on secretly just when he was ready to
be apprenticed, and went to his relatives. [In going over this account,
for time sake of preparing it for the press, I cannot help making a few
remarks on this case, for the sake of teachers, guardians, and parents,
who are greatly afflicted by the bad behaviour of children or young
persons. The boy referred to just now gave us for years much sorrow. All
means, to bring him into a different state, seemed entirely lost. At
last he was going to be apprenticed. His clothes and outfit for leaving
the House were already prepared, when he secretly left and at last
reached on foot the dwelling-place of an elder sister, in the North of
Devon, who is married to a master of a small vessel, a pious man. His
sister and brother-in-law were greatly afflicted by his bad behaviour
towards his friends in Bristol. There remained, however, now nothing to
be done, but that the lad should go with his brother-in-law to sea.
After he had been some time at sea, one night there was a terrific
storm, so that all hope of the vessel or crew being saved was gone. This
poor lad now remembered the instruction which he had received in the
Orphan-House in Bristol, and earnestly prayed to God for mercy, and
turned to Him. From that time, as the brother-in-law himself told me,
this youth was a truly changed character, and proved by his godly
deportment for several months afterwards, that he had the grace of God
in him; for he continued walking in the fear of God, till about 6 months
afterwards, when he was drowned by falling overboard. May this encourage
all who labour among the young, patiently to go on in their service.
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Ps. 126, 5.] 3. Six children
were taken back by their relatives, who by that time were able to
provide for them. 4. Six boys were apprenticed at the expense of the
Institution, and five other boys, ready to be apprenticed, were sent to
their relatives to be apprenticed. 5. Two girls were apprenticed, and
eight sent out to service, and one girl was sent to her relatives to
serve them.

There were on May 28, 1846, One hundred and twenty-one Orphans in the
Four Houses. Besides this, six apprentices were still supported by the
Funds of the Institution, so that the total number was 127. The number
of the Orphans who were under our care from April 1836, to May 26, 1846,
amounts to 213.

I notice further the following points in connexion with the
Orphan-Houses.