Beginning of Orphan Work, 1835–1838 (part 1 of 2)
CHAPTER V
BEGINNING OF ORPHAN WORK (1835– 1838)
NOVEMBER 20th. This evening I took tea at a sister's house, where I found Franke's life. I have frequently, for a long time, thought of labouring in a similar way, though it might be on a much smaller scale; not to imitate Franke, but in reliance upon the Lord. May He make it plain.—November 21st. To-day I have had it very much impressed on my heart, no longer merely to think about the establishment of an Orphan House, but actually to set about it, and I have been very much in prayer respecting it, in order to ascertain the Lord's mind.—November 23rd. To-day I had £10 sent from Ireland for our Institution. Thus the Lord, in answer to prayer, has given me, in a few days, about £50. I had asked only for £40. This has been a great encouragement to me, and has still more stirred me up to think and pray about the establishment of an Orphan House.—November 25th. I have been again much in prayer yesterday and to-day about the Orphan House, and am more and more convinced that it is of God. May He in mercy guide me!
Reasons for Desiring to Establish an Orphan House
It may be well to enter somewhat minutely into the reasons which led me to establish an Orphan House. I had constantly cases brought before me, which proved that one of the special things which the children of God needed in our day, was, to have their faith strengthened. I longed to have something to point to, as a visible proof, that our God and Father is the same faithful God as ever He was; as willing as ever to prove Himself to be the LIVING GOD, in our day as formerly, to all who put their trust in Him. Sometimes I found children of God tried in mind by the prospect of old age, when they might be unable to work any longer, and therefore were harassed by the fear of having to go into the poor-house. If in such a case I pointed out to them, how their Heavenly Father has always helped those who put their trust in Him, though they might not always say that times have changed; yet it was evident enough, that God was not looked upon by them as the LIVING God. My spirit was ofttimes bowed down by this, and I longed to set something before the children of God, whereby they might see, that He does not forsake, even in our day, those who rely upon Him. Also I longed to be instrumental in strengthening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the Word of God, of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs, that He is the same in our day. I well knew that the Word of God ought to be enough, and it was, by grace, enough for me; but still, I considered that I ought to lend a helping hand to my brethren, if by any means, by this visible proof of the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord I might strengthen their hands in God; for I remembered what a great blessing my own soul had received through the Lord's dealings with His servant A. H. Franke, who, in dependence upon the living God alone, established an immense Orphan House, which I had seen many times with my own eyes. I, therefore, judged myself bound to be the servant of the Church of God, in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy: namely, in being able to take God at His word and to rely upon it.
All these exercises of my soul, which resulted from the fact that many believers, with whom I became acquainted, were harassed and distressed in mind, or brought guilt on their consciences, on account of not trusting in the Lord; were used by God to awaken in my heart the desire of setting before the Church at large, and before the world, a proof that He has not in the least changed; and this seemed to me best done by the establishing of an Orphan House. It needed to be something which could be seen, even by the natural eye. Now, if I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith, obtained, without asking any individual, the means for establishing and carrying on an Orphan House: there would be something which, with the Lord's blessing, might be instrumental in strengthening the faith of the children of God, besides being a testimony to the consciences of the unconverted, of the reality of the things of God. This, then, was the primary reason for establishing the Orphan House. I certainly did from my heart desire to be used by God to benefit the bodies of poor children, bereaved of both parents, and seek, in other respects, with the help of God, to do them good for this life;—I also particularly longed to be used by God in getting the dear Orphans trained up in the fear of God;—but still the first and primary object of the work was (and still is), that God might be magnified by the fact, that the Orphans under my care are provided with all they need, only by prayer and faith, without any one being asked by me or my fellowlabourers, whereby it may be seen, that God is FAITHFUL STILL, and HEARS PRAYER STILL. (That I was not mistaken, has been abundantly proved since November, 1835, both by the conversion of many sinners who have read the accounts which have been published in connection with this work, and also by the abundance of fruit that has followed in the hearts of the saints, for which, from my inmost soul, I desire to be grateful to God, and the honour and glory of which not only is due to Him alone, but which I, by His help, am enabled to ascribe to Him.)
