Oct. 26. From a visitor at Clifton 50l., which I took for the School,
Bible, Missionary, and Tract Objects.
Nov. 27. In great need there came in 100l., which was left to my appropriation as it might be most required. I took, therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, for whom there was scarcely anything in hand, and 50l. for these objects, for which we needed much in every way.
Dec. 30. Received 100l., when in the greatest need for these objects, and for the support of the Orphans. I took one-half for these objects, and the other for the Orphans, and am thus again helped, in answer to many prayers.
Jan. 1, 1855. As the year closed with mercies, so another has commenced with mercies. I received from one engaged in the work 2l. for missions. From M. E. for missions 5s.—From E. 0. 5s.—From M. A. E. 4s. 4d.—From B. S. 1l. for missions.—Also 10l. for the support of the Day Schools.
Jan. 2. From a few believers in Huntingdonshire 15s. 2d. for missions.
Jan. 3. From two Christian ladies in London 10l. for missions, with 10l. for the Orphans.
Thus we were helped till I received on Jan. 8th the promise of the donation of 5,700l., of which, as has been stated, 1,400l. was taken for these objects. This, with what came in besides, from Jan. 8, to May 26, 1855, enabled me so amply to meet every demand afterwards, that no further difficulty was experienced during this period, in the way of means.
Means for the support of the 300 Orphans, a/ready under our care, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1854, to May 26, 1855.
At the beginning of this period there was in hand a balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d. To the poorer class of readers this might appear a considerable sum; but to such we would say, that often the expenses of three or four days are more than this for the Orphan Establishment, with which 335 persons are connected; and, certainly, the average expenses, even if no extraordinary demands were to be met, amount to about Twelve Pounds per day in these dear times; and therefore 123l. would only be enough for about ten days. We had then, so far as regarded visible/e support, only enough for about ten days; but whilst we had so little as to visible support, we looked by faith to Him who is invisible, the Living God, who has upheld this work for so many years. We believed that He would help us still; and we were not confounded, though our faith was again and again tried. I can, however, give only a few out of the many instances which might be recorded.
June 15, 1854. Though this is only the third week since the new period commenced, yet as only about 60l. had come in for the support of the Orphans, in addition to the balance of 123l. 0s. 7 ½ d., 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 151l. 5s. 8d., which, being left to my disposal, I took the whole for the support of the Orphans. Also from two little girls was sent to me 8s., with the information that one of their sisters had set apart a swarm of bees, the honey of which should be sold for the benefit of the Orphans. Thus the Lord has again helped in the hour of need.