A Reminiscence of the Late Isaac Broad

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 9
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ANY who were privileged to know Mr. Isaac Broad, of Mortimer, will not need to be informed that he was a good man, a man of prayer, a plain, honest, fearless, yet tender, man of God. He was able to converse very profitably upon most subjects; and his love of music would find expression in the singing of the old-fashioned tunes set to well-known hymns.
On one occasion, a miller in the neighborhood was in a temporary difficulty in his business, as he was called upon to pay a heavy debt, and could not just then meet it. He met Mr. Broad in the village, who kindly asked him about his trouble. The miller told him that he wanted no less than two hundred pounds, and that if he could not find that amount at once, he was a ruined man. He believed himself quite solvent, and said that he could repay an advance of the amount in a reasonable time.
Mr. Broad replied that he was not in a position to lend that amount, as he himself was far from rich. But he told the miller that if he were in a similar difficulty, he should go at once to the throne of grace, and tell his heavenly Father all about it. He had no evidence that the miller was a man of prayer; but told him that God heard prayer by His creatures for temporal mercies needed by them, and recommended him to pray about his trouble.
Good Mr. Broad then went to a lady of means who lived near, and told her about his conversation with the miller. “I am not able,” said he, “to advance the amount he needs; but I believe it is one of those cases in which it is only temporary help that is needed, and that when the present difficulty has been met, he will be right again.” The lady replied that she had no knowledge of the miller’s position, and therefore it would not be prudent for her to advance the amount without good security. After further conversation and inquiry, Mr. Broad gave his own promissory note for the whole amount; and the lady handed it over to him on this security alone.
Mr. Broad then took the amount to the astonished miller, and once more told him what a mercy it was to have a Friend in heaven, who knew all His children’s needs, and delighted to answer their prayers.
The sequel was that the difficulty was met in due course, and the two hundred pounds were promptly repaid to the lady, with the interest.
There was, however, another sequel. Mr. Broad had been for very many years the collector of the local rates and taxes, and this position yielded part of his income. He filled the position with honor and satisfaction. But, soon after the occurrence already narrated, it came to pass that another person desired the position, and laid his plans to secure it. At this time, a local landowner who very highly respected our friend, was absent in Italy; and advantage was taken of his absence to secure the post of collector for Mr. Broad’s rival.
There were many who thought this a very unfair proceeding; and a petition was prepared, requesting that the position might be retained by one who had so honorably held it for so many years. Mr. Broad himself made it a matter of prayer, knowing that nothing could take place without his Father’s permission, and calmly awaited the result.
When, however, the day of decision came, it was found that the rival had obtained his coveted position, and that Mr. Broad was thrown out.
Some few days after this, he met the miller, and said to him: “Well, friend, you remind me of Joseph and the butler. When the butler was released from prison, he promised to remember Joseph; but in the enjoyment of liberty, he forgot him. I was very glad to be able to help you in the time of your great trouble; but when I needed your help, you were not the man to come forward and sign the petition in my favor. I can only hope that the Lord will not reward you as you have rewarded me.”
The miller replied that he only abstained from signing the petition because he believed it would have been useless, and that he knew pretty well how the matter would fall.
On the return of Captain from Italy, he was both surprised and grieved at what had taken place during his absence, and was not backward to give expression to what he felt.
However, the Lord who has written the promises in His Word for the comfort of His tried and praying people, soon after appeared to the joy of His servant, by securing to him for life something better than the position he had lost.
It is good indeed to have a Friend in heaven. He knows all we need, all we desire, all we fear, and all we suffer. Men may be permitted to injure a child of God. but it is always to their own injury; and He who wrote the thirty-seventh Psalm will see that none of them who trust in Him shall finally be put to shame.