Joseph Sale Warlick
1866-1941
Ligon Portraiture Picture
Biographical Sketch On The Life Of J.S. Warlick
Joseph Sale Warlick was born twelve miles from St. Louis, Mo. (St. Louis County), November 1, 1866. He was the son of Newton Sanford and Mary Ann (Stafford) Warlick, Scotch, Irish, and German descent, with the former dominant in his nature.
He was constantly in school until he was grown. His parents, though poor, gave him every advantage they could, and his brothers and sisters cheerfully worked on the farm that he might prosecute his studies.
Brother Warlick was married twice. His first wife was Miss Florence Campbell. To this union four children were born, Homer Elvy, Bernie C., and Byron, and daughter, Florence (Mrs. Harold R. Orr.) Florence died in 1896, and in 1901 he married his second wife, Miss Lucie Dabney, granddaughter of E. W. Dabney, who is remembered as one of the pioneer preachers of the gospel in Texas. Each of these Christian women assisted him much in his work for the Master.
He published for some time the Gospel Guide, was the author of many books and tracts, which have had a wide circulation and have been endorsed and used by many preachers.
He has been instrumental in leading a large number to the Christ, and "expects to meet many in the other world that have been taught the truth by him."
On Thursday, January 2, 1941 at his home, 911 West Tenth Street, Dallas, Texas, at 1 P.M., Joseph Sale Warlick departed this life. Brother Warlick had been in ill-health since December 23, 1939; and although he had recovered to some extent, yet those who were closest to him knew that his days were numbered.
He was survived by a daughter (Mrs. H. R. Orr, Denver, Col.), two sons (Homer and B.C. Warlick, Dallas), two sisters (Mrs. Matt Albert, Elk City, Okla., and Mrs. Addie Barnhart, Houston, Texas), and one brother (Dennis Warlick, Elk City).
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 5, in the auditorium of the Sunset Church, at 2 P.M. The building was packed with friends who came to pay a last tribute of respect to this old soldier of the cross. Leroy Garrett, a young preacher, read the Scripture; Price Billingsley, Fort Worth, Texas, prayed; Claude Kele, minister of the Hamilton-Lagow Church, where Brother Warlick held his membership, spoke about the life of the deceased; and J. L. Hines, minister of the Sunset Church, spoke upon the subject, "One Thing I Do," taken from Phil. 3:1." A male sextette sang. Two of the songs were composed by Brother Warlick.
He was buried in the Oak Cliff Cemetery on Monday morning at 10 o'clock. The following preachers were pallbearers: Frank Smith, Trinity Heights Church; Eugene S. Smith, evangelist; Horace Teddlie, Edgefield Church; Tillit S. Teddlie, Western Heights Church; Coleman Overby, Sears-Summit Church; and Joe Malone, Peak-Eastside Church.
The following is one of the songs used, which was composed by Brother Warlick:
The time has come when we must part,
We hope to meet again,
To sing our songs of joy and praise,
While we on earth remain.
But if no more while here we meet,
Let each resolve in heart
That he to that bright home shall come,
Where we shall never part.
'Tis there we'll meet with friends so dear
Who've passed beyond the sea;
We'll safely dwell with Christ, our Lord,
And with him ever be.
For evermore we'll sing his praise
On that bright, happy shore,
In one united voice of song,
And part no never more.
Among his last words were: "I am willing to go before the Judge of all the earth and answer for every act of every minute of my life."
Joe Sale Warlick was indeed a great servant of the Lord. He held gospel meeting in almost all the states in the union and Canada. He engaged in 399 debates. He baptized thousands. He was always ready to help if there were problems. May the Lord bless the memory of this great man. For the last five years I have talked to him intimately. I found him to be kind, generous, merciful, but very positive about the things which he conceived to be the truth. He never spoke harshly to me about any of his enemies. He was one of my very best friends. He helped me much in my work, and in my fight against ungodliness in the city of Dallas he planted himself by my side.
To my mind there has not been a greater defenders of the truth since A. Campbell's day. May God's richest blessings be upon the family.
-J.L. Hines, Gospel Broadcast, as appearing in the Gospel Advocate, Vol. LXXXIII, NO. 3, January 16, 1941, page 61; also Firm Foundation, Vol. 58, No. 4, January 28, 1940, page 5.
