,a ,,narrative ,,of ,,some ,,of ,,the   
,,lord',s ,,dealings ,,with ,,george    
,m,,ller  ,,written ,,by ,,himself      
,,third ,,part  ,j4 ,,nisbet  ,,co41    
,,berners ,,street1 ,,london4           
,,preface  ,,to ,,the  ,,first ,,edition
 ,,of ,,the ,,third ,,part4    ,,the    
reasons which induced me to publish this
 third part of the ,lords dealings with 
me are the same which led me to the     
publication of the second part1 and     
which are stated in the preface to the  
first edition of the second part4 ,in   
addition to those reasons it appeared to
 me desirable to give some account of my
 recent labours in ,germany1 and also to
 write on a few other points1 which ,i  
considered of great importance to be    
made known4   ,,george ,m,,ller4   #ba1 
,paul ,street1 ,kingsdown1  ,bristol1   
,june #ah1 #ahde4    ,,narrative1  c4 c4
  ,,third ,,part4   ,,in the deep       
consciousness of my entire natural      
inability for going through the work1   
which is before me1 to the profit of the

 reader and to the glory of ,god1 ,i am 
nevertheless of good cheer in beginning 
this service2 for the ,lord has enabled 
me often to bow my knees before ,him1 to
 seek ,his help respecting it2 and ,i am
 now expecting ,his help4 ,he delights  
in making ,his strength perfect in our  
weakness1 and therefore will ,i also1   
though so weak1 look for ,his strength4 
,and if through this my feeble effort1  
to show forth the praises of the ,lord1 
good be done 7of which ,i have the      
fullest assurance1 on account of the    
abundance of supplication which for many
 months past has been found in my spirit
 in reference to this service17 ,i do   
desire from my inmost soul to ascribe   
all the honour and glory to the ,lord4  
,i purpose in writing this third part of
 my ,narrative to adopt the same mode   
which ,i employed in the two former     
parts1 namely that of giving extracts   
from my journal1 and accompanying them  
with such remarks as it may be desirable
 to make for the profit of the reader4  

,the second part carries on the         
,narrative up to the end of the year    
#ahdj1 so far as it regards my own      
personal affairs2 but only to ,dec4 #i1 
#ahdj1 so far as it regards the         
,orphan-,houses1 and other objects of   
the ,scriptural ,knowledge ,institution1
 as on that day the accounts were       
closed4 ,from this period1 then1 the    
,narrative is continued4  ,dec4 #aj1    
#ahdj4 ,when the accounts were closed   
last evening1 the balance in hand was   
#ael4 #js4 #f #a_/d;d41 but as nearly   
#ael4 of this sum had been put by for   
the rent of the ,orphan-,houses1 the sum
 really in hand for use was only #ds4 #f
 #a_/d;d4 ,with this little sum we      
commenced the sixth year of this part of
 the work1 while there are daily1 as    
usual1 more than a hundred persons to be
 provided for4  --,a little boy brought 
half-a-crown to the                     
,boys-,orphan-,house1 this morning1     
which is the first gift in this sixth   
year4 ,thus we had altogether #gs4 #j   

#a_/d;d4 for this day1 which was enough 
to pay for the milk in the three houses1
 and to buy some bread in one of them4  
,we have never before been so poor at   
the commencement of the year4  ,dec4    
#aa4 ,only #bs4 #f;d4 more had come in  
since last evening4 ,there was          
sufficient for dinner in the ,girls and 
,infant-,orphan-,houses1 but scarcely   
enough in the ,boys-,orphan-,house4     
,this half-crown1 therefore1 supplied   
the remainder of the dinner in the      
,boys-,orphan-,house4 ,but now there was
 no money to take in milk1 in any of the
 houses1 for tea1 or to buy any bread4  
,however the ,lord helped us through    
this day also4 ,about one oclock some   
trinkets1 which had been sent a few days
 since1 were disposed of for #abs41 by  
which the usual quantity of milk1 and a 
little bread could be taken in4 ,i      
observe here that there is generally    
bread for two or three days in the      
houses1 the children eating the bread on
 the third day after it is baked4 ,when1

 therefore1 we are unable to take in the
 usual quantity1 for want of means1 we  
procure stale bread afterwards4  ,dec4  
#ab4 ,only #ds4 had come in to meet this
 days necessities4 ,thus we should not  
have had sufficient means to provide for
 the dinner in the                      
,girls-,orphan-,house1 had not #fs4 come
 in this morning1 just in time to help  
us through the difficulty4 ,still we had
 no means to buy bread1 and a few other 
little things which were needed4 ,in    
addition to all this it was ,saturday1  
and therefore provisions for two days   
needed to be procured4 ,about four      
oclock this afternoon1 one of the       
sisters in the ,orphan-,houses1 to whom 
,i had some days since sent a little    
money for her own personal necessities1 
gave #al4 ,thus we were able to purchase
 sufficient provisions to last till     
breakfast on ,monday morning4 ,these    
last days have been very trying4 ,the   
poverty has been greater than ever2 the 
,lord1 however1 has not confounded us1  

but has1 strengthened our faith1 and    
always given us necessaries4  ,the      
,school-,funds are also now again very  
low4 ,there was only so much money in   
hand1 as that two of the teachers1      
really in need1 could be paid today4    
,truly1 my dear fellow-labourers in the 
schools need to trust the ,lord for     
their temporal supplies6 ,i notice here1
 that though the brethren and sisters   
have a certain remuneration1 yet it is  
understood that1 if the ,lord should not
 be pleased to send in the means at the 
time when their salary is due1 ,i am not
 considered their debtor4 ,should the   
,lord be pleased to send in means       
afterwards1 the remainder of the salary 
is paid up1 and also additional         
assistance is given in time of sickness 
or more than usual need1 as the ,lord   
may be pleased to grant the means4 ,a   
brother or sister1 in connection with   
this work1 not looking for themselves to
 the ,lord1 would be truly              
uncomfortable2 for the position of all  

of us is of such a character1 that it   
brings heavy trials of faith1 in        
addition to the many precious seasons of
 joy on account of answers to prayer4   
,dec4 #ac4 ,lords day4 ,this morning ,i 
received #bl4 #ajs4 ,thus1 before the   
last provisions are actually consumed in
 the ,orphan-,houses1 ,i have been able 
to give fresh supplies4  ,dec4 #ad4     
,though #bl4 #ajs4 had come in          
yesterday1 there was still not          
sufficient this morning to buy coals in 
the ,boys and ,girls-,orphan-,houses4   
,but the ,lord kindly supplied us with  
means for that also2 for there were     
given today six silver tea spoons1 and a
 pair of silver sugar tongs4 ,i received
 also #al4 #ajs4 which yesterday had    
been anonymously given for rent4 ,thus  
the ,lord1 in this particular also1     
again begins the year with blessings4   
,as during the two previous years #al4  
#ajs4 a week was anonymously given to   
pay for the rent of the three           
,orphan-,houses1 so during the whole of 

this year also1 from ,dec4 #aj1 #ahdj1  
to ,dec4 #aj1 #ahda1 the donor continued
 the same contribution4 ,this evening   
was the first of our public meetings1 at
 which ,i gave the account of the ,lords
 dealings with us in regard to this     
work1 during the last year4 ,it was a   
good season4 ,i felt much assisted by   
the ,lord1 and was1 through grace1 very 
happy1 so that none of those who were   
present can have read in my countenance 
that ,i have nothing at all in hand     
towards the supply of the necessities of
 tomorrow4 ,after the meeting this      
evening #b #a_/b;d4 was left anonymously
 at my house4  ,dec4 #ae4 ,the day      
commenced with #b #a_/b;d4 in hand4 ,my 
eyes were directed to the living ,god4  
,i was looking out for help4 ,the       
greatness of our need led me to expect  
it4 ,about eleven oclock ,i received    
from ,barnstaple a #el4 note and        
half-a-sovereign4 ,thus the ,lord in    
,his faithful love delivered us4 ,half  
an hour afterwards ,i had the report    

from the ,orphan-,houses about the state
 of things today1 which will show how   
seasonably the money from ,barnstaple   
came4 ,brother ,r4 ,b41 master at the   
,boys-,orphan ,house1 wrote that last   
evening a sister gave #es4 and a cloak1 
but that there never was less bread in  
the ,orphan-,houses at any time than    
this morning1 and that both in the ,boys
 and ,infant-,orphan-,houses all bread  
had been1 cut up for use4--,we are now  
waiting on the ,lord for means to enable
 us to have the ,report printed4 ,till  
,he provides1 we will1 by ,his help1 do 
nothing in this matter4 ,though it seems
 to us important that the account of the
 ,lords dealings with us in the work    
should be made known to the saints      
generally2 yea1 though this is the      
primary object of the work2 nevertheless
 it appears to us a small matter for our
 kind and loving ,father1 who withholds 
nothing from ,his children that is      
really good for them1 to give us the sum
 which we need for this purpose whenever

 ,his time shall have come4 ,we do      
desire grace even in this thing to      
acknowledge ,him2 for ,his time may not 
yet have come for us to have the sweet  
privilege of sending forth far and wide 
the account of ,his goodness to us      
during the past year4  ,dec4 #af4       
,to-night ,i received with ,ecclesiastes
 ix4 #aj1 #al4 #ajs41 and #abs4 from    
another individual2 also a ,spanish     
dollar was sent4 ,thus we have something
 for the necessities of tomorrow4  ,dec4
 #ag4 ,today came in #cs41 and from     
,bath #dl4 #fs4 #h;d42 also #bl41 the   
produce of the sale of ladies baskets4  
,dec4 #ai4 ,only #aas4 #b;d4 has come in
 since the day before yesterday4 ,as ,i 
had to pay out today #fl4 #ajs41 it     
being ,saturday1 we have now again only 
#es4 #i;d4 left1 which is just enough to
 meet the expense of a parcel1 the      
arrival of which has been announced4    
,thus we still have no means for        
printing the ,report1 ,the ,lords time  
seems not yet to have come4  ,this      

afternoon came in from ,exmouth #al4    
#ajs4 #e;d4 for the other objects1 so   
that1 with what there was in hand1 the  
teachers of the ,day-,schools who were  
in need could be supplied4  ,dec4 #bj4  
,the ,lord has again sent in rich       
supplies4 ,he remembered that there was 
nothing in hand for the ,orphans1 and   
that we1 who care for them1 desire1     
through grace1 not to be anxiously      
concerned about the morrow4 ,there came 
in today altogether #fl4 #ags4  ,dec4   
#be4 ,this morning there was #el4 given 
to me by a brother1 to be used as most  
needed4 ,as there is a little left for  
the ,orphans1 but about #el4 needed1    
tomorrow1 for the schools1 and there are
 only a few shillings in hand1 ,i took  
this money for these funds4  ,jan4 #a1  
#ahda4 ,since ,dec4 #bj has come in not 
only as much as was needed1 but more4   
,of the donations which were given1 ,i  
only notice3 ,a sister brought the      
produce of her silver spoons1 which she 
had sold1 having had it laid on her     

heart to do so through the last public  
meetings4 ,during this week we have     
daily met for prayer1 for the especial  
purpose of asking the ,lord to give us  
the means of having the last years      
,report printed4 ,it is three weeks     
since it might have been sent to the    
press4 ,we felt this now to be a matter 
of especial importance1 as1 if the      
,report were not soon printed1 it would 
be known that it arose from want of     
means4 ,by the donations which came in  
during these last days for the ,orphans1
 and by #ajl4 which was given today for 
the other funds1 we have the means of   
defraying the expenses of about         
two-thirds of the printing1 and         
therefore a part of the manuscript was  
sent off1 trusting that the ,lord would 
be pleased to send in more means before 
two sheets are printed off2 but if not1 
we should then stop till we have        
more4--,evening4 ,there came in still   
further #el42 and also #ajs41 and #cs4  
,jan4 #b4 ,today #ahs4 came in1 and the 

following articles were sent anonymously
 to the ,girls-,orphan-,house3 ,a       
smelling bottle1 a metal chain and      
cross1 a silver pencil case1 a          
mother-of-pearl ring1 a pebble1 a       
necklace clasp1 #b pairs of studs1 and  
#f chimney ornaments4 ,there were also  
sent anonymously1 this evening1 #b pairs
 of skates4--,there was needed today    
#al4 #as4 #f;d4 more than there was in  
hand1 to pay the salaries of the        
teachers in the ,day-,schools4 ,about   
noon a sister brought three small       
donations1 amounting to #is42 and a     
sovereign came by post4 ,thus our need  
has been supplied4  ,jan4 #c4 ,this     
morning a brooch was given to me1 set   
with a brilliant and #aj small emeralds4
 ,the stones are to be sold for the     
benefit of the ,orphans1 and the gold is
 to be returned4 ,i received also the   
following sums3 ,from a sister in       
,bristol1 #el42 from the ,east ,indies  
#bl42 from ,devonshire #bl4 #ajs4 and a 
silver vinaigrette2 anonymously put into

 the boxes at ,bethesda #bs41 ditto by  
,i4 ,l4 #cs4 #f;d41 ditto for rent #al4 
#ajs42 and by sale of articles #as4     
#f;d4 ,thus the ,lord has sent in today 
#aal4 #gs41 in answer to our united     
prayer during the last week4  ,jan4 #d4 
,today the following trinkets were      
given1 to be disposed of for the benefit
 of the ,orphans1 or on behalf of the   
other objects4 ,they were taken for the 
latter1 there being only about #gs4 in  
hand4 ,two chains and crosses of soap   
beads1 an amber necklace1 a bead        
necklace1 a gold ,maltese cross and     
chain1 a ,brazilian gold chain1 a pearl 
hair brooch1 a pearl cross1 a           
mother-of-pearl buckle1 #b rings1 a     
necklace snap1 a moonstone brooch1 a    
brooch of ,ceylon stones1 a pair of     
bracelet snaps1 a gold brooch1 a gilt   
vinaigrette1 a pair of buckles1 and a   
box4 ,the money which was obtained for  
the greater part of these trinkets1     
supplied our need on ,saturday1 ,january
 #ith4  ,jan4 #aa4 ,monday4 ,during the 

last week the ,lord not only supplied us
 richly with all we needed for the      
,orphans1 but enabled us to put by      
several pounds towards printing the     
,report4 ,on ,saturday evening there was
 only #cs4 #f;d4 left4 ,on this account 
,i was looking out for answers to my    
prayers for means1 and the ,lord did not
 disappoint me4 ,there came in          
altogether yesterday #il4 #afs4 #d;d4   
,we have now enough even for the last   
part of the ,report4 ,thus the ,lord has
 been pleased to answer our prayers in  
this respect also4 ,this afternoon when 
there was again only #bs4 #f;d4 in hand1
 came in by sale of articles #cl4 #is4  
#f;d41 and by a donation #el4  ,jan4    
#ab4 ,today ,i have received a letter   
from a brother1 in which he empowers me 
to draw upon his bankers1 during this   
year to the amount of #ajjjl41 for any  
brethren who have it in their hearts to 
give themselves to missionary ,service  
in the ,east ,indies1 and whom ,i shall 
consider called for this service1 as far

 as ,i am able to judge4 ,this power    
lasted only for that year2 but no       
brethren who seemed to be suitable      
offered themselves for this service     
,jan4 #ac4 ,this evening ,i was called  
to the house of a brother and sister who
 are in the deepest distress4 ,the      
brother had become surety for the debts 
of his son1 not in the least expecting  
that he ever should be called upon for  
the payment of them2 but as his son has 
not discharged his debts1 the father has
 been called upon to do so2 and except  
the money is paid within a few days1 he 
will be imprisoned4  ,how precious it   
is1 even for this life1 to act according
 to the word of ,god6 ,this perfect     
revelation of ,his mind gives us        
directions for every thing1 even the    
most minute affairs of this life4 ,it   
commands us1 ,be thou not one of them   
that strike hands1 or of them that are  
sureties for debts4 ,prov4 xxii4 #bf4   
,the way in which ,satan ensnares       
persons1 to bring them into the net1 and

 to bring trouble upon them by becoming 
sureties1 is1 that he seeks to represent
 the matter as if there were no danger  
connected with that particular case1 and
 that one might be sure one should never
 be called upon to pay the money2 but   
the ,lord1 the faithful ,friend1 tells  
us in ,his own word that the only way in
 such a matter to be sure is to hate    
suretiship4 ,prov4 xi4 #ae4 ,the        
following points seem to me of solemn   
moment for consideration1 if ,i were    
called upon to become surety for        
another3 #a4 ,what obliges the person   
who wishes me to become surety for him1 
to need a surety8 ,is it really a good  
cause in which ,i am called upon to     
become surety8 ,i do not remember ever  
to have met with a case in which in a   
plain1 and godly1 and in all respects   
,scriptural matter such a thing         
occurred4 ,there was generally some sin 
or other connected with it4 #b4 ,if ,i  
become surety1 notwithstanding what the 
,lord has said to me in ,his word1 am ,i

 in such a position that no one will be 
injured by my being called upon to      
fulfill the engagements of the person   
for whom ,i am going to be surety8 ,in  
most instances this alone ought to keep 
one from it4 #c4 ,if still ,i become    
surety1 the amount of money1 for which  
,i become responsible1 must be so in my 
power1 that ,i am able to produce it    
whenever it is called for1 in order that
 the name of the ,lord may not be       
dishonoured4 #d4 ,but if there be the   
possibility of having to fulfill the    
engagements of the person in whose stead
 ,i have to stand1 is it the will of the
 ,lord1 that ,i should spend my means in
 that way8 ,is it not rather ,his will  
that my means should be spent in another
 way8 #e4 ,how can ,i get over the plain
 word of the ,lord1 which is to the     
contrary1 even if the first four points 
could be satisfactorily settled8  ,this 
morning 7,jan4 #ac7 ,i had again not one
 penny in hand for the ,orphans1 though 
there was enough for today at the       

,orphan-,houses1 as ,i had sent         
yesterday sufficient for two days4 ,the 
little stock being exhausted1 ,i had    
been led to the ,lord in prayer for     
fresh supplies1 when soon afterwards a  
brother called on me1 who stated1 that1 
in considering the necessities of the   
poor1 on account of the cold season1 the
 ,orphans had likewise been brought to  
his mind1 and that he had brought me    
#ael4 for them4 ,this afternoon came in 
still further #al4 from two sisters1 as 
a thank-offering for many mercies during
 the past year4 ,likewise #ajl4 ,from a 
friend in ,christ for the               
,orphans-,house4 ,further3 by sale of   
articles #bl4 #ds4 #f;d41 by knitting   
#al4 #ds41 by ,reports #i;d41 and by    
four donations #acs4 ,thus the ,lord has
 been pleased to send in this day       
altogether #cjl4 #bs4 #c;d41 whilst1    
when the day commenced1 ,i had nothing  
at all in hand4  ,jan4 #bc4 ,this day   
commenced without any thing in hand4 ,in
 addition to this it was ,saturday4     

,about nine oclock ,q4 ,q4 called to see
 me1 but1 as ,i was in prayer with my   
family1 she did not stay4 ,about half an
 hour afterwards she called a second    
time1 gave #el4 for the ,orphans1 and   
said1 ,i bring this because it is       
,saturday1 and it may be needed4 ,this  
sister was not deterred by not seeing me
 the first time1 because our ,father    
knew we had need of this money4 ,there  
was likewise #es4 given me this         
afternoon1 and when the sister gave it  
she said1 ,i bring this today1 because  
it is ,saturday4  ,jan4 #be4 #bl4 #ais4 
#aj;d4 came in yesterday and this       
morning4 ,when the necessities of the   
day had been supplied1 and there was    
only #abs4 l#j;d4 left1 ,i received a   
parcel from an unknown donor4 ,it       
contained #a lb4 and #f oz4 of worsted  
and #d sovereigns1 with the following   
note3--,your ,father knoweth that ye    
have need of these things4 ,all things  
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer1      
believing1 ye shall receive4 ,an ,orphan

 sends #cl4 for the ,orphans1 and #al4  
for ,mr4 ,g4 ,mllers own necessities1   
,jan4 #bc1 #ahda4  ,feb4 #a4 ,today we  
had not sufficient money for our own    
personal necessities1 when we were      
helped in the following way4 ,some      
months ago several articles were sent to
 my dear wife from a distance of about  
#bjj miles1 which she did not at all    
need1 and which therefore had been      
placed in the hands of a sister to be   
disposed of4 ,this was only now done1   
and today1 in this our need1 the money  
was brought for them1 being #al44 #ajs4 
#f;d4  ,feb4 #d4 ,since ,jan4 #be1 there
 has come in #ajl4 #ads4 #aa;d4 for the 
,orphans4 ,this morning a brother from  
,gloucestershire brought me a doubloon1 
7#ah #a_/b pennyweights of fine gold17 a
 ,spanish dollar1 #b small ,spanish     
coins1 #d old ,english crown pieces1 #b 
old ,english half-crown pieces1 #c old  
shillings1 #b old sixpences1 and an old 
twopenny piece4 ,he told me that he had 
purposed to come a day sooner1 but that1

 though he was quite prepared for his   
journey1 his business did not allow him 
to leave home1 but that immediately1    
when these coins were given to him for  
the ,orphans1 he was able to leave4 ,on 
his arrival in ,bristol1 this brother   
was asked by a gentleman1 a fellow      
passenger1 to go with him2 but he       
replied he must go at once to me4 ,on   
mentioning my name1 the ,gloucestershire
 brother was asked whether he did not   
believe that it was all chance work     
about the ,orphan-,houses4 ,he replied  
no1 and showed him the handful of gold  
and silver coins1 which he had received 
for the ,orphan-,houses1 and which he   
felt himself constrained at once to     
deliver4--,there was also given this day
 a valuable gold lever watch4--,though  
these donations of today were not needed
 to supply the necessities of the       
children1 yet they came very seasonably1
 and as the answer to many prayers which
 ,i had lately offered up to the ,lord1 
to enable me to give #bfl4 to the       

labourers in the ,orphan-,houses1 for   
their own personal necessities4  ,feb4  
#f4 ,at the close of this week there is 
nothing at all in hand1 either in the   
,orphan-,fund or in the other funds2 but
 the ,lord has enabled me to meet all   
the expences of the week1 which only    
yesterday and today were above #cjl4    
,feb4 #g4 ,in answer to prayer1 when we 
were without any money for the ,orphans1
 came in today altogether #bl4 #ahs4    
,feb4 #aj4 ,there came in yesterday and 
the day before several small donations2 
also by post1 anonymously1 a sovereign  
and a diamond ring from ,leamington2 but
 we are now again without means4 ,may   
the ,lord help us6  --,evening4 ,there  
came in by sale of articles #ajs41 by   
sale of ,reports #ajs41 and by a        
donation #as4 #f;d4 ,i also opened the  
box in my house1 in which ,i found #al4 
#js4 #f;d4 ,a sovereign had been put in 
by a brother from ,stafford1 who had    
already left my house1 but felt himself 
constrained to return1 in order to put  

in this money4  ,feb4 #ab4 ,last evening
 there was left at my house1            
anonymously1 a letter containing two    
sovereigns1 in which was written1 ,for  
the ,orphan-,house #bl4 ,this #bl4 is   
exactly what is needed for today4  ,feb4
 #ac4 ,saturday morning4 ,the ,lord sent
 in yesterday #al4 #aes4 which1 though  
not enough for this day1 was a little to
 commence with4 ,evening4 ,scarcely had 
,i sent off this morning the #al4 #aes4 
to the ,orphan-,houses1 when ,i received
 from ,clapham #il4 #fs4 #f;d4 and #f   
yds4 of calico1 for the ,orphans1 so    
that #al4 more1 which was needed to meet
 this days demands1 could be supplied4  
,there came in also #ads4 #f;d4  ,we are
 very poor in reference to the funds for
 the other objects1 and have now        
determined to meet daily for prayer1    
till the ,lord may be pleased to send   
help4  ,there are now four sisters in   
the ,lord staying at our house4 ,this   
morning we had only #bs4 left of our own
 money1 when there was sent to us for   

ourselves from ,clapham a sovereign and 
#b lbs4 of tea2 and from ,manchester #e 
shillings worth of postages4 ,thus the  
,lord has kindly helped us for the      
present4  ,feb4 #ad4 ,the ,lord has had 
pity1 and helped us in some measure4 ,a 
brother gave me #el4 for the first four 
objects of the ,scriptural ,knowledge   
,institution4  ,feb4 #bb4 ,since the    
#adth there has come in still further   
for the first four objects #fs4 #a;d41  
#acs4 #d;d41 #bs4 #f;d41 #al41 and #el41
 besides what has come in by the sale of
 ,bibles1 etc4 ,thus we have been able  
to meet all the expenses of this week4  
,march #d4 ,from ,february #bb up to    
this day our necessities in the ,day    
,schools were supplied by thirteen small
 donations1 and by a donation of #hl4   
from ,q4 ,q4 ,today ,i received the     
following letter  ,dear ,brother1  ,i   
yesterday happened to meet with one of  
your ,reports of the ,orphan            
,institution for the last year1 which ,i
 have read with much interest4 ,i was   

not before at all aware how entirely you
 subsisted day by day on the good       
providence of the ,lord1 and it is very 
wonderful to see ,his constant care of  
such of ,his children as walk uprightly1
 and put their trust in ,him4 ,it must  
be very blessed thus to know and feel   
,his care from day to day1 in making    
bread and water sure4 ,i am concerned to
 find that there was so much need at the
 time ,i saw you in    and that ,i did  
not assist you2 but ,i will delay no    
longer1 for there may be equal need now2
 and as ,i find many sums given with the
 text ,ecclesiastes ix4 #aj1 it reminds 
me1 not to put off till tomorrow that   
which should be done today4 ,just before
 ,i fell in with your ,report1 ,i got a 
little portable money out of the bank1  
thinking it might be needed in some such
 way1 so without delay ,i enclose it2   
the amount is #ael41 and ,i hope that   
the ,lord will direct my mind and       
incline my heart to help you again at   
the time of need4 ,i perceive you have a

 list with the sums received1 and the   
names of the donors open for inspection 
7though not published1 which is well74  
,please to insert my donation1 and any  
future ones ,i may give1 under the      
initials ,a4 ,b4    ,when this letter   
arrived1 there was not one penny in hand
 for the ,day ,schools1 whilst two days 
after about #gl4 was needed4 ,as the    
money was not given for any particular  
part of the work1 it was put to this    
fund4 ,there was also only #bl4 in the  
,orphan fund4 ,this money came from a   
considerable distance1 and from a       
brother who never had assisted in this  
work before1 whereby the ,lord afresh   
shows how easily ,he can raise up new   
helpers4  ,march #aa4 ,from ,feb4 #ac to
 this day we have had comparative       
abundance for the ,orphans1 as #gj      
donations of #ajl4 and under have come  
in1 also many pounds by sale of articles
 and ,reports2 but now1 when we had     
again only #acs4 #f;d4 in hand1 not half
 of what is needed to meet the          

necessities of tomorrow1 a sister at    
,plymouth sent #fl4  ,march #ab4 ,there 
came in still further today #el4 from   
,friends to the ,orphan1 besides #bs4   
#f;d41 #as4 #f;d41 #ajs41 and #hs4 #f;d4
  ,march #ah4 ,today ,i heard of the    
conversion of a gentleman1 whose        
believing wife had prayed many years on 
behalf of her husband4 ,he was a ,roman 
,catholic and a great drunkard4 ,but    
though he had been a ,roman ,catholic1  
he was truly made to rest upon the ,lord
 ,jesus alone for salvation2 though he  
had been a great drunkard1 the power of 
the ,gospel was seen in his case1 for he
 forsook his evil ways2 and though his  
wife had had to continue to pray for him
 many years1 yet at last the ,lord      
answered the cries of his afflicted     
handmaid1 and gave her the desire of her
 heart4  ,as ,i know it to be a fact1   
that many children of ,god are greatly  
tried by having unconverted relatives1  
,i relate here1 for the encouragement of
 believers who are thus exercised1 two  

precious facts1 the truth of which ,i   
know1 and by which the ,lord manifested 
,his power in converting1 two of the    
most unlikely individuals1 so far as    
natural appearance is concerned4        
,between forty and fifty years ago it   
pleased the ,lord to convert the wife of
 a farmer at ,ashburton in ,devonshire1 
whose husband in consequence became her 
bitter opposer4 ,this opposition was    
greatly increased when he had reason to 
believe that she was going to be        
baptized4 ,the wife1 however1 thought   
that1 on account of his great enmity1   
she would choose a time for being       
baptized when he was from home4 ,a time 
was therefore chosen when he was to be  
absent at a fair in ,exeter4 ,the farmer
 went to the fair2 but having learned on
 ,thursday that his wife was to be      
baptized at eleven oclock the next      
morning1 in haste to return he rose     
early on ,friday morning1 to put a stop 
to the proceeding4 ,after he had rode   
several miles1 he said to himself1 ,no1 

,i will not go2 let her do what she     
pleases1 ,i will not care about her at  
all3 and he therefore rode back again   
towards ,exeter4 ,but after awhile he   
altered his mind again and said to      
himself1 ,nay1 ,i will go1 she shall not
 have her way2 and he rode again towards
 ,ashburton4 ,he pursued his way1 and   
then changed his mind a third time1 and 
turned towards ,exeter2 but not long    
after this1 a fourth time he had        
different thoughts1 and determined to   
ride borne4 ,now1 however1 he           
remembered1 that1 on account of his     
having thus gone backwards and forwards1
 and that for several miles1 he had     
wasted so much time1 that he could not  
possibly be at ,ashburton by eleven     
oclock1 a distance of more than twenty  
miles from ,exeter4 ,enraged by this    
thought1 he dismounted from his horse on
 ,haldon ,common1 between ,exeter and   
,teignmouth1 cut a large stick out of   
the hedge and determined to beat his    
wife with that stick1 as long as a part 

of it remained4 ,at last he reached his 
home1 late in the afternoon1 and found  
his wife had been baptized4 ,in a great 
rage he now began to beat her1 and      
continued to do so1 till the stick in   
his hand was actually broken to pieces4 
,having thus most cruelly treated her1  
her body being full of bruises1 he      
ordered her to bed4 ,she meekly began to
 undress herself1 and intended to go to 
bed1 without saying a word4 ,but when he
 saw her about to go1 he said1 ,you     
shall not sleep in my bed any more4 ,go 
to the childrens bed4 ,she obeyed4 ,when
 now on the point of lying down on the  
childrens bed1 he ran into the kitchen1 
fetched a piece of wood1 threw her down 
on the bed1 and was about to begin again
 to beat her1 when suddenly he let the  
piece of wood fall1 and went away       
without saying a word4 ,the poor        
suffering wife saw no more of him that  
evening or night4 ,on the next morning1 
,saturday1 before she had risen1 her    
husband left the house1 and was absent  

all day till the evening4 ,in the       
evening the wife gave him to understand 
when retiring for the night1 that1      
according to his wish1 she was again    
going to sleep in the childrens bed1    
when he meekly said to her1 ,will you   
not sleep in your own bed8 ,she thought 
he meant to mock her1 and would beat her
 again1 if she did go into her own bed4 
,as1 however1 he continued in a meek and
 kind way to desire her to lie down in  
her usual bed1 she did so4 ,all night   
from ,saturday to the ,lords day he lay 
groaning by her side1 turning about in  
the bed1 but having no sleep4 ,on the   
,lords day morning he rose early4 ,after
 awhile he came to her and said1 ,my    
dear1 it is time to get up3 if you will 
get up and make the breakfast1 ,i will  
go with you to the meeting4 ,still the  
wife thought1 he only meant to mock her1
 and that perhaps he would beat her     
again1 when she was on the point of     
going to the meeting4 ,nevertheless she 
rose1 prepared the breakfast1 and at    

last1 as he continued meek and kind as  
before1 she made herself ready to go to 
the meeting4 ,how great was the         
astonishment and surprise of the people 
in the small town1 where the thing had  
become known almost to every one1 when  
arm in arm he walked with his wife to   
the meeting and entered it himself1     
which he had never done before6 ,after  
the meeting was over1 he related before 
all persons present1 what had passed in 
his mind between ,exeter and ,ashburton1
 how he had most cruelly beaten his     
wife1 how he had ordered her to go to   
the childrens bed1 how he had run into  
the kitchen to fetch a piece of wood to 
beat his wife a second time1 how he had 
thrown her on the bed for that purpose1 
and how he had already lifted up his    
hand with the piece of wood in it1 when 
there was like an audible voice saying  
to him3 ,why persecutest thou me6 ,the  
piece of wood had then fallen out of his
 hand1 and he had felt instantly that he
 was persecuting the ,lord ,jesus4 ,from

 that moment his soul had become most   
distressed4 ,he had been sleepless and  
miserable during the night from ,friday 
to ,saturday4 ,on ,saturday morning he  
had left the house early in the greatest
 agonies of soul1 and had been roving   
about in the fields and neighbouring    
villages all the day4 ,he had come home1
 and spent another sleepless night from 
,saturday to the ,lords day4 ,and then  
passed what has been related4  ,from    
this time this persecutor became a      
disciple of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,he found 
peace through the blood of the ,lord    
,jesus1 by faith in ,his name1 and      
walked about thirty years in peace and  
love with his wife1 and adorned the     
gospel of the grace of ,god4  ,his wife 
outlived him4 ,the husband died more    
than thirteen years ago4 ,the aged      
sister told all the particulars of the  
case to a brother in the ,lord1 out of  
whose mouth ,i heard them2 and ,i have  
related them faithfully to the best of  
my knowledge4  ,surely the arm of the   

,lord is not shortened in our days6 ,in 
a moment ,he may turn the heart of the  
greatest persecutor4 ,think on ,paul1   
think on ,manasseh6  ,the other case of 
a remarkable conversion1 which ,i am    
about to relate for the encouragement of
 the believing reader1 occurred in my   
native country1 the kingdom of ,prussia1
 about the year #ahbj4 ,i relate it as  
circumstantially as it was brought      
before me by a brother in the ,lord4    
,baron von ,k4 had been for many years a
 disciple of the ,lord ,jesus4 ,even    
about the commencement of this century1 
when there was almost universal darkness
 or even open infidelity spread over the
 whole continent of ,europe1 he knew the
 ,lord ,jesus2 and when about the year  
#ahjf1 there was the greatest distress  
in ,silesia among many thousands of     
weavers1 this blessed man of ,god took  
the following gracious step for his     
,lord and ,master4 ,as the weavers had  
no employment1 the whole ,continent     
almost being in an unsettled state on   

account of ,napoleons career1 it seemed 
to him the will of the ,lord1 that he   
should use his very considerable        
property to furnish these poor weavers  
with work1 in order to save them from   
the greatest state of destitution1      
though in doing this there was not only 
no prospect of gain1 but the certain    
prospect of immense loss4 ,he therefore 
found employment for about six thousand 
weavers4 ,but he was not content with   
this4 ,whilst he gave the bread which   
perishes1 he also sought to minister to 
the souls of these weavers4 ,to that end
 he sought to set believers as overseers
 over this immense weaving concern1 and 
not only saw to it that the weavers were
 instructed in spiritual things1 but he 
himself also set the truth before them4 
,thus it went on for a good while1 till 
at last1 on account of the loss of the  
chief part of his property1 he was      
obliged to think about giving it up4    
,but by this time this precious act of  
mercy had so commended itself to the    

government1 that it was taken up by     
them1 and carried on till the times     
altered4 ,baron von ,k4 was1 however1   
appointed director of the whole concern 
as long as it existed4--,this dear man  
of ,god was not content with this4 ,he  
travelled through many countries to     
visit the prisons1 for the sake of      
improving the temporal and spiritual    
condition of the prisoners1 and among   
all the other things which he sought to 
do for the ,lord1 was this also in      
particular3 ,he assisted poor students  
whilst at the ,university of ,berlin1   
7especially those who studied theology1 
as it is called17 in order to get access
 to them1 and to win them for the ,lord4
 ,one day a most talented young man1    
whose father lived at ,breslau1 where   
there is likewise a university1 heard of
 the aged barons kindness to students1  
and he therefore wrote to him1          
requesting him to assist him1 as his own
 father could not well afford to support
 him any longer1 having other children  

to provide for4 ,a short time afterwards
 young ,t4 received a most kind reply   
from the baron1 inviting him to come to 
,berlin2 but1 before this letter        
arrived1 the young student had heard    
that ,baron von ,k4 was a pietist or    
mystic 7as true believers are           
contemptuously called in ,germany27 and 
as young was of a highly philosophical  
turn of mind1 reasoning about every     
thing1 questioning the truth of         
revelation1 yea questioning most        
sceptically the existence of ,god1 he   
much disliked the prospect of going to  
the old baron4 ,still1 he thought he    
could but try1 and if he did not like   
it1 he was not bound to remain in       
connexion with him4 ,he arrived in      
,berlin on a day when there was a great 
review of the troops2 and being full of 
this he began to speak about it to the  
steward of the baron4 ,the steward1     
however1 being a believer1 turned the   
conversation1 before the young student  
was aware of it1 to spiritual things2   

and yet he could not say that it had    
been forced4 ,he began another subject1 
and a third1 but still it always came   
presently again to spiritual things4 ,at
 last the baron came1 who received young
 ,t4 in the most affectionate and       
familiar manner1 as if he had been his  
equal1 and as if young ,t4 bestowed a   
favour on him1 rather than that he was  
favoured by the baron4 ,the baron       
offered him a room in his own house1 and
 a place at his own table1 while he     
should be studying in ,berlin1 which    
young ,t4 accepted4 ,he now sought in   
every way to treat the young student in 
the most kind and affectionate way1 and 
as much as possible to serve him1 and to
 show him the power of the ,gospel in   
his own life1 without arguing with him1 
yea without speaking to him directly    
about his soul4 ,for1 discovering in    
young ,t4 a most reasoning and sceptical
 mind1 he avoided in every possible way 
getting into any argument with him1     
while the young student again and again 

said to himself3 ,i wish ,i could get   
into an argument with this old fool1 ,i 
would show him his folly4 ,but the baron
 avoided it4 ,when the young student    
used to come home in the evening1 and   
the baron heard him come1 he would      
himself go to meet him on entering the  
house1 would light his candle1 would    
assist and serve him in any way he      
could1 even to the fetching the bootjack
 for him1 and helping him to take off   
his boots4 ,thus this lowly aged        
disciple went on for some time1 whilst  
the young student still sought an       
opportunity for arguing with him1 but   
wondered nevertheless how the baron     
could thus serve him4 ,one evening1 on  
the return of young ,t4 to the barons   
house1 when the baron was making himself
 his servant as usual1 he could refrain 
himself no longer1 but burst out thus3  
,baron1 how can you do all this6 ,you   
see ,i do not care about you1 and how   
are you able to continue to be so kind  
to me1 and thus to serve me6 ,the baron 

replied3 ,my dear young friend1 ,i have 
learned it from the ,lord ,jesus4 ,i    
wish you would read through the ,gospel 
of ,john4 ,good night4 ,the student now 
for the first time in his life sat down 
and read the word of ,god in a          
disposition of mind to be willing to    
learn1 whilst up to that time he had    
never read the ,holy ,scriptures but    
with the view of wishing to find out    
arguments against them4 ,it pleased ,god
 to bless him4 ,from that time he became
 himself a follower of the ,lord ,jesus1
 and has been so ever since4  ,i        
continue now the extracts from my       
journal4  ,march #ai1 #ahda4 ,it is     
twelve years this day since ,i arrived  
in ,england4 ,how exceedingly kind and  
gracious has the ,lord been to me day by
 day ever since6 ,and the ,lord has     
crowned this day also with mercies4 ,i  
have been for some time again very weak 
in body1 on account of which it appeared
 to me desirable to change my sphere of 
labour for awhile1 to which ,i was the  

more inclined as ,i purpose to write the
 second part of my ,narrative1 for which
 ,i need more time than ,i can well find
 in ,bristol1 along with my other       
engagements4 ,today ,i had fully        
determined to leave1 as ,i am now       
exceedingly weak2 but we had no means   
for it4 ,this morning1 after the        
exposition of the ,scriptures to the    
,orphan and ,day ,school children1 there
 was given to me a check for #ael41 of  
which #el4 is for brother ,craik1 #el4  
for myself1 and #el4 for the ,orphans1  
,thus my way1 even as to means1 is made 
quite plain4  ,march #bj4 ,nailsworth4  
,i had purposed to take lodgings in the 
neighbourhood of ,tetbury1 passing only 
a night or so at ,nailsworth4 ,when ,i  
came here today1 and heard about the    
state of the saints here and in the     
neighbourhood1 ,i could not but think   
that the ,lord had sent me to this place
 to labour for a season4  ,march #ba4 ,i
 ministered twice today among the       
brethren at ,nailsworth1 with much      

assistance from the ,lord1 and feel     
already much better from the change of  
air4  ,march #bb4 ,truly ,god has sent  
me here6 ,certain matters which have    
been brought to light through my being  
here1 prove it4 ,may the ,lord make it  
still more abundantly plain that ,he has
 sent me here6--,there is a small house1
 which a brother left a few weeks since1
 but has to pay rent for at least three 
months longer4 ,he will let me have it  
rent free1 and he and brother--mean to  
put into it the needful                 
furniture4--,thus the ,lord has provided
 a lodging1 not only for me1 but also   
for all my family1 who can now join me  
here4  ,a sister in the ,lord in        
,ireland1 who did not see her acceptance
 before ,god1 and who was habitually    
without the assurance that she is a     
child of ,god1 that she is born again1  
that her sins are forgiven1 and that she
 shall be saved1 in her distress of mind
 wrote to me about this time4 ,as her   
case is by no means a solitary one1 but 

as there are so many children of ,god   
who do not know that they are children  
of ,god2 as there are so many whose sins
 are forgiven who do not know that they 
are forgiven2 and as there are so many  
who will be saved1 who do not know that 
they will be saved1 and who are         
continually afraid of what would become 
of them1 were they to be taken out of   
the world3--,i have thought it well to  
say something here on this most         
important subject4  ,i4 ,question4 ,how 
may ,i obtain the knowledge that ,i am a
 child of ,god1 or that ,i am born      
again1 or that my sins are forgiven1 or 
that ,i shall not perish but have       
everlasting life8  ,answer4 ,not by my  
feelings1 not by a dream1 not by my     
experience being like this or that ones1
 or unlike this or that ones2 but this  
matter is to be settled1 as all other   
spiritual matters1 entirely by the      
revealed will of ,god1 the written word 
of ,god1 which is the only rule1 the    
only standard for believers4  ,,ii4     

,question4 ,by what passages1 then1 for 
instance1 may ,i make out that ,i am a  
child of ,god1 or born again8  ,answer4 
#a4 ,in #a ,john v4 #a1 it is written3  
,whosoever believeth that ,jesus is the 
,christ is born of ,god4 ,the meaning of
 these words is evidently this1 that    
every one 7whether young or old1 male or
 female1 one who has lived an outwardly 
moral or immoral life17 who believes    
that the poor1 despised ,jesus of       
,nazareth1 of whom we read in the ,new  
,testament1 was the promised ,christ or 
,messiah1 such a one is no longer in his
 natural state1 but is born again1 is   
born of ,god1 is a child of ,god4 ,the  
question therefore is1 ,do you believe  
that ,jesus1 who was born at ,bethlehem1
 and crucified under ,pontius ,pilate1  
is the promised ,saviour1 the ,messiah1 
the one for whom the ,jews were to look8
 ,if so1 you are a child of ,god1 else  
you would not believe it4 ,it is given  
unto you to believe it4 ,millions may   
,,say that ,jesus is the ,saviour1 the  

,messiah1 but none ,,believe it except  
the children of ,god4 ,it proves me to  
be a child of ,god that ,i believe it2  
to none besides is it given to believe  
it1 though millions might say so4       
,perhaps you say1 ,i do not feel that ,i
 am born again1 born of ,god1 and ,i    
have therefore no enjoyment4  ,answer4  
,in order that you may have the         
enjoyment1 which is the result of the   
knowledge that you are a child of ,god1 
that you are born of ,god1 or born      
again1 you must receive ,gods testimony4
 ,he is a faithful witness1 ,he speaks  
nothing but the truth1 and ,his         
declaration is1 ,that every one who     
believes that ,jesus is the ,christ is  
born of ,god4 ,if you receive this      
testimony of ,god1 you1 to whom by grace
 it is given to believe that ,jesus is  
the ,christ1 cannot but be happy1 from  
the fact that ,god ,himself says1 that  
you are ,his child4 ,but if you will    
wait till you feel that you are a child 
of ,god1 you may have to wait long2 and 

even if you felt it1 yet your feelings  
would be worth nothing2 for either it   
might be a false feeling1 or1 though it 
were real1 it might be lost the next    
hour4 ,feelings change2 but the word of 
,god remains unalterably the same4 ,you 
have1 then1 without having had a dream  
about it1 without having had a portion  
of the word in a more than usual way    
impressed upon your mind concerning the 
subject1 without having heard something 
like a voice from heaven about it1 to   
say to yourself3 ,if ,i believe that    
,jesus is the promised ,messiah1 ,i am a
 child of ,god4 ,and then1 from a belief
 of what ,god declares in this passage  
concerning you who believe that ,jesus  
is the ,christ1 even that you are ,his  
child1 spring peace and joy in the ,holy
 ,ghost4  ,answer #b4 ,in ,galatians    
iii4 #bf1 it is written3 ,ye are all the
 children of ,god by faith in ,christ   
,jesus4 ,the question here again is3 ,do
 ,i believe in the ,lord ,jesus8 ,do ,i 
depend upon ,him alone for the salvation

 of my soul8 ,if so1 ,i am a child of   
,god1 whether ,i feel it or not4        
,answer #c4 ,in ,john i4 #aaac1 it is   
written of the ,lord ,jesus3 ,he came   
unto ,his own1 and ,his own received    
,him not4 ,but as many as received ,him1
 to them gave ,he power 7or the right or
 the privilege7 to become the sons of   
,god1 even to them that believe on ,his 
name3 which were born1 not of blood1 nor
 of the will of the flesh1 nor of the   
will of man1 but of ,god4 ,the question 
here again is simply this1 ,have ,i     
received the ,lord ,jesus1 i4e41 ,do ,i 
believe in ,his name8 ,if so1 ,i am born
 of ,god1 ,i am a child of ,god1 else ,i
 should never have believed in the ,lord
 ,jesus2 for none but the children of   
,god do believe in ,him4  ,,iii4        
,question4 ,how may ,i know that my sins
 are forgiven8 ,have ,i to wait till ,i 
feel that they are forgiven1 before ,i  
may take comfort concerning this matter8
 ,or1 must ,i wait till ,i have in some 
powerful way a portion of the word of   

,god applied to my mind1 to assure me of
 it8  ,answer4 ,this point is again only
 to be settled by the word of ,god4 ,we 
have not to wait till we feel that our  
sins are forgiven4--,i myself have now  
been a believer for more than nineteen  
years 7i4e4 in the year #ahde74 ,how    
long it is1 since ,i have had no doubt  
whatever about the forgiveness of my    
sins1 ,i cannot tell with certainty2 but
 this ,i am quite sure of1 that ever    
since ,i have been in ,england1 which is
 now about sixteen years 7in #ahde71 ,i 
have never once had a single moments    
doubt that my sins are all forgiven2 and
 yet ,i do not remember that ,i even    
once have felt that they were forgiven4 
,to know that they are forgiven1 and to 
feel that they are forgiven1 are two    
different things4--,the way to settle1  
whether our sins are forgiven1 is1 to   
refer to the word of ,god alone with    
reference to it4 ,in ,acts x4 #dc1 it is
 written concerning the ,lord ,jesus1   
,to him give all the prophets witness1  

that through ,his name whosoever        
believeth in ,him shall receive         
remission of sins4 ,all the prophets    
speaking under the immediate power of   
the ,holy ,spirit1 bore testimony1 that 
through the obedience and sufferings of 
the ,lord ,jesus1 whereby ,he becomes   
our ,saviour or is our ,jesus1 all who  
believe in ,him for salvation1 who      
depend upon ,him and not upon           
themselves1 who receive ,him to be the  
one whom ,god declares ,him to be1      
should receive the forgiveness of their 
sins4 ,the questions therefore to be put
 to ourselves are simply these3 ,do ,i  
walk in utter carelessness8 ,do ,i trust
 in my own exertions for salvation8 ,do 
,i expect forgiveness for my sins on    
account of living a better life in      
future8 ,or1 do ,i depend only upon     
this1 that ,jesus died upon the cross to
 save sinners--and that ,jesus fulfilled
 the law of ,god to make sinners        
righteous8 ,if the latter is the case1  
my sins are forgiven1 whether ,i feel it

 or not4 ,i have already forgiveness4 ,i
 shall not have it merely when ,i die1  
or when the ,lord ,jesus comes again2   
but ,i have it now1 and that for all my 
sins4 ,i must not wait to feel that my  
sins are forgiven1 in order to be at    
peace1 and in order to be happy2 but ,i 
must take ,god at ,his word1 ,i must    
believe that what ,he says in true1 and 
,he says1 ,that whosoever believeth in  
the ,lord ,jesus should receive         
remission of sins2 and when ,i believe  
what ,god says1 peace and joy will be   
the result4  ,again1 in ,acts xv4 #h1   
#i1 it is written with reference to us  
,gentile sinners3 ,and ,god which       
knoweth the hearts1 bare them witness1  
giving them the ,holy ,ghost1 even as   
,he did unto us2 and put no difference  
between us and them1 purifying their    
hearts by faith4 ,here we see how the   
guilt is to be removed from the heart1  
how we can get a clean heart1 obtain the
 forgiveness of our sins1--even by faith
 in the ,lord ,jesus4 ,depending upon   

the sufferings of the ,lord ,jesus in   
the room of sinners1 and depending upon 
,his obedience in fulfilling the law of 
,god1 ,his sufferings are considered as 
endured by us1 ,his obedience as if     
found in ourselves3 in ,him 7if we      
believe on ,him7 we are considered to   
have hung on the cross1 and therefore   
were punished in ,him1 on account of    
which ,god1 though perfectly holy and   
just1 can forgive us our sins for ,jesus
 sake1 as well as reckon us righteous1  
through faith in the ,lord ,jesus1 who  
in the room of those who believe on ,him
 fulfilled the law of ,god4  ,i would   
here by the way especially warn against 
one error1 which is1 that persons say1  
,i can believe that ,jesus is the       
,christ1 the ,saviour1 that through ,him
 alone the forgiveness of sins is to be 
obtained1 and ,i do depend on ,him alone
 for forgiveness1 but ,i desire to know 
that ,he is my ,christ1 my ,saviour1 and
 because ,i am not sure about that1 ,i  
can have no peace4 ,now1 the ,gospel    

which is preached in the ,new ,testament
 is not1 you must believe that ,jesus of
 ,nazareth is your ,christ1 your        
,saviour1 but that ,he is the ,christ1  
the ,saviour2 and if you believe that1  
you have a right to look upon ,him as   
your ,saviour4  ,,iv4 ,question4 ,how   
may ,i know that ,i shall be saved8     
,answer4 ,if thou shalt confess with thy
 mouth the ,lord ,jesus1 and shalt      
believe in thy heart that ,god hath     
raised ,him from the dead1 thou shalt be
 saved4 ,rom4 x4 #i4 ,the point is      
simply this3 ,do ,i confess with my     
mouth the ,lord ,jesus8 ,do ,i own ,him 
by the confession of my mouth before    
men1 and do ,i believe in my heart that 
,jesus of ,nazareth who was crucified   
was not left in the grave1 but was      
raised again by ,god on the third day8  
,if so1 ,i shall be saved4 ,for while   
there may be the confession of the ,lord
 ,jesus with the month1 without the     
person being finally saved1 there does  
not go along with this the believing in 

the heart that ,god has raised ,him from
 the dead1 without the person1 in whom  
both are found1 being finally saved2 for
 in none but the children of ,god are   
these two points found united together4 
,we have here particularly to observe1  
that it is not written3 ,if thou shalt  
say that ,god has raised ,him from the  
dead2 but if thou shalt believe in thine
 heart that ,god has raised ,him from   
the dead1 thou shalt be saved4 ,i have1 
then1 to take ,god at ,his word4 ,if ,i 
do confess the ,lord ,jesus with my     
mouth1 and do believe in my heart that  
,god has raised ,him from the dead1 ,i  
shall be saved1 though ,i do not feel   
it1 though ,i am utterly unworthy of    
salvation1 yea1 though ,i am altogether 
deserving condemnation4 ,i must not wait
 till ,i feel that ,i shall be saved    
before ,i take comfort2 but ,i must     
believe what ,god says in this verse1   
and1 out of that1 peace and comfort will
 flow into my soul4 ,should1 however1   
one or the other of the children of     

,god1 believe in his heart the          
resurrection of the ,lord ,jesus1 if at 
the same time he has never made         
confession of the ,lord ,jesus with his 
mouth1 he cannot be surprised that the  
assurance about his salvation is wanting
 to him2 yet if both be found in you1 my
 dear reader1 ,god has been gracious to 
you1 you are ,his child1 you shall be   
saved4  ,further1 in ,john iii4 #af1 it 
is written3 ,god so loved the world that
 ,he gave ,his only begotten ,son1 that 
whosoever believeth in ,him should not  
perish1 but have everlasting life4      
,notice here in particular3 #a4 ,it     
matters not how great a sinner ,i am4   
#b4 ,the promise is positive concerning 
my salvation1 if ,i believe in the ,lord
 ,jesus4 #c4 ,i have only to believe in 
the ,lord ,jesus4 ,no matter how it may 
have been with me hitherto2 if only now 
,i trust in and depend upon the ,lord   
,jesus for salvation1 ,i shall have     
everlasting life4  ,further1 in ,acts   
xvi4 #cj1 #ca1 it is written3 ,sirs1    

what must ,i do to be saved8 ,and they  
said1 ,believe on the ,lord ,jesus      
,christ1 and thou shalt be saved4       
,further1 in ,john iii4 #cf1 it is      
written3 ,he that believeth on the ,son 
hath everlasting life2 and ,he that     
believeth not the ,son shall not see    
life2 but the wrath of ,god abideth on  
him4 ,as assuredly as ,i depend upon and
 trust in the ,lord ,jesus for the      
salvation of my soul1 ,i shall be saved1
 ,i have already everlasting life2 for  
,he died1 to deliver those who believe  
on ,him from the wrath of ,god1 under   
which all men are in their natural      
state2 but if ,i do not believe in the  
,lord ,jesus1 the wrath of ,god1 which  
rests upon all men in their natural     
state1 will finally destroy me1 if ,i   
remain without faith in the ,lord       
,jesus2 for then ,i reject the one only 
remedy1 in refusing to take ,jesus as my
 substitute1 who bore the punishment    
that ,he might deliver the sinner from  
it1 and who fulfilled the law of ,god   

that ,he might make the sinner who      
believes on ,him a just one before ,god4
  ,v4 ,question4 ,how may ,i know that  
,i am one of the elect8 ,i often read in
 the ,scriptures about election1 and ,i 
often hear about election1 how may ,i   
know that ,i am a chosen one1 that ,i am
 predestinated to be conformed to the   
image of the ,son of ,god8  ,answer4 ,it
 is written3 ,as many as were ordained1 
7i4e4 appointed7 to eternal life        
believed4 ,acts xiii4 #dh4 ,the question
 therefore simply is this3 ,do ,i       
believe in the ,lord ,jesus8 ,do ,i take
 ,him to be the one whom ,god declares  
,him to be1 i4 e4 ,his beloved ,son in  
whom ,he is well pleased8 ,if so1 ,i am 
a believer1 and ,i should never have    
believed1 except ,i had been appointed  
by ,god to eternal life--except ,i had  
been made by ,god to be a vessel of     
mercy4 ,therefore the matter is a very  
simple one3 if ,i believe in the ,lord  
,jesus1 ,i am a chosen one1--,i have    
been appointed to eternal life4  ,again1

 in ,rom4 viii4 #bi1 #cj1 it is written3
 ,for whom ,he did foreknow1 ,he also   
did predestinate to be conformed to the 
image of ,his ,son1 that ,he might be   
the first-born among many brethren4     
,moreover1 whom ,he did predestinate1   
them ,he also called3 and whom he       
called1 them ,he also justified2 and    
whom ,he justified1 them ,he also       
glorified4 ,how are we justified1 or    
constituted just ones1 before ,god8 ,by 
faith in the ,lord ,jesus4 ,rom4 iii4   
#bjbf4 ,therefore if ,i believe in the  
,lord ,jesus1 it follows 7on account of 
the inseparable connection of all the   
precious things spoken of in these two  
verses71 that ,i have been foreknown by 
,god1 that ,i have been predestinated by
 ,him to be conformed to the image of   
,his ,son1 that ,i have been called1    
that ,i have been justified1 and that1  
in the sight of ,god1 ,i am already as  
good as glorified1 though ,i am not as  
yet in the actual possession and        
enjoyment of the glory4  ,the reason why

 persons who renounce confidence in     
their own goodness for salvation1 and   
who only trust in the merits and        
sufferings of the ,lord ,jesus1 do not  
know that they are the children of ,god1
 that their sins are forgiven1 and that 
they shall be saved1 generally arises   
from one of these things3 #a4 ,they do  
not know the simplicity of the ,gospel2 
or1 #b4 ,they seek to settle it by their
 feeling2 or1 #c4 ,they wait for some   
powerful impulse1 or a dream1 or        
something like a voice from ,heaven to  
assure them of it1 or for some passage  
being in a powerful way applied to their
 mind to assure them of it2 or1 #d4     
,because they are living in sin4 ,should
 the last be the case1 then1 however    
correctly we may understand the ,gospel2
 however much we may desire by the ,holy
 ,scriptures alone to settle these      
questions2 yea1 however much in former  
times we may have enjoyed the assurance 
of the forgiveness of our sins1 or of   
our being the children of ,god1 or that 

we shall be saved3 in such a state of   
heart all peace would be gone1 and would
 not return as long as we live in sin4  
,there may be found much weakness and   
many infirmities even in the believer   
who has assurance about these points2   
but the ,holy ,ghost does not comfort   
us1 and will not comfort us1 if we      
habitually indulge in those things which
 we know to be contrary to the mind of  
,god4 ,an upright1 honest heart1 is of  
the utmost importance in all divine     
things2 and especially with reference to
 the assurance about our standing before
 ,god4    ,april #ae4 ,from ,march #abth
 up to this day we had always a little  
money in hand for the ,orphans1 so that 
there was comparatively no trial of     
faith4 ,of the many donations which came
 in during this period ,i only mention  
two1 as rather deserving to be noticed1 
to show what various ways the ,lord uses
 to send us supplies4 ,on ,march #afth  
,i received from the neighbourhood of   
,london #el41 respecting which the      

brother who sent it writes1 that he was 
in the habit of giving this sum to his  
wife1 a sister1 on her birth days1 to   
lay it out in buying any little thing   
she liked1 and that she this time       
preferred giving it to the ,orphans4 ,on
 ,april #crd a sister gave #el41 which  
came in most seasonably4 ,she had lost a
 sum of money1 which was afterwards     
found again1 and she felt constrained to
 give #el4 of it to the ,orphans4 ,now  
today1 ,april #ae1 when all was again   
spent1 #cl4 came in from ,wales4  ,on   
,friday1 ,april #cj1 while ,i was at    
,nailsworth1 in ,gloucestershire1 ,i    
received the following letter from      
brother ,r4 ,b41 ,master at the         
,boys-,orphan-,house3  ,my dear         
,brother1  ,when ,i wrote last1 on      
,tuesday evening1 there was not one     
penny in hand4 ,but since then the ,lord
 has most graciously dealt with us4     
,only #as4 #f;d4 came in on ,wednesday  
morning2 but as there were enough       
provisions in the house for the day1 the

 sisters experienced no difficulty3 it  
was only necessary to refuse to take in 
what there was not money to pay for4    
,about six ,i went out for a walk with  
the boys1 and returned after eight1 when
 ,i found a letter in which was enclosed
 #el41 with these words2 ,from the      
,lord1 for the present necessities of   
the ,orphans4 ,it was indeed for the    
present necessities4 ,etc4  ,your       
,brother1  ,r4 ,b4    ,this letter came 
after a previous one1 in which brother  
,r4 ,b4 informed me about the need in   
the ,orphan-,houses1 which led me to    
prayer4 ,when this letter came from     
brother ,b41 ,i received at the same    
time another from ,birmingham1 in which 
was enclosed #ajl41 from a brother1 who 
had sold some of his books4 ,it was from
 a most unexpected quarter1 as that     
brother is himself1 as a servant of the 
,lord1 depending upon ,him for temporal 
supplies4 ,the same post brought me also
 information of #al4 #ds1 #f;d41 having 
been sent from ,dublin4 ,the sister in  

,ireland writes that she sends the money
 now1 as we may be in want of even so   
small a sum4 ,with regard to the        
above-mentioned #el41 ,i mention still  
further that ,i know from the           
handwriting who the donor is2 and it is 
remarkable that he had not given or sent
 the money to me1 as he not only knew ,i
 was not in ,bristol at the time1 but   
that ,i was in the neighbourhood where  
he lives4 ,but this was not only of the 
,lords ordering1 but it was a direct    
answer to prayer2 for knowing the need  
at the ,orphan-,houses1 ,i had been     
especially led to ask the ,lord not to  
allow the money to be first sent to me  
in letters or parcels1 but to cause it  
to be directly sent to brother ,b4 ,how 
truly precious it is that every one1 who
 rests alone upon the ,lord ,jesus for  
salvation1 has in the living ,god a     
father1 to whom he may fully unbosom    
himself concerning the most minute      
affairs of his life1 and concerning     
every thing that lies upon his heart6   

,dear reader1 do you know the living    
,god8 ,is ,he1 in ,jesus1 your ,father8 
,be assured that ,christianity is       
something more than forms and creeds1   
and ceremonies3 there is life1 and      
power1 and reality1 in our holy faith4  
,if you never yet have known this1 then 
come and taste for yourself4 ,i beseech 
you affectionately to meditate and pray 
over the following verses3 ,john iii4   
#af1 ,rom4 x4 #i1 #aj1 ,acts x4 #dc1 ,i 
,john v4 #a4  ,may #b4 ,a sister who    
lives near ,lutterworth sent me         
yesterday #el41 which was given for the 
,orphans by a friend of hers4 ,this #el4
 supplies our need today1 it being      
,saturday1 for there was only #al4 in   
hand when this money came4  ,from ,march
 #bjth1 to ,may #gth1 ,i spent at       
,nailsworth1 where ,i prepared the      
second part of my ,narrative for the    
press1 and laboured in the ,word4 ,these
 seven weeks were on the whole1 by the  
help of ,god1 profitably spent in the   
service of the ,lord1 and to the benefit

 of my own soul4 ,there was much love   
shown to me and my family by the dear   
saints among whom ,i was labouring1 and 
,i know that my service among them has  
not been in vain4  ,today1 ,may #g1 ,i  
returned with my family to ,bristol4    
,while ,i was staying at ,nailsworth1 it
 pleased the ,lord to teach me a truth1 
irrespective of human instrumentality1  
as far as ,i know1 the benefit of which 
,i have not lost1 though now1 while     
preparing the eighth edition for the    
press1 more than forty years have since 
passed away4 ,the point is this2 ,i saw 
more clearly than ever1 that the first  
great and primary business to which ,i  
ought to attend every day was1 to have  
my soul happy in the ,lord4 ,the first  
thing to be concerned about was not1 how
 much ,i might serve the ,lord1 how ,i  
might glorify the ,lord2 but how ,i     
might get my soul into a happy state1   
and how my inner man might be nourished4
 ,for ,i might seek to set the truth    
before the unconverted1 ,i might seek to

 benefit believers1 ,i might seek to    
relieve the distressed1 ,i might in     
other ways seek to behave myself as it  
becomes a child of ,god in this world2  
and yet1 not being happy in the ,lord1  
and not being nourished and strengthened
 in my inner man day by day1 all this   
might not be attended to in a right     
spirit4 ,before this time my practice   
had been1 at least for ten years        
previously1 as an habitual thing1 to    
give myself to prayer1 after having     
dressed myself in the morning4 ,now ,i  
saw1 that the most important thing ,i   
had to do was1 to give myself to the    
reading of the word of ,god and to      
meditation on it1 that thus my heart    
might be comforted1 encouraged1 warned1 
reproved1 instructed2 and that thus1 by 
means of the word of ,god1 whilst       
meditating on it1 my heart might be     
brought into experimental communion with
 the ,lord4 ,i began therefore to       
meditate on the ,new ,testament from the
 beginning early in the morning4 ,the   

first thing ,i did1 after having asked  
in a few words the ,lords blessing upon 
,his precious word1 was1 to begin to    
meditate on the word of ,god1 searching1
 as it were1 into every verse1 to get   
blessing out of it2 not for the sake of 
the public ministry of the ,word2 not   
for the sake of preaching on what ,i had
 meditated upon2 but for the sake of    
obtaining food for my own soul4 ,the    
result ,i have found to be almost       
invariably this1 that after a very few  
minutes my soul has been led to         
confession1 or to thanksgiving1 or to   
intercession1 or to supplication2 so    
that1 though ,i did not1 as it were1    
give myself to prayer1 but to           
meditation1 yet it turned almost        
immediately more or less into prayer4   
,when thus ,i have been for awhile      
making confession1 or intercession1 or  
supplication1 or have given thanks1 ,i  
go on to the next words or verse1       
turning all1 as ,i go on1 into prayer   
for myself or others1 as the ,word may  

lead to it2 but still continually       
keeping before me1 that food for my own 
soul is the object of my meditation4    
,the result of this is1 that there is   
always a good deal of confession1       
thanksgiving1 supplication1 or          
intercession mingled with my meditation1
 and that my inner man almost invariably
 is even sensibly nourished and         
strengthened1 and that by breakfast     
time1 with rare exceptions1 ,i am in a  
peaceful if not happy state of heart4   
,thus also the ,lord is pleased to      
communicate unto me that1 which either  
very soon after1 or at a later time1 ,i 
have found to become food for other     
believers1 though it was not for the    
sake of the public ministry of the ,word
 that ,i gave myself to meditation1 but 
for the profit of my own inner man4     
,with this mode ,i have likewise        
combined the being out in the open air  
for an hour1 an hour and a half1 or two 
hours before breakfast1 walking about in
 the fields1 and in the summer sitting  

for a little on the stiles1 if ,i find  
it too much to walk all the time4#g ,i  
find it very beneficial to my health to 
walk thus for meditation before         
breakfast1 and am now so in the habit of
 using the time for that purpose1 that  
when ,i get into the open air1 ,i       
generally take out a new ,testament of  
good sized type1 which ,i carry with me 
for that purpose1 besides my ,bible3 and
 ,i find that ,i can profitably spend my
 time in the open air2 which formerly   
was not the case1 for want of habit ,i  
used to consider the time spent in      
walking a loss1 but now ,i find it very 
profitable1 not only to my body1 but    
also to my soul4 ,the walking out before
 breakfast is of course not necessarily 
connected with this matter1 and every   
one has to judge according to his       
strength and other circumstances4--,the 
difference then between my former       
practice and my present one is this4    
,formerly1 when ,i rose1 ,i began to    
pray as soon as possible1 and generally 

spent all my time till breakfast in     
prayer1 or almost all the time4 ,at all 
events ,i almost invariably began with  
prayer1 except when ,i felt my soul to  
be more than usually barren1 in which   
case ,i read the word of ,god for food1 
or for refreshment1 or for a revival and
 renewal of my inner man1 before ,i gave
 myself to prayer4 ,but what was the    
result8 ,i often spent a quarter of an  
hour1 or half an hour1 or even an hour  
on my knees1 before being conscious to  
myself of having derived comfort1       
encouragement1 humbling of soul1 c42 and
 often1 after having suffered much from 
wandering of mind for the first ten     
minutes1 or a quarter of an hour1 or    
even half an hour1 ,i only then began   
realty to pray4 ,i scarcely ever suffer 
now in this way4 ,for my heart being    
nourished by the truth1 being brought   
into experimental fellowship with ,god1 
,i speak to my ,father1 and to my       
,friend 7vile though ,i am1 and unworthy
 of it67 about the things that ,he has  

brought before me in ,his precious word4
 ,it often now astonishes me that ,i did
 not sooner see this point4 ,in no book 
did ,i ever read about it4 ,no public   
ministry ever brought the matter before 
me4 ,no private intercourse with a      
brother stirred me up to this matter4   
,and yet now1 since ,god has taught me  
this point1 it is as plain to me as any 
thing1 that the first thing the child of
 ,god has to do morning by morning is1  
to obtain food for his inner man4 ,as   
the outward man is not fit for work for 
any length of time1 except we take food2
 and as this is one of the first things 
we do in the morning2 so it should be   
with the inner man4 ,we should take food
 for that1 as every one must allow4 ,now
 what is the food for the inner man8    
,not prayer1 but the word of ,god2 and  
here again not the simple reading of the
 word of ,god1 so that it only passes   
through our minds1 just as water runs   
through a pipe1 but considering what we 
read1 pondering over it1 and applying it

 to our hearts4 ,when we pray1 we speak 
to ,god4 ,now1 prayer1 in order to be   
continued for any length of time in any 
other than a formal manner1 requires1   
generally speaking1 a measure of        
strength or godly desire1 and the       
season1 therefore1 when this exercise of
 the soul can be most effectually       
performed1 is1 after the inner man has  
been nourished by meditation on the word
 of ,god1 where we find our ,father     
speaking to us1 to encourage us1 to     
comfort us1 to instruct us1 to humble   
us1 to reprove us4 ,we may therefore    
profitably meditate1 with ,gods         
blessing1 though we are ever so weak    
spiritually2 nay1 the weaker we are1 the
 more we need meditation for the        
strengthening of our inner man4 ,there  
is thus far less to be feared from      
wandering of mind1 than if we give      
ourselves to prayer without having had  
previously time for meditation4--,i     
dwell so particularly on this point     
because of the immense spiritual profit 

and refreshment ,i am conscious of      
having derived from it myself1 and ,i   
affectionately and solemnly beseech all 
my fellow-believers to ponder this      
matter4 ,by the blessing of ,god ,i     
ascribe to this mode the help and       
strength which ,i have had from ,god to 
pass in peace through deeper trials in  
various ways1 than ,i had ever had      
before2 and after having now above forty
 years tried this way1 ,i can most      
fully1 in the fear of ,god1 commend it4 
,in addition to this1 ,i generally read 
after family prayer larger portions of  
the word of ,god1 when ,i still pursue  
my practice of reading regularly onward 
in the ,holy ,scriptures1 sometimes in  
the ,new ,testament and sometimes in the
 ,old1 and for more than fifty-two years
 ,i have proved the blessedness of it4  
,i take also either then or at other    
parts of the day1 time more especially  
for prayer4  ,how different1 when the   
soul is refreshed and made happy early  
in the morning1 from what it is when1   

without spiritual preparation1 the      
service1 the trials1 arid the           
temptations of the day come upon one6   
,may #bi4 ,today ,i received from the   
,east ,indies #ajjl4--,notice here1 that
 without any solicitation1 simply in    
answer to prayer1 the ,lord is pleased  
to send us from time to time even large 
sums1 and that from such a distance as  
the ,east ,indies4  ,june #d4 ,two or   
three weeks since1 a brother at a       
distance requested me to let him know   
the names of my bankers1 and the names  
of their agents in ,london1 in order    
that he might by means of his bankers   
send me some money4 ,one day after      
another passed away1 and ,i heard no    
more about it4 ,today ,i received the   
following letter   ,my dear ,brother1   
,i have delayed writing to you under the
 expectation of seeing you at ,bristol2 
but ,i am not yet suffered to leave     
999999994 ,i have1 by this post1 written
 to 9999999999 of ,london1 desiring them
 to pay over to ,messrs4 ,robarts1      

