The First Orphan House
O CT. 30, 1845. — For ten years I had no desire to build
an Orphan House. This morning I received from a gentleman living near the Orphan Houses a polite letter, stating that the neighbors were inconvenienced by the Orphan Houses in Wilson Street. He left to myself the judgment of the case.
Nov. 3. — Set apart some hours for prayerful consideration of the desirability of building an Orphan: House, and, after beseeching the Lord to guide me, wrote
the following:
REASONS FOR MOVING FROM WILSON STREET.
1. The neighbors feel inconvenienced by the children’s noise in play hours. I myself should feel it trying to live next door to the Orphan Houses. I ought to do to others as I wish to be done by.
2. The number of inmates sometimes prevents the drains from acting properly, and affects the water in the neighbors’ houses. With reference to these two reasons the words, “Let not your good be evil spoken of” (Rom. xiv, 16), and “Let your moderation,” yieldingness, “be known unto all men” (Phil. iv, 5), seem two important portions, of the Word to be acted out.
There appear other reasons for moving in connection with the work, which occurred to me before, but never so strongly as now.
1. We have no proper playgrounds in Wilson Street, The one playground is only large enough for the children of one house at a time. As there are four houses we can not arrange that all the children have the benefit of that playground, and to take them to the fields for exercise is often inconvenient.
2. We have no ground for cultivation near the Orphan Houses, and there is more walking for the ‘children to keep them in health, than is morally good for them; because frequent walks beget habits of idleness. Obtaining premises with land for cultivation would have a moral benefit, and give opportunity for training in habits of industry, giving the boys occupation more suitable than knitting, making beds, cleaning house, and cooking their meals. Occupation in the air to exercise their limbs.
would make walking for health needless.
3. We might have all the washing done at home, which now, for want of room, can be only done in part. Thus the girls would have more laborious work, a point of importance, that they may not feel so much the hardships of going out to service.
4. Wilson Street is scarcely bracing enough for the orphans, mostly offspring of diseased parents, therefore requiring invigoration.
5. The situation is not desirable for the teachers, as when their hours of work are over they have no garden nor fields for refreshment.
6. In sickness we are too confined. Having no spare room in the houses, thirty children make each house full. The.Lord has helped us through such seasons, with some inconvenience, and having more children in one room than is desirable.
7. When there is no sickness, it is desirable to have more room. There are no premises to be had in Bristol, where we could have these advantages, for 1 have been looking about for this purpose ten years. No ordinary large house, built for private families, will do for charitable institutions, as they do not have proper ventilation, a point so needful for the health of the inmates. Nothing remains but to build.
I laid the matter before eight fellow-laborers in the Church. All judged I ought to leave Wilson Street and build.
Nov. 4. — Wife and I began to pray, and purpose to do so every morning for clearer light, and for means.
Nov. 7. — Premises for three hundred children, from their earliest days up to sixteen years old, with a sufficiently large piece of ground for the building and for cultivation, would cost ten thousand pounds.
Nov. 15. — Brother R. C. arrived in Bristol. I communicated to him my position as to its being of God that I build. He encouraged me, and said, “You must ask God to show you the plan, that all may be according to His mind.”
Dec. 9. — Daily have I waited on God for means for this work, and not a single penny has been given. Am not discouraged, but assured that God, in His own time and way, will give the means. In meditation I was struck with these verses: “My brethren; count it all joy when ye fall into divers trials; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James i, 2-4.) It led me to ask the Lord to increase my faith and sustain my patience.
Dec. 10. — Received one thousand pounds towards building the Orphan House. The largest donation received; but I was as calm as if I had only received a shilling.
Dec. 13 — On the thirty-ninth day my sister-in-law, who had been absent in London, told me she met a gentleman who, having read with deep interest the narrative of the Lord’s dealings with me, wished to know particulars about the work. Being told that I purposed to build an Orphan House, he, an architect, offered to make the plan and superintend the building gratuitously. Unsolicited, he pressed this matter upon her with deep, lively interest. This offer coming unsolicited, from a Christian architect, shows the hand of God. This is the second -proof that God will help. i
Dec. 29. — The fifty-sixth day sincè I concluded to build. Of late I have seen, by God’s grace, more and more, how unworthy I am of being used by God for this glorious service.