Ben M. Bogard Tribute To J.S. Warlick
There is within me a feeling of distinct loss today, for I have just received a telegram that my most valiant antagonist, with whom I had twenty-three debates, is dead. He died January 2, 1941, at noon. He and I had some hard contests, and we did not give an inchin our sharp contentions with each other; but our personal friendship grew with the years and we became as brothers in the flesh. We actually slept together while in one of our hardest-fought debates, and I shall never forget some fine help he was to me once when Istood in need of just what he could do. He could easily have refused, but he graciously granted my request. No matter what it was, it was a friendly turn he gave that has never been forgotten. He has visited in my home, and I have been entertained by him. My reputation was safe in his hands. In spite of his heretical doctrine, I can but believe that he at heart trusted in my Savior, and I expect to meet him over on the other side, and we shall have a big time talking together in that place where we shall understand. -Ben M. Bogard, in Orthodox Baptist Searchlight.
Webmaster Note: Ben M. Bogard was heralded as the best of Baptist debaters during his day. He debated many preachers in the Churches of Christ including J.D. Tant and Joe S. Warlick. The above tribute was originally recorded in the Baptist journal, Orthodox Baptist Searchlight, but also appeared at the end of the page in the Gospel Advocate bearing Warlick's obituary.
-Gleaned from Articles: Gospel Advocate Vol. LXXXIII, NO. 3, January 16, 1941, page 61, "Joe Sales Warlick Passes Away," J.L. Hines, Dallas, Texas; and from In Memoriam, Gussie Lambert, Shreveport, LA p.285,286
Restoration Leaders: Joe Warlick
Joe S. Warlick was, undoubtedly, one of the most unusual of our preachers in the 20th Century. He was truly a man of the divine book and a champion of the Restoration.
On the large granite monument at the Joe S. Warlick grave location in the Oak Cliff Cemetery in Dallas are these words:
A Stalwart Soldier. . .
A Courageous Fighter. . .
A Staunch Friend. . .
A Tender and Loving Father. . .
These words express completely, not only a comprehensive description of a true servant of the Most High God, but reveals the high esteem that the entire brotherhood held for one of the most outstanding and resourceful gospel preachers and debaters since the days of divinely inspired men.
Joseph Sale was born November 1, 1866, twelve miles from St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to the two brothers, Jim and Dennis, there were also five sisters. His boyhood was spent in Missouri, Arkansas and in Texas near Fort Worth. However, the greater part of his adult life he lived in Dallas.
EDUCATION
He obtained a better than average education. This was made possible by the unselfishness of his brothers and sisters who cheerfully worked on the farm that he might pursue his studies. His father was a farmer, and so his children learned early in life the meaning of hard work. His parents, though poor, gave him every advantage they could. His brother, Jim, worked on the farm in order that Joe might go to school. Joe himself called attention to the unselfish attitude of his brother, Jim, on the occasion of Jim's funeral which was conducted in Oklahoma City, in December of 1937. Will M. Thompson, who conducted the funeral remembers:
Joe Warlick was present and said to me, 'Brother Will, when you have finished, if I can pull myself together, I want to say a few words." Thompson announced to the audience that brother Joe S. Warlick, a brother in the flesh of Jim, wanted to say a few words. The audience was in rapt silence as Joe S. stood beside the casket and paid a glowing tribute to his brother Jim. He said that whatever success he had attained in life he owed it to him. The Warlick family was a poor family, and their father had decided, since he was able to school only one of the boys, Jim being the older should be the one to go to school. At this time Jim said, 'Father, I do not care for an education and Joe does. Let me stay on the farm and help you, and let brother Joe go to school."
This, then, was the decision of the father, and Joe S. said this was the turning point of his life. Furthermore, he stated that, 'I feel that I would be an ingrate not to tell this of my brother Jim."
Through diligent personal study and devotion to the Bible, Joe became well acquainted with the scriptures and developed early the ability to teach effectively.
Along with his study of the Bible, he began to read other books as well. Joe himself said that 'among my first reading after I began really to try to know something about the New Testament was a careful study of The Great Legacy, by S. R. Ezzell, and then I took up closely The Gospel Plan of Salvation, by T. W. Brents." He came to know not only God's Word extremely well, but the doctrines of men also, no matter what they might be.
PREACHING
Joe Warlick preached his first sermon in July, 1885. His parents had moved to Baylor County in north central West Texas near the small town of Seymour and settled in the Cache Creek community. There was a little band of Christians meeting at the Cache Creek schoolhouse and Joe began to preach for them. He was nineteen years old.
Joe preached in many meetings in Baylor County and conducted at least two debates there. Many people, both in the church and out of it, remember him well. He possessed an engaging personality. He liked everybody, and he liked to talk. He knew almost everyone in Seymour.
