this year also, and that, even for this life, it is by
far the best thing to seek to act according to the mind of the Lord,
as to temporal things.

January 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1830. We have had three especial church
prayer meetings these three days. The year commenced with mercies. In
the first hour of the year there came in for the Orphans 2l. 7s.,
which was given after our usual prayer meeting on December 31, which
this time lasted from seven in the evening till after midnight.

Jan. 11. Since December 20, came in several donations for the
Orphans, so that we were supplied, before that which we had in hand
was quite gone. On the seventh, however, all our money was again
expended, when a brother, from the neighbourhood of London, who, is
staying here, gave me 10l. Today, when this 10l. was given out, I
received from London 3l. 7s., and 4s. besides. Thus the Lord, as our
need is, sends help, and all in answer to prayer, without our asking
any one.

Jan. 17. Since the 11th 22 small donations have again come in, by
which we have been helped thus far. This afternoon all which was in
hand was given for housekeeping, and I was again penniless. The Lord,
however, was mindful of this, and in the evening two sovereigns were
left anonymously at my house. In the paper was written: "The enclosed
are for the use of the Orphan-Houses, from J. H., who thinks he ought
to do something for the Institution." J. H. will have in this a proof
that the Lord touched his heart to give the money, because there was
not a penny in hand for those who are the especial care of Him who is
the "Father of the fatherless."

Jan. 20. Ten small donations have come in since the 17th, which have
enabled us to provide what was needed for the last three days, and
also for today.--For some time past it has appeared to me that the
words "Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye
may do them good," which the Lord spoke to His disciples, who were
themselves very poor, imply that the children of God, as such, have
power with God to bring temporal blessings upon poor saints or poor
unbelievers, through the instrumentality of prayer. Accordingly I
have been led to ask the Lord for means to assist poor saints; and at
different times He has stirred up His children to intrust me with
sums both large and small, for that especial object; or has, by some
means or other, put money at my disposal, which I might so use. In
like manner I had been asking