Dec. 30. — In thë course of my reading came to Ezra. I was refreshed by applying the following points to building the Orphan House:.
1. Cyrus, a heathen king, was used by God to provide
means for building the Temple at Jerusalem. How easy +
for God to provide ten thousand pounds for the Orphan House, or thirty thousand if needed! i
2. The people were stirred up by God to help those who went up to Jerusalem. It is a small matter for Him to put it into the hearts of His children to help me. After family prayer in the morning I had my usual season for prayer about the building, with thanksgiving for fifty pounds received last evening, This evening received again one thousand pounds towards the building fund.
di
`
THE FIRST ORPHAN HOUSE. QI
Jan. 2, 1846. — Having asked the Lord to go before me, I went out to look for a piece of ground. The armory for.sale had been mentioned to me as suitable. I went to look at it. Convinced as to its unsuitableness, l asked the Lord if 1 should go towards the city or Stapleton. I felt led to go to the city, and saw some fields neaf the armory. I have written to the owner, asking if he is disposed to sell, I am quietly waiting the Lord’s pleasure, -
Jan. 8. — The owner of those fields writes that, if he did sell, it would be for burlding land, and they will be too dear.
Feb. 2 — Heard of suitable, cheap land on Ashley Down. E
Feb. 3. — Saw the land. It is most desirable. There was anonymously put into an orphan box at my house a sovereign, in a paper, on which.was written, “The New Orphan House.”
Feb. 4. — Called on the owner of the land on Ashley Down. Informed that I should find him at his house of business, but did not.
Feb. 5. — Saw the owner of the land. He told me that he awoke at three this morning and could not sleep. His mind was occupied about the land for the Orphan House, and he determined, if I should apply for it, he would not only let me have it, but for one hundred and twenty pounds per acre, instead of two hundred pounds. The agreement was made this morning, and I purchased a field of nearly seven acres at one hundred and twenty pounds per acre.
Observe the hand of God in my not finding the owner at home last evening! The Lord meant to speak to His servant first, during a sleepless night, and to lead him to decide before 1 had seen him.
Feb. 8. — Wrote, day before yesterday, to the atchiteck who offered his help.
Feb. 11. — Received this reply:
“My DEAR SIir, — It will afford me great gratification to lend you the’ helping hand in a labor of love. I shall esteem it a great privilege to exercise my abilities as architect and surveyor in the erection.of the building. I mean what I say, and, by the blessing of God, I will gratuitously furnish you plans, elevations, and sections with specifications of the work, so that the cost may ‘ be accurately estimated. I will also make you an estimate and superintend the works for you gratuitously.”
June 4. — Two hundred and twelve days since I þegan to pray about this work. The amount given for the building is over two thousand seven hundred pounds, — a small part of what will be needed, — but I am in perfect peace.
The house is to accommodate one hundred and forty orphan girls above seven years of age, eighty orphan boys above seven, and eighty male and female orphans from their earliest days till they are seven years old, with overseers and teachers.
Apr. 29. — To-day, my wife and myself had the joy of receiving a letter from our beloved daughter at Chippenham, in which she writes that she has found peace in Jesus. It was the will of God that my daughter should be brought up at school, and not at home. After she had been at school half a year, I asked for the account, when the Christian lady in whose establishment she was, expressed pleasure in educating her gratuitously.
I pressed the matter and obtained the account. It was paid, but the exact sum was returned anonymously. I found it to be from the lady at whose school my daughter was. From that time I could never obtain the account, though my child was six years longer at school. God had laid it on my heart to care about poor, destitute orphans. He, in return, took care that my own child should have a good education free, showing how ready He is to help and to supply my wants.
July 4. — For three months my faith and patience have been exceedingly tried about the field purchased for the Orphan House, as great difficulties arose about my possessing the land; but my heart has been kept in peace, being assured that, if the Lord were to take this piece of land, it would be for the purpose of giving me a better one; for our Heavenly Father never takes any earthly thing from His faithful children, except He means to give them something better. The difficulties were only allowed for the trial of my faith and patience, and were removed last evening.
