PREFATORY NOTE AND AUTHOR’S PREFACE
PREFATORY NOTE AND AUTHOR’S PREFACE – Burns, William Chalmers Memoir of the rev. Wm. C. Burns, m. A. , missionary to china from the English Presbyterian church by the late […]
RECALLING WILLIAM C. BURNS
RECALLING WILLIAM C. BURNS – Burns, William Chalmers chapter 21 1875 The first evening or our arrival we had the pleasure of hearing rev. William c. Burns of the “English Presbyterian mission” conduct the union mission meeting. He wore the “full Chinese blue dress and tail, ” he was both a distinguished scholar and earnest […]
MISSIONARY OPERATIONS IN CHINA
MISSIONARY OPERATIONS IN CHINA – Burns, William Chalmers chapter 20 1865 pekin, february 7 th , 1865 I have now finished the “pilgrim’s progress” in the mandarin colloquial, which, after being looked over by one or two native friends, will be printed. This will occupy some months at least. I had begun to make an […]
HE PRECIOUS SAVIOUR
HE PRECIOUS SAVIOUR – Burns, William Chalmers 238 chapter 19 1864 Unto you who believe he is precious. ” – 1 peter 2:7 There are very few people who would not agree with the apostle when he says, that Christ is precious to believers. All who have been educated in a Christian land, however incorrect […]
A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE IN THE HIGHLANDS OF PERTHSHIRE
A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE IN THE HIGHLANDS OF PERTHSHIRE – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 17 [the affection, with which Mr. Burns was regarded, wherever he went, by those who attended his ministry, was doubly manifest towards him by the ardent highlanders. From the highland districts which he visited, as from his other scenes of […]
SIN CONDEMNED
SIN CONDEMNED – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 16 [preached to the congregation of the rev. Dr. C. J. Brown, free new north, edinburgh, while they worshipped in the potterrow, december 1846. Mr. Burns had then just returned from canada. The claims of china, in connection with the resolution of the english presbyterian church to start […]
THE TEN VIRGINS
THE TEN VIRGINS – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 15 [preached in moulin parish church on sabbath evening, september 6, 1840. In the forenoon of the same day, mr. Burns preached in a tent to the people who were seated in the churchyard. Many of the higher classes were present who were not likely to have […]
THE VALLEY OF VISION
THE VALLEY OF VISION – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 14 [preached in st. Leonard’s church, Perth, on Wednesday evening, march 11, 1840, to a densely crowded audience. ] Ezekiel 37 There is so much in this chapter, that we cannot attempt to explain equally all parts of it; but shall merely make a few observations […]
WORDS OF WARNING
WORDS OF WARNING – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 13 [free st. Leonard’s church, Perth, sabbath afternoon, February 19, 1844] 2 Thessalonians 2 This chapter contains a most remarkable prophecy of the rise, progress, and final destruction of antichrist; and we now desire to direct your attention to what prepared the world and the professing church […]
THE BREAKER UP
THE BREAKER UP – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 12 [free west church, sabbath evening, February 19, 1844] I will surely assemble, o Jacob, all of thee; i will surely gather the remnant of Israel; i will put them together as the sheep of boozer, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall […]
TRIAL MADE SWEET
TRIAL MADE SWEET – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 11 [Perth, February 1844] “patient in tribulation. ” – Romans 12:12 If, while earthly good is removed, divine consolation is given instead, the believer gets back an hundred- fold what he gave up, by receiving that which is an hundred-fold better. What an example of this we […]
RETURN OF THE ARK
RETURN OF THE ARK – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 10 [Perth, February 1844] 1 chronicles 15 all the priests chosen to bring up the ark to the city of David were commanded to sanctify themselves. For, ” said David to the priests, “because ye did it not at the first, the lord our god made […]
UZZA SMITTEN
UZZA SMITTEN – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 9 [Perth, February 1844] And the anger of the lord was kindled against uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before god. ” — 1 chronicles 13:10 . The ark was a type of Christ, and the bringing […]
TRUE ZEAL
TRUE ZEAL- Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 8 True zeal [in February 1844, Mr. Burns visited Perth for ten days, at the earnest request of those who longed to see an in gathering of souls. Besides three services on the sabbaths, he had a service every evening, as also at 9:15 a. M. , […]
THE LORD PASSING BY
