Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-11-12

lite mcmHf(al or IcV. y, H. t'i'cuCi', -. b.'
l. L. D.. who, for long tlme was resident
Of this city, ard who died here shCrt time
ago, was then read by R;v. j. G. Bell, and
Col, Preston paid handsome tribute to the
memory of Rev. DR.. Mitchell, rectlng many
pIeassut recol!ectiors aud "reminiscences OF that
man Of God, aud said that under his teachlnes
be- first luarlc! what faith was, and BY coonec
ton with him his views Of the religion OF Chrlft
were expanded
Rev. Dr. Shephcrdson also paid tiibute 10
| the memory OF DR.. Mitchell, and said better
man to work in tho social circle he peVer knew.
Rev e. Ii. Cumpston aud Rev. DR.. VIM I.
| Hail also spoke oil Dr. Mitchell, testitylng 10
his deep piely and great usefulness.
The memorial Of DR.. Mitchell was then
| adopted
The memorial ,1 Rev. VIM. LeComte was
then read by Rev. DR.. Pl,zar and adopted.
On motion. the memorial Of Rev. Il. I. Der,
| ty, D. d., was postponed till next meeting OF
Synod, aud the Moderator appointed the fol-
lowing committee to prepare the memorial -
Rev. DR.. Bullock, Rev. DR.. Letevre and Rev.
s. d. Stuart.
The memorial services were then closed with
PRAYER by Rev. Samuel r. Houston.
The case of DR.. Baird being resumed,
Rev. DR.. VIM. Brown, of East Hanover
Preshytery, said he would not discuss the gene
raj question, but would address himself to but
three points. lie asked was the sentence OF
East Hanover Presbytery sustained by the evil
dence before II, and contcnded that it not only
was sustained, but that the sentence was lust
and righteous, and that every member OF that
! body Was competent 10 set in judgment 90 the
case. Though wrong doing was admitted, he
said lhc cution OF crime was denied. tie
would admit that when DR.. Baird appropriated
the money belonging to the committee to bis
own private use, he might not have Intended
to commit crime, but when be took the money,
which he confessed, DR.. Baird had motive.
Nov what was that motive? DR.. Baird said
that hr was not conscious OF aCr0nI. 10 be-
!ieYc that lie would havo TO believe that DR..
BAIRD was void of understanding or that couscl
cncc had ceased to perform its functions. Tic
said they had no opposition to having the case
scut lack 10 Prcjbytery, and he would say 10
advance, and he spoke for the members Of his
Prcsbytery, that they had not the slightest
prejudice, or one cent of personal interest In
the matter. If the matter was sent back to the
Presbytcry he intended to exercise his rights,
and nobody would deprive him OF them.
| d.. s. j. Baird said he might enter Into
criticism Of the action Of East Hanover Presby-
terry and point out the unconstltutlonallty Of
every step from the beginning to the end OF the
great tragedy that hurled bis brother from the
Church IL Christ. He knew the man who was
pleading at the bar of the Synod. When more
than fifty years ago he was called at the bed
side Of his mother and brother was placed 10
his arms. From that time to this he had been
his constant companion, and he knew him-hiS
brother aud be believed from the bottom Of
his heart that there was not in the body mob
| Il Of 10 no m n " hS
was now debarrcd from visible communion with
his Saviour.
The Moderator said that the book If diseip
| line required that the members Of East Hano.
ycr Presbytery ADD DR.. Baird should retire.
The mcmbers of East Hanover Prcsbytery
ADD Dr.. Baird then RETIRED and the members
Of Synod allowed five minu:cs each in which to
express their opinion ~ to what should be done
with the case.
The following are the expressions Of opinion
in regard TO the action Of East Hanover Presby.
terry 10 dcpusing Dr.. Baird from the ministry
AID Slspending him from the communion Of
| the church. The names Of the speakers arc
| LETT cut 10 Difference to the expressed wish OF
some of the members of Synod.
Rev. Dr. said his opinion had already
been expressed, aud he would prefer to wait
and give i further expression OF it by his vote.
Rev. Mr. thought there had been irregu.
larities in the proceedings against DIR. Baird
by East Hanover Prcsbytery, and desired the
case to be referred back to that Presbytery for
new trial.
Rev. Mr. was 10 favor of the case being
referred back 10 the Prcsbytcry Tor new trial.
Rev. Mr. thought that the case must
20 back for pew trial, because the Ircsbytery
had heeu too hastY in taking up tho case of DR..
,,.J. ,l,> hs0
rioDa! and irregular, and that the sentence bad
been LOO severe,
Rev. Mr.. was in favor Of referring the
case back for a new trial; thought the sentence
had been too severe. but he was 10 favor OF
suspending Dr.. Bald from the ministry for
''% Rev. E Vas in favor of sending the
case back to East Hanover Presbytery. He
had perfect confidence 10 that Presbytery, but
he thought they had acted 10 haste, but that
haste was because of their intense desire to
relieve the Church of tho reproach brought
upon it by Dr. Baird, and purge the Gospel
ministry, Tor which desire he honorcd them.
He would not trust Dr. Baird with $4,000 to
manage business with, but he would trust him
with untold treasures to deliver in distant
city, not having the slightest doubt but that
it would be delivered safe. He did not think
to refer The case back for new trial would be
auy censure upon that Presbytery, which was
composed Of high toned honorable Christian
gentlemen. lie believed firmly that DR.. Baird
was child Of God. .: i
Rev. Dr. thought there ought to be a
new trial Of the case because there had been
gross Irregularities and uncoustltutionaties in
the proceedings. The Presbytery of East Han
over had no right TO profess 10 try the case on
the paper presented to them by DR.. Baird, and
then Introduce other evidence, and Oh it base
their Judgment ..... ... -
Rev. DR.. - said to his mind there was
not sufficient proof to establish the guilt of the
crime alleged. DIR. Baird did not waive his
rights, but il he did, the Presbytery had no
right to waive the constitution, fer the very \
foundation oil the Church depends upon their /
adherence to tie constitution. He was in favor
of commission to try the case. A."
Rev Mr. thought there was precipitancy
90 The part of the Presbytery, but be was 10 ia
vor Of rcmaudipg the case back to be tried just |
as If il had never been taken up, -G-