d. The post was out this morning and nothing had come; but my heart

said, the Lord still can send, though the post is out; and these donations were soon after given to me.

Nov. 11. From Nov. 1st up to this day we went on easily. There came in again many donations. Now, however, we were again very poor, having had again very heavy expenses. In this great need a ten pound note was this afternoon put into an Orphan-box in my house. This evening I received also still further, from a brother who labours in Demerara, 1l., and 1l. 10s. besides.

Nov. 13. Yesterday and today came in again more than 10l. Our expenses having again been very great, as during these three days above 30l. had been paid out for the Orphans, we were still poor, notwithstanding the considerable income during the last three days. Under these circumstances a ring was given to me this afternoon, set with one large and six small brilliants. How kind of the Lord, thus to help us continually in the work, and to listen to our supplications, which, day after day, we bring to him! Daring no time, since I have been engaged in this service, have the expenses been heavier than during the last four months; yet the Lord has always given us what we have needed.

Nov. 18. The produce of the ring, together with about 10l, more, which had come in since the 13th, was nearly all gone again, on account of the expenses of the past week having been nearly 50l., when this morning a Christian gentleman from Devonshire called on me, who, on leaving, left a letter on my table, containing two five pound notes, of which five pounds was for the Orphans and five pounds for three other objects. This evening I found a five pound note in one of the Orphan-boxes in my house. Thus we are again helped for the present. The name of the Lord be praised!

Nov. 21. The need of today was 4l. 5s., but there were only a few shillings in hand. I opened the boxes in my house, in which 1 found a sovereign and a shilling. The sovereign could have been put in only last evening. After family prayer I retired again for prayer, about the work as I do daily, by which means I have been helped not only to meet the very heavy expenses since July 15th, but have been helped through many and great difficulties in other respects, and have been enabled to bring many blessings upon the work. While in prayer, I received a letter from the neighbourhood of Leeds, with 5l. Thus we are helped for today. This afternoon came in still further, by sale of articles 1l. 9s., by the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 1l. 6s. 3 ½ d.; and this evening I received 5l., being the profits from the sale of a Hymn book, which has been printed for the benefit of the Orphans. Thus we have something for the need of tomorrow also.

Nov. 23. As yesterday's expenses had to be met out of what had come in on the 21st, only 11s. 10d. having come in yesterday, and as the need of today for housekeeping was 4l. 10s., we had not enough in hand. Our precious universal remedy, prayer, was now again resorted to. About ten minutes after, I received a Post-office order from Stafford for 2l. About twelve o'clock this morning came in still further, by the sale of some books and prints, given for the purpose, 3l. 1s., by the sale of other articles 3l. 7s. 9d., by the sale of Reports 1s. 1d., by the sale of ladies' bags 13s. 5d., and by the sale of stockings 2s. 6d. This afternoon came in still further from Glasgow 5l. Thus the day, which commenced when we had not enough in hand for its necessities, has ended in comparative abundance, though there is still little in hand for present use, as we need to provide for the rent of the houses and for the purchase of oatmeal, and therefore put by a part of the money given today. Yet we are brought to the close of another week, having been able to meet all its expenses.

Nov. 24. This morning I received a letter from the neighbourhood of Dublin, with four five pound Post-office orders. Thus the Lord has done according to my expectation; for in our usual weekly prayer meeting last evening at the Orphan-houses with the labourers in the work, I was enabled to praise the Lord, that He would provide for the need of this week also.

Dec. 2, Monday. During the last week the income had been again about 36l. But having had still many extra expenses, and, also to put by money for the rents due on the next quarter-day, there was nothing left at the close of the week. Yesterday came in 5s. 10d., 4d., 5s., 19s. 10d., and 1l. By this money we were able to meet the housekeeping expenses of this day, being only 2l. 5s.; but, having 2l. to pay out, besides the current expenses, and having understood that a brother in the Lord from Birmingham, with two other strangers, had visited the Orphan-Houses, and that money had been put into the boxes, they were opened, and 3l. 3s. 1d. was found in them. Thus I was able to send off the 2l. There came in also this afternoon 10s. for work done by a young lady, and this evening, by sale of Reports, 4s.

Dec. 3. As only 1l. 15s. was required for housekeeping today, we had enough, by what had come in yesterday afternoon and evening, and I had twopence left.

Dec. 4. The Lord has again, in the love and compassion of His fatherly heart, multiplied "the handful of meal in the barrel, and the little oil in the cruse." The twopence have been multiplied more than a thousand fold. Yesterday came in from Clapton 2s. 6d., from the county of Dorset 10l., and from A. A. 10s., being (as the donor writes) "the produce of a needless article of jewelery."

Dec. 7, Saturday. Only 2l. 10s. 10d. having come in during the last two days (among which was a remarkable donation of 10s. from Calv, in the kingdom of Wirtemberg), I had again, after I had paid out yesterday what was required, only 2l. 10s. 3d. left, which I knew would not be half enough for this day. Yesterday afternoon came in from Sherborne 6s. This morning I had an unusually full assurance that the Lord would help us this day again, though I knew that more than 8l. would be needed today, towards which there was only 2l. 16s. 3d. in hand. I praised the Lord repeatedly this morning beforehand for the help which He again would grant this day. By the first delivery arrived 10s. from the neighborhood of Kingsbridge. Thus we had 3l. 6s. 3d.; but for housekeeping we needed 5l. 10s., and for other expenses 3l. 1s. 5d. However, when the Orphan came with the letter-bag, to fetch the money, I received in it a letter from Bath, containing 5l. Thus we had enough, and more than enough, for the momentary need, as to the house-keeping expenses. About twelve o'clock came in the following sums besides: by sale of articles 4l. 5s. 8d., by sale of Reports 8d., by sale of stockings 2s. 2d., by sale of ladies' bags 3s. 9d. This evening came in still further, from Dublin, for Reports 1l. 2s., and 1l. as a donation, together with some prints, some books, etc. for sale. Thus we had all we needed, to help us to the close of the week, and were able to put by some money for the weekly rents and other expenses, to be met on quarter day.

Dec. 9, Monday. Though we had been helped abundantly on Saturday, yet, as some money needed to be put by, we had still nothing for the beginning of this week. Yesterday came in for Reports 7s. 4d., and anonymously was put into the Chapel-boxes 1s. and 2s. 6d. There was also anonymously put into the Chapel-boxes a 50l. note, with these words: "25l. for the Orphan-Houses, and 25l. for clothing and blankets for the poor." Thus we are again most seasonably helped, and are now almost entirely prepared to meet all the expenses coming upon us a few weeks hence.

Jan. 18 1845, Saturday. Since Dec. 9th we had always supplies sent, before the last money was given out; it was a season of rich abundance, for there came in (including the 25l. last mentioned) about 140l. Now, however, this evening, after all the expenses of the day had been met, there was nothing remaining. But admire with me, dear reader, the goodness of the Lord! This very evening He has again kindly supplied us with means for the commencement of another week. The boxes at the Orphan-Houses were opened (our need leading us to do so) in winch was found 10l. 16s., one of them containing a ten pound note. Is it not, dear reader, a precious thing to trust in the Lord? Are not ten pounds, thus received out of the hands of our Heavenly Father, as the result of faith in God, most precious? Will not you also seek to trust in Him, and depend on Him alone in all your everyday's concerns, and in all spiritual matters too? If you have not done so, do make but trial of the preciousness of this way, and you will see how pleasant and sweet it is; and if you have done so in a measure, do so yet more and more, and you will never have cause to regret it. But, perhaps, you are not a believer; if so, you cannot trust in God, and go in all circumstances to Him, as to your Father, except you are first reconciled to him through our Lord Jesus. What you have then to do is, to learn that you are a lost, ruined, guilty sinner, deserving nothing but punishment. But, at the same time, you have to remember that God, in the greatness of His love to sinners, sent His own dear Son, that He, in their room and stead, might bear the punishment due to them, make an atonement for their sins, and fulfil the law of God in their stead, in order that every one, who believes on Him, might obtain the forgiveness of his sins, and be reckoned righteous before God. If you believe in the Lord Jesus, i.e., if you receive Him as the one whom God has declared Him to be, even the Son of God (as to His person), and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (as to His work), and if you rest upon Him, trust in Him for the salvation of your soul, then all your sins shall be forgiven. Though you have grown old in sin, though your sins have been very many and very grievous, yet the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin. Do but believe, and you shall be saved. And when thus you are reconciled to God, through faith in His dear Son, walk before Him as an obedient child, seek in child-like simplicity to go to God for every thing, and do really treat God as your father.

There arrived also this Saturday evening, from the Isle of Wight, a small box, containing 14s. and many articles for sale.

Jan. 20, Monday. 3l. 11s, has come in besides the 11l. 10s., which came in on Saturday evening; but as, in addition to the ordinary house-keeping expenses, I had this afternoon to order material for boys' clothes, all the money which had come in since Saturday evening was now again gone. About an hour afterwards I found that two five-pound notes had been put into one of the boxes at my house, and at the same time I received a bank order for 16l. from a poor missionary brother, who labours about 3,000 miles from Bristol~ in dependence upon the Lord for his temporal supplies. Of this 16l. the sum of 12l. is to be employed in sending him Bibles and New Testaments, and 4l. he gives to the Orphans. What ways has not the Lord to help His children who trust in Him! Who would suppose that a poor missionary would send 4l. for the Orphans, from a distance of 3,000 miles? But rather must the ravens again bring supplies, as in the days of Elijah, than that the children of God, who trust in their Heavenly Father, should not have their need supplied. —Thus the Lord has again given 14l. for the Orphans, when all was gone.

Jan. 25, Saturday evening. We have been helped through the heavy expenses of this week, without lacking any thing; but now we have nothing left.--This evening, about ten o'clock, I received from Barnstaple some articles for sale, and a Spanish dollar, two ¼ of a franc, and a sixpence; also 1l. and 2l. Also sixpence for Reports.

Jan. 27, Monday. Yesterday I received from F. E. B. 2s. 6d., from "Friends to the Institution" 4l.; and 2s. 6d. was put into the Chapel-boxes anonymously, ditto 10s., ditto 2s. 6d. Thus, by what came in on Saturday evening and yesterday, I am able to meet this day's demands, being 4l. 5s. 6d.--Evening. This afternoon I received from Camerton 5l., of which 3l. is for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 2l. for the Orphans. Thus, as the money goes out, the Lord kindly sends in supplies, and all without speaking to one human being about our necessities, but making them known to Him only; yea, determined, by His help and support, rather to endure many trials, in order that through our difficulties the Church of Christ at large may be comforted, and those who are weak in faith be strengthened, than to go away from the door of our Heavenly Father to that of brethren.

Feb. 1, Saturday. We are brought to the close of another week, and have been supplied with all we needed; but there is now again nothing left.

Feb. 2. When now again there was nothing left last evening in my hands for the beginning of the coming week, there have been today, by two different donors, two five-pound notes put into the Chapel-boxes, ditto 2s. 6d., ditto 2s. 6d., and also 2s. 6d. was given besides. Thus we are again supplied fur the present. O Lord, fill my--heart with lively gratitude for all Thy goodness! Lord help me, not only to trust in Thee more and more, but also to love Thee more and more, seeing that Thou dost condescend to use such a poor sinful servant!

Feb. 8, Saturday evening. Above 30l. has come in during this week; but as there have been bought eight hundred weight of rice and eight bushels of peas, besides meeting the regular housekeeping expenses, again only a few shillings remain.

Feb. 10, Monday. Yesterday 2l. was sent to me, from a physician residing in Bristol; anonymously was put into the boxes at Bethesda Chapel 2s., ditto 1l., and ditto 2s. 6d. Also by A. A. was given to me 7s. 2d. I was thus able, with the few shillings that were left on Saturday evening, to meet the expenses of this day, after which 7s. 10d. remained. This morning I was kept, through pressure of engagements, from having prayer, on account of the work, at the usual time; but at half-past two I united with my beloved wife and her sister in prayer, and I asked the Lord, among other blessings, also for means. As to the latter, we had answer upon answer before the close of the day. For this afternoon 1l. 5s. 9d. arrived from Stirling. This afternoon also five sovereigns were put into the box in my room, which I happened to find out soon after. I received also this evening 5s., which had yesterday been anonymously put into the boxes at Salem Chapel. A poor brother likewise gave me 2s. Still further came in 11s. 5d.

Feb. 11. This morning I received still further a donation of 2l. This afternoon I received, as the profit of the sale of ladies' bags, 1l., and 2l. 17s. 4d. came in by sale of articles.

Feb. 12. After I had sent off this morning the money which was required for the housekeeping of today, I had again only 16s. 2 ½ d. left, being only about one-fourth as much as is generally needed for one day, merely for housekeeping, so that there was now again a fresh call for trusting in the Lord. In the morning I met again, as usual, with my dear wife and her sister, for prayer, to ask the Lord for many blessings, in connexion with this work, and for means also. About one hour after, I received a letter from Devonshire, containing an order for 22l., of which 10l. was for the Orphans, 2l. for a poor brother in Bristol, and 10l. for myself.--Besides having thus a fresh proof of the willingness of our Heavenly Father to answer our requests on behalf of the Orphans, there is this, moreover, to be noticed. For many months past the necessities of the poor saints among us have been particularly laid upon my heart. The word of our Lord: "Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good," has again and again stirred me up to prayer on their behalf, and thus it was again in particular this morning. It was the coldest morning we have had the whole winter. In my morning walk for prayer and meditation I thought how well I was supplied with coals, nourishing food, and warm clothing, and how many of the dear children of God might be in need; and I lifted up my heart to God to give me more means for myself, that I might be able, by actions, to show more abundant sympathy with the poor believers in their need; and it was but three hours after when I received this 10l. for myself. —This evening was left at the Infant Orphan-House an anonymous letter, containing a sovereign for the Orphans, with the letters C. T. D.

Feb. 15, Saturday evening. 6l. 1s. 4d. has come in since the 12th. All the wants of this week have been richly supplied, but now there was again scarcely anything left towards the coming week, when this evening, just before I was going to our usual Saturday evening prayer meeting at the Orphan-Houses, a bank post bill for 10l. came to hand, being the gift of an aged clergyman. Thus we have a little for the next week, and we have also been able to order two hundred weight of soap, which it was very desirable to have, in order that there might be no need of using new soap for washing.

Feb. 16. Today the Lord has given still more. Anonymously were put into the Chapel-boxes the following sums: A twenty-pound note, a sovereign, 2s. 6d., and 6s. There was given also by A. A. 3s. 7d., and a lady from Nottingham sent 5s. It was particularly kind of the Lord to send in this rich supply, because soon again a ton and a half of oatmeal will need to be ordered from Scotland, the rents need to be provided for, and I desire soon to be able to give again some money to the labourers in the Orphan-Houses for their own personal necessities.

March 4, Besides the 32l. 7s. 1d. that had come in on the 15th and 16th of Feb., there came in up to this day 38l. 17s. 1d., so that there was not any difficulty to meet all the demands. After I had met the expenses for housekeeping yesterday, all our means were again gone, and there was therefore nothing in hand towards the expenses of today. But the Lord helped us again; for two five-pound notes were found in one of the boxes at my house, whereby I am able to meet the need of this day, which is 3l.

Dear Reader! does your heart admire the hand of God in these instances? Does your heart praise the Lord for His goodness to us? Does it, or does it not? If not, then I beseech you to lay aside this account of His dealings with us, and fall on your knees, and ask God to have mercy upon you, and to soften your heart, that you may be sensible of His goodness to us. Surely if you can read this account of His goodness, and it makes no impression upon you, it is a sign that your heart is not in a right state before God. I do not expect that all the readers will, as much as I do, by the grace of God, see the hand of God in all these matters, though I could wish that they did so, even a thousand times more than I do; but yet all should adore God for His great goodness to us, and should remember that what He does for us, in answering our poor sin-mixed petitions, for the sake of His dear Son, He is willing to do for them also.--Particularly notice, that the help never comes too late. We may be poor, yea, very poor; yet the help comes at the right time. We may have to wait upon the Lord, yea, even a long time; but at last He helps. It may seem as if the Lord had forgotten us, by allowing us to be poor, and very poor, and that week after week; but at last He helps abundantly, and shows that only for the trial of our faith, both for our own benefit and the benefit of those who might hear of His dealings with us, has He allowed us to call so long upon Him. —By the grace of God my heart is not troubled now, whether there be much or little in hand. I am sure, that, in the best time and way, God will send help; and thus it is not only with reference to temporal supplies, but also as it regards other things that we may need, or when we may be in peculiar difficulties in other respects. When boys need to be apprenticed, or situations have to be found for the girls, and there are difficulties in the way, as we never send them out, except to believing masters and mistresses, my soul is yet at peace, because I betake myself to my Heavenly Father. When there have been infectious diseases in the Orphan-Houses, whereby, looking at it naturally, many children might be taken away through death, my soul is at peace, because I cast this burden upon the Lord, and He sustains me. When one or the other of my fellow-labourers have left the work, and I needed their place supplied, and knew of no suitable persons, I have been looking to God for help, and that has kept my heart in peace, though this is no small difficulty, as not only can no hirelings be engaged in this work, but also, in case, the individual is a true child of God, there are yet so many things to be considered as to fitness and call for the work. When all kinds of lying reports have been spread about the work and about myself in connexion with it (though they have been very much less than might have been expected), I have committed my case to the Lord; and such things, instead of casting me down, often have greatly cheered me, because they have been a fresh proof to me, that God is at work, and that, therefore, the devil is angry, and stirs up these lies. When I have had for months to leave the work, as in the year 1838, for about four months, in 1843-4, for seven months, and in 1845, for three months, being called to labour on the Continent, or being ill, as in 1838, my heart has been in perfect peace, committing all the concerns of the whole Institution into the hand of God, considering that it was not my work but His, and that, therefore, I might be without carefulness about it. I seek to believe more and more what God says about Himself in His holy word, and it is this which gives this rest and peace to my heart, not only with reference to all the various objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, but also about my own body and soul, my dear wife and child, my other dear relations, the temporal supplies for myself and family, my service in the Church in which I labour, now consisting of more than 700 believers, and the state of the Church of Christ at large.

March 8, Saturday. 11l. 17s. 1 ¾ d. more has come in since March 4th. Thus I have been able fully to meet all the expenses during this week, but now hare again only a few shillings left towards the necessities of the coming week.--Late in the Evening.--After our prayer-meeting this evening four sovereigns were given to me, two for the Orphans, and two for the other objects. This is the beginning of the help which the Lord surely will give during the coming week also.

March 11, Tuesday. Only 17s. 6d. had come in since Saturday evening, and therefore, after the expenses of yesterday had been met, there remained again only a few shillings in hand, on account of which my prayer was, that the Lord would be pleased to send in something for this day. When I came home last evening from the meeting, my dear wife told me, that there was some money in the box in our parlour. I opened it, and found it to contain five sovereigns. Thus we are supplied for today.

March 13. Yesterday I had sent off all the money, which was remaining in my hands, to the Orphan-Houses for housekeeping. Also the boxes were opened in the Orphan-Houses, but only 10 ½ d. was found in them. We were comfortably supplied yesterday with all that was required, but there was no money at all in hand for today. When the letter-bag was brought this morning for money, I found that the need for housekeeping for today was 2l. 15s.; but there was nothing at all in hand. Therefore, while the boy was waiting at my house, I disposed of some trinkets, which had been sent a few days since, for 2l. 15s. 6d. Thus we had enough, and 6d. over. There came in also 8d. by sale of Reports.-- Evening. This afternoon came in, by sale of articles, 17s. 6d., and by a donation 1l.

March 14. The need of today is 2l. There was 1s. 4d. more needed than I had in hand, when 5s. 6 ½ d. came in from two Orphan-boxes. Thus we are helped for this day.

March 15. Yesterday afternoon half-a-sovereign was brought to me. In the evening 19s. 4d. came in by sale of articles. But this was not enough for the need of today. While the Orphan boy was waiting for the money, I received the following letter from Bath:--

"Beloved Brother in the Lord,

"My sister E. and myself feel it laid on our hearts to send a little for your need at this time, thinking it must be increased by the severity of the weather. We send the inclosed in much love, and thankfulness to the Lord for permitting us to do it, half for the Orphans, and the rest to be applied as seems good to you. Etc."

The letter contained two sovereigns, of which I took one for the Orphans, and the other for the School fund. (The latter sovereign was needed today towards the payment of the teachers in the Day-schools.) Thus we had all that was needed today for the Orphans. This evening I found a sixpence in the box in my room.

