Farewells—Voyage, 1853

Mong old letters there turns up the following fare-AN well note to me from William Burns. He dates
it ‘Off Portsmouth, June gth, 1847, on board the
“Mary,” — “Bannatyne,” for Hong Kong.’ It runs
thus : —

‘DEAR BROTHER, — As our pilot is still on board, and will not leave us at least till the morning, I drop a note to thank you for your three unanswered notes. I have often thought of writing, but have wanted an impulse sufficient to move my tardy pen. I have just entered on my field of labour and patience here. We have got worship this evening begun in the cuddy. This is something. May the Lord Himself come to us, though it should be needful that we be awakened by the stormy wind and tempest. My way seems to have been made very plain in the matter hitherto; and yet you can easily see that it is a dark and solemn dispensation, either to myself or to those I leave behind, when one of the grounds of my departure is the want of any special blessing at home. Truly we live in solemn days; and it is much, I think, to be enabled at present to hold fast that which we have already obtained, must not enlarge, but remain, dear brother, yours ever in JESUS, our hope, ‘W. C. Burns,’

st

MR. BURNS AND MR. MILNE. 183

Four years later, Mr. Milne writes the following similar farewell memorandum or diary on board ship i

‘ April 27th, 1853. — Much has happened since last entry. It was a busy yet happy week, and the communion on the roth seemed blessed. On Monday night was our happy farewell meeting; happy, because of the presence of the Lord, the display of mutual love, and the hope that, ere long, we should meet in glory. How my heart fills at the thougMt of

that dear people! and I desire to be stirred up, at the thought,

to constant watchfulness, earnestness, and prayer. On Wednesday, set out for Edinburgh; on Friday, for London. I think with pleasure of the journey, and of all the kindness I received from Mr. Nisbet, Mr. Kinnaird, and Lady Pirie,’

Thus these two friends, companions in labour and in warfare, setting out for different lands and in different years, as they bid farewell to their native shores, speak out in the fulness of their hearts. There had been many changes in their lot since the time that they worked so joyfully together in 1840. Both had been, even in their years of busiest life at home, thinking of the foreign field; by very different processes these thoughts had ripened, till at last, — the one in 1847, and the other in 1853, — they set out, being led in ways that they knew not, for foreign shores, to labour apart for years, and at last to die within two months of each other.

‘ Already lies my childhood’s home behind me, Though still I linger on my native ground; And here must soon be loosed the ties that bind me, When moves yon ship, now by her anchor bound. Friends of my home! then fare-ye-well, I leave yous The sail is spread, the hoisted flag I see;

Think, when in prayer, of me, nor let it grieve you; Mourn not, — remember w/o has gone with me.’ Missionary Embarkation Hymn (German).

He thus writes to Mr. Somerville, on the 8th of
March : —

‘Did you really think, now, that I would or could go away without seeing you once more? I trust, for the credit of us both, that no such thought ever was yours. It was only a passing cloud, darkening your love for a moment, and then passing away. I cannot say what day I shall get through, but likely in the week after next. I was going north this week to Banffshire and Morayshire, but have been obliged to return, as the roads are still uncut. This has broken up my plans; but I am quietly believing that God’s disposal is better than my proposal. I shall let you know before I come. So far had I gone on, when something said, “Why put off till then what may be done now?” So, will you wait for me to-morrow at your own house a little after ten? I shall come by the first train. 2.S. — What sad tidings reached me from Manchester when I got home yesterday! [referring to the railway disaster which brought sorrow to Mr. Barbour’s family.] I would not believe it till I went over to Springland, and found that reality was worse than rumour. I am much crushed; for it is scarce ten days since I parted with them all at the Grange. I am sick, sick of the world, and should be glad to get away, were it not for a friend or two, and the hope that I may have a little yet to do.’

The weeks before Mr. Milne’s departure were busy weeks, filled up with farewell visits and farewell sermons, and farewell work of other kinds. He preached his last sermon on the evening of Sabbath the roth of April.?

