be interrupted, sir, while delivering my course of lectures." I said, "You need to be, for you are the worst befuddled man that I ever heard try to talk on these matters. You do not seem to have a single clear idea of the covenants as treated by Paul. Can you tell me about the second man, that was created before the first man? You talk about the second covenant that was established before the first one!"
It was evident that he was not going to meet us in the discussion of the points upon ----------------months his preaching was mostly an effort to overthrow what we had been teaching; so for that space of time there was a pulpit fight. As we were determined that all should see the extent of his cowardice, we renewed our challenge on every suitable occasion. Upon one occasion when he had an appointment for a week-day night, the Masons and Odd Fellows had an appointment for a business meeting. The leading citizens of Cassville, and of all the adjoining country were present. All concluded to hear Mr. Fly. His effort, as usual, was one to establish the claims of his little system. And he seemed confident that he had done his work well before that large audience. As he started to dismiss the audience I arose and said, "Brother Fly, your present effort will be reviewed, and as I want your presence when I do so, I again challenge you to meet us in the discussion of these matters, either arrange propositions and debate them, or preach night about till the points of difference are investigated." This was unexpected, and was not received very pleasantly, as his looks showed. He said, "Mr. Hancock, do you think I am a man to be trifled with, sir?" I replied, "I was not, thinking much about that, but was he saying I do not think of you as John says, 'He that feareth is not made perfect in love, for perfect love casts out fear.' I want you to know, and I want this people to know, that I have too much love for the Word of God to fear investigation."
Some time after this I was passing the Mooney Hotel. Mr. Fly and some others were sitting on the portico talking. Mr. Mooney was a member of the C. P. Church. Just before I reached the yard gate I heard enough to know that they were talking about what I preached. I stopped, and asked, "Don't you want my help in that?" Mr. Mooney said, "Yes, come in." Being seated I said, "Bro. Fly, I heard enough of your conversation to know what you were talking about. This matter has gone far enough. You must do one of two things, either meet me in debate, or cease your attacks upon us in the pulpit." He said, "I don't believe in agitation." I said, "I do. It is the agitation of the waters that keep them pure. We must either have agitation or stagnation. If it had not been for religious agitation you never would have been privileged to read the Bible." He said, "What!" I said, "Do you not know that if Luther and others had not agitated the claims of Rome the Bible would have been kept from us? So far as you, or any other one can see, if it had not been for agitation we would never have had redemption: For had there been none to agitate the claims of Christ there would have been none to crucify him, and without his crucifixion we would have been without redemption." He said, "I will not take any affirmative proposition, but will deny that the church of which you are a member is the Church of Christ." I said, "We will debate that one proposition in