November 28th. I have been, every day this week, very much in prayer concerning the Orphan House, chiefly entreating the Lord to take away every thought concerning it out of my mind, if the matter be not of Him; and have also repeatedly examined my heart concerning my motives in the matter. But I have been more and more confirmed that it is of God.
December 2nd. This morning I asked the Lord especially, that He would be pleased to teach me through the instrumentality of brother C.; and I went to him, that he might have an opportunity of probing my heart. For as I desire only the Lord's glory, I should be glad to be instructed through the instrumentality of any brother, if the matter be not of Him. But brother C., on the contrary, greatly encouraged me in it. Therefore I have this day taken the first actual step in the matter, in having ordered bills to be printed, announcing a public meeting on December 9th, at which I intend to lay before the brethren my thoughts concerning the Orphan House, as a means of ascertaining more clearly the Lord's mind concerning the matter.—December 5th. This evening I was struck in reading the Scriptures, with these words: "Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Ps. 81:10). Up to this day I had not prayed at all concerning the means or individuals needed for the Orphan House. I was now led to apply this Scripture to the Orphan House, I fell on my knees, and asked the Lord for premises, for £1,000, and for suitable individuals to take care of the children. [For the answer to this prayer see pp. 92 and 93.]
December 9th. This afternoon the first piece of furniture was given—a large wardrobe. This afternoon and evening I was low in spirits as regards the Orphan House, but as soon as I began to speak at the meeting, I received peculiar assistance from God, felt great peace and joy, and the assurance that the work is of God. After the meeting, 10s. was given to me. There was purposely no collection, nor did any one speak besides myself; for it was not in the least intended to work upon the feelings, for I sought to be quite sure concerning the mind of God. After the meeting a sister offered herself for the work. I went home happy in the Lord, and full of confidence that the matter will come to pass, though but 10s. has been given.
The reason for proposing to enlarge the field is not because we have of late particularly abounded in means; for we have been rather straitened. The many answers which the Lord had given us concerning the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, led brother C——r and me to give ourselves to prayer, asking Him to supply us with the means to carry on the work, as we consider it unscriptural to contract debts. During five days, we prayed several times, both unitedly and separately. After that time, the Lord began to answer our prayers, so that, within a few days, about £50 was given to us. I would further say, that the very gracious and tender dealings of God with me, in having supplied, in answer to prayer, for the last five years, my own temporal wants without any certain income, so that money, provisions and clothes have been sent to me at times when I was greatly straitened, and that not only in small but large quantities; and not merely from individuals living in the same place with me, but at a considerable distance; and that not merely from intimate friends, but from individuals whom I have never seen: all this, I say, has often led me to think, even as long as four years ago, that the Lord had not given me this simple reliance on Him merely for myself, but also for others. Often, when I saw poor neglected children running about the streets at Teignmouth, I said to myself: "May it not be the will of God, that I should establish schools for these children, asking Him to give me the means? "However, it remained only a thought in my mind for two or three years. The Lord, for I cannot but think it was He, again and again brought the thought about poor children to my mind, till at last it ended in the establishment of "The Scriptural Knowledge Institution, for Home and Abroad;" since the establishment of which, I have had it in a similar way brought to my mind, first about fourteen months ago, and repeatedly since, but specially during these last weeks, to establish an Orphan House. My frequent prayer of late has been, that if it be of God, He would let it come to pass; if not, that Ho would take from me all thoughts about it. The latter has not been the case, but I have been led more and more to think that the matter may be of Him. Now, if so, He can influence His people in any part of the world (for I do not look to Bristol, nor even to England, but to the living God, whose is the gold and the silver) to entrust me and brother C ——r, whom the Lord has made willing to help me in this work, with the means. Till we have them, we can do nothing in the way of renting a house, furnishing it, etc. Yet, when once as much as is needed for this has been sent us, as also proper persons to engage in the work, we do not think it needful to wait till we have the Orphan House endowed, or a number of yearly subscribers for it; but we trust to be enabled by the Lord, who has taught us to ask for our daily bread, to look to Him for the supply of the daily wants of those children whom He may be pleased to put under our care.
