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The Pastor of Kilsyth: The Life and Times of W. H. Burns
The Pastor of Kilsyth introduces us to the life and ministry of William Hamilton Burns (1779– 1859), the father of the better known preacher and missionary to China William Chalmers Burns (1815–68). But while eclipsed in fame by his son, the life and ministry of William H. Burns contains much that is of value to us today. This is reflected by Iain Murray who referred to The Pastor of Kilsyth as a ‘little known work,’ but notwithstanding this said it is ‘one of the best Scottish ministerial biographies.’ Those who give time to read this book will undoubtedly be led to agree with Murray.
The author of The Pastor of Kilsyth was another son of William H. Burns, Islay Burns (best known as a writer, and as the successor to Robert Murray M‘Cheyne in Dundee). He gave three reasons for writing this biography, and they are still helpful in outlining its value. Islay Burns first said that he aimed to introduce his readers to a ‘humble, unobtrusive, loving, cheerfully serious, and quietly conscientious country clergyman.’ What we have here then is the life of an ‘ordinary’ faithful pastor. He held no prestigious pulpit, he held no important professorship in theology. He founded no institution. He simply laboured in relative obscurity, but did so faithfully and with perseverance. Yes, he ultimately saw great revival. But along the way there were spiritually discouraging days in the nation, there was personal hardship (for example, the early death of children) and sacrifice (for example, in supporting the founding of the Free Church of Scotland he gave up his manse and church building) and years of no great visible fruit.
In our celebrity-driven age (from which the evangelical church is far from exempt), this is exactly the kind of life we need to study. We need to be reminded of the beauty, dignity and ultimately the glory of humble, obscure Christian service (Matt. 10:42). Yes, we need the towering leaders of men like John Calvin and John Knox. However, the great work of the church is ultimately carried forward by those who receive little earthly reward and recognition (but great is their reward in heaven!). William H. Burns was one of these, and we need many like him in our day.
The author of The Pastor of Kilsyth was another son of William H. Burns, Islay Burns (best known as a writer, and as the successor to Robert Murray M‘Cheyne in Dundee). He gave three reasons for writing this biography, and they are still helpful in outlining its value. Islay Burns first said that he aimed to introduce his readers to a ‘humble, unobtrusive, loving, cheerfully serious, and quietly conscientious country clergyman.’ What we have here then is the life of an ‘ordinary’ faithful pastor. He held no prestigious pulpit, he held no important professorship in theology. He founded no institution. He simply laboured in relative obscurity, but did so faithfully and with perseverance. Yes, he ultimately saw great revival. But along the way there were spiritually discouraging days in the nation, there was personal hardship (for example, the early death of children) and sacrifice (for example, in supporting the founding of the Free Church of Scotland he gave up his manse and church building) and years of no great visible fruit.
In our celebrity-driven age (from which the evangelical church is far from exempt), this is exactly the kind of life we need to study. We need to be reminded of the beauty, dignity and ultimately the glory of humble, obscure Christian service (Matt. 10:42). Yes, we need the towering leaders of men like John Calvin and John Knox. However, the great work of the church is ultimately carried forward by those who receive little earthly reward and recognition (but great is their reward in heaven!). William H. Burns was one of these, and we need many like him in our day.
289 pages, Cloth-bound
First published January 1, 1860
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November 2, 2020
I’ve read several biographies highlighting the lives of spiritual giants of the faith. Martin Luther. Augustine. John Calvin. Charles Spurgeon. These men and women who have wielded great influence in the Church, whose names have been cemented in the books of history, have droves of biographies commemorating their decorated lives, reflecting not heir achievements, drawing readers into their impressiveness.
But what about the pastors who are like me?
I currently pastor in a small community in central Texas. Even some people who live thirty minutes away from me aren’t quite sure where our community is, let alone, have no clue about our church. We are not the stuff of biographies. We “don’t sell.” And yet, there are tens of thousands of churches like my own in America. Attempting to faithfully minister to and shepherd God’s people and to help them walk in communion with the Lord.
When folks like myself read a Luther-level biography, the anecdotes and the stories meant to inspire can actually leave us with a subtle feeling that what we are doing doesn’t matter, that our ministry is inferior, that we should leave it to the big names. But the truth is, God’s people — His Church — most needs faithful, ordinary, simple pastors to love their faithful, ordinary, simple work.
This is the genius of a book like The Pastor of Kilsyth: The Life and Times of W.H. Burns. Through the beautiful narration of his son, Islay, we learn of Burns’ humble and obscure service in Scotland in the early 1800’s. Collections of journal entries and family stories compile an account of Burns’ small ministry in Kilysth, in all its ups and downs.
Islay brings to life the unknown stories of his father’s ministry, giving us an insider’s look into the “unglamorous” work of pastoring small, overlooked flocks of sheep:
“The simple annals of a country pastor’s daily life are uniform and uneventful, and afford little scope for the biographer’s pencil. Interesting and precious as any work done on earth in Heaven’s eyes, it is the obscurest possible in the world’s regard. Angels look down upon it; busy, eager, bustling men heed it not…it flows on in a still and quiet stream, arresting no attention by its noise, and known alone to the lowly homes it visits on its way, and the flowers and the fields it waters.” (p. 43-44)
William H. Burns was a pastor who was fortunate to experience spiritual renewal among his parish, but it was a result of his being methodical in approach. Revival came not through bright lights and appealing to the masses, but by the “patient course of holy duty, continued on in faith and prayer from year to year. Thus his influence was rather felt than seen” (81, emphasis mine).