,curtis  ,co41 in favour of ,messrs4    
,stuckey  ,co4 of ,bristol1 to the      
credit of ,george ,mller1 the sum of    
fifty pounds4 ,this apply1 dear brother1
 as the ,lord gives you wisdom4 ,i am   
not concerned at my having been         
prevented for so many days from sending 
this money3 ,i am confident it has not  
been needed4    ,this last sentence is  
remarkable4 ,it is now nearly three     
years since our funds were for the first
 time exhausted1 and only at this       
period1 since then1 could it have been  
said in truth1 as far as ,i remember1   
that a donation of #ejl4 was not needed4
 ,from the beginning of ,july1 #ahch1   
till now1 there never had been a period 
when we so abounded as when this        
donation of #ejl4 came2 for there was   
then in the ,orphan-,fund and the other 
funds between two and three hundred     
pounds4 ,the words of this brother are  
so much the more remarkable1 as1 on four
 former occasions1 when he likewise gave
 considerable donations1 we were always 

in need1 yea1 great need1 which he      
afterwards knew from the printed        
accounts4  ,on the same day came in     
still further from ,hackney #ajl41      
besides several small donations4  ,july 
#g1 #ahda4 ,for some time past brother  
,craik and ,i have questioned whether1  
under our present circumstances1 the    
mode of receiving the free-will         
offerings of the saints among whom we   
labour1 by means of boxes over which our
 names were fixed1 together with the    
explanation of the object of the boxes1 
was any longer the more excellent way4  
,we have at last been quite decided     
about it1 and put today the following   
short statement into the press4    ,to  
the ,saints in ,christ ,jesus assembling
 at ,bethesda ,chapel1 ,bristol4        
,dear ,brethren1  ,it has seemed well to
 us to remove1 from the chapel1 the     
boxes appropriated for the reception of 
the free-will offerings towards our     
temporal support4 ,in order to prevent  
misapprehension or misrepresentation1 we

 desire affectionately to lay before you
 the following statement of our reasons 
for taking this step4  ,upon our first  
coming to ,bristol we declined accepting
 anything in the shape of regular       
salary1 or by means of seat-rents1 from 
the brethren among whom we were         
labouring4 ,we did not act thus because 
we thought it wrong that those who were 
ministered unto in spiritual things     
should minister unto us in temporal     
things2 but #a4 because we would not    
have the liberality of the brethren to  
be a matter of constraint1 but          
willingly2 #b4 because on the ground of 
,james ii4 #a-f1 we objected to         
seat-rents4 ,boxes were put up for the  
sake of those into whose hearts ,god    
might put it to desire to act according 
to that word1 ,let him that is taught in
 the ,word communicate unto him that    
teacheth in all good things4 ,gal4 vi4  
#f4  ,when the boxes were first put up1 
we were the only brethren that seemed   
called to labour in the ,word and       

doctrine4 ,since then1 however1         
circumstances have considerably altered2
 and1 partly from the change in         
circumstances1 and1 partly from         
increased light in reference to the     
position of those who minister the      
,word1 we have for some time past felt  
that it might be well1 for certain      
reasons1 that the present mode of       
receiving the offerings of the saints   
should be discontinued4 ,at the same    
time we are very desirous of having it  
clearly understood1 that1 in the great  
principles which led to the adoption of 
the boxes1 in the first instance1 we are
 unchanged3 or rather we are more       
strengthened1 by the experience of more 
than ten years1 in the propriety of     
rejecting seat-rents and fixed salaries4
  #a4 ,as long as the boxes are there1  
it ought to be understood for what      
purpose the money1 which is put into    
them1 is applied4 ,this necessity       
requires that our names should be given1
 as those who labour in the ,word and   

doctrine4 ,this again has the appearance
 of elevating ourselves above all the   
other brethren1 and of assuming office  
to ourselves1 instead of just seeking to
 fill the place which the ,holy ,ghost  
may have given us in the body4  #b4 ,it 
may please the ,lord increasingly to    
call and qualify other brethren for the 
work of ruling and teaching in the      
church2 but still1 as long as we are    
looked upon as we have been hitherto1 in
 consequence of our names being affixed 
to the boxes1 unnecessary difficulties  
may probably be put in the way of any   
others being fully recognised by the    
saints generally as occupying1 equally  
with ourselves1 the place in which the  
,lord may set them4  #c4 ,the question  
may be asked even now1 ,are these the   
only labourers8 and the reply would be  
that there are others who also labour1  
but who are not supported in the same   
way4 ,this fact is fitted to give the   
impression to those who do not know us1 
that we were seeking to keep our place  

in the church by some outward title1    
rather than just filling it up in       
obedience to the ,lord1 and quietly     
leaving it with ,his ,spirit to produce 
subjection unto us on the part of the   
saints4  #d4 ,lastly1 from the manner in
 which our names appear in public1 we   
have reason to believe that some of the 
saints look upon us as exclusively the  
ministers1 and thus that some may have  
felt themselves neglected because not   
visited personally by us4 ,the notion   
that two individuals should be able to  
exercise pastoral inspection over about 
five hundred and fifty believers1 we    
consider to be very unsound2 but for    
ourselves we feel that it is a          
responsibility which we dare not take4  
,according to our gift and strength we  
desire to rule1 teach1 and feed the     
sheep of ,christ2 but we dare not       
undertake the personal inspection of all
 who are already gathered1 or may be    
gathered1 simply as believers in the    
,lord ,jesus1 in this city4  ,thus we   

have endeavoured very briefly to state  
our reasons for declining any longer to 
receive your offerings through boxes    
publicly put up1 and having our names   
appended to them4 ,we desire grace to   
serve you more faithfully than ever1 and
 cast ourselves1 as we have done        
hitherto1 upon ,him who hath said1 ,if  
any man serve me him will my ,father    
honour4  ,,henry ,,craik1 ,,george      
,m,,llermller  ,bristol1 ,july #g1      
#ahda4 4    ,when this alteration was   
made1 ,i had another proof of the many  
blessings which are connected with the  
life of faith4 ,under other             
circumstances the question would have   
naturally arisen in my mind1 ,and what  
will you do for support1 if the boxes   
are removed8 ,how will the offerings    
come in8 ,will any come in8 ,but none of
 these things troubled me even for a    
moment4 ,i said to myself1 somehow or   
other the ,lord will provide for me4 ,if
 not through the instrumentality of the 
saints in ,bristol1 ,he will send help  

by means of those who live elsewhere4   
,all ,i have to do in this matter is1 to
 serve the ,lord and to trust in ,him1  
and ,he will surely take care of my     
temporal necessities4 ,and thus it has  
been since ,july #ahda also1 even as    
before4 ,the reader may desire to know1 
how the ,lord has since that time       
provided for my temporal necessities1   
seeing that the boxes1 which were put up
 in the two chapels for the reception of
 the free-will offerings1 were removed4 
,i therefore state it4 #a1 ,i have      
received1 as at former times1 some      
presents in provisions1 clothes1 etc41  
from the saints among whom ,i labour and
 from other saints4 #b1 ,some of the    
brethren and sisters among whom ,i      
labour have either habitually or from   
time to time put up some money in paper1
 and directed it to brother ,craik or to
 me1 or to both of us1 and have put     
these little money parcels into one of  
the boxes for the reception of the      
offerings of the poor saints1 or into   

the boxes into which the free-will      
contributions for the rent and expenses 
of the chapels are put4 ,these little   
packets have been handed over to us by  
the deacons1 and as they were directed  
so they have been appropriated1 ,those  
which are directed to brother ,craik    
only1 are handed over to brother ,craik2
 those which are directed to me only1 ,i
 appropriate for myself2 and those which
 are directed to both of us1 the        
contents are divided between us4 #c1 ,in
 a few cases1 brethren and sisters in   
communion with us have also given me    
presents in money4 #d1 ,the ,lord has   
also continued to incline the hearts of 
some of ,his children1 not living in    
,bristol1 to send me presents in money1 
and again and again even those whom ,i  
have never seen1 and whose names1       
sometimes1 ,i do not even know4  ,the   
only thing that was a real difficulty in
 my mind in making this alteration was1 
not that ,i should be a loser1 and much 
less that the ,lord would not care for  

my temporal necessities2 but lest some  
of the children of ,god should find1 in 
the removal of the boxes for the        
reception of the offerings for brother  
,craik and me1 an excuse for doing      
nothing at all for our temporal         
necessities2 and lest especially the    
poor1 because they might have only pence
 or halfpence to give1 should be        
deterred from doing so1 and thereby both
 classes should rob themselves of       
blessing4 ,it was not1 because ,i feared
 to lose the gifts of some2 for1 ,i can1
 by the grace of ,god1 say in some      
measure at least with the apostle ,paul1
 ,not because ,i desire a gift3 but ,i  
desire fruit that may abound to your    
account4 ,philip iv4 #ag4 ,my aim also  
is1 by the help of ,god1 to be brought  
into that state of heart in which the   
apostle ,paul was when he said1 ,i will 
very gladly spend and be spent for you2 
though the more abundantly ,i love you  
the less ,i be loved4 #b ,cor4 xii4 #ae4
 ,but yet with this desire on my part1  

,i knew that the dear children of ,god  
among whom ,i labour would rob          
themselves and not me of a blessing1 if 
they did not contribute towards my      
temporal necessities and ,i feared1 lest
 this alteration should be used by      
,satan as an instrument to their injury4
  ,but the mind of ,god seemed to us1   
after all1 on account of the reasons    
before stated1 that the alteration ought
 to be made1 notwithstanding any        
possible evils which might result from  
it4  ,we are thus in such a position1   
that there is free room for the ,holy   
,ghost to commend all the various       
labourers among us1 according to the    
measure of grace and gift given to them1
 to the consciences of the brethren1 not
 only with reference to their spiritual 
position in the body1 butt also with    
reference to their temporal need4  ,aug4
 #g4 ,today we had one sixpence left for
 our own personal necessities4 ,we      
needed some money to buy eggs and cocoa 
for a brother who is come to stay with  

us1 when this brother gave me four      
shillings1 which he had brought for me  
from the place whence he comes4 ,thus we
 are helped for the present4  ,aug4 #bf4
 ,after a season of comparative poverty 
with reference to myself1 though always 
having what was really needful in the   
way of nourishing food1 etc41 a brother 
sent me today #agl4 #ahs4 from a        
considerable distance1 of which half is 
for the ,orphans1 and half for my own   
temporal necessities4  ,sept4 #b4       
,during the last four months we have had
 more in hand for the ,orphans than we  
needed4 ,since ,july #ahch1 when for the
 first time the funds were exhausted1 we
 have had at no period so much money in 
hand4 ,there was as it were1 during     
these four months1 one continual even   
running of the river of ,gods bounty1   
both by presents in money and articles4 
,of the donations which were received   
during this period1 ,i mention only the 
following3--,on ,may #abth ,i received  
from ,florence1 in ,italy1 the following

 donations3--#c silver pins and #d      
dollars2 #c dollars and a sixpence2 #b  
,pauls 7,italian coins72 #el42 #c       
pincushions1 #f penwipers1 and a little 
shawl ,how abundantly do these donations
 from ,florence prove how easily the    
,lord is able to provide us with means  
for ,his work1 even from the most       
unexpected quarters6--,as we had now for
 several months abounded in a greater   
degree than at any previous time of the 
same length during the past three years 
and three months1 so it pleased the     
,lord after this period to try our faith
 more severely than during any time     
since the work first commenced4 ,indeed1
 so sharp were the trials of our faith  
for more than six months after this2--so
 long the seasons when1 day after day1  
only daily supplies were granted to us1 
and when even from meal to meal we had  
to look to the ,lord2--so long had we to
 continue in prayer1 and yet help seemed
 to fail2--that it can be only ascribed 
to the especial mercy of ,god1 that the 

faith of those who were engaged in this 
work did not altogether fail1 and that  
they did not entirely grow weary of this
 way of carrying on the ,lords work1 and
 go1 in despair of help from ,god1 back 
again to the habits and maxims of this  
evil world4 ,how my fellow-labourers    
have felt during all this time1 ,i am1  
of course1 unable to state2 but1 if ,i  
may speak of myself1 ,i joyfully state1 
to the praise of the ,lord1 that during 
all the following months my faith was   
sustained without wavering1 but still so
 greatly was it tried1 that often ,i had
 no other petition1 but that the ,lord  
would be pleased to continue it1 and    
that ,he would pity me as a father      
pitieth his children4 ,in the midst of  
the trial ,i was fully assured that the 
,lord would lighten ,his hand in ,his   
own good time1 and that1 whilst it      
lasted1 it was only in order that in a  
small measure1 for the benefit of the   
church of ,christ generally1 that word  
might be fulfilled in us--,whether we be

 afflicted it is for your consolation4  
,i now give an account of the           
commencement and progress of our trial  
of faith during the months which        
succeeded the time of abundance4  ,sept4
 #c4 ,the money in hand had come to #cl4
 #es4 ,i therefore asked the ,lord this 
morning for fresh supplies1 and very    
soon after came a post-office order from
 ,glasgow for #cl4  ,sept4 #g4 #el4 #is4
 more had come in since ,september #crd1
 but this morning the last money had    
been given out4 ,after the great        
abundance during the last months1 now   
not a farthing was left4 ,i gave myself 
therefore to prayer1 and in the         
afternoon ,i received a post-office     
order from a brother at ,plymouth for   
#cl4 ,in the evening was left at my     
house a bonnet box from ,g4 ,t4 ,i41    
which contained #es41 #d shirts and #d  
handkerchiefs4  ,sept4 #h4 ,today came  
in #ds4 from the neighbourhood of       
,wolverhampton1 #bs4 #f;d4 from ,bath1  
and #al4 was given by a brother1 who had

 just arrived from ,ceylon4  ,sept4 #i4 
,this morning #el4 was sent by a        
brother1 a student in the ,university of
 ,cambridge1 who had read my ,narrative2
 also #acs4 #f;d4 came in besides4      
,sept4 #ah4 ,from the #ith to this day  
we were comfortably supplied with what  
we needed4 ,today1 when #cl4 was needed1
 and there was only #al4 #is4 #b;d4 in  
hand1 #abl4 came in from the            
neighbourhood of ,wolverhampton1 and    
#cs4 by knitting4  ,sept4 #be4          
,saturday4 ,since the #ahth was         
received1 by donations and sale of      
articles1 #el4 #ais4 #h;d41 which       
enabled us1 together with the #abl4 #cs4
 which came in on the #ahth1 to meet all
 the expenses4 ,but when ,i had sent off
 yesterday what was needed to meet the  
days need1 nothing at all was left in   
hand for this day1 whilst ,i knew that  
above #cl4 would be required4 ,the      
,lord1 therefore1 in ,his faithful love 
sent in yesterday afternoon #aas4 #j    
#a_/b;d42 this morning #el4 from        

,plymouth2 and #al4 #as4 with several   
articles of clothing for the ,orphans   
from ,clapham4 ,thus we had about twice 
as much as was required for this day4   
,sept4 #bf4 #bl4 #aas4 came in today4   
,sept4 #bh4 ,as #bl4 was needed for the 
supplies of this day1 and only #al4     
l#cs4 #j #a_/b;d4 was in hand1 the boxes
 in the ,orphan-,houses were opened1 in 
which was found #ajs4 #b;d4  ,sept4 #bi1
 ,when there was again only #cs4 #b     
#a_/b;d4 in hand towards the need of    
today1 a brother1 a commercial          
traveller1 having returned last night to
 ,bristol1 brought me two sovereigns1   
which had been given him for the        
,orphans by a lady at ,marlborough1 who 
had read one of the ,reports4 ,there    
came in still further today #bl4 #hs4   
#f;d4  ,oct4 #a4 ,when ,i had again not 
one penny in hand for the necessities of
 this day1 there was brought to me this 
morning #ajs4 for the ,orphans1 which   
had been sent from ,kensington4 ,in the 
paper1 which contained the money1 was   

written3 ,your ,heavenly ,father knoweth
 that ye have need of these things4     
,trust in the ,lord4 ,this word of our  
,lord is to me of more value than many  
bank notes4 ,about five minutes later ,i
 received from an ,irish sister #ajl41  
through her banker in ,london4 ,at the  
same time ,i received information from  
,tetbury that three boxes1 containing   
articles to be disposed of for the      
benefit of the ,orphans1 were on the    
way1 and two hours after1 #ad small     
donations were given to me1 amounting to
 #al4 #gs4 #d;d4--,i mention here1 as a 
point particularly to be noticed1 that  
after the season of comparative         
abundance had come to an end in         
,september1 the ,lord did not at once   
allow us to be so sharply tried as we   
were afterwards4 ,he dealt in the same  
gentle way with us three years before1  
when the trials of faith in this part of
 the work first commenced4  ,oct4 #f4   
,as only #dl4 more had been received for
 the ,orphans since ,oct4 #a2 the last  

money had now again been given out to   
supply this days necessities1 when #bl4 
#aes4 came in1 being the produce of some
 of the articles which had been sent    
from ,tetbury4 ,this evening ,i also    
received from a brother a sovereign1    
which his believing wife1 on her dying  
bed1 had requested him to give after her
 decease4 ,there came in likewise this  
evening by a donation #ajs41 and by sale
 of articles #bl4 #ajs4 #e;d4  ,during  
the last five months we have had        
comparatively an abundance of means for 
the other objects of the ,scriptural    
,knowledge ,institution also2 but now we
 are again very poor4 ,just now1 in this
 our great need1 a brother1 who has     
learned to esteem the ,holy ,scriptures 
above every other book1 sent me a box of
 books1 the produce of which supplies   
our present need for the ,day ,schools4 
,oct4 #i4 ,no more than #al4 #bs4 #aa;d1
 having been received for the ,orphans  
since the #fth1 there was only #bl4 #cs4
 #i;d4 in hand1 whilst #dl4 was needed1 

it being ,saturday4 ,in the course of   
the morning #bl4 came in for stockings1 
from a sister who resides five or six   
miles from ,bristol2 and in the         
afternoon another sister sent #as41 and 
a third brought #el4 ,the latter had it 
particularly laid on her heart not to   
delay till tomorrow the giving of this  
money1 as it might be needed today4     
,thus the ,lord has not only given us   
enough for today1 but also a little to  
begin the next week with4  ,oct4 #aj4   
,today we received still further #el4   
#is4 #aa;d4 for the ,orphans4  ,oct4    
#aa4 ,when today again money was needed 
for the ,day ,schools1 there arrived    
from ,marlborough a box of books1       
containing #aaj volumes and several     
pamphlets4 ,the produce of the books1   
together with #al4 #is4 #d;d41 which    
came in at the same time1 supplied again
 our present necessities4  ,oct4 #af4   
,more than #ajl4 had come in since the  
#ajth for the ,orphans2 but today there 
was again only #ajs4 #aa #a_/b;d4 in    

hand1 whilst about #cl4 was required4   
,the boxes at the ,orphan-,houses were  
therefore opened1 which contained #al4  
#as4 ,in the course of the day also #es4
 #e;d4 was paid for stockings4 ,about   
seven oclock this evening sister ,e4 ,c4
 brought several small donations1       
amounting to #al4 #ags4 #d;d41 for the  
,orphans1 and #is4 #h;d4 for the other  
funds4 ,thus we had even for this day   
#cl4 #ads4 #d #a_/d;d4  ,oct4 #ba4 ,as  
only between #il4 and #ajl4 had come in 
since the #afth for the ,orphans1 we    
were this day again1 as is often the    
case1 without anything in hand1 when    
#abs4 #b;d4 was sent from ,exmouth1 and 
#hs4 #h;d4 came in by sale of stockings4
 ,there arrived also a box and a basket 
from ,ilfracombe1 the contents of which 
are to be sold for the benefit of the   
,orphans4 ,moreover #aes4 #f;d4 was     
taken out of the boxes in the           
,orphan-,houses4  ,oct4 #bb4 ,by the    
money which was yesterday taken out of  
the boxes1 and by #al4 #cs4 which came  

in by disposing of some of the articles 
sent from ,ilfracombe1 we were          
comfortably supplied today4  ,oct4 #bc4 
,we had only #es4 #f;d41 which ,i found 
in the box in my house1 #hs4 #i;d4 for  
stockings1 and #is4 which came in       
morning1 besides a few shillings in the 
hands of the matrons1 to help us through
 the day4  ,oct4 #bd4 ,today1 when we   
had not enough to pay the salaries of   
the teachers in the ,day ,schools1 ,i   
received #el4 from a sister at ,topsham1
 which supplied our need4  ,oct4 #be4   
,yesterday and today was given #bl4     
#ags4 for the ,orphans4  ,oct4 #bf4     
,this afternoon ,i had only one penny   
left1 when two ,orphans arrived from    
,bath1 with whom #el4 #aes4 #f;d4 was   
brought4 ,at the very moment1 while ,i  
was receiving this money1 ,i was called 
on for money from the                   
,girls-,orphan-,house1 which ,i was thus
 able to send4 ,it has often been so    
ordered by the ,lord1 that1 whilst we   
require nothing at all to be paid at the

 admission of the children1 nevertheless
 that which has been brought with them  
has been the means of supplying the     
need1 in which we were at the time when 
they were sent4 ,there came in still    
further today #al4  ,oct4 #bi4 ,today we
 were again very poor2 for not only had 
,i nothing at all in hand1 but the      
provision stores were much reduced4     
,about twelve oclock a sister gave me   
#cs4 #b;d41 also from a distance was    
sent #i;d4 ,in the afternoon we were    
able to dispose of some articles for    
#cl41 which had been sent a long time   
ago4 ,three shillings came in for       
needlework1 and #bs4 #f;d4 as a         
donation4 ,thus we had #cl4 #is4        
#e;d4--,the day before yesterday ,i had 
asked the ,lord that ,he would be       
pleased to send us some potatoes1 as we 
have no means to lay in a stock4 ,this  
morning ,i was informed that the same   
brother who had sent #bj sacks last     
year1 had again ordered #bj sacks to be 
sent1 and #f sacks have also been given 

by another individual4  ,oct4 #cj4 ,as  
this is ,saturday1 the money which came 
in yesterday was not quite enough for   
today4 ,but this mornings post brought1 
in answer to prayer1 from ,clapham #ajs4
 and anonymously from ,plymouth #ajs4   
,nov4 #a4 ,yesterday was received       
altogether #bl4 #ajs4 #c;d4  ,nov4 #b4  
,at a time of the greatest poverty #al4 
was sent by a lady from ,birmingham4    
,about half an hour afterwards ,i       
received #ajl4 from a brother who had   
saved up #aejl4 and put it into a       
savings bank1 but who now sees that1 to 
devote this money to the promotion of   
the work of ,god tends more to the glory
 of the name of ,jesus1 than to retain  
it in a savings bank upon interest for a
 time of sickness or old age2 for he is 
assured that should such times come1 the
 same ,lord1 who has hitherto cared for 
him whilst in health and strength1 and  
able to work1 will also care for him    
then4 ,the same brother gave me #cl4 a  
fortnight since4 ,this #ajl4 came in    

very seasonably2 for though we had been 
able to provide for the absolute        
necessities of today1 yet there was want
 in many respects1 especially as a boy  
is just going out as an apprentice1 who 
needs tools and an outfit4  ,nov4 #c4   
,this afternoon two little boys were    
received1 with whom three little girls  
sent #acs4 #f;d4  ,nov4 #d and #e4 #bl4 
#es4 ld4 more was given4  ,nov4 #g4     
,when there was now again nothing at all
 in hand1 there came in #bl41 being the 
profit of the sale of ladies baskets2   
and also #cl4 #as4 #aj;d4  ,nov4 #h-aa4 
#dl4 #is4 #d;d4 was received during     
these four days4  ,nov4 #ab4 ,this      
morning after the exposition of the     
,scriptures to the children1 #ajs4 was  
given to me1 at a time when there was   
not only nothing at all in hand1 but    
when without some help we should not    
have had every thing that was really    
needed for today4  ,nov4 #ac4 ,saturday4
 ,this morning ,i took #as4 out of the  
box in my house4 ,this one shilling was 

all there was towards the need of       
today4--,pause1 dear reader1 for a few  
moments6 ,consider that there are more  
than a hundred persons to be provided   
with every thing they require2 consider 
that there is no money in hand2 and     
consider also that this is the case not 
once nor twice in the course of the year
 but very frequently4 ,is it not        
precious1 under such circumstances1 to  
have the living ,god as a father to go  
to1 who is ever able and ever willing to
 help as it may be really needed8 ,and  
to this privilege every one has a title 
who believes in the ,lord ,jesus1 being 
as such a child of ,god4 ,galatians iii4
 #bf4 ,for though all believers in the  
,lord ,jesus are not called upon to     
establish ,orphan-,houses1 ,schools for 
poor children1 etc41 and trust in ,god  
for means2 yet all believers1 according 
to the will of ,god concerning them in  
,christ ,jesus1 may cast1 and ought to  
cast1 all their care upon ,him who      
careth for them1 and need not be        

anxiously concerned about any thing1 as 
is plainly to be seen from #a ,peter v4 
#g1 ,philippians iv4 #f1 ,matthew vi4   
#be-cd4 ,under these circumstances of   
need1 a silver watch1 which only        
yesterday afternoon had become the      
property of the ,orphan-,fund1 was      
disposed of1 whereby we were helped     
through the expenses of today4 ,the     
coals are almost gone in each of the    
houses4 ,every article of provision1    
etc41 is likewise much reduced4 ,truly1 
we are exceedingly poor2 nevertheless   
there are the necessary provisions till 
,monday morning1 and thus we were       
brought to the close of another week4   
,this afternoon all the labourers met   
for prayer4  ,nov4 #ad4 ,when we met    
again this afternoon for prayer1 we had 
reason to praise1 for the ,lord had sent
 in means4 ,this morning was given to me
 #el41 and #fs4 had come in by sale of  
articles4 ,there came also by post a    
small parcel from ,wales1 containing a  
few little articles1 which are not to be

 mentioned1 and #bs4 #f;d4  ,nov4 #ae4  
,last ,friday brother ,craik and ,i had 
a meeting for inquirers and candidates  
for fellowship4 ,we saw eight and had to
 send away ten whom we could not see1   
our strength being quite gone after we  
had seen the eight1 one after another4  
,this evening we saw seven and had to   
send away three4  ,nov4 #af4 ,the last  
four days we have daily met for prayer1 
there being no means to pay the teachers
 in the ,day ,schools4 ,besides this1 we
 need a stove in one of the school      
rooms2 also some ,bibles and ,tracts4   
,today ,i received #bl4 from a brother  
at ,exmouth4  ,as only #bs4 had been    
given yesterday for the ,orphans1 there 
was this morning again only #ds4 #f;d41 
in hand1 which between ten and eleven   
oclock ,i was on the point of sending to
 the ,orphan-,houses1 having been called
 on for money4 ,while ,i was writing the
 note to that effect1 ,i received a     
post-office order for #cl4 from a       
brother at ,barnstaple1 which was again 

a most precious deliverance1 as our     
stores had been in every way so much    
reduced4 ,about two hours later ,i      
received #dl4 more from a brother at    
,exmouth1 the half of which was for the 
,orphans1 and the other half for the    
other objects4 ,through the same brother
 also was sent with ,luke xxii4 #cb4    
#al4 for the ,orphans4 ,there came in   
still further today #bl4 for stockings1 
which were bought by two ladies who     
visited the ,orphan-,houses4 ,they also 
gave #cs4 #i;d4 ,also an individual who 
had removed at four different times the 
furniture of the ,orphan-,houses to and 
from ,westbury1 where the children had  
been1 in turn1 from ,aug4 #aj to ,nov4  
#ab1 while the houses were coloured down
 and painted inside1 charged only #al4  
#as4 #aj #a_/b;d41 instead of #dl4 #bs4 
#aj #a_/b;d41 which would have been the 
regular charge1 and stated that he had  
long wished to do something for the     
,orphans1 and that he should not have   
charged even this #al4 #as4 #aj #a_/b;d4

 had he not had to lay it out in money4 
,thus the ,lord in various ways helps   
us1 and all without our asking any human
 being1 but only in simplicity telling  
,him day by day our need4  ,nov4 #ah4   
,to day we had again a meeting with     
inquirers1 and saw seven4  ,nov4 #ba4   
,only #al4 #aas4 #d;d4 came in since the
 #afth for the ,orphans1 on account of  
which there was today again no money at 
all in hand1 and the stores were very   
much exhausted4 ,how kind1 therefore1 of
 the ,lord to send in again at this time
 #bl4 #ajs4  ,nov4 #bc4 ,yesterday came 
in #es4 for stockings1 which provided   
today the means for the breakfast in the
 ,boys-,orphan-,house4 ,a sister sent   
also a gammon and some peas4 ,now we are
 very poor indeed4 ,one of the labourers
 was able to provide a dinner in the    
,girls-,orphan-,house out of his own    
means4 ,in this our great need came in  
#ags4 #f;d4 by sale of ,reports1 which  
money had been expected for some months 
past1 but which the ,lord sent just now 

most seasonably4 ,besides this1 #bs4    
#f;d4 was also received for the         
childrens needlework4 ,thus we were     
provided for this day also4 ,in the     
afternoon the ,lord gave us a still     
further proof of the continuance of ,his
 loving care over us1 now that we are so
 poor2 for a box arrived from ,plymouth1
 containing clothes1 trinkets1 etc4     
,nov4 #bd4 ,we have been daily meeting  
for prayer the last twelve days4 ,today1
 just before ,i was going to the        
meeting1 one of the articles1 which came
 in the box from ,plymouth yesterday    
afternoon1 was sold for #bl4 #bs41 which
 sum supplies us with means for this    
day4 ,the donors may not have thought1  
perhaps1 that their bounty would so soon
 be needed4--,when ,i came to the       
prayer-meeting1 ,i heard of a little    
circumstance which is worthy of notice4 
,the ,infant ,orphans took a walk this  
morning with their teacher4 ,a poor     
woman came to her1 whilst they were     
walking1 and gave her two pence for the 

benefit of the ,orphans1 adding ,it is  
but a trifle1 but ,i must give it you4  
,now1 one of these two pence had been   
needed1 by the time ,i came1 to make up 
the little sum which was required for   
the bread4--,this afternoon was received
 still further #i;d41 and also #abs4 by 
the sale of some of the articles which  
came from ,plymouth4  ,nov4 #be4 ,with  
#abs4 ld4 we began the day1 which was   
not sufficient for all that was         
required4 ,in the afternoon came in     
#aas4 for knitting4 ,thus we had enough 
for this day also4  ,nov4 #bf4 ,one of  
the labourers gave #es42 #aas4 came in  
by sale of articles1 and #f;d4 was taken
 out of the box in my house4 ,little as 
this was1 yet we were able to procure   
with it all that was really needful2 but
 now our provision stock is very much   
reduced4  ,nov4 #bg4 ,this is ,saturday1
 and nothing at all was in hand when the
 day commenced4 ,my especial prayer had 
been1 that the ,lord would1 be pleased  
early in the morning to send us         

supplies1 as otherwise there would not  
be sufficient for dinner4 ,accordingly1 
about #aj oclock1 a parcel came from    
,clapham1 containing #aas4 and the      
following articles3 #ab yards of calico1
 a frock1 a chemise1 #b petticoats1 a   
flannel ditto1 #b handkerchiefs1 #b     
pinafores1 a furnished workbag1 an old  
silver thimble1 and half a franc4 ,thus 
the ,lord kindly provided us with means 
for the dinner1 and we took it as a     
token for good that ,he would send what 
else might be needed this day4 ,there   
came in still further in the course of  
the afternoon1 by sale of an article1   
given by one of the labourers1 #es42 by 
sale of some lithographic sketches1     
given by one of the labourers1 #ds4     
#f;d42 by sale of articles given some   
time since1 #afs42 by sale of stockings1
 #bs4 #i;d42 and by a donation1 #bs4    
,thus the ,lord was pleased to give us  
in the course of this day #bl4 #as4     
#c;d41 while we were in the greatest    
need in the morning1 and without any    

natural prospect of having the means    
which were required for the day4  ,nov4 
#bi4 ,the ,lord has kindly sent in      
supplies4 ,yesterday was given          
altogether #el4 #ais4 #g;d4 ,these two  
weeks we have been likewise in the      
greatest poverty in reference to the    
,day ,schools2 but the ,lord has almost 
daily sent in a little to supply the    
absolute necessities of the brethren and
 sisters1 who are engaged in that part  
of the work4  ,nov4 #cj4 ,though #el4   
#ais4 #g;d4 had been given1 yet1 as the 
stores had been previously so reduced1  
there was again some more money needed  
today4 #es4 came in by sale of articles1
 and one of the labourers gave some     
money of his own4 ,in this time of great
 need there arrived a parcel1 sent      
anonymously1 which contained the        
following articles3 #c combs1 #f shells1
 #e pairs of gilt bracelets1 #d single  
bracelets1 a pair of ditto1 a gilt      
chain1 a gilt necklace1 a cornelian     
ditto1 a bead ditto1 a brooch1 a buckle1

 #b pairs of earrings1 #c rings1 #c     
pairs of drops1 and a single ear-ring4  
,dec4 #a4 ,again there were many        
shillings needed for this day4 ,at the  
,boys-,orphan-,house matters stood so in
 the morning1 that1 with an addition of 
eight pence1 the dinner could be        
provided2 but there was only seven pence
 in hand4 ,brother ,b4 having heard that
 something had been put last evening    
into the box at the                     
,girls-,orphan-,house1 went1 and it was 
found to be one penny1 which an aged    
sister had put in1 whereby the present  
need was supplied4 ,even the gift of    
this one penny was thus evidently under 
the ordering of our kind ,father1 who   
not in anger1 but for the trial of our  
faith1 keeps us so poor4 ,about ten     
oclock this morning was sent by post1   
half a sovereign4 ,in the letter was    
written3 ,from the wife of a clergyman1 
for the ,orphan-,houses1 ,nov4 #cj      
#ahda4 ,this donation was truly sweet1  
as coming from our faithful ,lord1      

though it was not nearly enough4 ,but   
,he had pity on us1 and sent in still   
further today by the sale of stockings  
#es41 and by the sale of other articles 
#abs4  ,dec4 #b4 ,in the course of this 
morning was sold a part of the trinkets 
which came on ,nov4 #cjth1 for #al4 #ds4
 #aj;d4 ,besides this came in by sale of
 articles #as4 #f;d4 ,thus was our      
present need supplied in the afternoon  
#cl4 was sent by a sister from          
,plymouth1 and by a sister in ,bristol  
was given to me #bs4  ,dec4 #c and #d4  
#al4 #ajs4 #f;d4 has been received      
during these two days4  ,dec4 #f4       
,yesterday the ,lord again1 in ,his     
faithful love1 sent in means for the    
need of today4 ,a gentleman from        
,devonshire came to me after the        
meeting1 introduced himself as a        
brother1 and gave me #el4 for the work  
of the ,lord1 as it might be needed4 ,i 
had pleasant brotherly communion with   
him1 but he preferred not to give me his
 name4 ,besides this1 came in #ahs4 #aa 

#a_/b;d4 by sale of articles4 ,as this  
#ahs4 #aa #a_/b;d4 was not enough for   
the supply of the ,orphans for this day1
 there being nothing at all in hand     
besides1 and #al4 more needed1 ,i took  
#al4 of the #el4 for the ,orphans1 and  
#dl4 for the other objects4 ,through the
 same stranger ,i received also #bs4    
#f;d4 from a sister4 ,there came in this
 evening #al4 #cs4 besides4  ,by the    
#dl4 which ,i took of the #el4 given by 
the gentleman from ,devonshire1 the most
 pressing need with regard to the       
teachers in the ,day ,schools is        
relieved4 ,this stranger gave me also   
#al4 for ,missionary purposes4  ,dec4   
#g4 ,three weeks and three days we have 
now been daily meeting for prayer1 on   
account of the state of the funds1 and  
to ask the ,lords blessing upon the     
work4 ,we have been daily asking ,him to
 supply us with means for the           
,school-,bible-,missionary-and ,tract   
,fund4 ,now1 today1 in this our great   
poverty1 was sent by a sister from one  

of the ,northern counties1 whom ,i have 
never seen1 the sum of #ejl4 of which1  
according to her wish1 #ajl4 is to be   
applied to each of these objects1 and   
#ajl4 for the ,orphans4 ,thus the ,lord 
has been pleased to send us a little    
help1 which is greatly needed for all   
the objects3 for the teachers have had  
only as much as was absolutely needful1 
the ,bible stock is almost entirely     
exhausted1 the ,tract stock is quite    
exhausted1 and to some ,missionary      
brethren we greatly desired to send     
help1 but were unable to do so4         
,nevertheless1 even now we are waiting  
upon the ,lord for further supplies4    
,when this money came1 there was none at
 all in hand for the ,orphans1 though   
for many reasons fresh supplies were    
much needed4 ,by this #ajl41 then1 the  
,lord has again helped us for the       
present4 ,there was likewise sent       
anonymously by post1 #al4  ,dec4 #i4    
,today came in for the ,orphans by the  
sale of stockings #ajs4 #aj;d4--,we are 

now brought to the close of the sixth   
year of this part of the work1 having   
only in hand the money which has been   
put by for the rent2 but during the     
whole of this year we have been supplied
 with all that was needed4  ,during the 
last three years we had closed the      
accounts on this day1 and had1 a few    
days after1 some public meetings at     
which for the benefit of the hearers1 we
 stated how the ,lord had dealt with us 
during the year1 and the substance of   
what had been stated at these meetings  
was afterwards printed for the benefit  
of the church at large4 ,this time1     
however1 it appeared to us better to    
delay for awhile both the public        
meetings and the publishing of the      
,report ,through grace we had learned to
 lean upon the ,lord only1 being        
assured1 that1 if we never were to speak
 or write one single word more about    
this work1 yet should we be supplied    
with means1 as long as ,he should enable
 us to depend on ,himself alone4 ,but   

whilst we neither had had those public  
meetings for the purpose of exposing our
 necessity1 nor had had the account of  
the ,lords dealings with us published   
for the sake of working thereby upon the
 feelings of the readers1 and thus      
inducing them to give money1 but only   
that we might by our experience benefit 
other saints2 yet it might have appeared
 to some that in making known our       
circumstances we were actuated by some  
such motives4 ,what better proof1       
therefore1 could we give of our         
depending upon the living ,god alone1   
and not upon public meetings or printed 
,reports1 than that1 in the midst of our
 deep poverty1 instead of being glad for
 the time to have come when we could    
make known our circumstances1 we still  
went on quietly for some time longer1   
without saying any thing4 ,we therefore 
determined1 as we sought and still seek 
in this work to act for the profit of   
the saints generally1 to delay both the 
public meetings and the ,report for a   

few months4 ,naturally we should have   
been1 of course1 as glad as any one to  
have exposed our poverty at that time2  
but spiritually we were enabled to      
delight even then in the prospect of the
 increased benefit that might be derived
 by the church at large from our acting 
as we did4--,i now proceed where ,i left
 off4  ,dec4 #aa4 ,since the day before 
yesterday the following sums came in for
 the ,orphans1 whereby the need of      
yesterday and today has been supplied4  
,a brother gave #bl4 ,a little boy and  
girl brought the produce of their       
savings banks1 amounting to #ais4 #e;d4 
,by the sale of stockings came in #aes4 
#a;d41 and by six donations #ajs4 #f;d4 
,dec4 #ac4 ,yesterday came in #al4 #aas4
 #f;d41 and today #ajs4 ,by this #bl4   
#as4 #f;d4 this days need has been met4 
,there was also1 very seasonably1 half a
 ton of coals sent to each of the three 
,orphan-,houses4  ,dec4 #ad4 ,yesterday 
afternoon a lady sent a sovereign for   
the ,orphans4 ,there came in #aes4 #f;d4

 besides4 ,thus we had enough for this  
day likewise4  ,dec4 #ae4 ,having now   
again nothing in hand for the ,orphans1 
the boxes were opened1 in which #ds4    
#d;d4 was found4 ,this1 with a little   
which one of the labourers was able to  
add of his own1 helped us through the   
day4  ,from ,nov4 #ab up to this day1 my
 fellow-labourers in the ,church and ,i 
have seen thirty inquirers and          
candidates for fellowship1 and some of  
them we have seen repeatedly4 ,how can  
we sufficiently praise the ,lord for    
still continuing to use us in ,his      
service4  ,dec4 #af4 ,nothing at all had
 come in for the ,orphans2 but as one of
 the labourers had last evening1 most   
unexpectedly1 received some money from a
 distance of about two hundred miles1   
and as the ,lord inclined his heart to  
give of it for the present need1 we were
 supplied for today also4  ,dec4 #ag4   
,in like manner we are helped today4    
,dec4 #ah4 ,saturday morning4 ,there is 
now the greatest need1 and only #d;d4 in

 hand1 which ,i found in the box at my  
house2 yet ,i fully believe the ,lord   
will supply us this day also with all   
that is required4--,pause a few moments1
 dear reader6 ,observe two things6 ,we  
acted for ,god in delaying the public   
meetings and the publishing of the      
,report2 but ,gods way leads always into
 trial1 so far as sight and sense are   
concerned4 ,nature always will be tried 
in ,gods ways4 ,the ,lord was saying by 
this poverty1 ,i will now see whether   
you truly lean upon me1 and whether you 
truly look to me4 ,of all the seasons   
that ,i had ever passed through since ,i
 had been living in this way1 up to that
 time1 ,i never knew any period in which
 my faith was tried so sharply1 as      
during the four months from ,dec4 #ab1  
#ahda1 to ,april #ab1 #ahdb4 ,but       
observe further3 ,we might even now have
 altered our minds with respect to the  
public meetings and publishing the      
,report2 for no one knew our            
determination1 at this time1 concerning 

the point4 ,nay1 on the contrary1 we    
knew with what delight very many        
children of ,god were looking forward to
 receive further accounts4 ,but the     
,lord kept us steadfast to the          
conclusion1 at which we had arrived     
under ,his guidance4--,now to return to 
,saturday1 ,dec4 #ahth4 ,evening4 ,the  
,lord has been very kind to us this day4
 ,in the course of the morning #fs4 came
 in4 ,we had thus1 with what provisions 
there were in hand1 all that was needed 
for the dinner1 but no means to provide 
for the next meal in the afternoon4 ,a  
few minutes after the labourers had met 
together for prayer this morning1 there 
was given to one of them a sovereign for
 himself4 ,by means of this1 all that   
was needed for tea could be procured4   
,another labourer gave #cs4 #f;d4 and   
two books1 which were sold for #ds4     
,there came in still further in the     
course of the afternoon and evening3--by
 sale of stockings1 #hs4 #h;d42 by      
needlework1 #h;d42 and by sale of       

articles1 #es4 ,thus1 when we again met 
in the evening for prayer1 we found that
 the supplies had amounted to #bl4 #hs4 
#b;d41 enough for all that was required 
today4 ,but one thing more is to be     
noticed respecting this day4 ,i was     
informed that three more of the ,orphans
 have been recently brought to the      
knowledge of the truth4 ,we have now    
been meeting daily for prayer during the
 last five weeks1 and thus the ,lord has
 not merely heard our prayers respecting
 the funds1 but has also blessed these  
children4  ,dec4 #bj4 ,the ,lord has    
again kindly sent fresh supplies4 ,a    
sister gave #al42 a servant sent #al42  
another servant1 #bs #f;d4 by sale of   
articles l#cs4 #a;d4 ,this morning1 just
 before was going to the prayer-meeting1
 a lady brought #cl42 and #es4 more ,i  
received this evening4  ,dec4 #ba4      
,though #fs4 #js4 #g;d4 had been        
received yesterday and the day before1  
there was only #es4 remaining towards   
the supply of the necessities of today4 

,at one oclock three little boys gave me
 the produce of their ,orphan-box1 which
 was #ds4 #g;d4 ,when ,i came home1 ,i  
found that #ahl4 had come in1 being a   
legacy left for the ,orphans by a lady  
who died at the commencement of the     
year4 ,this money comes in most         
seasonably1 not merely for the supply of
 the wants of the children1 but also as 
enabling me to give to some of the      
labourers in the ,orphan-,houses        
supplies for themselves4  ,dec4 #bc4    
,this is now the sixth week that the    
labourers in the ,day-,schools and      
,orphan-,houses have daily met for      
prayer4 ,several precious answers we    
have already received since we began to 
meet1 as it regards pecuniary supplies1 
fresh instances of conversion among the 
children1 etc4 ,one of our petitions has
 been that the ,lord would be pleased to
 furnish us with means for a stove at   
,callowhill ,street ,school-room4 ,but  
though we had often mentioned this      
matter before the ,lord1 he seemed not  

to regard our request4 ,yesterday       
afternoon1 while walking in my little   
garden1 and meditating and praying1 ,i  
had an unusual assurance that the time  
was now come when the ,lord would answer
 our request1 which arose partly from my
 being able to believe that ,he would   
send the means1 and partly from the fact
 that the answer could no longer be     
delayed1 without prayer having failed in
 this matter1 as we could not assemble  
the children again1 after the ,christmas
 vacation1 without there being a stove  
put up4 ,and now1 dear reader1          
observe3--,this morning ,i received from
 ,a4 ,b4 #bjl41 and we have thus much   
more than is required for a stove4      
,dec4 #bd4 ,on the #bbnd and #bcrd #bl4 
#js4 #e;d4 came in for the ,orphans4    
,the need of today was #cl4 #ajs41 but  
only #cl4 was in hand4 ,this afternoon1 
however1 #al4 was sent from ,kensington 
and #al4 from ,plymouth4 ,this evening  
we received still further anonymously   
#ds41 and by knitting #bl4 #ajs4  ,dec4 

#be4 ,by sale of articles was received  
#ads4 #b;d4  ,dec4 #bf4 ,this afternoon 
,i was walking in my little garden1     
meditating on and turning into prayer   
,rom4 viii4 #bh-cb4 ,when ,i came to    
verse #cb1 the necessity of the ,orphans
 came to my mind1 as tomorrow we shall  
again need more money than there is in  
hand1 and ,i therefore asked the ,lord  
that ,he would be pleased to give me a  
fresh proof that ,he will freely give us
 all things1 by supplying our present   
need4 ,this evening ,i spoke on the     
above-mentioned passage1 and after the  
meeting a sister gave to my wife #abl41 
of which #ajl4 was for the ,orphans1 and
 #bl4 for my own necessities4 ,there    
came in #es4 besides4  ,dec4 #ca4 ,as   
only #al4 l#es4 had been received since 
the #bfth1 there was again nothing in   
hand towards the need of this day4      
,about an hour before the money was sent
 for from the ,orphan-,houses1 an       
individual who lives in ,redcliff       
,parish1 ,bristol1 sent #el4 ,by sale of

 stockings came in likewise #cs4 #f;d4  
,,review ,,of ,,the ,,year #ahda4    ,i4
 ,in reading over my journal1 ,i find   
that the ,lord has given me during this 
year many precious answers to prayer1 in
 addition to those which have been      
recorded in the previous part of the    
,narrative4 ,i mention the following for
 the encouragement of the reader3 #a1   
,one of the ,orphan-,boys needed to be  
apprenticed4 ,i knew of no suitable     
believing master1 who would take an     
in-door apprentice4 ,i gave myself to   
prayer1 and brought the matter daily    
before the ,lord4 ,i marked it down     
among the subjects for which ,i would   
daily ask the ,lord2 and at last1 though
 from ,may #ba to ,september ,i had to  
pray about the matter1 the ,lord granted
 my request2 for in ,september ,i found 
a suitable place for him4 #b1 ,on ,may  
#bcrd ,i began to ask the ,lord that ,he
 would be pleased to deliver a certain  
sister in the ,lord from the great      
spiritual depression under which she was

 suffering1 and after three days the    
,lord granted me my request4 #c1 ,on    
,june #aeth ,i began to ask the ,lord to
 deliver a brother at a distance from   
the great spiritual nervousness in which
 he found himself shut up1 which not    
only distressed him exceedingly1 and in 
a great measure hindered him in his     
service towards the world and the       
church2 but which1 in consequence1 was  
also a trial to the saints who knew and 
valued this dear brother4 ,this petition
 ,i brought many times before the ,lord4
 ,the year passed away1 and it was not  
granted4 ,but yet at last this request  
also has been granted to me and to the  
many dear saints who1 ,i know1 prayed   
for this dear brother2 for though he was
 for some years in this state1 it is now
 in #ahde two years and more since he   
has been quite restored4 #d1 ,on ,june  
#aeth ,i also began to ask the ,lord    
daily1 in ,his mercy to keep a sister in
 the ,lord from insanity1 who was then  
apparently on the very border of it2 and

 ,i have now in #ahde to record to ,his 
praise1 after nearly four years have    
passed away1 that the ,lord has kept her
 from it4 #e1 ,during this year ,i was  
informed about the conversion of one of 
the very greatest sinners1 that ,i ever 
heard of in all my service for the      
,lord4 ,repeatedly ,i fell on my knees  
with his wife1 and asked the ,lord for  
his conversion1 when she came to me in  
the deepest distress of soul1 on account
 of the most barbarous and cruel        
treatment that she received from him1 in
 his bitter enmity against her for the  
,lords sake1 and because he could not   
provoke her to be in a passion1 and she 
would not strike him again1 and the     
like4 ,at the time when it was at its   
worst ,i pleaded especially on his      
behalf the promise in ,matthew xviii4   
#ai3 ,again ,i say unto you1 that if two
 of you shall agree on earth as touching
 any thing that they shall ask1 it shall
 be done for them of my ,father which is
 in heaven4 ,and now this awful         

persecutor is converted4 #f1 ,on ,may   
#beth ,i began to ask the ,lord for     
greater real spiritual prosperity among 
the saints1 among whom ,i labour in     
,bristol1 than there ever yet had been  
among them2 and now ,i have to record to
 the praise of the ,lord that truly ,he 
has answered this request2 for1         
considering all things1 at no period has
 there been more manifestation of grace 
and truth1 and spiritual power among us1
 than there is now while ,i am writing  
this for the press 7#ahde74 ,not that we
 have attained to what we might2 we are 
far1 very far from it2 but the ,lord has
 been very1 very good to us1 and we have
 most abundant cause for thanksgiving4  
,,ii4 ,the state of the church with     
reference to numbers1 etc4  #fh brethren
 and sisters brother ,craik and ,i found
 in communion1 when we came to ,bristol4
  #gge have been admitted into communion
 since we came to ,bristol4  #hdc would 
be1 therefore1 the total number of those
 in communion with us1 had there been no

 changes4 ,but1  #aja have left         
,bristol4  #ee have left us1 but are    
still in ,bristol  #dh are under church 
discipline4  #fg have fallen asleep4    
#bga are therefore to be deducted from  
#hdc1 so that there are only #egb at    
present in communion4  #hh have been    
added during the past year1 of whom #cj 
have been brought to the knowledge of   
the ,lord among us4    ,,iii4 ,the      
,lords goodness as to my temporal       
supplies during this year4  #a4 ,the    
,lord has been pleased to give me by    
means of the anonymous freewill         
offerings of the saints1 put into the   
boxes at our meeting places #aaf #bs4 #d
 #c_/d;d4  #b4 ,by presents in money    
from the brethren among whom ,i labour  
in ,bristol #dc #is4 #i;d4  #c4 ,by     
presents in money from children of ,god 
not living in ,bristol #ec #ais4 #j;d4  
#d4 ,by presents in provisions1 clothes1
 furniture1 etc41 from the saints among 
whom ,i labour1 worth to us at least #ae
 #js4 #j;d4  #e4 ,by presents in        

clothes1 c41 from believers not living  
in ,bristol1 worth to us at least #aj   
#js4 #j;d4  ,altogether #bch #aas4 #a   
#c_/d;d4    ,thus during this year also1
 without asking any one but the ,lord   
for help1 with regard to ray temporal   
necessities1 ,i have been richly        
supplied with all ,i needed2 yea1 ,i    
have had much more than ,i needed4      
,january #a1 #ahdb4 ,last night we had  
our usual prayer-meeting at the close of
 the year1 which this time lasted from  
seven in the evening till half-past     
twelve4  ,jan4 #c4 ,this evening we had 
a most precious public prayer-meeting4  
,when the usual time for closing the    
meeting came1 it appeared to me that    
there was a desire to continue to wait  
upon the ,lord4 ,i therefore proposed to
 the brethren that those who had bodily 
strength1 time1 and a desire for waiting
 still longer upon the ,lord1 would do  
so4 ,at least thirty remained1 and we   
continued till after ten in prayer1     
whilst several brethren prayed4 ,i never

 knew prayer more really in the ,spirit4
 ,i experienced for myself unusual      
nearness to the ,lord1 and was enabled  
to ask in faith1 nothing doubting4  ,on 
the #ast of ,january came in for the    
,orphans #al4#gs4 #f;d42 on the #bnd    
#ajl4 #acs4 #g;d42 and today came in    
from ,plymouth #fl41 from ,exmouth #el41
 from a sister in ,bristol #el41 and    
from the ,east ,indies #bl4 ,i have by  
this #cjl4 #as4 #a;d4 been enabled1 as  
it had been my prayer1 to give some     
money to the other five sisters who     
labour in the ,orphan ,houses1 for their
 own personal necessities4  ,jan4 #d4   
,as we have often found it to be the    
case1 so it is now4 ,after a season of  
more than usual poverty1 comes a time of
 more than usual abundance4 ,today the  
same brother1 who has been spoken of    
under ,november #bnd1 and who has drawn 
his money out of the ,savings-bank to   
spend it for the ,lord1 sent #bjl4 more 
of it4 ,there came in also from         
,guernsey #al41 and #al4 #gs4 besides4  

,i am now able to order oatmeal from    
,scotland1 buy materials for the boys   
clothes1 order shoes1 etc4 ,thus the    
,lord has been pleased to answer all our
 requests with respect to the pecuniary 
necessities of the ,orphans1 which we   
have brought before ,him in our prayer  
meetings during the last seven weeks4   
,we have thus had of late an abundance1 
but the expenses have been great also2  
for within the last twenty-five days ,i 
have paid out above #ajjl4  ,jan4 #bb4  
,as only little above #cbl4 had been    
received since the #dth1 there was today
 again only #al4 #hs4 #j #a_/b;d4 in    
hand1 whilst #ca1 #hs4 was needed1 it   
being ,saturday4 ,however1 as the ,lord 
has helped us very many ,saturdays1 when
 we had still less at the commencement  
of the day1 so it was today also4 ,about
 an hour before the money was called    
for1 ,i received from the neighbourhood 
of ,crediton #dl41 which came with the  
especial recommendation of a gentleman  
and lady to introduce the use of oatmeal

 in the ,orphan-,houses1 if we had not  
done so1 and this money was sent towards
 the first supply4 ,we have1 however1   
used oatmeal now for many months1 and   
have found it decidedly of great benefit
 to the children ,as about a fortnight  
since ,i had ordered #ajl4 worth from   
,glasgow1 this money came in most       
seasonably to supply the other          
necessities of this day4  ,jan4 #bd4    
,yesterday the ,lord sent in #cl4 #es4  
#g;d41 to supply the need of this day4  
,jan4 #be4 ,there was now again this    
morning nothing in hand for the         
,orphans4 ,about ten oclock there was   
sent to me1 as the produce of an ,orphan
 box1 a small necklace1 an old sixpence1
 and #es4 #h;d4 ,there came in also by  
sale of stockings #cs4 #i;d4 ,as this   
#is4 #e;d4 was not enough1 the boxes in 
the ,orphan-,houses were opened1 which  
contained #ags4 #b;d41 and thus we were 
again supplied4  ,perhaps1 dear reader1 
you have said in your heart before you  
have read thus far3 ,how would it be1   

suppose the funds for the ,orphans were 
reduced to nothing1 and those who are   
engaged in the work had nothing of their
 own to give1 and a meal time were to   
come1 and you had no food for the       
children4 ,thus indeed it may be1 for   
our hearts are desperately wicked4 ,if  
ever we should be so left to ourselves1 
as that either we depend no more upon   
the living ,god1 or that we regard      
iniquity in our hearts1 then such a     
state of things1 we have reason to      
believe1 would occur4 ,but so long as we
 shall be enabled to trust in the living
 ,god1 and so long as1 though falling   
short in every way of what we might be1 
and ought to be1 we are at least kept   
from living in sin1 such a state of     
things cannot occur4 ,therefore1 dear   
reader1 if you yourself walk with ,god1 
and if1 on that account1 ,his glory is  
dear to you1 ,i affectionately and      
earnestly entreat you to beseech ,him to
 uphold us2 for how awful would be the  
disgrace brought upon ,his holy name1 if

 we1 who have so publicly made our boast
 in ,him1 and have spoken well of ,him1 
should be left to disgrace ,him1 either 
by unbelief in the hour of trial1 or by 
a life of sin in other respects4  ,jan4 
#bf4 ,again there was nothing in hand   
when the day commenced4 ,in the course  
of the morning a gentleman from         
,yorkshire came to the ,orphan-,houses4 
,he bought two ,reports1 and one copy of
 the ,improved ,renderings1 put #bs4    
#f;d4 into the box at the               
,boys-,orphan-,house1 and #cs4 into the 
box at the ,infant-,orphan-,house4      
,there was also one penny found in the  
box at the ,girls-,orphan-,house4 ,this 
#fs4 #aj;d4 would have provided the     
absolute necessities for today1 but it  
was desirable to have more means4 ,i    
therefore opened the box in my house1 in
 which ,i found a sovereign and a       
shilling4 ,we were thus comfortably     
provided4  ,jan4 #bg4 ,last evening came
 in #ds4 ,this morning a parcel arrived 
from ,e4 ,p41 containing #cs41 and the  

following articles3 #g books1 a ,bible1 
#f pairs of socks1 #d pairs of babies   
shoes1 a purse1 a ladys comb1 a ladys   
bag1 a pair of knitted over-shoes1 and  
#b pairs of muffetees4 ,yesterday       
afternoon a gentleman came to see the   
,orphan-,houses1 and put a sovereign    
into the box at the                     
,boys-,orphan-,house1 which our need has
 brought out4 ,we have thus #al4 #gs4   
for this day4--,evening4 ,this afternoon
 came in still further #bl4 from a lady 
at ,kensington1 on whose heart the ,lord
 seems to have particularly laid the    
work4  ,jan4 #bi4 ,the two sovereigns1  
which came in on the #bgth1 supplied our
 need yesterday4 ,when ,i had again     
nothing in hand1 to meet todays         
necessities1 a sister came last evening1
 who brought me #al4 #fs41 a sovereign  
from another sister1 and #fs4 from      
herself4 ,she said3 ,i do not know      
whether the ,orphans have a dinner for  
tomorrow or not1 but ,i had no rest in  
delaying to bring this money4 ,i had but

 just then come home from a meeting1 and
 had on the way to my house been lifting
 up my heart to the ,lord1 that ,he     
would be pleased to remember our        
need4--,this morning was sent from      
,clapham #al4 #bs4 #f;d41 with #c       
frocks1 a petticoat1 #d handkerchiefs1  
and #b pinafores4  ,my dear reader1 do  
you indeed recognise the hand of ,god in
 all these instances ,i have given      
instance upon instance1 ,i have brought 
before you not this particular case1 nor
 another particular case2 but ,i have   
purposely shown you how we have fared   
day after day in our poverty1 in order  
that you may adore the ,lord for ,his   
goodness to us1 and that you yourself   
may be led to depend upon ,him for every
 thing1 should you not have done so     
before4 ,i affectionately beseech you1  
not to take these instances as a matter 
of course4 ,say not in your heart1 ,this
 is a charitable ,institution2 persons  
know that the maintenance of these many 
,orphans1 and the support of these ,day 

,schools1 etc41 costs much money2 and   
therefore they will contribute4 ,nor    
suffer ,satan to rob you of the blessing
 which the account of the ,lords        
faithfulness to us1 and ,his readiness  
to listen to our supplications is       
calculated with ,gods blessing1 to      
communicate to you1 by allowing him to  
whisper into your ears1 that1 because   
the ,report are read by many1 donations 
will of course be coming in1 and that   
not all at once1 but gradually1 and that
 this is the way in which we are        
supplied4 ,dear reader1 it is not thus4 
,suppose1 we have been for some time on 
the whole bountifully supplied4         
,suppose1 now all is gone4 ,suppose1 the
 expenses are great1 but very little    
comparatively is coming in4 ,what shall 
we do now8 ,if we took goods on credit1 
or if we made known our necessities at  
such times to the liberal ,christians   
who have means1 and who are interested  
in the work in our hands1 then1 humanly 
speaking1 there might be little         

difficulty2 but we neither take goods on
 credit1 nor do we speak to any one     
about our need1 but we wait upon ,god4  
,now1 suppose our expenses are week     
after week1 #cjl41 #djl41 #ejl41 or     
#fjl48 ,how are the means to come8      
,persons might still give2 yea1 many    
persons might still give1 but it might  
just happen so1 that all the donations  
that are received at the time when our  
expenses are most heavy are very small  
donations2 how shall we do then8        
,sometimes the outgoings have been so   
great1 that if ,i had sold every thing  
,i possessed1 ,i could not thereby have 
met the expenses of two weeks4 ,what    
then is to be done8 ,we wait upon ,god1 
and he always helps us1 and has done so 
now i4 e4 in #ahha for more than        
forty-five years with reference to the  
,orphans1 and for more than forty-seven 
with reference to the other parts of the
 work4  ,feb4 #e4 ,saturday4 ,as only   
#ajl4 #ajs4 #f;d4 had been received     
since ,january #bith1 i4 e4 only so much

 as day by day was needed to provide    
necessaries for the ,orphans1 there is  
again the greatest need4 ,it is now     
twelve oclock1 and there are no means as
 yet to meet the expenses of today4 ,the
 words in the prayer of ,jehoshaphat1   
,neither know we what to do1 but our    
eyes are upon ,thee1 are at this moment 
the language of my heart4 ,i likewise   
know not what to do1 but my eyes are    
upon the ,lord1 and ,i am sure that ,he 
will help this day also4 ,our kind      
,father still gives us proofs that ,he  
is mindful of our need2 for last evening
 were anonymously sent to my house1 #b  
waistcoats1 a shawl1 a net collar1 #c   
#c_/d yards of print1 #b decanters1 and 
,clarendons ,history of ,england4 ,and  
just now1 a small silver book1 a pepper 
box with silver top1 and some muslin    
work have arrived from                  
,birmingham4--,evening4 ,in the course  
of the morning came in1 by sale of      
articles1 l#bs4 ,we were able likewise  
to dispose of one of the articles1 which

 were sent last evening1 for #es4 ,this 
afternoon one of the labourers gave me  
#ajs41 and #cs4 came in for needle-work4
 ,by means of this #al4 #ajs4 we were   
able to supply all that was needed4     
,feb4 #g4 ,yesterday was received #al4  
#acs4 #e;d41 and today #es4 #f;d4  ,feb4
 #h4 ,by what came in yesterday1 and the
 day before1 the need of yesterday was  
supplied1 and there is enough in all the
 houses for the meals of today2 but in  
none of the houses have we been able to 
take in any bread2 and as yesterday also
 but little could be taken in1 there    
will not remain any for tomorrow2 nor is
 there money enough to take in milk     
tomorrow morning4 ,there are likewise   
coals needed in two houses4 ,indeed1 so 
far as ,i know1 these three years and   
seven months1 since first the funds were
 exhausted1 we were never in greater    
poverty2 and if the ,lord were not to   
send means before nine oclock tomorrow  
morning1 ,his name would be dishonoured4
 ,but ,i am fully assured that ,he will 

not leave us4--,evening4 ,the ,lord has 
not yet been pleased to send us what is 
needed for tomorrow1 but ,he has given  
us a fresh proof that ,he is mindful of 
us4 ,between four and five oclock this  
afternoon were sent nine plum cakes1    
which a sister had ordered to be baked  
as a treat for the ,orphans4 ,these     
cakes were an encouragement to me to    
continue to look out for further        
supplies4 ,there was also found in the  
boxes at the ,orphan-,houses1 #bs4 l    
#a_/b;d41 and #as4 #d;d4 came in for    
stockings4 ,these little donations are  
most precious1 but they are not enough  
to meet the need of tomorrow2 yea1      
before nine oclock tomorrow morning we  
need more money to be able to take in   
the milk4 ,truly1 we are poorer than    
ever2 but1 through grace1 my eyes look  
not at the empty stores and the empty   
purse1 but to the riches of the ,lord   
only4  ,feb4 #i4 ,this morning ,i went  
between seven and eight o clock to the  
,orphan-,houses1 to see whether the     