1 The following paragraph is from a local journal : — ‘ Our readers

are aware that, some time ago, Mr. Milne accepted a call from the Free Church congregation of Calcutta, addressed to him through Dr,

Besides this farewell Sabbath’s communion services, there was a Monday’s meeting in Free St. Leonard’s Church on the rrth, where there was an immense gathering to bid the final farewell. Of this it will be best to

Duff and Mr. Hawkins. On this account, the pastoral connection between him and his present congregation came to a close, by appointment of the Presbytery, on Sabbath last, the day on which the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed; and in a few days, we understand, he leaves his native shores for the far distant land, which is to be the scene of his futtre labours. The removal of such an honoured servant of the Lord from the midst of us has created a deep sensation among all classes of the community, more especially among the members of the Church of which he is a bright ornament. For thirteen years he has been pastor of St. Leonard’s congregation. During this time he has endeared himself to all by his uniform kindliness of manner and singleness of heart, labouring zealously, faithfully, affectionately, and successfully amongst a large, influential, and attached flock, who, holding as he did the scriptural principles for which the Church of Scotland contended during the ‘‘Ten Years’ Conflict,” adhered to him at the Disruption, and continued to enjoy his valued ministrations. We feel deep regret at parting with him. The thought is sorrowful and solemnizing, that we are to see no more his light and rapid step, as he hurried to and fro through the streets of our city, ever engaged in the work of his heavenly Master, to wait at the couches of the sick and dying, and to carry the bread of life from house to house. We sympathize deeply with his bereaved congregation, who are no more to hear in the sanctuary his earnest and glowing appeals, or to receive at his lips, in the time of sickness and sorrow, the consolations of grace, which sustained his own spirit amidst severe domestic trials, and which he knew so well how to apply to others. Long, long will it be before the honoured name of Mr. Milne will be pronounced by many in Perth without emotion, or fail to call up in their minds associations of a tenderly, impressive, and very solemn nature. Still, whilst his people and the community of Perth suffer a grievous loss, it is an alleviation to think that his labours will be continued in the same great cause, though in a distant land. Scotland’s loss is India’s gain.’ give the newspaper account, as more vividly bringing the scene before us : —

“On Monday evening a meeting of the congregation of Free St. Leonard’s Church was held in their own place of worship, for the purpose of taking a public farewell of their late highly-respected and beloved pastor, the Rev. Mr. Milne, and presenting him with a token of their esteem previous to his leaving his native country to take the pastoral charge of the Free Church congregation at Calcutta. The church was filled to overflow, and great numbers belonging to different persuasions, who were anxious to witness and take part in the proceedings, could not get admittance. John Flockhart, Esq., presided; and upon the platform erected in front of the pulpit, besides Mr. Milne, the members of the kirk-session, and the deacons’ court, we noticed the following members of the Free Church Presbytery of Perth: The Rey. Messrs. Gray, Dymock, Grierson, Bonar, and Walker; the Rev. Mr. Moody Stuart, Edinburgh; W. S. Turnbull, Esq. of Huntingtower; A. Cunningham, etc. etc. The solemn and highly interesting proceedings of the evening commenced by singing the 121st Psalm. The Rev. Mr. Stuart read the 20th chapter of Acts, from 17th verse to the end, and then offered up a fervid and appropriate prayer, highly suitable indeed to the circumstances in which pastor and people were placed, after which the chairman called upon the Rev. Mr. Gray to address the meeting.

The rev. gentleman, in a short address, alluded to the part he had taken in the ordination of Mr. Milne as minister of St Leonard’s Church. The thirteen years since did not seem long, and could be easily spanned. The congregation were now in very much the same situation as then; for his personal friend, Mr. Milne, with the closing services of a communion Sabbath, was no longer minister of Free St. Leonard’s. But neither pastor nor people were the same. His dear friend was not the same, for he had had trials and experiences that would go with him to the grave. The congregation were not the

; same, for, after his settlement amongst them, there was a wonderful work of the grace of God manifested. They were not the same, for the faithful labours of Mr. Milne had been sanctified to the conversion of not a few, and all had much to answer for the privileges they had enjoyed. After stating that the removal of Mr. Milne preached a sermon to the unconverted, Mr. Gray proceeded to say that Mr. Milne leaving his present sphere of labour was a loss, not only to the Presbytery and his own congregation, but to the city of Perth, the neighbourhood, and to the whole Church.

‘Mr. Bonar of Collace then engaged in prayer, after which a part of the Hundredth Psalm was sung.

