March 9. The New Orphan-House is now nearly ready. On this account we have to get in large supplies for the children"s clothes. Within the last few days I have ordered thousands of yards of material for this purpose, and thousands more will need to be ordered, besides providing a stock of many other things. For this large sums are needed. Under these circ.u.mstances I received today a donation of 300l., to be used for the Building Fund, or the current expenses of the various objects, just as it might be most required. As I judge that we have all that is needed for the fitting up and furnishing of the house, and as there is more in hand than usual for the missionary objects, the circulation of Bibles and Tracts, and for the various Schools, and as we have only about 60l.
for present use for the Orphans, towards meeting all the heavy expenses before us, I took the whole of this donation for the Orphans, as the donor has kindly left the disposal of the money entirely to me. This donation, coming in just now, has been an exceedingly great refreshment to my spirit; for it is, at the commencement of the great increase of our expenses, in connexion with the 300 Orphans, instead of 120, like an earnest from G.o.d, that He will supply us also with means when the demands for the 300 will be more than twice as great as they are now.
Through this donation I have means to meet all the expenses which will be incurred in getting in for the new establishment the stores of provisions, soap, material for clothes, haberdashery, and of the many other articles of which it would be desirable to buy our supplies on wholesale terms. The Lord be praised for His kindness!
April 10. Received this afternoon the following letter:--"Dear Brother,
"I have the pleasure today of sowing a little more seed-corn for eternity. Employ the enclosed 50l., if you please, for the support of the Orphans. The remaining 5l. be pleased to divide between yourself and dear brother Craik.
"Yours very truly in Christ,
From the same donor I had recently had two donations of 120l. and 100l.
April 11. From the brethren at Sunderland, a.s.sembling at Bethesda chapel, 10l., as a part of their annual thank-offering to the Lord for Church mercies during the last twelvemonth.
April 18. Today I received a donation of 250l., of which I took 100l.
for the Orphans, and the other 150l. for the other objects. Never were the current expenses for the Orphans nearly so great as they are now, but at the same time never was the income nearly so great. Thereby the Lord, as it were, says, that, when the New Orphan-House shall have been filled with Orphans, He will likewise give what is requisite for them.
Whilst yet much is in hand, He has been pleased to send this donation.
From April 19th to May 23rd, the Lord was pleased to send in still further many donations.
May 23. Today I received 360l., of which I took half for the current expenses for the Orphans, and half for the other objects. By this donation I am still further provided with means to meet all the expenses connected with the removal of the children into the New Orphan-House, the reception and fitting out of many fresh children, the filling the stores of the New Orphan-House, &c. How does the Lord by all this clearly say, that, when this house shall have been filled with children, He will provide the means for their support!
June 18. Today, as the fruit of the prayers of three years and seven months, the children began to be moved from the four Orphan-Houses in Wilson Street, Bristol, into the New Orphan-House.
June 23. Sat.u.r.day Evening. This has been indeed a week of great and many and peculiar mercies. All the Orphans with their teachers and overseers have been moved into the New Orphan-House, during Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; so that there are now about 140 persons under one roof. The Lord has most signally helped.--As I had for more than three years sought the help of G.o.d concerning all matters connected with the New Orphan-House, I did expect His help in this particular also; but He has done beyond my expectations. Though only the day before yesterday the last children were moved in, there is already such a measure of order established in the house, by the help of G.o.d, as that things can be done by the minute hands of the timepieces. His name is to be praised for this, and my soul does magnify Him for His goodness!--Also with regard to temporal supplies for the dear Orphans, the Lord has been exceedingly kind. On the second day of receiving the children, there was sent 20l. On the third day, an individual, who walked with me through part of the house, said, "These children must consume a great deal of provisions," and, whilst saying it, took out of his pocket a roll of Bank of England notes, to the amount of one hundred pounds, and gave them to me for the Orphans. On the same evening there was also sent for the Orphans a very large cask of treacle, and for their teachers and overseers 6 loaves of sugar. Also a cooper made gratuitously two large new casks for treacle. On the next day I received information that about 10 cwt. of rice had been purchased for the Orphans, which should be sent. Besides this, several small donations have come in. So bountifully has the Lord been pleased to help of late, that I have not only been able to meet all the extraordinary heavy expenses connected with moving the Orphans from Wilson Street into the New Orphan-House, filling the stores of the New Orphan-House, &c.; but I have more than five hundred pounds in hand, to begin house-keeping in the New Orphan-House. How true that word that those that trust in the Lord shall not be confounded!