March 17, Monday. The sixpence which I took out of the box in my room on Saturday evening was all there was in hand, when yesterday came in the following donations:

A. A. 1l. 2s. 4 ½ d., anonymously 6d., ditto 2s. 6d. When this morning I had the bag sent from the Orphan-Houses, I found that the amount needed for house-keeping was 2l. 5s.; but there was only 1l. 5s. 10 ½ d. in hand. Immediately after, before the bag was fetched, one of my fellow-labourers sent me 1l. for the Orphans, so that we had enough for today, and 10 ½ d. over. When now only 10 ½ d. remained, I received from Swansea a letter containing a franc and a half, with the words "Jehovah Jireh."

March 18. "Jehovah Jireh" (i.e. the Lord will provide) has been again verified in our experience. 10 ½ d. remained in hand, and the need of this day was 6l. 3s. But the Lord knew what we should need today, and he helped accordingly. I opened the box in my room, and found a ten-pound note in it. Thus we have more than is needed for the present moment.

March 19. Yesterday afternoon I had to pay out 3l. more, for one of the apprentices. Thus the expenses of yesterday were altogether 9l. 3s. How kind therefore of the Lord to have put it into the heart of the donor of the ten-pound note to give that money just then. And now we had again only 17s. 10 ½ d. left towards the need of today, which is 3l. 5s. But our most faithful Lord has been again mindful of us at this time also. For there came in yesterday from a lady at Sheffield 1l., by sale of Reports 8d., by the profit from the sale of ladies' bags 15s., and by three donations from Bristol donors 12s. Thus there is again all we need for today, and 6 1/2d. left. Immediately after I had written this in my journal, the Lord began to increase again "the handful of meal in the barrel." I received from Barnstaple 5s.

March 20. Yesterday morning, when I was going to send off the money to the Orphan-Houses, I found 2s. 6d. in the letter bag, slipped in anonymously. I found also 1l. 5s. in the boxes at my house. Thus we have 1l. 13s. 0 ½ d. for the necessities of today, which I find is sufficient.

March 21. All the money being spent, the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened yesterday afternoon, in which were found a sovereign, half-a-crown, and a penny. This is all we have for today.

March 22, Saturday. We were able to get through yesterday with the 1l. 2s. 7d. found in the boxes; but in this way our stores become much reduced. Now, however, was Saturday before us with its heavy expenses, and there was nothing yet to meet them, when I went last evening to our public meeting, to minister in the word. However, my soul has been in peace, by the grace of God, during all this week and the last, though again and again we have had nothing. I have reminded the Lord repeatedly during this week, that it is His commandment to His disciples to be without anxiety, and that I am so, because it is His commandment that I should be so, but that now He also, on His part, graciously would be pleased to continue to help me, as He had done hitherto. And now observe how the Lord again has helped! After the meeting last evening, between 8 and 9 o'clock, when I had nothing at all in hand, towards meeting the necessities of this day, which I had every reason to believe would be several pounds, one of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave to my wife 5s., Miss E. N. sent 10s., and a sister in the Lord, who arrived last evening from Hull, put the following letter into the hands of my dear wife, addressed to me:—

"Hull, March 20, 1845.

"Beloved Brother,

"I send you a small box of articles, which perhaps you can dispose of for the Orphans, and 5l. 5s. 7d. in money. Accept it in the Lord's name as a tribute of love from the brethren here. We shall be always glad to see you if you travel this way.

"In haste,

"Yours affectionately in the Lord,

"* * * * "

The box contained the following articles:--a gold cross, two gold pins, two brooches, three gold rings, a small gold seal, two gold bracelet snaps, a pair of silver studs, a mourning brooch, necklace and ear-rings, a silver pencil case, a stone cross and heart, a gilt waist-buckle, a dozen new cloth caps, two books, two new cotton frocks, three new pinafores, a new white lace veil, two waistcoats, a gown, a pair of lady's boots, three veils, two lace capes, two lace shawls, two muslin aprons, a lady's bag, four waist ribands, three pairs of cuffs, a little scarf, three necklaces; 4l. 5s. 7d. for the Orphans, and 1l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures.--Today there came in still further, by sale of articles 8s. 6d., for Reports 8d, and by sale of stockings 6s. 8d. Also from Thornbury 2s. 6d. Thus we have enough for today, and something left.

March 24, Monday. Yesterday and today came in only 7s. 6d. altogether. We have enough for today, and 6s. 6d. left, as the demands were only 2l. 10s.

March 25. When there was again only 6s. 6d. left, 4s. 6d. came in yesterday evening. There was also 5l. put into one of the boxes at my house. This morning I received from a brother from the neighbourhood of Birmingham 2l., and 10s. came in by another donation. Thus I had more than sufficient for the need of today, which is 4l. 15s. There came in still further from Bridgenorth 10s., and from a sister in Bristol 2s. 2d.

March 26. Only 3s. 2 ½ d. came in today, by the boxes in my house.

March 27. Yesterday morning I sent off for housekeeping all the money I had left. It was enough for yesterday, but only enough. Only 1l came in yesterday, and this morning 4d. This 1l. 0s. 4d. was all I had to send to the Orphan-Houses. There came in 5s, 4d. besides, and thus we were helped through this day also.

March 28. Nothing has come in. While the Orphan Boy was waiting for the bag to be made up, 1l. 5s. 1d. came in for a few trinkets, which I had sent out to be disposed of. This was all I could send.

March 29. By the 1l. 5s. 1d. we were helped through yesterday. But there was now again not only nothing at all in hand, but we required the more, as the last two days there had been so little laid out for housekeeping, and also because today was Saturday. However, as the Lord never once has forsaken me in the work during the last eleven years, so it has been at this time also. About five o'clock yesterday afternoon a note was given to me in which was enclosed 5l., which a physician of this city kindly sent. In the evening I received 10s., being the profit from the sale of ladies' bags, and this morning came in still further by the sale of articles 9s. 6d., and by the sale of stockings 13s. There were also last evening, anonymously left at my house, a gold seal, a brass seal, and a pair of gilt ear-rings. There came in still further 10s., and 10s.

March 31. There came in yesterday and today anonymously from Hayes-Town, near Uxbridge, 1l., and 2l. 10s. besides.

April 1. On account of the expenses of Saturday having been great, and of yesterday likewise, there remained again but a few shillings. Our gracious Lord, however, who day after day looks on our need, yea, so to speak, inspects our stores, knew this, and therefore yesterday caused ten pounds to be put into one of the boxes at my house. Last evening came in also still further 1l. 7s. from the Isle of Wight.

April 2. As I had to expend today more than 10l, for the Orphans, I was again reduced to a few shillings, when this morning 15l. was sent to me by two donors from Liverpool. Also at the same time came from the neighbourhood of Worcester 1l.

April 3. After having been comparatively poor, the Lord is now again pouring in means, which come very seasonably for the replenishing of our stores, for the obtaining of certain articles of clothing for the children, etc. Today I received the following donations: 19l. 5s. from the brethren assembling at Bethesda Chapel, Sunderland, from two sisters 6s., from A. A. 18s. 5d., and by sale of Reports 1s. 4d.

April 4. Still further from Sunderland 15s., from Sherborne 8s. 6d., from Sidmouth 1l., and from "S. P., Dublin," 1l. 10s.

April 12, Saturday. 33l. 19s. 7d. more has come in since the 4th. After the expenses of today had been met, there again remained scarcely anything, when, in addition to all the ordinary expenses during the coming week before me, a fresh supply of oatmeal needed to be purchased. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses therefore were opened, but only 1l. 8s. 6d. was found in them. There came in besides from A. A. 7s.

April 13, Lord's-day. This morning I received a letter from Hampstead, containing four post-office orders of 5l. each, of which 10l. is for the poor believers among whom I labour, and 10l, for the Orphans.

April 30. From the 13th to this day came in altogether 57l. 13s. 2d. Thus we were well supplied with all the means which were needed during that time; but yesterday morning I had sent off to the Orphan-Houses the last money I had in hand. In the afternoon a sister in the Lord from Bath called, and gave me a sovereign, when I had not one penny in hand towards the need of today. This morning came in still further 18s. 10 ½ d, by needlework done by the Orphan-Girls. Also 4d. by sale of a Report. Thus we were supplied for today.

May 1. When this day began I had only half-a-crown in hand, which I had taken last evening out of one of the boxes in my house. When I was this morning, on my usual walk before breakfast, bringing my circumstances before the Lord, I reminded Him of His word, "Take no thought for the morrow ", (i.e. be not anxious about the morrow), and I told Him that yesterday I had not been anxious about today, and prayed that He would now be pleased to help me. I was in perfect peace, though I had not the least natural prospect of having the necessities of today supplied. Of the money put by for the rent I would not take. Our need was my comfort. When I returned to my house at eight o'clock, I found that there bad been sent from the Orphan-Houses 5s., given there, and 2s. 6d. for knitting. Also a person had brought yesterday to the Orphan-Houses the contents of an Orphan-box, which had in his room, having felt himself, as he said, much stirred up to do so. It was 3s. 6d. Also a sister from Worcestershire had sent 10s. Before money was sent for from the Orphan-Houses, I received this morning from Stafford 10s. Thus I had 1l. 13s. 6d, to send to the Orphan-Houses for the need of today.

May 2. A little after I had sent off yesterday all the money to the Orphan-Houses, a brother in the Lord from Cornwall called on me and gave me 1l. In the afternoon a sister, who had received peculiar mercy from the Lord in the way of temporal help, called on me, and gave 10s.; and a christian servant, who had received a fee, gave it, the amount being 2s. Thus I have 1l. 12s. to send for the need of this day.--I had written this in my journal, but the bag was not yet gone, when I received from a distance of about 50 miles for Reports 4s. 1d, and from "a Field Officer" 3l 10s.2d., so that I could send all that was needed today, being 3l.

May 3. Yesterday afternoon I received half-a-crown more, and this morning 3s. by sale of articles, and from Kendal 1l 10s. The money from Kendal came about two minutes before the boy came from the Orphan-Houses to fetch the supply for this day's necessities. It was a most seasonable help, as this is Saturday, and we needed today 3l. 15s., and I had not nearly enough in hand.--There came in further this morning 2l. 1s. 2d. by sale of articles, and in the evening 10s., being the contents of an Orphan-box in the neighbourhood of Coleford. — We are thus brought to the close of another week, and have a little left towards the heavy expenses of the next, as, besides the usual housekeeping expenses of about 20l., there are ten tons of gravel for the playgrounds to be bought, and a ton of oatmeal.

July 10. From May 3rd to this day was a season of comparatively rich abundance. The total amount which was received amounts to 268l. 10s. 6 ½ d. Immediately after the 3rd, the Lord sent considerable help, so that I was able to meet the extraordinary expenses which are referred to under the last date; for on the 4th came in 6l. 0s. 3d., on the 5th 9s. 6d., on the 6th 70l. and 100l., of which two sums one-half was put to the Orphan-Fund, and the other half to the fund for the other objects. On the 10th of May I had to leave Bristol on account of my health, and was absent three weeks, and had to pay away, for the Orphans, about 100l. within one fortnight after. How seasonably, therefore, came these two donations! When these two sums came in there was only 10s. 3d. in hand, and, as has been stated, ten tons of gravel were needed, and a ton of oatmeal, also money for the apprentices, besides the daily current expenses. Of the other donations, which came in during this period, I only mention: from Negro brethren in Demerara, twelve dollars. All the money, after this long time of comparative abundance, was today, July 10th, reduced to 1l. 6s. 0 ½ d., and 2l. was needed. The boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, in which 16s. 1d. was found. Thus we had enough, and 2s. 1 ½ d. was left.

July 11. Yesterday afternoon came a box from Newport, in the Isle of Wight, with many articles for the Orphans, and a little money for the other objects. This was a precious encouragement to continue to wait upon the Lord. At the first delivery this morning I received several letters. The first I opened was from a brother in Devonshire, with a post-office order for 8s. for the Orphans. He writes thus; "My box for the Orphans still yields but little, but I have been frequently inquiring of the Lord, when that little should be sent. For the last few days it has appeared to me that the time was come to send it to you, I therefore sent for the amount in an order, which I this day received, and now send, in hope it may be of some help in a time of need." This 8s. was a further precious encouragement.--The next letter which I opened was from a christian gentleman at Edinburgh, containing a bank order for twenty-five guineas, of which twenty guineas are for the work of the Lord in my hands, and five for my own personal necessities. There came in still further today, from brethren at Perth 2l., and from the neighbourhood of Glasgow 5l.

July 12. This morning I received a legacy of 5l. for the Orphans, from the relatives of a dear departed sister in the Lord, who, from the commencement of the work up to her last days, had taken the deepest interest in it. Also from Jersey, together with a gold ring, 4l. Also 3l. 2s. 0 ½ d. by sale of articles and donations, so that during these two days we have had above 40l. coming in.

From July 13th to 19th, came in 16l. 6s. 8d. more. On July 19th I left for the Continent, to labour for a season in Germany, and returned to Bristol on Oct 11th. For about eight months before this, I had seen it to be the Lord's will that I should go again this year to the Continent for a season, and had made my journey and service a subject of prayer from Nov., 1844. Besides asking the Lord's blessing upon my service, I also sought His help for means, and for this also I had not to wait on Him in vain. For as the Lord had sent me, before I went in 1843, the sum of 702l. 3s. 7d. for various purposes, and for the work in Germany in particular, so He gave me again, on May 3rd, 1845, the sum of 500l, for the work in Germany, yet so, that the surplus which there might be should be employed for the Orphans and other work in my hands. From the conditions under which this donation was given to me, it was obvious then, that whilst on the one hand, when it plainly could be seen that only a certain part of the money would be needed for the present service in Germany, the remainder might be used for the benefit of the Orphans, or the other part of the work; yet, on the other hand, we could not begin at once to apply any part of this money to the objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; for at the commencement I could not know how much might be expended on the service in Germany, particularly as my intention was to do as much as I could for those on the Continent who are in darkness and in the shadow of death, and also as I wished as much as possible to help the Church of Christ in that part of the world. Therefore those who said: "We are quite sure there must be much money in hand for the Orphans, else Mr. Muller would not have gone to Germany," were quite mistaken. Often have I had similar things said to me, or about the work, when we have been in the deepest poverty, simply because in faith a certain step had been taken, or a certain thing had been done, which was connected with great expense. At such times, of course, my fellow-labourers and I have had to be silent. For we could not say it was not so, else it would be exposing our poverty, and would look like asking for help. Therefore we have had to be content with something like this: "Lord, it is said that there is much money in hand, whereby some who would otherwise help us, it may be, are kept from doing so; now, Lord, do Thou nevertheless, as the work is Thine, lay our need, the real state of things, on the hearts of Thy children, that they may help us." Thus it was during my service in Germany in the summer of 1845 also. My fellow-labourers in Bristol and my dear wife and I in Stuttgart, poured out our hearts before the Lord, seeking His help upon the work, and asking Him also for means, and He did not despise our cries. There came in, during the twelve weeks that I was away, for the Orphans alone, 200l. 5s, 5 ½ d. This, together with what was in hand when I left, and with come money that at the end of my stay in Germany (when I saw that I should scarcely need one half of the 500l.) I could order to be drawn out of my bankers' hands in Bristol, richly supplied all the need, during my absence. But the labourers were repeatedly in straits, and several times the last money was gone; but the Lord refreshed their hearts by seasonable help.--Of the 500l. given for the service in Germany, and for the printing of tracts, there remained 311l. 18s, 1 ½ d., of which I took for the Orphans 161l. 18s. 1 ½ d., and for the other objects of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution 150l.

Jan. 17, 1846. From the day of my return to Bristol, on Oct. 11, up to this day, there has been no difficulty at all with regard to means. The many donations which have come in, together with what came to the Orphan-Fund from the surplus of the sum given for the work in Germany, enabled me, without any difficulty, to meet all the expenses, though they were many and great. Of the donations which came in during this period I only refer to the following:

On Nov. 19th heft Bristol to labour for a little while at Sunderland. I had but little money to leave with my dear wife for the work; but my path was plain to go, and therefore my hope was in God, as to the work in Bristol during the meantime, being assured that He would care for it. And thus it was. Rich supplies were granted by Him. On the very next day, after my departure, Nov. 20th, the following anonymous letter was left at my house, containing six five-pound notes and two sovereigns.

"My dear Brother in the Lord,

"About six or eight weeks since, anticipating soon a remittance by a bill, which would become available about a week previous to this date, I was led to ask the Lord what He would desire to do with the money which might remain in my hands when I should receive the money for this bill, and your name was immediately presented to my mind with these words: "the Lord has need of it." I therefore enclose the amount, viz, thirty-two pounds, and remain,

"Dear Brother,

"Yours affectionately in the Lord,

"Nov. 20, 1845. &c. &c."

Look at this, dear reader! Is not the hand of God most manifest in such cases? This unknown donor prays what to do with the money, and my name is brought to his or her mind. See also how seasonable the help!

This 32l. was put to the Orphan-Fund, as there was but little in hand. By this and the other sums which came in during my absence, my dear wife was helped without any difficulty, through all the expenses.

There being now again little in hand, I asked the Lord yesterday (Jan. 16, 1846) that He would be pleased to send in supplies, when almost immediately after a sister in the Lord, who had unexpectedly received a rich remittance from distant relatives, gave me 10l.; and today a lady, who on her way from Cornwall to London was staying for a day or two at Clifton, kindly sent me 20l. Thus we are again supplied at least for a week.

March 2. Goodness and mercy have followed us again in many respects with reference to the work, since the last date, Jan. 17th, up to this day; and with regard to means, there has been again a rich supply granted to us, so that I have been able to meet all the expenses of the work, though they have been for the Orphans alone. 180l. 19s. 1d., and more than 100l. for the other objects, during these six weeks. But there remained now scarcely anything in hand, when I received this morning, from a distance of about 200 miles the following letter with 15l.

"Beloved Brother,

"Enclosed is the produce of the sale of a pianoforte, which I thankfully send for the Lord's work in your hands, having received blessing to my own soul by means of that work, and not the least in being weaned from some of those things I once found pleasure in. I have been waiting payment of the amount for some time, but, having money now in hand, I send it without further delay, as you may possibly need it now. The 15l. you will kindly allot as you see most desirable. That our God would fulfil in you all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, is the prayer of

"Your affectionate Brother,

"* * * * Feb. 28, 1846. * * * *"

March 18. Up to this day also we have been helped, though but little, comparatively, has come in. When yesterday, March 17, all the means were gone, a brother gave me 1l. as a thankoffering for having received a sum of money unexpectedly, as a dividend from a bankruptcy. In the afternoon I received a half sovereign as the profit of the sale of ladies' bags made by a sister in the Lord for the benefit of the Orphans, and 2s. 6d. was put into an Orphan-box at my house. This morning I received the following letter from Devonshire, together with a Post-office order for 5l.

"Beloved Brother,

"I send you an order for 5l., half of which will you accept for yourself, and the other half appropriate for the Orphans; or, if they happen to be well supplied at present, you may apply it to the building you have in contemplation. Job xxii. 21-30.

"Believe me very affectionately yours,

"* * * *"

The half of this money was taken for the present need of time Orphans. There was also sent 1l. 13s. from Weymouth. Thus we are again supplied for the present need.

March 20. Today I have to send more money for housekeeping to the Orphan-Houses, and the Lord has kindly given me yesterday afternoon and this morning the means for it. Yesterday came in by sale of trinkets, &c., 3l. 8s. 4 ½ d. and by two donations 2s., and this morning I received 11s, from Marlborough.

March 21, Saturday. Since yesterday morning, when I had sent off to the Orphan-Houses the very last penny in hand, the following sums have come in: A sister from Worcester gave 2s. 6d., and in the boxes in my house I found 10l. This morning 10s. came from the neighbourhood of Castle Cary, from a sister in Bristol 2s. 2d., by sale of articles 1l. 15s. 8d., and by sale of stockings 5s. Thus I have been enabled, during this week also, to meet all the expenses, though they have been more than 30l.; and 7s. 6d. is left towards the coming week. My heart is in perfect peace, though there are between 140 and 150 Persons to be provided for (including the teachers and matrons in the Orphan-Houses and the apprentices), and though there is heavy sickness in two of the houses. — Saturday Evening, The Lord has already increased "the handful of meal in the barrel, and the little oil in the cruse." This afternoon I received 3l. 14s., being the contents of an Orphan-box at Barnstaple. There came in 3s. 6d, besides.

