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Burns, Dawson, D.D., b. in 1828, in Southwark, London, is the second son of Dr. Jabez Burns. He entered the ministry among the General Baptists in 1851, nnd for a number of years was his father's colleague at Church Street Chapel, Edgware Road. He is now without pastoral charge, and devotes himself chiefly to literary and public work in connection with the Temperance Reformation. He is the author of several important works on the Temperance question, and of numerous contributions to periodicals and public congresses. In 1884 he published Rays of Sacred Song for the Church and Home. Besides Scripture Studies and other poems, it contains 39 hymns for Public Worship. One of these, "Gladsome we hail this day's return" (Reunion), appeared in 1879 in the Baptist Hymnal, and has been very frequently used on anniversary occasions. Others are of sufficient merit to ensure their adoption as they become known. In 1882 Dr. Burns received the honorary degree of D.D. from Bates College, Maine, U.S. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)