Free church
Burns was also one of the examining board of the English Presbyterian Theological College. In church courts he took little part; but going in 1863 to the English presbyterian synod at Manchester, and thence on a deputation to the Free church assembly in Edinburgh, he contracted a severe cold. In January 1864 he went to Menton. In May he resorted to Switzerland but returned to Menton in October, and there died on 27 November 1864.