Respecting the persons who are needed for carrying on the work, a matter of no less importance than the procuring of funds, I would observe, that we look for them to God Himself, as well as for the funds; and that all who may be engaged as masters, matrons, and assistants, according to the smallness or largeness of the Institution, must be known to us as true believers; and moreover, as far as we may be able to judge, must likewise be qualified for the work.
December 10th. This morning I received a letter in which a brother and sister wrote thus: "We propose ourselves for the service of the intended Orphan House, if you think us qualified for it; also to give up all the furniture, etc., which the Lord has given us, for its use; and to do this without receiving any salary whatever; believing, that if it be the will of the Lord to employ us, He will supply all our need," etc. In the evening a brother brought from several individuals three dishes, twenty-eight plates, three basins, one jug, four mugs, three salt stands, one grater, four knives, and five forks.
December 12th. While I was praying this morning that the Lord would give us a fresh token of His favour concerning the Orphan House, a brother brought three dishes, twelve plates, one basin, and one blanket. After this had been given, I thanked God, and asked Him to give even this day another encouragement. Shortly after, £50 was given, and that by an individual from whom, for several reasons, I could not have expected this sum. Thus the hand of God appeared so much the more clearly. Even then I was led to pray that this day the Lord would give still more. In the evening, accordingly, there were sent 29 yards of print. Also a sister offered herself for the work.
Large Donation from a poor Seamstress
December 18th. This afternoon a brother brought from a sister, a counterpane, a flat iron stand, eight cups and saucers, a sugar basin, a milk jug, a tea cup, sixteen thimbles, five knives and forks, six dessert spoons, twelve tea spoons, four combs, and two little graters; from another friend a flat iron and a cup and saucer. At the same time he brought £100 from a sister. It has since pleased the Lord to take to Himself the donor of this £100, and I therefore give further account of the donation and the donor, as the particulars respecting both, with God's blessing, may tend to edification. Indeed, I confess that I am delighted to be at liberty, in consequence of the death of the donor, to give the following short narrative, which, during her lifetime, I should not have considered it wise to publish. A. L., the donor, was known to me almost from the beginning of my coming to Bristol in 1832. She earned her bread by needlework, by which she gained from 2s. to 5s. per week; the average, I suppose, was not more than about 3s. 6d., as she was weak in body. But this dear, humble sister was content with her small earnings, and I do not remember ever to have heard her utter a word of complaint on account of earning so little. Some time before I had been led to establish an Orphan House, her father had died, through which event she had come into the possession of £480, which sum had been left to her (and the same amount to her brother and two sisters) by her grandmother, but of which her father had had the interest during his lifetime. The father, who had been much given to drink, died in debt, which debts the children wished to pay; but the rest, besides A. L., did not like to pay the full amount, and offered to the creditors 5s. in the pound, which they gladly accepted, as they had not the least legal claim upon the children. After the debts had been paid according to this agreement, A. L. said to herself, "However sinful my father may have been, yet he was my father, and as I have the means of paying his debts to the full amount, I ought, as a believing child, to do so, seeing that my brother and sisters will not do it." She then went to all the creditors secretly, and paid the full amount of the debts, which took £40 more of her money, besides her share which she had given before. Her brother and two sisters now gave £50 each of their property to their mother; but A. L. said to herself: "I am a child of God, surely I ought to give my mother twice as much as my brother and sisters." She, therefore, gave her mother £100. Shortly after this she sent me the £100 towards the Orphan House. I was not a little surprised when I received this money from her, for I had always known her as a poor girl, and I had never heard anything about her having come into the possession of this money, and her dress had never given me the least indication of an alteration in her circumstances. Before, however, accepting this money from her, I had a long conversation with her, in which I sought to probe her as to her motives, and in which I sought to ascertain whether, as I had feared, she might have given this money in the feeling of the moment, without having counted the cost. I was the more particular, because, if the money where given, without its being given from scriptural motives, and there should be regret afterwards, the name of the Lord would be dishonoured.