THE LORD PASSING BY – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 7 [the following address was delivered in the free middle church, Perth, on the evening of sabbath, February 12, 1844. It is given as it was delivered; the previous addresses are considerably shortened from the original notes. It is believed that some readers will like to […]
EVE OF THE DISRUPTION
EVE OF THE DISRUPTION – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 6 [This address was given on the evening preceding the disruption, by mr. Burns, in the church of the rev. A. Moody Stuart, just before the disruption ministers assembled in it to arrange their courses for the morrow. At the close of mr. Burns’ address, we […]
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xxi So your loved and honored William, ” wrote the rev. Dr. C. J. Brown to his mother, on hearing the tidings of his death, “has obtained the fulfillment of Christ’s prayer, ‘father, i will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where i am, […]
PEKING AND NIUE-CHANG
PEKING AND NIUE-CHANG – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xx 1863-68 In tracing the last footsteps of my lamented brother at peking and nieu-chwang, i have been happily furnished with such ample materials from the hands of loving brethren of different christian communions, that it will scarcely be necessary for me to do aught more than […]
OLD SCENES AND NEW
OLD SCENES AND NEW – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xix 1858-63 While Mr. Burns was thus laboriously preparing the way for future laborers in the comparatively hard and unkindly soil around swatow, his missionary brethren had been reaping a rich and almost continuous harvest at the parent station of amoy. His young colleague, mr. Douglas, […]
SHANGHAE, SWATOW, ETC –
SHANGHAE, SWATOW, ETC – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xviii 1855- 1858 Instead of resuming at once his interrupted labors in the province of fo-kien, Mr. Burns proceeded in the first instance to the north, with the view of attempting if possible to reach the head-quarters of the taping rebels, then established at Nanking, and at […]
FIRST-FRUITS
FIRST-FRUITS – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xvii 1854 Hitherto the abundant and patient labours which we have been recording had been rewarded only by hopeful appearances and fair promise, but the missionary was soon to witness greater things than these. On the 18th of January, 1854, Mr. Johnston, shortly after his arrival, wrote: “god has […]
AMOY
AMOY – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xvi 1851-54 Amoy a sail of four hundred miles in a north-easterly direction from Hong-kong, along a bold and precipitous coast, rising occasionally to a commanding elevation, brings us to a group of islands scattered over the wide and spacious estuary of one of those rivers which here and […]
CANTON
CANTON – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xv 1850-51 We have already remarked that Mr. Burns, labours on Chinese soil had been hitherto mainly preparatory and tentative. The question of a permanent center of operations for the infant mission had not even yet been determined. The balance of opinion, however, in the home committee had been […]
BREAKING GROUND
BREAKING GROUND – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xiv 1847 -1850 Forty years have elapsed, ” said the rev. James Hamilton, in his report to the synod early in the next year, “since a young man, a native of Newcastle, and brought up in one of our Presbyterian churches, effected his circuitous and almost clandestine passage […]
THE FIELD AND ITS PIONEERS
THE FIELD AND ITS PIONEERS – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xiii 1847 China proper is a compact territory. You would only need to cut off a few projections and fill up a few indentations in order to bring it into either a circle or a square; for its length and breadth are nearly equal. It […]
DEPARTURE FOR CHINA
DEPARTURE FOR CHINA – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xii 1847 The missionary’s departure from England, though delayed in the manner above described, took place at last somewhat suddenly. The ship in which he was to sail, the Mary bannatyne, was dropping slowly down the channel under a light breeze towards port smouth, and it was […]
CALL TO THE CHINESE FIELD
CALL TO THE CHINESE FIELD – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter xi 1846- 1847 My readers will remember a statement from my brother’s own hand of the circumstances of his first consecration to the missionary work, and of the remarkable train of events by which the fulfillment of his purpose was temporarily, though, as it seemed, […]
CANADA
CANADA – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter x 1844-1846 This chapter was kindly prepared by the late rev. Robert burns. Our north American colonies had something like a hereditary claim on the services of Mr. Burns. It has been the lot of two of his near relatives to be engaged for a series of years in […]
NEWCASTLE, EDINBURGH, DUBLIN
