this first chapter
of the Epistle of James, did I praise God before hand, that He would
give me everything I should need in connexion with this intended Orphan
House. Now this evening, February 23, 1853, I am writing in that very
house, the New Orphan House, with its 300 Orphans, about which I was
then praying. Nearly four years it has been already inhabited by
Orphans. And I now say again, "Let patience have her perfect work," with
reference to the intended Orphan House for 700 more Orphans; but also,
at the same time, am I assured that the Lord will enable me to
accomplish this also.

March 14.--From Scotland 200l., of which the donor kindly wished me
to give 10l. to Mr. Craik, to take 10l. for my own personal expenses,
and to use the 180l. as most needed. I took, therefore, 100l. for the
Building Fund, and 80l. for the current expenses for the Orphans. This
donation has been a great refreshment to my spirit; for since Jan. 4th
only little, comparatively, has come in either for the Building Fund or
for the current expenses.

March 29. For nearly three months the Lord has been pleased to exercise
my patience by the comparatively small amount of means which has come
in. It was more an exercise of patience than of faith; for, during all
this time, we not only abounded, with regard to means for the current
expenses, through the large sums, which had come in at the beginning of
the year, but I had also even now considerable sums in hand, for the
current expenses of the various objects. Still, though not actually in
need of means, yet my spirit had been enabled to labour on in prayer for
means for the Building Fund in particular, and also for means for
current expenses, in order that it may become more and more manifest,
what a happy, easy, and successful way this is. Now, this evening, when
I came home, I found that 300l. had come in. This is a great refreshment
to my spirit.--As the amount is left to my disposal as may be most
needed, I have taken one half of it for the Building Fund, and the other
half for the current expenses for the Orphans. The other objects abound
at present with means, and even for the Orphans I have yet above 200l.
in hand.

April 20. Received from a most unexpected quarter 100l., which I took
half for the Building Fund, and half for the Orphans, as the other
objects were not in immediate need of means. This donation has much
refreshed my spirit.

May 14. Received 260l., of which I took 100l.