THE LATE REV. DR. BURNS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2476, 23 January 1871, Page 2

THE LATE REV. DR. BURNS.

We regret that we have to record the death of the Rev. Dr Burns, whoso name is so intimately connected with the founding of the Province, and who has so long been associated with its religious and educational progress, The rev. gentleman died this morning, after a few weeks illness. The following short biographical notice appeared in the Dunedin Leader, November 7th, 1863

“ Dr Burns was born on the 10th April, 1790, at the farmhouse of Mossgiel, in Ayrshire, so famous as the home, during his boyhood, of his cousin, the Bard of Scotland, tie was educated at Wallace Had, in Dumfrieshire, and subsequently at the Grammar School of Haddington. He completed his academical career at the University of Edinburgh. He was, from an early age destined for the Ministry. This was with his own entire concurrence, though for long after the decision was made, his Sabbath devotions were sadly interfered with by the terror of having some day to stand up before a congregation like the Minister whose Kirk he attended. After leaving college; he was for some time tutor in the family of Sir John Dalrymplc, in North Berwick, by whose brother, Sir Hugh Dalrymple, he was presented to the Parish of Ballan!rae, in the South of Ayrshire, to which charge he was inducted in 1829, a delay of four years having taken place on account of a law-suit in reference to the right of presentation. From this place he was translated to the Parish of Monkton, near Ayr, where he labored until the great disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843. Dr. Burns was one of the large number who then gave up their living for conscience sake. The living of Monkton which he resigned was one of the richest in the County of Ayr, yielding a revenue of more than L4OO a year. From this time for three years he was engaged in organizing the Free Church within the Presbytery of Ayr, although he was, so early as the year of the disruption, appointed pastor of the Otago settlement, eventually, the long delay which occurred in maturing the scheme of tho Otago Association induced him to accept a charge in Portobello, which he held for about a year. He sailed for Otago in November, 1847, with the first draft of settlers, in the Philip Laing, and has ever since been the pastor of the principal Presbyterian Church in this City. For six years he was the only Minister of any denomination in the settlement, during which time men of all creeds worshipped together in his church. In 18(51, the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh, as a special mark of recognition of his character and services. This was one of the two first degrees bestowed upon Free Church Ministers after the disruption.” In the year 1867, the Rev. G. Sutherland was chosen to assist Dr. Burns in his pastoral duties, who for some time back has taken no part in the services of the church. His death will be regretted by all classes, who feel that a good and faithful minister has passed away from us.