Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-31
REV. JOSHUA E. HUDSON.
PASTOR MANY YEARS.
REV. DIR. JOSHUA b. ILLUSIONS
TWENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY.
WILL Be CELEBRATED NEXT SUNDAY.
A Gala Day at Pinc-street Baptist
Church-History of the COngrega-
Work of Love-Thc Programme.

Work of Love-Thc Programme.
Next Sunday will be a truly memorable
day in the history of the Pine-Street
Baptist church, one TO which its mem
bers look forward with the profoundest
interest and the most affectionate pride.
This church, while justly distinguished
for its numerous and fruitful REVEALS, It's
vast Sunday school, and its great congre-
cations, Is not given to sensations, but
pursues its prosperous career with a quiet
dignity which Is universally admired. But
for once that excellent church Is to have
a sensational worthy and thrilling SEN
sation, which will attract the attention
of the entire community. The event In
question will be the twenty-ffth annl>
yersary of its pastor, Rev. Joshua b.
Hutson, which occurs on next Sunday
November the 9th.
1t is fitting indeed that this event
should be appropriately observed, for It
falls to the lot of few churches to have
such a history as the Pine-Street church
has had during the last quarter OF CEN
fury. At the time Mr.. Hutson came to
the charge of the church it was weak
organization, located in thinly-popu-
lated portion Of the city, occupying
framed chapel, which was singularly In
nocent of beauty or conveniences. ana
apparently with no prospect Of ever be-
coming d large or popular church. now
the church worships in an admirable
house. built OF brick, trimmed with stone
containing a large basement, with many
conyeniences for tho Sunday schooi' anu
having one of the neatest auditoriums III
the city; the only just complaint tnat
can be lodged against the edince pelhs
that IL is utterly Inadequate Tor the ac-
| commodation OF the immense congrega-
tions which wait upon the ministry Vi
| the pastor.
| BUILDING PLANNED BY MR.. HUT
son.
This church building was planned al
most exclusively by Mr.. Hutson. VINO
snent wears in bringing 1t TO pass. and
| whose modesty got the better OF his skill
| and caused him to make the house TOO
| small. The Baptists Of the city rendered
| the church some assistance In meeting
| the expenses Of this building, but the
| Pine-Street people raised the bulk Oh the
| money. They are not wealthy people
| and 1t has been heavy burden
| upon them, for they have been carrying
| a debt for years, reducing IL as pest tnoy
| could from time to time, and 1t Is under
| stood that they hope by thank Offering
next Sunday to blot out the last vestige
| of this encumbering debt. 1t is truly in
| Surfing to know how patiently and united
| lv the Pine-Street people have toiled 10
| secure for themselves this beautiful house
| NJ worship. and Ii will be one OF the
| festal Joys of the anniversary TO feel
| that they no longer owe one dollar on
| the house.
| At the time Mr.. Hutson took charge OF
| the church its membership, while earnest
! and devoted, was small and weak, but
| now 1t is the largest Baptist church In
| the city, or even in the South, having a
membership of nearly 1,AO0. The growth
| of this church, situated. as 1t Is on one
| edge of the city, with its communications
| cut off by the river on one side, and
| hedged In by other obstacles, is little
| short of a miracle. That 1t should have
| attained unto such greatness Is truly
| wonderful.
| 1t is little of the credit that the modest
| pastor would ever dream OF ascribing 10
| himself for all this wonderful progress,
| and yet II would be weary search TO
| find another man who could have wrought
| such magnificent results under such con-
| ditions. The church is the pastors monu-
ment, even while he lives, and win make
| his name historic.
| THE CHURCH KIND TO ITS PASTOR.
And yet 1t is Just to the church to say
| that IL has done as much In the way OF
| making the pastor as he has done in
! moulding and exalting the church. When
| Mr.. Hutson came to the charge of the
| church twenty-five years ago. he was a
| young man, had just entered the minis
| try, had not had the training of the
| college or seminary, and was lacking In
| experience as pastor, and had hardly
| acquired the habits OF minister In SER
| mon-making He was also largely
| destitute of books, ministerial scquaint-
ance, and social experience, having been
| closely engaged In secular business. 1t is
no offence TO say that by its patience,
| cordial affection. cheerful cooperation,
and boundless faith in its young pastor.
1.-the church made 1t possible for him to
become the strong and influential minis
| ter that he now is. 1t can truly be said
that the relations OF Mr.. Hutson with
| his church have been from the very first
| continuously harmonious and Affection
ate The church has never had serious
| disturbance under the pastors adminis-
tration, and this, Of course has been
| largely true because OF his honest and
loving management.
SPIRIT OF UNIFTCATIoN.
Mr.. Hutson embodies the spirit OF con-
struction and unifcation. 1t Is part or
| his being to build up and advance what
| he believes In. and this he does In a
| manner that causes the least possible
| waste. and what he constructs he SO
| dtly Joins together that 1t meyer comes
| to pieces. This is notably true OF his
| church. He builds wisely, and when he
| puts a stone into the temple he makes
Il steadfast and sure, and seeks to polish
| II until 1t Will reflect the glory OF his
| Divine Master.
His church Is o compact body. and his
| people are strongly attached TO their
church. and under his vigilant eye are
kent I'm place, and are slow to withdraw
| for other work, even when they leave
tina city. Yet X Is due to the church to
| saw that II has sent out one new church
the Randolph Street church--which is a
most devoted and faithful body. situated
Ia the southwestern portion Of the city.
| II has also given many OF Its members
to its sister churches In and out OF
| the city.
Mr.. Hutson Is almost peerless AZ a
pastor. He IL an interchangeable visitor.
and IL quick 20 set on tho track OF
afrso~era when they settle in hin part OF