‘Mr. Wallace, senior member of session, then addressed Mr. Milne, and feelingly alluded to the peace and harmony which had subsisted between him, the sessicn, and congregation. Mr. Wallace having exhorted Mr. Milne to be courageous in fighting the battles of the Lord in that land of idolatry and spiritual death whither he was bound, affectionately shook him by the hand, and bade him farewell on behalf of the session.

‘Mr. Livingstone, on behalf of the deacons’ court, also bade farewell to Mr. Milne.

‘The chairman, in an appropriate address, then presented Mr. Milne with an elegant and highly finished spring skeleton clock, with lever escapement, jewelled in five actions, with compensation balance and maintaining power. It strikes the hours on a gong, and the half-hours on a bell. The clock is twenty-five inches by eighteen, and is placed on a marble stand. On a plate of pure gold attached to it is the following inscription : — “Presented to the Rev. John Milne, minister of Free St. Leonard’s Church, Perth, on the eve of his departure for India, by the members of his congregation, in token of their high esteem and affection for him, as a faithful and devoted pastor, during the thirteen years he has laboured amongst them. Perth, April 1853.” There was also presented to Mr. Milne, by the chairman, a purse of sovereigns, to purchase such

fg books as he thought were required by him, or to be applied in any way he thought proper. In presenting the above, the chairman, after adverting to the watchful care and earnest labours of Mr. Milne, trusted he would arrive at the future scene of his ministry in peace and safety, and be a blessing to the Church and the world, in the vast region of India.

‘On receiving the gifts presented by the chairman, Mr. Milne said, He felt assured that, on the present occasion, he needed the sympathies of his congregation. He had looked forward to separating from them with much fear and trembling, and it was his original intention to have gone away quietly on the forenoon of Monday, after divine service in the church. But their kindness had detained him, and he was there not their unwilling captive. He might say, looking at his present position, what a man of God said in different circumstances, “It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good.” His congregation had been teaching him divinity after a new fashion. The present gifts were too much for him, and were undeserved; they put the copestone upon their magnificent liberality to him. He before had received many an Ebenezer at their hands to humble him in the dust, and the present kindness tended more to do so. He could make no return for such liberality, for he parted with them with no desire to meet face to face, till they met in glory. He should look back upon his present congregation — if he might now call them such — as an united, peaceful, and prosperous people. Mr. Milne then returned his fervent thanks to the members of session, the deacons’ court, the Sabbath-school teachers, and the district collectors. He then replied to the statement which had been often made to him, Why break upa fellowship which had been so pleasant? He did soon his own responsibility, and he was not afraid to face it. He had considered the matter of leaving his flock in light and in darkness, and he was convinced that God called him soto do. He therefore had no wavering and no fear, and he was persuaded his conviction could not be shaken. Nor was he afraid, in separating from his congregation, but the same brotherly love

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would continue. There would, he was persuaded, be no change in that respect, but they would be more abundant in the Lord. He should ask three things: first, that as they had received and honoured him, they would receive and honour his Lord and Master; the second request was, that as he had had many sins, failings, and shortcomings, and may have been partial, having the feelings of the man, they would cast the veil of charity over them; and a third request was, that they would give him their supplications; while praying for their pastor, he hoped they would pray for him as their missionary. Mr. Milne concluded with praying that the Lord would bless the congregation of which he had been minister.

“A part of the 8th Paraphrase was sung, after which the chairman called upon the Rev. Mr. Grierson to make a few remarks and engage in prayer.

‘The rev. gentleman said that Mr. Milne was the first to intimate to his congregation, in 1842, the coming disruption of the Church of Scotland, which took place on the following year. He then said that, come what will, he should go and preach the gospel, as he had no incumbrance. He (Mr. Grierson) considered the congregation of St. Leonard’s an honoured people. They had had the gospel faithfully preached to them. They had been distinguished for love and union, and, as had been stated by the members of session and the deacons’ court, no diversity of opinion had prevailed amongst them. Moreover, they had been distinguished amongst the congregations of the Free Church by the liberality with which they had contributed to the cause of Christ. But, above all, they had shown far greater liberality than in giving the gifts that perish, by giving up their minister to labour in the sphere to which the Lord had called him, and that in the spirit of unanimity and love. Mr. Grierson concluded his address by exhorting them to continue to be distinguished as they had been, and to look out for a pastor who should be a man of wisdom and of the Holy Ghost.

