Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

0098

I. B. Bradley vs C. H. Cayce (Baptist)
July 21, 1910
Bon Aqua, Tennessee
(By R. C. White)

At 10 a.m. July 5, Bon Aqua, Tennessee.

General church proposition. Attendance and order were excellent. People had desire to learn. No harsh words or unchristian charges from either debater. Preaching brethren present were: J. W. Shepherd, R. N. Moody, A. J. Luther, T. C. Fox, Oscar Parham, E. H. Hoover, W. W. Barber, R. C. White. Elder Self of Dickson, Tennessee moderated for Cayce. Bro. R. N. Moody of Albertville, Alabama and author of "Eunice Loyd" moderated for Bradley.

Brother Bradley's defense of truth was quite satisfactory to church at Bon Aqua and to the visiting brethren. Elder Cayce was very fair and possibly the most able man the old Baptists have. His greatest trouble is confining himself to arguments he learned from his father rather than to those he has originated. He did not answer questions like Bradley. Cayce argued that "eis" had reference to past, a thing no scholar would dare hint at. He read several passages such as "believe 'eis' Christ" to show that faith puts one into Christ, and said he had 35 to read before he closed the debate. To this Bradley replied by reading from Queries and Answers, p. 50 as to the translation of "eis" and its use over 1500 times in the New Testament and that it means: "to, into, unto, at, in, for, on, upon, among, against." The lexicon defines "eis" thus: "Direction toward, motion to, on, or into." After this Cayce never again referred to his 35 passages, but bought a copy of Queries and Answers (by David Lipscomb).

In Bradley's reply to Cayce's first affirmation he showed that for a church to be apostolic it must first begin with the apostles, be first taught by the apostles after that the Holy Spirit had been sent to guide them. This argument was deadening in its effect on the opponent's as he had set up his church before this at Capernaum instead of Jerusalem.

It is to be hoped that lasting good will come of this debate, and that every Christian will positively refuse to endorse any other than kind and Christian conduct in the future. "In meekness correcting them that oppose themselves." (II Timothy 2:25)

NOTE: Brother W. R. Hassell held meeting at little later and baptized five (July 28, 1910).

View The Original Document

VIEW NEXT REPORT  >>