Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Campbell debates Ford & Vaughan?

It is a difficult, if not impossible task, to find any written records of debates that Alexander Campbell had with the Baptists. I have written before about some of the dialogue that occurred between Campbell and Elders Andrew Broaddus and Bishop Semple. I have also written about the famous Campbell-Peck debate which never occurred. J.M. Peck was working with Campbell on debating the topic of whether the word alone, or whether a power of the Spirit in addition to the word, was that which effected regeneration. While in this process, it was discovered by both that there was no substantial disagreement, and so there was no debate.

One can easily find Campbell's famous debates with McCalla, Purcell, Rice, Owen, etc. But, where are the debates with the Baptists? He apparently had them. But, they did not get published, it seems. I have run across information about a debate that Campbell had with two Baptists, with Samuel Ford and with William Vaughan.

Dr. Samuel Ford

"Dr. Ford has received the honorary degree of L.L.D. He preaches without manuscript, is earnest and eloquent, and many hundreds have been converted under his ministry. He is a firm Baptist, and he has had discussions with Alexander Campbell, Bishop Spaulding, of the Catholic church, and Dr. N. L. Rice. Dr. Ford is a Hebrew and Syriac scholar; he is well read in general literature, and is specially familiar with the Romish controversy. In his theology he is a Calvinist."

[From The Baptist Encyclopedia, William Cathcart, editor, 1881; rpt. 1988, pp. 404-405. jrd]

http://www.geocities.com/baptist_documents/ford.samuel.h.html

Does anyone have any information about this debate?

William Vaughan

"He was licensed to preach February, 1811, by Friendship Church, Ky. He made some dismal failures at the beginning, but he increased in power as he continued to try, and no other man in Ken­tucky ever became so great a preacher as he. Tes­timonies from various sources could be quoted, but suffice it to say that all accord to Wm. Vaughan the first place as a great preacher of all who lived dur­ing the first half of the nineteenth century. Others have risen up who have perhaps been as great, but none equaled him in his day.

He was at various times pastor of a number of country and village churches, and traveled exten­sively as missionary and evangelist, and thousands were converted and baptized under his ministry. He labored untiringly, and braved the cold and the heat, and went under all circumstances "everywhere preaching the word." The greatest work of his life, however, was his fight with Campbellism. He met the leaders of the Campbellite movement in debate and always admin­istered a crushing defeat to his opponent. Besides this he confirmed the churches and the ministry. [p. 68] Had it not been for his powerful preaching whole churches and associations, that are now among the strongest in Kentucky, would have gone with Alex­ander Campbell. Such men as Wm. Warder and Jeremiah Vardeman, and several other lesser lights, were saved from the errors of Campbell by his influ­ence."


http://www.geocities.com/baptist_documents/vaughan.william.by.bogard.html

"The Baptists will never know until eternity reveals the facts how much they owe to Wm. Vaughan. Among the mighty defenders of the faith stands as a pillar of strength this remarkable man. He gave a son to the ministry who made a strong, useful preacher. He gave solidity to Kentucky Baptists, and they have ever since been noted for their orthodoxy.

His greatest debate was with Alexander Campbell. In this debate "he dissected Mr. Campbell's system with a masterly hand, drew the line between it and the doctrine of the Baptists, and made open war on the new theory."
(Spencer's History Ky. Baptists, page 226)

http://www.geocities.com/baptist_documents/vaughan.william.by.bogard.html

Vaughan also, like Campbell, debated the Presbyterian McCalla. There is also this reference to Vaughan and his debate with Campbell.

"In 1827 he removed to Ohio, where he remained one year, and returned to Kentucky. He was now brought into conflict with the disciples of Campbell, who were making many proselytes. Being the only minister in Kentucky at that time who was able to grapple successfully with the adherents of the new doctrine, he was encouraged by the churches to defend their principles against the assaults of Mr. Campbell, and devoted himself with great energy and extraordinary ability to this work." (The Baptist Encyclopedia, 1881)

http://www.geocities.com/baptist_documents/vaughan.william.bio.tbe.html

Again, anyone know of any information on these debates?

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