Irvine was a superintendent of
Belgaum Leprosy Hospital at Hindalga for 25 years. He came to
India from
New Zealand. His books ''25 Years' Mission Work Among the Lepers of India
, Riches of the Gentiles
and other works also received wide distribution. Heresies Exposed'' was one of the first widely available books to critically review
new religious movements such as
Christian Scientists,
Jehovah's Witnesses,
Seventh Day Adventists,
Cooneyites,
Christadelphians,
Pentecostals,
Theosophists and other non-mainstream groups that came to increasing prominence during the 20th century. It has seen multiple editions and printings, and remains in print today. ==Publications==