James Relly (1721 or 1722 – (1778-04-25)25 April 1778) was a Welshman, Methodist minister and mentor of John Murray who spread Universalism in the United States.
He then secured (October 1769) a meeting-house in Crosby Square (formerly presbyterian), where he continued to preach till his death, but his cause did not thrive, and he had no immediate successor in this country.
A portion from Charles Buck's Definition of All Theological Terms and Every Article in the System of Divinity, published about 1820, describes Relly and his theology this way: He believed that Christ as Mediator was so united to mankind, that his actions were theirs, his obedience and sufferings theirs; and, consequently, that he has as fully restored the whole human race to the divine favour, as if all had obeyed and suffered in their own persons; and upon this persuasion he preached a finished salvation, called by the apostle Jude, "The common salvation."
Many of his followers are removed to the world of spirits, but a branch still survives, and meets at the chapel in Windmill-street, Moorfields, London; where there are different brethren who speak.
In general they appear to believe that there will be a resurrection to life, and a resurrection to condemnation; that believers only will be among the former, who as first fruits, and kings and priests, will have part in the first resurrection, and shall reign with Christ in his kingdom of the millennium; that unbelievers who are after raised, must wait the manifestation of the Saviour of the world, under that condemnation of conscience which a mind in darkness and wrath must necessarily feel; that believers, called kings and priests, will be made the medium of communication to their condemned brethren; and like Joseph to his brethren, though he spoke roughly to them, in reality overflowed with affection and tenderness; that ultimately every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that in the Lord they have righteousness and strength; and thus every enemy shall be subdued to the kingdom and glory of the Great Mediator.One of his converts in 1770 was John Murray, the founder of Universalist churches in America.
He died in London, England on 25 April 1778 and was interred in the baptist burial ground, Maze Pond, Southwark; the inscription on his tombstone represents him as 'aged 56 years'.
[3] His chief publications, besides single sermons, were: In conjunction with his brother John, he published a volume of original Christian Hymns, Poems, and Spiritual Songs (1758).