March 26. On the 23rd came in 3l. 2s. 1d. On the 24th and 25th came in 1l. 5s. Yesterday was also taken out of the boxes in the Orphan-Houses 7s. 6d., our need having led to the opening of them, and in the boxes in my house was found 2s. 6d.; but we had not quite enough for the need of today, when about twelve o'clock this morning a box arrived from Chelsea, containing 17s. 0 ¾ d., many ornaments, etc.--We are thus helped for this day.

March 27. Today came in 4l. 11s. 7d. by sale of articles. Likewise 1s. from a little girl. Thus we are again provided for today.

March 28, Saturday. Yesterday afternoon came in still further from Street, by Sale of Reports 10s. and three donations of 6d., 4d., and 2d. There was likewise given by a sister a small gold watch-chain. This morning I received, by sale of articles 4l.14s. 4d., by sale of Reports 1s., and by sale of stockings 6s. Thus, by the income of this week, and by about 2l. 12s. which I found I had more than was needed for the rent when paying it on the 25th, having to receive drawbacks from the landlords, I have been again able to meet the housekeeping expenses during this week, amounting to 21l. 19s. 10d., besides the rent which is 37l., for which the money had been put by; and I am come to the close of another week, with 17s. 8d. in hand towards the necessities of the next. — Late on Saturday. There has come in still further this evening from A. A. 11s. 3 ½ d., and from Mrs. R. 8s.

March 30, Monday. My heart was particularly in peace on Saturday evening after the prayer meeting, though I could leave only a few shillings for each of the four houses towards the housekeeping expenses of this week, where, besides the ordinary expenses, there is also money needed on account of heavy sickness in two of the houses. When I emptied the purse to the last penny, and returned home without anything in hand, I felt fully assured that we should have again abundant reasons for thanksgiving next Saturday, and told my dear fellow-labourers so, And, thus it is. Yesterday was put into the Chapel-boxes for the Orphans 50l., ditto 1s., ditto 10s. This morning I received 5l. from a miner at a distance, an entire stranger.

Thus our Heavenly Father has helped most seasonably. 1, In giving me means for present necessities as to housekeeping. 2, In providing me with means for the extra need on account of the illness of several children. 3, In giving means for getting a ton and a half of oatmeal from Scotland.

April 4, Saturday evening. On the 2nd I received anonymously from London it, besides some money for needlework done by the Orphan-Girls; on the 2nd was sent to me 10l. from Bath, from a lady unknown to me. These two donations I received the very moment I rose from my knees, having asked the Lord for more means, as, on account of the heavy expenses just now, we needed again more money by the end of this week. There was also given on the 2nd 1l. by a lady who had received a present of 10l. from some relations, and gave the tenth part of it to the Orphans. On the 3rd and 4th came in 2l. 10s. 7d. The actual expenses of this week, have been 42l. besides 22l. having been put by for the oatmeal which has been ordered, and we have a little more than 9l. left.

April 18, Saturday. The Lord has been again good to me since the 4th with regard to means, 53l. 14s. 0 ½ d. having come in during these two weeks. Today, having only 2l. 1s. 5 ½ d., in hand, towards the supplies of the next week, we made known our requests to God, and while I was in prayer with two of my fellow-labourers, there came a letter, in which F. from London sent 10s. There came in almost immediately after by sale of articles 13s. 8d., and by a sister in the Lord from Brixham, who called this morning, 10s. was given. This afternoon the boxes in the Orphan-Houses were opened, but only 10s. 10d. found in them. 6s, came in besides. This afternoon a brother called at the Boys' Orphan-House, and gave eight sovereigns, saying that he had had a desire to bring this money for some days past, but had been unable on account of his health, but now was pressed in spirit to do so, though scarcely able to walk. The following points are to be noticed concerning the Lord's goodness today. 1, I purpose, on account of my health, and for the sake of procuring time for the writing of the Report, to leave Bristol on Monday, and thus I am able to leave money behind for at least 3 or 4 days. 2, I had been speaking today and yesterday in my prayers to the Lord, "It is buy will that I should not be anxious. I am not, by Thy grace; but, Lord, there are about 140 persons to be provided for in the 4 Orphan-Houses, wilt Thou then help me with means!"--I was able to send altogether 11l. 6s. 11 ½ d. to the matrons.

April 20, Monday morning. The Lord has helped still further. There came yesterday anonymously from London 5l. with these words: "To Brother Müller, with the writer's fervent prayer, that the giver of all good may continue to pour down upon him and all his undertakings the abundance of His blessings. Half for his own necessities, and half to be disposed of as he thinks fit." I cannot help noticing here the Lord's double kindness, both towards the Orphans and towards myself. I now need for myself more money than usual, as besides the regular housekeeping expenses at home, I need money for myself and dear wife in going away for the twofold object of our health and my having thus time to write the Report: and the Lord supplies me with means. Thus also I received yesterday 5l. for "change of air," and 5l. was sent to me for myself the day before yesterday from a brother at Winchester, whom I have never seen. I find continually, that, without making provision for extra need, and without reckoning anxiously about the future, the Lord helps me when I need anything. I find it pleasant and precious, even as to this life, to walk in the ways of the Lord.

There came in still further yesterday morning for the Orphans from A. A. 13s. 1d., from a brother 1l., from "A friend at Stirling" 6s., and from an Irish sister 5s.--Thus I could send still further this morning to the matrons, before my departure, 4l. 11s. 1d., so that I am able to leave about 16l, behind, and thus the need is supplied for about five days, humanly speaking; and before that time is gone, I expect to obtain more, by waiting upon God.

This morning, before we departed, I received a letter in which was the following sentence: "With regard to property I do not see my way clearly. I trust it is all indeed at the disposal of the Lord; and if you would let me know of any need of it in His service, any sum under 200l. shall be at your disposal at about a week's notice." This brother meant what he said, I have every reason to believe. I might have written; "The Orphans, my dear brother, are now in need, and it would be a particular comfort to me, as I am going away, if you would send me 190l.," and I doubt not that I should have had it after a week. I preferred, however, to continue, as heretofore, to deal with God alone in this service, that the church of Christ at large still further may be benefited, particularly those who are weak in the faith, or those who are recently brought to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, in seeing how blessed it is to make known our requests unto God, and that those who trust in Him are not confounded. I therefore wrote to this brother, with regard to his kind offer, that I only speak to the Lord about my need.

May, 9, Saturday. This evening, after an absence of 19 days, we returned to Bristol. During all this time the Lord supplied us with means, but it was almost always by the day. During the last days, in the course of my regular meditation on the New Testament, I came to that precious word: "Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you," 1 Peter, v. 7, and, by God's grace, I was able to cast all my care concerning His work on the Lord; and when we returned this evening I found, that for this day also the Lord had not only provided, but there was 1l. 16s. 3 ½ d. more than was needed.

May 11, Monday. Yesterday a brother from Hackney gave 2l., and 17s. 1 ¼ d. came in besides. Thus, with what was left on Saturday, I was able to send 4l. 13s. 5d. to the Orphan-Houses, to be divided among the four matrons. After having sent this morning to the last penny all the money I had in hand to the Orphan-Houses, I received 200l., which, being left entirely at my disposal, was portioned out thus: 100l. for the present need of the Orphans, 50l. for the other objects, and 50l. for the Building Fund of the Orphan House. How kind of the Lord to help so seasonably; for I have very many and heavy expenses before me, besides the ordinary expenses of about 30l. per week. There are to be bought 4 bags of rice, 4 bushels of peas, 2 cwt. of soap, material for boys' clothes, the 4 houses are to coloured down, several small sums for apprentices are to be paid, the Report is to be printed, etc. This also is to be noticed: The Lord rewarded me thus, for not exposing our poverty to the brother, who offered on April 20th to give me any sum under 200l., if I would let him know if I needed anything for the Lord's work. Thus we had at least a little more than we should have had, even if I had asked that brother.

May 26. Up to this day, till the last hours before the commencement of our public meetings, at which an account is to be given of the Lord's dealings with us since July 14, 1844, the Lord's goodness has continued in supplying us with means. About 80l. more has come in during the last fifteen days. And this very day, the last of this period, I received 26l. anonymously from Stafford, with an affectionate and encouraging note; 20l. 1s. 6 ½ d. I took out of the boxes at my house, two ten pound notes having been put in; and several other little donations came in besides.

It is scarcely needful to state, at the close of these details, that, notwithstanding our having been often poor, and very poor, yet the children have always had the needful articles of clothing and nourishing food. Those who know what it is to walk in the fear of God, know also, that God would not help us, in answer to our prayers, if we hypocritically stated that the children were well provided with wholesome food, etc., and yet it were not true.

Account of the New Orphan-House, on Ashley Down, Bristol, from its earliest beginning to June 4, 1846.

I began the service of caring for children who are bereaved of both parents, by death, born in wedlock, and are in destitute circumstances, on Dec. 9, 1835. For nearly ten years I never had any desire to build an Orphan-House. On the contrary, I decidedly preferred spending the means, which might come in, for present necessities, and desired rather to enlarge the work according to the means which the Lord might be pleased to give. Thus it was till the end of October, 1845, when I was led to consider this matter in a way I had never done before. The occasion of my doing so was this: On Oct. 30, 1845, I received from a gentleman, who lived in the street, where the 4 Orphan-Houses were, a polite and friendly letter, in which he courteously stated to me that the inhabitants in the adjoining houses were in various ways inconvenienced by the Orphan-Houses being in Wilson Street. He left to myself the judgment of the case.

This letter I received on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 1845. Being very much occupied that week, I had scarcely any time to consider time matter. On Monday morning, however, Nov. 3, I set apart some hours for the prayerful consideration of the subject, and after I had besought the Lord to guide me to a right decision, I wrote down the reasons which appeared to me to make it desirable that the Orphans should be removed from Wilson Street, and also the reasons against removing. As far as they are suitable for being stated in print, they were those:

I. Reasons for removing from Wilson Street.

1. The neighbours feel themselves inconvenienced by the noise of the children in the play-hours. This complaint is neither without foundation, nor unjust; for many persons are very much inconvenienced by the noise of children, and those living close by the Orphan-Houses must be so during the play-hours, even though the noise be only of that kind, that one could not at all find fault with the dear children on account of it. I should myself feel it trying to my head to live next door to the Orphan-Houses, on that account I therefore ought to do to others, as I should wish to be done by. This point had never before appeared to me in so serious a light.

2 The greatness of the number of the inmates in the houses has several times prevented the drains from acting properly, and thus has a few times affected the water in one or two of the neighbours' houses. With reference to these two reasons, as it regards those living near the Orphan-Houses, these words, "Let not your good be evil spoken of," Rom. xiv. 16, and "Let your moderation (i.e. yieldingness) be known unto all men," Philip iv. 5, seemed to me two important portions of the word of God to be acted out in this matter.

But in addition to the reasons for removing the Orphans from Wilson Street, on account of the unavoidable occasional inconvenience that comes upon the neighbours, there appeared now to me, when once I was led to consider seriously the reasons for removing the Institution from Wilson Street, other reasons for doing so, in connexion with the work itself, which had occurred to me before, but never in so strong a light as now, when the subject was brought more immediately before me by the letter, in which I was politely requested to remove the Orphans from Wilson Street. These reasons are:

1. We have no proper play-grounds in Wilson Street. There is one play-ground, which, however, is only large enough for the children of one house at a time; but as there are children in four houses who ought to have the benefit of it, we can not arrange so that all the children have the full benefit of that play-ground, as the meals, the school-hours, the weather, and other hinderances interfere. The dear Orphans ought, I know, to be trained in habits of industry, but children are children, and need to be treated as such; and they should, on account of their health, have the full benefit of a play-ground. But this they cannot have in Wilson Street: and to take them out into the fields for the benefit of bodily exercise, as we have been in the habit of doing, is often very inconvenient.

2. We have no ground for cultivation, near the Orphan-Houses, and hence there must be more walking for the children, on account of using proper means for keeping them, with the blessing of God in health, than is, in other respects, good for them; because frequent walks easily beget in children habits of idleness, which would be especially felt when boys are apprenticed. But this difficulty cannot be obviated by remaining in Wilson Street, and renting a piece of land somewhere else for cultivation; for to get the children ready and conduct them to the piece of ground, not only takes a good deal of time, but is connected with other great inconveniences, yea with insurmountable difficulties, so that we found it needful to give up a small piece of ground which we once rented for about two years for the Orphan-Boys, at a distance of about half a mile from Wilson Street. Thus, by removing from Wilson Street, and obtaining premises surrounded by land for cultivation, we should be able to procure a most important moral benefit for the children, by having the opportunity more fully than we now have, of training them in habits of industry, besides giving to the boys occupation which is more suitable for them than knitting, which is now the only employment they have, besides making their beds, cleaning the house, and attending to the cooking of their meals. Moreover, this would be occupation in the open air, which not only would bring their limbs into exercise, but also make walking, for the sake of health, almost entirely needless.

3. If we were to remove from Wilson Street, and obtain premises in the country, we might have all the washing done at home, which now, for want of room, can be only done in part. Thus the girls also would have more laborious work at home, a point of great importance for them, so that they would not feel so much the hardships connected with going out to service.

4. The situation of Wilson Street is perhaps scarcely bracing enough for strengthening the constitution of the Orphans, most of whom, being the offspring of very diseased parents, require a very invigorating place of abode.

5. The present situation is certainly not desirable for the teachers, especially as, when their hours of work are over, they have no garden or fields close to the house, immediately to go into for a little refreshment of body; and for some of them it is too far to go to fields, where they might have bracing air.

6. In times of sickness we are too confined in the houses in Wilson Street. If there were less than 30 children in each house, the average expenses for each child would be too great, it being desirable, as the arrangements are now, that there should not be less than 3 labourers in each house; and yet, if there are 30 children in each house, we are too lull in time of sickness, as we have not a single spare room in any of the houses. Now, though the Lord has during all these years most mercifully helped us through such seasons, yet it has not been without inconvenience, and without also, perhaps, having more of the children in one room, at such times, than on account of health is desirable.

7. Even ordinarily, when there is no sickness, it would be desirable to have more room.

There are no premises to be had in Bristol, or in the immediate neighbourhood, where we could have these advantages; for I have been looking about in all directions for this purpose during the last ten years. But suppose there were a large house to be had in one part of the city, and a second a mile off, and a third and a fourth in other directions, such houses, on account of our peculiar position in the work, would not do. For in seasons of need, the distance of the several houses would render it very inconvenient for the labourers to meet together for prayer, to divide the means that may be in hand, etc. Besides, when in seasons of other peculiar difficulties, connected with the work, I wished to meet all my fellow-labourers, there would arise great difficulty by their being divided in different parts of the city. It would also thus be very inconvenient to persons, who wish to see the work, to go from place to place, in order to have a view of all the Orphan-Houses. But this is not all. The more I have considered the matter, the more am I now persuaded, that no ordinary large houses, built for private families, and therefore only calculated to accommodate 10 or 15 persons, at most, for any length of time in them, will do for charitable institutions of any considerable size, as no ordinary house furnishes the proper advantages of ventilation, a point so needful for the health of the inmates in a charitable institution. There seemed to me, therefore to remain nothing but to build premises for the purpose.

II. Reasons for Remaining in Wilson Street.

1. God hitherto has pointed out the spot most plainly. At the commencement of the work, in 1835, no other house was to be had but No. 6, Wilson Street. After-wards, when in 1830 the Infant Orphan-House was on the point of being opened, again I was looking about in all directions, and saw many houses, but found none that was suitable, till all at once, most unlooked for, the occupiers of No. 1, Wilson Street were desirous of immediately leaving that house, and I was able thus to rent it. When in 1837 I was on the point of opening the Boys' Orphan-House, I looked about again for a house in all directions; for I knew not at that time, what I have since learned by experience, that it was so important that all the houses should be near together. After seeking long in vain, I at last found a very large house, not far from Wilson Street, which I rented; but when the occupiers of the houses in the neighbourhood heard that that house had been let for a charitable institution, they threatened the owner with an action, which led him to request me to give up the agreement, which, of course, I did immediately. At last, most unexpectedly, after having looked about in vain in all directions, the occupiers of No 3 Wilson Street offered it to me, and I rented it for the Orphan Boys. Lastly, in the year 1843, when I was led to see it to be the will of God to go forward in this work, and to establish time Girls' Orphan-House, No. II, for older girls, one particular feature in the matter was, that the house No. 4, in Wilson Street, bad been offered to me without being sought after, when there had not been for about 6 years one single large house to be let in that street.

[But though hitherto God has pointed out Wilson Street as being the spot where this work should be carried on, may not now the time have come for removing?]

2. Perhaps we might also rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7, in Wilson Street, and use two out of those three houses for Orphan-Houses, and one of them for an infirmary in case of sickness.

[But then, I said to myself, would not the objection, which the neighbours on the opposite side of the street might make, on account of the noise of the children in their play-hours, etc. remain? Also the drains would be still more unsuitable, not being constructed for so many inmates; and to alter them would be a heavy expense. The play-ground would be still less sufficient, if two new houses were added. Lastly, there was no reason to think that we could rent Nos. 2, 5, and 7.]

3. There are these three great objections against building: The considerable sum which is required, and which could be spent for present use upon the Orphans. The pilgrim character of the Christian seems lost in building. The time that it will necessarily take in making arrangements for it.

[Do not all these objections only hold good, I said to myself, if I were needlessly to set about building? If I could rent premises, which are really in every way suitable for the work, and I preferred building, then those objections would apply to the case; but when one is forced to it, it is no more than erecting a large building, because there may be 800 children of God in fellowship who have been hitherto renting a meeting-place, but for certain reasons are obliged to leave it, and cannot rent another. Such could not be accused of needlessly spending money in building instead of renting; nor could it be justly said that they have on that account given up the pilgrim character; nor would it be time wasted if some individuals were to make arrangements about the building of that meeting-place. Therefore these three objections just mentioned, which had been for ten years strongly in my own mind, were removed when once I saw plainly that nothing remained but to build.]

After I had spent a few hours in prayer and consideration over the subject, I began already to see that the Lord would lead me to build, and that His intentions were not only the benefit of the Orphans, and the better ordering of the whole work, but also the bearing still further testimony that He could and would provide large sums for those who need them and trust in Him for them; and besides, that He would enlarge the work so, that, if I once did build a house, it might be large enough to accommodate three hundred Orphans, with their teachers and other overseers and servants needful for the work.--Concerning this latter point, I think it important to remark, that during no period had the number of applications for the admission of Orphans been greater than just before I was led to think about building, so that it was quite painful to me, not to be able to comply with the wishes of all the many persons who applied for the admission of Orphans. There were many waiting for admission, particularly Orphan-Boys.

In the afternoon of November 3rd, 1845, I laid the matter before my fellow-labourers in the Church (eight in number) to get their judgment, whether I ought not to leave Wilson Street, and to build. All judged that I ought to leave Wilson Street, and none saw reasons against building.

On Nov. 4th my dear wife and I began to meet for prayer about this matter, and purposed to do so morning by morning. We asked God for clearer light concerning the particular points connected with the subject; and, being assured that it was His will that I should build, I began asking the Lord for means.

On Nov. 7th I judged, having considered the matter more fully, that sufficiently large premises to furnish all needful accommodation for 300 children (from their earliest days up to 15 or 10 years old), together with a sufficiently large piece of ground in the neighbourhood of Bristol, for building the premises upon and the remainder for cultivation by the spade, would cost at least Ten Thousand Pounds. I was not discouraged by this, but trusted in the living God.

We continued meeting for prayer morning by morning for 15 days, but not a single donation came in; yet my heart was not discouraged. The more I prayed the more assured I was, that the Lord would give the means. Yea, as fully assured was I that the Lord would do so, as if I bad already seen the new premises actually before me. This assurance arose not from some vague, enthusiastical feeling, the mere excitement of the moment, but I, from the reasons already related, and especially from the commandment contained in Philip iv. 5. For I saw that I should not act according to the mind of our Lord Jesus, if I did not, as soon as I could, remove the Orphans from Wilson Street, as it had been stated to me in the letter referred to, that their living there was an annoyance to some of the inhabitants in that street. 2. This assurance that I should build an Orphan-House arose further, from the whole way in which the Lord has been pleased to lead me in connexion with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, since its beginning on March 5, 1834, i.e. He has been leading me forward as by an unseen hand, and enlarging the work more and more from its commencement, and, generally, without my seeking after it, and bringing things so clearly before me, that I could not but see that I ought to go forward. 3. Lastly and chiefly, this my assurance, that I should build unto the Lord this House of Mercy, arose also particularly from this, that, having strictly examined my heart as to the motives for doing so, I found that, as before. God, I could say that my only motives were His honour and glory and the welfare of the Church of Christ at large, the real temporal and spiritual welfare of destitute Orphans, and the welfare of all those who might take care of them, in the building to be erected. And finding that, after praying again and again about the matter, I still remained in perfect peace, I judged it assuredly to be the will of God that I should go forward.

