An Eccentric That Tolerated Only His Own Version of Christianity

In an energetic fallacy-ridden diatribe Elder Gilson Buford Hancock presents a series of vituperative statement to justify his handiwork, ‘Mormonism Exposed’  (Published by A Dogget, of Marionville, Missouri, 1902) that as examples of fiery rhetoric and from-the-hip stump-preaching will take some beating.  

However, as examples of Christian discourse, level-headed reason, common sense logic, scriptural exegesis, and sound judgement they are barren, serving only to expose the florid vocabulary and arid dunder-headedness of ‘Elder’ Hancock.

I entertain little doubt that Reverend Hancock was sincere, but sincerity does not guarantee that what comes from a sincere heart through the inconsistencies imposed by an irrational mind are the truth, the whole truth, or anything like the truth.   The following is from ‘Mormonism Exposed’ and demonstrates the mind of Elder [or Reverend] Hancock:

---

“The work of the apostolic ministry was to prepare for all to have the one faith-to possess the necessary knowledge in order to eternal life-to come, hence, to the manhood in Christ.  Coming to this, perfection in Christ would be reached.  With this the work of that special ministry was done and would be no longer called for.  

With the cessation of this ministry miracles were to cease; if the apostolic ministry did not accomplish the purpose for which it was given it was a failure.  This being the case the New Testament is not true.  

The New Testament, however, is true; the apostolic ministry accomplished the work for which it was given, and as a consequence there has not been a MINISTRY as a special class, in the church of Christ since the apostles' day.  

There being no demand for a special ministry in the church of Christ since the apostles' day there has been no call for miracle working power.  

No miracle working power, hence, has been given since the apostolic ministry completed its work as that ministry perfected the work for which it was given, and as perfection cannot be supplemented there was none appointed to take the place of those that constituted that ministry.  

They had no successors.  

The apostles were witnesses for Jesus Christ.  One to be such must be a man that had seen Jesus Christ after His resurrection.  

Paul says that he was the last of all to be blessed with that privilege; the last, hence, to be placed in that ministry.  

All modern orders of ministry are humanly' constituted, and as God never authorized them he has no special favors for them.”  [p. 41]

---

A closer look at this page sheds light on the difficulties under which the Reverend Gentleman laboured.

“The work of the apostolic ministry was to prepare for all to have the one faith-to possess the necessary knowledge in order to eternal life-to come, hence, to the manhood in Christ.  Coming to this, perfection in Christ would be reached.  With this the work of that special ministry was done and would be no longer called for.”  

A powerful and well-defined atatement, yet is indisputable that the conditions imposed by Mr Hancock have not been met unless he can make a case that having received the Great Commission from Jesus himself at the Ascension, the Eleven Apostles then travelled throughout the whole world – known and unknown – and had succeeded in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to ‘all’ including those that lived and died between the time of Adam and the revelation of Jesus Christ as Saviour, and also included those not born until the last apostle left his last witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ.  

If Elder Hancock is correct in his extravagant statement, where are the reports of visits and teachings made by Jesus’ Apostles to be found in the histories and sacred writings of the nations they visited?  

As to the duration of an apostolic ministry, Elder Hancock says that when the original apostles were ‘done’ their ministry was also ‘done.’  It must needs be that Hancock was unaware that Saint Paul made a case for the apostolic ministry to continue until it was no longer necessary.

With the cessation of this ministry miracles were to cease;

But the scripture does not say so!

if the apostolic ministry did not accomplish the purpose for which it was given it was a failure.  This being the case the New Testament is not true.  

This is Hancock's standard circular argument of which he consistently fails to see his own fallacious reliance on discredited syllogisms.

The New Testament, however, is true; the apostolic ministry accomplished the work for which it was given, and as a consequence there has not been a MINISTRY as a special class, in the church of Christ since the apostles' day.  

There being no demand for a special ministry in the church of Christ since the apostles' day there has been no call for miracle working power.  

No miracle working power, hence, has been given since the apostolic ministry completed its work as that ministry perfected the work for which it was given, and as perfection cannot be supplemented there was none appointed to take the place of those that constituted that ministry.  

They had no successors.  

The apostles were witnesses for Jesus Christ.  One to be such must be a man that had seen Jesus Christ after His resurrection.  

Paul says that he was the last of all to be blessed with that privilege; the last, hence, to be placed in that ministry.  

All modern orders of ministry are humanly' constituted, and as God never authorized them he has no special favors for them.  [p. 41]