From the time he first began preaching he was in constant demand by churches for gospel meetings or debates. He was regularly in preaching work for 54 years until stopped by illness in December of 1939. He preached in nearly all of the Southern states, a number of the Northern states and made one trip to Canada.
Warlick was married twice. His first wife was Miss Florence Campbell. To this union four children were born. His second wife was Miss Lucie Dabney, granddaughter of E. W. Dabney, who is remembered as one of the pioneer preachers of the gospel in Texas.
WRITER AND EDITOR
As a writer and editor, Joe Warlick was prolific. On March 1, 1903, Warlick was the founding editor of the Gospel Review. This was a high class monthly magazine that published the very best in writing from all over the brotherhood. Among those whose articles were featured were David Lipscomb, T. B. Larimore, G. Dallas Smith, A. Alsup, E. G. Sewell, W. P. Richardson and others. The Gospel Review had three men listed as editors: Joe S. Warlick, Jesse P. Sewell, and Robert H. Boll (the same Boll who later led the premillenial movement and edited Word and Work). Jesse P. Sewell was the managing editor. The Gospel Review lasted only a little over a year and then failed due to the high cost of production and lack of patronage.
Briefly, Warlick was an Associate Editor for The Leader and the Way from late 1904 into early 1905. The legendary James A. Harding was the most notable man connected with The Leader and the Way. In 1905, Warlick founded his most famous and long lasting paper, the Gospel Guide. The Guide ceased publication on three different occasions. The first series of the Gospel Guide ran from March 1905 until February 1909. The second series ran from 1910 through 1913, and the third series ran from January 1916, until March 1929. In addition to editing these papers, he also wrote a number of articles for other papers.
WARLICK AND DEBATING
Joe S. Warlick was considered by most brethren to be a most capable defender of the faith. He engaged in 399 debates on the polemic platform and met all kinds of religious antagonists, including the champion Missionary Baptist debater, Ben Bogard. Warlick was very meticulous and thorough in his studies and preparation for his preaching and debating. When he had once made his study and prepared his notes, he would memorize them and would have no further need for them. He possessed a photographic memory and used no notes in his debating. In his debating he was never at a loss in any situation which might arise; no opponent ever caught him off guard or napping, or led him unawares into any trap or difficulty; he was ever the master of any situation in which he found himself.
W. B. Andrews, Dallas preacher, considered Warlick the greatest negative debater who ever spoke without direct inspiration. According to Andrews, Warlick did not answer an argument—he annihilated it. It was no uncommon thing for him to reconstruct an argument and make it stronger than his opponent had, then with most incisive wit reduce the argument to nothing with a few words. Andrews said, 'There was no more brilliant American in his generation."
One of the most remarkable and historic debates in which Warlick participated was with J. C. Clark, November, 1903, in Henderson, Tennessee, where the church had been taken over by the digressives and the instrument installed. J. C. Clark, of Christian Church fame, was campaigning in West Tennessee, literally bombarding the churches on the instrumental music issue, an innovation threat to all the churches of Christ west of the Tennessee River. Through the solicitation of two young professors who were notable in the effort to stay the tide of digression—A. G. Freed and N. B. Hardeman—Joe Warlick was brought from Texas to Henderson to debate Clark. This debate stopped the music movement and had it not been held then, the history of churches in West Tennessee would have been very different. This debate saved the church from being swept into the Christian church movement.
In 1909, Warlick debated the Mormons in Hutchinson County in the Texas Panhandle near the present town of Spearman. During one session of the debate a humorous incident occurred which confirmed Warlick's ability to use, with telling effect, appropriate wit against his opponent.
The following account of the incident was related to Noble Patterson by E. D. Sheets 40 years ago during a Gospel meeting in Texline, Texas, where Sheets was an elder.
Our brethren had challenged the Mormons to a debate. The Mormons brought a Mr. Case from Salt Lake City to represent them. The members of the church secured Joe Warlick to represent them. People came from many miles. Some came in covered wagons and camped. Some came and stayed with others in their homes.
On this occasion, Mr. Case said: 'My opponent reminds me of a kind of an animal. In fact, I cannot tell sometimes the way he acts, the difference between him and a monkey." When Warlick got up to speak, he said, 'Mr. Case come up here and stand beside me, so the people can see the difference between me and a monkey."
Mr. Case left the fourth day of the scheduled five day debate. Warlick stayed and held a meeting for several days and baptized several people including young E. D. Sheets.
