Edward Burn

Edward Burn (1762–1837) was an English cleric, known as a Calvinist Methodist preacher and polemical writer.

Born on 29 November 1762, Burn was educated for the ministry at Trevecca College. He was ordained orders and obtained a curacy in Birmingham, with John Riland, a Wesleyan and first incumbent at St. Mary's Chapel; built 1772–4, 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 St Mary's and enjoyed a sermon, by one of Burn and Riland.

Burn then entered St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, and graduated B.A. on 20 February 1790, M.A. on 22 June 1791. He returned to Birmingham to take over at St Mary's. 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 St. 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. Priestley wrote a frank private letter to Burn in 1790, published in part later, explaining his support for Charles James Fox's legislative moves on religious tolerance, and that the Church of England was storing up trouble for itself. The nickname "Gunpowder Priestley" came from a phrase in it.Edmund Burke picked up on the metaphor, which in fact could be found in other places in Priestley's writings.

...
Wikipedia