Many today in ministry are trying to let their influence be seen. We are tempted to give ourselves to ways of ministry that grab people’s attention, win their focus, and turn their eyes to us. But our goal, with William H. Burns, should be to help our people change and grow, without being noticed along the way.
I appreciated Islay’s honest recollection on Kilsyth post-Burns’ ministry. He admits that one might observe the seeming godlessness of Kilsyth today, and wonder if Burns’ simple ministry really proved to be effective in the end. Burns looks to Paul’s work in Corinth as a parallel — could we say Corinth became a transformed community as a result of Paul? We don’t have record of such a spiritual transformation. And yet, Burns’ work, like Paul, was work that was faithful and fruitful. “The work there done by his right hand was indeed honorable and glorious.”
Kilsyth was a place, no doubt, marked by Burns’ faithfulness to the gospel ministry. He’s not a well-remembered name (one of his sons is actually much more famous than he), and yet his story points us to the beauty of pastoring in an unglamorous, insignificant place, and how God honors such small movements.
Pastors need to be reminded of men who have gone before them, in obscurity and often lost to legend, who have faced the same challenges, experienced the same joys, dealt with the same slog of ministry that we all do. Pastors often feel alone. Especially the pastors who are, geographically speaking, are alone in their efforts to bring the gospel to a community. We need our own community, past and present, of pastors who remind us of the gift of ordinary, faithful service, who convince us that Christ is better than praise, that our simple work honors the Lord. We get this reminder in The Pastor of Kilsyth. I’m thankful to have gotten an up-close look at such a personal, unknown life like Burns.’ I’m thankful for this biography.
But what about the pastors who are like me?
I currently pastor in a small community in central Texas. Even some people who live thirty minutes away from me aren’t quite sure where our community is, let alone, have no clue about our church. We are not the stuff of biographies. We “don’t sell.” And yet, there are tens of thousands of churches like my own in America. Attempting to faithfully minister to and shepherd God’s people and to help them walk in communion with the Lord.
When folks like myself read a Luther-level biography, the anecdotes and the stories meant to inspire can actually leave us with a subtle feeling that what we are doing doesn’t matter, that our ministry is inferior, that we should leave it to the big names. But the truth is, God’s people — His Church — most needs faithful, ordinary, simple pastors to love their faithful, ordinary, simple work.
This is the genius of a book like The Pastor of Kilsyth: The Life and Times of W.H. Burns. Through the beautiful narration of his son, Islay, we learn of Burns’ humble and obscure service in Scotland in the early 1800’s. Collections of journal entries and family stories compile an account of Burns’ small ministry in Kilysth, in all its ups and downs.
Islay brings to life the unknown stories of his father’s ministry, giving us an insider’s look into the “unglamorous” work of pastoring small, overlooked flocks of sheep:
“The simple annals of a country pastor’s daily life are uniform and uneventful, and afford little scope for the biographer’s pencil. Interesting and precious as any work done on earth in Heaven’s eyes, it is the obscurest possible in the world’s regard. Angels look down upon it; busy, eager, bustling men heed it not…it flows on in a still and quiet stream, arresting no attention by its noise, and known alone to the lowly homes it visits on its way, and the flowers and the fields it waters.” (p. 43-44)
William H. Burns was a pastor who was fortunate to experience spiritual renewal among his parish, but it was a result of his being methodical in approach. Revival came not through bright lights and appealing to the masses, but by the “patient course of holy duty, continued on in faith and prayer from year to year. Thus his influence was rather felt than seen” (81, emphasis mine).
Many today in ministry are trying to let their influence be seen. We are tempted to give ourselves to ways of ministry that grab people’s attention, win their focus, and turn their eyes to us. But our goal, with William H. Burns, should be to help our people change and grow, without being noticed along the way.
I appreciated Islay’s honest recollection on Kilsyth post-Burns’ ministry. He admits that one might observe the seeming godlessness of Kilsyth today, and wonder if Burns’ simple ministry really proved to be effective in the end. Burns looks to Paul’s work in Corinth as a parallel — could we say Corinth became a transformed community as a result of Paul? We don’t have record of such a spiritual transformation. And yet, Burns’ work, like Paul, was work that was faithful and fruitful. “The work there done by his right hand was indeed honorable and glorious.”
Kilsyth was a place, no doubt, marked by Burns’ faithfulness to the gospel ministry. He’s not a well-remembered name (one of his sons is actually much more famous than he), and yet his story points us to the beauty of pastoring in an unglamorous, insignificant place, and how God honors such small movements.
Pastors need to be reminded of men who have gone before them, in obscurity and often lost to legend, who have faced the same challenges, experienced the same joys, dealt with the same slog of ministry that we all do. Pastors often feel alone. Especially the pastors who are, geographically speaking, are alone in their efforts to bring the gospel to a community. We need our own community, past and present, of pastors who remind us of the gift of ordinary, faithful service, who convince us that Christ is better than praise, that our simple work honors the Lord. We get this reminder in The Pastor of Kilsyth. I’m thankful to have gotten an up-close look at such a personal, unknown life like Burns.’ I’m thankful for this biography.
December 21, 2019
The Pastor of Kilywyth: The Life and Times of W. H. Burns by Islay Burns is published by The Banner of Truth, one of the best Christian publishers in our time.
I suspect that many well read Christian folks will see the title and author of this book and say, “Never heard of them.” I was one such reader, having never heard of W. H. Burns, who pastored in Kilsyth (in Scotland) or of his son and biographer Islay Burns. That is actually a reason for wanting and needing to read this book. We can all fall for the very inaccurate idea that God has worked through Luther, Calvin, Knox, Edwards, and Kuyper in the past and is working through the big name pastors in the present, but the rest are merely filler for the Kingdom advances.
