Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0523
J. P. Lowery vs J. H. Milburn (Baptist)
October 19, 1911
Alberton, Tennessee
(By C. S. Austin)
Beginning on Sept, 26 and running 4-1⁄2 days at Alberton, 6 miles north of Lexington, Tenn.
The first two nights were spent on establishment of the church. Mr. Milburn affirmed: It was set up during the ministry of Christ. He made usual arguments. During the first day the Baptist became convinced that their cause was going down in defeat. Bro. Lowery pressed him to tell exact time. He failed to do so. All scriptures he used were turned against him. One of Milburn's favorite arguments was on the series of parables use by the Savior. "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed." Bro. Lowery answered: "Yes, the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed, but the seed had not germinated into a tree at that time."
The last 2 1⁄2 days were spend on baptism. A number of interesting things happened on the last subject. Milburn took a position on John 3:5 that I never knew a man to take before. He said: "There is not a drop of water in John 3:5 - not any more than there is in the palm of my hand." Bro. Lowery introduced scholars to prove John 3:5 does mean baptism. Among the scholars quoted were, J. R. Graves and J. W. Willmarth. Bro. Lowery said Wilmarth is one of the leading Baptist scholars at the time Baptist Quarterly was published, which was reprinted by bro. Shepherd, and says he: "He is now in the front ranks of the Baptists." Milburn: "Humph! He has been dead 25 years." Lowery: 'Are you sure?" Milburn: "I am sure." Then bro. Lowery produced a letter from Willmarth, written March 8, 1911, in which he said held practically the same opinion and views he had held for a third of a century. Nothing was left for Milburn to do but confess that he was wrong, although he has said he knew Willburn has been dead for 25 years. This hurt his cause. The Baptists never knew when to depend on his statements after this. Finally, bro. Lowery asked him: "If water does not mean water in John 3:5, what does it mean?" He never answered.
During bro. Lowery's last speech on the 4th day he was answering a counter argument made by Milburn on Acts 2:38 and he made the statement that he was willing to fight out the battle on Acts 2:38. Milburn spoke up from his seat and said that he would accept the proposition made. So it as agreed that the fight was to be narrowed down to Acts 2:38 and all other arguments excluded. The argument was repeated the next morning. Both men agreed.
Bro. Lowery made his first speech and introduced a number of scholars proving that "for" means "in order to." On the day before, Milburn had made the usual sectarian presumption on the intelligence of the people, and said that the "for" in the expression Mark 1:44 (translated "for thy cleansing') was from the same Greek word as in Acts 2:38 (translate "for the remission of sins"). Bro. Lowery showed that "for" in Acts 2:38 comes from "eis" and "for" in Mark 1:44 comes from "peri." The sting of defeat was keenly felt by many of the Baptists, including their moderator. When Milburn came for his final reply, knowing that he could not meet the argument and scholarship on Acts 2:38, he violated the agreement and introduced new arguments on Acts 10 and I Pet.3:21. When he did this, I as bro. Lowery's moderator, arose to a point of order. Milburn vehemently demanded that I sit down. I refused and quite a scene followed. High excitement prevailed a few minutes, and finally the president moderator asked me to sit down, and I did so. After this Milburn acknowledged publicly that he was wrong.
On the whole, I think the debate will do good. Numbers of the Baptists did not approve of Milbur's style and were heartily ashamed of the demonstration instigated by him. I consider the result of the debate a great victory for the cause of truth and righteousness, and its effects will be felt in that community for many days to come.
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