REV. JAME& BURNS

Evening Star, Issue 22683, 24 June 1937, Page 1

REV. JAME& BURNS

HIGH HONOUR CONFERRED MODERATOR OF ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAH ASSEMBLY ■ / The Rev. Janies Burns, M.A., who is well known in Dunedin, has been elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of England:— Born in the ancient town of Haddington, the birth place of John Knox and Jane Welsh Carlyle, James Burns did not seem at first destined for the ministry. Indeed he belongs to that illustrious band of men throughout the years who, from a conviction , of. their unfitness for this high calling, though all the time conscious of its challenge, have begged to be excused. Yet the. call of God was too insistent, and ultimately James Burns set his face towards Durham University, where he elected to pursue his training. Six months before his ordination in 1895, and while yet a student at the Theological Hall, the congregation _of Cheltenham set its affections on _ him, and_ having waited through the intervening months, secured him as its minister. Six years were spent in this interesting charge, _ till a second call from an entirely different sphere had to be faced, Trinity Church, Princes Park, Liverpool, where seven years of arduous and faithful work were rewarded in the establishment of a solid and successful congregation. In 1908 Mr Burns accepted a third mall, to the congregation of Stoke, Newington, London, where he remained until 1924 when, suffering from overstrain, he resigned that charge with the intention of confining ms activities to literary work. It is safe to say, however, that the most fruitful part of James Burns’s ministry has been exercised subsequent to his retirement, for since 1924 to the present day ho hat been constantly occupied in building up and re-establish-ing depressed congregations, in fostering new causes and in a wide variety of ways continuing to serve his church with even greater zeal than when occupying a regular charge. For 14 months he laboured at the extension charge of Welwyn Garden City, augmenting its membership during that time from 50 to over 220, building halls and classrooms, and finally seeing the congregation raised to the status of a sanctioned charge. Similarly in 1933, he spent two years inaugurating our Church of St. James, Edgware, till its membership was raised to over 200, a handsome hall built, and again the preaching station raised to a sanctioned charge. Other spheres where Mr Burns had: done, conspicuous service are at Jersey and Nottingham, both of which, congregations he revived rof-and difficulty. tlife 1 : place of Mr Brauder during the visit of the lattter to China, preached for a lengthened period at Musweli Hill during a - protracted vacancy and again at St. John’s, Kenton, and blow he comes to the chair of our: assembly fresh from a spell of work in the Scottish Church in Rome.

It ought also to be mentioned that during the war Mr Bums served in France, and with the Army of Occupation in Cologne, in which capacity he was appointed lecturer by the War Office. But no period of his service has won for him greater renown than when, in 1928, ne went to Knox Church, Dunedin, New Zealand, on the suggestion of tho Church of Scotland, which was concerned with the appointment. 'This probably the largest and most influential of its kind south of the Equator, has a membership of 1,360, and here, for nine months-and-with extraordinary success,. Mr 'Burns preached to large crowds; he also lectured at the University and Theological Hall, and left behind him the memory of a most distinguished period of service. But it must not be supposed that the career of Mr Burns is one monotonous story of unceasing toil. It has been relieved by a variety of interests, social and literary, and . by many visits

abroad Since visiting Russia 40 years ago he has travelled widely in most European countries, in Australia, Ceylon and India. Italy seems to be the» country which chiefly attracts him, where in the charm of its vine-clad slopes, its sunny plains, and shining shores, and among its vivacious people, ho finds stimulus and tonic. Here also he has discovered ample opportunity for exercising his deep interest in art, and in many a famous gallery there his must be by now a familiar figure. From such visits have come the more important of his_ literary works, ‘ The Face of Christ in Art 1 and j Sermons in Art,’ both, of which volumes went through three editions and have proved immensely popular. His lectures on art are well known throughout our church and in more than one congregation L© has attracted a large evening audience by his addresses on this theme. Other works from his pen are ‘ Revivals, Their Laws # and Leaders,' ‘ Laws of Life and Destiny,’ and ‘Laws of the Upward Life,’ with several booklets on various topics. Probably his most useful volume is his * Pulpit Manual.’ This was first published several years ago but has lately been entirely rewritten and has had a very wide sale Week by week many a hardpressed minister is indebted to its rich suggestiveness and help. In these published prayers and services, Mr Burns’s spirit of deep devoutness is abundantly evident. The catholic note, the atmosphere of historic piety, his wide knowledge of the liturgies of the church and his , use of their haunting phrases and rich vocabulary are* in these prayers united with great variety and ppontaneousness of expression.