The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-10-29
Theological Discussion At Maj field

Theological Discussion at MaJfleld.
MAYFIELD, KY, Oct. 19, 1870.
Editors Journal:
have no doubt but that a report
of the debate on the design of bap-
tism, between the Rev. A. G. Oaper-
ton, of Evansville, and the Rev. j. Z.
Myles, of GAINESVILLE, Tenn, which
commenced ON the morning of Octo-
Der 18th, at Mayfeld, KY, would be
interesting to some Of your readers.
The debate began at ten o'clock AM,
Bro. Myles opening the discussion.
The question to be debated-The bdp-
tisn1 Of a pendent; IS al for the rensis-
sion of Sias?-Myles, Reformer, af-
frmed; Caperton, Baptist, denied.
Here, perhaps, it will be justice to
say that brother Myles of the Chris
tan Church, is young naa. should
say scarce thirty years old, of good
address, and smooth, round voice,
we'll cultivated, and while engaged in
speaking at times becomes eloquent
in words and gestures, and from the
number of Greek Lexicons and other
books that he seems perfectly familiar
with, / should say that he is a scholar
at least, he merits considerable praise
for the neat opening speech on the
subject. After the appropriate re-
marks for the occasion, Myles COM
menced his arguments by reading
Christ's commission to the Apostles,
" Go ye. therefore, and teach
all nations, baptising them, ETC., etc. :"
and commenting at large, bringing, as it
would seem, most conclusive argu-
ments that a penitent was baptized
for the remission of his sins. I have
not time to give a full report of his
speech, which lasted thirty-tiVe mir.
utes, but it was certainly a speech
that had cost a great deal of study,
and was we'll put together. Our Bap-
list Brother then arose. seemingly a
little confused, while the large audi
ence seemed to wonder what could
be said against the strong arguments
that had been made; but after few
preliminary remarks, he commenced
reviewing the Brothers speech, often
stopping to ask the audience to ex-
cuse his rough voice, assuring them
that he was not excited. Then
came a little skirmishing on a
few Greek passages, Caperton getting
a little more easy in the last part Of
his speech; but the most of his thirty
five minutes be seemed to labor, not
having, he afterwards told me, enough
scope of arguments to contend with,
and advancing some four or five proof
texts, which put Myles on the defens.
i've; and his opening speech
in the afternoon was mostly taken
up IN clearing away the distractions
| that Caperton's first speech had put
in his way. Caperton's second speech
, was a grand success. The church was
| crowded with an intelligent audience.
and the general remark was that Ca
perton was master of the argument
so far.
The evening speeches were to be a
review of what had been already said
and Myles took the floor, reviewing
the nine arguments that he advanced
during the day, often calling on Ca
perton to bring shadow of contrary
proof. And | candidly confess. from
the standpoint that he took, it looked
| to be at least a plausible view that a
penitent was baptized fo- the remis-
sion OF his sins. The Brothers time
having expired, Caperton took
the floor to make the closing
/ SHOCChs aAQ AAOLA LIS 4ESb WOTQS ne
seemed to grow eloquent, and even
happy, as he progressed, reviewing the
Brother speeches. knocking out every
prop. and leaving the subject clear
before the people, giving them to
understand that man could not, by
any act of his own, purchase saliva
ton; that it was free gift from God,
and if man was saved at all it
was through the shed blood of our
Savior, Jesus Christ. I would here
try to eulogize Brother Caperton's
last and closing speech, but I feel
could not do justiss to him, and will,
in conclusion, say to the Baptists at
Evansville that they have right to be
proud of their Pastor. As a sound
reasoner and good scholar, few will
equal him. Respectfully.
ID. s. W.