The Experiences of Uncle Jack: Being a Biography of Rev. Andrew Jackson NewgentSnyder, W. Ed.
Religion
The Experiences of Uncle Jack: Being a Biography of Rev. Andrew Jackson Newgent
Snyder, W. Ed.
Newgent, Andrew Jackson, 1838-1913
An amusing incident occurred in connection with a debate in Kentucky
with a Doctor Fairchilds, an eminent Baptist minister. A story came to
the ears of Doctor Fairchilds after he came on the ground, to the effect
that Newgent was a man of extraordinary scholarship, that he was master
of some thirteen languages, etc. The doctor was visibly disconcerted by
the story, and after hearing Newgent’s first address, was fully persuaded
that it was true, especially the part relating to the thirteen languages.
He was quite nervous, and utterly broke down about the middle of the
program, leaving the supposed master of thirteen languages easily master
of the situation.
While on his official rounds as superintendent of the Tennessee
Mission Conference, he once chanced to invade a Lutheran community,
which set in motion a train of influences that terminated in a debate
with a representative of that body. This was about eight miles from
Greenville. He was visiting a United Brethren family that had moved into
the community, and in company with his host, called at the district
school, and made a talk to the pupils. Through the influence of his
host, the school house was secured for a preaching service that evening.
Other influences then began to be felt, and the meeting was continued
indefinitely, resulting in a sweeping revival, the organization of a
United Brethren church, and the building and dedication of a church-house
within two months from the close of the revival.
This occasioned great concern among the Lutherans who lost quite heavily
as a result of the United Brethren invasion. To regain their lost ground,
they challenged Rev. Mr. Newgent to debate certain doctrinal questions
with a representative of their church. Newgent was then in his element,
in the debate, and answered that he would be ready at any time to
accommodate them.
The Lutheran champion was Dr. J. C. Miller, president of one of their
church schools. The much-mooted question as to what body constituted
the true church was the first taken up, Doctor Miller posing as the
representative of a church whose doctrines and usages are identical with
those taught and exemplified in the New Testament.
This placed upon Miller the Herculean task of defending the various
tenets and practices peculiar to his church. Among other specimens of
Lutheran creed, Newgent read the following: “The infant’s heart is
corrupt, and it cannot be saved unless baptized by a Lutheran minister
with heavenly, gracious water.” When asked if his church taught that,
Doctor Miller admitted that it did.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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