Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-08
REV. ]. B. HUTSON RESIGNS
Pine Pin STREET Passionate
Widely known Minister Rctircs After
Forty-Fivc Years of
Service.
CONGREGATION SURPRISED
Committee Named TO Ask DR.. Hut
son to Reconsider, but lie Says
limo Has Come for Him TO Give
Up Active Work.

Rev. Joshua Il. Iiu:son, II. n, yes
terday rendered his resignation as pas
tor OF the Fine street Baptist Church.
AT the end OF this month, when his
esigDaton takes effect. he will have
served the church AS its pastor for
forty-iive years and six months, hav
ing assumed tho pastorate November
]. 1872. When his official connection
with the church ends, tho venerable
pastor Will leave Richmond for Chill
howic. near Bristol. where he Will
make his home with his only daughter.
Mrs. Robert L. Cole.
Tho resignation came as surprise
and 4 shock to the congregation, and
committee was appointed to wait
upon DR.. Hutson and endcavor 10 per-
suade him TO reconsider his action.
This was unavailing, however. the min
lister stating last night that he was
fully persuaded that ii was his Mas
ter's will that he give up his charge
and retire from active ministry.
DIR. HUTSoN'S WIFE DIED
ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO
DR.. Hu,son's action followed closely
upon the death OF his wife about three
weeks ago. With tho death OF the
helpmeet who had been his companion
for fortT-three years, he considered
that MS age was too great 10 permit
him to live comfortably and content
cdly alone in Richmond. This. he
feared. would interfere with his work.
and perhaps affect his usefulness TO
his congregation. SO he deemed it
that II was not possible that any pas
tor could ever have loved church
and it's congregation better than he
loved his, and that even after his de-
parture he hoped to keep in close
touch with the institution with whose
SO closely and pleasantly cntwined.
Dr.. Hutson's resignation came 20
the congregation in the form OF let
ter. which was read to the conErega-
tion al the morning service yesterday.
II was not expected, he having kept
his intention to resign from all save
the daughter, who has been with him
since the death of his wife The letter
was read TO the congregation by the
clerk. When the reading and the is
cussion it aroused had ended. not n
dry eye was seen in the church, and
all protested against acceptance OF the
resignation. II was believed that the
pastor could be persuaded TO remain.
NJ. Il. Pace, NJ. w. Wilkinson and w.
III. Hill were appointed committee 10
wait upon him.
The committee pleaded long and in
sistently, but without success. The men,
LerS will formally report their allure
TO the congregation al next Sunday
nights service.
1.ETNTER OF RESIGNATION
READ TO CONGREGATION
The letter to the aggregation, en-
bodying tho resignation. read:
Dear Brethren and Sisters,-There
was never a pastor that loved church
more than I have loved this church.
and never one who was moro deeply
grateful tina am for all the Kindness
and love which YOU have extended 10
me. 1t was tho unmistakablc provi-
dcnce of God that brought me here
more than forty-tivc years ago. and
now am fully persuaded that the time
has como when | ought 10 GO | there
fore, after much prayer and most anN-
ious thought, tender my resignation
10 take effect the last of this month. 1
return unmeasured thanks for All the
patience and forbearance which YOU
have exercised towards me, and for the
continued and un!ailinS considcra ton
shown me. ] commend you to the
grace OF God. and shall ever pray that
increasing Prosperity, peace, harmony
and brothcrly love may be with you
forever.