After all the many and long-continued seasons of great trial of faith within these thirteen years and two months, during which the Orphans were in Wilson Street, the Lord dismisses us from thence in comparative abundance. His holy name be praised for it!
In order that this chapter may not be too long, I can only mention of the donations, from June 23, 1849, to May 20, 1850, those which came in under particular circ.u.mstances. The total amount received from June 23, 1849, to May 26, 1850, for the current expenses of the Orphans, was 2,102l. 13s. 4 d.
Aug. 30. Received a Fifty Pound Note with these words: "I send you herewith a Fifty Pound Note, half for the Missions, half for the Orphans, unless you are in any personal need; if so, take 5l. for yourself. This will be the last large sum I shall be able to transmit to you. Almost all the rest is already out at interest." I took half of this 50l. for the Orphans and half for Missionaries. The writer sold some time since his only earthly possession, and sent me at different times sums of 120l., of 100l., of 55l., of 50l, and of 20l. for the work of the Lord in my hands. When he says therefore "the rest is already out at interest," he means that he has given it away for the Lord, which indeed both for time and eternity is the very best way of using the means with which the Lord may be pleased to intrust us, in so far as, considering in the fear of G.o.d all our various claims and duties and relationships, we may do so. As this is written for the spiritual profit of the reader, I cannot but add to this extract from my journal under Aug. 30, 1849, that since that time I have received other donations from the same donor, and much larger still. He used for G.o.d the means with which He was pleased to intrust him, and, contrary to this brother"s expectation, the above 50l. was not the last large donation; for it pleased G.o.d soon after, to intrust him with another considerable sum, which he again used for the Lord. This did not at all surprise me; for it is the Lord"s order, that, in whatever way He is pleased to make us His stewards, whether as to temporal or spiritual things, if we are indeed acting as stewards and not as owners, He will make us stewards over more. But for more, on this deeply important subject, I must refer the reader to the third part of this Narrative, page 575 to 604.
Sept. 27. From friends at Othery 20l.--This donation is very refreshing to my spirit. Last evening and this morning I had especially besought the Lord, that He would be pleased to continue to send me means, as the expenses are now so great; for there are 107 Orphans in the house, and about 190 persons daily sit down to their meals, and this number is every week increasing. Now, by this donation, which comes not only from an entirely new but also most unexpected quarter, the Lord is, as it were, saying to me, that He will not fail to help me, even when there shall be about 330 persons in the house, for which number it is fitted up.
Oct. S. Yesterday again seven Orphans were received. Every week I am now taking in five, six, seven, or eight; and within the last nine weeks altogether have been received, and about 200 persons sit down daily to their meals. This has greatly increased the expenses already, and they will be still more increased, as I purpose to receive still further 120 Orphans, if G.o.d permit, to make up the number 300. Yesterday, after having received the seven children, I again gave myself to prayer for an increase of means. Now today I have received from Devonshire a set of valuable jewels, i.e. a ring set with 5 brilliants, a brooch set with 12 larger and 12 smaller brilliants and 1 large emerald, and a pair of ear-rings, both together set with 10 brilliants and 2 emeralds. The bearer brought also 1l. 10s. 4d. and 10s. 2d., being the proceeds of two Orphan-boxes, likewise 1l. 4s. 6d. At the same time I received from another brother from Devonshire. 4l.; and from a third 16s. 10d.-- Truly the Lord does not allow me to wait upon Him in vain!
