Arkansas, Wis., May 29, 1875
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Arkansas, Wis., May 29, 1875
By D. Dowden
Since my last report, I have been at Burnside most of the time. Eld. Haggard (Disciple), my opponent in debate, came May 21, according to agreement. The questions discussed covered the ground of controversy between first-day and seventh-day keepers. He did all a man could do to oppose our position on the Sabbath, especially the view that it originated at creation. The last four sessions it became evident that his arguments had all been used. However, he labored on; though at one time he read two whole chapters and explained a great deal, then lectured on charity, obedience, &c. When he began his last affirmative, his labors were so hard, and so unavailing that I was truly sorry to see such earnest effort wasted on error. One thing has been gained by this discussion. There will be no more debating demanded in this part of the country on the Sabbath question. I did not seek the debate. I undertook it by the advice of very many of our people. God certainly blessed me during the debate. Eld. H. was anxious for the contest. He had never heard our faith preached; and his positions were wholly borrowed from Eld. Vogle. This debate convinces me that God will sustain his truth in the hands of his weakest servants, when his own glory and the good of the cause is the only thing sought by the one defending the truth. I am also sure we should never debate without receiving some token, in answer to humble, earnest prayer, that God wants his truth defended, and wants to use us as instruments in doing it. I think not one present at the debate, who was not decided before it took place, will say we lost anything in the undertaking. I hope when the truth has to be defended again some one else will be provided to defend it. Knowing my disposition, I feel it is true that debating will (unless I am careful) lead me from, instead of into, spirituality. D. DOWDEN. Arkansas, Wis., May 29, 1875