The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-12-20
CREIGHTON CASE DISCUSSED.

The Issues Between the Stewards and
! the Presiding Elders-A Sketch
| of Mr.. Creighton's Career.
Spartanburg, December 15.-Some-
times a charge Of immortality does not
mean much when brought against a
preacher. 1t is like the charge of
| conduct unbecoming a soldier in
military circles. 1t may mean much,
or it may mean nothing. Such charges
were preferred against the Rev. G. w.
Creighton, of the Verderey circuit
Yesterday and a committee was ap-
pointed to investigate the same and
report. Mr.. Creighton is a son Of a
Methodist preacher and was born on
the Savannah side Of Edgeheld coun-
ty. He studied law and practiced sew
erela years at the Edgefield bar. Feel
ing that it was his duty to preach, he
applied for admission to the South
Carolina Conference and joined in
1855. He has served eight years on
stations and ten years on circuits,
A few years ago a certain presiding
elder is said to have taken dislike
to him, and it was stated to the bish-
op in charge of the conference that
his services swould not be acceptable
anywhere in the district. The bishop
suggested that he take a transfer to
a distant conference. Mr.. Creighton
said that he did not wish to leave the
State. Heiwas told that he could get
no appointment except Cokesbury,
which was small, $500 place, and if
he accepted that it would be at the
sacrifice of his self-respect and char
acter. When the appointments were
read out he was down for Cokesbury.
Like a loyal Methodist he went with
out murmur, and supplemented his
meagre salary with a farm.
About two years ago, with the as
sistance of friends, he started relig-
ious paper at Greenwood, called ''The
Christian Appeal" The columns Of
the paper are open to any preacher
or layman, or non-church member,
who has a helpful message or sugges-
ton for the public. He espoused the
cause of the stewards in their frequent
contentious with the presiding elders
Therein is the immortality He
claims persistently and constantly
that the salary Of presiding elders
should be fixed by the district stew
ards, just as they fix the salaries of
the pastors. Many of the laymen
agree with him and not a few preach
ers He also has intimated that there
is a strong and powerful conference
ring, which looks carefully after those
who are enclosed in the circumference
OF that ring. Such is his offering.
If the. committee orders a trial there
will be some astonishing developments
and publications It is understood that
the presiding elders as a body, fo1
self protection, ordered the charges tc
be p referred. One of these presiding
elders failed to nominate a district
steward for a certain charge that was
acceptable to the quarterly confer
ence. It was also expected that
charges much more grievous than
those preferred against Mr.. Creighton
would be preferred against another
pesiding elder. If the matter comes
to trial the testimony will be taken
down by g stengorapher, if permitted.
and the public may expect some inter-
esting developments:
The Christian Appeal is an S-page
6-column paper, which is attractive in
appearance and we'll pleasing to the
people. One Of the preachers said
that on his circuit there were five cop
les of the Appeal taken TO one Of the
Advocate. The fight is now between
presiding elders and Mr.. Creighton.
Their aim is to get rio of him, and the
Appeal! IF they do that then the lay
men who are opposed to the present
method of paying salaries, will have
no opportunity of appealing to the.
people, except through the daily pa
pers OF the state, for the Advocate,
the so-called church organ, is closed
against them. If a trial is ordered the
Bishop will appoint committee Of
13 20 hear the case. The accused has
a right to seven challenges. The trial
Will be secret, no one being admitted
except the prosecutor and the defend
ant ard attorneys as he may desire.
If the trial should go against the ac-
cused he has a right to appeal to the
general conference. The affair L.
causing much talk amongst the