I had this draft lying around until I found some more quotes. But I thought I’d publish it anyway, as I’m not sure when/if I’ll get the time to do any more work on it.
I also wonder whether we should discuss the cataloguing of this database at a later date. There are a number of details that might make this database more useful in the future (dates, countries/provinces, movement/denomination, noted teachers and disciples, and so forth). I also wonder whether Unitarian/Trinitarian, UUltra-Universalist/Restorationist, Hopeful/Convinced tags might be worth using.
Convinced Universalists
Relly, James (1722–1778) was a Methodist minister who converted and mentored John Murray (and had a prolonged conflict with John Wesley). I’ve been looking for a quote (and have found a few of his original works). Will keep looking.
Turner, Edward (1776-1853) was a denominational organizer, a Universalist preacher, and the first historian of Universalism.
Turner converted to Universalism whilst at Leichester Academy (1792-93). Studying with Hosea Ballou (at some point, possibly at the Academy), they became friends and ministered on a circuit together. But as time passed, Turner’s friendship with anti-Ballou Restorationists (like Paul Dean) and his Restorationist beliefs strained their relationship. A debate that was arranged for Hosea Ballou and Turner sharpened their theological and personal differences. After Turner and his Restorationist colleagues published two manifestos, Turner was dismissed from his congregation. He eventually accepted a call to a unitarian congregation, and left the Universalist denomination and his two-decade friendship with Hosea Ballou ended (though he did return to be Ballou’s pallbearer).
John Murray had recognised Turner’s talent, and adopted him as a sucessor and associate (even though Turner was unable to fill that position due to personal differences and health issues). Turner was widely esteemed as having as great an influence as Hosea Ballou amongst universalists. He had helped prepare two hymnals, served innumerable offices of various associations, including a committee to plan and finance a Universalist seminary, and began a history of the denomination (though with little expressed interest by others it was abandoned).
Quote to come, hopefully.
Loveland, Samuel Chapman (1787-1858) was a Universalist minister, scholar, educator and pioneer religious journalist.
Loveland was born to universalist (from the preaching of Elchanan Winchester) parents in 1787. He entered preaching ministry in 1812, and was a friend and Restorationist colleague to Paul Dean and Adin Ballou. He published a bi-monthly magazine and established a “theological and classical school” in Reading, Vermont, that taught medicine, law and Christian (universalist) ministry. Loveland also taught history, mathematics, theology, moral philosophy, Biblical Greek, Latin and various modern languages (claiming to know eleven ancient and modern languages altogether). He ultimately parted ways with the Universalist denomination in New England as part of the Restorationist controversy, after his offer to write a New Testament commentary was rudely dismissed by Ultra-Us. From 1824 he served in the Vermont state legislature, and after leaving Reading, spent much of his later life supporting struggling Universalist churches.
It appears that there isn’t much available of his life or writings. I gathered what I could from here, but unfortunately could not find a quote adequately explaining his view.
Mitchell, Edward (1768-1834) was one of the last trinitarian universalists (with Paul Dean). He was a widely respected preacher, but was never in formal fellowship with the Universalist denomination. An ex-Methodist like John Murray, he oversaw a congregation in New York called the “Society of United Christian Friends” (no connection with the Quakers; it disbanded shortly after Mitchell’s death. David Pickering, a friend and co-founder of the MAUR with Paul Dean and Adin Ballou, tried to hold the congregation together, though faced inevitable difficulties as a unitarian in a deeply-entrenched trinitarian community.)
“Infinite love must desire our happiness, infinite wisdom must know the means which will effect this gracious desire; and infinite power must be able to destroy all that would impede.”
— Mitchell, E (1833) ‘The Christian universalist’, New York, pp.53-54
You’re probably referring to The Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography Project. Several of my posts have summarised their wonderful biographies. I should have mentioned that earlier. It’s a great resource that many might find useful.
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) to do good so that we all might unite in peace regardless of our different worldviews. Not sure I’d hang too much hope on that quote…