Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0732
W. A. Skaggs vs James H. Cole (Jehovah's Witness)
May 7, 1914
Roswell, New Mexico
(By T. H. Etheridge)
This debate was held in Roswell, N. M., Mar. 2-7.
Bro. W. A. Shaggs represented church of Christ and Mr. James H. Cole represented the followers of Chas. T. Russell (Jehovah's Witnesses).
The disputants conducted themselves gentlemanly and the results were highly gratifying to the church of Christ but seemed very discomfiting to the "Dawn" people [Jehovah's Witness]. They discussed "eternal punishment," "immortality," "baptism" and "future chance" spending two nights each on the first two questions and one night each on the last two. Mr. Cole was challenged to discuss the "kingdom" but would neither affirm or deny.
Bro. Skaggs showed himself a master of these subjects, answering all arguments made by Mr. Cole and then laying down arguments which could not be touched by the opposition. But Mr. Cole would talk about almost anything, whatever might be the subject, and let most of bro. Skaggs' points severely alone. The sectarian preachers in town, at a meeting of their "alliance," unanimously endorsed bro. Skaggs to meet Mr. Cole and denounced Russellism as anti- Christian. Some were in attendance at the debate.
The M. E. Church South [Methodist Episcopal] gave the use of their house for the debate, and the superintendent of their Sunday School, M. S. Williams, acted as chairman.
Anyone bothered with Russellism or any other form of materialism will find bro. Skaggs fully prepared for the fray, and the cause will never suffer in his hands from either his debating or personal conduct.
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