WARLICK'S LAST DAYS
As the years drew on, Warlick began to slow down some in his heavy preaching schedule. On December 23, 1939, Warlick suffered a heart attack from which he never fully recovered, though he lived on another year. While family members and friends administered to his needs as best they could, it was obvious to all that his days were numbered. Among his last words were: 'I am willing to go before the Judge of all the earth and answer for every act of every minute of my life." The end came on January 2, 1941, at his home in Dallas.
His life was clean, his doctrine pure, and there was never heard the slightest suggestion of sin connected with him.
Eulogies came in from across the nation and many of these were reported in various brotherhood papers.
One of the most noteworthy responses was made by the Baptist debater, Ben Bogard, who wrote in his paper, the Baptist Searchlight:
There is within me a feeling of distinct loss today, for I have just received a telegram that my most valiant antagonist, with whom I had twenty-three debates, is dead. He and I had some hard contests, and we did not give an inch in our sharp contentions with each other; but our personal friendship grew with the years and we became as brothers in the flesh. We actually slept together while in one of our hardest-fought debates, and I shall never forget some fine help he was to me once when I stood in need of just what he could do. He could have easily have refused, but he graciously granted my request. No matter what it was, it was a friendly turn he gave that has never been forgotten. He has visited in my home, and I have been entertained by him. My reputation was safe in his hands.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 5, in the auditorium of the Sunset church of Christ in Dallas at 2 p.m. Ministers in charge included Price Billingsley, Leroy Garrett, Claude Kele and J. L. Hines.
-2001, Freed-Hardeman University Lectureship, Noble Patterson, pages 389-394
Two Champion Debaters - And Dear Friends
Debated 23 Times
Chronology On The Life Of Joseph Sale Warlick
1729
Daniel Warlick, Joe's ancestor comes to Pennsylvania from SW Germany.
1802
Solomon Warlick, great grandson of Daniel is born in Cherryville, NC. Later marries Mary Heard and moved to Georgia. They have three children, one of which is Newton Sanford, the father of Joe.
1831 - 07.22
Newton Sanford is born in Meriwether County, Georgia. His father died when he was eleven. Family moved to White County, Arkansas near Bald Knob, where he grows up.
1858 - 07.22
At 27, Newton Sanford marries Mary Ann Stafford of Stone County, Ark. They later have 8 children, 5 of whom survive their father who died in 1918.
1866 - 11.1
Near 12 miles out of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. His mother was Mary Ann Stafford of whom little is known. His father, Newton Sanford Warlick, was of Scotch, German, and Irish descent.
1875 - Fall
Warlicks leave Ark. and move to near Fort Worth, Texas (His sister Mattie dates at 1873.
1885 - 07.04
Preaches his first sermon in the shade of a tree, on Casch Creek, near Sycamour, Baylor County, Texas.
1885 - 09.04
Set apart to the ministry by the Sycamour church, Baylor County, Texas. D.F. Goss and A.G. Farthing were the elders who signed his certificate.
1887-88
Warlicks move from Seymour to Whitt, Texas.
1888
Debate with Cowboy Harris, Baptist, at Pauls Valley, Indian Territory
1889
At Joshua, Texas. Joe Warlick meets J.D. Tant for the first time, beginning a friendship/co-workership that would last over 50 years.
1889 - 9.18
JW marries Florence Campbell, near Fort Worth, and to this union four children were born: Homer Elvyr, Ronnie C., Byron (died in infancy), Florence (Mrs. Harold Orr of Albuquerque, NM)
1893 - 03
W. S. Skaggs, FF 8. 28 March 1893:8
Warlick met Ballard of the Methodist Church in discussion. It was held in Drop, Denton County, Texas. The debate covered four propositions: (1) sprinkling, pouring; (2) baptism is in order to remission of sins; (3) infant baptism; and (4) the establishment of the church on Pentecost.
1893 - 04
FF 8. 25 April 1893: 7
A one month trip to Cleburne,
1893 - 05
FF 8. 9 May 1893: 6
Protracted meeting in Jacksboro, three baptisms.
1893 - 05
FF 8. 16 May 1893: 7
Meeting in Crowley, TX
1893 - 06
FF 8. 6 June 1893: 8
Meeting in Bosque, TX
1893 - 07
FF 8. 27 June 1893: 7
Annual meeting in Whitt
1893 - 08
FF 8. 29 August 1893: 7
Two-week camp meeting in Denton — same month holds twelve-day meeting at Lake Valley.
