trial for yourself, to prove the power of prayer, if you have never done
so before.

Dec. 31. This is the last day of another year. Two years and a half I
have new been day by day seeking the Lord's help in player for this
object. He has also been pleased to give us many proofs, that He is
remembering our requests, still as yet I have only 13,670l. 11s. 7 3/4 d.
in hand. Considerably more than double this sum will be needed. But, by
the grace of God, I am not discouraged. The Lord is able and willing to
help us. This is my comfort. In His own time the Almighty God will
manifest His power. In the meantime I desire to continue to wait upon
Him, and to receive every fresh donation, however small, as an earnest,
that in His own time He not only will give larger sums, but the whole
amount needed for this object.

Jan. 17, 1854. This day I received the promise, that there should be
paid to me, for the work of the Lord in my hands, 5,207l., to be
disposed of as I might consider best.

This large donation was shortly after paid to me, and was portioned out
thus: For the Building Fund 3000l.; for the support of the 300 Orphans
707l.; for foreign missions 500l.; for labourers in the Word in England,
Ireland and Scotland 500l.; for the gratuitous circulation of the Holy
Scriptures among the poor 200l.; for the gratuitous circulation of
Gospel Tracts 200l.; and for the various schools, supported or assisted
by the Funds of the Scriptural Knowledge Institution, 100l.

Behold, esteemed reader, the goodness of God! Behold also the
recompense, which sooner or hater, the Lord gives to His children, who
wait upon Him and trust in Him Often it may appear that we wait upon the
Lord in vain; but, in His own time God will abundantly prove, that it
was not in vain. Go on therefore, Christian reader, to wait upon the
Lord. Continue to make known your requests to Him; but do also expect
help from Him. You honour God, by believing that He does hear your
prayers, and that He will answer them.

The joy which such answers to prayer give, cannot be described; and the
impetus which they thus afford to the spiritual life is exceedingly
great. The experience of this happiness I desire for all my Christian
readers. Nor is there anything to hinder any believer from having these
joys. If you believe indeed in the Lord Jesus for the salvation of your
soul, if you walk uprightly and do not regard iniquity in your heart, if
you continue to wait patientl