In most respects the two men were well matched. Holt was a man of scholarship, a deep, logical thinker, and possessed oratorical ability of a high order, which, with the practice afforded by thirty-two debating bouts, rendered him an antagonist not to be despised. Newgent, then in his prime, possessed a splendid physique, a strong, musical voice that seemed never to tire, which was especially adapted for out-door speaking. Though not a product of the schools, as was his opponent, his mind was strong, clear, and alert. He was ever a close student, not only of books, but of human nature. He could readily analyze a proposition as much by intuition as by logic, and discern at a glance the weak places in his opponent’s position. His wit and humor served him well in such matters. When he turned the shafts of ridicule upon a weak point in the position of an opponent, it was as though all the batteries, field pieces, grape and canister, and every other instrument of destructive warfare had been turned loose at once. As there were none of the scholastic or bookish elements in his style, he invariably had the sympathy of the masses. Doctor Holt made the opening address, affirming that his was the only true church—“identical in doctrine and practice with the Church of Christ as revealed in the Scriptures.” He referred to various doctrines held by his church and supported them by Scriptural authority. In most cases they were doctrines accepted by all evangelical churches, affording no ground for controversy. The address was eloquent and logical. When Newgent arose to reply, he complimented the brother’s address and expressed his approval of much that was said. “But now, Mr. Moderator,” he continued, “I would like to know what church my brother belongs to when he asserts that they believe thus and so. He frequently referred to ‘My church.’ If he belongs to a church, how are we to know, in the absence of a written creed, what the doctrines of his church are? Shall we take his statements? That would not be safe, for I find that they differ among themselves on various important points. “According to Mr. Webster, he has no church. Webster says, ‘The Church of Christ is the universal body of Christ.’ Paul speaks of the ‘whole family in heaven and earth.’ All saints in heaven and on earth belong to the Church of Christ. This includes the children. When the disciples asked Jesus who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven, he ‘called a little child unto him and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily, I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ “Hence, his church is not THE Church of Christ, neither is it A church of Christ. Again, according to Webster, ‘A church of Christ is a body of Christian believers, observing the same rites and acknowledging the same ecclesiastical authority.’ It denies all creeds and all ecclesiastical authority. Hence, it cannot be A church of Christ.”