1893 - 09
Meeting in Grapevine, TX, 6 additions
1894 - 05
FF 9. 22 May 1894: 8
In Crowley, Texas — writes that he is to have a debate beginning the 21st with J.H. Milburn of Arkansas. Milburn, a prominent Baptist, editor of The Baptist Watchman. (Postponed until August)
1894 - 07.23
FF 10. 14 August 1894: 6
Debate was postponed from the original May intended time. Debate begins on 07.23.1894
1894 - 07
FF 9. 3 July 1894: 8
Visits J.W. Chism, close friend and relative by marriage. Chism was holding a tent meeting. Warlick delivers 3 discourses.
1894 - 07
FF 10. 10 July 1894: 5
Two-day discussion with J.D. Shaw of the Independent Pulpit. On the Unity of the Bible, Baptism, etc. Reported in FF. Shaw sought to show 150 contradictions in the Bible.
1894 - 07
FF
10. 24 July 1894: 8
Meeting at Mineral Wells, Tx, and short meeting at Bethel, Tx
1894 - 08
FF
10. 14 August 1894: 6
Milburn debate in Indian Territory
1894 - 09.11
FF 10. 21 August 1894: 7
Debate with Mr. Minnis, Methodist minister on baptism. 5 propositions
1894 - 09.18-21
FF 10. 16 October 1894: 5
Later that month a debate with a Baptist minister by the name of F.L. Dupont. 4 propositions.
1894 - 11
FF 11. 8 January 1895: 7
Warlick held a six-days' debate at Blue Ridge, Collin County, Texas, with H. M. Pirtle of the Methodist Church.
1894 - 11
FF 11. 15 January 1895: 7
Christmas meeting at Huckabay, Texas.
1894 - Fall
Family moves to Joshua, John County, Texas
1895 - 01
FF 11. 12 February 1895: 5
Debate with J.H. Milburn in West, Texas
1895 - Spring
FF 11. 7 May 1895: 5
Debate with Missionary Baptist, H.A. Thompson, in Indian Territory. Warlick was 28 years old.
1895 - 05
FF 11. 9 July 1895: 7
Meeting in Duncan, Oklahoma
1895 - 06
FF 11. 9 July 1895: 7
Meeting in Mannsville, Oklahoma — 31 additions, also meeting at Paoli, OK. Intended on debating Methodist, J.C. Weaver, but Weaver left by train at night, so he just preached to the brethren.
1895 - 12
FF 12 (21 January 1896): 3
Debate with W.A. Jarrell, prominent Baptist. At Squaw Peak, near Comanche Peak.
1896
FF 12 (10 March 1896): 4
Debate with Dr. Yandell at Calvin, Oklahoma
1896 - 04.01
FF 12 (28 April 1896):6
Debate with Dr. James in Knox County, Texas
1896
FF 12 (28 April 1896
Debate with A.A. Hensler, Cottonwood, Texas. Hensler departed, so he did a four-day meeting.
1896 - Summer
Meetings in West, Bruceville, Edgefield, Waco, and Rosenthal
1896 - 08
FF, 18 August 1896): 6
Quick trip to Oklahoma for a debate with a Methodist, then back to Bartlett, Texas for meeting — Said he preached hardest here than he had ever done.
1896
FF 12 (18 August 1896): 5
Later summer JW holds debate with a Mr. Dupont, a Baptist at Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas. F.G. Ribble reported in FF. that his opening speech was the 'ablest speech I ever heard or read, and I do not believe that its equal has ever been written or spoken by any man."
1896 - 09
FF 12 (8 September 1896): 6
Meeting in West, Texas, 14 additions = Holds six more debates before the end of the year.
1896 - 09
Debate with W.A. Jarrell, C.R. Nichol was his moderator, 2 day debate
1896 - 09
FF 12 (26 September 1896): 3
Debate with a Mr. Thompson, Baptist in Tarrant County, TX. at New Hope
1896 - 10
Debate with Mr. F.L. Dupont again, at Hubbard City, Hill County, TX,
1896 - 12
FF 12 (26 September 1896): 7
Debate with A.A. Hensler; holds many meetings between debates. One three-week meeting at Celina, produces forty-two additons the last night. H.R. Gearhart reported that over 500 appeared at Cunningham's tank for baptism.
1896 - 12
Florence Campbell Warlick dies.
1897 - 02
FF 13 (9 March 1897): 4
JW meets Austin McGary for the first time.
1897 - 04
FF 13 (20 April 1897
Debate with W.B. Toney, a Mormon, in Bokoshe, Indian Territory, Arkansas, in a six-day debate.
