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0517
Mr. Strain, universalist, opened debate with: "The scriptures and reason teach that the whole human family will finally be made holy and happy." He was careful not to lay his promises and make his fight, but simply asserted his proposition and then would introduce such scriptures as he though would impress his vague ideas upon the audience. Bro. Love noticed all of his scriptures and completely turned them against him. Mr. Strain's only position was that God punished for reformation and purification only, and that it would have the effect of bringing all the human family to God in righteousness, and that they would be holy and happy, Mr. Strain's effort was very weak. Universalism is like the chameleon; they change their arguments and doctrine to meet the surroundings or pressure. In the long ago their doctrine was different. Mr. John C. Burruss, years ago, was an honorable man in debate and in all the walks of life. I knew him well for 50 years. He was a man who had great reverence for God's word. Mr. Strain does not seem to have that reverence for God's word that all people should have. To show this, he claimed that the world ended in a. d. 70, and what was commanded by Christ was fulfilled and ended in a. d. 70, and was not to be obeyed now.
When bro. Love introduced Lazarus and the rich man, Strain said that the rich man was a child of God, for God had promised riches to all would live righteously in this world; and that Lazarus was an old blood-poisoned leper, and that he did not want to be Lazarus, and that Mr. Love would have the people to believe that he was in Abraham's bosom. I felt for Mr. Strain and his deluded followers as he stood and criticized the language of the Son of God. If I mistake not, he used the argument that we are not under the scriptures today, asa they were all fulfilled in a. d. 70, hence, are not for this age of the world. So he made fun of baptism and the Lord's supper, and, to make himself more inconsistent, he would bring up scriptures from both O.T. and N.T. to prove his position. To cover his defeat, the universalist rounded up the universalists and had them unite with the church on the 3-4 evenings and gave 10 minutes of this time of a 30 minute speech to take into the church those who had always been recognized as full-fledged Universalists in good standing and thus to save the Universalist. It was clear that it was a ruse to cover defeat, and I must think the Universalists knew why they did it. Mr. Strain is a jovial, affable fellow and treated his opponent nicely.
Bro. J. F Love affirmed: "The scriptures and reason teach that all who die in disobedience to God will be endlessly punished." Bro. Love laid his arguments well and secure, quoting about 15 scriptures that bore on the point. His arguments were clear, forceful, logical, and convincing. Mr. Strain never did assail bro. Love's arguments; he sallied around them, but was careful and exhibited a knowledge of the danger there was in assaulting them. Bro. Love met and turned all his arguments against him. Mr. Strain contended that there are 3 classes spoken of in Matt. 25 - the sheep, to goats, and "those" that were to go into everlasting punishment. If he had consulted John 17:11 he would have saved himself this blunder. I consider that the victory for the truth was complete. Bro. Love is a clear, logical and forceful debater.
The debate passed off nicely indeed; all seemed to be in good humor. Mr. Strain and bro. Love were very nice towards each other. The Universalists of the vicinity are clever, nice people, and I like them much, and can feel sorry for them as few can, as I once believed the doctrine of 60 years ago; and knowing the saying of the Master (Matt.15:8-9; 12-14) is true and will result just as he said. My heart goes out to them inj love with the hope they turn from error. Bro. Love baptized 8 after the debate.
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J. F. Love vs A. G. Strain (Universalist)
August 10, 1911
McGowens Ferry, Alabama
(By S. I. S Cawthon)
August 10, 1911
McGowens Ferry, Alabama
(By S. I. S Cawthon)
Mr. Strain, universalist, opened debate with: "The scriptures and reason teach that the whole human family will finally be made holy and happy." He was careful not to lay his promises and make his fight, but simply asserted his proposition and then would introduce such scriptures as he though would impress his vague ideas upon the audience. Bro. Love noticed all of his scriptures and completely turned them against him. Mr. Strain's only position was that God punished for reformation and purification only, and that it would have the effect of bringing all the human family to God in righteousness, and that they would be holy and happy, Mr. Strain's effort was very weak. Universalism is like the chameleon; they change their arguments and doctrine to meet the surroundings or pressure. In the long ago their doctrine was different. Mr. John C. Burruss, years ago, was an honorable man in debate and in all the walks of life. I knew him well for 50 years. He was a man who had great reverence for God's word. Mr. Strain does not seem to have that reverence for God's word that all people should have. To show this, he claimed that the world ended in a. d. 70, and what was commanded by Christ was fulfilled and ended in a. d. 70, and was not to be obeyed now.
When bro. Love introduced Lazarus and the rich man, Strain said that the rich man was a child of God, for God had promised riches to all would live righteously in this world; and that Lazarus was an old blood-poisoned leper, and that he did not want to be Lazarus, and that Mr. Love would have the people to believe that he was in Abraham's bosom. I felt for Mr. Strain and his deluded followers as he stood and criticized the language of the Son of God. If I mistake not, he used the argument that we are not under the scriptures today, asa they were all fulfilled in a. d. 70, hence, are not for this age of the world. So he made fun of baptism and the Lord's supper, and, to make himself more inconsistent, he would bring up scriptures from both O.T. and N.T. to prove his position. To cover his defeat, the universalist rounded up the universalists and had them unite with the church on the 3-4 evenings and gave 10 minutes of this time of a 30 minute speech to take into the church those who had always been recognized as full-fledged Universalists in good standing and thus to save the Universalist. It was clear that it was a ruse to cover defeat, and I must think the Universalists knew why they did it. Mr. Strain is a jovial, affable fellow and treated his opponent nicely.
Bro. J. F Love affirmed: "The scriptures and reason teach that all who die in disobedience to God will be endlessly punished." Bro. Love laid his arguments well and secure, quoting about 15 scriptures that bore on the point. His arguments were clear, forceful, logical, and convincing. Mr. Strain never did assail bro. Love's arguments; he sallied around them, but was careful and exhibited a knowledge of the danger there was in assaulting them. Bro. Love met and turned all his arguments against him. Mr. Strain contended that there are 3 classes spoken of in Matt. 25 - the sheep, to goats, and "those" that were to go into everlasting punishment. If he had consulted John 17:11 he would have saved himself this blunder. I consider that the victory for the truth was complete. Bro. Love is a clear, logical and forceful debater.
The debate passed off nicely indeed; all seemed to be in good humor. Mr. Strain and bro. Love were very nice towards each other. The Universalists of the vicinity are clever, nice people, and I like them much, and can feel sorry for them as few can, as I once believed the doctrine of 60 years ago; and knowing the saying of the Master (Matt.15:8-9; 12-14) is true and will result just as he said. My heart goes out to them inj love with the hope they turn from error. Bro. Love baptized 8 after the debate.
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