Two Seeders Produced "No Means" Novelty

These remarks are from Dr. Throgmorton in his debate with Elder Potter. (see here)

Said Throgmorton:

I have another document I want to read to you: -

“Mt. Vernon, Ill., July 7, 1887.

Q. When were you connected with the Hardshell Baptist Church?

A. From February, 1881, to December, 1886, I was a member of Middlefork church, Franklin County, Illinois.

Q. What is the standing of the Middlefork church in the association?

A. It was the most influential church in the Bethel Association and in Southern Illinois.

Q. Who is pastor of that church?

A. Eld. Josiah Harriss has been pastor of that church since February or March, 1877-1879.

Q. What other position of honor does he hold in the denomination?

A. He has been moderator of Bethel Association since 1879.

Q. How is he on “Parkerism?"

A. He teaches that there is an uncreated, self-existent, eternal evil spirit, who was always at enmity to God; and that the non-elect are his children by origin.

Q. How is he on the use of means?

A. He teaches that God uses no means whatever in the conversion of alien sinners, and that the elect are the only subjects of Gospel address.

Q. Does the Middlefork church agree with its pastor in these views?

A. The membership generally accept his teaching as Gospel truth, but a few in my knowledge do not agree with him as to these questions.

Truly yours,

A. C. Webb."

Bro. Webb is a young man 30 years of age, and a son of Elder Elisha Webb, who, in his day, was one of the most prominent and influential Hardshell ministers in Southern Illinois. A. C. Webb was excluded from this Middlefork Hardshell Church on account of free-masonry.

(Elder Potter. Where does he belong now?)

Throgmorton. He is a Missionary Baptist now.

We can add this bit of information to my theory that the "no means" view of regeneration or new birth originated with the Two Seeders.