,lord had sent in any thing4 ,when ,i   
arrived there1 ,he had just two or three
 minutes before sent help4--,a brother1 
in going to his house of business this  
morning1 had gone already about half a  
mile1 when the ,lord was pleased to lay 
the ,orphans upon his heart4 ,he said1  
however1 to himself1 ,i cannot well     
return now1 but will take something this
 evening2 and thus he walked on4        
,nevertheless he could not go any       
further1 but felt himself constrained to
 go back1 and to take to brother ,r4    
,b41 at the ,boys-,orphan-,house1 three 
sovereigns4 ,the donor himself stated   
this to me afterwards4--,thus the ,lord 
in ,his faithfulness helped us4 ,help   
was never more truly needed1 for our    
poverty was never greater2 nor did the  
help of the ,lord ever come more        
manifestly from ,himself2 for the       
brother was gone on a good distance1 it 
was between seven and eight oclock in   
the morning1 and it was so short a time 
before money was needed4 ,consider this1

 beloved reader1 and with us praise the 
,lord4 ,praise ,him particularly1 that  
,he enabled us to trust in ,him in this 
trying hour4 ,there came in besides1    
today1 #gs4 #f;d4  ,feb4 #aa4 ,the #cl4 
#aas4 #f;d4 supplied our need the last  
two days4 ,today again a few shillings  
more were needed1 which one of the      
labourers was able to give of his own2  
but this was only enough to take in the 
usual quantity of milk1 and some bread4 
,feb4 #ab4 ,saturday4 ,never since the  
funds were for the first time exhausted1
 had there come in less during any week1
 than during this4 ,we were only able to
 supply the absolute necessities2 but   
this we were enabled to do4 ,when the   
meal times came1 the ,lord always       
provided what was needful1 and1         
considering the great distress there is 
now almost everywhere1 our dear ,orphans
 are very well provided for4 ,now this  
day began not only without there being  
any thing in hand1 but our stores were  
greatly reduced1 and we had to procure  

provisions for two days4 ,one of the    
labourers gave #es4 in the morning1 to  
provide the means to take in the milk4  
,i collected together some pamphlets1   
which had been given for sale1 to       
dispose of them1 and they were sold     
about eleven oclock for #ds4 ,there came
 in also by sale of stockings #cs41 and 
#abs4 was paid on behalf of one of the  
,orphans4 ,thus we were provided with   
means to procure a dinner1 and had a    
little towards purchasing bread1 but by 
no means enough4 ,all the labourers were
 together in prayer from half-past      
eleven till one1 and me separated       
comfortably1 with the purpose of meeting
 again in the evening4 ,when ,i came    
home1 there was given to me an old      
broken silver pencil case1 which1 though
 worth very little1 ,i took as a fresh  
proof that our ,father was mindful of   
our need4 ,when we met again this       
evening1 we found that #cs4 #f;d4 had   
come in by sale of stockings1 and #f;d4 
for two ,reports4 ,as all this was not  

enough1 a few old and needless articles 
were disposed of for #ds41 also the     
broken pencil ease for #f;d4 ,i say     
needless articles1 for other articles it
 did not seem right to us to dispose of1
 in order that the ,lords own           
deliverance might be manifest4 ,a       
labourer was also still further able to 
give #gs4 of his own4 ,to one of the    
labourers #bs4 had been owed by a       
certain individual for more than a      
twelvemonth1 which being paid just now1 
and given by him for the ,orphans1 came 
in most seasonably4 ,thus we had #al4   
#ahs4 #f;d41 as much as was needful to  
procure provisions till after breakfast 
on ,monday morning4 ,however1 the ,lord 
helped still further4 ,between eight and
 nine this evening1 after we had been   
together for prayer1 and had now        
separated1 some money was given to one  
of the labourers for himself1 by which  
means he was able to give #is41 so that 
altogether #bl4 #gs4 #f;d4 had come in  
this day4 ,this has been of all the     

weeks1 during the last three years and  
seven months1 one of the most trying1 so
 far as it regards the trial of faith4  
,thanks to the ,lord1 who has helped us 
this day also6 ,thanks to ,him for      
enabling us already this morning1 when  
we met for prayer1 to praise ,him for   
the deliverance1 which we were sure ,he 
would work6  ,feb4 #ad4 ,yesterday came 
in from ,wolverhampton #al4 #bs4 #f;d4  
and a necklace4 ,there was also given to
 me #al4 #js4 #f;d41 which had come in  
by sale of articles1 and #f;d4 for      
,reports4 ,in the course of this day    
came in still further #cl4 #bs4 #d;d4   
,feb4 #ae4 ,by needlework came in #ds4  
#i;d4  ,feb4 #af4 ,this morning there   
was now again only sufficient money in  
hand to take in milk at two of the      
houses2 but as a labourer was able to   
give #fs4 #f;d41 we had sufficient for  
the milk1 and had also enough1 with the 
provisions that were in the houses1 to  
provide for the dinner4 ,nothing more   
came in in the course of the morning1   

nor was ,i able to make inquiries how   
matters stood4 ,in the afternoon between
 three and four oclock1 having once more
 besought the ,lord to send us help1 ,i 
sat peacefully down to give myself to   
meditation over the ,word1 considering  
that that was now my service1 though ,i 
knew not whether there was a morsel of  
bread for tea in any one of the houses1 
but being assured that the ,lord would  
provide4 ,for1 through grace1 my mind is
 so fully assured of the faithfulness of
 the ,lord1 that1 in the midst of the   
greatest need1 ,i am enabled in peace to
 go about my other work4 ,indeed1 did   
not the ,lord give me this1 which is the
 result of trusting in ,him1 ,i should  
scarcely be able to work at all2 for it 
is now comparatively a rare thing that a
 day comes1 when ,i am not in need for  
one or the other part of the work4      
,scarcely had ,i sat down to meditate1  
when a note was sent to me from the     
,orphan-,houses1 in which brother ,r4   
,b41 master of the ,orphan ,boys1 had   

written thus3 ,on visiting the sisters  
in the ,infant and                      
,girls-,orphan-,houses1 ,i found them in
 the greatest need4 ,there was not bread
 in one of the houses for tea this      
evening1 and the #fs4 #f;d4 was scarcely
 enough to supply what was needed for   
the dinner4 ,i therefore opened the box 
in the ,boys-,orphan-,house1 and most   
unexpectedly found #al4 in it4 ,thus1   
through the kindness of the ,lord1 we   
were again abundantly supplied as it    
regards present necessities4--,in the   
evening the ,lord1 in ,his love and     
faithfulness1 stretched out ,his hand   
still farther4 ,i had expounded at the  
meeting a part of ,john xi4 ,the last   
words of which ,i spoke were3 ,said ,i  
not unto thee1 that1 if thou wouldest   
believe1 thou shouldest see the glory of
 ,god8 ,when the meeting was over1 as a 
fresh proof of the truth of this word1 a
 note was given to me1 in which a sick  
sister sent me #el4 for the ,orphans4   
,feb4 #ag and #ah4 ,these two days came 

in #hs4 #b;d4  ,feb4 #ai4 ,saturday4    
,our means were now again completely    
spent4 ,our provision stores1 were1     
perhaps1 even more exhausted than on any
 previous ,saturday4 ,there was not the 
least human likelihood of obtaining     
menus for sufficient provisions for this
 one day1 and much less for two days4   
,when ,i went before breakfast to the   
,orphan-,houses1 ,i found a letter from 
,nottingham1 containing #as41 which had 
arrived last evening4 ,this was not only
 a sweet proof that our ,father         
remembered our need1 but it was also    
like an earnest that ,he would supply us
 this day also with all we required4 ,in
 the course of the morning came in by   
sale of stockings #ds4 #aa;d4 ,in the   
box at my house ,i found #as4 ,one of   
the labourers gave #ds4 #aj;d4 ,thus we 
were provided with those things which   
were absolutely needed for this day4 ,we
 met between eleven and twelve oclock   
for prayer4 ,when we met again in the   
evening1 a second letter had arrived    

from ,nottingham1 with another shilling4
 ,this was a further sweet proof of our 
,fathers loving remembrance of our need2
 but with all this we were still without
 any means to provide bread for         
tomorrow1 the ,lords day4 ,at eight     
oclock ,i separated from my             
fellow-labourers1 as ,i expected brother
 ,r4 ,c4 to arrive a little after eight 
at my house4 ,i therefore requested one 
of the brethren to go with me1 in order 
to take back to the ,orphan-,houses what
 the ,lord might send in by post or in  
any other way4 ,it was now half-past    
eight in the evening1 and there was no  
bread yet in any one of the three houses
 for tomorrow4 ,a few moments after1    
brother ,c4 arrived1 and he had not been
 more than about five minutes in my     
house when he gave me half a sovereign1 
which he brought for the ,orphans4 ,i   
soon found an opportunity to leave the  
room for a little1 gave the #ajs4 to the
 brother whom ,i had brought with me    
from the ,orphan ,houses1 and who was   

waiting in another room2 and thus1      
between nine and ten oclock1 sufficient 
bread could be bought4 ,observe6 ,for   
the trial of our faith the ,lord had    
allowed us to be kept waiting so long4  
,when1 however1 brother ,c4 had arrived1
 having money for the ,orphans1 he could
 not delay giving it at once1 a matter  
most worthy of notice4 ,this has been a 
week full of trials of faith1 but also  
full of deliverances4  ,feb4 #ba4 ,since
 ,saturday evening came in #al4 #hs4    
#aa;d4 ,there was also sent from        
,plymouth1 a piece of blond1 a piece of 
quilling net1 and eleven pairs of       
childrens stockings1 for sale4 ,thus we 
were supplied with means for that which 
was requisite for the beginning of this 
day2 but as our stores had been so      
reduced at the end of last week1 there  
was not enough for tea this afternoon4  
,four oclock had now come1 one hour     
before the usual tea time1 when a       
brother from ,somersetshire came to see 
the ,orphan-,houses1 and put a sovereign

 into each of the boxes4 ,our great need
 soon brought out the money1 and thus we
 were supplied4 ,observe6 ,the brother  
7as he himself told me a few days after 
in the course of conversation71 had but 
little time1 and therefore rather       
hastily went over the houses4 ,had he   
stayed long and conversed much1 as might
 have been the case1 his donations would
 not have been in time for the tea4     
,there came in #as4 besides1 by         
needlework done by the children4  ,feb4 
#bb4 ,this morning a parcel arrived from
 the neighbourhood of ,manchester1      
containing #d old silver thimbles1 #a   
seal1 #b gold pins1 #aj cent 7an        
,american coin71 a buckle1 a watch key1 
a broken seal1 some pamphlets and #edi  
sheets of ,hintwafers4  ,feb4 #bc4 ,we  
were again in want of means4 ,a few of  
the articles which had come from        
,manchester were disposed of1 and one of
 the labourers was able to give enough  
for what remained to be supplied4--,the 
narrative of time events of these days  

is most imperfect4 ,the way in which the
 ,lord stretched out ,his hand day by   
day1 and from meal to meal1 cannot be   
accurately described4 ,to enter fully   
into it1 one need be a witness to ,his  
inspecting the stores1 so to speak1 from
 meal to meal1 and giving us those      
things which we needed4  ,feb4 #bd4     
,yesterday the following clothes were   
sent3 #c pairs of boys trousers1 #b boys
 dresses1 #b frocks1 a spencer1 #e pairs
 of childrens stays1 a pair of boots1   
and a few other little articles4 ,the   
clothes were all much worn1 and in other
 respects not fit for the ,orphans2 but 
the ,lord used them to supply us with   
the means for the dinner1 as they were  
disposed of this morning4 ,in the       
afternoon we again met for prayer4 ,on  
my way to the ,orphan-,houses1 between  
four and five1 when ,i knew that there  
would not be any bread1 at least in one 
of the houses1 for tea1 ,i felt quite   
peaceful1 being fully assured that for  
this meal also the ,lord would provide4 

,on inquiry ,i found that there was     
bread enough in the                     
,girls-,orphan-,house1 none at all in   
the ,boys-,orphan-,house1 but enough in 
the ,infant-,orphan-,house both for the 
,infants and ,boys4 ,therefore we were  
at this time supplied by the bread which
 was not needed at the                  
,infant-,orphan-,house4 ,we have thus   
this day also what is absolutely        
needful4 ,but now there is no bread in  
any of the houses1 nor scarcely any     
thing else in the way of provisions4    
,feb4 #be4 ,greater than now our need   
had never been4 ,our trials of faith    
have never been so sharp as during this 
week4 ,indeed1 so much so1 that most of 
the labourers felt today considerably   
tried4 ,yet neither this day has the    
,lord suffered us to be confounded4     
,through a remarkable circumstance one  
of the labourers obtained some money    
this morning1 so that all the need of   
today could be amply met4 ,in the       
afternoon a physician of this city      

kindly sent #al4 for the ,orphans1 which
 was a sweet proof to us1 when we met   
for prayer1 that our kind ,father had   
not forgotten us4 ,also on my way to the
 prayer-meeting at the ,orphan-,houses  
,i received #is4  ,feb4 #bf4 ,my prayer 
this morning was in particular1 that the
 ,lord would be pleased now to look in  
pity upon us1 and take off ,his hand4   
,indeed1 for several days my prayer has 
been that ,he would enable us to        
continue to trust in ,him1 and not lay  
more upon us than ,he would enable us to
 bear4 ,this is now again ,saturday4    
,there having been given yesterday a    
rich supply to the matrons1 ,i knew that
 not so much as usual would be required 
this ,saturday2 still ,i thought that   
#al4 #ajs4 would be needed4 ,between ten
 and eleven oclock this morning a parcel
 came from ,clapham1 containing #bl4    
#bs41 with #b frocks1 #b petticoats1 #b 
chemises1 #b pinafores1 and #f          
handkerchiefs 7all new47 ,thus we were  
richly supplied for today1 for only #al4

 #ajs4 was needed4 ,there was moreover  
half-a-sovereign put into the box at my 
house this day by a little boy1 and #bs4
 #f;d4 came in by sale of articles4     
,thus we were brought to the close of a 
week in which more than at any previous 
time the ,lord has been pleased to try  
our faith4 ,to ,him most manifestly we  
owe it that our faith has not failed    
completely4  ,feb4 #bh4 ,yesterday ,q4  
,q4 gave me an order for #hl4 ,as it was
 left to me to lay out the money as ,i  
thought well1 ,i put #dl4 of it to the  
,school-,fund1 and #dl4 to the          
,orphan-,fund4 ,thus both parts of the  
work have been again most seasonably    
helped1 as today the teachers in the    
,day-,schools greatly needed some money 
for themselves4 ,today #acs4 was        
received for the ,orphans4  ,march #b4  
,yesterday ,i found a sovereign in the  
,orphan-box at my house2 received #is4  
#b #c_/d;d4 from three little boys1     
being the produce of their ,orphan-box2 
#bs4 #f;d4 for ,reports2 and #al4 #ajs41

 being the profit of the sale of ladies 
baskets4 ,thus we were again supplied   
for yesterday and today4 ,this evening  
were also sent1 by order of an ,irish   
sister1 #cc #a_/b lbs4 of woollen yarn4 
,respecting this donation it is to be   
remarked1 that last ,saturday we had    
asked the ,lord in our prayer-meeting1  
that ,he would be pleased to send us    
means to purchase worsted1 in order that
 the boys might go on with their        
knitting4  ,march #c4 ,yesterday #es4   
came in1 and this evening a sovereign1  
when there was now again great need1    
there being no money in hand4  ,march   
#e4 ,saturday4 ,it was not a small      
deliverance1 that the ,lord sent this   
morning1 between ten and eleven oclock1 
#bl4 #ajs4 from ,edinburgh1 when there  
were no means in hand to meet this days 
necessities1 nay1 not even the means to 
procure a dinner1 as only #ds4 had come 
in yesterday4--,evening4 ,about eight   
oclock a gentleman called on me4 ,he    
said ,i come at a late hour1 but ,i     

trust not the less acceptable on that   
account4 ,i bring you a little money for
 the ,orphans4 ,he then gave me two     
sovereigns4 ,when ,i requested him to   
give me his name1 he told me1 that if   
the giving of his name would be of any  
benefit he would do so1 but as it would 
not1 ,i might simply put down in the    
,report ,sent1 for he was sure that the 
,lord had sent him4--,i believe it1 for 
the help came most seasonably and in    
answer to prayer4 ,there was likewise   
taken out of the box in my house        
half-a-sovereign4  ,march #i4 ,at a time
 of the greatest need1 both with regard 
to the ,day-,schools and the ,orphans1  
so much so that we could not have gone  
on any longer without help1 ,i received 
this day #ajl4 from a brother who lives 
near ,dublin4 ,the money was divided    
between the ,day-,schools and the       
,orphan-,houses4 ,the following little  
circumstance is to be noticed respecting
 this donation3--,as our need was so    
great1 and my soul was1 through grace1  

truly waiting upon the ,lord1 ,i looked 
out for supplies in the course of this  
morning4 ,the post1 however1 was out1   
and no supplies had come4 ,this did not 
in the least discourage me4 ,i said to  
myself1 the ,lord can send means without
 the post1 or even now1 though the post 
is out1 by this very delivery of letters
 ,he may have sent means1 though the    
money is not yet in my hands4 ,it was   
not long after ,i had thus spoken to    
myself1 when1 according to my hope in   
,god1 we were helped2 for the brother   
who sent us the #ajl41 had this time    
directed his letter to the              
,boys-,orphan-,house1 whence it was sent
 to me4  ,march #aa4 ,yesterday a box   
arrived from one of the ,northern       
,counties1 respecting which the donor   
had requested that neither the articles 
which it contained1 nor the name of the 
place whence it came1 should be         
mentioned in the public account4 ,i1    
therefore1 only state here that thus the
 ,lord has again most seasonably helped 

us1 besides giving us a fresh proof1 in 
raising up this new and anonymous donor1
 that ,he does not cease to care for us4
 ,it is intended to apply the produce of
 the articles contained in the box      
partly for the ,orphans1 and partly for 
the other objects4 ,though the box      
arrived only yesterday1 we are even this
 day helped through means of it2 for we 
disposed today of some of the articles  
to the amount of #il4 #fs4 #f;d4 ,of    
this sum #gl4 #fs4 #f;d4 was divided    
among the teachers1 who much needed it2 
and #bl4 was taken for the              
,orphan-,fund1 without which the need of
 this day could not have been supplied  
in the ,orphan-,houses4  ,march #ag4    
,from the #abth to the #afth had come in
 #dl4 #es4 #al #a_/b;d4 for the         
,orphans4 ,this morning our poverty1    
which now has lasted more or less for   
several months1 had become exceedingly  
great4 ,i left my house a few minutes   
after seven to go to the                
,orphan-,houses1 to see whether there   

was money enough to take in the milk1   
which is brought about eight oclock4 ,on
 my way it was especially my request1   
that the ,lord would be pleased to pity 
us1 even as a father pitieth his        
children1 and that ,he would not lay    
more upon us than ,he would enable us to
 bear4 ,i especially entreated him that 
,he would now be pleased to refresh our 
hearts by sending us help4 ,i likewise  
reminded ,him of the consequences that  
would result1 both in reference to      
believers and unbelievers1 if we should 
have to give up the work because of want
 of means1 and that ,he therefore would 
not permit its coming to nought4 ,i     
moreover again confessed before the     
,lord that ,i deserved not that ,he     
should continue to use me in this work  
any longer4 ,while ,i was thus in       
prayer1 about two minutes walk from the 
,orphan-,houses1 ,i met a brother who   
was going at this early hour to his     
business4 ,after having exchanged a few 
words with him1 ,i went on2 but he      

presently ran after me1 and gave me #al4
 for the ,orphans4 ,thus the ,lord      
speedily answered my prayer4 ,truly1 it 
is worth being poor and greatly tried in
 faith1 for the sake of having day by   
day such precious proofs of the loving  
interest which our kind ,father takes in
 every thing that concerns us4 ,and how 
should our ,father do otherwise8 ,he    
that has given us the greatest possible 
proof of ,his love which ,he could have 
done1 in giving us ,his own ,son1 surely
 ,he will with ,him also freely give us 
all things4 ,it is worth also being poor
 and greatly tried in faith1 if but     
thereby the hearts of the children of   
,god may be comforted and their faith   
strengthened2 and if but those who do   
not know ,god1 and who may read or hear 
of ,his dealings with us1 should be led 
thereby to see1 that faith in ,god is   
more than a mere notion1 and that there 
is indeed reality in ,christianity4 ,in 
the course of this day there came in    
still further #acs4  ,march #ai4        

,saturday4 ,as it has often been the    
case on ,saturdays1 so it was this day  
in particular4 ,we began the day in very
 great poverty1 as only #gs4 had come in
 since the day before yesterday4 ,there 
was not one ray of light as to natural  
prospects4 ,the heart would be          
overwhelmed1 at such seasons1 were there
 not an abundance of repose to be found 
by trusting in ,god4 ,the trial having  
continued so long1 and our poverty      
having now come to such a degree1 that  
it was necessary we should have help1 in
 order that the name of the ,lord might 
not be dishonoured1 ,i had proposed to  
my fellow-labourers that we should set  
apart this day especially for prayer4   
,we met accordingly at half-past ten in 
the morning4 ,by that time had come in  
#ds4 #f;d41 #gs4 #f;d41 and #ajs4 ,in   
the afternoon we met again at three1    
when #ajs4 came in4 ,in the evening at  
seven we met once more1 there being yet 
about three shillings needed1 to provide
 all that was required4 ,this also we   

received1 and even #cs4 more than was   
actually needed came in1 just when we   
were about to separate4  ,today we were 
also very poor with reference to our own
 personal necessities4 ,in the morning  
we had only #b #a_/b;d4 left1 when a    
sister in the ,lord1 who knew nothing   
about our need1 gave us the contents of 
her purse1 being #al4 #gs4  ,march #bc4 
,this afternoon1 when we had no money at
 all of our own1 a brother gave us #cs4 
for ourselves4  ,march #be4 ,during the 
last four days we received #fl4 #abs4   
#b;d4 for the ,orphans4 ,this morning1  
when we were now again without any      
thing1 a parcel arrived from ,clapham1  
containing #al4 #ajs41 with a frock1 a  
chemise1 #b petticoats1 #b pinafores1   
and #b handkerchiefs 7all new74 ,about  
the same time was sent a post-office    
order from ,bath for #bl4 ,this is no   
small deliverance4 ,the need has been so
 great during this week that the        
matrons1 in order that there might be no
 lack in the way of provisions for the  

children1 have been unable to order even
 half-a-ton of coals at once1 and have  
been obliged to buy them in very small  
quantities4  ,when again we had only    
#f;d4 ,left for our own personal        
necessities1 ,i received #is4  ,march   
#bf4 ,we are helped to the close of one 
more week with reference to our own     
personal necessities4 ,during this week 
we have had several times not one single
 penny for ourselves2 yet during this   
week also we have had all that was      
needed in the way of nourishing food1   
etc41 and we have #c;d4 left4  ,march   
#cj4 ,from the #beth up to this day we  
were poor1 with reference to the        
,orphans but the ,lord helped us4 ,this 
morning a brother from ,devonshire came 
to stay for a few days with me4 ,he gave
 me two sovereigns for the ,orphans1 and
 told me the following facts in         
connexion with them4 ,last year he      
portioned out a piece of ground1 for the
 benefit of the ,orphans4 ,having done  
so1 all the members of the family were  

gathered together1 and he asked with    
them the ,lords blessing upon the crop  
that was to be planted4 ,this prayer was
 often repeated afterwards1 while the   
crop was known to belong to the         
,orphans2 and the ground yielded a good 
crop4 ,the potatoes were to have been   
sent1 but it was considered better to   
sell them for the benefit of the        
,orphans1 and now this brother brought  
the produce4 ,these two sovereigns came 
in most seasonably1 as they were only   
just in time to supply the dinner and   
other necessaries of this day2 for when 
,i came with the brother from the       
railway station to my house1 ,i found an
 ,orphan boy waiting for money1 and ,i  
had nothing in hand4 ,this evening ,i   
received still further from a sister    
#al4 #as4 #e #a_/b;d4  ,this morning we 
had not one single halfpenny left for   
our own necessities1 when two brethren  
arrived to stay with us for some days1  
the one from ,somersetshire and the     
other from the ,north of ,devon4 ,the   

brother from the ,north of ,devon       
brought #abs4 for my own use from       
,barnstaple1 and also gave #al4 to my   
dear wife this afternoon for our own    
need4 ,thus we were again supplied4 ,my 
mind has been quite in peace on account 
of our own need1 and the only           
inconvenience that we had in this case  
was1 that our dinner was about half an  
hour later than usual4 ,such a thing1 as
 far as ,i remember1 scarcely ever      
occurred before1 and has never occurred 
since2 but suppose it had1 it is well1  
in some little measure1 to know from    
ones own experience the meaning of that 
word1 ,i know both how to be abased1 and
 ,i know how to abound3 everywhere and  
in all things ,i am instructed both to  
be full and to be hungry1 both to abound
 and to suffer need4 ,philip iv4 #ab4   
,march #ca4 ,this afternoon #es4 came in
 from ,bath1 and from a sister in the   
,lord in one of the ,northern counties  
#el4 for the ,orphans and #ael4 for the 
other objects2 and through the same     

donor l#bs4 ,this money arrived when    
there was again only #es4 in hand for   
the ,orphans1 which had come in this    
afternoon1 and when there was particular
 need of means1 as many pairs of shoes  
needed to be mended1 and other extra    
expenses were to be met4 ,when this     
money came1 there was also great need of
 fresh supplies for the ,day-,schools1  
on account of which this donation was a 
precious help from the ,lord4  ,april   
#b4 ,we received #al4 #ais4 #f;d4 for   
the ,orphans4  ,april #d4 ,when again   
our little stock had been exhausted1 the
 ,lord was pleased to send in yesterday 
#el4 through a sister of ,bristol2 also 
by sale of articles #ajs41 and by       
,reports #es4 ,today came in from       
,kensington #al4  ,april #f4 ,as only   
#cs4 more had come in yesterday1 the    
money was now again all gone1 when this 
evening was sent from a distance a post 
office order for #bl4  ,april #h4 ,this 
afternoon1 when again much money was    
needed1 we received from ,plymouth #al41

 and from a donor in ,bristol #al4      
,april #i4 ,saturday4 ,only #as4 #f;d4  
had come in since yesterday afternoon4  
,we needed more money than there was in 
hand1 especially as it was ,saturday1   
but the ,lord was pleased particularly  
to try our faith4 ,in the course of the 
morning came from some sisters in       
,dublin1 #ah yards of calico1 #cd yards 
of print1 #dc balls of cotton1 and a    
pair of worn ladys boots4 ,this donation
 came most seasonably1 as we had been   
mentioning repeatedly the need of calico
 and print in our prayers2 and the      
sewing cotton and the pair of boots came
 at once into use4 ,moreover1 this      
donation was a sweet encouragement to me
 to continue waiting upon the ,lord4    
,evening was now approaching1 and no    
money had yet come in for provisions1   
etc41 which would be needed on the      
,lords day4 ,about six oclock1 ,i gave  
myself once more to prayer with my wife1
 and requested the ,lord in my prayer   
that if the sister1 who in love to ,him 

has taken upon her the service of       
disposing of the articles which are     
given for sale1 had any money in hand1  
,he would be pleased to incline her     
heart to bring or send the money this   
evening4 ,after this ,i sat down        
peacefully to read the ,scriptures1     
being assured that this time also the   
,lord would stretch out ,his hand on our
 behalf4 ,about half-past seven oclock  
the sister to whom reference has just   
now been made1 came and brought #al4    
#ajs4 #d;d41 for articles which she had 
sold1 stating that though she was       
unwell1 yet she felt herself constrained
 not to delay bringing this money4 ,thus
 we had all that was needed1 and #fs4   
more4 ,when ,i arrived with the money at
 the ,infant-,orphan-,house1 about eight
 oclock1 ,i found my fellow labourers in
 prayer1 and while we still continued in
 prayer a sister sent a large basket of 
stale bread1 being five brown loaves1   
seven bread cakes1 and five ,french     
loaves4  ,april #aa4 ,it is this day six

 years since the first children were    
taken in1 and1 as usual1 we are poor    
this day also2 for only l#cs4 #aj       
#a_/b;d4 has come in since ,saturday    
evening4  ,april #ab4 ,we were never in 
greater need than today1 perhaps never  
in so much1 when ,i received this       
morning #ajjl4 from the ,east ,indies4  
,it is impossible to describe the real  
joy in ,god it gave me4 ,my prayer had  
been again this morning particularly1   
that our ,father would pity us1 and now 
at last send larger sums4 ,i was not in 
the least surprised or excited when this
 donation came1 for ,i took it as that  
which came in answer to prayer1 and had 
been long looked for4 ,as it was left to
 me to use the money as might be most   
needed1 ,i took one half of it for the  
,orphan ,fund1 and the other half for   
the other funds4 ,we have thus also an  
answer to our prayer for oatmeal1 new   
shoes1 and for means to enable us to    
have the old shoes mended1 means for    
replenishing somewhat our stores1 money 

for some articles of clothing for the   
children1 and also a little money for   
the sisters who labour in the           
,orphan-,houses4 ,how precious to look  
to the ,lord6 ,i was always sure that   
,he would at last send larger sums1     
therefore had my heart been kept in     
peace1 though my faith had never been   
more tried than during the last months4 
,april #ad4 ,there was half-a-sovereign 
taken out of the box at the             
,boys-,orphan-,house this morning4 ,this
 afternoon three individuals called on  
me4 ,one of them gave #fl41 #c collars1 
and #b veils1 and brought likewise #c   
gold rings4 ,another of them gave me    
#bs4 #f;d4 ,after they had left ,i found
 in my room on the mantelpiece in a     
paper #b sovereigns for my own personal 
expenses1 and in three papers #c        
sovereigns for the three                
,orphan-,houses1 and also a fourpenny   
piece on the floor4  ,april #cj4 ,as    
since the #adth only little more than   
#afl4 had come in1 there was again this 

day not quite enough in hand to supply  
all that was needed4 ,however1 the ,lord
 sent from ,clapham a parcel which      
contained #ajs41 #b frocks1 #b          
pinafores1 #b handkerchiefs1 #b         
nightcaps1 and #b pieces of list4  ,may 
#a4 ,today was given by a brother a gold
 watch with a small gold chain and key4 
,the gift was accompanied by the        
following note to me3    ,beloved       
,brother1  ,a pilgrim does not want such
 a watch as this to make him happy2 one 
of an inferior kind will do to show him 
how swiftly his time flies1 and how fast
 he is hastening on to that ,canaan     
where time will be no more3 so that it  
is for you to do with this what seemeth 
good to you4 ,it is the last relic of   
earthly vanity1 and1 while ,i am in the 
body1 may ,i be kept from all idolatry4 
,your affectionate brother1  9999999999 
,may #b4 ,there was now again no money  
in hand1 not even the few shillings     
which were required to take in the milk 
tomorrow morning1 when a sister gave a  

sovereign to brother ,r4 ,b4 for the    
,orphans1 whereby we are helped4  ,may  
#f4 ,only #cl4 #ajs4 #b #a_/b;d4 had    
been received since the #bnd1 on which  
account there would have been only      
enough means in hand to provide for the 
breakfast tomorrow morning1 when in this
 our fresh need #hjl4 was sent by the   
same brother who has been spoken of     
under ,june #d1 #ahda1 in the details   
respecting the other funds2 and also    
#fl4 from ,great ,malvern4 ,the half of 
this #hjl4 was put to the ,orphan ,fund1
 and the other half to the other funds3 
the donation from ,great ,malvern was   
put to the fund for the other objects4  
,there arrived at the same time from the
 ,east ,indies by post a small parcel1  
containing #b pairs of gold ear-rings1 a
 brooch1 and #b rupees4 ,these donations
 came especially in season1 as they     
enable me to give supplies to the       
brethren and sisters who labour in the  
,day ,schools and ,orphan-,houses for   
their own personal necessities1 besides 

meeting the wants in other respects4    
,may #aj4 #fl4 l#es4 #aj;d4 more has    
come in since the #fth4 ,today1 in      
closing the accounts1 we have left at   
the end of this period of seventeen     
months1 in which we have been so often  
penniless1 the sum of #afl4 #ahs4 #aj   
#a_/b;d4 for the ,orphans1 and #dhl4    
#abs4 #e #a_/d;d4 for the other objects 
of the ,scriptural ,knowledge           
,institution4  ,the time now seemed to  
us to have come1 when1 for the profit of
 the church at large1 the ,lords        
dealings with us1 with reference to the 
various objects of the ,scriptural      
,knowledge ,institution1 should be made 
known by publishing another ,report4    
,for1 whilst we1 on purpose1 had delayed
 it at this time five months longer than
 during the previous years1 and that    
during a period when we were in deeper  
poverty than during any previous time2  
yet1 as from the commencement it had    
appeared to me important1 from time to  
time to make known the ,lords dealings  

with us1 so ,i judged it profitable     
still1 to seek to comfort1 to encourage1
 to exhort1 to instruct1 and to warn the
 dear children of ,god by the printed   
accounts of the ,lords goodness to us4  
,the following are a few additional     
remarks with reference to the period of 
the seventeen months previous to ,may   
#aj1 #ahdb4  #a4 ,though our trials of  
faith during these seventeen months     
lasted longer1 and were sharper than    
during any previous period1 yet during  
all this time the ,orphans had every    
thing that was needful in the way of    
nourishing food1 the necessary articles 
of clothing1 etc4 ,indeed ,i should     
rather at once send the children back to
 their relations than keep them without 
sufficient maintenance4  #b4 ,i desire  
that all the children of ,god who may   
read these details may thereby be led to
 increased and more simple confidence in
 ,god for every thing which they may    
need under any circumstances1 and that  
these many answers to prayer may        

encourage them to pray1 particularly as 
it regards the conversion of their      
friends and relations1 their own        
progress in grace and knowledge1 the    
state of the saints whom they may know  
personally1 the state of the church of  
,christ at large1 and the success of the
 preaching of the ,gospel4 ,especially  
,i affectionately warn them against     
being led away by the device of ,satan1 
to think that these things are peculiar 
to me1 and cannot be enjoyed by all the 
children of ,god2 for though1 as has    
been stated before1 every believer is   
not called upon to establish            
,orphan-,houses1 ,charity ,schools1     
etc41 and trust in the ,lord for means1 
yet all believers are called upon1 in   
the simple confidence of faith1 to cast 
all their burdens upon ,him1 to trust in
 him for every thing1 and not only to   
make every thing a subject of prayer1   
but to expect answers to their petitions
 which they have asked according to ,his
 will1 and in the name of the ,lord     

,jesus4--,think not1 dear reader1 that  
,i have the gift of faith1 that is1 that
 gift of which we read in #a ,cor4 xii4 
#i1 and which is mentioned along with   
the gifts of healing1 the working of    
miracles1 prophecy1 and that on that    
account ,i am able to trust in the      
,lord4 ,it is true that the faith1 which
 ,i am enabled to exercise1 is          
altogether ,gods own gift2 it is true   
that ,he alone supports it1 and that ,he
 alone can increase it2 it is true that1
 moment by moment1 ,i depend upon ,him  
for it1 and that1 if ,i were only one   
moment left to myself1 my faith would   
utterly fail2 but it is not true that my
 faith is that gift of faith which is   
spoken of in #a ,cor4 xii4 #i1 for the  
following reasons4  #a1 ,the faith which
 ,i am enabled to exercise with         
reference to the ,orphan-,houses and my 
own temporal necessities1 is not that   
faith of which it is said in #a ,cor4   
xiii4 #b 7evidently in allusion to the  
faith spoken of in #a ,cor4 xii4 #i71   

,though ,i have all faith1 so that ,i   
could remove mountains1 and have not    
charity 7love71 ,i am nothing2 but it is
 the self-same faith which is found in  
every believer1 and the growth of which 
,i am most sensible of to myself2 for1  
by little and little1 it has been       
increasing for the last fifty-six years4
  #b1 ,this faith which is exercised    
respecting the ,orphan-,houses and my   
own temporal necessities1 shows itself  
in the same measure1 for instance1      
concerning the following points3 ,i have
 never been permitted to doubt during   
the last fifty-six years that my sins   
are forgiven1 that ,i am a child of     
,god1 that ,i am beloved of ,god1 and   
that ,i shall be finally saved2 because 
,i am enabled1 by the grace of ,god1 to 
exercise faith upon the word of ,god1   
and believe what ,god says in those     
passages which settle these matters 7#a 
,john v4 #a-;,gal4 iii4 #bf-;,acts x4   
#dc-,romans x4 #i1 #aj-;,john iii4 #af1 
etc47--,further1 at the time when ,i    

thought ,i should be insane 7though     
there was not the least ground for      
thinking so71 as recorded on pages #bji1
 #baj1 and #bbc1 ,i was in peace1 quite 
in peace2 because my soul believed the  
truth of that word1 ,we know that all   
things work together for good to them   
that love ,god4 ,rom4 viii4             
#bh4--;,further1 ,when my brother in the
 flesh1 and my dear aged father died1   
and when concerning both of them ,i had 
no evidence whatever that they were     
saved 7though ,i dare not say that they 
are lost1 for ,i know it not72 yet my   
soul was at peace1 perfectly at peace1  
under this great trial1 this exceedingly
 great trial1 this trial which is one of
 the greatest perhaps which can befall a
 believer4 ,and what was it that gave me
 peace8 ,my soul laid hold on that word1
 ,shall not the judge of all the earth  
do right6 ,this word1 together with the 
whole character of ,god1 as ,he has     
revealed ,himself in ,his holy word1    
settled all questionings4 ,i believed   

what ,he has said concerning ,himself1  
and ,i was at peace1 and have been at   
peace ever since1 concerning this       
matter4--,further1 ,when the ,lord took 
from me a beloved infant1 my soul was at
 peace1 perfectly at peace2 ,i could    
only weep tears of joy when ,i did weep4
 ,and why8 ,because my soul laid hold in
 faith on that word3 ,of such is the    
kingdom of ,heaven4 ,matthew xix4 #ad4  
,believing1 therefore1 as ,i did1 upon  
the ground of this word1 my soul        
rejoiced1 instead of mourning1 that my  
beloved infant was far happier with the 
,lord1 than with me4--,further1 ,when   
sometimes all has been dark1 exceedingly
 dark1 with reference to my service     
among the saints1 judging from natural  
appearances yea1 when ,i should have    
been overwhelmed indeed in grief and    
despair1 had ,i looked at things after  
the outward appearance3 at such times ,i
 have sought to encourage myself in     
,god1 by laying hold in faith on ,his   
mighty power1 ,his unchangeable love1   

and ,his infinite wisdom1 and ,i have   
said to myself3 ,god is able and willing
 to deliver me1 if it be good for me2   
for it is written3 ,he that spared not  
,his own ,son1 but delivered ,him up for
 us all1 how shall ,he not with ,him    
also freely give us all things8 ,rom4   
viii4 #cb4 ,this1 this it was which1    
being believed by me through grace1 kept
 my soul in peace4--,further1 ,when in  
connection with the ,orphan-,houses1    
,day ,schools1 etc41 trials have come   
upon me which were far heavier than the 
want of means1 when lying reports were  
spread that the ,orphans had not enough 
to eat1 or that they were cruelly       
treated in other respects1 and the like2
 or when other trials1 still greater1   
but which ,i cannot mention1 have       
befallen me in connexion with this work1
 and that at a time when ,i was nearly a
 thousand miles absent from ,bristol1   
and had to remain absent week after     
week3 at such times my soul was stayed  
upon ,god2 ,i believed ,his word of     

promise which was applicable to such    
cases2 ,i poured out my soul before     
,god1 and arose from my knees in peace1 
because the trouble that was in the soul
 was in believing prayer cast upon ,god1
 and thus ,i was kept in peace1 though  
,i saw it to be the will of ,god to     
remain far away from the work4          
--,further1 ,when ,i needed houses1     
fellow-labourers1 masters and mistresses
 for the ,orphans or for the ,day       
,schools1 ,i have been enabled to look  
for all to the ,lord1 and trust in ,him 
for help4--,dear reader1 ,i may seem to 
boast2 but1 by the ,grace of ,god1 ,i do
 not boast in thus speaking4 ,from my   
inmost soul ,i do ascribe it to ,god    
alone that ,he has enabled me to trust  
in ,him1 and that hitherto ,he has not  
suffered my confidence in ,him to fail4 
,but ,i thought it needful to make these
 remarks1 lest any one should think that
 my depending upon ,god was a particular
 gift given to me1 which other saints   
have no right to look for2 or lest it   

should be thought that this my depending
 upon ,him had only to do with the      
obtaining of ,,money by prayer and      
faith4 ,by the grace of ,god ,i desire  
that my faith in ,god should extend     
towards ,,every thing1 the smallest of  
my own temporal and spiritual concerns1 
and the smallest of the temporal and    
spiritual concerns of my family1 towards
 the saints among whom ,i labour1 the   
church at large1 everything that has to 
do with the temporal and spiritual      
prosperity of the ,scriptural ,knowledge
 ,institution1 etc4 ,dear reader1 do not
 think that ,i have attained in faith   
7and how much less in other respects67  
to that degree to which ,i might and    
ought to attain2 but thank ,god for the 
faith which ,he has given me1 and ask   
,him to uphold and increase it4 ,and    
lastly1 once more1 let not ,satan       
deceive you in making you think that you
 could not have the same faith1 but that
 it is only for persons who are situated
 as ,i am4 ,when ,i lose such a thing as

 a key1 ,i ask the ,lord to direct me to
 it1 and ,i look for an answer to my    
prayer2 when a person with whom ,i have 
made an appointment does not come1      
according to the fixed time1 and ,i     
begin to be inconvenienced by it1 ,i ask
 the ,lord to be pleased to hasten him  
to me1 and ,i look for an answer2 when  
,i do not understand a passage of the   
word of ,god1 ,i lift up my heart to the
 ,lord1 that ,he would be pleased1 by   
,his holy ,spirit1 to instruct me1 and  
,i expect to be taught1 though ,i do not
 fix the time when1 and the manner how  
it should be2 when ,i am going to       
minister in the ,word1 ,i seek help from
 the ,lord1 and while ,i in the         
consciousness of natural inability as   
well as utter unworthiness1 begin this  
,his service1 ,i am not cast down1 but  
of good cheer1 because ,i look for ,his 
assistance1 and believe that ,he1 for   
,his dear ,sons sake1 will help me4 ,and
 thus in other of my temporal and       
spiritual concerns ,i pray to the ,lord1

 and expect an answer to my requests2   
and may not you do the same1 dear       
believing reader8 ,oh6 ,i beseech you1  
do not think me an extraordinary        
believer1 having privileges above other 
of ,gods dear children1 which they      
cannot have2 nor look on my way of      
acting as something that would not do   
for other believers4 ,make but trial6   
,do but stand still in the hour of      
trial1 and you will see the help of     
,god1 if you trust in ,him4 ,but there  
is so often a forsaking the ways of the 
,lord in the hour of trial1 and thus the
 food of faith1 the means whereby our   
faith may be increased1 is lost4 ,this  
leads me to the following important     
point4 ,you ask1 ,how may ,i1 a true    
believer1 have my faith strengthened8   
,the answer is this  ,i4 ,every good    
gift and every perfect gift is from     
above1 and cometh down from the ,father 
of lights1 with whom is no variableness1
 neither shadow of turning4 ,james i4   
#ag4 ,as the increase of faith is a good

 gift1 it must come from ,god1 and      
therefore ,he ought to be asked for this
 blessing4  ,,ii4 ,the following means1 
however1 ought to be used3 #a1 ,the     
careful reading of the word of ,god1    
combined with meditation on it4 ,through
 reading of the word of ,god1 and       
especially through meditation on the    
word of ,god1 the believer becomes more 
and more acquainted with the nature and 
character of ,god1 and thus sees more   
and more1 besides ,his holiness and     
justice1 what a kind1 loving1 gracious1 
merciful1 mighty1 wise1 and faithful    
,being ,he is1 and1 therefore1 in       
poverty1 affliction of body1 bereavement
 in his family1 difficulty in his       
service1 want of a situation or         
employment1 he will repose upon the     
ability of ,god to help him1 because he 
has not only learned from ,his word that
 ,he is of almighty power and infinite  
wisdom1 but he has also seen instance   
upon instance in the ,holy ,scriptures  
in which ,his almighty power and        

infinite wisdom have been actually      
exercised in helping and delivering ,his
 people2 and he will repose upon the    
willingness of ,god to help him1 because
 he has not only learned from the       
,scriptures what a kind1 good1 merciful1
 gracious1 and faithful being ,god is1  
but because he has also seen in the word
 of ,god1 how in a great variety of     
instances ,he has proved ,himself to be 
so4 ,and the consideration of this1 if  
,god has become known to us through     
prayer and meditation on ,his own word1 
will lead us1 in general at least1 with 
a measure of confidence to rely upon    
,him3 and thus the reading of the word  
of ,god1 together with meditation on it1
 will be one especial means to          
strengthen our faith4 #b1 ,as with      
reference to the growth of every grace  
of the ,spirit1 it is of the utmost     
importance that we seek to maintain an  
upright heart and a good conscience1    
and1 therefore1 do not knowingly and    
habitually indulge in those things which

 are contrary to the mind of ,god1 so it
 is also particularly the case with     
reference to the growth in faith4 ,how  
can ,i possibly continue to act faith   
upon ,god1 concerning any thing1 if ,i  
am habitually grieving ,him1 and seek to
 detract from the glory and honour of   
,him in whom ,i profess to trust1 upon  
whom ,i profess to depend8 ,all my      
confidence towards ,god1 all my leaning 
upon ,him in the hour of trial will be  
gone1 if ,i have a guilty conscience1   
and do not seek to put away this guilty 
conscience1 but still continue to do    
things which are contrary to the mind of
 ,god4 ,and if1 in any particular       
instance1 ,i cannot trust in ,god1      
because of the guilty conscience1 then  
my faith is weakened by that instance of
 distrust2 for faith with every fresh   
trial of it either increases by trusting
 ,god1 and thus getting help1 or it     
decreases by not trusting ,him2 and then
 there is less and less power of looking
 simply and directly to ,him1 and a     

habit of self-dependence is begotten or 
encouraged4 ,one or other of these will 
always be the case in each particular   
instance4 ,either we trust in ,god1 and 
in that case we neither trust in        
ourselves1 nor in our fellowmen1 nor in 
circumstances1 nor in any thing besides2
 or we no trust in one or more of these1
 and in that case do ,,not trust in     
,god4 #c1 ,if we1 indeed1 desire our    
faith to be strengthened1 we should not 
shrink from opportunities where our     
faith may be tried1 and1 therefore1     
through the trial1 be strengthened4 ,in 
our natural state we dislike dealing    
with ,god alone4 ,through our natural   
alienation from ,god we shrink from     
,him1 and from eternal realities4 ,this 
cleaves to us more or less1 even after  
our regeneration4 ,hence it is1 that1   
more or less1 even as believers1 we have
 the same shrinking from standing with  
,god alone1--from depending upon ,him   
alone1--from looking to ,him alone3--and
 yet this is the very position in which 

we ought to be1 if we wish our faith to 
be strengthened4 ,the more ,i am in a   
position to be tried in faith with      
reference to my body1 my family1 my     
service for the ,lord1 my business1     
etc41 the more shall ,i have opportunity
 of seeing ,gods help and deliverance2  
and every fresh instance1 in which ,he  
helps and delivers me1 will tend towards
 the increase of my faith4 ,on this     
account1 therefore1 the believer should 
not shrink from situations1 positions1  
circumstances1 in which his faith may be
 tried2 but should cheerfully embrace   
them as opportunities where he may see  
the hand of ,god stretched out on his   
behalf1 to help and deliver him1 and    
whereby he may thus have his faith      
strengthened4 #d1 ,the last important   
point for the strengthening of our faith
 is1 ,that we let ,god work for us1 when
 the hour of the trial of oar faith     
comes1 and do not work a deliverance of 
our own4 ,wherever ,god has given faith1
 it is given1 among other reasons1 for  

the very purpose of being tried4 ,yea1  
however weak our faith may be1 ,god will
 try it2 only with this restriction1    
that as1 in every way1 ,he leads on     
gently1 gradually1 patiently1 so also   
with reference to the trial of our      
faith4 ,at first our faith will be tried
 very little in comparison with what it 
may be afterwards2 for ,god never lays  
more upon us than ,he is willing to     
enable us to bear4 ,now when the trial  
of faith comes1 we are naturally        
inclined to distrust ,god1 and to trust 
rather in ourselves1 or in our friends1 
or in circumstances4 ,we will rather    
work a deliverance of our own somehow or
 other1 than simply look to ,god and    
wait for ,his help4 ,but if we do not   
patiently wait for ,gods help1 if we    
work a deliverance of our own1 then at  
the next trial of our faith it will be  
thus again1 we shall be again inclined  
to deliver ourselves2 and thus with     
every fresh instance of that kind1 our  
faith will decrease2 whilst1 on the     

contrary1 were we to stand still in     
order to see the salvation of ,god1 to  
see ,his hand stretched out on our      
behalf1 trusting in ,him alone1 then our
 faith would be increased1 and with     
every fresh case in which the hand of   
,god is stretched out on our behalf in  
the hour of the trial of our faith1 our 
faith would be increased yet more4      
,would the believer1 therefore1 have his
 faith strengthened1 he must especially1
 give time to ,god1 who tries his faith 
in order to prove to ,his child1 in the 
end1 how willing he is to help and      
deliver him1 the moment it is good for  
him4  ,i now return1 dear reader1 to the
 ,narrative1 giving you some further    
information with reference to the #ag   
months1 from ,december #aj1 #ahdj1 to   
,may #ah1 #ahdb1 as it respects the     
,orphan-,houses1 and other objects of   
the ,scriptural ,knowledge ,institution 
for ,home and ,abroad1 besides the facts
 of which mention has been already made4
  ,during this period also--#a1 ,two    

,sunday ,schools were entirely supported
 by the funds of the ,institution4 #b1  
,there were two adult schools1 one for  
females1 and one for males1 entirely    
supported during these #ag months1 in   
which on two evenings of the week the   
males1 and on two evenings the females  
were instructed1 quite gratuitously1 in 
reading and writing1 and were furnished 
with books and writing materials        
gratuitously4 ,there were1 during these 
#ag months1 #cdd adults taught in these 
two schools1 and on ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 the
 number under instruction amounted to   
#aaj4 ,the chief object of these adult  
schools is1 to teach grown up persons to
 read1 in order that they may themselves
 be able to read the ,holy ,scriptures2 
but1 at the same time1 those who teach  
them take opportunity to point out the  
way of salvation to them1 and1 while the
 word of ,god is read1 they seek to make
 remarks on the portions which are      
read4--#c1 ,there were1 during these #ag
 months1 also six ,day ,schools entirely

 supported by the funds of the          
,institution1 three for boys and three  
for girls4 ,these schools are           
principally intended to enable persons  
of the poorer classes of the inhabitants
 of ,bristol1 to send their children to 
school1 either entirely free1 or on     
paying only the fifth or sixth part of  
the expenses connected with the         
instruction which the children receive2 
they are also1 especially1 intended to  
keep believing parents1 who have not    
much means1 from the necessity of       
sending their children to unbelievers   
for instruction4 ,on ,may #aj1 #ahdb1   
the number of the children1 who attended
 these ,day ,schools1 was #cfc2 and the 
total number1 who from the formation of 
the ,institution on4 ,march #e1 #ahcd1  
up to ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 had been         
instructed in the ,day ,schools1 which  
are supported by the funds of the       
,institution1 amounts to #bfaf4--d1     
,during these #ag months1 #gih copies of
 the ,holy ,scriptures were circulated1 

and from the commencement of the        
,institution1 up to ,may #aj1 #ahdb1    
#f1hdb copies4 #e1 ,during these #ag    
months was spent for ,missionary        
purposes1 the sum of #abfl4 #aes4 #c;d4 
of the funds of the ,institution1       
whereby assistance was rendered to the  
work of ,god in ,jamaica1 in ,australia1
 in ,canada1 and in the ,east ,indies4  
#f1 ,at the commencement of these #ag   
months1 i4e4 on ,december #aj1 #ahdj1 a 
new object was begun41 the circulation  
of such publications as may be          
instrumental1 with the blessing of ,god1
 to benefit both unbelievers and        
believers4 ,we laid out for this object1
 during these #ag months1 from ,december
 #aj1 #ahdj1 to ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 the sum
 of #fbl4 #ags4 #d;d41 for which        
twenty-two thousand one hundred and     
ninety such little publications were    
purchased1 and of which number nineteen 
thousand six hundred and nine were      
actually given away4--#g1 ,there were   
received into the three ,orphan-,houses1

 from ,dec4 #aj1 #ahdj1 to ,may #aj1    
#ahdb1 #ae ,orphans1 who1 together with 
those who were in the houses on ,dec4   
#aj1 #ahdj1 make up #ajf in all4 ,of    
these1 five girls were sent out to      
service1 two boys and one girl were     
apprenticed1 one girl was removed by a  
lady who had placed her for a time under
 our care1 and one was sent back to his 
relations1 as he was injurious to the   
other children4  ,there were on ,may    
#aj1 #ahdb1 #if ,orphans in the three   
houses1 i4e4 #cj in the                 
,girls-,orphan-,house1 #cg in the       
,infant-,orphan-,house1 and #bi in the  
,boys-,orphan-,house4 ,besides this1    
three apprentices were supported by the 
funds of the ,institution1 so that the  
total number was #ii4 ,the number of    
,orphans who were under our care from   
,april1 #ahcf1 to ,may #aj1 #ahdb1      
amounts to #add4  ,i notice further the 
following points in connexion with the  
,orphan-,houses4  ,without any one      
having been asked for any thing by me1  

the sum of #e1bgfl4 #ads4 #h;d4 was     
given to me from the beginning of the   
work up to ,may #af1 #ahdb1 as the      
result of prayer to ,god4 ,besides this1
 also1 many articles of clothing1       
furniture1 provisions1 c4--,during these
 #ag months we had very little sickness 
in the three houses1 and not one of the 
children died4 ,i desire publicly to    
state this1 and in it to acknowledge the
 hand of ,god4  ,the total of the       
expenditure for the various objects of  
the ,institution1 exclusive of the      
,orphan-,houses1 during these #ag       
months1 amounted to #gajl4 #aas4 #e;d42 
the total of the income amounted to     
#gdfl4 #as4 #j #a_/b;d4 ,the total of   
the expenditure for the three           
,orphan-,houses1 from ,december #aj1    
#ahdj1 to ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 amounted to  
#a1ccgl4 #aes4 #b #c_/d;d42 the total of
 the income amounted to #a1ccil4 #acs4  
#g;d4  ,may #aa1 #ahdb4 ,when the       
accounts were closed last evening1 the  
balance in hand for the ,orphans was    

#afl4 #ahs4 #aj #a_/b;d41 though the    
actual amount for use at present is only
 #fl4 #hs4 #aj #a_/b;d4 as #ajl4 #ajs4  
is put by for the rent4--,with this #fl4
 #hs4 #aj #a_/b;d4 therefore we had to  
begin again the work1 whilst there were 
#ajg persons to be provided for with all
 they required4  ,from ,may #aa to ,may 
#bg1 we were always so provided for by  
the ,lord1 that we received fresh       
donations before the last money was     
spent1 for there came in #bhl4 #aes4 #h 
#a_/b;d42 but now we should not have had
 sufficient for the need of tomorrow1   
,may #bhth1 when today there arrived a  
parcel from ,kendal1 containing #f      
frocks1 #e tippets1 #f pinafores1 #f    
chemises1 #b shirts1 #c aprons1 and the 
following donations in money3 with ,ps4 
xxvii41 #ajs42 ,proverbs iii4 #e1 #f1   
#bs4 #f;d42 from a sister who earns her 
own1 bread by her daily exertions1      
#ajs42 from another individual #ajs4    
,there came in also by sale of articles1
 given for that purpose1 #bl4 #as4  ,may

 #bh4 ,there came in still further today
 #cl4 #ds4 #d;d41 so that we are richly 
provided1 with all we need1 and have    
more than enough4  ,june #c4 ,for       
several days past ,i had not been       
particularly led to pray for means for  
the ,orphans4 ,last evening1 however1 ,i
 did so1 as we had now again no money in
 hand1 there having come in only #ajl4  
#bs4 #b;d4 during the last five days2   
and in answer to my request #bl4 #ais4  
#f;d4 came in this morning4  ,june #f4  
,monday4 ,there was now no money at all 
in hand4 ,i had therefore asked the     
,lord for fresh supplies1 and since     
,saturday afternoon the following sums  
have come in3 ,by sale of articles #al4 
#ds41 ,,from ,,an ,,aged ,,servant1     
,,ill ,,in ,a ,,mortal ,,disease1 #dl42 
anonymously put into the boxes at       
,bethesda yesterday1 in a small parcel1 
#aas41 a gold ring1 #c small ,spanish   
silver coins1 and a small ,american     
silver coin2 ditto #d;d42 by a sister   
was given #f;d41 and by another sister  

#es42 anonymously put into the box at   
,callow-hill ,street ,chapel #bs4  ,this
 morning ,i received from ,a4 ,b4 #ejl41
 to be laid out as it might be most     
useful4 ,i took the whole of this sum   
for the other objects1 as the disposal  
of it was left to me1 whereby ,i am     
enabled to order a fresh supply of      
tracts1 some ,bibles and ,testaments1   
and to give something to the brethren   
and sisters who labour in the ,day      
,schools1 who are much in need of some  
supply4 ,the stock of ,bibles1 as far as
 ,i remember1 has never been smaller    
than it is now1 for several years2 there
 is likewise only a small quantity of   
tracts left1 and the demand for them is 
great on the part of brethren who       
gratuitously circulate them4 ,how kind  
therefore of the ,lord to give us this  
supply6 ,if our work be ,his work1 ,he  
is sure to provide the means for it6    
,june #i4 ,on the #gth came in #cs4 for 
the ,orphans1--on the #hth #bl4 #fs4    
#b;d4 ,today was sent anonymously from  

,bath #el41 with the words ,jehovah     
,jireh4 ,these words are very           
appropriate2 for the money came after ,i
 had asked the ,lord for some1 and is   
required for our need tomorrow4  ,june  
#aa4 ,saturday afternoon4 ,as only #fs4 
#aj;d4 had come in since the #ith for   
the ,orphans1 there remains no money in 
hand for ,monday4--,saturday evening4   
,the ,lord has already sent a little    
towards the need of next week1 as an    
earnest1 that during the coming week    
also ,he will be mindful of us for this 
evening came in by sale of articles1    
#al4 #hs4 #g;d41 and a little boy gave  
#cs4 #g #a_/d;d4  ,june #ab4 ,there came
 in further today #gs4 #f;d42           
anonymously #ajs42 ditto #bl42 and with 
,ecclesiastes ix4 #aj1 was given4 #ajs4 
,june #ae4 ,as since the #abth only #al4
 #acs4 #f;d4 had come in1 there was now 
again no money in hand for the need of  
to-morrow4 ,i gave myself therefore to  
prayer4 ,immediately after ,i had risen 
from my knees1 ,i was told that some    

money had been put into the box at my   
house4 ,i opened the box1 and found it  
to be a sovereign4  ,june #af4 ,the     
sovereign which yesterday had been put  
into the box at my house was not enough4
 ,on my morning walk ,i asked the ,lord1
 therefore1 for more means1 and when ,i 
came home ,i found that #al4 #afs4 had  
been sent for articles given for sale1  
,there came in still further by sale of 
articles1 #al4 #as4 #f;d41 and by a     
donation from ,leeds1 #bl4 #ajs4 #c;d4  
,june #ag4 #al4 #ahs4 #i;d4 came in     
today4  ,june #ah4 ,having had to meet  
the expenses of the funeral of a dear   
,orphan boy1 who1 after having been two 
years in fellowship with the saints1 and
 walked consistently1 had fallen asleep1
 all means were now again gone1 when an 
,irish lady sent this morning #ajl41 of 
which #hl4 is to be used for the        
,orphans1 and #bl4 for my own personal  
necessities4 ,thus we are again supplied
 for the-present4  ,june #be4 ,as1      
besides the #hl4 which came in on the   

#ahth1 only #il4 #ads4 #aj #a_/b;d4 had 
been received since1 there was now not  
sufficient in hand for the expenses of  
the day2 but the ,lord1 as usual1 made  
it manifest1 that ,he is mindful of our 
need1 and that ,he hears our prayers4   
,for there was sent today from ,clapham 
a parcel1 containing a frock1 a         
pinafore1 and #acs4 #d;d4 ,also1 through
 the same donors1 in the same parcel1   
were sent from ,brighton1 #h frocks1 #f 
pinafores1 #f handkerchiefs1 #c         
chemises1 #b petticoats1 and #ajs4      
,likewise a ,christian lady sent a      
sovereign2 and #as4 #f;d4 came in by    
sale of ,reports1 and #al4 #ahs4 #j     
#a_/b;d4 by sale of articles4 ,thus we  
were abundantly supplied for the need of
 today4  ,july #a4 ,all our money was   
again spent1 as only #hl4 l#es4 #d;d4   
had come in since the #beth1 when last  
evening an ,orphan arrived from         
,barnstaple1 with whom there was sent   
#bl4 #es4 #aj;d4 ,the ,lord has         
repeatedly ordered it so1 that when     