But I had not conversed long with this beloved sister, before I found that she was, in this particular, a quiet, calm, considerate follower of the Lord Jesus, and one who desired, in spite of what human reason might say, to act according to the words of our Lord: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth" (Matthew 6:19). "Sell that ye have and give alms" (Luke 12:33). When I remonstrated with her, in order that I might see whether she had counted the cost, she said to me: "The Lord Jesus has given His last drop of blood for me, and should I not give Him this £100?" She likewise said: "Rather than the Orphan House should not be established, I will give all the money I have." When I saw that she had weighed the matter according to the Word of God, and that she had counted the cost, I could not but take the money, and admire the way which the Lord took, to use this poor, sickly sister as an instrument, in so considerable a measure, for helping, at its very commencement, this work, which I had set about solely in dependence upon the living God.
At that time, she would also have me take £5 for the poor saints in communion with us. I mention here particularly, that this dear sister kept all these things to herself, and did them as much as possible in secret; and during her lifetime, I suppose, not six brethren and sisters among us knew that she had ever possessed £480, or that she had given £100 towards the Orphan House. But this is not all. Some time after this £100 had been given by her, brother C——r (who was then labouring as a City Missionary in connection with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, and who about that very time happened to visit from house to house in that part of the city where A. L. lived) told me that he had met with many cases in which she had given, to one poor woman a bedstead, to another some bedding, to another some clothes, to another food; and thus instance upon instance of acts of love, on the part of our dear sister, had come before him. I relate one instance more. August 4th, 1836, seven months and a half after she had given the £100, she came one morning to me and said: "Last evening I felt myself particularly stirred up to pray about the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but whilst praying I thought, what good is it for me to pray jar means, if I do not give when I have the means, and I have therefore brought you this £5." As I had reason to believe that by this time by far the greater part of her money was gone, I again had a good deal of conversation with her, to see whether she really did count the cost, and whether this donation also was given unto the Lord, or from momentary excitement, in which case it was better not to give the money. However, she was at this time also steadfast, grounded upon the Word of God, and evidently constrained by the love of Christ; and all the effect my conversation had upon her was, that she said: "You must take live shillings in addition to the £5, as a proof that I give the £5 cheerfully."
Four things are specially to be noticed about this beloved sister, with reference to all this period of her earthly pilgrimage: (1) She did all these things in secret, avoiding to the utmost all show about them, and thus proved that she did not desire the praise of man. (2) She remained, as before, of a humble and lowly mind, and she proved thus, that she had done what she did unto the Lord, and not unto man. (3) Her dress remained, during all the time that she had this comparative abundance, the same as before. It was clean, yet as simple and inexpensive as it was at the time when all her income had consisted of 3s. fid., or at most 5s., per week. There was not the least difference as to her lodging, dress, manner of life, etc. She remained in every way the poor handmaid of the Lord, as to all outward appearance. (4) But that which is as lovely as the rest, she continued working at her needle all this time. She earned her 2s. 6d., or 3s., or a little more, a week, as before; whilst she gave away the money in sovereigns or five-pound notes.
At last all her money was gone, and that some years before she fell asleep; and as her bodily health never had been good, as long as I had known her, and was now much worse, she found herself peculiarly dependent upon the Lord, who never forsook her up to the last moment of her earthly course. The very commencement of her life of simple dependence upon the Lord, was such as greatly to encourage her. She related the facts to me as I give them here. When she was completely without money, and when her little stock of tea and butter was also gone, two sisters in the Lord called on her. After they had been a little while with her, they told her that they had come to take tea with her. She said to herself, I should not at all mind going without my tea, but this is a great trial, that I have nothing to set before these sisters; and she gave them therefore to understand that their staying to tea would not he convenient at that time. The sisters, however, I suppose, not understanding the hint, remained, and presently brought out of a basket tea, sugar, butter and bread, and thus there was all that was requisite for the tea, and the remainder of the provisions was left for her. She told me that at that time she was not accustomed to trials of faith, as she afterwards was.
