The Life And Ministry Of James Boorne

Earthen Vessel 1894:

The Late Mr. James Boorne

In our last issue (see below) we referred to the translation from the Church below to the Church above of Mr. James Boorne, pastor of Devonshire-road Chapel, Greenwich, the subject of this months portrait and sketch whose funeral obsequies it was our mournful duty, yet sacred pleasure, to unite in, in November last. We now proceed to record somewhat of the Lord’s gracious dealings with him, for which we are indebted to the respected editor of the Sower, and by his kind permission cull the following from its pages:—

James Boorne was born October, 1833; he was favoured with praying parents, who wisely counseled him, but the Lord only could give him grace, and He did begin to work in his heart when only six years of age. His brother Thomas taught him a prayer, which he used to repeat, and felt quite a little Pharisee for his supposed goodness. The death of his brother, who died in the Lord, helped to still further deepen the convictions in his soul. These feelings led him to seek for mercy, and to look out for any evidence that might give him a gleam of hope; which was soon given, for he went one day to London to hear the late Mr. Shorter, and a hymn was given out, which was applied with power, and seemed the language of his soul—

“Dear Lord, may I a mourner be

Over my sins and after Thee;

And when my mourning days are o’er,

Enjoy Thy comforts evermore.”

Mr. Boorne profited much under Mr. Shorter’s ministry, and noted particularly tow of his remarks which were helpful to him. “Some people,” said Mr. Shorter, “Are troubled about a law work in the soul. The Word says, “Ho, every one that thirtieth, come ye to the waters.” If you are thirsty, you have had a law work, and you are welcome to Jesus Christ.” Again the good man observed, “Some are troubled to know if they have had the blood of Jesus applied to their conscience. Do you feel that you can stake your all upon Christ, and are our affections entwined about Him? If so, you have had His blood applied.”

Prayer, reading the Word, and attending the preached Gospel, were now his delight. And one day a minister seemed particularly to describe his feelings, and then he asked his hearers, pointedly, which they would choose, “To suffer affliction with the people of God, or to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season?” And our friend felt that affliction with the people of God was truly his choice. The next day after this sermon the words were applied with power, “They Lord liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of my salvation.” (Ps 18:46)

After this he felt gradually to sink into a slothful state of soul; but he went one day to hear the late Mr. Covell, at Croydon, who spoke from the word, “Having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart,” &c. (Heb 10:21,22). Mr. Covell powerfully spoke of the things that might prevent a child of God drawing nigh with a true heart. The word came home to our friend with a “Thou ar the man”; and wrought such repentance and prayer in his soul, that he was in the end enabled to draw nigh unto the Lord with a true heart, and the Priesthood of Jesus ever after became very precious to his soul. Some time after this he hear Mr. Frederick Marshall, from the words, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” and the Word was so applied to the heart of our friend that he felt a full deliverance from bondage, and enjoyed that love which casteth out all fear.

Mr. Boorne soon began to feel exercised in respect to the ordinance of baptism, and the words being applied with power, “If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest,” he was constrained to pass through the ordinance, and was baptized in September, 1860, at Gower-street Chapel, by the late Mr. William Freeman, who preached on the occasion from the words, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature,” &c. (Mark 16:15,16), little knowing that our friend at the very time was greatly exercised in his mind respecting this important work; and he continued under these exercises for five and a half years, such passages being applied to him as, “Thou shalt prophesy to My people Israel”; “Preach the Word”; “Do the work of an Evangelist,” &c. He was continually feeling his unfitness; but was struck by the remark of a minister, “God calls sinners to preach to sinners.” 

A few years after baptizing Mr. Boorne at Gower Street Chapel, Mr. Freeman was led to write to him, and tell him that from the time of his baptizing him at Gower Street, he had had the impression that the Lord designed him for the ministry of the Gospel. This letter caused our friend much concern, who soon replied that he did not believe the Lord would allow him long to stand idle in His vineyard.

