The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-04-26

Deoth Of Rev, r. M. Baker.

Death of Rev. r. NJ. Baker.
Rev. Francis March Baker, an esteemed
clergyman OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church OF Virginia, died at his resi-
dencc in this city yesterday morning at
8 O'Clock, of paralysis. He was in his
usual health the day before. and had in
the morning attended the funeral OF a
friend at DR.. Hoge'S church. At II O'Clock
that night he was attacked by the disease
which terminated his useful life. About a
year ago he had similar attack Just as he
was leaving the Episcopal Councll at
LynchburS. Eleven months OF suffering
ana visible decline followed, but he still
clcaved to his work, under the faithful and
unremittlng care Of his wife, daughter Of
our city treasurer. Samuel G.. Grcenhow,
Esq.
MIR. Baker was born in this city in Sep
tcmber, 1923, and was in the tifty-scvcnth
year OF his age. He was educated at Will
liam and Mary College, and commenced 10
read law under Conway Robinson. In the
great revival in Virginia in lS40-'41 he be-
came Christian, and changed his vocation
from the law to the Gospel. He entered the
Theological Seminary OF Virginia and was
ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Meade
in 1915. His first charge was III Frede-
rick. Md. then in Marcnso county, Ala.
On his return to Virginia he took charge
Of tue churches ut Flncastle and
Buchanan, where he remained until 1858,
when he received call to Grace church, in
this city. Mr.. Samuel p. Mitchell having
lust erected for Mr.. Baker the house Of
worship at the corner OF Main and Foushee
streets. His life here is known to all No
one ever had more unblcmishcd repu'a-
ton or was more universally regarded a
truly pious, sincerely Christian man. In
the nulpt he may not have been rs eloquent
rs some others, but he always aimed to
preach pure gospel, and nothing else.
During the revival perrading the country
Just before the late war MIR. Baker was one
OF the most earnest laborers in the prayer
meetings held in Richmond and elsewhere.
With fewer ties at the time than any OF
the other Episcopal clergy in Richmond, he
literally became the apostle OF FrederlckS-
burg. laboring there day after day for
weeks. HIS work in that city was crowned
by enabling his old friend, Rev. Dr.. Ed
ward Mcclure, the lifelong rector OF St.
Georges, to present class OF more than
ninety candidates for confirmation Just be-
fore it pleased God to call him 10 his hea-
ycnly rest.
Perhaps this was the eliminating point in
-
the world His solid, steady, slow but sure
work in laying the foundations and build
ing up the congregation of Grace church is
known and appreciated in its true character
and blessing by many OF our people, and
we may believe is recorded III Heaven as
one OF the brightest pages or his conse-
Grated life. The last few years he devoted
to the Missionary Society Of the Diocese OF
Virginia rs its secretary, laboring to his
diving day to spread lis blessed influence and
increase its efficiency. 1t was one OF God's
merccs to His faithful servant to take him
by this sudden visitation into the heavenly
rest ere he had become incapacitatcd for his
Masters work on earth.
Mr.. Bakers funeral will take place from
st. james church this afternoon at half-paSi
I O'Clock. The clergy OF the Richmond
Episcopal churches will act as pall-bearers
All other Christian ministers are invited tt
attend and occupy the seats reserved iol
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