The infirmary, which has likewise been supported by this institution, has been of great service. The surgeon informs me, that if every one had been forced to pay for their nursing and medicines, it would have cost them two hundred pounds, sterling. I have now three or four sick: I keep a woman to attend them constantly.
God has much blessed our family with health. Only two have died out of so large a number, since my arrival; and these were two that came with me from England: a taylor, and one of the women: I believe they are now with God.
I have left behind me, as my assistants, (who have no other gratuity than food and raiment) two school-masters and their wives who are school-mistresses. One young man, who is also married to a young maiden, lately brought home to God, I have left at the Orphan-house, as superintendent, and chief manager of the outward things. There are also the surgeon and his wife, a shoemaker and spinstress; besides labourers and monthly hired servants: I think, in all, I have upwards of eighty. The Lord, I am persuaded, is able and willing to provide for them.
I think we have near two hundred hogs, and one hundred head of cattle. I give a man forty pounds sterling, per annum, to take care of them; he providing himself with provision, horses, and a servant. As yet we have had no advantage from our stock, it being a very dry season last summer; so that our cattle of all kinds have scarcely food to eat. But in a year or two, we hope, by the divine blessing, to have a considerable quantity of fresh provisions for our family.
As for manuring more land than the hired servants and great boys can manage, it is impracticable without a few negroes. It will in no wise answer the expence.
I am now upwards of eight hundred pounds in debt, on the Orphan-house account. Some particular friends have been pleased to assist me. I doubt not but our Lord will enable me to pay them, and also raise up fresh supplies for the maintenance of my large family.
I much rejoice in the institution: it has been very beneficial, not only to the bodies, but also to the souls of the labourers. One woman received Christ very lately at Bethesda: and I have great reason to believe, that three or four strangers, who came to see us, have been effectually brought home to God.
Great calumnies have been spread abroad concerning our management of the children: people shoot out their bitter arrows in America, as well as in England. One poor man was filled with such resentment, at the reports he had heard of our cruelty to the children, that he came on purpose from South-Carolina, to take away his two boys, whom out of compassion, I had taken into the Orphan-House: but, when he came and saw the manner in which they were educated, he was so far from taking his children away, that he desired to come and live at the Orphan-house himself.
I speak not this by way of boasting, or to wipe off reproach; for I know, let me do what I will, I shall never please some men. I thought proper to give this short account, for the satisfaction of those who have already contributed, and of others who may be stirred up by our good God, to contribute hereafter towards carrying on this good design.