July 12. Our means were now again reduced to about 30l., as only about 150l. had come in since June 15. In addition to this, we had very heavy expenses before us. This morning, in reading through the book of Proverbs, when I came to chapter xxii. 19 "That thy trust maybe in the Lord," &c., I said in prayer to Him: "Lord, I do trust in Thee; but wilt Thou now be pleased to help me; for I am in need of means for the current expenses of all the various objects of the Institution." By the first delivery of letters I received an order on a London bank for 100l., to be used for all the various objects, "as the present need might require." I took, therefore, 50l. for the support of the Orphans, and 50l. for the other objects, which are also in great need. Received also from Wandsworth Road 1l. 10s. 8d.; and in the course of the day 2l. 3s. 3d., through the boxes at the New Orphan House. Thus we are again helped for the present.
July 19. For some time past I have been under an engagement to leave Bristol at the end of this month, or in the beginning of August, for about four weeks, to labour at Sunderland. On this account I have besought the Lord during the last days that He would be pleased to send me some means for my own expenses, but especially that I might be able to leave some money behind, to last at least for some time. Yesterday the Lord was pleased to begin answering my request, in sending means for the support of the Orphans. I received from Lymington 5l.—From Tregenda 10s.—From Thetford 10s.—From Perth 1l.—From Kilmarnock 5l.—By sale of Reports 18s. 10d.—Proceeds of an Orphan Box 1l. 5s. 9 ½ d. Today I have received from South Brent 1s. From Middlesex 50l.—Ditto 18s.—From Clifton 5l.—From Dudbridge 8s.—Through the boxes in the New Orphan House 7l. 1s. 3d. By sale of Reports 1l. 8s.—Returned on paying an account 2s. 4d. From a visitor at Clifton 50l. and a gold chain. The donor kindly wished me to retain 10l. for my own expenses.—From Kingsbridge 2s.
Thus the Lord began to answer prayer; but I expected more, and He sent me more on the following days. I record the income for the Orphans:—
July 20. From Homerton 3l. 3s.—Anonymously from Birmingham 1s.—
Anonymously left at my house 5l.
July 21. From Bideford 10s.—By sale of Reports 1s.—From Tavistock 4s. 9d.—In a box from Tavistock, containing specimens of ores, &c. 3s.
July 22. From Wotton-under-edge 10s.—By sale of Reports 7s.—From
West Brixton 2l.—From the Isle of Wight 1s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.—By
sale of Reports 2s.—From Chippenham 2l. 10s.—From College Green,
Bristol, 10s.
July 23. From Bodmin 5s. and 1s.—From Clifton 5s. Ditto 5s. Ditto 1l. Ditto 1l.
July 24. From Dudley 1l. 0. 6d. Ditto 1s. 8d.—From Clifton 10s.—
With James i. 17l. 2s. 6d.—From P. 2s. 6d.—Through Salem boxes
1s. Ditto 6d.—From Stourbridge 1s. 6d.—From Hastings 1l. 10s.
From H. B. Esq. 2l.
July 25. From Wells 3s.—12s.—2s. 6d.—From Kendal 2l.—
From London 10l.
July 26. Through the boxes at the New Orphan House 5l. 18s. 11d.—By sale of Reports 14s. Ditto 6s.—From Torquay 3s. 4d.—From the neighbourhood of Newton Abbot 11s., with three silver pencil cases, and two pieces of old silver.—From a visitor at Clifton 100l., of which the donor wished me to take 20l. for myself, and to use the other as most needed. I took, therefore, 50l. for the Orphans, and 30l. for missions and the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and Tracts.—From Hackney 1l. 5s.—From Taunton 2s. and ¼ lb. of tea.—There were anonymously left at the New Orphan House two vases, a Chinese tea caddy, a mosaic box, a ring set with a ruby and two brilliants, a double gold serpent bracelet, a large cameo brooch, a silver snuff-box, a double gold pin set with two brilliants, a pair of gold ear-rings, a pair of gold ear-rings set with pearls and emeralds, a gold brooch set with pearls and emeralds, a gold pin set with pearls and garnets, three gold shirt studs, a large gold cameo ring, a gold masonic medal, a pair of small gold ear-rings, a gold ring set with topazes, a gold watch ring, and a rupee. (These valuable articles did not merely refresh my spirit on account of their value; but they came as an answer to prayer for means, and also that the Lord would incline the hearts of His children to send such valuable, but needless, articles.) There were also given by the same donors, six Indian table mats, a white lace scarf, a black lace cap, and two pamphlets.