1897 - 04
FF 13 (4 May 1897): 6
April debate with L.W. Davis, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion.
1897 - 05
FF 13 (25 May 1897): 3
Debated a Mr. Weaver, a Methodist, at Greenwood, Texas,
1897 - 05
FF (1 June 1897): 3
Debated a Mr. Fisher, a Primitive Baptist, in Joshua, Texas. C.R. Nichol moderates for him. Fisher had stated before hand that he was going to go to Joshua and run Warlick off. Nichol mused, 'I am certain Mr. F. will never enter into another debate for at the close he stated that he was opposed to debates.
1897 - 10
FF 23 November 1897): 6
Debate with Elder Cayce, Baptist at Wylie, Texas
1897 - 06
FF 13 (21 September 1897): 5
Debate with J.B. Milburn in Independence, Louisiana, near New Orleans. He was suppose to be meeting J.N. Hall, renowned at the Baptists' greatest debater. Milburn was sent at the last minute, JW was very disappointed. (He later debates J.N. Hall twice).
1897 - 08
Meeting in West, Texas
1897 - 09
Meeting in Celina, at Johnson City church.
1897 - 09.05
Unidentified Paper Clipping
Debate with A.C. Pickens, Methodist, in Elmore, Indian Territory
1897 - 11
FF 13 (2 November 1897): 6
Warlick laid plans for the coming year. In November, Warlick announced four upcoming debates: (1) with F. L. DuPont again at Hood City, Texas; (2) with S. F. Cayce, the Primitive Baptist in Collin County; (3) with A. C. Pickens, a Methodist at Lexington, Oklahoma; and (4) in January of 1898, in Peoria, Texas, with an Adventist named McCutchon.
1897 - 12
FF 13 (9 November 1897): 6
Debate with A.C. Pickens, Methodist, in Lexington, Oklahoma Territory.
1897 - 12
Debate with A.A. Hensler
1898 - 03.29-04.01
FF 14 (15 March 1098): 1
Debate with Clark Braden at the Pearl & Bryan church in Dallas. Braden, a Christian church preacher, debated on Instrumental Music. Austin McGary moderated for Warlick. W.H. Wright moderated for Braden. Report of debate by McGary in FF 14 (29 March 1898: 1.
1900
Debate with J.N. Hall, Missionary Baptist. (Met in another debate as well).
1901
JW meets and marries Miss Lucie Dabney. She was the daughter of another Texas preacher, Edwin Thomas Dabney. Dabney, born in Kentucky on 12 January 1849, married Nannie Dickenson of Virginia in Austin County, Texas, on 13 June 1872. Lucie is the oldest of five children.
1901
Family moves to Dallas, Texas
1902
Debate with Allen Hill Autrey, Baptist, at Gipson, Scott County, Arkansas.
1903 - 03.01
The Gospel Review begins with Joe Warlick, Jesse P. Sewell and R.H. Boll as co-editors. Closes the following year.
1903 - Debate with E.W. Alderson, Methodist with Joe S. Warlick (Church of Christ); Celeste, TX; 1903
1903 - Debate with E.W. Alderson, Methodist with Joe S. Warlick (Church of Christ); Cumby, TX; 1903
1903 - 11.24-27
Debate with J. Carroll Stark at Henderson, Tennessee — Instrumental Music
1904
Stark Debate is printed by Gospel Advocate, Co.
1904-05
Late 1904 to early 1905, JW is the associate editor of The Leader and The Way.
1905
Begins the Gospel Guide with C.R. Nichol, with the help of William Richardson.
1905 - 11
Debate with Jacob Ditzler, Methodist, in Cordell, Oklahoma
1906 - 10.23-26
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, 4 day discussion at Bearden, Arkansas
1906 - 12
Debate with Richard H. Pigue, Methodist, Henry County, Tennessee (Also debated him two more times.)
1906 - 12.18
Debate - JSW vs. Dr. D. B. Turney, Methodist Protestant Church, Newcomerstown, Ohio
- Six day debate
(ARB-David R. Kenney, minister Newcomerstown c/C, 09.20.2021)
1906
Debate with Richard H. Pigue, Methodist, second debate
1908 - 03
Debate with Richard H. Pigue, Methodist, at Hazel, Kentucky (Their third debate).