,orphans have been brought1 money has   
been sent with them1 whereby our present
 necessities have been supplied4--,i add
 here1 that we do not require any money 
to be sent with them1 nor is there any  
interest required to get the children   
admitted1 and much less is the          
,institution of a sectarian spirit1 so  
that only persons of certain religious  
views could succeed in making           
application for the admission of        
,orphans2 but without respect of        
persons1 from all parts of the kingdom1 
so long as there is room1 needy         
children1 bereaved of both parents1 may 
be admitted4--,i received today still   
further #ajl4 ,and likewise1 by six     
other donations1 came in #al4 #ajs4     
#b;d4 ,we are now again for a few days  
supplied4  ,july #f1 ,on ,july #bnd came
 in #ajs42 on the #crd #bl4 #bs4 #i;d42 
on the #dth #al4 #ahs42 on the #eth came
 in four donations from ,hackney1       
amounting to #cl4 #fs42 a donation of   
#bl4 from ,plymouth2 a donation of #ds4 

from a brother in ,bristol2 by sale of  
,reports #es4 #c;d42 anonymously was    
sent from ,fairford #cl42 a ,christian  
lady gave #al41 and the following       
articles were sent from ,tottenham3 a   
two-guinea piece1 a quarter-guinea      
piece1 a half doubloon1 7a ,portuguese  
gold coin71 a gold coin of ,james ,i41  
and two gold chains4 ,likewise this     
evening came in with ,ecclesiastes ix4  
#aj1 #cl4 #as4 #f;d41 and #cs4 #f;d4 by 
sale of stockings4 ,by the donations of 
yesterday and today ,i am enabled to    
meet many needful expenses1 such as     
ordering oatmeal from ,scotland1 buying 
peas1 rice1 ,scotch barley1 materials   
for boys clothes1 c4  ,july #i4 ,on     
,july #g1 #h1 #i1 had only come in #cl4 
#aas41 so that now today1 ,saturday1    
after ,i had supplied the matrons with  
what they needed for today and for      
tomorrow1 all the money was again spent2
 yet we had been1 by the good hand of   
the ,lord1 brought through another week1
 and nothing1 that had been needed      

during the week1 had been lacking4      
,july #aa4 ,monday4 ,yesterday and today
 came in #cl4 #is4 #f;d4 ,this money was
 quite enough for the need of today2 and
 when now again1 after this days need   
had been met1 scarcely any thing was    
left1 the boxes in the ,orphan-,houses  
were opened1 which contained #bl4 #cs4  
#d #a_/b;d4  ,july #ab4 #acs4 #i;d4 came
 in today4  ,july #ac4 ,when our purse  
was now again empty1 the ,lord kindly   
sent #el4 this morning from ,glasgow4   
,from ,july #acth to #aith the ,lord    
sent in #bbl4 #es4 #aj;d41 and on ,july 
#aith ,i left ,bristol for a season1    
being able1 through grace1 to leave the 
work in ,his hands1 and feeling assured1
 that ,he would provide while ,i was    
absent from ,bristol2 and truly the     
,lord did not suffer me to be           
disappointed4 ,for during the time of my
 absence1 from ,july #aith to ,sept4    
#ajth1 whilst ,i was labouring at       
,barnstaple1 and in the neighbourhood of
 ,bideford1 the ,lord richly furnished  

us with means1 though twice during that 
period we were quite poor4  ,from ,july 
#aith to ,aug4 #ajth had come in1 during
 my absence1 #eal4 #cs4 #g #a_/b;d42 but
 now on ,wednesday1 ,aug4 #ajth1 all the
 money1 except ,,one ,,penny1 was spent 
in the three ,orphan-,houses4 ,between  
#i and #aj oclock in the evening brother
 ,m4 brought #gl4 to the                
,boys-,orphan-,house4 #el4 of this he   
had received from ,q4 ,q41 #al4 with    
,ecclesiastes ix4 #aj1 and #al4 from a  
sister who had received this money from 
,weymouth4 ,when the latter told brother
 ,m4 that the money might be applied as 
most needed1 he replied to her1 that he 
would give it to the ,orphans1 as he    
believed them to be in need4 ,when      
brother ,m4 brought the money1 he said1 
that when in prayer in the morning for  
the ,orphans1 who had been particularly 
laid on his heart1 he felt assured1 that
 we were in need4 ,thus this brother not
 knowing any thing about our            
circumstances1 was led by ,god to help  

us with his intercessions4  ,the whole  
sum which came in from the #ajth to the 
#bfth was #bel4 #es4 #c;d4 ,on the #bfth
 of ,august there was now again need of 
a fresh manifestation of the loving care
 of our ,heavenly ,father1 as on the    
coming day1 being a ,saturday1 much was 
needed1 and there were only a few pence 
in hand4 ,and truly1 the ,lord did      
appear on our behalf2 for this evening  
came in #ajl4 with ,eccles4 ix4         
#aj4--;,behold1 you who do not know the 
,lord1 what a precious thing it is1 even
 for this life1 to walk with ,god6      
,behold also you1 dear brethren1 who    
tremble to lean fully and solely upon4  
,him1 that those who trust in ,him1     
according to ,his word1 shall not be    
confounded6  ,from ,aug4 #bfth to ,sept4
 #ajth came in #bbl4 #fs4 #h #a_/b;d4   
,besides the #ihl4 #aes4 #g;d4 which had
 come in1 in money1 during my absence1  
many articles of clothes1 books1        
provisions1 c4 were given for the       
benefit of the ,orphans2 but especially 

a great quantity of trinkets was sent1  
to be disposed of for the benefit of the
 ,orphans4 ,when ,i had all these       
precious spoils before me1 which the    
power of the love of ,jesus had won1 ,i 
found there were no less in my          
possession than #ca brooches1 #b gold   
clasps1 a pair of gold bracelets1 #cc   
gold rings1 a silver gilt vinaigrette1  
#af pairs of gold earrings1 #b gold     
crosses1 a gold chain1 a gold thimble1  
#h gold seals1 a gold watch key1 a gold 
watch1 #c lockets1 #b watch hooks1 #b   
ornamental ladies combs1 #c ornamental  
gold hair pins1 #b silver cups1 above   
#cj necklaces1 and many other ornaments2
 also above #fj old silver coins4 ,i    
cannot describe how great the joy is1   
which ,i have1 when ,i see the ,lord    
,jesus1 by means of this ,institution1  
bringing forth one needless article     
after the other1 to be disposed of for  
the benefit of the ,orphans4  ,from     
,sept4 #ajth to #bhth the ,lord supplied
 our need richly4 ,there came in        

altogether during these #ah days #ibl4  
#ais4 #d;d1 ,though so large a sum had  
come in1 in so short a time1 yet as our 
expenses also had been great1 there was 
again this day1 ,sept4 #bhth1 not enough
 to meet this days need1 when1 ,a ,,few 
,,minutes before ,i was called on for   
money1 #bl4 #ajs4 was sent from         
,birmingham4  ,sept4 #bi4 ,there came in
 by knitting #bs4 #f;d41 and by two     
donations #gs4 #f;d4 with these words3  
,j4 ,w4 from the ,lord #es41 and ,from  
the ,lord #bs4 #f;d4  ,sept4 #cj4 ,there
 was again only #afs4 #e #a_/b;d4 left  
towards the necessities of today1 when  
yesterday afternoon a donor left at my  
house a good silver watch1 which1 being 
disposed of for #fl41 supplies us not   
only for today1 but leaves something    
towards the need of tomorrow4  ,oct #a4 
,yesterday afternoon4 #al4 came in from 
,kensington1 and this morning by sale of
 articles #bs4 #f;d41 and #es4 was put  
into the box at my house4 ,thus we had1 
with what was left1 something towards   

the necessities of this day1 but not    
enough1 as this is ,saturday4 ,as the   
,lord1 however1 had given me both       
yesterday and this morning prayer and   
faith with reference to the need1 ,i was
 looking out for help1 when at half past
 ten this morning a small parcel was    
anonymously left at my house1 which     
contained a #el4 note1 a gold chain1 and
 an old #es4 piece1 to be used for the  
,orphans4 ,the ,lord be praised who     
disposed the heart of the unknown donor 
at so seasonable an hour to send this   
donation6 ,half an hour1 after ,i had   
received the little parcel1 ,i was      
called upon for money1 and was thus able
 to supply the need of today1 and have  
something left towards the beginning of 
the week4--,there came in still further 
today #dl4 #as42 for this afternoon a   
sister in the ,lord sent two half       
sovereigns1 which had been sent to her  
by two donors in ,wales1 and which she  
would not delay sending at once1 as it  
was ,saturday4 ,in the evening about    

eight oclock an individual residing in  
the parish of ,st4 ,philip1 ,bristol1   
brought a sovereign for the ,orphans1   
and after eight oclock #bl4 #as4 came in
 by the sale of articles3 so that1      
whilst the day commenced1 without there 
being enough to meet its expenses1 we   
received several pounds more than was   
needed4  ,oct4 #h4 ,as since ,oct4 #b   
there had come in by sale of the gold   
chain1 the old #es4 piece1 and          
donations1 only the sum of #abl4 #afs4  
#f;d41 there was 7after ,i had sent     
yesterday morning the money which was   
requisite for the day71 again only #as4 
#f #a_/b;d4 left1 towards the need of   
today1 being ,saturday4 ,but the ,lord1 
in whom ,i had particularly again made  
my boast this morning before four       
,german musicians1 was mindful of our   
need2 for1 besides half a sovereign     
coming in from ,hereford1 the boxes in  
the ,orphan-,houses were opened1 in     
which there was found #bl4 #cs4 #f;d4   
,thus we have already in the morning the

 greater part of what is needed for     
today1 waiting upon the ,lord for the   
rest4--,evening4 ,this evening came in  
still further #al4 #es4 #b;d41 so that  
we have all that is needed for today4   
,oct4 #aj4 ,yesterday were put into the 
chapel boxes three papers1 one with     
,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 containing #al41 and  
two containing #as4 each4 ,there came in
 also this morning by the knitting of   
the ,orphan ,boys #fs4 #f;d4 ,thus we   
have1 with a little that was left on    
,saturday1 all that is required for     
today1 and #cs4 #e;d4 over4  ,oct4 #aa4 
,the ,lord has again kindly multiplied  
the #cs4 #e;d41 which was left after the
 necessities of yesterday were met4 ,a  
brother in the ,lord from ,bath called  
yesterday at one of the ,orphan-,houses 
and gave #el4 as a donation1 besides    
#hs4 #c;d4 for reports4 ,also by a      
clergyman near ,cirencester was sent    
#es41 and this morning came a post      
office order for #ajs4 from ,crediton1  
and #f;d1 was given by a sister in      

,bristol4 ,my dear ,reader1 pause and   
admire the hand of the ,lord6 ,day after
 day ,he helps us6 ,his help never      
fails1 nor is it ever too late6 ,we may 
be poor1 very poor2 but when the help is
 really needed1 the ,lord opens ,his    
bountiful hand and supplies our need6   
,the help may come in a variety of ways1
 but it is certain6 ,it may be that ,he 
allows us to wait long on ,him1 and pray
 very often1 whilst ,he appears not to  
be mindful of us2 yet in the end1 in    
,his own appointed and best time1 the   
help comes4 ,dear ,reader1 if you know  
the ,lord1 and you have not a similar   
experience1 be it known to you1 that you
 may have the same in your sphere of    
labour or service1 though you may not be
 called by the ,lord to establish       
,orphan-,houses1 or ,day ,schools1 or   
,adult ,schools1 or ,sunday ,schools1 or
 circulate ,bibles and ,tracts in an    
extensive way4 ,make but trial of this  
way1 and you will see how truly precious
 it is to wait upon the ,lord for every 

thing1 even for the bread which         
perishes4 ,should you1 dear ,reader1 not
 be reconciled with ,god through faith  
in the ,lord ,jesus1 then you may know1 
that this precious privilege belongs to 
him who becomes a child of ,god by faith
 in the ,lord ,jesus1 that he may come  
to his ,heavenly ,father for everything1
 and that his ,father delights in giving
 him all he can need1 while here in the 
world4  ,on4 ,oct4 #abth came in #bl4   
#gs41 and ,oct4 #acth #fs4  ,oct4 #ae4  
,saturday4 ,yesterday arrived from      
,gloucestershire the following          
letter3--,oct4 #ac1 #ahdb4  ,my dear    
,brother1  ,as ,i have no doubt on my   
own mind1 but the ,orphans are in       
present need1 the enclosed #el4 is sent 
by the constraining power of the ,lord  
through me4  ,yours affectionately1     
9999999999  ,the money came indeed in a 
time of need2 for though we had about   
enough for yesterdays necessities1 there
 was nothing for todays demands1 which  
are #el4 #es4 ,there came in besides1   

yesterday afternoon1 from a brother in4 
,bristol #al41 and from an individual in
 his employment #ajs4 ,thus we could    
meet both yesterdays and todays need1   
and are brought to the close of another 
week4 ,evening4 ,there came in still    
further this evening1 by sale of        
articles #bl4 #aas4 #h;d41 from ,ledbury
 #as41 and from two sisters in4 ,bristol
 #aas4 ,thus we have something towards  
the need of another week4  ,oct4 #ai4   
,wednesday4 ,as only #al4 #bs4 had come 
in since ,saturday evening1 there was   
now again not sufficient money in hand  
for the need of today4 ,i therefore     
opened an ,orphan box in my house1 in   
which ,i found two sovereigns4 ,the     
,lord was pleased to send still further1
 in the course of the day1 from the     
neighbourhood of ,droitwich1 #hs42 by   
profit from the sale of ladies bags1    
made by a sister for the benefit of the 
,orphans1 #ajs42 by a donation #bl4     
#ajs42 by ,reports #as4 #c;d42 and by   
another donation1 from two ladies1      

three-pence4 ,these ladies1 sisters in  
the ,lord1 had it much in their hearts  
to give considerable sums1 and had given
 in former times gold chains1 a         
brilliant1 and many other valuable      
articles for the benefit of the         
,orphans1 besides money2 but now1 having
 no means1 through particular family    
circumstances1 they were not ashamed to 
offer these three-pence4 ,i doubt not   
that ,i have their prayers1 and ,i value
 them more than gold2 and ,i know1 that 
if they had gold for the ,orphans1 they 
would give that also4 ,the child of ,god
 ought to consider that word for his    
comfort3 ,if there be first a willing   
mind1 it is accepted1 according to that 
a man hath1 and not according to that he
 hath not4 #b ,cor4 viii4 #ab4  ,on     
,october #bast came in #al4 #is4 #h     
#a_/b;d4  ,oct4 #bd4 ,monday4 ,the      
necessities of the #bbnd1 being         
,saturday1 called for all the money that
 was left1 about #cl4 ,not one farthing 
was then remaining in my hands4 ,and now

 observe1 dear ,reader1 how the ,lord   
helped1 and praise ,him with me1 that   
,he always causes the stream to flow    
again1 when there is need4 ,on the same 
day on which the last money was given   
out1 the day before yesterday1 there was
 handed over to me #al4 #bs4 #i;d4 for  
sale of articles4 ,yesterday ,i received
 through a sister1 from an ,indian      
gentleman and lady1 two sovereigns1 and 
one from herself1 being the produce of a
 piece of work1 which she had done for  
the benefit of the ,orphans4 ,a poor    
brother also gave me #cs4 ,today ,i     
received the following anonymous        
note3--,oct4 #bb1 #ahdb4  ,beloved      
,brother1  ,the enclosed #cel4 was given
 to the ,lord some time since4 ,it was  
received for service done according to  
,eph4 vi4 #g2 and believing that laying 
up treasures for myself upon earth      
7having enough for my own necessities   
without it7 would be disobedience to    
,matthew vi4 #ai1 ,i put it into your   
hands4 ,you will kindly dispose of it as

 the ,lord may direct you4  ,yours in   
the ,lord ,jesus4  ,you will oblige me  
by receiving #ajl4 of the enclosed for  
your own need1 or that of your family4  
,this money came indeed most seasonably2
 for though1 by the donations of        
yesterday1 todays need had been         
supplied1 nevertheless as about #ajj    
yards of flannel and materials for the  
boys clothes are needed1 and as many    
other expenses require to be met1       
besides the regular daily expenses2 we  
are thus in some measure provided4 ,half
 of this money ,i took for the ,orphans 
and half for the other objects1 as they 
also were in great need4 ,there was     
likewise yesterday put anonymously into 
the boxes at ,bethesda #as4 and #al4    
,still further came in1 through the     
boxes in the ,orphan-,houses1 #fs4 #e   
#a_/b;d41 from a poor widow #bs4 #f;d41 
from another individual #al41 in eight  
donations through a brother #ajs4 #c;d41
 and a box of worn clothes4  ,oct4 #bi4 
,the need of today is #el4 #es4 ,we     

should not have had enough1 humanly     
speaking1 had there not been sent       
yesterday afternoon #el4 from ,hull1 as 
on the #bfth and #bhth only #cl4 #es4   
#e;d4 had come in42 so that there was   
only #cl4 #js4 #f #a_/b;d4 in hand1 when
 this #el4 came4 ,there came in still   
further today #al4 #abs4 #d;d4 ,how     
kindly does the ,lord1 as it were1 day  
by day inspect our stores6 ,he1 in      
general1 does not supply our need for   
many months at once2 in order both that 
,he ,himself may often have the ,joy of 
our calling upon ,him for the supplies  
we need2 and that ,he may give unto us  
the joy of obtaining our supplies day by
 day in answer to prayer2 and that thus 
also other children of ,god might be    
encouraged1 to wait upon ,him for all   
they may need4  ,on ,oct4 #cj was given 
#aas4  ,nov4 #a4 ,there would have been 
again nothing in hand1 for the need of  
this day1 had not the ,lord kindly sent 
in yesterday afternoon three donations  
of #al41 #bl41 and #bs4 ,besides this   

there came in by sale of stockings #cs4 
#g;d4  ,nov4 #b4 ,after the demands of  
yesterday had been met1 there remained  
only #afs4 #i #a_/b;d4 in hand1 ,i      
therefore again besought the ,lord1 that
 ,he would be pleased to send in fresh  
supplies4 ,accordingly1 about one       
oclock1 a brother left a note at my     
house1 containing a cheque for #gl41 of 
which #al4 was for the ,orphans1 #al4   
for the other objects1 and #el4 for my  
own necessities4 ,between two and three 
oclock ,i met another brother in my walk
 in ,redland ,fields1 who gave me a     
sovereign for the ,orphans2 and at four 
oclock a sister sent a sovereign for the
 ,orphans4 ,thus our need for today is  
supplied and something left4  ,nov4 #g4 
,monday4 ,since the afternoon of the    
#bnd ,i received #hl4 #is4 #aj;d4 ,after
 the necessities of ,saturday1 the #fth1
 had been supplied1 amounting to between
 #cl4 and #dl41 there was once more     
nothing at all left in my hands1 which  
led me afresh to the ,lord in prayer4   

,on the same evening ,i received1 as the
 answer to my prayers1 from a sister    
#ajs41 and by sale of articles #al4     
l#fs4 #aj;d41 and this morning there    
came in still further1 by several       
donations1 #bl4 #aes4 #g #a_/b;d4  ,nov4
 #i4 ,again all our money was spent     
after the expenses of today had been    
met1 when this evening there came in    
#dl4 #as4 by sale of articles1 #gs4     
#i;d4 by sale of ,reports1 and #c;d4 as 
a donation4 ,a parcel was also given to 
me this evening1 sent by two sisters in 
the ,lord1 in ,bath1 containing the     
following articles3 #e gold rings1 a    
locket1 a gold seal1 #ae brooches1 a    
pair of ear-rings1 a gold pin1 a small  
telescope1 an ornamental comb1 #d pairs 
of clasps1 #b head brooches1 some       
ornaments of mock pearls1 #i necklaces1 
#aa bracelets1 #d waist buckles1 and a  
few other articles4  ,nov4 #ae1         
,yesterday came in from ,w4 ,d4 ,b4 #al4
 #as41 from a sister #bs41 and through  
an ,orphan box #ds4 ,this #al4 #gs4 was 

all there was in hand1 and with out it  
we should not have been able to provide 
for the need of today4  ,nov4 #af4      
,after the need of yesterday had been   
provided for1 and ,i now again had      
nothing in hand1 ,i received for        
,reports #as41 and from a believing     
clergyman #al4--,when1 this morning1    
after ,i had been asking the ,lord for  
means1 the post brought none1 ,i fell   
again on my knees1 further beseeching   
,him to supply me with fresh means1 as  
for several days little had come in4 ,i 
especially also told ,him1 that1 though 
the post was now out1 yet ,he could in  
various ways send help4 ,it was ,,only  
,a ,,few ,,minutes ,,after1 when brother
 ,c4 ,b4 brought me #al4 #cs4 which just
 then had been given to him for the     
,orphans4 ,about an hour afterwards two 
brethren called on me1 the one from     
,wiltshire1 the other from ,essex1 who  
stayed with me some time1 and on leaving
 gave me #bl4 #ajs4 for the ,orphans4   
,in the evening ,i saw still further    

that the ,lord had not only not         
disregarded my prayers in the morning1  
but also that ,he was not confined to   
sending means by the post4 ,a sister    
called on me1 and brought me1 for       
several purposes1 twelve sovereigns1 of 
which six are to be applied for the     
benefit of the ,orphans4 ,this was not  
all4 ,a brother brought me #i silver    
forks and a silver butter knife1 the    
produce of which ,i might use as most   
needed4 ,this also1 therefore1 might    
have been applied for the ,orphans1 but 
,i put it to the funds for the other    
objects as being more in need4 ,in the  
evening was still further given to me   
with ,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 #ds41 and as the 
profit from the sale of ladies baskets1 
#al42 so that a rich supply has been    
received this day from the hand of our  
loving ,father4  ,nov4 #bj4 ,when we    
were now again in very great need on    
account of means for the other objects1 
there came in this day from a sister in 
the ,lord1 a servant in ,dorsetshire1   

#ajl41 which sum being left at my       
disposal1 to use in any way ,i thought  
best1 ,i took it for the                
,school-,bible-,missionary and          
,tract-,fund4  ,nov4 #bf4 ,saturday4    
,only #gl4 #afs4 #aa #a_/b;d4 had come  
in since the #afth for the ,orphans4    
,the day began without any thing in     
hand4 ,in the course of the morning came
 in by sale of stockings1 #fs4 #d;d41   
and through the box at the              
,boys-,orphan-,house #h;d4 ,at two      
oclock in the afternoon a believing     
clergyman sent to two of the labourers  
in the work #b sovereigns1 of which the 
one was able to give half the sovereign1
 and the other the whole sovereign4 ,by 
this means we were supplied with what   
was needed today4  ,nov4 #bh4 ,monday4  
,yesterday came in from ,cheltenham     
#es42 with ,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 #es42      
anonymously was left at the             
,girls-,orphan-,house a paper1          
containing the letters ,e4,v4 with a    
crown piece2 and anonymously was put    

into the boxes at ,bethesda #as4 ,there 
was sent also from ,bath1 a coral       
necklace and a gold necklace clasp4 ,by 
these donations we were supplied today4 
,nov4 #bi4 ,this morning ,i took a      
shilling out of an ,orphan-box at my    
house1 which was all we had wherewith to
 commence the day4 ,,just ,,at ,,the    
,,moment when the letter bag was sent to
 me from the ,orphan-,houses1 with the  
statement of what would be required for 
this day1 ,i received a post-office     
order from ,barnstaple for #al4 ,thus   
the ,lord1 in ,his faithful love1 has   
sent a little1 for which ,i had been    
waiting upon ,him4 ,through ,his grace  
my heart is looking out for more1 for ,i
 am sure ,he will never forsake us4     
,nov4 #cj4 ,nothing at all has come in  
since yesterday4 ,but as one of the     
labourers was able to give #ags41 we    
were supplied with bread and a few other
 little things1 which were needed4      
,dec4 #a4 ,nothing had come in1 except  
#es4 for needlework of the ,orphans4    

,the labourers had nothing to give of   
their own1 except one of them #as4      
#f;d42 yet this little supplied the     
absolute need1 which was only milk4 ,we 
were unable to take in the usual        
quantity of bread4 7,the bread is eaten 
by the children on the third day after  
it is baked4 ,if we are unable to take  
in the usual daily quantity of bread1   
for want of means1 we afterwards seek to
 procure stale bread47 ,should it be    
said that the not taking in the usual   
quantity of bread would at once prove to
 the bakers that we are poor2 my reply  
is1 that that does not follow1 because  
bread has often been sent as a present1 
as may be seen in the list of articles1 
given for the ,orphans1 at the end of   
the printed ,reports4 ,but perhaps it   
may be stated3 ,why do you not take the 
bread on credit8 ,what does it matter1  
whether you pay immediately for it1 or  
at the end of the month1 or the quarter1
 or the half-year8 ,seeing that the     
,orphan-,houses are the work of the     

,lord1 may you not trust in ,him1 that  
,he will supply you with means1 to pay  
the bills which you contract with the   
butcher1 baker1 grocer1 c41 as the      
things which you purchase are needful8  
,my reply is this3 #a1 ,if the work in  
which we are engaged is indeed the work 
of ,god1 then ,he1 whose work it is1 is 
surely able and willing to provide the  
means for it4 #b1 ,but not only so1 ,he 
will also provide the means at the time 
when they are needed4 ,i do not mean    
that ,he will provide them1 when we     
think that they are needed2 but yet1    
that1 when there is real need1 such as  
the necessaries of life being required1 
,he will give them2 and on the same     
ground on which we suppose we do trust  
in ,god to help us to pay the debt which
 we now contract1 we may and ought to   
trust in the ,lord to supply us with    
what we require at present1 so that     
there may be no need for going in debt4 
#c1 ,it is true1 ,i might have goods on 
credit1 and to a very considerable      

amount2 but1 then1 the result would be1 
that the next time we were again in     
straits1 the mind would involuntarily be
 turned to further credit which ,i might
 have1 instead of being turned to the   
,lord1 and thus faith1 which is kept up 
and strengthened only by being          
,,exercised1 would become weaker and    
weaker1 till at last1 according to all  
human probability1 ,i should find myself
 deeply in debt1 and have no prospect of
 getting out of it4 #d1 ,faith has to do
 with the word of ,god1--rests upon the 
written word of ,god2 but there is no   
promise that ,he will pay our           
debts1--the word says rather3 ,owe no   
man any thing2 whilst there is the      
promise given to ,his children43 ,i will
 never leave thee1 nor forsake thee1 and
 ,whosoever believeth on4 ,him shall not
 be confounded4 ,on this account we     
could not say upon the ground of the    
,holy ,scriptures3 ,why do you not trust
 in ,god that ,he will supply you with  
means to pay your debts1 which you      

contract in ,his service for the        
necessaries of the ,orphans8 #e1 ,the   
last reason why we do not take goods on 
credit is this3 ,the chief and primary  
object of the work was not the temporal 
welfare of the children1 nor even their 
spiritual welfare 7blessed and glorious 
as it is1 and much as1 through grace1 we
 seek after it and pray for it72 but the
 first and primary object of the work   
was3 ,to show before the whole world and
 the whole church of ,christ1 that even 
in these last evil days the living ,god 
is ready to prove ,himself as the living
 ,god1 by being ever willing to help1   
succour1 comfort1 and answer the prayers
 of those who trust in ,him3 so that we 
need not go away from ,him to our       
fellow-men1 or to the ways of the world1
 seeing that ,he is both able and       
willing to supply us with all we can    
need in ,his service4 ,from the         
beginning1 when ,god put this service   
into my heart1 ,i had anticipated trials
 and straits2 but knowing1 as ,i did1   

the heart of ,god1 through the          
experience of several years previously1 
,i also knew that ,he would listen to   
the prayers of ,his child who trusts in 
,him1 and that ,he would not leave him  
in the hour of need1 but listen to his  
prayers1 and deliver him out of the     
difficulty1 and that then1 this being   
made known in print for the benefit of  
both believers and unbelievers1 others  
would be led to trust in the ,lord4     
,thus it has now been for more than nine
 years 7i4e4 in4 #ahde1 when the third  
part was first published74 ,these       
accounts have been greatly owned by the 
,lord4 ,we discern1 therefore1 more and 
more clearly1 that it is for the churchs
 benefit that we are put into these     
straits2 and if1 therefore1 in the hour 
of need1 we were to take goods on       
credit1 the first and primary object of 
the work would be completely frustrated1
 and no heart would be further          
strengthened to trust in ,god1 nor would
 there be any longer that manifestation 

of the special and particular providence
 of ,god1 which has hitherto been so    
abundantly shown through this work1 even
 in the eyes of unbelievers1 whereby    
they have been led to see that there is1
 after all1 reality in the things of    
,god1 and many1 through these printed   
accounts1 have been truly converted4    
,for these reasons1 then1 we consider it
 our precious privilege1 as heretofore1 
to continue to wait upon the ,lord only1
 instead of taking goods on credit1 or  
borrowing money from some kind friends1 
when we are in need4 ,nay1 we purpose1  
as ,god shall give us grace1 to look to 
,him only1 though morning after morning 
we should have nothing in hand for the  
work--yea1 though from meal to meal we  
should have to look to ,him2 being fully
 assured that ,he1 who is now 7#ahde7 in
 the tenth year feeding these many      
,orphans1 and who has never suffered    
them to want1 and that ,he who is now   
7#ahde7 in the twelfth year carrying on 
the other parts of the work1 without any

 branch of it having had to be stopped  
for want of means1 will do so for the   
future also4 ,and here ,i do desire1 in 
the deep consciousness of my natural    
helplessness and dependence upon the    
,lord1 to confess that through the grace
 of ,god my soul has been in peace1     
though day after day we have had to wait
 for our daily provisions upon the      
,lord2 yea1 though even from meal to    
meal we have been required to do        
this4--,i now go on with extracts from  
my journal4  ,dec4 #b1 #ahdb4 ,by the   
produce of six old silver coins1 which  
,i received last evening1 and by #is4   
#f;d4 which came in besides1 we were    
able to meet the expenses of today2 but 
now there were before us the heavy      
expenses of tomorrow1 ,saturday1 which  
,i knew would be particularly great1 and
 there was nothing at all in hand to    
meet them4 ,in this our need there came 
in this evening from ,lutterworth and   
its neighbourhood two donations1 one of 
#el41 and the other of #al4 ,the #al4   

was for the ,orphans1 and the #el4 was  
left to my disposal1 as it might be most
 needed4 ,i took of it #cl4 l#bs4 #c;d4 
for the ,orphans1 and #al4 #gs4 #i;d4   
for the ,day ,schools4 ,this afternoon a
 gentleman passed the                   
,girls-,orphan-,house4 ,the house door  
being opened1 he rolled half a crown    
into the house4 ,this half crown came in
 when there was nothing at all in hand4 
,there came in also by knitting of the  
,infants #f;d41 by knitting of the ,boys
 #f;d41 from a poor believing widow     
#f;d41 and by sale of a ,report #c;d4   
,thus we have #dl4 l#es4 for the        
necessities of the ,orphans tomorrow    
7the other little sums have been spent  
today74  ,dec4 #e4 ,monday4 ,on         
,saturday1 ,dec4 #c1 #ajs4 came in from 
,brighton41 and yesterday #al4 with     
,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 and by a sister from  
,nailsworth #ajs4 ,also by sale of      
articles #aas1 #f;d4 ,thus we had #bl4  
#aas4 #f;d41 which was nearly but not   
quite enough for the necessities of     

today1 as it would be desirable to have 
a few shillings more4 ,i went1          
therefore1 to see whether there was any 
money in the two boxes at my house1 and 
,i found a sovereign4 ,thus we had more 
than sufficient for the need of today1  
which is #cl4 ,this evening ,i received 
#al4 #ajs4 for articles which had been  
sold4  ,dec4 #h4 ,a few little donations
 which came in on the #fth1 together    
with the little there was in hand1      
supplied our need on the #gth4 ,on the  
#fth a shilling was anonymously left on 
the mantel piece in the                 
,infant-,orphan-,house2 and one of the  
,orphans1 formerly under our care1 but  
now in service1 gave #bs4 #f;d4 ,these  
two small donations were most seasonable
 towards the supply of our need on the  
#gth4 ,now this day commenced without   
our having anything in hand4 ,just while
 the ,orphan-,boy1 who had been sent to 
my house for money1 was waiting1 ,i     
received from the neighbourhood of      
,droitwich #ajs4 ,this1 with #cs4 #i;d4 

for ,reports1 and #f;d4 for knitting of 
the ,infant-,orphans1 and #ds4 #f;d4    
which one of the labourers was able to  
give of his own1 helped us through this 
day4  ,dec4 #i4 ,there was again nothing
 at all in hand this morning to meet the
 expenses of the day4 ,a little after   
ten oclock an ,orphan arrived from      
,northam1 with whom there was sent for  
my own personal necessities #ajs41 and  
#bl4 #bs4 #d;d4 besides4 ,as about this 
latter sum nothing had been written1 ,i 
put it to the ,orphan-,fund1 whereby we 
are supplied for today1 and have a      
little left towards the need of         
tomorrow4 ,there was also #f;d4 in the  
boxes at my house4  ,dec4 #aj4 #al4 was 
left1 after the need of yesterday had   
been met4 ,this morning1 ,saturday1 when
 ,i knew that again several pounds would
 be needed1 and ,i had therefore been   
waiting on the ,lord1 ,i received about 
nine oclock #al4 from a brother1 who1 on
 his return from ,spain to ,devonshire1 
had been intrusted with it for the      

,orphans1 by a sister in the ,lord who  
lives in ,london4 ,a few minutes after  
,i had received this sovereign1 ,i had  
to pay on behalf of one of the          
apprentices #bl41 which took exactly all
 the money ,i had1 so that there was    
still nothing to meet the ordinary      
housekeeping expenses of this day1 which
 ,i knew would be at least #cl4 ,i gave 
myself therefore still further to       
prayer1 being fully assured1 by grace1  
that my loving faithful ,father would   
this day also provide me ,his child with
 everything ,i needed4 ,scarcely was ,i 
risen from my knees1 when ,i received a 
bank post bill from ,torquay for #ajl42 
of which #bl4 is intended by the kind   
donor for my own temporal necessities1  
and #hl4 for the ,orphans1 so that we   
have more than enough for this          
day4--,there came in still further this 
evening1 in five small donations1 #fs4  
#aj;d41 by needlework #fs41 and by sale 
of articles #al4 #fs4 #f;d4  ,dec4 #aa4 
,anonymously put into the box at        

,bethesda1 #bs4 #f;d41 and from ,c4 ,m4 
,w4 #al4  ,dec4 #ad4 ,there was now     
again only ,,one ,,penny in my hands    
this morning4 ,about eleven oclock ,i   
received a note1 enclosing #bs4 and     
#ajs4 ,the brother who kindly brought   
the note which contained the money1 gave
 at the same time #bs4 #f;d4 for the    
,orphans4 ,as only #afs4 was needed to  
purchase the necessary provisions for   
this day1 and one of the labourers was  
able to add #as4 #e;d4 of his own1 we   
were supplied4  ,dec4 #ae4 ,only #bs4   
#c;d41 the contents of an ,orphan-box1  
#al4 by sale of stockings1 and #bs4 l   
#a_/b;d4 from the boxes in the          
,orphan-,houses1 have come in4 ,this1   
with #es4 which one of the labourers was
 able to give1 supplied the need of     
today4  ,dec4 #af4 ,nothing has come in4
 #cs4 #e;d41 which one of the labourers 
was able to give1 was all we had4 ,at   
six oclock this evening1 our need being 
now very great1 not only with reference 
to the ,orphan-,houses1 but also the    

,day ,schools1 c41 ,i gave myself with  
two of the labourers to prayer4 ,there  
needed some money to come in before     
eight oclock tomorrow morning1 as there 
was none to take in milk for breakfast  
7the children have oatmeal porridge with
 milk for breakfast71 to say nothing    
about the many other demands of         
tomorrow1 being ,saturday4 ,our hearts  
were at peace1 while asking the ,lord1  
and assured that our ,father would      
supply our need4 ,,we ,,had ,,scarcely  
,,risen ,,from ,,our ,,knees1 when ,i   
received a letter containing a sovereign
 for the ,orphans1 half of which was    
from a young ,east ,india officer1 and  
the other half the produce of the sale  
of a piece of work1 which the sister1   
who sent the money1 had made for the    
benefit of the ,orphans4 ,she wrote3 ,i 
love to send these little gifts4 ,they  
so often come in season4 ,truly1 thus it
 was at this time4--,about five minutes 
later ,i received from a brother the    
promise of #ejl4 for the ,orphans1 to be

 given during the next week2 and a      
quarter of an hour after that1 about    
seven oclock1 a brother gave me a       
sovereign1 which an ,irish sister in the
 ,lord had left this day1 on her        
departure for ,dublin1 for the benefit  
of the ,orphans4 ,how sweet and precious
 to see thus so manifestly the          
willingness of the ,lord to answer the  
prayers of ,his needy children6  ,dec4  
#ag4 ,this morning we three again waited
 unitedly upon the ,lord1 as there was  
not enough for the necessities of the   
,orphan-,houses for this day4 ,moreover1
 the teachers in the ,day ,schools need 
supplies4 ,between ten and eleven oclock
 ,i received by the first delivery a    
letter1 containing half a sovereign with
 these words3 ,the young lions do lack  
and suffer hunger2 but they that seek   
the ,lord shall not want any good thing4
 ,dec4 #af1 #ahdb4 ,it was not stated   
whether this money was for my own       
personal need1 or for the ,orphans1 or  
any other object4 ,i took it for the    

,orphans4--,thus we had enough1 except  
about #bs4 #f;d41 to provide all that   
was needed for today and tomorrow4      
,between seven and eight oclock this    
evening1 a brother sent half a crown to 
the ,boys-,orphan-,house1 stating that  
he had been thinking much about the     
,orphans in the course of this day1 but 
that he had not had time to send this   
money sooner4 ,thus1 by the kindness of 
the ,lord1 we have the exact sum which  
is required1 and are again brought to   
the close of another week4--,between    
nine and ten oclock this evening came in
 still further1 by the sale of articles1
 #bl4 #gs4 ,thus the ,lord has not only 
helped us to the close of the week1 but 
given us also a little with which to    
begin another week4  ,dec4 #ai4         
,yesterday came in by the profit of the 
sale of ladies bags #al41 and in two    
donations #bl4 ,by this #el4 #gs4 which 
came in since ,saturday evening1 we     
should have had enough for the ordinary 
household expenses of today2 but as our 

stores of oatmeal1 rice1 peas1 and      
,scotch barley1 are either entirely or  
nearly exhausted1 and as some calico for
 shirts and lining1 besides many other  
little articles are needed1 and as      
especially the teachers in the ,day     
,schools are greatly in need of         
pecuniary supplies1 ,i had been         
especially entreating the ,lord1 that   
,he would be pleased to send us larger  
supplies4 ,i rose from my knees about   
half-past ten this morning1 and about a 
quarter to eleven ,i received a let     
letter from ,a4 ,b4 with an order for   
#ajjl41 to be used as most needed in the
 work4 ,of this sum ,i took for the     
,orphans only #bel41 and for the other  
funds #gel4 7in consideration of #ejl4  
having been promised to be paid this    
week for the ,orphans72 and thus we are 
in every way again most seasonably      
helped4 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1   
and forget not all ,his                 
benefits6--,there came in still further 
by three donations #cl4 #ajs4  ,on ,dec4

 #bj and #ba there came in #bl4 #aes4   
#c;d4 for the ,orphans4  ,dec4 #bb4     
,though there had come in above #cfl4   
for the ,orphans1 during the last four  
days1 yet as our stores needed to be    
replenished1 and there had been several 
other expenses to be met1 we were again 
today in need of farther supplies1 when 
,i received the #ejl4 for the ,orphans1 
which had been promised during the last 
week4 ,thus ,i was able also to supply  
the labourers in the ,orphan-,houses    
with some money for their own personal  
need4      ,,review ,,of ,,the ,,year   
#ahdb4    ,i4 ,as to the church4  #fh   
brethren and sisters brother ,craik and 
,i found in communion1 when we came to  
,bristol4  #hdh have been admitted into 
communion since we came to ,bristol4    
#iaf would be1 therefore1 the total     
number of those in fellowship with us1  
had there been no changes4 ,but  #aca   
have left ,bristol4  #ei have left us1  
but are still in ,bristol4  #ea are     
under church discipline4  #gd have      

fallen asleep4    #cae are therefore to 
be deducted from #iaf1 so that there are
 only #fja at present in communion4  #gc
 have been added during the past year1  
of whom #bg have been brought to the    
knowledge of the ,lord among us4        
,,ii4 ,as to the supply of my temporal  
necessities3  #a4 ,the ,lord has been   
pleased to send me from the saints among
 whom ,i labour in ,bristol1 in         
provisions1 clothes1 etc4 worth to us at
 least #aj #js4 #j;d4  #b4 ,in anonymous
 offerings in money1 put up in paper1   
and directed to me1 and put into the    
boxes for the poor saints or the rent1  
at the meeting places #aac #as4 #h;d4   
#c4 ,in presents in money1 from saints  
in ,bristol1 not given anonymously #dg  
#hs4 #as4  #d4 ,in provisions and       
clothes1 from saints not residing in    
,bristol1 worth to us at least #aj #js4 
#j;d4  #e4 ,in money from saints not    
residing in ,bristol #adi #fs4 #c;d4    
,altogether #cbi #afs4 #j;d4    ,jan4   
#ba1 #ahdc4 ,from ,dec4 #bb up to this  

day the ,lord was pleased to send in the
 donations for the ,orphans so1 that    
there was always some money received1   
before all was expended4--,the #ejl4    
which was given to me on ,dec4 #bb1 and 
between #ejl4 and #fjl4 which had come  
in since1 was now today1 ,jan4 #ba1     
#ahdc1 all spent1 after the expenses of 
today1 ,saturday1 had been met1 when    
there was given to me this evening a    
silver cup1 a gold seal1 a broken gold  
seal1 a gold buckle1 a watch hook1 and a
 brooch4 ,there came in also by sale of 
articles #bs4 #f;d41 and by a donation  
#ajs4  ,jan4 #bc4 ,yesterday came in4   
#is4 and today #bl4 #acs4  ,jan4 #bd4   
,today came in #el4 #gs4 #g;d4  ,jan4   
#be4 ,this day ,i received #cl4 #cs4 #b 
#a_/b;d4  ,jan4 #bh4 ,the last money had
 been again paid out yesterday morning1 
when ,i received #el4 last evening with 
,eccles4 ix4 #aj4 ,this morning was sent
 to me from ,clapham1 #bl4 #hs4 ,thus we
 were able to meet the expenses of      
today1 which were #dl4 #es4  ,feb4 #c4  

,since ,jan4 #bh there had come in #acl4
 #es4 #a;d41 which had fully supplied   
all our need2 but now all was again     
spent1 after this days expenses had been
 met1 on account of which ,i gave myself
 to prayer with my wife this morning4   
,this evening ,i received in answer to  
it #gs4 by sale of articles4  ,feb4 #d4 
,this morning a brother gave to me #al4 
,thus we have #al4 #gs42 but as this is 
not nearly enough for today1 we have    
given ourselves still further to prayer1
 and are now looking for supplies4      
,while ,i am writing this1 the ,orphan  
has brought the letter bag to fetch #bl4
 #aes41 which is the need of today2 ,i  
am therefore looking out for help to    
make up this sum4--,i opened the boxes  
in my house1 in which ,i found #cs4     
#f;d4 ,with this #al4 #ajs4 #f;d4 ,i had
 to send off the boy1 waiting for       
further supplies4--,this afternoon1     
about five1 came in by sale of articles 
#al4 #ds4 #g;d4 ,thus we had enough1 and
 one penny more than was needed1 and we 

are brought to the close of another     
week4 ,o ,lord1 how can ,thy servant    
sufficiently praise ,thee for           
condescending so to listen to his       
requests6 ,his soul is amazed at ,thy   
condescension1 and yet1 not amazed when 
he considers that ,thou doest it for the
 sake of ,thy dear ,son1 in whom ,thou  
dost continually look upon ,thy         
servant6--,there came in still further  
this evening #bs4 #f;d4  ,feb4 #f4      
,yesterday was intrusted to me          
altogether for the ,orphans #bl4 #ags4  
#f;d41 in eight different donations4    
,thus ,i was able to send the supplies  
which were needed this day in the       
,orphan-,houses1 which required all that
 had come in yesterday4 ,when now there 
was again nothing at all in hand1 ,i    
received1 about one oclock #ajl41 with  
the following lines3 ,from the widow to 
the ,orphans1 a thank-offering to ,him  
who careth for them both4 ,through the  
same donor ,i received at the same time 
from a lady and gentleman #bl4 ,in the  

evening came in further #ajs41 by the   
profit of the sale of ladies bags1 and  
#bs4 #f;d4 as a donation4  ,feb4 #aj4   
,as during the last three days only #al4
 #fs4 had come in41 all our money was   
now again expended1 and nothing in hand 
towards the supplies of tomorrow1       
,saturday1 when ,i received this        
afternoon #ajs41 being the profit of the
 sale of ladies bags4 ,this evening came
 in still further with ,eccles4 ix4 #aj1
 #al41 by sale of articles #bs41 and    
from a brother #bs4  ,feb4 #aa4 ,by what
 came in yesterday afternoon and        
evening1 we had #al4 l#ds4 towards the  
expenses of this day4 ,but1 as this was 
not enough1 ,i asked the ,lord still    
further for help1 and1 behold1 this     
mornings post brought me a              
post-office-order for #bl4 from         
,stafford1 of which #al4 #gs4 #f;d4 is  
for the ,orphans4 ,thus we have #cl4    
#as4 #f;d41 which is quite enough for   
this day4  ,admire with me1 my dear     
,reader1 if you know the ,lord1 ,his    

seasonable help4 ,why does this         
post-office-order not come a few days   
sooner or later8 ,because the ,lord     
would help us by means of it1 and       
therefore influences the donor just     
then1 and not sooner nor later1 to send 
it4 ,surely1 all who know the ,lord1 and
 who have no interest in disowning it1  
cannot but see ,his hand in a remarkable
 manner in this work4--,nor will the    
godly and simple minded reader          
say3--,there is no difference between   
this way of proceeding1 on the one hand1
 and going from individual to           
individual1 asking them for means1 on   
the other hand2 for the writing of the  
,reports is just the same thing4 ,my    
dear ,reader1 there is a great          
difference4 ,suppose1 that we are in    
need4 ,suppose1 that our poverty lasts  
for some weeks or even some months      
together4 ,is there not1 in that case1 a
 difference between asking the ,lord    
only from day to day1 without speaking  
to any human being not connected        

directly with the work about our        
poverty1 on the one hand3 and writing   
letters or making personal application  
to benevolent individuals for           
assistance1 on the other hand8 ,truly1  
there is a great difference between     
these two modes4 ,i do not mean to say  
that it would be acting against the     
precepts of the ,lord to seek for help  
in ,his work by personal and individual 
application to believers1 7though it    
would be in direct opposition to ,his   
will to apply to unbelievers1 #b ,cor4  
vi4 #ad-ah72 but ,i act in the way in   
which ,i do for the benefit of the      
,church at large1 cheerfully bearing the
 trials1 and sometimes the deep trials  
connected with this life of faith 7which
 however brings along with it also its  
precious joys71 if by any means a part  
at least of my fellow believers might be
 led to see the reality of dealing with 
,god only1 and that there is such a     
thing as the child of ,god having power 
with ,god by prayer and faith4 ,that the

 ,lord should use for so glorious a     
service one so vile1 so unfaithful1 so  
altogether unworthy of the least notice 
as ,i am1 ,i can only ascribe to the    
riches of ,his condescending grace1 in  
which ,he takes up the most unlikely    
instruments1 that the honour maybe      
manifestly ,his4 ,i add only one word   
more3 ,should ,satan seek to whisper    
into your ears3 ,perhaps the matter is  
made known after all1 when there is need
 7as it has been once said about me at a
 public meeting in a large town1 that   
when we were in want ,i prayed publicly 
that the ,lord would send help for the  
,orphans1 which is entirely false72 ,i  
say1 should it be said1 that ,i took    
care that our wants were made known1 ,i 
reply3 ,whom did ,i ask for any thing   
these many years since the work has been
 going on8 ,to whom did ,i make known   
our wants1 except to those who are      
closely connected with the work8--,nay1 
so far from wishing to make known our   
need1 for the purpose of influencing    

benevolent persons to contribute to the 
necessities of the ,institution under my
 care1 ,i have even refused to let our  
circumstances be known1 after having    
been asked about them1 when on simply   
saying that we were in need1 ,i might   
have had considerable sums4 ,some       
instances of this have been given in the
 former part of this ,narrative4 ,in    
such cases ,i refused1 in order that the
 hand of ,god only might be manifest2   
for that1 and not the money1 nor even   
the ability of continuing to carry on   
the work1 is my especial aim4 ,and such 
self-possession has the ,lord given me1 
that at the times of the deepest        
poverty1 7whilst there was nothing at   
all in hand1 and whilst we had even from
 meal to meal to wait upon the ,lord for
 the necessities of more than #ajj      
persons71 when a donation of #el4 or    
#ajl4 or more has been given to me1 the 
donors could not have read in my        
countenance whether we had much or      
nothing at all in hand4 ,but enough of  

this4 ,i have made these few remarks1   
beloved ,reader1 lest by any means you  
should lose the blessing which might    
come to your soul through reading the   
account of the ,lords faithfulness and  
readiness to hear the prayers of ,his   
children4  ,feb4 #ac4 ,monday4 ,after   
having paid out on ,saturday all there  
was in hand1 though having quite enough 
for that day1 we had now again to look  
to the ,lord for means1 as we generally 
need several pounds on ,mondays4 ,at    
this time also our faithful ,lord did   
not disappoint us4 ,for there came in   
late on ,saturday1 by the sale of       
articles given for sale1 #al4 #hs4      
#aa;d41 and by sale of stockings1       
knitted by the boys1 #es4 ,i received   
also since then by the profit of the    
sale of ladies bags #ajs41 by the boxes 
in my house #as4 #i;d41 and by two      
donations #fs4 ,there was also yesterday
 put into the chapel boxes1 half-a-crown
 with these words3 ,trust in the ,lord1 
and wait patiently for ,him4 ,thus we   

had #bl4 l#ds4 #b;d41 which was enough  
for the need of this day4  ,feb4 #ad4 ,i
 have received nothing since yesterday  
morning4 ,nothing therefore was in hand 
when money was sent for1 except #as4    
#f;d41 which was sent up from the       
,orphan-,houses1 by the messenger who   
came for this days supplies1 and which  
had been received yesterday at the      
,infant-,orphan-,house4 ,i opened the   
boxes at my house1 in which ,i found    
#as4 ,,while ,,the ,,boy ,,was ,,waiting
 ,,for ,,the ,,money1 the sister who    
sells the articles which are given to be
 sold for the benefit of the ,orphans1  
and who knows nothing about our present 
need1 came and brought #abs4 for some   
things which she had sold4 ,with this   
#ads4 #f;d4 we are able to supply the   
need of today1 as nothing but some bread
 and milk require to be purchased4      
,feb4 #ae4 #bl4 #ads4 came in from the  
neighbourhood of ,rotherham1 besides    
#as4 #i;d4 ,thus we had enough for this 
day4  ,feb4 #af4 ,yesterday afternoon ,i

 received #is4 from two poor sisters at 
,portsmouth4 ,this1 with #i;d41 which   
was left of the money which ,i received 
yesterday1 after the days need had been 
met1 was all ,i had at the commencement 
of this day4 ,in the course of the      
morning was sent by a lady of ,ashton1  
#ajs4 more4 ,thus we had #ais4 #i;d41   
which sufficed for this day4  ,feb4 #ag4
 ,only #bs4 #f;d4 had come in as a      
donation1 and #bs4 #d;d4 by knitting4   
,this #ds4 #aj;d4 was all ,i could send1
 hoping in the ,lord for more4 ,the     
information ,i had from the             
,boys-,orphan-,house was1 that the #ds4 
#aj;d4 supplied the matrons with all    
that was absolutely needful for today4  
,this evening at nine oclock ,i received
 from sister ,e4 ,ch4 #hs4 #i;d4 for    
,reports4 ,this is a most precious help1
 as without it there would be no means  
to take in the milk tomorrow morning4   
,feb4 #ah4 ,this morning between seven  
and eight oclock ,i took the money which
 came in last night1 to the             

,orphan-,houses1 so that we were        
supplied for the breakfast4 ,we had now 
to look to the ,lord for several pounds1
 to meet the demands of this day1 being 
,saturday4 ,between #aj and #aa oclock  
,i again with my wife besought the      
,lord1 entreating ,him1 that ,he would  
be pleased to help us1 when a ,,few     
,,minutes ,,after1 in this our great    
need1 ,i received by the first delivery 
a letter from ,barnstaple1 containing   
#el4 for the ,orphans4 ,how truly       
precious1 to see thus so manifestly the 
hand of ,god day by day stretched out on
 our behalf6  ,feb4 #bj4 ,monday4 ,most 
seasonable as the help had been1 which  
the ,lord so kindly had sent on         
,saturday morning1 and fully as it had  
supplied our need for that day2 yet     
there was nothing left1 after all the   
expenses had been met1 so that we had   
even on ,saturday still further to wait 
upon the ,lord for fresh supplies for   
this day4 ,now at this time likewise the
 ,lord has appeared on our behalf4      

,about nine oclock on ,saturday evening 
arrived by post a small parcel from     
,yorkshire1 which contained #f pitcher  
purses1 #b night caps1 a watchguard1 and
 #fl4 #as4 #d;d4 ,of this money #el4 is 
to be applied for ,missionary purposes1 
#as4 #d;d4 for the ,orphans1 and #al4 as
 it may be needed4 ,this #al4 ,i took   
therefore for the ,orphans4             
--,yesterday morning ,i received as a   
widows mite #al4 for the ,orphans2 and  
into the chapel boxes was put #ajs4 with
 ,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 and also half-a-crown
 anonymously4 ,thus the ,lord has been  
pleased to send us altogether #bl4      
#acs41 whereby we are able to meet this 
days expenses4  ,feb4 #ba4 ,we were     
comfortably helped through yesterday1   
but having provided for all the demands1
 there was again nothing left in my     
hands for today4 ,how kind therefore of 
the ,lord to incline the heart of the   
same brother1 who had given me #ejl4 a  
few weeks since1 to intrust me with #al4
 #bs4 #f;d4 more last night1 about nine 

oclock6 ,by this donation our need for  
today is supplied4  ,feb4 #bb4 ,only    
#cs4 #i;d4 came in yesterday by sale of 
,reports4 ,when this morning the letter 
bag was sent from the ,orphan-,houses   
for supplies1 ,i found a note in it1    
containing this3 ,for today there is no 
need of mentioning any sum1 as we can   
make that do1 which the ,lord may please
 to send4 ,the #cs4 #i;d4 was all ,i had
 to send1 waiting upon the ,lord for    
more--,there came in further in the     
course of the morning by sale of        
stockings #cs41 and by sale of other    
articles1 given for that purpose1 #bs4  
#f;d4 ,our need also led us to open the 
boxes in the ,orphan-,houses1 in which  
we found #aas4 #f;d4 ,thus we had a     
altogether1 #al4 #js4 #i;d41 whereby we 
were helped through this day4  ,feb4    
#bc4 ,last evening ,i received from     
,bath a small parcel1 containing a small
 telescope1 a set of mother-o-pearl     
counters1 #g silver buckles1 and a      
broken silver brooch4 ,this morning the 

bag was brought for money1 but ,i had   
nothing in hand4 ,,whilst ,,the ,,boy   
,,who ,,brought ,,the ,,letter ,,bag    
,,was ,,waiting1 to receive the answer1 
the sister who disposes of the articles 
which are given for sale1 7and who was  
no more acquainted with the state of our
 funds than any other person71 brought  
#aas4 #d;d4 ,with this we began the day1
 again trusting in the ,lord for further
 help4  ,feb4 #bd4 ,nothing more came   
in1 in the course of yesterday morning2 
but a little after four oclock ,i       
received a letter from ,jersey1         
containing a post-office-order for #al4 
for the ,orphans4 ,the donor writes     
thus3 ,herewith you will find a         
post-office-order for #al41 being this  
years subscription4 ,i had a desire to  
defer it to the #ast of ,june2 but owing
 to my mind having been deeply worked on
 the present day1 that this was the     
acceptable time1 ,i make no scruple of  
availing myself of this evenings post1  
which ,i hope will be acceptable4       

,jersey1 #bj ,feb4 #ahdc--;,how manifest
 is the hand of the ,lord in this       
matter6 ,he stirs up this donor1 who    
lives at such a distance1 to remember   
our need1 whose money indeed came in a  
most acceptable time4--,thus we were    
again helped for yesterday4 ,a few      
minutes after having received the #al4  
from ,jersey1 a brother near ,bruton    
sent me #aes4 ,the money1 given by this 
donor1 being always left entirely to my 
disposal1 ,i took this #aes4 towards the
 need of the ,orphans for today4 ,this  
mornings post brought me                
half-a-sovereign from ,london4 ,the     
letter contained only these words3      
,london1 ,feb4 #bb1 #ahdc4 ,psalm xxvii4
 #ad4 ,i put this half-sovereign to the 
,orphan-,fund4 ,there came in also by   
knitting #as4 #d;d41 and through the    
boxes in my house #f #a_/b;d4 ,thus we  
had for the need of this day again1 by  
the good hand of our ,lord upon us1 #al4
 #fs4 #aj #a_/b;d4  ,feb4 #be4          
,saturday4 ,yesterday afternoon and     

evening #abs4 #h;d4 came in by knitting1
 and #as4 #i;d4 besides4 ,this was all  
we had wherewith to begin the day4      
,there came in still further in the     
course of today3 by the boxes in the    
,orphan-,houses #e;d41 by knitting #gs4 
#h;d41 by a donation #as41 by sale of   
,reports #ds41 by sale of an article1   
given for that purpose1 #ajs41 and one  
of the labourers gave #fs4 ,thus the    
,lord gave us again #bl4 #es4 #f;d4 for 
todays need1 and we are helped to the   
close of another week4--,as a fresh     
proof1 that our loving ,father is still 
mindful of us1 we received this evening 
a parcel and a box from ,plymouth3 the  
former contained a musical box and a    
piece of worsted work1 the latter #aj   
china ornaments3 all to be sold for the 
benefit of the ,orphans4  ,feb4 #bg4    
,monday4 ,nothing at all has come in    
since ,saturday4 ,when therefore this   
day began1 we had no means to provide   
what was needed4 ,my comfort1 however1  
was1 that our ,father knew that we were 

needy1 and that kept me at this time    
also in peace4 ,between #aj and #aa     
oclock this morning ,i received #al4    
#ajs4 from ,guernsey4 ,the brother1 who 
sent the money1 writes1 that he had     
delayed in sending it1 and hoped that   
this was the ,lords time1 which indeed  
it is1 for we are thus supplied for this
 day4  ,feb4 #bh4 ,yesterday afternoon4 
#cs4 were put into the box in my room1  
which our need brought out1 as again    
this day began without our having       
anything in hand4 ,i received still     
further to day from a brother at        
,crediton4 #bl41 being the produce of an
 ,orphan-box in his house4--,this       
evening ,i was at a                     
,scripture-,reading-,meeting1 at a      
brothers house4 ,on leaving ,i found    
half-a-crown in one of my gloves1       
evidently put there on purpose1 which ,i
 put to the ,orphan-,fund1 and it was   
immediately taken to the                
,orphan-,houses4 ,thus we were helped   
through this day also1 but have nothing 

in hand towards tomorrow4 ,there came in
 also for knitting #bs4 #aa;d4 ,thus we 
had #bl4 #hs4 #e;d4 for this day4       
,march #a4 ,there came in this morning  
by sale of some articles #al4 #es4      
,about dinner time a clergyman1 who had 
had one of my ,narratives lent to him by
 one of the labourers in the            
,orphan-,houses1 returned it with #al4  
#ajs4 for the ,orphans1 from himself and
 his two sisters4 ,thus we were again   
provided with all we needed for         
today4--,this evening the ,lord helped  
still further4 ,i received with ,eccles4
 ix4 #aj1 #cl4 ,from sister ,m4 ,b4 came
 in #al41 by knitting of the            
,infant-,orphans #cs4 #f;d41 and by two 
donations #fs4  ,march #b4 ,this day the
 ,lord has again looked upon us in ,his 
faithful love1 and sent us help1 whereby
 ,i am enabled to replenish our stores  
with rice1 peas1 and ,scotch barley1 and
 am also able to put by the rent4 ,there
 was found in the boxes in the          
,orphan-,houses #bl4 #cs4 #g;d41 which  

had been put in by some visitors1 who   
saw the ,orphan-,houses yesterday       
afternoon4 ,there were also given to me 
#fc old silver coins1 the greater part  
of them old ,english coins1 the others  
old ,spanish and ,french coins1 also one
 crown piece current4 ,there came in    
also by sale of articles and donations1 
besides the money for the silver coins1 
l#fs4 #aj;d4 ,thus the ,lord has dealt  
bountifully with us these two days1     
after many days of poverty4  ,march #f4 
,monday4 ,the last money had been given 
out last ,saturday1 and only #f;d4 had  
come in yesterday1 whilst our need for  
today1 ,i knew1 would be about #bl4     
,about a quarter of am hour before ,i   
was called on for money1 ,i received    
from a brother at ,plymouth a           
post-office-order for #bl4 #aas4 #f;d41 
and by the same post1 anonymously1 a    
,french cambric handkerchief and        
half-a-crown4 ,thus our present need was
 again more than met4  ,march #g4 ,there
 came in today #bl4 l#cs4 #aj;d4  ,march

 #h4 ,today we required #cl4 #ajs4 to   
supply comfortably all that was needed  
in the ,orphan-,houses1 but only #bl4   
#as4 #aj;d4 was in hand4 ,how kind      
therefore of the ,lord to send me a     
large donation1 whereby we were richly  
supplied6 ,the particulars of it are    
these3--,on ,oct4 #be1 #ahdb1 ,i had a  
long conversation with a sister in the  
,lord1 who opened her heart to me4 ,on  
leaving me ,i told her1 7because ,i     
thought it might prove a comfort to her 
at some future time17 that my house and 
my purse were hers1 and that ,i should  
be glad if she would have one purse with
 me4 ,this ,i said1 ,i repeat1 because  
,i judged that at some future time it   
might prove a comfort to her in an hour 
of trial1 having at the same time1 7to  
judge from a circumstance which had     
occurred two days before17 every reason 
to believe1 that she had not #el4 of her
 own4 ,this sister1 after ,i had said   
so1 readily took me at my word1 and     
said1 ,i shall be glad of it1 adding    

presently that she had #ejjl4 ,the      
moment ,i heard that1 ,i drew back1 and 
said1 that had ,i known that she had any
 money1 ,i should not have made her this
 offer1 and then gave her my reason why 
,i had supposed she had no property at  
all4 ,she then assured me that she      
possessed #ejjl41 and that she had never
 seen it right1 to give up this money1  
else she would have done so2 but that as
 ,god had put this sum into her hands1  
without her seeking1 she thought that it
 was a provision which the ,lord had    
made for her4 ,i replied scarcely any   
thing to this2 but she asked me to pray 
for her with reference to this matter4  
,this whole conversation about the money
 occupied but very few minutes1 and it  
all took place after the sister had     
risen and was on the point of leaving   
me4--,after she was gone1 ,i asked the  
,lord1 that ,he would be pleased to make
 this dear sister so happy in ,himself  
and enable her so to realize her true   
riches and inheritance in the ,lord     

,jesus1 and the reality of her heavenly 
calling1 that she might be constrained  
by the love of ,christ1 cheerfully to   
lay down this #ejjl4 at ,his feet4 ,from
 that time ,i repeated this my request  
before the ,lord daily1 and often two1  
three1 or four times a day2 but not a   
single word or line passed between me   
and this sister on the subject1 nor did 
,i even see her2 for ,i judged that it  
would be far better that she retained   
this money1 than that by persuasion she 
should give it up1 and afterwards       
perhaps regret the step she had taken1  
and thereby more dishonour than honour  
be brought on the name of the ,lord4    
,after ,i had thus for #bd days daily   
besought the ,lord on behalf of this    
sister1 ,i found her one day1 on        
returning home1 at my house1 when she   
told me1 that she wished to see me      
alone4 ,she then said to me1 that from  
the time she had last conversed with me1
 she had sought to ascertain the ,lords 
will with reference to the #ejjl41 and  

had examined the ,scriptures1 and prayed
 about it1 and that she was now assured 
that it was the will of the ,lord1 she  
should give up this money4 ,after she   
had told me this1 ,i exhorted her1 well 
to count the cost1 and to do nothing    
rashly1 lest she should regret the step 
she had taken1 and to wait at least a   
fortnight longer before she carried out 
her intention4 ,thus we separated4 ,on  
the #ahth day after this conversation4  
,i received the following letter4       
,dear ,brother1  ,i believe the ,lord   
has not permitted you to grow weary of  
remembering me1 but that ,he has still  
enabled you to bear me upon your heart  
in ,his presence4 ,all is well with me1 
dear brother4 ,your petitions have been 
heard and answered2 ,i am happy and at  
peace4 ,the ,lord has indeed manifested 
,his tender care of and ,his great love 
towards me in ,jesus1 in inclining my   
heart cheerfully to lay all ,i have     
hitherto called my own1 at ,his feet4   
,it is a high privilege4  ,i write in   

haste to ask you 7as we have now one    
purse7 to receive the money at a bank in
 ,bristol2 ,i will direct it to be sent 
in my name1 to be delivered into your   
hands4 ,etc4    ,as this whole          
circumstance is related only for the    
profit of the reader1 and as ,i knew    
that the sister still had my letters on 
the subject in her possession1 ,i wrote 
to her1 requesting her to send them to  
me1 at the time when ,i published the   
last account about the ,orphan-,house1  
etc4 and extracts of them were given in 
the last ,report1 in so far as they     
might refer to the subject or tend to   
edification4 ,these extracts are here   
reprinted4 ,my reply to the above was   
this3    #ba1 ,paul ,street1 ,kingsdown1
 ,bristol1  ,dec4 #f1 #ahdb4  ,my dear  
,sister1  ,your letter found me in      
peace1 and did not in the least surprise
 me4 ,dealing with ,god is a reality4   
,saints have power with ,him through    
,jesus4 ,it is now forty-two days since 
you first mentioned this matter to me4  

,i cannot but admire the wisdom of ,god 
and ,his love to you in allowing me to  
speak to you as ,i did i4e4 offering her
 to have one purse with me2 when ,i     
thought she had no earthly possessions  
at all1 that thus this great privilege  
might be bestowed upon you1 to give up  
this little sum for ,him4 ,since that   
hour ,i have daily prayed for you1 and  
often thrice or more in the course of   
the day1 that the ,lord would make you  
so happy in ,himself1 and help you with 
such faith to lay hold on all which ,he 
has given you in ,jesus1 that you might 
be constrained by love cheerfully to lay
 down this little sum at his feet4 ,thus
 ,i prayed again at six oclock this     
morning for you4 ,nor have ,i had the   
least doubt from the commencement1 that 
the ,lord did hear my prayer2 yea1 so   
fully have ,i been assured that ,i had  
the petition1 that again and again ,i   
have thanked ,him that ,he had answered 
my prayer1 before ,i saw you eighteen   
days since1 and before your letter came 

this morning4 ,moreover1 ,i have been   
fully assured since you were last here1 
that ,he was carrying on ,his work in   
your soul with reference to this matter1
 and that no subtle suggestions of      
,satan1 nor educational prejudices1 nor 
misinterpretations of the ,scriptures   
were able to prevail2 for ,i had asked  
the ,lord1 by ,his ,spirit to overcome  
them in you1 and that1 if a brothers    
word should be needed1 ,he would be     
pleased to incline your heart to write  
to me3 and1 as no letter came1 ,i felt  
fully confident1 you were going forward 
in this matter in peace4 ,when ,i had   
seen you this day six weeks1 and learned
 about this little sum1 ,i determined1  
never to say or write to you another    
word on the subject1 but to leave you in
 the hands of the ,lord4 ,thus ,i       
purposed again during the last eighteen 
days2 for it was not the money given up1
 that ,i cared for in you1 but the money
 given up unto the ,lord1 and from right
 motives4 ,on this very account ,i      

advised you to wait one fortnight       
longer1 though you had come to the      
conclusion2 but now1 having done so1 and
 seeing that you are fully purposed in  
the ,lord to be poor in this world      
indeed1 that the more abundantly you may
 enjoy ,his riches1 ,his inexhaustible  
riches1 ,i change my advice4 ,my word   
now1 beloved sister1 is this3           
,whatsoever thy hand findeth to do1 do  
it with thy might1 and ,if ye know these
 things1 happy are ye if ye do them4    
,delay then no longer1 even as also you 
have no desire to delay3 and the ,lord  
will bless you abundantly in doing so1  
inasmuch as you do it unto ,him4 ,as you
 desire to intrust me with this money1  
,i do not refuse it1 knowing many ways  
to lay it out for ,him4 ,etc4 ,then only
 follows the direction how the money is 
to be paid into my bankers hands4    ,on
 ,dec4 #ah1 #ahdb1 ,i received a reply  
to my letter1 which answer was begun to 
be written on ,dec4 #hth1 but finished  
on the #afth4 ,i give a few extracts of 

the letter3 ,since ,i last saw you1 dear
 brother1 ,i have not had the slightest 
doubt as to what ,i ought to do3 the    
word of ,god has been so clear to me on 
this head1 that ,i have been kept       
resting on it2 and1 in answer to your   
prayers1 no temptation has been allowed 
to prevail1 indeed1 ,i think ,i may add 
to arise4 ,but ,i feel that temptations 
may come1 and that ,i may in seasons of 
trial not always have faith to be able  
to rejoice in this privilege4 ,my heart 
is so deceitful and my faith so weak1   
that ,i shall greatly need your prayers 
still4 ,will you then1 if the ,lord     
enables you1 pray that ,i may never     
offend my ,father by regretting in the  
least measure this act of obedience1    
which ,he has by ,his grace inclined me 
to carry out4 ,i shall pray the ,lord   
still to lay me on your heart4 ,i felt  
so sure1 that you were helped to pray   
for me1 that ,i had thanked the ,lord   
for ,his grace4 ,i am glad you did not  
write1 although ,i much value your      

advice2 but ,i wished to be led by the  
,lord alone1 after ,he had used you as  
the instrument in the first instance1   
and in such a way too1 that ,i am quite 
sure ,he intended to bless you to my    
soul in this matter4 ,i have asked my   
heart whether ,i am really doing this to
 ,him4 ,my heart assures me that ,i am1 
and not from any other motive than      
obedience to the written word4 ,before  
,i ever saw you ,i had asked the ,lord  
to make me willing to give this little  
sum into your hands1 if it were ,his    
will ,i should2 but ,his time to make me
 willing had not then come2 even then ,i
 had1 in a measure given it to you1     
having written a paper1 desiring in case
 ,i should fall asleep in ,jesus1 that  
you might get possession of it2 ,i had  
it signed by two witnesses1 and ,i      
always carried it about with me when ,i 
travelled1 sealed and directed to you4  
,when ,i wrote this1 ,i little thought  
what grace the ,lord had in store for   
me4 ,you will forgive my being thus     

tedious1 but ,i am sure you will praise 
the ,lord with me for ,his gracious     
dealings with me4 ,etc4--,at the end of 
this letter1 which was finished on ,dec4
 #af1 the sister tells me1 that         
unexpectedly a hindrance had arisen to  
her having possession of the money1 so  
that it was not likely it could be paid 
over to me till about the end of        
,january1 #ahdc4  ,when this letter     
came1 it would have been naturally a    
great disappointment to me1 as the      
sister had told me in a previous letter 
that the money should be paid into my   
hands1 and as just at that time in a    
variety of ways it was desirable that ,i
 should have considerable sums4 ,the    
,lord1 however1 enabled me immediately  
to lay hold on that word1 ,we know that 
all things work together for good to    
them that love ,god1 ,rom4 viii4 #bh1   
and my soul was in peace1 though we had 
only enough money in hand to provide for
 one or at the most for two days the    
necessary provisions in the             

