Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0700
Andy T. Ritchie vs J. L. Brown (Missionary Baptist)
January 26, 1905
Independence Co, Arkansas
(By Charles L. Moore)
Four days debate (Dec.28-31, 1904) at Independence Co., Ark.
Mr. Brown tried to establish an unbroken line of church succession and prove their belief in church perpetuity. Bro. Ritchie stopped him on this by producing Orchard, Lofton, Hackett and others. Mr. Brown said Lofton was crazy. Bro. Ritchie asked him if all Baptist historians were crazy.
Mr. Brown used Ps. 51:5; 58:3-4 to prove total depravity, but when pressed he denied they teach infant damnation. Bro. Ritchie said if Brown had been born in a potato patch that would have made him a potato.
Mr. Brown did not touch the history of the M. B. church, save as he was driven to it, and then he quoted only one historian and one cyclopedia. He did not touch the church practice. Bro. Ritchie answered every question and argument. He asked Mr. Brown 60 questions and Brown answered only 7. Bro. Ritchie filed 25 objections to the M. B. Church and Brown said he did not have time to answer. Bro. Ritchie asked: "Didn't you know that when you signed the proposition?"
In his last speech Brown appealed to the sympathy of the people; that he lived among them, that he was on the westward slope of the hill of life; that he had no fame to make; that he had preached 30 years when bro. Ritchie was rocked in the cradle; that Ritchie might be ambitious but he had only one ambition and that was to preach the gospel. In the debate Mr. Brown used sophistry and wit.
Bro. Ritchie was reared near Ash Flat, Sharp Co., Ark. He is taking word at the Nashville Bible School. He is honorable, upright and influential. We who know him best appreciate his worth and love him most. He received a little over $39 in this debate. We would like to do more, but we are poor in this world's goods. We do not think we will every regret having this debate. The Baptists have lost much of their strength here.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>