Education
Born on 29 November 1762, Burn was educated for the ministry at Trevecca College. Burn then entered Saint Edmund Hall, Oxford, and graduated Bachelor of Arts on 20 February 1790, Master of Arts
writer cleric Methodist preacher
Born on 29 November 1762, Burn was educated for the ministry at Trevecca College. Burn then entered Saint Edmund Hall, Oxford, and graduated Bachelor of Arts on 20 February 1790, Master of Arts
He was ordained orders and obtained a curacy in Birmingham, with John Riland, a Wesleyan and first incumbent at Saint Mary"s Chapel. Built 1772-1774, it was a new, octagonal evangelical foundation, with Mary Weaman as patron. With Riland, Burn reprinted some religious texts.
Burn also began to preach in venues used by dissenters.
In 1786 John Wesley visited Street Mary"s and enjoyed a sermon, by one of Burn and Riland. on 22 June 1791. He returned to Birmingham to take over at Street Mary"son
He was known as a preacher for extemporary oratory. He retained this position till his death.
He was one of the founders of the Birmingham Association of the Church Missionary Society, and its first secretary.
He came to work with Unitarians on the local committee of the Bible Society. And, as he grew older, became a liberal in politics. In 1830 he is mentioned as minister of Saint James"s Chapel, Ashted, Birmingham, Among those touched by his ministry was George Mogridge.
Burn first published in theological controversy with Joseph Priestley, a fellow Birmingham preacher with whom he was acquainted.
He received the thanks of Beilby Porteus. The nickname "Gunpowder Priestley" came from a phrase in lieutenant
Edmund Burke picked up on the metaphor, which in fact could be found in other places in Priestley"s writings. On Priestley"s account, he met both Burn and Madan through committee work, and was on reasonable terms with them.
Even on visiting terms with Burn.
A subsequent pamphlet of Burn refers to the Birmingham riots of 14 July 1791, its aftermath, and Priestley"s Appeal to the Public of 1792. Burn"s later judgement (1820, in conversation with Francis William Pitt Greenwood) was that Priestley had handled him roughly. But in October 1825 he expressed public regret at a dinner for his own asperity.
Burn died at Birmingham 20 May 1837.
At the time of his death he held, with Saint Mary"s, the rectory of Smethcott in Shropshire. He was followed to the grave by ministers of all persuasions.