Nov. 1. Today I have again received seven Orphans. There are now about 220 persons daily sitting down to their meals in the Orphan-House.
Before the seven fresh Orphans were brought, I received a letter from a banker in London, giving me information that a brother in the Lord, living between 200 and 300 miles from hence, had given order to pay me 40l. for the Orphans.--By the same post I received anonymously from London 5/. from the same donor, who has now for several years sent twice every year this amount, of which she kindly wishes me to use half for my own personal expenses, and half for the work of the Lord in my hands. I took the half for the Orphans.--This was not all. In the afternoon, whilst receiving the Orphans, there came in still further 69l. 3s. 8d., also 2s. and a few articles.
Nov. 16. About 260l. has been spent within these 16 days, i.e. since the first of the month, for current expenses for the Orphans alone, and about 120l. for the other objects, making in all about 380l. within half a month. Lord look upon the necessities of Thy servant, seeing that now the outgoings are so large!
Nov. 30. We have been helped through this month most comfortably, though the expenses for the Orphans have been heavier by far, than in any month all the 14 years since this work was commenced, having been 380l. 9s.
2d., and, including the expenses for the other objects, about 540l.
Dec. 4. Today was paid to me a legacy of 50l., left for the benefit of the Orphans.
Dec. 12. Anonymously a Bank Post Bill for 50l. 13s. 6d.
Jan. 9, 1850. Today was sent to me from the Committee of the Cholera Fund in Bristol 20l., which the gentlemen const.i.tuting it had voted for the benefit of the twenty children who had lost their parents in the Cholera, and whom I had received into the New Orphan-House.
I had not applied either directly or indirectly for this money; indeed I was reluctant even to give information as to the number of Cholera Orphans received, lest there should be even the appearance as if after all I asked for money, instead of solely trusting in the living G.o.d. But some of the gentlemen on the Committee, knowing the fact that I had received many Orphans, made such by means of the Cholera, proposed that there should be paid to the Inst.i.tution a sovereign on account of each such child received. This sum was especially remarkable to me as a fresh proof of the numberless ways, which G.o.d has at His command for providing me with means.
I also cannot help noticing the remarkable coincidence that, at the time G.o.d visited this land with the Cholera, in 1849, I had so much room for the reception of Orphans. The Lord was pleased to allow me the joy and sweet privilege of receiving altogether twenty-six children, from ten months old and upward, who lost their parents in the Cholera at that time, and many besides, since then, who were bereaved of their parents through this fearful malady.
Jan. 31. Today five more Orphans are to be received. For the last fortnight, comparatively little had come in for the Orphans, i.e. not quite 60l. In the prospect of the Orphans coming today, I said last evening to my dear wife, that the Lord would send us something for them; for I have often found, that either He has sent something with the children, or at the time that they have been received. It was but about ten minutes after I had said so, when I received 450l. (see the account of the income for the other objects), of which I took 200l. for the Orphans. This morning I received further 10l. from a pious countess in Edinburgh, and 10s. from Deptford. Thus the Lord has indeed sent something for the Orphans. It is now seven months and thirteen days since the Orphans began to be received into the New Orphan-House. The expenses for them have been since then Fifteen Hundred and Twenty Pounds; and yet we have this day more in hand, than when the New Orphan-House was opened. Unbelief and natural reason would have said, and did say, If there have often been scarcely any means in hand, while the Orphans were in the rented houses, and only about 120 in number, how will it be when there shall be 300 in the New Orphan-House? But faith"s reply was, Our poverty has been only for the trial of our faith, and it will be as easy to the Lord to provide for 300 as for 120 Orphans. And thus we have proved it hitherto, and, no doubt, shall prove it, as long as the Lord shall enable us to trust in Him.
May 25, 1850. The Lord has up to the close of this period helped also for this as well as for the other parts of the work; for during this last week I have received about 62l. for the current expenses for the Orphans. With confidence in the living G.o.d I step into the new period, though our expenses are now far heavier than ever they were, being fully a.s.sured of His faithfulness. May He be pleased to uphold me during the remainder of my earthly pilgrimage in His fear and truth, and may He graciously be pleased to give me day by day the faith which my circ.u.mstances may require.
