Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-19
OUR CHURCHES.
RlCHs0sD, HER PREACHERS, AND HEB
RELIGIOUS wORK.
Richmond College other Institutions
Able Men in the Pulpit-0ld-
Market Mission.

buildings in the entire South. 1t is
manned by some OF the ablest men IN
that large and influential denomina-
ton. This college is doing great edu-
catlonal work in the South. The Netho-
dists have large and flourshing college
at Ashland, sixteen miles from the city
a beautiful and thriving village-han-
dolph and Macon. IL is one OF
the Oldest colleges in America, and has
done grand work. Its graduates adorn
the legal, medical and ministerial pro-
fessiODs. At Richmond there are some
81 church edificee, with seating capa-
city of from 300 to 1900. These churches
are remarkably well attended. In fact,
the Richmond people are a church-going
people; ! think larger proportion OF
the population attend church than IN
any other city in this country, The col
ored people have 9 church editices,
and some OF them are very large
and clegant-one has member
ship Of $500. All have colored pas
tors, some OF whom are educated and
able men. Their churches are self-sup-
porting. There Is a theological semi
nary in the city expressly for the colorcd
people, also n seminary OF high grade
for coored girls. The pu,pits OF the
several denominations are filed with
men OF ability auC a more catholic and
genial class | never met. Here some of
the ablcst men known to the Christian
world have lived. labored. and died, and
although years have passed their names
are still held in sweet and precious re-
membrance.
What Beecher was and TalmaCe is TO
Brooklyn, except on a different plane
and for different reasons, Or. iIoge is TO
Richmond and the South. Here be
commenced his ministry. and the Church
which he has served for about forty
years he organized and for quite a pc
Rod he not only gave his services, but
contributed largely to the erection Of
the church ediiice. A generation and a
half have passed away since he COM
mencod his labOrs. Multiiudos wait
upon his ministry. Often at the
morning and afternoon services the
aisles are filed and every availa-
/ ble space occupied. lie breaches
without manuscript or notes of any kind.
| From the uttcrance Of the FIRST sentence
to the last the vast audience is spell
bound. His style is classic, chaste, and
vet so clear that child can comprehend
his meaning. You forget yourself and
surroundings, feel and realize that you
are in the presence of man who has
Just come from the Divine presence with
an important message 10 you. There is
no trihing in the pulpit-no anecdotes,
not n word, look. or gesture to excite
mirth, but a pure gospel, clothed IN
language so chaste and simple that
all classes Of hearers are edited
and benefited. The Sunday afternoon
| that I attended saw many in tears. men
and women trying to suppress their feel
ings. whilst the preacher dehncatcd the
sympathy of Christ, IN His glorliied bu-
manly, for the sorrowing Of earth.
Never shall I forget the deep solemnity
which was felt by that vast congregation
as he spoke of the regrets of those who
/ failed TO secure an interest i'm the loving
Jesus in this life, when he should close
His me1iatorial work and resign His
medatorship into His Fathers hand.
/ DIR. Gray, editor of The Htsrior, 1T
Chicago. at the close said he had never
before felt snch nearness to Christ.
DR. Hoge' prayer-meetIug is tended
by from 600 to 500 Daring all these
years OF his pastorate there never has
been n feud or faction in the church.
All the departments of church-work,
among the ladies' and young men are
efficiently organized and IN successful
aud harmonious prosecution. The bene-
fits resulting from the efforts Of these
Christian ladies' are felt in all parts of the
South. Poor missionaries, theological
students, and struggling churches are
their benefciaries The stranger and
soiourner finds q cordial welcome 10y pas
tor and people.
DR.. Hoge has had many calls to I'M
portant fields, with large pecunilry in
ducements, but he has chosen to live,
labor, and die with the people with whom
he commenced ms ministry. He is a
universal favorite. Frequently he is in
yited to fill the pnlpits OF other denomi-
nations in the city; whenever 1t IS
known there is no house of worship that
Will hold the people who fox to hear
him.
Besides his regular ministerial work,
DR.. Hoge has established q mission IN
part of the city which has hitherto been
regarded as hopelessly given over to bad
influences. The city gave MIN the use
OF the hall over the Old market This
has been fitted up by the young men Of
hischurch suitably fora place Of worship.
IL will accommodate about 800 people.
To this vast audience Of long-ncglectsd
people Dr. Hoge breaches every Sunday
night. / attended the meeting last
Sunday night, and although the weather
was inclement there were present at
least 1,20O people. 1t was to me q
Strengthening congregation, and Al
though composed OF the poorest OF the
poor and OF all grades, yet it was orderly,
respectful, and attentive. DIR. HOge
spoke to them on being kind to one
another and tender-hearted. Then spoke
Of the kind and tender-hearted Christ.
The sermon made a deep impression.
Many of these neglected people have
been reclaimed. A church will soon be
organized among them.
The Young ladies of Dr. Hoges
church have a sewing-school among girls.
Materials are furnished and the girls are
taught to cut and make their own gar
ments and after they are finished the
garments are presented to the needy.
The young men have night school and
conduct a weekly prayer-meeting. A
free dispenslry has been established, and
Dr. Hoee's son, a graduate from two
medical universities in Germany, gives
one hour each day ministering to the
deserving poor. a hospital IS contem-
plated, where the poor may be treated
and cared for free Of charge. Thus the
souls and bodies OF this neglected people
for whom Christ died are cared for by
Dr. Hoge and his church.
Such il DR.. Hoge's popularity as a
preacher and lecturer that he is con-
stautly called upon 10 lecture for the
benefit OF benevolent institutions and
churches. For the many hundred lee
lures he has delivered for charita-
bic objects he has never made a
charge beyond his necessary ira
Yelling expenses, and frequently he has
borne bis own expenses. Never has he
,,e,1 Iia ponularitv nc "A rrpaehaP or Loo