Unidentified Missionary's Public Discussion near Cambridge

A young, inexperienced missionary, who had never even attended meetings at home prior to his mission, was challenged by local ministers to a public discussion near Cambridge. Despite the opposition of a score or more of ministers supporting the local champion, the young missionary delivered arguments on baptism that completely defeated his opponent. The ministers then chose a second champion for another evening to test the essentiality of baptism to salvation, and the young missionary defeated him as well.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

On one occasion a young man came into the country who had never even attended meetings at home, as far as I could learn; but he had the stamina to accept the appointment and to come to England on a mission. He was there about a year, or a little more, when he was challenged by the most intelligent of the ministers that were in that part of the country (near Cambridge) to a public discussion. He accepted, and their champion was sustained by a score or more of ministers, who came in to witness his triumph over this “Mormon” Elder. I will say, to my surprise and astonishment, the young man delivered an argument in favor of baptism which put his opponent entirely to flight. He did not advance one idea that could be compared with the light, intelligence and strong argument of this inexperienced young man. The ministers claimed that they had not been fairly represented. They chose another champion, and asked that they might have another evening to test this question, “Is baptism essential to salvation?” Their second champion was worsted like the other.