The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-12-08
BOOKS RECEIVED.


New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 743-745
Broadway. PIP. viii go. Price IS.
This volume is fitting complement to the
biographies of DR.. Miller and the Alexanders in
giving the histories of the men who have made
the Princeton theology what it is and whose
successors to day can best fill their places not
by new departures, but by exposition of what
has the force OF now venerable tradition as
well as of Scripture.
The work of the biographer, delicate from his
position, has been well done, evidently at
large outlay of time and labsr. The narrative
is written in clear chaste, quiet style, much
resembling that of his father.
DR.. Hodges life was peculiar in the fact that
he never had but the one home after entering
college. Born in Philadelphia he returned for
Blk months of missionary work after hcensure
and this, with trip to Europe of two years
length, constitute the only absences greater than
visits in all his long life. There were none of
the changes of work, position, or circumstances
which often sweep over the lives of others and
sometimes modify for them the whole of exist
ence. He said pathetcally few days before
he died, this chair and forty years have been
growing to each other very Closely" page $780,
And this simple unchanging life in some meas
ure must have led to that conservatism In
thought and action which marked him in every
sphere.
There is too, an absence of those periods of in
tense energy, of any supreme moments as the
phrase is or critical eras which mark the lives
of many of our leaders. He had what to him
were days of spiritual Importance, but these did
not affect his relation to the world. " His nat
ural disposition was easy, and his mother la
mented that Charles never would do himself
Justice" page 33). He approached his work
calmly, quietly, without any appearance of
hurry or confusion, the only instance given us
being when he was getting the third volume of
his Theology out, which work was really
awful" (page BID This trait is very notice
able in his successive promotions which came
naturally as itwere, and providentially, without
effort or seeking or straining.
A genial, affectionate nature shines out through
his letters. The warmth of his love outside of
his family seems to have been lavished on DR.
Alexander and Bishop Johns, late Of the Epis-
copate of Virginia.
We have also DR.. Hodges correspondence
with his German friends, Tholuck and others,
which is very cordial and informal.
With these traits were joined those that gave
him his theological reputation. His clear and
quick perception of the gist of any matter his
discernment of the truth amid errors and here
sizes, his power of calm accurate statement and
the conservative balance of all his faculties have
frequently been pointed out So great was his
conservatism, even consciously that he did not
believe there was one original thought in all
his contributions to the Review-about one
hundred and fifty in number
Independence of thought assurance in his
conclusions, illustrated frequently in this
volume. The Assembly one year passed reso-
luton denying the validity of Romish baptism,
and after he reviewed the meeting such was the
effect that the action was repealed the next year;
when the Disruption of 1913 was coming he
thought it unnecessary and hurtful, and so when
the Reunion of 80 came he was as strongly OPP
posed to it. He was oftener in the majority
than in the minority-sometimes minority of
one.
We have pointed out these traits because in a
Just estimate of the Theology, it seems necessary
to assign each of them its full force. This is not
the place to criticise that work suffice it to say
tnat it is a reflection of the man.
Much that is interesting can only be men
toned The history of his connection with the
Princeton r evieoo, of which he was editor for
forty years; the part he took in the great Dis
ruption of 81 So the debate between DR..
Thornwell and himself touching tho Boards of
the Church; the methods by which he worked
and taught, where we find letter to the late
Dr. Plumer; his opinion in the revision of the
Book that the time is not distant when a YER
dict will be rendered with great unanimity in
favor of the majority of the alterations proposed
by the committee of Revision" (page 408); his
attitude towards the South and TO slavery, his
visit to Virginia in 1916 with Dr. Alexander,
when at Woodstock. "being Court day, the
whole place was filed with men and women" Up.
45), and in Staunton when he stayed " at Dr.
Faddels, Mrs Alexander's brother who is
quite young man." where II received all the
kindness and hospitality which 1 could expect
or wish even in Virginia" "a Mr. Mcdowell,
friend Of the Doctors was SO kind as to lend
US each horse" (page 46). We have also DR..
Dabneys letter declining the proposed appoint
ment as professor, although cit was the earnest
desire Of DR.. Hodge that Princeton should be
strengthened by 50 powerful reinforcement"