The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-31
Letter from Rev. DIR. Hoge.
Hampden Sidney College

MS inaugural address as Lord Rector of
st. Andrews in 1875, he said: "The
greatness of commercial communities is
variable, and if lost, may be regained
again, but the inspiring atmosphere of
long academic past is national treasure,
which cannot be abandoned and then re-
gained at will"
So too Canon Liddon declares: GA
great past is an integral element of in
spiration which nothing else can supply.
1t induces men to inquire who their an
cestors were, what were their characters
achievements and sacrifices, and leads to
the realization Of the fact that such pres
tige canrot be created by energy nor
bought with money. 1t is the growth of
time, it is the gift of God"
am reminded of these testimonies to
the value of an honorable historic past in
its influence on the character of literary
institution by the fact that this week
Hampden Sidney College enters upon the
one hundred and fifth gear of its life, and
that too with brighter prospects of pros
perity and usefulness than it has enjoyed
at any time during the past decade A
college cannot live on happy memories
alone, but such memories deepen ehe at
tachment of its friends, and ought to
stimulate them to earnest and persever-
ing efforts for its support. The claims of
Hampden Sidney upon the loyalty of its
sons are peculiarly strong in consequence
OF Its long and efficient services to the
State and to the Church most interested
in its welfare.
The approaching centennial celebration
at Yorktown reminds US of the patriotic
tervor of men who were its founders and
whose aim was to make it something more
than school for the study of metaphy-
sizes, language, and mathematics. They
gave significant expression to their pur-
pose, for in the original charter of the
college it was enjoined, that in order to
preserve in the minds of the students the
sacred attachment which should ever be
borne to the principles of the Revolution
| the greatest care and caution should be
taken In the election of professors and
tutors, and that none should be appointed
to these offices the uniform tenor of whose
lives did not manifest their sincere affec-
ton for the liberty and independence of
the United States. This spirit manifest
ed itself in the most practical form when
Patrick Henry, the Governor of the State,
and one of the original trustees of the
college, issued requisition for militia
tor the defence of Virginia, the students
of Hampden Sidney, with the full con.
sent OF its professors, volunteered and
marched with their tutor, afterwards
President John Blair Smith, as their cap
tain, to the defence of the Capitol.
The high standard of scholarship al
ways maintained at Hampden Sidney,
and the thoroughness of the instruction
impaired there, constitute another of its
historic claims upon the regard of the
public. That this claim is well founded
might be shown in other ways, but a suf-
| ticlent illustration of its reasonableness
is gained by simple reference to the
names of men who for more than GEN.
fury have adorned the long roll of it's
Curators, Presidents, and Professors and
to the influence exerted by its Alumni,
filling as they have done with credit to
themselves and with honor to the State,
the highest positions on the Bench, at the
Bar, in the Pulpit, and in the halls of
Legislation.
make these statements in no inyid-
lous spirit, and with no desire to dis
parage any of the excellent institutions
which have since been established, and
which are now SO nobly doing their part
in the work of public instruction. There
is room for them all. Each one is rem
dering some special service to the cause
of education which would not be done
without it. Our colleges are not rivals
but co-workers for common end, and
the noblest and every true Virginian
will regard their progress and prosperity
with just pride and pleasure.
II.
Hampden Sidney is especially entitled
to the sympathy, the prayers, the patron
age, and the contributions of Pres6yte-
rams in our State. cts corner stone, it's
top stone, and its informing law" has
been the Christian religion. For more
than century hallowed influence has
pervaded it. Immediately after the Rev
olution what was called French Infdel-
ity" overran this country. 1t invaded
our State. 1t captivated some of our
most brilliant public men. 1t was gain
ing favor among the masses-but in the
providence of God no instrumentality
was so efficient in arresting its progress
and in re-establishing conviction Of the
truth of divine revelation in the minds Of