‘A portion of the 23d Paraphrase having been sung, Mr.

Dymock pronounced the benediction, and the vast assemblage, amounting to nearly two thousand persons, then separated, evidently deeply impressed with the solemn and mournful services in which they had been engaged, in separating from a devoted and dearly loved minister of Christ,’

He lost little time in making ready to start. If he was not quite so speedy as Mr. Burns, who, immediately after his appointment by the Synod for China, took up his carpet bag to set off, he was no less eager to get his work begun. Leaving Perth on Wednesday 13th, he had a day or two in London; and on the following Wednesday (z2oth) he was on board the steamer, ‘ready to depart,’ and his face set stedfastly towards the East. Thus he briefly journalizes at this time : —

‘On Wednesday (2oth), set out with Dr. Duff, Mr. Hawkins, and Lady Pirie, for Southampton, and embarked. They stood on the shore waving to me till the little steamer went out of sight. I am treated with all kindness and respect here; and after two days of storm and severe sickness, I found myself becoming accustomed to this kind of life. It is a strange life, and yet I feel there are boundless opportunities of usefulness among the many young men who will soon be scattered over the eastern world. But it needs much watchfulness, prayer, resolute, self-denying effort, and constant supplies from on high. I am now sitting in the saloon; the band is playing, and the young men are scattered about, most variously employed. It may seem often a kind of hopeless labour in such a soil; but God wz/Z make it to grow. Oh that I might be kept lively, holy, spiritual! Lord, help me much, much! I wait on Thee. Give me deliverance and guidance, that I may walk wisely, happily; and that I may help, and not be hurt. I see the danger of sinking; of becoming slothful and self-indulgent. Lord, I am alone, and I look to Thee.’

—

He moves on over the waters, sometimes in calm, and sometimes in storm; always, in so far as his strength allows, seeking to sow the eternal seed. He passes through Egypt, down the Red Sea; his face resolutely towards India, like the powerful vessel he sails in. He suffers somewhat in body, both from sickness and from an uncomfortable cabin; heat from the sun by day, and from the boiler by night; visited, too, by cockroaches under his pillow, at which he murmurs not, but accepts all as his Father’s will. For, is he not going on his Father’s special errand? Is he not rapidly nearing India, to whose mighty capital he is carrying the good news of God’s great love in the gift of His Son?

On Wednesday, the 18th of May, he again journalizes : —

‘Much has passed since last entry; Gibraltar, Malta, Alexandria, the Nile, Cairo, the Desert, Aden, have all been passed. We are now stretching into the sea, to Ceylon. I have had few discomforts. I scarcely feel weariness, and would not shorten the voyage, even if I could. Yet I shall be glad, I think, when I get to land, and begin my regular work. Yet Thy will be done. I would not be in Calcutta a moment before Thy time. Oh that I might, in my Master’s spirit, be able to say, “The hour is come, guide, help, and bless me.” J see that I shall have trials to encounter, in the fewness, the spirit, habits, and frequent changes of my future flock. But all things are possible to Thee. Only strengthen me by Thy Spirit in my soul unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness. J pray for a general, perhaps almost unconscious, preparation for my work. I think Thou wilt do it, Lord. I feel it a privilege to have had dealings, however slight, with so many varieties of character. May I humbly, thankfully, earnestly, perseveringly live and labour on.’

Thus he girds himself for his work; taking to himself the whole armour of God. He casts himself, in believing simplicity, on the strength of the Mighty. He approaches India with fear and trembling; yet in faith, and ‘ watching unto prayer.’ He has one entry more before he sets his. foot on Indian soil : —

