- Home
- Speakers
- James Bourne
- Letter 148.
James Bourne
James Bourne (February 8, 1781 – January 15, 1860) was an English preacher and Primitive Methodist leader whose calling from God helped establish a vibrant evangelical movement across the early 19th century. Born at Ford Hayes, Bucknall, Staffordshire, England, to Joseph Bourne, a farmer, and Ellen Steele, he was the youngest of eight children in a modest rural family. His formal education was limited to local schooling, but his spiritual awakening came in 1799 at age 18 when he joined the Methodist society at Ridgeway near Tunstall, embracing a faith that propelled him into ministry without formal theological training. Bourne’s calling from God unfolded alongside his brother Hugh, beginning with open-air preaching and support for the 1807 Mow Cop camp meetings, defying Methodist Conference bans to spread revivalist zeal. Ordained informally within the Primitive Methodist Connexion he co-founded in 1811–1812, he preached tirelessly, traveling miles—such as 20 miles to Tean in 1808 to form a society—and served as a local preacher in the first Primitive Methodist circuit at Tunstall. His sermons called for personal salvation and practical faith, notably supporting the construction of the first chapel at Tunstall and later managing the Connexion’s printing press at Bemersley Farm from 1821 as book steward. Married to Sarah Rowley in 1807, with whom he had five children, he faced business reverses in later years but attended the 1857 Jubilee Camp Meeting at Mow Cop in frail health, passing away at age 78 at Bemersley, Staffordshire, buried with Hugh at Englesea Brook.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
James Bourne emphasizes the importance of God speaking to us through His word, which testifies of His love in Christ Jesus, equipping believers for good works and spiritual warfare. Reflecting on the offerings made by the princes in Numbers vii., Bourne sees them as types and shadows of Christ's love, highlighting the need for all that we have and are to be offered before the Lord, symbolized by fine flour mingled with oil, representing Christ's sacrifice and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Bourne warns against a half-hearted profession of faith and mingling with worldly influences, stressing the necessity of true sanctification and justification in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Letter 148.
[To Mr. Yeomans.] Pulverbach, 5 August 1838. My dear Friend, I know no greater mercy than that the Lord should speak to us by his word, and unseal it so that it may be written upon our hearts, testifying of God's love to us in Christ Jesus. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works;" and also armed against the assaults of the enemy. I was greatly surprised in reading in Numbers vii., the offerings made by the princes on the dedication of the altar after it was anointed; those types and shadows furnished me with sweet tokens of Christ's love. In the first instance I perceived that all we have and are (whatever value we may put upon our possessions, reputation, honours, health, or other things) must be offered before the Lord; but it was the turning point here that melted my heart, namely, all that is thus offered must be "full of fine flour mingled with oil." Lord, I said, what is this? Something replied, Flour is wheat bruised; and need you be told who is compared to the finest of the wheat, bruised for you, and thus becoming the Bread of eternal life? Only mind that in Christ, the hope of glory all your offerings are made. Then the mingling of the oil I saw and felt to be the holy anointing of the Spirit of God, to testify of the truth and reality of these things. Then follows the peace offering; Christ in the heart, testified by the Holy Spirit, brings in the peace of God which passeth all understanding. Even while I write I feel the sweetness and power, nor can I tell what to say of these things, the Lord is so very precious to me, and I so vile and treacherous. You and I may add, "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine correction;" and through it I get understanding, and by it thou hast taught me, and I find it sweeter to my taste spiritually than honey is to my mouth. It is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. [Psalm cxix. 92-105.] Many here are not aware that a half profession and mingling with all sorts is the sure way of darkness and confusion. O how evident it is that we cannot touch pitch without being defiled! Many hide themselves with saying they are poor creatures and know nothing, and can do nothing; yet if you watch their spirit they can do many things against the word of the Lord, and make manifest much bitterness, with all their confidence in God's mercy. This a very awful state, and there is but one remedy, "Such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." This will effectually subdue our native enmity, and make us, like Manasseh, greatly to humble ourselves. He that is thus "joined to the Lord, is one spirit." This is the union which subsists between the Father Son and Holy Ghost, and his mystical members; the sweet and heavenly union which is so beautifully set forth in John xvii. It is astonishing what errors a benighted soul will admit and hold fast, and yet think to prosper. But "no lie is of the truth," and "all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth." When the Spirit of truth comes, he guides into all truth; and that glorifies Jesus Christ, who says, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have PEACE;" not darkness and confusion, the effect of ignorance and distance from God. In the world we find plenty of this, but be not disheartened by that, nor by lying preachers and professors; be of good cheer, and always keep in mind, "I have overcome the world;" and you shall overcome too, and be "more than conquerors" in him. Yours &c. J. B.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
James Bourne (February 8, 1781 – January 15, 1860) was an English preacher and Primitive Methodist leader whose calling from God helped establish a vibrant evangelical movement across the early 19th century. Born at Ford Hayes, Bucknall, Staffordshire, England, to Joseph Bourne, a farmer, and Ellen Steele, he was the youngest of eight children in a modest rural family. His formal education was limited to local schooling, but his spiritual awakening came in 1799 at age 18 when he joined the Methodist society at Ridgeway near Tunstall, embracing a faith that propelled him into ministry without formal theological training. Bourne’s calling from God unfolded alongside his brother Hugh, beginning with open-air preaching and support for the 1807 Mow Cop camp meetings, defying Methodist Conference bans to spread revivalist zeal. Ordained informally within the Primitive Methodist Connexion he co-founded in 1811–1812, he preached tirelessly, traveling miles—such as 20 miles to Tean in 1808 to form a society—and served as a local preacher in the first Primitive Methodist circuit at Tunstall. His sermons called for personal salvation and practical faith, notably supporting the construction of the first chapel at Tunstall and later managing the Connexion’s printing press at Bemersley Farm from 1821 as book steward. Married to Sarah Rowley in 1807, with whom he had five children, he faced business reverses in later years but attended the 1857 Jubilee Camp Meeting at Mow Cop in frail health, passing away at age 78 at Bemersley, Staffordshire, buried with Hugh at Englesea Brook.