4. By presents in provisions, clothes, &c., worth to us at least … … 7 11 0
£402 4 5
Further account of the intended Orphan House for Seven Hundred Poor
Children, bereaved of both Parents by
death, from May 26, 1851, to May 26, 1852.
The reader will remember it was stated in the previous chapter on this subject, that I purposed, not in dependence upon my Christian Friends, nor upon former donors, but alone in dependence upon the living God, who, I trust, has called me for it, notwithstanding all my unworthiness, to enlarge the Orphan Work. The Godly reader will now be desirous to learn how far I have been helped, in this my intention, to enlarge the field of labour in caring for the vast numbers of helpless Orphans in our land. I will, therefore, give an extract, in the way of specimens, from the account book, kept for the purpose, together with the remarks and observations which I wrote down at the time of the receipt of the donations, and make also here and there additional remarks, as the occasion may call for.
Before I brought before the public my purpose, I gave the record of the exercises of my mind, on this subject, to a valued Christian friend to read, the only one who, besides my family, knew anything of my intention, before it came before the public. I did this particularly in order that, after waiting for several months in secret upon God for guidance and direction concerning it, I might also have the counsel of a prayerful, judicious, and cautious man of God. When this brother returned the manuscript, he spoke to me words of encouragement concerning this purpose, and gave me a half-sovereign towards the Building Fund for this house for 700 destitute Orphans. This was the first donation, which I received on May 13, 1851, and which, I confess, was a great refreshment and encouragement to me, the more so as it came from so cautious a brother, and after I had been for several months, through secret prayer, assured that I should go forward.
On May 28th, 1851, my intention became publicly known, and in the evening of May 29th I received from a Christian lady a sovereign towards the Building Fund.
May 30. One of the Orphans in the New Orphan House gave 6d. for the Building Fund, and one engaged in the work gave an old silver watch for sale and 5s.
June. 1. A brother in the Lord, who gives his donations with the letter "P.," gave me 10s.—I also received a sovereign.—This evening I received still further 4 half-crowns, with very encouraging words and expressions of joy, that I have been led to this purpose of building another Orphan House for 700 more Orphans.—There came to hand also anonymously 3s. Ditto an old shilling, a small American coin, and two shillings. Also from a Christian servant in Clifton 2s. 6d.
June. 3. From one of the Orphans in the New Orphan House 6d., and from another 6d.