ed for the work, as if I had the money already in
actual possession; and I am as certain that this house of mercy will be
built, as if it were already standing before me.

Oct. 18. Today the Lord has much refreshed my heart by sending from B.
B. 5s., from a young sister 2s. 6d., and through an order on a Bristol
Bank 120l.

Oct. 19. While I was this morning in the very act of praising the Lord
for His goodness, in giving me yesterday the above mentioned donations,
and whilst I was again bringing my arguments before Him, why He would be
pleased soon to give me the whole sum which is requisite, I received an
order for 200l., which was doubly precious, because it was accompanied
by an affectionate and encouraging letter.

Oct. 29. This morning I had been again bringing the ease of the Building
before the Lord in prayer, entreating Him to hasten the matter, if it
might be, when, the very instant I rose from my knees, there was handed
to me a letter with an order for 300l.--About an hour after, I
received from a sister in the neighbourhood of Wotton-under-Edge 10s.
6d.--"From Saints in the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge" 1l. 5s.--
From a sister an old silver thimble.

Nov. 14. By sale of articles 12s.--This evening I received a small
morocco case, containing a gold chain, a pair of gold ear-rings, and a
gold brooch (being a set), with the following letter enclosed:

"Beloved Brother in Jesus,

The contents of the accompanying casket being in my unconverted days a
wedding gift from a very dear husband, has, as you may suppose, been
hither-to preserved as beyond price. But since God, in His great mercy
revealed to my soul His exceeding riches in Christ, and gave to it more
(Oh, how much more!) than He has taken away, they seemed as the
Babylonish garment or wedge of gold, which ought not to be in the
Israelites' possession. I therefore give up that which the flesh would
fain keep, and still prize; but which the spirit rejects, as unworthy a
follower of Jesus. Accept then, dear Brother, those toys, once the pride
of life, and the food of folly; and use them for the building of the
Orphan-House, in which I feel it a privilege to lay one stone; and may
the Lord recompense you a hundred fold, yea, a thousand fold, in this
your great labour of love, is the prayer of yours affectionately in the
best of bonds.

----November 1846. A Sister and a Widow."

The gift was precious to me as a proof of the continued readiness of my
H