I will now minutely relate the Lord's dealings with us, with reference to meeting the expenses for the 300 Orphans, for about three weeks, as a specimen of how the Lord was pleased to help us during a period when the flour was twice as dear as for several years before, and when other expenses were much greater than usual.
Oct. 24. This afternoon I was called on to advance more house-keeping money; but as I had only about 26l. altogether in hand, I could only give 20l. this time, instead of the usual 30l. I had then about 6l. left for all the many other expenses, large and small, connected with the Establishment, and which are not included in the ordinary house-keeping expenses. Before the day is over, I have received this evening the following amounts Through Salem boxes 1s. By sale of Reports 5s. 1d. with 10s. as a donation. Both sums from Waterford.—From a donor in Bristol 1l.—From Bayswater 5l.
Oct. 25. From an Orphan-box in Bristol 4s.—From Warminster 1l. 1s. From Seven Oaks 1l.1s. 6d. This was an old debt, owed for a long time to the donor. He expressed in prayer that, if the Lord would cause the money to be paid, it should be sent to me; and almost immediately afterwards it was paid.—From Durham 12l., being a dividend on shares in gas-works.—From Braunton 5s.—From Balham Hill, London, 1l. 10s., with a variety of articles to be sold for the benefit of the Orphans.—By sale of Reports 2s.
Oct. 26. From Keswick 7s. 6d., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., and 3s.—By sale of Reports 1l. 2s. 11 ½ d.—By sale of some silver coins, a few tea spoons, and a few trinkets 5l.—By sale of Reports 9s.—There was found in the visitor's room at the New Orphan House a four-penny piece.—Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 4l. 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.—Yesterday it was necessary to purchase ten sacks of flout, which, being just now twice as dear as darning the last years, cost 27l. 10s.; and this day it was needful to spend 8l. 1s. 2d. for smith's work. How kind, therefore, of the Lord to have sent me today, yesterday, and the afternoon of the day before yesterday, 34l. 11s, 4 ½ d. Thus, with the 6l. left before, I am able to meet these two items of above 35l., and have about 5l. left.
Now observe how the Lord further helped, when I had only Five Pounds left.
Oct. 27. By sale of Reports 3s.—From West Brixton 5s., and 5s. from
Scotland.—Through a box in the New Orphan House 6d.—By sale of a
Report 6d.
Oct. 28. "From Friends of Petersham" 1l. 2s. 6d., and from Richmond 7s.
6d.—From the neighbourhood of Stourbridge. 1l.—From Wells 3s.
From a clergyman at Weston-super-Mare 5l.—Anonymously from
Scotland 6d.—From a brother in the Lord 1l., with two pewter plates.
From Clifton 10s.—From Hackney 1s.
Oct. 29. From Chilton Polden 5s., as "A thank-offering that the donor's children have not been left Orphans."—From Kingsbridge 5s. 6d.—From Glasgow 7s. 6d.—By sale of articles and Reports 2l. 10s.—From Royston 1l.
Oct. 30. From Lichfield 2s. 6d. and 3s. 8d.—From a medical gentleman in Bristol 1l.—From Clifton 3s.
Oct. 31. This afternoon more money was required for house-keeping. By the donations which had come in since the 27th, I was able to pay away 7l. 13s., and 1l. 2s., and had 12l. 17s, 2d. besides. This I gave to the last penny for house-keeping, and had now literally not one penny left in hand for the current expenses for the Orphans.