Autobiography of the Late Rev. Nelson Burns: A New Study of the Christ Life, Etc (Classic Reprint)

Overview

Excerpt from Autobiography of the Late Rev. Nelson Burns: A New Study of the Christ Life, Etc

It has for some years been a growing thought that I should publish, in connected form, the salient points of my life's history. The following amongst other reasons have acted on me to this end. In the first place, I am fully aware that the members; of the Association greatly desire such publication, and in the second place, I wish to write the history myself to guard as much as possible against inaccuracies. Again, I desire, to what extent I may, to take away any future wish or fancied need, on the part of others, to publish any of my writings not intended for the public.

I have decided opinions concerning the propriety of publishing private letters or conversations, seeing they were not intended for such use. And, besides, it is simply impossible for any others to reproduce correctly the circumstances which alone could interpret these utterances.

Birth and Parentage

I was born on the 22nd day of March, 1834, in the town of Niagara, now called Niagara-on-the-Lake. The house in which I first saw the light is still standing.

My father was born in the southern part of Ireland, and belonged, as far back as his genealogy can be traced, to the Anglo-Saxon, or Protestant, section of the people. He emigrated to Canada when a young man, and after living at several places finally settled in Niagara, and engaged in the boot-and-shoe business, afterwards adding tanning and currying thereto. He was a man of considerable enterprise and push, at one time having upwards of twenty employes, but the history of Niagara being that of a stagnant or retrograde town, his property was so depreciated as to nullify greatly his efforts as a business man.

He joined the Methodist Church when a young man and remained therein through his entire subsequent life; for many years he was recording steward on his circuit. His religion was of a very common-sense sort; whilst loyal to the Church and its doctrines, and the thought of questioning their truthfulness never crossed his mind. All the same, he was possessed of a great deal of native independence in thought, and breadth in his views. There was very little trace of asceticism in his religion, hence his influence amongst his employes and friends outside the Church as well as inside, was marked, as the following incident will illustrate.

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