The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-07-13
TIE FAIRMoNT RELIGIOUS
DISCUSSION. li
Short Sketches of the Contestants.
FARMoNT, July 70, 1879.
REV. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, THE AFFIRM-

REV. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, THE AFFIRM,
y. 4... ANT. -... ..,
To the Editors Of the Intolllgeneer: ".
Rev. Franklin Is a native Of Ohio, bui
q considerable portion Of his life has been
spent In Indiana. He Is about 90 years
OF age. His early means for obtaining an
education were very limited, beng con.
fined to the common schools Of the West
at an early day. II can truly be said ol
him, that he Is a "self.made man. He
entered the ministry Of the Christian
church 80 years ago; OF this time about
80 years have been spent in editorial
work. During the past IA years he has
been editor.in.chlef Of the American
Christian Reuieto, published at Cincinnati,
which is one 6t the leading journals o!
his church.
Rev. Franklin Is certainly recognized as
a leader and champion in his denomlna.
tion, having been engaged In over thirty
public discussions. Among his opponents
have been some Of the strongest men oi
the country. At one time he debated with
the MIR. Rice who had the great discus.
sion with Alexander Campbell; then again
we find him contesting the ground with
Rev. 8. NJ Merrill, d. D., late editor oi
the Western Adoocate, and now Bishop
in the NJ. E. Church. Several Of his dis.
cusslons have been written ones, carried
on through the papers.
The personal appearance Of Rev. Frank.
lin Is nothing more than ordinary, neither
Is there anything displeasing about him.
He is fully six feet in height, stands erect
in graceful and easy position, and talks
with ease. His hair and whiskers are
steel'mixed, bordering on gray. His ad.
dress upon the whole is pleasing, yet at
first, probably, one would not be so much
interested; but as he advances into his
subject his ardor and earnestness in.
crease, And he claims individual atten.
ton.
REV. j. B. SOLOMON, A. NJ, THE NEGATIVE
Rev. Solomon Is a native Of North Caro-.
lima. He was born in 1924, and conse,
quently is 48 years Of age. he attended
the Wake Forrest College al Raleigh, N. c.,
from which he graduated with honor
Most OF his life has been spent in the
actual work OF the ministry, but for some
years previous to his removal from his
native State, he had charge Of the Var.
rent0n Female College. During the war
We find him in charge OF the Leigh
Street Baptist Church, Richmond, Va,
which has one OF the most intelligent CON
gregations in the land. In the year
1869 he removed to West Virginia and
took charge of the school at Pruntytown
where he remained one year, when he
was elected to posihonin the West Va
University. His position Of Principal oi
Preparatory Department and Prof. ol
English Literature, he fills with great
credit TO himself and honor to the Institu.
ton. Prof. Solomon is recognized as a
thorough scholar and practical educator
he is held in high esteem in the Uniyer.
sity, and indeed wherever.he is known.
appearance Prot. Solomon is master
Of any situation which he takes, having q
bold, commanding look, yet a pleasant
play OF the features and a merry twinkle
OF the eye which adds to his personal
appearance. ..
His head ispartly bald and his whiskers
slightly tinged with gray. He must bC
about six feet in height; he does not stant
entirely erect, having what is called thu
intellectual stoop."
One has to hear Prot. Solomon but g
short time until he discovers that he is {
man Of no ordinary learning and ability
BE gives utterance to his arguments
with degree Of force and per
suasion, which almost compels one Il
accept them as correct. Sometimes, how
ever, in the earnestness OF debate, and il
his eagerness to push forward arguments
he does not observe the closest connection
But he presents the true type of an orato
and genius, and will certainly make hi
mark in the world.
We cannot now give any OF the point
made by either speaker. The entire pro
ceedlngs will likely be published il
pamphlet form. NJ.