Dec. 22. Today I have again a precious proof that continuing to wait upon the Lord is not in vain. During this month, comparatively little had come in for the Building Fund; yet, by God's grace, I have been enabled, as before; yea, even with more earnestness perhaps than before to make known my requests unto God, being more and more convinced that I ought to seek by earnest prayer soon to be able to begin the building. In addition to this I had also especially besought the Lord to give me means for missionary brethren, and also for brethren who labour in the word in various parts of England and Ireland; as all my means for them were now gone. I had also been waiting upon God for means to order a fresh stock of tracts. I had lastly again and again besought the Lord to give me means for the poor saints in Bristol, of whom there are many, and whose need is now particularly great. Now today the Lord has granted me precious answers to my requests concerning these various objects, for I received this morning one Thousand Pounds with these words: "I send you some money, part of which you can apply to the Orphans and the other objects of your Institution, according to their need, and the rest you can put to the Building Fund. At the present price of provisions your expenses must be large for the Orphans. Please also take 25l. for your own need." As I have about 80l. in hand for the Orphans, I took nothing for present use for them, but took 175l. for the other objects, in order thus to be able to send some help to Home and Foreign labourers, and to order a fresh stock of tracts; and 800l. I took for the Building Fund. I should have taken less for the Building Fund, and more for present use, did it not appear to me the will of God, that with my might I ought to give myself to this part of the work.
Jan. 5, 1847. We have just now much sickness in the four Orphan-Houses, on account of which we are much tried for want of room, and for want of proper ventilation, the houses having been originally built for private families. This has again most practically shown me the desirableness of having the Orphans, as soon as possible, removed to a house built on purpose for them and my heart says, "Lord, how long?" and importunes Him the more, yet, by His grace, without being impatient, but willing to wait His time, which in the end is always found to be the best.
Jan. 9. From a professional Christian gentleman 10l., which I received from him in paying him his account today.
Jan. 10. From a brother in the Lord 80l.—From C. C. 8s. 2 ½ d.
Jan. 11. From a lady at Bedminster 3l. 10s.
Jan. 25. The season of the year is now approaching, when building may be begun. Therefore with increased earnestness I have given myself unto prayer, importuning the Lord that He would be pleased to appear on our behalf, and speedily send the remainder of the amount which is required, and I have increasingly, of late, felt that the time is drawing near, when the Lord will give me all that which is requisite for commencing the Building. All the various arguments which I have often brought before God, I brought also again this morning before Him. It is now 14 months and 3 weeks since day by day I have uttered my petitions to God on behalf of this work. I rose from my knees this morning in full confidence, not only that God could, but also would, send the means, and that soon. Never, during all these 14 months and 3 weeks, have I had the least doubt, that I should have all that which is requisite.—And now, dear believing reader, rejoice and praise with me. About an hour, after I had prayed thus, there was given to me the sum of Two Thousand Pounds for the Building Fund. Thus I have received altogether 9,285l. 3s. 9 ½ d. towards this work.—I cannot describe the joy I had in God when I received this donation. It must be known from experience, in order to be felt. 447 days I have had day by day to wait upon God, before the sum reached the above amount. How great is the blessing which the soul obtains by trusting in God, and by waiting patiently. Is it not manifest how precious it is to carry on God's work in this way, even with regard to the obtaining of means? From December 10, 1845, to January 25, 1847, being thirteen months and a half, I have received solely in answer to prayer, Nine Thousand Two Hundred and Eighty-five Pounds. Add to this what came in during that time for present use for the various objects of the Institution, and the total is about Twelve Thousand and Five Hundred Pounds, entirely the fruit of prayer to God. Can it be said, therefore, with good ground, that this way of carrying on the work of God may do very well in a limited and small way, but it would not do on a large scale? The fact brought out here contradicts such statements.
June 23. This day the Lord in His great goodness, by a donation of One Thousand Pounds for the Building Fund, has again encouraged my heart abundantly to trust in Him for all that which I shall yet need, to meet the remainder of the expenses connected with the fitting up and furnishing the New Orphan-House, &c.
Jan. 23, 1848. Today I received 350l., concerning which the donor expressed it as his especial wish that I should take 50l. for myself, 50l. should be for brother Craik, 50l., for the Employment Fund, and the remaining 200l. as I pleased. I put this 200l. to the Building Fund, as the donor had not given to this object before, having been prevented through circumstances, and I knew he would like to contribute towards it.
Jan. 30. I received from D. D. 35l., of which 30l. are intended for the
Building Fund, and 5l. for the School, Bible, Tract and Missionary
Fund.
March 19. From Scotland 10l.