Report that we were looking for fruit
upon our labors as it regards the conversion of the children, as the
Lord had given to us a measure of earnestness in praying for them. The
Lord has dealt with us according to our expectations. But I expect far
more than what we have seen. While the chief object of our work has been
and is still the manifestation of the heart of God towards his children,
and the reality of power with God in prayer, yet, as we hoped, and as
it has been our prayer, the Lord gives to us also the joy of seeing one
child after another brought to stand openly on the Lord's side. As far
as my experience goes, it appears to me that believers generally have
expected far too little of _present_ fruit upon their labors among
children. There has been a hoping that the Lord some day or other would
own the instruction which they give to children, and would answer at
some time or other, though after many years only, the prayers which they
offer up on their behalf. Now, while such passages as Proverbs xxii. 6,
Ecclesiastes xi. 1, Galatians vi. 9, 1 Cor. xv. 58, give unto us
assurance not merely respecting everything which we do for the Lord, in
general, but also respecting bringing up children in the fear of the
Lord, in particular, that our labor is not in vain in the Lord; yet we
have to guard against abusing such passages, by thinking it a matter of
little moment whether we see _present_ fruit or not; but, on the
contrary, we should give the Lord no rest till we see present fruit, and
therefore in persevering yet submissive prayer we should make known our
requests unto God. I add, as an encouragement to believers who labor
among children, that during the last two years seventeen other young
persons or children, from the age of eleven and a half to seventeen,
have been received into fellowship among us, and that I am looking out
now for many more to be converted, and that not merely of the orphans,
but of the Sunday and day school children. As in so many respects we
live in remarkable times, so in this respect also, that the Lord is
working greatly among the children in many places.

The total of the expenses connected with the objects of the Institution,
exclusive of the Orphan Houses, from November 19, 1839, to November 19,
1840, is L622, 2s. 61/2d. The balance in hand on Nov. 19, 1840, was
L13, 2s. 93/4d.

The total of the expenses connected with the three Orphan Houses, from
December 9, 1839, to December 9,