CHAPTER XX.

                        THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSIONS.

    The first public discussion of Bible doctrine known by surviving
pioneers to have taken place in the history of Clay county was held at
some time in the year 1845, as nearly as is remembered, in one of the
primitive log schoolhouses (used also for church purposes) which stood
near what is still known as the “Kennedy Crossing,” two miles west of
Brazil.
    The principals in this debate were Michael Combs, a minister of the
“Church of Christ,” residing in the vicinity of what is now the town of
Staunton, and William Kennedy, one of the laity of the Methodist Epis-
copal church, residing at the crossing named, for whom this point in the
geography of the county was so called. The question discussed was that
of water baptism, not as to mode of ministration, but as to its essentiality
in the plan of salvation. Combs affirmed water baptism to be a gospel
ordinance, hence a necessity, which Kennedy denied. This debate was
of three days’ duration.
    A two days’ debate was held in the grove, near the present New
Hope church, three miles south of Middlebury, in the month of August,
1879, between Rev. Alfred Inman of the Christian church and Rev.
James Tharp of the Missionary Baptists. The question discussed was as
to whether the kingdom of Christ was set up and the church instituted
on the day of Pentecost, or previous thereto. John W. Homer was
moderator.
    In the month of August, 1877, Rev. W. W. Curry, Universalist, and
Rev. William Holt, of the Christian church, engaged in a four days’ dis-
cussion at the court house, Brazil. The first proposition debated was that
of universal salvation, Curry affirming, Holt denying; the second ques-
tion, that of endless punishment, Holt affirming, Curry denying. This
discussion began at the hour of 10 o’clock a. m. Tuesday, the 7th day
of the month, and closed at the hour of 5 o’clock p.m., Friday, the 10th.
    Rev. Tighlman Ballard, Universalist, of Crawfordsville, and Rev.
William H. Williams, of the Christian church, Lena, held a four days’
debate at the Beech Grove Universalist church, five miles northwest of
Brazil, in the fall of 1890, discussing the doctrines of universal salvation
and endless punishment, Ballard affirming and Williams denying the
first proposition, Williams affirming and Ballard denying the second.
Hon. E. S. Holliday, of Brazil, presided.
    In the month of November, 1895, Rev. Ira B. Grandy, Universalist,
of Indianapolis, and Rev. F. W. Roelfing, of the German Lutheran church.
held a five days’ debate at Staunton, discussing the same two points of

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