James Bourne 1773-1854
James Bourne was born into a wealthy family, his father being a "country gentleman" and land owner. His father's second marriage put and end to his life of ease. His father died when he was 15 and he was cast out of favor by the widow. After struggling for two years to find consistent employment, he fell into utter despondency.
"I fell on my knees and cried to the Lord, 'O Lord, what shall I do to maintain myself? I cannot endure this miserable way of living.' No sooner were these words out of my mouth, than it was impressed on my mind: YOU MUST DRAW. I was quite surprised, and though as yet I knew not the Lord (savingly), yet I considered this a plain direction from Him."
Bourne had to borrow money to buy art supplies, but began to practice his new calling. God was truly in all of this for he became an artist of some renown and supported himself and his family by being a art tutor to the wealthy. Some of his work can be found today in British public collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and samples are available on the internet. Perhaps because of this Divine leading, Bourne became a "prophet of Providence". (my words) He stresses a continual dependence upon the Providence of God in the daily affairs of His people. He was deeply tried and tested by his severely unstable daughter. Today, we would probably diagnose her as severely bi-polar. God used this trial to draw Bourne into an intimate wrestling with God, a true "Jacob walk". (Genesis 32:22-32) This "furnace walk" with his God is evident in "Morning Readings" which is a collection of his "family" devotions that became attended by quite a number of believers. His duties as a tutor called him away from London quite frequently, but when he was home, the word got out and the saints would gather for "family devotions". They were taken down by a "boarder" in his house. His language is a bit obscure, but his message of God's providential care in affliction is profoundly edifying.
Bourne did not enter into "official" ministry until he was 65. I say official because his life was a ministry of building up the saints through edifying letters of counsel and exhortation as well as his morning devotions. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have him as a tutor staying in the house for periods of time! He wasn't one to "pull any punches". God used him in a spiritual awakening (we would call it a revival) among the poor people of Pulverbach, England. The book, "More Than Notion" traces out the spiritual experiences of a remarkable group of people in Pulverbach to whom James Bourne ministered to on four different occasions. "More Than Notion" is an account of the unique and simple hungry souls in this community. D. Martin Lloyd Jones said of "More Than Notion", "More Than Notion should be made compulsory reading for all theologians especially, but it will prove valuable also to all who long for a vital Christian experience. In one church known to me the reading of the book by one man led to a prayer-meeting such as they had not experienced before. In these superficial and confused days, I thank God for a book such as this and pray that He may bless it to countless souls." James Bourne was the instrument of the Lord to nourish and feed this "revival of true religion" in the souls of this village.
Be sure to read the "Morning Readings" a the link at the top of the page. These have been edited a bit for ease of reading. They are, however not easy on the flesh!
James Bourne was born into a wealthy family, his father being a "country gentleman" and land owner. His father's second marriage put and end to his life of ease. His father died when he was 15 and he was cast out of favor by the widow. After struggling for two years to find consistent employment, he fell into utter despondency.
"I fell on my knees and cried to the Lord, 'O Lord, what shall I do to maintain myself? I cannot endure this miserable way of living.' No sooner were these words out of my mouth, than it was impressed on my mind: YOU MUST DRAW. I was quite surprised, and though as yet I knew not the Lord (savingly), yet I considered this a plain direction from Him."
Bourne had to borrow money to buy art supplies, but began to practice his new calling. God was truly in all of this for he became an artist of some renown and supported himself and his family by being a art tutor to the wealthy. Some of his work can be found today in British public collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum and samples are available on the internet. Perhaps because of this Divine leading, Bourne became a "prophet of Providence". (my words) He stresses a continual dependence upon the Providence of God in the daily affairs of His people. He was deeply tried and tested by his severely unstable daughter. Today, we would probably diagnose her as severely bi-polar. God used this trial to draw Bourne into an intimate wrestling with God, a true "Jacob walk". (Genesis 32:22-32) This "furnace walk" with his God is evident in "Morning Readings" which is a collection of his "family" devotions that became attended by quite a number of believers. His duties as a tutor called him away from London quite frequently, but when he was home, the word got out and the saints would gather for "family devotions". They were taken down by a "boarder" in his house. His language is a bit obscure, but his message of God's providential care in affliction is profoundly edifying.
Bourne did not enter into "official" ministry until he was 65. I say official because his life was a ministry of building up the saints through edifying letters of counsel and exhortation as well as his morning devotions. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have him as a tutor staying in the house for periods of time! He wasn't one to "pull any punches". God used him in a spiritual awakening (we would call it a revival) among the poor people of Pulverbach, England. The book, "More Than Notion" traces out the spiritual experiences of a remarkable group of people in Pulverbach to whom James Bourne ministered to on four different occasions. "More Than Notion" is an account of the unique and simple hungry souls in this community. D. Martin Lloyd Jones said of "More Than Notion", "More Than Notion should be made compulsory reading for all theologians especially, but it will prove valuable also to all who long for a vital Christian experience. In one church known to me the reading of the book by one man led to a prayer-meeting such as they had not experienced before. In these superficial and confused days, I thank God for a book such as this and pray that He may bless it to countless souls." James Bourne was the instrument of the Lord to nourish and feed this "revival of true religion" in the souls of this village.
Be sure to read the "Morning Readings" a the link at the top of the page. These have been edited a bit for ease of reading. They are, however not easy on the flesh!