,orphan-,houses4 ,it was but the next   
day1 ,dec4 #ai1 #ahdb1 when ,i received 
#ajjl4 from ,a4 ,b41 and on ,dec4 #bb1  
,i received #ejl4 from a brother in     
,bristol1 besides other donations3 so   
that within one week1 after ,i had had  
grace to delight myself in the will of  
,god1 ,he gave me about #bjjl41 whereby 
,i was able to meet all the heavy       
expenses of replenishing the stores1 c41
 on account of which ,i should naturally
 have been tried in the payment of the  
money being delayed4  ,in reply to the  
letter1 which ,i received from this     
sister on ,dec4 #ah1 ,i wrote another   
on4 ,december #ca1 #ahdb1 of which ,i   
give an extract on this subject4 ,the   
hand of the ,lord is indeed most        
manifestly to be seen in this matter1   
concerning the money3 the way in which  
your own mind was led2 my speaking under
 the circumstances under which ,i did1  
when you were already risen to leave the
 room2 the reason why ,i did so1 i4e41  
mere sympathy with your circumstances1  

and thinking that some day or other my  
brotherly offer might be a comfort to   
you1 though you should never need it1   
and all this when ,i believed that at   
that time you did not possess #el4--,i  
have continued to pray for you1 or      
rather the ,lord has enabled me every   
day once1 twice1 thrice1 or even more1  
to remember you4 ,the burden of my      
prayer still has been1 that ,he would be
 pleased to make you very happy in      
,himself and enable you to enter into   
the inheritance which awaits you2       
further1 that you may not be permitted  
in the least to regret the step which   
you have taken1 but rather consider it a
 privilege to be permitted to give this 
little sum back to ,him who gave it to  
you1 and who gave ,himself for          
you4--,with reference to the delay1 ,i  
cannot but rejoice4 ,this gives you     
abundant opportunity to ponder the      
matter1 and afterwards to state to any  
7who1 judging as those who know not how 
rich the saints are1 might blame you17  

that you did not do the thing in haste4 
,i consider this delay to be for the    
furtherance of the honour of the ,lord4 
,you know my advice to you1 to wait at  
least a fortnight4 ,that you have seen  
much of your unfaithfulness1 c41 ,i     
consider to be an especial blessing     
which the ,lord has bestowed upon you1  
lest this step you have taken should    
become a snare to you4 ,humblings last  
our whole life4 ,jesus came not to save 
painted but real sinners2 but ,he has   
saved us1 and will surely make it       
manifest4 ,i have a passage laid on my  
heart for you1 read the whole of it     
carefully3 #b ,corinth4 viii4 #a-i1     
especially verse #i4 ,etc4  ,day after  
day now passed away and the money did   
not come4 ,the month of ,january was    
come to an end1 and ,february also1 and 
the money had not come4 ,thus more than 
one hundred and twenty days were gone   
by1 whilst day by day ,i brought my     
petition before the ,lord1 that ,he     
would bless this sister1 keep her       

steadfast in her purpose and intrust me 
with this money for ,his work in my     
hands4 ,amidst it all my heart was      
assured 7judging from the earnestness   
which ,he had given me in prayer1 and   
that ,i had only desired this matter to 
the praise of ,his name71 that in ,his  
own time ,he would bring it about4 ,but 
,i never wrote one single line to the   
sister on the subject all this time4 ,at
 last1 on the one hundred and           
thirty-fourth day after ,i had daily    
besought the ,lord about this matter1 on
 ,march #hth1 #ahdc1a received a letter 
from the sister1 informing me that the  
#ejjl4 had been paid into the hands of  
my bankers4  ,i now wrote to the sister 
to inquire1 whether she wished the money
 to be expended upon any particular     
objects1 or whether she would leave me  
altogether free to expend it1 as ,i     
might be led4  ,in reply to this she    
wrote me3 ,dear ,brother1 ,i would still
 leave this little sum in the hands of  
,him to whom it has been given4 ,may ,he

 alone be your guide in disposing of it4
 ,if ,i did express one wish1 it would  
be1 that you would make use of a part   
for your own or your familys present    
necessity4 ,this latter point ,i        
declined entirely1 thinking it not wise 
to take a part of this money for myself1
 to avoid even the appearance as if in  
any measure ,i had sought my own things 
in this matter1 instead of the things of
 ,jesus ,christ4  ,the #ejjl4 were thus 
portioned out3 #ajjl4 for the           
,school-,bible-,tract and ,missionary   
,fund4 #ejl4 for the ,employment        
,fund4#h #ejl4 was taken at once for the
 ,orphan-,fund1 and afterwards also the 
remaining #cjjl4 when1 as ,i shall      
presently relate1 the ,lord pointed out 
to me to go forward in the ,orphan work1
 and to establish a fourth              
,orphan-house4  ,i have related the     
particulars connected with this donation
 so minutely1 in order to show1 that    
though we may have long to wait upon the
 ,lord1 yea1 though for one hundred and 

thirty-four days we may have daily the  
same petition to bring before ,him1 yet 
at last ,he will give us the desire of  
our hearts1 if our petitions are        
according to ,his mind4 ,and now ,i only
 give a few lines of a letter which ,i  
received on4 ,july #c1 #ahdd1 from the  
sister who gave this donation1 together 
with my letters for which ,i had asked  
her1 in order that ,i may show her state
 of mind on the subject1 after she had  
had it more than twenty months before   
her1 and after she had for sixteen      
months actually given up the money4 ,she
 writes thus3 ,i am thankful to say that
 ,i have never for one moment had the   
slightest feeling of regret2 but it is  
wholly of the ,lords abounding grace4 ,i
 speak it to ,his praise4  ,on ,march   
#ca1 #ahdc1 ,i called at the            
,orphan-,houses1 to make certain        
arrangements1 and one of the sisters    
told me by the way1 that she had been   
asked by ,miss ,g1 who with her father  
occupied the house1 ,no4 #d1 ,wilson    

,street1 to let me know that they wished
 to give up their house1 if ,i would    
like to take it2 but she had replied    
that it was of no use to tell me about  
it1 for she was sure that ,i had no     
thought of opening another              
,orphan-,house4 ,when ,i came home1 this
 matter greatly occupied my mind4 ,i    
could not but ask the ,lord again and   
again whether ,he would have me to open 
another ,orphan-,house1 and whether the 
time was now come that ,i should serve  
,him still more extensively in this way4
 ,the more ,i pondered the matter1 the  
more it appeared to me that this was the
 hand of ,god moving me onwards in this 
service4 ,the following remarkable      
combination of circumstances struck me  
in particular4 #a1 ,there are more      
applications made for the admission of  
,orphans1 especially of late1 than we   
are at all able to meet1 though we fill 
the houses as much as the health of the 
children and of the labourers will      
possibly admit4 #b1 ,if ,i did take     

another house for ,orphans1 it would be 
most desirable it should be in the same 
street where the other three are1 as    
thus the labour is less1 and in times of
 great need we are near together for    
prayer1 the distribution of the money1  
c4 ,but since the third ,orphan-,house  
was opened in ,nov4 #ahcg1 there never  
has been one of the larger houses in the
 street to be let4 #c1 ,there are about 
fifteen children in the                 
,infant-,orphan-,house1 whom it would   
have been well some time ago to have    
removed to the house for the older      
girls1 had there been room2 but when a  
vacancy happened to occur in that house1
 there were generally several waiting to
 fill it up1 so that unintentionally the
 female children in the                 
,infant-,orphan-,house remained where   
they were2 but this is not well1 nor is 
it according to my original intention   
for the ,infants were intended only to  
be left till they are seven years old1  
and then to be removed to the houses for

 older boys and girls4 ,this my original
 plan could be executed better for the  
future1 and at once for the present1    
were ,i to open another ,orphan-,house4 
#d1 ,i know two sisters who seem        
suitable labourers for this fourth      
,orphan-,house1 and who have a desire   
thus to be engaged4 #e1 ,there are      
#cjjl4 remaining of the #ejjl4 which ,i 
so lately received4 ,this money may be  
used for the furnishing and fitting up  
of a new ,orphan-,house4 ,so much money 
,i have never had in hand at one time   
during the last five years4 ,this seemed
 to me a remarkable thing1 in connexion 
with the four other reasons4 #f1 ,the   
establishing of a fourth ,orphan-,house1
 which would increase our expenses      
several hundred pounds a year1 would be1
 after we have gone for five years      
almost uninterruptedly through trials of
 faith1 a plain proof that ,i have not  
regretted this service1 and that ,i am  
not tired of this precious way of       
depending upon the ,lord from day to    

day2 and thus the faith of other        
children of ,god might be               
strengthened4--,but most important1 yea 
decidedly conclusive1 as these points   
were2 yet they did not convince me that 
,i ought to go forward in this service1 
if the ,spirits leading were not in     
connexion with them4 ,i therefore gave  
myself to prayer4 ,i prayed day after   
day1 without saying anything to any     
human being4 ,i prayed two and twenty   
days1 without even mentioning it to my  
dear wife4 ,on that very day1 when ,i   
did mention it to her1 and on which ,i  
had come to the conclusion1 after three 
weeks prayer and consideration in the   
fear of ,god1 to establish another      
,orphan-,house1 ,i received from ,a4 ,b4
 #ejl4 and #al4 through him from a      
sister4 ,what a striking confirmation   
that the ,lord will help1 though the    
necessities should increase more and    
more4 ,at last1 on the #bdth day1 having
 been now for several days fully        
assured1 that ,god would have me go     

forward in this service1 ,i went to     
inquire whether ,mr4 and ,miss ,g4 still
 wished to give up the house4 ,but here 
,i found an apparent hinderance4 ,having
 heard no wish expressed on my part to  
take the house1 and the sister in the   
,orphan-,houses1 with whom ,miss ,g4 had
 communicated1 not having given her the 
least reason to think that ,i should do 
so1 ,mr4 and ,miss ,g4 their altered    
their plans1 and now purposed to remain 
in the house4 ,however1 ,i was to call  
again in a week1 when ,i should receive 
an answer4 ,i was not in the least      
discomforted by this obstacle4 ,lord1 if
 ,thou hast no need of another          
,orphan-,house1 ,i have none1 was the   
burden of my prayer4 ,i was willing to  
do ,gods will1 yea to delight myself in 
,his will4 ,and just on this very       
ground1 because ,i knew ,i sought not my
 own honour but the ,lords2 because ,i  
knew ,i was not serving myself1 but the 
,lord in this thing2 and because ,i knew
 that with so much calm1 quiet1         

prayerful1 self-questioning             
consideration ,i had gone about this    
business1 and had only after many days1 
during which ,i had been thus waiting   
upon the ,lord1 come to the conclusion  
that it was the will of ,god ,i should  
go forward in this service3 for1 these  
reasons ,i felt sure 7notwithstanding   
what ,mr4 and ,miss ,g4 had told me71   
that ,i should have the house4 ,i also  
especially judged1 that thus it would   
be1 because ,i was quite in peace1 when 
,i heard of the obstacle3 a plain proof 
that ,i was not in self-will going on in
 this matter1 but according to the      
leading of the ,holy ,ghost2 for if     
according to my natural mind ,i had     
sought to enlarge the work1 ,i should   
have been excited and uncomfortable when
 ,i met with this obstacle4 ,after a    
week ,i called again on ,mr4 ,g4 ,and   
now see how ,god had wrought6 ,on the   
same day on which ,i had seen ,mr4 ,g41 
he went out and met with a suitable     
house1 so that when ,i came the second  

time1 he was willing to let me have the 
one which he then occupied in ,wilson   
,street1 and as the owner accepted me as
 a tenant1 all the difficulties were    
removed1 so that after the first of     
,june we began fitting up the house1 and
 in ,july the first ,orphans were       
received4  ,of the donations which came 
in from ,march #h to the end of ,may1   
#ahdc1 and which were many1 ,i only     
notice3  on ,april #aj a brother gave   
#el41 which had been saved out of house 
furnishing1 by doing it in a plainer    
way4  ,at the end of ,may1 #ahdc1 ,i    
entered upon a remarkable part of my    
life1 upon which ,i must dwell somewhat 
at length1 especially as it will1 by    
,gods blessing1 still further show the  
,reader the preciousness of depending   
upon ,god for every thing4  ,it was in  
,september or ,october #ahda1 that one  
day a ,german lady1 a native of         
,wirtemberg1 called on me4 ,she said    
that she had come to ,england to perfect
 herself in ,english1 and purposed      

afterwards to return to ,germany to     
establish a boarding school for young   
ladies1 and especially for ,english     
young ladies4 ,having heard that ,i was 
a ,german1 she came to obtain my advice1
 and to request me to interest myself   
for her in getting her pupils to        
instruct in ,german1 in order thus to   
support herself while in ,england4      
,after having conversed with her for    
some time about these things1 and given 
her the information which she desired1  
,i then spoke to her about the things of
 ,god1 in which conversation ,i soon    
found1 that though she might have had   
some religious feelings from time to    
time1 yet that she did not know the     
,lord4 ,on leaving me ,i gave her the   
first and second part of my ,narrative1 
which ,i thought she would read because 
it contained the experience of a        
,german1 and thus she would also have   
exercise in ,english4 ,i then followed  
with my prayers the reading of the book1
 that ,god would be pleased to bless it 

to the conversion of her soul4 ,after   
some time she called on me again1       
telling me that she had been deeply     
interested in reading my ,narrative1 and
 asked me whether ,i had any objection  
to her translating the book into        
,german1 with the view of getting it    
published on her return to ,germany4 ,my
 reply was that ,i had no right to      
object to it2 for1 in so far as         
translation into another language was   
concerned1 the book was everyones       
property4 ,i might have mentioned that  
,i did not think her yet sufficiently   
acquainted either with the ,english     
language or the state of things in      
,england1 especially religiously1 and   
that1 as she was not converted herself1 
she could not give the exact translation
 of the book1 though she were qualified 
with reference to the two former points2
 but1 as ,i had the spiritual benefit of
 the individual in view1 ,i thought thus
 with myself2 this person has no        
employment at present1 and by           

translating this book she will be kept  
from the many snares connected with     
idleness2 she will by this means also   
make progress in ,english1 which she is 
desirous of doing2 but1 most of all1 the
 fact of translating a book for the     
press will oblige her more accurately   
and attentively to consider what is     
contained in it1 than she would be      
obliged to do1 were she simply to read  
it through several times1 and therefore 
this work may1 with ,gods blessing1 be  
instrumental in doing good to her soul4 
,the last point weighed particularly    
with me2 ,i therefore did not discourage
 her1 though at the same time ,i did not
 encourage her1 but left the matter to  
herself4 ,as1 however1 she left me with 
the impression that she was going to    
translate the book1 ,i asked the ,lord  
to convert her soul in doing so4 ,after 
a time ,mrs4 ,g4 called on me again1 and
 brought me a part of the manuscript1   
that ,i might read it over4 ,i took it1 
but could not promise her to read it2   

for ,i had little prospect of doing so1 
for want of time4 ,nevertheless ,i read 
a few pages1 which ,i found rather      
better translated than ,i had expected4 
,after this she brought me at two or    
three other times considerable parts of 
the translation1 which1 however1 ,i had 
never time to read4 ,by this time the   
winter had passed away1 and it was come 
to ,march1 #ahdb1 when all of a sudden1 
one ,wednesday afternoon1 ,i was seized 
with sharp pains1 something like spasms1
 which were so acute that1 though they  
passed off after about an hour1 they    
left me so weak1 that ,i was not able to
 go out to our usual meeting on that    
evening4 ,about seven oclock1 just when 
,i should have been at the meeting but  
for this illness1 ,mrs4 ,g41 who for    
several weeks had been at ,trowbridge1  
to finish the translation1 and to       
instruct a young lady in ,german1 came  
to take leave of me4 ,she said she now  
purposed to return to ,wirtemberg4      
,though ,i was very weak1 yet1 under    

these circumstances1 ,i could not       
decline seeing her1 as it would be in   
all human probability the last time that
 ,i should do so4 ,i therefore besought 
the ,lord to strengthen me for this     
service 7which ,i soon perceived ,he had
 done71 and1 after a short conversation 
with her about her circumstances1 ,i    
began to speak to her about her soul1   
and soon found she was heavy laden1     
burdened under her sins1 and broken in  
heart4 ,with many tears1 she told me    
that she was a great sinner1 an         
exceedingly great sinner4 ,every word   
she spoke gave me the impression1 that  
all she now needed was to have the work 
of ,christ pointed out to her1 i4e4 the 
power of ,his blood in cleansing from   
all sin1 by faith in ,his name4 ,i spent
 about two hours with her1 and she left 
me with many tears4--,i also had said to
 her at the beginning of the            
conversation with reference to the      
translation of my ,narrative1 that if   
she still desired to publish it1 she    

should seek to get the assistance of a  
pious clergyman in ,germany1 who        
understood ,english well--,on the next  
morning about nine ,mrs4 ,g4 called     
again upon me1 telling me that she could
 not leave ,bristol without seeing me   
once more4 ,she now spent about three   
hours more with me1 in which she told me
 that1 during the night1 which she had  
chiefly spent in prayer and reading the 
word of ,god1 she had found peace in the
 ,lord ,jesus1 and that she was now     
happy in ,him4 ,she further told me1    
that1 after she had translated a part of
 my ,narrative1 the ,spirit of ,god     
began to work upon her heart1 by        
convincing her that she was a great     
sinner4 ,the further she went on1 the   
more she felt what a sinner she was1    
till at last1 when she was come towards 
the end of the book1 she came to the    
conclusion to return to ,germany4 ,i now
 gave her some advice in reference to   
her return1 and also what she should do 
with reference to her spiritual welfare1

 after her return to ,wirtemberg4 ,after
 this she left me4 ,about two or three  
weeks after 7in ,april1 #ahdb7 ,i       
received a long letter from her1 written
 on her way homeward1 by which ,i was   
still further confirmed that1 although  
,mrs4 ,g4 was only a mere babe in       
,christ1 yet that she was a babe1 and   
that a real work of grace had been begun
 in her heart4 ,i then wrote to her1 but
 from that time till towards the end of 
,may1 #ahdc1 ,i heard no more of her4   
,towards the end of ,may1 #ahdc1        
however1 ,i received a long letter from 
her1 dated ,stuttgart 7capital of the   
kingdom of ,wirtemberg74 ,in this letter
 ,mrs4 ,g4 gave me an outline of her    
history during the year after she had   
returned to her country4 ,suffice it    
here to say1 that she had sought in vain
 to find ,christians with whom she could
 be united in fellowship according to   
the truths she thought she saw in my    
,narrative1 and according to what she   
had seen and heard at our meetings in4  

,bristol4 ,at last1 about ,new-year1    
#ahdc1 she became acquainted with a     
little baptist church1 which was        
separated from the ,state church1 and   
she was after a time baptized and       
received into fellowship among them1    
which took place in ,feb4 #ahdc4 ,soon1 
however1 she found things different1 as 
to church order1 etc41 from what she had
 seen amongst us in ,bristol1 or from   
what she had learnt from my ,narrative1 
especially with reference to close      
baptist principles1 which in the highest
 and strongest degree were practised    
among the brethren at ,stuttgart3 and   
she wrote to me1 to ask my view about   
that point1 as she felt pained at       
separating from true believers1 because 
they might not be instructed about      
believers baptism4 ,her letter was      
accompanied by another letter from one  
of the brethren of the baptist church1  
,dr4 ,r--1 a solicitor or barrister to  
the upper tribunal of the kingdom of    
,wirtemberg4 ,the letter of the latter  

testified of the gracious spirit of the 
writer1 but also that he likewise held  
the separating views of close communion1
 and that he1 having read the           
translation of my ,narrative in         
manuscript1 seemed to be drawn and knit 
to me affectionately1 but wished to     
have1 upon ,scriptural ground1 my views 
about open communion4  ,before ,i       
received these letters1 ,i had been     
repeatedly asked1 during my fourteen    
years residence in ,england1 why ,i did 
not labour in my native country4 ,the   
importance also of doing so had been    
pointed out to me2 nor was ,i myself    
insensible to this2 but my answer had   
always been3 ,i must labour where the   
,lord will have me to be1 and as ,i have
 never seen it to be the ,lords will1   
that ,i should labour in ,germany1 ,i   
ought not to do so4 ,about fourteen     
months before ,i received these letters1
 it had been also more than ever laid on
 my heart by brother ,r4 ,c4 ,he had    
seen something of the religious state of

 the ,continent1 and he had heard still 
more about it1 and he had found1 almost 
every where1 that when he set truth     
before brethren1 they said1 ,it is      
,scriptural1 you are right2 but if we   
were to practice this1 what would be the
 consequences8 what would become of us  
and our wives and children8 or something
 of that kind4 ,brother ,c4 therefore   
came on purpose to see me1 on his return
 from ,denmark1 to lay it on my heart to
 visit ,germany1 on account of my being 
a native and having been led by the     
,lord as ,i had4 ,he told me especially 
that he considered it of importance that
 ,i should publish my ,narrative in     
,german1 in order that thus the faith of
 the brethren41 with the ,lords         
blessing1 might be strengthened1 and    
that they might be led to act according 
to the light which they had4 ,all this  
seemed to me very important3 but my     
answer was as before2 ,i cannot go till 
the ,lord calls me4 ,scarcely had ,i    
read the letters from ,mrs4 ,g4 and ,dr4

 ,r--1 but ,i felt3 now is the time come
 when ,i am to go to ,germany2 and from 
that time ,i gave myself to prayer about
 it4 ,when ,i afterwards communicated my
 feeling on the subject to brother ,r4  
,c4 he said2 ,i am not surprised about  
it1 for from the time that ,i spoke to  
you on the subject1 ,i have been        
constantly asking the ,lord to bring it 
about4  --,the reasons that pointed it  
out to me as the ,lords will1 that ,i   
ought to go to ,germany to labour there 
for a season1 were these4 #a1 ,i knew   
not of one single body of believers1 who
 were gathered on scriptural principles4
 ,in all the ,states of ,germany1 with  
scarcely any exception1 believers are   
connected with the ,state ,churches1 and
 the very few believers of whom ,i had  
heard that they were separated1 ,i knew 
to be close ,baptists1 who1 generally1  
by their most exclusive separate views1 
only confirmed believers in remaining in
 the ,establishment4 ,especially of the 
,baptist ,church at ,stuttgart ,i had   

much reason to believe this4 ,it seemed 
to me therefore important to go to      
,germany1 and labour there for a        
season41 if it might please the ,lord to
 condescend to use me to put a light on 
a candlestick1 howsoever dimly it might 
be burning at the first1 so that by     
means thereof the light might be spread 
in other parts of ,germany4 #b1 ,as ,i  
am a ,german1 and therefore familiar    
with the language1 there seemed to me an
 especial call that ,i should take on   
myself this service1 particularly as my 
experience in connexion with several    
bodies of believers1 during the #ac     
#a_/b years previous to this time1 would
 be of great help in this service4 #c1  
,it seemed further to me to be the      
,lords will that ,i should go to        
,germany1 in order that ,i might publish
 my ,narrative of the ,lords dealings   
with me 7which ,mrs4 ,g4 had not been   
able to accomplish71 and that not simply
 in the form of a translation1 but so   
that it should be prepared for the press

 just as the necessities of the         
believers in ,germany 7who1 with        
scarcely any exceptions1 are not only   
connected with the ,establishment1 but  
have no idea that there is any where    
else any thing besides ,establishment7  
might require it4 ,thus1 ,i judged1     
something would be given to ,germany of 
the practical working of labouring out  
of the ,establishment2 of meeting only  
as believers in the name of the ,lord   
,jesus1 irrespective of any particular  
religious party or sect1 and that in    
dependence upon the power and presence  
of the ,holy ,ghost in the ,church of   
,christ2 of dependence upon the ,lord   
alone for every thing2 of recognising no
 other book but the ,holy ,scriptures   
for our rule concerning every thing1 c42
 and thus my ,narrative1 if the ,lord   
allowed me to publish it1 might be      
working still1 after ,i had left        
,germany4 #d1 ,up to that time ,i had   
never known an open door for me to      
labour on the ,continent1 at least not  

in ,germany2 for in the ,establishment  
,i neither could labour with a good     
conscience1 according to the light which
 the ,lord had been pleased to give me1 
nor should ,i have been permitted to    
have done so2 and ,i was not acquainted 
with believers on the ,continent out of 
the ,establishment2 and as to preaching 
in the open air1 or going somewhere and 
taking a place for preaching1 any thing 
of this sort was out of the question2   
for ,i was too well acquainted with the 
police of ,germany1 not to know that    
that would not be permitted4 ,but now ,i
 heard of an open door4 ,at ,stuttgart1 
,i judged1 ,i might labour in expounding
 the truth in this close ,baptist       
,church1 and seek to bring these dear   
brethren out of their sectarian views4  
#e1 ,but that which in connexion with   
these four reasons had likewise much    
influence upon me1 was this3 ,during the
 fourteen years that ,i had been in     
,england1 ,i had never had my mind drawn
 to labour on the ,continent1 and now   

the very opposite was the case4 ,it was 
but two or three days before ,i received
 those letters from ,stuttgart1 that ,i 
had again expressed my mind as to       
labouring in ,germany1 i4e4 that ,i felt
 no call from the ,lord to do it1 and   
had no drawing towards it4 ,now the case
 was altogether otherwise4 ,i could not 
but pray about it2 ,i could not but feel
 drawn to go to ,germany in love to the 
,lord and in pity towards the poor      
,church of ,christ in that country4     
,naturally there was nothing inviting2  
for ,i saw a hard struggle before me    
with reference to the brethren who were 
to be won for the truth1 and to be      
brought out of their errors2 in the     
,continental manners and the long and   
beautiful journey on the ,rhine ,i saw1 
through grace1 no charm1 and certainly  
,i saw nothing in them which would      
induce me to leave home1 but the        
reverse2 the fourth ,orphan-,house was  
on the point of being opened1 and ,i1   
naturally1 was very reluctant to be     

absent from it just then2 the labour    
would be great in ,germany1 and work    
would heap up greatly for me in         
,bristol1 during my absence4 ,but with  
all this3--the leading of my mind to    
,germany still remained4  ,the more ,i  
prayed about these points1 the more ,i  
judged it to be from the ,lord1 that ,i 
should go for a season to ,germany4 ,it 
was but a few days1 before ,i had the   
fullest assurance in my soul1 7after    
much prayer1 much self-examination in   
the fear of ,god1 and after much looking
 at these five points71 that it was the 
will of ,god ,i should go2 yet even then
 ,i did not speak publicly about it4    
,after having come to the conclusion1   
that1 as far as ,i could see1 it was the
 will of ,god that ,i should go1 ,i     
began prayerfully to look at the        
difficulties there were in the way1     
which were principally these4 #a4 the   
,new ,orphan-,house needed to be opened1
 and all the work in connexion with it  
was to be done before ,i could leave2   

because ,i could not judge it to be of  
,god1 that this work1 which was begun1  
should remain unfinished1 except        
absolute necessity pointed it out1 as   
otherwise it would be a waste of money1 
a breach of promise to the relatives    
whose children were to be received1 c4  
,i therefore asked the ,lord to help me 
through all this work1 which was not a  
little1 before ,i could leave4 #b4 ,i   
judged it for various reasons important1
 not to leave the work of the           
,orphan-,houses1 ,day-,schools1 c41     
without leaving such a sum of money     
behind1 as would1 at least for about two
 months1 defray the probable current    
expenses for the work1 therefore a few  
hundred pounds ,i thought it desirable  
to leave behind1 in order that the      
burden of the work might not be left    
upon the shoulders of my dear           
fellow-labourers4 ,i had therefore by   
prayer to get this sum from the ,lord1  
for the obtaining of which ,i had no    
natural prospects whatever4 #c4 ,another

 obstacle in the way was1 want of money 
for traveling expenses to and from      
,stuttgart1 and means for staying there 
at least for a time1 and that not only  
for myself1 but for my dear wife2 for ,i
 judged1 for various reasons1 that it   
was the will of ,god she should         
accompany me in this service1 but       
principally because her health was not  
equal to being left in ,bristol1 with   
the responsibility of the work resting  
upon her in my absence4 ,this again     
would require a considerable sum1 ,i    
mean considerable for me1 a poor man4   
,the means ,i then had of my own as far 
as ,i now remember1 were not enough1 if 
they had been multiplied by fifty4 ,this
 obstacle was to be removed by prayer4  
#d4 ,one of the especial reasons for    
which ,i saw it to be the ,lords will   
that ,i should go to ,germany was1 the  
publishing of my ,narrative1 at a cheap 
price 7#bs4 for both parts71 or to be   
given away gratuitously1 so that the    
poor might have it4 ,but this could not 

be obtained1 except ,i published it on  
my own account1 to avoid the publishers 
putting a higher price upon it4 ,then   
again1 as so much expense of time was   
connected with printing it1 ,i intended1
 if once ,i went to ,germany1 to print  
not less than #djjj copies2 and what is 
even that number among the many millions
 whose language is ,german4 ,but whence 
was the money to come for all this2 an  
expense which1 though printing and paper
 are very much cheaper in ,germany than 
in ,england1 yet ,i knew would cost     
between one and two hundred pounds4 ,for
 this1 then1 also1 ,i1 a poor man1      
betook myself to the living ,god1 being 
fully assured1 that1 as ,he had pointed 
out to me ,his will with reference to my
 going1 ,he would also most assuredly   
provide the means4 ,nay1 ,i had a secret
 satisfaction in the greatness of the   
difficulties which were in the way4 ,so 
far from being cast down on account of  
them1 they delighted my soul2 for ,i    
only desired to do the will of the ,lord

 in this matter4 ,in honesty of heart1  
,i had examined the matter1 as standing 
before ,god4 ,i wished only to know ,his
 will1 that ,i might do it4 ,i judged1  
it was ,his will that ,i should go to   
,germany1 and therefore determined in   
,his fear that ,i would go4 ,when ,i    
therefore saw the difficulties1 they    
cast me not down1 but cheered me2 for as
 it was the will of ,god1 according to  
my judgment1 that ,i should go1 ,i was  
sure ,he would remove the obstacles out 
of the way2 and therefore the greater   
the obstacles1 the more abundantly plain
 the proof1 that ,i had come to a right 
judgment1 if they were removed by       
prayer2 but if after all ,i had been    
mistaken1 which ,i could not think ,i   
had been1 then1 the sooner ,i was       
undeceived the better4 ,how different   
such a state of heart1 from what it     
would have been1 if somehow or other the
 love for a ,continental tour1 or the   
desire to go up the beautiful ,rhine1   
had beguiled me3 then ,i should not have

 liked to look at the difficulties1 or  
at least ,i should have sought to have  
them removed by my own efforts4 ,but as 
it was1 ,i did nothing but pray4 ,prayer
 and faith1 the universal remedies      
against every want and every difficulty2
 and the nourishment of prayer and      
faith1 ,gods holy word1 helped me over  
all the difficulties4--,i never         
remember1 in all my ,christian course1 a
 period now 7in ,october #ahha7 of      
fifty-five years and eleven months1 that
 ,i ever ,,sincerely and ,,patiently    
sought to know the will of ,god by the  
teaching of the ,holy ,ghost1 through   
the instrumentality of the word of ,god1
 but ,i have been ,,always directed     
rightly4 ,but if honesty of heart and   
uprightness before ,god were lacking1 or
 if ,i did not patiently wait upon ,god 
for instruction1 or if ,i preferred the 
counsel of my fellow men to the         
declarations of the word of the living  
,god1 ,i made great mistakes4--#e4 ,a   
fifth difficulty in the way was1 to find

 a sister1 as matron1 for the new       
,orphan-,house1 who1 as far as ,i could 
see1 would be suitable2 for there were  
reasons why the sister1 of whom ,i had  
first thought1 could not be engaged for 
this work4 ,this was no small difficulty
 in the way1 not only as a point        
important in itself1 but also because ,i
 could not proceed with the fitting up  
of the house1 c41 till such a sister had
 been found4  ,in the beginning of      
,june1 ,i began therefore to give myself
 to prayer1 along with my wife and her  
sister who lived with us1 making it a   
point1 every morning after family       
prayer1 to retire together for the      
express purpose of asking the ,lord to  
remove these five difficulties1 if it   
were indeed1 as ,i judged1 ,his holy    
will1 that ,i should labour for a season
 on the ,continent4 ,in addition to this
 we day by day asked ,his blessing upon 
the brethren at ,stuttgart among whom ,i
 was looking forward to labour1 and upon
 unconverted persons with whom ,i might 

come in contact on the ,continent in the
 ministry of the ,gospel publicly or    
privately4 ,we asked ,him also          
especially to prepare the hearts of the 
brethren in ,germany for my service1 to 
help me in writing the book1 to bless   
it1 c4 ,we asked ,him further1 to be    
with the ,church in ,bristol1 during my 
absence1 to use my absence as a means of
 making the gifts1 which ,he had        
bestowed among us1 more abundantly      
manifest1 to help the labourers in the  
,orphan-,houses and ,day-,schools during
 my absence1 c4 ,thus we were1 morning  
by morning1 waiting upon the ,lord1 and 
enlarging our petitions as the ,holy    
,spirit might lead me in prayer4 ,but   
whilst we were thus day by day waiting  
upon the ,lord1 the difficulties1       
instead of being removed1 appeared to   
increase4 ,for instance3 instead of     
money coming in for the ,orphans1 the   
,day-,schools1 and the other objects of 
the ,scriptural ,knowledge ,institution1
 there was considerably more expended   

than came in1 so that we were getting   
almost poor4 ,instead of finding a      
sister1 who seemed suitable as matron   
for the new ,orphan-,house1 ,i had the  
prospect of losing another sister out of
 the work1 who considered it her place  
to leave ,bristol4 ,but notwithstanding 
all this1 my soul was at peace1 being   
fully assured1 that ,i could not be     
mistaken1 as ,i had come through        
sincere1 patient1 and prayerful         
consideration of the whole matter at    
last to the conclusion1 it was the will 
of the ,lord that ,i should go to       
,germany1 to labour there in the ,word1 
and publish my ,narrative in the ,german
 language4 ,faith therefore saw all the 
difficulties already removed4 ,faith    
could give thanks1 while the            
difficulties yet remained4 ,faith could 
triumph1 though there seemed the death  
blow coming1 since there not only was no
 money coming in1 but the considerable  
sums1 lately in hand1 were rapidly      
diminishing2 and1 instead of finding a  

sister for the new ,orphan-,house1      
another sister seemed on the point of   
leaving4 ,thus forty days had been      
passing away1 whilst day after day we   
had been waiting unitedly upon the      
,lord2 but the obstacles were greater   
than ever1 yet my confidence in the     
,lord1 that ,he would remove the        
difficulties in ,his own time1 was      
greater than ever also4 ,it was on ,july
 #ab that ,i said to a sister1 being led
 to it by the certain prospect of one of
 the dear labourers in the              
,orphan-,houses going to leave2 ,well1  
my soul is at peace4 ,the ,lords time is
 not yet come1 but1 when it is come1 ,he
 will blow away all these obstacles1 as 
chaff is blown away before the wind4 ,it
 was only ,,one ,,quarter ,,of ,,an     
,,hour after1 when the following paper  
was put into my hands1 whereby ,i       
obtained power over #gjbl4 #cs4 #g;d4   
#ast1 ,the poor brethren and sisters of 
our dear ,lord and ,saviour4 ,in        
connexion with the ,employment-,fund or 

otherwise i4e4 might be given away in   
connexion with the ,employment-,fund or 
otherwise4  #bnd1 ,sending help in the  
,gospel of ,christ to the dear brethren 
in ,germany1 or publishing the          
,narrative4  #crd1 ,the dear            
,orphan-,children4  #dth1 ,to complete  
the payment of the expenses incurred by 
building a chapel for the meeting of the
 saints at ,barnstaple4   ,i leave the  
sums1 to be used in these several       
objects1 under the ,lord1 to the        
judgment of the ,lords servant1 brother 
,mller1 knowing assuredly that ,he whose
 steward he is will direct and guide him
 in this and every other matter4--,his  
holy name be praised for the ,,real     
,,joy ,i feel today in doing a thing1   
which a few weeks since was a trying act
 of obedience4 ,surely1 the statutes of 
the ,lord are right1 rejoicing the      
heart4 ,in keeping of them there is     
great reward4--,july #aj1 #ahdc4   ,thus
 three of the hinderances were at once  
removed2 for ,i was by this sum         

furnished with travelling expenses1 and 
with what might be required for my stay 
in ,germany1 had means to publish #djjj 
copies of my ,narrative1 and was able to
 leave means behind for the work in     
,bristol1 sufficient for at least two   
months4 ,when ,i received this note1 ,i 
was not in the least excited1 but took  
the circumstance as quietly as if it    
were a matter which could not be        
otherwise4 ,i had been sure1 that1 when 
the ,lords time was come1 ,he would send
 the means1 and according to my faith it
 was now granted to me2 and a proof1    
that up to the last ,i did believe1 was1
 that when the money came1 it did not   
surprise me4 ,the #gjbl4 #cs4 #g;d4 was 
not portioned out 7except what was sent 
to ,barnstaple71 till my return1 as ,i  
could not know how much each object     
might require4 ,it was thus spent4 #a1  
,for the chapel at ,barnstaple1 #hjl4   
#gs4 #a;d4 #b1 ,for poor saints1 #aabl4 
#bs41 spent in a great measure in       
providing them or their children with   

linen and clothes1 and for the          
,employment-,fund1 #ejl4 #c1 ,for       
publishing #djjj copies of the two parts
 of my ,narrative in ,german1 our       
travelling expenses to and from         
,stuttgart1 our stay for nearly seven   
months in ,germany1 and other expenses  
connected with my service in            
,wirtemberg1 #bfgl4 #ds4 #aa;d4 #d1 ,the
 remainder of the #gjbl4 #cs4 #g;d41    
being #aibl4 #is4 #g;d41 ,i put to the  
,orphan-,fund1 not that so much was in  
hand on my return from ,germany2 for ,i 
had drawn on the strength of what was in
 the hands of my bankers4  ,shortly     
after ,i had received the #gjbl4 #cs4   
#g;d4 on ,july #ab1 the ,lord was       
pleased to remove the other difficulties
 also2 for a sister was found for the   
matrons place in the new ,orphan-,house1
 and after this the ,lord helped me     
through the work connected with fitting 
up the house for the reception of the   
children4 ,the ,lord likewise made it   
plain to the sister who had purposed to 

leave her situation1 that she should    
remain in ,bristol4 ,thus all the       
difficulties were by prayer and faith   
removed1 after we had been1 day by day1 
more than fifty days waiting upon the   
,lord4  ,on ,aug4 #crd1 ,i received a   
valuable donation of plate1 jewellery1  
china1 linen41 books1 etc41 which was a 
still further proof of the ,lords       
readiness to supply all that might be   
needed during my absence in ,germany1   
and also of ,his having heard our       
requests that ,he would be pleased to   
send in means before my departure4 ,most
 of these articles were readily disposed
 of1 so that1 even before ,i had set    
out1 about #fjl4 had come in for them4  
,on ,aug4 #i1 #ahdc1 my dear wife and ,i
 left ,bristol in company of a ,german  
sister1 ,miss ,w4 ,the latter1 together 
with a ,swiss brother1 had been led to  
see the truth of believers baptism1 and 
had much wished to be baptized2 but as  
the baptist church at ,stuttgart had    
refused them baptism1 except they would 

promise never to take the ,lords supper 
any more with unbaptized believers1 or  
with those who belonged to any ,state   
,church1 to which they could not        
conscientiously submit1 they had        
undertaken the journey of nearly #hjj   
miles to come to ,bristol1 to be        
baptized by me1 as they both had read   
the translation of my ,narrative in     
manuscript1 and thus knew that we       
receive all who believe in the ,lord    
,jesus1 though they should not agree    
with us in all parts of truth4 ,they had
 arrived in ,bristol about a fortnight  
before my departure for ,germany1 and   
were baptized at ,bethesda a week after 
their arrival1 when ,i gave an address  
in ,german1 and used the words of the   
,german translation of the ,holy        
,scriptures which contain the           
institution of baptism1 as neither the  
brother nor sister understood ,english4 
,the brother1 who had been a teacher and
 cashier in a considerable establishment
 in ,wirtemberg for educating young     

gentlemen1 and who had lost his         
situation when his views with reference 
to baptism became known1 remained in    
,england as teacher of the ,french and  
,german languages1 and the sister       
travelled back with us to ,germany4     
,during the time of my absence from     
,bristol1 ,i kept no journal1 and       
therefore ,i cannot give a minute       
account of all that transpired1 and that
 might be interesting to the believing  
reader2 but as some letters which ,i    
wrote to one of my sisters-in-law are   
preserved1 and also all the letters     
which ,i wrote to the brethren in       
,bristol1 among whom ,i labour1 ,i shall
 be able by giving these letters1 to    
furnish a pretty full account of my     
service in ,germany up to my return4    
,the following ,letter to my            
sister-in-law gives some account of a   
great part of our journey4    ,weinheim1
 ,aug4 #ai1 #ahdc4  ,my dear ,l41  ,thus
 far we have now been brought through   
the goodness of the ,lord4 ,if you look 

at the map where ,mannheim is1 you will1
 ,i think1 find a small town1 called    
,weinheim1 the place where we are now at
 ,mrs4 ,ms4 ,weinheim forms with        
,heidelberg and ,mannheim a triangle1   
about #aj miles from ,mannheim1 and the 
same from ,heidelberg4 ,on the ,lords   
day evening last ,i wrote to you from   
,rotterdam1 which letter1 ,i hope1 you  
safely received4 ,on ,monday morning at 
seven1 ,aug4 #ad1 we left ,rotterdam1   
with sister ,w4 in one of the ,rhine    
steamers1 in which we sailed till about 
half-past eight in the evening1 when we 
arrived at ,emmerich1 the first         
,prussian town1 where we stopped for the
 night4 ,the weather was beautiful1 as  
indeed it has been every day of this    
week4 ,there was nothing remarkable as  
to natural things1 except a large noble 
river1 and on the banks of the river    
clean pretty cottages of the ,dutch     
people4 ,the ,lord enabled me to do a   
little for ,him4 ,i distributed ,german 
tracts among those who could read       

,german2 but many of them were ,dutch   
persons1 who could understand me in     
speaking to them1 but could not read    
,german4 ,i had a long but affecting    
conversation with four ,jews1 who1      
though disagreeing among themselves as  
to their religious views1 were all      
agreed in their complete rejection of   
,jesus of ,nazareth1 as the ,messiah1   
and1 as usual1 blasphemed4 ,i conversed 
with many persons1 but found only one   
aged person1 who1 ,i think1 as far as ,i
 could learn1 was a christian4 ,after   
having given him a tract1 having heard  
my testimony for ,christ1 he came with  
tears and asked me to sell him another  
tract4 ,after having told him that ,i   
gladly gave him the tract1 he then asked
 me to give him a third and a fourth for
 the old clergyman and the schoolmaster 
of his place1 and said1 ,oh6 if you     
could but stop1 how glad the old        
clergyman1 a pious man1 would be to see 
you4--,there were two other interesting 
things that day4 ,very soon after we had

 started1 perhaps two hours after1 a    
gentleman left1 to whom ,i gave a tract 
in ,german and ,english1 as he could    
also read ,english4 ,he then told me he 
had seen me reading the ,bible1 but did 
not like to interrupt me4 ,i told him my
 errand to ,germany4 ,his reply was3    
,brother1 the ,lord bless thee4 ,on     
asking him who he was1 he told me he was
 a ,baptist minister at ,amsterdam1 and 
on his way to the brethren at ,utrecht1 
in ,holland4 ,he now much regretted not 
to have had conversation with me4 ,in   
the afternoon1 a gentleman1 an officer  
on pension1 who1 with his lady1 had     
heard my confession for ,christ1 while  
,i was conversing with a person sitting 
close by1 asked me very politely1 on his
 leaving1 for a tract4--,there were two 
little cabins in the steamer1 each with 
two berths1 one of which ,i engaged for 
,mary and myself it being much cheaper  
than to go on shore1 though we should   
not do so again1 as our sleep was       
greatly interrupted1 there being much   

noise till twelve oclock1 and commencing
 again soon after three in the mornings1
 so that for three nights our sleep was 
greatly interrupted4 ,yet ,i do not     
mention this in the way of complaint1   
for we have only to sing of mercy4      
,however1 as in spiritual things1 so in 
natural things1 we learn daily4 ,the    
noise only arose from the needful       
occupations1 but it could scarcely have 
been greater than it was1 if persons had
 purposely tried to disturb us4--,at    
half-past five on ,tuesday morning the  
steamer began again to ply4 ,while ,i   
was sitting on deck1 between five and   
six1 reading the ,bible1 a ,dutchman    
came to me to speak about the things of 
,god4 ,he understood me pretty well1 but
 ,i understood him only imperfectly4 ,he
 questioned me about the connexion      
between faith and works1 and how man can
 believe1 being a fallen being in ,adam4
 ,i fear it was more intellectual than  
heart-work with him1 but ,i made use of 
the opportunity1 to preach ,jesus before

 all1 who through this conversation had 
been drawn round us4 ,this day also ,i  
had opportunities of giving away tracts1
 and of speaking to several1            
particularly to a young ,prussian       
soldier1 and other young men4 ,but all  
were dead4 ,most listened and received  
the tracts1 but there were some who     
boldly rejected4 ,on the second day we  
sailed from half-past five in the       
morning till about half-past ten in the 
evening1 when we arrived at ,cologne1   
where we stopped4 ,our ,german sister   
went on shore1 and took leave of us1 to 
go on by another companys vessel1 for   
which she had previously paid2 dear     
,mary and ,i remained alone on board4   
,the third day we had very few          
passengers on board4 ,two ,irish        
gentlemen and an ,english gentleman came
 on board1 to whom ,i gave ,english     
tracts4 ,one of them soon left1 and the 
other two declared themselves on the    
,lords side4 ,two other ,jews1 who had  
come on board1 likewise rejected the    

truth1 yet ,i conversed with them till  
they blasphemed4 ,this third day we     
sailed from ten in the morning till     
about half-past seven in the evening1   
when we arrived at the ,prussian        
fortress ,coblentz4 ,mary and ,i now    
took a little walk4 ,in the town ,i gave
 some tracts to a ,prussian soldier1 for
 himself and some of his comrades1 for  
having given us some information2 and in
 going back to the steamer we heard an  
,english lady before us speaking        
,english to a little boy who was with   
her4 ,we joined her1 and offered her    
some ,english tracts1 which she         
accepted1 also some ,german tracts for  
the ,roman ,catholic servant4 ,today we 
have seen beautiful scenery4 ,fourth    
day1 ,aug4 #ag1 ,one of the ,irish      
gentlemen asked me to read to him and   
his friend a chapter in the ,bible4     
,this day also we glided along through  
most beautiful scenery4 ,travelling is a
 very dangerous thing4 ,i would exhort  
every one1 especially to be aware what  

he is about1 before he sets out on a    
journey4 ,much as ,i had prayed about   
this journey1 and sure as ,i have been  
and still am1 that the ,lord sent me on 
this errand1 ,i was yet made to feel how
 difficult it is to keep the heart in   
the right frame whilst looking at such  
beautiful scenery4 ,it surpassed all ,i 
have before seen of the kind4 ,i suppose
 we have not had less than forty        
instances of ruined castles1 fortresses1
 c41 brought before us this day2 the    
ancient ,roman glory--the glory of the  
,german knights1 and of the ,german     
emperors1 whose works1 castles and      
fortresses we saw in ruins1 how loudly  
does it speak of the changeableness of  
all earthly things1 and yet how         
pernicious often the effect upon the new
 nature1 while looking at these things4 
,the ,rhine is wide1 the castles often  
quite close to the river1 and hundreds  
of millions of vines1 you might say1    
without exaggeration1 and tens of       
thousands of vineyards all along the    

river for perhaps a hundred miles or    
more4 ,it is beautiful2 but how poor1   
how very poor this beauty in comparison 
with ,jesus6 ,through grace ,i would not
 pay one shilling to see it again1 nor  
go one mile to see it again1 for the    
sake of seeing it4--,on the fourth      
evening1 after having sailed that day   
from seven in the morning1 we arrived   
about five or six oclock at ,mayence1   
sister ,w4 having joined us again4 ,we  
found it very refreshing to have a few  
hours quiet in an hotel1 and then all   
three together took a walk4 ,in this    
town1 where printing was invented1 ,gods
 precious word is not valued4 ,almost   
all are ,romanists4 ,it is a large1     
magnificent1 and busy town1 and a strong
 fortress4 ,the railroad also was just  
in sight on the opposite side of the    
river4 ,there was scarcely a trace to be
 seen of that poverty which you see so  
often in large towns in ,england1 but   
all bespoke abundance1 though ,i know   
there is not the abundance of the       

,english gold4 ,yesterday morning1 ,aug4
 #ah1 we ought to have left at eight    
oclock by the steamer1 in which we had  
taken our places from ,rotterdam to     
,mannheim1 but the steamer1 by which we 
ought to have gone1 did not arrive4 ,we 
waited hour after hour1 till at last1   
near four oclock in the afternoon1 we   
left ,mayence for ,mannheim by a steamer
 of another company1 having thus to lose
 the money we had previously paid4 ,we  
were on board of this steamer about     
seven hours1 till near eleven in the    
evening1 when we arrived at ,mannheim4  
,there were at least #ad ,english       
passengers on board1 besides many       
,germans and ,french4 ,i distributed    
,english and ,german tracts1 and had    
conversation with several4 ,there was a 
dear young sister1 a ,french lady1 with 
whom ,i had much conversation4 ,she had 
been with her little brother to a       
bathing place near the ,rhine4 ,i saw   
her reading the ,epistle to the ,romans1
 and thus took the opportunity to       

converse with her4 ,she had been at     
school in ,paris till within a few      
months1 and is now1 as she has no       
parents1 living with her aunt1 a pious  
woman near ,strasbourg4 ,it was very    
refreshing to be able to help this      
solitary one1 who knew no one on board1 
and who was very glad to have a little  
counsel4 ,in parting ,i gave her a copy 
of my ,narrative1 some ,english tracts1 
a ,german tract1 and an ,orphan ,report1
 as she has begun to learn ,english1 and
 has a friend1 a believer1 who          
understands ,english well4 ,i had also a
 pretty long conversation with a ,german
 young gentleman1 a ,roman ,catholic1   
about the way to heaven4 ,this morning1 
,aug4 #ai1 we called on our sister ,n4  
at ,mannheim1 if it might please the    
,lord to use us to benefit and restore  
her soul4 ,we found out her residence   
after some inquiry1 and she seemed very 
glad to see us4 ,after having our       
passports signed1 and taken up some     
money from the banker1 we left ,mannheim

 at two oclock in the afternoon1 and    
arrived here at four1 where we were very
 affectionately received by brother ,t4 
,h4 and dear ,mrs4 ,m4 ,we are now      
staying in an old building1 formerly a  
,roman ,catholic cloister1 where ,i this
 evening expounded the ,scriptures4     
,aug4 #bj1 #ahdc4 ,this morning ,i      
expounded the ,scriptures at family     
prayer in ,english1 then at eleven      
oclock we broke bread in the cloister1  
being five in number1 and this          
afternoon1 at four oclock1 ,i expounded 
again1 when altogether #aj ,english     
gentlemen and ladies1 who are staying   
here1 were present4 ,tomorrow morning ,i
 purpose to see the pious ,lutheran     
clergyman resident here1 and about one  
oclock1 the ,lord willing1 we shall     
leave by the mail and arrive at         
,stuttgart on ,tuesday evening1 ,aug4   
#bb4 ,the heat has been exceedingly     
great all the last week1 so that we have
 constantly been obliged to sleep with  
the window wide open4 ,farewell1 dear   

helper4 ,our love to dear sister ,e4    
from whom we shall be very glad to hear1
 and to whom you will please to         
communicate all in our letters that may 
be interesting to her4 ,our tender love 
also to our own dear child4 ,how gladly 
should we see and kiss her1 but though  
we cannot do that1 yet we pray for her4 
,love also to ,s4 ,my especial love to  
all my dear fellow-labourers in the     
church4 ,my love to all the dear        
brethren and sisters in the             
,orphan-,houses and ,day-,schools4 ,our 
love to all the saints4  ,your          
affectionate brother1  ,,george         
,m,,ller4    ,we are now just #fjj miles
 from ,bristol4  ,i make a few remarks  
in connexion with this letter4  ,i found
 it injurious to my inner man that for  
three nights ,i had had very little     
sleep4 ,my own experience has been      
almost invariably1 that if ,i have not  
the needful sleep1 my spiritual         
enjoyment and strength is greatly       
affected by it4 ,i judge it of great    

moment that the believer1 in travelling1
 should seek as much as possible to     
refrain from travelling by night1 or    
from travelling in such a way as that he
 is deprived of the needful nights rest2
 for if he does not1 he will be unable  
with renewed bodily and mental strength 
to give himself to prayer and           
meditation1 and the reading of the ,holy
 ,scriptures1 and he will surely feel   
the pernicious effects of this all the  
day long4 ,there may occur cases when   
travelling by night cannot be avoided2  
but1 if it can1 though we should seem to
 lose time by it1 and though it should  
cost more money1 ,i would most          
affectionately and solemnly recommend   
the refraining from night travelling2   
for1 in addition to our drawing beyond  
measure upon our bodily strength1 we    
must be losers spiritually4 ,the next   
thing ,i would advise with reference to 
travelling is1 with all ones might to   
seek morning by morning1 before setting 
out1 to take time for meditation and    

prayer1 and reading the word of ,god2   
for although we are always exposed to   
temptation1 yet we are so especially in 
travelling4 ,travelling is one of the   
devils especial opportunities for       
tempting us4 ,think of that1 dear fellow
 believers4 ,seek always to ascertain   
carefully the mind of ,god1 before you  
begin any thing2 but do so in particular
 before you go a journey1 so that you   
may be quite sure that it is the will of
 ,god that you should undertake that    
journey1 lest you should needlessly     
expose yourself to one of the special   
opportunities of the devil to ensnare   
you4 ,so far from envying those who have
 a carriage and horses at their command1
 or an abundance of means1 so that they 
are not hindered from travelling for    
want of means1 let us1 who are not thus 
situated1 rather thank ,god that in this
 particular we are not exposed to the   
temptation of needing to be less careful
 in ascertaining the will of ,god1      
before we set out on a journey4         

,stuttgart1 ,aug4 #cj1 #ahdc4  ,my dear 
,l--1  ,my last letter ,i finished on   
the #bjth1 and posted it on the #bast at
 ,weinheim4 ,on4 ,monday morning1 ,aug4 
#ba1 ,i saw a pious clergyman at        
,weinheim1 a true brother1 and a nice   
man4 ,but we came1 without my seeking   
it1 upon the subject of separation from 
the state church1 for which ,i could not
 be sorry1 as ,i had an opportunity of  
stating truth to him which it may please
 the ,lord to use hereafter4 ,mrs4 ---- 
gave us a rich silk dress1 quite new1   
and a few silver articles for the       
,orphans4 ,so even here the ,lord makes 
it manifest that ,he is mindful of this 
work4 ,about one oclock in the afternoon
 we left ,weinheim4 ,at ,heidelberg1    
about ten miles from there1 a person    
came into the mail in which ,mary and ,i
 were1 whom ,i found out in a few       
moments to be a brother2 and a few      
minutes afterwards the widow of a much  
tried pious clergyman1 who herself also 
loves the ,lord ,jesus1 seated herself  

likewise4 ,we had now1 from three oclock
 till about half-past nine in the       
evening1 when we arrived at ,heilbronn1 
a most pleasant and profitable time1    
being all four believers4 ,i told this  
brother much about ,england1 and also   
about the ,orphans1 and on separating   
from him he gave me a gold coin1 about  
seventeen shillings in value1 for the   
,orphans4 ,it was indeed a most precious
 gift to me1 and a fresh proof in what a
 variety of ways the ,lord is able to   
send help4 ,we remained the night at    
,heilbronn1 that we might not have to   
travel the night1 left the next morning 
at eleven oclock1 and reached the       
apartments of our sister ,g4 about eight
 in the evening on ,aug4 #bb4 ,we were  
received in the most affectionate way1  
and she has done every thing to make us 
comfortable2 but the very great heat and
 the change of living have hitherto     
drawn upon both of us4 ,i think1 that1  
with the ,lords blessing1 we shall be   
better after a few days4 ,indeed ,i have

 been rather better yesterday and today4
 ,on the same evening of our arrival    
here ,i went to the post-office and     
found your first letter1 and last       
,monday morning ,i received your second 
also4 ,the next afternoon1 ,wednesday1  
,aug4 #bc1 ,i went to ,brother ,dr4 ,b41
 with whom ,i spent about two hours2 and
 in the evening from half-past eight    
till ten oclock ,i met the four elders  
of the ,baptist ,church at his house4   
,the next evening from half-past eight  
to ten was a meeting of the little      
church1 which consists of about #ej     
brethren and sisters1 of whom almost all
 were present4 ,i stated the object of  
my coming to ,germany1 in so far as it  
was wise to do so1 and also a little    
about the church in ,bristol4 ,the next 
evening1 ,aug4 #beth1 ,i expounded the  
scriptures from half-past eight to ten  
oclock4 ,all the meetings are in the    
evenings from half-past eight to ten1 so
 that we generally come home at         
half-past ten1 and go to bed about      

half-past eleven4 ,persons have their   
supper before they go to the meetings4  
,on ,saturday evening we had again a    
meeting1 at which ,i began to give an   
account of the ,lords dealings with me1 
from the beginning1 as being the best   
means of leading me to speak about many 
important truths4 ,it was desired that  
,i should expound the scriptures at all 
their usual meetings1 i4e4 twice on the 
,lords days1 and twice in the week2 and1
 on all the other evenings1 there should
 be extra meetings1 at which ,i should  
give an account of the ,lords dealings  
with me4 ,on the ,lords day therefore ,i
 expounded twice with much help1 feeling
 scarcely any difficulty with reference 
to the ,german language1 though ,i have 
not before preached in it for fourteen  
years and a half4 ,on ,monday1 ,aug4    
#bhth1 ,i went on again with my         
,narrative1 and last night ,i expounded 
again with much help4 ,but now1 as the  
truth is beginning to be spoken1 the    
devil will also begin to seek to work4  

,but the ,lord ,jesus will triumph4     
,there is a great crisis before us4     
,several have been already attracted by 
the preciousness of the truth1 and      
others already wish ,i had never come to
 ,stuttgart4 ,they are not asleep over  
what ,i say1 and that gives me pleasure4
 ,i fear it will come in a very few days
 to a storm1 except the ,lord prevent4  
,nor am ,i quite sure whether the police
 will allow me quietly to work here1    
when it gets known what ,i am doing1 as 
the liberty is not so great as ,i had   
thought4 ,but it would have been worth  
while to have come here1 only to have   
spoken these few times4 ,there is now   
here on a visit to us an ,english       
sister1 ,mrs4 ,f4  ,your affectionate   
brother1  ,,george ,m,,ller4            
,immediately on my arrival at           
,stuttgart1 yea1 the very first hour    
that ,i was there1 so heavy a trial of  
faith came upon me1 that it was one of  
the sharpest trials which ,i ever have  
had4 ,the cause of it ,i am not at      

liberty to mention4 ,but so much as     
this1 it was in connexion with my going 
to ,stuttgart1 and1 humanly speaking1   
the thing would not have occurred1 had  
,i not gone thither4 ,the trial was of a
 double character2 for it was not only  
the thing itself1 great as the trial of 
my faith was on that account2 but it was
 as though the question were put to me  
in the strongest way3--,are you willing 
to make sacrifices in connexion with    
your service here8 ,and do you really   
lean upon me1 the living ,god1 in your  
service here8 ,but thanks to the ,lord1 
,satan did not prevail4 ,my heart was   
enabled to say almost immediately3--,all
 things work together for good to them  
that love ,god4 ,i know this also does  
work together for my good4 ,i know it is
 the very best thing for me4--,thus     
peace was almost immediately restored to
 me1 and ,i was enabled to leave the    
matter quietly in the hands of the      
,lord4 ,nor was it many days before ,i  
could say from my inmost soul1 if even  

then ,i could have had it in my power to
 alter the thing1 which occasioned the  
great trial1 and the consequences of    
which were then still remaining1 and    
were remaining all the time while ,i was
 in ,germany1 yet ,i would not have     
wished it to be altered4 ,and since my  
return to ,england ,i have again and    
again had reason to admire the goodness 
of the ,lord in having allowed this     
thing to be as it was1 for it proved in 
the end in every way good to me4 ,may   
the believing reader leave himself more 
and more unreservedly in the hands of   
the ,lord1 and he will find it to be    
just as the writer has found it1 i4 e4  
that our greatest trials often turn out 
to be our greatest blessings4--,had ,i  
gone1 however1 in my own strength to    
,stuttgart1 and had ,i not been led to  
treasure up so many petitions in heaven 
before ,i went1 ,i should1 in all human 
probability1 have been quite overcome by
 this very first trial4  ,this was not  
the only trial which befel me there1 but

 they were so many1 so great1 and so    
long continued1 that ,i required every  
particle of experience1 wisdom1 and     
grace1 humanly speaking1 which the ,lord
 had been pleased to intrust me with4 ,i
 could not but again and again admire   
the wisdom of the ,lord in having sent  
me only in the year #ahdc to ,germany1  
and not several years before1 as ,i     
often had been advised to go long before
 ,i did4 ,for had ,i gone without having
 the experience which ,i had gathered in
 my service among the saints during the 
#ac #a_/b years previously1 and without 
having had my soul exercised before ,god
 in trials of patience1 and hope1 and   
faith1 as it has been since ,november   
#ahcj1 humanly speaking1 ,i should have 
been overwhelmed4 ,but1 as it was1 my   
soul1 through grace1 having learned to  
deal with ,god about every thing1 ,i was
 sustained by casting all my care upon  
,him1 and looking to ,him for help1 and 
expecting help from ,him1 though every  
thing looked dark in every way4 ,and    

thus it came1 that all the difficulties 
were overcome one after another4 ,but   
more about this when ,i come to relate  
some of the peculiar difficulties in    
connexion with my service at ,stuttgart4
  ,i also mention here1 that during the 
eight years previous to my going to     
,germany to labour there1 it had been   
laid on my heart1 and on the hearts of  
some other brethren among us1 to ask the
 ,lord that ,he would be pleased to     
honour us1 as a body of believers1 by   
calling forth from our midst brethren1  
for carrying the truth into foreign     
lands4 ,but this prayer seemed to remain
 unanswered4 ,now1 however1 the time was
 come when the ,lord was about to answer
 it1 and ,i1 on whose heart particularly
 this matter had been laid1 was to be   
the first to carry forth the truth from 
among us4 ,about that very time the     
,lord called our dear brother and sister
 ,barrington from among us1 to go to    
,demerara1 to labour there in connexion 
with our esteemed brother ,strong1 and  

our dear brother and sister ,espenett1  
to go to ,switzerland4 ,both these dear 
brethren and sisters left very shortly  
after ,i had gone to ,germany4 ,but this
 was not all ,our much valued brother   
,mordal1 who had commended himself to   
the saints by his unwearied faithful    
service among us for twelve years1 had  
from ,aug4 #ca1 #ahdc1 7the day on which
 brothers ,strong and ,barrington sailed
 from ,bristol for ,demerara71 his mind 
likewise exercised about service there1 
and went out from among us eleven months
 after4 ,he1 together with myself1 had  
had it particularly laid upon his heart1
 during the eight years previously1 to  
ask the ,lord again and again to call   
labourers from among us for foreign     
service4 ,of all persons he1 the father 
of a large family1 and about #ej years  
of age1 seemed the least likely to be   
called to that work2 but ,god did call  
him4 ,he went1 laboured a little while  
in ,demerara1 and then1 on ,january #i1 
#ahde1 the ,lord took him to his        

rest4--,when we ask ,god for a thing1   
such as that ,he would be pleased to    
raise up labourers for ,his harvest1 or 
send means for the carrying on of ,his  
work1 the honest question to be put to  
our hearts should be this3 ,am ,i       
willing to go1 if ,he should call me ,i 
,am ,i willing to give according to my  
ability8 ,for we may be the very persons
 whom the ,lord will call for the work1 
or whose means ,he may wish to employ4  
,the ,reader will notice1 in the        
preceding letter1 that all the meetings 
in the evening were very late4 ,the time
 of the meetings was one of the many    
difficulties with which ,i had to       
contend2 for if the times had been on   
purpose ill chosen1 they could scarcely 
have been worse4 ,on the ,lords day     
mornings the meetings were at nine2 thus
 the mothers of families either could   
not come at all1 or had to hurry through
 their work1 and come without having had
 any time to themselves4 ,on the ,lords 
day afternoons they were at two1 when   

the heat of the sun in the summer1 which
 is most oppressive1 and the effect of  
the dinner1 both combined together to   
make the persons sleepy1 so that        
individuals not more than half a yard   
from me1 though interested about what   
was going on1 were sometimes fast       
asleep4 ,in the evenings the meetings   
commenced at half-past eight1 when      
persons were not only worn out from     
working nearly up to that time1 but     
also1 in general1 had just had a heavy  
supper1 which was sure to make them     
sleepy1 thought they might be never so  
desirous to listen4 ,but1 by the grace  
of ,god1 none of these things moved me4 
,i knew the ,lord had sent me to these  
dear saints1 and that1 therefore1 by    
,his help1 ,i could overcome all these  
difficulties4 ,and these difficulties   
were overcome2 for after a little while 
,i was able to show to the dear brethren
 and sisters that the ,lords day morning
 meeting was too early1 and we had it   
half an hour later4 ,the ,lords day     

afternoon meeting at two oclock was     
entirely given up1 on account of its    
being an unseasonable time1 and it being
 better to have only two meetings       
instead of three1 as almost every one   
could attend two meetings1 which was    
quite enough for one day1 and gave some 
time for parents to be with their       
children1 or gave some more time than   
usual for reading the ,scriptures1 a    
point at which ,i aimed from the        
beginning4 ,for when ,i came to         
,stuttgart1 ,i found it just as ,i have 
found it in some places in ,england on  
my first beginning to labour there1 even
 that the dear brethren and sisters had 
little relish for the word of ,god1 and 
as a proof of this never referred to it 
at the meetings2 but1 before ,i left    
,stuttgart1 ,i had the joy of seeing    
either all1 or almost all1 having the   
word of ,god open before them whilst ,i 
was expounding it4--,instead of the     
afternoon meeting at two1 we met at four
 oclock1 when the oppression of the heat

 in the summer is not so great as at    
two1 whereby also the lateness of the   
evening meeting was avoided on the      
,lords days4 ,also on the week evenings 
we had the meetings half an hour sooner1
 that is at #h oclock instead of        
half-past #h1 and ,i affectionately     
advised the dear saints to take a very  
light supper on those evenings when we  
met1 that blessing might not be         
hindered4 ,earlier than eight on the    
week evenings1 and later than half-past 
nine on the ,lords day mornings1 we     
could not have the meetings1 on account 
of the habits of the country4 ,it can   
scarcely be perceived by brethren in    
,england how great the difficulties are1
 with which brethren have to contend in 
many foreign countries in seeking to    
spread the truth1 not only on account of
 the climate1 or the police1 etc41 but  
also on account of the habits of the    
people2 so that ,i would affectionately 
beseech all1 who take a hearty interest 
in the spread of the truth1 to help by  

their prayers all who labour in the word
 and doctrine in foreign lands1 so that 
through the power of the ,holy ,ghost   
they may be enabled to overcome all     
those hinderances4  ,i now insert my    
first letter to the brethren in         
,bristol1 written by me from ,stuttgart1
 soon after my arrival1 which will show 
to the reader my position there more    
clearly4 ,the letter is1 with the       
exception of a very slight verbal       
alteration1 which ,i made in revising it
 for the press1 just as it was written4 
,stuttgart1 ,sept4 #g1 #ahdc4  ,to the  
,brethren meeting at ,bethesda and      
,salem ,chapels1 ,bristol4    ,my dear  
,brethren1  ,it was yesterday four weeks
 since ,i left ,bristol1 and ,i now     
write these few lines that you may know 
how ,i am situated in the service1 on   
account of which ,i left ,england1 in   
order that thus you may the better be   
able to remember me in your prayers1    
according to my need4 ,my journey to    
this place was full of mercies and      

blessings in a variety of ways1 but ,i  
must delay giving you the particulars1  
till it may please the ,lord to allow me
 again the privilege of labouring among 
you4 ,i arrived at ,stuttgart on        
,tuesday evening1 ,aug4 #bb4 ,on the    
next evening ,i met the five brethren   
who labour here in the little church4   
,on ,thursday1 ,friday1 and ,saturday   
also ,i had meetings with the little    
church1 at which ,i either expounded the
 ,holy ,scriptures or communicated to   
the brethren things about ,bristol1     
which might be profitable to them4 ,the 
following ,lords day ,i spoke twice at  
their meetings1 and in the evening ,i   
broke bread in my room with a few       
saints1 as the ,baptist church break    
bread only once a month4 ,on ,monday and
 ,tuesday evenings ,i continued to meet 
the whole little church4 ,up to that    
time all went on quietly2 but ,i knew   
well that it was only the quietness     
before a storm1 and that shortly a hot  
battle would commence4 ,and thus it was4

