Jon Gary Williams
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0170

Flavil L. Calley (Dallas, Texas) vs L. S. Ballard (Missionary Baptist) (Ennis, Texas)
Trinity Heights, Dallas
June 7, 1934
(By A. O. Calley)

Six night debate in large tent in Trinity Heights, Dallas, May 21-26.

There were many interesting things in this debate to me, and evidently to others, as there were from 1,000 - 1,500 present each night of debate. Both speakers had their owrk well in hand. Ballard is an old-time debater, and is up to all the arts of a regular professional debater. He is rather mechanical in his performances, using about the same arguments that the professional debaters have used since I can remember, which mainly originated with J. N. Hall of Fulton, Kentucky. He offered nothing new or difficult for his opponent, as he heard him use the same set speeches three or four times before. Ballard is a good debater, a fair speaker, and if fhe did not try to maintain error, would be hard to down before an audience.

The other debater, Flavil L. Calley, is my son, and naturally I though he did well in turning many of this skilled debater's arguments back on him, and in answering his criticisms against the teachings of the New Testament in a way that carried conviction to the honest listener. He had coveted the privilege of meeting Mr. Ballard for about eight years, and was well prepared on all parts of the gorund of contention. He made but few arguments, but was clear and strong on the ones he used, so that the audience understood well the positions he had taken and was able to remember them regardless of the efforts of his opponent.

"The debate was attended by some of the strong debaters and preachers of the Church of Christ. All of them were in hearty accord with the word done in this debate, and all went away rejoicing that the truth was upheld and error exposed. A. O. Calley moderated for Flavil L. Calley; the Trinity Heights Baptist preacher, Mr. Shoptaw, moderated for Ballard."

July 5, 1934 - Flavil L. Calley: After this debate 27 were baptized. Many were Baptists.

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