On Nov. 15th brother R. C. arrived, to labour for a little while in Bristol, I communicated to him my position with reference to having to remove the Orphans from Wilson Street, and I had his judgment also as to its being of God that I should build. This dear brother's judgment greatly encouraged me. His visit was to me of great help in this particular, especially in stirring me up yet more, to bring everything, in connexion with this matter, before God. He also laid it on my heart to seek direction from God with reference to the plan of the building. He said "You must ask help from God to show you the plan, so that all may be according to the mind of God."

On Nov. 19th I left with my brother and fellow-labourer, Mr. Craik, for Sunderland, where we arrived on Nov. 20. Here we laboured till Dec. 4, when I left alone for Kendal, to labour there for a few days. All the time that I was at Sunderland, I had very much prayer about the building of the Orphan-House, and I felt all the time fully assured, that God would bring the matter to pass. But thirty days had now passed away, whilst I had been day by day waiting upon God for means for this work, and not a single penny had been given to me. Nevertheless, this did not in the least discourage me, but my assurance, that God in His own time and in His own way would give the means, increased more and more. While I was at Sunderland the portion which came in course of my meditation, on the New Testament, was the beginning of the epistle of James. More than at any period in my life was I struck with these verses: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (i.e. trials) knowing this that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James i. 2—4. It was especially the last verse, "But let patience have her perfect work, etc." which I found of exceeding great importance with reference to the building of the Orphan-House. It led out my soul in prayer day after day, to ask the Lord to increase my faith and to sustain my patience. I had these verses so impressed upon my heart, that I could not but think God meant particularly to bless me by them, with regard to the work before me, and that I should especially need patience as well as faith, I stayed at Kendal from the evening of Dec. 4 to Dec. 8, when I left for Bristol, where I arrived on Dec. 9th. It was now 35 days that I had been day by day bringing this matter before God, as to the various points connected with it, and especially also asking the Lord for means; but nothing whatever had been given to me. On the day after my return I renewed our united prayer meeting with my dear wife. Now observe: on the 36th day, after having begun to pray, on Dec. 10, 1845, I received 1000l. towards the building of the Orphan-House. This is the largest donation that I had received up to that time for the Scriptural Knowledge Institution; but when I received it I was as calm, as quiet, as if I had only received one shilling. For my heart was looking out for answers. Day by day I was expecting to receive answers to my prayers. Therefore, having faith concerning the matter, this donation did not in the least surprise me. Yea, if Five Thousand Pounds, or Ten Thousand Pounds, had been given to me, instead of One Thousand Pounds, it would not have surprised me.

Dec. 13. On the 39th day my sister-in-law, who had been for some weeks absent in London, and who had now returned to Bristol, told me that she had met a gentleman in London, who, having quite recently read with deep interest the Narrative of the Lord's dealings with me, wished to know as many particulars about the work in my hands as he could. Being told by my sister-in-law that I purposed to build an Orphan-House, he, an architect, offered to make the plan, and superintend the building, gratuitously. Unsolicited he pressed this matter upon her with deep and lively interest. I hear also that he is a Christian. The fact, that this offer comes unsolicited and from a Christian architect, shows especially the hand of God. This is the second proof that God will help me in this matter.

Dec. 23. This is now the 50th day since I have come to the conclusion to build, and the 49th day since we have been daily waiting upon God for help. Nothing more has come in since Dec. 10th, not even one penny. This morning I have been particularly encouraged by the consideration that the Lord has sent me the 1000l. and the promise from that pious architect, whom I have never seen, and of whose name I am as yet in ignorance, not to mock me, but as an earnest that He will give all that is needed.

It seems desirable that we should have a large piece of ground of at least six or seven acres. This piece of ground must be in the vicinity of Bristol. 1. In order that the Orphan-House may be accessible to me, as my place at present is fixed by my other work in Bristol. 2. That the labourers in the Institution and the Orphans may be able to attend our meetings, at least on the Lord's day. 3. That the inhabitants of Bristol may have the benefit of seeing with their own eyes this work of God, which is so manifestly His and not mine. 4. That strangers, who pass through Bristol, may have an easy access to it, for the same reason. But then, such a piece of ground, near Bristol, where there is just now an inordinate desire for building, in the way of speculation, would cost in all human probability between 2000l. and 3000l. Then the building itself, however plain, would not cost less than from 6000l. to 8000l., being for 300 Orphans, besides all their overseers, teachers, and assistants. In addition to this, the fitting up and furnishing the house for between 300 and 400 inmates, would not cost less than 1500l. more. This is indeed a large sum of money which I need; but my hope is in God. I have not sought after this thing. It has not begun with me. God has altogether unexpectedly, by means of the letter before mentioned, led me to it. Only the day before I received the letter, I had no more thought about building premises for the accommodation of the Orphans, than I had had during the ten previous years.--My especial prayer is, that God would continue to me faith and patience. If He shall be pleased to help me, in faith and patience to continue to wait on Him, help will surely come.

Dec. 24. No further donation yet. But my hope in God is unshaken. He most assuredly will help.--I have on purpose not issued any circular in connexion with this matter, in order that the band of God may be the more manifest. To some persons, residing in or out of Bristol, I have spoken about my intention of building, when conversation led to it. Through this, if the Lord please, He can make it known to others, and thus send means for the Building Fund. Or He can send in such an abundance of means for the work which is already in existence, that from that abundance there may be a rich surplus towards the Building Fund. But howsoever God may help, I do desire to see His hand made most manifest. There will be, no doubt, many trials connected with this enlargement of the field of labour (for if with 130 Orphans there has been so much trial of faith, what is to be expected when the number is 300); and therefore I desire to see as clearly as daylight that God Himself is leading me onward.

Dec.29. This is the 56th day since I came to the conclusion to build, and the 55th since I have been day by day waiting upon God concerning it. Only that one donation had come in till this evening, when I received 50l. This donation is exceedingly precious to me, not only because I am sure it is most cheerfully given, nor even because of its largeness, but because it is another precious proof that God will bring about the matter, else He would not give me these earnest. All my business therefore is: to continue in faith and patience to wait upon God. My assurance has been more and more increasing that God will build for Himself a large Orphan-House in this city, to show to the inhabitants, and to all who may read and hear about it, what a blessed thing it is to trust in Him.--Of late I have seen, by God's grace, more and more, how entirely unworthy I am of being used by God for this glorious and honourable service, and I can only say, "Lord here is thy servant, if thou art pleased to use such a one as I am."

Dec. 30, 1845. This morning I came, in course of my reading, to the commencement of the book of Ezra. I was particularly refreshed by the two following points contained in the first chapter, in applying them to the building of the Orphan-House: 1. Cyrus, an idolatrous king, was used by God to provide the means for building the temple at Jerusalem: how easy therefore for God to provide Ten Thousand Pounds for the Orphan-House, or even Twenty or Thirty Thousand Pounds, if needed. 2. The people were stirred up by God to help those who went up to Jerusalem. Thus it is a small matter for Him to put it into the hearts of His children to help me, in desiring to build this house of mercy unto His name.—This meditation I had before breakfast. After family prayer in the morning I had again my usual season for prayer about the building, and at this time it was particularly coupled with thanksgiving for the 50l. received last evening, and with entreating blessings on the donor. I was now looking out for more, as I am doing day by day, when this afternoon I received from a person at Clevedon 2s. 6d., from her grandson 6d., and from the sister in the Lord, who brought the money, the change, which she did not wish back, being another 6d. These donations, though small, are nevertheless very precious to me, as I take them as further proofs out of the hands of God, that He will most assuredly bring this thing to pass. This evening I received One Thousand Pounds towards the Building Fund. When I received this donation, I was as calm, yea as perfectly calm, as if I had received a single penny, because, by God's grace, I have faith in Him, and therefore am looking for answers to my prayers, and am sure that God will give every shilling that is needed.

January 2, 1846. This evening I received from Bideford 11s, towards the Building Fund.

Jan. 3. One of the Orphans gave 6d.

Jan. 6. Received a little bag made of foreign seed, and a shell-flower, to be sold for the Building Fund. The sister who sent these articles wrote to me, that the moment she heard of my intention of building an Orphan-House, this text was before her mind: "Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain."--Zech. iv. 7. Also one of the Orphans sent 4d.

Having asked the Lord to go before me, I went out today to look for a piece of ground. The armory which is to be sold had been several times mentioned to me, as a suitable place. I did not think so, yet thought I ought at least to look at it. Having seen it and been confirmed in my judgment about its unsuitableness, I asked the Lord whether I should turn towards the city or towards Stapleton. I felt led to go towards the city, and saw immediately after some fields near the armory. After having made inquiry to whom they belonged, I have been led to write this evening to the owner of them, asking him whether he is disposed to sell them, &c. I am now quietly waiting the Lord's pleasure. If His time is come to answer our requests as to a suitable piece of land, I shall be glad; if it is not yet come, I desire that "patience may have her perfect work, being perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

Jan. 8. This evening I received a reply to my letter. The owner of those fields writes, that, if he did sell them, it would be only for building land, and therefore they will be too dear.

Jan 9. Went this morning once more to see those fields, which seem very suitable. Met there Mr. L., a land agent, who told me that they would be nearly a Thousand Pounds per acre, and therefore too dear. I asked Mr. L. to inform me if he should hear of any suitable land for sale.

Jan. 10. One of the Orphans having received half-a-crown from a cousin, gave 1s. 6d. of it towards building the Orphan-House; a sister in the Lord also gave me 3s., a ring, a pair of gold earrings, and a gold brooch.

Jan. 11. Today I received from a gentleman of Liverpool, who has been staying at Clifton, 5l, and from the sister, through whom this donation was conveyed to me, I received 1l. more towards the Building-Fund.

Jan. 12. Received a case with ladies' working instruments, to be sold for the Building Fund. Two of the Infant Orphans also gave 6d. and 4d.

Jan. 13. Half-a-crown was given today.

Jan. 16. From Bideford 1l. 15s.

Jan. 24. The produce of a knitted handkerchief, sold for 2s, was given today; also 4s. 6d. by sale of two dolls; and some brethren at Barnstaple sent 12l. as a token of their loving interest in this work.

Jan. 26. A sister in the Lord gave 2s. 6d.

Jan. 31. It is now 89 days since I have been daily waiting upon God about the building of an Orphan-House. The time seems to me now near when the Lord will give us a piece of ground, and I told the brethren and sisters so this evening, after our usual Saturday evening prayer meeting at the Orphan-Houses.

Feb. 1. A poor widow sent today 10s.

Feb. 2. Today I heard of suitable and cheap land on Ashley Down.

Feb. 3, Saw the land. It is the most desirable of all I have seen.-- There was anonymously put into an Orphan-box at my house a sovereign, in a piece of paper, on which was written, "The New Orphan-House."

Feb. 4. This evening I called on the owner of the land on Ashley Down, about which I had heard on the 2nd, but he was not at borne. As I, however, had been informed that I should find him at his house of business, I went there, but did not find him there either, as he had just before left. I might have called again at his residence, at a later hour, having been informed by one of the servants that he would be sure to be at home about eight o'clock; but I did not do so, judging that there was the hand of God in my not finding him at either place: and I judged it best therefore not to force the matter, but to "let patience have her perfect work."

Feb. 5. Saw this morning the owner of the land. He told me that he awoke at three o'clock this morning and could not sleep again till five. While he was thus lying awake, his mind was all the time occupied about the piece of land, respecting which inquiry had been made of him for the building of an Orphan-House, at my request; and he determined, that if I should apply for it, he would not only let me have it, but for 120l. per acre, instead of 200l., the price which he had previously asked for it. How good is the Lord! The agreement was made this morning, and I purchased a field of nearly seven acres, at 120l. per acre.

Observe the hand of God in my not finding the owner at home last evening! The Lord meant to speak to His servant first about this matter, during a sleepless night, and to lead him fully to decide, before I had seen him.

Feb. 6. Two dolls were given for sale, and one of them was sold for 3s.

Feb. 7. Received from two of the Orphans 8d. and 4d. Also, one of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave 10s, and a poor man 3d.

Feb. 8. I wrote the day before yesterday to the architect, who has offered his help gratuitously.

Feb. 11. Received from a sister in the Lord 5l. Received also from the architect the following reply to my letter:

"My dear Sir,

"It will afford me a gratification, beyond what I can communicate by letter, to lend you a helping hand in the labour of love you are engaged in, and I shall esteem it a very great privilege being allowed to exercise my abilities as an architect and surveyor in the erection of the building you propose to erect for the Orphans. I really do mean what I say, and, if all is well, by the blessing of God, I will gratuitously furnish you with plans, elevations, and sections; with specification of the work, so that the cost may be accurately estimated. I will also make you an estimate and superintend the works for you gratuitously, &c."

Feb. 12. This afternoon a little parcel was brought to my house, containing ten sovereigns and a little slip of paper, on which was written:

"Dear Sir, —I have sent you ten pounds for the New Orphan-House. It is the Lord's doing. Seek not to know my name."

Feb. 14. There came in 8s. 6d. by sale of articles.

Feb. 15. Received the promise that on March 25th should be paid to me 500l. for the building of the Orphan-House.

Feb. 18. Received 1l. from Sunderland.

Feb. 19. The architect kindly came from London. He considers the ground to be most suitable as to situation, drainage, water, &c. —I received also today from a sister 5l.

Feb. 20. Received from a sister 10s., and from a brother 5l. The brother told me that never in his life does he remember to have given any donation with so much real pleasure as this 5l. This is of God. I own God's hand in this. He it is that inclines the hearts of His dear children towards this service. May He only be pleased to continue to give me faith amid patience, and I shall most assuredly see this building erected to the praise of His name!

Feb. 28. Two of the labourers in the Orphan-Houses gave 1s. each—Today the 500l. which had been promised on the 15th, was paid 25 days sooner than promised. I rejoiced in this speed; for I remembered that word:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest."

March 2. Received 2 rings, 6 brooches, 2 mourning brooches, 3 old silver thimbles, a silver guard, a small gold chain, 4 pairs of earrings, 3 polished stones, a bracelet, 3 waist buckles, a silver mounting of a horn, and 2 candlestick ornaments.

March 3. From a brother in the Lord 10l.

March 8. From Clevedon 1s., and from London 6d.

March 13. From a young sister in the Lord 13s. From a little girl at Bath 2s. 6d.--Also 2 babies' pinafores for sale.--4 little frocks, a pair of socks, and 4 pincushions (also for sale).--Likewise a dozen doilies.

March 15. Anonymously 2l. with these lines written in the paper: "Wishing for the privilege of raising a few stones towards erecting the New Orphan-House, the enclosed trifle is sent for that purpose.-- There will doubtless be a conspiracy from beneath, to fight against and to hinder the work; nevertheless let us make our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night."

March 19. By sale of some articles 1l. 5s 4 ½ d.

March 22. From a sister in the Lord 10s.

March 25. A pair of knitted cuffs for sale.

March 28. A lady at Clifton gave 2l.

March 31. A brother, having unexpectedly received a sum of money as a dividend from a Bankruptcy, gave 10l. towards the Building-Fund, as "A thank-offering to the Lord."

April 5. Anonymously 1l.

April 7. Four pairs of knitted socks were given for sale; and by a sister in the Lord 10l., as "A thank-offering for mercies received." This 10l. comes at a season of a very great trial of faith, on account of a multiplicity of difficulties in which I am just now, and it is another precious earnest to me from God, that He will give me in every way what I need, after He has sufficiently tried my faith and patience.—There were also given 5 stuffed birds and a pincushion. Also 2 cups, 2 shells, a book-mark, and a watch guard. Also a knitted cloth.

April 27. Anonymously 4s., and by sale of articles 3s. 9d. I received also the following letter from Sunderland:

"Sunderland, April 24, 1846.

"Beloved Brother,

"A year having now elapsed since our chapel was opened, and our God having signally blessed us in all things, the saints here have been stirred up to present a thank-offering to our Father, and to give it for the New Orphan-Houses. I therefore send you in their name, the sum of 17l. Etc."

May 3. From a sister at Bath 10s.

May 9. By sale of articles 1s. "A widow's mite" 1l.

May 11. From a brother 50l.

May 21. From Oxford 1l.

May 27. From a sister in Bristol 1l.

June 2. Through a sister 1s. 3d.

June. 4. From Leicestershire 5s., and from a sister in Bristol 2s. 6d.

That which has been stated above concerning the origin of the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down, Bristol, was published in the Ninth Report of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, which was issued in the year 1846. In that Report were added to the above, the following remarks, which I likewise give here again, in order that the reader may have a clear under-standing of the whole, and also the full particulars concerning this Orphan Establishment.

1. The total amount, which has been given for the Building-Fund, up to June 4, 1846, is 2710l. 3s. 5 ½ d. This is only a small part of what will be needed, but, by the grace of God, I am in perfect peace, being fully assured that God in His own time will send the whole sum which is required. Many and great have already been the exercises of faith and patient since I first began to give myself to prayer about this work, and still greater they may be, before it is accomplished; but God, in the riches of His grace, will help me through them all. It is now (June 4, 1846) 212 days since I first began to pray about this work, and day after day, since then, have I been enabled to continue to wait upon God, and I am more than ever assured that, notwithstanding all my exceeding great unworthiness, God will condescend to use me, to build this House. Had it been the excitement of the moment, the difficulties which have already come upon me in connexion with this work, (which are not stated here, on account of their occupying too much room) would have overwhelmed me; but as God Himself, I trust, led me to this work, so He has helped me, and does help me, and, I doubt not, will help me to the end.

2. The house is intended to be built, so as to accommodate 140 Orphan Girls above seven years of age, 80 Orphan Boys above seven, and 80 male and female Orphans from their earliest days, till they are seven years old, together with all the overseers and teachers, etc. that may be needed. The Infants, after having passed the age of seven, will be removed into the different departments for older boys and girls.

3. The plan of the building is, by the help of God, all but completed. Scarcely anything more remains to be altered.

4. The building, however, will not commence till all the money, which is required, has been received.

5. The land and house will be invested in the hands of about ten brethren, as trustees, who shall be persons well known and of good report.

6. Only such donations, ordinarily, will be put to time Building-Fund as are expressly given for it. I should only depart from this my usual mode, if the Lord by some very great abundance of means corning in, or in other respects were to point out, that money not expressly given for the Building-Fund, was to be appropriated to it. It is therefore requested that donors will kindly state it, if they wish any donation put to the Building-Fund.

Miscellaneous points respecting the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad, with reference to the period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1840.

1. During the whole of this period, 4 Day-Schools, with 278 children in them, were entirely supported by the funds of the Institution. Three Day-Schools besides were assisted. The number of the children that were taught in the Day-Schools, entirely supported by the funds of the Institution, from March 5, 1834, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 3983. During the period from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, 628l. 19s. 4 ¾ d. was spent on all the Schools, which were either entirely or in part supported by the funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution. —Further, during this period there were also entirely supported a Sunday-School with 80 children, and an Adult-School with 60 persons attending it. The total number of Adult scholars who received instruction, from the formation of this Institution to May 26, 1846, is 1146.

2. During this period were circulated 269 Bibles, and 171 Testaments; and 5079 Bibles, and 3528 Testaments were circulated from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. 40l. 7s. 10d. was expended of the Funds of the Institution on this object, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1840.