NEWCASTLE, EDINBURGH, DUBLIN – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter ix 1841 -1844 During the next three years Mr. Burns was incessantly engaged in evangelistic work, partly in places which he had already visited, and partly in new fields. Of the latter the most conspicuous were new castle, Edinburgh, and Dublin, and to a brief notice of […]
WORK AMONG THE MOUNTAINS
WORK AMONG THE MOUNTAINS – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter viii 1840 I shall never forget, ” says one to whom Mr. Burns “was more than any other man, “”the first time i saw him. It was at lawers, on sabbath the 16th of august, 1840. The whole country was ringing with the wonderful movement in […]
LABOURS AT ABERDEEN
LABOURS AT ABERDEEN – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter vii 1840 The details which have been given in the three last chapters from Mr. Burns’ own journals, of the nature of his labours, and the scenes amongst which he mingled, at kilsyth, Dundee, and perth, will render it unnecessary to give such extended extracts with reference […]
ST. ANDREWS, PERTH, &C
ST. ANDREWS, PERTH, &C – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter vi 1839-40 With the return of Mr. M’cheyne, mr. Burns’ stated labours at Dundee necessarily came to a close, and though the somewhat delicate state of his friend’s health still for a season rendered his assistance in pastoral work more or less needful, his movements became […]
St. Peter’s, Dundee
St. Peter’s, Dundee – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter v 1839 The reader will have seen that in turning aside to refer to the second communion at kilsyth, and thus bring into one view the history of the remarkable movement there, we have necessarily anticipated somewhat the actual course of events in mr. Burns’ life. He […]
REVIVAL SCENES
REVIVAL SCENES – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter iv 1839 The subject of the revival of religion as the great want of the times had been already, and for a long time, much in the minds both of the pastor and the people of kilsyth. The memorable scenes of the years 1742-3, when, under the ministry […]
OPENING MINISTRY
OPENING MINISTRY – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter iii 1839 In the report of the university missionary association for the year 1838, the seventeenth from its institution, i find the following interesting notice: “gratifying as the preceding facts must be regarded, it is with deeper gratitude and far higher pleasure that your committee intimate the fact […]
PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY
PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter ii 1832-1839. My brother’s remaining years of study at Aberdeen present nothing particularly worthy of record, excepts visibly heightened tone of earnestness and energy in all his work, due to the higher motives and principles which now inspired him. A true christian, he became more than […]
1815-1832 EARLY YEARS
1815-1832 EARLY YEARS – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER I 1815-1832 William Chalmers Burns, the subject of the present memoir, was the third son of the Rev. William Hamilton Burns, D.D., minister successively of Dun in Angus, and of Kilsyth in Stirling shire, and was born in the manse of the former parish on the 1st […]
THE PRECIOUS SAVIOR –
THE PRECIOUS SAVIOR – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 19 1864 ‘UNTO YOU WHO BELIEVE HE IS PRECIOUS.” – 1 PETER 2:7 There are very few people who would not agree with the apostle when he says, that Christ is precious to believers. All who have been educated in a Christian land, however incorrect their views, […]
THE BREAKER UP
THE BREAKER UP – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 12 [Free West Church, Sabbath Evening, February 19, 1844] “I WILL SURELY ASSEMBLE, O JACOB, ALL OF THEE; I WILL SURELY GATHER THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL; I WILL PUT THEM TOGETHER AS THE SHEEP OF BOZRAH, AS THE FLOCK IN THE MIDST OF THEIR FOLD: THEY SHALL […]
TRUE ZEAL
TRUE ZEAL- Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 8 [In February 1844, Mr. Burns visited Perth for ten days, at the earnest request of those who longed to see an in gathering of souls. Besides three services on the Sabbaths, he had a service every evening, as also at 9:15 a.m., for working people, during their breakfast […]
THE SECRET PLACE
THE SECRET PLACE – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 5 [Preached in St. Leonard’s Church, Perth, February 8, 1942. The visits which Mr. Burns paid to Perth, from time to time, were eagerly looked forward to by the converts there and in the neighborhood. On each of these occasions, the church was crowded long before the […]
I AM DEBTOR
I AM DEBTOR – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 4 [Preached November 28 th 1841, in Edinburgh, to the Congregation of the Rev. A. Moody Stuart, then absent in Maderia, whose place Mr. Burns supplied.] “I AM DEBTOR BOTH TO THE GREEKS, AND TO THE BARBARIANS; BOTH TO THE WISE, AND TO THE UNWISE.” – Romans […]
