The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-14
GREAT SURPRISE
TO CONGREGATION
Will Surrender Post on July 1st,
But Has Made No Definite
Plans in Rounding Out
Forty-Nine Years Of
Notable Service
for Church

After forty years ~ continuous
service in many OF the leaA.a~ cities of
the country. Rev James Boardnan fIaw-
thorne. u. D, known throughout the
South Tor his eloquence as O. pulpit orator.
announced 20 the congregation of Grove
Avenue Baptist Church az the service
yesterday morning. hfs determination 10
resign his charge and take rest from
active pastoral duties.
Ir. Hawthorne announcement came as
an entire surprise 20 the congregation.
a.. although II was known that his
health has not been good for some years.
be has appeared stronger this winter than
IN some time. and has been preaching
with great vlErr. When seen last night
az bis rooms at Ford IS Hotel. Dr. Haw-
thorue salt-
eyes. 4 notified tho congregation tlls
morning that ] would hand ln uy rcslg-
nation % The business meeting ot tte
church tomorrow night 70 take EJECT
July let. which VIII be- the end % ruv
eighth year at Grove Avenue j. has
been period ~ f-ebiencss and suffering.
and although my hcalth is much irnpros-
ell 7 Wflf rest awhile
THE large CONGREGATION al Grove Avenue
Church last night gathered around Dr
and Mrs Hawthorne and cndravored to
express their regret in severing the reia-
lions which have become SO dear 20 thera
I}r. Hawthorne srvs be- has made mo-
definite plans after July lst. blt the hore
has been freely expressed tAat be may
continue 90 reside So Richmond.
Served Many Charges.
1r HaUtnorne began his ministry in
Mobile, Ala. forty-n4ue wears ago tais
spr nE. and has held important pastorates
iu selma Ala. Baltimore Sid Albany
-. T.; Louisville. ky New York City,
9lcntsonery, Ala; Ilchmcnd. Va. At-
lanta. Ga. and Nashville. Tenn. This
city is the seventh State capital in which
b has held a charge. For i've years
le was pastor ~ The First Hartist
Church. of tlis city going from that
charge 20 the FIRST Bautlst Church of
Atlanta From Atlanta he went 20 the
FIRST Baptist Church Nashville. Tenn
and eight years ago succeeded Rev Dr.
Hidon as pastor or Grove Avenue church.
Richmond Dr Hawthorne who will b.
seventy years of age tle 10Th of nevr
MAY. breaches with "a force and vlgor az /.
much younger man. ana his TAIL erect
figure is well known ou the streets of
Itchmond.
When Dr. Hawthorne undertook the
pa-torate Of Grove Avenue the csncre-
CATION was disturbed with dissensiors -2s0
persons. over half the membership hav-
tng split on ~ one time. The member
ship eight years ago was only "A little
3
ministry has been built up 70 more than
double being now 3D. In October. 1900
The church building was destroyed by
ere. the structure being "a total loss. and
Rhiie an insurance of $4,000 WAS carried
ihere was "A mprtgage of $4,000.
Or Hawthorne said last night that he
had never seen anything IN his ministry
nor did he think there had ever been
anything in Richmond Ike the outpour-
INK Of public sympathy and assistance
"Jew and Gentle. Catholic and Protes-
tant came forward with offers OF as
distance" said Dr. Hawthorne. -The
morning after the fire it took me two
hours to walk three blocks. I was stop
Hed so often by offers OF assistance and
sympathy"
The handsome new church was built
on the site Of the old. one Of the most
commanding positions In the newer sec-
tions Of the city. on Grove Avenue fac
Ing IIowitzor Place. Dr Hawthorne's
old churches ia Atlanta. Nashville and
elsewhere sent liberal contributions to
tho building fund. and the congregation
S. to-day without debt
Improved in Health.
Asked as TO his health. DIT. Hawthorne
said. II am 2OO per cent. better than 7
was last May. NJ physician. DIT Nose
Icy. has been ast0uished at the improve
ment in my condition
20 after my term expires I felt IL was
due. however. 10 the church that I should
let them know that ] intended to leave
next summer. 7 love Richmond and the
Grove Avenue Church ] have suffered
and labored and sacrificed for il more
than for any charge I have had. I viii
continue t. preach until July lst and
VIII put into these remaining months the
best work Of my nf both in preaching
and in pastoral work"
DIT Hawthorne spoke in hieh praise
NJ the Grove Avenue congregation. which
1ad gone with him through many trials.
Nv hon we were rebuilding after the
re- said Dr. Hawthorne 'the ladies'
ociety Of the church. % which Mrs.
tawthorne is president raised $500 for
lnew organ entirely without the assist
hce of the church"
'r- Hawthorne has made his home ut
PRO Hotel for some months past. living
eth MS son, Mr.. Charles Hawthorn.
No mas one child. Or. Hawthorne has
tpther son. Mr.. II. X Hawthorne. Nviua,
u charlottesville Va.
ne announcement Of Dr Hawthorne's
pSose TO resign was made at the close
"a ne service yesterday morning
hawthorne preached with unabatcd
Ftngth at this service from me to.f
'ifver US from evil" Revised Voreior
IN evil one'D. his subject being How
bofDcliVers His People From, Evil
speaker showed how God delivered
Hlspeople from evil. first by eivina,
thena sense and instinct of evil. second
py iping them 70 promote and main
taihgoral health and vigor and third
by q spiritual faith that is IN them.
Ihtnusic at this service was especfalI,,
sweet solo by Captain Frank Cunning
ham. Scatter Seeds OF Kindness, heins,
erEaatl appreciatcd.