But if ever this design be brought to perfection, it is God only that must chuse the persons, and bring us together, as it is he only that _maketh men to be of one mind in an house_. And whosoever comes to us, must desire to be conformed to their crucified head. We can promise them only _poverty_, _labour_ and _sorrow_, the inward and outward cross. But when they embrace this with their whole hearts, they assuredly experience, that in poverty is riches, in labour ease, and in sorrow constant rejoicing. All this is in the hand of my God, as also another thought I had, concerning aged widows. But so exceeding great is his faithfulness, that I know not how to despair of any thing. A few of the many instances hereof, which we have received, you must give me leave to mention. I have been always led, since I had any work of God upon my soul, to walk by faith in outward things as well as inward. Hence I have frequently, when an object of distress presented, gone beyond my income, believing God would make it up in the time of need. In this confidence, I received four or five more children, though I had nothing in hand, and more bedding and cloaths were to be bought immediately. For this we wanted two guineas directly. Some friends sending us word, they would call on such a day; my friend prayed, that God would put it into their hearts to help us. They came, and one of them put two guineas into my hand. We praised the Lord, and received it as a token for good. Soon after we were advised to put up a poor box. I found great reluctance to it, which convinced me, it requires less grace in some cases, to _give_ than to _receive_. However, laying it before the Lord in prayer, I saw it was his will, and consented. So on Tuesday, February 1, it was put up in the passage-room, with this inscription, “For the maintenance of a few poor orphans, that they may be brought up in the fear of the Lord.” A few days after we took out 2s. 7d. but no more for a great while. During this time we were much straitened, not having the nursery furnished, nor the necessaries for the children. It was now strongly suggested, “You see you have done wrong, and God will not help you any more.” But having recourse to prayer, our faith was strengthened. Soon after, the following thought was much imprest on my mind. If Christ was now upon earth, and in want of food and raiment, should I be afraid to give him mine, lest I should want it myself? Should I not rather say, “Let all I have be offered, for the necessities of my Lord. He is well able to repay it, and if he is not, then let us want together.” I saw the case with the children was the same, and that _what was done to one of these, was done to him_. A light broke in upon my mind which quite satisfied me, and constrained me to say, “Lord, thy word is enough, thou hast said, _Love one another as I have loved_ you: let their wants be mine, my substance theirs.”