Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-10-08


matters I do confess that. looking at all
these things, l cannot do SO without my
feelings being stirred. Our friends who
seek for new church have confessed that
they are actuated by no unfriendly feel
ing to our pastor, and their correspondence
does them credit by its frankness, but still
it does not remove the cause, which moves
him to his appeal to his people. and leads
him to seek to have his position establish
ed, He thinks that the improper impress
sion made upon the public is likely to i'm
pair his usefulness, and [ might add to i'm
rair his manliness. His action in the mat
ter is characteristic of the man; character
istic of his integrity, his devotion, his
single-mindedness. He has gone in aid
out before us for eighteen years with d
single thought to the service OF God. He
has been with us in all work as congre-
cation he has been with us in grief and i'll
iov. in all the varied scenes of our lives.
and all this time he has never dreamed OF
anv dissatisfaction among his people UNI
Gil of late these words have come to him.
He has my hearty sympathy; the sympathy
of the whole congregation, which will come
like II balm to his wounded spirit. The
following paper will read as expressing
our feelings Oh the occasion:
THE PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
| ssWhereas, recent events make 1T neces-
| essary for us to express our sentiments III
regard to the Rev. VIM. E. Baker, Pastor
of this church.
Resolved, That as man and a minister
of the gospel, and as our pastor, MI. Baker
commands our entire respect and conf
dence that in his purity of life. Christian
charity, and rema kable freedom from sus-
picion, envy, and jealousy, he has lllustra-
ted the principles which he has SO ably N
| culcated from the pulpit that the abllii-
dant fruits of his labors in this community
during the last eighteen years are proofs
of his ministerial zeal and efficiency, and
! of the single-hearted devotion to his duties,
which has so eminently characterized him,
and which entitled to our love and graft
tude: that we would consider his removal
from us calamity to the this church ana
congregation; and that to him as our pas
tor and to his family we tender our affec-
Tomato regard. and pledge our syi1paIhy
and hearty support"
/ believe that the preamble and resolr-
lions express nothing but the results OF
the observation and experience OF this con-
gregation for eighteen years. AS the reso-
luton expresses it it would be great
calamity to this community should its
pastor separate from it. / only hope we
may be as happy and contented hereafter
as we have been since that gentleman has
been our spiritual counsellor.
Gen. R. D. Lilley seconded the resolr-
tions.
REMARKS OF MIR. VIM. FRAZIER.
MI VIM. Frazier said--Mr. Moderator,
had not, when I came to this meeting,
the least idea of speaking on the subject to
be brought before it, but sitting here and
remembering that though I had returned
to town a week since, had failed to call
on my pastcr-and at such time, my
conscience pricked m and determined to
overcome my repugnance to public speaking
in order to testify to my high appreciation
Of Mr.. Baker Gen. Echols has not over
drawn the estimation in which he is held
by his congregation, as Il pastor, ana
in my humble Judgement rs to his ability
in the pulpit. You might go into any
church in the lard and it would be hard to
find preacher who would wear so we'll for
eighteen years Every man within these
walls should resolve to join themselves to-
gether as a band of brothers. to uphold the
hands of our ministers, and to 60 forward
in the service of our Master, not to work
| hut TO- Il
the gospel through The world, even to
that far off world of which we have heard
so ably told by the Missionary to China
this morning and that which has been re-
garded as a misfortune, will prove a bless
ing in having elected our affection, our
support. and our prayers for our pastor.
Mr. M. Harvey Effinger-Will you have
the prescribed resolutions read again?
They were read.
THE MEANING OF THE YuTE.
! Mr.. r. E. GUY would suggest dividing
| the resolutions so as to,vote on the first, ex-
! pressing confidence in Mr.. Baker, and the
second relative to his remaining. separate
| ". | suggest this SO us to give the fullest
scope to all who are DESTROYS of expressing
their opinions by their votes.
The Moderator said the resolutions were
susceptible of being divided at the point
where desire was expressed for Mr. Ba-
ker to remain.
Mr.. Grattan-I don't see the advantage
of dividing the resolution, those who vote
for them, will desire Mr.. Baker, and those
who vote againt them, will vote tat he
| is not acceptable to the congregation.
there is no use of division of the ques-
ton.
Gen. Lilly opposed the division OF the
resolution?
| Gen Echols--l do not see how they can
he divided. If you voted for the lirst-nam-
| ed clause expressing admiration for, and
confidence in Mr. Baker, us u minister, a
man, and pastor, suppose you would
also vote for the second, expressing a de-
sire that he will remain. Nthink the issue
is presented in the resolutions fairly, and
souarply-just as Mr.. Baker would have it
presented. Those who want Mr.. Baker,
will vote fer him. and those who do not
want him, will vote against him. AT the
risk of being tedious, l should like to say a
word more. This is a crisis in the history
of this church While other church commu-
mites have been torn and divided. this one
has gone forward in spiritual and tempo
raj prosperity, 1t has gone forward in
prosperity aud unity under the guidance
and by the work of the nan who is now
submitted to you for your judgement. 1t
is not needed that should speak to you of
all he has done, You all know:his work it
has been dose inyopr miast, AND its cyl
denee stapAs. Andto-day vow baye an OPP
,ort,nitu 70 "a llv around this little man who |