REV. THOMAS BURNS, D D.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 347, 15 February 1861, Page 3

REV. THOMAS BURNS, D D.

We have great pleasure in announcing to our readers that the University of Edinburgh I has conferred the degree of D.D. on the Rev. Thomas Burns. This is a well-merited honor. As a theologian, Mr. Burns' discoursps are more likely to be expected in the Divinity Halls of the Universities of Britain than in the quiet obscurity of an Otago congregation. The closeness of reasoning with which Mr. Burns supports Christian truths—the caution with which he treads on disputed ground—and the candor with which he gives both sides of the question, have placed him in the highest rank as a divine. Mr. Burns has now reached the 65th year of his age; the best 34 years of his life have been devoted to the Christian ministry. Dr. Burns, as we may now call him, was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Otago. Thirteen years ago he commenced the work single-handed, and has been spared to see the day when the Church has seven laborers in the same field besides himself, and about seven thousand adherents. Barns is an historical and honored name in Scotland, and we rejoice that this reverend member of the poet's family has received such a high acknowledgment of his attainments as a divine; the honor, we conceive, will sit well upon the head of one who has grown grey in his Master's service, and in the constant study of those mysteries that are concealed in the volume of Inspired Truths. May belong be spared to enjoy the honor that has been conferred upon him. The following is a copy of the letter addressed to the Rev. Thomas Burns from the Rev. Dr. Bonar, Convener of the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland :— Edinburgh, November 19,1800. Rev. Thomas Burns, D. D. My dear Dr. Burns, —It gives me the greatest pleasure to address you by a title which has only been too long delayed. We have all long desired to see this well-merited honor conferred on you, and it is peculiarly gratifying that now it comes from the Metropolitan University of our native country. In conferring this degree, the University ot Edinburgh has not only conferred an honor due justify to you, but has through you done an honor to a colony with which your name must ever be associated. May you be long spared to wear your new honors, and may you be permitted to see the the Presbyterian Church of Otago, which, singlehahded you went forth to plant, and which, with God's gracious blessing on the efforts of yourself and others, has so rapidly increased, becoming day by day an increasing blessing to the interesting and important colony to which you have consecrated your ministry, and whore so many of our countrymen have found a distant, but a comfortable and happy home. Cordially congratulating you, your family, and the colony on this auspicious occasion, I am, with great affection, Yours most truly, (Signed) John Bonar, C.C.