uld find that he cannot get on, and that the blessing of God
manifestly is wanting. In such a case as this, if it can be done, the
retracing our steps is the best thing we can do; but often this cannot
be done, as others are involved in the matter, and then we have to make
acknowledgment of our sin, and seek God's merciful help to bring us into
a right position.

10. But suppose all these nine previous points were attended to, and we
neglected _to seek God's blessing upon our calling_, we need still not
be surprised if we met with difficulty upon difficulty, and could not
get on at all. It is not enough that we seek God's help for that which
manifestly is of a spiritual character; but we should seek his help and
blessing by prayer and supplication for all our ordinary concerns in
life, and if we neglect doing so we shall surely suffer for the neglect.
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths." Prov. iii. 5, 6.

Though these few remarks are written by one who never was in business
himself, yet the truths therein set forth have been learned by him in
the school of God, and he has had them abundantly confirmed through his
pastoral labors during the last fifteen years and a half. [This was
written in 1845.]

CHAPTER XVII.

REAPING BOUNTIFULLY.

1845-1846.

AN UNEXPECTED REQUEST--DELIBERATION--A GREAT
UNDERTAKING--RELIANCE ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LIVING GOD--AN
ANSWER EXPECTED AND RECEIVED--PRAYER FOR FAITH AND
PATIENCE--FURTHER PROOFS OF DIVINE FAVOR--THE BLESSEDNESS OF
DEVISING LIBERAL THINGS.

I began the service of caring for children who are bereaved of _both_
parents, by death, born in wedlock, and are in destitute circumstances,
on Dec. 9, 1835. For nearly ten years I had never had any desire to
_build_ an Orphan House. On the contrary, I decidedly preferred spending
the means which might come in for present necessities, and desired
rather to enlarge the work according to the means which the Lord might
be pleased to give. Thus it was till the end of October, 1845, when I
was led to consider this matter in a way in which I had never done
before.[18] The occasion of my doing so was this: On Oct. 30, 1845, I
received from a gentleman, who lived in the street where the four Orphan
Houses were, a polite and friendly letter, in which he courteously
stated to me that the inhabitants