KANSAS AND MISSOURI by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 2, 1876

KANSAS AND MISSOURI.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Oct. 18, I arrived at Winslow, Mo., and found Bro. J. G. Wood engaged in a debate with an Elder Rogers of the Disciple church. I came expecting to take part in the debate; but as Bro. W. did not think I could get there, he agreed to discuss it himself. This shut me out. So I assisted him what I could, while he did the work. His opponent was a man of about average ability and was quite pleasant and fair in the debate. By the help of God and the simplicity of the truth, Bro. Wood met his opponent on every point and gained a good victory for the truth.

Bro. W. has had a large interest here for about two months, and has made many friends to the truth. He had the sympathy of the great majority of the people during the debate. Eld. Rogers managed at the beginning of the debate to throw in appointments for meetings in the school-house for two weeks ahead, though Bro. Wood had paid for one-half the cost of the house. When I requested the privilege of speaking an evening or two, Eld. Rogers refused. The people were so offended at this that they insisted upon pitching our tent for us again. We consented, and soon it was up and well warmed. Then I preached every night to a tent full. As soon as the debate was over, some fifteen new ones took their stand to keep the Sabbath, and signed the covenant. This shows what effect the debate had upon the people. Bro. W. remains still to follow up the interest.

I have kept full notes of my discussion with Eld. Shick in Kansas, and shall give through the REVIEW a brief outline of my arguments and the scriptures used. I think our Kansas ministers have brought out some good points upon the two covenants. As I used them in the debate they wished me to write them out for the paper. The kingdom question is one upon which the Disciples boast the most, and yet it is the very one upon which they are the weakest, and the farthest from the truth. Here Eld. Shick made the greatest failure. I now feel sure that our position and arguments upon that question are invulnerable. They are briefly stated in Bro. White’s tract on the “Two Thrones,” though for a debate many more points must be used. I will state these fully when I come to them.

My wife writes me very encouraging reports from the work in Rome, N. Y. I now hope to return there in about three weeks. Am now with Bro. L. R. Long.

D. M. CANRIGHT.