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[ transcription of Obituary Notice in the Year Book of the Congregational Union of England & Wales for 1868, page 257, from a copy in Dr Williams's Library, London ]
BURDER, John, A.M., formerly of Stroud, was the second son of the late Revd George Burder, many years Secretary of the London Missionary Society, and brother of the late Revd Dr Henry Forster Burder, Tutor of Hoxton College, and pastor of St Thomas's-square Church, Hackney. He survived his brother only two years and a half, and both died beyond fourscore years of age. There were many points of resemblance, both mental and physical, in the two brothers; while their profession, their character, and their usefulness were similar. They were both living models of "order, prudence, and probity".
John was born at Coventry, April 2, 1785. Trained carefully in the ways of God, he followed in the steps of his beloved parents. His early education was obtained in Hackney. Possessed of gifts and graces adapting him for the work of the ministry, he studied first at Hoxton College, and afterwards in the University of Glasgow. He obtained his M.A.degree in 1810. By the persuasion of the late Thomas Wilson, Esq., he went to Stroud. The cause then presented no attractions. Dissensions had riven the Church; the congregation numbered only fifty persons when Mr Burder preached his first sermon, December 23rd, 1810. Young, earnest, devout, and thoroughly evangelical, he conciliated prejudice, and increased the congregation. He accepted the call to remain as pastor, and was ordained September 5th, 1811, his venerable father taking part in the solemnities of the day. He remained at his post thirty-two years, faithfully discharging his ministerial and pastoral duties. The congregation becoming considerable, the "Old Chapel" was enlarged three times during his pastorate. Still there was needed more room for his own hearers, and for the wants of the town. He consulted his Church and friends on the importance of having another chapel in Stroud. Bedford Chapel was accordingly erected, and opened for worship in September 1837. With great disinterestedness he besought many of the members and hearers to remain at the Old Chapel, while he and others of the Church would betake themselves to the New. Thus, instead of one overcrowded congregation two were formed in the town, and provision made for large accessions to both. In the year 1843 he deemed it his duty to leave Stroud, and to relinquish the regular duties of a pastor. He retired to Clifton, Bristol, where he spent the remainder of his days.
Mr Burder was an excellent scholar, well read in general literature and Biblical criticism, and was very familiar with the Hebrew and Greek text of the Scriptures. His talents had received good early culture, and by a most faithful and assiduous employment in his Master's work the went on increasing in aptitude and in power. He preached the doctrines of theology very fully but very practically. The Scriptures were to him, in the true sense of the word, the inspired and awful oracles of God. to believe, with him, was not to comprehend, but to receive on infallible authority. To be enlightened, and therefore to walk by faith, he felt it was necessary to submit his own reason to God's, just as in bright daylight we quench our lamps in order to enjoy the sunshine. His ministry was distinctly evangelical. The atonement of Christ was its central light; the life of Christ was its moral pattern; the Spirit of Christ its moving and sanctifying power. He was systematically and indefatigably a public man. There were few philanthropical institutions, either local or general in Stroud, which his efforts or purse did not strengthen. Conscious sincerity gave him an almost indomitable energy, nor could his friends but choose to help him, for he seemed to breathe his own spirit into them. Hence he readily secured the co-operation of those who were richer and wiser than himself, and could gratefully say of his Church and his friends, "These were my fellow-workers in the kingdom of God, who have been a comfort unto me". By this means arose several religious and benevolent organizations, of which he was the heart and strength. His Nonconformity was very decided, and withal very charitable. His conviction that a State Church nourished in its bosom the germs of portentous evils -- evils which checked and threatened to subvert all spiritual religion, moral elevation, and mental and civil liberty in any people, was profound and invincible; and alas! he lived to see his presentiment realised, and these ills fearfully break out. He continued to preach occasionally until within a few years of his death. He was greatly respected by all his ministerial brethren, and at a meeting of their Association, about twelve years ago, was presented with his portrait as a testimony of his worth and their affectionate regard. For some years he preached nearly every Sabbath at Tortworth, in a chapel supported by the late Earl Ducie. He also undertook a considerable portion of the duties at the Highbury School, and at the temporary chapel prior to the erection of Redland Park Congregational Church. He likewise preached very frequently in the "Floating Chapel", and took a great interest in its prosperity. He was for many years an ardent supporter of the Temperance movement, and continued, even till old age, to take a deep interest in public questions generally. For the last two years he had been gradually sinking, and on Friday, May 17th, 1867, he entered into his rest, but the very gentlest pressure of God's hand was upon him when he breathed his last. Mr Burder published various works during his ministerial course, the principal of which was a work entitled, "Christian Evidences", and a "Memoir of his Youngest Brother", Dr Thomas Harrison Burder, an eminent physician in his day.
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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 19/5/03)