The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-28
fEcportci for the Dispstch.i

Rev. VI. W. Staples appeared ana maze
his excuse for tardincSS.
Rev. T. NJ. Nivcn, Of New York. was III
y;fed TO 4 seat rs 4 corresponding member.
Leave OF absence WAS granted Rev. DR..
Pryor after the sessions OF the day: also,
Rev. NJ. W. Staples.
Judge Christian presented the report OF
The Committee on Pastoral support Nearly
all thc churches have paid their pastors sala-
ric> in full. Two or three had failed to do
90. and several others had failed to make
any report.
Rev, DR.. Hoce reported that the instala-
ZION Of Rev. j. j. Anderson had been duly
performed. as directed by prcSbytcry. An
Encouraging report was made OF the church
~ which Mr. Anderson was installed pastor.
Rev. Or. Read made 4 verbal report OF the
condition Of Gracc-Strcct church. Rich
mond. which was given rs very encourage
in~. 1 debt OF 1900 has been reduced to
SIC 600. The people have literally re-
snondcd to all calls. Family worship is
maintained TO as large IN extent PROBABLY
q in any other communion.
Rev. Or. Uogc said while there had been
no extended religious revival among the
churches in Richmond. an unusual de-
rrcc al spiritual interest has been manifest
ed. I'm his own church, said Or. llogc,
there was most thorough organization
among the ladies, who have accomplished
an astonishing amount Of work during the
last Twelve months for different purposes.
Those ladies have raised and contributed 4
larger sum than has been given by the
church before for some years. During The
last twelve months the church las gwen
10000 for different purposes.
Rev. Or. Preston presented letter OF DIS
mission from the rrcsbytcry OF West Han
over OF R"y. John w. Dabney, who wished
10 Join East Hanover PrcSbytcry. ON his
motion Mr.. Dabncv was received and en-
rolled - member OF this Prcsbytcry.
Rev. Or Preston, the chairman, present
ed the report OF the Committee on Minutes
II In" synod which WAS received and
adopted
Rev. ". \. Campbell moved the appoint
Iurnt Of a committee OF three to revise the
DIRECTORY OF PrcSbytcry and report 10 this
session. The Moderator appointed Rev.
W. \. Campbell, Rev. y. ". Woods, and
Elder :. j. Christian as the committee.
Rev. j. Powell Garland, oi the Methodist
Church. was invited 10 Il seat with the
body.
The committee appointed by the Prcsbv-
terry at Its last session submitted report
on Church order. which WAS read by the
stated clerk The committee had done its
work after patient labor and long con>idc-
ration.
The report caused considerable discus
sion. and was laid on the table until Satur-
day morning.
THE CASE OF REV. DR.. BAIRD.
Rev. DR.. Brown, from the special CON-
mittcc to whom the communication OF Rev.
Il tn1 1n fol
lowing report:
The committee 20 whom was referred q
communication from Rev. +. II. Baird, D..
D.. addressed to the PrcSbytery, having
given Il careful consideration to the grave
matter contained therein, respectfully re-
port a the result Of their deliberations the
following paper, which is recommended for
adoption:
The Presnytcry do hereby table the
charges against l.. 7. Baird. d. D.; that
while acting as Secretary Of Publication, by
transactions running through several years
and ending with the month Of March last,
he did commit the following offences:
1t. lie did appropriate the funds be-
longing 10 the committee 10 his private use;
and
ID. lie did employ tic name and credit
q the said committee for the borrowing and
raising OF moneys for his private purposes,
hy irving official notes signed "E. \.
Baird. secretary" and that he did all this
without tie knowledge and consent of the
Committee of Publication, by reason Of
which acts the said committee has been SUBJ
iectcd TO Il loss OF not less than $4,000.
The committee also recommend that i'll
asmuch as the said j.. Il. Baird, D. Da has
desired the Prcsbytery 10 take up the case,
mil
waving on his part all form and tcchnicali-
ties, the committee recommend the Pres
bvtery TO proceed forthwith to the trial.
Rev. DR.. Hoge stateC that in this gravest
matter that has been ever brought before
this Presbytcry we must act with prudence
and caution. What we do will be reviewed
and criticised all over the country. There
fore il was that he advised cautious and
legal proceedings from beginning to end
thought it best that all the facts should be
brought before the Presbytcry, that each
member might give an intelligent vote. 1t
is the general opinion that this Prcsbytery
should act at once. The gentlemen in Rich
mond whom he went over to see, ana who
knew ali the facts in the case, volunteered
10 come over. and are at present In the
Presbytery, ready to make statements for
the information OF members. DR.. Hoge SAID
that DR.. Baird'S communication was IN part
confession and III part defence; but 1t
contained several allegations which he
thought should not be allowed to go forth
10 the public without contradiction.
Mr.. Howard moved that some member OF
the Presbytery be appointed to conduct the
defence OF Dr. Baird, who was not present.
Dr. Brown said while it was the opinion
Of some that Dr. Baird's paper afforded
Finio n
vet 10 secure unanimty it was thought best
TO present the unanimous report OF the COM
mittee.
DR.. Preston said the report made no men
ton Of the confession Of Dr.. Baird. He
desired to know whether the committee de-
sired to exclude from consideration his con-
fcssion, which was made by him TO be the
basis VI the action OF Presbytery. II the
Presby,ery is satisfied that Dr.. Baird's con-
iession is sufficient, it might 80 into the
case without any one to accuse or defend.
ne thought the fundamental fact in this case
l. that Or. Baird did confess not only in his
paper bat to members of the committee.
DR.. Brown said there were some who
thought DR.. Baird's paper contained admis-
slons so distinct and explicit that it fur
nished all necessary ground for action but
others thought differently, and hence it
was thought best TO make formal charges,
through committee, on the evidence of wit
nexses.
DIR. Preston said DR.. Baird consulted with
some members OF the committee as to the
nature Of the paper he should write, and
IN writing it he meant to make full and
Tree confession, as q basis for q direct issue
OF the case by the Presbytery, without
formal charges, as presented by the COM
la ...tN% 1.