d to the matron of the Boys'-Orphan-House: "Of course, you
cannot carry on these institutions without a good stock of funds."
The gentleman, turning to the matron, said, "Have you a good stock?"
She replied: "Our funds are deposited in a bank which cannot break."
The tears came into the eyes of the inquiring lady. The gentleman, on
leaving, gave to the master of the boys 5l., which came in when I had
not a penny in hand.

Feb. 16. Yesterday came in 17s. 6d. for the Orphans, which, with what
was taken out of the boxes today, helped us through; and thus we have
been brought to the close of one more week.

March 5. Up to this day, since Feb. 16, the supplies for the Orphans
have come in so seasonably, that we were able comfortably to meet all
the demands. Today, however, I knew that there would be again several
pounds required, as, besides the daily provisions, there were coals
needed, the treacle-casks in two houses were empty, and there was but
5s. in hand. I gave myself therefore to prayer this morning. WHILST I
WAS IN PRAYER, Q. Q. sent a cheque for 7l. 10s. Thus the Lord has
again most seasonably helped us out of our difficulty. There came in
still further this day, 1l. 19s. 2d., by the sale of some articles,
which had been given for the benefit of the Orphans.

March 6. For some time past the minds of several brethren among us,
as well as that of brother Craik and my own, had been much exercised
respecting certain questions connected with points of church order
and discipline, on account of which brother Craik and I were absent
from Bristol during the last two weeks, to give ourselves to prayer
and consideration respecting those points. Since our return we have
had, these last three evenings, meetings with the saints, before whom
we stated the result to which we had been led, after prayer and
examination of the Scriptures. The following is an abstract of what
was stated at those meetings, which I give here, as this matter forms
an important period in my experience about church matters; but the
abstract will be of little use, except the reader consider carefully
the passages to which reference is made.

I.--QUESTIONS RESPECTING THE ELDERSHIP.

(1) How does it appear to be the mind of God, that, in every Church,
there should be recognized Elders?

Ans. From the following passages compared together, Matth. xxiv. 45,
Luke xii. 42. From these passages we learn that some are set by the
Lord Himself in the of