Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-04
THE CREIGHTON HEARING.
Accused Preacher Reviews the lnves-
tisation by the Conference Commit

tisation by the Conference Commit
tee.
Rev. C. w. Creighton prints In his
paper, the Christian Appeal, the fol-
lowing about the recent inquiry at
Greenwood. which resulted in q trial
being ordered In the case against Mr.
Creighton, arising out of his charges
against the presiding elders of South
Carolina:
We cannot at this time publish the
full details OF the investigation OF the
complaints made by the presiding ell
ders against the editor Of this paper.
We shall, however, publish enough to
give the public an insight into the
methods employed In that proceeding.
On March 21st last, the committee
met In the Methodist church In this
place. w. T. Duncan, by virtue Of his
office, acted as chairman: NJ. b. Kelly
served as secretary. In addition, w. I.
Duncan had retained the services OF
stenographer-a very competent one
We were accompanied by our coun-
sci, Rev. J. w. Daniel and Rev. A. j.
Cauthen, and Miss Myrtle Davis, our
stenographer.
The committee was composed Of
Peter Stokes, q cousin of one Of the
presiding elders; w. A. Massabeau,
nephew Of another presiding elder
whose term of Office Is embraced In
the period covered by the criticisms OF
the editor of the Christian Appeal, and
who is also under ]. w. Kilgo, one or
the complainants and pastor OF Kill
go's family, and also that OF Bishop
Duncan, who has been active In this
matter; T. c. O'Dell, who served on
| the committee Of conference.
When the committee met w. I.
Duncan, by an arbitrary ruling which Is
contrary to the law and practice or
| the Methodist church, excluded Dr.
Daniel, the counsel Of the accused, Rev
A. J. Cauthen, his brother-in-law. and
| then also tried 10 exclude Miss DAVIS
his stenographer.
The presiding elders made two COM
plants.
/. Falsehood and slander. To sub
stantiate that charge they produced
copies of the Christian Appeal con-
tanning an editorial on Rings and Re
Suits" How the Scheme Works!"
Clerical Usurpation;" etc.
Q. immortality. To substantiate that
charge they produced copies of the
paper containing communications sign
ed by "a PASTOR" "Jno. 8. Moore;" "A
Layman;" "An Old Layman;" and
"Chas. P. Hodges" The alleged i'm
morality consisted in publishing In the
Christian Appeal the communications
named.
We demanded the right to cross-ex-
anime the accusers. Finally four OF
them were put up. During the cross
examination the presiding elders re-
peatedly refused to answer and they
were told by w. T. Duncan that IL they
thought the question incriminated'
them they need not answer, and they
did not. On other important matters
they answered, don't remember ana
other similar replies. We were only
allowed to cross examine four. That
concluded the testimony. We were
engaged until April IL In this matter
not including the period of adjourn
ment When the testimony OF the wit
nesses, j. w. Kilgo and w. P. Mead
ors, as taken by the stenographer was
read, they denied It: they were offered
the privilege to correct 1t in any par
ticular they pleased; they declined to
make corrections and then refused to
sign their testimony! The witnesses
had been kept In the room over the
protest Of the accused and prompted
each other during the cross -examina-
| ton. And yet they refused to approve
and sign the testimony!
We demanded Of w. T. Duncan that
he present their testimony to them for
their signatures, but he refused, fnd
| on his own motion ruled their testifho-
ny out. That left the committee with
out a word Of testimony before them.
Not a word. And yet they reported a
trial necessary.
There is a great deal more that we
would like to publish, but II is thought
advisable not to do so at present. That
man should be charged with immor-
ality for publishing communications or
such men as Jno. s. Moore, Chas. P.
Hodges over their own signature and
similar communications OF A Pastor,
A Layman, ETC., will be astounding to
intelligent men: that he should be
charged with falsehood and slander In
criticising methods and practices which
have given rise to dissatisfaction and
complaints in the church for years will
bear out one construction and admit
of only one conclusion by free and lib-
erty loving people; that a trial should
be reported necessary without a word
of testimony by committee, the ma
/ jority of whom are blood kin to the
presiding elders and their predecessors
in Office, will open the eyes OF the blind
and inspire the ignorant.
i We are not destitute OF feeling, but
we Infinitely prefer to be In the place
of the editor Of the Christian Appeal,
with that report against him than u
the place of the men who made u.