1908 - 12.1-4
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, in a four-day discussion in Holmes, Arkansas
1909 - 03.5-7
FF Vol. 25, No. 12 (March 23, 1909), 3
Debate with J.C. Weaver, Methodist, three-day discussion at Winfield, Texas, Proposition 1: 'The Church ofGod was established in Abraham's day and continued on down." (Weaver affirmed, Warlick denied). Proposition 2:'The Church of God was established on Pentecost." (Warlick affirmed, Weaver denied). Proposition 3: 'Immersion in water is the only Scriptural baptism." (Warlick affirmed, Weaver denied).
1909 - 03.16-19
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, in a four-day discussion near Amory, Mississippi,
1909 - 07
Debate with J.F. Curtis, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, first week in July.
1909 - 08
Debate with Mr. Case (ChurchofJesus Christof Latter Day Saints); Ochiltree County & Hansford County, OK; 7 sessions.
1909 - Fall
J.C.M. Mason, Christian, in Anson, TX; Fall 1909; on the Missionary Society
1909 - Debate with J.P. 'Polk" Williams, Baptist
1910 - 12.18-21
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, Four-day discussion in Slater, Texas
1911 - 12.27-30
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, Four-day discussion in Fish, Texas
1912
Debate with W.A. McCutchen, Seventh Day Adventist, in Gober, Texas
1913 - 1.7-9
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, Three day discussion near Aspermouth, Texas
1913 - 1.15-20
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, Six day discussion near Center Point, Arkansas
1913 - 7.21-24
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, Four day discussion at Clover, Texas
1913 - 12.14-19
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Baptist, in Malone, Texas. Five-day discussion.
1914 - 1.20-5.5
Series of written debated installments appear in The Gospel Guide. From Bogard debate at Malone, Texas.
1916 - 06
Debate with Stanley J. Clark, Atheist, at Olustee, Oklahoma, on The Bible Is The Word Of God
1916 - 10.24
Debate with Stanley J. Clark, Atheist, at Shawnee, Oklahoma, on The Bible Is The Word Of God
1917 - 1.21
Debate with Stanley J. Clark, Atheist, at Dallas, Texas, on the Inspiration of the Bible, over 1000 in attendance.
1917 - 1.30-2.2
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion near Crowder, Oklahoma
1917 - 5.14-17
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion in Row, Oklahoma
1918 - 01
Debate with J.F. Curtis, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Davidson, Oklahoma.
1918 - 02.04
Newton Sanford dies, Buried at Elk City Cemetery, Elk City, Texas
1919
Debate with Isaac Wilson Yandell, Freewill Baptist — in two debates. One at Calvin, Oklahoma and the other in Atwood, Oklahoma.
1919 - 10.8-11
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, three-day discussion near Foreman, Arkansas
1919 - 12.17-21
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, five-day discussion near Duncan, Arizona
1920
Debate with John Wheeler, Baptist, in Park City, Kentucky
1920 - 06.14
(Warren Starnes, “Obituary” Gospel Guide 5. July 1920: 1)
Lucie's father, E.T. Dabney, dies in the Warlick home.
1921 - 07.24
Debate with George W. Phillips at Mannsville, Oklahoma, 2 sessions. Put into a publication in 1924, called, A Debate on the Sunday School Question
1922 - 08.22
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion near Ada, Oklahoma
1923 - 04.10-13
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion near Paragould, Arkansas
1923 - Winter
Debate with J.N. Cowan, Church of Christ, in Gilland, Texas on Bible Classes
1924
written. Publication: A Debate on the Sunday
School Question. Dallas, TX: n.p., 1924.
Debate with George W. Phillips, Sunday School question.
1926 - 12.14-17
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion at Springdale, Arkansas
1928
Debate with Calvin Gregory, Baptist, in Willett, Tennessee
1928 - 07.17-20
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion at Troy, near Stephens, Arkansas
1928 - 08.18-21
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist, four-day discussion at Acton, Tennessee (J.D. Tant reported in GA. 06.21.1928, that the debate was to be on August 28th)
1928
Debate with W. Ezekiel 'Zeke" Sherrill, Baptist. (He holds three debates with him in 1928. Not sure of specific dates).
1928
Debate with I.W. Yandell, Baptist. Has two debates with JW. One at Calvin, Oklahoma, the other at Atwood, Oklahoma
1928
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist at Corinth, Mississippi
1929
Debate with Ben M. Bogard, Missionary Baptist at Blevins, Arkansas
1929
Debate with W. Ezekiel 'Zeke" Sherrill, Baptist.
1929
Debates a Seventh Day Adventist in Atwood, Oklahoma
1937
Joe's older brother Jim dies. Will Thompson conducted the funeral.
