Chapter IV The holiday widely known as the Lester or more properly Leicester races was a great attraction far and near. Thousands of excursionists thronged the race course on the London road each day and thousands of pounds changed hands during those two days in September each year. All kinds of slight of hand performances were in evidence to cheat people out of their money until a law was passed prohibiting gambling of that kind and even then when policemen were not in sight the nefarious games were played. In early youth I had my first horseback ride from a field nearby. I was offered “two pence” to fetch the horse and thought it a treat to look like “Dick Turpin” but the razor back animal nearly cut me in two before I could deliver him to the owner or the owner could deliver me from pain. This however is digressing from the narration of events I have in mind of that “great change” referred to in the preceding chapter. Invitations to the wedding reception of Miss Mary Cooper, whom I had known from early childhood, combined with being my birthday anniversary was a pleasant event, and I enjoyed it by twenty guests. Among them were Matilda Hill and her younger sister Annie the latter two being comparative strangers to me. At the table I was purposely or otherwise seated next to Miss Matilda and so shy or embarrassed was I that I dare not pick up my fork that fell to the floor. Whether or not that fact was noticed I could not decide and as songs and games were mirthfully enjoyed, midnight seemed to come all too soon for all present. Now my readers please take notice that I was invited with others to accompany Miss Matilda and Annie home in Havelock Street, fully a mile across the town. At first I thought it best to be excused but no sir the die was cast and I then resolved to enjoy the walk and company as best I could and before proceeding halfway I found myself equal to the occasion. At the end of our journey we parted with the understanding that we were to meet again in the near future which we did in a rather informal manner. I soon discovered the fact that I had met my affinity that Matilda Hill had in some way attracted me as nothing before or since could and I also learned that she was looking my way. At our next meeting I did not feel quite so bashful as on the former occasion and after spending a very pleasant evening at the home of the mother of the before mentioned bride. I with a little encouragement of our friends mustered boldness to ask the pleasure of visiting Matilda, at her home which was granted and I then became a frequent visitor at No. 36 Havelock Street Leicester. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hill were highly respected members of the Wesleyan church, Mr. Hill being a local preacher and home missionary. I then began to realize that life is real and that environment played a conspicuous part in forming daily evolutions and destiny of all flesh. Cupid held full sway as we mingled with the best of society hence our happy thoughts, intentions and aspirations were enjoyed to the full. Thus the months sped joyously along until winter spring and summer and then Leicester races again upon which occasion we named the day of our intended marriage but agreed to keep it a secret for the present.
None but the immediate family were taken into our confidence until the banns were published, in the churches of St. Margaret and St. Mary our respective parishes that James Samuel Page Bowler and Matilda Hill were to be joined in wedlock if none gave just cause why this should not be. Our excursion to Mattock Bath in Derbyshire was an introduction to new friends new scenes and objects and for a curiosity we purchased some of the novelty there formed by those mineral springs chief among which was a pair of candle sticks of the most artistic design. The many happy hours spent at freemans common or the “gardens” as it was commonly termed, our attendance at the various places of worship and our social standing and our ability to earn plenty of money all conspired to lead us to that earthly paradise that make life what it should be. December 3’~”, the 17th anniversary of the birth of my brother John dawned unusually bright as the carriage conveying the bridal party J. S. P. Bowler and Matilda--Austin and Ann Hill to St. Marys Church where I for the first time realized the significance of signing my name in full, James Samuel Page Bowler. Ring out ye merry bells an old familiar phrase and the sun shines on both sides of the hedge, and the often repeated adage applied with force on that occasion as the bells did peal forth their chimes long and loud and the suns rays appeared brighter than ever known in the month of December. Our home had been rented and furnished in Fleet Street and thither we repaired where we were joyfully met by a host of our dear ones who were there to greet us with blessings in our new home. Among those present that day were Joseph Hill his oldest son Austin and wife Eliza and children the next oldest son John and wife Ann and all family relations who could attend in addition to our most intimate friends. It being Sunday moderate mirthfulness was observed and father Hill was duly respected in his ecclesiastical position but for a wonder religion proper was not discussed during the day. Thus we launched on the sea of matrimony with conditions most favorable to our reaching the blest harbor in peace and safety with blessings predicated for our future journey through life. In the course of events our first child was born April first 1866 and we changed our residence to one in Havelock Street where I past through one of those perplexing experiences known as sympathetic strike the first and last strike I ever participated in as it ended in contention and utter failure.
