Woods-Porter Debate
The following excerpt is taken from "The Belmont Banner" weekly bulletin of the Belmont Church of Christ in Indianapolis, Indiana:
"Brother W. Curtis Porter has agreed to represent the Belmont church in a discussion with the Garfield Heights church, with the understanding that Guy N. Woods is to represent the Garfield church. The same issues that were discussed in the first debate are to be discussed in this one. Whether we have a debate or not depends entirely on the Garfield church and Brother Woods."
While we deplore the necessity for such discussions between brethren, when necessity does arise, we rejoice that able men are perfectly willing to test their convictions and their teachings by an open, fair, and brotherly debate. It has long been a source of regret to gospel preachers that Methodists, Baptists, and the denominational preachers generally are so reluctant to have public discussions. The sectarians learned the hard way that they had everything to lose and nothing to gain by having their teachings and religious practices exposed in public debate, and held up to the searching examination of divine truth.
Since there are differences between and among brethren (of a doctrinal nature), then the surest, safest, and most Christian attitude of all is to bring those problems out in the light by public discussion, and let the truth of God's word be brought to bear. We truly hope the proposed debate between Brother W. Curtis Porter and Brother Guy N. Woods materializes. For many years it has been generally conceded that W. Curtis Porter is probably the ablest and most generally acceptable debater among the churches of Christ. He has met denominational error of every brand and stripe — and has so completely satisfied Christians everywhere with his work that he probably receives two or three times as many calls for such work as any other preacher in the brotherhood. Brother Guy N. Woods has also had wide experience as a debater, and is recognized generally as a man of much ability. He has come to be accepted by brethren promoting the "institutions" in the brotherhood as perhaps the ablest champion of their cause. A meeting between Woods and Porter is much to be desired; we sincerely hope that it may take place, and that good will come from it.
Brother Woods has expressed his unwillingness to meet Roy E. Cogdill, even though the Belmont church had selected him and had endorsed him fully. Brother Woods declined on the ground that Cogdill was "not a representative man." The Belmont brethren were so highly gratified at the results of the Totty-Watson-Holt discussion of last fall, that they felt another such discussion in Indianapolis might well give a permanent solution to the problem in that city; and so yielded to Brother Woods in the matte; and selected W. Curtis Porter as their representative. They felt Woods' refusal to meet Cogdill was completely unreasonable and unrealistic; but for the sake of the discussion were willing to get another man.
All of us will await with interest the announcement as to the time when the debate will be held.
— F. Y. T.
Tant - Harper Debate -- April 11-14
The long awaited discussion between Brother Harper and this writer as to "how New Testament churches can, and how they can not, cooperate" in the work of the Lord is very near at hand. Gospel preachers and other Christians from all over the nation are planning to converge on Lufkin next Monday — April 11. Interest in this discussion has reached a pitch even beyond expectation. Several elderships are planning to come en masse, not only from Texas and Louisiana, but from as far away as Kentucky and Alabama. Several car-loads of brethren are coming from California.
We anticipate that hotels and tourist courts will all be filled to capacity; but we are making provisions to find rooms somehow for all who come. Scores of Christian homes in the city and surrounding areas will be opened to visitors if you reach the city and are unable to find a place to stay, call Brother Fred Hutson, 217 Lufkin Avenue, or Brother Jas. B. Jordan, 417 East Groesbeck. These two brethren will have a listing of homes that can provide sleeping quarters, and they will help you find a place. Brother Hutson is an elder in Timberland Drive Church and Brother Jordan is preacher for the Fourth and Groesbeck Church.
— F. Y. T.