a great deal of provisions," and, whilst saying it, took out of his pocket a roll of Bank of England notes, to the amount of £100, and gave them to me for the Orphans.
So bountifully has the Lord been pleased to help of late, that I have not only been able to meet all the extraordinary expenses connected with moving the Orphans from Wilson Street into the New Orphan House, filling the stores of the New Orphan House, etc., but I have more than £500 in hand, to begin housekeeping in the Now Orphan House. How true the word that those who trust in the Lord shall not be confounded! After all the many and long-continued seasons of great trial of faith within these thirteen years and two months, during which the Orphans were in Wilson Street, the Lord dismisses us from thence in comparative abundance. His holy name be praised for it!
August 30th. Received a £50 note with these words: "I send you herewith a £50 note, half for the Missions, half for the Orphans, unless you are in any personal need; if so, take £5 for yourself. This will be the last large sum I shall be able to transmit to you. Almost all the rest is already out at interest." I took half of this £50 for the Orphans and half for Missionaries. The writer sold some time since his only earthly possession, and sent me at different times sums of £120, £100, £55, £50, and £20 for the work of the Lord in my hands. When he says therefore "the rest is already out at interest," he means that he has given it away for the Lord, which indeed both for time and eternity is the very best way of using the means with which the Lord may he pleased to entrust us, in so far as, considering in the fear of God all our various claims and duties and relationships, we may do so. (As this is written for the spiritual profit of the reader, I cannot but add that since that time I have received other donations from the same donor, and much larger still. He used for God the means with which He was pleased to entrust him, and, contrary to this brother's expectation, the above £50 was not the last large donation; for it pleased God, soon after, to entrust him with another considerable sum, which he again used for the Lord. This did not at all surprise me; for it is the Lord's order, that, in whatever way He is pleased to make us His stewards, whether as to temporal or spiritual things, if we are indeed acting as stewards and not as owners, He will make us stewards over more.)
September 27th. From friends at Ottery £20. This donation is very refreshing to my spirit. Last evening and this morning I had especially besought the Lord, that He would be pleased to continue to send me means, as the expenses are now so great; for there are 167 Orphans in the house, and about 190 persons daily sit down to their meals, and this number is every week increasing. Now, by this donation, which comes not only from an entirely new but also most unexpected quarter, the Lord is, as it were, saying to me, that He will not fail to help me, even when there shall be in the house the 330 persons for which it is fitted up.
November 1st. To-day I have again received seven Orphans. There are now about 220 persons daily sitting down to their meals in the Orphan House. Before the seven fresh Orphans were brought, I received a letter from a banker in London, giving me information that a brother in the Lord, living between 200 and 300 miles from hence, had given order to pay me £40 for the Orphans. In the afternoon, whilst receiving the Orphans, (here came in still further £69 3s. 8d.
January 9th. To-day there was sent to me from the Committee of the Cholera Fund in Bristol £20, which the gentlemen constituting it had voted for the benefit of the twenty children who had lost their parents in the cholera, and whom I had received into the New Orphan House. I had not applied either directly or indirectly for this money; indeed I was reluctant even to give information as to the number of cholera Orphans received, lest there should be even the appearance that after all I asked for money, instead of solely trusting in the living God. But some of the Committee, knowing the fact that I had received many Orphans, made such by means of the cholera, proposed that there should be paid to the Institution a sovereign on account of each such child received. This sum was especially remarkable to me as a fresh proof of the numberless ways which God has at His command for providing me with means. I also cannot help noticing the remarkable coincidence that, at the time God visited this land with the cholera, in 1849, I had so much room for the reception of Orphans. The Lord was pleased to allow me the joy and sweet privilege of receiving altogether twenty-six children, from ten months old and upward, who lost their parents in the cholera at that time, and many besides since then, who were bereaved of their parents through this fearful malady.
January 31st. To-day five more Orphans are to be received. For the last fortnight, comparatively little had come in for the Orphans, i.e., not quite £60. In the prospect of the Orphans coming to-day, I said last evening to my dear wife, that the Lord would send us something for them; for I have often found, that either He has sent something with the children, or at the time that they have been received. It was but about ten minutes after I had said so, when I received £450, of which I took £200 for the Orphans. This morning I received further £10 from a pious countess in Edinburgh. Thus the Lord has indeed sent something for the Orphans. Unbelief and natural reason would have said, and did say, If there have often been scarcely any means in hand, while the Orphans were in the rented houses, and only about 120 in number, how will it be when there shall be 300 in the New Orphan House? But faith's reply was, Our poverty has been only for the trial of our faith, and it will be as easy to the Lord to provide for 300 as for 120 Orphans.
