Proposed Discussion

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

Proposed Discussion.

[The following we find in The World's Crisis of July 2, 1873. It will be of interest to all our readers.—Ed. Rev.]

It having been repeatedly and publicly stated that no minister of this State dare to meet the definite time argument for the Lord's return in 1873, I beg leave to submit the following proposition:—

If suitable preliminaries, such as time and place of meeting, can be satisfactorily arranged, I will meet any Christian gentleman who may be chosen to represent and support the affirmative of the following question: Is the definite time of the second advent revealed in the Holy Scriptures.?

This seems to be the fundamental question to be settled. It is plain that everything depends upon this. If it can be shown that it was the intention of the Holy Spirit to reveal the definite time of the second advent, then it is equally plain that it is our duty no less than our privilege to know it. I also submit, as a condition precedent to the proposed discussion, that each party shall be responsible for one-half of the necessary expenses of said meeting, and that a stenographer be employed to report the discussion to the end that it may be published. Thousands of people in various parts of the country will be interested in learning the arguments pro and con, who could not possibly attend the discussion itself. If light be needed—and I think it is—I know of no better way of letting it shine on this question than in the way proposed. It is of course understood that, if the discussion be held, it shall be governed by the usual parliamentary rules, and that the courtesies and amenities usual among gentlemen shall be observed. The sole object of both parties should be to elicit truth on this great and important question. J. H. WHITMORE.

Rochester, June 23.