James Drummond Burns
Encyclopedia
James Drummond Burns was a Scottish
presbyterian minister and poet.
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’). In November 1841 he proceeded to the divinity classes under Chalmers and David Welsh, and followed them in 1843 to the new divinity hall established by the Free Church of Scotland
.
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 spent 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. Under medical advice he was induced to return, with a view to take permanent charge of the presbyterian congregation at Funchal. Set 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. After preaching at Brighton
and St. Heliers, he settled on 22 May 1855 with the newly formed presbyterian congregation in Well Walk, Hampstead
. He married, in the autumn of 1859, Margaret, daughter of Major-general John Macdonald, of the Bengal service, and widow of Lieutenant A. Procter, of the same.
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hymns and miscellaneous verse, thirty-nine translations from German hymns, versions of six psalms, selections from an unpublished poem called ‘The Evening Hymn,’ thirteen sermons, and two prose fragments.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. Burns was a man of catholic spirit; he admitted, as a member of his church, one who frankly said he ‘was not a strict presbyterian,’ and who professed simply to be a Christian. 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.
Burns was also one of the examining board of the English Presbyterian Theological College. In church courts he took little part; but going in 1863 to the English presbyterian synod at Manchester
, and thence on a deputation to the Free church assembly in Edinburgh, he contracted a severe cold. 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.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
presbyterian minister and poet.
Biography
Burns was born in Edinburgh on 18 February 1823, and was educated through the charitable foundation of Heriot's Hospital. 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 interested 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’). In November 1841 he proceeded to the divinity classes under Chalmers and David Welsh, and followed them in 1843 to the new divinity hall established by the Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
.
Early in 1845 Chalmers sent him to preach at the Free church, Dunblane
Dunblane
Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High...
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 spent the winter in Madeira
Madeira
Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago that lies between and , just under 400 km north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, in the north Atlantic Ocean and an outermost region of the European Union...
. He was appointed to the congregation at Funchal
Funchal
Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and the capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. The city has a population of 112,015 and has been the capital of Madeira for more than five centuries.-Etymology:...
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. Under medical advice he was induced to return, with a view to take permanent charge of the presbyterian congregation at Funchal. Set 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. After preaching at Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
and St. Heliers, he settled on 22 May 1855 with the newly formed presbyterian congregation in Well Walk, Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
. He married, in the autumn of 1859, Margaret, daughter of Major-general John Macdonald, of the Bengal service, and widow of Lieutenant A. Procter, of the same.
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
Encyclopædia Britannica
The Encyclopædia Britannica , published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia that is available in print, as a DVD, and on the Internet. It is written and continuously updated by about 100 full-time editors and more than 4,000 expert...
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. Burns was a man of catholic spirit; he admitted, as a member of his church, one who frankly said he ‘was not a strict presbyterian,’ and who professed simply to be a Christian. 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.
Burns was also one of the examining board of the English Presbyterian Theological College. In church courts he took little part; but going in 1863 to the English presbyterian synod at Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, and thence on a deputation to the Free church assembly in Edinburgh, he contracted a severe cold. In January 1864 he went to Menton
Menton
Menton is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.Situated on the French Riviera, along the Franco-Italian border, it is nicknamed la perle de la France ....
. In May he resorted to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
but returned to Menton in October, and there died on 27 November 1864.