[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1848, to May 26th, 1850, was £4,224 19s. 11¾d.]
May 26th, 1850, to May 26th, 1851
When this period commenced, I had more in hand for the Orphans than for many years before, under similar circumstances, the balance for current expenses on May 26th being £150 7s. 10d. On the very first day of this new period I received from a sister in the Lord £6. Another sister gave me £3, the price of a piece of work done by her. Thus, as the Lord commenced this period, so Ho was pleased generally day by day to send me something, either in small or large donations.
July 2nd. Received £170, of which I took £80 for the Orphans.
On August 16th, I had purposed to leave Bristol for a time, having been for two years and four months uninterruptedly there, in the midst of more work than I had ever had before. I went, not because I was quite unfit for work, but in order that, labouring for a little while in a different air, I might, with the blessing of God, keep off illness. On the 13th, when going to take lodgings in the country, a Christian, residing at a distance, whom I met, by God's ordering, no doubt, gave me at the Railway Station, just before starting, £50, of which I took half for the Orphans. On the 15th I received £120 from a considerable distance. During no month, all the sixteen years and five months previously, had there been so much expended for current expenses, as in August, 1850; but, by what was in hand on August 1st, by what came in, as just related, and by all the many smaller donations, we were most comfortably helped through. While absent I was also enabled to wait upon God for means for the work, besides seeking His blessing in other respects. That this was not in vain was most evident; for not only did many donations come in while I was away, but, on my return, God so abundantly poured in the means, that, within thirteen days, I received altogether about £1,000.
One thing more I must add here. For several years I had not been so poor, with regard to means for myself, as when going away for change of air. But seeing it to be the will of God that I should go, I was sure that He would help me. Thus it was. The Lord sent me for my own personal expenses such an abundance, that from August 13th to September 13th, 1850, I received altogether £61 13s. 6d. Truly I serve a good Master, and this I delight to show. Not only with regard to the obtaining of means for the work, in which I am engaged, have I found simple trust in the Lord alone the easiest, the happiest, and the best way; but also in the obtaining of supplies for my own personal necessities.
November 27th. For seven weeks the income has been very small, in comparison with what has been expended, both for the Orphans and for the various other Objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. Altogether £871 12s. 7d. has been expended, whilst the income altogether has been only £250 7s. 3¾d. Of course, we have not gone into debt, as we never order anything unless we have the means in hand for it. Nor has there been even the least difficulty experienced with regard to means, as the Lord in His kindness had sent in considerable sums just before this season commenced. About 330 persons now sit down to their meals in the New Orphan House, day by day, and the expenses for the Orphans alone are about £10 daily, and those for the other parts of the work are also about £10 daily, so that I need to receive at the rate of £20 a day, in order to go on with the work; but during these forty-nine days there has been only one single day that I have received about £20, and for the greater part of the time only a few pounds daily, and sometimes even only a few shillings. But what was to be done under these circumstances? I gave myself to prayer. God, whom I have now been enabled to make my refuge, and my only refuge, for more than twenty years, I have besought day by day. And when now day by day I still have received only small sums, and sometimes nothing or scarcely anything at all, the only effect that it has had upon me has been, to pray the more earnestly. My confidence in God is not at all shaken. I have never had a thought that He would not help me; nor have I even once been allowed to look upon these seven weeks in any other way than that the Lord, for the trial of my faith, has ordered it thus that only so little should come in. I am sure that, when He has tried me sufficiently, there will come in again larger sums. In the meantime, how good has the Lord been, not only to have given all I have needed, but I have even now money in hand! My judgment is, that it will now soon please the Lord again to send in larger sums, as He has been pleased to exercise my faith for some time in this way. Let me see the result!
November 28th. This morning the Lord has given me a fresh proof, that I had not waited on Him in vain, and that my confidence in Him, as recorded last evening, has not been confounded. I received early this morning a donation of £200, of which I took one half for the Orphans.