3. From July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, was laid out for Foreign and Home Missions the sum of 595l. 7s, 9d. Of this sum was spent for Foreign Missions 447l. 17s. 9d, which was divided among 15 brethren and sisters who labour in British Guiana, one brother and sister in Jamaica, 2 brethren in India, one brother in Prussia, and 3 brethren in Switzerland. The remainder, 147l. 10s. was divided among 14 brethren who labour in England without any salary, and in dependence upon the Lord for their temporal supplies. During no period previously was so much of the Funds of this Institution spent on Missionary work, which arose from the fact, that, the more I corresponded with brethren who laboured in the word and doctrine in foreign lands, the more I saw how much they stood in need of assistance, and thus, my heart having been led out in prayer to God on their behalf, that He would be pleased to send me means, whereby I might be able to assist them, He was pleased to do so. This led me to purpose, as God should give me grace, to be still more mindful of them in future, and to seek to be able still more to assist them. The same was the case with regard to those brethren who labour in England, but who have no salary or stipend, but trust in the living God for the supply of their daily necessities; I did long to help such brethren, and had no doubt that God would enable me to do so.

When I now, whilst preparing this fourth part of my Narrative for the press, look back to this period, how greatly has God helped me since then even in this particular; for, of late years, he has enabled me to spend on Missionary objects about seven times more than during the period now referred to.

4. There was laid out for the circulation of tracts, from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, the sum of 50l. 9s. 9 ½ d., for which Fifty-two thousand and three such little publications were bought, which, with 5315 in hand on July 14, 1844, makes 57318, of which number 40565 were circulated The total number circulated from Nov. 19, 1840, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 99647.

5. There were received into the four Orphan-Houses, from July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1840, 30 Orphans, who, together with those who were in the four Houses on July 14, 1844, make up 151 in all. Of these: 1. One child died. 2. One boy left the Institution secretly just when he was ready to be apprenticed, and went to his relatives. [In going over this account, for time sake of preparing it for the press, I cannot help making a few remarks on this case, for the sake of teachers, guardians, and parents, who are greatly afflicted by the bad behaviour of children or young persons. The boy referred to just now gave us for years much sorrow. All means, to bring him into a different state, seemed entirely lost. At last he was going to be apprenticed. His clothes and outfit for leaving the House were already prepared, when he secretly left and at last reached on foot the dwelling-place of an elder sister, in the North of Devon, who is married to a master of a small vessel, a pious man. His sister and brother-in-law were greatly afflicted by his bad behaviour towards his friends in Bristol. There remained, however, now nothing to be done, but that the lad should go with his brother-in-law to sea. After he had been some time at sea, one night there was a terrific storm, so that all hope of the vessel or crew being saved was gone. This poor lad now remembered the instruction which he had received in the Orphan-House in Bristol, and earnestly prayed to God for mercy, and turned to Him. From that time, as the brother-in-law himself told me, this youth was a truly changed character, and proved by his godly deportment for several months afterwards, that he had the grace of God in him; for he continued walking in the fear of God, till about 6 months afterwards, when he was drowned by falling overboard. May this encourage all who labour among the young, patiently to go on in their service. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. 126, 5.] 3. Six children were taken back by their relatives, who by that time were able to provide for them. 4. Six boys were apprenticed at the expense of the Institution, and five other boys, ready to be apprenticed, were sent to their relatives to be apprenticed. 5. Two girls were apprenticed, and eight sent out to service, and one girl was sent to her relatives to serve them.

There were on May 28, 1846, One hundred and twenty-one Orphans in the Four Houses. Besides this, six apprentices were still supported by the Funds of the Institution, so that the total number was 127. The number of the Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, to May 26, 1846, amounts to 213.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the Orphan-Houses.

1. Without any one having been personally applied to for anything by me, the sum of 13,275l. 6s. 9 ¾ d. was given to me as the result of prayer to God, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846. This sum includes the 2710l. 3s. 5 ½ d. which up to June 4, 1846, was given towards the Building Fund. (It may be interesting to the reader to know that the total amount which was given as free contributions, for the other objects, from the commencement of the work up to May 26, 1846, amounts to 4833l. 18s. 10 ¾ d.; and that which came in by the sale of Bibles and Tracts, and by the payments of the children in the Day-Schools, amounts to 2097l. 18s. 2 ½ d.) 2. Besides this, also a great variety and number of articles of clothing, furniture, provisions, etc., were given for the Orphans, as has been stated in the printed Reports. The total expenditure for the Orphans from July 14, 1844, to May 26, 1846, was 2732l. 14s. 1 ½ d., and for the other objects 1325l. 7s. 7 ¼ d.

In conclusion I cannot but mention, to the praise of the Lord, concerning this period, that four of the Sunday-School children were admitted to communion. Likewise three more of the Orphans were received into church fellowship, so that up to that time, altogether 32 of the Orphans had been admitted. I also mention with peculiar joy, and as a matter for thankfulness, that of those who were apprenticed or sent out to service, from July 14, 1844, to May 20, 1846, ten were believers, most of whom had been for several years in fellowship, before they were sent out to service. But whilst we desire to receive these instances as precious encouragements from the Lord to continue our service, we cannot but believe, judging from the many prayers the Lord gives us for the children and adults under our care and instruction, that that which we see is but an earnest of a far larger harvest in the day of Christ's appearing.

Matters connected with my own personal affairs, or time work of the Lord in my hands, not immediately connected with the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, from January 1, 1844, to May 26, 1846.

Soon after my return from Germany, where I had been labouring for seven months in 1843, and 1844, of which I have written at length in the third part of this Narrative, I had it laid on my heart to go there again for a season; but, before doing so, I felt called upon to prepare for the press a new edition of the first and second parts, and to write the third part of my Narrative. For this, however, a large sum of money was required, as I purposed to print not less than 4000 copies. As I had no money of my own for this object, I gave myself to prayer, and, after having prayed several months respecting it, I received on December 30, 1844, unasked for, the sum which would be needed to accomplish this object.

Dec. 31, 1844. Since Brother Craik and I came to Bristol, 982 believers have been received into communion, making 1050 with the 68 whom we found in fellowship. Of these, 97 have fallen asleep, 53 are under church discipline, 56 have left us but are still in Bristol, and 176 have removed from Bristol; so that there are only 668 in communion at present. During this year 73 have been received.

The Lord has been pleased to give me during this year—

1, Through anonymous offerings in money, put up in paper, and directed to me, and placed in the boxes for the poor saints, or the rent, at the two chapels. £117 11 9

2, Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously 56 0 6

3, Through presents in money, from believers not residing in Bristol . . . . 81 14 6

4, In presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least 12 0 0

£267 6 9

To this is to be added, that, for the first two months and six days of this year, my expenses, and those of my dear wife, during our stay in Germany, were met, as also our traveling expenses back, as stated in. the third part of my Narrative. Also during the whole of this year a Christian lady gave to our dear child board and schooling without any remuneration, a present worth to us not less than 50l. On this point I cannot help making a few remarks. I had clearly seen it to be the will of God that my daughter should be brought up at school, and not at home. My reasons for it were these: 1, My dear wife, though well qualified, to instruct our daughter, so far as knowledge goes, was unable, on account of being engaged as my wife in a variety of things connected with the Lord's service, to give herself uninterruptedly to this work; and to do it partially we judged to be injurious to our daughter. 2, I had seen instances in which a home education, for an only child, had turned out very badly. 3, I judged that the mixing with other children would be beneficial to our daughter, provided that intercourse was under proper oversight; as thus a child is in early life introduced into a little world, and things do not all at once come upon a young person, when at last obliged to leave the parental roof. 4, But that which most of all led me to this decision was, that, as in the Church of Christ the Lord has qualified the members of the body for the performance of certain work, and all have not the same gift and service, so, in the same way, certain believers are called and qualified above others, for instructing children, and give themselves to this particular service, and that, therefore, I ought to make use of the qualifications of such, and of their having given their whole time to this particular service.-- These reasons led us to place our dear daughter at school, instead of educating her at home, and we have never had cause to regret the step we took, but on the contrary, have had abundant reason to praise God for it I have purposely made these remarks, as I am fully aware that some believers have different views on this subject, and I desire to serve them with the measure of light and experience I have obtained.

After our daughter had been at school for half a year, I asked for the account, when it was stated to me by the Christian lady in whose establishment she was, that she had a pleasure in educating her gratuitously. However, as I pressed the matter, I obtained the account. It was paid, but the exact sum was returned to me anonymously, which, of course, I found out at once to be from the Christian sister at whose school my daughter was. From that time I could never more obtain the account, though my dear child was about six years longer at school. I refer to this point for this especial reason: God had laid it on my heart to care about poor destitute Orphans. To this service I had been led to give myself; He, in return, as a recompense even for this life, took care that my own beloved child should have a very good education, free of expense to me. I was able, and well able to pay for her education, and most willing to do so; but the Lord gave it gratuitously; thus also showing how ready He is, abundantly to help me and to supply my wants.

January 6, 1845. Today I received the most painful information that a false teacher from Switzerland had found his way among the brethren and sisters at Stuttgart, and that through him several, yea almost all, to a greater or less degree had been drawn aside, and shaken as to the very foundations of their faith.

I cannot describe how bitter the trial was to me to see the Lord thus dishonoured, and my painful service for seven months during the previous year, to all appearance, entirely frustrated. The Lord, however, laid these brethren and sisters on my heart in prayer, so that I was day by day enabled to bring them before God, and also to resolve, that, as soon as my path was made plain, I would go again to Stuttgart for a season.

May 3, 1845. I have seen it more and more clearly of late, that the time is drawing near, when I shall go again to Germany, to labour there for a time; for the brethren who had fallen into grievous errors are now recovering out of them, but need a helping hand to restore them fully, or at least to confirm them in the truth. In addition to this I purpose to publish some tracts in German. But though it is now four months, since I have been daily praying respecting this object, I never had been led to ask the Lord to give me means for it, because I felt assured, that, when His time was come for me to go, He would provide the means; and also because I had never felt myself led to pray about it. Today, however, I asked the Lord that He would provide the means for all that is necessary in connexion with this service; and I had a secret satisfaction in feeling that so much was required, i.e. means for the journey to and fro, means for our stay there, means for the publication of Tracts, means to be left behind for the work in Bristol, to supply the need at least for a time, for I did not wish to go, unless it were the Lord's will, and if so, He would give the means. Now see how the Lord dealt with me! About a quarter of an hour after 1 had been in prayer with my dear wife respecting this object, and I had now, for the first time, asked Him for means to carry it out, though for four months we had daily prayed together respecting spiritual success in this service, I received a letter containing an order for 500l. In the letter this was written:

"I enclose * * * * 500l., which will be more useful in your hands than in mine. I mean it in the first place for all that is needed preparatory to and attendant upon your journey to Germany, and, whatever the surplus may be, you will apply as you find there is need in the different parts of service under your care." Thus the Lord has fully answered our requests for means, and that so speedily!

On July 19th my dear wife and I left Bristol for Stuttgart. As the letters, which I wrote to the church in Bristol, in which I gave some account of my labours on the Continent, have been preserved, I give them here, as they will furnish the reader with an outline of the Lord's dealings with me during that period.

Stuttgart, Aug. 16, 1845.

To the Saints, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol.

Dear Brethren,

It is today four weeks since we left you. As I know that your love to us would like to know how the Lord has been dealing with us since, and as I have abundant reason to speak well of Him on account of His goodness and mercy to us since our departure; I gladly relate to you how it has been with us since we left Bristol It was on Saturday afternoon, July 19th, that we started for London. On the next day, the Lord's day, I ministered twice in London, as also on Monday evening. I was much helped in doing so, especially on the evening of the Lord's day and on Monday evening, and I could not but recognize the hand of the Lord even in this, with reference to my leaving Bristol for a season. On Monday and Tuesday we were much occupied in procuring our passports, and on Wednesday at twelve o'clock we went on board the steamer for Ostend. The Lord mercifully carried us over the sea, although we were both very sea-sick, and about five o'clock the next morning we went on shore at Ostend. Having in a very little time, without any difficulty, obtained our luggage out of the Customhouse, we left by the first train for Cologne, at half-past six, travelled all that day, a distance of about 240 miles, and reached Cologne between nine and ten o'clock in the evening. We then travelled either in the Rhine steamers, on the rail-road, or in an omnibus, the four following days also, yet so that we arranged to have time to ourselves, and reached Stuttgart about eight o'clock on Monday evening, July 28th. Of the journey I would mention no more, than that on the last day we travelled with a most lovely and gracious brother, an English clergyman from Sussex, with whom, after two or three hours I was so one in heart, that on getting out of the omnibus, in which we travelled together about 30 miles, in order to walk up a long hill, we walked together arm-in-arm. It was most refreshing to our spirits to find so lovely a brother in this dark land. We spent a few hours together at Stuttgart, and then this dear brother left for the neighbourhood of Munich, the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria, where his family is for a season.--I had written from Bristol to one of the brethren at Stuttgart, Brother M—, an Englishman, to look out for furnished lodgings for us, and I therefore called on him the next morning, July 29th, to see how far he had succeeded. I now learned that he had made every inquiry for me, and also advertised in the paper, and applied at an intelligence office, but that he had heard only of three apartments, and even these were unfurnished; for all the lodgings which were to be had were occupied by the deputies of the people, a sort of Parliament in Wirtemberg, who have once every three years their assemblies, and who had been for the last six months assembled in Stuttgart. This was no small difficulty, as to stay at an hotel would have been very expensive, especially just now, as the assembly of the deputies has made a great difference in the hotels also. However, our comfort was, that, as we had come in the name of the Lord, and according to His bidding, and that, after having daily prayed about the matter since the latter part of November last year, He would help in this thing also. We now went to the only lodging out of the three which was at all likely to suit; but we found that this was only to be had on Nov. 10th, and not now, a lady having taken a whole floor of seven rooms, and wishing to let two of them. We saw the two rooms which had been offered, found them furnished, and asked to whom they belonged, when we learned that they were in the use of the owner of the house, who had sold the house, but would have the use of these rooms, as well as those in which he lived, till Nov. 1st. 1 now affectionately asked him, whether he would not let an have these rooms for a time, offering to pay any price, and give the money before-hand, as I was a stranger to him. He said he would consider it with his wife a few hours. My dear wife and I now gave ourselves to prayer, that, if it were good for us, the Lord would be pleased to incline the hearts of these persons to let us have those two rooms, but I told Him, at the same time, that I should not now press the matter further, having offered what I had; for after all He might have another place for us, where. He wished us to be. After two or three hours I went again, and as we required little as to attendance, and were of quiet habits, and required little alteration to be made in the way of furniture, these persons agreed to let us have those rooms; and that same afternoon we were able to leave the hotel and enter our lodging. And now hear the Lord's goodness in this particular. The dear persons with whom we lodge are both Christians, who are most kind to us, and obliging in every way. Their servant also who waits on us is a most kind person. The house is in a healthy and quiet situation, and not far from our meeting-place, though without the city gates. In a word, we could not have wished better lodgings. And how did we get them? Because all the apartments, usually let out as lodgings, were occupied by these 90 or 100 gentlemen of the Parliament. Moreover, to this house we came, through a mistake having been made; for the rooms we now live in were only intended to be let on Nov. 10th. More, the persons with whom we live are evidently wealthy persons, a surgeon who has retired from his profession, and his wife, and who never had let lodgings. Oh! how kind of the Lord, to let circumstances be as they were, in order that we might, through this very difficulty, obtain such a dwelling-place. Daily we feel the comfort of living with Christians, though these dear persons belong to the State Church. May this little matter lead us all, dear brethren, to leave all our affairs in the hands of our loving Father; He arranges matters as they are best for us.-- During the first three or four days in Stuttgart, I was especially poor and needy, and required every particle of courage not to be overwhelmed by the state of things here. Everything seemed most dark. On Tuesday evening when I went to the meeting, there were but eight present, and all I saw and heard gave me the impression of spiritual desolation, resulting from that false teacher from Switzerland having come among the brethren here. In addition to this, my dear wife was taken very ill during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, July 29 to 30, so that for two days she kept her bed, and only on the fourth day was pretty well again. It was the result of sea-sickness and the great fatigue of the journey, I think. But the Lord had mercy and brightened the prospect by increasing my faith. In addition to this, circumstances looked better almost immediately after my arrival, and I was constantly comforted by the knowledge, that only according to the Lord's will we were here, and that He would not have sent us, if He had not some purpose to be accomplished by it. The first thing that occurred was, that, in answer to our many prayers in England, on the journey, and here, and also in answer to your prayers, dear brethren, the police gave me permission to stay here, a thing which, looking at it naturally, could not have been expected. Still, this had always been my hope, because to Stuttgart I felt to be my mission. The next thing was, that the moment my arrival became known, the poor scattered sheep were again drawn together, and other persons also, believers and unbelievers, came to the meetings, so that the first evening it was known I should hold a meeting, there were about 20 persons present, and since then there have been repeatedly 40 and upwards. This is a small number for England, but large here, and for our position in particular. The next thing was, our landlady told me that every Monday afternoon a number of pious females met at her house, for two or three hours, to knit stockings for the Moravian missionaries, and requested me to come and speak to them. This I now do every Monday afternoon, expounding the Scriptures to 20 or 25 of these females and our landlord and to an aged brother, who has been in the habit of attending these meetings. This is a new field entirely, and something else to show how the hand of God was in the matter of our lodgings. Still more. On the last two Friday evenings I have attended a meeting, at which about 150 persons, belonging to the State Church, meet together, most of them probably converted, and the others either seeking the Lord, or religiously inclined. To this meeting I have gone for love's sake, to show that I really desire to be united, in spirit, with all who love our Lord Jesus. Now at this meeting also, I have had opportunity to speak both times. In future also, the Lord willing, I purpose to go to this meeting, and to embrace the opportunity which thus I may have of speaking what may be suitable under the circumstances. The character of the meeting is not in every way that which is according to the Holy Scriptures, but these dear brethren must be borne with, in order to help them on. About 8 brethren sit round a table, being more intimately known to each other. They lead the whole meeting as to prayer, giving out a hymn, proposing the portion of the Word of God for consideration, &c. They make remarks on it, and all the other 100 or 200, or more or less, that may be present, listen. As I had called on one of these leading brethren, he asked me to sit at that table, and thus I have the right of speaking, which yet must be used very wisely, as these dear children of God may be able to bear it. But even if I were not to speak at all, my very presence would do good, with God's blessing, as they would see that I am desirous of being united with all who love our Lord Jesus; and I cannot but hope that thus prejudices will wear away, they will come to our meetings, and read my book. The Continent is not like England. Every particle of progress one is able to make here, is highly to be prized. The state of things is most interesting here. Infidelity is most awfully showing itself, regardlessly trampling under foot God's word, and shamelessly and most impudently denouncing the whole as a fabrication; but, on the other side, there is evidently an inquiry after truth, and a seeking to know the truth from the Scriptures themselves, and a beginning to be dissatisfied with cold dead forms. The Lord also begins to work for us in other respects. The parliament of Wirtemberg has also publicly considered the matter of the brother and sister who would not be married at the State Church, and have recommended to the government of the country to consider the matter once more, and also to grant to us the privilege of being able to marry, without going to the State Church, as they had already granted us "the administration of the Lord's Supper and Baptism," as they call it. Thus, with God's blessing, help will come in that way also; and I cannot but hope that this poor little gathering here, in which the devil has recently made such havoc, will yet be to the praise of the Lord, and to the benefit of His church in the German States.--God has blessed my being here in bringing brother R. out of the errors into which he had fallen, having been led away by that false teacher from Switzerland; but this brother reaps now bitterly the fruits of his want of watchfulness: that dear young sister who was converted while I was here before, his youngest daughter, is among those persons in Switzerland, and another of his daughters is engaged to one of these persons--Oh! how important, dear brethren, carefully and prayerfully to compare what we hear with the Word of God. Five days following, three times each day, this false teacher held meetings, and thus overpowered these dear saints completely; for they had no time left to consider and to pray over, and compare with the Holy Scriptures, what they heard, as, in addition to three meetings a day, they lasted till after 11 o'clock at night.--I now attend eight meetings every week. Sunday mornings at nine o'clock, exposition of the Word, and in the afternoon at two we meet for the breaking of bread. The dear brethren have gone back to these unsuitable hours. On Monday afternoon at three the exposition of the Scriptures to those who meet together to knit for the missionaries, and on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8 to 10 o'clock, Scripture reading meetings, with the saints only who break bread. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings from eight to half-past nine, public exposition of the Word. And on Friday evening from half-past eight to a quarter before ten, I meet with the brethren who belong to the State Church. Besides this, my time has hitherto been much occupied in seeing brethren and sisters privately and the rest of my time, besides prayer and meditation, for my own soul and the work, has been occupied in preparing tracts for the press. Five are already finished. I have translated into German: "The love of God to poor sinners," "The Serpent of brass," and "The two thieves;" and I have written myself two tracts, on "Lydia's conversion," and "The conversion of the jailer at Philippi." In this work I purpose to continue, the Lord willing, while we remain here, either writing or translating tracts, and then seeking myself, as much as I can, whilst here, to circulate them--Oh! help me, beloved brethren, yet more and more with your prayers in all this important service. My position here is more important, and more interesting than ever; for God, "who comforteth those who are cast down," has comforted me, after the first three days of trial, and has given me a larger field for service than I had before.--We remember you daily in prayer, and gladly do so, and shall be truly glad to return to you, as soon as we can see it to be the will of the Lord. Farewell, beloved brethren. My dear wife sends to you her love in Christ. Should any of you wish to write to me, I shall be glad to hear from you; but please to write on very thin paper, on account of the heavy postage. The letters may be left at my house.

