Church History Anniversaries - 150th Anniversary of the death of William Chalmers Burns

The third church history anniversary commemorated was that of William Chalmers Burns. This year, 2018, marks the 150th anniversary of his death.

'Willie' Burns was saved from a careless life as a youth and devoted himself to the service of the Lord. He wrote: From the first moment of this wonderful experience [ie. his conversion] I had the inspiring hope of being saved by a sovereign and infinitely gracious God; and in the same instant almost, I felt that I must leave my present occupation and devote myself to Jesus in the ministry of the glorious gospel by which I had been saved.

He endured much in the land of China for the sake of his Lord and Master. The story is told how that on one occasion he was arrested and told to bow before the chief magistrate. His response was: Your Excellency, I will render to you the same obeisance as I would to my Sovereign Queen Victoria, humbly on a bended knee, but I will only kneel on both knees to God, the King of Kings.

Here is the link to other church history anniversaries that have been commemorated over recent years. Sermonaudio - Newtownabbey Free Presbyterian Church - Church history anniversaries

Quotable Quote

In September 1840 Robert Murray M’Cheyne, wrote a letter to William Chalmers Burns. It contained the following sentiments:

I am deepened in my conviction, that if we are to be instruments in a true revival we must be purified from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.

Oh, cry for personal holiness, constant nearness to God by the blood of the Lamb!

Bask in His beams, lie back in the arms of love, be filled with the Spirit, or all success in the ministry will only be to your own everlasting confusion.

The complete letter, including others written to William Chalmers Burns by Robert Murray M’Cheyne, can be found in The Memoir & Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne.