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The Life and Thought of James Relly
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 July 2009
Extract
In 1770 John Murray came to America, and in a few years was recognized as the foremost advocate of Universalism in this country. Today he is heralded as the Father of Universalism. The Universalist Church is well aware of its debt to this apostle, but the indebtedness of John Murray to James Relly is not seldom overlooked. Murray claimed no originality for the framework of his theology, and unhesitatingly admitted that his doctrines were those preached and published by his Welsh friend whose acquaintance he had made several years before coming to America. When the news of Kelly's death reached Murray, he wrote that his “reasons for attachment [to Relly], for homage, were similar to those which actuated Timothy in his devotion to the Apostle Paul,” and although he was constantly drawn into controversy, John Murray held unswervingly to Rellyan theology to the last days of his life.
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- Copyright © American Society of Church History 1942
References
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