The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-08-22
The Debate at Davis City.

The Debate at Davis City.
We have been requested to publish
in full the articles of agreement for the
big religious debate to be held at Davis
City commencing on September 10Th.
They are as follows:
This agreement and rules fol. public
discussion between Robert M. Eivin of
the r. G. of j. c. of Latter Day Saints,
and Will Fillmore, Of the Church of
Christ, known as Disciples in the east
and north, and as Christians in the
south and west.
lst. The discussion shall be held at
Davis City, Iowa, commencing Sept l6,
1901, and shall continue for the time Of
twelve sessions of two hours each, to be
held each day as the parties shall de.
termlne.
End. Each session shall be occupied
by two speeches each by the disputants,
of one.half hour each. The affirmative
shall open and the negative shall close
the debate on each proposition. but in
the closing speeches no new matter
shall be introduced without mutual con-
sent.
I 3rd. Each party shall choose mod
orator, and they two shall choose
third if necessary, the duties of whom
shall be the usual duties of moderators
y ri snch oaoomhlioSA
4th. Six sessions Of two hours each
shall be given to the first proposition,
and six sessions of two hours each shall
. be given to the second proposition.
ath, Each session shall be opened
ard closed by prayer by the parties al.
ternately, or by selection.
9th. The parties shall he governed
by Hedges Rules of Logic in this dis
cussion, as follows.
Rule l. The terms in which the ques-
ton in debate is expressed and the pre-
else point at issue should be so clearly
defined that there can be no misunder-
standing respecting them.
Rule g. The parties should mutually
. consider each other as standing on a
j. footing of equality in respect to the
e subject in debate. Each should regard
]. the other as possessing equal talents,
knowledge, and desire for truth with
himself, and that it is possible, there
fore, that he may be in the :wrong and
n his adversary in the right.
:. Rule s. All expressions which are un-
o meaning or without effect in regard to
i. the subject in debate, should be strictly
avoided. All expressions may be con-
/ sidered as unmeaning which contribute
!. nothing to the proof Of the question,
n such as desultory remarks and declama-
tory expressions, all technical, ambigu-
j. GUS and equivoca expressions.
}. Rule 4. Personal reflections on an
adversary should in no instance be in.
e dulged in. Whatever his private char.
IT acter, his follies are not to be named o,
alluded to insthe controversy. Person.
l. al reflections are not only destitute Of
p effect in respect to the question in dis
3. cussion, but they are productive of rea
It evil.
Rule 5. No one has right to accuse
n his adversary of indirect motives.
Rule 6. The consequence OF any doc
q trine are not to be charged on him who
maintains it, unless he expressly avowt
a them.
Is Rule7. AS truth and not victory il
the protested object Of controversy
% whatever proofs may be on either side
should be examined with fairness anG
Is candor, and any attempt to ensnare ar
e. adversary by arts or sophistry, or tt
p lessen the force Of his reasoning by wit
e cajollng or ridicule is violation of tn,
Is rules of honorable controversy.
il. PROPOSITIONS.
Resolved that the Reorganized Church
is of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is il
organization, faith and practice in har
9. mony with the New Testament.
K Robert M. Elyin, Affirmative.
Will Fillmore, Negative.
* Resolved that the Church of Christ i
in organization, faith and practice ii
a, harmony with the New Testament.
bit Will Gilmore, Affirmative.
Robert M. Elvin, Negative.
Or In the discussion Of the questions th
II. Bible is to be the standard of evidence
10 But either party has the privilege Q
# also using whatever proofs he may brin
i'll from historical, chronological, scientifi
or other works.
is ROBERT M. ELv1N,
th WILL FILLMORE.