pray and sing together, and any brother has an opportunity to speak what
may tend to the edification of the rest.

May 28. This morning, whilst sitting in my room, the distress of several
brethren and sisters was brought to my mind, and I said to myself, "Oh
that it might please the Lord to give me means to help them!" About an
hour afterwards I received L60. from a brother, whom up to this day I
never saw, and who then lived, as he does still, at a distance of several
thousand miles. This shows how the Lord can provide in any way for His
people, and that He is not confined to places. Oh that my heart might
overflow with gratitude to the Lord! [Since the first edition was printed,
I have become personally acquainted with the donor.]

May 29. Review of the last twelve months, since we have been in Bristol,
as it regards the fruits of our labours. 1. It has pleased the Lord to
gather a church, through our instrumentality, at Bethesda, which is
increased to 60 in number, and there have been added to Gideon church 49;
therefore the total number of those added to us within the year, has been
109. 2. There have been converted through our instrumentality, so far as
we have heard and can judge respecting the individuals, 65. 3. Many
backsliders have been reclaimed, and many of the children of God have been
encouraged and strengthened in the way of truth. What clear proofs that we
were not suffered to be mistaken, as it regards our coming to Bristol.

June 12. I felt, this morning, that we might do something for the souls
of those poor boys and girls, and grown-up or aged people, to whom we have
daily given bread for some time past, in establishing a school for them,
reading the Scriptures to them, and speaking to them about the Lord. As
far as I see at present, it appears well to me to take a place in the
midst of those poor streets near us, to collect the children in the
morning about eight, giving them each a piece of bread for breakfast, and
then to teach them to read, or to read the Scriptures to them, for about
an hour and a half. Afterwards the aged, or grown-up people, may have
their appointed time, when bread may be given to them, and the Scriptures
read and expounded to them, for, perhaps, half an hour. About similar
things I have now and then thought these two years.--There was bread given
to about 30 or 40 persons today; and though the number should increase, in
the above way, to 200 or more, surely our gracious an