That same year (1865) he was staying at Ramsgate for a few days’ holiday, when he was asked by Mr. Sharpe, the pastor of Mount Zion Chapel, to preach for him on the week night. This request, after much hesitation, he tremblingly complied with, and spoke from the word, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (Heb 11:24), and the Lord have him liberty in preaching. Mr. Frederick Marshal was present, and at once asked Mr. Boorne to take an engagement for him at Hitchim, as he was unable to fulfill it; and thenceforward, for seven years, Mr. Boorne continued to serve various churches, receiving many more invitations that he was able to fulfill. But he was an exception to the rule, “A prophet is not without honour save in his own country,” for his own people, amongst whom he had worshipped from a child, gladly heard him preach, and the little room at Counter Hill, New Cross, soon became inconveniently crowded with hearers, and in 1872 the church gave him a call to the pastorate, which he accepted, and thenceforth, for twenty-one years, he labored chiefly amongst his own people. 

Soon after his acceptance of the pastorate, the church and congregation removed to Devonshire-road Chapel, Greenwich, where much blessing attended the preached Word. In due time our friend was enabled to establish a Sunday-school, also a Tract Society, and was ever ready to promote any lectures or meetings for the furtherance of our Protestant faith and the constitution of our country. A Dorcas Society was also established, in which the ladies of his congregation did much useful work. He showed his interest in the there labours by frequently attending their meetings to speak a kind word to the workers, and to conclude their meeting with reading and prayer. 

When a youth of about fourteen, he entered his first and only situation, which he retained till his death; and, during a service of forty-six years, he rose step by step, and was for many years trusted head of the counting-house, and his services were greatly valued by the heads of the firm. 

It was in August of 1892 that Mr. Boorne was first led to seek medical advice in respect to those symptoms which, though slight at first, gradually gathered strength, and baffled the skill of the highest faculty. His friends watched with grief his gradual decline, but he was usually able to minister to them, although often in great weakness; and his words were with savour and power, and betokened a ripening for heaven. He was kept, for the most part, comfortable in his mind until about a fortnight before his death, when the Lord seemed to withdraw His presence, and the enemy sensibly are near; and never did our friend know such fiery darts as were then hurled into his mind. He preached for the last time on the first Lord’s-day in November, 1893. His text in the morning was one that spoke to his then feelings, “Who is there amongst you that feareth the Lord, who walketh in darkness and hath no light?” &c. (Isa. 1:10); and in the evening he spoke from the words, “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). At the close of the service he administered the Lord’s Supper to his loving Church; but after this was over the enemy set in with greater force than ever, and as he was retiring, to rest that night his face betokened the conflict he was enduring, and he exclaimed, “I am lost! I am lost!” The next morning the enemy again came with such power that he was tempted to believe that he had preached to others, and was himself a castaway. A heavy gloom rested on his spirit during the day, and one or two brethren who visited him tried affectionately to comfort him, and he felt encouraged by their visit; but the gloom remained until Tuesday morning, when it was quite removed, and from that time to the end his peace increased more and more. On this day, November 7th, Mr. Boorne was taken seriously worse, and it soon became manifest that the final change could not now be far distant. During the remaining days that he lingered many friends were able to visit him, and to each he spoke in the most affectionate and profitable manner; and the perfect peace that he was now favoured with; was delightful to witness. During his last illness he was lovingly tended by his fond wife and a beloved friend and neighbour (one of his hearers), who both esteemed it a privilege to minister to his needs.

“He sent the following beautiful message to his Church and people on the last Lord’s-day of his life: “My love to the dear friends: tell them it has been my constant delight to preach the Word to them, and look on their faces; but I shall see them no more on earth, as I am going up to gaze on the face of my Beloved.”

The following were amongst his last sayings: “Tell Mr. Hull I die in the faith of the truths that I have believed, received, and taught. I have not followed any cunningly devised fables. He comforts me on every side. I could not have believed it possible to enjoy such sweet peace under my present circumstances; I seem scarcely to remember that I have every had any troubles; He is fulfilling all His promises to me.”

A few hours before he died he said, “Oh, what a calm! Now He fulfills His promise to me, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Is 26:3). Once he said, “Not Christ yet.” On it being said to him, “There is but a thin veil between,” he said, “Yes, yes.” It was then said to him, “You will soon be home”; he answered, “Ah!” A friend said to him, a short time before he breathed his last, “You will soon awake in His likeness”; he replied, “A very little while.” And so it proved, for an hour or two later his ransomed spirit left its tenement of clay, and entered into the presence of his Lord.”

We understand it is intended shortly to publish a memorial volume, which will be eagerly looked for. 

