Solomon said, "Of making many books there is no end," and we all know he stated the truth. But I doubt the introduction given by a preacher in introducing an oral debate, when, in giving his reasons for believing in debates, he declared: "The good Book says, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness;" for Paul had no such thought in his mind when he dictated 1 Tim. 3:16. "Controversy," such as we have on the following pages, sometimes clarifies and makes the truth the more easily seen, and I think this is always the case where both disputants are in a state of absolute surrender to God and want only his will to be done. But too often controversy mystifies and confuses because of a lack of honesty on the part of one or both disputants. I believe we can obey 1 Cor. 1:10 if we have the spirit of Jesus. This Scripture reads as follows: "Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." "Perfected together" suggests the idea of growing together. That differences on different subjects would arise even among the best of men I believe the Scriptures indicate; but the Bible certainly teaches that the more good men study together a subject and pray over it, the closer together they grow. "Come now, and let us reason together," is Jehovah's invitation to us to study with him, and it certainly suggests that this is the way God brings man into subjection to his own will. I pray God to let me live to see the day when the rule among us will be to meet and fast and pray and study our differences together in a private way rather than going before the brotherhood as a whole and the world with our differences. If in such an effort we should fail to come to see the question alike, we would get the next best thing-viz., we would come to see that the question is not a vital one, that it is not essential to our salvation or edification; hence, would agree to disagree on that question, keep our ideas to ourselves as far as justice and good sense will allow, and still be brethren. If Abraham in his day could so easily say, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren," it seems that we, with the more ease, under the glorious light of the gospel of God's grace, should be able to say such when differences arise.

      I thank God that we have had this discussion; and though these good men, my brethren in Christ, did not come to see the subjects they have discussed alike, they did accomplish the next best thing--viz., verified the motto, "Let us agree to differ and resolve to love." I feel compelled here to insert the concluding words of these good men:

      1. The concluding words of Brother R. H. Boll:

      "The avowed purpose of this debate was, not to mark lines and partisan distinctions, but to set the questions under dispute in fuller, clearer light, so that the readers may weigh and judge for themselves; thus to remove any blind prejudice and antagonism and misconceptions concerning the issues that may have existed, and to foster good will and brotherliness among all who stand and ought to stand together upon the simple New Testament foundation of 'the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.'

      "To my honored respondent, Brother H. Leo Boles, I wish to express my gratitude for all kind and brotherly utterances in the course of the discussion, of which I marked a number. And if in any matter I failed, in his judgment, to do him justice, or transgressed upon his patience [5] (as may too easily happen in debate), I beg, his forgiveness, and thank him for his forbearance and for every courtesy and kindness he has shown me. A public discussion is a severe test, and only by the grace of God can a man hold fast the 'Golden Rule' and the law of love and come out without smell of fire on his garments. I wish to express my kindliest personal feelings toward my respondent and toward all the brethren of the Gospel Advocate. . . .

      "But my heart's desire and prayer to God is that all differences among God's people on these and all other matters may be overcome in the love and fear of God, and through that brotherly love and fellowship which we have together in Christ while we 'walk in the light, as he is in the light.'"

      2. The concluding words of Brother H. Leo Boles:

      "I reciprocate the fraternal expression and high regard which Brother Boll has for me. I have had many discussion,; and many kinds of opponents, but I have never had a more courteous and brotherly opponent than Brother R. H. Boll. My high regard for him has been increased because of the discussion. I believe him to be sincere, pious, and a cultured, Christian gentleman. I entertain the kindest personal feelings toward him. We differ, as the reader knows; but our differences and a discussion of them do not keep me from esteeming him very highly as a brother in Christ Jesus. . . .

      "We both yearn for the peace and unity of the body of Christ, and have kept constantly before us the fact that one purpose of this discussion was to help bring about a better understanding between brethren and heal sores and breaches that may have occurred at any time.

      "May the Lord abundantly bless 'the Israel of God,' 'the seed of Abraham,' 'the household of faith,' and help us all to 'love his appearing' by maintaining good works and keeping 'the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.'"

      I would not know how to improve on what these good brethren have said above. I enlarge Brother Boles' prayer just a bit and pray that we all may be indeed "the seed of Abraham;" for, as our Lord has said, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." (John 8:39, 40.) He loved peace and sacrificed for it. Never can we be indeed his seed when we do unlike he did or differently from the way he would do were he here with us to-day.

      I am not entering into the merits of the discussion, so far as the different propositions are concerned. I care nothing for this just now. These brethren have discussed the propositions in their own way. You read what they say prayerfully, then join them in their concluding words, in which they so clearly declare that their regard the one for the other has been increased and not destroyed or lessened and in which they both pray for peace. The discussion is put in permanent form as a monument to this brotherly effort to see more clearly questions over which we have differed and as a living witness that brethren can discuss their differences in a way that reflects honor on such discussions.

      As has been stated, they failed to get together, but accomplished the next best thing--viz., they love each other better now for the discussion, and can pray more earnestly than ever before that we may yet come to see alike on these questions.

      In concluding, I suggest that the next effort made for peace because of our differences on these or any other questions may not be a public discussion in the paper, but that we try out the better way still--viz., meet as brethren and fast and pray till we get together.

      "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Mic. 6:8.)

S. H. HALL. [6]      

[UP 5-6]