 ,on ,wednesday last week1 i4e4 ,aug4   
#cj1 ,i was requested to meet the elders
 of the church4 ,when we came together1 
the brother who appears to take the lead
 among them1 and who is the only one who
 speaks at their meetings1 told me that 
the time was drawing nigh when the      
church would take the ,lords supper1 and
 that they had a rule which they        
considered to be ,scriptural1 which was1
 neither to take the ,lords supper with 
any one who was not himself baptized by 
immersion after he had believed1 nor    
with any one who1 7though thus baptized 
himself7 would take the ,lords supper   
with any who had not thus been baptized4
 ,nor did they take the ,lords supper   
with any brother who would take it with 
any yet belonging to the state church4  
,after this brother had stated to me his
 views1 ,i stated my own convictions    
from the ,holy ,scriptures on these     
points1 and ,i was quietly heard for    
about an hour and a half whilst ,i was  
speaking without interruption4 ,the     

,lord was so with me1 that when ,i came 
home ,i did not remember any one thing  
that ,i could have wished to have stated
 which had not been stated4 ,the whole  
having taken up more than two hours1 and
 it being now past ten oclock in the    
evening1 we proposed to meet again on   
the next day1 ,thursday afternoon1 at   
five oclock4 ,we did so1 and several    
other brethren besides the elders were  
present4 ,the subjects were now         
discussed from the ,scriptures4         
,brother--maintained that no one was    
born again except he was baptized1 no   
one had a right to say his sins were    
forgiven1 except he were baptized1 and  
also that the apostles were not born    
again until the day of ,pentecost4      
,whilst seeking to defend these         
unscriptural statements1 he also        
affirmed that our ,lord ,himself had    
been born again at ,his baptism1 and    
that the last three years of ,his life  
,he had not been under the law1 but had 
ceased to be under the law when ,he was 

baptized4 ,i had been accustomed during 
the eight days that ,i had been going in
 and out among the brethren to hear all 
sorts of unscriptural statements1 into  
which they had fallen through laying an 
undue stress upon baptism1 and          
especially through considering baptism  
as a covenant into which ,god enters    
with the believer2 but when now the     
foundation truths of the ,gospel were   
also attacked1 when of our ,holy ,lord  
it was said that he was born again at   
his baptism1 7which made ,him out to be 
like one of us71 and when it was said   
that ,he had not been under the law     
during the last three years of ,his     
life2--,i saw it needful first of all to
 see whether we were agreed about the   
foundation truths of the ,gospel4 ,but  
as we had now been together from five to
 half-past seven in the evening1 and as 
at half-past eight the public meeting   
began at which ,i had to speak1 ,i      
proposed to separate and to meet again  
on ,friday afternoon from five to seven4

 ,this was done1 ,i now first of all    
pressed the first points4               
,brother--stated in the presence of the 
elders and six or seven other brethren1 
that he had made an unscriptural        
statement1 and that our ,lord needed not
 to be born again4 ,i then went to the  
other point1 whether the ,lord was under
 the law up to the time when ,he died on
 the cross1 or only up to the time when 
,he was baptized4 ,many passages were   
brought forward to show that our ,lord  
was under the law up to the last moments
 of ,his earthly life1 which is clear   
from ,gal4 iii4 #ac1 ,phil4 ii4 #h1     
,heb4 x4 #a-ac1 and many other passages4
 ,at last he was convinced about this   
also and acknowledged his error4 ,but   
many other points1 equally unscriptural1
 he was unwilling to renounce1 such as1 
that baptism is a covenant with ,god1   
and that there cannot be forgiveness of 
sins except individuals have been       
baptized after believing4 ,he also      
maintained that ,i was sinning in       

breaking bread with unbaptized          
believers1 and with those who belong to 
the state church1 and that if the church
 here allowed me to break bread with    
them1 they would be defiled1 as ,i made 
myself a partaker of the sins of others1
 which sins ,i brought with me2 and     
other such unscriptural statements were 
made by this brother4 ,thus we spent    
again about two hours and a half in     
intercourse1 whilst this teaching elder 
and one of the other elders considered  
me unfit to take the ,lords supper with 
them on the coming ,lords day1 but the  
two other elders and several other      
brethren who were present were quite    
ready to break bread with me1 and with  
any who love our ,lord ,jesus4          
,brother--now said1 there must be a     
separation4 ,i then entreated the       
brethren not to think of a separation4  
,i represented to them what a scandal it
 would be to the ungodly1 and what a    
stumbling block also to the believers   
who are yet in the state church4 ,i     

further told them that ,i had not come  
to ,stuttgart to make a separation      
between the brethren1 but only to lend  
them a helping hand according to the    
ability which the ,lord might give me4  
,i lastly said3 ,as we have now spent   
more than six hours together in         
intercourse1 let us meet together       
tomorrow evening some hours for prayer4 
,to this the brethren agreed1 and we    
accordingly met on ,saturday evening at 
eight oclock for prayer4 ,the subject of
 our prayer was1 that the ,lord would be
 pleased to unite us together in the    
truth1 and make it manifest on which    
side the truth was4 ,after we had thus  
prayed for about two hours1             
brother--prayed at the end1 and related 
7in what he called prayer7 his          
experience before his conversion1 his   
conversion1 his being convinced about   
baptism1 my coming to ,stuttgart1 his   
readiness to receive the unbaptized in  
consequence of my intercourse with him1 
and how then a great horror had befallen

 him1 and that now he had come back to  
his former view1 only to receive the    
baptized1 and how now his peace had been
 restored to him1 and that he purposed  
to live and die in this belief4 ,when we
 arose ,i told him that the ,lord       
,himself had decided the matter1 and had
 shown on whose side the truth was2 for 
that he1 if in peace1 as he had said1   
could not thus have related his         
experience1 and called it prayer4 ,this 
prayer tended greatly to show the other 
brethren that he has not the truth4--,i 
should have stated that ,i said to the  
brethren at the commencement of this    
meeting1 that1 as ,i and my wife were   
the only persons on whose account they  
could not break bread on the coming day1
 and as nothing ought to be done in a   
hurry1 to whatever conclusion they might
 come1 we would gladly withdraw         
ourselves1 and break bread in our room4 
,this was not accepted1 as there was    
much disunion among the brethren1 as    
they told me1 and had been before ,i    

came1 and that my coming had now only   
brought matters to a point4 ,i stated   
once more1 at the end of the meeting on 
,saturday evening1 ,sept4 #b1 that we   
ought to dread a separation1 and that we
 ought to pray that we might be of one  
mind1 and that ,i was ready to meet them
 by day or by night for prayer or       
searching the ,word on the subject4     
,thus we separated4 ,the next morning1  
,sept4 #c1 ,i spoke again at the        
meeting1 having been by all the elders  
requested at my arrival here to expound 
the ,scriptures at all their meetings1  
or to communicate to them any thing that
 might be profitable4 ,on this morning  
,i spoke principally on the ,lords      
supper1 and on what fits for it2 on what
 is meant by feeding upon ,jesus1 and   
what fits for it2 on the point that it  
is not a part of truth1 but ,jesus round
 whom believers should unite together2  
and on the truth1 that1 if any one is a 
believer1 he is entitled to all the     
privileges of the saints4 ,these points 

,i had not chosen on purpose for that   
morning1 but they came in course in     
speaking on ,exodus xii41 on which      
chapter ,i had spoken four times before4
 ,after ,i had finished1 ,i was going to
 pray at the close1 when ,i was         
interrupted by brother--1 the principal 
and teaching elder 7as to outward       
authority74 ,he stated that he must     
contradict me1 for ,i had said3 #a1 ,the
 bread and wine in the ,lords supper    
meant the body and blood of our ,lord1  
whilst1 as he believed1 and as the word 
said1 it was the real body and blood of 
our ,lord4 #b1 ,he believed that as     
circumcision made a man an ,israelite1  
and fitted him thus for the partaking of
 the ,paschal ,lamb1 so without baptism 
no one is fitted to partake of the      
,lords supper1 which is set forth by the
 ,paschal ,lamb2 whilst ,i had said that
 every one who believes in ,jesus was by
 this his faith made a spiritual        
,israelite1 and had a right to the      
,lords supper and to all the privileges 

of the children of ,god4 ,he stated     
further1 that this was against the rules
 of their church1 and that1 as ,i took  
the ,lords supper with unbaptized       
believers1 and with those who had not   
quite left the state church1 ,i made    
myself partaker of their sins1 and that 
therefore1 as being defiled with these  
sins1 ,i could not be admitted to the   
,lords supper4 ,from the commencement of
 his speaking he was very irritated1 but
 now continued in a passionate way3 ,i  
am ruler in this church1 and you        
7addressing himself to me7 are no longer
 permitted to speak at our meetings4    
,moreover he said1 ,whosoever takes the 
,lords supper with ,mller will no longer
 be considered as a member of the       
church2 and then in anger he left the   
meeting4 ,during all this time1 the     
,lord1 in the riches of ,his grace1 kept
 me in perfect peace and calmness4 ,i   
answered brother--not a single word4    
,when he was gone ,i fell upon my knees1
 asked the ,lords blessing upon the word

 which ,i had spoken1 asked the ,lord to
 forgive brother--1 and to teach me what
 ,i should do now4 ,after this ,i       
dismissed the meeting4 ,when all was    
over1 one of the elders1 brother ,r41   
one who seeks after truth1 and rejoices 
in the true liberty which the ,lord     
enables me to preach1 and one who had   
been sighing under the iron hand of     
brother--for a long time2 this brother1 
,i say1 requested me before all1        
according to the first arrangement1 to  
continue the meetings and to tell them  
all that might be profitable to them4   
,he was1 however1 immediately           
interrupted by another elder1 who sees  
with brother--1 and told that he had no 
right to do so4 ,i then stated again    
that ,i had only come from ,england in  
love1 and that ,i would not force myself
 upon them4 ,i then left4--,by the time 
of the afternoon meeting ,i had received
 light from the ,lord that ,i should not
 go to the meeting4 ,i saw that as ,i   
had been cast out1 together with all the

 other brethren who owned me as a       
brother1 and as all my tenderness in    
seeking to avoid a separation had been  
useless1 ,i had now on the other hand to
 go steadfastly forward1 leaving it with
 the ,lord to decide on which side the  
truth was4 ,i therefore remained at     
home4 ,the two elders who were won for  
the truth1 went to the meeting in the   
afternoon1 at which brother--sought to  
disprove what ,i had said1 and after the
 meeting they stated that they were     
purposed to own me and all who believe  
in the ,lord ,jesus as brethren in the  
breaking of bread4--,on the same evening
 seventeen of us met in my room for the 
breaking of bread1 as we were in peace2 
of these seventeen twelve were belonging
 to this little ,baptist church1 two    
,swiss brethren1 one ,english sister1 my
 wife and ,i4 ,we had a peaceful        
meeting4 ,thus the ,lord so soon1 so    
unexpectedly1 has brought the matter to 
a point1 though in a painful way4 ,the  
matter would be1 however1 more painful1 

did ,i not see it of great importance   
that the disciples who hold the truth   
should be separate from those who hold  
such fearful errors as3 ,the forgiveness
 of sins received through baptism2      
baptism a covenant between us and ,god2 
regeneration through baptism and no     
regeneration without it2 the actual     
death of the old man through baptism1 it
 being drowned1 so that only the body   
and the new nature are alive2 and many  
other fearful errors1 to which these    
poor deluded brethren have been led by  
laying such undue stress upon baptism4  
,as to poor brother ----1 he had denied 
some months since the inspiration of    
,luke1 the ,acts1 and the ,epistle of   
,james1 which point he only gave up when
 several brethren stated that they must 
leave on that account1 and he has fallen
 into many other grievous errors2 but   
there has been no one who has had       
sufficient spiritual courage steadfastly
 to resist him4 ,now there is joy with  
many that the ,lord has set them        

free4--,on ,monday last1 ,sept4 #dth1 ,i
 had again a meeting with the brethren  
and sisters whose eyes the ,lord has    
opened1 and others also came1 not       
belonging to this ,baptist church4 ,on4 
,wednesday ,i had again a meeting1 and  
today1 ,sept4 #h1 and tomorrow evening  
,i purpose to meet the brethren         
again4--,all is only a beginning4 ,but  
there is a beginning4 ,that which ,i    
longed for1 the chief object of my      
journey to the ,continent1 that there   
might be also in ,germany a little      
living church1 but based on ,scriptural 
principles1 which might be a light to   
other places2 the beginning of that has 
now been made1 but it is a small        
beginning4 ,the minds of the dear       
brethren have been so darkened through  
this mixture of error and truth1 that   
about every thing they need instruction4
 ,however1 the ,lord will help further4 
,i am of good cheer1 because ,i know    
that the ,lord is on my side1 and that  
,he has sent me here1 and that ,he keeps

 me here4 ,how gladly would ,i leave    
this very day1 were it ,his will2 but ,i
 know that at present ,i ought to labour
 here4--,i have so circumstantially and 
minutely related all to you1 that you   
may the better know how to help me with 
your prayers4 ,the errors and sins of   
our brother ---- ,i have only related1  
that you the more clearly may see how my
 coming here is of ,god1 in order that  
these dear children of ,god1 who have   
suffered so much for the ,lords sake1   
and who are sincere1 though in much     
error1 might be led on and delivered out
 of these snares of the devil4 ,but     
many1 unaccustomed to examine           
,scripture1 hold fast the former ways2  
yet those1 who are sincere1 the ,lord   
will deliver after awhile4 ,how long ,i 
may continue here1 ,i know not2 but the 
moment ,i see the ,lords leading to     
,england1 ,i shall be delighted to go   
back4 ,at present my temptation is not  
to stay longer than ,i ought to stay2   
but rather to leave sooner than ,i ought

 to leave4 ,help me1 therefore1 dear    
brethren1 that ,i maybe willing to do   
and suffer all the will of ,god here4   
,as to further particulars1 the ,lord   
willing1 you shall have them either     
verbally or by writing4 ,should any of  
you like to write to me1 or my dear     
wife1 we shall be glad to hear from you2
 and if the letters be written on thin  
paper and left at my house1 they will be
 forwarded to me4 ,we remember you daily
 in our prayers1 as you also1 no doubt1 
remember us4 ,may the ,lord bring us in 
,his own time again together in peace4  
,pray earnestly for all the brethren who
 labour among you4 ,my dear wife salutes
 you4 ,the saints here salute you4  ,i  
am1 dear brethren41  ,affectionately    
your brother and servant1  ,,george     
,m,,ller4   ,i make the following       
remarks in connexion with this letter4  
,i4 ,in the beginning it is mentioned1  
that on the evening of the day after my 
arrival ,i met with the five brethren   
who laboured in the ,baptist church at  

,stuttgart1 that is with the teaching   
elder or president1 the three other     
elders1 and the brother who acted as    
deacon4 ,at this very meeting1 nay at   
the very commencement even of this      
meeting1 ,i saw what a difficult        
position mine would be1 and what        
abundant help ,i should need from ,god4 
,that which led me to think so was this4
 ,during the day that ,i had been at    
,stuttgart1 ,i had perceived1 that all  
the brethren and sisters called one     
another ,thou1 which is in ,germany the 
sign of great familiarity1 and which is 
used between very intimate friends or   
between parents and children1 or husband
 and wife1 or brothers and sisters of   
the same family1 c4 ,here now ,i found  
that males and females of all ages and  
different stations in life called one   
another ,thou4 ,when ,i therefore met   
with those five brethren ,i stated the  
substance of the following objections1  
against this practice1 not however in   
the form of objections1 but either in   

the way of affectionate inquiries or    
brotherly suggestions4 ,my objections   
against it were these3 #a1 ,i did not   
think it would have1 in general1 a      
desirable effect upon believers of      
different sexes to speak to one another 
thus in the way of so great familiarity4
 #b1 ,i did not think it would work well
 for brethren and sisters in service to 
speak thus to their master and mistress1
 especially if it should happen that the
 mistress was an unbeliever1 and        
therefore not in fellowship with them1  
and a sister were as a servant to say to
 her master ,thou4 #c1 ,i thought it    
would not work happily and healthfully  
for a very young brother and sister to  
be expected to call aged brethren and   
sisters ,thou1 as if on terms of great  
familiarity1 from the moment they were  
baptized and thus received among them   
into fellowship4 #d1 ,but that which far
 more strongly operated upon my mind    
than any of the previous reasons was    
this1 ,it seemed to me to substitute an 

outward form for the inward power and   
reality4 ,i stated to them1 ,that if the
 calling one another ,thou were the     
result of realizing that all the        
children of ,god have one and the       
self-same ,father in heaven1 that they  
are really1 and not nominally only1     
brothers and sisters of the same        
heavenly family1 and heirs of the same  
precious inheritance1 and bought by the 
same precious blood of the ,lord ,jesus2
 if it were the result of these truths  
being enjoyed and realized within1 ,i   
should see not the least reason against 
it1 in general2 but ,i feared that it   
was merely an outward thing1 judging    
from the fact1 that however it might    
have been with a brother and sister     
previously1 the moment they were        
baptized they were called ,thou by every
 one of their number1 and they were     
expected to call every one ,thou in     
return4 ,and ,i judged it to be a       
pernicious thing1 if thus the ,thou was 
forced upon persons2 for on the part of 

those who were comparatively high in    
life it would be considered sooner or   
later an unpleasant burden1 and on the  
part of the poorer classes it would lead
 to carnal gratification in being able  
to treat those in the way of great      
familiarity who were considerably above 
them with reference to this life4 ,the  
thing itself1 then1 if done from right  
motives1 from the entering into our     
position as saints with reference to    
,god and to each other1 would be most   
precious2 but the thing done1 merely    
because it was customary among them1 and
 observed in order to keep up           
uniformity1 would work most             
perniciously4--,in reply to my remarks  
of this kind1 it was stated1 that the   
use of the word ,thou was scriptural1   
that in the ,holy ,scriptures we never  
read1 when one single person is spoken  
to1 ,you1 but always ,thou4 ,to this ,i 
answered that it was so1 but that we    
must remember that in the ,holy         
,scriptures we find governors and kings 

addressed by poor men in the term ,thou2
 for this was the only form of speech in
 use1 whilst in ,germany1 where the     
,thou is not used except to denote near 
natural relationship or familiarity1 it 
ought not to be used1 except there be   
that inwardly corresponding to what we  
outwardly seek to convey by the term2   
else it will lead to formality1 if not  
to hypocrisy1 and sooner or later the   
pernicious tendency of this outward     
thing1 to which there is nothing        
inwardly corresponding1 will most surely
 be felt4 ,it appeared to me far better 
not to make any profession of           
familiarity and intimacy by the use of  
the ,thou1 when the heart does not go   
along with it1 and rather to continue to
 say to one another ,you till there be  
the drawing of heart to heart by the    
love of ,jesus1 than to force the ,thou 
upon the brethren and sisters4 ,i felt  
the more strongly about this1 as ,i had 
witnessed more than once among believers
 in ,england the injurious effects of   

doing things because others did them1 or
 because it was the custom1 or because  
they were persuaded into acts of outward
 self-denial1 or giving up things whilst
 the heart did not go along with it1 and
 whilst the outward act ,,was ,,not the 
result of the inward powerful working of
 the ,holy ,ghost1 and the happy        
entering into our fellowship with the   
,father and with the ,son4 ,i had seen1 
when these things had been done from    
wrong motives1 that there had been      
regret afterwards1 and the returning    
back as much as possible to what had    
been given up or forsaken4 ,moreover1   
though ,i had been only one day in      
,stuttgart when we had this meeting1 yet
 ,i had heard enough of the state of    
things1 to make me think the calling one
 another ,thou was in many instances a  
mere outward form4--,my brotherly       
suggestions were not received1 but      
strongly opposed by two or three out of 
the five brethren1 and it was pretty    
plainly hinted1 that1 perhaps1 ,i was   

too proud to be called ,thou2 and the   
moment ,i perceived that1 ,i said that  
,i wished every brother1 the very       
poorest of them1 to call me ,thou 7and  
,i encouraged them in doing so1 by      
calling every one ,thou71 but that ,i   
could not1 with my light1 call any of   
the sisters ,thou1 nor did ,i do so up  
to the day of my departure4  ,there was 
another thing of the same character1    
that is the kiss4 ,in ,germany1 as on   
the ,continent generally1 the kiss is   
the sign of affection and familiarity   
among men as well as among females1 and 
the brethren and sisters at ,stuttgart  
always had been in the habit of kissing 
one another after having partaken of the
 ,lords supper1 that is all the brethren
 had kissed each other1 and all the     
sisters had kissed each other4 ,now this
 again1 if the result of real inward    
affection1 and springing from the       
entering into our heavenly relationship 
and oneness in ,christ ,jesus1 would be 
most beautiful1 and would be the holy   

kiss of which the ,apostle ,paul speaks2
 but ,i had no reason to believe that   
this was generally the case among the   
brethren and sisters at ,stuttgart1 but 
rather that it was merely the result of 
custom and form1 and that it was done   
because it was expected to be done1 for 
it was the churchs order1 after the     
,lords supper to kiss one another4 ,it  
was on this ground that it seemed to me 
to be most pernicious2 and ,i could have
 known how it would work1 even though ,i
 had not been actually told1 that       
sometimes sisters had stayed away from  
the ,lords supper1 because they did not 
feel comfortable in kissing all the     
female members of the church4 ,when     
therefore ,i began to break bread with  
the brethren1 after we had been         
separated by the close baptists1 ,i did 
not kiss one brother after the breaking 
of bread2 but ,i made a point of it to  
kiss every one of them on that very day 
at a later meeting1 when ,i left them to
 go to my lodgings1 in order that no one

 might be able to say it was pride or   
want of love in me that ,i had not      
kissed them4 ,thus ,i did on the second 
,lords day1 and on the third4 ,on the   
fourth ,lords day a brother said1 after 
the breaking of bread1 ,brethren shall  
we give one another the brotherly kiss1 
and ,i was then ready at once1 like the 
rest1 to kiss all the brethren2 but the 
next time there was no kissing1 and thus
 the mere cold form was banished1 and   
every brother felt free to kiss another 
brother when his heart bade him to do   
so1 without being bound to it by custom 
or form4  ,i have so circumstantially   
dwelt on these apparently little things1
 because ,i think them1 in principle1   
matters of the deepest importance4      
,every thing that is a mere form1 a mere
 habit and custom in divine things1 is  
to be dreaded exceedingly3 life1 power1 
reality1 this is what we have to aim    
after4 ,things should not result from   
without1 but from within4 ,the sort of  
clothes ,i wear1 the kind of house ,i   

live in1 the quality of the furniture ,i
 use1 all such like things should not   
result from other persons doing so and  
so1 or because it is customary among    
those brethren with whom ,i associate to
 live in such and such a simple1        
inexpensive1 self-denying way2 but      
whatever be done in these things1 in the
 way of giving up1 or self-denial1 or   
deadness to the world1 should result    
from the joy we have in ,god1 from the  
knowledge of our being the children of  
,god1 from the entering into the        
preciousness of our future inheritance1 
etc4 ,far better that for the time being
 we stand still1 and do not take the    
steps which we see others take1 than    
that it is merely the force of example  
that leads us to do a thing1 and        
afterwards it be regretted4 ,not that ,i
 mean in the least by this to imply we  
should continue to live in luxury1      
self-indulgence1 and the like1 whilst   
others are in great need2 but we should 
begin the thing in a right way1 i4e4 aim

 after the right state of heart2 begin  
inwardly instead of outwardly4 ,if      
otherwise1 it will not last4 ,we shall  
look back1 or even get into a worse     
state than we were before4 ,but oh6 how 
different if joy in ,god leads us to any
 little act of self denial4 ,how gladly 
do we do it then6 ,how great an honour  
then do we esteem it to be6 ,how much   
does the heart then long to be able to  
do more for ,him who has done so much   
for us6 ,we are far then from looking   
down in proud self-complacency upon     
those who do not go as far as we do1 but
 rather pray to the ,lord1 that ,he     
would be pleased to help our dear       
brethren and sisters forward1 who may   
seem to us weak in any particular point2
 and we also are conscious to ourselves1
 that if we have a little more light or 
strength with reference to one point1   
other brethren may have more light or   
grace in other respects4  ,,ii4 ,it may 
be asked1 whether ,i consider brother   
----1 with all his errors1 his fearful  

errors1 to be a brother4 ,my reply is1  
that so far as my own personal          
acquaintance is concerned1 ,i am not    
able to form a judgment about it2 but   
from all ,i have heard about his godly  
life formerly for many years1 ,i think  
there is very much reason to believe    
that he is a child of ,god4 ,i have     
related all this and made it public     
7which ,i naturally greatly dislike1 on 
account of brother ---- being my        
brother1 and therefore his sin is my own
 shame71 in order that other children of
 ,god may be profited by it4 ,there are 
two most instructive points connected   
with the history of the ,baptist ,church
 at ,stuttgart and of our brother ----  
in particular4  #a1 ,these children of  
,god had been right in considering      
believers baptism to be ,scriptural1 and
 in separating from the state church of 
,wirtemberg4 ,but upon these two points 
they had laid undue stress4 ,though     
believers baptism is the truth of ,god2 
though separation from state churches on

 the part of children of ,god who know  
that a church is a congregation of      
believers is right1 because they see in 
state churches nothing but the world    
mixed up with some true believers2 yet1 
if these points are made too much of if 
they are put out of their proper place1 
as if they were every thing1 then there 
must be spiritual loss suffered by those
 who do so4 ,nay1 whatever parts of     
truth are made too much of1 though they 
were even the most precious truths      
connected with our being risen in       
,christ1 or our heavenly calling1 or    
prophecy1 sooner or later those1 who lay
 an undue stress upon these parts of    
truth1 and thus make them too prominent1
 will be losers in their own souls1 and1
 if they be teachers1 they will injure  
those whom they teach4 ,that was the    
case at ,stuttgart4 ,baptism and        
separation from the state church had at 
last become almost every thing to these 
dear brethren4 ,we are the church4      
,truth is only to be found among us4    

,all others are in error1 and in        
,babylon4 ,these were the phrases used  
again and again by our brother ----4    
,but ,god never allows this state of    
things without chastisement4 ,this      
spiritual pride had led from one error  
to another4 ,oh may it be a warning to  
me and to all believers who may read    
this1 and may ,god in mercy give and    
preserve to them and to me a lowly      
heart6  #b1 ,another thing1 on account  
of which the church at ,stuttgart is a  
warning1 is this3 ,when these dear      
brethren left the state church of the   
,kingdom of ,wirtemberg1 on account of  
which they had many trials1 they did not
 meet together in dependence upon the   
,holy ,spirit1 but they took some       
,baptist church1 whether in ,h-- or ,e--
 ,i know not1 for a model1 and there was
 to be a teaching elder among them4     
,instead of being content to own their  
weakness1 and give themselves to prayer 
that the ,lord would be pleased to give 
them a teacher1 brother ---- becomes    

their teaching elder1 and this having   
been done1 he alone speaks at all the   
meetings 7with few exceptions74 ,now1 as
 his own mind laid such an undue stress 
upon baptism1 and as there was no free  
working of the ,holy ,spirit1 so that   
any other brother might have brought out
 at their meetings what the ,lord might 
have laid upon his heart1 what could    
there have been expected otherwise than 
that after a time the whole noble little
 band of disciples1 who had taken so    
trying a stand as to be separated from  
the state church1 should become unsound 
in the faith4 ,may ,god grant unto us to
 be profited by it1 dear believing      
reader1 so that in our own church       
position we do our utmost to give to the
 ,holy ,spirit free and unhindered      
opportunity to work by whom ,he will6   
,i have related all these things1       
painful as they were to me when ,i was  
in them1 and painful as they are now to 
me in the remembrance1 if it may please 
,god to make them a warning to other    

dear children of ,god4   ,stuttgart1    
,oct4 #ad1 #ahdc4  ,to the ,saints1     
meeting in the name of ,jesus1 at       
,bethesda and ,salem ,chapels1 ,bristol4
   ,my dear ,brethren1  ,i have judged  
that your love to the ,lord and to me   
will make you desirous of knowing       
further particulars about the work here1
 and ,i write therefore a little        
concerning the state of things          
here4--,since the date of my last letter
 ,i have sought to instruct the dear    
brethren1 who had been led by the ,lord 
to own me as a brother with whom they   
could and ought to have fellowship1 and 
who1 therefore1 had been disowned by    
those with whom they had formerly been  
associated4 ,the state of things        
concerning the others1 who think they do
 ,god service in the way in which they  
treat us1 is very affecting4 ,they not  
only keep entirely aloof from our       
meetings1 but with those of our number1 
whom they consider seducers and         
perverters of the truth1 they will not  

speak1 nor greet us again when they are 
greeted4 ,in this state of things       
nothing remained for us but to speak to 
the ,lord about them1 and ,i1 therefore1
 proposed last week1 that we should have
 especial prayer meetings for these     
dear1 but awfully deluded1 brethren4    
,this was heartily responded to1 and we 
now meet from time to time for especial 
prayer on their behalf4 ,i mention this 
that you may help us with your prayers  
in this particular also4 ,the iron rule1
 and the want of being able to exercise 
spiritual judgment is so felt1 that only
 one of the brethren and sisters in the 
neighbouring little towns and villages1 
who belonged to the ,baptist ,church1   
has ventured to meet with us2 but amidst
 it all ,i am in peace1 knowing that the
 ,lord ,himself sent me here1 and that  
the truth at last will assuredly        
triumph4 ,indeed ,i know that except    
these brethren own the sin of which they
 have been guilty against me1 the ,holy 
,spirit1 who has been grieved1 will not 

work among them1 and the spiritual death
 among them will open the eyes of the   
upright ones4 ,such an instance came    
before me last week1 when a sister of   
the ,baptist ,church came to our        
meetings1 and said that she could not   
remain any longer where she was1 as it  
was as if ,god had departed from them4  
,we now meet every ,lords day morning   
from nine to eleven1 for the exposition 
of the word1 and from four to six in the
 afternoon for the breaking of bread4   
,on ,tuesday and ,thursday evenings1    
from eight till nearly ten1 ,i expound  
the scriptures1 and on ,wednesday and   
,friday evenings1 from eight to ten1 ,i 
meet with the brethren to read the      
scriptures4 ,there is the greatest      
teachableness among the dear saints with
 whom ,i meet2 but just because they    
have been so long fed with error instead
 of truth1 they need to be taught almost
 every thing4 ,but hitherto the ,lord   
has so helped me1 and so made the dear  
brethren willing to bow before the word 

of ,god1 that we have gone on most      
happily1 and without any disagreement4  
,the last five meetings of this kind we 
have spent in considering the truths    
contained in ,romans xii41 ,ephes4 iv41 
#a ,cor4 xii4 and xiv41 c4 ,they are now
 gaining light in apprehending the      
presence and power of the ,holy ,spirit 
in the church1 and ,his indwelling in   
every individual believer1 together with
 the practical application of these     
truths2 and ,i cannot but hope1 that if 
the ,lord1 even now at once1 were to    
remove me from them1 they would be able 
to witness in some measure for ,god1    
with regard to their church position4   
,but even these truths will take up     
several such evenings yet1 in order that
 the dear brethren not only may be      
grounded in them1 but also be profited  
by my experience in these particulars   
during the last thirteen years1 that    
they may not fall into the same errors1 
or be exposed to the same difficulties4 
,when that subject is done with1 ,i have

 to undertake another work1 perhaps as  
difficult as any ,i have had since ,i   
have been here1 and ,i mention it to    
you1 that you may help me with your     
prayers1 that the ,lord would be pleased
 to give me ,his especial help in that  
matter also4 ,i understand that all the 
dear precious saints with whom ,i meet1 
have fallen into the awful error1 spread
 almost universally among even true     
believers in this country1 that at last 
all men will be saved1 and even the     
devils themselves4 ,this awful error ,i 
must attack as soon as the subject which
 we now consider is finished2 but pray  
earnestly that the ,lord would give me  
such spiritual power1 as that these dear
 brethren may be brought1 through ,gods 
truth1 out of this delusion also4 ,i    
hope in ,god concerning this matter4 ,he
 will help me4 ,he has in so many ways  
made it so abundantly plain that ,he    
,himself sent me here1 that ,he will    
help me in this matter also4--,last     
,lords day we were twenty in number at  

the breaking of bread1 including my dear
 wife and myself2 among them was the    
first fruit of my labours here1 in the  
way of conversion4 ,she is a young lady 
of nineteen years1 the daughter of the  
procurator of the upper tribunal1 ,dr4  
,r1 one of the former elders of the     
,baptist ,church1 who for my sake was   
cast out4 ,this young sister was        
baptized about four miles from here1 in 
a river1 about eight oclock in the      
evening1 by moonlight1 as the dear      
brethren feared the tumult and concourse
 of the opposers in the day time4 ,i    
advised her father to baptize her1 in   
order that at once1 even in this        
respect1 there might be nothing in the  
judgment of the dear saints1 as if a    
ministerial person1 according to the use
 of the word in the world1 were needed1 
and also that thus the attention of the 
police might not needlessly be directed 
towards me1 as they are so particularly 
opposed to baptism4 ,hitherto ,i have   
been left unmolested and unhindered1    

although ,i have been nearly eight weeks
 here1 and although it is becoming known
 throughout the city1 and beginning also
 to spread throughout the country that  
,i am here4--,the work still remains    
small as to outward appearance1 as      
generally1 besides the believers in     
fellowship1 there are not more than     
about ten or twelve persons present2 but
 ,i dare not take a large place to meet 
in1 humanly speaking1 and judging from  
what hitherto has been always done1 but 
,i must go on quietly instructing the   
saints1 or preaching to the few sinners 
who come1 in the hope that ,god1 through
 my instructing the brethren1 will open 
the eyes and hearts of others1 after ,i 
have left4 ,there is one brother among  
us1 who learned the way of ,god more    
perfectly in ,switzerland1 and who often
 had spoken about it1 before ,i came1   
but who was neither much listened to1   
nor received into fellowship1 because he
 was not baptized4--,in the mean time ,i
 also go on with preparing my ,narrative

 in the ,german language for the press1 
having found out that there is          
sufficient freedom of the press here to 
allow of my getting it printed2 but ,i  
make but little progress1 as my time is1
 in a variety of ways1 here also taken  
up1 and as ,i have too little mental    
strength to continue very long at a time
 working with my pen4 ,nevertheless1 ,i 
have about the fifth part ready for the 
press4 ,i am more and more assured that 
,germany needs my service in this       
respect1 and that the ,lord has called  
me for this work4 ,about the time of my 
return to you ,i can say nothing1 as the
 ,lord has not given me any light       
concerning it2 but this ,i must say1    
that my wife and myself shall consider  
it a happy day indeed1 when the ,lord   
allows us to see you again4 ,but1 ,his  
servants we are1 and we desire grace to 
tarry as cheerfully here1 as we shall be
 glad to go back to ,bristol1 when the  
,lord sends us back4 ,only help us in   
the mean time with your prayers1 7as we 

also pray for you71 that the ,lord would
 enable us in this dark land to glorify 
,his holy name4 ,farewell1 greatly      
beloved brethren4 ,my heart longs after 
you to behold you again2 yet ,i am happy
 here1 and will cheerfully wait the     
,lords own time here4 ,i repeat1 that if
 any of you have it in your heart to    
write to us1 and will leave the letters 
at my house1 they will be forwarded to  
me4 ,my dear wife sends her love in     
,christ to all the dear brethren and    
sisters4  ,your affectionate brother and
 servant in the ,lord1  ,,george        
,m,,ller4   ,i make again a few remarks 
in connexion with this letter4  ,i4 ,one
 of my especial aims in my service among
 the dear brethren at ,stuttgart was1 to
 seek to ground them in the truth4 ,to  
this end we had1 from the beginning of  
our being separated from the ,baptist   
,church1 two meetings in the week1 from 
eight to ten oclock in the evening1 when
 we considered together1 upon the ground
 of the word of ,god1 those points of   

truth on which these dear brethren      
appeared to me most to need instruction4
 ,i judged it not enough to expound the 
,scriptures at their public meetings1   
but to give an opportunity to any       
brother or sister1 at these private     
meetings1 to state any difficulties that
 they might have on their minds4 ,at    
first we considered particularly the    
great truths of the gospel1 so that any 
remaining errors1 connected with        
fundamental points1 might be corrected4 
,after that we began the consideration  
of ,romans xii4 #c-h1 ,ephes4 iv4 #g-af1
 #a ,cor4 xii4 and xiv41 and the other  
passages which stand in connexion with  
the truths taught in these portions4    
,the brethren had seen almost           
immediately that1 according to the      
example of the first disciples 7,acts   
xx4 #g71 it would become us to meet     
every first day of the week for the     
breaking of bread4 ,thus far they had   
light1 and that light1 ,i judged1 ought 
to be carried out at once4 ,we therefore

 from the beginning met every ,lords day
 for the breaking of bread1 with the    
exception of two or three who had for a 
few weeks some little doubt remaining on
 their mind1 whether1 on account of the 
frequency of the observance1 this       
ordinance might not lose its beneficial 
effects2 but as we left them free1 to   
act according to the light they had1    
they soon saw the greatness of the      
privilege of being allowed so often to  
show forth the ,lords death1 and they   
therefore met regularly with us4--,as1  
however1 on my arrival at ,stuttgart1   
the dear brethren had been entirely     
uninstructed about the truths relating  
to the power and presence of the ,holy  
,ghost in the church of ,christ1 and to 
our ministering one to another as fellow
 members in the body of ,christ2 and as 
,i had known enough of painful          
consequences when brethren began to meet
 professedly in dependence upon the     
,holy ,spirit without knowing what was  
meant by it1 and thus meetings had      

become opportunities for unprofitable   
talking rather than for godly edifying2 
and as ,i felt myself bound to          
communicate to these dear brethren the  
experience ,i had gathered with         
reference to these very truths since    
,june #ahcj3 for these reasons1 ,i say1 
,i thought it well to spend evening     
after evening with them over the        
passages above mentioned4 ,thus week    
after week passed away4 ,we broke bread1
 but it was understood1 and ,i wished it
 to be understood1 that ,i was the only 
speaker4 ,this ,i did that in every     
possible way ,i might have opportunity  
of instructing the brethren1 and because
 they knew not yet what was meant by    
meeting in dependence upon the ,holy    
,spirit4 ,but1 at length1 after we had  
for about eight weeks or more spent two 
evenings a week together over those     
passages1 and others setting forth the  
same truths1 and full opportunity had   
been given1 carefully to look at all the
 points connected with them1 and when   

now there seemed a measure of           
apprehension of the mind of ,god in     
those passages1 then we met for the     
purpose of carrying out what the        
brethren had learned1 and therefore1 at 
the next time when we met for the       
breaking of bread1 ,i took my place     
among them simply as a brother2 yet as a
 brother who had received a measure of  
gift for the benefit of his fellow      
members1 and upon whom therefore        
responsibility was laid to use that     
measure of gift1 and who1 by the grace  
of ,god1 felt this responsibility laid  
upon him1 and who was willing to act    
accordingly4 ,i do not mean at all to   
say that even then this matter was      
perfectly understood1 for a few times   
still things like these would occur3--,a
 brother read a portion of the ,word1   
and then would say1 ,perhaps our brother
 ,mller will expound to us this portion4
 ,or1 a brother might speak a little on 
a subject1 and then would say1 ,perhaps 
our brother ,mller will enter somewhat  

more fully into this subject4 ,at such  
times1 which occurred twice or thrice1  
,i said nothing1 but acted according to 
the desire of those brethren1 and spoke2
 but afterwards1 when we met privately1 
at our scripture reading meetings1 ,i   
pointed out to the dear brethren their  
mistake1 and reminded them that all     
these matters ought to be left to the   
ordering of the ,holy ,ghost1 and that  
if it had been truly good for them1 the 
,lord would have not only led me to     
speak at that time1 but also on the very
 subject on which they desired that ,i  
should speak to them4  ,,ii4 ,at these  
scripture reading meetings1 of which ,i 
had about forty with them1 we went on   
very peacefully and happily1 though ,i  
had many things to bring before the     
brethren which were quite new to them1  
and some points also to which they had  
been exceedingly opposed4 ,the ,lord    
enabled me to seek ,his help for this   
service1 and ,he granted it to me4      
,,iii4 ,i never had a moments hesitation

 in owning these brethren1 and meeting  
with them at the breaking of bread2 for 
,i could not say of any of them that    
they wilfully held those errors1 but    
that it rather arose from the truth     
never having been brought before them4  
,i therefore judged1 that it was my duty
 to seek to instruct them in the truth1 
and then they would be led to renounce  
their errors4  ,,iv4 ,i had from the    
beginning great hope that the dear      
brethren would be brought out of their  
fearful errors4 ,i never was overwhelmed
 by the prospect of the difficulties    
before me1 but had confidence in ,god1  
that through ,him ,i should conquer4 ,my
 assurance was built on the following   
grounds3 #a1 ,i considered the          
remarkable way in which so unexpectedly1
 and after the overcoming of so many    
difficulties which had been in the way1 
,i was sent to them4 ,i therefore judged
 that the ,lord had sent me to them for 
blessing4 #b1 ,he had given me grace to 
pray much for the saints at ,stuttgart  

before ,i had ever seen them1 and ,he   
helped me to continue in prayer for them
 whilst with them4 ,this ,i judged was1 
in order that ,he might answer my       
request on their behalf4 #c1 ,they were 
not like persons who had had the truth  
set before them1 and wilfully rejected  
it1 but they had never had it set before
 them4 #d1 ,the ,lord1 in ,his grace1   
enabled me to deal patiently with them4 
,they were deeply entangled in error1   
very deeply4 ,pressing things hastily   
upon them1 ,i knew1 would only make     
matters worse2 but patiently hearing all
 their objections2 meeting time after   
time over the ,word1 and seeking the    
,lords blessing in prayer on those      
meetings both before and after1 being   
willing not to press a point too much at
 once1 but giving time to the ,holy     
,ghost to work upon their hearts2       
dealing thus with them1 even as the     
,lord had inclined my heart1 ,i judged  
that ,he would give me the desire of my 
heart1 and deliver them out of their    

fearful errors4  ,v4 ,i cannot help     
noticing here the strange mistake under 
which the religious public was with     
reference to my being at ,stuttgart4 ,it
 was this3 ,some weeks after my arrival 
the report was spread1 and widely too1  
7for it was printed in one of the       
religious periodicals71 that ,i was a   
,missionary sent by the ,baptists in    
,england1 to bring back the ,baptists in
 ,wirtemberg to the ,state ,church1 as  
it was the view of the ,baptists in     
,england that it was not wrong to be    
united with the ,state ,church4 ,this   
having been stated in print1 7though ,i 
knew not of it till ,i was on the point 
of returning to ,england71 my stay at   
,stuttgart1 ,i suppose1 was rather liked
 by religious persons in connexion with 
the ,state ,church1 and it is not at all
 unlikely that that may have contributed
 to my being permitted to work quietly  
week after week1 and month after month1 
without the police in the least         
interfering with me1 though it not only 

was well known1 that ,i was there1 but  
well known too what ,i was doing in the 
way of holding meetings1 etc4 ,i        
recognise the hand of the ,lord in      
allowing this mistake to be made4  ,,vi4
 ,for many weeks the number of those who
 frequented the meetings was very small4
 ,very few1 besides those who were in   
communion with us1 attended them4 ,the  
highly sectarian and exclusive spirit   
which had been manifested by those      
brethren1 who belonged to the ,baptist  
,church1 was a great hindrance in the   
way2 for it was naturally supposed that 
we were of the same mind with them4 ,but
 after nearly five months had passed    
away1 there began to be a different     
effect produced4 ,the number of those   
who attended increased1 and increased to
 more than twice or thrice as many as   
used to come at first1 and1 humanly     
speaking1 had ,i seen it to be the      
,lords will to remain one month longer1 
the result might have been still        
greater4 ,but as ,i saw as clearly the  

time of my departure from ,stuttgart as 
that of my going thither1 ,i was not    
influenced by any outward appearance2   
for ,i felt certain that1 for various   
reasons1 ,i ought to return to my       
service in ,bristol4--,in this          
circumstance also ,i cannot but see the 
hand of ,god4 ,had the meetings all at  
once been much attended in the          
beginning1 it might have attracted the  
attention of the police1 and possibly a 
ticket of permission to reside any      
longer at ,stuttgart might not have been
 granted to me2 but1 as it was1 there   
was nothing whatever outwardly to       
attract the notice of the world1 for we 
were few in number1 met in a very poor  
neighbourhood1 and in a poor meeting    
place1 and ,i had thus opportunity to   
instruct the saints4   ,stuttgart1 ,nov4
 #aa1 #ahdc4  ,to the ,brethren meeting 
in the name of ,jesus1 at ,salem and    
,bethesda ,chapels1 ,bristol   ,dear    
,brethren1  ,i have judged that it might
 be profitable to you1 with the ,lords  

blessing1 to hear again a few           
particulars of ,his work here1 and ,i   
have also thought that the love you bear
 me will make you desirous to know how  
,i am1 and what the ,lord is doing with 
me1 and therefore ,i again write you a  
little1 which is no burden to me1 but a 
sweet pleasure4 ,yet ,i assure you1 dear
 brethren1 ,i need not write to you1 in 
order that ,i may be reminded of you2   
for ,i think of you daily1 and pray     
daily for you1 as ,i am sure you do for 
us3 and it will1 indeed1 be a sweet     
pleasure to us and joy in the ,lord1 to 
behold your faces again2 but1 in the    
meantime1 we desire grace1 not to feel  
ourselves as in banishment1 but so to   
realize1 that this is our present place 
of service1 and so to walk with ,jesus1 
that we maybe very happy1 even now1     
though so far1 and for so long a time   
absent from you4 ,it is now thirteen    
weeks and three days since ,i left      
,bristol1 but ,i have not1 during all   
this time1 even for one single minute1  

been permitted to question whether the  
conclusion1 that ,i should serve the    
,lord for a season in this country1 was 
of ,him or not2 but during all this     
time1 as also many weeks before ,i left 
,bristol1 my heart has had the fullest  
assurance concerning this matter4 ,it   
has been also very kind of the ,lord1   
that ,he has not even suffered me to be 
tempted1 through a great variety of     
trying events1 which might have occurred
 either here or in ,bristol1 to question
 my call for this service2 but1 on the  
contrary1 every days experience almost1 
here1 confirms my mind1 and every letter
 from ,bristol also shows1 how that     
,gods finger is in this matter4 ,and    
thus1 my dear brethren1 it must be      
always1 when we are taking any step     
according to the will of the ,lord3 the 
result must be peace and blessing4 ,i   
desire therefore quietly to1 tarry here1
 till the same ,lord1 who put me at this
 post1 shall call me away from it4  --,i
 now enter upon the narrative of a few  

facts which ,i wish to communicate to   
you1 that you may be led yet more highly
 to prize the spiritual privileges1 and 
especially the religious liberty1 which 
you enjoy in ,england4--,about nineteen 
months since a brother and sister here1 
who were connected with the little      
,baptist ,church1 7the only body of     
believers in this country who are       
separated from the ,state ,church7      
desired to be united by marriage4 ,as   
they had conscientious objections to be 
married according to the usage of the   
,state ,church1 a statement was sent to 
the director of this city1 the first    
magistrate1 in which this brother and   
sister expressed their desire and       
declared that they would submit         
themselves to everything to which they  
could with a good conscience1 such as   
having their names three times publicly 
called at the church1 paying the        
clergymans fees1 c42 but that they could
 not conform to the marriage ceremony at
 the church1 and they therefore begged  

to be exempted from this2 and they      
finally claimed for this the rights of  
the subjects of the kingdom of          
,wirtemberg1 to whom full liberty of    
conscience is granted by the            
constitution of the ,government4 ,after 
a time they received a complete denial  
to this request from the ,ecclesiastical
 court1 called the ,consistory4 ,they   
now gave in a full statement of their   
views1 why they left the ,state ,church1
 why they could not conform to the      
marriage ceremony in the ,state ,church1
 c41 and sent this statement1 if ,i     
remember right1 to the highest court1   
the ministry of the kingdom4 ,it was    
again refused4 ,and so also by the king 
himself4 ,many months had in the        
meantime elapsed1 and the patience of   
the brother and sister at last began to 
fail1 and as the sister 7at that time7  
saw scarcely any objection to be married
 at the church1 the brother was at last 
overcome1 and he went and gave in the   
banns at the church4 ,this was in the   

middle of ,june last summer4 ,the       
nearer1 however1 the marriage day came1 
the more tried the brother felt1 and all
 peace left him4 ,at last he came to the
 conclusion to leave himself quite in   
the hands of the ,lord while in the     
church1 and to do no more than he could 
do with a good conscience2 yet he did   
not know anything definite1 nor did he  
tell his intended wife anything4 ,he    
asked the brethren1 with whom he was in 
fellowship1 to pray for him1 who        
accordingly met at the time when he was 
to be married4 ,it was on a ,lords day  
afternoon after the public service1 and 
several hundreds of people had remained4
 ,the clergyman1 a believer1 who1 no    
doubt1 knew of the former expressed     
conscientious objection of this brother 
and sister1 did not at all use the      
printed liturgy1 but only gave1 as ,i   
hear1 a scriptural address as the       
occasion called for1 which our brother  
found profitable4 ,after this the       
brother and sister made the usual solemn

 declaration that they would take each  
other as husband and wife1 c4 ,this1 our
 brother considered all that could be   
required of him as a subject4 ,but now  
remained the clergymans blessing and    
confirmation of the matrimony1 which in 
the literal ,english translation is as  
follows3 ,as you then have solemnly     
promised to each other conjugal love and
 fidelity1 ,i therefore confirm in the  
name of the ,father1 the ,son1 and the  
,holy ,ghost1 as an appointed minister  
of the ,christian church1 this your     
conjugal union as a union1 which        
according to ,gods order1 is            
indissoluble4 ,what ,god has joined     
together1 let no man put asunder4 ,now1 
while the clergyman was pronouncing the 
first of these words1 the brother walked
 a step or two back from the altar1 with
 his wife1 and interrupted the clergyman
 in words to this effect3 ,i do not     
belong to the ,state ,church1 and ,i    
therefore cannot accept the blessing of 
the ,state ,church1 or the confirmation 

of the ,state ,church1 with reference to
 our marriage4 ,our ,union was made in  
heaven1 and therefore needs no earthly  
confirmation4 ,i have gone as far as ,i 
could with a good conscience1 but       
further ,i can do nothing4--,the        
clergyman now stated ,i pronounce your  
marriage as void1 and ,i shall give     
notice of your behaviour to the         
magistrates4--,the whole matter made a  
great stir1 the people rushed out of the
 church1 and our brother1 with his wife1
 having gone orderly back into their    
pews1 fell on their knees and prayed1   
and then walked home4--,the first thing 
that now followed was1 that the         
relations on the part of the wife sought
 to separate the brother and sister by  
all possible means1 removing the        
furniture out of their intended rooms1  
sending policemen1 and not suffering the
 brother to live where he had purposed  
to live after marriage1 so that the     
newly married couple had to take up     
their abode in the house of a brother in

 the ,lord now in fellowship with us1   
who is the brother of the young wife4   
,on the next day the newly married      
brother went to the clergyman1 and      
humbly stated to him1 that that1 which  
had occurred on the previous day1 was   
not in the least intended as an insult  
to him1 but that he had been forced to  
act thus to maintain a good conscience4 
,but he again declared the marriage as  
void1 and said that he should legally   
proceed against him4 ,either on the same
 day1 or the day after1 our brother and 
sister had to appear before the director
 of the city1 and after having been for 
hours examined1 the marriage was        
declared as void1 and they were ordered 
to separate from each other1 otherwise  
the laws against concubinage would be   
put in force against them4 ,our brother 
and sister meekly declared1 that they   
would gladly submit to the ,government  
in every thing1 in which they could     
submit with a good conscience1 but that 
they should not separate from each      

other1 as they considered that they1    
according to divine and human laws1 were
 married4 ,after some time they had to  
appear a second time1 and1 if ,i        
remember right1 a third1 if not a fourth
 time2 but they always gave the same    
declaration before the city director1   
and added that they claimed the rights  
of the subjects of ,wirtemberg1         
according to which there was secured to 
them perfect liberty of conscience4 ,so 
the matter remained4 ,nothing more      
occurred till ,monday1 ,oct4 #bcrd1 when
 the said brother was ordered to appear 
before a court called the ,criminal     
,court at half-past two1 his wife at    
three1 and the brother who had taken    
them in and lodged them1 at half-past   
three in the afternoon4 ,i ought to have
 said before1 that all three belong to  
those saints who for my sake were       
separated from the ,baptist ,church     
here4 ,brother ,r4 and ,i therefore met 
for prayer while they were before the   
judge1 and continued in prayer from     

half-past two till half-past five4 ,all 
three experienced the fulfilment of that
 word3 ,take no thought how or what ye  
shall speak3 for it shall be given you  
in that same hour what ye shall speak4  
,matt4 x4 #ai4 ,the ,lord was very nigh 
to them4 ,they were able firmly1 but    
meekly1 to bear testimony for the truth4
 ,even the sister1 though alone before  
the judge1 was greatly helped4 ,she has 
been1 ever since the event at the       
church1 quite of one mind with her      
husband4 ,the crime alleged against the 
other brother at this court was1 that1  
after he knew that the magistrates had  
declared the marriage illegal1 he still 
lodged them in his house2 to which he   
declared that he considered the marriage
 legal4 ,this led to the reasons1 and a 
long and blessed testimony for the ,lord
 was borne before the judge4 ,the crime 
alleged against the husband before this 
court was1 that he had intended this as 
an insult against the church1 which he  
denied1 but stated that he had gone as  

far as he could1 and that he would      
rather suffer any thing than act against
 his conscience4 ,on ,thursday1 ,oct4   
#bfth1 these three dear saints had to   
stand before the same judge1 each again 
alone1 from half-past two till half-past
 five1 whilst brother ,r4 and ,i were   
again in prayer for them4 ,the ,lord    
again abundantly helped them4 ,even the 
judge1 though a ,roman ,catholic1 sought
 both times to favour them as much as   
possible1 and the investigations of the 
whole affair were as favourably taken   
down for them on paper by him1 as if a  
brother in the ,lord had written them   
down4 ,we know how that came4 ,the ,lord
 heard the prayers of ,his children1 and
 also acted according to the just       
mentioned promise4 ,to both brethren was
 permitted to hand in on the next day a 
written statement1 on what scriptural   
grounds the husbands conscience led him 
to act as he did2 and the other brother1
 on what scriptural grounds he could not
 obey the magistrate1 in refusing to    

lodge his sister and brother-in-law1    
when their marriage had been declared   
illegal4 ,brother ,r4 and ,i now wrote  
two long statements about the affair    
with scriptural proofs1 which1 on the   
next day1 were delivered to the ,court4 
,on ,friday1 ,oct4 #bg1 the brother1 the
 husband1 had to stand the third time   
that week before the judge1 who1 among  
other things1 told him1 that until the  
matter by the proper court was decided1 
the police would separate him and his   
wife4 ,thus the matter stands4 ,our     
brother and sister may any day be       
separated2 if so1 they will be only     
separated as long as they are in prison2
 when they come out1 they feel          
themselves before ,god bound to come    
again together2 and should the matter be
 forced1 they must leave the country4   
,moreover1 if the matter is pressed1 the
 husband may be from six months to two  
years imprisoned for the act at the     
church4 ,but the ,lord reigneth1 and men
 can go no further than the ,lord gives 

them permission4 ,our brother who lodged
 them is liable to six months           
imprisonment2 but the ,lord reigneth4   
,nothing is to be done here1 except to  
pray and to be ready to suffer for the  
,lords sake1 in order that real liberty 
of conscience may be obtained4 ,such a  
case never occured here before4 ,the    
courts know not themselves what to do4  
,the judge who investigated the case1 in
 order to lay the written investigation 
before the proper court1 said publicly3 
,i wonder how they will manage this     
affair4 ,with reference to my own       
judgment about the matter1 it is this3  
,if any brother and sister were now to  
be married to whom the ,lord has given  
the same light1 they should not go at   
all to the church1 but simply give      
information to the magistrates1 have    
their names called at church1 declare   
themselves ready to pay the fees1 and   
state before the brethren that they mean
 to consider themselves as united by    
marriage2 and if the government after   

this oppresses them1 to leave the       
country4 ,i cannot regret that matters  
have been as they have4 ,the government 
itself forced our brother1 so to say1 to
 do what he did3 and good will come out 
of it for the church4--,we are now      
waiting for what the ,lord will do in   
this matter1 and to see whether these   
dear saints will have to bear           
imprisonment or not4    ,another event  
has occurred3 ,on ,oct4 #bdth1 the      
elders of the ,baptist ,church1 and     
therefore two of the brethren with whom 
,i now meet for the breaking of bread1  
were ordered to appear before the       
director of the city to hear a          
communication from the ministers of     
state with reference to their request   
about being permitted to marry1 without 
going to church4 ,as this order now came
 to them as being of the ,baptist       
,church1 whilst our brethren no longer  
belong to the ,baptist ,church1 but     
consider themselves united with all who 
love our ,lord ,jesus1 they sent a      

written statement to the director of the
 city1 stating that they had ceased to  
belong to the ,baptist ,church4 ,thus1  
without our seeking it1 the position    
which we hold1 even if it had not been  
so before1 is now made known4 ,still1   
hitherto nothing has been done to us1   
nor any hinderance laid in our way4     
,indeed a few days since1 through a     
particular circumstance1 the city       
director had my passport put into his   
hands1 with the inquiry whether a ticket
 of permission to remain in ,stuttgart  
should be granted to me1 or not1 and    
there were no objections made4 ,so ,i   
still teach and preach ,christ freely1  
and all that the ,lord has taught me1   
although to a very small number2 for the
 people are afraid of us4 ,in the mean  
time ,i speak to souls as ,i may meet   
them in the fields1 or when persons ask 
for an alms without the city1 for in the
 whole of ,stuttgart ,i never saw one   
beggar4 ,i also make considerable       
progress with my ,narrative1 much more  

than at the first1 and have nearly      
one-half ready for the press4  ,when we 
took our position here of receiving all 
who love our ,lord ,jesus1 irrespective 
of their agreeing with us in all points1
 one brother came among us1 who had been
 always refused by the ,baptist ,church 
here1 because he was not baptized4      
,after this brother had been about six  
weeks among us1 he himself desired      
baptism4 ,he was baptized on the evening
 of ,oct4 #bh4 ,thus we have been able  
to give a practical proof of the truth  
which we hold4  ,our number has only    
been increased by the arrival of our    
brother ,t4 ,h41 the son of our brother 
,h41 whom you know4 ,he resides in the  
same house with us4--,i repeat that it  
will give us joy to hear from any of    
you4 ,we remember before the ,lord those
 of you by name1 of whom it has been    
written to us that they are in trial4   
,my dear wife sends her love to all the 
dear brethren and sisters4  ,i remain1  
my dear brethren1  ,your brother and    

servant in the ,lord1  ,,george ,m,,ller
    ,p4,s4--,i only add that the two    
brothers and the sister1 by their       
meekness and godly walk1 much commend   
the truth1 and are precious instruments 
chosen of the ,lord1 to carry the truth 
before the rulers of the land4    ,dec4 
#ca1 #ahdc4 ,during this year #ge have  
been received into communion among us in
 ,bristol1 and #ac saints have fallen   
asleep4 ,being absent from ,bristol1 ,i 
am not able to give the present exact   
state of the church there as to         
numbers4--,the ,lord has been pleased to
 give me during this year for my        
temporal necessities4    #a1 ,through   
the saints among whom ,i labour in      
,bristol1 in provisions1 clothes1 etc4  
worth to us1 at least #aj #js4 #j;d4    
#b1 ,through anonymous offerings in     
money1 put up in paper1 and directed to 
me1 and put into the boxes for the poor 
saints1 or the rent1 at the meeting     
places #acj #hs4 #d #c_/d;d4  #c1       
,through presents in money1 from saints 

in ,bristol1 not given anonymously #ajf 
#abs4 #j;d4  #d1 ,through presents in   
money from saints not residing in       
,bristol #gi #as4 #f;d4  ,altogether    
#cbf #as4 #aj #c_/d;d4    ,to this is to
 be added that the expenses connected   
with our journey to ,germany1 and with  
our temporal necessities1 and all the   
various expenses coming on us in        
connexion with our stay in a foreign    
land1 from ,aug4 #i1 to ,dec4 #ca1 were 
met out of the #gjbl4 #cs4 #g;d41 which 
had been given to me1 as has been       
stated1 for several purposes1 but       
especially also for the expenses        
connected with my service in ,germany4  
,is it not again most manifest from this
 statement1 that during the year #ahdc  
also ,i served a most kind ,master even 
with reference to temporal supplies8    
,and this ,i delight to show4 ,if ,i had
 been striving with all my might to     
obtain a good income during the year    
#ahdc1 ,i could not have had more2 for  
in one way or another the ,lord gave me 

about #djjl4 without asking any one for 
any thing1 and therefore ,i had far more
 than ,i needed either for myself and   
family1 or for giving me ability to use 
hospitality4 ,i find it more and more   
pleasant1 even with reference to this   
life1 to walk in the ways of the ,lord1 
and to rely upon ,him for all ,i need2  
and often1 when ,i recount on my walks  
for meditation the mercies of the ,lord 
towards me1 ,i am constrained to say to 
the praise of the ,lord1 that if ,i had 
remained in my unconverted state1 and   
therefore continued a servant of ,satan1
 ,i could not have been nearly as well  
off1 even with reference to this life1  
as ,i am now in the service of the ,lord
 ,jesus4 ,i find1 that the more the     
,lord enables me1 not to seek my own    
things1 but the things of ,jesus        
,christ1 the more ,he takes care that my
 temporal necessities shall be richly   
supplied4  ,jan4 #a1 #ahdd4--,last      
evening ,i met with the whole little    
church at ,stuttgart to tea1 and the    

last hours of the year1 till about #ab  
oclock at night1 we spent together in   
prayer4  ,on ,jan4 #aeth1 ,i wrote      
another letter to the brethren in       
,bristol1 which is here subjoined4      
,stuttgart1 ,jan4 #ae1 #ahdd1  ,to the  
,saints meeting in the name of ,jesus1  
at ,bethesda and ,salem ,chapels1       
,bristol4    ,beloved ,brethren41  ,i   
have it in my heart once more to write  
to you a little about the work of the   
,lord here1 before my return to you1 and
 ,i do it the more readily1 because ,i  
have confidence in your love1 being     
assured that you are as glad to hear    
from me1 as ,i am to write to you4 ,with
 reference to all the time since ,i left
 you1 and in particular with reference  
to the time since ,i last wrote to you1 
,i have abundant reason to say1 that    
goodness and mercy have followed us4    
,never1 since ,i first saw it to be the 
will of ,god1 that ,i should labour here
 for a season1 which is now more than   
seven months1 have ,i been permitted to 

question1 that this conclusion was      
formed under the guidance of the ,holy  
,ghost2 and ever since ,i left you1     
which is now five months and six days1  
every thing has proved1 that ,i left you
 according to the will of ,god4 ,it is  
precious1 beloved brethren1 to go on an 
errand when the ,lord ,himself sends us1
 and to be at a post where the ,lord    
,himself has placed us for then all goes
 on well4 ,far better to wait months1 or
 even years1 than to take a step in     
uncertainty1 or being but half assured  
that it is the will of ,god1 that we    
should take that step4--,but as fully as
 ,i was assured that ,i should leave you
 for a season1 so1 as far as ,i can see 
at present the mind of the ,lord1 does  
it appear to me now1 that the time is   
fast approaching1 when our ,lord will   
give us again the great joy and precious
 privilege of seeing you face to face4  
,truly1 we may say1 through grace1 and  
without hypocrisy1 ,we1 brethren1 being 
taken from you for a short time in      

presence1 not in heart2 indeed nothing  
but grace has kept us here so long4 ,and
 now the time seems to be fast          
approaching when we shall leave this1   
and ,i am by prayer and labour          
endeavouring1 to see your face soon4 ,if
 the ,lord will1 my ,narrative1 7which1 
with a particular reference to the      
spiritual necessities of the ,church in 
,germany1 ,i have been preparing for the
 press1 and is nearly finished71 will be
 printed within five weeks from this    
day1 so that ,i hope we shall be able to
 leave this towards the end of          
,february4 ,yet1 in the mean time1 there
 remains much work for me still to do1  
both with reference to writing and      
labouring among the brethren here2      
therefore continue1 dear brethren1 even 
as you have done hitherto1 to help me   
with your prayers2 and we also1 by the  
help of ,god1 will continue to intercede
 for you1 as we do with joy4  ,as there 
have occurred a number of important     
events among us1 since ,i wrote to you  

last1 ,i proceed now to give you some   
account of them4--,in the early part of 
,november last year1 brother ,r41 the   
,doctor of ,law1 asked me to unite with 
him and a sister in prayer1 as that     
sister 7not one in fellowship with us1  
but belonging to the ,state ,church7 was
 going to be divorced from her husband1 
and she had desired that we should spend
 the time with her in prayer for her    
husband1 while this act would be settled
 in the judicial court4 ,this sister had
 had to suffer exceedingly during the   
space of many years from her husband1   
who hated her greatly for the ,lords    
sake4 ,three times she had been obliged 
to leave him1 because of his awful      
treatment2 but three times1 especially  
through the peace-making efforts of     
brother ,r41 who was her legal          
counsellor1 she returned to her husband1
 and lived for a season with him1 till  
at last each time her health sank under 
the sufferings she had endured from him4
 ,at length1 about two years since1 she 

left him again1 with the intention not  
to return to him any more4 ,this led to 
a divorce by law1 a thing not uncommon  
on the ,continent2 and in that hour in  
which we met for prayer1 the matter was 
settled4 ,in consequence of this1 as she
 had three children1 and brought a      
comparatively considerable property to  
her husband1 the law proceeded to secure
 this money for the benefit of herself  
and children1 as the husband had wasted 
all his own property4 ,this act was     
settled on ,december #ith1 on which     
occasion she had to meet her husband at 
his house with the appointed government 
officers2 and she requested our brother 
,dr4 ,r41 as a friend to accompany her4 
,brother ,r4 7who had been for fifteen  
years the peace-maker between this      
husband and wife1 and who had three     
times succeeded in favour of the        
husband1 though the legal adviser of the
 wife7 was nevertheless greatly hated by
 the husband1 who repeatedly spoke to   
him in public courts of law thus3 ,you  

shall never baptize me4 ,or1 ,now my    
wife will soon be free to marry her     
priest1 7meaning brother ,r417 c4 ,all  
this brother ,r4 had been able to bear  
with the greatest meekness1 though thus 
publicly insulted1 when acting as       
solicitor or barrister at the judicial  
courts4 ,now on the #ith of ,december1  
brother ,r41 as ,i said1 went with this 
divorced sister to her husbands house4  
,when all the business was done1 the    
husband came close to brother ,r41 in   
the presence of several magistrates1 put
 a pistol to his side and fired it at   
him1 then took another pistol1 put it to
 his own breast1 fired and sank down    
dead immediately4 ,but while he himself 
died immediately1 brother ,r4 has been  
wonderfully preserved4 ,he wore a thick 
wadded coat1 and had four papers in his 
side pocket1 through all of which the   
ball passed4 ,then1 to show the hand of 
,god1 the ball met in the other clothes 
such obstacles 7all being double in that
 spot17 that it only entered a very     

little way into the body and lodged upon
 one of the ribs4 ,after the fire was   
extinguished1 7for our brothers clothes 
were set on fire1 so near had the poor  
sinner put the pistol to him17 our      
brother walked home1 and shortly after a
 surgeon extracted the ball1 and on the 
seventh day our brother was so far      
restored1 that the whole little church  
here could be gathered around his bed1  
together with his relations1 and we     
united together in praising the ,lord   
for ,his wonderful help2 and on the     
fifteenth day our brother was already so
 far restored1 that he was able to      
assemble himself again with us for the  
breaking of bread4 ,half an inch higher 
or lower might have taken his life2 but 
the balls 7for the pistol was loaded    
with two1 one of which fell out of his  
clothes17 though most maliciously so    
prepared that they might do much        
mischief on entering the body1 found so 
much resistance that the power1 through 
the soft clothing being every part      

double in that spot1 was spent before   
touching the body4 ,surely1 the ,lord is
 round about us ,even the ungodly in    
this city have been forced to marvel2   
but now the devil spreads the report    
that that wicked person shot our        
brother1 because he purposed to marry   
his wife4  ,at last also the sentence   
has come from the judicial court        
appointed for that business1 with       
reference to the married brother and    
sister about whom ,i wrote to you4 ,both
 of them are sentenced to fourteen days 
imprisonment1 and their marriage is     
declared to be illegal and only         
concubinage1 so that when the           
imprisonment is over1 they will be      
separated by the police1 and sent back  
to prison1 should they still seek to    
live together as they must do1 being    
married in the sight of ,god4 ,further1 
the brother who lodged them after their 
marriage1 is sentenced to four days     
imprisonment1 because he helped on1 as  
it is said1 concubinage4 ,finally1 the  

husband is sentenced to pay #d_/f of the
 legal expenses1 his wife #a_/f and the 
other brother #a_/f4 ,if here were only 
the question about money1 or suffering  
imprisonment1 we must bear it1 and      
account it an honour1 to suffer for     
,christs sake2 but as the sentence is1  
that this marriage is concubinage1 which
 according to ,god and to man it is not1
 and as the liberty of the ,wirtemberg  
subjects allows them to appeal to a     
higher court1 and as brother ,r4 can do 
all this business1 ,i have with brother 
,r4 and some other brethren judged1 that
 in this case1 like ,paul1 we ought to  
appeal to a higher court1 if by any     
means we may keep the government from   
committing this grievous sin of unjustly
 punishing those godly persons4 ,should 
this1 however1 be in vain1 we must yield
 to the power1 the brethren must bear   
the imprisonment1 and this dear couple  
must leave the country4  ,our position  
here as saints was unquestionably known 
from the beginning by the police1 who   

watch us closely2 but nothing was       
officially done in the matter till very 
recently1 which was occasioned in the   
following way4 ,the ,baptist church here
 have two or three times a year1 or as  
often as the city director 7the head of 
the police7 requires it1 to give in the 
list of names of those who belong to the
 church1 who have been added1 and who   
have been separating themselves or have 
been excluded4 ,at the close of the year
 that was now done again1 when the      
considerable number who had left it on  
my account1 were noticed by the city    
director1 who then sent for the teaching
 elder or president of the ,baptist     
church1 who told him all about me1 and  
that ,i had occasioned this business4   
,this now drew forth an order from the  
city director to brother ,r41 in which  
he was requested to state--#a4 ,who had 
separated themselves with him1 7names1  
station in life1 and place of           
abode78--#b4 ,whether we meant to form a
 separate church8--#c4 ,who were the    

elders8--#d4 ,and who at present        
belonged to our number8 ,this was very  
briefly replied to by giving the names  
of those who separated themselves1 the  
additional two names of those who have  
been added since1 that we meant to be in
 communion with all who love our ,lord  
,jesus1 and that this was the reason1   
why we had separated ourselves from the 
,baptist church4 ,to this no reply has  
been sent2 nor has any one as yet put   
the least hinderance to my freely       
teaching and preaching ,jesus ,christ1  
though it is now five months and six    
days since ,i have been labouring here4 
,the ,lord is also now beginning to work
 among the brethren belonging to the    
,baptist church here1 in answer to our  
and your prayers1 and those of many     
other dear saints in ,england1          
,switzerland1 c4 ,several are beginning 
to feel that their position is not a    
right one1 but none have yet fully and  
publicly renounced their errors1 which1 
,i trust1 will soon be the case4 ,may we

 continue to pray concerning this       
matter4 ,moreover1 the prejudices       
against us are wearing off on the part  
of some other persons1 so that the      
number who attend our meetings is rather
 increasing4 ,there seem also several   
who are somewhat concerned about their  
souls1 and a few children of ,god       
belonging to the state church come4     
,another brother was also added to our  
number about a fortnight ago1 so that we
 are now two-and-twenty altogether1 who 
break bread4 ,this is a small company   
certainly1 but though it be only like a 
taper on a candlestick1 yet there is    
some light1 however little1 and ,i trust
 that1 with ,gods blessing1 this light  
will be more and more bright in         
,germany1 where it is so much needed4   
,the ,lord is also blessing my labours  
among the dear brethren here1 so that   
they grow in knowledge1 and1 ,i trust1  
in grace also2 likewise those errors1 of
 which ,i wrote to you1 are giving way1 
but they are not overcome fully yet1 and

