| 236 whom they considered a man of larger experience and greater ability. At the close of the meeting this gentleman arose and challenged me to a discussion of the points of difference between us. Of course, a sense of justice to myself, as well as to the cause we represent, would not permit me to decline. I accepted the challenge, stating that I should be compelled to return home, and that the only thing in the way would be the necessary means to pay my fare back. This was taken by the gentleman and his friends to be a polite way of "getting out" of the gentleman's grasp. After dismissal two gentlemen of influence, and some means, said to me that they would vouch for the necessary means for my return, saying: "We don't want you to feel cramped. So go ahead, and make the arrangements just as if you had the money in your pocket.," I felt to thank God for his goodness, and the gentlemen for their love for the truth, and fair play.
So we met at the Cibalo River, on Monday, to attend to the ordinance of baptism. Here the preachers met us, and after we had baptized one and they one, we entered into arrangement for the proposed debate, before the entire congregation. I proposed to affirm the same propositions discussed with Mr. Marquis, but he declined. He read some propositions, the very nature of which would throw us outside of the Bible, and made the issue to depend on oral testimony, and requiring us to affirm things we neither believe nor teach. Of course we declined.
The following propositions were finally agreed upon:
First. "The church that I, D. Pennington, belong to, is the church of God." D. Pennington affirms.
Second. "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the church of Christ." D. H. Bays affirms.
On Sunday, August 4, I baptized seven (one Monday, making eight altogether), and organized the Stockdale Branch, with twenty-two members (including Srs. Cobb and Richardson, late of Florida), with John Currie, president; G. W. Humphreys, teacher; and James Pearsall, clerk. Nearly a half score more have signified their intention to obey the gospel message when I return, if, indeed, I shall be permitted to do so. . . .
The investigation resulted favorably to the cause of truth; many, both those in the church and those out of it, acknowledging themselves stronger in the faith than before; the board of moderators rendering a judgment (privately) in our favor. Of course some who would not have it otherwise, are of opinion that their man came out victorious. This gentleman has promised, should I be permitted to return, to undertake the herculean task of proving Joseph Smith a "false prophet."-The Saints' Herald, vol. 25, p. 269.
Another debate soon followed this in which Elder Bays met a Mr. Stuart, of the Christian Church, at Oak Island Texas.
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