Having recently finished reading and reviewing A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry Matters in Forgotten Communities by Stephen Witmer, I have been thinking about the small, obscure, unknown, often undesired, and underrated areas of service in God’s Kingdom. I confess to being in awe of the big names from past and present and astounded by the mighty works of Spurgeon, the Hodges, Kuyper, and others. Rightly so, but that overlooks the many pastors, leaders, teachers, missionaries, and faithful Christians whose only written biographies are the dates on their tombstones.
There is another hindrance to this book: Style. First published in 1860, this book reads like all too many biographies of that time. Many bore titles like “The Life and Letters of ****.” The books are short on actual probing into the thoughts, struggles, and conflicts of the subjects, but are strong on their virtues, spiritual attainments, and often wordy letters and sermons. This doesn’t appeal to the modern reader, nor does it dig much into the person being examined. Some might call it hagiography, which means writing of the lives of the saints.
This style does not suit modern scholarship. It contains a lack of dimensions of the complexities of a person’s life. It verges toward flowery and noble language.
But I commend these types of books. The style may be a challenge for those of us who have been influenced directly and indirectly by the likes of Ernest Hemingway’s prose style, Freud’s psychoanalytical probing, and modernity’s quest to puncture every heroic figure from the past. The biographers were never seeking to tell the untold secrets of their subjects. They were writing biographies with pastoral intent. Their Scriptural touchstone is Hebrews 11.
Cultivate a love of this style of writing. Cultivate an appreciation of these types of biographies. Cultivate a hunger for this type of spiritual nourishment.
I should add that the main motivation for me to embrace the book was the words on the dust jacket from Iain Murray: “One of the best Scottish ministerial biographies.” Add a second witness: George Grant, a preferred author, preacher, teacher, who called The Pastor of Kilsyth one of the best book he read this year.
William Hamilton Burns (1779-1859) pastored in the Scottish community of Kilsyth for most of his working life. Islay Burns writes of his father: “He preached the Word; dispensed the sacred supper; warned the careless; comforted the sorrowing; baptized little children; blessed the union of young and loving hearts; visited the sick, the dying, buried the dead; pressed the hand, and whispered words of peace into the ear of mourners, carried to the poor widow and the friendless orphan the charity of the church and his own; slipped in softly in some happy home and gently broke the sad news of the sudden disaster far away; lifted up the fallen one from the ground, and pointed to Him who receiveth the publicans and the sinners….”
This very aptly constitutes the main and most necessary labors of the typical pastor. Even if he is also a renowned scholar, even if he is employed elsewhere during the week, even if he has numerous other labors and distractions, these things define ministry.
Scottish church history is still a puzzle to me at points. I don’t always understand the church structures and polity, the conflicts and divisions, and the customs that were all familiar to the Scots of the past. This does not prevent the reader from finding many points of similarity between Burns’s day and ours. However, there is a degree of intensity that recurs in these accounts. My own spiritual life seems really paltry, weak, and thin compared to what the people in that day and time thought, believed, and said. Maybe there is an exaggeration in the writing style of that time. But perhaps there is a greater minimization of Christian living in our time.
So, we need regular workouts with books like this. It should not be dismissed as quaint history, but be viewed as a plan for our own spiritual exercises. God’s Kingdom is made up of the obscure, the forgotten, the little known, but what a blessing when one such pastor gets better known some 150 plus years after his life.
And what was said of W. H. Burns be said of many of us: “He was a peculiarly attractive representative of a type of the Christian pastorate which is rapidly becoming obsolete–that is of the quiet, steady, ongoing, conscientiously diligent and calmly earnest country minister, at once the father, the counselor, and the friend of every man, woman, and child within his parochial bounds.”
I suspect that many well read Christian folks will see the title and author of this book and say, “Never heard of them.” I was one such reader, having never heard of W. H. Burns, who pastored in Kilsyth (in Scotland) or of his son and biographer Islay Burns. That is actually a reason for wanting and needing to read this book. We can all fall for the very inaccurate idea that God has worked through Luther, Calvin, Knox, Edwards, and Kuyper in the past and is working through the big name pastors in the present, but the rest are merely filler for the Kingdom advances.
Having recently finished reading and reviewing A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry Matters in Forgotten Communities by Stephen Witmer, I have been thinking about the small, obscure, unknown, often undesired, and underrated areas of service in God’s Kingdom. I confess to being in awe of the big names from past and present and astounded by the mighty works of Spurgeon, the Hodges, Kuyper, and others. Rightly so, but that overlooks the many pastors, leaders, teachers, missionaries, and faithful Christians whose only written biographies are the dates on their tombstones.
There is another hindrance to this book: Style. First published in 1860, this book reads like all too many biographies of that time. Many bore titles like “The Life and Letters of ****.” The books are short on actual probing into the thoughts, struggles, and conflicts of the subjects, but are strong on their virtues, spiritual attainments, and often wordy letters and sermons. This doesn’t appeal to the modern reader, nor does it dig much into the person being examined. Some might call it hagiography, which means writing of the lives of the saints.
This style does not suit modern scholarship. It contains a lack of dimensions of the complexities of a person’s life. It verges toward flowery and noble language.
But I commend these types of books. The style may be a challenge for those of us who have been influenced directly and indirectly by the likes of Ernest Hemingway’s prose style, Freud’s psychoanalytical probing, and modernity’s quest to puncture every heroic figure from the past. The biographers were never seeking to tell the untold secrets of their subjects. They were writing biographies with pastoral intent. Their Scriptural touchstone is Hebrews 11.