July 6. — The reason why, for several months, there had come in so little for the building fund, appeared to me this, — we did not need the money at present; and when it was needed and my faith and patience had been sufficiently tried, the Lord would send more. Thus it has proved; to-day was given me two thousand pounds for the building fund and fifty for present necessities.
It is impossible to describe my joy when I received this donation. I was neither excited nor surprised; for I look for answers. Yet my heart was so full of joy that I could only sit before God, and admire Him, like David. (2 Sam. vii.) I cast myself down on my face, and burst forth in thanksgiving to God and fresh surrender for service.
Dec. 9. — It is four hundred days since I have been waiting upon God for help to build the Orphan House; but as yet He keeps me in the trial of faith and patience. How 1 shall be supplied with the means yet requisite, and when, I know not; but I have reason to praise God that I am not waiting in vain; for since this day twelvemonth, He has given over six thousand pounds for the building fund, and two thousand seven hundred pounds
for use for the work.
Jan. 25, 1847 — The season is approaching when building may be begun. Therefore, with increased’ earnestness, I give myself to prayer.
June 23. — The Lord, by a donation of one thousand pounds for the building fund, has encouraged my heart to trust Him for all I shall need to fit up and furnish the new Orphan House.
Apr. 29, 1848. — -The total amount received’ for the building fund is £11,062, 4s. 111d. Not until I had a sufficient amount of means to meet all the sums required for the various contractors, was a single thing done; but when I had what was required, I did not delay longer, though I saw clearly I should need a considerable sum to complete the work. In every respect the building will be plain and inexpensive, yet, to be the abode of three hundred orphans, with their teachers and overseers, it must be a large building, and, including fittings and furniture, can not be accomplished for less than fourteen thousand five ‘hundred pounds.
The sum still needed is for the fittings, heating apparatus, gas fittings, furnishing the house, making three large play-grounds, and a road, and for additional work not in the contracts. I did not think it needful to delay commencing the building, though several thousand pounds more would be required.
The building commenced July 5, 1847. Six hundred and seven days I sought the help of God day by day, and at last He gave me the desire of my heart.
Mar. 9, 1849. — The new Orphan House is now nearly ready. We have to get in large ‘supplies for the children’s clothes. Within the last few days I have ordered thousands of yards of material, and thousands more will need to be ordered, besides many other things.” For this large sums are needed. Received, to-day, a donation of chree hundred pounds, which, with the great increase vour expenses, in connection with the three hundred orphans, instead of one hundred and twenty, is like an earnest from God that he will supply us with means when the demands will be more than twice as great as they are now.
June 23. — Saturday evening. A week of great, many, and peculiar mercies. All the orphans, with their teachers and overseers, moved into the new Orphan House Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; so that there are now about one hundred and forty persons under one roof. I have more than five hundred pounds to begin housekeeping in the new Orphan House. How true that those that trust in the Lord shall not be confounded! After all the many seasons of great trial of faith in the thirteen years and two months the orphans were in Wilson Street, the Lord dismisses us from thence in comparative abundance. His name be praised.
Aug. 30. — Received a fifty-pound note with these words: “This will be the last large sum I shall be able to transmit to you. Almost all the rest 1s out at interest.”;
The writer sold, some time since, his only earthly possession, and sent me, at different times, sums of twenty to one hundred pounds. Contrary to this brother’s expectation, the fifty pounds was not the last large donation; for it pleased God soon after to intrust him with another considerable sum, which ‘he again used for the Lord. This is the Lord’s order, if we are indeed acting as stewards, and not as owners. He will make us stewards over more.
I can not help noticing the remarkable coincidence that, at the time of the cholera in 1849, the Lord was pleased to allow me the joy of receiving twenty-six children, from ten months old and upward, who lost their parents in the cholera at that time, and many since then, who were bereaved of their parents through this fearful malady.
The total amount for the building fund was nearly sixteen thousand pounds.
After all the expenses had been met for the purchase of the land, the conveyance of the same, the enrollment of the trust-deeds in chancery, the building, fitting up, and furnishing of the new Orphan House, there remained a balance of seven hundred pounds — a manifest proof that the Lord can not only supply us with all we
need, simply in answer to prayer, but can also give,
us more than we need.