During this time I found employment in Gisborough near Northampton and saw the many names and initials that were cut on the trees and fences in Nasby field and lane of people who had gone there to view the place where Oliver Cromwell took the king prisoner and won the great battle. Upon my return to Leicester my uncle Jabez Bowler called to see us and say goodbye as he was on his way to Liverpool to join a company of Latter-Day-Saints who were bound for Utah. That appeared to be the first intimation my wife had that I had been raised, yes I may say born and raised in the Mormon faith but she did not seem to take it very seriously at that time. August 12, 1866 our son James Samuel was born and trade conditions being still unsettled I went to Nottingham where I found suitable employment with Mr. Charles Bentley and after a six months test I sent for my family. This was our first great change as everything and everybody was strange to us but conditions were so much more favorable for us that we soon concluded to make our home there or in the suburb Sneinton. There in No. 2 Henry Street many of our children were born namely Ann Elizabeth, John Henry, Kate, Mary Ann, Florence Matilda, Walter Wallace, Francis Joseph. My object in specifically noting these events here is that my posterity may have no difficulty should they visit in those parts in England in being directed to the exact house and Street where most of my children first saw the light of day. It was there also that I renewed my covenant by baptism which I consider the most noteworthy in all my experience.
Many false reports were circulated by the three P’s Public, Press and Pulpit regarding the conduct of the Elders or Missionaries from Utah and in justice to them and the behavior of those with whom I had been acquainted I cite one incident. It was Christmas Eve and as was the custom with young people to kiss each other under the mistletoe they attempted to take that liberty with Elder John Mendenhall from Salt Lake City. What happened right there was sufficient refutation for any honest soul and was no doubt to all there present. It was not alone his mild brotherly admonition but what his words conveyed was nobely grand. “The last woman I kissed was my mother and the next woman I kiss will be my mother.”
I shall here recount that experience of my rebaptism to show how the two opposite influences operate upon the mind. I had attended meeting in the Coffin Chapel in Shakespeare Street several times and my old love for the Gospel of Christ had burned in my breast until I decided to return to the fold. In broaching the subject to my dear companion I did so as mildly as possible but as firmly as the everlasting hills. “Matilda it will be my birthday on Friday and I should like to have my change of underclothes on that day.” Why not wait until Saturday as usual was her response. I then made a clean breast of the whole matter that I had drifted from the teachings of my parents and grandparents and that I had known it to be right and that it was my privilege and I felt it to be my duty to renew my covenant by baptism. “You shall have your clothes but remember when you return you will not find me here,” and she meant every word she uttered to be verified. This apparently brought us to the brink of disruption but I felt assured that truth is mighty and will prevail. I had become thoroughly convinced that the Lord was directing our course and bringing us to a proper understanding of His marvelous work revealed through the prophet Joseph Smith. “Prayer is the Soul’s sincere desire uttered or unexpressed,” may typify the silent prayer of my heart when I left my home and during those two hours I was absent. There was no one at the public bath which fact I appreciated very much as quiet was needed me at that hour and afforded me the opportunity of offering up my “Soul’s desire” fervently to the throne of grace. That prayer had been heard and answered most wonderfully and upon my return my beloved companion the mother of my children was there to greet me although in tears. The Lord be praised I was not left in despair my trust in the God of our salvation was strengthened and I was conscious as never before that the “Judge of all the earth will do right.” From that very hour our love for each other became brighter than ever and a more loyal helpmate could not be found than sister Bowler was even before it was generally known that she had not rendered full obedience to the requirements of the plan of life and salvation. 0 how pleasant it was to have my wife and family attend meeting with me at that little Coffin Chapel and listen to the words of truth and light by Elder F. M. Lyman and others from Utah. Does the Lord chasten those whom He loves? Must we bear the Cross? Is it necessary that mortals should be thoroughly regenerated? I leave my readers to their own opinion but my testimony is that God will have a tried people to love and serve Him. President Francis M. Lyman was a frequent visitor at our home and was surprised to learn that sister Bowler as he addressed her had not as yet fully embraced the Gospel or been initiated in the Church of Christ which gave opportunity for discussion upon the doctrine and the social condition of the people residing in Utah. Thoroughly convinced or converted to the truth she was baptized by President Lyman on the very spot that I had been and where I offered up that earnest “Soul’s desire” in prayer. “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform” may be attested by all who will seek to do His holy will by rendering obedience to the gospel of our Lord and Saviour.
