Subscribe to this page via e-mail here - Subscribe
0857
This debate on instrumental music grew out of a sermon by Foy Wallace at Anniston, Alabama. Dr. Ballard, Gadsden, Ala., heard the sermon and admitted he could not answer Wallace. He got H. L. Patterson to take affirm. The debate started Mar. 4-7.
The men debating were very different. Patterson was near 60, rather frail body, slow in thought, with a rather sharp voice. Bro. Wallace is much younger, under 40 years, with a closely built body which would make one think of iron or steel in his makeup. Bro. Wallace has a good voice that carries well, and shows himself well prepared in his material, with a good memory, and able to take care of all his positions with an opponent. He is not extreme in his positions, but shows a humble, childlike faith in the word God. He never stoops to abuse an opponent, but he is invulnerable in his arguments. He makes a good impression on his audience, both by his unassuming manner and the logic of his argument.
Patterson depended alone upon he Greek lexicons for his proof. He admitted he could not prove his proposition by the English Bible. In giving his definitions of his terms of "psallo" in Christian worship means the worship since Pentecost. Yet, he went behind Pentecost to get his meaning of the Greek word, even back to classic Greek, and would not even try to tell why. Thayer said, "in the New Testament to sing, to celebrate the praise of God in song." Bro. Wallace drew a large P on the board to stand for Pentecost. He showed that before Pentecost they had animal sacrifices, but this side it is Christ, our sin offering. Before Pentecost it was literal circumcision; after Pentecost it was circumcision not made with hands - the circumcision of the heart. Before Pentecost it was the literal burning of incense; after Pentecost the incense is the prayers of the saints. Before Pentecost it was "psalloing" with mechanical instruments; after Pentecost it was making melody with the heart. Patterson said if singing was a command of God, he could not obey God in that respect. But what if he could not play either?
This is one of the most pleasant debates I have ever attended. There was not a harsh word spoken by either debater to the other or to the audience. While the "diagressives" have a large church in Anniston, very few of them attended the debate. Their preacher did not attend. They showed no interest even to Patterson who courageously tried to defend their practice. They had a radio station in Anniston. The debate was broadcast. Many people heard who had never heard the music question debated before. One of the most impressive things was bro. Wallace, after proving we should sing and make melody in the heart, called on the brethren to sing Rock Of Ages. Bro. S.H. Hall moderated for bro. Wallace.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>
Print
Foy E. Wallace, Jr. vs H. L. Patterson (Christian Church - Instrumental music)
March 24, 1932
Anniston, Alabama
(By F. B. Srygley)
March 24, 1932
Anniston, Alabama
(By F. B. Srygley)
This debate on instrumental music grew out of a sermon by Foy Wallace at Anniston, Alabama. Dr. Ballard, Gadsden, Ala., heard the sermon and admitted he could not answer Wallace. He got H. L. Patterson to take affirm. The debate started Mar. 4-7.
The men debating were very different. Patterson was near 60, rather frail body, slow in thought, with a rather sharp voice. Bro. Wallace is much younger, under 40 years, with a closely built body which would make one think of iron or steel in his makeup. Bro. Wallace has a good voice that carries well, and shows himself well prepared in his material, with a good memory, and able to take care of all his positions with an opponent. He is not extreme in his positions, but shows a humble, childlike faith in the word God. He never stoops to abuse an opponent, but he is invulnerable in his arguments. He makes a good impression on his audience, both by his unassuming manner and the logic of his argument.
Patterson depended alone upon he Greek lexicons for his proof. He admitted he could not prove his proposition by the English Bible. In giving his definitions of his terms of "psallo" in Christian worship means the worship since Pentecost. Yet, he went behind Pentecost to get his meaning of the Greek word, even back to classic Greek, and would not even try to tell why. Thayer said, "in the New Testament to sing, to celebrate the praise of God in song." Bro. Wallace drew a large P on the board to stand for Pentecost. He showed that before Pentecost they had animal sacrifices, but this side it is Christ, our sin offering. Before Pentecost it was literal circumcision; after Pentecost it was circumcision not made with hands - the circumcision of the heart. Before Pentecost it was the literal burning of incense; after Pentecost the incense is the prayers of the saints. Before Pentecost it was "psalloing" with mechanical instruments; after Pentecost it was making melody with the heart. Patterson said if singing was a command of God, he could not obey God in that respect. But what if he could not play either?
This is one of the most pleasant debates I have ever attended. There was not a harsh word spoken by either debater to the other or to the audience. While the "diagressives" have a large church in Anniston, very few of them attended the debate. Their preacher did not attend. They showed no interest even to Patterson who courageously tried to defend their practice. They had a radio station in Anniston. The debate was broadcast. Many people heard who had never heard the music question debated before. One of the most impressive things was bro. Wallace, after proving we should sing and make melody in the heart, called on the brethren to sing Rock Of Ages. Bro. S.H. Hall moderated for bro. Wallace.
VIEW NEXT REPORT >>
| Powered By |
| TheLordsWay.com |
| Click here to host your own church web site today! |