January 4th. I received this morning anonymously from Torquay 5s. worth of postages, with these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it." I am doing this. I expect much, very much indeed, in every way. I also expect much in the way of means. Evening. This very day the Lord has given me a most precious proof, that He delights in our having large expectations from Him. My mouth has been filled, according to the portion of Holy Scripture sent to me this morning. I have received this evening the sum of £3,000, being the largest donation which I have had as yet. I now write again that I expect far larger sums still, in order that it may be yet more and more manifest, that there is no happier, no easier, and no better way of obtaining pecuniary means for the work of the Lord, than the one in which I have been led. How great my joy in God is, on account of this donation, cannot be described; but it is not in the least coupled with excitement. I take this donation out of the hands of the living God; I continually look for His help, and am perfectly assured that I shall have it, and therefore my soul is calm and peaceful, without any excitement, though the donation is so large. This sum was entirely left at my disposal; of it I took £1,500 for the Orphans.
March 7th. For nearly eight weeks the expenses have been nearly four times as great as the income, which, however, I have been able amply to meet, on account of the previous abundance which the Lord had been pleased to send in. Now, however, after much prayer for means, the Lord has been pleased to refresh my heart by a donation of £200. I took of this sum £90 for the Orphans.
April 30th. At the morning exposition of the Holy Scriptures at the New Orphan House, I was led particularly to dwell upon the blessedness of the believer having to do with the LIVING God, and referred, in the way of illustration, to His care in supporting the Orphan work. Immediately after the exposition was over, I received a donation of £12 12s. for the Orphans, and another of £200. Concerning the donation of £12 12s. the hand of the Lord is the more manifest, in that it came from a place whence I had never received any donation, as far as I know, and towards it a vicar, an archdeacon, and one of the Queen's chaplains contributed, gentlemen entirely unknown to me, and yet they felt thus kindly disposed towards this work.
[The, expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1850, to May 26th, 1851, was £3,282 8s. 7½d.]
May 26th, 1851, to May 26th, 1852
When this period commenced, I had in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans £970 13s. 11¾d.
May 27th. The first donation of this new period came from an aged godly clergyman, whom, up to that time, I had never seen, but to whom my heart had been much knit through correspondence. The donation consisted of £5 from himself, and 1s. 6d. from three poor persons through him.
July 3rd. A brother and sister, having had a legacy left to them, though very far from being rich, sent £50 out of it for the Orphans, as they desire to use the money with which the Lord may entrust them for Him.
October 2nd. From the ladies who constitute the Bristol Dorcas Society, the value of £25 in flannel and calico.
February 10th. Up to this time I had had abundance to meet all the current expenses of the New Orphan House, and there was still £126 3s. 8½d. in hand. Rut though I had this, the certain expenses of this week alone were £102 0s. 4d., besides what might be otherwise needed. Under these circumstances, a godly merchant at Clifton gave me this evening, through his son, a £50 note for the benefit of the Orphans. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit. There had not been so little in hand since the New Orphan House was first opened. How kind, therefore, of the Lord, to put it into the heart of this donor, who is not personally known to me, to contribute this sum!
March 16th. Money was needed, but there was none in hand, except the balance which was last year left from the Building Fund, which I was most reluctant to use, and concerning which I asked the Lord that there might be no need for using it, as I wished to take it for the intended Orphan House, the number of destitute Orphans who are waiting for admission being so great. Now observe how God helped me! Just before I was called on for more money, I received this morning from a noble lady, as her own gift and that of two of her friends £15.—March 17th. For about six weeks past the Lord has been pleased to exercise my faith and patience much. Very little, comparatively, has come in for the Building Fund and the current expenses of the various Objects, but now He has this day greatly refreshed my spirit by the donation of £999 13s. 5d., referred to under the Building Fund, which, being left to me for the Lord's work, to be used as I think best, I took of it for the current expenses for the Orphans £200; so that again, before the money which came in yesterday is expended, fresh supplies are received. I have been particularly also refreshed by this donation, in that I am not obliged to use the balance of the former Building Fund, but can let that remain for the present Building Fund.
May 26th. Since March 17th no further difficulties have been experienced with regard to means; for though the expenses have amounted since then to about £700, the Lord has bountifully supplied me with all I needed.
[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1851, to May 26th, 1852, was £3,035 3s. 4d.]
May 26th, 1852, to May 26th, 1853
From May 27th to June 27th there came in, by ninety-two different sums, £354 1s. 5d., so that we had, after a month, more in hand than before. Unbelief was therefore confounded.
June 29th. To-day I received one of the most remarkable donations which I ever had. I give the whole account.