The voice once so hasty then became leading soprano in my choir for I was chosen chorister a position still retained by me after so many years and so many changes. It was then that I composed my first poem, the first stanza runs thus:
Oh, what love and joy and gladness
Reigns within each noble mind
Brightening hope dispelling sadness
Breathing peace to all mankind.“Pass under the Rod” truer words were never written the full meaning of which cannot be fully realized only by experience. Our son James Samuel was taken suddenly ill and for a week remained unconscious and passed away at midnight. The day following--Sunday, was gloomy indeed to us at No. 2 Henry Street Sneinton, Nottingham, but for the hope we had of meeting our loved one in a happier sphere. His death card still hangs on the wall in our front room, James Samuel Bowler died April 3, 1870 aged three years, 7 months, with the following lines
Your sweet little rose-bud has left you,
To bloom in a holier sphere;
He that gave it in wisdom bereft you;
Then why should you cherish a tear?The question of interment appeared to be a problem as the Minister at the Sneinton Church at first refused burial because the child had not been baptized in that church but he finally agreed to permit it upon my promise to call at the Vicarage and converse with him upon religion. The child was buried and I kept my word by visiting the Rev. Mr. Wanstall a number of times for discussion which became quite interesting on some points chief among which was the proper mode of baptism he claiming that sprinkling was sufficient while I maintained that immersion was essential according to the scripture. Now my readers listen to this the Rev. Mr. Wanstall Vicar of Sneinton, Nottingham, England kindly informed me that the mode of baptism need not stand in my way of joining the Church of England that if I preferred immersion he would baptize me in that form which I declined and we parted good friends true to our faith.
Mr. George Earp came to reside as our next or nearest neighbor and in introducing himself stated that he was an infidel and had traveled all over the civilized world; returning the compliment and giving my name I informed him that I was a Mormon. From that we entered into a discussion that lasted in our spare time for a year or more. Here is portrayed one of those striking examples light and darkness, truth and error that was in evidence on all sides. Mr. Earp would not accept the Bible in any way and especially the seventh verse of the second chapter of Genesis, he said that was too childish and foolish for intelligent people to entertain. I proved to him that all flesh came from mother earth and taking himself as father of a family he must admit scientifically that the earth produced and reproduces everything animate and inanimate, man included and that you, Mr. Earp, when you die will go back to mother earth where you came from.
“Why did not the ministers explain it to me in that way,” he said, “for that seems more plain to me than anything I have heard during my life.” I baptized Mr. Earp later and for a time he appeared to be perfectly satisfied with his conversion but his wife who at one time said, “Oh, to think my George is an infidel, I would rather he was a Mormon,” now said, “Oh, to think my George is a Mormon I would rather he was an infidel.” I say Oh, consistency thou art a jewel, more might be added but suffice it to say, Mr. Earp could not stand the test.