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Barrow-in-Furness 1887-88

After the meeting I had supper, and at midnight left Euston for Barrow, two of the cadets coming in a cab to see me off. I had to change at Leeds, and spent several hours in the waiting room. In the train from Leeds I heard the Yorkshire dialect and could hardly understand what was said. I reached Barrow at 9 o'clock on Monday morning June 13th and the next day wrote a letter which I am glad has been preserved.

1 Beech Street
Cemetery Cottages
Barrow-in-Furness
Tuesday


My dear Mother

I had to write in such a hurry yesterday that I had not time to tell you much. I was tired yesterday as I was at work all day Sunday, and then travelling all night.

The Captain who has left here has gone to Belfast. Mr Carlile went over there last week, and got an opening there, so he had to get a man at once. Dilworth, an Irishman, was chosen, and I was chosen to fill his place. He was a married man and had a house furnished, and I am taking on the same place. Have got the house all to myself. I got up this morning, lit the fire and got my breakfast. I think I shall be all right. I shall get a woman once a week to clean the place, and I can manage the rest myself. It is a very healthy place, close to the sea. I had my first meeting last night. The Hall holds 120, and it was full. It won't be like that every night; the people came to see the new Captain. We had a very good meeting. The Hall is a part of the house, the bedroom is over it. I have a large bedroom and a nice little sitting room upstairs, and a small kitchen downstairs (all furnished), and all for 2/6 a week. I went to bed very tired and did not awake till 8 o'clock.

I felt it very much leaving the Training House. I am sure I shall never forget that dear old place and all the dear people there. I received my commission on Sunday afternoon, and gave my farewell address at the meeting at night.

My Vicar went away yesterday till Saturday, so I am left almost in charge of the parish. I feel that I want the prayers of all my friends. I want to do my duty, both to God and the Vicar.

I should like to have all your photographs to look at, now I am so far away from you. This is a long way further north than Liverpool. It is not so hot as London, but is a beautiful place for the summer. London was very hot. I shall not be able to come home for some time (it would cost so much).

Dear mother, could you put me down a few pounds of butter and send it by Parcels Post, or if is was too heavy, by rail? I could eat it better than what I might buy here. We had very good butter in London. Capt. Dilworth left some bread, butter, tea, sugar, flour, coal and sticks here. I paid him 1/6 for the lot.

I wrote to Uncle Peale (?) on Saturday morning, and said how glad I should be to see him. I suppose he will call at the Training House, and be surprised to find me gone. I thought I should have seen the Jubilee in London. They are making great preparations.

It seems wonderful when I think of the way the Lord has led me. I almost think sometimes I must be dreaming, and that it can't be true.

I suppose you will be having Sunday meetings at Locking now. You must tell me about it every week, and send me a "Mercury" sometimes. I don't think I have any more to tell you now. So with much love to all

I remain

Your loving son.


On the following Saturday the Vicar, Rev. John Henderson, returned from the Isle of Man, and came down to see me. We walked up to the vicarage together, he holding my arm, and talking to me in the most affectionate manner, as if he had known me for years. He asked me if I had ever thought of taking Holy Orders. I said I certainly had never dreamed of such a thing, and that I knew no Latin or Greek. He replied that that was easily got over, that he saw on Monday morning in the brief interview we had that I was not in my right position, that he had already taken me to his heart, was anxious to help me on, and that I was quite suitable for the ministry. The following letter will explain the matter.

Barrow
June 20th 1887


My dear mother,

I am glad to tell you I received the butter this afternoon. I had the letter on Saturday, and I had almost begun to think the butter was lost, but was very glad to receive it just in time for tea. It did go well. It had not melted a bit. It was packed well. I also received the paper you sent last week. It went to London after I had left, and they sent it on here, also a letter from C. Louch. I received last Saturday's Mercury today. I don't see anything about the Jubilee at Locking. Are the Days going to take any part in it? There will be bonfires here upon a very high mountain which will show many miles. Of course it is a thing which may not happen again for many hundreds of years.

Dear mother, I have had my prayers answered. All the time I was in London I prayed that I might be sent to a Low Church parish, and I don't think there could be a Lower than this. The Vicar is such a nice, good, earnest man, thoroughly concerted and working for souls. He has taken an interest in me already, and I think he wants to help me to something higher. He even suggested a possibility of my entering the ministry. Of course I should have to study hard for 2 or 3 years, and the £140 (I had £140 in the bank before I left home) would have to go, but I don't know that the Lord is leading me that way. I leave it all with Him. I'm sure He will guide me right.

It is not quite like Church Army work here, very different to the work in London. I have no doubt that the Lord has brought me here, and that I am in just the place He would have me be.

I have not told you about my salary before, because I only knew this morning. I get 19s a week and house rent free, so that I'm not at all badly off. (I was 8 months in Barrow, and on this salary I saved £12 in 8 months (30/- a month)) But I hope for something better in the future.

In the meantime I shall strive to do my duty where I am, and be content where I am as long as God keeps me here.

Please don't tell anybody anything I have told you in this letter.

Tell me full particulars of Jubilee, and any news there may be in the village.

Much love to all

Your affectionate son.

Many, many, thanks for the butter.


(In 1920 I visited Barrow and called on Mrs Williams, who told me she still had the earthenware pan in which my mother sent the butter!)

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