Persevering against Adversity

In this COVID-19 period many businesses have struggled and some have become insolvent. Lockdown restrictions have been stressful on many business owners and also employees. Let me pass onto you a story of  overcoming adversity as two brothers worked together against great odds. One of these brothers was named George Cadbury – yes, the George Cadbury of Cadbury chocolates fame.    

Writers tell us that George was born in England in 1839.  When just 14 years of age  his mum died and naturally this impacted him hugely.  He had dreams of becoming a surgeon and worked hard at school to achieve this. But at age 15 he had another disappointment. His father took him out of school and set him to work in the family business. The business was going badly especially since his mother’s death. There were great difficulties to over come but by  22 years of age George and his brother Richard ran the business which by now had 12 employees. The workers and the bosses were on very low remuneration but with perseverance and determination they set out to make the business successful. They developed a new cocoa that was better than any other product on the market.   People laughed at them and said it would never sell, but Bournville cocoa soon became a household name all over the world.

In 1893, when the premises became too small, George decided to build a factory in the country. They called this new site “Bournville”. On this site the brothers provided football and cricket fields, a huge playground for children, swings and even an open air swimming pool! Utterly unheard of at the time!

The company continued to  prosper with the cocoa and Cadbury chocolates. Did George get spoilt with wealth? No. He became well known for his work amongst the poor. He built houses for his employees and set up gardens around the homes  – unheard of.  He set up social security programs way ahead of their time. George also became involved in Sunday school teaching in the Birmingham slums. He took people who were very poor and taught them to read and write as well as teaching them stories from the Bible about Jesus Christ. George built thousands of additional houses for the poor as well as setting up libraries & schools and a hospital too. Right up to the end of his life he never stopped sharing the good news of Jesus and helping his neighbor.  He died in 1922 and 16,000 people attended his funeral.

This is briefly some of  the story of a young boy who lost his mum at age 14, had to leave school and let go his ambition to become a surgeon. He and his brother struggled for years to help the business become viable. He could have asked  - “Why God why”?   But by setting up the famous Cadbury cocoa and chocolates company he used the wealth generated to God’s glory and benefited thousands of people.

Next time you enjoy some Cadbury chocolates be reminded of  this story and be grateful for those of earlier generations who have left behind  wonderful legacy’s. George had much adversity to overcome – especially earlier in life. All of us  face adversity at different times too.  The Bible says… “persevere with the journey set out before us – looking unto Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2). A good verse for George – and for each of us too as we journey through life.

Bruce Stewart.