THE LIMIT SET
THE LIMIT SET – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 3 (The sermon – of which the following are but fragments – was preached while Mr. Burns was a guest at Nonskid, in the church of Tenantry, which is situated in the birch wood overhanging the Pass of Crankiness, on Wednesday evening, September 9, 1840. This service […]
COVENANT MERCY
COVENANT MERCY – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 2 (April 6, 1840, a Farewell Address given in St. Leonard’s Church, to the Converts gathered in during the Revival in Perth, after three months labour there, on his leaving for Aberdeen.) “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart […]
PRESSING INTO THE KINGDOM
PRESSING INTO THE KINGDOM – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 1 (Preached in St. Leonard’s Church, Perth, in the midst of the Remarkable Work of the Lord there, March 30,1840.) “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PREACHED, AND EVERY MAN PRESSETH INTO IT.” – Luke 16:16. Without detaining you by noticing a number of things to which […]
NOTES OF ADDRESSES
NOTES OF ADDRESSES – Burns, William Chalmers Chapter 18 1869 PREFACE It is no longer the ocean that separates us from WILLIAM BURNS. His last utterance in the comfortless little inn of New-chwang, “THINE IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY, forever AND EVER, AMEN,” he repeats now in heaven at his Master’s feet. […]
THE THRONE OF GRACE
THE THRONE OF GRACE- Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 8 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 We considered this passage in part on a former occasion, and endeavored to explain the meaning of the expression, “throne […]
THE GOOD GROUND
THE GOOD GROUND – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 7 “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” – Matthew 13:23 Men’s hearts are, in the parable before us, compared to soil; […]
SAVED BY HOPE
SAVED BY HOPE -Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 6 It is a peculiar complication of trial when we have to labour on through much tribulation, and yet see no fruit of labour. It is then that we get at the meaning of that expression – saved by hope. We require to have this hope in exercise, […]
REFUGES OF LIES
REFUGES OF LIES – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 5 “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we bid ourselves. Therefore […]
THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION
THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 4 People often speak of the new man and the change of nature, as if it were some incomprehensible work upon them, apart from any of their ordinary faculties and feelings. And so, in one sense, it is. But although the introduction into the soul of […]
SIN CONDEMNED
SIN CONDEMNED – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 3 “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” — Romans 8:3 The word “flesh” in this verse seems to stand for […]
THE PRECIOUS SAVIOR
THE PRECIOUS SAVIOR – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 2 “Unto you who believe he is precious.” – 1 Peter 2:7 There are very few people who would not agree with the apostle when he says, that Christ is precious to believers. All who have been educated in a Christian land, however incorrect their views, and […]
A RACE TO GLORY
A RACE TO GLORY – Burns, William Chalmers CHAPTER 1 “Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, […]
ADDRESSES FROM A HEARER’S NOTES
ADDRESSES FROM A HEARER’S NOTES – Burns, William Chalmers 1858 PREFACE The following reminiscences of the evangelistic labours of my esteemed friend, Mr. Burns – which were so singularly owned of God in former years to the converting and quickening of many souls in various parts of Scotland – having been recently brought under my […]
China and the Missions at Amoy-1854
China and the Missions at Amoy-1854 -Burns, William Chalmers The staff at Amoy, of the English Presbyterian Church, consists of the Rev. W. C. Burns and Rev. James Johnston, with Dr. Young, who has just returned to this country in enfeebled health. Mr. Burns felt it necessary to accompany him home, so that Mr. Johnston […]
COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT-
COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT – Burns, William Chalmers A LETTER TO THOSE AT EVEN WHO ARE SETTING THEIR FACES ZION WARD – 1843 DEAR FELLOW-SINNERS, Now that I am removed from you I cannot forbear to send you a few lines of comfort and encouragement; and it has been my prayer that the God of salvation […]
SALVATION IS OF THE LORD
SALVATION IS OF THE LORD – Burns, William Chalmers A SERMON OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF THE REV.R. MURRAY M’CHEYNE. 1843 (PREACHED IN ST. PETER’S CHURCH, ON SABBATH EVENING, APRIL 2, 1843, AND PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE KIRK SESSION. TO THE ELDERS AND CONGREGATION OF ST. PETER’S CHURCH, DUNDEE) DEARLY-BELOVED BRETHREN, The following […]