Dear Brother in Christ,
"It is now several years ago, that I read with great interest, and I hope with some benefit to my soul, the account of your labours and experiences. Ever since then your work was the object of many thoughts and prayers, and I gave many copies of your book to Christian friends. One of them has read it in Syria, on Mount Lebanon, where he is for commercial business; and, whilst praying for you and your dear Orphans, the Lord put it in Ids heart to send you £2, to which my husband added two others; and we beg you to accept that small offering in the name of the Lord. If you have published anything of the Lord's dealings with you since the year 1844, we shall be very happy to receive it. And now, dear Brother, may the grace and peace of the Lord rest on you and your dear Home's inhabitants.
"Affectionately yours in the Lord, ——."
I have had donations from Australia, the East Indies, the West Indies, the United States, Canada, from the Cape of Good Hope, from France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, etc.; and now comes also this donation from Mount Lebanon, with the prayer of a Christian brother, whose name I never heard, nor know even now. See, dear reader, this is the way in which the Lord has helped me in this precious service for twenty-two years (1856). With my fellowlabourers, or without them, and they without me, our prayers are offered up unto the Lord for help, and He is pleased, for the Lord Jesus' sake, to listen to our supplications, and to influence the hearts of some of His children, known to us or not, to send us help. The donors may be rich or poor; they may live near or at a distance of more than ten thousand miles; they may give much or little; they may have often given before or never; they may be well known to us or not at all; in these and many other things there may be constant variations; but God continually helps us; we are never confounded. And why not? Simply because we are enabled, by the grace of God, to put our trust in Him for what we need.
August 4th. To-day I received £200, of which I took one half for the Orphans. This is a precious answer to prayer.
October 7th. This evening there was only £8 left in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans. Hitherto we had generally abounded. I therefore gave myself particularly to prayer for means, that this small sum might be increased. When I came home this evening from the New Orphan House, I found a letter containing £2, from Kelso, and another letter from Peterborough, containing £1.—October 8th. This evening the matron told me that to-morrow she would need to have more money. I generally advance £30 at a time for housekeeping expenses, but I had now only £8 14s. left, as I had to pay out this afternoon £7 11s. 6d. This I purposed to give to her, should it not please the Lord to give more in the meantime, being assured that, before this amount was gone, He would give more. My prayer to the Lord, however, was that He would be pleased to send help, and I looked out for means.—October 9th. This morning Luke 7 came in the course of my reading before breakfast. While reading the account about the Centurion and the raising from death of the widow's son at Nain, I lifted up my heart to the Lord Jesus thus: "Lord Jesus, Thou hast the same power now. Thou canst provide me with means for Thy work in my hands. Be pleased to do so."—About half an hour afterwards I received £230 15s. I took one half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and am now amply provided for meeting the demands of this day.
The joy which such answers to prayer afford cannot be described. My soul does magnify the Lord for His goodness. When help comes, after many seasons of prayer it may be, and after much exercise of faith and patience it may be, how sweet it is, and what a present recompense does the soul at once receive for trusting in God, and waiting patiently for His deliverance! Dear Christian reader, if you have never walked in this path of obedience before, do so now, and you will then know experimentally the sweetness of the joy which results from it.
October 12th. By sale of rags and bones 12s. 6d. We seek to make the best of everything. As a steward of public money, I feel it right that even these articles should be turned into money; nor could we expect answers to our prayers if knowingly there were any waste allowed in connection with this work. For just because the money is received from God, simply in answer to prayer only, therefore it becomes us the more to be careful in the use of it. This afternoon a lady of Clifton called at my house, and brought a cheque for £200, which a gentleman, whose name even I had never heard of, had sent her for the benefit of the Orphans. We are not now in actual need, yet it is particularly kind of the Lord to send this donation from a perfect stranger.
January 4th. The Lord did far more than ever in the way of supplying me with means, for £8,100 was given to me, of which £600 was portioned out for the current expenses for the Orphans. Those people are entirely mistaken who suppose that the work is now no longer a work of faith, as it used to be in former years. It is true, we have now a larger income than we used to have in the years 1838, 1839, and 1840: but it is also true that our expenses are three times as great. We have no regular income now; even as we had not then. We ask no human being for help; even as we did not then. We depend alone upon God, by His grace; even as we did then. Who is there in the whole world that will state that I ever asked him for help in this Orphan work, from its commencement, on December 9th, 1835, up till now? Now, as we have no funds to live upon; as we have no regular subscribers or donors upon whom we could depend; as we never ask help from man, but God alone; and as, finally, we never did go into debt for thi6 work, nor do we now: why is it not now a work of faith as formerly? Will those, who say it is not, place themselves in my position, when, at the close of the year 1852, I had not two pounds left, and about 330 persons were day by day to be provided for, with all they need, and prove whether it is now anything else than a work of faith?. Every one, except those who are determined not to see, will have no difficulty in perceiving that now, as formerly, one could only be kept from being overwhelmed in such a position by looking day by day to the Lord, and that not merely for pecuniary supplies, but for help under the numberless difficulties which continually are met with in such a work.
