Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources

0823

J. D. Tant vs Ben Bogard (Baptist)
February 10, 1938
Lone Star, Arkansas
(By E. R. Harper)

J.D. Tant debated Ben Bogard at Lone Star, near Greenwood, Ark. In Jan. 1938.

I heard every word of this debate, and have the arguments made by both men. I think a great victory was won for the truth.

Bogard told me before this debate that bro. Tant was too old to meet him, that we should take him out; and that we were going to suffer a great defeat. We thought Bogard knew, and for some time talked about getting someone else, but finally decided to go on and try bro. Tant, and, if the debate was not a success, repeat it. I have heard no expression of dissatisfaction over our part of the debate and not the least hint of having it over. It was "up to date," and , to our surprise, bro. Tant was at his best, and really Bogard is the one who suffered.

The great surprise to me was that Bogard was nothing like the man I was expecting to hear. I had not heard him in 24 years when he met bro. E.M. Borden at Enola, Ark., my hometown. Since that debate truth has grown and the Baptist church almost died. In this debate Mr. Bogard seemed unable to debate. Bro. Tant is old, and no one knows how soon he may have to lay down his sword and go on to his reward; but truth did not suffer at Lone Star under his able defense. I would not have missed it for anything "in reason." It gave me strength, courage, faith and determination to carry on for the truth. I learned so many things that I never would have learned because I heard one who had fought the battles for us who are younger.

To these old men we are grateful. They have loved the truth and still do, and they are the ones who have suffered and paid the price and who have borne the burdens of the heat of the day and by them I shall stand.

Bro. Tant's last speech will live in the minds of us and the Baptists as long as we and they live. It was sublime, filled with tears and honest pleading for the Baptists to turn and obey the truth. A great victory it was.

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