now come that I should serve Him still more extensively
in this way. The more I pondered the matter, the more it appeared to
me that this was the hand of God moving me onwards in this service.
The following remarkable combination of circumstances struck me in
particular. 1, There are more applications made for the admission of
Orphans, especially of late, than we are at all able to meet, though
we fill the houses as much as the health of the children and of the
labourers will possibly admit. 2, If I did take another house for
Orphans, it would be most desirable it should be in the same street
where the other three are, as thus the labour is less, and in times
of great need we are near together for prayer, the distribution of
the money, &c. But since the third Orphan-House was opened in Nov.
1837, there never has been one of the larger houses in the street to
be let. 3, There are about fifteen children in the Infant-Orphan-House,
whom it would have been well some time ago to have removed
to the house for the older girls, had there been room;
but when a vacancy happened to occur in that house, there were
generally several waiting to fill it up, so that unintentionally the
female children in the Infant-Orphan-House remained where they were;
but this is not well, nor is it according to my original intention
for the Infants were intended only to be left till they are seven
years old, and then to be removed to the houses for older boys and
girls. This my original plan could be executed better for the future,
and at once for the present, were I to open another Orphan-House. 4,
I know two sisters who seem suitable labourers for this fourth
Orphan-House, and who have a desire thus to be engaged. 5, There are
300l. remaining of the 500l. which I so lately received. This money
may be used for the furnishing and fitting up of a new Orphan-House.
So much money I have never had in hand at one time during the last
five years. This seemed to me a remarkable thing, in connexion with
the four other reasons. 6, The establishing of a fourth Orphan-House,
which would increase our expenses several hundred pounds a year,
would be, after we have gone for five years almost uninterruptedly
through trials of faith, a plain proof that I have not regretted this
service, and that I am not tired of this precious way of depending
upon the Lord from day to day; and thus the faith of other children
of God might be strengthened.--But most important, yea