The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-02-21
Resignation of a Pastor.

REV. w. e. BAKER S LETTER OF RESIGNA
TON AND ACTIoNsoF THE coNGREGA
TIoN.
We stated last week that Rev. w. E
Baker had forwarded his resignation az
pastor OF the First Presbyterian church
On Sunday last congregational meeting
was held to take action in the premises
Rev. r. G. Walker opened the meeting
with prayer and acted as presiding officer
Mr.. J. A. Waddell read the following let.
ter:
ROSWELL. COBB COUNTY, GA, Feb. l, 1891.
Mr.. j. A. Waddeu, Clerk of Session:
thereby tender my resignation of the pastor.
ate OF the First Presbyterian church of Staun-
ton, and request the congregation to unite with
tlons subssting between us.
This action of mine is due to the countenance
given i'll the congregation to scheme of a CO.
pastof-a scheme known TO be disapprOved by
"'Sp''' ". E. BAKER.
The following communication from Mr..
Baker was also read.
ROSWELL, COBB COUNTY, GA, Feb 6, 1884,
TO The Members of the First PRESBYTERIAN Church
and Congregation of Stanton, Va:
Dear Brethren.-I write you this letter, that
ting you farewell, do not propose to dwell
upon the reasons for this withdrawal, except to
say that it Is not owing to distrust either of my
self or my Master. | have no doubt but that
could continue, with the divine blessing, to
draw sthe newcomers into the church, and
to secure its growth and prosperity: but yari-
GUS circumstances lead me to believe that the
Lord intends 10 favor me at this time with a
season of rest from labor and responsibility.
Having done more for the church, however,
than any one among you, it is natural that
should feel a deeper interest in its spiritual
prosperity, and you may, therefore. always rely
upon my good wishes and prayers.
Remember then the word which spake unto
you while was yet with you. Your best safe
guard in the present crisis is humility and a
profound sense OF your need of direction from
above.
Let those who differ from their brethren in
souls to be above all personal considerations
That Jesus be glorifed and sinners saved is the
main thing.
X And consider that the success of Gods cause
does not necessarily depend upon the carrying
out OF your plans. Even divisions and conten-
ai"ns are often SO ordered as to purify the faith
and zeal of the disciples.
Finally, let me exhort such as have deferred
entering upon the service of God to delay no
longer. desire to use the solennity of the
parting word Us II means OF urging their duty
upon them. Yours afectionaLely
VIM. +. BAKER.
On motion Of Mr. WaadeIl commit
tee Of five WAS ;spp1intrd to report resoll-
lions for tlse act ion Of the meeting The
chtir appointed the following to consti-
tnie tii:it committee: VIM. Frazier.
Charles rattan, VIM. y. Burke. VIM. J.
Nelson and H. d. Peck.
After II brief retirement. the commit
mittee. through it's chairman, reported the
foIIowipu
ioo"hS
The congregation of tile First Presbyterian
cnurch 81 Slaunton, Va, convened to receive
and take action the letter of resignation by
Rev. ". L. Baker Of lis pastor le OF this
record their sense of the present situation, as
well as some faint testimony TO his past SER
III the first place we assured by Mr.. Ba-
ker that this tender of his resignation is no
tentative proposition. nor meant by him in any
sense as II test; but that it is absolute far as
he can make it SUCH
We believe it has been brought about by an
honest differences Of opinion in the congrega-
eating with him an assistant or co-pastor.
Some there were who thought in view of the
lying mission work of this church. that the
time had come to initiate such plan. But
upon bringing It to the test of a congregational
vote1 1t was negatived nearly two to one.
Whilst however, there was this difference of
views In the congregation upon that question,
we believe there is absolute no diversity of
opinion in what herein follows, and that every
member of the church and conorepation "a n
and will heartily unite in this testimony, viz:
For more than twenty-six years our pastor
has discharged the onerous duties of his office
with zeal, fidelity, and success. He found the
Under his care It as ere0 seG
ed the zeal and diligence Of members in church
has been successfully established; the Sunday
and zeal than to any ofhgyy rea
we eve , it that we are no longer confined to
but instead have been enabled to rear a large,
credtabie alike I to fSe nd m
city; ,
fully cultivated his own field he lived in great
nations in our eitv and hes % 0.hsF s