The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-07-12
Opening Remarks and Progress of
the Debate.
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Opening Remarks ana Progress Of
the Debate.
FAtRMoNT, July II, 1872.
To tho Editors Of the IntelligCueer.
In his opening remarks yesterday, Rev.
Franklin said that at one time he had al.
most resolved never again 10 enter upon
any public discussion in religious matters,
but when he was urged to come out on
this occasion, and was informed that a
perfect gentleman and ripe scholar, in
tho person Of Rev. j. B. Solomon was to
be his opponent, he yielded to the demand
and accepted the invitation. He said,
however, that he was not here for the
sake ofargument merely, or to 'show off,
as It might be termed, neither In the in.
terests Of his denomination, but that he
simply sought the truth as contained In
Gods word. He believed that baptism
is necessary to salvation, and should try
to prove that his belief was well
founded.
In the first place he maintained that
the word Salvation" in this connection,
had q restricted meaning; that II did not
mean the eternal Lille to which so many
apply it, but that after faith and repent.
ancc, then baptism is for the remission OF
past sins, dellverance-salvat
past offences. In being baptized a subject
had only gone through one Of the iniatia.
tory rites OF tho church, and had merely
begun working out the great salvation.
He then went on to quote various pass.
ages Of scripture in which he claimed the
necessity Of baptism is fully taught
Among these passages was Acts, 2, IS;
Repent and be baptized every one Of YOU
for the remission Of sins, sand ye shall re.
ceive the gift Of the Holy Ghost.
Rev. Solomon. in taking up the negative
Of the proposition said he was novice
at this kind Of work; that he had never
sought controversy on any subject, and
especially in the church did he desire to
see peace and harmony prevail. He
spoke of the origin Of the challenge made
him Tor discussion, which had resulted in
this contest. In his sermon at Barrack.
vile on baptism, he had not intended to
say anything tAat-would provoke discus.
sion, but had simply given utterance to
his firm religious belief. And now since
he had been called into open discussion,
and his doctrine assailed, he would dc.
fend himself with all the power he DOS.
sessed, and also prove his position well
taken. The speaker playtully remarked
that he had been informed that he was to
meet the Goliah Of the host, and although
he was no David himself, yet he was
Solomon, who was the son OF David;
nevertheless he would discomfit his
enemy il possible.
The negative denied that there could be
any restriction to the meaning of the word
salvation" and claimed that as used in
the Bible it undoubtedly, in all instances,
referred to the everlasting salvation. He
boldly set forth his arguments and main.
tanned them with well. defined proofs.
The afternoon Of yesterday, was spent
in tracing and considering the principal
arguments presented in the morning, I'm.
der the various heads. Considerable con.
troversy was had on the meaning Of the
two passages, Except q man be born
again, he cannot see the Kingdom oil God"
and THAT which is born Of the flesh is
flesh; and that which is born Of the spirit
is spirit"
Theutmost cordially and good feeling
seem to prevail between the contestants,
and indeed, throughout the entire au.
dience, which is large and intelligent. NJ.
Religious Discussion at Fairmont.
FA1RMoNT, W. Va, July TO-.
To the Editors Of tho Iptelligcncer.
Some weeks ago the announcemen was
made that discussion would take place
in Fairmont on the subject of Baptism.
The event which gave rise to the chal.
lcnge for this discussion, was sermon
preached last September, at Barrackville,
by Rev. ]. B. Solomon, in which he gave
expression to the belief that Baptism is
not absolutely essential to Salvation"
This proposition, and kindred ones, he
was challenged to discuss at some future
time. r----
At 10 o'clock this morning the Metho.
dist Church was filed to OVERLOOKING with
an intelligent audience, gathered to hear
the above named discussion, as previously
announced.
The congregation united in singing
"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun" after
which Rev. P. 7. Laishley, of the Metho.
dist Church, Uniontown, Pa, led in a
prayer peculiarly impressive and appli-
cable. .Er|
Governor Peirpoint, one Of the modera.
tors Of the meeting, then announced the
rules governing the debate. The time set
for each speaker is one hour in the OPEN
ing, and after that half hour each,
alternately. He then announced the first
proposition, which is as follows: Baptism
is necessary to SGIUation. Affirm, Rev. Ben.
jamin franklin, editor OF the american
Christian ReUietO, Cincinnati; Deny, Rev.
]. B. Solomon, Of the West Virginia Uni.
verslty, Morgantown. Rev. Franklin is q
member OF the Christian Church, fire..
quently called Campbellites, being the
more immediate followers OF Alexander
Campbell, while Rev. Solomon is Of the
regular Baptist denomination.
The speakers opened the discussion by
speeches Of an hour each. It is impossi.
bic for me to give now even o synopsis of
their addresses Suffice it to say, how.
ever, that they take hold Of the matter in
earnest, and that two master minds have
been brought into contact. Probably no
such discussion as this is likely to be, has
taken place the since days Of Alexander
Campbell.
The moderators chosen are as follows:
By Rev, Franklin, Judge G. D. Camden,
of Clarksburg; by Rev. Solomon, Gov, +.
II. Peirpoint, OF Fairmont; by both,
Judge I. W. Harrison, OF Clarksburg.
The discussion will probably last four
days. More anon. d M,