prayer.
There had come in only 1s., which was left last evening anonymously,
at the Infant Orphan-House, and which, except 2d., had already been
spent, on account of the great need. I heard also that an individual
had gratuitously cleaned the time-piece in the Infant Orphan-House,
and had offered to keep the timepieces of the three houses in repair.
Thus the Lord gave even in this a little encouragement, and a proof
that He is still mindful of us. On inquiry I found that there was
every thing needful for the dinner in all the three houses; but
neither in the Infant nor Boys' Orphan-Houses was there bread enough
for tea, nor money to buy milk. Lower we had never been, and,
perhaps, never so low. We gave ourselves now unitedly to prayer,
laying the case in simplicity before the Lord. Whilst in prayer there
was a knock at the door, and one of the sisters went out. After the
two brethren, who labour in the Orphan-Houses, and I had prayed
aloud, we continued for a while silently in prayer. As to myself, I
was lifting up my heart to the Lord to make a way for our escape, and
in order to know, if there were any other thing which I could do with
a good conscience, besides waiting on Him, so that we might have food
for the children. At last we rose from our knees. I said, "God will
surely send help." The words had not quite passed over my lips, when
I perceived a letter lying on the table, which had been brought
whilst we were in prayer. It was from my wife, containing another
letter from a brother with 10l. for the Orphans. The evening before
last I was asked by a brother whether the balance in hand for the
Orphans would be as great this time, when the accounts would be made
up, as the last time. My answer was, that it would be as great as the
Lord pleased. The next morning this brother was moved to remember the
Orphans, and to send today 10l., which arrived after I had left my
house, and which on account of our need was forwarded immediately to
me. Thus I was enabled to give 6l. 10s. for housekeeping, and to put
by 3l. 10s. for rent.

The brother who sent the 10l. for the Orphans, sent likewise 10l. to
be divided between brother Craik and me, with the object of
purchasing new clothes for ourselves.

Nov. 29. The Lord has greatly blessed our meetings for prayer. They
have been instrumental in leading us to much prayer for the children
in the Orphan-Houses, in the Day-Schools, and in the Sunday-School.
They have led us to pr