Cultivate a love of this style of writing. Cultivate an appreciation of these types of biographies. Cultivate a hunger for this type of spiritual nourishment.
I should add that the main motivation for me to embrace the book was the words on the dust jacket from Iain Murray: “One of the best Scottish ministerial biographies.” Add a second witness: George Grant, a preferred author, preacher, teacher, who called The Pastor of Kilsyth one of the best book he read this year.
William Hamilton Burns (1779-1859) pastored in the Scottish community of Kilsyth for most of his working life. Islay Burns writes of his father: “He preached the Word; dispensed the sacred supper; warned the careless; comforted the sorrowing; baptized little children; blessed the union of young and loving hearts; visited the sick, the dying, buried the dead; pressed the hand, and whispered words of peace into the ear of mourners, carried to the poor widow and the friendless orphan the charity of the church and his own; slipped in softly in some happy home and gently broke the sad news of the sudden disaster far away; lifted up the fallen one from the ground, and pointed to Him who receiveth the publicans and the sinners….”
This very aptly constitutes the main and most necessary labors of the typical pastor. Even if he is also a renowned scholar, even if he is employed elsewhere during the week, even if he has numerous other labors and distractions, these things define ministry.
Scottish church history is still a puzzle to me at points. I don’t always understand the church structures and polity, the conflicts and divisions, and the customs that were all familiar to the Scots of the past. This does not prevent the reader from finding many points of similarity between Burns’s day and ours. However, there is a degree of intensity that recurs in these accounts. My own spiritual life seems really paltry, weak, and thin compared to what the people in that day and time thought, believed, and said. Maybe there is an exaggeration in the writing style of that time. But perhaps there is a greater minimization of Christian living in our time.
So, we need regular workouts with books like this. It should not be dismissed as quaint history, but be viewed as a plan for our own spiritual exercises. God’s Kingdom is made up of the obscure, the forgotten, the little known, but what a blessing when one such pastor gets better known some 150 plus years after his life.
And what was said of W. H. Burns be said of many of us: “He was a peculiarly attractive representative of a type of the Christian pastorate which is rapidly becoming obsolete–that is of the quiet, steady, ongoing, conscientiously diligent and calmly earnest country minister, at once the father, the counselor, and the friend of every man, woman, and child within his parochial bounds.”
September 15, 2025
3.5 stars
An interesting pastoral biography. Encouraging for my burden to love and serve people in my own city and on my own street.
An interesting pastoral biography. Encouraging for my burden to love and serve people in my own city and on my own street.
November 29, 2023
Excellent read, this shows the joys of the everyday pastor.
September 20, 2019
I am reminded anew of the beauty found in a faithful life. Had W.H. Burns's son not chosen to write this biography, his father likely would've passed quite unknown into the endless annals of history. Yet here we have the story of a country pastor who lived a "quiet and steadfast" life, making Jesus Christ "the sum and substance of his preaching," for more than fifty years of pastoral ministry. As someone who has attended a country church her whole life and been impacted by faithful pastors who will likely never be known to anyone except their congregation and community, I found this biography to be particularly powerful.
Admittedly, the book meanders in places. Some historical context was assumed by the author and therefore left me feeling a bit in the dark at times. But when it comes down to it, any shortcomings this book has were not enough to convince me to give it any less than five stars. Besides the beauty of the life described, the actual writing is simply gorgeous—prose that feels like poetry. Furthermore, the chapter on Burns's final days on earth is one of the most moving I have read in quite some time.
Although I have taken time to write this review, I think I need to just let the book speak for itself. So I leave you with what is probably my favorite passage (and I marked several!). I think it encapsulates the beauty, on all fronts, that I have been trying to describe:
Admittedly, the book meanders in places. Some historical context was assumed by the author and therefore left me feeling a bit in the dark at times. But when it comes down to it, any shortcomings this book has were not enough to convince me to give it any less than five stars. Besides the beauty of the life described, the actual writing is simply gorgeous—prose that feels like poetry. Furthermore, the chapter on Burns's final days on earth is one of the most moving I have read in quite some time.
Although I have taken time to write this review, I think I need to just let the book speak for itself. So I leave you with what is probably my favorite passage (and I marked several!). I think it encapsulates the beauty, on all fronts, that I have been trying to describe:
The simple annals of a country pastor's daily life are uniform and uneventful, and afford little scope for the biographer's pencil. Interesting and precious as any work done on earth in Heaven's eyes, it is the obscurest possible in the world's regard. Angels look down upon it; busy, eager, bustling men heed it not. A calm routine of lowly, though sacred duties, a constant unvaried ministry of love, it flows on in a still and quiet stream, arresting no attention by its noise, and known alone to the lowly homes it visits on its way, and the flowers and the fields it waters. The young pastor of Dun was no exception to this. He preached the word; dispensed the sacred supper; warned the careless; comforted the sorrowing; baptized little children; blessed the union of the young and loving hearts; visited the sick, the dying; buried the dead; pressed the hand, and whispered words of peace into the ear of mourners; carried to the poor widow and friendless orphan the charity of the Church and his own; slipt in softly into some happy home and gently broke the sad news of the sudden disaster far away; lifted up the fallen one from the ground, and pointed to Him who receiveth the publicans and the sinners,—these things and such as these, he did in that little home-walk for twenty successive years day by day; but that was all. There is much here for the records of the sky, but nothing, or next to nothing, for the noisy annals of time. Such as the work was, however, he did it, as all who knew him witnessed, faithfully and well, with a calm, serious, conscientious, cheerful, loving diligence that was the fruit of faith and prayer; always at his work, and always happy in it, and desiring nothing better or higher on earth.