[From the “last issue”—The Funeral Of James Boorne]

It is with great regret that it falls to our lot to record the removal from earth to heaven of Mr. James Boorne, of Devonshire-road Strict Baptist Chapel. Greenwich (a brief notice of which appeared in our last issue). The (to us) event took place on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the comparatively early age of 60. His removal from a sphere of great usefulness as a minister of the Gospel and a diligent and useful citizen, has wrung the heart of a loving wife and family with profound grief, as well as the Church over which he was the honoured and beloved pastor. This was amply demonstrated on the day of the funeral, which took place on Monday, Nov. 20, amid unmistakable signs of deep regard, sincere love, and devout veneration to the memory of him who still lives in the minds of those to whom he had been made useful spiritually—and no bond unites so strong, firm, and lasting as this—as well as in the heart of the bereaved family, the firm in whose establishment he had been engaged for 48 years with an unblemished reputation, and all who knew him. The funeral service was announced to commence at two o’clock, but long before that time nearly every available seat in the chapel at Devonshire-road was occupied, and, as we entered the sacred sanctuary some ten minutes prior to the commencement of the solemn service, we were forcibly struck (and we are not unaccustomed to these services) with the grave, yet quiet bearing of every worshipper (attired in mourning habiliment) intent on doing honour to “a brother beloved.” 

Precisely at two o’clock the funeral cortege arrived at the chapel, under the careful supervision of Mr. Taylor. The corpse, enclosed in an elm shell and polished oak case, with brass furniture, was placed on trestles in front of the pulpit. Mr. Hull, of Hastings, entered the rostrum and commended the service by asking the congregation to unite in singing the hymn commencing—

“The spirits of the just,

Confined in bodies, groan,

Till death consigns the corpse to dust,

And then the conflict’s done.

Jesus, who came to save,

The Lamb for sinners slain,

Perfumed the chambers of the grave,

And made e’en death our grain.”

Mr. Hull read several appropriate portions of Scripture, and after engaging in prayer, delivered an address, in which he said the question is often put in regard to a person leaving this world for eternity, How did he die? Mr. Hull answered this question by asking, How did he live? and proceeded to describe the unblemished life and career of their deceased friend, which was entirely due to the free, sovereign, distinguishing grace of God. His life was a valuable one, and though gone from us has left his mark. His employer valued him as a servant; 48 years in one situation, he fulfilled all his duties as in the sight of God; no defalcations. God grant we may see more James Boornes in this respect. As a husband and father he set a good example: he prayed for their best interests. As a minister of the Gospel James Boorne was a servant of God, not of man; he did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God; by the grace of God he acquitted himself well to the glory of his Master. To the Church I would say, May God remember you, and may God bless you as a congregation. To the unconverted who have often heard the word of life faithfully set forth by him, God grant you may not die strangers to the atoning blood of Christ, and if it be His will may this be the time for the Holy Spirit to work on some pour soul. Mr. Hull, with much telling pathos, concluded his address by referring to the last moments of their departed friend, which we hope to give next month, with a portrait and sketch kindly promised by the publisher of the Sower.

The funeral cortege, consisting of an open car, five mourning coaches occupied by members of the family—viz., (1), Mrs. Boorne (widow), Mr. Marshall, Miss Boorne, Miss Bessie Bourne; (2), Mr. James Boorne, Miss Ettie Boorne, Miss Grace Boorne, Master Wilfrid Boorne; (3), Mr. S. Boome, Mr. John Boorne, Mr. B. Boorne, Mr. Hull (minister); (4), Mr. Whittome, Mr. M. H. Marshall, Mr. J. Boorne senior, Mr. Wiggins; (5), Mr. Martin, Mr. Wilmshurst, Mr. Blacknell. Seven private carriages followed, containing members of the Church and congregation and other intimate friends. Among the ministers present were Messrs. Ashdown (Zoar, Great Alie-street), Brown (Windsor), Freeman (Clifton), Haddow (Greenwich), Nugent (Balham), Picknell (Redhill), Popham (Brighton); also Mr. D. Smith and others from Mount Zion, Chadwell-street; Mr. Hall, formerly of College-park, Mr. J. H. Lynn (Dacre-park), Mr. E. Mitchell (Clerkenwell); and many others were unavoidably detained from being present to manifest their esteem for a fellow-labourer in the Gospel vineyard.

J. W. B.