Your affectionate brother and servant in the Lord,

George Müller.

Stuttgart, Sept. 13, 1845.

To the Brethren in Christ, meeting in the name of the Lord Jesus at Bethesda and Salem Chapels, Bristol.

My dear brethren,

It is eight weeks today since we left Bristol, and we have still abundant reason to say, that goodness and mercy have followed us every day. This I have in particular also to say in reference to the last four weeks, even since I wrote to you last. As we desire your thanksgiving to the Lord for His goodness to us, and as we earnestly crave the continuance of your prayers, I write again, especially also as I judge that your love will be desirous of knowing further particulars about us and the work of the Lord in my hands. Since I wrote to you, I have continued to attend eight meetings a week, that is, three for exposition of the Scriptures at our usual in meeting-place on Lord's day mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings; the breaking of bread on the Lord's day evenings (as we have altered the hour from 2 in the afternoon to 8 in the evening); two Scripture reading meetings on Monday and Wednesday, at which, as well as at all our other meetings, there is given to every brother as much room for prayer, as there may be a desire for it. Then I attend two other meetings a week, among believers or inquirers who are in connexion with the State Church, one on Monday afternoon at the house where we live, which has increased from about ten to about forty. At this meeting I lead entirely, and am the only speaker. Then there is every Friday evening another meeting, at which about 150 persons assemble, which I have continued to attend, and where I have regularly spoken, together with other brethren. The shyness which there was at first is evidently wearing off, and last evening, when I took leave of them, having been there for the last time before our departure, the brethren were quite cordial. In addition to this, the Lord has opened another new and important field. At the house of an elderly lady of title, of one of the ancient noble families of this kingdom, there is a meeting for ladies who work for charitable purposes. This meeting I have also been requested to attend for the purpose of expounding the Scriptures, whilst the ladies work. I was there last Tuesday afternoon, and shall be there again, the Lord willing, neat Tuesday. To all who attend this meeting I have therefore an opportunity of giving a copy of my Narrative in German, about forty in all, as well as a copy of the eleven tracts which I have published, and thus the truth, with God's blessing, may be carried into the higher circles of this city, if not of this kingdom. Truly, the Lord gave, at the beginning of my sojourn here, to everything apparently the death-blow, that He might give me a larger field than I had had before. Still it is even now but little in comparison with England, yet it is much for Germany. Indeed I have now as much work day by day as I can do. Persons from the establishment come to see mind converse with me, and I might visit as many as I have time and strength for, and many more, and should be welcome.

Sept. 14. Thus far I had written yesterday morning, when a pious gentleman of rank called on me, who, with his wife, feels the deepest interest about the work of the Lord in Bristol, of which they have gathered information through my Narrative in German. This gentleman has been this morning to our poor meeting place also, and has invited me to his house to meet his friends. Thus a new opening has been given. The remainder of yesterday was spent in seeing visitors, and the evening I spent among brethren belonging to the State Church.--I have now been able to publish eleven different Gospel tracts in German. They are as follows; 1."The love of God to poor sinners," translation from the English, 4 pages. 2. "The Serpent of brass," translation, 4 pages. 3. "The two thieves," translation, 8 pages. 4. "Lydia, the seller of purple," written by me, 4 pages. 5. "The jailer at Philippi," written by me, 12 pages. 6. "The four most important questions answered," written by me, 12 pages. 7. "Grace," translation, 4 pages. 8. "The poor man's best medicine," translation, 6 pages. 9. "Almost and Altogether," translation, 6 pages. 10. "What is a Christian?" translation, 6 pages. 11. "A just God and a Saviour," translation, 6 pages.--Of each of these tracts twenty thousand copies have been printed, there are therefore two hundred and twenty thousand copies ready to be used by the Lord. I tell you all these particulars, dear brethren, that you may now help me with your prayers, that God may be pleased to use and bless them. The especial intention respecting these tracts is, to state the Gospel in a plain and distinct way. Now one of my particular reasons for leaving you for a season, and labouring here was, to publish these tracts, and to circulate myself as many of them as I could. The latter I am now about to do in the following way. I have had a box made which will hold about thirty thousand tracts. This box will be filled and fastened behind the conveyance which I purpose hiring. Our portmanteaus and other packages, as much as room permits, will be filled with copies of my German Narrative. Thus stored we purpose to leave on Wednesday or Thursday, Sept. 17 or 18, giving to each person we meet on the road a tract, and giving away in the towns and villages as many as may be wise, without raising a mob around us. In addition to this, as far as opportunity may allow, I purpose to speak with persons on the road. In this way we purpose to travel on, day after day, giving away tracts, and also my Narrative, so that in every village and town, of a journey of 500 or 600 miles, at least a few copies of my Narrative will be left, besides giving them to passengers on the road, and as many tracts as we can. In order to fill our stores again, I purpose to send to Frankfort a large bale of tracts and books before us, also to Eisleben, where Luther was born, and to Cassel. In this way I hope to be able to give away about 900 copies of my Narrative, and fifty or sixty thousand tracts. In addition to this, I am seeking to place with trustworthy brethren in this country, in Switzerland, and in Prussia, smaller quantities, to be given away as opportunity may occur. Our route, as far as I can see at present, will be this: To Heilbronn, Heidelberg, Darmstadt, Frankfort, Fulda, Erfurt, Eisenach, Eisleben. The last place will be the furthest part of our journey. Then we mean to return towards England by way of Nordhausen, Gottingen, Cassel, Elberfeld, Dusseldorf, and Cologne. The whole tour may take from 20 to 25 days, travelling day after day. All this I write to you, earnestly asking your prayers for us, on account of the following particulars: 1. That the Lord would be pleased so to strengthen us in body, as that we may be able to continue travelling day after day for 20 days or more. 2. That the Lord would be pleased to give us suitable and kind drivers, that we may not have difficulty in our work in that way. 3. That the police may not be permitted to obstruct our service. 4. That our own souls may not suffer through this work, but rather be benefited. 5. That the Lord would be pleased to direct the Tracts and Narratives into the hands of those very persons whom He means to bless by them.

6. That He would also be pleased to allow the weather to be of that kind, if it seem good to Him, that our work may not be hindered.-- Great unforseen hindrances and difficulties we may meet with in this service, yet it has now been with me the subject of prayer for several months, and in the name of the Lord I enter upon it.--The especial reason why I go towards the North of Germany is, because there this service is mostly needed, and there my Narrative is not at all, or scarcely at all known, as the 200 copies which I sent to a beloved brother in those parts for circulation, he could not conscientiouisly, as he says, circulate; I therefore mean myself to circulate the book there. And further, in those parts public meetings in abundance are held, in which the foundation truths of the Gospel are openly attacked by persons who call themselves "the Friends of Light." There then I mean to distribute among the common people as many thousands of Tracts as I can.--Germany is in great agitation. Light is increasing, there is a shaking in establishments; but there infidelity is also increasing, as well as democracy in politics. I watch with deep interest the state of things in Germany, and were not my position in Bristol what it is, I should remain longer here; but I judge it well to be back again, if the Lord prosper our way, about the 12th of October. Gladly should I have written many more Tracts, they are also greatly needed, especially on subjects which are more particularly of importance for believers; but I cannot now stay longer, and must leave it to a time when the Lord may honour me again to labour for a season in Germany.

Sept. 15. Yesterday I was again interrupted by visitors, so that I could not finish my letter. The gentleman, who called the day before yesterday, called again also yesterday. He was Professor of Medicine in the University of Moscow in Russia, and President of the Evangelical Consistory in that City. He seems deeply interested in the service in my hands. He was twice yesterday at our poor meeting place, and has invited me this evening to his house to meet some friends of his, clergymen and others. Last evening there were present at the meeting for the breaking of bread about 40 persons; besides those who broke bread. Our departure is now fixed for Thursday, Sept. 18th; but after a dry season for 4 or 5 weeks, the Lord has now sent rain, and we are entirely in His hands as to the weather, as a rainy season ill suit our intended service; but our Lord, whose work it is, and not ours, will order this matter also as it shall be for His glory and our welfare. I reckon, beloved brethren, on the continuance of your prayers. We also, by the grace of God, continue to remember you day after day. We shall be glad indeed to behold your faces again, and yet we desire to be happy here, because we are in our Lord's work: and indeed we are happy here also, though so far absent from the hundreds of dear saints whom we have so much reason to love. The little church here consists of 19, of whom 6 do not live in this city, but in two villages at some distance, who can only from time to time come to the breaking of bread. That which they especially now need is, that one or more brethren should labour among them, and I would particularly commend this matter to your prayer, that the Lord would be pleased to appear on their behalf in this particular; for it is not likely that things will go on well among them without pastoral care and without oversight. In some little measure order has now been restored among them, and I hope that the coming of that false teacher among them, nine months since, will finally be used by the Lord for their furtherance. And now, greatly loved brethren, farewell. May the Lord, as we continually pray, give to each of you according to your individual need. My dear wife, who helps me much in the work here in one way or other, sends her love in Christ to you.

Your affectionate brother and servant in our Lord,

George Müller.

Cassel, Capital of the Electorate of Hesse Cassel, Oct. 1, 1845.

To the saints, assembling in the name of the Lord Jesus at Salem and Bethesda Chapels, Bristol.

My very dear brethren,

I long to tell you of the Lord's goodness to us, since last I wrote you, and though this letter may reach you only three or four days before our arrival among you, still I would wish you to help us in praising the Lord for His goodness to us. I now record His kindness in our service, as far as I remember it, from the day where my last letter heft off. I think it was on Sept. 15th that my last letter was finished. On that afternoon I had the last meeting among the working females in my house. It had then increased to at least sixty, from about 10 at the beginning. The evening of that day I spent among gentlemen and ladies of Stuttgart, at the house of a gentleman who had invited me. There the Lord gave me opportunity of testifying for Him about 2 hours and a half. The next afternoon I had a meeting at which about 25 ladies were working for charitable purposes, at the house of a lady of title. To these and to their absent friends, I gave a copy of my Narrative, 40 in number, as well as a copy of each of the 11 Tracts which I have published. Thus, with the Lord's blessing, the Narrative and the Tracts may work among the higher or highest classes of the kingdom of Wirtemberg. I simply mention this to show, dear brethren, what open doors the Lord has given me, after the apparent death-blow upon everything at the beginning. How important that we should not be discouraged by appearances in the Lord's service! On the same evening the last public meeting among the brethren at Stuttgart was attended by about 80 persons more than any previous time, either at this or my former visit. Thus also the Lord gave still further encouragement. On the following day, Wednesday, Sept. 17th, I took leave of various believers, not in communion with us; among the rest, of two pious clergymen at Stuttgart, who treated me most kindly. This day was occupied with making all the arrangements for our journey, as I had to send many thousands of tracts before us to several places, not being able to carry in our carriage all the books and tracts, which we hoped to circulate on the journey. In the evening that gentleman called once more to see me, in whose house I had spent the Monday evening, and with whom I had become acquainted a few days before, and who, since then, had attended all our meetings. I think I told you before, that he was Professor of Medicine at the Russian University at Moscow, and also President of the Protestant Consistory in that city. This dear brother takes a deep interest in my service, and has offered to circulate 50 copies of my book, and 50 copies of each of the 11 tracts. We parted like old friends.--Our prayer had been for a suitable carriage, and an obliging driver, on which so much of our service depended; but we were so occupied, that I could only order a carriage on the morning of our departure, Thursday, Sept. 18th, and the Lord most signally answered our prayers; for we obtained a driver who was one of a hundred. He drove us three days, and was most obliging, so that we could not have desired a better driver; the carriage also was as if made for our work. At 10 o'clock on Thursday morning we set out, furnished with many thousands of tracts, and about 24,000 sent before us; also carrying with us about 450 copies of my Narrative, and having to take up 350 copies on the way. About 350 copies I was able to circulate at Stuttgart whilst there. I should also say that I found several brethren with whom I could leave smaller quantities of tracts for circulation at Stuttgart and else-where, especially an English brother, Dr. M., who lives at Basle, and who spends his whole time in circulating religious books and tracts, written in German and French. This brother came, three days before our departure, to Stuttgart, so that I could arrange with him. Indeed step by step has the Lord prospered me in my feeble endeavours, mixed with sin as every one of them has been, and made it manifest, that, this time also, He bad sent me to Germany. On Thursday, September 18th, then, we set out, and while yet driving through the city of Stuttgart I began giving away tracts, thus to begin the service at once, lest my hands should be weakened through delay. Whilst going on, we continued offering tracts to the passengers on the road, and giving away now and then a copy of my book, and seeking especially to put some copies of it into every village and town. Thus we went on the first day from Stuttgart to Heilbronn, a distance of about 35 English miles. All went on most quietly. We were able to give away many hundreds of tracts, and about 50 copies of my Narrative, and to a few persons I had the opportunity of speaking a little. The second day's journey was from Heilbronn to Heidelberg. In the large towns we went on most quietly, lest there should be a running together of the people, and the appearance be a political disturbance. On this account I never give away tracts and books in towns, but on the road, or just before I come to towns, or after I have passed through them. Yet now and then I have also given them away in towns in a quiet way; for instance, by going to a baker's shop, and buying a trifle and then giving a book. The second day from Heilbronn to Heidelberg we went on as before in our service, but in the afternoon we were tried in spirit. We observed a carriage at a distance behind us, with a gentleman in it, and his coachman before. He stopped more than once to converse with the people to whom I had given tracts. At last he obtained sight of my book also. Thus he kept on driving behind us. Our nerves were greatly tried by this. By the grace of God we were willing to suffer for His name's sake, even greatly, in this work; yet this matter greatly tried us, not knowing what the result might be. At last the carriage drove before us. Then it stopped, and the gentleman lifted himself up, to have a full look at me, then he ordered his coachman to drive on, and they were soon out of sight. The next thing to be expected was, that in the next town the police would stop us in our service. However, we continued the work, and at last arrived at Heidelberg, without having been stopped, and having given away more books and tracts than even on the previous day. The steady even course of service, under all difficulties, without any one's encouragement, and with the discouragement of many, requires not a little faith! We felt how weak our faith was! The third day's journey was from Heidelberg. We continued again our blessed service. I had opportunity this day to put my Narrative and tracts into the hands of ladies and gentlemen as well as poor persons. Our opportunities for service were very many this day, and things went on quietly in the morning. In the afternoon, however, we were even more tried than the day before. We had travelled through Wirtemberg and also the Grand Duchy of Baden, and were now in the country of Hesse-Darmstadt, when I gave some tracts to some lads of a Grammar School, whom we met before a town. But these lads followed us, accompanied the carriage through the whole town, and some distance out of the town, ridiculing us. We sat quiet, saying nothing at all. Then I was addressed by a mail-guard who had seen me give away tracts and books, and who, having stopped the mail, asked for tracts for himself and the passengers, but evidently in a sneering way. This carried the news of our service before us, as the mail went much faster than we, and therefore our work was known in the next place, and a man ran out on our arrival to ask for books, and in consequence of this the attention of persons was arrested. Nevertheless the Lord helped us to continue the work, though somewhat tried in mind, being aware how much such work is opposed on the Continent. A little while after, a light wagon drove quickly after us, and as I was walking by the side of the carriage, up a hill, a man got out, joined me, and asked for a tract. He then said: "Who has allowed you to distribute these books?" I replied. "Nobody, but I am a servant of Jesus, and I desire to serve my Lord. If, however, you can show me that what I am now doing is against the laws of the country I will give it up. As far as I am aware, it is not." He then asked me, what religion was contained in the tracts. I said not any one in particular, but that there were in them the truths of Christianity, about which alone I cared, as I did not design by these books to increase any particular party. A few words more of this kind passed, and he then left me, drove on before us, and presently turned off from the turnpike road into a little bye road in the wood, where he stopped and read the tract which I had given him, which was, "The conversion of the jailer at Philippi." I went on as before with the work, not tried in spirit, but yet my nerves were much affected by it. We meant only to have gone that day as far as Darmstadt, the capital of Hesse-Darmstadt, but I engaged the driver 15 miles further, to Frankfort-on-the-Main, in order that we might be out of the dominion of Hesse-Darmstadt, if through the mail-guard, or the last-mentioned person, who, to judge from his dress, was a government officer, the matter should be coming before the magistrates. At Frankfort we arrived after ten on Saturday evening, Sept. 20th, having now been able for 3 days to go on with the service. The next day, being the Lord's day, we purposed to rest at Frankfort which we much needed for body and spirit, especially also for the sake of asking the Lord's blessing upon the work up till then, and to ask guidance for our future steps, mud His help and blessing for what remained of our work. We had intended, before we left Stuttgart, to go to Eisleben, such a distance from Frankfort, as would require 4 or 5 days more travelling, and then all the way back to Cologne. But on account of what had occurred the two previous days, we now began again to consider our steps, whether we should go on still further or not. Nature wished to get back to England at once. Nature shrank greatly from the continuance of this service. But after having strengthened ourselves in God, we came to the conclusion, that our first purpose was of God, and that we ought not to alter our plans, except we saw it most clearly to be the will of God; we therefore purposed (as we could only look upon the desire of discontinuing our tour as a temptation), to go on with our service, till by the order of the police we were prohibited. Blessed be God who enabled us to triumph over the temptation! But to Him is all the praise due; for had He not strengthened us in that hour, we should have been as those who, having put their hand to the plough, draw it back. I now set about making arrangements for the journey, as the carriage and horses, which I had engaged for the three previous days, had to return to Stuttgart. Our prayer was for another suitable driver, upon which so very much depended in our service. In this again we experienced most evidently the Lord's willingness to answer prayer; for in the same inn at which our Stuttgart driver had put up, it happened, by the ordering of the Lord, that there was a driver from Cassel, the place where I am now writing, who had taken a family to Frankfort, and who was looking out for a job. With this coachman I agreed, to take us to Eisleben, to stop there a day and a half, while I saw brethren in that neighbourhood, and then to take us to Cassel. This engagement was for eight days. It was the more kind of the Lord to allow me to find this person, as I went from place to place in Frankfort to obtain a conveyance, but could not succeed in that large city; and the only one I could have had, would have been nearly twice as expensive as the one which I hired. On Monday morning, then, Sept. 22nd, we left Frankfort, determined by the help of God to pursue our service, and, if need be, to suffer and to endure hardship in it. Many tracts and books also were given away this day, and in the evening we reached Schlüchtern, a small town before Fulda. The next day at Fulda I took up a large bale of tracts and books which I had sent before, and on Tuesday evening we reached Vacha. Up to that time we had had fine weather; but we reached Vacha in a heavy storm, it having rained heavily for 2 hours, and lightened and thundered exceedingly. All night the rain continued, and in rain we left Vacha for Eisenach. Our service now seemed over; but yet I managed now and then to put a copy of my book out of the carriage, when I saw an opportunity that it could be kept pretty dry. By the time we reached Eisenach, which stands on the foot of the hill on which is the old castle called the Wartburg, where Luther translated the Bible, the rain ceased and we had a fine afternoon, and in a few hours were able to give away more than 50 books and many tracts. In the evening we reached Gotha, capital of the small dukedom of Saxe Gotha. On Thursday, Sept. 28th, we came as far as a small town called Arthern, and on Friday, about 1 o'clock in the afternoon, we reached Eisleben. All these five days and a half we went on quietly in our service, none hindering us, giving away many books and tracts. Here now we stopped two days, had some intercourse with brethren, and then left for Cassel, which we reached in two days and a half, arriving here last evening. This morning I have been writing this letter and doing some other things needful for the journey, whilst my dear wife has been all the morning engaged in putting up tracts for the journey. If we can obtain a suitable conveyance, we purpose to leave this afternoon on our way to Elberfeld, and, if the Lord gives us grace, to pursue our service till we come to the Rhine, and then by way of Ostend to cross the sea for England, so that about 3 or 4 days after this reaches you we may have the joy of seeing you again face to face. It will be joy to us indeed to see you all again. Farewell, beloved brethren. My dear wife sends her love in Christ to you all.