Her body became weaker and weaker, in consequence of which she was able to work very little for many months before she died; but the Lord supplied her with all she needed, though she never asked for anything. For instance, a sister in communion with us sent her for many months all the bread she used. Her mouth was full of thanksgiving, even in the midst of the greatest bodily sufferings. She fell asleep in Jesus in January, 1844. I have related these facts because they tend to the praise of the Lord, and may be instrumental in stirring up other children of God to follow this dear departed sister in so far as she followed the Lord Jesus; but, in particular, that I may show in what remarkable ways the Lord proved, from the very beginning, that the Orphan House was His and not mine.
December 23rd. A brother gave this evening a piece of blind line and a dozen of blind tassels. In the evening, a gentleman brought me from an individual, whose name he was not to mention, £4, of which I was allowed to take £2 for the Orphan House, and to give the other £2 to poor believers.
December 31st. As regards the way in which the Lord, in His faithful love, supplied my temporal wants, during the past year, I mention that I received in all £285 1s. 1¼d.
January 1st. Through a sister was given 6s., being six different donations; also from herself £1 as a donation, besides 1s. as a monthly subscription. Also a lady sent through her £1 1s. as a yearly subscription.—January 2nd. A sister sent £5.—January 5th. This evening someone rang our house bell. When the door was opened, no one was there, but a kitchen fender and a dish were found at the door, no doubt given for the Orphan House.
January 8th. There was given £2. A sister offered herself for the work.—January 9th. From E. G., £1 5s., and from a brother 6d. January 10th. The sum of 2s. 6d. was given. In the paper was written, "Two widows' mites for the Orphan school. In the name of the Lord establish it."
All this money, and all these articles have been given, and all these above-mentioned offers have been made, without my asking any individual for anything; moreover, almost all has been sent from individuals concerning whom I had naturally no reason to expect anything, and some of whom I never saw. Upon the ground of these facts, therefore, I am clearly persuaded that it is the will of the Lord that I should proceed in the work.
Out-going of Misionaries
March 1st. This afternoon brother and sister Groves, and the brethren and sisters going with them for missionary purposes, twelve in number, left us for the East Indies.* In consequence of the journey to the Continent, at the commencement of last year, four brethren and two sisters have gone out, two brethren in October last, and two brethren and two sisters to-day. This evening we had again a prayer meeting for the dear missionary party. May the Lord soon give us the privilege of seeing some one of our own number go forth.
May 3rd. I have now been for many clays praying for the supply of our own temporal wants, and for the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but, as yet, I have had not only no answers to my prayer, but our income has been less than usual, and we have had also but very little coming in for the funds of the Institution. We have not been able to put by our taxes, and expect them daily to be called for. My clothes also are now worse than any I ever wore, and I have also but one suit.
May 6th. I have now been for some years, and specially these last few months, more or less thinking and praying respecting publishing a short account of the Lord's dealings with me. To-day I have at last settled to do so, and have begun to write.
May 16th. For these several weeks our income has been little; and though I had prayed many times that the Lord would enable us to put by the taxes, yet the prayer remained unanswered. In the midst of it all, my comfort was that the Lord would send help by the time it would be needed. One thing particularly has been a trial to us of late, far more than our own temporal circumstances, which is, that we have scarcely in any measure been able to relieve the distress among the poor saints. To-day, the Lord at last, after I had many times prayed to Him for these weeks past, answered my prayers, there being £7 12s. 0¼d. given to me as my part of the free-will offerings through the boxes. Thus the Lord has again delivered us, and answered our prayers, and that not one single hour too late; for the taxes have not as yet been called for.
Opening of the First Wilson Street Orphan House
May 18th. So far as I remember, I brought even the most minute circumstances concerning the Orphan House before the Lord in my petitions, being conscious of my own weakness and ignorance. There was, however, one point I never had prayed about, namely, that the Lord would send children; for I naturally took it for granted that there would be plenty of applications.
