2. In this (commonly called, _The Poor House_) we have now _nine_ widows, _one_ blind-woman, _two_ poor children, _two_ upper servants, a maid and a man. I might add _four_ or _five_ preachers. For I myself, as well as the other preachers who are in town, diet with the poor, on the same food, and at the same table. And we rejoice herein as a comfortable earnest, of our eating bread together in our father’s kingdom. 3. I have blessed God for this house, ever since it began: but lately much more than ever. I honour these widows; for they _are widows indeed_. So that it is not in vain, that without any design of so doing, we have copied after another of the institutions of the apostolic age. I can now say to all the world, “Come, and see, how these Christians love one another!”¹ ¹ This has been since dropt for want of support. XIV. 1. Another thing, which had given me frequent concern, was the case of abundance of children. Some their parents could not afford to put to school. So they remained like _a wild ass’s colt_. Others were sent to school, and learned, at least, to read and write: but they learned all kind of vice at the same time: so that it had been better for them to have been without their knowledge, than to have bought it at so dear a price. 2. At length I determined, to have them taught in my own house; that they might have an opportunity of learning to read, write, and cast accompts (if no more) without being under almost a necessity of learning heathenism, at the same time. And after several unsuccessful trials, I found two such school-masters as I wanted: men of honesty, and of sufficient knowledge; who had talents for, and their hearts in the work. 3. They have now under their care, near sixty children: the parents of some pay for their schooling, but the greater part, being very poor, do not; so that the expence is chiefly defrayed by voluntary contributions. We have of late cloathed them too, as many as wanted. The rules of the school are these that follow: First, No child is admitted under six years of age: Secondly, All the children are to be present at the morning sermon: Thirdly, They are at school from six to twelve, and from one to five:¹ ¹ Now they begin later. Fourthly, They have no play-days: Fifthly, No child is to speak in school, but to the masters: Sixthly, The child who misses two days in one week, without leave, is excluded the school. 4. We ♦appointed two stewards for the school also. The business of these is, ♦ “appoint” replaced with “appointed” per Errata To receive the school subscriptions, and expend what is needful; To talk with each of the masters weekly; To pray with, and exhort the children twice a week: To enquire diligently, whether they grow in grace and in learning, and whether the rules are punctually observed: Every _Tuesday_ morning, in conjunction with the masters, to exclude those children that do not observe the ♦rules: