The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-04
Our Contributors.
Some Thoughts Suggested by the
Recently Issued Biography of
DR.. Charles Hodge.


few of them-will have enjoyed ere this
the rich feast in store for all who read
the Life of DR.. Hodge by his distinguished
son. But it may not be amiss to call at
tsntion in this way to good book, before
the name of it shall be covered up in the
ceaseless flow of volumes from the teem-
lug press.
First, then, amid higher merits of a
spiritual and intellectual nature, one can
distinctly recognise the excellent work
of printer and binder which enhance the
pleasure of reading. The paper is of
superior quality, the type large and clear,
the binding and lettering tasteful the
two pictures of DR.. Hodge. q cannot
speak of their accuracy as likenesses) of
uncommon merit and finish.
The biographer has done his work well,
proving beyond all question that it is
possible for loving son to portray &C.
curately the life and character of an hon
ored father. This delicate task he &C
comphshed by making the subject of the
biography tell his own story from private
memoranda, confidential letters, and pub
lished opinions. And thus DIR. Charles
Hodge is allowed to reveal his inner self
all unconsciously, as it were, and there
fore most completely. The book is in
style, spirit, and contents worthy to be a
companion on the book-shelves to DR..
Palmer's " Life and Letters of DIR. Thorn
well"
The impression seems to be abroad that
DR.. Hodges great success is due rather
to tireless labor than to original endow-
ments of mind. So far as that is true,
of course, the greater praise is due to the
illustrious Biblical critic and theologian.
The opinion helps to bring him nearer
to us, his humber brethren in faith and
service. And the legitimate effect should
be to awaken in us confession of sluggish
ness and solemn resolves, by Gods help,
to devote our lives more unreservedly to
Him who bought us with His blood. Our
vows are as strenuous as his-our re-
sponsibilities to do what we can are lust
as grave. But it is very easy to mistake
the elements of mental power by con-
founding it with brilliancy or eccentricity
DR.. Hodges mind exhibited little of the
corruscation, the glow of fancy and pas
sion, the boldness and originality OF
thought, which men usually denominate
genius. But the silent sunbeam furnishes
all the power which roars in the whirl-
wind. DR.. Hodges mind had prodigi-
GUS sweep over the wide field of human
thought. His memory reproduced faith
fully, and his intellect dissected with a
keen edge the profoundest thinking OF
the worlds teachers, detecting flaws here
and there in the most orthodox, and
gathering precious pearls of truth in
tainted waters
An impression seems to prevail with
some that DR.. Hodge carried gentleness
and caution to the very verge of weak
ness, if not beyond it. The readers of
this book, with all the facts before them.
will see more clearly than those who op-
posed his opinions or sought his co6pera-
ton, In stirring times His temperament
was evidently not that of the erecutive
man, the man Of affairs. AS a com
mander of armies he would not have been
a great success. But this would have
been from over caution, not fror. timidity.
DR.. Hodge was brave man. He knew
how to follow his own convictions when
they separated him from the sympathy
and approval Of his own friends and al
lies. His course in the Disruption of
1878, and again in the Reunion of
1870, as well as in his discussions of the
Slavery Question, fully show that any
hesitation that may have been alleged
against him was not chargeable to fear
or self-interest. He was tortjter in re, as
well as SatoU5ter IN mode.
Of course every body knows that DR..
Hodges eminent services to the Church
and to Reformed Theology are not as
crisd to originality in his mode of con-
ceiving and restating the truth Presi-
dent Maclean in his Address of welcome
to the visiting delegates of the Presbyte-