April 20th. In the prospect of having to pay away yet about £500, before the accounts are closed on May 26th, and having only £236 in hand, I asked the Lord especially this evening, that He would be pleased to help me with means for the current expenses for the Orphans, for which I might have far more in hand, had I not with all my might given myself to the Building Fund, in order to be soon able to commence the building of the second Orphan House. Now, this evening, I found that a donation of £100 had come in at my house during my absence, the disposal of which was left to me. I took not the whole of this donation for the current expenses for the Orphans, but only one half, and the other half for the Building Fund. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, especially as it came from a most unexpected quarter.
Before the accounts were closed, I received, between April 20th and May 26th, 1853, in just one hundred different sums, £422 3s. 11½d. more, so that I was able amply to supply all demands.
[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1852, to May 26th, 1853, was £3,453 15s. 1½d.]
May 26th, 1853, to May 26th, 1854
At the commencement of this period, there was in hand the balance of £117 10s. 9d.
June 8th. Received from Rhode Island, U.S.A., 20 dollars, and 5 dollars (£4 15s. 9d. English), when I had scarcely anything left for the Orphans. Observe, dear reader, from America the Lord sends help to us, yea from almost all parts of the world. Thus is He saying to us more and more, "Only believe."—June 13th. We are now very poor. Not indeed in debt, nor was even all the money gone; for there was still about £12 in hand; but then there needed to be bought flour, oatmeal, and 4 cwt. of soap, and there were repairs going on in the house, with a number of workmen, besides the regular current expenses of about £70 per week. Over and above all this, on Saturday, the day before yesterday, I found that the heating apparatus needed to be repaired, which would cost in all probability £25. It was therefore desirable, humanly speaking, to have £100 for these heavy extra expenses, besides means for the current expenses. But I had no human prospect whatever of getting even 100 pence, much less 100 pounds. In addition to this, to-day was Monday, when generally the income is little. But, in walking to the Orphan House this morning, and praying as I went, I particularly told the Lord in prayer, that on this day, though Monday, He could send me much. And thus it was. I received this morning £301 for the Lord's service, as might be most needed. The joy which I had cannot be described. I walked up and down in my room for a long time, tears of joy and gratitude to the Lord running plentifully over my cheeks, praising and magnifying the Lord for His goodness, and surrendering myself afresh, with all my heart, to Him for His blessed service. I scarcely ever felt more the kindness of the Lord in helping me.—I took of this money £201 for the current expenses for the Orphans.
August 31st. When there was less than £20 in hand, I received to-day a donation of £220, of which the donor kindly wished mo to take £20 for my own personal expenses, and to use the other for the work of the Lord as most needed. I therefore took £150 for the Orphans.
October 26th. Through the boxes in the New Orphan House, £4 14s. This afternoon was the time in the week when visitors see the establishment. It was a wet afternoon, but still above 60 persons went over the house. Being in great need of means, of which the visitors, however, could perceive nothing, as all our stores were full as usual, I asked the Lord, that He would be pleased to put it into their hearts to put money into the boxes: and this sum I found in them this evening.
October 31st. This afternoon more money was required for housekeeping. I gave the last penny for housekeeping, and had now literally not one penny left in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans. This evening I received, when I had nothing in hand, from Clifton £1. From a sister in the Lord in Bristol 2s. 6d. Through Bethesda boxes 5s., "from servants in Scotland." From Wiveliscombe £1. From Clifton 10s. Through the Chapel boxes 2s. A pair of silvermounted spectacles, and 2s. 6d. from Clifton.
