oney behind.

I was absent from Bristol from July 1st to August 2nd. During this time
133l. 11s. 4 1/2 d. was received, and the sums came in so seasonably,
that there was not ally difficulty at all experienced with regard to
means, because there was always a sufficient amount of money in hand, to
furnish the house-keeping expenses each week in advance, besides meeting
all other current expenses. At the same time I might say that almost
every one of the donations came in most seasonably to help us on, if not
from day to day, at least from week to week; and if it were not on
account of its taking up too much space, I should mention every one of
the donations which form the total amount referred to, but I shall only
refer to the following.

July 13. The proceeds of an Orphan-box from Stafford 4l. 7s. 6d. The
friend who sent the money wished to know whether it arrived in a time of
need. I have had many similar requests, to which I can reply nothing, or
say at the most that the answer may be learnt from the next Report. It
will be easily perceived, on reflection, that if I said, it came
seasonably, that would imply we had little or nothing at all in hand,
and what would that again mean but this, "As our expenses are so great,
that which you have now sent will be soon gone again, and therefore send
us some more, or get some friend to help us." But by this very thing the
chief object of this work, "To show how blessed it is to deal with God
alone, and how blessed to trust in Him in the darkest moments," would be
hindered. It is also for this very reason that I do not publish the
accounts very frequently, for instance quarterly, as I have been
requested to do; but I am delighted to wait a year, or eighteen months,
or two years, or more; and even then I do not publish them for the sake
of obtaining money (though unquestionably God has used the Reports as
instruments to procure us means), but for the benefit of the Church of
God, to refresh, encourage, exhort, and instruct my brethren in Christ;
and also because it is needful that from time to time. I should give a
public account of the way in which the considerable sums, with which I
have been intrusted, have been spent.

Of the donations which came in between Aug. 2nd and 14th (in amount 51l.
16s. 3 1/2 d.), I only refer to the following.--Aug. 9th. A brother,
being some time ago, through a particular circumstance, in danger of
losing all his property, dedicated to the Lord 5