James Burrell, 1826-1919
This is one of the stories in James's journal, written for his granddaughter Beatrice Burrell.
When I was a boy about ten years of age, I was employed at a gentlemans house to clean knives & forks, boots & shoes, run of errands etc etc
One day, I was sent to the grocers, And playing with a dog outside the shop my hand went through the window. The grocer came out, and said "I must pay for it, It would be 2/6. But" he would pay half, as he knew me.
My home, not being far off, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, to tell Mother! She said "you know, your Father is home ill. He can't pay for it, you will have to go to prison".
Then, I returned to my place, greatly troubled, & full of fear. I was not blaimed for being so long, but was sent out again to the Butchers (which was in the main road, but I must needs go out of my way - A most unfrequented path, nay, there was no path, none but boys would ramble this way. It was by the side of a Brook, with my head bowed down thinking of my sad mishap, And I should have to go to Prison, if the window was not paid for.
When lo and Behold! At my feet lay two shillings I picked them up, And ran home (faster than before) saying "Mother, I've got the money. I've found two shillings"
She said "where did you get it from, Tell the truth." "Down by the brook, Mother, I can shew you the very spot". She naturally supposed I had got it dishonistly, Has I had brought it so quickly, But, I protested my Inocence. And after questioning and cross-questioning, she said "Well, go and pay for the Window" which I did cheerfully I paid the money, one & three pence. Which the shopkeeper put on the shelf. And I had 9 pence for myself. When I went into the shop again, to my surprise and gratification, he took the money off the shelf - and said - "here my boy, I return you the money, you paid for the Window. For your honesty in bringing it so soon." Now I felt rich indeed. 2/- all for myself.
I now had something else, to run and tell my Mother. And she laid out the money in buying something for me. Well some might say "you were lucky" Well whatever my thoughts, might have been then through Sovereign Grace! I have been taught since. That nothing comes by chance. "All must come, and last, and end, as shall please our Heavenly Friend" "Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Heavenly Father's pleasure" "And the very hairs of our head are all numbered" And luck, chance & fortune are the trinity of fools. And he who watches God's providence will not want a providence to watch over.
But this event occured more than 70 years ago. Yet it is worth recording and having found a scrap of paper in the subject, and the place, and circumstance, all came vivid to my memory. So having touched upon God's Providence which I have witnessed in myself & family, I might write much. But I only will add that a few years after, the shopkeeper referred to became my employer. And I served behind the counter and went for orders etc.
At that time it was a country village, where the Nightingale could be heard & now the Brook's covered over by large shops built, in fact Tottenham is now joined to London.
Bristol June 10, 1908
This is one of the stories in James's journal, written for his granddaughter Beatrice Burrell.
When I was a boy about ten years of age, I was employed at a gentlemans house to clean knives & forks, boots & shoes, run of errands etc etc
One day, I was sent to the grocers, And playing with a dog outside the shop my hand went through the window. The grocer came out, and said "I must pay for it, It would be 2/6. But" he would pay half, as he knew me.
My home, not being far off, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, to tell Mother! She said "you know, your Father is home ill. He can't pay for it, you will have to go to prison".
Then, I returned to my place, greatly troubled, & full of fear. I was not blaimed for being so long, but was sent out again to the Butchers (which was in the main road, but I must needs go out of my way - A most unfrequented path, nay, there was no path, none but boys would ramble this way. It was by the side of a Brook, with my head bowed down thinking of my sad mishap, And I should have to go to Prison, if the window was not paid for.
When lo and Behold! At my feet lay two shillings I picked them up, And ran home (faster than before) saying "Mother, I've got the money. I've found two shillings"
She said "where did you get it from, Tell the truth." "Down by the brook, Mother, I can shew you the very spot". She naturally supposed I had got it dishonistly, Has I had brought it so quickly, But, I protested my Inocence. And after questioning and cross-questioning, she said "Well, go and pay for the Window" which I did cheerfully I paid the money, one & three pence. Which the shopkeeper put on the shelf. And I had 9 pence for myself. When I went into the shop again, to my surprise and gratification, he took the money off the shelf - and said - "here my boy, I return you the money, you paid for the Window. For your honesty in bringing it so soon." Now I felt rich indeed. 2/- all for myself.
I now had something else, to run and tell my Mother. And she laid out the money in buying something for me. Well some might say "you were lucky" Well whatever my thoughts, might have been then through Sovereign Grace! I have been taught since. That nothing comes by chance. "All must come, and last, and end, as shall please our Heavenly Friend" "Not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Heavenly Father's pleasure" "And the very hairs of our head are all numbered" And luck, chance & fortune are the trinity of fools. And he who watches God's providence will not want a providence to watch over.
But this event occured more than 70 years ago. Yet it is worth recording and having found a scrap of paper in the subject, and the place, and circumstance, all came vivid to my memory. So having touched upon God's Providence which I have witnessed in myself & family, I might write much. But I only will add that a few years after, the shopkeeper referred to became my employer. And I served behind the counter and went for orders etc.
At that time it was a country village, where the Nightingale could be heard & now the Brook's covered over by large shops built, in fact Tottenham is now joined to London.
Bristol June 10, 1908
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