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    Christ is the dispenser or minister of the free grace of God to all those who believe in him , i . e . receive Jiim in that character : and they , generally

    speaking at least , made a conscience of avowing their principles , with a view to etilighten that world by which they were so grossly calumniated .

    I am aware that it has been found difficult to designate us by an unobjectionable term : a term appropriate , without implying reproach against ourselves or ' our opponents . Shall we call ourselves , rational Christians —liberal Christians ? This is

    invidious . Shall we simply call ourselves Presbyterians ? This is no proper distinction . Shall we call ourselves Socinians ? This is meant as a reproach to us , and at the same time

    does not properly designate us , who , as Mr . Frend has very truly observed , bow to no human authority . What unobjectionable title then can be found ? I have no childish affection

    for Unitarian any more than for other terms \ but I believe it will not be easy to find one more appropriate ; nor can I see what right any have to adopt this denomination who do not hold and avow the leading principles which have always distinguished the avowed Unitarians in this country

    Mr . Belsham , on his side , has been sufficiently explicit in explaining his sense of the term Unitarian ; I think Mr . Frend has not been equally so , and therefore , I for one , would wish him to explain himself more fully .

    And there is another subject on which many desire in common with me that he would propose his sentiments plainly and explicitly—in what he differs concerning the salvation by CJwist from those who are generally denominated Unitarians or Socinians . lie

    says ( if 1 remember right ) " I receive Christ as a whole Saviour . " The question surely is not , whether he is a whole Saviour , or a part of a Saviour ; but in what sense and in what manner he is a Saviour , and in what sense

    and in what particulars some Unitarians , from whom Mr . Frend wishes to be distinguished , despoil him of his real character of Saviour . And fov the sake of truth and Christianity . —why not add Unitarianism too > Let our discussions be carried on in a friendly manner and with godly simplicity , and not in the hostile , irritat-

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    ing , retorting style of worldly m ^ Verbum sat . 1 am Y , ours , &c . J .

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    554 Mr . Fullagar on the Term Unitarian .

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    Newport , Isle of Wight , Sept . 4 , 181 , 5 . Sir , rXIHE discussion which has taken _ JL place in the Repository relative to the term Unitarian , I have viewed with considerable interest . I conceive that it is a matter of no trivial importance to ascertain to whom the term of right belongs . I have evinced this

    to be my opinion , by having addressed publicly a Letter to Dr . Gregory of Woolwich Academy , on the subject . And while I feel regret to differ from such writers and theologians as Mr . Belsham , Drs . Lardner , Priestley

    &c . &c . ; I am clearly of opinion that the term includes and of right belongs to Arians , —I would say , even of the highest description . The term appears to me both from pristine usa ^ e and grammatical propriety , to mean the believer in One God as oke per .

    son in contradistinction to One God in three persons . This being my persuasion , strengthened by what has been advanced by Mr . Yates , I should not have troubled you with a line upon the subject , did I not greatly

    differ from the latter gentleman , as to the propriety ,. or rather innocence , of calling Unitarians Socinians . We call our opponents Calvinists because generally speaking , tliey admit and own the title . Some Trinitarians are strictl y

    Calvinistic : and others who either do not accurately know what they believe , or wherein they differ from Calvin , style themselves moderate Calvinists * The case is different with

    Unitarians , using the term in the most lax sense of the word—they do no * agree with Socinus , as I have , 1 think in the pamphlet alluded to clearly shewn : of course to call them

    Socinians must indicate either an ignorant of' ecclesiastical history , or an ev ident intention to detract—for the term is generally used as a word of reproach . I nm perfectly aware there are persons , among whom is my friend D * .

    Gregory above alluded to , who sa > they do not so use it : to such V sons I would remark ; that as from its being frequently so used , the term is objectionable * they would be studying the avoidance of the apP j * j ance of evil , more , to give the term

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1815, page 554, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1764/page/22/