Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-22
altogether commodlous-ed ifce, creditable
alike to the congregation and to the

lived in great harmony with sister
churches of other denominations IN oul
city, and has contributed his full share t(
spirit of Christian corporation and fel
low ship amongst the churches.
Rut this paper would be Incomplete il
we failed to give snme expression to oul
love for his life companion, and to say, II
the fewest possible words, that we sup
pose no congregation was ever blessed
with better PASTORS wife, with all thai
term implies. We know it would be pain
full to her if we were to signaiZe her abun
dant laborS of love and charity, and WI
shall not attempt 1t.
In uniting with Mr. Baker in his april
cation to Presb, terry for dissolution O
the pas toral tie that has for SO long time
united US. we do ftrvently pray that ths
Lord will abundantly biz So MIN and his
each and every member of his family, in
all the ir interests. spiritual and temporal
and that speedily a great and tffrctua
door may be opened to him to prosecute
the Masters work in which we know hi:
heart is enlisted.
ResOlued, AS the sense of this congrega
ton, that it is eXpedient to accept gu.
pastors resigna ion, and to unto witt
him in his application to Lexington Pres
bytery.
ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTIONS.
On motion of Mr.. l.. Pnyntz, the reso
lutions were read IA second time.
Judge VIM. A. Hudson asked how they
were to be voted OIL, as whole or sepa
rately !?
Mr.. Waddell. who had read the resolu
lions "a second time to the congregation
added some remarks. He said no member
of the congregation felt this matter more
deeply than he. When ne received
the letter of Mr.. Baker his hear
sunk within him. Yet he Intended
Standing here as the friend of Mr.. Baker
to vote for the acceptance of his resgna
tion; for he thought 1t was the best thing
he could do for the church and for the
happiness of Mr.. Baker and his family
the pastor, for Mr.. Baker was going and
would go, no m liter how the congrega.
tional vote resulted.
Mr.. Davis A. Kayser, IN few words
husky from emotion, took the same posi-
tion as Mr. Waddell.
Mr.. Wm. f. Butler % )ved that the re-
port be received and adopted rs a whole
Tue vote was taken and Mr.. Butler 8
motion was adopted by large majority
though few of the congregation still
hoping against hope that Mr.. Baker might
reconsider his determination, held up theil
hands IN the negative.
Mr.. L. PoyntZ, VINO had voted with TIT
maj ,rity, moved reconsideration of thu
vote with view to having the report an(
resolution voted On separately. His mo
ton was rejected.
Elder W. j. Nelson, on the motion Of
DR.. N. Wayt, was then chosen as C>m-
missioner to Presbytery, to represent the
congregation in this matter.
FoREGoNE CONCLUSION.
After the meeting had transacted i'll
business, Rey r. e. Walker said thai as il
was now all over, he felt at liberty to sa,
to them in view Of letter from Mr.. B Ike
authorizing him 10 represent him at Pres
bytery. that, in that body he should have
urged the dissolution whether the congre
CATION had acquiesced in or opposed it. Nh
ker had made up his mind to leave the
pastorate.
SKETCH OF THE RESIGNED PASTOR.
Rev. VIM. E. Baker the resignlng pastor
is native of Liberty county, Ga, and
was educated at Princeton College and
Theological Seminary. He married Miss
King, of Roswell, Ga, and after his mar
rage went to Calf 'rnia where he lived foI
year or more. Returning to Georgia
ABOUT 1857 be was invited to visit Staun-
ton, the pulpit of the Presbyterian church
here being vacant at that time. He was
soon after, elected pastor by this church
He is the first cousin of Rev. VIM. NJ
Baker. widely know as writer, who lately
died in Boston. The Rev. DR.. Daniel
Baker, for many years pastor in Harrison
burg, and distinguished preacher. was
his uncle. Mr.. Baker is now at Roswell
Cobb county, Ga, where the mother O.
wife resides.
Mr. Baker was the Oldest pastor in Lex
ington Presbytery in point of pastoral ser
vice at one church. Rev. Il. g. Walker, be
fore he resigned, was the oldest and after
him came MIR. Baker.
LEXINGTON PREsBYTERY GRANTS MR..
BAKERS APPLICATION.
A called meeting of Lexington Presby
terry. Rev. Alex. Sprunt, Moderator, tt
hear Mr.. Bakers application, was held il
the lecture room of the First church Oh
Wednesday,: The meeting was small.
Rev. r. q. Walker .repl esented Mr.
Baker. He said as a member Of the Com
mittee on Home Missions, he had beer
very intimate with Mr.. Baker, who is alst
4 member. 1t was with painful feelings
therefore that he received personal letter
from MIR, B. asking him to represent him
before Presbytery. In the letter Mr.
Baker says:
81 do not like to forestall the action o.
Presbytery, but in case like this think
| may AXE it for granted what that &C
tim Will be; that Presbytery will not at.
tempt to force me to continue my abors
where difference of opinion exists in re-
gard to so serious question as th 1t of a
ca pastor. 1t is with profound respect
therefore, for the authority of Presbytery
that | have al ticipated its action in max
ing arrangements to leave my church"
Mr.. W. J. Nelson read the action of th
| congregation of the First church.
Rev. John a. Preston, Of TInk'in!
Spring. bore strong testimony to th
earnest Christian devotion and spotles
Christian character of Mr.. Baker. Whel
he, the speaker, was in the mountain
in the work of Domestic Missions in Yves
Virginia, no man ever came from Lexing
ton Presbytery who was SO welcome tt
the people of the churches there as Mr.
B iker.
Elder Jed. Hotchkiss of the Second
Presbyterian church said he had known