Anxious Sinner
Anxious Sinner- Burns, William Chalmers My Dear Fellow Sinner, There are none in whom I feel so deep an interest, and to whom I am so anxious at present to speak a work in season, as the class of those who have been brought to feel their sin and misery, as apostates from the love […]
TWO LETTERS TO YOUNG DISCIPLES OF THE LORD EMMANUEL
TWO LETTERS TO YOUNG DISCIPLES OF THE LORD EMMANUEL-Burns, William Chalmers Mr. Burns is constantly urging upon the people at home the great call for prayer on his behalf, and in his letters says: “I desire a continued interest in the prayers of God’s people that my faith may not fail amid the difficulties of […]
CONFIDENCE IN GOD
CONFIDENCE IN GOD- Burns, William Chalmers “I have seemed to see a need of everything God gives me, and want nothing that he denies me; there is no dispensation, though afflict, but either in it, or after it, I find, I could not have done without it. Whether it be taken from me, or not […]
TWO LETTERS TO THE INHABITANTS OF BALNAGUARD
TWO LETTERS TO THE INHABITANTS OF BALNAGUARD – Burns, William Chalmers TWO LETTERS TO THE INHABITANTS OF BLACKGUARD; A VILLAGE IN STRATHTAY 1841 Note: The following Lines were printed without my knowledge at Aberfeldy. I have consented to allow them to be printed again, praying that Jehovah may condescend to bless any word of his […]
Letters to sinners seeking salvation, in aberdeen
Letters to sinners seeking salvation, in aberdeen – Burns, William Chalmers LETTERS TO SINNERS SEEKING SALVATION, IN ABERDEEN, DUNDEE, PERTH, KILSYTH, AND OTHER PLACES LETTERS NUMBER 2 THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN 1841 DEARLY-BELOVED FELLOW-SINNERS, Although I am separated from you in body, I have many an anxious, burdened thought about the state of your precious […]
LETTERS TO SINNERS SEEKING SALVATION
LETTERS TO SINNERS SEEKING SALVATION- Burns, William Chalmers LETTERS TO SINNERS SEEKING SALVATION, IN ABERDEEN,DUNDEE, PERTH,KILOBYTE, AND OTHER PLACES 1841 TO THE READER The following is my reason for printing the Letters, of which the present is the first.When I left Aberdeen, in the beginning of December last, I was lead at the desire of […]
PLAIN SENTENCES TO: PERISHING SINNERS
PLAIN SENTENCES TO: PERISHING SINNERS – Burns, William Chalmers PLAIN SENTENCES TO: PERISHING SINNERS, IN NEWCASTLE AND GATES HEAD – ALSO, A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF ELIMINATOR. 1841 MY DEAR FELLOW SINNERS, Perhaps you have heard of the wonderful things which the Great God has been doing for us in Scotland. The servants of […]
A LETTER TO SAINTS AND SINNERS
A LETTER TO SAINTS AND SINNERS-Burns, William Chalmers A LETTER TO SAINTS AND SINNERS IN ASHTRAY, BREAD AL BANE, CATHOLIC, AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 1841 MY DEAR FRIENDS, On arriving here this afternoon, with the view of meeting you again as an ambassador of Christ, I have found that there has been a desire expressed by […]
A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF MILNATHORT
A LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF MILNATHORT-Burns, William Chalmers 1841 DEAR-BELOVED FRIENDS, I am now far from you in bodily presence; but I can with truth say, that my heart is nearer to you than before, as my eye turns joyfully, from the awful contemplation of sin and ungodliness around me, in this poor town, […]
Walk circumspectly
Walk circumspectly- Burns, William Chalmers A letter to the professed disciples of Christ at Perth 1840 “he that endure to the end shall be saved. “-Matthew 10:22 My dear friends in the lord i have felt the deepest anxiety about the state of your precious souls since we parted last, and have often wished […]
THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN
THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN – Burns, William Chalmers THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN 1840 “And when He is come He will reprove the world of sin.” – John 16:8. MY DEAR FELLOW-SINNERS The object I have at present in view is to guide you to a true and saving knowledge of THE NATURE AND HEINOUSNESS OF […]
ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNION-William Chalmers Burns
ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNION-William Chalmers Burns 15chapter 2account of the communion 1939 about three weeks after this remarkable work commenced, it was considered most desirable andobligatory to have another communion season. The session met for special prayer for direction as to thematter, and afterwards as to the time most suitable. The number of new communicants […]
KILSYTH-William Chalmers Burns
KILSYTH – William Chalmers Burns Chapter 1kilsyth 1839 . Being the substance of a statement by the rev. Mr. Burns, minister of the parish, drawn up at the request of thepresbytery of glasgow, with additions. I was admitted to the charge of this parish on the 19 th april, 1821, on which i entered “in […]