Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0005
Early Arceneaux vs J.F. Curtis (Mormon - Reorganized)
April 7, 1921
Flint, Michigan
(By Leslie G. Thomas)
The debate between the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, represented by "Apostle" J. F. Curtis of Independence, Missouri
and the Church of Christ, represented by Bro. Early Arceneaux of Wichita
Falls, Texas was held at Flint, Michigan, March 7-18. The church
propositions were discussed, and each disputant affirmed six rights.
Curtis is a weak debater and seemed afraid to take a position on any
fundamental point under discussion. In his first negative speech Bro.
Arceneaux succeeded in putting Curtis on the defensive. His entire
affirmative work on first proposition could have been done in three
speeches. Bro. Arceneaux successfully exposed Mormonism and taught the
truth to hundreds.
It was reported that Bro. Arceneaux was a lawyer and
would defend any doctrine for the money. This was soon shown to be
false, and he steadily grew in favor with the crowds until the last, 600
- 1,000 people attended every session. Some went two hours before time
to begin in order to get a seat. So far as we know, this was the first
religious discussion ever conducted at Flint. Elder William Fligg of
London, Ontario, Canada moderated for "Apostle" Curtis; Bro. J. W.
Shepherd, Detroit Michigan moderated for Bro. Arceneaux.
Bro. Shepherd
thoroughly understands how to do this work, and we are convinced that if
he had not been on the ground to see that the rules agreed upon were
obeyed, the good would not have been accomplished. He demonstrated that
debates can be conducted without mud slinging. Curtis tried all along to
disregard the rules; but the audience saw the advantage of obeying
them, and seemed to endorse the course of Brethren Arceneaux and
Shepherd in the conduct of the discussion.
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