June 30. This morning when, as stated, there was again nothing in hand,
I received from Devonshire 20l. for the Orphans.
July 1. This morning I received still further from a Bristol donor 10l., and 5l. from M.R. These three donations of yesterday and today came in most seasonably, not only because they came when there was nothing in hand, but also because the Lord willing, I am on the point of leaving Bristol for a few weeks, and am thus able to leave some money behind.
I was absent from Bristol from July 1st to August 2nd. During this time 133l. 11s. 4 ½ d. was received, and the sums came in so seasonably, that there was not ally difficulty at all experienced with regard to means, because there was always a sufficient amount of money in hand, to furnish the house-keeping expenses each week in advance, besides meeting all other current expenses. At the same time I might say that almost every one of the donations came in most seasonably to help us on, if not from day to day, at least from week to week; and if it were not on account of its taking up too much space, I should mention every one of the donations which form the total amount referred to, but I shall only refer to the following.
July 13. The proceeds of an Orphan-box from Stafford 4l. 7s. 6d. The friend who sent the money wished to know whether it arrived in a time of need. I have had many similar requests, to which I can reply nothing, or say at the most that the answer may be learnt from the next Report. It will be easily perceived, on reflection, that if I said, it came seasonably, that would imply we had little or nothing at all in hand, and what would that again mean but this, "As our expenses are so great, that which you have now sent will be soon gone again, and therefore send us some more, or get some friend to help us." But by this very thing the chief object of this work, "To show how blessed it is to deal with God alone, and how blessed to trust in Him in the darkest moments," would be hindered. It is also for this very reason that I do not publish the accounts very frequently, for instance quarterly, as I have been requested to do; but I am delighted to wait a year, or eighteen months, or two years, or more; and even then I do not publish them for the sake of obtaining money (though unquestionably God has used the Reports as instruments to procure us means), but for the benefit of the Church of God, to refresh, encourage, exhort, and instruct my brethren in Christ; and also because it is needful that from time to time. I should give a public account of the way in which the considerable sums, with which I have been intrusted, have been spent.
Of the donations which came in between Aug. 2nd and 14th (in amount 51l. 16s. 3 ½ d.), I only refer to the following.—Aug. 9th. A brother, being some time ago, through a particular circumstance, in danger of losing all his property, dedicated to the Lord 50l., if He would be pleased to help him out of the difficulty. Now today I received from that brother, with his explanation of this, 10l. for the Orphans and 5l. for my own personal necessities, being a part of that 50l., as the Lord, in answer to prayer, has delivered him out of the danger.
Aug. 14. Saturday evening. This evening I found that there was only as much money in hand for present use for the Orphans (i.e. 44l.), as there were liabilities upon me for rent, &c. On this account I gave myself particularly to prayer for means for house-keeping expenses, as on Tuesday evening I shall have to give fresh supplies to the matrons. About one hour, after I had risen from my knees, two sovereigns were given to me, which a sister had brought from Ilfracombe.
Aug. 15. Today came in further, from Barnstaple. 5s., anonymously 5l., from C. C. 5s. 4d., from a sister in Bristol 1l., from Clifton 4s., and anonymously 2s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.—Thus the Lord has been pleased to give me already, within twenty-four hours, after I had sought more especially His help for means, the sum of 9l. 0s. 4d. My eyes are now looking to Him for more.
Aug. 16. By sale of articles came in 1l. 10s. 10d.
Aug. 17. Tuesday evening. No more having come in, I have not been able to give to the matrons the housekeeping expenses for the whole week; I hope, however, that the Lord will send more before all is expended which I was able to give, and which will last about three or four days.
Aug. 18. This morning I received from Droitwich a half sovereign, and from Yorkshire 3l. Thus the Lord has already given 3l. 10s.—There was also left at my house this afternoon, anonymously, a pair of silver spectacles; and at the Girls' Orphan-House. No. II were left 3 rings, a brooch, and a pair of ear-rings.—There was also given 2s. 6d.