October 5, 2020
This was a hard read. I really don't understand the rave reviews this has been getting since being reprinted last year. I love the Banner of Truth, so I'm quite baffled at how difficult and unuseful this book has turned out to be.
First of all, it is very dry. Islay Burns tries too hard to wax eloquent, and ends up being irrelevant. But a far more concrete criticism is to say that he focuses on minutiae and ignores very big things. For instance, the subject of this biography was integrally involved in leaving the Church of Scotland and founding the Free Church. But he only mentioned that in passing! He doesn't explain how William H Burns time to make the decision to leave the church, only that he did and that it was hard on him.
It's not all bad. Two chapters on the Revival of 1839-1840 were absolutely scintillating and exciting. A lecture by William H Burns, and a sermon by his son, both included in the second section of the book, were very edifying. The second ("remains") section was much better than the first (biographical) section, but all in all it wasn't worth slogging through 300 pages for. I am very sorry to review a Banner of Truth book so lowly. I doubt that I will give such a negative review of another Banner book again. I still have full confidence in this wonderful, faithful Christian publisher.
First of all, it is very dry. Islay Burns tries too hard to wax eloquent, and ends up being irrelevant. But a far more concrete criticism is to say that he focuses on minutiae and ignores very big things. For instance, the subject of this biography was integrally involved in leaving the Church of Scotland and founding the Free Church. But he only mentioned that in passing! He doesn't explain how William H Burns time to make the decision to leave the church, only that he did and that it was hard on him.
It's not all bad. Two chapters on the Revival of 1839-1840 were absolutely scintillating and exciting. A lecture by William H Burns, and a sermon by his son, both included in the second section of the book, were very edifying. The second ("remains") section was much better than the first (biographical) section, but all in all it wasn't worth slogging through 300 pages for. I am very sorry to review a Banner of Truth book so lowly. I doubt that I will give such a negative review of another Banner book again. I still have full confidence in this wonderful, faithful Christian publisher.
March 30, 2022
I primarily read this to see the father of William C. Burn who had a profound impact and partnership with Hudson Taylor in China. I’d by the price of the book even for the sermons at the back third. Very edifying. Encouraging to see special seasons of God’s grace through persistent and earnest use of His ordinary means of grace. Nice
January 4, 2022
An encouraging, simple record of a normal, faithful pastor who was providentially ordained to see revival.
Pastors must: preach the Word, pray with fervor, encourage the fainthearted, warn the disobedient, and disciple his family. This pastor did for nearly half a decade, and then entered into the joy of his Master.
As D.A. Carson once said about the death of a normal pastor: no trumpets in this life, but plenty in the next.
Pastors must: preach the Word, pray with fervor, encourage the fainthearted, warn the disobedient, and disciple his family. This pastor did for nearly half a decade, and then entered into the joy of his Master.
As D.A. Carson once said about the death of a normal pastor: no trumpets in this life, but plenty in the next.
July 8, 2020
Although I found the prose a bit difficult to follow at times, the book was a wonderful encouragement to me. The pastor highlighted in this book faithfully ministered for decades in a small town in Scotland. His story inspires because he was a normal Christian man that I could relate to, and yet the Spirit's work was evident in that he preached the word of God and ministered to the people of God until the end. May God bless me with such faithfulness.
June 30, 2021
Wherever you are, whatever you do: be faithful.
This was a slow, drawn out read for me, but it was a profitable one. My main delight was in the sermon remains presented at the conclusion, but the whole of the biography helped me to see and hear from the man presenting the Word.
Grateful for friends who pass along good books!
This was a slow, drawn out read for me, but it was a profitable one. My main delight was in the sermon remains presented at the conclusion, but the whole of the biography helped me to see and hear from the man presenting the Word.
Grateful for friends who pass along good books!
August 21, 2019
The best word I can use to describe this biography is beautiful. A beautiful example of this faithful minister. A beautiful portrait of faithful ministry. A beautiful Savior whom Burns served with his whole heart. You will be moved, stirred, and compelled to spend yourself for the Lord in like manner. Warmly commended.
August 26, 2022
A truly excellent, little book. Written in 19th-century prose, it takes a little while to slow down and get comfortable with the syntax and pace, but it is wonderfully rewarding once you do.
Too many Christian biographers flock to the superstars of Church history, those who have undertaken great and courageous exploits of mission and evangelism at the risk of their lives. Along with the big risks have come outsized rewards. Those stories have their uses; they shake us out of our soft, middle-class love of comfort, respectability and safety. They show us what God might do if we are bold in our faith.
But it's the prevalence of examples like these that also confuse us into thinking that God only smiles on those whose bold witness has brought in waves of souls to the Kingdom. If we're anything short of that, we're just second-or third-string Christians at best. God tolerates us and will let us into the Kingdom, but perhaps begrudgingly. Perhaps we're a bit of a disappointment to the Divine. Isn't it understandable that many might conclude this, given our Christian celebrity-worship?