‘Saturday Morning, 28th May. — We have the pilot on board, and are making for the river, expecting to reach Calcutta to-night about seven. It has been in many respects a most speedy and prosperous voyage. From being put into a cabin near the boiler, and so intolerably hot, I became ill before we reached Ceylon. I have suffered a good deal; but it is past. At Ceylon I was moved into a better cabin, and began at once to recover. In consequence of this illness, I could neither land at Point de Galle nor at Madras. I felt it a trial to be deprived of the opportunity of meeting the brethren there; but saw at once that it was duty not to attempt it. Looking back upon the way, I see much cause for thankfulness and humiliation. My fears have been disappointed, my hopes exceeded, promises have been fulfilled, and unlooked-for opportunities of being useful — studying character, and coming into peaceful contact with other minds of the most various kind, — constantly afforded me. I look back with wonder upon all this intercourse, and leave it with my Lord, assured and confident that, though carried on in much weakness, and under diverse disadvantages, it yet has not been in vain. If it be Thy will, may I hear of these persons from time to time, or even meet with them. I think the Lord has preserved me not a little from my besetting sins, and enabled me to walk safely amid the temptations and snares of this kind of life. The chief want, perhaps, has been an opportunity for private prayer. The motion of the ship I have found a hindrance. True, if there was much inclination, nothing could prevent. Thus prayer has too often been meditation. Perhaps the Lord has sent me sickness just to force me nearer to Him. At least this is the light in which I like to view His afflictive dealings. Lord, remember my relatives, friends, and flock at home. I have separated myself from them; but Thou art in the midst of them. Cast the skirt over all my sins among them, and may nothing be remembered but what may be in some way useful to them. Lord, teach me to pray. Oh that I might live in the secret place, and put “prayers into Thy golden censer, O Lord!) And now, when I enter on a new sphere, oh that I might be strangely humbled, purified, guided! Lord, leave me not under the known or unknown dominion of any of my sins. Thou wilt subdue our corruptions.. 1 ask deliverance from self-seeking. Take Thy right place, O Lord, and be all in all, Let self be growingly eclipsed and forgotten. Let me decrease, and do Thou increase. Let me learn to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. I feel that the serpent’s brood are in me; let me watch and pray. There is no more condemnation to Christ’s dear ones, who walk not after the flesh.... I see that I am entering a scene of trial and a place of the shadow of death. Help me to watch and strive. Save from sloth, from merely enduring life, instead of living to Thy glory. Lord, help me. Thou knowest my heart. Search and try, and lead me in the way everlasting. O my Saviour! a little, helpless, foolish child, I now implicitly commit myself to Thee. I know that, by Thy grace in the past, I have been brought hitherto. O my Lord! I cast myself on Thee. Leave me not, forsake me not, forget me not. Let me never misconstrue or judge hardly of Thy dealings. May I trust, and hope, and rejoice. Seek and find Thy servant. Let Thy strong hand be my help. Graciously use me, bless me; make me willing to learn, and willing to teach; willing to be led, and willing to lead. I am uttering all my words before Thee. Thou knowest how stripped and bareI am. I have no idol to bring and kill save this indwelling corruption; and I do think I should like that it were slain; and that, in a new, strange WN simplicity and godly sincerity,

I might serve and honour Thee henceforth. This inner war now lies specially before me. I expect in this new land to be hedged up by outward circumstances. But just so much the more may I fight against the evil that is within. O my Lord! to Thee I look, on Thee I wait. May my character be transparent, and my life blameless, holy, earnest. I commit myself wholly and eternally to Thee. I am well pleased with Thy person, offices, benefits, cross, rod, and all Thy ways. Those whom I have ever truly loved have been Thy people, and anything worth the name of joy has been found in Thy service. I love to praise Thee, and to hear Thee praised. Lord, help me!... The men are busy cleaning the cabin. It is the end of a voyage, and the preparation for a new one. I accept the lesson. O my Lord! sprinkle me with hyssop; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Give me the peace, the softness, the joy of Thy forgiven, gentle, hopeful children. Bless me in my meeting with friends to-night. I have no plans, yet Thou knowest my foolish heart. Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee!’

He was not idle on board, though unable to do so much as he wished. He found opportunities, from day to day, of doing or speaking something for eternity. His light could not but shine during that voyage, and of this there were found some traces on the vessel’s return. A gentleman coming from India in that same year (1853) was surprised to find tracts and little books lying about the steamer. He asked how and by whom this had been done. He was told that, last voyage, a ‘curious gentleman’ had been on board, going to India. Every evening he used to go among the sailors, talking to them and listening to their stories. When they had done with their talk, he would take out*his Bible from his pocket, and read a portion to them. Then he prayed with them. It was he who had given the tracts and books. There was no difficulty in discovering who this ‘ curious gentleman’ was.

