The Baltimore County union., 1881-12-24
DEATH OF REV. JOHN F. HoFF, D. d.
A Good Man Como 10 His Reward Brief
Sketch OF His Life and Works.


A Good Man Como TO His Reward Brief
Sketch OF His Life and Works.
Rev. John y. lion ID. d., rector of Trinity +.
y. church, Towsontown, died on Sunday morning
last nj the residence Of . relative In baltimore,
after brief lness, In the 6sth year Of his age
Dr. iiof was a native Of Lancaster Pa, and grad
uated at the UEiversity OF Pennsyivania when
quite young man. lie then went TO the New
York Theological Seminary, where he studied for
year, and was n companion OF Bishop Whiting
ham, who was there at that time. He then enter
cd the Virginia Seminary at Alexandria, where he
completed his studies, aud was ordained In 1887
at Philadelphia. During the following year he
was placed in charge Of Christ Church In 0eorge-
town, ID. C., where he remained for nine years.
In lSi7 he received q call from Christ Church, in
Millwood, Clarke county, Va, which he at once
accepted. In this he remained for eleven years.
In 1s5s he took charge Of Sherwood charch,
Coekeysvile. and In 1861 took the church In this
place under his charge also. After several years
Of labor In these two parishes, he resigned the
former and gave his whole attention 20 this parish,
removing his family 20 his late residence near
Sherwood Station, n. c. X. X.
For twelve years DR.. HoG has held the response
bic position Of member Of the standing commit
tee Of the Diocese Of Maryland. In that position
he gained and held tho confidence Of tho clergy Of
all shades Of opinion In the diocese. and though
pronounced In his views an evangelical church.
man and entirely fearless In expressing and acting
upon them, the whole diocese, high and low, ritu-
alist and broadchurchman, honorcd aud loved him.
He exhibited in his influence over elergymen and
laymen, and upon all public occasions, tho power
Of . Christian gentleman in the Christian minis
try. lie was looked upon by those who were capa-
bic Of judging, as one Of our most learned theolo
gians. His books, entitled the "Voices of the
Fathers" are regarded as among the ablest that
have been written In this country upon the con-
troversies in the English Church and the PrOtes-
tant Episcopal Church. which arose forty years
ago with the publication Of the "0xford Tracts"
and which has yet not reached Its culmination.-
DIR. Hof's marked characteristics, as public man
In the church, liberation and spirit patience
towards those who differed from him; a manly
contempt for liitIeness. personal ambition and
party uickery among clergymen In ecclcsiastical
Affairs. and profound sense Of personal respons.
bility 10 Christ to do his duty a. Christian min
lister.
The funeral ceremonies took place at Emman-
uei Church, Baltimore. at - o'clock Monday after
noon, and were conducted by Rev. A. VI. Ran.
doiph. assisted by Rev. Chas. J. Holt, Rev. DIR.
Levin and Rev. Dr. Elliott. Of Washington. All
the official members of Trinity Church were pres.
ent, besides large number Of the congregation.
The pail bearers were Bishop Peierkin. Rev. Drs.
J. T.. GTammer. Gco. Leeds. Williams. Rev. A. 4.
Stryker and Rev. e. X. Hale. At the conclusion
of the impressive services the remains were
moved to Camden Station ani from thence by the
Baltimore and Ohio {" Frederick Md. where the
in,etmeni took place On Tuesday in the family 10;
of Mr.. IIof
A friend who knew and loved the deceased cier.
gymsh WELL ha. contributed the following. TO
which gladly give place
In the early dawn Of peaceful sabbath day
passed away from our midst the rcverel and be-
loved pastor of Trinity Episcopal Church, Tow
sontoEn. For twenty three years has his manly
form and benes oleni face al gnihei and gracei our
village. The old and young respected and loved
him alike. Iii. genial manner. his kindness of
heart and his unobtrusive benevolenec won the
confederation and hearty approval Of all classes
and denominations. Ia all his relations a. a man
aud n Christian he was without peer. Modest
but firm. tolerant aud liberal in his views devoted
60 the advancement of his church, but with keen
interest in the welfare of sister denominations. he
refused not his aid and counsel in all good works
In hi. connection With the Baltimore county Bible
Society. in his association with own temper
Ance organization here. in his participation in
our public aud patriotic celebrations. and IN the
eloquent trbuse he paid the lamentsd GaFheld at
our commemorative services. he showed broad
Christian philanthropy aud an abiding love and
faith for aud in the perpstuity and property Of
our beloved country. To the sick and distressed
he vas ever ready TO lend helping hand. Iii.
generosity unbounded The writer q this
never called upon him IN vain for either Christian
mihis;raiion or peeuniary aid Mary will remem
Der biz labors % love amongst the poor and be.
reANc1 IN last winter . ertdetntc. uc askcl not
the question whe,her they were of bis own church.
but vent a. an humble follower % Christ 90 DO
good unto all men. How well did he OIL the full
measure Of Cardinal woolsey's parting advice 20
Craumer BE jasi and fear not let all the ends
thou aimsi ~ be thy eounify's. thy Code and
truths" lie Was most IMAM bilious and hrmly de-
elined oder. of highss, preisrmen, in the church.
"Unpractieed he to fawn or seek for po~sr
BY doctrines fashiond 10 the varying hour.
For other a.ms his heart bad learn "A 60 pfiEe.
More skilld 20 raise the wTe,ehei than 90 rise.
Bat IL was also in his domestic relations that he
shone pre- cminently bright. With strong under.
current genial good humor bis intercourse 18th bis
family vas that q an elder brother. trusted com
panion iefmperei on their part with afeciiobate
foT exalted parent. so that in all the
relations of life able. scholarly, conscientious
and faithful iisine. as Christian gentleman aud
public spirited ci,fen. and a. devoted and afec-
tionate parent, he tled the full measure of beau
tiful and useful life. and most appropriate the
soul satisfying xords Of Revelation, "Bessed are
the dead which die ia the Lord from hsncesorth
yea. saith the spirit. that they may res, from their
iabor,. for their works foliow with them
At meeting Of the surviving Trustees q public
school No. 10. 9th district, held on the 2eih inst.
the following preamble and resolutions were
adopted:
wHsEE,s IL has pleased Almighty God in I'll.
infinite wisdom 10 call from midst the Rev.
John y. Iiea. rector Of Trinity Church. Towson.
town, and the chairman of our Board ot Trustees,
can testify 10 his noble traits of character AZ
Christian gentleman. aud our great lo.s Of an
sfhcieut co. worker; therefore be IL
E,sofr.d. That We bow in humble submission TO
the will of Almighty God. believing tina, all lie
does Is right, and loss Is his eternal gain aud
we Offer heartfelt sympathy TO the afflicted
family In this sad hosr of their bereay yenent and
pray that the God Of all grace and comfort may
sustain them and be Il further
Rs.sir,f. That a copy of these resolutions he
sent 20 the family. and that they be published in
the Baltimore county papers.
LEWIS J. RohEHrs.
EbWAnD RIBEn,
Trustees of School No. 10. 9Th dist, BALTIC. CO.