But what of those who live smaller, less-visible lives? What if their God-given living requires them to toil hard every day, all day? They keep their shoulders to the wheel because they must, to provide for their families--but this doesn't allow them much extra-curricular time for heroic spiritual exploits. If God only honors the great adventurers, do we misunderstand what Paul meant in 1 Thess. 4:11-12? Are we somehow not to "...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing"? Is that type of daily faithfulness actually a let-down to God? And what of the pastor/shepherds who toil their lives away in simple, quiet places that never get mentioned in Christian bookstores? Those pastors plug away, hour by day by year by decade: in study, in sermon and lesson preparation and delivery, in church leadership, in visiting the sick, the lonely, the wayward or the visitor. They dedicate babies, counsel and officiate weddings, and do the same for funerals. They pray unceasingly for the flock under their care, through columns of names that take hours to pray for. Are these pastors second- or third-string? Was Jesus exaggerating when in Matthew 24:45-47, when He said, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. " These shepherds faithfully deliver spiritual nourishment to their flocks for years on end. Did Jesus not say that these are servants who will be blessed because of their faithfulness?
The Pastor of Kilsyth is a loving account of the small, ceaselessly-faithful ministry of one such simple pastor. He taught, preached, prayed, visited, and loved his people for decades with no heroic victories on the horizon. They might never have happened at all. But still, the Lord did reward His servant with a season of revival. It must have been so encouraging for Rev. William Burns to experience it. Still, the revival was of limited time (they all are), and the real point of the book is not the revival, at least in my opinion. It's about the constant, faithful service of this man who loved his people as they were--and God loved him. You'd better believe that Burns got his "well done, good and faithful servant."
A great encouragement and challenge for me, another pastor of simple churches and people who live not-so-famous lives, but their faithfulness is an inspiration to me. I'm thankful to share life with them.
Too many Christian biographers flock to the superstars of Church history, those who have undertaken great and courageous exploits of mission and evangelism at the risk of their lives. Along with the big risks have come outsized rewards. Those stories have their uses; they shake us out of our soft, middle-class love of comfort, respectability and safety. They show us what God might do if we are bold in our faith.
But it's the prevalence of examples like these that also confuse us into thinking that God only smiles on those whose bold witness has brought in waves of souls to the Kingdom. If we're anything short of that, we're just second-or third-string Christians at best. God tolerates us and will let us into the Kingdom, but perhaps begrudgingly. Perhaps we're a bit of a disappointment to the Divine. Isn't it understandable that many might conclude this, given our Christian celebrity-worship?
But what of those who live smaller, less-visible lives? What if their God-given living requires them to toil hard every day, all day? They keep their shoulders to the wheel because they must, to provide for their families--but this doesn't allow them much extra-curricular time for heroic spiritual exploits. If God only honors the great adventurers, do we misunderstand what Paul meant in 1 Thess. 4:11-12? Are we somehow not to "...aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing"? Is that type of daily faithfulness actually a let-down to God? And what of the pastor/shepherds who toil their lives away in simple, quiet places that never get mentioned in Christian bookstores? Those pastors plug away, hour by day by year by decade: in study, in sermon and lesson preparation and delivery, in church leadership, in visiting the sick, the lonely, the wayward or the visitor. They dedicate babies, counsel and officiate weddings, and do the same for funerals. They pray unceasingly for the flock under their care, through columns of names that take hours to pray for. Are these pastors second- or third-string? Was Jesus exaggerating when in Matthew 24:45-47, when He said, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. " These shepherds faithfully deliver spiritual nourishment to their flocks for years on end. Did Jesus not say that these are servants who will be blessed because of their faithfulness?
The Pastor of Kilsyth is a loving account of the small, ceaselessly-faithful ministry of one such simple pastor. He taught, preached, prayed, visited, and loved his people for decades with no heroic victories on the horizon. They might never have happened at all. But still, the Lord did reward His servant with a season of revival. It must have been so encouraging for Rev. William Burns to experience it. Still, the revival was of limited time (they all are), and the real point of the book is not the revival, at least in my opinion. It's about the constant, faithful service of this man who loved his people as they were--and God loved him. You'd better believe that Burns got his "well done, good and faithful servant."
A great encouragement and challenge for me, another pastor of simple churches and people who live not-so-famous lives, but their faithfulness is an inspiration to me. I'm thankful to share life with them.
September 13, 2019
So you’re never heard of W. H. Burns? Neither had I. Before I began reading this lovely biography, I noticed that the publishers put out an advertising blurb about this being a great biography for our celebrity-driven age. It’s clear what they meant. I can be challenged by a biography of a Christian celebrity to some degree, but not in the sense that I can ever do what they have done or will be what they have been. This biography is of a simple believer who was a pastor whose faithful life though unknown to the world gave off a glory that redounds unto the Lord Jesus Christ. That you and I can do. And that is why this biography is of the stripe that is especially needed today.
W. H. Burns was a pastor from the heralded Scottish orbit of outstanding preachers. That Iain Murray called this one of the best Scottish ministerial biographies we have carries much weight as his own biographies that are so often unassuming still have more impact than so many modern biographies.
Not only will you trace faithful ministry, but this volume can also be placed in your revival literature. God blessed Kilsyth with revival. I don’t know about you, but I always am blessed by that type of reading. Later chapters even give insight on what is needed for revival, though the perspective that revivals come from God is never denied. There are descriptions of how the revivals were carried out as well that can be insightful. The book even ends with four sermons that are imbibed with a revival atmosphere.
Banner of Truth is one of the modern Christian publishers that most takes publishing books seriously. Their hardbacks are of a quality that has surpassed most others and their dust jackets are always attractive. They still produce books that your grandchildren can own. I’m glad not everyone has caved to the idea that digital will own the future. I believe there still is a market and a future for books like this one. This book is a great biography for pastors and Christian families!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
W. H. Burns was a pastor from the heralded Scottish orbit of outstanding preachers. That Iain Murray called this one of the best Scottish ministerial biographies we have carries much weight as his own biographies that are so often unassuming still have more impact than so many modern biographies.