November 1st. By means of those little sums, which came in last evening, I was able to let the matron have further £2 17s. early this morning. Thus we were able to meet this day's demands. There came in further to-day: By sale of old clothes 6s. 4d., and from Launceston, by sale of Reports, 7s. 6d. There was put into the letter-box at my house anonymously 1s. 6d., with these words: "I had worked hard for this money, and could not get paid. A thought passed lately through my mind, If I ever get it, I will devote it to some charitable purpose. To my surprise, without asking for it, it is paid. I now send it for the Orphans."—Evening, By sale of Reports 3s. From Spaldwick 2s. 6d. and 1s. From the neighbourhood of Arundel 11s. 6d.
November 2nd. Through the boxes in the New Orphan House £1 16s. 5½d.—I was further able to advance last evening for housekeeping expenses £1 0s. 4d., this morning £3 1s., and this evening £3 12s. 11½d. Thus, though we are living by the day, as respects supplies out of the hands of our Heavenly Father, yet we have lacked nothing!
November 7th. When I had nothing at all in hand, having paid out the last money to-day, and when more would be needed this evening or to-morrow morning, I received this afternoon, from a most unexpected quarter, £6. This morning the matron had between £11 and £12 in hand for housekeeping expenses, but, by the time I arrived at the New Orphan House, it had all been expended through unexpected demands, so that she had had to add half-a-crown of her own. I had received, however, this morning, at the very time while I was in prayer for means, £1 from Kilkenny, which, with 9s. 3½d. besides, in hand, I gave to her. Now this afternoon came in the £6, and we have thus a manifest answer to prayer. The Lord be magnified!
November 13th. Received this morning, through bankers in London, an anonymous donation of £50, with the words: "To be applied to general purposes; to be used as you may judge best." I took therefore the whole of this donation for the current expenses of the Orphans. A most welcome and refreshing donation, the fruit of many prayers, as just now the expenses are very great, and there were no means in hand to meet them! From Clifton 16s. 5d. From Easton £5.
November 15th. Anonymously from Nottingham 10s. From Cheltenham £5. From the Isle of Wight 10s.—This evening I received from a Christian lady a brooch set with amethysts, another brooch set with eight brilliants and six other small diamonds, and a small gold necklace. My heart was exceedingly refreshed by this donation, not only because we are still in need of supplies on account of our heavy daily expenses just now; but also because this valuable donation consists of articles which the Christian donor can spare, without the slightest inconvenience.
November 16th. Anonymously in postages 3s. 6d. From London £10, with £5 for my own expenses. By sale of Reports 7s. Left by a visitor from Aberdeen, at the New Orphan House, 10s. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House £2 11s. 6½d. From South Brent 1s. 6d.
I have thus given, minutely, the manner in which the Lord was pleased to supply us with means for the Orphans, from which the spiritual reader may easily perceive our position. Thus it was with us to a greater or lesser degree during the whole year. But I refrain from giving minutely the account of every day, for the sake of brevity.
The particular end, why I have been so minute, is to show that the work is now, as much as ever, a work carried on entirely in dependence upon the living God, who alone is our hope, and to whom alone we look for help, and who never has forsaken us in the hour of need. There is, however, one thing different with reference to this year, when compared with former years, and that is, that, while our trials of faith during this year were just as great as in previous years, the amount needed in former times was never so great as during this year, especially as the bread during the greater part of this year was about twice as dear as for several years before.
I give now a brief reference to some of the more remarkable donations which came in between November 16th, 1853, and May 26th, 1854.
January 1st. Received three old guinea pieces, with the following words: "The enclosed has been too long held in reserve, as an esteemed memento from a dear departed parent (for which may the Lord grant a pardon). A conviction of its wrong overpowers the natural desire of its being retained, and not expended to the glory of God, for which purpose it is now sent to dear Mr. Müller, as a New Year offering, to be used in the way he thinks most conducive to the same."—In this instance I had a double answer to prayer; for we were not only much in need of means, when the donation came in, but I had also again and again asked the Lord to incline the hearts of His dear children to send me their jewellery, their old gold and silver coins, and other valuable, but needless, articles, to be turned into money for the work of the Lord.
January 17th. Memorable day.—There came in £50, anonymously, through London bankers, of which amount half was taken for the Orphans. Also the Lord allowed me to have this day the promise of that large donation of £5,207 which has been spoken of under the Building Fund, of which £707 was taken towards the support of the Orphans.
April 17th. Received £150, of which the donor kindly wished me to take £20 for my own personal expenses, and to use the rest as might be most needed for the Lord's work in my hands. I took, therefore, £100 for the current expenses for the Orphans. This donation has greatly refreshed my spirit, as the expenses for the Orphans were never so great at any period, since the work commenced, as during the last six months, on account of the high price of provisions; and as the income has been small of late.
