James Burns

February 18, 1823 (age 41)

Edinburgh

He and two other boys got through the prescribed curriculum two years before the usual time of leaving. Whereupon the governor sent them to the rector"s class at the high school, something never done before. He developed an interest in religion at New Greyfriars church, under Daniel Wilkie. In November 1837 he entered the arts classes at the Edinburgh University and he owed much to the influence of the moral philosophy lectures of John Wilson (‘Christopher North’). Early in 1845 Chalmers sent him to preach at the Free church, Dunblane and was later ordained in August of that year. Overwork soon brought on an alarming attack in the right lung, and he was advised to spend the winter in Madeira. He was appointed to the congregation at Funchal under the Free church colonial mission, and landed on 21 September 1847. His diary of this period, though chiefly occupied with devotional and theological matter, gives interesting glimpses of a poetic nature. He left Madeira on 27 May 1848 and arrived at Broadstairs on 11 June 1848. Secretariat free from Dunblane on 4 October, he sailed again on 6 October and arrived back in Madeira. In the summer of 1853 he left Madeira considerably improved in health. He was a noted poet and writer Notable works include ‘The Vision of Prophecy, and other Poems,’ (1854), ‘The Heavenly Jerusalem, or Glimpses within the Gates,’ (1856), and ‘The Climax, or on Condemnation and no Separation, a sermon, with an Illustration by another Hand,’ (1865). Besides these he contributed the article ‘Hymns’ to the eighth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica and a series of papers on the cities of the Bible to the ‘Family Treasury,’ edited by Reverend A. Cameron. His ‘Remains’ consist of hymns and miscellaneous verse, thirty-nine translations from German hymns, versions of six psalms, selections from an unpublished poem called ‘The Evening Hymn,’ thirteen sermons, and two prose fragments. His ministry in Hampstead was successful, and a new church was built. In 1863 a manse was added. His preaching was practical and emotional, rather than dogmatic. Its effect was much assisted by a voice which is said to have resembled that of Maurice. His personal influence was stronger than his pulpit work. In the man there was a vein of kindly humour, which never lighted up his preaching. In January 1864 he went to Menton. In May he resorted to Switzerland but returned to Menton in October, and there died on 27 November 1864.

James Burns

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Background

Burns was born in Edinburgh on 18 February 1823, and was educated through the charitable foundation of Heriot"s Hospital.

Education

University of Edinburgh.

Career

He and two other boys got through the prescribed curriculum two years before the usual time of leaving. Whereupon the governor sent them to the rector"s class at the high school, something never done before. He developed an interest in religion at New Greyfriars church, under Daniel Wilkie.

In November 1837 he entered the arts classes at the Edinburgh University and he owed much to the influence of the moral philosophy lectures of John Wilson (‘Christopher North’).

Early in 1845 Chalmers sent him to preach at the Free church, Dunblane and was later ordained in August of that year. Overwork soon brought on an alarming attack in the right lung, and he was advised to spend the winter in Madeira.

He was appointed to the congregation at Funchal under the Free church colonial mission, and landed on 21 September 1847. His diary of this period, though chiefly occupied with devotional and theological matter, gives interesting glimpses of a poetic nature.

He left Madeira on 27 May 1848 and arrived at Broadstairs on 11 June 1848.

Secretariat free from Dunblane on 4 October, he sailed again on 6 October and arrived back in Madeira. In the summer of 1853 he left Madeira considerably improved in health. He was a noted poet and writer

Notable works include ‘The Vision of Prophecy, and other Poems,’ (1854), ‘The Heavenly Jerusalem, or Glimpses within the Gates,’ (1856), and ‘The Climax, or on Condemnation and no Separation, a sermon, with an Illustration by another Hand,’ (1865).

Besides these he contributed the article ‘Hymns’ to the eighth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica and a series of papers on the cities of the Bible to the ‘Family Treasury,’ edited by Reverend A. Cameron. His ‘Remains’ consist of hymns and miscellaneous verse, thirty-nine translations from German hymns, versions of six psalms, selections from an unpublished poem called ‘The Evening Hymn,’ thirteen sermons, and two prose fragments.

His ministry in Hampstead was successful, and a new church was built. In 1863 a manse was added.

His preaching was practical and emotional, rather than dogmatic.

Its effect was much assisted by a voice which is said to have resembled that of Maurice. His personal influence was stronger than his pulpit work. In the man there was a vein of kindly humour, which never lighted up his preaching.

In January 1864 he went to Menton.

In May he resorted to Switzerland but returned to Menton in October, and there died on 27 November 1864.

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James Burns

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