Richard Burnham › Tunes

Burnham, Richard, b. 1749, d. 1810, was for many years pastor of a Baptist Church in London, first in Little Chapel Street, and afterwards in Grafton Street, Soho. He is said to have been an excellent preacher. His hymns, 452 in all, were published as follows:—

New Hymns on Divers Subjects, Lond., Gilbert and Plummer, 1783. This contained 141 hymns. A 2nd edition with 74 additional hymns as New Hymns on Various Subjects (same publishers), 1785. To this was added New Hymns on Divine Love, chiefly designed for Love Feasts or Christian Societies (25 hymns and 2 poetical pieces), Lond., W. Smith, but no date (cir. 1787). The 3rd edition of the Hymns, &c, is dated 1794, the 4th 1796, and the 5th, 1803. This last contains 452 hymns. In addition 3 hymns were printed at the end of a Sermon on Believer's Baptism, 1805, and many others on leaflets which have not been reprinted.

Burnham's hymns rank with the most intensely Calvinistic in the English language, and have been much used by congregations of Calvinistic sentiments. In the last edition of Gudsbey’s Selection there are 20; in Denham's Selection 82; and in Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory. 10. His best known hymns are, “Jesus! Thou art the sinner's Friend," and "O glorious God of grace." The following, from the editions of his Hymns, &c, indicated in brackets, are still in common use:—
1. Free grace, melodious sound [1794]. Grace.
2. God in Three appears all glorious [1796]. Holy Trinity.
3. Great Jehovah's love endureth [1794]. God unchangeable.
4. How truly glorious is the love [1803]. Love of God. In Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory, 1872, this is altered by Miss Havergal.
5. Jesus draws the chosen race [1794]. Election.
6. Love will I ever sing [1796]. Love of God.
7. Now 1 know the great Redeemer [1794]. The Advocate.
8. The goodness of our glorious God [1794]. Divine Goodness.
9. The people of the Lord were chosen, &c. [1796], Election.
10. Who can e'er fathom God's rich love [1803]. Love of God. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)