Feb. 4, 1848. Yesterday came in still further: from Norwich 1l. and from
Devonshire 1l.
Feb. S. From a brother at Hereford 5l.—Feb. 5. From "Friends to Orphans" 2l., and from D.D. 12s 2 ½ d.—Feb. 5. By sale of articles 2l. 6s. 4d. Evening. Since this day week, when I had only one farthing left, the Lord has been pleased to send in for the Orphans 23l. 16s. 8 ½ d; but as I have had to pay away more than 10l., besides making up the remainder of what was needed for house-keeping expenses for the past week, there was only 6l. 10s. 10 ¾ d. for the expenses of the coming week, whilst nearly three times as much was required by the four matrons. I divided this little, however, among them, in the full assurance, that, by the time it was consumed, the Lord would send more.
Feb. 9. Today only 2s. 4d. has come in. We are supplied for the present moment, and shall have enough till tomorrow evening for house-keeping expenses; but there is about 25l. needed for boys' clothes, and I greatly desire to give some money to the sisters who labour in the Orphan-Houses.
Feb. 10. This morning was given to me the sum of One Hundred Pounds, which being left entirely to my disposal, I took of it 50l. for the Orphans, and 50l. for the School, Bible, Tractand Missionary Fund.—The Lord be praised for this most seasonable help! I am thus helped for the present for all the various parts of the work, and have especially two precious answers to my prayers concerning the Orphan work, in that I am able to get a new suit of clothes for all the boys, and to give some money to the sisters, who labour in the Orphan-Houses, for their own personal necessities.
From Feb. 10th to 22nd came in 21l. 0s. 1 ½ d. more.
Feb. 25. All money was now again expended. This afternoon I had paid away the last. About an hour after, I received from a brother the contents of his Orphan-box, being 2s. 6d. and a gold watch-key. In the evening was given to me 10l., being the half-yearly profits arising from shares in a certain company. How kind of the Lord thus to help again so soon! As soon as the last money was disbursed, He sent more.
Feb. 29. 4l. 18s. 0d. more has come in since the 25th. This evening I paid away for house-keeping all the money I had, being 12l. 10s. 7d., and returned home with an empty purse, trusting in the Lord to give me again fresh supplies. I shall shortly need again many pounds.
March 1. This morning I received anonymously by post from P. L. A. ten shillings. Evening. This afternoon a check for 25l. was left at my house for the benefit of the Orphans.—Thus we are again supplied for a week for what we need for house-keeping, &c. Oh, how good it is to depend on the faithful love of our heavenly Father, who never forsakes His children who put their trust in Him!
March 17. Since the first of this month there has come in, besides the 25l. given on the 1st, altogether 36l. 0s. 3 ½ d. Now today all means were again gone, when a brother in the Lord from Gloucestershire called at the Orphan-Houses and bought some tracts and an "Improved Rendering" for 2s. 6d., and gave 17s. 6d. for the Orphans. This afternoon came in further, by sale of articles, 2l. 12s. 9d.
March 18. This morning I received from Chelsea 4l., from Tewkesbury 10d., and this evening from D. D. 5s. 2d., and by sale of articles 5s. There was also 1l. left anonymously at my house.—Thus we are again supplied for 2 or 3 days.