1930 - 11.25
GA.11.20
Debate announced between JW and W.E. Sherrill, Baptist, at Troy, near Stephens, Arkansas
1931 - 11.17-20
GA. 12.3
Debate with Warlick-Sloan Debate at Pleasant Shade, Tennessee. Sloan was a Baptist.
1935
Debate with Ralph G. Green, Jehovah's Witness, Pocohontas, Arkansas
1935
Debate with J.M. Bandy, Baptist
1935
Debate with W.C. Nevil, Baptist
1938 - 04.19-22
Hardeman-Bogard Debate — 71-year-old Joe Warlick attends, 73-year-old J.D. Tant also there.
1939 - 12.23
Due to a heart attack, JW had to stop preaching. Had held 339 debates.
1941 - 01.02
At his home, 911 West Tenth Street, Dallas, Texas, at 1 P.M., Joseph Sale Warlick departed this life. Among his last words were: 'I am willing to go before the Judge of all the earth and answer for every act of every minute of my life."
1941 - 01.05
Sunday, the Funeral was held at the Sunset church in Dallas, Texas, with Leroy Garrett, Price Billingsley, Claude Kele officiating
1941 - 01.06
Burial at Oak Cliff Cemetery at 10am. Pall-bearers included: Frank Smith, Trinity Heights Church; Eugene S. Smith, evangelist; Horace Teddlie, Edgefield Church; Tillit S. Teddlie, Western Heights Church; Coleman Overby, Sears-Summit Church; and Joe Malone, Peak-Eastside Church.
Held 399 debates; 3 by August 1890; nearly 100 debates by 1903; more than 200 debates by 1911
Chronology produced by Scott Harp, 03.2011
Sources: Bill Lockwood, Events in the Life of Joe S. Warlick: 1866-1901, A guided research paper, presented to Professor Earl West, Harding Graduate School of Religion, September, 1990. Others include the Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, Encyclopedia of Religious Debates, and others.
Joe Warlick On The Existence of God
Right here in Dallas, once lived a preacher of the gospel and defender there of by the name of Joe Warlick. He was about to catch a train out of the city to some point and a little boy came into the depot with a Bible under his arm. An atheist was sitting by who said, "What is that you have under your arm?" The boy said, "My Bible." "Well," he said, "you don't believe in God, do you?" "O, yes," he said, "I believe in God" "You go to Sunday School?" "Yes." "Did you ever see God?" "No." "Did you ever contact him with any of your five senses?" And he enumerated them. "No." "Well, how do you know there is a God, then?" Well, the little fellow was very much embarrassed and Warlick then took his part and said to the atheist, "Do you have a mind or are you an idiot?" He said, "That is an insulting question. Of course I have a mind." "How do you know you have a mind? Did you ever see it? Did you ever smell it? Did you ever feel it? Did you ever taste it?" and so forth. He said, "No." "Well, you are an idiot then. You can't believe in God because you have never seen him, and yet you claim to believe that you have a mind when the facts are that you have never seen it either. According to your logic and reasoning you would have to be an idiot, to be consistent." So there are those who claim they can't believe in God because of the fact they've not seen God.
-Gus Nichols, Lectures On The Holy Spirit, Plainview: Nichols Bros. Publishing Co., 1967, page 42.
Directions To The Grave Of Joe S. Warlick
In Dallas, Texas take I-35 E just south of the downtown area to Exit 426b (8th Street E.) and go east about one mile to the Oakcliff Cemetery. When entering the cemetery go about 30 to 40 yards and stop. Look to the right toward the edge of the cemetery. The Warlick monument will be facing you. While in the cemetery be sure to visit the grave of E.T. Dabney, Texas preacher and father-in-law to Warlick. Also visit the graves of preachers, Thomas Raines Burnett and A.J. Bush.
GPS Coordinates
32°45'03.1"N 96°48'19.4"W
or D.d. 32.750869,-96.805378
E.T. Dabney
January 12, 1849
June 13, 1920
He was a Christian Pure and True
And Lived It All His Long Life Through
(He was a gospel preacher in Texas, and father of Mrs. Lucie A. Warlick, 2nd wife of Joe Warlick)
Second Wife's Inscription:
Lucie A. (Dabney)
Nov. 7, 1874
Oct. 13, 1938
"Let Her Own Works Praise Her In
The Gates." Proverbs 31:31
Joe S.
November 1, 1866
January 2, 1941
A Stalwart Soldier - A Courageous
Fighter- A Staunch Friend- A Tender
And Loving Father.