Jon Gary Williams
Articles / Resources
0829
H. L. Taylor vs E. C. Hughart (Missionary Baptist)
September 8, 1904
Bentley, Mississippi
(By T. W. Carter)
The debate was for eight days at Bentley. Miss. (Aug.9-17).
General church propositions - four days affirmative for each man.
Bro. Taylor in his first affirm. held the large crown spellbound. He read from holy writ where the foundations of the Louse should be laid; his arguments were so invincible that Hughart did not try to answer, but with sophistry and unmeaning witticisms tried to divert the minds of the people. Bro. Taylor demanded some answers, but four days passed and no answers given from Hughart.
Hughart (on 5th day) began his affirm. and made his best speech. It seemed to infuse new life into the Baptist, but, alas, their hopes were soon to fall. He used pamphlets, histories (exclusive of the Bible) that the Baptist church is the father of churches; yet he admitted that one did not have to be a Baptist to be saved. One can go to heaven without baptism but can't get into the Baptist church without baptism. Thus proving it is easier to go to heaven than to get into the Baptist church.
Bro. Taylor begged Hughart to say whether the Baptist church was in the broad road or narrow road. Hughart declined to answer. He would have admitted baptism is essential to salvation. Hughart continually persecuted Alexander Campbell, elder Luce and Roger Williams . When bro. Taylor turned arguments against him he got mad and made nasty remarks. Hughart was a Greek, Hebrew, Latin scholar, but bro. Taylor never failed to follow with English Bible translations and turned every argument against him.
No man could stand before bro. Taylor using the "sword of the Spirit." There is a tender place deep in our hearts for that noble, loving and humble man, bro. Taylor, who came to us without promise of money to fight the power of Babylon. We feel that many souls will obey the gospel after hearing this lengthy debate.
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