Your affectionate brother and servant in our Lord,

George Müller.

I add a few remarks respecting this my service on the Continent.

1. For about eight months before I left England, I had seen it to be the Lord's will, that I should go again that year to the Continent for a season, and had made my journey and service, during that period, a daily subject of prayer from Nov. 1844. I left Bristol on July 19th and returned on Oct. 11th, 1845.

2. I should have greatly preferred to preach the Gospel in the streets or in the market places in Germany; but for that there was no liberty. I did therefore what I could, in spreading about eleven hundred copies of my Narrative, and tens of thousands of tracts. In this I was particularly encouraged by remembering that that great work, at the time of the Reformation, was chiefly accomplished by means of printed publications.

3. We travelled in a hired carriage for 17 days, each day about 40 or 45 miles. I had a box, containing about thirty thousand tracts, made on purpose, behind the carriage, and in the fore-part several portmanteaus filled with tracts and copies of my Narrative in German. As we went on, my dear wife and I looked out for travellers who were coming, or persons on the road side. It was just the time when the potatoes were taken up, and thousands of people were thus either close to the turnpike road, or only a little way from it. The front of our carriage had glass windows, so that we could see all the persons before us, and on each side. As soon as the carriage was near enough, I held the tracts or a copy of my Narrative out to them, and requested them to accept them or sometimes beckoned the working people to come up to the carriage, which almost without exception they readily did, and then received a book or tract. In case of genteel persons, whom we sometimes met, I repeatedly ordered the driver to stop, and I got out of the carriage, and handed the books or tracts to them. Often also I walked up a hill, and then conversed with the persons whom I joined, or gave tracts more extensively in this way.

4. The reason why we pursued this plan of travelling was, a, that I might myself circulate as many as possible; b, that the tracts and Narratives might be scattered over as extensive a tract of country as possible; c, that I might be able to accomplish it, before the police could prevent it. On the road side, before entering villages and towns, or after we had left them, I gave away freely. Now suppose this came to the ears of the police, as no doubt in many instances it did; before any measures could be taken, we might be at a distance of 5, 10, or 20 miles from the spot; for we travelled, as I said, from 40 to 45 miles daily. This was indeed an expensive way of circulating the tracts, and wearing to body and mind more than can easily be perceived; but it was a most effectual way, and a precious service to be allowed to be engaged in for the Lord. When we had finished our journey, lasting 23 days, we were completely worn out for the time.

5. At first we sometimes threw down the tracts to persons, out of the carriage, when they were not near enough to have them handed to them. This, however, we discontinued on the second or third day; for I judged, that, as we would not throw down Bibles, Testaments, or smaller portions of the Holy Scriptures, so these tracts also, filled with the truth of God, and written for the honour of God, should not be thrown down; and that we would rather not give them at all, than in this way. I purposely notice this, as many Christians are in the habit of throwing tracts out of a carriage, as I did at first. I might put them secretly in drawers, or on the table, or under the table-cover in inns, or elsewhere, where they afterwards might be found; but I could not feel any longer happy in not treating them with all reverence, because they contain the truth of God.

6. Perhaps the reader may ask: What has been the result of this labour in Germany? My reply is: God only knows. The day of Christ will declare it. Judging from the constant labour in prayer during 8 months before we went the second time, and day by day while we were on the Continent, and day by day for a long time after our return, I am warranted to expect fruit, and I do expect it. I expect abundant fruit in the day of Christ's appearing. In the meantime my comfort is, that 220,000 tracts have been circulated, many of which through the providence of God found their way not only into the darkest places of the Continent of Europe, but went also to America and Australia. Further, the 4000 copies of my Narrative in German, are almost all circulated. And again, the publishing of my Narrative in German, led me to do the same in French, which was accomplished about three years later. Further, these tracts were reprinted at Hamburg and at Cologne, and are circulated by other Christians; in addition to which, my having published them in Germany led me to get them stereotyped in England, and they continue to be circulated in many countries.

7. I only add, we continued our service in a similar way, after we had left Cassel, from whence I wrote the last letter to the church in Bristol; and in many respects it was the most interesting part of the service.

December 31, 1845. There have been received into communion 53 during this year, and 1055 since our coming to Bristol, which, with 68 whom we found in fellowship, makes 1123. Of these, 115 have fallen asleep, 65 have been excluded, 57 left us, and 193 left Bristol; so that there are only 693 brethren and sisters in fellowship at present.

During this year the Lord has been pleased to give to me:--

1. Through anonymous donations in money, put up in paper and directed to me, and placed in the boxes for the poor saints and the rent, at the two chapels £166 15 10 ¼

2. Through presents in money, from believers in Bristol, not given anonymously . . . . . . 102 18 11 ½

3. Through presents in money, from believers, not residing in Bristol . . 138 0 7

4. Through presents in provisions, clothes, etc., worth to us at least . . . 26 3 9

Altogether £433 19 1 ¾

To this is to be added, that my dear child had again during the whole of this year her education free at a boarding school, as stated at the close of the last year, whereby I saved about 50l. Also my traveling expenses to and from Germany, and other expenses, connected with my service in Germany, were paid out of the 500l. to which reference has been made. Adding these two items to 433l., I had at least 500l.

Esteemed reader, what do you think of this? Is it not a pleasant thing, in the end, even for this life, really to trust in God? Verily, thus I have found it to be, and thus do I find it to be, the longer I live. Only there must be real trust in God, and it must be more than merely using words. If we trust in God, we look to Him alone, we deal with Him alone, and we are satisfied with His knowing about our need. Two things I add, as I write my experience and the Lord's dealings with me for the profit of the saints.

1. During the last year I resolved, that, by God’s help, I would seek to be more than ever a channel for the Communication of God's bounties, and to communicate to those in need, or to give to the work of God. I acted according to the light which God gave me, and He condescended to make me His steward in one way or another far more abundantly than ever before. Would we wish to have means intrusted to us by the Lord, or to succeed in our trade, business, profession, etc., we must be truly desirous of being His stewards, and only His stewards. Read what I have written at length on this subject within the last twenty pages of the third part of this my Narrative; and, if you have read it before, read it yet again.

2. In looking over my journal, I find that during this year also I was more than once without a shilling, yea without a penny, though my income was about 500l.

April 29, 1846. Today my beloved wife and myself had the inexpressibly great joy of receiving a letter from our beloved daughter, while we are staying in the Lord's service at Chippenham, in which she writes that she has now found peace in the Lord Jesus. Thus our prayers are turned into praises.

About 18 mouths before this I began especially to pray for the conversion of my dear child, and the Lord soon after seems to have begun to work in her heart. I knew little of her state of mind before receiving her letter, for I did not wish to force anything upon her of a spiritual character, but leave her to be attracted by the loveliness of the things of God. After hearing from her in April, 1846, she was not received at once to communion, but, being so young, I judged it desirable to watch the work in her soul. Towards the end of the year, however, my fellow-labourers being fully satisfied, she was baptized and received into communion, when she was 14 years and 3 months old.

Supplies for the School-Bible—Missionary and Tract Fund, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1846, to May 26, 1848.

During no period, from the commencement of the operations of this Institution up to May 26, 1846, was I intrusted by the Lord with such large sums, as during the one to which this chapter refers. I had never had more need of pecuniary supplies than during those two years, on account of the many pressing calls; but, at the same time, I had the exceeding great joy and privilege of being able to respond to them in such a way as I had never before been allowed to do. These remarks apply to all the various objects of the Institution, but especially to the supplies for brethren who labour at Home and Abroad in word and doctrine without being connected with any society, or without having any regular salary for preaching the Word.

On May 26, 1846, after the accounts had been closed, a check for 100l. was given to me, the application of which was left to my disposal. I put half the amount to the fund for these objects, and half to the Orphan-Fund, When the accounts were closed, there was 91l. 4s. 11 ¾ d. in, and for these objects, to which this 50l. was added; therefore I began this period with more means than I had had in hand at any time previously at the beginning of a fresh period; and as was its beginning so was the continuance. It has often struck me, that one especial reason why, on the whole, I was allowed to have so little trial with regard to means for the work during those two years, in comparison with former times, may have been, that thereby the Lord would say that He was willing to give what would be needed when once the New Orphan-House should be built, though the expenses would be about two thousand five hundred pounds a year more than they were before. Another reason also may have been, because in many other ways trials of faith and patience came upon me in connexion with the Institution during those two years, that therefore the Lord may not have exercised me so much by the want of pecuniary means as before. But especially also one reason, why the Lord generally gave me so great an abundance during those two years, seems to me this, that it might be seen, not only how He can help us day by day when we are poor, but also how able and willing He is to cause us to abound, when this is for His honour and for our profit.

June 4, 1846. To day was given to me, just when I rose from my knees, after having asked the Lord for more means, especially for missionary purposes, the sum of 150l., with the request to use of it 50l. for the Orphans, 50l. for labourers in England; and 50l. for labourers abroad.

July 6. Besides several small donations which came in since June 4, I received today 50l., of which one half is intended by the donor for the Orphans, the other half for these objects.

July 16. Today I received One Hundred Pounds from a donor who had lost about one half of his property, and who gives this donation as "A thank-offering to God for having left to him as much as he has." I put one half of this donation to the funds for these objects, and the other half to the Orphan Fund.

Aug. 1. About 24l. more has come in since July 16th. During the last two days I have sent 110l. to Foreign labourers, and 15l. to brethren who labour in England; and having thus begun to reduce our Missionary Fund, the Lord gives fresh supplies. The evening before last was sent to me 5l. from Ludlow. Today I received 5l. from Scarborough, of which 4l. is for Missionary objects, and 1l. for the Orphans. Thus the Lord gives me the desire of my heart, to help more and more the dear brethren who labour in word and doctrine, either in this country or in foreign lands.

From the commencement of this Institution on March 5th, 1834, it had been my desire to employ part of the funds with which I might be intrusted, in aiding missionary brethren in foreign lands, who are not supported by any regular salary; and for several years I have likewise had the desire to assist brethren, labouring in similar circumstances, in Great Britain and Ireland. The Lord also had given me the great privilege to assist such brethren more or less during the time that this Institution had been in operation; but especially He began during the two years, to which this chapter refers, to allow me to do so in a far greater degree than before. I knew it to be a fact, that many brethren, who preach the Word, without having any salary for doing so, or property to live upon, were in need. Now it might be said that such brethren ought to trust in God; that, if they preach Jesus as the only hope for the salvation of sinners, they ought to set them a good example by trusting themselves in God for the supply of their temporal necessities, in order that unconverted persons thereby might be led to trust in the Lord Jesus alone for the salvation of their souls. This is true, quite true. Preachers of the precious good news of salvation to every sinner who puts his trust in the merits of the Lord Jesus, ought indeed themselves to depend upon God, their Lord and Father, for the supply of their temporal necessities; but I also felt that I, as their brother, ought to seek to help them as far as lay in me. To this I set myself more than ever after the beginning of the year 1846, as I knew, that, from particular causes, there was an especial call to help such brethren; and as my own means would go but a little way, I gave myself to more earnest prayer than ever for such brethren. The result was, that, during the two years of this period, the Lord so answered my daily supplications with regard to this particular, that I was honoured to send nearly three times as much to Home and Foreign labourers, as during any previous period of the same length. 1,559l. 11s. 6d. was spent in this way, by which twenty-one brethren were assisted who laboured in Foreign lands, and nineteen who laboured in Great Britain and Ireland. Large as this sum is, in comparison with what I had been able to do in this particular in former years, yet it is small, very small, in comparison with what my heart desired to be able to do for these forty brethren. It has frequently, yea almost always, so happened, that the assistance which God has allowed me to send to such brethren, has come to them at a time of great need. Sometimes they had no money at all left. Sometimes even their last provisions were almost consumed, when I sent them supplies. Some of them are fathers of large families, or have sickly wives and children; some were once well off in this world, but for Christ's sake have become poor; and some have had for Christ's sake their all taken from them. Is it not an honour to help such brethren? I could fill hundreds of pages by giving extracts from the letters of the dear brethren to whom I have sent help, and they would be greatly to the edification of the reader; but I do not feel free to do so.--As I have not only been labouring for these brethren in prayer that God would intrust me with means and allow me the privilege of helping them, but as I also have asked God to direct me especially to send to those who might be in particular need, in case I could not help them all; and as I have sought by an encouraging word to strengthen their hands in God; there is great reason to believe, that these dear brethren have not only been helped by these pecuniary supplies in a temporal point of view, but also that the fact, of God sending them help in their extremity, has tended to refresh and strengthen their hearts, and to lead them more and more to trust in Him.

Sep. 4. 38l. more has come in since Aug. 1st for these objects, and today there was given to me 305l. 17s. 3d. for Home and Foreign labourers, for present use for the Orphans, and for the other parts of the work. Thus I have again the desire of my heart given to me in being able to assist a number of dear brethren at home and abroad, to whom I desired to send help. Of this sum I took 205l. 17s. 3d. for these objects, and 100l. for the Orphans.

Sept. 9. Since the 4th I have sent out about 60l. already for brethren who labour in England and Foreign lands. This morning I received from C. W. 25l. more for missionary objects.

Oct. 22. This morning's post had brought no means. Whilst walking in my little garden for meditation and prayer, I said to myself--"Though the post has brought no means, yet the Lord can send even this day rich supplies." It was not two minutes after this, when a letter was handed to me, which had been brought that moment, containing two Fifty Pound Notes and these words: "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."—-40l. for missionaries; Demerara and others, dependant on God for supplies. 10l. for Home missionaries, dependant on God for their support. 10l. for the Orphans. 10l. for the poor of Bethesda and Salem Church. 10l. for Mr. Müller. 10l. for Mr. Craik. 5l. for Bibles and Testaments. 5l. for rent, &c. of chapels."—-Thus I had a fresh answer to my prayers, which had been again brought before the Lord this morning, that He would enable me still more to help the dear brethren who labour at home and abroad in dependence upon Him for supplies.

Dec. 22. During the last two months about 70l. more has come in, chiefly for Missionary purposes. Of these donations, about eighty in number, I only mention that there was given on Nov. 5, the sum of 6l. 14s., being the tenth part of profits arising from shares which a brother has in coal mines. —Now today, Dec. 22, I received 175l. more for these funds, which I took as a further precious answer to my supplications to God, for help for home and foreign labourers, and for means to procure a fresh stock of tracts.

March 7, 1847. Often of late have I besought the Lord that He would be pleased to give me more means for those objects. For more than nine months we have on the whole abounded more than at any time during the thirteen years since this work first began; but now there was only 15l. left for the support of six day schools, two Sunday schools, an adult school, and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts. Often also of late had I entreated the Lord that He would be pleased to condescend to use me still further as a steward, in allowing me to send help to the many dear brethren whom I know labouring at home and abroad without any salary, the need of many of whom I knew. Under these circumstances I received this morning 150l. with the following lines:

"Dear brother,

"I have pleasure in sending you 100l. on account of labourers in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad, and 50l. for other work in your hands.

"Yours very affectionately,

"* *."

Thus my request was in a measure answered with regard to home and foreign labourers, and by taking half of the 50l. for the schools and the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, I had also something for these objects. The other 25l. I put to the Orphan Fund.

March 12. The 100l. for home and foreign labourers was soon portioned out. The difficulty was not to spend it, but how to make it do, so that all, who seemed to me to need, might get a little. On this account I prayed still further during the last four days for means for home and foreign labourers, and now this morning, when I arose from my knees, after having again asked the Lord about tills matter, I received a letter in which C. W. sent me 30l. for missionaries.

April 5. I have been praying day by day, ever since I was able during the last month to send about 130l. to home and foreign labourers, that the Lord would be pleased soon again to give me means for them, on account of their great need; indeed, all our means were so exhausted, that I had only just enough, for tomorrow evening, to meet the weekly expenses connected with the six day schools, when this morning I received 125l. for these objects. What a precious help! How is my heart refreshed by this seasonable answer to prayer!--Almost immediately after this donation had been given to me, I received a letter from Demerara about the great need among the brethren who labour there, by which intelligence the seasonable help, just received, has become still more precious to me.

Thirteen other small donations came in between April 5th and May 13th, and on May 13th I received 100l. for missionary purposes.

On June 8th was given 100l. for missionary purposes.

June 30. For the whole period, since the accounts were last closed, more than 13 months since, we have not been so poor with regard to these funds as today. Last evening I paid out the last money to the brethren who labour in the day schools, in giving them their weekly salary. Under these circumstances a brother in the Lord, who resides about 200 miles from this, and who had been staying in my house two days, gave me 30l. to dispose of as I thought best, only that missionary brethren should be remembered. I took therefore 15l. for Missions, and the other 15l. for the School—Bible and Tract Fund. What a seasonable help!

July 16. Today was given to me, when now again the money received on June 30th for the schools, &c., had been all but entirely expended (as only little had come in since), the sum of 110l. for these objects.

Aug. 25. Great had been my desire to send fresh supplies to the home and foreign labourers. Day by day had I been again praying for means for them since July 16th. Now also I had nothing in hand for the Bible and Tract Fund; and as to the schools, there was not nearly enough to pay the weekly salaries to the teachers next Tuesday evening, when I received this evening 120l. for these objects.

Aug. 26. This morning I received still further from C. W. 20l. for home and foreign labourers.

Sept. 14. Day by day I am bringing before the Lord the necessities of the home and foreign labourers, whom I seek to help, especially as I found in what great need some brethren were, when a short time since they received the help which the Lord allowed me to send them. Now this afternoon 1 received from Norwich 5l. 6s. for missionary purposes, and also 2 rings, a cornelian necklace., an amber necklace, and a pair of amber bracelets.

Oct. 4. I have now been again praying much for many days for means for home and foreign labourers as well as for means for the other objects, having very little in hand, and having reason to believe that several of the brethren whom I seek to help are in great need. This evening I received from a brother, as the first fruits of his salary, a sovereign for home and foreign labourers. I take this as an earnest out of the hands of God that He will soon send me more.--Received also 5s.

Oct. S. This morning I received the following letter, at the very moment while I was on my knees, waiting still further upon the Lord for help for the various objects, and especially also for means for home and foreign labourers.

"* * * *, Oct. 3, 1847.

"Beloved Brother,

"The enclosed sum of 30l. is in my hands, and it does not appear that the Lord has need of it here, either for my own wants, or others under my notice. It seems likely that He may have need of it for the help of missionary labourers, who are depending on Himself. Would you kindly dispense it, as you may see good, to any who are labouring in the Word at home and abroad; or if you see other pressing need for it among the saints or for the Orphans, use it rather for them, &c."

I took the whole of this donation for these objects, as evidently coming in answer to prayer for them.

Oct. 12. The very great need of some of the dear brethren who labour in the Word, and whom I seek to assist, had led me again day by day to bring their cases before God. I also needed help for the School—, Bible and Tract Fund. Now this evening the Lord has once more helped me by a donation of 180l., of which I took 40l. for the Orphans, 100l. for home and foreign labourers and 40l. for the School, Bible and Tract Fund. How seasonable and how precious this help! How precious to me as the fruit of many prayers, and how seasonable to many who are in need, and who will be thus assisted! Moreover, I am just now in deep sorrow and great trial, the cause of which I will not mention here; and thus God Himself cheers and refreshes my heart, and tells me by this fresh precious and manifest answer to prayer, that He is mindful of His poor unworthy servant, and of the work in which he is engaged. There came in five small donations besides today.

Dec. 30. When in the greatest need, so that I should not have been able to pay the weekly salaries of the teachers of the day schools next Tuesday, I received today from C. W. 10l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took half of it for the school fund and half for the Orphans.

Dec. 31. The year closes under the smiles of our Heavenly Father upon this work, in giving us another proof that He is indeed mindful of our need and attentive to our supplications. I received today 100l., to be used as most needed. I took of it 50l. for these objects and 50l. for the Orphans. I scarcely ever received a donation more seasonably; for there are only means enough for next week for the teachers, Bibles and tracts are needed, and I have been long waiting upon God for means for home and foreign labourers. But this donation only furnishes me with means for present necessities for the schools, and to order some tracts. As to ordering Bibles and sending help to foreign and home labourers, I must still further wait upon God.