The nearer, however, the day came, which had been appointed for receiving applications, the more I had secret consciousness that the Lord might disappoint my natural expectations, and show me that I could not prosper in one single thing without Him. The appointed time came, and not even one application was made. I had before this been repeatedly tried, whether I might not, after all, against the Lord's mind, have engaged in the work. This circumstance now led me to lie low before my God in prayer the whole of the evening, February 3rd, and to examine my heart once more as to all the motives concerning it; and being able, as formerly, to say, that His glory was my chief aim, i.e., that it might be seen that it is not a vain thing to trust in the living God, and that my second aim was the spiritual welfare of Orphan children, and the third their bodily welfare; and still continuing in prayer, I was at last brought to this state, that I could say from my heart, that I should rejoice in God being glorified in this matter, though it were by bringing the whole to nothing. But as still, after all, it seemed to me more tending to the glory of God, to establish and prosper the Orphan House, I could then ask Him heartily to send applications. I enjoyed now a peaceful state of heart concerning the subject, and was also more assured than ever that God would establish it. The very next day, February 4th, the first application was made, and since then 42 more have been made.
I rented, at least for one year, the house, No. 6, Wilson Street, as being, on account of its cheapness and largeness, very suitable, and in which, up to March 25th, I had been living myself. Having furnished it for 30 children, we began on April 11th, 1836, to take them in, and on April 21st the Institution was opened by a day being set apart for prayer and "thanksgiving." There are now 26 children in the house, and a few more are expected daily.
We intend to take in children from seven to twelve years old.
Decision to Open a House for Infants
After six applications had been made for children between four and six years of age, it became a subject of solemn and prayerful consideration, whether, as long as there were vacancies, such children should not be received, though so young. Partly then, on account of these reasons; and partly, because the Institution already opened will be quite filled in a few days, and applications continue to be made; and partly, because the Lord has hitherto done far above what I could have expected: I have at last, after repeated prayer, come to the conclusion, in the name of the Lord, and in dependence upon Him alone for support, to propose the establishment of an Infants' Orphan House. It is intended to open this Institution, as soon as suitable premises and individuals, to take care of the children, etc., have been obtained.
(a) It is intended to receive into this Infants' Orphan House destitute male and female infants bereaved of both parents, from their earliest days up to the seventh year, and to provide them with food, clothing, needful attendance, and scriptural education.
(b) It is intended to let the female children stay up to the seventh year in the Infants' Orphan House, and then to remove them to the Institution already opened, till they are able to go to service.
(c) It is also intended, as far as the Lord may help, to provide for the boys, when they are above seven years, though we cannot at present say in what manner.
June 3rd. From May 16th up to this day I have been confined to the house, and a part of the time to my bed, on account of local inflammation, which keeps mo from walking. Almost every day during this time I have been able to continue writing a Narrative of the Lord's dealings with me, which had been again laid aside after May 7th, on account of a number of pressing engagements. It is very remarkable, that the greatest objection against writing it for the press was want of time. Now through this affliction, which leaves my mind free, and gives me time, on account of confinement to the house, I have been able to write about 100 quarto pages. May the Lord in mercy teach me about this matter!
June 11th. I am, by the mercy of God, still getting better, but, as yet, unable to walk about. All this week I have been again enabled to go on writing for the press.—June 12th. To-day the Lord very kindly allowed me to preach again, and that most undeservedly, and much sooner than I could have expected.
June 18th. We have had, for many weeks past, generally little money for our personal expenses, which has been a trial to us, not on our own account, but because we have thus been able to do but very little for the poor brethren. To-day, Saturday, we have 3s. left, just enough to pay for a fly to take me to, and bring me back from Bethesda tomorrow, as I am unable to walk. This money we should not have had, but for our baker, a brother, who refused to-day to take money for the usual quantity of bread, which we daily take.
June 21st. This evening brother C——r and I found, that the Lord has not only been pleased to send us, through the offerings which have come in during the last week, in answer to our prayers, the £17 10s. which will be due for the rent of two schoolrooms on July 1st, but that we have £5 morn than is needed. Thus the Lord once more has answered our prayers.
