News
Manchester - Bass Debate W. Wallace Layton, Houston, Texas
It was my pleasure to moderate for Brother M. F. Manchester who debated Mr. Jesse Bass, Primitive Baptist, in Comanche, Texas, January 18th through 21st. They each affirmed the general church proposition which allowed a general coverage of all doctrines and practices.
In all modesty to say that M. F. Manchester made the truth shine and reduced Baptist Calvinism to its satanic depths is putting it mildly. Brother Manchester is a good speaker, a keen thinker and he knows the Book of God. These attributes combined to make this one of the most interesting debates this writer has ever been associated with.
Time and space would fail me to give even a good summary of highlights of this discussion as there were many outstanding things. Mr. Bass affirmed the first two evenings and continued in the affirmative the remaining two nights seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was supposed to be in the negative. The fight centered primarily on his doctrine of election, direct operation of the Spirit and "waterless" salvation. His chief proof texts were: Jeremiah 23:13, "Can the leopard change his spots and the Ethiopian his skin ...." Brother Manchester read Jeremiah 2:21 repeatedly showing that God created them (the Israelites) a noble plant, wholly a right seed . . . ." so the condition described in chapter 23:13 is one of degeneracy rather than hereditary depravity, as Mr. Bass insisted. He illustrated his position by saying that the poison in a little rattlesnake and a big snake was a difference in quantity and not quality. To which Brother Manchester but quoted Matthew 18:3, "Except you be converted and become as a little rattlesnake ...."
Bass made a lengthy argument on Zechariah 9:11 showing that the blood of the covenant caused God to sent them out of the pit wherein was no, water. Brother Manchester simply pointed out that this text says the blood was to get them out of the dry pit — that their "dryness" was the description of their utter desolation. And what is more that blood when shed takes them from a waterless pit to a pit of water. (Romans 6:4) This was a withering blow and one the Primitives will never forget. From this Brother Manchester went to the rich man and Lazarus and showed that Mr. Bass who gloried in his dry pit salvation should feel perfectly at home with the rich man — he was also in a dry pit — but the difference in a Baptist and the rich man was that the rich man at last recognized his need for water and Mr. Bass didn't. Of course the real argument from this incident was to show that both the rich man and his brothers left behind by heeding the law and the prophets could have avoided that pit of hell; which established that man did have a choice, that his destiny was not predestinated before the foundation of the world, and that God's means of saving the human race lies in the "covenant" the written law of God. This one thing covered the whole center of gravity around which Bass rotated like a blind steer in a treadmill. He did not for he could not attempt to answer this argument.
There are many other points outstanding but space forbids that we relate them. This debate was taken down on a tape recorder and any one meeting the Primitives would do well to write M. F. Manchester, Comanche, Texas, for use of them.
Ward Hogland, 1900 Jenny Lind, Ft. Smith. Arkansas: "A record in attendance was set yesterday. Five hundred attended church services and 340 were present for Bible Study. The contribution was over $600. Our attendance records show an increase for the past month. My meetings this year will carry me to Clarksville, Arkansas. Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rush Springs, Oklahoma, Detroit, Michigan, and local meetings. James W. Adams will be with us in our spring meeting."
Dennis Kellogg, Holliday, Texas, January 21: "Since my last report we have had five baptisms, four to confess wrongs, and one to place membership with the church here in Holliday. Recently we held a lectureship, using the preachers in neighboring churches to do the speaking. The church here is in a better condition for growth than it has been for sometime."
Clete Hendrix, Box 331, Pico, California. January 9: "The congregation here is almost one year old. We have good attendance and interest. Brother Walt Hudson is the minister. At the present we are using the American Legion Hall, 4909 Durfee Avenue, for our services."
Robert C. Copeland, Jr., 410 South College Avenue, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, January 25: "One baptized here today. The prospects for future growth of the church here are good. I wish to commend Brother Oscar Ellison on his recent article, "Whose Side Are You On." We all need to be on the Lord's side. T have time for one more meeting in the summer months."
M. F. Manchester, Comanche, Texas, January 26: "The work here is moving along fine. Four have been baptized recently and others restored. We closed a debate last week with the Primitive Baptists. We think much good will come from it. Brother Wallace Layton will give a full report of it in the Guardian. We think that Brother Adams is doing a fine piece of work in regard to the "Herald of Truth." We have time for some meetings next summer if any congregation should desire our services."
W. Curtis Porter. Box 195, Monette, Arkansas. January 26: "I am scheduled to meet Julian Hunt of the Christian Church in a five nights debate at Lexington, Kentucky, beginning April 5th. Other debates are pending but I am unable to set dates for them just now because of the physical condition of Mrs. Porter. She has been in bed sick, most of the time being unable even to turn herself in bed, for ten weeks. As a result I am very closely confined to home and am unable just now to get away for debates. But I am hoping she may start improving one of these days and that I shall be able to make definite arrangements for other debates that are planned."
Gene Martin, Brenham, Texas: "The church here enjoyed a splendid meeting with E. Lewis Case of Hearne, Texas, doing the preaching. Clifford E. Parsons directed the singing. Both brethren are accomplished in their respective abilities to serve the church, and they did commendable jobs in this gospel effort. In spite of much inclement weather, attendance was good throughout the meeting. We were encouraged by visitors from denominational groups here, many of whom had never heard a gospel preacher before. Brother Case presented forceful sermons, well delivered, and these visitors heard th gospel in its purity and simplicity. Seed has been sown and good will result. The work is difficult in this area, and we are confident that this meeting was a great stride forward for the church in Brenham."
Wendell Broom, Box 5486, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 11: "Information is needed concerning Christian families or individuals who may be in or near Allentown or Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This is the largest metropolitan area in Pennsylvania without a congregation after the New Testament pattern. With the metropolitan population including Easton, Pennsylvania, 437,824 people are without the church as Christ built it. For some time, have sought an opportunity to begin activities for a congregation there. Now it seems that opportunity has come. The L. C. Martin family has moved to Allentown. Mr. Martin is with the U. S. Army and they are anxious to locate other Christians and to begin meetings. If you know of anyone who is a member of the church now living in the Allentown - Bethlehem or Easton area, please contact Mrs. L. C. Martin, 23 S. 18, Allentown, Pennsylvania. We are anxious to locate Christians in this area, so that a congregation can be started. Any church in a position to support or help support such work would be welcome."
W. D. Black, Evant, Texas, January 18: "In spite of the weather we had a good day at Copperas Cove yesterday — good attendance and interest. Brother Earl C. Rogers, stationed at Fort Hood, placed his membership with us. He will be a help to us in the work. His wife is moving later and they will live in Copperas Cove. They are from Flint, Alabama, near Decatur. We are hopeful of much good being accomplished in our work there."
M. C. Cuthbertson, Culver City, California, January 22: "Our first Lord's Day with Culver Palms Church, 768 Terrace, was a good one. Excellent audiences were present for both services, and two fine grown people were baptized into Christ. Contributions were fine and interest the very best in every way. Both of our Thursday services have been well attended. For the present our address is General Delivery, Culver City, California."