Evening journal., 1909-11-06
DR.. BAKER OUT
OF MINISTRY
Methodist Pastor Of St.
MiChael'S, Md, RetireS After
Charges Are Preferred
ALLEGED TO HAVE
DEALT ON MARGINS

The Rev DR.. Charles S. BaiSer, pas
tor of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at ST. Michael's Nd, yesterday with
drew from the membership and minis
try of the Methodist Church. under
charges that had been preferred against
him.
The charges were Of 'imprudent and
unministerial conduct" based on his
alleged dealing in stocks on margins.
II win be recalled that Or. Baker in
June, 1904, was found guilty by
committee of ministers in this city OF
a charge OF imprudent and unminis-
terial conduct in that he bought stocks
on margins. The Rev. DR.. Wilbur r.
Corkran was found guilty of the same
charge and after suspension OF a year
both resumed their ministerial duties.
DR.. Baker was assigned TO ST. Mich
.ael's, Nd. at the last session OF VIII
mington Conference. II is understood
that the new charges OF dealing in
stocks on margins are based on opera
tions of Dr. Baker since he was as
signed 10 st. Michaers.
Time Set For Hearing.
The Rev. Dr. r. X. Stephenson. Of
Smyrna, district superintendent Of Eas-
ton district, on which DR.. Baker was
stationed, had the matter brought 70
his attention and charged were en-
tered against Or. Baker recently. His
trial was set for Tuesday next at st.
Michaers A committee of nine min
listers had been sumoned who. with
District Superintendent Stephenson
presiding, would have been the jury in
the case
Yesterday, however. DR.. Baker for
warded to District Superintendent
Stephenson his resignation from she
membership and ministry of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. The resignation
Is termed in the church a withdrawal
under charges" II will be submitted
to the wilmington Conference at the
session in Salisbury Nd. in March next
when it will be formally accepted.
Meanwhile Dr. Baker has given up the
St. MschaeIs pastorato. and there will
be no hearing or trial.
Surprise Over Withdrawal.
Much surprise was. expressed in this
ci.d today over Dr. Bakers action es-
uec-lliv because OF the experience
through which he passed in 1908 and
1906 because Of dabbliug la stocks on
MlhEHNHts ne .ALAAA DA III A1nfAFA anu
DR.. Corkran was one OF the most in
teresting the Wilmington Conference
ever has had. The first hearing, con-
Quoted before a committee o. minis
ters. was held in Union Church. this
city. In June, 1904, with Presiding
Elder A. S. Mowbray presiding Twas
q secret session. II resulted IN the
suspension Of the two ministers until
the Conference session in Grace Church,
this city, IN March. 1905.
The verdict Of the Conference was
that DR.. Corkran was suspended for
e. year and DR.. Baker was deposed
from the ministry. Or. Baker, however
carried an appeal 10 a court of min
isters. and his sentence was changed
TO suspension for one year, the same
as DR.. Corkran received. They re-
euned their ministerial duties at the
end of the year, in March, 1906. Dr.
Baker has been one of the best known
ministers of the Conference, and had
been presiding elder and also a dele
gate to the General Conference. He
also was pastor of Asbury Church In
this city for year.
Or. Stephenson Reticent.
District Superintendent Stephenson
was called up by telephone at smyrna
today.
CDR. Baker has withdrawn from the
ministry and membership of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church under charges -
said DR.. Stephenson. THE charges have
not been given out. and I do not care
10 make them public. do not care
TO say anything further about the
case. and il is closed until the next
Conference session.