Not only will you trace faithful ministry, but this volume can also be placed in your revival literature. God blessed Kilsyth with revival. I don’t know about you, but I always am blessed by that type of reading. Later chapters even give insight on what is needed for revival, though the perspective that revivals come from God is never denied. There are descriptions of how the revivals were carried out as well that can be insightful. The book even ends with four sermons that are imbibed with a revival atmosphere.
Banner of Truth is one of the modern Christian publishers that most takes publishing books seriously. Their hardbacks are of a quality that has surpassed most others and their dust jackets are always attractive. They still produce books that your grandchildren can own. I’m glad not everyone has caved to the idea that digital will own the future. I believe there still is a market and a future for books like this one. This book is a great biography for pastors and Christian families!
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 13, 2024
"Is there not too often a substitution of the intellect for the heart? - of human reasoning, for the demonstration of the Spirit? Is there not a defect of prayer, and a practical forgetting of the often-repeated text, 'Not by might, nor power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts?' Do we not expect too little, and that because we pray too little, and too coldly?" - W. H. Burns
It pains me to say it, but I just didn't connect with this book. I love Banner books. Iain Murray is the greatest historical-theological writer I've ever read. But I just didn't really get much from this book. That's not to say there is nothing good to be found. There are several pastoral insights that were quite encouraging. But by and large, you could pretty much summarize this whole book by just reading p. 44 where it talks about Burns' pastoral duties. Certainly there is much to be learned and encouraged by his normal, ordinary, pastoral work. But I never felt like I understood the life or the times of W. H. Burns as the subtitle states.
It could be the fact that this is a biography about a Scottish pastor from the 19th century. I'll admit it: I don't know much about Scotland, and perhaps that could be why the biography didn't resonate with me. But a well-written biography makes the people and places come to life such that you hunger to learn more. I never got that with this book. I found Burns' writing style very hard to follow. I wasn't sure who was talking or what was even being talked about for large portions of this book. I didn't even dog-ear a page until pg. 203 which is actually the first appendix. Safe to say, by that point, I was mostly skimming.
I love reading Puritan sermons, biographies, and works of history on 16th-17th century England. I love church history. I love biographies of all kinds. Maybe there is something wrong with me; maybe I'll flip through this again in 10 years and get more out of it! 2.5/5
It pains me to say it, but I just didn't connect with this book. I love Banner books. Iain Murray is the greatest historical-theological writer I've ever read. But I just didn't really get much from this book. That's not to say there is nothing good to be found. There are several pastoral insights that were quite encouraging. But by and large, you could pretty much summarize this whole book by just reading p. 44 where it talks about Burns' pastoral duties. Certainly there is much to be learned and encouraged by his normal, ordinary, pastoral work. But I never felt like I understood the life or the times of W. H. Burns as the subtitle states.
It could be the fact that this is a biography about a Scottish pastor from the 19th century. I'll admit it: I don't know much about Scotland, and perhaps that could be why the biography didn't resonate with me. But a well-written biography makes the people and places come to life such that you hunger to learn more. I never got that with this book. I found Burns' writing style very hard to follow. I wasn't sure who was talking or what was even being talked about for large portions of this book. I didn't even dog-ear a page until pg. 203 which is actually the first appendix. Safe to say, by that point, I was mostly skimming.
I love reading Puritan sermons, biographies, and works of history on 16th-17th century England. I love church history. I love biographies of all kinds. Maybe there is something wrong with me; maybe I'll flip through this again in 10 years and get more out of it! 2.5/5
August 2, 2020
The Pastor of Kilsyth is the biography of W. H. Burns authored by his son, Islay Burns. Iain Murray reviews the work and says it is the best Scottish ministerial biography in print.
W. H. Burns served his church for over fifty years. This biography shows a man dedicated to faithfulness in ministry. He had lean times and times of blessing from the Holy Spirit, but continued to be faithful in preaching, the sacraments, prayer, evangelism, and fellowship.
After the biography, there is an essay on revival in which he argues that these five areas mentioned above are usually the means through which God works to cause revival, though we can’t force God to act through doing these things.
After this, there follows four sermons that allow the reader to get a feel for his preaching – encouraging pastors to continue in faith and obedience, trusting God for the outcome.
This was an encouraging book to me both in the sense that a faithful ministry can occur quietly and with little notice from the world. And, I agree with him about the means for revival – my study has led me to the same conclusions.
If you care to know what it is to be a biblical preacher – a faithful preacher – who waits on God, pick up this book.
[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
W. H. Burns served his church for over fifty years. This biography shows a man dedicated to faithfulness in ministry. He had lean times and times of blessing from the Holy Spirit, but continued to be faithful in preaching, the sacraments, prayer, evangelism, and fellowship.
After the biography, there is an essay on revival in which he argues that these five areas mentioned above are usually the means through which God works to cause revival, though we can’t force God to act through doing these things.
After this, there follows four sermons that allow the reader to get a feel for his preaching – encouraging pastors to continue in faith and obedience, trusting God for the outcome.
This was an encouraging book to me both in the sense that a faithful ministry can occur quietly and with little notice from the world. And, I agree with him about the means for revival – my study has led me to the same conclusions.
If you care to know what it is to be a biblical preacher – a faithful preacher – who waits on God, pick up this book.
[This review appears on my blog, my YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
November 2, 2021
This book is an effective treatment against the current infatuation with celebrity pastors and mega churches. William Burns was a preacher who spent his life pastoring in a small country parish, but the spiritual fruit that his nondescript ministry produced is anything but unimportant. His church experienced real and lasting revival, the effect of which belies the size of the church and the relative anonymity of their parson.
