p. 190 | Discussion at Woodburn, Ill

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

Discussion at Woodburn, Ill.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

We have just passed through a very strange discussion here, one in which God has given a decisive victory to his truth. By the urgent request of the friends here, backed up by the advice of Bro. White, I came to this place Tuesday, Nov. 8. I found the situation to be thus: Bro. Blanchard, two years ago, raised up a small church here under very bitter opposition. They were left alone, but got along very well till this fall, when a new Methodist minister came on. As some of our members had come out of that church, he immediately began war upon the S. D. Adventists, both in public and private. He boasted largely of his ability and learning, how he had debated with our ministers, defeated them, and even converted some of them back to Sunday, &c. Some were deceived by this, and began to think it might be so. He said, “Bring on your lecturers, and I will debate with them.” I wrote for his propositions, and he sent me the following, which I accepted. He affirmed,

“1. That Sunday synchronizes with the Edenic Sabbath in the order of occurrence.

“2. That the regular weekly Sabbath-days observed among the Hebrews, have expired.

“3. That there is evidence that Sunday was called the Sabbath by the New-Testament writers.

“4. That the Sabbath has reverted to its original seventh day by the resurrection of Christ.

“5. That God has prophetically announced Sunday as the original Sabbath.”

In short, it will be seen that he adopted Aker’s position. Among other rules, we adopted the following one: “Christian courtesy shall be maintained by the speakers toward each other, and all personal abuse prohibited.” We were to have eight sessions of two hours each.

As this would not begin till the next Monday, I improved the opportunity by preaching every night in the Christian church, which we occupy. My congregation increased till the close, and a good feeling was raised. We all sought the Lord with fasting and prayer, and felt sure the Lord would help us. In preparing for the debate, I found Bro. Andrew’s review of Aker of great value. To give the reader an idea of Mr. Turney’s boastings, I will quote from a paper published in the vicinity, which is only an echo of his own talk:

“If Mr. Turney triumphs in the debate, (and it is the unanimous opinion of all acquainted with him, that he will,) the cause of the Seventh-day Adventists will die, not only in Woodburn, but in every part of the United States, as Elder Canright has the reputation of being their ablest debater. The discussion will be, probably, taken down in short hand, and published to the world in book form. The services of such as understand phonography will be needed; and any stenographer who desires a few days’ employment, may find it to his advantage to write to Rev. Mr. Turney at this place, stating his capacity, and what remuneration he expects, that a proper selection may be made in the choice of a reporter between this and the 14th inst., on which day the debate will probably commence. No doubt persons will be present from all parts of the State to hear.”

Sad to relate, the reporter didn’t come! The attendance was very good. Mr. Turney’s positions were nearly the same as Aker’s. I need not repeat them. Never having met them before, I did not know how hard they might be to answer; but now I pronounce them the most absurd and unscriptural, and the easiest to be answered, of any I have ever met.

As soon as the debate opened, my worst fears of him were fully confirmed, and I knew we must have a stormy time. He began by reviling Bro. Andrew’s review of Aker. Then he was very personal, and spoke of me in the lowest and harshest terms. I paid

no attention to it for a time, only to say that I could not condescend to such low stuff. This immediately gave me the sympathies of the people. His arguments were met with but little effort. All saw this, and acknowledged it. In not one session did he gain even an apparent advantage, but the people confessed the truth clearer and clearer every time. During the fourth session, I called him to order for personal abuse. The feeling rose high. The next day, he did better in that respect. By this time nearly every one had lost confidence in him, and in his arguments and cause. Many of his own church and brethren condemned his conduct. Probably all this irritated him, so that the next night he opened his speech by saying that if I should repeat to him a certain statement out of doors, I would soon find myself on the ground!

I could hardly believe my own ears, that such a statement should come from a Methodist minister in the sacred desk! When I referred to it, he re-affirmed it with a threatening look. After this he went on from bad to worse, in the lowest and most disgusting manner, till he got into a personal quarrel with one of the audience, while speaking! At this I arose and told them that I was ashamed, and felt myself disgraced by discussing with such a man, and that I refused to go any further unless assured that such conduct would be prohibited. I appealed to the Methodist church, and the trustees of the house, as they regarded the sacredness of the house, and their reputation in society, to rebuke him, and repudiate his whole course. He denied the charges, and laid the blame on me. I appealed to a vote of the house. Only seven or eight voted for him, while an overwhelming majority, so many that the chairman could not count them, voted against him, and among them the trustees of the house, and his own leading brethren!

At the end of that session, the trustees announced that the house would be closed against any further discussion. To this all candid men heartily agreed. But Rev. Mr. Turney walked to the door, locked it, put the key into his pocket, and declared that he would open the house and go on with the debate as usual! Of course I refused to have anything to do with it. He said he would let the trustees know that he was the preacher in charge, and that their decision without him was illegal, and that he could control that house!

I need say no more. The feeling of the church and the community can be better imagined than described. He unlocked the door, finally, and let us out! It is but justice to say that the trustees treated me like gentlemen, and they have our sympathies. This is a terrible blow to the Methodist church, and to the cause of Sunday-keeping generally in this section. We have the sympathies and congratulations of all the people. What Mr. Turney will do, remains to be seen; but certainly he cannot expect to labor in Woodburn any longer.

On the Sabbath we had a most solemn and melting time. The Spirit of God was manifestly with us. There was not a dry eye in the house. We all wept together, and praised God for his truth, and all his abundant mercies to us. A number of new ones made a start to serve God, backsliders came forward with contrition and confessions; some took their stand to keep the Sabbath, and the brethren and sisters all expressed themselves as encouraged, strengthened, and settled in the work. My heart was full to overflowing. Praise the Lord.

Sunday morning we had a business meeting, when the good work still went on. Eight joined the church, just doubling their number. Seven of these have just embraced the Sabbath, and taken up the cross to be Christians. We went to the water where five were buried with Christ in baptism. This reminded me of what Mr. Turney frequently asserted during the debate; viz., that he was preaching the funeral sermon of S. D. Adventists in Woodburn. As he had preached the sermon, I did the burying. I like such burials very much.

Sunday evening the house was full, and I enjoyed preaching the word to them. At the close, a friend arose and said that a number of persons present wished in some way to show their friendly feelings, their sympathies with us, and their appreciation of the labors here bestowed; and that they wished to do it by coming forward in the audience and giving us a good-will offering. Thereupon a large share of the men present came and made their offering, which amounted to $27.00. Under the circumstances this was very affecting to us, as it showed that all these men and their families were our friends, and respecters of the truth. To sum up the result of going to Woodburn to attend the discussion: I had the privilege of talking nearly a week to hundreds, directly on the Sabbath question, reaching those who could not otherwise be reached; I spoke eleven times, to good congregations, on the present truth; seven embraced the truth, and five were baptized. Eight joined the church, and S. B. was raised from $30 to $80; I sold $28 worth of books, and obtained four subscribers for the REVIEW. To the Lord be all the praise. Many more are not only favorable, but almost persuaded to go with us. We hope they may be reached in the future. Monday, Bro. Young brought me to Brighton, where I took the cars, and arrived home the next day. We now go right on to Adel and Winterset.

D. M. CANRIGHT.