y provision for this time, though at
no period of my life had I more abundant means of doing so than
during the last few months; but our gracious Father helped us
abundantly in this and in other instances, as I shall mention below.]

June 22. Today there was sent to us anonymously, by post, 5l. for our
own personal expenses, at this the time of our affliction, when our
expenses are so great. The donor accompanied the 5l. note with an
affectionate letter to my wife and myself.

July 6. My dear wife, who for more than a fortnight after her
delivery was so ill, that the two medical attendants came twice or
three times daily, seems now, humanly speaking, likely to recover,
and to be given back to me as from the dead. Lord, help me so to
receive her!

July 12. From the commencement of the establishment of the
Orphan-houses, up to the end of June 1838, the hand of the Lord was
seen in the abundance with which He was pleased to supply me with the
means for maintaining nearly 100 persons. Now, however, the time is
come when "the Father of the fatherless" will show His especial care
over them in another way.--The funds, which were this day twelvemonth
about 780l., are now reduced to about 20l.; but, thanks be to the
Lord, my faith is as strong, or stronger, than it was when we had the
larger sum in hand; nor has He at any time, from the commencement of
the work, allowed me to distrust Him. Nevertheless, as our Lord will
be inquired of, and as real faith is manifested as such by leading to
prayer, I gave myself to prayer with brother T---- of the Boy's
Orphan-House, who had called on me, and who, besides my wife, and
brother Craik, is the only individual to whom I speak about the state
of the funds. While we were praying, an orphan child from Frome was
brought, and some believers at Frome, having collected among them
5l., sent this money with the child. Thus we received the first
answer at a time of need. We have given notice for seven children to
come in, and purpose to give notice for five more, though our funds
are so low, hoping that God will look on our necessities. [Observe
how gently the Lord dealt with us, in that, when want approached, He
helped at once, in immediate answer to prayer, in order thus to
increase our confidence in Him; but, at the same time, to prepare us
for sharper trials of our faith.]

June 17 and 18. These two days we have had two especial prayer
meetings, from 6 to 9 in the evening, to commend pu