The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-20
the VIRGINIA CONFERENCE.
Lafieriy- -Beunett-CauDOn Controversy
Satisfactorily Settled.


RICHMOND, Va, Nov. 19.-SOOn af-
ter the NJ. Il. Conference met this
morning the committee of investiga-
ton i'll the Lafferty- y-Bennett-Cannon
matter reported as follows:
Your committee appointed to inves-
tigate the questions between Il. Ill.
Bennett and James Cannon, Jr., on the
one part, and j. j. Lafferty on the
other, beg leave to report:
after an honest, prayerfui and
thorough investigation, we find that
DR.. Latferty, in the late unhappy con
troversy, had made statements, the
truth of which has not been sustained
before us, but we desire to say
First. In our judgment DR.. Lafferty
has not had the intent to injure the
good name of the late Rev. DIR. w. w.
Bennett.
Second. In our judgment the un-
verified statements of Dr. Latferty are
due, not to a deliberate and wilful de-
sign to misrepresent facts, but to the
prominence of self in his mental habit,
and to the fact that the glory of self is
the medium through which, without
meaning to iniure others and without
conscious dishonesty, he views the his
tory of his connection with the Rich
mond Christian Advocate and the ques-
tions that have arisen out of it.
Third. We condemn the irritating
utterances which have marked his con
duct of the controversy, and for this
reason and by reason of the utter un-
profitableness of such personal contro-
yersy as we have had conducted in
public, and it's liability TO engender
bitterness and provoke harsh express
sions, the Virginia Conference should
require, and does hereby require of
him, that all such matters of personal
controversy shall hereafter be ex-
cluded from the columns of it's organ,
in issues of it, regular or extra.
I'VE desire to add that in our iudg
ment, X. II. Bennett and James Can
non, Jr., under proyocation have made
Incorporate personal utterances in
print which ere open to reproor, and
we would hereby also request of them
not to introduce such personal mat
ters hereafter into the columns OF the
Methodist Recorder, the organ or the
Farmville and Lynchburg districts.
FINALLY we recommend that in the
matter of the inquiry the committee
think no proceedings are necessary"
\ unanimous AYE" greeted the
question of adoption when the Bishop
referred the report to the conference.
The committee inthe case of Rev. j.
W. Griffith reported and said that after
careful and prayerful investigation
of the matter, they thought il neces-
sary to order trial and reported the
charges and specifications.
The Bishop will appoint represen-
tative of the church and minister
will be chosen to defend DR.. Griffith.
DR. Ray presented report of the
publishing investigation committee
recommending the work of the Nash
Vile publishing house, and practically
in regard to certain late published
books, including Bishop Galloway's
book, ''The Current of the Globe" and
among newspapers the Richmond
Christian Advocate.
Bishop Galloway called the question
in regard to the life and character of
Rev. J. j. Lafferty, Rev. James Cannon,
Jr., and Rev. r. II. Bennett, and after
some discussion of technicalities, they
were found blameless and their char
| acter passed.
All three Of these gentlemen arose
and expressed themselves as pleased
with the report of the committee and
| that further reference would not be
made other than as conference busi-
| ness. Rev. X. II. Bennett, however,
took occasion to say that while the re-
port of the committee satisfied him,
| yet he reserved the right to answer, at
| all times, any slurs or insinuations
that might be made against him or any
| one dear to him.
He did not propose 10 give up his
self respect, he said, with emphasis.