Closing account as to the way in which the means were obtained for the expenses connected with the erection, fitting up, and furnishing of the New Orphan-House, Ashley Down, Bristol.
At the time where the last chapter, referring to this subject, closes, the New Orphan-House was being built. Part of it was already roofed in, and the remainder was to be roofed not many weeks afterwards. But how much did there yet remain to be done in other respects! A building so considerable as to contain about 300 large windows, would require, even after it was finished, an immense amount of labour, to be fitted up and furnished for 330 persons. Then, after this was done, the settling in of the Orphans and their teachers and other overseers, needed still more abundant help. Further, the obtaining of suitable helpers for this part of the work, was indeed no small matter. Lastly, though the Lord had been pleased to give me already above Eleven Thousand Pounds for the New Orphan-House, yet I needed several thousand pounds more, in order to bring the whole into such a state, as might render the building fit for the reception of the Orphans. And now, in looking back, and finding that I not only was helped in all these matters, but also in every one of them far beyond my largest expectations ?does it not become me to say to those who love the Lord Jesus, and into whose hands this account may fall: "0 magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!"
Each one of the foregoing difficulties which still existed on the 26th of May, 1848, was so great, that if only one of them had remained, and I had not been helped, what would have been the result? But while the prospect before me would have been overwhelming had I looked at it naturally, I was never, even for once, permitted to question what would be the end. For as, from the beginning, I was sure that it was the will of G.o.d, that I should go to the work of building for Him this large Orphan-House, so also, from the beginning, I was as certain that the whole would be finished, as if the building had been already before my natural eyes, and as if the house had been already filled with three hundred dest.i.tute Orphans. I was therefore of good courage, in the midst of an overwhelming pressure of work yet to be done, and very many difficulties yet to be overcome, and thousands of pounds yet needed; and I gave myself still further to prayer, and sought still further to exercise faith on the promises of G.o.d. And now, the work is done, the difficulties are overcome, all the money that was needed has been obtained, and even more than I needed; and, as to helpers in the work, I have obtained even beyond my expectations and prayers. Nearly seven years have pa.s.sed away already [1856] since the New Orphan-House was opened, and about three hundred and thirty persons sit down in it day by day to their meals.
The G.o.dly reader will feel interested in learning now further particulars, as to how it pleased G.o.d to a.s.sist me in accomplishing my desires, with reference to the preparation of the House for the reception of the children, and I therefore relate the manner in which I received further pecuniary supplies; and, whilst doing so, will here and there make remarks concerning other points, which may throw light on the subject.
Up to May 26, 1848, I had received altogether towards meeting the expenses connected with the building of the New Orphan-House the sum of 11,062l. 4s. 11 d. I now state further, some instances, merely as specimens, as to the manner in which it pleased the Lord, to provide me further with means for fitting up and furnishing the New Orphan-House, without applying to a single individual personally for anything, but only giving myself to prayer.
June 8, 1848. I received 5l. 17s. as the "Proceeds from the sale of a Tree for the New Orphan-House."
June 17. Received 5l., of which 4l. 1s. is the proceeds from the sale of "a second tree for the New Orphan-House," and 19s. for present use for the Orphans.--The reader is here called upon to notice that, whilst I had yet to obtain several thousand pounds for finishing the New Orphan-House, all the other current expenses of the various objects of the Inst.i.tution were going on; and for none of all these pecuniary necessities had I any regular certain income whatever, nor did I seek help from any one but the living G.o.d only.
June 20. A brother and sister gave four silver table spoons, twelve silver tea spoons, and a pair of silver sugar tongs for sale.
Aug. 7. From a sister in the Lord 200l.--With 2 Cor. viii. 12, 1s.
? Anonymously from J. H. W. 5s., as "a thank-offering to the Lord for His delivering goodness in sickness."--Anonymously 1s.