[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1853, to May 26th, 1854, was £3,891 12s. 2d.]
May 26th, 1854, to May 26th, 1855
At the beginning of this period there was in hand a balance of £123 0s. 7½d.
June 15th. Though this is only the third week since the new period commenced, yet as only about £60 had come in for the support of the Orphans, in addition to the balance of £123 0s. 7½d., 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 £151 5s. 8d., which being left to my disposal, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans.
July 12th. Our means were now again reduced to about £30, as only about £150 had come in since June 15th. 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 22:19—"That thy trust may be in the Lord," etc., 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 for £100, to be used "as the present need might require." I took, therefore, £50 for the support of the Orphans.
July 19th. For some time past I have been under an engagement to leave Bristol for about four weeks, to labour at Sunderland. I have besought the Lord during the last days that He would be pleased to send 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. I received from Lymington £5. From Kilmarnock £5. Proceeds of an Orphan box £1 5s. 9½d. To-day I have received from Middlesex £50. Through the boxes in the New Orphan House £7 1s. 3d. From a visitor at Clifton £50, and a gold chain. The donor kindly wished me to retain £10 for my own expenses. Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected more, and He sent me more on the following days.—July 20th. From Homerton £3 3s. Anonymously left at my house £5.
July 26th. From a visitor at Clifton £100, of which the donor wished me to take £20 for myself, and to use the other as most needed. I took, therefore, £50 for the Orphans.—There were anonymously left at the New Orphan House two vases, a Chinese tea-caddy, a mosaic box, a ring set with a ruby and two brilliants, a double gold serpent bracelet, a large cameo brooch, a silver snuff-box, a double gold pin set with two brilliants, a pair of gold ear-rings, a pair of gold earrings set with pearls and emeralds, a gold brooch set with pearls and emeralds, a gold pin set with pearls and garnets, three gold shirtstuds, a large gold cameo ring, a gold masonic medal, a pair of small gold ear-rings, a gold ring set with topazes, a gold watch-ring, and a rupee. These valuable articles did not merely refresh my spirit on account of their value; but they came as an answer to prayer for means, and also that the Lord would incline the hearts of His children to send such valuable, but needless, articles.—July 27th. Received "£20 tendered as a thankoffering for singular deliverance at Llanberis."
August 3rd. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House £3 18s. 3d. From London £5. Received a letter from the neighbourhood of Gumeracha, in Australia, enclosing a Bank Order for £10, of which £2 was intended for aged or blind saints in Bristol, £1 for Bibles and Testaments, and £7 for the Orphans.
The Lord, in answer to prayer, had supplied me so bountifully, that, when I left home on August 10th, I could leave sufficient in the bank to last for a little time, and I hoped in God that, by the time that was gone, He would kindly give more. And thus He did.
August 26th. A Christian widow, having had left to her by a friend a few articles, among which was a diamond brooch, sent it to me for the benefit of the Orphans, and thus had the desire of her heart granted, which she had often had, to be able to send something for them.
September 1st. From Birmingham £5. From Bath £5. From a Christian lady in Bath £10.
See, dear reader, how good the Lord is, and how ready to help in answer to prayer! I was then 300 miles from the work in which I am more especially engaged; but the Lord's assistance was to be obtained in this distant place. Day by day I sought His help while absent, and day by day I received intelligence from Bristol. And thus, my fellow-labourers in Bristol, and I at Sunderland, were seeking the help of the Lord, and He did condescend to listen to our supplications on account of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus, and to grant us our requests.
On this day, September 1st, I received a precious letter, enclosing a Post Office Order for £2 14s., from a donor who, for many years, took a lively interest in the work in which I am engaged. This letter was doubly precious, not only because of its containing £2 14s., which came just then so particularly in answer to prayer, as since August 26th I had been especially looking to the Lord for means, there being then scarcely anything left; but also because it so strikingly proved the power of the divine life.
Dear Mr. Müller,
"Having been a constant sufferer now for a year, and as there is likely to be a crisis soon, in the shape of a large abscess, and I know not what the Lord is about to do with me, I send you all the money I have in hand; and if it should be the last, may the Lord add a double blessing to it. The Lord does not want my poor help to do His own work; but I feel privileged to be allowed to contribute, if it is but a nail, or a cup of milk, to His service. My peace is great—that is, His peace is with me, though tribulation, to some extent, is mine also. I desire your prayers, and remain,
"Yours in our precious Lord, ——."