July 28th. For some weeks past we have not been able to pay the salary of the masters and governesses a month in advance, but have been obliged to pay it weekly. Brother C——r and I have lately prayed repeatedly together respecting the funds, but we were now brought so low, that we should not have been able to pay even this weekly salary of the teachers had not the Lord most remarkably helped us again to-day. For besides £1 which was given to us this evening, a brother gave £8, which sum had been made up by a number of his workmen paying weekly one penny each, of their own accord, towards our funds. The money had been collecting for many months, and, in this our necessity, it had been put into the heart of this brother to bring it. My faith has been greatly strengthened through this circumstance. For, before to-day, though I have never been in the least allowed to doubt the Lord's faithfulness, I did not understand His purpose in His dealings with us of late, in not sending us more than we have needed just to be kept from stopping; and I have sometimes thought, whether it might not be His will, on account of my want of faithfulness, in His work, to decrease the field; but now I see, that notwithstanding my unworthiness, His allowing us to pray so frequently was only that the deliverance might be felt so much the more when it came.
October 1st. Last Saturday, for the first time, we were so low in funds, that we needed £1 more than we had, to pay the salaries a week in advance; but one sister, on account of the death of her father, as we afterwards learned, was kept from calling for her money, and on the next day we received more than was needed to pay her. On account, therefore, of the many deliverances which we have had of late, we have not hesitated to enlarge the field, as another Boys' School was greatly needed, there having been many applications for admission standing these several months past.
October 5th. This evening £25 was given to me for the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. Thus the Lord has already given the means of defraying the expenses of the new Boys' School for some months to come.
Opening of the Second Wilson Street Orphan House
October 19th. To-day, after having many times prayed respecting this matter, I have at last engaged a sister as matron for the Infants'
Orphan House, never having been able, up to this day, to meet with an individual who seemed suitable, though there has been money enough in hand for some time past for commencing this work, and there have been also applications for the reception of several infant Orphans.
October 25th. To-day we obtained, without any trouble, through the kind hand of God, very suitable premises for the Infants' Orphan House. If we had laid out many hundred pounds in building a house, we could scarcely have built one more suitable for the purpose. How evident is the hand of God in all these matters! How important to leave our concerns, great and small, with Him; for He arranges all things well! If our work be His work, we shall prosper in it.
November 30th. On account, as I suppose, of many pressing engagements, I had not been led for some time past to pray respecting the funds. But being in great need, I was led yesterday morning, earnestly to ask the Lord, and in answer to this petition a brother gave me last evening £10. He had had it in his heart for several months past to give this sum, but had been hitherto kept from it, not having the means. Just now, in this our great necessity, the Lord furnished him with the means, and we were helped in this way. In addition to this £10, I received last evening a letter with £5, from a sister whom I never saw, and who has been several times used by God as an instrument to supply our wants. She writes thus: "It has been so much on my mind lately to send you some money, that I feel as if there must be some need, which the Lord, purposes to honour me by making me the instrument of supplying. I therefore enclose you £5, all I have in the house at this moment; but if you have occasion for it, and will let me know, I will send you as much more."
[The expenditure for the Orphans from March 26th to December 10th was £396 16s. 1¼d.]
December 15th. This day was set apart for prayer and thanksgiving respecting the Infants' Orphan House, which was opened on November 28th. In the morning we had a prayer meeting. In the afternoon, besides prayer and thanksgiving, I addressed the children of our day schools and the Orphans, about 350. on Ecclesiastes 12:1. In the evening I gave a further account of the Orphan Houses, commencing from the time when the last account had been issued, dated May 18th, 1836.
December 31st. There are at present in fellowship with us at Gideon 181, and at Bethesda 168—altogether 349.
The Lord has been pleased to give me during the past year, as regards my temporal supplies, £232 11s. 9d.
April 22nd. The Lord has mercifully stayed the typhus fever in the Orphan House, in answer to prayer. There were only two cases, and the children are recovering.