 ,i shall have a conflict still about   
them1 before ,i leave3 still the ,lord  
has kept us in peace1 by giving me      
wisdom to deal gently with the brethren1
 remembering the years in which they    
were built up in error4 ,help me also   
with your prayers1 that ,i may find a   
bookseller to take my book on commission
 for sale2 for ,i have offered it to    
three1 and they have refused it4 ,one   
glimpse was enough for one1 in seeing   
that ,i did not belong to a ,state      
,church4 ,surely ,i have conflict here  
step by step2 but ,god helps1 and       
through ,him ,i shall do valiantly in   
this thing also2 nevertheless ,i beg    
your prayers4--,and now1 finally1 ,i    
entreat you1 beloved pilgrims1 help me  
with your prayers1 that ,i may do and   
suffer all the will of ,god here gladly1
 that ,i may live to ,his honour while  
remaining here1 that ,i may be helped in
 the remainder of my work1 that ,i may  
not leave a day before1 nor stay a day  
beyond the ,lords time1 and that the    

,lord would give us a prosperous journey
 and voyage in ,his own time4 ,my dear  
wife unites with me in love to all the  
dear brethren and sisters4 ,we often    
pray for you1 and remember by name those
 who are in particular trial through    
bereavement1 or from other causes4      
,farewell4    ,your affectionate brother
 and servant in the ,lord1  ,,george    
,m,,ller    ,i add a few remarks in     
connexion with this letter3--  ,i4 ,the 
wisdom of our brother ,r41 in being     
present at the judicial settlement of   
the money affairs of the sister1 who was
 legally divorced from her husband1 may 
be questioned1 on account of the        
expressions used by the husband4 ,as to 
myself1 knowing the particulars more    
fully than the reader can1 ,i do not for
 a moment think that the man thought our
 brother had any intention of marrying  
his divorced wife1 for all these        
expressions were evidently only used to 
insult ,dr4 ,r42 but my objection would 
rather spring from this1 that ,i        

question whether a christian has any    
business at all with such concerns4 ,the
 ,lord in a most remarkable way         
protected ,dr4 ,r42 but this by no means
 proves that he was in his proper place4
  ,,ii4 ,i also say a few words more    
about the brother and sister whose      
marriage was considered illegal4 ,the   
appeal to the highest court was of no   
avail1 also the final appeal to the     
,king was useless1 and about ,july1     
#ahdd1 the brother and sister were      
imprisoned for fourteen days1 and the   
brother1 who had taken them in1 four    
days4 ,the ,lord was with them1 and     
blessed them much in the prison1 as they
 wrote me4 ,the brethren had free access
 to them1 and once even the greater part
 of them met in the prison and broke    
bread together4 ,this exceeding great   
leniency was granted to them1 ,i think1 
through the judge who had to investigate
 their affairs4 ,when their imprisonment
 was expired1 they were ordered to      
separate1 which however they did not do1

 considering themselves married in the  
sight of ,god4 ,for a long time the     
government only threatened1 without     
separating them by force2 at last1      
however1 in ,march1 #ahde1 after having 
taken from him his right of citizenship 
at ,stuttgart1 and having thus deprived 
him of the privilege of carrying on his 
business as a master cabinet-maker1 the 
husband was taken by force from his     
wife1 and escorted by a policeman to his
 parish1 which is about nine miles      
distant4 ,this was done after the       
government had suffered them to live    
together as husband and wife above      
twenty months1 and after they had had a 
child more than ten months old1 which   
however the ,lord took to ,himself about
 a week before the parents were thus    
separated4 ,this affair has occasioned  
the loss of the business of this        
brother2 and if an alteration be not    
shortly made in the laws of the country1
 with reference to liberty of conscience
 concerning marriage1 7which they hope  

for1 as they mean to appeal to the      
representatives of the people17 they    
purpose to emigrate to ,england4        
,though our brother and sister might    
have acted more wisely1 and not have    
brought the matter to this public act at
 the church2 yet we must keep in mind   
that their position had been trying1 as 
for more than a twelve-month they had   
delayed being married1 in hope of       
obtaining permission from the government
 not to have to go to the ,state        
,church2 and as no one of the brethren  
had ever been thus situated2 and as they
 themselves had not much light1 yet     
wished to maintain a good conscience3 on
 these accounts1 ,i say1 we cannot but  
feel for our brother and sister in their
 trial1 and remember them in love4      
,were it again to occur1 that a brother 
and sister of the little church at      
,stuttgart should desire to be united in
 marriage1 and have conscientious       
objection to be married in the ,state   
,church1 ,i gave it as my judgment to   

the brethren1 that they should humbly   
and meekly make known their intentions  
to the city director1 have their banns  
called in the ,church1 pay the fees of  
the clergyman1 etc41 and afterwards make
 known to the whole little ,church that 
they took each other in marriage1       
signify the same to the city director1  
and not go to the ,state ,church4 ,if   
after this they should not be suffered  
to live together1 then to emigrate4     
,,iii4 ,after ,i had been between two   
and three months at ,stuttgart1 and the 
brethren had been instructed in some    
measure1 both at the public meetings and
 at the ,scripture ,reading ,meetings1  
about many important truths1 ,i at last 
began decidedly to go forward at our    
private meetings1 after much prayer1 to 
the exposing of the fearful errors1     
which they almost all held1 in thinking 
that at last all men would be saved1 and
 even the devils themselves4 ,we had    
not1 however1 had more than two or three
 meetings on this subject1 when ,dr4 ,r4

 was shot2 and as this occasioned his   
absence for some time1 ,i thought it    
better not to go on with the subject2   
and when he was sufficiently restored1  
it was wished that we should consider   
all the passages connected with the     
,lords supper4 ,as on this point also   
the brethren needed instruction1 ,i     
readily yielded the point1 judging that 
,i had to show them1 by being willing to
 wait1 that ,i sought not my own        
gratification1 in considering their     
views about universal salvation4 ,thus  
five or six meetings were spent in      
considering all the portions of the     
,holy ,scriptures which speak about the 
,lords ,supper4 ,but now1 this having   
been finished1 ,i proposed that we      
should resume considering the           
,scriptures1 with reference to universal
 salvation1 and ,i found that they had  
been led into this error1 because #a1   
,they did not see the difference between
 the earthly calling of the ,jews1 and  
the heavenly calling of the believers in

 the ,lord ,jesus in the present        
dispensation1 and therefore they said1  
that1 because the words everlasting1    
etc41 are applied to the possession of  
the land of ,canaan1 and the priesthood 
of ,aaron1 that therefore the punishment
 of the wicked cannot be without end1   
seeing that the possession of ,canaan   
and the priesthood of ,aaron are not    
without end4 ,my endeavour1 therefore1  
was1 to show the brethren the difference
 between the earthly calling of ,israel 
and our heavenly one1 and to prove from 
,scripture1 that whenever1 the word     
everlasting is used with reference to   
things purely not of the earth1 but     
beyond time1 it denotes a period without
 end4 #b1 ,they had laid exceeding great
 stress upon a few passages where1 in   
,luthers translation of the ,german     
,bible1 the word hell occurs1 and where 
it ought to have been translated either 
hades in some passages1 or grave in     
others1 and where they saw a deliverance
 out of hell1 and a being brought up out

 of hell1 instead of out of the grave4  
#c1 ,they had taken passages out of     
their connexion4--,the mode which ,i now
 pursued was1 to refer to all the very  
many passages which they had written    
down1 and to expound them according to  
the connexion in which they stood1      
seeking to show the brethren this       
connexion4 ,in addition to this1 ,i     
requested them to allow me to speak on  
those passages without being            
interrupted1 in order that1 being able  
pretty fully to enter upon this subject1
 there might be free opportunity given  
to the ,holy ,ghost to work conviction  
in their hearts2 and1 as they were      
greatly in favour of universal          
salvation1 they might thus be kept from 
controversy1 to which they would have   
been inclined1 without having heard what
 ,i had to say from the ,word of ,god   
against universal salvation2 for ,i had 
previously given them full opportunity  
to bring out their own views4 ,after    
having thus proceeded for several       

evenings in our private meetings1 ,i saw
 that the greater part were fully       
convinced about the errors they had     
held1 and the others had no desire to   
contradict1 though they had perhaps not 
grace enough to say plainly that they   
had been in error4 ,nor did ,i in the   
least enforce that any acknowledgment   
should be made to me4 ,these meetings   
took place during the last three weeks  
of my stay at ,stuttgart4 ,thus1 by     
having received grace from the ,lord to 
deal patiently with the brethren1 and to
 wait upon ,god even for the right time 
to attack these errors1 ,i was helped to
 conquer in this thing also4  ,,iv4 ,i  
add also a few words more with reference
 to my ,narrative1 which ,i published at
 ,stuttgart4 ,when ,i had proceeded a   
considerable way in preparing it for the
 press1 ,i found especial help from     
,god1 in being directed through a kind  
brother1 whom ,i had known eight years  
before at ,stuttgart1 to a paper        
manufacturer1 from whom ,i could buy the

 paper for #d1jjj copies on advantageous
 terms1 and also to a very honourable   
and promise-keeping printer4 ,the       
printer engaged to print two sheets a   
week and kept his word to the end1 so   
that as long as six weeks before my     
departure1 ,i was able to say that1 if  
the ,lord would1 ,i should depart on the
 #bfth of ,february1 and on that very   
day ,i was able to depart4 ,important as
 it was1 for many reasons1 that ,i      
should return to my service in ,bristol 
when ,i did1 ,i cannot but see the hand 
of ,god in directing me to so honourable
 a person as the printer was1 in whom   
also1 ,i trust1 is somewhat of the fear 
of ,god4-- ,it has been often mentioned 
to me in various places1 that brethren  
in business do not sufficiently attend  
to the keeping of promises1 and ,i      
cannot therefore but entreat all who    
love our ,lord ,jesus1 and who are      
engaged in a trade or business1 to seek 
for ,his sake not to make any promises1 
except they have every reason to believe

 they shall be able to fulfil them1 and 
therefore carefully to weigh all the    
circumstances1 before making any        
engagement1 lest they should fail in its
 accomplishment4 ,it is even in these   
little ordinary affairs of life that we 
may either bring much honour or         
dishonour to the ,lord2 and these are   
the things which every unbeliever can   
take notice of4 ,why should it be so    
often said1 and sometimes with a measure
 of ground1 or even much ground3        
,believers are bad servants1 bad        
tradesmen1 bad masters8 ,surely it ought
 not to be true that we1 who have power 
with ,god to obtain by prayer and faith 
all needful grace1 wisdom and shill1    
should be bad servants1 bad tradesmen1  
bad masters4  ,when now the ,narrative  
was nearly printed1 ,i had to look out  
for a bookseller who would undertake the
 sale of the book on commission4 ,my    
reason for this was1 not the money which
 might thus be obtained1 for truly glad 
should ,i have been to have given away  

all the #d1jjj copies at once1 had ,i   
known of suitable opportunities2 but in 
order that by means of the book-trade   
the ,narrative might be circulated even 
a thousand miles off or more1 where ,i  
had no opportunity of reaching4 ,here   
now it was again that ,i met with       
difficulty1 as ,i had done step by step 
in the other parts of my service in     
,germany4 ,three booksellers refused to 
undertake the sale of the book4 ,the    
objection evidently was1 that ,i did not
 belong to the ,state ,church1 and one  
of them plainly told me so4 ,but by the 
help of ,god ,i was not discouraged4 ,i 
knew the ,lord had sent me to ,germany3 
,i knew also that it was ,his will that 
,i should publish an account of ,his    
dealings with me in the ,german         
language2 for ,he had so unexpectedly   
laid this matter upon my heart2 ,he had 
so remarkably provided the means for it1
 without my asking any one but ,himself 
for them2 ,he had given me such especial
 help in preparing the book for the     

press2 ,he had given me such an         
abundance of prayer about this part of  
my service1 both many weeks before ,i   
left ,england1 and day by day all the   
months that ,i had been in ,germany4    
,for these reasons it was that ,i had   
the fullest assurance that this         
difficulty also would be overcome4 ,i   
therefore now began to give myself to   
prayer with my dear wife concerning this
 very matter4 ,day by day we waited upon
 the ,lord for about four weeks1 and    
then ,i applied to another bookseller1  
who without any hesitation undertook the
 sale of the book on commission1 so that
 ,i retained #b1jjj copies for          
gratuitous distribution1 and #b1jjj he  
was to have4  ,dear reader1 there is no 
difficulty which may not be overcome4   
,let us but use the power which we have 
with ,god as his children by prayer and 
faith1 and abundant blessings may be    
drawn down from ,him4  ,v4 ,on my       
departure from ,stuttgart1 the number of
 the brethren who met for the breaking  

of bread was twenty-five4 ,on the very  
last ,lords day ,i had the joy of seeing
 the third elder of the ,baptist        
,church1 who had at first thought me so 
much in error1 come among us1 and unite 
with us in the breaking of bread1 having
 for some time had his mind more and    
more opened to the truth4 ,the day      
before ,i departed1 not only the        
brethren and sisters among whom ,i had  
laboured took leave of me with many     
tears1 but also nineteen brethren and   
sisters of the close ,baptist ,church   
came to my lodgings1 and affectionately 
bade me farewell1 and many with tears4  
,the ,lord indeed1 in ,his rich mercy1  
had so far answered my prayer concerning
 this my service1 that ,i left a        
testimony behind in their consciences4  
,on ,feb4 #bf1 #ahdd1 my dear wife and  
,i departed from ,stuttgart1 and on     
,march #fth1 we reached ,bristol4       
,exceedingly as we had longed to return 
to ,bristol1 as soon as we could see it 
to be the ,lords will2 yet so greatly   

had our hearts been knit to the dear    
saints whom we left behind1 that it was 
a sad pleasure to depart1 and our only  
comfort was1 that we left them in the   
hands of the good ,shepherd4    ,i      
resume now the account about the        
,orphan-,houses1 and other objects of   
the ,scriptural ,knowledge ,institution4
  ,during all the time of my absence    
from ,bristol1 the ,lord bountifully    
supplied our need4 ,for though the      
money1 which ,i was able to leave behind
 on my departure1 would not have        
supplied the ,orphan-,houses with more  
than about one-half of what was needed1 
yet the ,lord helped so seasonably1 and 
sent in so many donations1 that there   
was not once1 during all this time1 the 
least difficulty with reference to      
means4 ,there came in for the ,orphans1 
between ,aug4 #i1 #ahdc1 and ,mach #f1  
#ahdd1 about #dejl41 besides very many  
articles of clothing1 pro visions1      
books1 trinkets1 old silver1 etc4  ,on  
,aug4 #aath1 #ahdc1 ,a4 ,b4 sent #ejl41 

which1 being left to my disposal1 was   
put to the ,school-,bible-,missionary   
and ,tract ,fund4 ,i received           
information about this donation on the  
evening of ,aug4 #bbnd1 during the first
 hour after my arrival at ,stuttgart4   
,it was a precious earnest1 that the    
,lord would also be mindful of the need 
of the ,institution during my absence   
from ,england4 ,indeed1 it cannot be    
described1 how sweet to me just then1   
under the circumstances in which ,i     
found myself1 in an especial trial of   
faith to which the ,lord called me in   
that very hour1 as before stated1 was   
this fresh proof of the ,lords watchful 
care over ,his work in my hands4  ,nov4 
#ba1 #ahdc4 ,at a time when all means   
were exhausted1 and when for many       
reasons large supplies were needed for  
the ,school-,bible-,missionary and      
,tract ,fund1 whilst ,i was daily       
waiting upon the ,lord with my dear wife
 in ,germany1 bringing the work in      
,bristol before ,him1 and beseeching    

,him also to give us pecuniary means for
 it1 that ,his enemies might have no    
cause for triumphing1 was sent to me a  
letter from ,bristol1 containing another
 from the ,east ,indies1 in which the   
writer gave me an order for #ajjl4 for  
the work of the ,lord in my hands1      
giving me at the same time full liberty 
to use the money as most needed4  ,a few
 days after ,a4 ,b4 sent another #ejl4  
for the work of the ,lord in my hands4  
,by these two donations1 both of which  
,i put entirely to the funds for these  
objects1 we were not only helped to meet
 all present demands1 but were richly   
supplied4--,thus1 at so great a distance
 from the work1 we were yet able by our 
prayers effectually to serve the        
,institution6--,truly1 it is precious in
 this way to hang upon ,god6 ,it brings 
its abundant reward with it6 ,every     
donation1 thus received1 so manifestly  
comes out of the hands of the ,lord     
,himself4  ,dear ,reader1 just look once
 more upon this circumstance6 ,hundreds 

of miles we were from ,bristol1 and by  
our bowing our knees before our         
,heavenly ,father at ,stuttgart1 we not 
only could bring down spiritual         
blessings upon the work in ,bristol1 but
 also temporal means4 ,thus1 simply by  
prayer1 we obtained whilst in ,germany1 
for the work of ,god in ,bristol1 within
 about one week1 nearly #bjjl42 for     
there came in some other donations for  
the ,orphans also4  ,on ,jan4 #f1 #ahdd1
 there came in #ejl4 from one who is    
,,very ,,far ,,prom ,,being ,,rich1 of  
which #ajl4 was given for the ,school   
,fund1 and #djl4 for the ,orphans4 ,the 
donor is satisfied with food and        
raiment1 labouring cheerfully1 and      
wishing rather to spend than to keep1 or
 lay up treasure on earth4  ,march #be1 
#ahdd4 ,after a comparatively great     
abundance with regard to the ,orphans1  
for a whole year and seventeen days1    
during which time we were not once in   
difficulty as to means1 which had not   
been the case for nearly five years     

previous to the commencement of this    
period1 we are now again quite poor1    
there being ,,nothing ,,at ,,all left in
 my hands1 after ,i have paid out this  
day more than #ejl4 for rent and        
salaries4 ,but through the grace of ,god
 ,i am able to trust as heretofore in   
the ,lord1 and therefore my heart is in 
peace4--,evening4 ,i received this      
afternoon #aas4 #b #a_/b;d41 #bs4 #g;d41
 by sale of articles came in #al4#ais4  
#i;d41 by sale of ,reports #cs41 and by 
a donation #bs4 #b;d4  ,march #bf4 ,this
 morning my wife and ,i besought the    
,lord unitedly for means1 and received  
almost immediately afterwards #el4 from 
,birmingham1 in answer to our prayer4   
,march #bg4 ,i received #hs41 and there 
was anonymously put into the box at     
,bethesda #bs4 #f;d4 ,this morning at   
half-past nine a sister came to me1 and 
brought me a sovereign for the ,orphans1
 saying3 ,whilst ,i was lying this      
morning at six oclock on my bed1 ,i     
thought1 here ,i am so comfortable1 and 

perhaps the ,orphans may be in need1 and
 ,i resolved to bring you this4 ,the    
donation came most seasonably and as the
 fruit of our prayer4--,i received also 
#al41 the profit of the sale of ladies  
bags4  ,march #cj4 ,saturday4 ,there is 
#fl4 #ais4 #i;d4 in hands ,this will be 
at least enough till ,monday            
morning4--,there came in this morning   
#al4 #as4 by a donation1 before the     
money was sent off to the               
,orphan-,houses1 so that ,i had #hl4    
#js4 #i;d4 to send1 which will be       
enough1 ,i suppose1 till ,tuesday       
morning4  ,april #a4 ,there came in     
since the day before yesterday #al41    
which was anonymously put into the box  
at ,salem ,chapel1 #aes4 was given by a 
young sister as the produce of some work
 which she had done for the benefit of  
the ,orphans1 and ,i #fs4 came in by    
sale of articles4 ,having had this #bl4 
#aas4 coming in ,i was able to meet     
extraordinary expenses which came upon  
me today1 not having expected that      

anything beyond the ordinary            
housekeeping money would have been      
needed4  ,april #b4 ,the need of today  
was #cl4 #js4 #f;d4 ,yesterday ,i had   
paid away all the money in hand1 but in 
the afternoon came in by sale of        
articles #bl4 #ags4 #e;d41 by the boxes 
in the ,orphan-,houses #es4 #f;d41 and  
by needle-work of the ,orphans #ds4 #c  
#a_/b;d43 so that we were able to meet  
the demands of today4  ,april #c4 ,today
 #al4 #ads4 was required4 ,i opened the 
boxes in my house1 in which ,i found    
#cs4 #a #a_/b;d4 ,thus ,i had #hs4      
#aj;d4 with what was left yesterday1 and
 the remainder1 being #al4 #es4 #b;d41  
one of the labourers was able to give of
 his own4  ,april #d4 ,last evening was 
given to me #aas1 and #ajs42 and this   
morning #es4 came in4 ,thus we have #al4
 #fs41 and the need of today is #al4    
#gs4 ,one of the labourers was able to  
add the #as4  ,april #e4 ,yesterday came
 in by sale of articles #cl41 and this  
morning ,i received from ,clapham #al4  

#ajs41 and through a believer in        
,bristol #bl4 #fs4 ,this afternoon came 
in still further from a brother in ,bath
 #el4 ,we have therefore received       
altogether this day #aal4 #ads4 from the
 bountiful hand of our ,heavenly        
,father4  ,april #f4 ,one of the        
labourers in the ,orphan-,houses gave me
 still further today #el41 and from     
,kensington ,i received #al4 #fs4 ,we   
are thus again provided for the probable
 expenses of two or three days4  ,april 
#g4 ,today a sister gave me #bl4 for the
 express purpose of providing a little  
treat for the dear ,orphans1 and #aes4  
#f;d4 came in besides4  ,april #h4 ,it  
has often occurred in our experience1   
that after we have had to pass for some 
time through a season of comparative    
poverty1 in which day by day we have had
 to wait upon the ,lord1 our ,father    
alters ,his way of dealing with us1 and 
opens ,his bountiful hand1 by supplying 
us for several or many days at once4    
,thus it is now4 ,during the last three 

days we received more than was required 
for each of those days1 and it was still
 more abundantly so today2 for this     
afternoon a person1 residing at         
,keynsham1 gave me #al41 and this       
evening a brother gave me #ejl4 ,when ,i
 received this #ejl41 we were not in    
absolute need1 but had enough for two or
 three days2 yet ,i see the kindness of 
the ,lord in sending this donation1 as  
,i had been repeatedly of late praying  
for means1 and as we are thus enabled to
 do things which are not absolutely     
needful just now1 though desirable1 and 
as we have thus the continued proof of  
his willingness to send means4  ,april  
#ad4 ,from the end of ,nov4 #ahdc1 till 
about the middle of ,march1 #ahdd1 there
 was always as much in hand as was      
needed for the ,school-,bible-and ,tract
 ,fund2 for besides the help1 which we  
received through the two donations of   
#ejl4 and #ajjl41 a number of smaller   
donations came in after4 ,but now for   
some weeks past all means were again    

gone1 and on the last three ,saturdays  
all the usual remuneration could not be 
given to all the teachers in the        
,day-,schools4 ,in addition to this1 the
 greater part of the common sort of     
,bibles and ,testaments1 for circulation
 among the poor and for ,schools was    
gone4 ,i had also often prayed for means
 to assist ,missionary brethren4 ,under 
these circumstances ,i received this    
morning from ,a4 ,b41 who has been      
already repeatedly referred to1 as      
having been used by the ,lord to help us
 in our need1 the sum of #ejl4  ,may #d4
 ,besides the #ejl4 which was given on  
,april #hth1 for the ,orphans1 and the  
money we had in hand before the #ejl4   
was given1 there has come in since then 
#cfl4 #bs4 #h;d42 but today1 ,saturday1 
we have again only #el4 #fs4 #f #a_/b;d4
 left1 which1 however1 is enough for    
today1 and a few shillings will be left 
for the beginning of next week4  ,may   
#f4 ,on ,saturday came in by sale of    
articles #al4 #aas41 and by a donation  

#ajs41 and yesterday was put anonymously
 into the ,chapel boxes #bs4 #f;d4 ,so  
we have more than enough for the        
expenses of today4  ,may #h4 ,by the    
produce of some little boxes1 made by a 
sister1 there came in #es4 #f;d41 by a  
donation4 #bs4 #f;d41 by the contents of
 an ,orphan-box from ,crediton4 #fs4    
#aj;d41 and by sale of articles #ajs4   
,by these small donations all that is   
needed for today is met4 ,the brother1  
who sent me the #fs4 #aj;d1 from        
,crediton1 wrote1 that he did not like  
to wait till this little sum had        
increased1 before he sent it1 as it     
might be just now needed2 and thus it   
was4  ,may #i4 ,the ,lord has again     
helped for today and tomorrow4 ,last    
evening ,i received through a brother   
#es41 and this morning the boxes in the 
,orphan-,houses were opened1 in which   
#el4 #cs4 #a #a_/b;d4 was found2 some   
one also bought a ,report and gave #as4 
for it4  ,may #ac4 ,on the #ajth there  
came in #bl4 #as4 #i;d41 on the #aath   

#ajl4 #ajs4 #d;d41 on the #abth #el4 was
 sent from ,barnstaple by three sisters1
 and #cl4 #fs4 came in besides4 ,by ,i  
the income of these three days ,i was   
not only able to meet their own demands1
 but ,i had enough for today1 though ,i 
required no less than #acl4 #aes4  ,may 
#ae4 ,yesterday there was only #al4 #es4
 left1 not nearly enough for what was   
required today4 ,when ,i came home last 
evening1 having spent a part of the     
afternoon at the ,infant-,orphan-,house1
 where ,i found that several articles   
were needed1 ,i heard that a gentleman  
had called and wished to be shown into  
my room1 where he had written a paper1  
which he had put with some money into   
the ,orphan-box4 ,on opening it ,i found
 the paper to contain four sovereigns4  
,thus we are helped for the present4    
,may #af4 ,only #es4 came in1 through   
the boxes at my house4  ,may #ag4       
,yesterday ,i paid out all ,,to ,,the   
,,last ,,penny ,i had in hand4 ,when now
 there was nothing left1 #bl4 came in by

 the sale of some books1 and #al4 #js4  
#f;d4 by two donations1 whereby ,i was  
able to meet this days need4  ,may #ah4 
,this morning #al4 #ags4 #aj;d4 came in4
 ,we have thus1 with the little which   
was left yesterday1 #bl4 #aes4 #aa;d4   
for this day1 ,saturday but ,i know not 
whether that will be enough4--,evening4 
,this evening at six oclock one of my   
sisters-in-law returned from ,plymouth1 
where she had been staying for a little 
while1 and brought from a sister in the 
,lord #bl41 from another sister #al4    
#aes41 and also a parcel from some      
sisters in the ,lord in the             
neighbourhood of ,kingsbridge1          
containing l#ds41 and the following     
articles3 a pair of shoes1 #c pairs of  
socks1 #c pairs of cuffs1 a pair of     
mittens1 #c little mats1 a pincushion   
cover1 a comb1 #c books1 #d clasps1 #b  
brooches1 a gold pin1 a chain1 a        
vinaigrette1 a ,turks head cushion1 and 
#aj yards of calico4 ,also a parcel from
 ,plymouth1 containing #b veils and a   

scarf4 ,also from another sister1 #b    
netted handkerchiefs4  --,the money ,i  
took at once to the ,orphan ,houses1    
where ,i found1 that1 to meet the       
present expenses1 #cl4 #ajs4 more was   
required than what ,i had been able to  
send in the morning1 as altogether about
 #fl4 #es4 was needed for this day4 ,how
 kind1 therefore1 of the ,lord1 to send 
this money so opportunely1 though only  
towards the evening of the day6 ,thus we
 had enough1 and a little left towards  
the need of ,monday4  ,may #bj4 ,monday4
 ,yesterday came in #ds4 #c;d41 and     
today #hs4 #e;d4 ,as this1 together with
 what had been left in hand1 was not    
quite enough1 one of the labourers added
 #fs4 #f;d4 of his own4 ,thus we had    
#al4 #ahs4 #b;d4 for the need of today4 
,may #bc4 ,we are still supplied by the 
day4 ,we had received from the ,lord    
during the last days also what we       
required1 but we were poor1 having      
nothing at all in hand4 ,under these    
circumstances with reference to means   

for the ,orphans1 and in as great need  
for the other objects of the            
,institution1 two persons1 professed    
believers1 called on me today1 who were 
going from house to house in the street 
where ,i live1 to ask money for a chapel
 debt4 ,i remonstrated with them1 and   
sought to show them how the name of the 
,lord was dishonoured by them1 in       
calling upon the enemies of the ,lord   
for pecuniary assistance towards1 what  
they considered1 the work of the ,lord4 
,i sought to show them1 that if their   
work were of ,god1 ,he would1 in answer 
to their prayers1 send them help3 and if
 not1 ought they not to give up1 what   
was not ,his work1 and not force the    
matter by calling promiscuously from    
house to house upon believers and       
unbelievers4 ,their reply was3 ,the gold
 and silver are the ,lords1 and         
therefore we call upon the unconverted  
for help for ,his work4 ,my reply was3  
,because the gold and silver are the    
,lords1 therefore we1 ,his children1    

need not go to ,his enemies for the     
support of ,his work4 ,now1 at that very
 moment1 while ,i was thus speaking for 
the ,lord1 having then nothing at all in
 hand for the ,orphans or the other     
objects1 the postman brought a small    
brown paper parcel and a letter4 ,my    
conversation seemed1 for the time at    
least1 fruitless2 for those two         
individuals1 having left1 went as before
 from house to house2 but when ,i came  
back to my room1 ,i found the           
blessedness of the scriptural way2 for  
that parcel1 which the postman had      
brought1 while ,i was conversing1 came  
from ,ireland1 and contained two        
post-office orders for #el4 each1 and a 
worked stool cover2 the letter which had
 been brought1 and which was from       
,seaton1 contained #al4 for the         
,orphans2 and #al4 #as4 #e;d4 had been  
sent1 having been taken out of the boxes
 in the ,orphan ,houses3 so that        
altogether1 whilst those two persons    
were with me1 #abl4 #as4 #e;d4 had come 

in4 ,half of the #ajl4 ,i put to the    
,orphan-,fund1 and half to the other    
funds1 there being nothing in hand to   
supply the teachers in the ,day-,schools
 during this week4  ,may #bd4 ,today a  
box with many articles arrived from the 
neighbourhood of ,droitwich1 and #al4   
#hs4 #i;d1 was received by the sale of  
articles4  ,may #be1 #fs4 #f;d4 came in4
  ,may #bg4 ,monday4 ,on ,saturday1     
after having supplied the need of that  
day1 which was #el4 #aes41 and now again
 little being left in my hands1 a       
brother from ,cork brought me a parcel  
which contained #f pairs of childrens   
shoes1 a pair of little boots1 a pair of
 list slippers 7all new71 #b books1 #b  
pincushions1 a knitted watch pocket1 and
 #ajb thimbles4 ,the same brother gave  
also #ajs4 #f;d4 and a book4 ,in the    
evening a brother gave me               
#al4--,yesterday was put into the chapel
 boxes #ajs4 with ,eccles4 ix4 #aj1 and 
#bs4 #f;d4 besides4 ,by these donations1
 with what was left on ,saturday1 ,i am 

able to meet the demands of this day1   
being #bl4 #ags4  ,may #ca4 ,by the     
produce of the sale of stockings1       
knitted by the ,orphan-,boys1 by some   
help which one of the labourers was able
 to give1 by a donation1 etc41 we were  
supplied during the last three days4    
,now this morning1 when again in much   
need1 ,i received a note1 which         
contained #el4 with ,eccles4 ix4 #aj4   
,by means of this #el4 ,i was able to   
meet the expenses of today1 which are   
#bl4 #hs4 #c;d4  ,june #a4 ,yesterday   
there came in still further #bl4#ahs4   
#aa;d4 by sale of articles1 and today by
 needlework1 done by the ,orphans1 #al4 
#acs4 #i;d4 ,thus ,i am able 7including 
what remained of the #el47 to supply the
 need of this day1 which is #el4        
#ajs4--,still further came in #es4      
,june #c4 ,monday4 ,yesterday came in   
l#fs4 l #a_/b;d4 ,this1 with what was in
 hand from ,saturday1 met the demands of
 today4  ,june #d4 ,this morning came in
 #cl4 #bs4 #d;d4 by the sale of a few   

trinkets and of some pieces of old      
silver4 ,this was enough for this days  
need1 and left something over1 as only  
#al4 #afs4 was required4 ,this afternoon
 arrived a parcel from ,westmoreland1   
containing #bd chemises1 #b shirts1 #b  
petticoats1 a pinafore1 #e night caps1  
#g pairs of stockings 7all new71 and #ch
 #a_/b yards of print4 ,thus we are     
encouraged day after day1 though for    
many days we have now been again very   
poor4  ,june #e4 ,last evening a brother
 gave me a dozen of modern silver       
tea-spoons1 which1 being this morning   
readily disposed of at a good price1    
supplied our need for today4  ,for      
several days ,i have now had day by day 
especial prayer with some of my         
fellow-labourers about the work1 and    
particularly for pecuniary supplies2 and
 surely we do not wait in vain upon the 
,lord4 ,before this day is over we have 
had another proof of it4 ,this afternoon
 a parcel was brought by a brother from 
,london1 containing a silver cream jug1 

a pair of gilt earrings1 a gold ring1 #b
 bracelets1 and a muffineer4 ,the same  
donor sent also a sovereign4 ,the bearer
 brought also another donation of #bs4  
#f;d4 ,a lady also called this afternoon
 at the ,infant-,orphan-,house1 to see  
the ,institution1 and gave #es4  ,june  
#h4 ,on the #fth came in #afs4 #f;d4 and
 #cs4 #f;d42 and yesterday was received1
 by the sale of the silver cream jug and
 a few other little articles #dl4 #js4  
#i;d41 by the sale of stockings #es41   
and by a donation #ajs4 ,thus we had    
enough for today1 though the need was   
#dl4 #ais4 #h;d41 as #dl4 #aes4 #i;d4   
had come in yesterday1 and a few        
shillings had been left before4  ,june  
#aj4 ,monday4 ,though on ,saturday all  
our necessities were comfortably        
supplied1 yet ,i had then ,,not ,,one   
,,penny left4 ,our ,heavenly ,father1   
however1 having given us grace to trust 
in ,him1 and not to be anxiously        
concerned about ,monday1 gave us1 even  
late on ,saturday evening1 a proof of   

his loving tender care over us4 ,the    
labourers met1 as usual1 on ,saturday   
evening for prayer1 and we continued in 
prayer from a little after seven till   
about nine oclock4 ,after we had        
separated1 a sister1 who had been       
waiting at the ,infant-,orphan-,house1  
till our prayer was over1 gave #ds41    
saying that she had intended to give it 
to me on the ,lords-day morning1 but had
 felt herself stirred up to bring it    
that evening4--,nothing came in         
yesterday4 ,i met this morning with some
 of the labourers again for prayer1 as  
,i have now been doing daily for about a
 fortnight1 and we again asked the ,lord
 for help1 with regard to the writing of
 the ,report1 that ,he would let ,his   
blessing rest upon it1 bless the        
intended public meetings1 when the      
account of the ,lords dealings with us  
will be given1 convert the children1    
give the needful grace and wisdom to us 
who are engaged in the work1 give us    
means for the ,day-,schools1 means for  

ordering a quantity of oatmeal from     
,scotland1 for colouring down the       
,orphan-houses1 for the supply of the   
present need1 etc4 ,there was only the  
#ds4 in hand for the need of today1     
which ,i had reason to believe would be 
about #bl4 ,now see the ,lords help ,i  
just now1 at eleven oclock1 when the    
letter bag is brought for the money for 
todays need1 ,i receive in it #bl4 #gs4 
#c;d41 which had been taken by brother  
,r4 ,b4 out of the boxes in the         
,orphan-,houses1 and half-a-sovereign1  
which had been sent by a brother in     
,suffolk4 ,thus we have #cl4 #as4 #c;d41
 whilst only #al4 #aes4 is needed today4
 ,in the course of reading the ,holy    
,scriptures in my family this morning1  
came the word3 ,ask1 and it shall be    
given you2 seek1 and ye shall find2     
knock1 and it shall be opened unto you4 
7,matth4 vii4 #g47 ,i pleaded this word 
especially with the ,lord1 while ,i was 
again praying1 after the family prayer  
was over1 with some of the labourers2   

and surely ,he has proved afresh that he
 acts according to ,his word4           
--,evening4 ,the ,lord sent still       
further help today4 ,this afternoon a   
person called at the                    
,infant-,orphan-,house1 and gave #gs41  
and two ladies met the teacher of the   
,infant-,orphan-,house in the street1   
and gave her a paper1 directed to me1   
which contained #ajs4 #bs4 was also     
given by a person at ,clifton4  ,june   
#ab4 ,by what had come in on the #ajth  
we were supplied yesterday and also     
today1 and ,i had three pence left1     
after ,i had sent off to the matrons of 
the four houses what they needed4 ,i    
then gave myself to prayer with some of 
the labourers for the supplies of the   
present need1 mentioning again before   
the ,lord all the many things for which 
we need ,his help4 ,about one hour      
after1 ,i received #ajs4 for the        
,orphans from a brother of ,guernsey1   
who has been staying a few days in      
,bristol4  ,june #ac4 ,last evening came

 in still further1 by the sale of       
articles1 #bs4 #c;d42 and #fs4 #d;d4 by 
the sale of some musk plants1 which two 
sisters in the ,lord rear and sell for  
the benefit of the ,orphans2 and this   
morning ,i received #gs4 #aa;d41 being  
six donations4 ,likewise two small      
silver coins were given me1 and #al4    
#aes4 #c;d4 ,i received by the sale of  
articles4  ,june #ad4 ,there came in    
still further last evening #es41 and    
this morning by the boxes in the        
,orphan-houses #ahs4 #i;d4 ,this evening
 #al4 #ajs4 was sent with an ,orphan1   
from ,carne in ,suffolk4  ,june #ah4 ,as
 only #acs4 had come in on the #afth and
 #agth1 we were now extremely poor2 but 
the ,lord looked upon our necessity1 for
 #el4 was sent by a ,christian lady at  
,scarborough1 and a person from         
,manchester gave #al4  ,june #bb4       
,saturday evening4 ,only #as4 came in   
the day before yesterday1 and #bs4 #f;d4
 was taken this morning out of the boxes
 in the ,orphan-,houses4--,this has been

 one of those weeks1 in which ,i have   
prayed particularly much for means1 and 
in which the ,lord seemed little to     
regard my requests4 ,but my soul1       
through grace1 has been in perfect      
peace1 being fully assured1 that ,he in 
,his own good time will again send      
larger supplies4 ,in every way we are   
now very poor1 and it seems desirable   
that we should have large sums to meet  
the present circumstances4 ,after much  
prayer the ,lord has closed the week    
with fresh proofs of ,his loving tender 
care over the work1 which has been a    
great refreshment to my spirit4 ,there  
came in this evening1 between eight and 
nine oclock1 by sale of stockings #is41 
by sale of other articles #al4 #hs4     
#g;d41 by a donation from an ,irish     
sister #es41 and a physician in ,bristol
 kindly sent me #bl41 and his little    
children #ds4--,how can my soul         
sufficiently praise the ,lord for ,his  
tender mercies and ,his readiness to    
bear the prayers of ,his servant6 ,all  

these fresh deliverances in the hour of 
great need show most clearly1 that it is
 only for the trial of our faith1 for   
our profit1 for the profit of others who
 may hear of it1 and for the glory of   
the ,lord1 that ,he sometimes seems not 
to regard our petitions4  ,june #bd1    
,monday4 ,yesterday came in by donations
 #ads4 #h;d41 anonymously was put into  
the ,chapel boxes #as41 add #cs4 was    
given to ore as the produce of the sale 
of musk plants4 ,today two ,orphans were
 brought from ,bath2 for though we are  
so poor1 the work goes forward1 and     
children are received as long as there  
is room4 ,the person who brought them   
put two sovereigns into the boxes at the
 ,orphan-,houses4 ,thus we have again1  
with what came in on ,saturday evening1 
more than is needed for today and       
tomorrow4  ,june #be4 ,today ,i received
 from ,scotland #ajl41 to be used as    
most needed1 of which ,i took one-half  
for the ,orphans1 and the other half for
 the other objects4 ,thus1 in our great 

need1 the ,lord supplies us from day to 
day1 and hears our prayers1 which we    
daily bring to ,him1 though there have  
not yet come in larger sums for oatmeal1
 salary of the labourers in the         
,orphan-,houses1 colouring down the four
 houses1 etc42 but the ,lord in ,his own
 time will send means for these expenses
 also4  ,june #bi4 ,day after day our   
great poverty continues2 yet day after  
day the ,lord helps us4 ,this evening   
was received from the neighbourhood of  
,bideford #gs4 #f;d41 a chess board1 and
 a gold pin4 ,there came in also by the 
sale of articles #al4 #hs4 #c;d41 and by
 ,reports #as4  ,june #cj4 ,this evening
 ,i received #ajl4 between nine and ten 
oclock1 at a time of the greatest       
poverty4 ,a little boy likewise gave me 
#f;d4 this evening1 and from a sister ,i
 received this morning #ajs4  ,july #c4 
,on the #ast came in #bs41 and today1 by
 the boxes in the ,orphan-,houses1 #bs4 
#aj;d41 by sale of articles #as4 #i;d41 
and from ,suffolk was sent a donation of

 #bl4 #ajs4  ,july #g4 ,it is now about 
six weeks since ,i have been daily      
entreating the ,lord1 both alone and    
with some of my fellow labourers1 that  
,he would be pleased to send us the     
supplies which we required1 both to meet
 the ordinary and extraordinary         
expenses4 ,of late we have been also    
especially asking the ,lord1 that ,he   
would be pleased to send a rich supply  
before the public meetings1 7which will 
commence1 if the ,lord will1 on the     
#aeth7 in order that it may be seen that
 without public meetings1 and without   
publishing fresh ,reports1 we are yet   
able1 by faith and prayer1 to draw down 
help from the living ,god4 ,as to       
ourselves1 through grace we should be   
able to lean upon the ,lord1 and expect 
help from ,him1 though not another      
,report were written1 nor another public
 meeting held1 at which the account     
about ,his dealings with us is given4   
,we have given proof of this1 in that   
when the year was up on ,may #aj1 #ahdc1

 no ,report was published1 and no       
meetings on the subject were held2 and  
also when the second year had passed    
away1 ,i still did not publish another  
account1 because a weakness in one of my
 eyes seemed to point it out that the   
,lords time had not yet come1 although  
by forcing the matter ,i might even then
 have written the ,report4 ,but whilst  
,i do not write the ,reports for the    
sake of obtaining money1 nor give the   
account of the ,lords dealings with us  
at the public meetings for the sake of  
influencing persons to help us with     
their means1 nor do so for the sake of  
exposing our poverty2 yet some persons  
might think so4 ,our prayer1 therefore1 
had been particularly1 that the ,lord   
not only would be pleased to give us    
what we required day by day1 but that   
,he would also send in again largely1 in
 order to show that ,he was willing to  
hear our prayers1 and influence the     
minds of ,his children who have the     
means1 to contribute considerably1      

though it was now more than two years   
since the last ,report was published4   
,not that we were anxiously concerned   
even about this3 for in the whole work  
we desire to stand with ,god1 and not to
 depend upon the favourable or          
unfavourable judgment of the multitude2 
yet our souls longed1 in pity to those  
who might seek an occasion1 that even   
the shadow of ground might be cut off   
for persons to say3  ,they cannot get   
any more money1 and therefore they now  
publish another ,report4 ,my soul1      
therefore1 had assurance that the ,lord 
not only would supply our need up to the
 time when the accounts were closed and 
the public meetings would be held2 but  
also that ,he would send in means more  
largely than ,he had done for some time 
past4 ,and thus it was4 ,when on        
,saturday evening1 ,july #fth1 more     
money was needed than there was in hand1
 ,i received about eight oclock a       
post-office order for #bl4 from ,jersey1
 of which half is for the ,orphans and  

half for the other objects4 ,there came 
in also at the same time #ds4 #i;d4 by  
sale of articles4 ,i received likewise  
at the same time a small paper box by   
post1 containing four mourning rings 7of
 fine stamped gold71 #h other gold      
rings1 a gold seal1 a gold locket1 a    
pearl necklace1 #b brooches1 a gold     
watch key1 and a few other little       
things4 ,this was a valuable donation1  
but doubly so under our circumstances4  
,and now today ,a4 ,b4 sent #ejl41 of   
which ,i took one half for the ,orphans1
 and the other half for the other funds4
 ,besides the reasons just referred to1 
why this donation is so seasonable1 ,i  
would only mention one more3 ,the       
brother who kindly procures the oatmeal 
for us in ,scotland1 had written to say1
 that he had just now some which was    
very good1 if we liked to have it4 ,we  
could not say we needed none1 for by the
 time it could be sent our meal would be
 gone3 nothing therefore remained but to
 continue waiting on the ,lord for      

means4 ,and now1 when we needed to send 
an answer1 this #ejl4 came1 so that we  
were able to order a ton of             
oatmeal4--#as4 besides came in this day4
  ,july #ad4 ,this is the last day      
before the accounts are closed1 and this
 day also the ,lord has sent in         
liberally4 ,being thus helped day by day
 up to the last moment of this period1  
we go on cheerfully to the next1 leaning
 upon the ,lord4  ,it is scarcely       
needful to state at the close of these  
details1 with reference to the last two 
years and nine weeks1 that1             
notwithstanding our having been often   
poor1 and very poor1 yet the children in
 the ,orphan-,houses have always had the
 needful articles of clothing and       
nourishing food2 indeed this is         
sufficiently proved by the healthy      
countenances of the children4 ,should   
any one question1 that the children are 
provided with what they need1 he may at 
any time have the proof of it1 by seeing
 the children at their meals1 inspecting

 their clothes1 c4 ,but those who know  
what it is to walk in the fear of ,god1 
know also1 that ,god would not help us1 
in answer to our prayers1 if we         
hypocritically stated that the children 
were well provided with wholesome food1 
etc41 and yet it were not true4 ,rather 
than keep the ,orphans1 whilst we were  
unable to provide for them1 we would    
send them at once back to their         
relations4  ,on ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 it was
 two years and nine weeks since the last
 public account about the ,scriptural   
,knowledge ,institution was given4 ,in  
that last ,report it was stated1 that we
 desired to leave it to the ,lords      
direction1 as to the time when another  
should be published4 ,when the year was 
expired1 ,i saw no particular reason to 
lead me to think that ,i ought to serve 
the ,church of ,christ by publishing a  
fresh ,narrative about the              
,orphan-,houses and the other objects of
 the ,scriptural ,knowledge             
,institution1 neither did ,i see a      

leading of the ,lord towards this       
service2 and soon after1 it pleased the 
,lord to call me to labour in ,germany4 
,having returned in ,march #ahdd1 it    
appeared to me desirable now to publish1
 at the close of the second year1 which 
would be up on ,may #aj1 #ahdd1 a fresh 
account3 partly1 because of the #ejjj   
,reports1 which had been printed1 only a
 few copies were remaining2 partly1     
because many believers expressed a great
 desire for some further account of the 
,lords dealings with us in the work2    
partly1 because there was now an        
abundance of profitable matter ready to 
be communicated2 and most of all1       
because ,i was longing to show by a     
public audited account1 that the        
considerable sums1 with which ,i had    
been entrusted1 had been appropriated   
according to the intention of the       
donors4 ,but much as ,i desired1 for the
 above reasons1 to have written the     
,report then1 the weakness in one of my 
eyes already mentioned prevented my     

doing so1 till at last1 my eye being    
better1 ,i was enabled to do so4  ,i now
 add a few particulars with reference to
 the operations of the ,scriptural      
,knowledge ,institution1 for ,home and  
,abroad1 from ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 to ,july 
#ad1 #ahdd4 ,during this period also six
 ,day-,schools for poor children were   
supported by the funds of this          
,institution4 ,besides this1 the rent   
for the school-room of a seventh school1
 was paid during a great part of this   
period1 and also occasional other       
assistance was given to this and two    
other schools4--,the number of all the  
children that had schooling in the      
,day-,schools1 through the medium of the
 ,institution1 from ,march #e1 #ahcd1 to
 ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 amounts to #ccai4    
,the number of those in the six         
,day-,schools on ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 was  
#cch4  ,during this period likewise1 one
 ,sunday-,school was supported by the   
funds of the ,institution4  ,the number 
of adults that were instructed from     

,jan4 #ahda1 to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 in the
 two adult schools of the ,institution1 
amounts to #gcd persons4 ,the average   
attendance during the winter was from   
#ej to #gj persons1 and in the summer   
from #bj to #dj4 ,the number on the list
 of adult scholars was on ,july #ad1    
#ahdd1 eighty persons4 ,books1 writing  
materials1 and instruction1 are given   
entirely gratis to the adult scholars4  
,the number of ,bibles and ,testaments  
which were circulated from ,may #aj1    
#ahdb1 to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 is as       
follows3--#bcg ,bibles were sold1 and   
#bhd ,bibles were given away4 #adf ,new 
,testaments were sold1 and #afb ,new    
,testaments were given away4--,from     
,march #e1 #ahcd1 to ,july1 #ad1 #ahdd1 
there were circulated #d1hbh ,bibles1   
and #c1ceg ,new ,testaments4  ,from ,may
 #aj1 #ahdb1 to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 was   
laid out for missionary objects the sum 
of #bcdl4 #hs4 #f;d41 whereby assistance
 was rendered to the work of ,god in    
,jamaica1 in ,demerara1 in ,upper       

,canada1 in the ,east ,indies1 in the   
,mauritius1 and in ,switzerland4  ,from 
,may #aj1 #ahdb1 to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1   
was laid out for the circulation of     
tracts the sum of #dcl4 #is4 #a #a_/d;d4
 ,during this period were circulated    
#ci1dgc tracts1 and altogether were     
circulated1 from ,nov4 #ai1 #ahdj1 to   
,july #ad1 #ahdd1 #ei1jhb tracts4  ,from
 ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1  
there were received into the four       
,orphan-,houses1 #ci ,orphans1 who1     
together with those who were in the     
houses on ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 made up #abe 
in all4 ,of these3 #a1 ,one girl left   
the ,institution against our will4 ,her 
aunt repeatedly applied to me to have   
her niece1 who1 having been more than   
eight years under our care1 was now of  
use to her4 ,i remonstrated with the    
aunt1 and sought to show her the        
importance of leaving her niece with us 
for another twelvemonth1 when she would 
be fit to be sent out to service2 but   
all in vain4 ,at last1 knowing how      

exceedingly injurious her house would be
 for her niece1 ,i told the aunt that ,i
 could not conscientiously dismiss the  
girl to go to her house2 but the aunts  
influence induced the orphan to leave4  
,may ,god1 in tender mercy1 visit the   
soul of this poor wanderer6 ,such cases 
are trying1 very trying1 but even       
concerning them faith contains a        
precious antidote4 #b1 ,two of the      
children were removed by their friends1 
who by that time were able to provide   
for them4 #c1 ,one girl1 who was        
received when grown up1 we were obliged1
 after a long season of trial1 to send  
back to her relations1 in mercy to the  
other children4 #d1 ,three girls were   
sent out to service1 all three as       
believers4 #e1 ,three ,orphans died1 one
 as an infant1 and two in the faith4    
,one had been more than two years in    
church fellowship1 and had walked       
consistently4 #f1 ,four boys were       
apprenticed1 two of whom had been       
several years in church fellowship1     

before their apprenticeship4  ,there    
were on ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 one hundred   
and twenty-one ,orphans in the four     
houses4 ,the number of the ,orphans who 
were under our care from ,april #ahcf1  
to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 amounts to #ahc4   
,i notice further the following points  
in connexion with the ,orphan-,houses4  
#a4 ,without any one having been        
personally applied to for any thing by  
me1 the sum of #ggdhl4 #afs4 #d #c_/d;d4
 was given to me as the result of prayer
 to ,god1 from ,dec4 #ahce1 to ,july1   
#ad1 #ahdd4 #b4 ,besides this1 also1    
many articles of clothing1 furniture1   
provisions1 etc41 were given4 #c4       
,during these two years and two months  
we had very little sickness1            
comparatively in the four houses1 though
 there was so much fever in ,bristol4 ,i
 mention this to the praise of the      
,lord1 who mercifully preserved us4     
,the total of the income for the        
,orphan-,houses1 from ,may #aj1 #ahdb1  
to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 was #bdhil4 #js4 #g

 #a_/d;d41 leaving a balance of #al4    
#aas4 #aa #c_/d;d4 in hand on ,july #ad1
 #ahdd4  --,the total of the income for 
the other objects from ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 
to ,july #ad1 #ahdd1 was #aafdl4 #ahs4  
#d #a_/d;d41 leaving a balance of #bjl4 
#abs4 #g;d4 in hand on ,july #ad1ahdd4  
,i cannot omit mentioning that between4 
,may #aj1 #ahdb1 and ,july #ad1 #ahdd1  
there was admitted to communion one of  
the ,sunday-,school children1 and one of
 the ,day-,school children4 ,likewise #f
 more of the ,orphans were received into
 church fellowship1 so that up to ,july 
#ad1 #ahdd1 altogether #bi of the       
,orphans had been admitted4 ,in addition
 to this1 between ,may #aj1 #ahdb1 and  
,july #ad1 #ahdd1 one ,orphan1 before   
being received1 died in the faith1 and  
another1 though but nine years of age1  
would have been received1 had she not   
been just then removed by her relatives1
 who took her with them to ,america4    
,but whilst we desire to receive these  
instances as precious encouragements    

from the ,lord to continue our service1 
we cannot but believe1 judging from the 
many prayers the ,lord gives us for the 
dear children and adults under our care 
and instruction1 that that which we see 
is but an earnest of a far larger       
harvest in the day of ,christs          
appearing4--,the greatest present       
visible blessing1 which is resting upon 
the work1 consists in what the ,lord is 
pleased to do through the ,narratives   
which are written and published         
respecting it2 for a very considerable  
number1 in various parts of the world1  
have through them either been converted1
 or1 as believers1 led on in the        
knowledge of ,god4  ,to avoid           
misunderstanding1 it may be well to     
insert the following paragraph1 which   
was written by my beloved brother and   
fellow labourer ,henry ,craik1 and      
appended to the last ,report4           
,hitherto1 my name has been appended to 
the ,report along with that of my       
beloved brother and fellow labourer     

,george ,mller2 but1 as the             
responsibility and management of the    
work devolve entirely upon him1 it has  
seemed well to both of us1 that1 for the
 future1 his signature should appear    
alone4--,it is scarcely needful to add1 
that this alteration does not arise from
 any kind of disunion or even difference
 of judgment between us4 ,i would       
especially recommend to the people of   
,god1 into whose hands this brief       
,narrative may fall1 to read1 examine   
and ponder the instructive facts and    
principles herein stated and            
illustrated2 and ,i desire that the     
non-insertion of my name may not be     
understood as implying anything like a  
disapproval of the way in which the     
,scriptural ,knowledge ,institution has 
been conducted from the beginning4 ,as  
the honour of being the instrument in   
this great and blessed work belongs to  
him1 and1 in no degree1 to me1 ,i feel a
 satisfaction in the omission of my     
name1 lest1 otherwise1 ,i should even   

appear to glory in another mans labour4 
,,henry ,,craik4    ,thus far only1 for 
the present at least1 do ,i think it    
well to continue the accounts of the    
,lords dealings with me4 ,but ,i cannot 
conclude this third part1 without adding
 some hints on a few passages of the    
word of ,god1 both because ,i have so   
very frequently found them little       
regarded by ,christians1 and also       
because ,i have proved their            
preciousness1 in some measure1 in my own
 experience2 and therefore wish that all
 my fellow saints may share the blessing
 with me4  #a4 ,in ,matthew vi #ai-ba1  
it is written3 ,lay not up for          
yourselves treasures upon earth1 where  
moth and rust doth corrupt1 and where   
thieves break through and steal2 but lay
 up for yourselves treasures in heaven1 
where neither moth nor rust doth        
corrupt1 and where thieves do not break 
through nor steal3 for where your       
treasure is1 there will your heart be   
also4--,observe1 dear ,reader1 the      

following points concerning this part of
 the divine testimony3 #a1 ,it is the   
,lord ,jesus1 our ,lord and ,master1 who
 speaks this as the lawgiver of ,his    
people4 ,he who has infinite wisdom and 
unfathomable love to us1 who therefore  
both knows what is for our real welfare 
and happiness1 and who cannot exact from
 us any requirement inconsistent with   
that love which led ,him to lay down    
,his life for us4 ,remembering1 then1   
who it is who speaks to us in these     
verses1 let us consider them4 #b1 ,his  
counsel1 ,his affectionate entreaty1 and
 ,his commandment to us ,his disciples  
is3 ,lay not up for yourselves treasures
 upon earth4 ,the meaning obviously is1 
that the disciples of the ,lord ,jesus1 
being strangers and pilgrims on earth1  
i4e4 neither belonging to the earth nor 
expecting to remain in it1 should not   
seek to increase their earthly          
possessions1 in whatever these          
possessions may consist4 ,this is a word
 for poor believers as well as for rich 

believers2 it has as much a reference to
 putting shillings into the savings     
banks as to putting thousands of pounds 
into the funds1 or purchasing one house1
 or one farm after another4--,it may be 
said1 but does not every prudent and    
provident person seek to increase his   
means1 that he may have a goodly portion
 to leave to his children1 or to have   
something for old age1 or for the time  
of sickness1 etc48 ,my reply is1 it is  
quite true that this is the custom of   
the world4 ,it was thus in the days of  
our ,lord1 and ,paul refers to this     
custom of the world when he says1 ,the  
children ought not to lay up for the    
parents1 but the parents for the        
children4 #b ,cor4 xii4 #ad4 ,but whilst
 thus it is in the world1 and we have   
every reason to believe ever will be so 
among those that are of the world1 and  
who therefore have their portion on     
earth1 we disciples of the ,lord ,jesus1
 being born again1 being the children of
 ,god not nominally1 but really1 being  

truly partakers of the divine nature1   
being in fellowship with the ,father and
 the ,son1 and having in prospect an    
inheritance incorruptible1 and          
undefiled1 and that fadeth not away 7#a 
,peter i4 #d471 ought in every respect  
to act differently from the world1 and  
so in this particular also4 ,if we      
disciples of the ,lord ,jesus seek1 like
 the people of the world1 after an      
increase of our possessions1 may not    
those who are of the world justly       
question whether we believe what we say1
 when we speak about our inheritance1   
our heavenly calling1 our being the     
children of ,god1 etc48 ,often it must  
be a sad stumbling block to the         
unbeliever to see a professed believer  
in the ,lord ,jesus acting in this      
particular just like himself4 ,consider 
this1 dear brethren in the ,lord1 should
 this remark apply to you4--,i have more
 than once had the following passage    
quoted to me as a proof that parents    
ought to lay up money for their         

children1 or husbands for their wives3  
,but if any provide not for his own1 and
 especially for those of his own house  
7or kindred71 he hath denied the faith1 
and is worse than an infidel4 #a ,tim4  
v4 #h4 ,it is1 however1 concerning this 
verse1 only needful1 in childlike       
simplicity to read the connexion from   
verse #c to #e1 and it will be obvious  
that the meaning is this1 that whilst   
the poor widows of the church are to be 
cared for by the church1 yet if any such
 needy believing widow had children or  
grandchildren 7not nephews71 these      
children or grandchildren should provide
 for the widow1 that the church might   
not be charged2 but that1 if a believers
 child or grandchild1 in such a case did
 not do so1 such a one did not act      
according to the obligations laid upon  
him by his holy faith1 and was worse    
than an unbeliever4 ,not a word1 then1  
is there in this passage to favour the  
laying up treasures upon earth for our  
children1 or our wives4 #c1 ,our ,lord  

says concerning the earth1 that it is a 
place where moth and rust doth corrupt1 
and where thieves break through and     
steal4 ,all that is of the earth1 and in
 any way connected with it1 is subject  
to corruption1 to change1 to            
dissolution4 ,there is no reality1 or   
substance1 in any thing else but in     
heavenly things4 ,often the careful     
amassing of earthly possessions ends in 
losing them in a moment by fire1 by     
robbery1 by a change of mercantile      
concerns1 by loss of work1 etc42 but    
suppose all this were not the case1     
still1 yet a little while1 and thy soul 
shall be required of thee2 or1 yet a    
little while1 and the ,lord ,jesus will 
return2 and what profit shalt thou then 
have1 dear reader1 if thou hast         
carefully sought to increase thy earthly
 possessions8 ,my brother1 if there were
 one particle of real benefit to be     
derived from it1 would not ,he1 whose   
love to us has been proved to the       
uttermost1 have wished that you and ,i  

should have it8 ,if1 in the least       
degree1 it could tend to the increase of
 our peace1 or joy in the ,holy ,ghost1 
or heavenly-mindedness1 ,he1 who laid   
down ,his life for us1 would have       
commanded us1 to ,,lay ,,up treasure    
upon earth4 #d1 ,our ,lord1 however1    
does not merely bid us1 not to lay up   
treasure upon earth2 for if ,he had said
 no more1 this ,his commandment might be
 abused1 and persons might find in it an
 encouragement for their extravagant    
habits1 for their love of pleasure1 for 
their habit of spending every thing they
 have1 or can obtain1 upon themselves4  
,it does not mean1 then1 as is the      
common phrase1 that we should live up to
 our income2 for1 ,he adds3 ,but lay up 
for yourselves treasures in heaven4     
,there is such a thing as laying up as  
truly in heaven as there is laying up on
 earth2 if it were not so1 our ,lord    
would not have said so4 ,just as persons
 put one sum after another into the     
bank1 and it is put down to their       

credit1 and they may use the money      
afterwards3 so truly the penny1 the     
shilling1 the pound1 the hundred pounds1
 the ten thousand pounds1 given for the 
,lords sake1 and constrained by the love
 of ,jesus1 to poor brethren1 or in any 
way spent in the work of ,god1 ,he marks
 down in the book of remembrance1 ,he   
considers as laid up in heaven4 ,the    
money is not lost1 it is laid up in the 
bank of heaven2 yet so1 that1 whilst an 
earthly bank may break1 or through      
earthly circumstances we may lose our   
earthly possessions1 the money1 which is
 thus secured in heaven1 cannot be lost4
 ,but this is by no means the only      
difference4 ,i notice a few more points4
 ,treasures laid up on earth bring along
 with them many cares2 treasures laid up
 in heaven never give care4 ,treasures  
laid up on earth never can afford       
spiritual joy2 treasures laid up in     
heaven bring along with them peace and  
joy in the ,holy ,ghost even now4       
,treasures laid up on earth1 in a dying 

hour cannot afford peace and comfort1   
and when life is over1 they are taken   
from us2 treasures laid up in heaven    
draw forth thanksgiving1 that we were   
permitted and counted worthy to serve   
the ,lord with the means with which ,he 
was pleased to intrust us as stewards2  
and when this life is over we are not   
deprived of what was laid up there1 but 
when we go to heaven we go to the place 
where our treasures are1 and we shall   
find them there4 ,often we hear it said 
when a person has died3 he died worth so
 much4 ,but whatever be the phrases     
common in the world1 it is certain that 
a person may die worth fifty thousand   
pounds sterling1 as the world reckons1  
and yet that individual may not possess1
 in the sight of ,god1 one thousand     
pounds sterling1 because he was not rich
 towards ,god1 he did not lay up        
treasure in heaven4 ,and so on the other
 hand1 we can suppose a man of ,god     
falling asleep in ,jesus1 and his       
surviving widow finding scarcely enough 

left behind him to suffice for the      
funeral1 who was nevertheless rich      
towards ,god2 in the sight of ,god he   
may possess five thousand pounds        
sterling1 he may have laid up that sum  
in heaven4 ,dear ,reader1 does your soul
 long to be rich towards ,god1 to lay up
 treasures in heaven8 ,the world passes 
away and the lust thereof6 ,yet a little
 while1 and our stewardship will be     
taken from us4 ,at present we have the  
opportunity of serving the ,lord1 with  
our time1 our talents1 our bodily       
strength1 our gifts1 and also with our  
property2 but shortly this opportunity  
may cease4 ,oh6 how shortly may it      
cease4 ,before ever this is read by any 
one1 ,i may have fallen asleep2 and the 
very next day after you have read this1 
dear ,reader1 you may fall asleep1 and  
therefore1 whilst we have the           
opportunity1 let us serve the ,lord4--,i
 believe1 and therefore ,i speak4 ,my   
own soul is so fully assured of the     
wisdom and love of the ,lord towards us 