Jan. 1, 1848. Today I received still further, for the benefit of the day schools, the sum of 10l.

Jan. 6. Only 1l. 5s. has come in since the first. This evening 120l. was given to me, of which the donor intends 20l. for home and foreign labourers. The other 100l. was left at my disposal. I took therefore of it 70l. for the Orphans, 10l. for the various schools, 10l. for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and 10l. for the circulation of tracts.

Feb. 10. There came in about 65l. more for missionary purposes during the month, of January, and today was given to me a donation of 100l., the disposal of which being left to me, I took half of it for these objects, and half for the Orphans, and thus I am able, after much waiting upon God for it, to send a little more help to brethren who labour in the Word.

April 13. This is only the second time, since May 26, 1846, that the means for these objects have been completely exhausted, though we have been two or three times besides brought very low in funds. The last money there was in hand was spent in paying the weekly salaries of the teachers the day before yesterday. There was therefore nothing for this purpose for next week, nor were there any means for the circulation of Bibles and tracts, and for aiding missionary efforts. Under these circumstances prayer and faith were again resorted to. For my universal remedy in need of any kind is, to make known my requests unto God, and then I seek to believe that God has heard me for His dear Son's sake, and I look out for answers to my petitions, and fully expect them. I had also particularly requested four brethren, masters of the boys' day schools, to help me with their prayers, as I should not be able to pay them their weekly salary, next week, except the Lord were pleased to send in means.--Thus situated, I received this morning, as the fruit of many supplications, the sum of 90l., which was a great refreshment to my spirit. It being left to me to use this money as needed, I put 50l. of it to the funds for these objects, and 40l. to the Orphan-Fund. Thus we are once more helped, and my heart is encouraged more and more to trust in God.

April 29. One of the labourers gave 10l. for missionary purposes, whereby at least one of the most needy among the brethren who labour in the Word could be helped.--It has pleased God not to allow me, during the last five months, to have the honour of helping the dear brethren, who labour in the Word, to the same extent as the eighteen months before. I confess that I am not worthy to be used any longer by the Lord as a steward, to assist these His servants; still my heart craves after it, and still prays that God would count me worthy for His dear Son's sake to supply me with means for them, as I know they are in great need, and many of them, through particular circumstances, in far greater need than ever.

May 26, 1848. By the Lord's faithful love I have been enabled to meet all the heavy expenses connected with these objects during the last two years, amounting to nearly Two Thousand Six Hundred Pounds, and at the same time owe no one anything, and have a balance of 5l. 19s. 7 ¼ d. left in hand.

Supplies for the support of the Orphans, sent in answer to prayer, from May 26, 1846, to May, 26, 1848.

May 26, 1846. Scarcely ever had we so much in hand, and certainly not for the last eight years, when the accounts were closed, as at this time. This evening I received 100l. It being left to me to apply this sum as I felt led, and as it might be needed, I put half of it to the Orphan Fund, and the other half to the fund for the other objects.

June 4. Today I received 50l. for the Orphans together with 100l. for the other objects. This money came the instant after I had risen from my knees, to ask the Lord for more means, as, on account of needing about 75l. for the printing of the Report, 23l. for oatmeal, 19l. for fittings, 25l. for rent, and 26l. for the sisters who labour in the Orphan-Houses (which sums are shortly to be paid), we shall soon again need more.

Jan. 20, 1847. For the whole of this period since May 26, 1846, therefore nearly eight months, when the accounts were closed, we have had always an abundance of means, and for the greater part of the time about 200l. in hand. The sum of One Thousand Sixty-Five Pounds has come in for the Orphans in less than eight months, to which is to be added the balance of 85l. 4s. 9 ¾ d. in hand when the accounts were closed. Invariably I have thus been able to give to the Matrons of the four Orphan-Houses the money in advance, which was required for the necessities of one week. But now, after having paid away last evening 45l. 5s. for the house-keeping of a week in advance and for other expenses, the money which remains in hand is needed for rent, and oatmeal, which has been ordered from Scotland. This morning therefore I gave myself particularly to prayer with regard to means for present use for the Orphans. How blessed to have the living God to go to! Particularly precious to know Him in these days of widespread distress! Potatoes are too dear for food for the Orphans at this time. The rice, which we have substituted instead of them, is twice as dear as usual; the oatmeal more than twice as dear; and the bread one-half dearer than usual. But the riches of God are as great as ever. He knows that our expenses are great. He knows that a little will not do in these days, when provisions are so dear, as there are about 150 persons to be provided for, including teachers and apprentices. My soul is at peace. — Evening. About noon I received from a pious physician the following note, with a check for 5l.

"My dear sir, I send you something towards buying bread for the Orphans. The dearness of food must be felt by many; but the Lord in judgment is nevertheless gracious He will sustain. I am your sincere friend and well-wisher.

"* * * *"

From Maidenhead I received still further this evening 5s.

Jan. 21. Having had to pay out this morning 5l. 2s. 6d. for oatmeal for present use, before the arrival of the larger quantity of a ton and a half ordered from Scotland, there was again only 2s. 6d. left of the money which had come in yesterday. About 1 o'clock this afternoon I received 1l. through a Christian lady of Bristol from "a poor gardener." There came in also-still further 1s. by sale of Reports and 1l. 2s. 6d. from London.

Jan. 22. A brother from Devonshire came here on business, to obtain some money which was owed to him. He did not obtain it; but God used him as an instrument to bring me some money, for he gave me 10s. for the Orphans. There came in still further by sale of trinkets and old silver 12l. 8s. 5d.

Jan. 23. By sale of books and some music 2l. 10s.

Jan. 24. Profits from the sale of ladies' bags 1l.--During this period also two sisters kindly made some ladies' bags and baskets, and gave the profits arising from the sale for the benefit of the Orphans.

On the 25th and 26th came in still further 2l. 4s. 1 ¾ d., so that, when in the evening of the 26th at our usual weekly meeting for prayer and conference I met with the brethren and sisters, who labour in the various day schools and Orphan-Houses (then seventeen in number), I was again able, by means of the 26l. 1s. 0 ¾ d., which the Lord had sent in during the week, to give to the four matrons of the Orphan-Houses all the needful supplies for the coming week. That which remained was put by towards the rent of the houses. Our prayer now was, that the Lord would be pleased again to send in fresh supplies, that we might have at the next meeting all that might be needed for the week after.

Feb. 2, Tuesday. When we met this evening for prayer and conference, it was found, that, whilst there had been nothing left in hand after our meeting this day week (except money put by for oatmeal and rent), there had come in altogether during the week 29l. 18s. 18 ½ d. The way in which the Lord supplied us with those means was as follows: On the 26th and 27th I received 10s., and 10s. as profits from the sale of ladies' bags. On the 27th from London 3l., and also 5s. From C. C. 2l. From Braunton a purse with 6s. From Barnstaple 1l. On the 28th anonymously from London, from J. W. A., 5l. with these words: "From the giver of all, through one of His stewards." On the 29th from Sodbury 2s. 6d. On the 30th from Droitwich 5s. 6d. Also anonymously by post 5s. worth of postages with these words: "A sip of milk and a crust of bread for a poor Orphan." Also from C. C. 10s. On the 31st an old shilling and sixpence, a small silver pencil case, and a pair of small ear-drops.-- Feb. 1. Before breakfast I took a direction in my usual morning's walk, in which I had not been for many weeks, feeling drawn in that direction, just as if God had an intention in leading me in that way. Returning home I met a Christian gentleman whom formerly I used to meet almost every morning, but whom I had not met for many weeks, because I had not been walking in that direction. He stopped me and gave me 21. for the Orphans. Then I knew why I bad been led thus; for there is not yet enough in hand, to supply the matrons tomorrow evening with the necessary means for housekeeping during another week.--There came in still further today for needlework done by the Orphans 1l. 17s. 7d. Also 4s. 5d., the contents of an Orphan box.--On Feb. 2nd came in 2l. 5s. 11d., by sale of a Report 4d., and by sale of stockings 9s. 3d.--On Jan. 30th a box came from London. It contained 4 brooches, a gold chain, 2 pairs of earrings, 2 gold watch hooks, a locket, a ring, 2 parts of gold chains, a rich silk dress, a silk cloak, a glass bottle, some music, 39 books, 18 knitted doilies, and a pair of knitting pins. Some of these articles were today, Feb. 2, sold for 8l. 2s. 3d.--There came in further by the sale of articles and Reports, 4s. 1d., by the boxes in the Orphan-Houses and at my house 1l. 2s., and anonymously was sent 5s. worth of postages. Here then, dear reader, you have a specimen how the Lord does week after week supply us--I said 29l. 18s. 10 ½ d. had come in during the week. As, however, I was informed that the arrival of the oatmeal from Scotland had been announced, and that it was much dearer than I had expected, i.e. nearly three times as dear as formerly, I found that there had not been sufficient money put by, and took therefore in the first place what was yet needed for that. In consequence of this I had only 10l. 14s. left for housekeeping, which I divided among the matrons, being fully assured that the Lord would again send in means, before that was spent. I went home in great peace, though all the money I possessed for present use for the Orphans was only three half-farthings.

Feb. 4. Yesterday nothing had come in. This morning, just before I was going to give myself to prayer about the Orphans, a sister in the Lord sent a sovereign, winch she had received, as she writes, "From a friend who had met the Orphan Boys, and was particularly pleased with their neat and orderly appearance." After having received this 1l., I prayed for means for present use, though not confining my prayers to that. About a quarter of an hour after I had risen from my knees, I received a letter, with an order for 5l. The donor writes, that it is "the proceeds of a strip of land, sold to the railway company." What various means does the Lord employ to send us help, in answer to our prayers!-- About half an hour after having received this 5l., there was sent 10s., being the profits from the sale of ladies' bags. This evening was received still further, by the sale of some trinkets, 1l. 18s. Thus I am able to send all the remainder of the money, which is yet needed for housekeeping up to Tuesday, Feb. 9th.

The Lord's holy name be praised for this fresh precious help!

Feb. 5. 1l. 4s. 10d. has come in today.

Feb. 7. Lord's day. Yesterday nothing had come in. In two days again about 20l. will be needed for housekeeping, and there was only about the tenth part in hand. But I was not in the least disturbed about this. There are also new clothes to be found for the 32 Orphans in the Boys' Orphan-House, which likewise will cost many pounds. That expense also, I believed, God would help me to meet. Now observe the Lord's kindness! On returning this morning from the meeting, I found the following letter containing 50l.

"* * * *, Feb. 6, 1847.

"Beloved Brother,

"Having been led, during the past year, to see the unscripturalness of life insurance, which I had been carrying on for some years previously, I now enclose you the sum which I received from the office, on returning to them my policy, viz. 22l. 8s., and the payment due about this time, eleven guineas, as a thank-offering to the Lord for having, chiefly by means of the work in which you are engaged in Bristol, opened my eyes in some little measure to His will with regard to His pilgrim people here. I ask your prayers on my behalf, dearest brother, amongst the many who must be on your heart, for singleness of eye, to walk with God by faith, that ‘the whole body may be full of light,' and that I may not be permitted to darken the little light I have, by serving any other master.

I add also ten pounds, which you will kindly apply to the help of those who are labouring in the Gospel abroad, or if more urgent, at home. Also will you oblige me by accepting six pounds for your own use.

Of several Reports (which you sent me for distribution) I have received payment for three, for which I enclose one shilling. The first items please apply for the use of the Orphan-Houses, as you may see best." &c.

Thus the Lord has given by one donation 34l. for the Orphans.--I have also in this another answer, in receiving 10l. for missionary brethren, for whom I had of late been especially seeking help from the Lord.-- This evening I received still further from C. C. 1l. 10s. 0 ½ d.

Feb. 9. There was received today by sale of articles 3l. 9s. 8d. When I met again this evening with my fellow-labourers for prayer and conference at one of the Orphan-Houses, it was found that 48l. 12s. 6 ½ d. had come in for present use for the Orphans during the past week, which commenced with three half-farthings in my hands; so that there was enough for all the expenses connected with the house-keeping of the coming week, and the rest was put by for the rent, the apprentices, and the boys' clothes; and as to the necessities of this day week, when again fresh supplies will need to be given to the matrons, I am looking to the Lord.

Feb. 10. This evening we hare received already a little towards the expenses of the coming week. A brother gave me 10l., of which 5l. are for the poor Irish and 5l. for the Orphans. Also 7s. 1d. from the Orphan-box of a sister.

Feb. 11. Anonymously 2s. 6d. From Nottingham 1l. 15s.

Feb. 12. Anonymously, from a lady, 2l. to buy coals for the four Orphan-houses.

Feb. 13. Anonymously from Islington a half-sovereign. By sale of Reports 8d.

Feb. 14. Through a sister 5s., from C. C. 8s. 3d., and anonymously 2s. 6d.

Feb. 15. From a Scotch sister 1l., by sale of stockings, Reports, and articles 7l. 0s. 4d., from an Orphan- box 3s. O ½ d., from Nice 1l., anonymously 10s., from Cork 5s. 2d., and several shillings besides in small donations, &c.--Thus there had come in again by this Tuesday evening, Feb. 16th, 21l. 4s. 2d. during the past week. As, however, I had to put by some money for the boys' clothes and rent, I could only leave 12l. 4s. with the matrons, quite sufficient for a few days; and my hope in God is, that He will send more, before this is gone.

Feb. 17. From the neighbourhood of Bridgewater 10s. 6d., and 1s. 1d. came in besides. On the 18th came in 1l. more.

Feb. 19. This morning I gave myself again to prayer, importuning the Lord that He would be pleased to send more means, as so little had come in during the last two days. Almost immediately, after rising from my knees, I received from Doncaster 3l. 3s. At the same tune I received from Bromyard 5s., and 4s. from Aberystwith. About an hour later came from a sister in the neighbourhood of Wotton-under-Edge 12s. 6d., a lady's bag, and a knitted bread-basket cloth. Thus, with the 12l. 4s. already given to the matrons, we are supplied till next Tuesday evening, the 23rd of February.

Feb. 20. Today came in from the neighbourhood of Castle Cary 10s., by sale of Reports 2l. 6d., and by sale of articles 10s. 6d. Also anonymously a parcel from Tetbury, containing 2 shillings, a gold coin, a silver coin, 2 copper coins, a brass coin, 4 gilt brooches, 2 silver brooches, 3 gold brooches, 5 collars, a waistcoat, a pair of boots, 2 cloaks, and a shawl.

Feb. 21. From C. C. 14s., and 5l. with these words: "Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things," and Philip iv. 19. How true! My Heavenly Father knew that we had need of this, and therefore put it into the heart of this donor to give this 5l. for in two days we shall again require many pounds more than I had this morning. Also how truly is again fulfilled in my experience at this time Philip iv. 19.

Feb. 22. From Westmoreland a half sovereign and 1s. in postages.

Feb. 23. Anonymously a half sovereign. By sale of articles and Reports 3l. 16s. 0 ½ d., and through an Orphan-box in my house 2s. A lady who met the Orphans today in the fields, gave to one of the girls 2s. Evening. Tuesday. By what the Lord has been pleased to send in during the past week, I have enough to supply the matrons with all which is needed during the coming week and 14s. left.

Feb. 24. From a poor brother 6s.; the produce of an Orphan-box 1s. 7 ½ d. and a shilling bank token.--Feb. 26. From Bath 2s. 6d., and from Droitwich 9s. 4d.

Feb. 27. Saturday evening. Only these few shillings have come in since Tuesday evening, so that, having had to pay away several small sums besides the housekeeping expenses, since Tuesday, nothing is in hand towards supplying the matrons with housekeeping money next Tuesday.-- Received this evening from C. C. 5l., 6s. 6d. and anonymously from Totness 1s. 6d. worth of postages.

Feb. 28. Today came in still further from the Hot-wells 3s. 6d., and 10l. as the profits of shares which the donor has in a certain concern. How kind of the Lord to help us thus so seasonably in our poverty!

March 1. By work and knitting of the Orphans 1l. 4s. 8d. and from E. N. 10s.

March 2. By sale of articles 8l. 10s. 6d., and by sale of a Report 4d. From H. C. as "A thank-offering to the Lord" 1l. From Manchester 1l. From London 13s. From Staffordshire 1s.--Thus by this evening the Lord has again sent in during the past week 29l. 8s. 11 ½ d., whereby I had enough to advance the house-keeping expenses to the matrons of the four Orphan-Houses for the coming week, and to meet some other expenses.

March 3. Received 6s. 7d.--March 4. 1l. from the neighbourhood of Stroud, as "a thank-offering to God for partial recovery from sickness."--Also from Bath 5l.--A gentleman gave anonymously to the governess of the Infant Orphans 2l.--I also received the following letter today: "Dear Sir, When my dear brother John died, he had one shilling and fourpence halfpenny owing to him which he intended for the Orphans. As I received it today, I now send it to you. He said ‘Jesus will never forsake the Orphans.' M. W." The paper contained 1s. 7 ¾ d. and a quarter of a gilder. This legacy came from a dear boy who I hear died in the faith.--March 5. From Clevedon 2s. 6d.--March 6. The proceeds of an Orphan-box 7s. 1d.

March 7. Only 8l. 17s. 9 ¾ d. had come in since the 2nd, and the day after tomorrow fresh supplies will need to be given to the matrons for house-keeping, Under these circumstances I received this morning 150l., of which the donor intends 100l. for labourers in the Lord's vineyard at home and abroad, and 50l. for other work in my hands. Of this 50l. I took 25l. for the Orphans, and 25l. for the School—Bible—and Tract Fund. Thus we are helped afresh.--There came in besides from C. C. 6s., from a lady 1l., and anonymously 1s. 4d.

March 8. This morning I received still further from Falmouth a bank order for 4l. from a brother "As a thank-offering to the Lord for bringing him safely back to his native land;" 2l. of this amount is for the Orphans, 1l. for Brother Craik, and 1l. for my own personal necessities. Also 10s. from an Orphan-box, and 10s. from a sister.

March 6. By sale of articles and Reports 4l. 13s. 2d., from a poor brother 6d., and through the boxes in my house 1l. 1s. 6d.--This evening, Tuesday, I find that since last Tuesday evening again 44l. 1s. 6 ¾ d. has come in. Thus I have the means to meet all the house-keeping expenses during the coming week, and something will be left to put by towards the rent, the current expenses for the apprentices, &c. How good is the Lord in helping us week after week through the heavy expenses, especially in this season of deep distress and dearness of provisions! To His praise I can say, we have lacked nothing all this winter.

Whilst preparing these extracts from my journal for the press, I remember to have heard the following remarks made with reference to the time about which I am just now writing, namely the season of dearth during the winter of 1846-7: "I wonder how it is now with the Orphans? If Mr. Miller is now able to provide for them as he has, we will say nothing." When I heard such remarks, I said nothing except this: "We lack nothing:" or, "God helps us." Should this fall into the hands of any who have had such thoughts, let them remember that it is the very time for faith to work, when sight ceases. The greater the difficulties, the easier for faith. As long as there remain certain natural prospects, faith does not get on even as easily (if I may say so), as when all natural prospects fail. It is true that during the time of the dearth our expenses were considerably greater than usual it is also true that many persons, who otherwise might have given, were unable to do so, or had their surplus directed into other channels, such as Ireland, &c.; but the gold and silver are the Lord's. To Him we made our prayer. In Him we put our trust. And He did not forsake us.' For we went as easily through that winter as through any winter since the work had been in existence. Nor could it be otherwise; for God had at this very time an especial opportunity of showing the blessedness of trusting in Him. Seek, dear reader, more and more to put your trust in Him for everything, and you will even concerning this life find it most precious so to do.

March 10. I was able, last evening, to meet most comfortably all the expenses for the coming week; yet we had then nothing left, as I put by the rest of the money, that we might not get into debt with regard to the rent, the expenses of the apprentices, &c. When now there was again nothing left for future house-keeping expenses, a Christian lady at a considerable distance informed me by this mornings post, that she has paid into the hands of Messrs. Stuckey and Co. of Bristol, my bankers, the sum of 100l. for my use, for the benefit of the Orphans. By the same post I have received also 10s. from Droitwich. The Lord's holy name be praised for this seasonable help! I have now all the rent for next quarter day, am able to purchase two pieces of calico which were needed, a fresh supply of rice and soap, and to meet other heavy expenses in the way of certain alterations and improvements to be made in the four houses, about which I had repeatedly asked the Lord.

May 1. From March 10th up to this day came in the sum of 132l. 10s. 5 ¾