(This Christian lady, whom I have never seen in the body, though I corresponded with her for many years, has entered into her rest. She fell asleep at the beginning of the year 1855).
September 6th. Received from Clerkenwell £50, to be used, one half for Missions, and the other half as I thought best. I took the one half for the support of the Orphans. What a precious answer to prayer!
November 5th. There was now again only about £5 in hand for the support of the Orphans, when I received £2 10s. for them, and £2 10s. for myself, from a donor in London, whom the Lord has been pleased to raise up during the last two years, and who since then has been often used as an instrument in helping the work at times of need. A brother in the Lord also gave me £5 this morning, saying, "I have of late had the Orphans much laid on my heart." November 15th. Our means were now again gone. We had scarcely anything in hand, with very heavy expenses before us, when this morning a Christian gentleman from Yorkshire called on me, and gave me £50 for the current expenses for the Orphans. This was a most precious encouragement to prayer!—November 27th. Received £100 in the greatest need, from a considerable distance; of it I took £50 for the Orphans, and £50 for the other Objects.
December 20th. As since November 27th only about £200 has come in, I found this evening that our means for the support of the Orphans were reduced to £10 9s. 8d., whilst our current expenses of late have been about £12 daily, on account of the high price of provisions. This led to earnest prayer that the Lord would be pleased to help us.—December 21st. The Lord has already sent a precious answer to the prayer of last evening. I received to-day from a noble lady £10. From Devonshire £15. December 30th. At the beginning of this day our money was again reduced to £19 2s. 1½d. for the current expenses for the Orphans, whilst I had before me the prospect of having to advance this day £30 for housekeeping expenses, in order that we might go with ease through the week, and in order that all expenses might be met. Now see how the Lord helped us during this day. There came from a great distance £100, of which I took one half for the Orphans.—Thus I was enabled to advance this evening £30 for housekeeping as needed. This was the last time, during this period of the Institution, that we were brought so low as to means.
January 4th. From a Christian merchant at Clifton £30 for the Orphans, with £10 for myself, and £10 for poor believers.
January 8th. Received £5,700 [see Chapter XI., Building Fund]; of this £900 was taken for the current expenses for the Orphans. This, with what came in from December 30th, 1854, up to May 26th, 1855, for the support of the Orphans, enabled me to meet all the demands without any difficulty, during the remaining five months.
April 18th. Received from a distance £100, of which the donor intends £20 for myself, and £80 for the benefit of the Orphans.
May 5th. Received from a distance £219 9s. 4d., of which the donor kindly wished me to keep £19 9s. 4d. for myself, and to use the other as it might be required for the Lord's work. I took £100 for the support of the Orphans. This donation was especially refreshing to my spirit, because of its coming at this period, when the outgoings are very great.
[The expenditure for the Orphans from May 26th, 1854, to May 26th, 1855, was £4,304 4s. 7½d.]
May 26th, 1855, to May 26th, 1856
When this period commenced, I had £116 17s. 8½d. in hand for the support of the Orphans, an amount so small, looking at it naturally, that one would be ready to say, there would be soon nothing in hand. Thus indeed it would have been, had the Lord not been pleased further to send in means; but He, in His fatherly care, never ceased to remember our need and to provide for its supply. The expenses were very heavy, month after month, not only because of the greatness of the establishment, but in particular also on account of the high price of provisions, which prevailed during the whole of the year; yet, notwithstanding this, there was not a single year, since the Orphan work commenced, in which I went on with greater ease regarding means, than during this period. At the close of the first month, June 26th, there remained £192 9s. 11½d. in hand. At the close of the second month, July 26th, there was a balance left of £259 4s. At the close of the third month, August 26th, there was left a balance of £291 19s. 2d.
And in like manner the Lord was pleased to supply me with means, month after month, so that when He was pleased to give me on February 19th the donation of £3,000, before referred to, I had still £160 in hand for the support of the Orphans. It is particularly worthy of notice, that the income for the support of the Orphans was not supplied by any very large donations, previous to the one of £3,000; for there was no period for about ten years, when I received fewer large donations for the support of the Orphans, than during the last. It was supplied by many donations of £1, £2, £5, £10, £20, and upwards, but not exceeding £100, except one of £117 10s. received on May 3rd, and the £300 which I took for the Orphans out of the £3,000.