At some points, the biography drags a bit, but it seems almost needful that it does since it is the perfect description of the regular ministry life of a regular preacher in a regular village. This little book is a testimony to the power of faithfulness and the blessing of God on those who are faithful in that which is least.
May God raise up more William Burns to preach faithfully in their little corners of the world.
At some points, the biography drags a bit, but it seems almost needful that it does since it is the perfect description of the regular ministry life of a regular preacher in a regular village. This little book is a testimony to the power of faithfulness and the blessing of God on those who are faithful in that which is least.
May God raise up more William Burns to preach faithfully in their little corners of the world.
March 16, 2020
A good biography on an obscure pastor from Scotland. The book includes a chapter on the mode of conducting a revival (very interesting/helpful) and 4 sermons from William Burns. Hear the heart of the man: "Is there anything peculiar in the subjects and mode of address of the sermons which have been so remarkable successful? I answer, that upon a groundwork of solid, clear, and simply-expressed views of divine truth, there was a great measure of affectionate, earnest pleading, a rich exhibition of the fulness and freeness of the gospel, eminently calculated to convey to the hearers the condition and feeling of the sincerity of the preacher, and of the rich grace of the Lord Jesus" (p. 128).
August 16, 2020
It’s no secret that we live in an age where ministry is often viewed according to a standard of numerical success and influence. Even in the church, we love our “superstar” and “rock star” pastors. I myself have been tempted by that allure. This book is a helpful corrective to that attitude.
William H. Burns, if not for his son having written this account of his life, would have lived and died largely unknown outside of the realm in which he ministered in rural Scotland and the halls of heaven. He never pastored a large church nor occupied any prestigious professorships. Yet his life and ministry are very much worth examining as they remind us of the beauty, dignity, and ultimately glory of humble, obscure, and faithful Christian service.
William H. Burns, if not for his son having written this account of his life, would have lived and died largely unknown outside of the realm in which he ministered in rural Scotland and the halls of heaven. He never pastored a large church nor occupied any prestigious professorships. Yet his life and ministry are very much worth examining as they remind us of the beauty, dignity, and ultimately glory of humble, obscure, and faithful Christian service.
July 21, 2023
After having spent a few weeks reading about the life and ministry of William Burns, I almost had a sense of sorrow as I read the last pages recounting the final chapter of the Reverend’s life. I felt almost as if I had lost someone close to me whom I could look up to as a more mature example in the faith. This short biographical sketch truly shows us that the extraordinary power of Gospel ministry is to be found in the ordinary lives of faithful men who follow God’s call to shepherd His people. Read it and be reminded that, while there may not be many Calvins, Spurgeons, Edwardses and Whitefields, God is exceedingly pleased to work out His plan for His people through ordinary men like Burns in ordinary places like Kilsyth.
April 1, 2024
Encouraged to read of a man who labored amongst the flock entrusted to him with faithfulness and diligence, when the tide was high and when it was low. I will say, it can be hard to read, written in old English, it did take some re-reading of bits to follow and understand. But overall the author wrote some very beautiful descriptions sprinkled in there, a real joy to read! Really enjoyed the sermons included at the end of the book, giving a tone of Burns' pastoral care for his flock.
July 7, 2020
This is not a flashy book. It is quite ordinary and straightforward. Yet, that is the beauty contained within. Here is an account of an ordinary, faithful pastor who loved Christ and His church. As I read this book, I found myself seeing how much more I need to know the Savior and delight in the calling.
August 24, 2020
I found this book a little difficult to get into at first due to the very 19th century writing style but I stuck with it and am very glad I did. This biography is a prayer-inducing testimony of what God can do and what it looks like when He pours out His Spirit on His people. And the price of the book would have been worth it for the last sermon alone.
September 2, 2024
Islay Burns has honored his father in this tender biography. His aim, clearly stated, is to provide a sketch of his father who "was a singularly winning and characteristic specimen" (xiii), to provide a faithful record of how the Spirit moved Burns' pastoral ministry, and to demonstrate how much of the revival work that happened in Kilsyth was born out by its permanence.
This book shows what revival looks like - not the bastardized revivalism that has been popularized by itinerant preachers who mistakenly call what they do revival, but a true, spontaneous, life-changing work of the Spirit of Christ. I read it often with tears in my eyes and longing in my heart to see a move like that in my day. This little biography is well-worth your time to read it. Your heart will be stirred.
This book shows what revival looks like - not the bastardized revivalism that has been popularized by itinerant preachers who mistakenly call what they do revival, but a true, spontaneous, life-changing work of the Spirit of Christ. I read it often with tears in my eyes and longing in my heart to see a move like that in my day. This little biography is well-worth your time to read it. Your heart will be stirred.
November 27, 2019
A beautiful little book about the faithful pastoral ministry of William Hamilton Burns (1779– 1859). If his son had not written this homage to his father, Rev. Burns would have been lost to history. Recommended.
April 7, 2023
He did the same thing every day. Nothing phenomenal. And yet that was the extraordinary aspect of his life. A faithful shepherd over 5 decades and then he dies. Wow! Well done good and faithful servant. Great little book, published by Banner!
August 28, 2023
It's a really beautiful biography, and the last few chapters are incredibly moving. Unfortunately, it's held back at times by a difficult to follow narrative, and english which could be updated by the publisher.
December 18, 2019
Don’t skip the sermons!
January 8, 2021
Encouraging biography.
January 6, 2022
Overall the life of W.H..h. Burns is inspiring. However the telling of life can be slow at times.
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