Aug. 13. From a brother 10s. This brother had worked overtime, and in prayer he told the Lord that, if his employers gave him anything for it, he would give it to the Building Fund, as he had a great desire to contribute something towards this work, from which he had been kept for want of means.
Aug. 16. A brother in the Lord having sold his little earthly property, for the sake of spending the money for the Lord, brought 20l. of the proceeds, of which he wished me to take 10l. for the Building Fund, and 10l. for the orphans.
Aug. 19. It is this day a twelvemonth since the foundation stone of the New Orphan-House was laid, and now the building is up, and almost entirely roofed in. Also part of the inside plastering is already done.
How can my soul sufficiently magnify the Lord for all the help which He has been pleased to give, since this day twelvemonth!--As we are now so far advanced, I have been increasingly entreating G.o.d, that He would be pleased to give me the means which are yet requisite for fitting up and furnishing the house; for even now I am completely depending upon Him for considerable sums, to accomplish this. But while much is still needed, I have never had, by G.o.d"s grace, the least misgiving, as to His willingness to give me all I need; on the contrary, I have been a.s.sured that, when I actually required the money for the fittings and the furniture, it would come. And now this day the Lord has again proved, to me, how willing Ha is to act according to my faith; for there was given to me this morning 887l. under the kind condition that I should take of it 20l. for my own personal expenses, and the rest for the Building Fund or the present need of the various objects of the Inst.i.tution, as it appeared best to me. I took therefore 600l. for the Building Fund, and placed 267l. to the School?, Bible?, Tract?and Missionary Fund, with the especial intention of using the greater part of this 267l. for helping home and foreign preachers of the Gospel, who labour without any salary, in dependence upon the Lord for supplies, knowing the need of many to be very great; for cases of especial distress among them had again recently come before me. My soul does magnify the Lord for all His goodness and faithfulness!
Oct. 11. This afternoon I received a letter, containing a check for 50l.
with these words: "1 Peter iv. 12-14. The enclosed draft is for Mr.
Muller, to be disposed of according to his own need, and the need of the Orphans under his care. May the 37th Psalm continue to be his solace in the fiery trial through which he is pa.s.sing." I took the whole of this sum towards fitting up and furnishing the New Orphan-House.
Oct. 16. This evening I received a fifty pound note as a thank-offering to the Lord for numberless mercies during a long course of years. The donor desired that Brother Craik should have 10l., myself 10l. for my own personal expenses, and 30l. were left to me to dispose of as I thought best, for the work of G.o.d in my hands, which sum I put to the Building Fund, with the donor"s approval.
Oct. 20. From a lady in Ireland 5s.--By sale of turf and gra.s.s 3l.
16s. 2d.
Oct. 24. By sale of articles 4s. 4 d.--From a Christian gentleman in Devonshire 20l. Day by day 1 am waiting upon G.o.d for means for furnishing the house. The last-mentioned sum I received when returning from the Orphan-Houses from our weekly prayer-meeting, where I had been again seeking from G.o.d further help, together with my fellow labourers in the work.
Oct. 25. From sisters in the Lord in Devonshire, 5l., of which they kindly intend one half for the Building Fund, and the other half for present use for the Orphans.
Nov. 8. The Building is now so far advanced by the help of G.o.d, that I was able to arrange yesterday with the clerk of the works to purchase today 32 grates for small rooms, two copper furnaces for the wash-house, and two iron furnaces for the scullery. Thus, therefore, the expenses for fitting up the house commence. For all this I had the money in hand, and even some hundreds of pounds more, than the liabilities which are already upon me; yet I want still many hundred pounds to meet all the heavy expenses, connected with fitting up and furnishing so large a building, levelling the ground, making a road through the ground, pitching three large playgrounds, &c. Under these circ.u.mstances I received this morning anonymously 50l. for the Orphan-House, with Psalm cxvi. and the request not to notice the post-mark. As I understood the donor to intend this donation for the Building Fund, I took it for that.