On the same voyage, he went about among the cabinboys, getting hold of them whenever he could. He used to promise them a sixpence or a shilling if they would learn a certain psalm or chapter, and repeat it to him. This was his practice on shore as well as at sea; and his card would frequently be handed in to Mrs. Milne by some boy, with this pencilled on-it, ‘Give the bearer sixpence [or a shilling as it might be] if he repeats the 53d of Isaiah, or 55th, as the case might be. His devices for getting hold of people, or getting a word spoken to them, were as various as his zeal was unflagging. In Perth, or on the road, he might be seen helping a baker to carry his board or basket, or a man with a wheelbarrow, that he might get an opportunity of speaking to them. A Roman Catholic woman, who went about as a hawker, selling plates and dishes, tells that, meeting him once as she was coming down a long stair, he said to her, ‘ You are looking weak;’ and then he insisted on carrying her basket down to the street, dropping a word as he went. ‘These were frequent occurrences; and he would say on such occasions, ‘ You know we should bear one another’s burdens,’ or some such word.* Some would

1 One is struck with the resemblance between some of Mr. Milne’s ways and those of Lieutenant Blackmore, as narrated in his London by Moonlight Mission : — * At the bottom of Edgware Road,’ says the Lieutenant, ‘I overtook a.poor old woman with a large basket of have thought it beneath his dignity to hand his coat to a poor man who complained that he could not get to church for want of clothes; or to pat the heads of the ragged children whom he passed on the street, and speak kind words to them; or to rush out of his house one snowy day to the Inch (or public green) to help a poor woman to get down her washing-ropes; but he never thought of his own comfort or dignity when he could assist another. Whether on shore or on ship-board, in Scotland or in India, his benevolence and obligingness were the same. In one pocket you might find a bottle of wine for some /sick person, in another a bunch of grapes, and in another a packet of tracts or books. He was ‘ready, aye ready,’ for every good word and work.

linen. I offered my assistance, which she gladly accepted. As we walked along, she on one side of the basket and I on the other, I had an excellent opportunity of speaking to her of the love of Him who said, ‘Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”’ Again, the Lieutenant tells us this: ‘ At the bottom of Holborn Hill, I overtook an old man with a heavy load ona truck. I said, P’Il get hold of this man’s heart, if I can, and then speak to him of Jesus. ‘‘ You’ve got a heavy load there, my friend; ll give you a lift.” I took hold of the pole, while the old man pushed. Arriving at the top, where there is a public house, the old man pulled out a penny, saying, ‘* You’ll take a drop of beer, sir.” ‘‘No, thank you,” I said; ‘but I’ll help you a little farther;” and as we walked along we talked of the love of Him who, though He was rich, for our sakes became poor. He listened with eagerness; and at parting, held out his hand, with thanks. A gentleman afterwards calling, asked me if I had one day helped to wheel up a truck. ‘‘ Yes, J remember doing such a thing.” ‘*Do you think this worthy of an officer or a gentleman?” ‘‘ Well, whether it was that or not, it was not unbecoming a Christian.” ‘I believe, sir, youre not quite right in the head.” ‘‘PerhapsI am not. It’s not the first time I have been thought a fool, Good morning.”’

He ‘called nothing common or unclean’ whereby he could serve the Master, or comfort a disciple, or arrest a wanderer.

In his Family Bible there is the following entry, which bears upon the events of this chapter : —

‘Loosed from my charge of Free St. Leonard’s on the 23d February 1853, in order to go to Calcutta, according to the will of the Lord, I trust. Pardon and take away what is mine in this matter; stablish and strengthen what is Thine own. Goodness and mercy have followed me hitherto — Ebenezer! And I shall be preserved from every snare and evil work — Jehovah-Jireh. Landed at Calcutta, after a speedy and prosperous voyage, on Sabbath, z9th May 1853, and commenced my ministry in the Free Church that evening,’

A very important portion of his life now begins. It is to a new work, and in a new country, and among new people, that he is called. But wherever he is, he shows himself the man of God and the servant of Jesus Christ. He is the Christian and the minister always. ‘The salt never loses its savour. His first love never cools. As Luther said of a friend, ‘He lives what we preach.’