The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-02
FORTY-TWO YEARS WITH
ONE CON GRE CA ION
Rev. Joshua B. Hutson, d. D., OBJ
serves Anniversary mt Pine
Street Baptist Church.
BEGAN PAsToRATE IN 1872
Church Has Grown to Be One of
Largest in Denomination, With
Flourishing Sunday School-Fine
Anniversary Weather.

FortX-two years ago when Rev.
Joshua p. Hutson. D. D.. preached his
first sermon in Pine Street Baptist
Church, the sun was smiling brightly
1t must have been good omen, because
DR.. Hutson was greeted with just such
weather conditions yesterday, when
i.he began the forty-third year of his
pastoratc in the church. and 1t has
been Just such day on every ami
versary in his recollection.
Gray-haircd and bent. but still filed
with that spirit which has entwined
him in the hearts Of his congregation.
DR.. Hutson entered the pulpit yester-
day morning. Signs of recent illness
were to be seen in tho venerable clergy
man, but. as he has done year by year,
with unfalterinE voice he briefly
sketched the progress of his congrc-
cation during the twelve months past.
Time however. has laid heavy hand
upon him. and for the first time in his
passionate, he was unable to preach
the anniversary sermon. His heart is
still light, and the congregation united
in prayer that he would be spared
to celebrate many another day with
them.
DIR. Hutson began his passionate in
1872, taking charge of the congrega-
tion on tho first Sunday I'm November
There werc then 167 members OF that
little church. To-day II has NOM
bership OF 1906. and Is the largest
church of It's denomination In the South.
rHIRTY-ONE CHARTER
MEMBERS ARE LIVING
Thirty-one of that original congrega-
ton are still living. 1t was the pleas
urc of the aged pastor TO shake the
hand of six OF these old friends az
the morning service. The others were
too old and feeble to get out, even on
such beautiful day and such an oc-
caslon.
DR.. Hutson was born in 1914. and was
studying for the ministry Mt the out
break of the war. He entered the SER
vice of the Confederacy as an express
messenger, and served throughout the
war. after which he resumed his tho
illogical studies. He filed charge in
SesseN County after entering the min
istry, and was then called to his pres
ent field, which he has filled for forty
two conservatives years.
With a membership to-day of 1906
the congregation of Pine Street Church
Is one of the largest of the Baptist
denomination. The Sunday school of
South. During the forty-two years DR..
Hutson has served as pastor. additions
to the church In membership have been
1876. and the diminution $500. In his
IoHB service as pastor al the Ilne
Street Church, DR.. Hutson has per-
formed 1.459 marriage ceremonies, con-
Quoted 2S4 funerals and made 1926
pastoral visits. OF his original congre-
cation the venerable minister now finds
few surviving. During his pastorate in
this city there have been nearly $50
changes in other white Baptist pastor
ates, and hundreds of changes have
been made In the pastorates of other
denominations. For thirty years DR..
Hutson has been senior Baptist minis
ter In point of continuous service In
Richmond. and senior minister of ali
denominations for fifteen years.
During his long service In Richmond.
DR. Hutson has made thousands of
warm friends, and Is probably the
most beloved pastor in this section of
the country. Several years ago he was
honored with the degree OF doctor of
divinity by the trustees of Richmond
College. He has taken an active part
In mission work. and has served in an
official capacity in nearly all of the
auxiliary organizations of his church.
The work of the church has pro-
crossed satisfactorily during the past
year." said DR.. Hutson last night land
peace and harmony reign over its con-
Eregation."