Thus urged, the challenge was given and accepted.
The two, Rev. Ruby and Elder Grant, had never met, nor even seen each other.
A few days before the time appointed for the discussion, the two parties chanced to meet at a public gathering of some kind, and the waggish instigator of the discussion was there also. The latter stepped up to Elder Grant and said:
"Mr. Grant, allow me to introduce you to the Rev. Mr. Ruby, the Lutheran preacher."
Brother Grant stepped back and gave the reverend gentleman a thorough inspection, and then said:
"Did I understand you to say preacher?"
"Yes, sir.'
"Well, well! if I was secreted in the bushes along the side of the road for the purpose of waylaying a preacher, and Mr. Ruby should pass along, I wouldn't even snap a cap at him."
The reverend gentleman was completely thunderstruck. He had no more use for Elder Grant, and remarked: "If that is the kind of a man he is, I don't want to have anything more to do with him."
It was enough; there was no discussion. Thus, Brother Grant disarmed his foe, and marched on triumphantly to victory, scattering the seeds of eternal truth, which have taken root in the hearts of many and sprung up, and in their turn produced fruit.