,his disciples as expressed in this     
word1 that by ,his grace ,i do most     
heartily set my seal to the preciousness
 of the command1 and ,i do from my      
inmost soul not only desire not to lay  
up treasures upon earth1 but1 believing 
as ,i do what the ,lord says1 ,i do     
desire to have grace to lay up treasures
 in heaven4 ,and then1 suppose after a  
little while you should fall asleep1    
some one may say1 your wife and1 child  
will be unprovided for1 because you did 
not make a provision for them4 ,my reply
 is1 the ,lord will take care of them4  
,the ,lord will abundantly provide for  
them1 as ,he now abundantly provides for
 us4 #e1 ,the ,lord lastly adds3 ,for   
where your treasure is1 there will your 
heart be also4 ,where should the heart  
of the disciple of the ,lord ,jesus be1 
but in heaven8 ,our calling is a        
heavenly calling1 our inheritance is a  
heavenly inheritance1 and reserved for  
us in heaven2 our citizenship is in     
heaven2 but if we believers in the ,lord

 ,jesus lay up treasures on earth1 the  
necessary result of it is1 that our     
hearts will be upon earth2 nay1 the very
 fact of our doing so proves that they  
are there6 ,nor will it be otherwise1   
till there be a ceasing to lay up       
treasures upon earth4 ,the believer who 
lays up treasures upon earth may1 at    
first1 not live openly in sin2 he in a  
measure may yet bring some honour to the
 ,lord in certain things2 but the       
injurious tendencies of this habit will 
show themselves more and more1 whilst   
the habit of laying up treasures in     
heaven would draw the heart more and    
more heavenward2 would be continually   
strengthening his new1 his divine       
nature1 his spiritual faculties1 because
 it would call his spiritual faculties  
into use1 and thus they would be        
strengthened2 and he would more and     
more1 whilst yet in the body1 have his  
heart in heaven1 and set upon heavenly  
things2 and thus the laying up treasures
 in heaven would bring along with it1   

even in this life1 precious spiritual   
blessings as a reward of obedience to   
the commandment of our ,lord4  ,,ii4    
,the next passage1 on which ,i desire to
 make a few remarks1 is ,matthew vi4    
#cc4 ,but seek ye first the kingdom of  
,god and ,his righteousness2 and all    
these things shall be added unto you4   
,after our ,lord1 in the previous       
verses1 had been pointing ,his disciples
 to the fowls of the air1 and the lilies
 of the field1 in order that they should
 be without carefulness about the       
necessaries of life2 ,he adds3          
,therefore take no thought1 7literally1 
be not anxious7 saying1 ,what shall we  
eat8 or1 ,what shall we drink8 or1      
,wherewithal shall we be clothed8 7,for 
after all these things do the ,gentiles 
seek27 for your heavenly ,father knoweth
 that ye have need of all these things4 
,observe here particularly that we1 the 
children of ,god1 should be different   
from the nations of the earth1 from     
those who have no ,father in heaven1 and

 who therefore make it their great      
business1 their first anxious concern1  
what they shall eat1 and what they shall
 drink1 and wherewithal they shall be   
clothed4 ,we1 the children of ,god1     
should1 as in every other respect1 so in
 this particular also1 be different from
 the world1 and prove to the world that 
we believe that we have a ,father in    
heaven1 who knoweth that we have need of
 all these things4 ,the fact that our   
,almighty ,father1 who is full of       
infinite love to us ,his children1 7and 
who has proved to us ,his love in the   
gift of ,his only begotten ,son1 and    
,his almighty power in raising him from 
the dead71 knows that we have need of   
these things1 should remove all anxiety 
from our minds4 ,there is1 however1 one 
thing that we have to attend to1 and    
which we ought to attend to1 with       
reference to our temporal necessities1  
it is mentioned in our verse3 ,but seek 
ye first the kingdom of ,god and ,his   
righteousness4 ,the great business which

 the disciple of the ,lord ,jesus has to
 be concerned about 7for this word was  
spoken to disciples1 to professed       
believers7 is1 to seek the kingdom of   
,god1 i4e4 to seek1 as ,i view it1 after
 the external and internal prosperity of
 the church of ,christ4 ,if1 according  
to our ability1 and according to the    
opportunity which the ,lord gives us1 we
 seek to win souls for the ,lord ,jesus1
 that appears to me to be seeking the   
eternal prosperity of the kingdom of    
,god2 and if we1 as members of the body 
of ,christ1 seek to benefit our fellow  
members in the body1 helping them on in 
grace and truth1 or caring for them in  
any way to their edification1 that would
 be seeking the internal prosperity of  
the kingdom of ,god4 ,but in connexion  
with this we have also to seek ,his     
righteousness1 which means1 7as it was  
spoken to disciples1 to those who have a
 ,father in heaven1 and not to those who
 were without71 to seek to be more and  
more like ,god1 to seek to be inwardly  

conformed to the mind of ,god4--,if     
these two things are attended to1 7and  
they imply also that we are not slothful
 in business71 then do we come under    
that precious promise3 ,and all these   
things 7that is food1 raiment1 or       
anything else that is needful for this  
present life71 shall be added unto you4 
,it is not for attending to these two   
things that we obtain the blessing1 but 
in attending to them4  ,i now ask you1  
my dear ,reader1 a few questions in all 
love1 because ,i do seek your welfare1  
and ,i do not wish to put these         
questions to you1 without putting them  
first to my own heart4 ,do you make it  
your primary business1 your first great 
concern to seek the kingdom of ,god and 
,his righteousness8 ,are the things of  
,god1 the honour of ,his name1 the      
welfare of ,his ,church1 the conversion 
of sinners1 and the profit of your own  
soul1 your chief aim8 ,or does your     
business1 or your family1 or your own   
temporal concerns1 in some shape or     

other primarily occupy your attention8  
,if the latter be the case1 then1 though
 you may have all the necessaries of    
life1 yet could you be surprised if you 
had them not8 ,remember that the world  
passeth away1 but that the things of    
,god endure for ever4  ,i never knew a  
child of ,god who acted according to the
 above passage1 in whose experience the 
,lord did not fulfil ,his word of       
promise ,all these things shall be added
 unto you4  ,,iii4 ,the third portion of
 the divine testimony1 on which ,i      
desire to throw out a few hints1 is in  
,i ,john i4 #c4 ,and truly our          
fellowship is with the ,father1 and with
 his ,son ,jesus ,christ4 ,observe61    
,the words fellowship1 communion1       
coparticipation1 and partnership1 mean  
the same4 #b1 ,the believer in the ,lord
 ,jesus does not only obtain forgiveness
 of all his sins 7as he does through the
 shedding of the blood of ,jesus1 by    
faith in ,his name27 does not only      
become a righteous one before ,god      

7through the righteousness of the ,lord 
,jesus1 by faith in ,his name27 is not  
only begotten again1 born of ,god1 and  
partaker of the divine nature1 and      
therefore a child of ,god1 and an heir  
of ,god2 but he is also in fellowship or
 partnership with ,god4 ,now1 so far as 
it regards ,god1 and our standing in the
 ,lord ,jesus1 we have this blessing    
once for all2 nor does it allow of      
either an increase or a decrease4 ,just 
as ,gods love to us believers1 ,his     
children1 is unalterably the same       
7whatever may be the manifestations of  
that love37 and as ,his peace with us is
 the same1 7however much our peace may  
be disturbed37 so it is also with regard
 to our being in fellowship or          
partnership with ,him3 it remains       
unalterably the same1 so far as ,god is 
concerned4 ,but then #c1 there is an    
experimental fellowship1 or partnership1
 with the ,father and with ,his ,son1   
which consists in this1 that all which  
we possess in ,god1 as being the        

partners or fellows of ,god1 is brought 
down into our daily life1 is enjoyed1   
experienced1 and used4 ,this            
experimental fellowship1 or partnership1
 allows of an increase or a decrease1 in
 the measure in which faith is in       
exercise1 and in which we are entering  
into what we have received in the ,lord 
,jesus4 ,the measure in which we enjoy  
this experimental fellowship with the   
,father and with the ,son is without    
limit2 for without limit we may make use
 of our partnership with the ,father and
 with the ,son1 and draw by prayer and  
faith out of the inexhaustible fulness  
which there is in ,god4--,let us now    
take a few instances in order to see the
 practical working of this experimental 
fellowship 7or partnership7 with the    
,father and with the ,son4 ,suppose     
there are two believing parents who were
 not brought to the knowledge of the    
truth until some years after the ,lord  
had given them several children4 ,their 
children were brought up in sinful1 evil

 ways1 whilst the parents did not know  
the ,lord4 ,now the parents reap as they
 sowed4 ,they suffer from having set an 
evil example before their children2 for 
their children are unruly and behave    
most improperly4 ,what is now to be     
done8 ,need such parents despair8 ,no4  
,the first thing they have to do is1 to 
make confession of their sins to ,god1  
with regard to neglecting their children
 whilst they were themselves living in  
sin1 and then to remember that they are 
in partnership with ,god1 and therefore 
to be of good courage1 though they are  
in themselves still utterly insufficient
 for the task of managing their         
children4 ,they have in themselves      
neither the wisdom1 nor the patience1   
nor the long-suffering1 nor the         
gentleness1 nor the meekness1 nor the   
love1 nor the decision and firmness1 nor
 any thing else that may be needful in  
dealing with their children aright4 ,but
 their heavenly ,father has all this4   
,the ,lord ,jesus possesses all this4   

,and they are in partnership with the   
,father1 and with the ,son1 and         
therefore they can obtain by prayer and 
faith all they need out of the fulness  
of ,god4 ,i say by prayer and faith2 for
 we have to make known our need to ,god 
in prayer1 ask ,his help1 and then we   
have to believe that ,he will give us   
what we need4 ,prayer alone is not      
enough4 ,we may pray never so much1 yet 
if we do not believe that ,god will give
 us what we need1 we have no reason to  
expect that we shall receive what we    
have asked for4 ,so then these parents  
would need to ask ,god to give them the 
needful wisdom1 patience1               
long-suffering1 gentleness1 meekness1   
love1 decision1 firmness1 and whatever  
else they may judge they need4 ,they may
 in humble boldness remind their        
heavenly ,father that ,his word assures 
them that they are in partnership with  
,him1 and1 as they themselves are       
lacking in these particulars1 ask ,him  
to be pleased to supply their need2 and 

then they have to believe that ,god will
 do it1 and they shall receive according
 to their need4--,another instance3     
suppose ,i am so situated in my business
 that day by day such difficulties      
arise1 that ,i continually find that ,i 
take wrong steps1 by reason of these    
great difficulties4 ,how may the case be
 altered for the better8 ,in myself ,i  
see no remedy for the difficulties4 ,in 
looking at myself ,i can expect nothing 
but to make still further mistakes1 and1
 therefore1 trial upon trial seems to be
 before me4 ,and yet ,i need not        
despair4 ,the living ,god is my partner4
 ,i have not sufficient wisdom to meet  
these difficulties so as to be able to  
know what steps to take1 but ,he is able
 to direct me4 ,what ,i have1 therefore1
 to do is this3 in simplicity to spread 
my case before my heavenly ,father and  
my ,lord ,jesus4 ,the ,father and the   
,son are my partners4 ,i have to tell   
out my heart to ,god1 and to ask ,him1  
that1 as ,he is my partner1 and ,i have 

no wisdom in myself to meet all the many
 difficulties which continually occur in
 my business1 ,he would be pleased to   
guide and direct me1 and to supply me   
with the needful wisdom2 and then ,i    
have to believe that ,god will do so1   
and go with good courage to my business1
 and expect help from ,him in the next  
difficulty that may come before me4 ,i  
have to look out for guidance1 ,i have  
to expect counsel from the ,lord2 and1  
as assuredly as ,i do so1 ,i shall have 
it1 ,i shall find that ,i am not        
nominally1 but really in partnership    
with the ,father and with the           
,son4--,another instance3 ,there are a  
father and mother with seven small      
children4 ,both parents are believers4  
,the father works in a manufactory1 but 
cannot earn more than ten shillings per 
week4 ,the mother cannot earn any thing4
 ,these ten shillings are too little for
 the supply of nourishing and wholesome 
food for seven growing children and     
their parents1 and for providing them   

with the other necessaries of life4     
,what is to be done in such a case8     
,surely not to find fault with the      
manufacturer1 who may not be able to    
afford more wages1 and much less to     
murmur against ,god2 but the parents    
have in simplicity to tell ,god1 their  
partner1 that the wages of ten shillings
 a week are not sufficient in ,england  
to provide nine persons with all they   
need1 so as that their health be not    
injured4 ,they have to remind ,god that 
,he is not hard master1 not an unkind   
being1 but a most loving ,father1 who   
has abundantly proved the love of ,his  
heart in the gift of ,his only begotten 
,son4 ,and they have in childlike       
simplicity to ask ,him1 that either ,he 
would order it so1 that the manufacturer
 may be able to allow more wages2 or    
that ,he 7the ,lord7 would find them    
another place1 where the father would be
 able to earn more2 or that ,he would be
 pleased somehow or other1 as it may    
seem good to ,him1 to supply them with  

more means4 ,they have to ask the ,lord1
 in childlike simplicity1 again and     
again for it1 if ,he does not answer    
their request at once2 and they have to 
believe that ,god1 their ,father and    
partner1 will give them the desire of   
their hearts4 ,they have to expect an   
answer to their prayers2 day by day they
 have to look out for it1 and to repeat 
their request till ,god grants it4 ,as  
assuredly as they believe that ,god will
 grant them their request1 so assuredly 
it shall be granted4--,thus1 suppose1 ,i
 desired more power over my besetting   
sins2 suppose1 ,i desired more power    
against certain temptations2 suppose ,i 
desired more wisdom1 or grace1 or any   
thing else that ,i may need in my       
service among the saints1 or in my      
service towards the unconverted3 what   
have ,i to do1 but to make use of my    
being in fellowship with the ,father and
 with the ,son8 ,just as1 for instance1 
an old faithful clerk1 who is this day  
taken into partnership by an immensely  

rich firm1 though himself altogether    
without property1 would not be          
discouraged by reason of a large payment
 having to be made by the firm within   
three days1 though he himself has no    
money at all of his own1 but would      
comfort himself with the immense riches 
possessed by those who so generously    
have just taken him into partnership3 so
 should we1 the children of ,god and    
servants of ,jesus ,christ1 comfort     
ourselves by being in fellowship1 or    
partnership1 with the ,father1 and with 
the ,son1 though we have no power of our
 own against our besetting sins2 though 
we cannot withstand temptations1 which  
are before us1 in our own strength2 and 
though we have neither sufficient grace 
nor wisdom for our service among the    
saints1 or towards the unconverted4 ,all
 we have to do is1 to draw upon our     
partner1 the living ,god4 ,by prayer and
 faith we may obtain all needful        
temporal and spiritual help and         
blessings4 ,in all simplicity have we to

 tell out our heart before ,god1 and    
then we have to believe that ,he will   
give to us according to our need4 ,but  
if we do not believe that ,god will help
 us1 could we be at peace8 ,the clerk1  
taken into the firm as partner1 believes
 that the firm will meet the payment    
though so large1 and though in three    
days it is to be made1 and it is this   
that keeps his heart quiet1 though      
altogether poor himself4 ,we have to    
believe that our infinitely rich        
partner1 the living ,god1 will help us  
in our need1 and we shall not only be in
 peace1 but we shall actually find that 
the help which we need will be granted  
to us4--,let not the consciousness of   
your entire unworthiness keep you1 dear 
reader1 from believing what ,god has    
said concerning you4 ,if you are indeed 
a believer in the ,lord ,jesus1 then    
this precious privilege1 of being in    
partnership with the ,father and the    
,son1 is yours1 though you and ,i are   
entirely unworthy of it4 ,if the        

consciousness of our unworthiness were  
to keep us from believing what ,god has 
said concerning those who depend upon   
and trust in the ,lord ,jesus for       
salvation1 then we should find that     
there is not one single blessing1 with  
which we have been blessed in the ,lord 
,jesus1 from which1 on account of our   
unworthiness1 we could derive any       
settled comfort or peace4  ,,iv4 ,there 
is one other point which1 in connexion  
with several portions of the word of    
,god1 which bear on the subject1 ,i     
desire to bring before the believing    
reader1 and it refers to the scriptural 
way of overcoming the difficulties with 
which the believer now meets who is     
engaged in a business1 trade1           
profession1 or any earthly calling      
whatever1 which arise from competition  
in business1 too great a number of      
persons being occupied in the same      
calling1 stagnation of trade1 and the   
like4 ,the children of ,god1 who are    
strangers and pilgrims on earth1 have at

 all times had difficulty in the world1 
for they are not at home but from home2 
nor should they1 until the return of the
 ,lord ,jesus1 expect it to be otherwise
 with them4 ,but whilst this is true1 it
 is also true that the ,lord has        
provided us in all our difficulties with
 something in ,his own word to meet     
them4 ,all difficulties may be overcome 
by acting according to the word of ,god4
 ,at this time ,i more especially desire
 to point out the means whereby the     
children of ,god who are engaged in any 
earthly calling may be able to overcome 
the difficulties1 which arise from      
competition in business1 too great a    
number of persons being occupied in the 
same calling1 stagnation of trade and   
the like4  #a1 ,the first thing which   
the believer1 who is in such            
difficulties1 has to ask himself is1 ,am
 ,i in a calling in which ,i can abide  
with ,god8 ,if our occupation be of that
 kind1 that we cannot ask ,gods blessing
 upon it1 or that we should be ashamed  

to be found in it at the appearing of   
the ,lord ,jesus1 or that it of         
necessity hinders our spiritual         
progress1 then we must give it up1 and  
be engaged in something else2 but in few
 cases only this is needful4 ,far the   
greater part of the occupations in which
 believers are engaged are not of such a
 nature1 as that they need to give them 
up in order to maintain a good          
conscience1 and in order to be able to  
walk with ,god1 though1 perhaps1 certain
 alterations may need to be made in the 
manner of conducting their trade1       
business1 or profession4 ,about those   
parts of our calling1 which may need    
alteration1 we shall receive instruction
 from the ,lord1 if we indeed desire it1
 and wait upon ,him for it1 and expect  
it from ,him4  #b1 ,now suppose the     
believer is in a calling in which he can
 abide with ,god1 the next point to be  
settled is3 ,why do ,i carry on this    
business1 or why am ,i engaged in this  
trade or profession8 ,in most instances1

 so far as my experience goes1 which ,i 
have gathered in my service among the   
saints during the last fifty-one years  
and a half1 ,i believe the answer would 
be3 ,i am engaged in my earthly calling1
 that ,i may earn the means of obtaining
 the necessaries of life for myself and 
family4 ,here is the chief error from   
which almost all the rest of the errors1
 which are entertained by children of   
,god1 relative to their calling1 spring4
 ,it is no right and ,scriptural motive1
 to be engaged in a trade1 or business1 
or profession1 merely in order to earn  
the means for the obtaining of the      
necessaries of life for ourselves and   
family2 but us should work1 because it  
is the ,lords will concerning us4 ,this 
is plain from the following passages2 ,i
 ,thess4 iv4 #aa1 #ab2 ,,ii ,thess4 iii4
 #aj-ab2 ,eph4 iv4 #bh4 ,it is quite    
true that1 in general1 the ,lord        
provides the necessaries of life by     
means of our ordinary calling2 but that 
that is not ,,the ,,reason why we should

 work1 is plain enough from the         
consideration1 that if our possessing   
the necessaries of life depended upon   
our ability of working1 we could never  
have freedom from anxiety1 for we should
 always have to say to ourselves1 and   
what shall ,i do when ,i am too old to  
work ,i or when by reason of sickness ,i
 am unable to earn my bread8 ,but if on 
the other hand1 we are engaged in our   
earthly calling1 because it is the will 
of time ,lord concerning us that we     
should work1 and that thus labouring we 
may provide for our families and also be
 able to support the weak1 the sick1 the
 aged1 and the needy1 then we have good 
and scriptural reason to say to         
ourselves3 should it please the ,lord to
 lay me on a bed of sickness1 or keep me
 otherwise by reason of infirmity or old
 age1 or want of employment1 from       
earning my bread by means of the labour 
of my hands1 or my business1 or my      
profession1 ,he will yet provide for me4
 ,because we who believe are servants of

 ,jesus ,christ1 who has bought us with 
,his own precious blood1 and are not our
 own1 and because this our precious     
,lord and ,master has commanded us to   
work1 therefore we work2 and in doing so
 our ,lord will provide for us2 but     
whether in this way or any other way1   
,he is sure to provide for us2 for we   
labour in obedience to ,him2 and if even
 a just earthly master give wages to his
 servants1 the ,lord will surely see to 
it that we have our wages1 if in        
obedience to ,him we are engaged in our 
calling1 and not for our own sake4 ,how 
great the difference between acting     
according to the word of ,god1 and      
according to our own natural desires1 or
 the customs of the world1 will be      
plain1 ,i trust1 by the following case4 
,suppose ,i were engaged in some useful 
trade4 ,suppose ,i had the certain human
 prospect1 that within the next three   
months my labour would bring me in      
nothing1 for certain reasons connected  
with the state of mercantile affairs4   

,as a man of the world ,i should say1 ,i
 shall not work at all1 because my      
labour will not be paid2 but as a       
,christian1 who desires to act according
 to ,gods ,holy word1 ,i ought to say3  
,my trade is useful to society1 and ,i  
will work notwithstanding all human     
prospects1 because the ,lord ,jesus has 
commanded me to labour2 from ,him and   
not from my trade ,i expect my wages4   
,in addition to this the ,christian     
ought also to say1 ,idleness is a       
dreadful snare of the devil1 he has     
especial opportunity to get an advantage
 over the children of ,god when they are
 unoccupied2 and1 therefore1 ,i will    
work though ,i have no human prospect of
 obtaining payment for my labour1 but   
shall get only the cost price of the    
material1 and shall have to give my work
 for nothing4 ,moreover the ,christian  
ought to say1 ,though according to human
 probability ,i shall have to labour for
 nothing during the next three months1  
yet ,i will work1 because the ,lord may 

speedily alter the state of things1     
contrary to all human expectation2 but  
whether ,he be pleased to do so or not1 
,i labour because ,i am the ,lords1     
bought by ,his precious blood1 and ,he  
commands me to labour4--,but there are  
motives still lower than to be engaged  
in our earthly calling merely that we   
may earn the means of obtaining the     
necessaries of life1 why even           
,christians1 true children of ,god1 may 
be engaged in their calling1 such as3 to
 obtain a certain sum of money1 and then
 to retire from business and to live    
upon the interest2 or1 to provide       
something for old age2 or1 to obtain a  
certain amount of property1 without     
intending to give up business4 ,if it be
 unscriptural to be engaged in our      
calling1 merely1 even for the sake of   
earning the means for procuring the     
necessaries of life for ourselves and   
family1 how much more unbecoming that a 
child of ,god should be engaged in his  
calling for the sake of any of the last 

mentioned reasons4--,this second point1 
then1 ,why do ,i carry on this business8
 ,why am ,i engaged in this trade or    
profession8 ought first to be settled in
 the fear of ,god and according to the  
revealed will of ,god2 and if we cannot 
say in honesty of heart1 ,i do carry on 
my business1 ,i am engaged in my trade1 
or art1 or profession1 as a servant of  
,jesus ,christ1 whose ,i am1 because ,he
 has bought me with ,his precious blood1
 and ,he has commanded me to work1 and  
therefore ,i work3 ,i say1 if we cannot 
say this in honesty of heart1 but must  
confess that we work on account of lower
 motives such as1 that we may earn our  
bread1 or on account of still lower     
motives1 and such which are altogether  
unbecoming a child of ,god1 who is not  
of the world but of ,god1 such as1 to   
obtain a certain sum of money in order  
to be able to live on the interest      
without having to work2 or1 to provide  
something for old age2 or1 to obtain a  
certain amount of property without      

intending to give up business3 if these 
are our motives for being engaged in our
 calling1 ,i say1 can we be surprised   
that we meet with great difficulties in 
our business1 and that the ,lord in ,his
 abounding love to us1 ,his erring      
children1 does not allow us to succeed8 
,but suppose this second point is       
scripturally settled1 and we can        
honestly say that1 because we are       
servants of ,jesus ,christ1 we are      
occupied as we are--we have further to  
consider3 #c1 ,whether we carry on our  
business1 or are engaged in our trade1  
art1 or profession as stewards of the   
,lord4 ,to the child of ,god it ought   
not to be enough that he is in a calling
 in which he can abide with ,god1 nor   
that he is engaged in his calling1      
because it is the will of his ,lord and 
,master that he should work1 but he     
should consider himself in his trade1   
business1 art1 or profession1 only as   
the steward of the ,lord with reference 
to his income4 ,the child of ,god has   

been bought with the precious blood of  
the ,lord ,jesus1 and is altogether ,his
 property1 with all that he possesses1  
his bodily strength1 his mental         
strength1 his ability of every kind1 his
 trade1 business1 art1 or profession1   
his property1 c42 for it is written3 ,ye
 are not your own2 for ye are bought    
with a price4 ,i ,cor4 vi4 #ai1 #bj4    
,the proceeds of our calling are        
therefore not our own in the sense of   
using them as our natural heart wishes  
us to do1 whether to spend them on the  
gratification of our pride1 or our love 
of pleasure1 or sensual indulgences1 or 
to lay by the money for ourselves or our
 children1 or use it in any way as we   
naturally like2 but we have to stand    
before our ,lord and ,master1 whose     
stewards we are1 to seek to ascertain   
,his will1 how ,he will have us use the 
proceeds of our calling4 ,but is this   
indeed the spirit in which the children 
of ,god generally are engaged in their  
calling8 ,it is but too well known that 

it is not the case6 ,can we then wonder 
at it1 that even ,gods own dear children
 should so often be found greatly in    
difficulty with regard to their calling1
 and be found so often complaining about
 stagnation or competition in trade1 and
 the difficulties of the times1 though  
there have been given to them such      
precious promises as3 ,seek ye first the
 kingdom of ,god and ,his righteousness2
 and all these things shall be added    
unto you2 or1 ,let your conversation    
7disposition or turn of mind7 be without
 covetousness2 and be content with such 
things as ye have3 for ,he hath said1 ,i
 will never leave thee1 nor forsake     
thee4 ,heb4 xiii4 #e4 ,is it not obvious
 enough1 that1 when our ,heavenly       
,father sees that we ,his children do or
 would use the proceeds of our calling1 
as our natural mind would desire1 that  
,he either cannot at all intrust us with
 means1 or will be obliged to decrease  
them8 ,no wise and really affectionate  
mother will permit her infant to play   

with a razor1 or with fire1 however much
 the child may desire to have them2 and 
so the love and wisdom of our ,heavenly 
,father will not1 cannot1 intrust us    
with pecuniary means1 7except it be in  
the way of chastisement1 or to show us  
finally their utter vanity17 if ,he sees
 that we do not desire to possess them  
as stewards for ,him1 in order that we  
may spend them as ,he may point out to  
us by ,his ,holy ,spirit1 through ,his  
word4--,in connexion with this subject1 
,i give a few hints to the believing    
reader on three passages of the word of 
,god4 ,in ,i ,cor4 xvi4 #b1 we find it  
written to the brethren at ,corinth1    
,upon the first day of the week let     
every one of you lay by him in store1 as
 ,god has prospered him4 ,a contribution
 for the poor saints in ,judea was to be
 made1 and the brethren at ,corinth were
 exhorted to put by every ,lords day1   
according to the measure of success     
which the ,lord had been pleased to     
grant them in their calling during the  

week4 ,now1 ought not the saints in our 
day also to act according to this word6 
,there is no passage in the word of     
,god1 why we should not do so1 and it is
 altogether in accordance with our      
pilgrim character1 not only once or     
twice1 or four times a year to see how  
much we can afford to give to the poor  
saints1 or to the work of ,god in any   
way1 but to seek to settle it weekly4   
,if1 it be said1 ,i cannot ascertain how
 much ,i have gained in the course of   
the week by my business1 and therefore  
,i cannot give accordingly2 my reply is 
this1 ,seek1 dear brethren1 as much as  
possible to bring your business upon    
such a footing1 as that you may be able1
 as nearly as possible1 to settle how   
much you have earned in your calling in 
the course of the week2 but suppose you 
should be unable to settle it exactly to
 the shilling or pound1 yet you will    
know pretty well how it has been with   
you during the week1 and therefore1     
according to your best knowledge1       

contribute on the coming ,lords day     
towards the necessities of the poor     
saints1 and towards the work of ,god1 as
 ,he1 after your having sought ,his     
guidance1 may lead you4 ,perhaps you    
say1 the weeks are so unlike2 in one    
week ,i may earn three or even ten times
 as much as in another week1 and if ,i  
give according to my earnings from my   
calling during a very good week1 then   
how are such weeks1 when ,i earn        
scarcely any thing1 or how are the bad  
debts to be met8 ,how shall ,i do when  
sickness befalls my family1 or when     
other trials productive of expense come 
upon me1 if ,i do not make provision for
 such seasons8 ,my reply is1 #a1 ,i do  
not find in the whole ,new ,testament   
one single passage in which either      
directly or indirectly exhortations are 
given to provide against deadness in    
business1 bad debts and sickness1 by    
laying up money4 #b1 ,often the ,lord is
 obliged to allow deadness in business1 
or bad debts1 or sickness in our family1

 or other trials1 which increase our    
expenses1 to befall us1 because we do   
not1 as ,his stewards1 act according to 
stewardship1 but as if we were owners of
 what we have1 forgetting that the time 
has not yet come when we shall enter    
upon our possessions and ,he does so in 
order that1 by these losses and         
expenses1 our property which we have    
collected may be decreased1 lest we     
should altogether set our hearts again  
upon earthly things1 and forget ,god    
entirely4 ,his love is so great1 that   
,he will not let ,his children quietly  
go their own way when they have forsaken
 ,him2 but if ,his loving admonitions by
 ,his ,holy ,spirit are disregarded1 ,he
 is obliged in fatherly love to chastise
 them4 ,a striking illustration of what 
,i have said we have in the case of     
,israel nationally4 ,the commandment to 
them was1 to leave their land           
uncultivated in the seventh year1 in    
order that it might rest2 and the ,lord 
promised to make up for this deficiency 

by ,his abundant blessing resting upon  
the sixth year4 ,however1 ,israel acted 
not according to this commandment1 no   
doubt saying in the unbelief of their   
hearts1 as the ,lord had foretold1 ,what
 shall we eat in the seventh year8      
,behold we shall not sow1 nor gather in 
our increase4 ,leviticus xxv4 ,but what 
did the ,lord do8 ,he was determined the
 land should have rest1 and as the      
,israelites did not willingly give it1  
,he sent them for seventy years into    
captivity1 in order that thus the land  
might have rest4 ,see ,leviticus xxvi4  
#cc-ce4 ,beloved brethren in the ,lord1 
let us take heed so to walk as that the 
,lord may not be obliged1 by            
chastisement to take a part of our      
earthly possessions from us in the way  
of bad debts1 sickness1 decrease of     
business1 or the like1 because we would 
not own our position as stewards1 but   
act as owners1 and keep for ourselves   
the means with which the ,lord had      
intrusted us1 not for the gratification 

of our own carnal mind1 but for the sake
 of using them in ,his service and to   
,his praise4 ,it might also be said by a
 brother whose earnings are small1      
should ,i also give according to my     
earnings8 ,they are already so small1   
that my wife can only with the greatest 
difficulty manage to make them          
sufficient for the family4 ,my reply is3
 ,have you ever considered1 my brother1 
that the very reason1 why the ,lord is  
obliged to let your earnings remain so  
small1 may be the fact of your spending 
every thing upon yourselves1 and that if
 ,he were to give you more1 you would   
only use it to increase your own family 
comfort1 instead of looking about to see
 who among the brethren are sick1 or who
 have no work at all1 that you might    
help them1 or how you might assist the  
work of ,god at home and abroad8 ,there 
is a great temptation for a brother     
whose earnings are small1 to put off the
 responsibility of assisting the needy  
and sick saints1 or helping on the work 

of ,god1 and to lay it upon the few rich
 brethren and sisters with whom he is   
associated in fellowship1 and thus rob  
his own soul6--,it might be asked1 ,how 
much shall ,i give of my income8 ,the   
tenth part1 or the fifth part1 or the   
third part1 or one-half1 or more8 ,my   
reply is1 ,god lays down no rule1       
concerning this point4 ,what we do we   
should do cheerfully and not of         
necessity4 ,but if even ,jacob with the 
first dawning of spiritual light        
7,genesis xxviii4 #bb7 promised to ,god 
the tenth of all ,he should give to him1
 how much ought we believers in the     
,lord ,jesus to do for ,him2 we1 whose  
calling is a heavenly one1 and who know 
distinctly that we are children of ,god1
 and joint heirs with the ,lord ,jesus6 
,yet do all the children of ,god give   
even the tenth part of what the ,lord   
gives them8  ,that would be two         
shillings per week for the brother who  
earns #al41 and #ds4 to him who earns   
#bl41 and #bl4 per week to him whose    

income is #bjl4 per week4  ,in connexion
 with ,i ,cor4 xvi4 #b1 ,i would mention
 two other portions3 #a4 ,he which      
soweth sparingly shall reap also        
sparingly3 and he that soweth           
bountifully1 shall reap also            
bountifully4 ,,ii ,cor4 ix4 #f4 ,it is  
certain that we children of ,god are so 
abundantly blessed in ,jesus1 by the    
grace of ,god1 that we ought to need no 
stimulus to good works4 ,the forgiveness
 of our sins1 the having been made for  
ever the children of ,god1 the having   
before us the ,fathers house as our     
home3 these blessings ought to be       
sufficient motives to constrain us in   
love and gratitude to serve ,god        
abundantly all the days of our life1 and
 cheerfully also to give up1 as ,he may 
call for it1 that with which ,he has    
intrusted us of the things of this      
world4 ,but whilst this is the case1 the
 ,lord nevertheless holds out to us in  
,his ,holy ,word motives why we should  
serve ,him1 deny ourselves1 use our     

property for ,him1 etc42 and the last   
mentioned passage is one of that kind4  
,the verse is true1 both with reference 
to the life that is now and that which  
is to come4 ,if we have been sparingly  
using our property for ,him1 there will 
have been little treasure laid up in    
heaven1 and therefore a small amount of 
capital will be found in the world to   
come1 so far as it regards reaping4     
,again1 we shall reap bountifully if we 
seek to be rich towards ,god1 by        
abundantly using our means for ,him1    
whether in ministering to the           
necessities of the poor saints1 or using
 otherwise our pecuniary means for ,his 
work4 ,dear brethren1 these things are  
realities6 ,shortly1 very shortly1 will 
come the reaping time1 and then will be 
the question1 whether we shall reap     
sparingly or bountifully4--,but while   
this passage refers to the life         
hereafter1 it also refers to the life   
that now is4 ,just as now the love of   
,christ constrains us to communicate of 

that with which the ,lord intrusts us1  
so will be the present reaping1 both    
with regard to spiritual and temporal   
things4 ,should there be found therefore
 in a brother the want of entering into 
his position as being merely a steward  
for the ,lord in his calling1 and should
 he give no heed to the admonitions of  
the ,holy ,ghost to communicate to those
 who are in need1 or to help the work of
 ,god2 then1 can such a brother be      
surprised that he meets with great      
difficulties in his calling1 and that he
 cannot get on8 ,this is according to   
the ,lords word4 ,he is sowing          
sparingly1 and he therefore reaps       
sparingly4 ,but should the love of      
,christ constrain a brother1 out of the 
earnings of his calling to sow          
bountifully1 he will even in this life  
reap bountifully1 both with regard to   
blessings in his soul and with regard to
 temporal things4 ,consider in connexion
 with this the following passage1 which1
 though taken from the ,book of         

,proverbs1 is not of a ,jewish          
character1 but true concerning believers
 under the present dispensation also3   
,there is that scattereth1 and yet      
increaseth2 and there is that           
withholdeth more than is meet1 but it   
tendeth to poverty4 ,the liberal son    
shall be made fat3 and he that watereth 
shall be watered also himself4 ,prov4   
xi4 #bd1 #be4--;,in connexion with #a   
,cor4 xvi4 #b1 ,i would also direct my  
brethren in the ,lord to the promise    
made in ,luke vi4 #ch1 ,give and it     
shall be given unto you3 good measure1  
pressed down1 and shaken together1 and  
running over1 shall men give into your  
bosom4 ,for with the same measure that  
ye mete withal it shall be measured to  
you again4 ,this refers evidently to the
 present dispensation1 and evidently in 
its primary meaning to temporal things4 
,now let any one1 constrained by the    
love of ,jesus1 act according to this   
passage2 let him on the first day of the
 week communicate as the ,lord has      

prospered him1 and he will see that the 
,lord will act according to what is     
contained in this verse4 ,if pride      
constrain us to give1 if                
self-righteousness make us liberal1 if  
natural feeling induce us to            
communicate1 or if we give whilst we are
 in a state of insolvency1 not          
possessing more perhaps than ten        
shillings in the pound were our         
creditors to come upon us2 then we      
cannot expect to have this verse        
fulfilled in our experience3 nor should 
we give at any time for the sake of     
receiving again from others1 according  
to this verse2 but if indeed the love of
 ,christ constrain us to communicate    
according to the ability which the ,lord
 gives us1 then we shall have this verse
 fulfilled in our experience1 though    
this was not the motive that induced us 
to give4 ,somehow or other the ,lord    
will abundantly repay us through the    
instrumentality of our fellow men what  
we are doing for ,his poor saints1 or in

 any way for ,his work1 and we shall    
find that in the end we are not losers1 
even with reference to temporal things1 
whilst we communicate liberally of the  
things of this life with which the ,lord
 has intrusted us4--,here it might be   
remarked3 but if it be so1 that even in 
this life1 and with regard to temporal  
things it is true1 that ,to him that    
gives shall be given1 good measure1     
pressed down1 and shaken together1 and  
running over1 and that ,he which soweth 
bountifully shall reap also bountifully1
 then in the end the most liberal       
persons would be exceedingly rich4      
,concerning this remark we have to keep 
in mind1 that the moment persons were to
 begin to give for the sake of receiving
 more back again from the ,lord1 through
 the instrumentality of their fellow    
men1 than they have given2 or the moment
 persons wished to alter their way1 and 
no more go on sowing bountifully1 but   
sparingly1 in order to increase their   
possessions1 whilst ,god is allowing    

them to reap bountifully1 the river of  
,gods bounty toward them would no longer
 continue to flow4 ,god had supplied    
them abundantly with means1 because ,he 
saw them act as stewards for ,him4 ,he  
had intrusted them with a little which  
they used for ,him1 and ,he therefore   
intrusted them with more2 and if they   
had continued to use the much also for  
,him1 ,he would have still more         
abundantly used them as instruments to  
scatter abroad ,his bounties4 ,the child
 of ,god must be willing to be a channel
 through which ,gods bounties flow1 both
 with regard to temporal and spiritual  
things4 ,this channel is narrow and     
shallow at first1 it may be2 yet there  
is room for some of the waters of ,gods 
bounty to pass through4 ,and if we      
cheerfully yield ourselves as channels1 
for this purpose1 then the channel      
becomes wider and deeper1 and the waters
 of the bounty of ,god can pass through 
more abundantly4 ,without a figure it is
 thus3 ,at first we may be only         

instrumental in communicating #el4 or   
#ajl4 or #bjl4 or #ejl4 or #ajjl4 or    
#bjjl4 per year1 but afterwards double  
as much2 and if we are still more       
faithful in our stewardship1 after a    
year or two four times as much1         
afterwards perhaps eight times as much1 
at last perhaps twenty times or fifty   
times as much4 ,we cannot limit the     
extent to which ,god may use us as      
instruments in communicating blessing1  
both temporal and spiritual1 if we are  
willing to yield ourselves as           
instruments to the living ,god1 and are 
content to be only instruments1 and to  
give ,him all the glory4 ,but with      
regard to temporal things it will be    
thus1 that if indeed we walk according  
to the mind of ,god in these things1    
whilst more and more we become          
instruments of blessing to others1 we   
shall not seek to enrich ourselves1 but 
be content when the last day of another 
year finds us still in the body1 to     
possess no more than on the last day of 

the previous year1 or even considerably 
less1 whilst we have been1 however1 in  
the course of the year the instruments  
of communicating largely to others1     
through the means with which the ,lord  
had intrusted us4 ,as to my own soul1 by
 the grace of ,god it would be a burden 
to me to find1 that1 however much my    
income in the course of a year might    
have been1 ,i was increasing in earthly 
possession2 for it would be a plain     
proof to me1 that ,i had not been acting
 as steward for ,god1 and had not been  
yielding myself as a channel for the    
waters of ,gods bounty to pass through4 
,i also cannot but bear my testimony    
here1 that in whatever feeble measure   
,god has enabled me to act according to 
these truths for the last fifty-one     
years and a half1 ,i have found it to be
 profitable1 most profitable to my own  
soul2 and as to temporal things1 ,i     
never was a loser in doing so1 but ,i   
have most abundantly found the truth in 
,,ii ,cor4 ix4 #f1 and ,luke vi4 #ch1   

and ,prov4 xi4 #bd1 #be1 verified in my 
own experience4 ,i only have to regret  
that ,i have acted so little according  
to what ,i have now been stating2 but my
 godly purpose is1 by the help of ,god1 
to spend the remainder of my days in    
practising these truths more than ever1 
and ,i am sure1 that1 when ,i am brought
 to the close of my earthly pilgrimage1 
either in death1 or by the appearing of 
our ,lord ,jesus1 ,i shall not have the 
least regret in having done so2 and ,i  
know that should ,i leave my dear child 
behind1 the ,lord will abundantly       
provide for her1 and prove that there   
has been a better provision made for her
 than her father could have made1 if he 
had sought to insure his life or lay up 
money for her4  ,before leaving this    
part of the subject1 ,i mention to the  
believing reader1 that ,i know instance 
upon instance1 in which what ,i have    
been saying has been verified1 but ,i   
will only mention the following3--,i    
knew many years ago a brother as the    

manager of a large manufactory4 ,whilst 
in this capacity he was liberal1 and    
giving away considerably out of his     
rather considerable salary4 ,the ,lord  
repaid this to him2 for the principals  
of the establishment1 well knowing his  
value to their house of business1 gave  
him now and then whilst he thus was     
liberally using his means for the ,lord1
 very large presents in money4 ,in      
process of time1 however1 this brother  
thought it right to begin business on   
his own account1 in a very small way4   
,he still continued to be liberal1      
according to his means1 and ,god        
prospered him1 and prospered him so1    
that now1 whilst ,i am writing1 his     
manufactory is as large as the one which
 he formerly managed1 or even larger1   
though that was a very considerable one4
 ,and sure ,i am1 that1 if this brother 
shall be kept by ,god from setting his  
heart upon earthly things1 and from     
seeking more and more to increase his   
earthly riches1 but shall delight       

himself in being used as a steward by   
,god1 cheerfully communicating to the   
need of ,gods poor children1 or to ,his 
work in other ways1 and doing so not    
sparingly1 but bountifully1 the ,lord   
will intrust him more and more with     
means2 if otherwise1 if he shut up his  
hands1 seek his own1 wish to obtain     
sufficient property that he may be able 
to live on his interest1 then1 what he  
has to expect is1 that ,god will shut up
 ,his hands1 he will meet with heavy    
losses1 or there will be an alteration  
in his affairs for the worse1 or the    
like4--,i also mention two other cases1 
to show that the ,lord increases our    
ability of communicating temporal       
blessings to others1 if we distribute   
according to the means with which ,he   
has intrusted us1 though we should not  
be in a trade or business1 or           
profession4--,i know a brother who many 
years ago saw it right not only to spend
 his interest for the ,lord1 but also   
the principal1 as the ,lord might point 

out to him opportunities4 ,his desire   
was not1 as indeed it ought never to be1
 to get rid of his money as fast as     
possible1 yet he considered himself a   
steward for the ,lord1 and was therefore
 willing1 as his ,lord and ,master might
 point it out to him1 to spend his      
means4 ,when this brother came to this  
determination1 he possessed about twenty
 thousand pounds sterling4 ,according to
 the light and grace1 which the ,lord   
had been pleased to give he afterwards  
acted1 spending the money for the ,lord1
 in larger or smaller sums1 as          
opportunities were pointed out to him by
 the ,lord4 ,thus the sum more and more 
decreased1 whilst the brother steadily  
pursued his course1 serving the ,lord   
with his property1 and spending his time
 and ability also for the ,lord1 in     
service of one kind or another among    
,his children4 ,at last the twenty      
thousand pounds were almost entirely    
spent1 when at that very time the father
 of this brother died1 whereby he came  

into the possession of an income of     
several thousand pounds a year4 ,it     
gives joy to my heart to be able to add1
 that this brother still pursues his    
godly course1 living in the most simple 
way1 and giving away perhaps ten times  
as much as he spends on himself or      
family4 ,here you see1 dear reader1 that
 this brother1 using faithfully for the 
,lord what he had been intrusted with at
 first1 was made steward over more2 for 
he has now more than one-third as much  
in a year coming in1 as he at first     
possessed altogether4--,i mention       
another instance3 ,i know a brother to  
whom the ,lord has given a liberal      
heart1 and who bountifully gave of that 
over which the ,lord had set him as     
steward4 ,the ,lord seeing this1        
intrusted him with still more1 for      
through family circumstances he came    
into the possession of many thousand    
pounds1 in addition to the considerable 
property he possessed before4 ,i have   
the joy of being able to add also       

concerning this brother1 that the ,lord 
continues to give him grace to use his  
property as a steward for ,god1 and that
 he has not been permitted to set his   
heart upon his riches1 through the very 
considerable increase of his property1  
but that he continues to live as the    
steward of the ,lord1 and not as the    
owner of all this wealth4--,and now1    
dear reader1 when the brethren to whom  
,i have been referring are brought to   
the close of their earthly pilgrimage1  
will they have one moments regret that  
they have used their property for the   
,lord8 ,will it be the least particle of
 uneasiness to their minds1 or will     
their children be the worse for it8 ,oh 
no6 ,the only regret they will have     
concerning this matter will be1 that    
they did not serve the ,lord still more 
abundantly with their property4 ,dear   
reader1 let us each in our measure act  
in the same spirit4 ,money is really    
worth no more than as it is used        
according to the mind of the ,lord2 and 

life is worth no more than as it is     
spent in the service of the ,lord4      
,whilst the three mentioned points--#a1 
,that our calling must be of that nature
 that we can abide in it with ,god2 #b1 
,that unto the ,lord we should labour in
 our calling1 as ,his servants1 because 
,he has bought us with ,his blood1 and  
because ,he will have us to labour2 #c1 
,that as stewards we should labour in   
our calling1 because the earnings of our
 calling are the ,lords and not our own1
 as ,he has bought us with ,his blood3  
,i say1 whilst these three points are   
particularly to be attended to in order 
that the ,lords blessing may rest upon  
our calling1 and we be prospering in it1
 there are1 nevertheless1 some other    
points to be attended to1 which ,i      
mention in love to my brethren in the   
,lord1 by whom they may be needed4 #d1  
,the next point is1 that a believer in  
the ,lord ,jesus should do nothing in   
his calling1 which is purely for the    
sake of attracting the world1 such as   

for instance1 fitting up his shop or    
rooms of business in the most costly    
manner1 ,i do not in the least mean to  
say that his shop or rooms of business  
should not be clean1 orderly1 and of    
such a character as that there may be no
 positive hinderance to persons going   
there4 ,all the needful conveniences    
that are expected may be there and ought
 to be there4 ,but if any child of ,god 
seek to have the front of his shop1 or  
the interior of his shop1 or of his     
place of business fitted up in a most   
expensive way1 simply for the sake of   
attracting attention1 then let him be   
aware1 that1 just in so far as he is    
trusting in these things1 he is not     
likely to succeed in his calling1       
because he puts the manner of sitting up
 the shop in the room of trust in the   
,lord4 ,such things the ,lord may allow 
to succeed in the case of an unbeliever1
 but they will not prosper in the case  
of a child of ,god1 except it be in the 
way of chastisement1 just as the ,lord  

gave to ,israel in the wilderness the   
desire of their hearts1 but sent        
leanness into their souls4 ,should any  
brother have fallen into this error1 the
 first thing he has to do1 when the     
,lord has instructed him concerning this
 point1 is1 to make confession of sin1  
and1 as far as it can be done1 to       
retrace his steps in this particular4   
,if this cannot be done1 then to cast   
himself upon the mercy of ,god in       
,christ ,jesus4 #e1 ,of the same        
character is3 ,to seek to attract the   
attention of the world1 by boasting     
advertisements1 such as no one          
manufactures so good an article1 no one 
sells this article so cheap1 we sell the
 best article in the city1 etc4 ,suppose
 these statements were quite correct1   
yet they are unbecoming for a child of  
,god1 who has the living ,god to care   
for him and to provide for him1 and     
therefore needs not to make use of such 
boasting1 whereby he may seek to ensure 
custom to himself and keep it from      

others4 ,the law of love is1 ,whatsoever
 ye would that men should do to you1 do 
ye even so to them4 ,matt4 vii4 #ab4    
,now what do ,i wish in this particular 
that others should do to me1 but that   
they should not seek to keep away       
persons from dealing with me2 but if ,i 
use such like expressions in my         
advertisements1 as have been mentioned1 
what do they imply but1 that ,i wish all
 people should come to me1 and deal with
 me4 ,if1 however1 already under the old
 covenant it was said1 ,thou shalt not  
covet1 how much more sinful and         
altogether unbecoming is it for us      
children of ,god1 who are in fellowship 
with the ,father and the ,son1 to make  
use of such means1 in order to ensure to
 ourselves pecuniary advantages4 ,but1  
however much the ,lord may allow a man  
of the world to prosper in using such   
means1 they are only hinderances to the 
child of ,god to getting on in his      
calling1 because the ,lord sees that    
they are substituted instead of trust in

 ,himself2 and should the ,lord for a   
season allow ,his child apparently to be
 benefited by them1 it will only be for 
his chastisement and connected with     
leanness in his soul4 ,therefore1 my    
brethren in the ,lord1 ,i beseech you to
 put away all these things out of your  
calling1 lest you should be hindering   
instead of furthering your real welfare4
 #f1 ,likewise of a similar character is
 the following point1 which ,god may    
suffer to be a real hinderance to ,his  
children in their calling1 it is1 ,to   
seek the very best1 7and therefore the  
most expensive7 situations which can be 
had in a town or city4 ,now ,i do by no 
means intend to say1 that in our trade1 
business1 art1 or profession1 we should 
seek the most obscure1 retired1 out of  
the way place possible1 and say1 ,god   
will provide1 and ,i need not mind in   
what part of the town ,i carry on my    
calling4 ,there are most assuredly      
certain things to be considered4 ,the   
persons who are likely to buy the       

articles ,i sell1 or employ me1 are to  
be considered1 and ,i have not to say1  
it matters nothing to me1 whether ,i    
make them come a mile or two to my      
house1 or to the most dirty and         
disagreeable part of the town2 this     
would be the extreme in the other way4  
,but whilst there is a certain          
consideration to be used with reference 
to those who may employ us in our       
calling1 yet if the trust of the child  
of ,god respecting temporal prosperity  
is in the fact that he lives in the best
 situation1 the ,lord will surely       
disappoint him4 ,he will have to pay a  
very high rent for the best situation1  
and yet not succeed1 because his trust  
is in the best situation4 ,he is        
substituting it for dependence upon the 
living ,god for customers4 ,he is       
robbing his soul not only in not taking 
the customers as from the hands of the  
,lord1 but he is also obliging his      
heavenly ,father1 in the very love of   
,his heart1 to cause him to be          

disappointed1 because he is not trusting
 in ,him4 ,if the child of ,god were    
saying and acting thus3 the best        
situation would cost me #ejl4 a year    
more rent1 than one which is not really 
inconvenient for my customers1 nor in an
 improper neighbourhood1 and the like1  
this #ejl4 ,i dedicate unto the ,lord1  
to be paid in instalments for ,his work1
 or ,his poor saints1 whenever the rent 
day comes1 such a brother would find    
himself to be no loser1 if this indeed  
were done in dependence upon the ,lord1 
and constrained by the love of ,jesus4  
,but if the #ejl4 more is paid for rent1
 and yet the living ,god1 in the very   
love of ,his heart1 should be obliged to
 withhold prosperity from ,his child in 
,his calling1 because ,he sees that he  
is laying undue stress upon the         
situation of the house1 then not only   
the #ejl4 extra rent per year is lost1  
but also that which the ,lord is obliged
 to withhold from ,his child besides1 in
 order to teach him the lesson2 and thus

 year after year1 by our own fault1 we  
may have scarcely any thing to give for 
the work of ,god4 #g1 ,the next obstacle
 to prosperity in our calling which ,i  
now would mention is1 ,that children of 
,god often use such expressions as these
 with reference to their calling3 this  
is our busy time1 or this is our dead   
time1 which implies that they do not day
 after day deal with ,god about their   
calling1 but that they ascribe their    
having much or little to do to          
circumstances1 or to times and seasons4 
,that the people of the world should do 
so is not to be wondered at2 but that   
the children of ,god should act thus1   
who in the most minute affairs of life  
should seek the help of ,god1 and deal  
with ,god about them1 is a matter of    
sorrow to the spiritual mind1 and is    
altogether unbecoming saints4 ,but what 
is the result4 ,the ,lord1 according to 
the expectations of ,his children1      
allows them to be without employment1   
because they say1 this is our dead      

season4 ,he did not many mighty works   
there because of their unbelief1        
contains a truth which comes in here4   
,but what is the right way of looking at
 the matter8 ,it is this3 the child of  
,god should say1 though generally about 
this time of the year there is little   
employment to be expected1 looking at it
 naturally1 yet as a want of employment 
is neither good for the outward nor     
inward man1 and as ,i only desire       
employment to serve ,god in my business1
 to have to give to those who are in    
need1 or help in other ways the work of 
,god1 ,i will now give myself to prayer 
for employment1 for ,i can by prayer and
 faith1 as a child of ,god1 obtain      
blessings from my heavenly ,father1     
though not in the ordinary course of    
things4 ,if thus the child of ,god were 
to say and to act1 he would soon have   
employment in his calling1 except the   
,lord meant to use his time otherwise in
 ,his work1 which ,he would point out to
 him4 #h1 ,a further reason1 why ,god   

may be obliged to resist children of    
,god in their business1 may be this1    
that they with the greatest carefulness 
seek to obtain persons for their shop   
who are considered good salesmen1 i4e4  
persons who have such persuasive ways1  
as that they gain an advantage over the 
customers and induce them not only to   
buy articles for which they ask1 whether
 suitable or not1 but that they also    
induce them to buy articles which they  
did not at all intend to buy when they  
came to the shop4 ,concerning this ,i   
notice in the first place1 that if the  
child of ,god puts his dependence upon  
the good salesmen1 let him not be       
surprised if his heavenly ,father should
 be obliged to disappoint him1 because  
,he sees ,his child lean upon the arm of
 flesh1 instead of trusting in the      
living ,god2 and therefore the business 
does not succeed4 ,further1 it is       
altogether wrong for a child of ,god to 
induce the customers1 by means of such  
men or women who have a persuasive      

tongue1 to purchase articles whether    
they suit or not1 and whether they are  
needed or not4 ,this is no less than    
defrauding persons in a subtle way1 or  
leading them into the sin of purchasing 
beyond their means1 or at least spending
 their money needlessly4 ,however such  
sinful tricks may be allowed to prosper 
in the case of a man of the world1 in   
the case of a child of ,god they will   
not prosper1 except ,god allow them to  
do so in the way of chastisement1 whilst
 leanness and wretchedness is brought   
into the soul4 ,i knew a case of this   
kind where it was the whole bent of the 
mind of a professed believer to obtain  
such good salesmen1 and where even a    
,jew was kept outside the shop walking  
up and down to induce persons to come in
 and buy2 and yet that same professed   
believer failed twice in his business4  
#i1 ,another evil with reference to     
business1 and why children of ,god do   
not get on in their calling is1 that    
they enter upon business often without  

any capital at all1 or with too little4 
,if a believer has no capital at all1 or
 only a very small capital1 in          
comparison with what his business       
requires1 then1 ought he not to say this
 to himself3 ,if it were my heavenly    
,fathers will that ,i should enter upon 
business on my own account1 then would  
,he not somehow or other have intrusted 
me with the needful means8 ,and since   
,he has not1 is it not a plain          
indication that1 for the present1 ,i    
should remain a journeyman1 7or shopman1
 or clerk1 as the case may be78 ,in a   
variety of ways the means might come4   
,for instance1 a legacy might be left to
 him1 or money might be given to him by 
a brother in the ,lord for that very    
purpose1 or a brother or sister might   
propose to the individual to lend him   
money1 yet so that if he were unable to 
pay it again1 they would not consider   
him their debtor1 or in many other ways 
,god might intrust him with means ,but  
if in some such way the ,lord did not   

remove the hinderance1 and the brother  
would still go into business1 he would1 
through the bill system and other things
 connected with the want of capital1 not
 only bring great distress into his     
mind1 and subject himself to the        
possibility of at last being unable to  
pay his creditors1 whereby dishonour    
would be brought upon the name of the   
,lord1 but he likewise could not be     
surprised 7as he went into business     
contrary to the will of ,god1 since ,he 
pointed out to him that he was not to do
 so for want of means17 if he should    
find that he cannot get on1 and that the
 blessing of ,god manifestly is wanting4
 ,in such a case as this1 if it can be  
done1 the retracing our steps is the    
best thing we can do2 but often this    
cannot be done1 as others are involved  
in the matter1 and then we have to make 
acknowledgment of our sin1 and seek     
,gods merciful help to bring us into a  
right position4 #aj1 ,but suppose all   
these nine previous points were attended

 to1 and we neglected to seek ,gods     
blessing upon our calling1 we need still
 not be surprised if we met with        
difficulty upon difficulty1 and could   
not get on at all4 ,it is not enough    
that we seek ,gods help for that which  
manifestly is of a spiritual character2 
but we should seek ,his help and        
blessing by prayer and supplication for 
all our ordinary concerns in life1 and  
if we neglect doing so1 we shall surely 
suffer for the neglect4 ,trust in the   
,lord with all thine heart2 and lean not
 unto thine own understanding4 ,in all  
thy ways acknowledge ,him1 and ,he shall
 direct thy paths4 ,prov4 iii4 #e1 #f4  
,these few remarks ,i commend           
affectionately to the prayerful         
consideration of all brethren and       
sisters in the ,lord with reference to  
their calling2 for though they are      
written by one who never was in business
 himself1 yet the truths therein set    
forth have been learned by him in the   
school of ,god1 and he has had them     

abundantly confirmed through his        
pastoral labours during the last        
fifty-one years4  ,and now1 farewell1   
beloved reader4--,very many times have  
,i sought the ,lords blessing before ,i 
began preparing this third part for the 
press1 and very many times have ,i done 
so while writing it1 and now ,i am most 
fully assured1 that ,he will abundantly 
bless this part also1 because of the    
abundance of supplication which ,he has 
wrought concerning it by ,his ,spirit in
 my soul4 ,i ask you also1 dear reader1 
if you know the power of prayer1 to     
unite with me in seeking the ,lords     
blessing upon this book1 and then we    
shall rejoice together in the answers to
 our prayers1 if not here on earth1 at  
least in the day of ,christs appearing4 
,in #ahef was published the ,fourth     
,part of this ,narrative1 as a second   
volume4  ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,third ,,part
  #a4 ,my ,journal gives the names of   
the individuals1 whom the ,lord has used
 as instruments1 in supplying our wants2

 but it has appeared well to me1 for    
several reasons1 not to mention them in 
print4  #b4 ,one bill ,i had to meet for
 a brother1 the other was for money     
which in the form of a bill ,i had sent 
to the ,continent2 but in both cases the
 money was in my hands1 before the bills
 were given4  #c4 ,at the beginning the 
name was1 ,the ,scriptural ,knowledge   
,society for ,home and ,abroad2 but as  
the ,institution was never a ,society in
 the common sense of the word1 there    
being nothing like membership1 voting1 a
 committee1 c41 it appeared afterwards  
better to alter the name as above       
stated1 for the sake of avoiding        
mistakes4 ,i mention1 moreover1 that in 
this eighth edition the ,institution is 
spoken of in the way in which it is now 
existing1 without further notice of the 
alterations which have been made since  
its establishment on ,march #e1 #ahcd1  
as its original character is            
substantially the same4  #d4 ,only two  
,orphans were received under such       

circumstances4 ,since #ahda we have had 
no child on such conditions1 as we now  
consider1 that1 if a relative would be  
able and willing to pay the average     
expense for the support of a child1 such
 an ,orphan could not be considered     
destitute4 ,during the summer of #ahee1 
thee ,orphans were applied for1 and     
their relatives offered to pay #ejl4 a  
year for these children to the funds of 
the ,institution4 ,they were1 however1  
not only not received1 but their names  
were not even entered on the list of    
those who are waiting for admission1 as 
they could not be considered destitute4 
,our object is not to obtain funds for  
the ,institution1 but to provide by     
means of it for truly destitute ,orphans
 hence1 though #ejl4 is more than the   
average expense for three ,orphans in a 
year1 we did not receive those three    
just referred to4  #e4 ,the             
,schoolmasters1 as well as the          
clergymen1 in ,prussia1 are connected   
with the ,state4  #f4 ,we continued for 

many months to break bread only at      
,bethesda1 till at last1 though it is a 
large chapel1 the body of it was no     
longer large enough to accommodate all  
who were in communion with us1 so that  
we were obliged to have the ,lords      
supper in two places4 ,note to the      
second edition4  #g4 ,since ,february1  
#ahdi1 ,i hare been obliged to          
discontinue my walks in the fields      
entirely1 on account of a weakness in my
 right foot4  #h4 ,this little charity  
business was commenced in connexion with
 the church assembling at ,bethesda and 
,salem ,chapels1 ,bristol1 for the      
purpose of seeking to provide employment
 for the poor believers1 especially the 
poor sisters1 when they were without    
work4  #i4 ,the evening before my       
departure1 ,i had invited a number of   
believers to tea1 to spend some time    
together in prayer1 reading the ,holy   
,scriptures1 and in intercourse on      
spiritual subjects4  #aj4 ,these were   
the expenses in #ahej and #ahea2 but1 on

 account of the high price of almost    
everything now1 in #ahef1 the average   
expenses of one day are4 #abl4 or       
upwards1 for the support of the         
,orphans4  #aa4 ,preaching ,tours and   
,missionary ,labours of ,george ,mller  
7of ,bristol47 ,by ,mrs4 ,mulller4      
#ahhc4 ,london3 ,j4 ,nisbet and ,co41   
,berners ,street4 ,price #cs4 #f;d4 ,to 
be had also at the ,bible and ,tract    
,warehouse2 at the ,scriptural          
,knowledge ,institution for ,home and   
,abroad1 ,no4 #cd1 ,park ,street2 and   
through all book-sellers4  #ab4 ,this   
third volume is still in print4         
,published by ,w4 ,mack1 #ch1 ,park     
,street1 ,bristol4  #ac4 ,the ,funeral  
,sermon was afterwards preached and     
published1 and is still in print4