d. Thus we are supplied with the
absolute necessities for today." In reference to the last lines I
make a few remarks. At first sight it might appear as if it were a
failure of the principles on which we act, that now and then
individuals who are connected with the work have been obliged to sell
articles of their own to procure things which were needed. But let it
be remembered, that under no circumstances prayer for temporal
supplies can be expected to prevail with the Lord, except we are
willing to part with money or any needless articles which we may have
of our own. Indeed an Institution like the one under my care should
not be carried on by any rich believer, on the principles on which
we, by grace, are enabled to act, except it be that he were made
willing himself to give of his own property, as long as he has any
thing, whenever the Institution is in real need.

Nov. 18. Bristol. This morning at twelve I returned from Trowbridge,
where I had been very happy, and where the Lord evidently used me
this time. How happy a thing it is to go and to stay with the Lord!--I
found that yesterday some money had been put into the orphan-box at
my house, which my wife had reason to believe was at least 1l. She
therefore sent 1l. which had come in for the rent of the
Orphan-Houses, in consideration of this, as she had not the key to
the box. This 1l. met the necessities of yesterday, and with 1s.
additional, which one of the labourers gave, was also enough for the
dinner of today. There came in also yesterday from Clapham, as a
token that the Lord allows us only to be poor for the trial of our
faith, but not in anger, the following articles of clothing: 6
frocks, 7 pinafores, 4 chemises, 3 pocket handkerchiefs, 2
petticoats, 3 night caps, 4 work bags (all new) a yard of merino, and
12 silk papers. On my arrival at home I opened the box in my house,
in which I found 2l. 0s. 6d., so that I had 1l. 0s. 6d. to send off,
whereby the usual quantity of bread could be taken in.

Nov. 19. Since Sept. 18, 1838, this has been, perhaps, of all the
days the most trying. The poverty has been exceedingly great for the
last six days. There had come in no money since yesterday. On this
account no bread could be taken in, as far as the natural prospect
went. Nor was there any money at three in the afternoon to take in
milk for tea, when brother B. came to me. However, we prayed
together, and the Lord had mercy. For one of the labourers found t