The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-27

membership, l0J-O2 Since the pTeScib pas
toratc.
Samuel Daries's Church: Only one ad
mission TO the church.
Suffolk: This Is n new church that has
never had n pastor. Ii is visited occasion.
ally by ministers from the adjacent section
Its condition is encouraging. Arrange.
ments have been made to secure the services
OF Mr.. Simpson for part Of the year.
.Susser DR.. Witherspoon, in the absence
OF any representative from this church,
made an encouraging report OF the condi-
ton OF the Presbyterian community there.
They have q building now being erected al
Stony Creek depot for worship. The church
has no stated supply, and an effort is now
being madeto secure the services OF pastor
for portion Of his time. There is also q
church at the Courthouse. Things are en-
couraging, and we hope to sec better days
for the church in Sussex.
Tdbb-Stree Church: There have been 80
additions to the church, without any cN-
tended season OF religious revival. The
church has sent out during the year colony
Of 81 to organize the Old-Strcet church.
Nine deaths were reported during the year.
William S6urg: Preaching once a month
during the year to large congregations.
Spiritual condition poor, and a dcarth pre-
walls in the community.
ASHLAND CHURCH.
The call extended by the church at Ash
land to Rev. William Frost Bishop was
placed in his hands and accepted. and the
Prcsbvlery resolved to hold an adjourned
meeting at Ashland on Saturday before the
third Sabbath in Nav for the examination,
ordination, and installation OF Mr.. Bishop
rs pastor OF the church.
THE CASE OF REV. DR.. BAIRD.
Rev. DR.. Brown, OF Richmond, submitted
to the Presbvtcrv Il lengthy communication
from Rev. DR.. Baird, which was read
amidst profound silence. The reading was
heard with the deepest attention.
DIR. BAIRD's STATEMENT.
DR.. Baird'S statement, in substance, show
ed that shortly after being made secretary
OF publication he was embarrassed for IA
ciliteS to conduct his business. lie bought
4 printing-prcss, by approval o! the COM
mittcc. expecting to dispose of it after
wards at profit; that he never deSpalred
Of paving for it; but during the nine years
OF his business he was so engaged that he
could not give the matter the attention nc
should have given. He referred TO we'll
known gentlemen in Richmond to subStan-
tiatc his statement, and stated that he had
only the promotion of the good OF the
Church. He explained that he did not seek
the office OF secretary. but accepted it upon
earnest solicitation. and felt constrained
TO act from sense of duty. 1t would have
been preferable for him to have resigned
long ago. which he sought to do, but he
was diS>lmded by his friends. He admitted
the charge OF failure in his official work,
and the position did not suit him; but he
continued his lab0rS because lie felt COM
mttrd TO the work. He explained the
State law III regard to truStce,hip. which
made it his duty to conduct the work III his
own name: and explained also at length
the manner in which his banking business
was conducted. His business WAS con-
Quoted for years in loose manner, and his
final failure to meet his obligations, which
involved the committee. He admitted that
he had done wrong, confcS>ing it with Sor-
row and humiliation. He endorsed for
the committee. because personally re-
sponsible for the debts OF the committee.
lie first discovered his error. in 4
casual. conversation with Judge Wexford IN
February last. and ut once concluded TO
make free statement Of all the facts IN tue
case. lie did not, however, have an idea OF
the amount OF money involved until III
veStication disclosed the facts. His clerks
kept his books-showing what was paid to
him and what money was received by him.
DR.. Baird gave 4 number OF reasons Tor ana
explanations Of his conduct:
/. The money was lost through his print
in~-ofice-thc original cost Of which was
about $4,000 He subsequently sold n half
interest in this Office for $500, and after
wards bought it back at the same price.
Since then he had purchased Il press for
: $4,000 The heavy interest he had paid on
his debts had eaten up all protits-whlch in
tcrests had ruined him. The losses were
about $4,000, not including personal losses.
,. His manner of life had been simple;
!! no Injuries or expense Of needless sort.
He had IN income OF about $1,000, which
had persisted in his losses. In many other
ways his losses in the printing oaice had
been consumed.
3. He wished to say that in the last nine
wears he had worked for the good Of the
cause. but confessed that he lacked Chris
tian fortitude and humiliation, and had
: relied too much on his own ability to over
come obstacles and had expressed too much
OF pride in his action.
/. He had found on determination that
he had too much of seli-rcIiancc and did
: not rely enough on God.
!. He had no endorscr but himself for the
committee. and that the committee could
ONLY have gained information except that
furnished by his suspicious conduct, but for
his vOlition.
G. Did not engage in the liberty OF doing
wrong when he knew il, but made the fact
known us soon as he realized it. He could
have continued it until January just as we'll
as heretofore, and denied any evil purpose.
As soon as he discovered his wroua his con-
science caused HIM to stop, and sin no more
by going on.
mittec by paying $4,000 OF the sales OF
what was coming to him from the sale OF
the prlnting-press and office, but this was
refused by the committee for some cause, as
was also an offer OF lien on his salary with
securities by eight or ten parties, which
showed that he was ready and willing to do
all in his power, even to becoming bonded
servant, tt save the Church from harm.
s. No one was responsible for his action
but himself The committee was RESPONSE
bic to him, and not he to the committee,
and there was nothing clandestine or sus-
picious in his action.
9. He admitted his position and mourned
his condition before the Church, and assert
ed his purpose, at all times, to wrong no
one, but to discharge all his obligations to
the Church and his family. In the hour OF
his darkness and sorrow he asked the pray
ers OF the Presbytery for himself and fam
iIy. and committed his case with the hope
that they would yindicate the honor OF the
Church He invoked summary action re-
CARELESS Of all consequences to himself.
DR.. Pryor moved the reference OF the let
ter to committee for a report Of the action
necessary for the Presbytery to take in the