Oct. 3. From the Forest of Dean 1l.
Oct. 4. From Old Aberdeen 5l.—From Dublin the work for an ottoman and a piece of crochet work.
Oct. 5. Through Bethesda boxes 10s.—From Clifton 7s.—From H. S. 4d.
Oct. 7. From Wellington in Salop 5s. Evening. The trial of my faith and patience continues still. Again very little has come in during the last four days for the Building Fund. But my hope in God, by His help, continues steadfast. I had just now again a long season for prayer, having spent the whole evening alone for the purpose, and am assured that, when God's time shall have come, it will be seen that, even concerning this object, I do not wait upon Him in vain. There are persons again and again asking me, When I am going to commence the building; for, they think that I have all, or nearly all, the means which are required. And there are others who ask me whether I still purpose to build this Orphan-House. To Thee, my Heavenly Father, Thy child turns under these circumstances. Thou knowest how small an amount as yet Thy servant has, in comparison with what is needed; but Thou also knowest that Thy servant did not act rashly and under excitement in this matter, but waited upon Thee for six months in secret, before he spoke about this his intention. Now, Lord, in Thy mercy, sustain Thy servant's faith and patience, and, if it please Thee, speedily refresh his heart by sending in larger sums, for which he is looking, and which he confidently expects!
Oct. 8. Through the boxes at the New Orphan-House 2s. 6d., with Psalm xxvii. 14. The words of the passage are these: "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." By God's grace I wait on the Lord, and am of good courage, and He does strengthen my heart, in faith and patience to continue to wait on Him, though only so little comes in, being assured that, when the trial of faith and patience is over, He will make bare His arm, and send in larger sums.
Oct. 28. Nothing at all has come in today for the Building Fund, and about 70l. only during the last four weeks. Yet, by the grace of God, I am supported, and have not the least questioning of soul whether I shall have the means or not. I only look upon this delay, on the part of God, in sending me larger sums, as an exercise of my patience and faith, and am sure, that in His own time He will give more largely. Today I have had again three long seasons for prayer respecting the work in my hands; and the greater part of this evening have been in prayer, entreating and beseeching the Lord to help me; and I am now again looking out for means, as I do day by day.
Oct. 29. This morning I received a letter, containing a check for 50l., and these words:
"* * * * Oct. 27, 1851.
"My dear Sir,
I had much pleasure and blessing in perusing the Report you were kind enough to send me some time ago, and am much obliged to you for it. Is it not a privilege to be allowed to obtain future good out of present expending? (Luke xvi. 9)' That when ye fail, etc.' I enclose a check for 50l., of which I should wish 25l. to be used for the New Orphan-House, that which you propose to build.