The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-12-17
REV. DR.. BAIRDS ADDRESS ON PUBL
CATION IN THE SYNOD OF VIRGINIA.

DR.. Baird began by calling attention t.
an editorial article in the Christian Observer
which stated that rumor had reached tn
Editors that he was engagedin various othe
pursuits besides those belonging to his office
DR.. Baird said that he had never heard ever
whisper of such rumor before; but as i
was now published to the world, at tim,
when, however good the intention, which h'
did not question, it was calculated to d.
much damage, he felt it due to himself anC
to the cause to say he had no such pursuits
none except those belonging to him as &
minister of the gospel. He explained hil
relation to certain matters out of which he
suspected the rumor originated, and showed
that it had no foundation in fact.
He then went into statement of the pro-
gress and condition of the Publication cause
illustrated and enforced the necessity of its
efficient maintenance as essential to the sue
cess of our branch of the Church in fulfill
ing its mission. Besides, if we were ready
to abandon it, there is no place for US to go,
on account of the character of the publica-
tions now issued from the press by the lead
ing publishing houses of the country, even
those in which we formerly placed the great,
est reliance.
| DR.. Baird then spoke of the Publishing
House and endowment fund, and showed the
Importance of earnest and concentrated ef-
fort at this time to accomplish such results
as the cause needs and we all desire.
(In answer to Rev. Mr. MOseley.
Dr. Baird said it was no doubt true that
store can be carried on, on capital of
$35, 900; assuredly the gentleman to whom
Mr.. Moseley referred was right in that. In
deed it can be done on much less. The
question is, what does the Church propose
TO accomplish. If you speak of capital of
five, or ten, or twenty, or thirty-five, or
fifty, or one hundred, or five hundred thou
sand dollars; you see each of those sums of
money represents different idea, and holds
before us distinct kind of business. Now,
what does the Church propose Well, it
proposed business to be represented by
$50, 600 capital. That is all the Committee
has asked for, because that is all the Assem-
bly, proposed. 1t is less capital than any
similar institution attempts to do business
on. The Old School Board before the war
had capital of $3.50, 900, which was greatly
increased during the war. The New School
had at the time of reunion about $3.50, 1000.
Yet when the two Boards were amalgamated,
the reunited Assembly asked the churches
for $780, 900 of an increase of capital. The
amount of capital you invest determines the
character of the business you are going to
do. Hence, 0,000 will accomplish greater
results than $35, 1000; though you can do a
successful business of some kind on either
sum. But let any sensible man ask himself
whether $685. is a capital sufficient for a
business spread over the whole territory COW
cred by the Southern Presbyterian Church,
and population represented by about 1OO,
900 church members.
In answer to Rev. Mr.. Hopkins
The Committee has organized under the
charter, by direction of the Assembly, and
thus has secured the charter, in case it is
found expedient to act under it. But in
Difference to the views of some of our breth-
rem, who have expressed doubts as to the
constitutionality of the law and as to the
safety of the Church property under it, we
have not transferred our property to the
Trustees. 1t is held in the name of the
Secretary but he has placed in the hands of
the Treasurer properly executed deed to
the real estate of the Committee to prevent
trouble in case of his death. Moreover, the
Committee has submitted the question afresh
to learned counsel, distinguished lawyers,
officers of our own Church, who have all of
them but one reported to US that the charter
is well drawn, is in accordance with the laws,
the constitution, and the customs of Virginia;
and that the property of the Church will be
perfectly safe aud fully protected by the
charter. One of our counsel has not yet
given us his opinion, but has the matter un-
der advisement. All these points were care
fully examined by the Committee through its
counsel, and by the committees of the Legis-
lature who had the matter in hand, at the
time of obtaining the charter; and with the
same result.
The question is asked what control will the
Assembly nave over the Committee, after it
commences to act under the charter. DR..
Baird said the Assembly would have precisely
the same control it has now. 1t has not now,
and under the constitution of Virginia it
never can have any legal control over the
Committee. Its authority is moral and
spiritual in the first instance; and if need
be, ecclesiastical or disciplinary. 1t has the
appointment of the Committee, and the
moral and spiritual right to control them by
its orders and in case of refusal to obey or
any kind of improper conduct by the Com
mittee or any officer or member, it has the
right of discipline. That is all it has now,
it will still have it under the charter, and it
can have nothing more in Virginia because
neither the Assembly nor its Trustees can
be recognized by the courts of Virginia as
parties litigant.
After this discussion was over, the ques-
ton was privately asked the Secretary, what
remedy the Church would have, if the AS
senbly should order the removal of the Com
mittee from Richmond, and the Trustees
should refuse to obey the order! He re-
piled, the Assembly could remove the whole
Committee. The question was then asked,
suppose the Trustees should refuse to vacate
their seats in behalf of the new members,
what then? for they hold over till their sue
cessors take their seats. He replied that
the language of the charter referred to was
simply desi gned to prevent the lapsing of a