Jamie, the English Boy; or, Only One Hour in Sunday-School: A True Story. Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1861. [10893]
Dark green pebble cloth, blind stamped, gilt to spine, 6 x 4 inches, tight. Bookseller's emboss stamp on ffep, "S. Oswald, Book, Stationary & Drug Store, No. 11 South George St., York, PA." Engraved portrait of "Jamie" by Sartain, with tissue guard; portrait is foxed. 144 pages, several text illustrations, first several leaves damp stained; foxing in the text. Good. Hardcover.
The author says that this is a true story.
Jamie Norton, an English child, emigrates with his single mother to America, after receiving funds from her father, Mr. Arlington. His mother is called Mrs. Norton, but later in the book the child is named Jamie Arlington, after his grandfather. His temper as a toddler led his grandparents to believe that he had an evil spirit, they slapped his hands when he was in a fit of crying, which they believe rid him of the evil spirit (pp. 17-19).
His mother became a dressmaker in Philadelphia, while Jamie lived with his grandparents near New York city. When about four years old, Jamie was afflicted with scarlet fever. The mother and child moved to Rochester, NY, and Jamie takes a trip on a railroad to visit his grandparents. His grandfather was a mechanic, and began to teach Jamie the use of tools. The boy learns to pray from his Cousin Charlie, and his religious sense is awakened. He begins to attend school, and the last section of the story is his one-hour visit to a Sunday-School, conversion, and death.
The book ends with encouragement for the support and attendance at Sunday-Schools.
