The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-27
BIT ES.


county, Va, Mrs. MARY c. HoeE, relict of the
late DR.. Thomas P. Hoge.
Although considerable time has ELAPSED
since the departure of this noble Christian
woman, it is still due to the precious memory
of her quiet unpretending cody life, that the
world should know how she lived and how she
passed away.
Mrs, Hoge was born in Halifax county, Va.
December 10Th, 1909, and was the Youngest
daughter of Achilles Whitlock a native of
Caroline county, and his wife Agnes Morton
Barksdale. of Charlotte country, Va.
Her father died In her early childhood and
she was reared by her devoted mother, with
unusual advantages for her day, which she con-
tinued to improve through life, and her vigorous
mind was richly stored with useful knowledge
and she was ever able, intelligently to give a
reason for the faith that was in her.
In her latter days her reading was mostly
confined to the Bible and some of the best re-
ligious authors.
She exempllted many of the most desirable
traits of the Huguenots, from whom she was
descended, and was allied by birth and mar
rage with many of the most eminent in church
and State in Virginia. She was strictly con
scientious and Upright, neat and methodical.
energetic and diligent in busness-tender and
affectionate, ardent and sincere in her attach
ments-modest and unostentatious. generous
and unselfsh to all and was the comforter and
the peacemaker.
Mrs. Hoge was married to DR.. Hoge when in
her sixteenth year and they lived together up
wards of fifty years, until the Master suddenly
called him to higher and more enrolling service
above. 1t is a remarkable coincidence that
they seemed to have passed away alike at AN
interval OF nearly five years-the summons to
both was sudden-and when alone, Gods
hnger touched them and they slept"
Mrs. Hoge was indisposed for week before
her departure but neither she nor her family
thought serlouly of her condition, and the
morning OF the 18th she rose intending to dress,
and when her breakfast was carried her she
was reading her Bible and soon closed her door
for bath and for her devotions, as was her
custom and when her door was not opened as
usual, her family went in and found that her
pure spirit had taken its flight. Truly she
walked with God and was not for God took herr
she had long been ripening for the sudden
translation from grace to glory in heaven; and
was not unaware of her precarious tenure of
life, and when she parted with friends for anv
length OF time, she would say, she never ex.
pected to see them again and that she exnected IN
go Ilke a flash, without moments warning and
mad premonltions of it, and that it was here.
dltary with her; and thus calmly awaited the
summons as dld her husband before her-and so
"ou prepared these loved ones for the change
MRS. hoge was consistent and exemplary
member OF Mercy Seat church for about thirty
years, She loved all Gods people. but es.
peclally the Presbyterian Church.
Her religious experience was characterized nv
hrm and abiding love, hope, peace, and charity
ana prayerfuf trust IN her Redeemer: and
ealiy stroVe to walk closer with God and to be
faithful nL, IN every relation of life. She often
wrestled with God for the salvation of her
children and grandchildren, and entrcated the
unconverted to seek the Saviour.
She passed through the furnace of affection
In the loss of her two sons in the same battle in
the Confederate War, and was awhile almost
consumed-out In time Gods grace enabled
her 70 DOW IN meek submission and say, " 1t is
the Lord he doeth what seemetb him GOOD"
thus acknowledging Fathers hand in remov.
ing ner four sons and husband, Just half of her
FAMILY before. taking her away, An aged
sister ana four daughters survive to mourn their
loss, TO whom she was the embodiment Of an
unselhsh cultured Christian mother. Home
was her sphere and it was the abode of comfort
and hospitality and all who came within its
portals, felt the magical influence of those WIZ
their presided. and who are nom Gin the nressnce
of Jesus, at homel"
Extract from letter from DR.. Hope to Mro
Agnes B. Burton.
l have long regarded your mother az one
of the most faultless of all persons | knew and
not only 80, but possessed of more positive av.
cellencles and attractions of character tbon
almost any one of whom it has been NV GOOD
fortune to meet in this world. The union ii
such good. clear intellect, sober and inst
Judgment, with so much unsel6shness, direct.
ness, sympathy, and charity, made her a well
Plroportioned, beautifully and evenly develonaG
character such as is seldom known even arnanC
those who o, had all of her opportunities for svm
metrical Christian culture. She was 70 me n,
very impersonation of gentleness iustica hos
pltallty, and benevolence. Often during m,
tour IN Asie | was cheered with tbink7ne .
her placid loving face, and remembering 6e
tender tones of voice. 1t comforted me 70 fbinI
she would often remember me and talk of ~,
and pray for me. l did so much hone To a.,
her again well will, though it viii be in
diviner sphere. -
l regard it as an honor and privilege 70 bav,
had two such relatives as uncle Thomas AN,
aunt Mary: They belonged to an order Of neo
pie, becoming, fear, more and more rare nos nos
sessed OF those sterling and those simple and nm
pretending, unostentatious traits of cbaracfer
SO seldom seen in our day when life has becorn,
so artificial, and SO full Of show and assumntion
But they have left to those who come afte-
the memory of what they were, and that vii
be treasure always to be Cherished and al
ways to be an incentive and encoura cement +,
noble living: We will all be better for bavin,
known aid loved them"