pleased to do hitherto, I only consider to be
for the exercise of my faith and patience. Were the Lord displeased with
my intention, He would not have dealt with me as He has, and would not
have encouraged me to continue to wait upon Him, by the many donations
which were expressly given for this object, and some from most
unexpected quarters. This exercise of my faith and patience, however, I
believe to be intended not merely for my own individual profit; but
through me, also for the benefit of others. By God's gracious help and
support I will, therefore, continue to wait patiently, till He shall be
pleased more abundantly to send in the means, which I do not in the
least doubt life will do.

3. Even when intending to build the New Orphan-House on Ashley Down,
Bristol, (which was then an undertaking to me greater far than the
second Orphan House now contemplated), I had to wait two years and three
months, before I had all the means needed; and great, and many, and
varied indeed were the trials of my patience and faith, before that work
was accomplished; yet, at last, the Lord so abundantly helped me, and so
altogether carried me through all the difficulties, that the house was
built, fitted up, furnished, and inhabited, and several hundred pounds
remained over and above what was required. And now three years have
already elapsed since the house has been inhabited, and the three
hundred Orphans in it have no cause to speak of want, but only of
abundance. But as the work increases more and more, 1 am not surprised
that my trials of faith and patience should become sharper and sharper,
and should last longer and longer; but yet, by His help, will I hope in
God, whom I shall have to praise further still, and who will help me
further still, on the ground of the worthiness and merits of His holy
child Jesus, though I am most unworthy in myself to be helped.

4. One of the things, which especially encourages me to continue to wait
upon God, and to labour on in prayer Concerning this object, is the
great number of applications which continue to be made for the admission
of children who have been lawfully begotten, but who are by death
bereaved of both parents, and who are in very destitute circumstances.
There were 170 such children waiting for admission a year ago; since
then there have been 183 more applied for, making in all 353. Of these,
as during the last year but few vacancies have occurred, I have only
been able to re