fessional gentleman in Bristol 50l.

Feb. 12. The New Orphan-House is now almost entirely finished. In six
weeks, with the help of God, all will be completed. On this account I
have been during the last fortnight much occupied in making the
necessary arrangements for fitting it up and furnishing it; but the
more. I have been occupied about this, the more I have seen how large a
sum the whole of the fittings and the furniture will require; and this
consideration has led me still more earnestly of late to entreat the
Lord, that He would be pleased to give me the means, which may yet be
needed for the completion of the whole. Under these circumstances a
brother in the Lord came to me this morning, and after a few minutes
conversation gave me Two Thousand Pounds, concerning which sum he kindly
gave me permission to use it for the fitting up and furnishing of the
New Orphan-House, or for any thing else needed in connexion with the
Orphans. I have placed the whole of this sum, at least for the present,
to the Building Fund. Now, dear reader, place yourself in my position.
Eleven hundred and ninety-five days it is since I began asking the Lord
for means for the building and fitting up of an Orphan-House. Day by day
have I, by His grace, since that time, continued to bring this matter
before Him. Without one moment's doubt, or misgiving, or wavering,
have I been enabled to trust in God for the means. From the beginning,
after I had once ascertained the will of God concerning this work, have
I been assured that He would bring it about; yea, as sure have I been
from the beginning that He would do so, as if I had already had all the
means in hand for it, or as if the house had been actually before me,
occupied by the children. But though to faith even three years ago the
whole work was accomplished, to sight there remained many and great
difficulties to be overcome. Even at the commencement of this day there
remained many difficulties, in the way of means, as well as in other
respects; therefore. I was on the point of giving myself again
especially to prayer, at the very moment when I was informed that the
donor of the above mentioned Two Thousand Pounds had called to see me.
Now I have the means, as far as I can see, which will enable me to meet
all the expenses; and in all probability I shall have even several
hundred pounds more than are needed. Thus the Lord shows that He can and
will not only give as much as is absolutely need