The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-30

we acknowledge With thankfulness th
good providence OF our God In sparing til
ranks OF our ministry from invasion b
death. We mournover the fall OF one OF OH
number whom we had loved and trusted
but whom 1t has been necessary to visit wit
the solemn sentence of deposition becaus
OF offences dishonoring to himself and t
the Church Of God. ,
The report was adopted.
CASE OF DIR. BAIRD.
Rev. DR.. Brown, from the committee t
prepare minute in, the case OF Rev. DR.
Baird, submitted the following report
which was adopted:
The charges against the Rev. e. T. Baird
y. D., having been sustained by a unani
nous vote, and upon evidence presented il
due form, the Presbytery Of East HanoveI
finds itself placed in circumstances full O.
solcmnty and responsibility. A brother il
the ministry, highly honored and trusted il
8 public agency and work extending. Owe
the whole Church, has betrayed that trus
in manner and to an extent that mus
spread sorrow over every part OF it, infict
ing upon it severe pecuniary loss, as wei
az severe shock to the cause OF Christian
benevolence; giving also occasion for
heavy reproach upon the Christian ministry
and upon the cause OF Christ itself.
The only power committed to us as court
Of the Lord Jesus Christ is to visit sin ant
breach Of trust so aggravated with a solemn
and emphatic condemnation which censurt
is now inflicted not only with view to the
reformation OF him who has wrought this
evil, bnt to vindicate the honor Of our be.
loved Church, which suffers under it; there.
fore it has been
Resolued unanimously, That the Rev. L. T,
Baird. D. D., be deposcd from his office as
a minister OF the gospel, and from the eX.
crcse Of all the functions thereof; and also
that he be suspended from the communion
OF the Church. 1t is further declared:
/. In taking this action the Presbytsry
does not feel itself called upon to express
any opinion upon the repeated and solemn
declarations made by DR.. Baird as to his
motives and as to his purpose to benefit the
Church during all the period OF these trans
actions, but would view them, as far as pos
sible, in the spirit OF Christian charity. But
no feeling OF this kind can be allowed to in
telfere with judgment founded upon con-
sidcrations which transcend them in i'm
portance.
=. The Presbytery deems it suitable to
state that previously to the transactions now
brought to light the brother referred to had
borne Il character without reproach, and
had by his amiable qualities, energy, and
usefulness secured a wide circle OF cher
ishcd friends; and in the action here taken
we do earnestly and tenderfy commend him
to the watchful care, mercy, and grace OF
that heavenly Father without which none
can stand, and by which ale uphoidcth
them that fall and raisetll up all them that
are bowed down."
This PreSbytery feels called upon to re-
ceiye this deplorable event as sore chas-
and humiliation from the hand OF
God, and to pray that the grave lessons be-
longing to it may be for the profit OF all
concerned, and that the injury which it is
suited to bring upon the Church may III
great mercy be turned away.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS.
The Executive Committee OF Domestic
Missions, through the chairman, Rev. q. l..
Petrie. submitted their report for the year
ending March 81, 1877. The report says
that the year Just ended has been in some
measure a test OF the Prcsbytery's new plan
OF conducting the missionary work. At the
last spring sessions it was decided to direct
all contributions of the churches for susten-
the PIeSbvtcrial Committee in Petersburg.
One tenth of all such receipts was ordered
to be sent to the Assembly's committee IN
Baltimore, and the balance to be used in
advancing missionary work within our
bounds. The committee have endeavored
faithfully to execute Presbytery's wishes
in this matter. 4 comparative view OF re-
ceipts for the last two years under the old
and new plans shows that ten churches have
given more by the new plan, and thirteen
churches have given less. One church has
given nothing by either plan. The whole
contribution for 1876 was 81, 1902; for 1877,
81 800, gain Of S9S. The average contri-
button last year per member in the various
churches is given in detail. Norfolk Second
gave an average OF S2.74 per member; Nor
folk First, STAG; Brunswick, 72c.; Rich
mond Second, 59c. Namozine, &c.; Grace
Street, Richmond, 44c.; Fredericksburg,
43c.; Nottoway, $780,; Petersburg Second
35 S-10c.; Portsmouth, So $40; Tabb-Street
29c.; Richmond Third, 25c.; HARDWOOD
24c.; Ashland, &c.; Powhatan, lie.
Manchester, 10 7-10c.; Richmond First
10 2-lOc., &c. Appropriations were made
during the year to ten churches. With TIT
limited resources at command it has beer
impossible to greatly enlarge the field O
operations. The committee asks OF thu
churches for the ensuing year the amour
of S3,G00-one dollar per member for thu
year.
The report gave rise to considerable dis
cussion as to the operation OF the new plan
but it was finally approved and adopted. l
was stated that there are fourteen churche
in the Presbytery needing assistance to tn
amount Of $500 each per year to furnisl
them with pastors.
Reports from missionary supplies wer
called for and made.
Rev. Alfred Jones, pastor Of Old-Strce
church, was granted permission to labor il
the bounds OF Presbvtery until the mex
meeting orOPresbytery. The same permits
sion was granted Rev. George Ii. Denny, o
Amelia.
Rev. Dr.. Brown, from the committee OF
the communication received from Orang
Presbytcry, North Carolina, relative t
friendly relations, submitted report deem
ing it unnecessary to take any further &C
ton in the matter.
TIE CAUSE OF PUBLICATION.
Governor Marye offered the following
which was adopted:
"The Presbytery Of East Hanover hav
ing information concerning the deplorabl
calamity which has recently and uneXpect
eddy befallen the cause Of publication unde
the care Of the committee OF our Genera
Assembly in Richmond, does hereby eX
press its high appreciation Of the import
ance OF that institution Of our Church. ]
has heard with great satisfaction Of the ener
getic and successful efforts now making b,
the committee to repair the pecuniary disas
ter by raising an amount not less thai
$4,000, and does heartily commend to tn
liberal cooperation Of our people this mea
sure, so necessary to save an agency of sue
great value from destruction and preserv