More Debates In Prospect
The Holt-Totty debate, scheduled for Indianapolis this week (October 18-22), seems likely to be but the first in a long series of discussions on the vital issues now confronting the church. We have word from Brother Harper that he is very much desirous of discussing the issues in an oral two-nights debate in Lufkin, Texas, "in the early spring." He insists that the discussion be with this writer, and says he will debate no one else. He suggests that the Timberland Drive Congregation where we hold membership get behind the debate.
We are happy to accept the proposal; and do here and now agree to the arrangement as outlined by Brother Harper, provided he and the Highland Avenue church in Abilene will agree to a repetition of the discussion in Abilene with Brother Roy E. Cogdill responding to Brother Harper there. We think that is a fair and equitable arrangement in every way, and we anticipate Brother Harper and the good brethren in Abilene will be as ready to have the discussion there as we all are to have it here. Free, open, and brotherly discussion is the very heart and soul of faithful gospel preaching and progress.
The elders of Timberland Drive Congregation in Lufkin authorize this writer to agree to Brother Harper's proposal with the following definite understanding:
1. The proposition to be discussed is: "The Herald of Truth as originated and now operated is in harmony with the scriptures." E. R. Harper affirms; Yater Tant denies.
2. The discussion in Lufkin shall be followed either that same week or the next by a similar discussion in the auditorium of the Highland Avenue Church of Christ in Abilene, the same proposition being debated; E. R. Harper affirming, Roy E. Cogdill denying.
Although this writer's time is completely filled "in the early spring" with meeting commitments, we are sure we can arrange to be in Lufkin for two nights any time Brother Harper may set, spring, summer, fall, or winter. And Brother Cogdill says he is quite willing, even anxious, to take whatever time may be necessary for a whole series of discussions with Brother Harper at any city in the nation where such can be arranged. He suggests that following their discussion in Highland Church at Abilene they go next to Sixth and Izard in Little Rock (if that congregation is willing to have the issues discussed before them), and then to as many churches throughout the nation as will be willing to open their buildings to such a discussion. Furthermore, since Brother Harper has now begun openly to use the Herald of Truth broadcasts themselves to argue and discuss these issues, it seems entirely in order that that program should be opened up to a free discussion of the scripturalness of Herald of Truth!
The proposition In order to prevent a wild and profitless hodge-podge of charges and petty side issues, we believe that all the discussions (at Timberland Drive in Lufkin, Fifth and Highland in Abilene, over the Herald of Truth radio programs, and wherever Harper and Cogdill may meet) should be strictly confined to this simple, clear-cut proposition: "The Herald of Truth as originated and now operated is in harmony with the scriptures."
We believe a series of debates between Brother Cogdill and Brother Harper on that proposition in fifteen or twenty leading cities of the nation will be a tremendous boost to the cause of Truth. Both of these men are able and conscientious; both speak with power and conviction, and each has stood for many years among the front ranks of those who preach the gospel. We suggest that brethren over the nation begin at once to write Brother Harper to arrange a schedule for the discussion in your city. Brother Cogdill says that he will accommodate himself to whatever times and places Brother Harper may arrange — it being understood that their first discussion is to take place in the auditorium of Highland Avenue Church in Abilene.
The Gospel Guardian Brother Harper says he is "through" with the Gospel Guardian and that he has submitted his last article to any paper which this writer serves as editor. If, however, he should back down and decide that he does NOT want to engage in the oral discussions, and would like to have a written discussion on that proposition instead, then we assure him the pages of this journal are open to him always for such. Brother Cecil B. Douthitt, his friend of many years, will respond to anything he cares to write in defense of the proposition: "The Herald of Truth as originated and now operated is in harmony with the scriptures."
We are pretty sure that brethren generally are fairly well fed up with articles that do not deal with the above question; it is time to produce some scriptural arguments in defense of what is being done. It is a matter of common observation and a topic of conversation generally that the defenders of Herald of Truth are seeking to justify the arrangement by almost everything under heaven but the scriptures. They have appealed to past practices of the brethren, to the Ryman Auditorium meetings, to James E. White's work in Wisconsin, to the Little Rock program, to the Don Carlos Janes one-man missionary society, to the Maude Carpenter Home for Orphan Children, to the College Church (Abilene) building program, to the Tulsa Lectures of 1938, to Freed-Hardeman College's campaign for funds, to Harding College and premillennialism, to cooperative meetings in Houston and elsewhere, etc., etc. ad infinitum, ad nauseam.
But where is the Biblical argument? One or two rather feeble attempts have been made, but they were quickly abandoned when it was pointed out how badly the scriptures were being perverted in the efforts. Maybe now with Brother Harper apparently willing to engage in a public defense of the proposition set forth above we can clear the atmosphere and really get down to a discussion of the principles involved.
At any rate we look forward with considerable pleasure to meeting Brother Harper next spring; and we are sure many will want to hear the discussions both in Lufkin and in Abilene, as well as in any other cities where they can be arranged.
Meanwhile, it is this writer's plan to be present for the Holt-Totty discussion in Indianapolis, which may turn out to be a sort of "preliminary" opening the way for the nation-wide series of discussions which are to follow (unless, of course, Brother Harper and the other "institutional minded" brethren are converted to the truth in Indianapolis). Brother Harper will certainly command a much greater respect and following over the nation than Brother Totty. Particularly will this be the case since he does not hold Totty's error on the "church support of schools." He and Cogdill stand shoulder to shoulder on that in opposition to the false and destructive heresy Brother Totty is defending. This will greatly simplify and clarify matters. The one and only issue for discussion will be the Herald of Truth. Brother Cogdill has long been recognized as one of the most effective pulpit preachers in the nation. Even his bitterest enemies have not called in question the soundness of his doctrinal teaching. He and Harper will be fully representative of the two divergent views as respects Herald of Truth. The series of discussions in which they will engage will be looked forward to with considerable interest by many thousands of people who are concerned for the future growth and development of the church. — F.Y.T.